Bite Me ~ Shelly Laurenston

Bite Me by Shelly Laurenston
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

When I saw this one on Netgalley it really made my day :)

Summary:
Livy Kowalski has no time for idiots. When you shapeshift into a honey badger, getting through life's irritants is a finely honed skill. Until she gets stuck housing her nutso cousin and dealing with her dad's untimely and unexplained demise. That's where Vic Barinov comes in - or his house does. Vic can't step outside without coming back to find Livy devouring his honey stash and getting the TV remote sticky. It gets his animal instincts all riled up. But he'll have to woo her at high speed: all hell is breaking loose, and Livy is leading the charge…

My Take:

Bite me follows one of the most interesting characters in the Pride Series. Livvy is not the cute an cuddly shifter that some of the others may seem to bed. But that is a large part of her, well lets just say charm. Shelly Laurenston had the unique ability to write not just strong female leads but often times abrasive characters we as readers still enjoy and feel compassion for. She also i one of the few authors to literally make me laugh out loud, and usually in a very inappropriate place. This is a great series and just over all a lot of fun. I do recommend starting at the beginning (or at least book 3 on) because part of the fun is how the characters interact and that interaction has been building slowly since the start.

Cover Reveal ~ By The fates Fought

Wolf Majick reviews is happy to take part in the Cover Reveal 

for 

By The Fates Fought by Patricia D. Eddy…

Publication Date March 18th 2014

We even have a link to a free preview of the novel! 

Be sure to scroll down to the bottom and enter the giveaway.

summary: Spring in Gralvein brings Ealasaid peace. Six months to the day Raven found her shackled and tortured in the devil's lair, their public handfasting is the happiest day of her life. But a storm is coming. Devils join King Eideard's Guarda and watch Ealasaid constantly. Faolan's spies report Lobhdain is plotting. What is this mystical artifact he searches for?

When the devils attack and one of their allies disappears, Raven and Ealasaid fear they will never be safe. Can they manage a daring rescue? Or will Ealasaid lose everything she holds dear?

By the Fates, Fought is the second novel in the By the Fates trilogy, and will release on March 18th. It contains several disturbing scenes, including brief descriptions of rape and torture and is meant for mature audiences. It ends on a cliffhanger. By the Fates, Fulfilled will be released in Fall of 2014.  

My Take: I haven't had a chance to read the first one in the series yet but I am going to be adding both to my TBR list :)

About the author, in her words: "I write. I’ve always written. I have a memory of sitting at the first computer my parents ever owned writing a story. I don’t remember how old I was. I just know I was sitting at the kitchen counter on a stool. Odd what we remember sometimes, isn’t it?

I fell in love with my husband over words. Words in Instant Messenger. Words in shared writing experiences. We had this book. I still have it somewhere. Or not. I loaned it to someone. I don’t even know who. But it had daily writing prompts. We’d sit at our computers, 1500 miles away from each other, and we’d both write. Then we’d share. Well, sometimes we’d share.

I write for a living. But not for myself. The writing here… that’s just for me. Well, hopefully it’s for others as well."

Check out the author at her website and Facebook

By The Fates Goodreads   Smashwords  Amazon  Barnes and Noble

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The Returned ~ Jason Mott

The Returned by Jason Mott
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I picked up this novel for two separate reasons. One was that it had that sic-fi 4400 feel and I honestly wanted to know why the dead were returning. The other was that I got a few audio book prequels from Audible for free prior to the release date of the actual book. 

Summary:Harold and Lucille Hargrave's lives have been both joyful and sorrowful in the decades since their only son, Jacob, died tragically at his eighth birthday party in 1966. In their old age they've settled comfortably into life without him, their wounds tempered through the grace of time ... Until one day Jacob mysteriously appears on their doorstep—flesh and blood, their sweet, precocious child, still eight years old.

All over the world people's loved ones are returning from beyond. No one knows how or why this is happening, whether it's a miracle or a sign of the end. Not even Harold and Lucille can agree on whether the boy is real or a wondrous imitation, but one thing they know for sure: he's their son. As chaos erupts around the globe, the newly reunited Hargrave family finds itself at the center of a community on the brink of collapse, forced to navigate a mysterious new reality and a conflict that threatens to unravel the very meaning of what it is to be human.
My Take:
Now overall I thought the book was well done, but it is not what I was expecting. Instead of being a sci-fi novel it was a drama about human relationships and the human condition. The reader is pulled into family circumstances and outsider bias. Most importantly the reader is posed with the question, what would you do? How would you handle it? Who hasn't lost a loved one too soon? I think the novel manages to dredge up a large quantity of emotions that will surprise you. If you are looking for an emotional drama than this one fits the bill.

One Night with the Shifter ~ Theresa Meyers

One Night with the Shifter by Theresa Meyers
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I was lucky enough to score this one to review :) Be sure to scroll all the way down to check out an excerpt.

Summary:
After he is exiled from his pack, Tyee Grayson must learn to make it on his own. But one night with a beautiful stranger who has luminous blue eyes changes everything…. Especially when his instincts shout that she is the one. 

All elementary school teacher Jessica Brierly wanted was a night on the wild side, but when she finds herself pregnant, all the rules change. Not only does her lover have more secrets than she ever imagined, but suddenly they're both fighting off vampires. When vampires attack the town she dearly loves, Ty must work with his old pack to save them from a ruthless enemy who could kill not only his mate and his unborn child—but the entire human race.

My Take:

I have to say I always enjoy Theresa Meyers romances. Be they shifter, steam punk or just your hot hero. This book was no different. It also has the added benefit of giving readers some answers to questions left from a previous book, which is always nice. Ty is trying to start his life over and Jessica is just out for a good time, or at least she thinks. But of course spending the night with a shifter alters her life. Exciting with some truly hot scenes this is excellent way to spend an afternoon!


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Excerpt: 

The air was clean and cold outside. Ty’s head cleared, his senses grew 

sharper. The cool evening breeze, heavy with the salty scent of nearby Puget 

Sound, ruffled Jess’s hair, sticking honey-colored wisps to her full, rosy lips.

“You okay?” he asked as he gently tucked the strands back behind her ear.

Jess blinked, and stared up at him, a mixture of curiosity and disbelief in her 

eyes. “What just happened in there?”

He tried to give her a lopsided grin, but it turned into a wince when he found 

his jaw was tender from the hits the vampire had landed. He rubbed the soreness. 

The night air chilled the dribble of blood from the cut on his cheek, making it wet 

and cold, but there was no scent of vampire. The third one must have been smart 

enough to ditch his buddies. His body ached from the fight, but it would heal fast 

enough. “A bar fight with strangers.”

“You didn’t know those guys?” she asked, looking around her nervously. 

“They seemed pretty intent on messing with you.” She grazed the corner of his 

mouth with her fingertips. “You’re hurt.”

The light touch was enough to send a powerful surge of awareness pounding 

through him that wiped away any of the ache that remained. Damn. There was no 

doubt in his mind there was a strong Mesmer forming with this woman.

He gently moved her fingers away from his mouth, keeping them folded in 

his. Her hands were fine boned and slender and feminine. “No big deal.”

Her full lips tipped up into a soft smile, making him crave to kiss her. 

“Tough guy, huh?” She pulled a car remote from her pocket and pushed it, making 

the lights flash on a silver pickup on the edge of the dirt-and-gravel parking area 

beside the bar.

“Sounds like you’ve been around a few.”

She opened the driver’s door to the pickup and turned, standing in the gap, 

staring at him, her head tilted. “A few. But they’re nothing like you.”

Ty closed the gap between them, putting one hand on the door frame, 

shielding her from view of the parking lot but maintaining space between them. He 

knew better than to get close enough to be swamped by temptation. The Mesmer 

might be working on him, but that didn’t mean she’d understand if he came on too 

strong. Especially not after the fight.

“If you want to head home, I understand. I’ll stay here awhile and make sure 

those guys don’t follow you home.”

She reached out and grabbed fistfuls of his T-shirt near his collarbones, 

pulling him close until he was chest to chest with her. The soft swells of her breasts 

pressed against him and the minty scent of her hair, and hint of lilac on her skin 

teased his sensitive sense of smell. Everything within him went silent and still, 

fixated on the lush curve of her mouth so damn close to his he could feel the 

warmth of her breath.

