Tag Archives: Romance

Daughter of the Sea by Kathleen Givens

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Daughter of the Sea

Author: Kathleen Givens

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

Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Fae, Fantasy, Romance

Pace: Medium

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: The Queen stood nearby, draped in a long dark cloak, her face pale.

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Synopsis

Muirin and Conlan are meant for each other, but her evil stepmother stands in the way. Will Muirin be able to overcome all the obstacles in front of them and finally claim her one true love?

Thoughts

This is such a fun, typical Irish romance story. Alright, it’s a lot shorter than many of the tales that I generally read based in this world. And I enjoyed it just as much as I enjoy every single one of these tales. My background is all based in the UK, and there is something that has always drawn me to Irish and Celtic tales.

Muirin and Conlan are such a sweet couple. And from the very beginning of this tale, it is obvious that there is going to be a very large obstacle put in the way of their love and eventual marriage. And because this is in a collection of romance tales, it is equally obvious that they are going to overcome. That doesn’t mean that it isn’t thoroughly enjoyable. And even after her three tasks are laid out in front of her, it isn’t quite obvious just how these obstacles will be overcome. And it is in this that the journey is fun.

I read this just before curling up for bed, and it was a great way to end the night. I got this beautiful little tale of love and Irish folklore while my partner slumbered next to me. And the combination was pleasant and fun. It also lead to some of the more peaceful and pleasant dreams that I’ve had in a while.

 <- Shifter Made Review The Eternal Warrior Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Pavilion on the Links by Robert Louis Stevenson

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Pavilion on the LinksTitle: The Pavilion on the Links
Author: Robert Louis Stevenson
In: Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde & Other Stories (Robert Louis Stevenson)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Classics, Crime, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Word Cloud Classics
Year: 1880
5th sentence, 74th page: Fresh provisions were brought under cover of darkness by the old woman from the mansion-house.

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Synopsis

Two solitary men, once as close to being friends as men of their temperament could ever be, meet again on a bleak Scottish coast. Northmour has brought the corrupt banker Huddlestone, and his beautiful daughter whom Northmour is pursuing, to seek concealment in an isolated pavilion by the sea.

Thoughts

This was quite a fast-paced and unexpected story. I didn’t really have much of an idea about what to expect, but it was certainly fun. And unexpectedly romantic considering all of the other Stevenson stories that I have read so far. Or at least, I kind of found it that way with all of the foreshadowing which he uses throughout.

Each small chapter throughout the story highlights a new discovery, and a new moment in the journey that helps the protagonist to eventually overcome all odds and obtain his heart’s desire. There is also a great juxtaposition between Northmour and the main protagonist. Where one is honourable and honest, the other is quite underhanded and certainly scary in the way in which he claims Clara. Luckily, there is triumph of good over evil and a hope for the future.

 <- The Rajah’s Diamond Review A Lodging for the Night Review ->
Image source: Wikimedia Commons

Shifter Made by Jennifer Ashley

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Shifter Made

Author: Jennifer Ashley

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, Easy reading, Fae, Romance

Pace: Fast

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: One of the attendants put his hands on his hips, panting.

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Synopsis

A fae woman wants something from a Shifter, and he’ll do anything to protect his cubs. But will they both get what they really want?

Thoughts

I thoroughly enjoyed this short story. I have a bit of an obsession with shapeshifters, and the fae. And any kind of romance. So this tale was an absolute perfect fit for me. It featured a fae woman and a cat shifter man. The fact that he is being bribed and his cubs have been stolen just helped to heighten the risks that Niall is forced to face.

Although Niall is the one who is being bribed, it is obvious from the very beginning that his fae counterpart has a hidden agenda all of her own. As their relationship develops it becomes more and more obvious that although she is kin to the bad guy, she certainly isn’t on her side.

Actually, the biggest issue with this is that I loved the world and the history, but it was only a few very short pages. Maybe I will have to hunt out other tales from this author…

 <- Beyond the Veil Review Daughter of the Sea Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Beyond the Veil by Patricia Rice

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Beyond the Veil

Author: Patricia Rice

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

Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Fae, Romance

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: If you wish to save the child, you must do so yourself.

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Synopsis

Finn risks everything to save his young son. And Anya is risking everything to save her kingdom. Will they finally find the happiness that they both crave?

Thoughts

I love the idea of a time travelling father working to protect his child. The fact that he also manages to reunite with his soul mate one thousand years after he supposedly died just made everything a lot cuter.

This is one of those stories that I enjoyed, but it wasn’t overly memorable. It was cute, sweet, and thoroughly enjoyable to read. But it wasn’t something that I feel the desperate need to read again and again and again.

 <- Nia and the Beast of Killarney Wood Review Shifter Made Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Nia and the Beast of Killarney Wood by Cindy Miles

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Nia and the Beast of Killarney Wood

Author: Cindy Miles

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, Easy reading, Fantasy, Romance

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: What was this strange man about?

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Synopsis

Nia is trying to escape her father’s plan for her future, and in doing so, she might just find her future in the arms of a beast.

Thoughts

I knew from the very beginning that Nia was going to run into the beast and they would fall madly in love. After all, this is a short story in a collection of Irish romance tales. And the title is Nia and the Beast…

Nia is trying to escape her father’s ideas for her future, and the ways in which he is trying to dictate her life. The fact that this is a literal escape made quite an exciting moment of fleeing through the woods. Falling into a trap with the beast that everyone dreads is completely predictable. But it was still so much fun and worked so well.

One of the parts of this story that I absolutely loved is the fact that both Nia and the Beast were not typical ideals of beauty. They are both kind of ugly and scarred – each in their own way. Yet, at the end of the tale, they both found the love that they were looking for.

 <- The Trials of Bryan Murphy Review Beyond the Veil Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Christmas Curse by Ruby Moone

Book Review, , ,

Overview

The Christmas CurseTitle: The Christmas Curse
Author: Ruby Moone
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, LGBTQI, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Kindle
Year: 2017
5th sentence, 74th page: In his line of work, a man had to take care, very great care.

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Synopsis

It’s almost Christmas 1806, and government agent Jared Templeton finds himself adopted by a beautiful stray dog as he walks his customary route each night to his Mayfair home. Having never owned a dog before, Jared is surprised to find himself talking to the beast. It’s wonderfully easy and lifts some of the heavy burdens he carries.

Eventually Jared confides in the dog, not only secrets about his work as an agent, but also the biggest secret about himself. About his innermost desires and needs, safe in the knowledge his companion will never betray him.

But at the stroke of midnight on Christmas Eve, Jared discovers things are not quite what they seem …

Thoughts

I got this little novella to complete a reading challenge – an author with the name of a jewel. I had no idea what it was like. What it was about. Really any idea about anything. I got it because it was one of the few that I could actually find in Australia. And I didn’t regret it in the least. It is the first truly LGBTQ (I think that’s the right acronym) story that I have read. And I loved it.

This is based at Christmas time, which I normally find beautiful and mystical. But I really didn’t take that away from this tale. I took away the LGBTQ storyline. And it was this sweet little romance that I enjoyed. I found the writing a little lacking in moments, but the ability of the author to write such a great plot.

This wasn’t one of those earthshattering tales that I am desperate to pick up again. Not even one that has made me desperate to find out more about the author. But it was a tale that was sweet, and interesting. And just an easy way to spend half an hour. Simple is the best word to describe this. And I mean that in the absolute best sense.

 <- More Christmas reviews More LGBTQI reviews ->
Image source: Smashwords

The Trials of Bryan Murphy by Cat Adams

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Trials of Bryan Murphy

Author: Cat Adams

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

Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Fae, Romance

Pace: Fast

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: Her captor followed her abrupt gaze.

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Synopsis

When Bryan’s wife is kidnapped by the fae, he is forced to face three trials to get her back.

Thoughts

If there’s a decent story about the fae, then you can almost guarantee that I’m going to love it. And, this was a very good story about the fae. And romance. And sacrificing everything in the name of love.

Bryan and Bridget have that love that most people desire. The understanding and acceptance of one another at the deepest level. And this ability to completely trust and want to be with one another in spite of all. And it is this drive that helps them to overcome Bryan’s three trials to get back his love. And to face up to the King and Queen of the fae and all of the tricks that they throw in their way.

 <- Oracle Review Nia and the Beast of Killarney Wood Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Oracle by Margo Maguire

Book Review, , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: Oracle

Author: Margo Maguire

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

Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Romance

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: It was more vivid than any I’ve ever had.

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Synopsis

A future oracle of her people travels to save the world. But she finds herself and her future instead.

Thoughts

I don’t get the obsession with virgins. The idea that a virgin woman (it’s always a woman) has some kind of mythical powers or prowess. It’s not something that’s ever made sense to me, and when I started reading this short story, part of me was going oh god, here we go again. And it was kind of like that… she has to be a virgin to become an oracle. She finds a temptation. But it wasn’t anywhere near as horrifying as I was expecting.

The immediate attachment between the two main characters was fun and potent. Although a little too predictable. The battle that they have to fight, and the storyline, were really well written and developed. Although I didn’t have much of an interest in the romance aspect of this tale (which is kind of new for me), I did like the rest of the story.

 <- The Ballad of Rosamunde Review The Trials of Bryan Murphy Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

The Ballad of Rosamunde by Claire Delacroix

Book Review, , , , ,

Overview

The Mammoth Book of Irish RomanceTitle: The Ballad of Rosamunde

Author: Claire Delacroix

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

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

My Bookshelves: Celtic, Easy reading, Fae, Romance

Pace: Slow

Format: Short story

Publisher: Running Press

Year: 2010

5th sentence, 74th page: Rosamunde felt her heart skip and feared her maidens would hear its tumult.

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Synopsis

Padraig thinks that the love of his life has been taken away from him forever. But, then he finds out that she amongst the fae and that there might be a way to save her after all.

Thoughts

I loved this short story. It took the beauty of an old Irish ballad, and partnered it with a battle against the fae, true love and pirates. Really, you can’t go wrong with such a mix.

I really liked how if you read the ballad that is throughout this, it would form its own beautiful story that you could completely lose yourself in. But, Delacroix takes the stanzas and fleshes them out. She layers emotion onto emotion and takes you on a wild journey that you just can’t escape.

There are almost three storylines interwoven throughout this tale. There is the ballad. There is Padraig’s battle to save Rosamunde. And there is the tale of how Rosamunde found herself in such a dire predicament. Each story is amazingly sweet and heart-wrenchingly beautiful.

 <- The Blue Pebble Review Oracle Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Hot August Moon by Katherine Sutcliffe

Book Review, , ,

Overview

lover-bewareTitle: Hot August Moon
Author: Katherine Sutcliffe
In: Lover Beware (Christine Feehan, Katherine Sutcliffe, Fiona Brand & Eileen Wilks)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Crime, Romance
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Books
Year: 2003
5th sentence, 74th page: “Is there a problem?” She pocketed the shield.

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Synopsis

Among women of the night… An FBI profiler can see into the mind of a French Quarter killer targeting prostitutes – but not into the heart of the detective she must trust with her life…

Thoughts

I have very mixed feelings about this novella. It was incredibly difficult to put down. It was really enthralling. But, after I finished reading it… it wasn’t overly memorable. The really amazing stories that have completely gripped me, I remember them, days, weeks after I have closed the last page. But here I am, trying to write a review about Hot August Moon, and the main thing that I remember was that it was enjoyable.

I enjoy stories that have multiple points of view. It’s not something that I find easy to write (which expands on my fascination with this talent. It also provides a great alternate insight into what is happening, regardless of the other point of view. The fact that Hot August Moon has the point of view of the serial killer. Watching the main character, planning what he could do with her… well, it manages to make this a little bit creepier and more full on.

One of the reasons I find this story a little more difficult to recall is that it felt unfinished. The story built up tension, and then just kind of… finished. No conclusion was reached. There was a huge, gapping hole left in the relationship… it just felt… incomplete.

 <- Magic in the Wind Review After Midnight Review ->
Image source: Fantastic Fiction