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Underbelly Chronicles #2
Chase Me
THE SECRETS SHE'S UNCOVERING WILL BE HIS TO KEEP...
Centuries ago, when their ship crashed to Earth, paranormals of all types settled secretly into our world, quietly going about their business with humans none the wiser. Self-ruling and careful to stay below the radar, all is threatened when Valkyrie archaeologist Lorin Schlessinger and her werewolf geologist partner Gabe Lupinsky inadvertently draw evil attention to Earth and its treasured natural resources.
As the threat intensifies, Lorin and Gabe struggle to contain the chaos they've unleashed, and to resist their explosive mutual attraction ...
Centuries ago, when their ship crashed to Earth, paranormals of all types settled secretly into our world, quietly going about their business with humans none the wiser. Self-ruling and careful to stay below the radar, all is threatened when Valkyrie archaeologist Lorin Schlessinger and her werewolf geologist partner Gabe Lupinsky inadvertently draw evil attention to Earth and its treasured natural resources.
As the threat intensifies, Lorin and Gabe struggle to contain the chaos they've unleashed, and to resist their explosive mutual attraction ...
337 pages, Paperback
First published June 1, 2012
7 people are currently reading
274 people want to read
About the author
Tamara Hogan
6 books61 followersTamara Hogan is the award-winning author of The Underbelly Chronicles paranormal romance series. An English major by education and a software developer/process engineer by trade, she recently stopped telecommuting to Silicon Valley to teach, edit, and write full-time. Tamara loathes cold and snow, but nonetheless lives near Minneapolis with her husband and two naughty cats.
Her debut, TASTE ME, won a Daphne du Maurier Award for Mystery and Suspense, was nominated for the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award®, and won Prism Awards for Best Dark Paranormal, Best First Book, and Best of the Best.
Her debut, TASTE ME, won a Daphne du Maurier Award for Mystery and Suspense, was nominated for the Romance Writers of America’s Golden Heart Award®, and won Prism Awards for Best Dark Paranormal, Best First Book, and Best of the Best.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 16, 2012
Originally published at Book Lovers Inc.
Tamara Hogan's Underbelly Chronicles are a wild blend of urban fantasy and paranormal romance with the teeniest, tiniest touch of science fiction. Well, the SF is there in the same way that Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern were SF. I'll get back to that in a minute. Or a few paragraphs.
If you haven't read the first book in the series, Taste Me and you like your urban fantasy mixed with paranormal romance, check it out. Pretty much every race of supernatural not only exists, but they've all banded together and are not just hiding in plain sight, they police themselves. In Minneapolis.
In Chase Me, the scene is admittedly a bit less urban. The supernaturals in Hogan's Underbelly Chronicles are not indigenous to our world, they crashed here in a spaceship! Chase Me concerns the archeological dig to retrieve the "black box" from that crashed ship, over a millenia later, at least according to oral history.
However, the Valkyrie archeologist and the werewolf geologist have done nothing but butt heads since the first day they started working together, and that was when they were back in Minneapolis. Out on the dig site in Outer Nowhere Minnesota, fighting over who is in charge of what is going to wreak havoc with productivity.
Except that isn't what they're really fighting about. After all, werewolves and Valkyries are both species that use aggression as an outlet for other tensions. Like sex. The real issues are that werewolves mate for life, and that Valkyries usually screw 'em and forget 'em.
Then they discover that their site isn't far enough in the wilds that it can't be found by a strange vampire who kidnaps one of their student workers, who vanishes in front of their eyes as if she was whisked away by a Star Trek transporter.
And yes, they do find that "black box". Only to discover that most of their oral traditions about their origins are not quite on the mark. For one thing, their people have been on Earth four millennia, not just one. And there is genetic material in the box that might still be viable.
Verdict: The whole Underbelly Chronicles world is incredibly absorbing. I dove straight from the first book to this one without stopping. I'm just sorry that the next book, Tempt Me, isn't out yet.
The relationship building between Lorin (the Valkyrie) and Gabe (the werewolf) was terrific. Lorin thinks she doesn't want a relationship with Gabe because she thinks he's going to be a pushover, then she's very pleasantly surprised to discover that he is anything but! Gabe is also a geek hero, which is always cool.
One of the subplots is that the werewolves in general, and particular Gabe's family, have a lot of genetic problems, because the Alpha won't permit the weres to mate with other supernaturals. There is just too much inbreeding. Gabe is losing his vision because of genetic problems. His mother and sister were both born with a missing limb. His family are practically outcasts because of their genetics. Gabe feels unworthy because of his family's status in the pack.
About the reference to McCaffrey's Pern. At the very beginning of Dragonflight, there's a prologue with all the clues to tell the reader that the story is science fiction. Pern is a lost colony. But it reads so much like fantasy, that everyone forgets until they find the ruins of the ship, several books later. The supernaturals are descendants of a crashed ship. They know it. That black box is a beacon. When it is recovered, it sends a signal. That signal gets answered.
The perspective of the person on board the ship answering that signal always seems slightly confused to me. There's more going on at his end of the story than we see. I know it's intended to keep things mysterious for the reader, but it just left me too much in the dark.
And that's what keeps me from giving this a 5 star rating. So I give Chase Me by Tamara Hogan 4 and 1/2 stars.
Tamara Hogan's Underbelly Chronicles are a wild blend of urban fantasy and paranormal romance with the teeniest, tiniest touch of science fiction. Well, the SF is there in the same way that Anne McCaffrey's Dragonriders of Pern were SF. I'll get back to that in a minute. Or a few paragraphs.
If you haven't read the first book in the series, Taste Me and you like your urban fantasy mixed with paranormal romance, check it out. Pretty much every race of supernatural not only exists, but they've all banded together and are not just hiding in plain sight, they police themselves. In Minneapolis.
In Chase Me, the scene is admittedly a bit less urban. The supernaturals in Hogan's Underbelly Chronicles are not indigenous to our world, they crashed here in a spaceship! Chase Me concerns the archeological dig to retrieve the "black box" from that crashed ship, over a millenia later, at least according to oral history.
However, the Valkyrie archeologist and the werewolf geologist have done nothing but butt heads since the first day they started working together, and that was when they were back in Minneapolis. Out on the dig site in Outer Nowhere Minnesota, fighting over who is in charge of what is going to wreak havoc with productivity.
Except that isn't what they're really fighting about. After all, werewolves and Valkyries are both species that use aggression as an outlet for other tensions. Like sex. The real issues are that werewolves mate for life, and that Valkyries usually screw 'em and forget 'em.
Then they discover that their site isn't far enough in the wilds that it can't be found by a strange vampire who kidnaps one of their student workers, who vanishes in front of their eyes as if she was whisked away by a Star Trek transporter.
And yes, they do find that "black box". Only to discover that most of their oral traditions about their origins are not quite on the mark. For one thing, their people have been on Earth four millennia, not just one. And there is genetic material in the box that might still be viable.
Verdict: The whole Underbelly Chronicles world is incredibly absorbing. I dove straight from the first book to this one without stopping. I'm just sorry that the next book, Tempt Me, isn't out yet.
The relationship building between Lorin (the Valkyrie) and Gabe (the werewolf) was terrific. Lorin thinks she doesn't want a relationship with Gabe because she thinks he's going to be a pushover, then she's very pleasantly surprised to discover that he is anything but! Gabe is also a geek hero, which is always cool.
One of the subplots is that the werewolves in general, and particular Gabe's family, have a lot of genetic problems, because the Alpha won't permit the weres to mate with other supernaturals. There is just too much inbreeding. Gabe is losing his vision because of genetic problems. His mother and sister were both born with a missing limb. His family are practically outcasts because of their genetics. Gabe feels unworthy because of his family's status in the pack.
About the reference to McCaffrey's Pern. At the very beginning of Dragonflight, there's a prologue with all the clues to tell the reader that the story is science fiction. Pern is a lost colony. But it reads so much like fantasy, that everyone forgets until they find the ruins of the ship, several books later. The supernaturals are descendants of a crashed ship. They know it. That black box is a beacon. When it is recovered, it sends a signal. That signal gets answered.
The perspective of the person on board the ship answering that signal always seems slightly confused to me. There's more going on at his end of the story than we see. I know it's intended to keep things mysterious for the reader, but it just left me too much in the dark.
And that's what keeps me from giving this a 5 star rating. So I give Chase Me by Tamara Hogan 4 and 1/2 stars.
April 20, 2012
Let me begin by saying I did not read the first book in this series, the Underbelly Chronicles. Which turned out to be a problem. There was no recap of what occurred in the first book. In this series Vampires, Werewolves, Fairies, etc are descendants of aliens that apparently crash landed on Earth. There were references to a Captain Noah Pritchard and to his ship the Arkapaedis (Ark), but there was no backstory for the reader to understand how or why this was so important to the characters. Also I only had a vague idea of what relationships character’s had to each other, and what traumatic events they had survived.
Lorin is a typical urban fantasy alpha female, who is caught of guard by her feelings for Gabe. They were three dimensional so watching them fall in love was fun. However, the adventure that lead them together was not even close to resolved. More questions were created and almost no answer’s given.
If you’re a big urban fantasy series fan I recommend this book, but make sure to read the first book in the series (Taste Me) before this one. There are plenty of character’s so there could be many books to come. Hopefully in the future books Ms. Hogan will include recaps (for those readers who just pick up her book randomly or those who don’t have time to go back and re-read older books in the series) and a better wrap up to the adventure the featured character’s are a part of.
Lorin is a typical urban fantasy alpha female, who is caught of guard by her feelings for Gabe. They were three dimensional so watching them fall in love was fun. However, the adventure that lead them together was not even close to resolved. More questions were created and almost no answer’s given.
If you’re a big urban fantasy series fan I recommend this book, but make sure to read the first book in the series (Taste Me) before this one. There are plenty of character’s so there could be many books to come. Hopefully in the future books Ms. Hogan will include recaps (for those readers who just pick up her book randomly or those who don’t have time to go back and re-read older books in the series) and a better wrap up to the adventure the featured character’s are a part of.
August 30, 2012
I'm Really Digging This Surprising Series
They are among us, but we will never know they're there. Incubus, siren, werewolves, Valkyrie, and more, all paranormal species, all living right beside us. They stay far under our radar, governing themselves, living their lives. They have completely integrated into our world.
They had to after their ancestors crash landed on our planet.
Werewolf Gabe Lupinsky hasn't even had a chance to celebrate being named interim Director of Physical Sciences at Sebastiani Labs before professional thorn in his side, archaeological wunderkind, and Valkyrie Second Lorin Schlessinger interrupts an Underworld Council meeting with shocking information. Patching in from the Isabella archaeological dig in northern Minnesota, where she'd gone to prepare the dig for the coming summer, Lorin informs the various leaders that she's found something remarkable, something that may be the key to a thousand years of their history.
And then she promptly breaks every biohazard protocol that exists while getting the mysterious artifact on camera. Though accidental, Lorin's touch causes the box to open, and with that one mistake, Gabe's stellar summer plans become a several months-long study in frustration and discomfort. He's been sentenced...er...reassigned to supervise Lorin's work in all things related to the dig and the artifact. At the site. In the wilderness. With the bugs. And dirt. And appalling limitations to personal hygiene.
Not to mention the nearly criminal disregard of anything resembling detailed, ordered, methodical reporting and records keeping. But that has more to do with an obstinate Valkyrie than the wilderness.
To top off the joy that this nightmare of a summer is going to bring him, Lorin is about as fond of Gabe as Gabe is of her. When he tells the Valkyrie Princess that he is going to be her site supervisor for the whole season, Gabe has no doubt just how welcoming her reaction will be. Then again, working together won't be a problem if they end up killing each other before they discover the first thing about that mysterious artifact.
~*~
Well, damn, when it comes to having expectations tossed out the window, I don't think I've ever seen it done as thoroughly as Tamara Hogan did with this second installment of the Underbelly Chronicles. Nor do I believe I've ever read a second book that is both so dependent on and yet different from the series debut. And that is in no way a criticism, because frankly, this book really impressed me.
I liked its predecessor well enough, I suppose, but I had some issues with the main characters and the romance didn't do much for me. The world was interesting and Hogan's creativity and originality were great, but I wasn't completely won over by that story. She leveled me with this one.
Weaving science fiction story elements into an edgy paranormal romance series? Yeah, I didn't see that coming. I don't know if I missed some major series setup in the first book or if this aspect of the Underbelly Chronicles was just introduced to readers in this installment, but that took me completely by surprise. Though it did answer a few of my lingering questions about the Big Bad from Taste Me.
And while I was already captivated by the depth and unique complexity that Hogan brought to her world in that book, Hogan ups the stakes by giving us Gabe and Lorin for this one. I loved them. I adored them. I couldn't get enough of them.
Gabe is a delightfully atypical werewolf with his obsessive Type A personality, appreciation for the urbane, and science-loving geekiness. He lives in a world where werewolves have a whole host of problems, including a bigoted blowhard for an alpha and Underworld Council First. As a race, werewolves are suffering from a lack of genetic diversity, and Gabe's family has been particularly hard hit. One sister can't hear, another was born without a leg, and Gabe has vision problems.
The fierce Valkyrie Lorin, daughter of the Council's Valkyrie First, is everything Gabe is not. She's headstrong, passionate, fiery, quick to anger and just as quick to forgive. Her race demands she blow off energy at regular intervals or her head and heart could explode. She's usually moving too quick, thinking too fast, leaping too far to take the time to be a meticulous records-keeper, and she doesn't have the patience for trying. Or for anything resembling convention.
The two are about as different as the sun and the moon and they were awesome together. I have a soft spot for Gabe, who is so adorable at times with his uncertainties. Then again, Lorin is exactly the kind of brilliant, strong female lead that I most favor. Their relationship starts out strictly professional and intensely rocky, then quickly morphs into something with real teeth.
There is snark and attitude and one-upmanship. Lust, frustration, and aggression. Wit and wisdom and passion. Respect and trust and love. The evolution of that relationship and all its inherent baggage made for a rock-solid (no pun intended) romantic read that tickled all of my Happy Reader buttons.
Meanwhile, the dig and the story surrounding the artifact Lorin found, not to mention the glimpses of the alien Big Bad and his nefarious scheme, all blend and work together to provide several very good external conflicts and a few plot-driven crises that kept me completely engaged in the world and the characters' lives.
I don't know where Hogan has been, but she writes like a seasoned veteran with an eye towards huge, rich, decadent storytelling. Her characters are three dimensional, like living, breathing creatures, people who suffer and triumph, who feel petty jealousies and passionate pleasure and everything in between. And the world in which they live is just an imagination away from our own.
The only thing that kept my enthusiasm for this book tempered was my uncertainty over how I felt about the space ship and aliens elements. I loved these main characters and I adored their story, but the interloper from off-planet, while absolutely original story-wise, wasn't quite a seamless fit into this storyline. Part of my issue with it, though, may be nothing more than the jarring surprise of his existence, a surprise that lingered long after his introduction.
Still, there were so very many good points in this sophomore effort by Hogan. I definitely preferred it over its predecessor. I'm very glad, though, that I read the first book. Not only did it appease my OCD tendencies, but it set the framework and provided an introduction to the world and the plethora of characters that are included in each book. The stories themselves may be practically mutually exclusive, but both the world and the characters in this series are complex and well integrated into each book, and it helped me immensely having that first one as a step on the way to this one.
I am truly excited to revisit this world and spend more time with this author's work. It's one of the most, if not the most, unique stories I've read in awhile. This was more than a four star read for me, but the science fiction was just a bit too jarring to take it to a four and a half.
Quotables:
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Sourcebooks Casablanca publisher Sourcebooks via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
They are among us, but we will never know they're there. Incubus, siren, werewolves, Valkyrie, and more, all paranormal species, all living right beside us. They stay far under our radar, governing themselves, living their lives. They have completely integrated into our world.
They had to after their ancestors crash landed on our planet.
Werewolf Gabe Lupinsky hasn't even had a chance to celebrate being named interim Director of Physical Sciences at Sebastiani Labs before professional thorn in his side, archaeological wunderkind, and Valkyrie Second Lorin Schlessinger interrupts an Underworld Council meeting with shocking information. Patching in from the Isabella archaeological dig in northern Minnesota, where she'd gone to prepare the dig for the coming summer, Lorin informs the various leaders that she's found something remarkable, something that may be the key to a thousand years of their history.
And then she promptly breaks every biohazard protocol that exists while getting the mysterious artifact on camera. Though accidental, Lorin's touch causes the box to open, and with that one mistake, Gabe's stellar summer plans become a several months-long study in frustration and discomfort. He's been sentenced...er...reassigned to supervise Lorin's work in all things related to the dig and the artifact. At the site. In the wilderness. With the bugs. And dirt. And appalling limitations to personal hygiene.
Not to mention the nearly criminal disregard of anything resembling detailed, ordered, methodical reporting and records keeping. But that has more to do with an obstinate Valkyrie than the wilderness.
To top off the joy that this nightmare of a summer is going to bring him, Lorin is about as fond of Gabe as Gabe is of her. When he tells the Valkyrie Princess that he is going to be her site supervisor for the whole season, Gabe has no doubt just how welcoming her reaction will be. Then again, working together won't be a problem if they end up killing each other before they discover the first thing about that mysterious artifact.
~*~
Well, damn, when it comes to having expectations tossed out the window, I don't think I've ever seen it done as thoroughly as Tamara Hogan did with this second installment of the Underbelly Chronicles. Nor do I believe I've ever read a second book that is both so dependent on and yet different from the series debut. And that is in no way a criticism, because frankly, this book really impressed me.
I liked its predecessor well enough, I suppose, but I had some issues with the main characters and the romance didn't do much for me. The world was interesting and Hogan's creativity and originality were great, but I wasn't completely won over by that story. She leveled me with this one.
Weaving science fiction story elements into an edgy paranormal romance series? Yeah, I didn't see that coming. I don't know if I missed some major series setup in the first book or if this aspect of the Underbelly Chronicles was just introduced to readers in this installment, but that took me completely by surprise. Though it did answer a few of my lingering questions about the Big Bad from Taste Me.
And while I was already captivated by the depth and unique complexity that Hogan brought to her world in that book, Hogan ups the stakes by giving us Gabe and Lorin for this one. I loved them. I adored them. I couldn't get enough of them.
Gabe is a delightfully atypical werewolf with his obsessive Type A personality, appreciation for the urbane, and science-loving geekiness. He lives in a world where werewolves have a whole host of problems, including a bigoted blowhard for an alpha and Underworld Council First. As a race, werewolves are suffering from a lack of genetic diversity, and Gabe's family has been particularly hard hit. One sister can't hear, another was born without a leg, and Gabe has vision problems.
The fierce Valkyrie Lorin, daughter of the Council's Valkyrie First, is everything Gabe is not. She's headstrong, passionate, fiery, quick to anger and just as quick to forgive. Her race demands she blow off energy at regular intervals or her head and heart could explode. She's usually moving too quick, thinking too fast, leaping too far to take the time to be a meticulous records-keeper, and she doesn't have the patience for trying. Or for anything resembling convention.
The two are about as different as the sun and the moon and they were awesome together. I have a soft spot for Gabe, who is so adorable at times with his uncertainties. Then again, Lorin is exactly the kind of brilliant, strong female lead that I most favor. Their relationship starts out strictly professional and intensely rocky, then quickly morphs into something with real teeth.
There is snark and attitude and one-upmanship. Lust, frustration, and aggression. Wit and wisdom and passion. Respect and trust and love. The evolution of that relationship and all its inherent baggage made for a rock-solid (no pun intended) romantic read that tickled all of my Happy Reader buttons.
Meanwhile, the dig and the story surrounding the artifact Lorin found, not to mention the glimpses of the alien Big Bad and his nefarious scheme, all blend and work together to provide several very good external conflicts and a few plot-driven crises that kept me completely engaged in the world and the characters' lives.
I don't know where Hogan has been, but she writes like a seasoned veteran with an eye towards huge, rich, decadent storytelling. Her characters are three dimensional, like living, breathing creatures, people who suffer and triumph, who feel petty jealousies and passionate pleasure and everything in between. And the world in which they live is just an imagination away from our own.
The only thing that kept my enthusiasm for this book tempered was my uncertainty over how I felt about the space ship and aliens elements. I loved these main characters and I adored their story, but the interloper from off-planet, while absolutely original story-wise, wasn't quite a seamless fit into this storyline. Part of my issue with it, though, may be nothing more than the jarring surprise of his existence, a surprise that lingered long after his introduction.
Still, there were so very many good points in this sophomore effort by Hogan. I definitely preferred it over its predecessor. I'm very glad, though, that I read the first book. Not only did it appease my OCD tendencies, but it set the framework and provided an introduction to the world and the plethora of characters that are included in each book. The stories themselves may be practically mutually exclusive, but both the world and the characters in this series are complex and well integrated into each book, and it helped me immensely having that first one as a step on the way to this one.
I am truly excited to revisit this world and spend more time with this author's work. It's one of the most, if not the most, unique stories I've read in awhile. This was more than a four star read for me, but the science fiction was just a bit too jarring to take it to a four and a half.
Quotables:
"Why buy the pig if you just want some sausage?"
This morning, she wanted to give every person with a penis a FastPass to hell.
Disclosure: An ARC of this book was provided to me by Sourcebooks Casablanca publisher Sourcebooks via NetGalley. This rating, review, and all included thoughts and comments are my own.
~*~*~*~
Reviewed for One Good Book Deserves Another.
January 8, 2018
You definitely need to have read the prior books in the series to get all the nuances and references in this book. This particular story was okay, although I’m not a fan of jumping back and forth between character points of view, especially in this book because it switched from what was happening with the main characters to the alien bad guy and his ship, then back. And I found it hard to believe that the disappearance of the young researcher didn’t provoke more concern.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 2, 2012
In the World of the Underbelly Chronicles created by Tamara Hogan, she presents us with a world of supernaturals (vampires, werewolves, sirens, icubus, etc.) who are all decedents from a spaceship which crashed on our planet of a thousand years ago. They live under the radar of the human race and they are self-governed by their own governing counsel which consists of two representatives from each race.
Chase Me is book 2 of the series. While on her current dig, Valkyrie Second and anthropologist Lorin Schlessinger comes upon a strange box which might just be the key to understanding the supernaturals’ past. When things start to go array at the dig sight, Sebastiani Laboratories sends up werewolf and current head of Sebastiani Labs, Gabe Lupinsky, to supervise the dig and begin testing on the odd metal box. Tensions have always been high between Gabe and Lorin, so neither are all to excited to be stuck together at the secluded dig site. As is easy to guess in a romance novel, Gabe and Lorin’s tension are caused by their underlying attraction to each other and once they give in to that attraction, the pages certainly heat up.
Although Lorin, Gabe and Sebastiani Labs are trying to keep the discovery of this box a secret, the box starts giving off its own signal which is being tracked from space by other supernaturals, and they are quite interested in the vast natural resources to be found on our planet.
I thought the crashed spaceship aspect was a great new twist to a paranormal series and a gives a believable background to the existence of paranormals here on earth. Of course, you would also have to believe in aliens as well, but if you couldn’t, you wouldn’t be reading a paranormal romance to begin with.
What I also found very interesting in this series is that most paranormal stories start with the basic fact that all paranormals are far superior to humans with enhanced senses, speed, healing abilities, etc. This series indicates that although they mostly have greater strength and senses, they are also suffering from genetic defects. This seems to be most prevalent in the werewolf population which has been suffering the effects of inbreeding, since the Alphas insist on wolf-only matings. Many werewolves, Gabe’s family in particular, suffer from genetic weaknesses. Gabe is nearsighted and is suffering from macular degeneration to a point he does not turn into a wolf since he cannot see without his glasses. This also adds to the strain in the relationship between Gabe and Lorin since Gabe’s family is seen genetically inferior and Lorin’s position on the counsel makes her the equivalent to a Valkyrie Princess.
Whenever I try to pick up a book which isn’t book #1 of the series, I always feel a step behind everyone else. But we are given enough of a glimpse into the last storyline so that we can keep up with the many, many other characters who we are introduced to in this series, and more than enough that I feel I definitely want to go back and read book #1 since it sounds like I missed a really good story.
I won’t say this is a “stop what you are doing and pick up this book” story, but between the well written characters, very interesting back story, the genetic twist, and the several unanswered questions, I will be looking out for Book #3.
Received ARC from netgalley.com, courtesy of the publisher.
See more at http://ebookobsessed.com.
Chase Me is book 2 of the series. While on her current dig, Valkyrie Second and anthropologist Lorin Schlessinger comes upon a strange box which might just be the key to understanding the supernaturals’ past. When things start to go array at the dig sight, Sebastiani Laboratories sends up werewolf and current head of Sebastiani Labs, Gabe Lupinsky, to supervise the dig and begin testing on the odd metal box. Tensions have always been high between Gabe and Lorin, so neither are all to excited to be stuck together at the secluded dig site. As is easy to guess in a romance novel, Gabe and Lorin’s tension are caused by their underlying attraction to each other and once they give in to that attraction, the pages certainly heat up.
Although Lorin, Gabe and Sebastiani Labs are trying to keep the discovery of this box a secret, the box starts giving off its own signal which is being tracked from space by other supernaturals, and they are quite interested in the vast natural resources to be found on our planet.
I thought the crashed spaceship aspect was a great new twist to a paranormal series and a gives a believable background to the existence of paranormals here on earth. Of course, you would also have to believe in aliens as well, but if you couldn’t, you wouldn’t be reading a paranormal romance to begin with.
