Enslaved by the Others by Jess Haines

Enslaved by the Others
By: Jess Haines
Publisher: Zebra
Published: July 1, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: July 7, 2014

 

Vampires, werewolves, magi and worse-the Others have joined the mortal world, and there's no turning back now...

As a New York P.I. and Other specialist, Shiarra Waynest has been in plenty of trouble before. But waking up in a windowless room the prisoner of a vampire slave trader is a shock for anyone. Shia has her wits, her bravado, and a couple of used staples, so maybe she can take on a mansion full of serious evil.

But although she's desperate to escape, Shia needs some answers too. Her friends are in danger. There are betrayers and spies among them. And even if she can figure out what's going on and somehow get a message out, she's still a captive of the worst kind...

Holy comeback!! Jess has brought the magic back to the series and I’m totally thrilled that there wasn’t cliff hanger! That right there made me give it an extra heart/star. So six hearts/stars!!

I started the series with a binge read, two books ago. I didn’t realize that the book I picked was part of a series and with my OCD tendencies; I couldn’t very well start the review book without catching up. Good thing I did too. You cannot pick up any of the H&W Investigation books in the series and expect to know what is going on. Please. I implore you, read it from start to finish. Trust me it’s worth it. As an extra bonus, you will not end your read on a cliffhanger, unlike some of the prior books. Ms. Haines sucks you in and then leaves you hanging in a couple of books. It was so agonizing. I missed the first one, but not the next. I will also say that her universe is very worth it and even though it was painful to experience the cliffhangers, I wouldn’t trade in her books for anything.

Enslaved By the Others starts off right where Forsaken ends. I love that about Ms. Haines. She doesn’t mess around. She jumps right in.

Shia is in trouble (again) and truthfully, it looked very bleak. A past enemy is back for a bit of payback and she is right in the middle of it. He is a very sadistic vampire that will do anything to get what he wants. Her time with Max is sometimes very painful to read. Ms. Haines draws you in in such a way that you can envision Shia’s surroundings and feel her pain. Very well done. It amazes me that Shia is has held onto so much of her humanity. This woman has been to hell and back again and with this story, I think she may have actually been scorched a bit. She is constantly battling, but never gives up. She is a very persistent heroine. Love her!

We revisited past enemies, experience new horrors, find and lose friends, and I fell further in love with the series. Divine! My only real complaint is that I still don’t know what/who one of the characters is. Since the issue is far from resolved I can only guess that we will find out.

That opens up another point. She actually ended the story in such a way, I questioned that Enslaved By the Others was the final book. Yes, there were still unanswered questions, but if it had to end, it wasn’t a bad ending. I’m very happy to report, after some hardcore looking, that the series is scheduled for a few more installments. Can I get a Heck Yeah!!

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Hearts of Chaos by Kira Brady

Hearts of Chaos
By:  Kira Brady
Publisher:  Zebra
Published:  March 4, 2014
Genre: Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Length:  Novel
Heat Level:  Spicy
Reviewer:  Toni
Date:  May 2, 2014

  

To save her world, one woman's fierce quest will put her up against an ancient evil—and a desire too dangerous to deny...

She is betrothed to Seattle's most feared shifter clan leader. Still, the Lady Lucia can never be the dainty aristocratic wife Emory Corbette thinks he needs. And as a malevolent, all-consuming monster plots to take hold of their shattered world, Lucia will risk her untapped powers to defeat it—and challenge the Raven King's seductive rule.

No one in Emory's many lifetimes has ever defied him. Lucia's courage and strength are shaking his iron control to its core...and making him hungry for all she can give. But their only hope is a wrenching sacrifice that could unite humans and shifters in victory—or destroy everything Lucia and Emory desire most.

We have reached the end. This is the final book in the Deadglass Trilogy. I will say this one is my favorite.

Lady Lucia has played a major role in the series and her part is really just beginning. In this story we get to watch her grow even more. She is a lovely woman and I was cheering her along her journey from the first page.

Emory Corbette, hmmm I can honestly say he shocked me many times; some good and some made me want to beat him to death…slowly. He also had a very interesting journey. Did it make up for how I felt about him? The jury is still out.

Their world has fallen to a great foe; one that was thought to have been stopped, but not contained. The time of the prophecy has begun. Lucia and Emory must battle themselves and each other to conquer the world’s greatest enemy and ensure the fulfillment of the prophecy. Their trials were, at times, personal and very painful. Together they endured because their people need the light of the Crane, now more than ever in this time of darkness.

NON STOP ACTION!! I was amazed at how much these two people had to endure and Ms. Brady kept me turning the pages. I couldn’t put this story down. Excellent storytelling! I was disappointed that the prior main characters in the other two stories played little or no roles in this final novel, but I really was too busy soaking it all up not to notice until I had a moment to think about it.

Since I did read the last two novels of the trilogy a day apart, I was also frustrated with the transition between the two. The two timelines didn’t match up, but don’t let that small detail stop you from enjoying the captivating action, tension filled romance and creative plot. Hearts of Chaos is beautifully detailed and gripping and is perfect for readers who want more than just romance in their books.

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Hearts of Shadow by Kira Brady

Title Hearts of Shadow
By: Kira Brady
Publisher: Zebra
Published: May 7, 2013
Genre: Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Length:  Novel
Heat Level:  Spicy
Reviewer:  Toni
Date:  May 1, 2014

 

Grace Mercer's unmatched wraith-killing ability made her the unofficial defender of a city shattered by supernatural catastrophe. So there's no way she'll allow the new regent of Seattle's most powerful dragon shifter clan to "protect" her from a vicious evil stalking the ruined streets--and keep her from the freedom she's risked everything to earn. Leif's science-honed instincts tell him Grace is the key to keeping shifters and humans safe. But helping this wary fighter channel her untapped power is burning away the dragon's sensual self-control and putting a crucial alliance at risk. Soon the only chance Leif and Grace will have to save their world will be a dangerously fragile link that could forever unite their souls. . .or consume all in a storm of destruction.

I will say that I’m sorry that I took so long to read this book. It had the perfect blend of romance (though it took long for them to finally get together), action and storyline.

Grace Mercer is a woman with an incomplete past. Her parents were killed when she was young and then she was unwillingly embroiled into the paranormal world. She is now a woman with a mission; complete her contract as a blood slave and move the heck on.

Leif Asgard never wanted to be a ruler. He is a scientist and loner. After the death of his brother, he was put into a role he never wanted and responsibilities he never desired. That was until he felt the pull of certain blood slave bond. Now he has a purpose and her name is Grace.

Confusing attraction, a world sent back to the Stone Age, backstabbing dealings and a demigod on a mission will have you on the edge of your seat. Grace and Leif have a landscape of landmines to transverse and enemies to watch. It is a time when you have to keep your friends close and your enemies closer. Can Grace and Leif handle everything thrown at them and get past their own barriers to heal each other’s souls?

The first story in the trilogy Hearts of Darkness was a mixed bag for me. I really loved the story telling, but I found inconsistencies that took me out of the story. It still was a great book to read. Hearts of Shadows was a home run for me. I really do wish that I would have read it sooner. I loved Grace and Leif and together, they were brilliant.

Ms. Brady has built an amazing world and wonderful characters. I truly believe that lovers of romance, paranormal and urban fantasy will equally enjoy Hearts of Shadow. It’s a breath of fresh air to the paranormal genre with its unique plot and amazing story telling. The story isn’t a standalone though. If you jumped right in on it, you wouldn’t be totally lost, but there are several references to the prior book and trust me you will want to know how “the event” occurred. In fact, the trilogy is now actually complete and you can get all three of them into your hot little hands as we speak. I’m going to start right away on the final book, Hearts of Chaos, but there were two characters that were mentioned in this book that have a prequel short story, Hearts of Fire, that I may have to read first.

Great job Ms. Brady! It is unbelievable that this is only her second book. WOW she is going to have an amazing career if she keeps this up. She writes fantastic worlds and knows how to capture a reader. Read the Deadglass Trilogy today!

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Hearts of Darkness by Kira Brady

Hearts of Darkness
By: Kira Brady
Publisher: Zebra
Published: Ausgust 7, 2012
Genre: Futuristic, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Romance, Urban Fantasy
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: February 12, 2013

 

Nurse Kayla Friday has dedicated her life to science and reason. But for her, Seattle is a place of eerie loss and fragmented, frightening memories. And now the only clue to her sister's murder reveals a secret battle between two ancient mythologies...and puts Kayla in the sights of lethally-sexy werewolf mercenary Hart. He'll do whatever it takes to obtain the key to the Gate of the Land of the Dead and free what's left of his soul. But seducing the determined Kayla is putting them at the mercy of powerful desires neither can control. And as the clock ticks down to hellish catastrophe, the untested bond between Kayla and Hart may lead to the ultimate sacrifice.

Ms. Brady did a very fine job on her first novel. There were a few bumps; some small, some big, but all-in-all, a very entertaining read.

Kayla is light and Hart is dark. She is a healer and he is a killer. Put these two together and something special is made.

Kayla has returned to Seattle to expose her sister’s murderer. From the very start, things aren’t what they seem. Seattle is not the city she expected; shadows are everywhere, buildings are crumbling, electricity is sparse and even more questions arise the moment her eyes are set upon her sister’s dead body. Unknown to her, her life is going to be thrown into a world she never heard about and to her surprise, a world that she was forever to be a part of.

Hart is bound and determined to get free from his blood bond. Only two more jobs and he will be a free man. His plans of running in the wilds are derailed the moment he sets his rifle scope on Kayla’s face. She sparks something in him that makes his wolf sit up and take notice. He is too close to fail now and he will not let one woman ruin his plans.

Warring factions, prophetic futures and raising passions have forced these two to work together. Can they trust each other? Can they save the world? Can they find solace in each other’s arms? With time ticking away, neither have time to think on their choices or the consequences. All they can do is hope for the best.

Hearts of Darkness is a hard novel for me to rate. The plot is fascinating, the characters have been developed nicely, the setting is chilling and the book as a whole is rather well written. I really liked the idea behind the book, but what I didn’t like was inconsistencies in the story telling.

I have to admit first off that I’m a stickler for continuity and reasoning. There were several areas in the book that something would be clearly stated and then a page or so down the road it would be contradicted and then explained away even further in the book. If the order of the story telling would have been laid out better, I believe a better product would have been achieved.

To not give any spoilers I’ll just use one example: The villain states that the dragons can’t have children; why I won’t divulge. But his mistress was pregnant. He also states that while he is very old, well over a century, he has a brother that is two hundred years old. So wait…they CAN have children? Much later in the book the reasoning was explained, but if the subject came up, prior to the explanation, I was sent back into confusion. What it turned out to be was that they can’t have children within their species. Yes, I know a minor spoiler, but this type of problem popped up more than once. Make a rather important statement, contradict it and then explain the real reason much later. It was very frustrating. When this type of problem came up, it yanked me away from the novel and made me engage my brain to think it out, when it should have been lost in the storytelling.

I do have to say, I am rather interested in the base story. I have not read many steam punk or apocalyptic type novels, but I enjoyed how these two ideas were merged. When I think of the genres, steam punk is set in the past and apocalyptic in the future, but Ms. Brady gave it a very contemporary feeling. She also did a great job with her imagery and the premise of the trilogy is superb.

For her debut novel, I give her two thumbs up and I foresee with time, patience and hard work, her storytelling will only get better. I have very high hopes for this author and I will keep an eye out for her future works.

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Toxic by Eve Langlais

Title: Toxic

Author: Eve Langlais

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Publication Date: August 3, 2011

ISBN: 978-1-59578-829-0

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Erotic Romance

Length: 73 pages

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Heat Level: Erotic

Reviewer: TJ

Date: November 18, 2011

Humans are for eating and I am not one to play with my food, so I’m baffled as to why one geeky mortal doctor makes me wish our kind could be together without my brand of love being toxic. As if suffering from human emotions isn’t problem enough, our world is about to engage in a war where our chances of survival are slim at best. And no one wants to listen.
But, I didn’t become the general of the vampire Queen’s army by being diplomatic. Everyone will fight in the upcoming battle, or they’ll feed my troops and me. Either way, all things living will do their part.
I am, after all, the Blood Countess: toxic lover to humans, vicious bitch to my enemies, and my word is law.

Toxic was not quite what I was expecting and I’m not sure if I should love Eve Langlais because of that or rant at her. The story was another stellar offering from the author and I am a huge fan of her humor and tone. The woman has a wonderful talent when she creates characters and this book was not a disappointment. What did bring me to near tears was the abrupt ending, I wanted to throw a fit an all-out tantrum because I want more and I want it now. Ellie has to be one of my all-time favorite heroines; she is blunt and uncompromising and yet still manages to be very likable in an “I wish I was as confident as her” kind of way. Rafe is fantastic. I love me a sexy nerd and this leading man not only has the brain and brawn he knows how to work both attributes. The setting is engaging and the supporting cast including the villains add to the entertainment. I cannot wait to read the next adventure that this couple experiences.

