Tuesday, April 29, 2014

Hunky vampires and sultry warrior women.. Kerrelyn Sparks hits the nail on the head!

**************Thank you Edelweiss for an Advanced copy of this book***********

Vampire Zoltan Czakvar is on the hunt for the truth about his father's death. He's been searching for a very long time—since 1241, in fact. And he is not about to give up, even when he's attacked by a woman with striking blue eyes and a hell of a right hook!

Neona is also on the hunt. She's looking for a mate, and she thinks muscled Zoltan will work just fine. After all, men are good for only one thing. Soon, though, she realizes there's more to this handsome vampire than just sexual prowess. But she's keeping a secret from Zoltan, something so big that it will rock the vampire world.

Can their newfound love survive . . . even if their passion means the destruction of her world?


 An  Amazon warrior type of women hide in a hidden valley in the Himalayan mountains for centuries protecting a secret. No men are allowed because the original three founders were so abused by men. They go out and find warrior men, bed them, and return home to have their children.  Male children are sent away.

Zoltan has searched for 800 years for his father's murderer. All he has to go by is the unique arrow that killed his father, and for all those years he has kept it. When Russell, a lone wolf vampire, returns to Zoltan's home to get supplies (Zoltan has been supplying him for months) he has a similar arrow. He was finally able to figure out where it came from by following Russell's tracks. What a surprise to find Neona.

Neona has been troubled since her sister's death two weeks previously in a fight against Master Han's troops. Five of their eleven women died in the battle. Neona's sister had a male child seven years previously that she desperately wants to bring home, but males are not allowed in the valley. Neona stumbles upon Zoltan and decides he can father a child for her.. 

But he brings hope as well. Hope for change. They secretly meet until one day they are discovered. Zoltan wants nothing more than to have Neona in his life and to help her friends and family defeat the troops and protect their valley and their secrets.  Neona's mother, the queen, certainly does not agree.

Wow, did I just actually describe a book? Woaaaaah. Well, I loved it.  Neona and Zoltan are sooo sweet! yay! So, be prepared to love it as much as I did!  I have been reading Kerrelyn Sparks every since the first book in the series came out, and I will continue to read for as long as she deems us worthy to write for us! 

Susan Mallery lives up to her reputation with "When We Met"

*******************Thank You NetGalley for an Advanced copy of this book*********

Description:

Angel Whittaker earned his scars the hard way, but the scars that can't be seen are the ones that haunt him the most. Since he moved to Fool's Gold, California, he's cobbled together a life for himself as a bodyguard trainer. If he's not exactly happy, at least his heart is safe. 

Working with pro-football superstars taught tough-talking PR woman Taryn Crawford one thing—she can go toe-to-toe with any man. But then dark, dangerous former Special Ops Angel targets her for seduction…and challenges her to resist his tempting kisses. 

Even in four-inch heels, Taryn never backs down. Unless, somehow, Angel can convince her that surrender might feel even better than victory.


Another Fool's Gold novel hits the shelves on April 29th, and my, oh my, Ms Mallery has given us another fantastic book! I have never said a bad word about the Fool's Gold series and I doubt I will. These books are just feel good stuff. This one gave me butterflies in my belly and made me smile, as do all of her books.

Taryn wasn't particularly thrilled when her football player counterparts in the sports agency she partners in move to tiny Fool's Gold. Everyone is so friendly. Maybe too friendly. Taryn has a very tough exterior. As a child she was abandoned by her mother and abused by her father, she ran away as a teenager and managed to make it on her own through college. After a very brief marriage to one of the football players, Jack fronts her the money to start up her own PR firm and after the boys retire from football, the get on board.

Angel's family is killed in a car accident when he is away on a job, and he still believes if he had been home, the accident wouldn't have happened and his wife and son would be alive. Angel works at the bodyguard school in Fool's Gold and knows immediately that Taryn is the one he wants, even with all her city ways and her sky high heels. 

When Angel gets roped into volunteering for girl scout like group, he brings Taryn on board to help him with his group of seven year old girls. 

This book was absolutely fabulous. I can't say how much I loved it. I say that about everything she writes, don't I? But anyone who reads her, understands! Taryn and Angel are a perfect match. I laugh all the time when Taryn's wardrobe is mentioned, mostly because besides work, I am the yoga pants wearing Larissa all the way! There are not a pair of heels in my shoe closet (which is limited to one of each basic type of shoe!).  

Taryn's past has her so leary of pretty much any type of relationship, whether it be friendly or romantic, that the small town of Fool's Gold and how everyone knows everyone (and each other's business) is unusual and somewhat frightening to her. Angel gets under her skin. 

I'm not sure what else to say about this book. Susan Mallery is an absolutely fantastic author of feel good stories. Each book always makes me smile, which is awesome when I am going through a tough spot. I can always rely on a Susan Mallery book to perk me up. Thank you so much for all your wonderful work!

Wednesday, April 9, 2014

I am a World of Warcraft Addict. Did you know there are novels?!

I admit it. I started playing just because I was bored with what I had been playing, and my friends convinced me to try it. And I love it.. Its a game where there is something always to do. Whether you are questing, raiding, running a dungeon, or working on your professions, there is always something to do.

Recently I found out there are novels! Which, to me, is awesome. WoW is ten years old. They just celebrated their tenth anniversary. There are so many things I don't know about the game.. Why factions hate each other, who this person is or that person. So I just finished reading the first book, and I was like.. That was awesome, but.. who the heck are these people.. So I contacted a friend of mine and asked her.. "Do you know who Deathwing is?!" She said, well yeah, he's the big black dragon that caused the Cataclysm.. Oh.. Der.. She said she was running around one day and her character just died. She got an message on screen, an acheivement.. "Killed by Deathwing". Oooooh. So the books are sort of giving the history of the game as it goes along. I think its awesome, and a good way to try and catch up on a decade of missed information.
 Book Description for Day of the Dragon, which I believe is the first book:

In the mist-shrouded haze of the past, the world of Azeroth teemed with wondrous creatures of every kind. Mysterious Elves and hardy Dwarves walked among tribes of man in relative peace and harmony -- until the arrival of the demonic army known as Burning Legion shattered the world's tranquility forever. Now Orcs, Dragons, Goblins, and Trolls all vie for supremacy over the scattered, warring kingdoms -- part of a grand, malevolent scheme that will determine the fate of the world of 
WarCraft 
A terrifying upheaval among the highest ranks of the world's Wizards sends the maverick Mage, Rhonin, on a perilous journey into the Orc-controlled lands of Khaz Modan. What Rhonin uncovers is a vast, far-reaching conspiracy, darker than anything he ever imagined -- a threat that will force him into a dangerous alliance with ancient creatures of air and re if the world of Azeroth is to see another dawn


So, we start the book with Rhonin. He is a wizard that has a bad reputation. He went on a mission and because of the spell he used, everyone died. The mission was a success, but alot of people died. He has a new mentor, and this mentor sends him on a mission. Recon.  He is to find out how he can rescue the red dragon queen, who is being held captive by the orcs, who work for the Horde, who are the bad guys. They captured her and have been using her to breed dragons that the Horde use. The Alliance has no defense really against these dragons.
Its a suicide mission in itself. But he has to keep it to himself. He cant tell anyone. He meets up with an elf who is to help him find his way to Khaz Modan where he is to accomplish is mission. Along the way they run into Knights who distrust him. Dwarves who mistrust him. Wizards, apparently, are not well regarded.
Rhonin is driven to complete his quest and return triumphant and raise his reputation among the other wizards.
But they run into trouble when a dragon attack their party. They are saved by dwarves riding griffins, who are much faster than the dragons even if they are much smaller. The dwarves then give them a ride to a settlement that has been decimated by dragons.

Rhonin encounters Deathwing and is being controlled somewhat by him. Deathwing, who everyone thought was dead, has his own plans of world domination. Everyone, it seems, has plans for world domination in this book though. In human guise, he has enthralled the King and head of the Alliance and is able to have himself placed as king of another land which has been leaderless and under martial law.

I absolutely loved this book. But I love dragons and it had dragons so that was awesome. Anyways, even just as a fantasy book I thought it was a good story, so maybe give it a try... and if you decide to play Warcraft, come find me! Have a great day!

The Cousins O'Dwyer return with "Shadow Spell"

Description:
With the legends and lore of Ireland running through his blood, falconer Connor O’Dwyer is proud to call County Mayo home. It’s where his sister, Branna, lives and works, where his cousin, Iona, has found true love, and where his childhood friends form a circle that can’t be broken…

A circle that is about to be stretched out of shape—by a long-awaited kiss.

Meara Quinn is Branna’s best friend, a sister in all but blood. Her and Connor’s paths cross almost daily, as Connor takes tourists on hawk walks and Meara guides them on horseback across the lush countryside. She has the eyes of a gypsy and the body of a goddess…things Connor has always taken for granted—until his brush with death propels them into a quick, hot tangle.

Plenty of women have found their way to Connor’s bed, but none to his heart until now. Frustratingly, Meara is okay with just the heat, afraid to lose herself—and their friendship—to something more. But soon, Connor will see the full force and fury of what runs in his blood. And he will need his family and friends around him when his past rolls in like the fog, threatening an end to all he loves…


Dark Witch, the first book in the series, was, to me, fabulous! It had all the elements of a book I love. .Ireland, horses, witches, and a great love story. Shadow Spell is the sequel and it is just as good.

Meara has always been friends with Branna and Connor. She never knew what her feelings actually were for Connor until she almost lost him. Connor doesn't seem surprised, like FINALLY! but Meara's past may keep them apart. 

I can't go into much description because I dont want to give it away, but , it was FABULOUS!

The King.. through chaos, can Wrath and Beth's relationship last?

Description:
Long live the King… 

After turning his back on the throne for centuries, Wrath, son of Wrath, finally assumed his father’s mantle--with the help of his beloved mate. But the crown sets heavily on his head. As the war with the Lessening Society rages on, and the threat from the Band of Bastards truly hits home, he is forced to make choices that put everything--and everyone--at risk.

Beth Randall thought she knew what she was getting into when she mated the last pure blooded vampire on the planet: An easy ride was not it. But when she decides she wants a child, she’s unprepared for Wrath’s response--or the distance it creates between them.

The question is, will true love win out... or tortured legacy take over?


In Lover at Last, we see Xcor trying to bring down the current monarchy and take control himself. Assassinating Wrath doesn't work, so he goes by more subtle means. According to the old laws, the king's heir must be full blooded. Xcor works with the council to convince them to take the monarchy away on the basis that Wrath's shelan Beth is a half breed. 
Wrath and Beth's relationship is already rocky, Beth keeps visiting Layla in hopes to bring on her needing because she desperately wants a child. Wrath, on the other hand, does not want a child. He fears that any child of his will be born blind like he is. 
This book has an awesome and strange twist that I wont tell you about, you just have to read about it!
This book actually has ALOT going on in it. The Shadows, Treyz and IAm are prominent as well as Xcor and Layla, Assail and Sola. It was actually kind of annoying, the way the book kept jumping around, because of course it would jump to something else JUST as it got to a really good part! I'm not positive where the heck Assail and Sola fit into the story line either. 
I can't WAIT for the next book, which is going to be about the Shadows. And a return of Murhder! (I have to re-read because I have NO clue who he is!)
So, go forth and read my friends!