Book Review: The Basilisk's Creed, Omnibus

Title: The Basilisk's Creed

Author: Eme Strife

Publication Date: September 18, 2014

This book includes all 3 volumes

Book Links:  Amazon

Description (from Amazon.com):

Moving to San Francisco was a decision twenty-three year old Elisheva Tilton thought would change her hard life in Little Rock, Arkansas, for the better. Yet, Eli still finds herself living in shambles and being constantly stressed out just to make ends meet in the Big Bad Bay. 

And the stress only piles on when the most unusual of things begin to happen around her—including the mysterious disappearance of the Atlantic Ocean—and even more so when she strangely meets the unlikely individual who would irrevocably change her life forever; a gorgeous, unbelievably sexy, and sophisticated high-ranking soul reaper. 

Rated 17+ 

This series contains graphic sexual content, violence, and strong language. Because of its explicit nature, it is intended for mature audiences only. Reader discretion is advised.

Review:

I would give The Basilisk's Creed Omnibus a solid 4 stakes.

A tagline associated to the book on Amazon said that this book is something that I have never read before and I agree. I think this book is incredibly unique and as soon as I turned the last page I wanted to read more.

Matt, an immortal being [soul reaper I think] is swamped at work [aren't we all] when he notices a lot of strange occurrences that he eventually connects to Eli who he happened to meet earlier in a dream. I really liked the dream scene because it was just the right mix in the beginning to inform you as to what is happening in the story and to confuse you enough to want to read more. So, Matt connects the strange happenings like the Atlantic Ocean disappearing and becomes concerned for Eli. Meanwhile, Eli is concerned for her sanity as she feels that she is responsible for what is happening.

I really liked this story because of how unlike anything else it is. The two main characters are well developed and I actually care about what happens to them. Matt and Eli had an instant connection in the dream scene and I want to know more about them on their own and if they will interact further. 

Now, this book does end in a cliffhanger and while I hate those I didn't mind it so much in this case because of how much I liked it. I think there is an air of mystery around the story that when you get to the cliffhanger it's just like "of course. Now I have to wait." 

I definitely want to read more of this series and I cannot wait to find out more about Eli and Matt and the crazy things happening on Earth and in the reaping world.

Author Bio (from Amazon.com):

Eme is an unconventional New Adult Paranormal-slash-Urban Fantasy and Contemporary Romance writer (and a bit of a sarcastic smart-ass) who might be going through a quarter-life crisis even though she is in denial of it.

Lucky for her, she has several sarcastic, upbeat, and severely vulgar imaginary friends to give her some semblance of normalcy.

She loves writing about said imaginary friends--although she does so mostly because they never seem to shut the hell up.

She's also addicted to Family Guy, American Dad, and Pandora (the online radio site, not the evil box), drinks an ungodly amount of Red Bull at any given time, wants to marry Seth MacFarlane at some point, and occasionally eats bacon and popcorn together (^_^).

You can keep up to speed with Eme, her books, future publications, updates, and her unconventional life at www.emendedscribbles.com, chat with her on Facebook, chirp away on Twitter, or just shoot her good old fashioned email at emestrife@gmail.com. She's always eager to hear from you, so don't be shy. Drop a line!

Let me know what you think of The Basilisk's Creed Omnibus. :3

Interview with Felicity Heaton, author of The Eternal Mates series

I got the chance to interview the wonderful author Felicity Heaton about her writing, The Eternal Mates series, and the newly released Tempted by a Rogue Prince.

Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you're a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.

If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.

If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:

Website

Blog

Facebook

Twitter
Goodreads

With the new surge in popularity of paranormal and paranormal romance books, how do you feel that your books compete/compare to others in the genre?

I like to think they stand out. I do my best to write fascinating new worlds and give readers a really rich and detailed world that they can picture in their minds, and I do the same with my characters too. I always set out to write a different take on the usual paranormal species, adding a few twists of my own to keep them fresh and new. I work hard to avoid writing anything like other authors and love to give readers something different, and that’s why I added dark elves to my list of paranormal species last year, giving my readers something fresh to read about that hadn’t been done in paranormal romance before I launched the Eternal Mates series.

What specific type of “monsters” are you the most interested in writing or reading about? e.g. vampires, demons, incubi, angels.

It really varies depending on what I’m writing. The Eternal Mates series that we’re talking about in this interview is packed with all of those species you mentioned as examples. It has sexy dark elves who are the forefathers of vampires, incubi and succubi, witches and sorcerers, fallen angels and angels, demons and hunters, and almost every type of shifter you can imagine, whether that’s dragons, cats, wolves, or bears. I really love that huge world of creatures in this series as it adds so much interest to each book and each new character. I get to write so many new takes on species. I love having that whole smorgasbord of species available to me, and I think I’m the same when I read books. I like to mix and match between shifters, vampires, angels, demons, fae. You name it, I’ll read it and I probably write it.

