Fall of Night (Midnight Breed #17) [Micah & Phaedra] by Lara Adrian

It's been a while since I've last read this series but coming back to it always feels so welcoming. I read this book almost in one setting, enjoying the ride, and everything that is unfolding towards the final installment. I admit I waited with this one a bit because I wanted it to be closer to the release of the last book and I think it was a good idea as the ending brings even more complexity than I would have thought. Also I really enjoyed getting a bit more of the original couples - Tegan and Elise - as Micah's parents but also a quite surprising part with Jenna and Brock (From "Taken by Midnight"). Truth being told I forgot there were some unfinished business concerning her special ability. 

Micah and Phaedra couldn't be more different. He, the son of Breed Warrior Tegan and his breedmate Elise, worked hard to become a fighter his legendary father can be proud of. Sharing his mother's gift of telepathically hearing the sins of humans has hardened him even more, making him one of the best warriors in the Order, currently in command of covet ops. She, and Atlantean living among humans for centuries dedicating her life to stopping the cycle of violence, running a shelter for women and children in need. They meet for the first time in the deadlands of Siberian taiga for a brief moment before a deadly light kills all Micah's team, and severely wounding him. For Phaedra this was just a bad dream, or so it seems, after a week long of dreaming of walking through those deadlands following a white doe. Micah experienced those same dreams himself which is what made him try and find this place. He didn't expect it would cost him (and his teammates) so much. 

Edge of Darkness (Hunter Legacy #3) [Knox & Leni] by Lara Adrian

Though I've been a fan of the Midnight Breed series for YEARS now, and it's basically (still) my favorite Vampire series I feel like this book was TOO predictable, not in the story-line sense, but in the way the characters behaved (especially Knox). I could basically say what he was about to say/think before it happened. The way they fell for one another felt like Lara's usual format and though I usually enjoy it, I needed more from this book.

I KNOW we've met Knox Hunter before but for the life of me, I simply CANNOT figure out where from. He is a part of the "Hunter Program" and after his release he as built a home with 3 more survivors but he left after he lost the woman he cared for. I REMEMBER this from another book by Lara I hope I'll be add this detail somewhere in the future when it comes to me (or after I do enough of digging ;)). As this is a spin-off series all the details you need to know about the world is built into the story so this (as the other books in the series) can truly be read as a standalone bringing you a little bit into the interesting world Lara created for her Vampires.

Break the Day (Midnight Breed #16) [Rafe & Devony] by Lara Adrian

It's been a while since my last visit to the "Midnight Breed" universe and I gotta say - I missed it! It's hard for me reading one book a year- remembering all the details, but once I'm immersed in the story it hardly matters. On the contrary, it only makes me wish I could read them ALL again! Rafe and Devony's story was captivating. They were both after the same things but while Devony was honest with Rafe from the moment he realized she isn't human, he has been keeping his undercover work for The Order a secret which is the exact thing that holds their relationship in a constant question mark. It worked out in the end - naturally. But it almost cost both of their lives.

Though the details are a bit fuzzy for me, I do remember Rafe (Xander Raphael Malebranche) being tricked by one of Opus Nostrum's agents in the previous installment. He more than felt bad for what he conceived to be a HUGE f*kup on his part. He put A LOT of people in danger including his own parents - Dante and Tess. It's not something he can easily put aside which is why he gladly agreed to become undercover to find more information about Opus Nostrum after being "kicked" from The Order for his actions. Barely no one knows about his undercover work which makes it hard on him, seeing his friends pulling away from him. Yeah he was helping that happen on his end, yet it still hurts. His first group to be embedded in is Cruz's - exactly where he finds "Bricks". She isn't really part of the gang, but she works for Cruz and she is VERY reluctant to accept a Breed as an accomplice. It doesn't take him long to realize why THAT is.. She is actually Breed as well - a daywalker and she has her own reasons for playing human in Cruz's gang.

Heart of the Dove (Dragon Chalice #3) [Randwulf & Serena] by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

I gotta say that though this series wasn't my favorite, and I had many misgivings about the prior books (as well as this one), I actually liked the way it ended, the way it came full circle. All my questions were answered and though I had my guesses throughout this book (and the series) I was still surprised with some of the things that were revealed as well as the ending it self. I can honestly say it's the best possible outcome and better than I would have guessed.

