Review: A Dark Kiss of Rapture by Sylvia Day (Renegade Angels #0.5)

Publisher - Self-published
Publication Date - 6th October 2011
Ebook - 72 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Kindle freebie

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it.


Reviewed by - Chrissie

Book Info - Of all the Fallen, Raze's hungers are some of the darkest and most insatiable. His brazen seductions cost him his wings, leaving him soulless and immortal, the most dangerous of seducers. He has roamed the earth for eons, hunting the rogues of his kind and protecting the humans who provide him with blood and sex. He is content with his life and the transient pleasures that flow through it... until one night and one woman change everything.

Kimberly McAdams is smart, beautiful, and wealthy. She can have any man she wants, but the moment she sets eyes on the lethally stunning Raze she knows he's the man she needs. As one searingly erotic night burns into something deeper and far more vital than either of them expected, an adversary from Raze's past sees a chance for revenge. Twisted by hatred, she will take from Raze what was taken from her—the precious gift of love.

My Thoughts - Although I've heard a lot about this author, with this Renegade Angels series as well as her more popular Crossfire series, I haven't actually read any of her work before. Although I have been wanting to for a while because of all the high praise her writing seems to receive. And now, after reading A Dark Kiss of Rapture I can see why she always comes so highly recommended.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the world created by the author with the Fallen and the Sentinals and vampires and lycans. It was different to the usual vampire stories and I enjoyed the mythology behind it. However, because it was such a short story and an introduction to such a rich and complex world, I did feel that there were certain parts of the background that were glossed over and I would have had a better understanding of the characters and how they all linked together if more information had been given. But I do have the first two novels in the series sitting on my review shelf so I am looking forward to reading them now as I'm hoping it will give me a better insight into the world of the Renegade Angels.
 
There is a good balance between the romantic elements and the suspense in the storyline, and I enjoyed both. The characters are likeable but I did feel as though I didn't get to know them as well as I would have liked, although I think that is more to do with the fact that it is a novella rather than anything else. I got a feeling that the author could have gone a lot deeper into the characters if it had been a full length novel and I would have liked to know more about them.

My one complaint is that this doesn't really come with a Happy Ever After... more a Happy For Now. And although it did work, it also left me with a lot of questions about their future together. As this is the start of a series I'm hoping that the reader will learn more about the relationship between Raze and Kimberly as the series progresses, even if it's just as background characters.

Summary - A great start to the series that left me wanting to know more about the characters and the world they live in. I am now really looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

Other books in the series:
0.5. A Dark Kiss of Rapture
1. A Touch of Crimson
1.5. A Caress of Wings
2. A Hunger So Wild
 

Review: Teardrop by Lauren Kate (Teardrop #1)

Publisher - Doubleday Children's
Publication Date - 24th October 2013
Paperback - 441 pages
Genre - Young Adult/Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 3.5 out of 5: I liked it.

Reviewed by - Chrissie

Book Info - Seventeen-year-old Eureka won't let anyone close enough to feel her pain. After her mother was killed in a freak accident, the things she used to love hold no meaning. She wants to escape, but one thing holds her back: Ander, the boy who is everywhere she goes, whose turquoise eyes are like the ocean.

And then Eureka uncovers an ancient tale of romance and heartbreak, about a girl who cried an entire continent into the sea. Suddenly her mother's death and Ander's appearance seem connected, and her life takes on dark undercurrents that don't make sense.

Can everything you love be washed away?

My Thoughts - I am a fan of Lauren Kate's Fallen series so was very excited when I heard about the release of this book. Add to that the gorgeous covers that are a given with any book from this author, I knew I just had to read it. And for the most part it was an enjoyable read.

I loved how the legend of Atlantis was brought into this story, with all the mystery and intrigue that surrounded it, as it's not one I've really come across in novels before so it was a new twist on the paranormal romance genre for me. And as more was revealed about the war between the Atlanteans and the Seedbearers, I found myself getting pulled into the novel more and more as I wanted to know how Eureka was involved with it all.

I really liked the characters of Brooks and Ander. They were both good friends to Eureka and did everything they could to help her through all the difficulties in her life. If I had to pick between Team Brooks or Team Ander, I'm really not sure I could do that right now as they are both very much in love with her and want nothing but the best for her. And I'm sure that Eureka is just as divided between the two as I am.

The pacing of the novel however seemed a little off. It felt as if it took a long time for the story to get going so it took quite a while until I really started to enjoy it. At first it did feel like rather hard work. But then nearer the end, as the action picked up and a lot of the threads of the story started being pulled together, I was dragged into the novel and couldn't put it down. Also, even though I guess this is a minor complaint that may not bother others, I found it quite distracting to have a main character with such an unusual name as Eureka. I almost cringed every time another character called her by her name and I still wasn't really used to it by the end of the novel. But this is just a personal peeve. Others might enjoy reading about characters with unusual names.

Summary - Although it took a long time to get going, this was a good beginning to a new series with lots of groundwork being laid around a very interesting legend. After the ending of this book I am very much looking forward to seeing what happens next in the lives of Eureka, Brooks and Ander.

Review: Leopard's Prey by Christine Feehan (Leopard People #6)

Publisher - Piatkus
Publication Date - 28th May 2013
Paperback - 384 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 3.5 out of 5: I really liked it

Reviewed by - Chrissie

Book Info - From a tough stint in the armed forces to stalking the unknown as a bayou cop, leopard shifter Remy Boudreux has been served well by his uncanny gifts. And right now, New Orleans could use a homicide detective like Remy.

A serial killer is loose, snatching victims from the French Quarter with pitiless rage and unnatural efficiency. But something else is drawing Remy into the twilight - a beautiful jazz singer bathed, night after night, in a flood of blood-red neon.

Sultry, mysterious and as seductive as her songs, she's luring Remy deeper into the shadows than he ever imagined possible. And as their passions swell, his keen instinct for survival will be challenged like never before. By a killer - and by a woman.

My Thoughts - I have read a few books by this author and found them to be pretty hit and miss if I'm honest... a couple that I've read have been really good, while a couple of others have been just okay. And one of them I couldn't even finish, which is very rare for me. So I picked up this book with some trepidation, but luckily, this was one that I did enjoy... very much so in fact. And even though this is the sixth book in the series, I was easily able to read this one without any confusion at all even though I haven't read any of the previous books.

