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1.29.2012

If You Hear Her


If You Hear Her
Shiloh Walker
Ash, book one
ebook, 320 pages
Published October 25th 2011 by Random House Publishing Group
ISBN 9780345517579

A CRY IN THE WOODS

The scream Lena Riddle hears in the woods behind her house is enough to curdle her blood—she has no doubt that a woman is in real danger. Unfortunately, with no physical evidence, the local law officers in small-town Ash, Kentucky, dismiss her claim. But Lena knows what she heard—and it leaves her filled with fear and frustration.

Ezra King is on leave from the state police, but he can’t escape the guilty memories that haunt his dreams. When he sees Lena, he is immediately drawn to her. He aches to touch her—to be touched by her—but is he too burdened by his tragic past to get close? When Ezra hears her story of an unknown woman’s screams, his instincts tell him that Lena’s life is also at risk—and his desire to protect her is as fierce as his need to possess her.

I loved the initial unfolding of this story. (Does that make sense?) Lena and Ezra first meet as we first truly begin to meet them, and for someone who hasn't had a first date in ten years--me--it absolutely tickled my fancy.

Lena is blind-surprise! The reader, this one at the very least, figures it out just as Ezra does.

But Ezra has issues--so the two agree to a casual friendship and the story drifts to allow the entrance of other characters. Edward Lawson aka Law, Hope, and Remy, and yes, many more. With such a mass of supporting players the story tends to stretch, drift, detour, and flat out drag on for a long while. When Walker labeled this one a 'trilogy' she wasn't kidding. Lord of the Rings held more progression.

So the suspense part of the story plays out till the very last page and will continue to do so until, likely, the very last chapters of book three. As much as I enjoyed this one's good points, I can't see myself enduring through to the end of the series and therefore I'm forced to put an end to my venture into Ash right here. Remy, I liked. Hope and Law? No way. Uh uh. 2 out of 5 stars.

Other books in this series:

1.25.2012

Meandros


Meandros
Sasha White
ebook
Published October 28th 2010 by Sasha White, via Smashwords
ISBN 2940011263705
Amazon freebie

Only once more, always once more.

Dancer Tammi Johnson thought she knew everything about her body--until she was almost crippled in a car accident. She'd resigned herself to a life without joy until the sexy and dynamic Tom showed her that dancing wasn't the only passion, or pleasure, she could experience. He taught her to live and love with her whole body--and her whole heart.

But when tragedy strikes again, Tammi is devastated. Until she acknowledges that the only way to honor the love of her life is to celebrate what he taught her, and for Tom, she’d do anything once more.

The first paragraph. That was as far as I got into the blurb before I decided to download this freebie from Amazon. And damn do I wish I would have finished it because this was one hell of a depressing book.

It's the story of a young woman who has lost her newlywed husband to cancer. We join her as she remembers the best of their time together, the worst that led to his passing, and the moment where she sparks hope to truly live again.

Personally, I don't give a flying fuck if my dead husband is disappointed or angry at me for not moving on with my life after he dies. He's dead. He doesn't get a say. Not one way or another. And if I choose to whither away into a shell of myself, then that's my living right to do so!

1.23.2012

Mated To The Wolf


Mated To The Wolf
Bonnie Vanak
ebook, 68 pages
Published November 1st 2011 by Harlequin
ISBN 9781459216419

Grayson Adler—lone werewolf, powerful Ancient and empath Healer—has never lusted after prey before. As a paranormal bounty hunter, he’ s duty bound to capture Samantha Fuller. She’ s half demon and half angel, with deadly powers emerging and a vendetta against the hunter who killed her parents. Yet Grayson aches to touch her and let her angelic half soothe his hurts, his longing for a connection as powerful as his sexual need. Then he gets a new assignment: to absorb her evil powers and tame her by becoming her mate before she turns demon.

Grayson has a secret... and a deeply flawed sense of duty. When the two collide in the task of taking a Darklighter as his mate, one would think a pleasant, engaging tale would unfold.

Eh.

It took nine days, reading off and on, for me to finish this book. And being a mere sixty-eight pages, it speaks to the struggle I endured to make it to the end. The sex didn't do much for me and the story itself did even less. The one aspect that solicited an appreciation was the full circle that wrapped up the finish. The beginning and the middle--a true letdown. 2 out of 5 stars.

