The Undead Pool Review

The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
The Hollows Book 12
Published February 25, 2014 by Voyager
5 Demonic Fangs!!!


"If you do not know your history, you're doomed to repeat it."


Synopsis -

Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering. 

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.  (Goodreads)

Review - 

For years now fans of The Hollows have been wanting to know what happened to drive Newt insane.  Well, hold onto your seats ghouls and gals cause its going to be a bumpy ride as Rachel finally learns the truth, the hard way.  The one question that will be remaining at the end, will Rachel be able to maintain her own sanity?  And for those of you that have been rooting for a Trent and Rachel union, are NOT going to want to miss this.

Rachel finds herself yet again having to save the world.  Someone has been tampering with her line, but far more than just that.  Turns out the Goddess of the elves was once a very real thing indeed, but during the great war between Elves and Demons, she was not only destroyed but shattered.  Now someone has found a way to collect those particles of her and use them to keep the undead vampire masters asleep, in turn slowly starving them to death.  And while that seems like a great plan in theory, especially for the not so secret faction known as the Free Vampires, there is now nothing to stop the living vampires to do any and everything they want, can anyone say bloodbath?  It seems that no-one is safe from vampires, not even themselves.  That's not the only troubles Interlanders are facing.  With whoever out there capturing mystics, all magic is misfiring, causing simple cleaning charms to backfire to the point of death.   

Quite naturally Rachel goes to her demonic teacher for help, but he is less than willing.  The question is, does he truly not know what is going on, and if he does, why is he holding back.  The answer comes in the form of the only other female demon, the less than sane Newt.  And if Rachel goes through with her plan to save everyone she may end up just as insane.

The reason behind Newts' sanity isn't the only thing that comes to light, so do Trent and Rachel's' true feelings toward one another.  But will he finally listen to his heart, or put his responsibilities to his elven people first.  And Ivy finds herself yet again battling for Nina's soul because there is one undead who never went to sleep, Felix.

This is a true must read for Hollow's fans, and for readers who are newbies, this stand-alone will leave you craving for more.   Full of lust, love, blood, gore, excitement, honor and characters who will pull at your heart strings, make you want to tap a ley line and stand by their sides and fight whether you're as small as a pixy or as big as a were.

The Night of Elisa Giveaway and Spotlight

The Night of Elisa by Isis Sousa

Published May 30, 2014 by Tragic Books

Synopsis - 

Sometimes, life and love can follow the most obscure paths, just as they did for Elisa.

Her life becomes a dark, cold, lonely cage the day the Devil takes her as his wife. He robs her of almost everything she holds dear: her health, her wealth and what is left of her family.

Trapped between the nuances of life and beyond-life, Elisa finds herself struggling for a better tomorrow. With her health deteriorating, how will she summon the courage and strength to stand her ground? And how far will she go in the pursuit of a dream?

Embark with Elisa on this puzzling Gothic adventure set in the late Victorian era, between the world of the Living and the picturesque, melancholic Duskland.

* * * 

"It is strange... How can I 'go home' when I have no memories of that place at all?"

- Elisa

"Stop it, Elisa. You're bleeding, my darling!"

- Leonhard

"Ah, love, the biggest poison and most dangerous drug there is."

- Dr. Charles

Amazon     Smashwords    Lulu     Goodreads     Website

Excerpt - 

‘Elisa’ calmed and the struggle was over. How dare she speak of me like I’m already dead? I know these faces… Father Johannes was throwing holy water over her bed and chanting in Latin.

“E-l-i-s-a i-s b-a-c-k!” a loud voice echoed in the room for all to hear. Quentin was very surprised. “She is back! Father Johannes, how is it possible?”

Father Johannes’ voice was frail. He was a short, gibbous man with an aquiline nose and big, deep eyes. “God the almighty never betrays us, my son!” He raised the wooden cross with his right hand.  “Whatever evil was holding her from life – from death – is here no more!” He came closer to Quentin, reaching for his ear. “She is strong, my son! Keep pretending until the last moment. We don’t want it to happen, but if she survives we don’t want her to tell anyone about what we did.”

“If she survives it will be for a very short time. I will take care of her once and for all, Father!” Quentin pretended he was seeing a miracle from the seven heavens. His young wife back from the dead! How was it possible? We did everything we could, but you persisted… “Elisa, my dearest, you’re alive! You live! You have come back to us!” Quentin continued, admiring that she had endured so much.

Who is this Author:

“I am not a writer, neither is writing one of my passions, on the contrary; I see it as a necessary evil! I like to say I am an illustrator and storyteller. 

I was born and raised in Brazil and since 2009, been living in Norway with my best-half. I work as illustrator and graphic designer from my home-office, in slippers and comfy clothes. (Would really prefer PJs, but here and there someone knocks on the door!)

Love Heavy Metal, Fantasy and Dark Fantasy and most forms of visual arts.”

Goodreads     Website

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Marked by Hades Review

Marked by Hades by Reese Monroe (ARC Review)
Bound by Hades Book 2
Published April 14, 2014
4 Demonic Fangs

"Full of non-stop action, brutality and mayhem, but..."

Review - 

Kind of have mixed emotions about this one.  While it was a good read, having all of the qualities I look for in a great read; plot, violence, Dark Romance, deadly characters, brutality, fangs, blood.  What I didn't like, and pretty much left me extremely pissed off, was the outcome of the heroine, Yvonne/Dyre.

Imagine waking up with nothing, not the shirt on your back nor any clue as to who, or what, you are.  Only two things you know for certain, your name and the fact that if you so much as touch a living thing, from plant to human being, they turn to dust.  Which is truly an ingenious punishment for a former Demon who craves nothing more than touch.  A punishment delivered by none other than the Devil himself.  What Lucifer doesn't realize is how that punishment may effect him in the long run.

Justin has been bound and determined to never ever take a Mate, there just isn't one for him.  Sure, he is ecstatically happy that Theo found his Mate Sadie, after-all a Guardian, an immortal charged with sending Demons to the eternal flames of Hades, needs his/her Mate to come into their full powers, but he is just a Companion, what would he need one for.  Well, not only will his Ahava, mate, receive her mark, when he learns who she is he's in for a shock.  But when he learns what she is, and the part she played in the kidnapping that almost took not only his brother's life but his as well.  Just because she receives her mark, and he his, does not mean he has to go through with the mating.  A decision he will regret when she is taken away from him.

Everyone is in a desperate search to find the remaining Artifacts, the only known weapons able to cause harm to Lucifer.  Along the way they will learn that the Great One isn't the only one to send his creations on journeys to keep them motivated.  Full of love, lust, violence, mayhem, blood and brutality, and characters readers will both love and be able to connect with.  And a bittersweet happy almost ending leaving readers pissed off for the heroine, a dreadful reminder that not everyone gets a happy ending.

While this Marked by Hades can be read as a stand alone, as I did, readers may want to pick up book one first, Forged by Hades, to get a real feel of what is going on.  And to see Dyre as she was before.

Up From The Grave Review

Up From The Grave by Jeaniene Frost
Night Huntress Book 7
Published January 28, 2014 by Avon
5 BLOODY FANGS!!!!


"Is this the final end for Cat and Bones?"




Summary -

There’s always one more grave to dig.

Lately, life has been unnaturally calm for vampires Cat Crawfield and her husband Bones. They should have known better than to relax their guard, because a shocking revelation sends them back into action to stop an all-out war…

A rogue CIA agent is involved in horrifying secret activities that threaten to raise tensions between humans and the undead to dangerous heights. Now Cat and Bones are in a race against time to save their friends from a fate worse than death…because the more secrets they unravel, the deadlier the consequences. And if they fail, their lives—and those of everyone they hold dear— will be hovering on the edge of the grave.  (Goodreads)

Review -

This addition to the Night Huntress series gives off the feeling of a Grand Finale. One that will leave die hard fans of the series with a since of closure, and and as though Bones and Cat have finally gotten the Happily Ever After that they both deserve. Not saying that this indeed the end  to their story, it quite possibly could be the beginning of a whole new chapter for the dynamic duo and their clan. One with more obstacles, challenges, enemies, unlikely allies and responsibilities that not even Mencheres could have foreseen.  And Readers, the opening prologue, make sure you pay extra close attention to it, because when you learn later on who the female speaking is, someone will have to pull your mouth up from the floor. 

We were introduced to Madigan a few books back, and could feel the deep seeded hatred between he and Don seething from the page.  Never knowing where said hatred originated from, and neither did Bones or Cat. Now all of that is about to come to a head with a deadly outcome.  To say Don has been tight lipped about the person who not only usurped his position, but almost caused Cat to face her final death.  Now they need Don to come clean with the truth on the CIA agent once and for all, because now Tate, Juan and Cooper have gone missing and Madigan is the one behind their disappearance.  When Don continues to be non cooperative they enlist the help of Marie Leveaux, the true Queen of the Dead, to 'persuade' him. What they find out about he and Madigans former business relationship it may cause a wrift between Uncle and Niece that can never be repaired.  And it may cause an all out war in the Supernatural world.

Full of non stop action from the second you open the cover.  Frost proves once again that she is a master at her craft. Having readers wonder whether they are reading a book or watching a movie play out before their eyes.  I don't think this is the end of the series', that is just the vibe that I got off of the end. Felt like a true Grand Finale, but it may just be a new beginning.  Also, readers will be happily surprised with a fiery wedding thrown in the mix.

This is book is definitely not meant to be read as a stand alone, and should not be. Now, if you have only read the Night Huntress series and none of the books from the Night Universe, I suggest you read those as well.  This book and series are definite must reads.



*****Revision*****
This is indeed the final trip to the grave for our belove Cat and Bones.  For more information click here.

Entangled Edge Release Day Blast

Edge, a digital-first single-title romance line from Entangled Publishing, takes its lead from their popular Select imprint but gives its novels an edge in the marketplace by bringing great stories to readers at reasonable prices in a quick-and-easy way. Whether sexy or sweet, traditional romance or love and lust with a women’s fiction bent, at the center of every Edge book is heart. From Urban Fantasy to Contemporary Romance to Science Fiction Romance, Edge has a book for all romance readers—and right at their fingertips! As they say, all’s fair in love and war. To find out more about their titles, chat with authors, participate in special events, and to find out what books are coming next, visit the Entangled website, follow them on Twitter, and like their Facebook page.

Today I'm happy to be featuring Edge's February releases!!

Mustang Sassy by Daire St. Denis

Special $0.99 Introductory Price!

Find Out More!

Jordan Michaels wants his car fixed, now, and he wants Sass’s auto body shop to do it. But the handsome blond has a secret−he’s really Jordan Carlyle of Carlyle’s Classics, Sass Hogan’s biggest competitor, and he’s determined to prove himself to his family. As Sass and Jordan get to know each other, the depth of the attraction has them falling in love. But a relationship based on lies will only leave them primed for the worst wreck of their lives.

Giveaway

Death Defying by Nina Croft

Blood Hunter #3

Special $0.99 Pricing on First 3 Books in Series!

Find Out More!

After five hundred years, Callum Meridian, founding member of the Collective, is bored out of his mind. Until he realizes he’s physically changing—into what, he isn’t sure. Callum is determined to discover the truth, but his own people will stop at nothing to prevent it from coming out. He turns to Captain Tannis of the starship El Cazador. Sparks fly as they work together to make it out alive, but can Callum really trust the one woman hell bent on using him? Defying death has never been more dangerous…or more sexy.

Giveaway

Bittersweet Darkness by Nina Croft
The Order #3

Special $0.99 Pricing on All 3 Books in Series!

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As payment for a debt, Ash Delacourt finds himself working with the Order of the Shadow Accords as the demon representative. It’s a chance to be near his daughter, make a new start, and—once he’s met the delectable Detective Connolly—maybe have a little fun. But Faith has a secret, and falling in love with Ash—one of the bad guys, albeit a stunningly gorgeous one, isn't part of her future. How can she ever let Ash close when her time is running out…?

Giveaway

Before the Devil Knows You're Dead by Patricia Eimer
Speak of the Devil #3

Special $0.99 Pricing on All 3 Books in Series!

Find Out More!

There’s never an end to the crazy when you’re demon spawn. Not that Faith Bettincourt’s complaining. She's patching things up with her angelic on-again off-again boyfriend, Matt, and saving kids from Death in her pediatric unit, one soul at a time. But when she's forced to take over as the Angel of Death, and then Matt’s ex comes back, bringing the Apocalypse with her, Faith’s not about to give up the world...or her man. When the chips are down, what’s a girl to do but take matters in her own hands, consequences be damned?

Giveaway

Bittersweet Darkness Review

Bittersweet Darkness by Nina Croft
The Order Book 3  
Published February 24, 2014 by Entangled Publishing
ARC Review
5 BLOODY FANGS!!!!


"There is no such thing as black and white, good or evil.  But there is right and wrong."


Summary - 

There are no monsters, only good guys and bad guys. That’s the creed by which Detective Inspector Faith Connolly has always lived. 

When Faith discovers that she has a time bomb counting down in her head, she has one goal; to solve the murder case she’s working on—a young girl who was found drained of blood—and in doing so gain closure for a long ago murder never solved. Her investigation brings her in contact with Ash Delacourt. Ash is all black leather, big guns and sexy bad attitude—definitely not one of the good guys.

As payment for a debt, Asmodai AKA Ash Delacourt, finds himself working with the Order of the Shadow Accords. He’s the demon representative on the newly formed Committee for the Integration of Mankind and well…everything else. It’s a chance to be near his daughter, make a new start, and—once he’s met the delectable detective—maybe have a little fun.

There are no monsters. But as Faith’s investigation deepens, her beliefs are eroded and for the first time, she is falling in love—with one of the bad guys. But how can she ever let Ash close when her time is running out…?  (Goodreads)

Review - 

I had been waiting impatiently for this book to come ever since I read Bittersweet Magic, longing to see what was in store for one of my favorite demons, Asmodai.  I am happy to say Croft did NOT disappoint.

Asmodai has gone by many different names, Ash Delacourt, Demon of Lust, Prince of Darkness, but none does he crave more than the name Father.  After losing the only woman with the ability to break through with black heart, his wife Lily, the only woman's affection he has craved is that of their daughter he believed to be dead, Tara.  But after ordering her best friend to be brutally murdered, successfully, that seems like a pretty impossible feet.  Even after he goes to his best friend Luc, Lucifer himself, to procure a present for her.  A gift that comes with a price on his part they may lead to him falling for yet another female, a frail human woman, something he always vowed he would not do.  And that woman, with her fiery spirit and strictly black and white attitude has a ticking time bomb getting ready to go off inside of her that will cut whatever time they may have shorter than he realizes.

Faith is one of those women that lives in a world with rose colored glasses; everything is black and white, good or bad with no room for nothing in between.  A world where no ghosts or ghoulies exist.  So when she is offered a position at a government facility, by a Priest and ex-Military man no less, a faction called MI13 that is investigating Christian Roth whom they tell her is a vampire, it takes all of self-control to not fall out of her chair laughing.  Though even when undeniable physical evidence is right in her face, she still can't except it, as though an impenetrable wall comes up at the mention of the word Vampire.  A wall that has been there since her mother was murdered and her body found by Faith when she was only twelve years old.   Being forced to take the job, she refuses to spy on her former partner, Ryan, but she may cede to spy on Ash.  After-all, there is nowhere she take the attraction she reluctantly feels for him.  Not when her Government, the good guys, have deemed the people he works for as bad.  But her righteous government is about to do something so heinous that she will have to change the way she view things.

Full of action, heat, lust, violence, intrigue and most importantly characters readers will actually feel a vested interest in, Bittersweet Darkness is a true must read.  Just not if you are righteous, holier than thou, squeamish or believe that vampires should sparkle and Angels only create miracles.  Because in this world, Demons may be the not-so-bad guys and Angels the not-so-good guys.  And I am also happy to say that Croft has proven to be one of those authors with the ability to surprise even me, which is saying something after all the Paranormal books I have read.  

Yes, this can be read as a stand alone, though I recommend reading the entire series'.

Fangs for February, 2014

Wild Things by Chloe Neill
Book 10 of Chicagoland Vamires Series
February 4, 2014

Since Merit was turned into a vampire, and the protector of Chicago’s Cadogan House, it’s been a wild ride. She and Master vampire Ethan Sullivan have helped make Cadogan’s vampires the strongest in North America, and forged ties with paranormal folk of all breeds and creeds, living or dead…or both.

But now those alliances are about to be tested. A strange and twisted magic has ripped through the North American Central Pack, and Merit’s closest friends are caught in the crosshairs. Gabriel Keene, the Pack Apex, looks to Merit and Ethan for help. But who—or what—could possibly be powerful enough to out-magic a shifter?

Merit is about to go toe to toe, and cold steel to cold heart, to find out. (Goodreads)

The Undead Pool by Kim Harrison
Book 12 of The Hollows Series
February 27, 2014

Witch and day-walking demon Rachel Morgan has managed to save the demonic ever after from shrinking, but at a high cost. Now strange magic is attacking Cincinnati and the Hollows, causing spells to backfire or go horribly wrong, and the truce between the races, between Inderlander and human, is shattering.

Rachel must stop the occurrences before the undead vampire masters who keep the rest of the undead under control are lost and it becomes all-out supernatural war. However, the only way to do so is through the ancient elven wild magic, which carries its own perils.  (Goodreads)

Shadowed Review

Shadowed by Rebecca Zanetti
Book 6 of the Dark Protectors Series
Published October 3, 2014 by eKensington
5 BLOODY FANGS!!!!!!!!


"The worst part of torture may not be the brutal pain one is forced to endure, but the memories, guilt and fear that are left behind."





Summary -

Jase Kayrs was the fun brother. The warm, charming, easy-going brother of the vampire leaders. Until he was taken and tortured by demons with their evil mind tricks for nearly five years. Upon his return, he’s dark, violent, and not the man they all thought they knew. Not the man he once was. He’s haunted that the only reason the demons would have let him live was to use him as a weapon against his family—but he can’t figure out when or how he’ll explode. Plus, once again the demons are after Jase with a vengeance…or rather, a female demon he rejected is out to destroy him.

Then the king asks Jase for a favor…a big one. To mate with one of their allies in order to save her. She’s everything that’s good and light in the world…while he’s at home with darkness. Yet he agrees…knowing mating may be the only chance to save them both.  (Goodreads)


Review - 

Jase Kayrs, the youngest of the infamous Karys' brothers, was always the fun brother with an undeniable sense of humor.  Able to find a joke within any given situation, to make even the King crack a smile.  Which is what made it so devastating when he was kidnapped by the demons and lost to his family for five years.  And when they finally did find him; buried in a shallow grave, left for dead and practically decapitated, his head hanging on by a mere tendon, it was his spirit that had been killed.  Gone was the fun-loving Jase, all that was left was a pure Vampire hell-bent on revenge.

Brenna Dunne, the eighth sister, youngest sister of Moira, the seventh sister of a seventh sister, her birth in itself was an anomaly.  An eighth sister was unheard of in a Witch family, yet there she was, different from everyone in her family.  Some saw her as a curse, others, her family mostly, as a blessing.  Seeing as how she never should have been, everything about her has been unpredictable.  And on her birthday on the Winter Solstice, when another comet veers toward the earth, as it did on the day of her birth, she will possess insurmountable power, and just blow a whole city up.  That is if she lives to see that day.

The most powerful Witch family and the most powerful Vampire family in the Realm decide to form an alliance.  What better way to do that than to arrange a mating between these two, hoping that in the process they can both save the others life.  What they hadn't planned on was the possibility that fate had already arranged their mating long ago.  The only question that truly remains is which emotion is stronger; love or vengeance?