Dark elves are my current favourite. They were lacking in the world of paranormal romance, with little or no presence at all in the genre when I introduced them with the first book in my Eternal Mates series, Kissed by a Dark Prince, in Nov 2013. I’ve put a whole new spin on them in my series and it’s great to see that my readers enjoy what I’ve done with them.

Why paranormal romance instead of “normal” romance and what first caught your attention about the genre? 

The big appeal of paranormal romance to me is the possibilities are endless and if you set your mind to it, you can create something unique that stands out from the other books out there. You can make whole worlds of your own and pull readers into those worlds. Plus, I find the characters in paranormal romance are often more detailed, more real, and ones who will stay with you and make you care about them.

I was drawn to the genre because of my love of everything that goes bump in the night that I’ve had since I was very young. I was always reading books about vampires, monsters and witches as a young child, and as I grew, I continued to read about fantasy worlds. I loved the adventure and the escape that a more fantasy based world provided. Again, perhaps it was the fact that the possibilities seem endless in paranormal romance. Anything goes!

Who is your favorite character in the Eternal Mates series or in Tempted by a Rogue Prince?

Vail is by far my favourite character in the series and he’s also the hero in Tempted by a Rogue Prince. Since beginning the Eternal Mates series with Kissed by a Dark Prince in November 2013, I have fallen deeply in love with Vail. He’s broken and tormented by the things he has done, but not beyond redemption. I’ve been looking forward to writing this book and giving him a brighter future with his fated mate, setting him on the path towards being healed and leading a normal life again. Writing his book really was everything I had expected it to be—a very emotional journey. He made me cry a few times, and readers have blamed me for a tissue shortage in their houses because of this book. Now, I’m looking forward to catching up with him in future books in the Eternal Mates series.

If you could rewrite one of your books in the Eternal Mates series now, would you change a major aspect in any of them or about any of the characters?

No. I wouldn’t change a thing about the series, the characters or the books. I absolutely love this world that I’m writing and I feel the characters in it are rich with detail and that makes them very real, just like the world. I’m really enjoying writing these books and these characters. I feel it’s my best series so far and I’m so in love with it, and so are my readers, that I’m writing four new books for it right now that I’ll be releasing one after the other close together in the New Year to give readers a huge fix!

In most romances the hero and heroine always seem to be perfectly matched even if they can’t see it in the beginning. How do you create the personalities of two people who will fit together without making one seem weak and just an add-on? Do you find it easier to create a male of female character?

In most of my romances, it’s more like the hero and heroine balance each other in some way. They tend to be quite opposite to each other, and as they come to know each other, they find they actually balance each other out. Light to darkness. Darkness to light. They help each other through their struggles and it brings them together. I write strong heroes and even stronger heroines, but while their personalities might clash, they always find a way to fit together, without losing those vital parts of themselves or compromising in any way that might dramatically change them. The heroines remain strong, despite the fact that I write a lot of very alpha heroes. If anyone changes during the course of the story, it’s often the hero. He tends to discover more about himself and that will change a person, and he also tends to be the one who opens himself up to his feelings, but I do have heroines who take the same journey too.

I find it easier to write the hero. It’s normally the hero who comes to me first and tells me more about the story I’m going to write for him. He’s often the central focus of the book. That isn’t to say that the heroine is doing nothing and has no role in the book. She normally has her own agenda and her own story happening in tandem with the hero, it’s just that main arc of the story is the hero’s.

Are any aspects from Tempted by a Rogue Prince or any of your novels inspired by your own life, even in the little details?

No, not at all. I would probably lead a dark and frightening life if there were. I suppose in a manner of speaking Rosalind, the heroine, and her desire to do good in the world and not take lives, in any form, whether they’re the smallest or the biggest creatures, or even nature, is reflective of myself. I can’t kill anything. I feel as guilty as she does if I do accidentally kill something… even if it’s an ant!

Tempted by a Rogue Prince (Eternal Mates Paranormal Romance Series Book 3) Released Aug. 6, 2014

An elf prince on the verge of losing himself to the darkness, Vail is maddened by the forty-two centuries he was under the control of a witch and forced to war with his brother. Now, he roams Hell seeking an escape from his terrible past and the heads of all who bear magic. When demons of the Fifth Realm capture him, he sees a chance to end his existence, but when he wakes in a cell to a beautiful female, he finds not death but his only shot at salvation—his true fated mate. 

