» Paranormal Romance

Smokinhotbooks Recommend May/June(ish) Reads

K.C. — Sun, 05 Jun 2011 19:13:23 +0000

Dear Online Diary,

I, book addict that I am, have only read 5 books in the past month (sobs quietly in the corner). I feel shame, really I do.

Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Kindle

#1 in Elder Races Series

There is not much that rocks our paranormal romance world these days but Dragon Bound managed to do just that.

How can I not heart a book where the main hero calls the heroine a little shit. Can’t wait for book 2 which is due out in August of 2011.

Half-human and half-wyr, Pia Giovanni spent her life keeping a low profile among the wyrkind and avoiding the continuing conflict between them and their dark Fae enemies. But after being blackmailed into stealing a coin from the hoard of a dragon, Pia finds herself targeted by one of the most powerful – and passionate – of the Elder races.

As the most feared and respected of the Wyrkind, Dragos Cuelebre cannot believe someone had the audacity to steal from him, much less succeed. And when he catches the thief, Dragos spares her life, claiming her as his own to further explore the desire they’ve ignited in each other.

Pia knows she must repay Dragos for her trespass, but refuses to become his slave – although she cannot deny wanting him, body and soul ..

Warprize by Elizabeth Vaughan

Genre: Warlord Romance (yes, we made that up)

#1(Best in the Series IMO)

Kindle $6.99

This made our Warlord Lovin list a couple a weeks ago. Man, if you are addicted to Khal Drogo from Game of Thrones you NEED TO READ THIS ONE. It will have you running to Michael’s Craftstore to make your own token and pop a tent. Ubber awesome warlord romance story.

Blurb:

SHE MUST CHOOSE BETWEEN HER PEOPLE AND HER FREEDOM…

Xylara is the Daughter of the Warrior King, Xyron. With her father dead and her incompetent half-brother on the throne, the kingdom is in danger of falling to the warring Firelanders.

Before she was old enough for a marriage-of-alliance, Xylara was trained as a healer. She can’t usurp her brother or negotiate a peace–but she can heal the brave ones injured in battle.

But not only her countrymen are wounded, and Xylara’s conscience won’t let Firelander warriors die when she can do something to save them. She learns their language and their customs and tries to make them as comfortable as possible, despite their prisoner-of-war status.

She never expects that these deeds, done in good faith, would lead to the handsome and mysterious Firelander Warlord demanding her in exchange for a cease-fire. Xylara knows must trade the life she has always known for the well-being of her people, and so she becomes…

Kiss of Snow by Nalini Singh

Kindle

#10 in Psy-Changeling Series

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Ok, we admit to maybe not liking the past 5 books in this series and…skimming, yes lots of skimming. That being said since book 1 we have been waiting with waiting online breaths to get our hands on Hawke’s HEA. Was it worth buying and skimming 9 books, heck yes! There are a few scenes that’ll really tug on your heart-strings and make you want to pimp slap Hawke for being such an a-hole.

Blurb:

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…

What’s been your favorite May/June(ish) read?

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What The Heck Has Smokinhotbooks Been Reading Lately

K.C. — Mon, 02 May 2011 23:28:15 +0000

Just What in the H has SHB Been Reading Lately – Our ‘What’s Hot Book List’

Ok, I promised myself I’d never utter the words (air quotes) ‘that’s hot’ because Paris Hilton doesn’t need any more claim to fame. But damn it all if she just didn’t steal an awesome catch phrase. Here are our “That’s Hot” bookie list.

Backstage Pass by Olivia Cunning

Amazon/Kindle

This is the book that brought Rock N ‘Roll back into SHB’s TBR pile. (Head banging and air guitars galore)!

Backstage Pass makes me want to throw up the international hand sign for bad ass music- (bring on the horns!), drool over some hotties with guyliner and find my old Guttermouth T-shirt.

If ever a book really captured the essence of just what is behind the music, this would be it. Backstage Pass starts off with lead guitarist Brian Sinclair drowning his broken heart in as much liquor as he can handle. Myrna is not your average fan girl, she’s has her doctorate in Psychology and teaches sexual education classes at a University. Usually all the girls fall for lead singer, Sed, but Myrna only has eyes for Brian.

Ok, I suck at writing blurbs there is so much more depth to this book than Myrna and Brian’s relationship. Cunning does a fabulous job introducing all the members of the band into the story line. The male hoe, lead singer Sedric, Eric the drummer who likes to ‘watch’, Jace the newest member of the band who likes S and M and Trey who likes both boys and girls. I honestly thought I was done with erotic romance, but Backstage Pass hooked me in and had me reminiscing my own backstage days.

If you haven’t read Backstage Pass by now, first of all shame on you (j/k), but in all seriousness I highly recommend this book and the next one, Rock Hard (about Sedric). This is one book that captures sex and rock and roll and makes me want to throw my nursing bra on stage.

Big Bad Beast by Shelly Laurenston

Amazon/Kindle

#6 in Pride Series

I almost missed this release. Shame on me! Alas thanks my Goodreads Friends.

Shelly Laurenston has been on my radar for a few years now, and I love how she infuses humor and wit in her series. Big Bad Beast has one of the cutest prologue I’ve read in a long time. Ulrich from the wolf Van Holtz clan is 6 when he first meets Dee-Ann Smith, who like her daddy, is stone cold killer.

“But she’s perfect, Uncle Van. I think I love her.”

“Ric, you’re way too young to love anybody but your parents and, of course me.”

“She needs to eat more,” Ric observed, ignoring Van’s comment. “And I’ll be the one to feed her!”

“Come on Ric, You’re too young for all this crazy mate stuff. You need to focus on other things first.”

“Like what?”

“Food, your hunting skills….even other girls.”

“I hate girls.” He was six. Of course he hated girls.” She’s not a girl, though. She’s amazing.”

………

“I understand Uncle Van.”

“I’ll wait until we are both older,” the kid went on.” And then I’ll nail her.”

This was another cute story there were a few parts that dragged a bit for me in the middle but overall I liked it. The reappearance of Blaine and her crazy OCD 7 foot polar hybrid boyfriend, add some plucky comic relief and it’s nice to see the some of our old friends.

PS it gets a 4 because no one can write humor like SH.

Long Time Coming by Scarlett Parrish

Amazon/Kindle

I first saw this book over at Fiction Vixen’s bloggy and put it on my list. Then my new mommy hormones caused me to forget about it until I saw it again recommended at Smexybooks and I thought, dang it! Buy it already.

At first you might think the main heroine Piper is kind of a man-eater as it starts out with her dumping her boyfriend and then hoping onto the next guy and breaking his heart. But it all gets better as soon as she meets Mr. Leo Carson, sexy Irishman. Piper is not a girl who wants to give her heart away and all bets are off when she meets Leo and spends one freakin’ hawt weekend with him. This book is so much more than hot sex and weekend trysts. I liked how we glimpsed Piper’s vulnerable side and I’d be lying if I was giddy like a school girl whenever Leo appeared.

He put his other hand on my neck, fingertips grazing the hollow below my ear, thumb at my throat and if he pressed a littler harder, my breath would catch again. ”No.”

I blinked. What the–?

“No, I’m not gonna kiss you.”

“Not yet anyway.” Smiling, he broke contact piece by piece. Thumb. Fingers. Hands. “I might get carried away.”

Everyone needs to read this book purely to experience the charm of Leo. He likes to say F*ck, like a lot.

Eleven Scandals to Start To Win a Duke’ Heart by Sarah MacLean

Amazon/Kindle

#3 in Love by Numbers Series

I know the title is very long-winded and trying to type it into the search box à nightmare. But, don’t judge this book by its title. This caught my notice while reading Dear Author’s review and I thought what the heck I’ll give this one a go.

This is the 3^rd book in the Love by Numbers series and you can’t read it as a stand- alone. I’ve mentioned this before but historical romance blurbs always throw me off, so I really never include it because usually the book is so much ‘more’ than what the blurb describes. The Duke, Simon Pearson, has a Darcy like personality (um, yay!) and is nicknamed the Duke of Disdain. He is first attracted to Juliana Fiori until he finds out her background. Her mother the Duchess ran off and caused a huge scandal by having Juliana with an Italian merchant. He will wed a nice, English girl with an impeccable reputation, which you later on find out why.

I have to say I really liked this one. I was worried there might be constant bickering, which I can’t stand; but the author handled their interactions well. There are some pretty intense scenes in how Simon thinks of Juliana that tug on your heart strings. Eleven Scandals is a well-written romance on living one’s life with passion despite the circumstances of one’s birth.

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Smokinhotbooks Fav March/April-ish Reads

K.C. — Wed, 06 Apr 2011 21:42:22 +0000

I really had all these posts written (in my head) alas, time got away from me. Without further ado Smokinhotbooks March Reads!

The Art of Seducing Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

Amazon/Kindle

Book #2 in Naked Werewolf Series

Rating 4

I can’t get enough of Molly Harper, for reals. Loved her first book, ‘How To Seduce a Werewolf’ and didn’t think I’d like the second book as much. I love when I’m proved wrong. Nick, the main hero steals the spotlight. A man that looks like a Viking, a self confessed nerd, and has been to 4 Star Trek conventions had me falling in love with him and Maggie. If you are in the mood for a lighter paranormal/contemporary romance I recommended this series.

The Darkest Secret by Gena Showalter

Amazon/Kindle

#7 Lords of Underworld

Rating 4

Ok, in my haze of no sleep I thought I had purchased the wrong book since the story starts off with Sabin and Haidee. But no, this is Amun and Haidee’s HEA (thank god). I wasn’t sure how I was going to handle liking the heroine since she killed Baden, one of the LOTU. But I should have known better. Showalter manages to keep this series fresh and throws in a few twists that I never expect. Loved the appearances of William, Sabin, and Paris. I would say this is my favorite LOTU book, but worth the mullah.

Lover Unleashed by JR Ward

Amazon/Kindle

#9 BDB Series

Rating 3

I struggled rating this one, I wanted it to be a 4 because I really like this series, but the main romance just wasn’t there. This felt more like a transition book, but have no fear if you liked all the BDB books you’ll like this one as well. And no, it is not as bad as Phury’s story. The side arcs with Vishous and Doc Jane makeup for the lack of main romance.

With Abandon by JL Langely

Amazon/Kindle

Male/Male

Rating 4

Finally, we get another With or Without book can I get a woo woo?! Although I wanted to punch Aubrey in the face a time or two overall I really liked this one. Matt comes across very young and endearing, be warned he is barley 20 while Aubrey is 10 years his senior. I didn’t mind the age gap and I thought it worked well with their relationship. I wouldn’t say this is the best in the series but for those of you who love this author like moi(s) it is worth reading.

Navarro’s Promise by Lore Leigh

Amazon/Kindle

Breed Series

Rating 4

Wow, Leigh really brought her A-Game with this one. Instead of focusing on the mating heat hormone angle of I love you, no I hate you formula; we get something a little different. Mica has grown up with the breeds and has always had a crush on Navarro. He first met Mica when she was a young girl defending Cassie’s against other taunting Breeds. Although he doesn’t feel the swollen glands of the mating hormone he has intense feelings for Mica.

This is by far one of the better Breed books. I really liked that Cassie was a main part of the story. The intensity between Mica and Navarro is written really well and I’m surprised Leigh could bring a freshness to this series since this is book number thousand and forty two (ok, more like book 28).

If you are like me and getting a bit fatigued on the breed series, Navarro’s Promise is up there with Lion’s Heat, Tanner Scheme, Coyote’s Mate, and Elizabeth’s Wolf.

What are your fav March reads?

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Lover Unleashed by JR Ward aka V’s Story Part 2

K.C. — Mon, 04 Apr 2011 02:35:00 +0000

Kindle/Amazon

Black Dagger Brotherhood #9

Genre: PNR/Urban Fantasy

512 pages

We’re baaaaaaaaack! After the birth of baby KC what book could we not wait to get our hands on…Lover Unleashed! Hell, I almost planned my c-section around this release date. Kidding, only a little bit. So, in-between late night feedings – learning to nurse with one hand and read my ipad in the other; to say I was excited to read the next BDB book is an understatement.

Oh Lover Unleashed where to begin with you.

LU starts off Xcor witnessing the Bloodletter’s (Vishous and Payne’s crazy arse father) death by an unknown female – vowing vengeance to find and kill her. We then proceed to the present time where Manny, Jane’s sexy doctor-friend from Lover Unbound, is summoned to hopefully to help cure Payne who is paralyzed. And in usual J.R. Ward style we have an abundance of side arcs that if not present I wouldn’t have liked the book hardly at all.

If you were expecting the awesomeness of Lover Mine to jump onto Lover Unleashed you’ll probably be disappointed. The main romance between Payne and Manny barely has any page time. Instead, Ward focuses on Vishous and Doc Jane’s story. Still emotionally unstable and frozen, Vi doesn’t know how to handle his feelings about his sister and the attraction between Payne and Manny. There are some truly heart wrenching scenes between V and Doc Jane leaving you to wonder if these two would actually make it (sobs). Butch also plays a major role in V’s recovery, which I thought gave V and Butch the clossure they should have had.

Ok let’s talk about Payne. I’m not sure what I expected but her somewhat meek dialogue with Manny didn’t really fit her kick ass personality from previous books. Also, she is one of the spawn of the Bloodletter you’d expect a little more fierceness. Anyhoo I liked how Ward placed these two together with Manny helping her to walk again. It was sweet and we all know Ward can bring the sexy scenes. Although, I liked Manny and Payne I really didn’t feel they were major characters, actually, I thought this book was really a bunch of side arcs made into one book, more so than any of her other BDB books. We get a little more of Quinn,Blay, Layla action, new BDB characters like Xcor and less….lessers.

Lover Unleashed isn’t my favorite of the series but I’m hopelessly addicted t and I’ll read any BDB book Ward writes. I’m excited to read more about Xcor (the disfigured vampire), hell I’m already matchmaking him with Layla and his friend because that’s how Smokinhotbooks rolls. If you love this series as much as we do (even Phury’s story) this is an entertaining read with a lot of your favorite BDB characters making an appearance.

Psst Read Smexybooks Post to find out who is in the next BDB book

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Review How to Flirt With A Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

K.C. — Wed, 02 Mar 2011 04:33:37 +0000

Kindle $7.99

Genre: Paranormal Romance/Contemporary

#1 in Naked Werewolf Series

384 Pages

What happens when you combine Alaska wilderness, werewolves, and a witty heroine? You get happy girls at Smokinhotbooks!

Moving on, How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf (or as I like to refer to it as Nekkid Werewolf) starts off with Mo (real name Moon) fleeing Missouri to escape her overly enmeshed hippie parents and to start over in Grundy Alaska.

Grundy Alaska:

Population just over 2,000

Men 70% ladies 30%

Where men offer slabs of meat for courting and if you’re a ‘semi attractive’ woman with all your teeth you’ll be showered with affection and attention.

After accepting a job as a cook in a local diner, she meets Mr. I Don’t Trust Outsiders, Cooper. Sexy as all hell, but has the disposition of a cranky wolf,; Mo decides to steer clear of the disapproving local. Just when she is feeling settled late one night she hears a loud knocking and a cry for help. It’s Cooper, in a trap, nekkid, on her front porch. Oh, and he is a werewolf. No. Effing. Way.

The romance in How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf begins after Mo finds out what Cooper is. In classic Molly Harper style Mo’s internal dialogue and witty banter with he locals, really makes this story. I liked how Mo and Cooper’s romance progressed – instead of focusing on the ‘big werewolf reveal’ and then bam, story over. Molly Harper adds the side plots of local wolf attacking the locals and how Cooper became estranged from his pack. First off, I likey – I’ve read too many werewolf romance stories where the sole focus is how the main tweeps get together and these days that isn’t enough to hold my interest. I’ve got to hand it to MH and how she tied everything together.

If you were expecting this to be like the Jane Jameson series, I would say it is not as humorous because let’s be honest, no character can live up to Jane and Dick Chenney (no relation). Like with any Molly Harper book, I laughed, I snorted, I read it twice – How to Flirt with a Naked Werewolf is just the kind of book SHB likes. If you are looking for a light, funny, paranormal-ish/contemporary romance I’d highly recommend this one.

PS Next book is due out in March 29^th The Art of Seducing a Naked Werewolf

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