Dark Wolf Running by Rhyannon Byrd

In Rhyannon Byrd's latest Bloodrunners romance, passion and secrets collide and only their love will save two werewolves and their pack.

With his sharp gaze locked on the most magnificent female he'd ever seen, Wyatt Pallaton did his best to hold himself back. Of course, Elise Drake was hardly just any female. Fiery and cool, strong, yet at the same time achingly vulnerable, she'd turned his entire world on its head.

No matter how bloody difficult it proved to be, he was done letting her pretend he didn't even exist. Done with letting her fight her own battles. Done driving himself slowly into this maddening state of frustrated desire. One way or another, things were about to change.

Come hell or high water, she was done running…
~~

Sometimes I just can't stop myself from thinking too hard during a romance book. Obviously I'm not supposed to sit around yelling at the screen about how the hero should "LISTEN TO THE DAMAGED HEROINE, IDIOT" but it still seems to happen more often than it should.

Starting that way probably makes it seem as if there's a whole lot wrong with Dark Wolf Running but it's actually very good. Wyatt is a great hero for the most part, full of (what he thinks are) unrequited feelings for Elise but tortured by his past. He's incredibly gentle with her but is at the same time relentless in pushing her not to settle. It would be so easy for both of them to settle actually, to just exist in those specific moments when their lives fell apart, but together they're so much more than that.  Their back and forth relationship results in some spectacularly firework laden sexy times, and except for that whole yelling at Wyatt part, the ending is satisfying but also builds up anticipation for the next book.

Overall Feeling - B

Series - ...4) Dark Wolf Rising (available for FREE on Amazon & Nook!) 5) Dark Wolf Running

*Title requested from NetGalley*

A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing by Tielle St. Clare

Blinded by a crazed doctor, Reese knows he has no chance of ever finding a mate...what good is a blind werewolf to anyone? But when an accident puts him in the path of a sexy veterinarian, Reese can’t control his wolf’s desire to have the lovely human.

Kieve couldn’t be more surprised when a neighbor brings him an injured wolf. It only takes a few minutes to realize the affectionate animal is someone’s pet and not a wild creature. While he searches for the animal’s owners, he begins having the strangest dreams—a hot sexy man in his bed, making love to him, and then turning into the pretty wolf right before his eyes. It’s clearly a sign he needs to get laid.

Reese tries to stay away from Kieve. It wouldn’t take much for his wolf to imprint on the delicious doctor. But Reese’s past isn’t finished with him yet and if he doesn’t find a way to deal with it, he’ll have no future with Kieve.
~~

So after finishing Let Sleeping Wolves Lie I just had to buy A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing. Even though he hadn't been at the center of the last book Reese was intriguing, the blind werewolf who refuses to bottom to anyone, and I wanted to learn more about his backstory while he found his HEA. I think though that it was exactly his backstory that made this book not quite as good as the last for me- there's just so much going on that it's hard to tackle it all in a format as short as this. Reese has a lot of violence and abuse in his past, due to his time in captivity by a crazy scientist, and when people start popping back up from it he's forced to deal with it all incredibly rapidly.

Now that's not to say Kieve doesn't do as much as he can to help. I applaud Clare for writing a hero that works to not only respect Reese's boundaries and soft spots, but to push them when needed, in ways that only Reese can say are appropriate. Communication is an even bigger necessity than in Wolves but I would have liked more pages to really explore the emotional ramifications of sustained sexual and physical abuse. It would probably not have been as 'fun' to read as steamy eroticas usually are, but I think it would have been truthful to Reeses's history and his future with Kieve.

Overall Feeling - B-

Series - 1) Let Sleeping Wolves Lie 2) A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing
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Let Sleeping Wolves Lie by Tielle St. Clare

When something tall, dark and yummy crosses Dex's threshold, his inner Omega wolf goes on full alert. Instinct tells Dex he's met his mate but the man seems less than thrilled at the prospect. And has totally suppressed his inner wolf.

Maddock has no intention of getting involved with any man, especially a little hottie who's a little nuts. The guy actually thinks he's a werewolf and that Maddock is one as well.

But resisting temptation is harder than he imagined. The full moon is on the rise and instinct can't be denied forever.

This can’t end well.
~~

I haven't read a true erotic novel in what feels like forever and is anyone really surprised that the woman who got me to come back to it is Tielle St. Clare? She almost feels like a part of my youth, lol, since it was my time at Duke (stuck without a public library and far away from bookstores) that had me stumbling onto the Ellora's Cave website. I feel as if it's only Tielle St. Clare that can have me totally invested in a completely over the top gay werewolf and pair him with an 'only kinda sorta gay' werewolf who doesn't know he's a werewolf. Anybody confused yet?

Let Sleeping Wolves Lie is a quick, sexy erotica that has just enough emotion for me to make it believable. Maddock isn't perfect and even though his and Dex's bedroom antics are OFF THE CHARTS (seriously - o_O) that doesn't mean that magically they'll find the perfect partner in each other. Both have to admit to their feelings and work hard to become someone the other can connect with and ultimately that's what had me hooked (and invested enough to immediately buy book two).

Overall Feeling - B

Series - 1) Let Sleeping Wolves Lie 2) A Sheep in Wolf's Clothing
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Kitty Rocks the House by Carrie Vaughn

On the heels of Kitty’s return from London, a new werewolf shows up in Denver, one who threatens to split the pack by challenging Kitty’s authority at every turn. The timing could not be worse; Kitty needs all the allies she can muster to go against the ancient vampire, Roman, if she’s to have any hope of defeating his Long Game. But there’s more to this intruder than there seems, and Kitty must uncover the truth, fast. Meanwhile, Cormac pursues an unknown entity wreaking havoc across Denver; and a vampire from the Order of St. Lazaurus tempts Rick with the means to transform his life forever.
~~

I read this book and enjoyed it, but it took me a little while to figure out why I didn't enjoy it more: series fatigue. There have been 11 books so far in Carrie Vaughn's Kitty series (and another out due in July I think?) but it just doesn't feel like all that much is happening during each individual story. Kitty and Ben are happily mated, Cormac is still kind of there as the cousin who's kinda-but-maybe-not possessed, and the Long Game is really the long game so there aren't any super big battles to be fought.

The series hasn't lot me yet but I'm going to be looking at this next book as a deciding factor in whether I keep reading. I need something to happen or these characters to make me feel like there's still growth personally or I'm not sure I can remain as committed as I have been (which is sad to say about I series I used to love!).

Overall Feeling - B-

Series - ... 9) Kitty's Big Trouble 10) Kitty Steals the Show 11) Kitty Rocks the House

The Wolf Prince by Karen Whiddon

Willow was unlike any princess he'd ever met...

As heir to the throne, Ruben must choose an appropriate mate to preserve his royal bloodline-despite his fear that his true nature will destroy them both. Yet the female he craves above all others is a dangerous combination of fairy and shifter, a mesmerizing creature who inspires both passion and suspicion. Then violence strikes the castle, and the two are forced to track a killer into perilous magical territory. But with treachery everywhere, will Willow and Ruben's growing bond be enough to shift the fate of their two kingdoms?
~~

I love being surprised and this one had a few twists and turns that while playing into the expected romance formula still made it quite enjoyable. With its Cinderella like beginnings I worried that a lot of the story would be taken up by Ruben being a jerk about Willow 'deceiving' him regarding her origins but instead we got action, murder, and a hunt for a killer through various Sidhe lands - nice one!

Even though the readers knew who the killer was all along I still think the way Whiddon wrote things I never got really bored - impatient to have the person revealed - but that's it. Plus to introduce serial killer tendencies and use those to demonstrate just how far gone the killer was? Excellent.

But to reassure my romance readers out there, this is still at its heart a romance. Ruben is drawn to Willow and can't quite figure out why (I know - duh). Forced to work together their sparks have time to grow into real feelings, especially since Willow is able to connect to his wolf, at times almost better than Ruben can. By the time I reached their HEA I was happy to see them start their life together - and intrigued enough to want to pick up some of the previous books in this series! I need to read about Ruben's sister!

Overall Feeling - A

Series - ... 11) The Wolf Whisperer 12) The Wolf Princess 13) The Wolf Prince

*Title requested from NetGalley*

How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Northern Exposure

Even in Grundy, Alaska, it’s unusual to find a naked guy with a bear trap clamped to his ankle on your porch. But when said guy turns into a wolf, recent southern transplant Mo Wenstein has no difficulty identifying the problem. Her surly neighbor Cooper Graham—who has been openly critical of Mo’s ability to adapt to life in Alaska—has trouble of his own. Werewolf trouble.

For Cooper, an Alpha in self-imposed exile from his dysfunctional pack, it’s love at first sniff when it comes to Mo. But Cooper has an even more pressing concern on his mind. Several people around Grundy have been the victims of wolf attacks, and since Cooper has no memory of what he gets up to while in werewolf form, he’s worried that he might be the violent canine in question.

If a wolf cries wolf, it makes sense to listen, yet Mo is convinced that Cooper is not the culprit. Except if he’s not responsible, then who is? And when a werewolf falls head over haunches in love with you, what are you supposed to do anyway? The rules of dating just got a whole lot more complicated. . . .

~~

Ok I'm just gonna say it - how has no one compared this to MaryJanice Davidson's Alaskan royalty series? The similarities for me were pretty striking; everything from the cover design, feisty heroine, to small town/family charm were little light bulbs to 'Oh this make me think of this other series'. Maybe no one else sees it but combine her Wyndham wolves series and Alaskan royalty and you totally have this book - not that that's a bad thing. Those two series of hers are my favorite. I'm just putting it out there.

But to move on, this first book was a quick fun little read. Yes I think the mystery was a little tacked on - who couldn't see that one a mile away? - but the romance was sweet. I definitely felt bad for Alan, the cute nice guy almost never ever wins (another reason to love Gini Koch), and would have like him and his HEA to be featured in another story than tacked on the end here. Oh well though, I mean it wasn't very surprising that that's the way Harper played it.

Well this review has ended up not being very exciting huh? Sorry folks the book was good, thumbs up material definitely, but I'm not sure if Harper has distinguished herself as an author to compete for real room on my shelves yet. Since this first book is available in mass market I'd say it's worth the $8 to get a feel for things yourself, and of course there's always your neighborhood library.

Happy Reading!

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. 

Series - 1) How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf 2) The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf

Dana why is there a straw? ......Because it's art?

Look at me! Instead of it taking me months to go through the few clips I took at the Patricia Briggs signing it only took me days! Everyone should be very proud.

(We won't talk about how I STILL don't have all my 2010 Dragon*Con footage up yet)

Ms. Briggs was so kind as to do a reading from River Marked in addition to her general Q&A. I caught a bit of her intro when she walked in, because damn - to be that person at her last signing. Crazy. I unfortunately had to split it into two parts because of the length but at least I've got both of them here for you to enjoy!

So enjoy you will.

Part I

Part II

Kitty Goes to War by Carrie Vaughn

Kitty Norville, Alpha werewolf and host of The Midnight Hour, a radio call-in show, is contacted by a friend at the NIH's Center for the Study of Paranatural Biology. Three Army soldiers recently returned from the war in Afghanistan are being held at Ft. Carson in Colorado Springs. They're killer werewolves—and post traumatic stress has left them unable to control their shape-shifting and unable to interact with people. Kitty agrees to see them, hoping to help by bringing them into her pack.

Meanwhile, Kitty gets sued for libel by CEO Harold Franklin after featuring Speedy Mart--his nationwide chain of 24-hour convenience stores with a reputation for attracting supernatural unpleasantness--on her show.

Very bad weather is on the horizon.

I've got to say that I'm really enjoying this series. Vaughn has done what is unquestionable hard to do: created a unique character that almost effortlessly distinguishes herself amidst the heroines of urban fantasy/paranormal novels. And that's a lot of competition.

Kitty isn't just another kick ass alpha werewolf - ala Shelly Laurenston - she's taken on this role due to abuse she and others suffered in the past; it gives her a different view about what it means to be pack, to be people not just animals. When you combine that with the interesting day/night job of being a radio DJ to her own paranormal show you get a lot stuff to play with. Additionally Vaughn has gone the extra mile in creating a world that is now starting to show its depth. The good and the extra extra bad are stepping forward and making themselves known, so in recent releases like this one Kitty doesn't just have Harold Franklin to contend with - she has secret uber-powerful vampires who are using their ability to take the long road to make some not so nice changes in the world.

But what made this particular book great was that Cormac was back!! Out of prison and able (mostly) to help Kitty with her various paranormal problems, I'm happy to have one of my favorite people back in action. I do find it a little weird that they at one point had this attraction that got overtaken by Kitty and Ben's relationship - they find it awkward too - but it's just one more element to this intricate world that makes it so appealing because things don't always end up the way you expect and you have to deal with the outcome either way.

(Yes there's this whole interesting plot involving the government and werewolf super soldiers - which was cool and done very well done- but I like Cormac so he was the big plus for me when reading this book)

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up.

Series - 1) Kitty and the Midnight Hour 2) Kitty Goes to Washington 3) Kitty Takes a Holiday 4) Kitty and the Silver Bullet 5) Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand 6) Kitty Raises Hell 7) Kitty's House of Horrors 8) Kitty Goes to War

Derek's Bane by MaryJanice Davidson

Derik's a werewolf with alpha issues—and a body to die for.

Sara is the personification of unspeakable evil—and smells like roses.

Now if they could just stop drooling over each other long enough to save the world.

I decided to do another pick from my own shelves and went with one of Davidson's older novels (it came out in 2005). Now I haven't run out and bought anything she's released recently, I fell out of love with the Betsey series many moons ago, but this book is still one I enjoy.

Sara is great as the ridiculous 'lucky' reincarnation of Morgan Le Fay, the doomed sister of King Arthur who's destined to destroy the world. When you can give rapists heart attacks from miles away and make the werewolf in front of you have a brain aneurysm - all without even trying - it's not so bad to be you.

The other reason this story works so well is of course Derek, who I think takes the cake as one of the most unique werewolves ever described. Have you read about another one who not only loves to cook, but has a 'Free Martha' t-shirt AND is obsessed with meeting Rachel Ray? Have you?! I think not.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. There's some really funny scenes and catchy dialogue that make this a very entertaining read. Plus a werewolf that wears pro-Martha Stewart t-shirts? Priceless.

Series - 1) Love's Prisoner (in an anthology) 2) Jared's Wolf (in an anthology) 3) Derek's Bane

Dead in the Family by Charlaine Harris

If you think your family relationships are complicated, think again: you haven't seen anything like the ones in Bon Temps, Louisiana.

Sookie Stackhouse is dealing with a whole host of family problems, ranging from her own kin (a non-human fairy and a telepathic second cousin) demanding a place in her life, to her lover Eric's vampire sire, an ancient being who arrives with Eric's 'brother' in tow at a most inopportune moment. And Sookie's tracking down a distant relation of her ailing neighbor (and ex), Vampire Bill Compton.

In addition to the multitude of family issues complicating her life, the werewolf pack of Shreveport has asked Sookie for a special favor,and since Sookie is an obliging young woman, she agrees. But this favor for the wolves has dire results for Sookie, who is still recovering from the trauma of her abduction during the Fairy War.

Charlaine Harris, I must tell you that your books are starting to get to me. 10 books in to your series Sookie is a much more complex character than when she started. She's gone through a lot of life changes, and had to reassess her feelings about the people around her and how she thinks about herself as a person - which is all well and good for the continuation of a series.

But it is not good for my peace of mind as a reader!

Dead in the Family is a very good book. How Sookie tries to cope with her torture and the changes in the world around her are interesting, lifelike, and help push Sookie even more as a human representative in an environment that isn't always so safe for them. It's hard for me to see her go through so much actually, because I feel like I've been reading about her trials forever and I wish that sometimes life wasn't so hard. But Harris doesn't take the easy road, her books are complex with a lot of characters who have their individual motivations for what makes them act the way they do. This isn't a book you can just jump into, the series has too much going on for that, but it's an engaging, realistic look at what can happen to a world that thinks it's 'normal' when there's not a whole lot 'normal' left.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. I still love this series and I recommend them far above the TV series TruBlood, but these pseudo-cliff hangers are killing me! I need a little bit more resolution in my life to allow me to not feel so desperate for the next book.

