Biting Oz

Biting Love #5

by Mary Hughes

Real vampires do musicals. Biting Love, Book 5Gunter Marie "Junior" Stieg is stuck selling sausage for her folks in small-town Meiers Corners. Until one day she's offered a way out--the chance to play pit orchestra for a musical headed for Oz, Wonderful Oz. But someone is threatening the show's young star. To save the production, Junior must join forces with the star's dark, secretive bodyguard, whose sapphire eyes and lyrical Welsh accent thrill her. And whose hard, muscular body sets fire to her passions. Fierce as a warrior, enigmatic as a druid, Glynn Rhys-Jenkins has searched eight hundred years for a home. Junior's get-out-of-Dodge attitude burns him, but everything else about her inflames him, from her petite body and sharp mind to what she can do with her hip-length braid. Then a sensuous, insidious evil threatens not only the show, but the very foundations of Meiers Corners. To fight it, Junior and Glynn must face the truth about themselves--and the true meaning of love and home. Cue the music, click your heels together, make a wish and get ready for one steamy vampire romance. Contains biting, multiple climaxes, embarrassing innuendos, ka-click/ka-ching violence, sausage wars and--shudder--pistachio fluff.

Genres: Paranormal Romance, Paranormal, Vampires, Contemporary, Romance, Humor, Suspense

365 pages, Kindle Edition

First published August 14, 2012

About the author

I write steamy paranormal romances and wickedly fun romantic adventures, stories that crackle with action and love. Challenging, smart alpha men—and women not afraid of a challenge. Oh, do the sparks fly when he meets THE woman guaranteed to infuriate and inflame him most.

In real life I'm a USA Today bestselling author, a spouse and mother, a flutist, a computer geek, and a binge-TV-watcher of The Flash, Elementary, NCIS, and Wynonna Earp.

I'd love to hear from you!
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Reviews

[Simply Love Book Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kitty's review posted on Guilty Pleasures

Well, this is my favorite of the Biting Series by Mary Hughes. Maybe because I grew up with the Wizard of Oz and absolutely love the original movie or maybe is was Junior and Glynn. I’m not really sure, but, this book was fabulous!

The “staples” of Meiers Corners are back with a few new faces and a lot more hysterics. We meet the next adversary from the Coterie to try to take over Meiers Corners – Camille, the “Cheese Dudes”, and Mishela. Elias (the “Ancient One”) is also back giving orders and the wonderful residents of Meiers Corners have all gone bat-shit crazy! Well, thanks to Camille, that is, and the new night club in town “Fangs To You” and “GObubbles”.

I laughed throughout this book. From Toto lifting his leg on everyone and everything, to the cheese-ball fight between the Cheese Dudes and the Stieg’s. Camille makes life interesting in the way she is trying to shut down the opening of “Oz, Wonderful Oz” and the CIC is up to it’s old tricks in trying to bankrupt the little town. All this to get control of the Blood Center. You would think they would give up by now. But, not our wonderful vampires. The Alliance is getting stronger and stronger with the addition of new vampires. The humans are all banding together in an attempt to stop the take-over and Dolly Barton has a surprise for us. And, the secret? Well I guess we will have to wait to find out what it really is since no one seems to want to tell us.
But, with all that said, Biting Oz covers a lot more than just the crazies in the Corners or the fight between the Alliance and the Coterie. Junior and Glynn are the shining stars in this book and their message to us is one that we all need to remember. Love and Family go hand-in-hand, having a house doesn’t necessarily mean that you have a home, and, of course, “there’s no place like home”. Yes, all cliches but that’s what this book is all about. Love, family and home. Trusting yourself to know that you can walk away to make someone elses dreams come true … loving someone enough to let them go to find their dreams. Then, finding a way to make it work with you in their life.

