Feeling Fictional: September 2017

Saturday, 30 September 2017

Review: Archangel's Viper - Nalini Singh

Enter New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh's breathtakingly passionate Guild Hunter world with the story of a woman who isn't a vampire or an angel . . . or human . . .

Once a broken girl known as Sorrow, Holly Chang now prowls the shadowy grey underground of the city for the angels. But it's not her winged allies who make her a wanted woman - it's the unknown power coursing through her veins. Brutalised by an insane archangel, she was left with the bloodlust of a vampire, the ability to mesmerise her prey, and a poisonous bite.

Now, someone has put a bounty on her head . . .

Venom is one of the Seven, Archangel Raphael's private guard, and he's as infuriating as he is seductive. A centuries-old vampire, his fangs dispense a poison deadlier than Holly's. But even if Venom can protect Holly from those hunting her, he might not be able to save himself - because the strange, violent power inside Holly is awakening . . .

No one is safe.

The Guild Hunter Series:
Angels' Dance (ebook novella that is also included in Angels' Flight)
Angels' Judgment (novella included in Angels' Flight and the Must Love Hellhounds anthology)
Angels' Pawn (ebook novella that is also included in Angels' Flight)
Angel's Blood
Archangel's Kiss
Archangel's Consort
Angel's Wolf (novella included in Angels' Flight and the Angel's of Darkness anthology)
Archangel's Blade
Archangel's Storm
Archangel's Legion
Archangel's Shadows
Archangel's Enigma
Archangel's Heart
Archangel's Viper
Archangel's Prophecy
Archangel's War

Visit Nalini Singh's website for more information

Review:
I can't tell you how much I enjoyed being back in this world, I love everything about this series and diving into a new book is always like getting the chance to catch up with old friends who you haven't seen in months. I have to admit that I was a tiny bit disappointed that we didn't get to see what has been happening with Elena since the huge discoveries she made about her family in the last book (I don't recall her being in this book at all but I could be wrong!) but that's partly because the timeline of this story overlaps slightly with Archangel's Heart so at the start of the book Elena and Raphael are both away from New York at their meeting with the Luminata. Besides, this is Venom and Holly's story and it's only right they should take centre stage!

Holly has been through so much since she was attacked by Uram in the first book, she survived something horrific but it has changed her in ways that have never been seen before so nobody is able to tell her what to expect or help guide her through the process. She has started to come to terms with what has happened though and is working hard to rebuild her life, even if it's not the life she originally intended. It was so great to see how far Holly has come since the beginning, she still lives in fear that Uram's madness might have tainted her, especially since she is hiding some disturbing symptoms, but she is determined to make the best of things and she refuses to quit.

I've always been intrigued by Venom, he's quite a mystery man but I wanted to know how he came by his snake like eyes and his poisonous fangs! He's been out of the city for a couple of years but he's called back to help keep things under control while Raphael is out of the territory and he finds that the baby vampire who refused to answer to anything but Sorrow who he left behind is now all grown up and changing into the woman he always thought she could be. When someone puts a price on her head it's obvious she needs back up and Venom can't resist being the one to watch out for her.

Theirs was a quieter more slow burn romance than some of the others in the series, there has always been a low key level of respect between them that felt like it could become friendship but as they also have a lot in common that connects them in a unique way. They are both unusual, even for vampires, and their abilities are enough to scare others but their similarities mean they understand each other in a way nobody else manages to. I really enjoyed spending time with them both and seeing Holly grow into her own strength and them grow closer as a couple.

I don't want to talk about details from the plot but there are a lot of really interesting revelations in Archangel's Viper that kind of tie back into some of the things Elena and Raphael found out in the previous book. Things are definitely getting interesting and I can't wait to see how it plays out over the next few books. Add in that we get to spend time with the Legion, and with one of my favourite angels Bluebell and I enjoyed every minute of this book. Nalini Singh has created such a fabulous world here and I love spending time in it!

Source: Received from Gollancz in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Friday, 29 September 2017

Cover Reveals: Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton, Rage by Cora Carmack & Legendary by Stephanie Garber

So today I spotted cover reveals for three upcoming sequels that I'm desperate to get my hands on so I though I'd share them all with you here!

