Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts
Showing posts with label magic. Show all posts

Wednesday, October 1, 2008

Enchanted Beauty by Marly Mathews




4.5 Stars.

What a charming and sweet story.
Enchanted Beauty by Marly Mathews puts a new spin on the old tale of Beauty and The Beast. With a little bit of magic and along with some truly fascinating characters and a mesmerizing plot she weaves a spell-binding story that keeps you guessing right up until the end...

This is one of those stories that I found almost impossible to put down, which can sometimes make for a very late night...

If you enjoy stories about beautiful damsels in distress,wizards, magic and ever-after then you're sure to love Enchanted Beauty...

Annabelle Hawthorne Morton hails from an ancient mystical line—even though she herself has not been endowed with the mark of magic that the magic-kind of Thaliana are born with. Despite this, she aspires for magical greatness, and while performing a spell the enchantment backfires in her face, robbing her of half her sight. But it doesn't take her long to realize that within a few months she will be completely blind. When her father enrages the local lord and he's imprisoned for his crimes, Annabelle must muster her courage and save her father from the beast's wrath.

Lord Malachi Hawthorne, Earl of Markham has been horribly disfigured during a magical battle. His sister betrayed him—and now her curse has put him into his own living hell. Believing that the outside world will revile him for his monstrous appearance, he retreats to his enchanted castle. He is determined to make Annabelle's father his indentured servant, until he meets Annabelle. He quickly decides that she is the one that might finally set him free from his living hell, and knows he must have her as his own.

Publisher New Concepts Publishing
Cover art (c) Alex DeShanks 2008
ISBN: 978-1-60394-
Download $5.99

Wednesday, June 18, 2008

Darkenbane The Fountain by Kimberly Adkins

Picture Coming Soon

5 Stars...

A recommended read...



The story begins in our present day New Orleans,after Hurricane Katrina. Wow! When you pick up this book and open to the first page, you are taken away! Its a "can't put down" read. Kimberly immediately takes you through magic portals to other worlds or dimensions, you decide...


She introduces her characters in such away, you feel as if you know them well. When Hayden meets Jasmine, you can feel the heat that emanates between them come off the pages. Hayden is every woman's secret desire for a "Prince Charming".

Truly, this is a fast and fun read as Kimberly leads you through the mazes of time with Jasmine's and Hayden's adventures intertwining until they meet again...and again....and again....so the story goes....

I would definitely rate this a great big 5, one of those reads that you just can't bring yourself to put down.


Kathy Jennings reviewing for Kasey's View

“You must follow your heart—
for the answers you seek may save us all yet.”

A brass key. A note. A handsome stranger near a fountain in an abandoned courtyard. On a sultry New Orleans evening, Jasmine takes these only clues to her identity and follows them to a place she’d thought only existed in dreams and ancient faery tales.

Through a doorway in time, Hayden has come from the dangers of his dying kingdom to the most beautiful woman he’s ever known. Bound by his royal blood to retrieve the lost prophecies and end a war, he soon finds his quest, his destiny, and his love are all entwined with Jasmine more than anyone ever knew.

Darkenbane The Fountain is scheduled for release August 2008.
Author: Kimberly Adkins
ISBN: 978-1-934912-05-8
Price: $14.95 paperback
Price: $6.00 Ebook (PDF format)
Pages: 192 paperback

Wednesday, March 19, 2008

Touched By Darkness by Catherine Spangler

4.5 Stars

Touched By Darkness by Catherine Spangler is book one of her exciting new sentinel series.
I found it to be a superb dark fantasy woven around the ancient legend of Atlantis. For the most part stories about Atlantis have become a tired and over-used concept so I was pleasantly surprised at just how entertaining the story actually was. The world building was excellent in that the author gives you just enough information to compliment but not overwhelm the story.

Seven years ago Dr. Kara Catrell's lover was brutally murdered by a Belian, an evil demon like spirit that occupies a mortal body. And ever since she's been on the run, trying to protect her young son Alex from the same evil that killed his father. But now it seems that same evil has again found them and the only thing standing between them and death is Damien Morgan a dark and dangerously sexy sentinel who forces her to remember feelings and desires long forgotten. This story has a very interesting twist that will keep you guessing right up until the end as to who the Belian really is....