1.14.2012

Marked


Marked
Lydia Parks
ebook
Published September 1st 2010 by Mills & Boon Nocturne Bites
First published April 21st 2010
ASIN B0045OVGQO

A month of research pointed shapeshifter Cole to nurse Alicia Ortiz as the only hope for his people's survival. Yet he hadn't needed any of that research the moment he saw her. Her kindness and power shone as strongly as her beauty, and Cole had to fight his desire for her. His duty was to convince Alicia to embrace her heritage, not give in to his passion. But even though it may mean failing his mission, Cole could not resist the urge to claim her as his own.

The blurb sets this one up perfectly which unfortunately brings us through a rather rushed character back story and right into the climax of Alicia's discovery of her people and heritage. And yet, for me, the Kimosh history lesson more than made up for it.

Cole is sent out from his home and his people to bring back Lorne's lost heir to be their leader's mate. He finds Alicia with little effort, leaving the more difficult task being that of revealing her identity and convincing her to return with him. And, of course, resisting his desire for her. The last of which he epically fails at thanks to good old chocolate.

He returns to his family a failure and banishment becomes his punishment. From there, it's a rushed love conquers all kind of ending thanks to a very understanding Sloan. Very sweet. 3 out of 5 stars.

1.12.2012

Whispers of Evil: Watchers #2


Whispers of Evil
Stacey Kennedy
The Watchers, book two
Kindle Edition, 139 pages
Published February 11th 2011

Nayeli has been locked away, hidden from the world in a mental institution, all due to the whispers of evil which have corrupted her mind. Unbeknownst to her, the voices that have plagued her are a gift given to only one kind―Watchers.

Griffin, her Seeker, is about to break this cage of imprisonment woven around her and give her a new chance at life. But when a demon leaves the confines of Hell to create havoc in Louisiana, will his love for Nayeli free her wounded heart, or will she succumb to the whispers which threaten to steal her soul?

WARNING: Explicit sex between a timid Watcher and a gorgeous Seeker, and a ceremony that will certainly raise eyebrows!

I do enjoy the Watcher series... or, I did. Despite it's loveable, and sometimes gaggable, cheesiness I'm not quite convinced that these are the best people for the job. If the statement 'Blood is life' is enough to freak you out, demon slaying may not be the best career choice. Just sayin'

It was all the new girl's fault. Nayeli sucked the pleasure right out of this story. I can deal with women crying but when it's their go to response for nearly *everything* it's too much. It wasn't just her, even Daleyn and Paxton couldn't control themselves. And once Griffin started tearing up, it was really over. Oh sure, she has a defense: She'd been sheltered in a mental institution since she was ten, but her utter failure to comprehend the very words coming out of her own mouth combined with her deeply dependent personality made Nayeli way too difficult a character. Sadly, this was a step back for the series. 1 out of 5 stars.

1.03.2012

First Heat

Did she watch him, judge him?


First Heat
Jenna Kernan
ebook
Published August 1st 2011 by Harlequin Nocturne Bites
ISBN 9781459207462

Skinwalker Hunter Ortiz had been forced to leave Lena Coble, the only woman he's ever wanted since his tumultuous teen years. Now he's back in time for her first heat—and to claim her before other wolf shifters can take advantage of the unfamiliar desire taking hold of her. But once he saves her, will he be able to walk away from her again?

Lena first met Hunter seven years ago in a group home for foster children. She was thirteen at the time and became smitten with the boy just two years her senior. But then he left her, just like everyone else who ever mattered in her life. Hunter senses the changes coming to him, flees, and ends up finding his pack where he's educated and trained in his people's ways. Though he's aware that Lena and he were very much of the same race, it never dawns on him that she herself is completely oblivious of what she is.

This one doesn't start out as a love story. It's instinct. And even though we as the readers are privy to Hunter's long kept feelings and desires toward Lena, in her eyes he jumps a mighty big fence by the end when he goes from 'I'm a lone wolf' to the whole let's-build-a-home-together mentality. Quite honestly, though, that was my one and only complaint with the read. 4 out of 5 stars.