Audible Book Review: Written in Red: A Novel of the Others by Anne Bishop

This is very good so now I will be into this series.
Written in Red
A Novel of the Others
By: Anne Bishop
Narrated by: Alexandra Harris

Series: The Others (Bishop), Book 1
Length: 18 hrs and 33 mins
Unabridged Audiobook
Release date: 03-05-13
Language: English
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Genre: Shape Shifters, Urban Fantasy
My Rating: 5.0 of 5.0 Overall; Story 5.0; Narration 5.0.

Publisher's Summary
No one creates realms like New York Times best-selling author Anne Bishop. Now in a thrilling new fantasy series, enter a world inhabited by the Others, unearthly entities - vampires and shape-shifters among them - who rule the Earth and whose prey are humans.
As Cassandra sangue, or blood prophet, Meg Corbyn can see the future when her skin is cut - a gift that feels more like a curse. Meg's Controller keeps her enslaved so he can have full access to her visions. But when she escapes, the only safe place Meg can hide is at the Lakeside Courtyard - a business district operated by the Others.
Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard is reluctant to hire the stranger who inquires about the Human Liaison job. First, he senses she's keeping a secret, and second, she doesn't smell like human prey. Yet a stronger instinct propels him to give Meg the job. And when he learns the truth about Meg and that she's wanted by the government, he'll have to decide if she's worth the fight between humans and the Others that will surely follow.
©2013 Anne Bishop (P)2013 Penguin Audio

Review:
This unique fantasy takes place in a world where humans and Others have negotiated a truce after years of battling with the humans suffering as ‘clever prey’ under the view of the Others. The Others consist of non-human beings like vampires, elementals (Winter, Air, etc) and many shape-shifter creatures from birds to bears, horses, and wolves. The humans are now living mostly securely on certain lands known as "reservations while the Others live in Courtyard communities observing the ‘prey’.

Meg is a rare Cassandra Sangue, a blood prophet who is able to see the future when her skin is cut in precise control. She has escaped from the very secret owner/organization who exploits these women, keeping them in confinement and limiting their knowledge except as needed to make profit from selling their prophecies.

As she was fleeing in a snowstorm, Meg stumbled into an Others Courtyard. The Others district leader, Shape-shifter Simon Wolfgard, is reluctant to give shelter to a person on the run but the community desperately needs a Human Liaison. Simon recognizes that Meg is not just ‘prey’ like normal humans. He decides to give Meg a trial run especially as it helps him avoid the pestering of a young woman who keeps throwing herself at him and begging for the job. To everyone’s surprise, Meg quickly shows that she cares about the postal office job even as she tries to learn how to act in society. The humans are comfortable with her professional approach to the clerical (but important) task and the Others are entertained and cheered by her friendliness and caring gestures. The Others come to care for Meg and are determined to protect her especially as they learn that outside, human forces are intent on kidnapping her.

Although some might see Meg as frail, she has an inner strength that is revealed as events unfold. She may be cautious of the clearly powerful Simon, but she won’t kowtow to even him. She has seen visions and knows that danger is imminent. Meg is intent on protecting Simon’s damaged but emerging nephew, “pup” Sam.

I like stories with ‘otherworldly’ creatures and they abound in this story. I loved the relationship between Meg and the Others. There is no overt romance but clear budding friendships that may have future growth.

The world-building is wonderful and the story full of tension and suspense. The characters are engaging and even the villain is well developed. This first volume has a logical conclusion spot but clearly, there is plenty to come. I'm a few years behind getting to this series but now I’m hooked. I will be continuing with the series and I recommend this to readers who enjoy intriguing urban fantasy.

Audio Notes: Alexandra Harris does a very fine job with the narration. She provides different accents for the many characters and her voice for Meg fits well. The narration carries through on the good pacing and emotion. I enjoyed the audible performance.

Source: 4/28/19 Audible Whisper Sync title for $7.95 less $5.00 Credit so it cost me only $2.95. This qualifies for 2020TBR and 2020Audiobook goals.

Book Review and Tour Giveaway: Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One) by A.C. James

This is an engaging beginning to what promises to be an interesting, albeit steamy, romance.

