Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Shadowed Flame by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Shadowed Flame
Author: R.J. Blain
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Humour, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I really like when lead characters in a story are differently abled in some way, shape or form. In the case of Shadowed Flame, Matia is colourblind. I never really thought about how much influence colour actually has on our day to day lives. And what kinds of challenges this can lead to. I honestly hadn’t thought all that much about it, and now I want to read more stories featuring a colourblind lead!

This story was a little bit instalove, but at least they spend the majority of this story actually trying to get to know one another. And, it takes the majority of this story to actually consummate their relationship. It’s fun to learn more about both characters as the story unfolds. It’s obvious from the beginning that Matia is incredibly independent and strong willed, but as the story unfolds, you get a really good taste of this.

I liked the twist of Matia’s dad and family being Fenerick – it was a surprising twist. And one that was really fun. Plus, it also simplified a lot of things when Matia was actually turned. That, and then her grandparents got to be far more aggressive and involved than I had expected. I haven’t read many books set in the Witch & Wolf world, but I think that I need to read more. Particularly as I’m reading them out of order and feeling like I’ve missed a little bit of the world building.

I loved that the dominant female ended up partnered with a submissive wolf. And how, even if he is submissive, he’s still willing to go toe to toe for anyone for his mate. The dynamic is one that I don’t necessarily get to see often in the paranormal romances that I read, which made me thoroughly enjoy this different spin on a romance.

<- Beneath a Blood MoonMore R.J. Blain ->

Image source: Amazon

I Dream of Grizzly by Keira Blackwood & Eva Knight

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: I Dream of Grizzly
Author: Keira Blackwood & Eva Knight
Series: The Protectors: Quick Bites #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2019

Thoughts

I absolutely adored the idea of a Dream Witch. It was a little bit unique and a whole lot of fun. Plus, the ways in which Valerie tests to see if she’s actually in a dream are good fun. I mean, she counts figures and runs through a whole bunch of steps before getting around to just pinching herself. That, and the idea of Dream witches opens up a whole new paranormal world for my enjoyment.

I figured fairly early on in this that the villain in this was going to be a bit creepy. And that he had some kind of ties to Valerie’s daily life. But, the reality was a little bit scarier and more uncomfortable than I’d anticipated. That, and he was a whole lot more involved in her past tragedies than I had anticipated.

Although Valerie isn’t totally in control now her powers, I love that she’s able to conjure her mate. I truly love the ides of fated mates who will do anything for each other. Mates that are able to fight against the confines of reality. Alright, fighting snakes in your dreams with a sexy man hunk might not be my total ideal situation, but I like the idea of someone by your side while fighting the horrible snake things.

Even though I’d guessed that the villain would be someone in Valerie’s life, I didn’t actually guess who the culprit would be. I was 100% expecting it to be the dorky partner. And even if I was a little disappointed it wasn’t him, I now want his story.

<- Midnight WishThe Ocean’s Roar ->

Image source: Amazon

House Lost at Sea by R.J. Blain

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: The House Lost at Sea
Author: R.J. Blain
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Pirates, Urban fantasy
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I wanted to love this novel a whole lot more than I did. I mean, I’ve loved absolutely everything about Blain’s books so far. But there was just something about this one that hit differently. Instead of diving for my ereader to continue with the story like I usually do, I was just… meh about it. I read Blain for the violence, fluff and humour, and although this had it all, I think my biggest issue was that there was a lot of build up, but not much action.

Probably the most repetitive aspect of the beginning of this was Ricardo. I mean, it made sense that Catalina was focused on him. There was a whole, enjoyable backstory there. But then it just kind of kept on going. I mean, I got that there was this fixation – but I wanted more of her past, not just the same focus. It made it a little boring to continue to read.

I absolutely adored the idea and execution of a pirate / shark shifter. Particularly since I’ve read a few books recently about the Golden Age of Pirates. I love all of the research that obviously went into this story. It’s obvious that Blain made a lot of effort to craft this story, and I really enjoyed that fact.

This was a good, fun story. But not one that I felt super excited about. Luckily I can’t wait to dive into the rest of the Blain books on my TBR!

<- More R.J. BlainMore pirates ->

Image source: Kobo

Crave This! by Tasha Black

Book Review, ,
Overview

Title: Crave This!
Author: Tasha Black
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Slow
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

This was one of those books that I really enjoyed, but I have no urge to dive further into the series. It’s a very sweet one-night-stand / fated mates / secret baby kind of story. And, although I didn’t necessarily agree with some of Sarah’s decisions, ultimately everyone got out of this story with a lovely little happily ever after. I also liked the idea of 300 moons before the shifters were able to greet their animal. But, it was a little bit simplistic as well. I need a little more character growth to my characters. Thus, as much as I enjoyed this, I don’t have much to say, nor will I read anymore Tasha Black.

<- More paranormal romanceMore shapeshifters ->

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/37561299-crave-thisImage source: Goodreads

Mated to the Bear by Celia Kyle

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Mated to the Bear
Author: Celia Kyle
Series: Bears of Grayslake #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2014

Thoughts

Mia and Ty are a really wonderful couple and one of those that I really enjoyed from the very beginning. I love that there is such combustible heat between them, but Mia is still able to stand on her own two feet. I mean, I get being all consumed by passion and emotion, but I love that even in the midst of this, Mia is able to figure out what she wants and needs in her own life. Plus, she’s also going toe to toe with a guy that everyone else is scared of – I love my women being strong willed and more than a little kick arse.

At the very beginning of this story, I thought that there was a bit of a Meet Cute between Mia and her future mate. And that it was all just a misunderstanding that he was knocking down the door. This opinion really quickly changed to one of horror – and I’m glad that the first male that Mia meets isn’t actually her mate, but her nemesis. I mean, Griss is one nasty SOB. And then Ty and his brother appear, and you get the whole sense of found family and everything feels a little more content.

At the beginning of this story, and having glanced at the blurb, I was expecting this to be a fairly calm and easy read. I was so very wrong. There was a whole lot more violence and aggression throughout this than what I was expecting. And, this story does come with a trigger warning at the beginning. I just wasn’t anticipating this level of trigger warning based content if I’m being completely honest. Not that it was a bad thing, it definitely upped the stakes and pulled me further and further into the world of the Grayslake Bears.

<- More Celia KyleClaimed by the Bear ->

Image source: Kobo

Tiger Crown by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Tiger Crown
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Sabre Woods Academy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2021

Thoughts

Kayra was mentioned briefly in Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines, and, honestly, I was completely intrigued by her story. All I knew was that the lead male in Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines was her ex-sort-of-fiancé, and that she is the centre of a major scandal in the shifter world. That was honestly enough for me to be drawn in and fascinated. So, when I realised that I actually had her story on my shelves, I was ready to dive right in. And what a fantastic beginning to her story!

I don’t always love when there is a story line which features two women being pitted against each other – it does tend to get over done, but I did like this version. I mean, they’re pitted against each other because of Kayra’s mother. It’s the mother’s actions and horribleness that lead to these two young women to be constantly at odds, and it’s also Kayra who is constantly just trying not to show interest in the nonsense and the drama. It’s still a little bit of a cliché personal challenge, but not painfully so. In fact, I actually look forward to seeing how this conflict continues throughout the rest of this trilogy.

Even as a mum, wife and woman in my thirties, I still think fondly of my high school and university days – they are a period of great change and growth, so I think that everyone honestly does. And, although I wouldn’t ever want to go back to that awkward angst, it is a point of time that is kind of unforgettable. And, since I’m that little bit older now, I do struggle to read stories set in high school. But the new adult stories set at university / college? They are the perfect sweet spot. I love that Kayra is starting a whole new life and looking forward to spreading her wings in this. You can tell immediately that she has found her forever friends and people. The fact that there is extra ‘political’ conflict that enhances her coming of age story, makes it an even more engaging and unforgettable read.

As the beginning of Kayra’s story and journey to a serious powerhouse, this was phenomenal. I am both excited and terrified to read more of the story, particularly to find out more about how her mother is planning on destroying her. I mean, what a horrible (yet brilliant) villain in having the mother of the main character out to destroy her… I’m just not sure how.

