Lisa Hannah Wells, Be Still My Lover's Heart

Title:  Be Still My Lover's Heart

Author:  Lisa Hannah Wells

Rating:  Five Siren Stones

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre:  Science Fiction

Keywords:  Black Rose, Aliens, Vampires, Spicy, Memory Makers Series    

Page Count:  354         

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-338-2

Price:  $5.99

ISBN For Print:  978-1-61217-337-5

Price:  $14.99 

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=5012

Reviewer:  Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

[Memory Makers - Be Still My Lover's Heart Book One]

Ethereal beauty Shea, a Lieutenant in a Universal military, has spent the last four years protecting Colony supply freighters on a small space station. If not for her partner and the hopes of a better assignment, the loss of her husband and a devastating illness would leave her little desire to live. 

That is until she meets Tempest, an alien whose species is rumored to be the origin of the vampires.  A man who makes her feel alive in ways she's never felt before.

Tempest has prayed to the Divine One for countless years for his bondmate.  Shea is his long-awaited answer and so much more.  One night will not be enough for a man who has waited a lifetime, but he is determined to make Shea his forever.

With a madman out to destroy them and certain death nipping at their heels, will Tempest and Shea outwit Remi and survive to share a future together, or die protecting all they hold dear?

Review:

Be Still My Lover's Heart is an action romance.  The story is future and space faring based and qualifies as sci-fi/fantasy romance.  It begins, right out of the gate, with a spaceship fire fight against pirates.  The action continues throughout this book at a good clip.  Fire fights, bar fights, illegal medical testing and spaceship fights dot the canvas of this story liberally.

Our heroes are Shea, a human lieutenant for the Earth government in the fight against piracy and Tempest, an 800-plus year old alien of vampiric nature.  Tempest has been waiting an eternity in loneliness to find his mate.  He finds Shea in the center of a bar fight in his establishment and knows that she is the one he has waited for.  Shea is still heart-broken from the loss of her husband a few years back and to sooth the pain, enlisted.  Together they go through the pain of bonding as true mates.

I found this book to be engaging right from the start.  It moves along at a fast pace and draws the reader in.  The characters are fully developed and the future believable.  It was a fun ride and I sailed right through it in no time.  Ms. Wells' book is a great read for both vampire fans and fans of science fiction romance.  The only criticism I might make is that after travelling with them on their journey of discovery through so many adventures, it seemed to end a bit abruptly.  I would have liked to see another chapter of closure.  All in all, a great read.

T. Sue VerSteeg, Secrets of the Sapphires

 Title:  Secrets of the Sapphires 

Author:  T. Sue VerSteeg

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Keywords:  Black Rose, CIA, Vampires, Shape-Shifters

Page Count:  268       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-180-7

Price:  $5.25

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-179-1 

Price:  $12.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=4878

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Nia Brooks entered the CIA to get to the bottom of her parents' deaths. Joining the Paranormal Division, she learns to fend for herself after dealing with prejudice, not to mention the vampires and shifters. Paired with an egotistical agent, the bloodsuckers and hairy boys don't seem so bad. 

Garrett Van Deren has his own agenda behind joining the CIA. When his dead partner's body disappears without a trace, Garrett knows the vampire underground is responsible and the Paranormal Division offers him answers. He slams head first into a roadblock when he meets his new partner. A hundred pounds soaking wet, he'll be babysitting instead of tracking down the killer. 

Tossed back in time by a mysterious white sapphire, two headstrong agents must learn to trust one another while they search for a way back to the Twenty-First Century and the people responsible for the rift in time.

Review:

In a world so different from ours, shape-shifters are known and roam around.  There's a special division in the CIA devoted to all things paranormal.  Nia Brooks is a part of that, fueled by deaths of family members.  Garrett is driven by a similar reason.

Secrets of the Sapphire is a paranormal, time travel, suspense, and adventurous story.  I was blown away at how the story lines blended so well and kept me reading.  I'd love to read more stories like this.  I found myself very intrigued by the characters and the plot.  And wow, what twists and turns that there were I never saw coming. 

Rebecca Cline, R.A.V.E.N. (Vampire Eradication Network)

Title:  R.A.V.E.N. (Vampire Eradication Network)

Author:  Rebecca Cline

Rating:  Five Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords:  Vampires, Shape-Shifters, Black Rose, Spicy 

Page Count:  400       

ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-229-3

Price:  $5.99

ISBN for Print:  978-1-61217-228-6 

Price:  $16.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=195&products_id=4920

Reviewer:  Rhonda J Callum-King

Blurb/Summary:

Kachina Raven is a Reconnaissance Agent for the Vampire Eradication Network.  One night while escaping a murderous cult of vampire wannabes, she meets Kael.  There is an immediate attraction but she knows there is something odd about him. 

He has some very unusual skills and abilities.  She’s sure he isn’t a vampire but knows he’s no ordinary human either.

She knows she’ll always be stalked by vampires and doesn’t want to put anyone else at risk by having a relationship with them. Her life is further complicated by the relentless pursuit of a homeland security agent.

Kael is an alpha male used being the protector but Raven makes it clear she can fight her own battles. He’s frustrated by her refusal to acknowledge the strength of the attraction between them and is determined to have her as his mate.

Review:

Kachina Raven is a tall Native American beauty who works for the Vampire Eradication Network, otherwise known as VEN.  She is an enhanced human with nearly vampiric abilities herself.  Her job is reconnaissance for the VEN.  While on a recon mission without her backup, she is injured severely and ducks into a biker bar to blend with the crowd.  While there, she meets Kael.

Kael also appears to be doing some recon of his own in the bar.  He's waiting for a pretty long haired girl.  Is Kachina the girl?  It seems not, but he can't be sure.  From the moment they meet, sparks fly.  But Kachina is not truly full human and can't share her secrets with Kael.  She also doesn't fully trust him.  He moves too fast, seems too strong and knows things he shouldn't.  No one can hear that well.  Is he one of the hated vampires, a lurker, or something else?  Kachina doesn't know.

This book is well written and keeps you reading late into the night.  A long novel, it moves right along and keeps you turning pages.  Clearly this book is meant as the beginning of a series.  It introduces many characters and develops most of them fully.  I did think it ended a bit abruptly after 400 pages of detailed descriptions, but it leaves you waiting for the next book to continue the tale of life in the VEN.

How will Kachina and Kael blend their lives?  Will Killer hookup with a pack member or the Homeland Security agent who has a thing for her?  Where has Taven been sneaking off to?  Is Kachina's brother Palin actually a “good vampire”?  These are all questions I await the answers of in later instalments.  Any lover of the paranormal, urban fantasy genre will love this book.

Elle Hill, Hunted Past

Title:  Hunted Past

Author:  Elle Hill

Rating:  Four Siren Stones

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Keywords:  Black Rose, Vampire, Spice, Graphic Language, Violence

Word Count:  74,375     

ISBN E-Book:  1-60154-983-0

Price:  $6.25

ISBN for Print:  978-1601549839

Price:  $13.99

Publisher:  The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link:  http://www.thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=4662

Reviewer:  Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Serena O’Donnell, a healer, copes with depressed and suicidal patients dealing with past tragedies. She lives a quiet and safe life, comfortable in the thought she is free to define her own path. Suddenly a random phone call tumbles her existence into a fantasy realm peopled with warring superhuman beings who seem to know more about her than she does.

Gabriel, a Field Psychic, is committed to protecting Serena but in the process discovers he wants to be more than her bodyguard. Serena and Gabriel team up to discover why she has earned the secret warriors' attention and explore Serena’s past for clues.

Their journey becomes one of self-discovery, healing, and the slow burn of unexpected passion. The answers they find could bond them in love or forever tear them apart.

Review:

Fast paced, dark and riveting, Hunted Past delves into a world of paranormal that is sure to delight readers of the genre.  Serena and Gabriel make a strong leading couple, and their path to a HEA is filled with plenty of action, angst, and emotion.

Elle Hill has created an enchanting world that captivated me from the start.  The story doesn't have a lagging moment in it, and the twists and turns within the plot kept the pages turning.  While this book has some graphic language and violence in it, it's nothing that's over the top.  I enjoyed reading it and would look for more from Elle Hill in the future. 

Faith V. Smith, Gideon's Heart

Title: Gideon's Heart

Author: Faith V. Smith

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Black Rose, Vampire, Spicy

Page Count: 308

ISBN E-Book: 1-60154-934-2

Price: $6.75

ISBN for Print: 978-1601549341

Price: $14.99

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=4407

Reviewer: Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Bound By Blood, The Legends

Every night detective Gideon Hawks walks a dangerous beat through the streets of Savannah, but when he meets Katheryne Alastair, he discovers a new threat...this one to his heart. Her delicate, sensual features and old-fashioned clothing lead him to believe she is homeless. Against his better judgment, he takes her home.

Katheryne, a vampire ready to end her existence, lies in wait for the approaching sunrise. But when the handsome detective attempts to help her, she finally finds peace within her heart. The heat of his touch triggers a blood lust she’s kept dormant for centuries. Is it possible Gideon is her soul mate?

When Gideon is mortally wounded, Katheryne cannot let him die. If she turns him, will he forgive her, or worse, walk away? Or will the eternal love she holds for him end the suffering of her centuries-old vampiric curse?

Review:

Gideon = Yummy.

I had to get that out there right now. This is a great story, and I fell in love with Gideon immediately! He's got a protective streak a mile long, but of course with him being a cop, that's natural. He's gentle, loving....Okay, am I going on and on about him now? All right, well the other great parts of this book...

All lead back to Gideon! Okay, in all seriousness, Gideon's Heart is a great book! I highly enjoyed it (if you couldn't tell by my gushing over Gideon). Katheryne is an infringing heroine, and her dilemma and attraction with Gideon keeps the pages turning.

This is a first time read for me by Faith V. Smith, and I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys paranormal and vampires.

Brenda Huber, Cravings

Title: Cravings

Author: Brenda Huber

Rating: Three And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Black Rose, Vampire, Werewolf, Spicy

Page Count: 364

ISBN E-Book: 1-60154-866-4

Price: $7.00

ISBN for Print: 978-1601548665

Price: $14.99

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://thewildrosepress.com/index.php?main_page=product_info&cPath=177_136&products_id=4319

Reviewer: Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

Dr. Kate O’Rourke has dedicated her life to her career, leaving little time for personal relationships. When a secret admirer begins showering her with attention, Kate begins to fear for her safety. Then a gorgeous mystery man moves into the apartment next door, and Kate unexpectedly finds herself with a few dangerous cravings of her own. Bizarre things are happening all around her, and the world as Kate knows it unravels at the seams. The only thing she is certain of is that her seductive new neighbor seems to be the key to unlocking the puzzling riddle that has become her life.

Coerced into assisting the Task Force for Rogue Apprehension, Styx temporarily relocates under an assumed identity. Without warning, the Rogue he is hunting…aptly dubbed the Collector…steps outside his modus operandi and fixates on a beautiful ER doctor. Styx insinuates himself into her life in hopes of stopping the killer. But all too quickly, the killer isn’t the only one obsessing over the irresistible doctor. Shocking disclosures soon come to light about the woman Styx has been assigned to protect, and dark secrets from Styx’s past come back to haunt him, putting Kate in jeopardy. If he refuses to break an old vow, Kate’s life could hang in the balance…but if he goes back on his word, Styx just might kill her himself.

Review:

This book is a dark paranormal. In the first few chapters, it gets a little difficult to follow the storyline, but gets better in time. Then I found myself getting into the story, other than a few distractions. Kate O'Rourke is a great heroine and we, the reader, learn about her as the story goes on. Styx is quite interesting, dark and intense, all around a good leading hero for the story. There's plenty of mystery and suspense, and the romance is hot.

Other than the storyline wavering and at times it has far too much back-story or narrative, I found Cravings to be enjoyable.

If you like dark fantasy/paranormal, Brenda Huber's Cravings could keep you up in the wee hours of the night.

J.A. Saare, Crimson Moon

Title: Crimson Moon

Author: J.A. Saare

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Sub-Genre: Urban Fantasy

Keywords: Sensual, Black Rose, Vampires, Werewolf

Page Count: 348

ISBN E-Book: 1-60154-731-5

Price: $7.00

ISBN For Print: 978-1601547316

Price: $14.99

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/crimson-moon-p-4083.html

Reviewer: Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

An average morning is what Emma Johnson envisions when she visits Joe’s Café for a steaming cup of coffee. But the world isn't the place she imagined it to be, and neither is she…

After Emma is rescued from a horde of bloodthirsty creatures, she discovers she is the daughter of a powerful Vampire from the House Deviard, her rescuer, Caleb, having been sent to see her safely home. For Caleb is also unique, a werewolf procured to protect the royal Vampiric bloodlines from harm - but nothing more.

Soon, the undeniable connection Emma and Caleb share evolves beyond attraction into something unexpected. When she is forced to make a choice, what path will she take - vampire or wolf?

Review:

Crimson Moon is an adventurous paranormal/urban fantasy with romance. It starts off with Emma, thinking it's an ordinary day, when the UN-ordinary happens. The things she always believed to be true were in fact, not true, and that changed her life that day.

I found Crimson Moon to be fast paced, action packed, and quite thrilling. The characters were well created, a moving plot and all around an enjoyable read.

This was my first read from J.A. Saare, but surely won't be my last. Readers, if you're looking for a good paranormal/urban fantasy read, then Crimson Moon might be what you are looking for.

Tara Nina, Night Ranger's Moon (The Lykoians Series)

Title: Night Ranger's Moon (The Lykoians Series)

Author: Tara Nina

Rating: Three And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Black Rose, Shape-Shifter

Page Count: 238

ISBN E-Book: 1-60154-800-1

Price: $6.00

ISBN For Print: 978-1601548009

Price: $11.99

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/night-rangers-moon-p-4200.html

Reviewer: Lisa Fitzpatrick

Blurb/Summary:

Weylin Anthropos is a Lykoian with anger issues and a demon in his past that haunts his soul. He’s a Night Ranger, one of the elite protector’s of the Lykoian clans. Without the backing of the council, Weylin sets out to find his brother. The trail leads him to Mississippi and a village that many Lykoians would rather forget. Ghosts of the past linger on these hallowed grounds but are disturbed by an intruder…an enemy from his ancestry. One he must face and defeat if he is to survive and find his brother.

Long and lethal, a charcoal gray wolf from an unfamiliar clan interferes in his surveillance. Her presence toys with his mind, body, and soul. Where did she come from? How did she find him? And most of all, what did she want?

Review:

Following another brother from the Anthropos family of werewolves, Night Ranger's Moon concentrates on Weylin, and his mission to find his youngest brother, Nick, who has gone missing while on a mission, set by the pack Council.

The first half the book is essentially a romance story; and Tara pitches the growing attraction between Weylin and Zeva at the right level. Neither character is at a place in their lives where they want a soul mate, let alone have it interfere with their respective missions.

As always, that true twin flame attraction wins out and together they face the threat of Leopold, one they believed to have been neutralized years before. The love scenes between the two as they come to terms with their new found bond are highly intimate, but not overtly coarse or crude.

The second half of the story further explores Leopold’s drive for survival, and the interbred abomination he seems to have become, half vampire, half werewolf, all twisted. Although the two ‘halves’ of the story deal with different aspect of the whole, there is enough intertwining to make the story flow, and at no point did I feel like they were disjointed.

I’d be happy to read other books in this series.

Marie Kenward, Dark Promises

Title: Dark Promises

Author: Marie Kenward

Rating: Four Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Vampires, Black Rose

Page Count: 402 pages

ISBN For Print: 1-60154-775-7

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/dark-promises-p-4098.html

Reviewer: Lisa Fitzpatrick

Blurb/Summary:

Sometimes being good is bad. Three-hundred-year-old vampire Alexi Dugas knows everything there is to know about evil. After all, for centuries he's walked a tightrope between his blood-thirst and his humanity. When he inadvertently rescues a young woman from his former clansmen, he must decide once and for all if he's more man than beast, for Sarah Hennessy carries a weapon that can forever alter the delicate balance of power in his dark world. Now, after living in the shadows and surviving in those shades of gray, Alexi must finally choose which side of the battle he's on. Unfortunately, doing the wrong thing will cost him Sarah's love. But, doing the right thing might just cost her life.

Review:

Sarah is just a perfectly normal girl, with a good friend, Charles who likes exploring exotic places, and often ends up sending her trinkets and gifts from his travels. The latest parcel though, a book and a Celtic cross necklace has her stumped. Is there more to this than meets the eye? Why is some pale maniac, complete with a giant sword, insistent that she has something he wants?

Cue entry into the middle of a feud in a strange world, peppered with darkness, with a man she has never met before, so how come she knows his soul?

The initial antagonism between Alexi and Sarah, as they both struggle to understand what is between them is intriguing, and compels the reader to find out why they have such chemistry. Is it simply lust, or something much deeper, born from their past?

Vampires are treated, as exactly they should be, sexy as hell, but essentially as dangerous predators. Although Dark Promises is jam packed with characters and a complex plot with more twists and turns than the local maze, at no point does it become confusing keeping track of who said what. Some errors are inevitable in books of this length, but good editing keeps them to a minimum.

I’d read this again as a print book though, rather than an e-book, mainly due to the length (402 pages).

Overall, a great read.

Ava McKnight, Island Fantasy

Title: Island Fantasy

Author: Ava McKnight

Rating: Five Siren Stones

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Length: Novella

ISBN E-Book: 9781419928468

Publisher: Ellora's Cave

Buy-Link: http://www.jasminejade.com/ps-8376-50-island-fantasy.aspx

Reviewer: Yvette Lowe

Blurb/Summary:

Jersey-girl-turned-islander Jewel spends her days hosting fishing excursions on her father’s boats. After ten years on the island, she’s learned to avoid vacationers with sexy smiles and promises they can’t keep. Until gorgeous J.T. Hollander arrives, a man whose mouth and hands she wants all over her body.

J.T.’s just looking for a little R&R on the remote Caribbean island…until he meets Jewel. A beautiful topless woman in paradise is one temptation that’s simply too irresistible to pass up.

But a mainlander on holiday has to return to the real world someday…doesn’t he?

Publisher’s Note: This story was previously published elsewhere under the title Summer Temptation and has been revised for Ellora’s Cave.

Review:

Jewel is content with her life, who wouldn't be with her life as it is on the island, but she has one rule she follows herself, and in the ten years she has been there she has never broken and that is never date a vacationer, that is until the extremely sexy JT shows up for little R & R.

JT needs a break from his extremely busy life, so when he takes a vacation to the islands he is determined to have a little fun with one very beautiful island woman. What he doesn't expect is even with all the sexual tension and games they play is to not only want to stay, but to want to play for keeps with Jewel.

Jewel must decide if she can really trust JT enough to take the leap with her heart.

Ava McKnight has written a funny and sexy story with enough sexual tension to make your heart skip a beat; you will enjoy this story from the beginning till the end.

Brenda Huber, Shadows

Title: Shadows

Author: Brenda Huber

Rating: Four And A Half Siren Stones

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Keywords: Shape-Shifter, Black Rose

Page Count: 356

ISBN E-Book: d4586

ISBN For Print: 978-1601547712

Publisher: The Wild Rose Press

Buy-Link: http://www.thewildrosepress.com/shadows-p-4123.html

Reviewer: Nikki

Blurb/Summary:

When death tracks her every move, dare she trust a man with his own elusive secrets? Determined to piece together the shattered remains of her life, world-renowned artist, JJ Frost fled halfway across the country to the inviting township of Sutter Hollow. She soon discovers the town holds shocking mysteries…and unexpected monsters. A series of brutal murders takes the peaceful community by surprise, and murmurs of sinister creatures dance on the night wind. The killer leaves bizarre clues as he fixates his deadly obsession on JJ, and, once again, she must face her nightmares come to life. Can she trust the town’s irresistible lawman to protect her from this enigmatic zealot’s warped sense of duty, or will the sheriff’s own secrets prove more than she can endure? Sheriff Cameron Walker tracks the Apostle, a twisted serial killer who reveals the citizens of Sutter Hollow’s dark secrets—one biblical Deadly Sin at a time. Soon the darkest secret of all—Cam's own hidden heritage—is threatened with exposure. When Cam stumbles upon the mysterious, alluring newcomer skulking in the woods near the scene of a brutal homicide, JJ Frost’s haunting eyes and backbone of steel sparks his pagan instincts on a frightening level. Cam has justifiable reasons to mistrust the ancient legend of imprinting and does everything in his power to fight the primal attraction he feels for JJ. But time is running out and the killer is closing in. Will the Apostle claim her as his next victim before Cam can make this encompassing decision and come to terms with his fate?

Review:

Brenda Huber's Shadows is a must read for those who love suspense, paranormal, and the extraordinary! It's one of those books that keep you up at night, grasping every bit of the story and you're satisfied and disappointed at the end. Satisfied, because of how good it is, and disappointed because it had to end. But, all good things come to an end.

The story starts off with a chilling memory of the heroine, JJ. She's in a new town, just about the time grisly murders begin, which prompts suspicion from the Sheriff and hero, Cam. As strange things continue happening and more murders are committed, the two are thrown together and there is a secret Cam hasn't revealed to JJ yet.

Shadows has a masterful blend of suspense, romance, sarcasm, and characters that a reader will love and can relate to. With great descriptions it gives a reader a vivid insight of the surroundings. Kudos to Brenda Huber for penning such an eerie, suspenseful tale!