The Darkest Kiss

The Darkest Kiss by Gena Showalter

She has tempted many men… but never found her equal.

Until now.

Though she has lived for centuries, Anya, goddess of anarchy, has never known pleasure. Until Lucien, the incarnation of death—a warrior eternally doomed to take souls to the hereafter. He draws her like no other. And Anya will risk anything to have him.

But when the merciless Lord of the Underworld is ordered by the gods to claim Anya herself, their uncontrollable attraction becomes an anguished pursuit. Now they must defeat the unconquerable forces that control them, before their thirst for one another demands a sacrifice of love beyond imagining.…

I'm still on the fence about this whole series. But this specific book was pretty good. A minor goddess and the incarnation of death getting together.

The covers of this series is excellent, and this book is a decent read.

I rate this one 4/5.

Pleasure Unbound

Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione

She's a demon-slayer who hungers for sensual pleasure-but fears it will always be denied her. Until Tayla Mancuso lands in a hospital run by demons in disguise, and the head doctor, Eidolon, makes her body burn with unslakable desire. But to prove her ultimate loyalty to her peers, she must betray the surgeon who saved her life.

Two lovers will dare to risk all.

Eidolon cannot resist this fiery, dangerous woman who fills him with both rage and passion. Not only is she his avowed enemy, but she could very well be the hunter who has been preying upon his people. Torn between his need for the truth and his quest to find his perfect mate before a horrific transformation claims him forever, Eidolon will dare the unthinkable-and let Tayla possess him, body and soul . . .

Talk about original, A demon who's a doctor, a world where demons are hunted by humans. A hospital for demons only but modeled after the human world. It goes on and on. Individually the various plots are not unique, but together it's a world that I've not read about in several hundred other books.

Oh and this is also a very hot book, did I mention that the demon doctor is rare kind of Incubus? So he's perfect male specimen and he's built to satisfy women, need I go on?

I give this book a 4.5/5, and subsequent books might very well be a 5.

Dark Light

Dark Light by Jayne Castle

Tabloid reporter Sierra McIntyre wants a scoop when she interviews Ghost Hunter Guild boss John Fontana about the disappearances of retired, homeless hunters. She doesn’t want to trust the physically and psychically powerful man, but her intuition—and her dust bunny companion—give her the green light. To uncover the conspiracy within his own organization, Fontana proposes…marriage. And though it’s purely a business arrangement, there’s nothing pure about the attraction that sizzles between them.

I won't bother with a detailed review. Jayne Ann Krentz writes under the pen-name Jayne Castle only for books about the world Harmony. Filled with Psychic powers and Ghost Hunters.

Its one of the best paranormal series out there and if you've never read any of the Harmony books, you're missing out.

This is an automatic 5/5 and I finished it in one sitting. I just wish she would write more books for this series.

Hostage to Pleasure

Hostage to Pleasure by Nalini Singh

Ashaya Aleine was separated from her son, forced to create a neural implant that will forever enslave her psychically gifted Psy race. After fighting a desperate battle to save her child and escape the PsyNet, she’s lead not to safety, but into the lethal danger of a sniper’s embrace.

Nalini Singh came out of nowhere a few years ago and create a unique world where there are 3 major races. Humans, Psy, Changlings. Since then she's enthralled countless people with her books, and I am happy to day that book 5 (Hostage to Pleasure) is an excellent addition to the series.

Readers might remember Ashaya Aleine from the previous book, the Psy scientist who's working on Protocol I, this is the first book where it starts dealing with the wars between the 3 races on a global level (or attempts to). It makes the stakes and the dangers that much more obvious and adds to the excitement of the book.

Dorian (The Hero) has been mentioned in several of the previous books. A protector but unable to change into his cat form. A very interesting hero and as alpha male as all the rest of them.

I enjoyed the book a whole lot both on a plot scale and on the romance anglee, I highly recommend it.

