Living Nightmare by Shannon K. Butcher Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Signet Available: November 2nd 2010 Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Publisher Reviewed by: Samantha 

For nine years, Nika has had one goal: to save her younger sister from the Synestryn who hold her captive. Now the psychic bond Nika forged with her sibling is fading, and time is running out. But the one man who can unlock the power inside her left and never returned, leaving Nika alone to rescue a sister everyone else believes is dead.

Madoc swore to himself he would never enter Dabyr again. For his soul is nearly dead, and he fears what he might do to those he’s sworn to protect — especially Nika. If he accompanies her into the Synestryn realm, his forbidden desire for her may unleash the savage monster within him. But Nika’s need to rescue her sister soon becomes intertwined with her passion for Madoc, while the a key to victory in the war may be within her reach…

In this fourth book in The Sentinel Wars series by Shannon K. Butcher, readers are finally treated to the story of Madoc and Nika. Madoc is a fierce (maybe crazy?) and brutal warrior quickly in danger of losing his soul if he doesn’t find his mate. Madoc has always been drawn to the young and formerly frail Nika who for years was considered crazy. Nika was taken from her family 9 years ago and her sister Tori is believed to be dead, but Nika has always had a bond with Tori and Nika believes Tori is still alive somewhere. When Nika breaks free to go find her sister, Madoc is called upon to bring her home. Madoc struggles with his attraction to Nika for fear he will hurt her and knowing that when they touch each other, Nika is not the woman destined to save his soul. Or is she?

I was so excited about the release of this book because at the end of Running Scared (book 3) I was dying to see how the story between Madoc and Nika was going to unfold. It was so obvious their attraction to each other meant they would be soul mates. I also eagerly awaited more on the side story between paralyzed warrior Torr and his "care giver" Grace. And while I enjoyed watching how Madoc and Nika develop their relationship – as those two are like oil and water – I found myself getting distracted by all the various characters and other plot lines going on in the book. I had read all 3 books in the series prior to Living Nightmare and I realized I was having a hard time placing characters. It’s like the male warriors don’t having any distinguishing characteristics that makes me immediately think of scenes with them from the previous books and I found this sort of troubling. Then to see something major happen between Torr and Grace (no spoilers here!) only to find the preview of the next book is focused on two other characters had me scratching my head. How long is Butcher going to drag this thing out? There is just so much going on that perhaps there should could be fewer story lines in each book allowing more time to be spent with the characters to allow us to get to know them better.

But in the end Madoc and Nika are both very strong characters who carry the book. Madoc’s sheer fierceness (and sometimes seemingly psychotic behavior) blends well with Nika’s determination which is often laced with naivety, and I found I was rewarded with a story I felt I waited so long for. And these two particular characters have always had traits that make is impossible to forget them throughout the series. This series is one where you definitely need to read the other books or you will probably be lost if you pick up Living Nightmare as your first read in the series. But if you have been a fan of the series, then I think you will like this book.

Favorite Quote:

"If that’s really such a big problem for you, then I’ll go find one of the teenage boys downstairs, take care of the problem, and be back in ten minutes. I understand from gossip they don’t take long to finish."

 

Series list:

• Burning Alive (Sentinel Wars, #1)
• Finding the Lost (Sentinel Wars, #2)
• Running Scared (Sentinel Wars, #3)
• Living Nightmare (Sentinel Wars, #4)

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Play Of Passion  by Nalini Singh Paperback: 352 pages Publisher: Berkley Available: November 2nd 2010 Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Publisher

In his position as Tracker for the SnowDancer pack, Drew Kincaid must rein in rogue changelings who’ve lost control of their animal halves- even if it means killing those who’ve gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage-to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite…and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Reviewed by: Catherine 

I’ll be honest, I enjoyed the main characters in this book a lot, but even if they were mediocre I might have given this book at least a 4 anyway. The excitement of getting back into the Changeling world and the ultra-excitement of getting to see way more of Hawke would have probably won me over even if Indigo and Drew were lame. Luckily they weren’t, but I’m just saying…

I liked Indigo–although I did have a few issues with her that I’ll get into– but what I felt for her comes nowhere near my love of Drew. Wow, Nalini Singh has hit the jackpot here! I’ve liked a lot of the other guys in the series, but none of them have ever hit the level of sheer lovability that Drew did. He was so sweet and determined! But he still managed to be utterly masculine and hot at the same time. That may sound like an easy thing to portray, but for me it’s not. It infrequently comes off as a good balance, but here it did.

