BOOK REVIEW

THE WARLORD WANTS FOREVER #1 by Kresley Cole
(Immortals After Dark Series)

BOOK BLURB

Nikolai Wroth, once a ruthless human warlord in the 1700s and now a general in the rebel vampire army, needs to find his Bride, the one woman who can render him truly alive. As a turned human, he doesn’t enjoy a heartbeat or breaths and is consequently weaker than fully blooded vampires. He wants his Bride for the power she will bring him and can hardly believe it when his heart beats for Myst the Coveted, a mad, fey, mythological creature.

Myst is known throughout the world as the most beautiful Valkyrie, part chillingly fierce warrior, part beguiling seductress who can “make you want her even as she’s killing you.” She has devoted her life to protecting an ancient, powerful jewel and to fighting the vampires, and she now sees a way to torment one—for with Wroth’s heartbeat comes consuming sexual desire that can only be slaked by her.

She eludes him for five years, but he has finally chased her to ground and stolen the jewel which commands her, giving him absolute power over her. While he possesses it, he can make her do anything, and he plans to in order for her to experience first hand the agonizing, unending lust she’d purposely subjected him to for half a decade. Yet when Wroth realizes he wants more from her and frees her, will she come back to him?

The first in Cole's Immortals After Dark series was originally published as one of three novellas in "Playing Easy to Get". It was also available on its own as a special promotional ebook from Simon & Schuster.

REVIEW
kresleycole.com/

I’ll begin the review by saying that this book is the prequel to the highly popular Immortals After Dark Series by Kresley Cole. It is part of an Anthology and you will find this story in the book Playing Easy to Get. There is another book available of The Warlord Wants Forever which includes excerpts on the IAD series. For the sake of understanding the terminology concerning all the different kinds of “creatures” in these books, it is advised that you read the description of these immortals. This is to be found at the end of the A Hunger Like No Other book (which we are reading as the 2nd book) under the title, From The Book of Lore. These “creatures” are ruled by The Lore and they range from Vampires to Lykaes, Furies to Shifters and from the Fey to Valkyries.

In the Warlord Wants Forever, Nikolai Wroth, who was once a ruthless Warlord in the 1700’s and now a General in the Vampire Army, needs to find his bride who is the only woman who can every truly render him alive. As a turned human, Nikolai or “Wroth” doesn’t have the luxury of enjoying the heartbeat of breathing and due to this he is consequently much weaker than the full blooded Vampires. He wants and needs his bride for the power that she can give him and he can hardly believe it when his heart actually beats and yearns for the coveted Fey creature called Myst. She just happens to see Vampires as an arch enemy. 

Myst is known throughout the world of the Lore as a true warrior and also as the most beautiful Valkyrie who strikes fear upon the hearts of her enemies. She is in part a fierce and chilling warrior and a seductress. She can also make a man want her even as she’s killing him! Myst has devoted her life to protecting the Valkyrie who she is a part of. The Valkyrie are an ancient and powerful force who find great pleasure in fighting and tormenting Vampires and she now sees a way of tormenting one in particular because with Wroth’s heartbeat there is a consuming desire that only she can slacken. Now don’t forget that Myst is immensely attracted to Wroth and this is a feeling that is mutual. The fact that Valkyries and Vampires do not mix, ever, does not help at all in this situation. Nikolai is quite infuriated that she has managed to elude him for 5 long years but he has finally found her and has stolen the jewel (chain she wears around her waist) that commands her thereby giving him absolute power over her. While he is in possession of this, he can and does make her do anything and he continues to do this in order for her to experience first-hand the agonising torture she herself subjected him to for half a decade! When Wroth falls for her, he soon realises that he wants more from her in the form of a commitment and a loving relationship. If he frees her, will she come back to him by her own free will? Will Myst be able to put a lifetime of teaching behind her and accept her fate as the Vampires bride? Can she truly love him or will she let pride and family ultimately get in the way?

This was a fantastic and very promising debut and paranormal romance from Kresley Cole who wrote Historical romances before the start of the Immortals After Dark series. This book is fully recommended and we give it a promising 4 stars!

Suzanne will review the first 6 books and I will review the next 6 as the 12th book in this series will be available early 2012. Suzanne

RATING: 4 STARS

BOOK REVIEW

HE KILL SME, HE KILLS ME NOT by Lena Diaz #1

BOOK BLURB

Four years ago, Amanda Stockton was forced to play a serial killer’s twisted game of chance. Since then, she has retreated from the world, bearing the scar from her ordeal and the burden of a terrible secret. But when another woman is found dead, clutching a long-stemmed red rose, Amanda knows she can hide no longer.