Mary Hughes writes in a style that is enjoyable and fun. She brings together a cast of characters that have you laughing and just waiting to see what is going to happen next. How she comes up with some of the people and the things that they say and do is amazing. What a wonderful imagination she has. Well, I hope it’s her imagination and not something from her real life. If it is, I would love to be her. The characters that she writes are totally off-the-wall. And the sex … can it really be THAT BIG? Can they really have that much stamina?

I hope you enjoy “Biting Oz”. I totally did and am really looking forward to see who is next in the long line of Meiers Corners characters to be bitten.


SPECIAL NOTE – BITING LOVE SERIES READING ORDER
There is a bit of confusion about reading order because of publication dates. I got this reading order from Mary Hughes.
Bite My Fire (Biting Love Book 1)
(Biting Dracula–free short story)
Biting Nixie (Biting Love Book 2)
(A Biting Christmas Special–free short story)
The Bite of Silence (Novella, Biting Love Book 3)
Biting Me Softly (Biting Love Book 4)
(Oz Bites–free short story)
Biting Oz (Biting Love Book 5)

[Kristin Anders · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biting Love series rating: N/A (haven't read them all)

How are the sex scenes?
As erotic as they can get without sex toys. Be prepared for hair tricks, strategic biting, peculiar positions and hard orgasims.

How are the story lines?
Biting Oz reads like an Adult Swim cartoon with sex. The story lines are great, if not a bit bizarre with a flare for the overdramatic and unreasonable. Many character actions do not work logistically, but suspend your requirement for realism and you will not be disappointed.

"Biting Oz" is a modern-day romance novel based in small-town Meiers Corners, Illinois with a heroine who continuously makes uncomfortable "come" comments:

"Um, why have you come?" Come. "Here, I mean. Why have you come here...to the store. Yes, that's what I meant."

Glynn called again that night but didn't come. Um, come over...visit.

What really makes "Biting Oz" an exceptional read is the hero and heroine's hotness for each other. Their chemistry burns. Hello lust at first sight. Minutes after their first meeting, heroine Junior begins thinking unclean thoughts about Glynn's finely muscled chest and broader than linebacker shoulders. His bite-your-lip accent makes her go *squish* and despite her "no entanglements" policy, she already wants to drop to her knees and give him 20 minutes.

And that's just Junior.

Readers don't see Glynn's thoughts in the beginning, but he makes his feelings clear when he has her shoved against a bar table, molded between his thighs and is tonguing her tonsils. What?? Their friends were in the bathroom - they had some extra time.

If you like this - you'll crave "Biting Oz." There is dry humping, first, second and third base action, orgasms against doors, orgasms in beds, multiple orgasms, blow jobs, hand jobs, fangs piercing erotic places, XXL...um, parts and much, much more.

Save a human, ride a vampire. Purchase. I mean, read. Read. As in read "Biting Oz"...yes, that's what I meant.

Disclaimer: No compensation was received for this review. eARC provided by Mary Hughes and Author's Angels.

[Mrs. Missive · Rating 5 out of 5]

The snarky banter and fabulous one-liners are the reasons I go back to Mary Hughes books again and again. I have been waiting a long time for this one. The book lived up to my expectations, and left me wanting more.

Just a couple quotes. Because I want a closet filled with t-shirts bearing Mary Hughes quotes across my bosom.

"Lust was making me solo in stupid."

"My eyes fell out of my head and my panties shot directly to broil."

"This man, blistering-hot sexy, said complication the way gravity said down."

"I hoped like hell she hadn't heard me orgasming against the door."

"Sometimes sex is slow and sweet, with a lot of foreplay. And sometimes the instant you're naked, you push your partner flat on his back, climb on and yell whoo-hah like a cowgirl."

The last one, I need tattooed on my body. But seriously, I loved reading this book, and was so excited that I got an early copy.

We are treated to a musical. The pit that Nixie struggles to pull together in the short novella Oz Bites is prepping to be the musical accompaniment for the Meyers Corners rendition of The Wizard of Oz. Junior, Gunter Marie, (her daddy really wanted a boy) is our heroine. She is dying to make her way to a Broadway pit orchestra, and she has to concentrate on her parts. Her music. Not those parts. Although that's where our tall, sexy, and fangy hero comes into play.

Glynn happens to be the body guard/keeper for the musical's star, Mishela. Like the other books in this series, we get the same fun and sexy character driven read. Our heroine has a multitude of reasons why she can't get it on with Mr. Sexy, and eventually the heat erupts and the hot monkey sex happens.

We get to meet up with some of our favorite characters, and learn of the pregnancy boom Meyers Corners is having. Vampires are virile buggers. And we get a glimpse of info on the biggest question many of us have been waiting for an answer for...how and if our girls are going to be turned. I won't make any promises of solutions, but the issue is addressed, and I think that was vital for me to enjoy this book.

I have to say, I am very intrigued by the character Rocky. She was the shy girl who blossomed after high school and has no idea she's a freaking hottie. She has been popping up in this series for awhile. I wonder if Ms. Hughes might consider a F/F romance with her, or maybe a M/F/F menage. There have been a few cues that make me wonder what is next for the Biting Love clan. I can't wait to read more! 5 Stars. Love the happy feeling I get reading these books.

[Phaedra Seabolt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Hughes has a way of writing that will make you laugh and excited all at the same time. This is the second book of hers that I have read and both were definitely hard to put down. That said, you should now realize that this story can be read without having read the first four in the series. I am assuming that each book in the series is about a different character and while I may know a little bit about how the other stories end, I feel that nothing has been ruined about those stories.

This particular story was about Junior (really named Gunter Marie), who was trying to find a way to support her family business as well as have her own life. The reference to Oz in the name of the book is for the musical that Junior is desperately wishing will be liked enough to find it's way to Broadway. She plays three different instruments for the show at night and runs the Sausage store her family owns by day. I absolutely loved the sausage references in the story. It showed how dedicated Junior was to her family and the business, but it also provided some great comic relief. What Junior is not expecting is to run into a man that puts all others to shame (in her mind). She is instantly infatuated with him, causing her to screw up some of her parts in the musical during rehearsals. This man, Glynn, ends up being the "bodyguard" for Mishela, the star of the show also known as Dorothy. Mishela is a lonely star and uses the obvious attraction between Glynn and Junior to invite Junior and her friend Rocky to go for drinks. I think there is going to be a book in the future about Rocky and possibly Mishela, but that is only hinted. During drinks, Glynn practically bends Junior over a table to have his way with her. From that point on in the story, You get to experience the chase and denial of their attraction.

Their relationship is only part of the story though. The rest of the story is about a war brewing between two different factions of vampires. This war is looking to take place right in Junior's home town. She has to figure out how to keep true to her obligations, find a way to live her own life, learn to let love in, and save her entire town. You should read the book to see how it turns out.

Read more reviews at Identity Discovery Blog.

[Jen Rattie · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG. I had a very hard time putting this book down. You are TOTALLY not in Kansas anymore. I grew up completely and totally obsessed with the Wizard of Oz so the fact that the play with in the book was based on that story was just icing on the cake. The dialogue in this book was witty, hilarious and raunchy- right up my alley. First off the story is based in a suburb called Meiers Corner by Chicago, like me. Secondly the town is a German themed town, like me (most of the things in my town has Alpine in the title…). Thirdly, the main characters are a German girl and a Welsh vampire, like me (well I am German and Welsh- a girl, NOT a vampire just to clear that up). It was a little eerie. LOL This book is not for some one that is on the conservative side, the language is very adult as is most of the book. This book is for a die-hard paranormal romance lover- no wish washy “romance talk” here. It’s tongue in cheek (and other places-pun intended) humor, the characters are awesome and are so well written that you feel like you could be best friends in a flash. Nixie, one of Junior’s friends, is a pregnant, punk rockin’ wife of a vampire that I could totally hang out with. If you are looking for a fun, light fantastic paranormal romance, this book is the ticket. I am looking forward to reading other books by Mary Hughes. She has a whole Oz series!

