Friday, June 20, 2014
Review: Oliver's Hunger
Oliver's Hunger by Tina Folsom
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
For those readers who are familiar with the Scansguards Vampires, Oliver’s book has been a long time coming. I was really glad to dig into this one, but was left wanting so much more! I’m sure that you could probably get away with reading this as a standalone, but it really would help to read this series in order.
Oliver was a human in the previous installments of this series. During Quinn’s book, in order to save his life, he was transformed into a vampire and has been struggling with his blood hunger ever since. Ursula is a woman with some type of special blood (we never really find out for sure why or what makes her different). She’s been kidnapped and sold as a type of “blood whore” for years. During her escape, she encounters Oliver and the story takes off from there.
I have to say, Oliver really comes off as a petulant child for a lot of this story. He’s yelling and stomping his foot, arguing with his family and friends; essentially he was trying really hard to alienate himself from the people that meant so much to him in the previous books. It was sad to watch and made it hard to read at points. I just wanted to shake him and tell him to look at what he’s really got going for him. Unfortunately, Oliver acts like a sort of blood junkie, which has him making bad decisions left and right. Ursula is really a gift to him. Through their relationship/bond, Oliver is finally able to grow as a character. They balance one another really well, although I feel like Ursula got the short end of the stick here.
Overall, this was a necessary book because readers will have no doubt grown attached to Oliver along the way. The pairing and overall story, though, was a little tough at times. This was still a good read, but just not as fully developed as I expected. That won’t stop me from reading the rest of the series, though, especially since Thomas is next.
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Wednesday, June 18, 2014
Review: Temptation in Shadows
Temptation in Shadows by Gena Showalter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This short read was a sexy, exciting, and action-filled romance that gave us a glimpse into a new and exciting world. There are government conspiracies, people with psychic (or paranormal) abilities, and evil doctors meddling with unsuspecting teens.
Gabby is one such teen that found her brain “changed” after her time with an evil doctor. She’s now got the ability to download digital data from any device in range, straight to her brain. This, obviously, seems like an ability everyone would want to use (for good and evil). Now caught between the bad guys and the good guys, Gabby is forced to choose wisely. Of course, there’s the added bonus in the form of Sean, a “gifted” individual who can control the shadows around him. He’s also super-hot and completely obsessed with her. Their chemistry was amazing from the first chapter, and we even get a nice little HEA out of it.
I wish there was even more of this world that I could devour, because this short read just wasn’t enough. If you’re looking for something quick and yummy, this is definitely worth a read. I’d especially recommend it if you’ve never read this author before. It’s a good intro to the great writing style and storytelling you can expect from the rest of her books.
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Review: Fractured Moon
Fractured Moon by E.R. Pierce
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
As a start to a new series, this book certainly delivered. I eagerly tore through chapters to see where all of these new and interesting (and mysterious) characters ended up. The story was rich with sizzling chemistry, family dynamics, shifter drama, jealousy, and some dark twists and turns. There’s some resolution, but it also left me wanting more, which means this series will immediately be added to my “to-read” list.
Aurelia is a broken shifter. She’s never been able to shift “all the way” which has left her with fragile self-esteem and some paranoia about men who want her (assuming they just want to sleep with “the freak”). A chance meeting between her and a sexy alpha ends up pulling her into some unwanted shifter drama a year after the fact, thus setting off a series of events that does not end too well for poor Aurelia. Luckily, her sexy alpha, Ceithin, might be something more than a simple admirer. Throw in a stalker, some betrayal, some truly scorching sexy times, and you’ve got the general idea of how this book sucked me in.
This book does veer a little dark at times, but the events are relatively glossed over and made up for in the huge amount of love found in there. Whether it is romantic love, friendship love, or fated mates type love, there is plenty to go around. The characters and dialogue had me smiling most of the time. Their entertaining and comfortable banter left you with a good feeling about where this series will go. I can’t wait to see more in this world and hope that Aurelia gets some more goodness to balance the badness she had to endure to get there.
