Book Review: Forbidden Seduction (Lee County Wolves #2) by Teresa Gabelman

Forbidden Seduction by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I really enjoyed this book. There was more going on plot wise in this book than there was in the first one.

This book focuses on Hunter and Emily (the same Emily that he was forced to take to Prom). I really loved Emily's character; she wasn't what I expected from the story that Hunter told in the Protectors books. I like that she has a feisty side that she doesn't let out very often; she seems to take herself by surprise sometimes when she lets herself speak her mind. I like how the relationship developed between them. I liked how Emily was somewhat conflicted when it came to Hunter; how part of her still had feelings for him, and the other part was telling her to move on and find someone else. It was interesting to see Hunter come to terms with his feelings for Emily and yet not quite know what the right way to go about convincing Emily that he Had feeling for her and had all along. I found it a bit entertaining to see that this was one of those situations where everyone else seems to completely understand what is going on and what to do about it, except for the character involved.

I like how this book had a bit of a cross over with the Warriors form the Protectors series in the form of Steve, Slade and Jill. I like how having these characters come over from the other series, helped ground this series in the same world. Nothing felt out of place and therefore it all felt very cohesive. I look forward to there being more cross overs in the future.

Another great quick read.

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Book Review: Forbidden Hunger (Lee County Wolves #1) by Teresa Gabelman

Forbidden Hunger by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Having just finished the Protectors series by Teresa Gableman I pounced on this spin-off series (no pun intended) about the wolf pack that Hunter calls home.

Even though not very much actually happened in this book it was still a very enjoyable quick read. I think that this book focused a lot more on introducing the characters and world building, than it did on plot. I don't think that this is a bad thing. You get a really clear image of this being a very small town where everyone knows each other and is a close knit community, as well as getting to know what the dynamic is between characters. There is a very similar vibe and set up to the VC Warriors in the Protectors books, with some differences in terms of the way that the wolves like to do things. This book has that same sense of humour that you get from the Warriors, that makes you connect with the characters, as well as help carry the story and make it engaging.

I really liked see the different personalities of the Foster brothers. I loved Hunter's character in the Protectors book and that didn't change once he was home with his family. I'm intrigued by Marcus, and think that there is more too him than meets the eye, so can't wait to find out more about him. I liked Garrett's; how he was very much the alpha and one in charge, without coming across as overbearing. I also like the relationship between him and Janna and the way that it developed. I really like Janna and think that she has a great personality. I can't wait to see more of these two together. I also think that little Sam is going to provide plenty of entertainment in future books.

A great quick read, that fans of the Protectors series will love.

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Book Review: Blaze (The Protectors Series #10) by Teresa Gabelman

Blaze by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved loved loved this book!

It's seemed like there was a lot going on in this book. I was completely hooked and just could not put it down. As per usual with this series, there was some great dialogue and a fantastic sense of humour running throughout, that had me in tears with laughter.

I think that Blaze and Katrina are great together. We got to know who Blaze really is in this book. It was interesting to see what lay behind that imposing exterior, and discover why he tries to keep himself. Katrina's backstory was nothing like I expected, and it was great to see her character develop, and for her to really come out of her shell. I think that their two characters, while perhaps not an obvious pairing, actually have a lot in common and have a good chemistry.

One thing that I have really liked with this series is that, all the characters follow through into the next book; no-one gets left behind once their story has been told. Every single one of them has their part to play, no matter how small. What makes this even better is that it's done in such a way that the involvement of all these characters, from the Warriors to their mates, still feels very cohesive. Being ten books into a series, there is a fairly large cast of characters, and it never feels like the inclusion of the earlier characters detracts from the main story line or that it feels like filler, or that it's being added in to show that that particular character is still around and hasn't been forgotten about.

What I would love from this series, is a book that tells us how each of the Warriors were turned. As much as we know that they fought as Gladiators/slaves, it feels to me that there is more to their stories than that. I am really looking forward to being able to read what comes next for these guys,.

This is a really great series that is loads of fun. I highly recommend that you check them out.

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Book Review: Sloan (The Protectors Series #9) by Teresa Gabelman

Sloan by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I enjoyed this book.

But like Adam's book, it felt a little more like filler to me, with the main focus not necessarily being on the Sloan and Becky aspect, but more on the setting up and ground work of the story between Blaze and Katrina. I think that there is so much mystery surrounding Sloan and his background but that was never really explored. I was good to get to see a little more of his character though, and have more insight into how he feels/sees his job. It was nice to see that e does have a more caring side (whether he likes it or not!) I really liked Becky's character. I like that she is a parent, as I think that it brings a slightly different dynamic to their relationship that we have not previously seen with the other couples. As much as Tessa had, essentially, been caring/raising Adam, they still very much have a Brother/Sister relationship and this carries through to Jared. We so far haven't seen any of the Warriors have to have the "I really like your mother, and I hope you are okay with that" conversation. I'm interested to see how this side of their relationship will continue in future installments of the series.

I'm really looking forward to reading Blaze's story as it is clear that he is haunted by his past (literally). I'm really interested to see what lays beneath the surface with him, and the same really goes for Katrina. I eager to see her come out of her shell, and get to know her character better.

This is a really great series that is a lot of fun. There were moments in this book that had me in tears laughing. So if you are looking for a quick read and a laugh, this series is for you.

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Book Review: Slade, The Warrior Wedding and Jax (The Protectors Series #6, #7 and #8) by Teresa Gabelman

Slade by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

At last! We finally get to stop dancing around the fact that Slade and Jill have feelings for each other.

I love that everyone except Slade and Jill seems to know that these two have something. I love Jill's character, the way that she is so stubborn and yet also has these insecurities. It was interesting it finally get to understand the situation between Jill and her family. I think she was an iterating choice of partner for Slade, as they are pretty much opposites, and yet I think that they work well together. I like that we see Slade constantly fightings his feelings for Jill (I know, that sounds mean). With most, if not all of the other couples, it's more a case of the guys see the woman they want, and then do whatever they have to in order to get her. I feel that having Slade fight his feelings under rye guise of doing the right thing while Jill is still training, was good as it stops things from becoming repetitive and predictable.

This is the story that I have been waiting for, and it delivered. This is a great series that I totally recommend reading.

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A Warrior Wedding by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this book. This instalment in the series more or less continues the story of Slade and Jill, but the focus is spread between all of the characters, while also setting up the storyline between Jax and Caroline.

This was a real rollercoaster of a book. There was humour and everything that you would normally expect from these characters, but there were also some moments of sadness and heartbreak, that we haven't really seem in this series all that much. The half breeds are getting sick and there's no cure. This really puts the warriors, especially Slade, in the position of having this problem that they can't fix by beating something to a pulp. I think that we get to see a different side to a lot the the characters when they're stuck with nothing to fight.

I'm really looking forward to see how everything plays out with Jax and Caroline. I also want to know what the deal is with Jax's brother, and the problems it's going cause the warriors.

This is a great series that you really don't want to miss.

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Jax by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This may have been my favourite book of the series yet.

Jax is one of the newer characters in the series that was brought in to help with training the half breeds. His past is something that he avoids talking about, and this just makes me more interested in his character. I loved seeing his struggle with his feeling towards Caroline; seeing how he finds emoting and loving someone, and being loved, a totally foreign concept. I loved seeing how over the course of this story, Jax really opens up and lets go of some of his inner demons and stops holding out on Caroline, and finally lets himself make her a priority. I think Caroline's character is great. I love how she goes into teacher mode and puts all the Warriors in their place without taking any BS. I really like the way that she and Jax bounce off each other, with neither one really being prepared to back down on what they want and never being able to stay mad.

I can't wait for Blaze's story, so I'm now going to go and plow my way through Sloan's book (which I'm sure is going to be wonderful).

This is a great addition to the series and I totally recommend that you read it.

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Book Review: Adam (The Protectors Series #5) by Teresa Gabelman

Adam by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I liked this book; maybe not as much as I did the others so far in the series mind you, but I did like it.

To me this book felt more like filler and a way to ease the transition from Sid's book to Slade's. To me it seemed like the first third of the book continued to look at the relationship between Sid and Lana, wrapping up the story line from their book, and solidifying where they are at within their relationship. The last third very much felt like the final stages of the set up for the story between Slade and Jill that we have been dancing around for the last couple of books, with only the middle third really focusing on what is going on with Adam. Since I have been reading these back to back with no break between each of them, this doesn't make much of a difference to me as the all just blend into one really long book. However if I had to wait a period of time before being able to read this, I feel I would have been a bit disappointed that the story and relationship between Adam and Angelina wasn't more of a main focus.

I like the way that the author makes sure all of the characters are a part of each book, and when new characters are added, that we continue to see them in future installments. I think that this really helps to show the development of the plot lines and helps with the world building.

I'm really looking forward to the next book in the series, not only because we finally get to see the what happens between Slade and Jill, but also because of the new development in the story line with the war/segregation against half-breeds.

I would totally recommend this series. There's plenty of action and romance, with a good amount of humour to stop things from getting too dark.

Well worth reading.

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Book Review: Sid (The Protectors Series #4) by Teresa Gabelman

Sid by Teresa Gabelman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Wow! This was another fantastic story in the world of the VC Warriors.

This time around we were focused on Sid aka. Sidilicious (yeah, that one had me in tears of laughter) resident Playboy and wisecracker. I liked that we got to know his character better in this, and start to see him as more than just the Cook with a smart mouth. I loved Lana's character and thought she was an interesting choice to be paired with Sid. I also liked that she was a Medium; I thought that adding in the element of her being a little other than human really added another dimension to this world. I also liked her personality, and feel that her character would be a good fit with the other women and yet at the same time she comes across as a bit more head strong and more defiant, for lack of a better word, than the other girls. I think that she has a very complex character and I look forward to seeing her develop over future books.

I do feel that the ending to this book, in terms of the relationship, wasn't as clear cut as some of the other books have been. I think that this may have been a good move to avoid things predictable. There is also the whole thing between Slade and Jill. I feel that their story is going to be full of fights and plenty of humorous insults, so I can't wait for that to play out.

I'm really loving this series and would completely recommend it.

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Book Review: Jared and Duncan (The Protectors Series #2 and #3) by Teresa Gabelman

Jared by Teresa Gableman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I could not put this down. This book pretty much picks up where the last one left off.

The plot line that is running through these books is really gripping and, in my opinion, plays as much part in the story as the romance side of things does. I really love the characters in this book. I like the way that they bounce off each other and the sense of humour that comes through with the dialogue. Tessa and the half-breeds that were introduced in this book are great characters, all with very individual personalities, that I look forward to seeing developed in future books. The way that Tessa and Jared get introduced to each other is brilliant, and not something that you see/read very often.

Something else that I'm really loving so far with this series is even though you have these tough alpha male vampire warriors, they all have this really caring side, that I think makes them the kind of characters that really draw you in and capture your attention.

I would totally recommend this series, to paranormal romance lovers.

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Duncan (The Protectors Series) Book #3 by Teresa Gableman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This was another un-put-down-able edition to this series.

This picks up 3 months after the last book when Pam ran off, and focuses on what happens upon her return between her and Duncan. You really see a change and a development of Pam's character here. When we first met her in book 1 she was really bright and fun loving, but a lot has happened since then to change her, literally. This was really well written, and you can really sympathize and feel for Pam with the trauma that she was subjected to. I also liked that we got to know Duncan's character in this book as so far in the series, we hadn't been able to get much of a feel for what he is like, outside of being the leader of the warriors. I liked how even with the somewhat dark subject matter of Pam's abuse, there was the right amount of humour added in the right way to keep the story lighthearted and for it not to become depressing.

Also we are introduced to a new warrior/doctor character Slade. I think there is definitely a story to be told about him and Jill, so I can't wait for that, as I think he is going to be a really interesting character.

I think that these stories are wonderful because even though they have elements of the typical sexy-alpha-male-vampire-paranormal-romance that everybody knows and loves, they also seem to have this real sense of heart about them, that really keeps bringing you back for more.

I would totally recommend this series, as I am thoroughly enjoying it.

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Book Review: Damon (the Protectors Series #1) by Teresa Gabelman

Damon by Teresa Gableman
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I quite enjoyed this book.

The writing style used flows well and seems to seamlessly switch perspectives, without interrupting the overall flow of the story. I was immediately drawn into the story right from the start. The characters are instantly likable and engaging. Nicole is very dedicated to her work and comes across as very passionate and caring, with a fun side. The Vampires in this are the typical alpha male, tall dark and handsome, not that I'm complaining (if it ain't broke, don't fix it right?) These guys have a great sense of humour, that really endears them to you. The one thing I will say is, they have golden eyes that go black when they are angry of hungry.....sound familiar? Wonder is they sparkle in the sunlight? Or have a cousin that goes by the name of Edward? In all honesty that is the only comparison that can be made with Twilight (again, this isn't a negative; I liked Twilight, just making an observation.)

This had a great story line, and some really entertaining characters that will have you laughing out loud. I can't wait to read more!

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Book Review: Alien Enemy Box Set by Ashley L. Hunt

Alien Enemy by Ashley L. Hunt
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I got this box set of books from Instafreebie with no idea as to what to expect from them.

The first think that I would say is that would be better off being considered as a book, singular, rather than books plural, as it only tops out at 400 pages (100 pages per book approximately).

From what I can tell, this is the first thing that the author published (please do correct me if I'm wrong here), and I think it shows a bit. Now that's not to say that I didn't like and enjoy reading this, because I did. I think that the idea and concept behind the story is good and interesting, it just seemed to read more like a first draft to me. Reading this, I kept feeling like it could do with being fleshed out a little bit more. I also think that the lack of 'fleshy-i-ness' also created some pacing issues with the story; not enough for you to have no clue as to what is going on, but enough for it to take a second for you to catch up to where the characters are.

We first meet Luke's character, when he comes into the diner, where Candice is working, with the Carnival Of Lost Souls, and everything its set up in such a way that he could have been made to be very mysterious and the development of the attraction and relationship between Luke and Candice could have been a real slow burner and been amazing. I personally feel that everything between them went way too fast. From him walking into to diner, and them getting along and the relationship beginning seemed almost instantaneous. There was little to know build up, no getting to know each other stage. Now, it is entirely possible that this could be down to the pacing issues that I mentioned. I feel that there was a bit of a missed opportunity with this; you have this carnival that has come to town, where all it's members are not quite what they seem, and this could have been a really wondrous and mysterious setting, and it wasn't.

I would liked to have seen Luke perhaps have tot explain things a bit more to Candice, as she seemed to just except everything that was thrown at her, no questions asked. I would also liked to have found out some of Candice's back story, as it is implied that something happened or that she made some bad choices before coming back to Sun Valley for her Parents funeral. On the whole, I liked her character, even if she seems to accept that aliens form another galaxy exist (and that she is the key for of them in particular to be able to get back there to fight a war) a little too easily. I do have some mixed feelings about Luke's character. It's abundantly clear that he loves Candice, and yet he can be very demanding and controlling of her; it's like he's having mood swings that would give you whiplash. One minute I'd like him and the next not so much. I would like to have seen more of the other carnival members and found out more about them. I'm also not sure we ever found out why Luke was cursed in the first place, but maybe I'm just being forgetful.

For a (I think) first published works, this was pretty good. I do feel that it could be developed a little bit more in places, because this could have been absolutely fantastic. The actual concept was very original I think. As much as this did have it's flaws it's worth reading as a quick read. I do have a couple of other box sets by this author, that I am looking forward to reading. I think this author has the makings of a really awesome sci-fi writer, so I'll be watching this space.

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Book Review: The Tracker's Dilemma (Mandrake Company #6) by Ruby Lionsdrake

The Tracker's Dilemma by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I really liked this book, and was glad that we got to see Lauren and Tick get their own book, as they were two of the original characters. There was plenty of action in this book, along with with some light hearted humour. Perfect for sci-fi adventure lovers.

I have always liked Tick's character, and had hoped that we would get to hear his story at some point. I like his personality and think that he was a good, albeit interesting choice to pair with Lauren. I have never quite known what to make of Lauren's character, as we never really see that much of her, and when you do, she is not very good at social interaction. I felt that we got to understand her a lot more in this book, as well as see a slightly different side to her. It was nice to see that she does actually have a personality that extends beyond the Socially Awkward Workaholic Research Scientist. In This installment we also got to meet Lauren's sister, Hailey, who is the polar opposite to Lauren. It was interesting to see the relationship between the two sisters, and how Hailey's presence, again, brought out a different side to Lauren.

I'm sad that there are no plans for this series to continue as I would liked to have seen Striker get his own book. I'm curious to know if there is more to him than the obnoxious irritant to people everywhere side. I also think that it would be highly entertaining for him to find a woman that really puts him in his place, or someone that brings out a different/better side of him.

I have really enjoyed this series and would certainly recommend it to anyone that loves science fiction with a great adventure and a touch of romance thrown in.

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Book Review: The Pirate Captain's Daughter (Mandrake Company #5.5) by Ruby Lionsdrake

The Pirate Captain's Daughter by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

For a short story/novella this was a pretty decent length. More than I was expecting in fact.

I thought that this was a really good way to explain the background of a secondary (very secondary) character. Marat Azarov appeared in the previous book but you never found out how he became part of the company, so I feel that putting him in a novella was a good way of explaining this without it seeming out of place. I like his character, that he seems, for lack of a better word, more decent than some of the other mercenaries. I like the way his relationship developed with Ying. She was a great character, and I hope we get to see a bit more of her in the next book.

This was a fun short story, that is a great addition to the series. I would totally recommend reading this, especially if you have kept up with the series so far. Very enjoyable.

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Book Review: Mercenary Courage (Mandrake Company #5) by Ruby Lionsdrake

Mercenary Courage by Ruby Lionsdrake
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I am really happy that we got to see more of Viktor and Anakari in this installment of the series.

This was another fast paced and action packed adventure, mainly due to Ankari's schemes and plans. I liked that we got to see more of her and Viktor together as the main characters of the story, as we have only really had glimpses and mentions of then in the books since Mercenary Instinct (book 1) when they met. I love they way that they play off each other, and the way that she brings out a softer side to him. I think that they have, as with all the characters, a really good dialogue that adds a layer of humour to the story as well as adding another dimension to the characters.

It was also nice to see some of the other original characters, such as Jamie, and to see how her character has developed since having her own story. I also look forward to perhaps find out more about the new character that is Azarov, as we only know that he is a new member of the company.

I'm really enjoying this series and would completely recommend this to any science fiction lover.

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