Tuesday, May 14, 2013

BLOG TOUR GIVEAWAY - DOUBLE REVIEWS - EXCERPT - WEREWOLVES BE DAMNED by STACEY KENNEDY - ENTANGLED PUBLISHING

Today on Novels On The Run we have both of our reviews for Werewolves Be Damned by Stacey Kennedy and a giveaway and teaser & excerpt.




By: Stacey Kennedy
Published By: Entangled Publishing
Released: 15th APRIL 2013
Details: Digital Netgalley, 260 Pages

RATING: 3 BRIGGS & KYDEN STARS !!

Blurb : Goodreads

Nexi Jones—part witch, part guardian, and wannabe kick-ass warrior—can’t throw a punch or conjure the simplest magic. But that doesn’t stop her from hunting the werewolves who slaughtered her human family. She’ll have her revenge, but only if Kyden, the elite guardian, would get the hell out of her way.

Kyden can’t decide if Nexi wants to get herself killed or if she just has no clue what she’s doing. But her father made it clear: keep Nexi safe…or else. Of course, the more Nexi runs toward revenge, the more she needs Kyden’s aid, and as she grows into her power and confidence, so does his desire to protect her. The only problem? She’d rather he dropped dead.

But when a vampire paints a bull's-eye on Nexi’s back, she’s hard-pressed to deny Kyden and the help he’s offering. Even if it means getting her revenge will be a little bit harder. At least it will still be as sweet.


BOOK REVIEW by Michelle:

I enjoyed the whole idea of there being an Otherworld. That would be the home of the Supernaturals, and the Guardians who police any bad behavior from the Supernaturals, and, as the character’s called it, Earthworld. That would be us, plain ol’ humans. When the shiz goes down in the Earthworld with Supernaturals, the Guardians step in, humans none the wiser.

Supernaturals do live amongst the humans, quietly and peacefully, but a lot remain in the Otherworld, travelling between portals.

I really liked the idea of Guardian's policing Supernaturals and solving murders in their eyes, but unfortunately that would leave a lot of cold cases in humans eyes. 

Nexi gets introduced to her new self, the non human, through the violent deaths of her parents. Not a great way to find out.

Nexi Jones finds out that she is half witch and half guardian.

Enter Kyden wearing his smexi leather kilt and not much else and his trusty sword, used to killeth the baddies, and a whole new life opens up to Nexi.

Nexi, Nexi, Nexi. I am going to say I did not connect with her character very well. I did try. I just felt she had some seriously dumbed down dialogue sometimes , considering she is 25 years old, then she became an overnight success in the , I can killeth the baddies all by myself, thankyou very much.

I really would have loved Nexi to have been given more time in the building of her character and in the Kyden department. Not much build up. Pretty insta. Don’t get me started on,( I can’t help but roll my eyes) her Guardian outfit. I couldn’t really take her seriously like other kickass lead chickie babes who command fighting respect and are worthy to hang out with the lads and kick baddie butt. That is just me. Everybody else is probably happy as larry to kick butt in a leather bra and kilt. Considering they are glamoured and nobody in the earthworld can see them, for what they are actually wearing. I shouldn't be criticising. 

I felt like Nexi was a pretty cheesie character, but in saying that, she did get better, I think. 

I loved Kyden. Not because he was all smexi in his kilt, but I thought he was written much better. Well, he was all smexi in his kilt, but.... I had more to grab onto with him. He showed me his character worth in his title, Elite Guardian.

Briggs!

Love the guy. Love how he calls Nexi, Darlin’. We sadly got not much of him in this installment which makes me wonder if book # 2 is his, after watching the speed relationship of Kyden and Nexi and her speedy training sessions to become the overnight success. I get that she hadn’t yet come into her powers. Maybe I just needed this book to be another hundred pages long, then I would not be all nit picky.

I do apologize for being a bit picky in this review.

I have read a lot of supernatural books and werewolves and vampires etc...throw witches in too, and I just felt like the story line was rushed too much. For the number of pages and how many things went down. 

That is just my personal opinion.

Nexi Jones is losing those she loves left, right and center in this book. I possibly felt like a lot happened within the size of this book. I think I would have liked parts to maybe have stretched on into book # 2. Leaving room for relationship growth and character growth.

Ok so how I understood the whole policing duties is:

Werewolves track offenders/  witnesses by scent

Vamps glamour mortal memories

Guardians hunt and destroy offenders - That would be Kyden and his sword.

Witches assist with their magic, memory reading of the deceased to play back how the person died and at whose hand, or claw.... fangs.... That would be the cutie pie Haven’s job. Loved her!

“A system that works,” he said, drawing her focus to him, then he added, “Once we’re notified of a killing by a supernatural cop, a guardian, along with Haven, will arrive and take over the assignment.”

Now for whatever reason, unless I missed something about Kyden and Drake barreling into Nexi’s earth home after her parents had been slaughtered. Why did Haven not come and work her mojo? She would be able to see the whole killing scene play out and then a tracker could be sent to find the remaining living villain. Haven came to every killing in this book, but that one? Every villain got caught and dealt with, pretty swiftly, but it took the whole book to find this baddie.

I think that is why I needed more pages to satisfy me. I did enjoy most of this book. I really think Briggs is going to be good fun and Caveman Kyden knows how to drop his kilt, but as far as story plot I felt that more work could have been put into it. But again, I may be the only one who feels this.

I love the cover, it is stunning and very eye catching and the title suited the story.

I really wanted to like this more. I was drawn to the beautiful cover.

Michelle

MARISSA'S REVIEW:

Werewolves Be Damned was a fairly enjoyable read for myself. 

Our leading lady and wannabe avenger Nexi Jones - I'm just not too sure about her. I needed more than just a revenge seeking horny virgin guardian in training!  Though I did enjoy when her guardian skills kicked in for the first time when her rage took over. Plus....she has some good smart-ass witty comments.

Kyden is the other half of the dynamic hot molten duo.  Suppressing his love/lust for Nexi during her weeks of training must have been so "hard" for such a strong guy.  I liked him one minute and wanted to kick his cajoolies the next for being so macho possessive over his woman!    

Guardian uniforms - Seriously - only HeMan and Shera get to rock leather kilts and bras, or in Kyden's position bare chested other than a leather sword sheath!  But for quick access Mr & Mrs Smith style during a werewolf take down - the kilts came in handy!! Even if "she hadn't dry-humped anyone since high school.."!

I'm with Michelle on the whole first scene issue - why didn't Haven come in and use her skills to work out who killed Nexi's parents? 

Do I go to book 2? I will venture down that road - I'd like to read more Briggs - as does everyone it appears. There's a hint of roguishness and dollop of cheeky bad boy that gives Briggs a certain appeal.  I'd be more than happy to venture down that path!! 
ENJOY!
MARISSA 



Teaser with Briggs: 


I’ve found you, fur ball.

Nexi peered from behind the large oak tree and spotted the small log cabin nestled in the thick forest. The porch light cast a warm glow into the night. Fog settled over the lush grass, and the night was dark, eerie.

Stepping away from her hiding place behind the tree, she strode forward and gripped the dagger tightly in her hand. Keeping the silver blade pointed outward, she climbed the cabin’s porch steps, taking each one slowly to avoid detection.

Once she arrived at the front door, she wrapped her hand around the door handle. Rich hunger for revenge burned in her veins and made her intent on one thing: to slaughter the werewolf who escaped the night of her parents’ murder. Not caring what awaited her, she stormed inside, dagger pointed, ready to kill.

The simple cabin had two large brown couches near a wood-burning stove, a kitchenette behind the living room, and a quilt-covered bed resting in the back. And that was it; there were no other rooms to investigate. No secret hiding places she could see.

No damned werewolf.

She cursed, shut the front door behind her, then trotted down the steps to return to her hiding spot. On her way across the yard, she glanced at the space to the right of the tree, which looked much like a heat wave, indicating that the portal to the Otherworld remained.

In some places around the world—or the Earthworld, as supernaturals had called it—there were permanent portals to the supernatural realm. This portal had only appeared because Nexi had travelled to this cabin from the Otherworld. Once she passed through the portal again, the gateway would vanish.

Magic had its perks. Quick travel was one of them.

Nexi shook her head at how normal all this magical stuff seemed now. Just over a month ago she’d never believed in anything that went bump in the night. Now she knew all those things existed, and in fact, she was one of them.

To her horror, she had learned that her birth mother, Tillie, had been murdered by a power-hungry vampire, Lazarus. All those years ago, her birth father, Drake, had protectively decided to block Nexi’s supernatural abilities. He had planned for her to live and die as a mortal. Now with her return to the Otherworld and the removal of the block on her true identity, there was no going back.

She was no longer plain, human, Nexi Jones.

She was Nexi Jones, part guardian, part witch.

Looking away from the portal and to her hiding spot until the werewolf returned, she hurried her steps. She wasn’t ready to return to the Otherworld yet. Not until she had the werewolf’s head as her wall ornament would she dare go home.

Just as she neared the tree, a woodsy scent that had nothing to do with the forest mixed with the citrusy aroma of aftershave. A blink of an eye later, the dagger she held was now at her throat, a hard body closed in on her back.

“You smelled lovely when you arrived.” The low voice by her ear held a faint English accent. “But I never imagined you’d be so pretty.”

The blade pressed into her skin, not drawing blood, but implying that if the werewolf chose, she’d be destined for the grave. “I’m…” 

“Going to explain yourself.” He lowered the dagger, took hold of her arm, and jerked her forward.

In a few short strides, the werewolf tossed her through the threshold of the cabin, and slammed the door behind them. He sauntered to the couch, sat down, and regarded her. “Now then, darlin’.” His olive skin was stunningly flawless, and his chocolate-colored hair was spiked tall. “Why would a pretty lass like yourself plan to attack me?”

“Don’t move.” That charm wouldn’t fool her. “Stay right where you are.”

“My mouth is the only thing moving.” His slanted amber eyes raked over her. “Would you like me to stop talking?”

“No.” She hesitated then added, “Only your mouth can move. Nothing else. Tell me what you know.”

He gave her a long look. “I’d be glad to tell you anything you’d like, love.”

His kind face and soft voice wouldn’t trick her. He was a werewolf. She was certain, which was another oddity.

After the block on her supernatural abilities had been lifted, she could identify a supernatural creature as if knowing the difference between a brunette and a redhead. “Tell me why you killed my family.”

“That’s an interesting accusation.” He cocked his head, studying her with a frown. “But I think the more important question is who are you?”

She lifted her chin. “The lass who’s going to cut off your furry wolf balls.”


EXCERPT with KYDEN

“See, this is why you drive me insane.” Pacing in front of him, she huffed. “You go all caveman on me, get all bossy, doing this and that, always being so damn forceful with me—”

Kyden watched her in silent wonder. How had she gained the confidence she had in that very second? She had looked like a supernatural then, not a mortal any longer. Had he been underestimating Nexi and how far she’d come, as quickly as she had?

Perhaps.

Was her anger the key to her strength? Now that he thought it over, she fought the best when burning with hells-fire at him. She had killed Jaxon not for the assignment, but because Kyden planned to show her up. Had she unlocked the final piece to her training without knowing it?

Regardless of that bit of information he’d store away for later, and that he was damn proud of her, something else boiled his blood equally as hot as hers. She had no idea how much he had been controlling that side of his personality for her. How gentle he’d been, when it was not in his nature to take things slow and wait for her to make the first move.

It definitely wasn’t a guardian’s way to wait to claim what belonged to him.

Maybe seeing her supernatural side come out, allowed his to explode. She continued ripping a strip off him, but he heard none of it. He didn’t mind if a woman thought the worst of him, if he deserved it. He’d done nothing to Nexi to deserve it. Was really protecting her so awful?

He wanted her, in his bed, and in his arms.

He’d grown tired of this game.

Kyden took the two steps to close the distance, pressed his body against hers, and he walked forward until her back met the wall. “Listen up, real good, Nexi.” He cupped her soft face, staring in her wide eyes, and tangled his fingers into her hair. “I don’t intervene to belittle you. I don’t like watching anyone hurt you. My only thought is keeping you safe.”

Her lips parted, but only a wisp of air escaped.

He leaned down, his lips inches from hers. “However, since you seem unable to see my true meaning and are already punishing me for being the complete ass you think I am, then I guess there’s no reason not to act like one.”

Without waiting for a response, he pressed his mouth against hers. Shocking him, she kissed him back, with force. Her lips, her taste, were more than he’d imagined. She didn’t fight him for control through his kisses, but melted around him, eagerly accepting his kiss. Each brush of his lips against hers, each slide of her tongue, threatened to consume him.

Kyden forced himself to lean away when her soft moans filled the air. He breathed heavily, as did she. Moving his hands from her hair to her jawline, he tilted her chin up. “That, Nexi, is a man taking what he wants. Overpowering a woman with no care to how she feels or what she thinks. That is a man being an ass.”

He released her face and she was practically plastered to the wall, her cheeks rosy, and her lips puffy from his kiss. At her silence, he arched an eyebrow. “This is when you can use all the insults you’ve stored up, since I now deserve them.”

She didn’t even blink, and stayed quiet.

“Now you’re lost for words, are you, Álainn?” He leaned in and stared down into her huge, glossy eyes. “I am who I am, Nexi, and I make no apologies for it. You want to see what my forceful side truly looks like? Welcome to it, sweetheart.”


About the Author: 





Stacey Kennedy is an urban fantasy lover at heart, but she also enjoys losing herself in dark and sensual worlds. She lives in southwestern Ontario with her husband, who gave her a happily-ever-after. Together, they have two small children who can always make her smile, and who will never be allowed to read Mommy’s books. If she’s not plugging away at a new story, you’ll find her camping, curling up with the latest flick, or obsessing over Sons of Anarchy and Game of Thrones.





















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