“What I want is for you to come home with me.” Jess stood on her tiptoes 

and looked up into his face, the dark fringe of lashes around her eyes making the 

blue luminous. Her rapid pulse beat against his chest, taking over the rhythm until 

his matched the pace she set. For a second the world tilted sideways.

Ty’s gaze dropped to the silky, damp edge of her lips and he was lost. He 

dipped down and kissed her. Her lips were soft and willing, tasting of peppermint. 

She tasted so damn sweet, hot and spicy all at once. A warm, viscous heat flowed 

through his veins, coating and drowning out every other sensation until he was hot 

and hard at the same time.

Ty gripped the edge of the truck’s door frame, nearly denting the sheet 

metal with his fingertips. But he was determined to keep his hands to himself, even 

though they itched to touch her. Heat seeped through his shirt, the temperature 

difference amplified by the chill in the air. The kiss turned deeper, slicker, the 

tip of her tongue brushing against his. The spicy fragrance of female that spiked 

the air left no doubt she was aroused. When they broke apart, both of them were 

breathing hard, their breath creating misty white clouds.

“You sure about this?” He could control his body, but not the rough edge of 

his voice as he struggled to maintain composure. “I could follow you.”

Jess looked up at him, her dark lashes dropping a fraction, giving her a sultry 

look. “Hop in.”

He was smart enough not to argue with her, but that didn’t mean that the 

little voice of human reason in the back of his head wasn’t screaming loudly that 

this was stupid and rash. He should take his own vehicle so he didn’t get stuck who 

knew where. He didn’t know a damn thing about her. Couldn’t read her mind and 

certainly hadn’t asked enough questions. But this was a Mesmer, the wild Were 

instinct side of him shouted back. No one, Were especially, could blame him for 

responding so quickly and profoundly to her. And hell, he could always follow his 

nose and walk back if he needed to.

“Anything you say,” he answered. He waited until she climbed up into 

the cab, admiring the way the dark denim jeans hugged the curve of her ass, 

then closed the truck door and walked around the back of the pickup. An uneasy 

sensation raised the hairs on his skin. He glanced over his shoulder one last time to 

make sure they weren’t being followed.

About the Author:

Raised by a bibliophile who made the 

dining room into a library, Theresa has 

always been a lover of books and stories. 

First a writer for newspapers, then for 

national magazines, she started her first 

novel in high school, eventually enrolling

in a Writer's Digest course and putting the 

book under the bed until she joined

Romance Writers of America in 1993. In 

2005 she was selected as one of eleven

finalists for the American Title II contest,

the American Idol of books. She is married 

to the first man she ever went on a real date 

with (to their high school prom), who she 

knew was hero material when he suffered 

through having to let her parents drive, and 

her brother sit between them in the backseat of the car. 

They currently live in a Victorian house on a mini farm in the Pacific Northwest 

with their two children, three cats, two horses, an energetic mini-Aussie shepherd, 

a rabbit, parakeet and an out-of-control herb garden. 

You can find her online at her website www.theresameyers.com or frequently on 

Twitter @Theresa_Meyers

Website: http://www.theresameyers.com/

Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/Theresa_Meyers

Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/TheresaMeyersAuthor

Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/2867375.Theresa_Meyers

Black Heart ~ Christina Henry

Black Heart by Christina Henry
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This is one of those series that sneaks up on you. I picked up the first one as an audio book at the local library. It was one I almost didn't pick up but needed up being glad that I did. 

Summary:As a former Agent of Death, Madeline Black is no stranger to witnessing violent ends. But being the one to cause them is an entirely different story…
 
Despite her having saved Chicago from a vampire invasion, the Agency wants to get Maddy off their payroll—permanently. With the deadly Retrievers hot on her trail, she has no choice but to trust Nathaniel to port her to safety. But even the exotic and dangerous world that she winds up in is not as peaceful as she would have hoped. Caught in a turf war between a group of fae and a disturbingly familiar foe, Maddy soon discovers that the twisted plots of her grandfather, Lucifer, and his brothers extend even into this unknown realm.
 
Now, with enemies gathering on all sides, Maddy’s fate is looking darker than ever. And to protect her unborn son from her adversaries, she may have to tap into a power she hoped never to access…
My Take:
This book is the sixth in the series and a whole lot has happened to Maddy. For one Maddy is pregnant and her child's father, a favorite character from previous books, has died. Maddy has found herself thrown through a portal and into a new world, by Nathaniel. With the retrievers knocking down her door and Gabriel gone the world is not an easy place for Maddy. I like the twists and turns this series has taken and this novel did not disappoint.

Movie Review ~ Blackfish

Movie Review

Blackfish

Well as you probably know I don't usually do movie reviews, and when I do it is usually for a movie made from a book. After watching Blackfish though I decided to make an exception. 

Summary:

Many of us have experienced the excitement and awe of watching 8,000 pound orcas, or "killer whales," soar out of the water and fly through the air at sea parks, as if in perfect harmony with their trainers. Yet, in our contemporary lore this mighty black and white mammal is like a two-faced Janus-beloved as a majestic, friendly giant yet infamous for its capacity to kill viciously. Blackfish unravels the complexities of this dichotomy, employing the story of notorious performing whale Tilikum, who-unlike any orca in the wild-has taken the lives of several people while in captivity. So what exactly went wrong?



My Take: I guess I should add a little back story so you understand why I found this movie so amazing. When I was much younger my cousins went to Seaworld and as a gift brought back the Seaworld Celebration video. Now this was a long time ago so were talking an actual video and I watched it so much I actually had to tape the video back together in more than one spot. So from that moment forward I wanted to be a whale trainer. Of course I am a horrible swimmer so actually becoming a whale trainer was out so I had to try to do the next best thing. Get to Seaworld myself.  Now that part took some time but I finally made it to Seaworld in the spring of 2004. Shortly after the trainer was dragged to the bottom of the pool and almost drowned. The day we went the whales were "acting off" so none of the trainers would get in the pool with them. They still did the splashing and jumping, just no trainers swimming with the whales. I remember feeling so jipped that we missed all of the tricks I had spent years watching. I still haven't made it back to Seaworld but after watching Blackfish I have a new appreciation for all of those trainers who get in the water every day.


The movie itself follows the path of one whale Tilikum and how his life and handling have lead to at least one human death, potentially three. I don't feel that the movie shows Orca's in a negative light. In fact I think they did an exceptional job showing the beauty and majestic nature of the whales. Using actual footage and interviews with trainers the viewer is pulled into a world where animals are treated like side show acts and all the people who love them feel helpless to do anything. 
It brings to light the heartbreaking death of experienced trainer Dawn Brancheau. And how that death has effected both trainer and Seaworld as a whole.
This movie was both gripping and emotional. I honestly can't believe it isn't up for countless awards. This was an exceptional movie, one thats not to be missed.

Savor ~ Kate Evangelista

Savor by Kate Evangelista
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This one is a little late but here is my review for the fantastic Savor by Kate Evangelista.

Summary:
I'm Dakota Collins, a tough talking, eye patch wearing, workaholic photography student. Why am I important? Well, maybe because I get to spend an entire month with Vicious, only the sickest indie rock band out there.

You see, I needed a subject for my Spring Showcase introspective in order to graduate. During a chance encounter at a club I'd been sent to cover for the Daily Gossip, our ironically named college paper, the features writer I usually teamed up with introduced me to the band--by accident, I might add. It involved a run in with a scary, bald bodyguard. Anyway, long story short, I signed a contract to take pictures of Vicious.

I should have known their handsome yet way too serious for his own good bassist, Luka Visraya, wouldn't be able to keep his hands to himself. He's gorgeous and all, but the way he smiles spelled trouble with a capital L. I'm in for a long month with him around.

Crazy stuff happens and then some I can't explain. So, if you want the skinny on Vicious and the events revolving around my stay at Lunar Manor, read my story.


My Take: Wow. Another great book by Kate Evangelista! As an avid reader I find lately I haven't had a book really draw me in. Maybe its just been because I was was so busy or maybe it was the books themselves, its honestly hard to say. All that changed ten pages into Savor. I honestly could not put this one down. Dakota Collins is a heroine for today. Of course I loved her right off the bat since she is a photographer, and how can you not love that? And there is a hot new bad boy to enjoy as well. Anyways I was a huge fan of Taste so I was so glad to get a chance to read this one as well. This seems to be a promising start to a great new series. Make sure you add this one to your TBR list!!