Wednesday, September 30, 2015

Kishaz Reading Corner: Caged Warrior by Lindsey Piper

Disclaimer: I received no compensation from the author or publisher for this honest review.




About the Book

The first installment in this fierce and sensual new paranormal romance series features demonic gladiators, ruthless mafia villains, and a proud race on the brink of extinction.

Ten years ago, Audrey MacLaren chose to marry her human lover, making her an exile from the Dragon Kings, an ancient race of demons once worshiped as earthly gods. Audrey and her husband managed to conceive, and their son is the first natural-born Dragon King in a generation—which makes him irresistible to the sadistic scientist whose mafia-funded technology allows demon procreation. In the year since her husband was murdered, Audrey and her little boy have endured hideous experiments.

Shackled with a collar and bound for life, Leto Garnis is a Cage warrior. Only through combat can Dragon Kings earn the privilege of conceiving children. Leto uses his superhuman speed and reflexes to secure the right for his two sisters to start families. After torture reveals Audrey’s astonishing pyrokenesis, she is sent to fight in the Cages. If she survives a year, she will be reunited with her son. Leto is charged with her training. Initially, he has no sympathy for her plight. But if natural conception is possible, what has he been fighting for? As enemies, sparring partners, lovers, and eventual allies, Leto and Audrey learn that in a violent underground world, love is the only prize worth winning.

Buy the Book

Here's what I'm giving it:

Rating: 4 stars

Here's why:

This book was a "stumble upon" one for me at the local library. Our library has a romance section so I decided to start with "A" last names and work my way forward.

The cover caught my eye as did the blurb. I'm glad I picked this one up because, for me, from the very first chapter to the action-packed ending, I was invested.

Audrey and Leto were an amazing pair and watching the byplay between them as well as the heat and intensity of attraction kept me riveted.

Audrey's backstory, her brutal honesty and her reason for fighting just made me want to see the two of them succeed even more. Leto was no slouch and was just as interesting a character as Audrey.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would.

Monday, September 14, 2015

Kishaz Reading Corner: Dead Ice by Laurell K. Hamilton

Disclaimer: I received no compensation from the author or publisher for this honest review.




About the Book

Anita Blake has the highest kill count of any vampire executioner in the country. She’s a U.S. Marshal who can raise zombies with the best of them. But ever since she and master vampire Jean-Claude went public with their engagement, all she is to anyone and everyone is Jean-Claude’s fiancĂ©e.

It’s wreaking havoc with her reputation as a hard ass—to some extent. Luckily, in professional circles, she’s still the go-to expert for zombie issues. And right now, the FBI is having one hell of a zombie issue.

Someone is producing zombie porn. Anita has seen her share of freaky undead fetishes, so this shouldn’t bother her. But the women being victimized aren’t just mindless, rotting corpses. Their souls are trapped behind their eyes, signaling voodoo of the blackest kind.

It’s the sort of case that can leave a mark on a person. And Anita’s own soul may not survive unscathed . . .

Buy the Book

Here's what I'm giving it:

Rating: 4 stars

Here's why:

Over the last three books, Ms. Hamilton has slowly restored my faith in the Anita Blake series. For a long time it felt like the story had derailed and devolved into too much gratuitous sex and not enough plot or character development.

We are finally getting back to plot and character development and it is nice seeing Anita finally tackle the difficult things in her personal life as well as the changes that are happening in her professional life. Anita has always been more than a pretty face and getting to see her back in action and in her element has made me a happy reader.

Would I recommend this book? Yes, I would. Ms. Hamilton has come back to the Anita we know and love.