Posts Tagged ‘young brothers’

My Sister is a Werewolf
Cute and fun (and really really HOT!!)! I always feel like I can relate to Kathy’s characters. Unlike many of the paranormal books I’ve been reading lately, her characters aren’t as “ancient” and still retain many of their very human qualities. They continue to concern themselves with mainstream human lifestyles, are emotional, and experience a range of insecurities, that of which us “mortals” can comprehend. And, what’s more, they fall in love with “mere mortals” too!

I guess, when all is said and done, when I read a book and “escape” my world, I don’t want to escape too far. I want to feel like it’s “normal” (or still somewhat realistic, as if even I could be a part of it). Our world…just “cooler”. Kathy Love, Lyndsay Sands, and even Kerrelyn Sparks deliver these kinds of stories. Characters with a modern feel. Paranormal people you’d expect to have as neighbors, or maybe even work with,  meet in a bar… *ahem* OK anyway…speaking of meeting in a bar, onto this story:

Elizabeth, the recently reunited sister of the Young brothers, is lonely (and antsy). After having lived a long life with her rough, rude and obnoxious “werewolf pack” (a biker gang that was the complete opposite of her genteel ways), she has escaped. Now living (in hiding) in the same town as her brother Christian, she is desperately trying to find a cure to reverse her “werewolf-ness”. Succeeding would mean she could finally be free of being the pack leaders mate. Cheating, abusive and psycho, her “mate” forced her into a situation she might not have accepted knowing otherwise.

One evening, “antsy-er” than usual, she goes to her brother’s bar, and finds herself uncontrollably attracted to a man (Jensen) at the next table. Her new world quickly turns upside down (but in a good way).

The man was looking at her. She’d felt his gaze before she’d actually seen it. Their gazes met, and even in the dim light, she could see his eyes were a mixture somewhere between brown and green.

Again her body told her this was what she needed. This was what she’d been wanting. He was what she wanted. She continued to stare, meeting his gaze, until he looked away. Still she watched him. Unable to do otherwise. The need was in control now.

From Jensen’s perspective:

This was too damned weird. Yet he couldn’t stop glancing at the stranger. She sat, perfectly still, her attention trained on him. She didn’t even seem to register the man beside her. Jensen shifted, his body reacting to that steady gaze as if it was a touch, stroking over him, teasing his burning skin.

I’d liken it to “love at first sight”. While she might not admit that, her extreme, undeniable, reaction to him leads her to act in ways that would normally embarrass her. Regardless, she is unable to deny her lust for him. The “werewolf” in her forces her to claim what is hers, by whatever means she can. The human in her cringes when she recalls her actions.

And what actions they are! Wooooohooo hot hot – scorching hot! She practically stalks him in a predatory,way, over and over again, and while all of his senses let him know something is off, he can’t deny this gorgeous creature that demands he ummm…”give it up”. 

His fingers itched to touch her, but instead he said, “This is crazy.”

She reached out and caressed him again, her fingers tracing the line of his jaw. Soothing him, encouraging him. He caught her hand and pulled her back against him, kissing her. She caught the back of his head, tasting him with greedy demand.

While they sexually explore their obvious attraction, they begin to develop a deeper connection as they get to know one another. But things are never easy in a paranormal/human relationship.

Elizabeth shook her head. “You don’t understand. I can’t be with Jensen.”

“I know it’s scary, but – ”

“I can’t be with Jensen because even if he would accept me, I’m mated.”

Mina stared at her. “Oh.”

Not only does she have to contend with hiding her “nature” from him, she also continues to fear that her horrible “mate” will find her before she has found her cure.

And unbeknownst to her, Jensen also has a past of his own that he is still trying to get over – the loss of the love of his life, Katie. That, along with a few deep regrets and apprehensions, keeps the angst going strong in this tale.

There is one part of the book that I thought was going somewhere (it seemed like it was definitely set-up that way), but in the end, it didn’t happen. I’m not sure if the author abandoned that storyline, or if I simply missed a part, or if it will be explained in future books, but that would be my only complaint. I won’t say what it is, since I don’t want to spoil anything but it DOES have to do with Jensen.

Their emotional, physical and even life-threatening journey together will keep you entertained, and her protective brothers will have you laughing and feeling all warm and fuzzy (after they’re done bullying the new man in her life, that is). All in all it was a great, well-rounded, charming read!

I Only Have Fangs For You
Pooooor silly, sweet and sinfully sexy Sebastian…all befuddled because he can’t stop thinking about the off-beat waitress that now works for him. Not his usual cup of tea (he prefers the super-model types), the klutzy, overly pale (even for a vampire) messy haired, bespeckeled female has definitely caught his attention.

