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.

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.
 

Sins of the Soul by Eve Silver

Alastor Krayl's world shattered when he learned that his father was the Underworld god of chaos and evil. All that saved him from self-destruction were his newfound brothers and the bond they shared as soul reapers. So when one of his brothers is murdered, vengeance becomes Alastor's obsession. And the enigmatic Naphré Kurata, a witness—or is she the killer?—has the answers he seeks.

A reluctant Underworld enforcer, Naphré trusts no one, especially not a seductive soul reaper who makes her burn with lust. Torn between duty and desire, she fights to keep her secrets safe from Alastor, even as she longs to surrender.

Let me start off my review by saying that I did enjoy this book.  Ms. Silver does a wonderful job of characterization.   I totally fell in love with Naphre' and Alastor though I have to admit that I couldn't deal with him as he is a control freak.    But Naphre' is a total delight.  She takes the hand that is dealt to her and makes the best of it.

I did however feel that this book is lacking.  There is a story arc that is evident in the beginning of the book and well it goes nowhere.  Everything gets buried beneath Alastor and Naphre's  feelings for each other and their superb sex.  The ending was a disappointment because felt as though nothing was really accomplished other then the two getting together.  Now that might be fine for a stand alone romance but not for the second book of a trilogy.

I rate this book a 3.

Fallen by Erin McCarthy

New Orleans, 1840s. Sent to watch over the decadent city, the angel Gabriel loses himself in the liquid pleasure of absinthe. So when his mistress, Anne, is murdered—and all evidence points to him—a foggy Gabriel cannot be sure he didn’t do it. His penance: to be forever denied love. Then in modern-day New Orleans he meets forensic scientist Sara Michaels... 

I had never heard of Erin McCarthy when I picked this book up so I really wasn't sure what I was getting into but I loved the cover so I figured that I would give it a try.  I have to admit that I was blown away.  Ms. McCarthy's characters are so real and  her descriptions place you right in the scene.  I discovered after I finished FALLEN that it is actually the second book in a series however this book is so well written that I didn't feel as though I missed a thing by not reading that first book.  Of course though, now I have pick up the first one.   It does touch on the Christian mythos but not really enough to detract from the story.  I highly recommend this book to anyone that enjoys paranormal romance.

I rate this book a 4.