Nightkeepers by Jessica Anderson

Genre: Paranormal (contemporary) romance
Spoiler free description: I think I would have enjoyed this book much more if it had been billed as a sci-fi rather than romance. I have certain expectations of a romance novel - including have the h/h actually spend quite a bit of time together in the first half of the book, and also including not being overwhelmed by a cast of characters. Leah is a police officer looking into a string of murders - including the murder of her brother - that have ties to a Mayan cult. In the course of the investigation she winds up on an altar tied up like a sacrifice in the middle of some sort of magical ceremony. Just when things are looking like death, she's saved by Jaguar-Strike (no, really, that's his name, but you can just call him "Strike") and then he disappears - AFTER her brain is wiped so she has no memories of him OR the bad guys she's in danger from. That's just he beginning of big scale story about the coming end of the world and the Mayan warriors who will protect us all from the bad things that are coming. As I mentioned there is a LARGE cast of characters and tons of threads left hanging for next books. Very good, but light on the romance for me.
The best: An interesting premise.
The worst: I'm still not completely sure what happened on a magical level that resolved everything. It was a little vague.
Grade C-

The Dragon Queen by Shana Abe (The Drakon, book 3)

Genre: Paranormal, para-historical, romance, shapeshifter
Spoiler free description: Maricara is the very young princess/queen of the Carpathian mountain drakon. Kimber is the prince of the English drakon. The Carpathian and English drakon have long been lost to each other. When Maricara sneaks into Kimbers home and they finally meet, they are instantly attracted. But Maricara is much too strong and intelligent to be the subservient wife that the English drakon culture demands. And she's come to warn them about an age old advesary on the rise again. In battling this common enemy, they draw closer and closer, but struggle to work things out. I was a little frustrated with the story as a whole, but didn't want to put it down - and definitely want to read the next one after seeing it will be about Kimber's brother Rhys.
The best: I love how strong Maricara is. I saw her as having much of the power in the this story and it worked well.
The worst: It's just not my favorite writing style. I get a little lost sometimes as to what motivates the characters. It's stronger on the fantasy side than the romance.
Grade B-

Dream Warrior, by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Genre: Paranormal Romance, part of the Dark Hunter series

Spoiler free description: Cratus is a long abused god, Delphine is a half blood dream hunter. She's the first person to show him tenderness and compassion... ever. Will they be able to stop the end of the world?

Other comments: OK, so this is about the 37th entry in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. And on one hand, it's so similar to many of her other works that I had a feeling of deja vu while reading it. On the other hand, there's a reason why she's written so many books... she's good! It catches your interest and drags you in. Even more fun is visitting with old friends and seeing how she's changing the Dark Hunter world. However, there are so many changes that it's a bit hard to keep up with!

The best: Standard Kenyon - enjoyable dialog. Fun to see Ash and Tory, Zarek and Astrid.
The worst: I seriously need a guide to keep up with all this stuff. And it kind of got to the point that I just didn't care much any more.

Grade C+

Zen and the Art of Vampires, by Katie MacAlister

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Vampire

Spoiler free description: OK, first off, it's a Dark Ones novel by Katie Mac, which says a lot to me (like it says: READ ME!) Second, it's a two parter, which also says a lot to me (like it says: RUN AWAY!) How much do I HATE it when there's no HEA? I hate it very much. However, the 1st over-ruled the second. I have enough love for Katie Mac that I'm willing to try something new with her. But then, not far into the book there's a third. Let me back up a little bit and do the description thing.

So, Pia is nearly 40 and chubby (not that you'd know it by the cover, but that's a whole 'nother rant). And Pia, on a singles tour of Europe, currently in Iceland, finds herself in the middle of a BIG MISUNDERSTANDING. And then she finds two hot guys. And (here's the third thing) about 2 minutes later, apparently so excited that someone actually wants her, has sex with one of the guys. And here's the *fourth* thing, THEN, 24 hours later, she has sex with the other hot guy, best friend to hottie number one.

Honestly, I almost stopped reading. Up until the third thing, I was really identifying with Pia. I found the first sexual encounter (Alec) very abrupt and unbelievable. And when she's getting all into the best friend (Kristoff) she really hates him, and I kept thinking "Really?" "Really, she's doing this?" And they both hate themselves after... I just don't know.

Now, it's a Dark Ones story, so Pia is a Beloved (aka soul mate and savior) but the big question is supposed to be whose Beloved is she. Except she's not confused, she's sure she's Alec's. And *I* was not confused, I've read the other books, it's clear she's Kristoff's. The part I don't really get is how Alec and Kristoff don't know whose she is. And the other part I don't really get... HELLO! Read each other's minds! Duh. You have a bond, use it! Ugh.

But none of that explains how, once I was about 1/2 way through I just really needed to know how it ended. And I have to say, going in knowing this was just a pit stop on the way to HEA, I was really happy with how it ended. And, despite all the ranting, I can't wait to read the rest! Why, oh why wait until May???

The best: Hmmm. I guess just how addictive it was.

The worst: The third and fourth things. Plus I found Alec to be a little creepy. Actually kind of a lot creepy. And it was a BUSY book. Typical Katie Mac, hard to keep track of it all.

Grade C (I would say D, but I have to give credit because I DID want to read the whole thing, and I still want to read the next one!)

The Dream Thief, by Shana Abe

Genre: Historical Romance, paranormal, shapeshifter
Spoiler free description: Lia is the drakon (dragon shapeshifter) daughter of Rue & Kit from The Smoke Thief. Zane is Rue's old apprentice, a fully human man, who is aware of the drakon and what they are. Lia doesn't have the normal gifts of her kind, and is not even able to take her dragon or smoke forms. Although she lacks traditional drakon gifts, Lia does have the unusual gift of seeing the future. A gift so unusual, and giving of visions so dark and frightening (as well has hot and enticing) that she never tells anyone of her gift. Her dreams show tell her that she will find the long lost drakon diamond. Her dreams tell her that Zane will be her lover. And her dreams tell her of a dark, dark future.
The best: Dragons!!! I like Lia a lot, and Zane, too.

The worst: I really wanted Lia to tell Zane about her visions. I don't understand why she didn't. That was hard to understand. I'm also not a big fan of their first time.

Grade B

One Bite with a Stranger, Christine Warren

Genre: Contemporary Paranormal Romance
Spoiler free description: Reggie and her friends started a "Fantasy Fix" for each other, where they set each other up with men who can fulfill their fantasies for the night. Reggie says she wants a dominant vampire. When her friends set her up, a real life vamp steps in to take over the Fantasy Fix
The best: I enjoyed the chick feeling to the book, especially when Reggie was with her friends. I thought the BDSM motivations were explained well, and it was hot.
The worst: For all the early work put in to explaining the BDSM side of things I didn't feel like it carried through consistently. I was dismayed by how easily Reggie turned her life upside down.
Grade: C

The Mane Attraction, Shelly Laurenston

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shapeshifter
Spoiler free description: Third in this series. Mitch (lion) goes into hiding with his best friend Sissy Mae Smith (wolf). While in Sissy Mae's home town they realize they want to be more than just friends. But Sissy Mae has quite a history in town, and the bad guys Mitch is supposed to testify against want him dead. More of Laurenston's signature animal behavior in people form, which ROCKS!
The best: Mitch and Sissy Mae together, and Smithville. Laurenston paints a very entertaining shifter town.

The worst: Underdeveloped plot line with the wolf witches on the hill.

Grade: B

Playing Easy To Get - Anthology

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Spoiler free description: This was a re-read for me - I had it long ago for the Kenyon story in it. Then once I read Kresley Cole I realized one of the stories in this anthology was the story of Mysty the Vampire Layer, but I couldn't remember it. So I re-read just for the Cole story. Overall, I think it was good, but there was at least one thing I found so off-putting that it really ruined the rest for me.
The best: Strong hero and heroine
The worst: You shouldn't be able to command someone not to feel pain.
Grade: C

The Immortals After Dark Series, by Kresley Cole

Genre: Sci-fi/fantasy, Romance, paranormal,
Spoiler free description: Strong heroines and very Alpha heros. Vampires, Valkyrie, Demons, Lykae (werewolves) and more. Very contemporary - references to the Amazing Race and Survivor. Funny, funny, funny stuff. Quite hot, too. On my top 5 series list!

The best: I love the strong heroines! I love the families/support groups that the characters have. Witty banter. I love it all!
The worst: I wish there were more... now.

Grade A

Playing with Fire, by Gena Showalter

Genre: Sci-fi/fantasy, Romance, paranormal,

Spoiler free description: Belle was a normal girl until an evil scientist spiked her coffee and she was transformed into a superhero able to command the weather. Luckily, there's a superhero watching over her who wants to help her get used to being a superhero. Even more luckily, he's really hot, too. Unluckily, the evil scientist team wants Belle on their team, so they can disect her and understand why their evil potion worked, and then force her to work for them, using all sorts of nepharious and dastardly ways.

The best: The highlight of this book is when Belle meets up with Tanner. He is the best. A 19 year old wanna be ladies man, looking for women who would love to ride the Tanner express. His interactions with the rest of the good guy team kept me rolling!

The worst: Eh. The fact that Belle and Rome weren't more interesting than Tanner. Actually, the worst was probably how, even sick, even when she thought he was going to kill her, she was all hot about him. Eh. Not so easy to believe.
Grade C+

Alpha & Omega AND Cry Wolf, by Patricia Briggs

Genre: Sci-fi/fantasy, Romance, paranormal, shifter

Spoiler free description: These books must be read together. The short story "Alpha and Omega" is in the book On the Prowl, and it is really just the first few chapters in Cry Wolf. And wow do I love this story. Anna is an abused, newly made, undereducated werewolf. Charles is a 200 year old dominate werewolf who comes to investigate trouble in Anna's pack. He immediately recognizes Anna as a rare and valuable Omega wolf (not the submissive she thinks she is) and his "brother wolf" also sees Anna's wolf as his mate. Anna realizes that her wolf feels safe with Charles, and that lets her trust him. But the real story is how the human halves of Anna and Charles get to know each other and try to catch up with the bond their wolf halves have decided on. Awesome!

The best: Lots of show, not too much tell. I like how the book unfolds and we see things alternating from Anna and Charles' points of view. I like how it's not easy, but they keep trying, and how they don't always get it right. I loved watching Anna's self confidence grow.

The worst: Hmmm. Not much to complain about. I would have loved more Anna and Charles and less secondary storyline, but I'm sure there is more coming in future books, as this is the beginning of a series. (Hunting Ground is due out in August 2009)

Grade A-

The Pride Books, by Shelly Laurenston

Genre: Paranormal, shifter

Spoiler free description: The Mane Event is two stories, Christmas Pride: Mace(Lion) & Dez(human) and Shaw's Tale: Brendan(Lion) & Ronnie Lee(wolf) . The Beast in Him: Smitty(wolf) & Jess(wild dog) (no, really, wild dog).

Christmas Pride is the only one where all the characters are not aware of the shapeshifting. In this case Dez is a tough as nails human cop, who is surprised when her stringbean best friend from middle school shows up as a grown up Marine. Though the lion part is original, it wasn't the best story I've read. In fact, I almost didn't read the second story in the book, and I'm so glad I did. (C+)

I laughed from the beginning of Shaw's Tale to the end. It was a blast. And it made me curious as to what the author would do with a full length novel. (A-)

The Beast in Him was good. Laurenston does full length well. (B)

The best: Laurenston does an awesome job of showing animal traits in human form. The way a lion breed stares much like a cat would. A dog's gleeful smile and playful nature. There's an awesome scene early in Shaw's Tale where Ronnie Lee is trying to handle a playful and feverish lion, in lion form, that makes me smile just to remember it.

The worst: Sometimes the stories drag. Especially the secondary storylines, have the mystery/plot. The relationships are fun to watch unfold. The drama... eh.

Would you recommend this book? Yes, if you like paranormal/shifters, with lots of humor

Grade: B

Dance with the Devil (Dark Hunter Series #4) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Genre: Romance, Paranormal

Spoiler Free Summary: Zarek is a Dark Hunter so out of control that he has been banished in remote Alaska for 900 years. Astrid is a nymph who is sent to judge whether Zarek should be killed. Zarek is one of my favorite characters of all time. And like Astrid, too. This book also described Blood Rite Squires, Simi, and details of Ash and Artemis' relationship.

The Best: Zarek's smart mouth comments.

The Worst: there are some hard to swallow plot points, but very forgivable...

Would You Recommend This Book? Absolutely! ***** (5!)

Night Embrace (Dark Hunter Series #3) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

This is Talon and Sunshine's story. ****(four atom bombs)

Midnight Pleasures (Dark Hunter short story) Multiple authors

Genre: Romance, Paranormal, Short Story collection

Spoiler Free Summary:

Darkfest, Amanda Ashley - werewolf, middle ages romance. Good.

Phantom Lover, Sherrilyn Kenyon - actually had a surprise I didn't see coming! First look at the dream hunter world. Very good!

Under Her Spell, Maggie Shayne - Witches. Magic. Eh. Ok.

A Wulf's Curse, Ronda Thompson - part of the Wild Wulfs of London series. Werewolf. I enjoyed it and will read the rest! Very good.

The Best: Kenyon's story really surprised me. Maybe her best short story I've read... And I really want to read more Thompson!

The Worst: Too much magic detail in Under Her Spell - get to the romance already!

Would I recommend this book? Yes! Very good overall!

****(4 atom bombs)

Night Pleasures (Dark Hunter Series #2) by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Genre: Romance, Paranormal

Spoiler free description: The second novel in Sherrilyn Kenyon's Dark Hunter series. This one actually introduces the Dark Hunter world, and characters from the first book make an appearance. Funny book. This was a multiple re-read for me and I still enjoyed it! This is a HEA book, but you want to know more about the other characters you meet!
The best: You didn't know what would happen next. Well written and not predictable.
The worst: no worst for me!
Would you recommend this book? Absolutely! One of my favorites!
***** (5 atom boms)

Fantasy Lover (Dark Hunter Series #1), by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Spoiler free description: This book is the first in Kenyon's Dark Hunter series, though it doesn't contain any Dark Hunters, daimons, or other supernatural being that are in the rest of the series. Julian is a demi-god, though, and is also a sex-slave trapped in a book that Grace manages to summon. Julian and Grace do continue to appear throughout the series, though, and it's fun to know all the inside jokes that start in this book, especially Julian's driving skills!

The Best: That it's funny! And I kept reading and reading to find out what would happen. This was my 2nd time reading it, but the first was so long ago I couldn't remember details.

The Worst: Julian's "god" family. It's hard to believe his mother would have such a change of heart... to be so selfish and angry for so long... that required a little extra suspension of disbelief for me

Would you Recommend This Book? Yes! Definitely I don't like it as much as others in the series, but it is very good. And even though I didn't read it first, it probably would make the rest of the series better to read it first.

****.*(4.5 atom bombs)