The quest to finding the last piece of the Dragon Chalice continues. This time it's Rand's job. We started the journey with the firs piece already in the hands of our main villain Silas de Mortaine and even more than that he also had Ariana's brother as his prisoner trying to figure out where the other pieces are through Kenrick's life work of finding information about the Dragon Chalice and where the 4 pieces could be. So in the first and second books each of our couples - Ariana with Braedon and later Kenrick with Haven each found one part, leaving the very last one for Rand.

Unlike our main villain each of the couples weren't consumed but the job of retrieving all the parts for fame and glory, which was also why it was easier for them to give the task away to the "next in line" once they found a happier state of living with the love of their lives by their side. With Rand it's different since he already LOST his family before he starts his quest. For him it's all about revenge. Yet this IS a romance story so Rand not only gets his revenge and ambition regarding the Dragon Chalice he also finds someone who gets him and loves him for who and how he is. Can anyone ask for more? 

Heart of the Flame (Dragon Chalice #2) [Kenrick & Haven] by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

I don't know.. This wasn't a favorite either. I'm not sure why but the book just sort of dragged. About half way through I felt like nothing is happening, our two MCs circled one around the other, very little was revealed about our heroine and her story and very little happened with Kenrick and the continuation of the Dragon Chalice search. When we FINALLY get to about two thirds in things started to take action - both on the romance and the action but at that point I was too restless so I admit to skimming a bit.

Truth being told, after reading Lara's first 4 Historical novels and especially after knowing her well enough in her "Midnight Breed" series I expected more and this series simply doesn't deliver. Naturally I'm going to read the next (and final) one but I'm not excited about it anymore. Though from where the story is left off I feel like there's A LOT of things to close so I hope the next one will be more action packed at least.

We left the previous one with two cups of the Dragon Chalice found - one in the hands of out great villain Silas de Mortaine and the other in the hands of Kenrick Kenrick of Clairmont - Ariana's brother. Ariana and Braedon had enough of adventures, so now they are back at the family estate together with Kenrick who came especially to pay a visit to an old friend Randwulf of Greycliff. Rand wasn't there to greet him, he was killed by Silas' men together with his wife and son while Silas was looking for a special artifact Kenrick left for his keep before he left on his way to France a year before. Now that Rand is dead and the artifact is gone Kenrick is unsure how to continue. His only possible clue is a woman who was left for dead on the estate.

Heart of the Hunter (Dragon Chalice #1) [Ariana & Braedon] by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

I'm not sure what I was expecting but this was, well, different. While there is a definite Paranormal element to this one, it takes quite a while until we understand where it comes from and there are STILL many questions left unanswered. I guess the world building in this one was more of a "you get the information you need as you go" and I gotta say, I'm not a fan. Yeah it means there's a HUGE element of mystery to this one but I felt too much in the dark and so it was less engaging for me. That being said, as this IS Lara, once the action starts I really enjoyed the pace.

Ariana of Clairmont is on a mission. After receiving information her brother is being held prisoner in France and will only be freed if she comes by herself with his ransom - his life work journals about the magical "Dragon Chalice"and where it can be found - she sets up for the journey. But before she even set sails across the sea her bodyguard is killed and her savior doesn't really feel like the "saving" type. Getting him to accept accompanying her to her destination is also a difficult task especially as she can't really tell what he WANTS from her or WHY is he really doing all of this for her.

Braedon "le Chasseur" ("The Hunter") is frustrated with himself getting stuck somehow in Ariana's business. While he acts as if he's helping her, he is mostly trying to return her back home, especially when he realizes what she is tangled in now is exactly what almost killed him (but DID kill some of his best mates) less than two years ago. He might be the best hunter with amazing instincts but what Ariana is after will need much more of that. There is dark magic involved and he would rather they both turn away from it before it's too late.

Lady of Valor (Warrior #3) [Emmalyn & Cabal] by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

Wonderful read! Loved both Emmalyn and Cabal. Both of their stories were painful yet each managed to build a life of accomplishment with the limitation they had. When they meet they are both challenged with a change to what the came to accept as they own personal destiny and both don't like it AT ALL. But once they realize what they can have together it's hard not to hope and dream for a chance at a true second chance.

We've met Cabal - or as most people know him as "Blackheart" - in the previous installment, he is one of King Richard's most loyal man. Yet Blackheart isn't as cold-hearted as everything conceive him to be, or maybe he just had enough of it all, maybe he has changed, even he can't really tell. What he does know, what he knew from a very early age - he is good at fighting, he is good at killing, he has what it takes and now that King Richard reached a treaty with the King of Thieves and he is leaving back to England his future is about to change (and he isn't thrilled..).

Near the time they leave back to England Garrett of Fallonmour is killed. Remember that guy (from the previous installment)? Yeah, he's a HUGE douche, no-one is going to miss him (literally!) but he does own a huge estate and King Richard doesn't want anyone grabbing it until he decides who it should belong to, so he assigns the man he can trust to - not one of the power hungry people around him and the kind to do exactly what he is told - Cabal.

Black Lion's Bride (Warrior #2) [Sebastian & Zahirah] by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

While I enjoyed this novel - especially how cleverly it was concluded, it took me a LONG time to connect with Zahirah. While Sebastian is the most honest, hard working, gentlemen (yeah, okay he can be ruthless too..) generally a good person, Zahirah's character paled in comparison to his. She almost felt "inhuman" in her blood lust. I guess when you are raised on hatred that's what you become so truth being told, the journey she went through gave her back a possibility of LIFE one she could call her own - enjoy, grow and fulfillment, love and the possibility of being loved. For Sebastian it's finally meeting his match, the person who was missing from his rather sheltered life in England. He expected to find adventure in the Holy Land - that he did - but he also found something he didn't even know he wanted or needed.

While the previous book's setting was England. This book takes place in the Holy Land. As the previous book ended with Sebastian of Montborne offering his lost brother Griffin not only the wife he was ordered to marry but his place as the head of Montborne's estate as he would much prefer the adventures to a boring married life to a woman he doesn't know or want (especially since she is already madly in love with his brother and in a way have been for years).

It's been a few years since Sebastian got to the Holy Land, he had his share of battles, and while he enjoyed his time and the favor of his King - Richard Lionheart - in a way he is still a bit restless. As he hasn't found what he was looking for, the Assassins are always around them and his King seems to delay and delay their departure to Jerusalem. Being stationed now as a commander in the city of Ascalon he is getting bored, especially after being stabbed and almost killed by an Assassin trained on killing Richard, which is how he found himself left behind in charge yet in a way incapacitated.

White Lion's Lady (Warrior #1) [Griffin & Isabel] by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

WOW! I was GLUED to my seat this whole read, it felt like a Romantic Suspense novel! I had things to do yesterday but all I actually did was read this WHOLE novel in ONE sitting. Well, it was WORTH IT, that's for sure!

There are a lot of open questions in this one. What's the right thing to do? What's the "Honorable" thing to do. Is there an absolute "Right" and "Wrong"? Is being selfish and going after your heart CAN be the wrong thing to do? Both Isabel and Griffin are caught up on these questions. They want each other but there are so many conflicting issues and real dangers..

When Isabel de Lamere was a little girl, she got lost in the forest chasing a butterfly. Lucky her just when an angry bear found her, a boy saved her life. For young Izzy it was the most valor act of heroism she has ever witnessed and never forgotten. After spying Griffin's White Lion medallion near her feet right when he left, she cherished it, wearing it all times, hoping one day they meet again and she would return his fortune, the only thing he had on him when he was left by the Droghallow Estate.

It's been 10 years since that day and a lot of changed for both of them. After Isabel's father is found guilty of treason she and her little sister are separated to live in convents. Now at 18 she is to be married to the Lord of Montborne as a sort of gift from the king. Though she doesn't know anything about her future husband she hopes he will be kind enough to allow her to reunite with her sister, raising her at his estate. She is willing to do her duty, whatever it takes, to keep her vow to her little sister Maura.

Lord of Vengeance by Lara Adrian (originally as Tina St. John)

OUTSTANDING. I can't believe it took me THAT long to get to this book! As Historical Romance are not my usual "go to" I delayed it - what a mistake!!! I loved everything about this book, the total feel of this book, the setting - the whole medieval feel, the mean plotting made my stomach burn! The romance between Gunnar and Raina didn't take long from a time perspective and yet I could see how and why both fell for one another even in such an unlikely situation.

Lord Gunnar Rutledge is FINALLY ready for his vengeance. He has waited 13 years, ever since he was a young boy, to claim his revenge on his parents murderer - Baron Luther d'Bussy. It would be fitting, killing the Baron on the tournament grounds where he killed his own father. But when he gets there and realizes the Baron is not going to participate he needs another plan. He waited too long to forsake his claim for justice.

Raina d'Bussy has lived a comfortable life thus far. The daughter of the Baron who denied her nothing. She enjoys her days riding with very little care in the world. She might miss the mother she barely knew but she loves her father who has always cared for her. The first "twist" to her playful naive life comes when one of her closest friends - Nigel - tried to force his "love" for her only to be rescued by a dark knight. Riding away from the beautiful girl Gunnar rescued, he couldn't have guessed she is the daughter of his sworn enemy.

Hour of Darkness (Hunter Legacy #2) [Cain & Marina] by Lara Adrian

I gotta say I was quite disappointed with this one. First, I didn't like the hero, almost right from the start, and second the story line and the whole interaction felt predicted, you know this pattern and you've read it in too many PNR books. I don't read as many PNR as I used to these days, mostly stick to Contemporary so many that's part of my problem. Big-ass-bad-Vampire, moody, arrogant, killing-machine, alpha, aggressive, over-protective, knows what's best for the heroine. You've met "him" SO MANY TIMES, especially with being hurt in the past so doesn't want to get near the female to protect his heart. I wish this was somehow different but it was SO Predictable I was just bored when I wasn't annoyed with his over bearing behavior.

Born of Darkness (Hunter Legacy #1) [Asher & Naomi] by Lara Adrian

I'll admit I have HIGH expectation from Lara. The Midnight Breed is one of my absolute favorite PNR series and the Hunters' stories is something I wondered about especially since "Deeper than Midnight" (Hunter and Corrine's book). I wanted to learn more about them, what they went through, to see them grow into independent men. In this one I felt we got a lot more of Naomi's story than Asher (which was mostly revealed to us in the end). 

Asher have been living a life of mostly solitude since he was released from captivity. He had a human companion he lived with for years, but he died leaving Asher to live in his farm on his own. He doesn't mind that really but when he saves a young woman - Naomi, all that is about to change. 

Claimed in Shadows (Midnight Breed #15) [Aric & Kaya] by Lara Adrian

I've waited SO LONG for this book but now that I'm finished with it I mostly feel disappointed. Somehow I had a hard time connecting to the two MCs. I'm not even sure why. My main issue is actually how much time we spent in each one's head and how repetitive these thoughts were. I was just over it. When I was a little over the half mark I started skimming through those thoughts waiting for the action to FINALLY arrive. It was too little too late. Even the reunion of the founders of the order wasn't enough for me and the main villain in this one was SO obvious I was impatiently waiting for SOMEONE to uncover it and it too took way too long.

So what do we have here? Aric Chase, stops in Montreal to help with a mission against Opus Nostrum. He is assigned with Kaya Laurent a new to the order breed-mate with a special ability which is quite essential to their mission. They have a hard time together at first. They might both be attracted to one another yet Kaya plays warm-cold with Aric and he doesn't know what's her problem, while for Kaya he is too full of himself (to even consider to trust). Yet her true problem is something else entirely. She is hiding a secret. One that as time goes by turns to be more and more problematic and dangerous not only to the order but for her staying with the order.. As they grow closer together Aric tries to make her trust him enough to confess what is bothering her but she is adamant almost to the very end about keeping this secret to herself.   

Midnight Unleashed (Midnight Breed #14.7) [Trygg & Sia] by Lara Adrian

The "Midnight Breed" used to be my all times favorite PNR series though lately its place have been taken. Yet I still get excited when I hear there's a new novel in the series, even though it's just a short novella which doesn't feature most of the known characters in the series. These novellas are a nice way for people to try this series and see if it works for them, because it doesn't reveal too much and allows people who don't know any of things that happen in the 10+ books to enjoy a short novella and also be tempted to grab the first one and immerse themselves in the Midnight Breed world. 

Midnight Unbound (Midnight Breed #14.6) [Scythe & Chiara] by Lara Adrian

A fun enjoyable read in the series, really enjoyed it. Both Scythe and Chiara needed to find a "break", find each other, someone who sees them and accepts them despite their past, or rather they needed to let the past lay where it should and be able to move past it into each other's arms. It was a short novella, Had a bit of everything I guess, drama, action and steamy sex. 

Midnight Untamed (Midnight Breed #14.5) [Ettore & Bella] by Lara Adrian

A nice, low in angst, short novella. I LOVE the Midnight Breed world and so getting more is always nice. I was surprised that in this one there was a little bit more connection to the plot of the previous full novel. Usually these novellas are TOTALLY off the main plot line or rather the character in the main series. Near the end of the previous one we met Trygg a Breed male who escorted an Atlantean to safety, and hey! here he was in this one, and we got an idea about him and also got to meet his brother Scythe who sounds like a REALLY interesting guy! Who doesn't love a wounded hero, ha?

But I"m losing myself to the surrounding without mentioning the plot! 

Defy the Dawn (Midnight Breed #14) [Brynne & Zael] by Lara Adrian

I kind of hate the fact I have to wait SO LONG for the novels in this series. The series is SO GOOD, the progression of the global plot, the new couples entwined with the older ones is such a joy to read! But sadly it's mostly once a year (with a little reminder with the added novella). I really enjoyed this one, both the MC - Brynne and Zael were intresting characters to get to know, and while their attraction and connection felt a little bit like an insta-love, that's something I don't have a problem with in this genre. I love the fact they are both storng characters, of mind and body. Brynne is no damsel in distress! Though she does need Zael, more than she wishes. 

We've met both MC in the previous installments, Brynne was helping the Order with a mission outside of her work as investigator in JUSTIS, also making her lose her job for acting outside of her authority, that's how we find Brynne in the first chapter. Feeling a bit out of sorts, now that the most important piece of her life seems to be missing... Zael the Atlantean came to Jordana's help when her father (a close friend of his) died and by that gaining the trust of the Order. He was also amazed to meet Dylan (Rio's mate) and realize she is actually his daughter. Lucan doesn't have a specific need for Zael at the moment so they mainly keep in touch about the problems Opus Nostrum and Selene (the queen of the Atlanteans) are causing. 

Stroke of Midnight (Midnight Breed #13.5) [Jehan & Seraphina] by Lara Adrian

What a sweet story! Really enjoyed this one! I love the Midnight Breed Series, but though it was a part of it, it was somehow totally independent and had a very special feel to it because of the setting and the way the MC come to be together. It felt like an Arabian tale, or maybe an Arabian Fairy Tale.

Bound to Darkness (Midnight Breed #13) [Carys Chase & Rune] by Lara Adrian

The Paranormal Romance used to be my most favorite genre. I used to read almost SOLELY Paranormal and mostly vampires, but if I look back on what I've read for the past few months, besides a few very short Fantasy / Paranormal novellas the last Vampire PNR I read was back in April! It's strange. I still LOVE this genre, and yet I mostly read "regular" / "real world" romance now. A lot more MM compared to MF. So when I realized the next book on my list is a PNR MF I was in a way surprised - that it's still on my list and I haven't read it since it was out, and the fact that I really couldn't remember when I've read a good PNR as I used to love doing ALL the time. 

I'm not sure what I feel about this novel. I had a problem with the progression of Carys and Rune's relationship. Unlike previous books in the series, this book starts with Carys and Rune already a formed couple. Well, sort of.. Rune laid out the cards from the start - whatever happens between them - it will last as long as they are both enjoying it. So I guess it's no wonder they sounded to me more like "fuck-buddies" than a real couple.. and even though both proclaim they DO have deep feeling from one another I didn't see the "base" to these feelings besides their excessive sexual need for one another (I'll admit to skimming through some of those..).

Tempted by Midnight (1001 Dark Nights, #10) (Midnight Breed #12.5 - Lazaro Archer & Melena) by Lara Adrian

I just LOVE this series. Every novel/la is just a JOY to read. I think Lara did an amazing job with the world building especially now that the setting is so different than it used to be in the beginning of the series. My only complaint about this short novella is the "instant-love" that I actually DO get since this IS Paranormal Romance and we are talking about the sort of bonding that happens to supernatural beings who has more to them than "regular humans". It would have buged me A LOT if it would have been a Contemporary Romance novella but it's not, so I wasn't THAT bothered :)

We met Lazaro Archer a few books back when he lost his whole family (minus Kellan) to Dragos when he was trying to eliminate all Gen One vampires. Ever since then he has become an ambassador and warrior in the Order, helping out in everything he can and basically losing himself to work trying not to think about his past and mostly the people in his past he was unable to save. Yet he DID save someone in the past, not his family but a kid who came to visit him with her family 20 years ago, the stubborn wild Melena.