“Nadine, I appreciate your decision, but I’m not sure she’s cut out for a job here. I mean look at Greta.” He gestured to the leggy blonde, , leaning on the end of the bar chatting with Crystal, a curvy brunette. “And Crystal. Our cocktail waitresses are part of the allure of the place. They are supposed to be a draw for the patrons.”

“Give her a chance. This is where she needs to be,” Nadine said, certainty in her husky voice.

Sebastian studied his right-hand woman and friend. Finally, he nodded. Nadine was a good judge of character, another trait of werewolves. Animal instincts and all that. And he’d trusted her for years with all his hiring. It didn’t make much sense to question her now.

Still, while there was something that intrigued him about the vampiress, there was something that made him uncomfortable as well. His gut told him he should bypass Nadine’s opinion and give the little waitress her walking papers.

Wilhelmina Weiss (Mina) is an unskilled, bashful and easily frightened “young” vampire. She gets hired to work at his bar, but with the intention of putting Sebastian (and his fangs) permanently out of business. Hateful of her kind, she joins a “Society for Preternaturals” that focuses on integrating with humans. Their goal: to stop all of their normal (yet unacceptable) behaviors that would frighten humans. Sebastian, known for being a wild child and glutton for sexy human females (and their blood) MUST be stopped!

As she botches multiple sabotage attempts (did I mention she was unskilled especially in the paranormal aspect), Sebastian quickly realizes what his new waitress is trying to do.

Suddenly her irritation with his cavalier behavior was too much. For the first time since she’d met him, Wilhelmina did something clumsy that she fully intended. As she picked up another glass, she clanked the stem against Becky’s full cocktail. The glass soared over and pink liquid splashed down the front of Sebastian’s pale blue designer shirt.

Sebastian jumped up as what appeared to be a Mai Tai with extra cherries soaked into the material of his shirt and the crotch of his trousers.

The women in the booth handed him their drink napkins as he attempted to pat away the worse of the spill.

“Oh no,” Wilhelmina said, “I’m so sorry.”

Sebastian looked up from the wet splotches to see something akin to a smirk on Wilhelmina’s lips. As soon as she realized he was looking, the smile faded into an expression of innocent dismay.

But Sebastian knew what he’d seen.

Despite his aggravation towards her treachery, he is even more astonished that a female could actually NOT want him. Also grasping that she is yet another self-loathing vampire, he is determined to find out what her problem is and makes a deal with her. No biting any humans for one month, if she allows him to teach her how to be (and love being) a vampire.

Inevitably, their close proximity forces them to open their eyes and see beyond the exterior shell protecting an innermost being that one cannot help but to love. But they struggle…boy do they struggle…

One of my favorite parts (when Mina sees Sebastian with another woman, not realizing it his interior designer):

“I want to end the deal,” she said flatly.

No. No way. But he didn’t say that. “Why?”

She looked up at him, misery clear in her blue eyes. He was the one making her this unhappy. The idea killed him.

“Baby,” he murmured, touching her cheek. “Tell me what’s going on, please.”

She closed her eyes, then straightened her spine against his soft, rich voice. Then she met his gaze directly. “If you are meeting women, mortal women, then how do I know you aren’t biting them? There’s no way for me to know. You could have bitten evert woman every night since we made the deal. I’d be none the wiser. And – I just can’t…I just can’t do,” she gestured to them, “this. The deal is done.”

Sebastian digested her words. “You’re jealous, aren’t you?”

She didn’t answer, but she was sure her miserable expression said enough.

Despite her obvious angst, the idea made him feel like giving a triumphant whoop.

“Why are you smiling?”

He tried to be sober, but he couldn’t.

“It’s cruel to enjoy someone else’s distress,” she informed him primly.

“Oh baby,” he said sincerely, “I’m only enjoying it because this is a major breakthrough.”

She eyed him as if she thought he was mad.

“If you are jealous, then you must like me a little bit.”

“Yes,” she admitted, with a begrudging roll of her eyes.

“I’m really glad about that. Because I have to admit, I like you a little bit too.”

See? Fun!! Kathy Love is all about the preternaturals residing in a human world. They do human activities (some…a touch more on the “animalistic” side *blush*), they interact with the mortals, they go watch live bands, get into fistfights, have insecurities, hug and cry, but yet they have that powerful ethereal aspect that we crave so much!

And…it’s yet another provocative installment, but again, the author makes you work for the “prize”.

Never fear however, as she has the ability to turn a simple *kiss* scene into a steam inducing, mind blowing, highly satisfying moment, so it’s all good

He made a noise somewhere between a chuckle and a groan as his mouth caught her again.

Go slow, he told himself and managed to maintain gentle, brushing kisses. Velvet against velvet. He continued his tender onslaught until the need inside him swelled to the point that he had to touch more if her.

She groaned as if she was reading his mind and moved closer to him.

“Are you okay?” Sebastian asked, his lips not fully leaving hers, even though he didn’t sense fear.

“I want…more.”

“I want to give you more.”

My one embarrassing moment? When a major twist in the end smacked me in the forehead…I shoulda seen it coming, and am quite distressed actually that I didn’t, not even one time, clue in. How? Was I that enthralled with Sebastian that I saw nothing else? Not even one of the numerous clues that she dropped throughout the chapters (and one extra clue that I had simply because I’m a latecomer to the series).

Looking back…I’m just…it’s shameful really . I find that I do that alot. While people are busy picking apart a storyline to discern what’s to come, I nonchalantly bumble along for the ride with no concern as to what I might run into. But it does make for some impact when the realization hits, so that’s always fun!

Fangs But No Fangs
First off…how clever are these book titles?? I just figured out that the neat little play on words actually hints at what the story will be about. Fangs for the Memories (book one) was about a vampire who gets amnesia…get it?

This book clued me in because Christian (the evil vampire brother from book#1), gets his conscience back in this story by attempting to become more human.

Due to devastating circumstances in book 1, Christian is determined to get a sense of his humanity back. He decides to move away from his luxuries, live closely amongst the human population (a trailer park seemed appropriate), and connect with others. Determined not to bite, he restricts his feedings to bagged blood, and even feeding is restricted to small portion sizes. He drinks just enough to allow him to “live” while diminishing his powers, essentially forcing him to become more human – even his fangs fail him, no longer reacting to stimuli. Fangs But No Fangs…get it? He’s a vampire, but not really…sorta.

As he lives his new life in a run-down trailer home, he become friends with his pretty neighbor, Jolee.

“I haven’t had many friends,” he admitted. None, to be exact. “I suppose I don’t know how to react at times. But I think you could help me.”

Hadn’t he just told himself that he needed to stay near this woman to protect her? Now he was the one asking for help. From a mortal. He waited for the rush of disdain for himself. For being weak and pitiful. But the flood never came. he only felt hopeful, and maybe a little uncertain.

Owner of a local karaoke bar, she too, is escaping her past, and her family’s questionable moral character.

Crushing on each other, Christian resists his feelings for her.  Considering his destructive past, he doesn’t feel he deserves to be happy. He runs hot and cold throughout the entire novel, rudely rebuffing Jolee just as she considers getting to know him…

Here she’d been thinking her neighbor seemed attracted to her, and he essentially told her how unattractive he found her. Man, was she that clueless?

…yet always coming to her rescue (whether it be saving her from her knife wielding brother to helping her bartend, for free, at her bar).

Cooler heads do not prevail in this book. The passion is hot (and Kathy Love is a genius at teasing but not quite giving it up until later, especially in this installment), and their potential is promising.

Quick excerpt from a quick shopping trip for condoms (not necessary considering he’s a vampire, but if you’re gonna play the part of a human, you gotta go all the way, before going all the way )

“Do you have a favorite?” he finally asked.

“No,” she said , then smiled slightly. “But even if I did, it wouldn’t matter, because you’ve only got one choice, big boy.”

She pulled a box labeled ‘Maximum” off the hook and handed it to him.

A-hem *blush*…no further explanation necessary

But as these things go, the whole “Hey, by the way, I’m a vampire…no, I’m not crazy, I’m really a vampire” section puts their whole relationship in a tailspin (I always love that part!). Especially considering the fact that his “fangs” no longer show up at will. Now how’s he gonna prove anything without those?

So this is yet another satisfying read from Kathy Love, with passion, but mostly, an amazing sense of self discovery and connecting.

She infuses Christian with quirky yet endearing qualities (such as his strange fascination with – completely useless to him – infomercial gadgets), and opens up their world with charming secondary characters.

By the way, my favorite brother, Sebastian, we don’t get much of until the end, but when he did show up, his reactions were hilarious.

“See.” Sebastian shook his head. “Loon. Total loon.”

I think his book is next. Ok, so let me try and figure out what it’s gonna be about by the title alone:

“I Only Have Fangs For You”

…well that’s obvious enough, he’s gonna find his one and only mate….wait, maybe there’s more to it? Okay off I go to immerse myself in his wonderful-ness.

Fangs For The Memories
I had heard about Kathy Love through her “Young Brothers” books and immediately collected the series. Strangely enough, I read her “Bourbon Trilogy” first (and LOVED it). I’ve decided to tackle the Young brothers this week, and just finished book 1. Great start, quite funny (Sebastian is especially a hoot…I have a yet another crush…what’s new?), and I really enjoyed the premise of the story.

It is about a New Yorker male (Rhys Young) who is the typical hunky yet brooding, dark and angry, single vampire. In a bar one night, he is intrigued by an adorable non-New Yorker female (Jane) who just happens to be in the wrong place at the wrong time. Having had a bad day on her new venture in New York, she wanders into a seedy bar, drinks too many tequila shots, and is eventually accosted in a back alley, by a recently released prisoner. Rhys, with all of his paranormal abilities is aware of the potential trouble brewing, and steps in to save her.

Rhys, having a sordid past and enemies of his own to contend with, is attacked by his biggest enemy, his brother Christian.

Sebastian (their other brother… *swoon*… woops sorry about that) finds both Jane and Rhys in that back alley, face down and out for the count. Picking up on a connection between the two, he brings them home, and devises a scheme to play matchmaker (considering Rhys is sorely in need for love).

Rhys awakes, and displays a case of selective amnesia. Suddenly, he is back to his old fun loving, and happy self. He thinks that his residence in present day New York is actually his Victorian era, England home and believes that Jane is his chosen bride to be. Oh yeah, and he doesn’t remember that he’s a vampire.

‘I would be careful, brother. I do not intend to share my woman.”

Heat sizzled through Jane’s belly at his possessiveness. But she immediately admonished herself. She shouldn’t be enjoying herself. She had no idea what was going on – and Rhys was clearly not acting normal.

“Especially since she is now, very likely anyway, my wife and thus your sister.” Rhys added, smiling down at her as if he was quite pleased with that idea.

Not normal at all.

Sebastian turned to stare at Jane.

She gave him a weak smile.

Sebastian frowned at his brother, and Jane changed her initial opinion. He could look as intense as Rhys. “Rhys, what the hell are you talking about?”

“This is Jane Harrison.” Rhys came to stand beside her. “The lady to which I have been betrothed.”

When Sebastian just stared at him. Rhys clarified, “From America.”

When his brother still didn’t speak, Rhys turned to her. “I am sorry. Sebastian is often considered the gregarious member of the family. But apparently today he is – ”

“Freaked out,” Sebastian suggested.

His brother Sebastian (also a vampire… *swoon*… hee hee! Can’t help it ) has his work cut out for him, as he tries to help the two fall in love, and keep them both in the dark over Rhys true nature (all the while, convincing Jane to stay and be paid to be Rhys’s caretaker). You know…it’s all part of the “plan”. Of course, it’s not that hard to convince Jane to stay awhile, considering she moved to New York to find a job, and Rhys is damn sexy!

Lots of silly and fun moments with Sebastian’s spontaneous excuses…

But now Sebastian had the peculiarities of being a vampire to deal with. Being a vampire was easy. Being a vampire who didn’t know he was a vampire; that might be tricky. Rhys could end his existence with one short stroll in the sunshine. Or if his hunger wasn’t appeased regularly, Jane could die from one overzealous chomp.

…Rhys’s demands to “ready a carriage” when he wants to go out, (here’s an example scene where he makes this strange request from his modern New York bouncer type employee):

“Mick,” Rhys repeated. “You work for us.”

Mick did raise his eyebrows in response.

“Thank God, man.” Rhys walked over and clapped the giant on the arm. “Ready me a carriage. Immediately.”

At that, Mick’s brows shot up even farther, an almost laughable expression of perplexity coming over his stoic features.

Sebastian stepped forward. “No. Don’t ready – a carriage, Mick.”

and Jane’s flabbergasted confusion over the strange situation in which she has landed herself.

Oh and by the way…this book is also intensely passionate…yup…HOT…

Open your eyes. Watch me. Watch me love you.

and there’s some angst too, but I’ll let you get to that part on your own

I was searching the web for any interesting info that I could find on future works by Kathy Love (for instance, if she was going to continue with the “Young Brothers” series). I came across an interview (admittedly, it is almost a year old) but still quite relevant in revealing what her upcoming plans are, who are her favorite characters are, and how she writes!

Highlights of the interview:

• She speaks in detail of how she came up with Rhys, Christian and Sebastian
• Sebastian is her favorite character from the Young Brothers
• She has written entire books at Starbucks (having a young daughter does not allow her time during the day to write, and therefore she either writes at night or outside of her home).
• She had sold three more paranormal romance books that are part of the series following “Any Way You Want It” featuring the sexy Vampire “Ren” and (and recently released: the 2nd installment called “I Want You To Want Me” featuring his brother “Vittorio”)
• Good news! Even though she does have interest in writing other styles, she will be sticking with Paranormal Romance!

You can read the entire interview at “Media Blvd Magazine” by clicking the link below:

Kathy Love Interview

1. Fangs for the Memories (The Young Brothers, Book 1)
2. Fangs But No Fangs (The Young Brothers, Book 2)
3. I Only Have Fangs for You (The Young Brothers, Book 3)
4. My Sister is a Werewolf (The Young Brothers, Book 4)