Love Bites by Angela Knight

Publisher : Penguin

Date published : September 2014

ISBN : 9780425254912

Erotic/ adult romance

Reviewed by Gabrielle

Print

Weblink: http://www.penguin.com/book/love-bites-by-angela-knight/9780425254912

Obtained via publisher

Rating : 4

 

Three stories make up this book. Each one revolves around vampires. I was more than excited to see a story  about the Mageverse amongst them. I may have zeroed in on Oath of Service but all three stories are great reads. I am a big fan of this Angela Knight and was not disappointed in this book. Each story holds its own and more.

OATH OF SERVICE brings readers a story involving Morgana  le Fay and Percival. I enjoyed watching the love blossom between these two.  We get to learn a  bit more about Morgana and why she does some of the things that she does. Percival is a good man and puts his all into everything that he does.

BE CAREFUL WHAT YOU WISH FOR is about three vampires and an evil wizard.  The three vampires set out to rescue a woman but when the evil wizard gets involved things quickly change. Decker, Amanda, and Beau soon find out that fantasies can come true.

THE BLOOD SLAVE gives us the story of a female mercenary and three vampires. Verica is human but soon to become more intimate with vampires than she ever thought she would. Blood is not the only thing that these men long for. Now this story is one hot read!

These fast paced stories are engaging and each one pulled me into its own world. Not only are these hot reads but they also have great storylines and are well written. I enjoyed my visits to each of these worlds. This collection of stories reminded me just why this author is on my auto buy list.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

Wicked Games by Angela Knight

Publisher: Penguin
Date published: April 2014
ISBN: 9780425215654
Romance
Reviewed by Gabrielle

Weblink: http://www.us.penguingroup.com/nf/Book/BookDisplay/0,,9780425215654,00.html?Wicked_Games_Angela_Knight

Obtained via publisher

Rating: 4.5 Hearts

I am a big fan of Angela Knight’s books, especially the Mageverse and could not wait to read this book. Wicked Games gives readers three different stories and I loved all three.


The first story brings us back towards the beginning during the time of the round table. Arthur and Gwen have never been so sexy. This story is a hot and intense read. In the second story we get a twist on the Beauty and the Beast tale. I really loved this one. Love finds a home in the most unexpected places and couples. I enjoyed watching Brianne and the Beast’s relationship develop. She sees more than the shell of a man that he has become and is more than willing to fight for the man she cares about. The third story brings us Rose and Alan. A spy and a Union officer, who will win when hearts are on the line? Can love win over lies or will they lose their happy ever after? I loved coming along for the ride between these two.


I was pulled in to each of these wondrous worlds and the characters within them. As hot as these tales are the love and trust shines through in everything that happens. I really enjoyed the development of the relationships in each of these stories. One never knows where life can lead you. Happiness and love may be right in front of you and you would never know it.

Angela Knight proves once again why she is an auto buy for this reader.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

MASTER OF SMOKE by Angela Knight

Publisher: Berkley
Date published: January 2011
ISBN: 978-0425239162
Urban fantasy romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained by publisher


Some years back, Eva Roman was attacked but survived. Her attacker was a werewolf, and now she finds she can turn into a large, furry creature. But the attack left her emotionally scarred so that she fears not only herself but other creatures like her.

One night though, she overcomes her fears and goes to the rescue of another shape-shifter only to find he has lost his memory. The only thing he seems sure of is that she is his. Eva calls him David, and David is more than she ever expected. His attacker is Warlock, a powerful, magical werewolf who is the leader of werewolf assassins. One of David’s personas is Smoke and together with Eva, they need to stop Warlock from destroying everyone in the Mageverse. If they don’t, war could break out between the werewolves and those who live peacefully in Mageverse.

This story has everything in it that I really enjoy. A heroine and hero you want to win. They are not perfect, they have their vulnerabilities and they are not always the strong, ‘we can overcome’ type. An enemy who is really evil, totally crazy and also willing to go all out to overcome.

The Arthurian legend is woven into this story giving a new twist and bringing those characters up to date with today. The legends, magic and characters are cleverly interwoven and are seamlessly written so that it all reads realistic. Oh, and I really enjoyed Eva’s communication with her inner ‘Fluffy’. Then the romance. Oh my! The sparks between Eva and Smoke sizzle from their first meeting, and spark and snap throughout the whole story. The love scenes are hot and sensuous and got me squirming in my chair. After reading MASTER OF FIRE I was thrilled to get this book in my hands. I just need to catch up on the backlist and look forward to more!

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

BURNING UP by Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra, Meljean Brook

Publisher: Berkley
Date published: August 2010
ISBN: 978-0425235959
Paranormal Romance Anthology
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Danny
Obtained via: Publisher


Four of the best paranormal authors team up to deliver their fans a fantastic paranormal anthology that keeps you glued to the pages.

Whisper of Sin by Nalini Singh

In this story the reader learns how Emmet and Ria met, he is part of the Dark River pack and works on protecting the people of San Francisco from a vicious gang. He and Dorian foil an attack on Ria and that’s the way he meets her for the first time.

I just love Ms. Singh’s Psy Changeling series and this short story was my personal favorite in this book. It was great to finally get to know how they met.

Blood and Roses by Angela Knight

The vampire warrior Raniero is sent by his King to check on the loyalty of the wizard Korban, who isn’t really faithful so he blackmails Amaris into seducing Raniero, so that he has time to complete his treason.

As always Ms. Knight delivers with Blood and Roses another terrific story. It’s always a pleasure to read one of her stories and I am always sad to see it end,

Shifting Sea by Virginia Kantra

The wounded war hero Major John Harris inherits a property in Scotland, once he arrives there he meets Morwenna, a woman like no other he has ever met, but he doesn’t know the truth about her.

This short story, set in the Regency era, is a prequel of Ms. Kantra spellbinding Children of the Sea series set.

Here There Be Monsters by Meljean Brook

Ivy Blacksmith is desperate to leave London, she would do anything to secure a passage on the ship of pirate captain Mad Marchen, she even offers him her virginity.

This is the prequel of Ms. Brook’s upcoming new series Iron Seas and presents the reader with an interesting new genre historical scifi. I will definitely keep an eye on this series. The world building is very fascinating.

This anthology offers not only fans of the different author/series a lot of enjoyment, but also a good way for readers who want to try out new authors and their work. This book is definitely a keeper.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

MASTER OF FIRE by Angela Knight

Mageverse series
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Date published: March 2010
ISBN: 978-0425233351
Vampire Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Valerie
Obtained via publisher


Giada Shepherd is not only a brilliant chemist, she is an immortal witch. She has been sent by immortal vampire, King Arthur, to protect his son Logan MacRoy. Logan is a forensic chemist who investigates drug crimes, arson and bombings. If he knew that Giada was a witch and had been sent to protect him, he would send her packing. Yes, he is a proud man. But Logan and Gia have to team up to capture a bomber. They are highly attracted to each other, but Gia has been ordered not to have sex with Logan. Having sex with him could turn him into a vampire and he has, in no uncertain terms said that he will turn when he is ready. But things are going to hell in a basket and the truth must be revealed. Love could be the weapon that defeats a powerful enemy.

This is an absolutely fantastic book. I had to read it in two sessions and was very hard pressed to put it down. It is a book that will stay on my keeper shelf and I will certainly pick it up again to read. I loved Logan and Gia. They were so perfect for each other. Although sometimes I felt like hitting Logan over the head, he is a drool-worthy hunk of a man that I wouldn’t mind having around myself. Ms Knight writes a fast-paced story that holds you captive and leaves you breathless from the first page. Her characters are multi-dimensional, the dialogue is snappy and the secondary characters give the story life and depth and add some humor. I have found out that there are more stories in this series and you can bet that I am running, not walking, to get the other books in this series.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement of this book.

PASSIONATE INK by Angela Knight

A Guide To Writing Erotic Romance
Publisher: Loose Id
Date issued: April 2009
ISBN: 978-1-59632-837-2
How-To
E-book
Reviewed by Valerie


CLICK TO PURCHASE! In this very comprehensive reference book, USA Today Bestselling author, Angela Knight, shares her expertise and tells you how to write a hot, erotic romance that thousands of women crave. She explains all the basics of the craft from finding a story to tell, characterization, plot, pacing, those sagging middles and how to approach a publisher. Then she cleverly explains what makes a romance erotic. She tells how to open the bedroom door, orchestrating a sex scene, kink and dialogue.

I enjoyed reading this book very much. I liked the fact that she included the thoughts and ideas of her readers. I found that many of their comments agreed with my own thoughts on what makes an excellent erotic romance. Angela Knight uses snippets from her own work to illustrate the points she brings up in this informative book. I haven’t read a book by Angela Knight, but after reading this “How-To”, I certainly want to remedy this error.

I especially enjoyed the parts where she gets down and dirty and explains that even though authors may want to add some spice and even some ‘kink’, the characters in the story had better have a good reason for letting them do this. It seems that the consensus is that sex and kink are fine, but it must be in keeping with the characters. Readers don’t like sex for the sake of it or reading a story where the sex scenes are just thrown in or strung together because it’s expected.

Angela Knight gives a lot of very good tips about dialogue, she gives insights into the male brain and at the end of the book, Diane Whiteside provides a wonderful list of books that every erotic romance writer must have.

If you are seriously thinking of writing a book, even if it isn’t an erotic romance, then I can highly recommend this “How-To” to give you a good, all round look at what it all entails.

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.