Predator's Serenade ( Gemini Island Shifters 2)

**Release Date is tomorrow August the 12th...don't miss out !!!**
Read from August 04 to 05, 2013

Once again Rosanna Leo's Bear Shifters sweep me off my feet and take me on a wonderful, light hearted journey into romance, love and laughs. 

Description:

There are three things that make bear shifter Soren Snow’s skin crawl: mothers, their children, and the great outdoors. Soren is a famed musician and playboy, and he would rather spend his days pressing the flesh with the women in his fan club than developing meaningful relationships. When his brother calls in a favor, forcing Soren to revisit the Ursa Fishing Lodge in Northern Ontario, he couldn’t be more displeased. However, he owes his brother big time.

Gioia Clementine would rather not meet Soren, her drummer son’s rock idol. But when tragedy strikes her home, it seems the only one the boy might respond to is Soren. Gioia begrudgingly agrees to let her son meet him, hoping the rock star won’t turn her tween into a musical misogynist.

When Gioia and Soren meet, the sexual chemistry threatens to set the Ontario woodland ablaze. Can these two opposites find a common ground? And can they manage to resolve their unwanted feelings, even when a mysterious stranger arrives at the lodge, threatening everything?

My Thoughts,

As anyone who follows my reviews know I adore bear shifters and Rosanna Leo has now written two of my very favorite bear shifter novels. In book 1 we met Ryland our flannel wearing grizzly, now we have his rather arrogant brother Soren's story. It was so fun to see how the mighty has fallen.

The plot was as simple as it was complex. The small twists and turns kept you right on the edge of your seat to find out what happens next. I read this novel in one sitting and because I couldn't put it down I went sleep deprived the next day. I have not regrets, the story was well worth the sleepless night. One the Rosanna Leo's strengths is her ability to make the story flow easily which of course makes reading her works easy as well. Her characters are lively and well written. She gives each character enough background so the reader feels she knows them and can connect with them. The way she humanizes Soren is a great example of how she took this over the top (yet funny) character who you liked and laughed with into a more sensitive, mature male ready to take on a family. The secondary characters in the story are a wonderful support system and I know I am scratching my head to see who Rosanna is going to write about next. I pretty kitty perhaps??

5 flashing BEARS is my rating for 'Predator's Serenade' don't miss this great read. A perfect vacation book for those of you still needing beach reading ..Or just read it and take a vacation to Gemini Island and fall in love with these wonderful shifters. 

Magic Rises

Read from July 30 to August 01, 2013,

Epic...no sleeping, no eating, no family..nothing exists while reading this golden tomb ...

Description:

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap…

My Thoughts:

Have you ever read a book that when you finish you are sad cause it is over and you want more?? Well this Epic read from Team Andrews will make you want to start all over again and read slower this time. The novel has everything you would expect from the Kate Daniels series and more.

The story is set out of Atlanta which is a nice change and introduces more new characters..enemies and friends alike. The book also moves the plot line of Curran and Kate's relationship onto a whole new level. I really can't say anything about the writing that hasn't been said before. This husband and wife team are the ultimate story telling geniuses. The worlds they create are so real you can visualize yourself there. Her villains so evil they make you shutter and the pain created as the different character's anguish moves the plot along into a whole new set of challenges for our heroes.

This is not only a must read for Kate Daniel fans but definite boost to once again encourage those who haven't read the Kate Daniels series to run and grab the first book. For those of you like me who are fans..this is one you don't want to miss.

5 dazzling Bears ++ to the best book I have read so far this year. Ilona Andrews NEVER lets me know and is worth every penny of the rates charged for this book ...and I don't say that often. 

t'irla's talk
tirlastalk.blogspot. ca READ RATE REVIEW your opinion matters

Viper

Read from August 01 to 03, 2013

Ok, Vampires, motorcycles, Vampires on Motorcycles in a MC Club...nough Said!!!

Description:

Kane 'Viper' Tepes is one of the oldest living descendants of Vlad III. Vampire is in his blood. So is being the President of the Sons of Sangue. Those who break motorcycle club rules that protect their coven are dealt swift punishment. No exceptions. Until one pretty little detective has him compromising his beliefs, and endangering his position as head of the MC.

Vampire had Cara Brahnam turning tail and leaving behind her life in Pleasant. Now, ten years later, she's back as lead detective and wants to see the person responsible for draining the women of Lane County brought to justice, no matter what deal the gang of miscreants has struck with the sheriff. Or the fact that her number one suspect is the sole reason she fled in the first place.

Now someone has targeted Cara as the next victim and Kane must join in the hunt to find the ancient vampire that wants her dead.

My Thoughts:

I liked it...has all the things I loved in it. Vampires, bad boys, motorcycle clubs and combining all three is awesome!!!!

The book itself has a "dark" feel to it with the "Rave" and Viper's mental outlook on life. It is gritty, edgy, and exactly what I like in some of my MC books. I liked the realistic points woven into the story. The fact that MC are on the "other" side of the law, that these ones will kill people to protect their 'truth'. The plot was a bit plodding at times but usually when there is a world to build such as the MC club in this one the first book of a series tends to be a bit slower than book that come later. I thought PR did a fabulous job at character building and even her secondary characters were strong. I enjoyed that the 'villain' of the piece was only connected through Viper's ex. I am sure we have not seen the last of her for some reason.

