Showing posts with label book reviews. Show all posts
Showing posts with label book reviews. Show all posts

Tuesday, May 10, 2011

Tuesday's Treasure: WARCRY by Elizabeth Vaughan

9:14 AM | Labels: , ,



  • Publisher: Berkley (May 3, 2011)
  • ISBN-10: 0425241521
  • ISBN-13: 978-0425241523

Heath of Xy has abandoned family, friends, and his fellow guardsmen  in the ancient city to serve his Queen in the Plains. There he learns the mysterious ways of the Plains people and loses his heart to one of their fiercest warriors.

Strong, independent Atira of the Bear desires to be bonded to no man. She rejects Heath’s offer of marriage, despite her undeniable feelings for him. To her, a bonding is little more than a lifetime of servitude ~ and she’ll have none of that. Besides, she’s of the Plains and Heath’s a city-dweller. They’re too different for a lasting commitment to be successful.

With the pregnant Xyian Queen nearing her term, Heath, Atira and a handful of Plains warriors escort her and her Warlord back to Xy to give birth. Their journey is awkward and tense because Heath has decided to no longer have a physical relationship with Atira unless she agrees to marry him.

But a threat to harm the bonded royal couple and their unborn child simmers behind the Xyian castle walls, forcing Heath and Atira to work closer than ever to quell the rebellion.  Proximity breaks Heath’s resolve.  Though he’s helpless to protect his heart, he’ll not stop risking it for Atira.

Atira’s exposure to the city-dwellers way of life gives her a new understanding of Heath and his proposal. She begins to realize that what he’s asking from her is a sharing of their lives, not a shackling.

When Heath thwarts the enemy’s maneuvers to declare the forthcoming royal heir illegitimate, a more sinister plan is set into motion.  It will take all Heath’s and Atira’s strength and battle wits to save the Queen, her beloved and their unborn child.  As the battle for a kingdom and its legacy erupts, Heath and Atira face the reality that they might have to sacrifice their love to win the war.    

Warcry continues the fantasy romance saga of the Chronicles of the Warlands by USA Today bestseller author Elizabeth Vaughan. I’m delighted to mention that Warcry reads beautifully as a stand-alone story.  Ms. Vaughan does a fabulous job of providing just enough backstory to explain the setting and circumstance without bogging down the read.

The descriptive detail is a perfect blend of landscapes bearing a certain familiarity but imbued with a rich essence that uniquely defines a place not of our world. The interactions between the Plains people and the city-dwellers showcase how different cultures perceive the world around them and yet at their core they experience the same needs and wants for love and family.

There are several scenes where the point of view character is someone other than Heath or Atira. This usually occurs in villainous scenes; however, there are short glimpses through the eyes of other secondary characters that give the reader a broader scope of the action. Although I’m not generally a fan of these types of switches, this technique works very well for this story. I didn’t find them intrusive or extraneous. Often, I found these scenes to provide key insights.  Seeing—through the villain’s eyes—how the deaths of his two sons embittered him, provides a depth to the story that can’t be achieved through another character’s perspective.

Heath and Atira’s introspections reveal their struggle to understand the cultural differences between. Only when they learn to see the world through the other’s eyes do they begin to truly accept one another and understand that self-sacrifice is the path to enduring love.

I found Warcry wonderfully entertaining. I especially loved the author’s voice. Her words blend seamlessly on the page, sweeping me up into the action and intrigue so that I couldn’t stop reading until the end. 

GOLD COIN RATING:  4.5
Heat Level : Campfire

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Posted by Kristal Lee

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Tuesday's Treasure: Rush of Darkness

1:36 PM | Labels: , ,

Rush of Darkness by Rhyannon Byrd
ISBN-10:037377558X
ISBN-13:978-0373775583
Publisher: Harlequin
Line: HQN
Release Date: Mar 29, 2011



Raine Spenser is on a mission to find and kill the Kraven who murdered her sister. Raine, herself, had recently been their captive, until the Watchman--Seth McConnell, set her free. 

Sneaking away from the Watchmen compound where Seth had taken her to recover, Raine sets her plan of vengeance in motion. After saving her once, Seth is determined not to let Raine enter harm’s way again. Not without him. He tracks her to Paris where he finds her fighting two Kraven—and losing. 

Seth kills Raine’s attackers, thereby rescuing her, again. Adamant about Raine not putting herself in danger, Seth offers to hunt and kill the remaining Kraven for her. He knows from experience how revenge contorts the soul and he doesn’t want it twisting hers.

