Amanda J. Greene - Caressed by Night

Title : Caressed by Night
Series : Rulers of Darkness # 2
Release date : February 29, 2012
Genre : Paranormal Romance

Dimitri Arsov, the last remaining pure vampire, was thought to be dead for the past four hundreds years. Now, he is back and has a score to settle with the traitor that had tried to kill him centuries ago. But as he waits for his prey to blindly step into his carefully laid trap, his overwhelming hunger for blood is triggered when he saves a beautiful art historian.

Kerstyn Ingmar’s life was normal and straight up boring until the night she is rescued by the dangerously sexy, powerfully mesmerizing, Dimitri. Unable to resist his diamond blue eyes and intense kisses, she is drawn into his world of darkness and closer to her impending doom.

While their desire consumes them, Dimitri is haunted by images of a bloody and deadly future. As his enemies draw near, he must find a way to save his mate from her destiny before fate destroys them both.

Caressed by Night by Amanda Greene is the second novel in the Rulers of Darkness Series and I have to say it’s another fabulous book. It’s a little different from the first novel, because while Caressed by Moonlight was set the 1800’s, this novel was set in the modern day; but it definitely had the same vibe.

The main characters Dimitri Arsov and Kerstyn Ingmar are an amazing couple. Dimitri is one of the first vampires ever made and was thought dead for centuries. Betrayed by his second in command, he had to find a way to reclaim his throne and deal with this traitor. After waiting centuries to sets his trap, he meets beautiful Kerstyn Ingmar and realizes she is the mate he has been waiting for. He knows this will complicate things, but he cannot ignore his destiny.

Dimitri is definitely one of the most powerful vampires alive, but he keeps his powers to himself. I love that about a man, yes he is powerful but doesn’t show it unless when it’s absolutely needed. The way he show Kerstyn what he is and how he feels about him is so amazing. Kerstyn in just the right heroine for him, she is smart, curious and definitely not afraid of him. She accepts him just the way he is and nothing less.

I love the fact that we saw Dorian, Victoria and Falcon back from the first novel. Those three stole my heart from the first moment and it’s good to see how they doing. I have to say that I see some potential characters who deserve their own book; Silvie who’s Kerstyn best friend and also a witch. Gabriel, who’s an outcaste vampire but has a heart of gold, Gannon and of course Hadrian who’s another ruler and finally decided to take matters into his own hands and start living again.

Miss Greene has written another amazing novel with great characters, fabulous storyline and a great world setting. It made me want to be a part of a world, where no normal living being wants to live in.

I cannot wait to see who’s going to be in the next novel, I have my wishes; now let’s hope they will come true.

I was given this book to read in exchange of a honest review from the author Amanda Greene.

RaeAnne Thayne - A Cold Creek Reunion

Title : A Cold Creek Reunion
Release date : March 20, 2012
Publisher : Harlequin
Genre : Contemporary Romance

He was the one you called when you needed rescuing?

But who was Taft Bowman going to call when he needed help? Because ten years ago Laura Pendleton, the love of his life, had left town without a word, then or since. Now she was back, with a new last name - and two adorable, high-needs little ones in tow. Well, Taft had been stupid enough to let her go once before - he wasn't about to make the same mistake again. He'd never stopped loving her - and one look at those adorable little faces and he knew that he was meant to be with Laura and her kids forever. All he had to do was convince her that this time he was a man she could count on!

A Cold Creek Reunion by Raeanne Thayne is the first novel I’ve read of this author. I have to say this story was an enjoyable reading for me.

Taft Bowman is chief of the fire department, while his twin brother Trace is the chief of the police department. Taft was engaged ten years ago with this high school sweetheart Laura Pendleton, but a week before their wedding she broke the engagement and left town. Now Laura is back with her two children and Taft is trying real hard to stay away from them. But he knows this will be impossible, because his feelings for Laura are still there.

Laura Pendleton was broken when she had to call off the wedding years ago, but she didn’t have any choice since Taft wouldn’t postpone their wedding and take care of himself first. Now she is back in town with her two children and wants to start over, that means stay away from Taft. But it seems harder to do when her children decide to adopt Taft in their lives.