Ride: BBW Paranormal Shape Shifter Romance (Puca Mates Short Book One)

by A.C. James

• File Size: 1203 KB
• Print Length: 56 pages
• Publisher: Wandering Impulse Press (April 29, 2015)
• ASIN: B00WC20C02
• Genre: Paranormal Romance
• My Rating 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: April 29, 2015
PUCA MATES SHORT #1
*** This a not a full-length book. This novella is part one of a serial romance.***
Felicity Forrest has the perfect job as an investigative blogger for Everyday Supernatural. This curvy girl gets sent to the Aran Islands to find out whether a púca shape shifter is responsible for the strange accidents haunting a construction site.
Niall O’Leary is tall, broody, and totally alpha. His mission is to discover why the veil between the human world and the Realm has lifted. And as the Chieftain’s son he must find a mate or his twin will be promised to a stallion he despises. He has a duty to his family, his clan, and a need for offspring. Otherwise the púca could become nothing more than folklore.
Passion and frustration ignite when a curvy human female tempts his inner stallion like no other. There’s only one problem... She just got out of a relationship that left her broken hearted. Is she ready for a second chance at love?
Reader Note: This book is for those who are 18+. It contains explicit language, sexual situations, and one helluva cliffhanger. However, if you like curvy shifter romance, a stallion who can’t resist his curvy woman, and a dash of humor, then this is the story for you. Please read these installments in order. Enjoy!

Puca Mates Series/Serial Reading Order:
Ride: Awakening – Episode One
Ride: The Bet – Episode Two
Ride: Out Cold – Episode Three
Ride: The Veil – Episode Four

Categories: BBW Short Stories, Two-Hour Romance Short Reads

Review:
Felicity is a young woman who was hurt by a boyfriend who belittled her curvy proportions. She has avoided men for the past six months while she tries to get over the ex-boyfriend. Meanwhile she has focused on her interesting job as an investigative blogger for a site that explores and reports on the claims and mysteries of supernatural events.

Felicity is planning to spend a night celebrating a birthday with her good friend, Cyn (think ‘Sin’). Instead, Felicity is sent on assignment to the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland, where she is to investigate a claimed sighting of a puca shape shifter. Felicity invites Cyn to join her for some fun away from home.

Niall is a tall, strong and gorgeous. His father has given him an ultimatum to choose a mate as they must continue their species. Niall isn’t interested in settling down but he knows he will comply eventually because of special circumstances in his family. His priority right now though is to find out why the veil hiding his world has lifted several months before the usual time of the Samhain (October).

The girls visit a local pub and are soon joined by two handsome locals, Niall and his friend, Tomas. Tomas walks Cyn home and Niall takes Felicity for a walk and talk. Although Niall may be resistant to finding a mate, his inner stallion has other feelings. The puca spirit immediately wants to claim Felicity as his own. Although Felicity is shocked to be invited for a surprising ride on a beautiful horse, that doesn’t mean she is going to give in so easily to a rather arrogant man, no matter how sexy he is.

Ms. James does a good job developing the characters and setting up an interesting story. I enjoyed the presentation through alternating point of views of Felicity and Naill.  I admit I was a little leery of this after agreeing to read and review it as I thought it might be too bold for my tastes. I was pleasantly surprised that this first installment begins a good story and has limited sexual exposure. Yes, there is some innuendo, a few stark words and a few ‘stark’ sights.

 I am not sure if I will continue with the series due to the warnings of explicit language and sexual situations. On the other hand - I am intrigued by the storyline and would like to know the mystery tied to the Pucas and what trouble is being stirred up by whom. I recommend this for readers who enjoy sexy, steamy, shape shifter stories.

I received this first installment for Blog Tour and an honest review.

Buy Links:
Amazon US: http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00WC20C02
Amazon UK: http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/B00WC20C02
Amazon AU: http://www.amazon.com.au/gp/product/B00WC20C02
Amazon CA: http://www.amazon.ca/gp/product/B00WC20C02

Author Bio: A.C. James

New York Times and USA Today bestselling author A.C. James writes paranormal romance and erotica, including Eternal Ever After which was featured in the bestselling Spice Box anthology. She pounds out sexy scenes at her keyboard where romance is laced with horror in hot stories of vampires and bad boy werewolves. Her stories feature strong heroines and alpha heroes, with plenty of action, twists, and turns that will keep you turning pages.

A.C. resides in northeast Pennsylvania where she entertains her husband with her imaginative yarns and quirky sense of humor. She spends her time drinking large vats of coffee while taming two toddlers by day and writing by night. Recovering video game beta tester and tech geek who grew-up going to cons and watching SmackDown. There’s probably some cosplay pictures around somewhere of her dressed up as Bloodberry from Saber Marionette J. Just don’t tell anyone.

