Review: Raven's Kiss by Toni lo Tempio

Raven's Kiss by Toni Lo Tempio

*I received this book (digital copy) at no charge in exchange for an honest review and participation in the blog tour.  The blog tour is being hosted by The Bookish Snob Tours.

Amazon Product Description:

Raven Grace was a college senior with ambitions of a career in law enforcement when she met the demon Aega, whose bite turned her from mortal to Shapeshifter. Now a member of the Recovery Organization, Raven keeps the peace between humans and errant Hellhounds, trolls, wizards and the like while trying to track down Aega and bring him to justice. After a particularly dicey encounter one night with a Hellhound, she goes to the aid of a girl who’s been attacked and near death—and is amazed to find Aega’s bite mark on the girl’s arm. Determined to get to the bottom of this, she revisits the victim’s apartment and there discovers her closet is a portal to a parallel universe, where people she knows lead vastly different lives. She also gets a glimpse of the Recovery Captain there—a six foot, redheaded Scotsman named Finn McPhee, whose sexy accent and even sexier bod sets her senses aflame. Seeking answers, Finn takes Raven to the magickal underworld, where an ancient fae informs them the demon’s quest is rooted in Scottish mythology and magick. As they delve deeper into legend, the truth comes to light—Aega is only a pawn, subservient to another, darker demon…a being who knows the truth about Raven’s heritage, and who orchestrated her return to this parallel universe for the ultimate showdown. Now, Finn and Raven find their passion for one another must take a backseat to Raven’s battle with a dark force who won’t be satisfied until he’s claimed her soul for his very own…

My Thoughts:

I LOVED this story!  This story grabbed me from the start and didn't let go until I had closed the cover after finishing the whole book!  I was captivated by both the story and the characters.  

This is a story like nothing I have read - the author gives us parallel time coupled with modern day living and then adds in paranormals, ancient prophecies, mythology, and romance!  What more could a reader want?  

The entire book is excellent.  

The characters are wonderfully planned and carefully created - - in both times.  The author has given each person, with the exception of a few, a completely alternate life.  I was thrilled with the differences and similarities between each of the characters in each of the times.  

Raven is great!  Bitten by a demon and turned into a Shapeshifter, she is the unlikeliest of heroines.  Sassy and tough on the outside, but unsure and troubled on the inside.

Finn, well what can a girl say about Finn...he is apparently every woman's dream. Sexy, dedicated, family oriented, loyal, attractive, and wealthy, all rolled up into a man with an accent to make you drool.  

The secondary characters are as well-developed as the main characters and each one lends to the story as a whole.  My favorite supporting characters is Gwencha, without her something would be lost.  

In short - wonderfully written, creatively told...a must read for those who enjoy a great story that fits into a variety of areas.  Highly recommended!  

Be sure to head over to Amazon where you can get this FANTASTIC READ for a mere $0.99.

Review: No One to Trust by Julie Moffett

No One To Trust by Julie Moffett

***NetGalley boo
Publication Date: June 13, 2011

Amazon Product Description:
SWFG: Single, White, Female, Geek.

That's me, Lexi Carmichael, a reformed hacker who was gainfully employed by the National Security Agency. But a series of extraordinary events led me to leave government life behind for a fresh start with a brand-new company and an incredibly sexy boss, Finn Shaughnessy. It may not be kosher to have the hots for your boss, but he seems to have the hots for me, too. If only things didn't get so complicated...

Darren Greening, a genius researcher from Flow Technologies (our first client!) is missing, and his bosses think I'm involved. And they aren't the only ones—the man who nearly snapped my neck in the parking garage thinks so, too.

Now I'm caught in the middle of a complex and dangerous case. I'll have to use all my geek skills and a little help from my friends to solve the mystery of Darren's disappearance before Neck-Snapping-Man makes a return visit...

My thoughts:
This was a good story.  The idea of nanotechnology and energy replacement is fantastic.  I was thrilled that the good guy was a geeky techno freak girl.  That her boss is a sexy, attractive, millionaire Irishman is a huge bonus.  
Julie Moffett creates an intriguing story filled with realistic characters and sets it in today's world with today's issues.  I can't wait to read more stories about Lexi!

Looking for ADULT bloggers to help with a blog tour!

I am planning to host my very first blog tour - very informal - but must be 18 or over.  

The author is Leanore Elliott.  Click HERE to go to her website.  She has written a number of erotic paranormal romances.  She is willing to offer each participating blogger a free ecopy of the book they wish to review.  She is interested in guest posting, interviews, reviews, and giveaways.  I am hoping to have 13 (obviously from the banner) blogs, I will be the first stop, each blog will be able to offer a giveaway.  The hosting bloggers as well as the giveaway winners can be international as all the books will be eformat.  You can check out my reivews HERE!

If you are interested in being a part of this event, please fill out the form!  Thanks so much.  

Review: The Naked Truth by Lilly Cain

The Naked Truth by Lilly Cain

***33,000 word eARC from NetGalley
Publication date: 6/13/11

Amazon Product Description:
Captain Susan Branscombe was the victim of brutal torture at the hands of terrorists. Though rescued, she's now facing an equally brutal accusation: treason.

The only way she can prove her innocence is to allow Asler Kiis, a Confederacy Examiner, to delve into the depths of her mind. Asler is Inarri, the alien race that made contact with Earth just months before. His duty is to find the truth, but when he explores Susan's mind he can't resist drawing her into a more intimate experience.

Susan takes comfort in Asler's heated sensuality. Their erotic sensory exploration chases away the darkness and her body aches for more. But as their desire reaches new limits Susan finds it difficult to suppress the memories she is desperate to forget.

