Magickeepers, The Pyramid of Souls by Erica Kirov

May 27, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Magickeepers, The Pyramid of Souls by Erica Kirov
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Paranormal
Length: Full Length (208 pgs)
Agre Recommendation: 10+
Rating: 5 suns
Reviewed by Snapdragon

It was stolen from Alexander the Great. To keep it safe, Edgar Allen Poe bargained away his sanity. And somebody suckered P. T. Barnum to get their hands on it. It’s the most closely guarded secret in the magician community. And it’s missing.

What would you do to protect your family from an ancient pyramid capable of stealing your very soul?

Nick Rostov finally has the life he’s always dreamed—and he’ll do anything to protect it.

Nick has only now discovered he is part of an extended Russian family of magicians: the Magickeepers. He lives with his eccentric new relatives at the Winter Palace Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas, where they perform daring feats of magic to a packed house. Real magic.

But Nick and his family face a new danger in the form of a stolen relic, the Pyramid of Souls. The tiny pyramid has traded hands many times throughout history. Its power can steal a magician’s very soul.

Nick knows who took it: Rasputin, leader of the Shadowkeepers. Using his unique ability as a Gazer—one who can see into the past—Nick enlists his cousin Isabella to help him find it. Soon, the two are hot on the evil sorcerer’s trail…until Isabella’s soul is trapped by the very relic they’re trying to find.

Nick will do anything to rescue Isabella and recover the Pyramid of Souls. But will it be enough to save his family?

From the first, the glance back at how it all started – Poe’s raven, to the argumentative deck of cards, nothing in this story met my preconceived expectations: Magickeepers, The Pyramid of Souls is all so vastly better!

Yes, it’s a middle-grade to early teen book and yes, it’ll please the ones that adore the magic and the unexpected most especially. Some of the extremely prevalent ones are weight gain, prescription drugs for blood pressure, buy generic cialis and nervous system issues like many sclerosis or Alzheimer s disease, endocrine or hormone disparity like hypo or hyperthyroidism, depression, insufficient testosterone or diabetes. As such, allowance of this drug means exploiting a low monetary outlay drug with a cialis professional generic http://miamistonecrabs.com/frequently-asked-questions/ effectiveness to let the individual present his best in the bedroom during sexual activity. Inshort, it could be better for people online viagra miamistonecrabs.com who are HIV positive also can use Kamagra medicine but you should make sure that you are taking precautions to stop the spread of virus from person to person. Conjugal hop over to here cialis brand online relationship implies an adjustment, commitment, trust and understanding with your partner. The cover suits it nicely, and suggests this novel’s likely biggest audience, but it is also beautifully written with rich detail, singular characters, an intriguing setting. Let’s not forget the illusions: Illusions that are so much More than they seem.

Thirteen year old Nick Rostov, undercover magician, is the key player here. Nick, kidnap victim after all, adjusts to life at the casino pretty quickly (it’s a nice touch that he can order real Brooklyn pizza and have it arrive still hot. ) He performs illusions – at the permanently snowy Winter Palace and Casino in …yes … Las Vegas. Vegas or not, there is an unmistakable Russian flavor; it might be the pet Siberian Tiger, the odd bits of folklore, the borsht, or the whole Russian clan of cousins that run the show. The slips back in time allow Nick and Isabella to visit famous people (Isaac Newton say; which makes sense since much is explained by considering Newton’s ahem! Fourth law…) They travel through deserts then land at a too-proper Duchess’ home in time for tea. Amid the adventures, interestingly, we start to consider the obligations that magical ability requires.

The advantages to magic leap from the pages. So too, do the deadly, soul-killing dangers. Before the end, Nick must intervene to save cousin Isabella from a fate so dark it could only have been delivered by Poe’s raven. Kirov does a wonderfully clever job weaving together all these different, enchanting adventures. She has a delightfully delicate touch with humor, and at the same time keeps a level of suspense building. Middle-grade or not, this is charming enough for any age to enjoy.

I can’t sit and re-read this one though – I’m rushing out to get book 1: Magickeepers; The Eternal Hourglass by Kirov. I haven’t been so excited about a new series since…since…’quoth the raven, Nevermore.’

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The Turning: What Curiosity Kills by Helen Ellis

May 18, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Turning: What Curiosity Kills by Helen Ellis
Publisher: Sourcebooks Fire
Genre: Paranormal, Contemporary
Age Recommendation: 12+
Length: Full Length (224 pgs)
Rating: 4 suns
Reviewed by Gladiolus

Nobody can know your secret.

Nobody can know your power.

But if nobody knows who you are to begin with…what’s stopping you?

I whisper, “What’s so special about me all of a sudden?”

Nick says, “The Turning.”

Mary feels different, but can’t explain why. The fainting, the strange cravings…and worse, the things she’s noticed about her body.

Mary doesn’t know where to turn. If she tells her parents or her sister, she’ll risk losing everything. She has no other family, no way of knowing if what she’s going through is normal. Everyone she’s ever known and loved could reject her…

Being a teenager is hard enough…add in a mysterious shape-shifting ability and what do you get? This awesome book of course!

I totally enjoyed this one. I love shapeshifters so this book was a winner for me. The author managed to catch the “real” and diverse attitudes of teenagers. Ms. Receive deliveryOnce you have purchased the jelly online, you will have the opportunity if inserting the delivery shop viagra details. You are levitra 20 mg here are the findings assured that it is free from chemicals and additives. There was a significant improvement in sexual function after adding Acai to their daily buffet.More and more it seems that the less invasive the treatment, the more that men will be willing to try it. generico viagra on line This is because testosterone binds to androgen receptors on the prostate cancer cells. order viagra Ellis covered everyone from nerds to jocks in a believable fashion, which I really liked.

The main character Marcy was created well; she was one of those teenaged girls that could remind you of yourself or your best friend. The storyline was great, so different and interesting! Shapeshifting is a popular topic for paranormal fiction but I think the author managed to change it up and create something different.

The only two small issues I had were: I think some of the scenes could have been played out more and…the book was way too short! (I say that in a good way…) That’s okay though, because this is the first in the series and that means more to come!

Overall, I thought it was a fun read. The characters were realistic and the story was unique. I certainly look forward to reading more in this series by Helen Ellis.

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Merlin’s Harp by Anne Eliot Crompton

March 5, 2010 By Leave a Comment

Merlin’s Harp by Anne Eliot Crompton
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Historical, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (241 pgs)
Rating: 3.5 Suns
Review by: Fern

When I was yet a very young woman I threw my heart away. Ever since then I have lived heartless, or almost heartless, the way Humans think all Fey live.

Among the towering trees of magical Avalon, where humans dare not tread, lives Niviene, daughter of the Lady of the Lake. Her people, the Fey, are folk of the wood and avoid the violence and greed of man. But the strife of King Arthur’s realm threatens even the peace of Avalon. And while Merlin the mage has been training Niviene as his apprentice, he now needs her help to thwart the chaos devouring Camelot. Niviene’s special talents must help save a kingdom and discover the treachery of men and the beauty of love…

Take a journey into a time when knights reigned, magic existed, and there were still unexplored regions in the land. Merlin’s Harp is a story that combines many of the tales of old and creates a new version of King Arthur, the round table, Lancelot, Merlin, and the fabled Avalon.

Told through the narrative of Nivienne, a fey who has lived on Apple Island in Avalon all her life, this isn’t the tale that you remember. In this fable, Nivienne is front and center, and the stops along the way create her own unique journey. Those around her are the supporting cast – her fellow fey, King Arthur, Merlin – all of which come into play as the mystery unfolds and the hidden villas are revealed. Infections such as Chlamydia (sexually transmitted infection) can affect purchase viagra continue reading this female fertility. Depression is often loosely described as how you feel after a bad week at work or when viagra for you get dumped. We will not say that buy levitra http://new.castillodeprincesas.com/directorio/seccion/decoraciones/?wpbdp_sort=field-1 toilet tool is instant relief but, it really works. Several effects exposed immense results that viagra österreich has on the heart rate. It’s an intricate puzzle that unravels piece by piece, creating new variations which are far more than you anticipate.

Written in a lyrical fashion, at times I found myself wondering if a fourteen-year old fascinated by shimmering vampires would find appeal in Merlin’s Harp. To be certain, it’s beautiful at times, yet here and there the narrative and dialogue became cumbersome and drew me away from the story. This isn’t the average YA fanfare, yet strives to provide something fresh and unique in a genre saturated by angst and modern-day calamities. Yes, there is a smidgen of romance, but ultimately, this is a tale of love, loss, forgiveness, and acceptance. Nivienne has many tragedies that mark her soul, each one painful and heart-wrenching. It’s not always an easy read, however, when the twists and turns occur, it’s enough to draw the reader back in and ensure they’ll continue flipping the pages through to the end.

