Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Gone with the Witch by Annette Blair

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover gone with the witch annette blair

Title: Gone with the Witch
Author: Annette Blair
Series: Triplet Witch Trilogy #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Dates read: 6th – 15th February 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “Sounded like a great party.”

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Synopsis

The Cartwright triplets – harmony, Destiny, and Storm – are psychic sirens who use their magic for good and their looks for seduction…

Shelter…
Beautiful bad girl Storm Cartwright can be charming when she wants to be. So when she hears the sound of a baby crying every time she’s near Aiden McCloud, she turns on the charm. Because she’s sure the weeping means a child is in need – and that the handsome antiques restorer is the key to finding that helpless child…

…In a Storm.
From the start, Aiden is attracted to Storm. Yet this gorgeous goth girl wont’ stop talking baby nonsense. then Storm sets up a seductive trap, kidnapping him in his very own RV! While Storm follows the sound of the cries, something magical starts happening between her and Aiden. But can they keep the magic alive once Storm finally finds what she’s looking for?

Thoughts

Absolutely adore the idea of having triplets which each have a power in the past, present and future. For Storm, her knowledge and power in the present finally come into use in this story. And I loved it. The ability to track down and save children in danger is kind of amazing. And I love that although she’s completely wrapped up in the present, moments of her past are highlighted as she struggles to find her happily ever after.

Although I really adored this story, it did take me a little while to get into it. Unlike Sex and the Psychic Witch, this didn’t really jump off to an insanely quick start. Probably a little bit insane though… considering it starts with Storm kidnapping Aiden and taking him on an adventure that he is completely not expecting. Still, it didn’t sweep me up like the first book of this series. About six chapters in, it suddenly took off and I was swept away.

Both Aiden and Storm have weird little hang ups in this tale. Although I just found Aiden’s weird. I completely got where Storm was coming from with some of her reluctance. Aiden on the other hand, it felt like he just subscribed to the whole idea of commitment-phobe. Without actually having some serious history which led him to that. I may just be being a little judgy though…

I absolutely adored the ending of this story. Not only are Aiden and Storm close to her sisters (I can’t imagine the triplet being separated), but Storm has also found the children she wanted to rescue. Plus, there is this whole team of psychics who choose to give their time to the finding and rescuing of lost children… of all kinds.

 <- Sex and the Psychic Witch ReviewNever Been Witched Review ->

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Sex and the Psychic Witch by Annette Blair

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover sex and the psychic witch

Title: Sex and the Psychic Witch
Author: Annette Blair
Series: Triplet Witch Trilogy #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Witches
Dates read: 1st – 5th February 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Paxton started his jet-powered Eurocopter and winked.

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Synopsis

Introducing the Cartwright sisters – Harmony, Destiny, and Storm – triplets and unstoppable psychic seductresses…

She could touch the past…
As the buyer for her sister’s vintage curio shop, Harmony finds her job a challenge, since she has the ability to read objects and learn things about their former owners – even their deepest, darkest secrets. Now, a Celtic ring depicting a man’s empty embrace has led her to the Paxton castle on the coast of Salem, Massachusetts.

He needed her presence…
King Paxton has inherited a haunted money pit of a castle. He must get rid of it before he’s cursed with the same bad luck that has plagued his family for generations. But out of nowhere, a leggy blonde walks in and stop construction, insisting that a witch haunts the place. What Harmony finds is an angry ghost, a disgruntled renovation crew, and a man who could use a harmonic convergence…

Thoughts

Annette Blair is one of those authors that just writes some incredibly sweet, cute, easy readers. And I always forget how much I love her work until the next time I pick up a novel. Sex and the Psychic Witch has a little more sass than her Accidental Witch Trilogy. But in the best way possible – I love Harmony’s ability to stand up for herself in spite of everything she’s put up against.

