Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Tanner’s Scheme by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Tanner's Scheme : Lora Leigh : 9780425216613

Title: Tanner’s Scheme
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #8
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 28th April – 2nd May 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: And it wasn’t a comforting sight.

Synopsis

The author of Megan’s Mark and Harmony’s Way delivers a new novel set in an alternate world where genetically altered Breeds and the humans who created them sometimes come together in the fiercest of passions…

A one-time high-ranking member of the Genetics Council, Sceme Tallant’s father will stop at nothing to see the Feline Breeds eradicated. Even if it means killing his own daughter…

After the Breeds’ main base is attacked, Tanner Reynolds desires revenge – and knows just how to get it. In a bold move, he kidnaps Scheme Tallant and takes her deep into the Kentucky mountains. Yet when Tanner discovers that Scheme herself is a target of her father’s ruthless mission, his vengeance must take a backseat to saving the life of the woman he hopes to claim as his mate. But can Scheme trust Tanner – or is she just a pawn of his passion and ploys?

Thoughts

Every time I pick up a Breeds novel, I remember why I love this series so much. Don’t get me wrong, in some moments I’m a bit like… nope. I’m not really into that level of dominance in the bedroom. But it’s definitely fun to read about. The fact that the series has continued to develop into a much greater, more intense storyline… that just makes it even more difficult to put down.

Tanner is a great lead. He is kind of humorous and definitely intriguing from the very beginning. The fact that he kidnaps his mate and doesn’t even realise that he’s managed to find her… that kind of had me grinning multiple times throughout. I mean, some people can be a little dense, but this just takes the cake.

Scheme’s backstory was actually, surprisingly more tragic than that of Tanner. Normally it’s the Breed with the tragic backstory. But that most certainly wasn’t the case in this story. Scheme suffers in a way that made my heart ache and break a little bit throughout. It made me want to reach through the pages and give her a huge hug (although, honestly, when don’t I want to do this for my favourite characters?).

All in all, I seriously enjoyed this story. It was a great look into the politics that are boiling in the Breeds world and the things that are at stake. I love that this romantic suspense series has prejudice and a silent war, but also spies and double agents. That there is so much going on in every moment that you just can’t look away and forget about what is going on! Completely amazing, and a lot of fun.

<- Harmony’s WayWolfe’s Hope ->

Image source: Bookdepository

Harmony’s Way by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Harmony's Way: A Novel of the Breeds: Book 8: A Novel of Paranormal Passion: Leigh, Lora: Amazon.com.au: Books

Title: Harmony’s Way
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #7
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 27th – 28th April 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “Leave.”

Synopsis

Sink your fangs into Lora Leigh’s series about genetically alered humans with feline DNA. When the Breeds desire the passions of the flesh, they can’t help but get frisky…

Harmony Lancaster is of the Lion Breed, created to be a huntress with a thirst to kill. But the way she seeks justice outside of the law makes her a liability to her own kind. Yet she also possesses information that they need on the existence of the first Leo – who holds the precious secrets of desire.

To save her life, Harmony is paired with Sheriff Lance Jacobs, who tries to tame the killer within her, while protecting the gentle woman he longs to possess. But a dangerous cult leader, bent on destroying the Breeds, could change the way Lance looks at Harmony forever…

Thoughts

Each and every time I pick up a Breeds book, I’m completely hooked. Not only is the intense lust and sexuality of it just… spine tingling. But there is also that great character building, functioning of relationships. And, ultimately, the greater conspiracies and plot lines. The one where you are constantly hoping that this minority will find their happily ever after. But not really believing that it’s going to happen…

Megan’s cousin in Megan’s Mark was definitely a guy that I wanted to get to know a little better. Which left me very, ridiculously happy when he came to the forefront in this book. The fact that he can talk to the winds and has Native American ancestry… I just found that all that much more intriguing. I wasn’t really expecting who he ended up partnered with. But I loved her just as much.

