The Best of 2011: Top 10 Debut Authors

And we're back with my Top 10 of 2011!

Now I'd like to share with you my list of Top 10 Debut Authors. These are authors who had their first releases in 2011 and wow, we had a bunch! So much new talent, this was a great year for readers! (Click on the titles to see my review on each debut!)

10. Jeffe Kennedy released her first two books in 2011, Feeding the Vampire (August) and Sapphire (Oct)

9. Fellow blogger, Sondrae Bennett, released the first in her Alpine Woods Shifters, Arctic Winds January 2011

The Best of 2011: Top 10 Debut Series

Wow, can you believe that 2011 is over?!?! I sure can't! And what a great year it's been here at Reading Between the Wines! Full of so many great books and new friends! I've compiled a 'Best Of' list for the year and out of over 150 reads these are the ones I've most enjoyed. This is not in any way a list of all of my favorites, I've read so many amazing books this year I don't think we have the time or page capacity for that! But these are the novels that I've rated the highest (4-5 wine glasses) and who's stories still stick with me today! Besides, you can always check out my GoodReads shelf for that. J Maybe you've read some of these, maybe you haven't, and if you haven't then I recommend that you pick them up soon! 

Over the New Years weekend I'll have my Top Debut Authors, Top 10 Paranormal Romances, Top 10 Debut Series and my The Ultimate Top 10 Books Read of 2011 PLUS a Giveaway. Each novel was read & reviewed here (see my reviews) and debuted in 2011! So let's get started....

Top 10 Debut Series:

A series that debuted in 2011 with more then one release this year

10. Deep in the Heart of Texas by Katie Lane
 

9. Blood Hunter by Nina Croft
 

Review: Angel of Darkness by Cynthia Eden

Angel of Darkness 
(The Fallen #1)
by Cynthia Eden 
Paperback, 352 pages
Published November 29th 2011 by Brava
ISBN 0758242174
Courtesy of Author

As an angel of death, Keenan’s job is to collect the souls on his list. He’s carried out his duty for two thousand years and never faltered once. Until he meets Nicole St. James. When the moment of death comes, Keenan hesitates, and instead of taking Nicole, Keenan touches the vampire who’s attacking her. 
Cast out of heaven for disobedience, Keenan plummets to earth. Six months later, he finally manages to track Nicole to a bar in Mexico. He’s stunned to discover that the woman he remembers has undergone a dramatic change—she’s become a vampire. And when he realizes that she’s the target of all manner of enemies—other vampires, demons, even shifters—he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her, even if all hell breaks loose…

GoodReads
Purchase at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and The Book Depository


My Thoughts:
With a distinctive blend of darkness and light, Angel of Darkness is a thrilling new paranormal romance to lose yourself in!

Lexy’s Review: Killing Rites by M.L.N. Hanover

Killing Rites 
(The Black Sun's Daughter #4)
by M.L.N. Hanover
Mass Market Paperback, 1st, 367 pages
Published November 29th 2011 by Simon and Schuster
ISBN 1439176345
Courtesy of Publisher

JaynÉ Heller has discovered the source of her uncanny powers: something else is living inside her body. She's possessed. Of all her companions, she can only bring herself to confide in Ex, the former priest. They seek help from his old teacher and the circle of friends he left behind, hoping to cleanse JaynÉ before the parasite in her becomes too powerful.Ex’s history and a new enemy combine to leave JaynÉ alone and on the run. Her friends, thinking that the rider with her has taken the reins, try to hunt her down, unaware of the danger they’re putting her in. JaynÉ must defeat the weight of the past and the murderous intent of another rider, and her only allies are a rogue vampire she once helped free and the nameless thing hiding inside her skin.

GoodReads
Purchase at: Amazon And Barnes & Noble


Lexy’s Review:
“...When I want to do good, evil is right there with me. “ Romans 7:21

Demons Like it Hot by Sidney Ayers (Character Guest Post & Giveaway)

Today I'd like to welcome special guest Serah SanGermano, heroine of Sidney Ayer's new book, Demons Like it Hot!

One of my favorite things to make (and of course eat) is tiramisu. There are so many different stories about how tiramisu came to be it can cause your head to spin. Tiramisu loosely translates from Italian as “pick me up.” Considering it contains espresso and cocoa, both which contain caffeine, I can definitely see where it would do some picking up. There are tons of websites devoted to the heavenly treat. One in particular is loaded with recipes and even links to buy the ingredients. (www.heavenlytiramisu.com)  Tiramisu plays an important part in Matthias’s and my story. It’s the treat I decided to make for the reality cooking show I’ve signed up for. Trust me, if I knew I was signing a contract with a demon, I would have never agreed to it.

Review: How to Worship a Goddess by Stephanie Julian

How to Worship a Goddess 
(Forgotten Goddesses #2)
by Stephanie Julian 
Paperback, 384 pages
Published December 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1402251505 
ARC Courtesy of Publisher & NetGalley

He's exactly what she's always wanted. And she unleases him like a force of nature... Lucy was once the beloved Goddess of the Moon, and she could have any man she wanted. But these days, the goddesses of the Etruscan pantheon are all but forgotten. The only rituals she enjoys now are the local hockey games, whereone ferociously handsome player still inflames her divine blood... Brandon Stevenson is one hundred percent focused on the game, until he looks up and sees a celestial beauty sitting in the third row. A man could surely fall hard for a distraction like that...

GoodReads
Purchase at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and The Book Depository



My Thoughts:
Sinfully sexy and deliciously intriguing, How to Worship a Goddess was a smokin’ hot read start to finish! 

Review: Under the Moon by Natalie J. Damschroder

Under the Moon 
(Goddesses Rising, Book 1)
by Natalie J. Damschroder
Paperback
Published December 6th 2011 by Entangled Publishing, LLC (first published November 1st 2011)
ISBN 1937044556
Courtesy of author & Bewitching Book Tours

Their power gives them strength...and makes them targets. 
Quinn Caldwell is the epitome of a modern goddess. Her power source is the moon, her abilities restricted only by physical resources and lunar phase. She runs a consulting business and her father's bar, serves on the board of the ancient Society for Goddess Education and Defense, and yearns for Nick Jarrett, professional goddess protector and the soul mate she can never have. 
But someone has developed the rare and difficult ability to drain a goddess of her powers, and Quinn is a target. With the world thinking Nick has gone rogue (whatever that means) and that Quinn is influenced by "family ties" she didn't know she had, keeping themselves safe while working to find the enemy proves harder each day. 
But not as hard as denying their hearts..

GoodReads
Purchase at: Amazon, Barnes & Noble and The Book Depository


My Thoughts:

Tour: Under the Moon by Natalie J. Damschroder (Interview)

I’d like to welcome author, Natalie J. Damschroder, to Reading Between the Wines! Natalie, please tell us about yourself.

Thanks so much, Crystal, for having me! I apologize for getting this back to you kind of late. I got caught up in all the yummy you’ve posted… *wicked grin*

 

In addition to writing high-stakes romantic adventure and paranormal romance, I work as a freelance editor and proofreader, and in a part-time day job as a chiropractic assistant. (As I get older, I appreciate daily the value of free adjustments! LOL) I’m also a married (for 19 fantastic years) mother of two girls, ages 16 and nearly 13. I call them the Anti-Teenagers because there’s no drama, no attitude, none of the clichés of teenagerdom. I don’t know what I did to get so lucky.

You have a new paranormal romance that just released, Under the Moon, can you please tell us about it?

Review: Hot Zone by Catherine Mann

Hot Zone 
(Elite Force #2)
by Catherine Mann
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Expected publication: December 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1402244983 
ARC Courtesy of Publisher

Master sergeant Hugh Franco lives only to save others, until he plucks beautiful attorney Amelia Bailey from the wreckage of an earthquake and finds himself embroiled in ways he never expected. On the run from kidnappers, Hugh must call on all his training to protect them. But Amelia's fiery touch threatens to crack his world—and his heart—wide open.

GoodReads
Purchase at Amazon, Barnes & Noble and The Book Depository 



My Thoughts:
Hot Zone is another exciting edition to a fantastical series centered on a team of sexy and daring Pararescuemen!

Review: Cover Me by Catherine Mann

Cover Me 
(Elite Force #1)
by Catherine Mann
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Published July 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Casablanca (first published May 28th 2011)
ISBN 1402244959 

The 300 pararescue jumpers (PJs) in the world are the most elite force in the U.S. military, trained in high-risk rescue, and have never been featured in a romantic suspense series.PJ Wade Rocha is fast roping from a helicopter into a blizzard to rescue stranded climbers when he meets beautiful Sunny Foster, who insists she can take care of herself just fine. As the snowstorm kicks into overdrive, she and Wade must take to the frozen wilderness in a race against time...and their own explosive passions.

GoodReads
Purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble


My Thoughts:
High altitude danger, riveting suspense and scorching romance, Cover Me was a book that I couldn’t put down!

Tour: Hot Zone by Catherine Mann (Guest Post & Giveaway)

Today I'd like to welcome an author who writes some fantastic romantic suspense to Reading Between the Wines, please give a warm welcome to Catherine Mann! Catherine is joining us with her new release of Hot Zone and has a great post that I'm sure you'll enjoy, along with a special excerpt from her upcoming novel, Under Fire (May 2012)! Keep an eye out for my review of Hot Zone coming soon! 

“The First Noelle and her Christmas Reindeer Pups!”

By Catherine Mann

Anyone who knows me expects that at some time in our conversation, I will be discussing dogs!  I adore my own three and I also foster for the local Humane Society.  In fact, this Christmas, I’m fostering a mama beagle and her four pups.  We’ve named the mother Noelle, and her pups are named for Santa’s reindeer (Dancer, Prancer, Comet and Rudy!)

  

My love of animals overflows into many parts of my life, so it’s no surprise that dogs show up in my books.  In HOT ZONE (Dec 2011) a secondary character is a search and rescue dog handler.  She goes on to be the heroine in book 3 of my “Elite Force” series coming out in May – UNDER FIRE. 

Review: Lord of the Wolfyn by Jessica Andersen

Lord of the Wolfyn 
(Royal House of Shadows #3)
by Jessica Andersen
ebook, 288 pages
Published November 1st 2011 by Harlequin (first published October 18th 2011)
ISBN 1459215842 
ARC Courtesy of NetGalley

Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden.To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance.Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…For practical Reda Weston, nothing could explain how reading a sexy version of "Little Red Riding Hood" catapulted her into another realm—face-to-fang with the legendary wolf-creature who seduced women. A wolf who transformed into a dark, virile man….Dayn cursed the Sorcerer that turned him wolfyn and damned him to a lonely fate. As a beast, he mated with women to gain strength.Strength he needed to rescue his royal parents. But as a man, he craved Reda's heated, sizzling touch. With little time left, Dayn had to either embrace his wolf to save his kingdom…or fight it to save his woman.

GoodReads
Purchase at Amazon And Barnes & Noble


My Thoughts:
Lord of the Wolfyn is my favorite of the Royal House of Shadows series so far; with four great authors working on this series Jessica Andersen was the only one that I was unfamiliar with but I will defiantly be looking up more of her works now! 

Honeymoon Suite by Emily Cale (Guest Post & Giveaway)

Please welcome erotic romance author Emily Cale over!

Weddings are full of traditions and folklore. These days, it is not uncommon for me to go to wedding and find a list in the back of the program of the various cultures and beliefs that are being incorporated into the service. Though many of my friends combine religions and cultures for the actual wedding, I don't know any who have tried to push this into the wedding night.

Yes, there plenty of traditions involving the wedding night. Some seem fun while others seem downright embarrassing. Most have gone by the wayside, but I wouldn't be surprised to find a few still being practiced.

Danielle Blanchard of Death Wish: Book I The Vamp Saga (Guest Post & Giveaway)

Good Morning everyone! I hope for those who celebrate it, you all had a fabulous Christmas! Today I'd like to welcome self-published author Danielle Blanchard over for a guest post and giveaway, enjoy!

The Andy Warhol of Generation X?

