Waiting on Wednesday: Lover At Last by J.R. Ward

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

I've been waiting almost five years for Blay and Qhuinn to get their HEA, so how could I not be on the edge of my seat for their book? Blay's my favorite character in the BDB series and the road to his and Qhuinn's romance has been so hard, so fingers crossed Lover At Last is amazing.

Title: Lover At Last
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 11
Author: J.R. Ward
Genre: Male/Male Paranormal Romance
Publisher: NAL
Release Date: March 26, 2013
J.R. Ward Reading Order

Book Description (from Goodreads):

Qhuinn, son of no one, is used to being on his own. Disavowed from his bloodline, shunned by the aristocracy, he has finally found an identity as one of the most brutal fighters in the war against the Lessening Society. But his life is not complete. Even as the prospect of having a family of his own seems to be within reach, he is empty on the inside, his heart given to another....

Blay, after years of unrequited love, has moved on from his feelings for Qhuinn. And it’s about time: The male has found his perfect match in a Chosen female, and they are going to have a young—just as Qhuinn has always wanted for himself. It’s hard to see the new couple together, but building your life around a pipe dream is just a heartbreak waiting to happen. As he’s learned firsthand.

Fate seems to have taken these vampire soldiers in different directions... but as the battle over the race’s throne intensifies, and new players on the scene in Caldwell create mortal danger for the Brotherhood, Qhuinn finally learns the true definition of courage, and two hearts who are meant to be together... finally become one.

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Review: Heart of the Demon by Cynthia Garner

Heart of the Demon by Cynthia Garner
Series: Warriors of the Rift, Book 3
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9780446585132
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Once a generation, the rift between the paranormal world and Earth opens, allowing preternatural beings to come through. The coming rift, however, brings with it the potential for chaos. A group of human-hating preternaturals is planning an attack and Finn Evnissyen, demon son of Lucifer, has been asked to infiltrate the group. If he succeeds, he not only saves the world but has a way out of doing his dad’s dirty work.

Finn’s not the only one out to stop the rogue prets. Keira O’Brien has been asked by a member of the Council of Preternaturals to infiltrate the group as well. A fey with powerful empathetic abilities, the former con artist hopes that her success in this mission will make up for some of her past sins. Keira knows she has to be prepared for anything, but it comes as a shock for her to see Finn as part of the group. Keira knows Finn is a demon, but she can’t believe he’d be mixed up in something like this. The closer the opening of the rift approaches, the deeper Keira and Finn get involved with the rogue prets…and each other. If she’s to succeed, Keira needs help. But can she trust the demon she’s falling for when he might be the enemy?

Cynthia Garner puts her own unique spin on the supernatural world in her Warriors of the Rift series. Though I haven’t read Ms. Garner’s first two Warriors of the Rift books, I was immediately drawn into the world of the prets in Heart of the Demon. Demons, fey, vampires, and werewolves as immortal, alien supernatural beings? Fascinating. Even an avid romance reader such as myself could have been hooked into Heart of the Demon by Ms. Garner’s preternatural entities alone.

Keira and Finn are two protagonists who are neither wholly good nor wholly bad. I liked that they tended to live life in the grey areas; it made them interesting. Yet while I liked them both very much, it did take a long time for me to become invested in their romance. Having a hero and heroine who are forced lie and hide their true motives from the person they’re falling in love with (no matter how good the reason — and Keira and Finn do have fairly good reasons) for the majority of the book is simply not my cup of tea. It’s a personal preference, so my lack of enthusiasm for the romance aspect of Heart of the Demon should be taken with a grain of salt for readers who aren’t bothered by that particular trope.

The deeper into Heart of the Demon you get, the more exciting the book becomes. Keira and Finn’s journey to stop the rogue pret group is filled with twists and turns, some expected, some not. I finished Heart of the Demon wanting to go back and read the first two Warriors of the Rift books, Kiss of the Vampire and Secret of the Wolf. Since the heroes and heroines of those books play large supporting roles in Keira and Finn’s story and the villain of Heart of the Demon appears in the previous books, perhaps I’ll enjoy Heart of the Demon even more after reading Kiss of the Vampire and Secret of the Wolf. Yet even as a standalone, Heart of the Demon is a strong book and I cannot say how much I enjoyed Ms. Garner’s fresh new take on the paranormal world.

