Pursued by a Werewolf by Selena Blake

Published By: Author
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 9 December 2013
Provided By: Myself
Series: Mystic Isle

Fun and flirty vampiress Avery Cooper has met her match in werewolf Hunter Ciolek. Watch the sparks fly in New York Times Bestselling author Selena Blake’s much anticipated novel, Pursued by a Werewolf, Mystic Isle book 4.

Avery Cooper knows firsthand how love can destroy a person. She vowed to enjoy every moment of her second chance at life while keeping a wall around her heart. But a chance meeting with the ultra-dreamy, smooth talking Hunter Ciolek threatens her carefully constructed rules.

Werewolf Hunter Ciolek knew Avery was the woman for him the moment they met. He negotiated and seduced, befriended and pursued her. But nothing changed her mind about love. Now he’s got a new plan and only a few short weeks to make her see things his way.Because living without her is not an option and this werewolf always gets what he wants.

- My Review -

When Hunter Ciolek (werewolf) and Avery Cooper (vampire) met two solstices ago during their trip to Mystic Isle they thought one fling would be enough. But when Avery's coven mate (Ceara) and Hunter's brother (Maxim) end up becoming a couple that one weekend fling turns into more. And Avery must deal with being Pursued by a Werewolf. 

Determined to move out of the friends zone, Hunter makes a plan to win Avery's heart. His plan might or might not included attending her yoga classes and pulling in several favors from friends. But in the end he knows his heart is Avery's, now all he has to do is get her on the same page.

Avery's life isn't as simple as it seems to the outside world. Her life before becoming a vampire ended with heart break, and she never wants to feel that way again. So when Hunter continues to pursue her Avery puts her foot down. But his pursuance might just create a crack in her hardened heart.

Pursued by a Werewolf is one of my favorite Selena Blake books by far. Selena took her time with this book and for me as a reader it paid off. Even though readers have been introduced to both Avery and Hunter before I now understand so much more about them. Selena's character development of Avery and Hunter kept me reading when I should have been studying for finals. I connected with Avery in such a way that I thought she was a friend and I was almost in tears when I finished reading.

The Mystic Isle series also includes: Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe (#1), A Werewolf to Call Her Own (#2), and Games Demons Play (#3). The fifth book of the series, Bound to a Vampire is scheduled for Spring 2014.

- Links -

Goodreads | Selena Blake

Games Demons Play by Selena Blake

Published By: Author
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 25 April 2013
Provided By: Myself
Series: Mystic Isle

The emotional and sinfully sweet third book in the Mystic Isle series.When Izzy Lukin wakes up in the arms of a sinfully handsome stranger, she’s immediately sure of two things. She wrecked a really expensive car and the man holding her is not human.

Shade has won enough card games in his life to know when to hold. The beautiful vamp hell bent on paying for the damage she caused is definitely worth holding on to.

But what will happen when she finds out they’ll be going head-to-head in the poker tournament…and he never loses?

- My Review -

Izzy Lukin's impulse to drive her coven leader's Bugatti Grand Sport should have probably stayed home in it's bed. Especially since, crashing it, facing a multi-million dollar bill, and waking up in a hot demon's home were not in the plans for the evening. But vampires will have their ways, and in Games Demons Play we find out that demons do too.

Shade, a demon, has everything and anything he wanted, but doesn't have someone to call his. So when he meets up with Izzy on a long strip of deserted highway, a race ensues. Whether that race be done with cars or hearts, Shade has yet to learn. But when Izzy crashes, he knows he has to do something to protect her from the approaching sunrise.

Upset at what has happened Izzy only see's one answer to fix her problems, and that is to win the million dollar poker tournament at Mystic Isle. The only problem, Shade who has never lost a game in his life, was invited to be part of the tournament. Now it comes down to a deck of cards, to determine if Izzy and Shade's hearts will win out over their minds.

Selena Blake's third installment in the Mystic Isle series,Games Demons Play is one heart pounding race to romance, leaving readers wanting more. Returning to the Mystic Isle readers meet up with old friends, and with a few other not so savory characters. Nevertheless, the Mystic Isle series is one series that paranormal romance fans cannot miss. Especially since each book holds charming, witty and sexy characters, which is of course true for Games Demons Play. Izzy's story, like her coven sisters' own, will capture readers and make them just want to read it over and over again.

Other books in the series included: Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe (#1), A Werewolf to Call Her Own (#2), and Pursued by a Werewolf (#4).

- Links -

Goodreads | Selena Blake

A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton

Published By: Author
Genre: Paranormal Historical Romance
Release Date: Aug 2013
Provided By: Myself
Series: Night

Who is Aidan Callaghan? Mary Ellen James is intent on uncovering the truth about the mysterious man. But as she soon finds out, some things are best left buried in the past.

- My Review -

* SOME SPOILERS FOR A NIGHT OF SECRETS *

Mary Ellen has seen her life go from a poor vicar's daughter to the sister-in-law of wealthy ship owner named Grayson Bellamount. When his friend Aidan Callaghan arrives at the home she shares with her older sister, she might just have experienced love at first sight. But the mysterious Aidan doesn't fit Mary Ellen's expectation of marrying a wealthy man with a title. A Night of Forever by Lori Brighton is the follow up novella to A Night of Secrets the first of the Night series, entailing the story of the second James sister.

Aidan, like his friend and comrade Grayson hides a dark secret. But when he encounters Mary Ellen something keeps drawing him back to her, even though Aidan knows he's no good for her. The same seems to be happening to Mary Ellen, as she finds herself constantly staring at him. But he's not what she expects in a man. Aidan throughout this short novella must however overcome his personal issues, for Mary Ellen's life counts on it. With a passionate romance brewing between the two however which will be the first to give in?

As a short novella, if you haven't read the first book you may be slightly confused when you pick up A Night of Forever. But I believe readers can easily understand the underlying tale outlined by Lori Brighton. She keeps the novella short, and simple, including only essential characters, while keeping the plot moving easily along. I personally read A Night of Forever before I decided to buy A Night of Secrets and it enticed me to do so, just so I could both follow along with the family, but also understand Grayson and Meg's story. A Night of Forever is preceded by A Night of Secrets and is followed by the soon to be released book #2, A Night of Redemption.

- Links -

Goodreads | Lori Brighton

A Night of Secrets by Lori Brighton

Published By: Author
Genre: Paranormal Historical Romance
Release Date: Feb 2011
Provided By: Myself
Series: Night

Grayson Bellamont has spent years on the Continent, fighting a war he cares nothing for. It is only while in the chaos of battle that he can hide what he truly is, a vampire. Returning to England, he finds his sister murdered and his seven-year-old niece missing. All over the country vampires are mysteriously dying. Grayson sets out to uncover the truth and locate his niece before it's too late. All leads point to Meg James, a vicar's daughter. Instinct tells him Meg is innocent, but the clues he uncovers warn she's guilty. One thing is clear, Meg awakens a warmth inside of him he thought long dead and Grayson is torn between a sense of duty and his desires.

Vowing to honor a promise, Meg concocts a lie to keep a stranger's child safe. She had no idea that protecting the child would mean putting her own life in danger. When Grayson arrives asking questions, Meg's unease flares. Who is this mysterious man who seems to appear and disappear as quickly as a spirit? A man with strength like no other? As he pushes ever closer, taking over her senses with his touch, his kiss and his unexpected honor, she realizes she has even more to lose. Meg is falling in love with Grayson, but will he believe her when the truth will condemn the one person he trusts the most?

- My Review -

When a woman mysteriously dies in front of Meg James one night in London, she vows to keep that women's daughter safe. As country vicar's daughter, Meg must cover up this girls identity and origins. Several years pass, and she has kept the secret for years, hiding the girl. But when dead bodies begin to show up, conveniently as Grayson Bellamount appears in town, Meg begins to fear her secret maybe let out. A Night of Secrets by Lori Brighton is a historical romance that will take readers through the mystery of "who done it", while also making you root for Meg all the way through.

All Grayson Bellamount wanted to was find his niece who had disappeared after his sister's and parents deaths, not be mixed up with a murder investigation. But when he bought the mansion next to the quiet stream and the James' cottage, this mysterious man was apparently asking for trouble. And Meg James never imagined swimming with a dead body, but she has and it just happens to be her best friend's abusive husband, Lord Brockwell. Questions begin to be asked and Meg becomes the center of the investigation. With a drunken father, and three siblings (Mary Ellen, Sally, and Hanna) to provided for she must make her case for freedom, not be hung by the constable. However, the whole town seems to be against Meg and her family, and the only ally lies with the speedy man whose kisses set her on fire: Grayson. Attraction begins to bloom between the two despite the desperate circumstances, and Grayson must ask himself the tough question: is she the one?

A Night of Secrets by Lori Brighton will keep readers interested and wanting to see Meg to safety just as much as Grayson. Its one of those books you'll stay up late reading, because of the pace and also the urgency of the story. Overall, the story is well put together, and the overlying plot line of the murder investigation never overly covers up the secondary plot, Meg's secret. In the end we see everything come together, and Lori Brighton does a wonderful job. A Night of Secrets is followed by a short novella (#1.5) called A Night of Forever (Mary Ellen's Story) and book #2 in the Night series is soon to be released called A Night of Redemption.

- Links -

Goodreads | Lori Brighton

Black Gold by Vivian Arend

Published By: Samhain Publishing
Genre: Paranormal Romance (Werewolves)
Release Date: September 13, 2011
Provided By: Myself
Series: Takhini Wolves

Their wolves are howling at the moon. Their human halves are on different planets.

Lone wolf Shaun Stevens’s automatic response to the words “happily ever after”? Kill me now. Yet with all his friends settling down he’s begun to think there may actually be something to this love-and-roses crap.

One thing’s for sure: his dream mate will have to out-cuss, out-spit and out-hike him. So he never expected the one to push his forever button would be a blue-blooded Southern debutante with a voice as dark and velvety as her skin.

When Gemmita Jacobs steps off the plane in Whitehorse, Yukon, it’s about more than her caribou research project. It’s her declaration of independence from an overprotected upbringing. Except there’s something in the air she can’t quite define—something that unexpectedly rouses her mating instincts.

Moments after their eyes lock, the deed is done—and done thoroughly. When the pheromone dust settles, though, all the reasons they don’t belong together become painfully clear.

It’s enough to make a wolf learn a whole new set of cuss words…

- My Review -

Gemmita "Gem" Jacobs might seem like a southern bell, but she's got quite more on her side than charm and etiquette. Attempting to gain independence from her dictating father she plans a trip to the Yukon to study the caribou. Within a day of landing in the Yukon, Gem and her not so quiet wolf have messed up. She's forgotten to inform the alpha, Eric or her presence, then practically jumps him when she gets scent of her mate, and then if everything couldn't be worse Eric's not actually it. As the first book in the Takhini Wolves series, Black Gold by Vivian Arend promises readers a captivated read as Gem journeys into the wilderness of the Yukon.

Shaun Stevens' a pilot by trade has been having a rough time recently. Lonely as all heck, since all of his friends are mated, Shaun is looking for trouble and trouble seems to find him. When he becomes extremely intoxicated with the help of a secret moonshine made by Eric, his memory begins to fade in and out. The trouble you ask? Waking up next to a beautiful women, whom his wolf recognizes as his mate, but Shaun remembers nothing of the night before. Shocked when Shaun showed up in her hotel room the night before Gem's wolf instantly recognizes that him as her mate. And of course things occurred. Issues begin to show up as this new relationship begins to form. First off Shaun's overprotective and powering nature, it's too like Gem's father for her taste. Next, where are they going to live. Shaun's business is in the north, and Gem is used to her quality of life in the south. The questions and issues begin to pile up, but the attraction also starts to burn. But Gem's trip into the Yukon might lead to all the answer, if they can only keep the flames down.

Black Gold is a great book if your looking for a shapeshifter fix.Vivian Arend as an author always keeps her readers interested in her characters and the plot line of her books. She continues this with Black Gold, with Gem and Shaun who are both incredibly interesting and complex wolfish characters. Hopefully Shaun and Gem will make appearances within the other books of the series, which are currently Silver Mine (September 2012) and Diamond Dust (August 2013).

- Links -

Goodreads | Vivan Arend

A Werewolf to Call Her Own by Selena Blake

Published By: Author
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 28 February 2013
Provided By: Myself
Series: Mystic Isle

The ultra handsome beta of Novogrod pack, Maxim Ciolek is taking a much needed vacation on Mystic Isle when a beautiful but shy vampiress catches his eye. She deserves more than a one night stand and because that’s all he can offer her, he vows to leave her alone.

Ceara Blackwell is eager to leave her sheltered life behind and start knocking items off her bucket list. Item one: a first kiss. But as mysterious Maxim works his way into her heart, she wonders if she’s found a forever-kind-of-love.

But love isn’t easily claimed, even in paradise.

- My Review -

As the sequel to Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe, Selena Blake's A Werewolf to Call Her Own, continues on with  the adventures of the paranormal retreat, Mystic Isle. Through out the second book, readers dive more in depth with the coven of women that were first introduced to in  Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe. As the story of Ceara Blackwell is revealed about this shy vampire shows readers how the possibility of a one night stand can take theirs hearts for a dive with the dolphins.

Ceara has been sheltered and isolated for most of her life, and while she's at Mystic Isle she plans to escape that life. Nervous around others and wants to check the first thing off of her to do list: be kissed. And with the death of her parents several years ago by a demon, Ceara is terrified by them. But, when Maxim Ciolek, spots Ceara he knew there was something special about her. He became her prince charming, saving her when she was distressed and an instant attraction occurred. With growing responsibilities as the beta of his pack Maxim has a lot of expectations from others. But, one perfect night of talking and adventure changes both of their lives. However, the question rises about whether Maxim will help Ceara check everything off on her list or leave her?

Even though A Werewolf to Call Her Own is considered a Novella, it's still a longer winded one. With good character depth, and a great plot line, Selena Blake pulls at the reader's heart strings within the last thirty pages and pulls off another great book with Ceara and Maxim's story. Vampire and Werewolf lovers will fall in love the Mystic Isle series, and  A Werewolf to Call Her Own will capture their hearts with cases of misspelling names, misunderstandings, and a bite.

Just released last week (February 28), this book is wonderful for an individual that would like to read a short novella. If your interested in A Werewolf to Call Her Own there is no requirement to read the first book Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe if you don't want to, though I recommend it. The third book, Games Demons Play, in the Mystic Isle series is due out at the end of April, and is the story of Izzy and her love interest. But get A Werewolf to Call Her Own while it's still hot, and on sale!

To see my review of  Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe click here.

- Links -

Goodreads | Selena Blake

Before the Moon Rises by Catherine Bybee

Published By: Wild Rose Press
Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 22 March 2012
Provided By: Myself
Series: Ritter Werewolves

After a twelve-hour shift in a busy emergency room, Janet O’Brien is beat. Her last patient arrives unconscious and naked. She’s lead to believe he’s a psyche patient off his meds. However, once he awakens, Janet is charmed by his million-dollar smile and agrees to give him a ride home.


Werewolf, Max Ritter notices the sassy nurse when he wakes after a night under the full moon. Unfortunately, his archrival is drawn to Janet as well. In order to keep her out of harm's way, he opts to keep her close. When the chemistry between them sparks, Max discovers a completely new reason to keep Janet safe.

- My Review -

As a werewolf you know when you have met the one. For Max Ritter, his family has long been able to choose their destinies as werewolves. And when he sees the lives of innocent women being endangered by a rouge werewolf he takes it into his own hands to take that man/wolf down. Catherine Bybee, known for her Not Quite and Weekend Bride series, takes a stab at paranormal romance in these short Ritter Werewolves books. The first in the series, Before the Moon Rises is a novella that introduces you to the Ritter clan and how these werewolves find their mates.

Janet O'Brien, an emergency room nurse, is typically the one stopping the life threatening situations. But when she gets trapped in a dangerous situation, that she has no training to deal with she must trust her life into the hands of her psychotic patient  With nothing to do except trust Max, Janet must allow this security expert to protect her life, and possibly her heart. Max, who is currently in phase due to the effects of a full moon, must make sure that both Janet and himself make it out of the rouge werewolves grasps together. With a budding relationship, a dangerous situation, and the possibility of her being his mate, Max must protect Janet with his life.

An interesting and in depth novella, Before the Moon Rises allows you get a glimpse of the Ritter clan without having to spend hours in front of the book. Catherine Bybee in this short novel, gives the reader all the romance and action of a full length book, but with less pages. The second book in the Ritter Werewolves series, is from the perspective of Max's brother, Richard, called Embracing the Wolf, and is currently published.

- Links -

Goodreads | Catherine Bybee

Kiss at Your Own Risk by Stephanie Rowe

Published By: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Genre: Paranormal / Urban Fantasy
Release Date: 1 January 2011
Provided By: Myself

He needed a killer woman...Blaine Underhill is one lucky man after having recently escaped a century and a half of imprisonment at the hands of an evil witch. Now he's determined to save his still-enslaved friend, but in order to do so, he'll need the help of one of the world's most lethal women. 

She was drop dead gorgeous, literally...Trinity Harpswell is sick and tired of being a Black Widow. Having managed to go three years without accidentally killing anyone she loves, she's one short week away from freeing herself from this killer curse forever.When Blaine tracks her down and convinces her to help him, little does Trinity know that the next seven days are going to be murder!

- My Review -

When you've been kidnapped as a child you never expect yourself to grow up in the hands of a black witch, that makes you cross stitch and tortures you with her newest experiments. But, when Blaine Underhill's parents traded him to the witch at age four it's his fate. To change his fate Blaine, and his friends Jarvis, Nigel and Christian must defeat the witch and bring her rein over her captures male warriors down. Stephanie Rowe's Kiss at You Own Risk, is a delicious read, that takes you into several alternative realities. The first in the Soulfire series Blaine's novel is one where the main characters are faced with challenges that they never thought they would overcome.

When Blaine, and his men escape the grasps of Angelica, the witch, one of them is not as lucky. With his best friend captured Blaine needs to come up with a plan to save him. And his cross stitching ability won't help here, only his ability to light his body on fire will. However, with Angelica practically immune to all the men's tactic, Blaine needs to take it a step further. The Black Widow, is Blaine's answer. Trinity Harpswell was a baby when she mysteriously disappeared, and then six months later returned. During this time period Trinity was transformed, she became the Black Widow, killing any of the men she loves. She has seven more days until her curse is broken, but she has to keep from killing again. But when Blaine enters the picture asking him to help her kill the witch, keeping from murdering anyone in seven days may become harder than she thought.

Stephaine Rowe wrote a interesting and intriguing paranormal / urban fantasy romance. Kiss at Your Own Risk, and between Blaine's fire and the fire of romantic sparks her characters catch the pages on fire. With two other books released and one on the way, the Soulfire series is packed with the fast pace reading you need if your in a book slump. If you have already read Kiss at Your Own Risk, check out Jarvis' book Touch if You Dare and Nigel's book Hold Me if You Can. Book number four, Seize with Your Kiss will be released at some point in 2013, and will feature Christian.

- Links -

Goodreads | Stephanie Rowe

Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe by Selena Blake

Published By: Author
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Release Date: 4 December 2012
Provided By: Myself
Series: Mystic Isle

Vampiress Coco Jeffres has lost her mojo. She plans to use her solstice trip to Mystic Isle, the pleasure playground for paranormals, to get it back. For once she’s looking for lust, not love. What she hadn’t planned on was coming face to face with an old obsession.

Tall, dark, and oh-so-handsome werewolf Grayson West is well versed in the arts of war and women. He’s got one week to blow off steam before he heads out on his next mission and he’s more than willing to help a lady find her inner vixen.

Especially when she’s the same beautiful blue eyed vamp he met one hundred years ago and has never been able to forget. They were once sworn enemies, pulled apart by war. Now they’re lovers. But history has a way of rearing its ugly head and their new relationship will have to stand up to the test of loyalty, friendship and even time itself.

- My Review -

An inventive paranormal romance, Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe by Selena Blake, shows how two enemies can become lovers even in the midst of war. The first of Selena Blake's Mystic Isle series, we see these two enemies, Grayson West and Coco Jeffres instant romance return a hundred years later. But as history typically does it haunts them, thickening their relationship with conflict and attraction.

Coco, a vampiress, fought against the werewolves, including Grayson, a hundred years prior to the beginning of Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe. Living in France with her coven, Coco works as a self defense expert helping women protect themselves. While, Grayson, works as a covert warrior for hire around the world. Just released from his last job, Grayson wants to relax at Mystic Isle; but Coco is there to get her mojo back, after a recent end to a relationship. Meeting up was by chance, but when the sparks fly a hundred years after their first attraction, the sparks are just too much to handle. With only a week to realize their true potential together Grayson will pull out all the stops to try to win Coco and even her coven over.

Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe a paranormal romance, that also brings in a little Christmas cheer to the book, tests the will and romances of all characters involved. As the first in the Mystic Isle series, Fangs, Fur & Mistletoe sets up the first of several more books revolving around this paranormal playground. Expect more books centered around Mystic Island in 2013.

- Links -

Goodreads | Selena Blake