Tori Reviews Bound By Blood
- Paperback:360 pages
- Publisher:Self Published (July 21, 2011)
- Language:English
- ISBN-10:0987749307
- ISBN-13: 978-0987749307
- Genre: Paranormal Romance
Book Description:
“FBI agent and psychic, Brianna Reece, descends from an ancient and powerful bloodline of witches, only she doesn’t know it. But now that legacy has come back to bite her—literally.
In the shadows of night in Denver Colorado, a serial killer is hunting women, and FBI agent Brianna Reece is hunting the killer. Unlike any case she’s worked before, Brianna can’t ignore the prickling at the back of her neck when she glimpses the resemblance she shares with the victims. The investigation begins to touch even closer to home when it is revealed that all of the victims were also psychic.
Complicating matters further, Brianna is captivated by the FBI’s prime suspect Nathan Donovan. Though she senses he is hiding something from her, the attraction she feels for him is compelling, and unlike anything she’s ever experienced. Through a chance twist of fate, Nathan learns of Brianna’s ancestry and is forced to divulge secrets to Brianna that will change her life forever.
When she learns that the killer is an evil vampire, and he’s now set his sights on her, Nathan alone holds the key to awakening her dormant powers. Now he must race to teach her how to control her emergent gifts before she becomes the next victim.”
My Thoughts:
I really enjoyed reading Bound by Blood. I was drawn into the story from the very first page and the book held me throughout the entire tale. Brianna and Morrison are partners who are trying to solve a string of murders where the murderer is draining the victim’s blood and leaving no marks on the victim’s bodies. How are the victims connected? They follow-up on several leads which lead them to Nathan Donovan whose agency was hired to provide them with body guards for protection.
From the moment Brianna and Nathan meet, there is an undeniable connection between them. They feel an emotional pull and connection, but Brianna does not want to get involved with Nathan who is the top suspect in the murder investigation
Brianna later learns that Nathan is a vampire and was trying to protect the women who were murdered. The passion between Brianna and Nathan is amazing! The author has a way of making you feel their passion and bond with each other. It was almost like you were in the story with them. I enjoyed all the characters throughout the story. I felt their connection even Morrison who I did not like at first but who later turns out to be a great friend to Brianna and Nathan.
Morrison has his own horror story for joining the FBI which made me feel very sorry for him. The author has several paranormal creatures in the book such as vampires, witches, etc. The book keeps you guessing until the very end who the murderer is and why these women are being killed. I thoroughly enjoyed the book and can’t wait to read more of the author’s books!
Find out more about P.A. Lupton and what she’s working on at her Website.
Buy a copy of Bound By Blood at:
Unchained – Spotlight & Review
Unchained by Sharon Ashwood
Book Description:
“Been There. Slain That.
Ashe Carver is one kick-ass monster killer – and she has the scars to prove it. But faced with a custody battle for her ten-year-old daughter, Eden, she’s hung up her stakes and taken a job at the public library, determined to show the courts and her ten-year-old daughter that she’s as good a mother as she is a hunter.
Easier said than done. There are lovelorn vampires haunting the library, a slime demon in the shopping mall, and her new-mom sister needs a hand with her ghostbusting biz. Then, after centuries guarding a supernatural prison, Captain Reynard strides into her world like a hero from the library’s Must Reads. Smokingly gorgeous, passionate and courageous to a fault, he has only weeks to live unless Ashe finds the thief who took his soul.
Ashe picks up her weapons to save the day—but not every problem can be solved with a stake. With so much tragedy in her past, Ashe fears the disaster she sees ahead—and prays she doesn’t fail everyone. Again.
Memories are the hardest monsters to kill.”
My Thoughts:
This is the third book in Sharon Ashwood’s The Dark Forgotten series. Ashe Carver is a wonderfully rich and complex character who steals the show, which is a good thing seeing as how the book is about her. The chemistry between her and Reynard is magnetic and I was flipping pages deep into the night to find out what would happen next!
I loved that Sharon Ashwood created a character who is a single mom, facing all the challenges that come with going through the adjustments of being a single parent and the heartbreak involved in going through a custody battle. Wonderfully written, this book has action, romance, suspense, danger, mystery, complex emotions, loyalty, bravery, and humor mixed in with some totally bad-a$$ paranormal badies and one really sexy, strong, courageous man.
I am so looking forward to more books in this series as Sharon has created a really detailed world in which I love to dwell for a few hours at a time. I highly recommend this book to fans of super sexy, dark in a good way, action packed paranormal romance!
Click HERE to watch the trailer.
Buy UNCHAINED at:
Chapters, Amazon or The Book Depository
Find out more about Sharon Ashwood at her website, blog or in the fun guest blog she wrote here on SVR.
Black Magic Sanction – Spotlight & Review
Black Magic Sanction by Kim Harrison
Format:Hardcover
Published:February 23, 2010
Publisher:HARPERCOLLINS PUBLISHERS
The following ISBNs are associated with this title:
ISBN – 10: 0061138037
ISBN – 13: 9780061138034
Book Description:
“In New York Times bestselling author Kim Harrison’s most complex and nuanced adventure yet, bounty hunter and witch Rachel Morgan fights a deadly battle-mind, body, and soul
Rachel Morgan has fought and hunted vampires, werewolves, banshees, demons, and other supernatural dangers as both witch and bounty hunter-and lived to tell the tale. But she’s never faced off against her own kind . . . until now. Denounced and shunned for dealing with demons and black magic, her best hope is life imprisonment-at worst, a forced lobotomy and genetic slavery. Only her enemies are strong enough to help her win her freedom, but trust comes hard when it hinges on the unscrupulous tycoon Trent Kalamack, the demon Algaliarept, and an ex-boyfriend turned thief.
It takes a witch to catch a witch, but survival bears a heavy price.”
My Thoughts:
I was sucked in to this book of Rachel Morgan’s journey in The Hollows Series like a leaf into a tornado! Mesmerizing. I couldn’t put it down! Really, I carted my book around like it was an extension of my hand for two days until I finished it.
Rachel goes through and grows through a whole heck of a lot of inner turmoil and outer ones as well. I don’t want to give away any spoilers, but I laughed, I cried, I cringed, I fell in love with the characters all over again! So many awesome characters: Rachel, Ivy, Jenks, Biz, Al, Pierce, Trent, Lee, and just as many excellent villans: Nick, Brooke, Vivienne, Oliver, and Newt. Ahhh… I wish I had time to read it again right now. Yes, it was that good!
Kim Harrison not only weaves a spectacular tale, she weaves a spell that you never want to end filled with magic, mayhem, rich characters and amazing plots and pacing. I can’t wait for the next book in the series! I can’t find any info about the next book, but I see in her FAQ’s that she has 12 to 13 books planned, so I’m stoked about that. 🙂
Buy Black Magic Sanction at:
Chapters, Amazon or Barnes & Noble
Find out more about Kim Harrison and her books at her website.
Bitter Night – Spotlight & Review
Bitter Night by Diana Pharaoh Frances
Book Description:“SOMETIMES YOU CHOOSE YOUR BATTLES. AND SOMETIMES, THEY CHOOSE YOU…
Once, Max dreamed of a career, a home, a loving family. Now all she wants is freedom…and revenge. A witch named Giselle transformed Max into a warrior with extraordinary strength, speed, and endurance. Bound by spellcraft, Max has no choice but to fight as Giselle’s personal magic weapon — a Shadowblade — and she’s lethally good at it. But her skills are about to be put to the test as they never have before….
The ancient Guardians of the earth are preparing to unleash widespread destruction on the mortal world, and they want the witches to help them. If the witches refuse, their covens will be destroyed, including Horngate, the place Max has grudgingly come to think of as home. Max thinks she can find a way to help Horngate stand against the Guardians, but doing so will mean forging dangerous alliances — including one with a rival witch’s Shadowblade, who is as drawn to Max as she is to him — and standing with the witch she despises. Max will have to choose between the old life she still dreams of and the warrior she has become, and take her place on the side of right — if she survives long enough to figure out which side that is….”
My Thoughts:
I was pretty much blown away by this book. I loved it! Max is a kick-a$$ character with “baditude” and I was hooked from the get go. I really enjoyed Pharaoh-Frances’ world building and am really hoping to see more books in this world she’s created. A unique and action filled urban fantasy with interesting characters, fast pacing, violence, romance, tension, conflicts, and just pure talent in the telling of the story.
Diana Pharaoh Frances is an accomplished Fantasy author and I believe this is her first foray into contemporary or Urban Fantasy, I could be wrong, but she’s nailed it! I don’t know what else to say except that this book will be on my keeper shelf to be re-read again, was well worth buying and I can’t wait for another Horngate Witches book. 😀
Buy Bitter Night at:
Scorched – Spotlight & Review
Scorched by Sharon Ashwood
Book Description:
“Welcome to the castle. The price of admission is your soul.
Ex-detective Macmillan has a taste for bad girls, but his last lover really took the cake–and his humanity. Now a half-demon, Mac’s lost his friends, his family, and his job.
Then a beguiling vampire asks for his help to find her son. Suddenly, Mac has a case to work–one that leads him deep into the supernatural prison where Mac learns that cracking the case will cost him his last scrap of humanity.
Fiery, vulnerable Constance will do anything for those she loves, including Mac. He’ll be damned if he turns his back on her… and a demon forever if he doesn’t.”
My Thoughts:
The second book in Sharon Ashwood’s The Dark Forgotten series grabs you from the first page and doesn’t let go. Mac and Constance heat up the pages, kick some serious butt and defy a lot of odds. Both main charcters have a lot to deal with internally, in coming to grips with their paranormal natures, as well as externally, in dealing with the people who matter to them and the situations they are in. We also get to “see” a bit more of Holly and Alessandro, the main characters from the first book, Ravenous. I really liked that they were worked into this story because I always wonder what “happens” to characters after their book is done. 🙂
Gripping, suspenseful, funny at times, and filled with a myriad of amazing charcters and plot, the story weaving is excellent! The castle and every other location that Sharon Ashwood writes about just oozes atmosphere and you feel like you’re there with the characters. I can’t wait for the next book in the series, Unchained to hit stores in July 2010. Any fans of both Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance will find this to be an awesome book and series to follow.
Buy Scorched at:
To read the hilarious guest blog that Sharon Ashwood wrote back when Ravenous came out, click HERE.
To read my review of Ravenous, the 1st book in the series, click HERE.
To find out more about Sharon Ashwood and what new wonders she has in the works, visit her website, HERE.
Charmed & Ready – Spotlight & Review
Charmed & Ready by Candace Havens
(From back cover)
“After spending most of my life single (for witches, it’s practically an occupational hazard), I finally found someone to love. Okay, so then he got killed, but he’s recouperating nicely. And I should be home, nursing him – maybe just a little bit naughtily – back to health.
But no. The British prime minister asked if I could look after this rock star buddy of his, Zane. Creepy goth guys in cloaks keep showing up at his concerts and zapping his mojo. Hmm, smells like teen warlock to me. Anyway, I owe the PM, and Zane is fun too – I mean, what girl wouldn’t want to hang with the hottest man in music?
Look, everyone has vices. Right now, I’d like to indulge in one of mine and blow some people up so I can get back to my sweetie in Texas. But if these caped dudes don’t show themselves before another paparazzi shot of Zane and me hits the tabloids, I may not have a boyfriend to go home to…”
This is the first book in this series that I’ve read and I enjoyed it. It was a light and funny read. Bronwyn is a fire-cracker of a character and her adventures kept me reading till the wee hours. Sassy, smart, tough and funny, this book is Paranormal Chic-Lit at it’s best. If you’re a fan of witches, warlocks, demon slayers, rock stars and Buffy type humor and bad luck, then go and pick up a copy of this book.
Wages Of Sin – Spotlight And Review
Wages Of Sin by Jenna Maclaine
(From back cover)
“She is a warrior of extraordinary power – the ultimate creature of the night. Her story is one that spans the ages, from historical England to modern-day America and beyond. Welcome to eternity… welcome to the night.
Dulcinea Craven descends from a long line of witches, and she has just inherited wild, untrained magical powers that she has no idea how to control. Now a ruthless vampire and an age-old demon are determined to enslave Cin and steal her power for their own. Her only hope is the Righteous, a band of warrior vampires who slay the rogue undead. Among them is Micheal, a fierce swordsman who inflames Cin’s most primal hungers. Showing her a sensual pleasure beyond anything in the mortal realm, she must choose between the human existence she has always known, and immortality as a vampire – a new life filled with forbidden urges, dark yearning, and unearthly passions…”
Another debut novel that rocked my socks off! Jenna Maclaine comes out swinging with this first book in the Cin Craven series, and creates a character that you root for all the way. Cin is strong yet vulnerable, sassy and sweet. Micheal is her perfect match! A grand love arises out of this wonderfully detailed story about life, loss, danger, love, sacrifices, death and magic.
I absolutely loved it and am anticipating the next novel in the series, Grave Sins, due to be released in February 2009. A prequel to Wages Of Sin can be found in the already released anthology, The Mammoth Book Of Vampire Romance. It tells Devlin and Justine’s story. You can find out more about Jenna Maclaine and her writing at her website.
Night Life – Spotlight & Review
Night Life by Caitlin Kittredge March 2008 by St. Martin’s
- Mass Market Paperback: 352 pages
- Publisher: St. Martins Press
- Language: English
- ISBN-10: 0312948298
- ISBN-13: 978-0312948290
From the Back Cover
“The first book a thrilling, addictive new series by a talented new voice in dark fantasy. Welcome to Nocturne City, where werewolves, black magicians, and witches prowl the streets at night…
Among them is Luna Wilder, a tough-as-nails police officer whose job is to keep the peace. As an Insoli werewolf, Luna travels without a pack and must rely on instinct alone. And she’s just been assigned to find the ruthless killer behind a string of ritualistic murders—a killer with ties to an escaped demon found only in legend…until now.
But when she investigates prime suspect Dimitri Sandovsky, she can’t resist his wolfish charms. Pack leader of a dangerous clan of Redbacks, Dimitri sends her animal instincts into overdrive and threatens her fiercely-guarded independence. But Luna and Dimitri will need to rely on each other as they’re plunged into an ancient demon underworld and pitted against an expert black magician with the power to enslave them for eternity…”
Another awesome Urban Fantasy author to add to my favorite’s list! Caitlin Kittredge comes out swinging with her debut novel, Night Life. I loved the non-stop action, grittiness and danger that Luna Wilder goes up against and the sparks that fly every time Luna and Dimitri come anywhere close to each other are hot, Hot, HOT!
I like the world building. Nocturne City is awesome, and the tension and dark story-telling are definitely to my liking. The police and the corruption that could occur in a world like this are dead on. I’m really looking forward to the next book in this series Pure Blood, which is due to be released in August 2008.
( Moved over from my original blog )
Personal Demons – Spotlight & Review
Personal Demons by Stacia Kane Juno Books April 1, 2008
(from Stacia’s web site) “When psychological counselor Megan Chase promises listeners to her new call in show she’ll slay their personal demons, they believe her. So do the personal demons.
Megan doesn’t know that she’s the only human alive without a personal demon on her shoulder. This, coupled with her psychic abilities, makes her a valuable weapon for any demon mob-like family lucky enough to gain her allegiance. It also makes her a serious threat not just to the personal demons, but to a soul-sucking Legion of Hell known as the Accuser. The Accuser already has an old score to settle with Megan and sees this as the perfect time to do it.
But Megan isn’t without allies as she’s plunged back into a world she forgot existed. A member of a competing demon family sees Megan as his ticket to power, and sets about both protecting and seducing her with devilish intensity.
Can Megan, her new demon lover, a witch with poor social skills, and three cockney guard demons named Malleus, Maleficarium and Spud defeat not only the Accuser, the personal demons, and the ghosts of Megan’s past, but the reporter who threatens to destroy Megan’s carreer as well?”
Psychologist and new radio talk show host Megan Chase gets the shock of her life when she discovers that not only do demons exist, but that she can see them and there are scores of them after her to kill her! The innocent slogan for her talk-radio show, promising listeners that Megan can “slay their personal demons” gets taken quite literally by the demon population, and they are bent on taking her out. Enter the uber-sexy Greyson Dante with the three cockney brothers, all demons as well, but there to protect her.
This book was a marvelous read. It drew me into Megan’s world and took me on a whole new paranormal roller-coaster ride! Not only does Stacia Kane bring to life the big & small, ugly & evil, violent and scary demons, but she also has charismatic, funny, sexy and caring demons that I totally fell in love with.
Megan Chase could easily be you or I, throw in some psychic abilities, a whole lot of spice, and she’s one of the most captivating female protagonist’s to come along in awhile. I really enjoyed the mix of action, romance, paranormal elements and a cast of great characters.
I’m hooked and really looking forward to the next novel in this series The Demon Inside, which is scheduled for release in January 2009.
You can read Chapter 1, or find out more about Stacia Kane at her web site. http://staciakane.com/ You can pre-order Personal Demons by clicking on either the Chapters or Amazon links at the top of this page.
( Moved over from my original Blog )
About Me
I read Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Romance, Light Fantasy, Young Adult and Graphic Novels in said genres. I’ve also been known to read the odd historical romance if they involve uber-sexy highlanders, vikings or knights & if they involve some time travel and a lot of humor. Heh! 😀 If any Authors, Publicists or Publishers would like their books reviewed or would like to schedule a Guest Blog or Giveaway please contact me at sidhevicious@gmail.com
Please see the BIOS page for more info on our reviewing style and for other info.
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