2013 Top Read Review: Sticks & Stones by Abigail Roux

Sticks & Stones 

by Abigail Roux, Madeleine Urban

(Cut & Run #2) 

Six months after nearly losing their lives to a serial killer in New York City, FBI Special Agents Ty Grady and Zane Garrett are suffering through something almost as frightening: the monotony of desk duty.

When they're ordered to take a vacation for the good of everyone's sanity, Ty bites the bullet and takes Zane home with him to West Virginia, hoping the peace and quiet of the mountains will give them the chance to explore the explosive attraction they've so far been unable to reconcile with their professional partnership.

Ty and Zane, along with Ty's father and brother, head up into the Appalachian mountains for a nice, relaxing hike deep into the woods... where no one will hear them scream.

They find themselves facing danger from all directions: unpredictable weather, the unrelenting mountains, wild animals, fellow hikers with nothing to lose, and the most terrifying challenge of all.

At a glance: Stick & Stones is an intense read with action, mystery and an emotional and hot budding romance.

The Characters: Ty and Zane are two FBI agents that are so messed up and share a dysfunctional partnership and are in love but neither can see it. Ty is ex-military smart ass. Zane is an uptight by the book agent.

The Plot: Ty and Zane are finding it after to cope with the events in Cut and Run and have been on desk duty until they can get their heads on straight. Both are ready to head back into the field but after not passing their mental evals they are forced to take a vacation. But this is no relaxing vacation on a beach. It's chalked full of life and death events on a mountain.

Lasting Impression: I love this series. Ty and Zane make my heart break for them in their hard times and make me laugh my ass off during the funny/snarky times. Many are thinking that M/M is not for them but you should try this series. It's not so much about a gay couple but about two people that work together and grow to love each other. They just happen to be men.

“You’re okay,” Zane said quietly but clearly. “Just focus on me for a few minutes. What’s the first thing that comes to mind?” While talking, he was gently wiping away the blood. Ty blinked at him, opening his mouth as he thought the very first thing that came to mind when Zane prompted him. I love you. He snapped his mouth closed and stared at Zane, unable and unwilling to answer”

2013 Top Review: Twice Tempted by Jeaniene Frost

Twice Tempted 

by Jeaniene Frost 

Night Prince #2

Dating the Prince of Darkness has its challenges...

Leila's psychic abilities have been failing her, and now she isn't sure what the future holds. If that weren't enough, her lover, Vlad, has been acting distant. Though Leila is a mere mortal, she's also a modern woman who refuses to accept the cold shoulder treatment forever–especially from the darkly handsome vampire who still won't admit that he loves her.

Like choosing between eternal love and a loveless eternity...

Soon circumstances send Leila back to the carnival circuit, where tragedy strikes. And when she finds herself in the crosshairs of a killer who may be closer than she realizes, Leila must decide who to trust– the fiery vampire who arouses her passions like no other or the tortured knight who longs to be more than a friend? With danger stalking her every step of the way, all it takes is one wrong move to damn her for eternity.

OMFG. Vlad has push Bones down my yummy list and is quickly catching up to Barrons and Terrible.

You noticed that I rated Twice Tempted as a 2013 Top Read. How do I judge what books get that rating? If a book sucks me from page 1 and I feel everything that the main characters are feeling then it's a Top Read.

Twice Tempted was an emotional roller coaster for Leila and me. I felt every emotion she felt: pissed, depressed, hot and bothered, and finally happy. I was heart broken and crying with her.

The first few chapters punches you in the gut and has your heart in your throat. But we all knew that loving Vlad would not be easy. Don't worry, you get to see another side of Vlad as the story unfolds. Is he a badass alpha? Yes. Can he be cold? Yes Is he loyal? Yes. Is he swoon worthy? HELL YES. Can he be tender? You'll have to read Twice Tempted to find that out.

Leila and Vlad has a tug of war with their relationship. She wants him to say the right words, he wants her to see that he shows more in his actions than any pretty words could show.

As the two fumble their way through the romance area; they know exactly what do in the catch the bad guy area. Vlad fans know that he will do whatever it takes to protect what his. And now that Leila has learned to use her powers, we get to see her be a badass as well. The couple could not be more perfect for each other.

As read Twice Tempted I was reminded of the heart ache that Cat and Bones went through in Destined for an Early Grave. But in true Frost fashion you have to sit back and know that she will make things better. The hardest part of reading Twice Tempted is facing the long wait for the 3rd book. And the fact that we only have that 3rd book left since Frost has stated that Vlad and Leila's story will be a trilogy. I don't want it to end!!

I've added Once Burned and Twice Tempted to my re-read shelf. I highly recommend both books to readers whether you're a Frost fan or just wanting to check out her writing for the first time. While Vlad's books are a spin-off of sorts from the Night Huntress series you can read them without having read that series but I recommend you read it was well. You first meet Vlad in book 3, At Grave's End.


(ARC provided from publisher for review)

2013 Top Review: Deadly Sting by Jennifer Estep

Deadly Sting 

by Jennifer Estep 

Source: Pocket Books via Edelweiss

Red is definitely my color. Good thing, because in my line of work, I end up wearing it a lot.

Most people shy away from blood, but for an assassin like me — Gin Blanco, aka the Spider — it’s just part of the job. Still, it would be nice to get a night off, especially when I’m attending the biggest gala event of the summer at Briartop, Ashland’s fanciest art museum. But it’s just not meant to be. For this exhibition of my late nemesis’ priceless possessions is not only the place to be seen, but the place to be robbed and taken hostage at gunpoint as well. No sooner did I get my champagne than a bunch of the unluckiest thieves ever burst into the museum and started looting the place.

Unlucky why? Because I brought along a couple of knives in addition to my killer dress. Add these to my Ice and Stone magic, and nothing makes me happier than showing the bad guys why red really is my color.

If you have not read Widow's Web there will a SPOILERS in this review.

Red is definitely Gin's color! In each book of the series we see how deadly Gin can be but since she took out Mab in Spider's Revenage she gone a little soft IMO. But she is in full assassin mode in Deadly Sting!

Deadly Sting is different than all the other books in the Elemental Assassin series. The main plot takes place in one night at one location. I've talked the book over with some of my reading buddies and some have said they didn't like this change but I for one enjoyed it.

True we didn't get to see as much of the secondary characters that I've come to love just as but I feel like DS was more about Gin and getting some of her mojo back after the events that have happend to her personal life. And reminding the "crime bosses" in Ashland that the Spider is not someone to mess with.

Gin reluctantly goes to a fancy art showing with Finn. But it's not just any art show but it's a showing Mab Monroe's personal art collection and her will is going to be read at this shindig. All of the big names in Ashland is going to be there, including.....Owen Wilson. But Gin doesn't know it until she is blind sided by seeing him.....with a date.

Oh Owen, Owen, Owen. You cut us, cut us deep.

Just when the party is looking like a boring run of the mill art showing the wait staff start waving guns around and in true Gin fashion she can't go anywhere without having to put on her assassin knives, luckily she has a place or two to hide them under her new red party dress that Finn made her buy.

Gin moves throughout the museum like the deadly, bad ass assassin that she is taking out the bad guys and trying to save her family and friends at are in attendance. For the most part of the action Gin is alone but she's the Spider after all and she can handle it.

One thing I've enjoyed through out the series is getting flashbacks from Gin's past with her mentor, Fletcher. And we get another one in Deadly Sting. Gin always pulls from the memories to help her when she is in a hard place.

The Clementine, head bad guy, has plans for using Owen in her scheme. Gin works fast to free him before they kill him once he's done. The 1/2 half of the book has Owen and Gin working together to help the others.

"No, we didn't really get a chance to talk about anything. There was just blood, dead giants, and a lot of awkward pauses."

Review: Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

Winterblaze

by Kristen Callihan

Darkest London #3

Once blissfully in love…

Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy’s secrets are revealed, leaving Winston’s trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections…

Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test…

Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bear the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy’s love for him to defeat the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

I've got to say, I was a little worried that I would not like Poppy and Win's story. Why? Because they are a married couple. Most romance novels are about the couple meeting and falling in love and everyone knows that once your married, that's it. Marriage equals no romance. So I was wondering how Callihan was going to write their story.

Boy did she do a fantastic job! I worried for no reason. Winterblaze read like two different stories; we get to see how Poppy and Win got together through flashback chapters which took care of young romance. Then we get to see the couple struggle with their love and sexual tension in their "on the rocks" marriage.

Both Poppy and Win have not be totally honest with the other and in Poppy's case was living a double life. Win finds this out at the end of Moonglow and that was the big thing that put their marriage on the rocks. But  Poppy finds out that Win has a secret of his own when it comes to their life together.

Callihan really delivered on bring romance and lust back into a 14 year old marriage and watcing the couple grown into their new relationship was a heart wrecking and sexaul tension filled ride. I will never doubt Callihan again! I can't wait to see what she does with the next book in the Dark London series.

If you are like me and not really into Historical Romances this is a great series to deep your toe into the genre; it crosses the line between Paranormal an Historical Romance very well.

Other books in the series:

My Reivew

My Review

Audio Review: Poison Princess by Kresley Cole

Poison Princess

(The Arcana Chronicles #1)

by Kresley Cole

Narrated By Emma Galvin, Keith Nobbs

22 Arcana cards. 22 young assassins. May the best hand live.

Sixteen-year-old Evangeline “Evie” Greene leads a charmed life, until she begins experiencing horrifying hallucinations. When an apocalyptic event decimates her Louisiana hometown, Evie realizes her hallucinations were actually visions of the future—and they’re still happening. Fighting for her life and desperate for answers, she must turn to her wrong-side-of-the-bayou classmate: Jack Deveaux.

But she can’t do either alone.

With his mile-long rap sheet, wicked grin, and bad attitude, Jack is like no boy Evie has ever known. Even though he once scorned her and everything she represented, he agrees to protect Evie on her quest. She knows she can’t totally depend on Jack. If he ever cast that wicked grin her way, could she possibly resist him?

Who can Evie trust?

As Jack and Evie race to find the source of her visions, they meet others who have gotten the same call. An ancient prophesy is being played out, and Evie is not the only one with special powers. A group of twenty-two teens has been chosen to reenact the ultimate battle between good and evil. But it’s not always clear who is on which side…

I not a huge fan of Young Adult books but I do enjoy one every once in a while and since I enjoy Cole's adult series (Immortals After Dark) I wanted to give Poison Princess a try. HOLY FECKING COW am I glad I did. It totally blows away her adult series.

Cole knows how to write a post apocalyptic book and the YA elements didn't really take away from the awesomeness of the world. Sure it starts out with kids in high school but once the Flash takes place the game changes. WTF is the Flash? It's the event that changes the world. Driving the servers to live in a dessert land with little food researches.

Poison Princess starts out like many YA books with a pretty girl on her way to a love triangle. Evie is feeling pressured to give up her V-card to her football boyfriend and wanting the new transfer student, Jackson. And of course Jackson is from the "wrong side of the tracks".

But all the teen cliche end once the Flash takes place and shit starts getting real!

One of the things that really sucked me into the story is how Cole write it, Poison Princess switches between Evie's POV and that of Arthur; a boy that Evie meets and tells her story to. So we start near the end and learn about Evie's life as she tells Arthur. And Arthur is a real piece of work but I won't say more so that I don't spoil you.

Besides Evie, Arthur and Jackson there is a set of entertaining and complex characters and the cast will only grow as more of the Arcana kids come to light.


Cole just blew me away with this one, I've not thought about a book for days no weeks after reading for a while. Evie and her world has stuck with me and I cannot wait for the next book, Endless Knight.

If you're looking for a book that has the feel of Hunger Games, The Walking Dead and Revolution (NBC) all round up into one fantastic story, then you MUST pick up a copy of Poison Princess and I strongly encourage you to experience the ride on audio.


Narration Note: I was very excited knowing that there would be dual narration but then I was a little let down that the male narrator was not the voice of Jackson, the love interest. But with the duel POV the narration was perfect with the male narrator being the voice of Arthur. With Arthur having his own voice it added to the richness of the character. Emma Galvin's voice really brought Evie to life for me. She has a raspy voice that lends itself to the darker feel of the book.

2013 Top Review: Cut & Run by Madeleine Urban, Abigail Roux

Cut & Run 

by Madeleine Urban, Abigail Roux 

(Cut & Run #1)

A series of murders in New York City has stymied the police and FBI alike, and they suspect the culprit is a single killer sending an indecipherable message. But when the two federal agents assigned to the investigation are taken out, the FBI takes a more personal interest in the case.

Special Agent Ty Grady is pulled out of undercover work after his case blows up in his face. He's cocky, abrasive, and indisputably the best at what he does. But when he's paired with Special Agent Zane Garrett, it's hate at first sight. Garrett is the perfect image of an agent: serious, sober, and focused, which makes their partnership a classic clich: total opposites, good cop-bad cop, the odd couple. They both know immediately that their partnership will pose more of an obstacle than the lack of evidence left by the murderer.

Practically before their special assignment starts, the murderer strikes again this time at them. Now on the run, trying to track down a man who has focused on killing his pursuers, Grady and Garrett will have to figure out how to work together before they become two more notches in the murderer's knife.

First I have to give a shout out to Jen over at Red Hot Books for bullying me into reading Cut & Run. THANK YOU!!!

I went into reading Cut & Run with the attitude, sweet hot M/M sex and nothing else in mind..... This is not a fluff book with hot sweaty men going at it. Well there is hot sex but that's not the main focus. Cut & Run has a real back bone.

