The Embrace of Life and Death by Liz Strange

Kieran is a hundred-and-twenty-year-old immortal, originally hailing from the harsh, famine-stricken life of 1880s Ireland. He has surpassed death and thrived, gaining wealth, power and knowledge. Azrael is the angel of death, but his mission is far from ominous. He is the protector of the grief-stricken, and the champion of lost souls. The two are polar opposites in mission and nature, yet are inexplicably drawn to one another. The Supreme One sees all, and when he discovers the truth about the relationship he is enraged. Their commitment to be together must be stronger than his determination to keep them apart.(courtesy of Amazon)


Dark Kiss Trilogy spin off book.


To me, Liz Strange really knows how to grip you and pull you into the book as if it's reality.  I have enjoyed her Dark Kiss trilogy and was excited about this book because it was Kieran's story.  We met Kieran and while his part in the book was only a supporting role (if you will), from the first moment, his presence intrigued me.  He needed more of a story.  So when I heard he had his own, I had to read it. 


Strange opens up her writing on M/M erotica in this book.  She shows you true love and how when it's right, it doesn't matter who it is.  Strange knows how to write with such passion that I'm lost in it from almost the beginning.  The intensity is just amazing.  I enjoyed how an angel (Azrael) comes to love a vampire (our Kieran) and how they give everything to be together.  Even the Supreme One can not change how one loves.  For true vampire stories, Strange doesn't sugar coat the blood sucking.  There are 'vegetarians', not that I don't love and enjoy other series, but she definitely keeps them in the darker side.  


Strange definitely steams it up in this book.  I am interested to see if she continues the spin off to give us more of Daniel and Charles.  I'm thrilled that Kieran was her first spin off, because his story needed to be told.  Start from the beginning in this series, because you definitely need the full emotions of this series.    
We hope to have a guest visit from Liz Strange in the coming month or so, check back for the details 

In the Company of Vampires by Katie MacAlister

When Francesca arrives at GothFaire to save her mother from the trickster god, Loki, things go from bad to worse. Her immortal ex, Benedikt, is there, full of secrets-and with a new girlfriend. Now Fran must battle a power-hungry group who wishes to dominate both the immortal and mortal worlds-and the woman who claimed Ben's heart. It's a good thing Fran's no ordinary mortal... (courtesy of Amazon)

Definitely read 2 short stories by Katie Maxwell (Macalister’s pen name in YA) before reading this addition to the Dark Ones series. The two short stories can be found in Confessions of a Vampire’s Girlfriend or in standalone YA books – Got Fangs? and Circus of the Darned). I didn’t realize that before I dove into the new Dark One book, and had to back track just a bit.


Even though I was off kilter a little, MacAlister sets up Ben and Fran well in this book. Ben and Fran have a great banter between them. Fran is quite the pistol. With the shorts, I was able to wrap myself in to the heat and tension in the adult book even more, as it brings together their history. There is a little blankness in the 5 years that have passed, but the love of the chemistry between them truly drives the book. MacAlister has given another Moravian the chance at finding their Beloved, only this chance couldn’t be harder.

After 5 years, Ben is still hoping Fran will still come around, of course he didn’t expect to have her see him with another chic! Thankfully, the ever jealous pistol Fran, won’t back down. Battling would be girlfriends, and still someone on a murderous rampage, Fran has her work cut out for her.  Finally, they can come together, but will it be enough for Fran to truly become Ben’s Beloved? I found this book to be refreshing, lots of good humor as well as hot sex. I think the shower scenes, one in the YA book and one in this adult book, make for an interesting read in its self.  MacAlister definitely has a knack for bringing the fun, romance and mystery together.

Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston

When it comes to following her instincts, former Marine Dee-Ann Smith never holds back. And this deadly member of a shifter protection group will do anything to prove one of her own kind is having hybrids captured for dogfights. Trouble is, her too-cute rich-boy boss Ric Van Holtz insists on helping out. And his crazy-like-a-fox smarts and charming persistence are making it real hard for Dee to keep her heart safe...Ric can't believe his luck. He's wanted this fiercely independent she-wolf from day one, but he never expected teamwork as explosive as this. And now is his last chance to show Dee what she needs isn't some in-your-face Alpha male - but a wily, resourceful wolf who'll always have her back in a fight...and between the sheets.(courtesy of Amazon)


Book 6 in the Pride Series

Bad Ass chics rock! Laurenston gives us one chic that is her own army – Dee-Ann has been trained by the best – her daddy. Love her! Laurenston is not pulling any stops as she keeps her Pride series going with a new plot and fun humor, oh and don’t forget the steamy sex! The chemistry between Ric and Dee-Ann starts out in the last few books. Ric is one smart wolf, he’s got Dee-Ann right where he wants her, but he’s got to make her think she’s in the lead. What a smart man!

Ric has quickly learned that he can’t control or protect Dee-Ann, she doesn’t need it and he’s happy to let her do her thing. Which of course, her thing happily involves kicking some ass for him to keep him safe. I can’t enjoy it more! Shocking twist at the end shows us who has been behind the illegal fights. We also carry over more of Bo and Blayne in this book (they were the leads in Book 5) as well as meet a ‘friend’ from Dee-Ann’s past (who is the lead in the next, book 7).

Again, Laurenston keeps it fun and sexy with two mysteries mixed in!

 
 
 

Beast Behaving Badly by Shelly Laurenston

Ten years after Blayne Thorpe first encountered Bo Novikov, she still can't get the smoothtalking shifter out of her head. Now he's shadowing her in New York - all seven-plus feet of him - determined to protect her from stalkers who want to use her in shifter dogfights. Even if he has to drag her off to an isolated Maine town where the only neighbours are other bears almost as crazy as he is. Let sleeping dogs lie. Bo knows it's good advice, but he can't leave Blayne be. She may insist Bo's nothing but a pain in her delectable behind, but polar bears have patience in spades. Soon she'll realize how good they can be together. And when she does, animal instinct tells him it'll be worth the wait.(courtesy of Amazon)


Book 5 in the Pride Series

Poor Bo – he’s so misunderstood – he only wants one thing – BLAYNE. I LOVED this book. It had been a little while since my last Pride book and when I picked this one up to catch up on the series, I was SO HAPPY. The crazy Blayne has met her match with Bo. They are so ‘polar’ opposites (pun intended) and I thought it was just wonderfully done.

It can get a little confusing bouncing from couple to couple, but I enjoy how all the characters interact and are somewhat ‘related’ to each other in a bigger way then they might want to be. Laurenston has created her own pride, pack, gaggle – whatever we can call it – and it’s definitely not a group you want to mess with. Laurenston takes the biggest, baddest of them all and brings him in line with one of her best female characters. I am amazed at how Laurenston keeps the story straight and plays out the plot.  Blayne is the most loved chic in the group - and her boys want to only see her protected, man are they in for a shock...everyone thinks she's in need, but Blayne she's got her head on straight and don't give her a knife :).

This book was hot and fresh, keep on schedule and head out to get it, I’d hate for you to meet Bo if you were late – Read it! You’ll understand.

 
 
 
 

ROMANCING YOUR DARK SIDE TOUR Kick Off PARTY!!

We are so excited to be participating in the Romancing Your Dark Side Tour starting this Friday, August 5th.
(hosted by Book Reader Addicts and Virtual Book Tour Cafe)

7 Authors are coming together for the next 3 months to blog, giveaway, interview and promote - HOORAY!

We'll have three stops on the tour scheduled (check back to see if we get more):

Sept 1 - Jamie Magee - Guest Blog & Giveaway - Jamie is the talented author of the Insight series - Book 1 Insight and Book 2 Embody - check her website out here and click for our reviews for Book 1 and Book 2.

Sept 7 - Jaz Primo - Guest Blog & Giveaway - Fun, witty, and author of the Sunrise Vampires series - Jaz Primo will be visiting us - if you haven't found his page - click here - currently 2 books - Sunrise at Sunset (click for review) and A Bloody London Sunset.

Oct 27 - A. Jacob Sweeny - Guest Blog & Giveaway - inspiring author joining us for some fun - check out her book here - Pulse of  Heroes Book 1 in the Pulse Series. 

In addition to all the FUN - Many of the Authors are doing Giveaways not just on our site, but along the tour ride.  AND 1 LUCKY WINNER will win a NEW Kindle - the comments from the posts on each site will be entered in a random drawing. 

We'll be promoting this tour throughout the 3 months.  For the tour schedule - be sure to check at Virtual Book Tour Cafe and get to commenting starting Friday :)

Good Luck - see you back soon
Amy & Jenn

Author Giveaway - Liz Strange - Born of Blood and Retribution

You saw our review up for Born of Blood and Retribution (Book 3 in the Dark Kiss Trilogy)

Author Liz Strange is having a giveaway at her blog for YOU to win an ebook copy of the book!!!!

That's Right - head over - here for your chance to win!!

Keep in touch with Liz

http://www.lizstrange.com/

ENJOY!!!!!!

NEW RELEASE - Born of Blood and Retribution by Liz Strange

The world’s first vampire has come calling – and she isn’t happy.

After the brutal showdown with the Demarais and the reunion with Giovanni, Rachel is looking for nothing more than some peace and quiet. Harshika, the world’s first vampire, has other ideas. She's not pleased with the immortal race as a whole, finding them weak and too “human”. When called before her, the immortals are given an ultimatum: Submit to Harshika as her subjects or die.Now Rachel and her old friends must join with new allies to discover Harshika’s weakness…hopefully in time to gain freedom for them all. (courtesy of Amazon)


Third in the Dark Kiss trilogy - newly released.  


Strange hasn't disappointed me let - she knows how to write emotion, and hotness.  After Book 2 I was so involved with the characters it was hard to come back to reality - review. Strange brings in a new challenge in this book.  An ancient vampire that's a little crazy and a lot mad - just as Rachel is back with Giovanni and mending with Eli. 


Strange added this new twist to the trilogy seamlessly.  Everything meshed together.  Strange had to take some time to set up the new character, but overall I am hoping she is able to bring in more new elements and continue with this series.  She's no stranger to the erotic writing and bringing out the dark side in this book was well done.

I will always hold a special place in my heart for Eli, and of course, Rachel and Eli must work together if they plan to save their family.  I'm still amazed at how into the characters and the world Strange gets you.  Emotions are high and battles intense, and I enjoy how Strange ties up any loose ends.  


Strange continues the story in a spin off, The Embrace of Life and Death, review will be up soon.  
4 slices