[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Once Burned

 

Jeaniene Frost is the New York Times, USA Today and international bestselling author of the NIGHT HUNTRESS series and the NIGHT HUNTRESS WORLD novels. 

Jeaniene lives in North Carolina with her husband and enjoy reading, poetry, watching movies, exploring old cemeteries, spelunking and traveling (by car) when she’s not writing.  Airplanes, children and cook books frighten her.

From an early age Jeaniene was drawn to the strange.  She would sneak out and watch horror movies at every opportunity, much to her parents’ dismay of course.  At the tender age of 12 she began writing poetry.  Shortly after that, she read her first romance novel, and it was love at first read!  She knew she wanted to write her own novels someday, but figured she had plenty of time to do so.  With that attitude, she didn’t actually start writing seriously until she was almost thirty.

When she finally sat down to do it, she knew it had to have her two favorite elements in it:  urban fantasy and romance.  Everyone has a favorite Supe Group.  For Jeaniene it’s vampires.  The first time she went to Sunday school, her minister pointed to the cross on the wall and asked her if she knew what it stood for.  With all of the logic of an awestruck 5 year old, she seriously replied, “Yes, that’s what keeps the vampires away!”  She’s been hooked on vampires ever since.  

Once Burned, NIGHT PRINCE series Book #1

Author:  Jeaniene Frost

Synopsis:   She's a mortal with dark powers...

After a tragic accident scarred her body and destroyed her dreams, Leila never imagined that the worst was still to come: terrifying powers that let her channel electricity and learn a person's darkest secrets through a single touch. Leila is doomed to a life of solitude...until creatures of the night kidnap her, forcing her to reach out with a telepathic distress call to the world's most infamous vampire...

He's the Prince of Night...

Vlad Tepesh inspired the greatest vampire legend of all—but whatever you do, don't call him Dracula. Vlad's ability to control fire makes him one of the most feared vampires in existence, but his enemies have found a new weapon against him—a beautiful mortal with powers to match his own. When Vlad and Leila meet, however, passion ignites between them, threatening to consume them both. It will take everything that they are to stop an enemy intent on bringing them down in flames.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
I've been a Jeaniene Frost, Night Huntress fan since day #1. I love Cat & Bones, and have a soft spot for Spade, but I have been in love with Vlad since he was first introduced in the series and would anxiously await any parts in the novels where he would be called in for one reason or another. That all being said, I was anxiously awaiting this book and actually feared I may have been expecting too much since I was so excited for it. I needn't have feared, Jeaniene delivered and then some!

Once Burned gives us Vlad (THE man that ALL of the Dracula myths were based upon) in all his sexy, cocky, powerful, undead glory, and introduces a loveable, relate-able heroine and some villains that you will absolutely love to hate.

Leila is human, but with some 'extras'. She is able to conduct electricity through her body, and is psychometric. In attempting to deal with her 'additions', she's sequestered herself in a small town with a family of traveling carnies and is working as a trapeze artist. After being snatched up by some bad guys, she's thrown into a world that she knew existed, but never thought to be immersed in, and finds herself directly linked to a powerful vampire who's apparently #1 on everyone's hit list.

Vlad, having his mind reading abilities in addition to his pyromania, realizes when he's being spied upon psychically by Leila. The 2 are inevitably thrown together to sort out the wicked plot that is not only jeopardizing Vlad and Leila's lives, but that of their friends as well.

Leila is a great strong heroine and in my personal opinion, a wonderful match for Vlad. The two together are dynamic and explosive and the best part is that Leila's no damsel in distress. She's definitely her own woman, and while Vlad doesn't change for her either (thank goodness - he remains the same arrogant, sarcastic, sometimes merciless but never without a reason Vlad we've come to know and love), he accepts her feisty side and even encourages it.

Take these two utterly fantastic leading characters and throw them into the Night Huntress world that never fails to amaze with an action packed storyline full of intrigue, danger, twists, turns, and surprises around most corners, etc and you end up with one incredible read!

The first installment of the Night Prince series spin-off was an amazing addition to the Night Huntress World.

My only complaint was the abrupt ending because dang it... I want the next book NOW!

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Once Burned 5 Skulls and is eagerly anticipating the next book in the series. 


Once Burned

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Forever Enchanted

Maggie Shayne It was a sleepless night spent caring for a sick baby that jump-started New York Times Bestselling Author Maggie Shayne’s writing career.

A voracious reader and prolific writer from childhood, Maggie found herself without a book to read while coddling the colicky child. So instead she began spinning a tale of her own, creating a plotline that evolved in her thoughts until, a few days later, she sat down and wrote the story in longhand.

Now the author of more than forty novels, ranging from stories about Witches, vampires, psychics and ghosts, to bone chilling, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense and beyond. The genres she has mastered include women’s fiction, category romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal fiction. Maggie has honed her lyrical prose and made a name for herself on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon.com, B.Dalton, Booksense, Ingram’s, Barnes and Noble, and Waldenbooks (where she reached #1) bestseller lists.

Maggie is the winner of numerous awards, including two Romantic Times Bookclub Career Achievement Awards, the National Readers Choice Award, and the coveted RITA Award, for which she was nominated twelve times before finally winning.

She has also written for CBS daytime dramas, Guiding Light and As the World Turns. One of Maggie’s novels, Eternity, has been optioned for film.

Forever Enchanted, Book #2 of the FAIRIES OF RUSH series

Author:  Maggie Shayne

Synopsis: In a world of cars and shopping malls, Bridin sells New Age trinkets--and waits for the man who can help her return home to an enchanted kingdom called Rush. She meets a rugged stranger, who is actually Tristan, the usurper who stole her kingdom. Tristan, deposed by his brother, has escaped into the mortal realm determined to win and wed Bridin--for only the magic of their passion can save their enchanted homeland.

Our Review [by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha – Michelle L Olson]:  I have been, and will always be, a huge Maggie Shayne fan. Her Wings in the Night series is very special to me, & played an integral part in overcoming things during a very difficult time of my life. As soon as I had read them all and checked out a few of her other series, I started to hunt down her Classics. Fairytale and Forever Enchanted sat on my Kindle for quite awhile and now I am kicking myself for not reading them sooner. Fairytale was an absolutely wonderful adult fairytale, but Forever Enchanted took my breath away.

Action packed from beginning to end, Forever Enchanted pulls you in from the very first page and never lets go. When you flip the last page you are left wanting for nothing, except maybe just a little bit more. :)

Bridin and Tristan are an incredible heroine and hero and prove that the old cliche can often times be the most accurate - There really is a fine line between love and hate.

Fated to be mortal enemies by the actions of their ancestors it was expected that they would forever battle for the throne of Rush (or as Tristan's people call it, Shara). In order to stop Bridin from taking the throne Tristan locked her away on the Other Side (the mortal realm) from the time she was a little girl. Just 10 years her senior though, while he had her locked away so that she couldn't steal the throne or kingdom from him, he couldn't find it within himself to ever harm her, and in fact, provided for her as best he could.

Growing up with an animosity toward The Dark Prince, Bridin battles the conflicting feelings within herself over Tristan. He's her jailer, the one who stole her childhood, her freedom, and her throne, but he's always been a draw for her as well. She chalked it up to Stockholm Syndrome and a childish crush, but after she returns to Rush to try and reclaim the throne she realizes that it just might be much more than that.

When a series of events in Shara force both of them back to the Other Side and back into one another's lives in a capacity other than adversaries for the throne, the passion between them ignites and though they fight it at every turn, it soon becomes apparent that there's no way they can deny it.

Set in a complicated and beautiful world surrounded by captivating characters, Forever Enchanted was an emotionally charged and action packed thrill ride full of wonderful surprises.

I adored this book, and I would recommend it to EVERYONE.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Forever Enchanted an easily earned 5 Skulls. This will definitely go on my re-read shelf. :)

Forever Enchanted:

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Wicked Nights

Gena Showalter is a New York Times and national bestselling author of more than thirty novels in a wide range of genres.  Her fiction has appeared in Cosmopolitan and Seventeen magazines as well as on MTV, and has been nominated for the prestigious RITA, as well as the National Reader’s Choice Award. 

She has always believed in love...  An avid romance reader, she decided to try her hand at a story of her own, and is now the author of a multitude of white-hot paranormal romances, sexy contemporary novels, and thrilling young adult titles.

Gena’s wildly sensual page-turners have a mix of humor, danger, and wickedly hot sex – a combination that is sure to enthrall!  After all, she is universally known to be “made of awesome”, and we couldn’t agree more! 

Wicked Nights, Book #1 of the ANGELS OF THE DARK series

Author:  Gena Showalter

Synopsis:  Leader of the most powerful army in the heavens, Zacharel has been deemed nearly too dangerous, too ruthless--and if he isn't careful, he'll lose his wings. But this warrior with a heart of ice will not be deterred from his missions at any cost...until a vulnerable human tempts him with a carnal pleasure he's never known before.Accused of a crime she did not commit, Annabelle Miller has spent four years in an institution for the criminally insane. Demons track her every move, and their king will stop at nothing to have her. Zacharel is her only hope for survival, but is the brutal angel with a touch as hot as hell her salvation--or her ultimate damnation?

Our Review [by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha – Michelle L Olson]:

 

I am a huge fan of Gena’s. Her books are always on auto-buy for me, and getting an ARC of Wicked Nights was a real treat. 

Wicked Nights is the first installment of the ANGELS OF THE DARK series, a LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD spinoff. 

Our hero, Zacharel, is a warrior angel and commander to a group of misfit angels that the Deity is punishing for their ‘devil may care’ attitude toward humanity.  They’re sent on some pretty intense missions against demons and taught harsh lessons when they don’t show care towards the humans their supposed to be protecting.  Mr cool and collected suddenly finds himself confronted with a woman who just might turn his world on its ear and break some of the ice he keeps around his heart. 

Annabelle is a tortured heroine.  She’s spent a large chunk of her life in an asylum after a demon brutally murdered her parents in front of her, but because nobody believed her, she was accused of the crime herself.  Taken advantage of at every turn and rejected by those tasked with taking care of her and her family she’s becomed hardened but is thrown into a world of feeling when she meets Zacharel and his flock. 

The two together are magnetic.  Zacharel is an angel who has never felt much of any emotion, let alone desire.  When he meets strong willed Annabelle and is faced with her instense survival instinct, he can’t help but warm to her. Not to mention the passion that is undeniable between the two. 

LORDS OF THE UNDERWORLD fans will rejoice in a cameo by our favorite demon infected alpha males and a few of their feisty females, and have no fear… while this series doesn’t have the light moments that LOTU has (at least not yet), you will still get your sexy alpha males, strong females, steamy romance, and all of the intrigue we’ve come to expect and love from Gena.  You’ll also encounter a multitude of other secondary characters that you will want to know more about instantly, which is brilliant for a serial author, because it just makes us want the next installment that much more. 

The world is dark, engaging, open for intense growth, and steeped in deep philosophical undertones that I found utterly fascinating. 

LITERAL ADDICTION gives “Wicked Nights” 4 ½ Skulls.  I can’t wait to see which angel we’ll learn more about next.  There’s a trio that I’m dying to delve into pronto. ;-)

Wicked Nights:

 

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Fairytale

Maggie Shayne It was a sleepless night spent caring for a sick baby that jump-started New York Times Bestselling Author Maggie Shayne’s writing career.

A voracious reader and prolific writer from childhood, Maggie found herself without a book to read while coddling the colicky child. So instead she began spinning a tale of her own, creating a plotline that evolved in her thoughts until, a few days later, she sat down and wrote the story in longhand.

Now the author of more than forty novels, ranging from stories about Witches, vampires, psychics and ghosts, to bone chilling, edge-of-your-seat romantic suspense and beyond. The genres she has mastered include women’s fiction, category romance, romantic suspense, and paranormal fiction. Maggie has honed her lyrical prose and made a name for herself on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon.com, B.Dalton, Booksense, Ingram’s, Barnes and Noble, and Waldenbooks (where she reached #1) bestseller lists.

Maggie is the winner of numerous awards, including two Romantic Times Bookclub Career Achievement Awards, the National Readers Choice Award, and the coveted RITA Award, for which she was nominated twelve times before finally winning.

She has also written for CBS daytime dramas, Guiding Light and As the World Turns. One of Maggie’s novels, Eternity, has been optioned for film.

Fairytale, Book #1 of the FAIRIES OF RUSH series

Author:  Maggie Shayne

Synopsis: 

A chance to believe...

As a boy, Adam Reid stumbled into an enchanted forest — and met a magical lady who showed him his destiny. Now he is a sober and serious adult. And memories have faded of a childhood event that could not possibly have occurred...could it?

Brigit Malone is on a mission — a dangerous, larcenous quest that leads the mysterious lovely into Adam Reid's home...and heart. For sparks fly when her warm ebony gaze meets his sapphire stare — and a passionate enchantment binds them with invisible chains. But it would be insane for Adam to believe Brigit's arrival had been foretold — or that the sensuous minx is truly half-fairy — even as they travel together down an impossible path toward a dire peril only the magic of love can overcome...

Our Review [by LITERAL ADDICTION’s Pack Alpha – Michelle L Olson]: 
I've had Fairytale on my Kindle for quite some time. I had even started it once upon a time but was pulled away for something else and never ended up finishing it. I'm a huge Maggie Shayne fan and I can't say exactly why I hadn't finished reading it before now. Once I sat down and restarted it again though, I was kicking myself for not having done it sooner. I was thoroughly enchanted.

The YA tags for this book are completely misleading and I can't blame the reviewers who went in expecting a YA, got something completely different, and therefore gave it low ratings. It's not a young adult novel, it's a beautifully written adult fairytale. :)

Adam is one of those heroes that you can't help but love because while he's smart, sexy and confident, he's also a bit tortured. Plagued by memories and dreams that caused thoughts he was punished for having, he's made it his life's work to try and understand.

Brigit is a wonderful heroine. She's sassy, tough, and multi-dimensional. Torn between what she knows is right and what she's forced to do, she scrapes through life the best she can and overcomes some pretty hefty obstacles. She also deals with the fear that she might be a bit crazy, though in her heart she knows she's not.

The two of them together are amazing. A literal fairytale written by fate, it doesn't come easy for our leading couple. When they finally figure things out though, it's an emotional roller coaster of epic proportions.

When a book pulls you along, mesmerized, and ends with such emotion that it has your heart close to bursting & you close to tears, you know it was good!

While not the fastest paced read in the beginning, it was beautifully built, magically crafted, & wonderfully concluded. I can't wait to see what's next in the FAIRIES OF RUSH series.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Fairytale 4 1/2 Skulls and would recommend it to fantasy and paranormal romance readers who are searching for an emotional and action packed read.

Fairytale:
 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Whisper Cape

 

Regan Walsh was born in a small town in Pennsylvania. She enjoys writing about characters living in small quaint towns and tends to lean toward the unusual and spooky elements.

Today, she lives in Northern California with her very romantic husband, her small yippy dog, and humungous black cat. Her family consists of his and her children: four wonderful sons and one beautiful daughter, seven grandchildren. Her greatest love in life is her family and those large and ever growing holiday.

Whisper Cape, WHISPER CAPE series Book #1

Author:  Regan Walsh

Synopsis:  

A powerful woman, an extraordinary man, and a maniac who wants to destroy them. Fate has brought them together, but will it make them stronger or destroy them all in end?

Escape to a world where the impossible becomes possible and sparks ignite.

WHISPER CAPE is a town of secrets and Addison MacKenna soon becomes tangled in a web of them. Plagued with nightmares of her father’s sudden and brutal death, Addie struggles with her anguish and refuses to believe his demise was accidental.

Fighting to shake off one of those devastating early morning nightmares, Addison finds it even harder to escape from the vision of a man lying on the side of the road—a man she may have just killed. When she frantically tries to locate him, he seemingly disappears, just the beginning of strange occurrences in her life. She also cannot ignore the weird sensations in her own body. Suddenly, the impossible seems possible, but is that a blessing or a curse?

Believing that her continual and worsening nightmares are both the key to her own new abilities and the clue to her father’s death, Addie knows she will not rest until she has the answers she craves. As she strives to cope with her new remarkable talents, someone else learns of her abilities—a disgruntled maniacal psychopath with his own agenda that involves eliminating Addie. The only one who can protect her, instruct her in the use of her powers and teach her how to destroy the murderous monster is the same man who makes Addie’s heart race and her blood heat with passion. The same man she’d left for dead.

Cael Sheridan may be arrogant and mysterious but he's also undeniably gorgeous. A member of a secret society, he is sworn to protect the woman he believes to be the daughter of his recently murdered mentor. In the process, he finds it impossible to resist her magnetic sensuality, complicating his efforts to shield and guide her as she learns to manage her newly acquired skills. At the same time, Addison has much to teach him about trust and commitment. Fate has brought them together, but will it make them stronger or destroy them both in end?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha, Michelle L. Olson: 

I was contacted by a troupe that I work with to do a promotional Event for Regan Walsh in July. I had never heard of her before, nor had I heard about Whisper Cape. Trying to be the good book website admin and book promoter, I went out and bought the book on Amazon and when a gap opened in my schedule, decided to sit down and read it. I COULDN'T PUT IT DOWN!

In my honest opinion, this was one of the best new Urban Fantasy books I have read in the last year or so, and I've been doing A LOT of reading for review. I don't know if it just caught me in the right mood for this type of read or what (since I'm seeing a bit of mixed feelings from reviewers), but I personally thought it was fantastic and immediately recommended it to all 1,700+ of my Literal Addicts. :)

The premise is fresh, the characters relatable, the plot intense, the romance steamy... what more could you want?

Cael, the hunky hero of our story (and yes, I'm not afraid to admit I have a serious reader crush on Cael!), returns to Whisper Cape on a job for the secret society he's employed to. Upon his arrival, he runs into our fiesty heroine Addie and nothing is ever the same.

Addie has just returned to Whisper Cape after losing her father, and is living out a comfortable yet slightly boring life with her aunt and pseudo-uncle (her aunt's live-in boyfriend).

The dynamics between Cael and Addie throughout the story will have you laughing, on the verge of tears, frustrated, elated, and a plethora of other emotions in-between.

The plot is intense, mysterious, dark where it needs to be, light in others and thoroughly engrossing.

Believe me, if you're a paranormal suspense lover like I am and think you are the best at figuring out 'whodoneit'... you're probably going to be wrong in this one. I thought I had it figured out at least twice and upon completion of the book, still went "huh". :)

After flipping the last page I was elated that I had found such an amazing read, but saddened that I thought it was a single title and there would be no more. I was VERY happy today to find that there IS another WHISPER CAPE book planned for November, called "Reflections", and it will immediately go on my Pre-Order list.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives Whisper Cape a well earned 5 Skulls and would recommend it to all Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Suspense, and even Romantic Suspense lovers.

Regan, major kudos!! 

Whisper Cape:

 

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Taken

Vicki Pettersson is the author of the New York Times bestselling SIGNS OF THE ZODIAC series – a six (6) book Urban Fantasy series set in her hometown of Las Vegas, NV.

She holds a BA in English and worked for 10 years as a showgirl in the now-retired Folies Bergere.

She’s good with that though; she considers herself retired as well and passes the time as a scribbler waiting until she’s old enough to join the cast of the Palm Springs Folies (a 55 and over troupe).  Once that happens, she hopes to once again fritter away her nights with sequins, eyelash glue, and her best gal pals.  As she always says… everyone needs a dream!  After all, you can take the girl out of the show, but you can’t take the show out of the girl. 

Since she has a few years yet until she can un-retire and join the PSF, she’s now writing a new supernatural noir trilogy, also set in Vegas, but with an entirely new world and cast of characters.  It features a supernatural private-eye and a rockabilly reporter with a nose for trouble.  The CELESTIAL BLUES series debuted with “The Taken”, on 7/12/12. 

Vicki divides her time between her family in Vegas and Dallas. 

The Taken, CELESTIAL BLUES series Book #1

By: Vicki Pettersson

Synopsis:  Griffin Shaw used to be a PI, but that was back when gumshoes hoofed the streets . . . and he was still alive. Fifty years later, he's an angel, but that doesn't make him a saint. One small mistake has altered fate, and now he's been dumped back onto the mortal mudflat to collect another soul—Katherine "Kit" Craig, a journalist whose latest investigation is about to get her clipped.

Bucking heavenly orders, Grif refuses to let the sable-haired siren come to harm. Besides, protecting her offers a chance to solve the mystery of his own unsolved murder—and dole out some overdue payback for the death of his beloved wife, Evie.
Joining forces, Kit and Grif's search for answers leads beyond the blinding lights of the Strip into the dark heart of an evil conspiracy. But a ruthless killer determined to destroy them isn't Grif's biggest threat. His growing attraction to Kit could cost them both their lives, along with the answer to the haunting question of his long afterlife . . .

Our Review by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle L. Olson:
I received an ARC of this book from the Publisher in preparation for an Event that LITERAL ADDICTION was doing with Vicki in mid-June 2012. I'm a fan of Ms. Pettersson's, and seeing that this was the first in a new series I was seriously intrigued. Not to mention that the blurb was original and that peaked my interests even more.

In preparation of the read I did a little research and saw that the pre-release reader reviews were quite low rated. While I didn't let that impact my decision to start the book or my thoughts, it was always in the back of my mind. After finishing, I have to say that I'm very shocked at the low reviews. I REALLY enjoyed it!

It was a heart pumping mystery with intense action, old fashioned romance, and just enough of the preternatural to keep it in my 'usually preferred' genre, and while it's a long book, I read it in 3 sittings.

I adore Grif. Maybe because I've always been an absolute sucker for the dicks & gumshoes of the past - the Humphrey Bogarts and Dick Tracys of the world. Those smart, sexy, intense, standoffish, sleuthy men who could solve a crime by finding a book of matches. Those that while maybe not classically handsome could still make your heart swoon with just their smarts, a cock-eyed fedora and a trenchcoat. *sigh* Grif is all that and a bag of chips! LOL. He's uber sexy, tortured, haunted, smart (and smart-a**), plus... he's an angel (literally).

Kit is an amazing heroine as well. She takes on the world with a smile, all the while staying true to herself despite what others think. She's also strong, smart, and compassionate and an incredible investigative journalist (a profession I thoroughly enjoy in my fiction).

Together, these two are the ultimate pair, yet their relationship is tragically flawed and utterly doomed from the start. It made you cheer them on and wish for the best even more, and made my heart swell anytime anything did go their way breaking through Grif's ice and bringing one of those wide smiles to Kit's face.

I loved the book and I'm really looking forward to the sequel!

I have to say that while I enjoyed the action, mystery and romance, my favorite part of the book was the underlying message - that life is meant to be lived, enjoyed one day at a time to its fullest, and that death shouldn't be feared, because dying means you were once truly alive.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives The Taken 4 1/2 Skulls and would recommend it to all Urban Fantasy and Mystery lovers, especially those with a penchant for vintage PI and Detective work.

The Taken:

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Chase Me

Tamara Hogan loathes cold and snow, but nonetheless lives in the Minneapolis exurbs with her partner Mark and two thoroughly spoiled cats. When she’s not telecommuting as a quality and process engineer for a global networking company, she enjoys writing dark paranormal romance with a space-opera twist. A voracious reader with an unapologetic television addiction, Tammy also enjoys frequent outings to the Mall of America. (Hey, someone has to provide all those orphaned shoes and boots with a loving home.)

In 2009, Tamara’s first novel, "Taste Me" (then titled "Underbelly"), won a Daphne du Maurier award, and was nominated for the Romance Writers of America's prestigious Golden Heart®.

"Chase Me", UNDERBELLY CHRONICLES Book #2
By:  Tamara Hogan

Synopsis: 

THE SECRETS SHE'S UNCOVERiNG WILL BE HIS TO KEEP...
Centuries ago, when their ship crashed to Earth, paranormals of all types settled secretly into our world, quietly going about their business with humans none the wiser. Self–ruling and careful to stay below the radar, all is threatened when Valkyrie archaeologist Lorin Schlessinger and her werewolf geologist partner Gabe Lupinsky inadvertently draw evil attention to Earth and its treasured natural resources.
As the threat intensifies, Lorin and Gabe struggle to contain the chaos they've unleashed, and to resist their explosive mutual attraction ...


Our Review, by Michelle L. Olson - LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha:
"Chase Me", UNDERBELLY CHRONICLES book #2, was another well written and enjoyable read by Ms. Hogan.

In my personal opinion, it wasn't quite as good as book 1, "Taste Me" (though that one had a music undertone mixed in with all of the parnormal, so it is kind of hard to beat for me). The world is still great though, I still love the characters, & the romance is, as expected, still steamy - even when the hero isn't an incubus. :)

Our hero, Gabe, is multi-dimensional. A go-getter Werewolf with a disability trying to make a name for himself in the corporate world at a young age. Because of the persona he projects to do so however, nobody guesses that he's got a passion font that runs deep and is as sexy and alpha as any other male out there.

Our heroine, Lorin, is a smart, sassy, spunky, strong-willed, impulsive Valkyrie with a love for archaology and many, many needs.

The two of them together may sound like the ultimate odd couple, but that's what makes their relationship so incredibly fascinating. They don't want to want one another but... boy they do. And circumstances demand that they give in to those desires. When they do, the heat burns up the page.

As with the first UNDERBELLY CHRONICLES book, the world and supporting cast were magnificent. Tamara's spin on the origins of the preternatural races is fresh, exciting and utterly captivating. The Council, made up of a 1st and 2nd chair from each of the races, is fiery and makes for great tension within the read. The return of some of our favorites from book #1 was wonderful as well. I hadn't realized how much I missed them until I was immersed back in their world.

Like I mentioned above, overall, I didn't love the plot as much as I did the one in "Taste Me", but those with a love for history and archaology and business will probably over-rule me on that point and say it was actually even better than the first one.

All in all Tamara Hogan is a fabulous author and I absolutely love the Urban Fantasy world that she has created for all of us to enjoy.

I'm eagerly awaiting the release of book #3 to see who we get to learn more about next and what happens within the races in their search for the ultimate truth of whence they came.

LITERAL ADDICTION gives "Chase Me", 4 Skulls.

Chase Me: