Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Jacob’s Faith by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Jacob's Faith: lora leigh: Amazon.com: Books

Title: Jacob’s Faith
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #9
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 1th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: Evidently, the Breeds they’re holding are pretty damned important too, because anyone who could have had information has been killed before I could get to them.

Synopsis

They are a new breed, a new race. Engineered rather than born, trained rather than raised, and their unique genetics have created more than one surprise…

Jacob left Faith six years before, unaware that the mark he left on her also left her in an agony of sexual heat that never dimmed. Now Jacob and Faith are together again, but surprises lurk around every corner and dangers as dark and deadly as their very creation surround them in more ways than one.

Thoughts

One thing that always strikes me about men in romances (and sometimes in real life), they make assumptions and those can be the downfall. Don’t get me wrong, women are just as bad. But I always find the men, such as Jacob to be a bit more frustrating. Maybe because I have to deal with men in my own love life, so I can relate to that frustration all that much better.

In the case of this story, it’s Jacob making some pretty major assumptions about Faith’s feelings that careen them from issue to issue. Instead of just talking things through and finding out what is actually going on, he just keeps… assuming. Which just makes it all that much better when Faith decides to hand his arse to him. Repeatedly.

I know that Jacob’s Faith and Aiden’s Charity were written a little out of order within the Breeds series and by a different publisher (it drives me a little batty when I look at my shelves having these two books). And, honestly, you can kind of pick up on that a little throughout. However, it doesn’t take away from the enjoyment of reading yet another of Lora Leigh’s books. I plan on adding them all to my wishlist now… there is just something about them that I can’t get enough of. Even if some of the sexual play is seriously not to my taste.

Jacob’s Faith follows on beautifully from Wolfe’s Hope. It bought the wolf pack into the breed world brilliantly and set up a whole slew of new issues facing the Breeds. The more I read of this fantastic series, the more I can’t get enough. And also feel my heart kind of break… I mean, the battles that they are constantly fighting are truly devastating and terrible. Seriously difficult to read at times. But, then the love and such comes through and everything is right with the world again…

<- Wolfe’s HopeAiden’s Charity ->

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Mr Sandman by Sherri Browning Erwin

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: Mr Sandman
Author: Sherri Browning Erwin
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Greek mythology, Mythology, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Not just vultures, but also owls and woodpeckers.

Synopsis

After pulling a man from the surf and saving his life, her own life is about to change. Forever. She just has to have the guts to save her sandman.

Thoughts

It became obvious kind of early on that the man in this story was a Greek god. What I didn’t expect was which Greek god it was. And how the whole storyline was likely to play out. This took a serious departure from all of my normal expectations of paranormal romances and stories which feature mythology.

I like that this is kind of a story about rebuilding oneself. About Emma who has said goodbye to all she knows and found a way to start her life completely anew. As a feminist, I’m not completely keen on the fact that she creates her whole new life based around a man. But, as someone who just generally enjoys romances… it was cutesy.

There is something about the beach that seems to highlight new beginnings and hope. Or at least, that’s how it always feels for me. It’s like a recharging station. So it is the perfect setting for this romance, and it is that imagery that I can’t get out of my head as I’m writing this review… not the actual romance in and of itself.

<- The GetawayThe Sin-Eater’s Promise ->

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Queen of All She Surveys by Emma Holly

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for beyond the dark angela knight book cover

Title: Queen of All She Surveys
Author: Emma Holly
Series: Tale of the Demon World #5
In: Beyond the Dark (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Emma Holly & Diane Whiteside)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Gaslamp, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th May 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: It had been a sleepy outpost then, held but not exploited by a king who valued creature comforts above conquest.

Synopsis

Emma Holly does it… in a fantastic world where a powerful queen rules – until she commits the sin of falling in love with the handsome son of her worst enemy.

Thoughts

I love Emma Holly’s writing. I also finally received some of her Tales of the Demon World books. There is just something… fun about the idea of these sexual vampires that come from another world. Set in a regency, steampunk style world. It all weaves together to create a seriously unique reality and world that I’m never quite expecting.

In the case of this story… I was confused throughout. Which I kind of liked. I mean, there’s a gorgeous prince who is known for his god-given sexual gifts. And the woman who is queen who is never quite sated. Of course you know that they are obviously going to fall in love and end up being each other’s perfect sexual partner. But there were so many characters and feeling of back story that I found a little dense. Perfect reason to pick up the rest of the books… that will probably fix the confusion.

The respect that both the monarchs / leads in this story have for one another is kind of brilliant. I’ve been reading a lot of books which feature more domineering personalities. And although there is still respect, I love that there really isn’t a dominant person in this partnership. Rather, both the characters seem to be dominant in their own worlds and arenas, without having to prove themselves any further to their counterpart. That sense of comfort and maturity in themselves was exactly what I wanted. Now I just need more!

<- Caught by the TidesIn a Wolf’s Embrace ->

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The Getaway by Sonya Bateman

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: The Getaway
Author: Sonya Bateman
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th May 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Donatti grimaced.

