Ready Reader Reviews

Exiled by L. Rosario

2009-04-24T21:54:00.000-07:00

Title: Exiled
Author: L. Rosario
Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Nadia has loved her master for a century, ever since he saved her by turning her into a vampire. But he never returned the emotion. Now he has claimed another as his queen, and demands that Nadia swear fealty to her, which Nadia refuses to do. She is exiled from the coven, forced to leave her beloved blood servants and find her own way in the world. She soon runs into a gorgeous male stripper who turns her already topsy-turvy life upside down.

I thoroughly enjoyed L. Rosario's novel, the first one I've read of hers. Although this book wasn't the first of the series, it was a stand alone novel, which I could follow very well. I actually felt Nadia's pain at being forced to leave the coven and those she held close to her heart. Her fear of being alone and vulnerable was very real.

The pages smoked off my new Sony Reader when she paired up with Daniel, the male stripper. But not only that, but the deep emotional ties Rosario created between these two characters is a bond I won't forget. Daniel is a hero in every sense of the word, for he is the only one who believes in her, who sees inside her soul when others only see her at face value. Nadia comes full circle and has real character growth at the end.

I totally recommend Exiled, and I look forward to reading the others I have missed, as well as future novels from L. Rosario!

Ciao,

Candy
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Review: Immortal Danger by Cynthia Eden

2009-04-08T21:29:00.000-07:00

Immortal Danger

Written by Cynthia Eden

Reviewed by Candy Ready

Maya Black is a woman with a dark and painful past. A cop in her human life, she was attacked and forced into vampirism five years ago. Now she haunts the streets, keeping to her cop code, killing vampires who hurt humans. She meets the hero when she's out for revenge against an older, more powerful L10 vampire who attacked her day watcher.

Using her cop fighting techniques as well as her superpowers, she manages to kill the L10. She doesn't want anything to do with the hero, who has sought her help in finding his niece who was kidnapped by a group of particularly savage vampires. But when she hears the victim is a girl of only eight years old, it hits an emotional chord with her, because nobody was there to save Maya when she was young.

Adam Brody despises all vampires. In fact, for years he has hunted and killed the creatures. So he can't believe he's attracted to Maya. But she is different from the others. Under her tough exterior is a tender, bruised heart with a valor that rivals his own. As they search for the girl, and fight one battle after another, he realizes he is beginning to care for her--a lot. But he has a secret. When she discovers exactly what he is, will she run from him in horror?

This is a powerful story, and very unique from other vampire stories-- with werewolves, druids, chameleons and dragons. Be sure you have a lot of time, because once you start reading it, you won't want to put it down. And Maya is so tough, so brave, but with such a caring, vulnerable side to her. But she hides it with her cocky smile and her tough talk. I loved how she called him 'Slick' when she wanted to keep her emotional distance from him, but called him Adam when they made love. (And whew, such smokin' hot scenes!) Maya is the epitome of a tortured heroine! You will find yourself rooting for her all the way. This is a book that you will remember for a long time to come. Bravo, Ms. Eden!

To read Cynthia's interview and excerpts on Immortal Danger, click here.

The Witch's Beast by Kiki Howell

2009-04-06T07:58:00.000-07:00

The Witch's Beast

By Kiki Howell

Reviewed by Jade Edmore

I loved Kiki Howell's sexy, erotic version of Beauty and the Beast, The Witch's Beast. Ms. Howell hooked me right away with the witch, Seraphina, flying into a rage caused by Prince Amir's brutal rejection of her. Tying in her tumultuous emotions with the violent storm set the scene for how strong her love and sexual desire for the Prince is and therefore how vicious her revenge. Seraphina's spells and Wiccan beliefs were woven throughout the story in a way that has me believing in her powers and being glad I'm not the one falling victim to her whims.

Ms. Howell has created a sympathetic heroine, because after all, who hasn't done impulsive things for love? Who wouldn't want to be able to cast love spells to have their lover at their beck and call, panting for them? This reader would. I'm not certain I could be trusted with magic skills of any sort, but Seraphina has a grasp on the realities of tampering with nature and a genuine remorse for hurting the Prince and then using her powers for her own selfish desires.

Kiki Howell wove an emotionally as well as a physically sensual story. I'm certain we can all look forward to more well written, erotic stories from her. ~Jade Edmore