ARC Book Review: Burn Bright by Patricia Briggs

BURN BRIGHT

(Alpha and Omega #5)

By Patricia Briggs

Ace Hardcover

$27.00 / 320 pages

March 6, 2018

In her bestselling Alpha and Omega series, Patricia Briggs “spins tales of werewolves, coyote shifters, and magic and, my, does she do it well” (USATODAY.com). Now mated werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham face a threat like no other–one that lurks too close to home…

They are the wild and the broken. The werewolves too damaged to live safely among their own kind. For their own good, they have been exiled to the outskirts of Aspen Creek, Montana. Close enough to the Marrok’s pack to have its support; far enough away to not cause any harm.

With their Alpha out of the country, Charles and Anna are on call when an SOS comes in from the fae mate of one such wildling. Heading into the mountainous wilderness, they interrupt the abduction of the wolf–but can’t stop blood from being shed. Now Charles and Anna must use their skills–his as enforcer, hers as peacemaker–to track down the attackers, reopening a painful chapter in the past that springs from the darkest magic of the witchborn…

Buy Links

Amazon Kindle  |  Amazon Hardcover   |  Barnes & Noble

I'm a long-time Patricia Briggs fan and I have been waiting for the next Alpha and Omega book to come out. This book did not disappoint. The main premise of the book surrounds the mysterious wildlings, members of Bran's pack, but at the same time too wild to be with others of the pack. In the timeline of events, this book/events take place during the second half of Silence Fallen, the tenth Mercy Thompson book. Charles and Anna (plus everybody else) are on their own when something goes wrong with one of the wildlings. Charles being the powerhouse that he is, goes to investigate with Anna. Apparently the pack's location isn't so secret anymore. There are strangers walking through the Marrok's territory. Foiling an attempted abduction, a mystery unfolds and a plot of revenge unfolds as Charles and Anna try to find the traitor in their midst, before anyone else gets hurt. In this book we get more back stories to add to each of the top tier members of the pack (i.e. The Moor, Leah, etc.). Overall, it was an enjoyable read.

4.5 STARS

About the Author

Photo Credit: Allen Johnson fiphoto.net

Patricia Briggs was born in Butte, Montana to a children’s librarian who passed on to her kids a love of reading and books. Patricia grew up reading fairy tales and books about horses, and later developed an interest in folklore and history. When she decided to write a book of her own, a fantasy book seemed a natural choice. Patricia graduated from Montana State University with degrees in history and German and she worked for a while as a substitute teacher. Currently, she lives in Montana with her children and six horses and writes full-time, much to the delight of her fans.**

Website  |  Facebook

**Mini bio taken from her goodreads page

Promo Post: Seducing Destiny by Amelia Hutchins

Seducing Destiny (The Fae Chronicles book 4) by Amelia Hutchins is available now!

Less than six months ago my life was twisted and flipped on its side. Things have changed so much I barely recognize myself anymore.

I am no longer an Enforcer.

I am no longer a Witch.

I no longer hate the Fae. (For the most part)

And the sex-on-a-stick-gorgeous-Fae? He isn't really the Dark Prince.

No, he is the father of my children and with the babies on the way, the land dying and the Mages closing in; alliances will have to be formed if we are all to make it through the war that is coming to our front door.

Between warring Gods and Goddesses, how are any of us supposed to win?

Add to Your Goodreads TBR List

BUY LINKS

Amazon UK  |  Amazon  |  Barnes & Noble

Excerpt

“You’re carrying twins, my twins, and I like this bump. I like the sight of you carrying my children in this beautiful body,” he whispered huskily as he placed both of his palms on my swollen midsection, just in time for the babes to kick him. “They can feel me,” he replied with sincerity. “I already feel them linking us together. We’re a family, and nothing and nobody will change that.”

©2015 Amelia Hutchins Seducing Destiny.

About Amelia:

Website  |  Facebook  |  Series Facebook

Author of Fighting Destiny a fast paced Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance with hot alpha males, and a sassy heroines. I have three kids, and married my best friend, who is also the most amazing man ever. I live in Washington State with way too many trees, and love it. I have been writing as long as I can remember, and I am also the page owner of Erotica Book Club.

Release Day Blitz: Four Days by Dannika Dark

Four Days

(Seven Series, Book #4)

By Dannika Dark

Ivy believes every life must have balance, and during the past year, she’s found harmony living with the Weston pack. When an evil spirit from her past threatens her wolf, it sets off a chain reaction of events that alters the course of her destiny.