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Hell's Revenge by Eve Langlais

Title: Hell's Revenge

Author: Eve Langlais

Publisher: Liquid Silver Books

Publication Date: 2011

ISBN: 978-1-59578-852-8

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Urban Fantasy

Length: 80 pages

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Heat Level: Erotic

Other: anal/oral play, ménage, spanking, foursome, orgy, bondage,

Reviewer: TJ

Date: October 15, 2011

I am literally going to kill my mother.

To say I have mommy issues is putting it mildly. The woman who abandoned me has a lot of nerve to just saunter back into my life without warning and drop a bombshell of atomic proportions. I tried to kill her as way of resolving my inner Freudian issues, but my damned boyfriends stopped me. Spoilsports.

As if wanting to strangle my birth mother isn't enough, once again, someone is messing with my life and a new player steps in to save me. Did I mention my dark knight is tall, gorgeous and fanged? Just don't tell my lovers because apparently they're not willing to share me with the undead.

The final showdown with the mysterious figure—also known as the major pain in my ass—fast approaches. I don't care how powerful they are. They screwed up big time when they took something precious of mine. It's never a good idea to piss off this Princess of Hell because revenge is my middle name.

Hell's Revenge is another fantastic adventure for Muriel, Satan’s sweet and sassy daughter. I love this character and the author who created her and I was not disappointed by this installment. I enjoyed catching up with all the beloved characters from the past including her father and lovable and wanton sister. I loved the new bad guy and getting to meet mommy. I adore the vampire addition to Muriel’s men. Our feisty heroine is as sarcastic and impulsive as ever and of course she is acting first and thinking later which provides lots of action and exploits for me! The sex scenes are steamy and fun with just the perfect amount of sarcasm and wit. The tone and skill in this story helps to cement why Eve Langlais has a solid spot on my must-read list.

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Hell Hath No Fury by Anne Kane

Title: Hellhound Detective Agency: Hell Hath No Fury

Author: Anne Kane

Publisher: Changeling Press

Publication Date: August 19, 2011

ISBN: 978-1-60521-672-0

Genre: Erotic Romance, Novella, Futuristic, Paranormal, Urban Fantasy, Werewolves, Shapeshifters, Magic

Length: 44 pages

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Heat Level: Erotic

Reviewer: TJ

Date: September 29, 2011

Hell hath no Fury because she's right here on Earth. Look out, world!

If there was one thing guaranteed to piss off Fury, it was a man who didn't know how to treat a woman. One that actually hurt them on purpose, well, they'd better hope she managed to rein in her inner Hellhound when she came calling.

Women had been disappearing for months now; the kind of women that no
one really cared about. Later, they'd turn up dead, and they didn't get that way easy. Then the killer made a mistake. The woman he'd been torturing escaped before he finished her off, and she called in the Hellhounds.

Now, the suspect is hiding behind a web of tech and Fury needs the help of a Tech Wizard to run him to ground. Axe finally gets the chance to prove that a werewolf-Hellhound cross is just what she needs for more than just work.

Hell Hath No Fury is a fast-paced adventure full of magic and mystery. Fury is a fantastic heroine, she is no shrinking violet and Axe is as happy for that fact as I am. I love that Fury is such a strong female character, she borders on the obnoxious but in a good way and really as a Hellhound I didn’t expect anything less. As her personality is revealed a little more throughout the story I couldn’t help but admire her strength both the physical and the inner. Axe is wonderful; a romantic half-bred who is a fabulous mixture of brains, brawn and benevolence. This was a swift escapade that had me cheering for the couple, I wanted them to catch the baddie and find their HEA.

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Gypsy King by Cynthia Sax

Title:  Gypsy King

Author:  Cynthia Sax

Publisher:  Changeling Press

Publication Date:  2011

ISBN:  978-1-60521-505-1

Genre:  Urban Fantasy, Magic

Length:  32 pages

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Heat Level: Sensual

Other: Oral

Reviewer:  Starla Kaye

Date:  4-8-11

It is difficult, if not impossible, to fight fate. This was a nicely sensual story that ended far too quickly.

Cora is a fortuneteller, a free spirit who wants no permanent ties to anything or anyone. Then a handsome stranger appears and questions “her name, her hair color, and her vagabond existence.” She wants to run from him and the images of a future she sees.

Tamos is king of the gypsies and finds the woman he has been searching for, the woman destined to be his wife. But she resists everything about being tied to him. She cannot resist the heat between them, though, and he will have her for his wife one day.

The characters were intriguing, a bit mysterious. The conflicts were a bit confusing at first, but the storyline and characters held my interest. Overall a good read.

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