#Review - White Hot by Ilona Andrews

White Hot: Nevada Baylor and Connor "Mad" Rogan

(Hidden Legacy #2)

Summary:

Goodreads.com

Nevada Baylor has a unique and secret skill—she knows when people are lying—and she's used that magic (along with plain, hard work) to keep her colorful and close-knit family's detective agency afloat. But her new case pits her against the shadowy forces that almost destroyed the city of Houston once before, bringing Nevada back into contact with Connor "Mad" Rogan.

Rogan is a billionaire Prime—the highest rank of magic user—and as unreadable as ever, despite Nevada’s “talent.” But there’s no hiding the sparks between them. Now that the stakes are even higher, both professionally and personally, and their foes are unimaginably powerful, Rogan and Nevada will find that nothing burns like ice …

Review:

White Hot by Ilona Andrews is the long awaited second book in the Hidden Legacy Series. It was several years between the first and second book but fans of the series (myself included) were willing to accept that wait as long as there was a second book. So after several years was the wait worth it, you ask? Hell to the YES!!! Amazing, that is what this book was. This book picks up several months after the first book ends. Adam almost burnt the city to the ground but Nevada with the help of Mad Rogan was able to stop him but the powers that be that were behind Adam remain at large. Mad Rogan is on a mission to locate and bring this organization down. Nevada is just trying to pick up the pieces and remain out of the spotlight.

Waiting for Nevada is a new case. Cornelius Harrison wife has been murdered and he wants Nevada to find the killer. When Nevada's case and Rogan's obsession intertwine Nevada finds herself working with Mad Rogan once again. Get ready for an action packed roller coaster ride! From beginning to end this book left me wanting more. Thankfully the third book is right on the tail of this one so we dont have to wait long to see what happens next!

#Review - Silver Silence by Nalini Singh

Silver Silence: Valentin Nikolaev and Silver Mercant

(Psy-Changeling Trinity #1)




Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that’s exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater Bears, brings with him.

Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence—her mind clear of all emotion—Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That’s what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious…and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan.

Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed…

Reviews:

I've been a huge fan of the Psy-Changeling series since I started reading it many years ago. I was super excited when this book came out because not only is it the Silver but we get bear changelings! They've been on the edges of this world for several books now but now we get a closer look. While I did enjoy this book, enough to give it four stars it is not one of my favorites. The plot almost seemed like a repeat of previous stories and I don't feel like we have progressed as much as we should have for 16 books in. It almost feels like we're back at the beginning.

With that in mind I did thoroughly enjoy the bears! They were a refreshing and adorable addition to this series and I'm so glad we got some time with them. The Merchant family is quite fascinating as well as Silvers place in her family as heir apparent. I really enjoyed These two together, our hero forced playfulness on Silver and started pulling her out of her silence but it all may be in vain as Silver has a secret... If her silence breaks... so does she... Can love overcome?

Review copy provided through NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided. 

#EarlyReview: Archangel's Viper by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Viper - Viper and Holly Chang

(Guild Hunter #10)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Once a broken girl known as Sorrow, Holly Chang now prowls the shadowy gray underground of the city for the angels. But it’s not her winged allies who make her a wanted woman—it’s the unknown power coursing through her veins. Brutalized by an insane archangel, she was left with the bloodlust of a vampire, the ability to mesmerize her prey, and a poisonous bite.

Now, someone has put a bounty on her head…

Venom is one of the Seven, Archangel Raphael’s private guard, and he’s as infuriating as he is seductive. A centuries-old vampire, his fangs dispense a poison deadlier than Holly’s. But even if Venom can protect Holly from those hunting her, he might not be able to save himself—because the strange, violent power inside Holly is awakening…

No one is safe.

Review:

This book was all of the things! I was amazing! I've actually already read it twice.. After the first read it spurred a re-read of the series which of course I had to re-read Viper once I got through the series. I had a feeling these two would end up together when they first started interacting in Dmitri's book and I am so glad that came to fruition.

