ARC Review: Blood Knot

Blood Knot
Tracy Cooper-Posey
Erotic Urban Fantasy Romance (M/M/F)
Stories Rule Productions/March 7, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Winter, a professional thief who can manipulate others' biologies by touch, accidentally "healed" her former partner-and former vampire-Sebastian, whom she secretly loves. Her healing created a symbiotic pairing between them that neither of them wants.

Nathanial, a sexy thousand-year-old vampire and Sebastian's ex-lover, talks Sebastian and Winter into stealing evidence that will expose all vampires to the world. But Nathanial is a puppet-master who doesn't believe in falling in love with humans, leaving Winter unsure of his real feelings for her once he seduces her, or how he feels about Sebastian, the former vampire-now-human whose life he has turned upside down once more.

But the evidence they steal is hot property. The future of all vampires is on the line and others will stop at nothing to get it, leaving Sebastian, Winter and Nathanial with no allies but each other. They must trust each other to survive. Only...can they?

Blood Knot starts off quickly, from Nathanial (Nial) and Winter's first explosive encounter to their mutual attraction. Their connection to Sebastian is what brings them together and finding him gives them a common goal. Once the three of them are together, old feelings surface taking them in a new direction.

Winter is a retired thief, or so she thought. Then Nial comes into her life and turns it upside down. First off, love Winter's ability. So unique. She's a strong heroine with equally strong opinions about who and what she is. She doesn't want to get pulled back into the dangerous life of a thief but at the same time, the excitement tugs at her. Then there's her love for Sebastian and the possibility to see him again. But Nial and her attraction to him complicates things. She wants them both and doesn't want to choose.

Nial is under a lot of pressure and needs Winter and Sebastian's help. He's an intriguing character who uses his abilities to manipulate people and situations to his liking. I couldn't blame him for using those abilities and he's honest about his abilities when dealing with Winter. He's also honest in his feeling for her and for Sebastian. That worked well in getting Winter and Sebastian to open up about their feelings.

Sebastian has shut himself off from Winter and Nial. He doesn't want to join in with them on the mission. He has a painful history with both of them and doesn't want to suffer a repeat. But with conflicted feelings, he agrees to help. You would think Sebastian was the weak link but I think he was the strongest - he was what pulled and held the three together.

A ménage that is more than just sex, that involves feeling of love from all three participants isn't easy to make believable. This is true with Winter, Nial and Sebastian. Sometimes it felt like Winter should be with Nial since Sebastian acted like he wanted nothing to do with her. Then other times it felt like Winter loved Sebastian but only lusted for Nial. Either separate or together, these three deliver some emotional and erotic scenes. But in the end, I'm not sure I fully believed that all three held equal parts in the the relationship.

The political aspect of the story is focused on the vampires and their ability to remain hidden from humans. Nial is caught in the thick of it and pulls Winter and Sebastian in with him. They are up against some serious enemies and when they do decide to join forces, they make for a formidable team. The action scenes were interesting with the three working out the details of their mission and using each others' assets to get the job done. It did feel

Overall, an appealing story with three very different characters who, with their imperfections and their strengths, overcome past hurts and learn to rely on each other and love each other.

Rating: B

Review: One Was A Soldier

One Was A Soldier
Julia Spencer-Fleming
Mystery/Romance
Clare Fergusson/Russ Van Alstyne/Book 7
Thomas Dunne/April 12, 2011

*Spoilers for previous books*

From the inside cover ~

On a warm September evening in the Millers Kill community center, five veterans sit down in rickety chairs to try to make sense of their experiences in Iraq. Wht they will find is murder, conspiracy, and the unbreakable ties that bind them to one another and their small Adirondack town.

The Rev. Clare Fergusson wants to forget the things she saw as a combat helicopter pilot and concentrate on her relationship with Chief of Police Russ Van Alstyne. MP Eric McCrea needs to control the explosive anger threatening his job as a police officer. Will Ellis, high school track star, faces the reality of life as a double amputee. Orthopedist Trip Stillman is denying the extent of his traumatic brain injury. And bookkeeper Tally McNabb wrestles with guilt over the in-country affair that may derail her marriage.

