Pure Jonel ~ Confessions of a Bibliophile: February 2014

Friday, February 28, 2014

Give Me Love by Zoey Derrick

Title: Give Me Love

Series: Reason #4

Author: Zoey Derrick

Published: February 28th 2014 by Zoey Derrick

Length: 160pgs

Format: ARC ecopy

Genre: paranormal romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb:

Mikah and Vivienne have crossed that line and their relationship now borders on breaking through the walls that have been put in place. Their relationship has only just begun, but the forces around them are determined to keep them apart.

MIKAH BLAKE has been fighting with himself, discovering who and what he is has been harder than any challenge he’s ever faced in the past. But there is one thing he knows for certain - he will stop at nothing to protect the woman he loves.

VIVIENNE CALLAHAN’s past has left her with scars for her future. Scars that only one man has managed to wipe away. But will those scars stay away forever? Or will Vivienne be forced to face her past once again in order to move on to their future?

Reason Returned…

Hope Blossomed…

Desire Exploded…

Will their love take flight?

My Review:

The action in this series definitely ramps up a few notches with this one. Derrick definitely threw some very unexpected twists into this instalment, taking her readers on a wild ride. She also brings to light many things that help to bring the story in a full circle, explaining the outlying factors that drive the story forward. The duality of worlds in this series becomes even more vividly real with this instalment, for both the characters and the audience. Also, by writing in the present tense, Derrick infuses the story with an extra layer of intensity. I love how Derrick can work comic relief into even the most tense moments. Nothing major, but just a little giggle from a description to remind you that the characters will come out the other side of whatever situation they find themselves in.

With everything thrown at these characters in this novel Mikah seem different. He`s much more approachable and less sure of himself. Seeing the crack in Mikah`s armour makes him so much more real. It also shows a power shift in the relationship between the main characters, the relationship is much more balanced now. This is a very intimate story between the two characters. As a reader you feel like you have a window into their lives. I also appreciated how we got to know some of the supporting cast much better with this instalment. They are no longer simply guardians & employees, but rather friends and family.

Overall, this was a captivating and shockingly real wrap up to this series. Derrick brought everything to a close, without leaving you with a sense of finality. You can definitely imagine the continuation of this intriguing tale well into the future.

| Goodreads | Amazon | B&N |

About the author:

Not only does she aim to take her readers on an erotic dance that lasts the night, it allows her to empty her mind of stories we all wish were true.  Her stories are hopeful yet true to life, skillfully avoiding melodrama and the unrealistic, bringing her gripping Erotica only closer to the heart of those that dare dipping into it.    

The intimacy of her fantasies that she shares with her readers is thrilling and encouraging, climactic yet full of suspense. She is a loving mistress, up for anything, of which any reader is doomed to return to again and again.

Thursday, February 27, 2014

The Shadow Princess by Mary Hart Perry

Title: The Shadow Princess

Author: Mary Hart Perry

Published: February 11th 2014 by Diversion Books

Length: 281pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: historical romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Blurb:

To catch one of history’s most notorious killers, a princess risks losing her family, her life—and her heart…

London, 1888: A year after Queen Victoria’s Golden Jubilee terror mounts in the city's slums. A killer has butchered two prostitutes, the crimes brutal even by London’s hardened standards. Rumors of the murders reach Princess Vicky, daughter of Queen Victoria and grieving widow of the German Emperor Frederick III. When her niece Princess Maud visits, she brings with her even worse news--the Metropolitan Police have a suspect. It’s Vicky’s nephew, Crown Prince Eddy. Desperate to clear her family's name, Vicky rushes back to England.

Detective Inspector Thomas Edmondson believes there is a royal cover-up behind the killings. He will stop at nothing to expose the truth and bring a murderer to justice before he can kill again. But when Vicky joins him in searching for the man who will become known as Jack the Ripper, neither of them foresee the overpowering attraction that will draw together the royal and the commoner—or the danger their love puts them in.

