Wild Blue Under by Judi Fennell

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Mer, Merpeople, Magic
Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: The underwater kingdom is his as soon as he claims his queen… Rod Tritone has the looks and charm to snag any queen he wants for his Mer kingdom, but unfortunately, it’s not up to him. As fate would have it, the one woman destined to rule with him is terrified of water… She lives in land-locked Kansas and has no idea she’s a princess… Valerie Dumere thinks Rod is gorgeous and irresistible –– but why does he keep insisting she has another side to herself that only he can show her? Somehow, Rod has to prove to her who she really is. But when she finds out the truth, will she ever forgive him?

This is the second book in Judi Fennell’s Mer trilogy. We heard about Rod in Reel’s story. Rod goes off to bring Valerie from Kansas to bring her back to the sea. Valerie has no idea of her heritage from her father. As they both work together to get away from one dangerous situation after another they grow to care for each other. This is a great continuation of the Mer world. I liked the first book In Over Her Head but this book was even more enjoyable. It adds more depth to the world and we get to see another Mer fall in love. Rod is one of those brilliantly written characters that you can’t help but fall in love with. I have high hopes for the next book Catch of a Lifetime as this one only improved from the last book.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: 1402224273
Pages: 384
Series: Tritone Trilogy

Volume: 2

Heart of the Wolf by Terry Spear

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Werewolves

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: Their forbidden love may get them both killed. Red werewolf Bella flees her adoptive pack of gray werewolves when the alpha male Volan tries forcibly to claim her as his mate. Her real love, beta male Devlyn, has been out of her life for years, but comes after her when she finds herself accidentally captured by humans. Bella becomes convinced that Devlyn only wants to return her to Volan, but soon realizes that Devlyn loves her as much as she loves him, and is willing to fight Volan to the death to claim her. That problem pales, however, as a pack of red werewolves takes to killing human females in a crazed quest to claim Bella for their own. Bella and Devlyn must defeat the rogue wolves before Devlyn's final confrontation with Volan. The vulpine couple's chemistry crackles off the page, but the real strength of the book lies in Spear's depiction of pack power dynamics, as well as in the details of human-wolf interaction. His wolf world feels at once palpable and even plausible.

This is the first book in Terry Spear’s Werewolf series. Bella has long been away from the pack that she loves to stay away from an alpha who she doesn’t want. Devlyn has been searching for her since she left the pack. After a mishap they are brought back together. The story is filled with suspense, love and so much more. Both characters are perfectly matched for each other. The dialogue between them is great. While the story builds up and finally comes to a conclusion just makes for a very entertaining story. I really enjoyed reading this and can’t wait to read the next in this series, Destiny of the Wolf.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402211570

Pages: 384

Series: Heart of the Wolf

Volume: 1

In Over Her Head by Judi Fennell

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Mere People

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: To spend her life with him, she'll have to face her greatest fear... Erica Peck thought she'd never have to go into the water again. After all, there's plenty to do running her family's marina from shore without having to dive in herself. But then her unstable ex-fiance shows up with a gun and demands her help in finding a bag of rare jewels she accidentally tossed into the ocean. Unable to find them, bleeding from a grazing gunshot wound and running out of oxygen fast, she has no choice but to give herself up to the mercy of the sea. Rescued from the water and the sharks by a gorgeous merman named Reel, Erica quickly finds herself falling head over fins in love with him. And when Reel risks his life to save hers, she discovers that she doesn't want to live without him, no matter the consequences. But can they ever find a way to be together when she still can't stand the water and he can't survive on land?

