Tag Archives: lycans

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Wolfen Domination (Project Nemesis #1) – a short story by Celeste Anwar

Wolfen DominationCeleste Anwar’s Wolfen Domination (Project Nemesis #1) is a dramatic erotica short story which is suitable only for the adult reader (18 yrs+) due to its content. Full of adventure Wolfen Domination follows the consequences of a captured Lycan, Jesse Stone, and the part that scientist, Erin Maddox, played in him being physically used (and non-consensually) – all in the name of science!

Project Nemesis is a secretive, government supported project that involved capturing a Lycan once their existence was discovered and its mission was to find out as much as possible on this new discovered species. However, head scientists Doctor Wagner and Doctor Freda Dallas appear to get carried away with their experiments and the reader soon discovers that Jesse has been starved and tortured. The reader instantly wants Jesse to escape any way he can.

The only part of Jesse’s day that was a small compensation was seeing the young scientist, Erin, when she came to leave him some food. But over time, after countless tests and torturous moments, Erin showed up in his cage seemingly willing to take part in the science experiments herself. It wasn’t until after the deed itself that it dawned on Jesse that Erin had been willing – willing to use him. The one moment he looked forward to, in seeing her, now completely enraged him. She was one of them. Jesse was furious and longed to escape in order to kill them, to avenge his mistreatment of physical and mental torturous hell! He plans to kill Erin last due to the pain and betrayal she has made him feel.

Celeste Anwar throws the reader straight in the deep end with the experiments having taken place, Jesse having been tortured and Freda and Wagner discussing how they can perform a further experiment with Jesse. The reader is made aware of the callousness of Doctor Wagner and Doctor Freda and the extremes that they will go to without taking any moment to think of the rights of Jesse.

There are moments when I felt that Wolfen Domination was rushed. The reader is not provided with much, if any, background information on Jesse or any of the other Lycans. We are made aware of what Jesse is from the beginning but apart from that there are no real dramatic descriptions of him ‘turning’ or much about his characteristics. Also, the on/off attraction between Jesse and Erin at times doesn’t seem believable as aside from the experiments we know too little about these characters. I do think this story would have benefitted from a more intense build-up and allowing the readers to get close to the main characters. That said, Wolfen Domination is quite adventurous and becomes moreso as the story moves on.

In terms of erotica, the reader is provided with some very intimate scenes between Jesse and Erin. Jesse is obviously attracted to her quite strongly. These scenes are mostly at the beginning of the story and the story then unfolds into a more paranormal action/adventure. However, some of these scenes are non-consensual, hence the recommendation for ADULT readers only, and therefore this may not be for everyone – a more erotic/horror. These scenes are necessary for the main plot, however, and if you can bear reading scenes of this nature the plot thereafter is quite interesting, following the consequences of the experiments and Jesse’s reaction to all that he has been through.

To mention what takes place after the experiments on Jessie would spoil the story. However, it is a worthwhile read and I would consider reading more of Celeste Anwar’s work. There are moments when the reader is completely involved in the story and connected to the characters, although there are moments that the reader could possibly struggle with following the concepts due to a lack of background knowledge. However, reading the whole story certainly allows for the reader to see where the plot is actually going and the potential it has.

Reviewed by Caroline Barker

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Bloodright, by Karin Tabke

isbn9780755395101-detail[1]-003Erotic Paranormal Romance

Adult Content/18+

Lycan Love Triangle

Bloodright is the second instalment in the erotic paranormal romance Blood Moon Rising Trilogy by Karin Tabke. It continues the tale of Falon who has been drawn into a blood feud between two alpha werewolves, Raphael and Lucien. Do not read any further if you intend to read this series and have not yet read book 1, Blood Law, as this review contains spoilers for book 1. Click to see my review of Blood Law.

Bloodright takes off immediately after Blood Law ended. The Amorak Council has decreed under Blood Law that Falon’s life will not be forfeit to Lucien. Instead Falon is his to either return to Raphael as his chosen one, or to make her his own mate. Raphael is left to find and mark another, to ensure that the Vulkasin pack continues. Falon is heartbroken, not believing that the Council could reach such a decision. When Lucien and Raphael start to fight to the death, she shoots herself to save Raphael’s life. Lucien takes her back to his Mondragon pack and heals her. Lucien is ecstatic that circumstances have played into his hands. He is filled with lust for Falon and believes that it is just revenge on Raphael for killing Mara, his own mate, as he will suffer greatly as Falon now belongs to him.

Lucien and Falon could not have had a worse start. Falon knows that she can never stop loving Raphael. However, she allows Lucien to mark her as his, to secure the future of Lucien’s pack, essential to defeat the Slayers at the coming Blood Moon. She resolves that Lucien will never have her heart. Lucien and Falon’s lovemaking however is off the Richter scale and Lucien pushes her well out of her comfort zone and their physical connection is something magical.

As Falon and Lucien try to accommodate their turbulent feelings, their physical attraction grows into more emotional bonds. Raphael’s state of mind suffers greatly at the loss of Falon and her growing attraction to Lucien. Also the spirit of the ancient wolf Fenrir, contained in the ring worn by Raphael, fights for release. At the same time Lucien and Falon have a number of violent encounters with the Slayers. Raphael is compelled to choose another mate and some major truths are revealed before the novel reaches yet another startling conclusion, setting the scene for the final book in the trilogy.

I love the characters of both alphas. However, I felt for Lucien more as it becomes clear that his bad ass personality is really a front and he has great capacity to feel emotions. He soon develops deep feelings for Falon and cannot accept that she still loves Raphael, even though she is his chosen one. He wants her heart not just her body. Raphael is devastated at his loss of Falon and knows that there will never be another that holds his heart. Yet again he is bound by his strong code of honour and prepares to mark another.

Falon goes through a lot in this novel – the loss of her chosen one, becoming the mate of a hated enemy and then dealing with her conflicted emotions. Although she initially despises Lucien, she begins to see a different side to him and grows to love him. Falon also discovers some secrets of her own birthright and begins to explore her ever growing powers, which are at their strongest when united with both brothers.

Once again Karin Tabke has successfully woven the erotic romance into a great plot and a cast of supporting characters. We learn a great deal more about the Slayers in this novel and characters come to light that impact on the pasts of Falon, Lucien and Raphael. The Amoraks, the human spirit keepers of the wolves also play a role. As the Blood Moon approaches packs and Slayers converge for the great battle yet to come.

This novel is full of mind blowing erotic Lycan sex. If you are not comfortable with explicit love making scenes, ranging from violent to sweet, wolf/ wolf sex and on one occasion human/wolf sex and a ménage scene (albeit in a dream state), you will not want to read this book. However, if you sometimes like your paranormals to get down and dirty and only an erotic romance can do, you will love this series. For lovers of erotic romance and paranormal romance who wish to experience a passionate read. The final book in the trilogy, Blood Vow is already near the top of my ‘to read’ pile.

Cover photo – kind permission received from Claudio Marinesco

Author, Karin Tabke’s website http://karintabke.com/

Cover design – www.isitdesign.co.uk

Published by www.headline.co.uk     www.eternalromancebooks.co.uk

 

 

 

 

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Blood Law (A Blood Moon Rising Novel #1), by Karin Tabke

bloodlaw_150[1]EROTIC PARANORMAL ROMANCE

ADULT CONTENT

Vengeance, Love and Lycan Destiny      

Blood Law is an erotic paranormal romance. It is the tale of two alpha werewolves, twins Raphael and Lucien and of Falon, who is inadvertently drawn into their blood feud.

In Blood Law, Raphael slew Lucien’s chosen one, believing that she was a Slayer, pledged to eradicate his kind. Under Blood Law, which governs the Lycans, Lucien now has the right to kill Raphael’s chosen one. Raphael  therefore remains unmated, not wanting to lose his future consort. This has prevented his pack from procreating, for it is only when an alpha’s mate conceives that the females become fertile. Similarly Lucien remains unmated and his pack has also declined, a great risk with the coming Blood Moon, when wolves will be pitted against slayers in a violent showdown.

Raphael rescues Falon from a Slayer and thinking that she, a human, has seen too much, he orders one of his men to kill her. However, he uses his Lycan powers to bring her back from death’s door, intrigued as to what the Slayer could have wanted with her. At the same time he removes a ring, the Eye of Fenrir, from the finger of the dead Slayer. The ring holds the powerful spirit of the immortal wolf Fenrir, who aided the Slayers and nearly annihilated the Lycans centuries ago. He takes Falon back to his pack, heals her and marks her as his mate, willing to sacrifice her, a non Lycan, to the Blood Law. This will leave him free to mate with one of his own kind, allowing his pack to procreate.

Lucien scents that Raphael has claimed a mate and appears ready to kill her. Falon, an orphan, has always felt apart from humans and once marked by Raphael, her ability to heal and her physic powers increase, as does her strength. Falon physically repels Lucien and he departs, vowing to return to exact his due. Raphael and Falon’s bond grows and Raphael wars with himself over whether he can sacrifice her life. Falon proves herself a worthy mate, is useful in the war with the Slayers, and is accepted by his pack. However, it is the Lycan Council who will decide her fate.

Both brothers are natural alphas, Raphael the light twin and Lucien the dark, and I adored them. Honour rules Raphael and although I understood that as alpha he has to put the future of his pack first, I disliked that he deliberately mated with Falon, accepting that she would die by his brother’s hand. However, as his love for Falon grows, his attitude softens. For Lucien, the prodigal son, passion rules and I loved his bad ass attitude, particularly when sparring with Falon, with whom there is a strong attraction.

Falon is a strong heroine, in an impossible situation, where she could  lose her life, through no fault of her own. She is drawn to Raphael and quickly falls in love, having an affinity with him, but also his pack. She nevertheless feels a strong pull to Lucien, a pull which he exploits, undermining her relationship with Raphael. Falon’s powers grow the longer she is mated with Raphael and as the Council meeting approaches, we wonder whether she will pay the ultimate sacrifice. The novel does end in a cliff hanger, but as all three books have now been published, the final one in December 2012, you will not have to wait long if you choose to indulge!

There is a strong cast of supporting characters, including the evil Slayers, the Amoraks, the human spirit keepers of the wolves, and Lycans loyal to Raphael and Lucien in their respective packs. I loved how the author explained the history of the Lycan nation and their 800 year old battle with the Slayers, entwining both medieval English history and Inuit culture and beliefs.

This novel has a strong plot , punctuated by frequent and scorching sex scenes, often lasting several pages, as you would expect from an erotic romance. If you are not comfortable with reading erotic romance, I would not recommend this novel to you. However, if, like me, you enjoy descriptions of rampant and inventive sex scenes between consenting adults who exhibit great stamina and supernatural powers you will enjoy this book. For lovers of erotic romance or those who want to experience some explosive passion with their paranormal read! I plan to read book 2 in the series, Bloodright and book 3, Blood Vow very shortly – I desperately need to know what happens next!

Cover photograph – Kind permission received from Claudio Marinesco

Cover design by Rita Frangie

Text design by Laura K. Corless

Publisher’s website Penguin – Berkely Heat

Author, Karin Tabke’s website http://karintabke.com/