There’s a reason the haunting started when the hammer came out of the wall.
This is not the kind of short story you want to read before doing a home renovation – after all, in it, everything that can go wrong… will. But it does make it entertaining and a fun reading.
I absolutely adored Sookie in this story. She is fun, engaging and entertaining. Her strength is great. And considering I’ve only read one full-length novel, and in that she’s a little wishy washy. Yet, this short story takes place later in the series – and it highlights the strength that she finally has after she’s grown.
I love that there is a double storyline in this short story – not only is there the story line which follows Sookie and friends as they try and figure out what is going on with their mysterious guest. But there is also the tale of what actually happened generations ago that involved a hammer and a bit of vengeance…
Sookie and Pam just want a little vacation in Glitter Town. But then vampire politics get involved… and things take a turn for the interesting…
This was a really, really good, funny and enjoyable short story. It featured all of the aspects of the Sookie Stackhouse short stories that I’m seriously beginning to love and a little more information about the series as a whole… I should probably actually pick up the full-length novels again… this was just such a great reminder of how enjoyable they really are.
One of the aspects of this short story that I loved (and what I assume will be more obvious after the 9th book in the series), was the sense of gender fluidity and sexual identities in this story. I loved that there were characters who were most definitely part of the Vampire LGBTQI+ community (and what an interesting community that would be). It also showed Sookie exploring a little more of her own identity, something I haven’t yet come across as a major plot line in the first novel…
Probably what I liked so much about this short story, that didn’t pull me into the original series was the fact that Sookie is no longer kid of weak and whiny. I found her really irritating in the first novel, and I’ve been told multiple times to actually read more of the series, that this diminishes. But reading this short story really drove that fact home. And has left me kind of excited to actually stick my nose into these books again.
Title: Truly, Madly… Deadly Author: Delilah Devlin Series: Night Fall #2 Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Erotica, Paranormal romance, Vampires Dates read: 2nd – 19th May 2020 Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Publisher: Delilah Devlin Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘She was sore, and she wouldn’t be at all surprised if her tender inner flesh was slightly torn.
Just this once…
On the trail of a serial killer, vampire Quentin Albermarle is mistaken for the killer by a police special task force. Once the smoke clears, Quentin finds himself in a delicious position–atop one of the unit’s crack officers, Darcy Henry. In need of Quentin’s access to the vampire sub-culture, the task force leadership invites Quentin to join the crime unit as a special advisor, much to the chagrin of the men in the unit, and especially, of Darcy.
Caught between opposing forces, vampire and hunter…
A no-nonsense cop with no time for romance, Darcy suddenly finds herself embroiled in a steamy love triangle between her mortal partner, Joe, and the handsome vampire. Going from abstinence to wantonness, she is unable to resist the two men’s relentless seduction or her own sensual curiosity about a vampire’s special “kiss”.
A hunger like no other…
When the real killer threatens the life of someone close to her, Darcy makes a choice that forever binds the three of them together.
I really don’t know what it is about these books. They both make me seriously uncomfortable and seriously addicted. They’re the kind of seriously guilty pleasure that I pull out when I’m home alone, curled up with a cup of coffee and absolutely no one around to ask me what I’m reading about. Because I’m not good at lying… and saying m/f/m or anal sex is just not the conversation I want to have with people.
At the very beginning, I did really enjoy Darcy’s quandary – after a man drought, she had her pick of two amazing male specimens. A gorgeous, sexually charged vampire, or her gorgeous, loyal partner. It quickly gets really intense and confusing though. Darcy is constantly pulled between the two moronic males and, honestly, I almost put this book down so many times because of their stupid, alpha bullshit. Yet, every time I was pushed to the limit, something happened so that I felt like the story was redeemed.
