Tag Archives: Lover Beware

Magic in the Wind by Christine Feehan

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

Magic in the WindTitle: Magic in the Wind
Author: Christine Feehan
Series: Drake Sisters #1, Sea Haven #1
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: The Coast, Family, Magic, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: He was thick and hard and throbbing with his own need.

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Synopsis

“Sarah’s coming home.” Ever since Damon Wilder sought refuge in Sea Haven, he’s heard the same breathless rumor pass the lips of nearly every local in the sleepy coastal town. Even the wind seems to whisper her name – a reverie so powerfully suggestive that it carries the curious Damon to Sarah’s clifftop home, and seeks to shelter him there.

But Damon has not arrived alone. Two men have tracked him to Sea Haven, and into the shadows of Drake House, where Sarah hides her own secrets. And danger- as well as a desire more urgent than either has ever known- is just a whisper away…

Thoughts

This novella sent the warm, fuzzy feelings from my fingers to my toes. Yes, it had that sexual component in it, but it wasn’t that – it was the familial and romantic love that permeates ever word of this story. The entire thing is sweet, and open and fun. And the fact that the setting is a gorgeous, coastal town just helped me to fall even more deeply in love with this tale… and now I have to wait about two weeks for the next two books to arrive…

Magic in the Wind sets up the rest of the Drake Sisters series perfectly – there is an ancient prophecy that predicts the arrival of the eldest sisters’ love. Then there is a mention about the rest of this little prophecy… which apparently means that the rest of the seven are soon going to find their own partners for life. I love that this is the very beginning of the series, and as I just mentioned, I can’t wait to receive the next few books.

Damon and Sarah are a great couple – they embody the acceptance that I believe true love is all about, but they add that dreamy, romantic quality that you only find in the pages of a really good book. Sarah is the strong and intense woman, with Damon being the analytical, scientific mind. The balance between the two worlds and personalities collide perfectly as they both race to save Damon’s life from his would-be assassins.

 <- Vengeance Road Review The Twilight Before Christmas Review ->
Image source: Little, Brown Book Group

Hot August Moon by Katherine Sutcliffe

Book Review, , ,

Overview

lover-bewareTitle: Hot August Moon
Author: Katherine Sutcliffe
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: “Is there a problem?” She pocketed the shield.

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Synopsis

Among women of the night… An FBI profiler can see into the mind of a French Quarter killer targeting prostitutes – but not into the heart of the detective she must trust with her life…

Thoughts

I have very mixed feelings about this novella. It was incredibly difficult to put down. It was really enthralling. But, after I finished reading it… it wasn’t overly memorable. The really amazing stories that have completely gripped me, I remember them, days, weeks after I have closed the last page. But here I am, trying to write a review about Hot August Moon, and the main thing that I remember was that it was enjoyable.

I enjoy stories that have multiple points of view. It’s not something that I find easy to write (which expands on my fascination with this talent. It also provides a great alternate insight into what is happening, regardless of the other point of view. The fact that Hot August Moon has the point of view of the serial killer. Watching the main character, planning what he could do with her… well, it manages to make this a little bit creepier and more full on.

One of the reasons I find this story a little more difficult to recall is that it felt unfinished. The story built up tension, and then just kind of… finished. No conclusion was reached. There was a huge, gapping hole left in the relationship… it just felt… incomplete.

 <- Magic in the Wind Review After Midnight Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Lover Beware by Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , , , , , ,

Overview

lover-bewareTitle: Lover Beware
Author: Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Short story collections
Pace: Slow
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: He was thick and hard and throbbing with his own need.

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

Synopsis

BE WARNED – four of today’s most popular authors push passion and intrigue to the limit in four thrilling original stories…

In a sleepy coastal town… Early retirement turns deadly for a defense expert – until a beautiful woman steps between him and his assassins…

Among women of the night… An FBI profiler can see into the mind of a French Quarter killer targeting prostitutes – but not into the heart of the detective she must trust with her life…

Between two strangers… Sometimes one glance is all it takes. And sometimes all it takes is one man to tear apart what fate – and desire – have brought together…

Under the light of the moon… Investigating a series of grisly murders, a San Diego detective is caught off guard by the enigmatic man helping her find the killer…

Thoughts

I bought this collection because I thought that it was a prequel to Tempting Danger. It turns out that the Eileen Wilks tale in this collection was just an original version of the much better novel. Although that tale kind of fell flat for me (as I said, the novel was much better), I loved the collection. It introduced me to three new writers I had never before experienced and took me away to a number of entirely new worlds filled with romance and love.

The paranormal spin on the romances in this collection is a little less potent than what I’m used to. Most of the paranormal romance tales that I read have a heavy emphasis on the paranormal, and the romance (and often lust) occurs as a secondary plot line. With Lover Beware, the romance was first and foremost. It was fun and interesting. It made me believe in true love again and also gave me a great, romantic lustful story, or four to think about.

 <- Only Human Review Magic in the Wind Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

After Midnight by Fiona Brand

Book Review, , ,

Overview

lover-bewareTitle: After Midnight
Author: Fiona Brand
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: The rusted hinges of his white picket gate creaked as Tucker pushed it wide.

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

Synopsis

Between two strangers… Sometimes one glance is all it takes. And sometimes all it takes is one man to tear apart what fate – and desire – have brought together…

Thoughts

Sometimes it’s nice to curl up with a good, cliché romance. If it reads a little like a Mills and Boon novel, then it’s also nice. If you don’t have a tiny beagle trying to lick your face in all the good bits like I did… talk about awkward.

They say that opposites attract. And also that sometimes lone glance is all that it takes. For Jane and Michael, both of these clichés ring true. For seven years, they have fought their attraction, and when they might finally be able to act on their feelings… well, crime and mayhem rears it’s ugly head and threatens to destroy everything.

So much of this story was the lust and the windup to the big moment. The crime that weaves its way throughout this sleepy New Zealand town just helps to up the stakes. The storm scene that brings the climax of the tale (in more ways than one) crashes through and highlights not only the stakes, but the passion and excitement that this story brings. My only complaint about this is that it was a little too short, and I would dearly love to visit Jane and Michael again.

 <- Hot August Moon Review Only Human Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Only Human by Eileen Wilks

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

lover-beware

Title: Only Human
Author: Eileen Wilks
Series: World of the Lupi #0.5
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan)
Rating Out of 5:  3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Animagus, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: Take another step.

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

Synopsis

Lily is a Chinese-American detective working with the city of San Diego on a murder that appears to be the work of a werewolf. But, if she wants to find out who the killer is, she’ll have to get inside the clans. She enlists the help of a were named Rule, though she detests his species. Will her prejudices hold up under the heat of passion?

Thoughts

This is not really a prequel to the World of the Lupi series, it’s almost like a first draft of Tempting Danger. I still enjoyed reading it, although, I made sure that I read Tempting Danger first as a few of the twists are given away in Only Human.

There were a few plot holes in this short story – it seemed like one victim wasn’t accounted for and there were a few jumps in time that didn’t quite make sense. But, like I said, this short story feels more like a first draft than a final version of the story.

If you like completely immersing yourself within a series, this is worth reading, if you’re not as obsessive as I tend to be, it’s safe to give this a miss.

<- The New KidTempting Danger ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction