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: 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

Paranormal Romance Month: Excerpt from Blood Magic by Jennifer Lyon

I have recently come across a great paranormal romance series about witches and the men who protect them from witch hunters - the Wing Slayer series by Jennifer Lyon. I have loved all the books and you can read my reviews of them here.

Jennifer has been kind enough to provide me with an excerpt from Blood Magic, the first book in the series. Please be warned though that this is not an excerpt for the faint hearted - please excuse me while I fan myself *sigh*

Here it is, so relax and enjoy...



She moved up closer behind him. "He looks so real."

Axel stiffened as her rich voice poured over his skin.

"It's almost like if I touched him, I could feel the feathers."

Axel opened his mouth, but it was too late. Her fingers landed on his right shoulder blade where the tip of the tattooed hawk wings began. The bird had his wings straight up like he was coming in for a landing, covering almost all of his back. Her fingers rode the wings down to the waist of his pants. Fire seared from her touch straight to his dick.

Then her touch was gone. He missed it instantly.

"Skin, not feathers," she said softly.

Axel turned. The sight of her wearing his shirt against her sparkling witch-skin made his hands itch to touch her; to lay claim to her in a primitive way. Before he thought about it, he took a step and scooped her up in one arm to bring her face-to-face. "Teasing me, little witch?" It came out in a deep growl.

"Put me down, or I'll…"

He kissed her, laying claim to her mouth, closing his lips over hers, while tracing them with his tongue.

Static crackled in the room, little pops of her undisciplined power. The brush of it against his skin made his dick twitch in painful arousal. He curled his hand behind her head to angle her mouth open.

Her small hands dug into his shoulders as she parted her lips.

He slid his tongue against hers and she tasted so damn good. So hot. He could feel her nipples pebble against through the shirt pressing on his bare chest.

Her body spoke to his. He could smell her desire, a full spicy scent that was blooming around them both.

He slid his hand down her thigh and under her knee. Her skin was warm and smooth and he knew she'd taste like lemon and spice. He pulled her leg up high over his hip, forcing his shirt and her skirt to ride up, until she was exposed and vulnerable to him…

Book Summary - Darcy MacAlister knows nothing of demons or magic. But this beautiful young woman is about to discover that she is a witch and the key to breaking the curse that has plagued witches and the men who hunt them. For if a Wing Slayer Hunter kills an innocent witch by mistake, the price is no less than a piece of his soul.

Axel Locke, gorgeous leader of the Wing Slayer Hunters, has sworn never to shed the blood of the earth witches who have resisted the temptation of demonic power. But when his sister is cursed by a demon witch, he discovers that Darcy MacAlister may hold the cure – if she can master her newfound powers in time.

Paranormal Romance Month Review: Sinful Magic by Jennifer Lyon (Wing Slayer #4)

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

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4 out of 5: I really liked it

Book Info - Witch Roxy Banfield is determined to become mortal in order to pursue her dream of real love and a family. All she has to do is avoid meeting the one man whose sensuality can release her powers.

Wing Slayer Hunter Kieran "Key" DeMicca channels the dark violence that lives inside him his art and telling stories. Lately he finds himself drawing images of a young woman in peril, and assumes that she's just a product of his imagination - until he meets Roxy. Struck by her beauty and her resemblance to his sketches, he feels compelled to protect her.

As steamy magic, lethal danger, and timeless love collide, Roxy must become what she swore she would never be - and inadvertently awaken a part of Key that will threaten to destroy them both.

My Thoughts - Jennifer Lyon has once again offered a great instalment to a series that I am growing to love more and more with each book. It has magic, romance and mystery - what more could a girl want? And it all moves along at a good pace, making it a book that is very difficult to put down.

