REVIEW: Entwined by Fate by S.A. Price

ISBN 978-1-60767-077-3

Series: American Ophidians, Book 1

(c) 2010, Tease Publishing

S.A. Price's website

Buy Links (ebook): All Romance Ebooks

"A fabulous world about sexy snake shifters, action, adventure and romance!"

Elise Rizdon has long believed her mate John Merrick to have perished fifteen years ago while on a mission. But missing women and an evil cult threatening the American Ophidians' existence brought him out of hiding and into her life again. Having made a life for herself all these years, Elise didn't know whether she dared trust him once more and risk having her heart broken all over again.

S.A. Price created a fabulous, believable world about sexy snake shifters (ophidians) and the evil that stalked them. Action and adventure, subterfuge and political machinations peppered the entire book. Elise's position, for example, as Archon (leader) was undermined due to the appearance of John Merrick, leaving her with conflicting feelings about his re-emergence from the dead, not the least of which was betrayal at his long silence.

The main romance centered around Elise and Merrick, with two secondary romances featuring their "subjects". I felt that the book at 144 pages (uncorrected ARC) was too short to give justice to the development of the romances, especially the secondary ones, which didn't feature much conflict, or if there was, it was solved quite easily. Another issue I had with the story was how easily the main villain (Christof) perished and not even at the hands of the good guys (no satisfaction for the reader after the build-up throughout the story). Even the ensuing possibility that he might not be dead and then was confirmed so was done in the background. Nevertheless, I find myself caught up in the story and rooting for the good guys, hoping they'll be able to defeat the bad guys in time to rescue the missing women.

Rating: 3 stars

Buy Links (ebook): All Romance Ebooks 

* Note: The review copy was supplied by the author.

REVIEW: Savage Lessons by Moira Rogers

ISBN 978-1-60521-355-2

Series: Temple of Luna, Book 3

(c) January 2010, Changeling Press

Moira Rogers' website

Buy Links (ebook): Changeling Press

"Incredibly hot, with more than a touch of romance!"

Growing up poor, Lexa wanted to attain the position of high priestess as a way to gain financial security. Her rise through the ranks of priestesses was meteoric and even Celine, the current high priestess, was impressed and meant for her to be the successor. As a final test for Lexa's qualification, she has to be trained by Dejan, a half-feral wolf feared by many.

Something magical happened between them and Lexa was able to shatter his control, thus passing his test. However, their need for each other didn't abate, and though it was forbidden for a trainer and a priestess to continue to have dealings with each other, they were unable to keep away, until their secret trysts threatened to hurt the warriors they were supposed to protect. Not only that, but Lexa's ambition may also come between them.

The Temple of Luna series just keeps getting better and better! I like how each book thus far presents a heroine with a different station or function in the temple, such that taken as a whole, we are able to gain an overall perspective on the workings of the temple. For example, Avani in Savage Possession is a novice, Zahra in Savage Need is more healer than priestess, and Lexa is a novice with enough ambition to jump straight to priestess and here, in this book, we are also introduced to the concept of trainers giving lessons to the novices and teaching them the proper way to handle warriors.

I would have to say that this book is the hottest thus far of the three, because Lexa's and Dejan's need for each other just jumps right off the page, especially in their first intimate scene. After Lexa became a priestess, you can feel their angst and desperation as they engaged in their trysts, especially Dejan, wanting to claim Lexa yet knowing he couldn't. Despite the hotness, this story is also very romantic and toward the end, a slight poignant quality lends it a hint of vulnerability to touch the heart.

I'm sad though that there's only one last book in the series! Still, it's coming in March 2010, which I think features Celine.

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Links (ebook): Changeling Press


* Note: The review copy is supplied by the author.

REVIEW: Savage Need by Moira Rogers

ISBN 978-1-60521-241-8

Series: Temple of Luna, Book 2

(c) 2009, Changeling Press

Moira Roger's website

Buy Links (ebook): Changeling Press, Fictionwise

"Wildly romantic, sweetly poignant, not to be missed!"

Zahra is a priestess and healer at the Temple of Luna, but mainly a healer. Priestesses take care of the savage needs of the werewolf warriors, and as a healer, she heals her fellow priestesses and anyone else in need. Her services becomes sorely needed by Jarek, whose mind was shattered by a traumatic event.

Jarek is known for being an excellent and coolheaded healer, trained in both werewolf magic and human medicines. But when an injury left him with no knowledge of himself or his family, the only thing he had to go on was the familiar scent of the woman he longed to claim.

Bree and Donna, the writing team that is Moira Rogers, write hot, compelling stories, as they continue the story they began in Savage Possession, the first book in the series. Savage Need, despite the title, is a very romantic story, especially the scene after Jarek recovered his senses. Jarek just about tears my heart apart, with his pain and vulnerability. I like Zahra much, much more than Avani, the heroine in Savage Possession. Her submission to Jarek is very sexy and sweet, exactly what he needed to heal. In fact, there's a rather poignant quality to Zahra's and Jarek's relationship and their interaction with each other that touched the heart.

I'm glad there will be more Temple of Luna books in the future, the next one coming in January 2010. Not much waiting left!

Readers should take note that this title contains scenes of bondage and dominance.

Rating: 5 stars

Buy Links (ebook): Changeling Press, Fictionwise

REVIEW: Serengeti Heat by Vivi Andrews

ISBN 978-1-60504-613-6

Series: Serengeti Shifter Series, Book 1
(c) 2009, Samhain Publishing

Vivi Andrews' website

Buy Links (ebook): Samhain Publishing, Fictionwise, Barnes and Noble Ebook

"Fabulously well-done lion shifter story, full of heat and romance!"

Ava Minor is secretly in love with Landon King, the alpha of her pride, for months. However, buoyed by her own insecurities, she avoids him, thinking he'd never notice a small lioness like her.

Landon doesn't know Ava existed, until the night her heat draws him, and all he could think of is to make her his. She may be good for a tumble, but when it comes time for him to pick a lioness as mate, who would he choose?

Serengeti Heat is a fabulously well-done lion shifter story, full of heat and romance. I have to admit, it's Ava's angst that drew me in, and the thought of a small beta lioness felling a powerful alpha male like Landon is darn nigh impossible to resist. Happily, Vivi Andrews is a master at her craft, and Serengeti Heat keeps me on a contented afterglow for hours after I finished reading it.

Though Ava is a beta, she's not a pushover, and we see the sparks in her personality that caused Landon to admire her. Yet, the pride holds fast to traditional ways and values. How could Landon convince the pride that the mate of his heart is good for the group and their progress? I won't tell you, since that will spoil the story for you.

The one thing that bothered me in this otherwise perfect story is the return of the two malcontents. I feel that that scene could've been handled in a more satisfactory manner. However, this small thing is not enough to hinder my enjoyment in reading this story. This is a short, fun read that is good for that two hours—or three—in the afternoon when you're bored and want to find some exciting story to read.

Rating: 4.5 stars

Buy Links (ebook): Samhain Publishing, Fictionwise, Barnes and Noble Ebook