Review: Born in Blood by Alexandra Ivy

Born in Blood: Sergeant Duncan O’Conner and Callie Brown

(The Sentinels #1)

Summary:

Born In Blood

Sergeant Duncan O’Conner has seen it all before. A beautiful erotic dancer is found murdered in her home—no suspect, no motive. But there’s one clue: she’s missing her heart. It’s enough to make the hard-bitten Kansas City cop enlist the help of a necro—one of the dead-channeling freaks who live in the domed city of nearby Valhalla. It’s a long shot, but desperate crimes call for desperate measures.

Unlike the other “high-bloods” in Valhalla, Callie Brown considers her abilities a gift, not a curse. But when she reads the dancer’s final thoughts, she senses a powerful presence blocking her vision. This is no ordinary homicide. This is the work of a legendary necromancer who controls souls. A ravenous force that will put Callie’s skills to the test, O’Conner’s career at risk, and both their hearts on the line…literally.

Review:

Born in Blood is the first in a new series by Alexandra Ivy, in a world where “high bloods” people with special powers are out but separate. They prefer to stay in their own closed off city called Valhalla. Occasionally the regular humans need assistance of the high bloods such as Callie. Callie is a powerful Necro, she can get into the mind of the recently deceased and see their final moments. When she is called in to consult on this new case, she has never seen anything like it, a powerful necro still in the woman’s mind. This start a string of disturbing questions and danger for Duncan and Callie, especially Callie as she must reach her full potential to battle this more powerful necro.

From the start I was pulled into this new world, Alexandra Ivy was actually one of the first paranormal romance authors I read and I continue to enjoy her books and characters and this one is no exception. Now as I write this review, please bear with me as I read this book a while ago but have been sitting on this review until closer to the release date. I really enjoyed both Callie and Duncan. Callie and Duncan have actually been working with each other for quite some time on random cases so, their meeting on this case and subsequent attraction is not so abrupt; which works for me as I'm not a huge fan of Insta-Love. From the beginning the attraction is fierce; Duncan has been biding his time with the icy red-head just waiting for the right time to make a move. She’s been filling his dreams for a while and since they are working more closely, he realizes that there is no time like the present to go for it. Callie has been attracted to Duncan for quite some time but she figures the handsome cop would never look her way; after all she is a freak. So almost from the beginning we have some fiery passion going on, which I’m not going to complain about. In the romance department we get a bit of role reversal in this one. While Duncan an alpha male in this story its Callie who ends up being the one to fight the relationship and to be commitment phobic enjoyed reading the female as the commitment phob for a change. Hey women can be commitment phobs too! She is terrified to ever meet Duncan’s normal family and his teasing makes for some humorous moments. Duncan’s family may be normal but Duncan is not, he has something he has not been sharing with the outside world.. he has a few abilities of his own. As characters both are quite likeable and fleshed out. You feel like you know what makes each tick by the end of the book.

This is the first book in the series, so there is a lot of world building, bringing you in, making you comfortable with this new world. I’m ok with this, first books in a series aren’t always necessarily the most exciting in the series but this one holds its own. There is still quite a bit that goes on to keep you plenty entertained. We build up to that final battle and I didn’t find myself disappointed with an anti-climactic last battle scene. This book has a lot of side characters that we are introduced to, some we get to know better than others but you know as the series moves on you will get more time with the High Bloods. Four characters in particular are working towards their own books and I can’t wait to see what happens. I am really looking forward to seeing where this series takes us.

Early Review: Blood Lust by Alexandra Ivy

Blood Lust - Bas and Myst

(The Sentinels #3)

Expected publication: May 31st 2016 

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Blessed and cursed by their hidden abilities, the Sentinels have no choice but to live, and love, on the edge of humanity…

The Sentinel assassin, Bas, is facing the greatest challenge of his outcast existence. His young daughter, Molly, has been kidnapped. But her disappearance has brought the return of her mother, Myst, whom Bas has never forgotten--or forgiven.

Haunted by a vision that she's destined to create a weapon that will destroy thousands, Myst was never impulsive--until she met the irresistibly handsome Bas. But with the Brotherhood, the enemy of the high-bloods hunting for her, Myst had to stay on the run, to keep her child, and the world, safe. Now, with the most important thing in both their lives at stake, she and Bas must embark on a treacherous journey to save Molly, to confront the truth of Myst's fate--and to face their fierce desire for one another.

Review:

I got to say I wasn’t all that excited about this book, Bas wasn’t all that easy to really like in the last book. One thing I could say was that he is a fantastic father; he truly loves his little girl. She’s his whole world.  When her mother saunters back into the picture he’s not thrilled; he doesn’t want anything else that could potentially harm his little girl. Myst hasn’t physically been with her little girl since she dropped her off with Bas, but she has always “talked” to her through a telepathic link. Being away from Molly has been the hardest thing she’s had to do but fate has other plans.  Myst needs to stop a vision from coming to pass, a vision that could kill everyone in Valhalla.

We are taking on a whirlwind trip across countries racing against time and whomever wants to get their hands on Myst. Bas really redeems himself to me in this book, he ends up being compassionate well as compassionate as a man of his nature could be. He also puts his heart back on the line where Myst is concerned. Myst wasn’t counting on Bas and her feelings for him. She ran from im years ago but he was never far from her heart and now he wants a real chance, but she has fate hanging over her head.

I really ended up enjoying this book, much more than I thought I would. It was action packed and emotionally charged.  I can’t say that I’ve ever disliked an A. Ivy novel and I’m quite glad this was no exception.  Fans of A Ivy and paranormal in general I think will really enjoy this series. 

**Arc copy provided through NetGalley for an honest review, no other compensation was provided. 

Review: Burned by Darkness by Alexandra Ivy

Burned by Darkness: Baine and Tayla 

(Dragons of Eternity #1)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

The Dragons of Eternity were once creatures of myth and legend. Now they’ve returned to the world, prepared to claim what’s rightfully theirs…

Tayla is desperate for a place to call home. After years on the run, the young imp impulsively buys a teahouse and is determined to build a new life. Unfortunately, she’s barely opened the doors when she’s tracked down by the dragon who purchased her from troll slave-traders. He demands she pay off her debts…in his harem.

Baine has devoted a quarter of a century to tracking down his beautiful concubine. And now that he has her in his grasp, he’s not about to let her go. But it’s soon apparent that he isn’t the only demon hunting her. He must uncover her secrets or risk losing her forever.

Review:

I love dragon shifters, who wouldn’t?! So I had some high hopes for this one but sadly, I was left kind of meh at the end of this short novella.  So Tayla has been on the run for 25 years and finally settles down to have her own teashop which has been her dream but something happens, I can’t really remember what but it brings her scent back to Baine who has been hunting her for 25 years, but he’s not the only one that has been hunting her for her rare gift. Turns out that her dad sold her into slavery to some trolls which then sell her to a dragon (Baines father) and Baine takes one look at her and decides to make her his so he buys her from his father for a small fortune. When Baine finds her again it starts this whole downward spiral of people hunting Tayla for her anti-climactic gift. The story is kind of eh, and the characters aren’t much better. There was little of A. Ivy’s usual humor and action. All around it was just mediocre. It wasn’t bad, but it wasn’t great either. Usually I enjoy Ivy’s stories, but this one fell flat. Maybe I’ll read on in the series but I won’t be grabbing it at first opportunity. 

Review: Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright - Bayon & Jean-Baptiste

Bayou Heat Series:
 
Books 3 & 4
 
Bayon & Jean-Baptiste:
 

 
Purchase on Amazon: Click here to get Bayon/Jean-Baptiste (Bayou Heat)

Summary:
From Goodreads.com
The fight continues in the Wildlands. Facing extinction, the Pantera have been given a miracle. A child. The first one in over fifty years. But even as they prepare to celebrate, the enemy strikes, putting at risk the fragile female who carries the hope of their people.
 
BAYON
Charming, drop-dead gorgeous Hunter Bayon is thirsting for revenge on the enemies who slipped into the Wildlands and attacked Ashe and her vulnerable child. Pledging to track down the cowards, Bayon goes on the hunt, pursuing the humans to a nearby town. But searching their shabby hideaway, he makes a discovery that shocks him to his very soul and might very well destroy the heart of the Pantera.
 
JEAN-BAPTISTE
Tattooed and pierced, sexy Nurturer Jean-Baptiste has been living in utter isolation. His cat is out of control, and the only thing that soothes the beast is a rare mineral he keeps inking into his skin. Until he meets her: Genevieve Burel. The beautiful and buttoned-up female puma is unlike anyone he’s ever met. She makes his cat purr, and he knows he must possess her, mate with her. But the secret she's keeping might threaten not only their unbridled passion for one another, but the very future of the Pantera race.
 
Review:
 
Bayon:
In the previous books Bayon was a total playboy. He had a reputation of being a total manwhore. In this book we find out that really reputations are always true and even a playboy can lose his heart. Once long ago, someone had buried themselves deep under his skin and with her death he never quite got over her. Now Bayon has a chance at a true mate and he doesn’t let her get away from him. He knows what it is like to lose someone you love and he’s not afraid to put himself out there. I really liked that he really did put himself out there. He does not shy away from a true gift even if the lady in question does make him work for it a little bit. You can’t help but like Bayon, he’s a total charmer! Now his lady friend she is a bit prickly but in a good way. She is an alpha female and needs a strong man, but not one that will crush her. She is afraid that as a alpha male Bayon will not be able to give her the freedom that she needs. She quickly learns that this is not the case and that Bayon is strong enough and secure enough to let her do her thing. She may have been caged but only Bayon can truly set her free from more than the confines of her steel cage!
 