I rate this book a 5/5

A Distant Magic

A Distant Magic by Mary Jo Putney

When Nikolai Grigori is a homeless urchin in Malta, the visiting Macrae of Dunrath recognizes his magical powers and offers to foster him. But on the voyage to England they are attacked by pirates, and Macrae does nothing to stop them from taking Nikolai as a slave. Years later Nikolai exacts revenge by kidnapping the late Macrae's daughter. Jean, a Guardian, saves the day, first when their ship is attacked by pirates, and later when she adds her magic to Nikolai's to survive a horrifying storm. Adia, a woman from the future who survived the Middle Passage and went to England at the end of the American Revolution, turns up on Nikolai's private island, Santola, with the message that Jean and Nikolai must travel to the future to ensure the success of the abolition movement. As they travel through time, they use both African and Guardian magic and discover the synergistic effect of intimacy on their paranormal powers. Not the page-turning escapist fare readers usually expect from Putney, this tale features admirable characters and a fascinating approach to slavery and the abolition movement. Tixier Herald, Diana --This text refers to the Hardcover edition.

I wish that I could strongly recommend this book. After all the premise is original, there's magic involved and the characters are likable. But the latter half of the book is mired in abolishing slavery and going through time to fight the unseen evil that is promoting slavery.

Not exactly romance material and it really detracted from the story. It almost felt like a story about slavery instead of romance. Not a good mix at all. I think the intention was to make it an epic love story that spanned ages but it failed on that front.

I give this book a weak 2/5

Seducing Mr Darcy

Seducing Mr. Darcy By Gwyn Cready

Mr. Darcy just isn't Flip Allison's style. She prefers novels with hot sex on the bathroom sink to the mannerly, high-tension longing of Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. That is, until she pays a visit to Madame K, who promises a therapeutic massage with an opportunity to "Imagine Yourself in Your Favorite Book." Somehow, on the way to a sizzling sink-top session with a Venetian Adonis, Flip lands right in the middle of Regency England -- and dangerously close to handsome Mr. Darcy. So close, in fact, that she discovers a side of him even Jane Austen couldn't have imagined.

Waking from her massage, Flip is on top of the world and ready for her upcoming book club -- that is, until she notices a new scene in which Darcy and spunky heroine Lizzy Bennet are arguing over...Flip Allison? Her rapturous liaison with Darcy has had disastrous consequences for Austen's characters -- not to mention millions of Pride and Prejudice fans! Flip has twenty-four hours to put the story back on course, and Magnus Knightley, a sexy but imperious scholar whose brooding good looks and infuriating arrogance are decidedly Darcy-like, is the only one who can help. The only problem is, Flip can't keep her hands off him, either....

This was an enjoyable read. The Premise was fun and different, getting a massage and being transported into a book and "changing" the story. But things go very wrong and when Allison awakes, she finds that the actual book is being re-written based on her experiences.

Naturally she has to try and rectify this along with the unwanted help from a current day professor of literature. Fun ensures.

I can't say that I'm now a devoted reader of Gwyn Cready, her writing style is still a little unpolished and her plot lines could be tighter. For example little knowledge is given to the person giving the massage and we just take it on faith that its there to make the story work instead of woven into the story. Still, very innovative and I will definitely check out her next book.

I rate this book 3.5/5

The Storm

The Storm by Jean Johnson

Sixth book in the must-read series from a national bestselling “fresh new voice in fantasy romance.”( Robin D. Owens)

Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day—they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. Though no longer trapped in exile, their growing family faces new problems. Now Rydan, the tormented sixth-born son, must find a way to trust his Destined bride, Rora, a woman who possesses her own secret power—one that could bring them together or annihilate their world forever.

If you've not read the previous books, don't read this one, it will only confuse you. This book relies a lot on the other books to make sense especially the previous book as the heroine is a twin and her story is heavily intertwined with book 5, her sister's story.

If you have been following the series, then why are you bothering reading a review, just get the book already. Rydan and Rora's story might not be my absolute favorite but knowing all the backstory and seeing new twists she's laid out for the remaining 2 books is such a treat.

I rate this book a 4/5

Return to Summerhouse

Return to Summerhouse by Jude Derverux

Magic most definitely resides in the Maine summerhouse where the mysterious Madame Zoya has granted the innermost wishes of its visitors. Now, three women have come to this special place with one thing in common: a painful past they would each like to rewrite. Amy, who hides a heartbreaking loss behind her seemingly perfect marriage and family...Faith, a widow in her thirties whose deepest grief is for a man from years ago...and Zoë, an artist shunned by her hometown for reasons she doesn't know, after a traumatic night erased her memory. With their mystical powers, Madame Zoya and her sister Primrose are about to transport the trio to eighteenth-century England to alter Amy's ancestry. But although surprises await each of them, will stepping back in time bring the women the happy endings they seek?

