Review: Hunters & Prey (Immortalis #2) By Katie Salidas

Becoming a vampire saved Alyssa from death, but the price was high: the loss of everything and everyone attached to her mortal life. She s still learning to cope when a surprise confrontation with Santino Vitale, the Acta Sanctorum's most fearsome hunter, sends her fleeing back to the world she once knew, and Fallon, the friend she's missed more than anything.

Alyssa breaks vampire law by revealing her new, true self to her old friend, a fact which causes strong division in the group that should support her most: her clan.Worse yet, her revelation entangles Fallon in the struggle between vampires and hunters and The Acta Sanctorum is ready to attack again, with a new army of hybrid creations: the Frenzy Soldiers.

If Alyssa hopes to survive and keep her mortal friend safe, she'll have to be willing to make a deal with the enemy, and regain her clan's support. It will take everyone working together in a precarious truce to fight against the Acta Sanctorum s new threat.

My Thoughts:

Hunters & Prey is my 3rd book of Katie Salidas. And I must say she doesn't disappoint me. Her other two books were short paranormal erotic novellas and she hooked me from there. So when she contacted me and asked me if I'd be interested in reading "Hunters & Prey" I immediately agreed. Now as STR followers, you guys should know I am NOT really into paranormal books. But I must admit with Katie Salidas along with another author has lured me into the genre. And to my surprise, I'm really enjoying the genre =)

So in Hunters & Prey you have Alyssa a fairly new vampire that is roughly adjusting to her new life while missing lots of things of her mortal life. Mostly including her BFF Fallon. As how else to welcome her into this new life but to have conflicts with a strong hunter. Someone out to kill vampires. After a huge blowout, they come face to face again. And not knowing what to do Alyssa runs back to her old hangout spot and bumps into her BFF Fallon. Where she has to explain her whereabouts and such, which ended up in a confession as to what she really is: a vampire.

But by revealing to a mortal that she's a vampire she breaks the law. No mortal should be part of the immortal world and vice versa. Little did Alyssa know that by revealing her new identity she sets up Fallon for nothing but trouble. And that's where the action begins.

I read this book in 3 days. I would have read it quicker but I have a child that demands too much attention. This is a great read. I love how Alyssa and her clan pulled together through all the drama. Yes certain members in her clan gave her grief like "Nicholas" (He's my favorite character. I LOOOVEEE his personality) but everything is done together as a family. I just loved this book. If I keep on talking about it, I'd probably give spoilers and that's the last thing I wanna do. Katie has turned this paranormal book to fit today's views and she just lures you in. This is definitely a "Good Choice for Reading". So if you're looking for an action packed paranormal book then you must buy this book. You won't be disappointed. I give this one a 5 out of 5 stars.

About The Author:

Author of the hot new Urban Fantasy series, Immortalis, Katie has always had a desire to entertain. Since, early childhood, she's dreamed up fantastical characters and scribbled them into pages of various journals and notebooks. Taking an interest in vampires at an early age, she devoured every book, featuring those mysterious, blood sucking creatures, in any genre she could find. She claims that, of all the monsters out there, vampires had always been the most interesting.

It was only natural that a love of reading about vampires, and a love of writing, turned into a desire to write her own stories.

A Las Vegas native, having grown up in the famed City of Sin, Katie loves to feature it as a recurring setting for many of her stories.

Blog
http://myimmortalstories.blogspot.com/

Facebook
http://www.facebook.com/ksalidas?ref=profile

Facebook Author Fansite
http://www.facebook.com/pages/Katie-Salidas-Author/214780936916

Myspace
http://www.myspace.com/katelv

Review Of Ordeal By T.K. Varenko

Ordeal By T.K. Varenko

Paperback: 212 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (February 7, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1450549896

ISBN-13: 978-1450549899

Source: Amazon.Com (link to purchase HERE)

Purchase: Barnes And Noble (link to purchase HERE)

Blurb:

It is a verse-ornated story
About love, betrayal, wrath,
Royal vampires' bliss and glory
Bringing them straight to their death.

Luella, fierce, strong vampire,
Falls for a pretty human catch
Sent on her fiancé's desire
To celebrate they are engaged.

This unexpected turnabout
Is doomed to come to a dead end:
Her human sweetheart's dead to shroud;
Her fiancé's avenged for that;

And she is punished for blood treason,
Banished into a mortal child,
Whose human body is a prison
For all her powers to bind.

Her memories obliterated,
She is to find her love at last
Who proves to be too much related
To the misfortunes from her past.

When I found out this story was written in verse I was not sure how I would like it. I went looking for any reviews to see how other people felt. I saw a review (I wish I could remember where) that likened this story to William Shakespeare and Edgar Allan Poe. You see I am a die hard Shakespeare/Poe fan which had me wondering if this was really true or if this was just some reviews attempt to make this story into something other than it is. Please to not think I am beginning on a tirade to say how much this book wasn't so and blah, blah, blah quite the opposite in fact. This book took my breath away. I literally sat down and could not put the book down until I was finished. It usually can take me a day or two to get through 200 plus pages but I kid you not I read this book in like 2 hours. It was just an incredible piece of art. It truly did bring to mind Shakespeare and Poe. Luella a.k.a. Alice is a blood thirsty Vampire Queen who is in a constant struggle for power with her just as equally blood thirsty brother King Antoine. Antoine sets in motion a series of events which he hopes will bring about the demise of his sister but all he really ends up doing is setting the stage for this soul stirring love story about two soul-mates destined to be together no matter the cost or opposition. We also have Derek as the to quote the author "pretty human catch". Sadly this is about all I can tell you otherwise I will give to much away and therefore may impede someones enjoyment of this wonderfully gothic romantic tale. In some ways it brings to mind Romeo and Juliet albeit more blood thirsty and deranged (trust me in a good way) at times. On a scale from 1-10 I give this book without question a 10. I would definitely read another book of T.K.'s whether in was in verse or not although I would enjoy reading another one in verse....^_^. I urge everyone to pick up this book and let it cast is gothic beauty for you to bask in. It truly is an amazing piece of literature.

Link:

http://www.elfineness.com/

Review Of Lord Of Thieves By Ingela F. Hyatt

Lord Of Thieves By Ingela F. Hyatt

Publisher: Awe-Struck Publishing
Release Date: October 2010
ISBN: 9781587494000
Book Genre: Historical Romance

Source and Purchase: Awe-Struck Publishing (link to purchase HERE) and The Romance Reviews (link to purchase HERE)

Age: 18+

Blurb:

She is destined to hang...

Accused of murdering her husband, Lady Merrion de Beaufey is fated for the gallows, when the infamous outlaw--Robyn Hode--rescues her from a deadly hail of arrows. Unable to remember the night her husband died, Merrion races to discover the truth before Robyn realizes he's protecting a murderess. But there is something irresistible about the seductive outlaw... Can she trust him with her darkest secret?

Only he can save her...

Lord Roberte de Montichet has returned to England for one reason--to avenge his father's death, and clear his family name. Disguised as Robyn Hode, he rescues a woman escaping a band of murdering knights, only to discover it is none other than Lady Merrion--the woman who nearly destroyed him years earlier. Roberte yearns to succumb to the passion burning between them, but dare he trust her? Or will she betray him yet again?

When I first was told about this book I jumped at the chance to read a reimagined version of Robin Hood. I have always loved the tale and was eager to read Ingela's take on this great story. Roberte de Montichet a.k.a. Robyn Hode and Merrion de Beaufey were two people destined to be together. They meet by chance in the King's Royal Garden and for some reason, unbeknowncst to them, they felt an instant and binding connection to each other. After just one kiss Roberte vows to claim Merrion for his very own. But, as in all versions of Robin Hood, Roberte and Merrion were forever kept apart by circumstances beyond either of their control. Merrion, by being forced to marry another by King John. and poor Roberte because he feels his love betrayed him, which in turn, sends him headlong into the Crusades. Now, six years later, fate has seen to it that Roberte and Merrion's paths should cross and forever change their future. Roberte is now an outlaw and goes by the name Robyn Hode Lord Of Thieves a.k.a. The Wolfshead and Merrion is on the run from Guy de Gisbourne and Otho la Lache Sheriff Of Nottingham, as well as, the hangman's noose for the crime of murdering her husband on their wedding night. The events that unfold from this point on have me riveted. Merrion couldn't understand why she felt so connected to Robyn and he couldn't seem to get past her earlier betrayal of him. It made for some dynamic moments. The whole will he forgive her, will she discover who he is, kept me on the edge of my seat. Not to mention all the drama between Robyn and Guy de Gisbourne. I even found at times I was saying OMG or OMG, no not now (lol). I don't want to say too much more because I don't want to spoil this read for anyone else. This has to be one of my favorite re-telling's of Robin Hood. A book has to be really incredible for me to give it a rating off my scale but this was one of those books. On a scale from 1-10 I give this book a SUPER SIZED 20. I just can't say enough about how much I LOVED and enjoyed reading this book. If you love Historical Romances, love reading about two connected souls, love fairy tales, or just plan love any kind of Robin Hood story this book is so for you. I urge anyone 18+ to pick up this book and discover their own Sherwood Forest.

