Category Archives: Paranormal Romance

Someone Else’s Skye
(Men of Brahm Hill, #1)
By: Christine Wenrick
Publisher: Red Tree House Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:

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One night . . . one violent, supernatural battle . . . and five stories of the men whose lives will be changed by it.

Kane, Brethren Guardian and one of the few Natural Shape-Shifters left in existence, survives the bloody battle of Brahm Hill but loses two of his closest friends. For all of his good-natured sarcasm and eye-popping good looks, Kane finds himself unable to completely forget about that night, so he seeks comfort in the one thing he is truly good at . . . sex!

This shape-shifting bad boy believes in having a good time—a very good time, usually involving mingled heavy breathing with a sexy Dhampir in a tiny closet somewhere. But when Kane is sent into the freezing tundra of the Northwest Territories to investigate a troublesome supernatural being reported to be on the loose, he soon crosses paths with a woman who almost instantly drives him insane with desire . . . because she doesn’t seem to be falling for his charms.

It’s completely inexplicable.

Skye Matthews has a job to do, and she needs to be focused on that, not spending all her time rebuffing the advances of this way-too-cocky and handsome stranger. Yet, there is something irresistible about this self-involved playboy that she can’t seem to ignore. And when the ‘Unidentified’ Kane is sent to investigate takes an unnatural interest in Skye, protecting her becomes the Guardian’s top priority.

But . . . can he save Skye from a supernatural being no one has ever encountered before?

Even though this is a first in a series, this is a spin off series and should ultimately be read after reading the Charmed trilogy. The big battle that starts this series is actually the climatic battle scene from the last book of the Charmed trilogy. The main characters from this story are actually secondary characters from the previous trilogy. So I think that, had I not read the Charmed trilogy, I’d have been lost going into this story.

I really enjoyed catching up with all of the characters again. Since they were secondary characters in the previous storyline, we didn’t really get a chance to know them on a deeper level. So it’s nice to have them get their time in the lime light. Plus there was the added bonus that the “Angel” from The Charmed Fates turns out to be Skye. So like I said, the two series sort of interlock with each other.

Skye is something that no one has ever witnessed before. She has special powers that don’t really classify her as any given supernatural that we’ve seen before. For instance the fact that she’s invisible to the lycans or why she’s always sent out on dangerous missions by her father. The entire time I was guessing what she was and it isn’t revealed until the end of the book.

There was also the added mystery behind the Wraith. It appeared to be attracted to Skye and always seemed to pop up wherever she was. It was described at basically the Loony Toons version of the Tazmanian Devil. It’s just this force to be recon with that can take out trees, cars and is pretty much indestructible.

I liked that this story had more than one thing that kept the reader guessing until the end. Yeah it’s a paranormal romance so you know that in the end they will be together but you don’t know what’s really going on between the Wraith and Skye until the very end. Plus, I also liked getting inside Kane’s head who was somewhat of a “tough-guy” in the last trilogy. I will definitely be keeping up with this series.

When Skye comes across Kane for the first time in his animal form he’s under the disguise as Bogart the jaguar. However, Skye doesn’t think Bogart fits him.

“You really are a beautiful animal. But Bogart? I assume that’s for Humphrey. You don’t look like a Bogart to me. You should have a much more exotic name. Something proud, strong… like Mufasa.”

 Christine is the author of The Charmed Trilogy. She lives in the scenic Pacific Northwest where she enjoys hiking, camping and photographing many of the wonderful places that served as inspiration for her novels. Her biggest reward in life is any given day when one of her books connects with a reader, because she herself is such a lover of reading.

You can connect with Christine via her:
website | twitter | facebook 

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One Thousand and One Nights
By: Ruth Browne
Publisher: Ever After
Published: Sept. 30, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:

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Sheri spends her days fighting zombies and her nights chained to a wall, earning her every breath by telling stories to her captor Aleksy—stories that make them both forget the ruined world. Sheri could put up with the conditions—at least she knows her sister is safe in the community Aleksy leads—until she realizes she’s falling for him…even though he wants her dead.When Aleksy allowed Sheri and her sister into his compound, he didn’t know about the zombie bite on her back. It’s only a matter of time before she turns into one of the rising dead and threatens their existence, but Aleksy has a secret need for Sheri and her stories. For everyone’s safety, he chains her to his bedroom wall, hoping for just one more day. But how long will the community allow Aleksy to ignore his own rule: always kill the infected. Always.

In a world where the undead roam the streets, there are very few people who are still alive. Sheri is one of them but because she’s been bitten previously no one trusts her. Just because she hasn’t changed yet doesn’t mean that she won’t. So, she’s sent out on dangerous missions by herself and upon arriving to her “people”, she’s chained to the wall of the “King’s” chambers.

