Review ~ The Reluctant Amazon by Sandy James

The Reluctant Amazon

(Alliance of the Amazons #1)

By Sandy James

3 out of 5 STARS

The last thing Rebecca Massee expects on her wedding day is to go from jilted kindergarten teacher to Amazonian Earth warrior. But when she causes an earthquake after her groom says I don’t, she discovers that not only does she possess incredible powers, she is one of four lost chosen sisters who must fight to keep humanity safe from rogue gods and demons. Luckily she has help: ruggedly handsome Scottish warrior Artair MacKay, her protector and teacher.

An immortal, Artair has trained countless warriors for more than four hundred years. He understands Rebecca’s confusion at the new world she’s been thrust into and worries she is too emotionally vulnerable, but that doesn’t stop his growing feelings for the beautiful and fearless woman. 

When an evil force threatens to destroy the Amazons, Rebecca must claim her full powers--but they come at a cost. Can she sacrifice the man she loves if it means saving the world?

ARC provided by Carina Press

Released September 3rd ~ available at Amazon 

This is a unique concept that I have not read before.  There are generations of Amazons that may be called in for duty.  Rebecca is called to duty while being turned down at the alter.  Ouch, that had to hurt!  But?  What better way to make an exit than to follow the sexy man in a kilt who has come for her.  Yep, enter Artair MacKay.  He's the Sentinel for the Amazons.  Sentinel duties include finding the recently called Amazons, training and helping them out.

Rebecca is an Earth Amazon.  Reluctant to believe that any of this could be real, she soon learns that revenants AKA creepy zombie creatures are real as she finds her new sister Megan, the Fire Amazon.

Rebecca is slow at learning the tricks of the trade.  The first third of the book is all about training and a slowly budding attraction between her and Artair.  

The middle part moves a little faster as she finally takes to training and coming into her own powers.  She meets up with her other two sisters that have been training with the new Sentinel and finally we get a glimpse of what the evil they are facing in this installment is up to.

The last part of the book moves pretty quickly and it was wonderful to see Rebecca go from shrinking violet to kick ass heroine.  She really steps up.  Her and Artair have something special though it is forbidden but luckily everything works out.

The end was a whirlwind of action leaving off with a very satisfying ending and an opening for what's to come  in the next installment. 

Overall?  I liked it.  Great romance in the making, kick ass chicks, some hot sex...  Can't wait for book 2, The Impetuous Amazon due out early 2013.

Review ~ Beneath a Rising Moon

Beneath a Rising Moon

By Keri Arthur

4 out of 5 STARS

Keri Arthur, the New York Times bestselling author of the Riley Jenson Guardian series, takes readers to the werewolf reservation of Ripple Creek—where moon fever runs high and a savage murderer runs rampant.

There’s no turning back for Neva Grant. To find a killer, she must seduce the boldest male in the Sinclair pack. Her twin sister lies in a hospital bed, fighting for her life, the fourth and only surviving victim of a vicious attacker. The werewolf rangers suspect the Sinclair pack, and the only way Neva can infiltrate their close-knit ranks is to unleash the wildness within and offer herself to Duncan Sinclair.

Duncan’s appetite for women is legendary on the reservation. But when this new woman stirs his hunger, he finds his desire for her goes deeper than anything he’s ever felt before. When he realizes that she’s playing a game and he’s taken the bait, he is determined to push her to the breaking point. As Duncan and Neva engage in a dangerous dance, they must somehow find a way to join forces—before a cornered killer bites back.

ARC provided by Dell Book for Random House Publishing.
Published July 31st, 2012

This book starts off with a very sensual encounter that had me eagerly flipping pages to see what would happen next.  Neva is at the Sinclair mansion during the current moon phase in hopes of seducing Duncan Sinclair to gain access.  She needs answers.  Murders are taking place and her sister only narrowly escaped an attempt on her own life while investigating for the local rangers.

Enter Duncan Sinclair.  Tall and lean, shoulder length dark hair and almost black eyes...  He's extremely sensual and demanding.  His past deeds have given him quite the bad reputation.  Well earned but from long ago.  He hasn't been back to Ripple Creek in about 10 years and doesn't really want to be back now but wants to find the killer and clear his family's name.

Using telepathy, she opens up her thoughts while trying to entice the man hidden in shadows.

Lord I ache tonight.
She kept her mind voice breathy, wistful.  For several tense seconds, nothing happened, then his presence stirred and walked across to the windows.  She dipped her fingers into the water and wet her neck, letting the cool droplets dribble between her breasts.

Quickly Duncan can tell that Neva is hiding something and is there for more than just "dancing".  His reputation as cold and selfish comes to the forefront but it's really more like a cover while he's trying to get to the bottom of both Neva and finding the killer.

The murders are gruesome and highly descriptive.  I guessed pretty early on who the killer was going to be, but we don't really start finding out the "why" or "how" until later.  Little by little the mystery unravels and the relationship between Duncan and Neva take a few turns.

Keri Arthur's talent for writing enticingly erotic scenes  is present from the very beginning and maintains throughout the story.  The plot is woven in perfectly and makes complete sense even with all the gratuitous sex that is happening.  After all, they are were wolves and the full moon is approaching.  They are sexual creatures by nature and most have no shame taking pleasure where offered.

I really enjoyed this and finished in one day.


Beneath a Rising Moon available at: Amazon ~ Barnes & Noble ~ Book Depository

Review Time ~ Rise of Hope

Rise of Hope

By Kailey Hart

3 out of 5 Stars

A secret ancient race of humans with fantastical abilities, the Vadïm are on the brink of extinction. Many of their women are imprisoned by an organization known as The Assembly, their history all but lost . . . 

Devon Monroe has been a prisoner her entire life. She’s determined to make sense of the strange markings on her body, to learn why no one may touch her, to find where she belongs. That means escaping into the unknown, where she has no choice but to trust her self-appointed protector.

Soldier for hire Seth Eastman has a job to do: deliver Devon to safety. When Seth discovers the markings on Devon’s body, he’s stunned at what it means. And at how she awakens his long-suppressed needs. As they struggle to escape detection and search for the truth of the Vadïm, can he ever hope to claim her for his own?

ARC provided by Carina Press

Release date: August 27th, 2012.

Approximately 36,000 words.

This novella was just about 100 pages.   Reading novellas, I understand that if it's a stand alone, it has to move pretty fast.  This one did in one aspect but dragged in others.  

Seth is all business.  He has a job to do.  Intercept Devon and bring her to safety.  He's only a team player when he has to be, he's a womanizer, doesn't like to be touched...  All around, he's pretty hardcore and independent.  Until Devon enters his life...

Devon is trying to escape the confines of her gilded cage.  Her whole life has been spent under surveillance with little to no freedom to move around the compound she lives in.  While out on a hike with thoughts of escape, her guide shows signs of "other".  He is not the man she remembers from past walks.  Instantly suspicious, the journey begins.

Seth has to keep Devon moving, but as she should be, she's hesitant.  Just because somebody says they are there to take you to safety, doesn't mean you should trust them.

But the time for asking questions is not now.  Once they get to safety, Devon is given the explanation of her existence, her talent and her markings.  You see, she is marked with intricate designs on her lower abdomen that just appeared.  She is not alone.  Others have these and one in particular has the matching inverse set of markings.

This story follows these two as they try to understand why Devon was imprisoned from the beginning, who the key players are in all of this, and what it will take to understand the undeniable attraction they have from their very first encounter.

Overall thoughts?  Well, I didn't love it and I didn't hate it.  The unromantic part of the plot moved really slow for me for so few pages.  The romantic part, destined to be together, I could have used a bit more build-up for character growth.   It's written well and has its steamy and descriptive moments but I felt no real connection to the couple in question.  It just moved way too fast.  Had this been a regular length novel, I would have enjoyed it more.  It's a unique concept that has great potential if only given more page time.

