I'm a guest reviewer at I Smell Sheep!

Book Description

In a beautiful compound hidden away from the world, Emeline Sanchez tries to blunt the pain that has wracked her body ever since her terrifying ordeal in the labyrinth beneath the city—when she was forced to exchange blood with an evil master vampire. 

Now, it’s his voice that haunts her...that calls to her in the dark...that never lets her rest. And while the children that she helped to free from his clutches struggle to heal, watched over by their Carpathian protectors, Emeline knows one thing: She must sacrifice herself to keep them all from harm...

For her beauty is irresistible to the vampires, her psychic ability like a drug. Whipped into a frenzy, they’ll never stop coming for her. And only the taste of one Carpathian warrior—the rush of his blood—can save her...

I'm a guest reviewer over at I Smell Sheep where I reviewed this book. If it sounds good to you, go read my review. This is one of my all time favorite series.

You can find the review at I Smell Sheep.

Review: Shadow Reaper by Christine Feehan

Book Description

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan returns to her scorching-hot series starring a Chicago crime family that has built its empire in the shadows...

Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood—but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own...

Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her—a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She’s someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco’s embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them...

My Review

Ricco and his five siblings are shadow riders, meaning they are able to turn into shadows and quickly move anywhere shadows are. Ricco hasn't been the same since he was sent for training in Japan when he was 14 years old and had some awful things happen to him. While he might not be suicidal, he hardly cares if he lives or dies these days. After crashing his car, he confesses that he needs something to do and hopes to find his one true love. So he holds auditions for a rope model for his photography book. 

Mariko shows up for the rope model job and Ricco instantly knows that she's the one for him. She's excited and nervous when she gets the job because that means she's going to be working closely with him for the next few months. 

There's a new threat to the Ferraro family which brought a couple of interesting twists to the story along with a family mystery that gets solved. 

While there was a romance, action and lots of blood shed, I didn't find this book quite as exciting as the first book in this series. I really didn't feel the passion between Ricco and Mariko even though they had quite a few passionate love scenes, the passion just didn't feel real, it fell flat for me. I understand that part of the story revolves around Ricco finding a rope model that he can practice his shibari skills on and take pictures for his book, but there was way too much time spent on the shibari aspect. Too much time telling the reader how, what and why he was using this knot, this rope or this pattern. I found myself really bored with a lot of that and for the last shibari scene I just glanced over it as I was reading. 

All in all it was a good second book and I will continue to read this series but it wasn't as good as the first book. 

I give this book 3 out of 5 stars. 

Review: Dark Blood by Christine Feehan

Book Description

At long last you are truly back with us...

Zev Hunter was an elite warrior, a dark-blood dealer of death to rogue Lycans who preyed on mankind. He was a loner, never given to personal attachments, and damned fierce at his job. But Zev begins to question his past and his purpose when he awakens in the darkness of the sacred cave of warriors—and is soothed back to consciousness by the sensuously familiar voice of one woman, the woman who has haunted his fantasies for centuries. She was Branislava, member of the Dragonseeker clan…

Mother Earth called the ancients to witness your rebirth… 

For this half-mage, half-Carpathian temptress, the ritual of awakening Zev to the council of warriors was the only way to save him. Locked away for his own protection, the time has now come for his rebirth, for his blood to stir with that of the ancient warriors before him. He has been assured by Branislava that their fates are entwined, that their spirits are woven together for eternity and that his new purpose in life is beyond imagining.

Now, with a blood-sworn vow of honor, mercy and endurance, and under the influence of a siren as bewitching as Branislava, Zev begins to wonder what his purpose is, what it means for the future of the Carpathians and what it is about his rebirth that he has to fear…

My Review

This is the 3rd book in the Dark Series Trilogy, which is also a part of the bigger Dark Series of books that now spans 26 books. I've been reading this series for many years and have all of the books. This is actually the first series that I ever started reading, ever. 

With that said, I have to say that this is not my favorite book in the series. Most of the books have been very easy to read, easy to become enthralled in and kept my attention the entire book but this one did not. It's not a bad book, it's just not as good as some of the first few books in the series. Not everyone is going to like every book in a series and this is that book for me. But that doesn't mean I am giving up on the series. This is also a trilogy inside a series and the trilogy revolves around the Dragonseeker bloodline as well as the Lycans. While it was interesting to find out what happened to Branislava and her sister in the ice caves and learn about the Lycans, half bloods and Dark Bloods..there was also a lot going on in this trilogy and in this last book in the trilogy. 

It felt like the author was trying to make sure anything that was left out in the first two book was covered in this one and the story wasn't as cohesive because of this. On top of that the relationship between Zev and Branislava felt rushed and pushed on us. They already had feelings for each other and because the life mate thing is there I can understand them having an instant connection to one another but it still felt rushed to me. Zev is very alpha and dominant so there is a slight curve into BDSM but I thought it was well done. He definitely likes being in charge but it was consensual since she didn't seem to mind even when he was a bit rough and wild. 

I've come to think of this series as paranormal romance but this book felt more like erotic horror than romance. While there are paranormal aspects to this book, we also get a lot of fight scenes, violence, bad guys and hell hounds. At one point I felt like I was reading an episode of Supernatural when I saw hell hounds. There's a plot twist that I didn't see coming but that I thought was contrite and really made me shake my head at where this story went. If you have been reading this series from the beginning you will undoubtedly shake your head as well because it really was ridiculous. 

These books are supposed to make sense on their own if you haven't read the series but I think if I hadn't read the other books first I would have been lost as to who the other characters were, why they were there and how they fit into this story line.

I can only hope that Ms. Feehan gets back to the roots of this series and gives us what we loved when we started reading it to begin with. 

I give this book a 3 out of 5 stars. 

Books!

I got my books in the mail today. I'm so excited to start reading them. Two of my all time favorite series and Kerrelyn Sparks book that I just started reading not too long ago and really do love it too. But the other two series I've been reading for years...like 20 years..I love it when they have new books come out in these series. 

Now...if I can just get hubby to maybe sleep for a few days so I can read in peace. Or maybe I'll have to leave him chained in the dungeon for a few days. *if I only had a dungeon* LOL 

Guess I'll just have to put on my stern face and tell him no talking until I'm done reading. lol 

Books I'm Looking Forward To

I have several series that I've been reading for years and for me they just keep getting better and better. I have also found some new favorites and a few authors that just produce one great book after another. Since a lot of my favorite authors are having new books released soon I thought I would take this opportunity to list a few of my favorites that are coming out soon or have come out recently. (Maybe not soon enough for those of us waiting for them)

*Click on the link to take you to where you can buy it on Amazon. I'm not an affiliate, I get no compensation when you click on the links. I just thought I would make it easier for you to find these great titles.*

Dark Lycan by Christine Feehan- The next book in Christine Feehan's "Dark" series comes out September 3rd. This is by far the longest and oldest running series that I've been reading. It's actually the very first series I ever started reading. (I know, I'm shocked as well) But it's by far my most favorite series of books. I never get tired of reading the next book in this series. Vampires, Romance, Carpathian men (omg they're hot) and brutal battles. What's not to like?

Affliction by Laurell K. Hamilton- The next book in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter novels. Comes out July 2nd. I have to say this is my 2nd favorite series right after Christine Feehan's Dark series. I always look forward to reading this series and I love the characters in her books. I know that some readers have stopped reading and have said they think there's too much sex in these books, but that's part of the storyline... and part of why I like it so much. I first found this authors book on another blog and won one of her books. It was the first of many that I would read.

Darkness Bred by Stella Cameron- This is the 2nd book in the Chimney Rock series and it comes out on May 28th. After reading the first book in this series, Darkness Bound...I knew I had found a new series to love. I'm so excited to see what will happen next. I won the first book in a blog contest (Aren't those great?) and read it. I'm not sure I would have found this series or that book without that contest. I've found so many great books, authors and series through blogs and giveaways, it's just amazing.

Tall, Dark and Vampire by Sara Humphreys- This book comes out on August 6th. I first found this author when I won one of her books "Unleashed" on a blog. I liked it so much that I started buying the other books in the Amoveo Legend series and she has quickly become a favorite author.

Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon- Another long running series that I've been reading for a long time. One of the very best things about series is that we readers get to know the characters even better than we would have in a stand alone book. We may meet some secondary characters in one book and a few books later in the series they get their own story. I really like that. One of the best books in this series was Acheron...This next book is about his twin brother and I have a feeling it's going to be just as good.

Biding His Thyme 4 by Shelley Munro- This is available now and is the 4th book in the "Fancy Free" series. As you can tell I really like reading series and Shelley does an amazing job in this one. I found her books years ago on another blog and after reading just one of them I was hooked. She has many stand alone books as well as a couple of truly hot series.

Dark Wolf by Kate Douglas- This is the first book in the new Spirit Wild series and is available now! I found this author years ago when I won a Wolf Tales book...and let me tell you it was so erotic, so hot..I actually blushed as I was reading some of it. I was just getting into romance reading and had only read some cowboy romance at the time, but let me tell you..that all changed once I finished her book. I've been a PNR junkie ever since.

So there you have it. Some of my favorite authors and series. Did you happen to see that I found these authors when I won a book of theirs on other blogs or through giveaways? I cannot tell authors enough how much that has meant to me. I would not have found half of the great books I've read were it not for the authors and blog owners that give books away as prizes. Because our book habit cost money we readers are usually really picky about what we spend our money on and what books we pick. So when we win a book by an author we might not know or haven't read before and we find we like them, we usually go and buy their other books. I know I do. That's one of the reasons I enter sooooo many book contest, blog contests and giveaways. I love finding new authors and books to read and this is a GREAT way to do that.

I hope some of you reading this post will click on the links, read what the books are about and find a new book that you love.

Do You Auto Buy Books?

Last week a did a little shopping on Amazon and realized that for some books it doesn't matter if there's no cover or blurb yet, as long as I am able to pre-order the book..I do. One such book I just pre-ordered was Affliction by Laurell K. Hamilton.

I love the Anita Blake series so much that I auto buy whatever book is next. I have several series that I do this for and The Dark series by Christine Feehan is another one.

I also Pre-ordered Tiger Magic by Jennifer Ashley. Funny thing is I didn't even see if there was a blurb for the book, I just added it to my order because I knew I wanted it and it was the next in the series that I've been reading.

I also Pre-ordered a book that I won't get until September...lol but I don't care..I now have it pre-ordered and it's like I'm closer to getting it somehow. It's Styxx by Sherrilyn Kenyon.

A lot of times I will wait until a book is already out and try to win it in blog contests, book tours, blog giveaways..ect.... But there are some books that I want as soon as they are out...

Do you auto buy books? Have you ever pre-ordered a book that didn't have a blurb or even a cover? All you know is that it's the next in the series you love and have to have it?

I also ordered the last book in a series that I've slowly been working my way through. It called Creation of Desire by Leah Brooke (Desire, Oklahoma 3) These are naughty, sexy, erotic books and not for the faint of heart.

Here's the book Description from Amazon...
"[Siren Menage Amour 36: Menage a Trois Romance, M/F/M] Boone and Chase Jackson have managed to avoid Rachel Robinson for months, although it wasn't easy. She's a forever kind of woman and they've been burned too badly in the past to ever want a commitment again. When Rachel gives up on them, though, they're not happy. Seeing that other men have decided to move on her, they give her a night she'll never forget. But they all get more than they bargained for when Rachel discovers she's pregnant. The men are quick to throw off their fears and make her their own. But she doesn't believe them. Deciding their desire to commit is only for the baby's sake, Rachel refuses to believe that it's her they want. But the passion between the three of them is hotter than ever. When the pregnancy is in danger, can she and her lovers still have a future? ** "I love ménage stories. How can a woman resist having more than one man wanting to please her? In this story, though, Rachel's convinced that Boone and Chase only want her because she's carrying their baby. They'll just have to prove otherwise." ~ Leah ~ ** A Siren Erotic Romance"

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1606014617/ref=oh_details_o00_s00_i00?ie=UTF8&psc=1

Now doesn't that sound good?

What's the last book you bought?

Favorite Books

Everyone has favorite books. Books that you either never give away and have re-read, or are a part of a series that you love and can't wait for the next book to come out. While other books have sentimental value because of the person that gave it to you, or how you got it.

Here are some of my favorite books.

I couldn't make this list without adding a book from this series. Anita kicks ass!

I have to say this is a book from one of my all time favorite series. I tell everyone who asks for a great series of books about these books because I haven't been let down by one of them. 

Can't say enough about Gena's books. I'm a huge fan and most of the people I talk to about PNR books, also love her books. 

Sara has a great series out and I impatiently await the next book from her. If you like shifters, you'll love her books. They are hot!

I love shifters and Jennifer Ashley has a great series that I love to read. I have read all the books in this series so far and can hardly wait for the next one.

This is by far the longest book on my bookshelf and it had to be to tell us Acheron's story. This is my favorite book in this series and every book in this series is an auto buy for me. 

So what are some of your favorite books?

Do You Like Series?

I don't know if you all are aware but I read a lot. I have stacks and stacks of books on my many bookshelves. While I do love to read all kinds of genres and different books and authors, my favorite thing to read are series. So I thought I would share some of my favorite series with you. Some you may know, some you may not. 

Mater Claimed is the next book in the Shifters Unbound series. If you like shifters, alpha males and sexy stories...this is the series for you. 

This author is fairly new to me. I won the first book in this Amoveo Legend series in a blog contest and liked it so much that I've been buying up the rest of the books in this series. I cannot say enough good things about this series or the author. She is on FB and is a very nice lady. I've read all the books in this series except for this latest one and I can hardly wait to get my hands on it. 

Anita Blake..now if you haven't been reading this series and you like vampire novels...you are seriously missing out, Anita kicks ass...literally. 

I love this author and the Feral Warriors series. Just look at that cover! The men are alpha all the way and you will find shifters in this series, so if you like shifters, this is the series for you. 

The Dark Hunter Series. I have to say that I have been reading this series since the very first book and I thought that Acheron was the very best of all the books so far. Not to say that any of the other books were bad, but this cleared up so much that we didn't know. 

The Breeds series. I've liked all of the books in this series because I really like shifter stories and this is one of the best ones out there. 

This is by far my favorite series...ever. I started reading this series by accident actually. I went to a used book store and thought I was getting a book a friend had told me about, only to find out it wasn't the one she was talking about. But I loved that first book in this "dark" series and have been hooked ever since. The Carpathian males are alpha all the way and want only to take care of their mates, even if that means going against their mates wishes and pissing them off...which they seem to do quite often...but that makes it all the more fun to read. 

So tell me, have you read any of these series?