Category Archives: paranormal romance

Luck of the Dragon (Entangled Covet) by Susannah Scott

Luck of the Dragon (Entangled Covet) by Susannah Scott
Publication Date: June 24, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Luciana de Luca has a PhD in sass and gemology–and a problem. Her twin brother’s gambling debts have gotten out of hand, and a mob enforcer is blackmailing her to rob the latest, greatest mega-casino on the Strip. Although Lucy has worked her whole life to get away from her family’s grifter past, to save her brother, she dons three-inch heels and a sluts-r-us dress and struts into Alec’s Gerald’s casino, determined to put her long-forgotten thieving ways to the test again.

Alec Gerald, a shape-shifting dragon, has built the Crown Jewel casino to provide sanctuary for his people amongst the flash and awe of Las Vegas. Unfortunately, the sexy little thief trying to rob his gem exhibit turns out to be his mate, and he must woo her before he loses his dragon form forever. With enemies in every corner, and the all-important mating ceremony looming, Alec and Lucy must learn to trust each other, before time runs out for Alec and the rest of the dragons.

REVIEW:
I love books with dragons! I’ve always rooted for the dragon over the white knight. I’d rather have the dragon! This was a gripping story! Alec, the Black Dragon, created a haven for dragons in Las Vegas. Dragons can hide in plain view and the audience thinks it’s an illusion and part of the show. A lot of the dragons are in danger of losing their dragon if they don’t find their mate and no dragon has ever found their mate in a human. When Luciana steps into Alec’s casino he is surprised to discover his mate is human. Alec has hired Luciana to appraise his gem collection and Gio, a local criminal, is blackmailing her into helping him steal the gems by threatening her brother who is in debt due to a gambling addiction. Alec has to convince Luciana he’s the one for her while trying to stop his gems from being stolen, and protecting Luciana from whatever trouble she is in. I loved the characters and the plot was gripping. The author set up the ending to leave room for a series and I’m looking forward to reading the next book. Luck of the Dragon is a fun and romantic paranormal read!

*A review copy was provided by Entangled Publishing in exchange for an honest review.

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Excerpt
© 2013 Susannah Scott

Lucy’s head pounded right between her eyebrows. She pulled in a deliberate breath, held it, and blew it out. The action made her cleavage look downright Betty Boopish.

Good Lord. What was she doing here?

She was Luciana De Luca, Ph.D—the world-renowned gemologist—casing a hundred-million-dollar joint like it was an unprotected street vendor…

She surveyed the crowd outside the Crown Jewel Casino, waiting for the promised grand opening welcome from Alec Gerald. The crowd was typical Vegas eclectic. Show girls with nipple pasties stood next to grannies in jogging pants and comfy bingo shoes. Families held hands with their kids next to decked-out call girls and high-rollers.

Lucy moved her trained eye over the wrists, necks, and ears of the well-plumed assemblage and picked out the authentic jewels from the fakes. There were a few nice stones. A reasonable haul could be made from the crowd alone, but then Gino, the mob’s enforcer and number one creep, wasn’t interested in ordinary jewelry.

“Ladies and gentlemen.” A barrel-chested emcee wielded a microphone from the elevated stage about fifty feet to her left. “Welcome to the grand opening of the Crown Jewel Casino, where your greatest fears can become your greatest pleasures.” The call girls giggled, and the moms and dads glanced at each other and pulled their kids closer.

“It is my pleasure to introduce you to the legend, the casino maker, the King of Las Vegas…Mr. Aleeee-eeec Gerrr-aaaald!”

The crowd members swiveled their heads, scanning for the first sign of the Casino King. A low drum roll began, picking up speed until it seemed the drummer’s arms would give out. But the stage remained empty. The King of Las Vegas was late to his own party.

Miss Manners would have a conniption.

Suddenly, the scent of burning embers swirled over the courtyard and the wind settled, blowing Lucy’s loose hair around her face. A ground-vibrating roar followed, making every human eye search the sky for the source.

What was it?

Lucy’s well-honed survival instincts went on high alert just as a large SUV-sized black object careened through the air and landed on the raised stage with a thud.

Grannies, kids, and call girls hit the ground screaming.

Heart pounding, Lucy crouched with the crowd. The acrid scent of smoldering intensified. Pounding from the stage rattled Lucy’s eardrums. Whatever had landed there was moving and alive. On the platform, clawed feet stomped, and the creature’s matte black skin stretched over powerful muscles and bones. Black wings unfurled across the stage, and the animal roared again at the crowd, baring razor-sharp white fangs.

A dragon.

Holy Mary, Joseph, and Peter. A freakin’ dragon.

Suddenly, a burst of smoke covered the dragon, and the creature disappeared.

