ARC Review: Chained by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampires #2) by Larissa Ione @LarissaIone @SimonSchuster @Pocket_Books

Chained by Night

MoonBound Clan Vampires #2

by Larissa Ione

Adult PNR

Expected Publication September 30, 2015

by Pocket Books

*ARC provided directly from the publisher in exchange for an honest review*

Synopsis via Goodreads:

THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation.To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?

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New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Larissa Ione penned her first novel at the age of 13 and hasn't stopped writing since. She has been a U.S. Air Force meteorologist, an EMT, and a professional dog trainer, and you never know when one of those interests will pop into her novels.

She lives a nomadic existence with her U.S. Coast Guard husband and son, so her writing career has been a blessing -- a job that moves easily.

She writes dark paranormal romance for Grand Central Publishing (formerly Warner Books,) and contemporary romance for Red Sage and Samhain. Under the pen name Sydney Croft, she writes erotic action adventure romance with partner Stephanie Tyler.

Connect with Larissa:  Goodreads   Twitter    Facebook    Website   Pinterest

Larissa Ione does not disappoint with this second installment in the MoonBound Clan Vampire series! It was everything I had hoped it would be plus more! If you missed my review of the first book of the series, you can find it here. 

When I first read the synopsis to this installment, I was stoked. I really couldn't wait to get my hands on more of Hunter. I wanted to learn more about him & see more insight into his life as Clan Chief. I definitely wasn't disappointed. Ione continues this novel within the world she built revolving around the Vampire Clans, who have stories of their origination as vampires. Again, the Native American spin on the original vampires is one of my favorite things about this novel. It's a different, more specific spin on vampires. 

The characters! Oh my gracious, I love these characters. Even the bad guys - they're GREAT antagonists. They're pure evil and you love to hate them. Ailyn... I loved her in the first novel and I really, really loved her in this novel. She is such a strong, brave woman. From her very birth, she's been slighted because she was born with a malformed leg. The only thing that has saved her from being drown... she was a twin and the order of their birth was a traditional aspect of their life. She lived in hell. There's no other way for me to put it. Pure hell. But she still held her head high, her back strong, played the role she was handed when she had to, and held onto her dreams of one day being free. 

Her sister... not so much. She was the perfect daughter. The one who grew up and agreed with everything her father told her to. Grrrrr.... I wanted to smack her so many times that I eventually just stopped counting. I felt horrible for Hunter because he was supposed to mate that wench! 

We do see Nicole & Riker more in this novel, along with the others from book 1. I'm so glad that Ione is continuing on with this world & set of characters. I find myself wondering what's going to happen next & who will be the stars in the next novel. I have an idea that it'll be Myne. I'm crossing my fingers! I can't wait to dive more into him! 

The demon realm which Hunter & Ailyn traveled into was amazingly crafted. Every aspect of that quest had me flipping pages as fast as possible. They grew closer & we really saw how much determination Ailyn possessed. She was amazing! 

Overall, this was an amazing second installment into a wonderfully crafted series by Ione - it continued to prove why she's, by far, one of my favorite authors. It was everything I had hoped for and more! I can't wait to see where Ione takes this story next!

Overall rating: 5 Huge Stars
Cover: 5 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 5 Stars
Climax: 5 Stars! The twist on Ailyn's power was brilliant! 
Ending: 5 Stars

Review: Alabaster Nights by Elle J. Rossi

Alabaster Nights
(A Josie Hawk Companion Novella)
by Elle J. Rossi

A Vampire with a soul. A Huntress with a knife.

In Nashville, Blood equals Power. Will one taste of Josie Hawk cost Keller everything?

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Elle J Rossi grew up in rural Indiana surrounded by great people, a huge family and more animals than she could count. But the sites and sounds of the world beckoned, so she left her small town to escape into a creative world full of music. As a full time singer she was able to lose herself in a thousand different songs in a hundred different places. After meeting the love of her life and settling down, she yearned to find a new and fulfilling creative outlet. Overly fond of the happily ever after, she wondered what it would be like to have her own characters lead her down dark and twisted paths. The very first word on the very first page sealed her fate. She’d found a new love. She’d found her escape. Now along with weaving haunting tales about the journey to love, she’s creating cover art for authors around the world and loving every second of it. For fun, she cranks country music to take her back to her roots, and sings karaoke anytime she gets a chance. Her husband, two children, and a cat that rules the roost keep her company along the way and guarantee she doesn’t get lost in the enchanted forest. She wouldn’t have it any other way.

Website – Twitter – Facebook

 

 

 

 

 

 Oh my... Keller... Love him & that name. Josie was great too.... You know, for a girl. :) 

This is a great novella & a great introduction to the author's work. I've not read anything else by Rossi before but I definitely plan to now. I want to continue this series! It's one heck of a teaser, taking us through how the characters first meet, etc. 

 I enjoyed the author's pace for the story. It kept me interested and I didn't feel bored. 

The characters... swoon. I loved Keller (if you didn't notice that in the opening sentence of this review) Ha. It's a great vampire tale and I think paranormal lovers could get into this series just from the opener. I liked the spin on the vamp tale. Keller is addicted to blood but wants to curve it so it's not so overwhelming of sorts. Drinking from cups just isn't the same. LOL Ewe... that just grosses me out. It's definitely hotter for vamps to drink from the source in my opinion so I can't blame the guy. Anywho... Josie has a spunky attitude and I liked her as well. However, I have to admit, I wasn't keen on the POV swaps.... I was almost peeved when Josie's POV came about because I just enjoyed Keller's POV so much.

 I look forward to reading more of this series from this author because this novella pulled me in and left me wanting more of the characters & their world. 

 So overall... I'd have to say a 3.5 Star for me.

 Overall: 3.5

Cover Rating: 4 Stars

Characters: 4 Stars

Plot: 4 Stars

Ending: 4 Stars

 

 

 

Review, Guest Post & Giveaway: A Love Unfinished (Clans of Fire #1) by Bethany Kris

A Love Unfinished

Clans of Fire, Book One

Bethany-Kris

Adult Paranormal erotic romance

*ARC obtained in exchange for an HONEST review*

Dragons only want what’s theirs, however it is that they get it. 

Blurb:

Over two decades ago, an attack on The Clan of Cobalt left families of dragons in ruins; now, with the clans able to start rebuilding their lives, history is beginning to rewrite, one dragon and one mate at a time…

Dani Heartview spent a year running from the past she can’t forget and it’s about to catch up in the form of Holden Levy. When he suddenly disappeared, she was devastated, but now he’s back. Even if she can’t deny their connection, the man who returned is vastly different from the one who left.

With Holden’s secrets uncovered, the Alpha dragon inside the man is demanding for its mate to be claimed, but there’s danger lurking close by. Still, his abandonment is a monster she can’t shake. Can she forgive to restart their life, and if she does, can Dani handle exactly what it means to be a dragon’s mate?

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Bethany-Kris is a Canadian author, lover, and mother of two young sons, two cats, and two dogs. With a fulltime job, her children underfoot, animals at her side, and a spouse calling over his shoulder, she is nearly always writing something…when she can find the time. 

Connect with Bethany:   Blog/Website   Facebook    Twitter    

Why Dragons? 

I’ve had a few people ask me this question since I decided to write a paranormal romance dealing with shifting dragons. 

Why dragons specifically, they ask. Why, when there are already so many other great shifters out there that are loved—wolves, bears, cats, and the like. 

Exactly. And, I love those shifters, too, but they just didn’t feel right to me like a dragon did. Maybe it’s that old childhood memory of princesses, knights, and dragons, except I wanted my dragon to be the hero. 

The creatures suddenly living in my head were mythical, because we know they can’t exist, but in my head, they suddenly did. Huge—easily the size of a regular house, and some even larger. They were, in my dreams and thoughts, pretty freaking magnificent. Legendary and strong, they were magical and amazing. More than anything, I wanted to bring them to life. 

Dragons in general give off an aura of danger. Creatures unknown that can destroy just by breathing. They could be the villain in a story just as easily as they could be the victor. There was so much to work with. 

I couldn’t not write about these creatures with wing spans tipping thirty feet, their jaws spilling out fire, and the secretive, traditional societies they lived in. 

Sure, any shifter could have worked the plot just as well, but they wanted to be dragons.

So, why not? I had to write them. I wanted everyone else to love these dragons, too.

“Get away from me,” I hissed. “You have no right to be here.”

Emotion broke through on his handsome features, marring it with sadness as my eyes blurred with unshed tears. “Please, Dani…”

“Stop saying my name.” My voice was rising to an unhealthy octave. My heart was pounding at a too fast pace. Why would he be here? He had to have known I wouldn’t want him here. “Stop sharing my fucking air. For God sakes, get out of my space, Holden.”

“Ouch, man.”

Holden didn’t even glance back at his friend. “Shut up, Duran.” There was a timber in his tone, something else I didn’t recognize from the man standing before me. I felt wetness drip down my cheeks. “Oh, Dani, please don’t cry…I didn’t come here to make you cry, baby.”

Baby? “Who in the hel—”

“Dani!” Jade was out of the kitchen and rushing over to my side. She barely noted the men or my heartbroken expression. That, or she mistook it for the pain of the coffee spill. “Did you get burned?”

“I’m fine.” Those words were the biggest lie I’d ever spoken.

“She’s not,” Holden replied quietly. “Could you get a cool cloth and the first aid kit, if you have one?”

“I’m fine,” I repeated. “Jade, could you handle these guys, please?”

“Dani, wait.”

“Holden, I swear to God if you don’t walk out of this place right now and never look back, I will…” I couldn’t finish my sentence because there wasn’t anything I didn’t already feel for him. Hate. Love. Desire. Disgust. I felt all of that. With him being so close, it only served to make me more confused. Defeated, air rushed from my lungs, in a harsh exhale. “Leave, right now.”

Jade appeared lost. “Um…okay, I’m going to grab the first aid. You’re going to stay here and sit down.”

Duran smiled at Jade when no one responded. “Thanks, sweetheart.”  

Holden hadn’t taken his eyes off me. When he moved forward, I backed up. “Don’t come any closer. I don’t want you near me.”

Agony pulled Holden’s full lips into a frown. “Let me explain.”

“I told you this wouldn’t be the best place to approach her,” Duran said. “We should have waited.”

“We don’t have that kind of time.”

“Why haven’t you left?” I asked, feeling a seething rage beginning to take over my initial shock and pain. “Have I not made it clear enough yet that you’re not welcomed?”

“You made it clear.” Holden’s gaze flickered up to the ceiling, a tick showing in his strong jaw. “But it’s not that simple. One minute, Dani. That’s all I’m asking for. After all we were, don’t you owe me that?”

“Owe you?” My hands trembled. The sudden burst of fury and courage that swept over me was all consuming. I stepped up to him and slammed my fist into his chest. Holden barely flinched and the action hurt me a great deal more than it must have him, but emotional pain registered in his eyes. “I owe you. Are you fucking insane? You left me, Holden. Left me in Tennessee with nothing. Not a goddamned explanation, not a goodbye…nothing!”

I hit him in the chest again, disbelief coursing through me. “How could you ever say that I owe you after everything you did to me? I waited for months. I called your phone every day. I texted, emailed, and left messages until your inbox was full. You could have been dead if not for that stupid note. I defended you when it was clear you didn’t want me anymore … Once, Holden. All you had to do was answer me back just once! You up and walked away from me, from our home, and our life without a single care in the world. And you have the audacity to say that I owe you anything?”

“Do not…” he growled, face suddenly mere inches from mine, “…say that I just walked away from you, Dani. I never would have walked away from you like that had I been given the choice. Ever.”

His response only served to fuel my rage. “Well, excuse me for living. What would you call me waking up to an empty house, with a note on the counter, and no you to be seen again, exactly?”

Anger clouded his face. “What did that note say, Dani?”

“Holden, calm down.” Duran was up off the bench, a hand on his friend’s shuddering arm. Rippling tension flowed between the men, but my former lover and fiancé didn’t register the one person attempting to help the situation. No, his focus was solely on me. “Come on, we’ll do this another time.”

“You won’t do it ever again,” I spat hatefully.

“Yes, I will. I have to. I can’t be me without you.” That confession struck me like a knife in the chest, the blade twisting painfully. Holden breathed deeply, the fight suddenly gone from his body as quickly as it came. “I will always come back for you. I lo—”

“No, you don’t. You never did. If you had, this…” I said with a wave at us, “…wouldn’t have happened.”

I thoroughly enjoyed A Love Unfinished and cannot wait to see where else this series goes.

When you start reading this novel, it feels like there was a book or two before because you're so far in time looking back at past events. At first, I didn't think I'd enjoy that because there were so many things/events that were recalled and I wanted to know exactly how it played out. I felt like I may have missed something. But the more I read, the more I realized that it worked. It made me think more about the characters and how they've become who they are. I still want to see Willow & Duran's story played out in front of me though haha. That needs to be a .5 novel! :)

I loved the characters and especially the dragon aspect. I'm a dragon fanatic... yea... I collected dragons throughout high school and college, I have a dragon tattoo on my ankle, and I want another one :) I LOVEDDDDD how the author portrayed life in a dragon family, the traditions, the look of the dragons, their strength and possessiveness. I loved it all!

There were a few points in the novel where I felt like there was too much sex (is there a such thing?) because it seemed like nothing else was happening. I didn't mind, but it did stand out to me. I did flip a few pages just to get past it because I wanted to know where else (other than the bedroom) the plot was headed. Ha.

Overall, great novel and great start to a series. I can't wait to see what else this author does.

Overall Rating: 4 Stars
Cover Rating: 4 Stars
Characters: 5 Stars
Plot: 4 Stars
Climax: 5 Stars <-- LOVED the binding ceremony!
Ending: 4 Stars

Can't wait to see where the series goes next!

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