Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Taking Hold by Anya Bast

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

Title: Taking Hold
Author: Anya Bast
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Werewolves
Dates read: 25th August 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “It’s uh-” She swallowed hard.

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Synopsis

Casey is out in the wilderness trying to find a lost young man. But the werewolf who is assisting her might just be more of a temptation than she can bear.

Thoughts

This is one of those short stories that I thoroughly, thoroughly enjoyed in the moment. But kind of forgot about once I turned that final page. Even writing this review, I had to flick back to it just to remember what I’d actually read. Maybe I’ve just been reading a little too much werewolf / shapeshifter paranormal romance of late…

Something which this short story did was make me really, really want to pick up Lora Leigh’s Breeds series. The positioning of the werewolf as a totally separate species, and not human at all kind of reminded me of that. And also the stupidity that we kind of have in our own separations, if someone is not exactly like us, they are often considered as somehow less than human, even if there is a whole heap of evidence to the contrary. The fact that this was done through the vessel of a loner werewolf and outcast teacher made the point far more subtle, but it was still there.

The care for a child is something that I think ties everyone together. Or at least, it does in this story. Even though the child in question is sixteen, the cusp of innocence is still there are Casey and Mac race against time and hunters to rescue him. It helped to bring a more humanitarian element to the storyline and detract a little from the intense passion, which kind of felt needed at this point of the collection.

 <- John Doe ReviewHow to Date a Superhero Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Voodoo Moon by Lori Handeland

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

Title: Voodoo Moon
Author: Lori Handeland
Series: Nightcreature #7.5
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 romance, Urban fantasy, Werewolves
Dates read: 1st – 2nd August 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: He had tattoos running up both arms and another winding up the side of his neck.

Synopsis

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…

Thoughts

I’m really surprised that I haven’t read more stories which feature the Voodoo religion. After all, it seems to come up in almost every TV series I’ve watched. Although that’s mostly as a method of killing… I’ve never read a story which has voodoo as the central storyline – one which involves the manifestation of the evil, and the way in which to rid the world of it.

Balance was a key idea throughout this story. It was the imbalance of nature and the world which bought the evil spirit to the small town. And it was recreating this balance (in the most fun of ways) which bought about a happy ending. As someone who has spiritual beliefs, discussions on balance and the way the world twists and turns is so incredibly important, so of course, I just completely lapped up this story. And then started researching how much it was going to cost to get the first few books in this series… because you know, self-control.

Paranormal romance stories which feature a cop of some sort as the lead always capture my fancy immediately. I love criminal shows, don’t read the books as much because I get a little scared, so reading a paranormal version that I know isn’t going to happen to me is a perfect middle ground. The use of a female lead who is an FBI agent investigating some really horrific and confusing deaths… you really can’t go wrong. Now I just have to wait until I have some spare cash to buy Blue Moon and the rest of the series…

 <- The MajickaBreath of Magic ->

Image source: Goodreads

Out of the Light, Into the Shadows by Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for out of the light, into the shadows book cover

Title: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows
Author: Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy
In: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows (Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 20th – 31st July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Things from his past erupted into his future, hateful comments, murderous gestures that he’d long buried in an effort to forget them.

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Synopsis

The darkest hour is before the dawn… headlines a sinful new anthology where the dark and light sides of desire collide…

Embrace the darkness and experience the light in this all-new anthology filled with touching stories of happily ever after alongside smoldering tales of irresistibly dangerous, otherworldly passion. From bewitching emotions and untamed desire to dazzling romance and tantalizing sensuality, these novellas explore the complex facets of the human heart-both the light side and the dark.

Thoughts

This was one of those random books that you just pick up because it looks kind of cool and intriguing. I had no idea that it was part of a series that was already lurking on my shelves and I had no idea of what to expect from the pages of the book. And boy was I happily and pleasantly surprised by everything within its pages! Actually, I’m more than a little disappointed that it’s all over. I just want more!

This is the first of these small novella collections that is only written by two authors. Every other one has had four separate authors creating and weaving their own storylines. And, to add to this, each of the two novellas were directly related to one another. Almost creating a longer mini story with a bit of a break between each. It was certainly a different experience, but one that I thoroughly enjoyed. It’s always nice to experience something a little different.

This collection starts with two stories that are quite a bit more light-hearted and hopeful. They’re sweet and tender, with just a little bit of darkness to the story that draws you in. Then, the next two stories were much darker and twistier. Those sparks of brightness dim a little bit, but just enough to make it a more dark fantasy feeling than the previous stories…

 <- Total Control ReviewHave Mercy Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

John Doe by Anna Windsor

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

Title: John Doe
Author: Anna Windsor
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 31st July 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She took a deep breath, knowing he needed to understand everything.

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Synopsis

Dutch knows that there are dark things in the world. What she doesn’t expect to find is love when the man who is supposed to protect her from them shows up at her psychiatric ward.

Thoughts

The most disappointing aspect of this story was that it was so short and it isn’t part of a greater series. I know, a pretty common complaint for me. I always love when I read a really good short story and it turns out that there’s a whole series that I can stick my greedy little literary nose into. But the premise of a half-angel and her protector (who also happens to be her lover) was incredibly fun. And it was seriously disappointing when I found out that it was a standalone – there was just some incredibly brilliant world building going on!

In July I seemed to read a few stories which feature psychiatric facilities and asylums. A bit of a random theme, but it worked really well in John Doe. After all, Dutch finds out that there are far more serious things going on in the world than she had ever anticipated. Add that to the fact that she lives in isolation from everybody and is celebrating her thirtieth birthday alone… it worked really well to make Dutch seem like she’s lonely and unsure as to what she wants to do with her life. The appearance of Shant changes that all. And injects this amazingly fun and sassy side of the lead that I really wasn’t expecting.

Most of the paranormal romances I’ve been reading lately feature the couple for the entirety of the story. This tale on the other hand doesn’t have the male love interest in it for as long. He goes missing for a fair while and then returns towards the end. The period of separation though worked beautifully for the structure of this tale and I loved the slight department from what I would consider a more traditional tale.

 <- Paranormal Romance Blues ReviewTaking Hold Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Total Control by L.L. Foster

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for out of the light, into the shadows book cover

Title: Total Control
Author: Lori Foster
Series: Jardines #2
In: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows (Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Family, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 29th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He was weak, very weak.

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Synopsis

Brax is cursed like all the other men in his family. Cameo might be the perfect woman to help him survive his curse. But, will she be willing to make the sacrifice?

Thoughts

I liked Brax in Have Mercy. I didn’t really like him in Total Control. At least not until I got about halfway through the story and he stopped being a controlling prick and started being a caring man. Then I felt a little less like reaching into the pages of the book and punching him in the throat. He suddenly became far more human and much less of an insane, sex-fiend control freak. More like what he was in Have Mercy.

I think that I would have loved this novella a lot more if it was part of a greater series. There are just two novellas one about each sibling, yet there is so much amazing world building happening behind the scenes. I want to sink my teeth into this world and not let go… not read about 160 pages all up and finish it off. It was kind of disappointing. Actually, after the fact that Brax was a douche for the first half of this novella, it was the only other disappointing aspect of it.

I seem to be picking up a lot of paranormal romances lately that involve alpha men who have to take control of their women. And Brax fit perfectly into this format. But, I’m kind of getting over it. Which meant that it was so much better when he got his butt kicked out of alpha-male, control everything mentality. Which is kind of why I liked Cameo so much – she knocked his head out of his arse and into reality. Leaving the couple with an actual happily ever after, not one full of lust.

 <- Have Mercy ReviewOut of the Light, Into the Shadows Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

Have Mercy by Lori Foster

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for out of the light, into the shadows book cover

Title: Have Mercy
Author: Lori Foster
Series: Jardines #1
In: Out of the Light, Into the Shadows (Lori Foster & Erin McCarthy)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary romance, Family, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 20th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Things from his past erupted into his future, hateful comments, murderous gestures that he’d long buried in an effort to forget them.

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Synopsis

Mercedes thinks that she’s found the man of her dreams. But an added complication could quickly derail her plans as she hunts for her happily ever after.

