Cerise Mar and her clan are cash poor but land rich, claiming a large swathe of the Mire, the Edge swamplands. When her parents vanish, her clan’s long-time rivals are suspect. But all is not as it seems.

Two nations of the Weird are waging a cold war fought by feint and espionage, and their conflict is about to spill over into the Edge-and Cerise’s life.

For as much as I enjoyed the first book in this new series from Ilona Andrews, I loved the second even more. I liked Declan, but I absolutely adore William. He is complicated, flawed, and yet just so…. damn adorable. I really enjoyed the glimpses into his mind and the whispers of doubt when he thought about how he wanted Rose, the heroine from book 1, for himself. It was so obvious that he just wanted a family of his own, people to care for, people to love. I just wanted to cuddle and caress him til he was better…. and then jump all over his sexy weapon wielding ass.

Cerise reminded me of Kate, from the Andrews’ Urban Fantasy series, yet she isn’t Kate. Yes, she carries the same kick ass girl aura and the same courage and strength, but she isn’t afraid to be emotionally vulnerable. She is cautious but also trusting and and easy to relate to.

What I adore most about Ilona Andrews writing paranormal romance is that she holds nothing back. Bayou Moon is about the romance and the characters’ journey of finding each other, but it is also about the story. The plots are complicated and the world is detailed, filled with intense characters and tricky politics. These aren’t books that you can skip over the “non sexy parts” and still keep up. Andrews’ writes more than a story of boy meet girl. It is a story of boy meets girl with kick ass world building, intelligence, humor, and nerve tingling tension.

FTC Disclaimer: This book was given to me by the author and/or publisher in exchange for an honest review

Related posts:

• Cover Reveal: Bayou Moon by Ilona Andrews
• Review: Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews
• Review: Magic Bleeds by Ilona Andrews

Sigh. There once was a series about a vampire executioner/necromancer that kicked ass. Anita Blake was her name and she rocked my urban fantasy world. She kicked ass, took names, and didn’t care that she was wearing outdated/out-of-fashion clothing while she did it. She didn’t need stiletto heels or mid drift bearing leather vests. She wasn’t swayed into stupidity by the likes of hot men and out of the world orgasms.

Where oh where has our Anita gone to? She certainly isn’t being written by Laurel K. Hamilton anymore. Now before anyone says “oh you are just one of those who like to complain about all the sex”…. no, I’m not. I like sex in books…. in fact sometimes i LOVE it. What I don’t like is sex to the point that it has no relevance to the plot, or worse, sex instead of a plot. I’ve never been a complainer when it comes to Hamilton, other than what she did to poor Richard… I didn’t hate the ardeur or complain about the harem of men until I started losing track of who was who. I even kind of liked Blood Noir and Skin Trade… had hopes that maybe the Anita I loved was making her way back.

Unfortunately, Bullet is exactly as it is titled, a bullet into the coffin of the Anita Blake series for this reader.

Now here I could try to sum up what was going on in this book and put it into neat paragraphs… but I have put enough time into this one. Instead I am just going to give you a nice neat bulleted list (heh, pun intended) of my complaints and notes.

• The phrase “creamy goodness” should never be used more than once in a book, much less two times or more and when talking about one’s own breasts
• “too tall for straight missionary, or I was too short” was used more than once… relatively close together about entirely different men. Furthermore…. eh what? I want details in a sex scene but can they please be better than random thoughts like this?
• More than once I noted a big W-T-F is going on? There is all kinds of strange metaphysical triumvirate crap going on and most of the time it doesn’t make sense. If there are rules to the supernatural world Anita lives in now that she is ever-powerful, I can’t figure them out and I don’t like it. I don’t buy the weird magic touching mojo just works without rules or reasoning, giving Anita and gang the power to fix anything. Additionally, how many new powers does Anita have now and can someone get me a chart?
• Pages and pages and pages of description. Not just any description… but description of guys’ hair color, eyes, clothing, and shoes. It was endless… if the guys were not always wearing knee high boots we probably would have gotten description of their sock color… surely all varying colors of blue (cue *eyeroll*). Oh and it was not just Anita’s main squeezes that we were treated to unnecessary man drooling, it was every guy she lays eyes on. Bullet could have been at least 50 pages lighter if an editor would have done their job and not allowed her to bore us with Hamilton’s game of “how many different kinds of blue eyes can I shove in a book and how long can I write about them.”
• On the note of clothing… WHY does every man in the book have pants that were “painted on”? Really? I lost count of how many times Hamilton was painting pants on men.
• Boring, emotional, relationship drivel. Pages and pages of talking whether it be among the characters or within Anita’s head. Every scene was like one of those bad fights you had with your high school sweetheart where you both kept going long after everything was said and you found yourself talking in circles…. except in Bullet every one of those scenes involved 3 more more guys making them excruciatingly long. Sigh. I enjoy a good turbulent relationship but at some point in the book there must be a plot right? I mean something has to happen outside of the bedroom right?
• Rainbow of Tigers… they are confusing and totally weird. That is all.
• Poorly written sentences and paragraphs. Unnecessary details that only make my brain go into zombie mode… such as:
  

  Nathaniel had made me drink a Powerade from the cooler near the locker rooms, but he’d also insisted on stopping at the kitchen so he could make me a protein shake. They were designed to replace things a hard workout would take out of you, and the interesting thing was if you didn’t need the shake, it tasted bad, but if your body needed it, chocolate tasted like chocolate. It tasted very good today.

• Richard… sigh. My dear Richard. I want Richard to stop whining and being a pansy as much as the next girl. When forced to choose between a creepy old vamp (Jean Claude) and an uber hot alpha werewolf (Richard) I am always going to side with the warm blooded non-creepy one. Well, I got my wish in this book…. but I am sad to say it was disappointing. Not because unwhiny Richard wasn’t what I thought…. oh no.. Richard accepting the things he wants is totally SEXY. The problem is that the turnaround is completely unrealistic and poorly done. It is done without set up or any believable back story. A fellow blogger described it perfectly, it seems that Hamilton just got tired of writing him as a pain in the ass and decided to stop doing it.
• Sex scenes…. for those who complain about the frequent sex in the later books…Bullet was a nice inbetween. It wasn’t overwhelming and it wasn’t sparse…. but it was BORING. Uninspired and lacking chemistry or sizzle of any kind. I am going to blame it on all the talking during, before, and after.
• Anita getting it on with the girls. Hey, I am all about Anita getting a little help taking care of her harem… its large, she needs it. Yet when Anita actually gets some sexual mojo going with one of the girls underneath her Hamilton wimps out on committing to it. The girl is left to get off on her own by rubbing up against Anita’s stomach? Really? Either dive in or get out of the pool.
• Plot….. where the hell is it? Other than a dance recital at the beginning of the book, Bullet takes place entirely in the Circus of the Damned…. much of it in the bedroom. AND THERE ISN’T EVEN A LOT OF SEX! There is definitely sex… but not enough for most of the book to take place underground in a bedroom. We get glimpses of cool things Anita could be doing (vampires running amock everywhere!) but we never actually get the action! Even the end reads like “here are all the traditional urban fantasy things that happened when we weren’t having sex or talking about our feelings, but I didn’t feel like writing them into the story so let me just tell you how it ended.”
• No Edward. Do I need to say more?

Now, I could go on…. but really, who is still reading at this point? My words can not express how bad I think this book is. And honestly, its a pretty harsh review already. I probably harbor an unhealthy amount of anger in regards to Bullet. Hamilton used to write better than this… and where is her editor? Are you telling me that no one at her publisher read this and questioned anything? Or is it no longer about writing a good story but instead about just meeting a deadline so it hits shelves on time? If so, its shameful… readers spend hard earned money on these books and deserve better than this. When you are the author of a long running, popular series, you have a higher level of responsibility. Your fans trust you, they buy your books on faith. If you can no longer deliver a book of at least mediocre quality writing then do yourself, your fans, and your characters a favor. Stop.

With that, I say good-buy to Anita Blake. Anita, Richard, Jason…. I have loved you and you helped me escape from my crazy so-called life many many nights. I will miss you but I am afraid I no longer care what happens unless it involves Edward coming in and and going on a mass killing rampage complete with Anita/Edward showdown. I am going to try to appreciate Bullet for what it did give me – sexy alpha Richard and series closure.

Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me.

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• Laurell K Hamilton gets a website facelift.
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Sanctuary Lost

Sanctuary’s Price

I <3 this series. Each installment is between 125-160 pages but Moira Rogers packs so much story into those few pages I never feel shorted or left wanting. Each book seamlessly continues the story of the Red Rock Pass sanctuary while delivering an engaging romantic story. I love the friendship and loyalty each character brings to the story, but even more than that I love that we never really say goodbye to any of the characters. Each book may focus on a new couple, but previous couples are there and a part of the action still.

I enjoyed each story for different reasons, but if I had to choose a favorite is is probably Joe and Brynn's story, from Sanctuary Lost. Partly because Joe is so very alpha, but also because of the twist in Brynn’s character arc. At one point I was swearing because a choice was taken away from her and I wasn’t sure I agreed with the author’s decision to do it, it felt like the easy way out. Yet as I kept reading I realize how wrong I was… it was the perfect turn of events and made Joe and Brynn’s journey so much harder and fulfilling. I don’t want to give anything away so I won’t go into detail, but Brynn is tested and will continue to be tested… even tho she gets her happily ever after with Joe I doubt things will ever be easy for them. It probably says something about me that my favorite characters are continuously tortured eh?

Sanctuary Lost may be my favorite, but I was surprised to find Dylan and Sasha’s book a close second. Dylan is not an alpha wolf, but he is sexy and sweet in his own ways. He is strong and commanding without being afraid to let Sasha be in charge. Sanctuary’s Price had some of my favorite quotes of the series.

Dylan lifted his head and stared at her. “I want you to come. I want you to feel so good you can’t image anyone else touching you. I want you to be mine because I give you everything you need.”

If you are looking for well written, sexy, engaging pararnormal romance reads do not miss the Red Rock Pass series. Don’t forget to pick up the FREE short stories for the series from Moira Rogers’ website…. I enjoyed the shorts just as much as the novellas.

Title: Sanctuary Unbound (Red Rock Pass, book 4 )
Author: Moira Rogers
Release: June 1, 2010
Purchase this book: here
Goodreads Entry: here
Rating: 4 Stars

Sanctuary Unbound is the newest release in the Red Rock Pass series and takes a break from the werewolves we all know and love. Adam Dubois is a vampire friend of Gavin Hamilton, the alpha of Red Rock Pass. Adam, vampire lumberjack, leaves his home in Maine to help the Red Rock Pass wolves fight an unknown vampire enemy back home. He expected to fulfill the life debt he owed to Gavin and return home to his solitude… he didn’t expect to find Cindy, a werewolf who tempts him in dangerous ways.

I admit, I wasn’t sure about the vampire lumberjack. Moira Rogers writes werewolves so well, what would their vampires be like? I am happy to say I enjoyed Adam, a lot. Not enough for me to switch to Team Vampire Lumberjack, but enough that I read his story in one setting. I could have used more depth into what being a vampire in this supernatural world means, but it wasn’t necessary to the story or take away from the believability.

Cindy and Adam can be frustrating, they both have secrets and painful pasts. Communication failures pepper their early encounters and I wanted to shake Cindy, hard. Yet the chemistry between them in undeniable and they set the bar for hot kitchen table sex. The ability for both of them to move past the physical attraction and find within each other someone they could be honest with and trust was touching. I am not usually a mushy romance type of girl, but their emotional connection was my favorite part of the story.

Unlike the other Red Rock Pass books, I felt the wolf politics took a back seat to the romance in this one. The danger to Red Rock is still there, but it didn’t get my attention as much until the end. It did, however, wrap up a few of those story lines and I am anxious to see what comes next for the wolves. Sanctuary Unbound won’t disappoint paranormal romance lovers and will have you looking at flannel in an entirely new way.

FTC Disclaimer: These books were purchased by me, with the exception of Sanctuary Unbound which was given to me for review

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• Review: Crossroads by Moira Rogers
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Lover Mine is the eagerly waited for book featuring John Matthew (who is not yet a “Brother”) and Xhex, a sympath assassin who worked for Rehvenge from Lover Avenged. At the end of the last book Xhex is captured by the Omega’s son and former potential Brother, Lash. Lover Mine concentrates on John Matthew’s efforts to get her back and what happens after he does.

As has been the trend with the last couple of Black Dagger Brotherhood books, the main hero and heroine’s story is not the only one featured. In Lover Mine we also get a much more indepth look at the relationship between Quinn and Blay. Their story and interactions take up quite a bit of page space and were the most interesting part of this book for me. On top of that, we also get a subplot featuring Payne and No’One, as well as an oddly placed subplot about a reality show being filmed at an old mansion.

What I loved about Lover Mine? I felt that John Matthew and Xhex were true to their characters and the intimate scenes were HOT. John seems mighty capable at ripping a shirt or two and if it were me, I wouldn’t be complaining. Yet even with all their passion, in my opinion, Blay and Quinn stole this book. The tension, emotion, and suspense of their relationship was overwhelming and I found myself looking forward to their scenes and skipping parts of the book to make them come faster.

What didn’t work for me…. sigh, it’s hard to put a finger on. For John and Xhex there was just too much emotional angst in the story line, not enough action. They are both kick ass warriors, I wanted more physical action in the story and found the emotional turmoil within each of them to drag on and on. It took me a full 4 days to read this book and that is the longest I have ever spent on a BDB book, it just dragged for me.

The issue with John and sign language seemed to be too easily solved as well – he teaches her the letters of the alphabet and all of a sudden she can interpret entire paragraphs in what seems like no time at all? So he is signing each word letter by letter instead of using the actual signs for things? That’s impressive but entirely unrealistic in my opinion. On top of that, the subplot with the reality show filming was just weird. It ruined the pacing of the book and kept me from fully sinking into the story line.

Now my biggest problem? The GIGANTIC FREAKING PLOT HOLE! Exactly when did John Matthew and the Brothers find out that Lash was the Omega’s son? Was there a short story or novella that gave this away or were readers just deprived of this realization? When Xhex is taken at the end of Lover Avenged John Mathew mentions that Lash must have hooked up with the Omega somehow, yet he clearly does not know he is his son. Yet somehow in Lover Mine it seems that this is common knowledge?

For me, Lover Mine, was a tiny bit of a disappointment but I am willing to admit I may have had high expectations. This installment in the Brotherhood series was a good read, just not without it’s problems.

FTC Disclaimer: Book was purchased by me

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• Review: Primal Attraction by Sydney Somers

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!

Other Reviews:

Fiction Vixen – 4
SmexyBooks – 4

FTC Disclaimer: Book recieved from author for review

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This may be one of the shortest reviews I ever write! The truth is, Shades of Midnight was just “ok” and I don’t have a lot to say about it.

Kade is a sexy Breed (aka alien vampire) warrior from the Order, an organization determined to keep humans safe from the knowledge and harm from the vampires that have gone rogue. He is sent to his home state of Alaska to investigate some brutal and suspicious human deaths. In Alaska he meets Alex, a woman with a frightening secret who finds herself in the middle of whatever is going on up there.

Unfortunately, I just didn’t latch on to Kade. He was sexy sure, but I was never invested in his character or his relationship with Alex. I felt like I “knew” him less than the previous Breeds featured in other books, as I have always seen him as a more secondary character. His unique talent was interesting, but not enough to really drag me into this story. Likewise, Alex was just “ok”. I didn’t love her and at a times I found her actions to be unlike her character and even bordering on the “too stupid to live” side.

The thing that I like about Lara Adrian’s Breed series, and the reason I will continue reading them, is the unique take on vampires. Her vamps are descendent of an alien race and very much alive. They are covered in ultra sexy dermaglyphs (tattoos) and growl and roar like my beloved shape-shifters.

Overall, Shades of Midnight is a mediocre installment to the Breed series. I wouldn’t pick this up as your first experience with Lara Adrian but if you are a fan of the series, I wouldn’t skip it.

Other Reviews:

Tori @ Smexybooks – 4
Dear Author – C+
Larissa’s Life – 3.5

FTC Disclaimer: This book was purchased by me

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