Readers for Life (The Doyle 6): 2012

Saturday, November 17, 2012

Review of Night Thief by Lisa Kessler

Synopsis from book:

After the fall of the Mayan civilization, Kane, an immortal Night Walker, has taken refuge in France for over 800 years. The modern world holds little interest for him until the night he meets the Golden Thief and is robbed of much more than his pocket watch.

Marguerite Rousseau is living a double life. By day she is the assistant to an eccentric French artist, Antoine Berjon, and by night she dons elegant evening gowns to woo French dignitaries before lifting their wallets.
Sparks ignite when Kane captures the thief, but Marguerite harbors a dark secret that could ruin them both.

My Review:
Lisa Kessler has done it again. Her novella Night Thief is a great read to keep you sane until the next book (Night Demon) in the Night Series comes out in the Spring of 2013.
Marguerite Rousseau, better known as Le Voleur D'or (The golden thief), is a girl just trying to survive, and if she has to do that by stealing from the rich and elite, she’ll do that without hesitation. Getting away from her cruel and heartless “master” with her young cousin is her goal and she is bound and bent she will achieve it at all costs. She is witty, clever, stubborn and personable, even as a thief. She comes across quite likeable, with a sexy attitude that just won’t quit.
Kane Bordeaux, having been around for centuries, is intrigued immediately after seeing her swipe a gentleman’s purse. Kane is an immortal Night Walker who protects humans while keeping alive by feeding on the scourge of the earth. He is oh so much more than a vampire! He is a sweet talking, confident hunk of a man. He too has a sense of humour that makes him much more than likeable! Even though an immortal, he has retained a human sweetness, a generosity and kindness not usually inherent in one similar to a vampire.
Lisa, as usual, builds up the world and the characters with an ease that astounds me. She again sets a wonderful pace that keeps us interested but not left feeling that things were too rushed.
Woven in a historical setting, this paranormal romance will only whet your appetite for more of the Night Series.

I give Night Thief

5/5 Books
Buy this book:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Night-Thief-Series-Novella-ebook/dp/B009J7PC4O
Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-thief-lisa-kessler/1113064536?ean=2940015511499&cm_mmc=AFFILIATES-_-Linkshare-_-TnL5HPStwNw-_-10:1&r=1

Read more on Lisa Kessler on her website:
http://lisa-kessler.com/

Friday, November 16, 2012

Review of Night Walker by Lisa Kessler

Synopsis from book:
He gave up his soul for a second chance to love her...

Two and a half centuries ago, Calisto Terana lost everything when a zealous priest murdered the woman he loved. Now, desperate for another chance to love her, he wants redemption for the mistake that cost her life.

She's haunted by dreams of her own death...

After catching her fiance with another woman, Kate Bradley returns to San Diego to clear her head. The last thing she needs is romance, but after meeting Calisto she's drawn to him in ways she doesn't understand.

They've waited in the shadows for centuries...

Calisto has no doubt Kate is the reincarnation of his lost love, but the Fraternidad Del Fuego Santo has a new watcher with dark ambitions of his own. As old enemies reemerge and a new threat arises, the betrayal that enslaved Calisto to the night might destroy the only woman he's ever loved again.

My Review:
Lisa Kessler’s book Night Walker grabbed me from the start.
Kate has returned to her hometown, after her fiancée is caught with another woman and a student at that. All she wants is to be with her old friends and family, to try to get over her heartbreak. Fate has other plans though, and she meets Calisto, a very attractive and mysterious man. Kate is confused and frightened by the strong and pulling emotions Calisto makes her feel. Turns out they are both old souls, destined to be together. Life has given them yet another chance to try to get it right and be together forever. Kate, however, thinks it is too soon to be with another man, not realizing that this relationship has already been started… about 250 years ago, when they were Gregorio and Tala! Talk about setting the scene! Calisto is a Night Walker, a peaceful species, not to be confused with vampires, who are evil beings bent on the destruction of others. Calisto was made an immortal by the old one so that he could one day find Tala in her reincarnated form and love her again.
Kate is a very believable, broken hearted but wanting to be loved woman. She just has to get past her fears, which, of course, our hero will work at diligently.
The seriousness of the story is tempered with touches of humour throughout the book and it only makes it better.
Our bad guy, Jose Mentigo, also a former priest, is the guy you love to hate. His warped outlook makes him the perfect villain.
Told from the present and the past alternately throughout the book, we are able to get a better feel of what went down and what was all involved. I love the way Lisa did this. It makes what Calisto is feeling seem that much more real and believable. He is a hero of love, totally devoted to Kate from the start. This book is a very exciting whirlwind of action and emotion. The story is never rushed but moves along at a good clip, keeping you on your toes. With great character development, world building and smooth writing that flows from one page to the next, I highly recommend this book and will be looking forward to the next one in the series. It is definitely a paranormal romance for the soul.

