Tag Archives: Paranormal

My Angel (Bewitched and Bewildered # 9)

By Alanea Alder

Synopsis

Vivian Mercy has been running from the past for so long she doesn’t know any other way of life. When a panicked call comes from one of her only friends she finds herself returning to the city of her nightmares where her dedication as a doctor and resolve to help others is put to the test.

Etain Vi’Aerlin has been watching over Noctem Falls for centuries. Sent by his queen he became a silent sentinel in the shadows helping Magnus whenever he could. While the sickness around him claims more lives he discovers what it feels like to be helpless, as an ancient warrior he doesn’t have the skills to fight this unseen enemy.

At any other time finding a mate would be cause for celebration, but Etain wants Vivian as far from Noctem Falls as possible, unfortunately, as the only doctor with an intimate knowledge of diseases she has to stay in the city, and finds herself working tirelessly to discover a cure in the middle of the deadly chaos sweeping the levels.

As Vivian’s past is revealed she finds herself not only combating the terrible virus but also the rebellious faction of the Founding Families. Etain vows to stand by her, even if it means abandoning the post assigned by his queen.

It’s a race against time to unravel the lethal secrets the virus is hiding before the city itself is lost forever.

Review

MY ANGEL is the ninth book in the Bewitched and Bewildered series and was another very enjoyable read. The story continues on from MY DEFENDER and follows the mating of Etain (fae) and Vivian (vampire), and we’re still in Noctem Falls.

Quite a lot happened in this book, all of which was really exciting. I apologize if the below is spoilerish, but it was all so interesting that I can’t help but write it all down.
1 – The mysterious sickness plaguing the shifter children has now started affecting adult shifters and vampires, including Prince Magnus.
2 – The group is concerned at discovering that over 50% of the Vanguard units are unaccounted for.
3 – Two Royal families previously believed to have been extinct are reinstated in front of all the Noble and Founding family heads. Those two families align with the other two Royal families, giving Prince Magnus more support against those who seek to seize power and control of Noctem Falls.
4 – In that same scene, it was demanded that Gavriel prove he was royalty. Not only did he prove it, but he also revealed that he is over ten thousand years old and is also known as the Dark Prince from their history and legends. Without a doubt, this was my favorite scene.

In regards to the two main characters of this story, there’s not much I can say about Etain because apart from being Vivian’s mate and having a close connection to the Fae Queen, there’s really nothing else to him. Vivian stands out more because she was pivotal in quite a few scenes throughout the story.

I’m still having a lot of trouble keeping track of all the characters we’ve been introduced to so far, and the number of characters increases by at least two with every new book. It’s gotten to a point where if I’m struggling to remember who a character is, I stop trying and just continue on with the story, otherwise it does my head in. This does take away some of the enjoyment from the story, but the mystery of what is going on around them keeps me coming back for more, so I’ll just have to deal with it.

MY ANGEL is told in dual POVs, with the epilogue being told in Micah’s POV as he’ll get the next book. While each book is about a different couple, the books in this series cannot be read as a stand-alone and must be read in order.

My Angel (Bewitched and Bewildered # 9)

My Rating:

Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks

Visit Alanea Alder: Click Here

Bewitched & Bewildered Series

My Defender (Bewitched and Bewildered # 8)

By Alanea Alder

Synopsis

When a mysterious illness begins to sweep through Noctem Falls affecting the children, Eleanor Kimball is called to the city to see if she can determine what is wrong. As a pediatrician Eleanor loves children and desires many of her own, however, after several dating disasters she has not only sworn off men, but has given up her dream of a family, and the promise of a destined mate.

After discovering Grant in Noctem Falls she is faced with her own insecurities and finds it hard to believe in his love.

Grant Douglas is a man of few words and doesn’t do well surrounded by others. He is scared to death of finding a mate. He believes the harshness of his past, where he struggled to survive, didn’t cultivate a gentle heart. After a series of terrifying nightmares where his mate is at risk, Grant has decided he doesn’t want a mate at all.

When he meets Ellie, he realizes there are some things worth fighting for. Even if it means putting himself out there by becoming the Alpha he was born to be and facing the power he desperately tries to hide.

As Ellie starts to believe in Grant’s love it will take every ounce their combined strength to discover why the shifter children are suddenly falling ill before it’s too late.

Review

MY DEFENDER is the eighth book in the Bewitched and Bewildered series and was another enjoyable read. The story continues on from MY CHAMPION and follows the mating of Grant (wolf shifter) and Ellie (elephant shifter), and we’re still in Noctem Falls.