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Tuesday, June 17, 2014
Review: Just Desserts
Just Desserts by Tawdra Kandle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
If you’re looking for a fun, romantic read that sizzles off the page, look no further! This follow-up to the wonderfully written Best Served Cold is so much more than a companion piece. The story shows Ava’s perspective to the Jules/Liam debacle and just continues to build from there. This author never ceases to amaze me with her ability to turn the “bad guy” into someone I find myself rooting for.
In Best Served Cold, we meet Liam through the eyes of Jules. He broke up with her in the worst possible way, which resulted in her and her roommate, Ava, hatching a plan to get the ultimate revenge. During the execution of this plan, Ava ends up becoming the focus of Liam and this story just grows from there. So, you’re probably in the same boat I was in if you’ve already met Liam – how on earth could I possible want Ava and Liam to be the focus of a romance book? He really messed with Jules and we hate him, right? Well, somehow, a little bit at a time, Liam starts to grow from the one dimensional “bad guy” into a really misunderstood character. I don’t know how it happens, or when it happens, but suddenly I found myself yelling at Ava for being so suspicious or hesitant. Amazing, but totally true. This author works some magic in the pages of this book that I can’t even begin to comprehend.
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention the sizzling chemistry in this book. Liam and Ava light up the pages, even when she’s fighting her attraction to him with all she’s got. There’s a good balance between sexy times and romance that will keep readers of all types addicted. The amount of heart and “real life” in these stories hooked me from the first page. These books are really fun, quick, and surprising reads that have converted an exclusively paranormal romance reader into one that can take a chance on romance with absolutely no paranormal elements in it. Take a chance on this series and you won’t be disappointed!
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Monday, June 16, 2014
Review: Hunger for You
Hunger for You by A.C. Arthur
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book can definitely be read as a standalone or (as I did) without having caught up on the previous books in the series. It was a quick, fated mates, sexy read that veers a little darker than your typical paranormal romance.
Caleb is a half breed shifter with a broken past who has always been a loner. After moving into town, he finds himself drawn to a waitress, Zoe. Zoe is a bit broken herself. She was raised in an abusive home and somehow finds she has trapped herself in an abusive relationship with Dex. After fighting the “rescue” that Caleb tries to offer, she still manages to get herself wrapped up in rogue shifter battles.
There is sizzle and chemistry as to be expected in a fated mates type of paranormal read. The fact that the two of them come from abusive pasts seems to only make their connection that much stronger. This series has shown itself to be a guaranteed quick and sexy read with a slightly different spin on shifters.
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Review: Stormfront
Stormfront by K.R. Conway
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow – these books are such a treat to read! It’s really refreshing to dive into a book that has a great blend of romance, sizzle, action, and intrigue. I can’t recommend these books (and this author) enough. Even if you’re not a fan of paranormal romance, there’s enough mystery and plot to entertain a wide audience.
To start, you should read these books in order. This installment begins where the previous one left off with minimal recap. Eila, Raef, MJ, Ana, and Kian are still on a mission to unlock the secrets of Elizabeth’s past all while trying to hold on to their present. The characters in this book continue to be my favorite part. They are so relatable, entertaining, and “real” that you’re instantly drawn in and find yourself desperate to know what happens next to this crew. Yes, there is YA drama and romance, but it was done in such a way that it would appeal to any age reader out there. There are silly scenes where Eila and Ana just get to be teens and then there are the tougher, more grown-up situations where they are forced to make tough decisions.
The overall plot revolved around Eila’s quest to become more self-sufficient with her powers. This quest hinged on the need to unlock the diary that they all hope contains the answers they’re looking for. Of course, nothing ever goes as planned so there are a lot of detours along the way. We see the growth of Eila and Raef’s relationship, Raef and Kian struggling to balance what they are with what they’d like to be, and the further development of Kian and Ana’s relationship. MJ shouldn’t be forgotten either, since he’s the source of a lot of entertainment (and protection) along the way.
