DARK AND DAMAGED is a wonderful and eclectic collection of paranormal love stories. DARK AND DAMAGED struck my interest because I am a fan of Jennifer Ashley and Bonnie Vanak. All of the other authors in this anthology are new to me. However, I have discovered some new favorites. All of the eight stories in this collection are sexy, inventive, and amazing. Although the tone and the subject matter differ, most of the stories are about trust and unlikely allies working together. Another common element in each story is a strong and capable heroine. Many of the stories are either the first book in a series or work as a stand-alone.
LION EYES is Book 7.25 in Jennifer Ashley's Shifters Unbound series. I always jump for joy when a new installment in her series comes out. LION EYES is an "on the run" themed story and has lots of excitement. Seamus is a lion Shifter and a thoroughly good guy and protector who meets up with Shifter groupie Bree Fayette. Although human, Bree and her mother are equally as strong, in some ways, as the Shifter females they later meet. I love seeing series favorites like Tiger and Olaf. The chemistry between Bree and Seamus works and makes for some steamy and sweet scenes.
BLOOD FLAME is Book 1 in Caris Roane's Flame series. The danger and suspense in BLOOD FLAME are intense, but I like that they don't overshadow the romance. There are several things I like about BLOOD FLAME. The romance that develops between the vampire Connor and the witch Iris is deliciously sensual. I like the story told from both perspectives, and I like how strong Iris is, despite knowing tragedy in her past. Caris Roane creates two very complex characters in a world that is not black and white. I look forward to reading future books in this series.
TEMPTED BY FIRE is Book 1 in Erin Kellison's Dragons of Bloodfire series. I love books about dragon shifters, but TEMPTED BY FIRE is different from other dragon stories I've read. For me, TEMPTED BY FIRE is part paranormal romance and part hardboiled detective story. I like that Thane and Ember work together to uncover who the bad guy is, as well as fighting together. I look forward to reading more stories in the Dragons of Bloodfire series.
HER SINFUL ANGEL is Book 8 in Felicity Heaton's Her Angel series. HER SINFUL ANGEL intrigued me right away based on the setting and the identity of the hero. Felicity Heaton makes Lucifer both a powerful and deeply sympathetic character. HER SINFUL ANGEL has many of the same elements that make up a good "beauty and the beast" themed story. The struggle to trust each other makes the romance between Lucifer and Nina more erotic. I will definitely go back and read the previous books in this series.
THE RESURRECTION OF SAM SLOAN is novella 2.5 in Erin Quinn's Beyond series. THE RESURRECTION OF SAM SLOAN is one of the most fascinating stories in this collection. Having never read a previous story in this Beyond series, I wasn't familiar with some of the terms. However, I was still able to appreciate the fantastic and otherworldly elements. The reaper who possesses Maggie's husband is such an interesting character and his infatuation with Maggie is so romantic. It's such a captivating idea to have a being take over someone's body, and therefore his life. THE RESURRECTION OF SAM SLOAN is one of the most unique love stories I've ever read. The demons and ghostly phenomena add excitement to mix in with the drama and romance. I am eager to read more stories in this Beyond series.
REDEMPTION is Mating Mini 4 in Bonnie Vanak's Werewolves of Montana series. There are so many elements in REDEMPTION that seem evocative of an erotic fairy tale to me. Robert and Aurora are caught in the machinations of powerful wizards and thrown together. After a brief meeting years ago, Aurora finds herself gifted to werewolf alpha Robert Keynes. Right away Aurora seems sympathetic -- having been enslaved for 15 years. The natural and intense sexual attraction Aurora and Robert feel for each other wars with their inability to totally trust. Great story-telling, eroticism, and complex characters make REDEMPTION a must-read werewolf story.
RAGING DAWN is a stand-alone novella in Colleen Gleason's Gardella Vampire Hunters series. Reading RAGING DAWN made me think of the classic Hitchcock film Notorious because of the intrigue and the prickly attitude of the hero toward the heroine at first. Even though this story is part of a series, Colleen Gleason gives a prologue and background information about the hero in order to help the reader understand him. I don't normally like stories about spies or spying, but sexual tension between vampire hunters Max and Savina is amazing and the excitement is off the charts. The chemistry between them is so good, I wouldn't mind reading more stories about the two of them working of cases together. This story is fun, full of suspense, and super hot!
REBEL'S DESIRE is Book 4 in Laurie London's Iron Portal series. REBEL'S DESIRE is a little bit sci-fi/fantasy with lots of action and sexiness thrown in. The trouble surrounding Keely because of who she is and her special gifts is reminiscent of the X-Men comics. Keely has had to survive and rely on her wits, but she appreciates Toryn being somebody she can finally lean on. REBEL'S DESIRE has a frenetic pace with lots of twists and turns.
JENNIFER ASHLEY - Lion Eyes (Shifters Unbound 7.25) Bree has
just decided to give up trying to be a Shifter groupie when
a lion Shifter slams into her truck and tells her to
*drive*. Seamus is on the run from hunters, other Shifters,
and who knows who else. All Bree knows is that he's
compelling, needs her help, and most intriguing of all,
wears no Collar ...
CARIS ROANE - Blood Flame (The Flame Series 1)
Vampire Officer Connor of the Crescent Border Patrol tries
to suppress his desire for the powerful witch, Iris
Meldeere. Because the woman possesses the ability to kill
him with the tips of her fingers, how can he possibly fall
in love with her? When a double homicide throws them
together, he soon finds his deepest fantasies fulfilled as
Iris succumbs to his seductions. But as they battle together
to stay alive, and love begins to consume them both, will
the witch be able to forgive the dark secrets of his past ...
ERIN KELLISON - Tempted By Fire (Dragons of Bloodfire 1)
A powerful dragon shifter has waited six hundred years to
avenge the loss of his family, but the beautiful mediator
sent to prevent violence among the Bloodkin doesn't want to
be his key to discovering the murderer--in fact, she wants
nothing to do with dragons at all ...
FELICITY HEATON - Her Sinful Angel (Her Angel Series Book 8)
Cast out of Heaven and now the king of Hell, Lucifer is a
powerful fallen angel warrior with a heart as cold as ice
and soul as black as the bottomless pit. For millennia, he
has ruled his realm with an iron fist as he plots the demise
of his ancient enemies. When one of those enemies dumps an
unconscious mortal female in the courtyard of his fortress
and leaves her there, Lucifer finds himself entranced by the
beguiling beauty and tempted beyond all reason. But is the
enchanting Nina an innocent pawn in the eternal game or part
of a plot against him?
ERIN QUINN - The Resurrection of Sam Sloan (A Novella of the
Beyond 2.5)
When a reaper is trapped in Maggie's estranged husband's
body, she knows only that the man with her husband's eyes
feels like a stranger . . . a compelling, seductive stranger
who touches her in ways her treacherous husband never could.
She wants to trust him, but what about the ghost who haunts
their home, implicating him in a gruesome murder . . . .
LAURIE LONDON - Rebel's Desire (Iron Portal #4)
A jaded Iron Guild warrior cares about nothing except
battling a ruthless enemy, but when a beautiful woman
literally runs into his arms, he realizes she holds the key
to his success. As passion ignites, he must decide whether
to sacrifice the woman he's falling for or dare to trust his
heart again.
BONNIE VANAK - Redemption (Werewolves of Montana Mating Mini #4)
A cursed alpha wolf promises to free an enslaved Mage if she
mates with him so he can sire an heir, not realizing she can
destroy the dark secret keeping his pack alive.
COLLEEN GLEASON - Raging Dawn (A Gardella Vampire Hunters
Stand-Alone Novella)
Vampire Hunter Max Denton must work with the daughter of the
man who betrayed his family when they travel to an English
estate in 1912, posing as servant and mistress. Downton
Abbey with vampires.
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