Vampires

Review: Lover Eternal by J. R. Ward

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Lover Eternal by J. R. Ward (UK edition)

Title: Lover Eternal (A Black Dagger Brotherhood Novel, 2)
Author: J. R. Ward
Genre: Erotica, Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Piatkus (3rd February 2011)
Blurb:

In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly war raging between vampires and their slayers. And there exists a secret band of brothers like no other – six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Possessed by a deadly beat, Rhage is the most dangerous of the BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD . . .

Within the brotherhood, Rhage is the best fighter, and the most voracious lover – for inside him burns a ferocious curse. Possessed by this dark side, Rhage fears the times when his inner dragon is unleashed, making him a danger to everyone around him.

Mary Luce is unwittingly thrown into the vampire world and reliant on Rhage’s protection. With a life-threatening curse of her own, Mary is not looking for love. But when Rhage’s intense animal attraction turns into something more emotional, he knows that he must make Mary his alone. And while their enemies close in, Mary fights desperately to gain life eternal with the one she loves . . .

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

LOVER ETERNAL is the second book in J. R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood. This book takes place after DARK LOVER (review), the first book in the series, and the focus of the book shifts to a new member of the brotherhood – Rhage. Rhage has been cursed; forced to unleash and possessed by his dark side he is a danger to everyone around him. Mary faces her own curse, as her world threatens to come tumbling down around her.

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Review: The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

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The Ruby Circle by Richelle Mead

Title: The Ruby Circle (A Bloodlines Novel, 6)
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, Young Adult
Publisher: Penguin Books (10th February 2015)
Blurb:

THEY WILL BE TESTED . . .

THEIR FORBIDDEN ROMANCE EXPOSED, ALCHEMIST SYDNEY AND ROYAL MOROI VAMPIRE ADRIAN FIND THEMSELVES FACING THE WRATH OF BOTH OF THEIR KIND.

When the life of someone they both love is put on the line, Sydney risks everything to hunt down a deadly former nemesis. Meanwhile, Adrian becomes enmeshed in a puzzle that could hold the key to a shocking secret about spirit magic, a secret that could shake the entire vampire world and alter his and Sydney’s lives forever.

LOVE WILL CONQUER ALL.

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

THE RUBY CIRCLE brings Richelle Mead’s fantastic Bloodlines series to its conclusion. Sydney and Adrian are living with the consequences of their actions at the end of SILVER SHADOWS (review), but things don’t seem to be going anywhere and they feel trapped. That is, until an unexpected arrival sets a chain of events in motion.

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Review: The Black Swan Inheritance by Marigold Deidre Dicer

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The Black Swan Inheritance by Marigold Deidre Dicer

Title: The Black Swan Inheritance (The Black Swan Series, 1)
Author: Marigold Deidre Dicer
Genre: New Adult, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Smashwords Edition (November 2014)
Source: The author/Smashwords
Blurb:

Anita had the kind of reputation in high school that no one wants to carry into adulthood, especially since she wants to be a doctor like her dad. Now at university, she is determined to be good, but one little end-of-semester celebration can’t hurt, right? Well, it can if she ends up having a one-night stand with a werewolf that triggers a dark awakening. Turns out Anita’s over-active libido has become more than something hormonal – it’s magical.
The Black Swan is a powerful legacy that brings both temptation and danger. Having now inherited the title and all that comes with it, Anita finds herself beset upon by ancient abominations that won’t take no for an answer. No wonder the Black Swan had been driven to seclusion and banishment in the past. But Anita is determined not to run away – she is here to help, whether the medieval dragon-wolf or the undead cultists want it or not.
She will be no one’s pawn. She will rise to the challenge.
If she can just manage to deal with her own flaws first. Anxiety, panic-attacks, and bouts of bitchiness does not a successful diplomat make.
Rating: ** (2 stars)
Review:
THE BLACK SWAN INHERITANCE is the first book in Marigold Deidre Dicer’s BLACK SWAN series. The story is set in Australia and follows the story of Anita as she settles into life at university, trying to be a different girl than the one she was in high school. Anita is determined to reach her goal of becoming a doctor like her father. Life, however, decides that her path won’t be quite as easy as she’d like.

