Review: Shadow Ops: Control Point by Myke Cole

Fantasy
ACE

In a world changed by magic, Oscar Britton was a helicopter pilot for the United States Army, attached to the Supernatural Operations Corps (SOC), a loyal officer who didn't question his orders, until the day he was told his target was a teenage kid. The same day he was given that order, he unexpectedly begins wielding his own magic, a rare and forbidden power that takes him from soldier to outlaw in a snap. Thinking the SOC would like nothing better than to kill him, he goes on the lam.

When the SOC catch him, they want to convince Britton to be on their team, as part of a special magic unit. Will Britton stay his military course, or will he discover that sometimes you have to take charge of your own destiny?

*****

Myke Cole did a great job introducing a new world, full of fascinating characters. He built a magic-crazed world, a desolate military outpost, and characters and creatures that flowed off the pages. The world building slowed the book down, but yet felt necessary as an introduction to the new landscape for this series.

The non-stop action kept the story moving, and kept me hooked to Britton's struggle in his new role in the world. He had to struggle with the understanding that the lines between right and wrong are sometimes really fuzzy, while at other are blatantly black and white. He made mistakes, yet he was able to learn from them.

I also enjoyed the side characters, especially the goblin Marty, he was an interesting little guy. I was sadden by the loss of some characters, but look forward to seeing many of them return in the next book of this series, which I will absolutely be looking for when it comes out.

Happy Easter!

 

I hope everyone has a great Easter...and thank you to my friend Mary, who created these KISStacular Easter Eggs for my boys. :-)

Friday 56

I'm not feeling very original lately...and I've been neglecting my poor blog.  Life has been busy, in a good way. Baseball season has begun for both of my boys, work has been crazy-busy, and we are in the process of buying a house and moving--GAH! the stress of home buying is unbelievable, but it will so be worth it when it's done.

Okay this is something I've taken off of Shiloh Walker's blog in the past...here's the deal:

About the Friday 56

• Grab the book nearest you. Right now. Don’t dig for your favorite book, the coolest, the most intellectual. Use the CLOSEST.
  
• Turn to page 56.
• Find the fifth sentence.
• Post that sentence (plus one or two others if you like) in the comments section of this blog...or post this on your blog. :-)

  This is what I got for you today:

"Britton heard a coughing bark, the best impression of the gunshot that five more demon-horses, coming at a run, could muster.

You're no good to him with a bullet in your head, Britton told himself. Get out of here."

Taken from Myke Cole's Shadow Ops: Control Point

 

Thoughts and prayers going out to those affected by the terrible storms yesterday and those who are still struggling from the effects of the tornadoes and storms that struck earlier this year.

sneak peak of HUNTER'S RISE by Shiloh Walker

B & N | Amazon | Indiebound | Book Depository | BAMM 

Excerpt

 Snippet (warning... Toronto is something of a smart-ass)

Not the ideal place for a fight. He'd done it before and managed to avoid human casualties, but he suspected that Sylvia James was a different breed from what he was used to. Ferals fought to live, so they could kill—by nature, most of them weren't always clearheaded. Sylvia, like him, was a trained killer. She would be clearheaded. It would make a difference.

He hunted the ferals.

She hunted for money.

In the end, he'd win, because he was stronger.

But he didn't want to have to fight her. He wanted to have sex with her—down and dirty sex, maybe up against a wall, in the light so he could watch her. Then on a bed, her body under his, or over . . . his hands tangled in that dark, silken hair.

"You know, most men would at least bother to introduce themselves before the guy starts picturing the woman naked," she drawled, coming to a stop eighteen inches away.

Toronto smirked. "That's bullshit. We see a woman, we frequently picture them naked. We mess with the names when we want to actually think about getting them in bed. Some of us, at least." He skimmed a look over her body, taking in the sleek muscles, the powerhouse curves. Then he focused on her face again, smiled slowly. "So. What's your name?"

Due out 4/3/2012

WINNER of Lisa Renee Jones blog tour

Congratulations Na, you've won your choice of Michael or Sterling's ebook!   

Review of : TAMING AN IMPOSSIBLE ROGUE by Suzanne Enoch

Scandalous Brides #2
historical romance
St Martin's Press

Lady Camille Pryce left her arrogant fiance at the alter. After everyone turned their backs on her, she was fortunate enough to find work at the famed Tantalus Club.

Keating Blackwood has shunned society since his last scandal. Now his haughty, self-important cousin, Stephen Pollard, the Marquis of Fenton is demanding Keating bring his fiancee back to him. For Stephen has been barred from entering the Tantalus Club, and can't do so himself.

Can Keating convince Camille to marry his cousin? 


 

*****

Suzanne Enoch is one of my favorite historical romance authors, and in Taming an Impossible Rogue she did not disappoint!


Keating was able to draw Camille out of herself, and made her dare to seek more out of life. I loved how they would tease and tantalize each other. They had a fantastic chemistry that positively sizzled. I also loved how he was upfront with her about everything that was going on. 
 
One of my biggest pet peeves in books is when there is a huge misunderstanding that could be easily avoided. Instead Ms. Enoch has Camille and Keating aware of what is going on, creating even more challenging scenarios as these characters have learned to love each other, but they cannot find a way out of their situation. Well, of course there is a solution to their problem so that they can find their Happily Ever After, otherwise I wouldn't be reading a romance.

I look forward to Ms. Enoch's next book, and to more of the ladies of the Tantalus Club.

Review: A LADY NEVER SURRENDERS by Sabrina Jeffries

Hellions of Halstead Hall #5
Historical Romance
Publisher

Celia Sharp is determined to outwit her grandma's marriage ultimatum once and for all. She just needs to find a few suitable candidates. She has her sights set on three bachelors, but in order to be sure, she decides to have Mr. Pinter do some investigating for her.

Jackson Pinter has been denying his attraction to the lovely Celia. When she comes to him with her proposition, he finds himself in a difficult position. He'd offer for her himself, but as a bastard commoner, he doesn't feel he is good enough for her, and knows that people will assume he is just after her inheritance. 
 

Soon Celia and Jackson find themselves not only fighting their growing attraction but also fighting to stay alive, as they grow closer to finding the truth behind Celia's parents' deaths.

*****

FINALLY we have Jackson and Celia's story AND the mystery of her parents' deaths is solved! I've been waiting for their story for a while, as I could tell from their bickering in the previous books that they were destine for each other, and I was not disappointed.

I enjoyed seeing Celia and Jackson struggle with there feelings for each other, as they had to prove to themselves that each was worthy of the other. Jackson was sure that he was unworthy because of his station in life, and Celia had her own issues. Of course Grandma Hetty didn't help issues any with her dabbling and conniving. I was happy when they finally reached their HEA ending.

I also enjoyed the suspense of who the murder was. It wasn't completely obvious and while Ms. Jeffries threw in hints of the culprit, she also threw in enough other things to keep me off balance.

I'm pleased that the Hellions of Halstead Hal have all found their true loves, and I look forward to Ms. Jeffries next book.