All posts by skyebjenner

Bondage, Beauty and the Beast by Angela Knight

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for wicked games angela knight book cover

Title: Bondage, Beauty and the Beast
Author: Angela Knight
In: Wicked Games (Angela Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Bondage, Erotica,  Paranormal romance
Dates read: 9th February 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: I subsided sullenly, Jack’s finger buried to the knuckle in my bottom.

Synopsis

In Bondage, Beauty and the Beast, lovely Brianne is sold as a bondslvae to Lord Ardolf Greycastle. Ardolf needs Brianne to break the spell that turned him into a beast, but to do that he must win her love even as he dominates her without mercy.

Thoughts

I’m fairly tame with my sexuality and sex life. So sometimes reading things that are quite imaginary and intense floors me. But, there’s not many that are that intense. I also have a wonderful imagination. This pushed my buttons. Multiple times I thought I’d probably need to put down the story. Mostly because I’m not really comfortable with BDSM I think. I was also fascinated. It was a very, very weird feeling.

Actually, the intensity of the bondage and DomSub in this story was so intense that I physically squirmed while reading it. But I kept plugging along. And, once I got past a certain point… it was actually really, really good. Getting over the graphic erotic descriptions, the storyline is somewhat amazing and an interesting take on a classic.

This is literally Beauty and the Beast. DomSub style… BDSM to the max. It’s destroyed one of my favourite children’s classics a little bit. But also made it so much more fun!

<- Wicked GamesA Question of Pleasure ->

Image source: Amazon

Black Sunday by Kim Lakin-Smith

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dieselpunk book cover

Title: Black Sunday
Author: Kim Lakin-Smith
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk
Dates read: 7th February 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: This is about one of ’em Negresses and her pantry of potions in Jos Splitz’s workshop!

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

They just want to make a living for themselves. But it’s Black Sunday, and everything is about to go very, very wrong.

Thoughts

This is a really tragic short story. It is worrying and sad. And all about how peoples’ jealous and corruption can twist and corrupt something good. How jealousy can become a horrible curse which brings down a family of good people. Although I do enjoy how the ending makes those people who caused the harm actually feel guilty at the end of it all.

This did feel a little like a love story, a romance in which two people in the middle of nowhere found each other. It didn’t quite read like that though. There are a few moments where it was good. But mostly, it was just really sad and tragic. No happily ever after for this couple…

The mining theme and machinery in this story created a perfect backdrop for the tale. There is something so beautifully intriguing and rustic about it. Something that I didn’t want to stop picturing in my mind’s eye as the story unfolded. It was just beautiful.

<- The Double BlindWe Never Sleep ->

Image source: Running Press

Hot Blooded by Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly & Angela Knight

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for hot blooded angela knight book cover

Title: Hot Blooded
Author: Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly & Angela Knight
In: Hot Blooded (Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly & Angela Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Erotica,  Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 17th January – 6th February 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: A shadowy figure exploded out of the ground, erupting directly in front of Riordan, fist slamming into his chest and driving deep.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

“Dark Hunger” by New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan

In a dark jungle, a beautiful activist liberates animals from a secret laboratory—and stumbles across an unexpected prisoner. She releases the Carpathian from his bonds—only to unleash his voracious appetite on herself…

“Awaiting Moonrise” by New York Times bestselling author Maggie Shayne

A Science professor enters the steamy bayou to find a new species of animal, convinced that its presence is behind the stories of lycanthropy in the region, but finds herself tempted by a legendary creature straight out of her most sensual nightmare…

“The Night Owl” by Emma Holly

Little ever seems to stir in the sleepy woods of a small Vermont town, until a new owner takes over the exclusive local inn. He is centuries old and has traveled far and wide to find his queen—and now nothing will stop him from claiming her…

“Seduction’s Gift” by Angela Knight

All’s fair in the war between desire and resistance when a lady cop pulls over a speeder—and finds an immortal lover who is determined to seduce her into accepting her own passionate destiny…

When the sun goes down, each woman will discover the man she desires—within the beast that drives her wild…

Thoughts

This is a fantastic paranormal romance, erotica collection. It’s wonderfully lustful and desirable. The women are all strong-willed and strong-minded, which I always love. And, ultimately the worlds that were introduced were intense, powerful and impossible to forget.

Luckily, I already know and love all of the authors in this collection. Reading this doesn’t clog up the rest of my wish list, but it does make me grateful that these women help to fill my shelves. These stories are filled with some intriguing paranormal creatures and incredibly passionate nights. Which were great late at night when I was curled up feeling a little lonely myself.

The very intense and lustful nature of these stories honestly makes me just want to pick up all of the novels that I have on my shelves. There is something intriguing about these authors and the worlds they create that are kind of impossible to keep out of your head. Which is kind of why I love them so much…

 <- Seduction’s Gift ReviewDark Hunger Review ->

Image source: Amazon

Poison Dance by Livia Blackburne

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for poison dance book cover

Title: Poison Dance
Author: Livia Blackburne
Series: Midnight Thief #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Medieval fantasy, Paranormal fantasy
Dates read: 7th February 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Livia Blackburne
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: I was curious about how this compares to YA heroines, so I grabbed a pile of books off my shelf.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

James is skilled, efficient, and deadly, a hired blade navigating the shifting alliances of a deteriorating Assassin’s Guild.

Then he meets Thalia, an alluring but troubled dancing girl who offers him a way out – if he’ll help her kill a powerful nobleman.

With the Guild falling apart, it just might be worth the risk. but when you live, breathe, and love in a world that’s forever flirting with death, the slightest misstep can be poison.

Thoughts

This is a great, quick little read that gives you a little more insight into James and his relationship with Thalia. It’s mentioned a few times throughout Midnight Thief, so it’s great to understand it a little more. It also provided a little more insight into James’ character, and the rise of the assassins guild. Something that might come in handy when I get around to reading Daughter of Dusk.

James is actually kind of nice in this story. Which makes me question how he’s going to develop in the rest of the series. I had him pegged as a bad guy, but now I’m really not quite sure. He could actually be far more evil than I had anticipated if he did come from good, or, there’s some hidden layer I just haven’t quite figured out yet… either way, I’m intrigued.

In spite of it all, I still hope Kyra kicks his butt in the future. Even if James’ journey in this was a really interesting one. Even if I understand the character more than I really needed to. I love getting insight into a villain’s perspective, but I also still need to dislike this man…

 <- Daughter of Dusk ReviewMidnight Thief Review ->

Image source: Amazon

Make It Last Forever by L.A. Banks

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover stroke of midnight

Title: Make It Last Forever
Author: L.A. Banks
Series: Vampire Huntress #3.5
In: Stroke of Midnight (Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Ashley, L.A. Banks & Lori Handeland)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 7th February 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: If she wants the steak still mooing when you put the plate down, give it to her, so please take this one back.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

An innocent mistake forces the beautiful Tara onto a mission to save herself from the dark fate that awaits her. Salvation comes in the form of a seductive biker with a heart of gold. But will surrendering to their ripe attraction unleash a danger even she cannot control?

Thoughts

To start with, it concerns me a little that this review was dedicated to the author’s husband. Alright, it’s a romance, and it’s about a forever love. But it also has death in it, and not really the happily ever after that I would want to dedicate to my own partner… not to say that this isn’t a fantastic story!

I do love the idea of soul mates. It’s something that I believe in, deeply. The fact that the soul mate dies within days of meeting… that’s not something I ever want to think about. Or believe in. It’s just WAY too tragic. Especially if the couple has not had the easiest of runs with life. I hate when happily ever after gets snatched away just when it’s within one’s grasp.

Although this is annoyingly tragic, and didn’t have the happy ending I was hoping for, it’s also kind of sweet. There is still a reunion of sorts every year. It’s not much, but it was enough for me to still think of this favourably. Even if I wanted a much, much happier ending!

 <- Born of the Night ReviewRed Moon Rising Review ->

Image source: Amazon

The Bones of the Earth by Ursula K. Le Guin

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of dark magic book cover

Title: The Bones of the Earth
Author: Ursula K. Le Guin
In: The Mammoth Book of Dark Magic (Mike Ashley)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Wizards
Dates read: 6th February 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: I think we’re leaving things out, here, things worth knowing…

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Wizards and their mentors are a great motif in stories, but what happens at the end of the road? When they’re about to take that final step.

Thoughts

This short story is all about wizards and their mentors. The different ways in which mentors can inform their protegee, and how they fall into each others’ lives. I love that in telling about this relationship, it’s a little reflective. But also very much in the presence. There is a great split between the two timelines that enhances the timelessness of the bond between mentor and apprentice. And this flits across generations.

This is an incredibly bittersweet little story. One that makes you sit back and go “huh” at the end. It’s not sad, it’s not happy. It’s just a bit wow at the end. And I really liked that feeling towards to the end of the tale.

The Bones of the Earth is a great, easy read. It’s a little dark, but not terrifyingly so. It’s definitely intriguing. And not the sort of story that I’m likely to forget at any point soon. Especially when I have a Le Guin book sitting on my shelf…

<- No. 252 Rue M. le PrinceThe Closed Window ->

Image source: Hachette Australia

Seduction’s Gift by Angela Knight

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for hot blooded angela knight book cover

Title: Seduction’s Gift
Author: Angela Knight
Series: Mageverse #0.5
In: Hot Blooded (Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly & Angela Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Camelot, Paranormal romance, Vampires, Witches
Dates read: 6th February 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: My granddaughter has brought the High Court’s killer stud to his knees!

Synopsis

All’s fair in the war between desire and resistance when a lady cop pulls over a speeder – and finds an immortal lover who is determined to seduce her into accepting her own passionate destiny…

Thoughts

After reading The Once and Future Lover, I was SERIOUSLY hoping that Lance was going to get his happily ever after. I just felt so sorry for him in every way shape and form. Actions that weren’t his fault completely alienated him from not only his best friend, but also the woman he had a friendship and infatuation with. So I desperately wanted him to find his own version of happily ever after. Which he does in this novella. The fact that the woman is one who tells Arthur to go shove it… well, it made me exceedingly happy.

As much as I enjoy a good, lustful romance. I sometimes get a bit annoyed at how quickly the women succumb to the men’s advances. I probably wouldn’t be any better… but I still get a bit over it. I seriously love that Grace fights Lance’s attractions for quite a while before she ends up succumbing. And she’s determined to not be something less than who and what she is.

There are so many deliciously devious machinations to get the upper hand throughout this story. I love the plotting. I wouldn’t want it in my own life, but all of the machinations throughout had me laughing and not being able to put down the story. The fact that it also intrigued me as to why and who was doing what, manipulating whom… well, I can’t wait to see what Knight can do with a whole novel…

<- The Once and Future LoverMaster of the Night ->

Image source: Amazon

The Once and Future Lover by Angela Knight

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for wicked games angela knight book cover

Title: The Once and Future Lover
Author: Angela Knight
Series: Mageverse #0.25
In: Wicked Games (Angela Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Camelot, Paranormal romance, Vampires, Witches
Dates read: 4th – 6th February 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: “I dressed you,” Nimue told her with a faint smile.

Synopsis

In a revealing prequel that draws together Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere in an explosive triangle, she sets the stage for the Mageverse magic, for the masterful men, and for the beautiful women who live to serve, outwit, and bewitch them.

Thoughts

I’ve never read the stories of Camelot, but I would love to read more. And this was a great, paranormal romance, vampire-esque introduction to the storylines. Alright, it’s not quite Camelot, but it’s a great take on it. Especially the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere. It made it so much less adulterous, and a little more understanding…

At the beginning of this story, there is a little introduction that provides Knight’s reasoning and view points to writing her Mageverse series. She also mentions that Arthur is more of a bastard than she realised. I agree wholeheartedly. There is just something about him that makes me want to reach through the pages and… well, punch him. He does grow on you a little throughout the story, and at the end there is less of a punchy-punch feeling, but it still makes me kind of annoyed. I’m actually looking forward to seeing how his damn attitude changes over the series…

This is a really, really intense story. Not just for the sexuality in it, which, if you’re not really into reading about erotic moments (and that’s putting it lightly) … then you probably don’t want to read this series. Or this novella. It’s also intense just because of the emotions in the storyline. The feelings that Gwen experiences are seriously intense and make you want to comfort her. It’s really impossible to forget about this story or really put it down… ever.

<- Master of MagicSeduction’s Gift ->

Image source: Amazon

Never Been Witched by Annette Blair

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for never been witched annette blair book cover

Title: Never Been Witched
Author: Annette Blair
Series: Triplet Witch Trilogy #3
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Dates read: 29th February 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He let her go and returned to the opposite side of their wall, creaking the springs and mumbling beneath his breath about pink granite angels and walls he didn’t want toppled.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

The Cartwright triplets – Harmony, Destiny, and Storm – are psychic sirens who use their magic for good and their good looks for seduction…

Three’s a charm, but the third Cartwright sister, Destiny, is certainly not lacking. However, she is troubled by her attraction to paranormal debunker Morgan Jarvis. Destiny opts out of a week in his company, hoping that a meditative stay alone at her sister’s lighthouse will shed some light on her contrary feelings and her psychic gifts.

Unbeknownst to Destiny, her sly sister also left keys with the unsuspecting Morgan. Late one night, they literally stumble upon each other – and the lighthouse’s ghostly inhabitants. Destiny and Morgan have nothing in common other than the one bed they need to share and some crazy physical attraction. Raising the dead might be easier than trying to make these two opposites work together, but Destiny has experience – and love – on her side…

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this final story in the Triplet Witch Trilogy. I felt like it could have done with one final chapter though. The final chapter of this reflects on each of the couples in both the Triplet Witch Trilogy and the Accidental Witch Trilogy. But it doesn’t really revisit them. It turns out that I was kind of hoping for this… but, still, it was a great ending to a series.

Unlike the first two men in this trilogy, Morgan has a completely surprising set of issues that he has to face. One of which is his past faith in religion – and more specifically Christianity. It’s the first book I’ve really read which talks about this faith and explores the departure from it. I found it completely refreshing and kind of gorgeous. It was completely fun, and a great way to think about a religion that I honestly don’t have a great past with myself. And, although Morgan has some seriously big issues with his faith, it still doesn’t deal with his religious beliefs in a derogatory or rude manner… it’s just a vessel of storytelling and the bringing out of flaws in some people.

I found the fact that there were no past children in this triplets’ love life kind of refreshing. As much as I love the blended families formed in the first two books, it was kind of nice to go with a very different spin on the storyline. Although, it still had that same great sense of sexuality and intensity as the other five Annette Blair books that I’ve read. That pleasantly toe-curling sense that doesn’t quite make you look guiltily over your shoulder, but also makes you want to reach out for your partner and give them a very passionate embrace.

As always with Blair’s writing, I finished this book quickly and happily. It left me with this feeling of hope about the world that we live in and true love and happily ever afters. Her books are the perfect stories for a dark, lonely weekend. For those days which you just don’t quite know what you’re doing with life. They’re a great comfort book. Like thick fluffy socks next to an open fire. Or curling up with a mug of hot chocolate…

 <- Gone with the Witch ReviewThe Kitchen Witch Review ->

Image source: Amazon

Gone with the Witch by Annette Blair

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover gone with the witch annette blair

Title: Gone with the Witch
Author: Annette Blair
Series: Triplet Witch Trilogy #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Dates read: 6th – 15th February 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “Sounded like a great party.”

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

The Cartwright triplets – harmony, Destiny, and Storm – are psychic sirens who use their magic for good and their looks for seduction…

Shelter…
Beautiful bad girl Storm Cartwright can be charming when she wants to be. So when she hears the sound of a baby crying every time she’s near Aiden McCloud, she turns on the charm. Because she’s sure the weeping means a child is in need – and that the handsome antiques restorer is the key to finding that helpless child…

…In a Storm.
From the start, Aiden is attracted to Storm. Yet this gorgeous goth girl wont’ stop talking baby nonsense. then Storm sets up a seductive trap, kidnapping him in his very own RV! While Storm follows the sound of the cries, something magical starts happening between her and Aiden. But can they keep the magic alive once Storm finally finds what she’s looking for?

Thoughts

Absolutely adore the idea of having triplets which each have a power in the past, present and future. For Storm, her knowledge and power in the present finally come into use in this story. And I loved it. The ability to track down and save children in danger is kind of amazing. And I love that although she’s completely wrapped up in the present, moments of her past are highlighted as she struggles to find her happily ever after.

Although I really adored this story, it did take me a little while to get into it. Unlike Sex and the Psychic Witch, this didn’t really jump off to an insanely quick start. Probably a little bit insane though… considering it starts with Storm kidnapping Aiden and taking him on an adventure that he is completely not expecting. Still, it didn’t sweep me up like the first book of this series. About six chapters in, it suddenly took off and I was swept away.

Both Aiden and Storm have weird little hang ups in this tale. Although I just found Aiden’s weird. I completely got where Storm was coming from with some of her reluctance. Aiden on the other hand, it felt like he just subscribed to the whole idea of commitment-phobe. Without actually having some serious history which led him to that. I may just be being a little judgy though…

I absolutely adored the ending of this story. Not only are Aiden and Storm close to her sisters (I can’t imagine the triplet being separated), but Storm has also found the children she wanted to rescue. Plus, there is this whole team of psychics who choose to give their time to the finding and rescuing of lost children… of all kinds.

 <- Sex and the Psychic Witch ReviewNever Been Witched Review ->

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