Harmony’s journey most definitely made me tear up a little bit and clutch at my heart. It was seriously heartbreaking. But yet, brilliantly done. Maybe not as heartbreaking as Sherra’s story, and I’m sure not as bad as Dawn’s is going to be… but it was still brutal and horrifying. Yet, the way that Lance helps her and brings the beautiful Death into the light… oh, be still my beating heart.

This is that point in the series when things are getting way more complex and intense. That the characters are getting further and further in over their heads and you can’t help but pick up the next book. Which is exactly what I did… I want to know more about what’s going to happen to the Breeds as a whole. Although, unlike other similar series (Psy-Changeling for example), there is a little less connectivity between the characters. And I’m honestly starting to lose track a little of who’s who and how they all connect… looks like this will be a future reread series…

<- Megan’s MarkTanner’s Scheme ->

Image source: Amazon

Grave Dance by Kalayna Price

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Grave Dance (Alex Craft, #2) by Kalayna Price

Title: Grave Dance
Author: Kalayna Price
Series: Alex Craft #2
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Ghosts, Grim reapers, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 16th – 26th April 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Roc
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Small, large, winged, floral, too-many limbed, too-few – they were a dizzying display rarely seen on the streets.

Synopsis

Whoever said dead men tell no tales obviously never met Alex Craft…

After a month spent recovering from a vicious fight with a sorcerer, grave witch Alex Craft is ready to get back to solving murders by raising the dead. With her love life in turmoil, thanks to the disappearance of Fae Investigation Bureau agent Falin Andrews and a shocking “L”-word confession from death himself, Alex is eager for the distractions of work. But her new case turns out to be a deadly challenge.

The police hire Alex to consult on a particularly strange investigation in the nature preserve south of Nekros City. The strange part: There are no corpses – only fragments of them. A serial killer is potentially on the loose, and Alex has no way to raise a shade without a body, so she’ll have to rely on the magic of others to find leads. But as she begins investigating, a creature born of the darkest magic comes after her. Someone very powerful wants to make sure the only thing she finds is a dead end – her own.

Thoughts

It doesn’t matter how many times I read these novels… I love them each and every time. This read through was absolutely no different. It was fun and quirky and just an impossible to put down journal. I love Price’s writing and find myself irrevocably drawn in each and every time. It helps that I notice different parts of the storyline with each reading…

Alex seems to just keep getting herself further and further into trouble everytime I pick up one of her stories. I can’t wait to see what more trouble she gets into (I’ve only ever read up to Grave Memory before). She seems to be one of those characters that blunders into problem after problem, unable to quite stop herself. Which, of course, makes it a fun and entertaining adventure to be on with her. And seriously, very exciting. One of my favourite fast-paced books on my shelves.

I’d like to say that the love triangle in this story is getting far more complex. But, really, it’s not a triangle… it’s some kind of weird, squiggly line. But ultimately, Alex keeps finding herself stuck between two amazing guys. Honestly, I want her to end up with Death. But I’m actually not entirely sure that she will. Some series, it is easy to see who the final love interest will be. But in this one… I have no damn clue. And I love that fact. Aside from the fae politics, her ancestry and all sorts, it’s the love squiggly that makes me want to keep diving headfirst into this series.

Not only is this an amazing, kind of fast-paced story, it’s also one that is perfectly setting up many future battles and complications for the characters. It’s bringing all of the complexities of the fae courts into the complexities of attraction, debts, friendship, cops… there is so much groundwork being laid and it makes this story all that much more intriguing.

<- Grave WitchRuby Red ->

Image source: Goodreads

Angel’s Flight by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Angels' Flight

Title: Angel’s Flight
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter Companion
In: Angel’s Flight (Nalini Singh)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Strong women, Vampires
Dates read: 26th March 2018 – 16th April 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Collection
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: We need to sort this out fast.

Synopsis

In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.

In Angels’ Judgment a hunter must track one of her own gone bad, while surviving the deadly tests placed in her way by the archangels themselves. Unexpected backup comes from a stranger who might just be the most lethal threat of all…

Plus FIRST TIME IN PRINT

In Angels’ Pawn a vampire hunter faces off against two rival factions and the angel manipulating them both, and a vampire whose help is not entirely selfless…

And NEVER BEFORE PUBLISHED

In Angels’ Dance an angel trapped in the mountain stronghold of the Refuge finds herself under siege by a warrior angel from a martial court.

