Σάββατο 30 Δεκεμβρίου 2017

Happy New Year and Claimed in Shadows (Midnight Breed, #15) by Lara Adrian



Happy New Year My Wonderful People!


This is my last post for 2017.

I really hope that in 2018 the Romance Research and Analysis Blog will be creative, successful and mostly useful for all the readers that crave romance firstly in their life and secondly  in their books.

Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για HAPPY NEW YEAR romance


LOVE, PEACE, HARMONY, PROSPERITY AND HEALTH FOR ALL OF YOU

 Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για HAPPY NEW YEAR

 
Since this month I have presented the Midnight Breed series by Lara Adrian, don’t forget that there is a new book coming in January 2018. This is about Chase's son, Aric. And I am looking forward to it, because Chase is definitely my favorite Breed! 
Thus, I like his children, too 😋



Its expected publication date was December 31st 2017, but it is postponed:


34380011Claimed in Shadows (Midnight Breed, #15) by Lara Adrian

 

 SUMMARY


In this pulse-pounding new Midnight Breed vampire romance novel from New York Times and #1 international bestselling author Lara Adrian, passion explodes between a daywalking member of the Order and a fiery female warrior whose shadowy past will test the bonds of both duty and desire.

As the son of a formidable Breed warrior, Aric Chase has been devoted to the Order all his life. With his training completed, all he needs is one successful mission before he can join the fight to destroy the Order’s chief nemesis, Opus Nostrum. His rare ability to daywalk lands Aric an assignment in Montreal, where he learns he’s to be teamed with another new recruit, a beautiful, but tough-as-nails Breedmate named Kaya Laurent.

Independent and driven, Kaya wants nothing more than to become a full-fledged member of the Order. Having grown up in squalor and neglect on the streets of Montreal, she longs for the close-knit family she’s found during her training to be a warrior. Eager to prove herself, she is thrilled to be given the chance at a key operation—even if she must share the mission with an arrogant, far-too-seductive Breed male who’s practically Order royalty.

Their unwanted partnership soon erupts into a desire neither of them can resist. But when Kaya’s past reaches out from the shadows to call her back, she must decide between protecting a dark alliance that could shatter her dreams of joining the team and a truth that could not only forfeit Aric’s faith in her, but bring the enemy right to the Order’s door.
 




Πέμπτη 28 Δεκεμβρίου 2017

NEW RELEASE: Pride & Joie by M.E. Carter




Title: Pride & Joie
A #MyNewLife Novel
Author: M.E. Carter
Genre: Romantic Comedy
Release Date: December 22, 2017



Blurb

ONE COUPLE. THREE STORIES. THREE HAPPILY EVER AFTERS.

Joie Stevens put all her dreams on hold the day she became a mom. As a natural caretaker, it never bothered her. But now that her son is grown, she has some new goals in sight and nothing is going to get in her way.

Except maybe an attractive football coach. Who very literally gets in her way.

As assistant football coach for the Flinton State University Vikings, Jack Pride really has nothing to complain about. He has a job he loves and friends he enjoys. Certain he had his one true love in his late wife, the last thing on his mind is dating.

Until he runs into a beautiful non-traditional student. Who he very literally runs into.

This three-part story reminds us love can be better the second time around. And that it’s not just players in the game…







Purchase Links

$2.99 for a limited time

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU
B&NKOBO / iBOOKS



Author Bio

Mother, reader, storytellerME Carter never set out to write books. But when a friend practically forced a copy of Twilight into her hands, the love of the written word she had lost as a child was rekindled. With a story always rolling around in her head, it should come as no surprise that she finally started putting them on paper. She lives in Texas with her four children, Mary, Elizabeth, Carter and Bug, who sadly was born long after her pen name was created, and will probably need extensive therapy because of it.


Author Links

TWITTER

The Midnight Breed Series Companion by Lara Adrian

17908520The Midnight Breed Series Companion (Lara Adrian)


SUMMARY


A book that's been years in the making, the Midnight Breed Series Companion includes insider info on all of the novels, author notes on the creation of the story world and how the eleven-book (and counting!) series has evolved since its beginning as a contracted trilogy, a complete character guide, series trivia, questions from readers and more.

