Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Hot and Badgered by Shelly Laurenston

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Hot and Badgered
Author: Shelly Laurenston
Series: Honey Badger Chronicles #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I have to admit that I have a somewhat unhealthy obsession with honey badgers, like I’m kind of ridiculously obsessed with the silly things. So when I found out that there’s literally a paranormal romance / shapeshifter series which features honey badgers… I don’t know if I’ve ever been quite this happy in my life. And that was before I had the pleasure of actually reading this book. When I found out that the shapeshifters featured in this book were also sisters, and ones who are none to be incredibly chaotic… so many of my happy buttons were pushed.

Throughout this I honestly couldn’t stop laughing out loud at the shenanigans of the MacKilligan sisters. I mean, the first time you meet them, one is jumping out of a bedroom window, and the other runs a man over… multiple times. Then, to complete this chaotic trio, you have a panic attack prone genius who thinks a stay at a mental health institution is a nice holiday. And that’s just the character introductions in the first few chapters. The more supporting cast that you get to meet, the more insanity unfolds. I honestly can’t believe that this is an author who hasn’t been on my shelves yet. One that I can’t wait to read more of in the future.

I can’t wait for more of the MacKilligan sisters’ insanity as this series unfolds. The series most definitely starts out with the sanest of the three – Charlie spends most of her time running around trying to stop the other two from just killing everyone. I’ve got one younger sister that I keep an eye out for, and she doesn’t have homicidal tendencies – I can’t imagine watching two who are definitely insane. Charlie is a ridiculously fun lead, one who doesn’t hesitate to be herself and finds a way to carve out her own happily ever after.

Although this story is a romance between Berg and Charlie, for me it was about the relationship between the sisters. There is something great about a well written family bond, and Laurenston has the exasperation and love pegged perfectly in this story. Berg and Charlie are also a fantastic couple that you are rooting for from the very beginning, but there’s just something about the three sisters. There’s also the fact that being bought into Berg’s life brings along a whole cast of characters who I want to get to know even better. Berg’s two triplet siblings being some of them. I’m hoping that the more I dive into the world of Laurenston, the more I will get to meet different members of this world. All of whom have a whole lot of humour and sass in their creation.

<- More Shelly LaurenstonIn a Badger Way ->

Image source: Kobo

Ringing in the Reefer by Marie Booth

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Ringing in the Reefer
Author: Marie Booth
Series: Steamy Bites #1.5
In: Worst Holiday Ever (Miscellaneous)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Year: 2018

Thoughts

I laughed so much throughout this story. It was hilarious and pithy and sassy. Everything I like in a short story that is designed to just sweep you away for a little while. I should have gotten from the title that I would find this humorous, but as the story unfolded I just found everything more and more entertaining.

Bringing families together can always be a fairly intimidating thing to do. It’s almost always slightly chaotic, but the pure, unadulterated chaos in this story was of a whole other kind. The fact that it was going to be chaotic due to the secrets that Rafe was hiding anyway, started it off on a good note. But then the fact that his family basically got Mai’s tightly buttoned crew high… such a ridiculous story. Honestly, everything about this was funnily ridiculous.

I loved this short story. It was a fun and chaotic Christmas family time. Mixing in the paranormal, secrets and drugs… a recipe for pure enjoyment and chaos.

<- Touched by FateThe Thanksgiving Parade from Hell ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

The Alpha Option by Vivian Arend

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Alpha Option
Author: Vivian Arend
Series: Timberwolf Lodge #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Werewolves
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I found this book when I was in the mood for a bit of a shifter romance, but nothing too in depth and complex. This fit the bill perfectly – it’s an easy and fun read. One that you could completely predict how it would turn out (not to mention the next two matches for the next two books). But with enough going on that you wanted to keep reading because you were still emotionally invested in the outcome. Definitely a nice way to while away the time and mentally check out for just a little while.

The idea of fated mates / soul mates is a theme I often come across in my books – and it’s a theme that I seriously enjoy. This took it a little further in the idea that the males were able to literally sent that their mate had just entered their vicinity, but it was still of that nice, happy mould. The idea that we all have a perfect person out there, and even if its fated, it fits kind of perfectly is beautiful. I particularly liked how Cassidy and Jace were able to accept what they meant to each other, but also get to know one another as the story unfolds.

Cassidy and Jace are all sparks and yum throughout this story. And they were definitely a wonderful lead couple, one which I enjoyed reading about. But, for me, it was Blue and Steph that kind of stole the show. I look forward to seeing what they will become throughout the next two books. I mean, I look forward to seeing what each of the three obvious couples will become, but Blue and Steph in particular. That and the moose shifter who is just strolling around, acting as a nanny. That gave me all sorts of moments of laughter and humour.

Although it’s obvious from the very beginning that Jace is the one who is destined to be alpha, I love that Cassidy too is coming into her own with her Alphaness. Without assistance from Jace, she is able to stand on her own two feet and show others the best way to be kind and interact with others. Being an alpha in her own right is kind of brilliant, and I love how she uses that strength to make everyone feel welcome and loved.

<- More Vivian ArendThe Enforcer’s Gamble ->

Image source: Kobo

Rosemary and Rue by Seanan McGuire

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Rosemary and Rue
Author: Seanan McGuire
Series: October Daye #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2009

Thoughts

Holy crap. This was amazing. Like, phenomenal and wonderful and amazing. Although, I’m already completely in love with Seanan McGuire’s writing. So, it’s not really surprising that I loved this novel. Yet another fantastic series that I get to sink my teeth I to… now I need to FINISH some and stop finding new ones…

My brain most certainly got stuck on the whole saying goodbye to your family for 14 years. Particularly your little girl. I spent a lot of time while I was reading this novel glancing over at my beautiful daughter and just eye-beaming her with all of my love. I really and truly hope that later on in the series, Toby is able to reconnect with her child. Surely there will be a moment at some point throughout the series (I say with eternal hope).

The betrayal that occurs in this story is pretty ridiculously epic. And incredibly heartbreaking. There’s a whole lot of history that goes into Toby’s story, and when you realise who is responsible for all of the death and mayhem. And also, that final death that truly made a tear come to my eye… I definitely didn’t see any of it coming. Which, of course means that I loved it.

Rosemary and Rue does great justice to the fae and folklore. It doesn’t paint them to be kind and generous. Or welcoming to humans of any kind. Rather, they are predatory and incredibly wrapped up in their own drama. Also, beings of a totally different reality. The shifts and cracks in the many alliances and future challenges Toby is likely to face are already apparent in Rosemary and Rue. Again, making me want to dive right into A Local Habitation.

I’m being very hopeful that in future books, not only will Toby reconnect with her daughter, but also that she will be able to smooth things over with Julie. I hated that there was a rift there. I’m pretty sure Tybalt will eventually be the love interest, so I’m also looking forward to that…

<- More Seanan McGuireA Local Habitation ->

Image source: Amazon

Driftwood by MaryJanice Davidson

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Driftwood
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
Series: Wyndham Werewolf #5.5
In: Over the Moon (Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2007

Thoughts

I always forget how damn funny and pithy Davidson’s writing is. She’s sassy and delightful, with enough lust and excitement to count as a great paranormal romance. Mostly though, I just really, really love the sass with which she writes female characters. Diving into this novella made me remember why I rushed to buy Undead and Unwed in the first place (and then haven’t quite gotten around to reading it yet…)

I must admit, Burke is a bit of an oddbod from the very beginning of this story. I mean, he’s eating class and then chewing on tires… I thought he’d get a little more normal as the storyline went on. But he really, really didn’t. And that total oddness totally grew on me. He was pretty entertaining, and totally down with vengeful murder. Which, again, I loved.

As somewhat of a klutz myself, I can totally imagine somehow falling into a hole. And then getting stuck, there. Sierra’s refusal to get out and her biting retorts to Burke when he tries to help just cemented my love for her. I mean, she falls into a hole and then out sasses the man who tries to rescue her? How could you not love this?

Reading this novella just reminded me how much I want to dive into the Undead / Queen Betsy series. I have loved all of the novellas that I’ve been able to read, but now I want a full-length version…

<- Between the Mountain and the MoonMona Lisa Three ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Ruby Fever
Author: Ilona Andrews
Series: Catalina Baylor Trilogy #3, Hidden Legacy #6
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Strong women
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Year: 2022

Thoughts

I’ve been putting off reading this for a while because I just knew that I would want to read it cover to cover. And then, one night, I decided that I would just start it and read a little bit. Because I’m an adult and I have self-control… it turns out that I’m not such a good adult, and I literally have no self-control. I stayed up way too late reading this, and seriously felt punished the next day.

Andrews always does justice with their writing, but holy cow was this a fantastic ending to the Catalina Baylor Trilogy. I mean, from the very first moment, you hit the ground running. And then you pretty much don’t until you turn that final page. Ruby Fever is wonderfully intense and completely impossible to put down. It is filled with action and so many fights that my internal badass did a happy (and totally badass) dance.

Arkan is a seriously terrifying villain, probably because he is a shadow figure for the entire trilogy. Which means I really loved how Catalina and Alessandro are able to systematically dismantle his whole team of horrible things that go bump in the night. They are a wonderful power team and Catalina’s ability to plot and scheme better than everyone else… it left me smiling from ear to ear. It might have been why I found Catalina to be far more relatable than Nevada – she’s very much in her own head and finds this to be both a strength and a weakness.

The entire Baylor clan is freaking amazing. There is honestly not a character terrifying in the family that I don’t love. I would honestly love a trilogy for each and every one of them. However, even though I’m not entirely certain that there will be any more tales. I am so stupidly hopeful that Arabella will get her own series one of these days. Especially considering her final scene in this book…

<- Emerald BlazeMore Ilona Andrews ->

Image source: HarperCollins Australia

The Leopard King by Ann Aguirre

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: The Leopard King
Author: Ann Aguirre
Series: Ars Numina #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters, Urban fantasy
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novel
Year: 2016

Thoughts

I’ve read a book by Ann Aguirre before, but it was a young adult dystopia novel (and I still need to finish the series). Having said that, I had NO IDEA what to expect from a adult paranormal romance by the same author. Until I dug into kobo plus, I actually had no idea that there WAS an adult series. But, wow, am I glad that I found out about Ars Numina!!! This was an amazing novel and I literally read it cover to cover.

At first, I was wondering how the complexities of Dom and Pru’s relationship would work out. His dead wife was her best friend and her booty call his best friend. But somehow Aguirre was able to make this work perfectly. In fact, you feel an emotional connection to everyone in this. Even Slay, who definitely acted a bit like an idiot. You still want him to find his happily ever after. Which will happen much later in this series I believe…

The world building in this romance was particularly enjoyable- there’s the history of the arcana’s separation from humans. But, then there’s the five warring factions that are trying to come to a Peace Treaty. And all of the insane politics that slowly get unraveled throughout. Honestly, the multitudes of complexities throughout this were amazing and, even though I loved the central relationship, it was also all of the intricate details that Aguirre was able to cram in that had me grinning from ear to ear.

Pru and Dom’s story was very sweet and filled with just enough lust to make my toes curl. It was also a fantastic way to start a whole new series. Each of the 6 men who are featured in this series were introduced, and almost all of the women. Since I already love all of these characters, it’s going to be hard not to just dive headfirst into the rest of the series, and forget about all of the other great books on my shelves.

<- More Ann AguirreThe Demon Prince ->

Image source: Kobo

Over the Moon by Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Over the Moon
Author: Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny
In: Over the Moon (Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2007

Thoughts

Everything about this anthology made me happy. Although one novella wasn’t in a series that I’ve read before, they’re all by authors on my shelves that I genuinely enjoy. All four tales were steamy and yummy. They had great aspects of the paranormal in them. And, most importantly, each and every one of these tales can easily be read alone, even if you have no idea about the rest of the series.

Reading this was like a great walk through a familiar neighbourhood. Knight, Davidson, and Sunny’s series represented in this anthology are in my shelves, ready to go. In fact, reading these novellas bumped those books up my TBR. And even Kantra’s tale has another novella sitting on my shelves ready to go. And it acted as a reminder to finish another series by her that I’ve begun.

I seriously adored this collection of four novellas. They were perfect read on my kobo late at night when I wasn’t really ready to do the whole going to sleep thing. Long enough to enthral me, but short enough that I could start and finish them right before falling asleep. A great anthology, one that I will most definitely look forward to reading again and again.

<- Mona Lisa ThreeMoon Dance ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

Mona Lisa Three by Sunny

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview

Title: Mona Lisa Three
Author: Sunny
Series: Monere: Children of the Moon #1.5
In: Over the Moon (Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Erotica, Paranormal romance
Pace: Medium
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2011

Thoughts

I’ve yet to read my first full-length Mona Lisa book, although it is sitting in my shelf ready to go. And this novella honestly reminded me of why I’ve had it in my shelf ready to go for so long. This is a bit smuttier than most of the romances that I read, but also so damn delicious.

I love that this takes place after Mona Lisa’s adventures in the first book. It did give me a lot for spoilers but considering this is probably a bit more emotionally and exotically intense than I’m used to, it’s not a bad thing. I love how Mona Lisa is constantly thankful for the two men that she’s in love with and wanting.

This novella takes place in a transitional phase on Mona Lisa’s life. One that highlights how drastically her life changes in such a short period of time. That it uses her very special healing gifts and highlights the complexities in her many relationships just makes me love it even more. In fact, I got so involved in the storyline that I read this beginning to end in one sitting. And managed to walk into a wall while doing it.

I really loved this novella and now look forward to, more than ever reading Mona Lisa Awakening. I should probably finish the books that I’m currently halfway through first though…

<- DriftwoodOver the Moon ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

Moon Dance by Angela Knight

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Moon Dance
Author: Angela Knight
Series: Mageverse #3.5
In: Over the Moon (Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Camelot, Paranormal romance,  Vampires, Witches
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2007

Thoughts

Although this is a story that takes place in the Mageverse series and gives a bit more context to the storyline. At its core, this is a great story about someone breaking the patterns of abuse. Not just finding her true love and a happily ever after but figuring out a way to escape the abuse of not only a stalker man, but her own damn father. I loved the romance in this, but I also loved how Elena is able to break a truly horrible cycle that doesn’t often get broken.

The use of werewolves and vampires in the Mageverse series is completely unique and awesome. I haven’t actually read any of the full-length novels as of yet, but every time I pick up a novella, I can’t quite figure out why I haven’t done that yet. The fact that werewolves were “created” as a check and balance for the vampires was incredibly fun. So not only do I want more of Elena and Lucas, but I just want more of the Mageverse werewolves in general.

I loved Elena for her strength of character in a ridiculous situation, but I also just loved Lucas. He is ridiculously yummy, and although I don’t necessarily subscribe to the whole idea of a man coming to my rescue… I can’t imagine not wanting Lucas to come my way… I mean, good man, yummy chest, set God… who wouldn’t want that?

The ending of this is completely predictable in so many ways. Particularly the Spirit Link. Although, I was surprised at a few of the conclusions to the other relationships in this. A wonderful novella, one that I seriously enjoyed.

<- Over the MoonBetween the Mountain and the Moon ->

Image source: Penguin Random House