Its several years after Holly/Sorrows attack and she is finally building a new life for herself. She has respect and for the most part the watch dogs are off of her. She's been able to fake it well enough that Dmitri isn't as cautious. She still has to meet with her arch nemesis Viper because of their similar abilities but at least he's in the refuge.. Until he's not any more.

Viper has seen a lot of things, he's done a lot of things, he has a good life, friends, respect, but always he's alone. He's so very other, no one else is like him. Except now Holly. While not the same, she is similar enough that he feels a kinship. When her life is in danger he now feels more than a kinship.. maybe an attraction?

Singh takes you through an action packed, emotional ride in another installment of the Guild Hunters. This series is one of my all time favorites and it never fails to disappoint. Look forward to a thrilling ride.

*Review copy provided through NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.

Early review: Archangel's Heart by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Heart: Raphael and Elena

(Guild Hunter #9)

Expected publication: November 1st 2016

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

One of the most vicious archangels in the world has disappeared. No one knows if Lijuan is dead or has chosen to Sleep the long sleep of an immortal. But with her lands falling into chaos under a rising tide of vampiric bloodlust, a mysterious and ancient order of angels known as the Luminata calls the entire Cadre together to discuss the fate of her territory.

Accompanying her archangelic lover Raphael to the Luminata compound, guild hunter-turned-angel Elena senses that all is not as it seems. Secrets echo from within the stone walls of the compound, and the deeper Elena goes, the uglier the darkness. But neither Raphael nor Elena is ready for the brutal truths hidden within—truths that will change everything Elena thinks she knows about who she is…

Nothing will ever be the same again.

Review:

Archangel’s Heart by Nalini Singh is the ninth book in the Guild Hunters Series and we return to Elena and Raphael two years after the end of the last book. Some might be unhappy to return to this powerful couple but I for one have no issues revisiting Elena and Rafael as the seven all revolve around these two and come on, does Singh put out a bad Guild Hunter book regardless of the featured couple?? Nope, she sure does not.  In this book we dont see as much as the Seven as I’d like but we do get glimpses of them as well as a bit of Elena’s Guard. Aodhan does play a bigger part of this book since he goes with Elena and Rafael to Morocco.  I know a bunch of people want an Aodhan and Illium pairing but I'm pretty sure I remember reading that they are NOT going to end up together, but I can see why fans would want this to come to pass.

So anyway, the three of them head to Morocco to deal with the douches that are the Luminata. Ok to be fair not all of them are douchebags but there are more than a few that are. Near to the Luminata compound is a human settlement and when Elena arrives, the whispers start, people look at her as if in recognition. So a good part chunk of this book is the mystery that is Elena’s past. It’s quite intriguing. I had a lot of fun trying to guess the outcome but ended up being mostly wrong, but isn’t that the fun of it?

Overall, it was fun to look into Elena mysterious family tree. I also loved the glimpses into Aodhan past and present. Little by little Aodhan is overcoming his past and becoming someone with one does not mess with. I’m looking forward to more in the Guild Hunter world and I don't see an end anytime soon.

ARC was provided through NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.

*You can also see this review on Brazen Babe Reviews

Review: Archangel's Legion by Nalini Singh

Archangel's Legion: Elena Deveraux and Raphael

(Guild Hunter #6)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Nalini Singh, the New York Times bestselling “alpha author of paranormal romance” (Booklist) returns to an immortal world of violent passion and lethal power…on the brink of a deadly archangelic war.

Angels are falling from the sky in New York, struck down by a vicious, unknown force.

Vampires are dying impossibly of disease.

Guild hunter Elena Deveraux and the Archangel Raphael must discover the source of the wave of death before it engulfs their city and their people, leaving New York a ruin and Raphael’s Tower under siege by enemy archangels.

