Showing posts with label 2 Flames. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2 Flames. Show all posts

Friday, August 24, 2012

Book Review: The Kure by Jaye Frances

The Kure
The Kure
By: Jaye Frances
Ebook: 318 pages
Publisher: Createspace
ISBN: 9781466262966
Source: author for an honest review
Genre: Dark Historical Fantasy
Series: Yes
Stars: 4
Flames: 2
Summary from Goodreads
"In vain thou shall use many medicines, but thou shalt not be kured. And even though you search for a virgin to lay upon her balm, there is no healing for you. You multiply your remedies in vain as your cries fill the earth, and you will stumble, one over the other, and both will fall down together." - The Book of Eternal Regret

John Tyler, a young man in his early twenties, awakens to find a ghastly affliction taking over his body. When the village doctor offers the conventional, and potentially disfiguring, treatment as the only cure, John tenaciously convinces the doctor to reveal an alternative remedy—a forbidden ritual contained within an ancient manuscript called the Kure.

Although initially rejecting the vile and sinister rite, John realizes, too late, that the ritual is more than a faded promise scrawled on a page of crumbling paper. And as cure quickly becomes curse, the demonic text unleashes a dark power that drives him to consider the unthinkable—a depraved and wicked act requiring the corruption of an innocent soul.

Ultimately, John must choose between his desperate need to arrest the plague that is destroying his body, and the virtue of the woman he loves, knowing the wrong decision could cost him his life.

This book is best suited for a Mature YA/New-Adult or Adult reader. For more information and background about the dark historical practices that inspired the story, visit my website link below:

http://www.jayefrances.com/The_Kure


Review

Out of the three books of Jaye’s that I have read so far this is more the type of book that I mainly read. It is an adult story with dark overtones. I would not recommend this book for anyone who is squeamish due to some descriptions contained within. I give the book 4 stars.
The story was interesting. I can't wait to hear more on this dark tale. I admit the details of the main characters affliction’s description was gross but you also needed to know about it to know how desperate of a situation he was in. The only problem I had in the story was the storyline kind of lost me with all the descriptions and build up for a few pages in the middle of the story. I found myself skimming that part and then had to make myself re-read it.
The characters are wonderfully written and I can’t really blame John for some of his decisions given how desperate he was. John set out looking for a way to be cured and ended up finding a woman he found himself falling in love with but with decisions made and The Kure to deal with we are unclear by the end of the book if they will be together and all will be forgiven or not. Sarah is a very strong character also and I admire how much she wanted to help even when most people would have ran the other way.
As I am no expert on this subject matter I can’t say for sure but the story felt that it was well researched and definitely well written by Jaye. I would like to read the next in the series to see what happens with John and Sarah and also what payment will be demanded for using The Kure.

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

ARC Review: Chosen by Sable Grace


Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: August 28th 2012 by Avon Books
ISBN 13: 9780062079640
Source: Publisher, for the purpose of an honest review
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Dark Breed, book #3
Best read in order: yes
Stars: 3
Flames: 2.5

Apparently this is the third and final book in the Dark Breeds series. Many of the problems found solutions, but there were also some loose ends that were not tied up in my opinion. The biggest shocker Chosen gave me was Ares. I really started liking his character towards the end of Bedeviled. I loved him in Chosen. He finally fit into the role as a father. He also had an interesting evening with Kyana that I found very entertaining.

Cronos is beyond evil and he does not pull any punches in his pursuit to see his revenge achieved. He wants his sons to pay for his death. He wants Kyana and Haven to pay for getting in his way. He is willing to do anything and everything to get what he wants. He is ruthless in his pursuit of his only goal.

I am used to characters evolving as a series progresses. I think Kyana devolved. There were so many things I loved about her in Ascension. She was full of badassery. As her goddess powers took over she became tremendously committed to her new role as the Goddess of the Hunt. She softened in many ways. The softening allowed her to finally open her heart fully to Ryker, that was a good thing, but she also weakened her in many circumstances to me.

I think this series would be highly enjoyed by fantasy fans who want minimal sexual romance in the books they read. 



Monday, August 20, 2012

Review: Bedeviled by Sable Grace




Paperback, 368 pages
Published December 27th 2011 by Avon Books
ISBN 13: 9780061964411
Source: Purchased for self
Genre: Fantasy
Series: Dark Breed, book #2
Best read in order: yes
Stars: 2
Flames: almost 3

The second installment in the Dark Breed series picks up shortly after the first book. Kyana is losing her Dark Breed abilities slowly, as her goddess powers are slowly taking over. There is a transition period and she is both stronger and weaker during this time. This acclimation period is an inconvenience. She has to find her friend Haven before it is too late.

