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Showing posts with label Stephanie Tyler. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Stephanie Tyler. Show all posts
Friday, July 5, 2013
Review: Dire Desires by Stephanie Tyler
Dire Desires
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Release Date: July 2, 2013
Publisher: Signet
Eternal Wolf Clan #3
ISBN: #978-0451240019
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Jinx is a Dire wolf without a pack. Kicked out of the house by his king, and living with a vampire named Jez, Jinx has been trying to undo the damage he unintentionally caused during the reign of the Dire ghost army, which unleashed some of Purgatory’s worst monsters on the world at large. But when he hears that an unshifted Were is being held in a psychiatric hospital, he immediately drops everything to help her.
Gillian Black has no idea what’s happening to her—and Jinx discovers that she’s not just any Were, but a Dire wolf from the original Greenland pack. He helps her escape and promises to keep her safe from the men—and the wolves—who are hunting her and to teach her everything about being a wolf.
He must also fight his feelings, wanting to claim her as his mate…at least until after he defeats the supernatural enemies that threaten all of them.
What I’m talking about:
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Gillian Black has been institutionalized for much of her teen years. Never knowing what was wrong, only that she didn’t fit, she yearns to run free, naked in the woods. When Dire wolf Jinx and vampire Jez investigate monster sightings at the institution, they discover Gillian and realize that she is a Dire wolf on the verge of shifting for the very first time.
Almost feral in nature, Gillian sees Jinx as an opportunity to escape, but doesn’t trust that he’ll keep her safe. The pair make it out of the hospital and to the Dire mansion, where the rest of the Dire clan welcome Gillian. However, she only feels comfortable with Jinx, so when he leaves, she escapes and follows him.
The third book of the Eternal Wolf Clan series starts at a fast pace and doesn’t slow down for quite a while. Not only do we learn about Gillian, but the story attempts to bring the reader up to speed with all of the happenings since the last book. One thing about this series is that there are always a few side stories that are featured almost as prominently as the “main storyline.” While I mostly enjoy this, sometimes it makes reading the story difficult to follow. For example, the first few chapters were choppy and the dialogue sometimes too vague, and if I didn't know the background it would have been tough to follow. But a recap was laid out and everything "big" from the previous two books was mentioned, so newcomers to the series could probably pick up Dire Desires without having read the first two books.
Even with the few difficulties I experienced reading the opening chapters, the storyline was pretty engrossing, and I really enjoyed the book overall. And after the first six or seven chapters, that roughness seemed to disappear, and the story flowed more smoothly.
I adored Gillian and Jinx. The fact that she is a full-blooded Dire (the first female one in the stories thus far) added dimension to her character and allowed the author to create a wonderful match between Gillian and Jinx. She was his equal (or better) physically, and her innocence and naivety never were the cause for Gillian to make poor decisions. The pair were sweet and romantic, but also hot and sexy.
The fact that Gillian was institutionalized for so long and that her parents are willing to pay an exorbitant ransom for her return when they have been so blatantly ignoring her creates quite the mystery. Trying to discover Gillian’s past and following her as she tries to remain free creates some suspense and a lot of excitement. The storyline was very entertaining.
As I mentioned earlier, there are other side storylines that are featured in Dire Desires. While it created some confusion for me at first, I enjoyed all of them. I won’t take the time to go into each, but I want to mention a couple that I discussed in my reviews of the earlier books. First, there is quiet a bit on the weres, and Liam’s quest to fulfill is place as king and reunited his packs. Together with the twins Cyd and Cain (who were trained by the Dires), the trio mature and make significant headway on their quest. Second, ex-FBI agent Angus Black is back in town, changed from his experiences detailed in the past two books. I am really happy with the direction his character is heading, and I enjoyed every moment he was featured on the pages. Well, there is one exception that comes at the very end of the book. Let’s just say I am EXTREMELY unhappy with the turn of events because Angus is left in a bit of a cliffhanger situation; however, I’m willing to overlook it for now, depending on the outcome in the next story. Even with that, both of these side stories add significant depth and interest to the book overall.
The conclusion of Gillian’s storyline was satisfactory, although a bit easy when it comes to her parents, but overall very enjoyable. As I mentioned above, some of the side stories are left open-ended, and there was an epilogue that I believe sets up the next book.
Overall I enjoyed Dire Desires, and it’s my favorite of the series thus far. Gillian and Jinx make a great pair. I liked the conflict caused by Gillian's parents and her perceived mental illness. I loved Cain and Angus, and I liked the heroic nature of vampire Jez. One great thing about the book is that much of the previous open-ended nature of the series was brought forth and either concluded, or there was significant progress made in a positive direction. Although I was not happy with what happened to Angus at the end of the book, overall Dire Desires is a wonderful read.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Reviews in the Series:
Wednesday, May 15, 2013
New Release from Shiloh Walker & Sydney Croft
For those who are regulars here you know how much I LOVE the ACRO series by Sydney Croft. I was overjoyed when I found out that the writing team of Larissa Ione and Stephanie Tyler were reviving Sydney and would be release two novellas this spring.
Well guess what... The first release is out now!! That's right, you can pick up Code Word: Storm now!!
BUT WAIT... there is more!!!
It gets better! I just learned that the release also contains a novella from another one of my favorite authors, Shiloh Walker! Her novella, Don't Walk Away is included in the new release, Deadly Desires. These are two stories originally published as part of the Mammoth Book of Hot Romance.
For more details, see Shiloh's website.
I'm off to go pick up my copy now!!
Well guess what... The first release is out now!! That's right, you can pick up Code Word: Storm now!!BUT WAIT... there is more!!!
It gets better! I just learned that the release also contains a novella from another one of my favorite authors, Shiloh Walker! Her novella, Don't Walk Away is included in the new release, Deadly Desires. These are two stories originally published as part of the Mammoth Book of Hot Romance.
For more details, see Shiloh's website.
I'm off to go pick up my copy now!!
Friday, April 12, 2013
Winner: Surrender by Stephanie Tyler
The winner of the eBook copy of SURRENDER by Stephanie Tyler is
Shari the Delighted Reader
Please send me an email at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com so I can forward it to Ms. Tyler.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Shari the Delighted Reader
Please send me an email at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com so I can forward it to Ms. Tyler.
Thank you and Happy Reading!
Thursday, April 4, 2013
Review & Giveaway: Surrender by Stephanie Tyler
Surrender
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Signet
Section 8 Book #1
ISBN: #978-0451413499
Genre: Military Suspense Romance
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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DESPERATE, FEARLESS, AND HUNTED.
For former Navy SEAL Dare O’Rourke, Section 8 was legendary. The son of one of its missing members, he grew up in the shadow of its secrets. All he knew was that it was a cabal of operatives discharged from branches of the military and reassigned to extremely dangerous, off- the-books international missions. And that their handler was as shrouded in mystery as the missions themselves.
NOTHING CAN STOP THEM. NOTHING CAN BREAK THEM.
Now the handler of Section 8 has given orders to kill any remaining members, along with their families. Dare must save his long-lost half sister, Avery, whom he was never meant to meet. Determined to fight for their lives and find their missing father, Dare and Avery bring together for one last mission those who are in danger because of their relationship to Section 8—to avenge their families and to survive.
What I’m talking about:
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Twenty years ago, there was a secret CIA black ops team called Section 8. When one of their own was killed in action, the team was dissolved. Yet they kept in touch, kept doing the dangerous missions. Somewhere, somehow one of those missions put them on the wrong side of a dangerous man, and now all of the remaining members of Section 8 and their families are being hunted and eliminated.
Dare is son of the original Section 8 leader, Darius. He has lived his life on the edge, trying to stay alive. He knew his life was over when he was set up, tortured and left for dead in the jungle until a Ranger saved him.
Avery is Dare’s half sister... Also daughter of Darius, although she never met him or Dare. She is wanted for murdering two men who appear to be related to Section 8. Because of this, Dare is called in to protect his sister and save them from the continue threat to anyone that knows about Section 8.
After the first couple of chapters in Surrender, you may feel the need to take a breath and slow down your heart. That is how fast things move in the this novel. Within the next few chapters we meet the rest of the key players: Jem, a super crazy CIA black ops master; his brother Key, who busted Jem out of the mental institute and is the Ranger who rescued Dare from the jungle; Gunner, a secretive tattoo artist that seems to be someone who can make things happen; and Grace, the daughter of the original Section 8 handler.
Although there is a lot of information to take in, the first part of the story flows well and the tension remains high. I enjoyed meeting all of the players and learning how they were interconnected. It was also fun to speculate who would do what next. Right from the start, I liked every one of the characters.
There are many shifting POVs in Surrender, but the HEA hero and heroine are Dare and Grace. The pair start on opposite sides but both quickly realize they are better off working together. They both have suffered a lot of horrors in their past, yet neither are so broken that they cannot move on and recognize the good in the other. I enjoyed that Grace and Dare came together sooner than later and put everything on the table, including past hurt. For the most part they were emotionally honest and upfront which made their relationship comfortable and sexy.
Although I did enjoy the many POVs, including that from the antagonist midway through the book, the shifting views sometimes created the feeling of choppiness within the flow of the story. Ultimately, I think this impacted my ability to emotionally connect with some of the characters. Additionally, I felt like I missed critical interactions sometimes - either that or they were missing from the story all together. It seemed like suddenly when I was reading I started missing connections and getting lost. Things would happen and I'd question how I arrived at that point - like I missed a preceding scene or two. I wasn’t sure if I missed scenes, and it was hard for me to go back and determine because of the shifting POVs.
The entire book was intense and I enjoyed the action and direction of the story. Ms. Tyler's use of shifting POV can be tough sometimes, but it makes for an exciting and interesting ride - always in the mind of someone new. It helps paint a broader, more in-depth picture.
With that said, I seemed to get lost and my interest waned during the second half of the story. The first two-thirds had me captivated - learning all of the players and how they are all connected. It was a lot of information, but told to the reader in an exciting and enjoyable way.
I did enjoy Grace and Dare - It would have been nice to spend some more time focusing on the pair. They both survived horrible ordeals in their past yet, are fairly well-adjusted and stable (within the boundaries of this world). You just have to accept that they are emotionally and mentally able to be in a healthy relationship in spite of their pasts. I like that they are mostly upfront and don't spend a lot of time hiding behind false pretenses.
The team on whole is full of great characters. Although they like to categorize themselves into stereotypical roles, they really don't fit any molds. And as "crazy" as they all claim to be, they fit well together.
Surrender is certainly the set up novel for more adventures to come. Ms. Tyler packed a lot of information into the book and created a backstory for the characters so they can move forward. Knowing how much I love Ms. Tyler's Shadow Ops series, I am certain that Section 8 is heading for some exciting adventures that I look forward to reading.
My Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
GIVEAWAY: for a chance to win an eBook of Surrender, leave a comment for Stephanie at the end of her interview HERE. NOTE: you will NOT be entered to win by leaving a comment on this post!
Reviews in the Series:
Lonely is the Night (Shadow Force #5, Section 8 prequel)
Author Interview & Giveaway: Stephanie Tyler
Today I have the honor of bringing to you one of my favorite authors, Stephanie Tyler. New York Times Bestselling author Stephanie Tyler writes what she loves to read - romantic suspense novels starring military heroes and paranormal romance novels, all complete with happy endings. She also co-writes as Sydney Croft. She lives in New York with her husband, her kids and her crazy Weimaraner, Gus.
Please help me welcome Stephanie toThat’s What I’m Talking About.
Twimom: Stephanie, welcome back to the blog. You’ve been missed!
Stephanie: Thanks Jen!!! I’ve been busy writing (which is a good thing)!
Twimom: Yes! That is a good thing! So let’s talk about hunky, intense military men... We last heard from the boys of the Shadow Force back in October 2011. What have they of been up to?
