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Showing posts with label JD Tyler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label JD Tyler. Show all posts
Friday, November 30, 2012
Review: Black Moon by J.D. Tyler
Black Moon
Author: J.D. Tyler
Release Date: Dec. 4, 2012
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Alpha Pack #3
ISBN: #13: 978-0451238832
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (352 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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A group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers combating the greatest dangers in the world. But sometimes those dangers are more intimate than they bargained for…
Ever since he saved Dr. Mackenzie Grant’s life, panther shifter and sorcerer Kalen Black has had trouble keeping the beautiful doctor out of his thoughts, and his heart. The brush with death awakened an intense passion between them—one that for the first time had the notorious loner letting down his guard.
With the Alpha Pack battling an evil Fae who is slowly gaining control over Kalen’s mind, Kalen can no longer trust his own actions, and he breaks off his affair with Mackenzie in order to keep her safe. But when Mackenzie learns that she is carrying Kalen’s child, no amount of danger will keep her away from the man she loves. To protect his mate and unborn child, Kalen will have to battle a terrible evil, unleash the full fury of his power, and risk destroying them all…
What G & U are talking about:
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Black Moon is the third installment in the Alpha Pack series by J.D. Tyler. In this novel, we find out the fate of Kalen (the misunderstood bad-boy) and Mackenzie (the good girl-next-door doctor) and the future of Alpha Pack as well. A major story arc is ended at the conclusion of this novel but we know there is much more to come in this series.
We were itching to read this installment of the Alpha Pack series. Kalen is the odd-duck of the group. Due to a very troubled past, he neither makes friends easily nor trusts in general. Considering that his parents kicked him out at the age of fourteen to fend for himself – he has survived much. To have been thrust into the group and suddenly told this is a safe place and to relax – is an anathema to him. Kalen is inclined to believe that anything that is too good to be true will cause great pain and suffering. Hence his wariness and sudden denouncement of Mackenzie after their very brief tryst in Black Magic, the novella that chronicles what happens to Mackenzie and Kalen on a chance night out.
Mackenzie is in some ways Kalen’s opposite. She is educated, compassionate and fun loving. However, she has her own dark reasons for being a part of the Alpha Pack. Yet, when she first laid eyes on Kalen, they both felt an instant connection. But there were many looming obstacles to their budding relationship. Besides Kalen’s distance and pessimism, Mackenzie is a decade older and she is akin to an adopted sister to the Alpha Pack. No one wants to see her harmed, physically or emotionally. As one of the doctors in the group, she helps to maintain the health and wellbeing of the soldiers and has come to be a vital part of the group. In all outwardly appearances Mackenzie and Kalen could not be more polar opposites.
Black Moon is the culmination of all of our fears and hopes as we have watched the connection between Kalen and Mackenzie develop. The evil Fae, Malik, has somehow bonded with Kalen and is trying to control him for his own nefarious purposes. Kalen is torn between the promises made by Malik and the family he thinks he may have found with the Alpha Pack. But when things that should make life better for Kalen go terribly wrong, it allows Malik to use his greatest weapon, doubt, to his advantage. Ultimately Kalen will have to decide, but will he choose the potential home and family with Alpha Pack and Mackenzie or will he sacrifice them for ultimate power?
As you can see, Black Moon is a gripping read. There are many moments where you feel things are starting to look up for Kalen, only to watch as they go terribly, terribly wrong. One element that is so central to this book is the importance of open and honest communication between people. Mackenzie’s father, General Grant, says it well when he tells her there is no good time to give bad news. Both Kalen and Mackenzie have a tendency to not share information in a timely manner, which leads to distrust and hurt between them. The course of Black Moon is almost a cha-cha; two steps forward, one step back. What keeps it from being overly frustrating or tedious is that the blame is shared between the two of them. And that we, as the reader, have the advantage of knowing what each of them is thinking and feeling. It helps to give credit to the situation and, at least kept us from screaming at them.
