EIT READING CHALLENGE! May 6th - June 15th 2013

Hello and Welcome to the 

Experiment in Terror Reading Challenge!!

If you haven't had the pleasure of reading this fantastic series, now is the time to hop on the crazy train with the rest of us.  Darkhouse (Book 1) is FREE on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Smashwords.  You have no excuse NOT to read it.  

For each book/novella, a blog will write a post, so be sure to stop by and comment.  

GIVEAWAYS:

There will be a grand prize giveaway that will be up for the duration of the reading challenge.  Some blogs will also have their own giveaway, so be sure to enter the giveaways at each stop.  The Grand Prize will include signed Experiment in Terror books (books and number of winners to be determined).

To the New Readers:

The next six weeks are going to be the best six weeks of your life!  Okay, maybe that's an exaggeration but not by much.  You, my friends, are in for a crazy ride.  You've heard me drone on and on about how great this series is.  Now, you can experience the terror, the drama, and the Dex Foray for yourselves.  Consider yourselves lucky because you're going to be reading alongside other people who have gone through what you're about to go through.  You'll have therapists to help get you through the tough times (and trust me there are some rough patches).

And for the love of all that is holy, DO NOT SKIP THE NOVELLAS.  The EIT veterans will find you.

To the EIT Veterans:

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, will be to, of course, re-read the books along with the newbies, but also engage with the new readers in the discussion groups. Below I have outlined the various places on the interwebs where these dicussions will be taking place.

Blog Tour Schedule:

Week 1 - May 6th - May 12th

Darkhouse (Book 1)
The Demon Librarian
Reality Bites...Let's Get Lost

Week 2 - May 13th - May 19th

Red Fox (Book 2)

My Book Muse

May 17th - 19th

The Benson (Book 2.5) 

Book Me

Week 3 - May 20th - 26th
Dead Sky Morning (Book 3)
Reading Books Like a Boss

Week 4 - May 27th - June 2nd

Lying Season (Book 4)
Ginger-Read Reviews

Week 5 - June 3rd- 9th

On Demon Wings (Book 5)
Reading is My Breathing

June 6th - June 9th
Old Blood (Book 5.5)
Reading Books Like a Boss
My Book Muse

June 6th-June 9th
The Dex Files (Book 5.7)
Caitlyn on the Road

Week 6 - June 9th -15th

 Into the Hollow (Book 6)
Little Read Riding Hood

June 12th-15th

And With Madness Comes the Light (Book 6.5)
The Book Bella

Come Alive (Book 7) will be released in June 2013!!

 

Joint Review: Blood Roses by Lindsay J. Pryor ★★★★1/2

Blood Roses by Lindsay J. Pryor

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Blackthorn #2
Publication Date: April 26th 2013
ISBN: 9781909490031
Page Count: 400
Janice's Rating: ★★★★★
Lynsey's Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey/Janice



Synopsis:“She was supposed to kill vampires, not save them. Those were the rules. That was the lore.”

A rare and powerful witch whose blood is lethal to vampires, Leila has always viewed her serryn abilities as a curse. After seeing her mother slaughtered as a child, Leila longs for a safe, quiet life.

That wish is shattered by Caleb Dehain - a vampire with a dark past and a darker heart. The most feared serryn hunter of his generation, Caleb now needs the help of one of the witches he despises to save his dying brother.

A serryn who has no reason to help him. Except that he has her sister.

Caleb and Leila are each other’s worst nightmare - but the slow-burning spark of attraction between them is undeniable. Will Leila’s blood be his damnation? Or could her kiss be his salvation?

Janice's Review:

Intense!

Blackthorn is not a nice place. Just ask Leila, the leading lady of Blood Roses.

From the moment Leila stepped onto the page, I felt for her. Raised her whole life in the safety and security of Summerton, she has never set foot on the vampire-infested streets of Blackthorn, nor does she want to. But when she receives a frantic call from her younger sister Alisha, begging for help, Leila has no choice but to enter the proverbial lion's den.

Getting in is the easy part. It's getting out that will be tricky, because a certain uber-sexy and dangerous vamp has figured out Leila's most closely guarded secret, and he's not about to let her go.

Caleb has hunted serryns for years. He hates them with the fire of a thousand suns, and having one fall into his lap resurrects all the darkness inside of him. Darkness that is aimed entirely at poor Leila.

Leila is put through the wringer in this book, and yet somehow, she prevails. She stood up to Caleb, poked holes in his armor, and defied all his negative expectations. And she did it in a way that not only won him over (reluctantly), but me as well (wholeheartedly). The strength of character she displayed impressed the hell out of me, and I was cheering her on the whole way.

Caleb, for his part, is one very bad boy. In any other book, he'd be slated as the villain and I'd be booing and hissing him off the page. He's cold, unforgiving, and more than a little cruel. Yet he's also a devoted brother, an astute businessman, and loyal to his people. I would never call him good, but he isn't outright evil either, and honestly, I liked him. A LOT. He's exactly the kind of complex character I love to sink my teeth into.

Supporting characters Alisha and Jake (Caleb's brother) deserve a special mention. Jake in particular really surprised me. He comes off at first as a useless playboy, but he sure proved me wrong! I'm pleased as punch he and Alisha both had scenes written from their POV. The story wouldn't have worked nearly as well without them and I hope we see more of them both in the future.

As in book one, the story unfolds over a short period of time, and once again, I did not feel gypped in any way. BLOOD ROSES is a fully-developed, thoroughly engrossing story filled with heavy emotional hits and swoonworthy moments. In or out of the bedroom, whether they are viciously fighting or tearing each other's clothes off, Caleb and Leila burn up the pages together. Every moment between them seethes with emotion and intensity. It's potent stuff, and the more I read, the more hooked I became. In fact, when the book ended, it took all of, oh, five minutes for the withdrawal to set in. I wanted MORE.

That's right. I am officially addicted to this series. Why, you ask? Because Lindsay Pryor is my kind of fearless author. She isn't afraid to "go there", to create characters and situations that challenge me as a reader. She doesn't wrap anything in a pretty bow for me, and after two books, she has yet to hand me a single quick fix or easy answer. Black and white? Forget about it! You will find nothing that simple in the the world of Blackthorn. Everywhere you look, there are blurred lines and shades of gray. There are no clear-cut Happy Ever Afters, either. I don't think there can be in this world. Not yet. I could be wrong, but my gut tells me there is a lot of story yet to be told, and everything we're reading now is merely the prelude. All these different stories are going to intersect at some point (I hope), and I can't wait to see what happens when they do.

BLOOD ROSES isn't a wild, action-packed ride through the paranormal world. If that's what you are in the mood for, I would recommend you look elsewhere, because you'll only be disappointed. However, if you're hunting for a book that isn't afraid to get its hands dirty and show you a darker side of life - a book with characters who will grab you by the throat and refuse to let go - then you should definitely check out the Blackthorn series.

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

 

Reviewed By: 

Lynsey's Review:

Back to Blackthorn

After thoroughly enjoying book one of this series, BLOOD SHADOWS, I happily and greedily delved into BLOOD ROSES with much gusto and enthusiasm, ready for more raunchy, heated scenes filled with tension (of all kinds), and ready to meet yet another sinfully wicked hero and a new spunky heroine. And by and large, I was not disappointed in either of those respects.

This time, in Caleb and Leila's story, we dig a little deeper into the dark, seedy heart of the vampire territory that is Blackthorn. It's really not a nice place. It's where the vampires and other third species races are currently forced to reside along with the dregs of human society who act as their food supply. Where the humans in higher power hope that out of sight can mean out of mind, so that they can just carry on pretending they don't exist. It's also the very place a serryn should not be. Like, ever.

Enter Leila - a serryn, who through her errant sister meets serryn-hating vampire club owner Caleb.  Caleb with his extreme prejudice and loathing of everything Leila is. This is a couple that have not even the smallest scrap of common ground, and enough mistrust between them to sink a battleship. In Caleb's defense, his hatred of serryns is not without cause. But I really had to keep reminding myself of that - that he had good reason - during some of the horrendous things he did to poor Leila in this book.

Where the last hero in this series, the lovely Kane, was bad but redeemable, Caleb crossed a few too many lines with me, and didn't quite win me over in the same way. He was just a bit too bad. I'm still prepared to give him more of a chance as the series progresses - because I have a feeling we will see both couples again as their stories don't feel complete quite yet - but he's on his final warning. One more nasty trick and he'll feel the wrath of my Death Glare. 

Speaking of their stories not feeling complete... There hasn't been any saccharine sweet Happily Ever After-type endings so far in this series, which has me wondering whether these books are supposed to be classed as PNR, or just very steamy/sexy UF...

Anyway, back to the book.

For most of  BLOOD ROSES, I felt sorry for Leila. She was treated so horribly, and it was all so undeserved that I was positively brimming with righteous indignation for her and wanted to her to just explode at Caleb - really give him what for. Preferably with a blunt instrument of some sort. But then, in his mind, that would have only proved his point about her; that she's faking her niceness and is secretly an evil bitch like all other serryns he's known. It was a total lose-lose situation for Leila, and I empathised with her almost as much as I wanted to kidney punch Caleb. Almost.

The best part of this book and this series has to be the intensity of the romantic relationships. Love or hate the characters as you will - as I suspect you are intended to - but you can't fail to love all the drama and, again, that total inability to decide who's telling the truth and who's spinning yet another web of deceit. As I've said in past reviews, it is not always a requirement of mine to like all the characters and their actions in order to enjoy a book. And as you've probably picked up, I'm undecided on Caleb because he's a very naughty boy. But the fact remains, I was still made to care about what happens to Caleb and Leila - good or bad - and was fully engaged in the story throughout, and that's all that really matters to me.