Fans of the Arthurian legend will enjoy Merlin’s Harp, although it should be stated that some of the themes, while not graphic, are adult in nature. If you want to experience the legend through the voice of a young-woman, this is exactly what you’re looking for.

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The Beautiful Dead, Book 1 – Jonas by Eden Maguire

February 24, 2010 By Leave a Comment

The Beautiful Dead, Book 1 – Jonas by Eden Maguire
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Age Recommendation: 14+
Length: Full Length (279 pgs)
Rating: Aurora Best Book
Reviewed by Fern

Not alive. Not dead. Somewhere in between lie the Beautiful Dead.

Something strange is happening at Ellerton High. Phoenix is the fourth teenager to die within a year. His street-fight stabbing follows the deaths of Jonas, Summer, and Arizona in equally strange and sudden circumstances. Rumors of ghosts and strange happenings rip through the small community as it comes to terms with shock and loss.

Darina, Phoenix’s grief-stricken girlfriend, is on the verge. She can’t escape her intense heartache or the impossible apparitions of those that are meant to be dead. And all the while the sound of beating wings echos inside her head…

And then one day Phoenix appears to Darina. He tells her that she must help Jonas—the first of the four to die—right the wrong linked to his death. Only with her help can Jonas finally rest in peace. Will love conquer death? And if it does, can Darina set it free?

Not alive. Not dead. Somewhere in between lie the Beautiful Dead.

Every once in a while, a reader will come across a book that changes them. Perhaps it’s the characters that seal the deal. Or maybe they are blown away by the prose and the attention to detail. There are numerous things that can enhance the experience, be it an emotional scene, a brand new concept, or imagery that is impossible to shake. In Eden Maguire’s poignant and unforgettable first novel, Beautiful Dead, Book 1 – Jonas, you get all of those things – and more.

As an enthusiast of the paranormal, it’s not often I find something that shakes the foundation of the genre and provides a glimpse of something extraordinary. In this, you are introduced to a new breed of zombie, revenants referred to as the Beautiful Dead. A new chapter has started for 64-year old Thomas Manning, who was diagnosed in 2012 with penile cancer. viagra uk brand viagra canada It quickly combines with nitrate and suddenly drops the blood pressure causing risks of death. Improving erection quality, increasing sperm count, eliminating premature ejaculation and erectile dysfunction are inevitable penalties of too much night generic sildenafil viagra emissions. Being supportive and providing viagra samples the best treatment, which you can get to treat your sexual problems psychologically. Brought back to the land of the living – what they regard as the far side – each are given a strict amount of time to settle the mystery surrounding their deaths. If they succeed, they will be granted peace to rest. If not, they will return to an endless limbo, set adrift in the place between life and death. Aided by a multitude of powers, they exist under one ruler, their overlord, and his will is law. Never have I read a concept so brilliant, and as the story progressed, impossible to tear myself away from.

When Darina learns of these alive, yet dead, beings, with her beloved boyfriend, Phoenix, existing amongst them, she is willing to do anything it takes to remain inside their circle by his side – including putting her own safety at risk. What occurs next is the piecing together of a jigsaw puzzle, starting with Jonas – one of the four classmates who have died within a year. His time is nearly up, and finding his murderer is the only way to see him off to the other side. Determined to unravel the mystery, Darina soon discovers the road to salvation often results in the path to destruction. So many things occur, all of which I refuse to spoil, but suffice it to say all of the characters, including those who are not the beautiful dead, leave a lasting impression.

Yet, even with the exceptionally presented elements of suspense, teen angst, and troubled pasts of the cast, it is the doomed love affair between our heroine and her deceased beau that makes Beautiful Dead so hauntingly beautiful, to the extent that you’ll think of Darina and Phoenix for hours following this particular installment’s completion. Young love is often tragic, but never has the sacrifice to experience it been so extreme. For no matter what Darina does to aid and assist her lost love, ultimately, he will have to go, and she will have to face a future without him. This certain truth is always present, and even as they cling desperately to the time they are given, you can’t help but hear the clock ticking in the distance.

It is impossible to praise Beautiful Dead as I so long to, so I am doing the one thing within my power to convey just how exceptional this story is by rating it as an Aurora Best Book. Ms. Maguire has cemented herself as an author who stands apart in a genre saturated with sparkling vampires, werewolf tribes, and characters who couldn’t grasp the eccentricities of love if it stared them in the face. I cannot wait for the second story in the series, Book 2 – Arizona, and will be the first in line to purchase my copy on release day.

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Fugitive by Cheryl Brooks

December 14, 2009 By 3 Comments

Fugitive by Cheryl Brooks
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full Length (388 pgs)
Other: M/F
Rating: Five Cherries
Review by Xeranthemum

When a Zetithian fugitive meets a beautiful Earth woman, their passion may cost them both their lives…

Manx is a Zetithian fugitive with a feline gene that gives him remarkable sexual powers. He has been in hiding in the remote jungles of Barada Seven ever since being marked for extermination by the violent Nedwuts.

Artist Drusilla arrives on Barada Seven, enticed only by the promise of finding a nature paradise there. But she discovers a wildlife she wasn’t expecting when she encounters Manx. Reckless with desire for the beautiful Earth woman, Manx risks his life to win her as his mate.

It’s only a matter of time until the Nedwuts find them, but it will take all of Manx and Drusilla’s passion, skill, and ingenuity to survive.

If you enjoy stories with a hero who reminds you of Tarzan and a heroine who has a soft heart a mile wide, then get ready for some fun when you read the new Cat Star Chronicles book, Fugitive.

Ms. Brooks has gathered a wonderful cast of characters which entertained and amused me all throughout the book. Based on her vivid descriptions, Barada Seven’s inhabitants reminded me of Pac Man – with legs and teeth. Zef is the perfect grouchy misunderstood old man with a heart as soft as a cotton ball. Ralph cracked me up with his stereotypical artistic flair and manipulative shenanigans. I even got to see why the Nedwuts are so nasty, and yet there was this one bit of internal Nedwut dialogue that made me sit back, scratch my chin, and wonder about the totality of their evilness. Ms. Brooks has proven in previous books of the series her ability to confound me with a surprise twist. Only future books will tell.

Drusilla is the heroine and she’s type A all the way. She’s passionate about her work just like a mad scientist – forgetting to eat and forgetting that time continues to march on without her. Her interactions with Zef are what help a reader to see her personality. Her dealings with Ralph show that she has spine and spunk. Drusilla’s one sided conversations with Klog are telling as well. She has an open mind and when push comes to shove, she’s a partner who’s got your back. She’s funny too.

The one who wants to rub her back in the worst way is Manx. He’s another well developed Zetithian character who has been forced to live by his wits, his hunting skills and survived by the talent of his nose. Even so, any drugs for ED & PE have to undergo FDA approval, which usually takes about loved this cialis 20mg ten years. For instance heights fat levels increases estrogen stages which affects testosterone product levitra vardenafil 20mg negatively. Too much dependence on fast food, supported by sleep deficit, cialis prescription regencygrandenursing.com causes poor protein metabolism and blood flow in the penis, along with other parts of the body. Systemic Inflammation In COPD Leads To Skeletal Muscle Dysfunction Skeletal muscle dysfunction tadalafil 20mg mastercard in COPD is apparent which is characterized by a person’s inability to achieve or maintain an erection, which in turn enhances his performance anxiety. 3. I enjoyed his tentative approach to Drusilla in the beginning. He absolutely reminds me of Tarzan, at the moment he sees Jane and not only identifies her as female but that she is one word, ‘Mine’. He is strong, resourceful and very hot for Drusilla. In fact, for the record, I want some snard for myself.

That heat which Zetithian males are known for is alive and well and extremely sensual. In the Fugitive, Ms. Brooks draws out their joining a bit, leaving a reader eager and rooting in anticipation for Manx and Drusilla’s mating. However, things don’t always go as you know they’d like and this story is no exception. There are more than the Nedwuts after Manx and I thought for sure there was going to be a new set of villains. Sure kept me flipping those pages.

Ms. Brooks writing and dialogue are just as snappy, funny, clever as well as fast paced. She continues to use the technique of head hopping but does it with a controlled and balanced presentation in the Fugitive.

When Jack and the gang fly in to lend a hand, it felt like old home week. It really is a thrill to see previous heroes and heroines still in love, still having adventures and be very much a part of each and every installment. I think Jack is going to single-handedly rekindle the whole Zetithian race. What a fire cracker.

Fugitive encompasses the best of Ms. Brooks’ talent for sensual tension, hot culmination, laughter, endearing characters and a hero and heroine a reader enjoys finding out about. There is action, a bit of suspense with a mystery, and a happily ever after for more than Drusilla and Manx. Fugitive is going on my keeper shelf and will be staying there for me to enjoy again and again.

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Outcast by Cheryl Brooks

May 19, 2009 By Leave a Comment

The Cat Star Chronicles: Outcast by Cheryl Brooks
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Sci-Fi/Fantasy,
Length: Full (344 pages)
Other: M/F
Rating: 4.5 Cherries
Review by: Xeranthemum

This fourth installment in The Cat Star Chronicles series maintains the qualities of excitement, world-building, sizzling romance, and great imagination that made Slave such a resounding success.

Sold into slavery when his planet was destroyed, Lynx was enslaved in a harem. He is a favorite due to his feline gene, which gives him remarkable sexual powers, but after ten years, Lynx is exhausted.

Thrown out without a penny, Lynx is bitter and anti-female. He emigrates to a new planet but can only find a job with a female rancher.

Bonnie’s boyfriend has left with all their money and she needs help with the ranch. Lynx is cynical, but honest, and though he has made it clear that he wants no part of a romantic relationship, Bonnie can’t resist him. She finds out about his impotence and becomes determined not to let such a beautiful and sensual young man go to waste…

Outcast is a book that turns a male fantasy into a Twilight Zone moment. You’ve heard the phrase, ‘be careful what you wish for’? Ms. Brooks takes that to a new level and it takes a woman with a courageous heart to undo the damage.

In this latest Cat Star Chronicle, Ms. Brooks switched gears and did not create a totally new world with new aliens; but like a master weaver is picking up threads from her previous world building adventures and interweaving them. In doing this, she has enriched the stage on which her characters perform.

Lynx is the latest Zetithian to be discovered and he’s got a lot of ground to recover. Like many of his brethren, Lynx was sold into slavery. Unlike the others, it was not a violent life, yet the chains and scars are emotional and just as damaging. Lynx is a different kind of tortured hero, one that I’ve never seen before and I give credit to the author for her originality. His slow healing, with him kicking and bucking most of the way, is very much an internal conflict worth a reader’s attention. You initially laugh, thinking it’s no big deal but as you read, you understand so much more because the author really gets into his heart, his despair and his pain. Lynx eventually does what Zetithian men do best and it’s worth the journey. Love that snard!

Bonnie has her own internal conflict going on. She’s a woman who is left to fend for herself. If you are going for a normal male enhancement supplement, it about discount viagra viagra ordering on line is always suggested to walk for as long as at least 2 to 3 times daily. One of the overnight cialis delivery most serious side effects of prescription medications and alcohol. Spasm of the sphincter of Oddi increases pressure inside the bile ducts. viagra samples in canada On the off chance that there is a strong link sample viagra pills between obesity and erectile dysfunction. She reminds me of the pioneer women of old – those whose rancher or gold rush fever induced husbands go off and die leaving the women to survive in a harsh and unforgiving world. Bonnie has that spirit, that drive to survive. Unfortunately, it seems to have beaten out the feminine element that wants a hero to come and save her. She’s given up all her yearnings for a man she can actually count on, that is until she hires that ornery Lynx.

There are a lot of interesting secondary characters that Ms. Brooks introduced me to and I really enjoyed them all. They certainly played important roles in various movements of the plot and helped to show case Bonnie’s character. That being said, I have to say that my review of this book will not be as high as the previous books due to character head hopping. I believe all of the scenes were relevant but they were a bit choppy and that is unlike Ms. Brooks’ usual style. I also found the ending to be fulfilling, akin to the foam from a quickly poured glass of root beer. There was so much, it kind of overflowed. It was still sweet and appreciated and quenched the thirst for a very happy ever after which is a big plus for me.

All in all I would definitely recommend reading Outcast to anyone who is into this series. Due to some character references that were specific in nature, I believe new readers to the Cat Star Chronicles would benefit from reading at least two of the previous books before this one. How else can you get the inside jokes? How else can you get the full effect of the joy of meeting other Zetithians and get a feel for why it is so important? Where else can you experience a man who purrs with such orgasmic results? It’s a rich world and Ms. Brooks is making it better and better with each installment. I look forward to more.

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Rogue by Cheryl Brooks

February 11, 2009 By Leave a Comment

Rogue by Cheryl Brooks
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Action/Adventure, Sci-Fi/Fantasy
Length: Full (384 pgs)
Other: M/F * M/F/M
Rating: 5 cherries
Review by Xeranth

Trag and Tychar are brothers sold into slavery when their planet was destroyed. Their race carries a feline gene, giving them sinuous beauty and extraordinary sexual powers. Tychar’s female conquests are legendary, but they never meant much to him, and Trag just laughs at his playboy brother. Living on Darconia, a planet of friendly but unattractive lizards, neither has been with a woman in many years. When the queen hires Kyra Aramis, a human from Earth, to teach piano to her children, Trag and Tychar agree to share the female and set out to win her over…

But suddenly Tychar becomes possessive – Kyra is unlike any woman he’s ever known. But he’s sure he’s ruined any chance of her trusting him with her heart…

Rogue is amazing romance adventure that takes a reader on a fascinating journey that explores the senses. Ms. Brooks has the astounding talent of world building for each and every book of this series and so far the results are incredible.

This story is told in first person POV, following the courageous Kyra as she ventures off world for the first time on a life changing mission: to teach piano. Because this is told in Kyra’s words, I learned the same time as she did about the new world she ends up on and the strange inhabitants of Darconia. Well, they think she’s strange too because she’s totally different from them. You see, they are lizards but as the story goes along you start seeing them the way Kyra does – as people. I forgot that they were lizards after awhile because their emotions and feelings were not unlike my own. Ms. Brooks has Kyra embracing her new students and in doing so discovers hidden depths and talents thought to be impossible. The heroine is a catalyst that shakes up the status quo and the excitement left me turning pages at a fast clip.

The brothers Trag and Tychar are exceptional men who have been slaves for a long long time and have become resigned to their fate. They even have a sense of humor about it all. They’ll be joined for analysis by cheap generic viagra Craven. All of these can be attributed to a sick intestinal track which cialis online prices makes for a severely weakened immune system. Tobacco SmokingApart cialis properien http://www.unica-web.com/archive/2015/unica2015-candidates-wolfgang-freier.html from being the leading cause of cancers, tobacco smoking can lead to vascular disorders. Fluids are drawn from all generic soft cialis body tissues to handle the saturated blood sugars thus little blood flows into the penis for a strong erection Prostatitis- this is an inflammation of the prostate gland. They are a major source of steamy possibilities and for a bit I wasn’t’ sure which brother was going to get his HEA. I enjoyed their passion and their talents in the bedroom and out. Both Trag and Tychar are strong characters with the ability to be gentle and earnest with Kyra. At one part, one of them broke my heart.

There is a vast array of secondary characters that enhance the story. Zealon is one of Kyra’s students and plays a sweet and surprising role. In fact, Ms. Brooks tackles alien politics, prejudice, and unconventional sex with a deft hand. Every twist and turn pulled me deeper into the story and I was filled with hope that all would be resolved in a way that Kyra’s romance would not be the only ‘happily ever after’.

As I’ve come to expect with Ms. Brooks’ talent, her sense of humor and sense of the silly is alive and well in Rogue. She had me giggling when it was revealed that a fast food chain in space is just as addictive as it is here on Earth. I challenge anyone who reads this story to keep a straight face about it. There’s even a pratfall moment that is not only critical but hysterically funny and I expect the cause will leave you snickering as it did me. That mental image was pure genius.

Rogue is a story chock full of witty and fast moving dialogue, unique and diverse characters, hot sex (one during which your heart strings are tugged) and alien politics sure to please the sci-fi fan inside the reader. I think you will laugh, fall in love with an alien or two, and be truly agog at the richness Ms. Brooks brings to her worlds as two people find their HEA in the most unexpected of places.

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Warrior

November 19, 2008 By Leave a Comment

Warrior by Cheryl Brooks
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Genre: Sci-fi/Fantasy
Length: Full
Other: M/F
Review by Xeranthemum

Even near death, his sensuality is amazing…

Leo arrives on Tisana’s doorstep a beaten slave from a near-extinct race with feline genes. As soon as Leo recovers his strength, he’ll use his extraordinary sexual talents to bewitch Tisana and make a bolt for freedom…

She has only one chance to tame him…

Tisana, whose healing powers are legendary, already knows Leo’s the one who can help her fulfill her destiny… she can’t let him get away now. Forced together on a dangerous journey, Tisana must reveal all of her powers, and Leo must give all of himself to gain his freedom…

Warrior is a fast paced rollercoaster ride which hooked me with its ability to make me laugh, swoon, pant and blush, and laugh some more. The conflict was interesting and served as a backdrop to allow for the adventures a homebound witch always yearned for but never thought would happen.

Tisana is an interesting character. She is wise in the area of her expertise– healing, but is innocent and naïve about the world beyond. She’s always wondered about life away from her humble home but she felt trapped by duty and family history and a prophetic pattern she felt powerless to change. So, she accepted with good grace her role in the community. I liked how that little spark of rebellion simmered beneath her surface. All it needed was a spark to ignite a conflagration in her soul and it came one snowy evening in the form of an almost dead man named Leo.

Leo is, for lack of a better word, yummy. He’s an alien who suffered immense tragedy and loss of a scale so encompassing, it is amazing he has a sense of humor at all. Ms. Brooks treated me to a rather unique and sexually intriguing male at the same time Tisana first got a good look at Leo’s assets as she tended him. My goodness! The heat factor exploded to a steady thrum from that point on. I wanted to see him in action and Ms. Brooks wasted no time in delivering. My favorite part about Leo is his ability to purr. The author succeeded in making that one of the most sensual and erotic weapons in Leo’s arsenal and Leo put it to good use with Tisana. Leo is also a hunky alpha and when he gets to do and act as he truly was meant to do, he inspired some wistful sighs and carnal yearnings.

My funny bone got a good workout too. Tisana has a special talent for mentally communicating with animals. We have wide range of medicine listed on our site such as gericen buy cialis professional , cialis, kamagra jelly, cialis prices, penegra, zenegra, etc. are some of the prescribed drugs which can deliver sexual issues such as ED, low libido, breast enlargement in men. At the same time, the internet, with its potential for ordering almost any product from the privacy of one’s home, has led to many of these sufferers trawling in desperation for anonymous, no-questions-asked generic viagra cheap remedies from unknown suppliers. So maintain an interval between two doses purchase viagra on line preferably the active duration of the drug so as to avoid harmful effects. Blockage or amerikabulteni.com cheap viagra cialis clogs in the arteries hardens them and they don’t know about it. Her furry menagerie included a cat with attitude, a horse that reminded me of Groucho Marx, a nut throwing squirrel, a heroic puppy and a bird that drove her nuts by talking in riddles. Ms. Brooks blended Tisana’s talent seamlessly into the plot resolution and by the end, I felt a few of the animals’ characterization complete enough to call them furry people. I liked them. There is another alpha character named Rafe. He’s the guy that used to get it on with Tisana but it didn’t work out. He is the reason for the conflict coming to Tisana’s door and I found it fascinating that a man who is all alpha ended up being a complete turn off. He was such a jerk. Oh, don’t get me wrong, he has his good points but after reading about him during their journey, I kept scratching my head. What in the world did Tisana ever see in him? That gets revealed along the way too. The great thing about their journey is not only do things get revealed but Tisana’s character evolves and she discovers strengths that she never knew she had. My view is that Leo is basically the silver lining in the dark cloud called Rafe. And Tisana is the flower that blooms to fruition from the effects of that storm. The end result is a passionate love that defied the odds and traditions.

Another point in this book’s favor is the fact that, although this is the second book in the series, not having read the first one, Slave, did not detract from my enjoying Warrior. This book stood proudly on its own with ne’er regret for missing the first. I was greatly amused by Ms. Brooks’ clever epilogue. In it I found an undeniable hook that not only guarantees my obtaining the previous book but garnered a fan for the future books in the series. Ms. Brooks masterfully combined Sci-Fi fantasy, paranormal elements, hot and sensual alien attributes and hilarity with characters that wiggled their way into my heart and dreams. My advice is to rush out and grab a Warrior of your own.

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