[Gladys · Rating 4 out of 5]

Biting Oz by Mary Hughes is a good read. This is another fine addition to the Biting Love series. This time we meet Glynn and Junior. You could not fall for Glynn. So sexy, sweet, tender and emotionally scarred. I liked Junior. She is determined, feisty and thinks she has everything figured out until love comes calling. A great story about appreciating what you have, the importance of family and friends and the important lesson that home is so much more than a place. This book is a sexy, funny, sweet, emotional, action packed romp. Another Mary Hughes vampire romance that is definitely worth the read.

[Stephanie Robertson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I absolutely fell in love with this book and now I really want to read the others. Glynn and Junior were such a dynamic pair both trying to resist each other even though their bodies and hearts already knew what they wanted and needed the most. I loved the ups and downs and if I was in Juniors place I would have been doing the same as her maybe slightly different but not by a whole lot. Mary Hughes you are a marvelous writer and again I loved this book.

[Jennifer Lovins · Rating 5 out of 5]

No place like home

Can they save the town from bankruptcy? Will a vampire war break out instead? Come find out what will happen. Watch out for a underhanded trickery. Everyone has gone crazy, but can they figure out how to save them from themselves? Will Glen and Junior find what they are looking for? Dive in and find out. Watch out for the stinky cheese and new trends. Don’t get burned by the hot sex.

[CJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyable and really fun to read.

[Kimberly · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gunter Marie “Junior” Stieg has had family duty practically beaten into her brain with a sausage stick. But though she loves her parents, Junior wants more than a life spent in her hometown of Meiers Corners. She wants to make it to New York City, and the local production of Oz, Wonderful Oz is her chance. Junior’s playing in the pit orchestra, and if the show’s a success, she’s on her way to Broadway. There’re just a few not-so-minor roadblocks on this particular yellow brick road. Someone is threatening Mishela, the show’s star, and Junior finds herself lusting after the young woman’s bodyguard. Glynn Rhys-Jenkins is a distraction Junior can’t afford…and a temptation she can’t resist. As the threats against Mishela, the musical, and Meiers Corners itself mount, Junior is drawn into a paranormal battle that could ruin everything she holds dear. To save her town, Junior must come to terms with her own feelings, including the newfound love she has for Glynn.

Pulse-pounding danger meets slapstick sausage and cheese wars in the quirky Biting Oz. Author Mary Hughes has a way of blending sensuality, danger, and over-the-top oddness in a way few authors ever could, which is why I simply adore her books.

Junior is a woman on a mission; she wants to make her dreams a reality while still being a good daughter. I admired Junior for both her ambition and her love for her family. Though I adore Meiers Corners and there is something truly special about the town and its residents, there can be something almost claustrophobic about living in such a close-knit town. What Junior needed was to find her own balance, and it was wonderful to watch her come into her own and truly uncover what it was she wanted in Biting Oz. As for Glynn… Can I borrow a phrase from a previous Biting Love heroine and say “Holy Donut!”? Glynn is a too-sexy-for-words vampire who could make any woman fall head over heels in lust. He also had a vulnerable side that made me want to hug him. Quite simply, I loved Glynn. And, as with all of Ms. Hughes’s heroes, I’d even go so far as to say I’d wade through a flood of pistachio fluff if I had to for a chance to get a hero like Glynn.

Speaking of pistachio fluff (don’t worry – you’ll witness the horror of that food-like item if you read Biting Oz), the town of Meiers Corners is even more madcap than usual in Biting Oz. There were times the slapstick was a bit too much for me, but that’s simply a personal preference. My affection for the town has grown from the first few Biting Love novels and because I was so attached to Meiers Corners, the stakes of the battle between good and evil in Biting Oz were all the higher for me. This time around, the town’s in serious danger, and though I won’t spoil what happens, suffice it to say that the action of the book will have you every bit as engaged as the romance between Junior and Glynn.

Biting Oz is the fifth novel in the Biting Love series and though it can be read as a standalone, I recommend reading Bite My Fire, Biting Nixie, The Bite of Silence, and Biting Me Softly first. Readers new to the series might miss out on some of the enjoyment that comes from having grown attached to characters from previous books, most of whom play strong supporting roles in Biting Oz. In addition to old favorites, Ms. Hughes has a plethora of unmatched characters in Biting Oz whose stories I am anxious for, most notably Mishela, Rocky, and “Scary Ancient Dude” himself, Kai Elias. So while I finished Biting Oz a well satisfied reader, I am already eager for my next Biting Love fix!

Reviewed for Joyfully Reviewed.

[Judy & Marianne from Long and Short Reviews · Rating 5 out of 5]

Originally posted at: http://www.longandshortreviews.blogsp...


There is an old saying in show business – the show must go on. Nowhere is that more true that when the folks in Meiers Corners decide to put on a stage play of the Wizard of Oz, and are beset with low audience turnout, repeated attempts to abduct the girl playing Dorothy, and sabotage of many sorts. Gunter Marie ‘Junior’ Steig believes this is her only chance to escape the boring life at home – if the show is a success, the next stop is New York City and a chance for more than the sausage shop. What Junior doesn’t know is that many of the residents of her little town are vampires…old, strong and powerful, and one of them wants Junior for his own. But Glynn Rhys-Jenkins knows about Junior’s dreams, and he places a high value on home, having lost his long ago. When the evil Chicago vampires up the stakes, Junior and Glynn and the rest of Meiers Corner residents fight back with everything they have. Can Junior and Glynn survive the sausage wars, the cheese rebellion and the vampire attacks to save the show? Will they be able to fight the attraction growing between them? Or will Junior learn, like Dorothy, that ‘there’s no place like home’?

Biting Oz is Mary Hughes’ latest Biting Love book, and one of the hottest so far. Her tiny town of Meiers Corners is a unique society, where ancient vampires and eccentric humans coexist in peace unless the evil Chicago vampires attack. The characters are all well-defined, and the conflicts are edge of your seat, fast paced and mostly unexpected when they come. I have become addicted to the Meiers Corners gang and all that they encompass, from Nixie and Elena to Julian, Glynn and even the mysterious Mr. Elias, seldom seen but all knowing.

Gunter Marie ‘Junior’ Steig is determined to make her move to the big city. She dreams of freedom and a life of her own, away from the sausage shop her family runs. She's falling for Glynn, but feels if she gets close, she will lose her one shot at escape. I enjoyed watching as she falls under Glynn’s protection, and his affection, and slowly comes to realize that home is where the heart is, be it New York, Meiers Corners or even the cornfields of Iowa. She's smart, talented and determined, and I loved watching as she discovered she could have her dreams and Glynn too.

Glynn is a centuries old vampire, and in all those years he has never found his one soul mate…until he meets Junior. He's strong, sexy and sensitive to her desires, but finds it harder and harder to keep from claiming her as his and keeping her by his side. I like Glynn’s sense of loyalty and his generosity in trying to keep Junior safe and yet give her what she dreams of most: her freedom to be who she is.

There are two recurring threads here-the growing relationship between Junior and Glynn, and the repeated sabotage by the Chicago vampires and their minions. I enjoyed this for the unique humor Ms. Hughes brings to all of her Biting Love books, and of course the hot and steamy passion that erupts from the page every time Junior and Glynn come together. I also enjoyed watching as the town united against the ‘outsiders’ and saved not only the show, but the town as well. I recommend this for those who love a side of humor with their main course of romance.

