REVIEW: Chasing Destiny (Silver Tip Pack #2)

Chasing Destiny (Silver Tip Pack #2), by Megan Erickson
Publish Date: July 21, 2017
Publisher: self-published
Format: e-ARC, provided by the author
Genre: adult m/m paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

Rating: 5 STARS

(Synopsis) Almost dying during a pack uprising has a way of shaking things up. I’m no longer Mr. Laid Back now that there’s an itch under my skin I can’t scratch.

On a volunteer mission that goes beyond the walls of our compound, we enter the territory of a pack long thought dead, and find ourselves on the business end of their spears.

What I’m not prepared for is what I find within their walls—The one shifter I never thought I’d see alive, the one I’d mourned twice, the one I’d always loved. He is alive, and if I have anything to do with it, he’ll stay that way. But he’s got secrets, and exposing them could lead us to an enemy worse than the bloodthirsty undead shifters wanting to kill us all…

You guys... this book had me at hello. If you've read any of Megan Erickson's books, you know how she can bring the feels, and she does that in Chasing Destiny TIMES TEN. There is so much shifter goodness in this book... but before I gush any further, I have to tell you that there be spoilers ahead. It's impossible to write about this book without giving away something kind of huge. So, if spoilers aren't your thing, you can stop reading after I tell you these three things:

1. I liked it better than Daring Fate. And I loved Daring Fate.

2. ALL THE SEXY TIMES.

3. Bay is my new favorite. He is mine. Well, after his mate, he's mine. You've been notified. 

Okay - carry on if you don't care about reading important deets. 

So, in addition to Chasing Destiny being super sexy and wonderful, it was full of a bunch of really powerful (and AWESOME) surprises. Bay travels to Reese's former pack to see if they really are trying to rebuild. He proves to be very good at diplomatic relations, and earns their good graces, but while on their land, he finds a shifter he thought was twice dead - his long lost love, Nash. 

From the very beginning, I could tell something was off about Nash. There was a big secret he was keeping, and as he, Bay and a small group of shifters from both packs ready to return to Silver Tip land, the big secret he's been keeping seems to become another character in the book. It's huge and you just KNOW it's going to be game-changing. And you find yourself praying that it won't destroy both Bay and Nash so soon after they found each other again. 

Man, when these two men see each other again, my feels had feels. To see someone you love that you thought dead living and breathing had to be a kick in the teeth for Bay. But, seriously, when Nash's secrets came out, the tears really started. 

The knowledge of where Nash has been all this time also brings with it the knowledge of a new enemy, and once again, the Silver Tip pack needs to fight, but this time, not against the creepy undead Noweres. There's plenty of action in Chasing Destiny, complete with an epic battle at the end. It has absolutely everything a paranormal romance lover could want.

And even after surprising us with Nash's return, and something new that could change the lives of werewolves and weres everywhere, Megan Erickson decides we need one more surprise before she ends the book. It was a wonderful one and I am now looking forward to the third book in this series even more just to see how this final development is going.

Speaking of, there's a lot of Dare and Reese in the second half of Chasing Destiny, so you get to catch up with them and see how they're getting along, as well as G and June and Selene and Hans. Chasing Destiny is a dual POV book, although you don't get Nash's POV until a little later than you normally would in a book with two narrators. It's understandable, though, and it works perfectly, along with everything else in this book. At the end, I was so ridiculously happy and totally pumped for the third book. 

REVIEW: Dark Instincts (The Phoenix Pack #4)

Dark Instincts (The Phoenix Pack #4), by Suzanne Wright
Published April 7, 2015
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Format: ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre:  adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating: 4 STARS

(From Goodreads) It happens whenever wolf shifter Roni Axton is near Marcus Fuller: a crackle of sexual awareness that’s intoxicating…and deeply annoying. Marcus is a pack enforcer who oozes power, but Roni is lethal in her own right—nothing like the flirty females who flock around him. Even still, his possessive gaze makes one thing clear. Marcus has singled her out for seduction, and he wants to make her sit up and beg.

No matter how aloof and unfazed Roni acts, Marcus can tell she wants him. When a brutal attack by a jackal pack forces them to work together, it’s the perfect opportunity for Marcus to chip away at her defenses—until he falls into his own trap, completely unprepared for the intensity of their connection. Roni is the only one who’s ever seen past his shifter charm and discovered the man hiding beneath it. And for Marcus, claiming Roni once will mean needing her forever.

I love a good paranormal romance. I don't read enough of them anymore. It's a sad thing that I really should rectify. You know, my go-to PNR used to be anything with vampires, but over the past year, I've tended to lean more toward the alpha male shifter variety. And, one of my favorite shifter series is Suzanne Wright's Phoenix Pack series. Ever since the beginning, I've loved Marcus. He seemed so strong and capable, yet fun-loving. I was excited when I learned that Dark Instincts was going to be all about him. 

Nick's sister Roni has been a bit of a loner since she was captured and tortured several years earlier. She's alpha and tough and the furthest thing from a girlie girl. And yet Marcus wants her all the same. Convincing her of that, however, is another story. When the people who took her show up again, all the men in Roni's life want to protect her and shield her from harm. And, all Roni wants to do is run into danger headfirst to take care of  herself. 

Marcus was AWESOME. He's dominant and possessive and protective when it comes to Roni. But, he can be sweet and tender with her too. He seems to know exactly what she needs when she needs it, and he will stop at nothing to give it to her. It's like, once he decided that Roni was it for him, he didn't care whether they were supposed to be true mates or not - he would be with her no matter what. And, since Marcus pretty much always gets what he wants, he adopted this never-give-up attitude when it came to winning her over.

Good thing too, since Roni was a tough nut to crack. She's the epitome of a tomboy. Never one to wear dresses and get mani-pedis, Roni is happiest when she's kicking ass as one of Nick's pack enforcers. She doesn't see herself as good mate material, especially since she's more dominant than most males she knows, so she doesn't take orders very well. So, no one was more surprised than her when Marcus set his sights on her. 

Reading about their push and pull and give and take was fun. Marcus was willing to push her buttons if he thought it would advance his cause, but he also knew that Roni needed some time to get used to the idea of having him around. And, when things escalated with the shifter group responsible for Roni's kidnapping, Marcus and Roni had to come to a place where he wasn't smothering her to death out of fear for her safety and she understood that his fierce need to protect her was going to cause him to go a little overboard when it came to her safety. 

Told in third person, we get a lot of both Marcus' and Roni's POVs. The parts I loved most were when Marcus dealt with Roni when she was in her wolf form. She was in a precarious and emotional place, and his way of handling her was so perfect. 

As in the other Phoenix Pack books, there was action and drama and plenty of Trey's grumpy grandma. There was also no shortage of hunky male shifters as we saw both Trey's and Nick's enforcers in action. Thankfully, it seems that there's plenty of fodder for future books in this series for a long time to come. Perhaps a book about broody Ryan next? Please?

BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires #11)

It might be cold outside, but I'm warm inside because it's time for me to satisfy my Chicagoland Vampires obsession. DARK DEBT is the eleventh book in the series, due out on March 3. We've got lots of good stuff for you here too. Check out my review, enter to win a fantastic Chicagoland Vampires prize pack, and then hop on over to Chloe Neill's web site and enter to win the grand prize!

Dark Debt (Chicagoland Vampires #11), by Chloe Neill
To Be Published March 3, 2015
Publisher: NAL Trade
Format: e-ARC, provided by NetGalley
Genre: adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating: 5 STARS

(From Goodreads) A vampire never gets old. But neither do his enemies. When a figure from Ethan's dark past makes a splashy debut in Chicago, Merit and her Master don't know whether he's friend or foe. But they'll have to figure out soon, because trouble is brewing in the Windy City.

At an exclusive society soiree attended by the upper echelons of the human and supernatural worlds, Merit and Ethan barely stop the assassination of a guest. When the target turns out to be a shady businessman with a criminal edge, Merit suspects a human vendetta. But the assassins have fangs....

The connections to Chicago's Houses go deeper than Merit knows, and even one wrong move could be her last....

I love the direction that Chloe Neill has taken her Chicagoland Vampires series. After eleven books, you have to expect the characters to grow and change as they go through different experiences together. And, yet, I always see glimpses of the characters they were in book 1 shining through from time to time. Which is fortunate, because I fell in love with Merit, Ethan, Mallory and the gang from the very beginning.

Ethan is freaking out - in his very controlled Ethan way - because it appears his maker Balthasar is back from the dead. And, he. Is. Pissed. As if a centuries-old cranky vampire isn't enough, now Ethan and Cadogan has a major criminal enterprise gunning for them after they step in to help out Morgan. Just another day at the office. 

Let's face it. I read this series because... METHAN. Ethan and Merit are one of my favorite bookish couples of all time. Especially now that they seem to have finally found their groove. The drama in the Chicagoland Vampires books no longer come from Ethan and Merit's on again, off again relationship. The drama now comes entirely from the situations developing around them as their world continues to adapt to the realization that supernatural beings are real. 

Although relationship drama is good sometimes, to be honest, I'm really liking the lack of it in this series now. The various people and organizations out there vying to take down Cadogan House cause enough danger and peril that I get to read about Ethan in uber-protective mode when it comes to Merit, which is SO much better. Protective, concerned alpha male Ethan is so hot. 

"You're my future wife and the mother of my future child. I will well protect you against any threat, living, dead, or undead, just as I promised in my oath to this house."

Just when Ethan and Merit have conquered the GP debacle and Ethan is starting out in the newly created American Masters group, it seems a new criminal empire called The Circle has cropped up. Even worse, it seems to have sunk its claws into Morgan and Navarre House. Navarre owes a debt they're having a hard time paying. There's been no love lost between Cadogan and Navarre, but that doesn't stop Ethan from offering assistance. 

It was so good to hear from Morgan again. He was a much more prominent character in earlier books, then almost disappeared with only a mention here and there. Morgan is a fascinating character. He's a green Master. He's kind of the "bad boy" Master of the three in Chicago. He's quiet and stoic and he has this weird mental connection with Merit that's never been explained. I was so excited that Morgan was back and that we were going to get to spend some time with him. 

"Look up," he said, tilting my chin upward. "There is always light." Morgan said quietly. "The stars are always shining, even if we can't see them."

Ethan is usually very composed, but when his ruthless maker Balthasar shows up and starts wreaking havoc around Chicago, Ethan kind of loses it a bit. It was good to see him so affected by something. Especially when Balthasar comes after Merit in a way that really violates her. In addition to Merit, Ethan is completely shaken by this, and I really liked seeing him off kilter. 

The usual characters of Mallory, Catcher, Jeff, Chuck, Luc and Lindsay are present in this book too. They all have their roles to play, especially Mallory and Catcher. It's good to see they've gotten past the nasty business Mallory was into a few books back, and relationships have been knitted back together again. 

I will NEVER get tired of the Chicagoland Vampires series. As long as Chloe writes them, I'll read them. 

Enter below to win a Chicagoland Vampires prize pack (US only) that includes:

• Cadogan House cotton tote bag
• Cadogan House keychain
• An autographed international Chicagoland Vampires or Dark Elite novel
• Swag, including Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks and pens, and Cadogan House lanyards

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win? You can also enter the Dark Debt Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs February 23 through March 6 on Chloe’s web site.

What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize?

• An engraved Cadogan House medal necklace
• An Amazon gift card
• Cadogan House cotton tote bag
• Cadogan House keychian
• Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks, pens, and lanyard

Visit the other stops on the tour for more chances to win!

Week One

Monday, February 23 – Finding Sanity in Our Crazy Life | Lore Lush Books
Tuesday, February 24 – Star Crossed Book Blog | Little Miss Book Addict’s House of Books
Wednesday, February 25 – Once Upon a Twilight | Krista’s Dust Jacket
Thursday, February 26 – Goldilox and the Three Weres | Angel’s Guilty Pleasures
Friday, February 27 – Feeling Fictional | Rabid Reads

Week Two

Monday, March 2 – Booklovers for Life | Bad Bird Reads
Tuesday, March 3 (Release Day) – Saucy Wenches Book Club | Nomi’s Paranormal Palace | Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust | Vampire Book Club
Wednesday, March 4 – Ceres Book World | Book Infatuation Reviews
Thursday, March 5 – Consummate Reader
Friday, March 6 – Little Read Riding Hood | Three Chicks After Dark

BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Blood Games (Chicagoland Vampires #10)

Can you believe that we've arrived at the 10th Chicagoland Vampires book? Once again, I'm honored and super excited to be a tour stop for Chloe Neill's BLOOD GAMES (Chicagoland Vampires #10), and once again, I have two great giveaways for you, in addition to my review. Read on for all the deets!

Blood Games (Chicagoland Vampires #10), by Chloe Neill
To Be Published August 5, 2014
Publisher: NAL
Format: e-ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre: adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating: 5 STARS

(From Goodreads) While Merit didn’t choose to become a vampire or Sentinel of Cadogan House, she vowed to fight for her House and its Master, and she’s managed to forge strong alliances with powerful supernaturals across Chicago. But even though Merit has had wild adventures, this may be her deadliest yet...

A killer is stalking Chicago, preying on humans and leaving his victims with magical souvenirs. The CPD hasn’t been able to track the assailant, and as the body count rises, the city is running out of options. Vampires and humans aren’t on great terms, but murder makes for strange bedfellows. Can Merit find the killer before she becomes a target?

It's pretty incredible to think about the fact that 10 books in, the Chicagoland Vampires series is still going strong. Each new addition continues to be amazing - I'm always looking forward to the next one. It seemed like my wait for Blood Games was exceptionally long, given the ending of Wild Things. But, finally, the wait is over.

Ethan is moving forward with his challenge for the right to rule the GP, and Merit continues to do what she does best - protect the citizens of Chicago from all the bad things. In this case, there's a serial killer on the loose and the killings have a paranormal ring to them. About the time Ethan, Merit and Jonah are called in by the CPD to help, things in the race for the GP start getting weird. Darius is acting strangely and Ethan is being blackmailed and he refuses to talk to Merit about any of it. Just when Merit thought they had their relationship figured out, she realizes that centuries of stubbornness can't be fixed that quickly. 

Blood Games had everything I love about this series. There was not one but two fantastic mysteries to be solved - first is that of who is killing the citizens of Chicago and displaying them in curious positions. Second is that of who is manipulating Darius into acting out of character. Chloe Neill does everything right in regards to the secrets and subterfuge. It was hard for me to figure out who the real culprits were and what drove them to their actions, and I love it when I can't see the ending coming until it's smacking me in the face. Details and clues are slowly brought to light around the ops room table and in off-site meetings between the Ombuddies and the vampires. The pacing is perfect. 

One of my favorite parts about Blood Games is that we got to see into the inner workings of Cadogan House more than we have in quite awhile. A lot of time is spent in the house as Ethan prepares for the response to his challenge of Darius' rule. We see Margot, Helen, Malik, and all the other vampires that make up Cadogan as they all rally around their Master. We see a lot of Luc and Lindsey in Blood Games too. Their relationship has also come a very long way since the beginning, and I love seeing them together now. 

But, Ethan and Merit are really why we all keep coming back, right? It's their relationship that has catapulted us through ten books now and keeps us begging for more. The fact that Merit - this vampire of barely a year - has completely changed this 400-year-old master is the stuff of romantic legends. It's clear at this point how much they both love and respect and adore each other. And, thankfully, those things don't negate relationship troubles. Ethan can still act like an ass. Merit can still be overbearing. And that makes me love them even more.  And, just because they are both now comfortable with their place in each other's lives doesn't mean that Chloe Neill skirts around the sexy times. There's this one scene... well, let's just say that Merit and Ethan don't do sleepy morning sex. Everything about them is passion and intensity, and thankfully it doesn't seem to be fading in the least.

We also see a lot more of Jonah in Blood Games. Ethan reluctantly relinquishes some of his partnering duties to Merit's RG partner, so the spotlight shone on Merit's and Jonah's working relationship, as well as on more of the inner workings of the RG. They've fallen into a very comfortable place where they work in synch with each other and don't shy away from snarking and teasing. Jonah's become one of my favorite side characters, and I hope we see more of him moving forward. I anticipate we will, since the absolutely CLV WORLD-SHATTERING ending to Blood Games will have foundation-shaking repercussions to the RG and all the vampire houses.

No, Blood Games didn't end like I thought it would, but wow. It was so much better than I had imagined. It's clear that Chloe Neill is writing for the long haul, as the world these amazing characters live in continuously shifts and changes, all for the better. If you were worried about the stories becoming flat and stagnant, have no fear. Chloe Neill knows just how to rock you and keep you eager for the next book so you can see what happens next. Ten books in, and I assure you, there is absolutely no sign of me ever abandoning this series.

Giveaways

Chloe Neill has graciously provided me with some awesome prizes to award to one lucky US winner. Fill out the Rafflecopter for a chance to win

• A signed copy of WILD THINGS (Chicagoland Vampires #9)
• A limited edition Cadogan House keychain
• Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks, pens, and lanyard

a Rafflecopter giveaway

The fun doesn’t stop here. Want more chances to win? You can also enter the Blood Games Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs July 28  through August 8 on Chloe’s web site.

What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize?

• An engraved Cadogan House medal necklace
• A Kindle Paperwhite
• A complete set of Chicagoland Vampires Audiobook CDs (graciously provided by Tantor Audio)
• A limited edition Cadogan House keychain
• Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks, pens, and lanyard

Tour Schedule

Check out all the stops on the tour for chances to win other prize packages!

Monday, July 28 – Booklovers For Life | Finding Sanity In Our Crazy Life
Tuesday, July 29 – Nocturne Reads | Fangs, Wands & Fairy Dust | Krista’s Dust Jacket
Wednesday, July 30 – Reading on the Rocks | A Book Obsession
Thursday, July 31 – Professional Fangirls | Reading & Writing Urban Fantasy, Paranormal & Romance | Cere’s Book World
Friday, August 1 – Meredith’s Rambles & Babbles | Fallen for Books

Monday, August 4 – Tru Bookie’s Review
Tuesday, August 5 (Release Day) - Saucy Wenches | Literary Escapism | Vampire Book Club 
Wednesday, August 6 – Book Suburbia
Thursday, August 7 – Nomi’s Paranormal Palace | Between Fantasy & Reality
Friday, August 8 – Team Nerd Reviews

REVIEW: Night Broken (Mercy Thompson #8)

Night Broken (Mercy Thompson #8), by Patricia Briggs
Published March 11, 2014
Publisher: Ace
Format: audiobook, purchased
Genre: adult urban fantasy/paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) An unexpected phone call heralds a new challenge for Mercy. Her mate Adam’s ex-wife is in trouble, on the run from her new boyfriend. Adam isn’t the kind of man to turn away a person in need—and Mercy knows it. But with Christy holed up in Adam’s house, Mercy can’t shake the feeling that something about the situation isn’t right.