Lorenzo Church is a powerful, wealthy Packmaster who rules his pack through intimidation and order. He has vowed to never love a woman because love can destroy an empire. But chaos is fast approaching in the form of a Shifter named Ivy—a Native American, like him, who has invaded his dreams since the moment they met. She is spirited, wise, and unattainable.

In an unexpected turn of events, Ivy must choose whether or not to let go of the one person she has always loved. Lorenzo discovers the root of her courage but will never win her as his mate unless he learns to listen to his heart.

Available for purchase at 

          

Excerpt

Lorenzo reached out and stroked my cheek. “When we first met, you were but a flowering vine swinging from the tree I found you in, trying to cling to anyone who would hold you.”

  

I brushed his hand away and drew back. “You are no better than my father, comparing me to a poisonous vine. I am not the desperate woman you make me out to be, and I have no need to cling to anyone but those who love me. I will not hold on to a great oak, because as magnificent as it may be, it will never hold me back. My family holds me with their kind words and love, and that is all a Shifter can ask for. What is it you want, Lorenzo? To question the integrity of my Packmaster? We’re better off within the city. There are places to take refuge, those who might help us, and…”

Through my powerful speech, Lorenzo cracked a smile. It was slight at first, but it became wide and he flashed his teeth at me.

I had begun to turn away when Lorenzo captured my wrist and tugged me against him. His arm slid around my lower back in a claiming gesture. He cupped the nape of my neck with his other hand, and before I could protest, Lorenzo rubbed noses with me.

In the middle of a crowded club.

“Such a spirited wolf you have,” he growled.

 “What do you want of me?”

He drew in a breath, as if taking in my scent. “Don’t you want to be my friend?”

“A man like you doesn’t make friends—he makes enemies.”

Lorenzo kissed me hard, his tongue slipping so deep that my legs quivered. Then he drew back and rubbed noses again. “I can do friendship. Sunday night. Checkers. My place.” He pressed his lips to my ear and seduced me with whispers. “I can’t get you out of my head. These men leer at you in a way that makes me want to lose control. You need protection.”

“My pack protects me,” I said, forgetting the crowd around us as we held each other close.

“Will they protect you with their bodies as I will with mine?”

I tried to create distance between us. “Actions speak louder than words, and nothing but honey drips from your mouth.”

He chuckled darkly. “Your sharp tongue and wise words make my wolf sing.”

The Seven Series

About the Author

This is the segment where you learn a little more about who I am, so here's what I can tell you:  I drink copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to my laptop while writing. These are two healthy habits I have no intention of breaking. I'm a transplant living in the south, but I was born in the 70's to a military dad who moved us around the world.

When I'm not writing (which is all the time), I'm hunting down Indie music, watching movies, reading, eating Tex-Mex, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the Internet. I have a relaxed, easy-going personality and don't like drama. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I'm not sure which).

Throughout my life, I've had insomnia. Counting sheep never worked and eventually I would imagine those sheep were the sole source of food after an apocalyptic battle where only thousands survived. I made up stories in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I got so wrapped up in my "head stories" that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down - creating short stories, and then I discovered my love for poetry.

It's almost embarrassing how many spiral notebooks and stacks of paper I have of poetry and lyrics.

Another passion: digital art. I design all my book covers, marketing, and series art. I'm a very visual person and pursued photography as an avid hobby for many years.

I am not a YA author (I feel like I have to state this only because I've had a few people ask), but I think it's wonderful there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal.

I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do: giving my characters a pulse through writing full time. I focus on adult urban fantasy romance, but I don't like labels and I enjoy blending genres to break out of the confines of predictability.

But it's what I love to do.

Danni

You can stalk, I mean find Dannika here: 

             

Presented by 

Blog Tour Promo Post: Nature's Destiny by Justine Winter

Add to Goodreads

My  life  was  changing,  morphing  into  something  greater  than  I  could  have  anticipated.  I  was becoming  something  I  didn’t  recognise  as  myself  anymore.  A  Werewolf.

I  was  different.

Bitten.

‘Hybrid’  was  what  they  called  me,  and  the  weight  that  rested  against  that  one  word  was crippling.  They  depended  on  me  to  bring  them  safety.  What  made  me  so  special?

Oh,  that’s  right.  My  destiny.

I  was  sucked  into  a  world  I’d  had  no  idea  existed.  Twenty-one  years  as  a  human,  and  this was  what  I  found  out.

My  travelling  plans,  my  writing  degree,  all  of  it  was  gone  within  one  night.  One  evil  night that robbed  my  humanity.

I  wasn’t  completely  sour.  Life  had  been  unfair  a  while  ago,  only  now  I’d  had  something worth  fighting  for  besides  myself.  Something  to  live  for.

I  was  afraid  for  the  others.  I  couldn’t  let  them  down.  I  wouldn’t  let  them  down.

I’d  gone  to  bed  a  human  and  woken  up  a  Werewolf.

A  special  Werewolf.

A  Hybrid.

Buy ME!

Amazon UK | Amazon US | Amazon AU | Kobo | Smashwords

Words from Justine!

When  I  create  a  character  it’s  a  little  like  creating  a  recipe  for  a  tasty  meal,  especially  when  I’m  talking  about  the  hunks.  I  mean,  they  have  to  be  the  perfect  balance  of  sweet  and  spicy.  Right?  Here’s  my  recipe  of  top  five  things  I  need  for  an  Alpha  male:

1. Muscles.  Yup,  I  went  with  physical  appearance  as  my  priority.  He  has  to  have  the  most  f-AB-ulous  body.  I’m  talking  rippling  muscles,  pecs  that  you  want  to  run  your  tongue  all over,  and  a  butt  so  pert   you  just  want  to  grab  it.  Yeah,  I  went  there.

2. He  has  to  be  dominant.  A  man  that  knows  what  he  wants  is  sexy,  but  a  man  that  has  total  authority  over  a  large  pack  is  endearing.  It  comes  with  so  much  responsibility  that  it’s  a  strong  characteristic  and  insight  into  who   Riley  is.  And  when  he  commands  the  attention  of  everyone,  oh  boy,  it’s  knicker-wetting  sexy!

3. A  lover  of  family.  Not  only  is  this  guy  leading  a  pack,  he’s  caring  for  them  too.  If  he  doesn’t  love  children  and  grandparents  then  he’s  gonna  get  a  kick  out  the  door  for  bad  leadership.  Seriously.  A  family  man  melts  hearts.  Do  you  feel  gooey  yet?

4. Money.  I  don’t  mean  that  he  has  to  be  so  filthy  rich  that  he  endlessly  showers  everyone  with  lavish  presents,  but  that  he  could.  It’s  his  intelligence  that  keeps  him  grounded,  and  his  big  loving  heart  that  makes  him  think  of  everyone’s   future  within  the  pack.  However,  he’s  still  a  guy.  And  every  guy  with  hot  money  needs  a  super-fast  car.  It’s  like   the  unwritten  rule.  And  if  he  can  handle  the  car’s  body  at  high speed,  you  know  you’re  in  good  hands.

5. Loyal.  He  has  to  be  the  type  of  guy  that  when  he  realizes  how  amazing  you  are,  that’s  it  for  him.  He’ll  follow  you  like  a  puppy  dog  and  protect  you  ‘til  the  day  you  die.  He  also  has  to  be  a  complete  romantic  that  knows  his  way  around  the  bedroom.  Oh,  yeah.  A  perfect   gentleman  by  day,  and  a  raving  sex  machine  by  night.  That’s  my  boy.

Author Bio:

I’ve  always  lived  a  life  based  on  my  imagination,  from  hopeless  dreams  of  romance  to  concocting  alternate  realities  involving  supernaturals.  I’m  completely  fascinated  with  anything  hero-related,  and  often  speculate  which  superpower  I’d  possess.  I  haven’t  settled  on  one  yet.

I  was  born  in   England,  and  currently  reside  in  Wales,  UK.  I  love  to  write,  and  most  days  you’ll  find  me  happily  tapping  away  at  the  computer  whilst  in  my  pyjama-clad  bubble.  I  also  spend  my  time  reading,  and  if  that  isn’t  enough  I’m  often  in  the  kitchen  baking  up  a  treat.

Website | Twitter | Facebook

Giveaway

*~*~OPEN INTERNATIONALLY*~*~

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Cover Reveal Blitz: Six Months by Dannika Dark

Release Date: March 25, 2014

April Frost is a compassionate young woman with a steady job and ambitious goals. But the harder she 

runs away from her past, the more it threatens to destroy her. When three strangers enter her life, April 

is forced to face her demons and it’s a battle she may not win.

Private investigators in the Breed world are men who take risks, and Reno Cole is no exception. As a 

Shifter, he’s expected to control his inner animal. But lately his wolf has been venturing dangerously 

close to the city, and he’s about to discover why. When Reno is reintroduced to a family friend, the 

attraction is immediate. April captivates him with her secretive eyes and resilient spirit. She’s also in 

trouble, and despite the fact she’s a human, Reno can’t turn his back on her.

April is caught between two worlds: One that threatens to bury her dreams and another that could fulfill 

them. Can she trust the wolf at her door and find the courage to overcome her demons?

Excerpt

There’s a buzzing sensation when you have chemistry with someone. It’s like there are invisible threads connecting your bodies and igniting into sparks, and the residual pulse bounces back in shockwaves, growing stronger with each second.

I felt that with Reno. He stepped so close to me that I remembered how good it felt when he’d held me in his arms. The animalistic look in his eyes captured me like he was a predator and I was prey. He felt it too. I could tell by soft breath he took before he spoke.

“I’ve always liked hazel eyes,” he said. “Yours look like a sunset over sea-green waters.”

I hit pause. This was a scene I’d be replaying in my head for weeks to come, and I didn’t want to ruin the moment by saying something inane. I let him graze his thumb across my mouth. He pulled my lower lip down just enough that his thumb glided across the fleshy inside. Then he rolled his wet thumb across my lip, making what seemed like a casual gesture become the most intimate moment I’d experienced with a man outside of sex.

Staring into Reno’s chocolate eyes up close was like riding on that motorcycle. Intense, sexy, and addictive. When I felt his hand leisurely traveling down the curve of my back, my icy walls began to melt and I warmed to his touch.

I waited for him to make another move, but it never came. He looked at me like something unattainable—the same way I coveted the expensive perfume bottles behind the display counter, or the chocolate macadamia nut cookies at the gourmet shop.

I whirled around and he captured my wrist, gently tugging me back. “Something wrong with the way I touched you?”

“It’s nothing,” I breathed.

But Reno didn’t let go. He stepped closer and lifted my chin. “Did you want me to kiss you?”

“No.”

Reno grinned. “Liar.”

Goodreads

About the Author

This is the segment where you learn a little more about who I am, so here's what I can tell you:  I drink copious amounts of vitamin water placed precariously close to my laptop while writing. These are two healthy habits I have no intention of breaking. I'm a transplant living in the south, but I was born in the 70's to a military dad who moved us around the world.

When I'm not writing (which is all the time), I'm hunting down Indie music, watching movies, reading, eating Tex-Mex, discovering new ways to humiliate myself bowling, and burning up my laptop battery on the Internet. I have a relaxed, easy-going personality and don't like drama. I live with a cat who thinks she is a dog, or a goat (she eats plastic, so I'm not sure which).

Throughout my life, I've had insomnia. Counting sheep never worked and eventually I would imagine those sheep were the sole source of food after an apocalyptic battle where only thousands survived. I made up stories in a futile attempt to bore myself to sleep. The problem was, I got so wrapped up in my "head stories" that I would continue them through the following nights, changing it up each time to make it more exciting. Eventually, I started writing my ideas down - creating short stories, and then I discovered my love for poetry.

It's almost embarrassing how many spiral notebooks and stacks of paper I have of poetry and lyrics.

Another passion: digital art. I design all my book covers, marketing, and series art. I'm a very visual person and pursued photography as an avid hobby for many years.

I am not a YA author (I feel like I have to state this only because I've had a few people ask), but I think it's wonderful there are so many books available to teens in Urban Fantasy and Paranormal.

I am finally doing what I have always wanted to do: giving my characters a pulse through writing full time. I focus on adult urban fantasy romance, but I don't like labels and I enjoy blending genres to break out of the confines of predictability.

But it's what I love to do.

-Danni

You can stalk, I mean, find Dannika here:

            

Presented By 

Blog Tour/Book Review Post: Seven Years by Dannika Dark

Seven Years

(Seven Series, Bk #1)
By Dannika Dark


Blurb: 

Seven years ago, my world ended.

Seven years later, my new life began.