Is the passion they share enough to let Susan push aside her fear and trust Asler, not only with her mind and body but with her ever-opening heart?

My Thoughts:
Creatively clever story!  The characters are incredible.  Asler Kiis, although an alien, is the man we all wish we had, of course we wish this deep down inside and don't tell.  He is everything a person can be in all ways: physically attractive, mentally gifted, emotionally stable, and psychologically secure.  Susan Branscombe is the tough, rugged, patriotic, independent, dedicated woman we all try our best to be as often as we can.  That she is damaged both physically and mentally from being tortured is what brings her into contact with Kiis, and then opens her up to the opportunity to learn more about both herself and him (also the possibility of a relationship beyond just sex).  The physical characteristics of the Inarri are described in such detail that I found myself seeing vivid pictures as I read the story.  
The setting is mainly on space crafts of one kind or another and the technology on-board is the stuff of a gifted imagination.  During the mind joining sessions between Susan and Kiis, we are shown glimpses into the world of the Inarri which is described so well that it is easy for the reader to keep the movie-like picture of the story going. We are also given small bits about where Susan is from, but only in a broad spectrum kind of way.
The storyline is one of a science fiction action adventure meets hot alien romance!  The styles of the aliens compared with the human military are what I imagine they would truly be if there were aliens.  It was easy for me to invest myself in the plot.  
*The story was well done all the way around.  This was a one sitting read for me - I couldn't put it down!  I loved the ending and can hardly wait for more books in this series!

Review: Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane

Goddess with a Blade by Lauren Dane

***NetGalley book

Amazon Product Description:
Rowan Summerwaite is no ordinary woman. Physical vessel to the Celtic Goddess Brigid and raised by the leader of the Vampire Nation, she's a supercharged hunter with the power to slay any vampire who violates the age-old treaty.

A recent string of murders has her at odds with Las Vegas's new Scion, the arrogant and powerful Clive Stewart. The killings have the mark of Vampire all over them, and Rowan warns Clive to keep his people in line—or she'll mete out her own brand of justice.

Though her dealings with Clive are adversarial to say the least, Rowan is intensely aware of her attraction to him. But she can't let it distract her from her duty—to find and battle the killer before more women die.

My Thoughts:
This was my first Lauren Dane read - it will not be my last!  
Loved the story.  I found myself completely engrossed in this fascinating tale.  
The characters are fantastic.  The "bad" guys are so evilly bad, and the "good" guys all seem to walk the line between good and bad, but always working to do the right things for the right reasons.
I enjoyed the goddess vessel aspect of Rowan.  She is the perfect heroine, if you can accept her cockiness and bad manners.  Clive, the Scion of the Vampire Nation, is perfect opposite - so you just know that they are going to be fun.  The relationship that develops between them is wonderful.  All of the characters have been created with the utmost care.  They each have well developed personalities and belief structures.  It is this fact that makes their interactions, and thus the story, work so well and move so smoothly.  
The setting - Las Vegas - couldn't have been more perfect.  What better place for a rogue, drug addicted, ancient vampire to turn serial killer.  The city where vices rule.  
The story moves at a fast pace and keeps the reader turning the pages (or pressing the buttons - kindle book) constantly wanting more and more!  I loved the ending - although I find myself wanting to know more about Rowan and Clive!  
*definitely an adult read - some steamy sexuality and bad language.

Review: Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness by Joanne Valiukas

Danann Frost Embraces the Darkness by Joanne Valiukas
   (sequel to Danann Frost Falls from Grace - - REVIEW HERE)

***I received this book from the author for review.

Amazon Product Description:
To be with her love, Danann Frost, Archangel of the Light has chosen to Fall from Grace a second time. Returning to their lake in Western Ireland, Danann finds herself abandoned and alone. She is soon taken to the castle where all does not seem as it should be. Held captive by Seth's Ancient enemy, the King of the Mayo vampires; Eamon Ahern himself vows to take Danann in marriage.

Running from the dangers of her beloved's mother and sister, does Danann have any choice but to acquiesce to Ahern's heated demands? Managing to defy every attempt by Seth to save her, Danann learns to cling to the bonds in which she is held captive.

Journey with Danann as she is forced into marriage, vowing a honeymoon full of vengeance as she travels to New York and eventually home to Melbourne. Who will win the battle of wills for her freedom?

In a fight that involves the ultimate battle with the darkness, can Danann come out of it with her spark intact or will she lose her soul and her life for all time?


My thoughts:
Get ready for a roller coaster ride you won't want to end!  The twists and turns in this one will have you on the edge of your seat to the very last page!


Once again Joanne Valiukas has created fantastic characters!  She has set them in a few different places, Ireland, New York, Australia, but in each case we are shown a carefully created and detailed world.   
We are given more time with some of the supporting characters we met in book one and they have taken on even more meaning and have filled out to mean so much to the story.  
Seth is my favorite character.  He is so determined and willing to do anything and everything to assure Danann realizes how much he  loves her.   Of course he is immortal, thousands of years old, and smart, so he has amassed wealth, experience, and connections that are all put to use at one point or another in this cleverly written tale.  
This is a story of love, friendship, sacrifice, determination, courage, deceit, loyalty, passion and so much more.  


Will Danann ever win?  Will she never be able to live in peace?  Does everyone want her dead? Is she truly meant to live in this plane?  Who is truly the enemy?  Who can she trust?
To find out the answers - - - pick up a copy of Danann Frost Embraces the Dark by Joanne Valiukas.  Just available at booksellers!