A dark-haired man in an elegant tuxedo stepped through the gray fog and approached the microphone. “I am Alec Gerald.” His voice was deep, and his accent was hard to place but suggested the upper class. “I’d like to welcome you to my newest casino, the Crown Jewel.” Gerald spread an open palm to the frightened crowd. “I hope you enjoyed our first show of the evening.” He gave a devious, knowing smile. “It was all just a costume. Don’t be frightened.”

After a few seconds, the stunned audience stood and broke into applause and catcalls.

Gerald obviously liked games.

Lucy stood, glaring at the casino owner. She had researched him, of course, studying his athletic image in hundreds of Internet pictures. The man was good-looking, apparently brilliant, and ruthless in his business deals. Watching the mesmerized crowd lean toward the stage, she had to admit he had that something else too—the showmanship of a champion con man—a magnetism she knew could draw people like lemmings off a cliff.

The man was flat-out people-genic.

THE GARNET DAGGER by Andrea Cooper

THE GARNET DAGGER by Andrea Cooper
REVIEWED BY: Reading in Pajamas/Donna
PUBLISHED March 25, 2013
RATED: 3.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
Forbidden to cross the Elvin barrier into human lands, Brock cannot sate his curiosity. Cursed by a vampyre bite that forces him to feed on the life-essence of others, he is unable to touch another without taking their life. Chained by prophesy, he must find a witch, pierce her heart, and draw her blood for his cure.

Celeste must escape the monks who have held her prisoner for years. Her magic has been kept dormant by her captors. An ancient powerful Warloc craves her powers. If he succeeds in devouring her magic, she and the world will die.

When Brock falls in love with Celeste before realizing her demise is his cure, will love triumph over his desire to be healed? Will he risk everything to save her from a Warloc, an oath breaker, who also wants her dead?

REVIEW:
This was a fairy tale story full of elves, monsters and witches. The author delved deeply in the characters to give an idea of why they made the decisions they did when given little information regarding the quest. The romance part was a bit slow moving and lacked the characteristics of what I like to read. That being said, it would appeal to those that like an emotional bond rather than the physical. It was an interesting story but for some reason I found the journey to be a little long.

***ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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SHADOW OF HOPE by Elizabeth Rose and Tina Pollick

SHADOW OF HOPE by Elizabeth Rose and Tina Pollick
PUBLISHED: June 21, 2013
REVIEWED BY: Reading In Pajamas/ Donna
RATED: 3.5 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
A secret passed from generation to generation. A line of heirs destined to protect those they once persecuted. One god who seeks to destroy humanity’s last Hope…

Zoe is an ordinary woman who talks to her grandmother’s spirit, was raised by her coven, and is estranged from her father. Until one day she finds out that the necklace left to her by her mom, holds humanities last hope.

Evan is her reluctant protector, the last of the Templar Knights, who’s watched her from the shadows since she was a teenage girl. When an assailant from the past emerges and steals the key to keeping the rest of the world safe, Evan and Zoe must form a tenuous alliance to get it back.

Up against a mysterious enemy older than time, and a really pissed off God of War, Zoe and Evan have the odds stacked against them as they try to reclaim the Hope of all humanity. That’s if they can avoid killing each other.

Shadow of Hope is a fast paced, thrilling paranormal romance novella.

REVIEW:
This was a fun quick read with plenty of action and an unusual storyline. My only critique is that Zoe was a little one-dimensional, didn’t have a back story like the others and you never really got to know her. That being said, I couldn’t wait to see where the authors were going to take me and I anxiously kept turning the pages.

*Review copy provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

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Cover Reveal for The King: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward

Cover Reveal for The King: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood by J.R. Ward!
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood (Book 12)
Release date: March 25, 2014

Book Description:
The newest installment in J.R. Ward’s #1 New York Times bestselling Black Dagger Brotherhood series. Wrath and the Brotherhood are locked in an epic battle over his throne and the very future of the vampire race.

I am so excited J. R. Ward is writing another book for Wrath and Beth! I can not wait!

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Rapture’s Edge: A Night Prowler Novel by J.T. Geissinger

Rapture’s Edge: A Night Prowler Novel by J.T. Geissinger
Publication Date: June 18, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4.5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
SECRETS… In the hidden world that exists beside our own, a mirror world of ancient magic and elegant deceptions, a world of people who are so much more than they first appear, a war is brewing. Most of these Gifted people—the Ikati, a savage, sensual race of lethal predators—are content to hide behind human smiles, disguising their splendor in order to survive. But others are discontent. And they will hide no longer.

BETRAYALS… Eliana lives for two things only: vengeance on the man who killed her father and seeing her father’s dream of living in the open with humans come to pass. But that dream is far too dangerous for The Hunt, a group of elite Ikati assassins with one objective: eliminate her before she can expose their secrets to the world.