Jean-Baptiste:
For me it was Jean-Baptiste that really grabbed my interest and didn’t let go! I am a total sucker for the pierced tattooed dude. I know clichéd but oh well. It is how it is. Jean-Baptiste is a “nurturer” among the pack but really he’s an alpha at heart. He is all sexy and demanding. He tells Genevieve how it’s going to be and single mindedly set out to seduce the prim and proper “suit”. Jean-Baptiste is struggling with his Puma, his Puma is scratching to get out and he has little control over it. It is not until Genevieve that he seems to find some semblance of control. Genevieve is on a mission and it is completely opposite of Jean-Baptiste’s mission. She needs to succeed or the whole life she had planned for herself is going to pass her by. The last thing she needs is a sexy distraction that is Jean-Baptiste. She tries to resist him, she really does, but really how can you resist all that sexiness. She gives it the old college try, but gives in to the oh so demanding Jean-Baptiste. But losing has never been so rewarding! Genevieve really ends up having to evaluate everything she has ever thought she wanted. She doesn’t know what the right decision is but for better or worse she has to make one. We only hope that she chooses Jean-Baptiste!
 
Rating:



 

March New Releases

Hey all,

So I’ve been meaning to try this out for months, but this is the first month I stopped being lazy and actually put together a post. So  here it goes. This is not a comprehensive list, its more of a pick and choose based on series and authors I have read in the past and have likely been featured on this blog or my other blog at some point.

March Releases:
Darkness Arisen by Stephanie Rowe
 

 
Release Date: March 1
 
Night Blade by J.C. Daniels
 

 
Release Date: March 4
Purchase: J.C. Daniels - Night Blade (Colbana Files)
 

Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh
 

 
Release Date: March 5
Purchase: Nalini Singh - Wild Invitation: A Psy/Changeling Anthology
 

Frost Burned by Patricia Briggs
 
 
 
Release Date: March 5
Purchase: Patricia Briggs - Frost Burned (MERCY THOMPSON)
 
Always on My Mind by Bella Andre
 

 
Release Date: March 5
Purchase: Bella Andre - Always On My Mind: The Sullivans
 
Mating Instinct by Katie Reus
 

 
Release Date: March 5
Purchase: Katie Reus - Mating Instinct: A Moon Shifter Novel
 
Undead and Underwater by MaryJanice Davidson
 

 
Release Date: March 5
Purchase: MaryJanice Davidson - Undead and Underwater (UNDEAD/QUEEN BETSY)
 
Wicked Lies by Karina Cooper
 

 
Release Date: March 5
Purchase: Karina Cooper - Wicked Lies: A Dark Mission Novella
 
The Wolf's Surrender by Kendra Leigh Castle
 
 
 
Release Date: March 5
Purchase: Kendra Leigh Castle - The Wolf's Surrender (Harlequin Nocturne)
 
Shadowed Moon by Moira Rogers
 

 
Release Date: March 5
Purchase: Moira Rogers - Shadowed Moon (Bloodhounds)
 
Clockwork Princess by Cassandra Clare
 

 
Release Date: March 19
Purchase: Cassandra Clare - Clockwork Princess (Infernal Devices)
 
Lover At Last by J.R. Ward
 

 
Release Date: March 26
Purchase: J.R. Ward - Lover At Last: A Novel of the Black Dagger Brotherhood
 
Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost
 

 
Release Date: March 26
Purchase: Jeaniene Frost - Twice Tempted: A Night Prince Novel
 
Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep
 

 
Release Date: March 26
Purchase: Jennifer Estep - Deadly Sting (Elemental Assassin)
 
Wolf with Benefits by Shelly Laurenston
 

 
Release Date: March 26
Purchase: Shelly Laurenston - Wolf with Benefits (The Pride Series)
 
Too Hot to Handle by Victoria Dahl
 

 
Release Date: March 26
Purchase: Victoria Dahl - Too Hot to Handle
 
Better Off Dead by H.P. Mallory
 

 
Release Date: March 26
 
Levet by Alexandra Ivy
 

 
Release Date: March 26
Purchase: Alexandra Ivy - Levet (Guardians of Eternity)
 
Beauty Awakened by Gena Showalter
 

 
Release Date: March 26
Purchase: Gena Showalter - Beauty Awakened (Angels of the Dark)

Review: Alexandra Ivy and Laura Wright – Raphael and Parish

Bayou Heat Series:

Books 1 & 2

Raphael and Parish:


 
Purchase on Amazon: Raphael/Parish (Bayou Heat)
(At $0.99 this book is a bargain! that is the price as of today, I cannot guarantee it will remain so)

Summary:
RAPHAEL

The brilliant and dangerous diplomat of the Pantera shapeshifters, Raphael has devoted his life to discovering the key to the infertility that is threatening the extinction of his puma race. Creating a vast network of spies worldwide, he never expected to discover that the answer might be beneath his very nose. But when Ashe, a beautiful human female, crosses his path, his most primitive instincts are stirred. Unable to resist, he takes her to his bed, and is shocked when she becomes pregnant with his child. It’s a miracle that might prove to be the salvation of his people, but only if he can keep her safe from the mercenaries determined to kill her.
 