I didn't read the first book Summerhouse but this is a Jude Derverux book and I do like her books, her writing style is easy, accessible and fun. This didn't read like a squeal but as a stand alone book.

Its about Amy who seems to have the perfect marriage but after a miscarriage seems to be in a downward spiral. Circumstances lead her to agree to stay at a Summerhouse for a week and enter Zoë and Faith, 2 other troubled women.

They are offered a one time trip to the past and fix an event in their lives which will carry over into their current lives. There's disbelief and finally acceptance and so they all go on the adventure. I won't give anything else away expect to say that its an enjoyable read and quite satisfying.

I give this a 4.5/5

Dark Desires After Dusk

Dark Desires After Dusk by Kresley Cole

A seductive beauty he can
never have, yet can't resist...

Cadeon Woede will stop at nothing to atone for the one wrong that will haunt him forever. But once he secures the key to his redemption, the halfling Holly Ashwin, Cade finds that the woman he thought he could use for his own ends and then forget haunts him as much as his past.

A tormented warrior she
should fear, but can't deny...

Raised as a human, Holly never knew that some frightening legends are real until she encounters a brutal demon who inexplicably guards her like a treasure. Thrust into a sensual new world of myth and power, with him as her protector, she begins to crave the demon's wicked touch.

Surrender to dark desires...

Yet just when he earns Holly's trust, will Cade be forced to betray the only woman who can sate his wildest needs -- and claim his heart?

OMG. The world Ms. Cole created is chock full of immortals of all sorts, vampires, furies, witches, ghosts, etc. Cadeon is a wonderful character, tortured and in pain after centuries alone he finally finds solace after finding his mate.

I can't wait to read more of her Dark Desires series.

Overall Rating : 4/5
Sizzle factor: 4/5

My Fair Captain **HIGHLY RECOMMENDED**

My Fair Captain by J. L. Langley

Talk about a compromising situation! A storm of political intrigue, murderous mayhem and sexual hungers is brewing on planet Regelence. Swarthy Intergalactic Navy Captain Nathaniel Hawkins ran from a past he had no intention of ever reliving. But when his Admiral asks him to use his peerage, as an earl and the heir to a dukedom, to investigate a missing weapons stash, hes forced to do just that. As if being undercover on a Regency planet where the young men are supposed to remain pure until marriage isnt bad enough, Nate finds himself attracted to the kings unmarried son. All Prince Aiden Townsend has ever wanted was to be an artist. He has no interest in a marriage of political fortune or becoming a societal paragon. Until he lands in the arms of the mysterious Earl of Deverell. One look at Nates handsome face has Aiden reconsidering his future. Not only does Nate make a virile subject for Aidens art, but the great war hero awakens feelings in Aiden he has never felt, feelings he cant ignore. After a momentous dance at a season ball, Aiden and Nate find themselves exchanging important information and working closely together. They have to fight their growing attraction long enough to find out who stole the weapons and keep themselves from a compromising situation and certain scandal.

I won't say much about this book. Its simply amazing and fabulous and hands down, one of the BEST romances I've read all year. Get it, read it and wait impatiently for the next book in the series.


Overall Rating : 5/5
Sizzle factor: 5/5

The Third Circle

The Third Circle (Arcane Society, Book 4) by Amanda Quick

Leona Hewitt, disguised in men’s formal evening clothes, has secretly made her way into Lord Delbridge’s private museum to retrieve a relic stolen from her family. But someone else is in the dimly lit gallery on the same errand: a tall, blackcloaked man whose very voice is enough to cause her to fall into a trance.

Thaddeus Ware, a mesmerist with psychic gifts, is accustomed to fearful reactions from others—women, in particular. After all, a man who can control the minds of others could rob a lady of her virtue—completely unbeknownst to her. But Leona shows no trace of hysteria in his presence. A gifted crystal worker, she exerts a rather hypnotic power over the hypnotist himself. And she is determined to keep the coveted crystal they manage to recover by giving him the slip at a run-down London inn.