From the beginning of the book to the end, I was in love with this book. There were no slow parts or lulls in the action, romance, or mystery. At every turn, this book kept me glued to the page and 100% addicted. The writing style was easy and engaging, which made it easy to tear through the book at warp speed. If you’re looking for a wonderfully creative and unique read, look no further than the Undertow series.
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Review: Angel of Syn
Angel of Syn by Mertianna Georgia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book picked up right after the first one left off. Cara is still as danger prone as before (maybe even more so) and all the men she has gotten involved with are just as yummy.
The main difference between the first and second is a definite focus on the action and turmoil. There is some near-rape scenes that didn't sit right with me, but the character development is really starting to get interesting.
I can't wait to see where Cara, Roman, Azreal, and Tom end up in the next book! Will we see some wolfiness? Will even more madness ensue?
Maybe everyone can just go on vacation together and I will get to stop worrying about all the danger these characters are perpetually in? The action is seriously non-stop!
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Review: Syn in the City
Syn in the City by Mertianna Georgia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Wow! I don't know why more people haven't read this book series (and why *I* hadn't read this book series) before now!
Imagine, if you will, all the yummy smutty goodness from the Anita Blake series, coupled with a magic filled Rachel Morgan-esque "after the turn" world and that's where you end up in Cara's world. She's a spunky clutz who is also a really strong female character. I loved her point of view and I especially loved the author's way of answering all my questions/complaints before I even had time to think of them.
I started the book this morning and finished it this evening, so that should tell you something about how addictive I found the storyline. First I love Roman, then I hate Roman, then I love Tom, then I hate Tom, then I love Paul, then I hate Paul -- I felt like I was being pulled in a million different directions, all the while trying to solve the "mystery" of the book.
Really -- why did it take so long for me to read this book?? I can't wait to read the next one!
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Thursday, June 12, 2014
Review: The Fire Within
The Fire Within by Dana Marie Bell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
These books are adorable, romantic, smutty, and awesome! There are half-angels, demon-like angels, family drama, work drama, relationship drama, and lots of murder-mystery goodness! This installment in the series was a lot of fun to read, and it probably isn’t even necessary to have read book 1 first.
Dante is a detective angel with a wild temper who cannot seem to get away from the stubborn PI, Beth, who has been haunting him since Abby and Seth’s ordeal. These two very strong willed individuals really crashed into one another in the best possible way. Their romantic relationship was filled with fun and sexy times. The story has its usual intrigue in the form of a murder/blackmail plot that pulls in all the different portions of Beth’s new life.
If you’re looking for a really fun new series, and you’re not averse to some sizzling paranormal romance, you should check this set of books out. It’s not too dark, not too gory, but fills all my paranormal romance requirements, with a nice action filled story as a bonus. There is a bit of a pattern that indicates we will be seeing the rest of the angels pair up with their mates in the near future, and I’m super excited to see these quirky characters have to deal with these drastic changes. I’m rooting for every single one of the character
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Review: Marked By The Vampire
Marked By The Vampire by Cynthia Eden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I can always count on Cynthia Eden for a quick fun read with tons of paranormal sizzle and an addictive story. This book was no exception and even introduced me to a new world in the Purgatory series. I didn’t read the first book in this series, but I don’t think it hurt my enjoyment of this book at all.
Olivia is a woman who has interviewed all of the most deadly serial killers out there (a la Silence of the Lambs). She begs her way into Purgatory, the world’s only prison for paranormals, through her connections with an important political figure. Shane is a centuries old vampire who has volunteered to go into Purgatory undercover to pay back a blood debt. Neither of them expected the instant attraction and addiction to one another that blossomed the moment their eyes met. Of course, nothing goes right for them during their time in Purgatory, but it only draws them closer together.
This is a mix of a fated mate tale and a tale of paranormals discovering their true potential. The balance between smut, story, and action was really great and kept the pace moving quickly. I loved Shane and Olivia’s romance, which wonderfully lacked the typical dynamic in paranormal romance nowadays. This was a great, quick read that convinced me to add the rest of this series to my “to-read” list as it comes out. If you’ve never read a Cynthia Eden book, you should really give this one a try!
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Wednesday, June 11, 2014
Review: Dream Dark
Dream Dark by Kami Garcia
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a super short story set in the space between Book 2 and Book 3 of the Caster Chronicles. If you’re a fan of Link (like I am), you’ll enjoy this little look at his transformation into the Linkubus.
Link is, as usual, adorable, fun, and one of the most awesome characters in this universe. We get to see him adapting to his new life and trying to figure out his role in this crazy world. There really isn’t a whole lot to say about the story (really, it was very short), but I still enjoyed the lightness of it since I’m still recovering from Book 2. I can’t say if the events in here will tie into the story for Book 3, but I assume we’re building to some big showdown of epic proportions that will require the talents of one Linkubus and his lady.
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Review: Beautiful Darkness
Beautiful Darkness by Kami Garcia
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I read this book as part of a book club; otherwise I might not have been driven to finish this book in a timely manner. I’m a little conflicted in my review and feelings about the series in general. The first part of the book was pretty slow going, but at 64%, the story really picks up and becomes the book I was hoping it would be. It became an action packed romantic mystery that gave us answers and awesome plot twists.
As I said, the first part of the book was pretty slow. There was a lot of misunderstanding, teenage angst, jealousy, and general drama. We also got schooled in a whole bunch of caster and town history. This really did not lend itself to my usual style of plowing through a book in 1 or 2 days. After all of the imagined love triangle (or rectangle?) drama and associated issues, the book finally begins to hit its stride. We get plot twists and the Lena/Ethan romance that book 1 made me believe was possible. I’m a sucker for a good YA romance and Lena and Ethan really have me rooting for them (at the end). I’m hoping this was the only obligatory love triangle book in the series and we can actually focus on the larger issues at hand, like changes in the stars, light/dark caster order, etc.
It really says something that Lucille and Link were my favorite characters in this installment. Overall, this author has a way of tricking me into reading the next one by making the last half of each book really great. I want to know what happens next for the characters that turned things around at the end. I want more town and caster history, but interspersed with the action and romance that is usually reserved for the last half. I can only hope that as the series moves along it gets more and more balanced.
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Tuesday, June 10, 2014
Review: Stone Song
Stone Song by D.L. McDermott
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This series is rapidly becoming my new favorite set of books. They create such an interesting and different world that has a story that has sucked me in completely. This installment with Elada and Sorcha is my favorite thus far, but I still think you should start with book 1 to get the full effect.
Sorcha is a woman with unique talent who was raised in a world where the Fae exist and should be feared. She knows she was gifted with the ability to fight them, but chooses to avoid them at all costs. Elada is a warrior who is a bit adrift after the end of his romantic relationship and the changes in his platonic one. They are forced to work together to unite against a common enemy, the Prince. This story dives right into the action and sex and is just filled to the brim with paranormal romance.
Elada was a bit of a mystery through the previous books and that made me want to read this one even more. He’s an unstoppable warrior, loyal beyond measure, and I couldn’t wait to see how he’d try to win the heart of the very stubborn druid. They were great to watch and their romance is definitely my favorite of the series. As usual, the female characters are tough and fun to watch grow into their powers. This pairing isn’t anything like Beth and Conn, or Helene and Miach, and I found that a bit refreshing. Out of all three couples, this one seemed the most “normal,” if such a thing can be said for these fae romances.
If you’re looking for a set of books that will hook you from the first, you really should check out this series. They involve a mythos that most paranormal romance readers are familiar with, but there’s so much more to these books than others out there. The stories are wonderfully written and certainly don’t follow any sort of formula (like most PNR out there). Each book is unique but is definitely building to something bigger. I can’t say enough good things about these books!
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Monday, June 9, 2014
Review: The Changeling Soldier
The Changeling Soldier by Shona Husk
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This story is a quick read that accompanies the Court of Annwyn series. I highly recommend reading these in order so you get the proper introduction to this truly unique world. We join the events happening outside of Annwyn after a lot has happened to upset the delicate balance between the worlds. Ella and Isaac’s story is a nice addition to this rapidly building storyline.
Isaac is a soldier who has always been a little different. He can see thing she shouldn’t and he can also predict unchangeable events in the future. Unfortunately, he has been slightly too open about these “gifts” with his sister and sets off a chain of events that will ultimately lead him towards his recurring dream/nightmare world. Throughout the years he has been haunted by a dream of otherworldly war. Ella has been “vacationing” in the human world for much too long and now senses that the change in reign is coming. To survive, she has to head back to Annwyn, but she doesn’t want to go. Through an unlucky/lucky chance meeting, she and Isaac end up drawn to one other.
This story lacked the usual sizzle level I’ve come to expect from these books, but it was an excellent glimpse into the world of the changeling and fairy in the moments leading up to the change in reign. We don’t yet get to learn what happens in the war, but I assume that’s where the next full book will lead us. These two new characters were a great addition to the growing Annwyn world and I look forward to more books in the series.
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Review: Forbidden
Forbidden by Lori Adams
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book gave angels and paranormal romance a little bit of a new twist. There was your typical good versus evil, some YA smoldering romance, and a good paranormal mystery setup.
Sophia lost her mother a few years ago and since then her father has been toting them from place to place. His pastor profession lends itself to the moves, but Sophia senses that something more must be wrong with their situation. She’s forced to be the new girl in yet another school, but there are definitely strange happenings in this town. Haven Hurst is inhabited by a family that always seems to be on the scene of accidents and other near death experiences and Sophia is determined to get to the bottom of it. It also doesn’t hurt that Michael, one of these “guardians” and her have some sort of connection that leads her to see him when she shouldn’t be able to.
Michael is an angel who is tasked with protecting humans. They’re supposed to be immune to feelings like desire and jealousy, but ever since meeting Sophia, he feels both in a way he never imagined. Their YA romance is filled with obstacles, but it wasn’t the type that makes me aggravated and anxious. Instead, I was actually rooting for these two to overcome the odds and end up together. This book is clearly the setup for a series and it completely has me hooked. We get answers, but not enough! I want to know all the secrets that lurk behind the mythos we’ve just been introduced to. I’ll be adding the rest of these books to my “to-read” list ASAP!
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Terry Spear Blitz
Summary
An agent and a jaguar-shifter chase trouble, and each other, through the jungles of Belize
Agent Tammy Anderson has a reputation: she prefers to work alone. So when she's paired up on a mission with jaguar-shifter David Patterson-who's only recently been released from jail-to say she's less than thrilled is a understatement. Until she realizes that this sexy agent has what it takes...
Soon, what started as an "easy" mission to locate a missing jaguar takes the pair to Belize, where they're chasing down two renegade teen shifters who know more than they're telling. As the action heats up, can they keep their minds on the job and off each other?
Excerpt
“Good night.” David closed his eyes, but he couldn’t stop taking in deep breaths of her jasmine soap and she-cat scent mixed into one delightful fragrance. He couldn’t ignore the beat of her heart - or his - that told him he was way too turned on, and that she was feeling the same way. He couldn’t help feeling the heat of her body and wanting to ratchet it up a few degrees, starting with a kiss.
A kiss. Hell, he’d never gone to bed with a woman when it meant total hands off. But lips...they didn’t count, did they?
She’d closed her eyes, but she wasn’t sleeping. She hadn’t pulled away from him, giving him her back. That meant something. Didn’t it?
He could ask. And she could say no.
He could kiss her, and when she got ready to slap him, he’d tell her it was a good-night kiss. And it would be. Unless she wanted more.
He could get lucky and she’d kiss him back.