I give Night Walker

4 1/2 /5 Books
Buy this book:

Barnes and Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-walker-lisa-kessler/1104527195?ean=9781620612316&format=paperback
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/1620612313/ref=ox_ya_os_product
Book Depository: http://www.bookdepository.com/Night-Walker-Lisa-Kessler/9781620612316?b=-3&t=-20#Fulldescription-20

Read more on Lisa Kessler on her website:
http://lisa-kessler.com/

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Night Thief ( Night Series Novella) by Lisa Kessler

Another new book out by a great author and friend, Lisa Kessler.
Check it out here:
http://www.amazon.com/Night-Thief-Series-Novella-ebook/dp/B009J7PC4O/

Help out Lisa Kessler!

Let's get Night Thief by Lisa Kessler some more votes on Goodreads!
Just click here and you'll have the page with the lists her book is on:
http://www.goodreads.com/list/book/16053496-night-thief?auto_login_attempted=true

Saturday, September 1, 2012

Great giveaway!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Sunday, July 8, 2012

Shattered Memories Review and Giveaway

You have got to check this out. Sounds like a great book. Nice giveaway included :-)

http://shatteredmemoriesreviews.com/2012/07/book-review-embrace-by-jessica-shirvington/

Monday, March 12, 2012

Review of Of Blood and Pulse by A. Jacob Sweeny

Synopsis from book:
After a rocky start, Michelle and Elliot's relationship seems to be teetering on nothing but a few fraying strings, despite the great love that they both feel for one another.
Haunted and scarred by the events of the past year, they both suffer from traumatic consequences. To complicate things even further, someone who knows far too much about Elliot shows up unexpectedly, bringing revelations that even Elliot as a 4700 year-old immortal has a hard time grasping. This visitor’s mere presence adds yet another strain to the couple’s already fragile relationship.
However before Michelle and Elliot can remedy and mend their love, they must heal themselves, and that task will not be as easy, or as safe, as it seems. Join Michelle and Elliot on an epic life-and-death adventure that will take them to the four corners of the world in search of the key to their survival.

My Review:
Of Blood and Pulse by A. Jacob Sweeny is the second book in the Pulse Myth Series and did not disappoint. It picks up where Pulse of Heroes leaves off and Michelle and Elliot continue on their journey together. Sweeny’s descriptive writing put me right back into the story without a missed beat. The lands, the history, it just comes alive! I am still in awe of the way the author manages to make the story flow while teaching me all about history. The excitement level of this book revs up the series a notch and never leaves me wanting. The romance is also advancing, at a pace that makes the story believable. No, girl meets boy, sex, sex, sex in this book! New characters are introduced and Sweeny made each one a living, breathing person to me. I find the balancing act of supernatural/paranormal world to human quite well done. You always believe in the story, the characters, and this is no easy feat. It’s the little nuances that make this story evolve so well. For example, Elliot reacts to the “we’re over” scene in a way that is so typical of how a man would react and Michelle’s reaction to Elliot’s reveal of his injury is also a typical way for a woman to react. Elliot became so much more to me in this book than the older, wiser boyfriend of Michelle. He became more real. Seeing his emotions, his attachment to Michelle and hearing more about his past lives really brought Elliot alive for me, made me feel more of a connection to him. I also liked that Michelle got to travel with Elliot in this book. It added more to the story in that she got to see Elliot in a different light. Seeing him react to others of his kind, other than the “brothers” he lives with, shows Michelle a new side of Elliot. It also allows Michelle to become deeper involved in his life instead of sitting on the sidelines of his other side. While adventure, history and excitement are definitely evident, this story, at its heart, is one of true love and this second book shows that. It brings a whole new level of romance and relationship to the table. Great job A. Jacob Sweeny, I can’t wait until the next book!

