4 Star
Review: Lion’s Heat by Lora Leigh
Title: Lion’s Heat
Author: Lora Leigh
Release: April 6, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Erotica/Paranormal Romance
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Bad boy Jonas Wyatt knows it is fate that Rachel becomes his mate. He can sense it. He can also sense her reluctance. But she has little power over the mating heat of the Breeds. It is Jonas’s destiny to claim her. And nothing will stop him from having his way.
Lion’s Heat is probably one of the most anticipated Breed books from Lora Leigh. Jonas Wyatt has been meddling in the lives of Breeds everywhere for years and everyone wants to see him meet his match one way or another. This latest installment in the series definitely delivers on the “heat” but left me wanting a bit at the end.
Jonas is a Breed, a man ingrained with Lion DNA, created and bred within scientific labs to be the perfect killer. Lora Leigh’s Breed series chronicles the fight for freedom and safety by this race of Breeds, both men and women. Jonas is every bit the prickly, growly, manipulative, alpha male we expected him to be. He is all business and the Breeds safety and survival are most important. What I didn’t expect where the reasons behind his actions. I didn’t expect him to be the manipulator because he cared whether his fellow Breeds were happy. He cares whether they can get past the torture they all endured and find a life they can smile about.
Fans of the series will be happy to know that Jonas is brought to his knees by his mate Rachel. She is every bit as stubborn and stoic as he is. She knows how to say no to him and does it with a smile on her face. I really enjoyed her character, she made me grin and giggle with evil delight.
“I know a volcano hungry for a sacrifice” he muttered behind her. “You’d make the perfect candidate.”
“Hungry volcanoes only accept virgin maidens,” she informed him tartly. “That leaves me out of the running.”
She almost grinned at the disgruntled growl that sounded behind her.
The tension between Jonas and Rachel was off the scales hot. Neither of them are willing to give in to the “mating heat” and I was surprised by just how far Jonas would go to resist his instincts. Every interaction between the two of them was a rolling boil of sarcasm and sexual tension – it kept the story moving and me turning the pages.
Before he could stop himself, and God knew he wished he could have stopped himself, he gripped her shoulders, spun her around and pressed her against the door. Her soft cry was lost as his lips parted and his teeth gripped the side of her neck in sensual warning. The animal knew what was going on with the man. It knew he was fighting a battle he was going to lose, and he couldn’t stop himself.
“Jonas!” Shock and arousal fueled the needy, breathless sound of her voice.
Gripping her hips Jonas held her still as his knees dipped, his hips pressing against her rear as a harsh growl tore from his throat.
Considering the sexual tension outside of the bedroom, I was surprisingly disappointed in the actual “mating” (yes, i mean the actual sexing). The heat that Leigh put into their interactions and the few scenes of physical foreplay before the mating seemed to fizzle a bit when it came down to doing the dirty deed. No doubt Jonas was all alpha power and loss of control, but there was no real build up within the actual scene and for once it seemed to be secondary to the rest of the story. Not to mention the phrase “living mercury” to describe Jonas’ eyes was overused to the point that I rolled my own eyes.
I would talk about the plot of the book and the politics of the Breed world, but really…. is anyone reading this series because of the subplot? And if you are, can you send me a flow chart explaining the timeline of these books because I still get confused and I have read all 21 stories. The action involving the groups opposing the Breeds were just there, background noise to the growth of Jonas and the realization that he doesn’t have to be alone.
Lion’s Heat is a surprisingly quick read for over 300 pages, and a great addition to the Breed series. Next up in the series is Styx, a Scottish wolf breed we first met in Dawn’s Awakening. A scottish alpha wolf? I am tingly already.
FTC Disclaimer: Book was passed on to me for review by a fellow bloger
Review: Primal Attraction by Sydney Somers
Title: Primal Attraction (Pendragon Gargoyles, book 2)
Author: Sydney Somers
Release: January 12, 2010
Purchase this book: My Books & More | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4 Stars
A lethal huntress, Sorcha lives to track and eliminate rogue immortals—until her latest assignment turns out to be a sexy, gargoyle shape-shifter. From the start she’s shaken by the lust his touch awakens inside her. Not only that, but the cat is convinced she’s his mate, and for the first time, she’s unable to kill her target.
Still mourning the loss of his mate, Cale is stunned to find Sorcha alive. Yet the woman he aches to possess doesn’t recognize him and is after the only thing that will save his brother—a mystical weapon that will lead to Excalibur.
Determined to protect his family and reclaim his mate, Cale ruthlessly takes advantage of Sorcha’s one weakness—her desire for him. Desire that could unlock their past…or cause him to lose her all over again.
