REVIEW: Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione

ISBN  978-0-446-40098-5

Series: Demonica, Book 2

(c) 2009, Forever Imprint, Grand Central Publishing

Larissa Ione's website

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

"A rollercoaster ride from start to finish, and I don't want the ride to end!"

Larissa Ione is defnitely an author to watch! I'm amazed at her skill in creating such a fascinating and rich world, a world so vast that I anticipate spending a lot of hours enjoying the interesting and intriguing stories of her complex and equally intriguing characters. Take for example, Kynan Morgan. We saw him in book 1, and I don't think it'll be a spoiler to say that his storyline has taken a captivating turn at the end of book 2. I'm sure we'll read his story someday, but when??? Certainly not by book 4. I'm dying of curiosity here.

So, anyway, back to my review of Desire Unchained.

The first time I came across Shade and Runa was from a review, I think. Or something. I'm not too sure. But I do remember reading about Runa walking in on Shade when he was in bed with two females. And I didn't like Shade because he was cheating on her and I hated him because Runa would have been devastated by the discovery.

Fast forward to many many days later and I read Pleasure Unbound (book 1) where Shade was introduced. Didn't like him much either, though I could understand his nature as a Seminus demon better now, wherein he couldn't help but have intimate contact with women whose needs he could sense. It read like a helpless addiction to me. Still, it was no reason to cheat, and the fact that he gave it as a reason doesn't hold much water with me. I agree with Runa on that score.

It was only when things were presented from Shade's point of view that my feelings toward him thawed and I could empathize with him. Shade woke up to find himself chained in a dungeon, with Runa in the same cage. His enemy forced them to bond, in order to unleash unimaginable torment for Shade as part of his revenge. When Shade and Runa finally escaped, he was stuck with her, not that he found it a bad thing. When his brothers threatened to do her harm, he found himself protecting her, unable to bear the thought of her coming to harm.

Shade's secret longings and curse were also revealed, and I couldn't help but like him, even rooted for him to have his HEA with Runa. Shade's eventual strong feelings for Runa could have been because of the bond, but I like that Ms Ione clarified for us that no, Shade already felt something for Runa even before, which was why he ran like hell from her. I like that toward the end, Shade's nature as a Seminus warred with his own feelings for Runa, and in the end, which do you think won?

Runa is not the wimpy, lovelorn woman I thought her to be. Instead, she's pragmatic and she's grown strong because of her experiences, a fitting mate for Shade in all ways. Her "hatred" for Shade was worn down by Shade's expert lovemaking, but mainly because she still has feelings for him, despite the "lies" she told herself.

I confess, I hadn't thought to like this story much, but I love it much much better than Pleasure Unbound, mainly I think because of Shade . Not only do we have Shade's and Runa's romance, but the book is also filled with mayhem and revenge and loyalty and a curse that may take Shade's life. Of the three brothers, I think Wraith's the baddest of the bad boys, and I can't wait to read his story next.

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

REVIEW: Lilac by Louisa Trent

ISBN 978-1-59632-969-0

(c) June 2009, Loose Id

Louisa Trent's website

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise

"A delightful, funny read with an endearing heroine"

Tegan Ellis planned to blackmail Sean Griffith, owner of Central Coal Mine, into implementing certain reforms that would make the lives of the miners and their families better. She expected to find him engaged in an orgy and to use this knowledge to coerce him into doing what she wanted.

Sean Griffith climbed his way out of the gutter into the self-made man that he was today. Fifteen years ago, he was hurt by a woman he thought to wed and he never forgot it. When he learned that Tegan was planning to sully his good name--the only thing of value he had--he grew enraged and planned his revenge, starting with making her his plaything.

This book is not work-safe nor anywhere-safe, except if you're alone in the room, because in the midst of reading, I would suddenly find myself giggling at Tegan--at what she said or at her antics. I've never met a heroine like her. She is bubbly and optimistic and funny, and with her eyes firmly on the goal, she never lets anything get her down or prevent her from achieving her goal. She is a confounding mix of naive innocence and cunning mischief, and I bet Sean never knew what hit him.

Consider the following passage:

"Not when I intend to take my thanks from your pretty ass," he said crudely.

"A compliment! How very kind, sir."

He scowled. "What compliment?"

"You called a certain region of my anatomy pretty. I never, ever expected to receive praise about my posterior, but only a fool turns down a complimentary turn of phrase."...

