Review of Lone Wolf by Elinor Carson

Title: Lone Wolf
Author: Elinor Carson
Source: Requested Review
Format: ebook - Werewolves
Release Date: October 2011
Author's Website

In a world where werewolves are being hunted to extinction, Jordana Brown has escaped such a fate by doing the unthinkable: living as a human. Though her life is built on lies and concealment, she’s convinced that she’s content.

That is, until another werewolf comes to town. Marcos Delgado stumbles upon Rocky Mount by chance after years of traveling. And as soon as he sees the beautiful Jordana, he knows he must have her. Unfortunately, they’ll both need to figure out a solution—fast—when the humans get closer and closer to their true identities.

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My Review -

Lone Wolf is a short novella that deals with a female werewolf trying to make it on her own in the human world, always cautious not to get discovered for what she is until a chance meeting with another lone wolf turns her world upside down.

Jordana left her family and her pack because she couldn't allow herself to follow her controlling father whom she felt was leading her family to doom. She vowed never to be controlled by another again and years later she has managed to have a life of her own where she is content amidst humans, that is until one day she runs into a lone wolf passing through town.

Marcos is a stranger just passing through town until he catches the scent of an female werewolf. It catches him off guard as he has been alone for so long and seeing how beautiful and captivating Jordana is he can't resist her. He is set on making her his.

Jordana tries to resist Marcos but how can she when Marcos is so damn sexy and wakes every cell in her body. Unfortunately they find themselves in the middle of human paranoia over werewolves as a hunting group is on the hunt for werewolves and if they are not careful their world can come crashing down on them and tear them apart.

This is a short, sweet read about two outsiders, loners finding each other and trying to see if they can make a life together among humans or a on the run and free.

Review of THE KRAKEN'S MIRROR by Maureen O. Betita

THE KRAKEN’S MIRROR
The Kraken's Caribbean, Book 1
Maureen O. Betita
Decadent Publishing Company, LLC
January 31, 2011
ISBN: 9781936394678
Erotic Paranormal Romance
Ebook and paperback, 212 pages
Author Requested Review

Captain Alan Silvestri is a man haunted by a strange curse. Good luck is his to command, but it comes at the cost of any place to call home or people to reckon as family. Resigned to die and shunned by all, he is forced to sail every three days, until he begins to dream of a special woman.


Treated by our youth-oriented society as invisible and sexless, Emily Pawes is ready to move on with life. She attends a pirate festival, hoping to recapture the make-believe magic she knew as a young woman. Lucky to win an interesting bit of booty at a brick-a-brac stand, she finds herself transported by the Kraken’s mirror through a magical portal to a land of Hollywood piratitude, where swashbuckling heroes own iPods. With little choice, Emily embraces the madness. Playing pirate has to be safer than falling into the arms of handsome Captain Silvestri, right?


When they meet, sparks fly, passion flares. He needs her to be free, but more than that, he needs her to be whole. Setting sail and uncertain of who actually controls the wheel, they seek ways to defeat his curse of good luck and discover the Kraken’s mirror has plans for them. Will Emily stay in this pirate haven to fight alongside him or will he lose her because of his curse?

My Ratings


Review

Sexual

What a delightful, remarkable, and unexpectedly peculiar world Ms. Betita has created in her rendering of the 17th century Caribbean. Yes, you will find pirates, but you will also find out-of-place electrical devices, updated plumbing, among other strange oddities. The style of writing is refreshing as it blends the plain spoken (unrepentantly crude), modern day Emily with the pirate-ese of the regular crew of characters. I’m not sure if paranormal romance is the correct sub-genre for this book. It does contain a bit of vampires, zombies and werewolves, but I’m more inclined to label this as a sci-fi/fantasy romance. I don’t care what you label it – I label it fantastic!


The best parts of this book are the hero and heroine. (And the supporting characters, Davis, Jezzie, Mick, Tink, and the story.) Of course, you say, that’s the way it should be, but wait, there’s more. They aren’t your above-average sculpted, late twenty-something, to-die-for beauty/hunk. Emily is 53 and Silvestri is 65! But don’t let that fool you into thinking these two can’t rock the boat, stir the water, make waves….