I really liked both of the main characters, Remy and Bijou. They are both strong and loyal, and I really felt for Bijou as I learnt more about her backstory. Remy has a few faults, such as his stubborn nature and the fact that he didn't always manage to do the right thing for Bijou despite his best intentions, but nothing that really made me dislike him. They just made his character more realistic. What did irritate me slightly was the fact that he always blames all of his bad points on his leopard! Every single time! I almost wanted to tell him to step up and take responsibility for his actions rather than falling back on his leopard as an excuse. And I believe that Bijou and his sister told him exactly that at one point in the book, which did make me laugh.

The chemistry between these two is just off the charts and when they do finally come together there are serious fireworks. If you're not a fan of things getting a little bit rough between the sheets then this may not be the book for you... but fortunately, things like that don't bother me at all. I felt that the balance between the romance and mystery elements of the story worked very well, but there was just one major problem that I had with this book. To me, it was immediately apparent who was behind the murders as soon as the character was introduced to the reader. I kept on reading in the hopes that the author would throw in some kind of twist and that maybe I was wrong... but no, that didn't happen.

Summary - A great plotline, with characters that are easy to fall in love with as well as some unbelievably hot sexy times. It was just let down by the mystery being so easy to solve. But even so, I still really enjoyed this one and will be looking for more books from this series.

Other books in this series:
1. The Awakening
2. Wild Rain
3. Burning Wild
4. Wild Fire
5. Savage Nature
6. Leopard's Prey

Review: Forbidden Magic by Jennifer Lyon (Wing Slayer #5)

Publisher - Self published
Publication Date -  10th April 2012
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source -  Purchased

Rating - 3 out of 5: I liked it

Book Info - Wing Slayer Hunter, Ram Virtos, must find his soul mirror witch and convince her to mate with him before his Thunderbird tattoo kills him. But while that witch might be able to save Ram’s life, it is the mysterious Ginny Stone who inflames his passion.

Ginny has been deeply fascinated by Ram for months, but dared not act on it or she’d be torn from her mortal life on earth and thrust into her dreaded destiny as a half-breed angel. But when her beloved brother’s soul is at stake, she must do the one thing she both fears and desires…

Take Ram to her bed.

My Thoughts - I am a big fan of this series so I was really looking forward to reading this latest instalment.  It started off with a lot of promise.  Ram is as drool-worthy as all the other Wing Slayer Hunters in the series (read my reviews here to find out exactly how drool-worthy they all are).  He's strong, determined and sexy.  He's trying to recover from the fact that his soul mirror, the witch that he is destined to be with, has disappeared and wants nothing to do with him.  But, although he's angry at her for doing this, he isn't heartbroken.  Not when he's been in love with Ginny for so long.  He refuses to chase after his soul mirror and instead puts all of his effort into proving to Ginny how he feels about her and in keeping her safe from her evil father.  I loved how he knew exactly what he wanted even though according to destiny he is supposed to be with somebody else.  This is a man who makes his own rules.

Ginny is also a great character.  She is strong and independent, and wants nothing more than to stay on earth and live her life, rather than being taken by her evil angel father.  Because of her father's hold over her she's lead a lonely life, with only her brother, another Wing Slayer Hunter, to look out for her.  She is incredibly loyal to her brother, so when she is asked by her father to risk it all to keep him safe, she doesn't even have to think for a second about her decision.  This bravery  and loyalty were the things that really made me fall in love with Ginny.

The romance between Ram and Ginny is passionate, deep and electric.  Literally so as Ram's tattoo has a tendency to shoot out electric currents when he touches her.  They love each other and are determined to be together despite the fact that things look pretty hopeless.  I really couldn't help rooting for them as a couple.

The plot had me glued to the edge of the seat and I read the whole thing in one night (it's a pretty short e-novella).  My only problem with it - and it was such a big problem that I felt I needed to deduct two whole stars from the rating - was the ending.  The story just stops.  Dead in its tracks.  It was not wrapped up in any way and it left me feeling short-changed.  I like to read novellas, something quick and entertaining.  But only if they actually have an ending.  This one stopped so abruptly I thought that maybe only part of the book had been downloaded to my Kindle.  However, I have since found out that a lot of people felt the same way so I'm sure that's not the problem.  I assume the story will be continued in the next book in the series, but by the end of a romance story I like to know how things are going to turn out between the hero and the heroine.

Summary - Another great instalment to one of my favourite series.  However, it was let down considerably by the ending.

Other books in the series:
1. Blood Magic
2. Soul Magic
3. Night Magic
4. Sinful Magic
5. Forbidden Magic

Review: Copper Beach by Jayne Ann Krentz (Dark Legacy #1)

Publisher - Piatkus
Publication Date - 10th January 2012
Paperback - 352 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romantic Suspense

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it

Book Info - Within the pages of very rare books, some centuries old, lie the secrets of the paranormal. Abby Radwell's unusual psychic talent has made her an expert in such volumes - and sometimes has taken her into dangerous territory. After a deadly incident in the private library of an obsessive collector, Abby receives a blackmail threat, and rumours swirl that an old alchemical text known as The Key has reappeared on the black market.

Convinced she needs an investigator who can also play bodyguard, she hires Sam Coppersmith, an expert in paranormal crystals and amber. Passion immediately flares between them, though neither entirely trusts the other. But when it comes to dealing with a killer with paranormal talents - and a blackmailer who will stop at nothing to obtain an ancient alchemical code - no one is safe.

My Thoughts - Copper Beach was my first book by this author, although I have heard a lot of good things about her work in the past. And I have to say that I did enjoy this novel a lot.

Abby is a very likeable heroine. She's intelligent, not afraid to stand up to others and is very good at her job of working with books about the paranormal. She has spent a lot of time building up her career and as a result of that she has a flawless reputation amongst her peers. But there is also a more vulnerable side to her as well, a side that makes it difficult for her to let people get close to her. She only trusts two other people, and they have all been friends since their teen years. Abby does not trust easily. But at no point does she become prickly or unlikeable as can so often be the case with other heroines like Abby. She remains friendly, professional and completely loyal at all times.

I also liked Sam as a hero. At first the reader, and Abby, doesn't know if he can be trusted. His girlfriend died a few months back and, although he was never charged with her murder, he was a suspect for a while. But as Sam begins to open up to Abby, we get to see what really happened with his ex-girlfriend. He is strong, capable and more than a little bit sexy.

Sam and Abby complement each other very well as a couple. Abby has trust and commitment issues, whilst Sam is unshakeable once he has his sights set on something - and his sights are set on Abby. What I did enjoy about this book was that, although Abby does have some commitment issues, they are not dragged out for a majority of the book as I've found can sometimes happen. She feels apprehension at first but she is mature enough to work through her feelings and decide what it is she really wants.

The mystery element was really well written and, although we do get to find out at the beginning about the identity of one of the men after the book, there are some great twists thrown in along the way that really meant I had no idea which direction the book was going to go in. It definitely kept me on the edge of my seat.

My only small complaint would be that, while paranormal energy within crytals and books seems pivotal to the plot, the explanations of these things were pretty vague and I didn't feel as though I really had a proper grasp on some of the fundamental concepts of this energy. It didn't really stop my understanding of the plot, but I think I would have liked more just simply so I could feel better immersed within their world.

Summary - A great start to a new series and I will defintely be checking out other books by this author. A very enjoyable read.

Review: Messenger's Angel by Heather Killough-Walden (Lost Angels #2)

Publisher - Headline
Publication Date - 21st June 2012
Paperback - 416 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 3.5 out of 5: I liked it

Book Info - Juliette Anderson has recently begun to fear for her sanity as inexplicable, and apparently supernatural, powers take hold of her life. Offered the opportunity to work in a beautiful country which has always fascinated her, she accepts, desperate for escape.

Gabriel, the Messenger Archangel, has always called Scotland his true home. Nevertheless, he is stunned when his archess suddenly appears, after centuries of searching, in the land closest to his heart.

Juliette's encounter with the gorgeous silver-eyed stranger changes their worlds forever. But even as they find each other, enemies - old and new - surround them. With danger closing in, they will have one chance to fulfil a destiny written for them in the stars...

My Thoughts - After reading the first book in the series, Avenger's Angel, and absolutely loving it I was very excited to start reading this book. However, although I did enjoy it a lot, it didn't really meet my expectations after such an amazing start to the series.

I loved the main characters, Juliette and Gabriel, and the chemistry between the two of them was off the charts whenever they were together. The interactions between the two of them went from sizzling hot to tender and loving and I just couldn't get enough of this couple. However, they seem to spend quite a bit of time apart as they fight their enemies and I would definitely have liked to have seen more of this couple working together.

Of course, Gabriel's sexy Archangel 'brothers' are around to lend a hand, as well as the archess, Eleanore, from Avenger's Angel. They create a great background cast to support Gabriel and Juliette. Plus the Adarians, a group of bad Archangels who are after Juliette, play a big role too and provide a lot of suspense in the book.

One of the things I loved most about this book was the way that the setting plays such a major role in the story. Scotland is the place that Gabriel has considered his home all his life and is obviously very important to him. The descriptions of Scotland were written beautifully and because of this book alone it is now on my list of places I want to see before I die.

There is a lot of action in Messenger's Angel, making it fast-paced and pretty impossible to put down. However, I would say that for a paranormal romance, the balance between the romance and the action felt just a bit too heavy on the action side. I would have liked to have seen a bit more of the development of the romance, even if it meant making the book longer than it already was.

And at the end of the book the reader discovers that the next story to be told is Azrael's, the Angel of Death. He is a character that has intrigued me from the start so I can't even begin to tell you how excited I am about the release of Death's Angel at the end of the year!

Summary - A hot and sexy paranormal romance, that will leave you wanting more of Gabriel and Juliette.

Other books in the series:
1. Avenger's Angel
2. Messenger's Angel
3. Death's Angel (released December 2012)

Review: Dark Kiss by Michelle Rowen (Nightwatchers #1)

Publisher - Harlequin Teen
Publication Date - 22nd May 2012
Genre - Young Adult Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from NetGalley for review

Rating - 3 out of 5: I liked it


Reviewed by - Ally

Book Info - I don't do dangerous.

Smart, uber-careful, ordinary Samantha - that's me. But I just couldn't pass up a surprise kiss from my number-one unattainable crush. A kiss that did something to me - something strange. Now I feel hungry all the time, but not for food. It's like part of me is missing - and I don't know if I can get it back. 

Then there's Bishop. At first I thought he was just a street kid, but the secrets he's keeping are as intense as his unearthly blue eyes. If he's what I think he is, he may be the only one who can help me. But something terrifying is closing in, and the one chance Bishop and I have to stop it means losing everything I ever wanted and embracing the darkness inside me.

My Thoughts - First things first, let’s take a minute to revel in the hotness of this cover, “Look at that face...and uhh umm, o-other things!” Ok enough! *surreptitiously wipes drool from corner of mouth*

Every girl dreams of being kissed by that one guy who makes her blood hot, and with a guy like Stephen Keyes one hot passionate kiss can’t do any harm…even if he warned her, can it..?

When Angels and Demons come together and souls are commodities, Samantha finds her life changed and she’s not sure if she likes it. Either way she’s hungry all the time, always cold and only one guy seems to chase that chill away might only be using her. Samantha's drawn to him and there's one gigantic problem when it comes to her wanting to kiss him, it might be their undoing.

A pawn in a battle between lesser Evils, who will save the world? Does she dare break out on her own, that mind shattering kiss seems to have awakened powers she never knew she had. This book is no average Angel versus Demons and not just ANY girl’s life changes. When angels and demons band together and secrets of millennia’s before surface, this much anticipated book delivers.

I have to admit this book did give me flashbacks to Charmed, when they mentioned the source and described the hollow, there was no Black and White, between the true good and true evil and H.M Ward’s “Valefar” seem to be called the grey in this series. Samantha though was level headed and I loved the fact that she didn’t keep secrets that were TOO life threatening. I found her actions at the end a bit frustrating I mean are you really going to be THAT slow, THAT dumb and then STILL hope that the Calvary will come riding in. Are you THAT optimistic!

Summary - All in this entire book delivers; the writing was good the characters were good and I look forward to seeing more of it! The romance blossomed like a good book should, none of the tinned stuff, the action well paced and the story line bold and refreshing. I don’t want to go in to it too much because of lot of it would be spoilers :)

Other reviews of this book:
Burnt Pages Book Reviews / Livin' Life Through Books / Paperbook Princess

Review: Halflings by Heather Burch (Halflings #1)

Before this post kicks off I would just like to say that this is the first review from new Once Upon a Series reviewer, Ally. So please show Ally some love and make her feel welcome in her new little bit of space in the blogosphere :) ~Chrissie~

Publisher - Zondervan
Publication Date - 1st February 2012
Genre - Young Adult/Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from NetGalley

Rating - 2 out of 5 (but edging towards a 3): It was ok

Reviewed by - Ally

Book Info - After being inexplicably targeted by an evil intent on harming her at any cost, seventeen-year-old Nikki finds herself under the watchful guardianship of three mysterious young men who call themselves halflings. Sworn to defend her, misfits Mace, Raven, and Vine battle to keep Nikki safe while hiding their deepest secret—and the wings that come with.

