Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Wrecked by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for novellas and stories meljean brook book cover

Title: Wrecked
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Iron Seas #3.4
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, Pirates, Steampunk romance
Dates read: 20th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “Of course,” she said, as if she would have made exactly the same decision.

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Synopsis

Elizabeth has spent the past five years running from her father; her father’s huntsman, Caius, has spent the past five years pursuing her. But when he finally catches up to her on an airship flying above Europe’s zombie-infested cities, Elizabeth discovers that Caius isn’t the only danger she has to fear – and now that he’s found her, Caius doesn’t intend to let her go.

Thoughts

I really loved the moral questions that this novella posed. What do you do when you have the power of cloning? And, to begin with that question is just asked in a purely conservational role. And then it takes a darker, twistier turn that was distinctly uncomfortable. But it also worked into a really sweet romance (in the end, when all the twisty bits were sorted).

Wrecked bought an entirely different part of the Iron Seas world to life for me. I loved the mentions of Australia, the whirlwind flight across the skies and the discussion about just how important it was to conserve the remaining animals. Actually, it highlighted a end-of-the-world scenario that I really hadn’t imagined before. What happens to all of the animals when a plague of zombies is unleashed on the world?

My biggest complaint about this novella is that although they ride off into the sunset together, I want to know more about the happy little family that they create. Or at least the one that I’m imagining and picturing in my mind’s eye as I turn the final page.

 <- Conjuring Max ReviewNovellas and Stories Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Blood Upon My Lips by Laurell K. Hamilton

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
cravings

Title: Blood Upon My Lips
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #12.5
In: Cravings (Laurell K. Hamilton, Mary Janice Davidson, Eileen Wilks & Rebecca York)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Dates read: 15th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: He leaned his face over my shoulder, and I caught the sweet scent of his skin.

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Synopsis

Anita is attending a friend’s wedding when Nathaniel, her pomme de sang, makes known in no uncertain terms that he wants to take the relationship to the next level. Anita’s subsequent actions take her to a place she has hitherto carefully avoided.

Thoughts

This was kind of a confusing novella. Which, considering I found out after I read it that it’s the condensed version of a novel… kind of completely makes sense. And, even though it wasn’t completely sensical, it was a fun, smutty kind of journey. And one that I would like to discover more about. There was just enough information to enthral me, but not enough to make me feel like I really knew what was going. Which, for a curious girlchild like myself, was the perfect little teaser.

Although this story really pulled me in and made me kind of fascinated, it was a little bit smutty for my preferences. I’m really not into reading about characters with multiple partners, and found that some of the moments when talking about her relationships (yes, as in plural) a bit uncomfortable. The redeeming factor with that though was the fact that Anita, the lead, also felt incredibly uncomfortable with the situation she seemed to have found herself in. Which made me interested enough to add Guilty Pleasures to my wishlist.

 <- Cravings ReviewDead Girls Don’t Dance Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Conjuring Max by Carolyn Crane

Book Review, , , , , ,
Overview
Image result for novellas and stories meljean brook book cover

Title: Conjuring Max
Author: Carolyn Crane
Series: Code of Shadows #0.5
In: Novellas and Stories (Meljean Brook, Carolyn Crane & Jessica Sims)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Magic, Paranormal romance, Technology, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 9th – 10th June 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “It’s okay, Veronica -“

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Synopsis

The witches of the world ridiculed nerdy Veronica for trying to use newfangled computers to enhance old world spellcasting. Well, it’s 1984 now, and she’s perfected her spellcasting computer program. Hey, who needs friends when you can conjure virtually anything… or anybody? So when Veronica makes powerful new enemies, she conjures Max, a pitbull of a cop, to deal with the pesky hitmen who keep coming around. But tough-guy Max is in no mood to play lapdog to a gorgeous witch.

Thoughts

I really liked the technopagan spin to this storyline. Over the years I’ve read a lot of spins on witchwork and magic. But surprisingly none that use computers as the linchpin of the magic. Especially not coding which can bring the dead back to life…and I ate it all up. Which means that I have to exercise self-control (yet again) to not buy the following novels.

Veronica is a nerdy, pushy, secluded woman. She’s also a geek. Which of course meant that I immediately loved her. Although I did find some of her onion-like, tough layers a little tedious. After all, love is something that I believe in full heartedly, and she took a fair amount of time to actually succumb to the passion that was so obviously there. It’s a trope that I always find kind of frustrating when I’m reading a romance – the inability to see what is so obviously there! Although, I suppose it is also the reason that I like to keep reading these stories, even when I can roughly guess at the ending.

The romantic suspense throughout this novella might be fun, but what I kind of loved most was the creation of the dragon-dog that ate the enemies and decided to hang around. It kind of made me think of my adorable, kind of useless dog. Alright, he might not be a dragon-dog who is going to eat my enemies. But the companionship and loyalty that he shows throughout made me smile. And think of a happily-ever-after couple riding off into the sunset with their weirdly unique pet.

 <- Speed Mating ReviewWrecked Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Speed Mating by Jessica Sims

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for novellas and stories meljean brook book cover

Title: Speed Mating
Author: Jessica Sims
Series: Midnight Liasons #2.3
In: Novellas and Stories (Meljean Brook, Carolyn Crane & Jessica Sims)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Shapeshifters
Dates read: 1st June 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform
Year: 2013
5th sentence, 74th page: “Or horrified,” Estrella said quietly, sipping her own iced coffee.

Synopsis

Estrella may be going into heat, but she’s determined to remain in control. Just because she’s ovulating doesn’t mean she has to settle for just any man (or his beast). Her sexy alpha’s determined to find her a tiger to take care of her heat and father her child… but no one seems to look quite as good as the man in charge. Will giving in to her need for her alpha ruin her tenuous relationship with her clan or be a match made in heaven?

Thoughts

I was a bit thrown by the first novella I’ve read in this series. But, after reading Speed Mating, I’ve decided that this is going to be a fun, sexual and slightly cute series to sink my teeth into. Actually, it was kind of funny in moments. Especially through the use of a speed dating event in which it is so obvious who the main couple is going to be. But a little fun in the construction of their relationship.

I haven’t read a shapeshifter romance for a little while. I just seem to have moved onto other stories and tropes. But, reading this story about dating services and wanting children, and a liger shapeshifter (which is an awesome first for me) made me itch to pick up one of the many shapeshifter paranormal romances on my shelves… there is just something so much more animalistic and intriguing about these stories. Something more primal than many other romances. Which you kind of need every now and again.

The smut level of this story was quite intense, but not overdone like in Vixen. For me, it was just the right level of happy, fun smutty storyline to get my pulse racing. But not enough that I would feel completely uncomfortable reading this in public.

 <- Out with a FangSingle Wolf Female ->

Image source: Fantastic Fiction

Bit the Jackpot by Erin McCarthy

Book Review, , , ,
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

Book Review, , , ,
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

Book Review, , , ,
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

Book Review, , , ,
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

Book Review, , , ,
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

Book Review, , ,
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 ->
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