After seven years on the run, Dr. Kara Cantrell thought she and her son, Alex, were safe. She was wrong.

Kara settled in the sleepy town of Zorro, Texas, convinced she and her child had escaped the sinister reach of a supernatural underworld. But now dark forces may jeopardize her new life. Her only hope is Damien Morgan, a dangerous, alluring man with superhuman abilities. He and Kara share a mystical link that triggers desires they must ignore. But as they work together to protect her son, and to track the evil stalking them, something threatens to push them toward the edge...of darkness.

Tuesday, February 12, 2008

Night Hunter by Cathy McDavid

Four stars.

Twenty five years ago Gillian's mother was brutally murdered by an unspeakable beast, and now after all these years the monster is back...
Night Hunter by Cathy McDavid is an interesting and very unique dark paranormal romance, that just gets better the deeper into the story you are. The evil beast Cadamus along with the gothic and horror elements add to the overall darkness of the story which ends with an unexpected twist that will hopefully lead to a sequel....

Every Twenty-five years the cycle begins anew-a legendary creature reawakens and preys upon the innocent. The police refuse to believe such a monster exists. But Gillian knows it's real. When she was seven, she watched in horror as it killed her mother. Now the beast is back... for her.

As the chosen Hunter, Nick is the only one who can destroy the creature. Yet a gorgeous psychology proffeesor keeps pushing her way into his investigation and into his most intimate fantasies. For her own protection, Nick's determined to stay by Gillian's side , every day and each delicious night. And meanwhile, the monster bides it's time...

Author Cathy McDavid
ISBN 978-0505527226
Publisher Love Spell
Page Count 336 Pages

Tuesday, January 29, 2008

Guardian's Keep by Lori Devoti

I give it four stars +


The paranormal romance Guardian's Keep by Lori Devoti is book two of the exciting new unbound series and offers an enjoyable and fascinating glimpse into a strange and magical multi-layered world. Although it's not necessary that you read Unbound first you might find it helpful as it does offer an explanation of why the two main characters Kelly and Kol are at such odds with each other. The chemistry between the two of them in spite of or maybe because of their differences is scorching hot that's not to mention the fact that from start to finish the action never ends. If you enjoy stories that are filled with non-stop action, romance, witches, shape-shifters, and all manner of magical beasts then this is one book that you're sure to enjoy....

Kol Hildr had spent the last century battling hellhounds and warlocks who sought to usurp his portal's magic. A mighty shape-shifter with the ability to change into wolf form, Kol made accessing the powerful gateway nearly impossible - unless you were a witch of Kelly Shane's talents. She had a score to settle and would do anything to close the portal that led to her unearthly prison. Though an alliance with her compromised Kol's purpose, something about the little witch overwhelmed his firece, battle-worn soul. But when he learned Kelly's life might be in jeopardy, could Kol put aside the one thing he thought he valued most- the portal-to jouney to the other side and rescue her?



Silhouette Nocturne
ISBN: 978-0373617784
Genre:Paranormal
Pages: 282
Authors Website: http://www.loridevoti.com/

Sunday, January 27, 2008

Night Season by Eileen Wilks

I give it five stars.....

Night Season by Eileen Wilks, is a wonderful blend of magic, adventure, and romance and in my opinion her best story yet. In this story part four of the world of lupi series, a pregnant Cynna Weaver and her companion the lupi sorcerer Cullen Seaborne along with one of my favorite characters the sassy little demon Gan journey to a magical realm called Edge in order to obtain a stolen medallion. Along the way they encounter numerous hardships and fantastic adventures. their very hard to put down story is literally filled with action, adventure, romance, magic, and even a dragon. Before reading this story I would recommend that you read the previous books in the series, so that you will understand all of the nuances of this wonderful and magical world that the author has crafted.

Pregnancy has turned FBI agent Cynna Weaver's whole life upside down. Lupus sorcerer Cullen Seabourne is thrilled to be a father, but what does Cynna know about kid's? Her mother was a drunk and her father abandoned his family. Or so she's always believed...

