Winter Born by Sherrilyn Kenyon

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

Title: Winter Born
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Series: Dark Hunter #5.5
In: Stroke of Midnight (Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Ashley, L.A. Banks & Lori Handeland)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Dates read: 12th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: The fact that she was warm and welcoming.

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

Two enemy Were-Panthers discover that fate has destined they become lovers. Pandora must learn to trust Dante’s foreign nature. But as she slowly succumbs to the truest passion she has ever known, dark forces have already set out to reclaim her…

Thoughts

I still haven’t cracked the spine of a full-length Sherrilyn Kenyon novel. But, every time that I read one of her novellas, I am absolutely swept away by the world building. This novella did that even more so for my happy little brain. There is something amazing about the amount of information that can be crammed into a novella. The ways in which this story filled an entirely new world (one I’m hoping is part of a series) in just a few short pages. It was intense, engaging and impossible to put down or forget.

I’m obsessing over shapeshifter romances, particularly those which feature feline shapeshifters. The fact that the panther shifters in this novella were also time travelling panthers. And there were two different tribes which had different aspects of their nature asunder… it’s absolutely brilliant.

Most of the shapeshifter stories I read seem to feature a moment of heat in which the characters are sexually, irresistibly bought together. This still followed that same trend. However, the aspect that I loved the most is that after the heat is over. After the couple have found out that they’re destined for each other… they still both take a step back and evaluate whether they really want to be together as a serious couple or not. Whether their human nature wanted to follow their animalistic desires. I loved that extra layer of respect and honesty in their relationship.

 <- Stroke of Midnight ReviewBorn of the Night Review ->

Image source: Amazon

A Christmas Kiss by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for hot for the holidays book cover

Title: A Christmas Kiss
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #13.5
In: Hot for the Holidays (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast and Allyson James)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 12th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Hawke guided her into a large elevator and keyed in his security code.

Synopsis

Jess has been in isolation for the past year… ever since she betrayed the people she loves the most. Yet, it’s Hawke’s unwillingness to visit her that really hurts her the most. As secrets are revealed and truths discovered, will Jess and Hawke finally find a way to be together?

Thoughts

Every time I feel like I might have kind of kicked the whole Breeds infatuation… I find myself a novella or short story that I can obsess over yet again. Now I need to pick up the next novel and get a full fix of this series. There are enough hints of the overarching series storyline in each tale. But it’s the romance and the way that people are willing to give up their crap to find a happily-ever-after.

This novella is lustful, intense and possessively sweet. I’m not necessarily a huge fan of stories of total possession, but somehow that male possessiveness is perfectly balanced out by the presence of the women in their lives. They might be domineering in the bedroom (something that I am a fan of), but they’re so freaking vulnerable in so many ways in the everyday world. It’s what makes something that normally would piss me off so freaking desirable.

I love that the mating between these two is seriously delayed by the fact that Hawke wants to respect Jess. That even though they know they’ll eventually succumb (as do you, the reader), there is a delay in which they wait for each other to become truly enamoured with each other.

<- Coyote’s MateBengal’s Heart ->

Image source: Amazon

The Man Within by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the man within lora leigh

Title: The Man Within
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 15th – 16th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Lora Leigh
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: I wonder how much better the rest of you tastes.

Synopsis

He had protected Roni when she was a child, filled all her teenage fantasies, and when she became a woman, he stole her heart. Only to break it. Now, fifteen months later, the news is out. Taber, the man she loves, is one of the genetically altered Feline Breeds, who have shocked the world with their presence. He’s also her mate. The mark on her neck attests to that. But he didn’t want her then; does he really want her now?

Deceit and treachery, born in the past, now haunt the present as Taber and Roni fight to make sense of their sudden bonding. The mating of heart, body, and soul as the man and the beast within him merge; both battling the forces raging against the union and dominance over the woman he claimed.