PARISH
 
Untamed and undeniably sexy, Parish, leader of the Pantera hunters, rarely leaves the magic of the Wildlands to deal with the humans he despises. But with the prized and risky Pantera birth on the way, puma shifter, Parish must travel to New Orleans to find and bring back a human doctor. The moment he sees the lovely, talented and all too human Dr. Julia Cabot he cannot resist the wild, potent drive to make her his. Betrayed and destroyed by love, Julia will not let her heart choose her path again. But as she and Parish fight to save the life of an unborn child, a fierce and overwhelming bond develops between them, threatening her frozen heart with the secret hope and ultimate temptation of love and family.
 
Review:
So this is a new novella series written by two different authors, the first book by Alexandra Ivy and the second by Laura Wright. Both authors are forces within the paranormal romance genre and this collaboration is a match made in shifter heaven.
 
The first novella is about Raphael and Ashe, this one starts 6 weeks after a fated encounter that left Ashe in the family way. This in itself is a miracle because there has been no Pantera child in over 50 years. Raphael is determined to claim both his child and woman! Which starts us off on a fiery, passion filled, action packed rollercoaster ride of a story. A. Ivy packs a wallop into a short piece. No genre can pull off “Insta-Love” like the paranormal genre, because they have mates which makes their union fated! Raphael is convinced that Ashe is his fated mate, but Ashe is not convinced. This creates explosive sexual tension between these two. When all of the sudden it appears that a foe is after Ashe, all of Raphael’s protective instincts. I adored this story, it had everything that makes up a great read and damn was it hot. Ashe and Raphael about caught the pages on fire with their passion!
 
The second story is Parish and Julia. Julia is right out of devastating relationship, where her dreams of a husband and family went up in flames. Parish is sent to fetch a human doctor for Ashe, when he gets to the hospital Julia is not what he expected. Parish is smoldering and brooding and all sorts of sexy! He turns out to be not what I expected. Sure he is hard but he has this sensitive side, which I was not expecting at all. He kind of reminds me of Lucas from Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changling Series, hard, but sweet to those he loves. Julia is a kind of a lost soul a bit, she has just lost everything she wanted and isn’t sure where she is going from here. She never expected to be kidnapped by something out legends. Now she is expected to believe in people that can shift into cats and they want her to be one of their doctors, it’s too much for her to take in. But, there is Parish and there is something about him that calls to her, but she can’t wrap her mind around it. If Julia can open her mind and accept the unacceptable than she can have it all.
 
Rating:

Review: Alexandra Ivy - Devoured by Darkness

Guardians of Eternity:

Book 7:

Devoured by Darkness: Tane and Laylah

Tane is a Vampire executioner called a Charon, he is feared by the vampire race from the nature of his job.  He lives separate from other vampires, has no clan and has no owed loyalties save to the Anasso himself.  Laylah is a Jinn mongrel which has been forbidden by the Council, if she is found she is to be turned over to the Council for termination.  She has been hiding for 200 years and suddenly her location has been compromised but now it’s not just her, she has something she is protecting.  Tane follows Laylah for days under the orders to bring her to the council, but for some reason he is fascinated and cannot bring himself to take her in, instead he finds himself offering himself to help her, he knows she is hiding something and won’t rest until he finds out what.  200 years ago Laylah’s aunt Marika (a vampire) set things in motion when she captured Laylah’s mother a gypsy and a full blooded Jinn to create Laylah, she needed a mongrel Jinn for the Jinn powers but needed to also be able to control the demon which everyone knows a full Jinn is not controllable.  Everything goes wrong when Laylahs mother manages to hide her from Marika and she spends the next 200 years searching for her.  Now Laylah has in her possession the one thing that can change the world by bringing dark evil back to this world.  Can Tane and Laylah, keep the one thing Marika wants to rule the world and avoid the council at the same time?

Tane is simply yummy, all muscle, golden eyes, sensuality and dangerous who could resist, surely not Laylah as much as she may want to. Tane also harbors a certain amount of loneliness that Laylah can relate to. As a character it also makes him relatable without being too distant.  Laylah is sassy and stands up to Tane giving as much as he does, she is not a women that will let a man steam roll over her like she knows Tane wants to do! The passion runs hot between these two all why trying to save the world and stay hidden, will all that strain be too much for these two?

Rating: