Review: Untouched by Sara Humphreys

Untouched by Sara Humphreys
Sourcebooks (April 1, 2012)
Mass Market: $6.99; ebook: $6.99
ISBN: 9781402258466

Favorite Lines: “She had gone her entire life with almost no human contact–at least no normal human contact. If she did touch someone or they touched her, Kerry had become a master at disguising the pain. No one could put on a polite smile better than she could. Sometimes the physical pain was outdone by the emotional carnage. Seeing people’s deepest secrets or the evil they harbored in their souls was even worse.” (p. 31, egalley)

SHE SHOULD BE SEEN, BUT NEVER TOUCHED…

Kerry Smithson’s modeling career ensures that she will be admired from afar, which is essential since mere human touch sparks blinding pain and terrifying visions.

EVERY GOOD MODEL NEEDS A HEAVENLY BODYGUARD…

Dante Coltari is hired to protect Kerry from those who know who she is—or more importantly what she is—and want her dead because of it. Nothing could have prepared him for the challenge of keeping her safe. But, strangely, his lightest touch brings her exquisite pleasure rather than pain, and Dante and Kerry have an otherwordly connection that might just pull them through.

As seems to be the case lately, I didn’t read book one of this series. Regardless, I easily jumped into Sara Humphreys’ Amoveo series with book two, Untouched. As I write this I’m consumed with a feeling of deja vu. I could swear I’ve written this review before.

When I started reading the book it was clear that I missed an entire story. The heroine and hero from book one, Unleashed, are getting married. The heroine of Untouched is the bride’s best friend and is suffering from a major case of guilt resulting from the events of book one. The most important thing to know going into the book is that an Amoveo is an ancient race of shapeshifters. If you know that everything else will fall into place.

The heroine, Kerry, comes across as cold until the reader learns of her inability to touch people without sensing deep secrets about that individual. She has learned the need to keep to herself, but when she is forced to accept Dante’s help she learns there is so much more waiting for her in life. This knowledge makes her more human and I was willing to give her a shot.

Dante knew right away that  Kerry was the woman for him. Making her believe it, well that took much longer. He had to deal with her inability to let down her guard while protecting his mate from people who want her dead. These people are known as Purists, but it’s a while before details are known about them.

The story has action, but it isn’t the “grip your seat” type. Untouched is full of information. Vital to the series information, so it’s not a book you should skip. Different factions of Amoveos are introduced. Prejudices are exposed. Love is found, given and accepted. It’s a good story and I think those who love shifters will enjoy it.

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Review: The Highlander’s Prize by Mary Wine

The Highlander’s Prize by Mary Wine
Sourcebooks (April 3, 2012)
Mass Market: $6.99; ebook: $6.99
ISBN: 9781402264719

Favorite Lines: “Maybe in France a weakling could wear the crown, but Broen was a Highlander and he’d never kneel in front of a king who wouldn’t keep his country united. Or any Scot who would buy himself a bastard daughter of the late king of England.” (p. 9, egalley)

BASTARD ROYAL DAUGHTER, PAWN IN A DEADLY GAME

Sent to Scotland to be the king’s mistress and produce an heir, Clarrisa of York has never needed a miracle more. But the brusque Highland laird who kidnaps her is a bit too rough to be considered divine intervention.

HE’LL DO ANYTHING TO THWART HIS KING

With rival lairds determined to steal Clarrisa from him and royal henchmen searching for her all over the Highlands, Laird Broen MacNicols has a mess on his hands. Worse yet, there’s a magnetic attraction between them, although he’s betrothed to another. But even an independent–minded lady like Clarrisa knows that a Highlander always claims his prize…

The Highlander’s Prize is a throwback to the classic highland romance stories I’ve always loved.  I’m not big on political romances, but in this case it worked. The heroine, Clarrisa has been raised to be a pawn. She knows that is her lot in life and longs to escape. She has just been given to the king of Scotland to be his mistress and is trying to outwit him when she is kidnapped by highland lairds. One of those lairds is Broen.

Broen is strong and determined. He never forgets his duty to his people as he warms to Clarrisa. But their relationship is hindered by the political machinations of all who surround them. Most of the secondary characters have agendas that rely on using Clarrisa as a pawn or getting rid of the possibility of Clarrisa being used as  a pawn. From castle to battlefield, The Highlander’s Prize introduces characters I want to know more about. So why aren’t I raving about it?

