Heat Level – Blaze

Bite Me by PJ Schnyder

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Bite Me (London Undead, #1)

Grade: B+
Hotness Level: Blaze
Kink Level: No Kink
Genre: Paranormal (shifter, zombie), Novella
Series: London Undead #1
Reviewed by Anne
90 pages
Zombies have invaded the world, but seem especially drawn to London.  Werewolves have always existed in secret, and they are immune to the zombie virus.  The zombie outbreak presented them with an opportunity to come out to the world.  Seth is Alpha of a werewolf pack in London.  He and his pack are working to protect the humans, even though many humans are still pretty scared of werewolves.  Maisie is a young woman who was orphaned and maimed in a zombie attack.  She’s on her own now, and despite needing crutches to walk for any distance, she is a fierce hunter and defender of those she cares about.  One night she comes across some tourists under zombie attack.  Yes, in this London there are still tourists.  Now they come to see or hunt the zombies!  Just as Maisie’s assistance is looking to be not quite enough, Seth comes to their aid.  He’s fascinated by this small but feisty human.  She admires his strength and skill and remarkably isn’t afraid of his bad werewolf self.  
 
I really liked this story! The author accomplished a lot in a novella format, leaving me with both a satisfying story and some unanswered questions about the world she built. Maisie and Seth were fun characters, though a little simple, probably due to the novella format. The post-zombie attack London – complete with the Zombie Hunter tourist crowd was well done! There were interesting questions about the zombies. What had started them? What might stop them? Why were they so drawn to London?  There’s plenty to work with in future installments.

I loved that Maisie is really tough, even though she’s a human. Seth, as alpha of his pack was a pretty stereotypical alpha with the heart of gold. I’m pretty fond of that stereotype, though, so it wasn’t a problem for me.

I did have one issue with the story, though. I thought the ending was too much, too abrupt, and too soon.  It was both that I wanted more time with Seth and Maisie and that the final sex scene seemed poorly timed. Maybe a few days later would have been more believable.

It says a lot of good about the book that my complaint has to do with the sex in it. Generally I complain because a book has too little sex. In this case I was so engrossed in the story, the sex pulled me out (ha!) of it. So it’s a good thing.

I recommend this book for readers who enjoy a good shifter story and those who enjoy a strong female lead. I really enjoyed it and will be looking for the next one!

I will say I’m not a huge fan of the cover.  I’m fine with a romance that has zombies in it. Not so much zombies on the cover. Or maybe that’s supposed to be Maisie?  It’s definitely not my favorite cover.  What do you think?

SEAL of Honor by Tonya Burrows

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

SEAL of Honor (HORNET, #1)
Grade-A+
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-HORNET #1
Reviewed by Kay

Where to start? I have read a lot of romantic suspense. I have read a lot of military romantic suspense. I have loved a lot of both of these things. This book…..I LOVED the hell out of it! I haven’t read a great romantic suspense in a loooong time. Too long as a matter of fact.

Gabe Bristow was a SEAL but after an auto accident he is a SEAL no more. Neither is his best friend, Quinn. He decided to take a desk job at the Pentagon that his father, the Admiral arranged for him. Quinn comes to him with the idea about working in the private sector, kind of like a mercenary. He would be with other ex-military or federal agency people. He rejects the offer but after some manipulating by his brother, he accepts. Their first case is to rescue a business man that has been kidnapped in Colombia.

Audrey Van Amee is a struggling artist with a very wealthy brother. While being on the phone with her brother, she sees and hears his kidnapping via a skype like thing. She meets the team sent to rescue him totally by accident. She ends up sticking with them as a translator kind of.

This was a great read and start to a new series. I can’t wait for the rest of the team to have their books! She reminds me a little of Suzanne Brockmann and Cindy Gerard. There is lots of suspense and plot twists here. I am a HUGE romantic suspense fan and this totally clicked for me. The romance was sweet and fast building. This was a win for this author in my opinion. The only thing I can say that would’ve made it better, was if her love scenes were a little more like Lora Leigh’s Tempting SEALs series.

Into The Fire by Amanda Usen

Posted on by Dirty Girl Anne

Into the Fire (A Hot Nights Series Book)
Grade-A
Hotness Level-Blaze
Kink Level-None
Series-A Hot Night #1
Reviewed by Kay

Jackson Calabrese is from a famous restaurant family in New York. His father still runs the family business since his older brother decided music was his life not cooking. Jackson, the night before the big competition at culinary school, finally gets some time with Lila Grant. They have a night filled with hot sex and then something is said (I can’t say what) that leads to a huge misunderstanding by both of them. To say they part as enemies is an understatement. Then the story fast forwards six months, right before Jack’s restaurant opens and he runs into Lila again.

I won’t say anything more about the storyline except that you have to read it. This book is fantastic and it was a pleasant surprise. I’ve read Amanda Usen before but this is my favorite by her. I loved everything about this novel. And I’m a huge fan of food in my love stories. Huge. I loved the characters, both primary and secondary. I can’t wait for the next book!