Review of BREAKOUT: The DRED Chronicles #3 by Ann Aguirre

Breakout is the non-stop, action-packed conclusion of Ann Aguirre's Dred Chronicles, picking up directly where Havoc ends.  

The prison ship, Perdition is now more of a ghost ship, as most of the inmates, uh...inhabitants...are dead.  Danger still lurks in every corner, supplies are running low while Dred and her surviving crew have teamed up with the 3 remaining mercs, eluding Silence and her henchmen, trying to build a way off Perdition which is now a guaranteed death trap.

As much as I hated to see this series come to a close, I have to say that Ms. Aguirre did a fantastic job bringing this story to a supremely satisfactory conclusion.
  

When I saw Breakout posted on Netgalley for reviewers I immediately requested it, and as soon as it was approved I started reading it, only putting it down when I ABSOLUTELY had to, staying up until after 2am on a work night to finish this book. I just couldn't step away! I'm kinda sad that I read it so quickly, because I loved the story and these characters so much, and I know that unless Ms. Aguirre writes more books in this universe, that finishing this story was saying goodbye to characters that I've grown attached to.

I could give you a play-by-play of my thoughts for the entire book, but if you're as immersed into this series as I was, I know that you'll want to get there and make your own judgements. So I won't bother.  I will say though, that there was one extremely emotional part that had me saying WTF really loudly, not because it was unbelievable, but because I didn't know how Ms. Aguirre was going to turn things around...thankfully she did.

Dred continues on with her kick-ass self, I can't tell you how much I love a heroine that can take care of herself and others around her with out wimping out...yet you can feel her compassion and see how much she appreciates it when someone else takes care of her...mainly Jael, whom I can't even begin to describe my love for his character.  I loved seeing him turned into someone who not only cared for those around him, but how also learned how good it felt to have true friends, and to want to care for others. Striving to make others lives easier, not just his own.

Have I mentioned that I hope Ms. Aguirre visits this universe again?!?!? 

Review: ON MY KNEES: Stark International book #2 by J. Kenner

ON MY KNEES, the second book in J.Kenner's Stark International series featuring Jackson Steele and Sylvia Brooks, picks up right where SAY MY NAME leaves off. I'm not going to give you a play-by-play of entire book, you'll have to read it yourself. ;)  BUT I will tell you exactly what I thought of it, I think that Ms. Kenner did a fantastic job creating sexual chemistry between Jackson and Sylvia, I absolutely love how they don't bottle things up (too much) with each other and the secrets they do hold don't create major misunderstandings when they come to light, Jackson and Sylvia actually are able to discuss and work out why and what their issues are with each other. I love seeing them work together trying to make their relationship work. Though they are both guilty of overstepping the other's bounds in trying to “fix” each other...well, not each other, but to amend or rectify the situations that have hurt each of them. I really like how the issues they have to overcome are not caused by silly misunderstandings, but by situations that don't tear them apart, instead they bring them together to build a stronger bond.

Ms. Kenner has also brought some great strife into the story in the form of many outside factors—Sylvia's family, Jackson's past, the tension between Damion and Jackson. There are a few big mysteries that need to be solved and she added a nice twist at the the end of the story that has me eager for the final book in the series....UNDER MY SKIN, out in August. I know that Jackson and Sylvia are both fighters and I can't wait to see them find their HEA.

From the book:

I never thought I’d lose control, but his desire took me right to the edge. 

Powerful, ambitious, and devastatingly sexy, Jackson Steele was unlike any other man I’d ever known. He went after what he wanted with his whole mind, body, and soul—and I was the woman in his sights. One touch and I surrendered, one night together and I was undone.

Jackson and I had secrets, dark pieces of our pasts that threatened to swallow us both. We couldn’t outrun our demons, or the people trying to tear us apart. But in our passion we found salvation, and in each other’s arms we found release.

I was scared to trust Jackson fully, to finally let go. Yet no matter the dangers that lay ahead, I knew I was his—and now that we’ve laid claim, there’s no more holding back.

Review of BURN FOR ME: A Hidden Legacy Novel book 1 by Ilona Andrews

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Amazon | B & N | B-A-M | Kobo | iBooks
| Amazon Canada | Google Play | Harpercollins

Publisher's Blurb:

#1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews launches a brand-new Hidden Legacy series, in which one woman must place her trust in a seductive, dangerous man who sets off an even more dangerous desire . . .

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile situation. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run and wanting to surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.  

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.

****

Ilona Andrews has created an extraordinary cast of characters set in an action-packed world of magic. I was sucked into the story from page one and had difficulty putting the book down. 

Nevada Baylor is the head of Baylor Investigative Agency, her family owned business. The entire Baylor family is very entertaining and I really enjoyed the banter between the family. Nevada's extremely witty in her interactions with all of the characters, though not in a slap-stick way. I loved her attitude and that she didn't waiver from her beliefs and moral code. Her powers are unique, and she is only now learning how to tap into her magic. 

 

Mad Rogan is an excellent counterpart for Nevada. There is a depth to him that is barely touched upon that really needs to be explored. There is an undeniable chemistry between them that I am really looking forward to watching grow and develop. And I can't wait until they fulfil their passion...Mad is ready, but Nevada is hesitant with very good reason.

I loved watching Nevada and Mad battle the evil that is trying to destroy their world. They had a few kinks to work out, but once they set their minds to it, they worked brilliantly together combating a power that seemed impossible to stop.

There is so much left unanswered that I am already looking forward to visiting this world and all of the characters again. Augustine Montgomery, Lenora Jordan, Bern, Grandma Frida are just a few of the other characters I want to see more of. I have a feeling that there will be quite a bit more evil to be combated, and none of the battles will be easy.

BURN FOR ME is one of those books that you just don't want to end...and really it doesn't since it's the first book of a series. Unfortunately, now I need to wait for the next book to come out to get more of Nevada and Mad!!! I hope the wait isn't too long. In the meantime I guess I'm just going to have to glom onto all of the previously released Ilona Andrews books since BURN FOR ME is the first book I've read by the husband and wife writing duo.

There was one small thing that bugged me. There is a paragraph in the book that talked about how Army MOSs (job classifications) transfer over into civilian life that really irked me. Most wouldn't be bothered by this, but, as both my husband and I are Army veterans, it annoyed me. To quote: “Anything in 68 category, medical, was good. Or 91B, wheeled vehicle mechanic. Eleven Bravo wasn't one of those MOSs. It was the backbone of the army, but in the civilian world, there wasn't much you could do with that.” I disagree with this. I know many 11B veterans, my husband included, whose experience and training in the military has translated well into the civilian world and are now in law enforcement, on security forces, or in other criminal justice jobs. Sorry for the mini-rant, but I hate that they get such a poor rap.

Review of BOUND BY NIGHT MoonBound Clan Vampires #1 by Larissa Ione

NOTE: This review was originally published September 2013, but with the next book CHAINED BY NIGHT coming out the end of September 2014 I decided to repost! :)

BOUND BY NIGHT introduces us to a new paranormal realm. Vampires are the descendents of two native American tribes, the MoonBound clan and the ShadowSpawn. In this world humans enslave vampires, while the free or “wild” vampires live in secrecy, hiding from VAST—the Vampire Strike Force; hunters out to murder vampires or sell them into slavery; and their biggest enemy, Daedalus Corporation, a company that has no qualms about performing scientific experiments on captured vampires. A company that has created technology to contain vampires: removing fangs, electric collars, remote access microchips, all to make them safe for humans to use as slaves.

Riker of the MoonShadow clan hates humans, specifically the Martins. Because of them he lost his wife and child. He has been waiting to gain his revenge for years, and now is his chance. Daedalus Corporation has kidnapped Neriya, a ShadowSpawn vampire who was visiting the MoonBound. In order to stop a war, Riker needs to rescue Neriya. The easiest way to do this, he assumes, is to kidnap Daedalus Corporation's CEO, Dr. Nicole Martin.

As a child, Nicole witnessed a horrifying event convincing her that vampires are evil. Now she is face to face with her nightmare. Riker and Nicole have a shaky start with an extremely negative intertwined past they need to overcome to save the vampires. 

Larissa Ione has done it again, she lured me in with the promise of a sexy new vampire series and HOOKED me! I freaking loved this book and could gush about it for a very VERY long time. I already tell everyone I know who likes paranormal romance that Larissa Ione is a MUST read author, BOUND BY NIGHT is no exception.

There is so much going on in this story as it's the set up of the series, but that doesn't take anything away from the romance of Riker and Nicole. The storyline is dark and sometimes a bit brutal, but bits of sarcastic humor seamlessly blended in keep it from being depressing. Mmm...and I can't forget the sizzling sexual tension that kept both Riker and Nicole on their toes, and the way they steamed up the pages when at last they could no longer resist each other. These guys quickly moved to my "favorite couples" list. That and the fact that one of my favorite tropes (I can't say which it is, as it would be a spoiler!) was used made this one of my favorite books that I've read in a long time.

All of the characters are very complex and well fleshed out. I was captivated not only by Riker and Nicole, but many of the side characters also intrigued me as I wondered who else was going to have the chance of finding their HEA. The MoonBound clan leader, Hunter; the sexy loner, Myne; bad-ass vampire Katina, and that's just the tip of the interesting characters.

I can't wait to delve back into this new world of the MoonBound Clan Vampires, but I'm not disappointed that as I wait I will get to (finally!!!) read Reaver and Harvester's story in December. I've been waiting a while for their story. :) I'm glad that Larissa will be going back into the Demonica and Lords of Deliverance universes, as I'm not ready to give them up.

BOUND BY NIGHT is a solid 5 Rambling Heart read!

Release Day!!!! INFINITE POSSIBILITIES: The Secret Life of Amy Bensen Book 2 by Lisa Renee Jones

 

I think it's pretty obvious to anyone who's visited my blog, that Lisa Renee Jones is one of my all-time favorite authors. With her new release, INFINITE POSSIBILITIES, readers step back into the Secret Life of Amy Bensen, who we last saw on the run from Liam Stone and unknown enemies at the end of book 1, ESCAPING REALITY. 

INFINITE POSSIBILITIES picks up right where ESCAPING REALITY left off, with Amy once again on the run, only this time she is determined to discover who is threatening her and her life. She is sick of running scared, she needs to know who is responsible for her family's death and why.  

INFINITE POSSIBILITIES took me on one hell of an emotional roller coaster. This series has enthralled me from the start. Liam Stone and Amy Bensen have some pretty phenomenal chemistry sparking between them, but this new installment went beyond the passion and delved deeper into the suspense of Amy's past.  Many times I found myself on the edge of my seat, holding my breath as I turned to page to see what was going to happen next. There was never a dull moment. Amy fights to remember her past and fears there is no future for her or Liam.  She has good cause to worry. There are times when it feels like she loses everything, only to find that there is always hope.  

I think one of the best parts of this whole book is the epilogue. Not because the book is over, but because I know that the series is not, and I'm thrilled with the direction this series is going! This was the last book in Amy's POV. Liam and Amy have found their HEA, but there are still questions waiting to be answered. A new character will have a chance of redemption and a chance to solve the mysteries of the past. I can't wait to learn more about this character!

WARNING: Tissues should be easily accessible, because there are some parts that really tear at the heart.

5 Rambling Hearts