Larissa Ione soon to release new series.... Does it live up to The Demonica and Four Horseman series?

From Goodreads.com

A WOMAN OUT FOR BLOOD
Nicole Martin was only eight years old when the vampire slaves rose up in rebellion and killed her family. Now she devotes her life to finding a vaccine against vampirism, hoping to wipe out her memories—along with every bloodsucker on the planet. But there’s one thing she cannot destroy: her searing, undeniable attraction for the one man she should hate and fear the most . . .

A VAMPIRE OUT FOR REVENGE
A member of the renegade vampire MoonBound Clan, Riker is haunted by demons of his own. When he recognizes Nicole and remembers how her family enslaved his loved ones, his heart burns for vengeance. But when he kidnaps Nicole and holds her in a secret lair, his mortal enemy becomes his soul obsession, his greatest temptation, and, perhaps, his only salvation—a hot-blooded lover who could heal him with her touch . . . or bury him forever.

Well, I finished this book this afternoon. I must say I absolutely couldn't it down.  As a child, Nicole's family owned vampire slaves. One day she witnessed her beloved vampire nanny being assaulted, by the woman's own mate. She ran for help but when help arrived, her nanny was dead as well as her Uncle. Nicole was viciously assaulted by her family's cook, another vampire slave.  She left the US and went to live with family overseas.  Twenty years later, she is back, taking over as CEO of her family's lucrative company. But as she exposes its secrets, and with science helps the vampire clans, she finds she is attracted to Riker, her former nanny's mate who she believe killed her.

There are some good plot twists and turns in this series. I did like it, but not as much as Ms Ione's previous books. I am thrilled I was able to read it and provide a small review for y'all. It was a good story, and I will patiently await the next in the series.. but first.. If I understand correctly.. We are going to get Reaver's book. YEEEHAWWW!! lol! 

Every fantasy I have is found in the Witches of Eileanan.. magic, dragons, handsome gentlemen..

From Amazon.com

In the Celtic land of Eileanan, witches and magic have been outlawed, and those caught for practicing witchcraft are put to death! It is a land ruled by an evil Queen, where sea-dwelling Fairgean stir, and children vanish in the night. But in a valley deep in the mountains, young Isabeau grows to womanhood under the guidance of an elderly witch, and must set out on a quest, carrying the last hopes of the persecuted witches.

These books may be hard to find, they aren't extremely new, but let me tell you this is one of my favorite fantasy series of all time. It is a six book series by Kate Forsyth that I just re-read for the 5th or 6th time.  I really can't explain it except its like a medieval, celtic, earth magic type of series with dragons and weird swamp fairies, and ethereal tree fairies.. I can't explain it all. 

Part of the reason I loved them so much was Isabeau and Iseult.  Separated at birth and raised in two different world, they still end up with a very magical twin connections. Lachlan tends to tick me off, but he went through hell and turned into a great man. I love love love Meghan of the Beasts! She is what every persons imagination brings up of an earth witch.  I wish everyone would go out and request these books so that the publisher would reprint them so that I could purchase them again.

I reread these every couple of years and I always am so sad when they are done, even though Ms Forsyth does a fantastic job wrapping the series up. I laugh, I cry, I sometimes am so angry I want to throw the book. She brings forth so much emotion.

Now there is actually a sub trilogy that takes place a few years after this series.. but I can't say I want to reread those a million times. I love love love the original six though. Please Ms Forsyth, can you push to republish so I can show (hopefully) millions of people what they are missing out on? 

Please read these books, even if you aren't a fantasy reader, these are wonderful books!

Never Deal with Dragons by Lorenda Christensen

From Amazon.com:

Consoling a sobbing dragon and serving pig buffets are just part of the job for Myrna Banks. Working for a mediation firm, it's her job to get humans compensated for damages caused by the dragons who now rule. But her "typical" day is interrupted by Trian Chobardan, an old flame who sneaked out of her bed two years ago, taking her heart and a handful of classified documents with him.

Myrna would love to show Trian the door, but he's been sent by North America's reigning dragon lord for help negotiating a truce with a powerful rival to avert war. Myrna agrees to help, even though she'll be stuck with Trian as a partner.