Some Random Facts About A.C. James (in case you were wondering or if you’re just really, really bored)
Favorite Fictional Characters: Buffy & Damon Salvatore
Eric Northman or Bill Compton? Eric Northman every day of the week and twice on Sundays.
Favorite Films: The Princess Bride, Idiocracy, & anything with Paul Rudd or Seth Rogan. She also displays a weakness for musicals.
Television: The Walking Dead, True Blood, Grey’s Anatomy, Scandal, & Big Bang Theory
Astrological Sign: Taurus
Addictions: Coffee, Wine, & Sushi… Oh, and sometimes Tuaca or Sake. Hula hooping and singing to 80s songs in her minivan while no one is looking.
Memberships: The Pocono-Lehigh Romance Writers (Romance Writers of America Chapter 174)
What she likes to read? She grew up reading the Choose Your Own Adventure series before graduating to L.J. Smith’s paranormal romance books long before television made the Vampire Diaries popular. Loves reading erotic romance, bdsm romance, and erotica. She’s a huge Tiffany Reisz fan girl. But who doesn’t love hot Catholic priests that are into BDSM?

Social Media Links
Website: http://www.acjames.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/pages/AC-James/129228540578101
Twitter: https://twitter.com/ACJamesauthor
Pinterest :https://www.pinterest.com/authoracjames/
Google+: https://plus.google.com/u/0/+ACJames/posts
YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCy0shR7xrlQuD4tfx3D8sXQ
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/7126571.A_C_James
Amazon Author Page: http://www.amazon.com/A.C.-James/e/B00D9DT7Y0/

A.C. James’s Ride: Episode One – Awakening

Blog Tour Giveaway

$50 Amazon Gift Card
$20 Amazon Gift Card
Paperback Books: Leopold's Wicked Embrace by Kym Grosso & Within The Shadows by Julieanne Lynch

a Rafflecopter giveaway

RAFFLECOPTER LINK:
https://www.rafflecopter.com/rafl/display/3707964e8/

Book Review: Silver-White (The Great North Woods Pack #1) by Shawn Underhill

This wolf shape shifter story is very engaging but has a cliff hanger ending.

Silver-White (The Great North Woods Pack #1)

by Shawn Underhill

• File Size: 368 KB
• Print Length: 169 pages
• ASIN: B00AQHLQ5U

Genre: Paranormal, Wolf Shape Shifer

My Rating: 4.5 of 5.0

Book Description
Publication Date: December 18, 2012
“The woods are lovely, dark, and deep,
But I have promises to keep,
And miles to go before I sleep.”
~ Robert Frost

*Evie’s family has been holding out on her …
Big time.
On an unexpected visit to her grandparents’ house in New Hampshire’s secluded North Woods, the sixteen-year-old literally runs into the truth of the long-hidden family secrets, and finds herself thrust without warning into the clandestine world of the Great North Pack—a wild and exhilarating world of rugged beauty, heart-pounding adventures, and long nights running under a sea of stars … but as she’s set to discover, a world also fraught with potential dangers lurking in the shadows.

Review:
Evie was always a restless child and discovered a great passion for running at an early age. She lived with her widowed mother in Alabama and especially loved her summer and occasional winter visits to her grandparents' farm in the North Woods of New Hampshire. There she would run on dirt roads between cornfields and on trails through the woods. She would dream of running and then one night, as she was nearing her seventeenth birthday, she dreamt of familiar northern paths where she found herself running in wild freedom, faster than ever before, with a steady heartbeat of joy.

Evie has shifted to her wolf self without ever knowing of her history. Her mother immediately takes the feverish young woman to her grandfather and the pack. Suddenly Evie is not just the newest wolf, but a white wolf from the legendary leaders of the pack. This brings a response of jealousy from some but mostly joy in a pack that cherishes family and strengths. Evie faces a crash course in learning as she is ignorant of the pack ways, history and dangers. Her new world is complicated by outsiders too. There is a cougar pack that has had an old rivalry with the wolves. They tended to remain off on their own but the news of a new white wolf has brought them in to attack.

Evie is struggling to take in the fact that she is a wolf shifter, there are other shifters, and there are human ‘rats’ that sneak and spy. She is also trying to assert her reasoning, human will to control the wild wolf instinct that flashes forth causing concern and danger for herself and her friends. But she is young, foolish and quickly gets into trouble. While facing the dangers of control and marauding cats, Evie and her pack also have to remember to maintain a low profile so humans do not suspect strangeness in their midst.

This story jumps into a good steady pace and is wonderfully portrayed from the view of the young protagonist who is frightened, confused, a bit angry and yet thrilled at her new world. Evie doesn’t realize how special she is so she is not arrogant in her unique blood lines but she also is totally a reckless teenager. The character is fittingly developed as are others of the pack - relatives and friends. The reader gets the emotional impact of the teen fitting into a family dynamic, as well as wonderful descriptions of enhanced senses.

There is plenty of good action and I was well engrossed in the story when it hit a cliff hanger end! It was an “Aargh” moment because I didn’t want the adventure to end but I really didn’t want it to end in such a dangerous, unresolved situation! I recommend this story to those who like action and the family dynamic of shifter packs. Just be forewarned that you may want to have the second book handy.

I featured this in BookBlast and it sounded interesting so I purchased it for review. Note GC giveaway ends 12/31/13.

Audible Book Review: Linger by Maggie Stiefvater

Highly Recommended! This second book in the series is even better than the first! 

Linger
• UNABRIDGED
• by Maggie Stiefvater
• Narrated by Jenna Lamia


• LENGTH
  10 hrs and 43 mins
• AUDIBLE RELEASE DATE
  07-01-10
Genre:  Paranormal Romance, YA; 
My Rating: 4.75.
Publisher's Summary
in Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past...and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves...and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.

At turns harrowing and euphoric, Linger is a spellbinding love story that explores both sides of love - the light and the dark, the warm and the cold - in a way you will never forget.

Review:  This story continues and expands from Shiver. Here we have four character perspectives: Grace, Sam, Isabelle and new character Cole.

Sam has been staying with Grace, and although they have not been sexually active, they have grown accustomed to sleeping together and sharing most of their free time when Grace is not in school and Sam is not at work. 

Spring is approaching and Cole is the first of the wolves to shift back. This is particularly frustrating to Cole since he is an angry, bitter young man and is trying to lose himself in the wolf. Isabelle finds him in her house and although she doesn’t like his attitude, she is inexorably drawn to his magnetic darkness. Isabelle lost her brother Jack who refused to remain a shifting wolf and died from the attempted “cure.”

That is only a minor irony in comparison to the big problem. Sam did survive the cure and he no longer shifts. But as the story moves on Grace becomes ill and it is fairly clear her body is fighting the wolf that struggles within her. Sam is burdened with the responsibilities of caring for the pack and preparing for their shift for the summer. He is initially disgusted and somewhat frightened by Cole’s arrogance and destructive nature. 

Now Grace’s parents have forbidden him from their home and are trying to ground Grace. Grace will break away to be with Sam.  As Grace gets weaker and sicker, can Sam hold on to the “summer” girl he loves?

I loved the four voices in the Audio. There are tidbits of Sam’s songs through the book and then a bit more in the studio practice (a birthday gift from Grace.) I really like the gentle love story, the ethereal music and the suspense of what is to happen. I’m ready for the next book!!

 I acquired this audiobook through my subscription at Audible.

Audio Book Review: Shiver by Maggie Stiefvater

This is a very engaging and haunting story of young love.

Shiver
by Maggie Stiefvater
  David LeDoux (Narrator), Jenna Lamia (Narrator)

• Reading level: Ages 13 and up
• Audio CD
• Publisher: Scholastic Audio Books (August 1, 2009)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0545165067
• ISBN-13: 978-0545165068

Genre:  Paranormal Romance, YA
My Rating:  4.5 of 5.0

Product Description: For years, Grace has watched the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—is a chilling presence she can’t seem to live without. Meanwhile, Sam has lived two lives: In winter, the frozen woods, the protection of the pack, and the silent company of a fearless girl. In summer, a few precious months of being human… until the cold makes him shift back again.
Now, Grace meets a yellow-eyed boy whose familiarity takes her breath away. It’s her wolf. It has to be. But as winter nears, Sam must fight to stay human—or risk losing himself, and Grace, forever.

Review:
These are YA characters but the story is very engaging with real emotions and an ethereal tone.
Grace is dependable and strong, a good student and reliable teen. Her parents are mostly absent as her dad is at work and her mother is an artist absorbed in her studio. Grace was bitten by wolves as a child. No one knew they were shifter-wolves because she did not shift. What made her different?

Even though Grace survived that trauma she looks to the woods and almost yearns for the wolves. Especially the one with the yellow eyes.

Sam has been a winter wolf for a long time. His parental situation is so sad but it brought him to Beck, the wolf leader,  who has raised him to lead the pack when Beck is gone.  Sam writes lilting, emotional songs that fit the loneliness and confusion of a boy caught between two worlds.

Sam has been enamored of Grace for several years. He saw her in the bookstore where he works in the summer but she didn’t recognize his interest ... until now.  They spend a glorious summer together but as winter approaches, when Sam will shift again, they struggle for a way to stay together. There are dangers facing the pack as certain members of the community hunt the wolves in the woods. Some other teens have disappeared and Beck has brought some strangers back to renew the strength of the pack.

The biggest problem is that this may be Sam’s last year of shifting. The wolves only get about 15 years of human shifting and then they remain in the wolf form. Sam doesn’t want to be separated from Grace but what can they do? Can Sam and Grace find a way to be together?

I really like the Audio version of this book. As the chapters rock from Grace to Sam there is a female and male voice. Both narrators do a wonderful job portraying the gentle kindness of Sam and the strong minded but tender Grace.  They also capture the other characters: Grace's parents, Beck and Grace's friends, the wealthy and somewhat arrogant siblings, Jack and Isabelle, and Grace's curious friend, Olivia, who loves to photograph the wolves.  I also enjoyed that Sam reads poetry and his song prose is haunting. I highly recommend the Audio version!

This was a SYNC YA Listening download from AudioBook Community. I am so thankful I got this as I might not have read it otherwise.

Book Review and ARC Giveaway: Unleashed by Sara Humphreys

I like strong shape shifters and sexy, cherishing men - this fits the bill! 

Unleashed 

by Sara Humphreys

• Mass Market Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca; Original edition (October 1, 2011)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1402258437
• ISBN-13: 978-1402258435

     Genre: Paranormal
     My Rating: 4.0 of 5.0

Book Description:
What if you suddenly discovered your own powers were beyond anything you'd ever imagined...

Samantha Logan's childhood home had always been a haven, but everything changed while she was away. She has a gorgeous new neighbor, Malcolm, who introduces her to the amazing world of the dream-walking, shapeshifting Amoveo clans...but what leaves her reeling with disbelief is when he tells her she's one of them...

And shock turns to terror as Samantha falls prey to the deadly enemy determined to destroy the Amoveo, and the only chance she has to come into her true powers is to trust in Malcolm to show her the way...

Get swept away into Sara Humphreys's glorious world and breathtaking love story...

Review:  I was interested in this book although I wasn’t quite sure what to expect.  I really liked the characters and the story kept me interested.

Samantha, “Sam”, struggled as a waitress in New York while hoping to have her artwork bring success. Then she begins to experience vivid dreams of a mysterious, faceless man calling to her. The dreams draw her home to her grandmother’s house in Rhode Island where she discovers a gorgeous man living next door. 

Malcolm is a member of the Amoveo shape shifting people. He shifts into a magnificent golden eagle with sharp yellow eyes.  He has reached an age where he is weakening and will die if he doesn’t find his mate.  He knows that he has found his mate but he doesn't know how is he going to explain to Sam that she is his mate and on top of that she is half wolf.

Sam is attracted to Malcolm but doesn’t want to be overwhelmed. She has just gotten away from one overbearing, arrogant and controlling boyfriend. She is not ready to have someone step in and try to control her. Yet there is something going on as she begins to hear Malcolm’s thoughts in her head. Then there seems to be danger that not only interferes in her life-like dreams but is stalking them in real life too. Can Malcolm protect them both? Can she trust him with her life and her heart?

The characters are very strong and warm. Malcolm is particularly yummy as a gorgeous man who can fly, teleport and communicate telepathically. All that plus he is prepared to cherish Sam. It may be hard for him to adjust, but he is willing to do what it takes to win the beautiful and feisty woman whom he knows is destined to be his lifelong mate.

The story reads very quickly. There is enough action and danger to keep it interesting and the romance is sexy without being unpleasantly graphic.  I felt there could have been some tighter editing to eliminate repetitive words and phrasing. Although I noticed this, it didn’t diminish my enjoyment in the entertaining read. If you like different shape shifters and a quick active read you should try this. I look forward to the next book in the series with Sam's best friend and another Amoveo cousin. No doubt there will be continuing danger from the unexposed enemy.

~~~~~~~

Thank you to Sourcebooks for this book to read and review.

TO ENTER THIS GIVEAWAY for the ARC Copy:
1. Visit the author's website and tell me something of interest you found there. This is required for entry.

2.  For an extra entry, become a follower or tell me if you are already a follower.

3. For two entries, blog, facebook, tweet (any of those networks!) about this giveaway and tell me where you did.

It isn't necessary to use separate entries unless you want them in different chronological order.
(Four total entries possible.)

* This contest is only open to residents of US and Canada.

* This contest will close 10 PM (Central) on November 11, 2011.
The winner will be randomly selected from all entries.
The WINNER WILL BE ANNOUNCED on November 12. 
Winners will have 72 hours to respond by email or the winners form linked in the announcement.