So much is riding on the choice that Kalen will make in Black Moon. He is an incredibly powerful sorcerer with the potential for good or evil. Kalen’s past gives him the perfect excuse to embrace his powers for his own comfort and satisfaction. For once the pre-cog leader of the team is not sure what side Kalen will choose – or even on which side his inclination lies. There is quite a buildup to the final confrontation.
Black Moon is the resolution of a major story arc. Although one element is resolved, there is so much more left at the end. In some ways it is a cliffhanger in that we have no clue what awaits us in the next novel (due out summer of 2013). However, we encourage you, if you haven’t, to pick up the Alpha Pack series. You need not read Black Magic in the course of the series, but we encourage you to do so. It is actually book 2.5 in the series, and enriches Savage Awakening along with Black Moon.
Their Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Sunday, June 10, 2012
Sunday Snippets #107
Savage Awakening
Author: J.D. TylerAlpha Pack Novel #2
Publisher: Signet
Released: April 3, 2012
REVIEW HERE
..."Look, I don't have the answers you want. I wish I did - then maybe I could help him."
For the first time, her posture slumped. "That's all I want, too. I'd just hoped . . . well, never mind. You've obviously been through the wringer and I've kept you awake. Thanks for talking with me."
"Anytime."
She turned to go and he realized he meant that - he'd like to be there if she needed him. In fact, he didn't want her to go at all, but there wasn't a good way to encourage her to stay without sounding like a creeper, what with being a stranger and Micah so sick.
Before she reached the door, she looked at him over her shoulder. "I hope you're feeling better and out of here fast."
"I feel better already," he replied softly. He held her gaze to make sure she got the message.
A quick smile, and she was gone.
Aric sagged into the pillows with a heavy sigh. "Jesus, what's wrong with me?"
Already he hated her being away from him. Where he couldn't get to know her. Touch her.
Fuck her against the wall.
Hadn't something similar happened to Jax when he'd met Kira?
"Oh, shit."
No. That was not what was wrong with him! His neglected libido was reacting to an unattached female, nothing more. Wait - was she single? He hadn't seen a ring, but that didn't mean there wasn't a boyfriend.
His wolf snarled, totally pissed off at the notion that there might be another male in her life. Someone waiting for her, wherever she was from. His lungs constricted, it became hard to breathe, and he knew one thing for sure.
He. Was. Fucked.
Wednesday, April 25, 2012
Review: Savage Awakening
Savage Awakening
Author: J. D. Tyler
Release Date: April 3, 2012
Publisher: Signet
Alpha Pack #2
ISBN: #978-0451236449
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (341 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
|
A group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers combating the greatest dangers in the world. But sometime those dangers are more intimate than they bargained for...
After a mission goes wrong, Aric Savage is taken prisoner. Half-dead and despairing, he makes a stunning discovery: his Pack mate Micah Chase, who was reported dead, is a fellow captive. When the Alpha team goes into full-rescue mode, accompanying them is an absolute stunner with sable hair--and a spine of solid steel.
LAPD officer and Psy Dreamwalker Rowan Chase has one priority: her brother Micah's recovery. Still, she can't help but be drawn to Aric, the ruggedly handsome wolf shifter who pleasures her as no man ever has--however fleeting their affair is destined to be. But when Aric's life is endangered, Rowan must ask herself what she's willing to sacrifice in the name of love, for the man fated to be her Bondmate.
What G & U are talking about:
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Savage Awakening is the second full-length novel in the Alpha Pack series. While preparing for this review, we discovered an ebook novella, Black Magic, which takes place between the first novel, Primal Law and this one. We enjoy this series enough that Una bought it. We will read it and let you know if you should read it before Savage Awakening or not. We feel that the gist of the novella is given in this book, but who wouldn’t want to read about a sexy sorcerer who shape shifts into a black panther? Exactly!
Back to our sexy wolf shifter, Aric Savage. We enjoyed his story. The Alpha Pack series is a wonderful somewhat light-hearted guilty pleasure read. Personally, for Una, it was a great escape from the emotionally charged previous readings (Devil’s Punch, Lover Reborn, Shadow’s Fall, etc). Aric is a loudmouth, sarcastic yet loyal soldier who feels completely unworthy of his pack’s acceptance or the mate he finds in tough-cop Rowen. The banter between them is funny and allows the reader some laughs. Even though Rowen’s lost brother and Aric suffer through some horrific experiences, the humor balances the novel.
Please let us warn you, this is smexy writing. The plot flows at a gentle pace, even though the sex is steamy and hot. The internal struggles that our couple face – singularly and together, give their happenstance romance grounding. Their overall story arc progresses well and the conflict resolution feels real. In fact, it is a very gripping read – partly due to the humor and partly for those (did we mention yet?) steamy moments. It is a quick and delightful read. The continuing struggle against the big bad develops well for an over-arcing story line through the novels. Each book is well paced and the overall story arc develops gradually over each novel. Which makes it very easy to follow and enjoy.
The next novel is Black Moon, and will focus again on Mac and Kalen Black – the panther/sorcerer. Needless to say, Gikany and Una cannot wait to read this next installment in the Alpha Pack novels. This is only book 2…you should really jump on this train to smexy-goodness before you have too many books to catch up on!
Their Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Sunday, August 28, 2011
Sunday Snippet #73
Primal Law by J.D. Tyler
Signet Publishing
August 2, 2011
…There, just beyond the covered patio, lying flat on her back on a quilt in the sunshine, was his woman.
And sprawled on her stomach, tiny furry legs hanging on each side of her like a cat sunning on a branch, was Chup-Chup. Unnoticed by either of them, he stopped and stared. Her little friend was making a sort of whirring, hiccup noise nobody could mistake as anything but sheer bliss. His round body, which almost resembled a baby koala bear’s, rose and fell with each breath as he dozed.
The pair was so fucking cute, he couldn’t really form the words to describe what the sight did to him. All he knew was it tightened his chest with an emotion he wasn’t ready to name. To see this creature, formerly scared and snapping at everyone, lying there so trusting and content, was a measure of her goodness. The bright light that no one was able to resist.
Including himself.
Turning her head, she spotted him standing on the porch and waved him over. “You can come closer. Just don’t make any sudden moves.”
That seemed to be true of the woman as well as Chup. Wisely, he didn’t say so. “Okay. Walking slowly.” He made his way over to where they lay and crouched. The creature hadn’t moved. “Now what?”
“Nothing. He’ll notice you soon enough and we’ll see what happens.”
“That’s reassuring.” He eyed Chup warily.
“Don’t tell me that the big bad werewolf is afraid of this little guy,” she teased.
“Shifter, not werewolf. A werewolf is that half-man thing from a B horror movie. And that ‘little guy’ can chew my face off. Have you seen those teeth?”
“Pardon me, shifter. And he won’t bite unless you startle him.” She looked entirely too amused by his trepidation.
“Then I’ll have to be sure not to startle him again, won’t I? Remember, he got me once before.” He frowned at her hands, which bore red scratches and a few bite marks. “You aren’t wearing your gloves.”
“I don’t need them anymore.”
“I’m not so sure.”
“Trust me.”
Sunday, August 14, 2011
Contest Winners
I would like to thank everyone for stopping by That’s What I’m Talking About last week for two great contests! I would also like to thank author Gerry Bartlett for her guest post and donating the $20 GC for the giveaway!
First: Gerry’s Giveaway:
Every person that commented on Gerry’s guest post was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner was selected using random.org.
The Winner:
Obscured Vixen
Second: Primal Law Giveaway:
Every person that commented on Gikany and Una’s review was entered into the contest - one entry per person. The winner was selected using random.org.
The Winner:
CrystalGB
CONGRATULATIONS to both winners!!
I’m sending each winner a message; please email me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com with your mailing address so I can send you the books! You have until Thursday August 18, 2011 (end of day) to contact me. If I don’t hear from you by then, I will draw another winner.
Look for more contests coming up in September - including some great Authors After Dark books and swag!
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Tuesday, August 9, 2011
Review and Giveaway: Primal Law
Primal LawAuthor: J. D. Tyler
Release Date: August 2, 2011
Publisher: Signet
Alpha Pack series #1
ISBN: #978-0451234346
Genre: Urban Fantasy/Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (352 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
| About the book: |
Founded by a group of former Navy SEALS, the Alpha Pack is a top-secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers tasked with eliminating the most dangerous predators in the world. But the gift of their abilities comes at a price…
After a massacre decimates half his team and leaves him crippled, Jaxon Law must relearn how to fight—and battle the anger and guilt threatening to overwhelm him. But when he rescues a beautiful woman who reawakens his primal instincts, Jax is unprepared for the dangers that lie ahead.
On the run from her employer, brilliant lab assistant Kira Locke has evidence that leads the Alpha Pack on a hunt for someone targeting human civilians with Psy abilities. And as Jax and Kira circle both the killer and each other, Jax will have to decide if the deep connection he feels with Kira is worth breaking the ultimate shifter rule—because bonding with Kira means putting his abilities at risk, and they might be the only tools he has to keep his mate alive…
| What G & U are talking about: |
Primal Law is the debut novel in the Alpha Pack series by J.D. Tyler. Gikany and Una had much discussion over this book and hope you enjoy our following review.
Una enjoyed Primal Law. She considers it up there with her other guilty pleasures (Lora Leigh’s Breeds series and J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood). For her, this is what she considers romantic-fluff fun. It’s urban fantasy with a ribbon of romance running through it. Oh, and don’t forget… lots of smexy moments, hot smexy moments are not missing in this story. However, Gikany is right…there are a few issues…but for Una, they didn’t detract from her overall enjoyment of the novel (in fact, it was difficult for her to put down).
This is the first book in a series and like most, due to world-building and introducing all the main players, the overall story arc suffers. Gikany wishes the author started the story with the team being changed in Afghanistan versus starting with the team’s betrayal which occurs years later (six months prior to where the main storyline begins). Una wonders if maybe the author is holding this back to use as a flashback for a subsequent novel. However it would have helped the world-building to have included it in Primal Law. It also has moments that are just too “easy”. To hire someone you have known for five minutes is a little far-fetched…regardless of your pre-cognitive abilities. Not to mention, you can cure depression with a five minute conversation and a hug. Again, this is why Una classifies it as fluff. There are unrealistic moments that have a tendency to be major plot points.
Una was at first reluctant to read this since it felt a bit similar (from the book blurb) to the Breeds series but it is in fact different. The mythology and characteristics of the shifters is vastly different and Primal Law has a very different feel to it. Gikany isn’t a fan of Breeds (but is hooked on BDB). We do agree that it doesn’t quite qualify as erotica, though it tries, but it is more explicit than just romance. As an urban fantasy it doesn’t measure up with our favorite series, however, it was enjoyable. Gikany had more trouble with the jarring (unrealistic) moments disrupting her enjoyment of the novel. Una had an easier time flowing over those.
Gikany will most likely read the next novel because Una is interested. Also, you can’t (usually) judge a series by the first novel so we tend to read the second book just in case. We (at least Una) look forward to reading the next book in the new Alpha Pack series, Savage Awakening due out April 2012. If you are interested in a fun, fluffy new urban fantasy series, give Primal Law a chance.
| Their Rating: |
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
GIVEAWAY: We are giving away one (1) copy of Primal Law by J. D. Tyler starting today. All you need to do is leave a comment at the end of this post to enter. You do not need to be a GFC Blog Follower, but it is appreciated. Contest is open to United States mailing addresses only. Contest runs until Friday August 12, 2011 at 9:00 PM EDT. If your email is not part of your profile, please leave it so I may contact the winner. One entry per person. One (1) winner will be selected from eligible entries using random.org. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail.
Labels:
3.5 stars,
Alpha Pack Series,
JD Tyler,
paranormal romance,
Signet,
urban fantasy
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