It isn’t anything new. It’s the warm comfy blanket you wrap around you in the winter; it’s familiar. That’s not bad, but it isn’t the “I’ll always come back to you” type of comfort. Read The Highlander’s Prize if you are looking for a straight-up Scottish Highlander romance. You’ll find betrayal, lust and a happily ever after.

Review: Eternity’s Mark by Maeve Greyson

Eternity’s Mark by Maeve Greyson
Kennsington (April 1, 2012)
Trade: $14; ebook: $11.99
ISBN: 9780758273390
Excerpt

Favorite Lines: “Taggert’s attitude kept her plenty warm. There wasn’t any reason for him to be a jerk. He still owed her explanations. ” Well, apparently, you weren’t all that wild about kissing me anyway. I don’t remember anything about you pushing the advantage.”

Taggart rolled his eyes and held up a warning hand. “Oh, no! I am not taking that bait. Many a man down through the centuries has met his downfall by following that line of conversation with a woman.”” (p. 96, ARC)

A sexy Scot. A mystical inheritance. What could go wrong?

Veterinarian Hannah MacPherson knows better than to believe in love at first—or any—sight. True, being swept away by Taggart de Gaelson to the vast Scottish castle she’s mysteriously inherited is uber-romantic. The legacy is totally legitimate, and its messenger is big, broad-shouldered, and smokin’ in more ways than one . . .

Too bad Taggart forgot to mention that Hannah’s also a Guardian of magical dragons called the Draecna. And as Hannah’s sworn otherworldly protector, Taggart is honor-bound not to lay a hand on her, no matter how close he gets. . .

But turning duty into pleasure is just too tempting. And for Hannah, mastering her powers and saving two worlds from evil will be way easier than showing one hardheaded warrior that breaking all the rules means they are eternally made for each other . . .

Eternity’s Mark is a paranormal romance that mainly takes place in the human world, but at one point shifts to an alternate land where dragons and magic live. It’s filled with ancient creatures and evil beings, as well as loveable dragons and a man with a Scottish burr. Taggart is a man’s man in search of the guardian who can protect the Scottish castle which is home to a few dragons and a portal to the magical land of Erastaed. As he says:

“I am Taggart de Gaelson, eldest son of the Royal House of Cair Orlandis. I am seven hundred and seventy-seven years old and I come from another reality. I come from Erastaed, from the world on the other side of the portal of Taroc Na Mor, ancestral home to the race of teh sacred Draecna. I am chosen protector from the Guild of Barac’Nairn, watchers over the blessed guardian.”–p. 97

Hannah (lucky woman) is the “blessed guardian” Taggart mentions. She is also a widow determined to never love and lose again. With Taggart’s help she begins to soften and let the magic of Scotland heal her. Sounds pretty sedate, right? Well, it’s not. Once in Scotland things begin to get a little dark. A villain wants the ultimate power and he sees the heroine as his tool to getting it. He will use Taggart’s past as a means to grab hold of Taggart’s future. He is pure evil. The things he is capable of are shiver worthy.

I was having a good time reading this book up until things began to get dirty and the pacing of the story increased. Toward the end characters begin to die. Characters that I liked. Okay, let me clarify that. Characters who I got to know and laughed at were killed off page and WHAM! I’m told so-and-so is dead. WTF!!! Then the evil villain and his henchman are dealt with in such a mundane manner that I had to re-read it. Seriously? That’s all it took to off the big bad of this book? The man who was ultimate darkness was destroyed that easily? Most of this happens in the final chapter, along with a final shock which made me want to throw my book across the room. I’m dying to tell you what, but it’d ruin the story for you.

My enjoyment of Eternity’s Mark nosedived as matters were cleanly and simply resolved. I felt like the author decided it was time to end the book, took a look at all the open plot lines and said “I’m done” and chopped the lifelines of those plots. It was abrupt and jarring. Had matters been handled differently, such as the author showing me characters being killed instead of letting me infer “oh, it’s war and people die,” I would have enjoyed the book more.  The final page and a half left me in incredulity, and not in a good way.

While three fourths of Eternity’s Mark was excellent and exciting, the ending felt forced and put a damper on my enjoyment of the story. The hard work Greyson invested in making me get to know and care for characters evaporated with the forced conclusion of the book. Instead of being happy and content when I finished reading the book I was angry with the author for introducing me to vivid characters only to dispose of them in such an arbitrary fashion.

