Luck Of The Wolf by Susan Krinard

Branded an outcast by the noble branch of his werewolf clan, Cort Renier had come to San Francisco seeking fortune - and revenge. What he found was a mysterious beauty who could not - or would not - reveal who she truly was. At first glance she seemed vulnerable and afraid, like so many girls caught in the debauchery of the city's whiskey-soaked gambling dens. But one look into her stunning turquoise eyes and he knew he'd found the winning hand. 

Aria di Reinardus had reasons of her own for concealing her identity, but Cort's kisses were more than enough to convince her to go along with his plans to transform her into a missing heiress and return her to her "family". But they were not the only ones with secrets to keep and vengeance in mind, and they were about to discover that some destinies couldn't be outrun... 

I just love to find new to me author especially when I enjoy their work.  I love reading paranormal and I love the canines yet I find that I am usually drawn to the vampires.  And the reason why is I have found that most of the authors of werewolves seem to forget that they will have those instincts.  Or if they do remember you can tell that they haven't done their research.  Imagine my delight to discover Ms. Krinard's work.  A lot of her werewolves want to forget that they have those instincts due to society but they are still there.  I really want to give her kudos for that. 

Okay now that I have gotten one of my pet peeves out of the way time to discuss this book in particular.   This book didn't reach out and grab me by the throat at the beginning.  Instead it was a long slow slide into pleasure.  I did find the villein to be rather one dimensional though I did truly love the main characters along with Aria's tutor Babette.  I was also slightly disappointed in the ending as it seemed the wrap up was rather rushed.

This book is a mix of both the wonderful and the not so wonderful.  All in all, it does tip the scales to the wonderful side.  I really did enjoy the reading so I do recommend it to lovers of the paranormal.  Also there are some sex scenes but nothing too explicit.

I rate this book a 3.4.

Kiss Me, Kill Me by Maggie Shayne

 

A long-ago act of kindness to a desperate woman changed Dr. Carrie Overton's life forever. Before disappearing into the night, the grateful stranger left her newborn son for Carrie to raise.  When the woman is later found murdered, the secret becomes Carrie's alone.

She has kept both it and her son, Sam, safe for sixteen years.  But now a friend of Sam's has gone missing. 

The police in quaint, quiet Shadow Falls, Vermont, believe he's a runaway - until he's found dead and another teen disappears, and talk turns to that long-ago murder.

I am impressed.  This story has so many layers of mysteries that it takes a bit to wind your way thru them all.  But don't feel as though it is time wasted as this is one very enjoyable book. 

Shadow's Fall will remind you of any number of people in a small town, one that get inundated with tourists  during certain time of the year.  Just like any small town, the locals all know each other and look out for each other.  What surprised me about these locals is that there was no finger pointing when a boy was found dead, not even at the tourists.  These are all people that I would be happy to call friends.  Well maybe not all...

Romantic suspense happens to be one of my favorite genres yet somehow I have never ran across Maggie Shayne.  This is an issue that has been corrected and I will definitely buy up all of her backlist also.   If you also enjoy this genre, then I highly recommend picking up this book.

I rate this book a 4.3.

I received this book compliments of netGallery at no charge in exchange for a review.  All opinions are my own.

Review: Allegra Fairweather by Janni Nell

Allegra Fairweather here. Paranormal investigator. Got problems with specters? Shapeshifters? I'm the woman to call. Just don't call me a Ghostbuster. The last guy who did that ended up flat on his back with my boot at his throat.

With my 99.5% success rate, solving the mystery of a bleeding rose that has sprung up on the shores of Loch Furness should have been an easy gig. But already I've heard the shriek of the local banshee, discovered two bodies (and then lost two bodies), and had a near-death encounter with a three-hundred-year-old ghost. And perhaps most dangerous of all, the hot pub owner who hired me now wants to show me exactly what's under his kilt.


This is actually the first book that I have had the pleasure of reading from Carina Press and to say that I am pleased with the quality of their authors is an understatement.  Carina Press is an e-book division of Harlequin books and the care they taken with the books shines thru.


ALLEGRA FAIRWEATHER:  PARANORMAL INVESTIGATOR is a book that will grab you from the very first page.  Allegra is a heroine that shows no fear even when she goes into dangerous situations.  Of course, it does help that she has a beyond hot guardian angel, Casper.  After meeting him, I am really bummed out that I also don't have one assigned to me.  Ms Nell does a fantastic of job characterizations on both her main and her secondary characters.  They all just jump off the pages to come join you in your living room.

As you can tell, I really enjoyed this book and am crossing my fingers that this is the start of a great series.  I rate this book a 4.2.

I received this book compliments of netGallery in exchange for a review.  No money changed hands and the opinions are entirely my own.