Elizabeth's Review~ Denying Ecstasy~ Setta Jay~ PRN Erotic Romance

4.5 Mate me NOW Stars!

Denying Ecstasy is the third installment in The Guardians of the Realms Series by the gifted Setta Jay. Although each book is centered on the mating of the two main characters, each individual book offers it's own unique idiosyncrasies. Rain and Dorian's story is one of redemption, passion, and love.

Rain is a strong willed Mageia (which is an evolved human that is compatible to be an Immortal's mate) and she is best friends with Alyssa. In the previous read (Ecstasy Claimed), Alyssa and Rain were relocated to the Immortal Guardians Manor in order to be protected from the "evil forces" who only want to cause them harm. While in the safety of the Guardians protection, Rain catches the eye of one of the guardians. She is confused by his interest because he seems to have such disdain for her. While she is reeling trying to figure out what is going on, Dorian is brooding. Why you ask? When Dorian touched Rain, he realized that she was his mate!

"If he hated the idea of mating her, then why chance touching her and pushing them into this situation? The ugly sting to her ego wasn't making the reality any less true."-Rain

Dorian has an ugly history with women. One touch and Dorian is ruined! Although he cannot deny the feelings he has for her, he feels unworthy of her. He feels damaged because of his past. He tries everything he can to get out of mating her.

"If she's good and worthy, then I'm the last male she deserves. She doesn't even need to know how screwed she could have been."-Dorain

Both Dorian and Rain experience severe side effects from being near each other and yet NOT being together. Rain struggles with feelings of rejection and hurt. Dorian internalizes his desire to be with Rain and his feelings of guilt over his past. Once Dorian decides he can't fight the pull of her any longer, all bets are off! Rain, beyond so frustrated, plays hard to get. (And so she should!)

"Are you saying you don't want me, nymph? Because your pussy is calling you a liar."-Dorian

"Oh, my body wants you. It's my mind that wants nothing to do with you, my little guppy."-Rain

The push and pull of these two is full of intense tension and release. I felt such adoration for both of these characters as they struggle their way through. When Dorian and Rain finally come together, the mating is in place and the passion is off the chart. 

"You're mine after this, Brianne. I won't ever settle for less."-Dorian

Not only do we witness the sweet redemption of Dorian but we experience the healing power that only Rain is able to offer him. These two are by far my favorite of the Guardian couples.  

"She was so small and vulnerable, and he would keep her safe. She was his now, and his beast loved it."-Dorian

Overall, Denying Ecstasy offers up a magical combination of action, powerful males, mystical creatures, evil forces, and off the charts steam! The characters in this series continue to develop and intertwine as the action continues to build at a steady pace. The characters are unique and complex. The conflicts are intense and are explored to the fullest. The POV shifts seamlessly between the two main characters. I am amazed at how immersed I am becoming in this world. Before taking the plunge into this series, be prepared for anything and everything when it comes to sex. The Guardians and their mates are not afraid to lavish in anything and everything between the sheets. (Who doesn't enjoy a little naughtiness in their read?) Anyone who is a fan of PRN that has not read this series yet is truly missing out. I am so thankful that I discovered this series. Of course I am already reading the next book! What will I do when I have finished them all?

~Arc given by Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!!!

Elizabeth's Review~Ecstasy Claimed~ Setta Jay~ PRN Erotic Romance

4.5 Fantastic STARS

"Mates~Each Immortal has a rare and destined mate, their powers meld and they become stronger pairs that are able to procreate, usually after a decade."

After reading Ecstasy Claimed, it appears that I have discovered another PRN Series that I am dying to swallow up. The characters are magically enhanced with super powers, they are passionate about their mates, they are loyal to their friends, and they have one goal and that is to protect themselves and the human realm from evil.

Alyssa is a sheltered Immortal who has been kept hidden and safely secured from the world by her doting parents. She has one best friend who keeps her grounded and entertained. When Alyssa discovers that she has a mate who has not claimed her, she is devastated.  

"Was she an embarrassment to him? He had to have some basis not to come for her. He didn't want her. Screw that."-Alyssa

Instead of wallowing in a hole, she decides that she needs to venture out into the world in order to "sew her wild oats". She and her best friend Rain take off for a magical island where "anything" goes!

Meanwhile her mate Gregoire (remember him from the first book?) has finally decided it's time to collect his innocent mate and take her home with him. When he goes to collect her, he discovers where she is and immediately unearths the fury of hell to find her and take what is "his".

"What was his little mate doing at an island known for sexual excess? Gregoire could barely contain the roiling possessiveness inside. It was new and uncomfortable. No one touches her."-Gregoire

Although their initial meeting was met with passion and uncontrollable drive (which is the standard protocol when mates are together for the first time), these two have quite a journey ahead when it comes to their emotional connection. While Alyssa and Gregoire try to overcome hurt and miscommunication, the evils of the realms are battling to take over. The new threat causes Alyssa's best friend Rain to move in with the Guardians (cue the next story line). Although the overall focus of this read remains on Alyssa and Gregoire, we have the bonus romance addition of Sam and Erik. (Those two made my heart melt with every moment they spend together).  

The plot line in this book is well executed through the colorful writing and carefully constructed characterization. The romance element between all of the different couples is intense and once again, I found myself blushing through several of the more erotic scenes. After the first book, I was unsure how I would feel about this element continuing throughout. Well, I can say with complete certainty that I feel great! Ms. Jay is excellent at articulating the reasoning of her character's choices through their actions. In fact, the reasons that these characters are so happy to explore, experiment, watch, and simply enjoy themselves is because it is a vital part of their culture and well being. Because I had become so immersed in the story, it felt natural and I felt everything but uncomfortable. Simply stated: THIS BOOK IS HOT!

As far as the action in this book, I found it to be even more intense and engaging than the first book in this series. Now that I have a better understanding of the characters and their origins, I was able to sit back and enjoy the read. Mild warning- at times it can be a bit overwhelming trying to sort out all of the details. My advice with this read is to just go with it. As soon as I let loose and just absorb the story things began to click into place.  

Overall, Ecstasy Claimed was an amazing read. Setta Jay is a master with the dialogue, character development, plot twists, steam, and the tender romances that she has created. I am beyond thrilled that I have discovered her writing and I look forward to reading more. Now, on to the next one! Rain and Dorian are waiting! 

~ARC graciously provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.~

Elizabeth's Review~ Ecstasy Unbound~ Setta Jay~ PRN Erotica Romance

4 "Ecstasy Guaranteed" Stars

Ecstasy Unbound is a paranormal romance full of erotica, action, and romance. Setta Jay has created a magical world full of vampires, guardians, dragonesque creatures, and more unearthly beings! I thoroughly enjoyed every second that I spent exploring this world.

"The Creators had charged him and the eleven others with watching over and protecting the Four Realms of this world."

Uri is a Guardian and is charged with keeping the earth realm under control. He does that by hunting hell beasts and keeping humans in check. Uri has a big problem. He has been lusting after an Immortal named Alex.  

"He wondered if it was the impossibility of the whole thing with his little Goddess that made it somehow hotter. The itch he had for her was a damned obsession."-Uri

Although they have never spoken, She has sought him out time after time in the various clubs he visits. Alex is a voyeur of sorts. She has no problem watching him. Although she wants to be with him, she is destined to stay away. If she were to ever approach a Guardian, she risks being banished from her home in the Human Realm.

Alex has many powers. She frequently transports herself into the minds of others who are in need. Alex and her two brothers are on a mission to help humans and keep them safe from the supernatural powers that surround them. When one of their "rescue missions" turns complicated, Alex knows she must risk banishment and approach Uri for help.

When Uri and Alex meet, they are instantly connected through the "mate bond". The passion is intense between the two. Alex and Uri together was simply amazing!

"What was happening to her? Breathe through it. She knew in some fundamental part of her being that she needed Uri, that he was the only one that could take the pain away."-Alex

What is refreshing in this read is that neither character fights their attraction to one another. They both come together beautifully and begin to forge an unbreakable relationship. All they have to do is merge their two families (Guardians and Immortals), help rescue a human girl (in dire need), and continue to keep the balance between the realms safe from turmoil. No problem! Right?

Overall, Esctasty Unbound was a solid 4 star read for me. Meaning, I enjoyed the read the entire time, I was invested in the characters and cared for their well being. There was quite a bit of information covered in this first book. At first, I felt quite overwhelmed however, I feel that Ms. Jay's smooth dialogue and constant reinforcement of the elements helped maintain a consistency in the read. I felt this was a unique paranormal romance because there were so many diverse creatures in this world.  

"The races sought pleasure in any incarnation they desired."

Before you pick up this book, I feel I should prepare you for the extra curricular "sexy scenes" featured in this read. There is quite a steamy scene at the beginning of the read and later towards the end of the book involving multiple players. To be fair, I am relatively new to the erotica romance genre. (I know this is shocking to some of you)! I found the first scene was quite erotic and properly set the mysterious/sexually charged tone of the book. In other words, things start right off the bat with a bang. However, for me, I didn't quite connect with the last scene because I like my couples to just be together.  However, I feel like Ms. Jay was establishing the raw truths of Alex and Uri life in a different world. They would most definitely experience things that would be far from our norm.  

The sexual element in this read was full of high octane. I definitely felt like it challenged my comfort zone regarding sex with multiple partners and people (menage trois). I can't say that it detracted my overall impression of the book but it certainly affected my overall feelings regarding the main characters simply because I just couldn't understand it. It was nice and steamy and yet, a different experience for me. Upon further research, I have discovered there will be more of this "sexual exploration" in the upcoming books in the series. Because I am completely invested in these characters, I am willing to go the distance and continue reading. If anything, this series will continue to challenge me. To that I say, bring it on!

I highly recommend this read to anyone who enjoys the paranormal romance genre. This book is definitely in a league of its own.  

~ARC graciously received via NETGALLEY in exchange for an honest review.~

***************************************************************

Elizabeth's Review~Reparation~Stylo Fantome~ Contemporary Dark Romance

~5 Give me MORE Jameson STARS!!!~

"He had branded himself onto her soul. Like it or not, he was a part of her, and she was a part of him."-Tate

Reparation is the third book in The Kane Trilogy. We have witnessed the explosion that takes place between Tate and Jameson every time they are together. We have witnessed the destruction of their demise. We have witnessed the beauty of restoration when Jameson and Tate made their way back together. But is Tate really healed? Can Jameson keep her close and content? Is hot rough sex enough? What about love?

After making a horrible discovery about her best friend, Tate begins to plot her plan for revenge. She has been betrayed and now someone is going to have to pay. Although she works diligently to just be ok, Sanders, and Ang know that there is something terribly wrong. And Jameson is stirring feelings in her that terrifies her.

“He'll never love me back. I can't ..., that would be it. Game over. He would own me. I didn't want to like him. When this all started, remember? I just wanted to play. You told me not to lose my heart. What happened?”-Tate

Jameson is battling internally over his feelings for Tate. He knows that she has changed him. He no longer wants the "easy screw" from some random stranger. He wants Tate. Just Tate. When that realization takes place, he is shocked at himself. The only lingering question is~ does Tate want only him?

"I didn't want this, I wasn't looking for this, this isn't what I asked for. I wanted someone to play with, not someone for keeps. You changed the game on me.”-Jameson

As the plot continues to develop, the stakes are high. Tate tries to hurt the people she loves and yet only ends up hurting herself. When a certain ex-lover of Jameson's returns on the scene to stir the pot, all hell breaks loose! Tate does what she does best and she runs!

Can Jameson find the strength in himself to go and bring her back? Will Tate end up in the arms of another man simply because he is a "safe" choice?

“I want to be with you. I want you to be with me. What else do you want!? Do you want me to beg?"-Jameson

The journey that takes place in this series has been unforgettable. The colors of emotions that Ms. Fantome seamlessly paints on every page will leave you breathless. These two main characters are like the perfect opposites that together just fit right. Just when you feel like you cannot take another second of tension, the action snaps and you feel an immediate release! 

This series has a perfect story arc with a well developed beginning, middle, and end. The character development is complex and layered over the conflict like texture on a masterpiece painting. The transformation that Tate and Jameson make is full of so much depth.  

“Jameson. No one will ever be able to make me forget you.”-Tate

Overall, I simply cannot rave enough about Reparation and the entire series. The characters really resonated with me as a reader. I tend to live happily on the fringe of dark romance with a HEA! Jameson and Tate did not disappoint. Thank you Ms. Fantome for your work. I look forward to reading more! Now on to complete my review for the final book (of course, I have already read it and love it!!!).  

This book read in conjunction with the INDIE STAR CHAT on SHH!

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

***************************************************************

LOYDA'S REVIEW~BENEATH BLOOD & BONE BY MADELINE SHEERAN & CLAIRE RILEY

5***Breathtaking Survivor Stars

***SPOILERS*** PLEASE READ ONCE YOU'VE READ THE BOOK, IT WILL BE RELEASE THIS MONDAY AUGUST THE 10TH JUST FEW DAYS!!! heart emoticon

Title: Beneath Blood And Bone

Author: Madeline Sheeran and Claire C. Riley

Genre: Dystopia/Romance/Zombie Apocalypse

Type:Companion series Book 2 of 3

POV: Dual

”We are no more than skin, blood and bone. When you take that away, nothing is left…I believe that beneath the blood and the bone, there’s a soul.” Eagle

Adler aka Eagle short for “E”, a thirty-six years old man who was broken and alone; the zombie apocalypse happened and his life went to hell. Everyone’s life had changed since the zombie infestation took over. He was surviving by blocking away his previews life; blocking his wife and two children that he once had and were now gone. He had so much guilt; he believed that if he would of never left them they would still be alive. However, the ugliest of the world continued and he just had to do whatever to stay alive. His heart was broken and was frozen cold; there was nothing for him to look forward to just survive but for what?! He did not know. He lost Evelyn on book one, he let her get away she had opened up feelings he couldn’t understand. “Wildcat” reminded him of his now dead wife, her looks were so similar he wanted to keep her. However; she left and now he was more angry and mad than ever. Eagle and Jeffers had built the “PURGATORY” when all hell broke loose; they set up the rules of the “safe place” the way they felt it had to be. Now, E was having second thoughts about everything he had done. He hated himself for not carrying or doing enough to help he was so broken he just didn’t care anymore. Everyone in the purgatory feared him; they knew never to mess with him. 

”The world was broken now and so were we, all of us haunted by the lives we once lived, the people we once were, by the losses we’d taken. We were damned to suffer through the save lives we were now forced to live.” Eagle

Autumn, a nineteen-year old girl; lived outside the Purgatory for over four years on her own. She survived in the wild after she was forced to kill her father when he got bitten and infected. She stayed hidden in a dark “CAVE” away from people. Surviving the best she could by eating anything and everything she could find and by making sure she was covered with her own filth; in other words “Poop” so that she would not attract the infected. The worst you smelled the less you will attract the zombies; they won’t even know you were near. Yeah picture that! Lol 

”Play dead, hide, stay away from others, and avoid the biters. Hush, hush, must keep quiet or they’ll hear you.” Autumn

She ran out of food and was desperate to find something to eat; she went out on a search and made the mistake of getting too close to the Purgatory and got caught. She was scared out of her mind; they were going to keep her and make her prostitute and use her. Somehow she managed to escape; however she got hurt during her escape and if it wasn’t because “E”; who was out hunting for food and found her she might have not survived. Eagle did not understand why on earth he decided to saved this girl when he never cared about anyone anymore. The entire situation was pretty funny; she was from the “wild” and had been isolated for so long that it was too funny to watch her and E. He was getting fed up with her growling like a squirrel and kept on shitting on herself to keep safe from the zombies. She did not want them to bath her. However, she had no choice when her life was in line; “E” took care of her and again he wasn’t sure why and could not explain it. I loved the way their relationship started to build up little by little. She started to become used to having a human body close by to protect her and she started to trust him. He branded her with his “EAGLE” tattoo so that no one would touch her; however there was one person that was not happy about this entire situation. “Olivia” she was together with Jeffers and was sleeping with E behind his back, she only wanted Eagle but he didn’t want her so she took whatever he would give her. He hated her, he hated himself for it but he only did it to cause pain and to receive pain he didn’t care about her or himself. I had so many mixed emotions about these two. I hated both of them for it, I really did.

Eagle and Autumn’s relationship was different for sure. She felt safe with him and he felt lighter with her around. He didn’t hear as many voices in his head when she was with him. He felt that he could change with her, be the person he once was before. Their first kiss was WOW! it left me breathless I was in heaven, it was just so beautiful. That one kiss changed the relationship fast, she wanted him and he wanted her; there was no going back. He did everything and anything to keep her safe. She had the opportunity to escape back to her CAVE but once there she knew she no longer wanted to be alone, once she felt his kiss she wanted more. So she returned to him. He found out she was out and had the chance to leave he was beside himself and oh how much I enjoyed that scene haha I loved it.

Life started to get easier and becoming a nice routine forAutumn and Eagle but they both knew it wouldn’t last. They tried to make the best of each day as if it was their last they wanted to enjoy each other’s company and the steamy scenes were amazing. I loved their chemistry and their silent understanding of each other’s pain. Olivia was so jealous that Eagle just didn’t want anything to do with her after he met Autumn. She did anything to get Autumn away from Eagle and tried to get her killed. The events that happened had me literally on the edge of my bed, I was freaking out and nervous. My belly hurt so much not knowing what was going too happened next. I was basically freaking out the entire time. Secrets came out, lots of angst and desperation; and the ending I was so happy this book ended the way it did. I think if it would have ended differently I would have literally lost it. I defiantly recommend this book and I will be reading the next one in the series even if I don’t understand why there will be a book of a character I absolutely despise so much I just hope that these two amazing authors are plotting her death on book three lol. The lord is truly testing me right now.

"ARC Kindly provided via author blog tour, in exchange for an honest review."

Book Series Order:

 

AMAZON PRE-ORDER LINK