Tag Archives: Romance

A Wish to Build a Dream On by Michelle Willingham

January 12, 2020Book ReviewFae, Michelle Willingham, Romance, The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance, Time Travelskyebjenner

Image result for the mammoth book of time travel romance book cover

Title: A Wish to Build a Dream On
Author: Michelle Willingham
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Romance, Time travel
Dates read: 14th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She took a deep breath, knowing he needed to understand everything.

She’s getting over a bad breakup. And all she wants is to find a man who can love her for herself. Yet, a wish made in a faery circle might have the power to change her fate and give her the family she’s always longed for.

If I had one wish… I don’t know what it would be. It would depend on my mood, surroundings, the sun, the moon. I’m a pretty indecisive person. But, this story really did make me think about what that one wish actually would be. The title alone gets you into this mood… A Wish to Build a Dream On is kind of reminiscent of a wish upon a star from Disney… or at least, that’s how I felt about it. There is something beautiful and lingering in the feeling of this story.

Having said all of that, the lead woman in this story is damn sure of what her wish is. And I loved the simplicity of this. Her dream is simply to have a family – a man that loves her for who she is, and children to come along. It would be one of my top dreams (I already have half of it though) … but I love that this is about someone who just wants to be loved. Who just wants to find a happily ever after that she can be happy with.

The best thing about this story though is that it is incredibly sweet and easy. It isn’t an insanely, tragically complex tale. It isn’t about lust and sex. Rather, it is just about true love and finding a version of happily ever after that makes you happy. Not anyone else’s version. And that means finding someone who completely accepts you for what you are, not an idealised version.

<- The Gloaming Hour Review

Time Trails Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

The Gloaming Hour by Cindy Miles

January 7, 2020Book ReviewCindy Miles, Romance, Scottish romance, The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance, Time Travelskyebjenner

Title: The Gloaming Hour
Author: Cindy Miles
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Romance, Scottish romance, Time travel
Dates read: 8th December 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: She held him tight, as though doing so would prevent him from fading away.

He’s the spirit of an ancient scotsman who can only appear in the Gloaming Hour. She’s a woman who has the scars of a tragic past. Yet, somehow, in their stolen moments of time, they manage to find a miracle worth living for.

I don’t really get the ins and outs of the time travel in this story. Which is alright, because I loved it anyway. Most of the time I like to understand exactly what is happening when you need to have time travel. But in the case of The Gloaming Hour, I didn’t actually care. It was just such an easy, sweet and nice story.

I love how this story is all about new beginnings. Not just for the woman in the present, but also the weirdly time travelling man who she falls for. And, ultimately, it’s about finding your own version of happily ever after. Whatever that may be. It’s actually a good reminder for me at the moment to find my own Zen outside of what is expected of me.

This is an incredibly quick, easy and light read. Which was quite surprising since the lead female was stalked and attacked in an incredibly horrific way. It was a nice way to just relax for ten minutes or so. Without having to think about the realities of the world.

<- Last Thorsday Night Review

A Wish to Build a Dream On Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Cold Feet by Brenda Novak

January 2, 2020Book ReviewBrenda Novak, Contemporary, Romance, Romantic Suspense, Thrillerskyebjenner

Image result for book cover cold feet brenda novak

Title: Cold Feet
Author: Brenda Novak
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Romance, Romantic suspense, Thriller
Dates read: 2nd November – 2nd December 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Harlequin
Year: 2004
5th sentence, 74th page: Where’s my girl?

When the past won’t go away…

The Seattle police suspect Madison Lieberman’s father was the serial killer they call the “Sandpoint Strangler.” Madison refuses to believe it. Her father is now dead, and all she wants is the chance to create a new life for herself and her six-year-old child.

Then she discovers something in the crawl space beneath her parent’s house. Something that makes her question her father’s innocence. Or the innocence of someone else who’s equally close to her…

When another woman turns up dead, crime writer Caleb Trovato wonders whether they’re dealing with a copycat killer. Or is the real Sandpoint Strangler still alive? Caleb’s sure Madison knows more than she’s telling, and he’s determined to find out what. But he doesn’t expect to fall in love – or to lead Madison and her child into danger…

I have never read a Brenda Novak story, nor have I heard of them. This was just the only book I could find with the word “feet” in the title… and I needed that for a reading challenge. It turns out that it was a brilliant choice. I absolutely adored this book. And I was completely blown away by who the villain in this tale was. Actually, the mix of romance and suspense in this novel was not at all expected, and seriously enjoyable.