Hero at the Fall by Alwyn Hamilton:

Alwyn sent out her latest newsletter today and I fell head over heels in love with the cover for Hero at the Fall! I love this series and have been looking forward to reading this for what feels like forever! Just look how beautiful it is:

Here's the blurb:
The rebellion has been betrayed. The Rebel Prince has been captured. And the remnants of the rebellion lie in hands more used to shooting a gun than managing an army: The Blue Eyed Bandit’s. Amani, to those who know her as the girl instead of the legend.

With the Sultan ruthlessly reclaiming the desert with his inhuman army, only a few know that the Rebel Prince is still alive, imprisoned. And if there’s any hope of resurrecting the country’s failing faith in the rebellion, Amani, Jin and their few remaining allies will have to rescue him from a prison deep in the mountains. A place which, until now, Amani thought was a only myth.

Now Amani must return to where she came from, confronting towering walls of fire, dangerous foreign armies, and legendary tricksters. Heading quickly down a road which Amani knows ends in an all out war, and her finding out just how much she can bring herself to sacrifice to save her whole country.

Rebel of the Sands Series:
Rebel of the Sands
Traitor to the Throne
Hero at the Fall (February 2018)

Visit the Alwyn Hamilton's website for more information

Rage by Cora Carmack:

Next up is the cover for Rage by Cora Carmack which was posted on USA Today HERE. I absolutely love the cover for Roar and this one matches it perfectly! I'm really looking forward to reading this one and having both of these beauties sitting together on my bookcase:

Here's the blurb:
All Aurora Pavan ever wanted was a choice, to control her own life. Now she’s got more choices than she can handle.

Princess or adventurer.

Duty or freedom.

Her Kingdom or the Stormhunter she loves.

If she knows anything, it’s that choices have consequences— like the storm now tangled with her heart, the alarming disappearance of her mother and friend, and the fall of her kingdom to the Locke family. To set things right, she joins a growing revolution on the streets of Pavan. She puts her knowledge of the palace to use to aid the rebellion, but the Lockes aren’t the only sinister thing plaguing Pavan. The Rage season is at it’s peak and not a day passes without the skies raining down destruction. But these storms seem… different than any she’s ever encountered. They churn with a darkness that frightens her, and attack with a will like she’s never seen. This feels like more than Rage. It feels like war.

Stormheart Series:
Roar
Rage (June 2018)

Visit Cora Carmack's website for more information

Legendary by Stephanie Garber:

Last but definitely not least is the cover for Legendary by Stephanie Garber which was posted today by Entertainment Weekly HERE. Of course this is the American cover so we have to wait a little longer for the British one but I absolutely loved Caraval so I'm incredibly excited that we definitely have a sequel coming.

We don't have a full blurb for Legendary yet but if it's half as good as Caraval it's going to be excellent!

Caraval Series:
Caraval
Legendary (May 2018)
Future titles and release dates to be confirmed

Visit Stephanie Garber's website for more information

So which of these gorgeous covers is your favourite? Are you as excited about all of these new releases as I am?

Thursday, 28 September 2017

Review: Of Flame and Fate - Cecy Robson

Taran Wird, who commands the power to wield fire and lightning, is an oddity in the supernatural world. But neither Taran nor her unique sisters compare to the bizarre entity known as Destiny. And Taran is assigned to protect her.

Born of two witches, Destiny is revered among the supernatural elite for her acute ability to predict the future. Her biggest prophecy involves Taran’s sister, Celia, whom Destiny decreed will bear children strong enough to take on the evil that’s rising. Yet Destiny is not alone in her predictions, or individuality.

When Johnny Fate, a rock star among humans and a male version of Destiny is discovered, his powers and Destiny’s clash, triggering the start of Destiny’s demise and altering the fate of Celia’s unborn children.

Taran, her werewolf lover Gemini, and their allies must determine if it’s Fate who will decide what will become of Celia’s children, or if their lives and the world will perish with Destiny.

Weird Girls Series:
Gone Hunting
A Curse Awakened (Novella)
The Weird Girls (Novella)
Sealed with a Curse
A Cursed Embrace
A Cursed Moon (Novella)
Cursed by Destiny
A Cursed Bloodline
A Curse Unbroken
Of Flame and Promise
Of Flame and Light
Of Flame and Fate
Of Flame and Fury

Visit Cecy Robson's website for more information.

Review:
Of Flame and Fate is the eighth book in Cecy Robson's Weird Girls series and it's another action packed adventure that is full of humorous moments but can also be quite dark at times. Taran is in a much better place now that she's getting to grips with her new abilities and her relationship with Gemini is back on an even keel, things still aren't perfect between them (he's a little too overprotective and Taran hides things from him because she doesn't want to get into an argument which means she ends up putting herself into dangerous situations without backup) but it's a definite improvement from where they were at in the last book.

This story focuses on the larger role that the Weird sisters, and their future children, have in protecting the universe. There are a few different prophecies at play and the sisters are now stuck between the living embodiments of both Destiny and Fate waiting to see which one will come out on top. Nothing has ever been easy for these sisters and even when Celia in particular should be enjoying her happily ever after their future safety is far from certain. Celia and her unborn child are both major targets for the forces of evil and there is nothing Taran won't put herself through to protect them both.

I've always loved the relationship between the sisters, growing up they never had anyone to rely on but each other so they are a very tight unit. They all have different strengths and weaknesses but they balance each other out and as a team they're pretty unstoppable. Their family has slowly grown to include Aric, Gemini, Koda and a few others but they still find it difficult to trust most of Aric's pack considering everything Celia was put through previously. It's interesting to see how the dynamics are slowly changing though and I'm very excited to see what happens between Emme and a certain werewolf she's falling hard for. It's about time for her to find some happiness!

I always look forward to new books in this series so now I've finished reading this I'll go back to impatiently waiting for the next one.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Paperback / Kindle:

Blog Tour: of Flame and Fate - Cecy Robson (Excerpt & Giveaway)

OF FLAME AND FATE by Cecy Robson Review and Excerpt Tour!

Join us in celebrating the release of OF FLAME AND FATE by Cecy Robson! Follow the tour for reviews, excerpts, and fun. Plus enter to win a $25 Amazon gift card and three runners-up will win a digital copy of book #1 in the series, OF FLAME AND LIGHT.

It’s time to meet your destiny in OF FLAME AND FATE, the next installment of the Weird Girls Flame series by Cecy Robson. Fans of Ilona Andrews’ Kate Daniels series and the Cassandra Palmer series by Karen Chance, will devour this urban fantasy where the fate of the world lies in the hands of four unique sisters.

Title: Of Flame and Fate

Author: Cecy Robson

Release Date: September 26, 2017

Publisher: Cecy Robson, LLC

Series: Weird Girls Flame #2

Genres: Urban Fantasy

Page Count: 422

Synopsis:

Taran Wird, who commands the power to wield fire and lightning, is an oddity in the supernatural world. But neither Taran nor her unique sisters compare to the bizarre entity known as Destiny. And Taran is assigned to protect her.

Born of two witches, Destiny is revered among the supernatural elite for her acute ability to predict the future. Her biggest prophecy involves Taran’s sister, Celia, whom Destiny decreed will bear children strong enough to take on the evil that’s rising. Yet Destiny is not alone in her predictions, or individuality.

When Johnny Fate, a rock star among humans and a male version of Destiny is discovered, his powers and Destiny’s clash, triggering the start of Destiny’s demise and altering the fate of Celia’s unborn children.

Taran, her werewolf lover Gemini, and their allies must determine if it’s Fate who will decide what will become of Celia’s children, or if their lives and the world will perish with Destiny.

Add to Goodreads: http://bit.ly/2y92gex

Buy Now:
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OF FLAME AND FATE Excerpt

The doors crash open as a pack of weres in human form stomp in, the exception being an immense, midnight-black wolf with a white left paw who leads them. His lips peel back, exposing a row of pointy fangs as he growls at the vampires surrounding me. But it’s the man storming forward with dark almond eyes and a six-inch dagger in his hand that gives me pause.

“Hi, honey,” I say, giving him a little wave.

Funny thing, he doesn’t wave back. His gaze swoops over my naked body. “Hold her,” he snarls, ramming the knife into my thigh.

Reality shoves aside the shock of having the man I love stab me in the leg. Like a heated blade through butter, he slices through the skin and muscle, creating a diagonal line and spraying blood across the glass shower walls. I expect pain, scorching white-hot pain, and to lose my blood supply in large volumes. But like the creepy crawly beneath my skin, I just feel that wretched pulling and grabbing.

My bleeding trickles to a stop just as Gemini’s hand plunges deep into the incision. The image is so graphic and brutal my stomach lurches. I’m seconds from passing out. The vamps on either side of me are the only thing keeping me vertical. But when my focus latches onto the hilt of the dagger, and I realize it’s a femur—a freaking femur!— my body immediately slumps.

Of course, that’s not the worst part.

The tangle of bodies, limbs, and faces, carved around the hilt twitch, as if seizing, breaking free of what’s holding them to slither. Oh, and it gets better. The mouths open, singing one messed up version of O Fortuna.

“Jesus Christ,” I gasp, my body trembling violently as their slowly amplifying voices echo across the room.

Agnes grips my jaw, yanking my face toward her. “Taran, get it together before you set this whole place on fire.”

I wrench my head free. “Don’t you think I’m trying?!”

I bite back a curse, and a few more, when something scampers toward my right butt cheek.

It doesn’t get far. Gemini thrusts his hand deep, wrenching a large, screeching lump from my leg, exciting the minute faces continuing to sing and slide along the hilt. Their voices crescendo and their bodies writhe with glee. I don’t get a good look at the demon impaled by the dagger, and I don’t want to. I only see enough to realize I was right about the spindly legs and pinchers.

Gemini carries the shrieking demon to the sink, ignoring the way the long cluster of centipede legs kick out and clutch blindly at the air. I wish I could ignore it. But those things you can’t unsee? I’ve seen plenty in my twisted, messed up life and this is one more to add to my list.

Gemini holds out his free hand. Without asking, a vamp drops an opened bottle of vodka into his palm. Gemini pours the vodka over the demon, stunning it and causing the legs to fall open like petals—nasty petals covered with blood, pointy grippy ends, and little bits of me.

With a turn of his wrist, he drops the demon into the sink. It falls with a sick plop.

Agnes’s weight abruptly pulls off me when she stands and hurries to the sink. She flicks a lighter another vamp tosses her and drops it on top of the demon. “Ad infernum,” she tells it, sending it back to hell.

The vamps step away from me as the flames spray up to lick the ceiling. The exception is Edith who remains on her knees, clutching my leg between her breasts and sealing my wound with several fast and enthusiastic strokes of her tongue.

“Get away from her,” Gemini demands. His voice is more beast than human, setting off an orchestra of snarls from the rest of the pack.

Like a very hungry dog with a bone, Edith doesn’t want to let go. Gemini doesn’t give her a choice. From one breath to the next, he rips me from her, wrapping me in a blanket someone hands him and carrying me away.

Giveaway:

Enter to win a $25 Amazon Gift Card and (3) Digital Copies OF FLAME AND LIGHT from Cecy Robson!

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About Cecy Robson:

CECY ROBSON is an author of contemporary romance, young adult adventure, and award-winning urban fantasy. A double RITA® 2016 finalist for Once Pure and Once Kissed, and a published author of more than eighteen titles, you can typically find her on her laptop writing her stories or stumbling blindly in search of caffeine.

Follow Cecy: Website | Twitter | Facebook | Newsletter

Wednesday, 27 September 2017

Review: The Language of Thorns - Leigh Bardugo

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, no. 1 New York Times-bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Love speaks in flowers. Truth requires thorns.

Travel to a world of dark bargains struck by moonlight, of haunted towns and hungry woods, of talking beasts and gingerbread golems, where a young mermaid's voice can summon deadly storms and where a river might do a lovestruck boy's bidding but only for a terrible price.

Inspired by myth, fairy tale, and folklore, no. 1 New York Times-bestselling author Leigh Bardugo has crafted a deliciously atmospheric collection of short stories filled with betrayals, revenge, sacrifice, and love.

Perfect for new readers and dedicated fans, these tales will transport you to lands both familiar and strange - to a fully realized world of dangerous magic that millions have visited through the novels of the Grishaverse.

This collection of six stories includes three brand-new tales, all of them featuring a stunning illustration by Sara Kiplin, as rich in detail as the stories themselves.

The Grisha Trilogy:
The Witch of Duva (Short Story) (Can be read online on the Tor website here)
Shadow and Bone (Originally published in the UK as The Gathering Dark but now re-released as Shadow and Bone as per the US)
The Tailor (Short Story) (Can be read online on Leigh Bardugo's Facebook page here)
Siege and Storm
The Too-Clever Fox (Short Story) (Can be read online on the Tor website here)
Little Knife (Short Story) (Can be read online on the Tor website here)
Ruin and Rising
The Language of Thorns (anthology of fairytales set in the Grishaverse)

Six of Crows Duology:
(spin off series set in the same world but featuring different characters)
Six of Crows
Six of Crows Collector's Edition
Crooked Kingdom
Crooked Kingdom Collector's Edition

Visit Leigh Bardugo's website for more information

Original Review:
The Language of Thorns is a collection of six short stories set in Leigh Bardugo's Grishaverse. Three of these stories had already been available to read on the Tor website for free but I'm thrilled to see them in print for the first time, especially in such a beautiful book. I'm still waiting for my hardback copy to turn up (I read the kindle version) but you only have to look at the photos posted on Amazon's description (see below) to see jut how gorgeous it is and I love the stunning illustrations by Sara Kiplin that can be found throughout.

Leigh Bardugo talks about the fairytales that inspired her stories in her author's note at the end of the story and she's definitely captured that feel to her fables so anyone who is a fan of the Brothers Grimm or Hans Christian Anderson will love these. Although the stories are set in the Grishaverse they aren't linked to any of the previous books in terms of timeline so this book can be read as a standalone. I'm sure you'll fall in love with the author's gorgeous writing though and I'd highly recommend all of her books.

Here's just a brief rundown of the stories included:

1. Amaya and the Thorn Wood - This story is kind of a mash up between Beauty and the Beast and A Thousand and One Nights with a sprinkling of the Minotaur in his labyrinth. It doesn't end how you'd expect it to and this was probably one of my favourite stories in the book.

2. The Too-Clever Fox - This is one of the stories that has been available to read on Tor's website so it was my second time reading it. There are tiny hints of Red Riding Hood but that's more to do with the feel of the story than the plot, I loved Koja's character and didn't spot the twist coming on my first read.

3. The Witch of Duva - The second of the stories I'd already read online this story is definitely inspired by Hansel and Gretel, it has everything you need for a good fairytale - a witch, an evil step-mother and missing children - but comes with a brilliant twist at the end. I'd completely forgotten how this story ended so it shocked me just as much on a reread.

4. Little Knife - Last of the stories from Tor's website, this is about a father setting impossible tasks to his daughter's suitors to decide who should be her husband. A good reminder to be careful what you wish for, if you get too greedy you may end up with more than you bargained for but it'll probably be what you deserve.

5. The Soldier Prince - Inspired by the Nutcracker this was a really creepy story full of clockwork toys that are magically bought to life that raises questions about what it's like to be real. It has a great twist at the end and I kind of want to read a sequel!

6. When Water Sang Fire - This is the only story that includes a character from the Grisha trilogy and I think a lot of fans are going to be excited when he puts in an appearance, I won't say who because of spoilers but he's a popular character. I will warn you that he's not the main character in the story so don't expect it to be all about him but it was fun to spot a familiar face. Anyway, this was a Little Mermaid retelling and it was brilliant, a very fitting final story for the anthology.

Some of the illustrations from inside the book (copied from Amazon):

Source: Received from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Hardback / Paperback (preorder) / Kindle:

Announcement: New Grishaverse Book by Leigh Bardugo - The King of Scars!!!

I think you'd have to have been hiding under a rock yesterday to miss the excited fangirl screaming from thousands of Leigh Bardugo fans when she announced a new book in the Grishaverse. This isn't just any old Grisha book either, it's Nikolai Lantsov's book! He's a character that most Leigh Bardugo fans have been obsessed with since he first cropped up in the Shadow and Bone trilogy and I for one am insanely excited that we're finally going to get his story.

If you want all the details you can find them on ew.com or watch the amazing trailer below!

The book is called King of Scars and here's the official summary from Macmillan:

Nikolai Lantsov has always had a gift for the impossible. No one knows what he endured in his country’s bloody civil war—and he intends to keep it that way. Now, as enemies gather at his weakened borders, the young king must find a way to refill Ravka’s coffers, forge new alliances, and stop a rising threat to the once-great Grisha Army.

Yet with every day a dark magic within him grows stronger, threatening to destroy all he has built. With the help of a young monk and a legendary Grisha Squaller, Nikolai will journey to the places in Ravka where the deepest magic survives to vanquish the terrible legacy inside him. He will risk everything to save his country and himself. But some secrets aren’t meant to stay buried—and some wounds aren’t meant to heal.

Are you excited yet? Unfortunately we have to wait until 2019 before we'll be able to read it but I just know it's going to be worth the wait!!

Tuesday, 26 September 2017

Review: Theirs to Take - Laura Kaye

12 Masters. Infinite fantasies. Welcome to Blasphemy…

She’s the fantasy they’ve always wanted to share…

Best friends Jonathan Allen and Cruz Ramos share almost everything—a history in the Navy, their sailboat building and restoration business, and the desire to dominate a woman together, which they do at Baltimore’s exclusive club, Blasphemy. Now if they could find someone who wants to play for keeps…

All Hartley Farren has in the world is the charter sailing business she inherited from her beloved father. So when a storm damages her boat, she throws herself on the mercy of business acquaintances to do the repairs—stat. She never expected to find herself desiring the sexy, hard-bodied builders, but being around Jonathan and Cruz reminds Hartley of how much she longs for connection. If only she could decide which man she wants to pursue more…

As their attraction flashes hot, Jonathan and Cruz determine to have Hartley for their own. But the men’s erotic world is new and overwhelming, and Hartley’s unsure if she could really submit to being both of theirs to take…forever.

Hard Ink Series:
Hard as It Gets
Hard as You Can
Hard to Hold on to (Novella)
Hard to Come By
Hard to Be Good (Novella)
Hard to Let Go
Hard as Steel (Novella) (This is a Raven Riders MC crossover novella)
Hard Ever After (Novella)
Hard to Serve (Novella) (This is a Blasphemy crossover novella)

Raven Riders MC Series:
(This is a spin off from the Hard Ink Series)
Hard as Steel (Novella) (This is a Hard Ink crossover novella)
Ride Hard
Ride Rough
Ride Wild
Ride Dirty (Novella)

Blasphemy Series:
(This is a spin off from the Hard Ink Series)
Hard to Serve (Novella) (This is a Hard Ink crossover novella)
Bound to Submit
Mastering Her Senses
Eyes on You (Novella)
Theirs to Take (Crossover with Reveal Me by Jennifer Probst)
On His Knees
Switching for Her (April 2018)

Visit Laura Kaye's website for more information

Review:
Cruz and Jonathan have been best friends since they joined the Navy together and they've been practically joined at the hip ever since. They now run a sailboat building and restoration business and are also 2 of the twelve Masters who own Blasphemy BDSM club where they love to dominate women together. Hartley comes into their lives when her sailboat is damaged and she's in desperate need of their help to get it fixed before her next big contract. Hartley has never considered a triad relationship before but she finds herself increasingly attracted to the two very different men and when she finds out about what they get up to at Blasphemy she starts to wonder if she won't have to choose between them.

The Blasphemy series is fast becoming my favourite by Laura Kaye, these books have all been ridiculously hot and I love the way she explores a different side of the BDSM lifestyle in each story. All of the Masters of Blasphemy have slightly different kinks and I think these books are a great gateway into the genre for anyone who is curious but doesn't want their boundaries pushed too far. Don't get me wrong Laura will definitely push you but she won't throw you in at the deep end!

Theirs to Take actually takes place mainly outside of the club, there is only one scene set there towards the end of the book, so the progression of the relationship between Hartley, Cruz and Jonathan felt very natural. Sure things happen quite quickly but once again Laura made it so that I just didn't care how fast it was going, I was so hooked on the story that I didn't have a single issue believing in their relationship. I love a good menage story but only when I'm feeling the emotional connection between the characters as well as a physical one and this definitely captured that for me. It's actually right up there with my favourite menage book, Beyond Jealousy by Kit Rocha, and I know it's going to be a story I'll be rereading in the future.

This entire series has been getting hotter and hotter with every book but each story also has a sweet and loving romance in there too and that's probably why I'm enjoying it so much. Fantastic characters, scorching hot sex and more than a few heart melting moments that made me swoon, Theirs to Take was pretty much perfect and I can't wait for the next book in this series.

Source: Received from the author in exchange for an honest review.

Other Reviews:
If you have reviewed this book on your blog please leave a link to your review in the comments & I'll add the link here.

Kindle:

Blog Tour: Theirs to Take - Laura Kaye (Excerpt & Giveaway)

Decadent… Sensual… Forbidden…

12 Masters. 12 Desires. 12 Fantasies Come to Life.

Meet the Masters of Blasphemy…

About THEIRS TO TAKE (Blasphemy #4):

12 Masters. Infinite fantasies. Welcome to Blasphemy…

She’s the fantasy they’ve always wanted to share…

Best friends Jonathan Allen and Cruz Ramos share almost everything—a history in the Navy, their sailboat building and restoration business, and the desire to dominate a woman together, which they do at Baltimore’s exclusive club, Blasphemy. Now if they could find someone who wants to play for keeps…

All Hartley Farren has in the world is the charter sailing business she inherited from her beloved father. So when a storm damages her boat, she throws herself on the mercy of business acquaintances to do the repairs—stat. She never expected to find herself desiring the sexy, hard-bodied builders, but being around Jonathan and Cruz reminds Hartley of how much she longs for connection. If only she could decide which man she wants to pursue more…

As their attraction flashes hot, Jonathan and Cruz determine to have Hartley for their own. But the men’s erotic world is new and overwhelming, and Hartley’s unsure if she could really submit to being both of theirs to take…forever.

A Special Cross-Over Release with Jennifer Probst’s Reveal Me from her Steele Brothers Series!

Available On:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Add to your Goodreads

EXCERPT:

Hartley woke up to the image of Jonathan’s handsome face mere inches from her own. She smiled, because in the peace of sleep, he appeared younger, and she could almost imagine him at eighteen, tanned with sun-streaked hair, racing into the waves, a board under his arm.

But she didn’t want the boy he’d been. She wanted the man he was now. She peered up over Cruz’s ridged stomach at his ruggedly handsome face and the tribal black ink running down his upper arms. Yeah, she wanted the men that both of them were. Sailors, veterans, builders, friends. Men so confident in their sexuality that they could share a woman with another man.

At least, she wanted to explore this thing between them. It wasn’t just that the sex had been amazing—which it had—it was that they’d made her feel so damn special. More than that, they’d made her feel a part of something bigger than herself. For the first time in so long.

And that feeling combined with being surrounded by all this sexy, hard flesh had arousal stirring in her blood again. It was like that dream she’d had, only better. Because this was real.

She shifted, and Jonathan’s eyes blinked open. One side of his mouth lifted in a little smile. “Hey,” he whispered.

“Hey,” she whispered back. Mentally, she debated, and then she decided to follow Scarlett’s advice once more. Just go for it. “Tell me…tell me to do something.”

He arched a brow, heat chasing the lazy sleepiness from his gaze. “You need us again.”

It wasn’t a question, which made his words about a million times hotter. He understood what she was asking him. “Yes,” she said.

“Then suck Cruz’s cock,” he whispered.

The command made her pussy clench with need. Wanting to wake Cruz up with her mouth, not movement, she shifted as gingerly as she could. And then she took his cock into her mouth and tongued and sucked him until he grew against her tongue.

“Eyes on me,” Jonathan said. She complied readily, hungrily. “That’s it. Make him hard.” His hand stroked the back of her hair, each stroke a little more firm than the last. As if to let her know that he could hold her down on that cock at any time.

Annnd that thought had her suddenly wet between her legs.

“Fuck,” Cruz rasped, stirring beneath her. His hand fell against her head, too.

A moan spilled from her. She loved the feeling of both of them guiding her mouth.

“She likes our hands in her hair, Cruz,” Jonathan said, eyes locked on hers. “Don’t you?” She nodded as much as she could with her mouth full.

Now Cruz was the one groaning, and Hartley couldn’t help but thrust her hips against the bed.

“God, I want to fuck her mouth, Jonathan.”

“Would you like that, Hartley?” A fist in her hair, he urged her head up. “Tell me.”

“Yes,” she said, wound incredibly tight from just a few moments of their dominance. “I would love that.”

“Then tell him. Tell Cruz to fuck your mouth.” Jonathan’s stare was dark fire.

Books in the Blasphemy Series:

Hard to Serve #.5

Bound to Submit #1 – FREE EVERYWHERE!

Mastering Her Senses #2

Eyes on You #3

Theirs to Take #4 (9/26/17)

On His Knees #5 – Coming Winter 2018

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Laura Kaye’s THEIRS TO TAKE – Review & Excerpt Tour Schedule:

September 25^th

A Woman and her books

EDGy Reviews

FMR Book Grind

Knotty Girl Book Reviews

Red Hot + Blue Reads

The Smutbrarians

September 26^th

Feeling Fictional

Guilty Pleasures Book Reviews

Inner Goddess

Lit. 4 Ladies

Release Day Launch: Theirs to Take - Laura Kaye (Excerpt & Giveaway)

Decadent… Sensual… Forbidden…

12 Masters. 12 Desires. 12 Fantasies Come to Life.

Meet the Masters of Blasphemy…

About THEIRS TO TAKE (Blasphemy #4):

12 Masters. Infinite fantasies. Welcome to Blasphemy…

She’s the fantasy they’ve always wanted to share…

A Special Cross-Over Release with Jennifer Probst’s Reveal Me from her Steele Brothers Series!

Available On:
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | iBooks | Kobo

Add to your Goodreads

EXCERPT:

From Laura Kaye:

I’m thrilled to be celebrating the release of my super hot and emotional Theirs to Take, the next erotic standalone romance in my Blasphemy series, about the twelve Masters who run and play at Baltimore’s most exclusive club. Theirs to Take is a sexy ménage about what happens when two prior navy best friends and business partners meet a woman who makes them admit to desires they’ve never before voice. I think you’re going to love Jonathan and Cruz! I know I adored writing them! Even more fun, there are characters and scenes in Theirs to Take that cross over with the amazing Jennifer Probst’s brand new Reveal Me – and the best part is that both are standalones so you can dive right in!

Now, read in for a taste of Theirs to Take…

“Are they like you?” Hartley asked her friend, Scarlett, who’d recently joined the club called Blasphemy that she’d learned Jonathan and Cruz owned.

“A submissive, you mean?” When Hartley nodded, Scarlett said, “No. They’re Dominants. They like to control the scenes and their partners’ pleasure. Master Jonathan and Master Cruz are alphas through and through.” Scarlett gave her a teasing smirk.

“Master…” Hartley murmured, trying out the word. Aided by her friend’s commentary, her brain offered up all kinds of unhelpful imaginings. Her, on her knees, Jonathan standing over her. Or would it be Cruz? Being pulled over one of their laps, her ass in the air, hands stroking her. But whose hand? Gah. This was a full-on trip to crazytown. “Um, okay.”

Just then, the waiter arrived with their appetizer, but Hartley was too gobsmacked to think about food. As Scarlett forked a piece of mozzarella onto her plate, she looked like the cat that ate the canary. “There’s more.”

“How can there be more?” She almost didn’t want to know. No, scratch that, she really wanted to know. “What kind of more?”

“Take another sip,” Scarlett said, chuckling and tapping at the rim of her wine glass.

Hartley didn’t resist. She took a big drink, her heart racing, her head spinning, just a little, because she’d skipped breakfast this morning.

“Hartley, Jonathan and Cruz do scenes together.”

“Oh.” Her shoulders fell. “So they’re a couple?” Man, that was…kinda disappointing. She totally got it, though. They were beautiful men. Best friends. Had served in the military together and now were business partners. It made sense that they could be together romantically. But, damn, she’d read that flirtation all wrong, hadn’t she?

And hell if that disappointment she was feeling didn’t reveal a thing or two…

Scarlett shook her head. “No, well, maybe. I don’t know. There’s some speculation around the club that there might be something romantic between them. But what I mean is, they do scenes together. Both of them with the same submissive. At one time. You know, like, ménage à trois.”

It was a good thing Hartley had just swallowed, because otherwise she might’ve done a cartoon-like spit take. Heat roared through her body. Because those imaginings she’d just done…that question she’d just asked herself about which one would be starring in those fantasies with her…now she had her answer. They might not make her choose.

“That is the…hottest, craziest thing I’ve ever heard in my whole life,” Hartley managed, her brain possibly shorting out at the thought. Both of them. Together. At the same time. Jonathan’s golden-boy good looks. Cruz’s dark, intensity. At. The. Same. Time.

Books in the Blasphemy Series:

Hard to Serve #.5

Bound to Submit #1 – FREE EVERYWHERE!

Mastering Her Senses #2

Eyes on You #3

Theirs to Take #4 (9/26/17)

On His Knees #5 – Coming Winter 2018

Giveaway:

a Rafflecopter giveaway