There is something fun and mystical about twins and triplets, particularly triplets since there is the Triple Aspect of the Goddess and all… but I don’t get to read about them much in my many, many books. I love that this is a trilogy based solely on a set of triplets, each finding their own way to a happily ever after and love. Plus, you can already tell who they’re each going to pair up with. And I do really love the fact that they’re each going to end up with a man who is in his own trio-friendship. It works beautifully – I know that my sister’s eventual partner is going to have to make friends with mine, and I can’t imagine that extra connectivity of being a triplet.

Harmony is an absolute spitfire. I love her penchant for ironic tees. Her ability to give King the message loud and clear, according to what she wears and find a way to hold onto her own identity. Even when she’s being partnered with a man who is ramrod straight, domineering and unwilling to yield. Plus, there’s the whole added complication of an angry ghost.

Sex and the Psychic Witch is a great little love story. But, what I love even more is the fact that there is a supernatural mayday. The preceding trilogy, Accidental Witch Trilogy touched on witchcraft, but it didn’t really use it as a major storyline. This trilogy is going to be quite different, probably because the triplets actually embrace their powers and find a way to work it into their daily lives.

 <- The Scot, the Witch and the Wardrobe ReviewGone with the Witch Review ->

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The Night Owl by Emma Holly

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for hot blooded angela knight book cover

Title: The Night Owl
Author: Emma Holly
Series: Midnight #2.5
In: Hot Blooded (Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly & Angela Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 31st January 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Emile and I are still debating that.

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Synopsis

Little ever seems to stir in the sleepy woods of a small Vermont tonw, until a new owner takes over the exclusive local inn. He is centuries old and has traveled far and wide to find his queen – and now nothing will stop him from claiming her…

Thoughts

I do believe in love at first sight. Yet, I always find it a bit bleugh when I read about it. There is just something about it that feels kind of ridiculous when I read a story which features someone who falls stupid in love on first sight. Not sure why, since I did the same thing myself. Yet, the love at first sight in this kind of worked. Probably because although he fell in love pretty quickly, she took her time about it and didn’t just melt when she was told that Bastien loved her.

I still haven’t managed to buy any of the books in the Midnight series, but this has definitely inspired me to want to even more. There is something great about this version of vampires that makes me completely intrigued. Like the other stories which I’ve got on my shelves by Emma Holly. She just has such a unique, romantic spin on paranormal creatures that I don’t normally come across.

I can’t imagine being a vampire… I love being in the sun WAY too much. Yet, I love that this story features a woman who tends to be a bit of a night owl herself. Makes it a little less inconvenient when she is turned into a vampire against her will.

Lastly, I love that there is a great sense of karma in this story. After being left by her ex-husband and betrayed by her best friend… karma came full circle and gave me this great happiness when the story sadly ended.

 <- Awaiting Moonrise ReviewSeduction’s Gift Review ->

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Born of the Night by Amanda Ashley

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover stroke of midnight

Title: Born of the Night
Author: Amanda Ashley
In: Stroke of Midnight (Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Ashley, L.A. Banks & Lori Handeland)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Werewolves
Dates read: 31st January 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: “She is no longer your daughter,” Reyes retorted, wincing as the blade nicked his skin.

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Synopsis

When Lady Shanara Montiori is taken hostage, she learns that the rumors about her captor are true. Lord Reyes is afflicted with the dark curse of the werewolf. Still, Shanara can’t fight the attraction they both feel. Will their love break the curse-or feed its powerful hold?

Thoughts

This is a great little standalone novella. It was easy, a great world, but I wasn’t disappointed when I found out that it was a standalone. There was just something easy, happy and pleasant about this being a standalone. There was enough going on that I couldn’t put the story down. But everything was tied up neatly at the conclusion, unlike some of the novellas that really need to be a part of a greater series.

I liked the whole Romeo and Juliet feel to this story. After all, it’s two people from warring factions, thrust together. Alright, Reyes actually kidnaps Shanara and plans to use her as bait for her father… but it’s still got that whole forbidden love feel to it. Especially when they realise that they’re starting to fall for one another, and regret it seriously since they’re you know… enemies.

One of the things I love the most about this novella is that everything comes full circle. Reyes must deal with a curse placed upon his father. And is seeking revenge for his father’s death. Shanara is the child of the man who is responsible for much of this. It’s quite poetic that the woman who originally causes all of the heartache is also the one who provides the happily ever after.

There is just something about this novella that is sweet, easy and a nice way to end a long day. It’s hard to pinpoint exactly what it was about the story that made me so happy, but I look forward to reading it again in the future to figure out just what it was that I loved so much…

 <- Winter Born ReviewMake It Last Forever Review ->

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Awaiting Moonrise by Maggie Shayne

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for hot blooded angela knight book cover

Title: Awaiting Moonrise
Author: Maggie Shayne
In: Hot Blooded (Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly & Angela Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Werewolves
Dates read: 28th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Beneath those, today’s date was jotted down.

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Synopsis

A science professor enters the steamy bayou to find a new species of animal, convinced that its presence is behind the stories of lycanthropy in the region, but finds herself tempted by a legendary creature straight out of her most sensual nightmare…

Thoughts

Werewolf romances are definitely my guilty pleasure. There is just something about them that completely draws me in. And I don’t know why. Werewolves aren’t really supposed to be such a romantic creature… yet, I absolutely lap up any werewolf romance which comes across my lap. Like this novella. I had to actually walk around, watering my gardens with my nose in the book, I just didn’t want to put it down.

Probably one of the things that ridiculously drew me to this story was the fact that Jenny is a scientist. Alright, I’m not hugely into Cryptozoology as a field… although it could be seriously intriguing. But all of her actions? Yup, they’re the activities of a scientist. And there’s also the moral questions that most scientists must face – where is the line that you must draw in inquiry? How far can you go before you’ve gone way too far? The Manhattan Project always comes to mind when I think of this dilemma…

I read this novella just after I finished Dead Girls are Easy, so it was kind of interesting to read a second voodoo story in such a short amount of time. I like that the lycanthropy was a voodoo curse placed on an ancestor because he did the wrong thing. It was certainly a different take on why people becomes lycanthropes, and one that I found enjoyably refreshing.

 <- Dark Hunger ReviewThe Night Owl Review ->

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Dark Hunger by Christine Feehan

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for hot blooded angela knight book cover

Title: Dark Hunger
Author: Christine Feehan
Series: Dark #13.5
In: Hot Blooded (Christine Feehan, Maggie Shayne, Emma Holly & Angela Knight)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 17th – 20th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: A shadowy figure exploded out of the ground, erupting directly in front of Riordan, fist slamming into his chest and driving deep.

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Synopsis

In a dark jungle, a beautiful activist liberates animals from a secret laboratory—and stumbles across an unexpected prisoner. She releases the Carpathian from his bonds—only to unleash his voracious appetite on herself…

Thoughts

I’ve had the Carpathians series sitting on my shelves for quite a while… yet, I haven’t actually started reading it just yet. Mostly because I’m trying to finish off some other series first… but now that I’ve read my first novella in this universe… I’m incredibly keen to start this series too!!! It’s a typical, intense Feehan tale. One that is about possession, obsession and love. And all of those slightly darker emotions that seem to be built upon when dealing with romances.

I loved that this story featured two different supernatural groups which are on the verge of extinction. The ways in which the different men and women are trying to ensure their survival. Again, much, much darker than typically expected. Feehan most certainly likes to highlight some of our baser instincts and emotions. It made for a somewhat easy read, but still one that made me have to stop and pause, really think about what I was reading. Definitely not a feel good story, but most certainly an enjoyable one.

Sadly, this is one of those novellas that I would normally just read in one sitting. That’s one of the things I love about novellas… they’re a quick, easy read that can fill in the gaps. Sadly, I’ve been having some serious issues with concentrating lately, and it took me three days to get through. I’m sure when I get to Dark Prince, I’ll be able to get through it at a much quicker rate.