And then, later:

...She stood, backed up to his folded knees. "Shall I bend over, sir? It was my ass you wanted to derive your thanks from, was it not?"

Sean Griffith's words and actions are true to his background, and his roughness and some of the sexual games he played with Tegan (such as mild exhibitionism, fisting) might put off some readers. I have read a wide variety of erotic romances and I have to admit I was slightly disturbed at some of the games, though Tegan was consenting and appeared to enjoy them. That said, this is a well-written story than most erotic romances I've read, and Tegan as the enchanting heroine carried off the story pretty well.

Rating: 3 stars

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise

REVIEW: Another Night, Another Dream by Mechele Armstrong

ISBN 978-1-59632-990-4

(c) August 2009, Loose Id

Mechele Armstrong's website

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise,

"A hot, sumptuous read!"

Cassie was expecting to spend a fabulous birthday with her girlfriend, but a bitchy comment sent her fleeing to the back staircase, forgetting that it's usually locked after office hours. However, the gorgeous stripper Aden and his bodyguard Leo followed her and got locked in as well. When Cassie's claustrophobic tendencies caused her to start panicking, the men had to devise ways to distract her...

Mechele Armstrong is a whiz at creating sexual tension. Love, love, love the truth or dare game they played, and the tension there was so thick you could cut it with a knife. After the incredible tension, the actual act itself was something of a let down.

Another thing I like is that the characters have depth, that each has his/her own fears and insecurities, and that in opening up to the others, instead of being ridiculed, they find strength and acceptance and the first step toward healing.

However, I would've liked the story better should Cassie's change of heart be portrayed. As it is, although we're told why Cassie had a 180 degree turn, I believe the impact would be greater were we shown the process that Cassie had undergone. Still, Mechele Armstrong is a master storyteller and I'll be seeking out her other books.

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise,

REVIEW: Savage Lessons by Moira Rogers

ISBN 978-1-60521-355-2

Series: Temple of Luna, Book 3

(c) January 2010, Changeling Press

Moira Rogers' website

Buy Links (ebook): Changeling Press

"Incredibly hot, with more than a touch of romance!"

Growing up poor, Lexa wanted to attain the position of high priestess as a way to gain financial security. Her rise through the ranks of priestesses was meteoric and even Celine, the current high priestess, was impressed and meant for her to be the successor. As a final test for Lexa's qualification, she has to be trained by Dejan, a half-feral wolf feared by many.

Something magical happened between them and Lexa was able to shatter his control, thus passing his test. However, their need for each other didn't abate, and though it was forbidden for a trainer and a priestess to continue to have dealings with each other, they were unable to keep away, until their secret trysts threatened to hurt the warriors they were supposed to protect. Not only that, but Lexa's ambition may also come between them.

The Temple of Luna series just keeps getting better and better! I like how each book thus far presents a heroine with a different station or function in the temple, such that taken as a whole, we are able to gain an overall perspective on the workings of the temple. For example, Avani in Savage Possession is a novice, Zahra in Savage Need is more healer than priestess, and Lexa is a novice with enough ambition to jump straight to priestess and here, in this book, we are also introduced to the concept of trainers giving lessons to the novices and teaching them the proper way to handle warriors.

I would have to say that this book is the hottest thus far of the three, because Lexa's and Dejan's need for each other just jumps right off the page, especially in their first intimate scene. After Lexa became a priestess, you can feel their angst and desperation as they engaged in their trysts, especially Dejan, wanting to claim Lexa yet knowing he couldn't. Despite the hotness, this story is also very romantic and toward the end, a slight poignant quality lends it a hint of vulnerability to touch the heart.

I'm sad though that there's only one last book in the series! Still, it's coming in March 2010, which I think features Celine.

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Link (ebook): Changeling Press
* Note: The review copy is supplied by the author.

New Releases Next Week

We thought we'd give everyone a glimpse of some of the new releases next week, books that we are interested to read, though we may not necessarily get the chance to read and review them, in the interests of time and energy. Still, won't it be nice if we have the time to read all the books featured below?

When the Summer Queen of the fae orders Aislinn Finvarra to act as a guide for a half-incubus who is known to possess dark magick and sexual power, she must protect not only her heart, but her very life.

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Long ago Eve Lockhart discovered that the ancient magic that was her birthright could cost her everything. So she vowed to create a normal life and was convinced she'd succeeded-until a long-lost family talisman resurfaces. A prize beyond price, the hourglass pendant ignites the fevered interest of mysterious forces who'll risk anything to possess it-forces that include one very seductive man...

