Tuesday, August 25, 2015

Review: Embrace the Mystery

Embrace the Mystery Embrace the Mystery by Caris Roane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book felt like an epic fantasy quest with some vampires thrown in there, too. Oh, and there was also some fun sexy times to keep the romance readers satisfied.

While the other books in this series might have felt a little standalone, this one was definitely part of a set. Here we meet Batya, the daughter of a troll we’ve spent some time with in previous books. She’s been kind of stalked by Quinlan, a mastyr vampire who, for some reason, doesn’t think that his stalking could possibly have anything to do with a blood rose. Instead, he assumes that he is just out for some fun time in the bedroom (or any room, really), with the captivating Batya.

Batya has abandoned her birth-world for a life that seemed a bit simpler to her. Without the violence surrounding her, she is able to open her own clinic and art gallery. Her peace is quickly destroyed, however, when the big bad shows up at her doorstep making demands. This quick turn of events forces Batya and Quinlan to confront their feelings and embrace the journey ahead of them. Things that were once thought of as fables turn out to be so much more. While the romance took a bit of a back seat to the overall adventure, this still blended nicely with the rest of the series. You’d think that all the Mastyrs would be expecting their own blood rose now.


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Review: The Plan

The Plan The Plan by Tawdra Kandle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Emmy made a little appearance in the first book of the series, but here we get a lot of what is now my new favorite couple – Emmy and Cooper.

Cooper is completely convinced that he is too damaged to be in a real relationship with a woman. One night stands are the extent of his romantic interactions with women. He’s got his core base of friends (in “the posse”) and that’s about all he wants to interact with on a regular basis. Emmy is a hard-working single mother of 3 kids who runs her own business and has also turned her friend’s restaurant into the hottest nightspot in town. The last thing she thought she wanted was a man in her life to muck it up. When sparks fly from an oddly flirtatious Cooper to Emmy, these two end up making a one night decision that changes both their lives.

These stubborn people fight with all their might to keep the relationship from having a true chance. What starts as a one night fling is quickly discovered to be anything but. This book had tons and tons of sizzling attraction that made this a hot and steamy read. These two were both uniquely broken and managed to mend themselves by acknowledging what could be their once in a lifetime love.


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Review: The Path

The Path The Path by Tawdra Kandle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Abby has made some brief appearances in the previous books of the series, but here she gets a starring role. Who knew that this workaholic would actually be able to loosen up so much? I was happy and surprised to get a brand new Abby in this book.

Just when Abby was feeling a little restless at her position at the B&B, Jude and Logan approached her about their latest investment: a run-down old inn that they are determined to restore to greatness. They hired a well-known restoration expert and told Abby to only focus on making this new hotel a success. What could go wrong, right? Well, from the moment Abby and Ry (the restoration expert) meet one another, the sparks fly. These two can’t be in the same room (or even away from each other) without disagreeing and arguing. The passion that keeps them at each other’s throats suddenly shifts from anger to something better suited for one of the hotel’s new bedrooms.

For the first time in the series (I think), the woman in the relationship ends up being the one with a little more baggage. Abby is definitely a little hesitant to let down her guard because of the betrayal from her past. Her family is far from perfect (even though they are known throughout the hotel industry), but her friends are awesome. Each time this series starts to make me worry, “the posse” manages to pull the love story right back onto the rails. What a sweet way to bring all the other stories together! I love this author’s world and want more of The Cove!


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Review: The Posse

The Posse The Posse by Tawdra Kandle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book starts a series of adorably sweet and romantic books that revolve around “The Cove.” Here we meet them all and get to dive right into their beach-loving lifestyle.

This book began with a bit of a bummer. Jude’s husband (Daniel) has passed away and she is still trying to find her footing. Her children are grown and she’s running her own restaurant, but she’s not exactly working hard at a social life. The “posse” consists of all her male friends, making her a bit of an outsider, but one that they still want to care for in Daniel’s absence. After an emotional reminder of their loss, they all band together to ensure that Jude is not alone anymore. What could go wrong with all her best friends trying to “court” her?

It might sound like the beginning of an 80s movie that ends with the girl finding out about the plan and reacting badly. Don’t worry! I was worried most of the book that the secret would come out and I think that had me rapidly turning pages to see what would happen next. These 3 bachelors that are determined to try to date Jude are unique and wonderful to watch.

We get an awesome HEA out of this story, too. I guess that should be expected in the romantic world, but it was still such a relief. Poor Jude deserves every bit of happiness that she gets. This great group of people makes everything (even for the outside reader) so much more enjoyable! Give me some more of this world!


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Tuesday, August 18, 2015

Review: Dragon Fall

Dragon Fall Dragon Fall by Katie MacAlister
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book took me through all the ups and downs that go along with the wild and crazy dragon world. There was a ton of humor, romance, and world building in this first installment of a new series.

Aoife is a stranger in her new home town. On her search for entertainment, she ends up at a Goth fair that changes her life. After witnessing her date get skewered and resurrected, she spends a few years getting her head on straight. That should fix everything, right? It appears to work until the night she runs over a talking demon dog and finds a naked dragon-man washed up on shore. Turns out, she has a magic ring that can save the dragon world from a horrible curse. Oh, and the dragon-man (Kostya), when he’s not being an arrogant jerk, is pretty dreamy.

As the first of what should hopefully lead into several other books in the series, this book really sets us up right. We get a whole brand new world filled with dragons and magic. We meet some hilarious and fantastic characters. Oh, and there is no shortage of “big bads.” The only negative I could say is that the book ended too soon! I wanted at least another chapter to wrap things up so I could let this book go without worrying about the state of all these characters. Looks like I’ve got to sign up for book 2 to see what happens next!


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Review: Laird Wolf

Laird Wolf Laird Wolf by Vivian Arend
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Having not really read more than one or two books by this author, I can definitely say that you don’t need to have any sort of grasp on the series to enjoy this short read. It’s got enough mystery, shifters and sizzling sexiness to you addicted.

Damon is on a mission from his friends to go protect their friend Addie in a big estate in Scotland. The airline loses his luggage and he ends up thrown into the water on the way there, leaving him quite a sight when he finally arrives. It doesn’t matter to Addie, though, because she is more determined than ever to have a protector with her. The possible inheritors of the estate have been lurking over her shoulder while she works at cataloguing the contents of the estate. They are driving her crazy and creeping her out at the same time. Sure, they probably only want to ensure that no more mystery wills are found, but it is better to be safe than sorry.

The last thing Addie expects when she encounters her protector is to develop real feelings for him. This lone wolf who has to live in borrowed clothes has a way to get Addie to open up and share in a way she hasn’t been able to in a while now. These two are a great pair to watch and had me interested enough to look into the rest of the series (a true sign of a worthwhile short story read).


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Review: Hunting a Mate

Hunting a Mate Hunting a Mate by Celia Kyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This quickie read was adorable and fun. If you’re looking for something that will make you smile and laugh, this is the romantic read for you.

Paige is a were-ferret and has and adorably annoying problem. When just about anything unexpected happens, she shifts uncontrollably. For normal shifter, this would be handled as an adolescent, but her overprotective family has kept it a secret all her life. Her “incidents” are covered up and never spoken of again. This has her dying to get out of the grasp of her mother and sisters. To do that, though, she’s got to find a mate. This leads her to the M&M Mating Agency, where she first sees her dream man (right before shifting).

Archer watched his brother find his mate and decided that he’d like to have some of that happiness, too. Little did he know, he’d find his mate right outside the agency. She makes him work for it, but these two are adorable to watch. This book was everything I have come to expect from this author.


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Review: Southern Shifters: Impawsible

Southern Shifters: Impawsible Southern Shifters: Impawsible by Celia Kyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Were you hooked by the adorable title? Well, prepare yourself for some hot were-rabbit/were-lion mating!

Bethany just moved to Deal’s Gap and she is determined to be independent. That lasts a few hours before she pulls into the mechanic’s shop and finds her mate. It’s undeniable, but somehow Bethany manages to deny it.

Carter is a determined tiger-wolf hybrid shifter who will not be denied by his mate. His determination turns out to be a great thing when were-lions with bad intentions show up. These two might have a lot of obstacles, but the hard work is well worth it in the end. Who knew that a were-rabbit and a were-lion could be so hot together?


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Saturday, August 8, 2015

Review: Pas: An Urban Fantasy Novel

Pas: An Urban Fantasy Novel Pas: An Urban Fantasy Novel by S.M. Reine
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the last book in the War of the Alphas book. At this point, everything you think you know about these characters from the first book has drastically changed. Stark's motivation is not pure, Rylie is not evil, and "God" might just be listening.

Deirdre has been taking drugs, acting like a criminal, and trying to win the vote for Stark. From an underdog to a bully, she is pretty much completely unlikable for me at this point. I found myself rooting for someone to either put her out of her misery or shake her out of whatever dark spiral she's caught in. Somewhere along the way she winds up trying to hunt down the missing Stark and her entire campaign platform gets blown to pieces. There's rigged elections to fix, Stark's children to rescue, and a world of shifters that are depending on her. It really is no wonder that Deirdre breaks in the most spectacular way she can.

It was a little hard to read this one because it was so very dark. Kind of like watching an abusive wife stick with her husband, it almost physically hurt to watch Deirdre continue to support Stark. I wanted so much for her to be a tough female character but she comes off as very, very weak in the end. We get a lot of resolution (as I've come to expect from this author), but I never quite forgave Deirdre for her mistakes (especially in the end). This world is a lot darker than those previous, but not any less intricate. The world building was what kept me going. Oh, and it never hurts to have some familiar faces in there.

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Review: Bite Me If You Can

Bite Me If You Can Bite Me If You Can by Lynsay Sands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book did not follow the typical Argeneau book formula. This one throws you right into the vampire world without the typical build-up. With the transition decision made in the first chapter of the book, the only thing left to deal with is Lucian being a jerk.

Leigh was attacked on the way home and turned into a vampire. Lucian winds up hunting down the rogue vampires that did it, but spares her life because she hasn't been turned into one of them yet. While complaining every step of the way, Lucian winds up taking care of Leigh. She gets a gold star for her amazing acceptance of her new world. This is balanced out somewhat by her absolute rejection of getting into a relationship, no matter what people say about her status as Lucian's mate.

These two are awesomely matched, but we have to wait a LONG time in this book to get rewarded by some smutty goodness. This makes me sound like a horrible person, but I wish the romance was spread out throughout the book, rather than in a rush at the end. I found myself constantly checking the % remaining, concerned that there was not enough time to resolve both the rogue issue and the romance. There was still resolution, but it felt just as rushed as the romance. I was still happy that these opposites found a way to kick butt and end up together, but it was a close thing.

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Review: A Bite to Remember

A Bite to Remember A Bite to Remember by Lynsay Sands
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book continues the story of the Argeneaus by focusing on Vincent. We spent some time with Vincent in the previous book, but I kind of thought he was a little... immature. I was glad that the Vincent we met in this book was pretty different.

Vincent's business is suffering a bit of bad luck, but the latest incidents have forced him to acknowledge that there is something fishy going on. This much bad luck just can't happen to one person. Using Bastien (as the whole family does), he ends up opening up his life to Jackie, a PI who is "in the know" about their kind.

Jackie has a huge problem with vampires. Unfortunately, her business is largely hired by them. She's determined to put her prejudices aside and be the most professional person she can be. This would've worked out just fine if she didn't find herself attracted to the bloodsucker who hired her. She and her partner end up moving in to the barren house that Vincent lives in to play the pretend roles of PA and housekeeper which makes it much harder to ignore their chemistry.

While investigating the mystery baddie who is sabotaging Vincent's work, Jackie and Vincent end up discovering that fate might have thrown them together. With all the drama surrounding their getting together, it was wonderful to watch both these people end up with a HEA, even if it wasn't the one I anticipated.

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