Somehow it didn’t seem right to go to bed with a woman and not at least kiss her good night.
She opened her eyes to see him looking down at her - well, he was judging her lips, but when they curved up a bit, he lifted his gaze to meet her eyes and saw she was watching him.
“What?” she asked.
He couldn’t say it. David Patterson, who had no trouble interesting women in kisses and so much more, couldn’t say it.
“Don’t...tell...me. You want a good-night kiss,” she said, but he wasn’t certain whether she was offering or...not.
Not about to lose the opportunity, he placed his hand under her chin, lifted her face, and waited only the briefest period for her to pull away if she wasn’t in the mood for this. When she didn’t, he leaned down and kissed her mouth.
Buy Links
Author Bio
USA Today bestselling author Terry Spear has written over two dozen paranormal romance novels and medieval Highland historical romances. In 2008 HEART OF THE WOLF was named a Publishers Weekly Best Book of the Year. A retired officer of the U.S. Army Reserves, Terry also creates award-winning teddy bears that have found homes all over the world. She lives in Crawford, Texas.
Social Networking Links
Twitter: https://twitter.com/TerrySpear
Review: Jaguar Hunt
Jaguar Hunt by Terry Spear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Having not read any other books from this series, I still think this book was completely fine as a standalone. The chemistry was off the charts and the banter made for a really fun read. This shifter book was like a crime mystery and paranormal romance all rolled into one.
Tammy is a self-sufficient woman who has been solving crimes and protecting the innocent on her own for a while. Each time she’s paired up with a partner, she ditches them. David is a man on a mission to recruit two very willful twins to his agency. His mission unexpectedly crosses paths with Tammy’s when it starts to involve the missing zoo cat she is tracking down. Oh, and they’re all jaguar shifters. Throughout the course of the book, it turns out that there are actually multiple mysteries going on and somehow Tammy and David end up being the ones tasked with solving them.
The sexy scenes in this book were a mix of hotness and fade-to-black which kept the book from veering too much into the smut category and staying more firmly in the action/mystery one. David was a really fun character to read and his easy going banter helped to balance out Tammy’s shifter baggage. The two of them make a really great couple and we luckily get a very satisfying HEA by the end of the book.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Having not read any other books from this series, I still think this book was completely fine as a standalone. The chemistry was off the charts and the banter made for a really fun read. This shifter book was like a crime mystery and paranormal romance all rolled into one.
Tammy is a self-sufficient woman who has been solving crimes and protecting the innocent on her own for a while. Each time she’s paired up with a partner, she ditches them. David is a man on a mission to recruit two very willful twins to his agency. His mission unexpectedly crosses paths with Tammy’s when it starts to involve the missing zoo cat she is tracking down. Oh, and they’re all jaguar shifters. Throughout the course of the book, it turns out that there are actually multiple mysteries going on and somehow Tammy and David end up being the ones tasked with solving them.
The sexy scenes in this book were a mix of hotness and fade-to-black which kept the book from veering too much into the smut category and staying more firmly in the action/mystery one. David was a really fun character to read and his easy going banter helped to balance out Tammy’s shifter baggage. The two of them make a really great couple and we luckily get a very satisfying HEA by the end of the book.
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Thursday, June 5, 2014
Review: A Vampire's Promise
A Vampire's Promise by Carla Susan Smith
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is filled with oodles of mystery, sexy romance, and a gigantic cliffhanger. There are not a lot of explanations given in this book, but the hope for answers really pushes you through the story which is honestly unlike anything I’ve read before.
Rowan is a woman who hasn’t really spent much time thinking about men. She works at a bookstore, spends a lot of time reading, hangs out with her best friend, and is still a virgin (it’s important, sort of, I think). Everything changes the night she meets Gabriel. On their first date, she really should’ve realized that something was wrong, but like most women, she was able to overlook the strangeness in exchange for the romance. The romance in this book reads like a reincarnation novel mixed with a vampire romance, which I can honestly say I’ve never read before. While the title includes “vampire” in it, the book really just dangles details surrounding the vampires slightly out of your (and Rowan’s) reach. I’m left with more questions than answers at the end, but I found it a little easier to take because the romance and sizzle was distracting enough. The idea of a “promise” was also really interesting and I would have loved to have learned more about it here, but, alas, we got no firm details.
Rowan and Gabriel’s relationship is like a wild rollercoaster ride. One minute I hate him, the next I love him, and I think Rowan felt the same throughout the book. He’s hiding things, but seems relatively open. There’s so many problems with the way they deal with his secrets that it’s a little infuriating. There is a lot of buildup and I’m really dying for some follow-up (and answers!) – Where is the next book?!?
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Wednesday, June 4, 2014
Review: Love Potions
Love Potions by Michelle M. Pillow
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
This book is the first in hopefully a long series of Warlocks MacGregor stories. Between the romance, action, smutty goodness, and story, we were introduced to some of the funniest and wittiest characters I’ve read in a while. Don’t get me wrong, this is still a paranormal romance, but the humor was a really great surprise.
Erik is a Scottish warlock on the lookout for a new place for his clan to live when he encounters Lydia. Lydia is a bit of a recluse who sells lotions out of her house. A chance encounter turns into more than that thanks to magic, natural chemistry, and probably fate. Turns out, Erik is the new buyer for the property next to Lydia’s. Their romance was adorable but completely messed up from the start. Between spells gone awry, ghosts, prankster relatives, and evil spirits on the loose, it seems that they didn’t get a fair chance to date like normal people.
I can’t just gloss over one of the best parts of this book – the MacGregor clan! The prank filled antics, witty banter, hilarious insults, and fun-filled mayhem was so entertaining that I found myself hooked on this insane clan from the first meeting. I simply cannot wait to get more of each and every one of the characters! Since this book gave us a HEA for Erik and Lydia, I look forward to even more romantic entanglements from the rest of the clan in future installments. If you’re a fan of funny, silly, and romantic paranormal books, this is certainly the book for you.
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Review: A Touch of Midnight
A Touch of Midnight by Lara Adrian
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
For those of you not introduced to the “Midnight Breed” series, this might be a good little teaser to properly suck you in. In this short story, we finally get to see how Savannah and Gideon meet. There’s a lot of backstory for Gideon revealed and, of course, there’s sizzling hot chemistry between the two of them.
Savannah is an overachieving college student who is hiding a secret talent. She has the ability to see the history of an object simply by touch. This secret ability of hers ends up getting her sucked into the world of the Breed after she throws herself into a murder investigation. Gideon is one of the Order who has dedicated his life to hunting down and killing Rogues in an effort to redeem himself. At first, he sees Savannah as someone who has to be taken care of in order to complete a job. Things obviously escalate and he is forced to admit his feelings for her or lose her forever.
These two have always been one of my favorites. I was glad that we got a little look inside the dynamic that is their relationship, even if it was at the very beginning. Reading this short just makes me want to dive back into the series, but I’m hoping new readers will feel the exact same pull.
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Tuesday, June 3, 2014
Review: Angel in my Arms
Angel in my Arms by Dana Marie Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This was a very short story with a Christmas theme. It catches us up on the events of Seth and Abby's life together and even gives a hint at where the next book will take us.
Abby and Seth have been married and Abby is ready to deliver their Nephilim child very soon. We get to take a look at what constitutes a traditional Christmas gathering between friends and half-angels. It was cute, sweet, and the perfect little bite sized treat to read.
This short story was available for free online.
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Review: All For You
All For You by Dana Marie Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars
This book had all of the yummy and fun things I’ve come to expect from Dana Marie Bell and introduced me to the new world of the Nephilim. There’s romance, sexy time, action, and mystery all rolled into a fun, quick read.