What I also found very interesting in this series is that most paranormal stories start with the basic fact that all paranormals are far superior to humans with enhanced senses, speed, healing abilities, etc. This series indicates that although they mostly have greater strength and senses, they are also suffering from genetic defects. This seems to be most prevalent in the werewolf population which has been suffering the effects of inbreeding, since the Alphas insist on wolf-only matings. Many werewolves, Gabe’s family in particular, suffer from genetic weaknesses. Gabe is nearsighted and is suffering from macular degeneration to a point he does not turn into a wolf since he cannot see without his glasses. This also adds to the strain in the relationship between Gabe and Lorin since Gabe’s family is seen genetically inferior and Lorin’s position on the counsel makes her the equivalent to a Valkyrie Princess.
Whenever I try to pick up a book which isn’t book #1 of the series, I always feel a step behind everyone else. But we are given enough of a glimpse into the last storyline so that we can keep up with the many, many other characters who we are introduced to in this series, and more than enough that I feel I definitely want to go back and read book #1 since it sounds like I missed a really good story.
I won’t say this is a “stop what you are doing and pick up this book” story, but between the well written characters, very interesting back story, the genetic twist, and the several unanswered questions, I will be looking out for Book #3.
Received ARC from netgalley.com, courtesy of the publisher.
See more at http://ebookobsessed.com.
June 18, 2012
3.5 stars
Werewolf Gabe Lupinsky has worked hard for his new position at Sebastiani Labs. He's not sure which will be the bigger challenge during his next assignment, helping uncover the truth behind an artifact that could reveal vital history of the paranormals or getting along with the sexy yet infuriating Valkyrie archaeologist Lorin Schlessinger. Lorin is not happy when the pencil pushing Gabe first arrives at her dig site but he soon surprises her when he shows there's more to the man than just a suit. As quickly as their heated relationship begins, it's threatened by an unknown enemy lurking in the shadows who is after a lot more than just the artifact.
I figured the relationship between Gabe and Lorin would be just another case of when opposites attract but it turned out to be more. Gabe is the suit wearing, corporate worker while Lorin feels suffocated in an office and enjoys her work outdoors as a archaeologist. Though their physical relationship starts out as a way to scratch a mutual itch and help burn off Lorin's access Valkyrie energy, it doesn't take much time for it to become something more meaningful.
Right from the start, the sex between these two is pretty explosive and it only gets hotter as their emotional connection strengthens. On the surface, Lorin is a tough and fun loving but when you take a closer look, you see a woman who's afraid to put her heart on the line. Gabe knows all about heartache so he too is cautious in their relationship. Seeing the vulnerable sides to these two strong individuals showed that they had more depth than I first gave them credit for, which I really liked. The chemistry between them, both while working and between the sheets, worked for me and turned out to be what I enjoyed most in this book.
The back story to this series is that a group of alien species, the paranormals, crashed onto earth and secretly integrated themselves into human society. They created a council to govern themselves, which Lorin and the founder of the company Gabe works for are part of. In Chase Me, Lorin uncovers an artifact that could help tell them about their history. I thought this sounded very interesting and the whole reason I decide to review this book even though it's the second in a series. I was really disappointed to see that this story doesn't really go anywhere. Not much happens outside of Lorin and Gabe's relationship that I found all that captivating and the villain in the story seemed to add only more questions than answers. I wish there would have been more actual story to the book.
Chase Me has its issues but I was so pleased with the course and outcome of Gabe and Lorin's relationship that I'm seriously considering continuing this series when the next installment is released.
- Stephanie
Werewolf Gabe Lupinsky has worked hard for his new position at Sebastiani Labs. He's not sure which will be the bigger challenge during his next assignment, helping uncover the truth behind an artifact that could reveal vital history of the paranormals or getting along with the sexy yet infuriating Valkyrie archaeologist Lorin Schlessinger. Lorin is not happy when the pencil pushing Gabe first arrives at her dig site but he soon surprises her when he shows there's more to the man than just a suit. As quickly as their heated relationship begins, it's threatened by an unknown enemy lurking in the shadows who is after a lot more than just the artifact.
I figured the relationship between Gabe and Lorin would be just another case of when opposites attract but it turned out to be more. Gabe is the suit wearing, corporate worker while Lorin feels suffocated in an office and enjoys her work outdoors as a archaeologist. Though their physical relationship starts out as a way to scratch a mutual itch and help burn off Lorin's access Valkyrie energy, it doesn't take much time for it to become something more meaningful.
Right from the start, the sex between these two is pretty explosive and it only gets hotter as their emotional connection strengthens. On the surface, Lorin is a tough and fun loving but when you take a closer look, you see a woman who's afraid to put her heart on the line. Gabe knows all about heartache so he too is cautious in their relationship. Seeing the vulnerable sides to these two strong individuals showed that they had more depth than I first gave them credit for, which I really liked. The chemistry between them, both while working and between the sheets, worked for me and turned out to be what I enjoyed most in this book.
The back story to this series is that a group of alien species, the paranormals, crashed onto earth and secretly integrated themselves into human society. They created a council to govern themselves, which Lorin and the founder of the company Gabe works for are part of. In Chase Me, Lorin uncovers an artifact that could help tell them about their history. I thought this sounded very interesting and the whole reason I decide to review this book even though it's the second in a series. I was really disappointed to see that this story doesn't really go anywhere. Not much happens outside of Lorin and Gabe's relationship that I found all that captivating and the villain in the story seemed to add only more questions than answers. I wish there would have been more actual story to the book.
Chase Me has its issues but I was so pleased with the course and outcome of Gabe and Lorin's relationship that I'm seriously considering continuing this series when the next installment is released.
- Stephanie
June 28, 2012
So I read the first book in this series to know and understand what would be going on in the second book, I usually hate picking a book up in the middle of the series and not knowing what is going on. That being said, even having read the first book the details provided in that book on their beginnings are very vague and do not prepare you very well for this book, you are just kind of thrown into the whole alien space concept like you are expected to know more then you actually do. I have to say, I wasn’t a huge fan of the whole space, bad guys plot, it felt a bit forced and not a natural flow or fit.
That being said, I did enjoy the romance! Gabe and Lorin have a great sexual tension going on at the beginning of the book, and their attraction turns explosive. Who knew a science geek could turn out to be so sexy, Lorin sure didn’t, Gabe sure blindsided her and he’s the one who is half blind! Gabe has this whole she’s above me mental thing going on that puts up fences, and Lorin has this whole commitment issue thing going on that keeps him at an arm’s length emotionally, but they can’t fight the physical. T. Hogan, sure knows how to steam up the pages with her characters there is a great build up and then an explosion for the main event! LOL But, she doesn’t forget the love story, she still builds a lasting connection between our hero and heroine, despite themselves and their issues. Lorin and Gabe find themselves closer than they ever thought they would be. It was suppose to be just sex, two adults scratching an itch, but before they knew it, those pesky emotions got involved ruining a perfectly good booty call and they both find themselves in unfamiliar territory. I enjoyed watching these two try to find their footing and often losing it, it was quite entertaining. I found myself wanting to skip over the spacey parts and getting back to Gabe and Lorin!
I do enjoy the world these books are set in, I like the side characters and would like to see many of their stories told. I am not ready to give up on this series although, I’m afraid that the space story is going to continue into the next book at the least. T. Hogan writes a great character and I enjoyed the first books story, but then rock stars are always more interesting then crazy space people looking for a box. So we will see what the next book holds in store for us. Overall it was a decent book, I didn’t hate it, the characters made up for any story issues I may have had.
Rating: 3.5
That being said, I did enjoy the romance! Gabe and Lorin have a great sexual tension going on at the beginning of the book, and their attraction turns explosive. Who knew a science geek could turn out to be so sexy, Lorin sure didn’t, Gabe sure blindsided her and he’s the one who is half blind! Gabe has this whole she’s above me mental thing going on that puts up fences, and Lorin has this whole commitment issue thing going on that keeps him at an arm’s length emotionally, but they can’t fight the physical. T. Hogan, sure knows how to steam up the pages with her characters there is a great build up and then an explosion for the main event! LOL But, she doesn’t forget the love story, she still builds a lasting connection between our hero and heroine, despite themselves and their issues. Lorin and Gabe find themselves closer than they ever thought they would be. It was suppose to be just sex, two adults scratching an itch, but before they knew it, those pesky emotions got involved ruining a perfectly good booty call and they both find themselves in unfamiliar territory. I enjoyed watching these two try to find their footing and often losing it, it was quite entertaining. I found myself wanting to skip over the spacey parts and getting back to Gabe and Lorin!
I do enjoy the world these books are set in, I like the side characters and would like to see many of their stories told. I am not ready to give up on this series although, I’m afraid that the space story is going to continue into the next book at the least. T. Hogan writes a great character and I enjoyed the first books story, but then rock stars are always more interesting then crazy space people looking for a box. So we will see what the next book holds in store for us. Overall it was a decent book, I didn’t hate it, the characters made up for any story issues I may have had.
Rating: 3.5
June 6, 2012
Our Review, by LITERAL ADDICTION's Pack Alpha - Michelle Olson:
"Chase Me", UNDERBELLY CHRONICLES book #2, was another well written and enjoyable read by Ms. Hogan.
In my personal opinion, it wasn't quite as good as book 1, "Taste Me" (though that one had a music undertone mixed in with all of the parnormal, so it is kind of hard to beat for me). The world is still great though, I still love the characters, & the romance is, as expected, still steamy - even when the hero isn't an incubus. :)
Our hero, Gabe, is multi-dimensional. A go-getter Werewolf with a disability trying to make a name for himself in the corporate world at a young age. Because of the persona he projects to do so however, nobody guesses that he's got a passion font that runs deep and is as sexy and alpha as any other male out there.
Our heroine, Lorin, is a smart, sassy, spunky, strong-willed, impulsive Valkyrie with a love for archaology and many, many needs.
The two of them together may sound like the ultimate odd couple, but that's what makes their relationship so incredibly fascinating. They don't want to want one another but... boy they do. And circumstances demand that they give in to those desires. When they do, the heat burns up the page.
As with the first UNDERBELLY CHRONICLES book, the world and supporting cast were magnificent. Tamara's spin on the origins of the preternatural races is fresh, exciting and utterly captivating. The Council, made up of a 1st and 2nd chair from each of the races, is fiery and makes for great tension within the read. The return of some of our favorites from book #1 was wonderful as well. I hadn't realized how much I missed them until I was immersed back in their world.
Like I mentioned above, overall, I didn't love the plot as much as I did the one in "Taste Me", but those with a love for history and archaology and business will probably over-rule me on that point and say it was actually even better than the first one.
All in all Tamara Hogan is a fabulous author and I absolutely love the Urban Fantasy world that she has created for all of us to enjoy.
I'm eagerly awaiting the release of book #3 to see who we get to learn more about next and what happens within the races in their search for the ultimate truth of whence they came.
LITERAL ADDICTION gives "Chase Me", 4 Skulls.
"Chase Me", UNDERBELLY CHRONICLES book #2, was another well written and enjoyable read by Ms. Hogan.
In my personal opinion, it wasn't quite as good as book 1, "Taste Me" (though that one had a music undertone mixed in with all of the parnormal, so it is kind of hard to beat for me). The world is still great though, I still love the characters, & the romance is, as expected, still steamy - even when the hero isn't an incubus. :)
Our hero, Gabe, is multi-dimensional. A go-getter Werewolf with a disability trying to make a name for himself in the corporate world at a young age. Because of the persona he projects to do so however, nobody guesses that he's got a passion font that runs deep and is as sexy and alpha as any other male out there.
Our heroine, Lorin, is a smart, sassy, spunky, strong-willed, impulsive Valkyrie with a love for archaology and many, many needs.
The two of them together may sound like the ultimate odd couple, but that's what makes their relationship so incredibly fascinating. They don't want to want one another but... boy they do. And circumstances demand that they give in to those desires. When they do, the heat burns up the page.
As with the first UNDERBELLY CHRONICLES book, the world and supporting cast were magnificent. Tamara's spin on the origins of the preternatural races is fresh, exciting and utterly captivating. The Council, made up of a 1st and 2nd chair from each of the races, is fiery and makes for great tension within the read. The return of some of our favorites from book #1 was wonderful as well. I hadn't realized how much I missed them until I was immersed back in their world.
Like I mentioned above, overall, I didn't love the plot as much as I did the one in "Taste Me", but those with a love for history and archaology and business will probably over-rule me on that point and say it was actually even better than the first one.
All in all Tamara Hogan is a fabulous author and I absolutely love the Urban Fantasy world that she has created for all of us to enjoy.
I'm eagerly awaiting the release of book #3 to see who we get to learn more about next and what happens within the races in their search for the ultimate truth of whence they came.
LITERAL ADDICTION gives "Chase Me", 4 Skulls.
Read
June 8, 2012Review Courtesy of All Things Urban Fantasy
CHASE ME, the second book in Tamara Hogan’s Underbelly Chronicles series, quickly grabbed my attention with a premise that added a sci-fi twist to the origins of the many paranormal creatures that populate this word. Unfortunately, that interesting concept never took flight. I ended up feeling like I read a 352 page prologue that never actually got around to the story. The set up was there, but by the end of the book…nothing had happened.
While I liked how Lorin and Gabe’s romance evolved I would have been fine sacrificing some of their scenes together for some actual plot.
Basically, an ancient artifact is discovered, they investigate its properties and find that it could have startling answers to their history, which then leads to a huge cliffhanger at the end of the book. I am fine with a cliffhanger only when something else in the story is resolved. The reader knows who the bad guy is but the characters are pretty much in the dark about him/her. The antagonist is never revealed to the characters and the most action that happens is really in the sex scenes. The only thing that I actually felt satisfied with was the building romance between Lorin and Gabe.
I enjoyed seeing how a valkyrie and werewolf could get along without tearing each other apart considering both creatures are known for fighting and anger issues. The scenes with them are sexy and fun. I loved Gabe being a gorgeous, myopic, and kind of nerdy werewolf who happens to get very handsy and talkative while drunk. While I liked how Lorin and Gabe’s romance evolved I would have been fine sacrificing some of their scenes together for some actual plot movement and resolutions in the story beyond these two solidifying their feelings for each other.
I saw some potential in CHASE ME with the alien origins of the characters and loved the romance but it left me hanging too much to really be anticipating the next book in the Underbelly Chronicles series.
Sexual Content: Several graphic sex scenes
CHASE ME, the second book in Tamara Hogan’s Underbelly Chronicles series, quickly grabbed my attention with a premise that added a sci-fi twist to the origins of the many paranormal creatures that populate this word. Unfortunately, that interesting concept never took flight. I ended up feeling like I read a 352 page prologue that never actually got around to the story. The set up was there, but by the end of the book…nothing had happened.
While I liked how Lorin and Gabe’s romance evolved I would have been fine sacrificing some of their scenes together for some actual plot.
Basically, an ancient artifact is discovered, they investigate its properties and find that it could have startling answers to their history, which then leads to a huge cliffhanger at the end of the book. I am fine with a cliffhanger only when something else in the story is resolved. The reader knows who the bad guy is but the characters are pretty much in the dark about him/her. The antagonist is never revealed to the characters and the most action that happens is really in the sex scenes. The only thing that I actually felt satisfied with was the building romance between Lorin and Gabe.
I enjoyed seeing how a valkyrie and werewolf could get along without tearing each other apart considering both creatures are known for fighting and anger issues. The scenes with them are sexy and fun. I loved Gabe being a gorgeous, myopic, and kind of nerdy werewolf who happens to get very handsy and talkative while drunk. While I liked how Lorin and Gabe’s romance evolved I would have been fine sacrificing some of their scenes together for some actual plot movement and resolutions in the story beyond these two solidifying their feelings for each other.
I saw some potential in CHASE ME with the alien origins of the characters and loved the romance but it left me hanging too much to really be anticipating the next book in the Underbelly Chronicles series.
Sexual Content: Several graphic sex scenes
June 4, 2012
I was a little unsure of how I would like this book. It actually took me a bit to get into it. You can definitely read this book as a standalone, but it probably would of helped if I read the first in the series to be used to all the different types of characters and this whole world. By the end of the book though, I was flipping pages like a madwoman trying to find out what happens. I ended up reading it in less than 24 hours with little sleep. :)
Gabe. Where can I get me one of him? Sexy and smart? That is a diabolical combination that left me wanting to hunt down this man and make him my own. Poor Gabe struggles every day with an eye problem that gets worse and worse everyday. I just wanted to hug him and tell him it would be ok every time I read about it. He can't even shift into his wolf form because he will become vulnerable because of his eyesight. Even though I was totally feeling for him, he doesn't use it as a crutch in his life. Hell, he didn't even tell Lorin. She had to find out from one of her friends.
Speaking of Lorin, Gabe and her are one hot couple. At first, all they can do is be at each other's throat until the both secretly admit to themselves that they have the undeniable urge to strip the other naked and ravage them. With a little nudge, they take a tumble in bed and find they can't get enough of each other. Honestly, I wanted to claw my way into the book and join them the sex was that great. ;)
Through all the digs and bed olympics going on, they are also having to deal with an unknown danger that comes to life when Lorin finds a strange box that they think might give them insight to their past and how they came to be. Intrigue, sensual energy, and danger makes for an addicting combination that has you making more coffee to stay up late and get up early to finish this book. Now the only thing I didn't like about the book is the fact that I want to read about Gabe's brother and Lorin's best friend. *sigh* I guess I will have to dig up some patience to wait it out.
Gabe. Where can I get me one of him? Sexy and smart? That is a diabolical combination that left me wanting to hunt down this man and make him my own. Poor Gabe struggles every day with an eye problem that gets worse and worse everyday. I just wanted to hug him and tell him it would be ok every time I read about it. He can't even shift into his wolf form because he will become vulnerable because of his eyesight. Even though I was totally feeling for him, he doesn't use it as a crutch in his life. Hell, he didn't even tell Lorin. She had to find out from one of her friends.
Speaking of Lorin, Gabe and her are one hot couple. At first, all they can do is be at each other's throat until the both secretly admit to themselves that they have the undeniable urge to strip the other naked and ravage them. With a little nudge, they take a tumble in bed and find they can't get enough of each other. Honestly, I wanted to claw my way into the book and join them the sex was that great. ;)
Through all the digs and bed olympics going on, they are also having to deal with an unknown danger that comes to life when Lorin finds a strange box that they think might give them insight to their past and how they came to be. Intrigue, sensual energy, and danger makes for an addicting combination that has you making more coffee to stay up late and get up early to finish this book. Now the only thing I didn't like about the book is the fact that I want to read about Gabe's brother and Lorin's best friend. *sigh* I guess I will have to dig up some patience to wait it out.
May 16, 2012
In the mood for a humorous paranormal that has all sorts of creatures, a little mystery, some "Beam me up Scotty", and hot sizzling energy releasing sex? Then you do not want to miss Chase Me.
Gabe and Lorin have not had much interaction before being assigned to work together at Lorin's dig site in Northern Minnesota. What little they new of each other had come from first impressions or gossip. So surprise surprise when they find themselves living in close proximity they wear on each other like sandpaper. But sandpaper that has enough friction to make some heat, and there is plenty of heat between these two.
So you have a werewolf and a Valkyrie, a strange discovery in the dirt that has the whole "other" population excited, politics, family issues, and potential space invaders. Quite a lot to throw together, but it all works. Hogan keeps things light and humorous yet can also bring out strong deep emotions in her characters. She also brings the scenery to life, though as a fellow Minnesotan might be a bit biased. It is fun to read about places you actually drive past or have been to. And to read about the sweltering summertime weather to the frost covered ground brings it to life in the mind; sight, sound, and smell combined.
Chase Me may be book two in this series but you will be able to slip right into the story. It feels like a book one as you don't have the repetition of reminding readers what has happened before, which is great for those of us who get sick of rereading what has been said in previous books. This was just plain fun to read, making the next book by this author something to eagerly anticipate.
Review posted at Reading Between the Wines:
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
Gabe and Lorin have not had much interaction before being assigned to work together at Lorin's dig site in Northern Minnesota. What little they new of each other had come from first impressions or gossip. So surprise surprise when they find themselves living in close proximity they wear on each other like sandpaper. But sandpaper that has enough friction to make some heat, and there is plenty of heat between these two.
So you have a werewolf and a Valkyrie, a strange discovery in the dirt that has the whole "other" population excited, politics, family issues, and potential space invaders. Quite a lot to throw together, but it all works. Hogan keeps things light and humorous yet can also bring out strong deep emotions in her characters. She also brings the scenery to life, though as a fellow Minnesotan might be a bit biased. It is fun to read about places you actually drive past or have been to. And to read about the sweltering summertime weather to the frost covered ground brings it to life in the mind; sight, sound, and smell combined.
Chase Me may be book two in this series but you will be able to slip right into the story. It feels like a book one as you don't have the repetition of reminding readers what has happened before, which is great for those of us who get sick of rereading what has been said in previous books. This was just plain fun to read, making the next book by this author something to eagerly anticipate.
Review posted at Reading Between the Wines:
http://readingbetweenthewinesbookclub...
June 17, 2012
Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...
If you can dream up the paranormal creatures, then you'll find them in this book.
I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I nabbed this book. I hadn't read the first in the series, but I love a good paranormal, so I took the leap. I'm glad I did. Ms. Hogan's book has a LOT going for it. The writing was smooth and drew me in right away. I could see the world the characters moved around in. What was there intrigued me and has me waiting for the next book with bated breath.
I have to admit, Lorin and Gabe are complicated characters. There's so much more to them than meets the eye. Lorin is an archeologist and a princess. Yeah, what a combination. She loves with all her heart and when it comes to Gabe, she goes at it 110%. Gabe is more than his furry package. He lives to keep her safe, even if it means with sensual methods. It was fun to read them falling in love and feeling the passion.
That all said, I have to reiterate that this is the second book in the series. I mention this because there are a LOT of characters. If you haven't read the first book (I hadn't), then not knowing who everyone was got quite complicated. There was backstory also that I really wanted explained. What happened to the ship and the captain? A little more recap might have been a good thing here. I also thought there should have been more to the ending than was there, which I'm hoping means there's a third book in the works. I enjoyed the book without knowing who everyone was, but I'm sure it would be fantastic to those who read both books.
Still, I'm glad I read this book and highly recommend Gabe and Lorin's story to those who love paranormal. I can't wait for the next book.
If you can dream up the paranormal creatures, then you'll find them in this book.
I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into when I nabbed this book. I hadn't read the first in the series, but I love a good paranormal, so I took the leap. I'm glad I did. Ms. Hogan's book has a LOT going for it. The writing was smooth and drew me in right away. I could see the world the characters moved around in. What was there intrigued me and has me waiting for the next book with bated breath.
I have to admit, Lorin and Gabe are complicated characters. There's so much more to them than meets the eye. Lorin is an archeologist and a princess. Yeah, what a combination. She loves with all her heart and when it comes to Gabe, she goes at it 110%. Gabe is more than his furry package. He lives to keep her safe, even if it means with sensual methods. It was fun to read them falling in love and feeling the passion.
That all said, I have to reiterate that this is the second book in the series. I mention this because there are a LOT of characters. If you haven't read the first book (I hadn't), then not knowing who everyone was got quite complicated. There was backstory also that I really wanted explained. What happened to the ship and the captain? A little more recap might have been a good thing here. I also thought there should have been more to the ending than was there, which I'm hoping means there's a third book in the works. I enjoyed the book without knowing who everyone was, but I'm sure it would be fantastic to those who read both books.
Still, I'm glad I read this book and highly recommend Gabe and Lorin's story to those who love paranormal. I can't wait for the next book.
August 15, 2013
2.5 stars
In Chase Me Lorin, a Valkyrie archaeologist, comes upon a box at a dig site. This box holds the secret to the real history of all paranormals that were on board of a spaceship that crashed on Earth. The box opens accidentally, thus initiating a chain of events. Enter Gabe Lupinsky, a scientist in metallurgy. He's also supposed to be Lorin's boss, which rubs her the wrong way. In this book, you get to watch the interaction between the 2 main characters. The plot suggests that once the box was opened, it emitted a beacon that was intercepted by a spaceship which captain plans on exploiting and selling Earth's natural resources (especially water) and enslave its people.
The plot had a lot of potential. But it is sad to say that Hogan didn't give it its due. The book rather focused on the relationship dynamics between Lorin and Gabe, and relegated the plot to the background. As a result, there wasn't much progress made in the events. It appears that even with the new discoveries they made at the dig site, they didn't have anything practical and concrete about their history except that they were on Earth for probably wayyy longer than they presumed.
Another point is that when you reach the last page you feel like it was abruptly cut short. Things were nowhere near resolved. I think Hogan might have wanted to finish her book on a cliffhanger but that wasn't what the reader gets. As for a possible continuation of the events in later books, well, if you read the blurb for the next one Tempt Me, the bad guy is Bailey's human ex-boyfriend. Not something to inspire villains on spaceships. Hogan basically left the reader hanging over a cliff with no net or rope in sight. I have to say that this caused the nosedive in the rating I gave this book.
In Chase Me Lorin, a Valkyrie archaeologist, comes upon a box at a dig site. This box holds the secret to the real history of all paranormals that were on board of a spaceship that crashed on Earth. The box opens accidentally, thus initiating a chain of events. Enter Gabe Lupinsky, a scientist in metallurgy. He's also supposed to be Lorin's boss, which rubs her the wrong way. In this book, you get to watch the interaction between the 2 main characters. The plot suggests that once the box was opened, it emitted a beacon that was intercepted by a spaceship which captain plans on exploiting and selling Earth's natural resources (especially water) and enslave its people.
The plot had a lot of potential. But it is sad to say that Hogan didn't give it its due. The book rather focused on the relationship dynamics between Lorin and Gabe, and relegated the plot to the background. As a result, there wasn't much progress made in the events. It appears that even with the new discoveries they made at the dig site, they didn't have anything practical and concrete about their history except that they were on Earth for probably wayyy longer than they presumed.
Another point is that when you reach the last page you feel like it was abruptly cut short. Things were nowhere near resolved. I think Hogan might have wanted to finish her book on a cliffhanger but that wasn't what the reader gets. As for a possible continuation of the events in later books, well, if you read the blurb for the next one Tempt Me, the bad guy is Bailey's human ex-boyfriend. Not something to inspire villains on spaceships. Hogan basically left the reader hanging over a cliff with no net or rope in sight. I have to say that this caused the nosedive in the rating I gave this book.
April 15, 2012
Maybe 3.5
Favorite Lines: "This was lust--sheet rolling, wall-banging, bone-incinerating lust." (p.41, e-galley)
Book two in Tamara Hogan's Underbelly Chronicles is a paranormal romance with traces of science fiction. I didn't read book one, Taste Me, but managed to read Chase Me with minimal confusion. I garnered there was more to the story than I was reading, but it felt like a few cameo appearances to me.
Most often I've found that if an urban fantasy or romance book is going to place a disabled person in a lead role that character is female. Hogan did not do that and it was nice to see physically impaired character was the hero. No he wasn't missing a limb nor was he deaf, but he did need thick glasses to see. Most importantly his was the genetically damaged blood line. To the heroine, those things meant little. She was attracted to him and she went for it.
But guess what? I had a problem with this book. I don't feel like anything was resolved other than the hero and heroine hooked up for a happy ever after. The threat to paranormals living on Earth was not removed. There is plenty of teasing for future books, but I was slightly irritated with the lack of closure.
Chase Me made me want to know plenty of things about the secondary characters and satisfied me as the lead couple found love. It did not make me want to curl around the book or put it on my keeper shelf. I'm wondering about a few characters and expect to have answers in the next book. I looked on GoodReads and Hogan's website, but couldn't find any mention of a title or release date for the next book in the series.
Favorite Lines: "This was lust--sheet rolling, wall-banging, bone-incinerating lust." (p.41, e-galley)
Book two in Tamara Hogan's Underbelly Chronicles is a paranormal romance with traces of science fiction. I didn't read book one, Taste Me, but managed to read Chase Me with minimal confusion. I garnered there was more to the story than I was reading, but it felt like a few cameo appearances to me.
Most often I've found that if an urban fantasy or romance book is going to place a disabled person in a lead role that character is female. Hogan did not do that and it was nice to see physically impaired character was the hero. No he wasn't missing a limb nor was he deaf, but he did need thick glasses to see. Most importantly his was the genetically damaged blood line. To the heroine, those things meant little. She was attracted to him and she went for it.
But guess what? I had a problem with this book. I don't feel like anything was resolved other than the hero and heroine hooked up for a happy ever after. The threat to paranormals living on Earth was not removed. There is plenty of teasing for future books, but I was slightly irritated with the lack of closure.
Chase Me made me want to know plenty of things about the secondary characters and satisfied me as the lead couple found love. It did not make me want to curl around the book or put it on my keeper shelf. I'm wondering about a few characters and expect to have answers in the next book. I looked on GoodReads and Hogan's website, but couldn't find any mention of a title or release date for the next book in the series.
June 1, 2012
This is the second book in the Underbelly Chronicles and as a series I’m not sure how I feel about these two books. This book was a little less irritating than the first, except for the annoying POV shifts to the bad guys POV. I liked that this book looked a lot more into the fact that these people, these vampires, werewolves, sirens, Valkyries, and incubi/sucubbi are actually aliens whose ancestors crash landed on earth a thousand years before.
I liked that about the first book, but the author never really delved into it much. This time around the story follows Lorin a Valkyrie archaeologist and Gabriel a werewolf geologist. While building their sexual tension and later relationship, they work together at an archaeological dig site that is where the ship was believed to have crashed. Unfortunately, even though we are practically in the thick of things there is still very little written about their history. Also, it takes quite a while into the book for us to be told why Gabriel and his family have physical problems like missing legs and failing eyes. There is very little info given and a ton of will they/won’t they and time spent in each of their heads which could get annoying.
Overall the book was decent, but I don’t know if I will read any more in the series. I am curious why the author chose the five species (for lack of a better term) she did. I would have actually been more interested if instead of vampires and werewolves she had used two other mythological beings to go along with the sirens and Valkyries and the sex demons.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca
I liked that about the first book, but the author never really delved into it much. This time around the story follows Lorin a Valkyrie archaeologist and Gabriel a werewolf geologist. While building their sexual tension and later relationship, they work together at an archaeological dig site that is where the ship was believed to have crashed. Unfortunately, even though we are practically in the thick of things there is still very little written about their history. Also, it takes quite a while into the book for us to be told why Gabriel and his family have physical problems like missing legs and failing eyes. There is very little info given and a ton of will they/won’t they and time spent in each of their heads which could get annoying.
Overall the book was decent, but I don’t know if I will read any more in the series. I am curious why the author chose the five species (for lack of a better term) she did. I would have actually been more interested if instead of vampires and werewolves she had used two other mythological beings to go along with the sirens and Valkyries and the sex demons.
ARC provided by Netgalley and Sourcebooks Casablanca
June 1, 2012
This book was great and had just about everything! All manner of paranormal creatures, action, danger, a little mystery, and sizzling hot romance!
The main story focuses on Lorin, a valkyerie princess, and Gabe, a smokin' hot werewolf. The chemistry between Gabe & Lorin is amazing, like of the charts hot! I looked forward to seeing them interact throughout the book. Let's just say their chemistry is the kind that you try to find in any romance novel!
While the side story, with Beddoe and the other aliens, is left unresolved, this is the 2nd in a series of books so that is to be expected. I liked the variety of character and the vastness of the world the book was set in.
I do recommend reading the first book, Taste Me, before you read this one so that you know a little more of the story so far. Although the author does explain the story so far, you might miss it if you hadn't already read the first book. I personally like it when an author doesn't recap too much, because I believe you should read previous titles first when reading a series (don't blame it on the author if you don't know what's going on).
The author was an excellent writer, and I was extremely surprised to see that this is only her 2nd book. She seriously writes like a seasoned pro. I am looking forward to many more books from her & can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
***ARC provided by NetGalley***
Also published on my blog http://www.bookliaison.com
The main story focuses on Lorin, a valkyerie princess, and Gabe, a smokin' hot werewolf. The chemistry between Gabe & Lorin is amazing, like of the charts hot! I looked forward to seeing them interact throughout the book. Let's just say their chemistry is the kind that you try to find in any romance novel!
While the side story, with Beddoe and the other aliens, is left unresolved, this is the 2nd in a series of books so that is to be expected. I liked the variety of character and the vastness of the world the book was set in.
I do recommend reading the first book, Taste Me, before you read this one so that you know a little more of the story so far. Although the author does explain the story so far, you might miss it if you hadn't already read the first book. I personally like it when an author doesn't recap too much, because I believe you should read previous titles first when reading a series (don't blame it on the author if you don't know what's going on).
The author was an excellent writer, and I was extremely surprised to see that this is only her 2nd book. She seriously writes like a seasoned pro. I am looking forward to many more books from her & can't wait to see what she comes up with next!
***ARC provided by NetGalley***
Also published on my blog http://www.bookliaison.com
January 10, 2013
Loved it! Here is my review from my blog:
Jumping into a series can be a serious error on a reader’s part, but not so with Chase Me, the second book in Tamara Hogan’s Underbelly Chronicles. A complex sci-fi mixed with paranormal much like Nalini Singh, Hogan has managed to come up with a fresh paranormal universe that fulfills our desires for a fast-paced sexy read.
Vampires, werewolves, sirens and more; supernaturals crashed to Earth on an alien spaceship thousands of years ago. Human’s are blissfully unaware of the powers of the aliens that have now adopted our world as their own and live among us. This particular story is of the cross-species romance between a valkryie and a werewolf and is supercharged with romantic and sexual tension that will have you turning pages fast.
Oh, yeah, there is an external plot about the discovery of a mysterious alien box that they think is from their ancestors original crash landing. I won’t go too deep into the plot, except to say that it flows fast and furious and I enjoyed every page.
I’m expecting to go find her first book in the series, Taste Me, and enjoy it just as much. Taste Me won a Daphne Du Maurier award, was a Golden Heart Finalist and has won multiple Prism Awards. If you are looking for a new author and a new series to read, head on over to Tamara Hogan, you won’t be disappointed.
Jumping into a series can be a serious error on a reader’s part, but not so with Chase Me, the second book in Tamara Hogan’s Underbelly Chronicles. A complex sci-fi mixed with paranormal much like Nalini Singh, Hogan has managed to come up with a fresh paranormal universe that fulfills our desires for a fast-paced sexy read.
Vampires, werewolves, sirens and more; supernaturals crashed to Earth on an alien spaceship thousands of years ago. Human’s are blissfully unaware of the powers of the aliens that have now adopted our world as their own and live among us. This particular story is of the cross-species romance between a valkryie and a werewolf and is supercharged with romantic and sexual tension that will have you turning pages fast.
Oh, yeah, there is an external plot about the discovery of a mysterious alien box that they think is from their ancestors original crash landing. I won’t go too deep into the plot, except to say that it flows fast and furious and I enjoyed every page.
I’m expecting to go find her first book in the series, Taste Me, and enjoy it just as much. Taste Me won a Daphne Du Maurier award, was a Golden Heart Finalist and has won multiple Prism Awards. If you are looking for a new author and a new series to read, head on over to Tamara Hogan, you won’t be disappointed.
May 10, 2012
There were so many characters way to soon, and I am not sure if I should have known them prior to this book or not.
Setting: a dig site in northern Minnesota where a box of unknown metal is discovered by Larin a valkerie princess. The reason for the dig is to find evidence of a crash site that answers questions about the origination of the lore kind. Gabe a werewolf is sent to the dig site to help manage it. He’s the techie scientist from the main labs who own the site.
Some guy who I found out later was a vampire on a space ship appears leading up to something. He runs a bar on the ship & sells people to the highest bidder for prostitution, They have all been kidnapped. There are a few others on this ship whose names or what they are doing made no sense to me, even though it was told like It should matter. They were important people on this ship too, but I can’t even say to what extent.
Since I did not read the first book, I am not sure what information was given already & if I should know who and what all these beings are. There was no explaination or recap to clue me in. If I wasn’t so confused, I would give it 5 stars.
Setting: a dig site in northern Minnesota where a box of unknown metal is discovered by Larin a valkerie princess. The reason for the dig is to find evidence of a crash site that answers questions about the origination of the lore kind. Gabe a werewolf is sent to the dig site to help manage it. He’s the techie scientist from the main labs who own the site.
Some guy who I found out later was a vampire on a space ship appears leading up to something. He runs a bar on the ship & sells people to the highest bidder for prostitution, They have all been kidnapped. There are a few others on this ship whose names or what they are doing made no sense to me, even though it was told like It should matter. They were important people on this ship too, but I can’t even say to what extent.
Since I did not read the first book, I am not sure what information was given already & if I should know who and what all these beings are. There was no explaination or recap to clue me in. If I wasn’t so confused, I would give it 5 stars.
October 8, 2012
This series is the perfect example of why I started using GoodReads because I remember really liking the first book, Taste Me and I bought Chase Me on the strength of that. However, I didn't remember the whole thing and I feel I would have mentioned that in a review of Taste Me because it's certainly unique.
Anyways, you have to have read Taste Me in order to fully get Chase Me despite the entirely different characters because there's little world-building in the second book. Hogan kinda assumes you're ready to go and takes the reader on a loopty-loop ride. The relationship between the hero (a werewolf) and the heroine (a Valkyrie) is contrived as regular sex helps her maintain her physical equilibrium and he's the only straight, single, male around.
I think most people would find this a three star book at best, but this series is definitely one of my guilty pleasures because I love Hogan's take on the typical paranormal races.
Anyways, you have to have read Taste Me in order to fully get Chase Me despite the entirely different characters because there's little world-building in the second book. Hogan kinda assumes you're ready to go and takes the reader on a loopty-loop ride. The relationship between the hero (a werewolf) and the heroine (a Valkyrie) is contrived as regular sex helps her maintain her physical equilibrium and he's the only straight, single, male around.
I think most people would find this a three star book at best, but this series is definitely one of my guilty pleasures because I love Hogan's take on the typical paranormal races.
May 27, 2012
Also posted at http://abbeyannsbookland.blogspot.com/
Overall, Chase Me was a good read. I probably would have liked it better if I had read the first one in the series. But since I didn't, I was left struggling to figure out what took place in the first book. It would have been nice if the author described the previous events more.
The best thing about this novel would have to be the romance.While the book lacked in other departments, it is definitely worth reading because of it. I loved the interactions between the two characters.
Something I didn't particularly care for was how it felt like nothing was resolved. I think in order to get the best experience with this book, you need to read the first one, and all the subsequent ones in the series. Chase Me is the type of story that shouldn't be read as a stand alone.
*I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. I was in no way, shape or form compensated for my review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
Overall, Chase Me was a good read. I probably would have liked it better if I had read the first one in the series. But since I didn't, I was left struggling to figure out what took place in the first book. It would have been nice if the author described the previous events more.
The best thing about this novel would have to be the romance.While the book lacked in other departments, it is definitely worth reading because of it. I loved the interactions between the two characters.
Something I didn't particularly care for was how it felt like nothing was resolved. I think in order to get the best experience with this book, you need to read the first one, and all the subsequent ones in the series. Chase Me is the type of story that shouldn't be read as a stand alone.
*I received a copy of this book for review from NetGalley. I was in no way, shape or form compensated for my review. All opinions expressed are my own.*
August 21, 2013
Ugh��� both the blurb and the cover are the worst (or best?) examples of blatant false mother fucking advertising. You can tell that the whole crashed spaceship and untapped resources thing is going to be big in this series as a whole, there���s no denying that. This volume though? This volume has like little tiny crumbs in regards to that whole major story arc. The actual book itself focuses on Lorin, the Valkyrie warrior princess, and Gabe��� the city boy werewolf who wreaks culture and refinement.
NOT FREAKING OPEN LEATHER JACKETS WITHOUT SHIRTS. And the character has chest hair. There���s not a single hair on that man���s body. There is oil though. Glistening creepy oil.
Listen, Romance novels of all genres, stop trying so hard to get me to notice you by parading around large hunks of naked flesh. It���s degrading to men.
For my full review, click here.
NOT FREAKING OPEN LEATHER JACKETS WITHOUT SHIRTS. And the character has chest hair. There���s not a single hair on that man���s body. There is oil though. Glistening creepy oil.
Listen, Romance novels of all genres, stop trying so hard to get me to notice you by parading around large hunks of naked flesh. It���s degrading to men.
For my full review, click here.
August 1, 2012
I’ve actually got some mixed feelings on this book. I loved the overall romance between Lorin and Gabe. I loved how they came from different backgrounds and different social status but challenged each other and came out on top when they were together (both literally and figuratively). I enjoyed the setting for this book, an archeological dig in the Minnesota woods, I thought it was fun and different from my “normal” romances. What I didn’t really enjoy was having aliens thrown in to the mix. In fact, it almost hurt the whole series for me. But because there was such a great cliffhanger ending and foreshadowing for the possible next romance in the series I’ll be picking up the next book because I can’t wait to see what comes next.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
June 5, 2012
For the first couple of chapters of Chase Me I was lost as a goose in a snow storm. There was no back story or recap to help you figure out who all these characters are, what was happening and why. I came very close to giving up and not reading past the third chapter but I didn’t. Once I figured everything out, I really started enjoying this book. In fact I didn’t want to put it down! The humor and the romance are perfect and go along quite well with the plot.
If I had to do it over again I would have read Taste Me (which is the first in this series) before I read Chase Me. If I had done that, then I think I would have loved it even more.
If I had to do it over again I would have read Taste Me (which is the first in this series) before I read Chase Me. If I had done that, then I think I would have loved it even more.
June 28, 2013
Did very well as a stand alone book. I have not read the rest in the series but considering the cliff-hanger at the end I think it's a must for me know. I really enjoyed the story btwn Gabe and Lorin but I CANNOT wait to read about Andi and Gideon! (I hope)
June 6, 2012
Really enjoyed this one, just as good as the first one
September 11, 2012
The 2nd book in this series is just as good as the first. Amazing worldbuilding, with a fresh twist on werewolves and vampires. Very sexy, very tension filled - I couldn't put it down!
December 30, 2012
This is what I get for grabbing a
book on impulse from the library.
I'm going to have to find the
FIRST in the series if I'm to make
any sense of whats going on.
book on impulse from the library.
I'm going to have to find the
FIRST in the series if I'm to make
any sense of whats going on.
December 14, 2013
What happened to Paige!?!?
Read
September 8, 2014It was amazing and the details were increadable. I own this book and i cant stop reading it.
May 6, 2012
For Review on FreshFiction.com
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