I give Of Blood and Pulse

5/5 Books

Buy this book:

Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Blood-And-Pulse-The-ebook/dp/B006455BJK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1331586222&sr=8-1

Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/of-blood-and-pulse-a-jacob-sweeny/1106964014

Sweeny's Website: http://www.pulseofheroes.com/purchase-herebooks.html

Read more on A Jacob Sweeny on her website:
http://www.pulseofheroes.com/index.html

Friday, March 2, 2012

Review of Pulse of Heroes by A. Jacob Sweeny

Synopsis from book:
Michelle used to feel that she was behind in everything, especially schoolwork and relationships.
Her great aunt from the old country says that she is like a bland meal, “no salt or pepper”. But in junior year, everything changes. Her father takes a position on the Town Council, a popular boy in school becomes interested in her and, most importantly, the Hekademos Learning Center, a private school for ‘troubled’ students, moves into her neighborhood amidst the protests of the entire town.

After seeing the School Regent out with a group of young guys just before Christmas, Michelle is convinced that there is something odd about them. Her curiosity gets the better of her and she embarks upon a mission to figure out what is really going on. After an embarrassing fall over the school wall, Michelle meets Elliot and her ordinary ‘bland’ life changes its course forever.

Elliot is no ordinary human. In fact, no one at the Hekademos Learning Center is. Beautiful and fierce, they have survived throughout the millennia by weaving in and out of human events. Through them, Michelle learns that history and myths from around the world are dotted with references to their kind. Michelle falls madly in love with the ever-striking and mysterious Elliot and, as much as he tries to fight it, he develops strong feelings for her as well. Although Elliot carries numerous painful memories from his many pasts, he disregards his own better judgment and the advice of his friends, and finds himself falling for Michelle‘s offbeat personality. Their feelings grow in intensity, but when History catches up with them, the difference between their life paths threatens to destroy any future that they might have had together.

Michelle learns that there are infinite shades of gray between black and white, and has to deal with the bundle of contradictory emotions called love. After some unexpected twists during a family trip to Europe, she has to trust her intuition in order to face the danger and uncertainty of being drawn into Elliot’s wondrous world. Ultimately, it is up to Michelle to make the split-second, life-altering decision that will either tear them apart forever, or give them another chance.

My Review:

Pulse of Heroes by A. Jacob Sweeny is the first book in the Pulse Myth Series and was quite the surprise to me. I had heard and saw many good reviews on this book so I decided to give it a try. This is not your usual boy meets girl, loves and loses girl, rescues girl story and that’s the end. This book is filled with many wonderful things. It is rich in history and transports you to other worlds through Sweeny’s vivid, descriptive writing. If you close your eyes, you ARE there; you experience all the adventures and the land that she talks about. What an accomplishment, to give me so many history lessons and have me enjoy it! Romance is abound, as is action and betrayal. Yes, Michelle is a bit of a brat, sort of immature, but what 17-year-old isn’t? As she grows and matures throughout the book she grows on you. She is young in years but her experiences help her to grow at a fast rate, after she gets past the confusion and conflicting emotions. I feel for Elliot, I mean really, I would never want to be an immortal. Living through so many deaths of those you love, seeing the horrors he’s seen and the things he’s had to live through. The worst part would be not even knowing where you came from, who and what, exactly, you are. He is very mature, not only in years but also emotionally. I really connected with Elliot. I felt that I really got to know him well. I love that the story is told from multiple POV's’ It's not only refreshing, but suprisingly fulfilling as it gives more depth to the scenes. The roller coaster ride of this book is excitement in its purest form. Your emotions will go through the whole gauntlet.
You will cry and cheer with Elliot and Michelle, scream at Haden and drool over the boys at The Hekademos Learning Center and that is just a start. Paranormal readers, Immortal lovers, History buffs and anyone that just loves a well told, plot filled story will really enjoy this book. What a great start to this series. I’m looking forward to more adventures with Michelle, Elliot and the rest of the boys.