One of the best pieces of banter is between Jezebel, who Captain's the Quill and Emily:

“Pawes, you’ve been on the ship three weeks now and you pull your share.  You work the lines, you mend the sails, help out in the galley.”  The captain tilted her head.  “But Tink is right.  You need to get laid.” 

“Oh, fuck off!  What is with this crew?  Nothing but overactive libidos!  You all think a cock is the answer to everything!”  Emily rolled her eyes, disgusted at the constant poking about why she wasn’t dragging one of the hands off to her bunk.

“You want a woman?  Fine.  Hell, Tink tends to swing both ways.”
 Emily faked a gag and backed away.  “Everything isn’t about bed partners!”
 “Well, it’s often the answer on this ship.”….. 

Emily settles into life on the Quill as best she can, learning new skills and trades. She wonders if she’ll ever find the portal to return to her own time. Emily’s insecurities ring true: Because of her age, why would any man give her a second look? But when she is “rescued” by a “tall captain” and a night of debauchery ensues, all of her doubts start to fade. I simply adore her. She makes the most of her awkward situation. She’s not afraid to cuss, curse, and swear – damn it! Oh, and Emily has a partner that adores, worships, fill in the blank, her!


I was enchanted by this story. Silvestri’s curse is the center of the story which everything else revolves: The secrecy of Alan and Emily’s relationship, Alan’s lack of friends and the reason he keeps to himself. Witchcraft and voodoo are woven in so effortlessly, you don’t even notice. Granted, I doubted having a sea monster, and a Kraken at that, as being a good guy wasn’t going to fly, but Ms. Betita will charm you with her tale.

Review of Blue Moon Trilogy: Book One Tala by Adrianna Morgan

Title: Blue Moon Trilogy: Book One Tala
Author: Adrianna Morgan http://www.blogger.com/img/blank.gif
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance - Werewolves
Author's Website



19 years after being viciously attacked on her birthday, Layla is leading a fairly normal life. She is in college and is about to graduate and start her new life. That is until she meets her new study partner who is more than he seems, an old guy who may know what happened to her mother 19 years ago and the Werewolf who tried to kill her. With the Blue Moon only a few months away, will she be able to channel her powers and fight or will she succumb to the darkness within her?

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This is the first book in a series that focuses on a young woman discovering that she is part of a paranormal world she didn't believe existed and is now forced to be part of it in the most dangerous way.

Layla is a likable character and one that the reader will connect with especially upon learning about her difficult childhood and how she tries to overcome obstacles to make it on her own. That is until she meets a gorgeous looking guy who shows an interest in for more reasons then she is aware of at first. Despite Brett's mission to ensure Layla's safety Brett can't help falling for her and soon everything becomes more complicated.

There are several twists and turns as new enemies pop up and revelations about Layla's past plays a big part in her destiny. However, it is her destiny that some are determined to ensure does not get fulfilled.

Now there we some intimate moments but too few and they lacked the details to really classify this novel as an adult paranormal romance. The elements in the book made it seem more like an urban fantasy and due to the subtle references to the sex scenes, except for one, if felt more like it belonged in the YA categories (16 and over). This is not to take away from the characters and the story, just that it is not the the level I am accustomed to in order to rank it as an adult paranormal romance.

Overall it was an interesting read with mystery and intrigue to keep the reader wondering the importance of Layla and what the future holds for her.

Review Of "Blood of the Demon" (Demons of Infernum #1)

Title: Blood of the Demon (Demons of Infernum #1)
Author: Rosalie Lario
Source: Author
Genre: Paranormal romance
Format: ebook - 272 pages
Release Date: 8/2/2011
Author's Website

Keegan lives to exact revenge on the evil demon who sired and abused him. When his father devises a plan to bring on the apocalypse, he and his three half-brothers, interdimensional bounty hunters for the Elden Council, are charged with capturing and delivering their father for punishment.
Art gallery owner Brynn Meyers has no idea that her ability to read memories embedded in objects and drain people of their life force means she has demon ancestry. Unfortunately for Brynn, she's also the key to raising an ancient zombie army, which puts her on every demon's Most Wanted List.
And no one wants her more than Keegan's father.
Keegan must protect Brynn from his father by any means necessary, but he'll have to learn to harness the other half of his genetics-the far deadlier, uncontrollable half-when he starts to fall for the one woman standing between him and the vengeance he so desperately seeks. The one woman he'll never be able to resist.

My Ratings
My Review
I loved this story!! I loved the new world she built with beings from other worlds. I loved that there were all sorts of different creatures. The 4 brothers were each born from a mother of a different species. Their evil father, however, was their connection and the villain in this story. Keegan was great! He was sexy, sweet, and although conflicted, he adored Brynn from the start. Brynn was a great character. She was strong, smart, and showed her true strength when it really mattered. I loved how the two of them didn’t truly hook up until later in the book, but between dreams and their obsession with each other, there was a lot of steam in this story! The plot moved quickly, was interesting, and had me flipping the pages quickly. I did not want this story to end! Fortunately, we got to meet all of the brothers, and they all interest me. I can’t wait to read their stories!

Review of A Touch of Crimson (Renegade Angels #1) by Sylvia Day

Title: A Touch of Crimson (Renegade Angels #1)
Author: Sylvia Day
Source: Requested Review / NetGallery
Genre: Paranormal Romance - Angels, Vampires and Werewolves
Format: ebook - 368 pages
Release Date: October 4th 2011
Author's Website

Adrian Mitchell is a powerful angel leading an elite Special Ops unit of Seraphim. His task is to punish the Fallen-angels who have become vampires-and command a restless pack of indentured lycans. But Adrian has suffered his own punishment for becoming involved with mortals- losing the woman he loves again and again. Now, after nearly two hundred years, he has found her-Shadoe-her soul once more inhabiting a new body, with no memory of him. And this time, he won't let her go.

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The concept of angels, vampires and werewolves living among humans and seeing angels as powerful and sexy beings with raw passion had me very excited to read this book. The book had real potential in the beginning, but the more I read the book the more the world began to unravel, fall apart lose its appeal.

The beginning had a beautiful set up with Adrian running into his beloved Shadoe reincarnated in Lindsay at a chance encounter at an airport. The strong physical attraction between them had so much potential in terms of not only providing the reader with some enjoyable moments reading about their physical encounters, but also getting to know the characters and their emotional makeup. Unfortunately the world that the author tried to build up crumbled due to inconsistencies in some key plotlines.

As I read the book I kept finding inconsistencies and hypocritical situations that it made it difficult for me to develop a connection to Adrian and feel sympathetic for him despite his physical appeal. Perhaps what made it difficult to accept were the issues surrounding the nature of angels and the reason behind Adrian's hatred of vampires.

There were several contradictions that were mentioned in various parts of the book that made the world confusing to follow. At one point in the book Adrian states that angels are not to experience mortal love, but then later states that they can have sex. This leads to the confusing nature of what is happening with Adrian. He is angel who fell in love with a mortal and had sex with her and as his punishment his love is reincarnated over and over again throughout the centuries. Yet the fact has been stated that the consequence for an angel falling in love and having sex with a mortal is having their wings taken and turned into a vampire. Later on one of his closest angels confesses to him that she has fallen in love with a lycan which results in the angel and her love being hunted down. However, Adrian makes the other angels know, without a doubt, that he is having sex with Lindsay. It is these contractions that made my head spin at times and made it difficult to feel for Adrian because I felt he was being hypocritical.

Despite the flaws in the world building the book will appeal to both paranormal romance and urban fantasy fans. The series has the formula for some amazing interactions to develop between the characters and action that will please urban fantasy fans. I can see that the series has the potential to keep the readers on the edge of their seats, but the inconsistencies need to be cleaned up so they don't throw off the flow and interest in the books.

ARC REVIEW OF Dark Sins and Desert Sands by Stephanie Draven

ARC REVIEW OF Dark Sins and Desert Sands
Title: Dark Sins and Desert Sands
Author: Stephanie Draven
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Format: ebook - 288 pages
Release Date: 10/18/2011
Author's Website (You can also sign up for her newsletter here.)


Wrongfully accused and broken by torture, an American soldier transforms into a mind-controlling minotaur bent on revenge…only to fall in love with his beautiful but cool-eyed interrogator.
Ray Stavrakis is out for revenge. As an Arab-American soldier accused of treason, Ray was interrogated and tortured so brutally, he's been transformed into a monster of ancient imagination. He can enter the maze of other people's minds and learn their secrets--even get them to do his bidding. This is a power he intends to use on Dr. Layla Bahset, the woman who broke him.
But Layla is now working as a Las Vegas psychologist and she has a secret. She can't remember her past and she can't remember Ray. When he enters her mind, there is nothing but a sandy desert, and he realizes that she's no ordinary woman. Layla and Ray become the target of a chase that is altogether other-worldly. Pursued by an Egyptian war god, Layla and Ray find their fates, and passions, increasingly entwined. And they learn that in a modern world in which the gods of old civilizations use mortals like playthings, they need each other to survive.



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Sexual



MY REVIEW
This was such a well written story. I just can't get over how much I enjoyed it. It was a paranormal, romantic suspense novel. I have a lot of nice things to say about this book, but the best part of it for me was how smooth the writing was in the story. I felt like I was in the story watching everything happen live. There was a lot of very realistic dialogue between several very
interesting characters. There was just enough happening to keep me on the edge of my seat without overwhelming me with too many characters or strange plot points. I don't like violence or torture. The few times these issues were brought up, they were touched upon just enough to give me an idea of what happened to the hero in the past without rubbing it in my face. I absolutely loved Layla! She was such an amazing character. She was kind, intelligent, and loving. I also loved Ray. He was such a kind hearted person who was strong, caring, and perfect for Layla. These two were perfect for each other, and it was great watching them fall in love. The remaining cast of characters really helped to round out the story.

Review of Power of the Moon (Power of the Moon #1) by Tina Carreiro

Title: Power of the Moon (Power of the Moon #1)
Author: Tina Carreiro
Source: Bought from Amazon.com
Genre: Paranormal Romance - Vampires
Format: ebook - 291 pages
Release Date: May 3rd 2011
Author's Website

Dark. Sexy. Thrilling. Miakoda Starr sees things about people, including their auras. When she tries to help a homeless man whose aura has him marked for death, she throws herself in the middle of an unknown world and is in more trouble than she knows.

Soon she meets Detective Cole Barnett, a man that shatters her world in more ways than one, and shows her a life of fear as well as desire.

Respected for his self-control that took years to master, Detective Barnett never allows the vampire within to take over – until Mia.

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My Review -

There was something in this storyline about a young woman who has always felt different and misunderstood and a vampire who senses that she is the one he has been searching for to fill the void in his undead life that captured me.

This is the first book in the series and I can't wait to read the next one! When a book is able to keep me so glued to the pages that it keeps me up past my bed time and I find myself thinking about the characters and the situation they are currently dealing with during the middle of the day then I know it is a great indication to me that this is a great book.

There is so much happening in this book that it is difficult to know where to begin to describe what makes it fabulous. Lets start off with the characters Cole and Mia. The author does an amazing job in creating characters that are not only so well described that you can visualize them so clearly in your mind, but with personalities with such depth and emotions you feel that you truly know them and connect with them on a personal level.

What can I say Cole is a damn sexy vampire who is so hot to look at and so damn charming that he can make a woman have an orgasm just by looking at her.

Mia is a woman who has an unusual gift that makes her different from everyone else and based on her past experiences in relationships it makes it almost impossible for her to give herself completely and put her trust in others.

What brings these two together is a series of usual deaths that Mia has accidentally learned is the work of vampires. The next thing Mia finds out is she is being brought into a world she never knew existed and a passion she doesn't know she can give into. The intimate scenes between Mia and Cole are intense, teasing and makes you wish you were the one in Cole's arms.

This is an action packed novel that will have you glued to the pages and a tempting, teasing romance that will have you panting. This is a book that will please both urban fantasy and paranormal romance fans. While reading this book I felt it had similarities to being a cross between Charlaine Harris' Sookie Stackhouse series and Jeaniene Frost's Night Huntress series. It had elements of a young woman who is an outcast for being different due to her unusual gift and her inability to having meaningful relationships. She is brought into a world that humans don't know exist where some vampires are the good guys trying to protect the balance in both worlds.