One of the things about this book that I found the most uncomfortable was Quentin’s domineering nature. Don’t get me wrong, I absolutely adore a tough man in the main role… but this took it to a whole other, darker place. One that made me feel seriously uncomfortable. And, honestly, made some of the aspects of the story feel a little rapey. Yet, there was always that moment that somehow managed to make it less… well, like assault. I really don’t know how Devlin is able to walk that seriously fine line and make me feel… not totally okay with this story, but a lot less uncomfortable. And I’ve already bought the next ebook for the next time I’m feeling lonely late at night… so she walks that line quite nicely.
It’s kind of hard to write a review for this. I enjoyed it, and will be reading the next book in this series. But I finally, truly understand the meaning of “guilty pleasure”. I mean, this is the absolute epitome of guilty pleasure… it is not the kind of book that I will be able to recommend to my family and friends. I’m just not sure that they would understand the pleasure aspect of reading this erotic novel…
Title: Sm(B)itten Author: Delilah Devlin Series: Night Fall #1 Rating Out of 5: 3 (On the fence about this one) My Bookshelves:Erotica, Paranormal romance, Vampires Dates read: 24th March – 22nd April 2020 Pace: Medium Format: eBook, Novel Publisher: Delilah Devlin Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: ‘”Huh?”
Emmy Harris knows she’s not perfect. She has a little extra padding and isn’t the brightest bulb, but you’d think she was a sexy rock star the way everyone at a certain night club treats her from the moment she walks through the door. In fact, the two sexiest men there can’t seem to keep their hands off her, until one of them sweeps her away to his private domain. A girl like her isn’t going to waste a chance like that! So he’s a little rough and likes to take a nibble or two while he pleasures her. For a girl who didn’t know she’d never experienced a full-blown orgasm before, Dylan’s eccentricities are delicious!
Dylan O’Hara only wants a night of passion to slake his lusts, but finds Emmy is a full-bodied, red-blooded siren whose innocence and humor draw this Master vampire like a moth to a red-hot flame. When Emmy attracts the attention of a serial-killing vampire, Dylan vows to protect her, but he fears he’ll lose Emmy once she discovers he’s not human.
I have some very mixed feelings about this story. Whilst reading it, I kind of couldn’t put it down. But I also felt weirdly uncomfortable reading it. I’m not entirely certain why. But there was definitely discomfort. It may have a lot to do with the fact that this was an eBook though. I just can’t seem to get into eBooks as much as physical books…
The storyline in this book is fairly so so. Its not one of those impossible to put down, impossible to forget stories. Not fast-paced or full of action. But it is full of lust. It is a wonderful story, completely filled with the joys of lust and I certainly enjoyed it. The graphic nature of the writing made the lust and the passion just jump off of the pages. Certainly not a story that you want to read in front of your family and friends… it’s a little too private for that.
One of my favourite things about this book is that Emmy is curvy. She doesn’t look anything like a model, and, in fact, finds it quite hard to believe that she could even be beautiful. She is, of course, frequently described as sexy and beautiful by her paramour and others, but I like that she’s not considered to be modelesque. Definitely a great take on a romance lead.
Trying to write this review is kind of difficult. It was a really fun read, and I have already bought the next book in the series, and have it sitting on my kobo ready to go. But it wasn’t one of my all-time favourite books. It was an easy read that I thoroughly enjoyed and would probably read again. But mostly because the ease of it means that it’s quite easy to forget what happened, so it would be like reading it all over again.
He gets six weeks with Lilith at a time. They’re the best six weeks of his life. And this time it’s ont exception.
Any story that features Lilith in one of her many incarnations tends to fascinate me. There is just something about her persona and character that I am kind of completely in love with. Something about her that makes me smile. She’s never “good”, but she’s never truly evil either… for me, the perfect mix of characterisation.
One of the parts of this story that I enjoyed the most was the feeling of mystery and history that is prevalent throughout this story. There is so much past that is constantly bought up throughout the tale that completely draws you in. Yet, there is a great looking forwards to the future in every moment. Add that to the fact that the man in this story is hunting for a missing person and an evil one at that… well, it makes an amazingly powerful and enthralling story.