Link:
http://www.ingelahyatt.com/

Review: Eternal Flame by Cynthia Eden

Paperback, 352 pages

Published December 1st 2010 by Brava
http://www.cynthiaeden.com/

Cynthia Eden invites you into the world of the Others—supernatural creatures who are sexy, powerful, and more than human in every way...

No one that deadly should look that good. Hybrid demon Zane Wynter specializes in tracking the most lethal criminals, whether human or Other. But Jana Carter is nothing like his previous targets. She's an Ignitor, able to conjure and control fire. She's also sexy beyond belief—and used to playing dirty...

Jana knows she's being set up. She even knows who's responsible: Project Perseus, a secretive group that plans to rid the world of paranormals by any means necessary. From Louisiana's sultry swamps to its desolate cemeteries, Jana and Zane must race to destroy the mastermind behind Perseus before their world goes up in flames—and with it, a desire that burns too hot to resist...

Eternal Flame is definitely my favorite book out of Cynthia Eden's Night Watch series. I couldn't wait to start reading Eternal Flame and get to know Zane. He was my favorite character in the first two books and still remains my favorite.

Zane is out on duty doing his normal routine. He is sent out to capture an Other only to find a woman in a burning building. At first he assumes she is a victim, but then slowly finds out she is actually the one he should be after. Jana Carter is known as an igniter; someone who can create fire with just one thought. Zane had no idea what he was truly up against. Jana is not your normal damsel in distress. She is fighter and a survivor. For a long time she had trouble accepting who she is and learning how to control her fire, but all that changes when Jana is used as a tool to kill and harm others. She decided that she will no longer be anyone’s puppet.

To me, Zane and Jana balanced each other out. They had so many things in common and were both a like in more than one way. What I liked the most was that Jana did not waste time complaining or running from everything. She stood her ground and made sure everyone knew she is not to be messed with. You throw fire her way; she throws it back even bigger. And as much as she tried to leave and forget Zane, she knew that wasn’t possible and stood by his side even though he is the one she should be running from. I also liked how Zane was so confident and fearless. Usually the tortured and angry soul that gets lifted by love is my favorite type of story, but Zane was definitely none of those. He knew what he was capable of, how far he can get and when he wanted something he went for it. Together Zane and Jana were a perfect team.

Eternal Flame lacked nothing. Cynthia Eden really knows how to mix romance and action in one. It’s a fast paced read that will have you with butterflies in your stomach. I cannot wait to get my hands on Cynthia’s next book.



5 out of 5 Stars!

Review Of Rescued By L. E. Harner

Three's Allowed: Rescued By L. E. Harner

Format: PDF

ISBN: 978-1-60088-605-8

Genre: Ménage/Suspense

Length: Tryst 30K

Content: Erotic Romance

Special Content Alert: This title contains explicit language and graphic sex

Source And Purchase: Cobblestone Press (link to purchase HERE)

Age: 18+

Blurb:

Elizabeth Ashford tries to escape her wife-beating husband before he kills her, by running into the wilderness near a highway rest area. Michael Enwright is a self-made millionaire and expert in high tech security. At the first rest stop of his long overdue sabbatical, he sees the fleeing woman and intervenes, saving Elizabeth’s life, while nearly losing his own.

Unfortunately, Michael’s help is misinterpreted by the local Sheriff, Graeme Kennedy, who has Michael handcuffed and face down in the dirt before Elizabeth can set him straight. In order to protect the only woman he ever loved, Graeme is forced to work with Michael and bring both of them to his cabin for protection.

Graeme finally has Elizabeth under his roof, right where he’s always wanted her. So why is he jacking off to visions of the drop dead gorgeous and take-charge Michael? Some things never change.

Rescued was my first foray into reading a menage story. The way I was brought up was things like this were not talked about let alone being read by any respectable person. Well luckily for everyone the sexual revolution has come a long, long way. I must admit I wasn't sure what to expect upon picking up this book but what I read surprised me. The story is about Elizabeth (a.k.a. Lizzy) an abused wife, Graeme her old high school boyfriend/friend, and Michael a not-so basic computer geek who needs to take a break from it all. A chance meeting between all three people throws them in the path of Lizzy's abusive husband, as well as, united them with a common bond....survival. The three of them hole up in Graeme's cabin until they find Lizzy's husband and stop him from ever hurting anyone again. It is this forced confinement that really gets Graeme, Michael, and Lizzy to realize their growing attraction for one another and forced to face feelings/desires they never dreamed existed. Michael was having trouble dealing with his attraction to Graeme because until them he always loved woman. Graeme always loved Lizzy (but his attraction to men he felt needed to be explored back in high school) but he can't deny his attraction for Michael. While Lizzy has always loved Graeme she wonders what it would be like with Michael. For me, this was all so fascinating because I felt for each person's plight and I could see how much they all needed each other so when the three of them slowly came together it seems so natural, as if that was the way things have always been done. There was no right or wrong, there was just these three people who desperately needed to belong to one another and feel they were safe and loved. Any preconceived notions I might have had about menage e trois were totally tossed out the window by the end of this book. I will no longer think bad thoughts about people who chose to enter into this kind of lifestyle, see learning is fun....lol. On a scale from 1-10 I gives this book a 10 because it reminded me not to pre-judge what was once considered to be taboo but to embrace sexual freedom more.

Link:

http://www.lauraharner.com/

http://www.cobblestone-press.com/

Artist and Book Lover!

Today I wanted to share with everyone a really AMAZING artist!

I am a member of Lara Adrian's Midnight Breed Forum and I've made some really great friends on there and chat with some awesome ladies every now and then. In one of those times I came across Tricia Schmitt. She is a Romance book lover as much as the ladies on the forum and I are, and I admire her work a lot. I've been keeping up with her stuff on Facebook and recently (because we all know how behind I've been on things) discovered she actually has a couple of published book covers. Some of my favorite authors such as, Larissa Ione and Donna Grant have cover art done by her.

Here are some really yummy and sexy book covers that she has done:

She does a lot of other great things, such as wallpapers, banners, icons, etc.

Here are some of her personal wallpapers that I LOVE! 

I love the third and fourth one THE BEST! LOL 

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For more information on Tricia Schmitt, check out the links below

PickyMEArtist - Blog

Facebook Fan Page

Zazzle Swag store

Review Of Blessing In Disguise By Tamara LeBlanc

Blessing In Disguise By Tamara LeBlanc

• Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
• Genre: Contemporary Romance
• Word Count: 59290
• ISBN: 978-1-59578-783-5
• Source: Silver Net (link HERE)
• Purchase: Liquid Silver Books (link to purchase HERE)
• Age: 18+

Blurb:

Can Ella Slipper’s day get any worse? She’s broke and thirsty. She hasn’t had a bathroom break for three hours and she’s wearing a onesie velour skeleton costume in ninety degree weather. She would love to trade the bones for a bikini and her bank account for a glass of water. But before she can get either, she succumbs to the heat and faints at the Halloween parade she’s working.

Alex York, trucking mogul, thinks he’s found the answer to his prayers when Ella collapses into his arms. His five year old son speaks for the first time in two years after he sees the beautiful woman unmasked so Alex does what ever it takes to hire the down-on-her-luck co-ed as a nanny. He’s vowed never to let a woman under his skin again so he figures letting the sexy blue eyed, blonde under his roof can't hurt.

He’s having a hard time living with that blunder—in more ways than one.
Though Ella is desperate to keep things professional she succumbs to Alex’s desire. She mistrusts men, but her boss's skillful seduction makes her forget the pain of her past. She welcomes Alex into her bed and realizes that she’s also in danger of letting the sexy dad into her heart.

I really enjoyed reading this story. It really is a great modernized version of Cinderella without the step-sisters. Ella Slipper is a 23 year old struggling to get her bills paid and finish college so she can become a teacher. She does everything she can to accomplish this including working two jobs all the while trying to make sure her and her mother have a roof over their heads. Alex is a well off business man with a five year old son (who in need of some joy in his life). A chance encounter will change Ella and Alex's life forever. You see Alex's son hasn't spoken in two years that is until he meets Ella and says one word much to the astonishment of his dad. From that point on Alex knows he must get Ella to work for him as his nanny in the hopes that she can get his son to come back out of his shell and learn to love life again. I was so captivated by this sweet and poignant story. There is also some very funny scenes in this book that had me laughing out loud. From the very beginning of this story you can feel the attraction between these two people, it's almost electric). While trying to care for his son Ella keeps dreaming of throwing herself on top of him and letting nature takes it's course but she was taught at a very young age that you can never trust a man. So Ella fights her attraction for Alex while he deals with his growing feelings for his son's nanny. Alex has been hurt in the past and he has learned it is best to forget about women and concentrate on making his father proud of him at the family business and making sure he is financially stable. While they are trying to keep things professional that's when the comedy ensues. But you know you can't have a Cinderella type story without an evil/men woman. That would have to be Alex's mother Diane who plots to keep these two lovers apart. The encounters between Alex and Ella are very tastefully done and are not put there just for the sake of needing to meet some sort of quota. This is Tamara's debut novel and if this is any indication of how her books are going to be in the future sign me up to read everyone. On a scale from 1-10 I give this book a 10. Everyone 18+ who loves reading a happily ever after fairy tale really needs to pick up a copy of Blessing In Disguise. I look forward to reading more books by Tamara LeBlanc.

Link:

http://trytamara.blogspot.com/

www.liquidsilverbooks.com/

Review Of Fallen From Disgrace By Mindy MacKay

Fallen From Disgrace By Mindy MacKay

Format: Kindle Edition

File Size: 574 KB

Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited

Publisher: Noble Romance Publishing, LLC (December 20, 2010)

Sold by: Amazon Digital Services

Language: English

ASIN: B004GXAYYE

Genre: Mystery/Suspense

Special Content Alert: Reference to graphic violence

Source: Amazon.Com (link to purchase HERE)

Purchase: Noble Romance Publishing (link to purchase HERE)

Age: 18+

Blurb:

Rosella Cartwright wakes up in the hospital after a yearlong coma with no recollection of who she used to be. Her only clue is that everyone around her despises and avoids her. Then, she discovers the truth: before she was hospitalized, she was the most wanted maniac of New York's criminal underbelly.

Disgusted by reports of her own heinous crimes, she attempts to reform herself, but her efforts are in vain as society continues to cast her out in hatred and fear. All the world seems against her until she is offered a job by Daniel Ryan, a rising executive and self-made success who hides a lifetime of inner turmoil behind a façade of cool indifference. Drawn to his mystery as he is by her irrepressible darkness, Rosella starts falling for Daniel, but love can't save her from her past. A former victim of hers wants revenge, and will stop at nothing to get it. Her partners in crime want her back by their side, though she wants nothing more to do with them. And a sinister plot of her own design, buried beneath her amnesia, is, unbeknownst to her, still very much in progress. These are the monsters she will have to fight off alone, and if she doesn't watch her step, she might not make it out alive.

This book was a total mind f*ck for lack of a better word and trust me I mean it in a good way. I started this book last night and was up til 4AM to finish it because I just had to know the outcome. Needless to say having to get up at 7AM left me dragging my butt and even that couldn't stop the scenes from the book playing out in my head one last time. I don't know how Mindy did it but she was able to get into the head of a sociopath. The last time I felt this blown away by a deranged person was when I read The Silence Of The Lambs and Red Dragon By Thomas Harris. Rosella Cartwright wakes up from a year long coma with amnesia and everyone in the world shrinking from her presence. Little by little Rosella finds out that she is a monster of the worst kind. She ran a house called La Forteresse du Libertinage were Rosella and her three other cohorts performed heinous acts on their victims. At first Rosella tries to come out of the shadows of her former life but as time goes on she finds herself acting more and more like her old self. This story also revolves around her relationship with her sister Euphemia, her victims Zoey Ryan and Kyle Brubaker, and her boss Daniel Ryan Zoey's husband. Little by little we learn of how the two girls grew up and what caused them to choose the path that have chosen in like. Euphemia because a cop were as Rosella turns to a life of indescribable horror. I am afraid to say too much because I so don't want to spoil this book for anyone. On a scale from 1-10 I give this book a 10. If you love a good psychological thriller with some mind blowing revelations laced with a tinge of hot sex this is so the book for you. It grabs you by the throat and doesn't let go til the very end when you are gasping for breath at the outcome.

Link:

http://www.mindymackay.com/

Review Of Torn Asunder By Kiki Howell

Torn Asunder By Kiki Howell

Paperback: 224 pages

Publisher: CreateSpace (October 9, 2010)

Language: English

ISBN-10: 1453816895

ISBN-13: 978-1453816899

Source: Amazon.Com (link to purchase HERE)

Purchase: Excessica.Com (link to purchase HERE)

Age: 18+

Blurb:

Aubrey Griffen is a witch whose true reasons for coming to London soon fall to the wayside when she catches the eye of Edmund Bryant, the Marquess of Dalysbury. He seduces her into a whirlwind romance until the lies and threats of his mother force her to flee to Triaill Brimuir, a secret island of her ancestors off the coast of Ireland. Edmund goes after her only to be hit by Aubrey's confusion and anger when she magically transforms him into an elemental beast of her own creation. However, it is when Edmund's lust mysteriously turns him back into a man that the couple are forced to deal with a family secret and untold of powers. Now, Edmund must learn to shift himself into the beast in order to save her in a battle of black verses white magic. Fraught with scenes of explicit intimacy, romantic spells and mystical shapeshifting, Torn Asunder is a unique blending of the age of manners with sexual magic.

Kiki Howell I feel has a major hit on her hands with Torn Asunder. I was so glued to this book that I was up til 4AM reading it, and mind you, I had to be up at 7AM to see my kiddies off to school....lol. I was just so captivated by the story of Aubrey and her love Edmund. The second I read the name Edmund I immediately thought of Edmond Dantes from The Count Of Monte Cristo By Alexandre Dumas. That name just always conjures up images of James Caviezel and how HOT he looked as Edmond. But alas I digress, we were talking about Aubrey and her Edmund. They seemed destined to be together from the onset of this book. They are drawn together by an unseen force that unites this couple body and soul. You would think that would be a good book to read but lets add witches, shapeshifting, white and black magic, a despicable mother, and a malevolent father to the mix. That is the story I had the very great pleasure of reading. It seemed at every turn our fated couple had more than there fair share of obstacles to over come in order to try to be together and on their own terms. Edmund would like nothing better than to shuck the mantle of being the Marquess of Dalysbury so he and Aubrey could be free to be together and get married. BUT the Dowager Marchioness of Dalysbury a.k.a. Edmund's mother has other plans for her son and his future. With nothing but ill intent Edmund's mother pays Aubrey a visit and spews her venomous poison filling Aubrey's head with threats and lies leaving Aubrey with no other choice than to leave England and her Edmund behind for the country of her ancestor's Ireland. Edmund upon hearing of what his mother has done takes off for Ireland in search of his beloved Aubrey. This is where Aubrey's magical world is displayed and starts the beginning of the most nail biting journey of our two characters lives. In between all the chaos our couple must endure is the most breath taking love story. Think Romeo and Juliet without them both dying at the end....lol. Neither Aubrey nor Edmund see a future without each other. Their hearts and minds are linked for all time by an unforeseen connection that real couples only dream of. After reading this story you truly believe in soul mates and that love conquers all. On a scale of 1-10 I give this book a 10 and encourage everyone 18 and over to get a copy of this book and fall under Aubrey and Emund's spell. It is so worth the ride.

Link:

http://www.kikihowell.com/