2010 Fantasy Reading Challenge Reviews

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Happy Holidays!

Royal Reviewers are going on hiatus for a couple of weeks. We would like to wish all our readers and followers a very Happy Christmas and a peaceful and prosperous New Year. We'd also like to thank you for your support throughout 2009, as we regrouped and made changes. It was a great year with so many different reviewers.

I would especially like to thank the reviewers who are not joining us next year, your help and support this year has been wonderful and we really appreciate all the effort that you've put in. A very special mention goes to J. Kaye from J. Kaye's Book Blog as not only was J. Kaye a Royal Reviewer but she ran competitions from her blog to increase our readers and she gave us several challenges that she has built up the past couple of years to run next year on Royal. We really appreciate everything you do for the book blogging community and your friendship J. Kaye.

We will be back next year bigger and better than ever with 13 permanent reviewers and 12 guest reviewers. There will be a different reviewer each week day next year with guest reviews going up every Friday. There will be plenty of competitions and of course a wonderful selection of challenges to choose from.

Where ever you are in the world may your Christmas be merry and bright! Stay safe and warm or cool as in our case here in Australia! See you on January 3, 2010!

Hugs from Alaine

REVIEW: A Seduction at Christmas by Cathy Maxwell

Title: A Seduction at Christmas
Author: Cathy Maxwell
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Avon Books
Book Rating: 4 ½ Stars

Book Description:

She never expected it would come to this...

Desperation and an empty stomach forced Fiona Lachlan to agree to a plan that ended up luring the wickedly notorious Duke of Holburn into trouble. Everything went terribly wrong, and now she has found herself posing as his ward! And while she swore nothing could make her desire a scoundrel, even if he was a duke, she is now drawing ever closer to the one man she cannot have . . .

"Beware of innocence!"

The Duke of Holburn had spent years heeding this warning, and in doing so, managed to avoid the virginal young ladies who had been put in his path. But now his wild ways have gotten him into real danger. There are killers at the door and a temptingly beautiful woman in his arms. He is about to find himself seduced . . . and he isn't quite sure he wants to resist this time.

Read my interview with Cathy Maxwell.

Review of A Seduction at Christmas


I ask you readers is there nothing better than a romance drenched in the Christmas season. I mean before you even open the book you are all ready rooting for the couple to weather any storm. "A Seduction at Christmas" by New York Times Bestselling author will have you doing just that. I'm guarenteeing it! So grab a warm cup of joe and snuggle down in your comfiest chair because Cathy Maxwell has given us a wonderfully written story with that inventive, witty and strong hearted heroine Fiona Lachlan.

If your a true blue follower of Ms. Maxwell's work than you will recognizes the spirited Fiona from "In the Highlander's Bed" where we were given a bit of Fiona's tragic story. Needless to say she didn't head to the America's with her brother and his new wife. Instead, Fiona tries to break out on her own and prove that she can do it all by herself. No strapping wanna-be heroes need apply!

But hard times fall on the young beauty and she was given an offer she couldn't refuse. One dark and cold night she reports to the Inn and discovers that there is foul play a foot. For standing before her is none other than the devastating Duke of Holbourn. Barely making it out of there alive Fiona sets a plan with the dashing Duke. How could he refuse when tied to her bed? Any man would be a willing pawn in this game. But what neither one expects is for the plot and its makers to be more closer to home than anyone thought.

Trying to foil the attempted murders Dominic has guarded himself from attacks at every point except for his heart. Fiona has known great grief and unprepared for what her heart reveals the closer Dominic and she become. Pretending to be engaged may prove to be the war battered hearts undoing for soon the lovers will succumb.

What can I say but that I LOVED "A Seduction at Christmas" and was desperate to read Fiona and Dominic's story as soon as I read the excerpt from the back of "In the Highlander's Bed". Reader I promise you, Ms. Maxwell has crafted another award-winning romance that will leave you breathless and pining for the next book in the series. Ms Maxwell doesn't let her readers down with her energetic and larger than life characters that keeps this action packed romance going from page to page. I was riveted--like most from the moment I opened my book and was devesated when I read the last word. "A Seduction at Christmas" is one of those decadent morsels that should be savored and pulled out on those rare occassions you need a heart warming and lucious heroe in need of a strong spirited, self sufficent but in need of the right man to prove to her that love truly does exsist. Enjoy!



Visit Christine at her blog Romantic Crush Junkies or Over the Edge

REVIEW : A Christmas Scandal By Jane Goodger

Title: A Christmas Scandal
Author: Jane Goodger
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Zebra
Book Rating: 4 Stars

Book Description: In her latest romance, Jane Goodger weaves an unforgettable tale of a woman who thinks she's lost everything---until a little Christmas magic reunites her with the one man she could never forget.
Dashing, debonair, and completely irresistible, Lord Hollings has all of Newport buzzing----and to Maggie Pierce's surprise, she alone has caught his eye. But when the handsome earl returns to England without proposing, a devastated Maggie knows she must forget him. Life only gets worse for Maggie as all her dreams of happiness and love come crashing down around her. When Maggie receives an invitation to go to England for the Christmas birth of her dear friend's baby, she accepts---vowing to keep her devastating lies and shameful secrets from the one man she has ever loved.

