Category Archives: 4 Flames

ADAM
The Nightwalkers #6
Author: Jacquelyn Frank
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 354 pages
Publisher: Zebra; Original edition (October 25, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420109863
ISBN-13: 978-1420109863

Hunted by magic, beset by evil, the Nightwalkers face their darkest hour yet. And when the unthinkable happens, only one legendary male has the power, the will, to save them: Adam. . .

For 400 Years He Was Lost To Her, But He Is Hers Tonight. . .

From their first tantalizing touch, Jasmine knows he is different. What other lover could unlock her tight control, flood vampire senses jaded by a lifetime of decadent self indulgence? Centuries ago, when he disappeared without a trace, she had given up hope of ever fulfilling the promise of incomparable passion. But here he is, against the very laws of nature, ready to bring down their most vicious enemy, ready to bring her blood to the boiling point. . .if she will only let him. 

Fans of the Nightwalker series pay attention!  Author Jacquelyn Frank has listened to our plea’s, bribery and outright groveling of continuing the series with Adam.  Let me tell you that the author did not disappoint the readers with this new book!

While this wasn’t my favorite book in the series — mainly because I am a sucker for Noah — it still had the magic the readers come to expect from the Nightwalker world.  Adam is the oldest brother to Jacob and Kane.  Long ago, Adam disappeared from not only his home and time, but from his job as Enforcer for the Demon world.  Jacob searched for him but found no trace of him.  When Adam mysteriously shows up centuries later, everyone is surprised to see him including Jacob.

I will tell you that I heard the first chapter of this book had been leaked. (boo to who did that!)  If you somehow read that first chapter — again boo to all of you — you were hit with a big surprise.  What you don’t know is how it  relates to the rest of the story.  You must have faith in your author readers!  Jacob’s daughter has a special talent and it plays a key role in everything.

The one thing I didn’t like about this book was the time jumping within the first half of the book.  I started to get a headache from trying to keep track of the different times we were reading about, but eventually everything does come together and make sense.  Before you even attempt to ask me, yes the evil Ruth is back and she is back with a vengeance in this installment.  The way they handle her and wrap up this book was perfect.  I couldn’t think of a better revenge towards Ruth than what the author gives us.

If you are a fan of the Nightwalker series and have been waiting not so patiently for this book to arrive, trust me in saying that you shouldn’t be too disappointed in this book.  You will see previous characters play major roles in this story and familiar faces from other spin-offs of the story.  I loved how the characters intertwined into one book.  This just goes to show how readers can influence their authors in getting what we want! Thank you Jacquelyn Frank for listening to your readers!

BOUND BY BLOOD
(Bound #2)
Author: Amanda Ashley
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Paperback: 320 pages
Publisher: Zebra (October 4, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 1420121324
ISBN-13: 978-1420121322

A VAMPIRES LOVE IS ETERNAL.

Zack Ravenscroft loves women-all women-and they love him. The irresistibly seductive owner of the hottest casino in Vegas, Zack has tasted every wicked pleasure Sin City can offer. But never in his six hundred years as a vampire has he seen a morsel as delectable as Kaitlyn Sherrad, the mysterious young newcomer in town. Zack knows nothing about her-except that he craves her.

Kaitlyn is half vampire, half human-and all woman. As the cherished daughter of the Carpathian Coven’s master, she has been given every luxury a girl could desire. Now her only need is for a prince. But though she’s ready to gamble her heart on Zack, a powerful enemy stalks their every move…watches their every kiss…and waits to destroy their undying love…

Bound By Blood takes us into the life of Kaitlyn Sherrad. She is the half human/half vampire daughter of Elana and Drake Sherrad from the previous book Bound By Night.  It is set 21 years in the future from the previous book and Kaitlyn is all grown up and on her own in Las Vegas.  Her parents have bought her a cabin and she is ready to start her own life after college.  One night she meets Zack Ravenscroft outside of her cabin.  They are both instantly attracted to each other and enjoy the company they each provide.  While Zack is considered an Other, a made vampire instead of a born vampire, Kaitlyn knows her father would never approve of a relationship between the two.  What Kaitlyn doesn’t realize is that her father is not the only thing she should be afraid of.


Nadiya is back as the evil vampire villain and is seeking revenge on the Sherrad family.  Her son was murdered in the previous book by Drake and she wants Drake to suffer as badly as she has.  She sets her sights on Kaitlyn and will stop at nothing to kill her and make Drake feel the agony she has.  


There are a few things I liked better in this book than the last.  I liked how the characters in the book grow and stay relative to the time frame.  In the last book, I felt like I was reading a historical romance at times even though it was suppose to be set in the present time.  It could have been because the last book was set in a different country, but the characters seem to have been better developed in this one. I also liked how the author made Zack out to be witty, charismatic and at times a vengeful vampire.  He could be evil and monstrous at times when needed, but he also had a soft side that he showed around Kaitlyn and his employee’s. 


The few things I didn’t like were mainly the same things I have experienced in other vampire novels.  The instant attraction to each other and the sudden knowledge of knowing this person is your soul mate is ever present in this novel as well.  I just don’t seem to like how the characters can meet in chapter one and know they are meant to be together forever by chapter two.  I like progression in my romance and not instant love.  Yet, even with this detail I felt myself enjoying the story and loving my vampire fantasy within this gorgeous cover.  


I have read every book by Amanda Ashley and the Bound series is quickly becoming my favorite series by this author so far.  I look forward to reading more of her work and can’t wait for her next novel to appear on shelves!

AWAKE AT DAWN
Born at Midnight #2
Author: C.C. Hunter
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange of an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 400 pages
Publisher: St. Martin’s Griffin; First Edition edition (October 11, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312624689
ISBN-13: 978-0312624682

Now that she’s settled in at Shadow Falls Camp, Kylie Galen’s determined to discover the extent of her supernatural abilities.  But with a ghost insisting someone Kylie loves is about die, a rogue vampire on a murdering rampage, and her sixth sense telling her someone is watching her, Kylie’s quest for answers is quickly put on hold. 

To make matters worse, just when she’s about to give her heart to Derek, a half-fairy, he starts pulling away.  When Lucas, a werewolf with whom Kylie shares a secret past, returns, Kylie’s feels more conflicted than ever. Her weekend with her mom should have been the just the break Kylie needs, but it turns out to be her breaking point.  Someone from the dark side of the supernatural world has plans for Kylie–and it’ll take all her resources to get back to Shadow Falls alive…

First off I will tell you that the photo of this cover is so much better in person!  It has a shimmery metallic look to it and makes the waterfall look gorgeous.  This was one of the books I was highly anticipating this year. After reading Born at Midnight, I couldn’t wait for the author to hurry and get book two finished and on the shelves! 

We return to Shadow Falls Camp and are immediately thrown into Kylie’s story.  It starts at her friend Della’s vampire ceremony.  When a spirit appears and gives Kylie an important message as a clue, she starts to freak out by who it could be about.  Kylie is also still trying to figure out what type of paranormal she actually is.  Her biological father had no idea what he really was and her mother is human.  With no one able to answer that one question, she is left trying to figure out the puzzle along with her friends and counselors from camp.  As if trying to figure out what she is wasn’t enough, Kylie is also trying to sort out her true feelings between Derek and Lucas. Who does she truly love?

I felt bad for Kylie in the fact that she had two amazing guys pining for her with no clue on who she could see herself with.  On one hand we have the half-fairy and patient Derek.  He has been there for Kylie and has never really pressured her into anything.  Lately though, he is wanting more of a commitment from Kylie such as going on an actual date.  Then on the other hand we have the boy that left Kylie at the worst time. Lucas who is a werewolf, returns into the fold and is determined to prove to Kylie that he is the one for her.  They share a past together and knows they are meant to be together.

While not a huge amount of things happen in this book, what does happen was great to read about.  I loved the continuation of Kylie’s journey to discovery and learning to help when the spirits do come calling to her. I did feel bad for one of the guy’s though at the end of the book.  I won’t tell you which one, but I felt some tears prickle in my eyes at how hurt he was.

If you enjoyed the first book in the series, then the second book will not disappoint you.  Awake at Dawn will keep you reading until the light of first dawn!

SOLITARY
Escape From Furnace #2
Author: Alexander Gordon Smith
Source: Publisher
*I received this book free of charge in exchange for an honest review*

Reading level: Young Adult
Paperback: 256 pages
Publisher: Square Fish (July 5, 2011)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0312674767
ISBN-13: 978-0312674762

Alex tried to escape.
He had a perfect plan.
He was almost free. Even felt the cool, clean air on his face.
Then the dogs came.
Now he’s locked in a place so gruesome—so hellish—that escape doesn’t even matter.
He just wants to survive.

Just when I thought this series could not only get any better, it does.  Just when I though Alex had been through enough already, it gets worse.  Just when you think its over, it’s not.  In Solitary, we continue with Alex on his journey to escape Furnace prison.  


While I was thrilled to jump into Solitary, I feel this book wasn’t as great as the first book.  Don’t get me wrong!  I really enjoyed this book as well in the series, but it just didn’t have the impact as the first one had.  Maybe it was because I came to expect what the prison is capable of.  All I know is that after reading Lockdown, you think Alex is going to catch a break and you have your hope built up just like him.  Then, everything comes crashing down and Alex is thrown into ‘The Hole’.  Within a coffin sized hole, Alex starts to lose control of his mind and loses all hope of escape.  What he doesn’t expect is a rescue in the form of monsters.  Are they there to help him, or are they there to tear him apart?  Or could they be a figment of his imagination that is working overtime in his solitude.


Again, while this one wasn’t as great as the first one, it still ranks pretty high in horror, suspense and thrills.  If you enjoyed Lockdown, continue the journey from Hell to escape.

SIMPLY IRRESISTIBLE
A Lucky Harbor Novel #1
Author: Jill Shalvis
Source: Personal Purchase

Mass Market Paperback: 336 pages
Publisher: Forever; 1 Original edition (October 1, 2010)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 044657161X
ISBN-13: 978-0446571616

Maddie Moore’s whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won’t be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too. 

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she’s sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie’s struggles to overcome the past, though she’s about to discover that there’s no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

I just love the writing of Jill Shalvis!  After reading her Animal series, I went out and purchased the first book in the Lucky Harbor series. Simply Irresistible was just that — Irresistible!

I loved Jax and the whole town of Lucky Harbor.  Plus who can go wrong for a rich and sexy man who is sweet at heart?  Maddie and her sisters were also a fun group to read about. They each had their own personality and they were described as The Steel Magnolia, The Mouse, and The Wild One.  Each description fit each character perfectly!  I liked how Maddie — The Mouse — was trying to turn her life around.  When the half sisters inherit the inn after their Mother dies, they realize it is going to take a lot of work and money to bring the inn back to its former glory.  With secrets involved for the family members, secrets in Jax’s past, and obstacles to overcome that are from each characters past, we get to see the journey unfold in a sweet story.

The only problem I had with this book was the constant wavering from Maddie.  One minute she was happy to have Jax, then she would change her mind and not want him.  I understand she had some issues to work out from a previous relationship, but the reason behind it was not believable.  Even with that issue, I still can’t wait to pick up a copy of the next book in the series.  I want to learn more about Maddie’s sisters and their adventure in Lucky Harbor.