Excerpt:

The man in the dark tweed frock coat looked up at the sound of a dozen leather soles slapping damp pavers. Running. Running toward him. Moments earlier, he’d quieted the woman, his scarf pressed over her mouth and then, more permanently silenced her with his knife, slashing her throat. Sadly, he hadn’t yet removed the demon from within her body. Now his efforts to save her, and her life, had been wasted.

It wasn’t right that they were about to stop him. An appalling intrusion on his work, that’s what it was. How could others not feel sorry for what these women went through? Only heunderstood. Only he had discovered the way to help them. Thank God the voice told him what to do.

The footsteps were louder, coming closer. He heard shouts. Now what should he do? Stay and rip the demon organ from her bleeding body? Release her from her torment. But if he stayed even another minute, they’d be on him. He couldn’t let them put their hands on him.

They who pursued him were unclean, hypocritical men who used the street women in despicable ways. They stopped him from his work. Just like his brother, they wouldn’t understand the simplest explanation.

When he’d gone home the last time, exhausted by his night’s labors, all he’d wanted to do was go to bed. But Frank insisted he wash off the blood before Ma saw it. Before anyone did. The fool! Submerge his flesh in vile water? Why? Blood was the only pure fluid—beautiful and natural and red with life. But Frank said he was afraid of the neighbors. What they might think. What they might accuse him of.

My Review:

This is a very exciting story, it pulls you forward page by page. Perry`s descriptions paint a very vivid and shockingly real picture for her audience. She takes a one of a kind look at the time surrounding Jack the Ripper`s sojourn in Whitechapel that combines the chill and horror of the time with a look at the lives of individuals who may have lived through it. This story is also accurately and firmly placed within the time period in question while creating an excitingly unique journey for the reader.

I quite enjoyed how approachable the characters are. Although many of the major players in the tale are royalty or at the top of the profession of law enforcement at a very difficult time they still remain personable and human. The relationships between the characters tell you as much about the individuals as Perry`s descriptions of them do, making for a well-rounded cast of characters. I also appreciated the naiveté in the younger characters. It was very refreshing to see young, sheltered individuals act as such.

All in all this is a story that I won’t soon forget. It was another brilliant, well written novel by Mary Hart Perry that I`d definitely recommend to anyone and everyone.

About the author:

Mary Hart Perry (aka Kathryn Johnson) grew up in New England and now lives in the Washington DC area with her husband and two feline writing partners, Tempest and Miranda. She's the author of over 40 novels published by major U.S. and foreign publishers. She writes historical fiction as Mary Hart Perry and contemporary romantic thrillers under her own name, Kathryn Johnson. She also teaches fiction-writing workshops for The Writer's Center in Bethesda, Maryland. Her popular 8-week course, The Extreme Novelist, supports and encourages class members through a full first draft of their novels. In 2008, she founded Write by You, a writer's mentoring service, to aid individual authors in reaching their publication goals. She has been nominated for the prestigious Agatha Christy Award, and won the Heart of Excellence and Bookseller's Best Awards (sponsored by the Romance Writers of America). Her works in progress include Victorian thrillers inspired by the lives of Queen Victoria's daughters, and a new contemporary romantic-suspense series scheduled for release in 2014-15. Kathryn is a member of the Author's Guild, Romance Writers of America, Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, Novelists Inc, and the Historical Novel Society.

And now, enter the tourwide giveaway & watch for my review later in the tour!

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Wednesday, February 26, 2014

Atonement by B.J. Daniels

Title: Atonement

Series: Beartooth, Montana #4

Author: B.J. Daniels

Published: February 25th 2014 by Harlequin HQN

Length: 384pgs

Format: paperback & ebook

Genre: romantic suspense

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Just how far are people willing to go to keep their secrets?

Protecting the citizens of Beartooth, Montana, is never an easy job. One year later, Sheriff Dillon Lawson still feels guilty that he couldn't save his twin brother, Ethan. But the biggest test of his bravery comes when Tessa Winters arrives, claiming to be pregnant…with Ethan's baby. At first, Dillon can't decide if this beautiful woman is a con artist or a victim. If Ethan didn't die in that car crash, then where is he—and why is he hiding?

Now, Dillon is prepared to do anything to uncover the truth…anything except admit his growing feelings for Tessa. But with violence threatening, Tessa and Dillon must trust in each other to save not only themselves…but also Tessa's unborn child.

My Review:

This novel was intensely captivating from the first page. Daniels masterfully weaves two intensely suspenseful stories together into one unforgettable tale. She also balances romance with suspense, never letting one aspect of the story overpower the rest. This author paints this world for her audience with her words, creating a visual reading experience. Her writing also changes from light and heartfelt to fast paced and intense along with the action in the story, giving her readers a really gripping look into the story itself. I really appreciated the way that Daniels brought in parts of previous stories, allowing readers to join the series at this point without boring those who’ve read the entire series.

As a reader you fall in love with these characters as they fall in love with each other. The relationship between the characters isn`t so much in the words said between them but rather in their actions. And this goes for both couples in the tale. I quite enjoyed the way that these characters were developed as well. Daniels takes characters that we`ve met in previous novels and expands on them. That said, everything necessary to get to know the characters can be found within this instalment of the series. She also plays on the old adage that actions speak louder than words. She allows her characters` actions to show who they truly are.

As a whole this was a brilliant read, walking the fine line between relaxation and suspense that leads to a tale you won’t be able to put down, nor will you forget. It’s a brilliant read for anyone who enjoys Daniels’ work, or for those who’d like an introduction to her writing.

Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Waking Up Dead by Margo Bond Collins

Title: Waking Up Dead

Series: Callie Taylor #1

Author: Margo Bond Collins

Published: October 8th 2013 by Solstice Publishing

Length: 214pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: paranormal suspense

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Dallas resident Callie Taylor died young, she expected to go to Heaven, or maybe Hell. Instead, she met her fate early thanks to a creep with a knife and a mommy complex. Now she's witnessed another murder, and she's not about to let this one go. She's determined to help solve it before an innocent man goes to prison. And to answer the biggest question of all: why the hell did she wake up in Alabama?

My Review:

Collins has a very personable writing style. She really draws you in, and by writing in the first person you become one with the main character as well. She presents her audience with a very entertaining story that combines suspense with quite a few laughs to create a completely unique read.

I quite enjoyed Collins’ method of character development. You get to know everyone on an intimate level leading to a very full story. And the way that you get to know the main character is completely unique, as you get to float along with her as she’s trying to overcome some very unique dilemmas.

As a whole this was a brilliant novel to get to know this author with. I’d definitely recommend it to others and will be looking further into her work.

Monday, February 24, 2014

Water's Edge by Jane Riddell

Title: Water's Edge

Author: Jane Riddell

Published: April 22nd 2013 by ThornBerry Publishing

Length: 273 pgs

Format: ebook

Genre: contemporary fiction

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When Madalena invites her four children to Switzerland for a family gathering, she isn’t prepared for the excess baggage of their lives they bring along – secrets they are compelled to keep and those that must be divulged; the compromises they make, and, ultimately, what can and can't be resolved – for Madalena, too, has things about her past that she would prefer not to reveal.

Set against a backdrop of mountains and lakes, Water's Edge is a tapestry of love, lies and family.

My Review:

If I had to describe this story in one word it would be ‘real.’ Riddell takes real life and brings it to us in a captivating light. I was also intrigued by the fact that she did this in a manner that brings family to the forefront. This was a very well written, thought out, and put together novel. Riddell sparked my interest from the beginning and kept me with her throughout. The mellow writing style used throughout fits perfectly with the subtly intense storyline.

Character development in this novel centers strongly on relationships. It was very intriguing to see the interactions between the different family members that make up this cast of characters. I appreciated that none were supremely perfect beings, but rather real individuals dealing with day to day issues.

Overall this was a strong debut novel from this author. It was a very enjoyable read from an author that I will definitely be reading more of.

Sunday, February 23, 2014

Lumiere by Jacqueline E. Garlick

Title: Lumiere

Series: The Illumination Paradox #1

Author: Jacqueline E. Garlick

Published: December 12th 2013 by Amazemo Books (first published October 26th 2013)

Length: 335pgs

Format: ecopy

Genre: YA Steampunk

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

One determined girl. One resourceful boy. One miracle machine that could destroy everything.

After an unexplained flash shatters her world, seventeen-year-old Eyelet Elsworth sets out to find the Illuminator, her father’s prized invention. With it, she hopes to cure herself of her debilitating seizures before Professor Smrt—her father’s arch nemesis—discovers her secret and locks her away in an asylum.

Pursued by Smrt, Eyelet locates the Illuminator only to see it whisked away. She follows the thief into the world of the unknown, compelled not only by her quest but by the allure of the stranger—Urlick Babbit—who harbors secrets of his own.

Together, they endure deadly Vapours and criminal-infested woods in pursuit of the same prize, only to discover the miracle machine they hoped would solve their problems may in fact be their biggest problem of all.

My Review:

This story is intensely captivating and fast paced, drawing you in and keeping you from escaping. Garlick makes you feel like you’re part of the story. I found myself perpetually racing forward to find out what would happen next. I loved how she gave a look into the main character at a younger age, giving us some necessary background info at the same time, before jumping to the present day and the story proper. She combines a post-apocalyptic type world with the thrill of magic and science in a seamless storyline that really gets to you. And she does all of this in a very well written and easy to follow manner. Garlick paints a fantasy world for her audience with her words, creating the whole picture.

I found myself falling in love with this cast of characters. I fully admit that there were a few that had me thinking ‘did you really just…’ but they added a full bodied flavour to the cast. The dialogue in this novel is another key component to Garlicks all-round character development. It flows so naturally. It makes the characters seem even more real throughout.

Garlick has added a little something for everyone into this amazing tale. I’ll definitely be reading the next book in the series.

Saturday, February 22, 2014

Glacial Eyes by J.K. Walker

Title: Glacial Eyes

Series: Salk Lake After Dark #1

Author: J.K. Walker

Published: November 17th 2011 by J. K. Walker

Length: 388pgs

Format: ebook

Genre: NA paranormal romantic suspense

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

After a weekend party gone very, very wrong, third-year university student Jasmine Bedeau finds herself a "person of interest" to far too many interested parties. Now she has to bring a family-inherited curse—and powerful new abilities—under control or risk the consequences of the supernatural community to which she suddenly belongs. But between the police and the paranormal, the campus and the council, how's a girl to rise to the challenge of just holding onto a normal life? Werewolves, vampires, and witches—and now a serial killer targeting the supernatural, setting his sights on Jasmine and her new-found friends. It's a good thing she's a werecat, because she's not rolling over.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My review:

My first thoughts on this one? More please! I can’t wait to read the next instalment in the series and get back with these characters.

This story is intensely shocking and captivating from the very beginning. Walker combines the known world, with that of the supernatural to create a captivating work that you won’t be able to put down. She introduces you to this imaginative world slowly, allowing her readers to get to know it alongside her characters. It makes the world even more captivating and difficult to walk away from. This author is an ace at balancing tension and suspense with comic relief. Some of the puns that she throws in at the least opportune moments (for the characters, at any rate) had me rolling on the floor laughing.

The way that the author writes so approachably in the first person makes the main character very easy to get to know and identify with. You also get to know the supporting cast through her eyes, giving a very personal feel to the story as a whole. You also get to know them as part of a family. The diversity in character types really rounded everything out nicely.

As a whole this is a smooth, quick read that you won’t be able to put down. It was the perfect way to get to know this author and her work. It was a brilliant story that I’d recommend to anyone.

As an added bonus, readers can get to know this series via the novellas, which are free everywhere (except on Amazon). Check them out here:

I'd suggest picking up Frat House of the Dead & In My Time of Dying on Smashwords. They are also available at wattpad and for anyone with a reader, other than Kindle, they should already be free in their respective ebook stores.

And don`t forget to enter the awesome giveaway for the Salt Lake After Dark series.

The giveaway is open internationally.

Entries close @ 11:59pm Feb 28/14.

Winners will be announced Mar 1/14.

Winners will have 72hrs to claim their prize or another winner will be drawn.

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Highland Destiny by Hannah Howell

Title: Highland Destiny

Series: Murray Family #1

Author: Hannah Howell

Narrator: Angela Dawe

Published:
January 1st 2006 by Zebra (first published 1998)
Length: 303pgs/9hrs46mins

Format: audio book

Genre: historical romance

Shelf: bought

Rating: ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

When destiny brought Sir Balfour Murray and his wounded brother down the same road as Maldie Kirkaldy, she offered her services as a nurse even as she tried to deny the desire this dark-eyed knight had ignited at first sight. Soon they discover that they both share a mission of vengeance, but Maldie cannot tell him her true identity—to do so would brand her a spy...

Sworn to avenge his family as chief of the Doncoill Clan, Balfour vows to destroy his greatest foe, Beaton of Dubblinn, with Maldie at his side. Yet Balfour knows that he can no more afford to trust her than he can ignore his lust for his sultry beauty. Now, he is not only determined to unearth her deepest secrets, but also to pursue his passion for her. And nothing will stand in his way...

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

This was a very well written tale with a remarkable cast. I really appreciated seeing a Laird who wasn’t infallible. As a whole this is a novel that reminded me why I so love historical highland romances. I fully admit that I’ve read this series upside down and backwards but it was really neat to get back to the beginning and read the first instalment. I fell in love with Howell’s work all over again.

Friday, February 21, 2014

Bad Elephant Far Stream by Samuel Hawley

Title: Bad Elephant Far Stream

Author: Samuel Hawley

Published: October 28th 2013 by Conquistador Press

Length: 263 pgs

Format: ebook

Genre: historical fiction

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Bad Elephant Far Stream is an elephant’s life story, told from her own perspective, through her own eyes.

Inspired by the life of a real elephant known as Topsy, it follows Far Stream from her birth and capture in the wild in Ceylon in the late 1860s, through her transportation to America and thirty years with the circus, which ultimately led to her being labeled as “bad.” It’s an unusual and uncompromising novel that explores the questions: What is it like to be an elephant trained for human amusement? What does such a creature think? What does it feel? What does it yearn for?

Bad Elephant Far Stream takes the reader on a voyage of discovery to find out.

My Review:

This extremely well written novel really makes you stop and think. It was very well researched and put together, leading to a seamless whole. It is simultaneously haunting and enchanting, leading you through the life of this remarkable elephant. Hawley broke my heart with the prologue and I spent the entire novel with my heart on my sleeve. His low key descriptions paint this world infront of the audience, allowing them to immerse themselves fully into the tale. The characters in this tale were developed in a natural manner that really helped to carry the story forward. It was also very unique to read this story from Far Stream’s POV. Hawley manages to do this in a very realistic yet emotionally engaging manner.

As a whole this historically significant novel is one that will stick with me for a long while. It’s a must read for those who enjoy the genre.

Thursday, February 20, 2014

Out of the Night by Geri Foster

Title: Out of the Night

Series: Falcon Securities #3

Author: Geri Foster

Published: September 7th 2013 by self

Length: 203 pgs

Format: ebook

Genre: romantic suspense

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb:

Falcon Securities Agent Tony Archuletta has lost his memory and a CIA operative is being held captive by a lethal group of terrorists out to destroy America. For Tony to pull off a mission this delicate and complex, he must have his memory, as well as every weapon at his disposal.

Abby Williams is an investigative reporter sent on a dangerous assignment. One of Falcon’s agents is being held in the notorious Lubyanka Prison where experimental drugs were used to make him break under integration. The agent is a man Abby has a painful history with. A man can never forgive her betrayal.

Can Tony and Abby race against time to save the CIA operative? Will Tony regain his memory only to learn that she is the only woman he’d ever loved and the only person he ever feared? Does love win this battle? Or do these two souls who are meant to be together take the safe road and part with just a handful of memories?

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

Excerpt:

She must’ve sensed his fear for she touched his arm. “It’s going to be okay. I personally owe you that much.”

He reached over, hooked his hand around the back of her neck and pulled her mouth to his lips. He’d meant the light contact as a ploy to see if it rattled anything in his memory.

He never intended for the kiss to turn passionate. He pressed against her body and she wrapped her arms around him as if he was a life raft and they were adrift on the open seas.

Her warmth surrounded him and kicked up his heart rate. The intensity of the moment seared something deep inside him to the point of real fear. He had to pull back to the surface so he could gasp for air. For the first time in days something felt vaguely familiar. A dim light in his head turned on and he knew with a certainty that shook him to his toes that he’d kissed this woman before.

My Review:

This was a fast paced tale that I couldn’t put down. It was intimate yet exciting and suspenseful. I felt like I lived this story alongside the characters. The storyline was well put together and the action was vividly real. I read the better part of this book in one sitting. It did jump around quite a bit to give all aspects of the story and make it well rounded, however this also increased the cast size making it difficult to focus on certain individuals at times.

I enjoyed the main characters. The male lead was the drool-worthy alpha male type who cared. However, I spent a great deal of time at the beginning of the novel feeling a bit lost. There were a few key pieces of information that the female lead had that the audience (and the male lead) didn’t. It made it difficult to get a read on her character. Also, when the information finally came to light it didn’t seem to matter that much, however big the news was. I found the love scenes enjoyable even if they came out of nowhere at times. I found myself wondering why the female lead was putting herself back into that spot, yet you could see how much she loved him so it works.

I found that the supporting cast was pretty well divided into 2 groups. Those who work with the main character and those who don’t. Those who were on the same side as the main characters all seemed quite likeable individuals but weren’t developed outside of their direct roles. The rest of the supporting cast was more well-rounded and almost all were the ‘bad guys’. They were difficult to identify with as they were such extremists yet filled their roles beautifully. I also enjoyed the dialogue and it fit well within the story. I quite enjoyed the different inflections that you found in the speech patterns of individuals based on their origins.

I thoroughly enjoyed Foster’s well written, fast paced, and captivating writing. I will definitely be reading more of her work and will be recommending this to others.

About the author:

As long as she can remember, Geri Foster has been a lover of reading and the written words. In the seventh grade she wore out two library cards and had read every book in her age area of the library. After raising a family and saying good-bye to the corporate world, she tried her hand at writing.

Action, intrigue, danger and sultry romance drew her like a magnet. That’s why she has no choice but to write action-romance suspense. While she reads every genre under the sun, she’s always been drawn to guns, bombs and fighting men. Secrecy and suspense move her to write edgy stories about daring and honorable heroes who manage against all odds to end up with their one true love.

Into the Mist by Maya Banks

Title: Into the Mist

Series: Falcon Mercenary Group #1

Author: Maya Banks

Narrator: Nia Partington

Published: February 1st 2009 by Samhain Publishing (first published February 5th 2008)

Length: 8hrs16min/230pgs

Format: audio book

Genre: romantic suspense

Shelf: bought

Rating: ★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

One woman’s mission to bring down a sexy elemental shifter turns into a battle of wills…and hearts.

Hostage recovery specialist Eli Chance has a secret. He was born a shifter. A freak of nature.

While on a mission, Eli’s men and their mercenary guide are exposed to a powerful chemical agent, and suddenly his secret has become easier to hide. Now he’s not the only one with the gift. But for his men, this “gift” is becoming more and more of a curse.

Tyana Berezovsky’s brother Damiano was the guide for Eli’s team and was the worst affected by the chemical. As he grows increasingly unstable, Tyana fears she’s going to lose him to the beast he is becoming.

Tyana will do whatever it takes to help him, even if it means using her body to go after the one man she thinks holds all the blame—and possibly the cure. Eli Chance.

Product Warnings: Violence, blood, guns, knives, ass kicking, people who do mean things, bad people dying, explicit sex and smart mouths.

My Review:

This novel had it all; suspense, action, steam, and some real tearjerker moments. I was caught up in the suspense of the tale, trying to figure out what was coming next. That said, the narrator didn’t do this book justice. She downplayed the action in the tale rather than infusing emotion and suspense into the novel. This would have been much better as a print copy. The characters in this tale had me from the get-go. They weren’t your typical shifters, but rather had a definite twist on the norm. It was also a cast full of alpha males, which would set anyone drooling.

Overall, this was a unique introduction to the series and left me wanting more. I definitely want to know what’s coming next for these loveable yet aggravating characters.

