Friday, July 15, 2011

Review!: After Midnight - Teresa Medeiros


SUMMARY:

Caroline Cabot dedicated her entire life to raising her two younger sisters. So when the time had come for Vivienne Cabot to marry into a better life, Caroline had no qualms whatsoever. Adrian Kane seemed perfect for Viviene in every way, so why would there be any worries about their engagement? Could it be that Caroline’s youngest sister Portia’s suspicions were correct? According to rumors, Adrian’s never seen during daytime, there are no mirrors inside his home, and he has all of his windows closed shut and covered at all times. It also doesn’t help that he lives in a castle that’s older than its senile caretaker. So...does all this evidence prove that he truly is a vampire set to take more that just Vivienne’s innocence? Impossible, yes. But Caroline had to make sure for Vivienne’s sake; she had to take matters into her own hands and uncover more about this viscount without the assistance of her sister, Portia. Trying to convince her not to “help”, however, was a futile task -- especially after receiving an invite to the Kane residence for supper.....a supper that was scheduled for midnight.


Despite Portia’s warnings about Adrian Kane being the dark and brooding spawn of the devil, Caroline still attends the dinner and makes sure Portia goes with her. Once there, Caroline meets a handsome yet enigmatic stranger who seems to attract more than just her attention. He’s personable, intriguing, and speaks to Caroline in such a manner that makes the conversation seem more flirtatious than casual, and Caroline has no problems with that....until she learns the identity of the enticing stranger she’s been speaking to.


Little did she know that this man was none other than Adrian Kane. With no other choice in the matter, Caroline needed to know more about this man to ensure her sisters’ safety, all while keeping her emotions in check. Thus when Adrian sets off to one of his many midnight trysts, Caroline and Portia jump at the opportunity to observe his every move. This chase leads them to the most celebrated - and notorious - pleasure gardens in all of London, Vauxhall Gardens. But things take a horrible turn for the sisters when they notice Vivienne and Aunt Marietta in the crowds and know they cannot risk being seen out on their own like this. Caroline becomes separated from Portia and ventures into the woods to hide, the woods where all couples escape to for their secret and scandalous rendezvous, lover’s lane. But now, Caroline is left alone with nothing to protect herself from perverted dandies looking for a good time.


As she closes her eyes and hopes for a miracle, who better to appear but Adrian Kane. With his help, they escape deeper into the woods, but this escape soon turns into an even bigger trap as Caroline notices Portia, Vivienne, and Aunt Marietta beginning to draw closer and closer to where they are. Now, Caroline has to make a choice....emerge from the shadows she and Adrian are hiding in and risk her family shunning her for this seemingly disreputable act, or stay within the tantalizing lure of the forbidden. In doing so, she’ll have to conform with her surroundings and kiss the man she’s with. However, what seemed to be an innocent diversion for them became something more for Caroline as she finds herself enthralled by his darkness and the secrets that lie within.


Rating: 4 Full Moons

Our Opinion:

Teresa Medeiros definitely began her novel with an interesting prologue that perks interests for the story. Even the first paragraph of the prologue leaves the reader expecting more and wondering what the future developments might include. As an introduction to the first paragraph, the prologue does its job of beginning to reveal what this novel is going to entail: mystery, some danger, and a mysterious gentleman who embarks on midnight escapades each night. The beginning paragraphs of the first chapter were successful in introducing the first two characters of the “After Midnight” cast, while also making the main story an easy thing to decipher: eldest daughter learns of her sister’s engagement, hears the doubts of her youngest sister, decides to investigate without knowing of the consequences she may encounter.


Characters (Main couple, of course) :

Caroline:

A caring, but also quite stubborn woman who’s goals and desires tend to be confused within her own mind. She knows which is and is not the right thing to do, but when put into a certain situation - dangerous or not - her grasp on reality and being a rational thinker seem to disappear, and she allows her feelings and heart to take over [like any normal woman would] Caroline always tries to achieve what she believes is best for her and her sisters, so her heart is certainly in all the right places...she just often believes that it is her body which is in the wrong ones [especially during a festival in the Vauxhall Gardens, or when she finds herself within a certain man’s bedroom....]

Adrian:

Definitely has all the characteristics of a macho man character within a romance novel. He’s mysterious, yet charming, witty, yet also mature and strong-willed. When Medeiros first introduces him to the readers, he is presented as the very interesting, but also somewhat odd stranger Caroline encounters at the midnight dinner party, but as the chapters and story progress it is clear that Adrian Kane is more than just an attractive face...and body.

Romance:
The romance involving Caroline and Adrian was actually quite slow; the plot was more centered on the mysteries of Adrian Kane [Is he a vampire, is he not...is it Vivienne he truly loves, or does he secretly desire Caroline?] There was the flirtation exchanged between the two at the midnight supper, but once Caroline learned Adrian was the man who would soon marry her sister, their relationship quickly became a forbidden one [yet Caroline still held many conflicting thoughts of the elusive Adrian Kane.] Throughout the chapters, their “romance” continued to be interrupted [as would any relationship seen as taboo]. Don’t get me wrong, there were plenty of incidents within the story that aided in the development of Caroline and Adrian’s hidden feelings towards one another [The scene within the Vauxhall Gardens, Caroline being behind closed doors with Adrian, and many others that cannot, and should not, be revealed by this review.] In the end, the choice is entirely up to you. Looking at the story from the point of view of a serious reader, I did enjoy the plot and developments of all the characters. The mysteries and plot turn towards the end did have me appreciating the novel even more; it definitely was a very good read that I bought the next novel (review to come soon) as soon as I finished After Midnight. So, if you’re impatient and just want to get to the steamy goodness...then you might had to skip a handful of chapters to get there. But, if you’d rather search for a book that deals in the dark attractions and conflicts of a romance novel involving vampires, then you can always give After Midnight a try for yourself.


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Favorite Moments:
She inclined her head with a dimpled smile, deciding it wisest to treat his words as the jest they undoubtedly were. “You should be ashamed of yourself, sir. If I confided such a thing, then you would have me at your mercy, would you not?”

“ Perhaps it is you,” he leaned down to murmur, his voice as deep and smoky as a forbidden swallow of scotch whisky, “who would have me at your mercy”

&

Caroline sneaks into Adrian’s bedroom in the dead of the night...with a stake, and gets caught by a newly awoken [and not fully dressed] Adrian who confronts her on why she would bring a stake to his room...Caroline’s response?: “I don’t suppose you’d believe that I was going to catch up on some needlework?”

Thursday, July 14, 2011

New Addition to Paranormal Inferno!

Carsen Travis:

           As Paranormal Inferno is getting closer to its one year anniversary, it’s also beginning to undergo some changes; one of those changes is an addition to its management team. So now, I’d like to welcome Paranormal Inferno’s newest administrator...Sadie Lorrins! She’s a full-bread romance enthusiast and an extreme lover of all things fantasy, paranormal and just plain strange. Sadie will be assisting with reviews, monthly releases and any other forms of posting. Of course, she’ll have her own contact information [which can be found on the ‘Contact’ page of the blog] so feel free to check her Facebook page or send her an e-mail – Believe me, she definitely prefers posting and answering blog-related e-mails than focusing on the stresses of the real world. So, once again, thank you for volunteering to become a part of Paranormal Inferno, Sadie, and welcome to the wonderful world of blogging!

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Sadie Lorrins: 

           At the risk of sounding so much like an actress winning a prestigious acting award, I truly have you to thank, Carsen, for having me here. It is an honor for me to work with you as we trek our way into this wacky mix of romance, fantasy, supernatural and weblogs galore. My only hope now is that I do my best for all of you and put my everything into Paranormal Inferno. Feel free to contact me with whatever questions, tidbits, constructive criticisms and stories you have for me and I will get back to you as soon as possible. Once again, hello to all and thank you for your kind welcome!

Monday, July 4, 2011

Happy 4th of July!

It's that time of year again, and no I don't mean Christmas in July [Although, that's on my mind now.] It's Independence Day, The 4th of July, and the day when huge and brightly colored fireworks light up the night sky. We've all heard the catchy song by Katy Perry [If you haven't...then you can always play the video below this paragraph to be reminded; or have some theme music for the pictures.] so now, in celebration of this day, I'd like to post just a few pictures of fireworks I've found to be some of the best (Just don't forget the true meaning of this day)







Friday, July 1, 2011

July Releases

We're only three days away from that yearly holiday known as Independence Day [A.k.a: The 4th of July]While countless people are getting ready for family barbecues, trips to the lake, and those infamous firework shows, many are making sure to grab their favorite books for the trips and visits, so here's another list of possible titles you might enjoy and like having for your reading pleasure for the remainder of this hot and eventful month. -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
July 1st:

Touch If You Dare - Stephanie Rowe

He's just about the hottest warrior she's ever seen...
Reina Fleming really appreciates a man who's on a mission-especially when he's a badass warrior doing his best to impress her. And Jarvis is charmed by the way Reina's magic touch can soothe his dark side.But when Jarvis's attention puts her job, her home, and her family in danger, Reina has to decide whether love is worth the price...
Enter the nonstop, action-packed world of Stephanie Rowe's love stories-you'll never think of the manly arts in the same way again.

July 4th: 

Bond With Me - Anne Marsh
They rule Moscow's seedy underworld, promising untold pleasure to the females who date to mate them. That promise—and Brends Duranov's own raw sexual power—has hopefuls mobbing the velvet rope outside his elite club G2's. But Mischka Baran has no intention of hooking up with one of the Fallen. Not even after Brends gives her an unforgettable taste of the sin and seduction he can deliver with those wicked lips.


July 5th: 

Skin Dive - Ava Gray

Gillie is a fugitive, determined never to be bound again. Because of her special gift, her former captors intend to retrieve her-by any means necessary. Taye can't remember much about his past, but with a bounty hunter hounding them, he'll do anything to assure Gillie's safety and preserve her innocence...for himself.


Dead Iron: The Age of Steam - Devon Monk


In steam age America, men, monsters, machines, and magic battle for the same scrap of earth and sky. In this chaos, bounty hunter Cedar Hunt rides, cursed by lycanthropy and carrying the guilt of his brother's death. Then he's offered hope that his brother may yet survive. All he has to do is find the Holder: a powerful device created by mad devisers-and now in the hands of an ancient Strange who was banished to walk this Earth. In a land shaped by magic, steam, and iron, where the only things a man can count on are his guns, gears, and grit, Cedar will have to depend on all three if he's going to save his brother and reclaim his soul once and for all...

Grave Dance: An Alex Craft Novel - Kalayna Price


After a month of down time, Grave Witch Alex Craft is ready to get back to solving murders by raising the dead. With her love life in turmoil, Alex is eager for the distractions of work. But when her new case forces her to overuse her magic, it might be the last mystery the Grave Witch ever gets to solve...

Spirit of Seduction - Olivia Quincy

When Zoe Bell was young, every summer would bring the promise of spending two weeks in Cape Cod, where she was fascinated and awed by the big, rambling house on Chapin Point. Now, the entrepreneurial Zoe has the money and means to buy Chapin House. But the house already has a resident-a long-suffering entity that has connected with Zoe in a way she never dreamed anyone would in this life, let alone the next.

June 19th: 



Code of the Wolf - Susan Krinard

Lust and revenge are best served after sundown…Outlaw werewolves destroyed his home and killed his wife. But they made one mistake: they didn't kill him, too. Now, after ten lonely years honing his skills with a gun, Jacob Constantine is back in New Mexico, hell–bent on justice—until he's ambushed by bandits and saved by an angel on her own deadly crusade.With a gun slung low across her seductive hips and vengeance in her eyes, Serenity Campbell isn't who she seems to be. But neither is the mysterious bounty hunter who threatens to drive her desire into dangerous territory. Together they track their prey with the same intensity they circle one another. But will their growing passion be enough to right the wrongs of the past and bring two damaged hearts together?



June 26th: 


                                          Seduce Me In Flames - Jacquelyn Frank



ICY RECEPTION
Ambrea Vas Allay is the rightful heir to the throne of Allay. But when she is summoned home from exile, she discovers that her father, who had executed her mother, has died. Her young half-brother, controlled by their uncle, has taken power. Ambrea is torn by an impossible choice: renounce the crown or waste away in prison. The last thing she expects is to be liberated by a huge, tattooed Tarian—or to feel a searing passion for her mysterious rescuer.

SMOLDERING DECEPTION
Rush “Ender” Blakely loves being part of the elite force of the Interplanetary Militia and the mission to save the princess Allay. But the tough Tarian hides a fiery secret—a blazing power that makes him literally too hot to handle. He must be crazy to carry a torch for this strong, beautiful princess—when any intimacy between them is bound to be explosive.

BLAZING INSURRECTION
As Ambrea steels herself to take back the throne, does she dare entrust this scorching stranger with the fate of an empire—and, even more so, with her heart?

                                            Bound By Moonlight - Nancy Gideon



THEY SWORE THEY’D BE TOGETHER FOREVER.

Detective Charlotte Caissie is suddenly sharing drawer space and making local news with her shape-shifter lover, Max Savoie. He’s determined to be accepted by her peers—so how can she ask him to return to his criminal roots to help her solve a complex case?

BUT THOSE THEY TRUST THE MOST . . .

Working undercover with her partner to find the serial killer who’s kidnapped a colleague’s daughter, Cee Cee is caught between her job and her fiercely possessive lover. And when she calls on Max’s preternatural talents to aid his hated enemy, she crosses a line that strains their relationship to its limit.

. . . WILL DO ANYTHING TO TEAR THEM APART.

With his secret spreading, Max is forced to protect his family and his clan. The only certainty is his love for his human mate . . . unless the loyalties that define them divide them forever.


Rush of Pleasure - Rhyannon Byrd


Dangerous passion and primal instincts…

With his sinister good looks, Noah Winston is the one man— a human with Casus ties—who Willow Broussard has never been able to resist. Once enemies, then lovers, Noah broke her heart. Yet the powerful witch and paranormal private investigator can't turn him away when he needs her help in protecting his family, him—and the world—against their enemy…

As Noah and Willow work together, the secrets of their turbulent past are slowly exposed, each startling revelation drawing them closer. But when the enemy finally makes a move, Noah will need more than witchcraft and magic to survive. He'll need his friends, one hell of a plan and the undying devotion of a tenacious witch whose love is eternal…