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

Series: The Nine Kingdoms, Book 4

Sarah's brother has embraced the dark arts, vowing to destroy the Nine Kingdoms, and she doesn't have the power to stop him. Now she must risk everything to thwart his plans, even though she fears the quest will reveal the secret she's kept all her life.

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Everyone's cordially invited to attend the steamiest wedding of the year...

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook
 

First in the Works like Magick series!

The Works like Magick Employment Agency has a reputation for perfectly matching clients with magical temps. So when McKenna Greylock requests a handyman, the gorgeous Bastian Dragonelli arrives to repair her B and B- and fire up her bedroom.

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

In a kingdom on the verge of a grand renaissance, where natural science has supplanted failing sorcery, someone aims to revive a savage rivalry...

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

Happy New Year

From all of us here at The Raving Readers!

Wishing everyone the best of the coming year, in all aspects of your life. And, of course, more good books and more time to read them.

~ Shana, Silver and Carole

Counting My Blessings

I stayed up late last night, when the house is quiet and everyone else is asleep, to think over 2009 and to give thanks for the blessings I've received. In this busy world of ours, I think this is a good exercise, because in the hustle and bustle, we usually forget to be thankful to the Almighty God or whoever you worship (or even if you don't worship anyone) for the good things that have come our way.

So, to name a few:

1. Family.

2. For good friends without whom this blog would not be possible. 'Nuff said.

3. Good books that helped while away the time spent commuting to and from work, that saved me from utter boredom, that transported me to exciting, imaginary worlds with sexy (both inward and outward), gorgeous, to-die-for heroes. We always need more good books. More time, too.

Enough about me. What are the things you're thankful for in 2009?

REVIEW: Revealed by Kate Noble

ISBN 978-0425221747

(c) 2008, Berkley Trade, Penguin Group
Kate Noble's website

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Links (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

"Engaging and sweet. Not to be missed!"

Philippa Benning is undoubtedly the darling of the ton, but she has to be on guard lest her arch nemesis, Lady Jane Cummings, steals the title away from her. Things come to a head when both women tried to win the affections of the Marquis of Broughton.

In these first few chapters, Philippa comes across as a shallow, society lady who enjoys playing "the game" and who would do anything to come out on top. At this stage, I am of two minds about her. One is that I didn't like her, as I grow tired with yet another description of the setting, the gowns, etc, as of course, only Philippa would notice. In this, her thoughts and actions are in tune with her character. On the other hand, Philippa is such a refreshing change from the rest of historical England's heroines (at least, those books that I've read so far, where the women never aspired to be Society darlings) that I felt compelled to read on. I did debate whether I should stop, but another reason that made me continue turning the pages is that I wanted to meet the hero and see what stuff he's made of!

So then, Philippa stumbles upon a mysterious stranger who she inferred from an eavesdropped convesation is the Blue Raven, a hero of the land, and she realizes she has the perfect trump card in her hand. If she could reveal the identity of the Blue Raven at the annual Benning ball, her place in Society would be secure, hence, she makes a bargain with him. In exchange for what she wanted, she would help him gain entry into the big Society events, which he needed as part of his investigation into French treachery. Little did she suspect that she would be throwing her heart into the bargain...

As the story progressed, I find myself liking Philippa more and more, for her courage, her sense of adventure and for her innate desire to do what's right, at any cost to herself and her pride. Of course, concern for Marcus Worth has a big influence in her decisions. Another thing I must applaud the author for is the believability of Philippa's character. She remains true to herself, even until the end. Essentially, she is still the same Philippa Benning, still aspires to continue to hold the title of Society's darling, but she has been tempered by love. I like that she didn't become a completely different person when touched by love as had happened in some books.

She is also understandably confused and torn about her feelings for Marcus, as he is a nobody, while the Marquis of Broughton is the catch of the Season. Yet, in true Philippa fashion, when she makes up her mind about something, nothing and no one will stop her in the way of getting it.

Marcus Worth is a government spy, big, bad and dangerous, and yet his interactions with Philippa are rather sweet. Okay, I'm lying. Marcus comes across as a gentle, thoughtful man with a wide streak of patriotism and who wouldn't hurt a fly. A typical nice guy. And he is exactly what the competitive Philippa needs. Marcus is also smart and caring of Philippa, and he knows he is irresistibly attracted to Philippa, no matter how torn up he is about it, because he knows he is nothing in Society, and he has nothing to offer Philippa. Yet, he can't help his feelings for her, and when her safety is threatened, he becomes big, bad and dangerous, and nothing is going to stop him from keeping her safe.

