Tag Archives: Paranormal Romance

Dancing with the Star by Susan Sizemore

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: Dancing with the Star
Author: Susan Sizemore
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep) & Vampires: The Recent Undead (Paula Guran)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: The problem is what are we going to do for a bartender now?

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Synopsis

She’s a vampire with a little ennui and a ghoul for a best friend. But a car accident might leave her with the best hope of a future that she could ask for… and a star worth dancing the night away with.

Thoughts

This was a really cute little story. Sephora has a major case of ennui and is kind of bored with her life. And she has a best friend who is a ghoul. All of which in and of itself would make a great short story. After all, this is the kind of story that has a great outline of characters and creatures. But then it gets better with the dream sequence.

I haven’t read a story with a good dream sequence for quite a while. And this one ticked all of my boxes. It was slightly confusing and opaque, but also clear in other moments. Which, for me at least, is what a dream is really like. The fact that it leads Sephora to her own leading man and helps to rescue him just makes it all the better.

I was expecting an entirely different story from what the title suggested. I was kind of expecting some kind of dancing with the stars dance competition to be honest. But this was so much better and more interesting…

 <- To Ease the Rage ReviewPlay Dead Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Judgment Road by Christine Feehan

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

Judgment RoadTitle: Judgment Road
Author: Christine Feehan
Series: Torpedo Ink #1, Sea Haven #14
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Assassins, Bikers, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: “I’m not the best interior designer,” she said, lying her ass off.

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Synopsis

A brutal education in a Russian training facility for assassins has taught this group of men one thing: It’s a long road to redemption.

As the enforcer of the Torpedo Ink morotcycle club, Reaper lives for riding and fighting. He’s a stone-cold killer who turns his wrath on those who deserve it. Feelings are a weakness he can’t afford – until a gorgeous bartender gets under his skin…

Near Sea Haven, the small town of Caspar has given Anya Rafferty a new lease on life. And she’s desperate to hold on to her job at the biker bar, even if the scariest member of the club seems to have it out for her. But Reaper’s imposing presence and smoldering looks just ratchet up the heat.

Anya’s touch is everything Reaper doesn’t want – and it brands him to the bone. But when her secrets catch up to her, Reaper will have to choose between Anya and his club – his heart and his soul.

Thoughts

This is a completely new tone of voice within the Sea Haven series. It isn’t about sisterhood and it doesn’t have that underlying, feminine sweetness to the tale that I’ve come used to in the stories in this world. There is something far more rugged and intense about the tales and the total violence throughout make it kind of hard to put down.

I’ve been reading a lot of Christine Feehan books lately and there is a certain sameness to the stories. They often feature a fairly damaged and useless man who falls in love with a woman and trouble ensues. I liked that Anya had quite a bit of spice to her though, and although there were moments when I thought I knew what was going to happen, there were a few tricks that I wasn’t quite expecting. I was actually screaming “No Reaper you fucking idiot” at one point at the book. I got that tied up in what was going on.

Where Drake Sisters and Sisters of the Heart heavily tie into one another in not only the storyline, themes and feeling, the first book in Torpedo Ink departs from that. Yes, there are still mentions of previous characters. And it is set in the town over, but the world in which Reaper and Anya find their feet and their love is completely different. And this is a fact that I kind of love… after thirteen beautiful, but similarly themed books, it’s nice to depart to something slightly different. That’s not to say any less engaging or intriguing though.

My biggest regret about this book is that it finishes off all of the Sea Haven books which have been published to date. I now have to wait until January for the next Sea Haven fix. And I’m quite frankly, not sure I can actually wait for that long…

 <- Bound Together Review Vengeance Road Review ->
Image source: Christine Feehan

Bound Together by Christine Feehan

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Bound TogetherTitle: Bound Together
Author: Christine Feehan
Series: Sisters of the Heart #6, Sea Haven #13
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: The Coast, Family, Magic, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: The knots in her stomach told her she was a liar, but no one else – not even Viktor – ever had to know that.

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Synopsis

For five years, Viktor Prakenskii has put his life on hold in order to take down the world’s most feared motorcycle club from the inside. But carrying out the insane violence and seeing the club’s exploitation of the innocent has brought his traumatic past roaring back. And there’s only one cure: to see the wife he left behind…

Blythe Daniels thought she’d never see Viktor again after he murdered her stepfather and left without a word. She rebuilt her life without him, becoming a personal trainer and physical therapist… becoming strong enough for others to lean on. But when Viktor comes back to Sea Haven, he’ll make Blythe question everything she thought she know about good and evil – and the dark desires of the heart…

Thoughts

My first thought on finishing this book was “Yup. Everyone’s dead.” And then I smiled.

Which was a good thought. All of the bad guys that have haunted Sea Haven until this point (or at least, the really evil guy) are finally gone. Which is unbelievably relieving. And it gives this great idea that the next Sea Haven series, Torpedo Ink is at the very least, going to start with everyone trying to rebuild their lives. Which is exactly what I wanted for this incredibly rough and tumble group of characters. My main disappointment is that the only book currently published in this (I’m assuming 17-part sub-series) is Judgment Road.

Meeting Viktor in Fire Bound was kind of annoying, although you can tell that he and Blythe are obviously meant for each other, he was kind of a douche. And there is the idea that Blythe has no idea what he has done behind her back. So reading about their reconciliation and the reasons behind his choices (still made him a douche, but a more understandable one) was an absolute page-turner. Actually, I just stayed up until 2am just trying to find out how it was going to end for all of them. Not just Viktor and Blythe, but the rest of Torpedo Ink and even the Drake Sisters.

I love that this entire series ties in to every other book and the two series are seamlessly worked together. You could read each series independently of each other but reading all of them in order is even better. And the fact that each sub-series (so far) has tied up all of the loose ends at the conclusion meant that Bound Together, like Hidden Currents was completely impossible to put down. After all, I didn’t only want to see what was happening to the Sisters of the Heart, but also The Drake Sisters…

 <- Fire Bound Review Judgment Road Review ->
Image source: Christine Feehan

Fire Bound by Christine Feehan

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Fire BoundTitle: Fire Bound
Author: Christine Feehan
Series: Sisters of the Heart #5, Sea Haven #12
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: The Coast, Family, Magic, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Jove
Year: 2016
5th sentence, 74th page: An inch.

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Synopsis

Flame-haired Lissa Piner is a skilled glassblwoer whose delicate gift conceals a burning inner strength that can destroy as exquisitely as it can create. Commissioned to design chandeliers for a string of luxury hotels, her remarkable skills have taken her to Italy. But Lissa’s real mission there is a secret. For her entire life has been a lie, leading to a chance to avenge a terrible wrong.

Enlisted as her bodyguard is Casimir Prakenskii, a trained assassin living off the grid. In Lissa, he sees a kindred spirit – something unexpected and wicked, mysterious and sensual. But something more than desire is about to bring them together, because both of their pasts cry out for revenge. And for two people with this many secrets, this much passion and this many enemies, someone is bound to get burned.

Thoughts

This was probably the least intense of the sexual attractions and romances in the Sea Haven series so far. At least for me. It was also the first one that I was able to put down for a little while. Something about it was just that slight bit slower and more easily paced. That isn’t to say that I didn’t love it just as much as the first eleven Sea Haven books.

Although Casimir and Lissa’s romance doesn’t feel quite as steamy as that of the other sisters (in both series), it feels far more romantic. There is something about Casimir and the (very controlling) way in which he plans out everything for Lissa that is so much sweeter and more thoughtful than any of the previous Prakenskii brothers. Which made me sigh a few times and clutch the book into my chest in that terrifyingly cliché way that women do in movies. Apparently some women do it in real life when they read something gloriously sweet. Or maybe it is just the wedding scene that tends to make me feel this way about Casimir.

Lissa’s character is insanely tough. Where the others are emotionally and mentally tough in their own way, this is the first Sisters of the Heart who is actually physically tough as well. She is an amazing assassin with my favourite back story of the series – nothing like what I was expecting from the previous books. But apparently everything that I was secretly yearning for.

Fire Bound also introduces Viktor and Blythe’s relationship which will be explored throughout Bound Together. It also gets rid of one of the villains and sets the scene for the even bigger bad guy who is (I’m sure) going to give me the absolute heebie jeebies in the final book in this series.

 <- Earth Bound Review Bound Together Review ->
Image source: Christine Feehan

What’s at Stake? by Alexis Morgan

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Vampire RomanceTitle: What’s at Stake?
Author: Alexis Morgan
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “Where do I sign?”

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Synopsis

She’s supposed to be convicitng a murderer. But what happens when that murderer is possibly the love of her life? There is only one way to find out… solve the murder and save the day.

Thoughts

This was a fun and easy little romance. It wasn’t anything ground-shaking, but it was really cute. And I loved that there was so much history built into a few pages. Not only were you swept along by the storyline as it unfolded, you were tantalisingly fed parts of their past which helped to build on the fun throughout.

I’m always pretty keen on a nice little play on words. And this title does that perfectly. It highlights the vampirism in the story, it shows you that there is something at risk, and just generally works very nicely. It keeps in tune with the happy, fun and easy tone of this piece.

 <- Love Bites Review Coming Home Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Tara’s Find by Nadia Williams

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Tara’s Find

Author: Nadia Williams

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Paranormal romance

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: Ye know it here.

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Synopsis

Tara is an archaeologist. She’s at the dig of her dreams, if it wasn’t for the bad weather and the creepy boss. And then there’s the man that she finds buried in the dirt… he changes everything and her life takes on a supernatural twist.

Thoughts

I’m an academic. So anytime there is a story of any kind that features a woman who is an academic, I’m often drawn right in. Immediately and happily. After all, it’s nice to read about someone who has so much in common with you. Plus, it’s fun to have strong, intelligent women in a story. Even if it is just a short story in an ebook anthology late at night.

Tara is a fun and engaging lead and I like that although there is the sense of love at first sight, there is a building up of this relationship. They both slowly fall for each other, and the relationship is more built on their conversations with each other and personalities than lust at first sight. Spin in some paranormal issues and the fae, and this is definitely a thoroughly enjoyable tale that will keep you engaged for ten, fifteen minutes.

 <- The Morrigan’s Daughter Review The Skrying Glass Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Love Bites by Kimberly Raye

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance

Title: Love Bites
Author: Kimberly Raye
Series: Dead End Dating #3.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Dark fantasy, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: It was the perfect place to slice and dice and rid the world of fanged vermin.

Synopsis

She’s supposed to be a vampire hunter, an SOB. He’s supposed to be her target. But lust, hormones and a little bit of fate seem to be getting in the way of her first kill.

Thoughts

I really liked the narrator of this story. She had a completely relatable voice. She was pithy, sarcastic and full of sass. There was also this great sense of vulnerability and innocence in everything in this story that was, well, not entirely relatable, but certainly enjoyable to read. And that was all before the romance and the vampires got involved!

I love the idea of the main couple being naturally at war. That there is something far more at stake (pun intended) than just their lives, but their families, their hearts and their futures. It’s definitely a great indication of what the rest of the series is going to be like, and the first thing I did when I finished this short story was to order the first book of the series.

 <- Your Coffin or Mine?Just One Bite ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Morrigan’s Daughter by Susan Krinard

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Morrigan’s Daughter

Author: Susan Krinard

In: The Mammoth Book of Irish Romance (Trisha Telep)

Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Fantasy, Paranormal romance

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: In time, Seanat gave birth to a girl-child, whom she and Aodhan named Brighid in honour of the lady who had saved them.

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Synopsis

Seanat runs into her worn enemy at the end of a long and wearying battle. But there is something compelling about him, and a momentary decision could end up hautning her for the rest of her life.

Thoughts

This was a fun, easy, and sweet bit of a read. Quite romantic, with the hint of Irish history and folklore to make things so much more interesting and intriguing. The use of Morrigan and Brighid help to build upon this sense of eerie familiarity in an entirely new world.

This wasn’t the kind of romance that really plucked at my heart strings. It wasn’t one that pulled me in, and even writing this, I’m finding it quite unmemorable. But it was nice. Sweet, easy and short. Straight to the point and quick. Cute and beautiful.

 <- On Inishmore Review Tara’s Find Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Paradise by Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

Wild ThingTitle: Wild Thing
Author: Meljean Brook
Series: The Guardians #1.5
In: Wild Thing (Marjorie M. Liu, Maggie Shayne, Alyssa Day & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Demons, Paranormal romance, Vampires
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2007
5th sentence, 74th page: His hands were falling in love with her.

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Synopsis

Follow the dark shadows that stalk both the living and the undead in a world of restless vampries and guardian angels…

Thoughts

I loved the end of Demon Angel, or at least, I loved the happy ending that the characters got. But to me it felt a little too off-into-the-sunset. Which is nice, but I felt like something was left slightly unfinished. Paradise helped to stop that lingering “but-what-happened-next” feeling. It also gave Selah her own story and that in and of itself was enjoyable.

Selah and Lucas were not quite the couple that I was expecting. Mostly because neither character was what they quite seemed on the outset. And I loved the surprises lent by their histories and personalities. From Lilith’s perspective, I expected Selah to be the Guardian who had died young and was kind of prissy… until I read her story. She is so much more relatable! And, because of that, far more loveable.

Demon Angel mostly outlines the worlds of Caelum and Hell (Hugh and Lilith’s worlds). Finally, Paradise introduces the reality of the vampries. And also highlights that this series is based in a time of drastic change… for everyone in the world.

 <- Demon Angel Review Demon Moon Review ->
Image source: Amazon

Dreams by Keri Arthur

Book Review, , , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Vampire RomanceTitle: Dreams
Author: Keri Arthur
Series: Riley Jenson Guardian #3.5
In: The Mammoth Book of Vampire Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Easy reading, Paranormal romance, Vampires, Werewolves
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: So he kissed her, caressed her, loved her, until the heat that rose between them would not be denied.

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Synopsis

When Quinn decides that dreams aren’t enough for his relationship with Riley, he decides to travel to see her for a late night booty call. But what they find in her basement becomes an adventure all on its own, one that nightmares might be made of.

Thoughts

I have read the first Riley Jenson Guardian novel, but haven’t gotten any further into the series. It’s a pretty intense erotica and sexual story, so I definitely have to be in the right kind of mood for it. But when I read Dreams in my short story collection the other night, I remembered just why I have kept this collection on my shelves. It’s easy, fun and more than a little raunchy.

I like the idea of creatures that people assume are less than human (the Chameleons) being involved in a battle with Riley and Quinn. The fact that this story ends with the hint (and that is just a hint) that there is more to the characters than meets the idea worked really well in my mind. It reminds me that there are different kinds of intelligence, and many of the animals that we assume are “dumb” probably aren’t so.

Then this story ends in a raunchy sex scene… which is expected in this series. And even though it is completely expected, it’s a bit of a fun, and very adult, ending to this tale.

 <- Viper’s Bite Review Love Bites Review ->
Image source: Goodreads