Ecstasy Unveiled
Author: Larissa Ione
Paperback: 432 pages
Publisher: Forever; (February 1, 2010)
Full Disclosure: Received from Publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5

My Summary:
Lore is an enslaved assassin. In order to end his enslavement, and save his sisters life Lore has to complete one last kill. The only problem is the target is protected by an earthbound angel. Idess, just happens to be the earthbound angel that is protecting Lore's target, and she's going to do her job no matter what. The sooner she can ascend into heaven the better she believes she'll be.

Right off the bat I fell in love with Lore, a badass with a soft side that even he didn't want to deal with. My type of hero. I'm not going to lie, when I started reading Ecstasy Unveiled and the first scene was a sex scene, I wasn't too sure where this book was going to go, or if I would even like it. I like some sexxin' but right off the bat it kind of scared me. However, it was that sex scene that really introduced me into the nitty gritty of Lore. Plus, the praying mantis like demon ... heck yes!

Idess as a character was a kick ass chick. I loved her as well. Actually, I loved all the characters that I met in Ecstasy Unveiled. And even though it's part of a series, I didn't feel as if I missed anything massive, in terms of plot, by not reading the rest of the series. However, I am going to go back and read the series in order, because I want to know about the other characters.

Ecstasy Unveiled, was an energetic steamy read. I would gladly recommend this to anyone who likes paranormal romance, with a kick.

Storm Born
Author: Richelle Mead
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Zebra (August 1, 2008)
Received From: Library

My Rating: 4 out of 5

Summary:
Eugenie Markham is a super powerful shaman, she leads a fairly mundane life except for the fact that her job pays her to deal with all sorts of supernatural beings. When a prophecy is revealed she suddenly becomes the most desired woman amongst all of the beings of the other world.

In a short period of time she has to learn to rely on not only her instincts but on the people she thought she could trust. When she finds out that everyone seems to have alternative motives for helping her. She really starts to wonder who she can trust and who is on her side for real.

This book hosts a super colorful cast of characters. Eugenie has two love interests who are so different from one another. Kiyo who is a Kitsune, or a fox shape shifter, and is fiercely loyal. There is also Dorian who is a fey. Eugenie knows she cannot trust Dorian, but finds herself drawn to him anyway. And with Kiyo, Eugenie wants to trust him but when she finds out that he too has an alternative motive for helping her she wonders if there was anything between them at all.

There are also Eugenie's two minions. While they are both secondary characters they made reading this book fun, the two characters always inserted a little bit of comedy into some otherwise serious situations.

I would recommend this book, with no qualms. There is a lot of romance and some steamy parts, but even still, this book was a good read. A constant page turner. I cannot wait to read the next one in the series.

Succubus Blues
Author: RichelleMead
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Kensington (March 1, 2007)


My Rating: 3 out of 5

Summary:
Georgia Kincaid is amazing, she's sexy, funny and smart. Of course that's how she's supposed to be since she's a succubus. Except that she looks at it as a job, that's it. Sure there are some amazing perks, but she doesn't even take advantage of them. It's the price she makes herself pay.

Succubus Blues was an extremely cute read, I don't know if that's what the author was going for but that's what it was. The characters were extremely lifelike, they all had flaws, Georgia most of all. They all seemed like someone that you would meet at the store.

It was a solid read, with enough mystery to keep the story going. I'm waiting to read the whole series, and really think it would be a cute movie. The sex scenes weren't graphic at all and even better they fit in with the story line and the love triangle that Georgia finds herself in was realistic. Drawn to one, but falling in love with the other.

A fabulous read, really. Great beach read. I rarely post quotes or anything from the books, even though I should. But this one really struck me and I have to share it. It's towards the end of the book and it just fit so well with what was going on that it made me tear up a little bit.

"There's always hope," he repeated more firmly, a commanding note in his voice that startled me. "No one is beyond hope."

The Mage (Sons of Destiny book 8)
Author: Jean Johnson
Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (April 7, 2009)

My Rating: 5 out of 5

Summary
Morg is tired of being the only one of his brothers not to have his wife present yet, so when it's finally time for Hope to come across to his universe, Morg is ecstatic! Of course there would have to be some minor problems to make things more interesting. I won't give them away as it would ruin the whole book, but let's just say they make things juicy!

Hope comes across, and is nervous that she won't be accepted by the people now living on Nightfall Isle. She's worried that they will all expect something great from her. Something she isn't sure she can do. All she wants to do is settle down and open up her chocolate shop.

Meanwhile everyone else on the island is getting ready for the Convection of the Spirits. And the enemies that the residents of the Isle have are getting ready to attempt to sabotage it. Morg has to go toe to toe, finally showing the full extent of his powers in order to make sure that everything goes to plan, and that is bride-to-be isn't hurt.