SEDUCTION… Demetrius is haunted by the memory of the woman he once loved. He will risk everything to save her from the killers on her tail… and convince her, before the ancient walls between two worlds crumble, that only together can they defeat their real enemy, a brilliant, cunning traitor far more deadly than either of them can guess.

REVIEW:
I loved Rapture’s Edge! I really wish I had known it was the the third book in the series. I was a little lost at times without reading the first two books. I’m going to go back and read them to fully understand the story and I recommend other readers read the series in order. J.T. Geissinger created a fascinating and unique world with her writing. I really enjoyed her writing style and the characters. Eliana and Demetrius’s interactions are hot and steamy. I was a bit frustrated with Eliana’s distrust of everyone at times and wanted to reach in the book and shake her, but I enjoy characters that stir my emotions. I also liked that Demetrius never gave up on her. Rapture’s Edge had plenty of action, intrigue, mystery, suspense and steamy romance. A great Paranormal/ Urban Fantasy Romance series!

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Undying Destiny (A Novel of the Enclave) (Entangled Edge) By Jessica Lee

Undying Destiny (A Novel of the Enclave) (Entangled Edge) By Jessica Lee
Publication Date: June 17, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4.5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Kenric St. James is out for revenge. Over 300 years ago, an ancient female vampire turned him against his will and killed the woman he loved. He’s spent more than a century building an Enclave of warrior vampires who have sworn to defend humanity against his evil sire and her minions. But when Kenric finds a woman he finally burns to claim as his own again, Kenric knows loving her means giving his sire another target.
Emily Ross just wanted a fresh start. She’s a survivor, coming off the tail end of an abusive relationship, and craves time alone to learn who she is and to save the home that holds her heart. The last thing she needed was a controlling, alpha male calling all the shots.
Meeting Kenric might just have changed her mind, though. He is wrong for her in all the right ways. But in order to keep her heart from breaking, he first has to keep the hordes of evil vamps from stealing her very breath.

REVIEW:
I love a book with a hot, sexy vampire hero! I loved Undying Destiny! I was captivated from the fist page and it held my attention until I turned the last page. Jessica Lee is a new author for me and when I saw the hot cover for the book on NetGalley, I decided to request it after seeing the publisher was Entangled. Entangled Publishing had been publishing a lot of great books lately. I am so glad I requested it because I found another great paranormal author. The story had everything I look for in a great book. Undying Destiny was a great story with a plot that drew me in and I loved the characters. Kenric and Emily meet by chance and are instantly drawn to one another. Their adventure begins from there. Their story had plenty of action, mystery, suspense, and steamy romance. I am looking forward to the next book and I highly recommend this book for vampire lovers!

*Review copy provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

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Tiger Magic (Shifters Unbound) by Jennifer Ashley

Tiger Magic (Shifters Unbound) by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Shifters Unbound (Book 5)
Release date: June 4, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4.5 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
He was once a captive, but his urges were never caged. Now he’ll release them on a beautiful stranger whose own secret desires are longing to be sated…

He doesn’t have a name. He doesn’t have a clan. The humans who held him prisoner for forty years have taken them away. He knew nothing but captivity until nearly a year ago, when he was released into the light. Now Tiger lives in the Austin Shiftertown, where he struggles to belong and searches for an identity.

Carly Randal thinks her fabulous life is complete—until her car breaks down on the side of the road, and a wild-looking Shifter is the only one to help her. Tiger takes one look at Carly and knows instantly—she will be his mate. As Carly is drawn into his Shifter world, she risks everything she has for that forbidden something she still wants: passionate love.

REVIEW:
I loved Tiger Magic! I have been looking forward to Tiger’s book since Jennifer Ashley first introduced us to him. This is the fifth book in the Shifters Bound series and it keeps getting better and better. Jennifer Ashley’s books always have plenty of action, adventure, romance and great characters. Tiger was created in a lab and is damaged from his past captivity where he was experimented on by humans. He meets Carly on the side of the road when her car breaks down and he instantly knows she is his mate. She has a strong attraction to him as well. They seem to bring out the best in each other and be exactly what the other needed at that exact time in their lives. Tiger Magic was an action packed, hot romance that held my attention until the end. I can’t wait to see what Jennifer Ashley has in store for us next! I loved this series and recommend it to all paranormal romance lovers!

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A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses By Molly Harper

A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses by Molly Harper
Publication Date: May 28, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Nola Leary would have been content to stay in Kilcairy, Ireland, healing villagers at her family’s clinic with a mix of magic and modern medicine. But a series of ill-timed omens and a deathbed promise to her grandmother have sent her on a quest to Half-Moon Hollow, Kentucky, to secure her family’s magical potency for the next generation. Her supernatural task? To unearth four artifacts hidden by her grandfather before a rival magical family beats her to it.
Complication One: Her grandfather was Mr. Wainwright and the artifacts are lost somewhere in what is now Jane Jameson’s book shop. Complication Two: her new neighbor, Jed Trudeau, who keeps turning up half naked at the strangest times, a distraction Nola doesn’t need. And teaming up with a real-life Adonis is as dangerous as it sounds, especially when he’s got the face of an angel and the abs of a washboard—can Nola complete her mission before falling completely under his spell?