Captured by the enemy of the Third Realm when the war ended, Rosalind has spent months in the cells of the Fifth Realm with her magic bound, forced to heal the new king’s demon warriors, and haunted by the lives she has taken. When she’s brought to heal an unconscious man, she discovers her only hope of escape has come in the form of her worst nightmare and the first part of a prediction that might spell her doom—a devastatingly handsome and dangerous dark elf prince. 

Unwilling to fall under the control of anyone ever again, Vail must escape before the Fifth King can use him as a pawn in a deadly game of revenge, but he cannot leave without Rosalind, the woman who looks at him with dark desire in her stunning eyes and awakens a fierce hunger in his heart. A witch who drives him mad with need even as the darkness within whispers she will enslave him too. 

Can Rosalind escape her fate as they embark on a journey fraught with danger and resist the temptation of her rogue elf prince? And can Vail overcome the memories that madden him in order to seize his chance for salvation and the heart of his fated female forever? 

Paranormal Romance Books in the Eternal Mates Series 

Kissed by a Dark Prince 

Claimed by a Demon King 

Tempted by a Rogue Prince 

Hunted by a Jaguar - coming in 2015

Blog Tour: Revival

Title: Revival

Author: Jena Leigh

Series: The Variant Series #1

Genre: Fantasy, Science Fiction, Paranormal

Publish Date: Nov. 24. 2012

Tour Organizer: TeamNerd Reviews

Length: 282 pages

Format: paperback, ebook

Goodreads: here

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Description: Possessing the uncanny ability to fry a television set from twenty paces can really wreck a girl’s social life.

If you’re looking for proof, just ask sixteen-year-old Alexandra Parker. After catching her boyfriend in the arms of the prettiest girl in school, she made the journey from social elite to social pariah in a haze of electricity and exploding electronics. But finding herself at the bottom of Bay View High’s social hierarchy was nothing compared to the shock of discovering who—and what—she really is.

After being zapped out of a burning bookstore by the mysterious Declan—a hero nearly as handsome as he is infuriating—Alex finds herself under the protection of the powerful Grayson family. It’s through them that she learns the truth: that the world she’s always known is nothing like it appears to be... and that she has far more in common with them than she might want to believe.

Now, on the run from a fire-wielding hit man and a secretive government organization, Alex must navigate a strange and treacherous new world filled with superhuman mutants known as Variants. As she begins to unravel the many secrets of her family’s past, she uncovers the real reason for her parents’ death twelve years earlier—and finds out that the threat to her family, and to everyone she cares about, is still dangerously real.

My Review: Revival was a lot better than I expected it to be. I wasn't quite sure how I would feel about this novel as I have read many books about teenagers gaining supernatural powers and I was a bit curious about how this would be different. I think this was a great novel.

Alex is just a normal girl dealing with a break up from a cheating ex boyfriend when she discovers that she is not so normal after all. She meets Declan who just so happens to be able to teleport, Kenzie-telepathic, Nathaniel-telekinetic, and Brian who can see glimpses of the future. Each of these characters are important and fascinating in their own way. They operate as a family and joke and bicker with each other like one. I was happy to see the characters interact with each other in a way that made it clear that, despite not being blood related, they cared for one another.

The training that Alex goes through to control her abilities with her new family is fun and exciting to read. Although she learns quickly, it is amusing to see her mistakes. In my opinion, it is what makes Alex seems more realistic and sincere. All of the characters are well developed as their emotions are well defined and no one seems to be a background character. Brian is, perhaps, my favorite character because he seems far wiser than his years of 10 or 11 because of his visions, yet he does not let it stop him from having fun. Even the girl who Alex's boyfriend cheated with was fleshed out so that she did not merely fill up space on a page. 

I found the dynamic between Declan, Alex, and Nathaniel to be very interesting as I sense a maybe love triangle/unrequited love/I don't know what it is. The two boys both act interested in Alex and share strange looks and comments when one of them goes off with her alone. I am very interested in how this will play out and am happy that there will be more to this series.

Finally, the action is great. It feels movie-like in that there are car chases, fights, guns shooting, power hungry psychopaths, and strange, corrupt government agencies. There is suspense and surprise as nothing is what you expect it to be. I was very pleased with this novel and cannot wait until Resistance.

Quick Opinion: I was pleased with Revival overall. I think the concept of teenagers with supernatural powers, while not a new one, is well executed in this novel. I was captivated with the action in this novel and genuinely interested in what came next and how the characters ended up. I am definitely interested in reading the rest of the Variant series when it is released. I give Revival 4.5 stakes and I cannot wait to find out more about the characters that I have grown to care about.

