Sun God Seeks...Surrogate?

Sun God Seeks...Surrogate? by Mimi Jean Pafiloff (ARC Review)

Accidental Series Book 3

Re-Published February 25, 2014 by Forever

5 BLOODY FANGS & CELESTIAL STARS!

"Some series begin to lack in substance as they continue, or feel like their stuck on repeat.  Not this one!"

Synopsis -

A Deal from Heaven

Living in New York City, Penelope Trudeau has seen a lot of weird stuff-but nothing like the insane redhead who accosts her with a wild proposition. Penelope will get a million dollars if she has a baby with the strange woman's brother. With her mother dying from a mysterious disease, Penelope can use the money. Yet the terrified waitress is adamant that her womb and eggs are not for sale . . . until she meets her intended mate. He's impressively built, gorgeous, and red-hot, literally. He's a freaking immortal Sun God.

For thousands of years, Kinich (Nick to his friends) didn't believe in fraternizing with humans, so procreating with them is definitely a no-no. But after one sizzling encounter with the beautiful, passionate Penelope, Nick begins to think he was wrong . . . until he realizes meeting Penelope was just another one of his crazy sister's schemes at manipulation. But now that he has Penelope in his life, he can't let her go. Especially because doing so means throwing her into the hands of his dangerous enemies.

Approx. 90,000 words. 

The Accidentally Yours Series

BOOK 1: Accidentally in Love with...a God?

BOOK 2: Accidentally Married to...a Vampire?

BOOK 3: Sun God Seeks...Surrogate?

BOOK 3.5: Accidentally...Evil? (a Novella)

BOOK 4: Vampires Need Not...Apply?

BOOK 4.5: Accidentally...Cimil? (a Novella) (Coming in January 2014)

BOOK 5: Accidentally...Over? (Coming in August 2014) (Goodreads)

Review -

This has to be my favorite in the series', so far.  Completely unpredictable from the beginning to the end, and never a dull moment.  Fans also get to see their favorites and get updates on what has been going on in the lives of both Emma and Guy, and Helena and Niccolo.  Starting the book off with a special kind of twist, a quiz to the reader given by none other than the great Cimil, readers will be in tears from laughing, cringing through the lovely carnage, gasping at each surprise and twist, and more than a little hot under the collar from the steam coming off of the newest couple, Kinich(Nick) and Penelope.  And Vicktor may finally come face to face with his mystery dream woman.

Penelope is a single young woman who is barely able to make ends meet, working hard to take care both her and her sick mother.  So when Cimil approaches her with an indecent proposal, she finds it easy to say no, at first.  When she meets the man in question however, her answer begins to waver, and her body begins to heat up, and five hundred grand would go a long way in helping her mother who seems to worsen by the minute.  A mother with quite a few secrets of her own.  Both figuratively and literally, seeing as the man in question is Cimil's brother, the Sun God, Kinich.  But just as quickly as their love begins to bloom, it also may go up in flames even quicker due to a few misconceptions, misunderstandings and an X-Rated video on YouTube.   And thanks to one divine rerun of The Love Boat, the world may be coming to an end.

What I love most about this series' is that all of the women are the kind that take charge and except their lot in life, and while they may mope for a minute, they don't stay off of the band wagon for long.  Events take place that just may leave the women in charge of things, and the war leading up to the Apocalypse just may begin earlier than planned. 

Readers be warned, this book does end in a cliff hangar that will leave your mouth gaping open, so it is advised to have the rest of the series' close at hand.

Sun Damage Review

Sun Damage by Nikki Rae (ARC Review)
Self Published March 28, 2014
2.5 Chipped Fangs

"If death was as simple as the Author describes, why did the characters care so much about it?"

Synopsis -

Life wasn't what Sophie was expecting, so why should death be any different? 

She’s come back from swimming between the two, and every problem she left is still there. And then some.

There’s the human world, where she has a brother on the verge of ruins, band mates all set to go on tour, and people she thought she wouldn't be seeing for a long time showing up.

Then there’s her new world, where she’s seeing and hearing things that should not be heard or seen. Where Myles knows more about her than she could have ever guessed. She still doesn't know exactly why Michael is tormenting her, but somehow, everything is connected.