Nothing was revealed about Philippa's long-standing feud with Jane, and there was also a hint that there could be more people involved in the French treachery that Marcus was investigating. I hope there will be more books in this series, as Kate Noble's stories are a joy to read, and her characters engaging. For sure, I'll be checking out "The Summer of You" (Jane and Byrne's story, yay!) and an earlier novel, Compromised, which features a viscount who is in love with a woman but engaged to her sister (A delicious read! Review coming soon).

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Links (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

REVIEW: Candelabra by Afton Locke

ISBN 9781419926525

(c) December 2009, Ellora's Cave

Afton Locke's website

Buy Link (ebook): Ellora's Cave

"Ingenious and delicious hot, short read"

Tandy Davis travels to Loch Enya Castle in Scotland to experience BDSM as a sub in order to deal with being a control freak. As she got lost in the castle, she stumbled into a room which contained the most attractive man she'd met during the entire trip and the possibilities that yawned before her was endless...

Afton Locke pens an unique and delicious way to deal with control issues interspersed with magic and fantasy. Mainly, Tandy likes to take control because she doesn't trust in anyone but herself, yet this is exactly what Bryne needs to resolve his own issues. Yet with each information he reveals about himself as an elemental fire fairy, Tandy struggles more and more with herself. And we can see her conflict and confusion when her mind thinks one thing, but she does another.

Readers should take note that this book mainly contains light BDSM play. I am not into BDSM, hence I wouldn't know if the scenes described here or words used are technically correct or not, but they're hot with sizzling passion between the characters and an ingenious use of candle wax.

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Link (ebook): Ellora's Cave

J. Kaye's 2010 100+ Reading Challenge

The Raving Readers decided to participate in J. Kaye's 100+ Reading Challenge, represented solely by me--Silver. *waving pom poms*

Basically, with this challenge, I just need to read 100 or more books in 2010, and these can be audio books, ebooks, dead tree books, graphic novels, etc, as long as they have an ISBN. Thus far, I was the 287th person to join. Cool that so many people take up this challenge. For more details on the challenge, head on over to J. Kaye's website.

I've never counted how many books I've read in a year, so I think this is gonna be fun.

This is also the post where I'm gonna list down the books I've read in 2010.

1.  Savage Lessons by Moira Rogers

2.  Another Night, Another Dream by Mechele Armstrong

3.  Lilac by Louisa Trent

4.  Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione
5.  Written On Your Skin by Meredith Duran
6.  The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

7.  3 Brides for 3 Bad Boys by Lucy Monroe

8.  In Training by India Masters

9.  Tempted All Night by Liz Carlyle

10. Wicked All Day by Liz Carlyle

11. Holiday Bound by Beth Kery

12. Nightkeepers by Jessica Andersen

13. Entwined by Fate by S.A. Price

14. Settler's Mine 5: The Man by Mechele Armstrong

15. Firsts by Rosalie Stanton
16. Seduce Me in Shadow by Shayla Black

17. The Club by Sharon Page
18. Possess Me at Midnight by Shayla Black
19. The Battle Sylph by L.J.McDonald
20. Breaking Free by Cherise Sinclair
21. Dawnkeepers by Jessica Andersen
22. Skykeepers by Jessica Andersen
23. Beyond the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
24. Threshold by Sara Douglass
25. Dark Lover by J.R. Ward
26. Another Dream, Another Reality by Mechele Armstrong
27. Medalon by Jennifer Fallon
28. Darkness Revealed by Alexandra Ivy
29. Embrace the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
30. How to Score by Robin Wells
31. Never After (anthology)
32. Lover Eternal by J.R. Ward
33. Lover Awakened by J.R. Ward
34. The Nymph by Kate Austin
35. Summers at Castle Auburn by Sharon Shinn
36. The Initiation of Isabella by Jenna Ives
37. My Lady's Pleasure by Alice Gaines
38. Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward
39. One Weekend by Sasha White
40. Crystal Genie by Opal Carew
41. Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward
42. Wicked Temptation by Liane Gentry Skye
43. Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward
44. Beyond the Night by Joss Ware
45. Bound by Your Touch by Meredith Duran
46. In Other Worlds by Sherrilyn Kenyon
47. Lover Avenged by J.R. Ward
48. Position Secured by Olivia Brynn
49.