I think I have 2 big complaints which is why this book lost a star for me. I didn't *feel* the connection with Kane and Cara. I felt the tension, the attraction but not the love. It was more possession. I really wanted to *feel* Viper's love for Cara. I also felt the ending was really rushed. Like the author said "oh damn, it was only supposed to be X number of pages long better end it" I'm sure that is not what really happened but that is what I felt. I would like to have seen one or two more of the different threads tied up than what she did at the ending. Or elaborate on some so that we know it will be addressed in a forthcoming book. However, her characters are strong and I can't wait to read Viper's twins book. I already feel the chemistry between those 2 characters.

A solid 4 bear read for me and I am looking forward to the next book in this series. If you like dirty, gritty biker stories and PNR this is a great book for you:) 

t'irla's talk
tirlastalk.blogspot.ca ~Read Rate Review~ your opinion matters.

Pride Mates (book 1) AND Primal Bond (book 2) of Shifters Unbound

Recommended for: anyone looking for a "different" shifter series
Read from August 01 to 02, 2013
My Private Notes:
Audio

Shifters with a difference...Fresh take on the shifter story..one you don't want to miss. 

Description:

ALL OF THE WILD
To most, they are animals even when in human form. They are to be collared and kept on the fringes of society, scorned because they are feared, hated for their extraordinary powers. And attorney Kim Fraser has to go right into the heart of their lair.

It is her job to defend those in need. But there is absolutely nothing defenseless about Liam Morrissey. His soft Irish lilt and feline grace can t disguise his sheer strength. Nor can the silver chain at his throat, designed to control the aggression of his kind, completely reassure her that this man has been tamed.

Yet when a feral shifter begins to stalk them both, Liam is the only one she trusts with her life. She'll let him claim her for her protection, for her pride, and for a passion that knows no bounds.

My Thoughts:

I admit I didn't know what I was getting into when I started this series but was in the mood for PNR and stumbled across Shifters Unbound. I'm glad I did. What a refreshingly different take on the whole shifter story. I admit this book had a lot of world building and background to share and in parts you felt like you had to push through a bit of blah blah but at the heart is a pearl and worth the push. I'm pretty patient with this because I often find the first book of a series where a whole new reality is created can be bogged down in description. However, Jennifer Ashley's wonderful characters spurred you on. Her female MC was sassy and confident. Her backbone made her lovable. I would not really call her kicka$s but definitely spunky. Her male MC Liam is to die for...with his Irish lilt and his easy manor. I adored him. Then we have all the delish secondary characters such as Liam's family and neighbours. I loved them all. We did have a couple secondary sub plots happening and perhaps one of them should have been left for book 2 but that being said it kept me listening all night. I am so looking forward to starting book 2 in this fresh new to me series.

Flashy 4 bears and a recommendation  If you are looking for a shifter series with a difference I know you will enjoy Shifters Unbound! 

t'irla's talk tirlastalk.blogspot.ca READ RATE REVIEW your opinion matters.

Read from August 02 to 03, 2013

Another great installment in this refreshingly different take on the world of shifters

Description:

When half-Fae, half-Shifter Andrea Gray flees an abusive would-be mate, the only way she is allowed to relocate to the Austin Shiftertown is if a Shifter there claims her as mate.

Sean Morrissey, the Guardian of his clan and all of Shiftertown, is mateless, lonely, and has a tough job--to send the souls of deceased Shifters into the afterworld. He volunteers to claim her, sight unseen, but doesn't realize that one look at the gray-eyed, dark-haired Andrea will stir the mating frenzy in him. Even though the mate-claim isn't finalized, official, or yet blessed, Sean will do anything to get Andrea into his life and keep her there, forever.

My Thoughts:

Great follow up from the first book. More dark, more gritty with both a hero and heroine with personalities less sweet and more dynamic than the MC of the first book. I did once again listen to this in audiobook. The world building continues and new characters introduced. It was great to find that the fae in this book are not the angelic peoples they are made out to be in other fictional works. We encounter, angst, heartbreak, terror and loss with all the accompanying emotions. I adore all the Shiftertown occupants and with the introduction of Eric from Vegas..we might just see a different shifter town in an upcoming book.

I give this book 4.5 shiney bears and am looking forward to starting the next book NOW>

I'm back.and healthy!

Hi All,

Just a quick note to say I"m back and catching up on my blogging.  The two operations both went well and I am now the bionic woman with 2 new knees:)..it is all over but the physiotherapy.

You will see I will be posting several reviews in the next couple days just so I can catch up.  I have read so many good books during the time I was recovering and I just need to share them with you all:) ...

I hope you are all having a wonderful summer...mine is starting this weekend.  Here in Canada it is a long weekend we call it "Civic" day.  First Monday in August...I think it is just an excuse for a long weekend in the summer:) ..I'm ok with that though!  I hope you are all enjoying some summer reads and won't hesitate to share some of your favorites with us here on t'irla's talk.  Don't be shy:)

Reviews now coming your way!!!!

t'irla