The Fearless. An army, powered by an incredible new serum that makes each soldier stronger, sharper, faster than their enemies. Intended as a force for good, the serum has a terrible side-effect - anyone who takes it is stripped of all humanity, empathy, love. And as the Fearless sweep through the country, forcing the serum on anyone in their path, society becomes a living nightmare.

Cass remembers the night they passed through her village. Her father was Altered. Her mother died soon after. All Cass has left is her little brother - and when Jori is snatched by the Fearless and taken to their hellish lair, Cass must risk everything to get him back.

Review:

Is it a Dystopian? Is it a Post-Apocalyptic? Is it a Zombie novel?

Answer: yes!

Whatever you do, don't dismiss FEARLESS as "just another YA dystopian" to be added to the ginormous pile currently littering the shelves, thanks largely to people like Veronica Roth and Suzanne Collins, with their massive successes and movie deals. Because although they are abundantly plentiful right now, many of them are only "okay", and some not even that. But I feel there are a few things that separate FEARLESS from the rest of the mush, and I'ma tell you what they are!

Thing one - it's set in the UK! Wahoo!

Call me biased about my own fair isle if you want, but I found it very refreshing and a real pleasure to be able to more easily imagine the basic scenery. But, that might not be a big selling point for most people reading this review, so for you guys I'll say it will be a chance for you to strengthen those imagination molecules a bit! Air them out, take them for a walk around the block and come and visit my side of the pond for a change! :)

Thing two - it's unpredictable and daring.

I was having wee flashbacks during parts of FEARLESS to a certain fantastic debut by another author you should know - Miss Susan Ee. Emma Pass, it seems, has a similar level of fearlessness (shnarf) when it comes to violence, gore and torturing her characters to within an inch of their sanity! Yay! I love a brave author. I love being shocked witless, and I love it when the stakes are so high I can't relax for a single second into thinking I can predict how the rest of the story will play out, because no one is safe under her pen. Don't you love it? Yah, me too!

Thing three - Cass!

As a main character, Cass was pretty fantastic. She is single-minded and steadfast throughout in her mission to retrieve her brother, and nothing - not growing romantic feelings or any other kind of testing loyalties - will stand in the way of her achieving that end. He is all that matters to her, the only family she has left, and I admired the heck out of her for that tenacity. Jori should count himself extremely lucky to have a big sis' like her!

Thing four - Myo!

Possibly my favourite thing about this book was the characterisation for Myo. He's a character that's introduced early on under a shroud of mystery, and getting to know him, particularly how different his life has been from Cass's on the island, and how he learned to cope, was completely compelling. As a potential love interest character, he is about as far from the stereotype for a YA "hero" as you can get. There is no alphanesss here, and he doesn't rely on a flawless hot bod to draw readers in, but that doesn't mean his character lacks strength. Or not to me, anyway. Strength can look different to different people, I suppose, but a survivor is a survivor no matter which way you cut it, and that sums up Myo's character perfectly. I loved him!

I haven't talked synopsis much - or, you know, at all - and it would be hard to do so without spoilers anyway, but I don't think I need to. The blurb tells you all you need to know about the scientifically screwed-over soldiers called the Fearless to get you started, and the rest I think you should experience for yourself.

A highly recommended 4 Stars! ★★★★
A copy of this book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. 

It's said that women and men are from two different planets when it comes to communication, but how can they overcome the obstacles of prehistoric times when one of them simply doesn't have the ability to comprehend language?

Ehd's a caveman living on his own in a harsh wilderness. He's strong and intelligent, but completely alone. When he finds a beautiful young woman in his pit trap, it's obvious to him that she is meant to be his mate. He doesn't know where she came from, she's wearing some pretty odd clothing, and she makes a lot of noises with her mouth that give him a headache. Still, he's determined to fulfil his purpose in life - provide for her, protect her, and put a baby in her.

Elizabeth doesn't know where she is or exactly how she got there. She's confused and distressed by her predicament, and there's a caveman hauling her back to his cavehome. She's not at all interested in Ehd's primitive advances, and she just can't seem to get him to listen. No matter what she tries, getting her point across to this primitive but beautiful man is a constant - and often hilarious - struggle.

With only each other for company, they must rely on one another to fight the dangers of the wild and prepare for the winter months. As they struggle to coexist, theirs becomes a love story that transcends language and time.

Review:

Ed and Beh forever!

This was one of those titles whose premise was just too intriguing to resist! I stumbled across it via Goodreads (thank you to whoever rated it five stars and made it appear in my feed!). I mean, a caveman and a modern-day woman, divided by a language barrier and about a gazillion years of evolution, thrown together in a virtual melting pot just to see what happens? I don't know about you, but I needed to see how that turned out! Then, to find out it was all written in the caveman's POV? Ah, I'm in literary escapism heaven!!!!

Seriously, it was so much fun, I couldn't tear my eyes away from it. And what I really loved was because it's all written in caveman Ehd's POV, we can only deduce from his descriptions where (and when) Beh comes from. How he describes her funny clothes, the coloured smudges on her eyelids, her shiny straight hair that smells of fruit. This isn't the first romance I've read where the hero and heroine don't share a common language, and I'm definitely finding that I really enjoy stories with this trope. The fact that they have to learn other ways to communicate means I get more of what I love - the small actions, movements and gestures, facial expressions and meaningful looks that often portray much more than words ever could anyway.

In terms of plot, essentially, I've already summed that up for you - it's simply what happens when these two very different creatures are thrown together in isolation during dangerous times and with a limited ability to communicate. Added to this is the fact that Ehd has been alone for several seasons and was just about to let the hunger take him when Beh appeared out of nowhere in his pit trap, and suddenly he has a reason to live, to hunt, someone to protect - a mate. It just might not be quite was Beh is looking for at first... :)

Ehd's narration was so adorable! His confusion over his new mate's strange behaviour and annoying squawking sounds - it was too cute! And why doesn't Beh know she's supposed to be making baskets out of the reeds while he hunts? Everyone knows this! lol. 

The only difficult pill to swallow regarding this book was how we're reading Ehd's narration, written in perfect English with a decent vocabulary, and yet Ehd cannot, and will not ever, be able to speak, so it's a little confusing how we're hearing his "voice" and the thoughts he's forming if you see what I mean? But who cares? I don't! I wouldn't have wanted anything but his perspective on events, because it was so endearing, so enchanting...Gah! Even when he was being a typical caveman and a bit of a butthead, because we knew what he was thinking, it all made perfect sense. *sigh*

I'd recommend Transcendence to every fan of romance, regardless of your interest in time travel (or cavemen). It's an odd duck, but I promise you won't regret picking it up.

5 Stars ★★★★★

The moment the demon King Thorne of the Third Realm set eyes on the mortal huntress Sable, he knew she was his fated one. The fiery, dangerous female awakened hungers he had never experienced before, a dark craving and passion that has consumed him in their time apart. As the lunar cycle wanes, she enters his world again and nothing will stand in the way of him claiming his forever with her—not the relentless assault from the Fifth Realm or the dark elf male determined to seduce her out of his grasp.

Intent on achieving the coveted position of commander at Archangel, Sable leads her small team into the dark underworld and the Third Realm, to a war where her allies are the very creatures she normally hunts—vampires, werewolves, and demons. Her eagerness to lead the deadly mission has everything to do with winning her promotion, and nothing to do with the kingdom’s brash, lethally seductive demon king—a king who stirred fierce desire and wildfire heat in her with just a look and an innocent touch when they first met, and has been in her wicked dreams ever since.

As the gathering storm between rivals unleashes irresistible passion that flares white-hot and the heat of the battle brings life-shattering realisations, can Sable place her duty before her heart? Or will she surrender to her deepest desires and be claimed by a demon king?

Review:

Hell Never Looked So Good

Felicity Heaton has only been on my reading radar for all of a nano second, but nonetheless, she is quickly creeping her way to the top of the ladder, finding her place on my Favourite Paranormal Romance Writers Of All Time list. That's quite a statement to make after only two books, but so far, she hasn't put a foot wrong for me.

I think a lot of it comes down to my personal feeling about a certain type of Alpha male. This is a tricky area, which can either make or break my enjoyment of a PNR. I would say if you're a fan of Kresley Cole's heroes, who are very male, controlled by slightly Neanderthallic instincts of protectiveness and "claiming", but are ultimately good people, who love their fated ones beyond all others and all reason, then you'll enjoy Heaton's style too.

You may recall the heroine, Sable, as the BFF of Olivia from book one. Although she's her opposite in almost every way; hard where Olivia is soft, fearless, strong, and a total badass. You know, for a human, anyway. She finds herself the object of not one immortal warrior's affection in Claimed by a Demon King, but two! However, only one is serious about making her his for eternity, and that's King Thorne.

Do you remember Thorne from book one? He appeared in his slightly scary demonic form at the Archangel lab (I think that was where it was) and had a very unnerving reaction to Sable. Of course, we now know that reaction was him recognizing his fated one. I just loved how Thorne tried to give Sable as long as demonically possible to come to terms with the fact that she was his. Not only that, he did everything to make her stay at his home more enjoyable. Trying to make her "hung over" food after she indulged too much on demon spirits from Hell. Quite literally. He was the most adorable demon and a beautiful man. And a virgin to boot! *dies of hormones*

Sable was amazing too. She coped admirably with all the changes despite her reticence, and was a formidable ally for Thorne. There was also more to her supernatural ability to sense danger, which was a very interesting twist that also had the benefit of introducing us to new characters and broadening the scope of the worldbuilding even further.

Do you know who kind of annoyed me in this one? Olivia! And I loved her in her own book!. But she was doing that thing where they know they're the weak link and need protecting, but insist on going with their mate to every dangerous situation, and pouting when they say "not a chance"! Ack!

Oh well. As you can see, that wasn't nearly enough to dull my enjoyment, and it's another five star rating for book two of the Eternal Mates series. Bring on the next!

5 Stars ★★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Jask Tao, lycan leader, rules his pack with absolute dedication and demands the same loyalty in return. In the world of Blackthorn, where respect is a rare commodity, Jask has earned his – few dare to cross him, and fewer survive to tell the tale.

When he captures Sophia, a rare serryn witch – whose blood is lethal to vampires – Jask knows just how valuable she can be. Despite her fiery nature, he also can’t shake the feelings that she rouses in him – feelings that he thought died along with Ellen, his mate.

Sophia knows she has to escape from Jask’s lycan compound – and fast. Inheriting her sister’s serryn powers can only mean one thing – that her family is at risk. She’ll have to get past the dangerously attractive Jask first but, scarred by memories of her mother’s murder, Sophia won’t ever give up.

Sparks fly between Jask and Sophia but, as both her family and the pack come under threat, they might just need each other if they, and their loved ones, are going to stay alive…

In this thrillingly sensual novel, Lindsay J. Pryor returns to the shadowy dystopian world of Blackthorn, where tensions are rising, the risks are high, and the most powerful loves are formed in the face of great danger.

A mighty flame follows a tiny spark.

Cora Sandoval lives an insulated, unexciting life. Mostly, she blames her dad. Her mother disappeared from Ireland when she was five and he’s been a human handcuff ever since. Cora’s life suddenly propels into the extraordinary when she begins to see colorful lights around people. Everyone, that is, except herself—instead, she glows only a brilliant, luminous silver. Cora has reason to believe that someone is hunting and killing people like her—if there are any others like her who are still alive…

While investigating the danger associated with these auras, Cora is inexplicably drawn to Finn, a gorgeous Irish exchange student. Their attraction is instant, magnetic, and primal—but her father disapproves, and Finn’s mother abruptly orders him back to Ireland. As mysteries add up, Cora realizes that the small life she’s always known was a lie. On the run from a supernatural killer, she flees to Ireland to look for her missing mother and learn the truth about herself. There she meets another silver-haloed person and, amidst threats and danger, discovers the meaning of her newfound powers and their role in a conspiracy spanning centuries—one that could change mankind forever…if it doesn’t kill her first.

Review:

Scintillate

Waking up in a hospital bed after being so sick with fever it was unsure she'd recover, Cora Sandoval is understandably a little disoriented. This is only exacerbated by the fact she's suddenly seeing strange colours around everyone. Putting it down to lingering symptoms, she leaves the hospital, but the visual anomaly persists.

To add to this worrying development, she suddenly finds herself the centre of hot Irish exchange student, Finn's, attention. It's quite overwhelming, but not at all unwelcome. After all, he's gorgeous, his Irish brogue is so adorable it should be illegal, and he makes her feel things she's never felt before. He also reminds her of her mother's side of the family, since she was also Irish.

Speaking of which, she hasn't seen her mother for 12 years. She disappeared, and the one person who knows why - her father - won't spill the beans. Naturally this causes some resentment between them, and when Finn's exchange period is over, it's not long before she finds herself on a plane to Ireland as well.

From here the book really takes off. There's revelation after revelation, as well as a few shocks and, sadly, a betrayal or two within the pages of SCINTILLATE. And of course, romance! I loved all of the developments and the magic and worldbuilding they were built upon. I also liked the addition of new character, Giovani, at this stage, who has a strong connection to Cora. This brought some interesting conflict for her in the romance department.

Overall I found SCINTILLATE to be a well-paced, interesting read which built to a thrilling and unexpected conclusion. It had a great story line, a sweet romance, interesting magic, and left me wanting to know what will happen next for these characters.

4 Stars! ★★★★
ARC provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

It’s the roaring twenties, and San Francisco is a hotbed of illegal boozing, raw lust, and black magic. The fog-covered Bay Area can be an intoxicating scene, particularly when you specialize in spirits…

Aida Palmer performs a spirit medium show onstage at Chinatown’s illustrious Gris-Gris speakeasy. However, her ability to summon (and expel) the dead is more than just an act.

Winter Magnusson is a notorious bootlegger who’s more comfortable with guns than ghosts—unfortunately for him, he’s the recent target of a malevolent hex that renders him a magnet for hauntings. After Aida’s supernatural assistance is enlisted to banish the ghosts, her spirit-chilled aura heats up as the charming bootlegger casts a different sort of spell on her.

On the hunt for the curseworker responsible for the hex, Aida and Winter become drunk on passion. And the closer they become, the more they realize they have ghosts of their own to exorcise…

Review:

I loved this book! Let me count the ways...

First of all—the era, the setting, the clothing, the language, the hints of magic, all layered together to make one deliciously sumptuous paranormal world, unlike anything I've read before. I loved the 1920's details—they gave it such a unique flavour!

Second—you may or may not know that I have a real soft spot for the big, grumbly bear-type characters. Those ones that are alpha enough, but not so alpha they make me want to hurl things. Kinda stern-looking on the outside, marshmallow on the inside. And that is exactly what Winter was and IlovehimIlovehimIlovehimIlovehim!

Thirdly—Aida. Oh, my God, Aida. She was wonderful! You've got to give her credit for at least pretending she was resistant to Winter's allure for all of five minutes in the beginning. It's a lot longer than I would have lasted!

And the last thing that stood out for me was the end scenes. Another great choice for setting/location that was very vivid and somewhat surprising!

Oh, and I loved Winter's sister. And Bo. There's more to those two, methinks. And I can't wait to meet his brother in book two and...oh, heck, I just liked it ALL!

5 Stars! ★★★★★
ARC was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.