If there were any other way, Chief Logan Richards would never ask the only surviving victim for help. But it’s clear this killer will not be stopped and Amanda is the only link. Torn between catching a madman and winning the trust of the woman he’s come to love, Logan is caught in a dangerous game with Amanda. And there’s no guarantee they’ll come out on top.

REVIEW

www.lenadiaz.com

What a fantastic book! 

 From the very first page this novel is gripping! It starts with the killer arranging the body of his latest victim just so, which makes it all the more eerie. You get a sense that this killer may be a cop or is in law enforcement "gasp!". Every single character worked in this book and their interaction with each other pure magic especially with the leads Logan & Amanda. We love a good romance but when that romance is sometimes halted/interrupted by past mistakes or occurrences and even fear it tends to give a novel that much more character! The author gives us so many things to think about - with the suspense factor on who the killer could be - nail biting. Throughout the whole book you will change your mind on numerous occasions and then go back to who you originally pinpointed as the killer (if you managed to get it right) - wonderful stuff. The romance was awesome and the suspense/mystery in this book excellent. 

I am so glad I decided to read this book and roped Suzanne into reading it too (but that's what we do to each other) and we gave it our full attention. We are so impressed with Lena Diaz and cannot wait for her next installment. If wishes were books, the next one (for us) would continue with Pierce and Madison. 

You cannot and should not miss this read - it's worth every second of your time! Sandra

RATING: 5 STARS

BOOK REVIEW

CALLED BY BLOOD, BOUND BY BLOOD & DAMNED BY BLOOD by Evie Byrne

As per Authors website : What order do you read them in?Each book stands alone, so don't worry too much about reading them in order. In fact, there's a little blip in the chronology of the stories as they were released, so that the events in the book released first, Called by Blood, occur after the events of book #2,Bound by Blood.

This doesn't effect the stories at all, but if you're a stickler for chronology, the sequence you should follow is Bound by Blood, Called by Blood and finally, Damned by Blood."

REVIEW

These 3 books are all short hence they don't take up too much reading time.  Suzanne and I both liked them although we thought the 2nd book (or 1st) was a bit on the slow side.  We aren't going to elaborate too much suffice it to say that it's about the three Faustin Brothers namely Gregor, Alex and Mikhail.  Their mother has a knack for predicting who will be their intended.  Once she predicts this (she has dreams and writes their names on a piece of paper) then they have no choice but to find and marry their future wives.  Good humour in both the 1st (or 2nd) and 3rd books!  We read the books in the way the author explains and so we read Bound by Blood first, Called by Blood second and Damned by Blood third.  If you have nothing to read or are waiting for the next book in a series you are busy with, these are likable enough to pass the time.

RATING: 3 STARS

http://www.eviebyrne.com/Faustin_series.html

BOOK REVIEW

ENVY #3 by J.R. Ward

FALLEN ANGEL SERIES

BOOK BLURB

Seven deadly sins. Seven souls to save. And a man and a woman treading the lines of danger, desire and deliverance ...As the son of a serial killer, homicide detective Thomas DelVecchio Jr grew up in the shadow of evil. Now, on the knife-edge between civic duty and blind retribution, he atones for the sins of his father. Hired to monitor Veck is Internal Affairs officer Sophia Reilly, whose interest in Veck is both professional and arousingly personal. But Veck and Sophia have a common interest. He's Jim Herron, a mysterious stranger enlisted to save the soul of a killer's latest victim, one precariously hovering between heaven and hell. Before Herron's job is done, Veck and Sophia will be inexorably drawn into a battle of good against evil, where the risk is nothing less than total damnation.

REVIEW

www.jrward.com

Let’s just begin by mentioning that this is the third book in The Fallen Angel Series by the fabulous J.R. Ward and we feel it is THE best in the series so far.

We were first introduced to homicide detective, Thomas "Veck" Del Vecchio Jr. in Lover Unleashed. As the son of a serial killer, Veck grew up in the shadow of evil. Now on the knife’s edge between civic duty and blind retribution he atones for the sins of his father. At the beginning of Envy, Veck is already in serious trouble. Nursing a killer headache, he finds himself following and then looking over the serial killer, Kroner, who is badly injured. Calling 911 and questioned later about the events, he cannot remember what happened but he suspects or is convinced he was the attacker and that he tried to murder Kroner. He is later cleared from any wrong doing as the serial killer indicates that someone or something else was the attacker.

