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Kresley Cole and Gena Showalter, There Hasn’t Been This Good of A Match Since Vodka Found Orange Juice

K.C. — Wed, 21 Oct 2009 09:06:44 +0000

Untouchabe by Kresely Cole

Tempt me Eternally by Gena Showalter

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Release Date: October 2009

Rating: 4 Smokin’ Smooches

This book was purchased by moi

Kresley Cole: Murdock and Danielas Story IAD

I found Cole’s imagery of the Icere world to be fantastic! What’s not to love about a Viking-like race that thrives in a winter wonderland of constant subzero temperatures.

I don’t know what it is about Vikings, the metal-horned helmets, tall Nordic features or supreme alpha presence but I can’t get enough of them. I was so utterly enraptured by this aspect of the story that I almost felt let down by Daniela’s chosen mate. I guess I had come to expect the typical male/female paradigm of Cole’s earlier books, male lusts after female, female makes the male work for it and then ka-boom, fireworks! For the most part I enjoyed this story but I couldn’t help feeling that Murdoch just didn’t deserve Daniela. He was a commitment-phobic ladies’ man that couldn’t be tied down by the trappings of love or bounded to someone who he couldn’t touch. This dynamic was so shatteringly realistic of real relationships that I felt a bit put off. Where was the unsung hero of the lore to come in and swoop me off my feet? He’s no hunky lykae that’s for sure!

The richness of Daniele’s Icere background and unique aspects of her own race made me wonder what the story would have been like if she had ended up with someone from her homeland. I felt that Daniela’s story was so enriched by this mysterious race of lore-folk that I kept wanting more to happen. Murdoch was such an ass for most of the book that I for one, wanted to stand up for Daniela! She deserved better! Had I been her matchmaker I would have set her up with the Icere male that found her and brought her back to her homeland. Alas, everything did work out in the long run and the book was still great but Murdoch, you better watch yourself. One wondering eye or thought of giving up on your commitment and I’ll petition Cole fans to have your ass sent back to N’awlins!

(Murdock dialing Daniela’s number, 867-5309)

A woman’s voice said, “If you’ve reached this message and you weren’t trying to contact Regin the Radiant” –

Regin?

Then I know three things about you.

One of my half sisters just tooled your ass and never wants to see you again.

B. You’re pop-culturally illiterate not to know that this number is a song.

And three, you’ll never tell another male about this humiliating prank, so the number trick can be continued indefinitely.

If, however, you called for moi, then say something to amuse me after the beep.”

That little witch…

Gena Showalter: Aleaha Love (Shapeshifter) and Breean’s Story- Alien Huntress Series

The Rakans are back! Ms. Showalter hit one out of the park with this short story. She melded the fun, flirty dialogue that I so loved from Devyn in Seduce the Darkness and piqued my interest with a new shape-shifter species. We go back in time in a bit to before Devyn’s story and we meet Macy/aka Aleaha Love. Aleaha the long lost friend of the vampire Bride. I don’t know why I am so fascinated with the Rakans but I just can’t get enough of these guy’s: golden skin, honeyed-smell/taste, washboard abs, a warrior’ strength and a libido that promises to never have a headache. If you’re looking for an entertaining yet heart-felt read I recommend this series, you won’t be disappointed.

Should’ve stayed home, Aleaha Love thought. ‘Cause we’re gonna get spanked. Hard. And not in a good way.

“What. Ignoring me?” Devyn said with another of those snarky laughs. “Wasn’t like I was going to ask to feel you up or anything, I mean, I was just gonna surprise you with my handsiness.”

Aleaha: “ Can you take nothing seriously?”

Devyn: “Hello, have you met me? I take making out very seriously.”

I think if you’re like me and can’t wait to get your hands on anything written by Gena Showalter and Kresley Cole – this should be on your shelf immediately. If your not I would suggest you wait until this comes out in paperback unless you don’t mind the hardback pricing. Target and Borders were selling this book A LOT cheaper than Barnes and Noble – don’t make the mistake I did, I’m still “not over” my $6.00 B&N pout.

Kresley Cole’s IAD Series – Favorite Books in This Series

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J.R Ward’s Covet – Fallen Angels, Fangs Not Included

K.C. — Thu, 01 Oct 2009 04:27:13 +0000

I would like to start off with a disclaimer, J.R. Ward is my crack (like smexybooks says) and I also consider myself a bit of a BDB groupie.

If your expecting the Black Dagger Brotherhood sorry, you are so not going to get it with Covet. (Vampire fangs are definitely not included). Actually, it’s best to kind of completely separate the two.(hi-ya! karate chop) Not to worry, there are some BDB cameos! Oh, and did I mention we also get a sneak peak at Lover Mine *fan girl scream*. We love you John Matthew! (holding up hand in sign-language form).

