Slave to Sensation (Psy-Changeling #1)

Part of him wanted to stroke her... and part of him wanted to bite.

Available at Amazon.com

Slave to Sensation
Nalini Singh
Psy/Changeling, book one
ebook, 352 pages
Published September 1st 2006 by Berkley Books
ISBN 9781101042953


In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of “rehabilitation”—the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was…

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a Changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several Changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion—and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities—or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.

I needed a break from Kenyon's League series because, let's face it, no one in that universe was going to live up to Syn. No one! Besides, Caillen pissed me off and his is the next story.

Sascha is a Psy. She should be free of emotion, but she's not and considers herself flawed for it, fearing what the Council would do to her if they ever found out. As the Psy and Changeling races come together to form a business deal in land development, her role among the Psy brings her to Lucas Hunter with the charge of negotiating terms and finalizing the details of the contracts.

Meanwhile...

Lucas is on the hunt for the Psy responsible for a number of female Changeling's deaths. To find the culprit, he must understand the Psy and their mysterious PsyNet that mentally links each of their kind. He sees his chance with Sascha, but his inner beast, his panther, senses something more. Sascha reacts. To him. To the world around them. She reacts in a way no emotionless Psy ever would. And so, he begins to push, bringing her into his world, where Sascha is introduced to touch, smell... and chocolate.

Lucas was a good alpha. Gentle, but necessarily harsh when provoked. His relationship with Sascha evolves nicely from boardroom to bedroom through a small number of shared dreams and interactions with fellow members of the DarkRiver pack. As it ends, Sascha learns she is a classification of Psy thought long extinct, an E-Psy. An Empath. Breaking from the PsyNet, her life is saved by her mate bond with Lucas as the pack's web nourishes the part of her mind dependent on the connection linking all Psy. She uncovers the identity of the serial killer and the wolf and feline packs find a truce, uniting against their common enemy.

3 out of 5 stars.

Born of Ice (The League #3)

Fuck mercy and screw deceit.

Available at Amazon.com

Born of Ice
Sherrilyn Kenyon
The League, book three
ebook, 352 pages
Published December 1st 2009 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
original title: Paradise City
ISBN 9781429959988

Devyn Kell spent his life in service to the League until he learned of the double dealing and backstabbing that was costing innocent people their lives. Refusing to play those politics, he became a Runner - someone who makes sure planets get the weapons, medicine and supplies they need to survive. May the gods have mercy on any who get in his way, because he definitely won't.

Alix Garran is a woman on the run from a past she can't escape. Signing on to work for Devyn as a System's Engineer, she finds a cause she can fight for - and a man she can respect. But as Alix's past catches up to her, and Devyn's old enemies turn lethal, they have to fight together...or fall alone.

After Alix's father is put to death for his smuggling crimes, she's left to do whatever it takes to save her mother and sister from a life of imprisonment and rape. Being a slave herself, she's left with very few options on how to go about it. And so, her mission is simple, work aboard the Talia as an engineer just long enough to find the evidence necessary to bring its captain, Devyn Kell, to justice. The man behind her chains? The Chief Minister of Justice, Merjack.

Devyn finds himself shaken when Alix arrives at his ship. She reminds him of Clotilde, a woman he long ago killed. Much like his father, a surgeon turned shipper, Dev is a military doctor turned Runner, and also like his sire, the man's lust instantly zeroes in on Alix's femininity despite the likeness to the dead woman's memory that haunts him.

Ah, Syn, I love you, but your son sucks. Nykyrian's kids, on the other hand... Adron, Taryn, and especially daughter Zarina, they do a daddy proud. BTW, Nykyrian is now Emperor. Ooh la la.

Shahara. That woman has taken her kick ass self and maternal instincts to a whole new level. "Kill her, baby! Don't let that bitch hurt you!" Ohmydamn, hilarious. "Good night, baby. Sleep in peace... after you kill that bitch." What has Syn done to her.

There are too many similarities to count between Syn and Devyn's story but I can honestly admit I'm glad it was told. Although, book three? No... Too early for that. Too many of the second generation were present. Some of which haven't even had their parents' stories told yet. Paden's arrival, though, was the true shocker.

3 out of 5 stars.


Previously in the series:

Born of Fire (The League #2)

I'm not lost. I'm found.

Available at Amazon.com

Born of Fire
Sherrilyn Kenyon
The League, book two
ebook, 551 pages
Published April 1st 2010 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
First published July 1996
ISBN 9780312942311

He takes no prisoners.

Syn was raised as a tech-thief until his livelihood uncovered a truth that could end his life. He tried to destroy the evidence, and has been on the run ever since. Now trained as an assassin, he allows no one to threaten him. Ever. He is the darkness that swallows his enemies whole.

She offers no escape.

Shahara Dagan is the best bounty hunter in the universe. When Syn comes back on the radar, she’s the only one who can bring him to justice. There’s only one problem: Syn is a close family friend who’s helped out the Dagans countless times. But if she saves him, both of their lives will be on the line. Is Syn’s protection worth the risk? The only hope Shahara has is to find the evidence he buried long ago. Now it’s kill or be killed - and they, the predators, have just become the hunted.

Shahara Dagan is the eldest of her three siblings, Tessa, Kasen, and brother Caillen. Though her reputation as a bounty hunter is flawless, leading one to believe her finances are sound, the truth remains that her family is in a great amount of debt. Most of which was inherited by their father. When her sister, Tessa, is left fighting for her life after surviving a debt collector's assault, Shahara alone is left to find the money it will take to get the medicine and treatment Tessa needs. She doesn't concern Kasen or Caillen. They don't have it, and if they borrow it, Shahara fears where that path will lead.

Syn, too, knows well the life of impoverishment. Once upon a time, he lived as a thief and it was during such that he met Nykyrian when he attempted to rob him as he lay wounded beyond help. From there, the two inexplicably became friends. Nyk paid Syn's way through college where Syn became a successful surgeon, married, and had a son.

Then, his world collapsed around him, and... there are no words for the amount of pain and devastation that Syn has endured. I thought Nykyrian had it rough... And maybe Nyk would win the 'worst existence ever' award if you weigh it all out, but damn... Syn...

Desperate for money, Shahara takes on Syn's contract and manages to do what no one else has. She finds his home. There's a struggle, fighting it out, one overtaking the other, back and forth. Until Syn throws a lockdown and Shahara finds herself trapped. She demands he open the doors. He refuses. She shoots him. Fucking bitch, right?

Syn recognizes Shahara as Caillen's idolized older sister, although they've never met. He refuses to hurt her. Even after she betrays his location to the authorities. He ends up in prison, beaten to within a mere inch from his life by the interrogators.

Guilt ridden, matters play out in such a way that Shahara is able to free Syn, but it would mean betraying him again once their run was over. During their epic flight from ever attacking pursuers, she is further condemned as she learns more and more about Syn's childhood horrors. His father. His mother. The loss of his sister. His whore of a wife. The son, whom he didn't even father, turning on him.

All the while, and despite the ranting to Nykyrian about how all women betray, Syn can't keep his lips from kissing Shahara any chance he gets. Both of them victims of rape, it takes a good while before they end up in bed.

Only to have Shahara's brother, Caillen, land a blow on Syn afterwards that I, too, was left reeling from.

And then Syn lies. He tells her he doesn't love her. Tries to convince himself it would never work. She'd betray him. She'd leave. It would ruin everything she had. He'd never survive the loss of her. Blah blah blah. And even as he goes through the motions of all the reasons not to have hope... the man buys a wedding ring.

Ah, the agony! I was crushed when this book ended. Too good. Too damn good to end! Even as happily as it did despite not coming full circle with the first book--which, yes, the author does well to warn about-- I ached for more. Sheridan Digger Wade is a character I'm certain to carry with him for a good while.

5 out of 5 stars.

The next book, Born of Ice, takes a twenty year jump into the life of Devyn, the son Syn and Shahara didn't expect they could ever have.

Previously in the series:

The Fire Within (Nephilim #2)

Available at Amazon.com

The Fire Within
Dana Marie Bell
Nephilim, book two
ebook, 220 pages
Published June 30th 2014 by Carina Press
ISBN 9781306730181

She will set his world ablaze.

Detective Dante Zucco has been tasked with bringing a Shemyaza to justice. As a seris Nephilim, his inner fire comes in handy in battle, but not in love. He's been burned before, but maybe this time he'll find a blaze that matches his own.

One of the families of the human victims has hired Elizabeth Rand, PI, to investigate the murders. It's all Dante can do to keep his hands off the alluring, stubborn woman. A single glance from her gray eyes, and Dante goes up in flames.

Beth suspects Dante is one of the Nephilim, angelic warriors bound to hunt down the evil Shemyaza who haunt the night and feed off the innocent. If the murderer she's tracking is a Shem, then keeping a Nephilim close would be only logical. She agrees to work with the hunky detective, unaware of his growing feelings for her.

When Beth gets too close to finding out the truth behind the Shem kills, her life is put in danger, forcing Dante to protect her the only way he can: with fire.

Dante and Elizabeth's paths first crossed in book one and, since then, all they do is push each other's buttons. When a murdered woman and the scent of a Shem demon bring the two together to work one case, both manage to call a truce. Dante just wants to protect her. Beth just wants him to get off her back.

As the two settle into a comfortable partnership, Dante realizes rather quickly that he's crossing a dangerous line. He's falling for her. Elizabeth knows what he is, having found herself caught up in a Shem attack against Abby in the first book. She's the only human Dante has ever known to take down a demon, and live.

I love the romance of this series. The characters are mature enough to act cautiously but still allow matters of attraction and such to grow and develop naturally. They don't rush it. They don't hide from it. It is what it is and goes where it goes, and Bell unfolds it beautifully.

Piotr swept me away in the first book, and continued to hold me so comfortably in his palm throughout this. Shunned by many of the Nephilim, Piotr is the outsider of their group, having isolated himself for reasons only he, and Gabriel, are aware of. Andrea, his One, remains his most faithful defender even as he becomes a suspect in Dante and Beth's blackmail/murder case. I'm waiting oh so impatiently for his book. Although, Hell Hath No Fury, Damien and Sam's story, will be told first.

3 out of 5 stars.


Previously in the series:

Enhanced (Brides of the Kindred #12)

"I can hit it and quit it with the best of them."

Available at Amazon.com

Enhanced
Evangeline Anderson
Brides of the Kindred, book twelve
Published August 22nd 2014

Mei-Li Hastings is in trouble. She’s Dream Sharing with a Kindred warrior. Normally that’s a regular part of being claimed by one of the tall, handsome aliens who came to Earth looking for brides. But in Mei-Li’s case, nothing is normal. The dreams she’s having show a huge, frightening male with a red laser for an eye and a metal arm. The man who’s coming to claim her is a Dark Kindred—one of the emotionless denizens of Zeaga Four where love is unknown and feelings are outlawed.

Six has risen steadily in the ranks of the Collective since his inclusion into the Dark Kindred at age fourteen. Now, to his dismay, he is suddenly having dreams he cannot ignore—dreams of a girl with dark eyes and silky black hair who fears him desperately. Despite the fact that he is supposed to feel nothing, Six finds himself drawn to the girl. And when he is ordered by his superior to claim her, he comes in search of his future bride.

Now they are locked in a struggle of light versus dark...cold versus warmth. For when Mei-Li is near him, Six’s frozen heart begins to thaw. Though the Dark Kindred warrior is determined not to commit “Feel-crime” he cannot contain the emotions growing within him for the petite girl he snatched from Earth. But with the newfound feelings of love and desire, come some much darker feelings. In order to love Mei-Li, Six will have to face the darkness within and a tragic past he has locked away for years.

Will he survive the memories that surface…or will they drive him mad?

Oh my, but I do love that cover. The Dark Kindred, Six, was first introduced in the last book as his paths crossed with Garron and Tess and he quickly became the highlight of even their story. An inhabitant of Zeaga Four, Six has subjected himself to numerous physical enhancements, including an emotion damper. He feels nothing. As he should since it's literally against the law to feel anything on Zeaga Four.

He doesn't want a bride. Has even sworn, with others, to never take one. But that doesn't stop the dream sharing he begins to have with Mei-Li. When conspiracies beyond Six's knowledge and control force him to Earth to claim Mei-Li, he does so with great reservation, insisting that it be a stress free, simple claiming with full intent on returning her to Earth once the process is complete. Obviously, Six knows nothing about the Claiming or what it means to take a bride. Truly, the first 'alien' of them all.

"Say I'm not the only one falling helplessly to my doom."

This story takes us back to what the first few of the series were like, focusing on the Claiming. Unfortunately Mei-Li and Six don't make it beyond week two of the month long process but everything does work out in the end. Despite Six going all suicidal and all after the removal of his failing emotion blocker and being forced to relive the deaths of his family while the pain of it backlashes threefold.

The next book, Cursed, seems to be built on completely new territory with a Kindred who's Cursed, feeling the physical pain of whomever is near. Since his kind rarely live passed forty, they don't claim brides either. Trapped on Earth after war has been declared, Stavros has been taken into custody by an EPB agent named Charlie Sayers who thinks the entire bride draft is ridiculous. So it's doubtful she's even registered. Cursed is due out this fall.

3 out of 5 stars.

Previously in the series:

The Wizard King (Heart's Desire #3)

Oh, Goddess, yes. A screamer. His favorite fucking kind.

Available at Amazon.com

The Wizard King
Dana Marie Bell
Heart's Desire, book three
ebook, 196 pages
Published June 17th 2014 by Samhain Publishing
ISBN 1619219751

The toughest battle he's ever faced is convincing her she's the queen of his soul. 

Gareth Beckett takes the wizard throne in three days, and the woman who stole his heart is missing. Hoping with everything in him that it will call her back to his side, he casts the Beckett mate spell.

One minute, Genevieve Godwin is knocking on Gareth's door to tell him she's had a vision warning of a threat to his life. The next, she's pinned to his sofa, trying to explain her recent absence to one very irate werewolf wizard.

Ever since Gen was forced to use her warlock powers to save him, he's barely made eye contact. And now he wants her to be his queen? She's a Hecate's Own, not a princess. Her place is on the trail of evil especially her own brothers to bring them to justice, not sipping tea and making small talk.

Gareth is determined to keep her at his side, and not only to keep her safe. Between scheming courtiers, the threat of the Godwin brothers and Gen's insistence that she be allowed to continue her work as one of Hecate's Own, Gareth is about to lose his mind. It will take a powerful combination of witch, wizard and warlock to stop the magical "coup d'etat" that could destroy them all.

Warning: This title contains explicit sex, graphic language, and a king who can't live without his queen.

The last book of this series was an unexpected disappointment for me. And quite shocking at that because book one, Chris and Lana's story, was a well deserved five-star story. The two made an hilarious pair although Chris himself was a little too much for me in the bedroom department. Gareth, on the other hand,... he and I got along just fine.

Genevieve... That girl needed to learn to ask a question or two. At the end of the last installment, and carrying into this one, Gen is convinced Gareth hates her. He won't look at her. Won't talk to her. So when the first she sees him again, she asks not one damn "What the fuck?"  as he pulls her into his home, throws a wedding ring into her hand, and immediately begins to relieve her of her virginity on his sofa. The next morning she's whisked away to New York and crowned his queen-consort. Nope. Not one single "What is going on?". Lady really has learned to just go with the flow.

Kudos to Gareth for his summary of their family's curse. Still, no sequel has reached the level of greatness that the original achieved. 3 out of 5 stars.

Wolf's Bane, Daniel and Kerry's story, and the last of the series, is currently in a pre-work in progress stage.

Previously in the series:

Born of Night (The League #1)

"They'll come for you with everything they have."

"And I will fight them with everything they taught me to be."

Available at Amazon.com

Born of Night
Sherrilyn Kenyon
The League, book one
ebook, 560 pages
Published September 29th 2009 by St. Martin's Paperbacks
First published January 1996
ISBN 9781429959902

In the Ichidian Universe, The League and their ruthless assassins rule all. Expertly trained and highly valued, the League Assassins are the backbone of the government. But not even the League is immune to corruption...

Command Assassin Nykyrian Quikiades once turned his back on the League—and has been hunted by them ever since. Though many have tried, none can kill him or stop him from completing his current mission: to protect Kiara Zamir, a woman whose father’s political alliance has made her a target.

As her world becomes even deadlier, Kiara must entrust her life to the same kind of beast who once killed her mother and left her for dead. Old enemies and new threaten them both and the only way they can survive is to overcome their suspicions and learn to trust in the very ones who threaten them the most: each other.

It's been what feels like a lifetime since I've read Kenyon's work. Her book, Fantasy Lover, actually inspired the title of this blog.

Kenyon puts many a writer to shame with her unnatural degree of talent and beyond that, she's gone all out with her craft with her website. Not only does she have her books fully cast, but each has their own playlist as well. Check out her site here. It just might blow your mind.

Dancing Hauk. Darling Cruel. -- And no, those weren't adjectives. That's their actual names. -- Sheridan, AKA Syn. And a lady named Jayne. These are the most, and only, people trusted by Nykyrian, AKA Nemesis, the most notorious assassin that has ever been known throughout the galaxies. Nine years ago, he abandoned the League, an unheard of feat, after receiving a contract he refused to carryout. Since then, he and his colleagues have formed the Sentella, an organization whose sole purpose is to balance the extant of the League's power. Protect the innocent; kill the vermin.

Kiara Zamir, famous ballet dancer and daughter of their planet's president, is considered a princess among her people. Having survived more assassination attempts than she care to think about, Kiara is a young woman who has learned well the dangers of living and she'll make damn sure not to go down without a fight. Having been taken hostage, she puts up one hell of a struggle against her captivity and impending rape but in the end is forced to rely on a savior. That is, Syn. And with him, in all his lethal glory, is Nemesis.

Nykyrian recognizes Kiara instantly. He's seen her dance. Heard her voice. Still, he is ill prepared for the affect her beauty and presence have upon his person. Even more unprepared for the tenacious spirit inside her. A spirit that is reaching its breaking point. They manage to get her to safety, return her to her father, and say their farewells. Only to return for her once they realize what great a threat there is against her life.

Nykyrian has to be the most tortured, lonely character I've ever read. For the better part of the book, he simply longs for Kiara. Her softness. Her care. And if we weren't privy to his POV there's no way in hell you would ever think a romance was brewing. He is one seriously shut off individual. Kiara tries her best to befriend him. To know him. Yet, he adamantly pushes her away at every turn. When they finally do begin their relationship, it's altogether shocking at how well and easily Nykyrian's shields drop around her. The man likes to cuddle!

Syn. What can you not love about Syn? As Kiara comes to witness just how bloody Nykyrian can be, her words turn judgmental and Oh My Damn, I was so ready for Syn to beat the crap out of her. He certainly gave her an earful for many pages, expressed regret in saving her pitiful, over-protected life, and told her to stay the fuck away from him. Even Nykyrian ends up threatening her life. When she completely lost it, calling him a 'hybrid', I began rooting for someone, anyone, to go through with the threat. As much as I loved Kiara, that chick deserved some serious punishment.

This was an amazing read... right up until Nykyrian fakes his death. Then there's a time jump, Syn goes missing, and all kinds of people start coming out of the woodwork. A daughter. Mother. Father. Way too much way too fast and not all entirely necessary. Grr. Hate it when something so epic falls flat at the finale. That said, I'm completely sold on the series and as soon as I finish up a few other books on my schedule, I'm coming back to The League, making myself comfortable, and plan to stay awhile.

4 out of 5 stars.

Note To Self
Born of Fire, book two: Syn & Shahara
Born of Ice, book three: Devyn (Syn's son) & Alix
Fire & Ice, book three.five: Adron (Nykyrian's son) & Livia
Born of Shadows, book four: Caillan (brother of Shahara) & Desideria
Born of Silence, book five: Kere (AKA Darling Cruel) & Zarya
Cloak & Silence, book six: Maris (friend of Darling Cruel) & Ture (M/M)
Born of Fury, book seven: Hauk & Sumi
Born of Betrayal, book eight: Fain (Hauk's brother) & Galene (2/3/15)
Born of Defiance, book nine: Talyn (Galene's son) & Felicia (11/3/15)
Born of Vengeance, book ten: Bastien & ? (due 7/1/2016)

Captive Heart

Available at Amazon.com

Captive Heart
Mina Carter; J. William Mitchell
Kindle Edition, 82 pages
Published September 9th 2013
First published 2010
ASIN B00F3DPLKS

His job was to kidnap her...
Not fall in love.

Someone wants leading scientist Rollie Gavilan out of the picture for a few days. It's an easy job, one with no bloodshed which is why former soldier turned mercenary Dayton Vann takes it. He's had enough of that kind of life and this last job is his meal ticket out.

Trouble is, the easy job turns out not to be easy at all, not when his 'employers' decide that they'd be better off with Rollie out the way for good. Day's not having that on his watch, but keeping the scientist safe from harm is turning into a full time job. As is guarding his own hardened heart from her tentative advances...

Publisher’s Note: This title has been previously released with another publisher under the title 'Dirty Dream'.

Who would have thought getting kidnapped would ultimately end up saving your life? Not exactly the route I'd want to take but for Rollie, it works out rather well.

Day thinks he's taking an easy job. Grab a scientist and keep her hidden for a few days. What he doesn't know is that he's being used as a means to get Rollie within firing distance. And putting a target on himself in being a loose end. It's a fast paced story, well written, and nicely wrapped up in a happily ever after. My biggest complain would be the title. Neither 'Captive Heart' nor 'Dirty Dream' seem fitting.

3 out of 5 stars.

Earth Warden

"Step aside, Hawk. Let the dog see the rabbit."

Available at Amazon.com

Earth Warden
Mina Carter
ebook, 68 pages
Published August 5th 2014 by Blue Hedgehog Press
First published 2009

What do you do when you’re magically inept in a world where your worth rests on your magical ability?

This is the question that has haunted magic-less Warden Lyssa all her life. So when injured Warrior Hawk mistakes her for a full Warden and claims sanctuary she agrees, thinking she can hide the truth for just one night.

Unfortunately it’s not so easy with a Warden execution squad on her tail and then a steamy encounter with her handsome warrior challenges everything Lyssa thought she knew about herself.

Although the daughter of Wardens, Lyssa was declared a null, having no magical powers herself. So she spent her life studying spells, wards, and so on while being shunned be her community. Now grown, she makes a living as a waitress at a diner where Hawk, a Warrior, happens upon after being nearly mauled to death by demons.

Hawk can be quite the top notch ass when the mood hits. Bleeding and weak, he and Lyssa don't share the greatest first meeting. She does her best to appear the ideal servant while his sentences are clipped and rude. The humor lies in the fact that he can read her mind.

When Hawk catches a glimpse of Lyssa's tattoo, the mark of the Wardens, he considers the idea that the fates might have finally smiled upon him after all these years. Wardens are a magical race sworn to aid the Warriors as necessary, although they consider them worse than vampires and pass on many a horror story about their kind.

She offers him a night of sanctuary and makes no further promises. Soon enough, they're being attacked by an execution training squad and Hawk is left reeling with questions he can't find the answers to. He senses the witching surrounding Lyssa but she makes no move to cast a spell. She's as stupid as they come when it comes to protecting herself, and he's left to scramble to get them to safety.

I had some problems with Lyssa and although the story is quick, she does find time to redeem herself. Hawk, despite the ass he portrays in the beginning, also redeems himself with his talent in the bedroom. The two come together in their time of need, his of healing and hers of finally releasing the power she doesn't even know she possesses. It's a happy ever after without any groundless pledges of love which is a winner in my book.

4 out of 5 stars.

Four: A Divergent Collection

Four
Veronica Roth
Divergent prequels
Paperback, 208 pages
Published July 8th 2014 by Harper Collins Publishers
ISBN 9780062285683

Two years before Beatrice Prior made her choice, the sixteen-year-old son of Abnegation’s faction leader did the same. Tobias’s transfer to Dauntless is a chance to begin again. Here, he will not be called the name his parents gave him. Here, he will not let fear turn him into a cowering child.

Newly christened “Four,” he discovers during initiation that he will succeed in Dauntless. Initiation is only the beginning, though; Four must claim his place in the Dauntless hierarchy. His decisions will affect future initiates as well as uncover secrets that could threaten his own future—and the future of the entire faction system.

Two years later, Four is poised to take action, but the course is still unclear. The first new initiate who jumps into the net might change all that. With her, the way to righting their world might become clear. With her, it might become possible to be Tobias once again.

THE TRANSFER

The man whose knuckles I know better than his embrace.

In The Transfer, we follow Tobias Eaton (now deemed Four) during his final days in Abnegation, experiencing just a taste the abuse suffered at the hands of his own father, and the ultimate action he takes to escape it all-choosing Dauntless.

If only more writers would take the time to pour out the tale of their leading man. Sagara should. Damn if Severn doesn't need his own book. He certainly isn't getting much page time in Cast in Flame.

I finally understand all of Four's fears. That shooting the woman thing left me rather perplexed but now it all makes sense.


THE INITIATE

In The Initiate, Four begins to find himself as he conquers the necessary obstacles to enter the Dauntless faction: Fear simulations, knife throwing, and fighting. He grows stronger physically, mentally, and emotionally, as he learns the threat that being Divergent is, and how deadly being found out could become before ultimately finishing first in his class.


THE SON

But maybe, just as there's a part of him that's actually my father,
there's also a part of me that's actually his son.

The Son features the first of the unknown where Four begins to immerse himself with the Dauntless society. Obviously, Trys never had the chance to make it this far. He chooses an apartment alone while others partner up, gains his movie famous tattoo, and is confronted by his mother, whom he long believed was dead. Four begins to discover that everyone in his life, past and present, has wanted him as their pawn. He then proceeds to do things his way, and denies all offers made for one reason or another, and stays true to himself.

This installment was the more divulging of the series thus far. Eric's suggestions that led to the least effective of the initiates being turned outcast was a new detail as well as the history of Four's mother. I had no idea she was still alive, let alone a leader of the factionless.

THE TRAITOR

The Letter (Calendar Men #7)

"And all I want to do is make you mine."

Available at Amazon.com

The Letter
Mina Carter
Calendar Men, book seven
ebook, 53 pages
Published July 1st 2014 by Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
ISBN 9781613337066

Sergeant Rick Week’s career ended in a hail of bullets and the death of a friend. After months of recuperation, he’s finally able to fulfill a promise he made to that friend. All he has to do is find a girl and deliver a letter. Simple. Maybe…

Hattie Jameson lost the man she loved. KIA. A year and a half later, she’s trying to move on but a letter for a charity calendar shoot addressed to her late fiance, Billy, rocks her. Not as much as the sexy as hell Scottish soldier who turns up on her doorstep. The man who was with Billy when he died. She shouldn’t find him attractive. Not at all…

Meanwhile fate, and Billy himself, have plans to bring the reluctant lovers together.

A short, sweet, and sexy read. With a Scot. *sigh*

There's something about a man picking out his replacement for when he's dead and gone that's just plain creepy. It's one thing to say, tell your best friend to take care of your woman, but it's a whole other 'wtf, were you thinking' to send an utter stranger to do it. You knew the guy for a day, Billy!

And your woman fell for him after a week.

Sheesh!

You know a story is written by a die hard romantic when happily ever after comes with no rhyme or reason preceding it.

3 out of 5 stars.

Prince's Courtesan (Imperial Princes #1)

Available at Amazon.com

Prince's Courtesan
Mina Carter
Imperial Princes, book one
ebook
Published February 4th 2011 by Etopia Press
ISBN 132940012282569

He wanted the one woman he couldn't have.

Outlawed noblewoman Jaida Lianl had been everything from a high speed courier on Arcalis Prime to a waitress in the cloud café’s on Selenis. Different careers, different names, different identities. When a cover got this easy--so easy she started to believe it herself--she knew she’d been in the same place too long. It was time to move on before she got comfortable and started to make mistakes. Mistakes would allow Imperial Prince Sethan to find her, and if that happened, people would die…

Now after five years, Seth has found her, and she can no longer outrun her destiny: she'll be the prince's courtesan, but he'll never own her heart.

Jaida was once a noblewoman of the court, deeply in love with the Imperial Prince Sethan, until the night he took her to his bed and she awoke to find his manservant gifting her with a whore's silks instead of a betrothed's band. From that day, she's been on the run, fleeing the prince's ever constant will to keep her as his own.

It's a story of betrayal and misunderstandings with the mother of all overreactions fueling the drama. Hard to believe an outlaw has the right to marry a prince... and I'm not entirely certain what made Sethan a prince (blood? no, er, maybe)... but the man surely has one hell of a military training. By the end I thought I'd slipped into a contemporary, armed forces romance.

3 out of 5 stars.