Review: Long Night Moon by S.M. Reine

Long Night Moon (Seasons of the Moon #3) by S.M. Reine
Synopsis (Goodreads):

Something is killing innocent people around Rylie Gresham's town. The police think it's a wild animal, but she has other suspicions. There are new kids at school, and they have a lot in common with her: gold eyes, super strength, and a habit of turning furry. It seems Rylie's not the only werewolf around anymore.

It's up to Rylie and her werewolf-hunting boyfriend, Seth, to stop the killings. But saving lives doesn't come naturally to a monster, and territory battles could risk the life of her sickly aunt--not to mention her own. Rylie has no choice but to stand her ground, protect her home, and stop the murderers before anyone else gets hurt.

My Thoughts: This is one series that I've consistently enjoyed and book 3 is no exception. It's a little bit dark, a little bit angsty (in a good way) and it features one ball busting werewolf girl and the boy who loves her.

Rylie is both terribly complicated and incredibly straightforward as a character. There are times when she's driven almost exclusively by her wolf's needs which basically consist of gathering her pack close, protecting her territory and hunting. Then the girl side of her comes out and she is wracked by guilt over her actions. She's complex.

Seth is trying to make something of himself. He stood up to his mom and stayed with a girl who he should have hunted. He loves her but she's a danger to him. His brother is suddenly showing an interest in Rylie that he hadn't shown before and it confuses Seth and sets his inner alarm bells ringing. I do enjoy the relationship between Seth, Abel and Rylie. It's sticky and messy and things look like they're only going to get worse before they get better.

Rylie's future is up in the air at the end of the book. She needs to gain a measure of control over her wolf before she causes even more damage than she has already. The question becomes whether she'll be able to learn that control before she loses herself completely. I'm ready to see how all this plays out.

Books in this series
1. Six Moon Summer
2. All Hallows' Moon
3. Long Night Moon - Paperback | Kindle
4. Gray Moon Rising

Author Links
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Reading challenges: Ebook Challenge, Why Buy the Cow? Challenge
Long Night Moon was a free Kindle download I picked up on 06/27/12.

Review: Bloodhound by S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart

Bloodhound (Rise of the Unseelie #4) by S.A. Archer & S. Ravynheart
Synopsis (Goodreads):

Donovan rescued the earthborns. Protected them. Gave them shelter from the predators who would feast on their blood and Sidhe magic.

That time is over.

Time for the earthborns to train. To fight back. To reclaim what is theirs.

Time to show the world what it means to be Unseelie.

My Thoughts: I’ve been invested in Malcolm’s story since he made his first appearance. His lack of knowledge at his heritage, what he endured before Donovan rescued him, his fury at the way he was used all combined to make him a powder keg of emotion. That he finally got some closure with his father made me incredibly happy. He’s finding a place among the other Earthborn and he has a skill that is highly prized by Donovan himself. If he’s not careful, he just might end up becoming a well-adjusted member of Unseelie society.

But it’s not all about Malcolm. Donovan is pushing the other Earthborn to develop their powers. They’re awkward and they don’t always know what they’re doing but they’re making advances. Donovan is drawing more and more of the surviving Unseelie to him and he’s making the most of their skills.

Overlapping with the events in Enchanted, things are coming to a head and the major players are beginning to interact. Malcolm is volatile, Donovan is a born leader and London had best watch her back. Things are tense and they’re only going to get worse.

Books in this series
(suggested series reading order)
End of the World (Champion of the Sidhe #1)
Aftershock (Rise of the Unseelie #1)
Cursed (Touched #1)
Champion of the Fey (Champion of the Sidhe #2)
Addicted (Touched #2)
Scars of Silver (Rise of the Unseelie #2)
Defender of Magic (Champion of the Sidhe #3)
Eyes of Magic (Rise of the Unseelie #3)
Enchanted (Touched #3)
Bloodhound (Rise of the Unseelie #4) - Kindle

Author Links
S.A. Archer - | Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |
S. Ravynheart -  | Website | Twitter | Amazon |

Reading challenges: Ebook Challenge
Bloodhound was provided by the author in exchange for an honest review.

Review: Finding Magic by Stacia Kane

Finding Magic (Downside Ghosts #0.5) by Stacia Kane
Synopsis (Goodreads):

When eighteen-year-old Chess Putnam is offered the chance to train with a special team of investigators known as the Black Squad, she feels torn. She’s never been a team player and hates how one male Inquisitor condescends to “the new kid.” But at her first bloody crime scene, she gets a taste for investigation—and is hooked on the high. Though the seasoned Inquisitors consider the series of ghost murders random events, Chess starts to detect a pattern. Is a psycho killer summoning ghosts from the City of Eternity and using them as murder weapons? As Chess gets closer to the dark truth, she puts herself in grave danger and risks losing everything she’s fought so hard for.

My Thoughts: This was a thoroughly enjoyable, heartbreaking, oddly moving novella. Seeing Chess before the years of pills had ground her down, before she'd found her place as a Debunker, before she'd found her strengths as a Churchwitch was both illuminating and sad. Although she's in no way innocent or naive due to the childhood she had, she's ... more trusting, maybe. She *wants* to believe that people aren't all bad. She mentally chides herself that not everyone has an ulterior motive. She's terrified of losing the first place where she has a chance of fitting in and she's continually beating herself up when she immediately thinks that a long look means that the person giving it is trying to stab her in the back.

There was a lot to like with this story. Chess is on her first case and she's showing the leaps of intuition that make her such a good Debunker later in the series. She sees connections that others don't. Or maybe it's her ingrained distrust of people that makes her look deeper than most. Either way, she grabs onto the threads of this case and she starts looking to connect all the unconnected pieces. The members of the Black Squad aren't thrilled by a trainee finding things they missed. One is openly hostile, one tries to smooth things over and Chess' mentor on the case is creepy in her push to hook Chess up with any man that crosses her path. Seriously, Jillian was like a dog with a bone and Chess is still scarred enough from what she'd been put through in her foster homes that just reading about Jillian's concentrated attempts to get her to go out with any of the men made my skin crawl.

Bottom line: This was an enlightening look at Chess before her life is a constant inward spiral of drugs and lies. We got to see the beginning of her addictions and her dogged determination when it comes to a case. Well crafted and fast paced, this is an excellent prequel to the Downside Ghosts series.

Books in this series
The Brave Tale of Maddie Carver
0.5. Finding Magic - Kindle
1. Unholy Ghosts
2. Unholy Magic
3. City of Ghosts
3.6. Home
4. Sacrificial Magic
5. Chasing Magic 

Author Links
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Reading challenges: Ebook Challenge
Finding Magic was provided for review by Random House through NetGalley.

Review: Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

Kiss of Snow (Psy-Changeling #10) by Nalini Singh
Synopsis (Goodreads):

Since the moment of her defection from the PsyNet and into the SnowDancer wolf pack, Sienna Lauren has had one weakness. Hawke. Alpha and dangerous, he compels her to madness.

Hawke is used to walking alone, having lost the woman who would've been his mate long ago. But Sienna fascinates the primal heart of him, even as he tells himself she is far too young to handle the wild fury of the wolf.

Then Sienna changes the rules and suddenly, there is no more distance, only the most intimate of battles between two people who were never meant to meet. Yet as they strip away each other's secrets in a storm of raw emotion, they must also ready themselves for a far more vicious fight…

A deadly enemy is out to destroy SnowDancer, striking at everything they hold dear, but it is Sienna's darkest secret that may yet savage the pack that is her home…and the alpha who is its heartbeat…

My Thoughts: Holy Toledo! This book was freaking awesome! I'm not saying I didn't like Hawke before this one but for all he's the Alpha of the SnowDancer pack he keeps himself a little apart from everyone and that made him hard to get to know. Seeing the seething cauldron of emotions he has tucked away kinda, sorta blew my mind. Whoa. Just, whoa.

I really don't know where to start here. There is a lot of stuff that happens. The war that has been hinted at is on the Changelings' doorstep. Sienna's power is crazy uncontrollable. The cats have a wee baby to love. The Ghost can't be who I thought it was (when are we going to learn the truth about him, btw??). There's danger and mayhem and sexy lovin'. And at the heart of it all, are Hawke and Sienna.