Yet even as they fight desperately to save the city, an even darker force is stirring, its chill eyes trained on New York…and on Raphael. Rivers of crimson and nightmares given flesh, the world will never again be the same…

Review:

Archangel’s Legion by Nalini Singh is the fifth book in one of my absolute favorite series, the Guild Hunters Series. In this installment we return to the leading couple of New York, scary ass Raphael and Elena who does his best to keep one of the most powerful beings on the planet sane. N. Singh is a master of her craft, within the first couple of pages you are pulled into the story with the imagery. Singh can create a scene so vivid you swear you can see and smell what the author is describing to you. She just has such an amazing way with words. The book starts in an intimate scene with Elena remembering one of her first meetings with Rafael… He then flies in and they have a moment together before the shit hits the fan. Or in this case birds and angels literally fall from the sky, like its Armageddon or something. This book is full of action and intrigue almost from the start and does not let up until the very end. This book kept me up until 6am turning pages to see what happens next! This series leans more towards the dark and violent but it has its moments of humor as well almost so unexpected that you’re like wait am I laughing?! For me in this book while I love an action packed let’s keep this story moving and there is plenty of that; at times it’s the quiet moments when it’s just Raphael and Elena bared to each other that are some of the best moments on the book.

Raphael and Elena are not a new couple in that this is their fourth book together but they are still learning each other and what makes each other tick. Despite that as separate beings, both very strong willed with abundant personalities that often clash they remain a solid unit. Their love for each other burns off of the pages and fills each other, together, always together. Whether its hosting a dinner party, battling an archangel or plummeting to their sure deaths, its always together. These two rank pretty damn high on my favorite couple scale. I like how that they are unfailingly a unit but they remain themselves. Raphael while more grounded with Elena he’s still a scary ass archangel, THE archangel, alpha supreme, I mean you really don’t get much more alpha then Raphael! Then there is Elena, who is kind of crazy! Not only was she a mortal who tangled with an Archangel in the first book but she remains this fearless, not not fearless, but courageous female that pretty much faces everything head on. She is usually the one running straight for danger. Sure, she is a bit crazy and always running towards what she should be running away from but she retains a bit of innocence even after everything she has seen in life. She refuses to give into the darkness and refuses to let Rafael give into it as well. Throughout this book, Elena proves herself as Raphael’s anchor.

So throughout this book we learn more of Raphael and Elena as a couple but as promised there is tons of action and so much happens in this book. We are entering into a Cascade which happens throughout history where basically the Archangels get a surge in power and typically war breaks out. So for the entire book we are building up to something big, a showdown of epic proportions. As with the previous books Singh will weave several occurrences going on at once to keep you guess on what is really going on. So while one catastrophic event is occurring there is another lingering right around the corner. So the whole book we are building… building… building… towards something huge. So often in a book when we build up to a big show down we are often let down, the author spent so much time building up to it, that the most important part gets the shaft and is over before it ever really began and you are like that’s it?! That’s the big show down? I thought there would be more… In this book, this is not the case, there is an epic battle that lasts longer than I thought it would. You are really pulled into the fight and of course you have to root for the home team! So the epic battle and the ending get an A++++ from me!

So, yes the bulk of this book is Raphael and Elena, but worry not my friends the Seven are still included, there is a battle after all, and what would Raphael do without his Seven by his side? We see less of Dmitri in this book then we have in previous book as well as Jason, maybe because they already got their moment to shine and for a while it looked like many people’s favorite our Bluebell wasn’t going to be in it much as well but he’s Elena’s best friend so worry not ladies he’s still around and he reveals some of his past to Elena that may break your heart a little. Now the big surprise in this book is Naasir, in previous books he is mentioned but rarely seen. In this book he is much more prevalent and man is he intriguing. I like all of Raphael’s Seven but I never knew what to make of the enigma that is Naasir, in this book he makes quite the impact. I am more now more intrigued than ever. Raphaels Seven are quite possibly the most intriguing Guard I have ever read about. Aodhan also plays a bigger role in this book and finds some of his lost humanity in the middle of war. Aodhan makes his own impact although much different from Naasir’s. So I know I just wrote a damn book about this one, but I freak’n loved it! LOL so I’ll leave you now to go forth and read or something.