But coming home is harder than it looks. One vet will struggle with drugs and alcohol. One will lose his family and friends. One will die.

Since their first meeting, Russ and Clare's bond has been tried torn,and forged by adversity. But when he rules the veteran's death a suicide, she violently rejects his verdict, drawing the surviving vets into an unorthodox investigation that threatens jobs, relationships, and her own future with Russ.

As the days cool and the nights grow longer, they will uncover a trail of deceit that runs from their tiny town to the upper ranks of the U.S. Army, and from the waters of the Millers Kill to the unforgiving streets of Baghdad.

Julia Spencer-Fleming's series about a small town police chief and a Episcopal priest took me by surprise. I certainly wasn't expecting to like it as much as I do. It's not a traditional romance, in fact, the romance was muted up until the previous book. A married, older hero and a mid-thirties former army helo pilot turned Reverend does not sound like the makings of a romance. And yet, Spencer-Fleming makes it work. I think part of that is due to the fact that the romance isn't the main focus. Russ and Clare have some romantic moments but their relationship is based in reality not some fantasy realm of super sexy heroes and beautiful, alluring heroines. These are real people with very real problems that are not always resolved neatly and tied with a bow. Maybe that's why I enjoy this series so much - for the realness of the characters.

It's been eighteen months since Clare left for Iraq. Long months for Russ, left at home in Millers Kill, waiting for Clare's return so they can get on with their lives. But for now, their lives have been put on hold. Now the light at the tunnel is getting brighter with Clare's homecoming nearly here. Often we get the homecoming perspective from the woman's POV but this time it's from Russ, a combat veteran who is a nervous wreck.

He thrust the roses toward her. Two more ragged petals fell to the concrete floor. The bouquest looked as if a goat had been chewing on it. She bit her lip, just barely keeping a smile from breaking out. "Why, thank you, Chief Van Alstyne." She took the flowers in both hands and buried her face in what remained of them. She had tiny lines etched along the outsides of her eyes that hadn't been there when she left.

Russ isn't the only one who's nervous. Neither Clare nor Russ are quite sure what to do. They know what they want to do but are still unaccustomed to being able to display any affection in public.

He stepped toward her just as she bent to reshoulder her rucksack. She let go, opening her arms in time for him to nearly knock her over as he ducked to grab the duffel for her.

"Screw this." He kicked the canvas sack to one side and took her by the shoulders. "C'mere." She folded inside his embrace as if she had always been there, and he kept his arms hard around her, his cheek resting on her too light, too short hair. Letting the reality of her, the warmth and weight and solidity of her, sink into his bones.

"Holding on," she said against his chest.
"Not letting go." page 13

I love this scene and how once they let their feeling out, they are truly home. Another thing I like about their relationship is the sexual tension. Their ages don't hold them back one bit and I find it refreshing.

The romance between Clare and Russ has been progressing along nicely but it isn't the whole focus of the story. This is still very much a mystery with Russ and Clare in the middle of it. Russ may be the chief of police and the true detective of the series but Clare's smart and nosy. She likes getting into the middle of things, even when those things are the cases Russ and his police force are working on. Clare is naturally inquisitive and at heart a caregiver. She needs to help people. Sometimes she goes a little too far and I can see why Russ becomes frustrated and angry with her. But he understands her and while they do argue, the strong love and respect they feel for each other holds them together.

The mystery is complex in that it has a number of different avenues that the police and the reader must explore before everything is tied together. And it's not just the Millers Kill PD that is involved but the Army as well. I liked the way the Army is tied into this small town, with the soldiers home but still bringing their military experiences with them. The impact of what they went through doesn't stop when they hit American soil. It's now a part of them and they must learn to adjust to their new self.

It was good to catch up with the residents of Millers Kill. I especially like the secondary plot between Hadley Knox and Kevin Flynn. Seeing all these characters again felt like coming home. Spencer-Fleming makes them each unique and real, no one is perfect, they all have their flaws. They are not only easy to relate to but easy to believe.

As the story progresses Russ and Clare both have to deal with the direction their relationship is taking. Clare has a tendency of taking on other peoples problems in order to ignore her own. Russ is busy investigating the veteran's death and the Army's involvement. I like how they each have their own interests, they're not dependent on each other to fill their time.

The story has a number of sub-plots going, getting everyone into the action at some point. While I liked the various story lines, at times it felt like there was a little too much going on. In the end, most were either resolved or given a temporary reprieve. There is still much to look forward to, with a little cliffhanger to keep us anxious for the next book.

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

In the Bleak Midwinter
A Fountain Filled with Blood
Out of the Deep I Cry
To Darkness and to Death
All Mortal Flesh
I Shall Not Want
One Was A Soldier

ARC Review: Dragon Bound

Dragon Bound
Thea Harrison
Paranormal Romance
Elder Races/Book 1
Berkley/May 3, 2011

From Goodreads ~

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful - and passionate - of the Elder races.

As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they've ignited in each other.

Pia knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave - although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul.

Well, this one has gotten a lot of buzz. It seemed like, for a while at least, everywhere I turned I was hearing about this book. I was lucky enough to win an ARC on Goodreads. I enjoyed getting to know Pia, Dragos and let's not forget the Wyr sentinels who make up Dragos' inner court.

Pia Giovanni is caught between a rock and a very pissed off dragon. She's on the run after stealing one measly little coin. It's not the value of the coin that's got her running but the being she stole it from. She's now being hunted by one of the oldest and most powerful of the Wyr. Pia is smart but she also knows she's in a lot of trouble. She doesn't just run blindly but tries to work out a plan to evade Dragos. Even with her strategy, you just know he's going to get her. Pia can be a smart ass and her sense of humor comes out when she's nervous. It's clear Dragos makes her nervous and they had some of the funniest conversation. Those were some of my favorite parts.

Dragos is certainly a throwback to the days of cavemen, or cave dragons in his case. I didn't care for his over-the-top caveman attitude. It got old, along with him telling Pia to shut up one too many times. Not cool. He does have his moments of showing tenderness towards Pia without being such an ass. I did like his relationships with his sentinels. You see not only Dragos' power but his intelligence and leadership qualities.

Pia and Dragos end up together despite their tumulus beginning. He's intrigued by her and alters his plan of killing her when he decides he's attracted to the unusual thief. I got the instant attraction but going from the physical to the emotional connection was a little harder to get.

The world building is complex with the Elder Races and the Fae dominant in power and the humans sometimes caught in the middle. Harrison does well explaining the various factions and the politics of the Elders and the Fae. It's an interesting world with some noteworthy secondary characters.

So, not so crazy about Dragos but I did like Pia, the world building and am interested to read about some of the secondary characters. I think as far as first books in a series, Dragon Bound set the stage and left me wanting more of this world.

Rating: B/B+

Books in this series ~

Dragon Bound
Storm's Heart (August 2, 2011)
Serpent's Kiss (October 4, 2011)

New Nora Roberts Trilogy

Nora Roberts has a new trilogy coming out this fall. What I find really interesting it that it was inspired by her inn. The Next Always is the first book of the new Inn BoonsBoro trilogy. I already like the sound of it.

The historic hotel in BoonsBoro, Maryland, has endured war and peace, changing hands, even rumored hauntings. Now it's getting a major face lift from the Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother. As the architect of the family, Beckett's social life consists mostly of talking shop over pizza and beer. But there's another project he's got his eye on: the girl he's been waiting to kiss since he was fifteen...

The Next Always releases in trade paperback on November 1.