Review Time! ~ Soul Weaver

Soul Weaver

By Hailey Edwards

3 out of 5 Stars

Since the accident that nearly took her life, Chloe suffers from acute agoraphobia. Living alone above her family's bookstore, she spends restless nights terrified by strange visions . . . until a mysterious stranger appears and offers her salvation. Chloe is drawn to the ethereal, gorgeous Nathaniel-but her haunted soul warns her there is more to him than meets the eye.

An archangel who roams Earth collecting souls of the newly departed, Nathanial is the sole witness to the accident that should have taken Chloe's life. Seduced by the purity of her soul, he defies Providence by saving her life. But his attempt at kindness marks Chloe for damnation, and makes her an unwitting pawn in a game of unholy ambition. Now together they must fight the demons of Hell itself-for a love that defies the boundaries of Heaven and Earth. 

ARC provided from Grand Central Publishing.  Release date: August 7th. 

Meet Nathaniel: soul collector, soul weaver... He just got finished with a job when he comes across a car accident.

Meet Chloe: bookstore owner, lives above in one of the apartments, never leaves the building.  She was in an accident and ever since has horrible dreams about a stranger killing people.  Her anxiety has gone off the charts and she really can't go past the deck of her building.  She hires a lady named Neve who becomes a good friend and confidant to Chloe.

I can't really give you much more description besides that because the book does not give physical descriptions of the characters.  I really don't think I missed that info.  That is usually something I remember and sparks my imagination.  It was lacking in this story.  Where as there was way too much info for other things that were kind of hard to follow.  Or it wasn't captivating enough for me to want to understand.

The plot was two fold:  The plot plot, the actual situation or enemy they have to "fight", is really slow to come to fruition.  The romantic plot is way too fast for me.  

Overall I liked it enough to finish but in the long run this was not for me.  Grammatically and structurally the writing was sound.  It was a unique plot but I just felt like something was missing.  However, I will likely read the next in the series to see what happens from here.  

Teaser Tuesday

This is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading

• Open your current read and choose a page at random. 
• Share two sentences (or more) from anywhere on the page, being careful to avoid spoilers. 
• Be sure to share the title and author.

This weeks teaser comes from Once Burned by Jeaniene Frost...

The first was a short-haired brunet whose grin made me assume he was the one who’d greeted Vlad with the taunt. He was also handsome in a too-pretty way that made me think with less muscles, a wig, and some makeup, he’d look great in a dress.

Vlad’s scowl vanished into a smile as the brunet’s gaze swung in my direction as though he’d somehow heard that.

“Looks as though she’s put you in your place as well, Bones,” Vlad drawled.

“So it seems,” Bones replied, winking at me. “But while I’ve worn many disguises, I draw the line at a dress.”

Hahahaha!  I loved this!  That must really suck to be in a room full of mind readers. :) 

FYI Leila, Bones is not way too pretty.  I don't have pretty men in my sexy scoundrel harem. ;)

What's your Teaser Tuesday???

Review ~ Firelight

Firelight

By Kristen Callihan

4 of 5 STARS

London, 1881

Once the flames are ignited . . . 

Miranda Ellis is a woman tormented. Plagued since birth by a strange and powerful gift, she has spent her entire life struggling to control her exceptional abilities. Yet one innocent but irreversible mistake has left her family's fortune decimated and forced her to wed London's most nefarious nobleman.

They will burn for eternity . . . 

Lord Benjamin Archer is no ordinary man. Doomed to hide his disfigured face behind masks, Archer knows it's selfish to take Miranda as his bride. Yet he can't help being drawn to the flame-haired beauty whose touch sparks a passion he hasn't felt in a lifetime. When Archer is accused of a series of gruesome murders, he gives in to the beastly nature he has fought so hard to hide from the world. But the curse that haunts him cannot be denied. Now, to save his soul, Miranda will enter a world of dark magic and darker intrigue. For only she can see the man hiding behind the mask.

(via Goodreads)

Wow.  That was an amazing book with a very unique premise!  But why only 4 stars?  I hardly ever give 5 stars to a first in a series though I really am torn on this one.  We meet Miranda and Archer briefly 3 years before this book takes place.  From the get go Archer is cloaked in mystery and shadows while Miri is fiery in spirit.  Fast forward 3 years and the mystery and intrigue continue.

Miranda, the youngest of 3, is the only one still living at home with her father and his questionable business ethics.  Soon Miranda is whisked away, by arrangement, to marry Lord Archer.  

“What is beauty or ugliness but a false front that prompts man to make assumptions rather than delving deeper. Look at you.” His hand gestured toward her face. “Not a flaw or distortion of line to mar that perfect beauty. I have seen your face before, miss. Michelangelo sculpted it from cold marble three hundred years ago, his divine hand creating what men would adore.” He took a step closer. “Tell me, Miss Ellis, do you not use that beauty as a shield, keeping the world at bay so that no one will know your true nature?”

Archer is quite the character; a masked man of few words but so eloquent when he speaks.  Miranda has her hands full of his evasive nature but she's no shrinking violet.

“Wish to fatten me up, do you?” 

“Mmm.” Gray eyes skimmed over her form. “How does the fairy tale go?” He rested an elbow on his chair arm. “Ah yes, I have lured you into my luscious house of candy and gingerbread to tempt you with sugared delights. And when you are nice and plump, I shall gobble you up.”

I immediately fell in love with the interaction between these two but it's not all fun and games.  Mysterious murders keep happening to known associates of Archer and soon we are taken on a journey from Museums to high society events to the darkest streets of London.

This book really has it all: A great romance, hot Hot HOT scenes that had me fanning myself.  No seriously though, the chemistry between these two is intense.   A great mystery to solve, bad villains, side characters that you just aren't too sure what side they are on and a great ending.  I may have had guesses how this could play out but I really didn't see it coming.

I love how we really don't know about Archer, his "condition" and what is behind the mask til near the end.  It made him all the more mysterious and sexy, as if his words weren't enough.

“And I’m afraid of wasting my life always being in control,” he whispered. “But no matter what direction I take, all roads lead to you.” Gently, he rested his forehead to hers once more. “Let me come home, Miri. If only for one night.”

Though I am sad that Miri and Archer's story has come to an end, I am excited for Moonglow, book 2 in the Darkest London series, coming out on August 1st.

Review ~ A Fall of Water

A Fall of Water

By Elizabeth Hunter

5 of 5 stars! 

“No secret stays hidden forever.”

Still grieving from their loss in the far East, Giovanni Vecchio and Beatrice De Novo discover that for them, all roads really do lead to Rome. But nothing is quite as it seems in the Eternal City. Joined by Carwyn and Tenzin, unexpected clashes greet them almost immediately, and rivalries churn beneath the glittering facade of the old Roman court. They quickly realize that allies might be enemies, and ancient rivals could hold the key to a deadly secret.

Giovanni and Beatrice will be forced to call on old alliances, ancient power, and fierce cunning to survive for the eternity they both desire. Sometimes, finding the end means going back to the beginning. Fire, Earth, Wind, and Water finally meet with devastating results in the conclusion of the Elemental Mysteries.

I was lucky enough to score an ARC from Elizabeth to review for part of the A Fall of Water blog tour.  This is fourth and final installment in the Elemental Mysteries series and I couldn't have asked for a better conclusion.  After the slower pace of  The Force of Wind, I was not sure how it was going to play out.    I was very happy with the faster pace and twisting change of events that left me wanting to see what could possibly happen next.  The conclusion of the mystery we are introduced to at the very beginning of the series is highly satisfying.  I enjoyed every minute of it.  Such range of emotions and shocking events happen but I am so happy how everything played out for all the characters involved.

Speaking of the characters involved we have Carwyn: the Father who wears Hawaiian shirts and has a wicked sense of humor...

"B, I swear, if you call her a cougar to her face, I will buy you a car," Carwyn snickered.  "A house. Maybe an island.  Something ridiculously extravagant, just so long as I can see the look on her face." 

Ben has tremendous growth and is turning out to be quite the enterprising little nephew.  Not only is he very close to B and Gio, but we see him grow closer to certain characters that leave me thinking what a great kid he is, to wanting to know what kind of man he will become?

Also present?  Tenzin, Matt and Dez as well as some important new characters.

I know this is the end of this particular series but I hope Elizabeth gives serious consideration to continuing on with writing books for our favorite side characters.  *ahem* Carwyn, Ben and Tenzin *ahem* ;)

This series has taken us across the world and through many different emotions.  I highly recommend this series to lovers of PNR and anyone just looking for something unique but still has the thrill of a seductive vampire tale.

"How can I leave my heart?"  He ducked down and pressed a kiss to her neck.  "My love?"  His hands drifted over her shoulders.  "My life?  Beatrice, how?"

Please check out my interview with Elizabeth here.

Purchase A Fall of Water :
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
Smashwords
Createspace

Want more info on Elizabeth Hunter?
Elizabeth Hunter Writes
Elemental Mysteries website
On Goodreads
On Twitter

Review ~ The Darkest Day

The Darkest Day

By Britt Bury

4 of 5 STARS

Izel Campbell was raised to believe she is an immortal Fionn with the magical skills of persuasion. But when she travels to Scotland to visit her ancestral home, Izel discovers that she is actually the world’s last living human. Forced to run for her life, Izel crosses paths with Kelvin Kerr, the Campbells’ greatest foe—and the most magnificent warrior she has ever seen.

A thousand-year-old battle chief of the Kerr clan, Kelvin lives only to avenge his father, who died at the hands of the bloody Campbells. Honor demands he kill the Campbell heir, but when he learns that the lovely Izel is both Campbell and human, Kelvin is torn between duty and desire . . .

(via Goodreads)

I have to start by saying I finished this in two sittings, I was only interrupted by my need to sleep!  This debut novel from Britt Bury is a very promising start and I can't wait to see what she comes up with next!  It's a very easy and quick read and has everything I love reading in a paranormal romance.

We are first introduced to Izel when she gets to her grandfathers home in Scotland.  Once there she finds that he is missing but she does stumble upon Kelvin.  He's from a rival clan and is there to find the heir that he can seek vengeance on.  He is shocked to find that not only is the heir of the Campbell tribe female, but the last human on earth.  That changes everything for him.

Needing to find answers about who and what she is, she agrees rather reluctantly to Kelvin's offer of assistance.  Soon we follow Kelvin and Izel as they traipse through Scotland on their way to Kerr castle where he promises to help her and keep her safe from the things that go bump in the night.

Most of this book is about Izel and Kelvin on their journey.  Kelvin trying to deal with what fate has dealt him in the form of Izel while both of them are fighting a budding mutual attraction.

"You donna wanna stab me, lass."  He tilted his head.  "In fact, I think you wanna do something else entirely to me."  His voice was laced with such potent seduction it made her knees weak.

This book has some very steamy moments.  Outdoors, Scotland while it's raining?  Oh yes.  That was a very hot scene.  They are well written and not rushed.  Though the attraction was pretty much from the beginning, there is no professing of undying love or quick lays.  There is a build-up to this romance and bumps along the way.  Exactly what I like in a romance.

How the family rivalry is dealt with is very satisfying and introduces us to some interesting side characters like Ian, Ryo and Ramsey.  The way this ends wraps up the storyline for Izel and Kelvin but there could easily be more in the series revolving around these characters.  If that's the case, sign me up now 'cause I want to read them!

ARC provided by Netgalley.

Teaser Tuesday

This is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading

• Open your current read and choose a page at random. 
• Share two sentences (or more) from anywhere on the page, being careful to avoid spoilers. 
• Be sure to share the title and author.

This weeks teaser comes from Firelight by Kristen Callihan...

She made a noise under her breath. “Liar.” She was at his left hip now. “Your form doesn’t feel elderly in the least.” If she only knew. “You’re musculature is quite—”  

He felt the precise moment when everything changed— the subtle increase in tension in her hand, a stutter in the efficient way she moved, the shift in her breathing from strong and determined to light and agitated. The answer in him was instant, painful arousal. For a moment, he couldn’t think. He hadn’t been noticed as a man in so long that his mind barely held the echo of such memories. But his flesh… his flesh remembered the pleasure of touch all too well.

Callihan, Kristen (2012-02-01). Firelight (Darkest London) (p. 12). Hachette Book Group. Kindle Edition. 

Barely in this but I can tell I'm going to love it!  What's your teaser???

Review ~ Lethal Rider

Lethal Rider

By Larissa Ione

4 of 5 STARS!

They're here. They ride. The Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

Born of a match between good and evil, four siblings stand between hell's minions and everything they want to destroy. They are the Lords of Deliverance, and they have the power to ward off Doomsday...or let it ride...

LETHAL RIDER

Thanatos, the most deadly Horseman of the Apocalypse, has endured thousands of years of celibacy to prevent the end of days. But just one night with the wickedly sexy Aegis Guardian, Regan Cooper, shatters centuries of resolve. Yet their passion comes with a price. And Thanatos must face a truth more terrifying than an apocalypse-he's about to become a father.

Demon-slayer Regan Cooper never imagined herself the maternal type, but with the fate of the world hanging in the balance she had no choice but to seduce Thanatos and bear his child. Now, as the final battle draws closer and his rage at being betrayed is overshadowed by an undeniable passion for the mother of his child, Thanatos has a life-shattering realization: To save the world, he must sacrifice the only thing he's ever wanted-a family.

(via Goodreads)

I have to start by saying that each book has me falling in love with the characters and the world Larissa has created all over again.  Just when I think the books can't get better, they do.  This happened with the Demonica series and holds true for her Lords of Deliverance series also.  Each book has a plot all its own as well  as working towards the bigger picture laid down from book 1, Eternal Rider.

Lethal Rider covers the story of Thanatos, fourth Horseman of the Apocalypse and Regan, who is a Guardian for the Aegis.  The back-story  for these 2 is laid down in Immortal Rider.  Regan betrayed Than for the Aegis by seducing him to get pregnant, all in order to save the world, or so the Aegis thought.

This book has it all in my opinion: great plot that has a satisfying ending for Than and Regan, a great twist of events handling the problem of Pestilence and appearances from the great cast of characters from Underground General Hospital.  I adore Wraith and was very happy he had some page time.  The quote below is classic Wraith and only too true.

Wraith dropped his pack to the floor.  "A revealing elixir.  It would have made anyone suffering a magical   enchantment glow like they took a swim in nuclear waste.  None of you are glowy."  He shrugged.  "You're douche bags, though."

There is no shortage of hot-need-to-fan-myself moments that Larissa is great at writing.

"Damn," he breathed.  "Holy...damn that was good."  He shifted so he was facing her and tenderly brushed her hair away from her face.  "The fang thing?  We'll have to remember that."

Than has been my favorite in this series and I'm glad his book does his character justice.  He has not had it easy in over 5000 years of existence and finally finds some peace.  I love how tender his character can be and how strong his family ties are.


There is deep betrayal coming from different factions and a dramatic turn of events that have me eagerly waiting for Rogue Rider.  

Review ~ This Same Earth

This Same Earth

By Elizabeth Hunter

My rating ~ 5 for 5

Beatrice De Novo thought she had left the supernatural world behind…for the most part. But when the past becomes the present, will she leave her quiet life in Los Angeles to follow a mystery she thought had abandoned her? Where has Giovanni Vecchio been, and why has he returned? Giovanni has his own questions, and he’s looking to her for answers.

The sequel to A Hidden Fire will reunite Beatrice and Giovanni to continue their search through the past while both wrestle with the future. When the world as you knew it has changed forever, is there any way you can turn back?

This Same Earth is the second book in the Elemental Mysteries series. It is a paranormal romance/mystery for adult readers.

(via Goodreads)

Let me start by saying how I LOVE the way Elizabeth starts this book.  The prologue consists of journal entries from B while she is spending time at Gio's place in Cochamó Valley, Chile.  B and Gio parted ways after working together in A Hidden Fire and have not seen each other since.  Through the journal entries, we can see how things have changed.  But most  importantly, how B has changed.  She is not the same girl we are introduced to in the first installment.  She has tremendous growth in this book and is one awesome chica.  

But Elizabeth is a wonderful storyteller and she brings B and Gio together again.  It's not that easy though.  They are working together again with mixed feelings coming from B.  Gio has some major grovelling to do.

Along with B and Gio, we welcome back great side characters like Carwyn and Tenzin.  The cast of characters that Elizabeth has created are great. Carwyn might be one of my favorite new side characters in a series since Spade, Ian and Vlad (NH and NHW).   We also are introduced to Ben, Gio's "nephew".  I LOVE Ben! 

She held out her hand and Ben took it, bending down to kiss the back in a gallant gesture. She chuckled and looked at Giovanni. “And you think you’re charming?”  

Giovanni rolled his eyes as Ben continued kissing up her arm. He reached over and tugged Ben’s collar, pulling him away from Beatrice, who was still laughing. “Stop it, she’s too old for you.”  

“Well, technically,” Ben said with a smile, “she’s way too young for you, old man.”

This was a great addition to the continuing story arc.  I love this series.  The mystery/adventure aspect is awesome and very different from any traditional PNR I have read.  That alone will  have me coming back for more, as if Gio wasn't enough   *sigh*  Gio is one sexy vampire.

Sinfully Delicious Book Reviews will be participating in A Fall of Water Blog Tour.  I will be posting an interview with Elizabeth Hunter on June 5th and my review for A Fall of Water on June 8th!!!

Review Time! ~ A Hidden Fire

A Hidden Fire (Elemental Mysteries #1)

By Elizabeth Hunter 

Rating: 5 for 5 STARS

A phone call from an old friend sets Dr. Giovanni Vecchio back on the path of a mystery he'd abandoned years before. He never expected a young librarian could hold the key to the search, nor could he have expected the danger she would attract. Now he and Beatrice De Novo will follow a twisted maze that leads from the archives of a university library, through the fires of Renaissance Florence, and toward a confrontation they never could have predicted.

 A Hidden Fire is a paranormal mystery/romance for adult readers. It is the first book in the Elemental Mysteries Series    

(via Goodreads)

"Tell the truth, Giovanni Vecchio." A mischievous look came to her eye. "You have a butler, a cool car, and I've only seen you at night..." 

He froze, tension suddenly evident in the set of his shoulders. Beatrice leaned closer and whispered, "You're Batman, aren't you?"

This debut novel by Elizabeth and the first in the Elemental Mysteries series was published last October. Luckily for you readers who decide to give it a try, This Same Earth (book 2) and The Force of Wind (book 3) are now available.

But back to A Hidden Fire... This is quite a refreshing addition to the paranormal romance genre that has, for me, become kind of stagnant. Elizabeth adds a new twist to the paranormal by what she has created that I find highly entertaining. I won't say what the twist is, you just have to read it for yourself to find out but it’s not something I’ve read before.

The cast of characters she has created are all very likable and I find myself wanting to know more about them. *Ahem Carwyn ahem*

Meet Beatrice De Novo AKA B:
According to Gio ~ Despite her rather common accent, the girl’s voice held a faint quality which told him at least one of her parents was a native Spanish speaker. Her thick, black hair was pulled into a low ponytail at the nape of her neck, and she was dressed in a black button-down shirt and slim skirt. He smiled when he saw the tops of her tall Doc Marten boots almost touching her knees.

Beatrice lives with her grandmother Isadora in Houston while attending college for Library Sciences at Houston University. She has worked part time at the campus library for close to three years when her schedule changes altering the course of her life as she knows it. Hmmm, lucky girl gets switched to Wednesday nights and meets the tall, dark and handsome Dr. Vecchio who just happens to be there on those nights to research a Tibetan manuscript for his colleague Tenzin.

Their first encounter is promising:

He could feel the smile crawl across his face. “I meant no disrespect…I’m sorry, what was your name?”  

“Just call me B,” she said, glancing down at some handwritten notes.  

From where he was standing, Giovanni could see the familiar scrawl of Mrs. Martin’s handwriting.  

“B? As in the second letter of the Latin alphabet?” he asked, walking closer to the desk.  

“No, the Etruscan. I’m wild like that,” she muttered and glanced up. 

Carwyn is one of Gio’s few trusted friends and I adore him completely. Where else do you read about a vampire Priest who has a penchant for wearing Hawaiian shirts?

“I’m coming for a visit,” the priest had informed him. “A proper one.”  

“Out of whiskey or deer?”  

“Neither, Sparky. You’re getting in one of your moods again, I can tell.” Carwyn’s Welsh accent tripped across the phone line.  

“Oh, you can tell from across an ocean? You must be old,” Giovanni quipped in the library as he spoke on the old rotary phone. “I don’t need last rites yet, Father.”  

“No, but you do need a bit of fun. That’s why I’m interrupting my very busy drinking and eating regimen to come for a visit.”

There are parts in this story that involve professional wrestling and B and Carwyn passing notes back and forth in the library that has me cracking up...

Do you like Gio? Check yes or no. He had sketched two small boxes underneath the question with a large arrow pointing to the “yes” box. 

She rolled her eyes and wrote back. How can you be this childish after a thousand years?  

He raised his eyebrows and jotted down. That’s not a yes or no.

Seriously one of my favorite side characters ever and I hope he eventually gets his own story.

Honorable mentions go out to Caspar, Isadora and Tenzin. Other great side characters that are just as involved as the main characters.

Gio and B are working together to track down a mysterious book that once belonged to Gio. If only it was that easy. Who knew tracking down a book could be such a dangerous adventure? From shared whiskey samplers at pubs to private islands in Greece and the valleys of Chile, the plot is paced perfectly. Non-stop mystery that is intriguing, a growing attraction between B and Gio and a satisfying ending. Never once did it drag or make me want to take a break. It's one of those books I just couldn't put down. Though the ending wasn't a major cliffhanger, the story of Gio and B is not finished. I love that Elizabeth is taking her time for personal character development as well as any relationship developments. It’s so much more believable this way, or at least as believable as the paranormal can get! ;)

Carwyn rolled his eyes. “Silly B, love is friendship…just with less clothes, which makes it far more brilliant.”

 A Fall of Water Blog Tour 
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Teaser Tuesday

This is a weekly meme hosted by Should Be Reading

• Open your current read and choose a page at random. 
• Share two sentences (or more) from anywhere on the page, being careful to avoid spoilers. 
• Be sure to share the title and author.

This weeks teaser comes from Soulless by Gail Carriger.

".... Do you ken?”


Alexia was going to get defensive and angry and explain quite severely that she was practical enough to avoid fisticuffs, especially when she had no brass parasol to protect herself with, but instead she said, “Did you just ask if I kenned?” She could not help grinning.


Lord Maccon looked ashamed of the verbal slip and muttered something about Scotland under his breath.


“You did! I was just kenned!” Miss Tarabotti’s grin widened.

Carriger, Gail (2009-09-04). Soulless (The Parasol Protectorate) (p. 292). Hachette Book Group. Kindle Edition. 

I enjoyed this book! I still need to review it but Alexia is just too funny! Her dialogue really is fantastic as you can guess from above.  And who doesn't like a sexy Alpha thrown in the mix?