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End of Year Quickie Reviews

by | Dec 31, 2015 | Book Reviews | 2 comments

End of Year Quickie ReviewsForbidden by Jacquelyn Frank
Also in this series: Forsaken
Series: The World Of Nightwalkers #1
Published by Ballantine Books on October 30th 2012
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Mythology
Narrator: Xe Sands
Length: 9 Hours and 40 Mins
Pages: 340
Format: Audiobook
Source: Hoopla Digital
ISBN: 0345517695
Goodreads
four-stars

From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who prey on them.The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.
When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.

In Forbidden, which I was able to obtain in audio format…..I was able to get a chance to read this author, and I was thrilled to see how much I enjoyed her. I truly enjoyed this author quite a bit, and I just wanted more with this book. The set up of the story….is unique and different, but that is what I grew to love most about it. It isn’t your average PNR read. It is thrilling, different and full of a intricate and complex world that Frank did a wonderful job in building up. I just wanted more of this world, and I can’t wait to continue in the series. The romance between Ram and Docia is just the type that I instantly gobbled up. It had a forbidden theme to it, but quite frankly, there were some twists and turns I honestly didn’t see coming and I quite loved how unpredictable the plot could be at times. It would surprise me in some ways and from beginning to end I was swept away into this world building and the way this author created a love worth fighting for!! I am glad I was able to listen to this, instead of reading it in print, because I might have become confused, because there is quite a bit of jumping around with names and other things….but the narrator was fantastic and really set the story quite well. I honestly can’t wait for the next book and see what happens in Forever.

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End of Year Quickie ReviewsCaptive Moon by C.T. Adams, Cathy Clamp
Also in this series: Hunter's Moon
Series: A Tale of the Sazi,
Published by Tor Paranormal Romance on August 1st 2006
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Shape Shifting, Creatures-Tigers
Pages: 384
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
ISBN: 0765354012
Goodreads
four-half-stars

World-class entertainer and Sazi council member, Antoine Monier has taken his big cats all over the world without any trouble—until his latest trip to Stuttgart, where one of his tigers is stolen and killed. To Antoine's surprise, the German police have another tiger in custody—a tiger who is actually a lovely Turkish-American woman, Tahira Kuric.
Like Antoine, Tahira is a shapeshifter, but of the Hayalet Kabile, the ghost tribe of shapeshifters. And despite their immediate attraction, Tahira wants nothing to do with Antoine—the Sazi are the enemy of the Hayalet Kabile.
But Tahira doesn't have a choice, because she and Antoine have discovered that she is a fabled "power well," able to store magical energy from other shapeshifters—and something is hunting her, eager to use her powers for itself.
Only if they can set aside their peoples' ancient rivalry and rely completely on each other—body and soul—can Tahira and Antoine save themselves and their people.

In Captive Moon, we have the continuation of the series…which takes us to tiger shifters. It is so rare to see tiger shifters and so I always soak them up….and these two authors did a fantastic job with Captive Moon. Our heroine, is being held captive while looking for her brother, our hero finds out about her predicament and saves her when he realizes that she is a shifter. They form a union of sorts, to hunt down those killing tigers, and to find her brother who is still missing and Tahira suspects he has been taken and/or killed. But she needs to find out the truth. This was quite a treasure find and once I picked it up I just couldn’t put it down once I started. These two were fire together, and they have such a great connection to one another….their chemistry isn’t one I would want to miss out on and I quite enjoyed seeing the mysteries that become unraveled and revealed to the reader.

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End of Year Quickie ReviewsDrink of Me by Jacquelyn Frank
Published by Zebra on October 26th 2010
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Magical Elements, Vampires
Narrator: Adam Alexander
Length: 12 Hours and 31 Mins
Pages: 371
Format: Audiobook
Source: One Click Digital
ISBN: 1420109855
Goodreads
four-half-stars

In a world where emotion can be a deadly weapon, one slight, battered runaway holds the key to a dark and twisted enigma. . . "Drink of me, " she whispers, her silver eyes trusting, pleading. What female dares speak such words to one of the Sange? His people are scorned by every race for their fierce sensuality, their fearful rituals. And as Prime, Reule is the most telepathically gifted of them all. But nothing has prepared him for the intensity of emotion radiating from the outlander rescued by his Pack. Terrified, tormented, but beautiful beyond measure, Mystique shatters his legendary control. As she reaches for him in the steamy heat of the healing baths, he knows this blind need can have but one end. . . In blood, in knowledge, in ecstasy. Praise for the Novels of Jacquelyn Frank "A lush narrative sure to please readers who have longed for new gothic and darkly romantic tales." --"Booklist" on "Gideon" "Frank's "NIGHTWALKER" series depicts an engrossing alternate world, drawn in prose that is lush and lyrical." --Linda Howard"

Drink Of Me was a book I couldn’t resist picking up. Its a stand alone…..but I was yearning for more of this author and it was available to listen to through my library!! And I just want to say that I just couldn’t listen to it fast enough. It almost saddened me to see that it was a stand alone and not part of a series….because boy this book had potential to see more. We have a story where our here, is leader of his people and his people are not welcomed by any but their own kind. They live in a remote place, away from civilization. When their enemy kidnaps one of his people, Reule goes into to get justice and get his pack member back, but he finds a woman imprisoned and rescues her. She is a woman that has no memory but knows certain things….is a healer and the more time they spend time together the more intimate they become with each other and just not on a physical level. We have drama, passion, heartbreaking moments and strength of character that is revealed to us in this memorable romance. I LOVED every moment of this one, and Frank sold me on it completely.