 However, Raine refuses his bargain. She needs to follow her plan to completion so that she will regain control of her life. When it becomes clear that Seth will follow her all over the world if he has to, Raine allows him accompany her on the hunt.

While they track down the Kraven, one by one, and destroy them, Seton—the mastermind behind Raine’s initial capture, enacts a plan to trick Sean and Raine into freeing the Casus from the Merridian. If he succeeds, an unimaginable reign of evil will begin.

Raine and Seth have a volatile relationship from the get -go: fighting over Raine’s reckless behavior, fighting over Seth’s over-protectiveness, and fighting to deny their irrepressible attraction.  

Seth fights his attraction because he doesn’t want to hurt Raine. She’s been used and abused by men for her powers and he doesn’t want her to think of him that way. Raine fights her attraction because the hatred growing inside her makes her strong. If she opens her heart to Seth and love, she will lose the dark edge she’s gained and her sister’s death will go unpunished.   

Although the couple can’t deny their mutual attraction, neither is willing to trust the other. As a child, Seth survived a brutal vampire attack that left his entire family dead and prompted him to become a slayer. Raine is a vampire and can’t forgive Seth for hunting and killing her kind. Their inability to be honest with one another leads to mistakes that Seton exploits to his greatest advantage.

But love builds bridges; and, Seth and Raine do find the courage to reach across the great divide and unite to save the world, all the while, falling in love.

Rush of Darkness is the 7th book in the Primal Instinct series. The plot is character driven, tightly written, and a fast read. I found it more focused that the last Primal Instinct installment.

Raine and Seth’s characters are mirror images. Both are traumatized, scarred, and utterly empty without each other. Following along while they learn to trust is a gut-clenching thrill. There are a number of secondary characters that aren’t fully fleshed out, if you’re new to the series. However, fans will recognize the recurrent cast members and understand the connection without being overwhelmed with backstory. 

Rush of Darkness definitely held my attention. Each time I thought Raine and Seth had finally reached an understanding, something came along to push them back; but, their back-pedaling wasn’t simply a diversionary tool. The misunderstandings, the actions/reactions, were very much in character with Raine and Seth’s personality. Especially in light of their emotional hang-ups. 

Rush of Darkness has increased my appetite and I’m looking forward to more servings from the Primal Instinct series . Fans of Angela Knight’s Mageverse series and Jessa Slade’s Marked Souls series might enjoy Rush of Darkness. For those new to the Primal Instinct series, the glossary of terms provided at the end of the book is a good introduction to the world of the Watchmen.

Gold Coin Rating:     4
Heat Level:  Between Campfire and Bonfire


Reviewed for The Season

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Posted by Kristal Lee

Tuesday, April 26, 2011

Tuesday's Treasure: Vowed in Shadows

5:00 AM | Labels: , , ,

  • Publisher: Signet 
  • Release Date: April 5, 2010
  • ISBN-10: 9780451232984
  • ISBN-13: 978-0451232984 
Book Blurb:  Once a righteous missionary man, Jonah Walker now endures immortality with nothing but a body built for battle and a heart set on retribution. But his last devastating fight left him wounded beyond healing-and his only chance for redemption lies with a fallen woman whose passion burns through the shadows...
     
    Vowed in Shadows is an urban fantasy romance where repentant demons are the good guys. Their world is dark, decadent, and dangerous. The plot is fairly straight-forward without any unexpected twists, but it is by no means boring. A few intense action scenes were a bit difficult to follow, forcing me to re-read or skim over those parts. Otherwise, the pacing was good and the story held my interest.

     I love that the hero is a former missionary and that his heroine is an exotic stripper. Their conflict brews and builds from the opening scenes forecasting an explosive relationship. However, for me, I was a little disappointed that their HEA journey was less than stellar. Simply put, the emotional development between the pair didn’t meet my expectation. 

    I really liked Nim. Feisty, independent. Selfish at the start, but as she grows to trust and love Jonah, her selfishness turns into fierce selflessness and self-sacrifice. Although I liked Jonah, his emotional revelations and insights were less tangible and shallow; therefore, I wasn’t fully engaged with his character.

    There are a slew of secondary characters that fans of the series will recognize. New readers should review the excerpts from the Handbook of Possession at the back of the book that gives insights in to the cast of characters—the good guys and the bad. I would also recommend new reader peruse the Glossary of Terms since the author uses Aramaic and Greek words as well as other terms not used in everyday conversation. Followers of the series should have no problems with the vocabulary.