Hawke, who has given up on mating anyone since the death of his future mate when he was a boy, and Sienna, who holds unimaginable power within her. Sienna's gift comes with a very finite lifespan. There is no other cardinal of her designation on record and most X-Psy die before reaching adulthood. On one hand, she vows to fight against this fate until she can't fight anymore. On the other hand, she's resigned that she will die. It's... terrible and the loneliness within her is made even worse because Hawke refuses to see that she's grown up and he continually rebuffs her.

Seriously, there's so much flaily stuff that happens. I want to say more but I'm firmly opposed to spoilers so I'll leave you with this thought... MOAR PLEASE!

Books in this series
1. Slave to Sensation
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed by Ice
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
6. Branded by Fire
7. Blaze of Memory
8. Bonds of Justice
9. Play of Passion
10. Kiss of Snow - Paperback | Kindle
11. Tangle of Need

Author Links
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Review: Play of Passion by Nalini Singh

Play of Passion (Psy-Changeling #9) by Nalini Singh
Synopsis (Goodreads):

In his position as tracker for the SnowDancer pack, it's up to Drew Kincaid to rein in rogue changelings who have lost control of their animal halves- even if it means killing those who have gone too far. But nothing in his life has prepared him for the battle he must now wage to win the heart of a woman who makes his body ignite... and who threatens to enslave his wolf.

Lietenant Indigo Riviere doesn't easily allow skin privileges, especially of the sensual kind- and the last person she expects to find herself craving is the most wickedly playful male in the den. Everything she knows tells her to pull back before the flames burn them both to ash... but she hasn't counted on Drew's will.

Now, two of SnowDancer's most stubborn wolves find themselves playing a hot, sexy game even as lethal danger stalks the very place they call home.

My Thoughts: We're back with the Changelings! As much as I enjoyed the last books, I missed these half-wild beasties something fierce. I loved loved loved that we got to see two wolf Changelings come together, too.

There really was a lot to like this time around. Let's start with Indigo and Drew, shall we? For Indigo, it's a game of dominance. She's unwilling to take a submissive male as a mate and at the same time she has a hard time dropping her guard and letting anyone in. Which makes it very difficult for her to see that Drew very well might be her match as far as strength goes. And Drew... he's a charmer. He hides his wolf's strength under smiles and laughter as part of his job to the pack. He's loved Indy from afar for a while and yet she doesn't *see* him. Watching the two of them come together, clash, fall apart and finally fall into each other's arms was panty-meltingly awesome.

It was really nice to get back to the wolves and see the dynamic of the pack. While the storyline revolving around the Psy-Council was pivotal, I wasn't overwhelmed by it as I have been in other books. The winds of change are blowing fiercely among the Psy and they're becoming much, much more interesting now.

Next up: Hawke and Sienna's book. I have high hopes for it. High hopes, indeed!

Books in this series
1. Slave to Sensation
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed by Ice
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
6. Branded by Fire
7. Blaze of Memory
8. Bonds of Justice
9. Play of Passion - Paperback | Kindle
10. Kiss of Snow
11. Tangle of Need

Author Links
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Review: Bonds of Justice by Nalini Singh

Bonds of Justice (Psy-Changeling #8) by Nalini Singh
Synopsis (Goodreads):

Max Shannon is a good cop, one of the best in New York Enforcement. Born with a natural shield that protects him against Psy mental invasions, he knows he has little chance of advancement within the Psy-dominated power structure. The last case he expects to be assigned is that of a murderer targeting a Psy Councilor's closest advisors. And the last woman he expects to compel him in the most sensual of ways is a Psy on the verge of a catastrophic mental fracture...

Sophia Russo is a Justice Psy, cursed with the ability to retrieve memories from men and women so twisted even veteran cops keep their distance. Appointed as Max's liaison with the Psy, she finds herself fascinated by this human, her frozen heart threatening to thaw with forbidden emotion. But. her mind filled with other people's nightmares, other people's evil, she's standing on the border between sanity and a silken darkness that urges her to take justice into her own hands, to become judge, jury and executioner....

My Thoughts: I enjoyed this book far more than I thought I would based on the lack of Changelings in the synopsis. Yes, I have a huge soft spot for those shifters. I like that feral, edgy side they all seem to have. But... this book worked for me. As an added plus, for once I wasn't skimming the Psy Council stuff. This shizz is getting interesting!

