Review A Wolf's Duty by Jennifer T. Alli

Title: A Wolf's Duty
Author: Jennifer T. Alli
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format: Ebook; 300 pages
Release date: December 13, 2010



As the last werewolf prince, it is Tobias' birthright to be King and lead his people, keeping their existence hidden from the humans they have lived beside for centuries and those that have hunted them, dedicated to their extinction. But Tobias has no mate and without one he can never be King. His two hundred year search is only brought to an end after a mysterious call for help. Alex has not had an easy life and despite the happiness that Tobias brings, his arrival makes her life no less complicated. Her connection to Tobias is strong and almost instantaneous, overcoming the years of caution and mistrust that living with her abusive, father has caused. As hidden secrets from Alex's past are unearthed, revealing how extraordinarily different she truly is, Alex is pulled irrevocably into Tobias' world, but as they soon discover his world is no less dangerous than the one she left behind. When their two worlds collide will their love survive or will his duty and her differences keep them apart?



Rating-



Sexual-



My review-

Generally, I am not a fan of werewolf novels. Most of the time, werewolves have been villains in other stories. It seems that they started gaining some popularity as romantic lead-ins after the "Twilight" series came out. As I am not a fan, my view point never really changed and I admit that I tended to avoid many werewolf stories. Those I did read (or in the case of movies: watch), were mingled with their lifetime struggle with vampires; ie. Underworld, Van Helsing, etc.

"A Wolf's Duty" may have me re-thinking that thought process. Instead of your typical werewolf story, Tobias and the other wolves in the story are not a clan of wolves infected by lycanthropy, cursed to live their lives based on the faces of the moon. These wolves are more like shapeshifters, which was an intriguing concept alone. Add into the mix a realistic heirarchy amongst the clans, or packs, my interest was definitely piqued.

I enjoyed Alli's telling of Tobias' journey to find his true mate, which leads him to Alex. What I liked most about Alex, as a character, was that she wasn't too strong, nor was she too focused on what could be perceived as her many shortcomings in comparison to Tobias. There's a good balance between the romance and acceptance of who they are and their relationship to one another. There are not many erotic scenes between them, but those that are there are very hot.

If you are looking for a good paranormal romance, you'll enjoy "A Wolf's Duty" and I recommend it. When I began reading it, I devoured 3/4 of the book in a short period of time. This is only book one in a trilogy and I look forward to moving onto the next story in the series.

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.

Review of Hunter's Moon by Felicity E. Heaton

Title: Hunter's Moon
Series: Vampires Realm #9
The Vampires Realm Stories all stand alone and do not need to be read in order
Author: Felicity E. Heaton
Source: Author Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Romance - Werewolves and Vampires
Format: ebook - 278 pages
Release Date: February 22nd 2011
Author's Website

Having witnessed vampires slaughtering his werewolf pack during their escape from the horror of the compound where they had been held captive, Nicolae's hatred of the species burns deep in his veins. A century has passed since that night and the months in which he traveled to the Canadian wilderness to escape it, but the nightmarish visions and his failure as an alpha still haunt him, forcing him to live alone and keep his distance from other werewolves.

When a night hunt with the local timber wolf pack leads to a run-in with unfamiliar hunters, Nicolae tracks the scent of blood permeating the forest to an injured woman and races to save her, but has he made a terrible mistake in doing so? When she attacks him, revealing her true nature, he can't believe his eyes or the fact that he can't bring himself to kill her. She's beautiful, and a vampire.

Tatyana is on a mission. Far from home and bearing a heart filled with grief, she's intent on killing the hunters she's tracking, but her plan didn't include being shot with poisoned arrows. When she comes to in the presence of a glowering handsome male werewolf, she isn't sure what to expect. His dark demeanor and cold tone warn her that he isn't like the subservient werewolves she's used to, and that she might not be out of danger yet, but she doesn't let it discourage her. Working with him to discover why the hunters have come to Canada, she attempts to shatter his antiquated opinion of vampires, but the closer she gets to him, the harder it becomes to battle the forbidden hunger he stirs in her.

Will Nicolae be able to overcome the darkness in his heart and his memories, and embrace his desire for a vampire? Can Tatyana face her fear about the Law Keepers and risk her heart and her life for the sake of forbidden love? When they discover what the hunters are after, will they be able to stop them before it's too late?

Rating -

Sexual -

My Review -

Hunter's Moon is a wonderful paranormal romance story of two souls that have suffered much heartache and loss in their lives who discover each other. I really enjoyed this book and how Felicity was able to bring the characters to life on the pages and allow the readers to feel their torment, conflicts, fears and passions. The imagery and the descriptive word play are so well developed that you feel you have been transported into the wilderness that the story is set in and feel the leaves under your feet and the cold air on your breath.

Nicolae is a werewolf and Tatyana is a vampire that he saves from hunters who threaten his peaceful existence on the mountain. Nicolae's long seated hatred for vampires and the cruelty that they imposed onto him and his kind plague him as he tends to her. However, for some reason he is drawn to her and tries to suppress the urges that are building up inside him. Tatyana on the other hand, has never experienced first hand any ill will to werewolves as her bloodline does not keep them as slaves. At times Tatyana is hurt by Nicolae's rough attitude and words to her as she feels that she has done no wrong to him. Later on as the two slowly get to know each other better Tatyana understands why Nicolae despises vampires so much.

The sexual tension between the two of them builds to the point that they wonder whether the other feels the same way. Of course they fear to ask each other how they feel to avoid being rejected thus, the tension builds between them until they cannot resist each other any longer.

It got to the point that I felt like screaming at them to give into what they felt in their hearts. Now I like my paranormal romance books to have lots of hot, sexy scenes and this book had great sexual build up, but only one sex scene. I wished that it had more then just the one. It took so long for them to finally give in to their desires that we were only given the one scene. Now some may prefer that and are ok with it, but I like my characters who crave each other and finally give in to have a little bit more action.

I really would love to see a part 2 to this story because I want to know where the relationship is going to take them and what adventures lie ahead for them. I really enjoyed this book and recommend it to all the romantics out there.

Review of Reynardine by Lucynda Storey

Title: Reynardine
Author: Lucynda Storey
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Erotic Paranormal - Werewolf
Format: ebook - 194 pages
Release Date: September 2006
Author's Website
Buy Link: http://www.aspenmountainpress.com/new-releases/reynardine/prod_19.html


A research grant takes Agnis Fitzgerald to western Ireland where she evaluates the possibility of reintroducing wolves to the coastal habitat. It's an uphill job, and the superstitious residents fight her every step of the way. They’re afraid…of werewolves.

Reynardine O’Brien has a secret. He’s the big black wolf that’s been hanging around Slieve Callan. More than that, he’s cursed to pass on his shapeshifting to his firstborn son. Determined never to let another O’Brien suffer as he has, Rey avoids serious involvements.

Until he meets Agnis.

Danger and destiny, sex and superstition…can Rey survive the hunt for the black wolf to claim Agnis as his mate?

Rating -

Sexual -

My Review -

Set in Ireland we meet the extremely good-looking and charming Reynardine who lives a solitary life due to his curse of being a werewolf. Not that he has any problems finding bed partners, in fact in the openly scene we find him waking up from a one-night stand, but he is frustrated by his inability to develop a long-term relationship with anyone.

That is until he meets Agnis who comes to his hamlet to work on her doctoral thesis regarding the re-introduction of wolves to Ireland. Upon setting eyes on Agnis, Reynardine finds himself drawn to her the moment she enters the pub upon her arrival in town. What starts off as a "knight in shining armor" rescue of Agnis from a drunk turns to instant heat for each other.

From the beginning of the book to around the midpoint I was able to accept their instant attraction to each other, but even during that point some things just didn't feel right to me. One of the problems I had with the book was with Agnis and her how she act, think and feels. One moment hot and obsessed with Reynardine and then the next stating the opposite that her work comes first and she needs to focus on her thesis. It became hard to understand what she wanted when she seems to act like a nymphomaniac at one point and then pull away from Reynardine to focus on her job. The other aspect is that she keeps saying this is a one-night stand (even though it drags out over several weeks), yet in the next breath she wishes that she could have Reynardine forever. She constantly goes back and forth stating that she knows Reynardine is hers and accepts her for who she is, but at the same time she is afraid he will reject her.

Then from the middle to the end of the book that is where it really fell apart for me. At this point the storyline with the wolves took center stage to the point it dragged out so long I found myself falling asleep. The whole issue with the wolves was not intriguing at all. Some references to Agnis' background and why this whole project was so important to her was never established. Along with the fact that once revelations are made near the end of the book she once again reacts one way and in the very next breath says and does the complete opposite. I was completely confused as how the character could do such an about face without any further elaboration. Reynardine on the other hand, he knew what he felt for Agnis was real and wanted to make her part of his life. However due to his condition he knew the implications and what he would be exposing Agnis to. You couldn't help not wanting Reynardine to have a "happily ever after".

In the end this book was ok if all you wanted to focus on was the graphic sex scenes, which included some masturbation using an instrument, some anal play and lots of hot sex, but in terms of plot and fluidity of the storyline it fell flat.