<- More Laura GreenwoodTiger Throne ->

Image source: Dymocks

Drinking Blood for Squeamish Vampires by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Drinking Blood for Squeamish Vampires
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Obscure Academy #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Bernie and Shane are a good insight into the world of vampires that Greenwood has created. I mean, there’s obviously a whole heap of series that feed into this one, but for me, this is my first introduction to Greenwood’s version of vampires. The fact that they are both turned, not born makes it all the more interesting. And then, there’s the fact that Bernie can’t actually drink blood. I mean, I loved the characters anyway, but I’m loving that in the Obscure Academy series there’s always one character that doesn’t conform to the expected. In this case, it’s Bernie and her blood aversion.

As someone who absolutely loves cooking, I’ve never actually taken a cooking class, and, after reading about Bernie’s awesome experiences, I kind of really, really want to. I mean, the fact that she gets with the super hot student teacher does help. But, I also love the idea of cooking with someone else and learning some new tricks – a bit like Home Ec when I was in high school I suppose. It was fun to think about the different paranormals that want to learn to cook and just why they want to. Particularly since this cooking class is vegetarian!

As much as I enjoyed the romance of Shane and Bernie, I really inhaled this book so quickly because I wanted to know the cause of her blood squeamishness. I mean, you get introduced to the idea in Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines when Bernie and Krissi become friends. Then you get to actually find out just what is going on. And how Bernie is going to live the rest of her very long supernatural life with this issue. I can’t imagine not being able to enjoy some of the foods that you have to eat!

This was yet another quick and rewarding venture in the Obscure Academy world. I mean, it’s two made vampires falling in love over food. I’m pretty much sold as soon as there is food to be totally honest. Add in the fact that both characters are learning to come into their own and figuring out their new lives. It’s definitely a fun little journey.

<- Bonfire Night for Flammable DragonsEnchanting Songs for Silent Sirens ->

Image source: Amazon

Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines by Laura Greenwood

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Shifting Forms for Clumsy Felines
Author: Laura Greenwood
Series: Obscure Academy #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

This was yet another great book by Greenwood that was just an easy and pleasant read. One that was a really great diversion. A really sweet story. But with almost no angst – which I kind of needed when I read this. I’m actually loving this style of writing at the moment, where there is enough action to keep you engaged, but not enough that you are even remotely worried about how the happily ever after will pan out. There is a whole lot less stress than some of the other romances that I sometimes read.

I like that this is a couple that start off as really good friends, and there are the questions of how and when to transition into a couple. I know that when I met my SO, he was a great friend, and it was a pretty big leap to take that plunge. Bigger than any other, because his friendship met a whole lot to me. And, like Jeremy and Krissi, I was pretty damn young. I love how Greenwood is able to write about a couple taking that plunge and being scared to do so! I think that for everyone who meets someone extra special that young… it’s a bit of a concern.

The cliché of two ‘jocks’ ending up together works really well in this novel – they both understand each other’s dedication to their chosen sports. I also love that, even though both Jeremy and Krissi start out not understanding much about each other’s sports, they both make the attempts to get to know more. It’s such a beautiful concept – that you try to get to know more about each other’s passions, not to join in, but to just appreciate each other all that much more. Plus, there is something fun about fitting into the expected cliches, but in a really cute and sweet way.

When we think of sporty types, there is always an assumption that the sporty individual is actually really coordinated. It was fantastic to have a storyline in which the sporty person is not graceful. That (in this case) in their shifted form, they are the clumsiest and most terrifyingly uncoordinated individual to be found. It kind of made me feel better to read about someone who is just that damn uncoordinated, and yet thrives in a physical way as well, it’s a great reminder that none of us can fit into just one box.

<- More Laura GreenwoodBonfire Night for Flammable Dragons ->

Image source: Dymocks

The Captive King by Susan Copperfield

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Captive King
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I’m absolutely adoring the Royal States series. I mean, they’re funny and engaging romances. But they each touch upon some pretty big and serious issues. Thus far we’ve had socio-economic assumptions, racism and now The Captive King highlights sexual assault and sexism within higher education. I mean, these issues might be on steroids in this series, but they’re still pretty damn potent today and it’s a great way to feel slightly uncomfortable in a wonderfully packaged story.

Summer’s introduction to this world is great – an archaeologist who is on her last fuck and has some pretty prickly man issues. I also love that you immediately pick up on when she converses with MacKenzie and there is all of the links to the storyline of Null and Void. One of my favourite things about Copperfield’s writing is that she writes women who are generally completely done with society, or about to completely snap. Summer fits this beautifully, and as the storyline continues, she gets more and more fed up with the nonsense that she has continued to put up with for years. I can completely understand this.

Although I pick up the Royal States / Copperfield novels for the romance and the sass, I got seriously swept away by the archaeology in this. And the mystery of the curse. I love that the ruins and temples and cultures described are either actually existent ones from our past, or very, very similar. I honestly couldn’t wait to discover what new site Summer would discover. And what conclusions she would leap to. I might have said goodbye to the academic life, but man, that passion and love of discovery… it was nice to read about again.

To counterpoint Summer, Landon works really well. I honestly did not guess at what his talent was going to be, and I love that it fits perfectly with Summer’s passions. I also love that when he falls for her, part of his life’s plan is to just sit and watch Summer dig in the dirt. We all need someone in our lives who wants to slot into the life we live, not change it. Landon is also completely stuck in a rut and a non-desirable situation, and I love that its Summer (the woman) who drags him out of it and effectively saves the day.

The Captive King is wonderful and amazing. It’s exactly the kind of book that I love to read. Fun, and cute on the surface with lots of sass. But, the second you pause to think at all, you realise that Copperfield is discussing a number of unpleasant realities that most women face in some way, shape or form. I can’t wait to dive into the next book in the Royal States series, A Guiding Light.

<- Null and VoidA Guiding Light ->

Image source: Amazon

Null and Void by Susan Copperfield

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Null and Void
Author: Susan Copperfield
Series: Royal States #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2017

Thoughts

From the very start of this novel, there is a lot of commentary on prejudice and racism. Being a Null, Mackenzie is automatically placed as less than – just for the way that she was born. It highlighted how laws throughout the world have historically (and currently) disadvantaged minorities – Australia very much included. Although it was masked with the joy of this awesome work, it was pretty intense. Particularly when Mackenzie highlights all of the laws that she fights against.

I thought Patrick and Jessica were amazing when I read Storm Called, but then I got to meet Mackenzie. She makes the prejudice against Patrick look like child’s play. But, I love that in spite of that nonsense, Mackenzie doesn’t let that, or anything else, stop her. She fights and claws her way higher up in the food chain, then she has a child. I know that as a mother I’d do anything for my children. I love that Mackenzie takes this and just becomes a terrifying powerhouse willing to destroy the world to keep her child safe and loved.

Dylan was always going to be a far more intense elite than Mackenzie realised – that’s the fun of reading a story like this. But, I definitely guessed as to his hidden identity and his talents before they were revealed. Instead of ruining a secret, it actually made me rush all that quicker to the moment when Mackenzie realises the truth. Which, because this is Copperfield, was a pretty hilarious moment.

As much as I loved this story, I did find the idea of signing a marriage contract for your ten year old daughter to be kind of icky. I mean, it makes sense within the context of this story and magic. But, still, a ten-year-old. To be married at fifteen, definitely a little bit difficult to read. However, I do look forward to seeing how that pans out in the future novels within this story. I’m sure it won’t be anywhere near as straight-forward as implied.

This novel is honestly unforgettable, I’m honestly struggling to find the words to describe how this story made me feel. It’s one of those that had so many layers, that I know, no matter how many times I reread this (of which there will be many), I’ll find a new facet that I previously missed. The characters are fun, the story line is beautiful. And the themes and struggles throughout are universal. A beautiful story that I absolutely adored and look forward to reading again in the future.

<- TakenThe Captive King ->

Image source: Amazon