Edward vowed he'd never marry, but he came dangerously close with Maggie. She's beautiful, witty, indescribably desirable---and Edward can't forget her. When Maggie visits mutual friends for Christmas, Edward can't stay away. In fact, he finds himself more attracted to her than every---a desire fueled even more by Maggie's repeated snubs. With the love he never thought he'd find slipping away, Edward is determined to make Maggie his own, no matter what the cost.

REVIEW of A Christmas Scandal by author Jane Goodger

In this turn of the century Holiday romance I found myself spellbound once again. The sequel to “Marry Christmas”.. “A Christmas Scandal” has us revisiting some of Ms. Goodger’s most intoxicating and engaging characters.

Maggie Pierce’s world has become nothing short of devastation. Her father recently tried and convicted for embezzling money from his firm, jilted by the one man she thought would at least stand by her side through all of this and if that doesn't smack it all, they are now homeless and destitute shunned by New York society. "Is there any hope." Maggie Pierce wonders.

Only one thing brightens up her morose existence. A letter inviting her and her mother to join her best friend in her confinement all the way in England. Rushing to cash her valuables in to pay for the trip all Maggie thinks of is getting away from this shameful scandal and an even more shameful secret.

Upon their arrival Maggie comes face to face with the one man she swore she would never see again--Lord Edward Hollings. Her heart races --as it always did--when ever the dashing Lord came around. But this time Maggie has secrets to keep and no matter how much she loves him she will be stoic and not reveal her feelings to anyone. And most ashuredly she will never reveal them to the great lord who up and ran away back home to England without even saying good by.

A letter has brought Lord Hollings to his bestfriends estate. An invatation to restore what was once the most renknowned library in all of England. Edward jumps at the chance secretly knowing he will once again set eyes upon the one woman who stole his heart that short time in Newport this past summer--Maggie Pearce. But Edward is some what of a package deal now much to his dismay. Trapsesing in his path is his head strong sister, Amelia,along with his widowed aunt and her brew. Really, how is a man supposed to think straight yet alone set up Rand, Lord Bellingham's extensive library in order? And damn it altogether Maggie won't even look at him let alone talk to him. Edward doesn't know what to make of it. did the chit have any real feelings for him. Or was he a tactful ruse to up her ainty in the New York city Society marriage mart. Well, he will find out because it isn't like he's been sitting over here in England pining away for her, reading her letters and carefully retying them with the warn ribbon. Oh no, Lord Holly will get to the bottom of this, for sure!

I adored " A Christmas Scandal". Tthe characters were lively and engaging from beginning to end. Ms. Goodger did a wonderful job in unraveling each characters emotional upheaval. The more I read "A Christmas Scandal" the more I hated to put it down and found myself running back to read another chapter. It is a delicious Christmas morsel that should be savored.

Visit Christine at her blog Romantic Crush Junkies or Over the Edge

THE WINTER MAN by Diana Palmer

Genre: Christmas Romance

Copyright: 2009

Pages: 336 pages

Rating: 2.5/5 Crowns

This book consists of two stories—SILENT NIGHT MAN and SUTTON’S WAY.

SILENT NIGHT MAN
Millie Evans is a librarian who has had to fend off unwanted advances from a psycho named John Hamilton. When John kills himself, he leaves a promise to pay her back. Tony Danzetta believes his childhood friend was driven to committed suicide by Millie. It’s only after he sends her away does he discover that his friend had become unstable over the years. He also learned that Millie has a contract killer after her. Now he must see what he can do to protect her as well as get back in her good graces.

Millie Evans has been in love with Tony Danzetta since she was a young girl, but she wasn’t his type. He’s made it no secret that he isn’t the marrying type, yet there is something about Millie that he can’t ignore.

If the theme of this story sounds familiar, it is. Not that the same old theme is a bad thing, but I had problems liking Tony. He was the “I am so worldly and you aren’t” type. He was also quick to blame other people for his shortcomings. His character seemed a bit immature and childish for someone so worldly.

I also felt the scenes were too rushed and much of it was told in dialogue. There wasn’t much believably in this one either. If I wasn’t steaming angry at Tony, I was rolling my eyes at some of the outlandish parts. Bottom line is I just didn’t like this story.

SUTTON’S WAY
Amanda Callaway is a famous singer who lost her singing voice after an accident on stage. She decided to stay in an isolated cabin in Wyoming. It belonged to the man her aunt had been living with. They were away for the winter.

A wintery blizzard forces Quinn Sutton, a rancher who lived nearby, to rescue Amanda. He brings her to stay at his ranch. Obviously hostile towards her, Amanda sees how gentle he is with his son. She works to understand the coldness he has towards women in general. Since Amanda uses a stage name, Quinn has no idea who she is. Little does she know this secret is like a ticking time-bomb that will blow up in her face.

I enjoyed this story much more than the first. There was a bit more realism and I liked the characters. I understood why Quinn shut himself off. What both of these stories lacked was the deep passion I’ve felt in some of Diana Palmer’s previous books. I felt this story was just okay—not as good as some of her other books.

Visit J. Kaye at her blog: J. Kaye's Book Blog

A HIGHLANDER CHRISTMAS by Janet Chapman

Genre: Paranormal Christmas Romance

Copyright: 2009

Pages: 352 pages

Rating: 4/5

For a year now, Camry MacKeage, a NASA physicist, has been living in a small town in Maine where she dog sits on the week day and bartends on the weekend. Her family had no idea she’d quit her job until Luke Pascal shows up at her parents’ home. He’d been corresponding with her when the emails abruptly stop. Camry’s mother sends Luke to find her daughter and bring her back for the winter solstice.

