Thursday, October 29, 2015

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Siege of Lady Aloria


Christina McKnight is a book lover turned writer. From a young age, her mother encouraged her to tell her own stories. She’s been writing ever since. Currently, she focuses on Historical Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Paranormal Romance.

Christina enjoys a quiet life in Northern California with her family, her wine, and lots of coffee. Oh, and her books…don’t forget her books! Most days she can be found writing, reading, or traveling the great state of California.

Keep up with her on her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.


The Siege of Lady Aloria
A World of de Wolfe Pack Kindle Worlds Novella

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Lady Aloria has experienced firsthand what balls, betrothals, and the ensuing betrayals can do to a woman. To heal her heart, Aloria’s aim is to simply survive her final grand ball before her twenty-fourth birthday, and hope that her parents finally come to terms with her spinsterhood and allow her to retire to the country in peace.

Unfortunately, Marcus Adair, the Duke of Wolfeton, has other plans for her future. In town to secure a bride, he has set his sights on Aloria, and no other woman will do. But after a chance meeting in a darkened hallway, Marcus realizes he not only needs Aloria in his life; he desires her above all others.

Can Lady Aloria forget her scandalous past to build a future with the Duke of Wolfeton?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle:

I will admit. I don't read a ton of regency romances. Not because I don't like them, just simply because I prefer the darker stuff. Christina McKnight has, once again, made me question that. This novella was beautifully done, captivating, enchanting, and perfectly paced.

Set in Christina's Lady Forsaken world with ties to Kathryn Le Veque's de Wolfe Pack novels, we meet Lady Aloria, a voluptuous 24 year old in her last season, wanting to simply get it over with and retire to the country estate for some peace. She's had nothing but bad luck with love, and is kind of over it all. In her last ball celebrating her birthday, she stumbles upon the Duke of Wolfeton. He is, of course, perfect. But he has secrets, and those secrets may just be enough to break her.

While Marcus came to the ball to get to know Lady Aloria in an attempt to garner the attention of her father and gain access to his ships to move some cargo and hopefully get himself out of the mountain of debt his father left him with, he never expected to feel such a pull towards the hostess. But ton gossip spreads fast, and his chances with her almost end up being over before they begin.

The Siege of Lady Aloria is a wonderfully written tale of gaining trust, learning to love (both others and oneself) and second chances. I highly recommend it!!

The Siege of Lady Aloria

Wednesday, October 28, 2015

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of The Reaping


Tigris Eden is a military brat who's done her fair share of travelling, thanks to her Army father. She's married to the infamous LL and has three boys. She currently resides in Houston and is actively seeking a book-buddy for the end of the world.

You can find Tigris on Twitter, Facebook, and at her website.

Tigris is the proud creator of the Shadow Unit, New Earth, V Vices, Stories from Beauville, Romantic Tales Bedtime Stories, and Arctic Wolves series.


The Reaping
ARCTIC WOLVES #1.5

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The Reaping was supposed to be three trials. Three trials, Victor Canidae had to complete and in doing so–he’d successfully earn Nerina Simpson as his mate.

Three Trials. For him only.

But the Goddess Selene has plans of her own. Plans that are far reaching and affect not only Pack Canidae, but Clan Denali. A concern that has all of the Northern territory pulling out their claws.

The council all agree, Nerina is not the answer, in turn, bringing back insecurities and concerns, Victor thought long buried. But with this new twist in the mix, there’s only three things either of them can do.

Face their fears,

Face each other.

And above all, do not fail.

Quick and Dirty Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle:
An action-packed bridge novella in the world of Tigris's Arctic Wolves series, we get to experience the emotional ups and downs of Nerina and Victor as they undergo the Reaping. To me, personally, this novella had a lot of real world lessons that were hinted at. Ones that each and every one of us has either learned or needs to learn--insecurity, loss, difficult choices, bias, and so many more. I really like Nerina, and it was wonderful to see her and Victor come out on top after being put through the wringer. :) Complex world-building and suspense around every turn. I'm excited for more in the world of the Arctic Wolves.

The Reaping


Tuesday, October 27, 2015

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Tempted by a Vampire


About Susan Griscom:

“I daydream often. If I didn’t write, I think my mind would explode from an overload of fantasy and weirdness. To the annoyance of my friends and family, my characters sometimes become a part of my world. During my childhood, I would frequently get in trouble in school for daydreaming. Eventually, my vivid imagination paid off and I had the privilege of writing and co-directing my sixth-grade class play—a dreadful disaster; though not from my writing, of course, I must blame it on the acting.

The craft of writing, although dormant for years, never really left me. Many years later, and with the help of technology, I let my imagination run wild again.

Born in a small town in Pennsylvania, I enjoy writing about characters living in small quaint towns. I tend to lean toward the unusual and spooky. I read all genres but I love reading paranormal romance and like writing in that genre.

My paranormal playing field delves into a different milieu, abandoning vampires and werewolves, but not discounting them. Someday I might like to write a novel about vamps and those furry creatures. But for now I like the bizarre mixed with romance. A strong hero or heroine confronted with extraordinary forces of nature, powers and capabilities gets my blood running.

I live in Northern California with my very romantic husband, my small yippy dog, Riley, and my humungous black cat, Saké. My family consists of his and her children; four wonderful sons and one beautiful daughter, six grandchildren and another on the way. My greatest love in life is my family and those large and ever growing holiday dinners.

I enjoy traveling. I hate running, but do it once in a while. Reading and writing are my favorite pastimes.”

Keep up with Susan online at her: Blog | Website | on Facebook Twitter|Goodreads | and her Amazon Author Page.



Tempted by a Vampire
IMMORTAL HEARTS OF SAN FRANCISCO #1

Buy from Amazon / B&N / iBooks 

Cian DeMarco, a sexy, rockstar billionaire vampire has lived in San Francisco's prestigious Cliff Side neighborhood in his beautiful mansion overlooking both the San Francisco Bay and the Pacific Ocean for seventy years. Happily—or so he thought. Until the rare beauty that is Magdalena De la Rosa sits down at one of the front-row tables in Club Royal where he and his band perform once a week.

Magdalena De la Rosa has it all—Bachelor's degree in journalism, a job she loves in California, a gorgeous apartment in San Francisco, and a dream guy. Except her boyfriend lives and works in Sacramento—an hour and a half drive from the city Magdalena has always fantasized about living in. All her dreams change, however, when she and her girlfriend find their way into an upscale nightclub and she's suddenly swept off her feet by the lead singer of that night's performing rock band, The Lost Boys.
Sparks ignite between the two until a threat that was thought to no longer exist returns to wreak havoc on Cian's and Magdalena's lives. Will the temptation to be together outweigh the reality of what Cian must do to keep Magdalena safe from harm?

A stand-alone book. The first in the all-new Immortal Hearts of San Francisco series. 18+ due to adult content.

Our review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle:
Just in time for Halloween, we get a new vampire read. But don't expect just your dark and dangerous, it's sexy as sin, as well.

Cian DeMarco is a smoldery rockstar vampire living in San Francisco, playing with his band The Lost Boys (a group of vampires). His creation is a bit tragic, but his life is not. He loves the current age, his quiet, unassuming existence, doing what he loves in the city of his soul. Until he meets Magdalena and realizes there could be so, SO much more... He realizes there was something missing in his life and she's it.

Magdalena De la Rosa has a douchey boyfriend, but has temporarily left him behind to pursue her dream in San Francisco with her best friend. She's kind of let people walk over her a bit, even if she has taken the initiative to go and live her dream. When Cian enters her world, she begins to realize that sometimes you just can't plan for things. Sometimes they just happen and in the strangest of ways. And sometimes...it's worth it to throw caution to the wind. I will admit, I didn't like her at first. I thought she was a bit naive, but as the book continued, I saw her strengths immerge. I saw the lightbulbs go on and her decide to grab the reins.

Magdalena and Cian's relationship is full of tension. Slightly from within, of course (I mean he's a vampire, she's not sure how she feels about that, and they just met, what the heck do these irresistible feelings all mean!?), but more so from without. Cian's estranged maker is back and she wants "her boys"--Cian and his brother--back. And she's just crazy enough to do whatever it takes to get them (I mean seriously crazy!), and Maggie's stalker-ex has some major territorial issues and causes his own brand of trouble.

A thrilling and sexy thrill-ride. If you like your vampire fiction, I definitely suggest Tempted by a Vampire. Admittedly, there's nothing overtly unique about it (slightly difficult in a market that was saturated a handful of years ago with vampire paranormal romance), but in its own right it's exciting--likable characters, a titillating romance... And it's well done and well-written (plenty of quoteworthy moments!)

I think Susan has created a series that fans will be excited to jump into again and again (I know personally, there are some side characters that I am desperate to learn more about!). Go ahead, get tempted.

Tempted by a Vampire

Tuesday, September 15, 2015

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Scrape


Erin Kellison stories have always been a central part of Erin's life. She attempted her first book in the 6th grade, a dark fantasy adventure, and still has those early hand-written chapters. She graduated summa cum laude with a degree in English Language and Literature, and went on for a masters in Cultural Anthropology, focusing on oral storytelling. When she had children, nothing scared her anymore, so her focus shifted to writing fiction. She lives in Arizona with her two beloved daughters and husband, and she will have a dog (breed undetermined) when her youngest turns five. 

You can keep up with Erin online at her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.


Scrape
REVELER Book #8


The last battle will be a nightmare…

The Sandman has broken through to the waking world, bringing with Him a monster of a storm. Mirren Lambert and Vince Blackman set out to force him back into his own realm, while Malcolm Rook and Jordan Lane are cornered by an old enemy intent on revenge. They learn that there are no rules when fighting for the ones you love.

In the midst of the chaos, Harlen Fawkes is charged with finding a way to make dreaming safe again. As nightmares lurk in the fringes, waiting to attack, he is driven to a bold decision that will change the world Darkside forever. All the while, his heart is with Sera—will the love of his life ever wake again?

Steve Coll must come to grips with his altered nature. His passion for Maisie Lane transcends the darkness, and he becomes both a fearsome nightmare and the hero humanity so desperately needs. Armed with hope and love, he strikes out to defeat a powerful god. But will it be enough? Or has dreaming just become too dangerous?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:

How do I even write this review?? This is super-duper bittersweet for me. Reveler quickly became one of my top 5 all-time favorite series and holds a place in my heart that may be hard to fill, so coming to the end of this journey was something I both looked forward to and dreaded.

Erin Kellison, in my personal opinion, is a master of dark urban fantasy/paranormal romance. I hesitate to even call her books "paranormal romance" sometimes because they feel more like urban fantasy with romantic elements to me--EXACTLY what I love. She never, ever stays "in the box" with her world building and storylines, she always knows how to push the envelope juuuuust enough, and between all of that, she has relatable characters that will stay with you forever, edge of your seat action and suspense, and just a touch of super steam romance. It's the ultimate book lover/paranormal junkie's dream.

O.K, enough gushing, on to thoughts on the finale...

As the serial built, we saw the world Darkside get increasingly more dangerous and our cast of characters fighting tooth and nail to protect those they loved and those who could not fight for themselves. Each book had a bit of everyone, but generally focused on a "main" character couple. Scrape is one big dark, dangerous, action-packed, crazy rollercoaster of epic proportions, and each and every couple not only plays their part but gets their HEA (though not without one hell of a battle). I sat there shaking my head going "how did she even do that and make me satisfied?"

I'm not sure I can break this down properly without spoilers, but I will try. The individuals in the waking world that want to make Darkside the 'new normal' have started to rise up and take power, paving the way for their god, the Sandman, to reign. The Sandman has risen, and is now wreaking havoc in the waking world while his nightmares terrorize revelers Darkside. Each and every couple dives in headfirst in a battle of strength and wits to attempt their defeat of the Oneiros and the Sandman, while protecting each other as they are able. The battle is not without casualties, however, and there are losses on both sides. How catastrophic those losses and changes are, ultimately, isn't known initially, and gradually works itself out as the book progresses.

Now that all of the books are out, even if you're not an episodic serial fan, I HIGHLY suggest this series. I cannot emphasize how much I recommend it. You won't even have to wait for the next installment. :) It's rife with amazing characters, unbelievable action, thrilling drama and suspense, some super sexy (yet admittedly subtle at times) romance, and a world and concept that you won't be able to shake because it's unique, amazing, and totally captivating.

Take a chance. Dream dangerously. I can say with confidence that you won't be disappointed...

Scrape

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Abandoned and Unseen



Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate – even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near – even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first.

Carrie Ann’s Redwood Pack series is a bestselling series that has made the shifter world even more real to her and has allowed the Dante’s Circle and Holiday, Montana series to be born. She’s also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens.

Feel free to stalk Carrie Ann at the following places online –
Facebook, Twitter, Website, Blog, Goodreads, Amazon Author Page and Pinterest.

Alexandra Ivy is the New York Times bestselling author of the GUARDIANS OF ETERNITY, SENTINELS and IMMORTAL ROGUES series.

Alexandra graduated from Truman University with a degree in theatre before deciding she preferred to bring her characters to life on paper rather than stage. She currently lives in Missouri with her extraordinarily patient husband and teenage sons.

Connect with Alexandra: Website / Facebook / Twitter / Goodreads


Abandoned and Unseen
BRANDED PACK Book #2


Branded Packs Book 2

Abandoned

When bear shifter, Anya Tucker fell in love with the wrong man, the only thing she left with was a broken heart—and her two bear cubs. Now she’s mended her wounds and learned that in order to raise her babies she can only trust herself. When her sons meet the lazy cat next door and fall heads over tails for him, she’ll do whatever she takes to protect them—even from a past she’d thought she’d left behind.

Cole McDermott is a jaguar on a mission. Long naps, a willing woman, and a full stomach is usually all he needs when it comes to relaxing after a long day of protecting his Pack. Then he meets Anya and the burn of temptation is silky and tantalizing indeed. When a horror from Anya’s past threatens everything she loves, Cole will put everything aside and fight for her family—as well as his own.

Unseen

Nicole Bradley had no reason to live after the humans murdered her son. Not until she learns to hunt down those responsible for his death. Shifting into her wolf form at night, she slips out of the compound, determined to do as much damage as possible. The last thing she expected was to discover secrets that could destroy the SAU.

Polar shifter, Tucker Stone, lives off the grid. It’s the only way the Unseen can avoid being rounded up by the humans and tossed into a compound. Besides, he’s a loner by nature. But he can’t walk away when he sees the pretty female wolf in danger. Risking exposure, he takes her to his hidden den and tries to heal her wounds.

Can a reclusive polar bear and a wolf with a death wish find happiness together?

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:

O.K, I am going to preface this review by saying that I don't normally like collaborative series. It's just too difficult to make them feel seamless to me. Add in the fact that in order to hit proper page count they normally have to be novella length for each piece--which usually means those insta-lust and love situations that always make me cringe--and I don't always set out to buy them. With the Branded Pack series, however, I don't feel ANY of that, none of it, and after each and every installment, all I'm left with is a deep desire for more!

Abandoned and Unseen are stories 3 and 4 (book #2) of the Branded Pack series, and while it is a running series, they can absolutely be read as standalones. The worldbuilding is set up enough in each story that even if you were to pick this up without having read Stolen and Forgiven you would be just fine.

The series just keeps getting better and better... More deep and intriguing characters, more compelling storylines...

In Abandoned, we fine all 3 Packs being forced into the same compound. Not only do each of the shifter Packs have to deal with being forced into captivity, now they have to deal with sharing their very limited space with other predators and people with very differing personalities, habits, etc. Anya is a single mother raising her 2 adorable bear cubs, and her territory border butts up against that of an aggravating--if insanely sexy--jaguar, Cole. Despite Anya's very apparent dislike of Cole (mostly stemming from the fact that she wants him and doesn't WANT to want him) they're forced to work together when Anya's children are kidnapped.

The chemistry between Anya and Cole was undeniable, but it was fun to see them both try until they could no longer fight the pull and simply let the fireworks happen. And boy did they ever...

In Unseen, we get our first glimpse into the Unseen Pack--those rare shifters who avoided capture and captivity by the humans. Those without the brands and the collar. And they're all just a little bit...more, as well. Nicole is a wolf shifter still grieving the loss of her son. The main goal in the pit of her being is revenge. Some way, somehow. When she finally thinks her moment has arrived--on the anniversary of her son's death no less--she's thwarted by a very persistent and utterly captivating (and rare) polar bear shifter. Tucker knows immediately that Nicole is meant for him, and he will do anything to make it happen. Even let her put herself into danger, something that goes against every bone in his very large and sexy body.

Outside of the amazing story between Tucker and Nicole, we get glimpses into what I HOPE will be our next tale(s)--Mira and Sinclair, some more SAU secrets, a deeper understanding into how everything happened with the shifters' captivity in the first place, and more.

Abandoned and Unseen were fantastic installments in the Branded series and I cannot wait to see what happens next. Carrie Ann and Alexandra have a winner with this series. #happyshifterlover

Abandoned and Unseen

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Breaking Fate



Georgia Lyn Hunter loves to create characters who’ll take you to the far and beyond to unforgettable adventures, steamy encounters and heart-stopping love stories…

She grew up in the tropical climate of South Africa and currently lives abroad with her family.
When she's not writing or plotting her next novel, she loves trolling flea markets, buying things because they're so pretty, travelling, and being with her family.

She'd love to hear from readers.


Breaking Fate
FALLEN GUARDIANS Book #2


Amazon

An immortal without a soul is bad enough. But when his only tether to remaining honorable is his addiction to bone-crushing pain, it makes Blaéz a dangerously loose cannon.

A Guardian sworn to protect mortals from supernatural evil, Blaéz straddles the edge of darkness as his needs grow. When a good deed brings him to the doorstep of a female unlike any other, one whose touch ignites emotions long lost in the hellish pits of Tartarus, he’s determined not to lose her. She belongs to him. But she’s human. Forbidden. And bringing her into his life may just destroy them both.

Darci Callahan has given up on love. But when a lethally handsome stranger suddenly appears late one night, she finds herself inexplicably drawn to the captivating man with the pale, empty eyes—a man who awakens in her a desire she never believed possible. Except Blaéz brings more than unexpected passion to her life, he brings danger.

In this treacherous new world of gods and demons, Darci soon discovers a heart-shattering truth and the twisted games the gods play. Caught in the crosshairs, she’s forced to accept that, sometimes, no matter how much you love someone, you have to love them enough to let them go...

Our review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:

An enchanting world of danger and darkness, Hunter captivates with her sexy tale of fallen gods, demons, and forbidden love that conquers all.

Imagine if you will a broken hero (you know the ones we all love!!), one that was tortured for ages and left a shell of a man. One who goes out of his way to hurt himself just so he can FEEL. That is just the tip of the iceberg when it comes to Blaez. He was left an emotionless shell, a Guardian with a single purpose--to kill. Now, imagine trying to write that! A hero without emotion. One with a very, very important job, with people who depend on him, and all the while he can only pretend... I was worried. After all, how do you properly portray a hero who has no soul, no emotion? I shouldn't have worried! I instantly liked Blaez, and when he me finally meets Darci and he literally blossoms it was something truly magickal to behold!

And then there's Darci. She never really felt whole herself. Sequestering herself away with her books, keeping almost everyone at arm's length. And then her quiet, ordered, proper life gets blown to hell by this sexy as sin Immortal, who quite frankly, is an a$h*le. Watching her fight and claw to keep her order, but letting herself feel what just seemed to come naturally between her and Blaez was awesome. I really related to Darci, and I think a lot of other readers will, as well.

So all in all, what do you get with Breaking Fate? I pretty much said it all in my opening sentence, but it will definitely tug at your emotions. All of them. I laughed, I raged, I worried, I swooned (seriously, the quote-worthiness of this book is insane!) and when all was said and done, I felt utterly satisfied, and that's what you want when you read a good book, right? Some readers might not like the tennis match of emotions, but that's what I look for in a good read. I WANT to be made to feel, and all sorts of things...

I'm enchanted by Ms. Hunter's Fallen Guardians world and I cannot wait for more.

Breaking Fate

Friday, August 21, 2015

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of An Alpha's Choice


Carrie Ann Ryan is a bestselling paranormal and contemporary romance author. After spending too much time behind a lab bench, she decided to dive into the romance world and find her werewolf mate – even if it’s just in her books. Happy endings are always near – even if you have to get over the challenges of falling in love first. 

Carrie Ann’s Redwood Pack series is a bestselling series that has made the shifter world even more real to her and has allowed the Dante’s Circle and Holiday, Montana series to be born. She’s also an avid reader and lover of romance and fiction novels. She loves meeting new authors and new worlds. Any recommendations you have are appreciated. Carrie Ann lives in New England with her husband and two kittens. 

Feel free to stalk Carrie Ann at the following places online 
FacebookTwitterWebsiteBlogGoodreadsAmazon Author Page and Pinterest.


An Alpha's Choice
TALON PACK Book #2

Buy from Amazon / B&N / iBooks / Kobo

Brynn Brentwood has spent the whole of her life protecting the Talon Pack through terrors only she will ever know. She’s never asked for more in life other than to live to take her next breath and to ensure her family is safe. Regardless of her selfless wishes and the atrocities the former Alpha committed, she has always known that fate would provide for her as it had countless others. Fate is what has carried her through with one exception—upon meeting the one wolf who could be hers, he doesn’t feel their bond.

Finn Jamenson has been broken more than once, left beaten and half dead—and that was before he was an adult and Heir of the Redwood Pack. When called upon to work with their allies, the Talons, he finds himself intrigued with a woman who his wolf doesn’t claim as his own. Though he knows there could be something there, he refuses to tempt himself with a wolf who could never be his when his own mate could waiting for him.

The world changed in a blink of time and now the two wolves must fight as one—ignoring the burning temptation between them—when their people are threatened. With one wrong move, their homes could be destroyed and its up to Finn and Brynn to save them allif only they could save themselves.


Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:
An Alpha's Choice was my first 'official' foray into the world of the Talon and Redwood packs and I must say... I want more! Passion, conflict, beautiful story arc... Carrie Ann brings it all.

Talon Pack is a spinoff of Carrie Ann's astoundingly successful Redwood Pack series. In Talon, Packs have allied and the secret is out. Shifters exist. The humans aren't completely comfortable with that yet, so the Packs are treading carefully.

Our heroine, Brynn, is an Alpha female with Submissive tendencies. She's had a rough life, and it seems that everywhere she turns things are working against her. The mate her wolf covets doesn't seem to feel the same way about her. Sure, he craves her as a man would any beautiful woman, but she doesn't have that connection with Finn that she feels she should have.
Heir to the Redwood Pack, Finn, is the definition of a tragic hero. He was literally killed and put back together by the Pack's Healer has changed him--both emotionally and physically. His duty to his Pack is first and foremost in his mind, so if he's forced to work with the beautiful and aggravating Brynn, he'll do it. Despite how she affects his libido.

When things with the humans hit a critical plateau, Brynn and Finn must work together to smooth things over and save their Pack but it is anything but easy.... Not only within the conflict, but with each other.

Carrie Ann gives us a beautifully written Paranormal Romance with tons of tension, beautiful back story, an arc that promises loads of goodness to come, and even some parts that will be a bit.... shocking (especially to long-time fans). Intense, wonderful, gripping... two thumbs up!

*Copy gifted by the Publisher in exchange for an honest review

An Alpha's Choice

Wednesday, August 12, 2015

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Twilight Vendetta

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
.

Twilight Vendetta
WINGS IN THE NIGHT: REBORN Book #2


Most would support the extermination of the entire vampire race, and that’s exactly what will happen, unless his plan to organize a resistance force succeeds. Eva is the only mortal who’s ever managed to get under his skin. She’s haunted him his entire life. He senses when she’s in trouble, is drawn to her by energies he cannot understand. Eva is a thrill seeker who makes a hefty living writing about her adventures. Now, she wants to walk with vampires, to live among them. The book she’ll write afterward will be the work of a lifetime, and will help establish peace between the races. Education, enlightenment, understanding–these are the ways to end the current climate of fear and violence. Devlin is determined to visit destruction on humans. Eva is determined to stop him, even if it means betraying the powerful passion that burns between them, and the feelings underneath, feelings so explosive that even she is afraid to plumb them too deeply. Now, anti-vampire forces have taken captives–two young mutants Devlin is sworn to protect, and Eva’s own peacenik father. Eva and Devlin must find common ground to save innocent lives, and to prevent the annihilation of a species. Maybe his, or maybe her own. And in such close proximity, with so much at stake, the feelings they've been fighting, reach the boiling point.

Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Chelle:

Another enchanting installment from Maggie Shayne's legendary vampire world of vampires, Chosen, and the evil DPI, now made even richer by the addition of the Offspring and another new group that joins the party at the end of this installment.

Maggie Shayne has always captivated my attention with her Wings in the Night world, and Twilight Vendetta was no different as it took me on an action-packed thrill ride of danger, betrayal, loss, love, and growth.

Twilight Vendetta picks up where Twilight Guardians left off with the discovery of the Offspring, the destruction of the ship, The Anemone, and the vampires running for their lives from the evil government agency known as the DPI. While I would suggest reading Twilight Guardians before reading Twilight Vendetta, Maggie wrote it in such a way that things are laid out for you to follow. You just don't get the emotional investment of everything that happened with Twilight Guardians, and trust me, it's not something you want to miss. :)

Emma isn't your normal, everyday girl. She's an adrenaline junkie, and one of the Chosen--humans with a rare blood condition that stunts their life and the only ones able to be made into vampires. She also grew up with a vampire for a mother, and genius for a father, but her life has been all about living, in between doing everything she can to find out what happened to her mother when she was just a child. Her life has also been consistently tied to a certain handsome vampire who has saved her more times than she even knows about.

Devlin is a vampire with a tragic past. And he's not much for people. He's a loner, and his main goal is ensuring the survival of his kind. Unfortunately, a troublesome, beautiful Chosen keeps popping up every so often, disrupting his solitude and making him feel things he doesn't want to be feeling.

As circumstances force Emma and Devlin to work together to save Devlin's friends, the children the vampires saved from the Anemone, and Emma's father, they can longer fight their feelings for each other and sparks ignite.

As the DPI gets more and more corrupt and ruthless in their strides to take down the vampire race, secrets are revealed, alliances are formed, and some big changes must be made to ensure survival. The world-building and story arc of Wings in the Night: Reborn is unfolding beautifully, and I cannot wait to see what happens next!


Twilight Vendetta

Monday, August 3, 2015

[Archive] LITERAL ADDICTION's Review of Edge of Darkness

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan has over 40 novels published, including four series. Each of her four series has hit #1 on the NY Times. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature for 1999. Since then she has been published by Leisure Books,Pocket Books, and currently is writing forBerkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards. 

She is pleased to have made numerous bestseller lists including the New York Times, Publishers Weekly, USA Today, Bookscan, B. Daltons, Amazon,Barnes and Nobles, Waldenbooks, Ingrams, Borders, Rhapsody Book Club,Washington Post, and Walmart. She has received numerous honors throughout her career including being a nominee for the RWA’s RITA. She has received a Career Achievement Award from Romantic Times and the Borders 2008 Lifetime Achievement Award. 

She has been published in multiple languages and in many formats, including large print, palm pilot, e-book, and hardcover. In October of 2007 her first manga comic, Dark Hunger was released in stores. This was the first ever manga comic released by Berkley Publishing and it made #11 on Publisher’s Weekly Bestseller’s List. Her ground-breaking book trailer commercials have been shown on TV and in the movie theaters. She has been featured on local TV, appeared on the The Montel Williams Show, and her book Dark Legend was featured on the cover ofRomantic Times Magazine. 

Christine Feehan has also appeared at numerous writers’ conventions and book signings including: Romantic Times Convention, Get Caught Reading at Sea Cruise, Celebrate Romance Conference, Emerald City Conference, and numerous Romance Writers of America Conferences.

Connect with Christine on her Website, on Facebook, on Twitter, and on GoodReads.

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
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Lori Herter grew up in the suburbs of Chicago, graduated from the University of Illinois, Chicago Campus, and worked for several years at the Chicago Association of Commerce & Industry. She married her husband, Jerry, a CPA, and they moved to Southern California a few decades ago. They still live there with their two cats, Freddy and Jasmine. They have traveled extensively in the U.S., Canada, Europe, New Zealand, Australia, and Tahiti. Lori’s favorite destination of all is Ireland. Over several trips to Ireland she has visited all parts of the island, both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Delving into Celtic legends and Celtic Spirituality has been a special interest of Lori’s in recent years.

Lori has written romance novels published by Dell Candlelight Romances, Silhouette, and Harlequin. Some of these books are currently available as ebooks on Amazon and Barnes & Noble. She also wrote a four-book romantic vampire series published by Berkley with the titles OBSESSION, POSSESSION, CONFESSION, and ETERNITY.


WebsiteFacebook / GoodReads


Edge of Darkness

Take an all-new excursion in the world of the Carpathians from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan—joined here by Maggie Shayne and Lori Herter, two other masters of vampire romance in an original anthology that takes dark fantasy to rapturous new heights.

Dark Crime by Christine Feehan
Blaze knows who killed her father and she has merciless plans for payback. Until a phone call from a seductive stranger pleads with her to wait. Retribution is in his blood, too. Now, he and Blaze will be united in the blood of the guilty. Tonight, vengeance is theirs.

Dead by Twilight by Maggie Shayne
Bloodsuckers may be an accepted minority but one of them is getting away with murder. Until a female vamp teams with a mortal detective to end the killing spree. Now the night belongs to them—and so does every pleasure and danger lurking in the shadows.

Cimarron Spirit by Lori Herter
While excavating an Anasazi ruin, archeologist Annie Carmichael uncovers the resting place of a centuries-old vampire who finds in Annie the liberating mate he has longed for. But how much is Annie expected—or willing—to surrender for the man she now desires?


Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Vivacious Valkyrie and Pack Alpha - Marta & Chelle:
Dark Crime by Christine Feehan (Marta):

It's very hard to keep readers engaged as a series gets longer and it's a trap that many authors fall into. What worked so well in the beginning can become stale and readers constantly demand to be surprised. Ms. Feehan's Dark series has been such an interesting one full of intense emotions, beautiful narrative and incendiary heat. This story is shorter than most and yet is still full of passion and a few surprises and, of course, there's that little thing of claiming a life mate!

I really liked the beginning of this story and felt so much empathy for the heroine Blaze, whose life has been brutally changed forever. She deals with her grief by taking control of her own destiny, but a chance call to a stranger sees yet another rock thrown her way and this time it's a landslide ! The male who answers her call is Maksim and he's definitely not human he us Carpathian and now Blaze has fallen into his world and there's no way Maksim will ever let her leave.

Ms Feehan has somehow stepped away from her previous style and this felt far more modern with a fresh twist. If honest at first I didn't realise it was a Carpathian story and the plot was fuelled by unexpected alliances. Diehard fans will enjoy this but I think those who perhaps felt jaded might also see a fresh approach to tempt them back. I'm happy to report the story was not bogged down by excessive chanting (which many readers find repetitive) and as this story arc continues I know I wil be back for more!

Dead by Twilight by Maggie Shayne (Chelle):

I've been a fan of the Wings in the Night series since book #1, continuing with Wings in the Night: Reborn and Twilight Guardians this last year. I can, without a doubt, say that this was one of my favorite Wings in the Night tales, to date.

Maggie brings us another of her feisty, fiery, independent heroines with Chloe, and I found myself comparing her a bit to Rachel de Luca from Maggie's Brown & de Luca stories. She's just a heroine you love to love and her interaction with the hero was witty, sexy, and full of intrigue.

Overall, the story was smart, fun, and gripping. I am so, SO excited Wings in the Night is back and properly reborn! :)

Cimarron Spirit by Lori Herter (Marta):

This is quite a short read and it's by an author who is completely new to me. Our heroine is Annie an archeologist who, whilst investigating ruins, stumbles upon the find of the century, a vampire! Rafael de la Vega waited a long time for someone to ease his lonely undead life and although at first he wants nothing more than to see the back of the meddling woman as he gets to know more about Annie it's clear that what they both feel could be so much more than mere attraction.

Now nothing is ever that simple and if it was where would the story be? You see Annie is caught up in the midst of the dreaded triangle as Brett, who owns the land she digs on has proposed to her but is it love or just convenience ? Annie proudly proclaims the she is " her own woman " but can she make the right choice for her? A life with a family in the sun or whatever a vampire can offer and then there's the slight problem of Rafaels past and it's a lot closer than Annie realises!

I must point out that I did feel this was very reminiscent of Ms Feehan's work with similar names used and even shifting. I wonder if this was written possibly as a homage or even as fan fiction? Either way it did for this reader end a touch abruptly and I would have liked just a little more but as a quick read to while away an hour it hit the spot perfectly.

OVERALL:
We would recommend this anthology, especially for fans of the authors' series, those who discovered Christine and Maggie's work by first reading Lori Herter, and, of course, any fan of vampire fiction.
Edge of Darkness