Fire Burn and Cauldron Bubble by HP Mallory

 Very fun book to read as the October haunting hours are near.  Witches, Warlocks, and Vampires should be scary, but a light twist to their style gives us a feeling that they aren't so bad, even if you're not sure about trusting them.

Jolie Wilkens has a unique gift of seeing and raising the dead. She has a psychic boutique in L.A., but the funds aren't as plentiful as she'd like.  Rand Balfour, powerful Warlock, is the one who discovers Jolie's ability as not only a psychic, but also a witch and he wants her on his side for a battle of the Witches.

Witches have a powerful sexual attraction.  Jolie feels it with Rand, but if she works for him against the dark side of witches, they can't date.  Other Warlocks on their side, or maybe not, attract Jolie, too.  

Not sure what to do when Rand insists Jolie move to his mansion half way across the world to work, she befriends and questions whether to date other Warlocks since Rand holds back affection.  She'll show him that she isn't going to be a hermit in his home.

the war among the witches is for the power of Jolie, and she must trust herself and the gorgeous Rand to keep her on the good side.  She'd prefer it to be on the good side of his bed in addition! 

Serafina and the Silent Vampire (Serafina's Book One) by Marie Treanor

Everyone thinks vampires are big bad meanies, so I had a great read finding out how Serafina gets along with her local vampire cult.
Serafina is a local psychic in Edinburgh.  Sometimes, she makes things up just to please her customers.  But she also has real talents such as hearing vampires which do not make any sound when they speak.  
She found this out at a party for a customer where she was in charge of a fake vampire attack.  Although, in the end of the party it wasn't so fake.  She met Blair, the local head vampire.
Blair is gorgeous and seductive, but could also kill her with one bite and he doesn't.
The first thing in common between Serafina and Blair happens to be a group of young vampires intruding on his territory, using unconventional vampire skills, and murdering the son of Sera's client.  They can help each other, no matter how irritating the union is.
That is until the attraction must be tested in a highly physical and satisfying way.
Back and forth from irritation to seduction, Sera and Blair come to a compromise that might just be a heart's delight!

Happy reading,
Dawn

Don't Rush Me by Jackie May

Did you ever have that queasy feeling when someone says they “wish they could read your mind”?  I wouldn’t want to know what everyone else is thinking and certainly would not want them to peer into my thoughts.

Nora Jacobs doesn’t have family, friends, or a lover for this purpose alone.  If she touches someone, she can instantly know what they’re thinking.  Sometimes it’s mundane, sexual, or a madman at work.  She’s a simple human with underworld powers.  Best to stay away from all.

It seems that everyone is interested in her, though.  Her neighbor starts it all with constantly wanting to get a piece of her, so the sorcerer who doesn’t trust his magic tries to help her.  The neighbor, Xavier, is someone to stay away from while Ollie’s a good guy.

When Parker, a vampire, insists on her help along with his sire Henry, Nora doesn’t have much choice, but to obey.  Granted Henry, the head vampire, wants more from her, and so does Parker.  Parker is probably a good guy and Henry is a trying for a mate.

Let’s not forget the trolls. Terrence may look mean and act grumpy, but he’s lined up with the good underworlders.

Many of the men in Nora’s life want her either for help in finding missing underworlders, as a friend, as a conquest, or as their girlfriend.  It’s a complicated scenario, but Nora knows which is which.  Eventually!

Have a great read,

Dawn

  

Sin and Chocolate by K.F. Breene

Perfect first read for the year!  aren’t we supposed to give up our sins and forget about chocolate?  No way!

Alexis lives between the cracks of paranormal and “normal” people.  She has no idea of her powers because all she thinks about is making ends meet and caring for the two teenagers she unofficially adopted.  She’s more like their sister, only ten years older than them, but she’s the one in charge of the roof over their head and the meager food she manages to bring home.  And to keep Mordecai alive.  He has a paranormal fatal disease which requires expensive meds.  Daisy, she’s just a simple human girl with nothing but her strong personality and this makeshift family.

I love Alexis’s character!  She says it like it is and doesn’t scrub her words clean.  She’s thoughtful and would do anything for her kids.

Demigod Kieran has no idea who he almost ran over (on purpose) in his haste to get through the bad side of town.  Alexis doesn’t let him off easily.  He needs his superiority put in its place.   A few choice words and she gives him an earful.

Something about her masked beauty, under the grubby clothes and uncombed blond hair, causes Kieran to take a little care instead of driving off in a hurry. 

Alexis has more under her skin than she’s letting on, or knows about.  He’ll find out.  He’ll find out that he desperately needs her. 

Kieran is haunted by the death of his mom and no known psychic can seem to let her cross to the other side.  Now he’s also haunted in a different way by Alexis, and he uses his influence and powers to stalk her in an unthreatening and secret manner.

That’s where he finds her at a paranormal fair.  Alexis reads tarot cards for people she can persuade to give her a chance.  Just for the extra money to survive.  She doesn’t think the bit she helps the customers is hardly worth anything, but Kieran realizes her powers.

So how can he get her to help him with his mother’s soul?  No one else has been able to.  Kieran also has access to magical medical help.  Maybe a fair trade? 

There’s a great power, feeling, or shall we call it a sexual energy between the two.  Neither understands it or is willing to try.  Or at least it takes a long time and a lot of convincing for both. 

Sometimes you just need a little shove to give the unknown a chance.  Actually, Alexis needs a big shove, but it’s a great journey to see if Kieran can help her in exchange for her helping him.  None of this comes without a tug at the heart and a kiss on the lips. 