Abby is a woman with a bunch of baggage. She’s fighting to regain her life after her ex tried to kill her and, consequently, made her into the timid person she’s become. Seth is a Nephilim and is a half angel warrior tasked with fighting off the evil half angels, the Shem. As their relationship blossoms, they have to find a way to coexist without constantly bashing against one another. They begin a life of cohabitation, at first by circumstance and then by choice after some sigh-worthy romantic scenes and sexy times.
The relationship between the two of them was really the focus of the story. We meet a lot of her other friends (and probably future spinoff characters) along the way, but Abby and Seth are the couple to watch. It was a little hard to watch Seth yell at and drag Abby around after he knew she’d been in an abusive relationship before. Other than that, though, I have no complaints. The writing style was easy. The sexy times were sexy. The action was fast-paced but easy to follow. All in all, this is a series I could easily dive into.
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Monday, June 2, 2014
Review: Jaguar Hunt
Jaguar Hunt by Terry Spear
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Having not read any other books from this series, I still think this book was completely fine as a standalone. The chemistry was off the charts and the banter made for a really fun read. This shifter book was like a crime mystery and paranormal romance all rolled into one.
Tammy is a self-sufficient woman who has been solving crimes and protecting the innocent on her own for a while. Each time she’s paired up with a partner, she ditches them. David is a man on a mission to recruit two very willful twins to his agency. His mission unexpectedly crosses paths with Tammy’s when it starts to involve the missing zoo cat she is tracking down. Oh, and they’re all jaguar shifters. Throughout the course of the book, it turns out that there are actually multiple mysteries going on and somehow Tammy and David end up being the ones tasked with solving them.
The sexy scenes in this book were a mix of hotness and fade-to-black which kept the book from veering too much into the smut category and staying more firmly in the action/mystery one. David was a really fun character to read and his easy going banter helped to balance out Tammy’s shifter baggage. The two of them make a really great couple and we luckily get a very satisfying HEA by the end of the book.
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My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
Having not read any other books from this series, I still think this book was completely fine as a standalone. The chemistry was off the charts and the banter made for a really fun read. This shifter book was like a crime mystery and paranormal romance all rolled into one.
Tammy is a self-sufficient woman who has been solving crimes and protecting the innocent on her own for a while. Each time she’s paired up with a partner, she ditches them. David is a man on a mission to recruit two very willful twins to his agency. His mission unexpectedly crosses paths with Tammy’s when it starts to involve the missing zoo cat she is tracking down. Oh, and they’re all jaguar shifters. Throughout the course of the book, it turns out that there are actually multiple mysteries going on and somehow Tammy and David end up being the ones tasked with solving them.
The sexy scenes in this book were a mix of hotness and fade-to-black which kept the book from veering too much into the smut category and staying more firmly in the action/mystery one. David was a really fun character to read and his easy going banter helped to balance out Tammy’s shifter baggage. The two of them make a really great couple and we luckily get a very satisfying HEA by the end of the book.
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Review: Hunt the Darkness
Hunt the Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I’ve only read one other Guardians of Eternity short story (in Supernatural), but it was enough to make me curious about future books. This one is a combination of action, sizzle, magic, and vampires. It dealt with “fated mates” in a way that I hadn’t seen before, and was more interesting than your typical paranormal romance because of it.
Roke and Sally have become mates because of some magical mayhem on Sally’s part (which I assume happened in a previous book I did not read). Roke, being a vampire, believes all witches are up to no good while Sally, a witch who has been kept prisoner by vampires, believes the same about him. The two are an unlikely pair that is instantly attracted to each other because of this mating business. To try to break the magic that binds them, Sally must discover the truth about her father. Somewhere along the way, though, neither is so certain that breaking the bond is the right thing to do.
The sizzle level is pretty high throughout the book (when they’re not fighting and running) and somehow it convinced me that these two really stubborn people belonged together. There were a lot of twists and turns, some mystery, some bad guy POV (not my favorite), and a satisfying HEA. This series seems like a great one to check out for paranormal romance readers and I’ll have to look into going back to catch up on the storylines in the future.
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