Reviewing Feast, Stray, Love (Feast, Stray, Love #1) by Kevin Anthony

Feast, Stray, Love (Feast, Stray, Love #1)by Kevin Anthony 3*
BLURB: Entry #1 of the Feast, Stray, Love Series
Damien Cooper’s mind is a bit fucked up. Yes, that’s his actual diagnosis.
His disability has him hearing things he’s not supposed to hear and his other senses are also taken to new heights. Damien’s boyfriend adopts a cannibalistic feasting habit after beginning employment at a mysterious factory site and Damien’s mother strays away from reality after she becomes obsessed with a self-help book. Damien struggles to embrace his flaws while uncovering an explosive new trait.
Inhale Exhale and Feast, Stray, Love.
My Review:Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Author. A rather apt short story to have read at this time of year. It was amusing with a dash of spicy gore thrown in. A little muddled towards the end but not enough to put me off finding and reading the next two stories to find out just what is going on with Damien.

Review of Hell's Belle by Karen Greco

Hell's Belle (Hell's Belle #1)by Karen Greco 5*
BLURB: Half-vampire, half-human, Nina Martinez spent most of her life underground as part of an elite secret team of government agents who quietly take down rogue monsters, the human world none the wiser. She moves back to her hometown of Providence, RI to keep an eye on the recent uptick in supernatural activity, and to help run the bar she co-owns with her aunt.
Her attempt at a “regular” life, not to mention a budding relationship with smoking hot FBI agent Max, is cut short because of a string of ritual murders targeting the city's community of witches.
But Nina's investigation unearths deadly secrets from her long buried parents. Now the target of supernatural assassins, could Nina be the most dangerous vampire hybrid to ever exist? No wonder she can’t get a date.
My Review Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley. This was a great mix of Urban fantasy and paranormal vampires with the added interest of plenty of action and a hint of romance. I loved the main Character Nina and found that all the other characters had plenty of depth to them - so much so I had a hard time deciding who my second favourite was - think I'm mostly rooting for Frankie! If you like Karen Chance or Patricia Briggs I think you will enjoy this book as much as I did.

Reviewing Claiming Her Warriors by Savannah Stuart

Claiming Her Warriors by Savannah Stuart 3*
BLURB: Two brothers want to possess her…
After her planet was destroyed, Brianna was rescued by two fierce and desperately gorgeous warrior brothers. Aeron and Hauk. They want to keep her, protect her, mate her. But what the brothers wanted from her was too much to handle. Settling into a new culture was hard enough without dealing with the custom that dictates she mate with two males. So she pushed them away.
They’ll do anything to protect her…
An attack sends Brianna back into the arms of the sexy brothers. Now they'll do whatever it takes to win her over. But can Brianna go against the conventions of her human nature and accept both warriors as her mates? It might not matter because someone is out for blood and it’s up to Aeron and Hauk to defend her against a deadly enemy.
My Review: Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley. I am not sure if I didn't enjoy it more because it was a little on the short side or because I couldn't really connect with the characters. The relationship problems and the sex scenes were extremely well written and the tiny bit about the deadly enemy was intriguing but I can't say that it was really good but it was a fairly satisfactory read in the end.

Reviewing Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh

Wild Invitation (Psy-Changeling 0.5, 3.5, 9.5, 10.5) by Nalini Singh 5*
BLURB: In Beat of Temptation , innocent Tamsyn has always had a place in her heart for Nathan, a blooded DarkRiver sentinel. But is she ready for the fierce demands of the mating bond?
In Stroke of Enticement , a wary young teacher, skeptical about love, arouses the man—and the animal—in an aggressive leopard changeling who must prove his affections are true.
Plus 2 NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED NOVELLAS
In Declaration of Courtship , Grace, a shy submissive wolf, finds herself pursued by the last man she ever would have imagined: a SnowDancer lieutenant said to be “mad, bad, and dangerous to know.”
In Texture of Intimacy , SnowDancer healer Lara discovers the searing joys—and unexpected challenges—of being mated to quiet, powerful Walker, a man used to keeping his silence.
My Review: Four wonderful short stories from Nalini Singh's Psy/Changeling world. I enjoyed all of them as it was a lovely glimpse into the courtship of some of the secondary Characters from previous books. My only complaint was that they were short stories as I would have loved longer stories on all of them. I am so in love with this series and can't wait until I can afford to buy more.

Reviewing Two Thresl Chronicle Books

Soldier Mine (The Thresl Chronicles #1)by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: When Kreslan is attacked in the cargo hold he bonds with a shapeshifting beast who turns out to be the reincarnated leader of an entire planet. Will Kreslan be willing to give up an ordinary man to partner with an extraordinary creature who just happens to hold Kres' heart in his possessive claws?
My Review: A unique and exciting new series for me. I loved the main characters as well as the intrigue in this story. This is exactly what I have come to expect from an Amber Kell story. Great characters and an interesting storyline with lovely depth to the relationships.

Prince Claimed (The Thresl Chronicles #2)by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB:Book two in The Thresl Chronicles Series.
When fate spins two lives into turmoil, rising above their issues may be the only way to find true love.
Prince Bleine always had female mates before. As a Thresl he’d never been given a choice. The animal within chose who it chose. However when his brother-in-law Kreslan mates Bleine to a man in order to save his life, Bleine quickly learns to adapt and that what he's always thought he wanted isn’t exactly what he needs.
Sarler left his home planet to escape their restrictive ways. Interested in pursuing his interest in men, he had been unsure how to start. When he is inadvertently bonded to Prince Bleine, he is struck by how little he understands about handsome princes or life at court.
Secrets and mysteries surround them. Can they discover everything about each other while keeping their enemies at bay? When Sarler is injured, he realises he has to take a chance if he ever hopes to find love with the prince of his dreams. Can he convince Bleine that he sincerely wants to give their relationship a try, or has he waited until it’s too late?
My Review: I enjoyed this one as much as I did book One. We get to meet the characters from book one and follow the romance of the King's brother Bleine. We also get to meet some interesting new characters and have an even more intriguing storyline to follow. Overall this was up to Amber Kell's usual standards and has made me eager to get hold of the rest of the Thresl Chronicle stories

Review Of Surrounded By Crimson by Lexi Ander

Surrounded By Crimson (Sumeria's Sons #4)by Lexi Ander 4*
BLURB:Nine days until the birth of the heirs of the Seat of Zeev, the Wolf Throne, and life couldn't be more hectic or more dangerous for Tristan and Ushna.
Tristan has agreed to bond with Ushna but there is still much to do. Returning to Tribe Enkidu puts everyone on edge and Tristan is being stalked like prey. It doesn't help that he fights depression as he mourns the loss of Nikita, or that claiming his birthright becomes a battle of wills with the Elder Council, and the pleading of his adoptive daughter adds to the oppressive feeling. Stumbling onto a secret prison while searching for Ushna leads Tristan to risk everything to free a lost God. But breaking the tie to his Flame has more repercussions than Tristan knew and the assistance of a forgotten Goddess and a centuries old lover may not be enough to save him.
My Review: This was like the fourth chapter in the longer story of Tristan and Ushna's life together. There were many surprises and revelations plus another happy for now ending to make me want to read the next one when it comes out. My advice for these stories is read them in order and enjoy.

Reviewing Mind Bond by Julie Haydon

Mind Bond by Julie Haydon 4*
BLURB: "The year I turned sixteen, the media featured reports of a worldwide phenomenon – the emergence of Interspecies Telepaths, or ISTs."
When Christa Wilder mind-bonds with Magnus, a wolf pup, on a camping trip in Sakima National Park, her life changes forever.
As the bond between Christa and Magnus grows stronger, other ISTs befriend them, including teenage Romy and her mountain lion, and Karl, a famous wildlife artist, and his golden eagle.
But not everyone is happy that ISTs exist or that wolves have been successfully reintroduced to Sakima, especially when wolves begin killing livestock on nearby ranches. Suddenly, with the first wolf hunting season about to open just beyond the park's boundaries, Magnus's pack is placed in jeopardy.
Even inside the park there is danger because a lunatic is slaughtering animals while staying one step ahead of the authorities. Next on the hit list: a wolf.
And, unbeknown to Christa, her brother, Josh, who went missing on his fifth birthday, has reappeared, but what sort of man is he? Why is he keeping his identity a secret?
Soon Christa is forced to commit to a new life full of challenges, friendships, learning, love and loss. With her psychic grandmother and her best friend, Ava, Christa will explore her spiritual beliefs, discovering a deep connection with nature and Spirit. But, most importantly, Christa will discover the sheer joy of the Mind Bond.
My Review: Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley. The blurb really says it all about this book. It is well written and was interesting enough to make me want to read her next IST story. Some of it was rather predictable but the mystery of the poacher was such that I was totally surprised when the identity was revealed. I enjoyed it and think anyone who is interested in nature and animals will find this an interesting story too.n.b. I am probably not doing this book justice as I am currently grieving for my husband who died less than a week ago.

Reviewing three more Moon Pack stories.

Hunting Henry (Moon Pack #8) by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: Henry works as the pack cook, happily hiding from a painful past and suppressing his wolf side. Dakota is a wolf given a formula to become a human. What happens when a man who doesn't want to be a wolf bonds with a wolf who doesn't want to be a man.
Inflaming Inno (Moon Pack #9) by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: Betrayed by his sister, Inno Weston becomes the captive of mad scientist, Lorus Korl . After he escapes with the secret formula to making werekin mutants, he races through the streets and straight into the arms of the vampire Mikel Cruento.
Mikel doesn't quite know what to do with the injured werekin he finds in a dark alley. Instinct has him taking the poor thing home. Honor insists he take Inno to the Moon Pack with the formula. Lust makes him want to slake his thirst for the gorgeous shifter.
Danger lurks around the Moon Pack and even closer to Mikel's home. He soon learns that sometimes a vampire has to listen to his heart instead of his mind. Inno belongs with him
Judging Jager (Moon Pack #10) by Amber Kell 4*
BLURB: Jager yearns to belong somewhere. Unfortunately fate takes a nasty turn and he's abandoned by his pack. Lost and alone, Jager looks for a place to call home and runs into an angry tiger instead.
Jager's heartbroken when his pack kicks him out. Despondent, he goes to visit his friends in the Moon Pack, hoping for some sympathy and maybe companionship for the night.
Ryder wants to find out what happened to his brother, Dare, but the pound puppies his cat shifter brother has fallen in with guard him with the ferocity of a bear protecting its cub. Determined to wait them out until he discovers the truth, Ryder doesn't expect to be enchanted by a sexy wolf in man's clothes.
A whirlwind seduction turns into a quest for answers and despite Ryder's protests, Jager dives headfirst into Fae intrigue. Ryder worries he'll lose Jager before they can even work out their issues.
My Review on all three: All three books were easy to read, enjoyable romances and most of all they were a wonderful addition to the ongoing saga of The Moon Pack members and their adventures against their enemies. I loved each book for different reasons, the first one because of the character Dakota - so adorable! The second one had me riveted because of all the old characters we re-meet and the sheer audacity of the villain. The last one was so good with the way Jager and Ryder interacted and so much more that I won't say so as not to use spoilers. Overall I was very happy to read the three of them and re-acquaint myself with all the wonderful people of The Moon Pack.

Review Of Northern Light E. J. Russell

Northern Light by E. J. Russell 3*
BLURB: Nothing gives art fraud investigator Luke Morganstern a bigger rush than busting forgers, the low-life criminals who dare victimize true artists. But when his latest job sends him to a remote cabin in the Oregon Coast Range, he’s stunned to discover the alleged forger is his former lover, Stefan Cobbe, the most gifted painter Luke has ever known.
Stefan, left homeless and destitute after the death of his wealthy partner, doesn’t exactly deny the forgery -- he claims he doesn’t remember, an excuse Luke can’t accept.
But Luke’s elderly client suggests Stefan may be telling the truth and presents another possibility – a dark presence in the woods, a supernatural fury simmering for decades. Luke must face down his fear of the uncanny – and admit his feelings for Stefan – if either of them is to survive.
My Review: Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley. Ghostly possession and art fraud meet in a sweet little m/m romance. There really could have been a lot done with this that wasn't and as such has let down the reader. I really liked the premise and what there was of the story was good - it just wasn't enough depth for me.

Sad News

My Husband died today. :'(

I will be rather erratic online for the foreseeable future until things settle down and I've sorted out everything that his death entails (Funeral and finances etc.).

Review Of Cataclysmic Shift (The Aloysius Tales #3) by Tara Lain

Cataclysmic Shift (The Aloysius Tales #3) by Tara Lain 5*
BLURB: Super cat, Aloysius, may be the most powerful witch’s familiar in the world, but when he takes a blast at the hand of an evil witch he loses it all -- power, memory, and his feline form -- to become the ethereal human beauty, Alain Bellarose. When Alain wakes up naked on the floor surrounded by dogs and cats, his eyes first set upon Luke Elliott, the handsome and mysterious veterinarian. Suddenly, the prospect of being human doesn’t seem so bad.
Luke has a lot to hide and he likes animals way more than people, but he can’t resist the flamboyant boy who washes his face with the side of his hand and tries to lick his own privates! The loss of Aloysius depletes the power of the Witch Master, Killian Barth, and that of his “secret weapon” Sammy and leaves their coven sitting ducks for two very nasty females. When Alain discovers that he’s really a powerful cat, he’s faced with the ultimate choice. To protect his community, or stay with the man he loves
My Review: Love worth fighting for? Love worth dying for? In this story you will find that kind of love. On the way to that perfect love you will be taken on a ride of magical adventure, tearful depths of despair and find a guy so sweet and innocent that you will want to hold onto him forever, well at least Luke certainly does, we are just along for that ride! This is the third story in Tara Lain's magical Aloysius tales and it was her best one yet. Not sure if she will write another, but I would love to revisit this world anytime she wants to write about it.

Reviewing Cloak and Silence (The League) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Cloak and Silence (The League) by Sherrilyn Kenyon 5*
BLURB: One of the fiercest soldiers the Phrixians have ever produced, Maris Sulle has been an outsider from the moment he was born different from the rest of his family. He grew up with a secret that cost him everything——his birthright, his family, and his military career. In all his life, he’s only had one love, and he has sacrificed his own happiness to see his best friend reunited with the woman he loves. But now that his good deed is done, he feels lost and adrift. Even though they do their best to include him in their new family, Maris is once again on the outside looking in.
Ture has spent his life hiding from everyone around him——his family, the world, you name it——while trying desperately to fit in. Badly hurt by everyone he’s ever known, he trusts no one except his own best friend. And honestly, he can’t understand why he trusts her. Nor can he believe her when she describes a loyalty between friends the likes of which he’s never seen.
But when Ture is in his darkest hour, he’s saved by a hero he thought only existed in novels. A man who is every bit as scarred and mistrusting as he is——one who has no interest in being dragged into another relationship with anyone.
Having spent his life as a living study of doomed relationships, Maris is well aware of the courtship and fiasco that invariably follows. Still, there is something about Ture he can’t resist. Something that won’t let him walk away when he knows he should.
But when old enemies return to threaten them both, they either have to stand together or die alone.
My Review So, before I start raving, I need to warn everyone that I am biased towards Ms Kenyon's League stories. That being said, I have to admit to the only thing wrong with this story was the length - it just wasn't long enough to give me more of one of my favourite characters from the series (one among many). I love Maris and was so happy to read his happily ever after story and Ture was the perfect companion for him. So empathic and understanding and totally hot too (I love men who can cook!) I just wanted to hold them both close. Added to all that manlove the war with the League continued on with lots of action, blood and gore, as is the norm for these stories, so those who only read it for that won't be disappointed either. I was really disappointed to get to the end so quickly, but I won't complain for too long, as I am sure Maris & Ture will appear in future books as secondary characters. *hint, hint Ms Kenyon*

Review of Vampires Need Not ...Apply? by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff

Vampires Need Not...Apply? (Accidentally Yours #4) by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff 4*
BLURB: This is book 4 in the New York Times and USA Today bestselling paranormal romance Accidentally Yours series.
Meet Dr. Antonio Acero. Heir to Spain's wealthiest family, world-renowned physicist, and dedicated bachelor. While on vacation in southern Mexico, Antonio discovers an ancient Mayan tablet. Local legends say it contains magical properties, properties that could put his stalling research on the map.
But is this really his lucky break?
When Antonio attempts to put the tablet to use, he'll discover that Fate has other plans. Her name is Ixtab, and she's quite possibly the deadliest deity who ever lived.
My Review:Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley. This is one series that really should be read in order to make the most of it. It will be well worth doing so as Mimi has a acerbic wit and a turn of phrase that makes you laugh out loud (even on a train to Edinburgh!). To make the story even more captivating for me was the way Mayan Gods were used as main characters! The story is told from multiple points of view which gives it added depth but will make a first time reader completely lost as far as plot line tetc.. is concerned. My advice go out and buy all FOUR books and read them - you couldn't ask for a better story to follow over that many books.

Review of Light by 'Nathan Burgoine

Light by 'Nathan Burgoine 5*
BLURB: Kieran Quinn is a bit telepathic, a little psychokinetic, and very gay—three things that have gotten him through life perfectly well so far—but when self-styled prophet Wyatt Jackson arrives during Pride Week, things take a violent turn.
Kieran’s powers are somewhat underwhelming but do have a habit of refracting light into spectacular rainbows for him to hide behind. Even so, it’s not long before Kieran is struggling to maintain his own anonymity while battling wits with a handsome cop, getting some flirting in with a hunky leather man, saving some drag queens, and escaping the worst blind date in history. It’s enough to make a fledgling hero want to give up before he even begins.
One thing’s for sure: saving the day has never been so fabulous.
My Review: Complimentary Review Copy Provided by Publisher Through NetGalley. Yet another superhero story that hit the mark! This time it's a telekinetic, telepath with a religious nutter to fight. The whole time I was reading I was smiling at the quips and angsting over the "can he, can't he win out against the villain whilst still trying to get his man" scenario. It was also a very refreshing change to read about a romance that was sweet rather than hot. If you like your superheroes to be very human and your action to be interspersed with humour then this is for you.

Gumption & Gumshoes by Alex Kidwell

Gumption & Gumshoes by Alex Kidwell 4*
BLURB: August Adahy Mendez would rather be buried in the world of his detective novels or a good film noir movie than in real life. He’s overweight, undermotivated, and stuck in a dead-end job. As a Chincha, he’s part of a long line of chinchilla shifters, but the greatest accomplishment in his life so far has been moving an hour away from his close-knit herd. That all changes when August’s grandfather leaves him enough cash to pursue his dream: becoming a detective himself.
Sam Ewing is a bitter divorcé who enjoys watching football and being alone. It’s easier when his only interaction with people is when he collects rent from his office building tenants. Then August rents space from him to set up his new detective agency, and Sam is drawn to him despite his misgivings.
Sam soon finds himself involved with one of August’s cases, and the men join forces to catch their criminal. The greater challenges they face, however, are how August makes Sam want to give love a second try and how Sam makes August believe that real life might be even better than fiction.
My Review: I loved the idea of Chinchilla shifters and combining it with a gay romance and a detective novel really sparked my interest. I was well rewarded in the story I read. It had everything I could want. There was a hero with body image problems who was actually a little chubbier than the norm (none of this silly 'beautiful person who thinks s/he is ugly' to be found here!), a love story that is believable and to top it off a pretty good detective story. There were also lovely touches of humour and the Chinchilla appearances were so much fun I wanted more of them. Overall this book was well worth reading and I recommend it to anyone who likes warm, loving, feel good stories, and CHINCHILLA Shifters ! Who can say no to that?