Thaddeus, on assignment for the Arcane Society, knows the menace Leona is courting by absconding with the crystal. A source of remarkable energy, it holds the potential for great destruction. Lord Delbridge has already killed to acquire the crystal, his key to membership in the elite, shadowy group known as the Third Circle. And, with the help of a ruthless hunter of preternatural skill—dubbed the Midnight Monster by the press—Delbridge intends to find Leona. With the stolen crystal in their possession, the danger is only beginning.

The Arcane Society series by Amanda Quick is unique in that it could be either a historical or contemporary novel. But always with a paranormal sub-plot. I personally love the series and Amanda Quick's writing is excellent as always.

In this installment, Leona Hewitt is a woman with the power over crystals, and meets up with Thaddeus Ware who is a master hypnotist. Both are "level 10's" meaning among the most powerful on the arcane society's rating power scale. A wonderful read and highly recommended if you enjoyed the previous Arcane novels.

Overall Rating : 4.5/5

The Darkest Night

The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she’ll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member – a man cursed to die every night, only to awaken the next morning knowing he has to die again later.

Neither can resist the instant hunger that calms their torments. . .and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction—and a soul-shattering test of love . . . .

I finished this book in one sitting. Its a very interesting storyline, a group of immortal warriors who used to guard the gods were slighted when the responsibility for guarding a box (Pandora's box) that houses great demons is bestowed upon a female warrior named Pandora. In revolt, they try to gain control of the box, but end up losing it and releasing the demons within. Because the box is now lost, their punishment is to house each of the demons within themselves. A curse they have carried till now.

There has been an upset in the heavens, the titans have escaped captivity and enslaved the gods (greek). A new order is coming to pass. And it seems... things are changing for the cursed warriors as well.

I loved the plot, and cannot wait to read the next novels. As a first novel it did an admirable job of introducing the world and the players. The romance is also decent and endearing. I think this is a must read for paranormal fans.

Overall Rating : 4.5/5

Morning Light

Morning Light by Catherine Anderson

Crusty Clint Harrigan (of the same Harrigan clan as Anderson's Sun Kissed), is, at 37, a Catholic cowboy who's sworn off romance. The arrival of a cute Catholic clairvoyant in his hometown of Crystal Falls, Ore., challenges his resolve and his skepticism. Seer Loni Kendra MacEwen, still a virgin at 31, is shocked when she bumps into Clint at the grocery store. He's the dream cowboy she's had visions of her whole life, and she has recently connected those visions to visions of Trevor, an endangered boy who (along with his protective Saint Bernard) was lost in the Shoshone Wilderness Area after a river accident killed his mom and stepdad, an Oregon senator. Loni tells a resistant Clint he's the only one who can save Trevor, and soon the hunt is on. Though pillow (and saddle) talk threaten to overwhelm the action, veteran romance queen Anderson infuses the plot with all the warm and fuzzy woo-woo of TV's Ghost Whisperer.

I like Catherine Anderson's writing style and with Morning Light I loved the plot and the characters. Yes you hear a but coming up. In this book, there are so many religious references that its like reading a christian novel. Initially, I chalked it up to the the characters being a little pious, I could handle that but then it got way out of hand. The praying before you sleep, the saying of prayers before meals, even in public places. The constant retotic about how her psychic powers were a gift from god and etc etc etc. OMG!!!! I don't know if Catherine Anderson is religious and trying to force her beliefs on her readers. Ms. Anderson, if you want to write about psychic abilities, take the god factor out. Oh and having your characters preach about celibacy but having them give in to temptation isn't passion, its being hypocritical.

Like I said, I did like the plot and characters but the religious overtones that permeated the book later on, killed all semblance of enjoyment.

Overall Rating : 2/5

Queen of Dragons

Queen of Dragons by Shana Abé
This story is the third in Shana Abé's engaging Drákon series, the follow up to "The Smoke Thief" and "The Dream Thief". The Drákon are a race of people who appear human but have the ability to turn into dragons or smoke, although these abilities are gradually becoming less common amongst the Drákon. The previous two books have identified two different communities of Drákon, the first living at Darkfrith in England and the second in Transylvania.

The heroine of this story is Princess Maricara of Transylvania, the child bride of the ruler of the lost drákon tribe. That ruler, Imre, was killed in "The Dream Thief" and the Princess was left to rule alone at the age of fifteen. As the main part of this story starts, Maricara is nineteen and is troubled by her own people and by various English Drákon attempting to find her castle in Transylvania and being killed on the way. She decides that she has to leave her brother in charge of the community and to travel to Darkfrith in England to warn the Drákon there of the existence of Dragon Hunters.

Once she arrives, however, she discovers she's meant to marry the Alpha of the Darkfrith group, Kimber Langford, Earl of Chasen. It's also clear that the Darkfrith Drákon have plans to annex the Transylvania Drákon and can't be trusted. Maricara doesn't understand or abide by their rules which have been created to avoid detection and she has a problem in that she seems to sleepwalk into her dragon form, causing carnage. Can she and Kimber protect the Drákon from those hunting them down, and who is behind their pursuers? And can Maricara learn to accept her apparent role as wife of the Alpha in England?

Initially I loved the world that Shana Abé created, a world where dragons masqueraded as humans and heard the song of jewels. But currently I'm lost. I have no idea where this series is going or what exactly she's trying to accomplish. Queen of Dragons seems like a transition book, where she's planting the seeds of a greater story arc to come. The problem here is that it has not been done very well.

I was less than interested in Kimber and Maricara's romance. moreover there's so much unexplained that I was confused about their whole courtship. Why exactly does Kimber need to subjugate the entire dragon population of Transylvania? Less and less dragons are able to turn, but has anyone actually does any research into this? It doesn't seem so, they just accept it as fact. The dragons keeping such a tight reign on their community because of tradition, Kimber's parents leaving the colony? The list of questions just keeps piling and eventually I didn't bother.

I'll probably give the next book a try but if that doesn't pick up the pace, I'm giving up on Shana's Dragons series.

Overall rating : 2/5
Sizzle Factor : 2/5
(Library Copy)

Knight of Darkness

Knight of Darkness by Kinley Macgregor

For countless centuries, I've been the assassin for the infamous Merlin, even though the woman who birthed me sits at the right hand of our enemy, Morgen le Fey. Now both my mother and Morgen have decided that it's time I take my place on their side of this conflict.

Normally, telling them no wouldn't be a problem, except for the fact that the good guys I protect think that I'm an even worse demon than the ones we fight. Hmm, maybe they're right. I have to say that I do enjoy maiming anyone who gets in my way.

At least until my mother gives me a simple choice: join Morgen's Circle of the Damned or see an innocent woman die. I'm all for saving the innocent, but Merewyn isn't as innocent as she seems. And she's none too fond of the fact that her fate is in my dubious hands. Personally I'm all for taking the easy way out, but leaving her to Morgen is rough, even for me. Now the only way to save both our lives is to face the evilest forces ever known—my mother and Morgen. And two people who know nothing of trust must learn to rely on each other or die: provided we don't kill each other first.

Ahhhh Kinley Macgregor aka Sherrilyn Kenyon is currently one of my top 5 authors. I love her imagination with the whole Dark-Hunter, Were-Hunter, Dream-Hunter series and now with the Lords of Avalon series.

This series is a different take on the King Arthur legend. Morgan is still the big bad person but Merlin is not so much a person as a title. And a Merlin is essentially a powerful sorcerer. In the final battle Arthur did fall, but before all was lost, all the Merlin's banded together and took Camelot and Avalon out of time and space. Now Camelot is ruled by Morgan while Avalon is still held by the forces of 'good'. They fight Morgen in hopes that one day Arthur son who was placed in stasis will finally awaken, find the holy grail and finally defeat Morgan once and for all. Its a very fresh and original take on the Aruthian legend, especially with Knights who are Merlins (Sorcerers) and able to time travel.

Varian duFey is the dark hero in this book. Son of Lancelot and Morgan, reviled by both dark and light. To say that he's had a hard life is an understatement, he's known no kindness and as a result is ruthless. Yet as the story develops we see chinks in his armor of ruthlessness and I must say that he's that perfect man that everyone wants to claim if we just love him enough.

I throughly enjoyed this book and can't wait for more tales set in this magical world.

Overall Score: 4.5/5

The Song

The Song by Jean Johnson

Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day-they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy, and are thus exiled to Nightfall Isle, in Jean Johnson's "thoroughly romantic and wildly entertaining"* series.

Evanor lost his powers-and his voice-in a terrible battle that defeated his family's greatest enemy and gave his sister-in-law her freedom. The advanced magical healing that would restore his voice and powers is beyond their means-but not beyond the ability of the lovely healer Mariel. Mariel can restore what was torn from Evanor-and possibly repair her own broken heart in the process.

