A Sequel Not to Miss!  Action, Humor, Romance and Hellhounds, Oh My!
358491
I love this series like fat kids love cake. I can't get enough! The ending of book 2 made my heart just melt.

Love, love, love!

He's won back Elyssa's heart and saved his Dad from rouge vampires; but just when Justin thinks he can ride off into the sunset on a white horse... Trouble literally comes knocking on his door... along with hellhounds.

Takes off like a shot and never lets up. Dark Light of Mine left me weak in the knees and begging for book three. From the first chapter, it grabs you by the seat of your pants and thrusts you in the heart of the action while still giving small moments to "stop and smell the supernatural roses". And by the end, even my 'inner goddess' was fist pumping in the air and panting for more!

"What was it about women and crying that made me feel like crap? They must have guilt hormones."

"'Hop on my back if you want answers.' Did I really just say that?"

"I wanted to find a nice quiet spot, go to sleep, and dream about kittens."

"No wonder Edward was such a crazy driver," I muttered. "Who's Edward?" Elyssa asked. "You know, from Twilight?"

"Ready for your first lesson, cupcake?"

"Can I finish my blasted story? We'll get to supernatural Kindergarten later."

"Thanks." "For what?" "Using my name instead of calling me a thing."

I could fill up this thing with quotes all day long! If you read and enjoyed the first book, the sequel will not disappoint! John Corwin has quickly become one of my absolute favorite authors.  He's got a little something for everyone... like humor?  Check.  Like action?  BIG CHECK!  Like Romance?  (Melting heart) Check!  Take a chance and try it already!
4363629
enjoyable sequel with lots of action and exceptional character development.
3945465
Writing a successful sequel is never easy, but in this case Carolyn McCray nailed it! Non-stop thrills and action combined with great new gadgets and more bad guys. Lost in all of this is the witty and humorous dialogue as well as the character development and the blossoming romantic relationships. If that was not enough, she also left us hanging and wanting more. Bravo! Cannot wait for the next installment. Definitely 5 stars...

Although I was offered an advanced copy of Cipher to review, it did not influence my opinion.
3654951
Two Words: Amazing and Insane! Widdershins is back and trouble has found her once again! I love Widdershins, she is a tough chic that can hold her own and everyone else's too and with such snarky wit. I found myself smiling at her antics and her saucy honesty. Marmell has created an intricate and fantastic world in Davillon, with rich characters that have emotional depth that anyone can relate to dealing with loss, friendship and love. The story begins six months after the fiasco in the first book without the past and present narrative. The Church has abandoned the city and everyone blames Widdershins for what's happened.
Wanted dead by many and loved by some, Widdershins is about fed up with it all. She is not exactly herself since the death of her best friend and is a tad rusty on her thievery. She seems more distracted and less observant of her surroundings. Now in addition to everything she is going through, she is being stalked by a mysterious aristocrat, plus tasked with discovering the origin of the dark and mysterious creature, playing fright factor with  the residents of Davillon. What she discovers is more than she or her god bargained for; can she survive to save them all? There is a hint of romance in this book but it's not the primary focus of the book. Renard is a thief that is secretly in love with an oblivious Widdershins and Julien is a guard that has arrested her on several occasions but somehow, I think he likes her. Both of these guys are great choices and very cute but Widdershins just hasn't caught on to that, yet. She has another admirer but I won't tell who. Overall, this is a great action-packed adventure.
1491341
What a great follow up to a phenomenal first book in this series. Mostly new characters, but twining in some from the first book. Non stop action again and unpredictable story line again. The author shows different perspectives from the same apocalypse timeline from the first book which is very eye opening, interesting and very entertaining. I really enjoyed Tristan's character. She has immense character growth and in very entertaining to follow through the story. The other characters are great too!

To quote another reviewer, "Reading Edward Robertson's Breakers series is like having a handbook for the apocalypse, whether it be alien or zombie or humankind's own sheer stupidity. "
737482
What do a werewolf, a witch, a former alien abductee, three hardcore monster hunters, a teenage pacifist Sasquatch, and a vampire reincarnated in a beer can all have in common? They're all main characters in this hilarious book!

NORTHWOODS WOLFMAN is an engaging, hilarious, and satisfying sequel to WISCONSIN VAMP that brings back some of the characters from the first book and introduces several scary-hilarious new ones. There's fighting, humor, paranormal shenanigannery, and a dash of romance. This was a super fun read, and I laughed aloud several times!

I can't wait for the next book. I hope Stanley has a bigger role in it!

***SPOILER ALERT***
I'm so glad Herb is back!!! :D
2705107
Not as packed with sex as Clipped, but with a higher quota of action, Bound is still the Devon McCormack we all learned to love.

In this second installment, two storylines collide: Weve got a devastated Kinzer who doesnt believe hell ever find love again, and the mortal Maggie. They team up on the hunt for the Christ and meet the questionable Hayde. Kinzer discovers that maybe all hope is not lost.

Also, Treycore is on his quest to save Kid who, as we remember, was kidnapped and sent to the bowels of hell, courtesy of Vera, Treys ex-girlfriend. He finds an unusual ally, Eilee, a beautiful angel and yet another one of Treycores exes. Together, they descend into hell and battle Gods earlier creations to get to Kid and save him from Veras clutches.

Before I start, I will clarify that Im already pressuring Mr. McCormack to publish the third installment. Sooner than as soon as possible.

The plot deepens on the flip of religious beliefs and underlines the classifications of the variety of creations that populate all the referred realms. We are faced with the bitterness of creatures that know they are no longer desired and the ignorance of those that are still on the picture.

We are those creations the Almighty no longer desired, the ones He abandoned. You, higherlings, need no introduction, for we know your kind. {}

Characters that introduce us to the reality of biased judgment and the different perspectives of how we perceive such things as paradise.

{} Ive seen what you call paradise, and I know the real horrors of what its about. So daydream about your fantasy kingdom all you want, but keep in mind that the reason such place sounds so fantastic and divine is because the only place it exists is in your mind.

As with Clipped, the characters in Bound are exceptional and WICKED. Mr. McCormack introduces new characters like theres no tomorrow, and we are met with creatures with HUGE tentacles (yes, tentacles) and heavy sacks with creepy eyes, among many equally unheard others. Yet, its not confusing or even neglectful of older and known characters. All the villains are still around and our heroes get their fair share of adventure. Within this story, we also get a lot of flashbacks and data about the past, which provides insightful information on the reasons and reactions we are getting from the developing story.

What I mean to say is that even if the sex-component is a little less present (just a little) the main essence of Clipped is definitely present in this second installment. Theres (a tiny little bit of) romance, a lot of passion and definitely relationships that are worth exploring.

So pick up Bound, fall into all the crazy storylines and explore in deepness the fantastic world that was created on Clipped as you're carried away through this adventure and get sucked into asking Mr. McCormack, again, for the next installment. Just as I am.
2303568
Book two of the Paragons Trilogy is more than just a solid sequel, it is a true evolution in the Paragon mythology, and a hell of an action-packed page turner.  If you liked book one, then I promise that you'll like book two even more.  We learn more about Veiled society, and gain some insight into the different bloodlines.  We also experience an entirely different aspect of the multiverse - one which, if you are a fan of John Carter of Mars, you just might want the author to revisit in some future project (nudge, nudge).  All our favorite characters are back, and we make some new friends that we will likely meet again.  It is the middle book of a trilogy, but Manley manages to craft a satisfying conclusion to this volume, while leaving room for further reveals and setting up the big bads for an epic showdown in book three.  All in all, I found Conduit to be an enjoyable read, and worthy of a 5 star rating.
1029492
This was an absolute thrill ride from start to finish. With nonstop action and a puppy-rescuing police officer for a hero, you won't want this book ever to end.

Born into a prominent crime family, abused and controlled her entire life, Alice snatches at the chance to escape before she is married off to another crime lord to further her ambitious brothers plans. Finding herself in Monroe, Colorado, she takes on a new identity and vows shes never going back. An instant attraction to Otto, the gentle giant of the Monroe police force, threatens to complicate her life just when shes trying to make everything simple, though. And when her brother and his allies strike, the entire town of Monroe must band together to fight back.

Katie Ruggle has written a romantic suspense which just keeps delivering in the action stakes, while interjecting some beautifully tender and humorous moments in between. Ottos accidental quoting of Deliverance when he becomes tongue-tied in Sarahs (Alices) presence was absolutely hilarious.