Thoughts

I don’t normally like stories that use pregnancies as a reason to commit to one another, get married and have your happily ever after. Normally. But I actually really enjoyed this novella. It did use pregnancy as the point of conflict, but it was also about establishing and altering the relationship between the two primaries, rather than just two people who happened to be forced together.

Whilst I don’t have a brother, I do have a little sister. And I am insanely protective of her. It will be very interesting when she finally brings home someone that she thinks is it. And, unlike the siblings in this story, I don’t have the added stressors on our relationship of lost parents. Have Mercy may have been primarily about this sibling relationship and how they adjust to the differences in their lives, but the secondary relationship of siblings was really nice and relatable too. It also made a nice break from the repetition of many other romances – they don’t always feature siblings as a bit of a painful obstacle.

Considering the kind of book that this novella is in, I was expecting a bit of a paranormal spin on this tale. That Warren was a shapeshifter, or vampire, or something along those lines is what jumped out at me the most. There was a hint of some kind of psychic ability in Mercy’s brother, but that was the extent of it. It was a nice balance to the Vegas Vampires novella that is coming next in this collection.

 <- Out of the Light, Into the Shadows ReviewTotal Control Review ->
Image source: Penguin Random House

Trust Me by Stacia Kane

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

Title: Trust Me
Author: Stacia Kane
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy, Vampires
Dates read: 13th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Another brick shattered a windowpane and clattered on the wood floor.

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Synopsis

She’s supposed to be spying on a man she believes could be Jack the Ripper. But fate has other ideas, and she quickly finds herself falling in love. Has she fallen in love with a monster? Or will she get her happily ever after after all?

Thoughts

While I’ve been reading The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2, I’ve also been reading The Mammoth Book of Jack the Ripper Stories. And I never expected any kind of overlap between the two. At all. After all, they’re two entirely different genres with no overlap whatsoever in authors. Which meant that it was incredibly surprising, although a little fun to read a story which is a vampire paranormal romance, featuring Jack the Ripper and the times in Whitechapel surrounding these killings.

Sometimes I think that paranormal fantasy stories (be they romance or just run of the mill fantasy) take a few too many things from our history and twist them into really weird storylines. And if you had have told me that there was a vampire romance featuring Jack the Ripper, I would have put this in the “I don’t think so” basket. Luckily, I didn’t know that this was such a story, and for that I am exceedingly glad. This was just such a great spin on an old mystery, and almost felt entirely plausible.

Although this romance short was set in the 1800s, I wouldn’t classify it as a historical fiction. The lead female was a little too strong willed and independent. Which, I have read similar stories, but that very independence and strength of will is what continuously gets them into trouble. It got her into absolutely no spot of strife throughout the story… which isn’t to say that I didn’t thoroughly enjoy it. but this read a little bit like a modern story, just moving the location in which it was set…

 <- Vampsploitation ReviewThe Scotsman and the Vamp Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

The Majicka by Mary Janice Davidson

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

Title: The Majicka
Author: MaryJanice Davidson
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: Fantasy, Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 13th July 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: She thought of an even better, more relevant question.

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Synopsis

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?

Thoughts

I’m a little bit disappointed that the premise of this story was only fleshed out in a novella. I would happily read a full length novel, or even a series which features Ireland and all of her awkward rescues. Although, maybe that’s just being greedy. After all, this worked brilliantly, and I loved it immensely. Expanding on it could just ruin the enjoyment that it made me feel.

No matter how many books I read, across how many genres, I am always drawn to stories about misfits. Probably because I’ve always felt like one myself. Maybe just because I tend to find they make the most interesting people. Whatever it is, I’m always happily drawn in; hook, line and sinker. Which, considering this is a story about a girl who constantly takes people in that don’t quite fit into whichever world they come from… I couldn’t put it down. And almost screamed with frustration when it was over. I want to read more about the Angry Fairy and the Zombie Nymph (amongst a few).