A growing attraction between Nikki and two of her protectors presents a whole other danger. While she risks a broken heart, Mace and Raven could lose everything, including their souls. As the mysteries behind the boys’ powers, as well as her role in a scientist’s dark plan, unfold, Nikki is faced with choices that will affect the future of an entire race of heavenly beings, as well as the precarious equilibrium of the earthly world.

My Thoughts - Having been my first angel book I was practically flying off my chair when I got the chance to read this book, thank you Netgalley and my beautiful beautiful ARC! This book is Action packed and showcases this from the upstart. As if being a teenager wasn’t crazy enough with just human boys, but when love triangles emerge with ANGELS!! Yes angels…ok Halflings, but Angels nonetheless, and being chased by hells little pets, Nikki has more than she’s cut out for. So much for normal *sigh*.

But then again, what’s normal in this world eh? From vampires to angels - unbelievably hot, powerful Angels - who are here to guard you and dog your every step Mace, Raven and Vine (may I take a minute to say how much I adored these “lost boys”). Who are these boys? They are Halflings - half angel and half human; the product of fallen angels and humans, sent by the “higher power” to guard those who are foretold for greatness.

There were a few things about this book which bugged me. Nikki is meant to be a Kick ass girl with a motorcycle and a black belt in Karate, why the hell is she crying and/or fainting all the time. I mean get it together!

Of course there’s a love triangle, what book doesn’t have one nowadays, but a love triangle between 2 brothers? That’s a whole other WORLD of trouble. (Can I just take this time to say *Blech!*) I’m all for being “unique” in your plot and characters, but this seems a bit extreme - can I mention the whole Clare-Jace “are we brother and sister?” debacle from mortal instruments *yuck*, I haven’t been back to that series since.

The thing is despite all this books vices; the slow pace (at points), awkward disjointed moments and well let’s face it Icky factor, it still managed to be a good book.

Nikki is at the centre of a war that’s brewing and she’s going to need all the help she can get, caught between two worlds, two boys and two sides. Falling from grace has never been so fun! However be warned this book ends in a major cliff-hanger and having been the first book in the series there are quite a few loose ends and the plot is somewhat lacking but with the amazing grace (ok, ok I’ll stop with my not so great puns) amazingly hot characters and an intriguing back story this book managed to ensnare me.

Summary - I LOVED the synopsis. I LOVED the cover. I… liked the book. This series seems to be starting off…ok. I love the “lost boys” there’s a sadness that just draws me to them. Unfortunately Nikki just reminds me WAY to much of Bella Swan, and at least Bella did not go parading around as some kick Booty Chick…much. An interesting premise and I’ll wait it out to see if this series has any wings (Ok now I’ll stop!).

Other reviews of this book:
Alexa Loves Books / Confessions of a Bookaholic

Blog Tour: Crave by Melissa Darnell: Review + Author Interview

Publisher - Mira Ink
Publication Date - 6th April 2012
Paperback - 432 pages
Genre - Young Adult/Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 3 out of 5: I liked it

Book Info - Bloodlust. Magic. Forbidden secrets.

When Savannah Colbert returns to school after a mystery illness, the fact that she has changed is clear to everyone. None more so than every school girls golden boy Tristan Coleman. Ever since their first kiss in fourth grade, Savannah and Tristan have been cruelly and inexplicably banned from associating with each other. Now, as the pair navigate the tricky social life of high school, the truth is about to be revealed.

As Savannah learns of their paranormal ancestry and Tristan deals with the repercussions of her new powers, the relationship they have been denied for so long becomes utterly irresistible and all consuming. Like Romeo and Juliet centuries before them, Savannah and Tristan’s love is destined to fail; and Tristan’s powerful magical family, the Clann, are watching.

My Thoughts - I was very excited when I was asked to take part in the blog tour for Crave as I have heard a lot of good things about the book. And, for the most part, I did really enjoy reading it.

The characters of Savannah and Tristan were both likeable and realistically written. At times I found Savannah to be a bit too whiny for my liking but overall I thought she was caring, brave and selfless. And I loved the way Tristan looks out for Savannah throughout the novel, showing that he really does care about her. He also comes across as very charming and friendly, making him seem pretty irresistable.

The romance between the two is sweet and slow-burning. They have known each other since childhood but have never been able to act on their feelings due to the fact that their families have forbidden them to talk to each other. I am glad that this book wasn't another case of insta-love that seems so common in paranormal romance these days.

The only complaint I have about this book is that the storyline does move along at quite a slow pace and there were a few times when I wished that something would happen. But Crave does have a unique plot that I haven't come across before so in that respect it was quite a refreshing read.

I would definitely recommend this book to fans of young adult paranormal novels.

Author Interview

I am also very excited to welcome Melissa to Once Upon a Series today to answer a few of my questions! Thank you Melissa!

What three words would you use to describe Crave?
Bloodlust. Magic. Forbidden love. (I know, I know, that's four not three; I tend to write long!)


How long did it take you to write Crave?
A month to plot it and a few weeks to write it. And then a year to revise it.

Where did you get your inspiration for the Clann series?
When the YA vampire craze started to take off, as a long time lover of vamp romances I was thrilled but felt the genre was really missing something...namely a vampire heroine. Why should the boys get all the fun here?! But I wanted to see her start off as a normal, clueless human and then have to experience this crazy transformation process as well as learn how to deal with the final result of becoming a vampire. I also wanted a real Romeo and Juliet forbidden kind of love, one where both the hero and heroine were equally powerful, equally interesting in a paranormal way, and equally dangerous to each other so the forbidden aspect of their love would have a huge rippling effect not just on each other but on their worlds as well. When I considered what kind of hero could possibly be as strong and powerful as a vamp, the answer seemed natural...a male witch.

Do you already know how the series will end, or do you just see where your writing takes you?
I've already plotted the third book, which will probably be the final book for Savannah and Tristan, and am currently working on its rough draft. So I definitely know how their saga will end. As for a few key other characters, they "might" end up getting a story of their own in the series.

What made you want to write about forbidden love?
I hate sucky endings to romances (and by "sucky" I mean anything short of a full on happy ending!). Therefore Romeo and Juliet simply had to be rewritten with a better ending. And what could make that classic story even better than reworking the ending? Why, to throw in some witches and vampires, of course!