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Review: Wild Things by Chloe Neill

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Book Cover of Wild Things

Wild Things by Chloe Neill

Title: Wild Things (Chicagoland Vampires, 9)
Author: Chloe Neill
Genre: Mystery, Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Gollancz Fiction (20th February 2014)
Blurb:

Since Merit was turned into a vampire, and became the protector of Chicago’s Cadogan House, it’s been a wild ride. She and Master Vampire Ethan Sullivan have helped make Cadogan’s vampires the strongest in North America, and forged ties with paranormal folk of all breeds and creeds.

But now these alliances are about to be tested. A strange and twisted magic has ripped through the North American Central Pack, and Merit’s closest friends are caught in the crosshairs. But who – or what – could possibly be powerful enough to out-magic a shifter?

Merit is about to go toe to toe, and cold steel to cold heart, to find out.

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

WILD THINGS is the ninth addition to Chloe Neill’s brilliant Chicagoland Vampires series. Merit’s story continues with the mayor of Chicago looking for someone to blame for Chicago’s recent paranormal activity, and Ethan Sullivan makes a good target. Merit and Ethan retreat only to find another enemy waiting for them.

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Review: Night’s Honour by Thea Harrison

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Night’s Honour by Thea Harrison

Title: Night’s Honour (The Elder Races, 7)
Author: Thea Harrison
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Piatkus (2nd September 2014)
Blurb:

In the latest Novel of the Elder Races, a woman finds herself in need of protection – and seduced by honour . . .

On the run from her former employer, Tess knows that she’s vulnerable on her own amongst the Elder Races. That’s why she decides to audition to become the human attendant of a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind demesne. But while her position affords her the safety she seeks, her protector turns out to be more than she bargained for.

The right-hand man of the Nightkind King, Xavier del Torro is both terrifying and alluring. While his true nature frightens Tess, she can’t ignore the appeal of his innate sense of integrity and self-restraint. Thrown into Xavier’s world, Tess must quickly learn to navigate the dangers – both to her life, and to her heart. But the biggest threat comes from her own past . . .

Rating: *** (3 stars)
Review:

NIGHT’S HONOUR is the seventh book in Thea Harrison’s brilliant ELDER RACES series. NIGHT’S HONOUR introduces Tess, who is on the run from her former employer. She decides that her greatest chance of survival lies in becoming a human attendant to a powerful vampire. However, things don’t quite turn out to plan.

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Review: Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

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Silver Shadows by Richelle Mead

Title: Silver Shadows (Bloodlines, 5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Penguin Books (29th July 2014)
Blurb:

TWO LOVERS, TORN APART . . .

THEIR WORLD HAS BEEN DESTROYED . NOW SYDNEY AND ADRIAN ARE STRUGGLING TO PICK UP THE PIECES AND FIND THEIR WAY BACK TO EACH OTHER. BUT, FIRST, THEY MUST SURVIVE.

Sydney is trapped and surrounded by enemies. Every day is a struggle to hold on to her identity and the memories of those she loves. Meanwhile, Adrian is told to forget Sydney, but he won’t give up hope – though old demons and temptations are beginning to taunt him.

Their worst fears have become a chilling reality. Sydney and Adrian are facing their darkest hour yet . . .

Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

SILVER SHADOWS is the fifth book in Richelle Mead’s epic BLOODLINES series. It continues the story of Alchemist Sydney Sage and Moroi Adrian Ivashkov as they fight to be together in a world that wants to pull them apart.

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Review: The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

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The Forever Song by Julie Kagawa

Title: The Forever Song (A Blood of Eden Novel, 3)
Author: Julie Kagawa
Genre: Dystopian, Paranormal Romance, Young Adult
Publisher: Mira Ink (2nd May 2014)
Blurb:

VENGEANCE WILL BE HERS

ALLISON SEKEMOTO ONCE STRUGGLED WITH THE ULTIMATE QUESTION: IS SHE A HUMAN OR MONSTER?

WITH THE DEATH OF HER LOVE SHE HAS HER ANSWER.

MONSTER.

Embracing her inner darkness, Allie is now determined to hunt and kill Sarren, the psychopath who murdered Zeke.

But the trail is bloody and long and Sarren is leading Allie’s dangerous fight to the one place she must protect at any cost – Eden, the last safe-zone on earth.

Forced into a battle that it may be impossible to win, Allie is about to face her darkest days.

And, if she succeeds, she could face surviving forever alone.

THE THRILLING FINAL INSTALMENT IN THE BLOOD OF EDEN TRILOGY

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

THE FOREVER SONG brings Julie Kagawa’s magnificent BLOOD OF EDEN trilogy to its conclusion. After the events of THE ETERNITY CURE Allie is determined to destroy Sarren and avenge Zeke. Allie’s journey to reach Sarren is not an easy one.

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Review: Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

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Murder of Crows by Anne Bishop

Title: Murder of Crows (A Novel of The Others, 2)
Author: Anne Bishop
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy
Publisher: ROC (4th March 2014)
Blurb:

Return to New York Times bestselling author Anne Bishop’s “phenomenal”* world of the Others – where supernatural entities and humans struggle to coexist and one woman has begun to change the rules . . .

After winning the trust of the Others residing in the Lakeside Courtyard, Meg Corbyn has had trouble figuring out what it means to live among them. As a human, Meg should be barely tolerated prey, but her abilities as a cassandra sangue make her something more.

The appearance of two addictive drugs has sparked violence between the humans and the Others, resulting in the murders of both species in nearby cities. So when Meg has a dream about blood and black feathers in the snow, Simon Wolfgard – Lakeside’s shape-shifting leader – wonders whether their blood prophet dreamed of a past attack or of a future threat.

As the urge to speak prophecies strikes Meg more frequently, trouble finds its way inside the Courtyard. Now the Others and the handful of humans residing there must work together to stop the man bent on reclaiming their blood prophet – and stop the danger that threatens to destroy them all.

* Urban Fantasy Investigations

Rating: ***** (5 stars)
Review:

MURDER OF CROWS is the second book in Anne Bishop’s fantastic THE OTHERS series. It continues the story of Meg Corbyn, who we first meet in WRITTEN IN RED (review), a cassandra sangue who wants to live a ‘normal’ life. Meg has survived so far, and slowly adjusted to the world outside but prophecy still calls to her, and as events in the world build the desire to cut and see the future grows.

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Review: Dinner With A Vampire by Abigail Gibbs

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Dinner With A Vampire by Abigail Gibbs

Title: Dinner With A Vampire (The Dark Heroine, 1)
Author: Abigail Gibbs
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampires, Young Adult
Publisher: Harper Voyager (11th October 2012)
Source: Secret Santa
Blurb:

One moment can change your life forever . . .

For Violet Lee, a chance encounter on a darkened street draws her into a world beyond her wildest imaginings, a timeless place of vast elegance and immeasurable wealth – of beautiful mansions and lavish parties – where a decadent group of friends live for pleasure alone. A place from which there is no escape . . . no matter how hard Violet tries.

Yet all the riches in the world can’t mask the darkness that lies beneath the gilded surface, embodied in the charismatic but dnagerous Kasper Varn.

Violet and Kasper surrender to a passion that transcends their separate worlds –  but it’s a passion that comes at a price . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

DINNER WITH A VAMPIRE by Abigail Gibbs is the first book in THE DARK HEROINE series. It tells the story of Violet Lee an almost eighteen-year-old who stumbles upon something she shouldn’t have, and gets drawn into a strange and dangerous world.

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Review: Dark Lover by J. R. Ward

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Dark Lover by J. R. Ward

Title: Dark Lover (A Black Dagger Brotherhood Novel, #1)
Author: J. R. Ward
Genre: Erotica, Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Piatkus (3rd February 2011)
Blurb:

In the shadow of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There also exists a secret band of brothers like no other – six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Among them, none relishes killing their enemies more than Wrath, the leader of the BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD . . .

The only purebred vampire left on the planet, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But when one of his most trusted fighters is killed – orphaning a half-breed daughter unaware of her heritage or fate – Wrath must usher the beautiful female into the world of the undead . . .

Beth Randall is helpless against the dangerously sexy man who comes to her at night with shadows in his eyes. His tales of brotherhood and blood frighten her. But his touch ignites a dawning hunder that threatends to consume them both . . .

Rating: **** (4 stars)
Review:

J. R. Ward’s series the BLACK DAGGER BROTHERHOOD is considered one of the series to read if you are a fan of the paranormal romance genre. I have been a fan of the paranormal romance genre for a while, but for various reasons haven’t read Ward’s series yet. DARK LOVER is the first book in the series it tellls the story of Wrath the king of vampires and Beth Randall the half-human daughter of one of Wrath’s fighters.

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