Review: Eternal Hunger

Title: Eternal Hunger
Author: Laura Wright

Series: Mark of the Vampire
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Book: 1


In the mood for a little vampire romance that doesn't involve sparkles?

History:

I have been the proud owner of Eternal Hunger since it was first published in October of 2010. It has since sat on my shelf in a 'to be read' pile that takes up an entire bookcase.

After finishing Wedding Favors I had a decision to make, grab from the ever growing pile of new books from series I'm completely caught up with or start a new book. I didn't really feel a connection to any of my 'caught up' books so I decided to pull Hunger from it's waiting shelf.

Back Story:

The series follows the three Roman brothers, Alexander, Nicholas and Lucian. Having fled the proper and sequestered vampire society over one hundred years ago after being betrayed by their so-called people, they find themselves falling back down the rabbit hole when the Eternal Order, the governing body for all vampires, comes knocking.

Eternal Hunger:

Hunger is the first novel in the Mark of the Vampire series and follows eldest brother Alexander Roman. Son of the Breeding Male, Alexander and his two half brothers Nicholas and Lucian were born into a world (and for two of the boys their mothers) who hate them just for who and what their father is.

Lately Alexander has found his control slipping and usually hides himself away in a self made prison than risk the life of an innocent. But when wandering the streets of New York one night ends with Alexander in excruciating pain from an unknown source with the sun rising and his flesh burning (the sun never burned him before) he realizes he's going to die.

And die he would have had Dr. Sara Donohue not been coming home from her shift at a psych hospital to find him smoldering on her stoop. Before she can make a decision to let the burning man who can telepathically call for her help into her apartment a crazed former patient makes the decision for her, forcing Sara and Alexander into the darkness of her residence.

Out of the sun and able to think, Alexander realizes he's going through the final change and becoming an "adult" vampire (a full one hundred years before he should be) and that the lovely doctor stirs something inside him no human should be able to. Making short work of the former patient, Alexander steals Sara away to protect her from the crazed man - unknowingly setting off a chain of events that will change their lives and the lives of those around them forever.

Review:

Eternal Hunger was actually a really fun read. Fast paced the book doesn't allow itself to become stagnant by getting "stuck" in any one place for too long. Unlike in some books, where the villain sections become too long and tedious, Hunger keeps them short and light - teasing readers with information that makes us want to read their next section.

The book also does a great job of not introducing too many characters. Occasionally in the first novel of a book an author will throw a whole group of warriors into the mix, none getting proper time or depth until they get their own novel. This isn't the case with Eternal Hunger. If anything I left the novel feeling like I knew more about brothers Nicholas and Lucian than I did Alexander, which left me wanting to pick up their novels as quickly as possible (thankfully I already have Nicholas' Eternal Kiss).

As far as heroes and heroines go, Alexander Roman is one Alpha vampire. Sinfully good looking (even more so naked) I loved him even when he was supposed to appear as unreasonable (for me his actions make sense through the entire book). Heroine Sarah Donohue was a great heroine as well. A truly strong woman, I loved being able to see her fears and doubts come through later in the novel, giving the character more depth.

The one "downside" to the novel is the vampire culture / language. I actually created a small cheat sheet for myself as the Roman brothers and the few other vampires we meet in the series will throw out the "ancient" language easily and often.

Additionally I figured out a few key plot points less than one hundred pages into the novel. I thought for certain they would ruin the ending for me but instead I can't help but wonder if the reader isn't meant to figure out those plot points early since they end up not being that important. I was so certain I'd figured the book out by page eighty that when the real shocker comes at the end of the book I was taken by complete surprise!

Note that while the love scenes aren't off the charts X-rated, the language used to describe certain body parts may be offensive to some.

Series (Thus Far):

1. Eternal Hunger
2. Eternal Kiss
3. "Eternal Blood" - eBook
4. Eternal Captive

Rating:

Quality of Writing: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Pace: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Plot Development: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Characters: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Enjoyability: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Ease of Reading: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Review: Wedding Favors

Title: Wedding Favors
Author: RomancebyYou.com

Series: N/A
Genre: Contemporary Romance

Book: 1

Had to include this since it did take into my reading time but it will be a unique review to say the least!

History:

About two years ago an advertisement on Facebook caught my attention for a website that does personalized books. My youngest cousin was obsessed with Twilight at the time and Christmas was approaching so I checked it out.

Flash forward to today, I own nearly every book in their Romance by You section. Wedding Favors was released the last week of January and I instantly ordered a copy.

Back Story:

Wedding Favors is a contemporary romance which places the heroine (in this case myself) as a baker who keeps finding herself more and more involved in a friend's wedding planning.

Meanwhile the hero of the novel (for this book I chose actor Chris Evans of Captain America fame) finds himself in similar circumstances with the groom of the wedding.

Wedding Favors:

Favors opens with our hero being dragged along for the wedding fun by the happy couple (in my copy of the novel their names are James and Sadie). A quick stop at the local bakery before moving furniture for the rest of the morning is the plan, at least until our hero spots the bakery owner (our heroine).

Shaking off his interest doesn't last long however as the hero and heroine keep meeting in some not-so-great situations before realizing they're both heading to the same wedding.

The attraction between hero and heroine continues to grow but some major problems stand in the way, like our heroine's repeatedly broken heart and our hero's inability to say "no" to anyone.

Review:

Wedding Favors is a super cute book, made even more awesome by the fact that it's personalized! Outside of my daydreams I can't say I get to co-star with Chris Evans all too often!

One thing that may annoy readers is the heroine's (so most likely yourself) inability to make a decision when it comes to the hero or even being stubborn when it comes to her feelings. I knew while reading I would not be having the issues book me would be having, however when you consider it in the context of the story needing drama it ends up being acceptable.

If you're interested in this book (and don't have a guy in your life to play the hero) keep in mind whomever you do choose you will fall in love with him! The hero is such a great guy that you'll find yourself swooning.

Rating:

Quality of Writing: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Pace: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Plot Development: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Characters: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Enjoyability: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Ease of Reading: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Website:

www.romancebyyou.com

Note that the website also offers classic novels, childrens and teen books as well as mysteries!

My Hero:

Review: Vampire in Atlantis

Title: Vampire in Atlantis
Author: Alyssa Day

Series: Warriors of Poseidon
Genre: Paranormal Romance

Book: 7 (Not including novellas)


This one took me awhile to get through, thus the delay in a post. I've been a huge fan of this series from the start but really struggled to get this one finished.

History:

I found this series when the first book (Atlantis Rising) caught my eye in 2009 and have been following them ever since. Though the books incorporate vampires, shifters and witches the fact that the heroes (for the most part) have been from Atlantis brought something new to an otherwise over saturated genre.

While I've always enjoyed the series and its been on my 'must read ASAP after being published' list I've lately found them tough to immerse myself in (thus how long it took me to read this one).

Back Story:

The series follows the lost continent of Atlantis, hidden beneath the oceans until such a time that the lost gems of Poseidon's Trident can be reunited to return Atlantis to the world. The books focus on the branded Warriors of Poseidon, the chosen men who are to protect Atlantis as well as its High Prince, Conlan (hero of the first novel).

The series takes place in an alternate universe where vampires and shifters have come out in the open (so much so that vampires have created a third house of Congress). The books can be best enjoyed in order as some characters are greatly impacted by actions in other books.

Vampire in Atlantis:

Vampire is the seventh novel in the series (there are also two novellas and a very short story which I'm not including in the count) and follows a character which was originally introduced in the first novel, the vampire Daniel, as the hero. Heroine Serai is a new character which was mentioned in passing in the past books.

The book opens with Daniel becoming too tired of everything in his very long life and deciding to kill himself.

Note that there is an attempt at suicide in the novel (vampire-style so "meeting the sun"). This can be laughed off given the fact the hero is a vampire, but it is a resignation to suicide nonetheless and deserves a warning.

Enter Serai, placed in suspended animation more than eleven thousand years ago, she suddenly awakens and isn't pleased that she's been left trapped for so long. As she moves to escape Atlantis she finds her path crossed by the love she was sure she lost all those years ago. Daniel can't believe it either. First the fact that he lives and second that the woman whom he has mourned all of his Nightwalker life lives.

However Serai and her "sleeping" sisters are living on borrowed time. One of Poseidon's lost Trident gems, The Emperor, which was charged with keeping the Atlantian maidens sleeping, is being tampered with and the only way to save Serai and the maidens lives is to find it and return it to Atlantis.

And so Daniel and Serai find themselves far from the oceans (Arizona) as they chase down the location of the Emperor before it's too late for Serai and the sleeping maidens of Atlantis.

Review:

It's hard to really give a decent review without revealing too much from past books, especially given Daniel's long history in the novels. I was actually less excited for this one after hearing Daniel was to be the hero.