Stephanie: Well, Reid’s story, Lonely is the Night, just released in March 2013! [Jen’s review HERE.] It’s a long novella that finally gives readers closure on Reid and Grier’s romance. You’ll also catch up with the rest of the guys and find out how the Shadow Force series ties in with the Section 8 series, thanks to one particular character (more on him in the next answer!).
Twimom: Your current release, Surrender, is the first story in a new series. What is Section 8 about and how does it tie into the Shadow Force?
Stephanie: Section 8 is about the fallout / families of a group of former military personnel who were brought together to create a secret Black Ops group. Surrender is Dare’s story – his father was one of the original Section 8 members and Dare finds himself hunted because of his father’s involvement. So Dare, his half sister Avery and several others who have an indirect involvement in Section 8 must find a way to work together to save themselves and one another. Gunner is a character you’ll meet in Surrender and he’s the tie-in character for the Shadow Force series. Gunner and Reid are friends and have worked together in the past. Actually, Gunner once saved Reid’s life.
Twimom: Can you tell us your future plans for the Section 8 series?
Stephanie: I’ve just finished book 2, Unbreakable, and that’s Gunner’s book And I still have to write about brothers Jem and Key, so lots of intrigue and lots of romance.
Twimom: Larissa Ione said “No one writes a bad-boy hero like Tyler.” I have to agree. What is so appealing about a man that lives outside of societal norms?
Stephanie: I was literally just telling Larissa yesterday that that’s my favorite quote ever! I just find that most bad boys are typically the most loyal and honorable men – they live by their own code of honor and this sometimes puts them at odds with society and the rules that have been created. Men who push the limits, who challenge the rules in order to save people are always the most interesting to write about.
Twimom: What do you find most challenging when creating your heroes and/or writing their points-of-view?
Stephanie: Really, nothing That’s my absolute favorite part of the book – the hero’s point of view! They always come to me most clearly.
Twimom: I always love to find out what my favorite authors are reading... What is your favorite book you read during 2012? What is your most anticipated read coming in 2013?
Stephanie: I really enjoyed Beautiful Disaster by Jamie McGuire, and I’m actually really looking forward to Walking Disaster by her (which I believe came out the same day as Surrender)…because hello, hero’s pov? I can’t wait to see what she does with it. I feel like it will break the story open in a different way and what an awesome idea to have the same exact story from another character’s point of view!
Twimom: Stephanie, once again thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourself and your writing. It was wonderful chatting with you again.
Stephanie: You too, Jen!!! Thanks so much for having me back! And I’d love the chance to giveaway an eCopy of Surrender (Kindle or Nook) to one of your readers All they have to do is comment and answer your question of favorite read of 2012 and most anticipated read of 2013!
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Wednesday, April 3, 2013
Review: Lonely is the Night by Stephanie Tyler
Lonely is the Night
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Release Date: March 5, 2013
Publisher: Signet
Shadow Force #5
Section 8 prequel
Genre: Military Suspense Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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Recently retired Delta Force Operator Reid Cormier utilizes his special skills by working black ops jobs all around the world with his former teammates and their wives. Reid’s career keeps him busy, but he can’t get his last job—or the woman involved—out of his head.
US Marshall Grier Vanderhall faked her own death without telling Reid of the plan first, and he couldn’t forgive her duplicity. But when Reid learns that Grier has been kidnapped by a dangerous ring of criminals, he drops everything and heads to New Orleans to rescue her. And while Reid knows that his skills make him the best option to get Grier back, he’s not sure if this mission will give them another chance—or get them both killed.
What I’m talking about:
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US Marshal Grier Vanderhall bucked her socialite upbringing to bury herself in law enforcement. She sees things in black and white, which is why it never would have worked out with black ops soldier, Reid Cormier. His way of life--living outside the law--was too much for Grier, and the pair went their separate ways after Grier faked her death in Night Moves (Book 4 of Shadow Force).
Now Grier is ready for what should be an easy job - protecting Benji who is set to testify in a highly-watched case stemming from the world of underground fight clubs. However, it appears that Benji isn't ready to part ways with his former life. When Grier goes missing, her partner Jack calls in Reid for help.
Oh how I have missed the men and women of the Shadow Force. While Night Moves was a wonderful wrap up for many aspects of the series, poor Reid and Grier parted on terrible terms. It is wonderful for long-time fans of the series to finally see these two have their HEA. However, you do not need to have read the earlier books to enjoy Lonely is the Night. The story is independent from the other books in the series and can be read solo.
Ms. Tyler is a master at putting her characters in impossible situations, ones that make you want to give up and walk away, and just when you think it can't get worse, she unveils her plan for a happy ending. Lonely is the Night is another suspenseful nail-bitter, breaking the characters down to their lowest before allowing them to rise above the fray.
The novella is chocked full of little nuggets and guest appearances from the first four books in the series, making it a fun walk down memory lane. There are also a few new characters that had me wondering which would appear in Ms. Tyler’s new series, Section 8 (stop back tomorrow for my interview with Steph and a giveaway of Surrender, the first Section 8 book).
There were points in the novella I felt a little confused or that the action was rushed, but since this is a shorter-length story, it is to be expected. I was a little disappointed at the almost gloss-over of the final trial and ending, which effectively killed the building suspense for the moment. However, it is a satisfying ending and on the whole, an entertaining story.
Overall, I delighted in finally getting to see Reid and Grier together and the men of the Shadow Force all content. It was a good conclusion to the series, although I do wish it'd been full length. I'm guessing the next series will follow Grier's former partner, Jack and possibly Reid's friend, Keegan. (Note, this was my guess prior to reading Surrender. The neither of these characters appeared in the first Section 8 book, but I’m hoping we’ll see them again.) If you are new to Ms. Tyler’s work, this is a great taste of her writing; however she is even better at full length.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - recommend (A-)
Reviews in the Series:
Monday, November 26, 2012
Review: Dire Wants by Stephanie Tyler
Dire Wants
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Release Date: Nov. 6, 2012
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Eternal Wolf Clan #2
ISBN: #978-0451238467
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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The supernatural world is rising up against the human one. The weretrappers want control, and only the immortal Dire wolves stand in the way of total destruction. Stray, a Dire, and his long-lost brother, Killian, emerge as the leaders of their pack. To keep themselves and the humans safe, the Dires need a witch as powerful as Seb, who betrayed the Dires to work for the weretrappers.
They find what they are looking for in Kate, a human who survived a horrible car accident that left her back scarred with a handprint no one else can see. Stray senses Kate's abilities as a witch and recruits her to help the Dires — all the while knowing she is so powerful they will need to kill her once she helps defeat the weretrappers.
Stray doesn't expect the powerful connection that he feels with Kate, or his irresistible need to protect her. They cannot hide their feelings for each other, and what once was taboo now seems inevitable…
What I’m talking about:
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Dire Wants is the second story in Ms. Tyler’s wolf-shifter series, The Eternal Wolf Clan. The overall story centers around the Dire Wolves, a small group of immortal wolf-shifters, each with special abilities, that are burdened with protecting the earth and humans from the evil paranormals, such as witches and demons. They differ from regular weres in that they cannot be killed, are stronger and more violent-natured, and are governed by a mythical god-like group known as the Elders. This story picks up immediately after the first book, Dire Needs.
Our book opens with a brief prologue giving the reader a snapshot into the childhood of our heroine, Kate. Clearly she’s gifted with some sort of “powers,” and her mother abuses Kate, claiming Kate is doing the devil’s work. Kate’s life changes dramatically the day she survives a massive car accident that takes the lives of her parents.
We flash forward to current day where Kate is unknowingly being used by Leo Shimmin, ring leader of a warped group of weretrappers bent on destroying the Dires and using the weres to take over the humans. Kate is rescued by Dire Brother, Stray, who finds an instant bond to Kate. He immediately recognizes that she is a witch of great power, even though Kate doesn’t have a clue about the supernatural world. Stray brings her into the Dire fold, where trust is an issue, since witches and Dires do not normally get along (especially after the Dires were betrayed by their good friend and witch, Seb).
Much like its predecessor Dire Needs, Dire Wants is full of information about the overall mythology, coupled with several characters and subplots. The first few chapters felt a bit like an information dump. The names and characters were a bit much to follow at times, but I was able to manage my way through. In the scenes that focused on interactions between the Dire brothers, the dialogue felt insincere, strained, choppy and rough. The scenes and locations shifted often, adding to confusion and the incohesive feel. However, once the story moved back to Kate and focused less on backstory, it smoothed out.
I enjoyed the pairing of Stray and Kate. Although I felt the expression of feelings of love came way too quickly (for Stray), I did like their instant connection. I enjoyed their ability to open themselves to each other, and find a friendship and peace together. The scenes when the pair discover that Stray is Kate’s “familiar” are some of my favorites. Although they couldn’t/didn’t consummate their relationship for most of the book, their scenes were still very steamy. However, as much as I enjoyed them as a couple, I was disappointed with how their coupling was ultimately received by the Elders (It is a known “fact” that mating can only occur with a Dire female).
One of the more critical subplots of the story was the return of Stray’s brother, Killian, whose existence was kept secret by Stray until recently. There is a Dire prophecy that involves two brothers with dangerous abilities, and Stray and Killian seem to fit the bill. In the end, I don’t feel that the prophecy has much baring on the storyline; however, learning more about the brother’s history is worthwhile.
The biggest threat to the Dires and humanity is the increasing power of the weretrappers. Leo controls a demon-possessed Seb, who has raised the Dire Ghost Army using dark magic. The army consists of the dead ancestors of the Dire brotherhood, and these ghosts blame their deaths on the current generation. Their violent ways and thirst for destruction have only increased since their deaths, and they are ready to destroy the brotherhood. (Which is why having Kate around is so critical - it is believed she alone can stop Seb.)
Throughout the book, there are a few interesting twists and surprises, but non more spectacular than the mutual attraction between FBI agent Angus and werewolf Cain. Let me tell you now that I want MORE of these two mismatched men. Their chemistry was raw and honest, and I couldn’t get enough. I hope we see more of this promising yet difficult relationship in future books.
One surprise that I wasn’t too keen on is the fact that pretty much the entire overall story arc wrapped up in this, the second book. I felt that the series was building towards something massively spectacular and was shocked to see so much of it be solved and concluded by the end of Dire Wants. I’m happy with the way things ended, but a little disappointed in how easily and quickly it all came to be. The third book, Dire Desires, is scheduled for a July 2013 release, so I hope the story will shift to focus more on the turmoil within the were packs and away from the Dires.
Overall, even with the ups and downs, I enjoyed the mythology created by Ms. Tyler in her Eternal Wolf Clan series. I liked the connection between Stray and Kate, and the fact that he is her "familiar" helped emphasize the "fated pair" idea. Although I was on the fence about having so much wrapped up after only two books, I look forward to seeing what happens next, especially from the weres and Angus and Cain. The book has some good storylines, but sometimes there was just too much going on and the choppiness made it hard to follow. In the end, although it took a while to get into, the second half of Dire Wants went more smoothly, and I’m definitely in for another round.
My Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Reviews in the Series:
Friday, March 9, 2012
Review: Dire Needs
Dire Needs
Author: Stephanie Tyler
Release Date: March 6, 2012
Publisher: Signet Eclipse
Eternal Wolf Clan #1
ISBN: #978-0451236234
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (400 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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The full moon is their mistress. They are predators of pleasure and pain. Feared by humans, envied by werewolves, the Dire Wolves are immortal shifters, obeying no laws but their own bestial natures. Once they were many, but now only six remain, a dangerous wolfpack forever on the hunt…
Rifter leads the pack, embracing the lifestyle and ethics of an outlaw biker even as he battles an ancient enemy who has become a new, powerful force. But with his Brother Wolf raging inside him, howling to be unleashed, he needs to satisfy his hungers. And when he meets a drop-dead gorgeous blonde drinking alone in a bar that caters to both human and inhuman, Rifter’s primal instinct is to claim her.
Gwen has her own desires, long unfulfilled. She hopes a passionate night with the leather-clad, Harley-riding biker will ease her suffering. The seizures that have wracked her body her entire life are incurable—and they’re killing her.
But none of that will matter if Rifter can’t stop the growing threat to them all — trappers who are determined to enslave humankind and use the Dire wolves as part of their nefarious plan.
What I’m talking about:
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The story opens with Rifter, leader of the Dire Wolf Pack (a type of wolf shifter), commenting on his urge for a woman and to run wild. He cruises in on his Harley, wearing his leather, and heading to a bar. Can you say BAD BOY?! Yes, he is over six-feet of pure smexy man! The first chapter of Dire Needs was one of the best I’ve read in a while. I love a book that opens with the needs of running and f*cking! When Rifter spots our heroine, Gwen, the scene is electric. The instant steam generated between Gwen and Rifter is tangible. The story gets right to the point. Our hero is all alpha male and mmm... so swoon-worthy. The instant the book begins, you know you are in for a great ride (on his bike, come on, what did you think I meant?)
The story itself revolves around a group of six Dire Wolves (the last of their kind), a pack of “regular” werewolves, some outlaw weres, humans that hunt the weres and Dires (known as weretrappers), some evil witches, and a group of god-like “elder” Dires. Basically, there is a power struggling going on between the Dires, outlaw weres and witches. Some weres want to come out to the world (and rule the humans). They have aligned themselves with their enemies (weretrappers and witches) to take down the Dires, who are the natural leaders, peacekeepers and protectors of humans. Sound like a lot to deal with? At times it can be...
I really enjoyed the overall story and the new mythology created by Ms. Tyler. However, I felt the story got bogged down by too much world-building and repetition of the “historical facts.” I understand the need to layout the new world in a first book; however, I wish that this story had narrowed the focus on only a couple of the pieces... Gwen and Rifter and her origins, with a little less of the overall history and the entire bad guy population. A little less about each individual Dire. It would have made for a smoother read. I was also confused on the Dire’s historical timeline. Some sort of chart that includes the major events that have occurred would be useful.
Even with my frustration with the volume of information presented, the book had many great aspects. In this new world, the Dires’ wolf halves are individual entities within the human body. The “Brother” and “Sister” wolves have a separate presence within each Dire and can communicate wants/feelings/instincts to the human part.
Another wonderful part is the character, Seb. He was once Rifter’s best friend, but now is the leader of the witches. His betrayal has had a profound effect on the leader of the Dires and adds superb conflict to the storyline. Since we are privy to Seb’s POV, the reader understands that things are not so black and white for Seb, and I imagine Seb is going to be my favorite tortured soul in this series.
I also want to mention that I LOVED the nod to Larissa Ione’s Demonica Series (mention of UGH and Eidolon!)
This book was reminiscent of another favorite of mine, Dark Lover by JR Ward. A reluctant leader falling for an apparent human (who turns out to be more), the “brothers” living together in a massive compound and driving fancy vehicles, and the list goes on... Although there are a handful of similarities, Dire Needs is its own unique story. Dark Lover kicked off a great series... I think Dire Needs will do the same for the Eternal Wolf Clan.
My Rating:
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Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
I want to take a moment to comment of the condition of some of the e-ARCs I receive from NetGalley. This has bugged me as of late and really came to head with this book. Many times, and specifically for this story, books are ill-formatted (I have the books delivered directly to my Kindle). There are no pauses or breaks when changing scenes or POVs, for example. This is not the fault of the author, and I don't consider it a factor in review; however it can significantly diminish the quality of the read. It makes a book difficult to read, especially one like this with multiple POVs and quickly changing scenes. Since I am familiar with Ms. Tyler's writing style, I was was able to work through it, but there were times I was confused. I honestly think it was the way the e-ARC was formatted and NOT because of the author’s storytelling. I hope that as more publishers turn to e-ARCs (which I LOVE), that there will be more consideration for the formatting of the text when converted to the e-book.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Review: Night Moves
Night MovesAuthor: Stephanie Tyler
Release Date: October 4, 2011
Publisher: Dell
Shadow Force #4
ISBN: #978-0440423058
Genre: Military Suspense Romance
Format(s): Paperback (368 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book: |
Kell Roberts has walked the thin line between life and death for so long that it now feels like home. He is a soldier, a survivor, and a loner. Still, Kell cannot turn his back on the beautiful woman caught in his firefight against the drug lords of Mexico. She says her name is Teddie, but Kell senses there’s much more to her story—and it’s about to pull him into a mission he didn’t sign on for: keeping her alive.
