Rajmund by D.B. Reynolds

Buffalo, New York—Thundering waterfalls, great sports teams . . . and a treacherous Vampire Lord who is slowly losing his mind.

New York City vampire Rajmund Gregor is the undisputed master of The Big Apple. He bows to no one but his Sire, the Vampire Lord Krystof, who has ruled the Northeast for hundreds of years. But when Krystof summons Rajmund to his headquarters in Buffalo, Raj finds his master slowly descending into madness and his territory crumbling around him. Raj is the only one of Krystof's children strong enough to seize power, but he’ll have to save his master before he can destroy him. Several women have gone missing and the local police are convinced a vampire is behind it. Is Krystof so lost to reality that he’s capturing and murdering human women? Is a rogue vampire moving into Krystof’s territory for the kill? Or is it something far more insidious, something that could threaten the existence of vampires everywhere?

Sarah Stratton is living a lie. Her past holds a secret she shares with no one—not even her good friend Cynthia Leighton, the West Coast vampire lord’s mate. It's a secret that could destroy her carefully constructed life as a professor at a Buffalo university. It’s also a secret that could save the lives of the missing women. To save them, however, she must enter Buffalo’s vampire community and put herself into the care of Rajmund Gregor. But can she trust Raj, the dangerously seductive vampire who wants to lay claim to far more than her secrets?

The 3rd book in the Vampires in America series.
Cyn's friend Sarah is a great character, I definitely preferred her to Cyn. I also preferred Raj to Raphael, I'm waiting until I read Duncan's book before I decide on my favourite vampire.
Good story but why do the lead characters never talk to one another? There always seems to be tension between them (Raj + Sarah and Raphael + Cyn) because they think the other hates them. I'm hoping this won't be a recurring theme in the rest of the series.

Again, if you read the first 2, you must read this one.
Rating 5/5


Book Depository: Rajmund
Amazon UK: Rajmund

Jabril by D.B. Reynolds

Houston, Texas—Cowboy boots, baseball and journeys to the stars . . . right?

Wrong. Because Houston is also home to Jabril Karim, one of the eight powerful Vampire Lords who control all of North America. And as Private Investigator Cynthia Leighton will soon discover, not all Vampire Lords are created equal. For Jabril is the face of evil in the new world, a vampire who values no life but his own, who enslaves those he desires, steals whatever he covets and destroys anyone who stands in his way.

Running from L.A. and its seductive Vampire Lord, Raphael, Cyn sees the Houston job as a welcome refuge, a place to get away and heal her broken heart. But Texas will be no vacation. For in Jabril Karim, Cyn will confront a true enemy, one who will go to any lengths to satisfy his lusts, enrich his coffers and expand his power.

Fighting for the lives of two young sisters, Cyn’s journey will take her through the streets of Houston and back to L.A., where the human police are determined to bring Raphael down for the murder of one of their own. But the danger doesn’t end there. For Jabril has set his sights on Cyn, and he will stop at nothing to have her.

The 2nd book in the Vampires in America series. This features Cyn again but with a new vampire, Jabril. Jabril is a very unlikeable character (which, I suppose, is the point) and I was glad to see the return of Raphael. Cyn kind of grew on me in this book. Plus more Duncan!
We also meet Cyn's friend Sarah in this book, setting her up for the next book.

If you liked Raphael, Jabril is a definite "To-be-read" for you.
Rating 5/5


Book Depository: Jabril
Amazon UK: Jabril

Raphael by D.B. Reynolds

Malibu, California—home to rock-and-roll gods and movie stars, the beautiful, the rich . . . and vampires.

Powerful and charismatic, Raphael is a Vampire Lord, one of the few who hold the power of life and death over every vampire in existence. Thousands call him Master and have pledged absolute loyalty on their very lives. But when, in a brazen and deadly daylight attack, a gang of human killers kidnaps the one female vampire he’d give his life for, Raphael turns to a human investigator to find his enemies before it’s too late.

Cynthia Leighton is smart, tough and sexy, a private investigator and former cop who’s tired of spying on cheating spouses and digging out old bank accounts. When Raphael asks for her help in tracking down the kidnappers, Cyn’s happy to accept. But she soon realizes her greatest danger comes not from the humans, but from Raphael himself.