This story was quite lustful. But what I liked the most about it? It was kind of bloody and violent too. Yes, the lust and the romance are great, but I’ve been reading a lot of that lately. It turns out that I’m now in the mood for a bit of blood and guts now…
Title: The Becoming Author: Jeanne C. Stein Series: Anna Strong Chronicles #1 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Strong women, Urban fantasy, Vampires Dates read: 1st – 8th March 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Ace Fantasy Year: 2004 5th sentence, 74th page: I replace the receiver, frowning at both the implication and infelction of his tone.
My name is Anna Strong. I am a vampire. How I became one is the reason for this story. I tell it the way it happened. It may not be what you expect.
She’s a bounty hunter – tought beautiful, and trained for the unexpected. Until the night she’s attacked and left closer to death than she can imagine. She awakens to an indoctrination into a dark new world where vampires walk among us. But this time, a tight grip on a .38 won’t stop what she’s hunting for.
Existing between the worlds of the living and the dead, Anna is torn by her love for two very different men. Max, a DEA agent, all too human, and vulnerable. And Avery, a Night Watcher who’s joined Anna in pursuit of the rogue vampire who changed her life that terrifying night. Now, as her two worlds collide, fate plunges Anna into the ultimate battle between good and evil where survival is not just for the living…
I quite enjoyed this novel. It wasn’t one that made me stop in my tracks and need to just stick my nose as far into it as I could. But it was one that I enjoyed. After I got past the very first opening scenes – rape is just not something that I enjoy reading about. Even if it was brushed over pretty quickly. It just made for an uncomfortable beginning to the story. One that did make me pause in my reading for quite a while.
One of the things I really enjoyed about Stein’swriting and world building was her subtly different take on vampires. It’s nothing outrageous such as other vampire stories I’ve read. But their gradual change, their ability to walk in the sunlight. I kind of liked the differentiation. I also liked that most of the rules of her vampire world are still not quite explained in this story… it’s all written as Anna discovers who and what she is… and then you find out that she’s being lied to a fair bit.
I was expecting a bit of a twist toward the end of the story – there were a few too many hints at the secrets being hidden throughout. Yet, even when I found out what it was, I was kind of thrown. In the best way possible. I only had an inkling of the villain and the true story just before Anna herself realises. It made it so much more intriguing, sweeter and fun.
This is a great first story. It’s about becoming a vampire and being thrust into a new world. But it barely even scratches the surface of the life Anna is about to embark on. One that I’m looking forward to reading more about. One that I can’t wait to read more about… if I can just find where I put Blood Drive in my piles of books that I want to read.
In an unseen world that lurks in the sahdows, they roam the night – feral, passioante, and dangerous. And when their world touches ours, a primitive desire takes hold, leaving mere mortals powerless in its wake…
Four of romance’s most intriguing authors have come together to create a mesmerizing anthology – unforgettable tales of vampires, shapeshifters, and werewolves. At the heart of these deeply sensual tales are everyday people facing extraordinary events – men and women thrown together by fate and an irresistible desire. In this world, your eyes can betray you as myth becomes reality, curses are vanquished, and love is the only weapon that can stand in the face of evil. In this world, there is a moment when passion and forbidden desire collide at the… STROKE OF MIDNIGHT
I absolutely adored this sensual, shapeshifting paranormal romance collection. There was just something about it that was completely impossible to put down. That got my heart pumping. That made me want to run to the nearest book shop and buy all the books. And spend days on end just reading. There was just something that made me fall head over heels with this collection.
The stroke of midnight is an eerie point, a tweening time when you’re kind of between times. The four novellas in this collection perfectly reflected that eerie feeling you get when you happen to be conscious at midnight. Not that the things that begin at midnight in this collection are necessarily good… they’re actually kind of concerning and dark. A little worrying. But still… they’re kind of mystical and great.
This entire collection is fantastic. If you like paranormal romance and things that go bump in the night… it’s the collection that you’re going to want to add to your shelves. It’s definitely one that I’m going to want to read again and again.
An innocent mistake forces the beautiful Tara onto a mission to save herself from the dark fate that awaits her. Salvation comes in the form of a seductive biker with a heart of gold. But will surrendering to their ripe attraction unleash a danger even she cannot control?
To start with, it concerns me a little that this review was dedicated to the author’s husband. Alright, it’s a romance, and it’s about a forever love. But it also has death in it, and not really the happily ever after that I would want to dedicate to my own partner… not to say that this isn’t a fantastic story!
I do love the idea of soul mates. It’s something that I believe in, deeply. The fact that the soul mate dies within days of meeting… that’s not something I ever want to think about. Or believe in. It’s just WAY too tragic. Especially if the couple has not had the easiest of runs with life. I hate when happily ever after gets snatched away just when it’s within one’s grasp.
Although this is annoyingly tragic, and didn’t have the happy ending I was hoping for, it’s also kind of sweet. There is still a reunion of sorts every year. It’s not much, but it was enough for me to still think of this favourably. Even if I wanted a much, much happier ending!
All’s fair in the war between desire and resistance when a lady cop pulls over a speeder – and finds an immortal lover who is determined to seduce her into accepting her own passionate destiny…
After reading The Once and Future Lover, I was SERIOUSLY hoping that Lance was going to get his happily ever after. I just felt so sorry for him in every way shape and form. Actions that weren’t his fault completely alienated him from not only his best friend, but also the woman he had a friendship and infatuation with. So I desperately wanted him to find his own version of happily ever after. Which he does in this novella. The fact that the woman is one who tells Arthur to go shove it… well, it made me exceedingly happy.
As much as I enjoy a good, lustful romance. I sometimes get a bit annoyed at how quickly the women succumb to the men’s advances. I probably wouldn’t be any better… but I still get a bit over it. I seriously love that Grace fights Lance’s attractions for quite a while before she ends up succumbing. And she’s determined to not be something less than who and what she is.
There are so many deliciously devious machinations to get the upper hand throughout this story. I love the plotting. I wouldn’t want it in my own life, but all of the machinations throughout had me laughing and not being able to put down the story. The fact that it also intrigued me as to why and who was doing what, manipulating whom… well, I can’t wait to see what Knight can do with a whole novel…
Title: The Once and Future Lover Author: Angela Knight Series: Mageverse #0.25 In: Wicked Games (Angela Knight) Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again) My Bookshelves:Camelot, Paranormal romance, Vampires, Witches Dates read: 4th – 6th February 2020 Pace: Medium Format: Novella Publisher: Berkley Year: 2014 5th sentence, 74th page: “I dressed you,” Nimue told her with a faint smile.
In a revealing prequel that draws together Arthur, Lancelot, and Guinevere in an explosive triangle, she sets the stage for the Mageverse magic, for the masterful men, and for the beautiful women who live to serve, outwit, and bewitch them.
I’ve never read the stories of Camelot, but I would love to read more. And this was a great, paranormal romance, vampire-esque introduction to the storylines. Alright, it’s not quite Camelot, but it’s a great take on it. Especially the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere. It made it so much less adulterous, and a little more understanding…
At the beginning of this story, there is a little introduction that provides Knight’s reasoning and view points to writing her Mageverse series. She also mentions that Arthur is more of a bastard than she realised. I agree wholeheartedly. There is just something about him that makes me want to reach through the pages and… well, punch him. He does grow on you a little throughout the story, and at the end there is less of a punchy-punch feeling, but it still makes me kind of annoyed. I’m actually looking forward to seeing how his damn attitude changes over the series…
This is a really, really intense story. Not just for the sexuality in it, which, if you’re not really into reading about erotic moments (and that’s putting it lightly) … then you probably don’t want to read this series. Or this novella. It’s also intense just because of the emotions in the storyline. The feelings that Gwen experiences are seriously intense and make you want to comfort her. It’s really impossible to forget about this story or really put it down… ever.
Earth and Skye 