Blogger Layouts

Saturday, June 18, 2011

Darkfever by Karen Marie Moning


Darkfever (Fever Series #1)
Start Date: 6.11.11
Finish Date: 6.13.11

Brief Summary ...
MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.

Or so she thinks ... until something extraordinary happens.

When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae ...

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless V’lane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands ...

My Review ...

This book in 8 words or less ...
WONDEROUS MYSTICISM WITH A SPLASH OF DELICIOUS TENSION!

Where to begin ...
Let’s see ... I am probably the last person on the planet and quite possibly the next two or three planets down the line to read this series ... my fall from the turnip truck occurred very late. I was left in the wind with no chance of redeeming myself. But as you can see I have recovered from my unfortunate accident and through my love of Moning’s Highlander Series I stormed through the fog to continue my journey. From the very begining I was deeply pulled into her world of hunky Keltar highlanders and mystical Tuatha Dé (Fae). Enjoyment from the Highlander series caused me to continue on with Moning’s new (well … new for me) Fever series that continues the tale of the Tuatha Dé (from a more darkly view of both the Seelie and Unseelie) through the eyes of the book’s heroine MacKayla Lane.

At first I was a bit leery after reading the first few chapters because I felt that I wasn’t getting that pull that occurs. You know the pull that sucks you in and absorbs the world around you leaving you focused on nothing but the fantasy created in the magical pages of whatever great series you just happen to have fallen into. That my friends, just wasn’t happening for me … at first. My leeriness and disappointment was soon put to an end after the introduction of 3 characters ... the mysterious Jericho Barrons, the would be vampire Mallucé and of course the irresistible Seelie Prince V’lane.

The Characters ...

MacKayla Lane (Mac/Ms. Lane) – Unlike most people I like Mac. I feel she is a very interesting character once one looks past the shallowness and immaturity of which she isn’t and truly sees her for the strong and courageous woman that she is. Only being 22 years old and realizing that your world is nothing like you thought it was and having that thrown in your face after losing your older sister who was not just your sister but your best friend can be truly earth-shattering not to mention very confusing. She reminds me of Buffy in a way … having no clue as to who you can trust or why you were the chosen one to begin with but having to save the world from evil baddies while trying to save yourself and bring your murdered sister justice … it’s enough to make you want to crawl in a hole and hide hoping you can go back to the way life used to be ... fun and care free ... but in the end you just can’t. I commend Mac for her strength and bravery for avenging those she has lost while protecting the people she loves.

Jericho Barrons – Although at first I must admit that I thought you were an arrogant tool who was manipulative and acerbically sardonic. However, those feelings changed after I observed your character more thoroughly. From saving Mac’s life on several occasions to providing her with shelter while trying to not only help her adjust but assist her in better understanding what her destiny as a sidhe-seer is all about. So needlesstosay it is because of you that I continued to read this book. You are one mysterious character that is scholarly cultured, dangerously intelligent, insanely wealthy with exquisite taste and powerfully good-looking with a hard body that emanates a tingling constant charge that is undeniably delectable. With a hidden agenda and nature that has not only kept me intrigued but truly enthralled. You are the stuff that make men desirable heroes and quite possibly utterly deranged psychotic murderers. But let’s not forget to mention that the sexual tension between you and ‘Ms. Lane’ is beyond delish!

V’lane – Can be summed up in eight words or less … An insatiable Fae prince of lethally erotic tastes! Just like most people don’t like Mac most people think a death-by-sex fae is ridiculous but luckily for me I’m not most people. I think the idea of a death-by-sex fae is not only unique but utterly delicious. The first two scenes where Mac interacts with V’lane had me laughing my ass off and only made me look forward to more scenes with V’lane and Mac together. Granted I think V’lane may have his own secret agenda regarding Mac just like Barrons but maybe he just might be telling Mac the truth after all. Who knows for sure? No one can say but at the same time I also think he is hoping to gain her affection as well because he is not used to being ignored sexually and he finds the challenge interesting.

Final Thought ...

Once this book was finished two thoughts became absolutely obvious in my sometimes overly lust-filled mind ...

First ... I need to rob a bank or one of those nice red armored trunks so that I could dash over to the nearest airport and jump my happy ass on the next flight leaving for Ireland. And secondly I want to make a delicious sandwich with Jericho Barrons and V'lane preferably with me in the middle. Oddly I am have flashbacks to J.R. Ward’s motel scene in Lover Unleashed. LoL!

But for real this series offers everything. A crime mystery, a fantasy world steeped in history and folklore, and the kind of men that you would loath in real life but are the most erotic beings imaginable in literature. I can't believe I every questioned this book and waited so long to being this series.

Rating ...


Monday, June 13, 2011

Break a Headbroad and the Rumors Fly ...


By now I am sure you have all seen the trailer for Breaking Dawn ... well apparently many of you have not heard the lastest rumour - that the scene with Edward Cullen breaking the head board was done by a stunt double.... a body double... a... NOT ROBERT PATTINSON!?! This is just too laughable in my opinion.

But don't fret ... to demystify this rumor Gossip Cop looked into the story and was told by a production source that it was 100 percent Pattinson in the sex scene with Kristen Stewart. Additionally, a rep for Summit tells us, “A body double was NOT used.”

In my opinion on how this started is from his reputation for having the lack of Jacob muscles had all the Twi-Crazies questioning where these wonderfully strong, gorgeously toned, delish muscular arms appeared from ... Meh-Ow! Looks like under all those grubby grungy flannels is some tasty man meat after all.

Sunday, June 12, 2011

Brown Siblings Update ...

Acccording to Dane's last blog post it is ...

Question Sunday!
Sunday, June 12th, 2011

Christine asks: When the new series begins w/ Gillian’s friends are we still going to get to see glimpses of the Browns every now and then?

Answer: Yes! The new series will be focused on Gillian’s friends (who you’ll meet in NEVER ENOUGH) and since Gillian is with Adrian you’ll be seeing the Browns in the other books as well. And I’m not going to spoil it too much but you haven’t seen the last rock star from me either…

YaY more Brown Siblings!

Chapter 1 of Kenyon's Retribution ...

Retribution

Saturday, June 11, 2011

Coming Undone By Lauren Dane


Coming Undone (The Brown Siblings #2)

Start Date: May 5, 2011
Finish Date: May 7, 2011

Brief Summary
After his parents' death, Brody gave up a promising career to care for his family. Now, with his siblings grown, Brody owns his own business, and for the first time in years he's alone. Elise has come to Seattle with her daughter to find peace. After years as a world-famous ballerina-and trapped in a marriage gone bad-she's looking for neither love nor attention. But she finds both in the handsome, honest man who befriends her with no strings attached.

Brody and Elise discover in each other the wild, physical passion they need. But it'll take a shadow from Elise's past to make them look beyond what they need-to what they truly desire.

My Review

This book in 8 words or less
TENDER AND ARTISTICALLY DELECTABLE!

To recall I remind you that I stumbled upon this series on a whim and accidentally read Inside Out. I didn’t realize until after I had finished reading the aforementioned book that it happened to be the third book of The Brown Siblings series by Lauren Dane. Of course this discovery just happened to clarify some of my confusion. So obviously I had to get the rest of this thrilling and titillating series just so that I could discover and experience these characters from the very beginning. Laid Bare is the beginning of the deliciously written story centered on Erin Brown and the introduction to the Brown siblings and their close-net circle of friends. Continuing on with the saga we are led to Erin’s sexy and emotionally intense brother Brody, the oldest of the Brown siblings. Coming Undone does not disappoint. It proudly continues that fabulous blend of sizzling erotica and sweetly hot romance that attacked and devoured of imaginations in Laid Bare. Coming Undone is a book that I found impossible to put down, which is why I’m awarding it a perfect five star rating and has definitely earn a spot on my keeper shelf of all time favorites, and perhaps someday yours too.

The Characters

Brody Brown – This man is the caretaker for everyone at least for those he loves whether they are family or friend, raising his siblings from the tender age of 17 giving up his hopes and dreams of a promising art career to become the parents that they lost in an accident. You may want to take pity on him or even feel that his live is without intrinsic worth but that is where you would be mistaken because the complete opposite has happened for our hero. Not only has he raised two very successful people, namely his younger sister Erin and their younger brother Adrian, for whom he could not be prouder he also isn’t doing half bad himself. Has a successful and prosperous tattoo artist with a nice home in a friendly community while being surrounded by friends and family life for him isn’t too shabby. All Brody needs is some casual lovin’ ever now and then and life would be perfect. However, fate apparently feels differently for our hero thus enters Elise, her daughter Rennie and an unfortunate car accident.

Elise Sorenson – The once infamous ballerina who is trying to escape a horrid past while maintaining the safety of her young daughter Rennie finds herself moving far away in hopes of starting over and establishing a new life that is not only stable but protected from the horrors of their past. Settling in a great neighborhood in Seattle she finds herself living a normal life with her daughter. What more could she ask for? Well, the last thing she wants is a relationship especially with the very sexy, tattooed, motorcycle riding bad boy neighbor from across the street who personifies what fantasies are made of. In fact, while Brody lives inside Elise’s fantasies on a nightly basis and man are they good. Still, Elise just wants a man without complications and what Brody offers fills the bill for Elise. A companionship with no strings attached instead of a relationship with love and forever which works for both of them until Elise’s past comes back to haunt her. Now while Elise is trying to maintain her sanity and her focus on Rennie she doesn’t want to admit that she just might need Brody for more than just a good time. What Elise doesn’t expect is to love him and adore the way he treats her and her daughter. Apparently it seems that healing and love can come in a big inked up package that may just in fact be what she truly desires.

Final Thoughts
Lauren Dane captures every feeling of each character and every situation and brings it to life. This book came alive for me. I found myself smiling when reading certain parts and annoyed at others because the characters and the situations affected me that much. Mainly it was Rennie. She is such a humorously witty and charmingly sweet little girl that pulls at your heart strings. The interaction between the three characters is heartwarming and gratifying.

Rating ...

Laid Bare By Lauren Dane


Laid Bare (Brown Siblings #1)

Start Date: 4.30.11
Finish Date: 5.2.11

Brief Summary
Unexpected Desire
It’s been ten years since clean-cut, sexy-as-hell police officer Todd Keenan had a white-hot fling with Erin Brown, the provocative, wild rocker chick next door. Their power exchange in the bedroom got under his skin. But love wasn’t in the cards just yet…

Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin’s past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd’s best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed—and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?

My Review

This book in 8 words or less
TOUCHING AND IMAGINATIVELY DELICIOUS!

To be honest I accidently stumbled upon this seris and read the third book first before realizing that it was a series. Yeah I can be a little special like that sometimes. But enough about me … let’s get to the goods shall we. In a brief word this book is beyond AMAZING! Every once in a while a book comes along that is so spellbinding that it moves you in mesmerizing surprises in all the best ways imaginable. The three main characters of this rhythmically hypnotic saga are all deliciously charismatic and comprehensively practical. They are skillfully woven into a roller coaster tale that will have your heart wrenching with tears one moment, fluttering with arousal the next and laughing with merriment at every victorious stride along the way. I was completely blown away by the brilliant representation of this emotionally stimulating and profoundly erotic tale of second changes and liberation. What can I say … I love this book! With ménage and some male-on-male action what’s not to love. Mee-ow!

The Characters

Erin Brown – She is a memorable heroine who takes no shit and knows what she desires whether on stage or in the bedroom. Even if some may view her appearance is a bit outlandish with her tattoos and dreadlocks that over time are traded in for long pink striped tresses I have to say that is what makes up some of her charisma and allure. Until disaster strikes and her genuinely free spirit is left traumatized and brokenhearted. The things she overcame just proved what a strong woman she was. Her tragedy broke my heart and left me in tears but at the same time I had to give her mad props to see the strength and determination that she possesses.

Todd Keegan – Starts out as a straight laced, clean cut, Toby Keith lovin’ cop who is so devastatingly attracted to Miss Wild Child Erin who just so happens to bring out his darker and kinkier side which naturally scares the shit out of him thus causing him to beat feet with his tail between his legs only to end up ten years later leaving Boston to return to Seattle after being shot, comatose and divorced. Only then to have fate step in and bring the once wild Erin back into his life where he so openly admits to embrace the kinks that caused him run and initially break her heart.

Ben Copeland – Todd’s sexy lifelong best friend and new business partner enters not only Erin’s life but her and Todd’s bedroom as well. He adds the whole new and improved feature to the vibrant dynamics of Erin and Todd’s relationship which in turn allows their friendship to develop into something deeper and more intimate will their feelings center around their love for Erin.

Final Thoughts
Ben, Erin, and Todd find themselves becoming a threesome to where scenes heat up and progress with the perfect combination of alpha male exploration and sensitivity based on friendship, longing, trust, respect, understanding, and of course, love with Erin at the heart and center, and although they might have difficulty clearly defining what they have, … they can’t deny what they have found in each other. While there are some delicious sexual facets of being in a ménage the emotional makeup of the trio’s relationship takes precedence as the prime focus of this brilliantly written story. With that being said I leave myself wondering where my Ben and Todd are because hello … my name is Erin too.

Rating ...