Review and Giveaway : Night Shift anthology

Blurb :

Four masters of urban fantasy and paranormal romance plunge readers into the dangerous, captivating world unearthed beyond the dark...

New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh delivers a smoldering story with Secrets at Midnight, as the scent of Bastien Smith's elusive lover ignites a possessiveness in him that's as feral as it is ecstatic. And now that he's found his mate, he'll do anything to keep her.

In #1 New York Times bestselling author Ilona Andrews' novella, Magic Steals, when people start going missing, shapeshifting tigress Dali Harimau and jaguar shifter Jim Shrapshire must uncover the truth about the mysterious creatures responsible.

From Milla Vane—a warrior princess must tame The Beast of Blackmoor to earn a place among her people. But she quickly discovers that the beast isn't a monster, but a barbarian warrior who intends to do some taming himself. 

It's seer Makenna Frazier's first day on the job at Supernatural Protection and Investigations, and her first assignment is more than she bargained for when bodyguard duty for a leprechaun prince's bachelor party goes every which way but right in national bestselling author Lisa Shearin's Lucky Charms.

Book links :

iTunes : https://itunes.apple.com/us/book/night-shift/id858704947

Amazon : http://amzn.to/1puxi4G

Kobo : http://store.kobobooks.com/en-US/ebook/night-shift-24

B&N : http://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/night-shift-nalini-singh/1119133280?ean=9780698154049

Penguin : http://www.penguin.com/book/night-shift-by-nalini-singh/9780425273920

Secrets at Midnight, by Nalini Singh :

You all know I am a huge fan of Nalini’s work, so I’m not going to lie. I had high expectations from this story and I was not disappointed!

So.... Bastien, Mercy’s brother, wants her. His mate. He has scented her once or twice, but thing is… he has trouble finding her. Once he does though….

“The leopard growled within him but assented to the human’s will—because scaring her away was not on the agenda. No, he’d coax, charm, and pet her into his life, into his arms.

Bastien Michael Smith had found his mate, and he was keeping her.”

Kirby has been denied many things while growing up and, to use one of the expressions of the book, she is starved to find her true self, who she is and where she belongs. In more ways than one.

This book is totally different from the others… We do not have a human or Psy mating with a changeling. Neither do we have a changeling mating to a changeling. The story guides us through many things that are considered basic knowledge throughout the books, along with a storyline that breaks hearts.

Of course, this is a short story, compared to the books, so things progress rapidly. However, there are no loose ends or things that were not explained as much as they should have.

Magic Steals, by Ilona Andrews :

Ok, I am biased when it comes to shifters I admit. But Lord what wouldn’t I give for a man like Jim!

This story is the 12^th in the series and it would be best if you have read Magic Dreams beforehand.

Jim is stubborn.

“Well of course. That would be ridiculous. Big Alpha Man does not stay in car. Big Alpha Man roar and beat manly chest.”

Jim does not beat around the bush, does not do as told (unless of course it’s not his area of expertise), but loves Dali deeply.

Dali, on the other hand, is full of insecurities and about to be surprised by Jim in lots of levels!

I loved the story…. Once more, I enjoyed reading about Dali’s tiger (especially the first moments of shifting) while seeing both of them in action. It was a very nice touch when they came up with their advantages and disadvantages and even better when they used them!

PS. I might have mentioned this before, but I absolutely loved the way Jim never listens to Dali’s suggestion and always goes in the way he wants when it comes to their relationship!

Lucky Charms, by Lisa Shearin :

I will admit that I hadn’t read anything from Lisa Shearin before but she had me at :

“Ian Byrne was about six foot three with a body you couldn’t get in a gym, lean muscles coiled and ready for violence, cropped dark hair, cheekbones you could cut yourself on, and steel-blue eyes set on pissed and aimed at me. An instant later, pissed was replaced by professional. If I’d blinked, I’d have just seen professional. I hadn’t blinked, so I’d gotten the full treatment.”

Yeah…. Name a character Ian and I am about to love him!

It was a very nice introduction to her work and I look forward to reading more from her. Thing is, that I kinda felt like I fell head-first in a world where anything goes. I got over it quickly enough and was able to enjoy this book.

The plot gave us more than I was hoping for and, personally, I wouldn’t mind already having the next one in the series to read!

The Beast of Blackmoore, by Milla Vane:

Another first read for me! But then again, that’s why I love anthologies. You have the authors you know you will love, plus new things t look forward to!

During the first chapter, I wasn’t sure if I would enjoy it…. A couple of elements in it made me wary. But it turned out a rather good and enjoyable read. I am not sure I will read more from the author, but that is purely my personal opinion.

The amazing Nalini Singh, is graciously offering us a signed copy of Tangle of Need (US edition) to one lucky reader (open internationally).

To have a chance at winning comment here or on our facebook page, with your  favorite paranormal author or book. Cookie points if you go to Nalini’s facebook page or Twitter account and thank her, for giving us the book, and come back and say you have done so (separate comment for each entry).

Contest open for 48 hours!!!