Review: On The Edge by Ilona Andrews

Desciption:

Rose Drayton lives on the Edge, between the world of the Broken (where people drive cars, shop at Wal-Mart, and magic is a fairy tale) and the Weird (where blueblood aristocrats rule, changelings roam, and the strength of your magic can change your destiny). Only Edgers like Rose can easily travel from one world to the next, but they never truly belong in either.
Rose thought if she practiced her magic, she could build a better life for herself. But things didn't turn out how she planned, and now she works a minimum wage, off the books job in the Broken just to survive. Then Declan Camarine, a blueblood noble straight out of the deepest part of the Weird, comes into her life, determined to have her (and her power).
But when a terrible danger invades the Edge from the Weird, a flood of creatures hungry for magic, Declan and Rose must work together to destroy them, or the beasts will devour the Edge and everyone in it . . . (by goodreads.com)

Review:

How I love this book. I don’t understand why it’s always so hard to word a review for a really good book. This first thing I think of is: “ I love it so much. Go buy this one immediately!” But I think this wouldn’t work so I will try to give you a few reasons why you should buy it:

1. This book has the most wonderful Wal-Mart sentence ever! I read this one every time I opened this book and had to laugh. Yep, I put a post-it in and I also showed everyone who asked me what I was reading this one sentence. You want to know what I making a fuss about: Go and get the book!!! LOL Ok that’s mean. Here it is:

”Go brush you teeth, comb your hair, put on dry clothes, and get

the guns. We’re going to Wal-Mart.”

2. The most wonderful kids ever written. These two boys are so cute and funny. I just love them and that’s said by me who’s normally really fast annoyed with kids because they never do what I want.

3. Declan! You need more reason than this one word. He’s so yummy and witty. A real blueblood but surprisingly good informed about the Broken, he loves to be cryptic and is a natural in bring your blood to the boiling point. I fell in love with him after “watching” him doing his work-out. Oh my, the drooling seemed to be endless.

4. An adorable heroine- Rose is strong, willful, loving and hopelessly stubborn. She’s refreshingly direct and made me laugh many times. She cares about her family and tries everything to keep them safe.

5. Disgustingly bad monsters. Yep, that’s a reason to buy this book because what would be a book without hate-worthy and bile-rising bad guys.

6. Shapeshifter. I so love Ilona’s shapeshifters and the ones in this book are no exception.

7. A very sweet little romance story. It’s not the typical romance with smex after smex but it totally suits this book. I didn’t want more and that’s something coming out of my mouth. *wicked rin*

8. The wonderful freaky side-characters living in the Edge. How did I survive so long without such a wonderful crazy neighborhood? I have no idea, but now I miss it.

9. A thrilling and gripping showdown at the end. Every book needs a big fight at the end which will make your heart stop beating and makes you hold your breath. And On The Edge has one of those.

10. The last reason is the wonderful extra at the end of this book. Yes the beginning of Magic Bleeds!!! *fangirl screaming*

So I know you will hate me for putting another book on your TBR but you will definitely not regret it with this one. It’s just so perfect and you should really get it. OK, I will admit it I’m addicted to Ilona’s books and I probably not subjective but You HAVE to buy this one.

Enough said now. Enjoy the book.

To learn more about Ilona & Gordon and their books please visit their website here.

The Edge Series:

1. On The Edge: other reviews @Goodreads, buy @amazon
2. Untitled Sequel (release September 2010)

I’m not it any way subjective concerning Ilona Andrews and her books. I’m an addict and you know you should never believe those.LOL I bought this book on my own. I don’t get anything if you click on the amazon link and buy one of the books.

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Review: Fade to Black by Leslie Parrish

Description:

A group of elite FBI special agents has been brought together to form the Cyber Action Team, aka CAT - and they have one mission: to solve Internet-related murders.
From his years in the FBI's violent crimes unit, Special Agent Dean Taggert has learned firsthand how vicious people can be. But this is the worst he's ever seen. Eight victims have been murdered, their final moments captured on film and shown on a secret Web site called Satan's Playground. And a madman who refers to himself as the Reaper is auctioning off their means of death.
When the investigation leads Dean to the small town of Hope Valley, he enlists the help of sexy and capable Sheriff Stacey Rhodes, who's dealing with secrets of her own. It's too late to save the latest victim, but Dean and Stacey still have to work fast, because the Reaper's next auction is about to begin... (by goodreads.com)

Review:
I will warn you before I start to review this book: I’m not a passionate suspense reader. In my whole life I read not more than 5 or 6 books in this genre. I never could really connect with this books so I stopped reading them. So why did I buy this one? I read so many wonderful reviews about this series that there was no other possibility as to read this books. And I’m really happy I did it.

The series is all about the Black Cats, a new subdivision of the FBI. They try to solve Internet crimes but the rest of the FBI is not very happy to have this new division. The head of the Black CATs had his difficulties with some people in the bureau and so no-one wants to support them. The CATs are a really mixed bunch of people- a few computer nerds work together with hard assed agents who seem to eat nails for breakfast.

This book focuses on the suspense plot and the romance takes a seat behind it. The story is fast paced and gripping. Mrs. Parrish created a great combination of the cold fact side of the investigation and the hands on bloody side. Some scenes are really hard to digest but I’m a real horror movie junkie so I had really no problem with that. The case itself was very intriguing and from the start I wanted to get this guy. It’s a real page-turner and I didn’t know who the bad guy is till nearly the end(I guessed right two pages before it was revealed- I’m not sure if that counts).

As said the romance is not the front role here but the relationship between Dean and Stacey is wonderful developed. I really liked that the whole thing started slow. Would have been strange to see them chasing a crazy and disgusting murderer and hopping in the sack after the first meeting.
Dean is a real hard ass agent but he shows his sweet side when he is near our little Sherriff. He’s caring and a oh so sweet father. He’s really good at his job and knows what he does.
Stacey is a really strong character and I liked her right from the start. She stands her (wo)man in her job and doesn’t back down from problems. She knows how to handle people, the good and the bad and runs her town with real determination.

I would have liked a little more romance in the story but I really enjoyed the book and will definitely read the next book ASAP.

To learn more about Leslie Parrish and her books please visit her website here.

The Black CATs series:

1. Fade to Black: other reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

2.Pitch Black: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

3. Black at Heart: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

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Review: Hard and Fast by Erin McCarthy

Description:

An experiment in romance…
New to Charlotte, stock car racing country, graduate student Imogen Wilson meets Ty McCordle, a driver who inexplicably has her pulse racing. After an encounter at the track with a woman whose main goal in life is to marry a driver, Imogen realizes she’s hit on the perfect thesis for her Sociology degree. If she follows The Rules on how to get a man, can she steer her way to into the hearts of the drivers and establish their dating—and mating—patterns?
That’s testing the limits of passion.
Although sexy and reckless Ty is the ideal test subject, she knows she can’t pursue him for the sake of science. Yet he’s the one who’s chasing after her, and Imogen realizes that she actually wants to be caught. A southern gentleman like Ty won’t fail to disappoint, will satisfy all her curiosity—and make all the risks worthwhile… (by goodreads.com)

Review:
First thing: look at this wonderful cover. Isn’t it one of the best covers ever. I can’t decide what to do first: 1. stroking it , cuddle it and do other things better not be named here or 2. frame it and put it over my desk.
That said we can come back to the actual review.

I so love this series and especially this book. It’s all about the NASCAR drivers and I have to admit that didn’t sound really promising to me. But don’t judge them because of that. I’m not into this racing thing but the whole plot is so fascinating that I didn’t mind it being about racing. This book outlines the relationship between Imogen and Ty- two characters as different as they can be.

Imogen is a grad student trying to write her degree in sociology. She’s very intelligent and really really eager for knowledge. She wants to know everything and I mean EVERYTHING. She asks question about things and in situations that made me blush. Her thesis for her degree is “How To Marry A Race Car Driver (In Six Steps)- does it work?”. She wants to know if the rules out of a book with the same title work and what better way to test them than experiencing it yourself.

