SHIFTER by Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Virginia Kantra

Publisher Berkley Sensation
Date published March 2008
ISBN 978-0-425-22035-1
Erotic paranormal romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie






Mad Dog Love by Angela Knight – Rance Conlan has been captured and harnessed by slave traders. They control him, he cannot escape. That is, he cannot escape until a woman buys him and his services. Now he has the chance, but does he want to?

A wonderful story, full of adventure, love and lust. Angela Knight writes a gritty, hard story and doesn’t fail to leave out pure emotions and a sensual, sizzling romance. This was my first story by this talented writer and I am already collecting her backlist!

A Jaguar’s Kiss by Lora Leigh – Saban Broussard of the Breed has come to pick up Natalie Ricci and bring her to to teach Breed children. But when they meet, Saban knows he is lost and when he kisses her, they are both lost as the mating heat threatens to consume them.

This is a hot, sizzling, scorching story full of passion and love. These characters are bigger than life but believable and endearing. The warring emotions that Natalie has to cope with are almost her undoing. This is definitely an author you will want more of!

Shifter’s Lady by Alyssa Day – Someone is killing panthers. When Marie leaves Atlantis to visit Prince Conlan on the land, she meets the alpha of the panther pack, Ethan. Ethan has problems with someone who wants him gone, she helps him and soon doesn’t really want to go back.

This anthology has the cream de la creme when it comes to shifter authors. This is another exciting, hot story that I really enjoyed. I love the Atlantis theme and have already picked up some of Alyssa Day’s stories. After reading this one, I am looking forward to them.

Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra – Emma March is on a ship bound for the New World. After being deceived by the director of the school where she taught, she just wants a new start in her life. After a shipwreck and being saved by a seal, she awakes to a life that is so new, she can hardly believe it.

This is a haunting story that I enjoyed very much. Emma and Griffith start their relationship on shaky ground as he cannot tell her too much at first. Their romance though is not shaky at all, but very sizzling and hot! This is an anthology that will stay on my shelf and I will certainly be reading it again.

ATLANTIS AWAKENING: WARRIORS OF POSEIDON by Alyssa Day

Publisher Berkley Sensation
Date published November 2007
ISBN 978 0425217962
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Pam



Erin Connors is a ninth-level witch of the Seattle Circle of Light. Ten years ago, Caligula, an ancient vampire massacred her family. Since then, Erin has been filled with the need for vengeance.Erin is a rare breed of witch able to call upon the Wilding, plus she’s a gem singer. Her magical expertise is rare as her soul resonates with the spirit of the earth stones. She is ordered to team up with the legendary warrior, Vengeance, known as "Ven", The King's Vengeance. It has been his name and duty for centuries, so he’s not keen on the idea of fighting beside witches. The Atlanteans are seeing a lot of "mythical beings" from the ancient scrolls popping up in the area. Now that Atlantis' warriors have risen, Ven must help wage a war against the vampires.

As more humans are being turned into vampires they must patrol the night, in order to defeat the growing threat. Caligula is building an army for unknown reasons, and Ven has never liked witches, bringing conflict to the mix.

Erin is feisty, and with her he can hear the gems sing. A dark desire rises and builds as he finds himself wanting to stay by her side. Lady Riley and her unborn child are dying. No one knows why or is able to stop it. This makes it a double quest as they search for the ruby that can cure them.

The story revolves around saving the second heir to the throne and humans from the vampires. The ruby is the only chance to save them all, but it means battle with the undead and shifters, while trying to recover the Nereid's Heart–a ruby of immense power. It’s a fascinating story as real life, collides with myth and legends. The story has a strong plot with enough conflict to please most battle junkies. The mix of characters could become a little confusing sometimes, but it was a compulsive read as the plot thickened. Ven is a fascinating hero who finds himself pandering to the whims of a woman, something very new to this very alpha male. Erin is the perfect match for him and the interaction and dialogue was very well constructed. The other strong female characters also truly embodied the essence of the ideal heroines as they joined to defeat a common enemy. Erin is determined to see her quest through and rescue her sister. Only a very strong resolute character like Erin, could have handled the King's Vengeance. All the elements needed for such a strong fantasy came together well, as the underlying tale of Atlantis, was meshed with the human world then integrated with the witches’ magic. The supernatural is a key element to the stories success, so if you enjoy larger than life heroes and things that dwell in the night, this is a great read.