Synopsis

All they want is a romantic weekend away. But, between a fit of the bitches and a wrong turn… things might not quite turn out quite the way they wanted for their romantic getaway…

Thoughts

From the tone of this piece, I was completely expecting this short story to be a part of a series. I mean, it’s a couple that have a kid together, and that had buckets of history. The set up felt like this was after book two or three in the series. But, from what I can see on Goodreads, that is not the case. I’m still a little unbelieving and perplexed… but still.

I suppose that’s one thing which says wonders about this short story…. the world building is so intense that it feels like a part of a bigger series. You are dropped straight into the action and the relationships. Placed in a somewhat unexpected situation that draws you in from the very beginning and makes you kind of… bereft when the final page is turned.

The lead female in this story is definitely somewhat of a kindred spirit to me. I can be a total raging bitch. I’m moody and argumentative at the best of times. And I have this amazing man that just… deals. The fact that she has the same, and then acknowledges her bitchiness at the end (as I so often do) made me smile. I completely get this type of persona. Which is probably why I’m still wondering if there is another book by Bateman that has a similar lead female.

<- The GauntletMr Sandman ->

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Caught by the Tides by Diane Whiteside

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for beyond the dark angela knight book cover

Title: Caught by the Tides
Author: Diane Whiteside
In: Beyond the Dark (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Emma Holly & Diane Whiteside)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Magic, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Boom!

Synopsis

Diane Whiteside does it… in an alternate universe of Regency magic where two lovers are threatened by a vicious mage and swept up in a turbulent war off the Cornish cliffs.

Thoughts

I really enjoyed this novella. The historical / regency setting is one that is seriously familiar to me at the moment (I seem to be diving into a lot of regency romances at the moment). But it had that great added twist of magic throughout. Something to provide a bit of a different spin on things that I haven’t quite seen yet. And definitely an enjoyable system / storyline.

There seems to have been a few books on my shelves lately that have featured a mysterious man being washed, naked onto the shore. Alright, the lead male in this isn’t actually naked (that I remember). But there is still that sense of the ocean brining true love to someone’s unwitting door. It gave the whole story a sense of joy and mystery that swept me away (like the pun there?). The windswept Cornish coast just added to that fantastic feeling throughout.

All in all, this was a seriously fun and enjoyable story. I have read one or two novellas (or were they short stories) by Diane Whiteside and always find them to be good fun. I’m glad that this story was not different. Definitely one that I would read again.

<- Dragon DanceQueen of All She Surveys ->

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In Dreams by Elissa Wilds

Book Review, ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: In Dreams
Author: Elissa Wilds
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance
Dates read: 11th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Light flickered off the tourmaline blue waves.

Synopsis

She has been missing her husband. But now, a dream man (literally) has come to make her believe in love again. But, can she find that in reality, or just in her dreams?

Thoughts

This was a bit of a fun play on the ideas of astral travel. It was an easy, fun paranormal romance. I don’t get to read many books in which astral projection was the actual goal…. Normally the books that feature this have it as some kind of fluke.

I loved the dreamscape in this story and how that was used for the two leads to get to know one another. I mean, there are so many moments in our daily lives that act as holdups, so it kind of makes sense. Or at least, it makes sense to me. Dream me is definitely more brave than real me.

Yet, even though the dreamscape is beautiful and surreal. It is the daily life that is returned to. Willingly. I love that the best friend in this keeps on pushing for a sense of normalism and comfort in our daily worlds. And doesn’t try to focus on the dreams of what could be. Ultimately, it’s all about living in the here and now.

<- Zola’s PrideThe Gauntlet ->

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Primal Heat by Sherri L. King, Lorie O’Clare, Jaci Burton & Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
Overview
Primal Heat : Sherri L King : 9781843607403

Title: Primal Heat
Author: Sherri L. King, Lori O’Clare, Jaci Burton & Lora Leigh
In: Primal Heat (Sherri L. King, Lorie O’Clare, Jaci Burton & Lora Leigh)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Werewolves
Dates read: 7th February – 4th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Do you understand me?

Synopsis

“Moonlust” by Sherri L King
Series: Moonlust #1
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…

“Pack Law” by Lorie O’Clare
Series: Lunewulf, #1
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.

“Running Mate” by Jaci Burton
Series: Devlin Dynast, #1
Senator Jason Devlin is a man with a secret. A big one that could ruin his political career and his family. He guards his secret closely, allowing no outsiders to penetrate his intimate circle. Kelsey Harper is a reporter itching for an interview with the elusive senator. When a case of mistaken identity lands her in his bed, she gets much more than an interview.

“Wolfe’s Hope” by Lora Leigh
Series: Wolf Breeds , #2
Hope believed Wolfe was dead, but he was only waiting for the right time to claim her. He is a man whose DNA was altered, infused with the genetic code of the wolf. His unique genetic makeup has created a male unlike any other and will make itself known in the most surprising ways. Now Hope must convince her mate she hasn’t betrayed him, and they must defeat the plans of a scientist gone mad.

