A Shifter Christmas Carol by Jennifer Ashley ~ Review

Dylan Morrissey forgoes the Shifters’ traditional Yule celebration, to his family’s dismay. Instead, he joins Ben at the haunted house in New Orleans, planning to meet with potential, if dangerous, allies in the Shifters’ constant struggle for freedom.

But the sentient house has other ideas. Dylan wakes up—or rather doesn’t—unable to move or speak, and is taken on a journey to the past, present, and future.

Ben, Zander, and Tiger are his guides, but is what they are showing him truth?

Return to Shiftertown for a Shifters Unbound take on a classic Christmas tale!

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Okay, yeah, it's not Christmas but I'm so glad I ran across this little novella, that I missed in December, from a favorite series.

While it's not really decked in all the trimmings at all, it's definitely a kin to The Christmas Carol.  I LOVE the part the house plays in this tale.  Yeah, the house is definitely a character in this series.  And no one could be a better scrooge than Dylan, not that he's selfish or miserly in any way.  But he does seem to think he needs to do things his way all the time.  He likes to go off on his own and save the day.  We all need our family, our pack.  He just needed to learn how much he needed his.

I loved that there were appearances from some of my favorites in this one.  Ben, I really hope he gets his own book soon.  I adore Tiger and can never get enough of him.  And then Zander, an amazing polar bear shifter, is another favorite.  They make the perfect three ghosts.

I devoured this book and paced around wanting more.  I had to go check the authors website to see if there was info on the next book.  I will be stalking her to know more because this is a favorite series that I will always want to read.

                                             

Dashing Through The Snow by M. Leighton ~ Now Available & Review

Need some fun to brighten up the holidays?  Need some heat to warm up the cold nights?  Well,this is just the thing.  DASHING THROUGH THE SNOW, a sexy, snowy Christmas story by M. Leighton is LIVE!

A dash of perfect for the holidays!

Dilyn Hart hates Christmas, so when her boss (and ex-boyfriend) hands her an assignment to interview champion snowboarder and gorgeous playboy extraordinaire, Dash Grainger, on Christmas Eve, she takes it. There are several things she doesn’t plan for—a surly driver, a chalet in the middle of nowhere, a freak snowstorm—but the biggest surprise of all is Dash himself.

Dash Grainger lives for the high, and so far in his twenty-six years, he’s never met anyone or anything he loves more. Nothing has ever thrilled him as much as slick snow, cold air, and breakneck speed.

Until he meets Dilyn.

But one perfect night doesn’t mean clear, blue skies the next day. Some storms can’t be weathered.

Christmas might just be one of them.

GET YOUR DASH OF CHRISTMAS CHEER TODAY!

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Marshmallows, the Colorado Rockies, Christmas Eve...they are have a new meaning to me now.  And that meaning is all wrapped up in this novella.  

A novella!

One of the few authors that can wrap my heart up in a very short number of pages is M. Leighton.  That makes this a perfect read to warm up your the holidays.

It's sexy.

It's fun.

It's a quickie.

It captures your heart.

It's HOT. 

And it's a holiday book.

That's the perfect package for reading in December.  

The characters are endearing.  I loved how how feisty and strong Dilyn is and how sexy yet tender Dash is.  I adore the reason he's called Dash.  Love them both.

I love that the cover makes sense with the story.  That I could read it in an evening without staying up too late.

I love how the story just captured me and the next thing I knew I was stressed enough to go post on Facebook.  Yes.  I did that.  I hit a point where I was just so worried about these two.  I wanted so much for them to fight for each other.  I just needed to talk to someone who knew the ending.  Not to know it too but to be told to read on.  It's okay.

And I did read on.  And I'm just so happy I did because that's the point where it became charming.  And the sighing began.  It was perfectly what I needed to read.

If you enjoy contemporary romance then you need this book this holiday season. 

                                          

Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh ~ Release Day & Review

Source:  Received paperback ARC from publisher in exchange for a fair and honest review.

The “alpha author of paranormal romance”* presents a stunningly sensual collection of four all-new Psy-Changeling novellas, in which taboos are broken, boundaries are crossed, and instincts prove irresistible...

Echo of Silence
In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life’s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander...

Dorian
A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play...

Partners in Persuasion
Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…

Flirtation of Fate
Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries...

*Booklist, starred review

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Review...

Echo of Silence

Stefan!  This is Stefan's story.  He lives deep beneath the ocean surface on Alaris.  He's as close to being an Arrow as you can be without being one.  What kept him from being an Arrow is why he lives out of site from the rest of the Psy world.  There only humans and changelings down on Alaris.  His telekinetic power a measure of safety for the crew.  But what is he hiding?  I've wanted to know for a while.  He shows up from time to time with some of my favorite psy, Judd and the Arrows.  Now I know what's up with Stefan and I totally loved it.

This one is a short sexy story of how two people are drawn to each other even when they are sure they aren't right for each other.  Tazia, a human, is living her dream job at the price of her families approval.  Stefan is scarred.  Both are drawn to each other.  As they are put in a position to help others, they learn about each other and the feelings that have been developing for months leak out.  Both are healed from their past.  Both are the other's strength.  It was wonderful.  

Dorian

Warning:  Spoilers for Hostage to Pleasure.

I admit to being surprised a novella about Dorian was tucked in this book.  We have his story in Hostage to Pleasure but I'm so glad this little gem is there. 

It's not a repeat of anything we know but a few glimpses of things that are only hinted at.  We see Dorian as a young child dealing with the pain of not being able to shift.  We see Dorian as a teen determined to be the best.  We see Dorian after his initial shift on the camping trip.  And we see Dorian as his alpha and the other Sentinels challenge him to finally release all of his leopard.   

It was pure joy to read. 

Partners in Persuasion

This is Desiree's story.  A strong solider who still needs to call her mom to let her know she's safely home from a night shift, I was excited to see who this dominate cat would fall for.  And I was surprised.

Felix is the horticultural expert in SnowDancer and a submissive.  Of course, he does a good job of getting things organized for a major re-planting that needs to take place.  Nothing gets between him and his seedlings.  I really like him and, frankly, I was happy to see a submissive male and a dominate female tangle.  It's not a common pairing and I really enjoyed that.  A bad experience with a dominate female in the past has Felix resisting Desiree and this story just got a whole lot more interesting. 

There's all the fun that you expect in a story from this series with a novella length that can be enjoyed in an hour.  I just can't get enough of this world or these characters.  I want every little pairing there is to have.  I want every story there is to be told.  

Sexy with a twist of different that makes this one a pleasure to read. 

Flirtation of Fate

I've met Kenji and Garnet before and everyone wondered what was up with those two.  They certainly seemed like they should be together but she's mad and he's teasing.  So I was curious to read this one.

It's clear there is chemistry between these two as well as some strong feelings.  While Garnet didn't know, I saw enough of Kenji to figure out his issue early on and while I got why he pushed her away, I was sure she would still want him.  Of course I was right.  It just took some forced time around each other and a joint focus that had the feeling from the past well in play to get them both to decide it was time to let the truth out.  I enjoyed both the little mystery they solved together and the second chance at love between them.

I adore this world and these little stories that add so much to the world itself.  I would love to live in this world, in one of these packs where people take care of their own and problems get worked out.  It's a happy place for me to be.

Of course I loved all of these stories and am so glad to have read an early copy of this book.  If you love this world as much as I do, then make sure you have this one to add to your collection.  If you haven't discovered just how wonderful this series is, then here's an excuse to start.  This book can be read out of order but it will only have you wanting more.

                               

Guilded Hunter Series (#0.4, 0.5, & 0.6) by Nalini Singh ~ Review

Source:  Purchased

Reviews from Val

Angels' Dance (Guild Hunter, 0.4) by Nalini Singh

The gentle teacher of angelic young, and the keeper of her people's histories, Jessamy is respected and admired by everyone who knows her. Yet, born unable to soar into flight, she has spent thousands of years trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge, her heart encased in painful loneliness...until the arrival of Galen, warrior angel from a martial court.

Rough-edged and blunt, Galen is a weapons-master at home with violence, a stranger to the sweet words it takes to woo a woman--but he is also a man determined to claim Jessamy for his own, to dance with her through the skies denied her for so very long...even if their exhilarating passion proves as dangerous as the landscape of war and unrest that lies before them.

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Review...

If you read my reviews regularly, you know I'm obsessed with this authors Psy/Changeling series.  It makes sense to try out her other books so that's my summer reading project.  I started with this little novella.

Since I know this authors writing and I've read quite a few of her little novellas, I think I can safely say that this one is just a little different than the rest of the series it belongs to.  This one is set with the angels and not with the hunters.  It's got a historical feel to it as these creatures are hundreds of years old and don't really live as the humans do at all.   Living on sides of cliffs and using fire to cook are just a couple of things that gave it that feel for me.  Add the flying to the mix and it felt very different.

I love both Galen and Jessamy.  Galen's nickname is the barbarian.  He is the son of two warriors and was raised to be one as well.  The social graces are not his way.  He's direct and forward in his comments and methods.  When he meets Jessamy, he asks after her and then he courts her.  Nothing holds him back, not her shyness or unease with the disability that she has.  With one crippled wing, Jessamy cannot fly.  She teaches the young ones and is stuck at the refuge since it takes flight to leave that place.  No one courts her.  She has lived this way for hundreds of years.  So shocked would be an understatement of her surprise when Galen begins to do so.  They are adorable together.

I will admit that this is not yet a favorite but I will read the next one to see if the actual world of angels, vampires and hunters draws me in as well as the Psy/Changeling world did.

                       

Angel's Judgment (Guilded Hunter, 0.5) by Nalini Singh

Warrior angels, vampire hunters, and angels gone bad heat up this altogether sizzling paranormal alternate universe, from the bestselling author Nalini Singh.

Angels' Judgementis the compelling story of passion, love and danger in the Guild Hunter world. Sara and Deacon are Guild Hunters, their life's work is catching and capturing - or killing - rogue angels. It's dangerous work and sometimes life or death decisions must be made in a moment. And when a judgement has to be made, should love be allowed to get in the way . . . ?

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Review...

Interesting.  The first little novella was set in the Angels' part of this world but this one in the hunters.  I will say that I'm really enjoying the hunter end of things.

Sara is on the verge of becoming the director of the hunters but before she accepts she's on a job with the loner Deacon, slayer of the Guild.  He keeps to himself and doesn't make friends with those he may one day have to kill for going bad.  But the heat between them has them both considering possibilities.  

It's nice to see a women being considered for such an important job in this paranormal world.  She's definitely badass enough.  As she and Deacon hunt down the mystery of who's killing vampires, she shows off some awesome skills.  Deacon notices too.  That boy is one hot hunter.  But by far the best part was when he turned to her to protect him in the gay bar.  Hehe.  

I definitely enjoyed this one more than Angel's Dance.  It was a better taste of this world and I think I'm going to enjoy this series.  An interesting twist on angel's and vampires with great characters and hot chemistry, what's not to love?





                                

Angels' Pawn (Guided Hunter, #0.6) by Nalini Singh

Angels' Pawn is a tale of flirtation and danger set in the Guild Hunter world. Ashwini and Janvier have no reason to be drawn to each other - but they are. Even when they're on opposite sides of a debate there's a spark between them which doesn't want to die. Will it be fanned to become a flame...or are they both the pawns of angels?

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Review...

I'm still trying to figure out if this is the end of this story.  It felt so much like the first third of a great book and I'm searching through the series looking for where it may continue!  Because there MUST be a continuation! 

So I am enjoying this world though is it more brutal than I generally enjoy.  I'm still trying to get the feel of the dynamics between angels, vampires, hunters and humans.  But I like it.

Though this installment only frustrated me, I will be reading on.  I wanted more.  I wanted an ending.  But this vampire is still doing his thing which sometimes involves Ashwini hunting him and this hunter is still doing her thing which is taking jobs from the guild.  I was expecting something to change at the end.  

Yes, yes, there is a little story they deal with together and that's the point of the novella BUT I wanted more.  To be fair, I will admit here that novella rarely satisfy me.  

               

All of these novellas are also available in this anthology

Angels' Flight

Night Shift by Nalini Singh, Ilona Andres, Lisa Shearin, & Milla Vane ~ Review

Source:  Purchased the audiobook

Four masters of urban fantasy and paranormal romance plunge readers into the dangerous, captivating world unearthed beyond the dark...

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh delivers a smoldering story with Secrets at Midnight , as the scent of Bastien Smith’s elusive lover ignites a possessiveness in him that’s as feral as it is ecstatic. And now that he’s found his mate, he’ll do anything to keep her.

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews’ novella,Magic Steals , when people start going missing, shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau and jaguar shifter Jim Shrapshire must uncover the truth about the mysterious creatures responsible.

From Milla Vane—a warrior princess must tame The Beast of Blackmoor to earn a place among her people. But she quickly discovers that the beast isn't a monster, but a barbarian warrior who intends to do some taming himself.

It’s seer Makenna Frazier's first day on the job at Supernatural Protection and Investigations, and her first assignment is more than she bargained for when bodyguard duty for a leprechaun prince’s bachelor party goes every which way but right in national bestselling author Lisa Shearin’s Lucky Charms .

Review...

Secrets at Midnight (5 stars)

This is the reason I purchased the audiobook.  I love Nalini Singh and this series.

I'd met Bastien in another book from this series and Ioved his name so when I saw this novella was about him, I had to have it.

Bastien has a puzzle to solve.  He catches a whiff of his mates scent but he can't find her.  Tracking her seems impossible and that's just insulting to his leopard.  But a chance cake delivery has him coming face to face with the women his cat is convinced is his mate.  But who is she?  Or better yet, what is she?

I was amazed how much was packing into this short novella.  A mystery to go with a mating was amazing.  This author is a master at telling even novella length stories in such a compelling way that I just don't want to put them down or have them end.  

Best story of the book.

                       

Magic Steals (3 stars)

I've never really been a magic girl.  Despite that, I did enjoy this book.  Might have been the shifters in it.  Dali is a tiger and she's the person everyone comes to when black magic has hurt them.  She brings balance back to the world.  So when a mystery takes shape after a person goes missing, she's the one to try and solve it.

Hanging out with Dali is the jaguar that wants her as his mate.  Interestingly, Dali sees herself as plain and can't figure out why Jim would be interested in her.  He's this gorgeous alpha and she's a vegetarian plane jane.  So not how he sees her.

It was fun to watch her figure out the mystery as well as the feeling that Jim has for her.  It was almost a coming of age shifter story.  Learn to accept yourself and get the guy too kinda book.




           

The Beast of Blackmoor (4 stars)

This book is more epic fantasy than I would normally read.  No shifters in it, though.  But the thing is that I really did enjoy it.  Because it was a novella, it didn't get weighted down with some much fantasy that I felt lost.  There was just enough that I enjoyed the tale.  

Milla is on a quest to tame the beast.  The quest is for her Goddess.  And she is a mighty warrior in her own right but with the help of the Goddess, she cannot be beat.  But taming doesn't mean a collar and the history of the beast must be resolved.  It's all very tied together as her faith in her Goddess and her attraction to her warrior combine to find an answer neither of them saw coming.

Very enjoyable and quite sexy, this one surprised me.  I'm sure I never would have picked it up had it not been in this anthology.




              

Lucky Charms (3 stars)

This one is cheesy.   If there is a magical creature, it is in this book.  They are everywhere in this NYC.  The human seer, Mekeena, is charged with helping her partner find the 5 leprechauns that are loose in the porn shows of the city.  Every sexual innuendo that can be related to the situation is present.  It was more of a mystery than a romance though.  What's going on in the city and who is behind it.  Why did the leprechauns lose their guards and why have seers become a prize that keeps getting killed.  This one is clearly the beginning of a series.  It does complete the story of the leprechauns but leaves a lot unexplained.  I'm sure that's for the series.  But it didn't capture my interest.  I'm not reading the next book.