Review: A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster

A Perfect Storm by Lori Foster
Harlequin (March 27, 2012)
Mass Market: $7.99; ebook: $7.99
ISBN: 9780373776566
Excerpt

Favorite Lines: “He made a soft, gravelly sound as he stretched that long, strong body His chin tucked in. Muscles flexed.
The sheet tented.
Eyes widening, Arizona stared, not really alarmed, but no longer at ease, either. She had a very dark history with aroused men, so she doubted she’d ever be unaffected by them. But she didn’t let it get in her way, not when she wanted something, not when she had a goal in mind.
She knew she should have taken Spencer’s gun, at the very least moved it out of his reach. But instead she’d found him in the bed, and before she’d even thought it through, she’d taken the empty seat and settled in to study him while he slept.
Since that fateful day when her destiny had been stolen from her, she’d seen  him only a handful of times. She’d tried to stay away. She’d tried to forget about him.
She hadn’t been successful.
Stretching, he brought his hand out from behind his head, around to rub over his hair, across his face, down his chest.
As he gave a sleepy, growling groan, that hand disappeared under the sheet.
Arizona’s lips parted, and her heartbeat tripped up. She cleared her throat. “Spencer?”
Freezing, without moving any other body part, he opened his eyes and met her gaze.” (p. 12, egalley)

Review: Wanted: Undead or Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks

Wanted: Undead or Alive by Kerrelyn Sparks
Avon (March 27, 2012)
Mass Market: $7.99; ebook: $4.99
ISBN: 9780061958069

Favorite Lines: “Phineas didn’t want his aunt and sister to know the truth. Aunt Ruth would probably drag him into church and insist the Reverend Washington perform an exorcism on him. Luckily, the female members of his family were out of town this weekend, singing with the choir at some event in Buffalo.” (p. 2, egalley)

He’s a vampire from the big city . . .

Phineas McKinney thought New York City was tough, until he was attacked by Malcontents—evil vampires who consider mortals to be snacks. Saved by the good vampires, Phin swore to devote his now undead life to stopping the Malcontents. He’s got his job cut out for him when word comes that their enemy may be hiding in Wyoming. What does a city boy like him know about horses and campfires? Good thing he’s got Brynley Jones with him . . . if only she didn’t hate every vampire on earth.

She’s a werewolf princess . . .

Bryn believes vampires are seductive and charming, and that makes them dangerous. So she’s more than a little annoyed about teaming up with Phin, even if he is the only bloodsucker able to make her inner wolf purr. But as they hunt down the new leader of the Malcontents, danger threatens . . . and Phineas and Brynley discover a passion that will rock the foundation of their supernatural world.

Within a couple of pages it was clear to me that I was not going to appreciate book 12 in Kerrelyn Sparks’ Love at Stake series. Wanted Undead or Alive irked me to the point that I put the book down before reaching page 42. The stereotypical language and ideas used by the story’s African-American hero irked the crap out of me. First of all WTF:

“Freemont shrugged on a purple velvet jacket trimmed with faux leopard fur, then plopped a leopard-skin fedora on his head. “Now I’ll look like your agent.”

Phineas winced. “You look like a pimp.”

“Pimp? Agent? What’s the difference?” Freemont flipped up his collar. “Show me the money.”

“Freemont–”

“I know what I’m doing, bro.” He grabbed a wooden walking stick with a gold knob on the end and twirled it through is fingers. “Should I ask Leroy to loan us a few party girls for the evening? You’ll look more like a celebrity with some pretty ladies on your arm.”–p. 22

Really? Why they gotta  be dumb? Nobody really thinks wearing purple velvet is fashionable, especially young black men. And to even insinuate that one has a connection to pimps with hookers was just annoying. Yeah, Sparks clears it up and says it’s all legit, but it sets the tone for Wanted: Undead or Alive. Unlike heroes of previous books in the series, Phineas and his people are cookie cutter black folks. They are uneducated inner city minorities. Fine. I’m from that crowd and I don’t know anyone who’d think it cool to wear purple velvet. Ever. Stereotype: Black men are tacky and think pimping is cool.

However, I kept reading. I read about the promiscuous black man with a frown. I could swallow it down because many romance books feature rakes who seduce women. So what did the inner me get from this? Stereotype: All black men have high sex drives.

“When I first discovered I was Undead and I could possibly live forever, it sorta went to my head, you know, like I was invincible and super-macho and could do whatever the hell I pleased with as many Vamp ladies as I pleased. But then I realized they were all doing whatever they pleased, too.”

“What’s wrong with that if you’re having fun?”

Phineas slowed his steps and lowered his voice. “They didn’t see me as a person. You think we’re a minority in the real world, you should try the vampire one. I was a curiosity that all the ladies wanted to experience, and once it was over, they moved on to the next form of entertainment.”

“So you got tired of one-night stands?” Freemont wrinkled his nose. “Is that even possible?”

“Yes, it is. Eventually, I realized that being wanted as an oddity is an insult. I want to be appreciated for  being myself.”–p. 36

I read until I got to the part where the hero dubs characters Rat Face and Blockhead. After that–it was over. I turned one more page, thought “I cannot do this” and put the book down.

“The Russian guy was the leader, Phineas figured. A Malcontent, no doubt, sent by Corky. He was armed with an automatic pistol and an AK-47. The guys flanking him were mortal judging from the bite marks on their necks. They either served Corky voluntarily, or she had them under vampire mind control. One was tall and skinny, with a narrow face and a long nose. Rat Face, Phineas dubbed him. And the other guy, short and square was Blockhead. The three thugs scanned the room before focusing on him.”–p. 38

Yeah, there’s no stereotype here. It irritated the crap out of me. If the characters’ names don’t matter don’t mention them. Rat Face and Blockhead? Am I really supposed to take reading this book seriously when the author doesn’t take naming the characters seriously?

Regardless, I was disappointed. I seem to be the only one who feels this way. I’ve found glowing reviews and no negative reviews what-so-ever. Sparks‘ series is hit or miss with me. Some of her books I’ve loved. I did not like Wanted: Undead or Alive. I could not even bring myself to finish reading it.

Stacia & Stacey Giveaway Hop

The winner is…laura588!

When Cat at Addicted 2 Heroines asked me if I wanted to participate in the Stacia & Stacey Giveaway Hop I had to say yes. Not just because my name is Stacy, but because both of the women are authors I read and enjoy. You may be wondering what the two series have in common other than releasing at the same time. I can clear that up for you. While Stacia Kane‘s series is set in a world where ghosts are a menace and Stacey Jay‘s series is set in a world with violent faeries, both feature a heroine who has a problem with addiction.

The heroines, Chess and Annabelle, both manage to pull it together long enough to save humans (and themselves) from death, but they haven’t kicked their chemical addictions. One is dependent on alcohol, the other on pills. It’s more than a habit or stress reliever. It’s a necessary tool needed for each woman to function. Above the women hang the lingering question: is either character capable of living a sober life?

I’m not sure I’d recognize either woman without their addiction. The traumatized heroines are far from perfect and that’s part of what makes them such great characters. I’m able to feel morally superior while rooting for them both to love themselves and take better care of themselves throughout the series. Kane and Jay’s characters are more realistic and avoid easily being placed in a generic “cookie cutter” type mold.

Stacia and Stacey are both releasing new books on March 27. Stacia is releasing book four in her Downside series and Stacey is releasing book two in her Annabelle Lee series. To celebrate I’ve put together a Vice Gift Package to giveaway. In it the winner will find a bottle of Jim Beam wing sauce, a metal pill box and some mints. To enter simply leave a comment and tell me if you read either series. If so–what you think about the series’ heroine. The giveaway begins now and will run until 11:59 pm March 27 and is open to those with mailing addresses in the US or Canada. 

Stacia/Stacey Giveaway Hop:

1. Addicted2Heroines
2. Goldilox and the Three Weres
3. Miss Vain’s Paranormal Fantasy
4. Underworld Love Addiction
5. Vanesmate the Bookaholic
6. Gizmo’s Reviews
7. Yummy Men & Kick Ass Chicks
8. Pages of Forbidden Love
9. Claire’s Book Corner
10. The Book Nympho
11. RhiReading
12. Booking It With Hayley G
13. The Bookaholic Cat
14. Nocturne Romance Reads

Review: The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens

The Kingdom by Amanda Stevens
Harlequin/MIRA (March 27, 2012)
Mass Market: $7.99; ebook: $7.99
ISBN: 9780778312772
Excerpt

Favorite Lines: “Did I cross his mind now and then? Not that it mattered. He was a man haunted by his dead wife and daughter, and I was a woman who saw ghosts. For as long as he clung to his past–and his past clung to him–I could not be a part of his life.” (p. 8, egalley)

Deep in the shadowy foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains lies a dying town…My name is Amelia Gray. They call me The Graveyard Queen. I’ve been commissioned to restore an old cemetery in Asher Falls, South Carolina, but I’m coming to think I have another purpose here.Why is there a cemetery at the bottom of Bell Lake? Why am I drawn time and again to a hidden grave I’ve discovered in the woods? Something is eating away at the soul of this town—this withering kingdom—and it will only be restored if I can uncover the truth.

The Kingdom is Amanda Stevens follow-up book to the creepy book entitled The Restorer. Both are part of the Graveyard Queen trilogy. According to Stevens’ blog she has just sold another trilogy in the Graveyard Queen series to MIRA. It will follow the same heroine, Amelia.

The story picks up months after Amelia was almost murdered. She has resumed her life as a graveyard restorer and accepted a job in a small town called Asher Falls. Once there, she learns she is not alone in her ability to see ghosts and discovers her hidden past.

The book is not as creepy as The Restorer, but it is full of slow burning tension. Unlike the first book, it doesn’t take long to realize where the danger is coming from. I was okay with that because I knew there was something going on that would hit Amelia on a personal level–much deeper than a possible new romance with a man named Thane Asher.

While book one felt like cold breezes in a silent night, The Kingdom felt like the intro to a new horror movie. The horror is in the descriptions used to instill a sense of dread. There were no OMG bloody sections, but it was the mind games sort of horror. I’m not a fan of horror, but Stevens managed to suck me in and hold my attention. That said, I had a huge issue with the heroine.

I don’t remember Amelia being quite so angsty. And I most definitely don’t remember Devlin the way she did:

“I wasn’t over Devlin, might never be over him, and an attractive stranger could do nothing more than momentarily ease my intense longing.”–p.15

Yes, she was interested in Devlin, but she didn’t have much time with him and she knew going in that he was haunted and harmful to her continued existence. I don’t get why all of a sudden Amelia is so obsessed with him. Devlin is blatantly unhealthy for her and the new love interest isn’t any better. It feels out of character for a successful woman who has had to be on guard all her life to fall for dangerous men within moments of meeting them during a few months time. There was never any information about that being a habit of hers. You’d think she’d be more careful after the events of book one.

Overall, I liked the slow burning tension in The Kingdom. I was happy Amelia was away from Devlin and hoped she’d learned sometimes what you want isn’t good for you and you have no choice but to stay away. I’m not so sure she came to that realization. As Amelia’s family history unraveled it became clear that much more was going on than the reader was exposed to.  I’m looking forward to reading the conclusion of the trilogy, The Prophet.

Preview: The Taken by VIcki Pettersson

*This one is on my wanted list. It will be released for sale on June 12, 2012.*

Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was back when gumshoes hoofed the streets . . . and he was still alive. Fifty years later, he’s a celestial Centurion, assisting the recently, and violently, dead. Yet just because he’s an angel doesn’t mean he’s a saint. One small mistake has altered fate, and now he’s been dumped back onto to the mortal mudflat to collect another soul—Katherine “Kit” Craig, a journalist whose latest investigation is about to get her clipped.

Bucking heavenly orders, Grif refuses to let this sable-haired siren with hairpin curves come to harm. Besides, protecting her offers a chance to find the truth about his own mysterious death — and wreak some vengeance for the murder of his beloved wife, Evie.

Joining forces, Kit and Grif’s search for answers leads beyond the blinding lights of the Strip into the dark heart of an evil conspiracy. But a ruthless killer determined to destroy them isn’t Griffin’s biggest threat. His growing attraction to Kit could cost them both their lives, as well as the answer to the greatest mystery of his long afterlife … —Vicki Pettersson’s blog

Have you read: Lucy Snyder?

A few years ago I picked up my first Lucy Snyder book: Spellbent. It just so happened to be the first book in the Jessie Shimmer series. The heroine (Jessie Shimmer, duh) starts out as your everyday college dropout packed into a  cute body, but quickly transforms into a determined woman. She is far from perfect and remains so throughout the first three books of the series. How imperfect? Well in the first book her eye is burned out leaving her face disfigured and her hand is bitten off. There is a cure for the disfigurements if they are addressed immediately. Jessie’s are not. What does that mean? She attacks problems without the aid of a human eye or hand. She is a disabled, urban fantasy heroine whom many of the characters still find sexy and attractive.

The Jessie Shimmer series is not a romance or for lack of better word “soft” urban fantasy. The book is hardcore. There are moments while I read each book that I wanted to scrub my mind with bleach. Even now–days after finishing book three–I still picture a gruesome image as the villain makes good on her promise to the heroine. It is violent and disgusting goodness that I couldn’t set down. (I haven’t watched the Saw movies, but that type of graphic horror.) It is NOT for the weak stomached or those who will dissect it looking for the hidden message. It is entertainment.

I haven’t read many posts about Lucy Snyder, which surprises me. Maybe it shouldn’t since I read Spellbent when it was released and didn’t pick up Shotgun Sorceress or Switchblade Goddess until a week or so ago. In a way I’m glad I waited. (Y’all know I have a problem with waiting for books to be released.) However, I’m slightly confused at the lack of blog posts about this series. Are readers put off by the down and dirty secrets and scenes? What do readers think about the heroine’s limitations?

Snyder has a gift for creating disturbing scenarios and setting them in an urban fantasy world. She has created a woman who has grown so much and paired her with a man who has slowly grown on me. In book one, I thought he was rather self-centered; not that we got much time with him. By the end of book two, I found him to be damaged but salvageable. At the end of Switchblade Goddess I knew he was the perfect man for Jessie. He is far from perfect, but he recognized his faults and the things he had done wrong in his relationship with Jessie, told her about them without her pointing them out to him first and promised to do better. I believe him. While their relationship is never front and center as the main issue, it does burn slowly on the back burner almost to the point where I wanted to scream at Jessie to do something.

Snyder’s Jessie Shimmer series is not a feel good series. I never put down any of the books happy. I put them down grossed out and haunted by the vivid imagery of torturous scenes, but I never considered setting the books down and walking away. I wish I could wash away many of the images, so I could stop thinking about the books as “the book where this guy did this” or “the book with the electric drill.” Gosh, I’m grossing myself out thinking about it. The series is urban fantasy meet horror, featuring a heroine who often got lucky by not dying. What I’d really like to know is if you’ve read any of Lucy Snyder’s books and what you think about them.

Shout out to Dan Dos Santos! The cover art is excellent. I’ve bought all three of the books in paper form strictly to have access to the gorgeous covers.

Review: Deadly is the Kiss by Rhyannon Byrd

Deadly is the Kiss by Rhyannon Byrd
Harlequin (March 27, 2012)
Mass Market $7.99; ebook: $6.99
ISBN: 9780373776801
Excerpt

Favorite Line: “One more glimpse of her clutching that throw against the front of her naked body and he’d have her on the floor, his cock buried a mile inside her, before she even realized he’d crossed the room.” (p. 104, egalley)

Tasked with protecting humanity from harm, the last thing Ashe Granger was searching for on his mission was his destined mate. Then, a mysterious darkeyed beauty reluctantly offered him shelter. A spark of danger—and a soul-deep recognition—ignited a burning, carnal need…

Since her family’s exile, Juliana Sabin had borne full responsibility for their safety. So when evil struck, she
had no choice but to ally herself with the sexy guardian vampire. Now, months later, Ashe is back and tempting Juliana to reveal her darkest secrets…and desires. For the killer stalking the shadows isn’t acting alone—andhe won’t rest until his deadly cravings are fulfilled.

I’ve got a secret to admit. Book nine (Deadly is the Kiss) is the first book in Rhyannon Byrd’s Primal Instinct series that I’ve read. I’ve been missing out on some good reading material if the previous books in the series are anything like the one I read. I’m sure I would have felt entrenched in the vampire world had I read those books, too. As it is I can’t complain; enough back story is given to prevent the first time reader from being confused.

Warning: The hero is an alpha male who you will either love or hate. I was attracted to the aggressive side of Ashe, but I wanted to punch him in the face a few times. He is stuck in a shitty situation: his fated mate is an outlaw. Ashe has other issues, but as a lawman he cannot trust Juliana which is a fundamental relationship stopper.

Juliana is an enigma. She is hiding and trying to atone for events which occurred in her mysterious past. It’s quite a while before those events are brought to light. Once they are…WOW…I never saw it coming. The tension built along with my need to know Juliana’s secret. I felt compelled to read the book because I had to know what Juliana was hiding.

The passion between the hero and heroine was never a problem so there are a lot of well-written sex scenes.  My only issue with the book was that I didn’t feel like the hero truly loved the heroine until the very end. I guess that’s a huge problem, but by the final page of the story I was content with the knowledge that they would succeed as a couple. Maybe Ashe’s hesitation toward Juliana helped me believe that. While there was a connection it wasn’t until Ashe and Juliana knew one another that love kicked in.

Deadly is the Kiss is an action filled paranormal romance. It is part of a series, but you should be able to read it as a stand alone. I’m sure you’d understand the world better if you read the previous eight books. It’s a sexual book about vampires and has a few dark scenes. It’s definitely worth checking out.