Get to Know the Author: Born and raised in Tampa, Florida, Jena Leigh spent ten years in the mountains of North Carolina before returning home to the lightning capital of North America. A shameless geek, she loves bad sci-fi movies, Skittles, writing cracktastic e-mails to friends and taking shenanigan-filled road trips to faraway concerts. She has a degree in English from Appalachian State University. Revival is her first novel.

Author Links: 

Website | Goodreads | Twitter | Facebook

Where to Get Your Copy: Barnes & Noble | Amazon

Giveaway: 

**MUST be 13 or older to enter**

**Winners have 48 hours to respond before new winners are chosen**

*ONE winner will receive a SIGNED hardcopy of REVIVAL and RESISTANCE (Be aware you will have to wait for the second book until it is published in FEB)**

**FIVE winners will be chosen to win e-copies of REVIVAL and RESISTANCE (Be aware you will have to wait for the second book until it is published in FEB)**

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Have you read Revival? What did you think? What do you think about a supernatural bunch of teenagers?

Elemental Inferno Review, Excerpt & GIVEAWAY

Title: Elemental Inferno

Author: A.J. Locke

Genre: Paranormal, Romance

Publish Date: November 24, 2013

Length (via Amazon): 76 pages

Format: ebook 

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Description: Rielle is a Winter Aura who for the past hundred years has held the job of controlling winter weather in her assigned area. During the non-winter months she can live as she pleases, as long as she doesn’t do anything that would make her lose control of herself, which could unleash her power and have it snowing in July. Therefore, sex outside of winter is a big no-no, because what could make her lose control of herself more? If Rielle is unable to keep her winter magic dormant during her off seasons, she will be forced to Sleep by the Aura Elders. For Auras, it’s a fate worse than death.

When the Summer Aura for her area winds up mysteriously dead, summer weather spirals out of control until another Summer Aura arrives in the nick of time and brings things back to order. Aden is as gorgeous and alluring as they come, and before Rielle knows it, she finds herself with a roommate at the urging of the Elders, who seem uneasy about Aden, and want an eye kept on him. Rielle and Aden have a magnetic attraction to each other, and for the first time Rielle is afraid of losing control. However, Aden is much more than he seems, and when he shows Rielle a way to indulge their passions without repercussions, it seems too good to be true. But Aden’s secrets are ones the Elders fear, and can’t ignore. As they close in on him with deadly force in mind, Rielle will have to decide if Aden is in fact too dangerous, or if it’s worth going up against the Elders to save the man she’s losing her body, and heart to.

My Review: In this novella, the balance of the four seasons is questioned as one of the four Auras in charge of the northeast region of the U.S. is murdered. The death of the summer Aura is extremely bizarre to winter Aura Rielle because he was burned alive. To her knowledge an Aura cannot be killed by something that reflects their season.

Rielle is dealing with the hottest summer that she has ever experienced. But, although she is a winter Aura she cannot even use her power to cool herself down. After the death of summer Aura Bero a new Aura, Aden, appears under the guise of a summer Aura apprentice. Unbeknownst to Rielle there are other forces at work that have done some terrible things and who are truly responsible for Bero's death.

Aden proves to be a very complex character because there are secrets that he is keeping from Rielle that could change how she feels about him. Aden's secrets are dangerous and ones that could keep him away from Rielle and force the Elders to intervene. 

I liked the chemistry between Rielle and Aden. For a novella I think the author did a great job fleshing the romance out enough to be believable. Rielle resists Aden because she senses something dangerous inside him but she cannot deny her feelings for long.

I was surprised with the outcome of the events in the novella although I did suspect what would happen. I think some of the resolution is predictable but I feel that some of it is not.

Excerpt: 

Chapter One

I think most people would only accept a job where their sex life was dictated by what season it was if their life depended on it. Then again, they might choose to die and have as much sex as they could before then. When I had accepted the job almost a hundred years ago, the fine print hadn’t seemed like a big deal. Yeah, I’m old. Immortal if you wanted to get technical, but I only looked about twenty-five. And though my life had depended on taking the job back then, that didn’t make the rules any easier to accept.

Especially since today was the hottest fucking day. It was the kind of day where people threw around adjectives like wet, hot, and sticky, while skirt hems were tugged up and shirts were peeled off. I guess the idea was the more naked you got the less the heat would affect you. I’d finally given up trying to read in a corner of the Brooklyn Public Library, because the conversation a group of people were having at the table next to me was making my ears burn. And it wasn’t because I was a prude. It was because I wanted sex.

