Review: A Stroke of Midnight by Laurell K. Hamilton

Series: Merry Gentry #4
 Publication Date: November, 2006
Publisher: Ballantine Books
Pages: 416

 Reviewer: Amber R.

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I really liked the last book in this series and this book picks up right where Seduced by Moonlight left off. Merry and her guards are doing a press conference to deal with the issues from the last book. While at the press conference a double murder happens and Merry is bound and determined to figure out what happened and who the murderer is.

Although the investigation is going on, there are more pressing issues like Merry getting pregnant. So there is plenty of banging going on. And she keeps getting more and more people added to her roster of possible baby daddies. As she has sex with more and more people the powers that have come to fruition keep growing as well. There is more and more happening that is hard for some in faerie to believe because these things haven't been happening in literally forever. Along with all of these things there have been several more assassination attempts.

The entirety of this book is less than one day. And I have to say that I really don't enjoy that. Things are just dragging out and on for no reason it seems. At least at this point anyhow. We do get some closer looks at Andais, the Queen and what she's really up to. She definitely does not like the fact that Merry is becoming more powerful. However, she realizes that Merry could bring life to the Unseelie..so she mostly reins her temper in. But she is the queen and she is bat shit crazy so someone is getting their entrails ripped out, luckily it's just not Merry.

I don't know. I like these books but I kind of don't. I wish they progressed a bit faster. I mean, if it was two days in one book rather than just one day, I'm sure I would be happy. I like the characters mostly but I'm getting burned out on all of the sex, all of the time. But I still am interested in what's going to happen next. I'm just afraid if the books continue going at such a slow pace that my interest is going to fall. 

Review: Goddess by Josephine Angelini

Series: Starcrossed #3

Publisher: Harper

Release Date: May 28th, 2013

Source: ARC paperback from Publisher

Reviewed by: Amber I.
Authors Website

What a perfect ending to this series. Once the story gets started its just full of action. Josephine really packs in a whole lot for the final conclusion. I loved it! I don't want to give too much away but if you have read the other two books you must read this. Even if you are like me and didn't love Dreamless. Goddess totally made up for that.

 Love Triangle:
I LOVED Starcrossed and well I liked Dreamless but I was pretty upset with the whole love triangle angle. I am just so sick of those. I am really glad that in Goddess we weren't strung along for it. But I will admit I did cheat and peak at the ending because if Helen didn't end up with the guy I loved, I was going to walk away. I am so in love with the one character that I couldn't be okay if they didn't end up together, or if Helen had hurt him too much. I hardly ever peak at the ending but I really had to know. Anyways Goddess was an amazing read, especially after I knew it was going to end well for me.

Helen's Mom:
I hate hate hate her. I am glad at how things ended up with her and even though Helen hopes she has a happily ever after, I really hope that she doesn't. She was a scheming horrible person and that is all I will say about her.

Side Characters:
I loved Hector! He is one of my favorites. He is strong and noble and awesome. There was part in the book with him that I was in tears. The others like Cassandra, Jason and all them where awesome too. I must say though that Claire, Matt and Ari really upset me in this. I know Helen is forgiving but not me. They really made me mad.

The Starcrossed series started with a bang and ended with  a bang. I am so glad I picked this series up. I am really going to miss the characters but I feel like it had a great ending. If you love starcrossed lovers and Greek mythology then you are totally going to want to pick up this series. 

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#AAD Author Spotlight: Sahara Kelly

 Sahara Kelly

Hi Amber - thanks so much for inviting me.

Please Introduce yourself to our readers?
I've been writing (as Sahara Kelly) for a dozen years or so, focusing on erotic romance and erotic fiction. Although my first novel was published over 25 years ago, that was a sweet Regency under another name, and I was about to give birth to my son when it was accepted. Needless to say, motherhood came first, so there was a "little" hiatus before I got back into writing. Now? I'm overjoyed to be doing what I love. I have around sixty or so titles out there, with more to come (I hope!!).

Can you tell us a little about the world you've created?

I've created more than a few of 'em. LOL  I'm sort of an all-purpose writer and I flit from genre to genre within the erotic romance field. I guess I get tired of too much of one thing. I love the Regency, of course. But I also enjoy contemporaries (especially with my co-writer for some of them, S.L. Carpenter). I've written medievals, ancient historicals, science fiction, steampunk, cyberpunk,  vampires and...oh yes...fantasies. And a couple that really sort of defy description. LOL  And I love them all!!

What are you most excited about at AADSAV?

AAD is a truly unique experience - and for me, sharing so much one-on-one time with readers is an absolute joy! Writing is a solo job, no two ways about it. Even with today's social media, actually interacting with readers for more than a few emails...well, I don't get as much chance as I'd like to do that. AAD stresses that it's a reader-oriented event. I learned how true that was when I attended my first one in Philadelphia. I couldn't go last year, but this year? I wouldn't miss Savannah for anything.

Any authors you are excited to meet?

All of 'em. LOL Many are now friends, after my decade plus in this business. So it will be great to touch base with those I have missed at previous conventions or who've been on different parts of the "circuit". I haven't seen my buddy Dakota Cassidy in far too long...it'll be huge to hear her wonderful laugh again!!! I've also missed fellow Brit Rosemary Laurey...looking forward to a nice chat and a cuppa. LOL

Tell us about your latest release?

Right now I'm celebrating a re-release... one of my earliest and favorite series, Time Guardians. Three books, one theme but three different genres. (Yeah, it should have had a scorecard. LOL) But I'm thrilled that when I offered book 1 for free, it shot into the top ten of Erotic romance/fantasies over at Amazon, and as of this writing it's still there. That one (My Wish) is a menage, the second (My Prize) a time-travel/sci fi, and the third (My Hero) a contemporary murder mystery.  All special books for me and I'm so happy to be able to self-publish them and get them out into the hands of a whole new readership!  Plus I have a new print book out - BEHIND CLOSED DOORS - which is an anthology of stories from S.L. Carpenter and myself. Also self published! We're hoping to do a lot of signing this year. LOL

*[I should also mention that S.L. Carpenter isn't only my writing partner, he's also my business partner. He and I have formed a small company to provide all kinds of art/graphics/design services for writers and others. It's called P and N Graphics and we're nearing our first anniversary after a very successful kickoff year. Art is something we're both passionate about, in addition to writing. Just a couple of creative crazies, I guess. LOL]

Any restaurants in Savannah you plan on hitting up? (I would love to know, I want some ideas for myself)

Right now, I haven't really researched restaurants too much. Savannah has been on my "list" of places to see ever since I read "Midnight in the Garden of Good and Evil", and to be able to stay there? It's a dream come true. I plan on digging around for information on all things Savannah, but I need to get a bit closer to August or I'll lose my notes, for sure. LMAO

Are planning on dressing up for any of the balls?

Um...well, yes. Ask my friends and they'll tell you I'm a costume freak. Gimme a hat and a fan and I'm SO Downton Abbey. ;)  It's so much fun at AAD to be one of the Steampunk Tea author sponsors (late Victorian costume, hat, underbust corset I think, and cool white batiste, with suitable embellishments!). I'm also one of the Riverboat Cruise sponsors. For that one...well, I'm almost leaning toward hoops and Southern Belles, but that costume is still under development. I'm lucky in that I sew, which opens a few more doors for me. But overall, I'm never happier than swanning around a fancy hotel in a glamorous ball gown, or faery wings, or saloon girl fishnets... LOLLOL (I'm told it's called a delayed Barbie complex or something.)

Any sites you plan on seeing while in Savannah?

Anything and everything I can. LOL  Again, I'm going to have to really study up on what to see - and how to fit sightseeing in between the time I want to spend talking with fellow attendees. It's going to be a juggling act, I think, but one I'm very much looking forward to. If only Savannah will be nice and not TOO hot, I'll be one happy writer come August!!! Or I can figure out how to fit a couple of small fans under that hooped skirt...  LMAO

Hope to meet some of your readers there - and thanks to everyone at AwesomeSauce Books. Especially you, Amber, for such great questions.

See you in Savannah!!!

Now on sale at Amazon, Barnes and Noble, Smashwords and All Romance eBooks

My Wish

Alana West isn't expecting to have great sex anytime soon. But the two genies who magically appear in her bed have other ideas and when they inform her of their mission - to help her expand her sexuality - well, hell. What's a girl to do? Yep, enjoy every minute of it. But never forget that Alana is a devious and clever gal who is likely to change things around a bit…catching everyone by surprise.

Now available:Amazon, Smashwords, Barnes and Noble, and All Romance eBooks

My Prize

He's a twelfth century Scottish Laird on the eve of what he knows will be his final battle. Then he receives a spectral offer - life, but in another place and another time. Thus Laird Rory McAllen finds himself with the fate of the Universe in his hands, along with his broadsword and a beautiful Intergalactic lawyer on her way to compete in the Sexual Olympiad on Frallien IV. Can they defeat the villains, save the known Galaxy and find true love? Oh hell, yeah!

Find Sahara at: saharakelly.com; skprivatelabel.com; pandngraphics.com

Follow Sahara on: Facebook.com/Sahara.Kelly;  twitter.com/SaharaKelly

 

 

 

 

Thanks so much Sahara for stopping by, can't wait to meet you at AAD!

Review: Obsession by Jennifer L Armentrout

Series: Adult Lux Spin Off

Publisher: Entangled

Release Date: May 31st, 2013

Source: Won from Publisher

Reviewed by: Amber I.
Authors Website

If you love the Lux series but like me you are an adult and kinda wanted more well her you go. And holy hell JLA has out done herself. I think this my favorite book ever written by her. I loved this book, words will not give this book justice. I love Jennifer's YA series and so I wasn't sure what to expect here but man oh man she did an amazing job. Watch out Daemon because I think I am more in love with Hunter!

Hunter is just hot. He is that sexy alpha male. He is a bad ass. He isn't sweet and cuddly. He is an arrogant bad ass and I love him. He has a lot of Daemon like qualities but we get to see him naked. ;) He is also an Arum and what we know of most Arum they are evil. Which most still are but we see there are a few good guys.Serena was awesome. She is feisty and even though she needs Hunter to protect her she isn't a damsel in distress granted she does make a few dumb decisions. But she doesn't let Hunter boss her around (unless its in the bedroom) and she excepts Hunter and all his darkness.

Not only is this book sexy its a great story. Serena accidentally got caught up in alien politics (no the book doesn't call it that, its just me) Hunter is there to do his job and protect her. We see more of behind the scenes of the DOD and see that Arum and Lux are not always the good or bad guys. But we all know my favorite part was the sexual chemistry and watching these two get it on!

We do get to see a some characters from the Lux series. Maybe not a whole lot of the one we are all dying to see but we do see him. We get a feeling for what is going to happen in Origin too. I think you could read this book without having read the Lux series but I think people who have read that series will definitely love this so much! Like I said before I can't even explain my love for this book, its just so freaking amazing! I never thought I would love books with aliens in it but Jennifer's aliens are just too damn sexy not to love, and Hunter is brings sexy to a whole new level. I hope we see more of him soon.

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Review: Alpha by Rachel Vincent

Series: Shifters #6
 Publication Date: October, 2010
Publisher: Mira
Pages: 472
Reviewer: Amber R.

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I took some time since Shift to read this book because Faythe infuriates me and this book was absolutely no different.

The whole thing with Jace and Marc was throughout the entire book. And I'm just like, "HOW DUMB IS SHE?" Now I'm not going to lie, I was glad in the end but really? REALLY? Was all of that crap necessary? Up until she boned Jace, he was just another enforcer in the Pride. He barely even registered on her radar and now she's randomly in love with him? Ugh. Whatever, Faythe.

She really stepped up to the plate in this book though...meaning in everything else BESIDES what happened with Marc and Jace. She really takes being an enforcer seriously, she really tries to do her best for her Pride and for her family. I felt like you could really see her coming into her own in the last book and that definitely came to the forefront in this book. Especially after the major fight that happened.

This series has brought forth some strong feelings in me. I take that as a good sign that books were good. If a book can make you feel that much, the author is doing something right. I was so heartbroken throughout this book. I just really couldn't believe what was happening. I have to admit that the archaic views and practices of the council in these books really ticked me off. I'm glad that the series is over though. I'm glad I don't have to get worked up over Faythe anymore. She is the one and only heroine that I've read about this far that I've loved to hate.

Alpha was Amber I's first ever review on the blog back in Jan. 2011. So if you want check it out HERE

Review: The Girl In The Clockwork Collar by Kady Cross

Series: Steampunk Chronicles #2

Publisher: Harlequin Teen

Published: May, 2012

Reviewed by: Amber R.

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Finley and her group of talented friends are on the hunt of a lifetime. They've flown across the ocean to America to search out Jasper, a friend of Griffin, who was taken away in handcuffs under the suspicion of murder. None of them really think that Jasper has the capability of murdering anyone. So they set off to find out the truth.

But when they get to America things aren't quite what they seem. Turns out Jasper wasn't taken by the authorities but by a criminal! Reno Dalton is from San Francisco where he met up and worked with Jasper for a while before Jasper realized that Dalton was a seriously bad dude. In hopes of getting away from Dalton and keeping Dalton away from his family and loved ones, when Jasper left his gang he stole and dismantled this tool that Dalton coveted. He also hid the parts all over New York City in order for Dalton to never be able to find them.

When Finley and the crew get to New York, Finley immediately comes up with a plan to get in with Dalton. There are a bunch of underground fights that take place, so what does the girl who is crazy strong do? She joins the fights to win..to get Dalton to notice her and it definitely works. He immediately asks her to join the ranks. And she's able to get in to try to help Jasper get out. But it's not that easy because Dalton has something or rather someone to hold over Jasper, Mei. Mei is Jasper's love from San Fran and Dalton is using her to keep Jasper in line.

I really am loving all these characters. Griffin, Emily, Sam, Finley, and Jasper are the main group and they're all awesome. Emily and Sam kind of have a blossoming relationship and so do Griffin and Finley but those two are so stubborn. I love seeing Griffin and Finley become closer. Honestly, I love all the moments in this book that they all seem to get closer together and the characters become more in depth. I'm really loving these steampunk books, this is the second in this series and it's just as awesome of the first.

Review: Lion and The Falcon by Eve Langlais

Series: FUC #4

Publisher: ARE

Release Date: May 2013

Source: Purchased from Amazon

Reviewed by: Amber I.
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Eve is my go to author when I need a funny yet sexy read. I always always enjoy her books. And the FUC series is my favorite. I mean look at the series name, its just funny. F-Furry U-United C- Coalition is a government agency with supernatural creatures dealing with supernatural things. Each book brings in a new couple and in this book we have Nolan a doctor,a lion shifter who is sexy and maybe naps too much, he also has an over bearing mother, oh and waayy to many hair products. We also have Clarice a falcon shifter a strong willed, takes no crap kinda girl. They seem like complete opposites but even they can't deny their sexual chemistry for long.

Nolan is pretty spoiled. He really does take too long on his hair but he is a caring doctor so it kinda makes up for his pretty boy issues. I guess its not his fault about being spoiled. His mother wants to take care of her only son and populate The Pride. I really loved his mom. Yes she is over bearing and she sends tigers to kidnap her son so they can make some babies but she is funny. And her and Clarice are great together. The puns never stop with those too. At first I wasn't sure I was going to like Clarice. She was to rough around the edges. But of coarse as she softened so did I.

Clarice is there from ASS agency to help the FUC agency track down these mutant shifters that are out of control. With Nolan being a target, Clarice has to watch his back all the time. Which is good for us because Nolan puts on the charm and of coarse Clarice couldn't resist.I loved the sexual tension and I loved it more when they both succumbed to their passion.

Lion and The Falcon was a great addition to the FUC series. Its sexy and funny and I can't wait for more. I loved seeing some of our old couples. If you are looking for something to make you laugh and also turn up the heat then please check out this series!

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