Thoughts

This was a fun and incredibly lustful collection. There was a lot of intense sexuality throughout this that most definitely put this into my erotic bookshelves. Most certainly not the kind of book that I would comfortably read in front of family members. But definitely one that was good when I wanted to kill a little time by myself…

There is something fun and intriguing about this collection. I only bought it because I love the Breeds series. But I now have another three authors that I’m intrigued by and keen to add to my shelves. Not all to the same degree, I found some of these novellas more to my taste than others. But overall, these were wonderful tastes of some great stories to come…

If you like your paranormal romance a little bit extra erotic and toe curling… then this is a good collection for you. There are stories with multiple partners, bondage, all sorts of different storylines and erotica. That, and they’re all werewolves. Great fun.

<- Wolfe’s HopeMoonlust ->

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Zola’s Pride by Moira Rogers

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for the mammoth book of paranormal romance 2 book cover

Title: Zola’s Pride
Author: Moira Rogers
Series: Southern Arcana #2.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Dates read: 4th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Morality had slipped from her mother’s grasp along with her sanity.

Synopsis

Zola has a past – one which involved her having to leave the home that she loved. And be betrayed by those she thought she could trust. But when the past comes calling, she might just realise that things aren’t exactly as she thought they were…

Thoughts

I really, really loved this story. I love that there are lion shapeshifters and they are structured around a matriarchal pride. I love that there is SO much backstory that you kind of want to dive straight into the series to see if it has some more information. And I just thoroughly enjoyed the whole premise.

One of the reasons why I loved this so much may also just be the fact that Zola is a teacher of martial arts and runs a school for it. This has always been my happy place / point of interest. And now that I actually do a martial art… anything that mentions it just draws me straight in. Happily, completely and somewhat stupidly at times.

All in all, this was a good, fun and easy short story. It had that great spark and romance. But, what I found I enjoyed most out of it was all of the backstory and the universe which had been created. It made this incredibly difficult to put down and seriously enjoyable to read!

<- CrossroadsDeadlock ->

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Dragon Dance by Angela Knight

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for beyond the dark angela knight book cover

Title: Dragon Dance
Author: Angela Knight
In: Beyond the Dark (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Emma Holly & Diane Whiteside)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Aliens, Paranormal romance, Science fiction
Dates read: 4th May 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: No, I’ll just… I’ll just…

Synopsis

Angela Knight does it… in the psychic realm of a woman attuned to the touch of strangers – and the powerful temptations of a seductive and mysterious protector.

Thoughts

I really, really loved this concept – that random people get powers and are called hypers. And that the source of these powers is aliens… I love how Knight’s novellas are able to take a concept that you kind of expect… and change it into a really unique SciFi spin!

Arial and Josiah are a great couple. I thought that they were seriously cute from the very beginning. And I definitely was routing for them from the very beginning. I also love the way that Josiah is trying to keep celibate (and the reasons for why). And how Arial just steadily and happily makes him give it all up… it’s a fun storyline. Or at least, my happy little brain finds it fun.

But, mostly I love how these characters with superpowers have managed to find a way to coexist and find their happily ever afters. I can completely imagine Arial and Josiah and Psych running off into the future fighting more bad guys and making more sense of the incredibly unique world that Knight has managed to create.

<- Beyond the DarkCaught by the Tides ->

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Wolfe’s Hope by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Primal Heat : Sherri L King : 9781843607403

Title: Wolfe’s Hope
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #8.5
In: Primal Heat (Sherri L. King, Lorie O’Clare, Jaci Burton & Lora Leigh)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 4th May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Ellora’s Cave
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: She shivered around the hard protrusion once again.

Synopsis

Hope believed Wolfe was dead, but he was only waiting for the right time to claim her. He is a man whose DNA was altered, infused with the genetic code of the wolf. His unique genetic makeup has created a male unlike any other and will make itself known in the most surprising ways. Now Hope must convince her mate she hasn’t betrayed him, and they must defeat the plans of a scientist gone mad.

Thoughts

This set up the next little patch of Breeds stories really well. The wolf breeds and how they escaped the horrifying and evil labs in which they were created. The fact that it also features an evil scientists daughter… well, that worked quite happily for me. Overall, it was a pretty simple novella that didn’t necessarily have a lot going on adventure wise, but most certainly set up a new Breeds “family”.

I love how some of the Breeds novels have in their name both of the lead characters names. It helps you pick up who you’re routing for from the very beginning. And it just generally creates a fun naming system that I wasn’t quite expecting. But it was most certainly something that I very much enjoyed.

Wolfe is honestly kind of a dick in this story. He’s a bit painful to read for most of it to be honest. But when he has that sense of realisation about just how deeply he messed up… he’s still a dick. But at least he understood just how. And you know, at the end of the story, there was a bit of redemption in the evil bitch getting killed…

<- Tanner’s SchemeJacob’s Faith ->

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