Review: Cipher (Southern Arcana, #4)

By Moira Rogers

Release Date: August 07, 2012 (print)

Source: Review copy provided by Author Moria Rogers for review.

Fans of Moira Rogers’s Southern Arcana series are jumping for joy now that Kat and Andrew finally got their story. I have been waiting for this since meeting them and their easy going flirtatious relationship. All that went to hell when Kat and Andrew were attacked and they both were too dangerous to be together. It broke my heart knowing they belonged together. Both were in so much pain being a part.

Now, they have had time a part to learn their powers and how to have control over them. Andrew has used that time to learn skills to keep Kat safe. Kat has avoided Andrew because it is so hard to be around him and learning from Zola defense skills so she is capable of protecting herself. However, when she is digging into her mother’s past she needs Andrew’s help. It starts them down a path neither of them expected. There is action, pain, tears, passion, and a budding relationship.

I loved the way Kat and Andrew knew they had to get over their devastating past in order to have a future. I thought they both were incredibly strong to realize they aren’t the easy-going architect and geeky computer student anymore. They are a strong alpha wolf and extremely powerful empath that love each other. The way they got over relationship road blocks was amazing. I truly love their relationship. They both realize what each other needs and not blame each other for it. Like how protective Andrew is, his wolf instinct can’t be helped and Kat knows it so she does not fight it.

Before this book I didn’t who the next stories would be about but now I do and I can’t wait. Both future couples should be just as fabulous. Great job Moira!

Fourteen months ago, Kat Gabriel's life changed forever when she used her empathy as a weapon. Now she can't escape the weight of those deaths--or the loss of the easy friendship she and Andrew once shared. Obsessed with her mother's violent past, Kat is determined to learn the truth of her inner-darkness by understanding her legacy.

Since the attack that turned him into a wolf, Andrew Callaghan has done everything possible to make himself stronger. More capable of protecting Kat--both from the supernatural world that forced her to kill, and from their own volatile connection. Pushing her away hurt them both, but he's finally made himself into the protector she needs.

As Kat's quest leads her into the darkest underbelly of the psychic world, Andrew is determined to be at her side. But every step forward reopens old emotional wounds and shakes their control. For a dangerous alpha and a deadly psychic, distraction could be fatal--especially when the greatest threat they pose is to each other.

Southern Arcana Series

1. Crux
2. Crossroads
2.1 Holiday Cheer (Nick and Derek’s Christmas Story)
2.5 Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romances 2 “Zola’s Pride”
3. Deadlock
3.5.Two Weddings (and One Near Funeral)
4. Cipher
5. Impulse (Releases Fall 2012)
6. Enigma (Releases 2013)

Movie Review: One for the Money

Oh Stephanie Plum (Katherine Heigl)…I so could be a bounty hunter too. I went with my family today to see Janet Evanovich’s One For the Money based off the first book in her Stephanie Plum series. I loved the movie. I think the casting was perfect. Joe Morelli (Jason O’Mare) and Ranger (Daniel Sunjata) were very hot and fit into their roles very well. I enjoyed Lula (Sherri Shepard), Grandma Mazur (Debbie Reynolds), Mrs. Plum (Debra Monk), and the creep Vinnie (Patrick Fischler).

I thought the screenwriters did an excellent job keeping with the original book. Some changes but none that bothered me. I got worried at the end when the final scene wasn’t going down like the book but all turned out ok since Joe Morelli still ended up in the back of the truck. It was great.

Does anyone know if they will make anymore of Janet Evanovich’s Stephanie Plum movies? I would definitely be going to see them.

Movie Monday

Underworld: Awakening

Released January 20, 2012

Stars: Kate Beckinsale, Michael Ealy, and India Eisley

I liked this trailer the best becasue it gave a recap up until this point.

I love this movie series and can't wait to see it. What about you?

Early Review: A Perfect Storm

By Lori Foster

Releases March 27, 2012

Source: Review copy provided by NetGalley for review.

 

Fans of the Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor series you will not be disappointed in this latest installment. It might be my favorite so far.

Arizona got a story? Oh ya I loved Arizona when we met her in Savor the Danger. Jackson rescued her when human trafficiers threw her over a bridge so she would drown to death but I never thought she would get her own story. I am so glad she did. Dare, Trace, and Jackson treat her like a troublesome but loved little sister but Spencer doesn’t. He may believe he is too old for her but that does not stop his thoughts about her sexually.

Spencer wants to help heal Arizona’s emotional scars. She is unable to think that sex or anything in a relationship can be good or pleasurable. Spencer is determined to change her mind. I loved the bet he made with her. It was brilliant. Everytime Arizona cursed, she owned him a kiss. Arizona is determined not to curse but she is not perfect. It’s great.

This book had the two main characters grow emotionally while trying to end another human trafficking ring that Arizona uncovered. She wants Spencer as a partner to take them down because she sees him as an equal. Now all the boys need to realize what the fabulous Chris already knew. Arizona is capable of protecting herself and how her life has shaped her into a strong woman. It is a fun to see Jackson and Spencer squirm until they do.

Favorite Quote:
“I want to make a bet with you.”
Her interest perked up. “You do? About what?”
Already knowing it wouldn’t go over well, Spencer braced himself. “I bet you can’t go a month without cursing.”
Her chin tucked in, and her brows came down. “What does that have to do with anything?”
He had no idea, except that it annoying him to hear her be so coarse. “Go a month without cursing.” He hated himself, but he said, “Every time you slip, you owe me a kiss.”

 He never saw her coming…

Spencer Lark already knows too many secrets about Arizona Storm, including the nightmare she survived and her resulting trust issues. But in order to expose a smuggling ring—and continue avenging his own tragic past—the bounty hunter reluctantly agrees to make Arizona a decoy. Yet nothing has equipped him for her hypnotic blend of fragility and bravery, or for the protective instincts she stirs in him.

Arizona wants to reclaim her life, which means acting as bait to lure the enemy into a trap. Sure it's dangerous, especially with a partner as distractingly appealing as Spencer. But as their plan—and their chemistry—shifts into high gear, Arizona may discover there's an even greater risk in surrendering her heart to a hero

Men Who Walk the Edge of Honor Series

.5 The Guy Next Door

1. When You Dare

2. Trace of Fever

3. Savor the Danger

4. A Perfect Storm (Releases March 27, 2012)

Review: Deadlock (Southern Arcana, #3)

By Moira Rogers

Released November 15, 2011

Source: Review copy provided by Author Moria Rogers for review.

This is the third installment of the Southern Arcana where Alec, the unofficial Alpha wolf of New Orleans finds his girl. How many times have we heard “Alec Jacobson is an asshole” well it takes an empath to find out what Alec is really like. Andrew very nicely said he’s a hopeless romantic which is a very sweet quality for the big tough brooding guy to have.

Carmen wants to make a change in the supernatural world and she does so by working at the neural clinic in New Orleans. She has seen the horrible way her Father treats her and other brother, Miguel since they aren’t shifters. Her brother Julio unfortunately is a shifter and her Father and Uncle Caesar both want to use him for power. The council members are more about getting power through manipulations instead of taking care of those in their territory. She wants more and wishes good people would step up, like how Alec takes care of New Orleans.

I really liked how this series keeps all the characters involved even though there are two main characters. I liked how Alec and Carmen took a trip to Wyoming to visit Nicole, Michelle and the newborn very loud AJ (Aaron Jr.). It was nice how we get some more of their stories and they didn’t just end because their story was told in Crossroads. Same with getting to continue tension between Kat and Andrew even though they haven’t had their book. That is the story I really, really need to read. It sounds like the tragic Romeo and Juliet where they might hurt each other but I really hope they get a happy ending.

He’s no one’s hero. She’s no one’s pawn. And now they’re caught in the crossfire…
 Abandoned by her wolf shifter father and raised by her human psychic mother, Carmen Mendoza can’t deny she’s different. She craves things most women shy away from—and she has a trail of shape shifting ex-boyfriends to prove it.

 Working at a clinic for supernatural creatures, she’s escaped the notice of her father’s legacy-obsessed family. Until they need a pawn in their bid for power. Snared by a vicious spell designed to wake her inner wolf, Carmen’s only hope is to trust the one man strong enough to soothe her darkest instincts.

Alec Jacobson was once the heir apparent to the wolves’ ruling elite, until he walked away to marry the woman he loved. She paid with her life. Now he lives as a rebel, a black-sheep alpha who protects the supernatural residents of New Orleans from the wolves’ barbaric class system. Too bad he can’t protect himself from his need for Carmen.

Yet staking his claim on his enemy’s niece will turn his city into a battleground. Unless he can find a way to stop breaking the rules—and start making them.

Warning: This book contains a renegade alpha wolf, a smart empathic doctor, very dirty sex with psychic safe-words, the occasional dominance game in and out of the bedroom, and a group of supernatural citizens ready to take on the corrupt leaders of their world.

Southern Arcana Series
1. Crux
2. Crossroads
2.1 Holiday Cheer (Nick and Derek’s Christmas Story)–free online story
2.5 Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romances 2 “Zola’s Pride”

3. Deadlock

3.5.Two Weddings (and One Near Funeral) –free online story

4. Cipher

5. Impulse (Releases Fall 2012)

6. Enigma (Releases 2013)

Sparkling Reviews Giveaway

Sparkling Reviews is hosting a Kindle Fire giveaway thanks to the generous support of a secret author. Go check out the Sparkling Reviews blog and join the fun!

Early Review: Raven Calls (Walker Papers, #7)

By C.E Murphy

Releases February 28, 2012
Source: Review copy provided by NetGalley for review.

Oh ya Gary is back in all his charming glory! After going away for the weekend in the last book, Spirit Dances, he was not going to miss all the action this time so he flys all the way to Ireland to join Joanne on this next big adventure. And what an adventure it is.

Literally, none stop. I did miss the other characters, Billy, Morrison, the other officers, and the daily life stuff that was in the other books. Because this book was set in Ireland there was really none of the mundane, it was all gods, goddess, and evil to fight continuiously.

The big highlight was Morrison and Joanne can finally have a real relationship. In typical Joanne fashion she to save the world and leaves to go to Ireland. Now at first I wanted more of Morrison in the book than the short to the point phone calls but I think I like how it wasn’t an instinst in-your-face-were-together-thing. It gave me time to get used to the idea after so many books were Morrison and Joanne could not be together that now they could. Next book they can be fully together.

 I enjoyed Joanne’s mother’s niece Caitriona who is nineteen year old and mets Joanne again in Ireland and joins in the adventure. She adds the eye rolls and heavy sighs. I also enjoyed the roll Joanne’s mother played in this story. Joanne gets answers she needs to heal old emotional wounds and will help her continue to grow.

Favorite Quote:
“You went back in time,” he repeated, “and you expect his cell phone to work?”
“Well, no, I just, I mean, I came back and he hasn’t! Shouldn’t he have?”
Morrison, very steadily, said, “Were you together?”
“No! I just said he went to fight the Morrigan!”
“I see.” There was a pause. “The man is seventy-four years old, Joanie. He can take care of himself. If you were,” a great and patient pause filled the line before he went on, “time traveling. If you were time traveling and got separated, then I can’t think of any reason he would necessarily come back to the present at the same time you did.”
“Except I was the focal point, it was my fault, it --!”
“Joanne. Siobhan. Siobhan Grainne MacNamarra Walkingstick.”
I didn’t think anybody had ever said my name like that before. I gulped down a hysterical sob and whispered, “Yeah?”
Morrison, with gentle emphasis, said, “I love you. Now pull yourself together and go find the bad guy,” and hung up.

Something wicked this way comes…

Suddenly, being bitten by a werewolf is the least of Joanne Walker’s problems.

