Book Review: Crave by Felicity Heaton

Crave
(Vampire Erotic Theatre Romance Series #2)
By Felicity Heaton

Synopsis:

His mind has been set on his work for the past one hundred years. Now a forbidden beauty has stolen his attention and is threatening to steal his heart too.

Callum has come to the city of romance on business, not pleasure, but when he sets eyes on a gorgeous werewolf in a nightclub, he can’t ignore the dark carnal craving she ignites in him. His work for Vampirerotique, the erotic theatre he runs with three other vampires, can wait. The only thing that matters now is satisfying his sinful hunger for a woman who most vampires would consider an enemy.

Kristina is on the run from her pack. Her alpha is intent on forcing her to bear his child and she’s not about to live through the same nightmare as her mother had. When a tall, dark and sexy vampire catches her eye, she can’t believe the ferocity of the desire he unleashes in her or the fact that she enjoys the feel of his eyes on her and his silent pursuit of her in the clubs each night.

When Kristina finally gets a taste of Callum in a forbidden kiss, will she be strong enough to resist the allure of the vampire and his offer to share his bed for a week of unbridled, wild sex, or will she surrender to her own craving for the safety and passion she finds in his embrace?

Goodreads
Available for purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble

Viviana's Review:

“Crave” is the second book in the Vampire Erotic Theater series. Callum, our hero, is in Paris, France, on business scouting for new talent for the show. However, he has been unable to focus on work thanks to Kristina, a werewolf who has captivated his attention and possibility his heart. Our heroine, Kristine is on the run and hiding, not only from her pack but from what she may feel for Callum.

Audio Book Review: Fangs for the Memories (Half-Moon Hollow #4.5) by Molly Harper

Fangs for the Memories 
(Half-Moon Hollow Series, #4.5)
by Molly Harper 
Narrated By Amanda Ronconi

Blurb: 
“Molly Harper writes characters you can’t help but fall in love with” (RT Book Reviews), but how did Andrea and Dick Cheney fall in love? Join Half-Moon Hollow’s favorite couple for a trip down memory lane—to a time when Mr. Wainwright was newly dead, Jane Jameson was a newbie vampire, and a budding paranormal romance was not yet uncorked…

Half-Moon Hollow’s supernatural social event of the season—Zeb’s Titanic-themed werewolf wedding—is coming up, and Dick Cheney (not that Dick Cheney!) needs a date. But Andrea’s had enough of clever, handsome, and rakish to last a lifetime, and Dick Cheney is certainly not the sort of man you bring home to mom (not that Andrea’s deadist parents are speaking to her ever since she dropped out of college and became a blood surrogate.) Shameless, relentless, roguish, with a Stetson-worthy swagger, a naughty sparkle in his eyes, and a constant smirk—oh, and fangs—no, Dick is the last person (er…vampire) Andrea wants to date.

But the infuriatingly irresistible man who lives quietly on the edge of a criminal underworld knows exactly what he wants, and once he surprises Andrea with a thrilling hot and dirty kiss behind the paranormal bookshop, she knows what she wants too: Dick. All it takes to ignite their unconventional courtship is a near-undeath experience that confronts Dick with a choice between turning Andrea, losing her forever, or tapping into his countless shady resources in this hilarious and heartwarming enovella that revisits the early days of Molly Harper’s Nice Girls series—one that “makes me laugh and laugh” (USA TODAY).

Available for purchase at 

      

Viviana's Review: 

OMG… what have I been missing!?!?! From the very beginning of this novella, I knew what readers were talking about when they mentioned the humor author Molly Harper includes and the fantastic characters she writes! While this is the first time I listen to an audio book of Molly’s books, it’s not going to be the last. There is a perfect partnership between the narrator and the story Molly has written. This is rare and when it occurs, it’s magical! 

The characters are a blast! They each bring their own sense of humor and sarcasm to the party, so to say yet have a depth to them that you can find is relatable. Andrea is the heroine who is trying to fight the ever increasing attraction to the hero who is a vampire named Dick Cheney (not that Dick Cheney!)! And yes, that is exactly how he is introduced! LOL! There is a very good reason why she’s trying to stay away from Dick and it’s more than just what the blurb hints at. Of course, there is also way more to Dick than what is hint in the blurb as well as what Andrea thinks she knows about him. 

There are several moments throughout the story that have you laughing out loud, so I’d suggest not eating or drinking while listening/reading to this (or most of Molly’s) book.  As I said, this is the first of hers I’ve read… it can be read as a standalone, but I’m itching to go back to the beginning and catch up on the series and get to know the cast of characters. I also want more DICK!! LOL! 

Narrator’s Review: Amanda was awesome! She provided each of the characters with their own unique voices and tones! You knew exactly who was speaking and when it was the narration vs. a character. She is definitely a narrator that I will follow going forward. 

Rating: 4 Stars - I LOVED IT!

Disclaimer:

I received a complimentary copy of this book from Audible Studios in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Audio Book Review: Midnight's Kiss by Thea Harrison

Midnight's Kiss 
(Elder Races Series, Bk #8)
by Thea Harrison
Narrated By: Sophie Eastlake

Blurb: 
In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, two souls who have long buried their passions are about to be consumed…

Ever since their scorching affair ended years ago, Julian, the Nightkind King, and Melisande, daughter of the Light Fae Queen, have tried to put the past behind them—and distance between them. But when a war breaks out between Julian and Justine, a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind council, they find themselves thrown together under treacherous circumstances…

Kidnapped as leverage against Julian, Melly is convinced that her former lover won’t be rushing to her rescue. But when Julian gives himself up to save her, they both end up Justine’s captives. Armed only with their wits and their anger, Melly and Julian must work together to escape. But will they be able to ignore their complicated history, or will the fiery passion that once burned them blaze again?

Available for purchase at 

            

Viviana's Review: 

This has become a comfort series for me.  My “go to” series when I want to read a good story. “Midnight Kiss” is just that, a good story that came along right when I just wanted a fun read for me.  

We were introduced to the hero and heroine in the previous book "Night's Honor" and the animosity they had for one another was evident.  You just knew something BIG had occurred and that BOTH, yes both still had feelings for each other regardless of what they said.

The heroine is spunky and completely independent.  She does not falter or play the damsel in distress. The hero, while a complete Alpha Male, is not a total ass.  The reader is given glimpses of their past love and even the obvious current connection and we get the idea of what happened or rather what the hero believes to have happened.  Throughout the majority of the book the heroine does not really know why he broke things off except he believes she was unfaithful and of course she argues to the contrary, and he does not believe her.

When they finally do actually talk about the “why” the relationship ended with details, a plot is discovered, and they realize they have been played.  Okay - here is where I knew from the very beginning what was going on, and I so hoped the author was not going to play the obvious card but she did.  Sigh.  I was disappointed.  Perhaps it was so obvious to me and the “How didn't anyone ever question that at the very beginning?” because I happen to be one (sorry, not saying due to spoilers… read and you’ll know) or what, but yeah it was just so obvious. It's also been done before! Another romance trope! Arg... so very disappointed. 

The story line or ARC from the previous book does continue into this one, you might be able to read it as a stand alone, but I think this would dilute some of the emotion, and you may find yourself a tad bit lost with some of the information and perhaps even players.  I loved the previous book, so I would recommend you read it.

Narrator's Review: Ahh Sophie Eastlake, how do I love thee as a narrator, let me count the ways.... YOU FREAKING ROCK! Sophie continues to bring this series to life! Throughout the book, I forget she's a female narrating male voices. She's THAT GOOD!

Overall, a comfort read that provides the reader with the HEA we want and a good read.

 Rating: 3.5 Stars - I REALLY Liked It

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of this book from PENGUIN GROUP Berkley Sensation in exchange for an honest review. This review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

Release Day Blitz: The Unseelie King by Heather Killough-Walden

The Unseelie King
(The Kings Series, Book #6)
By Heather Killough-Walden

Blurb:

For thousands of years, two realms of unspeakable magic and mystery have existed in peace side by side. One is a land of light, of kindness, of dreams, and of color. The other is rendered in the gray lines of wickedness and seeped in the unbearable beauty of all that is forbidden. The first is ruled by the Seelie King. The other is ruled by Caliban… The Unholy.

Minerva Trystaine has always been the quiet twin, bullied by reality’s fierceness into a life of solitary sensitivity. What she witnesses, she feels. Living in a world that breeds one misfortune after another, she has had no choice but to sequester herself from outgoing life and any hope it might have otherwise offered her. She hides in her music, her hopes and dreams silent but for the harmony she gives them upon rare occasion, allowing them to be heard in perfect pitch by the rest of the world.

But when Minerva’s sister, Selene, is forced into a fantastical  realm of supernatural magic and mystery and taken as queen of the seelie kingdom, the twins are reunited with a world they can scarcely remember – but could never forget. They are Wishers. Born of furious magic and fueled by the need for justice, Wishers are the most feared magic users in the fae realms. For this reason, they were all but annihilated thousands of years ago. Minerva and her sister are the last of a slaughtered breed.

Just as Selene accepts her place on the seelie throne, Minerva struggles to come to grips with her changed world. But as she faces off with her lost-and-found identity, and with the unbelievable power swimming through her veins, she realizes she must also contend with the fact that Wishers are no more safe in this day and age than they were millennia ago. Someone wants her dead.

And the one man she should probably fear most, the one fae lord more dangerous than any other, the notorious and cruel Leanan King – just happens to be the only man in all the realms who can protect her.
The Unseelie King is the sixth book in Heather Killough-Walden’s acclaimed paranormal romance series, The Kings. Within its pages, a dark lord finds long lost hope in a beautiful, powerful soul, a lost spirit finds faith in tempting and forbidden magic, and a fierce and willful love finds the unbelievable strength to do what must be done to survive against overwhelming odds.

Available for purchase at 

            

About The Author

Heather Killough-Walden is a California native currently living in Texas with her husband and child. She is the New York Times bestselling author of the Big Bad Wolf series, The Kings series, The Chosen Soul series, The Lost Angels series, the Neverland series, and the October Trilogy. Heather’s educational background includes religious studies, archeology, and law. She has traveled and lived all over the world but hopes to one day live in a town with a world-class hockey team. (Let’s Go Pens!) Visit Heather’s website at www.killough-walden.com, where you can sign up for her newsletter.

You can find Heather at 

         

Presented By

Book Review: A Touch of Midnight (Midnight Breed 0.5) by Lara Adrian

A Touch of Midnight
(The Midnight Breed Series, #0.5)
By Lara Adrian

Blurb: 
Savannah Dupree is halfway across the country from her Louisiana bayou hometown, a freshman studying at Boston University on a full scholarship. But academic excellence is only one of Savannah’s gifts. She possesses something even more remarkable than her quick mind and insatiable curiosity for learning. With a simple touch, Savannah can see an object’s past—a skill that puts her life in danger, when her studies bring her into contact with a centuries-old English sword and the secret hidden within the blade’s history: the vicious murders of twin boys by a group of fanged creatures borne of the worst kind of nightmare.

In all his three hundred years of living as one of the Breed, vampire warrior Gideon never dreamed he’d see the blade again that spilled his young brothers’ lives ages ago on that blood-soaked night in London. Ever since the boys’ deaths, Gideon’s been on a personal quest to rid the world of Rogue vampires, but now he can’t help wondering if the brutal slayings of his only kin was something more sinister—an act perpetrated by an unknown enemy. An enemy who is apparently living in hiding somewhere in Boston. There’s one certain way to prove Gideon’s suspicion, but it will mean using innocent, gifted Savannah to help uncover the full truth—a truth that will shatter everything she knows about herself and the world around her. And with danger closing in from all sides, the passion that ignites between Gideon and Savannah will tempt them to risk their hearts and lives for a love that might just last an eternity…

This novella, a prequel to the Midnight Breed series, was previously published in its entirety in The Midnight Breed Series Companion (May 2013)

Available for purchase at 

                     

Viviana's Review:

Loved, loved, loved it! Gideon has been one of my favorites (okay, they are all my favorites, but each has a unique reason for them being my favorite!) and I've always LOVED that he is quick witted and tech savvy! Add the sarcasm and man, swoon! He's been in every book in the series and yet, there were many aspect of his life/story we knew nothing about. We do know how much in love he is with his Breed Mate Savannah and how Savannah is the heart of the Order's home. They truly are the cutest couple. However, because they have been together since the beginning of the series, we never have had the opportunity to learn their story. As any fan of any series, when something like this occurs, we tend to ask the author "so uhm.... will we ever get the chance to see how they got together?" I came to this series later in the game when most of the books had already been released, oh, that's right, book ten "Darker After Midnight" was yet to be released. I was desperately trying to catch up on finishing the series until that book. I'm happy to say, my timing was AWESOME!! Anyways, I had noticed that fans were asking about Gideon's and Savannah's story and I was curious as well. They are just again so cute and happy, but I wanted to see how they got there.

Book Review: Dead Ever After By Charlaine Harris

Dead Ever After
(Sookie Stackhouse Series)
By Charlaine Harris

Blurb: 
There are secrets in the town of Bon Temps, ones that threaten those closest to Sookie—and could destroy her heart...

Sookie Stackhouse finds it easy to turn down the request of former barmaid Arlene when she wants her job back at Merlotte’s. After all, Arlene tried to have Sookie killed. But her relationship with Eric Northman is not so clearcut. He and his vampires are keeping their distance…and a cold silence. And when Sookie learns the reason why, she is devastated.

Then a shocking murder rocks Bon Temps, and Sookie is arrested for the crime.

But the evidence against Sookie is weak, and she makes bail. Investigating the killing, she’ll learn that what passes for truth in Bon Temps is only a convenient lie. What passes for justice is more spilled blood. And what passes for love is never enough..

Available for purchase at 

   

Candie's Review: 
The last few Sookie books left much to be desired as her relationship with Eric Northman started to fizzle out. This disappointed me greatly, as Eric was always my dark horse for Sookie in the series.  As time went on, I could tell where the series was headed and while I understand Charlaine’s choices for Sookie, they just didn't sit right with me.

Book Review: Bewitch by Felicity Heaton

Bewitch
(Vampire Erotic Theatre #5)
By Felicity Heaton

Synopsis: 

A vampire with a past stained with blood and a soul tainted with darkness, he is perfect in his self-control, never surrendering to his darkest desires. Now a beautiful witch in the shadowy fae underworld threatens to reawaken long denied hungers and tempts him with carnal pleasure.

Payne despises the incubus side of his mixed genes and refuses to give it free rein, but when the wickedly sexy Elissa offers him a possible way to help a friend, he finds it difficult to resist paying the price, even if it will be his undoing—one night of passion at her command.

Elissa is a witch down on her luck until Payne comes crashing into her life. The dangerously handsome male is the key to fulfilling a promise she made, but he is also forbidden, and surrendering to the wildfire passion he stirs within her means risking ruin and death.

When one incredible night of fulfilling their deepest fantasies leads to more than just a pathway to keeping a promise and saving a friend, will they be able to overcome the barriers that stand between them and forever?

Available for purchase at 

Viviana's Review: 

I've read the entire Vampire Erotic Theatre series and have loved them all! Payne was a character that intrigued me from when he first appeared in the series and I was extremely happy when I found out he would have his own story told!