Sorcha is an immortal huntress for the goddess Rhiannon. She is blessed with immortal strength and powers but it comes with the price of losing her memories every 100 years. She is cool, collected, and intimidating…. until she is assigned with killing a shape-shifter named Cale.
Cale is a shape-shifting gargoyle. His mate was killed 80 years ago and his brother is forever trapped in stone unless he can use a magical dagger to release him. This same magical dagger has a goddess and her huntress set on killing him. His world stands still when he comes face to face with the huntress set on taking his head off his body, Sorcha, his mate.
Now before you start thinking…. shape shifting gargoyles? what the heck? Let me explain. Sydney Somers has created a fun new paranormal world set in the world of Camelot. The Goddesses Rhiannon and Morgana wrestle for control over this supernatural world, both looking for Excalibur for very different reasons. The shape shifters in this world shift to animal form like any other shifter, but they are cursed to shift to stone gargoyles during the daylight hours.
I thoroughly enjoyed all the characters in this story, including Sorcha’s friend and fellow huntress Nessa. Even more than the characters tho, I enjoyed the romance. Cale was steadfast and strong in his belief that Sorcha was his mate and that he could convince her of it. He was passionate, strong, dominating, yet trusting. Sorcha wanted desperately to deny she was his mate but couldn’t deny the effect he had on her heart or body. The emotional chemistry between them was smoldering and the physical chemistry was sizzling hot.
My only disappointment was that this book wasn’t long enough to give do the story justice. The action plot wasn’t fleshed out enough in more than one spot and left me wanting more. The ending felt incomplete as the conflicts surrounding Cale’s brother were glossed over and the reader is left with only a vague idea of what happened.
Primal Attraction is a great read for paranormal romance lovers everywhere. Fans of Ilona Andrews will love the stubborn and witty character interactions while fans of Kresley Cole will fan themselves at the sizzling passion. I will be picking up the first book in this series and look forward to more!
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FTC Disclaimer: Book recieved from author for review
Review: Gobsmacked and Cover Me by L.B. Gregg
Title: Gobsmacked (Men of Smithfield, book 1 )
Author: L.B. Gregg
Release: February 6, 2009
Purchase this book: Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: M/M Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Mild mannered Mark Meehan’s good judgment flies out the window when he finds his lover banging another man. Things go from bad to worse as Mark’s crazy revenge scheme uncovers shocking secrets—sending him straight into the arms of hunky lawman and old friend, Tony Gervase, a man of limited patience and secrets of his own
I have been hesitant to start another M/M Romance series, worried that none could match up with Josh Lanyon’s Adrien English series. However, I have been overloaded with homework lately and really needed a couple of quick reads and these novellas by L.B. Gregg fit right into that at only about 120 pages each.
Gobsmacked is about Mark, a seemingly normal and calm gay man who absolutely loses his cool when he finds out his lover is cheating on him. I absolutely loved his character, he was funny, witty, slightly sarcastic…. all the things I love in my gay book boyfriends. And he wears red Crocs…. i mean how can you not love him?? In contrast to Mark’s erratic and hilarious behavior, Tony was cool and calm and the perfect alpha hero. He balanced the story out nicely and I was fully invested in their relationship from the start.
The story opens with a bang and had me hooked from the very beginning. Gobsmacked kept me awake into the wee hours of the morning because of the well done plot and laugh out loud funny lines. I will never be able to watch my hubby eat a bowl of Captain Crunch cereal again with a straight face.
Title: Cover Me (Men of Smithfield, book 3 )
Author: L.B. Gregg
Release: October 2, 2009
Purchase this book: Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: M/M Romance
Rating: 3 Stars
That was the initial conclusion enigmatic security specialist Max Douglas had drawn of Michael “Finn” Finnegan—Dalton Prep’s beloved English teacher. When Max arrives at Smithfield’s exclusive boarding school to protect a high profile student against a mysterious stalker, he’s hell bent on enforcing his style of leadership on students and teachers alike. Warring tempers turn to passionate lovemaking between the former marine and the easy going drama coach. But danger is closer than either man expects and all too quickly violence rocks the homey campus—putting both men at risk.
I must say that I really love L.B. Gregg’s writing style. I enjoyed this installment of the series (tho I use the term loosely, the stories are mostly stand alone) but I have to admit I liked Gobsmacked better.
Cover Me is told from the perspective of Michael “Finn” Finnegan, a college english and drama teacher. While tutoring one summer he meets Max, a sexy security specialist, and they have a crazy hot scene on an office desk. Yet something goes awry and Michael storms out of there angry and feeling used. The two meet up again as they are forced to work together to keep one of Michael’s students safe, and sparks fly.
The smut scenes in this book were hot and the lines were funny. My problems with the story were based on the relationship between Michael and Max, I just didn’t connect with the two of them as a couple. I felt that Max gave in too easily and Max was too hard and distant. The entire relationship felt rushed and unrealistic. That said, the interactions between the two of them and they way they connect in the end when they are finally honest and coupled was wonderful. It was the arc of the coupling that didn’t sit right with me. Overall Cover Me is a good read with funny moments and L.B. Gregg’s next book, Catch Me If You Can, has made it to my “must read” pile.
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FTC Disclaimer: These books were purchased by me
Review: Nauti Deceptions by Lora Leigh
Title: Nauti Deceptions (Nauti Boys, book 5 )
Author: Lora Leigh
Release: February 2nd, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4 Stars
Now years later, Rogue is still stirring up trouble. Sheriff Zeke Mayes knows there’s more to her than meets the eye, though what meets the eye is pretty smoking. He’s prepared for a long struggle to get Rogue to drop her defenses – and give in to desire. But soon Zeke will become embroiled in a deadly game that will sweep Rogue up in its wake. And when everything seems to be a matter of life and death, there is no reason to hold back…
Lora Leigh is my guilty pleasure. Her books are candy for my smut loving self. But even I have been left feeling a bit “blah” over her last few releases. They were ok, but something was missing for me. I went into this book expecting the same and expecting to be bored because Zeke and Rogue never really appealed to me in the previous books. I was also a little wary of the ongoing terrorist suspense plot. While Nauti Deceptions isn’t perfect, I was surprised to find I really enjoyed it.
In previous Nauti books Rogue was never very interesting to me. I can’t explain why, but I actually thought she was older than she actually is. I always thought of her as a bit standoffish and brutish and I wasn’t really sure what we would get from her story. This is one of those books I am so thankful for multiple points of view. I really loved getting into Rogue’s head and found myself liking her almost immediately. She is smart, tough as nails, stubborn, sarcastic, and yet vulnerable – something I never expected.
Zeke, oh what can I say about Zeke. He could be my favorite “nauti boy”, he was definitely the most alpha so far. He is very overprotective and totally aggravating at times, but somehow I was able to overlook that. It probably has something to do with his dirty mouth and tendency to growl – it’s a weakness of mine.
The romance between Rogue and Zeke was intense. I was on the edge of my seat more than once, my stomach in knots as I wondered if this would be the time they really connected or not. The romantic tension between them was some of Leigh’s best and the loving was so hot I had to check my breathing to keep from hyperventilating.
My only complaint is the suspense plot, it was weak and felt overdone. I feel like the terrorist organization in this tiny town plot is being dragged on and on and on through book after book in this series. If there is another Nauti Boy book I hope she finds a new angle to work the subplot through because this one can’t take another novel.
Overall, Nauti Deceptions showcases Lora Leigh’s sizzling romantic tension at it’s best. If you are a fan of the series, definitely do not skip this one.
FTC Disclaimer: Book purchased by me.
Review: Battle of the Network Zombies by Mark Henry
Title: Battle of the Network Zombies (Amanda Feral, book 3 )
Author: Mark Henry
Release: March 1st, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4 Stars
In the third installment of the Amanda Feral series Amanda is back, dirtier than ever. Her ad agency is on a downward spiral and her expense budget is in the toilet. In order to keep her condo and pay off her debt to the Reapers Amanda says yes to an opportunity to appear on a new reality show. Yet, things are never simple with Amanda and she finds herself in the middle of her very own murder mystery.
Amanda Feral books always makes me giggle and snort like kids do when they tell fart jokes. Battle of the Network Zombies was no different, it was funny, sarcastic, and disgusting. If you like crass humor with a side of wit, this series is for you.
Amanda and Wendy make a great crime solving duo even if when they seem to be at odds with one another. Gil once again provides comic relief and I found myself looking forward to his bits the most. He is definitely my favorite character of the series. Scott and Amanda’s relationship was a pleasant surprise and I look forward to more of him in the next book (fingers crossed!).
The book started off a bit slow for me, but the plot picked up the pace once wood nymphs started dying and the crazy character parade began. Amanda even shows signs of unexpected personal growth, proving her heart isn’t rotted out after all. Battle of the Network Zombies is another snort out loud story of zombies with killer fashion sense by Mark Henry. Fingers and toes crossed that Amanda Feral’s story doesn’t end here. Oh and the best part? Battle of the Network Zombies is only FREE for your kindle at Amazon right now. Go on, get the rest of the series too, you know you want to.
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FTC Disclaimer: Book recieved from author for review
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R.R. Martin
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