Soon, her suspicions are confirmed when she learns that Christy has the farthest thing from good intentions. She wants Adam back and she’s willing to do whatever it takes to make it happen, including turning Adam’s pack against Mercy.

Mercy isn’t about to step down without a fight, but there’s a more dangerous threat circling. Christy’s ex is more than a bad man—in fact, he may not be human at all. As the bodies start piling up, Mercy must put her personal troubles aside to face a creature with the power to tear her whole world apart.

Frustrations abounded in Night Broken, the latest Mercy Thompson book, as Adam's evil ex-wife crashes Mercy's and Adam's new happy life with a crisis that she needs help with. Faeries, vampires and evil volcano gods are out for Mercy's head on a platter, and the ex tearing up Mercy's kitchen is like pouring salt on the wound. 

Mercy's busy trying to get Adam's wolves on her side when Christy, Adam's ex-wife, shows up beaten with a story about a lover getting killed by another man who is now after her. She asks for protection, and Adam being Adam, gives it to her. Meanwhile, one of the Gray Lords has come to Mercy requesting to take possession of the walking stick that has attached itself to her. If he doesn't get it back, he'll wreak havoc on the Pacific Northwest. Mercy enlists the help of her sort-of-brother to not only get the walking stick back, but to thwart the evil volcano god who is after Christy. Because, the sooner her threat is removed, the sooner she can get out of their house. 

One of my favorite parts of the Mercy Thompson series - the werewolf pack bond - was in full force in Night Broken. Mercy still is struggling to be accepted by Adam's pack because she's not an actual werewolf. Despite that, as Adam's wife, she has access to the pack bonds and wields a fair amount of power over the others. I loved seeing Mercy manipulate those bonds when she needed them. 

Once again, there was a really cool mystery to be solved. There was the question of the identity of Christy's attacker, and once they found out who he was, how to stop him. There was also the case of the murdered women and animals and what they mean. I love how Mercy taps into her friends and uses their strengths and connections to help her. And, lots of her friends make appearances. Samuel and his mate, Stefan, Kyle and Tad all play key roles in Night Broken. Tad had a particularly elevated presence - it was awesome getting to know him better, especially since I have a feeling the next book will be more about him. 

There were a few things I felt were a little lacking. First, Mercy didn't turn into a coyote even once in this book, although we did see all the werewolves in their altered form. Second, Christy's presence caused a lot of irritation. On one hand, I LOVED the introduction of her presence and the conflict it introduced. On the other hand, I kept waiting and waiting... and WAITING for someone (namely, Adam) to put that bitch in her place. There was one scene where Mercy had some words with her, but I so wanted someone to just go totally off on her. It never came, and it made me feel largely unfulfilled. I think a lot more could've been done with Christy in Night Broken. I'm also really ready for the wolves to get over their major attitude problems toward Mercy. It's getting a little old now.

The big bad guy was one seriously evil dude. I really liked that it seemed impossible to beat him. It made for a really poignant and explosive final battle. I liked how that all played out, although it was a bit disconcerting that, once again, Mercy ended up in critical condition. How does this girl continue to get herself into situations where her life comes this close to ending? 

Despite that, Night Broken is a fantastic book. Mercy and Adam are at a perfect place of love and trust in their relationship, and the best parts of the entire book were when they were alone and shared comfortable, sweet moments with each other. They've come a long way, and it's so satisfying to read about. I'm totally hooked on this series and can't wait for the next book to come out.
 

REVIEW: Up From The Grave (Night Huntress #7)

Up From The Grave (Night Huntress #7), by Jeaniene Frost
Published January 28, 2014
Publisher: Avon
Format: paperback, purchased
Genre:  adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) 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.

The entire time I was reading Up From The Grave, I had this undercurrent of bittersweet sadness coursing through me knowing that never again would I read a book about Cat and Bones for the first time. The Night Huntress series is one of my most favorite paranormal series of all time, and although Up From The Grave is not my favorite book in the series, it didn't take away from its poignancy. 

Cat and Bones become alarmed when they can't reach any of their friends who have been working for the dastardly Madigan. While trying to figure out where they are, they stumble upon a plot of epic scope, of which Madigan is smack in the middle, and the potential outcome could spell extinction for both vampires and ghouls. The couple must use the connections and favors they've culled over the years to stop Madigan and those he works for. 

There are some things that Jeaniene Frost does so well. She has always managed to keep me guessing, and Up From The Grave was no different. I knew going into it that there were some secrets that needed to come out. What was Don hiding? What was Madigan's end game? There was no shortage of surprises as these answers and other twists were revealed. I love that after seven books, I still couldn't see them coming. 

Bones is, without a doubt, my favorite paranormal hero EVER. The way he loves and protects Cat is just so romantic and swoony and passionate. He's not TOO perfect, either. He can be a downright ass sometimes. He pulls a few moves in Up From The Grave that made me want to throttle him, actually. But, his motivations are always pure, and they have to do with keeping Cat safe. So, I guess you can't be too mad at him when it's all said and done. 

The thing I liked best about Up From The Grave was the appearance of all our favorite side characters from the previous books. We saw Mencheres, Kira, Spade, Denise, Ian, Annette, Vlad, Leila, Tate, Dave, Cooper, Juan and Justina. We even saw some characters from books way back in the beginning, like Timmy. It was the perfect way to send off the series. All our favorites played a role of some sort in the overall plot arc - some moreso than others - and, it gave a sense of finality to it that otherwise may have been lacking. 

Although there were some plot elements that I didn't necessarily agree with, on the whole, Up From The Grave was a perfect send-off. It had a great mystery to figure out. There was tons of action. I laughed a lot - particularly whenever Ian opened his mouth. I also cried. How could I not knowing this was the end? I swooned, too, because Bones and Cat love each other hard and passionately and with such devotion. And, when it was all said and done, Bones and Cat get their happily ever after, although it happened in a form that I couldn't have guessed before reading this book.  

I'm still hopeful that this won't be the very last time we see Cat and Bones in a book. There's still one more Night Huntress World book expected (please let it be about Ian!!), and one more Night Prince book (VLAD!) to look forward to. There's a chance that my favorite couple will have cameos in both. But, their own story has very literally reached its final chapter. It was a fantastic farewell and really fun ride.

