Kayla Friday, a nurse, has always believed in logic and reason and science. She doesn't believe in the paranormal, or myths or what she can't prove is real. Kayla's sister has been killed and she has come Seattle, to find her sisters killer. While examining her body, discovering her sister was pregnant when she died, she comes face to face with Hart, a sexy werewolf mercenary. Hart is demanding the location of the "key" which was in her sisters possession. Kayla has no idea that this search for this "key" would bring her perfect logical world down around her ears. Hart will do whatever it takes to free his soul, even if that means seducing and betraying a innocent woman who has wormed her way into his heart. But soon time runs short, and Hart and Kayla will have to rely on each other to stop the end of the world, if they survive that is...
Hearts of Darkness is the first in this trilogy by Kira Brady. This is a brand new author to me. Through my library I am able to access a few free digital audiobooks. I kept seeing this title pop up and always available, so I thought I should give it a shot. Little did I realize how much I would fall for this story. At first it starts out a bit slow, but once Hart and Kayla meets, all bets are off, these two are explosive together. This story is the beginning of a thrilling romance that is guaranteed to quicken the beats of your heart and get the adrenalin pumping. When I first read the blurb for the book, I thought well it seems to have a little conflict right, nothing too exciting just enough to keep me interested.....well let me tell you boys and girls, there is enough action and intensity to thrill you down to your toes. I could hardly get enough of this book and when it was over I was a little sad. Over ten hours long, and I still wanted to story to keep going. I found myself so enthralled by Kayla and Hart and wanting to see how they would ever get their HEA. Because every time I thought it would happen, something else would change the circumstances to the plot and keep me so fascinated I had a hard time putting it down.
Hearts of Darkness intensity is a bit comparable to Moning's Fever series, only this is a romance~~no doubt about it. The world that Kira Brady creates is full of mythical creatures of all shapes and sizes, with a few gods, ghosts and shape shifters and magical beings. So if you adore anything that goes "bump in the night" than this book is for YOU!!! This world seems so vivid and real and there were a couple of times while listening to this, I didn't want to go to sleep, thinking that this world might be real. Crazy how books affect us human beings so, but I guess I am mortal. The romance between Hart and Kayla is so precious and intense and wildly passionate. I loved every moment of seeing these two form their unique mating bond. I was cheering for Kayla and Hart all the way. Hart is so bad boy, like the king of bad boys. A mercenary, shifter wolf, and blood slave to a corrupt man, who has a soft spot for a naive Kayla who has no clue the world that surrounds her. Hart is so sexy and boy I just wanted to kiss him all over. He needs some good loving and a strong woman and that is Kayla. At first I had a couple of issues with Kayla, she seemed so naive and not able to adjust at first. But when she gets dragged into this world, and her life is put in danger, that is when she starts to show her true colors and I LOVED her as the heroine. She was perfect for the role, and a solid match for Hart. Hart is used to being obeyed and Kayla has her own mind, and stands up to Hart like no one else ever does.
Overall Hearts of Darkness is a thrilling paranormal romance, with a world that is surreal, a plot to keep you at the edge, characters to captivate your senses, and a story to enthrall you heart, body and soul!!! A THRILLING ROMANTIC TALE!! I can hardly wait to see what happens next...
Leif, is the leader of the dragon shifter clan, and unlike his brother the previous leader, he is not one to lead with fear and slavery. Leif believes he has a code of honor, and he is determined to prove himself, especially to Grace, who despite their slave bond, he desires more from her than the bond. Grace has craved freedom for years, and at first she believes Leif to be exactly like his brother, however she starts to realize how different they are, like fire and ice. With the recent catastrophe, with evils walking the streets of Seattle, there is much to do to keep the humans and shifters safe. With the truce between the shifters and the humans crumbling, and the surrounding danger to them all, Leif and Grace join forced in finding a way to save their people. A bond starts to form between them, one stronger than anything they have ever experienced, and only by working side by side, will they uncover the truth that could either save them or destroy them...
Hearts of Shadow is the second book in this Deadglass trilogy by Kira Brady. I was able to obtain this for free through the Pioneer Library, and just have fallen in love with Kira Brady. This series is intense and full of passion and plenty of danger to satisfy your adrenalin urges. This is the second book, so this is Grace and Leif's story, both of whom we see in the first book as well. Even from the first book I loved Leif. We see his brother being the bad guy, very evil at times, but Leif is so different from him. Leif is plenty bad boy, and alpha male, however he is loyal and believes in doing the right thing. I found him to be irresistible, and loved him as the hero of the story. And even though he frustrates Grace with his high handed ways, I just applauded him. Trying to protect his mate, a warrior like himself, probably would be one hell of a challenge. It was quite fascinating seeing these two come to some sort of compromise. Grace is everything you wish for in a heroine. Strong willed, a fighter, but also has a tender heart and wishes to save as many lives as she can. I felt like her character had the kind of balance you look for in heroines, but rarely find.
Overall a fascinating story of a world that is full of danger, evils, and plenty of chaos. A book that pulls you magically in and refuses to let go and until you feel fully sated by the end. Leif and Grace and wonderful character that entrench you and mystically endear you to them. Fast paced with danger, suspense, and desire.
John Vincent has been proclaimed dead by all those who knew him. Now he has a new life, as a member of a elite ops, where all members on the team are dead to the world and new people. In John's previous life he met the beautiful and sensual Bailey Serborne, who mixed up his emotions, and was the one thing he truly regretted hurting as a effect of his previous "fake" death. Bailey Serborne, is our for revenge for the death of her family, then she meets John Vincent who is so alike to a man she once knew and cared deeply for. As events progress where danger and intrigue escalate so does the desire and passion they have for each other, to the point of explosive heat. What John or Bailey never realized was the love and passion they once shared still exists strongly between them, and if they embrace it they will only be stronger as a team.
Heat Seeker is a book that was written as a part of two series, which I thought was fascinating and somewhat unique. Heat Seeker is part of the Elite Ops series and the Tempting Seals series, although these two series are very alike. Heat Seeker is probably the most explosively erotically book that I have read from Lora Leigh. I have enjoyed reading her Breeds series, but this Elite Ops series seems to focus more on the sexual desires between the two characters than the plot or the romantic and emotional relationship between Bailey and John. It does have a intriguing plot though, where the hero "John" is another person and looks different than who he was before, yet Bailey is able to see through the exterior and find the inner man that once was claimed dead. Although it did have some exciting intrigue and danger elements to the book, it is far from my favorite from this author. Since I enjoy more of the emotional side of the love story, this however just seemed to emulate Lust full blown. Although it was enjoyable, throughout the whole of it, I just kept feeling like there wasn't much connection except sexual, and I was expecting more from this one. Lora Leigh always has a highly sexual side to her books, but it seems to me in this series it overlaps too much and there isn't much of a plot left. But if you like Lora Leigh's other series than you will enjoy this one, it still had some good elements about it, that did keep me on edge at time and there was a certain edge of mystery that leaves you breathless with questions of what Really will happen between the two, but it just wasn't as consistent in flow as some of her other books have been in the past.
When Lydia's sister Ashley, is having marriage problems and asks that Lydia comes home for a little while to help out, Lydia reluctantly comes. Lydia isn't quite ready to return home yet, but she will do anything for her sister no matter how uncomfortable it makes her. When she comes home, she sees that Ashley is really struggling, and takes over her job at their fathers pub and she runs into Aiden Hunt. Lydia has known Aiden for a long while, but never really was interested in him until now. The exchanges between Lydia and Aiden are fiery hot, but their relationship is a bit forbidden. Its unwritten code not to trespass over ones best friends sister or the daughter of a man that is like a second father to him. But Aiden knows what he has with Lydia is worth the risk even if he hates himself to lying to his closest friend. But before they can find something truly good together, Aiden has to figure out a way to prove to Lydia they are worth the risk.
The Hero
Aiden Hunt, is a firefighter for the Boston Fire Dept. He loves his work and it is what makes him who he is. Aiden when he was a kid, was involved in an accident, where he was able to take command of a situation, and the firefighters there (Lydia's father) led him to be able to fulfill his destiny....to be in command of a sitation and to save lives and do a dang good job of it. Aiden is the type of firefighters....you know every firefighter should be. He found his calling for it when he was pretty young, but he was driven and found a job that makes him who he is. Aiden has issues with his family especially his father who tends to be very emotionally abusive. But Aiden found a second family, in the Kincaids. What I adored about Aiden is how truly good he is....such a remarkable human being. He is honest and true to the core. We see how keeping his relationship to Lydia a secret is killing him inside and boy I loved that about him. And the willingness he goes to for the woman he loves. He is super delectable!!
The Heroine
Lydia Kincaid, left Boston to get away from the fire fighter community. She had to take over a fire fighter's household after her mother passed away from cancer. She had to live with the mental and emotional toll it took on her every time her father or her brother were on a rescue op and never knew anything for hours. But the worst of it for her, was her past marriage to a firefighter. She tried it, her ex ended up being horrible. Lydid left to get away from it all because it caused her too much pain for her to deal with. We see the way that Lydia struggled entering another relationship with a firefighter. Because she knows the risks more than anyone and is unsure if she can live the life again. But soon Lydia discovers a hidden strength she didn't know she had. Lydia is one of those heroines who is toughest on the inside. She has issues with her father and brother though. She isn't afraid to say what she thinks especially if they disagree (which they do and often). But we see why she takes a certain stand against them, because in her mind she and her sister could never compete with the "brotherhood of firefighters". To her, her father and brother always put their family second. So we see that she has some issues to face but thankfully Aiden is up for the challenge.
Plot and Story Line
In Heat Exchange, we see a sexy and emotionally powerfully love story come into play here. Now I have a weakness for sexy firefighters....I mean what woman doesn't??!! And man when I saw this cover at the library, I grabbed it up. I don't even remember glancing at the blurb. hehe All I know was one sexy male on cover and it dealt with a firefighter---no resistance on my part hehe. But also I have never read this author, and I really wanted to give her a chance. And I did and I fell in love with her. I was worried, not sure if I would like her style of writing, but boy I really liked it. I love how involved I got in the story. This couple is simply awesome and from the beginning I was eager to see how it would play out. But we also get a small side romance with the sister Ashley and her husband Danny. These two are having marital problems, because Danny is a quiet man and doesn't exactly say "I Love You" often or hardly ever....he is more of a show and tell guy but super quiet and reserved. But don't worry....they eventually find their HEA. I liked seeing their story, because it was nice seeing how a married couple works through serious issues.
The story between Aiden and Lydia is quite HOT!! Oh boy....do these two create some fireworks here. But honestly....on a emotional level they hit the spot perfectly for me. I love a forbidden romance, and the whole man trespassing on his best friends sister trope always works for me. I guess because, he has close ties to the family originally. Aiden and Lydia were quite a remarkable couple and I loved them together. There were moments this story just about broke me though, especially with Lydia and her issues with the "brotherhood". You definitely could see why she has issues with firefighters, especially with how her father and brother are. Especially her brother....boy he needs to have some sense knocked into him. I know he has a book....so maybe I will get to see him humbled a bit. hehe
Quite frankly....this story rocks and anyone that love a firefighter romance must read it!! YOU GO SHANNON STACEY!!
The Cover
HOT!!!!!SEXY!!! DROOLWORTHY!!! THAT IS ALL FOLKS!
Overall View
Heat Exchange is a stimulating and fiery hot romance that I couldn't get enough of. Shannon Stacey writes remarkable contemporary romance and I was defintiely hooked on Heat Exchange. It had a vibrancy feel, a truly emotional read with great sensuality and in depth characters!! A DANG SWEET ROMANCE!!
Heaven and Hell is a single title from Kristen Ashley, although there is a novella in "Loose Ends" about a couple that we see featured in this book. I have been wanting to work towards reading more of this author and quite frankly she is my NIRVANNA when it comes to romance. I swear I will never get enough of her work and most especially her characters. This is what I am so gravitated towards the most in her stories, the way she just addicts the reader to her character's personalities and you just want to fight for their story to turn into a happy HEA.
Heaven and Hell begins with our heroine, Kia Clementine, who has suffered abused for seven long years. And now she is free from her late husband who along with his mistress tried to put a hit out on her. Now she has inherited a wealth and now she aches to find the heaven after her hell she has lived. So she heads to Europe, near Greece and meets a man she never expected, a man she has had a girl like crush on for years. A famous football player, Sampson Cooper. There is an instant connection between the two. And even though Kia isn't sure what to make of Samson, she knows she will regret it for the rest of her life if she doesn't act. And before she knows it, she is swept away by Sampson and his devotion to her and their relationship and showing her how to conduct a relationship in a productive healthy way. But there are demons from her past, demons she will need to face if she hopes to embrace the bright future with Sampson.
There are very few, very fuckin’ few people, Kia, who get what’s precious in this world. They work their asses off for pure shit and think they’d fight and die to keep it. You don’t fight and die for shit. You fight and die for things that matter. You are the first woman I’ve met outside a life that leads you to understand that shit who gets that. And straight up, baby, you gotta know, I like that a fuckuva lot.
Heaven and Hell was a breathtaking book and from the first chapter I was captivated by this story. I just couldn't put this book down ....*sigh* boy have I been picking up some goodies lately and Heaven and Hell is definitely going to top the list for best reads of the year. I just loved everything about this book and couldn't get enough of it. Sampson and Kia made for such a great couple. And I do love seeing a couple get together from the beginning and see such relatability in the relationship we see here. And one of my favorite things.....the balance and showing of what a healthy romantic relationship can be. We just don't see enough of this in romance. Kia hasn't really known what its like to be in a healthy balanced relationship. To give and give back, to help each other and be open and understanding completely.
In his arms, pressed close, and feeling something I hadn’t felt in years. Something precious I lost, and even precious, I didn’t notice it was missing, but something I recognized as precious instantly when I got it back. Safe.
Sampson is determined to show Kia what it means to be in such a good relationship and I loved how he stood up to her when she used passive agressive behavior at times. (As someone who relates to this as I used to do this before I realized how abusive it is to others) I really appreciated seeing an author showcase this.
I see it, Kia, and I get this is gonna take effort. But what I’m sensin’ is, you don’t notice I’m makin’ that effort. Don’t fuck up, baby, and out of habit reinforce your shields to hold back a threat that doesn’t exist. You get me?”
Too often I see heroines abused the heroes and what I LOVE about Kristen Ashley is seeing the hero stand up to the heroine in this abuse and set her straight. We need more men like that. Who stand up for positive healthy behaviors in a relationship. But also Sampson does it carefully and gently knowing she has been abused for years. He is so patient and understanding. Kia is a wonderful heroine though. She is always working on being better with Sampson, letting go of her demons and striving for more in her life.
That’s your first block, baby. Use it, step up on it and keep climbing. You’ll get to the other side.
Overall I found Heaven and Hell to be a striking romance that tears through barriers to the heart and soul of a pair and delivers in such a beautiful way.
Gayle Windham, the Earl of Westhaven, heir to be the Duke, has extreme pressure from his father to marry and produce an heir. So much pressure that he was almost forced to marry his current mistress. He knows that he must find someone to marry soon, before his father's manipulations go too far, but then his housekeeper catches his eye. Anna, although has a deep secret from her past, she is determined to make sure it doesn't ruin her present. Even though Gayle is her boss, and an Earl, she can't deny the spark that starts to explode between them, a passion that tempts to inflame them both, and she knows that even though he could be everything she could ever want....she refuses to let her past harm him, no matter the cost to herself.When I first read a review of one of the books from this series, and having such a high rating, I tried to see if it was at my local library, and to my shock and surprise it Was!!!! And I am so glad that I did!!! No regrets with this wonderful historical romance that just tied me up in knots.....it starts out with two people that seem like they are on opposite sides of the tracks....however as the story progresses we see how alike these two are and how much they need each other. Then when everything is revealed, I was very surprise and never saw it coming....I just love a good romance with a twists and turns that delightfully shocks you, and from the first page to the very last I couldn't put it down, it was so enticing, and I just loved this author's style of writing, witty, excitement, sensuality and enough romance to satisfy fully any reader.....I was very impressed by this regency romance that completely won me over!!!!