The monsters are closing in on all sides and the question is, will Sophie be able to defeat them before it all ends?  (Goodreads)

Review -

The final book in the Sunshine Trilogy, Sun Damage, wraps most things up, though still not all.  Readers will see the growth of the Author in her words, as they flow much more smoothly than that of the first two books, Sunshine and Sun Poisoned.  While I know the story is strictly how the author views the fantasy world in their mind, a little dose of reality in the pages goes a very long way.   That is not really seen in these pages, at least not enough.  It would be a wonderful world indeed if when one dies they could still interact with the living, even if just in dreams, whether they are of the supernatural nature or not.  That being said, if that truly is the case in this world, why would any of them care whether they died or not, seeing as how life, even unlife, will go on with them still in it.   How could the living be expected to just move on, when the loved one they thought to have lost is still with them, and not just as a memory?  Also, if it were as simple as that, why did Sophie's father not come to her and help her deal with the situation he essentially put her in?

Sophie finally learns the truth of her blood, the reason Michael wants to kill her.  She also learns that pretty much every word from out of Myles' mouth has been a lie.  Upon learning this, she decides she wants nothing to do with him.  Not a very smart move considering she is now a brand new vampire who is about to go on a cross country tour on a bus full of humans, oh, and did I mention she hasn't even properly fed yet.  Sophie has not been able to consume any type of blood, bagged, animal or even from a live donor.  Hmm...what type of blood would that leave?  Sadly, it takes them a very long time to figure that one out, and poor Jade almost pays the price.  And the final showdown finally comes to a head with Michael.

I would not recommend this book to hard-core vampire fans, but I would to fans of novels like Twilight and The Immortals (the one with that dimwit Ever).  This novel would have been so much better had the author took a few different turns along the way.  When death is downplayed to the point where it really has no meaning, the reader loses interest in whether or not any of the characters live or die.  But, in between the lines readers will see the potential for a great author.  Here's to hoping for better in her next series.

The Guardians Review

Feel the Fire by Jennifer Raygoza (ARC Review)
The Guardians Book 1
Re-Published April 13, 2014 by Vamptasy Publishing
4 Bloody Fangs

"A new bloodthirsty take in the ever growing world of Vampirsm."

Synopsis - 

I thought I had life all figured out. We live. We suffer pain. We die. Death never bothered me much. It is love that scares the hell out of me, because love makes you weak, and in my line of work there is no room for that. My name is Gianna Botticelli. I am the daughter and only female employee of a Los Angeles mafia boss. Today was supposed to be like any other day, and then Caleb walked into my life. 

He is sexy and mysterious and knows things he shouldn’t. I don’t like it at all, but I can’t help the way he makes me feel inside. There is something different about him. What is he? All I know is that after meeting Caleb, things will never be the same as he introduces me into his world, an unknown world where the battle of good versus evil rages on. 

Sacrifices will be made, hearts will break and lives will be taken. How far am I willing to take this journey, I keep asking myself? If I have to sacrifice myself to save everyone and everything then the answer is easy. All the way.  (Goodreads)

Review -

This is the most original Vampire novel I have read in a very long time.  And for this to not only be the first book in a series', but the first novel for Raygoza, it was truly a great read.  Raygoza has that rare natural knack for pulling readers in and keeping them begging for more.  The tails she spins on her vampires is a truly unique one indeed, and in a good way.  Readers will feel her passion coming off of the pages, and vampire lovers of any gender will be able to appreciate every aspect, from the love, the lust to the pure unadulterated violence.  Think of it as the Godfather meets Dracula.  Gianna goes from being mafia princess to Vampire Queen, and the trials and tribulations she experiences along the way turns her into a true force to be reckoned with.

When Gianna takes on a job to pick up an associate for her father, never did she imagine the letter she hands over to the two rather pale gentlemen will alter her fate.  The attraction and pull she feels towards one of them, Caleb, is a dangerous one, and she doesn't trust it, or him.  Especially when her father invites him to stay in their home, something he has never done.  But something that saves her life in the long run, and also turns her entire life upside down, taking her into a dark world she never knew existed.  One that, as it turns out, she was always destined to to be a part of.  A dark world where vampires exist, either born or made, some dead set on destroying the human race, the Dark Angels, and others sworn to protect them, The Guardians, and she is a part of both, making her both different, stronger and wanted by both factions.