I really enjoyed learning about the main characters, Roxy and Kieran. Roxy is a fertility which who has not come into her magic yet. To do this, she has to have sex with a specific man (known as her Awakening) before the fertility mark on her thigh disappears. However, Roxy has no intention of awakening her magic and instead longs for the day that she becomes a normal mortal woman. This is a different take on witches that hasn't been used so far in the series and it has kept the series feeling fresh. The author doesn't feel the need to repeat the same pattern over and over again in her books.

And as for Kieran *sigh*. He has the soul of an immortal dragon locked inside of him and has a huge dragon tattoo across his chest. As if that wasn't enough he is creative too - he is a talented artist who provides the tattoos for all the other Wing Slayers. And because he is a Wing Slayer he is incredibly strong, loyal and protective of others who are not as strong as he is. Come on ladies, what's not to love? I know I've said it before but I'll say it again *sigh*

As well as the likeable main characters, there is a veritable feast of secondary characters to fall in love with. All of the Wing Slayers are incredibly close and I just love reading about them. They share a bond that means they would do anything for each other. And the witches are just as interesting to read about. The three witches who have become friends over the previous books in the series also share a close bond and I enjoyed reading about how Roxy integrates with the group - even though at first they have a hard time trusting her.

And Ms. Lyon definitely has the ability to put together a good love scene. Not only were there some very hot and steamy moments, but also some tender ones that really showed the depth of their feelings for each other.

Summary - Another great paranormal romance from Jennifer Lyon, with a great cast of characters, steamy romance and just the right amount of action. I really can't wait to read more about the Wing Slayers.

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 / Vampires, Werewolves and Fairies, Oh My!

This book counts towards the following challenges:
Book #2 for 2012 Speculative Romance Reading Challenge
Book #4 for 2012 Outdo Yourself Reading Challenge

Review: Soul Magic by Jennifer Lyon (Wing Slayer #2)

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

Source - Received from publisher for review

Rating - 4.5 out of 5: I really liked it!

Book Info - All Wing Slayer Hunters fight a curse, guarding innocent witches until the urge to harm them grows too strong - then they must kill their own. Wing Slayer Sutton West has always honored that vow. His own father killed himself rather than go rogue. But now Sutton is tempted as never before by Carla Fisk, a brilliant psychologist and dynamic witch whose twin sister, Keri, was murdered by rogues. Bound by blood and passion, Carla and Sutton dare not succumb to their deadly attraction. Yet when a mysterious rogue named Styx joins forces with the demon Asmodeus, witch and hunter have no choice but to work together. For Keri's immortal soul is at stake - and with it, balanced on a knife-edge, is the fate of humanity itself.

My Thoughts - I really enjoyed the first book in the series (apart from the large amount of info-dumping going on) so I was very excited about starting Soul Magic. And I am pleased to say that I loved this book even more than the first! The author has definitely managed to find a much better balance between giving information and telling the story. I didn't become overwhelmed by details once in Soul Magic and this made the story flow much better.

I also liked learning more about Sutton and Carla. They both play quite a large part in Blood Magic and it was obvious from what happened in the first book that Soul Magic would be their story. Carla is a character that I loved to read about. She is strong, intelligent and incredibly talented. She is a psychologist and has a profound knowledge of science, and this side of herself always seems to be in a battle with the witch part. She has trouble knowing who she really is at the start of the book and I loved reading her journey as she starts to accept both sides of her personality and learning how they can both help her with the problems she faces in this book.

At first glance Sutton seems as though he might not be a great match for Carla - she has got a doctorate and he is self-taught with no formal education; she helps people who have escaped from cults for a living and he hunts and kills rogue witch hunters. But when they come together, you just know they are perfect for each other and the chemistry sizzles between them whilst it is also obvious they care a great deal about each other. They complement each other perfectly.

Like Axel in book one, Sutton is a strong, capable and very protective character. A lot has happened in his past which means that nobody has been there for him in his life except for the Wing Slayers - not even his family. And this is where his vulnerability shows. One of my favourite parts of the book is when he is absolutely petrified about meeting Carla's mother. Carla finds it amusing that her big, strong Wing Slayer could be afraid of her tiny mother, but Axel has never had a mother to care for him and he has never been in a proper relationship so the whole meet-the-mother thing is a completely new experience for him. I just found this absolutely adorable and I wanted to give him a big hug.

