QB's Quickies

"So, read any good books lately?"
"What did you think of...?"

Here's the Quickie answers to those questions. Click on the Links for more info.

I'm trying a new feature in my Commentaries. Whenever possible, Piquant Opines will link to other reviews and commentaries for each book/series.


Vivi Anna - Blood Secrets
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Category: M&Ms - a bit lighter and/or not quite as satisfying as Peanut M&Ms, but still Oh-So-Enjoyable! (B,B-,C+,C)
Flame Height: 5” out of 9”
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Vivi Anna is a huge CSI fan and, in the forward to Blood Secrets, she writes, “Wouldn’t it be cool if Gil Grissam was a vampire… possessing all [his] intelligence, determination and patience and the darkly sexy allure of a 200-year-old vampire with washboard abs?”
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Although the world building in this one wasn't completely credible(a secret Otherworld mid-sized city disguised as a military base right outside of San Antonio), it was nonetheless an absorbing, entertaining read. As a fellow CSI fanatic, I’d like to see the Sci-Fi channel or Lifetime turn this into a TV series.
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Piquant Opines: CK2S, RT
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Cheyenne McCray - Chosen Prey

Category: Peanut M&Ms - mmmm...devour... sigh... then reach for the next one. My daily dose of Insanity-B-Gone. Most books fall in this category. (A-,B+,B)
Flame Height: 6” out of 9”
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WOW! I usually associate Chey with erotic fantasy, but this thriller kicked some Linda Howard-esque butt! Way to go, Chey!
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Piquant Opines: CK2S, RT
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Shiloh Walker - The Hunters series

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Ellora’s Cave (although most are now available in print. Check Shiloh's website for what forms and sources all the books are available in):

1. The Hunters: Declan & Tori
2. The Hunters: Eli & Sarel

3. The Hunters: Byron & Kit

4. The Hunters: Jonathan & Lori

5. The Hunters: Ben & Shadoe

6. The Hunters: Rafe & Sheila

7. The Hunters: I’ll Be Hunting You - Declan & Tori's sequel

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Amazon (Berkley):

Hunting the Hunter - Kane & Kendall

The Blood Kiss - Hot Spell anthology with Holly, Leigh, and Brook - Roman & Julianna

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Samhain and Amazon:
Legends: Hunters and Heroes - Matthew & Rachel (Hunter’s prequel part 1); Duncan & Kennedy; Malachi (Part I, prequel part 2)
Hunters: Heart and Soul - Mike and Leandra; Malachi (Part II) and Kelsey

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Series Category: Peanut M&Ms - mmmm...devour... sigh... then reach for the next one. My daily dose of Insanity-B-Gone. Most books fall in this category. (A-,B+,B)
Flame Height: 7” out of 9”

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Vampires, werewolves, witches, and pant-out-loud erotic scenes. Permanently on my auto-buy list, this series really is as enjoyable as a gi-normous bag of Peanut M&Ms!

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I listed the series in published order rather than chronological order because I think the prequel has more impact AFTER we’ve gotten to know the Hunters. Having said that though, I think most of the Hunter’s books could be read as a stand alone (except book 7). But, since I KNOW you won’t be able to stop at just one, you might as well read them in order.

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I was thrilled that Malachi’s history was part of the prequel. His story continues in Heart and Soul. And the events surrounding Nessa- WOW! No, I won’t say what happens. If you’ve been reading the series, I want you to see it unfold as I did. And if you haven’t been reading the series (and, trust me, you should), then you won’t understand how important Nessa and Malachi are to the Hunters.
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I hope Shiloh’s muse has many more Hunters’ stories to share with us. Like maybe Vax’s story? (hint hint)

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Piquant Opines: RT, TwoLips, RJ

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Jory Strong - Carnival Tarot

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Category: M&Ms - a bit lighter and/or not quite as satisfying as Peanut M&Ms, but still Oh-So-Enjoyable! (B,B-,C+,C)
Flame Height: 7” out of 9”

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This is actually a print compilation of Jory’s Carnival Tarot series from Ellora's Cave. I had already read the second one, Kiziah’s Reading, but it was definitely worth a second read. Jory Strong ALWAYS delivers good, solid stories peppered with smoking’ hot erotic scenes.

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Piquant Opines: RRT, JERR