Please feel free to visit my sites at www.TheClannSeries.com and www.melissadarnell.com to learn even more about the history of Savannah's race of vampires and the Clann, listen to each Clann Series book's playlist online, contact me with any additional questions you or your readers may have, and much more!
And a HUGE thank you for featuring me on your blog today!

Review: Night Magic by Jennifer Lyon (Wing Slayer #3)

Publisher - Rouge Romance
Publication Date - 14th November 2011
Genre -  Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it.

Book Info - Ailish Donovan is a witch, raised unaware of her powers. She is only sixteen when her mother tricks her into binding with the demon Asmodeus. Pure-hearted Ailish escapes but pays a heavy price: for the next eight years, she is shunned by her earth sisters and tormented by the demon's lust. After hardening her body and mind Ailish returns home to break the bond - or die.

The Wing Slayer Hunter Phoenix Torq is sworn to protect earth witches, but he is shaken by Ailish's fierce independence - and his own forbidden cravings. Torn between mistrust and desire, each must go to hell and back to seek the magic that could set them both free.

My Thoughts - I am a big fan of the Wing Slayer series, so I was very excited to read Night Magic. Especially when I learned that the heroine is a blind kickboxer - how cool is that! And I was not disappointed by this book in the slightest.

Ailish is an amazing character and I fell in love with her straight away. She is an intriguing mix of strength and vulnerability that makes her extremely endearing and instantly likeable. At the age of sixteen, her demon witch mother tricked her and handfasted her to a demon. All young Ailish wanted was for her ex-boyfriend to love her again and her mother used this vulnerability to trick her into the binding. It is so easy to feel heartbreak for Ailish and the situation she is in - because of a young girl's desire for love (something I think most readers will be able to identify with!) and an incredibly wicked mother, Ailish now finds herself in a situation where she must either complete the binding with the demon or die. She wants nothing more than to be a good earth witch and help people but she has nobody who is willing to help her. As a result Ailish has had to learn to depend on herself and protect herself from a demon and a coven of demon witches. Her desperation to succeed as a good earth witch and her loneliness jump off the page at the reader. All this combines to make Ailish one of my favourite paranormal romance heroines.

Phoenix is a Wing Slayer Hunter - a man with supernatural strength and speed who is tasked with protecting earth witches. All hunters have been afflicted by a curse where they desire the power that is in witches blood. The hunters that give into this curse and kill a witch become soulless rogue hunters who live for nothing more than killing yet more witches. The Wing Slayer Hunters are trying to fight this curse and, rather than give into this bloodlust, are tracking down and killing as many rogue hunters as they can. Phoenix is struggling every day with this curse and I love the strength that all the Wing Slayers show as they battle against the impulse to hurt innocent women. But Phoenix has also had a troubled background. As a child he was a carer for his schizophrenic mother, who eventually killed herself. He has lived with the guilt of his mother's death for a long time and is trying to atone for his mistakes by helping as many women as he can. I was really able to relate to a lot of Phoenix's feelings about caring for his mother, as I am also a carer for a loved one. It is not an easy task and I was impressed with how well the author handled the topic. Phoenix becomes scared when he realises that his soul-mirror is blind and he has to overcome this fear of caring for, and possibly letting down, another woman. But Phoenix soon learns that Ailish is pretty kick-ass and is absolutely able to look after herself.

I loved the relationship between the two main characters. The author manages to bring these two damaged people together and fill their lives with love and hope - two things that neither of them have felt for a very long time. They have to learn how to trust each other and work together to break the handfast so that they can get their happy ever after. It is a road filled with a lot of heartbreak but their love for each other makes them believe anything is possible.

Summary - The Wing Slayer series is a must-read for fans of paranormal romance. With loveable characters, action-filled plots and heart-melting romance, I can't recommend this series enough.

Other books in the series:
1. Blood Magic
2. Soul Magic
3. Night Magic
4. Sinful Magic
5. Forbidden Magic

Other reviews of this book:
Joyfully Reviewed / Night Owl Reviews

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #12 for 2012 Speculative Romance Reading Challenge
Book #20 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review: Demon Soul by Christine Ashworth (Caine Brothers #1)

Publisher - Crescent Moon Press
Publication Date - April 2011
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from author for review

Rating - 2.5 out of 5: I liked it

Book Info - Gabriel Caine stands on the edge of the abyss. A vampire has stolen his soul and if he doesn't get it back soon, his next step will be into Hell. Only the naïvely mysterious Rose can help him retrieve it. Without her, he really will become the devil himself.

Rose Walters has been sent back from the dead to complete one task-save Gabriel Caine. She's drawn to Gabriel on the most basic level, but restoring his soul may cost Rose her life.

Rose has touched the whole of Gabriel, making him yearn for a love he believes he can never have. Her willingness to put her human life on the line for him forces him to bring all three parts of himself—demon, human, and Feri bloodlines, and the strengths of each—into harmony and into the fight that decides their fate.

My Thoughts - What I really liked about this novel is that it brings some originality back into the paranormal genre. Gabriel and his brothers are tri-breeds - a mixture of demon, fae and human - and they have each inherited slightly different characteristics from their parents. Rose is also very different from any other characters I've read about. This meant that I became intrigued by these characters from the very start.

I think that the novel moves along at a good pace, with a nice balance between the romance and action elements. The author slowly unravels the story, meaning that the plot kept me hooked and I was always guessing at what would happen next. I also liked the way that Gabriel's relationship with his brothers is portrayed. Gabriel has been on his own for a decade and we see how each member of the family was affected by this absence and also how they have to work at building a new relationship once he comes home.

However, I found it quite difficult to like Gabriel very much. He experienced some bad things as he was growing up and as a result he goes into a self-imposed exile. And when he comes back home in Demon Soul, he continues to keep his distance from the people around him, especially Rose. I couldn't help but feel as though he was taking the easy way out rather than dealing with the issues of his past. Plus he does far too much brooding for my liking. Near the end, once he accepts his feelings for Rose, he does become more likeable but I wish that this could have started happening sooner in the novel.

Summary - A new twist in the paranormal genre that is well-written and gripping. However, my inability to click with the hero meant that I did not enjoy the story as much as I would have liked. I am still intrigued enough by the concepts introduced in Demon Soul to continue with the series and see what the author has in store for the other tri-breeds.

Other books in the series:
1. Demon Soul
2. Demon Hunt

Other reviews of this book:
Judging the Book By It's Pages / Reader Views

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #10 for 2012 Speculative Romance Reading Challenge
Book #14 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Help! I need more romance in my life!

Over the last couple of years I have become a great fan of paranormal romance, but I have avoided the rest of the genre. I'm not entirely sure why, but they have never really appealled to me.

That all changed recently though. Imagine the scene - I have just finished up reading all the books I need to read for my recent Paranormal Romance Month and I am looking for something a little bit different. I start to browse my review book shelf and find Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas and My Ruthless Prince by Gaelen Foley, both of which have been sent to me by the lovely people over at Piatkus Books. One is contemporary romance and one is historical romance, and neither of them are books that I would normally pick up. But I decided to give them a try. And I ended up absolutely loving both of them! Especially Rainshadow Road, which I gave five stars to. Reviews will be up some time next week.

Now, here is the problem and I'm hoping you might be able to help. I really want to read more historical and contemporary romance and I have no idea where to start (apart from backlist titles from Lisa Kleypas and Gaelen Foley). Do you read these genres at all? Who would you recommend I start with?

Also, I am thinking I would like to read some more romantic suspense whilst I am at it. I have read a couple as I quite often read mysteries, but I am thinking that this is something else that I would like to explore some more. I have read a couple of books from Bella Andre's Hot Shots series about sexy firemen which I quite enjoyed, and a book from J.D. Robb's In Death series, although that was a long time ago and I'm not entirely sure now which one it was I read - I do remember that I enjoyed it though! So, are there any romantic suspense fans out there? Who are your favourite romantic suspense authors?

I look forward to reading your recommendations! I've got no idea where to start looking on my own :)

Review: Fallen in Love by Lauren Kate (Fallen #3.5)

Publisher - Doubleday Children's Books
Publication Date - 2nd February 2012
Paperback - 256 pages
Genre - Young Adult/Paranromal Romance

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it

Book Info - Unexpected. Unrequited. Forbidden. Eternal. Everyone has their own love story.

And in a twist of fate, four extraordinary love stories intersect over the course of a romantic Valentine's Day in medieval England.

Miles and Shelby find love where they least expect it. Roland learns a painful lesson about finding and losing love. Arriane pays the price for a love so fierce it burns. And for the first - and last - time, Daniel and Luce spend a night together like none other.

Fallen in Love is filled with love stories... the ones everyone has been waiting for.

My Thoughts - The first thing I want to say about this book is that I absolutely love the setting. Medieval England just makes everything feel so much more romantic! There's knights, damsels in distress and a Valentine's Day Fair *sigh*. It all worked so well and made me wish I could be there with the characters.

I really enjoyed each of the short stories included in the book, but they all bring something different to the table. Love Where You Least Expect It (Miles and Shelby's story) is possibly my favourite. It is a very sweet story of two friends who are trying to work out their feelings as they realise their friendship is turning into something else and it is filled with touching moments between the pair.

Love Lessons (Roland's Story) is a bittersweet look into Roland's past and helps to give a better understanding of his serious nature.

Burning Love (Arriane's story) was the most interesting, but also the most frustrating for me. It gives some insight into her relationship with a female demon and the feelings of heartbreak as they realise they can't be together just jump off the page at you. However, because the story was so intriguing, I found myself wanting to know more about them than it was possible to learn in such a short story.

Endless Love (Luce and Daniel's story) was, of course, a happy and romantic story of the only Valentine's day the pair ever spend together. I loved reading about how their friends meddle in events to make this happen and about the love that Luce and Daniel share despite everything that is against them.

Summary - These are a set of short stories that cover all aspects of love - friends-to-lovers, destined love and heartbreak. Fans of the Fallen series will love this book, although people who haven't read the other books in the series might get confused as there just isn't enough time to include any back story. My only complaint would be that I wanted to read Cam's story but I can still hope that I'll get to read it one day! A great set of romantic short stories that all fans of the series must read!

Other books in the series:
1. Fallen
2. Torment
3. Passion
3.5. Fallen in Love
4. Rapture

Other reviews of this book:
Bewitched Bookworms / Books With Bite / Imaginary Reads

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #17 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review: Eternal Blood by Laura Wright (Mark of the Vampire #2.5)

Publisher - Piatkus Entice
Publication Date - 14th February 2012
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 3 out of 5: I liked it

Book Info - Gray Donahue is crippled by the guilt he feels for his father's death. An Impure vampire cursed with the ability to hear the thoughts of others, he indulges in blood and sex to stave off the pain of his existence. He is then abducted by the Eternal Order of Vampires, who subject him to a nightmarish ritual. But when he is rescued by the icy pureblood vampire Dillon, he finds something that is worth living for, dying for, and killing for...

My Thoughts - Eternal Blood is a very short novella that is part of the Mark of the Vampire series. I recently read Eternal Kiss (book two of the series) and I was very intrigued by the character of Gray so I was very pleased when I found out this was his story.

The best thing about this novella for me was the growth that Gray makes during the course of the story - something I found amazing considering the fact that it was only 21 pages long. At the start, he really couldn't care less about anybody else. All he wants to do is get drunk and have meaningless sex with as many women as possible so he can try and forget about everything. But, after the events of Eternal Blood, he is ready to take responsibility and try to take down the Order (a group of ten all-powerful vampires who have complete control over all other vampires). This is a Gray I could fall in love with, as he takes control of his life and actually wants to make a difference in the lives of others.

What I did feel was lacking was the romance element of the story. There is one steamy scene at the start with somebody who isn't Dillon (the heroine of the story), but once Dillon arrives on the scene there is just constant bickering between the two of them. There is a lot of chemistry between them and it is obvious that the bickering is the grown-up equivalent of pulling the pig-tails of the girl you fancy in the playground, but I was really hoping it would turn into something more.

Summary - A great insight into the mind of one of the more intriguing characters of the series. But I wish more could have been made of the romance between Gray and Dillon.

Other books in the series:
1. Eternal Hunger
2. Eternal Kiss
2.5. Eternal Blood
3. Eternal Captive

Other reviews of this book:
Sizzling Hot Book Reviews / Under the Covers

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #11 for 2012 Speculative Romance Reading Challenge
Book #15 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Paranormal Romance Month Review: The Darkest Pleasure by Gena Showalter (Lords of the Underworld #3)

Publisher - Mira Books
Publication Date - 18th September 2009
Paperback - 384 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Purchased

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it

Book Info - Reyes is a man possessed. Bound by the demon of pain, he is forbidden to know pleasure. Yet he craves a mortal woman, Danika Ford, more than breath and will do anything to claim her - even defy the gods.

Danika is on the run. For months she's eluded the Lords of the Underworld, immortal warriors who won't rest until she and her family have been destroyed. But her dreams are haunted by Reyes, the warrior whose searing touch she can't forget. Yet a future together could mean death to all they both hold dear....