Thoughts

I most definitely love the Breeds series, but it is quite a bit more graphic about sex and sexuality than most of the romances that I read. Which is why I tend to read this series just a little bit slower… it can get pretty intense. Which is probably why I shouldn’t have actually read this at the pub when waiting for people… it was a little awkward reading about the many joys of sex when there was a really, really old guy staring at me…

Dayan completely freaked me out in Tempting the Beast. He was so insidious, and that was a feeling you got before all of his betrayals came to light. So to find a book which features some more of the horrible things he did before he was killed… it gave me some incredibly uncomfortable goose bumps. Although it was quite nice when Taber and Roni were able to finally find their way past the horrors of the past and a way towards a new future together. Not just from Dayan’s meddling, but also Roni’s horrifying father…

Even though this story is very, very much about sex and passion, I love that it is also about creating a relationship beyond that instant attraction. Too many media relationships seem to rely on sexual attraction and heat to drive a relationship. Taber and Roni’s relationship was really only something that both considered “real” when they moved beyond that sexual aspect and truly communicated. Taber was much too possessive for my tastes, but when he FINALLY started communicating… I could actually find the attraction.

This is only the second novel in this series, and already the greater storyline is getting seriously intense. There is just something about it that is impossible to put down and makes me want to pick up the next story. After all, there are conspiracies afoot, an evil power hunting the Breeds… and the part that makes me want to get further through the series? Sherra and Kane’s relationship is about to finally, finally, finally explode onto the pages.

<- Tempting the BeastElizabeth’s Wolf ->

Image source: Goodreads

Blue Moon by Lori Handeland

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover blue moon lori handeland

Title: Blue Moon
Author: Lori Handeland
Series: Nightcreature #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 5th – 11th January 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperbacks
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: I could have savored another cola in the Sportsman, which was what I usually did when I ate there.

Synopsis

By the light of a blue moon, danger prowls –
Miniwa, Wisconsin, is under siege, but not by the usual summer tourists. The area’s normally shy wolf population has begun stalking human prey, and their victims have been disappearing…or worse. Something is happening in the woods. Something no one can explain…

and desire is unleashed…
Officer Jessie McQuade has seen plenty in her years on the force – but nothing as intriguing as the gorgeous, naked man she encounters while tracking a rogue wolf. Professor Will Cadotte is a Native American activist. He’s also the only man capable of distracting Jessie from her work. And for a cop, distraction – no matter how pleasurable – can be deadly. It’s against Jessie’s better judgement to accept Will’s help in her investigation, yet she soon finds herself doing exactly that – and more. Will’s dark, penetrating eyes see into a part of Jessie’s soul she never knew existed. It’s exhilarating…and terrifying. Now, as a town’s deepest secrets come to light, no one is safe: not friends, lover, or strangers. And as Jessie follows a trail to the shocking truth, she’ll have to decide who she can trust when the moon is full…

Thoughts

Yeah. This book was brilliant. And fun. I could put it down though, which made me happy, because I have a number of other things that I needed to do. Unlike other books which seem to absorb my whole consciousness (they’re sometimes good), this one was always in my mind. But never all consuming. It let me take my time over the book which I normally wouldn’t be able to do. And, taking that extra time made me feel somehow more connected to Jess and Will.

I read a lot of fantasy books, and especially love stories which feature werewolves. This is the first book in a really, really long time that actually featured werewolves as an evil entity. I loved the change. Especially since there is now going to be an entire, evil werewolf army that is now on the loose. Alright, one evil culprit was killed off. But there are going to be so many more… I also didn’t actually guess who the culprit was going to be… which was a whole other level of surprising.

Most stories that you read which feature a romance has a gorgeous woman, and she’s most likely a virgin or just inexperienced. Thank god, Handeland didn’t go down this route. Actually, she kind of went with the flipside. Instead, they’re both experienced (but not in any insane way in either direction). Yet, the woman is the one who is considered plain and way too normal to attract a gorgeous man, which is what Will is. I love that Will’s looks are also his point of insecurity. One of the things that I often see today is the fact that men won’t “settle” for the plainer women in their lives, thinking that they can “get” a supermodel… it was nice that this expectation was completely flipped.

I don’t have much to do with Native American culture. I don’t have many books which feature it, and it’s something that I want to expand on in my shelves. I do have at least one more book that features such a topic (Stormwalker), but it isn’t something that I often come across. I love that alongside the Native American character and rituals, there was also an incredibly intense history of Nazi experimentation and hunting the evils of the world. I seriously can’t wait to see what the future of this series holds!

 <- Shadow of the MoonRed Moon Rising ->

Image source: Goodreads

Sweet Enchantment by Anya Bast

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for hot for the holidays book cover

Title: Sweet Enchantment
Author: Anya Bast
Series: Dark Magick #0.5
In: Hot for the Holidays (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast and Allyson James)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 11th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “Ready to go back?”

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

This novella provides a first taste of the world in which Anya’s new Dark Magick series is set.

Thoughts

I kind of found Ronan annoying at the beginning of this story. There was just something about him that was a bit too pushy and immature. He refuses the woman he loves, so he can escape and win back the woman he loves. Rather than just marrying her and working on their relationship in a way that would have been much simpler for both. Don’t get me wrong, it made an incredibly fun and impossible to put down novella. But he’s kind of stupid. He did grow on me though, so that was alright.

I loved the comparisons between the Seelie and Unseelie Court. There is still a hint of mystery about the Unseelie Court, but I assume that when I get around to buying the actual novels in this series, I will find out so much more. But I did love that this was the wonderfully traditional outlook on the fae courts. And that those who are normally considered powerful in the mythos (the Courts), were not so powerful. It’s a great start at world building and, since this is the prequel novella, a fantastic introduction to a brand new world.

This is a really cute love story. And I really enjoyed how Bella wanted nothing more than to find her way back to the man she loves, even if that means giving up everything else. But, what made me really hooked to this story was the fact that an amazing fae world was being created. And I want to explore every single aspect of it!

 <- A Little Night Magic ReviewA Christmas Kiss Review ->

Image source: Amazon

One Wilde Weekend by Janelle Denison

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for perfect for the beach book cover

Title: One Wilde Weekend
Author: Janelle Denison
Series: Wilde #2.5
In: Perfect for the Beach (Lori Foster, Janelle Denison, Erin McCarthy, MaryJanice Davidson, Kayla Perrin & Morgan Leigh)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Contemporary romance
Dates read: 11th January 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Kensington
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Curious, and more than a little intrigued to find out what kind of game Alex was playing, she took the elevator to the main floor, then headed into the hotel bar, named the Lobby Lounge.

Synopsis

Alex Wilde is crazy about Dana Reed. Career-driven Dana wants him as a lover, not a husband…until Alex whisks her away for a weekend that will fulfil every forbidden desire.

Thoughts

A secret weekend away with the boyfriend… who has a hidden agenda. It kind of sounds perfect, except for the fact that the woman in this story doesn’t really want to be tied down and has major issues. It made me think of a few people that I know. This idea that love makes you weak. Alright, it kind of does, because you’re putting your trust in another person and that shit is scary. But, honestly, it makes a great tale – learning to trust and what it actually takes to put that much trust in one person.

I love that although this is a love story, it is all about letting go. Letting go of the past and your hang ups and looking forward to a great future. Everyone has hang ups. And, I for one found nothing scarier than letting go of those things that held me back and actually putting my trust in another human being. Trusting someone to love you for everything that you are. It’s something I work on everyday (and I’ve been with my S.O. for almost 9 years). I love that each romance I read is sweet and doesn’t have these hang ups. But it was really nice to read a story that does focus on the multitude of ways in which you can struggle to find that one person and truly trust them.

Trust issues (as you can probably tell) are a major issue for me. I love that this was a cute and easy little novella which was ultimately about a proposal. But it focuses on the whole idea that trust is the most important thing. Trusting someone to actually love you for all your bumps, bruises and scars. It’s something I’m still working on…

<- Some Like it HotBlue Crush ->

Image source: Goodreads

Into the Sky by Joseph Ng

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

Title: Into the Sky
Author: Joseph Ng
In: The Mammoth Book of Dieselpunk (Sean Wallace)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Dieselpunk, Romance
Dates read: 10th January 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2015
5th sentence, 74th page: I stole a glance at Hou.

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

He’s found the woman of his dreams. And he’ll give up everything to have a life with her. One that is away from the past and promises a bright, new future.

Thoughts

This was an interesting Dieselpunk story… it featured the Terracotta warriors and the Great Wall of China. I liked this approach and found the journey quite enjoyable and intriguing. It was a nice spin on a tale of war which seems to be a fairly strong standing in the Dieselpunk series / collection thus far.

I love that this was kind of familiar in that there were some historical realities there. Yet, it was also something entirely new and unique. The weaving together of reality and science fiction is something I kind of love. Although I think I would have enjoyed this more if I could have gotten into the world building a little bit more.

The main thing I liked about this story is that, ultimately, it is all about giving up everything for love. It’s sweet, easy and kind of innocent. Something that I think I would do myself… give up everything for the love of someone.

<- This Evening’s PerformanceThe Double Blind ->

Image source: Running Press

The DUFF by Kody Keplinger

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the duff kody keplinger

Title: The DUFF: Designated Ugly Fat Friend
Author: Kody Keplinger
Series: Hamilton High #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Book to Film, Contemporary, Contemporary romance, Young adult
Dates read: 10th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Poppy
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: I just needed to deal with it myself before I sprang it on her and Jessica.

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

Seventeen-year-old Bianca Piper may not be the prettiest girl in her high school, but she has a loyal group of friends, a biting wit, and a spot-on BS detector. She’s also too smart to fall for the charms of man-slut and slimy school hottie Wesley Rush, who calls Bianca the Duff – the designated ugly fat friend – of her crew.

But things aren’t so great at home and Biance, desperate for a distraction, ends up kissing Wesley. Worse, she likes it. Eager for escape, Bianca throws herself into a closeted enemies-with-benefits relationship with him.

Until it all goes horribly awry. It turns out Wesley isn’t sucha bad listener, and his life is pretty screwed up, too. Suddenly Bianca realizes with absolute horror that she’s falling for the guy she thought she hated more than anyone.

Thoughts

I read this in one sitting. Literally. I thought I’d pick up a book and just enjoy an easy read for an hour or so. But then, I couldn’t put it down. And forgot to eat. And went to bed really late. I have GOT to stop doing that. I also read this while I was watching the movie. Which is also amazing. Actually, I’m not entirely sure which version I loved more. They are really nothing alike. Except for the fact that there’s a Bianca and Wesley… and the use of the term DUFF.

I love that this story is all about accepting oneself. Realising that all of us feel like the “DUFF” in one way or another. And taking that, and making it work for you. After all, everyone has their own insecurities and we should work to build each other up. Like the girls in this novel. Actually, although this is a romance and centres on Wesley and Bianca, it’s the girl relationships that I love the most. Normally, they’re all about bringing each other down. But this is about support, jealousy and all of those wonderful things that a real friendship entails. Believe me, I’ve been best friends with the same girl since I was like, two… we get jealous when the other spends more time with other people, we get annoyed at each other, but at the end of the day, we love each other and support each other no matter what. That’s the friendships that Bianca has with Jess and Casey in this novel.

This is kind of a coming of age story, but it’s a lot more adult. I’m not sure if I’m kind of old, but the idea of having sex at fourteen seems a bit intense. And the fact that this whole relationship starts in sex… when they’re in high school. I don’t know, I’m used to that plot line in my adult romances, not in a young adult one. It still works brilliantly, but it does make me question a few things about society today. And make me fear having children… what will it be like when they get to their teenage years?

Bianca doesn’t have good coping mechanisms in this story. Which is pretty much what this entire story is about. My coping mechanisms are just as bad, maybe not quite as destructive…but withdrawing into myself and refusing to communicate with others? Yeah… I understand that a little too well. Keeping things to yourself is often not the best way to go, and I hope that someone reads this and realises that they need to readjust their coping mechanisms. I know I definitely considered it.

 <- Lying Out Loud ReviewShut Out Review ->

Image source: Fantastic fiction

Ashes on Her Lips by Edward Bryant

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for sirens and other daemon lovers book cover

Title: Ashes on Her Lips
Author: Edward Bryant
In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Death, Romance
Dates read: 10th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: EOS
Year: 1998
5th sentence, 74th page: It always did.

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

Synopsis

She lost the love of her life. But there’s a way to keep him with her… if she wants to do it.

Thoughts

I can’t imagine what I’d do if I lost the love of my life. Doing this though seems… well, uncomfortably wrong. Like seriously, uncomfortably wrong. But also impossible to stop reading. Kind of like a really horrific accident, you don’t want to see it, but you just can’t stop watching, or in this case, thinking about this.

This story really focuses on the dark side of the tragedy of loss. And gives a dark, twisted way to deal with it. Which is to use the ashes of a dead man… but I won’t explain how, because you just need to read the short story to discover this all for yourself. And be disturbed by the fact.

There is something both creepy and sweet about this story. I’m not entirely sure why I felt that this was so romantic. Normally tales like this would just completely freak me out. But we won’t think on this too deeply. Definitely worth a read this story.

<- WolfedMirrors ->

Image source: Goodreads

Knight of My Dreams by Lynsay Sands

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for book cover knight of my dreams lynsay sands

Title: Knight of My Dreams
Author: Lynsay Sands
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Regency romance
Dates read: 9th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: Are you chilled?

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

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Lynsay Sands comes a classic short story of a knight in need of a bride…

Lady Alice knows she is not the type to entice a man. She’s too voluptuous, too intelligent, too strong minded. Why, she even reads! But then Jonathan, Earl of Fairley, arrives at court. Tall, dark and handsome, the knight is any woman’s dream. And he has just been ordered by the king to find a bride… and Alice is to help him!

Jonathan has been evading his mother’s matchmaking schemes for years, so why does she insist that Lady Alice isn’t for him? Alice is only to aid in his search for a bride, yet Jonathan can’t help but be distracted by her glorious hair – the color of a sunset – and a figure that is like a lush berry about to burst to full ripeness… Has Jonathan fallen prey to love?

Thoughts

This is a fantastic novella. It is a quick, easy read. It’s fun, cute and actually incredibly romantic. Plus, there is this insanely meddlesome mother who I am completely in love with. Meddlesome mothers who just have their sons’ best interests at heart? That’s just perfect. Especially when you discover her machinations at the very ending of the story and realise that every moment in this novella has been carefully orchestrated.

Finishing this novella had me quite merrily giggling away. There was a great sense of humour throughout this story. I love that it’s a tale which takes you to another place, but with the same battles we face today. Namely, men who are stubborn and silly and refuse to take control of their lives. I have a man like this in my life, and there are certain things which I approach in a really, really roundabout way. Just to make sure that the outcome is the what I desire… I probably relate a little too much to the mother in this story…

There is nothing really revolutionary that I can say about this novella. It was just a great, easy read that I didn’t want to put down. I was kind of sad that it ended so quickly… but I do have another Lynsay Sands standalone novel in my pile to read this month… I look forward to another story that is simple, light and fun.

 <- The Key ReviewA Lady in Disguise Review ->

Image source: Amazon