Rabid Reads
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Early Review, Excerpt and Giveaway: Hunter Reborn by Katie Reus
Happy Monday! One of my favourite Werewolf Paranormal Romance authors is stopping by the blog today to share an excerpt from her upcoming release, HUNTER REBORN, and give away 24 print copies of the book. And, if you need a bit more arm twisting to convince you, I’m sharing my 4.5 star review too. Take it away Katie Reus!
Excerpt
Larissa didn’t look at him, just kept her jaw clenched tightly as they strode down the sidewalk toward the hotel where she’d been staying with Magda. Now is not the time for a discussion of your idiocy.
He growled at her frosty tone and spared a glance behind him. Brianna and Angelo were about twenty yards back, keeping a decent distance between them in case there were any more surprise vamp attacks. They were going to be the lookouts while he and Larissa infiltrated the hotel, then they planned to bring Angelo in to check the scent too. Now more than ever they needed backup.
Connor had contacted both him and Angelo about a vamp breach at the ranch. Aiden was just thankful that no blood had been shed and that the breach had nothing to do with Larissa. His very frustrating mate. My idiocy? What the hell are you talking about? he demanded as they reached the first set of the spinning glass doors of the hotel’s multiple front entrances.
She looked at him and raised one dark, perfectly arched eyebrow. “Perhaps you’d like to show me how to use this fancy contraption?” she purred, her voice dripping with ice as she motioned to the entry.
These types of entrances had been around when she was alive. She was obviously trying to piss him off. “I was just trying to help earlier.” He couldn’t understand why she was so mad. It was like he’d accidentally flipped some imaginary switch and he couldn’t turn it off. Ever since they’d left the diner she’d refused to speak to him, only answering questions he asked aloud and he was positive she did that only because the others had been in the SUV with them. But if he’d dared talk to her telepathically she’d completely ignored him. And forget about touching her. He’d tried to put his arm around her shoulders once but she’d shrugged his hand away.
“If I need your help, I’ll ask for it. But don’t hold your breath,” she snapped out before turning on her heel and stalking through the door. She moved quickly, not giving him a chance to join her in her section of the spinning door.
Scrubbing a hand over his face, he followed. His inner wolf clawed at him, demanding he make things right between him and Larissa but he didn’t know how. They’d never argued when they’d been together. Not truly and not once after they’d bonded. And he didn’t know why they were now.
Katie Reus is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Red Stone Security series, the Moon Shifter series and the Deadly Ops series. She fell in love with romance at a young age thanks to books she pilfered from her mom’s stash. Years later she loves reading romance almost as much as she loves writing it. However, she didn’t always know she wanted to be a writer. After changing majors many times, she finally graduated with a degree in psychology. Not long after that she discovered a new love. Writing. She now spends her days writing dark paranormal romance and sexy romantic suspense.
Website | Facebook | Twitter | Newsletter | GoodReads
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Hunter Reborn
Author: Katie Reus
Series: Moon Shifter #5
Publisher: Signet
Published on: February 3, 2015
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Werewolves
Format: 368 pages, eARC
Provided by: NetGalley 
The thrilling new Moon Shifter novel from New York Times bestselling author Katie Reus.
Losing her was the hardest thing he’d ever endured....
Warrior shifter Aiden’s investigation of the trafficking of vampire blood leads to a startling discovery: the beautiful vampire bondmate he thought was dead. Decades ago, they’d defied their powerful families to be together, but then Larissa disappeared without a trace. When their mating link broke, it nearly destroyed Aiden. Now she’s back with no memory of where she’s been. Even more shattering—Larissa claims she has no idea who Aiden is.
Now she’s back....
It’s a race against time to bring down an operation more evil than his pack ever suspected, and Aiden finds himself working side by side with a mate who no longer trusts him—and she wants out. But he lost her once, and he won’t let her go again. Unfortunately, Larissa’s blood is the key to a powerful monster’s dangerous plan—and he’ll stop at nothing to destroy her, sparking off a war between the supernaturals and humans that no one will win.
Amazon | Kobo | B&N | Book Depo | Google Play | iBooks | Indie Bound | Powell’s | GoodReads
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I knew from the previous installment that HUNTER REBORN was going to home in on Katie Reus’ vampires, and that was a tad worrisome because I LOVE her werewolves. Well, it turns out that I enjoyed her bloodsuckers almost as much, especially with Larissa at the helm. There were several romances unfolding in conjunction with the central one so that kept things interesting, and the story had some Vlad flair to it which unequivocally equals action as anyone who’s even remotely familiar with the Impaler will affirm.
It’s tough to maintain the same level of world-building after five books, particularly in Paranormal Romance, but somehow this author accomplishes it. I was impressed with her fang mythology, and will be holding out for more in subsequent MOON SHIFTER novels. The lore encompassing the Brethren was clever as was the role that the heroine’s abilities played in crushing the plot’s antagonist. I was happy with the way that Reus incorporated all of this series’ previous main characters while also simultaneously adding new ones.
