All posts by skyebjenner

The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance edited by Trisha Telep

Book Review, , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance
Author: Trisha Telep, Sherri Erwin, Caitlin R. Kiernan, Jenna Black, Jenna Maclaine, Raven Hart, Delilah Devlin, Keri Arthur, Kimberly Raye, Alexis Morgan, Lilith Saintcrow, C.T. Adams, Cathy Clamp, Susan Sizemore, Dina James, Colleen Gleason, Barbara Emrys, Savannah Russe, Shiloh Walker, Vicki Pettersson, Rebecca York, Rachel Vincent, Amanda Ashley, Karen Chance & Nancy Holder
Series: Mammoth Books
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: I have travelled the world in search of knowledge, studied with every important intellectual from da Vinci to Hawking.

Synopsis

Love is a weapon in the face of evil.

From the biggest names in paranormal romance, here are over 25 tales of a hunger like no other…

Let Karen Chance, Keri Arthur, Lilith Saintcrow, C.T. Adams and Cathy Clamp, Amanda Ashley, Vicki Pettersson and Susan Sizemore and others take you hot-blooded on the trail of the sexiest creatures of the night.

In the world of the Undead there are strange codes of conduct, dark rituals and dating games, as they seduce the locals and engage in the most sensual encounters you’ll sink your teeth into this side of the grave.

These ain’t your mother’s vampires!

Thoughts

I kind of loved this collection. It definitely isn’t one that you can read cover to cover in one sitting – there’s only so many vampire romances that I can happily read before they start to blend into one. But as a slow read that I just picked up every now and again… it was really, really good.

The short stories in this collection ranged from the classical and predictable vampire stories to ones that took a whole new spin on the ideal. Some were just sweet and some just downright disturbing. And although they all follow a similar theme, not one is the same. I now have a very long list of new authors and series that I want to sink my teeth into…

<- Red Letter DayFade to Black ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Princess in the Tower by Elizabeth A. Lynn

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for snow white, blood red book cover

Title: The Princess in the Tower
Author: Elizabeth A. Lynn
In: Snow White, Blood Red (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Fairy tales, Food
Date read: 28th January 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Signet
Year: 1993
5th sentence, 74th page: After the examination, he told Margherita to go outside, where she was instantly encircled by a small crowd of delighted urchins, who speculated aloud about the fatal, wasting disease she had obviously contracted.

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

Margherita can’t seem to put on the weight that characterises the rest of her family. So they decide to put her in a tower to save her from her madness. Luckily for her, a nice young gentleman comes along and loves her… just the way she is.

Thoughts

This is the second Rapunzel story in the Snow White, Blood Red collection. And it is far more light-hearted and entertaining than the first. Where the previous story was a little dark and twisted, this one was fun, happy and had me smiling throughout. It also made me a little hungry with the constant mentions of pasta and food.

This short story really turns the idea of beauty on its head. Instead of being beautiful for her slenderness, Margherita is thought to be sick and mad. It makes those who are large and curvy beautiful, and those who are slender somehow “wrong”. A great way to flip current societal norms on its head. I also love that in the happily-ever-after a gain in weight and a lot of food feature. Again, something that wouldn’t normally involve a happily-ever-after and one that I really loved.

 <- The Root of the Matter ReviewPersimmon Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Next Time by Donna Kauffman

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

Title: Next Time
Author: Donna Kauffman
In: The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Science fiction, Scottish romance, Time travel
Dates read: 17th February 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “I dinnae rightly know,” he said, which should have deflated her hopes entirely.

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

Abby knows that she’s facing a very short life-span, so when she sees a ghost in the Scottish Highlands, she decides to find out more about him. What follows is an adventure that she couldn’t fathom experiencing.

Thoughts

This short story took a very different take on the idea of Scottish Romance. Especially when compared to the other stories in this collection. There was a very sci-fi, time travelling feel to it that focused more on the future and ideas of mortality. Most of the other stories in this collection focus on love and lust. And as a general, trend towards historical romance as their theme. This went the exact opposite direction.

