Monday, January 28, 2013

J.A. Saare, The Ripple Effect

 Title:  The Ripple Effect
Author:  J.A. Saare
Rating:  Four Siren Stones


Genre:  Horror
Sub-Genre:  Paranormal Urban Fiction 
Keywords:  Vampire, Romance
Page Count:  222       
ISBN E-Book:  978-1-60659-330-1
Price:  $4.99
ISBN for Print:  978-1-60659-331-8 
Price:  $12.95
Publisher:  Mundania Press, LLC
Reviewer:  Rhonda J. Callum-King


Blurb/Summary:

Book 3 of the Rhiannon's Law series

There is always a price to pay…

Rhiannon Murphy visited the future, witnessed hell on earth and made choices to change things for the greater good. Unfortunately there are consequences for her actions, the penalties for her interference possibly more than she can bear. Determined to sever her debt with a fallen angel, she pushes everything aside, focusing on locating Marigold Vesta’s resting place.

Until death comes knocking at her door.

When Disco’s maker arrives in New York, he resents Rhiannon on a level she can’t begin to comprehend. Yet Marius isn’t her most dangerous adversary, not by a long shot. Marius’s sire -- a half-demon -- is determined to see the necromancer who stunned the vampire world on her knees. If she won’t bend, he’ll do everything in his power to make her break. No price is too high, meaning no one is safe -- including Disco and Paine.

Dealt a blow from which she can never recover, Rhiannon turns to the only person who can help her: the fallen angel who is relying on Rhiannon to save her soul. Bartering with a creature from Heaven is probably just as dangerous as starting a war with a demon from Hell, but with nothing to lose it’s no longer about life or death.

It’s about getting even.

Review:

The Ripple Effect by J.A. Saare is not, in my opinion, a standalone book.  I would call this a bridge story.  In this portion of the tale, we continue the theme that Disco is still angry with Paine and Rhiannon for things that occurred in a future time-line but have not actually happened in this current time.  We deal with the arrival of Disco and Paine's maker and his coterie of demon and half demon friends.  And finally, we get a view of what life on Earth would be like with demon masters in complete control. 

However, the characters of Disco and Rhiannon are not further developed, as they previously were in each instalment.  Paine, after we have been made to love and sympathize with him, is removed from the story and it is questionable whether we will see him again. Rhiannon accomplishes exactly nothing on the path towards freeing Marigold Vesta.  Lastly, a new teaser character, Bane, is introduced as someone we will probably see again.

If you love the Rhiannon series, this is a book to read as it was designed to span the tales of all that has come before and what may be in store for the future.  It was as well written as the last tales.  On its own, however, this tale is incomplete.  The Ripple Effect leaves you hanging, just when it feels as though it is beginning to gain momentum.



Wednesday, December 19, 2012

Mia Downing, Ripped

Title:  Ripped
Author:  Mia Downing
Rating:  Five Siren Stones


Genre:  Erotic Romance
Keywords:  Scarlet Minirose, BDSM, M/M
Page Count:  98        
ISBN E-Book:  978-1-61217-655-0
Price:  $2.99
Publisher:  The Wilder Roses
Reviewer:  Cia


Blurb/Summary:
[Boys Of Summer]

Lifeguard/artist Gavin White has been holding the ripped shreds of his life together by the seams. Facing the anniversary of his sister's death, he fights the dark call of dependency and is at the edge of succumbing when his best friend since preschool returns to his life. Handsome geek-turned-hunk, Erik Clarke wasn't afraid to come out and had been bold enough to kiss Gavin the last time they were together. Damn that kiss. Gavin wants more. So much more, but he was never brave enough to tell Erik his dreams. With his future hanging by a tattered thread, Gavin must trade one temptation for another or risk ripping his life apart.


Review:

Ripped by Mia Downing is one heavy heart felt read.  I was led into the lives of childhood best friend’s who’d lived through the ups and downs together.  Not just any normal up and downs of everyday life, but a tragic event that began a path of spiraling self-destruction for Gavin.  Erik with his selfless ways ignores his wants, needs and desires to help the one man he’s loved his entire life find the power to heal and move forward from the devastation for which he holds himself responsible.

Kink is introduced to a man who isn’t into the lifestyle but will enter if it means giving the man peace.  The journey of friendship to love is ripe in this story.  My heart broke for Gavin and Erik as they navigated a rocky path to self-discovery and healing. To finding love and self-worth.

I’d recommend this book to a friend as well as a few tissues to wipe away tears during this endearing read.


Becca Jameson, Awakening Abduction

Title:  Awakening Abduction
Author:  Becca Jameson
Rating:  Five Siren Stones


Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Keywords:  Shape-Shifter
Length:  Novella        
ISBN E-Book:  978-1419941504
Price:  $4.45
Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave
Reviewer:  Cia


Blurb/Summary:

Hannah is living a normal human life in Boston, until she’s kidnapped from her bed by a man she finds herself undeniably attracted to. James is living a normal lupine life in Seattle, until he’s sent to abduct a woman who disappeared from his pack years ago.

As Hannah and James hurry across the country to reunite her with her family, they must battle his need to claim her. But their lust is overpowering, threatening to consume them both. Mating between the two wolves is unavoidable.

Will their union alone be enough to stop a crazy man from attempting to steal Hannah from James? And will her father forgive their mating and accept the union with open arms?


Review:

What’s the first thing that comes to mind when someone breaks into your house and says they’re not there to hurt you but they aim to kidnap you in the same breath?  Yeah right.

Hannah is left no choice when James sets them on a path to bring her to a father she thought dead.  With her crazy overbearing mom keeping tabs on her every second of every day, pieces of her memory slowly return.  In the midst of awakening passions for the man sent to fetch her.

James must find a way to break in the secret being held from her, one that is hard for him and his wolf to keep from her.  One thing is for certain, the shit may certainly hit the fan once Hannah finds the truth of her life that’s been kept from her.

Awakening Abduction was one roller coaster read from beginning to end.  The passion between the hero and heroine scorched.  I’d recommend this read to any and every of my friends.

Lea Barrymire, Alpha in Hiding



Title:  Alpha in Hiding
Author:  Lea Barrymire
Rating:  Five Siren Stones


Genre:  Paranormal Romance
Keywords:  Shape-Shifter 
Length:  Short Novel        
ISBN E-Book:  978-1419941115
Price:  $5.20
Publisher:  Ellora’s Cave
Reviewer:  Cia


Blurb/Summary:

It’s tough being the Alpha’s daughter. Emily Prescott spends half her life helping to manage the pack’s business and the other half putting horny he-wolves in their place. When her father sends her on a mission to bring a weak wolf into his shifter side, it seems like just another pain in her ass—until her bitch perks up and takes notice.

Seth has spent years fighting to keep his wolf at bay, but something about Emily brings out the animal in him. Wild sex with Emily turns into an uncontrollable urge to mate her and make her his. But Emily needs a strong mate—someone who can dominate and defend her. If weak, geeky Seth wants to woo her, he has some changing to do.


Review:

This is one smoking hot story.  When Emily’s father demands that she fetch a lone wolf out of solitude, she decides to obey since she’ll get something out of agreeing.  What she is on the receiving end of isn’t what she’d imagined in her wildest dreams.

Seth wants no part of his wolf.  He has spent his life tuning out the other side of him.  He finds his Alpha’s daughter sexy and intrusive. She orders and he obeys.

Neither one of them are prepared for the passion that arcs between them or for what will happen when the other side of Seth is unleashed, accepted and bonded with his human side.  Emily finds her wolf craves the touch of his, a wolf she thought too weak to wake up her carnal side.  Fully awoken, Seth goes through a metamorphism that is sexy as hell and spell binding.  From geek to Alpha.

Lea Barrymire spins a sexy story with Emily and Seth’s story. I was enthralled from beginning to end and would recommend this to all my friends.