Non-stop action from the beginning til the very end.  With a war going on between the Demons and the Vampires as well as with the Kurjans, how could it not?!  Readers will once again be sucked into Zanettis' Realm, feeling every emotion right along with the characters', and find their faces practically glued to each page.  There is just enough violence, passion, humor and bloodshed to make any vampire lover happy.  This entire series' still remains as a definite must read.  And keep on the lookout for Tamed, which is due out May 4th.     

Ten Vampy Reads To Help Get You Into The Holiday Spirit

Holidays Are Hell by Kim Harrison

This holiday, spend quality time with family and loved ones—living and dead . . .

There's no place like home for the horrordays—unless you'd prefer a romantic midnight walk through a ghost-infested graveyard . . . or a haunted house candlelight dinner with the sexy vampire of your dreams. The (black) magical season is here—and whether it's a solstice séance gone demonically wrong with the incomparable Kim Harrison, a grossly misshapen Christmas with the remarkable Lynsay Sands, a blood-chilling-and-spilling New Year's with the wonderful Marjorie M. Liu, or a super-powered Thanksgiving with the phenomenal Vicki Pettersson, one thing is for certain: in the able hands of these exceptional dark side explorers, the holidays are going to be deliciously hellish!

A Vampire's Christmas Carol

A Vampire's Christmas Carol by Cynthia Eden

Self-Published November 11, 2013

5 BLOODY FANGS!!!

"Move over Ebeneezer, Vampire Ben's story will be told in a whole new light."

Synopsis -.

This holiday season has bite.

Ben Prescott hates Christmas—he’s a vampire, and to him, there’s certainly nothing jolly about the holiday season. While the humans are running around being merry, he’s hunting in the shadows. Ben plans to spend the holidays his way…by stalking deadly prey.

But fate has other plans for Ben.

Three visitors are coming Ben’s way…A demon who will force Ben to face his past, a ghost who will show Ben the present he could have, and a shifter who will reveal the darkness that waits in Ben’s future. Unless Ben can change his ways, he may just turn into a real monster, one who can’t be saved by anyone or anything.

’Tis the season…to be undead.

Ben’s redemption rests in the hands of the one woman he loved and lost—Simone Laurent. If Ben is going to have a chance at being more than just the beast in the darkness, he has to prove himself to the lovely Simone. A very hard task, considering that, once upon a Christmas Eve, Simone died in Ben’s arms…
_________________

Warning: This book features one very tortured vampire, a sexy ghost from his past, and hot scenes designed to melt the winter snow. Plenty of action, adult situations, and steamy times are ahead. Happy holidays!

Approximately 23,000 words (Goodreads)


Review -

I don't think there are enough toes and/or fingers in the world to count off just how many times A Christmas Carol has been retold, or rewritten.  In many cases leaving the reader/movie watcher left wondering, why?  Except for very few occasions, in which I can happily say, this is definitely one that makes one look at the tale in a whole new light!

Many, especially those who read this blog, see the traditional tale as a boring waste of time, like a record that been stuck on repeat for far too long.  Eden puts a spin on it to make paranormal readers everywhere fall in love with this retold classic.  What better way to tell the tale than with a Demon from Christmas Past, an Angel from Christmas Present and a Shifter from Christmas yet to come?  All to save the truly tortured soul of a Vampire, Ben.  This story is beyond excellent, and told in such a way that readers will feel as though they are watching the events unfold right before their very eyes.   And though it is a short Novella readers will feel for all of these characters, especially Ben and his fate.

This gripping story is full of action, compassion, love, humor and not one dull moment.  The play on names is excellent as well; Ben as apposed to Ebeneezer Scrooge, William Marley as apposed to Jacob Marley.  So if you are bored to death looking at all the Christmas shows that are coming on T.V., pick up this A Vampire's Christmas Carol, it just may do the trick of putting you in that Christmas spirit.

Bittersweet Magic Review

Bittersweet Magic by Nina Croft
Book 2 of The Order
Published November 11, 2013 by Entangled
4 Bloody Fangs



"Readers will find that in this novel, not only is magic bittersweet, but love is as well."