Things I liked: Sophie. I liked that she had already borderline broken her Silence because of the type of work she was forced to do. This book wasn't about her shattering the bonds of her self-control, but about her learning to live more fully with all these emotions roiling inside her. With Max, she was able to let go of the rigid emotionlessness that kept her safe from the other Psy and be herself. She was able to feel and learn and touch. Max's acceptance of her - including the parts that have to dispense bloody justice upon occasion - goes a long way toward giving her the confidence to give in.

Max. What can I say? I like a guy who can rise above a really crappy past and make something of himself. He's fascinated by Sophie from the beginning and things just get hotter and hotter the longer they spend near each other. Sexy Alpha males are sexy!

The past few books I've been iffy on the Psy Council stuff and the backstabbing politics and the double crossing. This one, though, it kept me reading. I like that things look like they're finally moving and we're beginning to see that not all the Council members are douchebags.

The lack of a Changeling main character could have scuttled this one for me, but Nalini Singh made Max and Sophie work. I'm not saying that I'm not excited to get back to those sexy shifters in the next book but I was thoroughly entertained this time around. *thumbs up*

Books in this series
1. Slave to Sensation
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed by Ice
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
6. Branded by Fire
7. Blaze of Memory
8. Bonds of Justice - Paperback | Kindle
9. Play of Passion
10. Kiss of Snow
11. Tangle of Need

Author Links
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |

Review: Blaze of Memory by Nalini Singh

Blaze of Memory (Psy-Changeling #7) by Nalini Singh
Synopsis (Goodreads):

Dev Santos discovers her unconscious and battered, with no memory of who she is. All she knows is that she's dangerous. Charged with protecting his people's most vulnerable secrets, Dev is duty-bound to eliminate all threats. It's a task he's never hesitated to complete...until he finds himself draws to a woman who might prove to be the enemy's most insidious weapon yet.

Stripped of her memories by a shadowy oppressor and programmed to carry out cold-blooded murder, Katya Haas is fighting desperately for her sanity. Her only hope is Dev. But how can she expect to gain the trust of a man who could very well be her next target? For in this game, one must die...

My Thoughts: This book... took me by surprise. I'm not quite sure if I mean that in a good way or a bad way. On one hand, I was disappointed that one of the main characters wasn't a Changeling because the Changelings are the highlight of this series for me. Then, there's the other hand - the one where the heroine had been tortured and nearly killed by someone who the Psy look to for guidance. That's creepy and I liked it.

Let's face it, due to the months of torture she's been subjected to, Katya is screwed up something fierce. She doesn't know if she can trust any of the desires that pop into her head - from using her mental gifts to her need to travel North to her desire to kiss Dev - because she doesn't know if they were implanted as a way to get close to her target. Second guessing herself isn't enough. She's third and fourth guessing and she still doesn't know if she can trust herself. Yet, she can't keep from taking the comfort - both physical and emotional - that Dev offers her.

Now I said that I was disappointed that we didn't get a Changeling this time around but Katya exhibits some of the traits that make the Changelings so irresistible to me. She craves human contact the way the Changelings do. She has practically zero emotional filters. Her conditioning has been so compromised by her torture that emotion is practically an energy source for her. Okay, not exactly, but she does draw strength knowing that she's not alone and that she has someone to lean on. In a lot of ways, Katya is the Changeling of this pairing. Although Dev gives her a run for her money with the constant possessive MINE that pops into his head whenever she's around.

I did enjoy this book overall but I still find the constant political maneuverings of the Psy Council to be a lot to take in. I like that they're an adversary for the Changelings and the rogue Psy but I never know who to trust. All the backstabbing and triple crossing gets hard to follow. That's probably just me, though. Anyway. I'm ready for book 8. Let's do this!

Books in this series
1. Slave to Sensation
2. Visions of Heat
3. Caressed by Ice
4. Mine to Possess
5. Hostage to Pleasure
6. Branded by Fire
7. Blaze of Memory - Paperback | Kindle
8. Bonds of Justice
9. Play of Passion
10. Kiss of Snow
11. Tangle of Need

Author Links
| Website | Twitter | Facebook | Amazon |