As Cynna is trying to wrap her head around this problem, a new one pops up in the form of a delegation from another realm. They want to take Cynna back with them- to meet her long-lost father and find a mysterious medallion. But when these two born cynics, land in a world where magic is common-place and night never ends, their only way home lies in tracking down the missing medallion - one also sought by powerful beings who will do anything to claim it...

Sunday, January 20, 2008

The Black Dragon by Allyson James

I give it five stars.

The Black Dragon by the prolific author Allyson James is book two of The Dragon Series. This story starts out eight months after the first story. Malcolm the seductive black dragon has returned to dragonspace leaving Saba Watanabe his love slave behind. But when Saba is brutally assaulted by a white dragon in human form a furious Malcolm returns to defend his Saba, the beautiful witch who holds his heart.

A simply delightful read....
The Black Dragon is a fast paced story filled with fascinating and interesting characters. The sex is scorching and the love tender and heartfelt. If you enjoy stories about dragons, shifters, witches and magic then you can't afford to miss The Black Dragon.

Wednesday, January 16, 2008

Unbreakable by Sydney Somers

I give it five stars.

Unbreakable by Sydney Somers is a fantastic action filled story, in the tradition of Buffy The Vampire Slayer that I found almost impossible to put down. The chemistry between the main characters as well as the secondary ones is outstanding.
When the story first starts Jordan and her partner / lover Gage are brutally attacked by a war demon and in the process the fatally injured Gage ends up dying in her arms.
Fast forward five years into the future, Jordan is still a cop by day but by night she's an ass kicking demon slayer with an attitude! So imagine her anger and hurt when she discovers that Gage didn't really die that night. Instead he's stayed away for the last five years in a misguided attempt to protect her from the shadow demons that she hunts and slays every night.

This book is definitely a keeper. If you love stories about demons, heroes, hot sex and a great love that won't be denied then you are sure to love Unbreakable.


Unbreakable Shadow Destroyers Book One.
Jordan McAdam leads an unusual double life. Police Officer by day, vigilante by night. But Jordan isn't interested in the average criminal, She stalks Shadow Demons, creatures who prey on the innocent, creatures whom she suspects are responsible for a string of bizarre sacrificial murders. Creatures who killed her partner and lover.

Gage Campbell has spent the last few years on a elite team of Shadow Destroyers, hunting down the demons who changed his life-and his DNA. Then an assignment leads him straight back to the woman he hasn't been able to stop thinking about for five long years. The woman he had no choice but to leave behind.

Is the man before her a mimic demon bent on tormenting her, or is it Gage returned from the dead? All Jordan knows is that the raging desire between them is real. Standing between them are years of secrets and hurt, and a love that just might have the power to bring them together. If the murder case they're working on doesn't separate them ...permanently.

Saturday, January 12, 2008

A Lick Of Frost by Laurell K. Hamilton

My grade four+ stars

A Lick Of Frost is book six in the continuing saga of the faerie princess Meredith Gentry by the very prolific writer Laurell K. Hamilton. This book quickly picks up right where the last story ended but is even more enjoyable and well focused. I found it to be a delightful read filled with lots of turns, surprises, and twists. And that's not even mentioning the plotting and intrigue.
If you enjoy stories about faeries, politics, and dark intrigue, then you'll love A Lick Of Frost.


I am Meredith Gentry, princess and heir apparent to the throne in the realm of faerie, onetime private investigator in the mortal world.

To be crowned queen, I must first continue the royal bloodline and give birth to an heir of my own. If I fail, my aunt Queen Andais, will be free to do what she most desires: install her twisted son, Cel, as monarch... and kill me.
My royal guards surround me, and my best loved - my Darkness and my Killing Frost - are always beside me, sworn to protect and make love to me. But still the threat grows greater. For despite all my carnal efforts, I remain childless, while the machinations of my sinister, sadistic Queen and her confederates remain tireless. So my bodyguards and I have slipped back into Los Angeles, hoping to outrun the gathering shadows of court intrigue. But even exile isn't enough to escape the grasp of those with dark designs.
Now King Taranis, powerful and vainglorious ruler of Faerie's Seelie Court, has leveled accusations against my noble guards of a heinous crime - and has gone so far as to ask the mortal authorities to prosecute. If ye succeeds, my men face extradition to faerie and the hideous penalties that await them there. But I know that Taranis's charges are baseless, and I sense that his true target is me. He tried to kill me when I was a child. Now I fear his intentions are far more terrifying.