Ive read one of the previous two books in this series (On The Chase, reviewed here) and I must admit that did help, as there is quite a cast of characters to keep up with. This one introduces Ottos eclectic menagerie of rescued animals as well, and I have to agree with Sarahs assessment He was a Viking lumberjack cop who bottle-fed orphaned puppies? If hed spent years trying to think of the most effective punch to the ovaries, he couldn't have come up with a better plan.

This is a great series and I highly recommend it if you like romantic suspense. Survive The Night is the best one yet and I cant wait to see what the next book will bring! Five stars.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book for review through NetGalley.
1667106
Amanda Carlson's latest Jessica McClain book is filled to the brim with action of every kind.

Yes you Romance fans, you'll be happy here. And you non-Romance fans, hey, it's book 3, it's time.

There is quite a bit of setup for things that need to happen later in the series, but it didn't feel like a "middle book" to me. More like the continuation of the runaway train that has been Jess' life since she first shifted in book 1.

The action is back in the city, with Jess returning to her hometown just as her friend Marcy has been kidnapped by sorcerers. Marcy's aunt, Tally, is willing to feed Jess to them to get Marcy back, and as one of the most powerful witches in the country, she would be a formidable opponent. Jess has to make new alliances quickly, outrun sorcerers and demons, and keep running for her life. This takes her to New Orleans and the queen of the vampires who has her own designs on Jess.

I've said action a couple of times, but I should add more: action, action, ACTION! It really doesn't stop, and Jess barely has time to think, something that is going to bite her in more ways than one, I'm afraid. She has her mate, her family, her friends and some new allies, all of whom she will need.

I really liked what is happening with Ray. His character arc keeps getting more interesting. Naomi and Danny are still among my favs. I also like Jess and Rourke together, especially that while he is protective, he also gets that she is strong.

I also love the broader view of the various supernaturals we get here, in particular the witches and vamps. The world is expanding, the stakes are rising, and I have a feeling in book 4 the action will be explosive.

We definitely need book 4, because we are left with a big problem at the end. I can't wait to read how Jess claws and bites her way out of it.

[received ARC to review]
3002058
I enjoyed this second Apollo book even more than the first, if that's possible under the laws of physics and great reading. Our dashing god-turned-mortal hero Apollo and his diverse cast of friends face an evil Roman emperor scheming to take over Indianapolis (no, really). Plus griffins, combat ostriches, $15,000 Tater Tots, tofu enchiladas, polite monsters, bad Shakespearean dialogue, a hidden magical Waystation, gladiators meet the Indy 500, toilet scrubbing, carrot peeling, savage peachery, brief scenes of insanity and amnesia, literally vs. Lityerses-ly, and the extra-dimensional plane of fruit! All this and lots more. Favorite characters like Meg McCaffrey, Leo Valdez (), and Thalia Grace (Hunters of Artemis rock!) are back, as well as new characters that you will grow to love (or hate, depending if they're evil jerks). And it's fun to see Apollo develop more compassion for humanity.
3572443
I powered through the reading of this book like I would receive a giant slice of chocolate cake once it was finished.  Though I was sans cake once I was done, I was left with the same sense of satisfaction as if it was there.  Partially because I was REALLY late in reviewing it (sorry Cory!) but mostly because this is exactly what I wanted in the second book.  Had I sat down with the author and told him what I needed in this book, it would have led straight to what was produced.  This book was written from the girl's POV, with new characters, old love, and an ever-changing world of mythology to enjoy.  We got not only werewolves in this book, but we also meet a vampire, a demon, a Grim Reaper, and the King of Hell.  Fascinating stuff.

This book picks up where Bloodlust leaves off, so if you haven't read Bloodlust yet, turn back now. This review will be spoiler-ridden...

Mila Baine is heartbroken after losing her love, Derek.  Sinking into a deep depression, she goes home for the summer and decides she needs to get away.  She parks herself in the woods, and there she meets an old friend of Derek's, a priest named Tirayne.  He tells her of a possibility to get rid of all the Blood Wolves, but he needs her help to do it.  They embark on a journey to Canada, to a place where a pack of Blood Wolves live in the woods.  Although they expect to encounter trouble, the last thing they expect is to encounter someone, or rather, multiple someones, who are supposed to be dead.  Now the game has changed, and Mila must fight for her future. And his.

I really can't say a whole lot without being revealing too much, so I will only speak of Mila.  She became so much stronger in this book, and after her disappointing performance in the first book, I was glad to see her strength of character.  In this book, I looked forward to her witty remarks and her ideas on getting out of tough situations.  I was very proud of her, and I'm sure Derek would have been too.

I don't know if there will be another book - I think this wrapped up very nicely.  I'm excited to read more books by this author!  He has a flair for creativity and action-packed stories that I find very fun.  Definitely an author to follow.

**I received a free copy in exchange for an honest review.**
2504306
If you aren't ready for an action-packed, gory-fied, wild ride don't you dare pick up this book! Much like the first in this series - Ashes - Shadows kept me on the edge of my seat.

Literally: Edge. Of. My. Seat.

I'd include picture proof but during the edge-of-my-seat chunk I was reading in public. The weird looks I was already getting for *gasping* out loud were enough.

If you did read the first book - but it was awhile ago - I suggest checking out your notes.

Oh - What? - Not everyone travels around with a spiral notebook for taking notes while reading like me? Pity. It's a great excuse for carrying a super large bag. Ha.

OR...You can head over to the Author's website for a synopsis. You'll need it. Bick wastes no time prepping the reader or reminding us of important info. Nope, just like Alex once you start this tale you gotta keep up or find yourself Chuckie Bait.

P.S. Chuckie is a new name for the `Changed' in this book...and I love it! Because the Changed aren't your old-skool brainless zombies. Nope, these kids adapt as time goes on. So they're really more like "Chuckie" from the horror movie. Read: re-animated body with a personality, and a penchant for blood. The question regarding the Changed is one of the central threads of this text. How do they change? Can Spared kids still Change? How far will the Changed continue to evolve? Terrifying questions whose answers are slowly unveiled (though not completely...damn you book two! lol) throughout the text. All I can say is the more you know the scarier it becomes!

In addition to the quickly moving - no backtracking plot, Bick has chosen to write the second book in this series from multiple points of view. I'll admit that I didn't know if I was going to be a fan of this at the start of the read. Because some of these POVs' are from brand new (or - oops - forgotten!) characters. I'll warn you now, it's a bit discombobulating. But as the narrative moves on Bick uses quick switching between character POVs to up the tension. There was one point, where a new scene started and I almost got carpal tunnel in my thumb clicking through the pages thinking "Which character is this!?! I need to know whose fate this is!?!" Did I say this was an "Edge Of Seat" read yet? Yeah. It really is.

The love triangle continues to be the best kind. The type where you love each guy, individually, for his own unique traits. Makes a girl wish a menage e trois was more acceptable in YA fiction. I just don't know who I want her to end up with!

Finally, I have to give props to my favorite scene in the book. The one where we finally learn the root cause of Tom's PTSD. When you get there you'll understand - learning the truth behind what Bick has been hinting at all this time is as satisfying as learning what's at the bottom of a cliffhanger. It's very well done.

Rating: 4/5 Really enjoyed this book after I got used to multiple POVs - But it just has me starving for the final book! Classic case of Book 2-itus.
2406990
This book was 100% fun! I just loved it! I loved Beatrice's tone of voice, her attitude, spunk and sense of humor. Her comrades in the F.R.E.A.K.S. Squad were fun, but I do wish we had gotten to know some of the them better. Perhaps in the next book we will. There were some pretty grotesque descriptions filled with way more detail than I normally like but after the first few, I learned to just skim through them to make sure I wasn't missing anything critical to the action or story. I'm pretty squeamish, though, so it might not bother other readers. The storyline was well thought out and executed and like I mentioned earlier, the narrative voice was delightful. I am so glad a friend recommended this book to me and I highly recommend it to anyone who enjoys paranormal adventure/police-procedural books with a glimmer of romance to come (at least, I hope).
2459119
This book was even better than the first, and I can't wait for the third one to come out this month!
1353078
Even better than the first! And thats saying a lot because I really loved the first book. Like the first installment, it is well written, the plot is engaging and fast moving, and the characters continue to develop, further enveloping me in their unique worlds. I just love Piper. Shes quick thinking and she stands on her own two feet among the physically and magically superior daemons. Yes, she needs help at times, but I find that refreshing. The characters have limited strength and power and at times they must rely on others to survive. Despite what other reviewers think, all-powerful characters are boring and a cop out and, to my delight, the author doesnt go there. And though I have much love for Piper, I still have plenty to spare for Ash. I really got to know Ash in this book and I absolutely adore him and simply couldn't get enough of him! The relationship between Ash and Piper deepened in a very satisfying way and Im practically salivating for more! The author can definitely do steamy scenes!

There isn't nearly as much Lyre in this book, which didn't bother me, but may disappoint some readers who took a strong liking to him in book one. Conflict is piled on even higher in this installment, making for an even more exciting  and darker  story. Readers who prefer lighter fare may find the heavy conflict loaded on the main characters off putting. There are torture scenes, but they are brief. I thought Pipers reaction to torture was realistic (she starting cracking under the weight of it), but I was a bit skeptical of how quickly Ash moved on from it, especially since he was subjected to it for weeks. But I suppose he didn't have the luxury of time to let it all sink in  they weren't safe yet. There were moments of coincidental convenience that helped the main characters out of sticky situations, but I found myself easily willing to suspend my disbelief. The story is THAT engaging.

A final warning to those considering investing their time in this series  the romance is secondary to the plot. Some fans of the paranormal genre are all about the romance. If you are one of those readers, you may be disappointed. I was not. I love romance in my stories, but I rarely enjoy romance novels. This series has my kind of romance  a slow-burning romance born of conflict that grows as the characters fight together and learn to trust one another in order to survive. The romance between Ash and Piper is passionate and physical (kudos to the writer for showing, not telling!) and I could literally feel their need for one another, but they aren't stupid enough to forget their circumstances. The plot moves too fast for that!

This series continues to get stronger. The plot, the characters, and the worlds are all strongly built, engaging, and unique in their own ways. I am thoroughly invested and recommend this series to lovers of the genre. I cant wait for book three!
4669667
[Note: The following review refers to the digital edition of this work.]

When we last left Shelly Laurenston's world of shape shifters, Angelina Santiago had just disappeared while on her way to visiting her friends Sara and Miki in California. Her purse, some blood, and a few torn-up hyena shifters had been found outside her shop in Texas, and her friends thought she was dead. Turns out she wasn't dead, just kidnapped by a pair of Siberian tiger shifters from North Carolina. Thinking they were saving her from the hyenas (not knowing Angie, they didn't realize she could hold her own in a fight), they brought her to their brother Nik's estate, where she woke up with a splitting headache, mad as hell.

Nik Vorislav, one hunka-hunka Siberian tiger male, certainly didn't want her staying with him! After all, tigers were loners, like most cats, which is why they never associated with the wolf shape shifters, who lived in packs. Love `em and leave `em, Nik always said. Of course, this was difficult with human females, they were so clingy. But ... Angie was very decorative. Maybe she'd understand that they could have some fun, then go their separate ways? Maybe not...

I think the thing that I like so much about Ms. Laurenston's work is that it is totally irreverent, and off the wall. As in Pack Challenge and Go Fetch!, the first two books in this shape shifter trilogy, the action is extremely physical. The hero and heroine brawl it out like Burton and Taylor in The Taming of the Shrew. In any other universe, Sara, Miki, and Angie would be arrested for assault and battery, but in Ms. Laurenston's shape shifter universe, they're just assertive females holding their own against the wicked hyenas. Although this story could stand alone, you will understand the action much better if you read the two other books first since it is one continuous story.

I loved the juxtaposition of Angie's methods of self-defense, and her impeccable sense of style. And I loved the "hillbilly" family of Siberian tigers, and especially Nik. God, what a sexy, cuddly, mouth-watering man! A wide thread of humor runs through the plot, adding a fillip of laughter to the hot, hot, hot relationship of the hero and heroine. The many sex scenes are graphic, sexy, explicit, sexy, and inspiring - did I mention sexy? Even if you only like the book half as much as I did, you will love it! -- Jean, Fallen Angel Reviews (courtesy of Fallen Angel Reviews)