It's been seven years since Lexi Knight lost her brother in a tragic accident. On the anniversary of his death, her brother's best friend shows up unexpectedly - a man she hasn't seen since the funeral. He is no longer the boy Lexi once knew, but a dangerous-looking man with tattoos and dark secrets. He broke her trust and abandoned her family, yet what he reveals makes it impossible to stay angry. Lexi has been secretly infatuated with Austin since childhood, so finding out he's a Shifter just makes him sexier. Dammit.



Austin Cole has returned to the city where he grew up, and just in time. He's lived a hard life these past seven years, and the shadows of his past are threatening to destroy Lexi's family. It's time that she learned the truth about her brother, but there is a shocking twist that Austin never saw coming. Now he must protect her family when her mother and sister wind up in mortal danger. Will Lexi learn to accept the truth about who he is, and can Austin salvage a relationship from the ruins of their past?

At first I thought this book was a contemporary love story between childhood friends who were ripped apart by the tragic death of a mutual left turn, but after a couples chapters passed, things took a bit of a turn into "what the hell?" territory. Lexi is a smart and capable young woman who is still grieving over the death of her older brother Wes. Life has not been kind to Lexi and her family and it clear to me that despite the weight of the world on her shoulders, Lexi managed to pull herself together and keep her family strong. She works at a candy store despite her smarts. When she heads home to her mother's place to mourn her brother's death anniversary, a twist of fate pulls Austin Cole back into town. From all accounts, this dude is smokin' hot! :) At first the over-protective feeling I got from him and his actions towards Lexi was due to a obligatory feeling of family. Austin was Wes' best friend and now he's back in town after disappearing after the death of her brother.

I loved the chemistry between Lexi and Austin. And it turns out that this book is just a branched off story from the Mageri universe, but from a different point of view. I loved the underlying plot of Lexi's past. This book is definitely a great addition to the Mageri universe and I recommend it to anyone who likes a nice peek into the Mageri world.

Available for purchase at 

   

Read more »

Halloween Spotlight! Death's Lover and Crimson Night by Marie Hall

Welcome to Carnivale Diabolique ― or what I affectionately like to call the circus of the damned.

My name is Pandora, and though my face might not look familiar to you, you do know me. I'm a Nephilim. What does that mean? I'm half demon, what's my other name? Lust. I'm the dark craving that drives you mad, makes you want, makes you reckless and stupid. I'm the drug you'll do anything to get your hands on. But I'm not all bad. I fight for light, for goodness and truth. I love my job, killing vampires and werewolves, zombies, and freaks... it's what makes me happy. But people are starting to disappear and lately I've felt a dark presence lurking around me. I think it might be a reaper, that's not good. There isn't much a demon like me fears, but I fear them. This should have been easy, me killing the fanged freaks, getting rid of my pesky grim reaper, but I'm about to be betrayed by the one person I thought I could trust with my life and before the night is through I'll be covered in crimson...

Eve Philips thought she could never love again. After her husband died in a hit-and-run accident, Eve poured her heart into her potions shop, Witch’s Brew, and hasn’t given any man a second glance—until Cian. As soon as she locks eyes with him, Eve knows she’ll never be the same. Gorgeous and mysterious, he incites a passion in her that she’s never felt before. And it’s almost otherworldly . . .

Cian knows Eve is special the minute they lay eyes on each other. He’s a supernatural being with a dangerous duty, and being seen is not part of the job description. But when he meets the kind, beautiful Eve, all the rules go out the window. Now that his superiors have gotten wind of it, he has a wicked enemy on his tail. Yet all he cares about is Eve: loving her, protecting her—and finding the right time to tell her his dark and terrible secret, a secret that threatens both of their lives . . .

Marie Hall has always had a dangerous fascination for creatures that go bump in the night. And mermaids. And of course fairies. Trolls. Unicorns. Shapeshifters. Vampires. Scottish brogues. Kilts. Beefy arms. Ummm... Bad boys! Especially the sexy ones. Which is probably why she married one.

On top of that she’s a confirmed foodie, she nearly went to culinary school and then figured out she could save a ton of money if she just watched food shows religiously! She’s a self-proclaimed master chef, certified deep sea dolphin trainer, finder of leprechaun’s gold at the end of the rainbow, and rumor has it she keeps the Troll King locked away in her basement. All of which is untrue, however, she does have an incredibly active imagination and loves to share her crazy thoughts with the world!

a Rafflecopter giveaway