Immortal Unchained - Lynsay Sands

Publisher: Orion Publishing Group

Pubished: March 2017

ISBN: 9781473221536

Ever since Domitian Argenis recognized Sarita as his life mate, he's been waiting for the perfect moment to claim her. Those fantasies did not include him being chained to a table in a secret lab, or both of them being held hostage by a mad scientist. Somehow, they have to escape...

Sarita has seen some crazy things as a cop, but nothing to rival Domitian. A vampire? Seriously? But his healing ability, incredible powers, and their mind-blowing physical connection-none of it should be possible, yet her body knows differently. Now, not only do they have to save each other, but other innocent lives are at stake. Failure is not an option, for Sarita intends for Domitian to show her exactly what an eternity of pleasure feels like...

My review
Since I accidentally stumbled across the 7th book of the Argenau series of Lynsay Sands (The Accidental Vampire, what's in a name...), I was sincerely spoiled. Ever since, all vampire books I read are measured against the Argenaus... So when I saw Immortal Unchained (# 25 in the series) on Netgalley, I just had to request it. And yay, I received the ARC. I was a little hesitant, because after more than 20 books on the Argenau family, the action seemed to be getting a little less in the books 21 and 22. The yummie Notte twins (Dante and Tomasso) fortunately had more action in books 23 and 24. And in this book, Lynsay picks up the pace. We had already seen, that there were some immortals disappearing in those books. And although Lucian (my absolute favourite Argenau) was trying to find them, he was not able to. 
Enter Domitian. We start the book with Lucian growling (when is he not growling...) into Domitian's earpeace, not to go on board of the helicopter. But of course, Domitian gets on the helicopter... and ends up chained to a table in a secret lab.
Fortunately, Domitian is untied by Sarita, his life mate. If you haven't read any of Lynsay's books: she is THE ONE for him. But since she is a 'normal' mortal woman, she knows nothing of vampires (excuse me: immortals). However, she gets a crash course in vampires by Dr. Dressler, a mad scientist doing gruesome experiments on them. 

Of course there is this undeniable attraction between Sarita and Domitian, which will lead to some hilarious and also steaming scenes. But, as a true Argenau story, there is a lot of action, some unexpected turns and some very intriguing characters. For instance, we meet Thorne, the son of Dr. Dressler and Asherah, the assistant of Dr. Dressler. Right untill the end, you don't know who will be part of the good guys or part of the bad guys. With the exception of Dr. Dressler of course, who is just pure evil.

Furthermore, we re-unite with some of the characters of the earlier books, like Victor (my first Argenau encounter), Nicholas and Jo (The Renegade Hunter, #12), Decker and Dani (The Immortal Hunter #11),  Lucern (Single White Vampire #3), Eshe (Borne to Bite, #13) and Mirabeau (Bitten by Cupid, #12,5). And of course Lucian (Bite me if you can, #6).
So of course, five out of five stars from me! And looking forward to book 26! Keep up the good work, Lynsay.
 

Between a Wolf and a Hard Place - Terry Spear

Publisher: SourceBooks Casablanca

Published: April 2017

ISBN: 9781492645115

Wooing a she-wolf isn’t as easy as it looks in this bold paranormal romance from USA Today bestseller Terry Spear
In Silver Town, the secrets run deep…

Alpha werewolf Brett Silver has an ulterior motive when he donates a prized family heirloom to the Silver Town hotel. Ellie MacTire owns the place with her sisters, and he’s out to get her attention. 
Ellie is even more special than Brett knows. She’s a wolf-shifter with a unique ability to commune with the dead. Ellie has been ostracized, so she protects herself and those she loves by revealing nothing—not even when strange and dangerous things begin to happen in Silver Town. And especially not to the devastatingly handsome and generous wolf who’s determined to win her over…

My review
Since the A Very Jaguar Christmas, I hadn't read anything from Terry Spear. So when I saw Between a Wolf and a Hard Place on Netgalley, I had to request it. I was curious if this book was going to give you the same cozy feeling of the jaguar christmas or not. 
And indeed, Terry just writes in a very relaxing and enchanting way. You meet Ellie and her two sisters, who are running the Silver Town hotel. In this town, there are a lot of wolf-shifters living, so alpha guys defending their territory (read: there girls) is quit normal. And since they are good looking, like Brett, I certainly have no problems with that. Ellie, however, is more hesitant to engage with the romantic guy. Because she has a little secret: she can see and communicate with the dead. And since the last guy she told her secret has been treating her horribly, she is not very open to a new relationship. 
But clumsy Brett is trying really hard and being very sweet. Makes me want to remind my husband about bringing flowers, LOL.

So in all, a very pleasant read, with some excitement here and there. You gotta love Brett's (already deceased) great aunt, because she is hilarious. If you want to have a nice and feelgood read, sit back and relax with Between a Wolf and a Hard Place. Four out of five stars from me.   

How to Tame a Beast in Seven Days - Kerrelyn Sparks

Publisher: St. Martin's

Published:  March 2017

ISBN: 9781250108210

As one of the Embraced—one born with magical powers—the beautiful, innocent Luciana escaped certain death after her father hid her away on the Isle of Moon. Now, nineteen years later, her father has returned with a frightening request. He will be executed unless Luciana returns to the mainland and marries a man feared throughout the land: a terrifying brute known as the Beast.

Luciana accepts her fate and agrees to wed the Beast—Lord Leo—in order to save her father. Soon she learns that her betrothed is also one of the Embraced. With the ability to wield lightning, Leo’s immense power strikes fear into the hearts of men. . .and his mere touch can put an end to a woman’s life. But Luciana cannot deny the passion that burns between them. How can she resist the man who scorches her soul and makes her feel intoxicated with desire—even if surrendering to him could destroy them both?

My review
I have to admit, I was a bit hesitant to request this ARC from Kerrelyn Sparks. I have read her How to marry a Millionaire Vampire and although I liked that book, I'm kind of spoiled in the Vampire department by Lynsay Sands. I kind of devoured her whole Argenau series, so you have to be real good to top her. But because this book was not about vampires, I was kind of curious. And boy, was I glad a was granted this one...
The story starts with five girls, known as the Embraced ones. They are orphans at a monastery and they all have a special power. Luciana can see and talk with dead people. On a day, a stranger appears at the monastery, claiming to be Luciana's father. And even more exciting: he brings along his (now dead) other daughter, Tatiana. Luciana's twin sister she didn't know she had.

As you can tell: a lot of things happening in this book. And we mustn't forget the Beast. Yummie Leo (I mean, look at that cover...) has one tiny problem: he can't touch anyone, or he will zapp that person. And as with lightning: it doesn't end well. So Lord Leo is feared by everyone, except his uncle, the King. He orders him to marry Tatiana, in order to annexate the land of Luciana and Tatiana's father, if Lord Leo would come to an uncertain death. 

Luciana takes Tatiana's place as betrothed of Lord Leo. But what she didn't expect was that there were sparks flying. But not from Lord Leo's lightning fingers... A fastpaced story, with lots of twists and turns. And even a lot of humor. Absolutely delightful. I will not spoil the story, but I am already looking forward to the next part of this Embraced series. Five out of five stars from me.    

Her True Match - Paige Tyler

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

Published: March 2017

ISBN: 9781492625926

FORCED TOGETHER
When feline shifter Dreya Clark is escorted from the police interrogation by two secret agents, she thinks she's dodged a bullet. That sexy detective Braden Hayes caught her stealing red-handed. When she finds out what she has to do to stay out of jail, suddenly she's missing the hot cop with the piercing gaze. She's being recruited for her shifter abilities by the Department of Covert Operations. 

WILL DANGER RIP THEM APART?
Braden has been chasing the smart-mouthed cat burglar for years. But when Dreya's taken away, he knows their game of cat and mouse has turned deadly-serious. There's no way he'll let her go off alone. Fur flies and temperatures flare as Braden realizes Dreya is much more than she appears. Thrown together on a dangerous covert mission, this unlikely pair will have to rely on each other to make it out alive. 

X-Ops Series
Her Perfect Mate (Book 1)
Her Lone Wolf (Book 2)
Her Secret Agent (novella)
Her Wild Hero (Book 3)
Her Fierce Warrior (Book 4)
Her Rogue Alpha (Book 5)
Her True Match (coming March 2017)

My review
Her True Match was the second X-OPS book I've read. The first one for me was Her Rogue Alpha. That book I found rather 'tame', in comparison to the SWAT series of Paige Tyler. But since I had my shot of yummie werewolfs recently in Wolf Unleashed, I decided to take another shot at the X-OPS series. And boy, was I glad to have gotten my hands on this one! Dreya Clark is a feline shifter. However, growing up alone, she thinks herself a freak of nature with her claws and her scary green eyes. Since she doesn't know that there are more of her kind out there, she is sure there is no way any guy will be interested in her. Instead, she thrives on stealing and breaking and entering homes. 
Officer Braden Hayes has his eyes set on her for some time now. And not only because he wants to get her redhanded, but also because he likes the tension between them during interrogations, where Dreya stands her ground and is able to get away with most of her crimes.

So sparks are flying. But how can an abiding law officer and a cat burglar get together? When de Department of Covert Operations sweeps in, after Braden has arrested Dreya, how far will Braden go, to ensure Dreya's safety?

The story unfolds nicely, where we meet 'old' acquaintances of the other X-OPS books. And we see how there is also a second plot, in which shifters are created in a scary lab. The secondary characters, Brooklyn, Trevor and Ian, are also very interesting. Hopefully, they will get their 'own' story in the next books of the series.

So, it's safe to say, that the shifters of the X-OPS series kind of grow on you! Four out of five stars from me.With a special thank you to Sourcebooks Casablanca and Netgalley for this ARC.     

Lucifer - D.B. Reynolds

Publisher: BelleBooks - ImaJinn Books

Published: November 2016

ISBN: 9781611947366

Montreal, Quebec . . . A charming city on the St. Lawrence River, historic, sophisticated, but beneath it all lies an extensive underground where treacherous vampires are plotting to seize the country.

Lucifer Scuderi is a vampire—handsome and charismatic, a powerful hunter of unusual skill—who arrives in Montreal to take on the most important hunt of his life. Someone has kidnapped the mate of Canada’s ruling vampire lord, and it’s up to Lucifer to find him before his death sets off a crisis that could engulf the entire continent.

Eleanor Morel lost everything—including the love of her life—when she became a vampire. But now, twenty years later, she’s a trusted bodyguard to the Canadian lord, Sophia, and the only person Sophia can count on to lead the search for her endangered mate. But what Eleanor doesn’t know is that the special hunter she’ll be working with is none other than her long-lost love. And he’s demanding answers.

Lucifer’s love for Eleanor burns as hot as his anger towards her for leaving him. But they’ll have to find a way to set history aside and work together if they’re going to unravel the twisted betrayal that threatens not only Sophia and her mate, but the whole continent. Because the European vampires are on the move. And if Canada falls, the rest of North America could follow . . .  

My review
Lucifer is the 11th book of the Vampires in America. I didn't know this series, but I think I will do some catching up. The cover of D.B. Reynolds book certainly got my attention. And without reading the first 10 books, this book was perfectly readable. Of course, you miss some of the history of Sophia, the Vampire lord and some basics on how those lords operate. But you catch up pretty quick, and let's face it: Lucifer is just too hot to care about all those vampire politics.
The story starts with Colin, Sophia's mate, who is being tortured. Well, you certainly have all the attention there D.B.. Then the story continues with Sophia, Eleanor and lord Aden. Lord Aden proposes that one of his vampires (Lucifer) will help Sophia tracking her mate down. Since there are a lot of traitors, it is difficult for Sophia to accept help. To be sure, she isn't being deceived, she appoints her most trusted vampire (Eleanor) to go with Lucifer. What she doesn't know is that Eleanor and Lucifer share a history. An unfinished history...

So when Lucifer and Eleanor meet, tension goes throught the roof and sparks are flying. But are those sparks enough to overcome history???
Find out during the journey of Eleanor and Lucifer to track down Colin and his abductors. Who is the traitor among Sophia's clan? And will Eleanor and Lucifer be in time to save Colin?

This book will keep you on edge. Makes you wonder what will come next and who will be the traitor. And of course the mutual attraction between Lucifer and Eleanor. Will they fold to the attraction, or has too much happened for them to make amends? Thank you ImaJinn Books and Netgalley for this ARC. Four out of five stars for me. And I'll definitely start on the rest of the series!
   

