Branded by Fire (Psy-Changeling #6) by Nalini Singh ~ Review

Source: Purchased.

Though DarkRiver sentinel Mercy is feeling the pressure to mate, she savagely resists when Riley Kincaid, a lieutenant from the SnowDancer pack, tries to possess her. The problem is not simply that he pushes her buttons; the problem is that he's a wolf, she's a cat, and they're both used to being on top.

But when a brilliant changeling researcher is kidnapped from DarkRiver territory, Mercy and Riley must work together to track the young man - before his shadowy captors decide he's no longer useful. Along the way, the two dominants may find that submitting to one another uncovers not just a deadly conspiracy, but a passion so raw that it'll leave them both branded by fire...

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After a long break from the Psy-Changeling series, I finally picked up the next installment. And I know I've enjoyed the previous books, but it was so lovely to ease back into this world again. Braded by Fire is another solid and awesome installment in this series.

I've got to start this review by talking about how much I love this world. How well written it is. How easy it is to fall into, even while being incredibly complex. Nalini Singh is talented and brilliant. And this goes for the world and the overall plot within it, but also the characters. We get to see the couples from the previous books. I love checking in with them. And at the same time, there's an entire cast around the main characters of THIS book, ripening for their own stories and I'm excited.

As for the main couple in Branded by Fire, I of course was a fan. Something special about Mercy and Riley was how early they got together. Don't get me wrong, there is complications and conflict and it's still a lovely story of them becoming a couple that will last, but I enjoyed that their romance was built of a push and pull that involved them TOGETHER instead of apart. 

While the romance was marvelous, I also have to mention the familial relationships in this one--Riley and his siblings, Mercy and hers. I adore it. And their bonds to their packs! Have I mentioned that I love them?

The entire story was well done: the world-building, the plot, the romance, the side characters, literally everything. That said, this one just wasn't a favorite for me. Not sure if it was my mood or my forever love for Brenna and Judd or what, but this one fell juuuuust short of a 5-star read for me.

Overall, Branded by Fire is another strong installment in the Psy-Changeling series. It has everything I was looking for: a lovely romance, an interesting plot, and world-building that was comprehensive but not overbearing. If you've been holding out on this series, y'all, you really must pick it up!

4.5 stars - This series continues to be brilliant!

Wolf Rain by Nalini Singh ~ Review

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh takes us on a new adventure in this next novel of the Psy-Changeling Trinity series…

The end of Silence was supposed to create a better world for future generations. But trust is broken, and the alliance between Psy, Changeling, and human is thin. The problems that led to Silence are back in full force. Because Silence fixed nothing, just hid the problems.

This time, the Psy have to find a real answer to their problems–if one exists. Or their race will soon go extinct in a cascade of violence. The answer begins with an empath who is attuned to monsters–and who is going to charm a wolf into loving her despite his own demons.

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I adore this series.  I reread it often and I love the wolves.  When the Psy-Changeling spun off into Trinity, I wasn't sure how much more of the wolves we would get.  So when the title of Wolf Rain was announce, I was so happy.  Still I thought it might be a different pack.  There was genuine joy when I learned this was book was in Snowdancer and that it was sexy Lexi Lieutenant Alexei's book.

What I knew of Alexei is how strong he is.  A steady stream of challenges in his sector has him beating down wolf after wolf in dominance fights. All of which he wins.  He's also a man of few words.  What I learned about Alexei is that he is a broken wolf, troubled by loses he can't begin to get over.  And a determination to walk alone, part of his protective mile wide streak.  Yep, I love him.

As for Memory, she's a totally new character to the series.  Her past a devastating battle she brings to her present.  She is strong yet she doesn't give herself enough credit.  She believes she's a monster that no wolf would want.  Her Psy power nothing like those that take her in.  Yet again, she doesn't give herself enough credit.  I love that Alexei won't let her sell herself short.

The world of the Psy-Changelings is so dynamic and alive.  It grows with each story, yet it touches each character, each couple tenderly.  I absolutely adore this world.  It's a world I would love to be part of and maybe that explains why I reread it so often.  I just love being in this world.

The characters are always drawing on my emotions.  I hurt for Alexei.  His fear is real and he believes he must walk alone.  I get why he feels that way.  I want more for him.  As for Memory, I'm so proud of her and how she makes herself strong.  How she's determined to fight her enemy.  No one could be a better match for Alexei.

As for seeing characters I already love, it's amazing.  This book takes me back inside the Snowdancer den.  It's like a great family reunion seeing all the characters and catching up with them.  I will admit that there is a baby I wished we had a tad more information about but I can hope that will come in another book.

As always, the writing is excellent.  I find that I love the way this author blends the current story with back fill information.  It is a weaving that never makes you feel like you've left the story to catch up on things.  No information dump here.  No, it's seamlessly woven in with the story often leaving me curious and happy.  This author is a master at giving you just enough information to move things along and leaving out the one piece that will have you gasping with surprise.  Yes, she did that again in this story.  I admit to being stunned by the name that finally appeared near the end.  Maybe I should have known but I was so involved in the story that I didn't question...just read on.

A part of my favorite all time series, this book will not disappoint fans.  It certainly could stand alone as this author does a great job of giving enough information to fill in any gaps.  BUT why would you not want to read them all?  I have no idea.  If you love shifters, paranormal, fantasy, hot romance or any combination of, then this book should be DEVOURED and soon.

                                             

This book just makes my heart happy.  Can I reread it yet?

Hostage to Pleasure (Psy-Changeling #5) by Nalini Singh ~ Review

Source: Purchased.

Hostage to Pleasure (Psy-Changeling #5) by Nalini Singh

Separated from her son and forced to create a neural implant that will mean the effective enslavement of her psychically gifted race, Ashaya Aleine is the perfect Psy--cool, calm, emotionless...at least on the surface. Inside, she's fighting a desperate battle to save her son and escape the vicious cold of the PsyNet. Yet when escape comes, it leads not to safety, but to the lethal danger of a sniper's embrace.

DarkRiver sniper Dorian Christensen lost his sister to a Psy killer. Though he lacks the changeling ability to shift into animal form, his leopard lives within. And that leopard's rage at the brutal loss is a clawing darkness that hungers for vengeance. Falling for a Psy has never been on Dorian's agenda. But charged with protecting Ashaya and her son, he discovers that passion has a way of changing the rules...

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Reading this series is turning into a long-term thing for me. I read the first four books what feels like forever ago now. Like, I honestly can't remember how long ago it was that I read book 4. And it's not because the series isn't good -- heck no. It's because the series is so dang long, it's intimidating to me to think if binge reading it. So then I take way too long to pick up the next book. And then when I do, I wonder why I didn't do so sooner because the book, just like the series as a whole, is. so. good. Yes, that was the case with Hostage to Pleasure.

Nalini Singh is brilliant. This world she's created? Large and complex, but oh so easy to fall into. The PLOT? Dear goodness. So. Damn. SMART. There are countless threads, both throughout this one book but also throughout the series as a whole, and the way they seem to effortlessly build and work together is something that I am truly in awe of. Singh's writing is out of this world amazing.

Then there's the romance, which is top notch. Dorian and Ashaya have one of the most sensual slow burns I've ever read. Ashaya slowly growing on Dorian, despite Dorian wanting nothing to do with his attraction to her...wow. And Ashaya gradually opening up her emotions to him, feeling safe enough to do so...the growth of trust and affection and tenderness between the two... Nalini Singh is truly a master.

And how could I not mention the other relationships? In Hostage to Pleasure, in particular, there's Ashaya and Dorian's bonds with Keenan. The sweetest, I swear. Ashaya being his mommy. And Dorian being protective and kind and caring. It was beautiful. Then there's the pack dynamics -- the close friendships and die-hard trust. I loved spending time enfolded in their world.

There were only two little things holding the novel back from being perfect for me. One of those things was Amara. I just did not like her plot thread. I have no doubt she'll come into play somehow later, but in this installment her portion was just so over complicated when all I wanted was for her to go away. The other thing is the overall pacing -- it was slow for me. I suspect this is just a me thing (trying not to miss anything, catch all the important tidbits while also enjoying the parts I loved, which were many) but it felt like it took me forever to read this book. I'd read twenty pages but it'd feel like I read at least double that. Which in a way is good -- it meant the pages were jam packed -- but it made my overall reading experience feel like it was dragging.

All that said, Hostage to Pleasure was another amazingly written installment in the Psy-Changeling series. A masterful slow burn romance, brilliant plot and world building, and other lovely relationship dynamics make this a PNR I don't recommend passing on.

4 stars - A brilliant, passionate installment in a series that is not to be missed!

Ocean Light by Nalini Singh ~ Review

Available TOMORROW from Berkley!

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh dives beneath the surface of her Psy-Changeling world into a story of passionate devotion and selfless love...

Security specialist Bowen Knight has come back from the dead. But there's a ticking time bomb in his head: a chip implanted to block telepathic interference that could fail at any moment--taking his brain along with it. With no time to waste, he should be back on land helping the Human Alliance. Instead, he's at the bottom of the ocean, consumed with an enigmatic changeling...

Kaia Luna may have traded in science for being a chef, but she won't hide the facts of Bo's condition from him or herself. She's suffered too much loss in her life to fall prey to the dangerous charm of a human who is a dead man walking. And she carries a devastating secret Bo could never imagine...

But when Kaia is taken by those who mean her deadly harm, all bets are off. Bo will do anything to get her back--even if it means striking a devil's bargain and giving up his mind to the enemy...

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If you know me at all, you already know I'm OBSESSED with the psy-changling world!  It's my go to re-read series when I'm stressed, upset, or in a reading slump.  And I'm so happy the series will continue with this new spin-off.  This one is book two in the Psy-Changeling Trinity part of the series.  And this book sets a new standard for the books to follow!

I so loved Silver Silence.  Gotta love the bear changelings! But this book edged it out just a bit for my favorite of the spin off.  I adore Bo.  And I'm so excited about Black Sea and getting to know the water changelings!

And it is a mystery.  Kaia doesn't let on what her animal is and so Bo is left to guess.  It's adorable really.  And I loved how he finally found out.  No word from me on that little detail.  I did guess wrong, though.

Bo and Kaia's story is complex and endearing.  There's the chip in his head that's an issue.  There's the distance Kaia keeps trying to force between them - she has a secret and some pain in her past.  There's the fact that they are sitting on the bottom of the ocean.  And there's a few more twists thrown in as well.  I think that's one of the things I love about Nalini Singh's books.  There is always so much happening and they are all masterfully woven together to create such a satisfying and enjoyable read.

A lot of the characters in this book are new.  Some familiar faces, of course, are involved but I loved to meet so many new ones.  The turtle was a favorite.  Whale song was another.  I loved that they were on the ocean floor where Bo was out of his element and the Black Sea changeling could shine.  I loved that Bo still showed his depth of character when he was the fish out of water.  

There is a bit of mystery going on in this one.  It took me a while to figure it out and that happened only right before it was revealed.  This author is good at subterfuge.   Again, this makes for such an enjoyable read.

Of course, I can't wait for more.  I never want it to end.  I love this world and adore the characters that live there.  It is my favorite fictional world and I would happily live there.

If you haven't read this series, you so need to.  It is some of the best PNR around.  This author is a favorite and you should definitely give it a look.

                                             

Jess' Favorite Books of 2017

Hi, friends! So I just finished my 95th book of the year, and I'm fairly certain it's my last read of 2017 (due to the fact that I have work on the weekend and also I'm now in a huge book hangover where all I want to do is re-read a certain series...which I'll talk about later in this post). This means that it's time to talk about my favorite books I read this year! They're not in any particular order -- until the last one on this list, which will be my #1 fav of the year. The rest are just equal super awesome favorites. :)

(Click on covers for Gooreads links!)

The Fill-In Boyfriend by Kasie West

I actually read this one super recently -- it was a gift from my Secret Santa, and I read the entire thing in a few hours the day I opened it. This was my first Kasie West book, and it has me more than eager to pick up many more. The Fill-In Boyfriend is sweet and cute and easy to get swept up in. Also doesn't hurt that it has one of my favorite tropes (a pretend relationship...that of course blooms into more).

Groupie / Roadie / Moxie by C.M. Stunich

2017 has been a huge year of me finding and reading more reverse harem (since I love it so gosh darn much). One of my favorite trilogies is this one right here. I can't pick one book above the others as a favorite for the year (though throughout the rest of this list, I'm aiming for one book per author, just fyi -- and I'm not counting re-reads either...and I re-read A LOT this year) Okay, I digress... I can't pick one book of this trilogy as a favorite for this list, mostly because it's all one story following the same characters and it's all important and amazing and I loooooved it so muuuuch. 

Caressed by Ice by Nalini Singh

I've read four books out of this series so far and enjoyed every single one of them, but my favorite so far is this one right here. Caressed by Ice pulled me in right away and I could NOT put it down. I loved Judd and Brenna as a couple -- they made me all warm and fuzzy. Plus, Judd in and of himself is a total favorite.

Till Death by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Not a year goes by where I don't read at least a handful of JLA books so picking just one favorite is always hard, but this year that fav is totally Till Death. I LOVED the mystery of this one. It was so much fun trying to figure it out throughout the story...while also falling in love with Cole. Jen's writing just always wins me over. Always, always, always.

The Hookup by Kristen Ashley

This was the most difficult decision for this list. Why? Because I've read SO MANY Kristen Ashley books this year. Even not counting re-reads. And they were all so good. It came down to a toss up between The Farthest Edge and this one and I don't know why but I chose The Hookup. Tomorrow I'll probably wish I'd gone with TFE. But the POINT is that they're both fantastic books. And since I chose The Hookup, I will say that it's such a well-written beautiful romance and I know even though I just read it this month, I'll be re-reading it soon. And then often after that. Though isn't that the way with KA books??

Blue Lily, Lily Blue by Maggie Stiefvater

Of course I had to include a Raven Cycle on here. I, ahem, did not complete this series this year. Not for lack of wanting to -- I was actually going to read The Raven King as my last book of 2017 -- but more, I just ran out of time. But I'm okay with that because this series is best taken in small, lovely doses and BLLB was the perfect amount of the Raven crew for my year. And now I have some left over for 2018. Oh, in case you did not know, this is one of my favorite series ever with some of my favorite characters ever and I'm kind of more than a little obsessed. Heh.

Black and Green by C.L. Stone

I feel a little bad because I feel like a good portion of this list is me talking about how much I loved certain installments of series I love, but...oh well. This is the tenth book in the Ghost Bird series and I enjoyed it a whole bunch, even though when I was reading it I took a while to get to the point of loving it. I got there, though, once I realized what it was all leading up to. And it was well worth it, in my opinion. Aaaand now maybe I want to re-read this soon? Hmm. Maybe if I can step away from this next series...

Dark Demise by Rebecca Royce

Say hello to my last read of 2017 and also my absolute #1 favorite book of the year! It currently has me in total book hangover and as soon as I'm done with this post I'm going to be re-reading other books in the series because I don't know what else to do with my life. Y'ALL. I've been getting so into this series this year. Book 1 was actually my first read of 2017. And I've had some books I liked more than others (though I did enjoy them all) and honestly and truly this book tops them all. I am head over heels. And, aha, it doesn't even release until January 23rd, 2018 (so, you know, if you want to jump on the bandwagon of this amazing series -- which I HIGHLY recommend -- now if the perfect time to do it!). Dark Demise was so well written. In each individual character's personalities to their chemistry to the plot and events and ALL THE THINGS I AM SO IN LOVE WITH THIS BOOOOOK.

Ahhhhh.

Okay.

So. 

Dark Demise was kind of the main reason I made this post; I needed to shout from the rooftops how phenomenal this beauty is. Now that I've gotten that out of my system (for now), tell me, friends, what have been your favorite books you've read this year?!

Cherish Hard by Nalini Singh ~ Now Available & Excerpt

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh kicks off her new Hard Play contemporary romance series with a sizzling story that’ll leave you smiling…

Cherish Hard is NOW LIVE

Meet Sailor & Isa TODAY!

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More about CHERISH HARD

CHERISH HARD

A Hard Play Novel by Nalini Singh

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh kicks off her new Hard Play contemporary romance series with a sizzling story that’ll leave you smiling…

Sailor Bishop has only one goal for his future – to create a successful landscaping business. No distractions allowed. Then he comes face-to-face and lips-to-lips with a woman who blushes like an innocent… and kisses like pure sin.

Ísa Rain craves a man who will cherish her, aches to create a loving family of her own. Trading steamy kisses with a hot gardener in a parking lot? Not the way to true love. Then a deal with the devil (aka her CEO-mother) makes Ísa a corporate VP for the summer. Her main task? Working closely with a certain hot gardener.

And Sailor Bishop has wickedness on his mind.

As Ísa starts to fall for a man who makes her want to throttle and pounce on him at the same time, she knows she has to choose – play it safe and steady, or risk all her dreams and hope Sailor doesn’t destroy her heart.

☆☆☆☆☆☆

Excerpt from CHERISH HARD by

Nalini Singh

ÍSA WONDERED WHAT THE HELL she was doing.

Being a devil woman, she reminded herself. Having fun for a change. Not being a grandma at twenty-eight years of age.

Still, she couldn’t stop second-guessing herself as Sailor led her out of the house through a side entrance that opened out into a small, manicured garden. “I’ll have to take off my heels,” she whispered when she saw the pebbled path snaking through the garden.

“Want a piggyback ride?” A playful grin. “I promise not to molest your thighs.”

Goose bumps broke out over Ísa’s skin, her nipples tight. Reckless as she was feeling tonight, she might just have taken him up on his offer if she hadn’t been worried her damn dress would split in two. “Maybe when we’re naked,” she said instead, Devil Ísa in full flower.

Groaning, he doubled over as if she’d punched him.

Her lips twitching despite the melting sexual heat liquefying her bones, she leaned down to slip off her heels.

Sailor waited, his hand firm around hers, until she was done. Taking the heels from her, he carried them in his other hand as Ísa padded beside him on the grass that lay on this side of the pebbled path. The path ended at a weathered wooden gate, which, when opened, put them at the top of a narrow walkway that led down onto a beach Ísa couldn’t yet see but could hear.

Her heart crashed in time with the waves as they made their way down to the beach while the mansion behind them pulsed with light and music. But she didn’t turn and run away, she didn’t stop and talk herself out of it, she didn’t attempt to be a sensible adult. She followed a gorgeous, blue-eyed man down a dirt pathway to an effectively private beach.

The sand that had been tracked onto the path was gritty under her feet, the air coming off the sea cool but not cold.

“The water’s going to be icy, isn’t it?” she whispered to his broad back.

“Don’t worry, spitfire. I’ll keep you warm,” was the deep-voiced response. “Stop here.” Jumping down to the beach, he reached up to grab her by the waist, swinging her down as if she were a featherweight.

Something fluffy and mushy came to life inside Ísa. “Here?”

Shaking his head, he said, “Raj told me there’s like a little cove area—not a proper cove, but caused by— There.”

Ísa saw it at once. A huge tree had fallen into the water at some point and smashed up against some rocks where it appeared to be stuck. Between the jutting rocks on either side and the fallen trunk was a naturally created pool. The water within it was pretty calm, and it looked as if they could get to it by clambering over some rocks that didn’t appear too sharp or slippery.

Of course, she’d be walking over those rocks naked.

Ísa looked up at the moon. Imagined it shining on the stark white of her body. Gulped. “Will you close your eyes while I go in the water?” Even Devil Ísa wasn’t up for blinding him with her glow-in-the-dark form.

A glance back. “What’re you going to bribe me with?”

Ísa scowled. “Not pushing you into the water right now.” It was a toothless threat given his muscles and her lack of them.

Rubbing his jaw, he said, “Three tongue kisses. That’s my price, and I’m not budging.”

Ísa wanted to pounce on him all over again. “Two,” she countered.

“Nuh-uh. Three. Or I’m keeping both eyes wide open.” Leaning in, he pressed his nose to hers. “I really want to keep my eyes wide open.”

And Ísa really wanted to kiss him and run her hands all over that sculpted chest. “Three,” she whispered.

Copyright © 2017 by Nalini Singh

Haven’t read this series yet? Start the Rock Kiss Series NOW!

Rock Addiction (Book One) Rock Kiss Series

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Author Information

Nalini Singh is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of the Psy-Changeling, Guild Hunter, and Rock Kiss series. She lives and works in beautiful New Zealand, and is passionate about writing.

If you’d like to explore her other books, you can find lots of excerpts and free short stories on her website. Slave to Sensation is the first book in the Psy-Changeling series, while Angels’ Blood is the first book in the Guild Hunter series. The Rock Kiss books are all stand alone and can be read in any order.

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