Enter Sophia Reilly, aka Reilly who prefers to be called by her surname. Reilly is a strong and rough diamond who is no pushover. Hired to monitor Veck, she becomes Veck's newly assigned partner from Internal Affairs. Sparks are instantaneous between the two and it’s no wonder that they have amazing chemistry and soon fall for each other. Meanwhile, the battle between good and evil rages on. The demon, Devina, won the last round so she is neck and neck with the Fallen Angel, Jim Heron. Jim is once again enlisted along with his two sidekick Angels Adrian and Eddie to save the soul of the serial killer's son namely Veck whose soul is precariously hovering between heaven and hell. Before Jim's job is done, Veck and Reilly will ultimately be drawn into a battle of good against evil where the risk concerning Veck is total damnation.

It was interesting watching Jim come more into his, umm "angelness”. Even the Archangels are becoming more fully fledged characters. What we love about this book is that the absolutely fabulous J.R. Ward is able to create complicated running plots throughout her books. Even the huge BDB (Black Dagger Brotherhood) fans, such as we are, will be happy to see these crossovers. Great plot, many twists and turns, a heartbreaking death, double crosses, you name it, Envy delivers. The story lines were perfectly balanced. At times, as per The Warden, there are always very funny scenes/comments. This book moves you, surprises you and its scorching hot. No-one writes so many strong voices, those of the modern characters vs the formal language of the Archangels like she does. It makes you smile and one can actually hear them. We strongly recommend reading and devouring this book, we certainly did. Enjoy! We give it an undivided and highly appreciative five stars. Suzanne

RATING: 5 STARS

INTERVIEW & REVIEW : KIMBERLY KINRADE

Kimberly Kinrade

AUTHOR BIO

Kimberly Kinrade was born with ink in her veins and magic in her heart. As a child, where others saw shapes in clouds, she saw words. Fast forward many years and college degrees later and she is now a reformed journalist who writes all things paranormal. When she's not writing and editing, she is busy playing her with her three little girls who think they are princess ninjas with hidden supernatural powers, her two dogs who think they are human, and the one man who is her soul mate and writing partner. 

Interview & Review by Sandra

INTERVIEW : AUTHOR OF FORBIDDEN MIND

Kimberly, thank you for the opportunity to interview you. You are the very first author to be interviewed on our blog so it’s all very exciting and we feel very honoured!

Firstly, could you tell us a little about yourself? Just a sneak peak into who you are and what you are all about.

INTRODUCTION

I was once a story in someone's heart. That's how I got here. That's how we all get here. It's not so different for my characters--they are just born on different planes of reality. 

INTERVIEW (A FEW PERSONAL QUESTIONS)

SSBF: Were you inspired by anyone to become a writer or are you one of those lucky people who were born with the gift? Please don’t be modest. I truly believe you either have it or you don’t! The reason behind my belief is that I have always wanted to write a book, but I know that reading a book and writing one are two completely different things. I am just not capable.

KK: Honestly, I've been writing since before I could write, if that makes sense. I think I was born with ink in my veins and magic in my heart. I've certainly had some amazing teachers, professors and authors inspire and shape my work, but the fire was there from the start.

SSBF: At what age did you start writing and about what did you write?

KK: I started writing when I was four or five, and started selling my stories when I was ten and ran out of teeth to sell to the tooth fairy. I remember a few of my earliest stories. One was about a boy who turned invisible and had to find a way to prove his presence and turn visible again. The other was called "The Village of Antville" and it was life from the point of view of a sentient ant colony. I wish I still had them!

SSBF: Who are your favourite authors and why?

KK: Patti Larsen, because she is prolific and brilliant. Her work is amazing! Dmytry Karpov, my fiancé and also the most genius writer I've ever met. He will be famous soon. Neil Gaiman because he's just so epic and crosses all the genre lines and breaks all the rules. I have too many I love, but these are a few to start! 

SSBF: How difficult is it and how much hard work does it really take to write a book?

KK: That's a tricky question. The writing of the book isn't hard for me, in the sense that I don't get writer's block. The ideas flow and I can write quickly. The hard part is carving time out of a hectic life to sit down and do it. It's the discipline of writing that is hard, not the act itself. But it is my career, so I treat it as such. I don't wait until I feel like writing. I write. 

SSBF: We know you are a mom of three. How does this impact your writing and your day to day organisation?

KK: HA! My girls are fantastic! They are also 8, 7 and 5 years old, so a handful. I'm fortunate to have a wonderful love who is a great dad to them and really helps me carve out time to write. He is also a writer, so we both work from home. It helps when the kids are in school. But the summer can be challenging. I sneak my writing in whenever I can, often forgoing sleep. (Who needs it anyways, right?)

FORBIDDEN MIND (THE BOOK)

I’m sure that I’m not the only one who has been looking forward to this book. I have had a sneak peek at the beginning and found it intriguing and am looking forward to reviewing it. 

SSBF: When do you prefer to write and where?

KK: I write when and where I can. I don't let myself be limited by certain rituals or times, because I just can't with three kids. So I write while the kids are bathing, or when they sleep or play. I write when I'm waiting for an appointment or when I should be sleeping. I just write!

SSBF: How or when did this story “come” to you?

KK: I woke up in the middle of the night with this idea (see how the muses interfere with sleep?). I had the title RENT-A-KID in my mind, the original title of the book "Forbidden Mind," and this girl Sam who needed me to be her voice. So I started writing in a little notebook I keep by my bed, then I put it away and forgot all about it for a long time. 

As I prepared to publish two other books, "Death by Destiny" and "The Reluctant Familiar," I wanted to put out a short story or novella that would grab people and introduce my paranormal writing. I remembered RENT-A-KID and thought it would make a good short story. I had no idea it would end up a trilogy! Lol 

SSBF: Did you base this story in relation to things that happen or can happen in real life or is it purely fictional?

KK: This is partly based on the horrible trend of human trafficking. The idea that humans can be harvested for their uses, whether it's paranormal abilities (like in my book) or sex or manual labor is horrifying. The fact that human trafficking is so rampant—it's right up there with drugs trafficking and illegal firearms in international crimes—is so sad to me. 

SSBF: In short, could you tell us what Forbidden Mind offers it’s readers? i.e. will it provide the readers with suspense, romance, humour etc.

KK: It's a bit of a thriller, so there will be some suspense. Will they make it or won't they? There are some twists you might not see coming. And there's definitely romance, though that isn't the main point of the book.

SSBF: Are your characters based on anyone you know personally?

KK: No, the characters are completely fictitious. But the relationship between Sam and Drake was inspired by my early relationship with my fiancé. We met online. They meet telepathically. In both situations, the relationship unfolds mentally before it becomes physical. I used a lot of personal experience to develop that with them. 

SSBF: How long did it take you to write this book?

KK: I wrote the first draft in two weeks. Edits took a bit longer. 

SSBF: Forbidden Mind is aimed at Young Adult readers. Other authors have been very successful in embracing the younger generation and at the same time have managed to cross over to the adult audience. This is always a good thing. My question is, why Young Adult and do you believe your book could cross over too? 

KK: I never set out to write Young Adult, per se. It just happened that thematically, my books tend to lean in that direction—the coming of age, coming into power, theme. I think these kinds of YA books are universal. We all have cycles in life where we come into our own power in new ways. We see these books as wish fulfillment, and it inspires something in our own lives. I definitely think there will be a huge cross-over with all three YA series I'm writing. 

SSBF: When I read, I become so engrossed in the story, particularly if the main female character is strong and can do all sorts of amazing stuff, I tend to want to become her. Do you ever wish you could be a character in your book and why?

KK: Sometimes. I'd love to always know if someone was lying, like Lucy in Forbidden Mind. I don't think I'd want to be a mind reader like Sam though. After spending so much time in her head, I just feel bad for her. I definitely would want the power and kick-butt martial arts ability that Corinne has in Death by Destiny.

SSBF: How excited are you about the release of Forbidden Mind?

KK: HA! SO excited! And a little nervous. I just hope people enjoy it. 

SSBF: Is Forbidden Mind a stand alone book or will there be a sequel?

KK: It's a trilogy. Books 2 & 3 will be out in November and December of this year through Evolved Publishing. 

SSBF: Last but not least, why should we buy and read Forbidden Mind?

KK: If you want to get lost in a world much like our own, but with kids who have super powers—if you want to lose yourself in the romance of two desperate teens who fall in love in the most unimaginable circumstances—and if you want to be surprised and moved to tears—then you should buy and read Forbidden Mind. 

