*This title will be released on May 22, 2012*

Title: Lethal Rider Author:  Larissa Ione Series: Lords of Deliverance #3 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal Romance Excerpt: Yes Source: Netgalley Reviewed by: Julia Mass Market Paperback: 464 pages Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; May 22, 2012 ISBN-10: 0446574503 ISBN-13: 978-0446574501   Sexual Content: Several sex scenes. Rating: Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

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This week Abigail and I have the opposite of a “perfect game” going on.  There are many titles that received unanimous approval, but we also have a perfect record of asynchronous thumbs down going on.  Not one title got two thumbs down this week. In a few instances, we mentioned the exact same detail and then went our separate ways (my favorite is the battle axe rock star).  Feel free to chime in an help us break all these ties.

I sometimes have a hard time objectively evaluating cover reveals for beloved series (how can you untangle the adrenaline of a new book coming out from the cover itself?).  This week I didn’t give many thumbs down, but my affection for the Sookie Stackhouse series as a whole couldn’t overcome the unfortunate scene depicted on book #12.  To balance that disappointment, however,there was a rare “bare chest with floating animal” cover that actually got a thumbs up. Enjoy!

*This title will be released on August 30, 2011*

Title: Supernatural Author: Larissa Ione, Alexandra Ivy, Jacquelyn Frank, G.A. Aiken Series: Lords of Deliverance #1.5, Nightwalkers #1.5, Guardians of Eternity #7.5, The Dragon Kin #4.5 Cover Art: N/A Genre: Paranormal Romance Excerpt: See each story below Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Abigail Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Zebra (August 30, 2011) ISBN-10: 142010988X ISBN-13: 978-1420109887 Sexual Content: See each story Rating: Good - A fun read with minor flaws. Maybe read an excerpt before buying.

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Description

In this tantalizing collection, four New York Times bestselling authors invite you into the alluring worlds they've created in the Demonica, Guardians of Eternity, Nightwalkers, and Dragon Kin series. Each mesmerizing page will leave you craving more. . .

"Vampire Fight Club " by Larissa Ione

When a wave of violence forces shapeshifter Vladlena to go undercover, her first stop is a haven of vice—with a dangerously sexy vamp in charge. Both Vladlena and Nathan are hiding something, but they can't conceal the lust that simmers between them . . .

"Darkness Eternal " by Alexandra Ivy

After being held captive by one vampire for four centuries, Kata had no intention of taking another one to the underworld with her. Yet even in the pits of hell, there's no ignoring the intoxicating desire awakened by his touch. . .

"Kane " by Jacquelyn Frank

Kane knows Corrine was meant to be his. . . just as he knows that truly possessing the lovely human is forbidden. But on the night of the Samhain moon, the beast in every demon is stronger than reason, and Kane's hunger is more powerful than any punishment. . .

"Dragon on Top " by G.A. Aiken

Escorting the highborn Bram through deadly Sand Dragon territory will try Ghleanna's patience. . . and her resolve. For Bram is determined to enhance the journey with a seduction no female could resist. . .

Review

Don’t let the cover fool you, this is a super sexy anthology featuring demons, witches, vampires, and dragon shifters determined to claim the ones they love.  All four stories tease and tantalize readers to delve deeper into their paranormal romance series, and in two of the four stories, they succeeded.

"Vampire Fight Club " by Larissa Ione (Lords of Deliverance #1.5)

Set in the same word as Ione’s Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series (and featuring character cameos from both series), “Vampire Fight Club” follows a young shifter who infiltrates an underground supernatural fight club in order to avenge the death of her brother.  She ends up working for the jaded and detached manager and vampire, Nathan, who has his own vengeance to deliver.  Sparks fly fast and hot between these two while still allowing the motives of each character to stand on their own.   The obstacles to their relationship are genuine and kept the romantic tension sizzling throughout the story.  Newbies to this world will definitely want to plan a longer trip while series fans will enjoy this deeper look into Nathan’s life. Read an Excerpt

Sexual Content: Scene of sensuality. Graphic sex scene Rating: 3/5

"Darkness Eternal " by Alexandra Ivy (Guardians of Eternity #7.5)

“Darkness Eternal” is sort of a supernatural Snow White story where the prince is a vampire and Snow White is a centuries imprisoned witch.  The two end up in running from a demon in the underworld which consisted mostly of sex scenes and just a little running and fighting right at the end.  The characters had whiplash inducing mood swings that had them insulting, comforting, and declaring eternal love for each other all within hours of meeting.  It was jarring and had me rolling my eyes several times.  While the writing was good, and the worldbuilding had potential, the characterizations and flimsy-even-for-a-novella storyline kept “Darkness Eternal” from sitting well with me.   Read an Excerpt

Sexual Content: Several graphic sex scenes Rating: 2/5

"Kane " by Jacquelyn Frank (Nightwalkers #1.5)

“Kane” is the perfect example of what a good novella should be.  It established a very cool demon/druid mythology with lots of subtle nuisances and a real sense of the worldbuilding without dragging down the story, and made me want to read the rest of the Guardians of Eternity series.  Kane, a demon, becomes consumed with a human, Corrine until one night he touches her.  His punishment—and consequently hers—is swift and brutal, until it is revealed that Corrine is Kane’s mate and their separation nearly kills her.  For a story that takes place almost entirely in a bed, I found “Kane” to be the most romantic story of the bunch.  Yes, it gets very steamy, but the romance builds beautifully and makes those steamy scenes truly satisfying.  The writing is top notch too.  My only complaint is that it wasn’t long enough. 

Sexual Content: Scenes of sensuality. Graphic sex scene Rating: 4/5

"Dragon on Top " by G.A. Aiken (The Dragon Kin #4.5)

“Dragon on Top” is all about role reversal.  The uber alpha dragon warrior is the female and the quiet, peace-seeking character who needs protecting is the male.  I tend not to enjoy these type of stories anyway, but I found this one to be especially off.  Ghleanna is so alpha she practically pees standing up, and Bram is beta with a lowercase ‘b’.  It was almost like someone went back after the story was written and just switched all the pronouns.  It didn’t help that Ghleanna was constantly bickering with her equally annoying brothers.  This was my least favorite story in the anthology.

Sexual Content: Several graphic sex scenes Rating: 2/5

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