It isn't that I dislike Daniel (in fact he's brought a lot of intrigue to the series), it was just a lot of focus has been placed on another hero (Alaric) whose book has yet to come and I have a few heroes I'd prefer to read about.

I did enjoy the depth that was brought to Daniel as he was always a very one dimensional character. To see him so drastically varied from his past roles was a delight.

Heroine Serai was a bit of a toss up. Swinging between bad-ass chick and uptight princess had me struggling to determine which was the true character. The series has definitely had better heroines.

Vampire in Atlantis also allowed secondary characters to shine. Past heroes and heroines all appear and further build up for the next novel (Hearts of Atlantis) is created between High Priest Alaric and human rebellion leader Quinn. However the best subplots belonged to Reisen, exiled Poseidon Warrior, and Melody, one of the rebellion members as well as the book "villain" Nicholas (a vampire) and "villainess" Ivy Khetta, a black witch. The novel also holds a surprising twist for series favorite were-tiger Jack Shepherd.

While not my favorite book in the series Vampire in Atlantis is enjoyable and I look forward to the next release in the series.

Series (Thus Far):

1. Atlantis Rising
1.1 "Wild Thing" from Wild Thing
2. Atlantis Awakening
2.1 "Lady" from Shifter
2.2 "The Princess and the Peas" from The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance
3. Atlantis Unleashed
4. Atlantis Unmasked
5. Atlantis Redeemed
6. Atlantis Betrayed
7. Vampire in Atlantis

Rating:

Quality of Writing: ♥ ♥ ♥
Pace: ♥ ♥ ♥
Plot Development: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Characters: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Enjoyability: ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Ease of Reading: ♥ ♥ ♥

Review: Whispers in the Dark

Title: Whispers in the Dark
Author: Maya Banks

Series: KGI / Kelly Brothers
Genre: Romantic Suspense

Book: 4




First review of this blog and we start with one of my favorite series being published right now! Note that I'll do my best to remain mostly spoiler free and try to keep the following on par with what you'd read if you picked it up and read the back cover.

History:

I came across the KGI / Kelly Brothers books last July and ate through the books in a matter of only a few weeks. Up until this point I mainly read paranormal romance books so the paramilitary aspect of the series was a deviation for me but for anyone who wants to take a foray into this genre I recommend starting with these books.

Reading the books in order (see below) will allow you to get the most satisfaction from the series as possible since the books follow the same characters.

Back Story:

This series follows six brothers (the Kellys') and their paramilitary group KGI. Each of the brothers has served / is serving in some branch of the military and other team members have similar backgrounds.

Included in the Kelly clan are several 'adopted' family members, Mr. and Mrs. Kelly and a mysterious CIA agent who may be more foe than friend.

Whispers in the Dark:

Whispers is the fourth book in the series and follows one of the youngest brothers, Nathan Kelly. The book opens with a bang, following in on the build up from the end of book three where we learn Nathan has gone missing while on tour in Afghanistan.

If torture doesn't sit well with you proceed into this one with caution, though not overly graphic it occurs several times in this book.

Just when Nathan decides to give in and welcome death he begins to hear the soft voice of a woman in his mind. Believing he's losing his mind or maybe an angel has found him, Nathan wraps himself in the soft voice of the woman who calls herself Shea.

Meanwhile a world way in the U.S. Shea Peterson is doing everything she can to stay alive. Separated from her sister Grace, both woman are being hunted by someone out to use their gifts. Unlike Grace, Shea has very little control of her abilities, including telepathy and a way to block pain in others by taking it into herself. In fact she has no idea how she found Nathan, who's being held captive half way around the world but now that she's made a connection to him she refuses to let him go.

When Shea comes through and helps Nathan's brothers find him she goes silent, leaving Nathan lost in the life that only a few months earlier he was so comfortable with. He can't even find common footing with his twin brother Joe.

But when Shea reaches out again, this time being held captive herself, Nathan knows he'll move Heaven and Earth to repay what she did for him. Not just because he owes her, but because he loves her.

Review:

I'll be the first to admit I may be a bit bias with this one. I truly love the KGI books and was so excited when Whispers arrived after going only four months since reading the first three books.

I'll also be the first to admit that when I heard Shea was psychic I was disappointed. The KGI books were my first books away from the paranormal genre and suddenly the author was introducing psychic characters?! Logically I understood the need for a plot device like this, for as many possible hero and heroines in this series there was no way Ms. Banks could keep the series going based solely on torture, kidnappings and hostage situations.

And in all honesty, post-Whispers I have to say the matter was handled very well. I felt like the book was still primarily a paramilitary addition with a major assisting subplot of a psychic-nature. As I mentioned the above section, there were torture scenes, both for Nathan and Shea but I didn't mind, if anything I enjoy some hurt in books as its generally followed by some comfort!

Nathan was a great hero, strong and steadfast but vulnerable and a true honor to the men and women who have served their country and leave their service different than they were going in. Shea was an equally enjoyable heroine. Tough but real when it came to her self-esteem, she was a great compliment to Nathan.

Supporting characters had their moments to shine, each of the former heroes (Ethan, Sam and Garrett) have their moments as well as Donovan and Joe (our only two remaining single Kellys'). I feel like Joe was a weaker link in this one, at least until he met Shea. Non-Kelly supporting characters (the other members of KGI) all have their set ups, with a larger focus on Rio (hero of the next book). Surprisingly Resnick took a major seat in this one, deepening the formerly one-dimensional character and building out a deep history that I hope Ms. Banks explores in the future.

Whispers in the Dark is on par with the other KGI novels, a fast paced military romance novel which you can easily picture on the big screen.  The book grabs hold in the first pages and makes you never want to put it down.

Series (Thus Far):

1. The Darkest Hour
2. No Place to Run
3. Hidden Away
4. Whispers in the Dark

Rating:

Quality of Writing:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Pace:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Plot Development:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Characters:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Enjoyability:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥
Ease of Reading:  ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Introduction to my Confessions

I'm a huge fan of books. Actual books, the physical kind that require me to turn a page with more than a push of a button or swipe of my finger. And I have a rule in life that I read every night before going to bed. These two things have compounded to a book collection that's grown so large it has slowly leaked out of my room and into various other parts of the house.

My equally book-addicted friends often ask me what I'm reading or what I could recommend so I thought why not take a shot in a much more public forum.

My history with romance novels is an interesting one.

My love of books began early. A complete tomboy I remember mocking the mere thought of standing in the romance section at a book store. Don't get me wrong, I didn't find boys icky or the thought of romance to be gross. In fact from very early on I developed my first crush and never let go of it. But I was also "one of the guys" and the two pieces couldn't seem to co-exist well so I hid the part that would have made me lose the few friends I had. I hid the girly-romance.

Books based in the Star Wars or Star Trek universes interested me more than books about princes and princesses. But my first brush with a "romance" story was when I found a trio of books written in the first person in the young adult section of a local bookstore. I remember finding them too interesting not to purchase and sliding them under a handful of Star Wars novels and some comics before taking them up to the counter. I breezed through them within a few hours but re-read them over and over, loving the sheer romance of it all.

Then in 1998 I developed a new obsession. Long before Hollywood took notice and they exploded everywhere I found vampires. I headed back to the "classics" and read Dracula and other sci-fi books with a more horror-theme to them until around 2002 when I came across the Anita Blake: Vampire Hunter series in the sci-fi section. I was blown away.

A strong heroine who I could identify with (written in first person no less) with vampires and zombies and werewolves...I was in love. For anyone who's ever read the Anita Blake series (or really anything by the author Laurell K. Hamilton) you'll know that the deeper you get into the series the more sexual and then down right explicit the series becomes. Unlike many fans, the gradual shift didn't bother me too much. I could understand why the series went in that direction and heck I still loved it. More than that, I could still shop in the sci-fi section without feeling I was venturing into the romance section.

I sought out any other books like the Anita Blake series that I could find from the sci-fi section before I finally "broke down" and ventured into the romance section for the first time to browse the (then) budding paranormal romance section.

Ten years after picking up the first Anita novel my house is now home to several hundred novels, most of which were bought off of shelves in the romance sections of bookstores. Many of them are of the paranormal sub-genre though in the last few months I've been building up a suspense / military section as well.

How well have I come to terms standing in the "embarrassing" romance section of a bookstore? It doesn't bother me a bit. Though in the spirit of full disclosure I will say that my romance collection is mostly private. I'm pretty sure people at work would be shocked to learn of the obsession I have with the genre but part of that is the nature of the work that I do.

Work actually factors into my obsession as well. I work in a very high stress job where on a daily basis I'm reminded about the dark side of humanity and the horrible things that occur in the world. I work insane hours which leaves me with a rather hollow social life and no dating life to speak of. So I find my romance where I can get it, in the ink-filled pages of my books (and the occasional fantasy about Jeremy Renner while stuck in traffic).

I hope you will join me in my travels through books here and chime in every step of the way!

 ♥