PJ Review: Blood Trinity by Sherrilyn Kenyon & Dianna Love

Genre: Adult, Paranormal Thriller, Urban Fantasy
Series: Belador Series #1
Paranormal Element: Demons, witches
Order Online:  Amazon.com
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Audio book purchased from Audible.com

PJVs QUICKIE POV:
I hate to start this review out negatively, but honestly this is not one of the best pieces that Love & Kenyon have put out. Yes, it was fast-paced, well-written and suitably entertaining I find enjoyment in her other characters so much more. Evalle just fell flat for me and being a Sherrilyn Kenyon book I wanted her to just get it on with someone! Especially since all the men that were described were super hawt and the novel was described as a paranormal romance on goodreads, so that was what I expected. *Sigh* So, the perv in me was disappointed, but the book-lover in me enjoyed it. I will move on in the series and this is a great book for Urban Fantasy lovers – that want to 86 the romance.

REVIEW:
Welcome to the world of the Belador. A different species of beings that have supernatural powers and have sectioned themselves into tribes. Evalle has desperately wanted to be apart of her tribe but as half Belador she is looked at with suspicion. They usually lock half-Belador's up and throw away the key, they are too dangerous, unable to control their urges. But, Evalle is all control. And she remains the only free half-Belador.

A terrible murder forces her to act outside of her tribe, because she knows that if they get wind about it she'll be the first suspect. She hadn't committed this murder, yet is it someone like her or trying to frame her? During this time conflicts are also starting to arise between her tribe and their mortal enemies. Evalle is tasked with tracking down a stone that could end the world as they know it and destroy all of the Belador race. It was a very complex plot, with really two main plots and tons of smaller plot lines, typical of Sherrilyn Kenyon and her crazy brain.

I was just kind of upset that this one was labeled as a Paranormal Romance but there was no Romance. There was a lot of hinting that she might go for this one or that one...so I guess Evalle will hook up with someone in the next book, but this is not usually how these things works. Besides that the story-line was original, if not complex, there was a lot going on in this world and Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love just throw you into it feet first. I like the male counterparts much better than the female lead, but the characters were all formed nicely and the fact was that it was Evalle's reticence and nasty past that I didn't like about her...I found her a bit too prickly. I hope she evolves in the next book – because you know, in these long running PNR/UF series that focus on one main character, it usually takes a man to even out these girls *ahem – Cat and Mac.

Audio Book:
The narration was competent, nothing I was dying about, but the voice transitions were spot on and I didn't “notice” her which is the point right? Christina Traister did the narration and it would seem she does a lot of Romance novels.

RECOMMENDATIONS:
Recommended for Urban Fantasy fans, this might be a good UF transition to PNR, because well there wasn't any romance (I sound like a total broken record, don't I?) SK fans shouldn't be disappointed and you might like this one if you like the more complex paranormal novels that are out there.

411 on the series:

1. There are currently two books in the series, Blood Trinity: Book 1 in the Belador Series & Alterant (Belador #2) which will be released in September this year
2. On goodreads.com it is classified as a paranormal romance in the synopsis but on SK's site she calls it a Paranormal Thriller

Similar Series:

1. The Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld, Book 1)
2. Guilty Pleasures (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter)

CODEX:
UF - Urban Fantasy
PNR - Paranormal Romance
SK - Sherrilyn Kenyon

Infinity by Sherilyn Kenyon

Infinity by Sherilyn Kenyon
Review copy provided by publisher.

"...you keep going and going no matter what happens or what obstacles you meet. Over, under, around, or through. There's always a way. And if you have to chase something to infinity, strap on your big-boy pants, hiking boots, and go."

PJVs QUICKIE POV: The only thing of Kenyon's that I had read before was a BAD (Bureau of American Defense) novel. And being a not-so-happy fan of romance I wasn't too impressed. I just don't like the romance algorithm. So, Infinity I will say is my first "real" experience of Kenyon's writing, and I think I might just have to go out and buy the entire Dark Hunter series. Egad - where do I start??? Witty, raucous, and pungent, this is a BIG GIRL/BOY novel wrapped in a YA package. Built to entertain the masses the maturity of the content will entertain both teens and adults both. Kenyon throws you head first into the underbelly of the real New Orleans, the back streets and hovels where the werewolves and vampires hide. After you read Infinity you'll feel as if you not only got to tour NOLA from a locals perspective, but also got a zombie slaying 101 guide for real world implementation.

REVIEW:  Nick Gauthier is a fourteen year old boy, struggling between his poor-upbringing and the call of the streets and his mother's tenacity to get him off the streets and into college.  He has been blessed with a brain, so his mother has him in St. Richard's, a very exclusive richy rich school, where he doesn't fit.  Scholarship kid, wearing thrift store fashion just doesn't mesh well with BMW driving, trust fund babies. What Nick doesn't know though is that St. Richard's is housing more than trust-funders - it also has a few werewolves, demons and now zombies.

After a football player decides to take a bite (literally) out of his team mate, Nick's world is thrown into utter chaos. On the run and on the hunt, Nick is now about to get a crash course on the paranormal that he refused to believe in.  To up the stakes even more, it would seem the zombies might be gunning for him and probably because Nick might not be as human as he thought.

Fans of Kenyon, or just of the paranormally inclined young adult genres, you are going to want to read this one. The world is a lot bigger than most YA novels delve into, but it is not confusing and the plot stays on track.  You will not have to have read any Dark Hunter books to understand this one (I know, I haven't read any of them).

RECOMMENDATIONS: A bit of cursing, but nothing to get your panties in a bunch, this novel is safe for teens and mature enough for adults. UF fans will enjoy. This is not a romance. This is a karate chopping, kick butting, slap-yo-mamma action adventure with a male lead. Great for boys and girls.

Extra: After reading a few reviews on Amazon.com I started to see a pattern and would like to make an added observation on this review.  Fans of the Dark Hunter series seem a bit disappointed in this book and I think I know why.  This is not a romance. No steamy scenes, just some kick butt action from the POV of a young teen. Very different from the Dark-Hunter series.  Don't expect kisses...just a lot of kicking. Well there might be a kiss. ;)

Sherilyn Kenyon Giveaway Extravaganza!

Sherilyn Kenyon Memorial Day Giveaway Extravaganza!

If you are not able to get to a Sherilyn Kenyon signing, I thought I would share the love of this wonderful author. Enter in the Sherilyn Kenyon Giveaway Extravaganza and you can win some great loot!

Prize Package Includes:

• Signed Copy of Born of Night
• My copy of Whispered Lies 
• New copy of Silent Truth
• Archeron Bumper Sticker
• Fake Tattoo
• Random BAD swag and Promo Prints
• Infinity Poster
• Parajunkee.com Bookmarks

To Qualify for the Giveaway:

• Mailing address within the continental US and Canada
• 18 or over
• Parajunkee.com follower

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