Usually I wasn’t so hard up, but the intense heat that had suddenly come across the city had brought this carnal rage to the surface, which was why I was standing in front of a calendar in my apartment calculating how long it would be until I could wrap myself around someone’s body. It was late June, winter was about five months away, and I last had sex three months ago. I braced one hand against the wall, dropped my head, and released a slow exhale, trying to quell the thrumming in my body that had been present since I had woken up to this heat wave three days ago. It was only the beginning of summer, damn it. Yesterday’s high had been a hundred and six, and today it was even hotter. 

I bet Bero had done this on purpose. That annoying asshole of a Summer Aura probably thought an early summer heat wave was just we needed. Wouldn’t be the first time he did something like this, but the Elders should have made him stop it. Over the past three days, dozens of people died or were incapacitated by the heat, especially children and the elderly. There were heat strokes galore, and crowded public pools. Hell, I had only high-tailed it to the library for their air conditioning. Mine was barely cooling my apartment down. I would have loved to use my winter magic to cool myself, but being out of my season meant I had to keep myself ridiculously in check, since a slip up could have it snowing in June, and the humans would think that signified the apocalypse. Here was where the ‘no sex until winter’ thing came in, because what could make a person lose control of themselves more than being in the throes of passion?

Quick Opinion: Overall the romance between Rielle and Aden is great. I think it could have been developed more but for a novella it is acceptable. The mystery and suspense is tense and left me with questions but in a good way. I found Elemental Inferno to be a quick and enjoyable read. I give this novella 4 stakes and I would absolutely recommend this to others.

Get to Know the Author: A.J. Locke is a writer of Urban Fantasy, as well as an avid reader. She loves reading both YA and adult novels, and also enjoys post-modern Japanese fiction. A.J. is also an artist, and enjoys drawing, painting, and graphic design. Affairs of the Dead is her debut novel and is available now from Etopia Press.

Author Links: http://iqurae.blogspot.com/ | http://twitter.com/maqueripe

Where to Get Your Copy: Amazon

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Leave a comment and tell me what you think of Elemental Inferno. :)

Unchosen Review & Giveaway

Title: Unchosen

Author: Michelle Vail

Series: The Reaper Diaries #2

Genre: Young Adult, Paranormal, Fantasy

Publish Date: October 29, 2013

Publisher: A Freeman Publication

Length: 195 pages

Format: ebook, paperback

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Description: I thought the worst of my reaper training was behind me… turns out I was wrong. Dead wrong. 

Molly Bartolucci has done a lot of growing up but after being accused of using illegal magic at her school for necromancers, reaper-in-training Molly is treading lightly. As the destined leader of Anubis’s Chosen, she needs to study hard, train harder, and stay out of trouble. 

Uh, right. 

It doesn’t help that she’s feeling more than academic about her melt-your-bones hot reaping instructor, Rath. And if her relationship drama isn’t enough to drive her over the edge, she has to deal with mother issues, nosy little sisters, suspicious friends, and an unnamed force stalking her at school. 

Then her family is attacked, and her bio-dad ends up comatose in the hospital. Now, Molly has to uncover who’s trying to hurt her loved ones—and all without the help of Anubis. I thought the worst of my reaper training was behind me… turns out I was wrong. Dead wrong. 

Molly Bartolucci has done a lot of growing up but after being accused of using illegal magic at her school for necromancers, reaper-in-training Molly is treading lightly. As the destined leader of Anubis’s Chosen, she needs to study hard, train harder, and stay out of trouble. 

My Review: Reapers and necromancers have always fascinated me so I was very excited to read this book. It did not disappoint. The book moves swiftly and kept me wanting to find out what happened next.

Molly is a very strong 16 year old girl who is a reaper and zombie maker. Many things are a mystery  about Molly, her situation, and her family, even to Molly. Unchosen follows Molly as she attempts to navigate her way through these mysteries and discover the truth.

The book starts off with Molly being accused of illegally using a "soul box." I loved this scene because I really liked the lawyer, Rosie Knowles.

“When asked if she had used the soul box,” said Dr. Riverton in his slow-as- molasses tone, “Molly nodded.”

“Oh? Maybe she did. Maybe she didn’t. Maybe her neck itched, or she tilted

her head. Since she didn’t give a verbal response, it’s not relevant.” 

I really liked that ghouls and zombies were also used in this book, not just reapers. I think Henry, the ghoul, and Jon Lemons, the zombie definitely adding an extra element to the story. Henry was probably my favorite character because of his dry humor and loyalty to Molly.

Molly's Reaper Diary entries between chapters are fascinating to read because they provide further insight onto the world of reapers and how they act.

"I don’t think you can organize life. Life has too much uncertainty to be controlled even on the most basic of levels. And that’s life, and not death. Death is, like, triple the chaos of life. At least from the reaper perspective." 

I also liked to read about Molly's dreams because they acted as a way for both the reader and Molly to understand what is going on... Also because they usually involve Rath and I like him :)

“You need to be strong on your own. Don’t rely on anyone, Molly, not even me.” 

I was very surprised at the ending but excited at the same time. I think with the way that it ended, with a cliffhanger of course, it left the story wide open for book #3 coming next year. I also think the ending was in no way predictable, at least I didn't see it coming.

Overall Opinion: I am looking forward to the third book in this trilogy. I think that reading the first book, while not a necessity, should be done just so you have all the information and the facts and events are not confusing. I love reapers and think that the portrayal of them in this book was very well executed. I want this to become a movie. I give Unchosen 4 stakes and I really want to see how Molly deals with the new developments in her life. Also I want more of Molly and Rath.

Get to Know the Author: Michele Vail is the author of The Reaper Diaries, a young adult paranormal series set in the modern world with a zombie twist. The stories center on 16-year-old Molly Bartolucci, a reaper-in-training who's learning to deal with love, destiny, and death.

Michele Vail is the pen name of national bestselling paranormal romance author Michele Bardsley (who also writes thriller mysteries under Michele Freeman). The Reaper Diaries consist of three books: Undeadly, Unchosen, and Unbroken. 

Author Links: www.michelevail.com 

www.thereaperdiaries.com

Where to Get Your Copy: Amazon

a Rafflecopter giveaway 

Suggestions: I strongly suggest the first book in this trilogy, Undeadly, to gain understanding of the characters and backstory. Also I think there could be some confusion and some things won't hold much meaning to you.

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think 

of Unchosen and don't forget to enter the giveaway.

Wild Hyacinthe Review

Title: Wild Hyacinthe

Authors: Nola Sarina and Emily Faith

Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Fantasy

Publish Date: November 4, 2013

Publisher: Crimson Romance

Length: 222 pages

Format: ebook

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Description: A deadly lover. His perfect mate. Asher is everything Aria's never dared to imagine: sexy, confident, and rich. But if she convinces him to take her to his bed . . . her first time may be her last.

Incubus Asher Chain seduces every woman he meets whether he wants to or not, and refuses to let anyone grow close to him. Until the alluring, tattooed waitress Aria Hyacinthe admits she’s been living in her car. Enthralled by her unusual beauty - and terrified he’ll succumb to his deadly, incubus needs - Asher offers her a place to stay.

Living in Asher's loft above his gym, Aria's desire for his body is growing more urgent with every touch. Used to being the backward, shy one, in his presence she becomes fierce, captivating, and breaks down Asher’s walls against all his attempts to keep his distance. She has no clue that if he gives in to her passionate pleas, she won't survive the night, just like all the other women who have fallen victim to his charms.

But the deeper Asher and Aria fall in love, the harder he must fight the incubus in his soul, demanding her life.

Sensuality Level: Spicy

My Review: The authors start of the book immediately letting us know that Asher Chain is an incubus. He has become accustomed to doing whatever he must do in order to stay alive. However, Asher does not want to constantly kill woman in bed. Understandably he feels an immense guilt for what he has done over the years for his own survival. The fact that Asher felt guilty and did not want to hurt anyone is what made me like him. I think that I might not have had he been arrogant and had actually liked killing woman.

Aria, I instantly liked because she is strong, independent, opinionated, and down to earth. She does not let Asher get away with the things that he is used to because he is rich. In fact, she does not exactly like that he is rich. I think this made me respect her the most because it shows that when she says she loves him, it is he she loves, not his money. 

Another character I liked was Gypsy, Asher's twin sister. Gypsy manages all the money and business that Asher has. She also cleans up after every "accident" that Asher's incubus' side creates. Gypsy seems extremely self efficient and I am interested to see what would happen if she falls in love.

I was reading at the edge of my seat during every intimate scene because I knew Asher was an incubus. As much as I wanted Asher and Aria together, I was afraid for Aria. Asher tries so hard throughout the story to resist her and I personally think he deserves a medal because Aria did not make it easy for him. 

I really liked the way the authors concluded the story because it was a satisfying ending. Too much more would be a spoiler but I will say that I am interested in a continuation to see about other incubuses mentioned and Gypsy.

Excerpt:

I looked up. The nametag over her full breast read “Aria H” and her hair was short, spiky black with a longer streak of blue over her right eye—just long enough to tuck behind her ear. I blinked and swallowed, taking in the sight of the girl who escaped my approach last night. Earrings decorated the rim of each ear: studs and silver hoops from the lobe to the cartilage. Her eyes were bright blue, laced with white throughout. She peered at me with an intense gaze full of intelligence, shaded by long, black lashes.

The incubus urges within me swelled at the sight of one so full of life. I felt constriction in my chest, the need to charge my body with her life. My pants tightened as I realized how deeply I wanted to fuck her into lifelessness. Wanted to but didn’t want to, all at once.

“Hi,” she said, her hands folded in front of her midsection. “What’ll you have?”

I cleared my throat, still stunned by the effect her atypical beauty had over me, and then smiled at her with my usual, winning charm. Well, not always winning, I supposed. Her rejection of me last night was an unprecedented event in my life, and I tucked my hands beneath the table to hide my scabbed knuckles. Rejection made me angry. I had burned off the alcohol and irritation on a freestanding punching bag in my gym last night with bare, bleeding fists.

“Like my name tag?” Aria asked, taking note of the fact that I hadn’t managed to tear my eyes away from her chest the whole time I sat there and drank in her appearance.

I cleared my throat and stopped blatantly staring at her cleavage, embarrassed. “Yeah, it’s very . . . uh . . . letters.”

What the hell? Where was my charm and finesse? I scrambled for something else to say and came up with nothing.

She giggled. “You wanna try that again?”

I chuckled and leaned forward, grateful for her good humor with my stumble. “Yes, I do, sorry. I’m Asher.”

She bit her lip and I wanted to bite it, too. “I think we covered that much last night.”

She was totally right, and I was being a fucking moron. “So we did. And you’re Aria, as I failed to coax out of you when we last met.”

She nodded. “So, Asher, what would you like?”

The list ran through my head at a ridiculous rate. You, naked. Me, naked with you. Your mouth in my lap. Oh, the list went on and on. But that list led to death, darkness and disgust. No. 

Overall Opinion: Overall, I really liked Wild Hyacinthe. I would have liked it to be a little longer but only because when I get into a book I don't want it to end. I also would have liked to see how Asher became an incubus but his sister, Gypsy, is not. Overall I think the romance and relationship are very well built. They don't seem forced or rushed once you learn the truth about Aria. I give Wild Hyacinthe 4-4.5 stakes and I would really like a continuation of Asher and Aria's story or maybe about Gypsy finding love. 

Get to Know the Authors: Nola Sarina and Emily Faith are authors from Alberta, Canada. Both mothers and lovers of music and art, they draw inspiration for their fiction from Nola’s dark fantasy concepts and Emily’s flair for romance that ignites both in and out of the bedroom. Learn more about Emily and Nola at nolasarina.com/wh-emily-faith/. They also love to be stalked on Twitter @NolaSarina and @EmilyFaith2012.

Where to Get Your Copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble

My Suggestions: If you like the style of this book I would suggest Gilded Destiny and Jaded Touch by Nola Sarina. The two books are both about Vespers which I find extremely fascinating after reading the books. Also the romance is great too. You can see my review of Gilded Destiny here. And my review of Jaded Touch here.

Please leave a comment and let me know what you think of Wild Hyacinthe.

Created by reviewer Pam

Fallen Tears Review

Title: Fallen Tears

Author: Sarah J. Pepper

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance

Publish Date: December 13, 2012

Length: 205 pages

Format: paperback, ebook

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Description (from Amazon): An élite club of shamed angels – the Fallen – welcomes disgraced super-naturals, like me. Defiant and vengeful, we’re catalysts in destruction and mayhem, much to our angelic adversaries’ dismay. Satisfying the void left in our soulless bodies motivates many Fallen to play with feeble humans. For even though we wield infernal-powers, they have one thing we crave. 

Souls. 

As a Fallen, an infinite number of days lay before me – if I choose. The Big Man upstairs always gives us a choice. I can accept my fate and perish, or consume a human’s soul and live. The last one I devoured glows like a firefly inside my chest. One day, it’ll flicker and fade into darkness. The Archangels who cast me from heaven would claim victory in the everlasting battle we wage, unless I consume another. 

My next victim? A young man with ridiculously enticing lips. Gorgeous doesn’t define his otherworldly appearance. His vogue hairstyle accentuates his sky-blue eyes. His laugh echoes in my ears. His perfect smile is burned to memory. The undeniable urge to consume his soul unveils my wicked inhibitions. I want him… his soul. One problem – he’s protected by a Guardian angel. 

My Review: Can I please start of by saying that Sarah J. Pepper has some of the best book covers I have ever seen? I'm about to begin another of her books, Death of the Mad Hatter which also has an amazing cover (the review will be posted very soon). 

That aside...

I absolutely loved Fallen Tears. I haven't read many books about angels or fallen angels and the ones that I have haven't really been too similar so the topic hasn't really been overdone IMHO like vampires and werewolves have. The story starts out by showing how Miriam was once an angel and how she fell. After the prologue alone I felt sympathy for the poor girl who was betrayed and had her life ruined by someone she trusted.

In order for Miriam to survive she must consume a human soul. This necessity as always been met until Miriam sets her sights on Lincoln to be her next victim. For some unknown reason Lincoln is different than other humans she has hunted. 

The attraction between Lincoln and Miriam is so genuine and endearing. I think I loved the relationship even more so than usual because Miriam was fighting it and literally wanted to kill Lincoln half the time. 

When Miriam discovers why Lincoln is different than other she has hunted I wanted to cry for her. She needs to make an extremely difficult decision after learning the truth because it will alter both of their lives.

I was extremely pleased with the ending of the book for the mere fact that it has an ending. So many books I have read lately have had cliffhanger endings which has led me to believe that authors are sadists. The ending of this novel will not disappoint and although it is a little predictable (there really aren't that many possible outcomes) it's the way that the outcome plays out that is the enjoyable part.

Excerpt: “Are you going to tell me how you were able to change their color so quickly, or are you going to let me believe their contacts?” 

“It’s a Talent of mine.” He chuckled and then told me it was fine if I wanted to keep my secrets. I asked him why he cared. 

“I worry about you,” he admitted. I reached down to get my dagger. 

“Why do you care?” Lincoln grabbed my hand before it slid passed him. I couldn’t have been pleased to be sitting when the tantalizing wave trickled into me. I couldn’t imagine how wonderful it’d feel to consume his soul. But then he gave me a look of endearment that ruined my moment of hunger. 

“One of the first things you told me was that you were emancipated from your mother… Are you close to your father?” 

I snickered, “Dad keeps a watchful eye on all his children. Again, why do you care?” He gave me a knowing look, suggesting that we’d previously covered why he cared. 

Stopped at a red light, he asked me where to turn to my place. “You can just pull over there,” I said, pointing to a vacant parking spot. It was now or never. “My place isn’t too far away. I can walk.” 

“You don’t live close, do you?” Lincoln stated with absolute seriousness. “How would you possibly know that?” 

“Because I live only a few blocks down from here, and I haven’t seen any people moving in or out in months.” He drove into the vacant spot. “Where do you live? No jokes. Just tell me.” 

The firehouse I’d been squatting in wasn’t too far away, perhaps a mile. If I wasn’t overcome by the uncontrollable urge to hunt, I could probably figure out a way to live better. But the truth was that it consumed my thoughts, and I didn’t really care about worldly possessions. My biggest nuisance was finding something to eat. 

“I’m not going to show you where I live,” I said, thinking that I might as well throw down a welcome mat for Daniel and the Archangels, for they would certainly seek Lincoln’s vengeance after I sliced him with my dagger.

I tried to release my hand from his handhold, but he refused to let go. Our gaze locked. Lincoln was baiting me; if I’d been able to force him away in the restaurant, which should have been impossible considering my girlish physique. I should have been able to pry my hand away from his, so why was I struggling to let go? 

“Is it because I live amongst the wealthy?” he asked. I jerked my hand from his grasp and raised my eyebrow, daring him to ask me how I was able to over-power him. When he made no effort to comment, I pulled up the cuff of my jeans and grabbed the blade. 

“No, you’d make any homeless person jealous even if you were considered middle class.” Grabbing my shoulders, he pulled me backwards just as I freed my weapon from its sheath. Forcefully gripping me, he looked in my eyes like he could unfurl my secrets if he searched hard enough. 

His heart drummed against his chest, syncing with my racing one. “Miri, please tell me you have a place to call home.” 

I told him I did, but he didn’t look convinced that it was safe enough for me. Hadn’t I proven I could take care of myself? I was stronger than him!

Overall Opinion: Overall, anyone who loves romance and warring emotions will enjoy this book. The conflicting feels of love and the need to consume a soul make the story so endearing. Many times I felt myself tearing up due to Miriam constantly pushing Lincoln away because she believes she will ultimately kill him. I happily give Fallen Tears 5 stakes and I wish there was a sequel.

Get to Know the Author (from Amazon): Sarah J. Pepper lives in South Dakota with her real-life prince charming. At a young age, she fell for paranormal books and now incorporates that genre with the romance that thrives in the hearts of us all. When she's not storytelling, she's most likely biking, hoarding chocolate, or taking a bubble bath. Get a glimpse inside her head at www.peppersreadingcorner.com

Where to Get Your Copy: Amazon | Barnes & Noble 

Please leave a comment and tell me what you think 

of Fallen Tears and angels and the Fallen in general.