Shadow of Temptation by Jessie Donovan

Title:  Shadow of Temptation
Series:  Asylum for Magical Threats # 2.5
Author:  Jessie Donovan
Published:  May 26/14
Length:  131pgs
Format:   ecopy
Genre:  paranormal romance
Shelf:  review
Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

An undercover agent about to crack…

Two years of living a double-life has taken a toll on Sabrina Ono, but if she plays her cards right, her assignment should be finished within the week. However, just as she starts planning her final moves, a man she once called friend shows up wanting revenge.

A man with an unusual power…

Jorge Salazar is a Shadow-Shifter. After being forced to work for a sociopath for nine months, he strikes a deal to escape, but there’s a price for his freedom—he must capture the leader of a Feiru terrorist group and turn him in. Unfortunately, the only person who can help him succeed is the woman who not only betrayed his biggest secret, but also broke his heart.

As the pair work against the clock to bring down the terrorist group and save another group of innocents from dying, an unexpected attraction builds. Will Sabrina and Jorge’s secrets be too much to overcome, or will their feelings be able to heal past wrongs?

My Review:

Donovan’s upbeat and fast acting writing style draws you in to this novella right from the first page. There is a dark undercurrent to the entire story. It not only highlights the plot and action of the story, but also draws you towards the main characters and how they view themselves. Donovan’s use of acronyms and agents speaking in code really make you feel like you’re in the middle of a secret op.

Donovan’s characters are so inviting that you feel as if you’re part of their lives. Both the recurring characters and the new ones spark your interest as well as your compassion, and sometimes your ire. I also appreciate how they are more than human, but strive to be themselves. Family and friends are intensely important to everyone, and Donovan makes you feel like you belong. And I mean, honestly, how can you not love a cameo from Neena?

Overall, this was a fantastic addition to the series. I loved getting to know the characters better, as well as DEFEND. This is a phenomenal read for anyone who enjoys the supernatural but wants a bit of a different take on the subject.

|  Goodreads  |  Shelfari  |  Amazon  |  B&N  |  Indigo  |

And now, enter to win!

2 people will get their choice of Jessie Donovan's novels!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue Reading...

Convincing the Cougar by Jessie Donovan

Title:  Convincing the Cougars

Series:  Cascade Shifters #0.5

Author:  Jessie Donovan

Published:  April 1/14

Length:  46pgs

Format:  ecopy

Genre:  paranormal romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Kian Murray is a cougar-shifter clan leader with a problem--he has a limp. Despite earning the injury protecting a group of cubs, he feels helpless. His clan and mate deserves someone hearty and whole, and he's nothing more than a liability. The best thing he can do is give up his clan and his mate and find a way to start over.

Trinity Perez-Murray refuses to watch her mate give up his clan because of a small limp. After four months of trying and failing to bring him back from the edge, she only has one card left to play--she's going to seduce her mate. But just as her charms start to pay off, she and Kian are attacked by a group of unusual shifters.

Now it's up to Kian to help fight off the intruders. But in the heat of the moment, will his alpha instincts return and release the warrior inside?

Adult-content rating: This book contains content considered unsuitable for young readers 17 and under, and which may be offensive to some readers of all ages.

My Review:

This story is very raw and real, with a whole lot of heat and a side of shifters that will keep you coming back for more. Donovan develops both the shifters and their story in an approachable yet enticing manner that draws you into the series as a whole. She brings this entire world to life in a manner that leaves you wanting more.

This novella is a brief introduction to the forthcoming series & the major players in it. Donovan’s very in your face writing that draws attention to the main character’s personality. She develops only the major players at this point in time, but does so in a manner that allows the reader to get to know them. I found myself wanting to see them succeed. I also am dying to get to know them better in the next instalment of the series.

This quick, hot read was the perfect introduction to Donovan’s forthcoming series. I’ll definitely be waiting with baited breath for more!

|  Goodreads  |  Shelfari  |  Amazon  |  B&N  |  Indigo  |

Continue Reading...

Frozen Desires by Jessie Donovan

Title:  Frozen Desires

Series:  Asylums for Magical Threats #2

Author:  Jessie Donovan

Published:  February 24th 2014

Length:  281pgs

Format:  ebook

Genre:  Paranormal romance

Shelf:  review

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Camilla Melini is a high-ranking soldier with an organization fighting to free elemental magic users. Her latest assignment is to find one of the legendary elemental Four Talents, and she’s determined to get in and out of Mexico as quickly as possible to avoid running into the man who nearly destroyed her life. But when the dangerous man from her past finds her, Cam must work with Marco Alvarez, a man she’d dismissed as a playboy, to prevent the the powerful magic of the Talents from falling into the wrong hands. She never expected the charming playboy to be a cunning warrior worthy of her heart...

Marco Alvarez is sent to Mexico with two goals—to watch Cam’s back and to investigate a series of arson fires targeting former AMT prison employees. But when a shadow-shifter shows up looking for Cam, Marco decides he needs to stick close to her to help her mission succeed. As he gets to know the strong-willed woman, he’s torn between telling her the truth of his elemental magic and keeping the others who share his secret safe. But when Cam sacrifices herself to save her colleagues, Marco must expose the secret of his elemental magic or risk losing the only woman who can match both his passion and his strength.

My Review:

Donovan’s done it again with this one! She had me captivated from the first page and didn’t let me go.

Donovan tells an extremely unique and captivating tale in this instalment of her series. She had me completely enthralled throughout. Her one of a kind storytelling and fluid writing allow the reader to easily immerse themselves in the story. I found myself on the edge of my seat throughout, dying to know what would happen next. Her unique take on the paranormal combined with a top notch storyline made this novel impossible to put down. Her in-depth and visual descriptions brought the world to life, creating a well-rounded experience for the reader.

I absolutely loved getting to know the main character in this novel on a more personal basis in this novel. It was quite intriguing to see her as more than just a soldier. Her male counterpart was intriguing as well. I loved the Alpha male who was willing to accept and nurture the strength and alpha-ness in his female counterpart. Getting to know more about the main character in the secondary storyline was brilliant as well. She is a one of a kind character that I can only hope we get to see more of in the future. The supporting cast was brilliant as well. Each of these individuals could stand as a main character in their own story, but didn’t overshadow anything or anyone in this tale.

Donovan’s clear, concise writing combined with her vividly visual descriptions and fantastic storytelling combine to create a tale that you won’t soon forget. I was left with only one question at the end of the book. When can I have the next one?

|  Goodreads  |  Shelfari  |

|  Amazon  |  B&N  |  Kobo  |  Indigo  |

Continue Reading...

Blaze of Secrets by Jessie Donovan ~*~ Giveaway ~*~

Title:  Blaze of Secrets

Author:  Jessie Donovan

Series:  Asylums for Magical Threats #1

Published:  September 2nd 2013 by Laura\Hoak-Kagey 

(first published August 31st 2013)

Page Count:  356

Genre:  Paranormal Romance

Shelf:  Review Copy

Rating:  ★★★★★

Synopsis from Goodreads:

To avoid persecution, the Feiru will do anything to keep their elemental magic a secret from humans—even lock away their children for life. Few know what goes on inside the prison system for magic users, but that is about to change…

Kiarra Melini overhears the dangerous secrets of her blood and decides that if Feiru elemental magic is to survive, she needs to die. But before she can finish the deed, a handsome black-clad man kidnaps her from prison and introduces her to an anti-prison activist group. As the prison retrieval squad hunts for her, Kiarra must overcome the demons of her past or risk losing not only her newfound freedom, but also the man who reawakens her desires and captures her heart.

Jaxton Ward finally rescues his older brother from prison, but instead of helping with his brother’s recovery, he’s ordered to train Kiarra—a stubborn elemental fire user who claims her magic is gone. But just as Kiarra starts trusting him with her secrets, the prison enforcers catch up with them. Now Jaxton must find a way to keep his family safe while also protecting the only woman able to ignite both his temper and his passion.

My Review:

My first thoughts on this one? Thrillingly unique. Donovan has created a world completely of her own and runs with it. New races and political structures are presented that are so real and well developed that you can’t help but believe in them. I love the background and political information that Donovan works into her brilliant novel. It’s all there and in an informative yet captivating manner. She doesn’t stop the forward flow of the story to provide a narrative, but rather works the details into the storyline itself. Her fact paced and upbeat writing style draws you in while her solid storyline keeps you hooked. Everything combines together to create something that is simultaneously emotional and suspenseful.

The characters in this novel were completely off the hook! The main characters were both fully developed individuals that you could easily identify with. I love how they meshed together while still contrasting with and sparking against each other. It was brilliant. And the fact that the male lead has a bit of a paranormal 007 feel to him didn’t hurt either. The supporting cast was also quite intriguing. Each character is developed as a character that could stand alone in their own story.

Overall, this novel was exciting and intense. It was a brilliant first novel for Donovan and I can’t wait to read more from this talented author. .

|  Goodreads  |  Shelfari  |

|  Amazon  |  B&N  |  Smashwords  |

And now, enter to win an ecopy of Blaze of Secrets by Jessie Donovan.

mobi, epub, & pdf formats are available.

Entries are open internationally.

Entries close @ 11:59pm Dec 7/13.

The winner will be notified Dec 8/13.

The winner will have 72h to claim their prize.

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Continue Reading...