Review/Giveaway: A Tiger's Claim by Lia Davis

Title: A Tiger's Claim
Series: An Ashwood Falls Novel #1
Author: Lia Davis
Published: March 2013, Fated Desires Publishing
Format: Ebook provided for review
Tour: Yes, Sizzling PR

As the Alpha’s only daughter Shayna Andrews has always been treated like a rare gem, protected like royalty, and she’s suffocating. Her longing to be independent has driven her to sneak out one evening after dinner. After relishing in being able to run free without an escort, she finds herself face-to-face with the enemy, miles from home, and nearly loses her life until a lone wolf comes to her aid.

Travis Hunter’s main objective is to destroy the Onyx Pack—a group of drug using, murdering rogue shifters. His seek-and-destroy plans are put on hold when he rescues a female from a brutal attack. The beautifully exotic tiger shifter, Shayna, stirs a passion he thought died with his long-lost mate.

When Shay’s first heat cycle slams into her, Travis has no choice but to submit to her needs—and his own. But there is always a price to sleeping with the Pack princess. Not only will he have to face her Pack, Shay and Travis will now have to deal with that fact that their mating is beyond a simple night and could have consequences more than either of them had thought. And when Travis finds out Shay wears the enemy’s brand, things will go from bad to worse.

Warning: One alpha female who doesn't take no for an answer, a wolf with more on the line than just his heart, and a combustible attraction that's sure to cause more than one sweaty night.

This is an unusual read for me in the fact that there are some things that didn’t quite click with me as well as others in this story, but I really did enjoy it overall. Does that make sense? Let me see if I can explain…

This is the story of Shayna, and she is an adopted white tiger shifter. Cool, right? I thought so too. She’s been adopted by a leopard shifter family, and the patriarch happens to also be the pack Alpha. Even cooler. So in a way, Shayna is like a princess. That means lots of males in her life looking over her shoulder, and just being protective. That’s all well and good until you want some space, which Shayna does. So she takes off on a run. Heck, who can blame her? Well, that’s until she runs into trouble in the form of some rogue mutant shifters. The way these guys are explained depicts them as kind of gross, in my opinion. They are shifters, but they are stuck in midshift – permanently.

The thing that didn’t quite gel with me is that these guys are the big bad. They’ve got the whole area on alert. It’s a repetitive thing throughout the story. But for the most part, there isn’t really a lot to do with them. A couple fights, a battle… but nothing in any real detail. I really would have liked to see more, because they truly sound like the bad guys – and I just love that. I don’t want to always be able to sympathize and um, be turned on, by the bad guy.

Luckily someone comes to rescue Shayna, and that would be Travis. Well hello single daddy wolfen sexy man! I really liked Travis. Strong and sweet, and Alpha. I swear, you just say Alpha and I begin to drool. Shayna and Travis hit it off pretty well pretty early. I love the “Mine” shifter mentality, and Travis and Shayna don’t disappoint. I also thought it was wicked awesome that he is a wolf, she is a tiger, and her family is leopards. See, we all can get along!

Travis’ daughter, Josie, is a four year old ball of fun. The girl really stole the show at some points, and I found myself caring for this girl quickly and easily. She’s just one addition to this great cast of characters. I really liked Blaine, Shayna’s brother. But I can say that I wish some of these characters had more background. There were times when I felt like I was jumping in the middle of a series, rather than the first book.

Overall this was a light and fun read. There were many elements to this story that I thought were great additions – like magic and inherent powers. I can easily say I am looking forward to seeing more of this series in the future!

Authors Bio:

Lia Davis is a mother to two young adults and two very special kitties, a wife to her soul mate, a paranormal romance author, graphic designer, and co-owner to Fated Desires Publishing, LLC. She and her family live in Northeast Florida battling hurricanes and very humid summers. But it’s her home and she loves it!An accounting major, Lia has always been a dreamer with a very activity imagination. The wheels in her head never stop. She ventured into the world of writing and publishing in 2008 and loves it more than she imagined. Writing and designing are stress relievers that allow her to go off in her corner of the house and enter into another world that she created, leaving real life where it belongs.Her favorite things are spending time with family, traveling, reading, writing, chocolate, coffee, nature and hanging out with her kitties.

