Release Date: 04/08/16
Publisher:Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
JUSTICE IS SERVED.
Edward Mira is a powerful man, with a lot of enemies. But when the former senator is violently abducted, Lieutenant Eve Dallas suspects his kidnap is more personal than political. Someone is seeking justice; the bloodier the better.
Edward's cousin Dennis was injured during the abduction - and that makes things very personal for Eve and her husband Roarke. Dennis is a beloved friend, married to NYPSD's top profiler Charlotte Mira.
But as Eve delves deeper into the case, dark secrets emerge that could tear the family apart. Edward Mira has friends in high places - and they all seem to be hiding something. As her investigation takes a shocking turn, Eve finds that not all victims are innocent, and that some bonds are forged not in friendship, but in blood.
REVIEW:
I've enjoyed this series for quite some time, loving the way that JD brings the characters to life in such a way that they're not only believable but friends. The writing is crisp, the prose sharp however this time, with this outing, I did feel that the plot wasn't as good as a lot of the others that have gone before. I just didn't feel the excitement of a new adventure or that the character shone as much as they usually do.
All round a bit of a disappointment against her normal fair but still a solid read for people to sit back with.
Release Date: 06/09/16
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
The shots came quickly, silently, and with deadly accuracy. Within seconds, three people lay dead at Central Park's ice skating rink. There's a sniper loose on the streets of New York City, and Lieutenant Eve Dallas is about to face one of the toughest and most unsettling cases of her career.
Eve knows that only a handful of people could have carried out such an audacious but professional hit. Even more disturbing: this expert in death has an accomplice. Someone is being trained in the science of killing - and they have a terrifying agenda of their own. With a city shaken to its core, Eve and her team are forced to hunt not one but two killers. Worse still - this talented young apprentice has developed an insatiable taste for murder...
REVIEW:
The 43rd book in JD's In Death series and one that continues to build upon not only the success of the previous but allows characters to continue to grow not only professionally but personally which is what keeps me coming back for more.
The story is sharp, has greet prose and of course a wonderful sense of pace. Baxk this up with great dialogue, top notch one liners and of course characters that feel like family and all round you're in for another treat.
Release Date: 19/11/15
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
Three cousins inherit a gift that will transform their lives...
Meara Quinn is in trouble. Fiercely independent and scarred by a tough childhood, she is convinced that love is for other people. She is certainly not going to fall for Connor O'Dwyer - her best friend's brother. He may be drop dead gorgeous, with a good heart and a wicked smile, but he's never taken his relationships seriously. Safer for them to stay friends, share the odd pint - nothing more.
And loving Connor would be a dangerous business. With his sister Branna and his American cousin Iona, Connor has inherited a dark gift, passed down through generations. The cousins use their powers for good, but they are being hunted by evil. An evil that is determined to destroy them - and everyone they care for...
In the enchanted woods of County Mayo, Meara must fight the one thing she fears the most - her own heart.
REVIEW:
This is the second book in this series and whilst I did read the original, I had problems with it as I wasn’t a huge fan of the principle character. I found them pretty flat and with a supporting cast that almost felt a little like an Irish joke waiting to kick off. All round left me feeling disappointed.
All round, this book has been a huge disappointment to me and whilst fans will buy this without any query, if you’re a new reader and want to try Nora, this isn’t the series for you. Finally back this up with lacklustre plot, a bit of mishmash pacing and all round you know that I won’t be picking up the third.
Release Date: 17/09/15
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
It's a new year in New York city, and two star-crossed lovers have just discovered an insatiable appetite...for murder.
Lieutenant Eve Dallas has witnessed some grisly crimes in her career and she knows just how dark things can get on the streets. But when a much-loved musician is found dead, Eve soon realises that his murder is part of a horrifying killing spree, stretching right across the country.
Now the killers have reached New York, and they've found themselves another victim. Eve knows she only has a couple of days to save a young girl's life, and to stop the killers before their sadistic games escalate. Eve's husband Roarke is ready to put his brains and his considerable resources behind the search. But even as the couple works closely together, time is running out...
REVIEW:
If you enjoy a crime story that concentrates on characters and plot rather than fully diving into the criminal aspect then JD Robb may well be the author for you as this, (her 41st book in this series) bring serial killing duo Ella-Loo and Daryll to the attention of Lieutenant Eve Dallas.
As the list of victims grows (due to the research of one of the clues), Eve has to track the duo down and when you throw her own personal partnership into the mix, it’s a tale that has high octane emotional context mixed with a cracking story. All round a great book and one that had me glued from start to finish as it concentrated more on character development which for me is the key to all books. Cracking.
Release Date: 21/05/15
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
Lila Emerson is fascinated by other people's lives. As a house-sitter, she loves looking after the glamorous, sophisticated homes she could never afford herself. And as a writer, she enjoys watching the world go by, dreaming up stories for the people she sees from her window. But then one day she witnesses something only too real - the brutal and shocking murder of a young woman living across the street in New York. And now, because of what she saw, Lila's own life is in immediate danger from an audacious, single-minded assassin who kills for profit and for pleasure. With the police following a false lead, Lila is on her own. Her only hope is to team up with Ashton Archer, an artist with his own complicated reasons for getting involved. Lila wants to trust the passionate, quick-witted Ash - but is she letting her feelings blind her to his motives? Either way, Lila will never watch from the sidelines again...
REVIEW:
I don’t know if currently I’m just in a funk but recently it feels that I’ve gone through so many titles that haven’t had maximum enjoyment from and left feeling a bit cheated and that’s the same for this, the latest book from Nora Roberts.
The problems that I had with this book included a lead character I couldn’t get on with, a plot that felt flat and something that I’ve seen time and again in other titles (but then again when the book has references to Rear Window you know that it’s a very well explored plot already.)
Back this up with prose that felt quite lack lustre and dialogue that felt flat rather than the usual reader friendly snappy type that she’s known for an all round I felt more than a little cheated.
Release Date: 16/01/14
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
250,000 books sold 4000 five star reviews Discover an underground phenomenon Discover Tim O'Rourke Samantha Carter believes a vampire is responsible for the brutal deaths of four women in London and finally she has the chance to catch him. Desperate to prove the killer's identity, she chases him onto a late night tube train. But Samantha doesn't reach the next station - instead she's pulled into a very different journey, back in time to the Wild West - where friendship, desire and even love all come hand in hand with deadly danger. To stay alive she'll have to work out who to trust - and when to resist temptation. For Sammy's nightmares are about to come true - vampires are real and more lethal than she ever imagined..
REVIEW:
I love something a little different and having heard of Tim’s work through friends, when Piatkus picked him up, I decided that I was more than happy to spend time in the Old West in the company of Samantha “Sammy” Carter I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. Within this title, the first outing in the series, was a story that was light, had some interesting twists as well as solid action sequences that all round generated a book that was a good bit of fun to spend time away from reality within.
Add to this a curious cast of characters, some double dealing mixed in with a touch of sparkly romance and all round it was a book that left me wanting more in the series. Thanks, Tim.
Release Date: 12/02/15
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
A crisp winter morning in New York. In a luxury apartment, the body of a woman lies stretched out on a huge bed. On the wall above, the killer has left a message in bold black ink: FOR LIEUTENANT EVE DALLAS, WITH GREAT ADMIRATION AND UNDERSTANDING. Eve Dallas is used to unwanted attention. Famous for her high-profile cases and her marriage to billionaire businessman Roarke, she has learned to deal with intense public scrutiny and media gossip. But now Eve has become the object of a singular and deadly obsession. She has an 'admirer', who just can't stop thinking about her. Who is convinced they have a special bond. Who is planning to kill for her - again and again...With time against her, Eve is forced to play a delicate - and dangerous - psychological dance. Because the killer is desperate for something Eve can never provide - approval. And once that becomes clear, Eve knows her own life will be at risk - along with those she cares about the most.
REVIEW:
If you’re a fan of crime the odds are you’ve read one of JD Robb’s books before and the fact that this is the fortieth book in the series goes to show that the author not only keeps the book fresh but also manages to help the recurring characters within growing so that they keep the readers interest.
The prose is sharp, the pace wonderfully delightful and when added to top notch romantic interest all round generates a book that fans will not only love but also allow new readers to delve into an established world without worry.
Release Date: 29/09/14
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
London, 1881 Once the flames are ignited ...Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman. They will burn for eternity ...Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.
REVIEW:
I love to try a debut and when its blended with Urban Fantasy I like the way that so many possibilities are offered. What occurs within this title is a tale that feels partly like a cross between Beauty and the Beast alongside a murder mystery. Its definitely quirky and the prose is fairly solid, however for me, the book did have quite a few problems.
Firstly it felt a little too predictable, the characters one stereotype after another and when added overall to pace that felt flat at times makes this an OK book for me. As a debut its pretty solid and I’m definitely going to keep an eye on Kristen from now on.
Release Date: 06/11/14
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
Annie Goodhouse doesn't need to be warned about bad boys; good sense and an abusive ex have given her plenty of reasons to play it safe. But when she steps into her new role as outreach librarian for Cousins Correctional Facility, no amount of good sense can keep her mind - or eyes - off inmate Eric Collier. Eric doesn't claim to be innocent of the crime that landed him in prison. In fact, he'd do it again if that's what it took to keep his family safe. Loyalty and force are what he knows. But meeting Annie makes him want to know more. When Eric begins courting Annie through letters, they embark on a reckless, secret romance - a forbidden fantasy that neither imagines could ever be real...until early parole for Eric changes everything, and forces them both to face a past they can't forget, and a desire they can't deny.
REVIEW:
OK, I don’t tend to spend a lot of time reading Romance novels, however when asked by a few of our readers to give this one a go, I thought that it might be a refreshing change. What occurs within is a tale that is interesting as the romance and passion burn hot within the pages and whilst it was a solid enough read, I did feel that there was one major problem with the book, that a lot of the threads within weren’t fully completed by the time the story ended.
All round if you like the romance genre this one will more than hit the spot for you. However my sojourns into this genre are going to be few and far between and personally I prefer them with a more supernatural twist.
Release Date: 31/10/14
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
Three cousins inherit a gift that will transform their lives ...Iona Sheehan has just taken the biggest gamble of her life. Leaving her job, her home and her family in Baltimore, she has come to Ireland in search of adventure - and answers. Iona has always felt a powerful connection to the home of her ancestors. So when her beloved grandmother confesses an extraordinary family secret, she can't resist visiting County Mayo to discover the truth for herself. Arriving at the beautiful and atmospheric Castle Ashford, Iona is excited to meet her cousins, Connor and Branna O'Dwyer, for the first time. And when she lands a job at the local riding school she finds herself drawn against her will to its owner - the hot-tempered but charismatic Boyle McGrath. Perhaps in County Mayo she has found her true home at last. What Iona doesn't realise is that her cousins have been expecting her for a long time. Connor, Branna and Iona have all inherited a powerful but dangerous gift from an ancestor known as the Dark Witch. And they are about to discover that some old legends can return to haunt the present ...The first in a magical new trilogy, Dark Witch is a captivating story of love, family and destiny.
REVIEW:
I’ve not really read Nora Roberts before and to be honest I am always a little dubious when an author puts out quite a few titles in a year. So sitting down I wasn’t expecting too much out of this book and whilst the plot felt a little like an ABC of a formula that works, I did actually enjoy it.
County Mayo is brought to life with its ancient heritage, wonderful scenery alongside a haunting tale, yet having visited the County a few years ago I did end up wondering how much of the descriptive really added to the sequence from the author and how much of it was down to me knowing the area.
That said, the storyline was interesting, I liked the opening, a fair bit of the dialogue as well as the pace, yet for me, where this book really failed was with the principle character Iona who I felt I didn’t really know enough about or had a good enough grasp of her to really get behind the events that were effecting her life.
All round a mediocre book and whilst I had fun with it, there wasn’t much to stand out and shout read me to the average reader. Perhaps established fans will be a lot happier.
Release Date: 16/01/14
Publisher: Piatkus
SYNOPSIS:
250,000 books sold 4000 five star reviews Discover an underground phenomenon Discover Tim O'Rourke Samantha Carter believes a vampire is responsible for the brutal deaths of four women in London and finally she has the chance to catch him. Desperate to prove the killer's identity, she chases him onto a late night tube train. But Samantha doesn't reach the next station - instead she's pulled into a very different journey, back in time to the Wild West - where friendship, desire and even love all come hand in hand with deadly danger. To stay alive she'll have to work out who to trust - and when to resist temptation. For Sammy's nightmares are about to come true - vampires are real and more lethal than she ever imagined..
REVIEW:
I love something a little different and having heard of Tim’s work through friends, when Piatkus picked him up, I decided that I was more than happy to spend time in the Old West in the company of Samantha “Sammy” Carter I couldn’t wait to see what would happen. Within this title, the first outing in the series, was a story that was light, had some interesting twists as well as solid action sequences that all round generated a book that was a good bit of fun to spend time away from reality within.
Add to this a curious cast of characters, some double dealing mixed in with a touch of sparkly romance and all round it was a book that left me wanting more in the series. Thanks, Tim.
Release Date: 08/01/13
SYNOPSIS:
A suspicious death. A ghost in a mirror. The second Dark Legacy novel from the New York Times bestselling author known for crafting novels of burning passion and chilling suspense ...Gwen Frazier is no stranger to ghosts. She sees them in pools of water, windows, mirrors - any reflective surface - at the scene of their violent deaths. But finding justice for the dead is something she's not trained to do and a luxury she can't afford. What pays the bills is her work as a psychic counsellor who sees auras and interprets dreams. But the death of her friend and mentor, Evelyn Ballinger, brings Gwen back to the small town of Wilby, Oregon, and brings back memories she would rather forget. And suddenly, she finds herself a suspect. Enter Judson Coppersmith - a man of startling power and disturbing energy. Sent by a friend to help Gwen, the psychic investigator arrives in Wilby barely in control of his own talent and his own life, haunted by urgent dreams. His attraction to Gwen is primal, but there are secrets he must keep to protect himself from surrendering to her completely. As their investigation into deaths past and present draws them ever closer to danger, Gwen finds herself going too far - into dreamscapes, into decades of deception, and into the fires of a desire too strong to resist ...
REVIEW:
There are times in my reading schedule when I want a good helping of paranormal with the added magic of Romance, so at times like that I tend to reach for any title sent by Piatkus as they have a stable of not only well known authors but also a proven track record in giving me in what I want. So after the recent holiday, I felt in the mood for something a little lighter and was more than delighted to find a murder mystery mixed in with the genre in Jayne Ann Krentz latest title.
What unfurls is a story that whilst unbelievable in parts does give you a great angle into how some of the powers manifest within individuals as well as giving a reason for why it happens to some and not others. It also brings together too lone figures who are lost within their own emotional turmoil and yet find each other. That said, that’s where the plot started to fall apart as to be blunt with you, the first sex scene within the novel felt not only contrived but forced almost as if the author thought that she really needed to add it without allowing it to feel natural or allow it to take its time.
Don’t get me wrong I did enjoy the tale but all in when things are forced and the reader starts to concentrate on flaws that occur with greater frequency then you may well be better awaiting this title to appear in a cheaper shop or borrow from the library.
Release Date: 20/11/12
SYNOPSIS:
The prophecies were there but no one listened. Until now. They are the Lords of Deliverance and they have the power to ward off Doomsday ...or let it ride. Jillian Cardiff came to this remote mountain town to forget the demon attack that almost killed her. Instead, she rescues - and falls for - a gorgeous stranger who has no memory of anything other than his name. Handsome, charming and protective, Reseph seems like the kind of man that Jillian can trust. But with hints of a troubling history of his own, he's also the kind of man that can be very dangerous ...Reseph may not know his background, or why he mysteriously appeared in Jillian's life, but he knows he wants to stay. Yet when Jillian's neighbours are killed and demon hunters arrive on the scene, Reseph fears that he's putting Jillian in danger. And once it's revealed that Reseph is also Pestilence, the Horseman responsible for ravaging the world with death and destruction, he and Jillian must face the greatest challenge of all: can they forget the horrors of a chilling past to save the future they both desire?
REVIEW:
If there’s one thing that tends to get on my nerves in Urban Fantasy Romance its characters that either are uniquely powered with no weaknesses or the other end of the spectrum where they’re all marshmallow with no backbone. So how do you find a happy medium?
Well for me, that’s what Larissa has managed to achieve in this tale, the latest in her Lords of Deliverance series as she brings hot, fan required sex scenes together with action and revelations discovered by the principle players Jillian Cardiff and Reseph who not only bond but make this a hard to put down book. Whilst not everything is solved within this outing with questions left requiring answers, it is a book that really delivers what readers of the series have been demanding with the only real complaint being the long wait for the next title. All in a cracking book and if you want something hot to slip between the sheets with for Christmas then give this book a go.
Release Date: 09/10/12
SYNOPSIS:
To London society, the Inferno Club is notorious for its scandalous pursuits. In private, these warriors would risk their lives for king and country. Sebastian, Viscount Beauchamp, lives by a code of honour, and now honour dictates he must marry Miss Carissa Portland. He has no regrets over stealing a kiss from her - a fitting punishment for putting her delectable nose where it didn't belong. But now, caught in a compromising situation, he knows he must make her his bride. Carissa is not a gossip - she's a 'lady of information.' But even she can't flaunt Society, and while her head tells her that Beau's a notorious scoundrel, her heart - and her body - are captivated by his dangerous charm. But when Carissa next goes snooping, the secrets she uncovers about the Inferno Club may prove even more hazardous than falling in love with your own husband. The fifth novel in a sumptuous new romance series by New York Times bestselling author Gaelen Foley will make you blush with delight.
REVIEW:
I haven’t read any of the other titles in this series, so my review is going to be based on jumping in at the deep end here and hoping that I’m not dragged to my doom but overall I found this book entertaining enough. It had romance, some solid twists and whilst I wasn’t enamoured of the principle heroine, I did find myself hooked at the ways that the two characters got themselves into trouble as well as finding ways to escape the various elements.
It’s well written, the prose sharp and when backed with an author who appears to know her market audience well, definitely delivers on everything that you’d want in a historical romance. All in a solid enough title and whilst I preferred the other title I read recently to this one I have to say that I’ll more than dip a toe in next time.
Release Date: 09/10/12
SYNOPSIS:
Neville Roscoe, notorious and enigmatic, lives resolutely outside society, bound only by his code of honour - until challenged by his desire for the one woman he cannot have. Miranda Clifford is a lady imprisoned by rigid respectability - until tempted by a passion beyond her power to deny. Flung together in peril, through danger and intrigue, they discover a love impossible to ignore ...or keep. Filled to the brim with passion, glamour and intrigue, discover the latest novel by Stephanie Laurens: the queen of historical romance.
REVIEW:
I love time in the depths of the past with some historical fiction, and whilst I can usually be found deep on the fields of war, battering my way through shield walls or charging on the forlorn hope with some of the rifle regiments, I do occasional like to indulge in a little romance to give me something a little different. After all as a person who writes for fun, you do learn a hell of a lot by dipping a toe in genres you wouldn’t normally try.
What this book by Stephanie presented was a tale of a Rake who whilst previously had appeared in a more minor role was given the starring part opposite a cracking leading lady. It had everything you’d want from a wonderful sense of romance, deep emotional turmoil and when backed with an author who knows how to twist the readers emotions really gave as good as this type of title does. All in a great way to spend some time and a title I was more than pleased I took the time to savour.
Release Date: 25/09/12
SYNOPSIS:
Mels Carmichael, reporter for the Caldwell Courier Journal, gets the shock of her life when a man stumbles in front of her car outside the local cemetery. After the accident, his amnesia is just the kind of mystery she likes to solve, but she soon discovers they're over their heads with his past. Over their heads with passion, too ...As shadows walk the line between reality and another realm, and her lover's memory begins to come back, the two of them learn that nothing is truly dead and buried. Especially when you're trapped in a no-holds-barred war between angels and demons. With a soul on the line, and Mels's heart at risk, what in heaven - or in hell - will it take to save them both?
REVIEW:
This series has been one that I’ve always made time for as I like the idea’s the characters and of course the whole idea as to how an unseen game is played out with the soul’s of mortals. Whilst this title departs from the previous the tale is on the whole one that will keep you interested from the start to the finish. The characters stand up to be counted and when the principle player is fully revealed as to who they are, its not only a bit of a shock but a title that allows the reader to get the full effect from what has gone before.
Add to this a solid level of writing and you’d be forgiven for thinking that this is a completely glowing review but there is a negative side to the title. For me, it felt that some of the background passion that has gone on to give this title a real kick was missing and with a principle player that wasn’t completely there for the reader to completely love, did leave me feeling a little flat, back that up with a few clunky turn of phrases and whilst it was still decent it didn’t quite feel up there with JR’s usual style.
Release Date: 02/10/12
SYNOPSIS:
Return to the seductive world of Christine Feehan's New York Times bestselling Carpathian novels as roiling passions collide in a perfect storm of dangerous desire that only a precious few can hope to outrun ...Awakening after all this time in a world of absolute darkness and oppressive heat, Dax wonders in how many ways the world above must have changed. But it is how he has changed that fills him with dread and loathing. Buried alive for hundreds of years in a volcano in the Carpathian Mountains, Dax fears that he has become the full-fledged abomination that every Carpathian male fears, a victim of the insidious evil that has crept relentlessly into his mind and body over the centuries. But there are some things that never change. His name is Mitro, the vampire Dax had hunted all these long centuries. Second in command to the prince of the Carpathian people he is the epitome of everything malevolent, and perpetrator of one of the most shocking killing sprees known to man - and beast. Even his friends and family weren't safe from Mitro's bloodlust. Neither was Mitro's lifemate, Arabejila, an extraordinary woman with extraordinary gifts. But now that Dax has re-emerged, so too has Mitro. The ultimate battle between good and evil has been re-engaged. Between Dax and Mitro, a violent game has begun - one that has marked Riley Parker, the last descendent of Arabejila, as the reward.
REVIEW:
OK, I’m going to be blunt here, I’m not going to mince my words so if you like Christine’s writing you may want to stop reading right now. Still here? Well OK then, this book didn’t accomplish anything for me as a reader, the plot was convoluted and quite frankly repetitive and the characters basically 2d stereotypes. Do you want me to go on?
There was no history to help establish the characters in the readers mind, no real hook to want the reader to support let alone like them and when I turned the final page I was left wondering if this was a book that felt like it was more a title to cash in on the authors name rather than inspire and carry on the work that the series had already established. All in a great shame and if this form continues I will not be reading many more.
Release Date: 02/10/12
SYNOPSIS:
Rumour says the powerful Nicolai DeMarco can command the heavens, that the beasts below do his bidding ...and that he is doomed to destroy the woman he takes as wife. It is whispered he's not wholly human - as untamed as his tawny mane and slashing amber eyes. Impoverished aristocrat Isabella Vernaducci would defy death itself to rescue her imprisoned brother. She'll even brave the haunted, accursed lair of the lion - the menacing palace of legendary, lethal Don Nicolai DeMarco. Then Isabella meets a man whose growl is velvet, purring heat, and whose eyes hold dark, all-consuming desire. And when the don commands her to become his bride, she goes willingly into his muscled arms, praying she'll save his tortured soul ...and not sacrifice her life.
REVIEW:
Currently it feels like I’m more than a little down with Christines writing but I’m not, I approach each book on a new level and whilst I do expect some continuation for the books to fit in with what has gone before they have to stand on their own two feet. Here in this new Historical Paranormal title is a story that takes the reader on an adventure. There’s the usual passion, some solid dialogue that will keep you engaged but it was a story that felt like it could have been slashed quite a bit to keep it not only punchier but on track by keeping the pace at a level so that the reader didn’t have time to consider where it was going.
All in, whilst an interesting read, I’d have been happier had this book been a novella or even a short story that could have appeared in a compendium to give readers a flavour of what to expect from Christine’s writing. It does have some of her trademarks within and if readers fall in love with it, then I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend that they start with Christine’s earlier Dark Carpathian titles, however currently I’m starting to wonder if she hasn’t bitten off more than she can chew with her current schedules.
Release Date: 03/07/12
SYNOPSIS:
In an underground club, a high-ranking public official spends his secret nights indulging in fantasies as exciting as they are depraved. For a seductive employee of the Dungeon, it's her job to fulfill them. But she's playing a far more dangerous game - one of blackmail, politics and murder that reaches into the shadow world of the GhostWalkers, and the creation of a spectacular, one-of-a-kind new weapon of defense. But when a dictator makes his own catastrophic moves, the GhostWalkers have no choice but to bring in two major players - a man and woman both driven by passion and revenge. Both expendable. Both with nothing left to lose.
REVIEW:
I’ve been following this series for quite some time and to be honest I’ve loved watching how the various threads have evolved the characters as well as the series as they deal with each of the threats that have unfurled. What this latest story does is take the reader back to the beginning allowing the reader to learn more about Azami.
The story is full of adventure, has a great turn of pace and really draws the reader in, then for some reason it loses steam almost as if it was a novella extended past what the author planned. It felt like I’d been a little cheated as a reader and when a tale loses pace as well as plot twists its pretty much dead in the water. Sadly I felt a little flat by this title and hope that the next tale has more thoughts and pace added within.
Release Date: 03/05/12
SYNOPSIS:
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 one another.
REVIEW:
Dragon Bound was a book that I put off as for me I felt that it wasn’t the type of book that I’d enjoy. Sadly for me, when I did pluck up the courage to read, I realised what a disservice I’d done to the author as well as the publisher. It was well written, the lead character had an internal strength that stood out and made her likeable and when manipulated the way she tried to find her own way out by keeping off the grid was a real solid piece of writing.
Add to this solid secondary character’s, basic world building but done in a way to allow you easily transcend to her world and all in with the overall arc, it was a cracking read. I’ll definitely be looking into other books by this author and she will be moved higher up the TBR pile instantly.
Release Date: 27/03/12
SYNOPSIS:
In the darkest corners of the night in Caldwell, New York, a conflict like no other rages. The city is home to a band of brothers born to defend their race: the warrior vampires of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. Now back in the Brotherhood - and unrecognisable as the vampire leader he once was - Tohrment is physically emaciated and heartbroken beyond despair. When he begins to see his beloved in his dreams - trapped in a cold, isolating netherworld - Tohr turns to a self-serving fallen angel in hopes of saving the one he has lost. When he's told he must learn to love another to free his former mate, Tohr knows they are all doomed ...Except then a female with a shadowed history begins to get through to him. Against the backdrop of the raging war with the lessers, and with a new clan of vampires vying for the Blind King's throne, Tohr struggles between the buried past, and a very hot, passion-filled future ...but can his heart let go and set all of them free?
REVIEW:
If you enjoy Paranormal Romance then one of the authors that you have to read is JR Ward, in particular her Black Dagger Brotherhood series where Vampires meet the love of their immortal lives, yet this title is different as the principle character, Tohr is wracked by guilt for the loss of his love as he learns to love again.
It’s dark, the elements within are emotionally charged and the whole book takes JR’s writing to a new level as the reader gets a story that will stay with them long after the final page is turned. Add to this a set of characters that have appealed to readers the world over with an authors writing style that is not only addictive but compulsory and all in, it’s a series that’s set to dominate for quite some time to come.
Release Date: 05/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Charlie Davidson sees dead people. As grim reaper extraordinaire it's her job to convince them to 'go into the light'. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), Charlie dons her Private Investigator hat to solve the crime.
REVIEW:
Having enjoyed the first book I was looking forward to seeing what Darynda would come up with in her second offering. After all, the first book sets the world and announces the author, the second has to hit home just as hard to keep the fans die hard demanding the next title.
What the second Charley Davidson title does is allow the character to grow and breathe a bit more as her role as a reaper grows. Add to this some clever twists with an author who knows how to manipulate you and you’re in for a treat. At least that what I was expecting and pretty much got until I found part of the tale unbelievable as no matter who you are the act of betrayal is never an easy pill to swallow, no matter who it is. All in, apart from this problem I had a story that I not only enjoyed but one that left me wondering what the third part would have in store.
Release Date: 31/01/12
SYNOPSIS:
Charlie Davidson sees dead people. As grim reaper extraordinaire it's her job to convince them to 'go into the light'. But when these very dead people have died under less than ideal circumstances (i.e. murder), Charlie dons her Private Investigator hat to solve the crime.
REVIEW:
Upon the conclusion of the second title, I really couldn’t wait to get my hands upon the third excerpt. As with the others, it has a gripping lead character, a wonderful set of twists and turns which when backed with an author with a great idea of where the overall arc is leading, leaves the reader not only demanding but salivating for the next part.
The writing is crisp, the prose wonderfully devilish and when backed with dialogue that you can really get behind, makes this title a special one to enjoy. Finally add a character who’s back on form after the hiccup in the previous title and all in, it’s a book that you really can’t put down. Great stuff.