Teddie Lassiter knows this lean, mean rescuer just saved her life, but the steel glint behind those soft gray eyes seem to be hiding something deep. The men after Teddie are deadly, but the man who holds her life in his hands and tempts her with his wicked touch is even more dangerous. He could make her dream about living and loving again. And if they can survive, maybe, just maybe, they can stop fighting the world and each other—and simply surrender.
What I’m talking about: |
Welcome to the high-stakes, fast-paced world of the Shadow Force! Ms. Tyler’s fourth installment is an exciting suspense mystery with multiple layers that all feed into one fantastic ride!
The story picks up not long after “band of brothers” that compromise “Shadow Force” (some current and some ex-military) are finally reunited in upstate New York. Their adventures thus far were chronicled in the first three books; however, you could easily pick up this story and read it on its own merits. The men and their women have been through some rough times, but things are about to get worse when a dangerous enemy of their leader, Dylan, resurfaces, vowing to destroy all that Dylan holds dear. Meanwhile, Kell and his best friend/partner, Reid, are on a covert operation in Mexico to assassinate a drug lord. Things go haywire when a near-death Teddie runs into the middle of their operation.
Teddie has her own problems to overcome. A runaway from the Witness Protection Program, she went to Mexico to find the men who murdered her family and prove her deceased father is innocent of the heinous crimes he is suspected of committing. When she is saved by Kell and Reid, she isn’t sure if she can trust the men who are just as dangerous as those out to kill her.
Night Moves starts off kicking and doesn’t slow down for very long. The multiple story lines intermingle and gel superbly. As someone who has read the previous books in this series, I will say that the book almost had a “last hurrah” kind of feeling; however after completing the book, I know this wasn’t the end. The men all band together and fight the common enemy. It’s very much and “all for one and one for all” situation. Not to mention the story has several nail-biter scenes that kept me glued to the book, completing the emotional piece that had me thinking the series would end here.
Kell and Teddie are a good match. Per the usual, both have pasts haunted with sorrow and regret. They are two lost souls searching for truth and justice, brought together because of circumstance, but staying together because of an intense (and immediate) connection. There romance was pretty good - not over the top, but sexy and sweet. I was a little disappointed near the climax of the story when the pair were imprisoned and Kell spilled his secrets to Teddie. It was a bit too easy for me to believe years of suffering melt away because he confesses to her. After hearing about Kell in the previous book, In the Air Tonight, I would have liked to get more of his background and time he spent hunting down the enemy. I was under the impression that he was a desperate man trying to save himself by protecting others. I wanted more of that angst.
I enjoyed Crystal, Dylan’s former mentor now mortal enemy. He is one of those bad guys that you love to hate - no redeeming qualities and beyond any help. He has no conscious and will manipulate to everyone to cause the maximum suffering. He is the mastermind behind the puppet show, bringing all of the pieces of the puzzle together. He alone kept me guessing what would happen next. I felt his demise was a little to simplistic, and I was honestly disappointed to see him go. (I can always hope...)
As the book drew to a close, I realized that the story was not going to be a happy ending for all the brothers of the team. Reid has met his match in Marshall Grier Catherine Grace Vanderhall, and I’m hoping we don’t have to wait long to read their story.
My Rating: |
Books in the Series
Promises in the Dark: Shadow Force Novel 2
In the Air Tonight: Shadow Force Novel 3
Night Moves: Shadow Force Novel 4
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