Hidden Talents by Emma Holly

Amazon Link

Synopsis

Werewolf cop Adam Santini is sworn to protect and serve all the supes in Resurrection, NY - including unsuspecting human Talents who wander in from Outside.

Telekinetic Ari is hot on the trail of a mysterious crime boss who wants to exploit her gift for his own evil ends, a mission that puts her on a collision course with the hottest cop in the RPD. Adam wants Blackwater too, but mostly he wants Ari. She seems to be the mate he’s been yearning for all his life, though getting a former street kid into bed with the Law could be his toughest case to date.

Review

I wrote this review in the form of a letter to the author because that is how it started. I fell in love with the book so much I felt compelled to message her directly about it. Once I had finished I realized I might as well write a review: So here it is.

I just finished reading Hidden Talents and I truly enjoyed it. Your unique perspective was so very refreshing. You honored the traditions of were and fae yet still made it completely unique and your own. I really loved that Ari was such an incredibly realistic heroine instead of the chaste and quaking virgin. I love that she is sexually experienced and adventurous yet still appreciated by her Alpha who was absolutely perfect for a change instead of the domineering chauvanistic assholes currently popular. Don't get me wrong sometimes those are fun too as well as the whole virginal bit but sometimes just sometimes I want a little down to earth mixed in with my fantasy. I love that you were able to depict an Alpha with every trait I love including strength, loyalty, compassion, protectiveness and love. Yes ladies a real man is someone who is not afraid to be mushy infront of the guys because he realizes what is truly important in life. Adam was truly my dream man :)
I have been reading quite a bit of shifter type paranormal romance, urban fantasy stuff lately but I have to admit this book stood head and shoulders above most of what is out there right now. Emma Holly's world and concept building skills are quite impressive. There were several new character archetypes that I really liked as well as old school ones that were done very very well and true to form. An example of this is her depiction of the Fae Lord! Yes most authors will mention how beautiful they are to all other creatures, but none other than Emma Holly have truly been able to depict exactly how intoxicating their presence is to others. She absolutely nailed it! So much so that I would love to read a book about this wonderful creature and the songstress he pines for.

As a final endorsement (All sensitive souls should look away now) I have to say that Hidden Talents has some of the most fanFUCKINGtastic, hottest, steamiest, raunchiest, earth shattering and wonderfully origional sex scenes I have read in a long long time. Emma Holly gives Lora Leigh a very serious run for her money.

At 3.99 on Amazon this book is a wonderful bargain and an exceptional read.

Ecstacy Untamed by Pamela Palmer

 Available October 25, 2011

They are called Feral Warriors -- an elite band of immortals who can change shape at will. Sworn to rid the world of evil, consumed by secrecy and seduction, their wild natures are primed for release...
Shattered by recent nightmarish events, Hawke feels his bond with his animal spirit weakening -- and once it breaks, he's finished. The arrival of Faith sends his life spinning even further out of control, for although she delights him and enflames his deepest primal passions, she's promised to Maxim, the newest Feral Warrior.
Faith is drawn to Hawke from the start, but Maxim holds her in his thrall and has secretly bent her to his malevolent will. Though gravely damaged, Hawke is the only one who can end Faith's slavery and protect the Feral Warriors from Maxim's evil designs. But first they both must embrace the wild...and surrender body and soul to a forbidden, all-consuming ecstasy.

I have just finished reading Christine Feehan's Leopards series and Lora Leigh's Breed's series so I was more than curious to try Pamela Palmer's Feral Warrior's series. It is never easy to delve into an already established series without knowing the back story and I had my concerns that after being ensconced in Lora Leigh's world for so long I would not be able to appreciate a new concept in the genre. I must admit it did take a few chapters to get my bearings, but once I did I found myself enjoying the story of Hawke and Faith. I will not compare to Christine Feehan and Lora Leigh's books because each author has their own merits and quirks.

 What stood out most clearly to me was how likeable the characters were. Hawke and Faith are two of the most genuinely warm and endearing characters I have read in a while, and if for no reason else I will continue reading this series in order to catch cameos of them. All in all the rest of the concept was entertaining and well written. It had a decent and inventive storyline and the right amount of intrigue and suspense to keep the reader well motivated.