Stroke of Midnight

Winter Born – Sherrilyn Kenyon

Pandora is an Arcadian Were-Panther. She has been kidnapped from the future and brought to her world's past by a rival Were-Panther sect, the Katagarias. She has come to the science fiction convention in hopes of finding the Dark-Hunter, Archeron. She had been told that he would be able to send her back to her time. However, before she locates Archeron, she is tracked down by a Katagaria male named Dante.

Dante came to the conference with his three brothers with every intention of just viewing the show. However, when he enters the building he can sense Pandora is in heat and resolves to stay away from her. He has not had much luck with Katagaria females staying around. When he inadvertently finds her, the sexual exchange between them is phenomenal and before long the telltale marks appear that deem them mates for life.

The ramification of their mating does not thrill either of them. They are bound to each other whether they want to be or not. Whereas Pandora can have sex with other men, there will be no other mate for her. For Dante the future is even bleaker, if Pandora rejects a future with him, he will be forced to live out the remainder of his days alone. Can these two strong characters look into their hearts and away from the situation that brought them together and find a way to make a future?

Winter Born is part of the long running series from Sherrilyn Kenyon. Readers can always count on her to deliver a great story that is filled with memorable characters. The men are not your average men, instead they are hardcore, badass men they still manage to retain the core of their humanity. The females are always very strong and independent. But when you put them together you get powerful couples. The sex scenes are plentiful and they’re very sensual and erotic, while at the same time tastefully done. You can count on the scenes to be one of the best parts of the book. I love Sherrilyn Kenyon and all her books. As soon as one is released, I go buy it immediately.

Born of the Night– Amanda Ashley

With the dead all around her, Lady Shanara would not cower, even with death standing right in front of her. Reyes didn’t know why he just hadn’t killed her, as was his right. As the victor in battle it was his right to claim whatever or more importantly, whomever he wanted. Yet something inside of him didn’t this woman beneath him in fear. He wanted her beneath him in pleasure.

Shanara’s father was responsible for killing Reyes father. To that extent he plans to use her to gain his revenge. Shanara knows how low she rates in her father’s affections and doubts he will acquiesce to any demands Reyes makes. As events transpire to draw these two together, Shanara can only hope that she has not lost her heart to a man that is only using her for revenge.

Born of the Night is an excellent short story. I really liked that Shanara was able to accept Reyes being a werewolf. She loves him almost from the start, so her acceptance is believable. Reyes intends to avenge his father’s murder and plans to use Shanara to do that. But he can’t do it. Being able to read the thoughts and feelings of both characters as they realize their love for each other was great. I haven’t read many books by Amanda Ashley, but Born of the Night made me want to read more.

Make it Last Forever – L.A. Banks

When Tara boarded a bus bound for New Mexico, all she had planned was a visit with her grandmother. However, once on the bus, she has a sense of foreboding that something awful is going to happen. The thought of not making it to her grandmother in time, because of her own stupidity, almost sends her into hysterics.

Rider is out for a good time, the open road and no commitments. When he and his biker buddies stop at a roadside dive, Rider figures there is going to be trouble, but hopes it will smooth over. To try and expedite the situation, Rider agrees to help a bunch of old people and one young woman when their bus breaks down. However, his senses go on the alert when the bus appears to be broken for no reason. His senses go into hyper drive when the young woman screams and his buddies start dying. Grabbing Tara, they make a run for it. Only it appears that they aren’t running from trouble, but deeper in to it.

Make it Last Forever is an odd little story that even now I can’t stop thinking about. Although confused by the plot at points, there is something to be said for the author in that I kept picking up the book and re-reading, thinking that I might have or must have missed something. Obviously L.A. Banks has no problems drawing readers into the world that she creates. Make it Last Forever is as mysterious as it is interesting. I am intrigued by L.A. Banks and will definitely read more books written by her.

Red Moon Rising– Lori Handeland

Maya is far from the adventurous type. In fact, deciding to sell everything she owns and move to Arizona has her thinking her sanity might be in question. However, this pales in comparison to what she finds in Arizona.

When she begins to investigate an odd noise around her cabin, she doesn’t get far before a strange man is in her house demanding she go with him. This of course is before a grenade is thrown through her window, destroying everything she owns.

As they escape to safety Clayton introduces himself and explains that he is tracking a skinwalker that has fixated on her for some reason. The concept of a skinwalker is unbelievable to Maya, but unfortunately Clayton is more than able to prove its existence. Now they must search for the being at the same time it hunts Maya.

Red Moon Rising is a great little story. I laughed at Maya’s attempts at humor while she tries to accept her new reality. Clay has sworn to protect Maya from the skinwalker, while at the same time trying to protect his heart. The developing emotions between them are touching to witness. Ms. Handeland has done her research and I enjoyed the explanations in to Navajo folklore. Lori Handeland provides a thrilling story in just a few pages.

Stroke of Midnight is a brilliant display if what happens when you put four distinct authors in one book under the guise of paranormal romance. The sex in each story is enough to burn right off the pages. The paranormal ranges from panthers to werewolves to something with red glowing eyes in a bar. Each story leads into the next, leaving readers sad the previous story is over, but excited to see what’s next. For any lover of paranormal romance Stroke of Midnight comes highly recommended. 5 Angels!

Reviewed by: Jaymi