Book 4 of the Sons of Destiny series. You really need some background to understand this series so I highly recommend started with book 1. Jean has built a wonderful world here and I for one cannot wait for the next book. I always thought that Evanor who's power is as a song mage would be one of the hardest brother stories for me to get into. I was partially right.

In this book, Evanor's romance is only 50% of the book which is good because its fairly clear cut. Instead the rest of the book deals with, the back plot of the prophecies and Katan and political intrigue that was developed in the previous books are finally coming to bear. It made reading this book a treat and why you really need to have read the previous books.

Now we see he island coming its not nation. We even get a glimpse of how powerful the youngest brother really is and I can't wait for him and hope to finally come about. Book 5 can't come soon enough.

Overall Score: 4/5

The Black Dragon

The Black Dragon by Allyson James

When Saba Watanabe is attacked by white dragons in human form on the streets of San Francisco, the only man she can turn to for help is the dangerously seductive Malcolm, a black dragon who once made Saba his love slave. But it's Saba who must use her rising powers to save Malcolm-and all of his kind.

Book 2 of Allyson James' Dragon Series, we pick up with Saba Watanabe introduced in book 1 and Malcolm the Blank Dragon. I'm a little torn about this book, I want to like it but plot and character wise, it just didn't do it for me. There's no one area that the book fails at, but I felt the plot was not interesting enough, the characters were good but... not deep enough.

For example, the main bad guy is a white dragon who is pure evil, but it seems super easy to kill especially with Lisa (The Silver Dragon from Book 1). Then there the big black "evil" which in my opinion didn't make much sense, and was the true bad guy, not the white dragon.

Overall I think Allyson needs to decide, if her books are going to be more hard core in terms of plot, currently everything seems rather superficial, like reading a lite version of a fantasy world. I would be hard pressed to pick up the next book in her Dragon series with so many other options available nowadays.

Overall Score: 2.5/5

Mine to Possess

Mine to Possess by Nalini Singh

A lifetime ago, Changeling Clay Bennett lost his freedom, as well as the only girl he loved. Although both were children at the time, his leopard knew his mate when it saw her. But a cruel twist of fate tore them apart, and when Clay was finally freed, he learned that young Talin had died years earlier.

Now a DarkRiver Sentinel, he has made a home with the powerful pack in San Francisco, but his beast walks a fine line between sanity and insanity, threatening the loss of his humanity. When Talin McKade turns up not only alive, but in need of his aid, he finds his salvation. Her presence stirs emotions he thought long forsaken to him and the leopard in him demands to take its mate.

But Talin has been damaged, scarred by the tragedies in her past and their shared history. Clay must tread carefully if he is to convince his mate that they belong together.

Through it all, Talin and Clay work together to save the children that have gone missing, only to have their bodies turn up later, gruesomely battered. The truth behind the murders is even more diabolical than they could imagine.

Book 4 of Nalini's Psy-Changelings series. Again we're faced with the Psy, Changlings and humans circle. I loved the world that Nalini has created and her first few books were very very good. I highly recommend starting with Slave to Sensation if you've never read any of the Psy-Changelings books.

What's wrong with the book is the female character in "Mine to Possess". Perhaps its just me, but while I know that Talin is emotionally scarred and was raped by her father from a young age, she is just not a character I want to read about. Especially not with her constant self-doubt and super fragile ego.

What "Mine to Possess" has going for it is the Psy-Changling world which was introduced in previous books and the on-going plot that something big is going to happen in future books. We all know that the Psy are going to have a big meltdown and Silence will be broken. The happenings in Psy world with the council's machinations is truly riveting.

Despite the weakness of the main characters, the book does hold up if you're invested in the Psy-Changling world, I give this one a 3/5

Dream Chaser

Dream Chaser by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Hades doesn't often give second chances...Xypher has one month on Earth to redeem himself through one good deed or be condemned to eternal torture in Tarturus. But redemption means little to a demigod who only wants vengeance on the one who caused his downfall.Until one day in a cemetery...Simone Dubois is a medical examiner with a real knack for the job. Those who are wrongfully killed appear to her and help her find the evidence the police need to convict their killers. But when a man appears and tells her that she's more than just a psychic, she's convinced he's insane.Now the fate of the world hangs in her hands...It was bad enough when just the dead relied on her. Now's there's the seductive Dream-Hunter Xypher who needs Simone's help in opening a portal to the Atlantean hell realm to fight insatiable demons. The future of mankind is at stake-and so is her life. The only question now is: Who is the bigger threat: the demons out to kill her, or the man who has left her forever changed?

Ahhhhh... Sherrilyn Kenyon. The Dream-Hunter novels are a spin off from her wildly successful Dark-Hunter series. The difference is that the Dark-Hunter's are the individuals who sold his or her soul to the Greek goddess Artemis for one single act of vengeance after being killed. Afterwards they are bound to protect mankind from the Daimons who want to claim human souls. The Dream-Hunters are about the group of gods who have the ability to walk in the dreams of mortals and gods. Because of a transgresion made by a sole Dream-Hunter long ago, all Dream-Hunters since were cursed by Zeus to feel no emotion. However, they found that they can still experience emotions second hand through the dreams of mortals. As such, some Dream-Hunters go rouge and indulge in this which results in the death of the mortals. And that's the basis of the Dream-Hunters novels.

I'll admit that I didn't know where this series was heading. After 2 books I thought that the well was drying out for the Dream-Hunters. But I was wrong. In Dream Chaser, we meet Xypher and Simone who I fell in love with. Xypher especially is strong and powerful and yet pityful because he's never known love or kindness having been raised with demons and reviled by both demons and gods for being a half-breed. This is an excellent addition to the world that Ms. Kenyon has created.

More importantly, we meet popular characters like Archeron and a new very interesting character called Jaden. Jaden is a entity that draws power from the void of chaos. He's the entity that Demons make pacts with or call for help, and always at a price. In fact I would venture that he's more powerful than most gods. And then we see that he's toutored by an even more powerful being. I shiver with anticipation to read more about Jaden.

I give this book 5/5 for paranormal goodness.

Sizzle and Burn

Sizzle and Burn by Jayne Ann Krentz

When Raine Tallentyre made the mistake of revealing her paranormal abilities, her most recent romantic relationship came to a hasty end. Her Aunt Vella, a gifted but troubled soul, had told her years ago to keep her talents a secret. And now that poor Aunt Vella-her last blood relative-has died, Raine has resigned herself to a lonely life.

But when she journeys to Shelbyville, Washington, to clear out Aunt Vella's house, Raine's highly developed sensitivity leads her to a horrifying discovery: a young woman bound and terrified in a basement storage locker. The victim has survived, but the culprit is still on the loose. Without warning, a new man enters Raine's life-investigator Zack Jones. Surprisingly, Zack isn't repelled by her powers: in fact, he has them himself. While Raine hears voices, Zack sees visions and within hours of their meeting, Raine experiences an intense, thrilling intimacy-mental, emotional, and physical-she never dared to expect.

There's one complication, however: Zack Jones is working for the Arcane Society. This secret organization, dedicated to the study of paranormal phenomena, shattered Raine's family with an act of betrayal long ago, and she's not about to trust them now. But as a killer makes her his target, and a cabal of psychic criminals known as Nightshade operates in the shadows surrounding them, Raine and Zack must rely not only on their powerful abilities but on each other . . .

From the author who also hits bestseller lists under the names Jayne Castle and Amanda Quick, this is a delightful new caper filled with suspense and wit-and the steamy Victorian passion her devoted readers love.

I love almost all of Jayne Ann Krentz's books. And her Arcane Society novels are so far a huge hit. The Arcane Society is a secret society that comprises of people with psychic powers. All kinds of different powers abound and they even have a ranking system for how powerful a person is. Naturally the main characters are usually level 10's (the most powerful). Added to that there is some cloak and dagger action from a rival psychic society. In fact there's a lot of similarities between her Arcane Society novels and Harmony novels. What's also fun is that the Arcane Society series could be sent in the time period from 1800's till the present.

This book is set in present times, It tells of Raine, who is a strong psychic but cut off from the Arcane Society because of the actions of her father and Zack Jones who is an agent of the Arcane Society. Zack and Raine are very likable characters and play off each other very well.

If you've never read an Arcane Society novel, I recommend starting there with Second Sight (the first Arcane Society Novel).

I give Sizze and Burn a 5/5