The other thing I love reading about in these books is the close relationship between the witches. Darcy (from Blood Magic) and Carla are always ready to help each other at the drop of a hat, and in Soul Magic Carla's mother, Chandra, also plays a large part. I think that this level of friendship and close family ties add a lot to a book like this. As much as I love to learn more about the two main characters in a paranormal romance novel I also really enjoy reading about the world around them too. It makes the story feel more realistic and can add new levels of meaning to the things that happen to the characters.

Summary - Soul Magic is the perfect mix of passion, friendship, mystery and action leaving me unable to put the book down. And I must admit to being so emotionally involved in the character's story that I spent the last couple of chapters in tears. I really can't wait to see what happens in the next installment in this series!

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:
Book Binge / Dear Author / Smexy Books /

Review: Blood Magic by Jennifer Lyon (Wing Slayer #1)

Publisher - Rouge Romance
Publication Date - 29th September 2011
Genre - Paranormal Romance

Source - Received from publisher for review

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

Book Info - Darcy MacAlister knows nothing of demons or magic. But this beautiful young woman is about to discover that she is a witch and the key to breaking the curse that has plagued witches and the men who hunt them. For if a Wing Slayer Hunter kills an innocent witch by mistake, the price is no less than a piece of his soul.

Axel Locke, gorgeous leader of the Wing Slayer Hunters, has sworn never to shed the blood of the earth witches who have resisted the temptation of demonic power. But when his sister is cursed by a demon witch, he discovers that Darcy MacAlister may hold the cure – if she can master her newfound powers in time.

My Thoughts - I haven't really read any fiction surrounding witches before so the mythology and background used in this book was all a completely new concept to me - which was very refreshing! The descriptions of how the magic is used is very vivid and it was easy to imagine myself alongside Darcy as she is learning how to use the powers that are inside her.

I really liked Darcy as a main character. She is an earth witch who has been brought up in a mortal family who knew nothing of her heritage. Therefore she has always felt different from everybody around her and she has always longed to find a place where she belongs. Despite all of this, she isn't a whiny heroine - she knows instinctively what she needs to do to help Axel and his family and she gets on with it without a second thought.

Axel was also a very likeable character. I fell in love with him when I realised just what lengths he was willing to go to in order to keep his family safe from the demon witches curse. And he is a complex character - a big strong man who is willing to kill to protect others, who also plays tea parties with his 5 year-old sister. Surely that is enough to melt any woman's heart! He knows exactly what his role is in life - to protect others - and he will not back down from that for a second, despite the curse that was placed on the Wing Slayer Hunters decades ago. This curse means that he lusts after the blood of witches, and up until now he has avoided them at all cost to ensure he wouldn't lose control. But when he has to be around Darcy to help her break the curse on his baby sister, he works hard to control himself as his first instinct is always to protect.

The storyline was an original one which had some good twists to keep the reader guessing at what was going to happen. And the romance between Darcy and Axel was sizzling! My only complaint about Blood Magic (and the one thing stopping me from giving it five stars) was the huge amounts of background information that are dumped on the reader periodically through the novel. There was so much information about the history of earth witches, demon witches, Wing Slayer Hunters, rogue hunters and so on that at times I found it really hard to get my head around it all. I could see that it was all vital information, and it did help to enrich the story, but it was just too much at a time for my liking and I would often have to go and re-read pages of it to make sure all the history was clear in my head.

Summary - A very enjoyable start to a series that holds a lot of potential. I am very excited to read book two, Soul Magic, and I look forward to seeing what is in store for the other Wing Slayer Hunters.

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:
Book Binge / Good Choice Reading / Romance Reviews Today