Hot Blooded

I am really enjoying this new name in urban fantasy genre. Amanda Carlson proved that she can write decisive, interesting, fully capable of badassery characters; create a wonderfully complex world-building and end her books with a big bang. And I LOVE that. This is what encompasses UF genre for me!

Hot Blooded might be even better than Full Blooded. The whole book is about Jessica and her companions on the move to get Rourke from a really crazy, sadistic Goddess, Selena. Again, Rourke is in Jessica thoughts but he doesn't domineer the plot. Even when they are back together, there is no moochiness I so dislike in instant love/perfect mate shifter relationship. It's all go, go, go, act now, love later as it's only appropriate in the show more situation.

There is also a deep, lovely connection between Jessica and her brother, Tyler, interesting developments with a couple of vamps who help them on their journey, Eamonn and Naomi, and ever so amusing snarkiness of human police detective, Roy.

Roy, I am rooting for you! Don't you dare disappear in the next book! I fully expect you to play an important role in this series :)

Overall, it's an excellent, action packed urban fantasy, reminiscent of Rachel Vincent and Caitlin Kittredge's writing, so if you loved both of these authors, I suggest you don't miss out on Amanda Carlson! show less

Once again I'm rating this book lower because of typos. They're the careless kind, as if someone has typed "I'm a new person" and wanted to change it to "I'm new" but didn't carefully proof and was left with the phrase "I'm a new." These are the things that could and should be caught by a copyeditor. It saddens me these typos are in the book because they distract from what is otherwise an entertaining story with great characters.

There's no downtime between the previous book and this one. We're rushed right into Jessica's quest to rescue her mate from the sorceress who has kidnapped him. Yes, she has a mate. For those of you who dig that sort of thing, here it is. For those of you who like things to be more subtle, it's that, too, show more because even though Jessica and her wolf think "mate mate mate mine mate" they still pause to consider everything else in the world, too. Basically, I am really enjoying how these books deal with romance and sex and keep things balanced and without any sort of societal baggage being hung on them.

The character of the sorceress is absolutely over the top and I think she's supposed to be. I'm pretty sure that the readers are supposed to read about her long flowing red hair and her corset and laugh as the author skewers that stereotype. At least I laughed.

I'm also really enjoying the band of friends and allies Jessica is accumulating. Found family is a trope that hits me where I live so I'm looking forward to more.

Just, please, please, edit better!

(Provided by publisher) show less

Reviewed by Rabid Reads

Jessica McClain is back for round 2 and her Goddess nemesis better watch out because she’s now a semi-experienced, full blown werewolf with claws and she’s not afraid to use ‘em! I loved Hot Blooded! This book is the paranormal equivalent of Mission Impossible; Jessica faces-off against everything from über scary mega spider-scorpion monsters to goats in order to save her mate. Yes, you read that right; evil goats. Amanda Carlson has another page-turner on her hands with heaps of thrills, chills and wolfy intrigue.

There’s no rest for the only female werewolf and after a brief strategy session with her alpha, Jessica’s off again in a full out race against time to save her true love. First off, I just show more want to say how much I loved the role reversal in this book! Carlson axes the stereotypical “damsel in distress” storyline in favour of having the heroine rescue her man. Talk about girl power to the max! Having read Full Blooded months ago I was a little put off by the lack of a recap and found the opening set-up chapters a tad tedious but once the action took over (and it does, big time) I only had eyes for the prize.

Amanda continues to add layer upon layer of intrigue to her already rich lore. I seriously had to take notes while reading this book to keep track of all the connections being made. Jessica’s the equivalent of a werewolf wildcard because of her unique DNA which basically gives Carlson free reign to pull rabbit after rabbit out of her hat. As a result, there are tons of mind blowing game changers in this novel and I can’t wait to see how they all play out in future installments!

I really enjoyed how the story focuses on the small group of rescuers because it gives readers the chance to really get to know each of these characters as individuals and we also get to watch them grow as a team too. Nothing brings people together quite like life or death situations and there’s plenty of those in Hot Blooded. I have nothing but love for Jessica, Tyler and Danny but oddly enough, it was Ray and Naomi who held my attention the most. I liked the cop’s surly attitude and his resistance to all things paranormal; he’s unknowingly hilarious and I couldn’t help myself from getting a few laughs in at his expense.

Hot Blooded is only the tip of the iceberg in what is quickly becoming one of the best werewolf Urban Fantasy series around and with another book on the way in October; I predict that Amanda Carlson and Jessica McClain are going to dominate 2013! show less

The Jessica McClain series quickly climbed to the top of my favorite series list after reading BLOODED and made me fall in love with it even more after FULL BLOODED. If you have not started this series yet I must say you are missing out. Jessica's mate was kidnapped by a psychotic goddess that is in love with him and set on revenge. Jessica will do anything and everything to get him back.

Jessica is really growing into being the only female werewolf and finds out more and more of what she can do at every turn.. Most of the story revolves around her journey to get Rourke back. We don't really get a lot of Rourke time in book 2 which is a shame. I am really hoping Amanda gives us what we want with a lot of Rourke time in book 3 because show more that man is yummy. They are really hot together and I want more. Naomi a new addition to the story really surprised me and I find myself really liking her. She is set up to be a big part of Jessica's 'pack' in the future and I can not wait to see what else she brings to the table. Both Tyler and Danny are a great support to Jessica. I love the new connections that come into play with them. Selene was really a piece of work but what else could we expect? I won't go more into her and her lair because it would be spoiler-ish but get ready for a crazy ride.

There is a ton of action in HOT BLOODED, a lot of things change between Jessica and her closest allies (for the best of course), and I absolutely loved each and every aspect of the story. COLD BLOODED is set to release in October 2013 and it can not come soon enough because I need more. show less

This book was non-stop action from beginning to end. It picked up right after the first book, Full Blooded. We had Jessica, Tyler, Danny and Ray but we also added two new characters, the sibling vampire duo of Eamon and Naomi. This group of may not be on the best of terms, but they do learn to work together to rescue Rourke and make it back alive.

I really liked the new beasties we were introduced to in this book and look forward to what we'll see in the next book. The group was always on their toes to see what was coming at them next. And the final showdown was pretty intense. I kept looking for clues to see how they planned on taking Selene down.

This group definitely needs a vacation, but I see next up is the Vampire Queen's party so show more that's not going to happen anytime soon. Maybe in the next book Jessica and Rourke can have at least a day or two when they can actually relax.

Can't wait for the next book. Would also love to see a spin-off series cause these guys (James, Danny, Tyler and even Callum) need a little lovin' too. show less

****IF YOU HAVEN'T READ "Full Blooded" YET, TURN BACK NOW AS THERE ARE SPOILERS INHERENT TO THIS REVIEW****

Another exciting installment in Ms. Carlson's Jess McClain series, Hot Blooded picks up where Full Blooded left off. Jess must master her skills with lightening speed if she has a breath of a prayer of saving her new-found mate Rourke.

After yet more excitement at her apartment, Jess ends up heading out after the sorceress Selene with her brother Tyler and Pack member & friend Danny. She also ends up dragging Detective Ray Holt along with her in a bid to save his life.

Joining them are Naomi and Eamon, two vampires on loan from the vampire Queen, though of course they were loaned out for a steep price that Jess will have to pay upon show more her return, assuming she does return.

This book is more action packed that the first, but seems to lack the same level of fire. Not to say it isn't an exciting read, or fun, but rather it feels a tad more common than Full Blooded. That could be due to the focus being more on the action and less on the emotional, but my guess is that will fall to individual opinion.

We discover more about the Prophecy and Jess' abilities with each fight she faces. Some of the choices she makes fly in the face of Pack and general supernatural tradition, causing tension and unrest in both the wolves with her and the vampires. Yet it is her very compassion that comes through to help in her times if greatest need. And her compassion is one of the things that makes her unique among all supes.

Once again this book ends with several issues resolved, and several new ones opened and awaiting exploration and resolution. As Jess starts telling members of each different supe faction, they'd best take a number and get in line if they have a bone to pick with her, 'cause she's currently occupied with someone else's complaint.

Throughout the arc of the story we get to watch Jess start to grow into the role she is destined to play. She has to grow up quickly in this new world she suddenly finds herself in the midst of, one she had previously only seen from the sidelines. That she manages to do so while still retaining her humanity and reverence for all life is pretty impressive to few, and mostly annoying to most. However we also get to know some of the other players much better as well, and that is a real treat, especially watching how they cope with their own interactions with the new and improved Jess.

It looks as if Cold Blooded will be another rollicking ride for readers. Hopefully Ms. Carlson will bring back more of the emotional interplay alongside the physical challenges. show less

Since I had read and enjoyed the first book in this series, I was thrilled to have the opportunity to read and review Hot Blooded. It has been a while since I read book one, but I was effortlessly able to get caught right back up in Carlson's world of werewolves, vampires, and other supernatural creatures. Carlson takes the reader right back into the action in chapter one and the intrigue, suspense, and adventure don't stop as Jessica embarks upon her quest to save her mate from an evil goddess. I just love how Carlson has created a new werewolf mythology for her series with Jessica being the only female werewolf and seen as a threat not just to other wolves but also other supernatural races. Jessica as a character really grows in this show more book as she learns to embrace her new abilities and use them to help herself and her friends on their journey. Another thing I really love about this series is that Jessica's relationships with the other characters also remain front and center. Jessica's loyalty to her friends and pack make her a strong leading character, and these secondary characters only add to the overall story. I enjoyed seeing Tyler, Danny, and Ray again, and I enjoyed the introduction of Naomi. Hot Blooded's main story is well done and full of twists and turns despite the simple mission of saving Rourke. Overall this book proved to be a fabulous read that I would most definitely recommend if you love action, adventure, intrigue, a dash of humor, and thrills with your supernatural. I look forward to reading the next book in the series.

Received a copy of Hot Blooded through Net Galley in exchange for an honest review. show less