Her first hunt is Haven. She must find Haven and bring her in for trial. Haven is possessed by Cronos. Cronos wants revenge and will stop at nothing to get it. Kyana’s pursuit of Haven is action packed as she follows a trail of blood and chaos in her efforts to catch Haven without harming her closest friend.  

Kyana faces off with Haven (possessed by Cronos) numerous times, too many times in fact. The failed attempts to capture Cronos brought action to the pages the first couple of times. The repeated failures became redundant and made many events predictable.

Kyana’s thoughts on embracing her goddess power contradict her thoughts on Ryker. Kyana is holding on to the thoughts that vamp’s don’t do long term relationships that they are polygamous creatures. She uses this excuse when trying to keep Ryker at a distance. She consciously acknowledges that she is losing her old self (vamp/lychen) and becoming the new Goddess of the Hunt on several occasions in the book.  

I was pleased that Kyana still has Ryker in her life. They seem to be trying to figure out if a relationship is a possibility. Ryker is already at this point and he is having patience with Kyana while she figures out what she wants. I think Kyana and Ryker will make a fantastic couple eventually and their journey to that point is definitely an interesting read.

I look back on Ascension and I remember loving the book. I could not put it down. I told anyone who would listen about the awesomeness that was Ascension. I also enjoyed the novella Before the Fall. I hate that I did not enjoy this installment in the series as much as I did the other two. I do plan on reading Chosen. I have gotten too much enjoyment out of other installments in the series not to move on to the next. 


Wednesday, August 15, 2012

Review: The Cruise - All That Glitters by Jaye Frances

The Cruise - All That Glitters
By: Jaye Frances

Ebook: 83 pages
Publisher: Self-Published
ISBN/ASIN: B0081IST8S
Source: author for an honest review
Series: No
Stars: 4
Flames: 2

Summary from Goodreads

It’s love on the high seas for Dean, a thirty-something bachelor taking his first cruise, hoping for a shipboard romance. On the prowl for the elusive hard-body, he quickly becomes disillusioned, wondering if his expectation of a boatload of beautiful sea nymphs is something found only in travel brochures.
Until he meets Angel.
She is the girl of his dreams, brought to life as a bewitching goddess, ready to engage in every sensual delight. Quickly lured into submission by Angel’s seductive charms, Dean is ready to surrender his heart and soul to this provocative beauty.
Until he meets Marcie . . .
Review
This story is definitely for adults due to the language and the situations in the story.
The Cruise was laugh out loud funny for me. Once again Jaye has written the story from a male point of view and pulled it off great. Dean’s character made me want to smack him upside the head and yell “What are you thinking?” I give this one 4 stars.
The author did a wonderful job of giving you a good feel for the characters in this story without the need for a back story on each of them. Dean is a very cocky man who has put on his blinders to good women and is just looking for the perfect, sexy woman. I figured out Angel within a very short time however Dean is blind. Marcie is the other women Dean interacts with and we don’t get to know as much about her but I liked her better than Angel.
The ending just seems fitting for Dean. After everything he went through that just made it perfect and he came full circle in the story just different location.
I am not going to tell you the story but it is worth reading so if you have time during a lunch break or maybe just looking for something different or a short read I recommend this. It is definitely worth it to find out what happens to Dean at the end. It is so wrong and yet so right!



Thursday, August 9, 2012

Review: Circuit Theory by Kirby Crow & Reya Starck


By: 

eBook, 45 pages
Expected publication: July 30th 2012 by Riptide Publishing
ISBN 13: 9781937551476
Source: NetGalley, for the purpose of an honest review
Genre: M/M Romance
Stars: 2
Flames: 2

Kirby Crow and Reya Starck have created an interesting world. People no longer have to go out into the real world to socialize to meet people. They can now buy skins, create an avatar, and spend time in the Synth. The identities individuals create allow them to be whoever or whatever they want. The originality of Circuit Theory is very unique and something that I have never read.

There are several reasons why Circuit Theory didn’t work for me. The main reason was too much information was left unknown. I wanted to know more about whom Dante and Byron are in real life. While it would have worked for me and made the story more interesting I’m not sure if it would have worked for the novella. So obviously it is a personal issue.

Readers are introduced to Dante and Byron, two avatars who already have an established relationship. There wasn’t any relationship development. I read a few days in their Synth life and the complications that Synth relations have. The novella is first person point of view, Dante’s point of view. I realize the characters are avatars, digital representations of humans on a computer. The characters never the less never fleshed out for me and seemed very one dimensional.

There are some typos, but they are intentional and very much a part of the story. The typos are very creative on the writers’ part to show this world as it is, a coding issue. Some of the conversations are even presented to readers as the text that the human behind the avatar is reading and writing. This adds a distinctive flare to the story.

I think anyone who enjoys role playing games will love this. The novella mildly reminded me of the movie Gamer. Gerard Butler was an active character in the game, but he was being physically controlled by another individual who was hooked up to a game console. This world is built similar to that. 



Tuesday, August 7, 2012

Review: Decoy by Michaela Debelius

Decoy (A Noel Casey Novel)
Decoy
By: Michaela Debelius

Ebook: 322 pages
Publisher: Self-Published/Createspace
ISBN: 9781476434926
Source: author for an honest review
Genre: Science Fiction
Series: Yes (A Noel Casey Novel Book #1)
Stars: 4
Flames: 2
Summary from Goodreads
Lieutenant Noel Casey is taken aback by her newest military assignment. Her usual routine of vaccine development is interrupted when she's assigned to analyze Killian, a genetically engineered soldier designed for exceptional strength and intelligence. She's not accustomed to working with human subjects, especially a person created for warfare, and Killian's indifference is making it difficult to see past his robotic demeanor.

When Noel is attacked outside Killian's containment quarters, he is forced to intervene. The altruistic act instantly transforms their relationship, though neither will admit to the shift in sentiment. The predator is now the protector in Noel's eyes, and she's thrown off by her growing captivation.

As if her infatuation with a virtual stranger isn't enough of a distraction, she begins having terrifying nightmares. Her cryptic dreams appear to harbor an elusive warning as she watches them materialize into existence, proving the nightly visions foretelling. She begins to suspect the military base is concealing far more than an experimental soldier, and she can't shake the feeling Killian is the axis of the chaos. Noel must decide whether she'll accept the unconvincing explanations offered by her peers, or reject her comfortable environment for an unimaginable truth. With her premonitions pointing towards a violent outcome and her irrational draw to Killian becoming impossible to ignore, she realizes the choice has already been made for her. Noel's understanding of science is about to be shattered.

Review

I really loved this story. It was unique and engaging. I loved the science and the science fiction mixed in with the storyline. I did think the story was going to be about one thing and it went a whole other direction however I was not disappointed because it was a really good book. I give this story a solid 4 stars.
Noel is a scientist that works on antidotes for biological warfare however it is not this job that gets her pulled to this top secret base but supposedly her minor in psychology. The whole circumstances that she is recruited under seem suspicious but she didn’t argue and yes it is explained later in the story. Noel did have a hard time after getting to the base she is attacked and saved, she has to put up with rude comments from men constantly and she keeps having these weird dreams that seem somewhat prophetic.
Killian was a great character. He comes across tough and unreadable at first but then you see his softer side in glimpses. He is supposed to be a killing machine but he turns out to be something completely different. I really felt bad for him when we thought he was confined to his little room except for training.
Taylor is the other main character. He claims he is a mathematician but he doesn’t look or act like one. He likes Noel and later develops a special bond with her. All of that is explained but I will not spoil it. Again Taylor is also a great character. I am curious about his tattoo especially since Noel dreams about it.
I am curious about the creatures in the forest and if they will have any more to do with the story or not. Another thing is why wasn’t Noel just told the secret earlier instead of letting her wander around uninformed. Also I sense a love triangle building in the story maybe more will come to light in the next book? Hopefully we will know soon! The story had a lot of surprising twists and turns. I can’t wait to read the next book.
All in all the characters are well written in this story. The plot keeps the story moving and intriguing and there is still plenty of mystery to keep me reading on the next book. I can’t wait. This was a great debut novel for Michaela.


Friday, August 3, 2012

Review and Excerpt: The Possibilites of Amy by Jaye Frances

The Possibilities of Amy
The Possibilites of Amy
By: Jaye Frances
eBook: 92 pages
Publisher: Amazon Digital Services
ISBN/ASIN: B007LPVXIA
Source: author for an honest review
Genre: Young Adult (older YA)
Series: no
Stars: 4
Flames: 2
Summary

Amy is the ultimate trophy girl—gorgeous face, killer body, and a vivacious personality. But there’s something else about her, something that makes her even more special. Amy is new. A transfer student from out of state, she’s starting her senior year without knowing a soul. And that means she’s up for grabs, available.

Infatuated from the moment he sees her, David is determined to meet Amy, and if the fates are willing, to spend the rest of his life with her. But his shyness prevents him from approaching her—until his friends devise a contest to determine who will be the first to prove their manhood by seducing her.


Exerpt

I had not met her, yet she consumed my every waking thought. Sometimes, sitting alone in my room, I wondered if she had any inkling of how much my life revolved around her. Every night I prayed for the chance to tell her.

The first time I saw Amy, she was leaning against the green-board, waiting for Senior English to begin. She was a transfer student—arriving three weeks after the start of the school year—requiring her to stand on ceremonious display as she waited for the teacher to provide a seat assignment.

I had never seen anything like her.

Standing about five foot five, she had thick blond hair that feathered over her shoulders to the middle of her back. Her face displayed the kind of beauty I had previously seen only in fashion magazines—shiny, little-girl bangs set over large, vivid blue eyes that flashed in sync to brilliant white teeth. Her skin was flawless, her legs and arms a warm shade of chestnut spice, the tan appearing to come from underneath, as if God Himself had warned the sun to color, but not burn.

And then there was that incredible seventeen-year-old body. A tiny mole dotted her chest just below the collarbone and, like a friendly road sign, it directed the eyes lower, to large, rounded breasts—not hung like coconuts, but each one presented in flawless contour, each one crying for attention. Even her clothes could not conceal the spectacular perfection of it all, the seam of her fitted dress revealing the half-moon valley of her waist and the perfect ripe curve of her ass.

    I fell in love with that body. So did every male in the senior class.

And while I could sense many of the girls were already questioning her right to invade their pre-established numbers, I was also aware of more than a few who were considering the possibilities.

The possibilities of Amy.

From that day on—the day of Amy’s arrival into my life—I looked forward to English class the way a child looks forward to Christmas and birthdays.

After school, in the solitude of my own thoughts, I spent hours devising intricate fantasies to bring us together—euphoric daydreams that invariably plunged my beloved Amy into some horrible, frenzied conflict. Alone and terrified, she faced the ghastly predicaments of an unwilling captive, languishing without hope, until my just-in-time arrival predictably resolved every problem and vanquished every foe. My reveries always ended with Amy’s confirmation of her undying and eternal devotion, leaving us forever in love and deliriously happy.

At night, however, my delusions grew into obsessions. Envisioning her beside me, I would move close to her conjured form, craving a taste of her. As my hand gently skimmed the surface of the pillow, I would touch her hair, the lobes of her ears, and the smooth soft skin of her neck. Too stimulated to sleep, I would lay there for hours, my rigid penis pressed against the mattress until my hand would eventually take over, confirming Amy’s surrender as she granted me every carnal pleasure.

I desperately searched for her phone number. Just to have it, to be able to recite it from memory. Even after the operator told me it was unlisted, I still repeatedly scanned the phone book, as if expecting it to magically appear from my sheer need to find it.

    I ached to know where she lived. So I could drive by. And if courage and timing were right, wave at her as I saw her coming or going.

But I had nothing—nothing but fifty minutes a day, when she was close enough to see, but too far away to start a conversation. And so I sat at my desk like a devout parishioner attending church, worshipping her.

Like a shy and foolish schoolboy, I had waited for circumstances to bring us together. The last two Thursday nights I made sure I had a clean shirt and jeans, just in case Friday found us face-to-face, friendly and talking, getting along in a way that seemed so natural, so right, that she would want to go out for a pizza and a movie. But the opportunity for flirtatious banter had never materialized, leaving my hopes of our exchanging a kiss with the lingering aroma of melted cheese and pepperoni on our breaths an unfulfilled dream.

As my frustration grew in proportion to my unrequited desire, I began to pray for divine intervention, a miraculous reshuffling of the seating chart that would position Amy directly in front of me.

It would change my world—to be near enough to reach out and touch her.

But after two weeks of pleading my case to the Almighty, it was obvious that God was not predisposed to our meeting. If Amy was going to become part of my life, I was going to have to take the initiative and somehow find the courage to say hello.

Every morning I practiced for the possibility. Standing in front of the mirror, I quietly recited the same words, over and over: “Today is the day. Today I will walk up to her and introduce myself. Today I will let her know in a most clever and confident way that I find her attractive. And then I will off-handedly mention that we should go out, suggesting this weekend would be perfect.”

My rehearsals inevitably left me in a clammy sweat and my stomach tied in knots. But it didn’t matter. I was willing to endure it all—whatever it took. Because there was something else about Amy, something that made her even more special.

Amy was new.

It meant we could start from scratch. There would be no awkward common history or mutually-shared embarrassing experiences to taint our beginnings. She wouldn’t be able to remember me losing my swim trunks at the sixth-grade pool party. She was free of the mental trauma I would have certainly inflicted by spilling Coke on her pink taffeta dress during her thirteenth birthday party. As far as Amy was concerned, I was a stranger, with no phobias or syndromes renamed in my honor.

I knew I had to act soon, as any advantage to be gained from her newly-arrived status would soon be lost to those bolder and more aggressive. And from the way she seemed to fit right into her new surroundings—busily exchanging hello’s, and what I hoped were not phone numbers—it was apparent that this kind of beauty would not sit quietly, waiting for the shy or less confident to finally work up the nerve to speak.

And so from the very first moment I saw her, standing in front of the green board, I had to meet her, touch her, and convince her to spend the rest of her life with me.

Review

This book is classified as YA however it is definitely an older YA book. Some would say it would fall in the New Adult category. The Possibilities of Amy is a fascinating read. I give the story 4 stars.
The thing I found refreshing on the story was the fact that the story was written from the male POV instead of the female. I liked that David seems like a few of the guys in my old high school. It wasn’t a boy meets girl and everything is perfect story.
Even though the story is short I felt I got a good feel for the characters. David is a social outcast in his school. David and his friends have resorted to sitting and discussing how each girl rates on their scale of hotness and coming up with ways that they could get the girls to go out with them. There is at least one of these groups in every school. Then there is Amy, she is beautiful and new to the school so she is a target for conversation in David’s group. During these conversations and after his experiences in this story you really see David grow as a person. He grows up a lot and becomes a better man.
All in all I think that the author really wrote a good story and a good look in to some guy’s heads while in high school. I look forward to reading the author’s other books as well.






Monday, July 30, 2012

Book Review: Dark Moon by Maggie Tideswell

Dark Moon
Dark Moon
By: Maggie Tideswell






Ebook: 240 pages
Published September 28th 2011 by All Things That Matter Press
ISBN 13: 9780984651764
Source: author for an honest review
Series: no
Stars: 4
Flames: 2


Summary from Goodreads
Set in the romantic city of Cape Town, Storm tries to force a proposal from Trevor, and instead, she meets Jarred. Trevor has been preparing himself for what he plans for Storm, which is not quite what she expects. When she tells Trevor that she is carrying Jarreds baby, she releases true evil in Trevor. Storm, feeling that he ruined her life, refuses to have anything to do with Jarred, but he pursues her relentlessly. Donna, Storms roommate, bears the brunt of Trevors anger. Elle, Trevors sister, a fact unknown to them, makes it her mission to catch Trevor and bring him to justice, but he draws power from her for his evil purposes. Their mother senses what Trevor is doing and she uses her considerable knowledge and experience as a witch to curtail him. For a while it works, but he soon gathers his power, which he uses to his unfair advantage on Storm. Would Sybil and her helpers get through to Storm before she makes the mistake of her life.

Review


This was a good book. It was a little hard to follow in the beginning because of so many different people to learn and follow. I give the book 4 stars.
The characters in this story were well written. I enjoyed getting to know them. The plot was very interesting and it kept me reading trying to see how it will turn out. The only problem I had was at the very beginning there are a lot of characters to get to know and the story jumps around hitting all of them and their stories. All these little stories tie in together throughout the book including in the end. This is a romance story with mystery and paranormal elements mixed in. Some of the characters are witches most are good but one is evil. The murderer/rapist is not a mystery because we know who it is through most of the story. The mystery is how or will he be brought to justice and will the girl get with the right guy or will she die?


Storm is about to live the hardest few months of her life. I can’t describe it any other way. I really felt for her because she did not have any defense against the dark power messing with her head. At the beginning she is completely in love with Trevor and everything seems great. Then she meets Jared while sunbathing naked one day and everything starts to change. Things go from bad to worse once she finds out she is pregnant and tells Trevor. Storm is constantly pulled in several different directions between her friend, Donna and the two men. Storm is a bit headstrong at times and seems to even deny herself what she really wants. At times I did want to shake Storm and tell her to snap out of it already.


Jared was a great character also. He pursues Storm continuously throughout the book. He is also having his own issues as a lady friend keeps trying to win him over. He was hurt by his former wife and didn’t think he would ever love again but he really falls for Storm. He goes above and beyond to get her to marry him and any time she needs him he drops everything to come running.
Trevor when we meet him we think he is not very interesting but over time in the story you slowly start to see how twisted he is and how he has a darkness to him that can’t be overlooked. Using his dark powers against Storm makes it hard for her to resist Trevor. He turns out to be a really good or (bad) villain.  LOL.


I liked how the author wrapped up the story. Everything was put in its place but completely believable.
All in all I do recommend this book. I would read other books by this author.


Thursday, July 26, 2012

ARC Review: Hearts of Darkness by Kira Brady


Mass Market Paperback, 352 pages
Expected publication: August 7th 2012 by Zebra
ISBN 13: 9781420124569
Source: Publisher, for the purpose of an honest review
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Stars: 5
Flames: 2

Hearts of Darkness has to be the most unique book that I have read this year. It is definitely the furthest outside of my typical reading box/comfort zone. This story had so many different elements that I loved, the blend of mythologies and legends, the characters that I never knew which side they were fighting for, and then there is the setting. Kira has created a very dark Seattle that I never would want to visit. The crime is high, the political system is corrupt and beyond broken, anyone can be bought for a price, and the humans are completely blind to what they living among.

Kira has mixed Native American folklore, Babylonian mythology, paranormal elements of shifters and ghosts, a mild almost steampunk element with the technology and the characters attire, and then readers are still given the mystery of what happened to Kayla’s sister. The way that she has blended these elements makes for one incredible tale wrapped in a book that is impossible to put down.

I am still is shock over the ending of this book. At the beginning readers meet Kayla who has traveled to Seattle due to her sister’s untimely death. Kayla immediately finds out that multiple people are looking for a necklace that she had in her possession at the time of her death. To point out that as the pages turn there is so much more going on than a missing necklace would be a massive understatement. It took me a few chapters to really get into Hearts of Darkness. Once this book gets going it picks up speed and never slows down. The ending is amazing and I never saw it coming. It is not a cliffhanger, but an intensely shocking game changer.   

The spine of this book lists it as paranormal romance. Hearts of Darkness feels more urban fantasy to me than it did paranormal romance. There is a couple and they do get a happily ever after, but the romance was minimal and seemed to be more of a side story in this book. I’m big on the pursuit with any romance. I never got that with Kayla and Hart. I think I got more invested in their roles in the overall story than I did in their romance.

The romance was my only disappointment and it is a mild disappointment. Kira’s story telling is phenomenal. The Seattle she has created is so very dark and gritty. I think this book should be a must read for anyone who enjoys paranormal or fantasy reads. It is so different from everything else out there. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next book. I’m so curious about the changes that were made with the ending of Hearts of Darkness. I want to know how these changes are going to affect the characters and the world.



Wednesday, July 25, 2012

Review: Hearts of Fire by Kira Brady



eBook

Published June 26th 2012 by Zebra

Source: Purchased for self

Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance

Series: Deadglass, book 0.5

Best read in order: yes

Stars: 4

Flames: 2


I had the pleasure of reading Hearts of Darkness as an ARC from the publisher a month before Hearts of Fire was available for sale. I can honestly say that Hearts of Darkness is a fine place to start with this series. Looking back now I wish I had read this prequel first though.

Readers are introduced to a Seattle in the year 1889. The Kavati (animal shifters) are still living a peaceful existence among the humans. Seattle is growing rapidly with industry and new comers who are seeking a claim on the western frontier. The newest people to move into Seattle are the Drekar (dragon shifters.)

Brand is among the dragon shifters. He has came to Seattle to pay out a favor/debt owed to the Drekar Regent. His only wants are for peace, stability and a woman who he can be who and what is truly is with.

Alice is the daughter of the Kavati Raven Lord. She also finds that she is attracted to Brand. She knows that he is not merely human. She also knows that they are destined to be together. The party her father is hosting to welcome the new residents if the perfect place to finally get closer to the object of her affections.


Hearts of Fire is a novella. Alive and Brands relationship has many of the rushed characteristics that one finds with many novellas. I still enjoyed reading them, especially Brand. He was desperately wanting a new life in Seattle. He is also desperately wanting to find peace between the Kavati and the Drekar.

Having already read Heats of Darkness I now have a better understanding of where some of the bitterness of Emory Corbette came from. I also now have a better understanding about the long term war that has been going on between the Kavati and the Drekar.


Tuesday, July 17, 2012

Review & Giveaway: Chain Reaction by T. C. Archer

Chain Reaction
Chain Reaction
By: T. C. Archer
Book Description:

Former Chicago Detective Jordan Pierce put his life on hold in order to protect America's secret weapon against the Nazis, The Manhattan Project. But he can't protect himself as  his humanity is eaten away by a mysterious disease that destroys him, while at the same time makes him more powerful than any man he's ever known. Jordan finds out how much the disease has devoured his soul when he falls in love with the woman who might destroy America and tear apart his last shred of humanity.

Buy Links:








eBook: 300 pages
Publisher: Silver Publishing
ISBN:  9781920502409
Source: book tour for honest review
Genre: Historical/Paranormal Romance
Series: Phenom League Book #1
Stars: 5
Flames: 2


Summary from Goodreads:
What really went on inside the Manhattan Project during World War II? The University of Chicago was where scientists observed the first nuclear chain reaction. And where the Nazis sent their most dangerous spy. When a spy is detected, and a scientist is tortured and murdered inside the university, former Chicago police detective Jordan Pierce is put in charge of the investigation. But Pierce faces two problems; he can't function during midday, and he's falling in love with the prime suspect. Pierce is thrust into the most dangerous and alluring assignment of his life, and comes face-to-face with his lost humanity. Many unsung heroes helped win this war, but few made a bigger impact and remained cloaked in more secrecy than Jordan Pierce. Chain Reaction is one of the many untold stories that changed the course of the war.


Review


This was a very fast read for me because I could not put it down. This story is full of twists and turns, suspense and a who done it mystery all wrapped up in a paranormal/historical element. I give this book 5 stars.
This book takes you back to the time of WWII and The Manhattan Project where Jordan Pierce is the head of the night shift security. This story follows his investigation into a possible spy network and the torture and murder of a scientist working on The Manhattan Project. Jordan has connections with MI6 as well as the Chicago police force and eventually the Phenom League so it is interesting to see how all these play out in the story. I really enjoyed the history in this story as well as the mystery. The time period chosen I think is a good one for this story since you can work in so much. The paranormal element in this story was also a mystery as we weren’t sure what Jordan was afflicted with. I like in the end Jordan finally starts to discover his abilities but I think more is to come.
I really enjoyed learning about Jordan as a person. He is a pretty normal guy and a Chicago cop until he is attacked in an alley and he believes infected with some sort of disease. Jordan is on a revenge mission to track down the one who infected him but when he finds her, revenge has to take a back seat to protecting his country’s secrets. Dr. Gladys Nichols is the love interest and a scientist that works on the Manhattan Project. She also has a brother who works for MI6. We are left up in the air as to Dr. Nichols loyalties until almost the end of the book but it was fun guessing.
Also I liked the paranormal elements in this book. They were a little different than most books are with different powers and origins. The Phenom League seems to be a group of people with extraordinary or supernatural powers who grouped together to do what they feel is right and just in the world. They are on no one’s side but their own.
This was a good introduction to the series. I am very interested in hearing more about the Phenom League and can’t wait to read the next in the series. I also am kind of curious about Dr. Nichols brother. How did he end up in MI6 and will he be associated with the Phenom League also? Does he get his own book or will be mainly following Jordan and Dr. Nichols? Can’t wait!!!









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Excerpt:

A moment later, I halted in front of the closed door where Dr Nichols waited. The name painted on the glass read: Dr Enrico Roma, the alias of the great scientist and Nobel Prize laureate Enrico Fermi. The alias didn't fool anybody but the ignorant. Light shone through the milky glass window. I blew out a breath. The last thing I wanted to do was interrogate a hysterical woman.
I opened the door and stopped dead at the sight of a shapely blonde leaning against Fermi's mahogany desk. I stared as realization sunk in that the Veronica Lake look-alike standing there was the same egghead pictured in her personnel file. The glasses she'd worn were absent and, despite the red-rimmed eyes and drawn expression, the single overhead light warmed the creamy complexion that had looked bland and colorless in the photo.
Thick blond hair slid across her face in a broad wave and flowed down slim shoulders. Suddenly, I understood the reasoning behind the functional bun in the picture. Despite the legs that mesmerized a man all the way down to the high heel straps, the tweed skirt and blazer she wore emphatically stated the bombshell figure was off limits. But the moment a man laid eyes on her luxurious hair all bets were off. My breath caught with bloodlust as I drew in her scent from across the room.
Gray-blue eyes stared from behind the drape of blond hair. Her gaze flicked to my waistband and I realized she'd glimpsed the colt holstered beneath my suit jacket.
"You wear your gun like a gangster," she said.

I startled. Her voice, low and sultry, held a shaky note, but I knew the remark was payment for my staring.
"This incident requires I carry a weapon." My drill sergeant used to berate any reference to the word gun. "Your gun is between your legs, son. Your pistol or rifle is called a weapon."
She continued to stare and guilt stabbed at me. She'd discovered a colleague who'd been brutally murdered, and I stood in the doorway gawking at her. I swallowed, feeling like a school kid.
"Dr Nichols, I'm Agent Pierce, head of nightshift security." Her fingers tightened around a lace handkerchief gripped in her right palm. I didn't want to step closer, but had to. Her pheromones were making my blood, or what was left of it, crave an infusion from her veins. "What happened?"
Her gaze dropped to the hankie and she began working the fabric with both hands. "I was working late and needed Leon to come to the lab. I couldn't get the Geiger counter to calibrate. I knocked. When no one answered, I opened the door and…" Her eyes swung up to meet mine. "So much blood." Her gaze remained locked with my eyes as if demanding a response.
"I'm sorry," I offered. "I thought you were assigned to dayshift."
She swiped at the corners of her eyes with the handkerchief. "I switched shifts yesterday so Leon and I could calibrate the new equipment."
I nodded. The scientists worked a twelve hours on, twelve off schedule seven days a week. We were in a race against Nazi scientists while men died in Europe, North Africa, and the Pacific. "Did you notice anything unusual tonight?" I asked.
"Nothing."

"Hear anything strange on the way to Dr Heinrick's office, pass anyone in the hall?"
She shook her head. "Maybe he's still here." Something in the way she stared at—through—me,
searching for answers and fearing what she might find, threatened to tip me off balance. "The murderer is gone," I replied in a level voice.
"How do you know?"

"A hunch," I said, and meant it.

"Why kill Heinrick?" she said. "Why not Compton or Fermi? But Heinrick…" Her voice trailed off.

"Are you saying Heinrick didn't know anything worth killing for?"

"I suppose we all know something worth killing for. Each scientist on this project is top in his or her field. But the project will go on without Heinrick. If we lost Oppenheimer, or Fermi, the project would be delayed, if not brought to a standstill."

"Did you enter Heinrick's office?" "No, I took one look and ran."
The response, given without hesitation, or guile, made me wonder if this woman ran from anything.
"This was the first office I came to," she said.

Her story made sense, and my instincts said she was telling the truth. I had learned to trust my sixth sense, especially the last eight months. This ability was another one of those things I couldn't explain, like being conscious of the way her pheromones where working on me double-time.
"Are you staying in the dorm?" I asked. She nodded.
"I'll have someone escort you there."

Desire to go with her shot to the surface with the heat of a volcano. I pictured white skin, full breasts, and blond hair between perfect thighs. I forced my breathing to remain even, and the swelling in my shorts abated. I'd never experienced such sudden, intense lust. If I escorted her back to her room I would drink her blood—and God only knew what I would do to her afterward. My pulse jumped with the thought of her warm blood flowing past my tongue down my throat… and her tight walls closing around me as I entered her.
"I have to complete my measurements before the day shift," she said. I jarred from the erotic thought. "There's not enough equipment to go around," she added.
I nodded. "Of course."

Clipped footsteps sounded almost noiselessly on the linoleum floor of the hallway and I recognized McHenry's walk two seconds before Dr Nichols's eyes shifted over my shoulder.
"Pierce."

I glanced back to see him standing in the open doorway.
"The general wants to talk to you."

A measure of sanity reasserted itself. I had to get away from her, now. "Could you escort Dr Nichols back to the lab?"
His expression lightened. "No problem." He stepped aside and motioned toward the door with an open hand. "Dr Nichols."
His expression lightened. "No problem." He stepped aside and motioned toward the door with an open hand. "Dr Nichols."
She cast me a farewell glance and headed toward the door. I tried tearing my eyes from the gentle sway of hips as she walked past, but couldn't, and felt the heat swell to the surface again. I had to find one of the small rodents whose blood I drank to keep my thirst for human blood at bay, or go back to Heinrick and hope the congealed blood in his decaying body would make me forget the craving. Rising desire twisted my insides and I feared even Heinrick's dead blood wouldn't work against the warm, pulsing blood of Dr Nichols.

About the Author:

T. C. Archer is comprised of award winning authors Evan Trevane and Shawn M. Casey. They live in the Northeast.

Evan puts his Ph.D. to good use by writing about alternate realities, and Shawn channels the mythology and philosophy she studied during her wasted youth into writing about exotic places and times.

Evan and Shawn write romantic sci-fi, paranormal romance and romantic suspense.

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