As the two work together, Myrna finds Trian to be surprisingly supportive—and still irresistibly attractive. Though her brain tells her not to forget his betrayal, her body feels differently. When they learn the enemy dragon lord is planning something no one could have imagined, Myrna has to learn who she can trust before she loses not only her heart, but her life.

I'm  not sure what to say about this one.. On the one hand, it had a interesting storyline... take a second hand because it was pretty funny.. but.. I had a hard time reading it. The story, to me, kind of fell apart about thirty pages in. Sorry (Gosh I hate to say bad stuff about books!! It makes me incredibly sad.)  I would be really happy if someone reads this and tells me its awesome because I would totally take everything back!

P.S. This cover is REALLY hot!

Merry Christmas.. on 4th Street in Fool's Gold!

I was able to experience Christmas in July when I was the happy recipient of a galley of the new Fool's Gold book "Christmas on 4th Street" by Susan Mallery. Anyone who knows me.. or reads this blog, knows I am a HUGE fan of Ms Mallery.. What I wouldn't give to be with her right now at the convention in Atlanta with her right now! -sigh-.  It's burning hot in Iowa, so a nice Christmas story was a good reprieve!

Noelle's Christmas shop is going strong and she loves all of her new friends.  Felicia and Gideon are "wedding planning" and invite his family up for a visit!  Gideon's twin brother Gabriel is on a medical vacation from the army.. Slight injury when he was working at the hospital put him out of commission for awhile. 

Gabe and Gideon's father is pretty intense and at one point I seriously want to smack him.  Their mom is cool though.  Gabe is still working on his issues but Felicia is a big help. Gabe is bored so he starts working at Noelle's Christmas shop because she needs the help. 

Seriously, I suck at writing reviews. I don't have the words to write, I never have. I'm a reader not a writer.  It's so hard to express how much I absolutely adore this book, and every other book by Ms Mallery and several other authors. Just.. put this on your "to read" list for this fall and I don't think you will regret it!

The Hero.. Best Thunder Point book yet by Robyn Carr

From Amazon.com:

In a moment of desperation, Devon McAllister takes her daughter and flees a place where they should have been safe and secure. She has no idea what is around the next bend, but she is pretty certain it can't be worse than what they've left behind. Her plan is to escape to somewhere she can be invisible. Instead, an unexpected offer of assistance leads her to Thunder Point, a tiny Oregon town with a willingness to help someone in need. 

So no long ago I posted that Ms Carr's new series wasn't my favorite. Well, the first two weren't, but I thoroughly enjoyed the third book in the series "The Hero". My only issue.. it seems like the romance happened fairly quickly, but I have seen alot of that in recent contemporary romance.. Between Ms Carr, Linda Lael Miller  and Julie Garwood, it feels like I am supposed to fall in love the instant I meet a man. I mean no offense to any of the authors I post about. I love them dearly and will consistently read whatever they write no matter what it is. They are very talented women. 

The Hero feels like it had more of a story to it. Or should I say.. less of everyone else's stories. The Wanderer had about a thousand things going on at once, which left the reader slightly confused. The Hero actually focused on the romance between Devon and Spencer, with some fill in story of the other characters. Finally, I feel its more like Ms Carr's writing than the previous books.  Mercy, Devon's daughter, is so cute when she calls Spencer " 'Pencer". I wish there had been more interaction between the kids.

There was also a bit of a mystery. Devon ran away from a commune like farm ran by a man named Jacob, who's obvious goal was to impregnate every woman he came into contact with. Devon was picked up on the side of the road by Rawley, Cooper's help at the beach bar. I loved the grandfather like interactions between Devon and Rawley.   Thunder Point rises to the occasion and helps her as well, they didn't care where she came from, they just saw a single mom who was obviously scared spitless and helped her out. It definitely turned out for the best!

I'm so glad I read this book. I thoroughly enjoyed it!

Release date for this book is Aug 27, 2013

Wedding Bells for Brylee? Big Sky Wedding by Linda Lael Miller

From Amazon.com:

Wedding bells are ringing in Parable, Montana, but Brylee Parrish hasn't enjoyed the sound since being jilted at the altar by Hutch Carmody. She's over Hutch now, and running a multimillion-dollar business is challenging enough for this country gal. So she should avoid falling head over boot heels for A-list actor Zane Sutton. He's come home to his rodeo roots, but Hollywood lured him away once and just might again. Yet everything about him, from his easy charm to his concern for his young half brother, seems too genuine to resist…. 

