No Mercy - by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Live fast, fight hard and if you have to die then take as many of your enemies with you as you can. That is the Amazon credo and it was one Samia lived and died by. Now in contemporary New Orleans, the immortal Amazon warrior is about to learn that there’s a worse evil coming to slaughter mankind than she’s ever faced before.

Shapeshifter Dev Peltier has stood guard at the front of Sanctuary for almost two hundred years and in that time, he’s seen it all. Or so he thought. Now their enemies have discovered a new source of power- one that makes a mockery of anything faced to date.

The war is on and Dev and Sam are guarding ground zero. But in order to win, they will have to break the most cardinal of all rules and pray it doesn’t unravel the universe as we know it. (cover comments via Amazon)

If you have NEVER read Sherrilyn Kenyon you have not READ! - if you have missed her Dark Hunter series, this is the newest book, and you need to get caught up cause you are missing out!! One thing about Kenyon's writing is it truly grips you starting with the first page.  In her Dark Hunter series, she has added a Greek mythology twist to her story line.  We have a race of Soul-eaters, Daimons, that must eat to live past 27 years of age, after being cursed by the great god Apollo.  To save the humans from them, sister goddess Artemis has created the Dark Hunters (great warriors who became Dark Hunters in an answer to their need for revenge).  As the Greek myths pull in we have 2 types of what we know as "weres" or "shifters", as well as those from the dream realm that can haunt us in our nightmares or make us hunger for sleep from their sensual invasion of our dreams, Dream-Hunters and Were-Hunters.  

This book is about one of our favorite "bears" Dev (one of identical quads), he guards the door to Sanctuary - the long time "safe place" where the motto is "Come in Peace or Leave in Pieces".  In the battle at our last book, Dev has lost his parents, on top of having lost his 2 of his older brothers which he blames himself for.  (I wish they made a stuffed Dev for us ladies to snuggle in bed)  Barreling down the road on her customized bike, is Samia, an Amazonian Dark Hunter.  She's confident, sexy, tougher than most men, and has an interesting power.  But she too has a past that haunts her and feeds her guilt and grief.  Dev and Sam desperately need a night of the "hot and sweaty" but they find that they fit together nicely however, can they both overcome their past?  If that weren't enough their Daimon enemies have just gained the edge they needed to tip the scales on their battles and they really feel they need Sam.  

No Mercy is magnificent.  Kenyon's found the way once again to keep me hooked to the book.  I found the last few of this series refreshing, in that I feel her series really is moving as the plot and action ahead of the love story.  So I get the best of both worlds; lots of action and lots of sex.  So in No Mercy, there was lots of action, I finished wanting to reinvent the Amazons.  The story developed in different realms.  We've got to wonder how with new powers are our Dark-Hunters going to keep the Daimons at bay in the new books.  She never goes overboard with the scene set up, you get just what you need to remember it and feel like you are there.  Her character dimension is admirable; the baseline characters are so intense and alive you feel like you know them and even if she brings in a new branch they fit right as if they were there all along.  I can't praise Kenyon's writing enough, in this book, this series, and her other series.  She also writes as Kinley MacGregor. 

5 slices 

Sherrilyn's writing has tons of action.  This is the series I most recommend to my male friends that read. Kenyon's done her research, she's got guns, bikes, cars, weaponry, fighting, sex and plot.  What more could a guy ask for?  

Clockwork Angel by Cassandra Clare

Magic is dangerous--but love is more dangerous still.

When sixteen-year-old Tessa Gray crosses the ocean to find her brother, her destination is England, the time is the reign of Queen Victoria, and something terrifying is waiting for her in London's Downworld, where vampires, warlocks and other supernatural folk stalk the gaslit streets. Only the Shadowhunters, warriors dedicated to ridding the world of demons, keep order amidst the chaos.
Kidnapped by the mysterious Dark Sisters, members of a secret organization called The Pandemonium Club, Tessa soon learns that she herself is a Downworlder with a rare ability: the power to transform, at will, into another person. What's more, the Magister, the shadowy figure who runs the Club, will stop at nothing to claim Tessa's power for his own.
Friendless and hunted, Tessa takes refuge with the Shadowhunters of the London Institute, who swear to find her brother if she will use her power to help them. She soon finds herself fascinated by--and torn between--two best friends: James, whose fragile beauty hides a deadly secret, and blue-eyed Will, whose caustic wit and volatile moods keep everyone in his life at arm's length...everyone, that is, but Tessa. As their search draws them deep into the heart of an arcane plot that threatens to destroy the Shadowhunters, Tessa realizes that she may need to choose between saving her brother and helping her new friends save the world...and that love may be the most dangerous magic of all.  (back cover comments via Amazon)

Since the back cover does this book much justice I will try not to summarize the story. 

After extremely enjoying the Mortal Instruments Series –TMI – (featured at the bottom, well done YA, draw to the characters, action-packed) by Cassandra Clare, I was desperately awaiting the release of Clockwork Angel.  This is the first book in the new series, Infernal Devices; which is a Victorian Era Steampuck spin off from the TMI series.  Set a little less than 150 years prior, we have cross over of heritages of some of our characters in the TMI series.  

I had a slow start to this book for me, since it’s not a continuation of TMI, I understood that Clare had to set up the book, which is a recap to what we learned previously.  As soon as the action started it picked right up for me.  I was thoroughly back in the Shadowhunter/Downworld realm that Clare designed for us. 

She has an unusual knack for twisting the story and I can’t wait to follow along, try to figure it out, and reach the end as I read her stories.(all a good thing)  I was immersed in suspense from about midway through.  Who will the Magister be, Who will find Tessa’s heart, all questions I wanted to know. 

As you can see, Clare kept me involved in the book.  Tessa, our main character, is era specific, yet we can still relate to her.  Of course, she is an avid reader, so she won my vote.  Our new friends, James and Will, will be exciting to watch as the series develops. 

Ultimately – I liked it, I gave it 3 slices and I’m waiting for her next in this and the TMI series.  

)

City of Ashes, City of Bones, City of Glass

Demon from the Dark - by Kresley Cole - Immortals After Dark

From New York Times bestselling author Kresley Cole comes this scorching tale of a demon outcast poisoned with vampire blood and the vulnerable young witch he vows to protect—even from himself.

A DANGEROUS DEMON SHE CAN’T RESIST . . .

Malkom Slaine: tormented by his sordid past and racked by vampiric hungers, he’s pushed to the brink by the green-eyed beauty under his guard.

A MADDENING WITCH HE ACHES TO CLAIM . . .

Carrow Graie: hiding her own sorrows, she lives only for the next party or prank. Until she meets a tortured warrior worth saving.

TRAPPED TOGETHER IN A SAVAGE PRISON . . .

In order for Malkom and Carrow to survive, he must unleash both the demon and vampire inside him. When Malkom becomes the nightmare his own people feared, will he lose the woman he craves body and soul? (back cover comments)

I personally don't think the "back cover comments" did justice for this book.  If you haven't read the IAD series, Cole developed characters and great story line around all of our favorites in the paranormal genre; Lycans, Vampires, Demons, Valkyrie, Witches, Spirits, Half-breeds and more are all eccentrically matched.  

Our lead character is briefly mentioned in the ending of one of the previous Immortals After Dark series books.  While not a "key" character in many of the IAD series, I'm glad that Kresley Cole has found a way to extend this series and add new life to it, although at first I was wondering exactly the link.  

Who would ever thing you would find happiness in the realm called Oblivion.  Carrow Graie counts on it else she'll have nothing to defend herself.  As a witch, she has powers that need to be recharged.  Currently, she's imprisoned and from someone who parties hard and loves a good prank, she's got to deal with what she can.  Until, she needs to become responsible for someone else.  Priorities change.  After making a deal to be set free, she's sent on a task to Oblivion, where she must lure demon, Malkom Slaine to our realm.  His dossier says he's dangerous, a murderer, and would rather have your head on a pike.  He's waiting for a great battle against his last enemy in his bid for revenge after being infected with vampire blood.  Little do they know that Carrow and Malkom will have to overcome some of the greatest challenges from their past to save themselves.  

Cole hits us with the exciting battles and the luscious sex to keep you interested as she develops these new characters.  There were a few points where I was frustrated for either Carrow or Malkom and it drug the book out for me a little, but overall I think it was well done, and again opens us new life for the series.  To often we have predictable couplings in our stories set up previously.  I loved Malkom's character and his development in the story.  I have to say I enjoyed him more than Carrow.  I give this 3 slices (out of five).  

Haunted by Your Touch - Anthology - Frost, Black, Kohler

Enter the dark realm of Nocturna in Jeaniene Frost’s redhot tale, where blisteringly sexy Raphael dominates the demons of a lawless dimension and tries to help a beautiful young woman avenge her cousin’s disappearance. 
In the shadowy world of Shayla Black’s Doomsday Brethren, magical warrior Raiden vows to protect his woman and their unborn youngling from evil—and deliver her safely to another man. But once he’s saved her, can he let her go? 
Lycans rule the night in Sharie Kohler’s suspenseful story, as a fiery woman stalks mysterious Luc, the undeniably hypnotic being she believes can save her from turning . . . if she kills him. 
Danger beckons in these captivating paranormal tales that will tempt readers to the edge and leave them begging for more.
(product description via Amazon)


On Sale October 26, 2010 


This book is HOT!  Three very seductive, steamy, suspenseful stories in one book had me riveted.  You don't have to read the series by either of the 3 authors before getting started with this book.  I have previously read Jeaniene Frost (both Night Huntress series) and Sharie Kohler (Moonchasers series) and have Shayla Black on my wish list, so I was THRILLED to see this anthology with all three of them.  I got a sneak peek at RWA 2010 from Sharie Kohler herself.  


Jeaniene Frost takes us to another realm, Nocturna, lead by Raphael, who is a fascinating, spicy Partial that has quickly taken an interest in our suspicious Mara who seeks revenge for her cousin.  Mara finds herself confused and betrayed as she uncovers who kidnapped her cousin.  Just as she thinks she is on the right path, she find that she is mated and in an interesting twist.  Frost gave us some very racy scenes that had me longing, with an interesting plot and outcome.  I definitely wanted more of Nocturna...


Shayla Black takes us on an emotional ride as we fall instantly in love with Raiden and Tabitha.  Raiden has given Tabitha her dream, but can he follow through?  Of course, you are not left seeking any thing with this short, my favorite sexy scenes are intense. 


Sharie Kohler, who I must thank for this ARC, wrapped me quickly with her short based on her Moonchasers series, which I LOVE.  Luc is unique and thrown into a difficult situation.  As Lycan with a twist he is out to be killed, when his murderer is a gorgeous woman that has his remembering his past.  While trying to save her, he is stuck helping her cope with her change, and giving her what she needs.  THANKFULLY, that is sweaty sex :) I can't wait for the next Moonchasers book, My Soul to Keep.  


Needless to say, but necessary, I LOVED this anthology.  The shorts were the perfect length, I was left breathlessly waiting for more.  I hope these 3 team up again, and I am definitely longing for more of all 3 of them.  I was in the world, detailed that I felt right along with the characters.  The "romance" was hard, fast, slow, sensual, that's right, all the ways we need it.  All three stories had action and suspense.  I give it 4 1/2 slices :) 

Butterbeer anyone?

For all of you Harry Potter fans out there, I have something tasty for you to try.  Since I live in Orlando, I was able to go to The Wizarding World of Harry Potter at Universal Studios before it's grand opening.  This was great because now that it's open it has insane lines for everything!  It takes hours just to get into the WWoHP section of the Universal, and then there are long waits for everything once you get in, too.  Anyway, the park is amazing! Universal did a great job (of course) of capturing the feeling of the books/movies in all the details.  One of the things I was most excited to try once I got there was the butterbeer.  It's as delicious as I imagined it would be.  :)   As some of you know, another hobby of mine besides reading is baking/cooking, so I figured I could make a tasty butterbeer at home.  I searched on the internet and tried a couple recipes I found on there, but they weren't quite right.  So I played around with them a bit and came up with what I think is a butterbeer recipe that's pretty close to what they serve in the park.  So for any of you out there that have wanted to try butterbeer for yourself, here's the recipe!! 

Butterbeer

3 tbsp butter
3 tbsp brown sugar
½ cup plus 3 tbsp butterscotch syrup
2 bottles/cans cream soda
1/2 cup heavy cream

Melt butter and brown sugar together over medium heat
Boil for about 30 seconds, stirring constantly
Add the butterscotch and boil for 1 minute, stirring constantly
Allow to come to room temperature
In a medium bowl, add 2 tbsp of the butterscotch mixture and the cream
Whip together until thick and foamy, not fully whipped like whipped cream.
Set this aside – it’s the topping for the drink.
Split the remaining butterscotch mixture between 2 tall cups
Pour ¼ of each can/bottle of cream soda into each cup
Mix well, until the butterscotch mixture is fully incorporated into the soda
Add the rest of the soda to each cup (it will foam a lot, so make sure you have enough room)
Stir slightly so some of the foam goes down
Add the whipped topping mixture to the existing foam and mix slightly
Enjoy!


If you find that the foam that it creates on its own is enough that you don’t want the whipped cream mixture, decrease all the ingredients by 1 tbsp.

Eileen Wilks - World of the Lupi - Lily and Rule

I'm starting book 4 - Night Season - in this World of the Lupi series by Eileen Wilks.  I wanted to mark these books since I'm playing catch up on some that have been out for a while. 

This series opens up a slightly different take on shifters.  Our 'normal' world is just learning of otherworld creatures, talents, and gifts.  Wilks delivers this well.  The main character Lily Yu is a Chinese American, while short in height, she packs a big attitude.  She's independent and a cop, with a gift of her own.  Meeting prince charming, literally, Rule Turner, immediately recognizes her role in his life.  He works hard to put him in that place and Lily has to accept him or...else :) While dealing with the lemon life has thrown at her, she can't stop there.  She's a cop and the head in a murder investigation.  So far she had to get a crash course in the World of the Lupi and isn't sure she wants her place in it.  But as the stories move forward we're finding where she belongs.  We've got sorcerers, demons, witches, gifted, dizzies, goddesses, and of course the MCD division of the FBI.  I love mystery in the paranormal world because there is so much...mystery to it.  I find these books a great twist on the traditional.  One thing I love about a series is when the "couple" doesn't end in the first book.  So far, Lily and Rule have had to develop and we get action, SEX (of course) and more development in the supporting characters.  Each of the books takes us through how they evolve so I don't feel like they were a closed "book".  

I can't wait to see where the next 4 books take me.  I just wanted to give you a brief overview.  We've got the latest book coming out in January 2011 and I'll trying to catch up as well as keep up with my current new releases.  

So far the series is a 4 for me :) 

SIN UNDONE by Larissa Ione

HER TOUCH IS DEADLY

As the only female Seminus demon ever born, master assassin Sinead Donnelly is used to being treated like an outcast. She spent decades enslaved, and now vows she’ll die before she’ll relinquish her freedom again. Then Sin’s innate ability to kill her enemies goes awry: She creates a lethal new werewolf virus that sparks a firestorm of panic and violence.
HIS HUNGER CAN’T BE DENIED
Half-werewolf, half-vampire Conall Dearghul is charged with bringing in Sin to face punishment for the plague. And she’s no stranger: He’s bound to her by blood, and the one sexual encounter they shared has left him hungering for her raw sensuality. Worse, Sin is the underworld’s most wanted and Con soon learns he’s the only one who can help her . . . and that saving her life might mean sacrificing his own. (back cover comments)

Can I just say WOW?  Ok, found Larissa Ione by chance with her Demonica Series.  I'm partial to my weres/shifters and my demons.  So when I tried her first book (Pleasure Unbound) I was hooked.  Ione has set up an underworld like none other.  The group of incubi demon brothers have pasts to overcome and these books pack a great story with an exciting action filled plot, plus down and out, hot grinding sex...so how can you not be hooked??  Sin Undone is the 5th book in this series and I was on pins and needles waiting for it.  I finished it in less than a day. 

Our brothers find they have a SISTER, the only female Seminus demon born (as her brother calls her Smurfette).  She's grown up alone and hard and that shows in the icy shell around her heart.  She's a tough assassin - BAD ASS assassin - and she doesn't like to depend on anyone, tossed in with being a succubi and being "owned" most her life.  Her world is ripped from her since she is responsible for dying werewolves around the world.  She unprotected and on the run, when she finds she has to depend on someone.  Con steps up, but can he break that icy shell?  He's sexy and she's been there done that, but he's the only one that can work her to do what's needed.  Can he over come his feelings on the friends and family that have died because of her.  

This book was packed full of action, full on battles, fighting off assassins, sex, cliffhangers, and an extra bonus romance.  Ione's writing is in the here and now, I really relate to how she writes and I love that.  She references the real world and things I grew up with.  The brothers, mates, and friends all have a genuine banter that sets me right in the room with them.  I didn't want to leave and I hope we have a few more in this series.  

As the book ends, we get a prelude to a break off series that I have high hopes for.  I see the characters in Demonica stepping in briefly in the new series.  

Ione also writes as Sydney Croft.  

I definitely recommend this Demonica Series, Sin Undone Book 5.  

Rating - 5 slices