She’s a widow who finds herself falling for an angel. And the angel is falling for her. But, then the rules get in the way and things take a slightly more difficult turn….
I enjoyed this short story. It’s not the kind that I will wax on and off about it’s awesomeness. But it was most definitely enjoyable. And a wonderful diversion from reality, study and just general adulthood for a little while. Which is honestly what I’m mostly looking for in a short story…
The idea of an angel falling for a mortal and having his wings clipped is a kind of frequent trope in some of the books that I’m reading. But it still is one that I really like. I mean, giving up everything for love? That’s well worth it in my books… although, the punishment received and the reality that is thrust upon the angels in this is kind of seriously harsh…
I really enjoyed this short story, but it’s not the most memorable story that I’ve ever read either. It was fun, light and easy. It also felt nicely finished out with the ending… even if the punishment for rule breaking was yet to come.
Title: Grave Witch Author: Kalayna Price Series: Alex Craft #1 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Fae, Ghosts, Grim reapers, Paranormal romance Dates read: 28th February – 11th March 2021 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Roc Year: 2010 5th sentence, 74th page: Which still didn’t explain why it didn’t register as dead.
Grave witch Alex Craft can speak to the dead, but that doesn’t mean she likes what they have to say.
As a private investigator and consultant for the police, Alex Craft has seen a lot of dark magic. But even though she’s on good terms with Death himself – who happens to look fantastic in jeans – nothing has prepared her for her latest case. Alex is investigating a high-profile murder when she’s attacked by the “shade” she’s raising, which should be impossible. To top off her day, someone makes a serious attempt on her life, but Death saves her. Guess he likes having her around…
To solve this case Alex will have to team up with tough homicide detective Falin Andrews. Falin seems to be hiding something – though it’s certainly not his dislike of Alex. But Alex knows she needs his help to navigate the tangled webs of mortal and paranormal politics, and to track down a killer who wields a magic so malevolent, it may cost Alex her life…and her soul.
I’ve read this book more times than I can count. I actually am at a point where I need to buy myself a new copy… it’s just starting to fall apart quite drastically. There is just a wonderful feeling about this tale. A sense of coming home just encompasses me whenever I open the spine of this book. Alex is an amazing heroine, the storyline is full of octane and makes your heart skip a beat. And the whole tale just generally sweeps you off your feet from the very first moment…
Normally I’m not a huge fan of love triangles – they feel kind of forced, and a little bit indulgent at times if I’m being honest. Yet, there is something about Price’s writing that makes me… not mind them. For Alex, the triangle with Falin and Death is just starting to form. And it doesn’t feel like a self-indulgent, faked out story where the girl is just desirable. Rather, it is the forming of two different relationships and the ways in which they expand. Falin and Death are two different characters, ones that will draw you in and leave you wondering who Alex will ultimately choose…
I have heaps and heaps of urban fantasy books on my shelves (it’s probably the biggest section if I’m being honest). And most of them deal with witches, magic, fae, or some kind of approach to this. However, I don’t have any books which have reapers, death and grave witches as a feature. Which makes this series and book even more special. There is only one other series that has a woman who is capable to seeing death and with that strong a connection to death – Darynda Jones’Charley Davidson series. I love the uniqueness and wonderful way that this story is approached. After all, Alex is a wonderful enigma, one that I want to find more and more out about.
This is one of those wonderfully fast paced urban fantasies. It is a great story on its own, but it also helps to set up the world of Alex Craft and all of the shenanigans that are about to follow. It is one of those stories, that no matter how many times I read it, I will find something else to enjoy. Something else that I didn’t know last time. And even though I mostly remember the storyline with each rereading… I still feel surprised and unable to put the book down with each rereading.
Title: Splintered Stars Author: Rachel Madbury Series: The Sevens #1 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Witches Dates read: 28th February – 7th March 2021 Pace: Medium Format: ARC, eBook, Novel Publisher: Rachel Madbury Year: 2021 5th sentence, 74th page: Her eyes went wide, the surprise and curiosity clear as she looked past him up the steps.
The greatest witch ever born doesn’t know she is one.
Some secrets aren’t best kept. Some powers can’t be contained. And for Haley Quinlan, when her sister is kidnapped she’ll learn that the life she’s built is a pale shadow to the one she’s meant for.
If she lives long enough.
He’s been watching her for three years but for the first time Lucas Turner sees the truth of who Haley is. It’s nothing he ever imagined. And it’s nothing he’s allowed to have. He’ll usher her into a world she’d been kept from and protect her life with his own, but when their connection sets them on a course filled with darkness and lies, will their greatest risk be each other?
When the world learns who she is, he’ll die for her without question, but what if she lives? What if he does?
I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
I’m slowly getting used to reading books on my Kobo. And it’s stories like this that help draw me in and make me want to read ebooks. They may never be my favourite form of literary enjoyment, but they are definitely growing very happily on me. There was something amazing and wonderful about Madbury’s story and I can’t wait to read more tales of The Sevens!
I love that one of the drivers for Haley throughout this story is her love for her sister. Although they are somewhat estranged, she is still trying to find her and putting everything at risk just to save her baby sister. As an older sister, this was such a beautiful and realistic portrayal of what it is like to have a younger sibling. Even in the moments when I have felt distanced from my sister (which all siblings go through), just like Haley, I still would have moved heaven and earth to find her. And the fact that within the epilogue, it is clear that Penny also feels the same about her big sister… it’s just beautiful.
The immediate reaction between Haley and Lucas was nice. But what I liked the most was the way that they both got to know each other and worked towards each other in their acceptance of their attraction. Sometimes it can be a bit on the nose having a story in which immediate attraction means immediate love. In the case of this story, the immediate attraction was tempered by their willingness to get to know each other. It’s incredibly fun and beautiful.
At first I thought that this was a witch – vampire kind of story. The fact that it’s not, and the Seven find other ways to prolong their life was intriguing. I loved how Madbury built this amazing world and lore in such a subtle and unique way. It helps to draw you further and further into her world. I can’t believe that I didn’t get the chance to read the prologue before this novel though, I’d be interested to see how the world was built from the very first.
Splintered Stars is a fantastic paranormal fantasy story. it is filled with magic, mayhem and conspiracies. There is also that wonderful dose of lust and love throughout the story. this may be a paranormal romance story, but it was the conspiracy and sibling relationship that I loved the most… and I can’t wait to read the next story and find out what happens to Penny! And which Seven she falls for…
Pack law states every female shall have three mates. It’s a necessary action in order to keep the lunewulf breed alive. Sophie Rousseau has just learned who her three mates will be. And one of them is the sexy Nik Alexander who has invaded her dreams since high school. Though Sophie’s nervous about fulfilling pack law, she can’t wait to mate with Nik. Nik has lusted after Sophie, wanted her for his mate and mother of his children. He gets his way, but by pack law, Sophie cannot be his alone. Nik will share her with two other werewolves. But only on his terms.
I didn’t necessarily hate this story, but I certainly didn’t really love it either. After all, it was a little bit too… pushy and bride price for me. I mean, one woman, assigned 3 men that she has to mate with. Not exactly my cup of tea…
Although I wasn’t comfortable with the whole, you have to give three men children thing… and being assigned these men without input. I really didn’t mind this story. For starters, you had one character who did actively rebel against this horrible “tradition”. Then, there was the fact that the lead character in this, did get the man that she wanted, and managed to find herself in a situation in which she was happy. Don’t get me wrong, there is no way on earth I’d like this situation. But at least it was written in a way that only made me cringe just a little bit…
Overall, this wasn’t a horrifying story. But it really wasn’t one that I went head over heels for. I’ll probably buy more books in the series out of pure curiosity. But not one that I will be putting to the top of the list… I love a good erotic romance, but I’m not really sure how I feel about one that features one woman, three men…
Camael is an angel, just visiting earth. But then he runs into Rei, and finds himself irreverisbly fallen. What follows is an understanding of what love can create… and destroy.
I have some very mixed feelings about this short story. I did enjoy it, and I would probably happily read it again. But I didn’t feel completely swept away by it either. As I said… kind of mixed feelings here. Enjoyable, but not earth shattering. Although, I think that I would love to read a story that takes place after the girl dies, and the angel finally begins to feel his punishment…
The setting of this story was very… native American, first pioneers, not much power for women… it is a setting that feels incredibly familiar. But not necessarily one that I absolutely adored. It was just… pleasant. The fact that it was combined with angels and feelings of Christianity… maybe that’s why I didn’t quite fall head over heels for this story.
This is a brilliant, fun and gorgeous little, short story. It’s the kind of tale that I will definitely go back to, but I could also frequently put down when I felt like doing the responsible adult things. It was fun and engaging, and a great way to kill a little time while I was trying to make my self calm down.
Title: Megan’s Mark Author: Lora Leigh Series: Breeds #6 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense Dates read: 28th January – 7th February 2021 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2006 5th sentence, 74th page: That was what she feared.
In the first book of her erotic new series, Lora Leigh invites you to an intriguing world where genetically altered Breeds and the humans who created them commingle – and sometimes cross the boundaries of desire…
Cursed with the extraordinary power to feel other peoples’ emotions, Megan Fields has tucked herself away in a remote corner of New Mexico, working as a small-town sheriff’s deputy. She finds solace in the silence and heat of the desert. But when breeds begin dying on her watch, Megan realizes that the secrets from her past can’t stay buried forever. Someone is out for blood – her blood.
An arrogant Feline Breed, Braden Arness broods with feral intensity. His mission to solve the mysterious murders brings him to Megan, a woman who accosts his senses like no other. Only with him can she let down her guard – and surrender to the insatiable hunger that wracks her body. But as they team up to hunt the elusive killers, Braden and Megan find themselves becoming the prey…
I’m not sure if it was because this book has a different cover, size and shape to the first five books in this series, or if it was actually written first as the blurb implies. But there was something drastically different about Megan’s Mark that wasn’t obvious in the other books. In a good way though, I can guarantee that. I seriously, thoroughly and delightfully enjoyed this story. and I know that I have the next book in the series buried somewhere in my ridiculous TBR pile, now I just have to dig it out…
Of all of the women so far in the Breeds novels, Megan is most definitely the most kick ass of all the women. She even punches her mate at one point because he crosses a line that she drew! I love that she’s got enough fire and gumption to do that. Alright, none of the women in this series have exactly been push overs… but Megan is just so, so much tougher. Tough enough that she’s able to join the patrols and be an Enforcer in her own right.
Megan is the first Empath in this series. It is starting to open the door for people with other talents and powers within the Breeds world. It draws in the intrigue far stronger than I would have expected. Actually, I kind of would have liked a little more about the Empathic abilities in this story. although, the lust and the connection between the characters most definitely made up for the fact that this power wasn’t heavily discussed.
Megan’s Mark is yet another wonderful tale by the intriguing Lora Leigh. It swept me away from the very beginning and left me in a world that I won’t be forgetting anytime soon. It was brilliant and fun. And I can’t wait to read yet more of these tales!
During Brianna’s trip to the Ural Mountains of Russia, a life-threatening accident places her at the mercy of a strange, reclusive man. A man whose secrets and unquenchable hunger will change her life forever…
In the huge list of werewolf romances, or even werewolf stories, that I’ve read, this certainly didn’t measure high up the top. It wasn’t awful or bad in any way, I just didn’t rate it incredibly highly. I enjoyed it though. And I would add a few more Sherri L. King books to my shelves. I just won’t be putting them at the top of my wish list.
I think that the thing that put me off the most about this story is the whole feeling each other up while the girl was barely conscious. I mean, that is not a sexy moment. I found it seriously, ridiculously creepy. And disturbed. And just generally not okay. I’m definitely uncomfortable with that entire part of the plot line. And, if it was removed I probably would have loved this story so much more. Don’t get me wrong, a lot of my erotica style stories feature a bit of a DomSub spin, and things that I personally wouldn’t be interested in… but this was just… ick.
Moonlustis a fun and good beginning for a series, and a nice novella. Most definitely not my favourite one, but it’s still fun. And I’m keen to see what else King is able to do with her writing skills and world creation.
Sometimes love is everything you could ever want. Sometimes it’s just a real kick in the teeth.
I really liked the world building in this story. It featured twins that weren’t really twins, a demon, and a long-lost love. There is nothing I love better than a story that has this much power and just plain, downright awesomeness. It drew me in from the beginning and even a few days after reading it and sitting down to (finally) write this review…. I’m still enjoying the storyline.
Relationships are built upon memories. I love that this story is all about those memories. Those key moments that we all have and that each of us remember differently. I love that sin an attempt to reconnect with a lost love, it’s a memory that is shared. The fact that this memory box sends a demon twin into a hell dimension and all sorts of horribleness… well, it just wouldn’t be a good story without such a spanner in the works.
This was an incredibly quick and easy story to read. It swept me away and took me on a fun little adventure. One that I completely wasn’t expecting but enjoyed regardless. I love the idea of demon twins and having to protect demons. Hell dimensions and loves lost or regained. It was just… fun and a great set up in a relatively few number of pages.
Title: Soul Deep Author: Lora Leigh Series: Breeds #5 Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Erotica, Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters Dates read: 28th January 2021 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Ellora’s Cave Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: Two vehicles were behind them, one at their side and two ahead of them and in seconds there were bodies hanging out of all of them, firing at the helicopter streaking toward them.
What couple could be more unlikely than a sassy, independent President’s daughter who doesn’t know when to keep her mouth shut and a longer Coyote Breed with a hunger for a cute rosebud mouth that he’s determined to still.
Kiowa’s job is to watch Amanda, the President’s daughter – look, but not touch. just make sure the Secret Service detail assigned to protect her does their job until the new Breed Law is passed. But when the bad guys move in to take her out, Kiowa reluctantly slips i to the rescue, snatching Amanda away to safety. But she isn’t going to come easy and it takes mroe than smooth talking to make her see his point of view.
For a man who’s had nothing, Amanda Marion is food for hte hunger that has tortured him, the reality to every dream Kiowa never dared believe in. What he feels for her is more than heat, more than love. She breathes life into his hardened heart, melting the icy chill and touches a part of him that he thought had died – his soul. And now he’ll kill anyone who tries to take her away from him.
But the one person he can’t fight is Amanda, and when she wants to leave…
This was a bit of a quicker and less conspiracy-theory based story than the other Breeds novels so far. But, it did introduce the idea of the Coyote Breed, and the fact that people of minority groups, such as Native Americans, were kidnapped in this world to create the Breeds. Which meant that although this novel wasn’t as intense in the overall series as many of the others, it was still wonderfully brilliant. And completely impossible to put down.
As with all of the Breeds books, this one just made my toes curl. And left me with a huge grin on my face. There is something a little bit extra lustful and guilty-pleasure-like about this series. Something that always makes me check over my shoulder and spreads a blush across my cheeks because I don’t want anyone to take a peek at what I’m reading. I love that in a good romance and add to that the fact that it’s just generally well written… well, I’m seriously falling hard for these books.
Kiowa’s story really made my heart break. None of the breeds have good background stories, but the way he was treated by his own blood… it just made everything feel that much worse. It also stopped me from wanting to put down this book at all. I had to find out about Kiowa’s happily ever after. After all, he’s already been abandoned and destroyed by his own blood, so you need to know that Amanda is going to stick with his bullshit and they’ll get their happily ever after.
Amanda was such a wonderful female lead in this story. Kiowa and Amanda are a little bit more into the DomSub stuff in the bedroom… but she’s also more than capable of standing on her own two feet when the world requires it. This great juxtaposition helps her to kick Kiowa’s butt when he needs it and get the respect that all women deserve. Whilst still enjoying the benefits of his dominance in the bedroom… 😉
Title: One Bite with a Stranger Author: Christine Warren Series: The Others #1 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Paranormal romance, Vampires, Werewolves, Witches Dates read: 22nd – 23rd January 2021 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback Year: 2003 5th sentence, 74th page: He’d killed her.
In New York Times bestselling author Christine Warren’s seductive world of The Others, passion sizzles and danger is just around the corner…
When Regina’s friends insist on setting her up on a “Fantasy Fix” to help her get over her cheating ex, she dreams up some kinky out-of-this-world encounters that they could never II possibly II bring to life. But the next thing Regina knows, her friends have got her laced into a shiny black corset, tight leather pants, and a sexy pair of stilettos. It’s time for some downtown vampire-fantasy fun…
ONE BITE WITH A STRANGER
The Vampire Ball in Manhattan’s East Village isn’t really Dmitri Vidame’s idea of a good time, but as a member of the Council that governs The Others, he has to keep an eye on all the young vamps who prey on the pretenders. After he feasts his dark eyes on fiery Regina at the bar, he knows that he must have her. But for the first time Dmitri meets a woman who is more than a match for his indomitable will. And he may be the fantasy Regina hoped for… until she – and her feisty friends – discover her sexy new lover’s bloodsucking secret…
I was surprised how much I enjoyed this brilliantly, wonderfully lustful book. I knew that I’d like it. But I didn’t quite realise how much. So much so that I basically didn’t put it down until I had read it cover to cover… there was just something about the story that completely swept me away from the very first, wonderful moment.
The collection of women in this story kind of reminded me of the women in the Knitting in the City series. Reggie and her friends get together, drink wine and talk a lot of wonderful nonsense. The fact that they do the “Fantasy Fix” just made it all that much better. Alright, so I wouldn’t want to do a Fantasy Fix myself. But the idea of having girlfriends who will hook you up with whatever amazing fantasy you want… mmm… that’s kind of delicious.
There is something incredibly, wonderfully titillating about reading the more erotic / lustful books like this. It may not be the kind of thing that I’m into myself, but it’s definitely thoroughly enjoyable reading about it! I always feel a little uncomfortable about the level of bossiness that some of these stories begin with, particularly in the case of Dmitri in his first encounter with Reggie… but then, the story begins to unfold. The characters get a little more flesh on them, and suddenly that discomfort is just… gone. And things feel sweet and a little delicious all over again.
The novella Any Witch Way She Can got me interested in this series. But this novel has most certainly got me hooked on it. I can’t wait until I can find a copy of Big Bad Wolf and sink further into the intriguing, and very toe curling world of The Others…
Earth and Skye 