Watch for Kimberly Kinrade's fun fall releases through Evolved Publishing

Forbidden Mind "She reads minds. He controls minds. Together, they might get out alive." -Sept. 2011

Death by Destiny "She was born to power. He was born to stop her." -Oct. 2011

The Reluctant Familiar "Agnes must decide. Is she a normal 13-year-old girl, or the most powerful witch alive?" -Dec. 2011

Author of "Bits of You & Pieces of Me" on Amazon“She has learned to love. To fear. To hate. And then to love again. Through it all, she writes.”

REVIEW  

When I came across Kimberly Kinrade on Twitter via a Retweet asking about book reviewers, I replied by saying I wouldn’t mind reviewing her book.  When asked if I reviewed YA, my reply was that no, I hadn’t done so but could “try”.  I hadn’t read YA books in many years so was a bit unsure how I would take to it.  I started Forbidden Mind 2 hours ago (with inevitable interruptions) and have just finished.  Miss Kinrade is an exceptional writer and I believe she will have a very successful future ahead of her. 

Sam “lives” in a place called Rent-A-Kid.  What goes on in this place?  Well, kids with paranormal powers - from mind reading like Sam, to mind control as with Drake, walking through walls to being able to tell when somebody is lying - are literally being used and abused!  However, they believe that because of their unusual powers, their parents gave them up and this organisation took them in, educated them and helped them control their powers.  When they turn 13 or so, these kids are sent out on “assignments” where in truth, people are renting them for specific jobs  - like spying.  They are led to believe that once they reach the age of 18, they are free to live their lives as they please.  Not so.  Close to Sam’s date of release and after being hit by her “uncle” for threatening him, she ends up in the clinic for treatment.   As she is signing out, something catches her eye – and she feels that all is not well.  This is when she unexpectedly connects to Drake’s mind and hears the words “help me”.  Why is this boy here? At first, Sam thinks that Drake must have done something bad to be brought here and held against his will, but he soon has her convinced that her life at Rent-A-Kid isn’t all she has been led to believe.  Why are they really there?  Did their parents really give them up?  Was it for their protection? Drake has turned her world, as she knows it, upside down.  Sam is lucky to have someone to turn to in the form of her two best friends Lucy and Luke (who are twins).  Together, can they break free and expose Rent-A-Kid for what it really is?  This story had me thinking (as it should) about all the horrific things that go on in real life such as human trafficking and child prostitution.  What goes on at this organisation is sickening.  It also made me wonder, where on earth can all these children that go missing daily in real life, really be?  Perhaps, somewhere similar to Rent-A-Kid?

Forbidden Mind is beautifully written and worth your reading time.  I just wish it would have been longer and in saying this, what I really mean is that – it was good – it was very good.

RATING: 5 STARS

Forbidden Mind is available from :

Smashwords : http://bit.ly/qravET

Amazon : http://amzn.to/pD0Wq8

BookieJar : http://bit.ly/nW3UjN

Goodreads : http://bit.ly/rec2Ii

Shannon Mckenna : McCloud Brothers Reviewed

Please note : We had already posted that we were busy with Shannon McKenna's : The McCloud Brothers Series on 14 August 2011 and have consequently updated that post with book descriptions and short review.

Thanks, Sandra & Suzanne

NEW : Reading for Young Adults

THE MORGANVILLE VAMPIRES by Rachel Caine

According to the Authors Website

Series appropriate from age 13 and up.

(Note : We have not read these books yet, as we keep adding to the list, but they sound so interesting we could not leave them out. Also, we feel it's great to add Young Adult reading to the blog as we are sure 95% of the world's population has read Twilight (as we did and loved it).  We we will get to them sooner rather than later.  Must point out though, that reviews have been very good and this series has been immensely and thoroughly enjoyed!)

When 16 year old Claire Danvers is enforced by her parents to spend a year in the "apparently sleepy" town of  Morganville, Texas, before heading off to MIT, her life takes a scary turn.  There are always mean girls to deal with (as we all know full well) so she moves off-campus and meets three new friends - Michael Glass, Eve Rosser and Shane Collins.  She soon realises that Morganville is full of secrets, the biggest one is that it's run by Vampires!

Series book order is as follows:  1. Glass Houses, 2. The Dead Girls' Dance, 3. Midnight Alley, 4. Feast of Fools, 5. Lord of Misrule, 6. Carpe Corpus, 7. Fade Out, 8. Kiss of Death, 9. Ghost Town, 10. Bite Club

12 Books have been planned for this series but there could possibly be more.

www.rachelcaine.com/