Loved the story and will read more of K.F.Breene!

Read lots and enjoy!

Dawn     

Blood Bond Saga (1) by Helen Hardt

Vampire lust in its prime!  It’s not exactly Christmassy, but a great romance is always a gift!

I must not have read enough vampire romances lately because I wondered as I read this whether all vampires have one main topic on their minds:  lust. 

Dante somehow escaped the chains, literally, of a woman who lusted and drank his blood for ten years. You can imagine how disoriented and out of synch with the world he was.       

Erin, a third shift ER nurse finds him in a ghastly state in the blood bank of the hospital.  For some unknown reason, they both find an immediate attraction, but with a lot of difficulties being able to take advantage of it, and each other. 

Dante can’t tell her he’s a vampire.  He also needs an education on how to control his sexual urges because with love making, he’ll want to suck her blood amongst other parts!

Erin hasn’t had a boyfriend for quite a while and desperately is willing to give chase.  But he keeps “starting it,” and then cuts her off and sends her away.

She decides maybe she just needs a good old-fashioned f***.  From someone else?  Dante’s not going to like that.      

But maybe, just maybe…

And that’s where it ends.  Grrr…

Well written and a page turner, yet I was disappointed that I got hooked because the only way to find out if they enjoy carnal knowledge of one another and whether Dante has truly escaped the chains of the evil female vampire, is to buy the next book! 

I’ve run into this recently, where the reader has to continue the story in the next book, but for me as a reader, I’d like a complete story in one volume.  It seems to be the new thing.  I understand that publishers would love another sale, but when I began writing the ending was to satisfy the reader and tie up loose ends. 

Rules change. Blood Bond Saga has nine volumes.  Does that mean I have to buy (2.99 each) nine times (nearly $27) to read a whole story in ebook form??  I think that’s an upsetting realization.  I’ve spent that much on a story before, but it was hard cover and complete. 

Or do I just not like change?  Blood Bond is a great story.  I haven’t decided if I’m going to jump into the next volume to see what happens, or if I’ll just be left hanging again. 

I’m really interested to know what you think.    

Read lots and enjoy!

Dawn

The Devil's Fool by Rachel McClellan

A witch named Eve.  How charming. 
 

Yet, Eve has a long way to become a charming witch.  She sees the rage, anger, and evil of her parents.  Their actions are for power and greed, and Eve vows to not be like them. 

 A handsome vampire, Boaz, floats into her life and claims he can give her whatever she wants.  Their powers together are incredible and unstoppable.  Together, they kill and destroy just for a laugh.  And it’s intoxicating and addictive.

Eve reveals her love for Boaz.  He gives her an ultimate gift from a vampire.  This gift will create more strength in their union.

Until an elusive vampire, Lucien, gives Eve his hand for a brief, new experience.

Lucien’s touch feels safe and positive.

Eve is left in a state of confusion between her initial vow to be the opposite of her parents and the fun experienced through falling into Boaz’s trap of love and the new warm and comforting aura Lucien covers her with.

For better or worse, which angle (or vampire) does she take?

An incredible romance based on the simple theory of right and wrong, power and greed, and the distrust of anything that appears too good to be true.  And a great Halloween read!!

Happy reading,

Dawn

Witches Be Burned by Stacey Kennedy

 

Witches Be Burned is a well-crafted paranormal romance.  Initially, I wondered how I would keep all the characters straight.  There is an index of characters involved in the series.  Also, Kennedy made it easy to follow who did what. 

Kyden, a heroic and Elite Guardian, is on a mission to find out who the vampire is whom tore apart the mortals with no regard for a simple meal of blood.

Nexi, a Spirit Witch and new to the council, is Kyden’s love match.  She wants to use her powers to help find and fight the vampire.  Kyden would prefer she stay at a safe distance.

Most of the conflict is between the Good and the Bad of the Earthworld and Otherworld, yet I find little conflict between Kyden’s and Nexi’s romance other than the possibilities of them losing the battle.    

I enjoyed the multiple werewolves, witches, and other paranormal beings and their quandaries.  I would have liked more conflict in the love between Kyden and Nexi.  Although, I must say the intimate moments between Kyden and Nexi were heart racing!

 

Happy reading,

Dawn                 

Vampires evolve from creepy to hot!

Do you remember Dark Shadows? Not the movie with Johnny Depp, but the television series in the late sixties-early seventies about vampires? Barnabas Collins and Collinsport, Maine? I remember it fondly, remember stealing down to my girlfriend’s basement so neither her mother nor mine knew we were watching that fabulous soap opera. I had been forbidden to watch this and I know for a fact, my best friend at the time had been forbidden as well….and no, it didn’t stop us (as young as we were) but I digress. I do have a point so bear with me….

            

 My apologies to Mr. Frid, the star of the series, but I did not find him handsome. Actually, he frightened me so much I had nightmares about him. 

Now? How vampires have changed! Especially in books.

             

Take the Blood Warriors from Caris Roane’s Ascension series. They are, to a man, gorgeous and muscular and so beautiful and sexy, they make your heart hurt. Kerrick was the first one I fell in love with. Since then, there have been others. Many, many others. And how can I resist? How can you?

             

So what do you think? Do you prefer the vampires of old like the creepy one in Bram Stoker’s Dracula or do you prefer the newer, more handsome…and deadly…version? Me? I’ll take handsome and deadly. Oh, yeah. Definitely!

As always,

Happy Reading