First and foremost, I am not trying to compare myself to the greatness of a remarkable icon of the twentieth century. Merely, I am suggesting we share many similarities in common.

I think about how he took great symbols of Americana and attached his own spin. The Campbells soup can, the beautiful Marilyn Monroe; what would these unique takes be without his input? And his most famous expression, “In the future, everyone will have fifteen minutes of fame”. Priceless.

Holiday eBook Deals!

For a limited time (12/21/2011 - 01/08/2012) you can purchase the first book in a series, or the first book the author has released with Sourcebooks, for only $1.99. Available at most online retailers that sell Sourcebooks ebooks! Over 65 books are being offered at this great price from Y.A.'s to romance to fiction. Below you'll find just a few books that you can buy for only $1.99, I've already purchased several! Visit Sourcebooks for more info or your favorite online retailer! What better way to spend those B&N or Amazon gift cards? Merry Christmas! 

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

With lots of love from,
Reading Between the Wines

You think if I dig down deep enough in Santa's sack, I might find this ho-ho-hottie? ;-)

Tour: Mid-Winter Magic by Nina Croft (Guest Post & Giveaway)

I love when authors share fun posts and especially drink recipes! Please give a warm welcome to Nina Croft who is visiting with a special Christmas post!

Christmas Cocktails

I’m here to talk about my christmas story, Mid-Winter Magic . Mid-Winter Magic is part of anthology of Christmas stories: A passionate Christma. Four stories which intertwine and which all take place around the small town of Five Oaks.

Mine is a reunion story, two people who haven’t seen each other in a long time, coming together at Christmas.

Dina, the heroine, is a witch, and her family really weren’t into Christmas. They were more likely to celebrate the mid-winter fire festival of Yule, where they would burn an oak log and dance around it in celebration of the rebirth of the sun. But Dina has been hiding out in the town of Five Oaks for the last fifty years, and during that time, she’s learnt to love Christmas. All the traditions, the food…the drinks.

There’s something about this blog (could it be the title?) that steers me away from thinking about writing and makes me think about drinking. So as a compromise, I got to contemplating  what Dina would be drinking on Christmas day, and that got me thinking about what I should drink on Christmas day (bearing in mind I will be cooking the dinner so I need to maintain some semblance of sobriety).

Review: Touch of the Angel by Rosalie Lario

Touch of the Angel 
(Demons of Infernum #3)
by Rosalie Lario 
Paperback, 286 pages
Published December 6th 2011 by Entangled Publishing, LLC 
ISBN 1937044661
Courtesy of Author

After months of no work, interdimensional bounty hunter Ronin Meyers jumps at the chance to locate an incubus who’s using succubi as murder weapons. Faced with the possibility of being forced to return to hellish Infernum if he fails, Ronin and his brothers will stop at nothing to take out the incubus and anyone else involved—even the beautiful succubus who stole his heart, then nearly his life, during the most mind-blowing hour of his existence. 
Night after night, Amara and her fellow succubi are forced to extract special abilities from the strongest Otherworlders for their psychotic master’s growing collection. When the gorgeous angel-demon hybrid she believed to be dead captures her, Amara is both stunned and elated. But the happily ever after she’s dreamed of will have to wait. Together, they must bring down the madman hellbent on destroying them…and become each other’s salvation in the process.

GoodReads
Purchase at Amazon And Barnes & Noble


My Thoughts:
Touch of the Angel is the third novel in Rosalie Lario’s unique and entertaining Demons of Infernum series. The series follows four half demon brothers who live on earth as bounty hunters, tracking down interdemensional creatures that break the law and bring them to the council in Infernum for punishment.  This is Ronin’s, half-demon and half-angel, story…

How to Worship a Goddess by Stephanie Julian (Feature & Giveaway)

Happy Friday! Is everyone ready for the Holiday weekend? I am....well except for some grocery shopping and cooking, but I have the presents wrapped! lol After all the work and stress I know a lot of you are going through right now, why not treat yourself to a fabulous giveaway?!?! SourceBooks is giving away three prize packs here, check out these fantastic books and look for my reviews on them coming soon! 

Book Two in the Forgotten Goddess series

HE'S EXACTLY WHAT SHE'S ALWAYS WANTED...Lucy was once the beloved Goddess of the Moon. These days the goddesses of the Etruscan pantheon are all but forgotten. The only rituals she enjoys now are the local hockey games, where one ferociously handsome player inflames her divine blood...AND SHE UNLEASHES HIM LIKE A FORCE OF NATURE...Brandon Stevenson is one hundred percent focused on the game, until he looks up and sees a celestial beauty sitting in the third row. A man could fall hard for a distraction like that...

Excerpt: 

Tour: The Last Awakening by Rachel Firasek (Guest Post & Giveaway)

Today I'd like to welcome back the awesome, Rachel Firasek, with her second release in the Curse of the Phoenix series, The Last Awakening. 

Loving a Man with Pain

I’ve often wondered what it would be like to love a brooding, tortured hero. My personal hero is one of the nicest, happiest men I know. But, I have friends and even a brother with demons. It takes a special woman to have the patience to love pain.

In The Last Awakening, Ari must help ease Grey through the anguish while fighting her own private Hell. It’s a chore for poor Ari, but she’s in it for the long hall because no one should have to suffer as she has. So, in a way it’s a selfish need inside of her to heal him. Sure, she does it for love, but it’s not a selfless act. So, would it be safe to say that we love tortured men because we want to heal and therefore work out our own issues in the process? Hmm…great fodder for the mind.

Don’t get me wrong, I want it to be about Ari loving Grey, or at least about her caring for him. But, I wonder if it’s not deeper. *winks, like I don’t already know* I think that we as women will do a lot of things in the name of love, but really it all comes back to us.

Rachel, you sound like you’re talking in circles. Well, I am, because my point is: Do any one of us ever commit a truly selfless act? Even in the name of love? Is there a truly selfless act? Wow, this went really philosophical.  I guess what I’m trying to find out from you is have you ever done anything for someone suffering that you felt was a truly selfless act of love? Please share! 

Missie's Review: The Last Awakening by Rachel Firasek

The Last Awakening 
(Curse of the Phoenix #2)
by Rachel Firasek 
ebook
Published December 6th 2011 by Entangled Publishing (first published November 15th 2011)
ISBN13 9781937044404
Courtesy of Author and Bewitching Book Tours

For three hundred years, Arabella’s life has been one meaningless death after another. In a cruel twist of fate, Osiris–god of the Underworld–gifts the phoenix her mortality and returns her voodoo magic. If she fails to harness her wayward magic and save a man worthy of a second chance, she’ll forfeit her power and her soul–forever. 
Ex-soldier Greyson Meadows desperately wants to be freed from the nightmares and guilt that haunt him after the tragedy that brought him and Ari together. Confronted by the waif of a woman who forces him to face his worst fears, he resists, fighting the need to keep his personal demons hidden instead of setting them free. 
When Ari becomes the target of her own magical blunder, it’s not just her life in danger, but now the one of the man she loves.

GoodReads
Purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble


Missie’s Description:

Khelsey’s Review: Jealous And Freakn' by Eve Langlais

Jealous And Freakn' 

(Freakn' Shifters #2)

by Eve Langlais 

ebook, 231 pages

Published November 18th 2011 by self published (first published 2011)

ISBN13 9780986915468

Courtesy of Author and Sizzling PR

Francine’s loved Mitchell, a wolf like herself, since she first set eyes on him back when they were just kids. However, Mitchell’s never seen her as more than another annoying sister. Determined to make him realize she’s all grown up, she enlists the aide of Alejandro, a gorgeous cat shifter. She never counted on wanting them both. 
Alejandro knows Francine is special from the first moment he meets the fiery plump wolf, which is why he suggests she use him to make Mitchell jealous. A great plan, especially if it means getting to kiss those luscious lips. One taste though, and he’s addicted, but how does he make her see past the man she loves to realize she’s also meant to be his mate. 
For a long time now Mitchell’s been running from Francine, certain she’s mistaken that their destiny’s lie together. However, the little girl he remembers is all grown up, and when he sees her in the arms of another, a need to claim her overrides all his common sense. But, he’s waited too long and fate has decided that he’s going to have to share. Can he bend enough to accept Francine and another man, or will his jealousy keep him freakn’?

GoodReads

Purchase at Amazon And Barnes & Noble


Khelsey’s Thoughts:

All I Want for Christmas by Ros Clarke (Guest Post & Giveaway)

Happy Hump-day lovelies! Today I'd like to welcome author Ros Clarke over who has a great holiday post for you all!

I'm a sucker for a great Christmas movie.  I love the classics--Meet Me in St Louis, Miracle on 34th Street and Holiday Inn--and I love some of the recent films too--The Holiday, While You Were Sleeping, and Love Actually.  Okay, I'm a sucker for a soppy Christmas rom-com.

Love Actually is an unusual film, telling ten separate but related love stories in the space of its two hours. Ten short stories, really.  I love how gradually we discover the connections between all the characters and I always shed a little tear at the final scene in the airport with all the happy reunions. Because mostly, I love a happy ending, and with Love Actually, you get a lot of happy endings for your money.

Not all the stories have a happy ending, though. There's Andrew Lincoln, left holding up placards in the street to tell Keira Knightley he loves her even though he knows it's unrequited. There's the heartbreaking moment when Emma Thompson realises that her husband, Alan Rickman, has been cheating on her. And there is the magnificent Laura Linney as Sarah,  whose desperate crush on her co-worker has to take second place to the mentally-ill brother she cares for so much. I can't tell you how much I wanted Karl to be a better man.  To understand Sarah's need to be there whenever her brother called. To find a way to support her rather than to walk away.

BotM Guest Review: Night Reigns by Dianne Duvall

We have a special guest review for our Book of the Month from my good book-buddy, Ollie! Don't forget, every BotM post you comment on enters you to win Night Reigns swag!

Night Reigns 
(Immortal Guardians #2)
by Dianne Duvall 
Paperback, 320 pages
Expected publication: December 6th 2011 by Zebra (first published December 1st 2011)
ISBN 1420118625
ARC Courtesy of Author

Ami isn't much for trusting strangers. She has a hard time trusting anyone. But she's no coward, and she's no pushover in the protection department either. So when she comes across a mysterious warrior taking on eight deranged vampires on his own, she doesn't hesitate to save his bacon. Of course, that was before she realized what one little rescue would get her into . . . 
Marcus Grayden has been an immortal protector of humanity for eight hundred years, and at the moment he's not interested in backup. From the moment Ami arrives in his life, he can't deny that she's strong, smart, and extremely skilled at watching his back. But she's also destroying his protective solitude and stirring desires he can't bear to awaken. After all, whatever her secrets — how can she defeat death itself?

GoodReads
Purchase at: B&N and Amazon


Ollie's Thoughts:

Head Games by Cassandra Carr (Character Interview)

Today I'd like to welcome contemporary erotic romance author, Cassandra Carr, over. She's set up an interview with a few special guests that I think you'll enjoy!

CASSANDRA: Today I’m talking to Leo LaPorte and Scott Schaeffer, goaltenders for the Buffalo Intimidators and the subjects of my book, Head Games. Joining them is Kelly Chase, their mutual love. Hi everybody!

ALL: Hey Cassandra!

CASSANDRA: Why don’t you start off by telling our readers a little bit about yourselves?

LEO: I’m Leo, and I’m the starting goaltender – OUCH! – for the Buffalo Intimidators. *rubs arm and glares at Scott*

#Review: North of Need by Laura Kaye

North of Need 
(Hearts of the Anemoi #1)
by Laura Kaye 
Paperback, 234 pages
Published November 1st 2011 by Entangled Publishing, LLC (first published October 1st 2011)
ISBN 1937044475
Courtesy of Publisher

GoodReads | Amazon | Barnes & Noble

While attempting to escape the agonizing memories she associates with Christmas, twenty-nine-year-old widow Megan Snow builds a snow family outside the mountain cabin she once shared with her husband and collapses in tears against the snowman at the sight of what she'll never have.Called to life by the power of Megan's tears, snow god Owen Winters appears unconscious on her doorstep in the midst of a raging blizzard. As she nurses him to health, Owen finds unexpected solace in her company and unimagined pleasure in the warmth of her body, and vows to win her heart for a chance at humanity.Megan is drawn to Owen's mismatched eyes, otherworldly masculinity, and enthusiasm for the littlest things, and her heart opens enough to believe he's a Christmas miracle. But this miracle comes with an expiration before the snow melts and the temperature rises, Megan must let go of her widow's grief and learn to trust love again, or she'll lose Owen forever.

My Thoughts:
North of Need is an exciting and fresh new paranormal romance that captured my heart and kept me glued to the pages!

The Wolf Within by Sondrae Bennett (Character Interview)

Today we have some special guests joining us from Sondrae Bennett's latest Alpine Woods Shifters novel, The Wolf Within! Please give them a warm welcome, enjoy!

Character Interview with Julie Callahan from the Alpine Woods Shifters series.

QUESTION: Tell us a little bit about the book you’re promoting.

JULIE: The Wolf Within is the third book in a series about my family, and it’s the story of how my mate, Brendan, and I fell in love. Truthfully, I wasn’t the easiest person to convince, but he was…persistent.

Review: The Wolf Within by Sondrae Bennett

The Wolf Within 
(Alpine Woods Shifters #3)
by Sondrae Bennett 
ebook
Published November 21st 2011 by Lyrical Press (first published November 17th 2011)
ISBN13 9781616503369
Courtesy of Author

Will his love be enough to keep her safe? 
Julie doesn't know what to think when the man she's had a crush on her entire life--a man she thinks is meant to be her sister's mate--starts flirting with her after she returns home from college. The harder she tries to distance herself, the harder he works to win her over. He can't want to mate with her...a freak born a full human among shifters. So why won't he accept her rejection? 
Brendan waited years for Julie's return. Now that she's finally home, there's nothing to keep him from her...not even her three alpha wolf brothers. But he's not the only one after Julie. Something is stalking her and Brendan's protective instincts toward her kick in, but at what cost? 
When the unthinkable happens, will Julie and Brendan's love give them the strength they need to persevere? 

WARNING: This title contains explicit sex


GoodReads
Purchase at Amazon And Barnes & Noble


My Thoughts:
Sondrae Bennett story telling is consistent and precise which makes her Alpine Woods Shifters series just that much more enjoyable! 

Review: Chasing Paradise by Sondrae Bennett

Chasing Paradise 
(Alpine Woods Shifters #2)
by Sondrae Bennett
ebook
Published August 1st 2011 by Lyrical Press (first published July 28th 2011)
ISBN13 9781616502973
Courtesy of Author

He'll do whatever it takes to earn back her trust. 
A vacation is exactly what Ethan needs to escape the mate hungry females in his pack. Determined to have fun, he can't think of a better way to start than sampling all the different flavors the shifter only resort has to offer, and not the food variety. But after he meets Gwen, no one else holds any interest for him. Ethan came onvacation to avoid mating. There's no way he's going to give up his freedom without a fight. 
Gwen is devastated when she hears her mate denying everything they are to each other. She can't sit by, watching him fool around with other girls at the resort. Or worse, crawl back, unable to resist the mating pull but not really wanting her. She needs to get away and her own vacation sounds like the perfect plan. But she should have remembered what her mother always taught her, never run from a predator unless you want them to chase you. The hunt is on . . . 

WARNING: This title contains explicit sex.

GoodReads
Purchase at Amazon And Barnes & Noble


My Thoughts:
If you’re looking for a quick but satisfying read that easily submerges you into a magical world of the paranormal, than Sondrae Bennett’s Alpine Woods Shifters series is for you! 

Review: Wild Thing by Robin Kaye

Wild Thing 
(Domestic Gods #5)
by Robin Kaye 
Mass Market Paperback, 384 pages
Published December 1st 2011 by Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN 1402257279 
ARC courtesy of Publisher & NetGalley

Whitewater-rafting guide Hunter Kincaid lands his dream job–guiding sportswear models through Idaho's rugged wilderness for a photo shoot. When he meets Toni Russo, the goth New York manager of Action Models, there are enough sparks to set the forest ablaze.When Hunter finds Toni's book on how to marry the man of your choice, he studies it as a joke. Before long Hunter realizes he's never cared enough for a woman to bother working this hard to get her. But the last man in the world this city girl wants is a Survivor Man wannabe...

GoodReads
Purchase at Amazon and Barnes & Noble


My Thoughts: 
Wildly entertaining, Robin Kaye dishes up a captivating cotemporary romance with a main man that is sure to make you swoon! 

Tour: Jealous And Freakn' by Eve Langlais (GIVEAWAY BLITZ)

To celebrate the release of Eve Langlais' second novel in her Freakn' Shifters series, Jealous And Freakn', Eve is hosting a giveaway blitz! Find out more about the novel below and then enter to win!

Jealous And Freakn' 
Freakn' Shifters #2
by Eve Langlais 

Francine’s loved Mitchell, a wolf like herself, since she first set eyes on him back when they were just kids. However, Mitchell’s never seen her as more than another annoying sister. Determined to make him realize she’s all grown up, she enlists the aide of Alejandro, a gorgeous cat shifter. She never counted on wanting them both. 
Alejandro knows Francine is special from the first moment he meets the fiery plump wolf, which is why he suggests she use him to make Mitchell jealous. A great plan, especially if it means getting to kiss those luscious lips. One taste though, and he’s addicted, but how does he make her see past the man she loves to realize she’s also meant to be his mate. 
For a long time now Mitchell’s been running from Francine, certain she’s mistaken that their destiny’s lie together. However, the little girl he remembers is all grown up, and when he sees her in the arms of another, a need to claim her overrides all his common sense. But, he’s waited too long and fate has decided that he’s going to have to share. Can he bend enough to accept Francine and another man, or will his jealousy keep him freakn’?

Warning: Excessive amounts of heat may be generated when reading this story. Do not sit or stand near flammable objects unless they happen to be your partner. Please note, that while the heroes sustained injuries during the course of the story, Francine did eventually kiss them all better, naked of course. This is a ménage romance, with heavy emphasis on the romance. It does contain multi partner, sexual situations that some people may find titillating. Reader discretion is advised.
Read an Excerpt & Purchase

Khelsey’s Review: Delicate Freakn' Flower by Eve Langlais

Delicate Freakn' Flower 
(Freakn' Shifters #1)
by Eve Langlais 
ebook, 255 pages
Published July 1st 2011 by self published (first published June 16th 2011)
ISBN13 9780986915437
Courtesy of Author & Sizzling PR

Dammit, just how many toes was she going to have to stomp on before people realized she was a Delicate Freakn’ Flower? 
Naomi doesn’t want to follow tradition and settle down with a violence-loving, chest thumping shapeshifter. She grew up in a household with five, testosterone laden brothers where none of the dishes ever matched, the ugly-as-sin furniture could withstand any catastrophe, and where crazy glue was bought by the case. 
When fate—with a snicker—makes her meet not one, but two mates, Naomi digs her heels in and refuses to do what her wolf—and her body—demands. No way is she voluntarily allowing herself to get hitched to a pair of dumbass—totally hot and muscled—lacrosse players. 
Can Ethan, the towering Kodiak bear, and Javier, the sexy, tanned jaguar convince this she-wolf that life with them won’t be all chaos? And can this delicate freakn’ flower unbend her prejudices enough to recognize she needs a pair of men who can handle her thorns—and her passion?  

Warning: this is a hot threesome story where all the focus is on her with pleasurable consequences.
GoodReads
Purchase at: Barnes & Noble and Amazon


Khelsey’s Review:
When you first meet Naomi you find out that she is a Shifter and that her wolf is sensing something, but she doesn’t realize what until her and her friend attend a lacrosse game full of shifters and two players catch her eye. When she realizes that both men are her mates Naomi doesn’t know how to feel. She always envisioned a normal life for herself with one man but now she has two; one being a bear while the other is a panther. If that wasn’t enough trouble for a girl though, someone has a hit out on her and now it's up to her and her mates to find out who it is.