Overall this book summed up the series perfectly. I really hope that Jean Johnson will publish more stories from this Universe, it was a delightful read. Quick, with just enough drama to keep it going.

I couldn't find an excerpt to place here, but there is one on Jean Johnson's website, which is linked at the beginning of this post.

The Flame (Sons of Destiny book 7)
Author: Jean Johnson
Publisher: Berkley Trade (December 2, 2008)
Paperback: 384 pages

From the back of the book:
Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day - they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. Though no longer trapped in exile, their growing family faces new problems. Now that it's his turn to look for a bride, the seventh born brother burns with curiosity and anticipation...

Koranen of Nightfall is tired of the Curse - in his case, a destructive flame that courses beneath his flesh. His brothers have wives and lovers, but all Koranen has are blistering reminders of a touch that burns ... unless he can find a woman able to endure the literal heat of his passion. Then the Aquamancers arrive, at last affording Koranen the chance to find his Destined bride.

Ostracized for being too good at her job, Danau si resigned to her punishment: never knowing love. But fire and water always create steam, and things do get steamy as Danau and Koranen gradually realize they were ment for each other - even as Nightfall's future becomes flooded with more trouble than either of them could have imagined.

Personal Review:
This book set up for the last book of the series, while holding it's on in that respect. It seems to me that Koranen was an extremely well thought out character along with Danau and her Aquamancers.

The thing to remember, and that was really drove home in this book, is that the brothers are fairly young. Koranen is only 24 or something like that, so he had just been coming into puberty when the brothers were exiled. So he's got all of these questions about girls and courting, and of course he is nervous. It really shows in this book.

For me, reading this book was bitter sweet. On one hand I got to read about another one of my favorite brothers, but on the other I'm that much closer to the end of the series. I really love this series, and the characters in it. I'm anxiously awaiting the chance to read the last book.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Storm (Sons of Destiny book 6)
Author: Jean Johnson
Publisher: Berkley Trade (September 2, 2008)
Paperback: 352 pages

From the back of the book:
Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day - they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. Though no longer trapped in exile, their growing family faces new problems. Now the sixth born son must find a way to trust his destined bride...

First, his most heavily guarded refuge is breached. And now, the worst of all crimes against Rydan of Nightfall: Rora a pesky, privacy-invading foreigner, likes him and won't leave him alone! Rydan knows he's as appealing as a rosebush stripped of its blooms, so why does she persist? Any normal maiden should be seeking less thorny company than his.

But Rora isn't normal. She alone sees the secret of what torments Rydan. And only she can persuade him to put it right before it destroys him. But Rora has her own secret as well - one of such vast power that other mages would kill in order to possess it. It once drove Rora and her sister into exile, and, in the wrong hands, its power could annihilate their world. In the right hands, it could change her and Rydan's fate forever.

Personal Review:
This book I LOVED. I was wavering on buying this series, but this book cinched the deal for me. After how flat The Cat fell for me, this book just picked right up. My two favorite brothers have been Rydan and Korenan. So being able to read about Rydan was an absoloute joy. I actually really liked Rora as well.

This book flowed nicely, and being able to watch the two of them fall in love was awesome. Rora was able to pull Rydan out of his awful funk, and he was able to give her a sense of reassurance that she wasn't a freak or an oddity. They worked beautifully together.

The Cat & The Storm were two books that were supposed to connect together, and they did. Because where The Cat fell short, The Storm didn't.

Rating: 5 out of 5

The Cat (The Sons of Destiny book 5)
Author: Jean Johnson
Publisher: Berkley Trade (June 3, 2008)
Paperback: 368 pages

From the back of the book:
Eight brothers, born in for sets of twins, two years apart to the day - they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. Though no longer traped in exile, their growing family faces new problems. For the fifthborn son, it is getting his Destined bride to trust him...

Amara of the Shifterai has good reason to be wary of mages, because mages were responsible for chasing her and her sister out of their homeland. Being on the run for so long hasn't put her in a trusting mood, yet there is something about Trevan of Nightfall - mage or not - that Amara finds difficult to resist. But can he be trusted with her most fiercley guarded secret?

Courting such a pretty yet prickly outlander won't be easy, but Trevan is determined to try. She may be fierce, proud and from a diffrent culture, but he is the Cat, and none but the most fascinating and challenging of women could satisfy him. Of course, it would help if she stood still long enough for him to court her properly ...

Personal Review:
This book was the least conflictual of all of the Sons of Destiny books so far. Yes, the main couple had some conflicts with one another, but there were no disasters, no pending dooms. Just Trevan attempting to court Amara. That is not to say that there isn't a tiny conflict. The Council of Katan does come to the Isle claiming that the residents of Nightfall were guility of Tax Evasion.

It was when the Council does come visit Nightfall, when Amara really proved that she was starting to realize that she does care about the inhabitants on Nightfall.