 <- Hot Blooded ReviewAwaiting Moonrise Review ->

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Hot for the Holidays by Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast and Allyson James

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for hot for the holidays book cover

Title: Hot for the Holidays
Author: Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast & Allyson James
In: Hot for the Holidays (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast and Allyson James)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 5th – 12th January 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He ignored it, swung his sword.

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Synopsis

Featuring four all-new novellas of sensual surprises and seasonal spirits, this collection includes a new tale of the Breeds from Lora Leigh and a return to the world of the Mageverse from Angela Knight.

Vampire’s Ball by Angela Knight
Kat Danilo’s childhood turned tragic when her sister become the victim of a serial killer. Years later, she gets a chance at justice when she discovers she’d the daughter of Lancelot, vampire knight of the Round Table. But first, she’s got to convince a handsome vampire warrior that she’s worthy to gain the magical powers that are her birthright—powers that might help her find her sister’s killer.

If the murderer doesn’t find her first….

Sweet Enchantment by Anya Bast
This novella provides a first taste of the world in which Anya’s new Dark Magick series is set.

A Little Night Magic by Allyson James
The town of Magellan is famous for its woo-woo activity. Naomi is known as an Unbeliever (one who doesn’t believe in Magellan’s mystical energy). But Naomi must put disbelief aside when her Navajo lover reveals that he is a Changer, a shapeshifter, and has returned to Magellan to protect her from grave anger on Christmas Eve.

A Christmas Kiss by Lora Leigh
Jess has been in isolation for the past year… ever since she betrayed the people she loves the most. Yet, it’s Hawke’s unwillingness to visit her that really hurts her the most. As secrets are revealed and truths discovered, will Jess and Hawke finally find a way to be together?

Thoughts

This is a fantastic novella collection. Especially since it’s got a Christmas theme, but really wasn’t Christmassy at all. Actually, other than the fact that each of these novellas was set around the festive season, there was nothing truly Christmassy about any of these. Which made me much, much happier. I’m just not that into the festive season this year…

I bought this collection because I had one of the series in it (Stormwalker). And then, not long after, started the second one (Breeds). In reading this, I also got to discover two new, great series that are most definitely going on my wish list. It made a great, fun collection. One that took me to new worlds and made me want to just sink my teeth into each and every one of these four series…

Although this is in the paranormal romance section of my bookshelves, it’s really not all the romancey. There are a few stories in this that are intensely lustful, and in every single one there is a couple and sex. But, ultimately it was more about finding a way to be happy with one another, not about the actual overboard romance.

 <- A Christmas Kiss ReviewVampire’s Ball Review ->

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Winter Born by Sherrilyn Kenyon

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover stroke of midnight

Title: Winter Born
Author: Sherrilyn Kenyon
Series: Dark Hunter #5.5
In: Stroke of Midnight (Sherrilyn Kenyon, Amanda Ashley, L.A. Banks & Lori Handeland)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Dates read: 12th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: St. Martin’s Paperback
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: The fact that she was warm and welcoming.

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Synopsis

Two enemy Were-Panthers discover that fate has destined they become lovers. Pandora must learn to trust Dante’s foreign nature. But as she slowly succumbs to the truest passion she has ever known, dark forces have already set out to reclaim her…

Thoughts

I still haven’t cracked the spine of a full-length Sherrilyn Kenyon novel. But, every time that I read one of her novellas, I am absolutely swept away by the world building. This novella did that even more so for my happy little brain. There is something amazing about the amount of information that can be crammed into a novella. The ways in which this story filled an entirely new world (one I’m hoping is part of a series) in just a few short pages. It was intense, engaging and impossible to put down or forget.

I’m obsessing over shapeshifter romances, particularly those which feature feline shapeshifters. The fact that the panther shifters in this novella were also time travelling panthers. And there were two different tribes which had different aspects of their nature asunder… it’s absolutely brilliant.

Most of the shapeshifter stories I read seem to feature a moment of heat in which the characters are sexually, irresistibly bought together. This still followed that same trend. However, the aspect that I loved the most is that after the heat is over. After the couple have found out that they’re destined for each other… they still both take a step back and evaluate whether they really want to be together as a serious couple or not. Whether their human nature wanted to follow their animalistic desires. I loved that extra layer of respect and honesty in their relationship.

 <- Stroke of Midnight ReviewBorn of the Night Review ->

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A Christmas Kiss by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for hot for the holidays book cover

Title: A Christmas Kiss
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #13.5
In: Hot for the Holidays (Lora Leigh, Angela Knight, Anya Bast and Allyson James)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 12th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Hawke guided her into a large elevator and keyed in his security code.

Synopsis

Jess has been in isolation for the past year… ever since she betrayed the people she loves the most. Yet, it’s Hawke’s unwillingness to visit her that really hurts her the most. As secrets are revealed and truths discovered, will Jess and Hawke finally find a way to be together?

Thoughts

Every time I feel like I might have kind of kicked the whole Breeds infatuation… I find myself a novella or short story that I can obsess over yet again. Now I need to pick up the next novel and get a full fix of this series. There are enough hints of the overarching series storyline in each tale. But it’s the romance and the way that people are willing to give up their crap to find a happily-ever-after.

This novella is lustful, intense and possessively sweet. I’m not necessarily a huge fan of stories of total possession, but somehow that male possessiveness is perfectly balanced out by the presence of the women in their lives. They might be domineering in the bedroom (something that I am a fan of), but they’re so freaking vulnerable in so many ways in the everyday world. It’s what makes something that normally would piss me off so freaking desirable.

I love that the mating between these two is seriously delayed by the fact that Hawke wants to respect Jess. That even though they know they’ll eventually succumb (as do you, the reader), there is a delay in which they wait for each other to become truly enamoured with each other.

<- Coyote’s MateBengal’s Heart ->

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The Man Within by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for book cover the man within lora leigh

Title: The Man Within
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #2
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 15th – 16th January 2020
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Lora Leigh
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: I wonder how much better the rest of you tastes.

Synopsis

He had protected Roni when she was a child, filled all her teenage fantasies, and when she became a woman, he stole her heart. Only to break it. Now, fifteen months later, the news is out. Taber, the man she loves, is one of the genetically altered Feline Breeds, who have shocked the world with their presence. He’s also her mate. The mark on her neck attests to that. But he didn’t want her then; does he really want her now?

Deceit and treachery, born in the past, now haunt the present as Taber and Roni fight to make sense of their sudden bonding. The mating of heart, body, and soul as the man and the beast within him merge; both battling the forces raging against the union and dominance over the woman he claimed.

Thoughts

I most definitely love the Breeds series, but it is quite a bit more graphic about sex and sexuality than most of the romances that I read. Which is why I tend to read this series just a little bit slower… it can get pretty intense. Which is probably why I shouldn’t have actually read this at the pub when waiting for people… it was a little awkward reading about the many joys of sex when there was a really, really old guy staring at me…

Dayan completely freaked me out in Tempting the Beast. He was so insidious, and that was a feeling you got before all of his betrayals came to light. So to find a book which features some more of the horrible things he did before he was killed… it gave me some incredibly uncomfortable goose bumps. Although it was quite nice when Taber and Roni were able to finally find their way past the horrors of the past and a way towards a new future together. Not just from Dayan’s meddling, but also Roni’s horrifying father…

Even though this story is very, very much about sex and passion, I love that it is also about creating a relationship beyond that instant attraction. Too many media relationships seem to rely on sexual attraction and heat to drive a relationship. Taber and Roni’s relationship was really only something that both considered “real” when they moved beyond that sexual aspect and truly communicated. Taber was much too possessive for my tastes, but when he FINALLY started communicating… I could actually find the attraction.

This is only the second novel in this series, and already the greater storyline is getting seriously intense. There is just something about it that is impossible to put down and makes me want to pick up the next story. After all, there are conspiracies afoot, an evil power hunting the Breeds… and the part that makes me want to get further through the series? Sherra and Kane’s relationship is about to finally, finally, finally explode onto the pages.

<- Tempting the BeastElizabeth’s Wolf ->

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