So, to sum up, if (like myself) you love emotional torment and passion in your books and can handle a seriously bad boy (maybe not like myself), then I definitely recommend this series. It pulls no punches, its heroes are on the edge, and its sex scenes are off the charts. You have been warned.

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Quickie Review: Silent Warrior by Lindsey Piper ★★★★★

Silent Warrior by Lindsey Piper
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Dragon Kings #0.5
Publication Date: April 22nd 2013
ISBN: 9781476713250
Page Count: 80
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice



Synopsis:  An exciting, emotionally charged prequel to "The Dragon Kings" trilogy, featuring warriors fighting for their lives in violent Cage matches to guarantee their clans' survival.

A silent woman ashamed of her criminal background becomes a Cage warrior to seek redemption. An unrepentant fortune hunter chooses combat over death to appease a mafia family. Although rivals in battle, they find common ground when seeking their clan's stolen idol, but for vastly different reasons. Neither one suspects that love will begin when he becomes the first man in five years to hear her speak.
 

Feature and Follow Friday 19th April 2013

Feature & Follow Friday is a weekly event hosted by Parajunkee & Alison Can Read.

This week's featured blog is

Words Fueled by Love

1. When did you start blogging?

After watching my sister-n-law blog for a year I decided to give it a try myself. I started my blog October 1, 2025 and have been going strong ever since!

2. What is your favorite part of book blogging?

To narrow this down to one favorite thing is really hard so I'll keep it to my top 2 favorite things of book blogging. One - the opportunities having a book blog has opened up to me (e.g. book blog tours, cover reveals, giveaway hops, ARC reviews from authors and publishers, etc...). None of that would have been possible had I not had a book blog. Two - all of the fantastic people I have met through book blogging. Book blogging just wouldn't be any fun without the interaction between other book blog friends.

3. What type of books do you mainly blog about?

I mainly review young adult and new adult books in many sub-genres (paranormal, contemporary, dystopian, post-apocalyptic, etc...)

4. What is your favorite book(s)?

Another tough question to narrow down to just a few. Here are some of my current fave series: Lux series by Jennifer L. Armentrout, Cambion series by Shannon Dermott, Too Far series by Abbi Glines, Slammed series by Colleen Hoover, Pushing the Limits by Katie McGarry, Beautiful series by Jamie McGuire. Now for some long time favorites: Vampire Academy by Richelle Mead, Mortal Instruments by Cassandra Clare, Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, The Forest of Hands and Teeth by Carrie Ryan.

5. What has been the best thing that has happened to you because of book blogging?

I guess the best thing for me personally since starting my blog, has been rekindling the avenue to express myself through writing. I don't think I'm an eloquent writer by any means and I don't write lengthy reviews typically or use big words, but I enjoy writing my thoughts down and I really enjoy hearing from other readers and bloggers about the books I review and the various posts I participate in.

This Week's Question is:

Q: If you could hang out with any author (living) who would it be and what would you want to do?

Lynsey: I think I would pick Kim Harrison. Reason being, out of all the authors whose books I am feverishly fanatical about, she's the one I have most questions for! So I'd probably just spend the day grilling her about Trent Kalamack and his motivations for everything he's ever done ever.

Janice: Wow, that's a tough one! I've met so many great authors, it's hard to choose, but I think I'd have to pick Karina Halle, because she's fun, amazingly talented, and she brought my favorite book boyfriend of all time into my life (Dex Foray for the win!). As for what I'd like us to do if I had the chance to hang out with her....does just sitting beside her and basking in the glow of her awesomeness count? No? Okay, well in that case, I'd choose a concert so we can rock out, scream like fangirls, and headbang our little hearts away.

Thanks for visiting us! If you follow us just let us know so we can return the favour! That's what this here get together is all about, after all.

Review: Defect by Ryann Kerekes ★★★

Defect by Ryann Kerekes
Genre: YA Dystopian
Series: n/a
Publication Date: March 23rd 2013
ISBN: 9781483953175
Page Count: 396
Rating: ★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice



Synopsis: Locked in the mental ward on her sixteenth birthday, Eve Sterling doesn’t think things can get any worse.

They can.

After failing the mindscan procedure that predicts future crime, she’s deemed a Defect and subjected to endless psychological and physical testing as the government tries to determine what’s different about her.

The one bright spot is military guard, Will. He’s gentle with her when no one’s watching and suppresses a smile whenever she defies their challenges. Will’s lessons begin to dance dangerously close to knowledge she shouldn’t possess, like what’s beyond the fenced compound. Though it’s forbidden and Will would be killed on the spot if they’re discovered, they steal away moments together. With her very life on the line, Eve has to decide if she can trust the guard she’s falling for.

DEFECT, a young adult romance, takes place in the near-future.

It is a survivalist love story.

Review:

Almost perfect

Defect is a YA dystopian novel set in a not-too-distant future where life is heavily regimented and controlled, and citizens are subjected to invasive mindscan procedures. Fail the scan and you're branded a Defect. Family, school, friends - you lose it all. Suddenly you're government property, and they can do whatever they want to you. Which is exactly what happens to Eve at the start of the book.

Eve's voice reeled me in almost instantly. She doesn't understand why she failed the mindscan, or what makes her different from the countless others who have taken (and passed) the same test. All she knows is life as she knows it is over. Rather than give up, though, or waste time railing against the unfairness of her fate, Eve makes up her mind that she is going to survive at any cost. She's not going to give anyone the satisfaction of beating her, or of turning her into a mindless drone. She's small but tough, this girl, and has plenty of smarts and spirit. It helps that she has a totally swoonworthy guy in her corner who isn't afraid to break and bend the rules for her.

Will....ah, Will. He sorta snuck up on me. He's a little tough to pin down at first, but when he turns it on, it's ON. I am not at all embarrassed to admit he made me sigh like a dreamy-eyed schoolgirl more than a few times. (What? Like you haven't oooh'd and aaah'd over a sexy book hero? Yeah, that's what I thought LOL)

The romance has the right amount of buildup and sizzling moments, and the characters are solid and pretty well defined, so it's easy to stay invested and interested in their story. Unfortunately, as much as I liked what I was reading (and I truly did), the book is not without its issues.

For starters, the world-building is slow to get off the ground, with a lot of necessary explanations about why things are the way they are postponed until further into the novel. Even then, I didn't feel like I got a crystal clear picture of how this dystopian world worked. What details I did get were vague and in short supply. The story also lacks urgency. I was told about various threats and dangers but I wasn't really shown them, and as a result, I didn't take them seriously.

Where Defect really let me down, though, was in its ending. The final 1/3 or so of the book had a bare bones, slightly rushed feel to it that I wasn't happy with. Like I was reading a recap of events, instead of being allowed to actually experience things as they happened. Adding Will's POV might have solved this problem, or better yet, splitting the story into two books instead of making it a standalone. Because honestly, there was a lot more to this story than what I read,  and I was disappointed I had to settle for less.

All in all, though, while Defect didn't wow me as much as Ryann Kerekes' debut novel, The Cirque (which I cannot recommend strongly enough), for a sophomore effort it ain't half bad. I like Ryann Kerekes' style and believe she's just beginning to scratch the surface of her writing potential. I look forward to her next project, whatever it is.

This book would be ideal for those who are new to the YA dystopian genre. It's an easy read, not too heavy or angst-ridden, and the two main characters are sure to win you over.

3 Stars ★★★

ARC provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Blog Tour Stop: Shifting Selves by Mia Marshall ★★★★★

Shifting Selves by Mia Marshall
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Mystery
Series: Elements #2
Publication Date: 16th April 2013
ISBN: 9780988976146
Page Count: 342
Rating: ★★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey



Synopsis:

The Elements urban fantasy series continues in this fast-paced sequel to Broken Elements.

Aidan Brook's world was shattered when the actions of a brutal murderer revealed long-buried secrets about her past. A powerful elemental, Aidan discovered she possesses the wrong kind of magic. It's a secret that could cost her sanity—or even her life.

What she needs is some peace and quiet. What she gets is a phone call from a division of the FBI so secret it doesn’t even have a name, asking for her help with a series of shifter disappearances.

Before Aidan can settle into a new routine of pancakes and evenings by the fire, the case develops claws. She quickly finds herself caught between uptight bears, deadly mountain lions, overprotective parents, and unhappy federal agents. Throw in a stalled romance with an enigmatic shifter and the slow dissolution of her chosen family, and it’s hard to say which will drive her mad first: her magic, or her chaotic life.

About the Author

Mia Marshall has always been obsessed with stories. When younger, her version of cleaning her room involved neatly organizing her books, then ignoring all other messes in favor of re-reading The Wizard of Oz series just one more time. As an adult, she earned an unnecessary number of degrees in literature, education, and film. She planned to spend the rest of her life teaching stories to others until she got distracted and started writing those stories herself.

Mia has lived all over the US west coast and throughout the UK. These days, she lives somewhere in the Sierra Nevada mountains, where she is hard at work on her next book.

Review:

Another fantastic read. I'm really loving this series!

Despite real world time constraints weighing me down at the moment, the second I spotted the familiar cover art design for this series and realised review copies for SHIFTING SELVES were out, I picked up my copy without a single hesitation, in the sure and safe knowledge that I would be in for another great, magic-filled read. And I'm so glad I did, because I was right!

That level of certainty I felt—despite having only read one other book from this author—all comes down to the strength of book one, BROKEN ELEMENTS, and how much I thoroughly enjoyed reading it last year. It was one of the standouts of 2012 for me, and I recommend it highly for all Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal Mystery fans.