My Thoughts - This is definitely my favourite book of the series so far. It tells the story of Reyes, the keeper of Pain, and a human female, Danika. We have had glimpses of their story in the previous two books (glimpses that have left me very excited for this book!) but this story focuses on them completely.

I absolutely fell in love with Reyes. At first I thought it might be strange reading about a man who needs to hurt himself to please his demon, and to feel any kind of pleasure himself. But because of the amazing character building by the author it was not strange at all. I was pulled into his story and I really felt for him. Out of all the Lords I have read about so far, he seems the most human. He accepts his demon and has come to accept his need for pain but his shame is obvious. He has taught his demon to be satisfied with self-inflicted pain so that Reyes does not have to hurt anybody else or pull anybody else into his situation by letting others hurt him. I couldn't help but feel for him - his isolation and shame, and the fact that he has to endure this for eternity. And when he meets Danika, the reader sees a softer side of Reyes, which made me go weak at the knees a few times.

At the beginning of The Darkest Pleasure, Danika is on the run from the Lords after being kidnapped by them in the first book. Her loneliness and desperation jumps off the page at the reader. As with Reyes, you can't help but fall in love with her. Her strength and courage are admirable.

Summary - There are many twists and turns in this book and many shocking revelations. These kept me gripped until the very end. Gena Showalter has brought together loveable characters, intrigue, mystery and romance to create an amazing paranormal romance novel.

Other books in this series:
0.5. The Darkest Fire
1. The Darkest Night
2. The Darkest Kiss
3. The Darkest Pleasure
3.5. The Darkest Prison
4. The Darkest Whisper
5. The Darkest Passion
6. The Darkest Lie
7. The Darkest Secret
8. The Darkest Surrender

Other reviews of this book:
Buggy's Book Blog / Maryse's Book Blog / Pedantic Phooka

Paranormal Romance Month Review: Archangel's Blade by Nalini Singh (Guild Hunter #4)

Publisher - Gollancz
Publication Date - 8th September 2011
Paperback - 320 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Purchased

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it

Book Info - The severed head marked by a distinctive tattoo on its cheek should have been a Guild case, but dark instincts honed over hundreds of years of life compel the vampire Dmitri to take control. There is something twisted about this death, something that whispers of centuries long past...but Dmitri's need to discover the truth is nothing to the vicious strength of his response to the hunter assigned to decipher the tattoo.

Savaged in a brutal attack that almost killed her, Honor is nowhere near ready to come face to face with the seductive vampire who is an archangel's right hand, and who wears his cruelty as boldly as his lethal sensuality...the same vampire who has been her secret obsession since the day she was old enough to understand the inexplicable, violent emotions he aroused in her.

As desire turns into a dangerous compulsion that might destroy them both, it becomes clear the past will not stay buried. Something is hunting...and it will not stop until it brings a blood-soaked nightmare to life once more...

My Thoughts - Those of you who have read my reviews of the series so far will know that by book three I was starting to get a bit bored of Raphael and Elena. I still love them in my own special way but I just wasn't sure if I wanted to read anymore books about them. So when I realised Archangel's Blade was about a different couple I became very intrigued and my interest in the series became re-energised.

Dmitri is a character who has played a large part in the series so far as Raphael's right hand man and I am so glad that we get to find out more about him in this book. He is portrayed as a cold and heartless killer, but as his story unfolds the reader gets to find out what happened so many years ago to turn his heart to stone. His story is absolutely heart-breaking and it really helped me to get a better understanding of him as a character. Although I have never found him to be particularly sexy in the previous books, that definitely changed for me in Archangel's Blade. He is a typical alpha-male who is very dominant and knows exactly what he wants. But add this to the vulnerable side that we see of him here and he just becomes irresistible.

Honor is a great character too. When we first meet her she is trying to scrape back together the pieces of her life after a brutal attack by a group of vampires that happened over a matter of weeks. I loved watching her as she tries to come to terms with what happened and her strength as she becomes determined that she will not allow the attack to change her into a timid person. With Dmitri's attention, Honor really does blossom and become much more confident as the story progresses. In fact, they are perfect for each other as they each help the other to heal from past hurts.

I managed to work out quite early on how things were going to end between Dmitri and Honor and it was just the perfect Happy Ever After for them. I don't normally like it when I can work out how a book is going to end but I think I would have been seriously disappointed if it hadn't ended the way it did. I was literally sobbing with happiness for Dmitri and Honor. I even still get a warm fuzzy feeling thinking about it now and I finished reading it a couple of weeks ago *sigh*.

Summary - I think that this is my favourite book of the series so far. It has got a sexy alpha male, a kick-ass heroine and a strong mystery plot. The ending is just so amazing and heart-warming that I think everybody should read it for the warm fuzzies it will give you. Although it is book four in a series I think you could get away with skipping straight to this book as the series changes focus at this point onto a different couple. If you are a paranormal romance fan, you really need to read this book!

Other books in this series:
1. Angels' Blood
2. Archangel's Kiss
3. Archangels Consort
4. Archangel's Blade

Other reviews of this book:
Dear Author / Love Vampires / Smexy Books

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #6 for 2012 Speculative Romance Reading Challenge
Book #4 for 2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge
Book #10 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Paranormal Romance Month Review: Ashes of Angels by Michele Hauf (Of Angels and Demons #3)

Publisher - Mills and Boon
Publication Date - 19th August 2011
Paperback - 336 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Purchased

Rating - 3 out of 5: I liked it

Book Info - Cassandra knows her dark destiny. She is a muse, who will one day be sought by a Fallen angel, to be the mother of his nephilim child - a fate that will destroy her.

Samandiriel walks alone amongst his Fallen brethren. He refuses to use mortal females as vessels for his evil offspring. He's determined to protect them. But now he's been summoned to capture a muse, Cassandra, against his will.

Together Sam and Cassandra must fight to keep her alive and to prevent the Fallen from achieving their sinister goals. Cassandra trusts Sam, but he can't trust his own compulsion to mate with her. Can they stop the apocalypse before Sam's desire overtakes him?

My Thoughts - Once again I really enjoyed entering the world created by Michele Hauf. I love how she always keeps the line blurred between good and evil, keeping the reader on their toes.

In this instalment of the series, Sam, the Fallen angel, is not the evil being that he is supposed to be. He has found his Muse, Cassandra, but he has no intention of impregnating her. Instead, he wants to make amends with God and return to Above. So he plans on killing all the Fallen angels and vampires that he comes across. I liked the character of Sam. He is honest and fearless, whilst having an innocence that is endearing. He speaks in a way that is very old-fashioned, making it easy for the reader to believe he has been around for centuries.

I found Cassandra to be a bit confusing at times. She is a likeable enough character but I found her actions to be pretty inconsistent. She is a Muse - a human who is destined to bear the child of an angel. But this is not a destiny that any woman would want. The nephilim that is produced is a monster. A giant who kills the mother shortly after its birth, and then goes on to consume large amounts of human blood and flesh. Unlike the other Muse's  so far in the series, Cassandra actually knows about the existence of angels and demons, and about her destiny. Her grandmother has taught her everything she needs to know about her rather unique situation, and she has grown up thinking that Fallen angels are the ultimate in evil. However, when she catches sight of the gorgeous Sam, she instantly forgets all that and starts throwing herself at him. I just found this to be slightly frustrating considering the fact that in other ways she is so fearless and has a strong sense of doing what is right no matter what the consequences.

The pace of the story moves along nicely and there is a good balance between the action and the romance elements. There is also the introduction of other characters, such as Cassandra's sister, Coco, and her vampire boyfriend, Zane, to add more depth to the story.

Summary - Although this isn't my favourite book of the series, it was still a fun and entertaining read. I love the world that the author has created and I will definitely be reading more of her books in the near future.

Other books in this series:
1. Angel Slayer
2. Fallen
2.5. The Ninja Vampire's Girl
3. Ashes of Angels

Other reviews of this book:
Paranormal Haven / The Romanceaholic

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #7 for 2012 Speculative Romance Reading Challenge
Book #5 for 2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge
Book #11 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Paranormal Romance Month Review: The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter (Lords of the Underworld #2)

Publisher - Mira Books
Publication Date - 18th September 2009
Paperback - 384 pages
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Purchased

Rating - 3 out of 5: I liked it

Book Info - Though she has lived for centuries, Anya, goddess of anarchy, has never known pleasure. Until Lucien, the incarnation of death--a warrior eternally doomed to take souls to the hereafter. He draws her like no other. And Anya will risk anything to have him.

But when the merciless Lord of the Underworld is ordered by the gods to claim Anya herself, their uncontrollable attraction becomes an anguished pursuit. Now they must defeat the unconquerable forces that control them, before their thirst for one another demands a sacrifice of love beyond imagining...

My Thoughts - I found Lucien an intriguing character in the first book of this series so I was really pleased when I realised that this was his story. I wasn't disappointed and I loved reading about his history and his task of transporting souls to either Heaven or Hell.

Anya was definitely the highlight of this novel for me. She is funny, brave and strong. She knows what she wants and will stop at nothing until she has got it.

The chemistry between Anya and Lucien is sizzling, but I did find some of the interactions between them to be pretty frustrating. For a long time they are not able to admit how they feel about each other. They put so much effort into hiding their feelings that they end up constantly hurting each other. At times I felt like screaming at them to drop the act and just get on with it!

Although I really enjoyed most of the novel, I did not like the ending. The way things end up between Lucien and Anya feels a bit too contrived and very rushed. I wish the author had spent a bit more time wrapping up this book so that it felt more satisfactory.

Summary - Despite my feelings about the way the book ends, I am still enjoying this series enough to carry on with it. Plus, book three is about the demon who most intrigues me - Reyes, the keeper of Pain. I can't wait to read his story!

Other books in this series:
0.5. The Darkest Fire
1. The Darkest Night
2. The Darkest Kiss
3. The Darkest Pleasure
3.5. The Darkest Prison
4. The Darkest Whisper
5. The Darkest Passion
6. The Darkest Lie
7. The Darkest Secret
8. The Darkest Surrender

Other reviews of this book:
Buggy's Book Blog / Pedantic Phooka

Paranormal Romance Month Review: Dark Hunger by Christine Feehan (Carpathians #14)

Publisher - Piatkus
Publication Date - 2nd February 2012
Paperback - 115 pages (this is a novella that is included in Darkest at Dawn)
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it

Book Info - Juliette is a beautiful activist devoted to the liberation of animals confined in a foul and humid jungle lab. But then she stumbles upon an unexpected prisoner unlike any she's ever seen. Or touched.

Riordan De La Cruz, an immortal Carpathian male, is trapped and caged, his desire for revenge only beginning. She will release him from his bonds. He will release her from her inhibitions. Both have voracious appetites that must be sated.

My Thoughts - I have never read any of the Carpathian series before but these books have been on my wishlist for a long time. So when I received this book for review I was very excited. I was slightly concerned that starting the series at number fourteen would leave me feeling confused, and in a way it did. I would have liked just a little bit more background information about who, or what, the Carpathians actually are. Riordan seemed to have all the characteristics of a vampire but he is a vampire hunter who has a vicious hatred of the species. I couldn't work out if the Carpathians and vampires are related in some way or if they are two completely different species. Because it was a novella I just don't think there was enough time to include as much information as a first-timer to the series would need. But, as this was my only complaint with Dark Hunger, I am definitely hoping to find out more about this in other books from the series.

The chemistry between Riordan and Juliette is evident from page one and I enjoyed reading about the progression of their relationship. Juliette is Riordan's destined lifemate so from the start he knows that he wants to be with her forever. But Juliette is very independent and she tries to ignore the attraction she feels at the start. Riordan is your typical sexy alpha-male who is used to getting exactly what he wants and I loved watching as he learns to be more patient and to put someone elses needs before his own.

As well as the romance aspect there is also a great deal of action when Juliette's sister is in trouble and Riordan and Juliette have to work together to get her back from the men who have captured her, which adds a great deal of excitement to the novella. Overall there is a good balance between giving the characters time to get to know each other, the romance and the action, making it a novella that is incredibly difficult to put down.

Summary - A very enjoyable novella that has definitely whet my appetite for more from this series.

Other books in this series:
1. Dark Prince
2. Dark Desire
3. Dark Gold
4. Dark Magic
5. Dark Challenge
6. Dark Fire
7. Dark Dream (Novella)
8. Dark Legend
9. Dark Guardian
10. Dark Symphony
11. Dark Descent (Novella)
12. Dark Melody
13. Dark Destiny
14. Dark Hunger (Novella)
15. Dark Secret
16. Dark Demon
17. Dark Celebration
18. Dark Possession
19. Dark Curse
20. Dark Slayer
21. Dark Peril
22. Dark Predator

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #9 for 2012 Speculative Romance Reading Challenge
Book #6 for 2012 TBR Pile Reading Challenge
Book #13 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge