Bite Me by Shelly Laurenston

Bite Me
By: Shelly Laurenston
Publisher: Brava
Published: March 25, 2014
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Romance
Length: Novel
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: May 15, 2014

 

Livy Kowalski has no time for idiots. When you shapeshift into a honey badger, getting through life’s irritants is a finely honed skill. Until she gets stuck housing her nutso cousin and dealing with her dad’s untimely and unexplained demise.

That’s where Vic Barinov comes in—or his house does. Vic can’t step outside without coming back to find Livy devouring his honey stash and getting the TV remote sticky. It gets his animal instincts all riled up. But he’ll have to woo her at high speed: all hell is breaking loose, and Livy is leading the charge.

This novel had it all; romance, comedy, action, and a touch of craziness. All things that should have made up a great novel, but it was only very good for me.

Livy is a straight shooter who doesn’t take any duff from anyone. You bug her; she will knock you on your behind. You are loyal to her; she will have your back and your front. She is a fierce and scary fighter, but also an extremely talented photographer. She is a woman that can be very unpredictable yet you always know where you stand with her. She is an enigma.

Vic is a very strong determined man. He has to be since he is a hybrid. With Siberian tiger and Grizzly coursing through him, he has to keep himself in constant check. He is also a man that has conquered his beasts. He knows his buttons and how to avoid them from being pushed. Vic is also a man who loves his honey and he has a constant unwanted guest eating it all. Livy.

The basis of the story is actually quite complex and detailed. It starts with a funeral and ends with a wedding. Family comes to NY in droves and the action is carried all the way to Russia and back. Ms. Laurenston has built a crazy story around an even crazier set of families.

Bite Me was a very multi-faceted storyline. I enjoyed seeing old friends, but Ms. Laurenston is great with that. This community of shifters is all intertwined and I adore their interactions. I had several instances of where I had to stop reading because I was laughing too hard. I love that about her writing. I also had moments of shock and dismay. I met some interesting family dynamics this time around. The Kowalaski’s, Yangs’s, and Barinov’s really know how to have fun, fight and make each other completely miserable. They are all handfuls and together in the same room…potentially disastrous and deadly.

So back the rating. Something didn’t click for me. The special Shelly spark was not there 100%. Maybe it was too much family or too much side storyline. While separately they were fantastic, together it was just too much. I was left wanting more of Vic and Livy. I have always enjoyed Ms. Laureston’s writing when it came to her couples. She has an amazing talent and it shows when she brings total opposites together. While the chemistry was out of this world, I just didn’t get enough of them. That is why this rating is hard for me. Very solid story, writing was superb and the laughs were true belly laughs, but…

I’m very glad to have watched this couple come together. Many unresolved issues from prior novels were wrapped up and I loved meeting the new characters in this world. Bite me is a very good story, but not the strongest in the series. Well worth the read, but not my favorite.

Check out my other Shelly Laurenston Reviews

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Strawberry Kisses by Dominique Eastwick

Strawberry Kisses
By: Dominique Eastwick
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Published: August 16, 2011
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length:  Short Story
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: May 13, 2014

  

Are they ready to gamble on a 1Night Stand?

Mia hides behind her computer, designing popular computer games. And though she knows just what to do to keep men coming back for more on the other end of the modem, she doesn’t seem to have the same knack in person.

Gavin hides behind numbers. Since his wife left him, the only thing he cares about is his son and his job. One failed relationship was enough, but if the right curvaceous woman came into the picture he just might manipulate the numbers a bit.

Can two meddling sisters enlist Madame Eve to bring Mia and Gavin together and show them two is always better than one?

I honestly don’t think I have ever read a bad 1 Night Stand. Nope, I’m pretty sure I haven’t. Decadent Publishing hit the nail on the head when thought up this series. Short stories are hard to write as it is. How do you tuck days, weeks, or months into a large handful of words and have a great story? It’s really hard to do. Great fix, use the small number count to write about twelve hours. Problem solved!

Yes, the concept of a one night stand may give some people the squirmies, but trust me, they are not dirty (unless the participants want it that way). With Madame Eve’s service, they’re nights of destiny not your average one night stand.

Mia and Gavin are two lonely people who agree that life has passed them by and it’s time to have at least a night of fun. They are both busy people, but trust the services of Madame Eve. Unknown to them they have met very briefly before. The meeting was fleeting, but it left them both wanting more.

Strawberry Kisses is a wonderful read; quick and hot, sweet and sexy. Ms. Eastwick did a great job and I’m so very happy for this deserving couple. They are so darn cute together. As I was reading, I was swept away by their instant attraction and passion.

Well done! Short story writing at its very best.

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Eleven Years On by Kate Richards

Eleven Years On
By: Kate Richards
Publisher: Musa Publishing
Published: June 20, 2013
Genre: Contemporary, Romance
Length:  Short Story
Heat Level: Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: May 13, 2014

    

When she was thirteen, Jillian Schmidt’s bitter mother dragged her far away from her father, friends, and home. Now grown up, Jillian still struggles with the broken heart the move caused. Why did no one ever contact her? Why did her first love forget her so quickly? Jill’s father’s death forces her to return to Hadleysville, ripping the scab off the finally healing wound.

Toby Archer, attorney at law, finds himself in the unique position of handling the estate for Jillian’s father. He will have to face her with professional aplomb. If she had any feelings for him, she would have been in touch. But one look at her grown-up beauty sends his good intentions out the window and reminds him why he still misses Jillian Eleven Years On.

Eleven Years On is a story that has been told time and again. Young best friends who thought they had their whole lives ahead of them. One day changes it all and now they are adults trying to find out what happened.

Each of them thinking the same thoughts of abandonment and lost love. Each ready to move on, but are fooling themselves. One look at each other and they know things are about to change.

Eleven Years On is a short story. A lot goes on in a very short amount of time. I was left wanting more. While it is a very nice story, it was missing something for me. I think the subject matter deserved more time. Jillian and Toby had more to tell and I also would have loved more time with Fran too. Not to mention the reason for the eleven year separation. That alone could have been a whole other story.

The short story was still very lovely. It was a very nice break and well worth the read. It would make a great lunch break read. It’s a quick, slightly steamy read with a happily ever after. Who doesn’t love that? Now if I could just corner Ms. Richards and make her tell me the whole story…my life would be complete.

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Darkness Rises by Dianne Duvall

Darkness Rises
By: Dianne Duvall
Publisher: Zebra
Published: October 1,2013
Genre: Contemporary, Action/Adventure, Paranormal, Romance
Length:  Novel
Heat Level:  Spicy
Reviewer: Toni
Date: May 10, 2014

  

Krysta is used to getting the drop on vampires. Her "special abilities" aren't much, but the plan is simple--she plays helpless pretty young thing to lure them in. Then her shoto swords come out and it's bye-bye, bloodsucker. Until one night she finds herself with an unexpected ally. He's a vampire, all right, but different. Mysterious. Handsome. And more interested in saving her skin than draining it.

Etienne has been an Immortal Guardian for two hundred years--long enough to know that Krysta is special. He can't stop thinking about her long legs, even more than her short swords. Then he discovers the vamps she's exterminating have friends in high places, and the Guardians are in danger too. He'll have to accept Krysta's help to save them. The stakes for a mortal are high. But the cost to his heart might be higher. . .

I have followed this series from the start. I absolutely fell in love with the guardians and I’m totally surprised it took me this long to pick up the next installment in the series. I forgot about the joy they gave me; the wonder in the writing and dimension of the storyline. Absolutely brilliant.

Krysta is yet another wonderfully strong and resilient woman to join the group. She is tough, kick-butt and as stubborn as they come. She is also the perfect match for Etienne.

Etienne is a young immortal, by their standards, at two hundred years. For centuries he has fought alongside his two siblings, but now there is a new force in town. She makes his blood heat and well other things. No one can understand what has happened to Etienne to make him seem distant and withdrawn, but he knows. Now if he can just figure out how to protect her from herself and have her in his bed.

Unknown to the immortals, danger is back. They must band together to fight an enemy they thought they defeated. Only they are the last to know that the game has changed. Unfortunately there are even more things to protect, but together they can conquer.

Ms. Duvall has written an amazing story. She has consistently written solid plots and engaging characters. All of this while keeping secrets tight to her chest and making me love and want the series more and more. Her stories are filled with action, humor, intrigue and romance. This is definitely not your grandma’s bodice ripper. It is also not a blush worthy, read it in secret, erotic romance. It’s a perfect blend of genres. Something everyone can enjoy.

Darkness Rises is a wonderful read. It is fast paced and makes you want to read “one more chapter”, time and time again. Regrettably, I do think you need to read all of the stories in the series before this novel. I just can’t fathom someone enjoying this book as much as someone who knows the characters and is invested in them. This is a tight knit group and the past couples are written throughout the book. I will say that if you love a good vampire novel then you won’t be dissatisfied. Darkness Rises didn’t disappoint me and I will keep coming back for more. I can’t wait for the next installment, Night Unbound.

My other reviews for the other books in the series have been added to the site. Enjoy!

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