New ARC Review: Undertow by Moira Rogers

From Amazon.com...

Being needed isn't half as desirable as being wanted.

Building Sanctuary, Book 2

Victor left behind a life of crime to focus on a new vision-helping his alpha build an island sanctuary for werewolves. Harsh experiences prepared him for the hardships involved, except when it comes to dealing with the young female refugees of the brutal Boston pack-especially Simone, who rouses his inner wolf like no other. A woman he must resist, or risk becoming just the latest man to make demands on her.

Born to wealth and privilege, Simone lost everything when she fell for the seductive whispers of the textile heir who turned her. Once adrift, she is now fired with a sense of purpose-the chance to broker peace between werewolves and European wizards. Yet, even as Europe beckons, her instincts-the same ones that led to trouble before-keep drawing her back to Victor.

During a sailing trip to the mainland for supplies, Victor finds it impossible to hold himself aloof from the warm and engaging Simone. And when a winter storm traps them together during a full moon, she breaks through his walls so easily and completely, the question is no longer how he'll stay away, but how he'll let her go.

If you've ever wondered what it would feel like to be stranded on an island in a blizzard...then wondered how in the world you would keep yourself warm, this would be the survival guide for you (wink wink). But, we'll get to that later...

First off, let me sing the praises that is my new toy. My Kindle. You are such a pleasure to read from that I will be going straight back to more Moira Rogers treasure once this review is done.

And now, on with the review!

If there is one world to dip your toes into, its the world of Moira Rogers. These lovely women (and their sneakily and alternatively sassy and saucy minds) have created not only a world but people that build and add to every single enjoyable page. Simone is one of my favorite characters, if only because she seems vulnerable yet strong as she puts others in front of her self. She holds a massive weight of guilt upon her shoulders for the things that have happened in the past but doesn't allow it to taint how she looks at the pack she now belongs to. However, this also makes her interpret how others react to her differently than before. (Ahem...Victor.) And Victor...it seems that the strength and dominant instinct that runs so deeply in some wolves is also what can make them act like absolute moronic men. And I mean this in a way that includes but is not limited to gruffness being the brilliant action of the day instead of say, oh, communicating that they actually have feelings for you and want to protect you. Which, in turn makes the female in question get those familiar hurt emotions that then in turn, walk away.

Miscommunication happens, and the easiest thing to do isn't always what you really want to do. Until, there is no where to walk (or run) away to. Because being stranded on an island during a blizzard in an abandoned tiny cottage and then having to, uh, do things to keep yourselves warm creates the perfect "storm" for some intense...communicating. Those instincts that Victor is so afraid of turning him into just another person who will use Simone unfairly can longer be denied...But what will happen when they have to return to the world and the wizard waiting for them? Will she choose love, or her work for peace between the werwolves and wizards?

I adore Moira Rogers' work and felt very lucky to get this ARC (hangs head in shame at how long it took me to get to it) and am so glad to finally finish and spread the word about this series. (Oddly enough, I have not read the first in the series and really felt like this didn't hinder my feelings at all...Victor and Simone had me so entranced I would have read this no matter what.)

Note: Undertow provided by author for review....

Preview: The Ghost Hunter by Lori Brighton and Undertow: Building Sanctuary by Moira Rogers

From Amazon.com:

When Ashley Hunter inherits the Inn where her father mysteriously vanished years ago, she jumps at the chance to finally uncover the truth about his disappearance. But soon after taking ownership of the decrepit building, Ashley realizes she's in for far more than she bargained for. Not only has she inherited answers to many sought-after questions, she's also inherited spirits, demons and even fallen angels! Then Cristian arrives, a gorgeous man who insists he merely needs a room to rent. She believes him, until one by one her ghosts start disappearing...

As a fallen angel destined for a life of servitude, Cristian Lucius is relegated to protecting earth from unwanted spirits. But he can't accomplish this daunting task alone. He requires assistance from the very woman who frustrates him as much as she intrigues him. Cristian is determined to ignore his intense attraction for Ashley, and focus on his mission. If they don't work together, they won't have a chance in hell of defeating the demon threatening their lives. The problem is getting Ashley to trust him. No easy task, considering Cristian is the very man responsible for her father's disappearance.

Ooh, just a few pages in, and I can't wait to share my review with you!!

And of course, Undertow by Moira Rogers...if I don't dance myself into an early winter's nap!

From moirarogers.com:

Victor left behind a life of crime to focus on a new vision--helping his alpha build a sanctuary for werewolves. harsh experiences prepared him for the hardships involved, except when it comes to dealing with the young female refugees of the brutal Boston pack--especially Simone, who rouses his inner wolf like no other. A woman he must resist, or risk becoming just the latest man to make demands on her.

Born to wealth and privilege, Simone lost everything when she fell for the seductive whispers of the textile heir who turned her. Once adrift, now she is fired by a new sense of purpose--the chance to broker peace between werewolves and European wizards. yet even as Europe beckons, her instincts--the same ones that led to trouble before--keep drawing her back to Victor.

During a sailing trip to the mainland for supplies, Victor finds it impossible to hold himself aloof from the warm, engaging Simone. And when a winter storm traps them together during a full moon she breaks through his walls so easily and completely, the question is no longer how he'll stay away, but how he'll let her go.

Plus, you can still enter to win Safe Harbor here.

So, I am now off to practice my shimmy-ing little booty off *grins*, and maybe sneak in a few pages here and there...

(**Both titles provided by authors for honest review**)

Assasin's Honor or I finally got an ARC!!!

From Amazon.com:

A sexy new adventure-packed romance with a paranormal twist-from the award-winning author. Archeologist Emma Zale sees the past when she touches relics. It's how she uncovered evidence of an ancient order of assassins-the Sicari. When a sinfully dark stranger shows up on her Chicago doorstep demanding an artifact she doesn't have, he drags her into a world where telekinesis and empaths-someone who can sense the emotions of others- are the norm. Now someone wants her dead, and her only hope of survival is an assassin who's every bit as dangerous to her body as he is to her heart.

(Note: Review material provided through Arc Tours and Amanda at Dark Faerie Tales, thanks Amanda!)

It's a Friday, I've just arrived home from a long day at work. You know the kind...just want to go home and put on anything else, get a cold bev, and sit in my gorgeously landscaped (if I do say so myself!) backyard. Then, my husband gets the mail.

And it all changes.

Silly, I know, but this is my first ARC and I REALLY wanted to read this one. Not knowing I had actually picked it up and had it in my hot little hands the night before, but had judiciously put down as to not leave the TBR piled neglected with yet another friend/competitor of my attention.

As you may or may not know, I love a good cover. And I usually start a series in the middle or pretty close to the end. So, to get an ARC with a bland ol' yellow cover...that starts at the BEGINNING?

Priceless...

I do in fact, get myself somewhat afore mentioned situation...but, I add Assassin's Honor and I begin...

Gleefully.

As I began, two things stand out. Immediately, the reader is immersed into Emma's world...the textures, the sand, the discovery...and then, the murder. Her colleague/family friend is murdered in the same horrific manner as her parents. All on their search for the mysterious Sicari, and order of assassins from the days of ancient Rome. An obsession Emma's tried to avoid as much as she can...

But, there's one...man...who'll change that. In so many ways...

Inner dialogue can go either way for me. At times, I feel I can be disconnected from the character, like she's shutting me out. Not the case here...it was as if I were inside experiencing Emma's thoughts and feelings (I even had a little whiskey with her...kinda...). Emma has a talent, if you will, for artifacts and even more mundane everyday objects. When she touches them, she experiences things that have either happened around the object or to its owner. She becomes immersed in the moments. So did I. It worked for me.

Oh, Ares...the head of the Sicari guild in Chicago, he finds and protects Emma from a fate similar to her parents. And himself. (Warning, steamy sexy powers here...just saying.)

The Sicari aren't what they seem. In more ways than one. (Tiny note, but one I really enjoyed...the use of swords versus guns...love this. It added elegance and grace....and just a spot or two *evil grin* of sexiness. Loved it.) A secret society full of mysterious people with so many talents and a rich history of ceremony. I found myself feeling as if I was there, experiencing every moment. It didn't feel contrived or "made up" which sometimes can happen when detail is overwhelming and out of control.

I'm definitely one of those readers who doesn't believe in spoilers, so you definitely won't get any here...but, suffice it to say, steaminess does ensue. All while on the hunt for the Tyset of Isis, a mysterious object (actually, there is so little known about it, no one really knows what it is) that the Sicari must find before their enemies do...

Do you think my first ARC experience was a success??? I do. This will definitely be in my library...and I can't wait for more....