Review — Darkness Dawns by Dianne Duvall

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A friend recommended DARKNESS DAWNS to me and after reading this book, I must admit that my friends have really great taste! DARKNESS DAWNS was a fast, enjoyable read. The writing was sharp and witty and the dialogue kept me engaged. Although I really enjoyed the main characters, Sarah and Roland, the secondary characters also were engaging. Ms. Duvall left some very interesting questions unanswered, which will ensure that I keep reading this series, but still provided closure and the HEA I long for in a paranormal romance.

Strong alpha males, kickass heroines, a sizzling romance, and a happily-ever-after ending equal a delicious read!

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Dianne).

Review — Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

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So, I raved about ONCE BURNED, the first in the Night Prince series. I went on and on in my review about how fantastic ONCE BURNED was then I read TWICE TEMPTED and Jeaniene Frost exceeded all my expectations. Although I didn’t think it possible, I enjoyed TWICE TEMPTED more than ONCE BURNED. Ms. Frost gives the reader more insight into Vlad and the reasoning why he is so cold to Leila at times. It’s not that he doesn’t love Leila, he’s terrified of loving her too much, losing her, then having to endure the pain of her loss.

Leila is just as stubborn and strong-willed as ever, honing her skills while enduring great highs and lows in her life. Together they make a dynamic, incredible couple.

So, I’ve been told that the Night Prince series is a spinoff of Ms. Frost’s extremely popular Night Huntress series. Although I’ve read the first book in the Night Huntress series, in my haste, I also started this series. Because the characters from Night Huntress bleed over into this one, there were a couple of scenes where I missed some backstory as a result of not reading all the Night Huntress books first. However, that minor bump in the road didn’t stop me from immensely enjoying this book…as you can see from my review. You will not be disappointed with these books, no matter where you start!

Focused. Strong. True.
(Click on the image to visit Jeaniene)

Twice Tempted — Jeaniene Frost

Review — Dark Wolf by Christine Feehan

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Well, I was totally caught up in this book and turned the page not realizing it was the last one! That’s a good thing and a bad thing. Good because I was so lost within the story, I wasn’t paying attention to the pages. Bad, well, because it just ended! I wouldn’t even say it ended as a cliffhanger. Usually, even with cliffy endings, there’s some sort of resolution within the subplots, but not with DARK WOLF. I was left stranded. Although this ending ensures I’ll continue reading, I just wish there would’ve been a little bit more closure.

I love Christine Feehan’s Carpathian series. The characters are always so well developed that I can’t help but fall in love with them. The characters in DARK WOLF are no different. My heart went out to Dimitri for the torture he endured. Sky also has had her share of pain, but she’s really proving herself and what she’s capable of achieving. Although I had a little bit of a hard time connecting with Sky because she’s so young in my mind, she’s truly become a remarkable woman.

Even with the ending and such a young heroine, I’m definitely glad I read DARK WOLF. Ms. Feehan surely didn’t disappoint.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Christine).

Dark Wolf — Christine Feehan

Review — ONCE BURNED by Jeaniene Frost

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OMG! I loved ONCE BURNED! The storyline was unique, dialogue witty and filled with humor, and the characters were well developed with flaws and strengths that drew me right into their story. Leila is such an amazing character who has made mistakes in her life and has many challenges to overcome. But instead of hiding from them, she’s willing to face them head-on. I adore her friendship with her little vampire partner, Marty.

Vlad is the original Count Dracula. He’s difficult, arrogant, deadly, arrogant, cruel, and did I mention, arrogant? He’s also passionate, extremely loyal, kind, territorial, considerate, and charming. Yes, he’s a complex person who intrigues me.

I flew through this book, sacrificing sleep and laundry! The ending left me wanting, wanting to read the next book. If the first book is any indication of what’s to come, I’m all in!

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Jeaniene)

Once Burned — Jeaniene Frost

Review — Halfway to the Grave by Jeaniene Frost

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HALFWAY to the GRAVE took me my surprise. Although it was recommended by a friend, I honestly didn’t think I’d enjoy it as much as I did to the point I really, really wanted to skip to the end to read what happened. (I haven’t had that urge in a long time and thought I’d broken that bad habit).

Catherine “Cat” is a 22 year old half vampire, half human misfit who has hidden her abilities from the world her entire life. She hunts and kills vampires as revenge for her mom who was raped by a vampire. In a botched attempt at seducing and killing Bones (a very old vampire), she gets kidnapped and ultimately is forced to help him in his job as a vampire bounty hunter.

Cat is a delicious, tough heroine with enough insecurities and vulnerabilities to make me root for her from the beginning. And Bones? Well, he’s hot, gorgeous, and very territorial over Cat. What’s not to like? Bones also isn’t the typical vampire I tend to read about because he’s more open with his feelings toward Cat, which also makes him vulnerable in a way…and that’s a nice change from the alpha male stereotype. In fact, he expresses his love much sooner than Cat.

The ending only confirmed that I must read the next in the series to see what happens to this emerging couple, and what a great couple they appear to be.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Jeaniene)

Halfway to the Grave — Jeaniene Frost

Review — Archangel’s Legion (Guild Hunter #6) by Nalini Singh

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WOW! What a terrific ending! I was flabbergasted by the Legion, totally didn’t see that coming. I think I liked this book as much as the first one, ANGEL’S BLOOD. Usually, I enjoy the first book in a series the most. Since the characters are familiar to me in subsequent books, the unique feel lessons as I continue reading the series. But not so in ARCHANGEL’S LEGION. I love Raphael and Elena. Truly, Raphael is one hot archangel, and Elena? She’s definitely his match. The secondary characters are well developed and I enjoy their interaction and the loyalty they have for one another. The dialogue is crisp, sharp, and funny. The emotions are real and the storyline had a suspense feel that kept me guessing until the end.

ARCHANGEL’S LEGION is a fantastic PNR and I recommend the entire Guild Hunter series.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Nalini)

Archangel’s Legion — Nalini Singh

Review — Archangel’s Storm by Nalini Singh

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Jason, the spymaster, was the focus of this book in the Guild Hunter series. What a tough childhood Jason endured, a childhood that molded his adult life. Distancing himself from people and the rest of the world, I couldn’t help but feel for him and his self-imposed aloneness. Enter Mahiya, a beautiful princess who also has endured pain and loneliness, but has fought to remain true to her spirit instead of becoming jaded. I loved their journey together, how they found the courage to trust each other, and as a result, make each other happy. The ending was beautiful.

Raphael’s seven are such an amazing group of broken men. I can’t help but enjoy their stories and hope they all find their happily-ever-after.

Strong. Focused. True.

(Click on the image to visit Nalini)

Archangel’s Storm — Nalini Singh

Review — Warsworn by Elizabeth Vaughan

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I love the world Ms. Vaughan has created. The scenes with Lara teaching Keir about chess and how it spreads throughout the camp and grows into a massive chess tournament are hysterical! I really got a kick out of those scenes.

Keir still knocks my socks off. He is one sexy and sometimes very stubborn man who loves Lara completely. And Lara is an amazing heroine, amazing not because she’s a warrior or tough (she’s actually pretty weak compared to the other women), but because of her dedication to her craft.

I was saddened that some of the characters didn’t make it, especially since I enjoyed them so much. And I’ve decided that I truly hate Iften! But Lara’s curse on Iften’s manhood is truly one of the best curses I’ve ever heard, and I’m looking forward to when he finally gets what he deserves.

This good is a good continuation to WARPRIZE and the way it ended ensures that I’ll read WARLORD.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Elizabeth)

Warsworn — Elizabeth Vaughan

Review — Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

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DARK LOVER was a good, solid read. I loved the relationship between Beth and Wrath and enjoyed the banter and camaraderie among the brothers. The world-building was strong and inventive. I thought the internal monologs inside the characters’ heads were really funny at times.

What dropped DARK LOVER to a 4 star read for me are personal reasons. I had a hard time connecting with Butch at first. As a once upon a time cop who still works for the department, his disregard for police protocol really bothered me, regardless of the tragedies in his life. I know that makes no sense, right? Here’s a book about vampires and I’m totally accepting of that premise, but a bad cop bothers me! Go figure. However, I did warm up to Butch once he met up with the brothers. (Actually, I really enjoyed how he fit in with the brothers).

I also had a hard time with the way Wrath treated Marissa for all those years, but maybe there’s hope for her yet?

DARK LOVER is a high-quality paranormal romance and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it. I will read more from this author.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit J.R.)

Dark Lover — J.R. Ward

Review — Daughter of the Blood by Anne Bishop

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Wow! What incredible world-building! Through Ms. Bishop’s fantastic imagination, she created something completely different, intriguing, and even confusing at times. DAUGHTER of the BLOOD is a fascinating tale about a young girl learning her magic while navigating through the perils of those who would use her just for her power.

In my haste to learn about the heroine, I also read HEIR to the SHADOWS (4 stars), and QUEEN of the DARKNESS (5 stars) and must admit that I cried more than once throughout the story. For an author to absorb me into her world with such intensity that she had me crying, well, that’s pretty incredible. Although some scenes may be tough to read because of the violence and subject matter, the overall power of these books make it an unforgettable and beautiful story.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Anne)

Daughter of the Blood — Anne Bishop
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