The M/M romance aspect of the book was really just the cherry on top of a great read. I was so caught up in the serial killer case and what was going to happen next. I really had to use my brain to work the case with Ty and Zane. And I love watching cop shows I enjoyed taking the clues that was given to use a little a time and watching the case unfold.

Ok so the plot was entertaining now lets talk about the romance part of the book. Ty is an ex-Marine working undercover cases and profiling for the FBI. He is all alpha and a real smart ass when the story starts. Zane is the clean cut company's man and works at a desk at the FBI. They are sexy version of the Odd Couple.

There is so many times that you think the two is going to kill each other and there is no way they are going to be able to work together much less have a romance. But some of their moodiness is the sexual tense. They are both attracted to each other but don't act on it thinking there is no way the other feels the same. Then all it takes as on well place touch and the fire ignites. When Ty and Zane aren't beating the crap out of each other or calling each other asshole they are all over each other.

It was beautiful to watch the romance unfold. Yeah the sex was hot but the actual romance was heart breaking. By the time we get to the end of the story they have changed places and Ty is the clean cut company man and Zane is the pissy acting undercover agent. See both men wear a mask and in between their moody swings we get a look into what kind of man each of them might be.

I just LOVED EVERYTHING about this book, the action, mystery and romance. If you've never read a M/M I highly recommend making this your first one to try.

Series Reading Order:
Cut & Run (Cut & Run #1)
Sticks & Stones (Cut & Run, #2)
Fish & Chips (Cut & Run, #3)
Divide & Conquer (Cut & Run, #4)
Armed  Dangerous (Cut & Run, #5)
Dine & Dash (Cut & Run, 5.5)
Stars & Stripes (Cut & Run, #6)  
Touch & Geaux (Cut & Run #7)

Audio Review: Skinwalker by Faith Hunter

Skinwalker 

by Faith Hunter 

(Jane Yellowrock #1) 

Narrated by Khristine Hvam 

Jane Yellowrock is the last of her kind—a skinwalker of Cherokee descent who can turn into any creature she desires and hunts vampires for a living. But now she’s been hired by Katherine Fontaneau, one of the oldest vampires in New Orleans and the madam of Katie’s Ladies, to hunt a powerful rogue vampire who’s killing other vamps..

“I figured even the most jaded and cynical inhabitant might report a bloody girl in a party dress carrying a severed head by its hair.”  ~ Jane


I've read few shifter/were books where the person has a inner monologue with their beast and I love it when it happens. Faith Hunter does an fantastic job at showing the two different being that share the same skin. Skinwalker doesn't have one heroine but two, Jane the woman and her big cat.

Jane is a shifter which means she can shift into any animal but her true beast is a large cat and when Jane picks a different animal, to add her in hunt for a rouge vampire, her big cat is not happy. Jane's not sure how she and her beast became one because she doesn't remember her childhood before age 12 where she was found wandering out of the woods. There are jokes through the book that she was raised by wolves.

Skinwalker takes place in New Orleans where Jane has taken a job to hunt down and terminate a rouge vampire. The only vamps that Jane has really interacted with are the ones she kills as part of her job. So when she is hired by and has to work with the local vampire council she has to change some of her thinking about vamps. Like not calling them vamps, it's a racial slur. She also starts seeing that they are not all monsters. Some of them can even be kind of sexy....

Jane also find her self working a with a local "Joe", a human by the name of Rick and like the vampires he is more than meets the eye.

In true UF fashion there's no hot sweaty monkey sex but there is a potential for a love triangle set up. Jane is attracted to both the human and the vampire. Her cat is also interest in both men for different reasons. I'll keep reading to see which guy wins the attention of both woman and cat.

If you're looking for a well written story about an Über kick ass heroine that can land on her feet as her out look on the "enemy" is changing you will love Skinwalker.


Narration Note:
Khristine Hvam does an amazing good with the narration of Skinwalker. Only after a couple of chapters I could not picture anyone else bring Jane to life. She also does a great job with the male voices.

2013 Top Reads

I'm stealing Jen @ Red Hot Books idea that she started in 2012 and is continuing in 2013. 

She lists her favorite reads for the year by month as she reads. 

My list will be a mix of books from my TBR list (old books) and some new releases.

I will include the above graphic 

(I purchased it with other review icons from PJ Designs) 

in the review of my 2013 Top Reads. 

You can also find the graphic on my sidebar which I will link to the all my 2013 Top Reads reviews. 

Just click on the graphic to see the reviews through the year.