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Monday in Review

It’s update time again :)

Below are the newest reviews I’ve written here, on Joyfully Reviewed, and Romance Junkies. The master list and categorical lists on the right-hand side are updated as well.

Reviews for upcoming releases:
- Winterblaze (Darkest London, Book 3) by Kristen Callihan (available 2/26/13)
- Calculated In Death (In Death, Book 36) by J.D. Robb (available 2/26/13)
- Jake (Wyoming Sky, Book 3) by R.C. Ryan (available 2/26/13)

All other new reviews:
- Getting Lucky (Marine, Book 2) by Susan Andersen
- Once Upon a Hereafter (Ghost Seekers, Book 5) by Melinda Barron
- Lust in the Library by Amelia Fayer
- Alien Sex 102 (Alien Sex, Book 2) by Allie Ritch

Upcoming reviews:
- Hex Appeal anthology
- Love is Murder anthology
- Legacy (The League of Illusion, Book 1) by Vivi Anna
- Sinner’s Heart (Hellraisers, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- Skies of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Book 5) by Jennifer Ashley
- Mystery Man (Dream Man, Book 1) by Kristen Ashley
- Wild Man (Dream Man, Book 2) by Kristen Ashley
- Ninja Cupcakes by T.A. Chase
- A Younger Man (Cabin Fever, Book 3) by Cameron Dane
- How to Ravish a Rake (How to Series, Book 3) by Vicky Dreiling
- Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards
- Some Like It Hot (Rising Star Chef, Book 2) by Louisa Edwards
- Hot Under Pressure (Rising Star Chef, Book 3) by Louisa Edwards
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
- Come Fly With Me (Alaskan Nights, Book 2) by Addison Fox
- Heart of the Demon (Warriors of the Rift, Book 3) by Cynthia Garner
- Trouble at the Wedding (Abandoned at the Altar, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
- Dearly, Beloved (Gone With the Respiration, Book 2) by Lia Habel
- With This Kiss: Part One by Eloisa James
- With This Kiss: Part Two by Eloisa James
- With This Kiss: Part Three by Eloisa James
- Killer Librarian by Mary Lou Kirwin
- Crystal Cove (Friday Harbor, Book 4) by Lisa Kleypas
- The Devil’s Heart (The Chattan Curse, Book 3) by Cathy Maxwell
- Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk, Book 1) by Bec McMaster
- Blood Persuasion (Immortal Jane Austen, Book 2) by Janet Mullany
- Educating Elizabeth by Kate Pearce
- Redeeming Jack by Kate Pearce
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Nights of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 4) by Nico Rosso
- Wild Invitation (Psy-Changelings) by Nalini Singh
- Daniel’s Surrender (Corporate Affairs, Book 3) by Sierra and V.J. Summers
- Fifty Shades of Mr. Darcy by William Codpiece Thwackery
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler
- Easy by Tammara Webber

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Review: Jake by R.C. Ryan

Jake by R.C. Ryan
Series: Wyoming Sky, Book 3
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Contemporary Western Romance
Release Date: February 26, 2013
ISBN: 9781455502448
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N

Jake Conway is the most eligible bachelor for miles around his small Wyoming town. But even handsome, sought-after veterinarians can be thrown for the loop, and Jake definitely is when he comes face-to-face with Meg Stanford.

As a successful Washington D.C. attorney, Meg knows how to roll with the punches. But even she can see that she’s in over her head when she comes to Wyoming to settle her estranged father’s estate. She has a young half-brother she never knew about, not to mention painful reminders of her past are lurking around every corner. The straw that breaks the camel’s back and sends Meg into Jake’s arms is a midnight break-in. Their desire for one another is impossible for either to deny, but it’s not long before Meg realizes that falling for Jake isn’t the biggest of her problems. The attempted break-in was only the first of many. It seems that someone doesn’t want Meg on her father’s ranch, and if she doesn’t figure out who’s trying to scare her off, things could turn deadly.