Ty is a hard ass driver with a very direct attitude and full of snarky comments. He has one loose girlfriend after the next and doesn’t need or want some kind of commitment. He’s a successful stockcar driver and enjoys his life as it is. He has one big secret- nope I’m not spoiling it- but he tries to hide from it. Since the first time he met Imogen he’s curious about her but he can’t seem to remember her name correctly. Sounds awful but it really cute and I laughed so hard every time he tries to pronounce it. He’s a real gentleman at heart and so yummy he stole my breath away.

Imogen and Ty are so different but they are so great together, they seem to be a perfect match. Their conversations are witty and funny. The attraction is scorching hot and they are so totally open about their needs, it’s just totally amazing. Very hot and sensual- you will definitely need a fan.

This book is my favorite so far in this series and I can’t wait to read the next one. The plot is a great mix of sexy hot scenes and funny conversations. The side-characters are wonderful, especially Suzanne and Ryder- they can’t live with and without one another.
This series is so far an absolute keeper and I’m really anxious to read the next one.

One thing Sarah from Monkey Bear Reviews noticed a few weeks back is that the book format of this series changes with the next book from trade to mass market paperback. Anyone else finds this annoying? Will the first two be re-released in that format or is this just a mistake on the website? I hate it when the books don’t match in the bookshelf.

To learn more about Erin McCarthy and her books please visit her website here.

The Fast Track Series:

1. Flat-Out Sexy: reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon
2. Hard and Fast: other reviews @goodreads, buy @amazon

3. *Unnamed* (Suzannes & Ryder’s story) release Aug 2010

I never met or talked to Erin McCarthy in any way. I bought this book on my own. I don’t get anything if you click on the amazon link and buy one of the books. (Didn’t even know that this would be possible.LOL)

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Review: Sweet Seduction (ARC) by Maya Banks

Description:

He was the stuff erotic dreams are made of...
Salon owner Julie Stanford wanted Nathan Tucker ever since she gave him his first massage. Getting paid to feel every inch of his body, stripped, oiled, and spread out in front of her? Stuff dreams are made of. But the sexy lug was oblivious to the signals she was sending—until she finished off his final rub-down with something extra. In fact, the best extra he ever had. Unfortunately, he came around too late. Now Julie’s moving on…
She was everything he’d dreamed of...
The woman was driving him crazy. She lit fire to his insides then ran like a scalded cat. And now she’s going to someone else to have all her fantasies fulfilled? Over his dead body… He’s more than willing to give her what she wants, and as soon as he pins the little minx down, he’d show her his own brand of sweet seduction. (by goodreads.com)




Review:


Julie is a very strong woman who knows exactly what, or better said who she wants. She’s stubborn as hell and doesn’t want to back down. Her ideas are sometimes a bit over the top but she makes them come true nonetheless. Julie runs from one extreme into the next but she won my heart with her sassy attitude and her witty comments. She’s a very reliable person and full of love for her friends. She has character, a very strong one and men seem to be afraid of it. But who is Julie to change herself for men. She doesn’t want to cower in front of one. She knows her goals, doesn’t quarrel with herself, just starts going for them.

Nathan is a real sweetheart. I know men hate to hear that but he really is. He’s caring and never short of a helping hand. There's just one tiny problem: He wants Julie but he’s to shy to do something about it. He feels like a little teenage boy every time she’s near him. He has to find a way to get past this or he will lose her completely. And this would be unacceptable for him. He can be stubborn too.

But when Julie tries to get him out of her head all bets are off. She goes straight for her biggest fantasy and Nathan will do anything to prevent that or better to participate.
Sounds naughty and it definitely is- in a very good way. LOL
Nathan crosses his own limits just to make Julies dreams come true and how sweet is that. I love that man.
Yeah I know it’s not necessary to say but the scenes between the sheets are great as ever but no real surprise because Maya wrote this book and she knows how to make the pages sizzle.



The relationship between the two is slightly different in comparison to the first two books but in my opinion it suits them. I loved the way Maya developed the connection between Nathan and Julie while still getting all the subplot smoothed inside the story. I never lost focus on the main action but was also really intrigued about what happens to everyone else- and there's a lot happening in this book. The groundwork for Micah’s story is so good that I already started counting the days till his book is released(188 days *sigh*). Great book about love and friendship with a good amount of witty and funny comments.




To learn more about Maya and her books please visit her website here.




The Sweet Series:

1. Sweet Surrender: my review, reviews @goodreads
buy @amazon or as ebook @BooksOnBoard
2. Sweet Persuasion:
my review, reviews @goodreads
buy @amazon or as ebook @BooksOnBoard
3. Sweet Seduction(release October, 6th 2009):

other reviews @goodreads
buy
@amazon or as ebook @BooksOnBoard

4. Sweet Temptation (release April, 6th 2010)

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Review: Sweet Persuasion by Maya Banks

Description:


For five years, Serena has run Fantasy Incorporated and has devoted her time to fulfilling her clients’ fantasies. Never her own. Until now…
Her most secret desire is to give ownership of her body to a man. Someone who will command her, pleasure her, and have complete authority over her. So she seeks out Damon Roche, owner of an exclusive sex club and a man strong enough to make her do anything he wants. Anything.
Together they’ll journey into a world she’s only dreamed of. She’s given the opportunity to immerse herself in a different life while her normal one waits for her to return whenever she wishes. Damon has no desire to let her go, however. Serena is the woman he’s long searched for, and it’s up to him to convince her to stay when the game is all over with. He wants their fantasy to become their reality and for Serena to remain his pampered, cherished submissive.(by goodreads.com)

Review:

This review is kind of hard for me to write.I enjoyed reading the book but there are few things I’m not sure about. But let’s start at the beginning.

Serena(I love this name) is a successful woman. She has her own firm, a nice car and everything you can want from life except one thing: she wants to be a slave to a powerful master. Not like in the middle ages but like a very strict D/s relationship. I’m not sure if I, or my inner feminist likes this idea. But OK everyone what he likes. She’s not sure how to get that and after talking to Faith about it she contacts Damon and starts to fulfill her own dream. She’s a strong character despite being so submissive. She knows what she wants and I admire her strength to admit it.
Damon is really hot and from the first second I read about him in book 1 I wanted to know more about him. He has very high expectations concerning a functioning relationship. He wants to take charge of everything not only between the sheets. He knows that is much to ask and that not many woman would give so much freedom away. But he wants nothing less and waits for his super submissive to show up in his life. When he learns what Serena really wants he can’t give her to another man because she is exactly what he wants.

The connection between both of them builds relatively fast. Beneath all this master slave thing seems to be real deep feelings. It surprise me to be so emotional and I have to admit at one point their could have been a tear in my eyes. At moments everything is real cute and smooth between them but there are parts in this story I just can’t accept as easily. The slave status is taken real far, perhaps too far for me and is absolutely nothing for the faint of heart. We witness many dirty things in this book from bondage to spankings. I enjoyed reading it nonetheless. It’s really hot but a few things put a damper on it for me.I don’t want to be more specific because it would spoil the book. When you read it you will know what I mean.


The side characters were great as ever. The girls together are great and the boys are just adorable. We meet everyone again and it made me really curious about the next book but I have to admit Julie annoyed me from time to time.

This book is real great read and it’s one of the hottest books I read so far. If you got no problem with BDSM and a master/slave relationship you should get this book ASAP.




This is book 2 in the Sweet Series. If you want to learn more about Sweet Surrender, the first book in this series read my review here. To learn more about Maya and her books please visit her website here.


Read other reviews @goodreads .

Buy this book @amazon or as ebook @BooksOnBoard


Come back tomorrow to read my review of Sweet Seduction, book #3 in the Sweet Series.

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