REVIEW: Carnal Secrets (Phoenix Pack #3)

Carnal Secrets (Phoenix Pack #3), by Suzanne Wright
Published February 11, 2014
Publisher: Montlake Romance
Format: e-book, provided by the publisher
Genre:  adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) Half-shifter Shaya Critchley may hold a submissive role in her pack, but she’s done taking orders. After her Alpha wolf mate refused to claim her—but committed to interfering in her life—she took off. Now she hides from him, posing as a human in a town full of anti-shifter extremist groups. She thinks he’ll never find her again, and that suits her just fine. But she’s wrong.

Nick Axton can barely control his feelings for Shaya, but he could never claim her—not if he truly cares for her. The degenerative brain condition he keeps secret would ultimately leave her with a burden rather than a mate. But when Shaya runs away, Nick can’t bear the thought of never seeing her again. After tracking her down, he discovers Shaya’s feisty and passionate side in the process…a side he’d never seen before.

Under the menacing gazes of territorial local packs and violent human extremists, Nick vows to finally claim the spirited Shaya…and despite her initial resistance, Shaya just might find his fiery determination to be the ultimate aphrodisiac.

I've loved the Phoenix Pack series ever since I read the first book, Feral Sins. Shifters are my favorite kind of paranormal creature to read about. There's something so awesome about the pack dynamics, and the men are about as alpha as you can get. Speaking of alpha...

In Carnal Sins, Nick Axton is kicking himself in the ass since he realized that Shaya was his true mate, but then decided not to claim her. It's not that he didn't want her - he was just trying to protect her. But, Shaya doesn't know that, and she's mad with a capital M. After leaving town to escape seeing Nick everywhere, he manages to find her and start convincing her he has changed his mind. It's going to be a hard job on his part though. Especially with radical anti-shifter groups causing added complications. 

If you love the alpha male shifter-type guys like I do, then you will LOVE Nick Axton. He is so unbelievably perfect - every part of me adored him. He's usually very quiet and reserved. That is, until he's around Shaya. She totally transforms him into this romantic, adorable guy who will do anything for her. Which will also make you really despise Shaya for awhile. 
 
I get that she was jilted, and that it had to hurt a lot. I understand her needing to get away from Nick so that she could move on with her life without the constant reminder of his rejection. And, I even get her desire to have him work for her forgiveness a little. How entertaining would it be if she took him back with no questions asked?

But, there comes a point where enough is enough, and the constant hostility and thwarting of his efforts at reconciliation just make her seem like a cranky bitch. The quiet and sweet Shaya from the first two Phoenix Pack books was nowhere to be found in Carnal Secrets. She was replaced with a bitter, nasty girl that I didn't like very much.  And, the time that Nick spent trying to woo Shaya back seemed to stall the book's pace.

Thankfully, she does end up coming around, and from that point on, Carnal Secrets really took off. The addition of the anti-shifter human extremist groups and the threat they pose to the local shifters gave the book an extra layer of drama and excitement that I loved. And, it gave the Phoenix Pack shifters a good excuse to show up. 

Since Shaya is Taryn's BFF, we see lots of her, Trey and their baby. Along with Trey comes the enforcers, including Dante and Jamie, the Beta pair of the pack from Wicked Cravings. We also meet a new shifter, Derren, who is really close with Nick. The pack dynamic is in full effect as they have to pull together to defend their pack lands from the humans who want to take them all down. 
 
In typical Suzanne Wright style, Carnal Secrets had action, suspense and romance overflowing.Nick and Shaya are every bit as dynamic of a pair as Trey and Taryn and Dante and Jamie. This was another fantastic installment in the Phoenix Pack series.

COVER REVEAL: Sacrifice (Elemental #5)

It seems as if 2014 is the year of series enders. Sad, but true. One series I will be especially sad to say goodbye to is the Elemental series by Brigid Kemmerer. I read the first book, Storm, just a few months after it was released, and I have waited with bated breath for every new release since then.

Sacrifice (Elemental #5) is the final book in the Elemental series, and it's finally biggest brother Michael's time to shine. Would you like to meet Michael? Trust me. You do.

Sacrifice (Elemental #5), by Brigid Kemmerer
To Be Published September 30, 2014
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Genre:  young adult paranormal
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble * Book Depository * iBooks

(Synopsis) One misstep and they lose it all. For the last time.

Michael Merrick is used to pressure.

He’s the only parent his three brothers have had for years. His power to control Earth could kill someone if he miscalculates. Now an Elemental Guide has it out for his family, and he’s all that stands in the way.

His girlfriend, Hannah, gets that. She’s got a kid of her own, and a job as a firefighter that could end her life without a moment’s notice.

But there are people who have had enough of Michael’s defiance, his family’s “bad luck.” Before he knows it, Michael’s enemies have turned into the Merricks’ enemies, and they’re armed for war.

They’re not interested in surrender. But Michael isn’t the white flag type anyway. There will be blood on the ground tonight…

I had the unique opportunity to hear Brigid read a small part from Sacrifice at her release party for Secret (Elemental #4), and let me tell you - Sacrifice is going to be EXPLOSIVE. I can't wait. So? What do you think of that cover?? 

Other books in Brigid's Elemental series:

 

BLOG TOUR REVIEW & GIVEAWAY: Wild Things (Chicagoland Vampires #9)

Once again, I have the amazing opportunity to help the incredible Chloe Neill tell the world about her latest addition to one of my favorite series, the Chicagoland Vampires. WILD THINGS was utterly fantastic, and I can't wait for you all to read it too! Read on for my review, then enter to win some really cool Chicagoland Vampires swag, plus a signed book (U.S. only). Be sure to head over to Chloe's website to enter the international tour-wide giveway. Trust me - it's pretty awesome. 

Wild Things (Chicagoland Vampires #9), by Chloe Neill
To Be Published February 4, 2014
Publisher: NAL Trade
Format: e-book, provided by publisher
Genre:  adult paranormal romance/urban fantasy
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating:  5 STARS

(From Goodreads) 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.

One would think that by the ninth installment of the Chicagoland Vampires Series that the stories would be getting stale or ridiculous and our obsession with “Methan” would have run its course.

Wild Things was, in my opinion, the best book yet in this incredible series.

(There will be teeny spoilers from previous installments in the Chicagoland Vampires Series. Sorry, but, by the ninth book, it’s unavoidable – please don’t be mad!)

When we last saw our favorite Cadogan House vampires, Ethan was being encouraged to make himself scarce before the Chicago PD came to arrest him for killing a fellow vampire in self-defense. As much as he hates to do it, Ethan and Merit decide to hide out at the Breckenridge estate. Their self-imposed exile soon becomes a huge inconvenience as supernatural groups all over the city are attacked, and members of each group kidnapped – including Gabriel Keene’s shifters. To try and make things copacetic between vampires and shifters, Gabe asks Ethan and Merit to investigate the attacks and find the kidnapped victims. And, of course, in the middle of all this, a favor Merit promised in exchange for some help is called in, and the ramifications could spell the end of her and Ethan.

Chloe Neill has done a brilliant job planting seeds and letting them slowly grow over time until, before you even realize it, they’ve turned into something amazing. Remember that intriguing prophecy that Gabriel mentioned to Merit in Twice Bitten (Chicagoland Vampires #3) about a baby with Ethan’s eyes that wasn’t Ethan? CLV superfans have been waiting with bated breath for some movement on this. It’s been mentioned once or twice since then, but in Wild Things, we finally, FINALLY hear more about it, including the revealing of it to Ethan. The best part is Ethan’s reaction. I think I read that part three times. And, what’s even better, is there’s still more to come on this subject.

The corruption of the GP was introduced early in the series, with a much finer point put upon it in Drink Deep (Chicagoland Vampires #5). Even though Cadogan House is no longer a member, the GP is still trying to flex on them. Based on actions taken in Wild Things, there’s hope that the GP’s mafia mentality may soon come to an end, although most assuredly, not without a fight.

After all this time, we still get a few delightful surprises in Wild Things. A never-before-seen brand of sup is revealed (and they’re pretty creepy, too), and believe it or not, we finally get the Librarian’s name.

Very nearly all our favorites from CLV books past are featured at least a little. The original Scoobies – Merit, Catcher, Mallory and Jeff – team up again, many times with assistance from Ethan. Luc and Lindsey are there with their usual snark (Luc always has the best one-liners), Malik offers stability and support, and Jonah once again backs Merit up in an RG capacity. We even catch up with Seth Tate, who we’ve not seen since Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires #6).

And, there’s no way I can talk about favorites without mentioning the shifters. As you might be able to tell from the name of the book, The North American Pack plays a very prominent role. Gabe, his wife Tanya and his baby boy are front and center nearly the entire way through the book. We are also blessed with appearances from Nick Breckenridge, his brothers, his father, den mother Berna (pun very much intended), Fallon and new hottie shifter Damien, who serves as Gabe’s muscle.

Without a doubt, though, the best part of Wild Things is Merit and Ethan. With all the stopping and starting of their relationship through the first six books in this series, it sometimes felt like we’d never get to this place of stability and comfort. Ethan is finally not afraid to show ANYONE that he’s desperately in love with Merit, even though his PDAs embarrass her to no end. The sureness of their relationship is a wonderful addition. And, thankfully, that doesn’t in any way mean a tempering of the passion. Holy hotness – When Ethan and Merit set their mind to doing something, they do it well and good. It’s fan-freaking-tastic.

If you’re someone who may have started the series early on, but hasn’t finished yet, let this be your call to action. Because, for as much as I LOVED Wild Things, I get the impression that we haven’t seen anything yet.

Giveaway

Enter below for a super cool giveaway for U.S. only residents. It will include the following:

• Limited Edition Cadogan House Novitiate Luggage Tag
• Chicagoland Vampires Tote Bag
• An autographed Chicagoland Vampires or Dark Elite novel
• Plenty o’ swag, including “I Survived Hard Bitten” buttons and Chicagoland Vampires bookmark

a Rafflecopter giveaway  

The fun doesn’t stop here! Want more chances to win? You can also enter Chloe’s Wild Things Grand Prize Giveaway, which runs January 27  through February 7 on Chloe’s web site.
 

Limited Edition Luggage Tags

What is the Grand Prize Giveaway prize?

• A Kindle Paperwhite
• A $50 Amazon gift card!
• A complete set of Chicagoland Vampires Audiobook CDs (graciously provided by Tantor Audio)
• An autographed Chicagoland Vampires or Dark Elite novel
• Two Cadogan House Novitiate Luggage Tags
• A Cadogan House lanyard and BITING BAD All Access Pass
• Chicagoland Vampires bookmarks, pens, buttons, and swag!

REVIEW: Secret (Elemental #4)

Secret (Elemental #4), by Brigid Kemmerer
To Be Published January 28, 2014
Publisher: Kensington Teen
Format: ARC, provided by the publisher
Genre:  young adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating:  5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Nowhere is safe. Not even home…

Nick Merrick is stretched to the breaking point.

Keep his grades sky-high or he’ll never escape his hometown.
Keep his brother’s business going or the Merricks will be out on the street.
Keep the secret of where he’s going in the evenings from his own twin—-or he’ll lose his family.

Keep his mind off the hot, self-assured dancer who’s supposed to be his “girlfriend’s” partner.

Of course there’s also the homicidal freak Quinn has taken to hanging around, and the Elemental Guide counting the hours until he can try again to kill the Merrick brothers.

There’s a storm coming. From all sides. And then some.

Nick Merrick, can you keep it together?

Brigid Kemmerer's Elemental series has had my attention since I read the prequel novella, Elemental (Elemental #0.5), a year-and-a-half ago. Brigid has this awesome ability to build upon not only the paranormal elements to her story, but also the relationships that form in each book. It's like spinning plates - you start with one, and once you get the fourth one going, you look back and see the first one still going strong. 

Nick is struggling with several huge secrets. He's the trustworthy brother, so everyone turns to him for help. And, it's becoming too much for his 17-year-old shoulders to bear. Especially since he's got issues of his own to deal with. He's recently started to come to terms with the fact that he likes guys, and he has no idea how to share that monumental piece of information with his brothers. The only ones who know are Adam, the guy he likes, and Quinn the girl he's supposedly dating. Instead, the secret Nick keeps from them is that he can wield the wind like no one's business. 

Meanwhile Quinn is keeping secrets of her own. She's saddled with Nick's secret, plus she's keeping her positively tragic home life from him. Then, when she starts hanging out with Nick's mortal enemy, Tyler, it adds one more massive complication to the mix. 

Secret is Nick's book. Since his novella, Breathless, came out several months ago, much of the discussion I've heard around the blogosphere regarding Secret has been about Nick's ongoing struggle with his homosexuality. And, yes, that is a major part of this book. Nick has massive misgivings about opening up to his brothers and to Hunter. Most especially, his fear lies in revealing himself to his twin brother, Gabriel. 

I don't know, though. I honestly felt like Quinn owned this book moreso than Nick. This was just as much Quinn's book as it was Nick's. This poor girl lives in such positively awful conditions. Her mom is a drunk. Her brother is a coke head. She constantly lives in fear of being raped or beaten in her own home. She thinks herself fat, ugly and unworthy of love. And, when she finds out her boyfriend, Nick, doesn't want her either (at least, not the way she wants him), it's like the straw that breaks the camel's back. 

I was brought to tears so many times by Quinn's plight. This girl just wants someone to love her. And, every time she thinks she's found that, she realizes she really hasn't. My heart broke again and again for her. And, you couldn't exactly be angry at Nick for not wanting her like she wanted him. What was he to do? Sure - perhaps using her as his beard wasn't the best idea. But, it really seemed as if Quinn was on an island by herself. 

And, then along came the surprise that was Tyler. He was introduced in the prequel novella and has made appearances in every book since. Tyler is one of the bad guys. And, in Secret, his motivations for treating the Merrick brothers as he has come to light. We see that things are not always black and white. Especially when it is Tyler who ends up being exactly what Quinn needed all along. 

And then yes, there is Nick and his budding relationship with Adam. The angst there nearly leaped off the pages. Nick has always been the silently confident one of the four brothers, so to see him so unsure and unsteady was unsettling in a good way. It helped draw me into everything Nick was feeling and allowed me to empathize with him. 

There is less of a focus on the brothers' elemental abilities in Secret than in any other book before it. There is definitely demonstrations of its use, almost exclusively from Tyler and Nick. But, the elemental abilities don't take center stage as they have in the past. And, you know, it was okay. I was so caught up in what was going on between Nick, Adam, Quinn and Tyler that I didn't even realize the lack of paranormalness until I had to sit down and think about my review. Never once did I think the book was lacking because of it. 

We're all geared up now for the fifth and final book in the series - Michael's book, Sacrifice - due out later in 2014. It's a bitter sweet thing. I can't wait to see how the brothers triumph at the end and how the relationships they've formed along the way help them toward that victory. But, then, it will be over! And that will suck. A lot. But, until then, we have Secret to tide us over. Keep some tissues nearby as you read it. :)

REVIEW: How To Run With a Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf #3)

How To Run With a Naked Werewolf (Naked Werewolf #3), by Molly Harper
Published December 31, 2013
Publisher: Pocket Books
Format: e-ARC, obtained from Edelweiss
Genre:  adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  4 STARS

(From Goodreads) Down, Boy

Anna Moder has just witnessed a shooting, seen her car pulverized, and rescued a wounded stranger only to discover he's really a werewolf. And by her recent standards, things are actually looking up. Lycanthropes don't faze Anna. Doctoring a wolf pack outside Grundy, Alaska, is the closest thing to home life she's known in years. But hitching a ride to Anchorage with long-absent pack member Caleb Graham that's a risk. Part of her itches to whack his nose with a newspaper. The rest is trying unsuccessfully to keep her own paws off every delicious inch of him.

The problem is, Caleb employs his lupine tracking abilities as a not-quite-legal bounty hunter, and Anna is suspicious of both him and his profession. On the run from her past, with old problems closing in, she'd like to stay far, far away from anybody with connections to the law. Caleb, however, seems determined to keep her close. Are his intentions noble, or is he working a more predatory angle?

Anna's been dreaming of returning to a semi-normal life, but now she's experiencing a strange new urge . . . to join Caleb in running with the wolves.

Molly Harper, how I have missed you and your naked werewolves. 

Anna is on the run from an abusive relationship when she stumbles upon Caleb, a member of the pack of werewolves she used to care for as the pack physician, in a sticky situation. He convinces her to travel with him until they reach Anchorage. She learns his job as a bounty hunter and even helps out. And both of them continue to fight the feelings they start to develop for each other. And, when her secrets and his come out, they both wonder if their time on the road has built enough of a foundation for their tentative relationship to survive.

Molly Harper's books have just a different kind of feel to them, you know? They're light and fun and quirky. They make me smile and laugh. And there's plenty of swooning. I mean, we're talking werewolves here. You can't get any more alpha than that. Even in a book like How To Run With a Naked Werewolf where we're reading about such a serious situation as domestic abuse, I found myself laughing out loud more often than not. 

Molly did a fantastic job balancing out the serious nature of the book with the fun-loving style that she's known for. It's a fine line to walk - how much humor is enough to lighten the mood, yet not so much that it detracts from the seriousness that the situation deserves? Molly Harper walks that line perfectly. She slows things down and gets serious when its needed.

The romance between Anna and Caleb is slow to build as each learns how much to trust the other. Caleb is so sweet for being such a big, burly werewolf man. The way he cares for Anna and watches out for her is completely endearing. I loved seeing the two distinct sides of him - the bounty hunter and the mated werewolf. It was like seeing two sides of the same coin. I dare you to not fall in love with him. 

Anna has been through so much. She's running and hiding from her husband who stalked her and beat the crap out of her. Obviously, she doesn't trust easily. She's strong and capable. Her distrust and at times standoffishness did start to grate on me a bit, but I had to remind myself that this is probably pretty true to life. 

After Anna rescues Caleb in the beginning, the two embark on a crazy, epic road trip. I love road trips and the spontaneity they bring. The towns in which they find themselves and the crazy situations were the absolute best part of this book. 

I loved so much that Molly found a way to inject our favorite characters from her first two books into the story. We saw Cooper and Mo and Maggie and Nate and where both couples are in their relationships now. The fusing of all three books was done seamlessly - it didn't seem at all like they were forced into the story just to have them there.  

The ending was explosive. I loved how everything came to a head and then worked itself out. There was a bit of a strange and awkward interaction between Anna and two side characters from the book, but outside of that, the HEA was perfect. If you haven't experienced Molly Harper's unique style of writing yet, please pick up one of her books and give them a try. They're perfect to get you out of a reading slump and make you smile.

REVIEW: The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4)

The Fiery Heart (Bloodlines #4), by Richelle Mead 
Published November 19, 2013
Publisher: Razorbill
Format: e-book, purchased
Genre:  young adult paranormal romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble

Rating:  5 STARS

(From Goodreads) In The Indigo Spell, Sydney was torn between the Alchemist way of life and what her heart and gut were telling her to do. And in one breathtaking moment that Richelle Mead fans will never forget, she made a decision that shocked even her. . . .

But the struggle isn't over for Sydney. As she navigates the aftermath of her life-changing decision, she still finds herself pulled in too many directions at once. Her sister Zoe has arrived, and while Sydney longs to grow closer to her, there's still so much she must keep secret. Working with Marcus has changed the way she views the Alchemists, and Sydney must tread a careful path as she harnesses her profound magical ability to undermine the way of life she was raised to defend. Consumed by passion and vengeance, Sydney struggles to keep her secret life under wraps as the threat of exposure—and re-education—looms larger than ever.

Pulses will race throughout this thrilling fourth installment in the New York Times bestselling Bloodlines series, where no secret is safe.

It's been a week since I finished The Fiery Heart, and I'm still nursing the remnants of a massive book hangover. I loved it so. much. Each new Bloodlines book is better than the one before it, and I think I love that fact the most of all. 

Sydney and Adrian are finally together, but hanging out has been made infinitely more difficult since Sydney's little sister Zoe joined up with the Scoobies in Palm Springs. Every move Sydney makes is scrutinized, and if it got back to their dad or the other alchemists that not only was Sydney an honest-to-goodness witch now, but one that's in love with a vampire, Sydney would be sent to reeducation. 

Once again, there's more than one main story happening in The Fiery Heart. First on my list was the romance between Syd and Adrian. At the end of The Indigo Spell, she finally gave in to her feelings for Adrian and I can't even tell you what a relief that was. Syd is so strict and uptight and stuck on the rules she was brought up to believe blindly that it was a hard fought win. And now that she has her prize in Adrian, finding time to spend with him is nearly impossible thanks to her sister. Yet Adrian and Sydney are determined to make it work - to "hold the center." 

The second main story is the one centering around Sydney trying to find the right recipe to replicate Marcus' anti-alchemist tattoo in quantity so that he can help more alchemists escape from their oppression. This process was awesome to read about as Sydney uses her smarts to figure out all the missing pieces to find the right mixture for the ink. I loved that part and the possibilities it creates. 

The third main story was about Adrian's battle with spirit. It's starting to bring the crazy on, and his mood swings have reached epic levels. He could take drugs to lessen the effects, but then what if someone he cares about needs his help? 

One of the best parts of this book is the dual POV. For the first time ever, we get to see inside the wonderfully complicated mess that is Adrian's head. Sometimes his mind is a little batty. But, when he thinks about Sydney, he is unbelievably sweet. 

The way that Richelle Mead has developed Sydney's character over not only the four Bloodlines books, but really a total of seven books now, if you look back to when she was first introduced in the fourth Vampire Academy book, it's so remarkable. Over the course of those seven books, Syd has gone from a completely close-minded, obnoxious character that I honestly hated, to a brave fighter that I love so much. It's been such a gradual process, which is so much more believable than if she were to change on a dime. 

The magic, the action, the politics - it's all so, so well done. Yes, there is a cliffhanger. But it's been done well. The loose ends, except for one big one, are starting to tie up, and the ending is done in such a way that Silver Shadows (Bloodlines #5) is one of the most anticipated books of 2014 for me.  

NOVELLA REVIEW: Bitter Sweet Love (Dark Elements #0.5)

Bitter Sweet Love (Dark Elements #0.5), by Jennifer L. Armentrout
To Be Published December 1, 2013
Publisher: HarlequinTEEN
Format: e-galley, provided by the publisher
Genre:  Young Adult Paranormal Romance
To Buy: Amazon * Barnes & Noble
 
Rating:  5 STARS

(From Goodreads) Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining balance between good and evil. He was her everything...right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...

Let's talk about gargoyles for a sec here. If you're like me, this is the first thing you think about when you hear about those things:

Well, actually, when I hear the word "gargoyle," pop culture maven that I am, THIS is actually the first thing I think about:

Either way - whether you're talking about the classics from Notre Dame or the Gatekeeper and the Keymaster, I think we can all agree that sexy is absolutely not one of the adjectives that you would pick to describe them. And, when I heard that Jennifer Armentrout was writing a new paranormal romance series about them, I must admit, I was skeptical. 

Leave it to Jennifer Armentrout to obliterate my preconceived notions.

Bitter Sweet Love introduces us to the world she has created in her new series from HarlequinTEEN, The Dark Elements. It's a prequel novella centering around 18-year-old Jasmine and 21-year-old Dez - both "Wardens," or gargoyles in laymens terms. Wardens are here to protect humans from demons, and six years ago, hell unleashed them enmasse upon the world for reasons as yet unknown.

Jas and Dez planned to be mated before Dez took off without a goodbye. Three years later, he's back and ready to pick up where they left off, but Jas isn't ready to unguard her wounded heart. Dez sets about trying to change her mind and win her back. All the while, Jennifer is teaching the reader about this new world she's created and the rules and characters in it.

We learn that Wardens have their true form which includes wings, horns and stone-like skin that is pretty impervious. Most of their time is spent in their human form, which allows them to blend in. Only their pale eyes make them stand out. Females are considered weaker - they stay home to have babies. But many die in childbirth, so their race is actually dying out. And, the males go out every night hunting the demons that threaten everyone's safety.

We are also introduced to Layla and Zayne, the main characters from White Hot Kiss (Dark Elements #1), and we learn a little bit about them and the type of relationship they have right now. The real stars, though, were Jas and Dez. I loved both of them so much, and I sincerely hope that we'll catch at least a glimpse of them in White Hot Kiss. The chemistry between these two was absolutely ridiculous. I loved every second of their crazy sexual tension.

Jennifer has this uncanny ability to make a novella feel like a full-length novel. It might be shorter than normal, but it is most definitely not short on character development or world building. It's sometimes hard for me to connect with a character over the course of a 400-page book. Jen manages to not only get me to connect with, but to genuinely get invested in her characters in only 100 pages. Although Bitter Sweet Love isn't essential to know what's happening in White Hot Kiss, I would absolutely recommend you read it first anyway. It's a perfect introduction to the series and to characters that are sure to blow your mind.

Want a sneak peak at Dez and Jas? Click on the picture and read an excerpt from Bitter Sweet Love. Then, jump to Goodreads and enter to win one of 20 ARCs of White Hot Kiss from HarlequinTEEN!