Thoughts

I absolutely adored this collection. It took me forever and a day to get through because I wanted to read each of the novellas in the order that they take place in the Guild Hunter series. And, honestly, since I’m a bit of a series slut, I kept picking up other series in between books. Trying to work on that habit this year…

This is definitely a collection that I’ll pick up again and again to fill my happy place in reading. It is fun and wonderful and filled with very fun romances that will make you want to pick up more and more of Singh’s books. Or at least, that’s how it all feels for me.

Many of the cute couples in this story may have a happily ever after, but the part that I love the most about their connections… it’s all about acceptance. Every relationship in this collection is about accepting one another and finding a way to create their own future. It makes the romances feel far more realistic in this story…

I love that I finally got to finish this collection! But I was also kind of sad. After all, it’s a bit of a pity that it’s all over. Now I’ll just have to dive headfirst into Archangel’s Blade…

<- Archangel’s SunMore Nalini Singh ->

Image source: Goodreads

Marine Biology by Gail Carriger

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

Title: Marine Biology
Author: Gail Carriger
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, Vampires
Dates read: 16th April 2021
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: The woman gave him that look.

Synopsis

Alec isn’t quite what you would think a werewolf should be. He’s skinny, nerdy and gay. But he’s got more than one secret in his closet. And a fishman is about to help him bring them all to light.

Thoughts

I really didn’t expect… any of this story. Like. Any of this. The title just… gives you nothing to work on and I’ve never read anything by Carriger before, so I was all pleasantly surprised at reading this. I loved the fact that I was surprised time after time in this story. And just constantly found enjoyment in the whole tale.

The idea of a gay, closet alpha werewolf… it was funny. And a lot of descriptives really. It had me giggling right throughout this story and grinning like somewhat of a fool. Then, the guy that he falls for… a wonderful mix of characters.

Alec has got to be one of my favourite short story characters that I’ve been introduced to in a while. I kind of wish that he had more of a longer storyline… I wasn’t quite ready to leave him behind. But then, when am I ever?

<- The Demon’s SecretZola’s Pride ->

Image source: Amazon

Angel’s Wolf by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Angels' Flight

Title: Angel’s Wolf
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #3.5
In: Angel’s Flight (Nalini Singh) & Angels of Darkness (Ilona Andrews, Nalini Singh, Meljean Brook & Sharon Shinn)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Strong women, Vampires
Dates read: 16th April 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: “Thanks, but it won’t be needed.”

Synopsis

In Angel’s Wolf a vampire becomes fascinated with the seductive angel who rules Louisiana. But all is not what it appears to be in her court.

Thoughts

The vampire that was tortured in Archangel’s Kiss had a pretty hard run of things. And he is briefly mentioned in Archangel’s Consort. So I love that there is a novella that is just about him finding a happily ever after. It helps to tie up a few loose ends and brings a whole new angels court to the forefront.

Both Noel’s assignment and Nimra’s court and terrifying-ness are mentioned in Archangel’s Consort and it completely intrigued me and pulled me in. What a fantastic way for me to finish out the Angels’ Flight collection (it may not be the final novella in the book, but it was the final one that I read).

Noel and Nimra gave me that warming of the cockleshell heart feeling. Something about their ability to love one another warmed me up and made me smile. The fact that it’s alongside the race to find out who is trying to kill Nimra… well, that just made me happier and happier.

I may not be a cat person, but there is a total love of cats and pets in this story. They are incredibly important, and the love of pets is something I can completely understand. This whole story made me want to pick up my puppy and give them a huge hug.

<- Archangel’s ConsortArchangel’s Blade ->

Image source: Goodreads

Archangel’s Consort by Nalini Singh

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Archangel's Consort (Guild Hunter, #3) by Nalini Singh

Title: Archangel’s Consort
Author: Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #3
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Strong women, Vampires
Dates read: 14th – 16th April 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: It was locked.

Synopsis

Nalini Singh steps back into the shadows of her “heartbreakingly original” world where angels rule, vampires serve, and the innocent can pay the greatest price of all…

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil…

A vampire has attacked a girls’ school – the assault one of sheer, vicious madness – and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders.

The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.

An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed.

Thoughts

I was wondering how terrifying Raphael’s mother was going to be. I mean, she’s mentioned constantly and she’s definitely somewhat terrifying. But, a bit less than I was expecting. Having said that, I’m pretty sure she’s going to become more and more terrifying as this series unfolds… there is just so much potential there. I can’t wait to see how Elena confronts and deals with her!

This Guild Hunter novel really explores the past beautifully. Both Raphael and Elena have a lot of past issues that they have to deal with. And these seriously begin to come to light in this story. Everyone has a past, and everyone has to battle with that in their current relationships – but Elena and Raphael have a particularly bad set of issues that they have to deal with. As do the Seven. So now I want to know more about the past and the tribulations of Raphael’s Seven.

The first two books in this series are the beginning of Elena ad Raphael’s relationship. Particularly Elena finding her place in Raphael’s life and holding her own against his seriously dominant personality. But, in this novel she is really beginning to find her feet and sense of self. Her drive to be able to stand on her own two feet and fight her own battles is beautifully impressive. And impossible to forget and put down. It’s just… gorgeous and glorious. Most definitely the kind of woman character that I love – finding out who you are and where you fit in a decidedly dangerous society.

One of my favourite things about Singh as an author is that her stories aren’t sappy. They’re all romances and they most definitely make your toes curl. But they aren’t sappy. Even the times when there is that love at first sight zing, they still aren’t sappy. And, ultimately, they are about truly accepting one another. And finding a way to work together to achieve your happily ever after.

I honestly could not put this novel down. It was fantastic and wonderful and everything that I love in a paranormal story. Now I can’t wait to dig through my TBR pile (it’s ginormous) and read Archangel’s Blade.

<- Archangel’s KissAngel’s Wolf ->

Image source: Goodreads

Spark of Shadows by Rachel Madbury

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Spark of Shadows by Rachel Madbury

Title: Spark of Shadows
Author: Rachel Madbury
Series: The Sevens #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Witches
Dates read: 6th – 13th April 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: ARC, eBook, Novella
Publisher: Rachel Madbury
Year: 2020
5th sentence, 74th page: I have to meet with the man on watch.

Synopsis

True love never forgets.

Demons are coming for Cora Gardner. A witch like her sisters, and all the women of her line before her, her existence is threatened not only by mortals who fear what they don’t understand, but by those who live in the shadows and thrive on the darkness.

But when a warrior is summoned to be her guard she’d almost prefer to meet her fate.

Liam Wolfe is not just any warrior, he’s a Seven, created by the covens to protect the most powerful among them. He and his team are the hard edge that keep the violence at bay, so the witches of the world can hold the earth in her balance.

But demons aren’t the only ones drawn to Cora. Despite an animosity from her he cannot comprehend, Liam finds his oath as a Seven tested in the face of temptation. And as evil approaches, secrets are revealed – a truth which threatens everything he’s ever known.

Their past holds the power to reshape his world, but only if he can protect the woman who holds the key.

Thoughts

I received this ARC in exchange for an honest and fair review.

It took me a little bit more to get into this than Splintered Stars. Probably because I had this horrible feeling all throughout the novella that Liam and Cora’s story was going to end in tragedy. After all, their love isn’t mentioned in Splintered Stars, so I felt it was an apt assumption. And whilst I like suspense, I don’t love that constant feeling of tragedy.

Yet, without any spoilers, I did actually love this romance. Its definitely about long lost lovers being reunited. Finding your way back to the one you love and want and just… being with one another. I can’t imagine spending eleven years without the one that I love, but I like the idea that we’d find our way back to one another eventually.

Although I didn’t like this novella prequel quite as much as the first novel in this series, I still seriously enjoyed it. And it just makes me itch all that much more for the second book, which I believe is due to come out soon… now I just have to exercise patience and maturity… two things which aren’t quite my strengths.