Demons and Angles the final end game, the gloves are off! We are down to seven souls in the balance between good and evil and the first soul up for grabs is Vin diPiero. Jim Heron is the latest coerced Fallen Angel to join the home team. Vin, a powerful, successful businessman has an insatiable, ‘otherworldly’ drive to make it to the top. He is at a crossroads in his life, only shhh, he doesn’t know this yet. Enter Jim, flannel wearing, Harley driving, Fallen Angel. (He’s no Clarence Odbody). With the help of his former co-workers and some not so subliminal TV messages, Jim Heron is up to bat and he has only one chance to get it right.

Meet Marie-Terese, she is also at a crossroads in her life and the former “waitress” *cough cough* of Zero Sum (Lover Avenged), is now employed at the Iron Mask. Marie-Terese is a sinner, but she is also a survivor. I won’t go too much into her current profession you’ll have to read to find out *wiggles eyebrows*. When Vin sees Marie-Terese, the cold, distant shell cracks and he sees his salvation in Marie – T. Throw in a bad-ass demon, some Jerry Springer moments, and sacrifices, makes for a very interesting ball game.

4 Smokin’ Smooches for Covet!!!!!

This is Vin diPiero, Jim Heron and Marie-Terse’s story.

Jim Heron

“You’ve Been chosen for an important mission.” ”Jim Heron, you are going to save the world”.

Marie-T: She is more of a side-door kind of gal.

Closing her eyes, she took long deep breaths. When she went into the club, she would be in the body and the mind of someone else. Someone she didn’t know and wouldn’t care to remember in the future. Someone who disgusted her. Someone she despised.

Vin d (Mr.diPietro if your nasty):

Vin sees dead people, all right. Before they died. He’d thought he’d left all that freaky bullshit behind. He’d done what he’d been told to do, they appeared to work for almost 20 years. He just couldn’t go back to the way it had been before…

Meet the Bad Guy:

Demon was such a nasty word and so damn old school.

My Thoughts

Usually in Wards BDB books, AZ (After Zadist), she tends to focus more on her supporting cast of characters. We still get a little of that in Covet, but instead of dividing the story it actually works as an added bonus while still maintaing Vin and Marie-T as the main focal point. I’ll be honest, I struggled with being ‘in hearts’ with Marie-T. I’m not so narrow-minded about her way of survival, but I just felt that Jim H and Vin were more interesting characters and Marie-T fell a little flat. Not to mention the Pretty Woman overtones, let’s leave that movie in the 80′s shall we. I did find myself murmuring to my inner James Stewart: “Every Time a Bell Rings an Angel get’s it’s wings” with all the fallen angel scenes. I would have liked a little more Angel and by that, a little more oomph as to their story. As far I as I can tell, so far, they are regular Joe’s. I will say that aside from the Pretty Woman overtones, this looks to be the first a promising new series.

I can’t wait for the 2^nd inning for this Angels vs. Demon’s ball game. Ward as usual spins a fascinating tale.

Lover Mine 411: Potential Release Date May 6th 2010 (Amazon)!!

Related Reviews: J.R. Ward’s Lover Avenged

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Dragons, Snarkiness, and Shenanigans – What A Dragon Should Know G.A. Aiken

K.C. — Wed, 23 Sep 2009 05:02:09 +0000

5 Smokin’ Smooches for What A Dragon Should Know

3rd book in the Dragon Kin Series

I first fell in love with dragons in Aiken’s earlier book Dragon Actually and ever since I’ve been online stalking Amazon waiting for What A Dragon Should Know to come out. Meet Gwenvael the Handsome, aka The Ruiner, The Whore (Self-Titled) and a Troublemaker, from the top of his golden head down to his toes. Gwenvael has been sent by the Blood Queen of The Dark Plains (Annwyl wife to his Brother Fearghus and all around medieval badass) to the Northlands to meet with ‘The Beast’. Meet the Beast, aka Dagmar, the Only Daughter of The Reinholt. Dagmar is an unassuming dainty, bespectacled schemer who prefers to fence with words versus a sword. She meets her match with Gwenvael ‘The Ass’. His mission impossible is to befriend The Beast and discover who is behind the future attacks against the Blood Queen and her unborn children.

Word of caution do not read this book while drinking – you’ll end up spewing your drink all over this book or worse from your nose, from laughter. How many male characters have you’ve read where they a. fake cry to get their way b. pretend to be gay just to annoy the human Northlanders males and c. have more one-liners than the entire cast of 30 Rock. I highly recommend reading About a Dragon to get the full effect of a dysfunctional, er. I mean dynamic dragon family interacts. Full of action and snarkiness, I couldn’t ask for a better change of pace from the dramatic Urban Fantasy books I’ve been reading of late. This book kept me on my toes especially towards the end, I’m not going to lie to you, I broke out in a mini anxiety sweat. Aiken manages to surprise me with a well-written HEA and of course anxiously waiting for the next dragon installment. Crossing my fingers for 2010 

Meet Gwenvael The Troublemaker

Out of ideas on how to handle this wench, Gwenvael went with one of his tried and true methods. He sniffed …. and then he sniffed again.

The Beast blinked, her expression confused, but then her eyes widened in horror when she saw the first tear fall.

“Wait …are…are you…crying?”

It was a skill he’d taught himself when he was barely ten years old. With brothers like his, he needed it i order to get his mother to protect her favorite son as much as possible. He rarely used the technique now, but he was desperate.

“You’re so mean to me, he complained around his tears. “Why won’t you help me? he wailed.

Meet Dagmar aka the Beast

Disgusted, appalled, and angry beyond anything she could ever remember before, Dagmar grabbed the naked bastard by his ankle and yanked him out from under her bed, her outrage temporarily providing the strength she needed to move such a large, dog-eating son of a bitch.

He glared up at her. “I don’t appreciate the stone burn against my balls, woman!”

“And I don’t appreciate you going after one of my dogs-again!”

“Oh. That.” He cleared his throat and gave a little shrug. “Someone opened the door and threw it in. I’d just assumed it was a little treat from you to me.” 

Total Bit of Randomness: I love that I get the most urgent, up-to-date info from my Mother Facebooking me *chuckle* How often do you and your Mom facebook?

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No Doubts About Lovin Gena Showalter’s Darkest Whisper

K.C. — Wed, 02 Sep 2009 03:23:34 +0000

First and foremost I’m stroking the cover cause it’s just so darn pretty. Recap: We first meet Sabin as the leader of the other Lords of the Underworld in Darkest Night (1^st book) he is the Keeper of Doubts whose Demon has driven his past lovers to kill themselves. Always a man to choose victory and war over a woman, he meets his match with Gwendolyn the Timid. Only she’s not so timid, as in she is a Harpy that can rip your throat out, not timid.

We meet Gwendolyn the Timid in the Hunter’s layer. Kidnapped and kept for a new breeding program devised by the fanatical Hunters, Sabin rescues her, only to find out she is one bad-ass Harpy who when cornered does very bad things to her enemy. He “un-willingly” recruits her to his cause to fight the hunters. Along the way we glimpse Gwen’s struggles with her Harpy side, Sabin’s demon, and a whole lot of sexiness in between.

3.95 Stars Out of 4

My Thoughts:

I liked this book so much I’ve already read it twice. *grin* The great thing about Gena Showalter’s books is that they get better as her series develops. Not only do we read Sabin’s point of view , she gives us Paris (Demon of Promiscuity), Aeon (Demon of Wrath), Gideon (Demon of Lies), and Torin Demon of Disease. All those demons in one book had me fanning and spritzing myself with my ‘bad-kitty’ water bottle. Will all that testosterone, Gwen’s (Harpie) sisters enter to join the revolution and they don’t play nice with others.

Pay very close attention with Torin as in *hint hint* Kresley Cole IAD kind of attention. If you are a Kresley Cole fan I’m almost positive you’ll enjoy Gena Showlater’s books if you haven’t already read them already.

Scene Pic

Maybe she should, though. Maybe she should strap on her big girl panties and steal one, risking punishment. {Inside the Mind of Gwen the Harpy}

“I’ll go with you,” she said. “On one condition,” she added when settled.

His relief hardened into something cruel. “What?”

“You have to invite my sisters” {Gwen}

“Invite your sisters? You mean you want me to have to deal with more of you?” {Sabin/Doubt}

“That had better be happiness in your tone, not disgust,” she said offended. “My sisters have castrated men for less.”

Sabin pinched the bridge of his nose. “Sure. Invite them. Gods save us all.”

Buwhahahaah the last line always makes me think of my husband whenever I mention my sisters are visiting.

Next Up in Lords of the Underworld:

Heart of the Darkness (love the Joseph Conrad reference) Bianka’s story (Gwen’s Harpy Sister) Anthology, we sadly won’t see another LOTU book until The Darkest Passion Aeon’s (Demon of Wraith) Story until Jun 2010, don’t worry I will be on Amazon frantically hoping it releases soon *god willing*.

If you could pick one LOTU Demon for your boyfriend who would it be? It’s a tie between Paris and Amun for me.