Gianna comes to learn that being a vampire is even more dangerous than being in the mafia, at least there she knew all of the rules.  Being a vampire, the rules seem to change with every step she takes.  Though along the way she meets some very interesting characters who quickly become her family; a childlike sweetheart with prophetic visions, a nemesis; a vixen with attitude to spare, suitors of her affection; one she feels the same strange pull for, one from her past that just can't seem to let go in both life and undeath and one she can't stand to even be in the same room with, and old family turned into the enemy against their will.  And the sacrifice she makes in the end may save both her old world and the new one.

The Guardians seems to be one of those rare series' that will have fans from every generation and gender, taking the world by storm and keeping readers glued to the page.  Granted, there are a few rocky points, like how quickly Caleb and Gianna fall so deep in love after she faces such a devastating tragedy and is completely uprooted from the world she knows, and maybe just a tad more clarity on the Angel aspect.  Though that may be just me and my anal stickler for detail.  All and all, The Guardians is truly a must read for all vampire lovers.  Full of violence, blood, lust, betrayal, loyalty, brutal battles and real vampires.

Queen of Wands Review

Queen of Wands by Katee Robert (ARC Review)
Sanctify Book 2
Published June 24, 2014 by Entangled Select
4.5 Galactic Stars

"They say keep your friends close and your enemies closer.  So what do you do when that enemy is family?"

Synopsis -

When Jenny O’Keirna gets a chance to slip her older brother’s leash, she jumps at it, even if it means playing babysitter to a too-smart-for-his-own-good inventor. She’s not expecting the attraction that sparks between them—or that Sanctify is just as desperate to take him for their own.

Never in Mac Flannery’s wildest dreams did he imagine Jenny would be the one sent for him. He sees beyond the mad grin the sister of Hansarda’s new king presents to the world, and that combination of vulnerability and wicked humor is a siren call he can’t resist.

But Sanctify is always three steps ahead of them. On the run—and unable to keep their hands off each other—Jenny and Mac devise an insane plan: kidnap the leader of Sanctify, and stop this war once and for all. Unfortunately, they’ve just played right into his hands…

Review -

I have to admit, the title kind of threw me off a bit.  Looking at the title, Queen of Wands, I pretty much assumed that she would turn out to be a Sorceress or Witch with like wicked, mad powers.  Turns out the reference was to Tarot Cards'.  Though I was a tad bit disappointed that was not the case, I was not disappointed in this read, other than wishing I had read book 1, Queen of Swords. In retrospect, had I read the first I would have realized the title was referring to the tarot card.  Robert has a true knack for pulling readers in from the very first page, keeping them on the edge of their seats til the very last.

After being what feels like being held prisoner for her own good, Jenny O'Keirna jumps at the chance to get away from her overbearing brother, and the planet he now rules, Hansarda.  Afterall, all she needs to do is pick up some genius that Sanctify's new leader is trying to get their hands on, secrete him away to a private location, during which find some time to get herself laid and have a good time.  Those plans are shot right out the sky from the moment she sets foot on the planet Mac Flannery is on and she learns that not only is Sanctify one step ahead of her, but Mac is much more than just some geek playing around with his gadgets.  He turns out to be tall, dark and deadly, having killed more than one of the men who have come to kidnap him without shedding even a drop of blood.  But the real danger is the effect he seems to have on her and the fact that he sees right through every single one of her masks she puts on for the world.

Mac Flannery is more than happy to stay secluded away from the entire universe, creating as many and more advanced weaponry he  can to use against Sanctify.  So it is not an easy feat being forced to call for transport off of the planet, until he learns who has been sent, Jenny O'Keirna.  A very complex of a person, a puzzle in which he has a great desire to solve.  He just never planned on that puzzle turning his entire world upside down.  And for their adventures to take him to the very planet every male of every species grew up having wet dreams about.  On their attempts to flee Sanctify, it always seems Sanctify is three steps ahead of them.  The reason why ends up being a betrayal that will cut Jenny bone deep in the end.

Seems that the ties that bind are a very deadly thing in this series'.  As it turns out, the new leader of Sanctify has a personal score to settle with the ruling family of Hansarda, and hates all diviners to the very marrow of his sole.  Readers will be taken aback upon learning of his familial ties.

Non-stop action from one page to the next, characters to both love and relate to and more than just a little bit of bloodshed.  A read to be enjoyed by both paranormal and Sci-Fi fans alike.