Review: Deadly Desires by Keri Arthur

Deadly Desires (Riley Jenson, Book 7) by Keri Arthur

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Deadly Desire

Seduction that kills. Pleasure to die for.
She just can’t resist . . .

Guardian Riley Jenson always seems to face the worst villains. And this time’s no different. For it’s no ordinary sorceress who can raise the dead to do her killing. But that’s exactly what Riley expects to find at the end of a trail of female corpses used—and discarded—in a bizarre ritual of evil. With pressure mounting to catch one fiend, another series of brutal slayings shocks the vampire world of her lover, Quinn. So the last thing Riley needs is the heat of the upcoming full moon bringing her werewolf hormones to a boil—or the reappearance of a sexy bounty hunter, the rogue wolf Kye Murphy.

Riley has threatened Murphy with arrest if he doesn’t back off the investigation, but it’s Riley who feels handcuffed by Kye’s lupine charm. Torn between her vamp and wolf natures, between her love for Quinn and her hots for Kye, Riley knows she’s courting danger and indulging the deadliest desires. For her hunt through the supernatural underworld will bring her face-to-face with what lurks in a darkness where even monsters fear to tread.(

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Review:

The Riley Jenson series covers a lot of magical creatures. The classic zombie and sorceress(es) are up now! Again the mystery wasn't exactly original here, but that's not where this book is drawing it’s “steam” from. It shows the hard part of the law as humans can get away with harsh disgusting crimes, when supernaturals would be simply put down at the first hint of suspicion. It’s chilling, and more then a bit frustrating as Riley frantically tries to get "proof" to put the bad guys away.

As mentioned in my previous reviews Quinn is not a love interest I've liked very much. Arthur's mastery of her world and characters is staggering here, and I can say that I've been converted! That's the power of Arthur's writing. To develop a character, that I kept hoping would get killed off, to a whole new level that if he dies I'll probably stop functioning for a bit. No really, total crying fest. Quinn is amazing and I'm glad I listened to a GR friend who told me that I would be blown away and singing a different tune. Riley and Quinn are beautiful together, and I love how Riley can admit that she never truly gave Quinn a chance. After all it takes two.

Kye was a mysterious figure from Embraced by Darkness, book 5. He comes back and it's amazing that as a reader I only gave him a brief glance and thought, he'd make an interesting love interest. Boy does that come back to bite me in the butt. Riley has an undeniable attraction to Kye and he her. He's a killer, a basic lunatic. A control freak who might actually be able to out best Riley in a fight. Kye is everything Riley fears becoming, and she doesn't want the emotions she feels for him. In the end things end up cruel as fate can't leave Riley in peace, or dish out any happiness.

Emotional torture. Each book ramps up the emotions and I can't help but gleefully follow along. This book is harsh and painful. It grates on the nerves and leaves readers feeling just as hopeless as Riley. No matter what other readers are saying the Riley Jenson books are clearly epic works that both Urban Fantasy and Paranormal Romance fans are going to love.

Sexual Content: At this point readers should know.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games (4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)	Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games (4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)

Review: The Darkest Kiss by Keri Arthur

The Darkest Kiss (Riley Jenson, Book 6) by Keri Arthur

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: The Darkest Kiss

Danger turns her on.
Desire turns her dangerous...

Riley Jenson hunts evildoers—and does it with a style all her own. With vamp blood coursing her through her veins, and a werewolf’s uncanny instinct for danger, Riley wears snakeskin stilettos and pure, in-your-face attitude when she plunges into her latest case: hunting down a killer whose victims are high-society strumpets—and the rich and powerful men they’ve dated.

But for Riley, the case takes a chilling turn when a second killer starts trailing mutilated bodies of his own: a crazed young vamp choosing victims from a past marked by tragedy. Riley knows she’s got the skill and cunning to catch two serial killers at once…until one of them strikes inside her own tight-knit clan—and a sexy beast of a vampire reenters her life to aid in the hunt. His name is Quinn. He’s lived forever, shed blood, and shared pleasure…and he’s the only man over whom Riley has absolutely no control….

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Review:

Despite the fact that the last book wasn't quite up to par with previous ones, The Darkest Kiss comes out swinging. Popping the story line with two mysterious creatures on the loose killing people and a very complicated plot to piece together. The emotions are even more revved up and my heart was on the line with the characters. Sassy, edgy, and of course sexy this may be one of my new favorites for the series.

It might be weird to say that the murders were really fun in this book, but for me I got a kick out of them. After all it has to be amusing when one of the villains is a cat in heat (no I won't say more). The other one is connected to some past high school gang initiation. All for it spells for amusement, that's not to say that this Riley book is comical. Not at all. It's very dark and has a lot of gore.

Riley has changed from the last book after her heart was broken by her break up. She knows what she wants now and being a free and loose werewolf is not part of her plans. Besides the moon heat she doesn't want to deal with men anymore. Which is kind of refreshing for this series. Things go south for me towards the end when a certain vampire steps back into her life. It's just too hard to believe that Riley would forgive and forget his mind controlling that he did before!! There were a lot of "No-no-no-nos" running through my head. Especially since the stripper from the last book comes back into the storyline and there is clearly more there than meets the eye! We're exploring the wrong relationship here!

Despite Quinn stepping back into the storyline this has to be my new favorite entry in the Riley universe. Death and sex mix chillingly together to add an edge to the mystery. Seeing a different side of Riley's character is very refreshing and seeing her realize that the men in her life aren't at fault for all of her romantic issues is a great wake up call. The last few chapters of this book are going to have reader staying up all night and well into the morning to finish so be forewarned of the addiction ahead!

Sexual Content: Sex and murder mix. Riley of course gets some bedroom scenes.

3/5- Adored it, just a few minor details held it back.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games (4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)	Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games (4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)

Wednesday Wishes

The lust is starting to set in major time. I’ve had to quit buying books so crazily, and all these hot new titles are just stirring me into a frenzy.

Book lust. It’s a thing. Oh, it’s a thing.

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Valkyrie Rising by Ingrid Paulson

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: YA Paranormal
Series:

Nothing ever happens in Norway. But at least Ellie knows what to expect when she visits her grandmother: a tranquil fishing village and long, slow summer days. And maybe she’ll finally get out from under the shadow of her way-too-perfect big brother, Graham, while she’s there.

What Ellie doesn’t anticipate is Graham’s infuriating best friend, Tuck, tagging along for the trip. Nor did she imagine boys going missing amid rumors of impossible kidnappings. Least of all does she expect something powerful and ancient to awaken in her and that strange whispers would urge Ellie to claim her place among mythological warriors. Instead of peace and quiet, there’s suddenly a lot for a girl from L.A. to handle on a summer sojourn in Norway! And when Graham vanishes, it’s up to Ellie—and the ever-sarcastic, if undeniably alluring Tuck—to uncover the truth about all the disappearances and thwart the nefarious plan behind them.

Deadly legends, hidden identities, and tentative romance swirl together in one girl’s unexpectedly-epic coming of age.(

Ever since I heard the title I had to have it. Valkyries are so rare.

Stormdancer by Jay Kristoff 

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Dystopian
Series: The Lotus War, book 1

Griffins are supposed to be extinct. So when Yukiko and her warrior father Masaru are sent to capture one for the Shogun, they fear that their lives are over. Everyone knows what happens to those who fail him, no matter how hopeless the task.

But the mission proves far less impossible, and far more deadly, than anyone expects – and soon Yukiko finds herself stranded: a young woman alone in her country's last wilderness, with only a furious, crippled griffin for company. But trapped together in the forest, Yukiko and Buruu soon discover a friendship that neither of them expected.

Meanwhile, the country around them verges on the brink of collapse. A toxic fuel is slowly choking the land; the omnipotent, machine-powered Lotus Guild is publicly burning those they deem Impure; and the Shogun cares about nothing but his own dominion. Yukiko has always been uneasy in the shadow of power, when she learns the awful truth of what the Shogun has done, both to her country and to her own family she's determined to do something about it.

Returning to the city, Yukiko and Buruu plan to make the Shogun pay for his crimes – but what can one girl and a flightless griffin do against the might of an empire?

This is what a friend told me “It's Japanese steampunk YA. It's amazing you have to read it.” Sold!

Review: Embraced by Darkness by Keri Arthur

Embraced by Darkness (Riley Jenson, Book 5) by Keri Arthur

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Embraced by Darkness

She's hunting a killer—
and shattering every boundary—
she's ever known.…

Part vamp, part werewolf, Riley Jenson plays by her own rules, whether it’s her stormy love life or her job as a guardian. But when her family’s alpha male demands that she solve the mystery of a vanished girl, Riley can feel a trap closing in around her. Because the job comes with a catch: if Riley fails, her own mother will die.

Now the stakes are raised, the hunt is on...and when more women vanish, Riley is caught between a lover who demands that she give up her work, a serial killer who knows no boundaries, and a club where humans and supernaturals mix—at their own peril. Thrust into a realm of seduction and violence unlike any she could have imagined, Riley has to battle to save everything she holds dear. But the ultimate hunt has only just begun....

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Review:

For me this was the weakest book, which considering how awesome this series is does not make this a bad book. Not in the least. However, every series has one book that just seems to lose some of the punch.

The mystery in Embraced by Darkness is probably where I had the biggest issue, because it was weaker then the other books and I could actually predict who the villains were and how everything was connected. Riley—again!!—kept leaving her weapon behind, and someone is basically out to kill her!!! (No really she has a hit man after her.) She kept making stupid mistakes because she didn't want to become a killer like her brother. Unlike, the previous books I found her struggle to remain "human" fell flat on it's butt, and left me feeling annoyed.

One thing EbD succeeded at was the emotional build up. Riley and Kerren's relationship is seriously going somewhere and I love them as a couple. Riley is having to face how she is sabotaging her own relationships and realizing what she really needs and wants. The journey is beautiful and only nearly dying can bring Riley to the truth. The ending of this book is heart breaking and the thing I loved—and despised—about this book.

In the end there is no turning back, Riley fans can't give up. The murder mysteries each book solves are fun, but at this point it's clear I'm going to stick around for Riley's love life. It's addicting getting heavy does of fast past action (of both kinds) and the adrenaline rush each page turn brings.

Sexual Content: Some lesbian and bisexual themes, though that’s not too new it’s just a bit more prominent. The serial killers in this book are nasty. The things they do to the women my not be sexual, but it is sickening.

 
2/5- Average/disappointing, library check-out

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games (4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)	Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games (4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)

Review: Dangerous Game by Keri Arthur

Dangerous Games (Riley Jenson, Book 4) by Keri Arthur

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: ebook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Dangerous Games

In Melbourne’s urban underworld, there’s a nightclub for every fantasy and desire. But for Riley Jenson, one such club has become an obsession. Riley, a rare hybrid of vampire and werewolf, hasn’t come in pursuit of pleasure but of an unknown killer who’s been using the steamy nightspot as his hunting grounds.

Leave it to Riley to find the only ticket into the heavily guarded club: Jin, a deliciously hot-bodied bartender who might just provide the key to unmasking a killer unlike any other in the Directorate’s experience. Taunted by a former colleague turned rogue, distracted by an ex-lover’s attentions, Riley follows Jin into a realm of pleasure she could never have imagined. And as danger and passion ignite, a shocking mystery begins to unravel—one where Riley herself becomes the ultimate object of desire....

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Review:

This is book 4 for those wondering. Because somehow I messed up and thought that this was book 3. With that said it picks up pretty easy from book 3, in fact I didn't even realize I had missed anything for pretty much the whole book . . . of course I kept wondering, "Did I forget how and when Riley became an official Guardian?" Which makes me wonder about book 3's importance to the series.

Moving on. This is Riley's first book where she is "officially" a Guardian, I love it. It show's off Riley's struggle to not become a cold killer (making her do stupid things like leaving her weapon behind!!!) and how she's learning to fit into the "new" role. Like the previous books Arthur show's off her skills for making complicated plots and mystery solving. Riley is facing a Death God and spawns from hell. This is also the book I've been waiting for to mature Riley's character as a booty kicker, but her romantic life as well.

Quinn does some pretty crappy things in this book. Now I'm not saying this because I've been anti-Quinn from the get go. No I'm saying this because he's basically a manipulative prick basically abusing Riley’s trust to a degree that made me sick. Some might say I'm blowing up his actions bigger then what he did, but he basically goes in her mind and tries to change her. While that awful relationship ends, Kerren finally gets to come in a bit!

This is a strong entry into the Riley Jenson universe as it steps away from the whole evil laboratory cloning plot from the first three books. It's clear that this series can stand on it's own after that epic plot arc ends, which is fantastic. It's great to watch Riley grow and finally take a real stance on certain things. It's a painful book emotionally and that's what I've come to love about Arthur's books. Making it this far, I have to say I'll follow this series to where ever it goes, and probably any books by Arthur.

Sexual Content: Sexy as always. Riley does use sex for her job as a Guardian, some readers may have a problem. But if you’ve made it this far, it’s not going to shock you.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games (4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)	Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games(4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)

Wednesday Wishes

October is here! One of my favorite months, the time of spookiness!

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Crux by Julie Reece 

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: YA Paranormal  
Series: N/A

She should have run. Now, she'll have to fight. Eighteen year old Birdie may be homeless, but she's surviving, that is until a mysterious guy throws money in the air like a crazy game show host and she grabs some with the idea she'll be able to buy dinner that night. In that singular moment, unassuming Birdie becomes the girl in everyone's viewfinder. Thugs want to kill her. Money-guy wants to recruit her. The very hot, very rich and very out of her league Grey Mathews wants to save her. Birdie, though, wants nothing to do with any of them until she realizes fate didn't bring them all together. Her heritage did. Now, with only twenty-one days left, she's got to decide whether to follow in the footsteps of those before her or risk her life for people she's only just met.

This popped up as a read in one of my groups. Sadly I don’t have it, so I can’t join in. So we all now how that goes. Me wants!!!

Brightest Kind of Darkness by PT Michele 

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: YA Paranormal 
Series: Brightest Kind of Darkness, Book 1

Nara Collins is an average sixteen-year-old, with one exception: every night she dreams the events of the following day. Due to an incident in her past, Nara avoids using her special gift to change fate…until she dreams a future she can’t ignore.
After Nara prevents a bombing at Blue Ridge High, her ability to see the future starts to fade, while people at school are suddenly being injured at an unusually high rate.

Grappling with her diminishing powers and the need to prevent another disaster, Nara meets Ethan Harris, a mysterious loner who seems to understand her better than anyone. Ethan and Nara forge an irresistible connection, but as their relationship heats up, so do her questions about his dark past.

I want it for it’s cover. Plain and simply. Honestly another girl who dreams/foresees just bores me to tears. However, I know that a lot of them are still brilliant!

The Horns of Ruin by Tim Akers 

Get it: Amazon | Goodreads
Genre: Steampunk
Series: N/A

Eva Forge is the last paladin of a dead god. Eva was the last child dedicated to the Cult of Morgan, forsaken by her parents and forgotten by her family. Now she watches as her new family, her Cult, crumbles all around her.

This is a really vague book summary. But between the cover and the hints I’m there!!

Review: Kissing Sin by Keri Arthur

Kissing Sin (Riley Jenson, Book 2) by Keri Arthur

Genre: Urban Fantasy
Edition Reviewed: eBook
Amazon: Paperback | Kindle
Goodreads: Kissing Sin

From Melbourne’s gleaming skyscrapers to its throbbing nightclubs, Riley Jenson’s world is raging with danger and desire. A drop-dead-gorgeous werewolf–with a touch of vamp coursing in her blood–Riley works for an organization created to police the supernatural races. But when she wakes up naked and bruised in a barren alley, she knows only that she must run for her life.

Within moments Riley collides with the sexiest man she’s ever seen: steely, seductive Kade, who is fighting a life-and-death battle of his own. With old lovers and enemies gathering around her, Riley knows she is being pursued by a new kind of criminal. Because in Riley’s blood is a secret that could create the ultimate warrior–if only she can survive her own dangerous desires….

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Review:

It's back baby, and better then ever! Riley wakes up naked in a strange city. She's unaware how she got there, but soon finds out she's been missing for a while and is in a hidden laboratory/experimental facility. What's nice about this second installment is that the full moon has already passed and Arthur shows off her skills, blowing readers away with this crazy plot. The gene/cloning experiments are down right chilling in many parts of the book. Makes me want to start protesting gene experimentation.

Despite the plot not revolving around the Moon Heat, it's still sexy! Sick of the sex hang-ups in other UF/PNR titles, let's have a woman own her sexuality! Of course Riley delivers. That hot mystery werewolf from the first book gets to step in and it's so great to have a love interest that I want Riley to get with. He might not get some front stage time yet, but I'm there! Yeah, I'm anti-Quinn. So far he's been a fun tumble in the hay for Riley, but I don't feel the emotions. In fact, everything he does makes me want Riley to dump him. Arthur keeps throwing in stuff like "we had a connection that just can't be explained" and junk like that. Please let your reader feel it because the only thing I'm feeling is Quinn's distaste for what, and who, Riley is. Except when he's getting some sex time.

It's also fun watching Riley claim she doesn't want to be a guardian as fate pulls her into the role, and her complaints really aren't that convincing. She's going to be one no matter what. This is Riley's book of revenge from Talon and the bad guys need to get brought down a peg or two, yet the hero's don’t really win. It's a battle and no one is quite winning the war yet. Also, I can't emphasis enough how much I love that Riley has to work and solve the mystery! It's great to read a smart book and a smart lead.

This is a heart attack of a book. My ereader could not keep up and I felt deprived I had to wait a second longer than necessary for the pages to turn. A fantastic follow up to a great new series and I'm hungering for more. The big master mind behind everything is looming on the horizon and I'm gnashing my teeth with a need to know! Strange enough—for me—I want to know what's going to happen next in Riley's love/sex life. In the end a sexy thrill ride with explosives (in and out of the bedroom) and a plot arc that I take my hat off to.

Sexual Content: These books are hot! Riley does have casual sex, however this is not anywhere near erotica so ease your mind.

 
4/5- Great! Really enjoyed it.

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Previous book(s) in series:
Reviewed on BW:	Amazon:	Goodreads:
Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games (4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)	Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle Paperback | Kindle	Full Moon Rising (1) Kissing Sin (2) Tempting Evil (3) Dangerous Games (4) Embraced by Darkness(5) The Darkest Kiss (6) Deadly Desire (7) Bound to Shadows (8) Moon Sworn (9)