Moonlight

Author: Victoria Danann

Author Website/Blog: www.victoriadanann.com

Publication Date: May 22, 2013

Summary: WHAT WOULD YOU DO FOR LOVE?

The story continues to touch on the lives of former B Team members and their families while new characters and situations are introduced.

THE NEWSLETTER: Ram and Elora move into temporary quarters at Jefferson Unit to protect mother and baby. Storm gives a surprising answer when he’s tapped by Sol to replace him as Jefferson Unit Sovereign. Litha solicits her father to help Black Swan.

THE SURPRISE: B Team learns the shocking truth about the origin of the vampire virus. Monq races to develop a defense system to repel invasion by Stagsnare terrorists and assassins.

THE ADVENTURE: Desperation drives Stalkson Grey to embark on an adventure beyond his wildest dreams in a bid to save the Elk Mountain werewolves from extinction.

THE ROMANCE: In the process of migrating the Elk Mountain werewolves to a new home, Grey learns that true love can find you in the strangest places, even when you’re far, far from home. (Source of Summary and Book Cover: Goodreads)

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: Wow! I LOVED this one from start to finish. It might even be my favorite in the series so far!

Moonlight reminded me of a cross between Little Red Riding Hood and Beauty and the Beast, but of course it was so much better. Stalkson Grey and Luna are perfect! The romance was HOT in this one (with all the characters). 
I never felt like there was a lull and the shifts between which characters we were following felt natural. 

I am really happy with the development of all my favorite characters and was happy to see where they all are in their personal lives. Litha surprised me at the end but it brought a smile to my face. 

Needless to say, I am looking forward to book 5!
Dates Read: June 3 - 10, 2013

A Summoner's Tale: The Vampire's Confessor

Author: Victoria Danann

Author Website/Blog: www.victoriadanann.com

Publication Date: February 14, 2013

Summary: A secret society, a witch, a psychic, vampires, modern day knights, heroes, elves, fae, assassins from another dimension, and fairytales come together where emotions intersect. Two souls, joined by a mystical bond, separated by distance, must simultaneously struggle through pain and darkness in an ultimate confrontation with character and an ultimate struggle for life proving that true love waits patiently through lifetimes and finds courage to survive. Even in the strangest places. Even when you're least expecting it. Even when you're far, far from home. (Source of Summary and Book Cover: Goodreads)

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: I think it’s interesting that each book in this series picks up where the previous book left off, yet each book is so unique. Victoria Dannann’s writing style has developed and I love how she seems to focus on one (or two) characters in each book, while still driving all of the characters forward.

I LOVED learning a Baka and he is now my favorite male character. I didn’t quite understand Heaven’s character at first, but grew to accept her. This book held my focus and kept me guessing – I really enjoyed it.
Dates Read: February 23 - March 3, 2013

The Witch's Dream

Author: Victoria Danann

Author Website/Blog: www.victoriadanann.com

Publication Date: October 4, 2012

Summary: Quintessential Black Swan knight, Engel Storm, was left behind when Elora Laiken chose his best friend. Now his heart is bruised and battered and he’s had it with love. But a transplanted witch who happens to be the world’s best tracker plans to do everything in her considerable power to change his mind.

The Witch’s Dream begins with B Team on temporary assignment to Black Swan headquarters in Edinburgh where they are supposed to fill in for stretched-thin resources and assist with a werewolf issue. They’ve been given permission to stop on the way to celebrate a special handfasting in an Irish castle.

When they reach Edinburgh, the afterglow of an elftale wedding quickly becomes all business. A missing person report turns into a demon abduction. A simple werewolf sanction becomes a diplomatic issue requiring the one thing Elora is no longer willing to give - finesse. (Source of Summary and Book Cover: Goodreads).

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: Elora is an AMAZING character! I love that she has become such a strong female and it seems like she has really grown into her new world.
This book had some great character development; we learn more about the personal lives of all the main characters and really get to understand them. 

That being said, I felt a little let down that there was less action and suspense in this book. There was a lot more romance and it almost felt like this book is setting us up for something big in the next book. I am keeping my fingers crossed that the next book will be as action packed as the first.
Dates Read: October 12 - 17, 2012

My Familiar Stranger

Author: Victoria Danann

Author Website/Blog: http://www.victoriadanann.com

Publication Date: April 21, 2012

Summary: A secret society, modern day knights, an accidental pilgrim from an alternate dimension, and a vampire like no other come together where chance intersects romance for a once-in-a-lifetime adventure, proving that true love can find you when you're least expecting it, in the strangest places, even when you're far, far from home.

Minutes ahead of inevitable assassination, Elora Laiken is forcibly transported to an alternate dimension similar, but not identical, to her own. She is stranded. Alone. Far from home. A stranger in a "strangish" land.

Of course a girl could suffer worse problems than having gorgeous suitors. Perhaps more importantly, in the midst of an epidemic of vampire related abductions, can she stay alive long enough to choose between an honor debt, true love, or the breathlessness of single-minded passion?

My Familiar Stranger is a full length, stand-alone, Paranormal Romance novel that also sets up the foundation for the Black Swan series. It is loved by fans of adult paranormal romance, fantasy romance, chick lit, and urban fantasy. (Source of Summary and Book Cover: Goodreads)

Source: Purchased

Rating: 5 Stars

Review: WOW! You have to read this!I absolutely devoured this book and loved every second of it! I literally stayed up until 4:30am to finish it. 

I picked this book up thinking that it was another teen vampire romance… but I was so wrong. First of all this is definitely a book for young adults… I’d say 18+. 

Things that I loved about this book: There is a little touch of science fiction with the travel between dimensions and parallel universes which is unlike anything else I have read. The paranormal aspect of the book fit well and was never overpowering. There is plenty of action, which kept me on the edge of my seat at some points. I am not into mushy romance novels, and while there is definitely some romance, the love triangle was excellently executed! The feelings develop at a reasonable pace and I felt myself going through a dramatic array of emotions as Elora worked through her feelings: happy, irritated, angry, sad, ecstatic, confused, ect.

This book can easily stand on its own and the reader is left with a sense of closure, but the author tactfully left a few loose ends that could easily develop into a series, which left me excited for more: a perfect balance if you ask me!

Dates Read: July 5 - 6 2012

The Offering

Author: Kimberly Derting

Author Website/Blog: http://www.kimberlyderting.com/

Publication Date: December 31, 2013

Summary: True love—and world war—is at stake in the conclusion to The Pledge trilogy, a dark and romantic blend of dystopia and fantasy.
Charlie, otherwise known as Queen Charlaina of Ludania, has become comfortable as a leader and a ruler. She’s done admirable work to restore Ludania’s broken communications systems with other Queendoms, and she’s mastered the art of ignoring Sabara, the evil former queen whose Essence is alive within Charlie. Or so she thinks.

When the negotiation of a peace agreement with the Queendom of Astonia goes awry, Charlie receives a brutal message that threatens Ludania, and it seems her only option is to sacrifice herself in exchange for Ludanian freedom.

But things aren’t always as they seem. Charlie is walking into a trap—one set by Sabara, who is determined to reclaim the Queendoms at any cost. (Source of Summary and Book Cover: Goodreads)

Source: Purchased

Rating: 3.5 Stars

Review: The book started out strong, then it dragged for a while, then around the 75% mark, it got good again.

At this point, I don't really know where I stand on the romance. It just didn't feel real or strong to me. I feel like I've been up and down throughout the series in terms of the romance.

While the middle chunk of the book dragged and the POV changes felt jerky to me, I did enjoy following Sage. I almost wish there was a bit more of her, I feel like Sage has her own story to tell (perhaps a spin-off? Please?!).
Now the action was good. Around the 80% mark I reached that gotta-read-because-my-heart-is-racing feeling that I love. 

In terms of being the final book in the series, it feels complete, like Charlie's story has been told. The epilogue felt like a big-fancy-author-bow to tie things off, but I'm OK with it.

Dates Read: January 5 – 8, 2014

The Essence

Author: Kimberly Derting

Author Website/Blog: http://www.kimberlyderting.com/

Publication Date: January 1, 2013

Summary: At the luminous conclusion of The Pledge, Charlaina defeated the tyrant Sabara and took her place as Queen of Ludania. But Charlie knows that Sabara has not disappeared: The evil queen’s Essence is fused to Charlie’s psyche, ready to arise at the first sign of weakness.

Charlie is not weak, but she’s being pushed to the brink. In addition to suppressing the ever-present influence of Sabara, she’s busy being queen—and battling a growing resistance determined to return Ludania to its discriminatory caste system. Charlie wants to be the same girl Max loves, who Brook trusts, but she’s Your Majesty now, and she feels torn in two.

As Charlie journeys to an annual summit to meet with leaders of nearby Queendoms—an event where her ability to understand all languages will be the utmost asset—she is faced with the ultimate betrayal. And the only person she can turn to for help is the evil soul residing within (Source of Summary and Book Cover: Goodreads)

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: While this book was really good, it doesn't compare to the first book in the series. The first book was fast paced where this one is much slower. The first book had an intense romance that I easily got caught up in, but there was something funky going on with this book- I won't say because I don't want to spoil it.

That being said, I enjoyed the book and it's twists, turns, and clever droppings for future plot lines. 

I loved the first book and feel dedicated to Charlie, and so I'm looking forward to reading the next installment.

Dates Read: January 3 – 4, 2013

The Pledge

Author: Kimberly Derting

Author Website/Blog: http://www.kimberlyderting.com/

Publication Date: November 15, 2011

Summary from Goodreads: In the violent country of Ludania, the classes are strictly divided by the language they speak. The smallest transgression, like looking a member of a higher class in the eye while they are speaking their native tongue, results in immediate execution. Seventeen-year-old Charlaina has always been able to understand the languages of all classes, and she's spent her life trying to hide her secret. The only place she can really be free is the drug-fueled underground clubs where people go to shake off the oppressive rules of the world they live in. It's there that she meets a beautiful and mysterious boy named Max who speaks a language she's never heard before . . . and her secret is almost exposed.

Charlie is intensely attracted to Max, even though she can't be sure where his real loyalties lie. As the emergency drills give way to real crisis and the violence escalates, it becomes clear that Charlie is the key to something much bigger: her country's only chance for freedom from the terrible power of a deadly regime. (Source of Summary and Book Cover: Goodreads)

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 Stars

Review: This book was great! I couldn’t put it down. I was curious about what Charlaina’s secret meant and I was dying to know if her secret was going to be exposed. Her attraction to Max is perfect and did not overpower the story line, which I really liked.

This book is definitely not your average paranormal book, it is unique and I loved it. The ending was a intense, but I was a little disappointed with how easy it ended.
I like that the book has a complete finish, with a slight hint that the story could continue. The book could easily stand on its own or belong to series. I am eager to read more about Charlaina and intend on reading the next book in the series when it's out.

Dates Read: February 2012