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: Wild Embrace by Nalini Singh

Wild Embrace: An Anothology

(Psy-Changeling #15.5)

Expected publication: August 23rd 2016

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Echo of Silence

In a deep-sea station, Tazia Nerif has found her life’s work as an engineer, keeping things running smoothly. But she wants nothing more than to break down the barrier of silence between her and her telekinetic Psy station commander...

Dorian

A changeling who can never shift lives a life of quiet frustration—until he learns how to let his leopard come out and play...

Partners in Persuasion

Still raw from being burned by a dominant female, wolf changeling Felix will never again risk being a plaything. But for dominant leopard Dezi, he’s the most fascinating man she’s ever met. She just has to convince this gun-shy wolf that he can trust the dangerous cat who wants to take a slow, sexy bite out of him…

Flirtation of Fate

Seven years ago, Kenji broke Garnet’s heart. Now the wolf packmates have to investigate the shocking murder of one of their own. And the more Kenji sees of the woman Garnet has become, the deeper he begins to fall once more. But even his primal instincts are no match for the dark secret he carries…

Review:

I am a huge fan of Nalini Singh and in particular her paranormal series. We are already 15 full length novels deep into the Psy-Changling world and numerous novellas plus all the snippets. So if you have been reading this series you are probably deeply invested in the characters. I know I am.  I am super stoked we got another anthology with 4 brand new novellas. . Whoot whoot. I can’t get enough! As a whole this is a fantastic addition to the this series and I loved every minute I spent reading this. The only issue I have with this is the very first novella… Echo of Silence.. I just wish it has been released BEFORE Vasic’s book. There are a few references to Stefan in previous books and I was wondering who in the heck he was. I even went and looked to see if I had missed a novella, and alas, I hadn’t. So when his name kept popping up, especially in Allegiance I was confused. Having this novella before that would have helped a ton in that area. So really its not an issue with the story itself but the timing in which it had been released.

Dorian’s story spans over most of his lifetime and I’m so glad we got to read it. To see how he struggled and how he got to be the man he is today.  Dezi and Felix, This is the first changeling couple where the female is so very much more dominate than the male. Yes technically Indigo is more dominate than Drew but the difference is negligible.  With this couple think more like Grace and Cooper only in reverse. It was really good to see how this one worked. I loved when Felix backed up Dezi and had no problems letting her lead in certain areas. FINALLY we get Gem and Kenji!, for YEARS they have been flirting and giving us little glimpses and now they have a novella! They circle each other, Kenji broke Gems heart but Kenji had the misguided belief that it was for her own good. Gem decides something deeper is going on and is determined to discover it. LOVE it!

I am super happy with this book and devoured it as soon as I got it. If you’re a fan of the series I am confident you will as well. If you are new to the series, well technically these are all standalones but I wouldn't read them without having read at least some of the series. Timeline wise I think all of these take place in the second half of the series. So like book 8ish and beyond.

*This book was provided thru NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.

Review: Sweet Revenge by Rebecca Zanetti

Sweet Revenge: Matt Dean and Laney Jacobs

(Sin Brothers #2)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

The One Man She Can't Have

Matt Dean was born to fight…and kill. A member of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he's gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho…and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.

The One Woman He Can't Resist

Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She's spent years running from her own past—the last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement. But Matt's strong arms offer her protection, and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she's ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt's past and putting everything—and everyone—he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?

Review:

Sweet Revenge by Rebecca Zanetti is the second in the Sins Brothers series. This is a series about four brothers who were created in a lab by the military to be the perfect soliders. It’s kind of like the old TV show Dark Angel but not quite that extreme with the enhancements. The only problem with the Comanders plan for the Gray Brothers is that they loved each other way more then they loved the brutal training the commander put them through. The three remaining brothers ave six weeks to live before they are literally blown from the inside out. There were explosives inserted right next to their spines to ensure their cooperation. Matt is on a mission to find one of the Dr.’s that could have performed the surgery in attempt to live past the six weeks they have left. A postcard sent to one of the Dr.’s leads him to Charmed, Idaho. He is bleeding from a knife wound when he meets Laney in the alley outside her bar, in a moment of stupid compassion she takes him and then everything goes to hell and back.

From beginning to end we are taken on a passionate and dangerous journey. From the moment these two meet the sparks fly, I LOVED the chemistry between these two from the get go. The chemistry while quick and powerful it could have easily felt forced or as the dreaded Insta-Love however, this attraction and subsequent love was effortless and meant. I adored Laney she has a dark past of her own but is also smart and knows when to step up and back down she is quick witted and sassy she is able to stand up to the force that is Matt. Matt is surprised that he can’t cow tow this petite bar owner, usually he doesn’t have any problems dominating anyone but his bartender gives as good as she gets. These two don’t even have time to settle into their mutual attraction when the bodies start to fall. It quickly comes to light that a deranged serial killer is after Laney and they she has a few secrets of her own. Matt almost loses sight of the mission because of the temptation in the form of a green eyed brunette and the trouble that she brings, but if he accomplishes nothing else in what time he has left he vows that he will see his Laney safe even if he has to hunt down a killer.

You will be quickly absorbed into the story as takes off at a sprint from the beginning and never lets up. If there is not some sort of action taking place the passion between Matt and Laney is imploding off of the pages. Neither can afford the distraction their attraction is bringing and even though they agree its temporary from the beginning neither can seem to let the other go. Both Matt and Laney have some serious baggage and trust issues and that’s not even taking into account that if Matt doesn’t find the surgeon and answers, he’ll be dead in six weeks. Not a lot of time to save his own life and that of his brothers especially when he has an elite military unit after him and a serial killer to deal with. A tall order of events even for Matt. Matt is a protector by nature and he wants to make sure all of his loved ones are taken care of; it’s because of his protector nature that he feels like such a failure when it comes to his lost brother Jory. He made a promise to his brothers and he wasn’t able to keep it with Jory. It about breaks your heart whenever he thinks of his fallen brother. The loyalty and love Matt feels for his brothers is inspiring and emotion packed. With this book are getting it all, loveable characters, action, passion, romance and an emotional ride. I loved this ride from beginning to end and can’t wait for the next book. Tomorrow would not be soon enough for Nate’s book, too bad we have to wait until May for the next installment. Patience is a virtue, one I don’t have!

*This book was provided thru NetGalley for an honest review. No other compensation was provided.

Review: Shards of Hope by Nalini Singh

Shards of Hope: Aden Kai and Zaira Neve

(Psy-Changeling #14)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Awakening wounded in a darkened cell, their psychic abilities blocked, Aden and Zaira know they must escape. But when the lethal soldiers break free from their mysterious prison, they find themselves in a harsh, inhospitable landscape far from civilization. Their only hope for survival is to make it to the hidden home of a predatory changeling pack that doesn’t welcome outsiders.

And they must survive. A shadowy enemy has put a target on the back of the Arrow squad, an enemy that cannot be permitted to succeed in its deadly campaign. Aden will cross any line to keep his people safe for this new future, where even an assassin might have hope of a life beyond blood and death and pain. Zaira has no such hope. She knows she’s too damaged to return from the abyss. Her driving goal is to protect Aden, protect the only person who has ever come back for her no matter what.

This time, even Aden’s passionate determination may not be enough—because the emotionless chill of Silence existed for a reason. For the violent, and the insane, and the irreparably broken…like Zaira.

Review:

This book is all about the Arrows, we get an indepth look into the Arrows, how they live, how they function and their loyalty towards each other. Aden is all about the Arrows and one Arrow in particular.. Zaira. A girl he met in childhood, one so full of fire she sets him on flame. Now if only he can make her see that. When the book starts Aden and Zaira have been abducted and need to get out of a perilous situation, but being Arrows, dont worry about them too much. As dangerous as it is this give Aden a chance to work some magic on the stubborn Zaira without Arrow or Psy interruptions.  

Aden is a determined man, and he is determined for Zaira to be his.. Zaira is just as determined to not be his. She knows she’s dangerous to him, she has anger issues and gets so possessive she’s willing to kill for whatever she deems HERS. If she and Aden take that next step, he would become hers and she’s not one to share. As the leader of the Arrows she’d have to share him with the world. As we are navigating through all of the twists and turns of a post Silence world Aden is wearing Zaira down little by little but there is still a threat on his life.

In Post Silence the Arrows are forging new bonds with new allies, making friends in unlikely places. Which is opening up this world to new opportunities to take us into a new storyline arc. Lots of new Changelings, lots of new Arrows, not as many humans but I'm sure that will come.  Aden recognizes that if the Arrows are to survive and remain strong they have to form allies outside of the Psy-Net and he goes about doing that with determination and intelligence.  This installment just reinforces why this series is one of my all time favorite!  

Review: Shield of Winter by Nalini Singh

Shield of Winter: Vasic and Ivy Jane

(Psy-Changeling #13)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Assassin. Soldier. Arrow. That is who Vasic is, who he will always be. His soul drenched in blood, his conscience heavy with the weight of all he’s done, he exists in the shadows, far from the hope his people can almost touch—if only they do not first drown in the murderous insanity of a lethal contagion. To stop the wave of death, Vasic must complete the simplest and most difficult mission of his life.

For if the Psy race is to survive, the empaths must wake…

Having rebuilt her life after medical “treatment” that violated her mind and sought to stifle her abilities, Ivy should have run from the black-clad Arrow with eyes of winter frost. But Ivy Jane has never done what she should. Now, she'll fight for her people, and for this Arrow who stands as her living shield, yet believes he is beyond redemption. But as the world turns to screaming crimson, even Ivy’s fierce will may not be enough to save Vasic from the cold darkness…

Review:

So basically the Psy-Net is dying and Caleb has an idea.. It’s time to “wake” the empaths. Ivy thinks she is defective, she was once rehabilitated to the point where she almost lost herself. Now she has managed to carve a life out for herself but she is fundamentally flawed so when an icy solider comes to her and tells her she’s not flawed but an empath and gives her the means to explore her abilities she jumps on it. Maybe even hoping a little bit that she’ll get to spend more time with the enigmatic soldier who protected her??

Vasic is damaged, in body and in mind. He knows he’s been put on empath duty because Aden is worried about him but he can’t bring himself to care.  The more time he spends with Ivy the more he thaws a little. Vasic has one of the more drastic transitions out of Silences, because he was so close to the edge before. Vasic has long since been one of my favorites and I was eagerly awaiting his book. I really wanted a leopard Changeling for him but after reading this book I can see that an empath and in particular Ivy is a better match for him. Ivy is the sole person who can break through his ice and make him whole again.

As far as storylines go, I have to admit this one is kind of depressing. Just so many people die as the Net collapses. Despite all of the death the main theme in this book is hope. Hope that as a race the Psy will be able to come together to save themselves, to put their fears and hatreds aside. I think that by the end of the book, there is a better chance of that than ever. This was another fantastic installment of this series!

Review: The Single Undead Moms Club by Molly Harper

The Single Undead Moms Club: Libby Stratton and Wade Tucker

(Half-Moon Hollow #4)

Summary:

From Goodreads.com

Widow Libby Stratton arranged to be turned into a vampire after she was diagnosed with late-stage cancer. It wasn’t the best idea she’s ever had, but she was desperate—she’s not about to leave her seven-year-old son to be raised by her rigid, overbearing in-laws.

On top of post-turning transition issues, like being ignored at PTA meetings and other mothers rejecting her son’s invitations for sleepovers, Libby must deal with her father-in-law’s attempts to declare her an unfit mother, her growing feelings for Wade—a tattooed redneck single dad she met while hiding in a closet at Back to School Night—and the return of her sire, who hasn’t stopped thinking about brave, snarky Libby since he turned her.

With the help of her new vampire circle, Libby negotiates this unfamiliar quagmire of legal troubles, parental duties, relationships, and, as always in Harper’s distinct, comedic novels, “characters you can’t help but fall in love with” (RT Book Reviews).

Review:

Here we are at the fourth book in the Half-Moon Hollow series by Molly Harper. It’s been a funny, snarky and quirky ride and I live revisiting this world each time a book is released. This installment is no exception. You know when you pick up a Molly Harper book you are in for some laughs.  The humor is the primary reason I read this series, I love to laugh. Now as with a lot of Molly Harpers books, the romance is not really the central theme. I think the point of these books is to be humorous, display the different characters as their quirky selves, tell an outrageous story and then the romance: and that’s what we get with this book. We get to meet up with most of the gang again as they help newbie Libby navigate her new vampiric world. Jane is seen a lot as the new head of the council. Seeing Jane in “official” mode is funny as she tries to be “professional” and you know she doesn’t have professional bone in her body. Lol  

Libby is super cute and a loving mom. She goes to extremes to make sure her baby does not grow up alone and without her. I think she handled her transition pretty well, considering she had no real guidance going into the whole thing. Her interactions with the fellow parents are quite funny especially after they find out she’s turned. Talk about Mean Mommies, her only real ally is her kiddos, best friends, father.. Wade.. as they spend more time together, the more they realize they want to spend more time together. But then Libby’s sire shows up on her doorstep and suddenly we have a love triangle! HAHA and not an obnoxious one. Overall, I really enjoyed the book. It’s another solid installment and gave me everything I wanted from a Molly Harper novel.

Nalini Singh Bonus Materials

Excerpt from Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh

Lucas had had to chase Naya around the aerie at bedtime last night—her walk might still be a little shaky, but she was a rocket when it came to crawling. Dressed only in a diaper, she’d laughed uproariously and said a loud, firm “No” each time Lucas caught her and put her in her crib.

After which she’d clamber out—she’d figured out how to escape a month earlier—and the game would begin again. Of course, since Lucas was a cat, he’d been having just as much fun as their daughter. Sascha, meanwhile, had sat in the living room with a cup of hot chocolate and just indulged in the sight of her mate playing with their cub.

She’d had to pretend to be stern when Naya ran over and pleaded her case with loud sounds and wild gesticulations of her hands. “No, Naya,” she’d said, biting her tongue in an effort not to laugh. “It’s time for bed. Go with Papa.”

At which point, Naya had growled at her, eyes sparkling with mischief.

And Sascha had cracked, laughing so hard she’d had to put down her hot chocolate before she spilled it. Lucas had shaken his head as Naya plopped down on her diaper-covered butt and joined in, clapping her hands at having made her mommy laugh. “No discipline.” Lucas had mock-growled at her before picking up their misbehaving baby. “And you”—a growly nuzzle that made Naya laugh harder and pat his stubbled cheek—“time for bed.”

He’d finally got her to sleep—by walking around with her pressed up against his bare chest.

Today, their cub was playing in the living area just outside the kitchen nook. Sascha had locked the aerie door to ensure Naya wouldn’t undo the latch and go out onto the balcony, and Lucas had childproofed the entire main area of the aerie, so Naya was free to roam as she liked. A lot of the time she practiced her walking skills. And no matter how often she fell down, she started back up again after a little break.

Stubborn, determined baby.

Peeking out from the kitchen, Sascha found her concentrating on stacking the colored alphabet blocks Faith and Vaughn had given her as a gift. Beside her sat a more than slightly ragged wolf plush toy, aka “The Toy That Shall Not Be Named.” Hawke had given that to Naya when she was a newborn, and it remained her favorite snuggle toy, much to her father’s despair.

Though Lucas did enjoy it when Naya went leopard on the toy, growling and “fighting” with the wolf. Then he’d smile and say, “That’s my girl.”

Nalini Singh on the future of the Psy-Changeling series

Is Allegiance of Honor the end of the Psy-Changeling series?

No, it’s not. :) I ADORE this world and the characters and I have so many Psy-Changeling stories yet to tell. (I've often joked that I'll be writing this series until I'm ninety-eight!)

Where do you see the Psy-Changeling world going from here?  Who is the next book about?

(Slightly spoilery answer to follow if you’re just starting the series).

Allegiance of Honor sets up a lot of possibilities for the future. There are many avenues I could take. However, for me, this arc is all about what happens not just to the Psy, but to the world, now that Silence has fallen and all the rules have changed.

We’ve had the immediate aftermath books, both of which focused on the Psy race (Shield of Winter & Shards of Hope), but what about the wider long-term future? Because Silence existed for a reason. The Psy still have these incredible abilities that have the potential to drive them murderously insane, and the world is still a fractured triumvirate. And there are players about whom we know very little, like the falcons and BlackSea.

As for who’s book is next, I’m not ready to announce it yet because I want to be certain this character is ready – but I think you’ll be pleased. ;-) 

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Posted by arrangement with Berkley Books, a member of Penguin Group (USA) LLC, A Penguin Random House Company. Copyright © Nalini Singh, 2016.

Early Review: Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh

Allegiance of Honor by Nalini Singh

(Psy-Changeling #15)

Release Date: June 14th 2016 

Summary:

Goodreads.com

The Psy-Changeling world has undergone a staggering transformation and now stands at a crossroads. The Trinity Accord promises a new era of cooperation between disparate races and groups. It is a beacon of hope held together by many hands: Old enemies. New allies. Wary loners.

But a century of distrust and suspicion can’t be so easily forgotten and threatens to shatter Trinity from within at any moment. As rival members vie for dominance, chaos and evil gather in the shadows and a kidnapped woman’s cry for help washes up in San Francisco, while the Consortium turns its murderous gaze toward a child who is the embodiment of change, of love, of piercing hope: A child who is both Psy…and changeling.

To find the lost, protect the vulnerable—and save Trinity—no one can stand alone. This is a time of loyalty across divisions, of bonds woven into the heart and the soul, of heroes known and unknown standing back to back and holding the line. But is an allegiance of honor even possible with traitors lurking in their midst?

Review:

Absolutely LOVED this book!  This book isn’t about one particular couple but basically a recap of all of the previous couples as we end this Arc and move into a new one. And we get at least a brief glimpse of all of them. I’d say the most predominate couple in the book that we revisit would be Lucas and Sasha, mainly because of Naya and it’s great to see them again. Naya is too cute for words! She’s the first Psy-Changling born since Silence and as such she is a symbol of a new world so there is a lot of interest in her and some of it is not good as we learn in this book.  Overall, this book just leaves us in a mostly happy place as we revisit the characters and see that they are doing well and bonds are being built across all three races.  And the PubCups! They arrive in this book! YAY!! Im not telling how many, if they are wolf or leopard or their sexes. You'll just have to read to find out. 

Over the last 14 books I don’t think I really realized how much plotting she had to have done and how far she had to have seen into the future of this series. After I read this book I had to go back and re-read most of the series and the little bits and pieces came together, tiny things that pop back up into this book and along the whole series. I was super impressed with how it all came together.

Singh has said that this Arc is closing and a new one is starting, like a new chapter in the same book. I am interested to see where we are going with this but to be honest it doesn’t seem to be all the different from the previous arc. The psy-net is still in trouble and we have the Consortium now instead of the Council, but whatev’s even if it was the exact same theme with new couples I’m pretty sure I’d still love it. I know whatever Singh throws our way it’ll be good.  All in all, again.. LOVED it and can’t wait for the next book in the series!