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End of Year Quickie ReviewsAshes of Midnight by Lara Adrian
Also in this series: Kiss of Midnight, Kiss of Crimson, Midnight Awakening, Midnight Rising, Veil of Midnight, Shades of Midnight, Taken by Midnight
Series: Midnight Breed #6
Published by Dell on May 26th 2009
Genres: Paranormal Romance, Vampires
Pages: 368
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
ISBN: 0440244501
Goodreads
five-stars

A woman driven by blood. A man thirsting for vengeance.A place where darkness and desire meet...
As night falls, Claire Roth flees, driven from her home by a fiery threat that seems to come from hell itself. Then, from out of the flames and ash, a vampire warrior emerges. He is Andreas Reichen, her onetime lover, now a stranger consumed by vengeance. Caught in the cross fire, Claire cannot escape his savage fury—or the hunger that plunges her into his world of eternal darkness and unending pleasure.
Nothing will stop Andreas from destroying the vampire responsible for slaughtering his Breed brethren . . . even if he must use his former lover as a pawn in his deadly mission. Blood-bonded to his treacherous adversary, Claire can lead Andreas to the enemy he seeks, but it is a journey fraught with danger—and deep, unbidden desires. For Claire is the one woman Andreas should not crave, and the only one he’s ever loved. A dangerous seduction begins—one that blurs the lines between predator and prey, and stokes the flames of a white-hot passion that may consume all in its path. . . .

In Ashes Of Midnight….we get the exciting continuation of the series and yummy we get Andreas Story. I have truly admired this character for the majority of the series and I love seeing how he has helped the order. This book was quite heartbreaking for me at times because Andreas is going through hell. He lost his coven….they were murdered and not just his men….but women and their children were all slaughtered. He is out for vengeance, and he has a burning hatred building inside him….a burning that may destroy him if not for the good woman he has always loved and stands by him. Claire is going through her own hell, when her mate betrays her and doesn’t seem to care if she is in danger or not. She has always loved Andreas, but he left her and never returned. Now circumstances have changed for both of them, and we see these two and their courage and love they have for each other. These two are split in moments of the book, which is understandable given the circumstances, and I loved the way they protect and stand for each other. It was quite remarkable to see and I just craved more of these two and my heart was so saddened when the book was over. This story was thrilling, passionate and full of adventure and suspense…..gimme more!!!

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End of Year Quickie ReviewsSutherland's Secret by Sharon Cullen
Series: Highland Pride #1
Published by Loveswept on January 19th 2016
Genres: Historical Romance, Scottish Highlands
Pages: 294
Format: eARC
Source: Netgalley
ISBN: 110196488X
Goodreads
four-stars

If you love Maya Banks and Monica McCarty, don’t miss Sharon Cullen’s captivating Highland Pride novels! Sutherland’s Secret kicks off a series that’s overflowing with mouthwatering Scottish warriors, captivating history, and forbidden desire.
Terror reigns in the aftermath of the Battle of Culloden. As British troops obliterate the last traces of the Jacobite cause, Brice Sutherland, the Earl of Dornach, risks everything to arrange a covert escape route to Canada for his fellow Scots. But when he encounters a dying Englishwoman, hauntingly beautiful though scarred by manacles and unable to speak, Brice’s true courage is put to the test. Nothing but ruin could result from helping her, or worse: falling in love.
The pampered daughter of a marquess, Eleanor Hirst was the talk of the London season when she wed the Earl of Glendale. Little did she know that his posting as an officer in Scotland would be their undoing. Now her husband is dead and Eleanor is a fugitive in a hostile country. Desperate for help, she throws herself on the mercy of Brice Sutherland, a handsome Scottish warrior who should be her enemy. Instead, he cares for her tenderly, reviving her shattered spirit—and awakening urges unlike any she’s ever known.

Sutherland’s Secret is the first book in the newest series by this author and BAM this ROCKED!!! I honestly just couldn’t put this one down and I just had it so bad for this story and I LOVED everything about it. From the plot….to the characters….the historical details and everything in between. Sharon Cullen has written a masterpiece of a romance and I would recommend this to any historical romance lovers but especially those that love Diana Gabadalon, Maya Banks, and Monica McCarty. This is set in a time period that is most heart breaking for the Scots, right after the Battle that tore the country apart, and many Scots were forced to flee their own country or be killed for fighting for freedom since they were pronounced as traitors to England. We have our hero, who is going on secret missions with his men to take those Scots from safe houses to the shore to be shipped to Canada but if he is caught….he will be hanged. Our heroine he finds on the road….beaten and bruised with scars, English and can’t speak because of the tortures she endured. This was a story packed with history and desire and the power of love. We see two people stay together despite the odds that are stacked against them. The author did leave a teaser at the end so I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next. Highly Recommend!!

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2 Comments

  1. Jennifer_FairyTales

    Andreas is wonderful, isn’t he? I’m glad you are continuing to love that series.

    I really want to read Sutherland’s Secret now! I love Gabaldon, McCarty, and Banks so I’m sure I’ll enjoy it. 🙂

    Reply
  2. Aurian

    I have read the first 8 books or so written by Jacquelyn Frank, and really loved them. I need to pick the rest up! I also have only read the first Sazi book, while they are all on my shelves. Thanks for reminding me!

    Reply

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