Must-read romances: 'Stolen,' 'No Bravery,' 'Cut and Run'
Stolen by Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston
What's it's about (courtesy of Penguin Young Readers):
Who is Eliza Wesson?
Months after Nat and Wes said good-bye on the shores of the Blue, Nat is learning how to control and use her new power. She and her drakon are the last of their kind—and she's risked her life for their reunion. When she receives a mysterious distress call, she races to help, soliciting the guidance of her new friend, the beautiful and aloof Faix Lazaved of the Blue.
Still heartbroken over losing Nat, Wes is racing cars on a New Vegas racetrack while his team is scattered and lost. When he finds out that his sister, Eliza, is being held in the golden domes of El Dorado, he does what he's best at—running to her side—and gambles on luck to see him through one more time.
Magic, romance, and danger collide as Nat and Wes become entangled in a dark new adventure that leads right to the heart of the mystery of their frozen, broken world. They soon discover that the answer to both their quests lies in the same question: Who is Eliza Wesson—what is she capable of, and why was she stolen from her family so long ago?
Why you should read it:Frozen was a fabulous read and listen. The narrators did such a great job with Nat and Wes I couldn't wait for the sequel in the Heart of Dread series, Stolen. We get more of Nat, more of her drakon and of course more of Wes. When they split apart I could feel their heartache (such great writing) but also the elation of fighting for the Blue and with her drakon! I have to say, as much as I loved Frozen, I loved Stolen even more. There are so many secrets, so much revealed (can't give up spoilers!) and more secondary characters introduced. We see more into Wes' mind and watching his dive into danger will keep you on your toes. Warning, though, if you haven't read Frozen, you're going to be lost, but if this interests you, go pick up the first book! If you like audio books, Phoebe Strole and Dan Bittner are perfect opposite one another and will bring the characters to life!
What Melissa de la Cruz and Michael Johnston have to say …
If you could have any power what would it be?
Mike: Flight. Doesn't everyone want to fly? Our heroine, Nat, spends a good bit of time in the air, atop her drakon, breathing flame, wreaking havoc. I can't think of anything more thrilling.
Mel: I would be able to do everything all at once. Or be able to make a day as long as a week so I can get everything done. I would be SUPER MULTI-TASKER.
What's your favorite scene in the book?
Mike: The end is amazing, but we also have some epic reveals that should shock everyone. My favorite moment is drakon battle: two drakons, two riders, and storm of fire and ice.
Mel: I love all the scenes of the boys hanging out and bonding and joking with each other. And also the scene where Nat and Wes see each other again for the first time. That always gives me chills.
What are you currently working on?
Mike: We are working on the last novel of this series. It should be done by January. The last book is epic, we've really taken the series to its limit, explained all the mysteries, and given the readers a final twist. I wish I could share more.
Mel: I am also working on my big Disney book, the prequel to The Descendants, Isle of the Lost, writing and creating a new life for classic Disney characters. SO. MUCH. FUN. And the YA Witches of East End spinoff, Triple Moon: A Summer on East End novel. About twin goddesses who are double trouble! And the sequel to The Ring and the Crown, and also developing that as a television show. Mike is also working on his adult epic fantasy. It's brilliant.
Epic one-liner from Stolen?
They had stolen the wrong twin.
No Bravery by T.A. Chase
What it's about (courtesy of Totally Bound):
A man looking for revenge discovers a man who wants to save a city.
Farris O'Laughlin has been back in Chicago for five years. He'd spent the thirteen years before that in a mental asylum after his brother had him committed for 'insanity'. Farris plots revenge in the way he knows will hurt his brother the most—bringing down the family business.
Darien Shaunessy is Farris' new driver and guard. He's around to keep Farris in line…or so Farris' brother thinks. Darien has his own reasons for working for the O'Laughlins, but Farris wasn't part of his plan.
When two men from different parts of the city come together, powerful men could lose their wealth and control. They could also find bravery they never thought they possessed.
Why you should read it: This has everything you'd want in a short. There's a big back plot that slowly unfolds, two men who are looking at the bigger picture and, of course steam, steam, steam. Like most shorts the romance develops very fast with the trust even faster, but I can understand why Farris wanted someone to trust so badly — he's been alone for close to 18 years. I really liked Darien. He seemed solid and complete, and I wanted more of his backstory and hope that this is more than a stand-alone. The steamy scenes are done very well for two almost strangers, and I felt the like and possibility for more. I love T.A.'s writing, and this is a great toe-dipper for her stories.
What T.A. Chase has to say …
What do you love about writing about powerful men?
T.A.: What I love most about writing about powerful men is making them vulnerable. Each one of them ends up having a weakness — the man he falls in love with.
What are you currently working on?
T.A.: I'm working on the fourth Preternatural book, Trailing Air, which is Rover's story. It'll bring the overall story to a close.
Epic one-liner from No Bravery?
"Crazy anti-social men push your buttons, Shaunessy?"
Cut and Run by Lara Adrian and Tina Folsom
What it's about (courtesy of In Media Res Publishing):
Darkly gifted and dangerously skilled, they were once the nation's most powerful asset. Betrayed by unknown enemies, unable to trust anyone — not even one another — the Phoenix hold the key to unmasking a conspiracy steeped in blood and fire. To survive, they'll have to solve ... The Phoenix Code.
Cut by Lara Adrian
Community college professor Ethan Jones is living a lie. A precognitive agent known as Zephyr, Ethan is accustomed to subterfuge and deception, but when the Phoenix program is betrayed, he's forced to cut all ties to the life he's made and everyone in it — including smart, beautiful Tori Connors, the one woman who tempted the cold agent to let down his impenetrable facade.
A chance encounter years later and thousands of miles away thrusts the lovers together again, and this time Tori refuses to let Ethan deceive her. Although he is a dangerous enigma, Tori still desires him, and soon their inconvenient reunion becomes a temptation too strong to resist. With assassins closing in, Ethan and Tori embark on a desperate race for their lives — one that will put their tentative trust to the ultimate test.
Run by Tina Folsom
Motorcycle mechanic Scott Thompson isn't the laid-back loner he makes everyone believe. Three years ago, he was known as Ace, one of an elite group of agents in a top secret CIA program. However, the preternatural ability that made him invaluable to the government could now be his downfall, when his skill alerts him to a disaster bound to kill dozens of innocents unless he intervenes.
Journalist Phoebe Chadwick needs to persuade her editor to spare her from department cuts that threaten her job. When a mysterious stranger prevents an accident that would have killed her and many others, Phoebe goes after the story. But bad boy Scott is a reluctant hero unwilling to answer her questions, despite the sizzling chemistry that ignites between them. As his enemies hunt him down, Scott must decide if he can trust Phoebe — and how far he's willing to go to keep her safe at his side.
Why you should read it: I've loved almost everything from Lara Adrian. She writes such steamy paranormals and I love all of her hot heroes. Ethan Jones is no exception. He's such a stoic agent … one that has a furnace full of feelings and heat underneath. I also liked Tori, she's so torn between her wanting him so bad and not wanting to be deceived/hurt again. As usual there is also a lot of action, running and some violence. All in all, I adored this first Phoenix book. I hadn't read anything from Tina Folsom, but the second book of the Phoenix series has shown me I should. Scott … ah, Scott … I understand why they called him a reluctant hero. He's such a bad boy but has a heart of gold. Phoebe's a great heroine and the chemistry between the two of them jumps off the page. I plan on reading more of Tina's books, starting with her Scanguards Vampires … I hear there's a ménage and m/m in the series!
What Lara Adrian has to say …
What preternatural ability would you want?
Lara: I definitely would *not* want to be a precognitive like Ethan or Scott in Cut and Run. That's more a curse than gift. I think it would be very cool to be able to teleport.
What are you currently working on?
Lara: I've just started working on Book 13 of the Midnight Breed series — Carys and Rune's story!
Epic one-liner from Cut?
"I'm a military-grade, government-certified badass, babe." — Ethan "Zephyr" Jones to Tori Connors
What Tina Folsom has to say …
What preternatural ability would you want?
Tina: Invisibility. I'd love to be a fly on the wall sometimes.
What are you currently working on?
Tina: The German translations of Cut and Run (Phoenix Code 1&2) and Cain's Identity (Scanguards #9). But as soon as I'm done, I'll be plotting the next Scanguards book and start writing again.
Epic one-liner from Run?
"There are only two things I want right now — a beer and sex. And I already have the beer." — Scott "Ace" Thompson to Phoebe Chadwick
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Jessie Potts, also known as Book Taster, adores books in all forms. She also does reviews for RT Book Reviews magazine and works in the submissions department at Dreamspinner Press. You can follow her on Twitter (@BookTaster).