Her personal life in turmoil, her job as a cop over, she’s been called to Ireland by the magic within her. And though Joanne’s skills have grown by leaps and bounds, Ireland’s magic is old and very powerful…

  In fact, this is a case of unfinished business. Because the woman Joanne has come to Ireland to rescue is the woman who sacrificed everything for Joanne—the woman who died a year ago. Now, through a slip in time, she’s in thrall to a dark power and Joanne must battle darkness, time and the gods themselves to save her.

The Walker Papers Series:
1. Urban Shaman
2. Winter Moon
3. Thunderbird Falls
4. Coyote Dreams
5. Walking Dead
6. Demon Hunts
7. Spirit Dances
8. Raven Calls (Releases February 28, 2012)

Review: Angels of Darkness

I pickup Angels of Darkness for Nalini Singh's story for it is #4.5 in the Guild Hunter series and Ilona Andrews in one of my favorite authors so I have to read her story and she did not disappoint. Sharon Shinn is a new author for me and I will be reading more of hers now.

Tales of alpha angels...from four alpha authors.

They soar through the night, unearthly creatures of legends and lore. Four masters of urban fantasy and paranormal romance explore the rapture of the heavens above, and the darkness below in four all-new stories of angels and guardians, and good and evil.

"Angel's Wolf" by Nalini Singh is from her Guild Hunter series. Noel is one of Raphael's vampire who he reassigns to Louisanna. We met Noel in Archangel's Kiss where he was injured. He is now healed physically but not fully emotionally. The head angel Nimra needs protection from someone in her court who unsuccessfully tried to kill her. Both need to trust each other and learn to grow and heal. I really enjoyed this story eventhough none of the main characters of the Guild Hunter series is in it, only Raphael's name mentioned.

"Alphas: Origins" by Ilona Andrews is a new world where everyone seems like monsters to Karina and her daughter Emily who are taken to live with some very scary monsters. Karina is what the monsters in this world call a donor. Lucas, one of the monsters needs to feed off donors to live unfortunely for Karina. Henry and Daniel are two other monsters Karina needs to live with and ends up cooking for them.


"Nocturne" by Sharon Shinn is a good story where a too curious cook who works at the Gabriel school wants to get into the Headmistress's house where she is not aloud to go. That doesn't stop her. She knows there is an Angel in the house and she is determined to find out his story. It makes a very interesting story. (Sharon Shinn's website says it takes places 80 years after her novel Archangel which I haven't read but still enjoyed the story and didn't feel lost).

Cover Love: City of Lost Souls

Cassandra Clare has revealed her cover of the fifth book in the Mortal Instruements Series:

City of Lost Souls. It is due to be released May 8th 2012! I love the light coming out of their skin and that Clary and Jace finally get a cover together!

Summary from Goodreads "In Book 5: City of Lost Souls, the Shadowhunters struggle to piece together their shattered world after a betrayal by one of their own leaves them reeling."

Team Outcast!!!

What team are you choosing: Outcast vs. Trucker? I am going with the very interesting, kick-ass OUTCAST. I would love have Hailey as my wingchick on a date. It would save a lot of time not dating losers and Trip well I love me a hacker. That takes serious skill.

Hailey: Hailey's mother could summon demons. Her father was demon-spawn. She's one of the first generation of hybrids, humans with strong demon and summoner blood mixing in their veins to create magical ability. Or, in her case, psychic ability. Hailey knows if you've been bad or good, and will make you regret it if you try to lie to her.

Trip: Being mostly human doesn't make you powerless–not when you're a world class hacker in a network-dependent world. Whether it's security, communication or entertainment, he's the final word on computing in virtual reality among the outcasts. If you're really nice to him, he might share his stash of pre-apocalypse music and movies, too.

What team are you picking?

Disclaimer: This post is part of Moira Rogers's Post-Apocalyptic Trucker vs Outcast Showdown. A comment on this post will enter you to win your choice of a NOOK Simple Touch, or a Kindle Touch or Kobo Touch with special offers. For rules, details on more ways to enter or information on how to pick your own side, visit the contest page at Moira Rogers's website.