Drew knows (has known for a while) who he wants and he’s determined to win her. He tried to play it smart and approach her the best way possible, but sometimes he just couldn’t. I loved that we got to see him mess up his approach again and again. It really gave me a great opportunity to watch him grow and be bigger than his pride or anger. He would admit when he was wrong and he would put himself on the line again and again to repent. It was so romantic to watch.

That’s actually where my irritation with Indy comes into play. As the story unfolds I, the reader, get to learn about Indy’s hang-ups right alongside Drew. It did make her more sympathetic for me, but it was really hard to watch her shut Drew down again and again. A comparison was made in the book of Indy’s attitude resembling a Psy. That was so apt! I just had a hard time sinking into that mindset with a Changeling. She was just not what I was expecting, so it was hard to like her at times.

I’ll be honest, she could be pretty cold. I still liked her, but Drew was so much more approachable that it was hard not to align my sympathies with him. I could see why he was so upset and struggled to define himself. Her attitude and her refusal to accept him when her narrow mind couldn’t see his position really irked me. It’s what ultimately dropped the grade a ½ point. I found myself really frustrated at times.

There are just a few more things that I have to give a nod of acknowledgement to. The first is the conversation that Judd and Drew have. I just have to point out how hysterical I think it is that Judd was giving Drew relationship advice! Even Drew is taken aback. On page 40 he said:

Judd sighed. "That’s not your strength." "You’re giving me dating advice?" Andrew was dumbfounded. "I’m mated," Judd pointed out with a cool arrogance that almost hid the laughter in his voice. "You can’t even get the woman you want into bed. I’d listen if I were you."

LOL! The other thing involved the Platypus. I read about it and I COMPLETELY melted. Awwwww! I dare you to read about it and not feel a little gooey.

I cannot end this review without mentioning more about the Psy and the developments with Hawke. Not much happened regarding the Psy. Don’t misunderstand, there was information about the council and new developments, but that was definitely not the focus of the book. I feel that this is one of the more character driven stories in the series. There’s much, much less politics and maneuvering than in a lot of the others.

Now, the Hawke developments… I can’t tell you what they are!!! But rest assured that there are many, many excellent details and developments with him. How could there not be? We’re in the Snow Dancer den constantly. I bounced on my toes quite a few times after reading something particularly interesting and looked around in vain for someone to talk to about it. Alas, there was no one. Except my husband, of course. ;P Poor guy got stuck listening to me gush.

I’ll leave you with one final quote from page 240 that made me giggle.

"Did you really steal her phone and record your voice howling her name as the ringtone?" "Maybe."

 

 

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Something Wicked by Michelle Rowen Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: Berkley Available: October 5, 2010 Genre: Paranormal Romance

Living in Eden isn’t exactly heaven on earth…

Darrak, the demon inside of Eden Riley, is able to take physical shape during the day. And Eden wouldn’t mind getting her hands on him-if it wasn’t a threat to her immortal soul. But while trying to rid themselves of the curse that binds them, they could get the distance they need…or each have their own private hell to pay.

Reviewed by:  Catherine 

I was so nervous to read this book! Things were settled to a point in the last book, The Demon in Me, but a lot of larger issues were still up in the air. Darrak and Eden still needed to find a way to separate without hurting either one of them, and they needed to find a way to break Darrak’s curse if they had any hope of ever trying to have a relationship.

I wanted to watch it all unfold, but I was worried that the author would drop the ball and I would end up disliking it. That’s not a slur against the author’s skill, that’s just my history with some other series making me skittish. So, I entered the book with mixed feelings but soon found myself just as into it as I was the first book.

I practically inhaled this book. The author has an extremely readable style and the pages just flew by for me. I reread the last quarter of The Demon in Me before starting this so I would be fresh. It was actually really helpful because I didn’t realize I had forgotten so many of the little details that happened at the end! I think skimming it again really enhanced my experience with this book. I was so much more attached and in the moment.

Darrak was such a fabulous character in the last book. For all those who read it, never fear, you won’t be disappointed with his personality in this one! I am pleased to report that he is just as funny and just as reluctantly caring as he was in the first one. His banter and inner dialogue just pops for me. One of my favorite funny quotes from him happens on page 9.

"I hate that guy," Darrak said. "Loathe him. And I can’t believe you let him kiss you. I almost made you slap him, but luckily for him he didn’t try to slip you the tongue. It’s obvious to me that he’s only after one thing from you and–" "He’s gay," Eden said simply. "Oh." There was a pause. "I totally knew that."

He’s such a spaz sometimes! LOL!

While Darrak is still funny, we really get a more well-rounded view of him in this book. We spend a lot more time in his head and get to watch him struggle with his identity. I really appreciated the identity crisis (even if I wanted to strangle him a time or two). I think watching him struggle with who he was now and the question of whether he even wanted to be that person made him so much more to me. It really made me empathize with him and have more patience while he occasionally behaved badly.

Eden continues to be a character that I love too. She just feels so much more realistic than a lot of heroines out there. She doesn’t melt at the thought of being bound to Darrak. She wants him out! She likes him, but she hates her will being violated like this, and she’s still not quite as sure of him as she’d like to be. In short, she’s smart. She’s always looking out for what’s best for her, but she doesn’t constantly bemoan the circumstances life has thrown at her. She’s had it pretty rough lately, but she’s willing to cope if she can keep a light at the end of the tunnel in sight.

How can I not like her? Even the dumb stuff she does—which I thought was pretty freaking dumb at times!—is understandable. She’s scared, and she’s looking for a helping hand. How can I resent her being willing to trust someone else when that’s the same thing Darrak is asking of her?

Quite a few things happened in this book that I wish I could talk about more. Alas, the dreaded spoilers stop me! I’ll restrain myself, but I do have to mention how pleased I am with how their relationship is progressing. There are no real easy answers for them, but they’re both still pushing themselves to hope for the best. Their determination is such that I can’t help but believe in them, even when the odds are against them.

The only thing that kept this from being a 5 star for me was my impatience with some of Eden’s actions. I wanted to smack her a time or two! She kept making a specific promise (vague for spoilers!) to Darrak and then breaking it. I could see why she was doing it, but it was frustrating. I empathized with her, but I still couldn’t help but get an eye twitch at the same time. But don’t let that discourage you! It was a very slight irritant in my overall enjoyment of the book. I still love Eden’s character and I still love this series for the sheer fun of it.

I can’t wait to get my hands on the third book so I can get more of this excellent series!

Other books in the Living In Eden series:

• The Demon In Me – May 4, 2010

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Dark Viking by Sandra Hill  Paperback: 304 pages Publisher: Berkley Available: October 5, 2010 Genre: Paranormal Romance

If life weren’t dangerous enough, stuntwoman Rita Sawyer has been recruited by the Navy SEALs. Now instead of being lit on fire and hurtling through skyscraper windows, she’s trying to survive her grueling SEALs training. But when a sea operation goes wrong, Rita awakens to find herself still clad in her wetsuit and in a cage with a bunch of Vikings staring at her. With no idea how she traveled back in time to the Norselands, all Rita is certain of is that her Viking warlord captor is tempting her beyond reason…

Steven of Norstead can’t belive the sight before him. The strange sea creature he found is actually a beautiful woman. But with her sharp tongue and irksome ways, Rita’s like no other woman he’s ever known. Steven’s been in a cold, dark mood for many a sennight. Mayhap this unusual woman will be the one to light his fire…

Reviewed by: Amy 

Quick Rundown:  Rita Sawyer, former movie stunt woman, is now training to become a female Navy SEAL.  She is knocked out cold (hit on the head) during a routine SEAL training session and time travels to Norstead during the Viking age.  Steven, leader of Norstead, discovers Rita, believes she is a sea creature (given that she arrives in a wetsuit) and decides to jail her until he figures out what she is and what to do with her.  The witches of the land believe they have cast a spell to summon Rita’s arrival and that she is the light to Steven’s dark, brooding demeanor.

First Impression:  I had not read any of Sandra Hill’s books before, but I understand now that she writes with and emphasizes humor.  Going in, I had no idea how silly it would be.  Silly as in cheesy.  So much so that even within the chapters there are sub-titles such as "He was the Donald Trump of the dark ages…." and "They weren’t Reva and Josh, but there was a Guiding Light…".

The Hero:  A depressed, barbaric Viking that Rita says "has the blues." (As a form of punishment, he decides to parade "Ree-tah" around town with a slave collar to assert his power and control.)

The Heroine:  An independent, feisty woman who adjusts unrealistically well to her new way of life in the Viking age. (She decides to make the best of it and invent deodorant and condoms, the two things she feels is needed most.)

What worked:  Ms. Hill has a flair for description and two of her passions are food and sex!  I have never heard an author be so descriptive with food and the sex scenes were sensual, hot and probably the only non-corny part of the book!   Also, Ms. Hill references Clark Gable and Johnny Depp who are two of my favorite men, so I will give her kudos for that!

What didn’t work: While I enjoy books with humor, the overabundance of it in this case was a turn off for me.  I believe Ms. Hill referenced pop-culture and modern day topics in an attempt to highlight the difference between the time periods.  However, the jokes and on-liners ended up being more distracting and didn’t particularly forward the generally weak storyline.  As a reader, I kept questioning why I was not laughing and ultimately felt no real connection between Rita and Steven and did not really care where they ended up, past or future.

Final conclusion:  I don’t think the Vikings are for me, but if someone enjoys (corny) references to pop culture that outweighs storyline and character, this is the book and world to chose.

 

 

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Styx’s Storm by Lora Leigh  Paperback: 368 pages Publisher: 368 pages Available: October 5th 2010 Genre: Paranormal Romance Source: Publisher

When Storme Montague’s father and brother are killed by the Breeds, her father’s research is also destroyed — except for a crucial data chip that both the Council and the Breeds would kill to possess. Betrayed to the Council, she is rescued by Styx, a Wolf Breed who is different from most other Breeds she has ever known. Storme has something he wants too — but it’s not a data chip.

Reviewed by: Samantha 

Styx’s Storm is the 22nd book in Lora Leigh’s Breeds series. I actually stopped reading the Breeds series in the middle of book 8. So it has been awhile since I picked one of these up. But when Ms. Fiction Vixen herself said, "Come on. You know you want to." Well, like the good little packmate that I am, I said, "Ok. I will read it." I was hoping it would revive my interest in the series.

Storme Montague is all grown up now and has been on the run for many years since her scientist father and her brother were brutaly murdered by the Breeds. She can’t stay anywhere for too long for fear she will be captured by the Breeds since she is in possession of a very important data chip given to her by her father right before his death. Storme hates and fears the Breeds. Then one night in a bar, she spots Styx – a Scottish Wolf Breed. With his long red hair and his ice blue eyes, Storme’s body reacts instantly to him. Is it possible Styx doesn’t know who Storme really is? Is the scent masker really working? When he sidles up to her in the bar and calls her Lass in that sweet accent of his, Storme finds herself trusting him and goes back to his hotel room for what she hopes is a good night’s sleep for the first time in quite awhile. As you can imagine the drama, sex, action, alpha male, scared female, and more sex ensue from there.

Now I know there are many women out there who love this series. My very own mother has devoured every Breeds book like a ravenous animal. I have had a break in the series going from book #8 to book #22, and I was really hoping for something different, however the formula seems to pretty much stay the same. We are treated to a very sexy, passionate and very funny hero in this book which I truly enjoyed. Styx kept me turning the pages. When Storme, the heroine of the story, was being smart and sarcastic or standing up for herself, I enjoyed her as well. However, sometimes Storme seemed a little too wish-washy and whiny for me. The story itself is fairly simple and uncomplicated.

If you are fan of the Lora Leigh Breeds series, I think you will like this book. If you like your heroes to be tall, Scottish, sexy, and funny, then no doubt you too will like this book. I don’t think it is necessary to read the previous Breeds books to follow along with the story. I didn’t feel lost at any time. But in the end I personally didn’t feel like it really revived my interest in the Breeds series or left me wanting more when I turned the final page.

My favorite thing about this book? Styx’s addiction and obsession to chocolate. And the fact that when Storme licks his skin, he tastes like chocolate.

Favorite Quote:

"You taste like chocolate," she said with a sigh, a hint of amusement in her voice. "A woman wouldn’t have to gain weight to get her fix, all she would have to do is kiss you."

 

 

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