    The plot is complex and the action is fast-pace, if not over the top at times. The setting is gritty and fantastical with a graphic novel feel. 

    Jessa Slade Vowed in Shadows is book three in the Marked Souls series. I believe fans of Angela Knights’ Mageverse series and Rhyannon Byrd’s Primal Instinct series may find Vowed in Shadows enjoyable.

    GOLD COIN Rating:    3
    HEAT LEVEL:                Bonfire

    Reviewed for The Season.

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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Tuesday, April 19, 2011

      Tuesday's Treasure: Phantom Evil

      7:30 AM | Labels: , ,

      • Pub. Date: March 2011
      • Publisher: Mira

      A newly formed team of paranormal investigators take on ghosts, murders and misdirection in a state senator’s haunted New Orleans’ mansion. Known as the killing grounds for post-Civil War era serial killer, the mansion has long been associated mysterious deaths. The locals believe ghosts are the culprits in the rash of suicide jumpers from the second floor. The house’s latest victim, Regina Holloway, is thought to have killed herself following the loss of her only child in a drunk-driving accident.
               
      Beloved state senator, David Holloway, refuses to believe his wife’s death was suicide. He hires a paranormal investigative team, backed by the US government, to uncover the truth. Despite the supernatural hoopla, the agents have their eyes and ears pointed toward the local Aryan group and a cultic church who are vocal opponents of the popular senator’s political views. Whatever the investigation reveals, the six member team won’t rest until they uncover the murderer.

      The sequences that propel the story forward are logical and plausible. I didn’t notice any particular flaws as the team went about investigating not only paranormal phenomenon within the house but following non-supernatural leads to find a killer. There is an extensive cast of characters with six investigators, the Senator, his four member staff, a police detective, a pregnant teenager and various spectrals residing in the mansion. Some-times too many characters can overwhelm the story, but these individuals were given enough story time so that I wasn’t jerked around here, there, and everywhere by cardboard pop-up figures.

      Jackson Crowe and Angela Hawkins, the lead investigators, develop a romantic relationship fairly quickly but it doesn’t seem out of place or rushed. The romance thread is a facet of the story but not the focus, so this is paranormal suspense with romantic elements.

      I really like Jackson Crow. He believes in the supernatural but he also understands that what most people would call supernatural are manipulations perpetrated by contriving people. He will pursue the logical course and when that’s stripped down to the bare bone, he’ll either find a human culprit or evidence of a supernatural. No matter what, he’ll get to the truth.

      Angela is a conduit to help spirits move forward and into the light. She operates more on instinct and feeling so this often put her in conflict with Jackson.  Angela trusts her “knowing” ability, but she isn’t airy or foolish. She’s a former police officer who knows how to handle a big gun, much to Jackson’s surprise.

      Jackson and Angela’s temperaments are a perfect match. Their differences create enough of a conflict to keep the relationship interesting and common ground keeps them connected.

      Although the mystery plot is well-developed and credible, I skimmed parts when large amounts of the house history or backstory were presented. For me, the data chunks slowed pacing and I prefer faster, smoother reads. However, those sections don’t necessarily detract from the story. In fact, they demonstrate that investigators do go about investigating, even paranormal ones.
               
      Phantom Evil is not an edge of your seat thriller. However, there’s plenty of action, a slew of suspects, and enough paranormal activity to hold interest until the end.

      Heather Graham is a New York Times and USA Today best-selling author.  Phantom Evil is book one in her new paranormal suspense series Krewe of Hunters.

      Gold Coin rating:    3.75
      Heat Index:             2

      Reviewed for The Season

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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Tuesday, April 5, 2011

      Tuesday's Treasure: Demon and the Succubus

      5:00 AM | Labels: , , , , , , ,

      Today's A-Z Challenge is the letter "D," which coincides with today's Tuesday's Treasure: the DEMON AND THE SUCCUBUS by Cassie Ryan.


      Book Blurb:
      In 1340, four succubi helped Lilith--the Queen of the Succubi and Incubi--trap a powerful demon responsible for the Black Plague. Then, to protect themselves, the sisters separated and went into hiding. Now the demon is back--and he's had centuries to plan hi elaborate revenge.
       
      Amalya has spent the centuries using her succubus skills to become one of the most sought-after escorts at a high class brothel. Seducing and corrupting men to make her quota with her queen, Lilith, has left Amalya jaded about sex-until a devastatingly handsome new client triggers her most forbidden desires and delivers an enticing surprise. 


      Levi Spencer, Duke of Ashford, has been offered a deal he can't refuse in exchange for safely slipping Amalya back into Lilith's lair. But a demon with a vendetta is plotting something far more sinister than Amalya's death. And if Levi and Amalya can't stop him, it will mean the end of the world.


      Publication Date:  April 5, 2011
      Berkley Sensation Trade Paperback
      ISBN:  978-0-425-23906-3


      Armageddon is coming. The only hope Heaven and Earth and Hell have to avert disaster is four succubi sisters. Their protectors must bring them to Lilith’s lair before the fallen unleash the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse.

                  One has reached safety. The second is now fighting to get there.

      Before sitting down to read this, grab a cool pitcher of lemonade and get ready for a spicy-hot, action-packed adventure.  From the soapy, sexy opening this book grabs you and doesn’t let go until the final scene slings you into The End. 

      The plot is extensive, and while it gives sustenance to the underlying series arc, the book stays true Amalya and Levi journey to falling in love. There’s also a love triangle. Generally, I don’t like these because unless it’s a ménage story-and this isn’t-someone gets left out and I feel bad for that character. However, I’m happy to say that the author handles this facet exceptionally well, and I’m satisfied with that character’s turn of events. 

      The heavy weights from the Heavenly Hosts are intricately woven into the story. I’m delighted that although they aren’t allowed to directly interfere, they don’t sit back and blithely twiddle their thumbs either.  

      Though Amalya and Levi aren’t human, they have emotions that run as strong and as deep as human emotions. They can and do understand commitment to purpose, sacrifice and eventually love.
      There are a lot of characters. Each, intricately woven together. Although at times, the pattern seems a bit discombobulated, when put together as a whole, they complete the story. If one were removed, the beautiful tapestry of fantasy would unravel to weaken the plot. 

      Each scene held my attention and I was immensely satisfied with the conclusion. Since there are four sisters, only two have made it to safety, I’m eagerly looking forward to the next two installments to see how or if Armageddon will be avoided. 

      The Demon and the Succubus is book two in the Sisters of Darkness series. This is the second erotic, paranormal romance series for author Cassie Ryan. 

      Gold Coin Rating:     4.25
      Heat Level:             Bonfire         

      **This review has also been posted at The Season and Goodreads.

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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Tuesday, March 1, 2011

      Tuesday's Treasure: Never Again by Michele Bardsley

      5:00 AM | Labels: , , , , ,

       
      Publication Date: 3/1/2011
      Imprint: Signet Eclipse
       ISBN: 978-0-451-23275-5
      ISBN-10: 0-451-23275-5

      Gray Calhoun is the Guardian of Nevermore—a small Texas community where magickals and mundanes live peaceably. Embracing only the barest responsibility that his office requires, Gray prefers to be left alone so that he can continue to lick his wounded pride. Although it’s been ten years, he hasn’t gotten over the fact that his former wife tried to sacrifice him to a demon lord.

      Lucinda Rackmore is a witch on the lamb. Her abusive, wizard ex-boyfriend, Bernard, has stripped away her powers and a family curse has ruined her financially. It won’t be long before Bernard finds her and drags her back to his lair. With nowhere else to turn, she seeks out her former brother-in-law for help.

      At first, Gray can’t see past Lucy’s sister’s betrayal. He sends her away though in his heart he knows that what happened to him wasn’t Lucy’s fault. With guilt gnawing his conscience, he goes out looking for her and finds that the town he’s supposed to protect is terribly out of balance. If he doesn’t set thing right, Nevermore could be destroyed and Lucy along with it.  When Gray makes an offer that Lucy can’t refuse, they risk their hearts and their lives to expose the dark forces at work in Nevermore.

      Never Again is a great start for Michele Bardsley’s new series, Wizards of Nevermore. This story is a roller coaster of emotion with two people desperately trying to come to terms with the hand life’s dealt them.  Gray doesn’t want to love again after having his heart cut out, literally. Lucy wants love, but every relationship she’s had has convinced her that she’s unlovable.
                                                                          
      Multiple dangers surround a mystery sub-plot that accelerates Gray and Lucy’s emotional journey. However, when the POV changed to an unidentified mystery villain I became a little flustered. POV switches that move the story forward are fine and dandy, but I want to know whose head I’m popping into in a scene. The villain’s identity can remain a secret to the hero and heroine, but as a romance reader I don’t want to be in the dark. For me, knowing the villain, especially when he/she is sharing a scene with the hero or heroine, is more suspenseful because they are unaware of the danger. 

      There’s a great cast of characters living in Nevermore and I liked them all. Ms. Bardsley did a wonderful job creating these individuals and connecting them to one another without over-powering the central story line. It gave the read a real feel of a small town~ where everyone knows your name and your business. I especially loved the soul-imprinted books, Grit and Dutch. These guys were a hoot!  And Ember, the Jamaican tea shop owner, who believes
      “Life was about living…even in the tiniest moments. And life without love…Well, that was no life at all.”

      Never Again isn’t a light-hearted paranormal romance.  It’s dark and sinister but has some humor so that the reader doesn’t get bogged down with the weight of it all. I found it to be an entertaining read with a feel-good ending. I look forward to more intrigue and romance from the Wizards of Nevermore series.

      GOLD COIN RATING:  4
      HEAT LEVEL:  Campfire


      Reviewed for the March Edition of The Season.

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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Tuesday, February 22, 2011

      Tuesday's Treasure: Primal Bonds by Jennifer Ashley

      5:00 AM | Labels: , , , ,

       
      ISBN-13: 9780425240786
      ISBN: 0425240789
       Publisher: Penguin Group (USA)
      Format: Mass Market Paperback , 320pp
      Pub. Date: March 2011

      Two decades ago, Shifters announced themselves to mankind. However, their revelation was met with fear and skepticism. Collared and forced to live in shiftertowns, these non-humans are treated as second-class citizens, or worse.

      Feline Shifter Sean Morrissey is a Guardian.  Wielding a sacred sword, he aids dying shifters on their journey into Summerland. It’s a lonely calling, considering very few females want to be bound to a male whose life revolves around death. When a half-Fae, half-Shifter female seeks refuge in Sean’s shiftertown, he mate-claims her, sight unseen. 

      Andrea Gray is in need of a protector. Though she agrees to the Guardian’s offer, Andrea is given the freedom to accept or reject his claim at any time. Her intense attraction to sexy Sean Morrissey is something Andrea never expected. Neither is Sean’s determination to turn a proposal into a committment.

      Primal Bonds is dark and delectably decadent. Dealing with issues of inequality and prejudice, it has a certain grittiness that rubs likes a grain of sand in your shoe.  Down-trodden, but not despairing, these characters are doing everything they can to make their lives better. They’re fiercely loyal and never do anything half-way. Especially fall in love.

      Sean is intense in his pursuit of Andrea. Before he even meets her, Sean makes a commitment to love and protect Andrea. He’s strong, persistent, kind and caring.  I fell in love with Sean’s character because he committed to love before sexual attraction entered the scene. He wants to love and be loved.  His actions are based on that need rather than desire.

      Andrea is the perfect girl for Sean. She isn’t the submissive little she-wolf everyone expects. She gives Sean as good as she gets. When he becomes over-protective and bossy, Andrea lets him know it. She doesn’t cower away from confrontation.  She looks it in the eyes without hesitation and without fear. Beyond the mating frenzy that nearly overwhelms them at time, Sean and Andrea build a solid relationship while dealing with a Shifter uprising and a Fae who wants to steal Sean’s sword.

      The setting and circumstances of the shiftertown gave the story a rawness that rackeled my sense of fairness. The story seemed alive and continued to engage me page after page.
       
      I loved Primal Bonds for its fresh and interesting presentation of shapeshifters in a society where they thrive despite oppression of their basic civil rights. The story is action-packed, seasoned with the realities of living with injustice, and the power and perseverance of true love.

      Jennifer Ashley, NYT and USA Today Best-Selling author, writes historical, contemporary and paranormal romances. She also writes mysteries as Ashley Gardner and paranormal/urban fantasy as Allyson James. Whatever name she’s penning, Ms. Ashley is fast becoming one of my favorite paranormal authors. I can hardly wait for the Shifter Unbound saga to continue. 


       Gold Coin Rating:   4.8
       Heat Level:             Bonfire

      Reviewed for The Season.

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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Tuesday, February 15, 2011

      Tuesday's Treasure: Strange Neighbors by Ashlyn Chase

      5:00 AM | Labels: , , ,

      ISBN: 978-1402236617
      Author: Ashlyn Chase
      Publisher: Sourcebooks
      Release date: June 1, 2010
      Book Blurb
      When all-star pitcher and shapeshifter Jason Falco buys a small apartment building, he sees it not only as an investment, but as a place to escape the demands of major league baseball.
      That is, until he meets his tenants! A vigilante vampire: a wereraven with a morbid sense of humor; a werewolf thief who poses as a security expert; and two witches who work as phone sex actresses and own an owl familiar. Not to mention a beautiful, all too human nurse who gets Jason's blood pumping overtime.
      With all the hooting, howling and hollering going on, how can an All-American guy get some peace and sweep a girl off her feet?



      Strange Neighbors is a charming story with a quirky cast of characters who worm their way into a reader's heart. Steamy scenes, an acerbic ghost, and an entertaining plot with hilarious hi-jinks and misunderstandings makes this one of my favorite reads in 2010.

      Rating:       4.3 Gold Coins
      Heat:           Bonfire

      Ashlyn will be my guest blogger on Wednesday. She'll be talking Maya Angelou, the Golden Rule, comedy, and tidbits on her newest release, The Werewolf Upstairs. 

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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Tuesday, February 8, 2011

      Tuesday's Treasure: Surrender to Darkness by Annette McCleave

      5:00 AM | Labels: , ,

      ISBN: 978-0-451-23193-2
      ISBN-10: 0-451-23193-7
      Publisher/Imprint: NAL ~Signet Eclipse
      Release Date: 01/04/2011


      Jamie Murdoch is an immortal demon fighter with a Norse “berserker” curse that sparks an uncontrollable rage.  Because his latest rampage injured an Ignoble, he’s sent on a goose-chase of a mission to Japan to secure a dark relic that no one is sure actually exists.

      Kiyoko Ashida, schooled in the ways of the onmy­­òji, has dedicated her life to fighting evil. Near death after a failed attempt to save her dying father, Kiyoko uses the Veil- a relic her family has safe-guarded for generations, to sustain her life-force.

      When Murdoch comes looking for it, Kiyoko learns that the cloth she’s always believed to be something good is actually a weapon that dark forces could use for evil purposes. She’s torn between surrendering the fabric to a delegate she knows can protect it and forfeiting her life.

      To complicate matters, Murdoch’s berserker reacts to her in an all-consuming possessiveness that she would like to explore. Only he forbids any touching between them for fear of setting off his berserker and killing her.  Now he’s located the dark relic, Murdoch will have to harness his desire, find a way to safeguard the Veil and keep Kiyoko alive before a fallen angel rips it away to destroy the world and Kiyoko with it.

      Once again, I’ve jumped into a series out of sequence. Surrender to Darkness is the third installment in the Soul Gatherers series by Annette McCleave. Her website at www.annettemccleave.com allows readers to peruse terms common to the series world building and blurbs on the individual Soul Gatherers.  I recommend those new to the series check it out before delving in. 

      I enjoyed the intermix of the Japanese culture and a creative paranormal mythology. Since I’m familiar with martial arts terms and Asian culture in respect to martial arts (because dear hubster is such a fan), I didn’t need to reference the glossary at the back of the book. Good thing, because I didn’t realize it was there until I got to the end.

      There are a few jarring pulls, places where the POV changes to introduce new characters and the story location shifts outside of the hero and heroine’s awareness.  The first time this happened, it was disconcerting. Since this is the first book I’ve read in the series, I’m not familiar with the ancillary cast of characters. To fans of the series, these unexpected POV changes may not seem as abrupt. By the end of the story, I understood what the author was accomplishing with these switches; however, as a new reader to the series I wished that the transitions had been smoother.

      The relationship between the hero, Murdoch, and a secondary character- Emily (who seems to be the thread that weaves the series together) isn’t fully explained in this installment. Perhaps that ground work was laid in a previous book, but the explanation of the close relationship they share in this story didn’t quite materialize.

      There is a lot of sexual tension between Murdoch and Kiyoko. In fact, it seeps from the pages. Considering all the delicious build-up, I expected an explosive climax that rocked the rafters. Unfortunately, the long awaited consummation didn’t live up to the hype.
       
      In spite of that little disappointment, I enjoyed reading Surrender to Darkness and will gladly venture into the Soul Gatherers series.