Review: A Reason to Believe

A Reason to Believe
Maureen McKade
Historical Western Romance
Texas/1868
Forrester Brothers/Book 2
Berkley/August 7, 2007

From the back cover ~

How do you pick up the pieces of a shattered life?

To escape her angry father, Dulcie McDaniel got pregnant - but lost her husband in a fatal accident. Penniless, she returned home with her little girl - only to have her world shattered once again. Lonely and filled with regrets, Dulcie struggles to provide a decent life for her daughter. Then a handsome stranger arrives...

Dulcie, usually shunned by proper folks, is suspicious of Rye Forrester, a drifter offering to work for his keep. But after he helps harvest the crops, her feelings toward the handsome stranger turn in to a consuming mutual passion. Although Rye wears the brand of an army deserter, Dulcie is thrilled to be with such a good man. But Rye has his own secrets. He can't understand why his late friend cheated on such a beautiful wife - or how he can now ask Dulcie's forgiveness for his part in her husband's death. Love is one thing - acceptance and forgiveness another. When their tragic pasts catch up with them, these two wounded souls must fight for the love that will keep them together for a lifetime...

I really enjoyed the first book in this series, A Reason to Live, and finally got around to reading Rye Forrester's story. Unfortunately, it wasn't as engaging as Creede's story. The writing was still good but the plot moved too slowly and I didn't feel that "click" of connection with the hero and the heroine.

Dulcie McDaniel is a young mother with little prospects for a happy life. Her one ray of hope is her four year old daughter, Madeline. Her father has just been buried and with her husband having been dead for months, all responsibility for the family farm falls to Dulcie. She has so much weight on her shoulders it's a wonder she could stand up. She has to get her crop in if she and her daughter have a chance of surviving the winter. I don't know what she would have done if Rye hadn't shown up and offered to help. Realistically, there was no way she could have done it by herself and there wasn't anyone else offering to help.

Rye Forrester carries a load of guilt. He's on a mission to make amends and hopefully relieve some of that guilt. On the surface he's a decent man but he has his share of ghosts. He hasn't had an easy life, growing up in an orphanage, then joining the army. I didn't get any sense of who he really was. He called himself a drifter and that's pretty much what he was. He didn't look towards the future and much of the time acted like he didn't really care what the future held for him. He was a hard worker and while he did come to care for Dulcie I couldn't help but wonder how much of that lay in the guilt he felt regarding her husband's death.

Together, Dulcie and Rye have many obstacles to overcome. In a town where most of the townfolks shun Dulcie, some thinking she little better than a whore, it's no wonder she keeps to herself. The bright spot in Dulcie's life also becomes a bright spot in Rye's life. I liked how the relationship of Rye and Dulcie also included Madeline. There was no way she could not be included and still have their love story work. Along with Madeline is another child that Rye helps. An orphan boy who was taken in by a local family out of obligation rather than compassion. Seeing how these four develop into a family was one of the better part of the book.

The difficulties continue to mount, life in rural Texas if tough but it felt like Rye and Dulcie would never get a break. Just for a second, when things are going well, BAM, they're hit with another crisis. I wish they would have had more happiness but instead it all came at the end when everything is resolved as best it could be and Rye and Dulcie create a new family. The ending came too quick and too neat after all the turmoil that preceded it.

So, I do have the next book on the tbr pile and I do want to read it, if only to see what happened to the remaining Forrester brother. I just don't think I'll be reading it anytime soon.

Rating: C+

Books in this trilogy ~

A Reason to Live
A Reason to Believe
A Reason to Sin

Review: The Greyfriar

The Greyfriar
Clay Griffith & Susan Griffith
Steampunk/Urban Fantasy
Vampire Empire Trilogy/Book 1
Pyr/November 18, 2010

From the back cover ~

In the year 1870, a horrible plague of vampires swept over the northern regions of the world. Millions of humans were killed outright. Millions more died of disease and famine due to the havoc that followed. Within two years, once-great cities were shrouded by the grey empire of the vampire clans. Human refugees fled south to the tropics because vampires could not tolerate the constant heat there. They brought technology and a feverish drive to reestablish their shattered societies of steam and iron amid the mosques of Alexandria, the torrid quietude of Panama, or the green temples of Malaya.