When Camry meets Luke, she has no idea it’s the arrogant French physicist who wanted to collaborate on a project she’d been working on. They had only corresponded through emails and Luke had not told her his complete name. By the time she discovers who he is, a strong attraction for the two has taken hold. And what they will soon find out is magic is a big factor.

This was my very first book by Janet Chapman. I thoroughly enjoyed her writing style as she adds a bit of paranormal/time travel in with romance. My only regret is I didn’t have more of the background information on the previous books in this series. I believe if I had started at the beginning with the first book, I’d have enjoyed the complete story more. Still, it was a fun, engrossing read for the Christmas holidays.


Visit J. Kaye at her blog: J. Kaye's Book Blog

A CREED COUNTRY CHRISTMAS by Linda Lael Miller

Genre: Country Christmas Romance

Copyright: 2009

Pages: 256 pages

Rating: 5/5 Crowns

My first experience with Linda Lael Miller was her Montana Creeds Series. I had my favorite, but honestly, I loved them all. After I read the last book, I thought that would be all until I saw A CREED COUNRTY CHRISTMAS available. I thought this would be a continuation of the Creed brothers—Logan, Dylan, and Tyler. It’s not. The author takes readers back to 1910 where it all began.

Lincoln Creed lost his wife. He’s not looking for love. His heart is closed since the woman he truly loved is died. All he would like is a governess to teach his daughter, Gracie.

Lincoln is in town at the Stillwater Springs Courier to see if anyone has responded to his ad when he meets Juliana Mitchell, a teacher from the Indian School. She isn’t alone. Four of her students are in her care. With a snow storm heading their way, he offers her and the children a ride. That’s when he discovers the school has been shut down and they have no place to go.

Lincoln offers them a place to stay, but trouble is coming. Juliana has no way to provide for herself and someone from the government will be coming soon to take the children. She couldn’t let that happen. Part of the solution is an easy one or so it seems, but the attraction between Juliana and Lincoln is unexpected. He still has issues left to resolve before he can love again.

Linda Lael Miller creates a world I’d love to live in. This latest was such an uplifting experience. There wasn’t much in the way of love scenes. In fact, I only recall one at the end, but the book definitely a page-turner as I read it all in one evening.

Visit J. Kaye at her blog: J. Kaye's Book Blog

The Sunday Post

Hello all

If there's one advantage to an Aussie Christmas, it's that it comes one day earlier. Now we're only 11 days away, it's time to start getting in the Chrissie mood and this week on Royal Reviews is sure to make us all feel festive! We have J. Kaye, Countess of Hearts presenting some fantastic Christmas-themed reviews. I just love Christmas fiction....especially the steamy kind. I always end up buying myself a Christmas Romance Anthology every year and I really enjoy it. Its like the double-sigh factor - how can you go wrong?

I also LOVE to watch the movie Love Actually. It's just so beautiful, such a gorgeous holiday movie with a wonderful message. For a scene that makes me feel good and I'm sure will put a smile on your face, spend 2 mins watching this:



My other favourite Christmas tradition that helps me get into the spirit (and I'm sure it's a common one) is to take a drive to see all the Christmas lights people have decorated their house with. I just wanted to share a house from our hometown that is a bit of a novelty:

Now I know we Aussies can be a little behind the times with trends that we follow and I'm sure the musical house lights have been around for ages but I thought this was so cool! The owner collects donations for charity and changes the lights display every week.

Do you have any fantastic Christmas light displays in your home town? What's your favourtie holiday movie? What Christmas traditions do you follow to help you get into the festive spirit?

See you all next Sunday,

Annie

Chrysalis: The Awakening by M.L. Lacy

Series: The Awakening Book 1

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal Contemporary Romance

Copyright:

Rating: 4 ½ Stars

Book Description:

All families have secrets. But at 32 years old, Bree Campbell is discovering that her entire life has been a secret. Like most people, it never occurred to her to question her mortality; that is until she learns that she is a mortal born into a family of Magicals and begins to question everything and everyone in her life.

As the doors to Bree's new world fly open and she finally hears the prophecy told at her birth she must face the revelation that she is a Chosen One; the last and greatest of a long line of Chosen Ones. And if this were not overwhelming enough, she has been charged with saving the earth by repairing the cosmic tear that binds the mortal world she has always known and the Magical world she is just now discovering. But the real question lies in whether Bree will survive the long transformation into the powerful Druid Sorceress that is her destiny or die in the process as many before her have gone.

Bree's journey will not be an easy one. She must face the realities of her new life and her new family; a clan of vampires who have been charged with protecting her for all of her mortal life. They have chosen her as a leader in their clan, a position that has really complicated things for her. For no sooner than Bree is finally reunited with her long lost love, Steven, Bree must learn how to navigate the jealousies and emotions within her new family.

While Bree tries to free herself from her past, including her cruel and lethal husband, she must determine who she can truly trust. And while her clan loves her immensely, they will continually try to stand in her way; all in the name of protecting her from those set upon her death.

Bree's arch nemesis is Esmeralda, a powerful sorceress in her own right who will stop at nothing until this Chosen One is dead. If Esmeralda can claim Bree's blood, heart and soul and restore her Demon to his body, she will be so strong that none will be able to oppose her and she will be free to rid the world of all mortals and rule as she chooses.

