WAKE A SLEEPING TIGER by Lora Leigh

Breeds #31
Berkley Books, May 2017
Hardcover

Obtained via:  publisher
ISBN: 1101612517
ISBN13: 9781101612514
Paranormal Romance
****



The latest in Lora Leigh’s Breeds books, WAKE A SLEEPING TIGER, comes out just as the weather turns nice enough to sit outside and really enjoy turning those pages.

Recessed Bengal Breed Cullen Maverick has risen to commander of the Navajo Covert Law Enforcement Division in Window Rock, New Mexico where he leads a group of agents in protecting the treasures of the Navajo Tribes.  Created in a lab, Cullen’s primal Bengal genetics are recessed so deeply that no hint of them can be found on him.  Yet they are there, waiting.  When his assistant, Chelsea, tires of her lack of promotional opportunities, despite her obvious qualifications, and quits, the Primal lurking deep within Cullen sits up and takes notice.

For those of us who still really enjoy the feel of a hardcover book in our hands, Lora Leigh’s WAKE A SLEEPING TIGER, arrives just in time to read outdoors and really simply enjoy.  Like all her breed books, this book once again finds the two fated mates fighting the mating heat and confusing each other with their raging hormones and angst. 

Cullen has been married before, but was not mated to his wife.  When she dies, he settles into a deep depression that only lifts after he agrees to hire Chelsea as his assistant.  Chelsea was only twelve when Cullen married, but she still remembers the love in his eyes as he married her cousin.  So when he suddenly wants more from their relationship than just employee/employer, it is difficult for her to hope and accept that her longtime crush could be seriously seeing a future for them together.  The danger factor, as always in the Breed world, is running high and the testosterone is even higher.  Cullen and Chelsea’s journey to love is hectic, trying and emotional; and fated in the stars.

As to the few negatives - while the recessed gene thing is new to the Breed series and really very interesting, the majority of the book could be any of Leigh’s earlier Breed books.  And the sex is hot, but perhaps a bit redundant. 

Fans of Lora Leigh books, paranormal romance and the Breed books are going to enjoy WAKE A SLEEPING TIGER.  The book is well written, has a nice flow and just enough of the lesser characters to remind readers of previous stories and hint at future books to come.  Can we all say, “Cassie”?


Reviewed by T. Barringer
tammyLRM@gmail.com

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

RULE BREAKER by Lora Leigh

Breeds #29
Berkley Books, February 2014
Hardcover from publisher
ISBN:  0425265455 (ISBN13: 9780425265451)
Paranormal Romance
*** 1/2


 

The latest Breed story from Lora Leigh, RULE BREAKER, hits bookstores in February.  It is Rule and Gypsy’s love story, but it also brings us thankfully closer to a whole lot of answers to questions posed in earlier books.

Rule Breaker, an animal-human mix created in a lab was bred to be the ultimate fighting machine.  During his time in the labs, he watched his mother and her mate tortured a myriad cruel and different ways before finally being dissected while alive and eventually killed by their captors.  He has made it his mission to avoid mating and the heartbreak he feels certain will follow.  Then one day he is on site for a rescue mission where Gypsy, a human, is found tortured and near death.  Since that time, he has secretly been keeping an eye on her, making sure that nothing bad befalls her.  He is also keeping a very close eye out for any mating signs.  As he hasn’t experienced any mating heat or swollen glands in her presence, even though he seems to have a real pull toward Gypsy, he feels fairly safe.  But Rule is a lion shifter and his lion has learned a thing of two about Rule; and he plans to use that knowledge to ease Rule into the inevitable, a life with his rightful mate.  When it appears that Gypsy may be working against the breeds, it is up to Rule to protect his woman and prove her innocence.

For fans of Lora Leigh’s Breed series, RULE BREAKER is yet another hit out of the park.  Like prior books in the series, RULE BREAKER is filled with emotional conflict ruled by strong animal instincts.  The love story between the two main characters, Rule and Gypsy, is both sweet and frustrating at the same time.  And while the two are trying to come to grips with their mating, other matters are coming to a head.  The secondary story, a toddler daughter of one of the ruling breed families had been injected at birth with something that is slowly and painfully killing her.  More clues are revealed that involve Rule and Gypsy in the battle to save the little one.  The clever way the stories weave together prior story threads, pull the series books together nicely in this book.

The characters are complex, the story pace is fast moving and the dual plot will keep readers coming back for more for quite some time yet.  While the romance aspect of the story may be “same old potato chips” to some readers, this reader thoroughly enjoyed Rule and Gypsy’s story, even though what really made the story a winner for this reader was probably the additional plot reveals and a possible cure for the sick child finally becoming within reach.  Kudos to Ms. Leigh, she knows what her readers want and she once again comes through with her latest Breed story, RULE BREAKER.


Review by Tammy (TammyLRM@gmail.com)
*This is an objective review and not an endorsement*

NAUTI TEMPTRESS by Lora Leigh

A Nauti Girls Series Novel

Berkley/Penguin

978-0-425-24564-4

November 6^th, 2012

Contemporary Erotic Romance

Paperback

Reviewed by Dawn (love2read28@gmail.com)

Obtained by Publisher

For Eve Mackay, she is grateful to the Mackay’s for helping raise her and her sisters as well as helping out their mother. She is determined to make sure Dawg and the Mackay’s know she is grateful for their help and is determined to keep her promise to them but when she meets Brogan Campbell, sparks fly and desires flame out of control. Brogan isn’t looking for a relationship but when he needs to use Eve in a mission, well things gets bit sticky for Brogan. Can Brogan find a way to keep Eve safe as well not lose his heart to the one woman who stirs him like no other?

I have heard mixed comments on this author’s books in the past so when I got NAUTI TEMPTRESS for review I was quite curious on her writing style. When you first meet the Mackay cousins (Dawg, Rowdy and Natches), I was intrigued since they were the series before this one called Nauti Boys and was intrigued a bit by their back-stories to continue with the book until Brogan & Eve came onto the page and blew up the story for me. The way this author wrote her main characters, Brogan and Eve, had me putting the book down more times than I can count. Brogan’s attitude of how he knows best for Eve because, hey he is a man, did not sit well for me and that was just the start of a downward slide into me muttering ‘Huh?” more times than I can count. Eve was one woman who started off great-strong, determined, a bit naïve and innocent until she met Brogan and all that flew out of her head. She went from being a young woman determined to make her way in the world to being so submissive to Brogan that I wanted to yell “get a spine.” Ms. Leigh lost me the minute she made her characters so unlikable and at times, very abusive. When I read a story I want to escape into their worlds and all NAUTI TEMPTRESS made me want to do was scream in horror and want to ask my friends, who recommended her work, what they were reading by her because it certainly wasn’t this one.

As a first time reader of this author’s work, the way this author portrayed Eve, Brogan and her secondary characters was so unenjoyable as well as unlikable, I will not ever buy or read another her books. I am sure there are those who love this series and feel Ms. Leigh did a great job but this was a disaster to read and the ending had me scratching my head going ‘huh?’ as I tried to understand how Eve could forgive Brogan after all he did to her in my opinion. The sex scenes were very hot but even they couldn’t save the story for me. Ms. Leigh may be a good writer for many readers but for me, she is one I added to my ‘don’t bother to read in future’ list.

This is an objective review and not an endorsement

 

LAWE’S JUSTICE by Lora Leigh

Breeds #26
Publisher: Berkley Books
Date published: November 2011
ISBN 9780425243954
Paranormal romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Tammy
Obtained via Publisher


The latest book in Lora Leigh’s Breed series, LAWE’S JUSTICE, is full of determination, perseverance, honor and commitment. Luckily, it is also full of sexy breeds and a kick-a** woman that takes no prisoners.

Diane has spent her life protecting her younger sister Rachel. Now that Rachel is happily mated, Diane is working protection for the Genetics Council. Lawe is a lion breed and head of breed security. Both know that they are mates, but neither is willing to give in to the mating heat. Diane fears losing her identity, being wrapped in cotton and locked away at Sanctuary. She is a fighter, currently working to find a cure to save the life of her niece. Lawe’s only concern is keeping Diane safe. Lawe has his work cut out for him this time.

LAWE’S JUSTICE is the 26th Breed book, but somehow this series never gets stale. Lawe is all alpha male in protection mode. Diane is all about kicking butt, not about waiting around to be saved. And yet these two are to be mated. It is inevitable. Their mating proves the adage, “good things come to those who wait” (or fight the inevitable until nature takes its course).

The storyline is more than just their mating. Diane’s niece has been injected with a drug that is producing strange symptoms, like purring, that could end up killing her if it a cure isn’t found in time. Lawe will do what is necessary to make sure Diane is safe while she searches for the cure (of course without her knowledge). The story moves at a fast pace and weaves in several other lesser characters, leaving them open for possible stories of their own. Is it possible that Diane’s niece and the lion leader, Callan’s son might end up with a story of their own? That would have to be a good one. Beyond setting up that story, the rest of this book didn’t really push the series arc forward much. Still, it was a fun and fast paced story that this reader really enjoyed. What’s not to like when two hard-headed strong characters are brought together?

If you are a fan of Ms. Leigh’s breed stories, LAWE’S JUSTICE is already on your “to be read” pile. But if you haven’t read any of these entertaining stories yet, this is probably not the one to start with. These really are best when you start with an earlier book to get some background into character motivation.

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

RENEGADE by Lora Leigh

Publisher: St. Martin’s
Date published: September 2010
ISBN: 978 0312945831
Mass Market Paperback
Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by Pam
Obtained by purchase


Mikayla Martin had lived a sheltered life, designing bridal and evening gowns for a living. She worked hard and with the help of her best friend Deidre Maple, life was good. Everything went downhill on the day Mikayla witnessed a murder. Now she’s being shot at, after sticking her nose into places she shouldn’t, and unfortunately there’s nowhere left to run.

Nikolai Steele an Elite Ops Agent, has been asked by an old comrade to prove he’s no killer, despite being mistaken for one. It all seems very simple at first, but finding the real killer, while protecting the fiery woman accusing his friend has become very complicated.

The suspense is very high in this tale, with the renegade trying to please so many different people. Behind the murder mystery there is a very hot romance going on, with well crafted sex scenes that almost burn the pages. The passion is high risk, as they try to work out who really murdered Eddie Forman. If it wasn’t Mikayla or Maddix, there had to be an explanation, and Nik is going to fix it, no matter how long it takes.

The tension level is permanently high, in this a high stakes story. As love grows Nik’s boss wants him back in the field, but he won’t leave the woman he loves while the killer is on the loose.

RENEGADE is a love story with a different slant, as murder and mayhem are almost bed partners in this interesting tale.

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

NAVARRO’S PROMISE by Lora Leigh

Breeds, Book 24
Publisher: Penguin Group
Date published: March 2011
ISBN: 978-0425239780
Paranormal Romance
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by Tammy
Obtained via: publisher


The latest in Lora Leigh’s popular Breeds series, NAVARRO’S PROMISE, is a story of denial, suppression and the wonderful surprises that can ultimately come with acceptance. Micah is the human friend first introduced in ELIZABETH'S WOLF, when the young wolf/coyote breed, Cassie, was in real need of a friend. Cassie’s best friend from that moment on, Micah has grown up among the Breeds and is among the very few privileged to know their secrets. Micah is all grown up now and still finds sexy breed Navarro Blaine starring in all her hottest fantasies. But Micah has plans for her life and they don’t include mating with a wolf breed.

But when Micah is targeted by those who want to continue the experiments on the breeds, Navarro decides the time for claiming his mate has come and what this wolf wants, he gets.

Let me say right up front that if you haven’t read any of Lora Leigh’s Breed stories, it might be a bit confusing to pick up with the 24th story in the series. Not that reading all the books in order is necessary for understanding, but perhaps picking up one or two of the earlier books would give a stronger background and understanding of what the breeds are and what they have been through.

That said, Leigh’s NAVARRO’S PROMISE is a fast paced and sensual story that fans of the series are sure to enjoy. Like with so many of the other highly popular Breed stories, NAVARRO’S PROMISE delves into the difficulties of a genetically altered group of human/animal hybrids bred in laboratories and treated like the animals they share DNA with, who are now trying to find a way to live their lives alongside a very frightened and suspicious human society while still being hunted by the many factions who still want to control and use them. It is the strong emotion that Ms. Leigh so vividly pulls from not only her characters, but her readers as well, that makes NAVARRO’S PROMISE and all her Breed stories so very successful.

Lora Leigh once again delivers as promised with NAVARRO’S PROMISE; the latest highly anticipated and wonderfully delivered hot and steamy mating from one of paranormal romance’s most successful and prolific authors. This is one series that this reader hopes will continue for a long time to come.

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

STYX’S STORM by Lora Leigh

A Breeds Book
Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Date published: October 2010
ISBN: 978-0-425-23739-7
Mass Market Paperback
Paranormal Romance
Reviewed by Tammy
Obtained via: publisher


With more than twenty Breeds books out to-date, Lora Leigh still manages to keep them fresh and exciting and her latest, STYX’S STORM, a story of betrayal and a trust hard won, is no exception.

Storme Montague has been on the run from both the Breeds and the Council for years after she witnessed her father and brother slain by Council Breeds wanting her father’s research, a data chip that Storme has been entrusted with. Wolf Breed Styx has been given the assignment to bring Storme in and obtain the chip. But after Styx tricks Storme into trusting him, he knows gaining her trust back will not be an easy task.

Lora Leigh has penned another spellbinding and sensual Breed tale with STYX’S STORM. The heroine, Storme Montague, grew up in the sheltered existence of the Council labs where her father and brother worked. She saw the very worst of the Breeds there and when she was forced to flee the labs entrusted with a data chip as her family was slain by Breeds, she had no reason to trust the Breeds or the Council, both of whom will go to great lengths to get that chip from her. After years of running, she has a moment of weakness with Breed Wolf Styx and ends up being held in the Breed compound with Styx doing his absolute best to win back her trust and perhaps even her heart.

Storme is prejudiced against the Breeds and thinks of them all as violent animals. Getting past this prejudice is the theme of the book. Unlike other books where a mere kiss starts up the mating heat, in this courtship, the mating heat only appears in the most subtle ways and this causes some serious frustration for Styx and the Breed doctors. Leigh’s telling of Styx’s frustration when the mating heat doesn’t properly work was entertaining and a nice change in pace.

The other great thing about this book was the way that past characters were brought into the storyline in an integral fashion. Their stories weren’t just told and dropped. Each of her past character leads plays an important part in the ever growing Breed society and they are intertwined smoothly into the storyline.

Lora Leigh’s excellent writing skills keep the Breed books constantly evolving and a series not to be missed. Fans of paranormal romances with some heat are sure to enjoy Leigh’s latest Breed story, STYX’S STORM. This series just keeps getting better and better.

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

LION’S HEAT by Lora Leigh

A Novel of the Breeds
Publisher: Berkley Publishing
Date published: April 2010
ISBN: 978-0-425-23380-1
Erotic Romance/Shapeshifter
Mass Market Paperback
Reviewed by T. Barringer Tammy
Obtained via Publisher


Mistress of erotic romance, Lora Leigh is back with the breed story we have all been waiting for, Jonas Wyatt’s story, LION’S HEAT.

As the powerful Director of the Bureau of Breed Affairs, Jonas Wyatt controls breed politics. He is controlled, calculating and incredibly loyal to the Breeds. But like all the rest of the Breeds, Jonas has no control over the mating heat brought out when a Breed is introduced to his mate. Jonas knows Rachel is his mate. He also knows she is reluctant to accept their mating. After all the meddling Jonas has done with the other Breeds’ love lives, it is nice to see that Jonas has finally met his match in Rachel. Their courtship can be nothing short of explosive.

Among Lora Leigh’s highly successful Breed series, stories of humans scientifically infused with animal DNA in order to become perfect soldiers, who are now fighting for freedom and safety for their kind, LION’S HEAT is probably the most anticipated tale for Leigh’s fans. Jonas Wyatt is a dominant, headstrong, manipulative, and strategic leader who has been maneuvering the Breeds under his control to the point where they are all looking forward to seeing him meet his match, one way or the other.

Rachel turns out to be Jonas’ perfect match in every way. She refuses to be controlled and knows just how to push Jonas’ buttons. And she knows exactly how to push those buttons with a smile on her face that defuses Jonas like no other. In LION’S HEAT, we finally get to see Jonas’ softer side and we gain insight into why he does some of the things he does. The strength and lengths both characters go to in order to avoid the mating heat is both impressive and amusing. Almost every scene these two characters have together is highly charged with sexual tension and sarcasm. The frustration factor is palpable.

The storyline moves along at a fairly quick pace and gives readers a truly satisfying look into Jonas’ psyche, which fans of this series have been looking forward to for some time. On the negative side, this reader would have liked to see a stronger storyline than just the inevitable mating story. Nonetheless, LION’S HEAT delivers what Leigh fans have come to expect, strong, highly sexual alpha characters overcoming incredible odds using their new-found animal traits to their best advantage in order to protect and better their existence in a suspicious and resentful society.

THIS IS NOT AN ENDORSEMENT OF THIS BOOK. THIS IS AN OBJECTIVE UNBIASED REVIEW.

COYOTE'S MATE by Lora Leigh - Coyote Breeds book 2

Publisher: BerkelyDate
Published: February 2009
ISBN: 978-0-425-22633-9
Fantasy romance
Mass market paperback
Reviewed by Sarah



Born into a world where men and women are genetically altered to have the strengths and traits of animals, Anya Kobrin is on a mission to save her friends from certain death at the hands of scientists in a lab. Sweet sixteen year old Anya seeks out the Coyote Ghost, a killer and the only man who can help her end the pain and suffering of those whom she loves. What she didn’t count on was her instant attraction to Del-Rey Delgado, the Ghost.

Together, they scheme for six long years to free the men and women in the labs and unite the breeds together into a coalition of freedom. Instead of the jubilation she was meant to have felt on the day of the break-out, Anya knew only rage as Del-Ray betrayed her trust and shot her father.

Coyote’s Mate took me a little time to wade through. This story has a lot of information and action that gets carried away at times. It feels cluttered and the worst part is the repetitious stupidity on the hero’s behalf that made me huff more than a few time and put the book down.

Anya is a character that is enviable for the love and admiration that she gets from everyone she encounters. She’s brilliant and competent with a bleeding heart and a ready smile. Del is a fierce, protective alpha male that is decidedly short-sighted in his actions, which is where the main turmoil comes from in the romance portion of the story. I grew impatient with the many different ways in which Anya was mis-treated and the many different ways in which she forgave the alpha, even though she’s not a push-over character.

Layered on top of that is the freedom fight of the different breeds and the struggle to kill the alpha’s or their mates. The other breeds’ leaders were pretty fantastic, If only minimally sketched out. I imagine they all have their own back-story that is wholly dedicated to flushing them, and their romances out. They act as buffers to keep the story moving forward when it began to fall back into the cycle of stupid hero, forgiving heroine.

It’s a fantasy and a good one at that. The story is definitely an interesting take on were-animals and a lavish, graphic read. The author was definitely talented there and if there is any reason to read this story it’s to enjoy the hot, steamy sex.

Sarah@Loveromancesandmore.com

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.

TANNER’S SCHEME: FELINE BREEDS by Lora Leigh

Publisher Berkley Sensation
Date published August 2007
ISBN 978 0425216613
Genre
Mass Market paperback
Reviewed by Pam



For years, Tanner has watched her and waited for his opportunity. When it finally comes, he wastes no time in confronting her–his enemy Scheme, the daughter of General Tallent, a man who has committed numerous atrocities against the Breeds race. He believes Scheme was a party to at least some of them because her signature is on orders to kill. There is no question of her guilt. The time has come for her to pay for her crimes, and Tanner is determined she will do so at his hands.

To the outsiders she seems to be the devoted follower of her father, while in secret she has been working for Jonas, the Breeds Security Leader, for the last eight years. Scheme has learned something so important that she must personally get it to Jonas. Now her father has realized she’s working against him and orders her death.

When Tanner is faced with the beautiful woman nothing adds up. His eyes and ears tell him one thing, but her scent tells a different story. And scents never lie, not to a Bengal Breed, whose olfactory senses are more highly developed than any other Breed. When Tallent's assassin attempts a hit on Scheme, Tanner realizes there is more to the story than meets the eye. He is determined to uncover every last one of Scheme's secrets, no matter what he has to do to get them and the only way to save her from Breed Law is if he can mate with her.

From the first moment this reviewer began to read this Breed book, it was fascinating. Tanner was captivating, witty, charming, especially when he wanted something and also very sexy. The Breed playboy endeared himself, as tigers are so beautiful.

Ms. Leigh set up the members of the Breed race brilliantly. She then proceeded to delve into what lay beneath Tanner. His darker, more dangerous and serious side was revealed; how he is inexplicably drawn to the one woman he should not want. It is a part which lives up to his legacy as a Tiger Breed. Scheme also had a dark side after her years of growing up with an evil father. She’s complex and the plot reveals both sides of her.

They are both eaten up by desire, which twists and writhes inside of them unseen it eats away at Tanner’s heart and his soul, while Scheme is scared of what her father would do. The premise follows many threads before learning the truth about Scheme’s sacrifices. Despite torture by her own father, she continues her work without thought for her own welfare. General Tallent is the kind of villain that makes it a little harder to sleep at night. The sexual conflict is high as neither fully trusts the other, but makes the story very interesting. The depth in this story made the ending seem a lot happier and ultimately this makes the book a lot better.