Originally I thought that this was going to be Ryan and Teresa’s tale because of the introductory chapters, and the fact that I didn’t read the blurb (my bad). I was hoping for more quality time with the werewolf cowboy hacker; however as far as side threads go, it was a good one. I also enjoyed the cute sparks between Lucas & Vivian, the cubs that the pack adopted, as well as Natalie & Aldric’s burgeoning flirtations. It’s hard to pinpoint who’ll be the next couple to get their HEA, but I like the candidates so far.
Second chance romances have been growing on me in recent years, maybe it’s an age thing, either way Reus knows how to sate her readers’ thirst for PNR. Larissa’s been in stasis for sixty years which made her POV quite humorous because on top of having to reconnect with Aiden, she had to decipher twenty first century tech. The compulsory between the sheets romp doesn’t go down until the last chapter, although there was lots of heavy petting along the way, so you’re not left completely high and dry on steam.
HUNTER REBORN wasn’t my favourite MOON SHIFTER installment, but it’s in my top three.
Was this review helpful? If so, please consider liking it on GoodReads!
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Giveaway
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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Blog Barrage Sign Ups - Taken by a Dragon by Felicity Heaton
I’m organizing a blog barrage from March 10th to 22nd, 2015 for the seventh installment in Felicity Heaton’s new ETERNAL MATES series, TAKEN BY A DRAGON. Each post will feature an intro piece, blurb and cover, excerpt, author bio and links, plus information on a huge giveaway Felicity will be hosting that week on her website to celebrate the release of TbaD. Individual international giveaways will also be available to each tour participant, just so long as they use Rafflecopter, and are willing to include some of the author’s social media as extra entries. Felicity is available for brief interviews (5-7 questions) upon request. Advanced copies are available for review as well.
The book is scheduled to release on March 10th, 2015. It’s a Paranormal Romance set in the Vampire Erotic Theatre universe. 90,000 words in length, and contains detailed love scenes and fight scenes. It can be read as a stand-alone, although reading CLAIMED BY A DEMON KING prior to this one is advised.
Every participating blog in this barrage will be entered into a giveaway for a $100 Amazon Gift Card (or UK equivalent). The giveaway is international, and the prize will be drawn at the end of the barrage at random from a list of all blogs who posted as scheduled during the event, and the winner will be notified via email.
Possessed by a need to save a beautiful Amazon warrior from the vision he witnessed, Loke snatched her from the midst of the battle between the Third and Fifth realm of the demons, and carried her to his home deep in the black mountains of Hell to protect her. But as the fierce little female awakens, he finds she’s anything but grateful, and his dragon instincts roar to life to warn she might be more to him than an enemy—she might be his fated female.
Anais remembers meeting a handsome warrior in the heat of battle, a man who was her enemy but who looked at her with eyes that held dark heat and wicked promises. When she wakes to find that same dragon shifter has taken her captive, desire is the last thing on her mind, but escaping him to return to Archangel, the hunter organisation she works for, sounds less than appealing when he reveals the reason he took her—to stop her from dying.
Can Loke protect Anais from the dangers of his realm and how far will he go to save her from the future he keeps witnessing? Can Anais resist the fierce attraction that burns between them as hot as fire and stay true to Archangel or will her heart be taken by the dragon?
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Felicity Heaton is a New York Times and USA Today international best-selling author writing passionate paranormal romance books. In her books, she creates detailed worlds, twisting plots, mind-blowing action, intense emotion and heart-stopping romances with leading men that vary from dark deadly vampires to sexy shape-shifters and wicked werewolves, to sinful angels and hot demons! If you’re a fan of paranormal romance authors Lara Adrian, J R Ward, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Gena Showalter and Christine Feehan then you will enjoy her books too.
If you love your angels a little dark and wicked, the best-selling Her Angel series is for you. If you like strong, powerful, and dark vampires then try the Vampires Realm series or any of her stand-alone vampire romance books. If you’re looking for vampire romances that are sinful, passionate and erotic then try the best-selling Vampire Erotic Theatre series. Or if you prefer huge detailed worlds filled with hot-blooded alpha males in every species, from elves to demons to dragons to shifters and angels, then take a look at the new Eternal Mates series.
If you want to know more about Felicity, or want to get in touch, you can find her at the following places:
FelicityHeaton.co.uk | Facebook | Twitter | Pinterest
GoodReads | Amazon
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Cover Reveal & Excerpt: Grizzly Love: Big Bear Romance by Eve Langlais
Grizzly Love | Kodiak’s Point #5
February 17, 2015
Dr. Jess is his soulmate. His grizzly knows it. He knows it. Suspects she does as well. But he does have one dilemma standing in his way.
Her husband.
Talk about inconvenient.
Good thing Travis is tenacious. Even if he has to travel across an ocean, endure scorching temperatures, subsist on crappy food and survive attempts on his life, he won’t give up until he wins her heart.
Or dies trying.
Jess made a mistake. She married too young, to the wrong man. Problem is, hawks mate for life, and murder is against the law. To add more insult to the situation, her mate won’t even attempt to be a husband. It seems he isn’t interested in keeping his vows, nor is he coming home anytime soon, so when the chance arises to confront him, she takes it. However, facing him changes nothing.
Freddie doesn’t want her…but Travis does.
And oh how she wants him too. Wants, and yet can’t have him.
However, her marital problems aren’t the only issue. Their pursuit of the nefarious being behind the attacks on their town is being sabotaged by treachery. When Jess and Travis barely survive an ambush, she can no longer deny her love for the rascally bear. But will they survive long enough to see if it’s possible for her to rectify a wrong and take him as her mate?
Welcome to Kodiak Point, where the wildlife might wear clothes, but animal instinct rules the heart.
Excerpt
Rawr!
The unexpected and extremely vibrant roar in his head made Travis wobble on his feet, which sent people scurrying. He couldn’t blame them. A guy his size falling over could lead to some squished body parts and possible broken bones. Something he well knew given it happened to him during his scrawnier years when trying out for football.
What he couldn’t figure out was why his bear felt a need to vocalize at all. Sure Travis was injured, hence why he walked into the emergency room of their local clinic—his second home due to his accident-prone nature. But he’d gotten hurt worse in the past.
His bear rawred again, a happy grumble that was, this time, also joined by a hunger. Not a hunger of the belly—his ma kept him too well fed for that—but of the body, as in his manparts waking up.
Hello, why the hell was he having a boner moment? He’d thought those days of uncontrollable urges done and an embarrassment he’d outgrown.
The reason for his arousal soon became clear.
Whilst his bear might have smelled her first, as soon as Travis got within a few feet of the reception desk he saw her, did a double take, and ogled.
There she stood. The woman of his dreams.
A perfect creature who made his heart race, his palms sweat, and his bear roar. It also rolled around in his head as if drunk on honey and berries, but he ignored the less-than-dignified response of his beast side because the woman of his dreams probably would frown at such an immature reaction.
See, the female he vowed in that moment to make his mate was a doctor. A hot, redheaded one. A woman older than him, he judged, but only by a few years. It added an extra layer in his instant lust for her.
A lust unrequited.
Given he was making those waiting in the reception area wince, what with his arm hanging at an awkward angle, a nurse quickly booked him in—no need to fill out forms when you were a regular—and had him perched on a bed.
It wasn’t long before the redheaded goddess arrived at his bedside, where he sat holding his crooked arm courtesy of a football game that got a little rough. Also known as a future lecture from his mother about wearing equipment for sports.
As if a grizzly would stoop to wearing protective gear.
Only pussies—the cowardly kind, not the jungle cat variety—wore helmets and padding. And for those who might not know, calling any kind of feline a pussy never ended well, or without scars. Travis even bore a healthy respect for his mother’s Siamese cats, especially since the night he woke with one perched on his chest, sucking the life from him. He let out a very undignified scream and his mother, arriving in hair curlers and brandishing a lamp, chided him, “Stop your ruckus. My baby kitty is just showing how much he likes you.”
Showing affection indeed. He made sure to check his room now before going to bed, lest his mother’s satanic pets try and steal his soul.
“What happened?” his future mate asked as she placed her clipboard on the bed and gently palpated the injured area with latex-covered fingers.
It sent a thrill through him.
“I caught the perfect pass, but Boris tackled me, and I didn’t land right. Then Kyle landed on top of Boris, and, well—”
“You got squashed and your arm cracked.”
“Yeah. But I scored.” He shot her a smile, which might have worked better if she’d meet his gaze. Even if just once.
However, she didn’t. Dr. Weller, the new doctor for the clan—whom he’d heard about through the grapevine, headed by his mother—barely paid him any notice as she splinted his broken arm so it would heal straight.
At twenty-two, fit, and with a deadly smile that ensured his mother kept him supplied with heavy-duty condoms, Travis wasn’t used to women ignoring him.
He tried conversation. “So, you’re the new doctor, eh? I hear you just moved here. Where from?”
“Anchorage.”
Still no eye contact. Even Travis had to wonder at her odd bedside manner. It was almost as if she intentionally wouldn’t meet his gaze.
Maybe because she feels the sizzling connection too.
But in that case, why pretend it wasn’t there? Was it some doctor/patient thing or something worse? Like was she dating?
Only one way to find out. “Hey, I know we just met and all, but are you free for dinner tonight?”
Without raising her eyes, she replied, but completely ignored his question. “Be sure to keep the cast on for at least three days. Otherwise, if you shift the bone while it’s healing, we’ll have to break and reset it.”
He couldn’t help but roll his eyes. “I know. This isn’t the first time I’ve broken something.”
“For such a young man,” emphasis on the young, “you seem quite accident prone. You have one of the thickest files around.”
“What can I say, I’m a vigorous fellow.” And yeah, he did emphasis it and threw in a dimpled smile for devastating effect.
Still nothing!
“Maybe you should think of enlisting. I hear the military is a good channel for boys and their extra testosterone.” This jab did result in her meeting his gaze, her brown eyes dancing with mirth, even if her expression remained serious.
The remark hit home. His lips drooped. “I’ve thought about it, actually. But my mother…” He trailed off. Need he really say more?
The whole town knew his mother. Betty-Sue, queen of the baked goods and wielder of the mighty spoon. Even the slightest mention of him going anywhere for more than a night sent her into a despondent fit.
Part of it was overprotective theatrics, he knew that, but the second part was fear. Travis had lost his dad, his mom’s true love and mate, on a simple training exercise for the military. A fluke accident that, in one stroke, took someone they both loved from their lives.
She recovered by smothering Travis, and because he not only adored his mother but also worried about losing her too, he allowed it.
Then chafed at it in his teens.
Then growled at it when he graduated and got stuck in Kodiak Point at their tiny rinky-dink excuse of a college. Campus consisted of less than thirty kids. So much for the frat boy experience.
As he’d neared graduation, he’d hinted at perhaps enlisting.
The result?
“I can’t believe you’d do this to me,” she wailed. “It’s not bad enough the military made me a widow, but now they’re going to steal my baby boy too? I’ll be”—and yes, her lip trembled and her eyes welled with giant tears—”all alone.”
Deep down, he knew she’d played him, that she overdid the drama, and yet, a part of him recognized he could meet his father’s fate. While he could accept that risk, he knew it would utterly destroy his mother.
She might seem strong to those who’d crossed the bad side of her spoon, but Travis knew better. Ma needed him.
However, Travis couldn’t tell Dr. Weller—the hottest thing he’d met in Kodiak Point since the time Boris convinced him to try his three alarm chili—his reasons for not joining though. He’d learned enough from the men he admired, Boris, Brody, Reid, and the town flirt, Kyle, to know he’d lose any chance at ever becoming a part of their manclub if he admitted to such a weakness.
His attempts at more idle chitchat with the doctor failed. Arm set in a cast with instructions to take it easy for a few days, she sent him on his way.
But he went back, kind of regularly as a matter of fact. Funny how he couldn’t go a few weeks, sometimes days, without busting something. Of course, it wasn’t exactly clumsiness but more his mouthiness that got him in trouble.
However, no matter how often he ran into Doctor Weller, the woman he was obsessed with but who wouldn’t give him the time of day, he never received the slightest encouragement. On the contrary, after a while, it was almost as if she actively avoided him, leaving him to the less-than-tender care of her nursing staff, who didn’t make his bear rumble in excitement or his heart pitter-patter.
Travis knew he should give up on Dr. Jess, especially once he found out she was already married to a military fellow serving overseas, but instead, the longer her hubby stayed away, the more he was convinced he and Jess were meant to be together.
He just didn’t tell his mother. She would have beaten him with her spoon for sure if for one moment she suspected her baby boy was pining to leave her for another woman.
Kodiak Point Series
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Grizzly Love Pre-Order Links
| Amazon US: http://goo.gl/0tJKwU Amazon UK: http://goo.gl/qiLfXv Amazon DE: http://goo.gl/0g6MNN |
Nook: http://goo.gl/9N5eYt Kobo: http://goo.gl/WEZS87 ARe: http://goo.gl/vJ6Xgr |
~ A New York Times & USA Today Bestseller
~ #1 Amazon Paranormal Romance Bestselling Author
~ Top 10 AllRomance Bestselling Author 2013
Hello, my name is Eve. I’m a stay at home mom who writes full time in between juggling my three kids, hubby, and housework, I write really raunchy stuff–usually with werewolves lol.
I am a bestselling Amazon author, ranking often in their to 100 romance authors. But I’m not just popular with Kindle readers. I was one of the top ten selling authors on AllRomance for 2013 and have had numerous of my books hit the top 20 books over all on Barnes & Nobles as well.
I am the first person to admit I am totally boring and lead a mundane life. Seriously. My idea of fun is shopping at our local Walmart lol. I like to play video games, cook, and read. My inspiration, hmm, I guess you could say hubby as he is a total alpha male which means I often want to club him over head with a frying pan. But, despite his ornery, ‘I-am-man’ nature, I love him dearly.
I’m writing romance, my way. I do have a twisted imagination and a sarcastic sense of humor something I like to let loose in my writing. I like strong alpha males, naked chests and werewolves. Lots of werewolves. In fact, you’ll notice most of my multi partner stories revolve around great, big, overprotective Lycans who just want to please their woman. I am also extremely partial to aliens, you know the kind who abduct their woman and then drive them insane…with pleasure of course.
My heroines, they kind of run the gamut. I have some that are shy and soft spoken, others that will kick a man in the balls and laugh. Many of them are chubby, because in my world, girls with curves ROCK! Oh and some of my heroines are a teeny tiny bit evil, but in their defense, they need love too.
Some of my work does push boundaries and cross lines. Good and evil aren’t always clear in my tales, and in some cases, I’ve stomped on well known religious ideologies. Have I mentioned my imagination is a tad bit warped?
I tend to have a lot of sexual tension in my tales because I think all torrid love affairs start with a tingle in our tummies. And when my characters do finally give in to the needs of their flesh? Well, let’s just say, you shouldn’t be reading my stuff at work. The door is wide open, explicit and hot. Really, really hot.
I love to write, and while I don’t always know what my mind is going to come up with next, I can promise it will be fun, probably humorous and most of all romantic, because I love a happily ever after.
Find Eve Langlais at Website | Facebook | Twitter | Google+
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Kindle Deals - Many Of These End At Midnight!
Prices can vary depending on your country, and can change without notice, so be sure to double-check before you buy. By clicking on these links you are helping support this blog via Amazon Affiliates—Thank you!
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Reading progress update: I've listened 564 out of 972 minutes.
Glad I never played Brown's version of capture the flag growing up.
Review: Unafraid by Cat Miller
Unafraid
Author: Cat Miller
Series: Forbidden Bond #.5
Publisher: Indie
Published on: September 27, 2012
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: 79 pages, eBook
Provided by: Purchased
Amazon | GoodReads
This prequel to The Forbidden Bond Series can be read as a stand-alone novella.
Griffin is a young future Councilman and leader of the Vampire Nation. As the only surviving son from the House of Vaughn he has been groomed since birth for the position. His parents' plans for the future of their House are a constant weight he must bear.
Tessa is a waitress who has been struggling to survive on her own since the death of her parents and the rejection of her family. The clairvoyant dreams that have plagued her since her childhood force her into a solitary existence.
Tempers flare and the battle between duty and desire ignites when their two worlds collide on a life changing cold winter night. Tessa’s heart hangs in the balance. Griffin is the only one who can tip the scales. Will his good intentions and love for Tessa be enough?
*Adult Content*
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Ever want something that’s really quick to read and paranormal? This novella might be just the thing. And if you like vampires and romance, you are in luck.
Tessa is a waitress that has been making her own way for years. Consequently, she lives in a dump, and has no way to make her life better. She does, however, have a supernatural talent. She has prophetic dreams. One night she dreams that she meets a gorgeous vampire while in an alley. She then continues to dream about him, until when the circumstances surrounding the meeting come true, she is ready to meet him. Scared, but very ready. The only reason Griffin is in the alley is for his next meal. This is the story of that meeting and what happens afterwards. Needless to say, Tessa is a surprise to him.
I really liked Tessa’s character. She is a strong character, but falls hopelessly in love with Griffin even though she can tell he is keeping secrets from her. Griffin wasn’t quite as likable, because he was pretty maddening at times. However, there is a reason for his behavior, and I am sure that is why he acted the way he does. So while I understood his actions, I didn’t necessarily like it.
The falling in love part was pretty fast, but then this is a novella, and it’s to be expected. I’ve learned to forgive a lot of things in a novella since it all has to happen quickly. The sex scenes are extremely hot, bordering on erotica, but not quite. Not a fan of that, but for some reason, it didn’t bother me. I think maybe because it was well done, as this author does know how to write a good story.
I had downloaded the sample of this, easily over a year ago, maybe longer. So it was really past time for me to read it. After reading the sample, I had to purchase the novella, because I was really wanting to know about Tessa and Griffin’s romance. From what I can understand, the first two books of this series were released first, and due to popular demand from the author’s fans, this novella was written. It can stand alone, but I bet if you enjoy it, you are going to want to read the next one, because I do.
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Reading progress update: I've listened 137 out of 972 minutes.
#Listening - I'm really stepping out of my comfort zone on this one!
Review: Fairest by Marissa Meyer
Fairest
Author: Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles #0.1
Publisher: Feiwel & Friends
Published on: January 27 2015
Genre: Science Fiction, Young Adult
Format: 272 pages, Hardcover
Provided by: Purchased
Amazon | Kobo | B&N | Book Depo | GoodReads
In this stunning bridge book between Cress and Winter in the bestselling Lunar Chronicles, Queen Levana’s story is finally told.
Mirror, mirror on the wall,
Who is the fairest of them all?
Fans of the Lunar Chronicles know Queen Levana as a ruler who uses her “glamour” to gain power. But long before she crossed paths with Cinder, Scarlet, and Cress, Levana lived a very different story – a story that has never been told . . . until now.
Marissa Meyer spins yet another unforgettable tale about love and war, deceit and death. This extraordinary book includes full-color art and an excerpt from Winter, the next book in the Lunar Chronicles series.
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WELP. We used to have the WTF Elephant. Now we have the WTF fork. BUT fork or elephant, the principle is the same.
It didn’t occur to me that some readers might skip this installment of The Lunar Chronicles, counting it as a novella. Technically, while being a prequel, I think it’s still a full-length novel. I don’t know the word count, but I did the math (with a calculator, and everything), and even excluding the preview of Winter that begins at 79%, Levana’s story is still over 200 pages.
Fyi.
And regardless, any fan of the series will want to read this book, b/c:
1. What does Levana really look like under that veil?
2. What happened to Levana’s husband, and how did Winter end up in her care?
3. What is the depth of Levana’s evil?
And those are just a few of the questions that Fairest answers.
Also . . . as it turns out, Levana might just be as crazy as she is nefarious. The end result is the same, of course, but I was surprised. If she was simply a narcissist, I might not have been, and that’s definitely part of the crazy, but guys . . . this woman is diabolically insane.
It’s uncomfortable.
I had the misfortune of agreeing with my husband to Pillars of the Earth as our holiday driving read this year . . . I loathed it. And for once I didn’t have to analyze what it was that made me loathe it: there are just some people’s heads you don’t want to be inside of.
Clearly, I didn’t hate Fairest, but sharing Levana’s headspace is . . . well, it’s stressful, I was full of stress. And awkward. I don’t think I’d like to see a picture of myself while I was reading, b/c I’m pretty sure if my face wasn’t stuck in perpetual grimace, my eyebrows were at my hairline with my eyes bugging out of my head, b/c WTF?
Levana had not seen the bodies, but she had seen the bedrooms the next morning, and her first thought was that all that blood would make a very pretty rouge on her lips.
Those bodies? Yeah, they were her PARENTS. Her parents who had been MURDERED. And that is the least of it.
In addition to finding out what’s going on under that veil, you also find out why she choose the specific glamour she uses . . . and it is . . . W-H-O-A (and I’m totally making that face again).
Are there reasons for the CRAY?
Oh yeah. And you learn those too.
Did it make Levana a more sympathetic character?
NOPE. Not to me, anyway. Just like Channary (Cinder’s mother) wasn’t made a more sympathetic character just b/c she showed a few surprisingly maternal instincts.
Am I a hardass? Maybe. Probably. But I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again: it’s not what you’ve been through, it’s how you handle it that matters, and I have a sneaking suspicion that even without the crazy (b/c Bad Things), Levana would still be diabolical.
Overall, Fairest paints an unambiguous portrait of the most vile villain to ever plague (HA!) both Lunars and Earthens. It cleverly weaves together multiple threads from the characters that readers have grown to know and love in previous installments of The Lunar Chronicles, and reveals, step-by-murderous-and-entitled-step, how Levana and her immediate family have sown the seeds of their own inevitable downfall. Highly recommended.
The Lunar Chronicles:
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Review: Forsaken by the Others by Jess Haines
Forsaken by the Others
Author: Jess Haines
Series: H&W Investigations #5
Publisher: Zebra
Published on: July 2, 2013
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format: 336 pages, eBook
Provided by: Author
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The Others--vampires, werewolves, things that go chomp in the night--don't just live in nightmares anymore. They've joined with the mortal world. And for private investigator Shiarra Waynest, that means mayhem. . .
Have a one night stand with a vampire, and you can end up paying for it for eternity. P.I. Shiarra Waynest, an expert on the Others, knows that better than most. Yet here she is, waking up beside charismatic vamp Alec Royce with an aching head. . .and neck. Luckily, Shia has the perfect excuse for getting out of town--namely, a couple of irate East Coast werewolf packs who'd like to turn her into a chew toy.
On Royce's suggestion, Shia temporarily relocates to Los Angeles. But something is rotten--literally--in the state of California, where local vampires are being attacked by zombies. Who could be powerful enough to control them--and reckless enough to target the immortal? Following the trail will lead Shia to a terrifying truth, and to an ancient enemy with a personal grudge. . .
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It’s an unspoken rule that every series has to have one blah installment, and unfortunately for H&W INVESTIGATIONS, this was it. Jess Haines’ engrossing writing style was still present, but FORSAKEN BY THE OTHERS was minus the tall glass of action that I’ve become accustomed to, the love interest was mostly a no show, and Shia’s ultra-cool mofo rep took a lickin’ which all lead to this book’s stepping stone like quality. The cliffhanger ending only served to further reinforce that sentiment as well, so all in all I’d have to say that this was my least favourite Waynest novel.
I was happy with how this story started; progress was being made on the Alec front, Shiarra was reunited with her business partner, and then… the girls get shipped off to L.A. Goodbye secondary characters, adios main plot arc, and arrivederci smexy times. Don’t get me wrong, I still enjoyed meeting Gavin, Clyde, Jimmy & Fabian, and hooking up with Tiny & Devon again was an unexpected treat; however I couldn’t get over the feeling that something was missing. I was also a little cheesed that the author mentioned Jack’s new status only to leave readers in the lurch—if I had balls, they’d be blue.
Shia’s been making some good headway as this series’ heroine, and granted the occasional setback is to be expected, but this book felt like a return to HUNTED BY THE OTHERS. The majority of this protagonist’s strengths lie with her aptitude as a P.I. and a couple of magical artefacts. The former continued to hold steady, however without the latter Waynest was pretty much a sitting duck which made her willingness to immerse herself in L.A.’s Other community, without allies I might add, to solve a case involving zombies come across as a death wish. I was disappointed by her utter lack of self-preservation.
The plot was sufficiently twisty enough to keep me engaged, and with a suspect list comprising of three shady vampires, one über powerful necromancer, and a rabid Goliath werewolf, there was plenty of whodunnit goodness to go around. I enjoyed watching Shia and Sara team up on an investigation for a change, although there were a couple of facets that were entirely too opportune in my opinion such as Halloway’s predicament, and the “ancient enemy with a personal grudge”. The blurb was a bit spoiler-y for anyone who’s read the earlier installments which if you’re tackling book 5, I’m assuming you have.
FORSAKEN BY THE OTHERS was a means to an end, a set-up for the next novel.
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Cover Reveal and Giveaway: Lion's Share by Rachel Vincent
The SHIFTERS series was one of the very first that I reviewed on the blog way back in 2010, so when I got wind that Rachel Vincent was writing a spin-off of it I may have let out a loud whoop… in public. Anyway, check out the new pretty!!!
Lion’s Share | Wildcats #1
23/02/2015
GoodReads | Amazon
Abby Wade has a dangerous secret.
Two months ago, she disobeyed an order, but instead of kicking her out of the Pride, Jace offered her a job. Since then, she’s been battling a completely inappropriate crush on the young, hot Alpha. But when accepting his job offer seems like the only way to keep her skeletons safely in their closet, Abby doesn’t hesitate.
Jace Hammond has a big problem.
A rogue is slaughtering humans in his territory, and he must eliminate the threat before the entire shifter species is exposed. There could not be a worse time for Abby to accept a job he only offered as a boost to her confidence. Abby is smart, beautiful, and resilient—more than enough to distract any man from the mission. Unfortunately, she may just be the worst enforcer ever to hold the title.
As they hunt the killer, Abby’s secret becomes a threat to Jace’s authority and to her own life. But the real danger is the grip she has on his twice-shy heart.
Rachel Vincent is the author of the Shifters series and the Unbound series for adults, as well as the Soul Screamers series for teens.
Rachel’s next young adult book is THE STARS NEVER RISE, coming from Delacorte in June of 2015, and her new series for adults will debut with MENAGERIE, coming from Mira books in the fall of 2015
Rachel Vincent is a former English teacher and an eager champion of the Oxford comma. She shares her home in Oklahoma with two cats, two teenagers, and her husband, who’s been her # 1 fan from the start. Rachel is older than she looks and younger than she feels, and she remains convinced that writing about the things that scare her is the cheapest form of therapy–but social media is a close second.
Website | Twitter | Facebook | GoodReads | Instagram
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What do you think of the first cover in Rachel Vincent’s New Adult spin-off series?
Reading progress update: I've listened 484 out of 484 minutes.
I'm not sure if this was my favourite installment because it's the first book in this series that I've listened to, or if it was just THAT GOOD. Either way, this one's a MUST!! Full review to follow.
Reading progress update: I've listened 127 out of 484 minutes.
Now that we've compared supernatural dicks...
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Question: How Are Your Bookshelves Organized?
What originally started out as a straightforward add five new precious’ to my shelves this past weekend turned into a lengthy bookcase overhaul because of course, any open spot simply wouldn’t do. #1 came in search of me hours later wondering where the heck I’d disappeared to, and after my failed attempt at explaining to him why I’d been at it for an entire afternoon, I decided that it’d make a great question seeing how surely I couldn’t be the only person this has happened to. Right? RIGHT? *pauses for reassurance*
Bookshelves come in many shapes and sizes, even if you’re primarily an eReader; I don’t know about the rest of you, but I’m equally fussy when it comes to maintaining my GoodReads and Kindle accounts. But, I’ll get to that in a minute. We live in a small house, so regrettably I’ve had to limit myself to one six shelf unit. I call him Billy. I’m pretty sure that no one would be able to figure out my system without an explanation because I’m not an ABC kind of girl, although some of my long time blogger BFFs might have a decent shot at it.
Series need to stick together, as do titles by the same author; however I also have a shelf that’s JUST for werewolf books, another for signed copies, not to mention my Kelley Armstrong shrine. My favourites need to be at eye level, so that I can easily admire them whenever I walk in the room, I have a to-read ARC section, and a donate box in the closet. My virtual system is similar, with the addition of audiobooks, my wishlist, novellas, and my various review queues.
I never realized how wacky this sounded until I typed it all up. The Dewey Decimal Classification’s got nothing on me! I’m anxious to read your comments, so that I can confirm whether this is normal, or if I belong in a padded room. LOL!
How Are Your Bookshelves Organized?
Have a bookish question you’d like Rabid Reads to weigh-in on? E-mail me, and be sure you include your blog URL (if you have one), so we can give you credit!
Review: Poison Study by Maria V. Snyder
Poison Study
Author: Maria V. Snyder
Series: Study #1
Publisher: Mira Books
Published on: March 1 2007
Genre: Fantasy, Young Adult
Format: 416 pages, Paperback
Provided by: Purchased
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Choose: A quick death…Or slow poison...
About to be executed for murder, Yelena is offered an extraordinary reprieve. She'll eat the best meals, have rooms in the palace—and risk assassination by anyone trying to kill the Commander of Ixia.
And so Yelena chooses to become a food taster. But the chief of security, leaving nothing to chance, deliberately feeds her Butterfly's Dust—and only by appearing for her daily antidote will she delay an agonizing death from the poison.
As Yelena tries to escape her new dilemma, disasters keep mounting. Rebels plot to seize Ixia and Yelena develops magical powers she can't control. Her life is threatened again and choices must be made. But this time the outcomes aren't so clear...
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I’ve been wanting to reread this series for like two years. No lie.
It’s been 6 or 8 years since the last time I read it, and I remembered really liking it, but not much else. But guess what? NEW BOOK! So yeah, just prior to the release of Shadow Study seemed like an excellent time to get my reread on, and guys . . . it was even better than I remembered it.
That. Has. NEVER. Happened.
Yelena, a self-confessed murderer is spared from hanging when the Commander of the military governed nation she lives in needs a new food taster. The last one died of . . . poisoning. Go figure.
Valek, the head of the Commander’s security offers her the position, and when she accepts Yelena discovers that he will also be responsible for her training, BUT . . . his training methods can best be described as . . . trial by fire. I believe he says something like, “if you can survive this, nothing else will accidentally kill you, and you won’t be a waste of my valuable time and effort,” just before dosing her with the moste potente poison (<-----HA! HP reference!) he has available.
Nice guy, that Valek . . .
But Yelena is both stronger and smarter than she appears, and she not only survives the poisoning, but thrives under Valek's tutelage. And if that was all there was, well . . . that would be boring.
But that's not all.
Yelena has secrets. Like the reason why she killed the only son of her benefactor, one of the eight Generals directly under the Commander in rank. A General who is distinctly unhappy about her avoiding the noose.
Yelena is also unsurprisingly world-weary. BUT. Despite her best efforts, she's unable to snuff out the fragile flame of hope that burns inside of her. Hope for a better life. Hope for someone to trust. Hope for something as simple, yet, previously, as unattainable as a friend.
In Poison Study, you grow with Yelena as she grows, begin to trust as she trusts, feel the bitter disappointment of betrayal when she is betrayed, and barely dare to allow yourself to hope as something more than friendship begins to blossom.
Don’t ask me with whom, b/c I won’t tell you, but it is . . . lovely.
She picks up a few allies along the way as well, and a pair of soldiers in particular, Janco and Ari, are simply fantastic. Ari adopts the role of protective older brother, while Janco fills the prankster brother position exceptionally well, and you feel that in your gut too, b/c Yelena is an orphan.
And all of this is happening within the unfolding mystery that’s detailed quite nicely in the blurb, so I won’t rehash it.
On the surface, Poison Study probably looks a lot like every other YA fantasy out there, and it admittedly doesn’t stray far from the standard and acceptable elements. But Snyder has created a world with characters who make you FEEL what they FEEL, who you want to triumph, and fear for when failure seems imminent. I’ve never denied being a character-driven reader, and Poison Study is a marvelous example of the kind of book that really, really makes me happy. Highly recommended.
Study series:
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Reading progress update: I've read 100%.
This was probably my least favourite installment in this series so far; unlike the previous novella, there was no prior relationship between the two main characters which made their romance feel rushed, and their sex come off as a one night stand (they leave a bar together, go back to his place, and knock boots) as opposed to a OTP. However, once their mutual attraction was established, the plot took over for the better, and the story got bumped from a 3 to a 4. Full review to follow.
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