As I’ve said in my reviews of the last couple of books, the romance and relationship side of the story is lacking, but that doesn’t really bother me anymore. Instead, I choose to focus on everything else that is going on in this paranormal world that connects these books together.

I don’t remember much about Ellie, other than she’s a really sweet, caring and loving woman. I don’t even remember Grant from the previous two books, even though he’s one of the top Unit Warriors at Noctem Falls, and I assume readers have met before. But while I might not have remembered him at the start, I don’t think I’ll be forgetting about him any time soon. From how he comforts children, to hearing about everything he went through between the ages of twenty and fifty, you can’t help but admire his strength, his compassion and his ability to adapt and survive.

MY DEFENDER is told in dual POVs, with the epilogue being told in Etain’s POV as he’ll get the next book. While each book is about a different couple, the books in this series cannot be read as a stand-alone and must be read in order.

My Defender (Bewitched and Bewildered # 8)

My Rating:

Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks

Visit Alanea Alder: Click Here

Bewitched & Bewildered Series

My Champion (Bewitched and Bewildered # 7)

By Alanea Alder

Synopsis

Declan Lionhart has been running interference between the Founding Families and the citizens of Noctem Falls since the day he arrived in the city. His hopes of being a simple unit warrior crumbles in the face of their troubles and it looks like he will always be bound by his family’s political legacy. But with current tensions skyrocketing to unimaginable levels, Declan’s laid back persona and easy smile are needed now more than ever.

Kari Delaney has finally achieved everything she’s ever wanted. The business she created from scratch is booming and she has her dream custom built condo in the heart of the small town where she was raised. But all that changes the day she gets her evacuation notice.

Despite being a vampire, Kari hates Noctem Falls and the politics that permeates every aspect of life within the city. Under protest she and her younger brother leave for the City of the Night.

Declan is smitten with his little general and the strength she exudes. But when it’s just the two of them he begins to break down her carefully constructed walls and shows her that even though he’s easy going, he is still an Alpha, and his lion is demanding her heart.

When the entire city erupts into chaos with matings being dissolved and Founding Families making alliances, Declan realizes it will take every trick he learned at his father’s knee to maneuver through the murky political waters swirling around them. Both he and his mate race against time to keep the people of the city safe, despite homesick children, disastrous dinners, Meryn’s wacky revenge plans and an unexpected pairing.

Review

MY CHAMPION is the seventh book in the Bewitched and Bewildered series and was another enjoyable read. The story continues on from MY GUARDIAN and follows the mating of Declan (lion shifter) and Kari (vampire), and we’re still in Noctem Falls. With twenty books planned for this series, I assume that each of the four pillar cities will get five books apiece, and that only the highest ranking Unit Warriors for each city will have stories written about them.

I’ll be honest, I don’t remember much about Declan at all. Kari was a bit more memorable with her take-charge-and-get-things-done personality, but I can’t say much else about her either. Why? Because unlike the first five books in this series, the couple and their relationship hasn’t been the main focus of the story for books six and seven. Instead, the focus has shifted to Meryn and trying to figure out what’s going on in the paranormal world. While I’m very interested in the conspiracies that have been going on for centuries, I’m disappointed that it’s at the expense of the romance side of things.

On top of the lack of romance, there are a few other minor issues. I agree with what others have said about Meryn becoming more childish as the series progresses. I’m hoping we’ll see the old Meryn again in future books, especially when she seems to be connected to everything that’s going on. Quite a few conversations felt disjointed and hard to follow, with topics changing at random before turning back around to a previous topic. Finally, with so many new characters being introduced, they’re all starting to blur together. I found myself having to stop quite a few times and saying to myself “Who is this person again?”.

If you’re still reading this review, you might be wondering why I’ve given MY CHAMPION 5❤ when it sounds like I didn’t enjoy the book. Well, it’s because despite what I’ve said above, I did enjoy it. There were scenes that had me laughing out loud and the story arc has me chomping at the bit for the next book.

MY CHAMPION is told in dual POVs, with the epilogue being told in Grant’s POV as he’ll get the next book. While each book is about a different couple, the books in this series cannot be read as a stand-alone and must be read in order.

My Champion (Bewitched and Bewildered # 7)

My Rating:

Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks

Visit Alanea Alder: Click Here

Bewitched & Bewildered Series

Her Guardian Angel: A Masters and Mercenaries Crossover #2

By Larissa Ione

Synopsis

After a difficult childhood and a turbulent stint in the military, Declan Burke finally got his act together. Now he’s a battle-hardened professional bodyguard who takes his job at McKay-Taggart seriously and his playtime – and his playmates – just as seriously. One thing he never does, however, is mix business with pleasure. But when the mysterious, gorgeous Suzanne D’Angelo needs his protection from a stalker, his desire for her burns out of control, tempting him to break all the rules…even as he’s drawn into a dark, dangerous world he didn’t know existed.

Suzanne is an earthbound angel on her critical first mission: protecting Declan from an emerging supernatural threat at all costs. To keep him close, she hires him as her bodyguard. It doesn’t take long for her to realize that she’s in over her head, defenseless against this devastatingly sexy human who makes her crave his forbidden touch.

Together they’ll have to draw on every ounce of their collective training to resist each other as the enemy closes in, but soon it becomes apparent that nothing could have prepared them for the menace to their lives…or their hearts.

Review

Of all the crossover stories in this series, this one I was most curious about. It not only crosses over already established series but also genres and I wondered where Larissa Ione would take it. She brought Declan to life and stayed true to the Demonica Underworld series.

This story is action packed. Suzanne is such a great character. She dreams of a different life but knows she has responsibilities and humans that depend on her. Declan doesn’t know it but he has a destiny to fulfill. He also doesn’t know that he has a guardian angel to protect him.

Her Guardian Angel is so good. I love all the characters and it took the Masters and Mercenaries series in a completely different direction.

Her Guardian Angel

My Rating:

Buy Links: Amazon

Visit Author: Larissa Ione

Blood Veil (Mission # 2)

By Megan Erickson

Synopsis

In the midst of supernatural chaos, worlds and hearts collide.

Celia: Having never known my parents, I’ve always felt like an orphan. All I want is a normal life. But after I’m attacked in my bedroom by one vampire—and rescued by another—it’s about time to give up on “normal” once and for all. Idris, the second in command of the Gregorie vampire clan, has come to my aid, but his motives for saving me are unclear. And what surprises me most is my attraction to his heated gaze. . . .

Idris: Terror. Curiosity. Arousal. These are the natural impulses of a human female, not the spawn of the ruthless Valarian king. Is it possible that Celia is unaware of her bloodline—and the power coursing through her veins? As the daughter of my archenemy, she was supposed to be my ransom. But how quickly the heat of desire changes everything. Now the family Celia has always craved is trying to kill her, and it’s up to me to save her again—when all I really want to do is make her mine.

Review

I enjoyed BLOOD VEIL, but not as much as I was hoping to, or as much as I enjoyed the first book in the Mission series, BLOOD GUARD.

BLOOD VEIL takes place over just a few days, so I’d definitely classify this as an insta-love. Usually this doesn’t bother me too much, but in this case, it did. I remember being very surprised when they declared their love for each other, because up until that point, I hadn’t felt any love between them. Idris was focused on getting revenge against the Valarian king, and Celia—as his captive and bait—was simply a means to an end. Was there chemistry? Yes. Love? Not so much.

There are a couple of scenes where secrets are revealed and people are killed, but there’s hardly any shock or emotion exhibited by the characters when these things happened, especially on Celia’s part. It’s hard to get emotionally invested in a story when the characters themselves show very little emotion.

Finally, I’m confused about how this story ended for Celia. As a half vampire with a blood disorder, she can never be turned, but I don’t remember reading anything about what will happen to her. Will she be immortal like a vampire, or will she grow old and die like a human? What about her nightmares that will make her crazy if she isn’t turned? Will she still have those, or will they mysteriously disappear?

BLOOD VEIL is told in dual POVs and comes with a HEA for Idris and Celia. I finished the story quickly, so it easily held my attention, but there were just too many things that kept me from loving it. Despite that, if there is to be a third book written in this series, I would read it because this world intrigues me.

Blood Veil (Mission # 2)

My Rating:

Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks

Visit Megan Erickson: Click Here

Mission Series

Killer (Karma Inc. # 5)

By Gillian Zane

Synopsis

The final book in the Karma Inc. Series is here! Cassandra Mercier’s last Karma case…or is it?

Case # 5 of the Karma Incorporated Series.

Karma never forgets.

Working for Karma Incorporated has taken its toll on Cassandra Mercier. She might have died to get this job, but being a worker bee in the bowels of Afterlife Corporation have proven to be more than she can handle.

Her latest case feels a little too personal as Cassandra finds herself playing psychic at her old stomping grounds, the precinct where she used to work before she died. Her job on the case is to expose a dirty cop while using her cover as a psychic to help solve cases. Nothing is ever as easy as it seems. The cop she’s meant to expose was a good friend of hers, pre-death, and someone she can’t imagine being dirty. To make matters more complicated, she’s asked her to help solve her own murder.

Is it too good to be true? Can Cassandra out a dirty cop, no matter how squeaky clean he looks, all while finding her own killer? Or will the Powers That Be put an end to her selfish investigations and end her career with Karma Incorporated completely?

Review

KILLER is the fifth and final book in the Karma Inc. series, a series that I believe was originally going to be a six-part serial. CROOK was meant to be the title of the fifth book, so I’m not sure if that story was pulled or if the name was simply changed.

Since the very first book, the story has been focused on Cassandra’s death; how did she die and who killed her? So it was disappointing that when she finally learnt the truth, she was quickly whisked back to Afterlife where the focus of the story changed immediately. Instead of seeing her killer get what they deserved, we got a hard-to-follow explanation on the different classes of gods and other beings, and the identities of her biological parents were revealed.

Don’t get me wrong, her identity explained a few things, but up until that point, figuring out who her parents were had barely been a blip on the radar in the previous books, so it felt like it came out of nowhere. But her identity didn’t explain everything, like why she couldn’t remember her past life or why she was held in limbo for a year after her death before being sent to Karma Inc. As far as I can tell, those questions remain unanswered.

There are also some inconsistencies that started popping up in the third book that carried over into this book and were a little too big for me to ignore.

As a whole, I have enjoyed this series and have given all the previous books a rating of 4❤. The mystery surrounding Cassandra’s life, disappearance and death, as well as trying to figure out who and what Drake was, kept me turning the pages and coming back for more. So it pains me to say that I felt as though KILLER did not do this series justice. Though I am disappointed with how this series was wrapped up, I would read from this author again.

Killer (Karma Inc. # 5)

My Rating:

Buy Links: Amazon

Visit Gillian Zane: Click Here

Karma Inc. Series

The Devil in Disguise (Bad Things # 1)

By Cynthia Eden

Synopsis

Don’t make the devil angry…

Luke Thorne loves having one hell of a good time. As the ruler of every dark creature to walk the earth, he certainly has more than a bit of a bad side. He lives for danger and isn’t the type to lose his heart—mostly because he doesn’t have one. Then she walks into his life.

Mina James is seduction in the flesh, a perfect temptation that the devil himself couldn’t pass up. Too late, Luke realizes he’s let a real siren into his life, a woman who is bent on using his dark powers to free herself from hidden enemies. Since Luke isn’t the type of man to be used, he should walk away from her, but…something about Mina draws him close.

Soon he’s realizing that she isn’t who she appears to be. Not dark and cold, but burning red hot. Mina is a woman fighting for her life—and the Lord of the Dark suddenly finds himself in an unlikely role…hero. Luke isn’t going to let her enemies destroy Mina. He will fight heaven and hell to keep her. But in the end, the secrets they both carry may just rip apart a love that should never have been…

There are Bad Things in the world…very, very bad. Are you ready for them?

Review

I’ve read over a dozen of Cynthia Eden’s books over the years and quite liked them, but THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE was just an okay read for me. It was easy to keep turning the pages, but by the end of it, I just didn’t have any strong feelings about the story one way or the other. I didn’t hate it, but I didn’t love it either.

I didn’t take a lot of notes while reading, and in the few days between finishing the story and writing my review, I don’t remember much about the story at all. What I do remember is that Luke wasn’t the big bad guy I was expecting him to be. Verbal threats aside, he actually came across as quite tame. I was also left confused as to what Luke is. Is he the devil? Is he a dragon shifter? Is he both? I honestly have no idea.

THE DEVIL IN DISGUISE is told not only in Luke and Mina’s POV, but in the POV of several other characters as well. It comes with a HEA and sets us up for book two, ON THE PROWL, which will be about another couple connected to Luke.

The Devil in Disguise (Bad Things # 1)

My Rating:

Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks

Visit Cynthia Eden: Click Here

Bad Things Series

Justice (New Species # 4)

By Laurann Dohner

Synopsis

Justice North is the face of New Species. Seeing him up close makes Jessie’s heart race. He’s the ultimate alpha male—big, muscular, exotically beautiful…and dangerous. Of course he’s off limits. But then the sexy man purrs and all bets are off.

Jessie Dupree is a mouthy, fiery human female who brings out the animal in Justice. She wants to show him how to relax, and he’s all for anything she wants to do, but Justice has sworn to protect his people and to take a Species mate. He’s torn between the woman he wants and the oath he’s taken.

Jessie knows a relationship between them probably won’t end well, heartbreak is inevitable. But that won’t stop her from freeing the wildness inside Justice and spending every moment she can steal wrapped around his hot body, making him roar with passion.

Review

JUSTICE is the fourth book in the New Species series, and I’ve been waiting for Justice’s story since meeting him in the first book. It’s also one of the final books that includes—what I call—an original; a character introduced in the first or second book. Almost all the characters that get their own books from here on out are only introduced in the book that comes before theirs. Sometimes, their own book is their introduction.

“You make me happy, Jessie. I’m so glad you came into my life. You’re a breath of sunshine in the dark stillness my life has become.”

Justice is the ultimate alpha male; he is the New Species leader and is in charge of them all. Chosen for his strength and amazing control, it was exciting to watch him lose complete control when it came to Jessie. His desire to take her as his mate was off-the-charts, but he fought it at almost every turn for several reasons, all of which were self-sacrificing for the good of his people.

Jessie was a good match for Justice because she was very strong and could kick some serious ass. She’s had some military training, which came in handy after Justice was gravely injured in an attack. She was able to protect and defend him, showing every New Species that she was the perfect mate for their leader.

As much as I enjoyed this book, there were two things that annoyed me. First, Jessie told anyone who would listen that she was part of the task force that rescued Gift Females, and she brought it up so many times that it felt like she was bragging. Secondly, I didn’t like how her superior kept threatening to put her over his knee and spank her ass, or haul her ass in front of the men and whip it, if she didn’t follow his orders. I couldn’t stop myself from cringing every time he did it.

JUSTICE is told in dual POVs and comes with a HEA for Justice and Jessie. I think every book within this series can be read as a stand-alone, but I think you’ll get more enjoyment if you read the series in order.

Justice (New Species # 4)

My Rating:

Buy Links: Amazon | iBooks

Visit Lauren Dohner: Click Here

New Species Series

Twitch

By Claire Marta

Synopsis

Still grieving from the tragic events in his homeland, Twitch is struggling to find a balance. While trying to control a new, unforseen side to his magic, the last thing he expects is to be consumed with thoughts of a pink haired girl with innocent grey eyes.

Bewitched and confused with the feelings Lexi stirs within him, Twitch is blindsided by the danger that surrounds him. What he thought he knew isn’t as solid as he believes.

With enemies drawing near, threatening both their lives, Twitch must master his new magic to survive, or be forever crippled by what has been unleashed.

Review

Twitch is one of the characters that makes The Hunter Chronicles Series so great. The fifth book in this series is devoted to him. In earlier books he was a supporting character and best friend to Jasmine. I really love Twitch. He always manages to survive and becomes stronger.

In this installment Twitch finds himself starting a relationship with Lexi. I think Lexi is perfect for him but she has some secrets of her own. She is such a great character. With her connection to Asier and what she is, their relationship has so hurdles to get over. I can’t wait to see where Claire Marta takes this couple.

There was also the introduction of two new characters to this series. Nelly and Zook were great and offered Twitch a true friendship and help when he needed it.

This book was so fast paced. It was hard to put down. I loved the action and the romance. The only thing that I missed in this story was Jasmine. Jasmine plays an important role in Twitch’s life, even if it is just as a friend. She is mentioned but I was just expecting her to have some advise for Twitch as he started this new relationship. I can’t wait for the next installment to this series!!!

Twitch

My Rating: 1/2

Buy Links: Amazon

Visit Claire Marta: Click Here

Forbidden Desire (Lee County Wolves # 3)

By Teresa Gabelman

Synopsis

From the moment Marcus Foster saw Roxy Patel, he knew she was his mate. Remaining patient because of her troubled past, he was determined to build her trust. She was his and nothing would change that, not even time.

Leaving her past behind, Roxy refused to remain a broken shell of a woman. Determined to start afresh, moving to a new town was just what she needed. With the help of her new friends, and a wolf shifter wanting to make her his own, all Roxy needed was the chance to thrive again.

Review

FORBIDDEN DESIRE is the third book in the Lee County Wolves series, and while the last Foster brother has now been mated off, the series has been left open for more books. More wolves have been brought into the pack for protection, and their alpha—Garrett—has come to a decision that will greatly affect the pack. I am interested in seeing where the author will go from here.

I liked Marcus, but Roxy was definitely the stand-out character. Garrett rescued her from her abusive husband, and she’s been living in hiding with the pack ever since. She’s been using that time well; building up her confidence and breaking free from the conditioning her husband instilled in her.

We got to see the previous two couples, but more of Garrett and Janna because Janna’s pregnant and Garrett’s still being challenged for his alpha position. Hunter was his usual playful self and really brought in the humor.

“Why don’t you claim her, bro?”
“Because she’s still married.”
“Okay, well let’s kill the son of a bitch and then she won’t be married anymore. Easy fix.”

FORBIDDEN DESIRE is told in dual POVs and comes with a HEA for Marcus and Roxy.