I love a good time travel romance (I’ve probably only ever read two), but I do sometimes find that they can be a little hard to follow. Which meant that having a short story that focused on this idea was kind of perfect. It wasn’t hard to follow since it was a straight forward and cute short story. but it also had enough going on and enough complexity that I didn’t get bored. The perfect balance for someone with my tastes. And someone who is constantly studying and filling her head with other nonsense.

 <- After the Gloaming ReviewKidnapping the Laird Review ->
Image source: Hachette Australia

Prince of Shadows by Rachel Caine

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the prince of shadows rachel caine book cover

Title: Prince of Shadows
Author: Rachel Caine
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Historical fiction, Historical romance, Retellings
Dates read: 29th January – 4th February 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: New American Library
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: I was never as gaudy as Tybalt Capulet, but I could hardly leave the house without showing the wealth of Montague in some small way.

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

Two households, both alike in dignity, in fair Verona, where we lay our scene…

In the houses of Montague and Capulet, there is only one goal: power. The boys are born to fight and die for honor and – if they survive – marry for influence and money, not love. The girls are assets, to be spent wisely.

Their wishes are of no import. Their fates are written on the day they are born.

Benvolio Montague, cousin to Romeo, knows all this. He expects to die for his cousin, for his house, but a spark of rebellion still lives inside him. At night, he is the Prince of Shadows, the greatest theif in Verona – and he risks all as he steals from House Capulet. In doing so, he sets eyes on convent-bound Rosaline, and a terrible curse begins that will claim the lives of many in Verona… and will rewrite all their fates forever.

Thoughts

I need to start this review by admitting that I’ve never actually read Romeo and Juliet before. I have read King Lear, but not yet had the chance to read the tragic romance… so there’s probably a few things in this retelling that somebody who had actually read the original play would have picked up on that I missed. Having said that, I still managed to pick up on many of the important moments in this story, and you know… fall madly in love with it.

It took me a few days to read this story, but only because once I read the prologue I realised that I wouldn’t be putting it down in any rush. So I waited to continue reading this when I had a few hours to spare. And then I basically read it from cover to cover. This was an amazing retelling, and amazing story and absolutely impossible to put down. And I liked that it didn’t rely too heavily on the reader knowing anything but the basics of Romeo and Juliet.

Although this is a beautiful historical romance, it isn’t just about the romantic aspects of the storyline. There are conspiracies and betrayals. Family ties and those of friendship. Everything you need in a fast paced, action packed historical fiction.

I’ve read a few stories by Rachel Caine now, and one of the things that I love about her work is the vividness with which she describes her characters. This amazing talent continues on in Prince of Shadows, but with an added benefit. Her description of the setting. Caine does such an amazing job of not only describing the streets of Verona, but also the political and social world in which the characters find themselves. I almost felt like I was walking alongside Benvolio as he deals with his cousin and best friend.

This is one of those beautiful, impossible to put down, heart wrenching, stunning stories. I couldn’t stop thinking about this story long after I put this story down. It is impossible to forget, and one of those books that I’ll forever remember reading.

 <- More historical fiction reviews More historical romance reviews ->
Image source: Penguin Books Australia

All You Can Eat, All the Time by Claude Lalumiere

Book Review, ,
Overview
Evolve

Title: All You Can Eat, All the Time
Author: Claude Lalumiere
In: Evolve (Nancy Kilpatrick)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Vampires
Dates read: 17th February 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Edge
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Why the hell is he telling me all this?

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

Jenny is a young woman on the prowl. Hunting for something that will just make her feel alive. But what she ends up finding might be a little more than she bargained for…

Thoughts

I can’t say that I thoroughly enjoyed this short story. I liked that it took a new spin on an old classic. I even liked the rough shape of the story. The narrative voice drove me absolutely nuts though. There was a like, in like, every, like sentence…

This was one of those weird, trying to do a remake of vampire lore, but only halfway managing it kind of stories. It was a great premise. And even the execution wasn’t too bad. But it just felt seriously lacking in something. Which means that whilst it was kind of an enjoyable read… it’s also a read that I will be forgetting about quite quickly.

 <- The Morning After ReviewAlia’s Angel Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Sea Fever by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for sea fever virginia kantra book cover

Title: Sea Fever
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Children of the Sea #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves:Celtic, Mermaids, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 2nd – 3rd February 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “Not once the season’s over,” Antonia grumbled.

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

A desire for life… Regina Barone knows something is missing from her life. She spends her days working in her mother’s restaurant on the Maine island of World’s End and her nights caring for her young son. When the island’s only eligible bachelor marries another woman, Regina realizes that the love she yearns for isn’t going to appear by magic. Or is it?

A denial of blood… Dylan Hunter has returned to World’s End for his brother’s wedding, but he is troubled by his human ties. years ago, he chose his life as a selkie – an immortal being of the sea – over the fragile and treacherous emotions of humanity. The same emotions that destroyed his family, and that will strike at his very heart…

A danger to both… Neither Regina nor Dylan can ctonrol their attraction to each other – or foresee its disastrous consequences. But their destiny has been foretold, and their fate will be decided in the stormy tides of water and fire, where only love can save them – and the world…

Thoughts

In Sea Witch, I kind of hated Dylan. He was a bit of a douche. And had major tickets on himself. So I really wasn’t sure whether I would actually like this story or not… after all, the lead was someone who I thought was a bit… eh. And after reading this, I don’t really think all that much more of Dylan. I still think he’s a douche. Although I understand his douchiness a little better I suppose.

Although I wasn’t a huge fan of the male lead, I did love the female lead – Regina. She is tough, independent and has a lot of gumption. And, even though she’s falling for Dylan all throughout, she still maintains her independence and integrity. And, as I read this story, I spend a lot of time thinking about the food that she is cooking. Which makes me incredibly hungry. After all, who can read about food and not want to eat?

Sea Fever really starts to set up the overall series storyline for the Children of the Sea series. Where Sea Witch was a great introduction and a wonderfully easy read, Sea Fever was a little more complex. The idea of the future prophecy heavily intertwines with the lives of the characters. And it meant, that like Sea Fever, I had to immediately pick up Sea Lord to see what was going to happen next…

 <- Sea Witch ReviewSea Lord Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for sea witch virginia kantra book cover

Title: Sea Witch
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Children of the Sea #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Mermaids, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 30th January – 2nd February 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Margred gave herself a moment to admire him, the thoughtful green eyes, the long, strong jaw, the sensitive mouth.

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

From the water… For years, Margred has gone without the touch of another. Now, her need has driven her beyond her own world. For she is a selkie – a legendary being of the sea, able to shape-shift into seductive human form. Finally, she has found the one she wants…

From the land… A burned-out veteran of the big-city streets, Caleb Hunter was only too happy to take the job as police chief on the peaceful Maine island of World’s End. Nothing ever happens in this tiny community surrounded by the sea – until he meets a woman who’s everything he’s ever dreamed of. And more…

To each other… Their passion is undeniable. Irresistible. But when a murderer begins targeting women in World’s End, Caleb must face the terrible possibility that the killings are somehow connected to the mysterious Margred – and that the power of their love may change the fate of humankind…

Thoughts

This is the first story in a long time that I’ve read where the woman is the sexual aggressor. And I really liked the change of pace. Maggie isn’t promiscuous and damaged as most sexually aggressive woman are often portrayed, but she is also completely free. I loved this balance between femininity and sexuality, passive and aggressive. She is such an incredibly sweet and lovable character. One that I was kind of disappointed to leave behind when I closed the last page of the book.

This paranormal romance is a nice balance between modern-day sensibilities and beliefs and ancient folklore. The use of selkies and their archaic mannerisms balances beautifully against the small town life and daily struggles of Maine. This especially comes to light when there are murders of selkies which need to be investigated. Small town cop, Caleb tries to solve a demonic murder, while using the legal system that we are all familiar with. It certainly leads to a number of confusing moments and difficulties that make this romance all the more intriguing and… well, sweet.

Sea Witch is an amazing first novel in the Children of the Sea series. It introduces a great new world set right alongside our own. There are already pasts and futures at stake and the vague mention of a prophecy. All of which make it impossible to not pick up Sea Fever straight away… which I did… after all, it is a Celtic series about Selkies… possibly the best mix of supernatural, romance and fantasy that I’ve read in a while.

 <- Sea Crossing ReviewSea Fever Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Cosplay Cuties Collection – March 2019

Challenges

Duration: 1st March – 31st March
Number of books: 6
Hosted by:My Vampire Book Obsession

description

Collect a Cosplay Cutie each month by completing at least 2 tasks out of a set of 6.
A new set of tasks with a new doll will be posted each month.

The dolls you collect will be in your Vampire Heart thread. Don’t have a thread? You can still do the challenge if you want 🙂

Rules 
One book per task.
No minimum page count.
Complete at least two tasks to get the doll.

description

March 
1. Read a book with vampires. – Dead End Dating by Kimberly Raye
2. Read a book with black on the cover.
3. Read a book that begins with a letter in MARCH. – The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance edited by Trisha Telep
4. Read a book with two people (beings) on the cover. – Masques by Patricia Briggs
5. Read a book that you discovered in the last four months. – Mad Hatters and March Hares edited by Ellen Datlow
6. Read a book with a character you think is delicious. – Weddings From Hell by Maggie Shayne, Jeaniene Frost, Terri Garey & Kathryn Smith

St. Patrick’s Party

Challenges

Duration: 1st March – 31st March
Number of books: 10
Hosted by:My Vampire Book Obsession

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March Monthly Challenge… 



Duration:
Starts: March 1st
Ends: March 31st

How It Works:
Ten books each month is a lot, so there will be 5 different levels. So pick which level you want to do and that’s how many items you will need to check off.

Levels:
Transitional – 2 books
Fledgling – 4 books
Vampire – 6 books
Master – 8 books
Vampire King or Queen – 10 books

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Tasks 

1. Read a book with a title, series name, or author that begins with any letter in MARCH – The Mammoth Book of Scottish Romance edited by Trisha Telep

2. I’m not drunk, you’re drunk: 
Read a book where a character likes to party – Dead End Dating by Kimberly Raye

3. I didn’t see you there occifer *hiccup*:
Read a steamy book with a police officer in it OR read a book in which the love interest likes to use handcuffs.

4. Find a leprechaun and steal his pot of gold:
Read a book that is set around paranormal creatures/people – Masques by Patricia Briggs

5. Go on a treasure hunt
Read a book that is set around a game of any kind

6. Go skipping through a field in search of a 4 leaf clover
Read a book that has been sitting on your TBR list the longest – The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

7. Prepare your corned beef and cabbage
Read a book where food is scarce OR read a book where a character over indulges (on anything) – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis

8. Line up for the Parade!
Read a book where costumes are involved – Mad Hatters and March Hares edited by Ellen Datlow

9. Fight, Fight, Fight!!!!
Read a book where there are some epic brawls 

10. Wear your finest and move festive kilts
Read a book that has green on the cover or spine – The Silver Chair by C.S. Lewis

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Carnival

Challenges

Duration: 1st March – 31st March
Number of books: 6
Hosted by:My Vampire Book Obsession

description
Carnival

Welcome to the to Carnival!!!

Rules
Complete at least 2 tasks to earn the heart
All genres welcome
No minimum page count

description

♠ Read a book with purple or yellow on the cover – The Voyage of the Dawn Treader by C.S. Lewis
♠ Read a book set in Louisiana

description

♠ Read a book with a French character
♠ Read a book with a religious holiday/character in the story – The Diary of a Young Girl by Anne Frank

description

♠ Read a book that mentions food a lot – Through the Tiger’s Eye by Kerrie O’Connor
♠ Read a book you think is a treat – Masques by Patricia Briggs