Weregirl - C.D. Bell

 

Publisher: Chooseco

Published: November 2016

ISBN: 9781937133559

Nessa Kurland is running for her life. 

 
C. D. Bell's WEREGIRL is a fast-paced teen thriller set in Tether, Michigan, a town on the brink of shutdown since it was stripped of its resources by corporate polluter Dutch Chemical.
High school junior, Nessa Kurland, is a cross-country runner with her eyes set on one thing: a college scholarship as her one-way ticket out of Tether.
Talented teammate Cynthia Sinise invites Nessa on a nighttime run through Tether's overgrown forest trails. But she speeds ahead, leaving Nessa alone to discover a trapped wolf. Nessa tries to free the animal but is badly bitten, seemingly ruining her hopes for a strong fall season with the cross-country team.
Instead, Nessa's freakishly quick recovery is followed by improved running times. All her senses are heightened. Nessa has transformed. 

She has become a werewolf.

In her new state, Nessa learns there are things about Tether that powerful people want to keep hidden. Why does a Nobel Laureate work at the small-town medical clinic? Are top college athletic scouts really interested in her emerging talent? Can she trust Chayton, the motorcycle-riding guide her friends have faith in? WEREGIRL's Nessa must navigate her junior year and true human darkness, while making peace with her new, wild nature. 

My review - Part of the Weregirl BlogTour
The cover of Weregirl definitely drew my attention. Since I'm a sucker for shape-shifting characters, I was really glad a got the chance to read this first novel of C.D. Bell. The story is well build up. Nessa gets bitten by a wolf, when she tries to free him from a trap. Although you can see this coming from miles away, the unfolding of the story is a lot less predictable. The first few shifts of Nessa are pretty hilarious and especially the reaction of her best friend Bree. She is a hoot! Okay, so just don't shed your fur all over my car please? And have a cookie. C.D. Bell has done an excellent job in describing all the emotions Nessa is feeling, when she discovers she is getting more and more a werewolf. Enhanced hearing: very handy, a sharp nose: sometimes not so handy with all those smells from the chemical factory, fur all over: definitely not handy. Try keeping your furry arms and legs from discovering when it's smoking hot outside and you need to run a 5KM race. Well, that's a challenge...
But Weregirl is not only about Nessa and the changes she goes through in becoming a werewolf. Beside this is a second story, related to Nessa's young brother Nate. He is being monitored by a small medical clinic, sponsored by Dutch Chem. Not only Nate, but all young children in Tether are are being monitored. Billy Lark is also being monitored, but his mother is very suspicious. And then Billy gets sick...
What is happening to Billy and why do the wolfs try to get Nessa to check over Billies home? And what has the medical facility have to hide? C.D. has done an outstanding job in creating a story which keeps you on edge until the very end. Keep an eye out for more books of this author.
So four out of five stars from me.  

About the author

When she's not biking the streets of Brooklyn, NY, you can find C. D. Bell writing in a decrepit RV clinging to the side of a hill in upstate New York, trying to teach herself to watercolor, or inventing her own recipes. She is a voracious reader of anything and everything fantasy, supernatural, or romance. And she swears that the monsters she often writes about are not real-- at least she hopes not. 

Created by a talented team of six female writers and inspired by the working tradition of television writers, C. D. Bell is a Chooseco author pseudonym developed with teen author Cathleen Davitt Bell, who has written I Remember You [Knopf 2015], among other novels for young adults.

The second installment of the WEREGIRL trilogy is already in the works.


About the publisher
Chooseco publishes the Choose Your Own Adventure series. Widely commended for its appeal to reluctant readers, the interactive, multiple-choice multiple-ending series is the 4th-bestselling series for children ever published, with more than 265 million copies translated into 38 languages. Chooseco has sold over 10 million copies since the series re-launch in 2006. Weregirl represents Chooseco’s first foray into full-length, non-interactive young adult fiction.

Where to buy
If you want to buy Weregirl:

WEREGIRL [Chooseco LLC] will be available in hardcover and e-book formats via all online and select brick-and-mortar book retailers as of November 1, 2016. Pre-order your copy today on Amazon or the WEREGIRL website: http://weregirl.com/products/weregirl

Read more on Social Media

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Twitter: https://twitter.com/weregirlbook

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/30090014-weregirl

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Website: http://weregirl.com/