There are some books that are so charmingly written they make you feel warm and cozy as you read them. Jake is that kind of book for me. R.C. Ryan hooked me on her Wyoming Sky series with Jake and Meg’s story. I won’t lie — before I even finished Jake I was scouring the bookstores for the first two Wyoming Sky books, Quinn and Josh.

Jake is a sexy cowboy veterinarian whose soft touch with animals and children just made me melt. I know that sentence makes him sound like the stereotype of a perfect hero, but believe me, Jake is anything but a generic character. If he were real, I could imagine almost begrudging Meg capturing his heart, if she weren’t so likeable herself. Jake and Meg are both strong, intelligent protagonists who endeared themselves to me from the very beginning of Jake, drawing me into the story so completely that I did not want to put it down.

R.C. Ryan has a writing style that makes readers feel like they’re actually at the Stanford and Conway ranches. I loved being immersed in Meg and Jake’s world and I almost felt like I was a member of the Conway family. The Conways are a warm, generous group of people that I thoroughly enjoyed reading about. Even though I haven’t read the elder Conway brothers’ stories, I didn’t feel like I was missing anything. That being said, Jake did leave me desperately wanting to read Quinn and Josh.

A few mysteries add tension to Jake, making it a well-rounded story. Jake is one of those books that simply made me happy when I read it. I look forward to re-reading Meg and Jake’s book soon.

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Review: Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb

Calculated in Death by J.D. Robb
Series: In Death, Book 36
Publisher: Putnam
Genre: Futuristic/Mystery/Suspense
ISBN: 9780399158827
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Blue Ribbon Rating: 4 out of 5
Original Review Link
Book Purchase Link
J.D. Robb Reading Order

By all outward appearances, the death of Marta Dickenson seems to be the result of a mugging gone wrong. But to NYPSD Lieutenant Eve Dallas, things just don’t add up. The evidence Eve and her partner find lead them to believe that the accountant was murdered. After someone steals files from Marta’s office, it becomes clear that Eve will have to dig into the world of big business in order to find the killer. With the help of her husband, Roarke, Eve will delve into the world of finance to find someone calculating enough to order the death of an innocent woman. And Eve better hurry, because Marta’s death will only be the first of many, if the killer has his way.

I can always count on J.D. Robb to deliver an enjoyable story, and that’s just what she does in CALCULATED IN DEATH. The thirty-sixth novel in the IN DEATH series is a slow burn read; it takes a while for momentum to build, but once it does, you’ll be unable to put the book down.

CALCULATED IN DEATH is primarily a case-centric book, and it’s a delight to see Eve slightly out of her element as she navigates the world of corporate finance. It doesn’t hurt that she has the biggest name in business sitting across from her at the breakfast table every morning. As always, the way Eve and Roarke play off each other while she’s working a case provides entertainment and gives insight into how each of their minds work. Indeed, it’s the small moments rather than the case itself that give CALCULATED IN DEATH its spark. The byplay between Eve and her partner, Peabody, the glimpses into the dynamic of Eve and Roarke’s relationship, the way an element of the case can help Eve come to terms with an aspect of her past… All of these things come together to make CALCULATED IN DEATH a pleasure for a fan of the IN DEATH series to read.

Ms. Robb has a way of engaging the reader all throughout the book with the twists and turns that Eve’s cases take. This holds true for CALCULATED IN DEATH — even the twists you can predict are written in such a way that you’re not going to want to stop turning those pages by the time you reach the story’s climax. While not as emotionally-charged as some of the other IN DEATH books, CALCULATED IN DEATH is still an excellent story and I cannot wait for Ms. Robb’s next foray into Eve and Roarke’s world.


Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

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Review: Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London, Book 3
Publisher: Forever
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
ISBN: 9781455520794
Release Date: February 26, 2013
Blue Ribbon Rating: 5 out of 5 — Recommended Read
Original Review Link
Book Purchase Link
Kristen Callihan Reading Order

Poppy Lane learned at a very young age how to keep secrets. Her powers and her position in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals mean that she has to hold back a part of herself from everyone, including her husband, Winston. But when a werewolf attacks and nearly kills Winston, Poppy’s secrets are revealed; and her husband, who has no stomach for lies, leaves her. Poppy knows Winston still loves her, but she doesn’t know how to win back his trust. She’ll have to find a way, especially now that a demon is targeting them both. It will take the combined strength, intelligence and love of this husband and wife team to defeat an immortal evil hell-bent on their destruction.

The DARKEST LONDON series just gets better and better! Author Kristen Callihan is at the top of her game in WINTERBLAZE, an exciting, sensual, imaginative story that will sweep you away to a world unlike any other.

Poppy and Winston are interesting, endearing characters, and as a couple they’re simply irresistible. It’s clear from page one that they’re meant to be together, but the obstacles in their path aren’t easy ones for them to overcome. I love that Ms. Callihan weaves the story of how they first fell in love into WINTERBLAZE; it gave me a good sense of the foundation of their relationship and provided a nice contrast to the present day, showing how they’ve grown and changed in the fourteen years they’ve been married. While I can’t say much about the plot of WINTERBLAZE without spoiling the gripping twists and turns the story takes, I will say that Ms. Callihan had me rooting for Poppy and Winston all the way through the book. The only downside to this was that I didn’t want to put WINTERBLAZE down, no matter how late the hour.

Almost but not quite stealing the page from Winston and Poppy are their companions on the adventure, shifter Jack Talent and GIM Mary Chase. The chemistry these two have is undeniable and each has scenes in WINTERBLAZE that left me heartbroken and dying to read the next DARKEST LONDON book, SHADOWDANCE.

The paranormal Victorian-era world of the DARKEST LONDON expands by leaps and bounds in WINTERBLAZE, so I recommend reading the first two books in the series — FIRELIGHT and MOONGLOW — before reading WINTERBLAZE. There are new supernatural creatures to be discovered, paranormal politics to be played and a host of surprises that are sure to have you avidly turning the pages of WINTERBLAZE. Again, I’m afraid I’ll have to be vague to avoid giving away any of the fantastic twists and turns in WINTERBLAZE. Suffice it to say that you will NOT want to miss this book.

WINTERBLAZE is a phenomenal romance that I highly recommend. Kristen Callihan is an author to watch — it’s clear she’s a master at her craft. I foresee many, many more spellbinding stories coming from her and I, for one, cannot wait to read them!


Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

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Waiting on Wednesday: Lover Be Mine by Nicole Jordan

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

I adored the first Legendary Lovers book (Princess Charming), but it's the premise of the overall series that has me absolutely hooked. Each of the five Wilde cousins gets a romance that mirrors that of a legendary literary romance. For Princess Charming it was Cinderella and for the upcoming Lover Be Mine it's Romeo and Juliet. Let's hope Jack and Sophie get a better HEA than their counterparts ;)

Title: Lover Be Mine
Series: Legendary Lovers, Book 2
Author: Nicole Jordan
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Release Date: May 28, 2013

Book Description (from Nicole Jordan's website):

As the wickedly seductive Wilde cousins seek true love by taking a page from history’s legendary love stories, Lord Jack Wilde plays a determined Romeo courting an enchanting Juliet.

The last thing Sophie Fortin expects at a masquerade ball is a dazzling kiss from a pirate. Her desire quickly falters when she learns her masked gentleman is devilishly scandalous Lord Jack, a member of the captivating Wilde clan—and a man she’s forbidden to acknowledge. But when Jack begins a breathtaking seduction, Sophie can barely resist.

Jack never imagined that the daughter of his family’s mortal enemy would awaken such fierce passion within him—until one unforgettable kiss changes his mind forever. Soon, Jack is hell-bent on winning Sophie’s hand, going so far as to abduct her to save her from marrying a rival nobleman. Determined to woo Sophie and her unyielding parents, Jack is faced with the one decision he’d sworn never to make. The secret heir to a prince, Jack has spurned his royal heritage for years… but for Sophie he’ll risk all to turn a legacy of heartbreak into love ever after.

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