Opening Line: "This would go a lot easier if you'd stop screaming in pain," Zoe told the muscular man lying beneath her."

OUT OF THE DARKNESS is the second book in the Offspring series which centers on a group of twenty-something’s who are the children of psychic parents that participated in a government experiment. These “offspring” have for the most part hidden their abilities and are only now discovering that others of their kind exist. Our heroine Zoë is a great character; interesting, wild looking and a tattoo artist who just happens to be able to move objects with her mind. However because Zoë has no control over her powers she’s shut off her emotions to remain a ‘closeted’ telekinetic and not be looked at like some sort of freak.

The first part of this story is super exciting as Zoë’s search into her father’s past sees some scary, gun toting bad guys pursuing her as she takes off into the Florida Keys. Unfortunately as soon as Zoë is rescued by the sexy and mysterious motorcycle man (what happened to him?) and deposited at a modernized bomb shelter where she meets others of her kind, it fell apart for me and I struggled to finish the remainder of this book.

Inside the shelter Zoë is introduced to several other “offspring” in particular Rand who is able to see into the future and likes what he sees with Zoë. Together the group learns to trust each other as they try to locate more of their kind, improve their powers and determine why “Dark Matter” wants them all dead.

Unfortunately this book just didn’t do it for me although in fairness I did buy it on a whim without realizing that it was the second part of a series and I probably would have liked it a whole lot better had I first read A Perfect Darkness and been able to understand the back story and secondary characters better. As it was I was bored with too many bland characters, silly made up slang words (in an attempt at youth and coolness) unnecessary trips out of the shelter to visit grandparents and a romance that took forever to get going.

However all the other reviews I’ve seen have been positive so if you like your paranormal romance with a sci-fi edge, loads of action and some cool chase scenes then you may enjoy Jamie Rush’s unique world of offspring. Cheers!

Opening Line: "Even at the close of the day, the sun was enough to make the ride home from work totally perfect."

Ever since I read (Laid Bare) I’ve been waiting for Lauren Dane to continue with her sexy ‘Brown family’ series and with Erin’s brother Brody as our lead character here she doesn’t disappoint. COMING UNDONE grabs your attention right away with its cast of familiar characters, erotic love scenes, perceptive writing and Brody. Wow, who wouldn’t fall in love with this bad-boy on the outside, tender and sensitive on the inside charmer, sigh. I have to say though not much ever really happens within this story; it’s more a character study which Dane does very well, drawing the reader into the emotional lives of her characters with amazing dialogue and chemistry.

Our story takes place over the period of a year so we also get to watch the entire Brown family grow and change and in chapter 16 Erin/Ben and Todd show us what they’ve been up to in a detailed ménage romp and um yeah...it’s hot. As a whole though I think true erotica fans will be slightly disappointed (with the exception of chapter 16) because of the lack of heat. Don’t get me wrong Dane’s sex scenes are amazing (mirrored ballet studio or tattoo shop desk anyone) and so well written they’re just relatively tame compared to Laid Bare and it’s over the top kink factor. Still this is an amazingly hot and sensitive read that fans will love.

Brody Brown has always been responsible for others giving up a promising art career to raise his younger brother and sister after their parents died. Now that they’ve grown and moved on Brody’s life has finally become his own and with a prosperous tattoo shop, nice house and freedom to do as he pleases life is good. However when Elise Sorenson moves in next door he can’t help but get involved in more ways than one.

Once a world famous ballerina, Elise and her young daughter have moved far away from the horrors of her past hoping to start a new life. The last thing she wants is a relationship especially with a tattooed, Harley riding bad guy but what Brody offers isn’t a relationship instead he offers companionship with no strings attached. A friends with benefits you might say and it’s working for both of them until Elise’s past comes back to haunt her. Now as much as she doesn’t want to admit it Elise might need Brody for more than just a good time in fact he may be what she truly desires.

This could be read as a stand alone but readers would benefit from reading LAID BARE (because it’s awesome) and you get the entire back story on the yummy Brown family and friends. Cheers

Opening Line: "Reyes stood on the roof of the Budapest fortress, five stories up, his feet balanced precariously on the highest ledge."

Opening Line:"To say Jessie Mathew's pulse was jacked was an understatement."

Well, those Wild Riders certainly know how to show a girl a good time now don't they? RIDING TEMPTATION is the second instalment from the erotic Wild Riders series and while I didn't enjoy it as much as Riding Wild (book #1) once I was able to suspend belief with the somewhat cheesy storyline and just go along for the (ahem) ride this was a pretty good read.

Jaci Burton's writing is easy, fast paced, fun, ultra steamy and holly jeez can she ever write a smoking hot love scene, encompassing just about every naughty little fantasy you've ever had. Tie that together with a team of hunky, bad boy bikers and how could you not enjoy this?

Even the fact that our heroine is a virgin which I usually find not only over used as a plot device but unrealistic didn't bother me here because it's explained in a way that actually makes sense. As did the fact that once her virgin label was removed she was really,really into it. So like I said the storyline was neither here nor there for me, in fact all the biker gang initiation stuff was pretty silly, but the love scenes and romance make up for it. And in all honesty if hadn't spent a summer (years ago) riding around on a Harley with a guy named Fang I may have enjoyed this a whole lot more. Those were the days...

Jessie Mathew came to live at the Wild Riders compound at the age of 15, rescued off the streets by their leader, a former military general now operating the Wild Riders as an elite gang of special-ops bikers. This band of former thieves and felons work alongside the government but just outside of the law and Jessie has literally grown up amongst them, leaving all of the riders to think of her as their kid sister. Now 23, Jessie's ready for her first undercover assignment. When teamed up with Diaz Delgado she couldn't be happier; he's the quiet one, the one who's always kept his distance and the one she's always wanted.

Diaz meanwhile is having un-brotherly urges, finding it near impossible to keep his distance from the sweet and oh so sexy Jessie. To make matters worse they're about to infiltrate the Devil's Skulls, a bike gang suspected of gunrunning. In order to do this though they'll first have to get initiated in and (for whatever reason) initiation into the Skulls involves having a public sex session in front of the other full patch gang members.

When Jessie lays her heart on the line and admits that she doesn't want her first time to be in public or to a random gang member, all bets are off for Diaz. Of course he'll take care of her `little problem' but how will he keep their hearts out of the deal? Burton has also given him one of those common tortured hero issues to deal with as well. It seems he's just not good enough for her, what with all the dark secrets and rage he's got locked inside. So while the mission keeps them together he'll enjoy the (ahem) ride but once its over, for her own sake he's going to walk away even though she'll hate him for it and his heart will break it's a price he's willing to pay.
Ride on...

Opening Line: " Anya, Goddess of Anarchy, daughter of Lawlessness, and dealer of disorder, stood on the edge of a crowded dance floor."

THE DARKEST KISS is book 2 in the exciting and original Lords Of The Underworld series and it's absolutely fantastic. Gena Showalter has outdone herself here, further developing previous characters and sub-plots she has also created my new favourite couple in Lucian and Anya. Their story is filled with raw emotion, tons of sexual tension and non-stop adventure. There are also several other immortals stories taking place at the same time which instead of distracting from only added to the tension in a very JR Ward kind of way. I never knew what was going to happen next and will absolutely be doing a re-read as well as continuing on with this amazing series.

Lucian, as one of the Lords Of The Underworld is the warrior bonded with the demon of death. As such he is responsible for removing the souls of the dead and transporting them to either heaven or hell. (Surprise, most don't want to go) Of his fellow immortals he is the most in control but also the most serious and sombre. Having distanced himself long ago he has no choice but to do what the gods command of him.

This book starts out with a bang as Lucian meets the Goddess of Anarchy in a nightclub. Anya doesn't mince words or actions in the fact that she wants Lucian and no other will do. He doesn't understand what a modelesque looking goddess could possibly see in him because he's not much to look at these days, having permanently disfigured himself to make sure no woman ever looked his way again. Anya however is a wicked girl and finds the scars sexy, wanting to run her tongue over them. After their first meeting Lucian is unable to keep the teasing, sexy spitfire out of his thoughts. She was able to make him smile and even laugh for the first time in hundreds of years and that kiss... It's a damn shame that the leader of the Titans has just ordered him to kill her with the added incentive that if he fails his fellow immortals will suffer the consequences.

So the chase begins, with Lucian trying desperately not to feel anything for Anya and her enjoying the fact that he's been ordered to kill her because it only makes the game of seducing him that much more fun. The duo `flash' (dematerialize) to exotic locations trading barbed words and having the occasional swordfight along the way all as part of their amazing foreplay. Ultimately they join forces which only complicates things further because Anya never mentioned her own curse, that of being unable to consummate a relationship.

I couldn't put this book down and found Anya to be hilarious, a sort of a female version of Bones from Jeanine Frosts Night Huntress series. It was refreshing to get a heroine who is not helpless, insecure and whiney but instead cheeky, aggressive and confident, never apologising for who she is. Lucian in turn is an alpha male but not in the typical chest beating way he's thoughtful, compassionate, loyal and self sacrificing. Yeah I loved these two and highly recommend.