IT IS NOW 2020 AND A BLOODY RECKONING IS COMING.

Princess Adele is heir to the Empire Equatoria, a remnant of the old tropical British Empire. She is quick with her wit as well as with a sword or gun. She is eager for an adventure before she settles into a life of duty and political marriage to a man she does not know. But her quest turns black when she becomes the target of a merciless vampire clan. Her only protector is the Greyfriar, a mysterious hero who fights the vampires form the deep within their territory. Their dangerous relationship plays out against an approaching war to the death between humankind and the vampire clans.

Why, oh why, did I wait so long to read this amazing book?! The story started off a little slow but once I got into it, I didn't want to stop. I was sucked in to this fascinating world of vampires and princesses, airships and sword fights. The world building blew me away. It's beautiful in it's intensity. I don't have much experience with steampunk but if this is any example, I will certainty be searching for more.

Princess Adele is on journey before she settles into wedded bliss or at the least, a mutual respect of her intended. When we first meet Adele, you can tell she is intelligent and curious, with a great sense of family and duty. She also has a darker side that comes out when vampires attack. She is not one to sit on the sidelines and hope to be rescued. In this world, you need to know how to defend yourself.

It's during one of these attacks that Adele meets the infamous Greyfriar. He is part legend and part mystery with a dash of elegance thrown in. He's also wicked quick with swords and guns. Adele is left with no choice but to take the help Greyfriar offers. They are an unlikely pair who have more in common than they think. The two are written in such a way as to play off each other. With Adele not fully trusting Greyfriar but coming to rely on him. She still uses her wits and her fighting skills whenever she needs to. I liked that she kept her royal bearing but didn't deny her survival instincts.

Greyfriar is a fascinating character. His reasons for helping Adele and fighting the vampires are complex. He is pulled in two different directions, walking a very fine line while trying to stay alive in this harsh world. The war is coming and he knows it. I found the contrast between his secret life as Greyfriar and his real identity highly intriguing.

The land where the vampires rule is stark, brutal and depressing. Humans are cattle to be used and discarded when they're no longer useful. The vampires have few morals and even less honor. They want to dominate the world and bring the humans to heel. The humans have little chance of defeating the vampires without a lot of firepower. Even then, the odds are not good. If you're going to make vampires the antagonists then make then cruel, make them evil, make the reader feel fear when those vampires come on the page. These are the vampires of nightmares and I loved it!

There are a number of important players in this world. Aside from Adele and Greyfriar there is Adele's intended, Senator Clark, an American. He is brash, obnoxious and a complete ass. He is also very good when fighting the vampires. His interactions with the formality of the Equatorian court were as amusing as they were telling of the vast differences in the two countries. Court politics and intrigue play a role in who and how the humans will fight the vampires. Alliances must be made. We see this clearly with the Americans and the Equatorians.

This first book in the Vampire Empire trilogy left me wanting more. I loved how we saw the pageantry of the court and the brutality of the fight. The characters are well developed with depth and emotions that pull at you, making you want to cheer them on. There are secondary characters that I want to know more about. I want to know what will happen with Adele and Greyfriar. And I want to know if the vampires will be defeated. Hopefully, some of these answers will be in The Rift Walker, book 2, coming out this September.

Rating: A

Books in this trilogy ~

The Greyfriar
The Rift Walker (September 20, 2011)
Book 3

Review: Invincible

Invincible
Sherrilyn Kenyon
Young Adult Urban Fantasy
Chronicles of Nick/Book 2
St. Martins/March 22, 2011

*Spoilers for Book 1*

From Goodreads ~

Just when he thought things couldn’t get any worse...

Nick Gautier’s day just keeps getting better and better. Yeah, he survived the zombie attacks, only to wake up and find himself enslaved to a world of shapeshifters and demons out to claim his soul.

His new principal thinks he’s even more of a hoodlum than the last one, his coach is trying to recruit him to things he can’t even mention and the girl he’s not seeing, but is, has secrets that terrify him.

But more than that, he’s being groomed by the darkest of powers and if he doesn’t learn how to raise the dead by the end of the week, he will become one of them...

It's the day after the big zombie fest from Infinity (book 1) and Nick finds himself at Kyrian Hunter's home, safe and sound. As I was reading this, I realize I'm not reading it so much for the actual story as for the back story of Nick and company and how it relates to the current Dark Hunter/Were Hunter world of the adult series. So if I had never read Kenyon's adult series, this YA series would make me pick it up and I would most likely spend time read it rather than this one.

Nick has been, I wouldn't say a favorite character but one I've been interested to see where Kenyon would take him in the Dark Hunter series. So reading how he can to be in the world of Kyrian, Acheron and the Peltiers of Sanctuary is interesting enough to keep me reading this series. Nick is very much a teen with an attitude. He's had a hard life but he does have a mom who loves him more than words. She is the most important person in his world and it's never more evident than in his teen years.

We also see Nick developing relationships with his classmates, some of whom happen to be demons. Yeah, it's a weird world that Nick lives in but Kenyon does manage to make it all mesh together. Nick does seem surprised at every new revelation of supernatural beings. You would think he would be used to it, considering his boss is a Dark Hunter and he's friends with Acheron, who is 11,000 years old. Add in everything he's learned about and fought against in recent days, nothing should surprise him but it does.

Nick once again finds himself in trouble and not sure who he can trust. I did like the character of Death or Grim as he's also known as. He added a wicked sense of humor to the story. It's a good thing I'm not reading this series for the plot line because it didn't keep me entertained. It was easy to figure out where the story was headed and I was far more interested in how these characters fit into the Dark Hunter world. Good thing I got this from the library, not worth the hardcover price, IMO.

Rating: C+

Books in this series ~

Infinity
Invincible
Infamous (2012)

Review: The Ranger

The Ranger
Monica McCarty
Historical Romance (Scotland/1308)
Highland Guard/Book 3
Ballantine/December 28, 2010

From Goodreads ~

Embedded deep behind enemy lines, Arthur “Ranger” Campbell is Bruce’s secret weapon as he wages his final assault on the enemies who stand against him. Recruited to join the Bruce’s secret elite fighting force for his prized scouting skills, Arthur’s razor sharp senses and ability to blend into the shadows make him the perfect spy. But when this shadow warrior must infiltrate the clan of the chieftain who murdered his father, his heart is locked on revenge. Inside he faces unexpected resistance from the sweetest of obstacles—a honey-haired siren who is his enemy’s daughter. But the vivacious, enchanting Anna MacDougall is a woman whose skill at uncovering deception rivals his own.

Intrigued by this ruggedly handsome newcomer to her father’s forces, Anna accepts the challenge his determined indifference to her arouses. Though anxious for the war to end and yearning for a quiet life with a good man to love, Anna is drawn to this mysterious knight whose eyes devour her but whose words push her away. But as danger, treachery, and the threat of looming war draw them closer into each other’s passions and secrets, a warrior made of steel must make a choice from the heart: love or revenge.

The third book in McCarty wonderful Highland Guard series is about Arthur Campbell who must play a game of cat and mouse with the enemy within their very ranks. I've been curious about Arthur or Ranger as he's known in the Guard. He's very loyal to Robert Bruce which makes his task of posing as a supporter of Edward beyond difficult.

Arthur Campbell's mission is a test of his abilities. Then he is additionally tested when he meets Anna MacDougall. She is the daughter of his greatest enemy, one that Arthur has swore revenge upon. Of course they fall in love but Arthur knows they have no future. I loved how conflicted Arthur is. On the one hand he has his mission which is critical to the cause he believes so strongly in. On the other hand he is falling fast for Anna and sees no way it can end well. He was continually walking a tightrope creating a tense and suspenseful situation.

Anna MacDougall is an unconventional woman of her time. She is well educated, with even her father asking her opinion. She adores her father and enjoys helping him fight Robert Bruce aka King Hood, any way she can. I love when authors give us intelligent heroines, especially in historicals. I think we expect contemporary heroines to possess intelligence but given the constraints regarding education placed on women throughout history, it's always refreshing to have a historical heroine with the brains to challenge the hero.

The love story is filled with numerous obstacles, the obvious being Anna and Arthur on different sides of the war. It wasn't an easy road to HEA, which made it all the more priceless when they got there. It didn't help that Anna was blinded to her father's faults. She practically worshiped him and even with evidence to his brutality, for an intelligent woman, she took far too long to realize his loyalty wasn't with her. The action and suspense run high through much of the story. McCarty does well keeping the balance of political intrigue and romance in place. And while the politics were certainly present, I never felt they overshadowed the romance.

I wanted to add one minor problem I have with this series. The covers. I really wish publishers would move away from the man-titty covers and give us covers that better reflect what's inside. Yes, the heroes are all well muscled but this is such an intelligent and well written series that there is far more than man-titty between the pages. I would direct pubs to the lush and beautiful covers of historical fiction. They are not only gorgeous but give a feel for the time period. JMHO

I'm really enjoying this series. It has everything I like about historical romances. In a way, it's more like a historical romantic suspense than strictly a historical romance. However you label it, this series is not to be missed if you're looking for something different than your regency and Victorian romances.

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

The Chief
The Hawk
The Ranger
The Viper (October 25, 2011)

Review: Touched by an Alien

Touched by an Alien
Gini Koch
Science Fiction Romance
Kitty Katt/Book 1
DAW/April 6, 2010

From Goodreads ~

How can a sexy marketing manager join forces with an Alpha Centauri male in Armani to save the planet-using hairspray, a Mont Blanc pen, and rock n' roll?

Easy...

She's Touched by an Alien

Marketing manager Katherine "Kitty" Katt steps into the middle of what appears to be a domestic dispute turned ugly. And it only gets uglier when the man turns into a winged monster, straight out of a grade-Z horror movie, and goes on a killing spree. Though Kitty should probably run away, she springs into action to take the monster down.

In the middle of the chaos a handsome hunk named Jeff Martini appears, sent by the "agency" to perform crowd control. He's Kitty's kind of guy, no matter what planet he's from. And from now on, for Kitty, things are going to be sexy, dangerous, wild, and out of this world.

It took me a few stops and starts before I could get into this book. But I keep going back to it because Nath liked it so much and while we don't agree on every book, I trust her judgement. :) And she was right! Once I got past the initial world building, with the info coming a little too fast, then the story became more character and action driven and worked for me.

Kitty is an average woman. She's doesn't come across as anyone out of the ordinary, until she defeats a monster and is whisked away into a secret world of sexy aliens, monster aliens and some really cool toys! Kitty took the news of aliens on planet Earth pretty well. Sometimes almost too well. No major meltdowns or freak outs. Maybe because all of the alien dudes are GQ super sexy. Which is one of the clues that makes Kitty think these guys are not your regular government agents. While I didn't always feel Kitty's reactions were realistic, I did like how she didn't let anyone push her around.

Jeff Martini and his alien buddies are not only cover model good looking, but they have some wicked cool abilities. Jeff's most obvious is his smooth talking way with women and he goes full throttle with the charm when Kitty shows up. It was over the top at times but that's just Martini. He can be annoyingly cute. He also has his serious side and I liked how Koch balanced that with his playful, flirty side.

There is a lot to take in with all the data on the aliens and their background. It does lay a solid foundation for the rest of the series but got to be a little overwhelming. The monsters or super-beings as they are called are ingenious in their creation. They're like something from the mind of mad scientist on drugs. It's these beings that Kitty is recruited to fight along with Martini and company. Those were the scenes I enjoyed the most. The fight scenes are fast and brutal, with Kitty and her alien pals using anything at their disposal to fight the big bad nasties that keep coming at them.

The romance is there but sometimes Martini and his confidence in his ability to win Kitty over bordered on stalker. He came on way too strong and left me annoyed more often than not. I did like when we saw his vulnerabilities. It was at those times when he seemed almost human.

Overall, a decent start to a new, unique series. I've got Alien Tango on the TBR pile waiting for me. I have a feel it won't take more than one try for me to get into it.

Rating: B

Books in this series ~

Touched by an Alien
Alien Tango
Alien in the Family

Review: Edge of Sight

Edge of Sight
Roxanne St. Claire
Romantic Suspense
Guardian Angelinos/Book 1
Grand Central/November 1, 2010

From the back cover ~

The killer she can't escape . . .
The heartbreak she can't forget . . .
The one man who can stop them both.

When Samantha Fairchild witnesses a murder in the wine cellar of the restaurant where she works, the Harvard-bound law student becomes the next target of a professional assassin. Desperate for protection the authorities won't provide, Sam seeks help from Vivi Angelino, an investigative reporter who recruits her brother, Zach, to protect Samantha. A Special Forces vet with the scars to prove he's equally fearless and flawed, Zach takes the job, despite the fact that he and Sam once shared a lusty interlude that ended when he left for war and disappeared from her life. Now, as they crack a conspiracy that leads to Boston's darkest corners, Sam and Zach must face their fears, desires, and doubts, before a hired killer gets a second shot...

Roxanne St. Claire's newest series is a spin-off of her popular Bullet Catchers series. I've read the first four books in the Bullet series and enjoyed them. Still need to catch up but I was in the mood for something new and Edge of Sight fit the bill. Edge of Sight is a stand-alone so no worries about reading the previous series.

The story begins in the restaurant where Sam works. Right off you can tell Sam have goals and is driven towards those goals. She recently was accepted to Harvard Law school and has a plan for her life. I liked that Sam is smart and doesn't downplay her intelligence. She has a few major insecurities but those played in well with her background. Add in the fact the she and Zach have a history and it makes for high tension.

Zach Angelino is a hero but he doesn't feel like one. He feels so far from hero status it's not even a spot on the horizon. Man, I dare any reader not to feel for this guy. Sure, he can be stubborn beyond reason but he's had such a hard time. As a kid and an adult. He has had some bright spots and one of them was the short time he spent with Sam. You can read the free short prequel at the author's site. It's about Sam and Zach's time together. But now Zach is sort of drifting. He's crashing at his sister's apartment with no real direction in his life. Then Sam is there and Zach has to do some serious thinking about what he wants to do. I loved seeing Zach begin to live again and have a purpose in his life. St. Claire did a great job showing the emotions this very stoict man was going through.

Sam and Zach together were smoking hot! The sexual tension was high from the moment they were together. I loved how they fought and made up. They're road to HEA wasn't easy since Sam's running for her life and Zach trying to protect her while trying desperately to keep from getting involved with her again. Yeah, that didn't last long - silly man! And thankfully no stupid "hey, lets have sex while the bullets are flying" scenarios.

The action and suspense fly high with not only Sam and Zach but Vivi, Zach's twin sister getting involved. There are a lot of twists and I found myself like Sam, wondering who to trust. There were a couple of times when things got a little too out there but then reality came back and I was sucked into the story again.

Then you have the Rossi family. They are Zach and Vivi's family of Aunt, Uncle and cousins. And I can't forget Great Uncle Nino. He was a hoot! I loved the close knit, strength of family portrayed throughout the story. It's the foundation of the series and it came through in spades. Edge of Sight left me in need of the next book, Shiver of Fear. Good thing it's sitting on the top of my TBR pile. :)

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

Taken to the Edge (free prequel)
Edge of Sight
Shiver of Fear
Face of Danger (April 2011)