Raeanne Thayne has written a great entertaining novel, where you see how two soul mates find each other again after years. I love the fact that Taft accept Laura’s children from the start ad didn’t tread them differently because they were from another man in Laura’s life. But I have to be honest that I thought this novel was a little too soft for me, but that doesn’t mean it wasn’t good, I just prefer a little more action and romance in a book.

I was given this eBook to read in exchange of an honest review from NetGalley.

Luna Zega - Southern Seduction

Title : Southern Seduction
Release date : January 2012
Publisher : The Wildrose Press
Genre : Contemporary Erotica

Ramona Squires fell in the love with Ross Spears the first day she saw him in the second grade. Twenty-two years later when his truck breaks down in front of her house, she discovers that her crush wasn't unrequited. Neither had the guts to reveal their true feelings when they were teenagers. After years of wild, erotic wet dreams, will reality live up to the fantasy? Or will it be better

Southern Seduction by Luna Zega is a very short erotica story, but it was definitely enjoyable.

The main characters Ross Spears and Romana Squires are a perfect match. She has had a thing for Ross since second grade, but never had the guts to step up to him and show him how she felt. Since Ross never showed any interest in her, she left it at that.

Now after all those years Ross in back in town and the attraction towards him is still there. When Romana discovers that Ross has had the hots for all along, it’s time to act on those feelings and enjoy each other’s company.

Southern Seduction was well written with some very steamy erotica scenes. The attraction between the main characters was huge; you could definitely feel the fire between them.

I did have the feeling that some parts of the book were a little rushed to tell the story, but I enjoyed reading it. So if you are in the mood for a good short hot read, then this is definitely the right novella for you

I was given this ebook to read in exchange of a honest review from the author Luna Zega.

Marie Kenward - Dark Secrets

Title : Dark Secrets
Series : The macCumail Bloodlines # 3
Release date : March 5, 2012
Publisher : Black Rose
Genre : Paranormal Romance

Sometimes truth requires treachery...

Impressed into the Roman army, vampire Vasilios of Sparta learned to lie, fight, and kill in order to survive. He also learned loyalty and valor. These lessons serve him well for eighteen centuries until he's banished from his clan and betrayed by the leader he called friend.

An immortal without a cause.

A chance encounter brings FBI Agent Anne Mathews into his life. The obstinate redhead is on a mission to save her sister. Without Vasilios' help, Anne will never find her, let alone survive. But when an old enemy resurfaces, Vasilios leads Anne into battle to settle a score of his own.

Hell-bent on winning at any cost, Anne is no damsel in distress. It's a game of good vs. evil. And as Vasillios' passion for her grows, he'll be forced to choose between honor and the only woman to ever claim his heart.

Dark Secrets by Marie Kenward is the third novel in her macCumail Bloodlines Series and I loved it. After reading the previous two novels in the series I already became a huge fan of Miss Kenward. With this third novel she made it on my favorite authors list. It’s another book that I wasn’t able to put down for long; I had to read it within a short period to see how it all ended.

The main characters, Vasilios and Anne are a perfect match. He has been banished from his clan by his leader and best friend for four years and he has no intention to go back. But when he discovers a conspiracy against his best friend Mikhail and his human fiancée Emily, he knows he has to warn them. Anne is a young determined FBI agent. She has an agenda of her own when she meets Vasilios, because she has to save her sister from this evil vampire. If that means she has to use Vasilios in every way, then so be it.

What I love about this author is the way she lures readers into this amazing world. This novel had all the right tools to make it successful; great characters, fabulous storyline, true friendship and loyalty between the vampire “brothers”.

The relationship between Vasilios and Anne has a rough start, Anne fights him with everything she got and I have to say I cannot blame her. The first vampire she meets attacks her, but slowly she loses her heart to powerful Vasillios.

Marie Kenward has done it again and has written another amazing novel in this great series. I already said it before; this is definitely one of my favorite series of this year. I cannot wait to see who’s going to be next, because this series cannot be done.

Rachel Firasek - The Last Beginning

Title : The Last Beginning
Series : Curse of the Phoenix # 3
Release date : February 7, 2012
Publisher : Entangled Publishing
Genre : Paranormal Romance

Though she’s always hated being a phoenix, Sadie has to admit immortality has its advantages. She’s seen and done more in the last 150 years than she’d ever dreamed of, but she can’t get past the fact that Osiris has done nothing but manipulate her and her fellow phoenixes.

Or that, when her last incarnation as a phoenix comes to a fiery end, the fire slowly begins to consume her body.

Sun god Osiris is ashamed of his role as ruler of the Underworld, but he unless he can figure out how to save Sadie, that’s exactly where she’s going to end up. Permanently. Terrified he’s going to lose her, he takes her on a hunt for The Book of the Dead, which is the only way he knows he can save her—even if it means she’ll hate him forever.

The Last Beginning by Rachel Firasek is the last novella in the Curse of the Phoenix Series and a fabulous ending to this Trilogy.

Sadie is the last of the remaining curse phoenixes and really wants to know why Osiris won’t let her go like Ice and Ari. Even though she is the youngest of the phoenixes, her body is already giving up on her. Lately when she gets too emotional her body roams with flames and it has weakened her. The only man who can help her is the very one who turns her into this mess in the first place.

Osiris knows time is running out to save Sadie and he will do anything in his power to save her, even if that means breaking some rules. In order to save her soul from burning, he has to get the Book of the Dead and the help of Ice and Ari to do it. But will they be in time?

From the first novella you can sense that Osiris has a soft spot for Sadie and that there is more behind this Egyptian God of the Underworld. I have to say that I had mixed feelings about him and his selfish acts to have Sadie from the moment he laid eyes on her. He turned her into a phoenix simply because he wanted her. I do believe he has true feelings for her, but he could have showed her that in a normal way. Luckily for him he changed for the better good and Sadie made him see that.

Rachel Firasek has again written a great story with fabulous characters. I loved the fact that all the characters from the three novellas are woven into each other’s lives. Ice and Ari both didn’t hesitate when Osiris got them back to save Sadie’s soul.

I have to say that this short series was definitely worth to read and I’m curious to see what other books this author have to show me.

Thanks Netgalley for providing me with this ARC eBook.

Rachel Firasek - The Last Awakening

Title : The Last Awakening
Series : Curse of the Phoenix # 2
Release date : December 6, 2011
Publisher : Entangled Publishing
Genre : Paranormal Romance

For three hundred years, Arabella’s life has been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate, Osiris–god of the Underworld–gifts the phoenix her mortality and returns her voodoo magic. If she fails to harness her wayward magic and save a man worthy of a second chance, she’ll forfeit her power and her soul–forever.

Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him after the tragedy that brought him and Ari together. Confronted by the waif of a woman who forces him to face his worst fears, he resists, fighting the need to keep his personal demons hidden instead of setting them free.

When Ari becomes the target of her own magical blunder, it’s not just her life in danger, but now the one of the man she loves.

The Last Awakening by Rachel Firasek is the second novel in her Curse of the Phoenix Series and just like the first one it’s only around 100 pages, but definitely worth your time.

Arabella “Ari” is a cursed phoenix and is on an assignment when her phoenix power lures her to a small town grocery store. It appears her unknown target is in there and she have to figure out who it is and save him or her before it is too late. She is in for a surprise when her target is Greyson Meadows, a handsome ex-soldier.

Greyson “Grey” Meadows is an old war veteran and has been hiding his pain in loneliness and liquor. The only bright spot in his life is this beautiful angel, who just walks into the grocery store. But after a shooting where she saved his life, she just vanished. Will he ever see her again?

Ari and Grey are a great match; both have suffered in the past and are dealing with it on their own way. After Ari saved Grey’s soul and returns back to Osiris, the Egyptian God of the Underworld she begs him to send her back to Grey. But it is unusual to go back to the same target, but Osiris finally gives on one conditions….she has to find a way to deal with her past once and for all.

After reading the first novella I knew I had to read both stories about the two other curse phoenix Ari and Sadie too. If those stories were anything like the first one, I knew I would have a great time. The connection between Ari and Grey was amazing, two lost souls finding their way back into society.

Rachel Firasek has written another amazing novella. When you start reading you will fall in love with the characters and hope for their happy ending.

Rachel Firasek - The Last Rising

Title : The Last Rising
Series : Curse of the Phoenix # 1
Release date : September 6, 2011
Publisher : Entangled Publishing
Genre : Paranormal Romance

After paying two millennia’s penance to Osiris, world-weary phoenix Ice has had enough. Saving souls without any hope for her own redemption isn’t how she imagined spending eternity. Fed up, she decides her next death will be her last.

But when she sacrifices her own life for a sexy Texan in a catastrophic plane crash, she has no idea the consequences will be so great…or that she’ll end up back in his life for her next assignment.

Now that Turner Alcott has survived the worst, finding a wife and mother for his son matters more than ever before. When the mysterious Ice comes into his life, Turner knows she’s the one—but love is the last thing Ice wants. If he wants to win her heart, Turner must teach Ice how to forgive herself, and prove that love is the ultimate sacrifice.

The Last Rising by Rachel Firasek is the first novel in her Curse of the Phoenix Series and it’s a short story. But I have to say it was definitely worth to read, this story has all the right tools to make this a successful novella.

Ice is a cursed phoenix for a very long time, saving people by dying in their place which most of the time it’s a horrible experience and she is tired of the job. So she has made her decision to step out of it no matter what and since Osiris probably won’t set her free, she has to find a way on her own.

Turner is the one of her latest rescues and she falls for him, which is very bad because it’s forbidden to get involved with the humans you saved. But when her last unknown assignment throws her back into Turner’s life, she will fight for her place in Turner and his son Brodie’s life.

I loved Turner and Ice; they are a great couple and the fact that Turner easily accepts Ice for what she is and what had happened in her past, only made me love him more.

Rachel Firasek is a new author to me, but she definitely has my attention. She has written a fabulous novella with great characters, a fabulous storyline and some steamy scenes.

I am definitely going to check out her other work; because if they are anything like this book I know I will be in for a ride.

C.J. Ellisson - Vampire Vacation

Title : Vampire Vacation
Series : VV Inn # 1
Release date : October 10, 2010
Publisher : Red Hot Publishing
Genre : Paranormal Romance

Meet Vivian. She's a 580-year-old vampire who exudes sex, has a talent for drama, and is passionate about two things: her human husband, Rafe, and their resort for the undead. Her ability to project physical illusions has created the perfect vacation spot -- a dark, isolated Alaskan hideaway where visitors can have their wildest fantasies come true.

Vivian knows the best performance requires perfect timing, but the powerful vamp is put to the test when she discovers a corpse in a locked guestroom minutes before the next arrivals. Always cool-headed, Rafe hides the body; convinced he and Vivian can find the culprit without disturbing their guests.

Juggling the increasingly outrageous demands of their customers while tracking a killer isn't easy. Will their poking and prodding give them the answers they need, or will it uncover secrets Vivian would kill to protect?

Vampire Vacation by C.J. Ellisson is the first novel in the VV Inn Series and a fabulous first book. I’ve been dying to read this book for ages and I was very pleased that this book was exactly what I thought it would be; great storyline, fabulous characters and some very steamy scenes.

Vivian is an ancient vampire and runs a vampire Inn with her human husband Rafe. He has been her bonded mate for more than eighty years. Through the blood exchange, Rafe is as strong as any other vampire and the only thing Vivian is prepared to die for.

The Inn is a place where vampires, their mates and servants can come together, relax and enjoy each other’s company. Vivian’s power to manipulate others and their thoughts come in handy to seduce her guests, but it is also a power to fear. Every other manipulator has been exterminated before her, so she has kept her secret for many centuries.

When a human turns up dead in one of her hotel rooms, she knows they have to find the killer fast, even if that means asking her vampire guests for help.

Miss Ellisson didn’t disappoint me with this book, she has written a fabulous, steamy, funny and mysterious story. The chemistry between Vivian and her husband Rafe is amazing; those two are so right for each other. Their relationship with their employees is another great thing to see, even though Vivian doesn’t drink from her employees and doesn’t have a bond with them, she will do anything to protect those humans.

I am definitely going to read the next novel soon. This is one of those books that you have to see how it continues.

Portia Da Costa - Intimate Exposure

Title : Intimate Exposure
Release date : February 6, 2011
Publisher : Carina Press
Genre : Erotica Romance

From the moment Red Webster arrived at executive Vicki Renard's firm, sparks flew between them. The photographer is supposed to create a company profile for its new owner, but he spends most of his time flirting with her. His sexy teasing infuriates Vicki...and piques a desire to submit to him. His hypnotic eyes promise what she's been secretly craving: a sexually dominant master, like the ones in her favorite erotic novels.

Investigating his new business incognito, billionaire F. W. Shanley--aka Red--is turned on by Vicki's fiery personality and undeniable beauty. When he discovers her reading a BDSM novel on her eReader, he knows he's found a woman who shares his desires and promises to be a challenging submissive.

When Red arranges a weekend at a secluded hotel, Vicki agrees to indulge in no-strings-attached erotic fun. But can she commit to this kind of life with Red when he realizes they can have so much more?

Intimate Exposure by Portia Da Costa is a great erotica novel. The length of this novel is not huge, but it is definitely not too short to tell this great storyline.

The attraction between main characters Vicki and Red is slow at first, because Vicki doesn’t really trust Red and for a good reason. Red appears to be the new owner of the company she works for and is working undercover to see everything from the employees point of view.

Vicki is a young woman who is intrigued by the BDSM scene and that shows through her reading genre. But she’s kept this a secret from everyone around her, never in her life has she ever experience something like this, but of course secretly dreams about it. Then she meets Red, who is a photographer at her company, she knows he is not exactly what he shows everyone. But ever since he took a glimpse on her e-reader and the genre she reads, she imagines him in every scene she reads.

Red is a great character, even though he is undercover in the company he just bought, he is an honest man. Red is really interested in Vicki, especially when he found out her secret desires to the BDSM scene. He knows she will be the perfect submissive for him and he knows he will be the right man to introduce her into this world.

This novel is well written and very enjoyable to read. Lovers of the erotica and beginning BDSM scene will have a blast reading this novel. It has all the right ingredients to make a wonderful storyline with some great characters.

Marie Kenward - Dark Whisper

Title : Dark Whispers
Series : MacCumail Bloodlines # 2
Release date : October 15, 2010
Publisher : Black Rose
Genre : Paranormal Romance

Sometimes, trusting your inner voice can be fatal...

He is Mikael macCumail, leader of a vampire clan. The oldest of his kind, he is considered invincible. Deadly. Most fear him, and he's lived unchallenged for over a millennia. Until the night he loses it all.

Stripped of his memory, stalked by vampires and vampire hunters alike, Mikael finds an unlikely ally in young hunter Emily Davenport. On the run with no one to turn to and no one to trust, the line between predator and prey begins to blur. In a world of unfamiliar shadows, Emily becomes his only light. Her beauty tempts him, her innocence disarms him. Mikael has waited centuries to find a woman like Emily, but when his past catches up with him and he discovers why his memory was taken, he must prepare to face an enemy he doesn't know how to defeat. An enemy with no physical body, a life form--an entity--that lives inside vampire blood, moving from one body to the next, killing.

And now it wants Mikael.

Dark Whispers by Marie Kenward is the second novel in her MacCumail Bloodlines series and another fabulous read. Just like the first novel in the series, I wasn’t able to put the book down for long. There is something in the way she creates the world, the characters and the storyline that just draw me into this book and held me there.

The main characters, Mikael macCumail and Emily Davenport are just great. He is the leader of the macCumail clan, powerful and very old because he is one of the first vampires ever created. But he never sired anyone, except Sarah Hennessy, who’s the mate of Alexi Dugas, one of his clan member. She is a very young, determined vampire hunter. She has joined her brothers in the fight against all vampires, but when she’s facing Mikael, who teaches her that not all vampires are bad, she puts everything she believes on the line for him. They personify the opposites attracts cliché.

What I love about this author is the way she lets readers into the world she created, to experience the power, the revenge, hatred, friendship and loyalty for themselves. She isn’t afraid to let the readers truly see what this can do to a person and what the outcome will be.

The slowly growing relationship between Mikael en the very young Emily is great to follow, first fighting him with everything she got, but slowly loses her heart to him. I loved the fact that she doesn’t change her perspective of vampires just because she loves Mikael. Yes, she accepts Sarah and Alexi but she keeps her distance and suspicion towards the others near Mikael.

It was good to see that Sarah and Alexi were part of this book too and to see that Sarah has grown into her powers in the year she is a vampire now. Because she is the only vampire Mikael turned, the bond between the two of them is tight.

Marie Kenward has written another amazing addition in this series, which already has become one of my favourite series of 2012. I’m curious to see who will be the main character in the following book, because I know this story isn’t finished…hopefully there will be novels about the two remaining brothers in the near future.