This special series companion also includes "A Touch of Midnight"--an all-new, never-before-published, original novella featuring Gideon and Savannah, which finally reveals the story of how this reader favorite couple met and fell in love, and answers many questions that fans have been curious about since the series began!
 


MY REVIEW


All the things you wanted to learn about Breeds and you were afraid to ask.

The book includes:
-The midnight series breed story world
-Glossary of terms
-Analysis of each novel (Books 1 up to 10)
-An extra novella about Gideon and Savannah (you can also find it without the extra information)
-Questions by the readers for Lara Adrian, but also fun questions for the characters
-Games and trivia for the hardcore fans

The Companion is very useful for the first 10 books of the series. For the next books and the new generation of Breeds a new guide is needed.

I thought the reason for which Lara Adrian has chosen aliens as the creators of Breeds instead of vampires is quite funny. Basically Lara Adrian does not like corpses and she prefers her book boyfriends to be breathing. So the Breeds who are a kind of vampires would have to breath and have breathing ancestors.

Κυριακή 24 Δεκεμβρίου 2017

Darker After Midnight (Midnight Breed, #10) by Lara Adrian

Αποτέλεσμα εικόνας για Darker After MidnightDarker After Midnight (Lara Adrian)


SUMMARY


In the dark of night, a blood war escalates within the hidden world of the Breed. After existing in secret for many long centuries, maintaining a fragile peace with the humans who walk beside them unaware, a single act of retaliation has put the entire vampire nation at risk of discovery. It falls to the Order—a cadre of Breed warriors pledged to protect their own and humankind alike—to stop Dragos, the power-mad vampire at the center of the conflict, before his push for domination can explode into catastrophe.

At the center of the Order's quest is Sterling Chase, once a morally rigid enforcer of Breed law, now a warrior fallen from grace, whose biggest battle is the one he wages against his own savage nature. With addiction beckoning him toward eternal darkness, Chase's path to redemption has never seemed more out of reach—until he finds himself drawn to a beautiful young woman who may be something much more than she seems . . .


MY REVIEW


Breed warrior Sterling Chase (Harvard)
Special ability: wrapping himself in shadows and hiding in them
Age: Over 1oo years old

Breed mate Octavia Fairchild (Tavia)
Special ability: Photographic memory
Occupation: Assistant for senator Clarence
Mark place: Lower Back

Settings: Boston, Maine, Washington

Well, well, WOOOOW! Just WOW! After 9 long length books and 2 short length books, this climactic series reaches the end of its first part (the following books cover stories that will happen 20 years after) and it is the end of the world as we know it. The time frame of the book is Christmas time -a few days before and a few days after. There are so many things going on, that whatever I write it will be a spoiler.

Anyway, besides the huge events that are taking place, this is finally Harvard's book. My favourite breed warrior. I was really looking forward for his book. Harvard was a tortured, self destructive hero since the first book in which we met him (Kiss of Crimson). He was the second best in his family behind his brother's long shadow, he always have had an unsatisfied lust for his sister in law Elise and he was filled with guilt and shame the most part of his life. In this book he is still fighting his demons but this time someone actually cares for him.

Harvard finally falls in love, forgets the dull and boring to tears Elise, gets the best girl and he has his HEA. Tavia and Harvard held each other together during the cataclysmic events of the book while they also help all the rest.

GREAT COUPLE, GREAT CHEMISTRY, GREAT LOVE SCENES.

Πέμπτη 21 Δεκεμβρίου 2017

A Taste of Midnight (Midnight Breed, #9.5) by Lara Adrian

13026408A Taste of Midnight (Lara Adrian)


SUMMARY


A shimmering holiday gala lights up an ancient castle in the Scottish Highlands, but beautiful widowed Breedmate Danika MacConn feels alone in the crowd. Even among the friends and festivity of the Darkhaven celebration, she can't forget her lost love, a fallen warrior of the Order. Her brief return to her mate's homeland has become treacherous after rejecting the advances of a dangerous Edinburgh crime boss with a taste for blood sport. As Danika seeks to expose the vampire and his dark trade, she discovers an unexpected ally in his forbidding, enigmatic henchman, Brannoc, a man who exudes heat, danger, and dark menace--and seems somehow achingly familiar. Bran has his own reasons for wanting to keep Dani out of his employer's business . . . and his own secrets he means to keep buried. The last thing he needs is to get tangled up with a woman who tempts the wildest part of his Breed nature--especially when that woman is Danika MacConn, the one woman capable of bringing him to his knees.

MY REVIEW


Breed (warrior) Malcolm or Brannoc
Special ability: Speaking inside someone's head
Age: Around 500 years old

Breed mate Danika
Special ability: Reading others thoughts
Occupation: None. She was a breedmate more than 400 years.
Mark place: Abdomen

Settings: Edinburgh, Highlands, Scotland

This is a great short story. Danika was mourning her lost husband since book 1 of the series. Being left alone in life, she decides to visit her husband's relatives in Scotland with her infant son Connor. There during a ball, she accidentally overhears something terrible coming from a high lord of the area, Reiver. Apparently Reiver runs a Blood Club with a live human game, totally forbidden. The person who drives her attention is Reiver's bodyguard. A knife scarred man, controlled, cool and devoid of any tenderness.
It takes some time for Danika to recognise him as a person from her distant past. Danika and Mal (Malcolm) have shared the same past at some point of their lives more than 400 years ago. After discovering an unfinished nurcery in his castle, Danika realises that Mal is also trying to cope with his own loses.
In the book we also meet another new character, Thane.

Τρίτη 19 Δεκεμβρίου 2017

Heart of a Cowboy by Kristin Vayden




Title: Heart of a Cowboy
Series: Elk Heights Ranch #1
Author: Kristin Vayden
Publisher: Kensington Publishing Corp
Genre: Western Romance
Release Date: December 19, 2017



Blurb

A stubborn cowboy has sworn never to forgive or forget—but one special woman may find a way to change his mind . . .
 
Hospice nurse Laken Garlington helps people face the end with peace and dignity, surrounded by their loved ones. But the son of her new patient didn’t come home to reunite with his dad. So why is Cyler Myer back in horse country? It’s clear the sexy, six-three hunk with the steely eyes has a score to settle, and Laken doesn’t plan on being collateral damage . . . no matter how irresistible she finds the prodigal cowboy.

Dying is too good for the father Cyler will never forgive—not in this lifetime.
Showing up at his family’s Washington State ranch is the first step in his plan. But revenge takes a back seat to desire when Cyler meets a bossy beauty who arouses feelings he isn’t ready to face. As they work together to save an ailing mare, Cyler realizes he must decide where his true destiny lies. With darkness . . . or with the woman who offers the promise of redemption with every kiss.






Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






Excerpt

His gaze shamelessly took in her silhouette against the evening sun, and he edged closer. Yet with each step, it wasn’t enough. Rather like a magnet, she pulled him in, and he didn’t want to fight the impulse.
Softly, he reached up and tucked a loose strand of hair behind her ear, his body heating as she met his gaze, then shyly diverted her eyes. He traced his fingertips down her neck then gently grasped her shoulder, encouraging her to turn and face him fully. Anticipation flooded him. Her breath quickened, and her pink tongue darted out to caress her lower lip, enticing him. Deliberately, he leaned forward, watching as her eyes widened, but quickly she stepped out from his hold, putting several feet of distance between them.
“No. I can’t.” She wrapped her arms around her waist, hugging herself. Her eyes were bright with suppressed excitement, encouraging him.
“Why?” he asked, stepping forward.
Laken edged back. “This is the very definition of conflict of interest.” She arched a brow but grinned, her posture relaxing.
“I’m not going to take no for an answer.” He gave a small grin in return, taking a step closer.
She laughed, rolling her green eyes. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Just being honest.” He shrugged.
“Thank you. I think.” She chuckled again, the sound slightly nervous. “Unless you’re not interested?” He let the question linger, closing the distance as he watched indecision, desire, and hesitancy flash across her face. “That’s beside the point—”
“That is the only point,” he interrupted.
“I...I could lose my job.” She spoke quietly.
“Are you on the clock right now?” Cyler reached up, tracing the line from her ear along her jaw, pausing at her full lips.
“It’s complicated. But in short, no.” she murmured, her expression softening.
“Good.” Without giving her a chance to protest, he closed the final distance between them and sealed her lips with his.
At first contact, he realized the danger he’d just invited. It wasn’t just a kiss; rather, each nerve had come alive, demanding more. Angling his head slightly, he was able to capture more of her kiss, deepening the exchange as his tongue ran along the seam of her lips, begging for entrance. He could feel her hesitation melt as she leaned into him, her lips caressing his, inviting, intoxicating him with each touch.
As she opened her mouth, her arms tentatively grasped his forearms before sliding up to his shoulders then pulling him in tight. Cyler’s already- burning body smoldered deeper, demanding more than just a kiss. Yet he held himself in check, in spite of the pounding blood that seemed to overtake every other sense.
His hand slid up her back, mapping the delicate curve of her waist. Her tongue met his, stealing every other rational thought as he accepted her invitation and tasted the full flavor that was Laken. Her fingers slid up from his shoulders, threading through his hair and tugging, causing his heart to pound harder, his body to grow even harder as he pressed into her soft curves. He breathed in her soft gasp as he bit on her lower lip, pulling her in, leading her. He mated with her lips, fusing his with hers, searing his brand with each brush of his lips, each caress of his hand across her waist.
Abruptly she pulled away, her green eyes wild as they blinked up at him, staring deep into his soul. Naked in his eyes—yet fully clothed—she studied him, and the kiss had him off guard just enough that all the careful walls he’d constructed were still lowered.
Damn it all.
“So...that just happened,” she whispered, a hand reaching up to touch her pink lips. “Whoa.” She swallowed, his eyes capturing each minute movement, each tiny shift of her gaze.
Then she smiled.
“To be fair, I did warn you I wasn’t taking no for an answer.” He relaxed slightly, feeling less exposed and vulnerable.
“You did.” Her gaze flickered to the ground as her lips tipped into a lopsided grin.
“And I’ll be straight with you. I’m going to kiss you again.”
Her gaze shot back to his, widening slightly. “So, you’re saying I don’t get a choice?” She flirted.
He chuckled. “I’m saying you don’t really want one.”
She rolled her eyes. “A little sure of yourself, aren’t you?” She tucked her hands into her back pockets, regarding him.
He took a small step forward, leaning in to her before whispering, “You kissed me back.”
Her pert nose scrunched up. “Caught that, did you?”
“Yup. Pretty much.” He laughed softly, reaching out and tugging on her elbow, and she willingly released her hand from her back pocket.
“Fair warning?” she asked as he leaned in.
“Fair warning,” he murmured before taking her lips once more, astounded at how her warmth captivated him, and how his blood went to an immediate boil.
He’d expected her to moderate the kiss, and he’d been fully prepared to tease her, to test the waters to see how far she’d let him push, but what he hadn’t been prepared for was her response.
Rather than play hard to get, she returned the kiss with full force, biting his lower lip and fanning the already-burning flames. Her hands mapped his back, kneading, tracing, driving him crazy with each touch, reminding him that he could—should—be closer. He groaned as she tugged on his button-up shirt, sliding her hand up his chest, skin on skin.
He breathed in her sigh as he splayed his hands across her hips, pulling her closer then rocking her against him. He was taken by surprise when she kissed then bit him gently on the neck before quickly disentangling herself from his grasp and walking away.
Confused, he turned to watch as she glanced over her shoulder, giving him a teasing grin. “Fair warning.”
Cyler’s face broke into a wide smile, one that caused his cheeks to ache with an unfamiliar yet welcome pain as he watched her hike back up the hill. “Are you just going to stand there and stare, or are you going to hurry up? Daylight’s burning.” She taunted as she continued her trek toward the truck. Cyler rubbed the back of his neck with his hand, shaking his head, and grinning. “Is that how it’s going to be?”
“Are you complaining?” Laken turned, taking a few steps backward on a flatter portion of the hike.
“No, ma’am,” Cyler replied, starting toward her.
“Good.” She giggled and finished the hike with him not far behind. When Cyler reached Laken, he grasped her hand in his and kept it tight the whole way back to the ranch. The sunset’s glow made her face appear even more flushed, and he couldn’t help the smug satisfaction that he’d done that to her. It had been a long time since he’d felt that way, since he’d even wanted a woman to wear his kiss. It was disconcerting, yet electrifying all at once, but as much as he wanted to ride the wave of excitement, he felt the familiar suspicion creep in, the kind that made him question if this were truly real.
Because heaven only knew how he’d been fooled before.
Cyler glanced over to Laken, meeting her gaze and smiling before he back to gazing out the window.
The past was the past. This was a chance for a new future. Let that serve as fair warning...to his heart. 



Author Bio

Kristin's inspiration for the romance she writes comes from her tall, dark and handsome husband with killer blue eyes. With five children to chase, she is never at a loss for someone to kiss, something to cook or some mess to clean but she loves every moment of it! Life is full—of blessings and adventure! Needless to say she’s a big fan of coffee and wine…and living in Washington she’s within walking distance of both!


Author Links

Deeper Than Midnight (Midnight Breed, #9) by Lara Adrian

8150317Deeper Than Midnight (Lara Adrian)


SUMMARY


At eighteen, Corinne Bishop was a beautiful, spirited young woman living a life of privilege as the adopted daughter of a wealthy family. Her world changed in an instant when she was stolen away and held prisoner by the malevolent vampire Dragos. After many years of captivity and torment, Corinne is rescued by the Order, a cadre of vampire warriors embroiled in a war against Dragos and his followers. Her innocence taken, Corinne has lost a piece of her heart as well—the one thing that gave her hope during her imprisonment, and the only thing that matters to her now that she is free.

Assigned to safeguard Corinne on her trip home is a formidable golden-eyed Breed male called Hunter. Once Dragos’s most deadly assassin, Hunter now works for the Order, and he’s hell-bent on making Dragos pay for his manifold sins. Bonded to Corinne by their mutual desire, Hunter will have to decide how far he’ll go to end Dragos’s reign of evil—even if carrying out his mission means shattering Corinne’s tender heart.
  

 

MY REVIEW


Breed warrior Hunter
Special ability: Experiencing a person's memories by drinking their blood
Age: Around 50 years old

Breed mate Corinne
Special ability: Sonokinetic, being able to control sounds and making them weapons
Occupation: None. She was a prisoner all her adult life.
Mark place: Back of right hand

Settings: Boston, Detroit, New Orleans, Luisiana, West-central Georgia

Even if it is a book full of violence, I believe it is also the most emotional and the sweetest of the midnight breed series.
We know Hunter from before. There are certain facts about him that we already know: He used to be a top assassin in Dragos'army until he managed to get rid of his collar, always calm and confident and successful, he was considered unemotional but he was also Mira's best friend and they were reading books together, Brock found him sleeping naked against the wall because according to him beds are such a luxury.
We have met Corinne before. She was a prisoner of Dragos and she was set free from the Order, Brock used to be her bodyguard before she was kidnapped by Dragos, Brock thought she was dead before they found her.
BUT and this is a strong BUT, in this book we learn all the dirty details about Corinne. She was kidnapped, tortured, raped, experiment on, used to create the new Dragos'army, impregnated and broken. She is about to discover also dirty, dark secrets about her family.
Hunter and Corinne are two lost souls, tortured by the same monster, both virgins. Hunter has never actually been with a female. Corinne was repeatadly raped but she has never made love. It is the most natural thing for them to get connected, matched and mated.
Moreover, this particular book sets the scene for the next final book of the first part of the series. Besides Hunter and Corinne's story that covers most of the book, Chase keeps destroying himself.
The book finishes with a cliff hanger. Have the next book next to you ready, before you finish this one!!!

NEW RELEASE: It Must've Been the Mistletoe by L.P. Dover




Title: It Must've Been the Mistletoe
Author: L.P. Dover
Genre: Contemporary/Holiday Romance
Release Date: December 15, 2017



Blurb

Finding your soul mate is a dream Adeline Hamilton thought was just that … a dream. After several failed relationships, she realizes she’s not capable of falling in love. The only passion she’s ever had is teaching U.S. History at the local high school.

A week before Christmas, Adeline is all set for her best friend’s wedding, even though she dreads having to go to it alone. But when she’s given a Christmas wish that could change her future forever, she’s whisked away to the past, to a completely different place and time. It’s also when she meets him, William Blair, the man who steals her heart. 

As their relationship grows, Adeline realizes that true love does exist. What she doesn’t know is that her wish can’t last forever, that soon she’ll have to leave the past behind. Will Adeline and William find their way back to each other? Or will their love have to stay where it all began . . . in 1865? With mistletoe and Christmas magic, anything’s possible.




Φωτογραφία της Kylie McDermott.

Purchase Links

AMAZON US / UK / CA / AU






Trailer





Author Bio


New York Times and USA Today bestselling author L. P. Dover is a southern belle living in North Carolina with her husband and two beautiful girls. Before she began her literary journey she worked in periodontics, enjoying the wonderment of dental surgeries.

She loves to write, but she also loves to play tennis, go on mountain hikes and white water rafting, and has a passion for singing. Her two youngest fans expect a concert each and every night before bedtime, usually Christmas carols.

Dover has written countless novels, including her Forever Fae series, the Second Chances series, the Gloves Off series, the Armed & Dangerous series, the Royal Shifters series, the Society X series, the Circle of Justice series, and her standalone novel Love, Lies, and Deception. Her favorite genre to read and write is romantic suspense, but if she got to choose a setting in which to live, it would be with her faeries in the Land of the Fae.



Author Links

Δευτέρα 18 Δεκεμβρίου 2017

Taken by Midnight (Midnight Breed, #8) by Lara Adrian

7384801Taken by Midnight (Lara Adrian)


SUMMARY


In the frozen Alaskan wilderness, former state trooper Jenna Darrow survives an unspeakable breach of body and soul. But with her narrow escape comes an even greater challenge. For strange changes are taking place within her, as she struggles to understand—and control—a new hunger. To do so, she will seek shelter in the Boston compound of the Order, an ancient race of vampire warriors whose very existence is shrouded in mystery. Perhaps the most mysterious of them all is Brock, a brooding, dark-eyed alpha male whose hands hold the power to comfort, heal . . . and arouse.

As she recovers under Brock’s care, Jenna finds herself drawn to the Order’s mission: to stop a ruthless enemy and its army of assassins from subjecting Earth to a reign of terror. Yet in spite of their resolve, a purely physical relationship without strings soon binds Brock and Jenna together with a desire fiercer than life and stronger than death itself—until a secret from Brock’s past and Jenna’s own mortality challenges their forbidden love to the ultimate trial by fire.


MY REVIEW


Breed warrior Brock
Special ability: Absorbing the pain and suffering of the others by touching
Age: Around 110 years old

(Breed) mate Jenna
Special ability: Great physical strength, advanced senses, phychic abilities, speaks Ancient language
Occupation: Former state trooper
Mark place: None. She has dermaglyphs which have started to form at the back of her neck.

Settings: Boston, New York, Gloucester, Newport, Harmony in Alaska

This is a great book. I loved that it is focused mainly in the action and less in the love story between Brock and Jenna.
In this book the woman is actually more interesting that the breedwarrior. Jenna is Alex's friend from Alaska. She is not a breed mate and she is definetely not very lucky with her life so far and her family. She basically has no family left. Her brother Zack was a crooked Sheriff who got killed, her husband and daughter were killed in a car accident and Jenna cannot have any more children.
She was about to kill herself when Ancient appeared and did strange things to her in the previous book. In a storyline which reminded me the one Scully had in X-files, Ancient put an inplant in Jenna's neck. Jenna stayed in coma for a month and when she wakes up, nobody knows what she is exactly.
Brock is the one who helped her to overcome her pain. They fall madly in love - although none of them thought it was a good idea and they form a great team.
The book is not lacking in action. There is the storyline about saving the lost breedmates and the storyline about the saving of young Kellan.
On top of these, new characters are introduced: Kellan and Lazaro Archer and Corrine.