I give Pulse of Heroes

5/5 Books

Buy this book:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Pulse-Heroes-A-Jacob-Sweeny/dp/0615414168/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1330733300&sr=8-1
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/pulse-of-heroes-ajacob-sweeny/1105098795
Sweeny's Website: http://www.pulseofheroes.com/purchase-herebooks.html

Read more about A. Jacob Sweeny on her website:
http://www.pulseofheroes.com/index.html

Saturday, February 25, 2012

The Midnight Breed Series - Review

* Warning – Extreme sexual content including graphic sex and swearing *

Books in Reading Order:
Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Crimson
Midnight Awakening
Midnight Rising
Veil of Midnight
Ashes of Midnight
Shades of Midnight
Taken by Midnight
Deeper Than Midnight
(Ebook Novella: A Taste of Midnight)
Darker After Midnight

I decided to read the entire series and then do my review. It’s a good thing I did too, as I didn’t want to stop reading once I started on them. Lara Adrian brings to life “The Order”, a group of otherworldly creatures called “The Breed” who want to save humans and other breed from the evil of their kind. Rogue’s (bloodlust breed), minions (humans depleted of almost all blood and made into mind slaves) and Drago’s (the most evil of the Breed species, who wants to rule over mankind and breed alike) make this series an action packed one.

The Men of the Breed are part human, part otherworldly. The closest thing comparable in the human world would make them known as vampires, if they were known to the world at large. Unable to walk in daylight and having to feed from human blood, these men unite to contain the evil of their kind, to keep the peace, so to speak, and they do it all in secret. The mete out their own justice when confronted with evil.

The women, most of which are known as breedmates (the only humans that can carry the offspring of the breed) will each fall in love with one of the order, doing anything in her power (breedmates each have their own special talent, as do the breed warriors) to help the order rid the world of rogues, minions and the ultimate threat.

This series, although reminiscent of the Black Dagger Brotherhood (BDB) by J.R. Ward, has a style all it’s own. The author writes fluently, keeping your interest. She gives some background to each character in his/her book. There is also more background of the world, and each character, in every consecutive book.
She sets the scenes with flair and follows through until the gripping conclusion of each situation. There were many surprises in this series, some twists and turns, and some expected scenes that were carried out well with the author’s gift of stylish writing. I like that it didn’t become repetitive even though there are a lot of books in the series. New plot twists and characters are introduced to keep it all fresh and new while still retaining the overall continuing plot. There are to be 2 more books in the series, as far as I know, and I will definitely be reading them and any more that may come after that.
I do wish that the characters had a little more fleshing out and that the relationships between characters, especially that of the male/female pairing, didn’t happen quite so fast so that it was a bit more believable. If you are looking for a good read while waiting for the next BDB book to come out, then this is a read for you. I would recommend it to anyone who likes this genre.

I give the Midnight Breed Series

4/5 Books

Buy these books:
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/s/ref=nb_sb_ss_c_1_25?url=search-alias%3Dstripbooks&field-keywords=midnight+breed+series+in+order&sprefix=midnight+breed+series+in+%2Caps%2C167
Barnes & Noble: http://www.barnesandnoble.com/s/Midnight-Breed-series-by-Lara-Adrian?store=book&keyword=Midnight+Breed+series+by+Lara+Adrian
IndieBound: http://www.indiebound.org/hybrid?filter0=Midnight+Breed+by+Lara+Adrian&x=0&y=0

Read more about Lara Adrian on her website: http://www.laraadrian.com/home.php#quiet

Wednesday, February 1, 2012

What a great V-Day Giveaway!

Not sure what you want for Valentine's Day? Here is a GREAT giveaway! I'm hoping to win but with all the entries it's going to get, I need a little luck and a little miracle working LOL
Thanks Lauren Oliver for the chance at this great prize, or, more accurately, the great prizes!

http://www.facebook.com/#!/dawnmomoffour/posts/317715828265823