I was really hoping that this would be a good gritty zombie story. Yeah, I know, the girl who’s all about romance wanted horror. Not that the Stockholm syndrome wouldn’t have been a bonus but I was looking for a novel to get me in the Halloween spirit. This one just didn’t work for me. I felt like it was part of a previous story that I had not read. The author takes the readers back in time periodically throughout the story to try to make the characters more than 1-dimensional. We go back to when Sheri is picked up my the “King” and we even get glimpses of her life when the zombie apocalypse happens but I just didn’t really connect with it. I think had this been a full length novel (like I originally thought), the author could have taken the time for more character development as well as laying out more of the post apocalyptic world. Instead I felt like the story was a bit rushed and I didn’t connect at all with the characters.

I wish I had known that this was a short story (50 pages) prior to requesting it on NetGalley because I am not a fan of short stories. So that is totally my bad. So I will say that if short stories are your thing and you want something that is a mix of erotic horror, than you’d probably really enjoy this. The author’s writing was good and if she ever writes a full length novel spin off of this book, I’d definitely give it a try.

“You know what’s worse than being alone? Being chained to the wall like a dog.”

Fire of the Dragon
(Bestiary Series, #1)
By: Lori Dillon
Publisher: Amari Press
Published: April 21, 2013
Genre: Time Travel/Paranormal Romance
Rating:

Being sent back in time to the Middle Ages wouldn’t be so bad if the knight in shining armor who comes to your rescue didn’t swoop down in the form of a fire-breathing dragon. Unfortunately for Jill Donahue, that’s just the way things have been going in her life lately.A MaidenWrenched back in time through the magical power of an old dragon tapestry found in a vintage clothing store, Jill Donahue lands in an ancient medieval town where the villagers decide to sacrifice her to the local dragon. As if the threat of being eaten alive by a giant flying lizard isn’t bad enough, she learns there’s a curse surrounding the tapestry and she has to break it in order to get back to her time. But she isn’t the only one whose fate is tied to the ancient weaving…A DragonBaelin of Gosforth is a valiant knight who has been cursed by a vindictive witch to live as a dragon for eleven months out of each year. Now he has thirty days to break the curse or he turns back into a fire-breathing beast and, as much as he hates to admit it, he needs Jill’s help to do it.

And A Curse

Forced to face many challenges along the way—from the harsh world they travel through to the fiery passion they both try to deny—each is determined to break the curse so the other can get their happily-ever-after. And it just might work, if Jill can manage to overlook the fire-breathing, bat-winged remnants of Baelin’s dragon half long enough to see the man beneath the beast and get the job done.

While out looking for a last minute gift for her niece, Jill stumbles into a lady who owns a small shop. While in the shop Jill comes across an old tapestry and before she knows it, she’s waking up in the year 1214. In an area where every year the villagers sacrifice a maiden from their village to the dragon so that he will continue to guard the village and keep them safe. So when Jill falls from the sky, they decide to use her instead of one of their own. Which is how Jill finds herself in a cave with a dragon in a strange world trying to break a curse to return the dragon sifter into a man again.

I liked the idea of this story. It was a fun read and there was always something happening to keep the readers interest. Baelin was captured by a dark witch and when he refused to serve her, she turned him into the one thing he despised and hunted, a dragon. In order to break the curse, a woman from his village is required to break the curse. He has no idea what’s required of the maiden other than it involves the knightly virtues honor, courage and bravery. He has spent 216 years trying to break the curse and had had no luck getting anywhere close. Normally the maidens cower in fear of him the entire month that he has as a man to break the curse, thus leaving him to become a dragon once more.

At first Jill is terrified of the dragon… I mean, who wouldn’t be? But the dragon never once attacks her and even seems to be looking out for her. For instance it warms up the cold pool of water in it’s cave when she’s shivering and wet. Regardless of how calm the dragon is acting, she still doesn’t allow it to come too close to her and makes sure that the thing knows she will defend herself if need be. So imagine her surprise when the dragon turns into a man with wings. Once Baelin explains his predicament, she agrees to help him but she still doesn’t trust him and has no intention of letting her guard down around him.

I thought the two characters were interesting. I really like Baelin’s character though. He has been through so much and every year he’s hopeful that he will finally break the curse. Jill is like no one he’s ever met. Not only is her speech odd but the way she carries herself is more dominant than the other maidens. He’s convinced that she has to be the one to break the curse.

I did have one problem with Jill though. Even after she realizes that she’s time traveled to the past, she still talks about 21st century things, like planes, cars and television shows, knowing that Baelin has no idea what she’s talking about. I found that a little annoying. It was as if the author was trying to show the readers over and over again time difference between Jill and Baelin’s worlds. I think it bothered me so much because I deal with language barriers a lot at my job. I come across a ton of international visitors where I work and once I realize that the visitor speaks little English, I try to use basic words instead of the every day slang we use. So for Jill to continually talk about technology and things of that sort and then go “Oh yeah. I forgot” got a bit tiresome after a while.

Regardless of the whole Jill thing, I still really enjoyed the story. I liked that the two of them were on a mission throughout the entire book trying to break the curse. Meanwhile coming across other dragons, dragon hunters and the dark witches goons. It was a fun time travel/paranormal romance and I cannot wait until the next story comes out in the Bestiary series.