      Gold Coin Rating:  3.3
      Heat Level:   2 (Candlelight)

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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Tuesday, February 1, 2011

      Tuesday's Treasure: Day of the Dragon by Rebecca York

      5:00 AM | Labels: , ,

      • ISBN-10: 0425238180
      • ISBN-13: 978-0425238189 
      • Publisher: Berkley Sensation 
      • Release Date: Dec 7, 2010 
      • Pages: 352



      A dragon will move heaven and earth for the woman with the key to his past and a door to his future.

      Ramsey Gallagher has lived a long time. More than 2,000 years. He knows more about the Earth’s ancient history than most scholars, but very little about himself, about his dragon heritage.

      Dr. Madison Dartmoor may have stumbled upon the secret to Ramsey’s origins. Her archeological excavation, in the region where Ramsey lived as a child, has unearthed an ancient artifact that might be the missing link that he’s been hoping to find. He travels to Las Vegas where she is scheduled to give a presentation on her research only to discover that the lecture has been cancelled at the last second.

      Madison refuses to discuss the small statute made from an unidentified substance that shifts from man to dragon by moving its arms. The attack on her crew at the dig site in Italy has convinced her that someone doesn’t want her discovery made public. And it seems that person will do anything it takes to ensure that her research is reburied, forever.

      Ramsey and Madison join forces to uncover the truth about the ancient artifact while outrunning the ever-present danger of a madman bent on preserving mankind’s dominance in evolution. Only when that danger is eliminated do they realize that a bigger threat lies in an enemy who is closer than they think.

      Day of the Dragon is a contemporary paranormal, action-adventure story with a little romance along the way. It has an Indiana Jones flair, without the comedy. There are lots of suspenseful twists that intrigued me and drew me into the plot so that I was trying to ferret out the answers to solve the mystery along with the characters.

      I did feel that the beginning of the relationship between Ramsey and Madison was a little forced. Madison is an intelligent woman with a mission and she seemed to fall too quickly for Ramsey’s seductions, especially in light of the harrowing situation they were escaping. However, this bump was smoothed over a bit when it came to light that the two are likely soul mates.

      I noticed a tiny reality slip when Madison’s assistant is shot at point blank range in the chest while they are in Vegas. Not only did he survive, he showed up at the dig site in Italy a few days later. The assistant is not a preternatural being.  Even though he’s described as pale and on massive pain-killers, it seems unlikely to me that a mere mortal would be capable of such a long journey so soon after (what I took as) a life-threatening injury.

      The only other issue that had me rubbing a worry knot was how Madison came to be Dominic Coleman’s protégé after her parents died. I kept wondering why he chose her, especially after Madison asks him if he was responsible for her parents’ deaths and he refused to answer. I would’ve liked to have known Dominic’s motivation for choosing Madison since his relationship to her is a vital thread in the plot.


      In the end, the little hiccups I experienced when reading this story didn’t stop me from enjoying the read.

      Rebecca York fans will be happy to learn that Day of the Dragon begins a new shifter series for the author, so more stories will follow.


      Gold Coin Rating: 3.0
      Heat Level:  3 (Campfire)

      This review is also posted at Good Reads and The Season.

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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Tuesday, January 25, 2011

      Tuesday's Treasure: Goddess of Legend by P. C. Cast

      10:21 AM | Labels: , , ,


      Goddess of Legend (Goddess Summoning #7) ~ P.C. Cast
      ISBN-10: 0425228169
      ISBN-13: 978-0425228166
      Publisher:       Berkley Trade
      Release Date: Dec 7, 2010
      Pages: 320
      Retail Price: $15.00

      Gold Coin Rating: 3.4
      Heat Level:  2 (Candlelight)

      A Goddess will do anything…including challenging the fates and rewriting the history, all for the love of Merlin.

      Devastated by war, award-winning photojournalist, Isabel Cantelli returns to her native Oklahoma hoping to soothe her battle-scarred soul. Little does she know that the whispers of an ancient magick has been sent forth through all the ages to find one, just as her.

      Careening off a bridge and plunging into Grand Lake, Isabel didn’t see flashes of her life as she lived it. All she saw was the coulda, woulda, shouldas as she drowned. Lucky for her, the Water Goddess Coventina, offered a magickal amulet and a second chance at life and love…in Camelot.

      One condition--Isabel must lure Lancelot away from Guinevere before they destroy Arthur and his kingdom.

      Sure, no problem. Lance is supposed to be the most handsome knight of the realm. Isabel is confident in her skills as a woman who gets what she wants. This assignment would be a no brainer.  Until she realizes Lance doesn’t hold a candle to Arthur and the only feelings of lust or love she can muster are all directed at the King.

      Isabel is quirky and out-spoken and hilariously out-of-place as she barrels forward with her mission to save Camelot and its people. Some of the comedic interplay is over the top and some things a bit cliché. Yet, the essence of the story is entertaining, with a few laugh out loud moments.

      Isabel with all of her shenanigans manages to help heal the rift between Arthur and Mordred, and teaches Arthur how to love again. Soon, Camelot is threatened by an invading army. Because of all that Isabel has witnessed in war, she finds a way to defend Camelot so that none of its people are harmed. Her plan truly is a work of genius and quite funny in its conception.

      During the victory celebration, a straggler from the defeated army makes his way into the castle and attempts to assassinate Arthur. Mordred jumps in front of his father and takes an arrow to the chest.

      Isabel must make a choice between saving Mordred and staying in Camelot. She loves the King and knows it would destroy him to lose his son, so she uses the amulet to save Mordred.Isabel is flung back to her own time where she is being rescued by none other than Arthur reincarnated.

      Personally, I didn’t find the ending rewarding even though it’s technically a happily ever after. The reason I was disappointed was that in Camelot, Arthur told Isabel that he couldn’t live without her. She had become his heart and soul. So, what happened to the King when Isabel warped through time again? And what happened to Camelot?

      The conclusion was brief, awkward in dialogue and provided no insight into what happened after Isabel left. I would’ve liked to have seen her make a trip to the library and do a little research on the outcome. She is, after all, a journalist.



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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Thursday, January 13, 2011

      Kristal's Choice: Best Read 2010

      5:00 AM | Labels: ,

      I'm hanging with the New Kids today. Drop by NKotWB and check out our favorite reads of 2010.
      www.newkidonthewritersblock.blogspot.com

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      Posted by Kristal Lee

      Tuesday, January 11, 2011

      Tuesday's Treasure: Firewalker by Allysson James

      5:00 AM | Labels: , ,

      FIREWALKER by Allysson James

      Berkley Sensation
      RELEASED: November 2, 2010
      The continuing adventures of Janet and Mick.
      Read an Excerpt  (Hyperlink  redirects to author's page.)

      Reviewed for The Season.

      Gold  Coin Rating:  4                           
      Heat Level:   Bonfire                              
      {Click here to review treasure chest rating system.}


      Firewalker is unlike any paranormal romance that I’ve read.  It’s reminiscent of Tony Hillerman’s Navajo Tribal Police mysteries, but with a sharp supernatural edge and an enduring love story.

      Janet Begay must prove that she isn’t the one responsible for the grisly murders near her motel. Only she isn’t convinced that she didn’t do it, and neither is her dragon lover— Mick, or their reluctant friend, Sheriff Nash Jones.

      Together they will take on demons, skinwalkers, the Gods Above, the powers Beneath, and the entire Dragon Court to uncover the truth. And, if they discover that Janet is the culprit then it will be up to Mick to execute the ultimate punishment…Death. 

      It’s a topsy-turvy adventure from the start. Written in first person point of view, Firewalker takes the reader on Janet Begay’s perilous journey of coming to terms with her Beneath powers. Throw a supernatural murder or two in the mix, a magic eater, a dragon trial, and a ridiculously hilarious magic mirror and you get a thrilling and satisfying read to the end.

      I loved the fast-paced action with Janet moving from one complication to the next with grit and guts. Her stead-fast determination to find answers, even if it kills her, and her utter devotion to Mick kept me turning the pages.   

      Firewalker extrapolates on Native American legends to weave an intricate tale of what happens when a woman is gifted with the power of the Gods. This is a fascinating follow-up to Stormwalker, which first introduced readers to this vast and colorful cast of characters.

      Allyson James creates an electrifying world of magic, mystery and romance. A world where a gal can sit down and have a conversation with a dragon as if it’s as normal as eating apple pie on Sunday.  A world where unlimited imagination brings new life to ancient mythos and a place where a dragon can love a human with all of his heart.

      Ms. James’s originality seasons every scene. Nothing trite or over-written to be read here. The reader sees the world exactly as Janet views it and it is an interesting perspective, to say the least.

      Packed with plenty of action, adventure, and hysterical moments of comic relief, Firewalker is absolutely fun to read.

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      Posted by Kristal Lee
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