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Karen Marie Moning’s Dreamfever – Welcome Mac 4.0

K.C. — Wed, 26 Aug 2009 04:37:13 +0000

The Skinny

First and foremost, people, we have had contact with the other side and the walls are down, I repeat the walls are down! Here’s the low down. Mac has been captured by Useelie princes (death by sex fae), and is viciously being turned into a pri-ya, a ravenous sexual beast that lives only to sexually please her ‘dark master’. A fricken death sentence, no one has survived to tell about it! Dani, the young sidhe-seer with matrix style powers, rescues Mac from the evil Fae princes as Barrons and Vlane, our two out of three potential romantic leads are MIA. Bastards! Meanwhile Barrons, 3 DAYS AFTER Mac has been captured, find’s Mac caged in the bowels of the sidhesee abbey and rescues Mac only to spend months trying to bring her back from the dark side. Barrons and Mac do the horizontal mambo… jumping up and down YES! After helping Mac return from being a sex maniac, pri-ya, Mac 4.0 has arrived. She’s tougher, she wears black leather (pronounced lea-tha’) and is now one badass sidhe-seer who will kick major “petunia”.

Of course we are left with an uber-hanger (unfair cliffhanger) at the end of the book. For those who haven’t read this series, I suggest holding off until the release of her last book to avoid obsessive compulsive tendencies and stalking message boards in hopes of finding out more information, *guilty expression*. This series has pressed my non-existing patience to no end! I am not a fan of continuing series and prefer series that have a more stand-alone approach for the aforementioned reason. I become obsessed!

My Thoughts

Mac is by far one of my favorite characters. She has spunk. She wears pink, well,… now black and pink, and creates wacky inventions like the MacHalo to beat the baddies at their own game. I really like the way KMM has created this world of the Fae and they are not your typical fairies mind you! After so many of her books in the series left us with little or no information this one gave us a barrage of facts that I am still trying to sort out. For the first time I can say that I have no idea where this author is going to take us next. I won’t say I like it. My anxiety is sky high! Just what will happen to Barrons and Mac? Or is it Mac and Vlane? Or Mac and Christian? This trifecta of all mysteries has me all in a tizzy. With so many unsolved mysteries I don’t see how they are going to be all worked out in her next and last book.

Scene Pic: Warning You May Need to Spritz Yourself with Cool Water…

{Pri-ya}

“I am Jericho Barrons. Say my name.”

“No” {Mac}

“Damn it, would you just cooperate” {Barrons}

“I do not know that word, ‘cooperate.’”

“Obviously.” he growls. …..

“Woman, you make me crazed,” he mutters.

We do this often, Get into childish arguments. He is stubborn, my beast.

“Open your eyes and say my name.” {Barrons}

I squeezed them shut more tightly.

“It would make my cock hard to hear you say my name.” My eyes pop open.

“Jericho Barrons,” I say sweetly.

He makes a pained sound.

“Bloody hell, woman, I think a part of me wants to keep you this way.”

I touch his face. ” I like how I am. I like how you are, too. When you are … What is that word you used? Cooperating.”

“Tell me to fuck you.” I smile and comply, We’re back in territory I understand.

“You didn’t say my name. Say my name when you tell me to fuck you.”

“Fuck me, Jericho Barrons.”

“From now on, you will call me Jericho Barrons every time you speak to me.”

He is a strange beast. But he gives me what I want. I suppose it will not kill me to do the same. And so we begin a different way of being. I call him Jaricho Barrons and he calls me Mac. We are no longer animals. We have “names.”

Fav Mac Quote:

“But for those of us who live large, the most alive we ever feel is when we’re punching air with a fist, uncurling our middle finger with a cool smile, and flipping Death the big old bird. ”

Mac’s Journal

Unsolved Mysteries

Who is the 4th Death by Sex Fae? Supposedly he is marked with black and red tattoos, only characters we’ve read so far who have them are Christian McKeleter and Barrons. Who could this be, why did he hide himself…just tell us who it is!

According to the prophesy Mac is supposed to doom the whole world, just what the heck is she!?

Dani, will she get her own spin off? Anyone else dig the vibe between Ryoradan and Dani, I can see something there once she is over 18 of course.

Who is the Beast (IYD) We know 1 thing it has black hair, so who has black hair? Barrons, Christian,…dun, dun, dun, maybe Alina?

Finally, is Barrons good or bad?? Just what is his plan for Mac?

Next Book in the Series Shadowfever no ETA on when this is coming out as Ms. Moning has been having some health problems is January 18th 2011. Although if there is a God we won’t have to wait a whole year, some people have said it should be due out the same time next year.

Rating

Are you as Mac + Barrons obsessed as I am?

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