Normally I tend to guess who or what is going to be the killer fairly early on. Or at least, I get pretty damn close with my guess. I DID NOT see the identity of the bad guy coming at all! I started to have an inkling of the fact that: a) my initial hunch was wrong. And b) who the actual bad person was. I’m not normally this damn surprised, and every time I thought, hmmmm… maybe… there was something that quickly disproved my theory. It was brilliant!

I like that this romance featured a divorcee and her young daughter. That it was all about perceptions, loyalty and trying to find your way in the world. Rather than a twenty-something woman who had never experienced love, was a virgin, ya da, ya da, yay da… she had already had some really difficult experiences. And so had he. The older I get, the more I appreciate older characters in romances… after all, their experiences seem to start being a little more in line with mine.

The only reason I didn’t gobble this book up in just a day was that it was an eBook. There is something about eBooks that tend to take me a little more time to read… yet, the physical copy of this (which I now want to find a second hand version of) would have been completely inhaled in a matter of hours… late at night… when I was supposed to be sleeping.

<- Before We Were Strangers Review

Dear Maggie Review ->

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My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding edited by P.N. Elrod

December 31, 2019Book ReviewCharlaine Harris, Esther M. Friesner, Jim Butcher, L.A. Banks, Lori Handeland, My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding, P.N. Elrod, Paranormal Fantasy, Rachel Caine, Romance, Sherrilyn Kenyon, Short Story Collections, Susan Krinardskyebjenner

Image result for my big fat supernatural wedding book cover

Title: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding
Author: P.N. Elrod, L.A. Banks, Jim Butcher, Rachel Caine, Esther M. Friesner, Lori Handeland, Charlaine Harris, Sherrilyn Kenyon & Susan Krinard
In: My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding (P.N. Elrod)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal fantasy, Romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 30th September – 30th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Year: 2006
5th sentence, 74th page: “You and your” – his eyes flicked toward Ian, who was clambering over the railing – “your intended can wait up on the quarterdeck.”

Werewolves, vampires, witches, voodoo, Elvis—and weddings

An “ordinary” wedding can get crazy enough, so can you imagine what happens when otherworldly creatures are involved? Nine of the hottest authors of paranormal fiction answer that question in this delightful collection of supernatural wedding stories. What’s the seating plan when rival clans of werewolves and vampires meet under the same roof? How can a couple in the throes of love overcome traps set by feuding relatives—who are experts at voodoo? Will you have a good marriage if your high-seas wedding is held on a cursed ship? How do you deal with a wedding singer who’s just a little too good at impersonating Elvis? Shape-shifters, wizards, and magic, oh my!

I started reading this collection just before my best friend got married. I kind of figured that it was just a suitable kind of anthology to be reading when I too, was experiencing much of the wedding insanity that tends to surround such a fun day. And, it was nice to know that no matter what happened… nothing could go as badly wrong as many of the weddings in this collection.

There is something about weddings that seems to bring out the best and worst in people. So much pressure and stress for just one day which always blows my mind… but most people don’t have to deal with the supernatural. The characters in these stories do. And some of the battles they face are just… well, ridiculous. And difficult. And so much fun to read about.

Most of the authors in this collection I have on my shelves. Which made this a really good collection to read. Not only did I not then add a hundred different books to my wish list, but I often had the pleasure of revisiting worlds that I already have on my shelves. And the few I didn’t recognise? Well, they’ve quickly found their way on my to buy next list…

<- “…Or Forever Hold Your Peace”

Spellbound ->

Image source: Amazon

Beowulf for Cretins by Ann McMan

December 30, 2019Book ReviewAnn McMan, Contemporary, LGBTQI, Romanceskyebjenner

Image result for book cover beowulf for cretins

Title: Beowulf for Cretins: A Love Story
Author: Ann McMan
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, LGBTQI, Romance
Dates read: 30th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bywater Books
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: I don’t doubt it.

Is God in the machine – or out to lunch? It’s anybody’s guess.

English professor and aspiring novelist, Grace Warner spends her days teaching four sections of “Beowulf for Cretins” to uninterested students at one of New England’s “hidden ivy” colleges. Not long after she is dumped by her longtime girlfriend, Grace meets the engaging and mysterious Abbie on a cross-country flight. Sparks fly on and off the plane as the two strangers give in to one night of reckless passion with no strings attached, and no contact information exchanged.

Back home at St. Albans, the college rocks Grace’s world when it announces the appointment of a new president – the first woman in its fabled 165-year history. Cue Abbie – and cue Grace’s collision course with a neurotic dog named Grendel, a fractious rival for tenure, and a woman called Ochre in what very well be a final shot at happiness.

This story is sweet, fun and not one that I’m going to forget anytime soon. It’s a fairly easy read, but one that still completely sweeps you away. Makes you forget about reality. I spent a perfect afternoon reading about Grace, Abbie and their neurotic dog while my neurotic dogs were piled on top of me. There was just something completely innocent and sweet about this story… not what I would normally claim for a romance. Mostly they tend to be a lot more lustful.

Sadly, there aren’t many LGBTQI stories on my shelves. Yet, every time I’ve run across one, I’ve found that it is brilliant and unforgettable. Maybe because they’re not so common-place, and it is more difficult to have them published… whatever it may or may not be, it’s not a sub-genre that often finds its way to my shelves. And, in fact, I think this was the first LGBTQI romance that I’ve had the pleasure of reading. It was kind of life changing to be honest. I’m going to now find every single Ann McMan book I can.

An obsession with books is obvious in the amount that I read… but I also love to write, and reading a story about someone who has that same literary obsession was really relatable. Everything about Grace is relatable and makes her impossible to not to love. Then, there’s Grendel. A dog that is damaged, neurotic and completely loveable. Although, I do find every dog I meet ridiculously loveable… whether in person or on print.

Abbie was also a loveable character. However, I found that I related to Grace’s awkward mannerisms and kind of lost feeling way more. The more put together woman is someone that I aspire to be… but I think I’ll forever be more like Grace… kind of bumbling through life in a somewhat confused way. But always stumbling into a happily ever after. At least, that’s what I’m hoping for.

<- Backcast Review

Dust Review ->

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Last Thorsday Night by Holly Lisle

December 29, 2019Book ReviewContemporary, Holly Lisle, Romance, The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance, Time Travelskyebjenner

Title: Last Thorsday Night
Author: Holly Lisle
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Contemporary, Romance, Time travel
Dates read: 29th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: They changed me.

She’s part of a writers group. And she really enjoys their company. But one night, a strange man decides to join and takes a little bit too much interest in her. It turns out that he’s a time traveller and what he has to tell her about the future may tear her world apart.

I should be part of a writers group. But I should probably also write my own work a lot more than I do. There is something about doing a PhD that completely removes your ability to get much of anything else done. Reading and writing reviews is the extent of it at the moment. But, I digress… in this short story, I loved the idea of a writers group being the primary setting of the story.

One of my biggest fears in not only my personal writing, but also my academic writing is putting in all of the work for someone else to take advantage of it. There is just something a little too relatable to this storyline and the idea of her work being stolen that made me feel the heeby jeebies from the very beginning. The fact that this was done through a brutal murder was just terrifying and skeevy.

I loved that ultimately, there is a choice between guaranteed fame, and an unknown, but highly potential future. Eventually, there is a choice between the love of millions and the love of one. A superficial love, or one that knows her to her core. Such a great story.

<- Iron and Hemlock Review

The Gloaming Hour Review ->

Image source: Goodreads

Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

December 28, 2019Book ReviewAliens, Jennifer L. Armentrout, Lux, Romance, Science Fiction, Young Adultskyebjenner

Image result for book cover shadows jennifer l armentrout

Title: Shadows
Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Lux #0.5
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Aliens, Romance, Science fiction, Young adult
Dates read: 28th – 29th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Entangled Teen
Year: 2012
5th sentence, 74th page: How…how in the world?

The last thing Dawson Black expected was Bethany Williams. As a Luxen, an alien life-form on Earth, human girls are… well, fun. But since the Luxen have to keep their true identities a secret, falling for one would be insane. Dangerous. Tempting. Undeniable.

