December Book Releases

Title: Devil's Kiss Series: The Hellraisers #1 Author: Zoe Archer Release Date: December 1st	Title: Bad Blood Series: House of Comarré #3 Author: Kristen Painter Release Date: December 1st
Title: Immortal Rider Series: Lords of Deliverance #2 Author: Larissa Ione Release Date: December 1st	Title: Shaedes of Gray Series: Shaede Assassin #1 Author: Amanda Bonilla Release Date: December 6th
Title: Head Rush Series: The Disillusionists Trilogy #3 Author: Carolyn Crane Release Date: December 6th	Title: Left Hand Magic Series: Golgotham #2 Author: Nancy A. Collins Release Date: December 6th
Title: Daybreak Series: Dark Age Dawning #3 Author: Ellen Connor Release Date: December 6th	Title: Switchblade Goddess Series: Jessie Shimmer #3 Author: Lucy A. Snyder Release Date: December 27th
Title: Wicked Circle Series: Persephone Alcmedi #5 Author: Linda Robertson Release Date: December 27th	Title: Shadow City Series: Horngate Witches #3 Author: Diana Pharaoh Francis Release Date: December 27th
Title: The Mortal Bone Series: Hunter Kiss #4 Author: Marjorie M. Liu Release Date: December 27th	Title: Bedeviled Series: Dark Breed #2 Author: Sable Grace Release Date: December 27th
Title: The Demon Lover Series: Fairwick Chronicles #1 Author: Juliet Dark, Carol Goodman Release Date: December 27th	Title: Silver-Tongued Devil Series: Sabina Kane #4 Author: Jaye Wells Release Date: December 28th

Review: Demons Not Included by Cheyenne McCray

Title: Demons Not Included (Night Tracker #1)
Author: Cheyenne McCray
Genre: Paramormal Romance
Heat Index: No idea. But the gratuitous talk of breasts in chapter 2 has implications
Release Date: June 2nd, 2009
Word/Page Count: 352 pages
Format: Purchased

Meet Nyx. This half-human, half–Drow private eye investigates paranormal crimes by day and is an elite Tracker of demons by night. She prefers working solo—and playing rough. So when a terrifying force starts murdering innocent humans and paranorms, and leaving strange demonic symbols burned into their buildings, it’s a case Nyx takes very personally…

Meanwhile, Nyx’s fellow Trackers are being killed one by one—and a sexy new Tracker named Torin is shadowing her every move. Torin has powers Nyx can’t read, and sometimes she wonders whose side he’s on. Nyx’s instincts tell her something’s brewing in the city’s meanest supernatural streets, and that it’s ready to unleash hell on Earth. Who can she trust? Now it’s five minutes to permanent midnight…and Nyx’s last chance means risking everything—even her own life.

Review: Break Out by Nina Croft

Title: Break Out (Blood Hunter #1)
Author: Nina Croft
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Space Opera
Heat Index: 4 out of 5
Release Date: July 5th, 2011
Word/Page Count: 140 pages
Format: Purchased

Irreverent. Irresponsible. Insatiable. Who says immortals can't have any fun?

The year is 3048, Earth is no longer habitable, and man has fled to the stars where they’ve discovered the secret of immortality—Meridian. Unfortunately, the radioactive mineral is exorbitantly expensive and only available to a select few. A new class comprised of the super rich and immortal soon evolves. The Collective, as they’re called, rule the universe.

Two-thousand-year-old Ricardo Sanchez, vampire and rogue pilot of the space cruiser, El Cazador, can’t resist two things: gorgeous women and impossible jobs. When beautiful Skylar Rossaria approaches him to break a prisoner out of the Collective’s maximum security prison on Trakis One, Rico jumps at the chance. Being hunted by the Collective has never been so dangerous–or so fun!

Review: Awaken Me Darkly by Gena Showalter

Title: Awaken Me Darkly (Alien Huntress #1)
Author: Gena Showalter
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Heat Index: 3 out of 5
Release Date: February 28th, 2006
Word/Page Count: 358 pages
Format: Purchased

RIDDING THE WORLD OF EVIL,

ONE ALIEN AT A TIME.