Series - 1) Dead Until Dark 2) Living Dead in Dallas 3) Club Dead 4) Dead to the World 5) Dead as a Doornail 6) Definitely Dead 7) All Together Dead 8) From Dead to Worse 9) Dead and Gone 10) Dead in the Family

Pleasure of a Dark Prince by Kresley Cole

A DANGEROUS BEAUTY...

Lucia the Huntress: as mysterious as she is exquisite, she harbors secrets that threaten to destroy her -- and those she loves.

AN UNCONTROLLABLE NEED...

Garreth MacRieve, Prince of the Lykae: the brutal Highland warrior who burns to finally claim this maddeningly sensual creature as his own.

THAT LEAD TO A PLEASURE SO WICKED....

From the shadows, Garreth has long watched over Lucia. Now, the only way to keep the proud huntress safe from harm is to convince her to accept him as her guardian. To do this, Garreth will ruthlessly exploit Lucia's greatest weakness -- her wanton desire for him.

I think I'd really forgotten how much I like Kresley Cole. Her characters are always inventive (Nucking Futs Nix anyone?) and the relationships are always hot and fast paced. What particularly struck me in this book was the time jumps. Especially in the first few chapters of the book, readers are treated to story lines that go in and out of other books in Cole's series. I'm 90% positive that if I hadn't already read them I would have been very confused because as much as this book is a stand alone, it's dependent on the build-up done in previous books. Still that threading through with the other books gives the reader an unusual chance to know what's going on in the background of other romances - I might have loved Emma and Lachlain's story, but only now did I really get to see what her family was going through while it happened.

But ok - to get back to Lucia and Garreth - this was a great book. The story was funny, the way the two interacted was a hoot, and the supporting characters were unique, while doing a good job of helping the story along. Combine all that with random texts from Regin? Hilarious!

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up! I loved having a longer book to read, one with enough romance, sex, and action to keep me entertained the entire way through!

Series - 1) Playing Easy to Get 2) A Hunger Like No Other 3) No Rest for the Wicked 4) Wicked Deeds on a Winter's Night 5) Dark Deeds at Night's Edge 6) Kiss of a Demon King 7) Deep Kiss of Winter 8) Pleasure of a Dark Prince 9) Demon From the Dark (August 31, 2010)

Big Bad Wolf by Christine Warren

Missy Roper’s fantasies have revolved around Graham Winters since the moment they met. But the imposing leader of the Silverback werewolf clan always seemed oblivious to Missy’s existence. At least he was, until Missy collides with him at a party and then abruptly runs away—arousing Graham’s interest…and wild desires.

Lupine law decrees that every Alpha must have a mate, and all Graham’s instincts tell him that the sensual, beguiling Missy is his. Trouble is, Missy is human—every delectable inch of her. Convincing his clan that she’s his destined mate, and keeping her safe from his enemies, will be the biggest challenge Graham has ever faced. And now that he is determined to have her—as his lover and as his mate—Missy’s world is changing in ways she never imagined…

BEWARE BIG BAD WOLF - THIS BOOK IS A REPRINT! It isn't anything I can really blame on anyone but myself, but I bought this book and was very disappointed. Damn you reprints of E-books! I have no problem with the story itself, but it's pretty much identical to the original, except for one added scene and one place where the dialogue is changed during a sex scene to allude to the new title. Ugh. I don't even feel like it was worth my money to complete my print collection to get this. Either way, it's a good story, one of my favorites that I go back to time and again with characters that are memorable. Missy's and Graham's love story is that great combination of easy and hard, with their feelings for each other a part of the story and not a side note or assumed.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up for the story, THUMBS DOWN for being a reprint and for St. Martin's Paperbacks because they are reprinting the Fantasy Fix series in a very awkward order for any new comers.

Series - 1) Wolf at the Door 2) She's No Faerie Princess 3) The Demon You Know 4) Howl at the Moon 5) Walk on the Wild Side 6) One Bite With a Stranger 7) You're So Vein 8) Big Bad Wolf

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

Mated to werewolf Charles Cornick, the son -and enforcer -of the leader of the North American werewolves, Anna Latham now knows how dangerous being a werewolf is, especially when a werewolf opposes Charles and his father is struck down. Charles's reputation makes him the prime suspect, and the penalty for the crime is execution. Now Anna and Charles must combine their talents to hunt down the real killer -or Charles will take the fall.

One of the best things about this series are the uniqueness of Briggs' characters. Charles might be the quintessential Alpha Male werewolf, but Anna is a much meeker version of the werewolf heroine than is usually depicted. Yet the best thing about Anna is that meekness is only one facet of her personality, and in the defense of Charles or the right, she is just as willing to step and do her part (or more) as anyone else. Also, Anna stands as a great example of overcoming adversity. Her past is filled with emotional and physical abuse and while she has setbacks, she and Charles are also willing do what they must to build a life together. Briggs has again created a sympathetic character that readers are going to be cheering for by the end.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. Briggs has created another fantastic series with main characters that won't be forgotten anytime soon.

Series - Prequel) On the Prowl (Anthology) 1) Cry Wolf 2) Hunting Ground

Belong to the Night by Shelly Laurenston, Cynthia Eden, and Sherrill Quinn

The Wolf, The Witch, and Her Lack of Wardrobe" by Shelly Laurenston:

Jamie Meacham has enough trouble controlling her supernatural abilities. There's no time for lust, or for Tully Smith, even with his smoldering amber eyes. But Tully's grappling with his own animal instincts as a powerful shifter-wolf, trying to protect all his territory-including a certain sassy witch-from vicious rivals.

"In the Dark" by Cynthia Eden:

FBI agent and leopard shifter Sadie James' undead ex, Liam, still arouses her deepest desires, distracting her from tracking the brutal rogue shifter who is terrorizing Miami. By teaming up with Liam, Sadie has a better chance of solving the case, but as passion consumes them, she stands to lose more than just her heart.

"City of the Dead" by Sherrill Quinn:

Dori Falcon is a witch with a plan: get to New Orleans, locate her missing brother, and recover the Eye of Bastet, a mysterious and powerful amulet. Her plan never included falling for sexy Cajun copy Jake Boudreau; but without his help, she may never find the demon who has her brother, and the key to her family's survival.

If you've read any of my other reviews you won't be surprised to know that I bought this anthology solely for the Shelly Laurenston story. She's probably my #1 favorite for funny, kick-ass erotic or romance. I mean, how can you not appreciate a woman who uses a phrase like 'molesting' someone's insides? That is as cool as all get out and you know it. The other two stories weren't bad either, but I would have preferred that the whole book was devoted to Laurenston - though I did feel like I was missing some back story just because of some of the couples that already existed in her story felt familiar. Sorry for the short review, but I'm already on to the next novel and I'm too distracted to say more about this one!

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. A fun read, with the characteristic violence and humor that make a Laurenston story great.

Series - None (I think....)

Strange Brew by Charlaine Harris, Jim Butcher, Patricia Briggs, and more

Today’s hottest urban fantasy authors come together in this delicious brew that crackles and boils over with tales of powerful witches and dark magic!

In Charlaine Harris’ “Bacon,” a beautiful vampire joins forces with a witch from an ancient line to find out who killed her beloved husband. In “Seeing Eye” by Patricia Briggs, a blind witch helps sexy werewolf Tom Franklin find his missing brother—and helps him in more ways than either of them ever suspected. And in Jim Butcher’s “Last Call,” wizard Harry Dresden takes on the darkest of dark powers—the ones who dare to mess with this favorite beer.

For anyone who’s ever wondered what lies beyond the limits of reality, who’s imagined the secret spaces where witches wield fearsome magic, come and drink deep. Let yourself fall under the spell of this bewitching collection!

This collection was pretty decent - though I decided in the end it wasn't decent enough for me to keep. There were just so many authors that the worst happened: even the best authors didn't have enough room to create a great story. Most came out just a good one, and the rest were mediocre at the best. The 3 big authors, Harris, Butcher, and Briggs, each brought their own considerable skill to this anthology with me calling a tie between Butcher and Briggs for the best story. Butcher always writes a good short story (though I liked the one in Mean Streets better) and Harry is a character beloved by many a reader (and Murphy plays a heavy role in this story too - yay!). Briggs writes an interesting one in this anthology, mostly unexpected because it doesn't seem to have anything to do with her hit Mercy Thompson series. Despite of that she writes a quickie, entertaining and interesting, though it really just leaves me wanting to read what happens next.

Overall Feeling - This one gets an eh. Pretty decent, but would check it out from the library and save yourself the price of trade paperback.

Series - The anthology collects stories from a few different series, so read at your own risk!

Turn Coat by Jim Butcher

The Warden Morgan has been accused of treason against the Wizards of the White Council--and there's only one, final punishment for that crime. He's on the run, wants his name cleared, and needs someone with a knack for backing the underdog. Someone like Harry Dresden.

Now, Harry must uncover a traitor within the Council, keep a less-than-agreeable Morgan under wraps, and avoid coming under scrutiny himself. And a single mistake may cost someone his head--someone like Harry.

Jim Butcher has earned a place in my heart as an incredible urban fantasy writer. Though the Dresden novels are set in the present, it's a kind of present that while being completely fantastic, is at the same time completely logical and believable. Harry Dresden is the type of complicated, yet uncomplicated, hero that every reader loves to root for. Always there for the underdog, determined to preserve goodness in all it's aspects, he persists in doing what he can to make life better. Yet his own emotional turmoil while does so lets the reader empathize with him along his journey. This latest installment again continues with the type of bittersweet heroism that run through all the books. Romance and deception, danger and intrigue, all these and more make an appearance. An incredible addition and highly recommended - along with the entire series of course.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. Another great book in a series that is helping to define urban fantasy today.
Series - 1) Storm Front 2) Fool Moon 3) Grave Peril 4) Summer Knight 5) Death Masks 6) Blood Rites 7) Dead Beat 8) Proven Guilty 9) White Knight 10) Small Favor 11) Turn Coat

White Witch Black Curse by Kim Harrison

Some wounds take time to heal . . . and some scars never fade.

Rachel Morgan, kick-ass witch and bounty hunter, has taken her fair share of hits, and has broken lines she swore she would never cross. But when her lover was murdered, it left a deeper wound than Rachel ever imagined, and now she won't rest until his death is solved . . . and avenged. Whatever the cost.

Yet the road to hell is paved with good intentions, and when a new predator moves to the apex of the Inderlander food chain, Rachel's past comes back to haunt her. Literally.

Kim Harrison has again crafted a great novel, one that gives even more insight into the complicated relationships of Rachel, Ivy, Jinx and everyone else they've come into contact with throughout the series. Since Kisten's death Rachel has been desperately trying to put together the pieces of what happened, thinking that this will allow her to avenge his death and get on with her life. But like all good writers, Harrison doesn't let the reader, or Rachel, find an easy way out. Kisten's death has roots much further back in the past then any of them had suspected, and it is only through looking backward can they begin to move forward. Sounds corny, huh? In fact this story is filled with surprises and it reaffirms the fact that Harrison has created characters that anyone would be excited to get to know better. Hopefully she'll be able to keep it up and continue Rachel's adventures in future exciting stories.

Overall Feeling - Thumbs (way) up. While you can't read this one without having the background of the first books, once you get to it it's well worth the wait.
Series - 1) Dead Witch Walking 2) The Good the Bad and the Undead 3) Every Which Way But Dead 4) A Fistful of Charms 5) For a Few Demons More 6) The Outlaw Demon Wails 7) White Witch Black Curse

Kitty Raises Hell by Carrie Vaughn

Sometimes what happens in Vegas doesn't stay in Vegas.

Kitty and Ben flee The City That Never Sleeps, thinking they were finished with the dangers there, but the sadistic cult of lycanthropes and their vampire priestess have laid a curse on Kitty in revenge for her disrupting their rituals. Starting at the next full moon, danger and destruction the form of fire strikes Kitty and the pack of werewolves she's sworn to protect.

She enlists the help of a group of TV paranormal investigators - one of whom has real psychic abilities - to help her get to the bottom of the curse that's been laid on her. Rick, the Master vampire of Denver, believes a deeper plot lies behind the curse, and he and Kitty argue about whether or not to accept the help of a professional demon hunter - and vampire - named Roman, who arrives a little too conveniently in the nick of time.

Unable to rely on Rick, and unwilling to accept Roman's offer of help for a price, Kitty and her band of allies, including Vegas magician Odysseus Grant and Kitty's own radio audience, mount a trap for the supernatural being behind the curse, a destructive force summoned by the vengeful cult, a supernatural being that none of them ever thought to face.


So the latest Kitty installment came out mere months after the fifth book was published, I'm assuming to pacify all those fans who had been waiting so impatiently for that book. The story again takes us into the lives of Kitty and Ben, but this time they're facing a supernatural force beyond even their experience - demons, gods, and cults - oh my! Banding together within the pack and with the help of some shadier than usual characters, Kitty tries to destroy a force that she can't even name. With plenty of ups and downs and the [prerequisite suspense, Vaughn adds to Kitty's tale, but really just makes me want to read the next one and figure out what happens to Cormac. Prison mystery here we come!

Overall Feeling - Thumbs up. Enjoyable as part of Vaughn's series, but I've read better.
Series - 1) Kitty and the Midnight Hour 2) Kitty Goes to Washington 3) Kitty Takes a Holiday 4) Kitty and the Silver Bullet 5) Kitty and the Dead Man's Hand 6) Kitty Raises Hell

Bone Crossed by Patricia Briggs

Car mechanic and sometime shapeshifter Mercy Thompson has learned, the hard way, why her race was almost exterminated. When European vampires immigrated to North America, they found Mercy's people had a hidden talent - for vampire slaying. Unfortunately for Mercy, the queen of the local vampire seethe has discovered her true identity. She's also furious when she learns Mercy has crossed her and killed one of her vampires. Mercy may be protected from direct reprisals by the werewolf pack (and her interesting relationship with its Alpha), but that just means Marsilia will come after Mercy some other way. So Mercy had better prepare to watch her back.

Mercy is just one of those characters you can't forget. She's strong and full of conviction, but she's a catalyst for unbelievable change. Things just happen around Mercy almost without her doing anything, and all of Patricia Briggs' books are filled with Mercy reacting to her environment - and of course the people in them. I love shapeshifters. Call them whatever you want, the primal energy that authors can give to characters so intrinsically bound to nature is amazing, and Mercy, her Alpha werewolf buddy Adam, and all the different kinds of Fae that are introduced exemplify this perfectly. But I think part of what makes me so happy to read this series are the emotions of everyone involved. I mean, Briggs writes great mysteries, full of suspense and murder and excitement, but like all good authors, the relationships that she creates for her characters draw me back. The emotional upheavals that Mercy experiences (trying hard for no spoilers here!) are almost excrutiating to read, but I couldn't stop! It's like a compulsion. Unsurprisingly I recommend this book, along with the others that come beforehand.

Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole

HIS OBSESSION...

Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions: the evil beauty who surrenders her body, but not her heart.

HER DOWNFALL...

Rydstrom Woede: the ruthless warrior who vows to keep her at all costs.

THEY WERE NEVER SUPPOSED TO WANT EACH OTHER THIS MUCH...

With each smoldering encounter, their shared hunger only increases. If they can defeat the sinister enemy that stands between them, will Sabine make the ultimate sacrifice for her demon? Or will the proud king lay down his crown and arms to save his sorceress?


First thing to say - yay for Kresley Cole! I love her Immortals After Dark series, they're all so filled with dark and brooding paranormal alpha men of all shapes and sizes. In this particular story we get to actually learn about what happend while Rydstrom was the captive of Sabine, Queen of Illusions. We knew it was something bad - I mean in the last book by Cole we heard Sabine's calls for help when she was chained to his bed. So even when I was impatient to get to the end and have them both get past some misunderstandings on both side, it was so much fun to watch them get there! And kick lots of butt on the journey! Sabine is a great heroine, reminiscient of the Valkyries in her love of mayheim and slaughter (all with the choiciest pieces of gold waiting for her at the end of course) and Rydstrom is brooding, conflicted, and very, very hot. With just enough peril to make their journey one to worry about, Cole's latest book is great addition to her series. So for you, GO! READ THE REST!