Bethany can’t deny the immediate connection between her and Dawson. And even though boys aren’t a complication she wants, she can’t stay away from him. Still, whenever they lock eyes, she’s drawn in. Captivated. Lured. Loved.

Dawson is keeping a secret that will change her existence…and put her life in jeopardy. But even he can’t stop risking everything for one human girl. Or from a fate that is as unavoidable as love itself.

This was seriously cute. And now I’m disappointed that the Lux series is about Daemon, not his twin Dawson. Dawson is much, much sweeter than his twin and I love that he falls so hopelessly in love from the very beginning of the story. I’m also seriously hoping that the end isn’t what it seems to be and is just a part of some massive, major conspiracy. I’d much rather a conspiracy to the ending of this prequel… that was just really sad and made me cry. Literally.

The tone of this is pretty typical for a sappy, teen romance. However, the writing is phenomenal – I haven’t read many teen romances set in high school that draw me in this completely. And, honestly, I think that it comes down to the writing and the brilliance of the creator. Because although the storyline follows the expected pathways (until the end, then there’s a really big twist)… it’s the characters that I’ve come to love. To the point that I wanted to pick Obsidian up immediately after finishing the final page. I have a MASSIVE TBR that I want to finish before the end of the year though, so I’m doing that whole self-control thing.

Sometimes I read a prequel and then wonder how it’s going to connect into the main series of novels. That wasn’t the case with this. Not only does Shadows introduce you to the main characters, but it also gives a background into exactly who the Lux are. And also the difficulties that they have to face with their alien presence in the world. Actually, just the description of the alien race is not only unique, but fantastically handled in this. After all, they’re beings of light – not terrifying humanoid creatures (I’ve been reading a book called Alien Sex lately, and that collection is filled with terrifying, messed up aliens).

I haven’t read many alien novels… mostly they’ve just never come up in my suggestions before. But I’m discovering this year that I do really enjoy them. And this has got to go to the top of my list. I’ve got the first four books on order now and I can’t wait until they arrive on my doorstep!

<- More Jennifer L. Armentrout

Obsidian ->

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The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson

December 20, 2019Book ReviewFantasy, Mary Watson, Romance, The Wren Hunt, Young Adultskyebjenner

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Title: The Wren Hunt
Author: Mary Watson
Series: The Wren Hunt #1
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Fantasy, Romance, Young adult
Dates read: 11th – 18th November 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novel
Publisher: Bloomsbury
Year: 2018
5th sentence, 74th page: ‘You the intern?’ A voice rang from across the room.

Every winter, Wren Silke is chased through the forest in a warped version of a childhood game. The boys who hunt her are judges, powerful and frightening pursuers, who nothing of her true identity. If they knew she was an augur, their sworn enemy, the game would turn deadly.

But Wren is on the hunt, too. Sent undercover as an intern to the Harkness Foundation – enemy headquarters – her family’s survival rests on finding a secret meant to stay hidden.

As the enmity between two ancient magics reaches breaking point, Wren is torn between old loyalties and new lies. And rapped in the most dangerous game of her life.

Part thriller, part love story, this captivating debut novel will leave readers spellbound.

It took me a little while to get into this book. But, then once I did, I was completely hooked. The first third took a long time to read. But once I hit that amazing point… I couldn’t put it down. Which probably wasn’t great for my productivity that day. But it was great for my imagination and happiness. After all, sometimes you just need to take time and soar away on the wings of a wren.

This book is pretty intense. It’s a young adult book, and somehow I was expecting it to be quite a simple and easy read. Like many of the books in the same section on my shelves. There was just an added layer of darkness that I don’t normally find. Which pulled you along so quickly that it was impossible to catch your breath. I loved that dark intensity – it fit that perfect darkness inside me that sometimes needs to be fed.

There was a pretty serious twist at the end of this story. Whilst from the very beginning, something doesn’t quite sit right, it was just a slightly niggling feeling. I only guessed what was truly wrong about 2 chapters before the big bomb went off. And boy, was it a biggie. And completely unexpected. As was Wren’s response to the total change in her circumstances. I thought she’d go left, but she went right. I freaking loved the surprise! It makes me want to sink my teeth into the next book in the series… because there has to be more twists and turns that I wasn’t anticipating!

Although this is a little darker and more adult than most of the Young Adult books on my shelves, I would certainly recommend it to anybody who loves the genre. Sometimes its nice to balance out all the happy romances with something a little closer to Romeo and Juliet… albeit not with the tragic ending.

<- More Mary Watson reviews

The Wickerlight Review ->

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The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell

December 13, 2019Book ReviewCathy Maxwell, Four Dukes and a Devil, Historical romance, Romanceskyebjenner

Image result for four dukes and a devil book cover

Title: The Irish Duke
Author: Cathy Maxwell
In: Four Dukes and a Devil (Cathy Maxwell, Elaine Fox, Jeaniene Frost, Sophia Nash & Tracy Anne Warren)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Historical romance, Romance
Dates read: 14th November 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novella
Publisher: Avon Romance
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: He gave a bitter laugh, his anger welling inside him all over again.

Susan has managed to find a way to carve out a life for herself in amongst the English gentry. It’s not quite what her family has in mind, but it’ll do. And she uses the myth of the Irish Duke to do so. Everything is going well until she finally meets an Irish Duke…. and her life, livelihood and existence are turned on their heads.

This was a great, fun and cute historical romance. It was beautiful, fun and impossible to put down. Mostly, I’m just disappointed that this is a standalone novella. I would love to have this as part of a greater series… but that’s okay, I’ll just find another one of Maxwell’s books to add to my ever-expanding list. Mostly, I think I loved this because it was so incredibly sweet and easy. It wasn’t the kind of story that you have to concentrate on and really delve into.

I like how this is all about perceptions. About how the fallacy created by one woman can completely destroy the reputation of another person. Even if that little story she tells is technically true… her words have power, and Susan is about to find out just how far the power of words can go. This is such a beautiful story, and although it starts off with one woman accidentally destroying the reputation of an incredibly handsome man… it is also about how that damage can be repaired and a happily ever after reached.

One of the things that drew me into this story straight away was the fact that Susan is a strong, independent woman. In a society and world that is filled with simpering women, clawing themselves up the social ladder and just in general being about women relying on men; she manages to find her own little niche and life. I also love that her not-so-kind in-laws and sisters get a bit of comeuppance at the end of the story.

<- Four Dukes and a Devil Review

The Duke Who Came to Dinner Review ->

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The Troll Bridge by Patti O’Shea

November 30, 2019Book ReviewPatti O'Shea, Romance, The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance, Time Travelskyebjenner

Title: The Troll Bridge
Author: Patti O’Shea
In: The Mammoth Book of Time Travel Romance (Trisha Telep)
Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one)
My Bookshelves: Romance, Time travel
Dates read: 31st October 2019
Pace: Slow
Format: Short story
Publisher: Robinson
Year: 2009
5th sentence, 74th page: That wasn’t what made her uneasy.

She’s accidentally travelled forwards in time. But, when the decision comes down to it, will she go home to friends and family, or live her new life here?

This story was a little bit bizarre. She only travels about 45 years into the future. But the future is drastically different from the current. Since this was written in 2010, and 9 years have already passed… I don’t think that many of these predicted moments are going to come to pass. I was also a little uninterested in most of this story. I’m not sure why – probably because I spent most of the time going ‘huh’?

The other reason I may not have enjoyed this short story so much was the fact that I just wasn’t in the mood for this kind of flirty mood. Or really anything to do with most of this. It was just weird flirting, and not actually relatable for me. But maybe I’ll give it another shot in the future…

<- Saint James’ Way Review

Iron and Hemlock Review ->

Earth and Skye

The ramblings of a bibliophile.

Tag Archives: Romance

A Wish to Build a Dream On by Michelle Willingham

Image source: Goodreads

The Gloaming Hour by Cindy Miles

Image source: Goodreads

Cold Feet by Brenda Novak

My Big Fat Supernatural Wedding edited by P.N. Elrod

Beowulf for Cretins by Ann McMan

Last Thorsday Night by Holly Lisle

Image source: Goodreads

Shadows by Jennifer L. Armentrout

The Wren Hunt by Mary Watson

The Irish Duke by Cathy Maxwell

The Troll Bridge by Patti O’Shea

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