Battling Russian mobsters and treacherous vampires, and betrayed by those they trusted, Cyn and Raphael find themselves fighting for their lives while caught up in a passion of blood and violence that is destined to destroy them both.

Book one in the Vampires in America series. I wasn't too keen on Cyn as a lead character but I loved Raphael and I loved the story so I could put that in the back of my head.
The story was good and the characters are likeable. I especially like Duncan and I believe he has his own books coming so I'm looking forward to that.
DB Reynolds vampires are strong, powerful and gorgeous! I'd like them to actually fight more, the fight scenes are more a pushing of power between the vampires and I can't help but have a mental image of two vampires just standing there. I know that's probably not what DB Reynolds had in mind when she wrote the scenes but it's how my mind apparently wants to see them. I tried to fix that in later books and I'm slowly training my mind to see it better.

A definite must read for all vampire fans out there.
Rating 5/5


Book Depository: Raphael
Amazon UK: Raphael

Hunting Ground by Patricia Briggs

For hundreds of years, werewolves have kept their existence hidden from all but a select few humans. But, if the packs agree, the time for keeping secrets might be over.
Anna and Charles have been sent to the wolves' conclave in Seattle to keep the peace. But when Jean Chastel, the leader of the French werewolves, goes after Anna, Charles can't control himself. Chastel survives the vicious fight that ensues, but when he's discovered murdered that night, Charles is the prime suspect. And the penalty for murdering a fellow werewolf is death.
Now Anna has only days to clear her partner's name. She knows Charles is innocent, but if he didn't do it - who did?
More of Charles and Anna and even more relationship growing which I'm still loving. The thing that confused me though was that the actual storyline from the blurb doesn't happen until the book is nearly finished. For ages I thought the blurb was wrong and the story wasn't going to happen until the next book. Chastel is the typical bad guy, you love to hate him and are very pleased when he dies.
I think all women secretly want a guy like Charles who's willing to do anything to protect you and loves you unconditionally. There's a particularly nice scene where Charles shows he's willing to submit to Anna to help her overcome her fear of Alphas and deal with her wolf being able to do things that she can't do on her own.
Can't wait for more Charles and Anna.
Rating 5/5


Book Depository: Hunting Ground
Amazon UK: Hunting Ground

Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs

Anna Latham hasn't had an easy life. Turned into a werewolf against her will and forced into a life of servitude, she'd do anything to break free from her pack. So when Charles takes on her pack's Alpha, Anna finally has a chance to escape.
But now Anna's rescuer is the one who needs help. Hikers are dying and all signs point to a werewolf that's gone rogue. An injured Charles can't handle the investigation alone and soon Anna is in way over her head. Few things more dangerous than a rogue wolf, and Anna is about to find out just what they are ...
I know I already said it in the On the Prowl review but I really really love Anna and Charles. I wish I'd read these books before I read the Mercy Thompson series because the Alphas don't seen as bad in this, or maybe it was just Adam I didn't like. I don't know ... anyway Cry Wolf. Definitely worth a read, I like the Omega aspect and how everyone reacts to Anna, also how that reaction makes Brother Wolf (Charles' wolf) react to them.
Anna had a bad start as a werewolf and it takes her a while to trust Charles but Patricia Briggs writes amazingly well and with really lets you get into their heads. It's great getting both their thoughts on the matters and you can't help (well I couldn't) shouting at them in your mind that they're both thinking the same things and if they just spoke to one another they'd move forward so much quicker. But, that's why we read books, it wouldn't be nearly as much fun if the whole story was sorted out in the first chapter. Anna meets someone who knows more about Omegas and helps him, in turn he helps them with the big showdown.
Rating 5/5


Book Depository: Cry Wolf
Amazon UK: Cry Wolf

On the Prowl anthology by various authors

Alpha and Omega by Patricia Briggs
The werewolf Anna finds a new sense of self when the son of the werewolf king comes to town to quell unrest in the Chicago pack - and inspires a power in Anna that she's never felt before.
Unfortunately, I read this story after I read the first book in the Alpha and Omega series so I knew some of the story but it was still a great read. I really like Charles and Anna and enjoyed reading about how they met and how Charles' wolf reacts to Anna when he first meets her. A definite must read.
Rating 5/5

Inhuman by Eileen Wilks
Kai has a secret gift of sensing thoughts and desires. What she senses in her neighbour Nathan could be dangerous. Because he has a secret gift, too, and it's about to be let loose.
I liked Kai and Nathan and the short was fun and exciting. I went straight to Amazon and added the Lupi series to my wishlist. This short actually fits in the middle of the series. I'm really excited about reading more involving Kai and Nathan, their relationship was a great read and I can't wait to see it develop.
Rating 5/5

Buying Trouble by Karen Chance
In a New York auction house, a Lord of the Fey crosses paths with a fiery redhead mage named Claire. But in this strange underground society, the rarity up for sale is Claire herself.
I've read Karen Chance before so I knew I'd like the writing. I liked Claire and I liked Heidar. I would really enjoy reading more about them and the dragons, I liked Karen Chance's take on Dragons, making them more like weres so they have a human form as well.
Rating 4/5

Mona Lisa Betwining by Sunny
Among the children of the moon, Mona Lisa is of Mixed Blood - part Monere, part human, and destined to be alone. Then she meets a man who could be her salvation - or her downfall.
This started of well but very quickly went downhill. The writing was horrendous, the characters were not likable and the sex scenes were cringeworthy.
Rating 1/5


Book Depository: On The Prowl
Amazon UK: On the Prowl

Alpha and Omega series by Patricia Briggs

The following three reviews are for the Alpha and Omega series, including the short in On the Prowl.

Of Course I Try by Seleste Delaney

Love is a wonderful thing. Unless you don't get a choice in the matters of your own heart.

Jocelyn has loved Max since the day she met him. Even when he scares her enough to leave, she can't resist going back. No matter how many times she tries to break free from him, she ends up in his arms and bed again. Not this time. Jocelyn needs to be free and Max isn't going to stop her from walking away -- no matter how hard he tries.

This is Seleste Delaney's first published story with Decadent Publishing. As much as I love the story, it is too short. I love short stories but they're just impossible to get into because of the length. Although luckily, Seleste has said she's got a new story in the works with Jocelyn that is longer so yay for that!

Seleste knows how to write sex scenes that aren't cringeworthy but still leave you wanting more. And as short as the story is, I liked Jocelyn and can't wait to read more of her.

Rating: 4/5


Amazon UK: Of Course I Try

Waking the Witch by Kelley Armstrong

Columbus is a small, fading town, untouched by the twenty-first century. But when three young women are found dead - victims of what appear to be ritual murders - things start to get very dark, and very dangerous ...
Private investigator Savannah Levine can handle 'dark and dangerous'. As the daughter os a black witch, she has a lot of power running through her veins, and she's not afraid to use it. But her arrival in Columbus has not gone unnoticed. Savannah may think she's tracking down a murderer, but could she be the killer's next target?
Of course she could always ask her old friend (and half-demon) Adam Vasic for back-up. But Savannah has her own - very personal - reasons for keeping Adam well away from Columbus. And in any case, she can rely on her own powers. Can't she ...?

This is book 11 of the Otherworld series and, quite possibly, one of the most anticipated. Savannah Levine was introduced in Stolen (book 2) and has been involved in every book since (at least a little, to my knowledge). We've seen her grow up and now we get to see her kick ass on her own.
Paige and Lucas are on holiday when a case comes in that Savannah wants to investigate, to prove she's old enough and can handle her own responsibilities.

It's good to see Savannah has grown out of her bratty stage. We discover in this book that she is perfectly aware of the fact that she killed her own father, despite Paige trying to hide it from her and telling her it was an accident.

I thought Savannah was getting a love interest in this book as well but that didn't end too well! Although there is a nice thing happening between Adam and Savannah which most readers were hoping for, unfortunately Kelley is making us wait to find out what's happening.
There was also the start of what could be a good story about a young girl who's mother is killed, Savannah obviously feels a connection to her so decides to help her and it leads to a very open ending that had me growling (literally) in frustration. Luckily the next book is Savannah's as well.

Brilliant read as usual from Kelley Armstrong and can't wait for more.
Rating: 5 out of 5


Book Depository: Waking The Witch
Amazon UK: Waking the Witch