In a time and place not too far away, Mia Snow is an alien huntress for the New Chicago Police Department, and she's the perfect girl for the job. Tough and sexy, she's earned each of her scars battling the elusive enemy among us. Now, investigating a series of killings, she is shaken to the core when a burst of violence leaves her partner Dallas fighting for his life. A tall, erotic stranger holds the power to heal the injured agent -- and to bind Mia in an electrifying and dangerous seduction. He is Kyrin en Arr, of the deadly Arcadian species -- an alien, a murder suspect -- who has Mia walking a knife's edge, risking her badge and even her life. . . and edging closer to a shocking revelation that will shatter everything she's ever believed.

Warning: Not holding back on spoilers. Also, long-winded.

Review: Nightfall by Ellen Connor

Title: Nightfall (Dark Age Dawning #1)
Author: Ellen Connor
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Heat Index: 4 out of 5
Release Date: June 6th, 2011
Word/Page Count: 327 pages
Format: Purchased

First in a stunning new post-apocalyptic paranormal romance trilogy.

Growing up with an unstable, often absent father who preached about the end of the world, Jenna never thought in her wildest nightmares that his predictions would come true. Or that he would have a plan in place to save her-one that includes the strong, stoic man who kidnaps and takes her to a remote cabin in the Pacific Northwest.

The mysterious ex-Marine named Mason owes a life-debt to Jenna's father. Skilled and steadfast, he's ready for the prophesied Change, but Jenna proves tough to convince. Until the power grid collapses and mutant dogs attack-vicious things that reek of nature gone wrong.

When five strangers appear, desperate to escape the bloodthirsty packs, Jenna defies her protector and rescues them. As technology fails and the old world falls away, Jenna changes too, forever altered by supernatural forces. To fight for their future, she and Mason must learn to trust their instinctive passion-a flame that will see them through the bitter winter, the endless nights, and the violence of a new Dark Age.

Flavor of the Week - November 28th

Nothing like a little smolder to brighten up your Monday.

NCIS Special Agent Anthony "Tony" DiNozzo

Review: The Demon's Bargain by Lisa Alder

Title: The Demon's Bargain (Demons Unleashed)
Author: Lisa Alder
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotica
Heat Index: 4 out of 5
Release Date: March 23rd, 2011
Word/Page Count: N/A
Format: Purchased

When the Demon bargains for one night of her pleasure...no one loses.

Vetis, the Demon of Corruption, is bored. It's too easy to tempt humans into committing horrible acts and the appeal has worn thin. He's restless and seeking distraction...until a gambler offers to settle a debt by submitting his wife for Vetis's use.

One tiny glimpse of the rage in Amara and the absolutely sexless way she endures his sensual touch, and Vetis has his challenge. He'll make this woman enjoy the carnal pleasures of sex.

The bargain is struck. One night. Of HER pleasure. And the debt will be paid.

Ill-used by her husband, Amara believes she is doomed, for she has no pleasure within her, her innocence forfeit long ago. But as Amara's body awakens with sinful desires and carnal longings, hope begins to blossom that pleasure is within her reach.

Demons never fail and the challenge is on. Vetis knows with the right sensual persuasion the debt will be paid in pleasure, however he doesn't bargain on falling in love.

Warning: this erotic romance novella contains m/f/m sex, light bondage, and smokin' hot demon sex

Review: The Turning by Jennifer Armintrout

Title: The Turning (Blood Ties #1)
Author: Jennifer Armintrout
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Heat Index: 2 out of 5
Release Date: June 1st, 2006
Word/Page Count: 384 pages
Format: Purchased

I'm no coward. I want to make that perfectly clear. But after my life turned into a horror movie, I take fear a lot more seriously now. I finally became Dr. Carrie Ames just eight months ago. Then I was attacked in the hospital morgue by a vampire. Just my luck.

So now I'm a vampire, and it turns out I have a blood tie to the monster who sired me. The tie works like an invisible leash and I'm bound to him no matter what I do. And of course he's one of the most evil vampires on earth. With my sire hell-bent on turning me into a soulless killer and his sworn enemy set to exterminate me, things couldn't get much worse -- except I'm attracted to them both.

Drinking blood, living as an immortal demon and being a pawn between two warring vampire factions isn't exactly how I'd imagined my future. But as my father used to say, the only way to conquer fear is to face it. So that's what I'll do. Fangs bared.

Review: Truthseeker by C.E. Murphy

Title: Truthseeker (Worldwalker Duology #1)
Author: C.E. Murphy
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Heat Index: 2 out of 5
Release Date: August 31st, 2010
Word/Page Count: 336 pages
Format: Purchased

ACROSS TWO EXTRAORDINARY WORLDS, TRUTH IS THE DEADLIEST MAGIC

Gifted with an uncanny intuition, Lara Jansen nonetheless thinks there is nothing particularly special about her. All that changes when a handsome but mysterious man enters her quiet Boston tailor shop and reveals himself to be a prince of Faerie. What’s more, Dafydd ap Caerwyn claims that Lara is a truthseeker, a person with the rare talent of being able to tell truth from falsehood. Dafydd begs Lara to help solve his brother’s murder, of which Dafydd himself is the only suspect.

Acting against her practical nature, Lara agrees to step through a window into another world. Caught between bitterly opposed Seelie forces and Dafydd’s secrets, which are as perilous as he is irresistible, Lara finds that her abilities are increasing in unexpected and uncontrollable ways. With the fate of two worlds at stake and a malevolent entity wielding the darkest of magic, Lara and Dafydd will risk everything on a love that may be their salvation—or the most treacherous illusion of all.

Shortstory Review Round-Up

Today, we did something a little different. Instead of our traditional one book review, we decided to post reviews for four different short stories. The links and a teaser book image are provided below for easy reference. Make sure to check them all out!

His Teddy Bear Eve Langlais	Crazy Eve Langlais	Treasured Crystal Jordan	Demon Lover Bonnie Dee and Marie Treanor

Review: Demon Lover by Bonnie Dee and Marie Treanor

Title: Demon Lover (Fairytale Fantasies #2)
Author: Bonnie Dee, Marie Treanor
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotica
Heat Index: 1 out of 5
Release Date: April 13th, 2010
Word/Page Count: N/A
Format: Purchased

Rumplestiltskin is not his name and this hunk's no gnarled old goblin.

Fairytale Fantasies, Book 2

In his quest to land her a rich husband, Gwyneth's father has gone one step too far and bragged to the king's steward. Now she faces an impossible task: spin a room full of straw into gold by morning, or their lives are forfeit. She despairs, until a black-garbed figure offers to solve her problem for a price. One kiss.

He returns the second night, and the third. With each sensual encounter, the stakes escalate along with her attraction to her mysterious visitor. Then he claims the ultimate price-her child-and she realizes too late she's made a deal with the king of the Underworld.

From the moment he kisses her, Ragnorak knows Gwyneth's child will be a worthy heir for his kingdom. But with each touch, he wants more. He wants her to be queen of his strangely beautiful world-and for her to want to stay. But that will mean giving her the ultimate weapon-the power of his name.

Gwyneth has only three chances to drive her demon lover over the edge of bliss. But when the stakes suddenly shift, it's Ragnorak who stands to lose everything . . .

Warning: This book turns a well-known fairytale upside down, and involves hot sex with a villainous demon-or is he . . . ?

Review: Treasured by Crystal Jordan

Title: Treasured
Author: Crystal Jordan
Genre: Historical Romance, Erotica
Heat Index: 3 out of 5
Release Date: April 22nd, 2008
Word/Page Count: 81 pages
Format: Purchased

A love for which even time stands still.

Graduate student Rebecca Small is so obsessed with the past—especially the Golden Age of Piracy—she doesn’t mind her unglamorous job preparing museum displays. This display is about her favorite subject, James Morrow, a famous pirate who mysteriously disappeared without a trace.

Becca touches the pirate’s antique sword, and finds herself on a ship in the middle of a sword fight, saving the sexy captain from being stabbed in the back—literally. Once the smoke clears, the man who claims he’s her husband is more than eager to reward her for her timely assistance.

James Morrow knows very little about the woman he was forced to marry five years ago, but the woman who saved him doesn’t fit the portrait he’s painted of her in his mind. She’s strong, brave, and submits to his every dark desire. She seems the perfect woman for a pirate, but he makes his living among the dishonest and disreputable—trust isn’t a commodity he trades in.

Review: Crazy by Eve Langlais

Title: Crazy
Author: Eve Langlais
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotica
Heat Index: 3 out of 5
Release Date: November 22nd, 2010
Word/Page Count: N/A
Format: Purchased

Ella hears voices and they don’t like anyone.

Institutionalized at a young age after the breakup of her parents, Ella’s always heard voices. Even worse, the voices in her head like to act. She thinks she’s crazy and destined to be a patient for life until the night she meets a vampire and for the first time in her life, the voices shut up.

Zane just wants to enjoy his usual blood buffet, instead he runs into a wisp of a woman who makes him feel emotions he thought long dead. Rescuing her from the insane asylum, he brings her home, determined to assuage his lust; a plan that is foiled by ghostly voices more determined to keep her pure than a steel welded chastity belt.

Together they discover Ella might not be as crazy as everyone thinks, but even as they discover her innate power, someone from her past wants to hurt her. Will crazy and undead prevail against covetous evil? And most important of all, will the voices ever allow them to indulge in the desire that consumes them?

Review: His Teddy Bear by Eve Langlais

Title: His Teddy Bear
Author: Eve Langlais
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotica
Heat Index: 3 out of 5
Release Date: April 1st, 2011
Word/Page Count: 69 pages
Format: Purchased

All he wants is his chubby Teddy bear.

Chubby Teddy, who is ironically enough a bear shifter, has finally found her mate. There’s one big problem though. He doesn’t like what he sees.

Reece never imagined his chosen mate would be a woman with extra curves, but all it takes is one taste to realize the benefits and turn his world upside down.

Their arguments are many, their lust for each other fiery, but while he’s ready to for the next step, Teddy keeps running. What will it take to win her trust and heart?

And an even better question; will they ever make it to a bed?

Awesomesauce Eargasm - Ink (2009)

Don't know anything about the movie, itself, but this ended up on my Pandora playlist and I totally adore it now. The whole soundtrack is full of awesome. Jamin Winans, you rock!.

Flavor of the Week - Nov. 14

Starting the week off with a bang!

Josh Holloway

Review: SEAL of My Dreams by Stephanie Bond

Title: SEAL of My Dreams
Author: Stephanie Bond (Anthology)
Genre: Contemporary, Military
Heat Index: 2 of 5
Release Date: November 11
Word/Page Count: 430 pages
Format: NETGALLEY

Honor, duty, courage, passion . . . the men of the Navy SEALs are a special breed of hero, and in these novellas by eighteen top romance authors the SEALs are celebrated not only as symbols of devoted service to their country but as the kind of men every woman wants to love. They’ll rescue a damsel in distress and her lap dog, too. They’ll battle hometown dramas and international bad guys. When it comes to giving away their hearts, they’ll risk everything.

All proceeds from sales of SEAL of My Dreams go to the Veterans Research Corporation, a non-profit fundraiser for veterans’ medical research.

Between them, the authors of SEAL of My Dreams have won dozens of writing awards including multiple RITAs from Romance Writers of America. Their nearly 600 published novels have sold at least 35 million copies worldwide. The SEAL of My Dreams roster includes many of the best-known authors in modern romance fiction. In addition, many have strong family connections to the servicemen and women of our nation’s military, and many specialize in novels featuring heroes and heroines from all branches of service

News: A Different Type of Book Cover

Walker Books, a UK Publisher, has decided to completely blow my mind and suck up my afternoon with the release of their new ANIMATED version of the cover for the book "Daylight Saving" by Edward Hogan. Go ahead. Roll your mouse over the cover. See if you can only do it once.

I dare you.

Flavor of the Week - November 7th

In honor of watching X-Men: First Class last night, I'm putting Michael Fassbender's Magneto up as the Flavor of the Week for November. Nothing better to keep you warm on a cool November night than a steamy look from a man who can mold metal with his bare hands.

Review: Working Stiff by Rachel Caine

Title: Working Stiff (Revivalist #1)
Author: Rachel Caine
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Heat Index: 2 out of 5
Release Date: August 2nd, 2011
Word/Page Count: 306 pages
Format: Purchased

Bryn Davis knows working at Fairview Mortuary isn't the most glamorous career choice, but at least it offers stable employment--until she discovers her bosses using a drug that resurrects the clientele as part of an extortion racket. Now, Bryn faces being terminated--literally, and with extreme prejudice.

Wit the help of corporate double-agent Patrick McCallister, Bryn has a chance to take down the bigger problem--pharmaceutical company Pharmadene, which treats death as the ultimate corporate loyalty program. She'd better do it fast, before she becomes a zombie slave--a real working stiff. She'd be better off dead...

News: Barnes and Noble Releases Nook Tablet

Watch out, Kindle Fire. Looks like you might have some competition.

After weeks of speculation, Barnes and Noble announced this morning that they had their own addition to the lower price spectrum of the tablet market (yeah, iPad, I'm glaring and you and your $500 tag). The Barnes and Noble Nook Tablet is joining the market at $249 versus the Kindle Fire priced at $199.

So far, the reviews seem promising but, as it seems with all technology, time will tell. In the meantime, it's also worthwhile to note that both of Barnes and Nobles' other readers underwent a price drop, putting the Nook Color at $199 and the Nook Simple Touch at $99. We'll see if it's able to provide the competition to Amazon's $79 Kindle.

Personally, as an owner of a first-generation Nook, I continually lament the lack of 3G access on the new line of Nooks. Yes, I realize that, most of the time, you're going to be using your Nook at home with access to your wi-fi. However, I couldn't tell you how many times having 3G on my Nook has saved me from suffering through a book that just wasn't working by letting me go online and click on a new shiney pretty to entertain me while I'm away from home. Hint, hint, BN.

Review: Drink Deep by Chloe Neill

Title: Drink Deep (Chicagoland Vampires #5)
Author: Chloe Neill
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Heat Index: 2 out of 5, not really any sex scenes to speak of.
Release Date: November 1st
Word/Page Count: 352 pages
Format: Purchased

Clouds are brewing over Cadogan House, and recently turned vampire Merit can’t tell if this is the darkness before the dawn or the calm before the storm. With the city iself in turmoil over paranormals and the state threatening to pass a paranormal registration act, times haven’t been this precarious for vampires since they came out of the closet. If only they could lay low for a bit, and let the mortals calm down.

That’s when the waters of Lake Michigan suddenly turn pitch black-and things really start getting ugly.

Chicago’s mayor insists it’s nothing to worry about, but Merit knows only the darkest magic could have woven a spell powerful enough to change the very fabric of nature. She’ll have to turn to friends old and new to find out who’s behind this, and stop them before it’s too late for vampires and humans alike.

November Book Releases

November 1st Drink Deep Chicagoland Vampires #5 Chloe Neill	November 1st Death Magic A Novel of the Lupi #8 Eileen Wilkes	November 1st Not Your Ordinary Faerie Tale The Others #12 Christine Warren	November 1st Under Attack Underworld Detective Agency #2 Hannah Jayne
November 1st The Real Werewives of Vampire County Guardians of Eternity #7.6 Alexandra Ivy, Angie Fox, Tawny Taylor, & Jess Haines	November 1st Magic on the Line Allie Beckstrom #7 Devon Monk	November 1st Courting Darkness Sisters of the Moon #10 Yasmine Galenorn	November 1st Nightshine Kyndred #4 Lynn Viehl
November 1st Heart of Darkness Bound by Magick #1 Lauren Dane	November 1st Razor's Edge Edge #2 Shannon K. Butcher	November 8th Endurance Green Universe #2 Jay Lake	November 15th Tricks of the Trade Paranormal Scene Investigations #3 Laura Anne Gilman
November 22nd Autumn: Disintegration Autumn David Moody	November 29th Killing Rites The Black Son's Daughter #4 M. L. N. Hanover	November 29th Vampires Dead Ahead Night Tracker #5 Cheyenne McCray	November 29th Fate's Edge The Edge #3 Ilona Andrews