Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

All About the Bear by Bianca D’Arc

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: All About the Bear
Author: Bianca D’Arc
Series: Grizzly Cove #1
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Bears, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2015

Thoughts

This is a fun and light shapeshifter romance, one that is a very quick and easy read without all that much substance to it. And it was one that I very much enjoyed. The fact that it was such an easy and simple read had me smiling and just drifting away on a happy little cloud. Sometimes you’re in the mood for something that is incredibly action filled and dramatic. Other times, you just want something nice, simple and enjoyable. This fits that simple and enjoyable box perfectly.

Nell takes to the dramas of Grizzly Cove wonderfully well. She kind of just rolls with the punches and the shocks of the activities around her. Although, I did love that she’s kind of dense about what’s been happening around her – in fact, it was her sisters who knew almost immediately what was happening in their small town. And her outrage that her sisters just… neglected to tell her was even funnier. The sister trio and its dynamics had me smiling quite a bit throughout this story.

Brody is definitely a fun and dreamy lead – particularly since he can change into a massive Grizzly Bear. You imagine a kind of lumbering and hulking man, and although he is big, he’s definitely not hulking and lumbering. I love that his first drive is to protect his people, and the way he describes the town and pulls Nell into it is kind of sweet. But, it’s the dates and the moments of tenderness that made me appreciate him the most. Having said that, for all that Nell and Brody are wonderful leads who you want to get a happily ever after, I didn’t get overly attached to either of them. Maybe it was just the speed and simplicity of this story. Maybe it was that I didn’t have anything in common with the leads. Whatever it was, a fun story, but not a memorable one.

Except for the koala. I mean, a drunk koala who tries to get into a dominance battle with a Grizzly… that made me seriously laugh out loud. And now I really want more of his shenanigans.

<- More Bianca D’ArcMating Dance ->

Image source: Goodreads

Sweep of the Heart by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Sweep of the Heart
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

Love, love, love the Alien Bachelor. I mean, you get introduced to a whole range of different peoples, there is ridiculous drama and it’s just all around fun. I might not be a fan of shows like The Bachelor in real life, but if they were like this with death and aliens… maybe I’d actually have half an interest in actually engaging with such nonsense. Alongside all of this drama, there is also some wonderful more clues to Dina and Caldenia’s pasts and how they ended up where they are.

For starters, I loved finding out more about just how Caldenia managed to end up having so many bounty hunters on her tail. And why she ended up being such a well-known murderess. And, without giving anything away. It was actually kind of sad. I mean, totally not the motivations that I had expected and it made me like this character even more. Which was surprising, because I freaking love Caldenia anyway – she is all sass, pomp and careful manipulations.

Then, you also get to fit another piece of the puzzle into just what happened to Dina’s parents. There are still SO many unanswered questions. And probably actually created a few more unanswered ones if I’m being honest. But, I finally feel like there is progress as to just what is going on in the background of the innkeeper world. The big mysteries continue, making me need to dive in again and again to this series… I’ll just have to continue doing rereads until the next one is published.

Although you do spend the whole time wondering just who from the Alien Bachelor is going to win, you also spend about half of that time wondering just who it is that’s trying to kill the bachelor. My first impressions are often fairly spot on in these instances and I thought I would be able to guess exactly what was going on… I was wrong on literally every single account. I loved that my first impressions were basically universally incorrect, and it makes me want to read this again all that much more. Now that I know the true motivations for characters, I want to see if I can pick up on all of these nuances!

Yet another book that I absolutely loved and can’t wait to read again. I also love that it gave a little bit of closure to the George and Sophie story and gave us a little bit more time with Gaston. I loved these characters in the other Innkeeper books and The Edge series.

<- Sweep with MeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: Amazon

Sweep with Me by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Sweep with Me
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Innkeeper Chronicles #4.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel, Novella
Year: 2020

Thoughts

I really love the whole idea of an innkeeper specific holiday. I mean, most religions have something similar. And then there’s the fact that it falls just after Christmas (which in One Fell Sweep meant quite a bit to Dina). Then there’s the fact that it’s based on the first innkeepers and that the three main individuals who were present at their first lunch managed to be present at Dina’s celebration.

The idea of a warrior, pilgrim and philosopher being in the inn at the same time, some of whom wanted to eat each other was fun. I also loved that this novella also introduced me to a whole slew of new alien peoples. Particularly the Koo-ko (who we get the pleasure of spending time with again in Sweep of the Heart).

I also love that, where at the end of One Fell Sweep, Sean and Dina finally start to take the steps into their new relationship. Then, as this novella unfolds, they start to actually ease into the daily activities and nuances of a relationship. That, and the fact that they are acting as innkeepers together. Sean’s approach was definitely more my speed and happiness.

The illustrations in this just help to expand on the images that parade through my mind. Although, admittedly, when I showed my partner some of the illustrations, he was incredibly confused. Just how I like it.

<- Sweep of the BladeSweep of the Heart ->

Image source: Amazon

Dragon Actually by G.A. Aiken

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Dragon Actually
Author: G.A. Aiken
Series: Dragon Kin #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dragons, Medieval fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2004

Thoughts

It took me a little while to actually realise that G.A. Aiken and Shelly Laurenston are one and the same. But, when I did, I dived right into the one Aiken book that I have on my shelves. And boy, I was not disappointed. This was of a totally different flavour to the shapeshifter romances that I’ve read so far, but it was just as good. A little darker, a little less sassy. Just as much fun.

Fearghus and Annwyl are absolutely wonderful characters. You feel connected to both of them from the very beginning. And, honestly, I just loved their names. There was something about the names that gave you hints as to who the characters are, without being painfully obvious. Then you add in their titles which they’ve earnt, and it all just… rolls off the tongue.

I love that as Annwyl is falling in love with Fearghus, she’s falling in love with both aspects of his being. She falls in love with the brain and the wit of her dragon companion, but lust with his human seeming. In fact, it’s that intellectual connection that ends up being the strongest of the relationship and makes you fall in love with this partnership again and again as you turn the pages. Annwyl is also the perfect companion, a fiery, feisty woman in her own right. One who isn’t afraid to go up against a dragon. The blood, gore and fury throughout this story is freaking brilliant. I love how violent the whole tale is, even if it’s primarily a romance. There is just so much fighting. Not only in Annwyl’s fight to claim the crown, but also just in the little squabbles and difficulties along the way. Annwyl’s ability to terrify men and face up to death made me fall seriously in love with her. And then there’s the whole idea of the claiming, it was definitely a painful sounding process, but I love how it worked. And I look forward to seeing how Fearghus’ other siblings go about this process…

<- Chains and FlamesAbout a Dragon ->

Image source: Melrose Public Library

Chains and Flames by G.A. Aiken

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Chains and Flames
Author: G.A. Aiken
Series: Dragon Kin #0.4
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dragons, Medieval fantasy, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2004

Thoughts

Although, chronologically, this novella takes place before Dragon Actually, it is most definitely best read after reading the first novel in this series. It gives a lot more context to the Claiming and also the obsession with chains throughout. Honestly, it just makes the whole storyline that much funnier when you realise how the children of this couple turn out.

I enjoyed Rihannon in Dragon Actually, she was definitely a nutty and off-kilter dragon queen. And her consort, whilst kind of an aggressive idiot, was also a fun character. Reading about their “courtship” just had me falling even more in love with them both. And just this whole series in general.

This whole series so far has been filled with kick ass, strong, fantastic women. And Rihannon is no different. It’s a nice reminder that even those of us who are somewhat volatile and passionate, can find someone who actually admires that strength. I tend to be volatile, this makes me feel a whole lot better about finding someone to put up with my little moments of… let us call them passion.

Although I loved this whole novella, the bit that stuck out the most to me and had me laughing quite a bit towards the end was when it came to what Fearghus and his siblings did to their brothers tail. You hear the story in Dragon Actually, it is SO MUCH funnier in Chains and Flames.

<- Dragon on TopDragon Actually ->

Image source: World Cat

Wicked Ways by Cynthia Eden

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Wicked Ways
Author: Cynthia Eden
In: When He Was Bad (Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Year: 2008

Thoughts

It’s always interesting to see how a story will drop you right into the action. In the case of Wicked Ways, this novella starts off with a date gone wonderfully, horrifyingly wrong. Like, seriously bad. But then, because it’s paranormal romance, it gets better and better. Leaving you with a smile on your face and a bit of a spring in your step. I absolutely loved reading this and it’s definitely moved some of my Cynthia Eden books to the top of my TBR priority… until the next amazing story that I read.

I love that as Miranda starts to fall for a shifter man, she is able to accept all of him. There is no gentleness in his Otherness, and she is able to take that on board and just… enjoy his company. I’m all for love stories that involve completely accepting your other half for all of their flaws. Miranda just takes that a step further as she accepts him for all of his… claws.

This novella is a great romantic suspense, with shapeshifters and vampires thrown in. At it’s heart, it’s really a story of two people falling in love as they hunt down a serial killer and sociopath (or is it a psychopath, I get my paths mixed up). The fact that the killer is a vampire and the man hunting him is a cat shapeshifter adds to the drama, blood and adrenaline. But, it’s still a pretty simple and fun romantic suspense novella.

Wicked Ways is yummy and fun. It was a wonderful novella that I thoroughly enjoyed for the steaminess and action. I definitely loved the drama and look forward to more of this in the future of my Cynthia Eden reading.

<- Miss CongenialityWhen He Was Bad ->

Image source: Goodreads

Wed or Dead by Cynthia Eden

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Wed or Dead
Author: Cynthia Eden
In: Howl For It (Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Year: 2012

Thoughts

I’ve read a Cynthia Eden story before, a little while ago. But just the one, so I wasn’t entirely sure what to expect with this novella. Likewise, after reading the blurb for this tale, I thought I had an inkling of what I was going to enter into. None of these things prepared me for the story I got. And it was completely epic for that fact. I seriously loved this and had a great time reading through this novella.

There is a whole lot of betrayal and treachery throughout this story. The turns and the deceits happened so quickly that I got to a point I was expecting it with each turn of the page. I most definitely had a beating heart throughout this tale. And it most definitely made my poor heart hurt for both Gage and Kayla – they so obviously care for one another, but are also constantly thrown into the path of some seriously horrible drama.

Gage and Kayla work wonderfully as a couple, although Gage does spend most of this story underestimating her, and then getting his butt kicked. I love that Kayla is able to go toe to toe with Gage in every moment that he underestimates her. It made me smile and laugh. I love a strong woman who is able to stand up for herself and take people to task for underestimating them.

To add to the drama and heartbreak throughout this story, there is Kayla’s brother and the past trauma that they both experienced. You spend the whole time hoping that Kayla and Gage find their happily ever after, but also hoping that Kayla is able to find that with her own brother. And the two seem to be mutually exclusive conditions…

<- Like a Wolf with a BoneHowl For It ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia

Branded by Kelley Armstrong

Book Review, , ,
Overview

Title: Branded
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Dystopia, Paranormal romance, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2013

Thoughts

I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved this novella. Which comes as exactly no surprise considering I love everything I have read by Kelley Armstrong. There is just something that is impossible to put down about all of her stories, and the strength of the women in her works is also completely admirable. Which, obviously, this was no exception.

I like that although this is kind of loosely based in the Otherworld series, it’s not really part of that world. It’s kind of what would happen after generations and generations of people making incredibly bad decisions. And the apocalypse / dystopian future. I love that it is showing just what can happen when prejudice and fear run rampant and destroy lives.

There is a whole lot of plotting and darkness throughout this story, and yet it is a wonderful and adorable teen romance. Even some of the plotting that in hindsight was obviously going on, wasn’t quite as obvious as in hindsight. Some of it actually took me by surprise. Always something I enjoy.

I loved this novella, and it is definitely one I’ll reread again when the urge takes me.

<- More Kelley ArmstrongWomen of the Otherworld series ->

When He Was Bad by Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: When He Was Bad
Author: Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden
In: When He Was Bad (Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Year: 2008

Thoughts

When He Was Bad is a fantastic anthology with two yummy, steamy novellas. Just like Howl For It. They are both collections that are fun and light. But with a seriously lustful strain throughout. I absolutely adored both of the novellas in this, and I look forward to reading them again when I need a short distraction from reality.

There was honestly so much enjoyment from reading this. I read each novella in one sitting – they were just so good that I didn’t want to put them down. That used to be an impressive feat. Now I have a toddler, and it is more of an accomplishment… at least in my world.

Both the novellas in this anthology are shifter romances. There is plenty of steam and deliciously dominant males. Two worlds that I loved diving into and look forward to getting a glimpse of again.

<- Wicked WaysMiss Congeniality ->

Image source: Goodreads

Howl For It by Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Howl for It
Author: Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden
In: Howl For It (Shelly Laurenston & Cynthia Eden)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Short story collections, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Year: 2012

Thoughts

Howl For It is a fantastic collection of two wonderful, lusty novellas. They both fit nicely together in this collection, with the paranormal romance and werewolves as the centre point. Yet, Laurenston and Eden have two distinctly different voices that you will fall in love with. Both of these novellas are fast paced and filled with a decent amount of death and mayhem. A little bit of betrayal and a whole lot of strong males who can howl at the moon. Definitely a fun anthology to sweep you away on a moonlit night.

This is one of those anthologies that I’m really glad I bought, I look forward to reading it again and again. There was something kind of sweet about both of these stories. Even as they are tales that involve a whole lot of blood and death. I might already have both of these authors in my TBR, but I most definitely want more!

<- Wed or DeadLike a Wolf with a Bone ->

Image source: Penguin Books Australia