REVIEW:
It is always fun to read a Molly Harper book! You can always expect to find a sexy and funny paranormal story that is sure to entertain and put the reader in a good mood. I really enjoyed the romance between Jed, the hot guy next door, and Nola, the witch with magic issues. They had instant chemistry and attraction, but the relationship was allowed to build betweem them. Their bantering kept me laughing throughout the book. A Witch’s Handbook of Kisses and Curses was a really entertaining, sexy, and funny paranormal romance. I look forward to Molly Harper’s next book in the series.

*Review copy provided by Edelweiss in exchange for an honest review.

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TAKE IT LIKE A VAMP (Entangled: Covet) by Candace Havens

TAKE IT LIKE A VAMP (Entangled: Covet) by Candace Havens
Publication Date: May 20, 2013
Reviewed by: Reading In Pajamas/ Cori
Rated: 4 Stars

BOOK DESCRIPTION:
Vampire Nick Christos might’ve been born in the Middle Ages, but the good old days seem tame compared to the last eight years he’s spent ruling the Supernatural Council. His only respite is with his cute neighbor Casey Meyers, a woman he wants more than any undead man should. Sure, he’s forced to take a cold shower after every encounter, but there’s no way he’ll test his own strength by getting too close to a human, and he’s not willing to risk her life–not with bloodthirsty family on the prowl out to ruin Nick’s life.

When said Nick’s kin shows up, the innocent Casey is caught in the middle of a centuries old fight, and Nick’s biggest fear is realized. Now, instead of keeping his hands off his neighbor, he’ll risk everything to save the human he’s come to love.

REVIEW:
I devoured this fun, sexy, paranormal romance! This story was really refreshing and pleasantly surprised me. Take It Like A Vamp is a friends to lovers romance with some paranormal elements. It felt more like a good romantic comedy than your typical paranormal romance. I really enjoyed the characters. Nick is the hot, sexy neighbor who turns out to be a vampire and Casey is the curvy, quirky, and creative artist next door that keeps trying to find love with all the wrong guys. This book had me laughing out loud and giggling. I loved it and can’t wait for the next book. I am hoping Candace Haven will write a story for Linc, the hot vampire fashion designer and Nick’s best friend. You do not have to be a paranormal lover to enjoy this book. I recommend this book for anyone looking for a light, funny romance to curly up with this weekend.

*Review copy provided by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

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IN TOO DEEP (BOOK 1, OTHERS OF EDENTON) by Brandy L Rivers

IN TOO DEEP (BOOK 1, OTHERS OF EDENTON) by Brandy L Rivers
PUBLISHED: April 14, 2013
REVIEW BY: Reading In Pajamas/ Donna
RATED: 4 Stars

DESCRIPTION:
Fallon is a brilliant tattoo artist with inherent magic. Tired of men and their games, she climbs onto her Harley and leaves her old life behind. Brody is a talented motorcycle mechanic and werewolf stuck in his painful past. It’s just another depressing night until he’s attacked by vampires. Thinking he killed them, he runs into the night and crashes into Fallon. Unwilling to walk away from anyone in need, she heals Brody and then takes out the vampires who aren’t as dead as he thought. Her past collides with the present, and she finds herself stranded in Edenton, Washington where an old friend lives. With no ride and no real plan, she winds up staying in Brody’s empty apartment. Feeling alive for the first time in years, Brody is determined to claim Fallon’s heart and keep her safe from the shadows in her past. However, she prides herself on her independence and would rather keep him safe, even from herself. With the impending danger from the group of vampires and dark mages, they will have to work together. The closer they get, the harder it is for her to fight her attraction. Be prepared for monsters, magic and lots of ink.

REVIEW:
Weres, Vampires and Druids all in one town and all in one book. I thought I would be overloaded with all the “others” in one story but the author kept it all on track. I like how the Weres and Druids all worked together to combat the evil threat while basically being normal people that you could relate to. The story revolves around Fallon, a tattoo artist and Druid. She is strong, powerful and fiercely independent without being annoying. Brody is a strong werewolf who appreciates her strength and abilities. I loved how he would step back and let her deal with things instead of going all alpha on her. Their romance was nice and simmering hot.

Ms. River’s first book built a good foundation for the rest of the series and introduced all the characters and the world without getting bogged down with it. I enjoyed this book and noted to look for book 2 as I know she will get better and better as the story evolves.

*Review copy provided by the Author in exchange for an honest review.

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