At the end there is a preview to book 2 which continues where book 1 left off and it left me screaming because I needed to know what was going to happening next.

Review of RAJMUND, Vampires in America #3 by D. B. Reynolds

RAJMUND (Vampires in America #3)
Author: D. B. Reynolds
ImaJinn Books Publisher
Published July 30, 2010
ISBN: 9781933417097
Paranormal Romance
Novel, ebook, 260 pages
Provided by Author for review

Buffalo, New York—Thundering waterfalls, great sports teams . . . and a treacherous Vampire Lord who is slowly losing his mind.

New York City vampire Rajmund Gregor is the undisputed master of The Big Apple. He bows to no one but his Sire, the Vampire Lord Krystof, who has ruled the Northeast for hundreds of years. But when Krystof summons Rajmund to his headquarters in Buffalo, Raj finds his master slowly descending into madness and his territory crumbling around him. Raj is the only one of Krystof's children strong enough to seize power, but he’ll have to save his master before he can destroy him. Several women have gone missing and the local police are convinced a vampire is behind it. Is Krystof so lost to reality that he’s capturing and murdering human women? Is a rogue vampire moving into Krystof’s territory for the kill? Or is it something far more insidious, something that could threaten the existence of vampires everywhere?

Sarah Stratton is living a lie. Her past holds a secret she shares with no one—not even her good friend Cynthia Leighton, the West Coast vampire lord’s mate. It's a secret that could destroy her carefully constructed life as a professor at a Buffalo university. It’s also a secret that could save the lives of the missing women. To save them, however, she must enter Buffalo’s vampire community and put herself into the care of Rajmund Gregor. But can she trust Raj, the dangerously seductive vampire who wants to lay claim to far more than her secrets?

Before I get started, I would like to take this moment to apologize to Ms. Reynolds for my tardiness in posting this review. My delay is inexcusable and in no way reflects on Bitten By Paranormal Romance blog as a whole.


My Ratings:
Review

Sexual

There was one thing I didn’t like about RAJMUND – the cover. Out came my trusty, imaginary pencil and presto….. Chris “Thor” Helmsworth. Aahh…much better.

Raphael and Cyn make a brief appearance in the beginning to meet with Rajmund (Raj) in NYC to take care of “business”. While they are there, Cyn wants to meet up with an old friend, Sarah, who is currently living in Buffalo. It’s during this NYC get-together when Sarah and Raj first meet and the sparks start to fly. Don’t expect the same type of characters (hero and heroine) in Rajmund and Sarah as you find in Raphael and Cyn. These two are just as alpha and independent in their own way.

Sarah is psychic and it has come back to haunt her dreams. Instead of letting them destroy her, she uses them to find the kidnapped girls. Yes, she doesn’t want anyone to find out who she really is because of what happened in the past and she doesn’t want to live through that nightmare again. Yet, she can’t stand by and let young women die because no one will believe her. So, she takes action on her own.

Raj is a very powerful vampire who basically rules NYC. He is strong enough to overthrow his Sire - if and when the time comes. Rajmund is the alpha who radiates self-assurance, supremacy, and intellect. He truly cares that his children and human assets are well taken care of and all of their needs are seen to.

However, when Rajmund and Sarah start to work together on finding the missing girls, things really start to heat up. The playful banter, serious sharing, and, oh, the sexual tension. And then the big misunderstanding, which breaks both of their hearts and mine too. Fear not, missing girls still need to be found; Sarah still needs to be rescued; girls need to chat.

A shout-out for Emelie: Rajmund’s lieutenant has a few tricks up her sleeve. I like her; I really do!

Ms. Reynolds’ Vampire in America Series is one you must put on your TBR and/or Keeper Shelf. I started reading the series a bit backwards; reading the last book, SOPHIA, first and then continuing on in the correct order. I have rated all of the books ‘5 An Alpha Howl’, but RAJMUND, gets the Top Bite Award. Move over Raphael, there’s a new Lord in town.

Review of TEMPTED, Eternal Guardians #3 by Elisabeth Naughton

TEMPTED (Eternal Guardians #3)
Author: Elisabeth Naughton
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Date: September 6, 2011
ISBN: 9780505528735
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Novel; available in digital and paperback
Provided by Publisher for review

DEMETRIUS—He’s the hulking, brooding warrior his fellow Guardians avoid. Too dark. Too damaged. And given his heritage, he knows it’s best to keep everyone at arm’s length.

Isadora is missing. The words pounded through his head like a frantic drumbeat. For her own protection, Demetrius had done all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate. And now she was gone—kidnapped. To get her back, he’ll have to go to the black place in his soul he’s always shunned. As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty to the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought. And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.

My Ratings
Review

Sexual

Ms. Naughton has taken the Greek Argonaut myth, turned it on its head, and OWNED it! In TEMPTED, she includes all the elements of an extraordinary mythological tale: gods, goddesses, monsters, witches, and heroes saving the heroines! Just to name a few.

From the very beginning, I was hooked by the tough and cocky attitude of Demetrius. An act he has played for so long to distance himself from Isadora. He does everything he possibly can to keep that distance because of the ‘darkness’ inside of him would ruin Isadora. But that coldness is sorely tested when they are stranded together and he has to save Isadora’s life a few times.

Isadora doesn’t remain a spoiled Princess for long. As she becomes a strong, independent woman, Isadora eventually sees through Demetrius’ false pretenses and realizes he’s hiding something. Each time Demetrius turns away from her, it just steels Isadora’s spine even more. Although Isadora may not know Demetrius’ dark secrets, I like the fact that Ms. Naughton doesn’t keep the reader in suspense. It makes Demetrius all the more heroic as he battles his love for Isadora and doesn’t want to see her ruined.

Now, don’t be fooled, there is so much more going on in this book! Yes, the sex is hot and, at times, you may get as frustrated as Isadora. All the Argonauts are present along with Callia and Casey. Hades makes an appearance just to aggravate Isadora. Orpheus plays a major/big/humungous part this time around and he has some of the best lines. Where would we be without the big evil herself, Atalanta? Yeah, she’s really causing havoc this time around. And this one last surprise, I did not see this coming! Poor Nick! Although, I knew something was up way back in MARKED Book #1. You’ll have to read to find out.

While it isn’t necessary to read the first two books in the Eternal Guardian series, they will provide back story and make it a bit easier to catch on. Be sure to refer to glossary in the back of the book before you start to read. The definitions listed there are a great help.

TEMPTED is a rip-roaring good time - the best one of the series by far! Although it has left me with more questions. But that is a good thing. More books about these luscious Argonauts!

Bitten’s She-Wolf Pack Thursday Review for August - DESTINY UNITED by Leia Shaw

DESTINY UNITED (Shadows of Destiny #2)
Author: Leia Shaw
Date Published: July 4, 2011

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: ebook, 224 pages
Author Requested Review            
                                               

Erin Bolton knows her former foster sister is a sorceress and a witch, but she wants nothing to do with that world. Fear dictates her life, panic attacks disable her, and only alcohol gives her the freedom she craves. The day before her twenty first birthday, a tall, dark, and terrifying vampire, Marcelo, turns Erin's world upside down. He convinces her that he was sent to escort her to the safety of the Underworld, where her sister is waiting. But she wonders, who will keep her safe from him?

Marcelo postponed his eight hundred year search for his wife to perform a small favor for the Queen of the Underworld. When the errand turns into a week long journey across the country toting a fragile female, his life takes a turn for the unexpected. Especially when, on Erin's twenty first birthday, he discovers there is more to this girl than meets the eye. And now instinct claims she's his. His mate. Meant for him, and him alone. Forever.

Can Marcelo give up his dream of reuniting with his long lost wife to be with the woman his body yearns for? Can Erin conquer her deep-rooted fears and confront the destiny only she can fulfill?



Review Ratings

            



Kris’s Ratings

Review: 5 – An Alpha Howl
Sexual: 2 – Steamy

I really enjoyed this very suspenseful and romantic story. I should have read the first book first though. I will definitely go back and read it. I'm dying to know more about Sage. I loved Marcelo. He was a total alpha, but also extremely sweet after he realized Erin/Aila was his mate. Erin was a stitch. I couldn't help but feel sorry for her at the same time I was rooting for her to kick some butt. I loved the action in the story and enjoyed the world that she has created. Although there was a lot of action, there was also plenty of dialogue, romance, and time spent getting to know and care about the characters. I also really enjoyed the author's style of writing. I just wish that I didn't have to wait until 2012 for the next one!

Cynthia’s Ratings

Review: 2 – A Small Howl
Sexual: 2 – Steamy

I’m not quite sure where to begin with this because quite honestly there were more than a few things that didn’t sit well with me. So, just the highlights.

The tone of the story is too flippant. Marcelo and Erin/Aila seem to be constantly bantering with each other. Marcelo ‘chuckles’ and Erin/Aila calls him Ballsy. Erin has social anxiety and suffers panic attacks because she was raped; therefore, “no grocery stores, no restaurants, and no shopping malls.” I don’t understand why she would have a revolving door of boyfriends to do her bidding. When copulation finally occurs between Aila and Marcelo, this is their post-coital pillow talk:

“Holy fuck,” Aila said, breaking the powerful silence.
Marcel chuckled. “I’ll say.” He pulled her into his arms. “But there was nothing holy about it.” He kissed the top of her head and ran his fingers up and down her bare arm. Goose bumps covered her body. Would she ever be immune to this man?
“So, my god-kissed mate, what do we do now?” he asked.

Last but not the least, the central theme of the story, DESTINY UNITED, never came to fruition. While another, concerning Marcelo, was brought to the forefront and just stopped…right there…nothing more.

What I did enjoy was the undertone of a D/s relationship between Erin/Aila and Marcelo. Marcelo being the very dominating Vamp that he is and Erin the Timid; it was a natural that he would control and protect Erin/Aila as necessary. The dressing room scene was especially entertaining. Watching Erin sprout from the frightened human to the powerful fae was a delight.

Ollie’s Ratings

Review: 3 – One Good Howl
Sexual:  4 – Four Alarm Fire #@!%$

Destiny United follows Erin, a young college student desperately trying to make it in the world dealing with panic attacks and social phobia gets her world turned upside down by a vampire sent by her sister to bring back to the Underworld.

Marcelo didn't like that fact that his original mission had to be sidetrack by this little favor for the Queen of the Underworld but before he knows it, it turns out to be the best thing that has ever happened to his undead life.

As Marcelo tries to escort Erin safely to the Underworld he not only has to fight of forces bent on destroying Erin before reaching the Underworld he at the same time tries to control his growing possessiveness and attraction to this timid young girl.

Marcelo was a delicious treat to read because he eluded such raw power and passion for Erin. When I say raw passion I mean this vampire offered more to Erin then she could handle in more ways than one. However, I found myself getting frustrated with Erin at several points in the books mostly because of her inability to trust Marcelo and going against him. She either didn't tell him everything, shot him to ran away from him and/or walk into danger when Marcelo knew she would be in danger.

The other aspect that bothered me was the whole destiny aspect surrounding Erin near the end of the book that never explained why she was chosen. The explanation lacked depth which could have been more thoroughly explored and could have provided more insight into her past and how it would lead to her future responsibilities.

WildAboutBones’ Ratings

Review: 3 – One Good Howl
Sexual: 2 – Steamy

I loved the story line! After all, what's not to love about the Underworld, sexy vampires, sorcerers, werewolves, the fae, a dragon shifter and a fae war with a romance in the middle of all of it?

Marcelo, an 843 year old vampire, is sent to find Erin by her sister Sage, the Queen of the Underworld. When he sees her the first time, he thinks date rape bait who has sexy down to a science.

Erin, human with a little extra, thinks of Marcelo, "he was sexy as hell", as soon as she gets over her panic attack. She has a debilitating social phobia that is only overcome by alcohol ... lots of alcohol.

When she hits her 21st birthday her life is turned upside down, well more than it already had been for the past couple of days. Is Marcelo her destined mate or is the fae, Unseelie prince Kieran?

"Let’s do the time warp again" a reference to The Rocky Horror Picture Show? Gotta love it. Even though this is the second in the series, you'll have no problem with reading it out of order. I think the characters were a little bit flat and the story could have used more "meat" but again the story line was very good.

I think paranormal romance and urban fantasy fans may like this one.