But with the help of the Guardians and her dreams, Bree begins to awaken the powers hidden within her and begins to embrace the responsibility she has been born to. And even while these changes make her body weak, Bree begins to find an inner strength she never knew she had within herself. Will it be enough to save the world?

Click to read my in depth interview with M.L.Lacy.

Click to read an excerpt from Chrysalis: The Awakening: Book 1.

Chrysalis – The Awakening by Madonna Lacy @ Yahoo! Video

Review:

Let me start out by saying I LOVED this book. In fact I read Chrysalis: The Awakening three times because I wanted to make sure I didn’t miss anything the second and third time around.

Chrysalis: The Awakening is book one in this epic installment by debut author, M.L. Lacy which is a coming to age story where the main character Bree has lived under the assumption that she is just your average thirty two year old woman. Yep, Bree has gone through a horrendous marriage and divorce, survived some pretty unexplainable accidents and have the most over protective parents that any girl could ask for. But things are about to get a little strange.

Little does she know that she has been fated as one of the CHOSEN ONES. The truth is, she hasn’t a clue that she is remotely important to the survival of magical beings. In fact, she doesn’t believe in vampires, werewolves, witches and things that go bump in the night. Her “family” has done everything to keep that part of herself hidden from her. Afraid that her arch nemesis Esmeralda would find and kill her taking Bree powers in hopes of becoming an all powerful being. Esmeralda is on a major ego trip wanting not only to rule the magical world but also the mortal realm. So Esmeralda has been tracking Bree for the last thirty odd years and interjecting her minions in hopes that they would destroy her.

But things have gone a rye due to the protective Guardians that have been destined for Bree since her birth. This is her Clan—a band of brothers-- of vampires, werewolves, wizards and warlocks, oh my! Betrothed, mated since birth to a vampire named Stephen-- living side by side Bree but not allowed to unblock her memory. Her parents not only demanded that Stephan let Bree live a normal life before she begins her transition into the magical world, but that she have no memory of him and his fellow guardians.

Now Bree is thirty-two years old with a dangerous divorce behind her, she still hasn’t a clue what she is-- a CHOSEN ONES. Her guardians have never left her side hiding in secret where ever life led Bree. When she went off to college they were right there in disguise, protecting her and making sure Esmeralda’s henchmen never got to her.

But now Bree takes an uneventful flight to Vegas with her eccentric grandmother where a family reunion is in full swing. People are sure acting all kinds of crazy around her. Sniffing her hair, starring at her and giving off the impression that she has met them before. Bree just can’t place her finger on it. She is sure she has never met any of these “people” before but something keeps calling her to this band of brethrens and their life mates. Except memories are starting to awaken as she notice the strapping man in a plaid shirt and form fitting jeans starring at her. She can’t help but be drawn to him and his friends.

Bree’s whole world is about to change. Things she believed in aren’t true and things she never comprehended are coming to light.

I read in Webster’s New World Dictionary the definition for chrysalis-- is a stage of development when something or someone is still protected. I have to take my writers and reader’s hat of to Ms. Lacy in her superb job of wrapping her premise in a protective cocoon of intense erotic and suspenseful prose. The characters are some of the most engaging  and enticing  ones that I have read in a long time.

The main character, Bree comes off strong willed even though people all around her want to keep her close to the hip wrapped in bubble wrap. Even though Bree's world is changing faster than she can catch a breath,and old memories are flooding back and the witch, Esmeralda is out to kill her, you really have to give it to the girl for taking it all in stride.

Not once does her character ask why her? Why Was I picked to be a CHOSEN ONE?   Bree just accepted it as truth and went on to see how she could better build her new found CLAN and begin the process of accepting their rules and way of life. I found myself admiring Bree’s tenacity and gumption throughout her journey.

But at first, I didn’t know what to expect from Chrysalis: The Awakening. Was it a paranormal? Was it a Romance? Was it an erotic romance?  Or was it more of an urban fantasy?   I have to say it’s all of them combined, which for this reader was completely enlightening.

I wasn’t so sold on the fact that Bree actual sleeps with everyone in her clan. Don’t get me wrong I’m not a prude. I have read my fair share of erotic stories and erotica and know the lay of the land. But what I will admit to is my preconceived notion of Stephan being the hero and her life mate—which he is. Stephan has her heart, but she is one of the leaders of her clan and for such she need to be bonded with the other CLAN’S leader. So I got passed my own precariousness’ and got into the story. The story wasn’t what I would call a hard read. Things weren’t laid out so easily that you saw everything. Neither were they so far out there that you kept smacking your head having a V8 moment.

Chrysalis: The Awakening is an emotional roller coaster ride that kept me flipping to the next page that in the end the tips of my fingers had page burns and paper cuts.  It was well worth the pain.   I highly recommend this story to all paranormal contemporary romance aficionados.

Amazon.com, Barnes & Nobles, Author House

Visit Christine at her blog Romantic Crush Junkies or Over the Edge

Deadly Harvest by Heather Graham

Series: Book 2 in The Flynn Brothers trilogy

Genre: Paranormal

Copyright: November 2008

Rating: 4 ½ STARS

Book Description:

When a young woman is found dead in a field, dressed up as a scarecrow with a slashed grin and a broken neck, the residents of Salem, Massachusetts, begin to fear that the infamous Harvest Man is more than just a rumor. But out-of-town cop Jeremy Flynn doesn't have time for ghost stories. He's in town on another investigation, looking for a friend's wife, who mysteriously vanished in a cemetery.

Complicating his efforts is local occult expert Rowenna Cavanaugh, who launches her own investigation, convinced that a horror from the past has crept into the present and is seducing women to their deaths. Jeremy uses logic and solid police work. Rowenna depends on intuition. But they both have the same goal: to stop the abductions and locate the missing women before Rowenna herself falls prey to the Harvest Man's dark seduction.

Click to read my in depth interview with NY Times Bestselling Author, Heather Graham.

Review:

Deadly Harvest is the second installment in New York Times Bestselling author Heather Grahams’ The Flynn Brothers Trilogy by MIRA which was released in November of 2008.

I am a die hard Heather Graham fan—from her historical to her paranormals and to her contemporary I have loved every word she has written. So it came as no surprise that when Ms. Graham decided to write about three gorgeous Irish brothers and set them in a paranormal state that I was desperate to get my hands on their books. (And yes, I bought all three—DEADLY NIGHT, DEADLY HARVEST and DEADLY GIFT.)

Imagine, if you dare, a menacing, creepy scarecrow clutching a bloody scythe in one hand while his piercing stare distorts his gruesome face. I’ll one up you and have you imagine that he possess the power to hypnotize placing you in a trance that makes you believe in your worst nightmares all the while he chants…

“Don’t fear the Reaper,

Just the Harvest Man.

When he steals a soul

It’s a keeper, so

Don’t fear the Reaper,

Fear the Harvest Man,

For when he steals a woman’s soul

She’ll go to hell or deeper….”

You’ve just met the HARVEST MAN.

DEADLY HARVEST takes place in Salem Massachusetts on Halloween night and picks up where Deadly Night left off. If you have read DEADLY NIGHT, the first in the series then you will recognize Brad and Mary Johnstone who have appraised their roles. At the end of DEADLY NIGHT the pair have just reconciled and decided what better way to rekindle their love and commitment than to go on vacation to Salem. The pair seems to be getting along splendidly as they check out the Halloween festivities, fist museums, taking in the unusual sites, run through a couple haunted houses and going and having their fortunes read. Okay, myself I would have stayed away from the turban, dark-stained skinned guy that made me feel creepy, but hey that’s me—plus the story would have been over if Mary hadn’t dragged Brad into the Den of Dementia.

The fortune teller ended up freaking the couple out. so what do you do when some one freaks you out? Why, go to the local cemetery in the dead of night and walk around of course. Of Course! While there Brad and Mary talk about the grave stones and the meanings of some of the symbols on the gravestones. Things start to get a little freaky as Mary finds a headstone that has her name written on it. Soon she begins to hallucinate about standing on top of a hill and a corn field. In her minds eye she sees a shadowy figure calling to her. She can’t help but heed his call. And in a blink of an eye Mary Johnstone has disappeared and her husband is the major suspect.

Enter ex-police diver- now a private Detective working with his two brothers who is an unyielding pessimist Jeremy Flynn. Being a copy has led Jeremy Flynn into some horrendously degrading situations. His last assignment was diving into a lake after a foster dad drove drunk into the lake drowning the kids in his care. By shear luck one child--a little ragged black haired boy was barely alive but had clutch Jeremy’s hand and begged him for help. Swimming to the surface, performing CPR and riding to the hospital with this little boy still didn’t save him. Jeremy’s guilt has him seeing Billy’s beguiling and sweet face in his dreams. At least he believes their dreams. For in Jeremy’s world there are no such things as ghost and any other manifestation. Jeremy Flynn believes in black and white and there is no such thing as gray in between.

That is until Jeremy is forced to work with the local occult expert, bewitching Rowenna Cavanaugh. If things weren’t complicated enough, his ex-partner and best friend Brad Johnstone is Salem PD’s prime suspect. Now he has to deal with the wackiness of people insisting that another Ungodly force is the blame of the disappearance of Mary Johnstone. Tie in the animal attraction between Rowenna and Jeremy and you have a high octane screamer-read.

I LOVED Dark Harvest. Okay, I will admit I’m not really one of those readers who like to have myself scared whitless. But for New York Times Bestselling author Heather Graham I will make the exception. The characters were engaging from the moment they stepped onto the page. Author Heather Graham did an exceptional job of turning an urban legend of the HARVEST MAN into a fright fest that literally had me hiding under the covers. She had me on the edge of my seat, white knuckling and chewing my nails to the nub. By the time I got to the end I was spell bound and enraptured and ready to continue on with the third installment in the Flynn Brothers Trilogy, Dark Gift.

Visit Christine at her blog Romantic Crush Junkies or Over the Edge

Kitty and The Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn

Series: Kitty Norville Book 1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Copyright: 2005

Pages: 276

Rating:


Kitty Norville is a midnight-shift DJ for a Denver radio station - and a werewolf in the closet. Sick of lame song requests, she accidentally starts "The Midnight Hour", a late-night advice show for the supernaturally disadvantaged.

After desperate vampires, werewolves, and witches across the country begin calling in to share their woes, her new show is a raging success. But it's Kitty who can use some help. With one sexy werewolf-hunter and a few homicidal undead on her tail, Kitty may have bitten off more than she can chew...

This book got off to a slow start, probably in part due to the radio show setting and the emphasis on dialogue as Kitty plays amateur psychologist to all the 'supes' that phone in to her talk show. But as the show's success skyrockets, the action picks up along with the pace of the novel.

I didn't like Kitty much at first. She's a pup, a wolf with lowly pack status, at the bottom of the pack hierarchy. Now I think I've read enough in the shifter genre to have a pretty good understanding of pack dynamics and Kitty is beyond submissive, she snivels and cowers and whimpers which I found rather unappealing. Her relationship with pack leader Carl, is gag-worthy. I don't think I've read a novel where I loathed the pack alpha, in truth I found him to be a truly disgusting character. Carl expects Kitty to be completely obedient, in everything, he beats her and then finishes things with sex. Not to mention that Carl has sex with whoever he wants in the pack, whenever he wants - one of the perks of his position ... Ughh!

On the upside, as Kitty's talk show grows in success so does her confidence as a woman and pack member and this personal growth brings about some pretty significant changes. Cormac, the bounty hunter, and one of the characters I liked, turns out to be one of the few people that Kitty trusts. There was certainly some chemistry happening between the two so hopefully we get to see that develop in the next installment.

Kitty grew on me as the novel progressed and as I already have book 2, I'll definitely continue with the series. With the book titled Kitty Goes To Washington, hopefully that means NO CARL.  The radio talk-show setting was refreshingly different for an urban fantasy novel and while there were a few instances that pushed the boundaries of believability, overall I found this an entertaining read.

There are six novels in the series and the seventh, Kitty's House Of Horrors, is due out January 2010.

In March 2010, Carrie's first YA novel, VOICES OF DRAGONS, will be released.

Visit Carrie Vaughn's website and blog Filling the Well to find out more.

Visit Teddyree at her blog The Eclectic Reader

Dark Crusade by Lori Devoti

Series: Unbound Book 4

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Copyright: 2009

Pages: 288

Rating: 5

Synopsis:

Exiled rogue shapeshifter Kerr Vik once saw being transported to Gunngar as a fresh start. Until the one person he most regretted leaving behind--captivating witch Heather Moore--stumbles through the portal...and finds herself right in the middle of a witch hunt. Heather has courageously come to Gunngar to redeem herself. But Kerr knows that if she braves it alone...she will die. He must somehow send her back through the portal. And it's not long before a collision of truth, love and duty complicates Kerr's mission by forcing him to choose sides: should he save this forbidden love or protect his honor?

Lori Devoto is amazingly gifted. This gal's got talent like nobody's business but mine... & yours ;). Dark Crusade is the Fourth in Devoti's Unbound series & held me absolutely spellbound! I was living Heather's life & was mesmerized by the wickedly delicious Kerr. Kerr definitely appeared three dimensional thanks to Devoti's flawless characterization. Brava, Ms. Devoti!

Heather Moore is a witch who was exiled from the human world to Gunngar for her role in helping to overthrow the Garm Council. She must count on Kerr, a garm (wolf shapeshifter) for protection from a malicious elf named Marina ~ who wants all witches dead.

Did I mention that the scrumptious Kerr is a wolf shapeshifter?! *Whistle* I am just lovin' the call of the wild & all of nature's beauty ;-)! Ha~ha.

Devoti's alternate world is scintillatingly vibrant & teeming w/ pulse pounding excitement!

Devoti created an unscrupulous cast of characters that will leave you wanting to take them on yourself! She painted them effortlessly w/ a cimmerian & sinister veneer!

Now, let me say the sexual tension... is beyond sizzling! Shameless!

Dark Crusade is definitely a captivating read packed in under 300 pages... so, my suggestion? Grab the entire Unbound series!

Hurry & grab your copy of Dark Crusade:

Read Excerpt

Amazon

Barnes & Noble

Books~A~Million

Check out Lori's website here!

About Lori:

Lori Devoti worked for three different newspapers in two different states before deciding to stay home with her children and begin writing fiction. The author of urban fantasy, contemporary romance and paranormal romance, Lori has been a finalist for many awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award. She lives near Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and children as well as two dogs.

Visit Diane @ her blog The Book Resort

Unbound by Lori Devoti

Series: Unbound Book 1

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Copyright: 2007

Pages: 288

Rating: 5

Synopsis:

Risk Leidolf was a hellhound--a legendary, otherworldly creature who was both man and beast. For centuries, he'd been bound to do the bidding of a cruel witch queen. But after being ordered to destroy novice witch Kara Shane, the man within him rebelled. And the beast within him was held at bay--for now.

Fiercely drawn to each other, Risk and Kara soon formed a passionate alliance as they set out to find her missing sibling--and the key to his salvation. For the power unleashed by the twin witches could free him from the witch queen's bondage. But that freedom came at a steep price. For the fierce battle would put more than one soul at stake--and two hearts on the line!

Review:

Oh, my word... please pass me a hose to cool off. Risk is one sexy beast ;)!

Unbound was a tough one to put down... so I didn't. I devoured it in one sitting & wanted more. Devoti definitely knows how to bring the sizzle. HOT!

Devoti's romance is not the cavity inducing sugar infused rot that makes your stomach churn peppering the shelves of late. Devoti sparkles & shines as she unfolds the tender layers of what it is to be loved, feel loved & luxuriate in love's delicious sumptuousness. *Sigh*

Devoti's characters are intricate, three dimensional beings that leap from the page. The players are a delectable blend of rugged & vile ~ Devoti really can scribe an expansive array of characters w/o losing sight of the journey she wants them to travel.

Devoti's cast is simply vibrant. Risk Leidolf is a Hellhound ~ a shapeshifter who can change from man to menacing dog. At the tender age of eight, Risk was sold to Lusse, a malicious witch who has enslaved & forced Risk to do horrific things. Risk only knows suffering, bitterness & fury. Despite the torture thrust upon him, Risk has a kindness about him that truly radiates. Risk is absolutely breathless! Gotta love a hero w/a wounded soul. * Silly grin*

Risk & Kara = dynamite! Fourth of July has nothing on these two, spicy noodles!

Unbound kicks off the series w/ explosives... They definitely bring the sizzle!

Hurry & grab a copy of Unbound & than grab the rest of the Unbound series!

Read an Excerpt

Check out Lori's website here!

Amazon

About Lori:

Lori Devoti worked for three different newspapers in two different states before deciding to stay home with her children and begin writing fiction. The author of urban fantasy, contemporary romance and paranormal romance, Lori has been a finalist for many awards including the Romantic Times Reviewers Choice Award. She lives near Madison, Wisconsin with her husband and children as well as two dogs.

Visit Diane @ her blog The Book Resort

Moon Called by Patricia Briggs

Series: Mercedes Thompson Book 1

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Copyright: 2006

Pages: 288

Rating:

Mercy Thompson's life is not exactly normal. Her next-door neighbor is a werewolf. Her former boss is a gremlin. And she's fixing a VW bus for a vampire. But then, Mercy isn't exactly normal herself.

Urban Fantasy fans and blogging friends have been nagging encouraging me to read a Patricia Brigg's novel for quite a while and while I may be a latecomer to the Briggs' party, I say... better late than never. Moon Called was an enjoyable introduction to the Mercy Thompson series. Briggs manages to create an interesting world with a myriad of supernatural creatures while maintaining a character-driven, well paced story. 

Narrator Mercedes, (Mercy for short) is a coyote shifter, a rare 'walker' raised by a werewolf pack. Mercy is a really likeable character; a mechanic with a thriving business, independent, capable, and comfortable in her own skin. She's kick-ass but not invinceable, she stands up to the dominant, testosterone laden men in her life but knows when to keep quiet; in other words Mercy is smart!

Adam Hauptman, alpha of the local werewolf pack and Mercy's next door neighbour, is a great character. Charismatic, menacing, adoring and protective father to daughter Jesse and although he hides behind brusqueness and sarcasm it was obvious to me that he liked Mercy. This excerpt will give you an idea of the relationship between the two and the antagonistic humour much in evidence throughout the novel.

I noticed the cat-carrier sitting on my porch as soon as I got out of the car.

My cat, Medea, gave me a plaintive yowl, but I picked up the note taped to the top of the carrier and read it before I let her out.

Ms Thompson, it said in heavy block letters, Please keep your feline off my property. If I see it again, I will eat it.

The note was unsigned.

I undid the latch and lifted the cat up and rubbed my face in her rabbit-like fur.

"Did the mean-old werewolf stick the poor kitty in the box and leave her?" I asked.

While there is only the slightest hint of romance in Moon Called (yep slightly disappointing) my hope is that things heat up between Adam and Mercy in Blood Bound. The relationship between Mercy and former lover werewolf Samuel is a complicated one, and while it seems the pair still have feelings for each other, my heart is set on Adam getting the girl in this 'claytons' love-triangle.

Pack politics, folklore, killings, kidnapping, conspiracies, intrigue, a sprinkling of magic, Moon Called was an action-packed paranormal who-dun-it. I will definitely be continuing on with the series and I'm looking forward to reading book 2, Blood Bound.

At present the author has been contracted for seven Mercy novels but it is possible the series will go longer. Visit Patricia Briggs' website HUROG to find out more about this author and her work.

Visit Teddyree at her blog The Eclectic Reader

The Sunday Post

Hi all!

I hope you've all had a wonderful week in Blogland and that all our friends over the water had a lovely Thanksgiving. In Australia, we've just hit our first week of Summer and can already tell it's going to be a hot one - so you can bet we'll be spending the next few months camped under our air conditioners reading snow-themed books for the Winter Challenge and fantasising of a white Christmas. It's a common dream here in Aus to want to experience a white Christmas in a crisp, cold climate. I wonder though, do people living in the Northern Hemisphere dream of escaping to the sunshine at Christmas time? Do you imagine what Santa would look like in a pair of board shorts?

You can expect this week on Royals to be as HOT as an Aussie Summer as we review some of the best shape-shifter/paranormal novels the fiction world has to offer. Shifter Week will feature temperature-raising reviews by Queen of Second Chances, Moody Countess and Empress of Good and Evil and is sure to be one for Team Jacob fans (and who isn't Team Jacob?).

We've now finished posting all our challenges - and my were there a few of them! We hope that there will be one or two that everyone will enjoy. Some of these have found a new home on Royal Reviews after making their way from J.Kaye's Book Blog, some are all new and others are Royal Review favourites.

Here's a list of the challenges we're running on Royals in 2010:

- 1st in a Series Challenge
- The 2nd Challenge
- Audiobook Challenge
- EBook Challenge
- Fantasy Challenge
- Finish that Series Challenge
- Wish I'd Read That Challenge
- Historical Fiction Challenge
- Romance Challenge
- Winter Challenge

If you're anything like me you'll struggle with choosing just a handful to participate in and maybe complete one...or two if you're lucky. If you're anything like Queen of Happy Endings, you'll enter over a dozen and complete them all, some twice over. One place that I can't recommend highly enough if you're searching for that perfect challenge is a blog called A Novel Challenge. The ladies that run this site do an amazing job of listing and indexing all the current and upcoming challenges in blogland. If you're planning on running a challenge, you can submit it to them and they'll post about it on their site.

***GIVEAWAY ALERT***

Ibeeeg from Mom-Musings is hosting a giveaway of When You Went Away by Michael Baron to all Royal Reviews challenge participants. So if you've signed up for one of our challenges and want to win a copy, head on over to Ibeeeg's blog from tomorrow to enter. Her fantastic review was enough to convince us to read it!

We're also hosting a December giveaway for Royal Reviews challenge participants. The winner will be able to choose one of four fantastic novels to kick start their 2010 challenges. You can enter here.

On a personal note, Alaine - Queen of Happy Endings had some minor surgery on Friday and we wish her all the best for a speedy recovery. Alaine does practically all the behind-the-scenes work for Royal Reviews so while she's recovering, the Empress of Good and Evil and myself will be answering the emails etc (and wondering how on earth Alaine gets it all done!)

Okay, now go grab your waterbottle and sit by the fan as we launch a steamy Shifter week!

See you next Sunday,
Annie

Giveaway Alert - December Competition

This month we're running a competition for anyone who joins a Royal Reviews Challenge before 1st January 2009. Every challenge you enter and sign up with (using Mr. Linky on the challenge post page) will gain you one entry. Here's a list of the 10 challenges you can enter with us in 2010:

- 1st in a Series Challenge
- The 2nd Challenge
- Audiobook Challenge
- EBook Challenge
- Fantasy Challenge
- Finish that Series Challenge
- Wish I'd Read That Challenge
- Historical Fiction Challenge
- Romance Challenge
- Winter Challenge

The lucky winner will have the option of choosing from one of the following books:

The Endless Forest by Sara Donati
The final novel in Sara Donati's 'Into the Wilderness' Series. Readers of Diana Gabaldon will appreciate Donati's attention and the romance-centric plot of these epic historical novels. Set in the American Frontier during the early 1800's, this highly-anticipated novel is set to be an explosive end to an incredible series.
Recommended for the Finish that Series Challenge or the Historical Fiction Challenge

Bed of Roses by Nora Roberts
Nora Roberts is the modern day maestro of romance and at least 3 of the Royal Reviewers have fallen head-over-heels for her Bride Quartet series. Bed of Roses is the 2nd novel in the series and a wonderful, feel-good tale. This series can only be likened to a really good chick flick. If you're looking for something modern and light-hearted to give you that typical romance novel high then this is a great choice.
Recommended for the Romance Challenge or The 2nd Challenge

A Touch of Dead by Charlaine Harris (Audiobook or Kindle Version)
If you're a fan of the Sookie Stackhouse series then you can't miss this collection of Sookie short stories starring Sookie herself and a slew of your other favourite characters. If you pick this novel, then you can choose to have it in Audio or EBook format. If you haven't listened to any of these on audio then you'll be in for a real treat - the voice actress is simply superb!
Recommended for the Audiobook Challenge or the EBook Challenge

Soulless by Gail Carriger
This novel has received plenty of good buzz in blog land but my favourite description of it so far is: 'Buffy meets Jane Austen in this wickedly funny debut novel.' Soulless is a brand of fantasy known as steam-punk - which in my understanding is pretty much a fantasy twist on the Victorian Era. In the case of Soulless, the author has created a Victorian world full of tea-drinking, manners, parasols, vampires and werewolves. If you're looking for a fantasy novel that's a little bit different and a whole-lot fun then join the throng of fans of this debut author.
Recommended for the 1st in a Series Challenge or the Fantasy Reading Challenge

HERE'S HOW TO ENTER:

1) Just leave a comment on this post with an email address for an entry ~ no email, no entry ~ and list which challenges you have signed up for and which book you'd like to win. You will gain 1 entry for each challenge you have signed up for.

2) Competition is open to followers of this blog (if you're not a follower then click on the follow button in the right hand column.) No extra entries will be offered for tweets or posts this time around as the competition is restricted to challenge participants only.

4) Competition is open internationally.

5) Competition ends Friday 1st January 2010, winner will be announced on this blog in the Sunday Post that week.

Good luck!

Fantasy Reading Challenge

This challenge has moved but you can sign up for it here.

E-Book Reading Challenge

This challenge has been moved so you can sign up here.

Audio Book Reading Challenge

This challenge has been moved so please sign up here.

Romance Reading Challenge

This challenge has been moved but you can still sign up for it here.

Finish That Series Challenge

This challenge has been moved so you can sign up for it here.

2nd Reading Challenge

This challenge has been moved so please sign up here.

1st in a Series Challenge

This challenge has been moved so please sign up here.

Wish I'd Read That Challenge

This challenge has moved but you can still sign up here.