<- More Rachel MadburySplintered Stars ->

Image source: Goodreads

Her Perfect Mate by Paige Tyler

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Her Perfect Mate (X-Ops, #1) by Paige Tyler

Title: Her Perfect Mate
Author: Paige Tyler
Series: X-Ops #1
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Shapeshifters
Dates read: 28th March – 3rd April 2021
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Year: 2014
5th sentence, 74th page: “Yeah?” Clayne snorted.

Synopsis

HE’S A HIGH-OCTANE
SPECIAL OPS PRO
When Special Forces Captain Landon Donovan is pulled from an op in Afghanistan, he is surprised to discover he’s been hand-picked for a special assignment with the Department of Covert Operations (DCO), a secret division he’s never heard of. Terrorists are kidnapping biologists and he and his partner have to stop them. But his new partner is a beautiful, sexy womn who looks like she couldn’t hurt a fly – never mind take down a terrorist.

SHE’S NOT YOUR AVERAGE
COVERT OPERATIVE
Ivy Halliwell is no kitten. She’s a feline shifter, and more dangerous than she looks. She’s worked with a string of hotheaded military guys who’ve underestimated her special skills in the past. But when she’s partnered with special agent Donovan, a man sexy enough to make any girl purr, things begin to heat up…

Thoughts

This was a very fast-paced and high-octane romance. It was enjoyable, intriguing and quite intense. Not just for the great love story that is in place, but also for the multitude of action-packed adventures and moments that fill the pages. I was expecting this from the series name and the prequel, Her Secret Agent. But it was still far more intense than I had expected.

There were lots of hints at the political and social turmoil that is probably going to characterise this series in Her Secret Agent. But Her Perfect Mate does this so much better. There are so many moments of intensity and horrible feelings throughout. In fact, it feels a lot like this was the opening battle in a war to come. After all, this is beginning of an eight-book series, and there is so much potential moving forwards… I can’t wait to see how this evolves.

There is nothing I like better than a romance in which two characters bring their past issues to the table. And then figure out a way to accept them and work around them. Instead of pretending that no one has baggage, the baggage is all out there. In the case of this story, I love how Landon meets Ivy and just takes her hostility in his stride. His easy acceptance and ability to just roll with whatever she throws at him is kind of beautiful and most definitely sweet. It makes it all that much more meaningful when they both succumb to their feelings.

I love all of the characters in this novel, and I’m really hoping that some of the future novels feature more of Landon’s unit. They are such a great, humorous, and loyal group, so I desperately want to see more of them. It was impossible not to fall in love with this story and I can’t wait to buy more of this series and see where Tyler’s fantastic world building and romances take me!

<- Her Secret AgentHer Lone Wolf ->

Image source: Goodreads

(Like a) Virgin of the Spring by Susan Sizemore

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

Title: (Like a) Virgin of the Spring
Author: Susan Sizemore
In: The Mammoth Book of Hot Romance (Sonia Florens)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Time travel
Dates read: 31st March 2021
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: She was looking at him with enough pride in her eyes to set his heart on fire.

Synopsis

She’s a time travelling researcher who is stuck out of her time. But, when this Priestess finds herself rescued, she manages to find a whole lot more.

Thoughts

I really loved all of the unexpected twists and turns throughout this short story. At the beginning, I had no idea that there was a time travel aspect to this story. And when I found out that there was and started putting things together… well, I just continued to fall more and more deeply in love with this story.

There is a whole heap of lust throughout this story as well. It’s a bit intense at times, but, honestly, in the best way possible. I love that you can feel the heat just slipping off the pages… it made it very fun and spine tingling to read. But, I’m coming to expect that from Susan Sizemore.

As with many short stories that I enjoy – I want more. I loved this idea of time travelling and felt like it was executed very, very well. Not something that I can always say about time travel stories. But, alas, I think that this might be a standalone. One that I’ll just have to read again.

<- The Mammoth Book of Hot RomanceCrimean Fairy Tale ->

Image source: London Borough of Bexley