In all honesty it was a nice story, something that would make a great beach book. Not so sure that I’m going to read it again. But I did like the whole idea of the Mer people. Reminded me of when I was younger and wanted to live in the sea. I did think that Erica was a little week. Even though over time she did seem to get over her fear of water. It still was somewhat fluffy. Reel is what made this book worth the read. The bad boy prince that is a Mer but has legs, breaking all the rules and not just because he means to but sometimes he’s just in the wrong place at the wrong time. If you're looking for something light and a little beach this is going to work for you.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402220014

Pages: 352

Series: Tritone Trilogy

Volume: 1

Call of the Highland Moon by Kendra Leigh Castle

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Werewolves, Magic

Sub Genre: Urban Fantasy

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: No one knows better than Gideon MacInnes how dangerous it can be to fall in love.  As the future leader of a pack of Highland werewolves who guard an ancient and powerful secret, Gideon can’t afford to bond with the wrong woman.  The bite of the werewolf is too often fatal…and never lightly given.  But on his last night in America, an unforeseen attack leaves him in the care of exactly the sort of woman he can never have.  And the only one he will ever want. Carly Silver might sell stories for a living, but she never expected one to show up on her doorstep.  While the night shows her only a beast pleading for her help, the morning light reveals a man out of her darkest dreams.  Straight out of legend and surrounded by danger, Gideon is the last man Carly should be letting into her life…even if he’s almost impossible to resist.  But trapped by an early Northern New York snowstorm, she hasn’t got anywhere to run. As the Stone of Destiny begins to work its magic beneath the Highland moon, reluctant attraction quickly deepens into something infinitely more irresistible.  But with an ancient enemy reaching across worlds in a quest for the ultimate prize, their new love isn’t the only thing that risks being destroyed.  As Gideon makes his stand for a power his people never knew they possessed, Carly must face her own deadly decision.  And if love is to survive, both must find the courage to embrace the beast within.  Because the moon is calling, and there are things beyond imagining waiting in the darkness for them both.

This is the first book in the first book in the MacInnes Werewolves. It is a really sweet love story. Carly brings Gideon home thinking to help a wounded animal and wakes to a grown man in her home. But as things progress they grow to love one another. But there is danger all around them and Gideon must get home taking Carly with him. There is a lot of adventure in this book as Carly decides where her fate lies. The relationship between the two of them is so strong that you’re cheering for them the whole time. I found this to be a nice easy read. Something that is great to pick up when the snow or rain is falling outside and you don’t want to go anywhere. I can't wait to read the next book in this series, Dark Highland Fire.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402211589

Pages: 384

Series: MacInnes Werewolves

Volume: 1

Genre: Historical Romance; 1800’s

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: He created the perfect woman… The impoverished Duke of Monchester despises the rich Americans who flock to London, seeking to buy their way into the ranks of the British peerage. So when railroad heiress Summer Wine Lee offers him a king’s ransom if he’ll teach her to become a proper lady, he’s prepared to rebuff her. But when he meets the petite beauty with the knife in her boot, it’s not her fortune he finds impossible to resist… For the arms of another man Frontier-bred Summer Wine Lee has no interest in winning over London society—it’s the New York bluebloods and her future mother-in-law she’s determined to impress. She knows the cost of smoothing her rough-and-tumble frontier edges will be high. But she never imagined it might cost her heart…

Summer comes to London to learn to be a proper lady so that she can marry into the bluebloods of New York. But she has a lot of work to do as she has grown up in the town of Tombstone. Byron hates rich Americans coming to London to marry into a title. But he himself has no money as his father depleted his holdings before his death. So they agree to work together. Only there is more going on than their lessons. This story has some great side plots that make it an even richer tale. The dialogue between the characters is wickedly sharp. I really enjoyed reading this book finding the characters believable and fun. I am truly becoming a fan of Kathryne Kennedy’s writing.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402229909

Pages: 384

Series:

Volume:

The Wolf Next Door by Lydia Dare

Genre: Historical Romance; 1800’s, Westfield Brothers

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Witches, Werewolves, Magic

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: They can’t even be in the same room together… Ever since a disastrous encounter on a full moon years ago, Prisca Hawthorne has taunted, insulted, and in every way tried to push him away. If only her heart didn’t break every time Lord William Westfield left her… But staying apart is even worse… Lord William throws himself into drinking, gambling, and debauchery and pretends not to care about Prisca at all. But when he returns to find a rival werewolf threatening her, he just about goes berserk… Can Prisca forgive the unforgivable, or are the mooncrossed lovers going to be forced into a battle of will that could be fatal…?

This is the third book in the Westfield Brothers trilogy. William, who we have seen before, has it bad for Prisca. But the two act like oil and water whenever they are they are together. Now things are put into motion that the two of them are thrown together. The story has quite a few twists to it. Prisca is just as much of a spit fire as she was in the first book. While William tries to play it cool and fails. I love this book just as much as the others. The good thing is that this may have started out as a trilogy about the three brothers but there is more to come. The Taming of the Wolf is the next book in the series and I can’t wait to read it.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402236964

Pages: 416

Series: Westfield Brothers

Volume: 3

Uncertain Magic by Laura Kinsale

Genre: Historical Romance; 1700’s

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Sidhe, Mind Reading

Rating: 3 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: A man damned by suspicion and innuendo. Dreadful rumors swirl around the impoverished Irish lord known as "The Devil Earl." But Faelan Savigar hides a dark secret, for even he doesn't know what dreadful deeds he may be capable of... A woman cursed by the gift of "sight." Roderica Delamore fears no man will ever want a wife who can read his every thought and emotion, until she encounters Faelan. As the two find their way to each other against all odds, Roddy becomes determined to save Faelen from his terrifying and mysterious ailment. But will their love end up saving him...or destroying her? A breathtaking historical romance filled with poignancy, darkness, love, and an unexpected twist of Gaelic magic...

Roddy can hear every living thing’s thoughts. When she meets Faelan it is the first time that she hears nothing. Faelan is trying to just go back to Ireland and to his family home but he is broke. Roddy suggests that they might suit and starts things to move forward for them. The story has a few plot twists that show the true colors of these great characters. I liked the story but there were times that it seemed to drag. But I did like the two main characters as they realized what it was that they needed for themselves.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402237022

Pages: 384

Series:

Volume:

Tall, Dark and Wolfish by Lydia Dare

Genre: Historical Romance; 1800’s, Westfield Brothers

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Witches, Werewolves, Magic

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

                         

Back Cover: He's lost the most important part of himself... Lord Benjamin Westfield is a powerful werewolf-until one full moon when he doesn't change. His life now shattered, he rushes off to Scotland in search of the healer who can restore his inner beast, only to find she's not at all what he expected... She would make him whole, if she could... Young, beautiful witch Elspeth Campbell will do anything to help anyone who calls upon her healing arts. Then Lord Benjamin shows up, and she suddenly discovers she may need him even more than he needs her...

This is the second book in Westfield Brothers trilogy. Benjamin is a werewolf with a big problem, he can’t change. So he goes in seeking a witch who might be able to help him. Elspeth does not know who her father is as he left before she was born, but that doesn’t bother her friends. When Ben and her meet, her coven believes that she will be taken from them and sets out to keep them apart. I couldn’t wait to read this book after reading the first one. And I admit that this one did not disappoint. Ben is such a great character but more than that is Elspeth. I found myself being drawn to the character. I love this book and can’t wait to read the last book in this series, The Wolf Next Door.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402236956

Pages: 409

Series: Westfield Brothers

Volume: 2

The Fire Lord’s Lover by Kathryne Kennedy

Genre: Fantasy; Elves, Magic, The Elven Lords

Sub Genre: Historical Romance; 1700’s

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: If his powers are discovered, his father will destroy him... In a magical land ruled by ruthless Elven lords, the Fire Lord's son Dominic Raikes plays a deadly game to conceal his growing might from his malevolent father-until his arranged bride awakens in him passions he thought he had buried forever... Unless his fiancée kills him first... Lady Cassandra has been raised in outward purity and innocence, while secretly being trained as an assassin. Her mission is to bring down the Elven Lord and his champion son. But when she gets to court she discovers that nothing is what it seems, least of all the man she married... Then Dominic and Cassandra together uncover an unspeakable evil, one that threatens the destruction of the magical realm they would give their souls to save...

This is the first book in the Elven Lords series. Dominic is the bastard son of the Fire Lord. He has no connections with anyone. And wants to keep it that way. Cassandra was recruited to kill the Fire Lord after marrying his son. Now the two must learn about the other before they are both found out. This is a good story with a great deal of plot twists. For all of Cassandra’s knowledge she is still very naïve, which just added to the story. I liked this story quite a bit and look forward to see where the series will go from here in the Lady of the Storm.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402236522

Pages: 384

Series: Elven Lords

Volume: 1

No Proper Lady by Isabel Cooper

Genre: Paranormal Romance; Time Travel, Magic, Demons

Sub Genre: Historical Romance; Regency

Rating: 4 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: When a half-naked woman suddenly appears on his country estate, Simon Grenville doesn't have time to be shocked. Demonic beasts are hot on his heels until the beautiful stranger unsheathes several knives strapped to her skin-tight trousers and kills them. As he stares at her fierce, heart-stopping face, Simon knows he's in a hell of a lot of trouble... Joan is from a time where demons run rampant and humanity is fighting for its existence. To prevent this terrible future, she is sent back to Victorian England to kill the magician responsible for unleashing the dark forces. But Joan is a soldier more used to sparring than dancing. To get close to her target, she'll need Simon to teach her how to fit into polite society. Joan doesn't mind practicing proper flirtation on Simon, but she can't allow herself to be distracted by his gentle hands or devilish smile—the very future depends on it.

The story starts off with fighting and an apocalyptic present where humanity is losing. The only hope is to send Joan back in time, right into Simon. This story takes place in England and it is one that starts with a bang. The way the characters work together to bring about a better future is amazing. I liked how strong Joan is. That she is quick on her feet and realizing when she needs to just hold back. I found the story a delight to read and look forward to reading the next in the series, Lessons After Dark.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 978-1402259524

Pages: 352

Series: Englefield

Volume: 1

A Certain Wolfish Charm by Lydia Dare

Genre: Historic Romance; 1800’s

Sub Genre: Paranormal Romance; Werewolves

Rating: 5 out of 5 Stars

Back Cover: He gets crankier and crankier as the Moon gets full… The rules of Society can be beastly – especially when you’re a werewolf and it’s that irritating time of the month. Simon Westfield, the Duke of Blackmoor, is rich, powerful, and sinfully handsome, and has spent his entire life creating scandal and mayhem. It doesn’t help his wolfish temper at all that Miss Lily Rutledge seems not the least bit afraid of him. And in fact, may be as untamable as he is… A woman whose charm is stronger than the Moon… When Lily’s beloved nephew’s behavior becomes inexplicably wild, she turns to Simon, the boy’s cousin and guardian, for help. But Simon’s idea of assistance is far different than hers, and Lily finds herself ensconced in his house and engaged to the rogue. They both may have bitten off more than they can chew when each begins to discover the other’s darkest secrets…

This is the first book in the Westfield Brothers series. Lily comes to the Duke of Blackmoor to get help with her nephew whom he is guardian of. As he has changed from her sweet boy and she believes that he might be able to help. Simon just wants to live his life as he has but realizes he does have a duty to the boy. But he wants Lily to leave more for her own good. The two are drawn together and yet Simon keeps pushing her away.  The story is brilliant. I love the characters and dialog of this. Once I started reading it I couldn’t put it down. I look forward to reading the next book in the series, Tall, Dark and Wolfish.

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca

ISBN: 1402236948

Pages: 384

Series: Westfield Brothers

Volume: 1