Unexpected Eden by Rhenna Morgan: Blog Tour Review and Giveaway!!! ~ Diaries of 2 Thick Chicks

Hola Chickies! Today we are psyched to host new author Rhenna Morgan on our measly little blog.

Hey, everyone! And thanks to Nettie and Celie for hosting me today!

I have to tell you, when I learned that the “Thick Chicks” were going to host me on my release tour I was pretty stoked. There are just certain people in this world that you know you’ll like/appreciate instantly by the things they hold near and dear. One look at their “Our Favorite Books” page and I thought, “I’m gonna like these women.” I mean, seriously. They’ve got all my favorite Kristen Ashley books listed, so how could I not like them? (Oh, wait. You’re missing Raid and Deacon. Have you read those yet?)

As I’m wont to do when people start talking favorites, I decided it might be fun to do a, “I’ll show you mine since you showed me yours,” kind of post. In the spirit of not getting too far out of control and raving for hours, we’ll call it:

The Top Five Authors/Books I’d Add to The Thick Chick’s

Already Kick Ass Recommended Reads

Okay, that’s a bit wordy, but I tend to get that way when I go fan-girl on killer books…

Recommendation #5

Kresley Cole – Either her Immortals After Dark books OR her smokin’ hot contemporary erotic Game Maker series. The erotic series in particular is my favorite. I mean, I’ve always respected her Immortals series, but I kid you not, my mouth hung open for the vast majority of The Professional (Book 1, Game Maker). Using the Thick Chick rating scale I’d call it Insane and Sweltering.

We are totally all over the Immortals After Dark series but just haven't had a chance to review any since we started the blog. The Professional Series is on our "to read" list but based on this comment, I'm bumping them to the top!

Recommendation #4

Karen Marie Moning – Anything in her Highlander series. They’re a mix of historical, paranormal, and time travel all rolled up into one. And yes, I love the Faefever series too, but for me the Highlander books are just old school, sexy romance. The kind that got me hooked on the whole romance genre in the first place.

Recommendation #3

Kit Rocha – The Beyond Series. Ladies (and gentlemen if you’re brave enough to handle it), brace yourself before reading. It’s a dystopian world and it’s deliciously gritty. On the ratting scale I think it might make sweltering look tame. Definitely not for the faint of heart. #Blushing** This is sooooo going to have to be on Celie's to read list. My heart is a bit faint and she gets a kick out of my p-word blush all the time! This will be going on her list for sure!

Recommendation #2

Joanna Wylde – Reaper’s MC. If you liked Motorcycle Man from Kristen Ashley, you’ll probably like this one too. The tone is a little grittier than Kristen’s, but the heroes are men’s men who plow right into every challenge…particularly when the challenge in question is the woman they want. Alas Celie and I have both confirmed that we are NOT old lady material and so these books just drive us insane. Celie says she's just too damn nosy not to be able to ask any questions and I for one can't handle the "club side action". I would have to cut somebody should I walk in the club and see a club skank on my man!

Recommendation #1

Darynda Jones – Charley Davidson Series. I’ve read ‘em all except the most recent one, and I love, love, love Reyes Farrow. If you like funny and steamy all in one place, you’re gonna love Darynda’s series. Well-written, clever, unique, and did I mention Reyes Farrow? OMG, Darynda is our girl for sure. We have read ALL of her Charley Davidson Series and have loved every minute of it. Totally need to update the list.

So, there you go. I’ve shown you mine. Now show me yours in the comments below. I’m always on the look out for great new reads as I’m sure Nettie and Celie are. The best way to show love for an author is to get the word out on the stories you enjoyed.

If you have room on your TBR list and you’re into fantasy romance set in a contemporary world, I hope you’ll give my debut release, Unexpected Eden, a try. It’s the first in a four book series set in the one and only land of creation--Eden.

Well, most of it’s there. Some of it’s here in our own backyard. J

I hope you have a fantastic New Year and much happy reading. Hope to see you in paradise soon!

Love, Rhenna

About the Author:

Rhenna never thought a weird dream, a bucket list, and an addiction to romance novels would lead her into publishing, but that’s exactly how Unexpected Eden came to life. Okay, there might have been a jillion revisions in there somewhere, and a few points where her family thought she’d lost her ever-lovin’ mind, but pretty much everyone’s accepted that this author thing is chronic.

When she’s not working on the rest of the Eden books or her naughty contemporary romances, you’ll find her chasing two precious little girls, batting eyelashes at her indulgent husband, or driving with the top down and the music up loud. Oh, and “researching” on the internet. Those half-naked men she uses for inspiration don’t download themselves.

She’d love to share her “research” with you too and get to know you a little better in the process. Find her blog, Facebook, Pinterest, and other social media links at www.rhennamorgan.com. Be sure to sign up for her newsletter there too for snippets, upcoming releases, and author news.

If you enjoyed Unexpected Eden, Eryx and Lexi would sure appreciate it if you shared your review at Goodreads, Amazon, or other favorite online bookstore. Lexi would make you a mean cyber-cocktail in exchange if she didn’t have her hands full with Eryx, but rumor has it they haven’t left the royal suite in days.

Stalk Rhenna Morgan at the following places:

Title: Unexpected Eden
Series: Eden, Book 1
Author: Rhenna Morgan
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Rating: 4 Sweltering Keys 2K1CH

** Disclaimer: A copy of this book was provided to me by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

Paradise, love, power…and a prophecy with a price.

Most people believe Eden no longer exists. Lexi Merrill’s about to learn they’re wrong. A hard-working bartender with a self-sufficient backbone and a wary nature, she knows pickup lines like a second language. So, when Eryx Shantos barges into her world with too-smooth words and a body to back it up, she locks up her libido and vows to keep her distance.

Eryx has other ideas. As king of the Myren race, Eryx is duty-bound to enforce the laws preventing exposure of their existence to humans. Yet The Fates have led him through his dreams to Lexi, a temptation he doesn’t want to resist. The question--is she Myren, or human, which makes her forbidden fruit?

When Eryx’s nemesis tags Lexi as his next target, Eryx insists on taking her home where he can keep her safe. Lexi had no idea “home” would mean the one-and-only land of creation…or that she’d trigger a prophecy that could doom her newfound race.

Hallelujah the odds are ever in my favor because new author Rhenna Morgan has released a series to take the place of one of my all time favorites series the Night Huntress Series. Unexpected Eden was a journey into a mystical world that runs parallel to Earth with alpha males that can fly, wield energy balls of fire, open doors with their minds and stroke all the right places with just a simple thought! **wink wink** Can a woman ask for more?

Well it seems Lexi can do just that when she meets the beautiful and strange Eryx and two hours later finds herself being whisked away from the realm of Earth to Eden, an unknown realm she knows nothing about. If that wasn't enough, Lexi soon learns that she is a lost Myren and somehow ended up in Earth's realm with no idea who her parents are and how she ended up on Earth. Even more, she's Eryx's fated mate and the queen of Eden. When her powers are awakened, all sorts of havoc takes place and after her mating, an old prophecy comes into the picture that states together Lexi and Eryx will bring Eden into a new era.

While I loved the characters of Lexi and Eryx, what really pulled me into the book were the secondary characters of Ludan, Galena, and Ramsay. Galena and Ramsay are Eryx's brother and sister and ludan is his personal guard. All three characters brought humor and lightheartedness to the overall storyline, as well as made me interested in finding out how their characters will shape the overall story arc. I'm particularly interested in Galena and the impending story of her attraction to the enemy's army trainer. He struck me as interesting from the start and with the way the book ended, my curiosity is even more peeked at this point.

Rhenna Morgan did an excellent job setting up the villains in the story. Both Maxis and Serena have an ax to grind with Eryx and his family line. It will be interesting to see how twisted things get now that these two are together. All in all, I loved this first book and had it not been for the long drawn out detailed middle of the story, this would have been a solid 5 keys for me. Don't get me wrong, the details were necessary especially with this being the first book, they were just a little bit too slow for my taste. Either way, I'm on board for future books and can't wait to see how Morgan develops the story further. Loved the twist with Ian at the end. I'm giving Unexpected Eden 4 Sweltering Keys!

Go pick up your copy today!

Excerpt:

Lexi high-stepped it down the hall to the room she shared with Eryx. Sconces blazed to life along the walls with each step, Eryx setting them alight with his mind to light her way. Providing what you need.

Ugh. Not something she could think about right now. His sure, confident strides sounded behind her. No matter how far ahead she tried to stay, his hunger burned inside her. Stupid gift. Now that she’d somehow uncorked it, she couldn’t get it turned it off—and damned if she wasn’t a raging inferno as a result.

She’d thought asking for time would calm his fears. Maybe ease his foot off the throttle a little bit. But oh, no. She’d tugged the lion’s tail, tossed out a slab of meat, and thrown the cage door open wide.

The door to their room whipped open and thudded against the wall.

She flinched, but kept going. “You don’t need to be so melodramatic.”

She’d gone for playful, but ended up sounding like Marilyn Monroe on a heaped-up dose of Spanish Fly. Moving to the dresser, she tugged off her blue leather sandals. “Maybe we can rest later and you can teach me how to move things with my mind instead.”

Eryx ripped his tank over his head and tossed it to the floor. Smooth muscles, flexing under tight, tan skin.

She closed her gaping mouth. Tugged the lion’s tail indeed.

“I thought I’d give you something else.” He stalked her until her back met the wall and caged her with arms on either side of her head. “Something that will feed you instead of drain you.”

He ran his nose along the column of her neck and inhaled, slow and deep.

Goosebumps prickled along her forearms and her belly fluttered. “I thought you said I needed to rest.”

“You need energy. I’m going to give it to you.” He nipped her earlobe then sucked at the same spot. “You said you’ve never known family or love.” His hot breath brushed across her skin and his tongue traced the shell of her ear. “So I’ll give you that too.”

A blowtorch, insane, leave-me-here-to-die-in-glory fire blasted from her insides out. Where the hell was her caution? Her worry?

“I warned you.” He bit her lower lip and the sting zinged to her nipples. His hands abandoned the wall and caressed her back, her thin cotton tunic a nearly non-existent barrier. “You said you could take anything I threw at you.” He whipped the tunic over her head and the indigo fabric sailed to the floor behind him. “Then you’ll have me.” His gaze lowered to her bare breasts. “All of me.”

ENTER TO WIN!!!