Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Daniel by C. T. Adams and Cathy Clamp

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

Title: Daniel
Author: C.T. Adams & Cathy Clamp
In: The Mammoth Book of Paranormal Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 21st September 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Cut off the head?

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Synopsis

On a routine night on the job, she runs into a completely horrific vampire. It’s enough to throw her into the arms of the one that she loves… but at what cost? Will they survive the coming battle?

Thoughts

This story didn’t quite go the way that I expected. I was kind of anticipating the lead to be a woman who had some serious ties to the paranormal world. And maybe even some powers of her own that would help her in her chosen career. Not really the case, she has a single, kind of sexy, tie to the paranormal world. But nothing more. Nothing more intense and terrifying. Just one Daniel that (I think) lives in her home and is her friendly companion…

There is something incredibly amusing about a mortal woman defending herself from a vengeful vampire with a super soaker. Something that had me laughing out loud, reflecting on this story and just remembering the general fun that I had while reading it even days after I turned the last page. I would like to think that even I could take on an angry undead with my awesome super soaker skills (alright, I’m delirious, but a girl can dream).

This isn’t quite that simple girl meets boy story. For starters, girl met boy way before the start of this story. And boy that girl meets in this story starts out by having his throat cute open by a pair of keys. But it does have that simplicity and sweetness. Girls almost death makes boy make a move. Girl and boy get together and vow to try and survive. They do survive and fun little happily ever after ensues… like I said. Fun, sweet and simple. Everything that I felt like in a short story at the time.

 <- How to Date a Superhero ReviewLight Through Fog Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

I Need More You by Justine Musk

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

Title: I Need More You
Author: Justine Musk
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 20th September
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: “Vincent.”

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Synopsis

She travels across the world to hear his call. To be reunited with the man that she loves… but how can she be sure that this fallen angel loves his nightwalker back?

Thoughts

The part of this story that I liked the most was the setting. Using the backdrop of Burning Man was completely novel and intriguing. It’s something that I’ve only vaguely heard of and been a little intrigued by. And it’s a setting that I’ve never come across before.

The poignancy of the setting of Burning Man and letting things go worked incredibly well for this story. The narrator follows a fallen angel and man all over the world, following a secret call that helps her to find her love. But after a few blissful moments of reunion, the cycle is repeated again. It honestly sounds like an intensely painful and irritating way to maintain a sexual relationship. But, at the end there is a kind of farewelling of the past and a hope for the future.

This wasn’t quite the vampire romance story that I expected. It really wasn’t even all that vampire-based. Alright, the narrator was a vampire, but there really wasn’t a moment in it that this seemed to take key place within the storyline. She more read like a mortal who happened to have a dietary concern… for the majority of the story. I think that this, along with the vagueness of the relationship made this story a bit bleugh for me, although still not horrifying.

 <- The Scotsman and the Vamp ReviewPoint of No Return Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Russian Roulette by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
First Blood

Title: Russian Roulette
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #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, Romance, Vampires,
Dates read: 20th September 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: It suited Alistair, the contrast of bright and dark, and he stayed inside during the day, asleep, and hit the streets at night to work, to dine, to socialize.

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Synopsis

Alistair Kirk is a bar owner, a musician, and a vampire. When he hears that a fledgling vampire is being held captive and faces certain death, he rushes to the rescue.

Sasha Chechikov, once a vampire slayer, now a vampire herself, is on the run from her former associates. Sasha’s past leaves her wary of trusting anyone, but she can’t deny the sparks that fly between her and her sexy saviour. Will Alistair be able to protect Sasha from her enemies? And will two vampires who seem so different from one another learn what it means to truly love?

Thoughts

I’m really glad that I read this novella before Sucker Bet. If I had’ve started this after Sucker Bet, and realised that it was a tale about Sasha… I probably would have been seriously pissed off. She was kind of a bitch in the novel. But this novella made me sympathise with her and actually like her. Or at least, admire her a little more for her strength and gumption…

Unlike the glitz and glam of Las Vegas, New Orleans has a wonderfully different flavour. Changing the setting, and making it a little less “wow” was a great way to round out the last of the stories in the Vegas Vampires series. It also kind of highlighted that who Sasha was in Sucker Bet wasn’t really her true persona… rather, it was all a façade.

Aaron is exactly the kind of male protagonist / love interest that I tend to like. He’s not quite what you would consider “traditional”, completely different to the kind of man that I would go for, and is quiet in his pursuit of women. It’s a bit of a change from many of the domineering men that seem to fill Erin McCarthy’s stories. One that I think I needed at this point. Actually, my biggest complaint about this story was the fact that it was a novella, I think that the ending of Sasha’s story could have been dragged out far longer in a far more enjoyable manner… but maybe I’ll just pick up another Erin McCarthy book instead.

 <- Sucker Bet ReviewDeal or No Deal Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Sucker Bet by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for sucker bet erin mccarthy book cover

Title: Sucker Bet
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #4
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires
Dates read: 19th – 20th September 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Absolutely and utterly ashamed.

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Synopsis

A night of indulgence…

Gwenna Carrick is a woman with a history – 900 years of it. As the vampiress ex-wife of the notorious vampire Roberto Donatelli, she has to keep a low profile. Not easy when she’s bathed in the neon glow of Las Vegas – especially when there’s a whole online group of vampire slayers bent on dealing her her last hand.

can feel like eternity…

A wild night with a stranger was not in the cards for Gwenna. But that’s what happened when she met Detective Nate Thomas. Their passion made her feel… well, alive again. But when Donatelli catches wind of the tryst, Nate tops his to-off list. Gwenna knows she hit the jackpot with Nate and won’t let her ex stand in the way. But they soon realize they have far more enemies than Donatelli – both on the Strip and underground…

Thoughts

This was a great finish to a really fun little series. Alright, there are three novellas which follow it chronologically, but I read them before reading the full length novella, and they don’t really add to the greater storyline. However, Sucker Bet does and it provides some much needed answers to the political and social intrigues which are peppered throughout the four main novels.

Alexis, Cara and Brittany are all very strong and independent women. Ones who not only know what they want from life, but also know what they don’t want. And who they don’t think they want. Gwenna on the other hand is much softer, subtler and a little more lost. She has a far longer history than the three mortal women and, because of this, more hang ups than they have. Which all made her a great lead to finish the series with. She was something different and unique in a series that is full of unique takes on the vampire romance subgenre.

I loved that although Gwenna is a little lost and unsure of what to do with her life, she is also sure of what she doesn’t want. And honestly, some people can’t even quite figure that out… that alone takes a strength of will. She also realises what a great catch of a man she has from the very beginning. She may be unsure of where they stand with each other, but she doesn’t hesitate to find a way to be happy with an incredibly hot human being… something that none of her counterparts in this series were capable of doing. Which is probably why I loved her so much and so quickly.

This was a great way to tie up the political intrigue and battles which have been an undertow and obstacle in all of the stories in this series. It finally removes Donatelli’s annoying influence from the lives of the characters I’ve come to love and made him realise just what he has lost. A bit of poetic justice that didn’t involve blood or death at the closing of the pages as the four main couples finally ride off happily ever after into the sunset. Plus, you finally get to find out why Kelsey calls Ringo Kyle all the time.

 <- Bled Dry ReviewRussian Roulette Review ->
Image source: Amazon

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

Book Review, , , , , , , ,
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