Thursday, January 3, 2008

Lady Of Light And Shadows by C.L. Wilson

Lady Of Light And Shadows is book two in an extraordinary new series by C.L. Wilson. If you haven't read the first book Lord Of The Fading Lands you really should read it first to get the most out of the series . I found it to be a wonderful fantasy that grabs your attention right from the start. If you enjoy deep dark fantasy, fairy tales, magic, wizards and the eternal battle of good versus evil and a little hot sex thrown in, then this is the book for you.

Grade:*****
He Stepped from the sky to claim her like an enchanted prince from the pages of a fairy tale, but behind the mesmerizing beauty of his violet eyes she saw the driving hunger of the beast and an endless sorrow only she could heal.
Only for him would she embrace her frightening magic. Only for him would she find the courage to confront the shadows that haunted her soul. For ahead an epic battle was fast approaching, and only united could they hope to turn back the armies of darkness.

The Lure Of The Wolf by Jennifer ST. Giles

The Lure Of The Wolf is book two of the Shadowmen series by Jennifer ST. Giles. If anything I found her second book to be even better than the first. It grips you right from the start and never lets up from start to finish. The writing is superb, the tension gripping and the romance hot,hot,hot.

Grade: *****
Mighty warriors sworn to protect humanity, the shape-shifters known as The Shadowmen move between two worlds. Now their leader has exiled himself from the spirit world, opening the door to the forces of chaos... and to the power of love.
Half wolf, half man Aragon has abandoned his brethren to repay a debt of honor, he is sworn to kill rogue Blood Hunter, though exacting revenge will doom him to a ghastly existence trapped between two worlds. But when a mortal woman unexpectedly call him to her side, the heat of her soft flesh arouses a hunger in him that threatens to complicate his mission.
Dr. Annette Batista, a dedicated healer, is determined to find her missing sister. With the amulet found at the site of her sisters disappearance, she unwittingly summons a shadowy warrior, she wonders if she can trust this powerful male named Aragon, who claims he can vanquish her sisters captor - the very monster he's vowed to destroy. Or is Annette blinded by her shocking passion for the most alluring, mysterious man she's ever seen?

Tuesday, January 1, 2008

Saving Destiny by Pat White

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Saving Destiny by Pat White is final story in the Dark Enchantments series. I found it to be a very enjoyable and interesting read, the characters were likable and mostly believable. I did think that the character of Destiny went through a lot of personality changes in a very short time as she changed from being a scared and timid girl into a strong, confident , and powerful woman. But then again the book was only 280 pages long, and the author did what she could to explain everything in a satisfactory manner.


Grade:****
All her life Destiny Rue feared the family curse, insanity. So when she meets Kade Sharpe, a handsome businessman interested in her scientific research, she attributes the vivid fantasies and worse yet, voices to the onset of her dreaded family legacy. But then Kade spins a tale about an Ash Demon Warrior blackmailed by the Cadre into saving the Crystal Goddess, a healer of legend who could destroy his kind. Suddenly, everything Destiny has believed about her life is called into question......
The old destiny would have been terrified, But armed with the strength Kade has given her, the new Destiny considers the magnitude of her legacy, For if she is the fated healer, how can she choose between the life of the man who's changed her entire world and the balance between good and evil?

The Beast Within by Lisa Renee Jones

The Beast Within by Lisa Renee Jones is the first book of a new series by nocturne called The Knights Of White. I found it to be a very interesting read and the character developement was quite good, but the story does contain more sex than actual romance, which may be due to the fact that the main characters loved each other in another life.

Grade ****


Known as Jag, he leads the Knights of White against the soulless Darkland Beasts who took his wife and his life. Jag is immortal, destined to live with the vengeance he feels in his heart and the dreams that haunt his soul. Sensual dreams of a woman. Dreams that threaten to unlease the beast within..........

Karen Gibson is an innocent mortal, unwittingly thrown into his millennia-old battle, and unwillingly under Jag's protection. She and Jag are about to discover that they have met before in the dreams that they share.

Neither trusts the other. Neither can survice alone. The secret of those erotic dreams may be all that save them. If Jag can only accept it, at risk is Karen's life and Jag's immortal soul..........

Friday, December 28, 2007

Night Mischief by Nina Bruhns

Night Mischief by Nina Bruhns is the very enjoyable third installment of the Dark Enchantments series. The story is exceptional with likeable and very well rounded characters. Along with some extremely hot sex scenes.
Grade:*****
Lady Dawn Maybank accidentally conjures up a hot and very sexy demon of Vengeance. The demon, Galen McManus offers Dawn a trade that allow her to finally earn the respect that she's sought for most of her life. In exchange for the Demon Stone, a long lost family heirloom for which her father has searched for almost all of his life. Dawn will get to spend five nights in the darkly seductive demons bed. Little does Dawn know, but like all demons Galen has his own objective. Unfortunately for Galen, because of his deepening feelings for Dawn he soon finds himself caught in his own trap.

Howl At The Moon by Christine Warren

Christine Warren returns to the world of The Others in her hot new romance Howl At The Moon. If you enjoy reading about werewolf's and hot alpha males then you won't be disappointed with her newest novel. I found the book to be very well written and completely engrossing. The characters are well rounded and very likable and the chemistry between the two main characters Noah and Samantha is hot, hot, hot.

Grade:*****
Noah Baker finds himself in the difficult position of spying on The Others for the government. This is doubly hard on Noah because not only is he in love with a beautiful werewolf named Samantha. But his sister is married to a demon, so he finds himself pulled between his loved ones and his duty to his country.
Samantha Carstairs is the personal assistant to the Alpha of the Silverback Clan a job that she takes very seriously. And as such she is privy to a very dangerous secret. And someone else besides Noah is after her secrets. Noah's loyalty is put to the test as he tries to protect The Others and find the true impostor.

Thursday, December 27, 2007

Devil Inside by Jenna Black

Devil Inside is the latest book by the very prolific writer Jenna Black. I found the book to be very well written and interesting. If you enjoy books about strong tough women and sexy demons. Then you will most likely enjoy Devil Inside.
Now for the parts that I didn't enjoy. When the book first starts Morgan is a strong kick-ass Exorcist but about halfway through the book she ends up being more wimpy than anything else. Which just didn't seem to jibe with her character
At times the sex is just a little too much and ends up detracting instead of adding to the story. Please note this book does contain violence, bondage, and some scenes of male lovers. So it may not be some peoples cup of tea. In future sequels I would enjoy more character development and maybe a little less sex.

Grade:***+
Morgan Kingsley is in Topeka Kansas for an exorcism job when she finds that she herself is possessed. And not by just any demon. Lugh the demon King is six feet five inches of dark delicious temptation. Which is more temptation than most women could take.

Wednesday, December 26, 2007

Demons Kiss by Eve Silver


Now that the Holiday's are almost over and we're facing the long cold month of January. What better time to curl up with a hot cup of chocolate and a good book. And hopefully before you know it spring will be here. Our first book this month is Demon's Kiss by the very talanted Eve Silver. If you love hot romances combined with magic, strong alpha males, and a few evil demons thrown in for good measure then Demon's Kiss is the book for you.
Grade: ****
I found Demon's Kiss to be a very well written and enjoyable book. And will be looking forward to reading the sequel Demon's Hunger.


As a young child Clea Masters witnessed the death of her parents from a brutal demon attack that also left her gravely injured. For most of her life she's managed to supress the memories but when a demon attacks her she's launched into a dangerous and strange world that she never knew existed. And the only thing standing between her and death is the lethal and seductive sorcerer Ciarran D'Arbois.