We learned an awful lot in book one about Aidan and her magic, and also about how Mia Marshall's Urban Fantasy world works. We also met the rather extensive cast of colourful characters who make up what I like to think of as "The Gang". Because although the series is written in first person and clearly follows a lead character, it really feels more like an ensemble cast, and each member is as vital and essential as the next.

Aidan's character is much changed from the person we met at the start of BROKEN ELEMENTS. The development has been immense and is progressed even more in SHIFTING SELVES as we see the overarching plot concerning Aidan's powers further explored. Also, the tentative romance between Aidan and bear shifter Mac that began (albeit very slowly) in book one, is also cranked up a few heat levels. And you will not hear me complaining about that. No, ma'am. Not me.

What I love most about Mia's writing is how everything feels so wonderfully balanced; there's humour and drama, tension and playfulness, romance and friendships. All worked brilliantly around a great mystery centre. And the teensy, tiny little scraps (Okay, that may be a slight exaggeration) of romance we get are just enough to satisfy (for now), but don't overwhelm the story in any way.

That's not to say I would actually mind being overwhelmed by Mac. As you may have gathered, I'd rather like some more Mac and Aidan romance scenes. I realise I asked for more Mac in my last review, and to be fair, Mia definitely delivered lots more Mac in SHIFTING SELVES. So on the one hand I'm happy. But on the other hand, I'm also a disgustingly greedy and unrepentant sort, and so I say to you once again, Ms Marshall: More Mac! There is no such thing as too much, just in case you were wondering *wink*

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Reviewed by:

Quickie Review: Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi ★★★★★

Destroy Me by Tahereh Mafi

Genre: YA Dystopian

Series: Shatter Me #1.5

Publication Date: 

ISBN: n/a

Page Count: 103 

Rating: ★★★★★

Review Copy: Own Purchase

Reviewed by: Janice

Synopsis: Set after Tahereh Mafi's Shatter Me and before Unravel Me, the spellbinding sequel, Destroy Me is a novella told from the perspective of Warner, the ruthless leader of Sector 45.

In Shatter Me, Juliette escaped from The Reestablishment by seducing Warner—and then putting a bullet in his shoulder. But as she'll learn in Destroy Me, Warner is not that easy to get rid of . . .

Back at the base and recovering from his near-fatal wound, Warner must do everything in his power to keep his soldiers in check and suppress any mention of a rebellion in the sector. Still as obsessed with Juliette as ever, his first priority is to find her, bring her back, and dispose of Adam and Kenji, the two traitors who helped her escape. But when Warner's father, the Supreme Commander of The Reestablishment, arrives to correct his son's mistakes, it's clear that he has much different plans for Juliette. Plans Warner simply cannot allow.  

I can sum up my reaction to Destroy Me in two words: HELL YEAH.

For any fan of the Shatter Me series, this novella is an absolute must-read. Told entirely from Warner's POV and picking up right from the cliff we left him at, Destroy Me is a chance to (finally!) get inside the life and mind of the young man we loved to hate in book 1.

The thing is, though, I didn't hate him. I felt like I should, but even at his worst, something about his character spoke to my twisted little soul, and try as I might, I couldn't write him off as just another bad guy.

Destroy Me doesn't wipe Warner's slate entirely clean, but it explains a lot of his actions and choices, and I challenge any of you to read it and not experience even the smallest change of heart about him. He may not win you over completely but he will win something - sympathy, grudging respect, what-have-you. In my case, he earned my full-fledged support.

Yep, that's right. After reading this novella, I am officially a Team Warner girl. No, I am not in any way spitting on the awesomeness that is Adam. I  freely admit that Adam is wonderful and a far more sensible (and obvious) love triangle choice, but Warner does it for me in a way Adam can't and never will. He is my favorite type of character, the one with the greatest potential to evolve and surprise me, and I'll be rooting for him right to the end.

5 Stars ★★★★★

Reviewed by:

Joint Review: Blood Shadows by Lindsay J. Pryor ★★★★1/2

Blood Shadows by Lindsay J. Pryor
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Blackthorn #1
Publication Date: November 27th 2012
ISBN: 9781909490017
Page Count: 380
Rating: ★★★★1/2
Review Copy: Own Purchase/ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey/Janice



Synopsis: For vengeance - would you trust a vampire?

For justice - could you betray your family?

For love - are you ready to question everything you believe in?

Gifted with the ability to read the shadows of 'third species' beings, Caitlin Parish is the Vampire Control Unit's most powerful agent. Despite that, her mission to hunt down Kane Malloy - a master vampire - comes with a death wish. Many have tried, but few have survived.

For Caitlin, tracking Kane is about more than just professional reputation. With her parents both mysteriously killed 7 years apart to the day, Caitlin knows that without Kane's help she is next.

She has four days to make a deal with the wicked, the irresistible, the treacherous Kane Malloy. The vampire who despises everything she stands for. Or die.

Janice's Review:

A vampire book with bite! 

I've become a little wary of vampire books in recent years because I feel like I've been there, done that, and bought the T-shirt at least a dozen times. Fortunately, this was one of those times I needn't have worried. BLOOD SHADOWS reminded me why I fell in love with vampire books in the first place, and why they will always be a staple part of my reading diet. Because when a vampire book is done right, it's right.

At first glance, BLOOD SHADOWS may seem like just another paranormal romance, but trust me, boys and girls, it is so much more! Pryor weaves in some intriguing dystopian-ish elements, creating a society where powerhouse supernatural races (aka "third species") are policed by humans. Hostilities, conflicts and age-old resentments abound. The world of BLOOD SHADOWS is a dark and violent place, and Pryor doesn't pull any punches conveying that to the reader.

The heroine of the story, Caitlin Parish, is a woman on a mission. As an agent of the VCU, it is her job to maintain order and keep the third species in check - and she's extremely good at what she does. Her latest assignment is tracking the elusive vampire Kane, a man who has consistently slipped through VCU fingers and whose list of crimes would make even the most nefarious of villains blush. Caitlin has studied Kane for years, determined to be the one to finally bring him to justice, but her interest in him isn't solely professional. Because, you see, as an old and powerful vampire, Kane may hold the secret to solving a mystery that has haunted Caitlin for years. She wants - no, she needs - information only Kane can give her.

Kane is no fool. He is fully aware of Caitlin's obsession with him. Little does she know, he has been watching her as well, and he has every intention of using her to fulfill his own plans.

Caitlin is a kickass heroine, yet there's a surprising fragility to her as well. I connected to her character easily and was right there with her through every emotional up and down. But Kane...Kane stole this show, folks. He isn't one of those "woe is me" vampires who is forever bemoaning his unfortunate, undead fate. Instead, he fully embraces who and what he is, thumbs his nose at human authority, isn't afraid to play dirty (in fact, he rather enjoys it), and best of all, he doesn't apologize for any of it. I freaking LOVED him.

The push-pull dynamic between Caitlin and Kane is superb and quite possibly the best I've ever read. They are relentless together, constantly pushing buttons, testing boundaries and peeling away layers. At the same time, they are fighting an intense and entirely mutual attraction which neither one of them wants to give in to. While their relationship does unfold over a relatively short period of time, it never once felt rushed or manufactured to me. Pryor makes every moment between these characters count, and the result is a complex, fully developed, and insanely hot romance.

BLOOD SHADOWS is a deliciously twisted and exciting tale. Everyone has an agenda, and motives are murky. Just when you think you've figured out who is doing what and why, Pryor will rip the rug out from under your feet. This isn't a comfortable and cozy read, folks. It will shake and stir you in the best of ways. I couldn't put it down.

Do I recommend this book? Hell yes! Whether you're a diehard vamp fan or just a lover of all things that bite and go bump in the night, BLOOD SHADOWS is a story you won't want to miss.

4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2

Reviewed By: 

Lynsey's Review:

In a word: Hot! 

A dark, gritty and extremely sensual read. I found myself very much enjoying BLOOD SHADOWS, Lindsay J. Pryor's debut novel, and am looking forward to reading future instalments in this uber-sexy paranormal romance series!

Our story is based in the fictional setting of Blackthorn (which reads a bit like a dystopian version of a modern British town/city), and features rival factions of supernatural creatures, and the human VCU (Vampire Control Unit) agents left behind to "police" them. Or that's the theory, anyway. The truth of the situation would differ depending on whom you asked, and what species they were. But I digress...

We follow our heroine Caitlin Parish, a young woman married to her job as an agent, with a borderline unhealthy fixation on one particular local vampire. A vampire whose rap sheet (were he ever actually caught and arrested) would turn the stomach of even the hardiest of professionals. But Caitlin, after her extensive "research" into his profile, wonders if there may be more to his story than the dozens of mutilated bodies left behind would suggest. Doubts or no, when the opportunity to finally take him down presents itself, Caitlin is front and centre in the queue to volunteer her services.

Kane, the vampire in question, was just ridiculously sexy. I mean ridiculously so; no woman even stands a chance. I wouldn't even bother putting up a fight, to be honest. Just accept the sexiness that is Kane, because resistance is futile. But as well as all that yumminess, he was also a very intriguing and complex character; a real anti-hero and an alpha male of the highest order. Caitlin, too, was a dichotomy of bold, tough agent, and meek, vulnerable female. Between the two of them, you're never able to fully settle on an opinion about them because they keep changing on you and moving the goalposts. They're also both adept at lying and evading, so trust is a major issue. But the really clever part was that the deceit goes not only between the two characters, but Pryor was also able to keep much of it from her readers as well. I loved not knowing what either character might do, or whom to trust. It had me fiendishly flipping the pages to find out.

As for the plot itself, it was tight and well-constructed. There were flashes of action and excitement, but also calmer stretches confined to one location. Which may have been boring were it not for the crazy amount of sexual tension in the room. All the way up to eleven, people, I'm telling you...

There were many cool twists to the story, some "No way!" moments and great supernatural elements. If I could wish for one thing, it would be to have learnt even more about the setting of Blackthorn itself. The snippets we got sounded interesting, so I would really like to find out even more details. Hopefully we will in the next instalment.

The next book, BLOOD ROSES, is set to feature yet another hot vamp and his special lady. So it will be a different couple per book, but I have a feeling we may not have heard the last of Kane and Caitlin. I certainly hope not:)

4.5 Stars ★★★★1/2

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Review: The Demon's Daughter by Paula Altenburg ★★★★

The Demon's Daughter by Paula Altenburg

Genre: Urban Fantasy/ Paranormal romance
Series: Demon Outlaws #1
Publication Date: March 26th 2013
ISBN: 9781620610374
Page Count: 400
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey



Synopsis: Hunter is the only man capable of killing the demons that left the
world in ruins. But when he’s hired by a notorious priestess to bring
a thief to justice, the Demon Slayer gets more than he bargains for.

Airie was raised in an abandoned temple as a priestess’s daughter,
having no idea of her true origins. In a time when any half-breed
spawn of a demon is despised by mortal and immortal alike, not knowing
the truth is the only thing keeping her safe.

Forced to flee her home in the wake of disaster and discovery of who she is, Airie must place her trust in a man who believes she should never have been born. And when a demon uprising threatens lives he has sworn to protect, Hunter has to make a choice: abandon Airie to an uncertain fate, or overcome his own personal demons and love her for who she truly is.

Review:

A demon-hunting dystopian cowboy romance? Uh, yes , please!

Well, this was a pleasant little surprise and such an unusual setting, making it unlike anything I've read before. I'm really glad I picked it up.

The story follows Hunter, a demon slayer, and Airie, a half demon, in a new world set 350 years past our own, on a planet now scoured by demon winds, our buildings, cities, and, well, everything buried under mountains of sand. The setting and style couldn't have been more interesting if it tried. Add to that the cowboy-like clothing and a population reverted back to a much simpler way of life in the now arid and harsh environment, and I was sold from the get go. I mean, who can resists a sexy demon hunter in a leather duster? Not me, that's for sure.

The writing style and story development was very easy to find a rhythm with, even though the POV shifts between more than just the two love interests, which is something a little different from a lot of PNRs. It gave the story-telling a well-rounded feel, one I enjoyed immensely.

Our heroine, Airie, was another Rapunzel-esque character with an incredibly sheltered upbringing. I seem to be on a bit of a run of those at the moment. It makes her seem naive in some respects, but her strength is undeniable. And watching her growth is, of course, part of the fun.

Hunter was a deliciously layered character, too; the reluctant hero. His life is nomadic, drifting and without a base other than Freetown where his friend—someone he saved from Demons many years ago—runs a saloon. It's also where Mamna, a priestess, manages to track him down to offer him a proposal: Bring her a troublesome thief down off the mountain, and receive a handsome reward. One suspiciously overgenerous for the task.

The best thing about THE DEMON'S DAUGHTER for me was, by far, the wordbuilding. Even overshadowing the romance. Normally, I might say that was a problem in a romance novel—even a genre romance—but in this instance, for a first-in-series, it was absolutely necessary as the setting was so unique.

Because of that concentration on set up, however, the romance lacked a tiny bit of punch. Only a tiny bit, mind. A couple more intimate scenes would have done the trick to solve it. A few more happy fun times. But overall, the romance was enjoyable and sweet, and the addition of Scratch was a real bonus. He was so cute for a character that doesn't speak!.

Would I recommend? Yes, absolutely, and I'll definitely read the next one.

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks

Highlander Most Wanted by Maya Banks
Genre: Historial Romance/Scottish Romance
Series: The Montgomerys and Armstrongs #2
Publication Date: March 19th 2013
ISBN: 9780345533241
Page Count: 352
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Lynsey



Synopsis: In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

Review:

A heartbreaking story

Wow, this book had me crying so early on, it has to be some kind of world record. If you're in the mood for a weepy, this is a great one.

So, you may recall from the first book in this series, NEVER SEDUCE A SCOT, when the Montgomery Laird stormed McHugh keep, it was a mysterious hooded figure that helped him by showing him the way to the dungeons. That hooded figure was Genevieve, the heroine of this story. Her tragic tale and pitiful existence will break your heart. I don't want to spoil it for you, but suffice it to say she has been through more than any one person should be asked to withstand, and is, in fact, still suffering at the McHugh Keep, even after the demise of her main tormentor.

In steps Bowen Montgomery, younger brother to the Laird, to oversee the takeover process at McHugh keep after their own cowardly leader has fled. He finds a shambles of a clan to clean up, a clan that for some reason, displays unbelievable cruelty towards Genevieve. Accusing her of all manner of hateful things. Once Bowen learns the true extent of Genevieve's many trials before his arrival, he is beyond furious. That fury soon turns into a profound admiration of her strength, and of her tremendous beauty, despite the horrific scarring that covers one side of her face.

I also found Genevive's strength admirable, and although it was horrible to read, her story was engrossing and affecting, causing me to blub rather pathetically before I was even a quarter way into the book. That sad side to the story did overshadow the romance aspect, however. Usually, when I finish a romance, I'm feeling uplifted and all "aww, how cute was that?" But with this one, there remains a shadow that hangs over it, tarnishing it, because no matter what good things may have come, Genevieve will always bear her scars, both on the inside as well as the outside. So there's this feeling of wanting to rewrite her a happier story, because she deserves one. I am sure Bowen will be able to heal her wounds eventually, though, even if he can never make her forget them. He was certainly a patient and attentive hero, with a much calmer temperament than many Scottish heroes.

All in all, another great read for Maya Banks fans, with a hero and heroine worth championing.
4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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ARC Review: Club Monstrosity by Jesse Petersen ★★★★

Club Monstrosity by Jesse Petersen
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: Monstrosity #1
Publication Date: April 29th 2013
ISBN: 9781476716183
Page Count: 224
Rating: ★★★★
Review Copy: ARC
Reviewed by: Janice



Synopsis: Natalie’s one of Frankenstein’s creations and works in a New York City morgue. So of course she needs therapy. She and her friends—er, fellow monsters—have formed the world’s most exclusive, most dysfunctional support group. What could go wrong? 

Undetected in the modern world and under pressure to stay that way, Natalie Grey, Dracula, Bob the Blob, and others (including the fetching wolfman Alec) meet regularly to talk about the pressures of being infamous in the Big Apple. Topics include how long it’s been since their last sighting, how their “story” creates stereotypes they can’t fulfill, and—gasp—sometimes even their feelings. But when their pervy Invisible Man, Ellis, is killed in a manner reminiscent of the H.G. Wells novel, it’s clear someone’s discovered their existence and is down for some monster busting.

Led by Natalie—and definitely not helped by Hyde’s bloodthirsty tendencies—the members of Monstofelldosis Anonymous band together for security and a little sleuthing. And maybe—maybe—if they don’t end up dead, they’ll end up friends somewhere along the way.
 

Review:

My Kind of Monsters! 

I love the premise for this book. I mean, c'mon, literary monsters holding regular support group meetings to help them survive and cope with life in the human world? Someone hunting down those same monsters and trying to kill them, just as they were killed in their stories? I was hooked before I even finished reading the book's blurb.

Natalie Grey is the last surviving Frankenstein's monster (not a Frankenstein - as she would be the first to tell you, Frankenstein was the doctor, not the monster). She has an apartment, a job as an assistant at the morgue, and all she wants to do is safely fly under the radar. She's seen what happens to monsters who draw attention to themselves, and she's been in enough hot water herself over the long years to know to avoid it. Being chased by angry mobs is not her idea of a good time. So she keeps her head down, attends her weekly Monstofelldosis Anonymous meetings, and tries to live a quiet, normal life. Well, as normal as you can get when you're made up of assorted dead body parts, are stronger than the average bear, and riddled with unsightly scars you can't risk anyone seeing.

I connected with Natalie's character right away. She's a monster in name only; everything else about her is human to the core. She's incredibly easy to sympathize with and relate to, and best of all, she reacts to situations and dangers believably. As a reader, I appreciated that. She's got some snark and spunk in her too...as if I needed more reasons to like her!

Natalie's leading man, wolfman Alec, was a total kick. I smiled at least once (usually more) during scenes told from his POV. He's such a charmingly irreverent rascal, the kind of guy who always has a joke or snappy comeback ready. He really brought the fun to this book, and yet, he could also be heroic and sweet, too.

Most of the story is devoted to solving the mystery of who is hunting the monsters down. It's the first time the members of Monstofelldosis Anonymous have really had to band together, uniting against a common enemy. It's an uneasy alliance for most of them, marked by the usual disagreements and personality clashes, and I rather liked that the author didn't try to force them all around the campfire to hold hands and sing Kumbaya at the end. They still have their differences and kinks to work out. Something I am sure we'll see more of in the next book.

There is a romantic subplot between Natalie and Alec but it's very tame, PG-rated stuff. I confess I was disappointed by that. I wanted more and got less. I'm crossing my fingers there will be more bow-chicka-wowing in the sequel. (Hey, a girl can dream, right?)

Club Monstrosity is a satisfying blend of light and dark storytelling, with a hero and heroine you're sure to love. Give these monsters a try, my friends. I guarantee they'll show you a good time.

4 Stars ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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