The Majicka had a bit of a whodunnit feel to it. Firstly, in trying to help out the zombie. And then, when they’ve finally figured out just who she is, how to save her. The extra entertainment of a Tutor trying to train the next, somewhat resisting Majicka, a car that thinks for itself and a vampire with airs just made it so much more entertaining. Luckily, I have a few MaryJanice Davidson books on their way to fill my bookshelves. Otherwise, I would be sorely disappointed to have finished this novella. Great start to the No Rest for the Witches collection though!

 <- No Rest for the Witches ReviewVoodoo Moon Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Hot Spell by Lora Leigh, Emma Holly, Shiloh Walker & Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Hot Spell

Title: Hot Spell
Author: Lora Leigh, Emma Holly, Shiloh Walker & Meljean Brook
In: Hot Spell (Lora Leigh, Emma Holly, Shiloh Walker & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 3rd – 12th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: He took his hand away.

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Synopsis

Venture into a world beyond the ordinary, where the dark passions and voracious appetites of vampires, werewolves, demons, and a few undaunted mortals combine to unleash a potent… HOT SPELL

Here are lovers like you’ve never dared to imagine: eyes that glitter with keeness born of ancient knowledge. Hands that move with a tenderness belying superhuman strength. Inviting smiles that reveal exquisitely letahl fangs. Rippling, leonine muscles. There’s danger in the air – and heat.

Steam rises up off the pages of these four scorching novellas, sensuously crafted by four acclaimed authors who beckon you to slip into the shadows and experience the otherworldly pleasures of the night…

Thoughts

Once upon a time I used to think that paranormal romance, romance and erotica stories were boring, smuttish and just not worth reading. I have changed my mind. In a big way. And it is collections like Hot Spell that really remind me of just why I did such a big turn around. These novellas and tales still include all of my favourite aspects of fantasy stories, but there is an extra layer of passion, lust and, dare I say it, cuteness to the stories that have me reaching for these stories again and again and again.

Originally I bought this book for the Meljean Brook story of Falling for Anthony. What I didn’t realise was that I would love the other three stories in this collection just as much. To the point that I now want all of these in my collection and don’t know which series to pick up next. They’re all perfect danglers for new authors and collections that I had not quite pictured wanting before.

For someone who, up until two years ago didn’t really read any romances, this collection (and others like it) have certainly drastically expanded the shelves. Alright, it’s not quite as big as my urban and paranormal fantasy collections because sometimes the sappy, happiness gets a bit much. But, if you’re looking for the perfect way to get into the more erotic side of the paranormal, I would definitely suggest adding this one to your shelves!

 <- The Blood Kiss ReviewThe Countess’s Pleasure Review ->
Image source: Meljean Brook

The Blood Kiss by Shiloh Walker

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Hot Spell

Title: The Blood Kiss
Author: Shiloh Walker
In: Hot Spell (Lora Leigh, Emma Holly, Shiloh Walker & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires, Werewolves
Dates read: 12th July 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2005
5th sentence, 74th page: “I don’t feel any different.”

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Synopsis

He’s simply on a mission to save his younger brother from a pathetic political ruse. But, in doing so, he might not only discover the woman of his dreams. He might also lose her too.

Thoughts

This is my second Shiloh Walker tale, and, although I loved the first short story I read, I definitely love her longer novella far, far, far more. There was something that was sweet, seductive and fun about her character and world building. Something that made me just not want to put the story down. So I didn’t. And then I almost missed tea…

There is something so incredibly fun and sensual about stories which match opposites. And, in the supernatural world, there doesn’t seem to be anything more “opposite” than that of werewolf and vampire. The fact that the female vampire wasn’t quite fully formed, but born into it instead just made the world building and storyline all the more intriguing. I had a huge, happy, toe-curling grin on my face when I finished this story. It was also a perfect ending to a fantastic collection.

A definite medieval feel fell about this story. Not because of the time in which it was placed (which was modern day from what I could tell), but rather, the thoughts and decisions of the villain in the tale. The fact that the atrocities he claimed upon a woman were upon his own daughter made it so much more barbaric and archaic. So much better when he was finally overcome and love and right win the day in the end.

 <- Falling for Anthony ReviewHot Spell Review ->
Image source: Meljean Brook