In the early Parable books by Ms Miller, Hutch Carmody literally leaves Brylee Parrish standing in the church on the wedding day. Hutch finally gets his girl with his long lost love Kendra, but Brylee is still hurting. She built a home decor company from the ground up and has more money than she knows what to do with, but will she ever find the love she seeks?

Zane Sutton, former rodeo star and actor, wants away from big city lights and back to basics. With his half brother Nash and hilarious housekeeper Cleo, they set about renovating the ranch house at Hangmans Bend, the ranch Zane and his brother Landry purchased on a whim near Three Trees, Montana..a hop skip and junk from Parable.

I really enjoyed this book, but I had a major issue. That is.. it felt like Zane and Brylee met three or four times before he storms into her office expressing his love for her. Then we get a six months later: beautiful wedding. I seriously feel like we didn't get a full story. I'm hanging. Three or four times they see each other.. he claims his love, she tells him she loves him back.. we are going to date for six months and see what happens.. then the epilogue. -sigh-

Release Date Aut 27, 2013

Be Still My Heart... With Three Little Words

Susan Mallery knocks it out of the park again with Three Little Words!!

From Amazon.com:
Isabel Beebe thinks she's cursed in the romance department. Her teenage crush, Ford Hendrix, ignored all her letters. Her husband left her for another…man. So Isabel has come home to dust off her passion for fashion and run the family bridal shop until her parents are ready to sell it. Then she'll pursue her real dreams. At least, that's the plan, until sexy, charming Ford returns and leaves her feeling fourteen all over again….. 

Seeing Isabel all grown-up hits bodyguard trainer Ford like a sucker punch. Back when heartbreak made him join the military, her sweet letters kept him sane. Now he can't take his eyes—or his lips—off her. The man who gave up on love has a reason to stay in Fool's Gold forever—if three little words can convince Isabel to do the same.


She never fails to impress me. Fool's Gold is still going strong thirteen books later.  Isabel's sister broke Ford's heart when she cheated on him with his best friend. He signed up for the military and off he went, leaving young Isabel herself heartbroken.  She wrote him letters for years, never receiving a response. Now, all grown up she is back in Fool's Gold helping whip her parent's bridal shape into order so they can sell it.  Ford's back in town, and his mother, the formidable Denise is hounding him to get married! Ford thinks differently, so he convinces Isabel to be his fake girlfriend so his mother would back off. Isabel is quite embarrassed about the letters she sent to Ford, but Ford loved her letters. They kept him going when times were tough.

Isabel and Ford are a great couple! This story is so feel good and heartwarming that it can turn your gloomy day into a great one. Thank you, Ms Mallery, for another wonderful story. I can't wait for the Cookbook and also Christmas on 4th Street!

Robyn Carr's New Thunder Point series isn't hitting home..

I have been a fan of Robyn Carr's books for quite awhile now. I knew a few months ahead of time that a book of hers was coming out and if the library was slow about getting it, I didn't hesitate to buy it myself.  There was much excitement when I got it in my hands, and much disappointment when I finished it, knowing it would be awhile before I got another one. However, the new Thunder Point series is not coming together for me.

 I read the first book was really disappointed that the main characters didn't even meet until halfway through the book. Now I'm reading the second book and it just feels like the book is all over the place.  There are so many different story lines going on that I feel like I should take notes.  Mac and Gina really are not the main focus of this story like the description says. It routinely follows Mac and Sarah, Landon and Eve, Ashley and her break up with her high school boyfriend and the horrible treatment she recieves from his new college girl, Mac's wife returning to town, and apparently there's still some big thing that happens at the end of the book that I haven't gotten to yet. 

The thing is, I received this book from NetGalley awhile ago, but I still haven't been able to finish it. I am determined that I will. Ms Carr's writing is amazing, and I love her books, but it seems like this series is a step down from the Virgin River series. Please forgive me for being frank. I still love Ms Carr and will read all of her books . I just received "The Hero" which is the next book in the series, so I will read that soon and get back to ya on that.