Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Bit the Jackpot by Erin McCarthy

Overview
Image result for bit the jackpot erin mccarthy book cover

Title: Bit the Jackpot
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires
Dates read: 15th – 16th May 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: In fact, at the moment, as she stood up, she had a sly little smile of satisfaction on her face, despite her no-nonsense words.

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Synopsis

The USA Today bestselling author of High Stakes returns to Sin City, where you can get bitten by the gambling bug – or by the sexiest vampire you’ve ever seen…

Campaign manager – and vampire – Seamus Fox has had his fill of women, since he’s been keeping tabs on his presidential candidate’s wife and female entourage. But suddenly he finds himself obsessed with a mysterious stripper who dances behind a screen. The sultry, yet shy, Cara Kim whets his appetite for more. Leave it to Seamus to fall fangs over feet for that rarest of Vegas attractions – a good girl. After a sudden run-in on the street, thought they may soon have a lot more in common…

Thoughts

This is such a fun, easy, cutsey little read. It doesn’t involve a lot of thought processes to actually read. But it definitely leaves you with a happy, completed feeling when you finish it. Alright, throughout the story there are a number of moments in which you want to just smack Seamus over the head. And tell Cara to get over her shit and be a real adult. But, as a general, this is a fun, easy and cute read. One that I will probably pick up again and again, whenever I just need something happy and cheerful. Something to remind me that the world is actually a happy place and true love does exist.

I never thought I’d read a story about a virgin stripper. It was something of a paradox. One that I wasn’t entirely sure I’d like at the beginning. After all, it is dealing with a number of extremes of a woman’s sexuality. But, somehow McCarthy makes it work. Cara is completely strong and independent. But she’s also incredibly vulnerable, unsure… and in so many ways, prejudiced. She has such odd ideals that make her act and think in a way that makes you want to smack her around the back of her head and tell her to get a clue. Which of course makes the book impossible to put down.

I don’t like uptight men. I don’t like them in real life. And I don’t like them in books. Generally. There is something about Seamus that made me start to think about revising my opinion of uptight men. Only a little bit because every stupid moment that he had was because he was completely rigid and unbending. This was not the kind of man that you think of as your dream man…or at least, it’s not the kind of man I could picture as that. But him and Cara work so incredibly well together that you still have a skipping heart every moment that you read about such a perfect couple.

Although this is very much a cutesy love story, I like how it becomes a little more complex with the back storyline. The election battle which is set up in High Stakes continues, but gains a lot of traction. Things start to get a lot more hairy and you wonder what evil levels the Italian will sink to next time. What the next plot will be and how the “good guys” are going to beat it. Everything you need to create a storyline that is not only fun and engaging, but also makes you impatient to turn the next page.

 <- High Stakes ReviewBled Dry Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Kitten Tiger and the Monk by Carolyn Crane

Overview
Image result for novellas and stories meljean brook book cover

Title: Kitten Tiger and the Monk
Author: Carolyn Crane
Series: The Disillusionists #2.5
In: Novellas and Stories (Meljean Brook, Carolyn Crane & Jessica Sims)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 7th May 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: And as a man.

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Synopsis

Sophia Sidway, Midcity’s most dangerous memory revisionist, seeks out the mysterious Monk in the wasteland beneath the Tangle turnpike, hoping for redemption… but it turns out that the Monk is not all that pious, and the turnpike is no turnpike at all.

Thoughts

I love when you read a novella with absolutely no expectations what-so-ever. And then find that you just can’t put it down. That it is impossible to forget. And introduces you to a world you didn’t know you wanted to be a part of. For me, this was that kind of novella. It made me want to go straight out and buy the rest of this series. But I didn’t, because I need to learn some form of self-control… not something I’m admittedly enjoying at this point.

The symbolism of the Tangle was something that drew me in from the beginning. Not only was it a great and intriguing mystery, but the suffering and confusion of the people was reflected in its dark, twisty interior. This dark setting and overwhelming city almost acted like a third character in the story, and one that I would love to meet again and again throughout this series.

The many moral and ethical questions raised by Kitten-Tiger’s power linger long after you turn the final page. I understand why she decides to stop utilising it. But what if there were ways that it could be turned for good? Should you still use it? Who gets to decide what is right and good?

 <- Vixen ReviewSpeed Mating Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Vixen by Jessica Sims

Overview
Image result for novellas and stories meljean brook book cover

Title: Vixen
Author: Jessica Sims
Series: Midnight Liasons #2.1
In: Novellas and Stories (Meljean Brook, Carolyn Crane & Jessica Sims)
Rating Out of 5: 2.5 (Readable, but not worth reading again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Dates read: 2nd May 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: Her hips lifted at the same time, and his finger penetrated the lips of her sex, sliding to the hot valley below, and both of them sucked in a breath.

Synopsis

Miko’s denied her were-fox nature for far too long and turned her back on her vixen heritage. But when she meets two very sexy cat-shifters, she has to decide if she truly wants to give up on her frisky side, or embrace it. Because the were-fox in her doesn’t want to choose between both men… it wants them both.

Thoughts

I’m a little vanilla in some of my tastes when it comes to sexuality. Mostly in the fact that I like it to be two people, not three involved in a relationship. So this story made me really quite uncomfortable… it was a love triangle that, well, stayed a triangle. Which was disappointing, because up until that point, I was actually really enjoying this novella.

I’ve had kitsune appear a few times in my books lately. I don’t know why, but they’re a mythos that I definitely want to read more about. Tricksters and sometimes demons, they’re women who highlight a lot of what femininity is for people. Which is possibly why they’ve been designated demons in the past. Which meant that I really enjoyed the use of a Vixen (kitsune) in this story. Rather than a cat or wolf shapeshifter, like I’m used to, she was a fox. With attitude and a willingness to stand on her own two feet.

I may not have thoroughly enjoyed much of the sexual aspect of this story, but I still liked the entire premise. Enough that I’m curious to read another novella in this series, but not quite buy the first book… yet.

 <- Desperately Seeking ShapeshifterOut with a Fang ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City by Meljean Brook

Overview
Image result for mina wentworth and the invisible city meljean brook book cover

Title: Mina Wentworth and the Invisible City
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Iron Seas #1.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Pirates, Steampunk romance
Dates read: 30th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: When he left, Geordie asked me to ‘Take Billy.’

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Synopsis

Eight months after The Iron Duke, can their marriage survive a new danger?

After Mina is called in to investigate the murder of an aristocratic bounder, her husband Rhys—known to the world as the Iron Duke—must overcome his fear for his new bride before his need to protect her tears them apart. But when she invites him to join her at the murder scene, a search for a mysterious killing machine puts her in more danger than ever before…a danger that leads straight back to Rhys.

Thoughts

One of the most frustrating things that I tend to find about paranormal romance stories are that you don’t really find out how they live their lives after they ride off into the sunset, happily ever after. It’s all well and good to have that amazing story about passion and fire and those first, loving moments together when everything finally fits. But that isn’t entirely realistic… there is another kind of love, when the fiery passions become a slow burn that continues over the years. So the fact that there is a novella about Mina and Rhys 8 months after they get married… I was much happier and more settled in their happiness.

Although this story is very much about settling into a new way of life, and understanding what it means to love another, there is also a great secondary story. Like The Iron Duke there is a bit of a mystery as to who the villain truly is. And a bit of a risk lingering for both of the primary characters. One that you know is going to come to head fairly quickly. It gave the story a little more pressure and spice than just an insight into the daily lives of this unique couple. And one that made it impossible to put down this novella… even though I really, really needed to sleep.

 <- The Iron Duke ReviewHeart of Steel Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Iron Duke by Meljean Brook

Overview
Image result for the iron duke meljean brook book cover

Title: The Iron Duke
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Iron Seas #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Pirates, Steampunk romance
Dates read: 26th – 29th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: And he wished to hell that he’d realized earlier why the red giant always followed her.

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Synopsis

After freeing England from Horde control, Rhys Trahaearn, the Iron Duke, has built a merchant empire on the power – and fear – of his name. And when a dead body is dropped from an airship onto his doorstep, bringing Detective Inspector Mina Wentworth into his dangerous world, he intends to make her his next possession.

With Horde blood running through Mina’s veins, becoming Rhys’s lvoer would destroy both her career and her family, yet the investigation prevents Mina from avoiding him… and the Iron Duke’s ruthless pursuit makes him difficult to resist.

When Mina discovers the victim’s identity, she stumbles upon a conspiracy that threatens the lives of everyone in England. Now, Mina and Rhys must race across zombie-infested wastelands and treacherous oceans – as Mina is tempted to give up everything for the Iron Duke.

Thoughts

To start with I was a bit maybe not about this story. the lead male was just so damn possessive… and well, quite frankly irritating. He couldn’t even begin to imagine being told no. By anyone. Let alone the woman he’s fixated on. I love a lover who is a little possessive and protective… but not one that is so possessive that his partner is a possession rather than, well, a partner. In the first few chapters, Rhys actually made me want to put this book down. But, as the story developed, I steadily fell more and more in lust with him. Found him more and more enthralling and wanted to read the story far more keenly than I had anticipated.

Although Rhys bothered me from the very beginning, Mina made me fall completely in love. She was a strong, independent woman. With a lot of vulnerability. Especially when her history is bought up. It made the tough, cop exterior far more gooey and sweet on the inside. Actually, it was Mina’s plight and willingness to walk away from true love to save others that made me unwilling to put this book down. Incredibly unwilling, I wanted to know who the villain behind the murder was, but mostly I wanted Mina to have her happily-ever-after. Especially after she takes on a kraken…

Other than the great love story in this novel, I absolutely adore the genre. I already have a rapidly growing steampunk collection. Adding in romance just makes me want to read it even more passionately. And making the characters into steampunk pirates… well, that is a series absolutely made in heaven. Actually, I’m really disappointed that there aren’t many more novels in this series… I want a whole heap more steampunk pirates running riot through my bookshelves.

 <- Here There Be Monsters ReviewMina Wentworth and the Invisible City Review ->
Image source: Meljean Brook

Love Bites by Angie Fox

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

Title: Love Bites
Author: Angie Fox
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 27th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: Would you like to tell me what’s going on here?

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Synopsis

Kat is just looking for a new adventure after she finally escapes from a loveless marriage. But a trap has been set for her, one that she’s not entirely sure she wants to escape from.

Thoughts

I don’t like reality tv shows. They’re contrived, annoying and highlight all of the worst aspects of humanity. Yet, I always seem to enjoy stories that take a paranormal spin on such things. A little like this. Alright, the majority of the story isn’t even a tv show, it’s about another matter entirely, but still… I loved the beginning.

The movement in this story from something incredibly modern (a TV dating show) to a more archaic outlook (marrying off the princess to whoever gave the most benefit) was kind of fun. It married two worlds together in a way that I really wasn’t expecting from the outset. I always enjoy a good joining of genres and this kind of worked in my favour. From a modern vampire, just out looking for some fun, to a princess who is forced into loveless marriage after loveless marriage, Kat manages to encompass a number of tropes all in the one short story.

 <- Blood Feud ReviewFlotsam Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

Blood Feud by Patti O’Shea

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

Title: Blood Feud
Author: Patti O’Shea
Series: Blood Feud #1
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 26th April 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: No matter what, Isobel would remain safe tonight.

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Synopsis

Isobel was forced to walk away from her lover years ago. But, now, a twist of fate, or maybe something more has thrust them back together again as they rush to find a killer and save their races from war.

Thoughts

There are a few books in my shelves that deal with demons. But not many. So, finding a new series that features (I think) demons, vampires and a heavy dose of paranormal romance was really exciting. Especially since the writing and the characters were incredibly enjoyable, and they come to the storyline already laden with burdens of the past.

I thought that this was going to be a fairly typical paranormal romance story. Two individuals are investigating a series of deaths, meet, fall in love and live happily ever after. That was until I found out that there is a lot of history between the two leads. Which both upped the stakes and also meant that there was no certainty of a happily-ever-after. After all, it is incredibly difficult to get over the past when you’ve been hurt by it before…

Sometimes I love when a short story begins (or takes place in) a series. Sometimes, I kind of hate it. This is one of those kind of hate it moments… I absolutely adored this short story, but won’t have the chance to buy the next tale in this series for a little while. I’m currently on a book buying ban… so now I’m just frustratedly waiting until I am allowed to buy books again…

 <- Into the Mist For Ever ReviewLove Bites Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository

My Lady of the Hearth by Storm Constantine

Overview
Image result for sirens and other daemon lovers book cover

Title: My Lady of the Hearth
Author: Storm Constantine
In: Sirens and Other Daemon Lovers (Ellen Datlow & Terri Windling)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Paranormal romance, Twisted romance
Dates read: 7th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: EOS
Year: 1998
5th sentence, 74th page: In time, during our lovemaking I too began to make the sounds and Simew displayed her approval with purrs.

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Synopsis

He has the best of the world – looks, intelligence and a great big estate. Yet, something seems to be constantly lacking from his life. That is, until his feline companion becomes something much more thanks to the dark gift of a goddess.

Thoughts

This short story was quite uncomfortable to say the least. It was a really interesting tale. Certainly, one that I enjoyed reading… but not one that I felt… comfortable about at the end. After all, the romance is between a man and his cat-turned-woman. And although it could have been considered a love story, I just couldn’t get the idea that the woman in the story started out as a cat.

The first story in any anthology tends to set the tone for the rest of the collection. Even if it is of a different theme or tone than many of the other stories in the book. So, I found it quite interesting that this series started with passions that weren’t quite natural. A story about being spurned by the people you are surrounding yourself with and accepted by those that have always been there.

This story was also about respect. The protagonist willingly takes Simew into his life, bed and home. Knowing exactly who and what she was, he still chose to marry her and keep her by his side. Yet, when she didn’t perform exactly as he wished (catching a mouse in your mouth will probably make most people a little upset), he starts to pull away from her. Which is a great reminder of how we should treat the people we love – even if they aren’t quite able to fit into the perfect world view that we have of our lives.

<- Sirens and Other Daemon LoversThe Faerie Cony-catcher ->

Image source: Goodreads

High Stakes by Erin McCarthy

Overview
Image result for book cover high stakes erin mccarthy

Title: High Stakes
Author: Erin McCarthy
Series: Vegas Vampires #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Romance, Vampires
Dates read: 9th April 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: Did you have a pleasant flight to Nevada?

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Synopsis

From the USA Today bestselling author of Bled Dry comes a vampire-meets-girl story about lust and love in the city that never sleeps – except during daylight: Las Vegas…

He’s a bloodsucking freak of nature. But, unlike other politicians, Ethan Carrick is a nice guy – and a hot, casino-owning vampire. It’s election year for vamps, which means he’ll first have to escape his opponent’s hit men and then find a First Lady, like the smart and sweet Brittany Baldizzi. But when her protective sister, Alexis, steps in with a message for Ethan – Bite me – he realizes it’s no-nonsense Alexis who raises his stake. And as much as she denies it, she wouldn’t mind a romp in a coffin with him. But can a mere mortal make a centuries-old womanizer feel something new?

Thoughts

I have had a bad month. I needed something fun and happy to read. So I picked up High Stakes. And it was just amazing! I couldn’t put it down. I couldn’t get my mind off of the story. I can’t wait to open the pages of Bit the Jackpot. It was all just so cute and easy. A great, fun read to sink my teeth into (pun intended) when the world around me just isn’t quite working the way I want it to.

I’m not the kind of woman that most people would consider “traditionally beautiful and appealing”. I have average good looks and my personality is full of stubborn, difficult ticks. Especially when I’ve decided that I don’t want to do something. Which meant that I related very, very well to Alexis. The fact that she has a leggy, outgoing and social sister who tends to attract attention frequently just makes me relate all the more strongly to the lead female. The fact that Ethan decides to choose the difficult, non-traditional woman over the more outwardly suitable one… I thought it was just sweet. It shows that we don’t always need what we think we want in life. And that those little surprises that get you are the ones that make life fun and perfect.

Las Vegas features in so many TV shows and stories about America. It seems to be one of those destinations that everyone has been to or wants to go to on a messy weekend. Yet, this is the first story or series that I have read which is based in this town. It brings a whole less seedy side to light and makes it a lot more understandable why people like to travel here for a bit of fun. At least, for me. The use of romance to sit against the flashiness of L.A. works beautifully and helps to highlight the intensity and fun of each storyline.

If you’re single and alone, this is maybe not the best book to read. It’s just so damn cute and coupley… I was home alone the night that I read this and it definitely made me miss my partner. I may have started ringing him to hurry home, just so I could get an affectionate cuddle and kiss.

 <- Undead Man’s Hand ReviewBit the Jackpot Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Blood and Thyme by Camille Bacon-Smith

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

Title: Blood and Thyme
Author: Camille Bacon-Smith
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance 2 (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Food, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 10th April 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: It turned out she liked working here.

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Synopsis

She’s the chef that could help him save his business. But, when he realises just how much she means to him, he’s not sure if he should risk his life or his livelihood first.

Thoughts

This was kind of cute. It’s not the first time that I’ve come across a story about a genetic vampire (rather than one that has been unwillingly changed), but it is probably the first one that featured entertainment and food so strongly. Actually, weirdly enough, it made me want to do a bit of cooking when I finished this story. After all, the lead female is a chef and the lead male almost gives up his life to make sure that he does have a great chef in his damn kitchen…

The sexuality in this short story was seriously damped down in comparison to some of the other paranormal romance stories that I’ve been reading lately. Which was kind of nice. It still had that component to it, but it was the first moments of courtship that really took centre stage. Those moments when there is almost no touching, but a lot of glances and curiosity about one another. Considering this is found in a whole collection of vampire romances, it was nice to have one romance that was a lot more cute, and a lot less sexual to balance out the intensity of some of the other tales.

 <- Deliver Us From Evil ReviewInto the Mist For Ever Review ->
Image source: Bookdepository