Kari Lee Townsend – Trouble in the Tarot

The third book in the Fortune Teller Mystery series, published March 5, 2013.
Genre: psychic cozy mystery
Cover: love it.



For psychic Sunshine Meadows, sometimes fortunes can be deceiving . . .

Lately Sunny has been experiencing a period of big opportunity: her business in Divinity, New York, is thriving, and Detective Mitch Stone has finally agreed to take Sunny on a date. But thanks to her clairvoyant abilities, Sunny knows better than anyone that life deals out bad cards along with the good.
When Sunny agrees to read tarot cards at the annual Summer Solstice Carnival, she meets her Granny Gert's "arch nemesis" Fiona Atwater, and is overcome by a vision of Fiona in a violent argument. Sunny knows trouble is brewing when Granny and Fiona start having squabbles all over town. But the fighting comes to a head when a local baker gets run over by a big white Cadillac - and Granny and Fiona are found at the crime scene.
Sunny knows she should step aside and let Mitch handle the investigating, but she's not about to ignore her visions and leave her granny's life in fate's hands . . .


Sunny has agreed to be the fortune teller at the Summer Solstice Carnival, a weeklong event for charity, organised by the local Sewing Sisters. Sunny’s Granny Gert is a member of the Sewing Sisters, so how could she refuse the request? So instead of doing the readings in her own Victorian house she called Vicky, she is doing tarot readings in the park’s gazebo. With her cat Morty as moral encouragement.

Her first customer of the day is a very vibrant older lady, about her Granny’s age, but she could not be more different. Granny Gert dresses very oldfashioned, she makes her own aprons out of flower sacks, as she lived through the depression. Even though she has more than enough money, she still turns every penny around. Nothing is wasted when Granny Gert is around. But this lady, Fiona Atwater, dresses like a modern woman, with a nice hairdo. She wants to have an adventure and asks Sunny if that is in the cards for her. But Sunny does not see a lot of positive things in the cards in the future for Fiona; she appears to have an enemy who really has it in for her. Envision her surprise when Granny Gert happens to be that person! Apparently they once were great friends, until they both fell in love with the same man, and Frank chose Gert. Ever since, they have been rivals. And now the Sewing Sisters are about to engage in battle with Fiona and her Knitting Nana’s!

Whose crafts bring the highest price, and especially, who can bake the most delicious goods! And when Fiona sees that Gert has a soft spot for Captain Walker, the battle is on. They have to fight and make a scene where ever they meet, and in a small village, that is way too often. Sunny is totally done with it; she doesn’t even recognize her sweet Granny anymore.

And when both Fiona and Gert are the prime suspects in the murder of their main competitor for the bakery contest and for Captain Walker’s attentions, Sunny really is done with them. She needs to call her mother, who is one of the best defense lawyers in the country, to come and get her own mother out of jail. And to her horror, both Gert and Fiona are sentenced to house arrest in her house! They even get ankle bracelets! The bickering doesn’t stop for 5 minutes and Sunny is fed up with so. So even though she is not supposed to get involved in the murder investigation, she wants this over, and fast! So when her prospective boyfriend and police detective doesn’t want to share with her, she will start investigating on her own.


This is a real funny cozy mystery series, with a paranormal twist, especially in the form of Morty, Sunny’s cat. I really want to find out more about Morty, and I am very happy that he had a bigger part in this book.
I like Sunny, she knows what she wants, and she goes after it. Although she is a bit insecure about Mitch, as their dates keep getting interrupted, she seriously wants to give it their relationship a try. Mitch, or as she calls him, Grumpy Pants, has a lot to learn about women and relationships, as he keeps offending Sunny and her psychic powers. But I think this time Morty does convince him there is more going on.

The mystery plot was a convoluted one, with multiple criminal things going on. One involving an animal shelter, the chosen charity for the fair, and I am very happy with how that issue was resolved.

This is a fun cozy mystery series, the main characters sure are unique and quirky and lovable. Except for Sunny’s parents, I really don’t like them. I am very much looking forward to the next book in this series.

9 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Anthology – Rules of Engagement

This anthology has 1 full length novel, The Reasons for Marriage by Stephanie Laurens, and two short stories: The wedding party by Kasey Michaels, and Unlaced by Delilah Marvelle.
Published April 17, 2012.
Genre: historical romance



Everyone loves a wedding. The quiet country girl. The sophisticated member of the ton. A graceful duchess. Follow these charming ladies and their handsome suitors on their journeys down the aisles of England's grand cathedrals and castles as they make-and break-society's most sacred rules.

Rules of Engagement
A lady shall never be caught unchaperoned with a stranger.
A gentleman shall never flirt with a lady below his social standing.
A lady shall never waltz with a man to whom she is not promised.
And above all, an engagement shall not be consummated before the marriage ceremony!

Stephanie Laurens – The reasons for Marriage

The first book in the Lester Family Saga series, published in 1994.

The Dashing Duke . . .
Lenore Lester was perfectly content with her quiet country life, caring for her father, and having no desire for marriage. She took steps to remain inconspicuous and tried her best to show indifference - but no avail! The irresistible Duke of Eversleigh had found her out and was quite persistent in his affections . . .
The Shy Miss!
Notoriously charming Jason, Duke of Eversleigh, could easily see behind Miss Lenore's brilliant disguise. Though the awkward lady hid behind glasses and pulled-back hair, she couldn't cover her beauty. And Jason was ever determined to loosen the hold she had on her heart.


As I have already read all Stephanie Laurens books, this was a re-read for me. Still, as this is one of her older books, I really enjoyed reading it again.

Jason, the Duke of Eversleigh, had planned on never getting married. His younger brother would do that, and secure the title. But he foolishly got himself killed fighting Napoleon, and now Jason has no choice but to get married himself and get some heirs. His current heir is a cousin several times removed, and totally unfit to be the next Duke of Eversleigh. And so, together with his best friends, he makes a list of characteristics his future Duchess needs to have, and try to find a woman that fits his list. He wants to get this done before his aunts start matchmaking him.
The only lady who fits all of his desires, is Lenore Lester, the sister of one of his friends. He can’t remember ever having laid eyes on the lady in question, but she is very capable in handling the family estate as her brothers have no interest in anything but their own pleasures. And as it so happens, he has an invitation for a house party at the Lesters the next week. But first, he will ask his Aunt Agatha about the lady in question. His aunt knows everybody. And the girl does need to possess some good looks as well. And so, with his aunts approval, Jason sets out to procure himself a bride forthwith.

What he does find, is a very capable lady, who disguises her pretty looks with glasses and very frumpy dresses and pinafores. Lenore has no intention to get married and be beholden to a man. She likes her quiet life, and running the household and estate. And seeing her brother’s and their friends act at those notorious house parties have made her even more determined to avoid marriage. But Jason does not take no for an answer, and does his utter best to persuade her to accept his proposal.

So when her father jumps to conclusions, and announces their betrothal, Lenore is furious. She thinks this is Jason’s way of forcing her hand. But it is not, and he does his best to help her with everything that happens next. But when he goes so far as ordering her new clothes for her, she draws the line. She will not be dictated to by her husband for the rest of their lives!


As said, I enjoyed this one. Lenore is a very capable woman, she is in charge of a large household and estate, and she enjoys it. She loves to study strange subjecs, and is a very smart woman. And marriage was really not in her mind. But she also never gave a thought to what would happen to her, when her brothers would get married. And so Jason’s offer of marriage might be what she needs after all. Especially as he promises her a lot of freedom in running his households and estates. And she is not required to live in London if she prefers the country.
Jason sets out coldly to find himself a suitable wife, but he totally does not intend to fall in love. And when Lenore holds herself back, as this is a marriage of convenience of sorts, he doesn’t like it one bit. I really enjoyed his struggle with love.

What I also liked, this time there is no seducing into marriage at all. No attempts to compromise her, to get her to desire him. Sex happens after marriage, and I liked this. Of course this is nothing new, as this is an old book.

Stephanie Laurens has been one of my favourite historical romance authors for over 25 years, and I still enjoy reading her books. I do recommend her work.

9 stars.

Kasey Michaels – The Wedding Party

This is a really short but sweet story. Alana Wallingford is happily in love and engaged to be married to Bailey Armstrong, Viscount Netherfield. Who will one day be the Earl of Whitcomb. They met in a bookstore, and fell instantly in love with each other. Luckily, Alana is a rich heiress, as Bailey needs to marry for money. He was very close to proposing to Miss Wise for just that reason, when he fell in love with Alana.
But now Miss Wise has come to the Redgrave estate, to make trouble. She wants Bailey back, and thinks to get her way by harassing Alana. Who is just a sweet little miss after all …

She does make some trouble, because Alana is doubting Bailey. Would he marry her if she was penniless? But of course, that is not fair to ask. She knows his family depends upon him to make a good marriage to support his 4 sisters, as his father is a complete wastrel. So how is Bailey ever going to convince her of his true love?


As I said, a short and sweet story. But I did like the characters, Alana does have a backbone and Bailey will also do what is necessary to secure his bride.
I do want to read the books about the Redgrave siblings. They sure are unique characters.

7 stars.

Delilah Marvelle – Unlaced

Mark Jacob Danford, the fourth Earl of Thornton and the Dowager Countess of Kent have been the best of friends for years. After all, they have a lot in common. Both are parents, widows, had been miserable in their respective marriages, and neither of them were interested in getting involved with the opposite sex ever again. They even cheekily toast to the anniversary of their spouses' deaths twice a year. Until one afternoon, whilst playing chess, the game changes and they find that their "friendship" will never be same.


Thornton has been in love with Magdalene, Countess of Kent for three years now, and he never thought that possible after his disastrous first marriage. He also knows that after being abused by her first husband, that Magdalene has no interest in marriage at all. But he is tired of just being friends with her, playing chess weekly while he hates the game, and he wants more. He does not want to ruin their friendship, but he does want to marry her, become her lover. He already treats her son Charles as his own son, and Magdalene feels the same about his daughters.

So when Mark finally kisses her over the chess table, he does not foresee Magdalene’s passion. Nor her horror when she realises what is happening, and slaps his face. And so he has no other choice but to put a stop to their relationship completely. Magdalene misses him, but she knows that desire is fleeting. She has no idea he has fallen in love with her, as she has with him … and it takes a major disaster to bring those two lost people back together.


I really liked this short story as well. Two mature characters, with lots of baggage. But they have fallen in love, and now will have to realise that, and take a chance. I think Mark sure gave Magdalene a hard time, he could have just read her letters, and given her another chance instead of the cold shoulder. After all, he does know her history.
Still, it was a fun read, and Magdalene’s son sure is something else than a spoiled aristocrat.

8 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Jennifer Ashley – Lone Wolf

Novella 4,5 in the Shifters Unbound series, published April 16, 2013.
Genre: paranormal romance
Cover: nice



Ellison Rowe is a wolf Shifter who has embraced all things Texas. He's a cowboy through and through, complete with a Texas drawl, cowboy hat, and well-worn cowboy boots. He's also lonely, though he feels obligated to look after his sister who is recovering from a hit-and-run accident that has left her striving to control her feral tendencies.
Enter Maria, a human woman taking refuge with the Shifters, who volunteers to look after the cubs and help Ellison's sister. Maria too is recovering from a haunted past - she was kidnapped and held hostage by a rogue Shifter and then disowned by her family when she was set free. Now she's on her own, but determined to put her life back together and leave Shiftertown for good.
But someone is attempting to abduct Shifter cubs, and Maria and Ellison know they must stop him. As Maria works with Ellison to track down the kidnapper, she finds her heart slowly awakening once more. And Ellison realizes that Maria may be just the one to bring light back into his life...


Ellison has fallen hard for Maria the very first time he saw her, but he knows she is not ready for a mate. She has been abused by rogue shifters, and after that, disowned by her family. Now she is living in Shifter town, and working in the bar, and other small jobs. Maria wants to build a future for herself, she wants to go to college and become a doctor, she wants to escape Shiftertown. But Shiftertown is full of men desperate for a mate, and one of the wolves is forcing the issue. Broderick claims Maria, and is ready to get his way with her. Lucky for Maria, Ellison saves her, and Challenges Broderick. But Maria knows her rights under shifter law, and denies them both.

The next day, Maria is baby sitting Olaf, a polar bear cub, when she gets into trouble. Olaf has gotten away from her in the park, and has entered some sort of tunnel. And due to her imprisonment, Maria really does not want to go in there. Lucky for her, Ellison, Broderick and Tiger have come after her, when they sense trouble. Some men are trying to capture Olaf and abduct him. Ellison can barely restrain Tiger from killing them all, Shiftertown really does not need the trouble that will cause. There are other ways to find those men and deal with them. But first Dylan will visit their favourite criminal for what is happening. Apparently, a new bad guy has come to town, and he deals in shifter cubs on request of the rich and famous who want them as pets. As all pets are precious to Shifters, this cannot be tolerated, and it has to be stopped.
But when Maria is taking her exams, and witnesses Connor being kidnapped, there is no stopping her in getting involved.


A great not-so-short story in the Shifter series, and as usual, I loved it. Jennifer Ashley has created such a great world, with different kinds of shifters forced to live together in Shiftertowns, and with Fae lore thrown in.
Maria is strong, she has endured a lot of abuse at shifter hands, but she is not afraid of them in this Shiftertown. She is under the Morrissey’s protection, and that means a lot. But she likes Ellison, he can make her smile, even when she is hurting.
Ellison comes across as a big goof ball, dressed as a cowboy. But he is the head of his small pack, consisting of his sister and her two cubs. And ever since his sisters’ accident, she has those episodes where she goes feral, not recognizing anything or anybody, and a danger to herself and others. Nothing seems to be working to heal her, or bring her back and Ellison is the only one who can subdue her without tranquillizers. And now he has fallen for Maria, and will do whatever it takes to keep her safe and let her make her own choices. Although he will try to persuade her to choose him.

I love this series, and recommend it to all lovers of this genre. Both the full length novels as the novellas.

9 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Buy from Amazon

ARC Review: Jenn Bennett – Binding the Shadows

The third book in the Arcadia Bell series, to be published May 28, 2013.
Genre: urban fantasy
Cover: lovely and totally fitting the story.



In the third book in this beloved and "riveting" (Romantic Times) urban fantasy series, demon-friendly tiki bar owner Arcadia Bell discovers more about her own evolving, and possibly destructive, magical abilities when her bar is the target of a demonic crime wave.

Renegade mage and bartender Cady Bell has had a rough year, but now the door to her already unstable world is coming completely unhinged.
When a citywide crime wave erupts, Cady's demon-friendly tiki bar is robbed by Earthbounds wielding surreal demonic abilities that shouldn't exist.
With the help of her devilishly delicious boyfriend, Lon Butler, Cady sets out to find the people who wronged her. But the criminals aren't the only ones experiencing unnatural metamorphoses - Cady's own Moon Child abilities are evolving beyond her control.
Can Cady track down the monsters responsible before the monster inside destroys everything - and everyone - she loves?


I am sitting here, staring at a blank page, and have no idea how to write this review without spoiling anything for you. I was captivated by this story, and all the things that happen to Cady. And in the end, the book just stopped, and I went: nooo it cannot be the last page!!? So a warning, major cliffhanger, and you really just want to read on and find out what happens next. But I will try to write something of a review.

The book starts with Cady and Lon investigating the strange new and superstrong powers of one of Lon´s fellow members of the Hellfire club, who really should not be that strong at all. But Merrimoth is almost succeeding in killing them, and Cady has no choice but to use her Moon Child powers to safe Lon. But something is not right, and she even gets a vision of her mother!
Dare is furious with them for getting the man killed, and Cady is just fed up with him. She know she is like a father to Lon, but she refuses to be blackmailed by him any longer, and do his dirty work for her. She quits. And if he wants to turn her into the cops, she knows some things about him they will be interested in as well. Lon is upset with Cady about not telling him Dare is blackmailing him, but he supports her decision. Cady sure did make an enemy today, if the man wasn’t one already.

The next evening at her pub, the Tambuku Tiki Lounge, Cady is prepared to tell Kar Yee the truth about herself, but then two young Earthbounds enter. With painted faces to camouflage themselves, they throw paint over the wards and somehow shortcircuit the electricity, so Cady cannot trap them, and with unusually strong knacks they take the till. Kar Yee gets two broken collar bones when she slips on the paint, and as she uses her knack of fear, even Cady cannot fight it and the boys, and has to see them flee the premises with their money. Kar Yee has to go to the hospital and Bob, one of their regulars and a healer, goes with her to make sure they threat her right. While Cady has to stay back and deal with the police and the mess.

When Cady finds out, their place was not the only one robbed by strong Earthbounds, she and Lon set out to investigate. And when they get the clue that a new drug is involved, they need the help of their favourite drug dealer: Hajo. Lon is so not happy with that, but they have no choice if they want to prevent more crimes and perhaps deaths.

A top of all this, Cady has to deal with Lon’s inlaws. His former mother in law, and sister in law are visiting, as they are still very close to Lon and Jupe. And it does not appear as though she gets accepted into the family; Rose even wants her to spend the night in her own apartment instead of in Lon’s bed. She does not condone people living together without marriage! Cady is hurt, but for Jupe's sake, she will comply.

Every time Cady uses her Moon Child powers, something seems to go wrong, and when she finds out that her mother is not dead but instead getting more and more powerful in the Aether, she gets afraid. Her mother can get to her when she is asleep, or hurt, and she is really afraid of what is happening to her. She is changing into something …


As written earlier, this story is great. Filled with emotion, action, magic and discovery, it kept me glued to my computer. And as soon as I read the last words and got over the shock, and dried my tears, I tweeted to Jenn Bennett how evil she is, but also how awesome. I really wish I did not have to wait so long for the next book.
The things Cady has to go through in this book are not easy, but her relationship with Lon and Jupe keeps growing as well, and that was very nice to witness.

I heartily recommend this series to all lovers of urban fantasy or paranormal romance.

10 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Shelly Laurenston – The mane event

The first book in the Pride series.
This book contains two full length novels, Christmas Pride and Shaw’s Tail, published in 2007 and on September 25, 2009.
Genre: paranormal romance
Cover: nice



Christmas Pride

NYPD cop Desiree “Dez” MacDermot knows she’s changed a lot since she palled around with her childhood buddy, Mace. But it’s fair to say that Mace has changed even more. It isn’t just those too sexy gold eyes, or the six-four, built-like-a-Navy Seal body. It’s something in the way he sniffs her neck and purrs, making her entire body tingle…


Mace Llewellyn is back in New York city, after 14 years in the navy, and he is ready to start his new life. With his best friend Smitty (who is a wolf shifter, while he is a big bad lion and the only breeding male of the Llewellyn clan) he will start a private investigating business for shifters. But first he will have to find the girl he has been dreaming of all this time, the girl who moved away when they were both 14, Desiree MacDermot. He doesn’t know that his sister Missy warned Dez away from him, as being not good enough for her only brother.
So when he finally gets home, he is awaited at the airport by one of his sisters´ males, Brendon Shaw. One of her other men, Petrov, was killed last night and not in shifter style but with a bullet to the back of his head. And the police is in the house, investigating. So Mace gets lucky, as the cop in question is his very own sweetheart, who is very happy to see him again. She was happy already as she finally can harass Missy Llewellyn in her own home, and perhaps even throw her in the backseat of her car on suspicion of murder. And now she can needle her with Mace as well! But alas, Missy has called the big guns, and Dez is called of the investigation.

Mace doesn’t let time get away from him, and immediately asks Dez to go out with him that night. Of course, falling in bed together would be better, but he will take what he can get at the moment. And he is relentless, not taking no for an answer. The next few days, he keeps showing up at her place, or where she is working. He will even tolerate the fact that she is a K9 cop, who lives with two large Rottweilers she clearly loves. Dez doesn’t understand why her dogs are so deadly afraid of Mace though, they are well trained police dogs, and usually fiercely protective of her. So she confronts Mace with the facts, and he shows her his lion self. Welcome to shifter world, Dez.

Although Dez is of the investigation, she is invited over the a club by someone who was in love with Petrov, and she wants Dez to find out who killed her lover. Another enemy of Missy, but Dez knows Missy did not do it.


I loved Dez, she is a great heroine. She never did forget Mace in all those years, and having him back in her life feels good. And she even deals with all the surprises he keeps throwing at her, the fact that he is a shifter, that there are lots more shifters around, and the he is in love with her and has always been. He just won’t take no, and keeps pushing her to stay in his life, and to be together. But Dez deals so well with everything she encounters, even a pack of hyena´s, rogue lions and wolves.
And Mace is arrogant and a real alpha male. He is used to getting what he wants, and now he wants Dez, but Dez is not a pushover and she won’t pamper to him. They are great together.

8 stars.

Shaw’s Tail

Meanwhile, for Tennessean Ronnie Lee Reed, New York City is the place where any girl – even one who runs with a Pack – can redefine herself. First order of business: find a mate, settle down, and stop using men for sex. Even big, gorgeous lion shifter men like Brendon Shaw. But she needn’t worry, because now that Brendon’s set his sights on her, the predator in him is ready to pounce and never let go …


In the previous book, Brendon Shaw was mortally wounded, and the Smith Pack took him to a shifter hospital. It is Christmas Eve, and no one of his Pride wants to stay with him, even though he has the Fever. So Ronnie Lee Reed gets saddled with the job, thanks to her best friend and alpha female. She really doesn’t want to, she wants to party with her pack, but she also feels sorry for the lion, being totally alone. He needs someone to take care of him.
And when two armed humans invade his room, she takes care of everything, and takes him to her aunt’s home on Long Island, instead of to her hotel room. And being under the influence of the Fever, Brendon is really out of his mind. But when he wakes up, and is sane again, he knows that he has found his mate, and he will have the she-wolf. If only he knew her name …

To his surprise, the moment he steps foot in his hotel, he smells her. Her whole pack is staying here, and he has no trouble searching her out. But when Ronnie Lee tries to escape his notice, he gets furious. How dare she walk out on him, does she really believes he does not recognize her? Brendon takes her to his own suite at the topfloor, and is willing to pretend he still has a bit of the fever to get her to stay. But his younger brother might ruin everything for him.


There is not really much of a plot in this book. Brendon goes after Ronnie Lee, and she does not want him to. She is ready to find herself a nice wolf and settle down, and not have meaningless sex with strangers anymore. But she also is very much attracted to Brendon. And so she tries to run, and he chases her and catches her. Lion meets wolf, and falls hard.
Lots of love scenes, lots of humor and bantering, and Ronnie Lee certainly is not a meek female, she knows how to take care of herself.

It was fun to read, but after that I realized that the story in this book is almost non existing. I liked meeting the families, and their interaction is very much fun.

7 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Full review on my blog, www.boeklogboek.blogspot.com

Shelly Laurenston – Here Kitty, Kitty

The third book in the Magnus Pack series, published in 2006, and on July 3, 2007.
Genre: paranormal romance
Cover: nice



What do you do when you've got a hillbilly tiger by the tail? Or maybe the question should be: what wouldn't you do... Nikolai Vorislav likes his single life just as it is. Simple, relaxing and quiet. What he doesn't need is some foul-mouthed Texan hellcat living in his house, eating his food, flirting with his idiot brothers and shooting holes in his home with his granddaddy's gun. But those long legs, dark eyes and lethal tongue are making Nik insane and he fears he may be caught in the sexiest animal trap ever. Angelina Santiago doesn't know how she got from Texas to North Carolina in a night or how she ended up in some hillbilly tiger's house wearing only a sheet. What she does know is that she doesn't like good ol' boys with slow, sexy drawls who can't seem to stop rubbing up against her. Yet in order to protect her friends, Angie has to stay with a cat who seems hell-bent on finding all sorts of delicious ways to make her purr. Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, and strong violence.


Nikolai Vorislav´s is a Tiger shifter, and head of his clan. Tiger´s are not family people, and his father is considered a pervert for staying with his mother all his life. He even has real siblings instead of a lot of halves. Nikolai has no intention to bind himself to one female.

His two younger brothers are on a mission in Texas, to buy some land from a wolf pack, when they encounter the woman their brother was mooning over at the airport the other day. And when she is attacked by some hyena’s Bannik and Aleksei decide to safe her and bring her home with them. Even though she lives in a town with shifters, apparently she is not safe there. And their big brother liked her …
Of course, Angie is so not happy being kidnapped and taken to North Carolina. Doesn’t matter how handsome her captor is, she wants to go home! And she won’t surrender without a fight either, which Nik finds out in person. But when his sister tells him she is no ordinary human, but somehow part of the Magnus pack, with the crazy alpha female, he knows he is in big trouble.

When the pack is needed to keep Miki safe, and Zach cannot rescue her at once, Angelica needs to stay with Nik and his family for a few days, and she blackmails him into it. He will keep her safe for the next few days, or his brothers will go to prison for kidnapping her. And if he doesn’t comply, she will just start putting things on fire … Nik believes her, and he wants to get to know her, for a human she totally fascinates her. But first, Angelica needs to go shopping, as she needs clothes and other stuff. And with total disregard to him, Angelica knows how to shop and use a creditcard, not batting her eyelashes at the pricecards. And Nik can’t believe he just lets her run all over him.

Angie quickly gets friends with his sisters and other family members though, they adore her fashion sense and clearly need her help. Even his grandmother warms up to her. And both Nik’s brothers are trying to get her affection, and are fighting each other. Angie enjoys to watch it, though she is freaked out at the prey they lay at her feet.

Angie has always hated to be touched, but Nik has something about him, and he gets her to trust him enough to teach her that touching can be very nice indeed. When the hyena´s come after Angie, there is no lack of protectors to run them out of town.

In the meantime, Sara is going crazy that Angie is with strange shifters, she wants her home now. And when her mate doesn’t comply, she goes after her herself. And what she does to Nik is truly hilarious.


I liked this third book even better, because Angie is truly outrageous. She winds Nik around her little finger, but he also manages her with his touches. He won’t take no for an answer. Nik doesn’t spend time with human females as a rule, but he will have to make an exception for Angie, as she truly fascinates him. Body like a goddess, and a mouth like a Bronx trucker. She drives him insane. But she is not afraid of him, or of his tiger.

Again, lots of fun, action and shifters. A big family this time, with all the dynamics. And lot of tension between Angie and Nik, and some hot love scenes. I do think you should read those three books in order for the most enjoyment though they can be read as stand alones. And after two wolf shifter books, it was fun to meet the cats in a positive way.

8 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian

Shelly Laurenston – Go Fetch!

The second book in the Magnus Pack series, published in 2004, and on March 6, 2007.
Genre: paranormal romance
Cover: totally frustrated with his woman, lol



How much trouble can one small female be to a modern-day shapeshifting Viking? Well, it really depends on local gun laws. Conall Viga-Feilan, direct descendent of Viking shifters, never thought he'd meet a female strong enough to be his mate. He especially didn't think a short, viper-tongued human would ever fit the bill. But Miki Kendrick isn't some average human. With an IQ off the charts and a special skill with weapons of all kinds, Miki brings the big blond pooch to his knees-and keeps him there. Miki's way too smart to ever believe in love and she knows a guy like Conall could only want one thing from her. But with the Pack's enemies on her tail and a few days stuck alone with the one man who makes her absolutely wild, Miki is about to discover how persistent one Viking wolf can be. This book has been previously published and has been revised from its original release. Warning, this title contains the following: explicit sex, graphic language, and strong violence.


In the first book, Conall really fell hard for Miki, Sara’s friend. Miki is rude and has no brake on her thoughts at all. She is incredibly smart, and carries a lot of weapons with her. Miki keeps putting Conall in his place, but he doesn’t care, she is his and he will have her.
Before she will be taking her dissertation in college in Seattle, Miki will stay with Sara and her pack for a few days.
When Sara points Miki to her room, to unpack and freshen up, she ends up in Conall´s room, and does not know that. She just falls facedown on his bed, and enjoys the softness and the scent of the sheets. But Conall is very happy to find her in his room, and tries to seduce her. Miki is mortified when she finds out she is in the wrong room, and not Conall. Still, she has been dreaming of him for months now, just like he has done about her.
That evening they all get out to a local shiftersbar, but while on the phone outside, Miki is accosted by some strangers. She defends herself though, and gets back inside. Conall is furious that something dared to mark his female, and he still doesn’t know what species of shifter they are dealing with. It is the same scent they found on their land earlier.
Conall is determined to protect Miki. Even though she doesn’t want him to, nor need it. And so he will go with her to campus, and wait for her to take her back home.


I really enjoyed this book. Miki is outrageous. She even drugs Conall to keep him off her back. She is such a genius, she has invented some kind of fire weapon the government would kill to have, and she uses it when they are attacked at campus by a whole tribe of hyena´s. She is awesome.
And Conall might look like a huge blond teddy bear, but he is a Viking wolf, and when provoked, goes Berserker. And when his female is in danger, no one is safe from him. I loved them together, and I love how Miki treats the wolves like dogs, and tries to play catch with them. She can be adorable and geeky, and she does fall hard for Conall.

I loved their bantering, and the fact that the real sex scenes happened later in the book. Action, humor, delicious shape shifters, what more can I want in a book.

8 stars.

© 2013 Reviews by Aurian