[glitrbug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't usually give 5 stars to Smut. I reserve 5 for life changing books and the ones that fall on the far side of the bell curve. Biting Oz gets 5 stars because it's exactly what I want. The opening scene where Junior is running late and trying to haul 3 instruments and her music stand down the aisle to the orchestra pit past all the little children lined up to be Munchkins is hysterical. She is in such a hurry but takes great pains not to smash into them with her big instrument cases. Just in time, this great big hunk of a man helps her out. It's great. Read the sample at Amazon & you will be hooked. Great story with a girl that helps out in the family store and dreams of the big city, a hunky vampire, and some hot sex. The only thing I didn't like about the story was reading about some of the places he bit her. Ick. No puncturing the lady bits. That just took me way out of the story.

Lastly, did you notice I got mentioned in the dedications!!! How cool is that? I read Biting Nixie when they were looking for early readers and recommended it to the new Kindle Smut group here on GoodReads. We all enjoyed it and have been reading the new ones as they come out. I love Biting Nixie and Biting Oz is a new favorite. It's the perfect distraction from all the election politics.

[Natascha · Rating 3 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Biting Love series which narrates the Glynn & Junior couple. The novel follows the same line as the previous books, but didn't really get at the level of the second one in the series which is still my favourite. Also, the vampires are portrayed so lame once they are married to a human female, especially to a pregnant human female ... I really don't like that part in the books (which comes back in every novel) ... come'on those guys are a couple of hundred years old (if not more!) and shouldn't be portrayed in this weak human way!!!

But the dude that most intrigues me is Elias, the Ancient One. Although, writing a book about him, would definitely take away the mystery and we can't have that! I will certainly wait for the next book, and will unquestionably read it!

[Jancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

The fifth book in the Biting Love series is a charged story of Glynn and Junior,it shows the battle to find home and have your dreams all come true.I liked reading the personal struggle these two have to find their place in the world.

The wonderful small town of Meiers Corners and the all the characters come to life on the page and left me laughing and wanting more. I love this series with its scorching sex scenes, character charged humor and the crazy world of very thing German. Who knew cheese balls and sausage can be funny.

I can't wait for the next book to came.
Thanks Mary Hughes for another great read. :)

[Alisia · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very exciting. It was also steamy and fun. I have never read a book about a musical especially one that has vampires too. It was great! Musicals make great story lines and have plenty of drama. I just loved Junior and Glynn. They are pulled together and whenever they try to resist, the pull gets even stronger. I also think they are great for each other. They can balance one another out and keep the other steady.

[Betsy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Perhaps my favorite of the Bites. Mary Hughes know what it means to live in fear in the Midwest. I always love the over-the-top, outrageous world of Meiers Corners. All the couples make and appearance and of course the cheeseballs, lime jello, Luthern Ladies (LLAMA), and Germanish speich all works for me. Thanks for many great laughs and lovely couple in Junior and Glynn.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Hughes creates an exciting, steamy and fun story in "Biting OZ". The story line is filled with chemistry, sexual positions and situations. Not an easy read to put down, you will want to read through the end in one sitting....I did!

This review is based on a complimentary copy which was provided for an honest review.

[Paws · Rating 4 out of 5]

OMG! She made a Riff-Trax reference! I'm even more in love.

[Marilicious · Rating 5 out of 5]

FUNNY!

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun, Funny and hot!!!

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

I give it a 4.5

[Tamara · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun and funny, tongue in cheek humor, see my full review @http://www.sizzlinghotbooks.net/2012/...

[Jen R aka CraftyMom Jen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this book. Only put it down when I had too. Read my full review here:

http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

My new favorite of the series (sorry Nixie).

[Keri · Rating 3 out of 5]

But I did rather enjoy the peeks at the story from Glynn's perspective!! Can we get more of that?

[Keri]

Ehhhh

Not my favorite of this series. I like it better when we at least somewhat know the characters we will be reading about from the previous book.

[Trina · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars