Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Fan Fictions by Gabrielle Zevin

Book Review, , ,
Overview
Image result for love is hell book cover

Title: Fan Fictions
Author: Gabrielle Zevin
In: Love is Hell ( Melissa Marr, Scott Westerfield, Justine Larbalestier, Gabrielle Zevin & Laurie Faria Stolarz)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Mental health, Paranormal romance, Young adult
Dates read: 19th September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Harper Teen
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Honestly, I’m worried about you.

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Synopsis

Paige is invisible. And ordinary. Someone who nobody notices. Until Aaron. But now she’s not sure if he’s real or just a figment of her imagination…

Thoughts

At one point or another, we all feel like we’ve been overlooked in high school. Or at least, everyone that I know feels that way… but this story took that feeling to a whole new level. And kind of a whiney one. I really liked the concept, and loved the writing (hence the four-star rating), but I seriously had to take a star off for Paige’s down right insanity…

Although I’m a complete bibliophile, and tend to have some insane dreams about what I’m reading… I’ve never taken on the persona of a book that I’m reading. Never felt those lines begin to blur as I take on a reality that is far more enjoyable than my own. Probably a good thing, considering I read a lot of stories with some incredibly messed up protagonists. But I have had moments when I’ve wished that more of my life could be like that in the stories I read.

From the title of this story, I wasn’t really expecting this kind of tale. I was expecting something with a character who actually writes fan fictions. But, in hindsight, I suppose that taking on the storyline that you’re reading is exactly what fan fictionists (is that even a word?) are actually striving for. After all, they’re generally writing a fan fiction so that they can immerse themselves into a world that someone else has created, and they’re just not really ready to leave… and what avid reader hasn’t felt that way?

 <- Thinner Than Water ReviewLove Struck Review ->
Image source: Harper Collins Publishers

How to Date a Superhero by Jean Johnson

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

Title: How to Date a Superhero
Author: Jean Johnson
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Superheroes
Dates read: 16th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: That was the frustrating thing about her gift; she only ever saw in glimpses and snatches, incomplete pieces.

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Synopsis

Farsight has had a crush on her partner, Steelhand for what seems like forever. But, he just won’t return her affections. So when she has a vision of what could happen between them, things are about to get a little awkward…

Thoughts

For all of my love of paranormal, people with superpowers and the many superhero movies, I’ve never actually read a story which features a superhero couple. Or at least, none that I remember. And I only have one superhero book on my entire bookshelf. Which is saying something… is this a niche that I need to expand on?

This story didn’t actually have a couple getting together. It had all of the lead up, it had the premonition of it happening… but it didn’t actually happen. Which was different, and unique. I kind of liked it though. It really took the idea of leaving a short story open ended and emphasised this. After all, they are planning on getting together, but there is still the little matter of the villains to contend with…

After reading this short story, I just wanted to delve into the world of superheroes. For me, this story wasn’t so much about romance, but about the genre of people running around in tights. Which is why, as soon as I finished it, I pulled out a copy of Smallville and put it in my DVD player… if I can’t immediately find a superhero book, I may as well watch a superhero show…

 <- Taking Hold ReviewDaniel Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Curse of the Black Swan by Alyssa Day

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for enthralled lora leigh book cover

Title: The Curse of the Black Swan
Author: Alyssa Day
Series: League of the Black Swan #1.5
In: Enthralled (Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Meljean Brook & Lucy Monroe)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 16th September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: He caressed her exactly where she needed and wanted him to, and she cried out from the sensation.

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Synopsis

New York Times bestselling author Alyssa Day introduces the League of the Black Swan…and the dangerous game one woman plays when her family’s curse dooms her to kill the man she loves.

Thoughts

I haven’t picked up any of my Alyssa Day stories for quite a while. And reading this novella made me question why I haven’t done so… there is just something so intensely enjoyable and sweet about her stories. There’s always just enough darkness in them to stop them from being candy sweet… but not enough to make them dark and twisty like some of my other romances.

The prologue to this story was a fantastic trip to the world of fairy tales. It was dreamy and slightly ethereal. Tragic and completely engaging all at the same time. It drew me in immediately, especially with the knowledge that although this tragedy was a fantastic read, it wasn’t going to be the focus of the story. The jump forwards in time was completely expected and made far more intriguing by the fact that there is a history of a curse which is about to haunt the romance you are diving into.

Prejudice is always a big theme in many of the urban fantasy stories that I read. After all, it’s easy to highlight such an issue when you’re dealing with abstract, supernatural beings, rather than the social and cultural minorities who actually experience this. Day does this beautifully through the use of Sean and his fire demon heritage. Not only does it provide him with a great, if not slightly bitter, background, but it also supplies him with a reason to be unsure and uncomfortable with his budding attraction to Brynn.

The use of swans in this story as a curse made me seriously think about the Swan Princess… my sister’s favourite movie as a child. Which is probably why I loved this novella so much… it was a fantastic paranormal and adult version of a beloved childhood classic. Or at least, similar enough that it triggered my happy little nostalgia button.

 <- The Devil’s Due ReviewSalvage Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Luisa’s Desire by Emma Holly

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Fantasy

Title: Luisa’s Desire
Author: Emma Holly
Series: Midnight #0.5
In: Fantasy (Christine Feehan, Sabrina Jeffries, Emma Holly & Elda Minger)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 12th September
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2002
5th sentence, 74th page: Stop tempting him and you’ll have earned your freedom from the blood.

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Synopsis

From the depths of the dark unknown…
…a child of midnight has arrived in a spiritual Tibetan refuge to rid herself of wicked desires. Here this ageless beauty meets the one man who can save her – or damn her soul forever.

Thoughts

Although there is no point in this story in which it is stated that Luisa is a vampire. Or really anything akin, but that’s definitely the vibe I got from this novella. A vampire who wants to live blood-free and without having to rely on anyone else. The fact that she goes to an obscure hideaway in the mountains of Tibet to find a monk who can help her to do this… well, it was just such a different take on an old favourite.

The double meaning to this title was really fun. For starters, there’s Luisa’s desire to be something more than what she is. Find a way to not use other people to survive. On the other hand, her desire is something far more lustful and sinful. And way, way, way more fun. After all, the desire to not rely on others is honourable. The desire for another man… well, that’s just spine tinglingly fun. Or at least, that’s how I found it.

I don’t know if I’ve ever read a story – romance or otherwise – which involves a monk as a lead. It’s just not a way of life and character that I tend to find in many of my stories. Plenty of nomads. Plenty of hermits. Plenty of outcasts. But a man who wants to pledge his life to a monastery? Not something that I’ve come across. And it was something that I found surprisingly enjoyable. Especially when partnered with a lady of the night. As with many enjoyable surprises I seem to be finding in my reading lately… it was something I just didn’t know that I needed!

This isn’t a story filled completely with lust. There’s enough of it that you maybe wouldn’t want to read it on a bus, or in front of your in-laws. But it’s not as intense as some of the other paranormal romance tales I’ve been reading lately. There is a little less lust, and a lot more suspense…and now there is another series to add to my every expanding wishlist…

 <- The Widow’s Auction ReviewMr. Speedy Review ->
Image source: Christine Feehan

The Scotsman and the Vamp by Jennifer Ashley

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

Title: The Scotsman and the Vamp
Author: Jennifer Ashley
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 12th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Promised to him since his birth.

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Synopsis

The Roaring Twenties and the movie scene of LA make a beautiful backdrop to a short story about the turn of the century. A woman is running from her past, and her fiance, but when he finally catches up to her, will she realise that the scotsman might be her perfect forever partner?

Thoughts

There is something that has always seemed kind of fun about the Roaring Twenties. Maybe it’s just the clothes. I’m not really sure. But a short story based in this time period, in LA, with a woman who is just starting to embrace the new reality of feminism… well, I was sucked completely in from the first fun scene with a party and dancing, and a vampire bride on the run…

I liked the idea that the vampire in this was the woman. So many of the paranormal romances I read involve a male vampire, with a chosen female bride and then they ride off into their happily ever after. Most of this did happen, just with that nice little gender reversal that was really quite refreshing. Especially since she is running away from a man who would seem for all intents and purposes kind of dreamy – and incredibly sexy. All so that she can live her own life and have a modicum of freedom in her daily life.

I’m not big into stories which feature a damsel in distress who needs rescuing. It’s a little too cliché and not something that immediately tends to draw me in. However, this story does not fit that niche. Actually, that is the biggest hurdle in the relationship – that she doesn’t need him, and so why should he hang around? Rather, in the end, they both rescue each other. Which, for me, is just how it should be.

 <- Trust Me ReviewI Need More You Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

No Rest for the Witches by Mary Janice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren

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Overview
Image result for no rest for the witches book cover

Title: No Rest for the Witches
Author: MaryJanice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren
In: No Rest for the Witches (Mary Janice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Witches
Dates read: 14th July – 9th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: She thought of an even better, more relevant question.

Synopsis

From broomsticks to black magic, leather-clad warriors to love potions gone wrong, here you’ll find four stories of supernatural sex and suspense from some of today’s hottest bestselling authors.

MaryJanice Davidson – “The Majicka”
Life’s a bit crowded for Ireland and her roommates–a fairy, a werewolf, a vampire, and now a zombie…especially when a mysterious man walks through the door. Will there be any room left for love?

Lori Handeland – “Voodoo Moon”
For Devil’s Fork-based FBI Agent Dana Duran, the only way to fight a supernatural serial killer just may be to embrace life. But little did she know that voodoo could be so viciously sexy…

Cheyenne McCray – “Breath of Magic”
San Francisco’s witches are in an epic battle. But even if Sydney can use her sultry ways and ancient Druid powers to save the world, can she risk losing her heart to handsome warrior Conlan?

Christine Warren – “Any Witch Way She Can”
A desperately lonely witch decides to take matters of love into her own hands when she casts a cosmic personal ad…only to find that the perfect formula for love is a strange brew indeed.

Thoughts

This was one of those random books that I picked up in a second hand shop. I had no idea what it was about. Really what genre it belonged to, and only vaguely recognised the names of the authors who had contributed. I really just liked the name of the collection, it was a fun little pun that made me quite intrigued…

From beginning to end, this collection has women who pack an amazing punch. They’re strong, they’re powerful and they’re constantly finding themselves in a spot of trouble. All things which I thoroughly love in a good, strong protagonist. The fact that sex, lust and magic are all mixed in with each other to create some incredibly fun and often times awkward stories just makes it that much better. Mostly the sex and lust. A girls gotta get her kicks where she can…

All four of these novellas, like many other similar collections have sent me down the path of finding new beloved authors and series. They’re always a good way to escape for only a short amount of time when I have to be responsible, but long enough that I get completely sucked into a whole new world. The fact that these were all paranormal fantasy and filled with a good dose of romance just made me sink all the quicker into these stories. Definitely one that I would suggest to anybody who likes their witches with a bit of extra steam!

 <- Any Witch Way She CanThe Majicka ->

Image source: Goodreads

Any Witch Way She Can by Christine Warren

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for no rest for the witches book cover

Title: Any Witch Way She Can
Author: Christine Warren
Series: The Others #3.5
In: No Rest for the Witches (Mary Janice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Witches
Dates read: 5th September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: Quinn laughed and leaned forward to kiss her on the cheek.

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Synopsis

A desperately lonely witch decides to take matters of love into her own hands when she casts a cosmic personal ad…only to find that the perfect formula for love is a strange brew indeed.

Thoughts

I was thinking just the other day that if I could, I would probably cast a spell for my sister to find her one true love. This novella made me rethink that desire. Although, it did have a happy ending… so maybe it wouldn’t be such a bad idea…

Most paranormal romance stories I read feature… well, the paranormal. I’ve never read one in which the thing that makes the girl special is that she isn’t paranormal. Unlike the rest of her extended family. Don’t get me wrong, there’s hints that she could have more talent than expected, but all in all, the magic-less woman is a great breath of fresh air. One that I absolutely adored and would love to read more about… although I don’t think she’ll feature so strongly in any of the other stories in this series…

Although the romance takes centre stage in this novella, the fixing of old wounds and reconnecting with a family member is a fantastic secondary story. Actually, I was more drawn in by the secondary storyline than I was by the first. After all, the first is just another romance, the secondary is about finding what you have in common with your insane family and finding a way to make things work…

<- Breath of MagicNo Rest for the Witches ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Devil’s Due by Lora Leigh

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for enthralled lora leigh book cover

Title: The Devil’s Due
Author: Lora Leigh
Series: Breeds #19.5
In: Enthralled (Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day, Meljean Brook & Lucy Monroe)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense
Dates read: 28th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: The first stroke of lightning-bright pain gave way to a steadily increasing inferno of pleasure Kate couldn’t fight and had no desire to escape.

Synopsis

#1 New York Times bestselling author Lora Leigh returns to her sensual world of the Breeds…as a spirited female Wolf Breed finally meets her match, and can no longer deny her mate – or the fierce desires of her own heart.

Thoughts

Lora Leigh manages to do it again. Get your heart racing, your pulse jumping and leaves a happy little smile on your lips the moment you turn the last page. Even if you sometimes do feel like you need to smoke a post-coital cigarette when you’ve read some of her more sultry passages…

As with the other novellas I’ve read in this series, reading The Devil’s Due made me want to run straight to my shelves, grab the next Breeds story and sink my nose as far between the pages as physically possible. The romances and the passion that are ignited are thoroughly enjoyable. But it’s the underlying storyline and fight against injustice that really draws me in. The idea that just because someone is different, they must be evil and need to be used or exterminated. It makes you kind of sad, but it also makes you really look at your own action and hopeful that you too will find your happily ever after partner.

I’m not very far through the Breeds series, and this novella is much farther than the storyline that I’m currently immersing myself in. Which made it a bit of an annoying giveaway. One that hints a little too much at the future battles. Especially since it is talking about a next generation. But then, by the time I read the next eighteen books, I probably won’t remember much of what I’ve already read, and be excited by this storyline all over again.

<- EnthralledThe Curse of the Black Swan ->

Image source: Amazon

Cave Canem by Susan Sizemore

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
First Blood

Title: Cave Canem
Author: Susan Sizemore
Series: Laws of the Blood #5.5
In: First Blood (Susan Sizemore, Erin McCarthy, Chris Marie Green & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 26th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Of course, she hadn’t been aware of him since the companion connection had been severed between them several years before.

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Synopsis

When hellhound pups are stolen from under Dan Conover’s nose, an unlikely alliance is made. Vampire enforcer Dan is bound by a promise to guard the hellhounds. Werewolf Tess Sirella is charged with making sure no hellhound is trained to tap into its evil, murderous potential. Vampires and werewolves aren’t supposed to be attracted to one another… but for every rule, there’s an exception.

Thoughts

This was a fun, engaging and enjoyable paranormal romance. The involvement of demons, hellhounds, vampires and werewolves drew me in from the very beginning. As did the jump in timeline from the prologue to the main story. The only thing I didn’t love was the fact that the man had been involved with her many times great-grandmother. It felt a little creepy that he’d been intimate with a woman, and then falls for her descendant. There’s even a moment when he notices the similarities between the two of them…

There’s not much I love more in this world than my dogs. So I understood the drive of the hellhounds owners. After all, once that bond is formed, it’s almost impossible to break. Or at least, that’s what I’ve found so far. I really enjoyed the search for the missing puppies, the need to ensure their safety and the drive to indicate their innocence. I can’t imagine a day without my dogs, and the two men in this story obviously feel the same.

I haven’t yet read any of the Laws of the Blood series so I don’t exactly understand how this fits into the bigger world. Yet, Sizemore manages to give you enough information that you don’t feel completely confused by her world. But not enough that you don’t want to read the rest of the series. It’s a great little tease to draw you in, or let you revisit a world you’ve already seen before.

 <- First Blood ReviewRussian Roulette Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Breath of Magic by Cheyenne McCray

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for no rest for the witches book cover

Title: Breath of Magic
Author: Cheyenne McCray
Series: Magic #3.5
In: No Rest for the Witches (Mary Janice Davidson, Lori Handeland, Cheyenne McCray & Christine Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Witches
Dates read: 25th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: The Underworld god’s muscles bunched and flexed as he strode toward them.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

San Francisco’s witches are in an epic battle. But even if Sydney can use her sultry ways and ancient Druid powers to save the world, can she risk losing her heart to handsome warrior Conlan?

Thoughts

This was a great partnering off, battle the evil, and, whilst not winning the war, winning the battle kind of story. I immediately fell in love with the characters, and wanted to find out more about this amazing world that Cheyenne McCray has created. You kind of knew that the two leads would end up together at the close of the book, but that didn’t make the journey any less exciting or intriguing. Rather, I couldn’t wait to see just how they would overcome their obstacles, and it was more than a little surprising when the conclusion was finally reached.

It was really nice to have a slightly different heroine in the lead of this story. Most of the tales I read feature a woman who is completely put together and beautiful, if not more than a little manic and insane. Instead, this features a woman who has glasses and makes some incredibly silly mistakes. Ones that are performed out of pure stubbornness, but still a good place. And more than a little stupid when she looks back at them in hindsight.

Breath of Magic is one of those fun novellas that I’ll read again and again. Not just because I love the simplicity of a good romance story, but also because there is so much more going on. There is a fantastic plot that actually takes centre stage over the romance and makes you hold your breath throughout – after all, you want the good guys to win, and it’s really not a certain thing. It is one of those tales that will make you want to dive right into McCray’s writing and sink into her worlds. Or at least, that’s how I felt… and now I have to go out and buy Forbidden Magic to get my next fix…

 <- Voodoo Moon ReviewAny Witch Way She Can Review ->
Image source: Goodreads