Author website | Facebook | Twitter | Goodreads | G+

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Review: Frayed by Blakely Chorpenning

Title: Frayed
Series: Madison Lark #1
Author: Blakely Chorpenning
Published: December 2011
Format: Ebook provided for review
Tour: No

Fray loves being a semi-pro fighter and free spirit. However, when a deadly faction begins abducting supernatural teens in the Blue Hills of North Carolina for excruciating experiments, she quickly learns there is more to life than glitzy opponents and late night trysts. Fray and a crew of unlikely allies must rescue the children before they are dissected alive. Being a leopard shapeshifter helps. Confronting personal prejudice and traversing feelings for a tempestuous ex do not mix. But Fray is willing to go all the way to stop her world from changing. That is, until the ultimate sacrifice forces her to realize just how overdue change is.

Her most shocking discovery: Everyone’s human. At least a little…

This book held more than a few surprises inside that I was not expecting. I think it is completely unique in its story, and I was turning pages as fast as I could to find out what would happen next.

See, first we have Fray, which is actually a nickname for a leopard shifter woman named Madison Lark. She is this badass semi-pro MMA fighter. Yep, a female MMA fighter. That’s what initially was interested in this story. I love when a character is not something you normally see, especially when it is a woman who is breaking stereotypes. And Fray definitely lived up to that expectation. She is tough, strong, beautiful, and shit is about to get real for her.

Kids have been disappearing from the shifter community. And here is something else I liked. Fray is leopard, but there are lion shifters, wolves, and vampires in this book. Even shadowshifters. The diversity was beyond awesome. Fray gets paired of up with Nash, a vampire. Vampires typically could not care less about the doings of shifters, but he’s not completely heartless, ya know.

Actually, I really liked Nash a lot. He has a flirtatious nature, and a great sense of humor. I’m really hoping that he will be featured more in upcoming books. At first I thought he might be a potential romance for Fray, with all of his flirting. But that was before I met Blaire.

Blaire is the leader in training, as his dad is nearing death any day now. The guy has got a lot on his shoulders, and not the least of it is his on again/off again relationship with Fray. They have some really terrific scenes together, and he is another character I’d love to see more of.

And that’s what is so great about this story, I could say that about practically all of the characters. Everyone was so clearly described, I could see them in my mind like I’d known them forever.

Now for the plot and the whole storyline. It picks up quick and it will grab you. A lot gets accomplished in a short time – this is a novella length book. Fray wants, no – needs, to find these children. What she believes is being done to them can only be described as a horrendous nightmare.

There are parts of this book that will make you smirk, and some will make you throw your fist in the air. And there are some that will heat you up, and some that will break you down. You will get angry and scared and you will want to know how such horrible creatures can exist. This author doesn’t hold back at all, and I think the story will definitely speak for itself.

And if you aren’t sure about Fray, here’s a little bit of something she has to say:

“Do what you want to me. It better be worth it, though.” I stretched my neck until the tips of our eyelashes rubbed, facing that alien gaze. “Because I plan to spit on your carcass before sunrise.”

See? Badass.

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Review: Frayed by Blakely Chorpenning

Title: Frayed
Series: Madison Lark #1
Author: Blakely Chorpenning
Published: December 2011
Format: Ebook provided for review
Tour: No

Fray loves being a semi-pro fighter and free spirit. However, when a deadly faction begins abducting supernatural teens in the Blue Hills of North Carolina for excruciating experiments, she quickly learns there is more to life than glitzy opponents and late night trysts. Fray and a crew of unlikely allies must rescue the children before they are dissected alive. Being a leopard shapeshifter helps. Confronting personal prejudice and traversing feelings for a tempestuous ex do not mix. But Fray is willing to go all the way to stop her world from changing. That is, until the ultimate sacrifice forces her to realize just how overdue change is.

Her most shocking discovery: Everyone’s human. At least a little…

This book held more than a few surprises inside that I was not expecting. I think it is completely unique in its story, and I was turning pages as fast as I could to find out what would happen next.

See, first we have Fray, which is actually a nickname for a leopard shifter woman named Madison Lark. She is this badass semi-pro MMA fighter. Yep, a female MMA fighter. That’s what initially was interested in this story. I love when a character is not something you normally see, especially when it is a woman who is breaking stereotypes. And Fray definitely lived up to that expectation. She is tough, strong, beautiful, and shit is about to get real for her.

Kids have been disappearing from the shifter community. And here is something else I liked. Fray is leopard, but there are lion shifters, wolves, and vampires in this book. Even shadowshifters. The diversity was beyond awesome. Fray gets paired of up with Nash, a vampire. Vampires typically could not care less about the doings of shifters, but he’s not completely heartless, ya know.

Actually, I really liked Nash a lot. He has a flirtatious nature, and a great sense of humor. I’m really hoping that he will be featured more in upcoming books. At first I thought he might be a potential romance for Fray, with all of his flirting. But that was before I met Blaire.

Blaire is the leader in training, as his dad is nearing death any day now. The guy has got a lot on his shoulders, and not the least of it is his on again/off again relationship with Fray. They have some really terrific scenes together, and he is another character I’d love to see more of.

And that’s what is so great about this story, I could say that about practically all of the characters. Everyone was so clearly described, I could see them in my mind like I’d known them forever.

Now for the plot and the whole storyline. It picks up quick and it will grab you. A lot gets accomplished in a short time – this is a novella length book. Fray wants, no – needs, to find these children. What she believes is being done to them can only be described as a horrendous nightmare.

There are parts of this book that will make you smirk, and some will make you throw your fist in the air. And there are some that will heat you up, and some that will break you down. You will get angry and scared and you will want to know how such horrible creatures can exist. This author doesn’t hold back at all, and I think the story will definitely speak for itself.

And if you aren’t sure about Fray, here’s a little bit of something she has to say:

“Do what you want to me. It better be worth it, though.” I stretched my neck until the tips of our eyelashes rubbed, facing that alien gaze. “Because I plan to spit on your carcass before sunrise.”

See? Badass.

Find Blakely Online

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Review/Giveaway: Change by Soraya Lane

Title: Change
Series: Not yet, but I have my fingers crossed!
Author: Soraya Lane
Published: July 2012
Format: Ebook provided for review

When her twin sister dies of a mysterious heart condition, Riley King is sent to her grandma’s ranch. But instead of the isolation she’s been aching for, she learns of a family secret that’s been deliberately kept from her, until now.

As if finding out she’s actually a leopard wasn't enough shock for one vacation, Riley meets Hunter Logan … the guy she’s promised to. For life. But Riley has no intention of being told what to do by anyone, certainly not some stubborn, dominant shifter. Even if he can make her purr, her claws are slicing out. Until Riley realizes that not fulfilling her destiny would commit her sister to a life on the other side without her.

This book was a very pleasant surprise, and I am hoping that this will be turned into a series because I would love to know more about Riley.  Please hold while I go stalk the author’s site to find out…………(muzak playing)……………………………………  Ok, I don’t see anything that says there will be another.  *sigh*  Soraya, if you read this – please consider a continuation!! Edit/Correction:  As you can see below in the comments, Soraya says there will be a sequel!  So make sure you sign up to stalk her on Twitter and her website to get the latest and greatest!

Ok, back to my review!  If you look at Soraya’s other books you will see a military romance theme.  I haven’t read those, but it seems as if Changeis a bit of a departure from her normal fare.   Sometimes when authors try this it fails.  BUT I think Soraya hit a home run with this one.  I absolutely loved this story and I read it in one day, refusing to put it down. 

Aside from losing a child or a parent, losing a sibling is one of the worst things a person can endure, in my opinion.  Losing a twin amplifies that because that person is essentially the other half of yourself.  Young Riley has just lost her twin, Claudia, to what the doctors are calling a heart condition.  To try and deal with her grief she goes to stay with her grandma, Sophia.  And that’s what grandma wants to be called, by the way, Sophia. 

Barely any time passes before she meets Hunter.  And Hunter wastes no time at all filling her in on why she is staying with Sophia, and who he is… and who Riley, herself, is.  Riley is a leopard shifter…but not just any leopard shifter.  Sophia is the matriarch of the pack, and Riley is her only heir.  Oh yeah, stuff just got real.  Riley is now forced to redefine her life.  How does anyone do that?? For Riley it includes this huge secret.  And now she finds out her life is promised to Hunter.  A walk in the woods with the hottest guy she’s ever met changes everything for Riley.  Again.

Right away I really loved both Riley and Hunter.  She is young and strong.  And while she is grieving she is also growing.  Hunter is protective and yet fun.  Sexy and smoldering, and well, animal.   And then on top of that, they are leopard shifters, which is fantastic because most often when you read about shifters they are wolves.  Yes, I love wolves, but every once in a while its nice to see something different. 

Riley’s first shift totally made me smile.  Hunter is terrific during it, and between the two of them, I just wanted to stretch my paws out and jump… well, if I had paws.

“I don’t have any claim on you yet.  They know that.” His breath crossed her skin.  Riley felt her body quiver.  “You’re beautiful, Riley, and I’m not the only alpha around here.”

There was really great tension between these two.  Hunter just did such a superb job at making Riley feel safe.  Scratch that, at making her be safe.  The flirtation between them is perfect.  The kisses… *sigh*  are terrific.  Especially the clifftop one.  You’ll see. 

“Riley.” He whispered her name.  She watched the shape of each syllable play over his mouth.

The story really had more emotion than I was expecting.  As the blurb says, there is some hope for Claudia.  I thought this would be kind of cheesey when all was said and done, but no, it was really terrific.  I really felt everything right along with everyone else right along the way.  Riley and Claudia have a redefined and very special relationship, and I loved the twist.   I was impressed and thoroughly happy.  

When the climax hits I actually had goosebumps as I clenched my teeth hoping for a positive outcome.  Of course I can't tell you what happens in the book, but trust me - it is wicked and awesome.  Riley really shines and I totally had a girl crush on her :)

So I’d definitely recommend this book.  I really loved it.  It was a bit different.  There were some terrifically steamy kisses, some butterflies in the stomach that I loved, and some really great action scenes.  Two thumbs paws up!

About the Author:RT award winning author Soraya Lane describes being an author as a dream come true. An avid book reader and writer since her childhood, Soraya now divides her time between writing, being a mom and caring for the many animals on her small farm in New Zealand.
In addition to young adult fiction, Soraya also writes contemporary adult romance for Harlequin Mills & Boon. For more information about all her books visit www.sorayalane.com or follow her on twitter @Soraya_Lane.
 

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Now here is your chance to win a copy of Change, yourself!  Enter your info in the Rafflecopter below.  Giveaway ends  October 19, Open Internationally.

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Review/Giveaway: Change by Soraya Lane

Title: Change
Series: Not yet, but I have my fingers crossed!
Author: Soraya Lane
Published: July 2012
Format: Ebook provided for review

When her twin sister dies of a mysterious heart condition, Riley King is sent to her grandma’s ranch. But instead of the isolation she’s been aching for, she learns of a family secret that’s been deliberately kept from her, until now.

As if finding out she’s actually a leopard wasn't enough shock for one vacation, Riley meets Hunter Logan … the guy she’s promised to. For life. But Riley has no intention of being told what to do by anyone, certainly not some stubborn, dominant shifter. Even if he can make her purr, her claws are slicing out. Until Riley realizes that not fulfilling her destiny would commit her sister to a life on the other side without her.

This book was a very pleasant surprise, and I am hoping that this will be turned into a series because I would love to know more about Riley.  Please hold while I go stalk the author’s site to find out…………(muzak playing)……………………………………  Ok, I don’t see anything that says there will be another.  *sigh*  Soraya, if you read this – please consider a continuation!! Edit/Correction:  As you can see below in the comments, Soraya says there will be a sequel!  So make sure you sign up to stalk her on Twitter and her website to get the latest and greatest!

Ok, back to my review!  If you look at Soraya’s other books you will see a military romance theme.  I haven’t read those, but it seems as if Change is a bit of a departure from her normal fare.   Sometimes when authors try this it fails.  BUT I think Soraya hit a home run with this one.  I absolutely loved this story and I read it in one day, refusing to put it down. 

Aside from losing a child or a parent, losing a sibling is one of the worst things a person can endure, in my opinion.  Losing a twin amplifies that because that person is essentially the other half of yourself.  Young Riley has just lost her twin, Claudia, to what the doctors are calling a heart condition.  To try and deal with her grief she goes to stay with her grandma, Sophia.  And that’s what grandma wants to be called, by the way, Sophia. 

Barely any time passes before she meets Hunter.  And Hunter wastes no time at all filling her in on why she is staying with Sophia, and who he is… and who Riley, herself, is.  Riley is a leopard shifter…but not just any leopard shifter.  Sophia is the matriarch of the pack, and Riley is her only heir.  Oh yeah, stuff just got real.  Riley is now forced to redefine her life.  How does anyone do that?? For Riley it includes this huge secret.  And now she finds out her life is promised to Hunter.  A walk in the woods with the hottest guy she’s ever met changes everything for Riley.  Again.

Right away I really loved both Riley and Hunter.  She is young and strong.  And while she is grieving she is also growing.  Hunter is protective and yet fun.  Sexy and smoldering, and well, animal.   And then on top of that, they are leopard shifters, which is fantastic because most often when you read about shifters they are wolves.  Yes, I love wolves, but every once in a while its nice to see something different. 

Riley’s first shift totally made me smile.  Hunter is terrific during it, and between the two of them, I just wanted to stretch my paws out and jump… well, if I had paws.

“I don’t have any claim on you yet.  They know that.” His breath crossed her skin.  Riley felt her body quiver.  “You’re beautiful, Riley, and I’m not the only alpha around here.”

There was really great tension between these two.  Hunter just did such a superb job at making Riley feel safe.  Scratch that, at making her be safe.  The flirtation between them is perfect.  The kisses… *sigh*  are terrific.  Especially the clifftop one.  You’ll see. 

“Riley.” He whispered her name.  She watched the shape of each syllable play over his mouth.

The story really had more emotion than I was expecting.  As the blurb says, there is some hope for Claudia.  I thought this would be kind of cheesey when all was said and done, but no, it was really terrific.  I really felt everything right along with everyone else right along the way.  Riley and Claudia have a redefined and very special relationship, and I loved the twist.   I was impressed and thoroughly happy.  

When the climax hits I actually had goosebumps as I clenched my teeth hoping for a positive outcome.  Of course I can't tell you what happens in the book, but trust me - it is wicked and awesome.  Riley really shines and I totally had a girl crush on her :)

So I’d definitely recommend this book.  I really loved it.  It was a bit different.  There were some terrifically steamy kisses, some butterflies in the stomach that I loved, and some really great action scenes.  Two thumbs paws up!

About the Author:RT award winning author Soraya Lane describes being an author as a dream come true. An avid book reader and writer since her childhood, Soraya now divides her time between writing, being a mom and caring for the many animals on her small farm in New Zealand.
In addition to young adult fiction, Soraya also writes contemporary adult romance for Harlequin Mills & Boon. For more information about all her books visit www.sorayalane.com or follow her on twitter @Soraya_Lane.
 

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Now here is your chance to win a copy of Change, yourself!  Enter your info in the Rafflecopter below.  Giveaway ends  October 19, Open Internationally.

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