All in all this book was my least favorite book, mainly because I really didn't like Amara, and Trevan just seemed to be a bit flat for me. He had his own thoughts and ideas, but seemed to be half completed. This book just wasn't as good as the first four that I read. I hope that the last few books in this series stay true to the amazingness, and don't fall to the wayside which is what I feel happens in series this large.

Rating: 4 out of 5

The Song (Sons of Destiny book 4)
Author: Jean Johnson
Paperback: 368 pages
Publisher: Berkley Trade (February 5, 2008)

From the back of the book:
Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day - they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. To avoid tempting their destiny, the brothers are exiled to Nightfall Isle, where women are forbidden. This presents a challenge for the brother whose magic has been destroyed ...

Evanor, fourthborn of the Sons of Destiny, lost his voice- and with it, his powers- in the violent battle that freed his family from their greatest enemy. Thankfully, with the safe return of his twin, Evanor now knows precisely who can bring his songs back to life.

She is the enchanting widow Mariel, a Healer brought to Nightfall to help the brothers in their hour of need. For Mariel and her young son, that means leaving their beloved homeland for the unfamiliar island of Nightfall and it's still-forbidden shores ... and with it, risking the passion she stirs in her intriguing patient's heart.

But a new danger looms when the Council of Katan learns there might be women on the Isle...

Personal Review:
Reading this book, I truly realized how interlocked these books are. It is wonderful, I enjoy being able to point out where and who will be in the following books, because they play a large part in a previous book.

When Dominor was in Natallia with Serina, the brothers were able to talk via a two way mirror. It was through this two way mirror that Evanor saw Mariel, and knew upon first glance that she was for him. Out of all the books so far, Evanor had the easiest time woo-ing Mariel. They both seemed to realize that they were ment for each other right from the start.

The only person that had a bit of a rough time with this instant coupleing was Mariel's son Milkor. But he too eventually came around.

It actually was Milkor who first encountered the Council of Katan, and he was able to stall them long enough for himself to be rescued, without giving away any of the Isle's secrets. However, when the Council showed up it forced the Isle to ring the bell and declare themseleves independant from Katan. Which is now going to be bringing a whole new set of problems around. I cannot wait to find out what happens next.

This book flowed so well, it was a seemless addition into this series. I am currently devouring the next book in this series.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

The Master (Sons of Destiny book 3)
Author: Jean Johnson
Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Berkley (May 6, 2008)

From the back of the book:
Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day - they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. To avoid tempting Destiny, the brothers are exiled on Nightfall Isle, where women are forbidden. But when the third-born brother is taken by a powerful and beautiful mage, he wonders if she is the Prophesied Disaster, his foretold wife-to-be...

Kidnapped and taken captive by slavers, Dominor is sold to a lovely mage, who promises him freedom. But Lady Serina has plans for Dominor - to reenact a Tantric mating ritual in order to reverse a spell cast centuries ago. Dominor agrees to help, but doesn't suspect the secret she hides: There is more to this magical mating than she has revealed.

Once the ritual is complete, he will be returned to Nightfall. But when Serina's secret finally shatters, exposing the truth behind the misunderstandings now separating them, Dominor is determined to retake possession of the woman who is his Destiny ...

Personal review:
Dominor was captured in the first book, and was absent for the second, so he didn't get to see his brother Wolfer get married, and he missed his twin Evanor getting wounded. I like how this book takes place somewhere other than Nightfall, I mean yes these brothers are in exile, but I really enjoyed the fact that in order to find his bride Dominor had to go somewhere else.

When the ship Dominor was on was over taken by Natallian's, the female version of the Mandarites, all the people on the ship were taken to auction, to be auctioned off as slaves. It was mighty hand that Serina was at market at the time, looking for a male mage.

Serina is the Guardian to a group of Nuns, she is currently working on restoring the balance between two groups of magic. For this to happen, she needs to find a male mage. When the slave auction begins she notices Dominor and pulls out all the stops to buy him.

Dominor is angry at being bought, and Serina just wants to do this bit of magic and send him home. However all is not as it seems, Dom realizes that Serina needs him, not just for the ritual, but to take care of her. It is a new feeling for him, something he particularly likes. He realizes as time goes on that she is his destined mate, and that he will stop at nothing to have her.

When Dominor learns that his twin has been wounded badly, he wants nothing more then to return home and help find a healer for him. Luckily for both brothers, there is a healer at the Nunnery who might be able to help, but it will take her some time to get ready.

I really liked this book, a lot. I liked how Dom and Serina both butted heads, her stubborn because she just wanted to get the ritual over and done with and because she was afraid that he would think she was entrapping him. Him stubborn because he thought she didn't care, and he was going to make her care one way or the other.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

The Wolf (The Sons of Destiny Book 2)
Author: Jean Johnson
Paperback: 304 pages
Publisher: Berkley (April 1, 2008)

From the back of the book:
Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day - they fulfill the curse of Eight Prophecy. To avoid tempting Destiny, the brothers are exiled to Nightfall Isle, where women are forbidden. When a childhood friend seeks refuge among the brothers, it triggers a confrontation with their mysterious enemy.

Alys arrives desprate and afraid, but welcomed by Wolfer, the second-born brother. They have each harbored deep feelings for the other, but Alys harbors a secret as well. It is her very own uncle who torments the exiled brothers, plaguing them with creatures, and who seeks to kill them to secure their ancestral inheritance for himself.

But confessing her uncle's plan to the brothers will put them at even greater risk, for their resistance against the evil mage has stirred his wrath. This time Alys fears her uncle is determined to exterminate the brothers once and for al l- destroying the star-crosed lovers as well...

Personal Review:
The second book in the Sons of Destiny series, did not disappoint. It was a super quick read and neatly tied up some of the questions from the first book, along with raising new ones that will be answered in the following books.

Alys having been forced a life of servitude to her uncle and now being forced into an arranged marriage runs away. She runs to the Isle, not only for her freedom but to her long time crush, Wolfer. After having to use her powers to escape her uncles wrath, she instead faces Wolfers. His feelings for her are the same, but he's unsure of if she should be on the Isle or not. Plus, he can tell she's hiding something, but is unsure what.

Kelly, Saber's wife, imediately takes to Alys, and offers her a protective wing. However, Wolfer isn't happy with that either, but it forces him instead to offer Alys the same protection. A little while later he realizes, that Alys feels for him the same way he feels for her. There is a lot of sexual energy between the two of them, and pretty soon Wolfer realizes that she is his intended.

Alys however, is still keeping her secret. Sure that if she were to ever tell the brothers would reject her, even worse that Wolfer would reject her. When her uncle unexpectadly shows up on the Isle, Alys knows that it's now or never. After her uncle is shown off the isle she spills her guts. Wolfer's reaction was predictable, but some advice from a very unlikely brother has Alys going after him to plead her case.

Wolfer listens, and the more he hears the more he wants to rip her uncles throat out. He forgives Alys for not being up front, and instead is more focused on getting even with her uncle. However, her uncle has a diffrent plan. He breaches the Isle's defenses and is there ready to take the place by storm. All of the brothers show up for the fight, and of course come out the winners. Not before one of them is seriously wounded though.

Rating: 4.5 out of 5

The Sword (The Sons of Destiny Book 1)
Author: Jean Johnson
Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Berkley (March 4, 2008)

From the back of the book:
Eight brothers, born in four sets of twins, two years apart to the day - they fulfill the Curse of Eight Prophecy. To avoid tempting their destiny, the brothers are exiled to Nightfall Isle, a land where women are strictly forbidden. But, when the youngest of the mage-brothers rescues a woman from another universe, their world is altered forever.

Kelly Doyle wasn't just having a bad day, she was having a bad decade. Threatened, attacked, and accused of dabbling in witchcraft, Kelly has just about had it with her narrow-minded neighbors in her small town. And now she has somehow landed in another, magical dimension - the only woman in a magical realm inhabited by eight men who are desperately in need of a woman's touch.

Now with Kelly in their midst, Saber, the eldest of the eight, is forced to confront the curse that plagues them - if he falls in love, disaster is imminent. But in teh aftermath of a mysterious attack, Saber and kelly find themselves drawn to each other, despite the threat of the looming Prophecy. Their passion only grows stronger, and they soon give in to temptation. If only the fates didn't take such things so seriously ...

Personal Review:
Starting off with this book, I didn't know if I would like it. It started off slow, and Saber just felt weird to me. I mean honestly who names their child Saber? The more I read on though, the more I liked it. Saber started to grow on me, where as Kelly really didn't until the very end.

The brothers saved her from death, and everything they did was wrong. Their house wasn't clean enough, they weren't respectful enough. I understand that she had some issues to deal with, the whole being thought she was a witch, and starving thing. Yeah, yeah. I got it. However, the brothers had a lot to deal with themselves. They had to give up everything they had and were exiled to Nightfall Isle.

An attack of creatures on the brothers, something that they had been dealing with since they were exiled, scared the bejesus out of Kelly. But because she forced the brothers to clean their whole castle, they had a much easier time making sure that all the creatures were taken care of. Not before Kelly and Saber were injected with a venom, that forced them to spend a large amount of time together. It was during this time that they realize that they are in love, and are going to be getting married.

A few days later disaster struck, and it was during this disaster that I really grew to like Kelly. She kept her head, and got stuff done. She made it so that things were accomplished during the disaster, and even set up for later in case more problems would arise.

Rating: 5 out of 5