Wednesday, February 19, 2014

Give Me Desire by Zoey Derrick

Title: Give Me Desire

Series: Reason #3

Author: Zoey Derrick

Published: December 31st 2013 by Zoey Derrick

Length: 149pgs

Format: ebook

Genre: paranormal romance

Shelf: review

Rating: ★★★★★

Blurb:

VIVIENNE CALLAHAN, discharged from the hospital after surviving a near-fatal attack from Riley, her abusive ex-boyfriend, has come to the safety of Mikah’s protection. As she continues to heal physically and mentally from her ordeal, she begins to have strange dreams...dreams that follow her into waking life and hint at a fate she never could’ve foreseen and dangers far greater than Riley.

Meanwhile, MIKAH BLAKE has some ideas about her future, too, and the more she considers his proposals, the weaker her resistance to him becomes. His recent actions have taught her to respect and trust him, but soon her feelings for him threaten to deepen into something more, something she may not be ready for.

In the third book of the Reason series, Vivienne will discover who and what she and the people around her really are.

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

Excerpt:

"Alright." I sigh. "When are you coming home?"

"Do you miss me?"

"Yes."

I hear his sharp intake of breath at my words.

"Why does that surprise you?" I ask.

"Because. I miss you, too."

I smile.

"I will be home tomorrow, hopefully in the morning. Viv, I wanted to ask you something else."

"What's that?"

"Tomorrow night there is a charity gala that I'm supposed to attend. I'd like it if you would be my date."

"Uh..." I'm taken aback by his question, surprised that he would want to take me to something like that. "Mikah, I've never been to anything like that before." I pull my feet up, cross my legs and lean back into the couch. I place my hand on my belly and begin rubbing it.

"I know, but it's really no big thing. We go, have dinner, there is an auction, and dinner is followed by a dance. It's a stuffed shirt, black tie kind of thing. I am not a fan of going to them, but this one is for an important charity that I've been a part of since its inception, so it is really important that I be there. I just don't want to go without you."

I'm pondering his words as I continue to stroke my belly. "I have nothing to wear," I say, and he chuckles.

"Does that mean you'll go?"

I roll my eyes at his enthusiasm. "Yes, Mikah, I'll go."

"Yes! Okay, I will have Celeste make some arrangements for you to have a nice, relaxing day tomorrow, get your hair done, be pampered a little. And when you guys go out today, you can find yourself a dress." The excitement in his voice is infectious, and I can't help but smile.

My Review:

This is perhaps the most vivid instalment in the series yet! Derrick’s brilliant descriptions paint a world that you can’t help but visualise. You cannot help but fall in love with the story and immerse yourself in it fully. Derrick had me laughing and crying with this one, sometimes at the same time. It was a fast paced, quick read that I read in a single sitting and that left me with a smile on my face.

I felt like we were really getting to know Mikah and Viv in this one. The different aspects of their characters are coming together to unify the two parts of their whole. I also appreciated how much better we got to know some of the supporting cast. It was nice to see how they fit into the big picture.

Overall this was a brilliant addition to the series. And it is definitely that, part of a series. I would highly recommend reading the previous novels first. I was hooked throughout and didn’t want it to end. I can’t wait for the next.

About the author:

Amazon Best Selling Angels, Demons & Devils and Paranormal Author of Give Me Reason - The Reason Series Book One comes from Glendale, Arizona. Zoey, was a mortgage underwriter by day and is now a paranormal, romance and erotica novelist full-time. She writes stories as hot as the desert sun itself. It is this passion that drips off of her work, bringing excitement to anyone who enjoys a good and sensual love story.   

Not only does she aim to take her readers on an erotic dance that lasts the night, it allows her to empty her mind of stories we all wish were true.  Her stories are hopeful yet true to life, skillfully avoiding melodrama and the unrealistic, bringing her gripping Erotica only closer to the heart of those that dare dipping into it.    

The intimacy of her fantasies that she shares with her readers is thrilling and encouraging, climactic yet full of suspense. She is a loving mistress, up for anything, of which any reader is doomed to return to again and again.

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