“A knight’s word is his honor. Trust, once broken, is hard to regain.” -Baelin

Twilight Hunter
(Execution Underground, #1)
By: Kait Ballenger
Publisher: HQN
Published: Aug. 27, 3013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:

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Hunters of the supernatural, the Execution Underground are an elite group tasked with protecting humanity…but what happens when danger collides with desire?

Jace McCannon has one loyalty: the Execution Underground. Despite his mixed blood, his hatred for the werewolves he hunts is legendary. But in his search for a sadistic killer, Jace finds himself face to face with a stunningly seductive packmaster…and longing for a night with his mortal enemy.

Nothing can stop Frankie Amato from defending her kind–or catching the rogue responsible for killing women in her territory. For that, this alpha female needs Jace’s skills more than she wants to admit. But as their investigation exposes evil truths, need burns into a passion that dare not be fulfilled. For to do so will have deadly consequences for them both.

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Shadow Hunter
(Execution Underground, #0.5)
By: Kait Ballenger
Publisher: Harlequin HQN
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:

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Vampire hunter Damon Brock’s first assignment with the Execution Underground is Rochester, New York, a city crawling with the undead. But he isn’t the only hunter in town gunning for vamp blood. Tiffany Solow is fierce and ruthless when it comes to slaying the monsters that destroyed her family-and she works solo. But being alone is no longer so desirable when she meets the mysterious hunter who wants more than just her turf. As they work to massacre the local covens, the line between good and evil blurs when they are forced to decide between their lifelong beliefs… and their newfound hearts.

Damon is on the hunt for the head vampire who killed his partner, Mark. However, when he tracks down the bloodsucker, he finds Mark’s little sister acting as a potential feeding host. She’s no longer the teenager he used to write letters to. She’s hunting her brother’s killer and will do anything to seek revenge, even if it means putting her life on the line.

I don’t know why but I’m always a fan of the best friend’s little sister stories. This one had a fun twist to it though. Damon and Mark were Hunters together and in an attempt to help Damon release some pent up emotions, Mark gets his little sister to start writing Damon. Pretty soon the two of them are close pen pals but neither of them have met. So fast forward to the present time, Mark was killed in action, Tiffany blames Damon for not saving him and Damon agrees with her assessment. When these two meet, she has no clue that her brother’s partner “B” is the same man standing in front of her and of course Damon isn’t going to be forthcoming with that information. However, they have a common goal and that is to take down the vampire responsible for Mark’s death. So they team up to try to take this vampire down, while becoming closer in the process.

Even though this is a novella that sets up the Execution Underground series, there was a lot going on. We got to understand the characters, the world that they live in as well as get a grasp for the stage that Kait is setting. This series isn’t going to revolve around just vampires, the EU handles all things supernatural and apparently there is a whole butt load of supes in Rochester, NY.

“I hate to tell you this, but Rochester is swamped with supernatural predators. There are reported werewolf sightings, possibly a full-on pack, there are demons lodged so deep the people they’ve possessed are pretty much done for, there are several small witch covens, loads of non-wereworlf shifters-oh, and that’s not even including all the poltergeists and ghosts reported in the old abandoned asylum.”

So with all the action taking place in Rochester, Damon finds himself appointed team leader and will soon be getting a team of Hunters to help him handle all the things that go bump in the night. If the prequel is anything to go off of, this is going to be an amazing series. I’m so glad I found out about this debut author. The whole story was captivating, from the intense fight scenes to the seductive bedroom scenes. If you are a fan of paranormal romance than this is an absolute must. I personally cannot wait to read more of not only the EU series but anything that Kait comes out with.

I was born & raised in Syracuse so of course I loved that this book takes place in Rochester.

“Not even 9:00p.m. and already he’d taken out one bloodsucker. Rochester seemed promising.”

South of Surrender
(Hearts of the Anemoi, #3)
By: Laura Kaye
Publisher: Entangled
Published: May 28, 2013
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating:

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She’s the only one who can see through his golden boy façade to the broken god within…
Chrysander Notos, Supreme God of the South Wind and Summer, is on a mission: save Eurus from his death sentence and prove his troubled brother can be redeemed. But Eurus fights back, triggering vicious summer storms that threaten the mortal realm, dangerously drain Chrys, and earn the ire of the Olympic gods who ordered Eurus dead.

Laney Summerlyn refuses to give up her grandfather’s horse farm, despite her deteriorating vision. More than ever, she needs the organized routine of her life at Summerlyn Stables, until a ferocious storm brings an impossible—and beautiful—creature crashing down from the heavens.

Injured while fighting Eurus, Chrys finds himself at the mercy of a mortal woman whose compassion and acceptance he can’t resist. As they surrender to the passion flaring between them, immortal enemies close in, forcing Chrys to choose between his brother and the only woman who’s ever loved the real him.

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