Tag Archives: Virginia Kantra

Over the Moon by Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview

Title: Over the Moon
Author: Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny
In: Over the Moon (Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Erotica, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology, eBook
Year: 2007

Thoughts

Everything about this anthology made me happy. Although one novella wasn’t in a series that I’ve read before, they’re all by authors on my shelves that I genuinely enjoy. All four tales were steamy and yummy. They had great aspects of the paranormal in them. And, most importantly, each and every one of these tales can easily be read alone, even if you have no idea about the rest of the series.

Reading this was like a great walk through a familiar neighbourhood. Knight, Davidson, and Sunny’s series represented in this anthology are in my shelves, ready to go. In fact, reading these novellas bumped those books up my TBR. And even Kantra’s tale has another novella sitting on my shelves ready to go. And it acted as a reminder to finish another series by her that I’ve begun.

I seriously adored this collection of four novellas. They were perfect read on my kobo late at night when I wasn’t really ready to do the whole going to sleep thing. Long enough to enthral me, but short enough that I could start and finish them right before falling asleep. A great anthology, one that I will most definitely look forward to reading again and again.

<- Mona Lisa ThreeMoon Dance ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

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Between the Mountain and the Moon by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , ,
Overview

Title: Between the Mountain and the Moon
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Children of the Earth #2
In: Over the Moon (Angela Knight, MaryJanice Davidson, Virginia Kantra & Sunny)
Rating Out of 5: 3.5 (Liked this)
My Bookshelves: Fae, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: eBook, Novella
Year: 2007

Thoughts

It took me a little while to get into this novella. I mean, it was good and enjoyable, but it didn’t quite make me want to dive right in. Partially because Claire didn’t really make me feel super connected. She was a little bit too naive and innocent. And just not quite as quick ass as the women that I’ve been enjoying lately.

I did enjoy the way that the fae feature so heavily in this story. They’re definitely not good or kind. And there’s a whole lot of horrifying politics at play – which is exactly the way I like them to be portrayed. I mean, all of the traditional tales of fae don’t feature nice, kind fae characters. They’re all disturbingly terrifying and seriously going to mess with you. Which of course is just why I love this novella so much.

Claire’s ability to outsmart the fae and reclaim her man was completely predictable in the fact that it happened. But it wasn’t quite predictable in the way it actually happened. I kind of want to know where their happily ever after goes from here. And perhaps, more importantly how Claire’s parents’ tale unfolded and bought so much wrath down upon their family.

<- Moon DanceDriftwood ->

Image source: Penguin Random House

Tied With a Bow by Lora Leigh, Virginia Kantra, Eileen Wilks & Kimberly Frost

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
Tied With a Bow

Title: Tied with a Bow
Author: Lora Leigh, Virginia Kantra, Eileen Wilks & Kimberly Frost
In: Tied with a Bow (Lora Leigh, Virginia Kantra, Eileen Wilks & Kimberly Frost)
Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect)
My Bookshelves: Christmas, Paranormal romance, Short story collections
Dates read: 18th – 26th December 2020
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Her face, her chest, her whole body burned with humiliation and frustrated desire.

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Synopsis

For the holidays, giving can bring as much pleasure as receiving.

Come, as these four bestselling authors invite you to savour the sweet anticipation of unwrapping these never-before-published novellas of searing sexuality, rapturous romance, and paranormal pairings.

Experience the feral fire of #1 New York Times bestselling author Virginia Kantra’s tale of the Children of the Air. Explore the outer limits of carnal craving in USA Today bestselling author Eileen Wilks’s world of the lupi, and enter national bestselling author Kimberly Frost’s all-new world of desire and devotion.

As intimate as they are imaginative, these unique holiday stories reveal the flush of surprise and joy when the most unexpected package turns out to be just what you always craved…

Thoughts

I had assumed from the cover of this book that this was going to be heavily Christmassy. It wasn’t. there were hints of the holidays throughout. And for some of the story, this was much more than a hint. But, ultimately, it had just enough Christmas feeling that it was a great read in the holidays when I was feeling very uninspired by the holiday season.

Of the holiday anthologies that I read this year this was most certainly the most lustful one. It was deliciously fun and wonderfully toe tingling. There was also the usual tales of love and romance. But, for me, I loved this collection because of the erotic aspects of the storyline. Not so much the sappy love stories. I had other collections for that.

Tied with a Bow is a great collection. One that takes place in a couple of series and worlds that I already love. And took me to a few new realities that I haven’t had the pleasure of adding to my shelves yet. The perfect mix for any anthology that I have on my shelves. A mix of startling new discoveries, and wonderful old favourites.

<- An Inconvenient MateUpon a Midnight Clear ->

Image source: Amazon

Upon a Midnight Clear by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Tied With a Bow

Title: Upon a Midnight Clear
Author: Virginia Kantra
In: Tied with a Bow (Lora Leigh, Virginia Kantra, Eileen Wilks & Kimberly Frost)
Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!)
My Bookshelves: Angels, Christmas, Historical romance, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 18th – 21st December 2020
Pace: Slow
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2011
5th sentence, 74th page: Her face, her chest, her whole body burned with humiliation and frustrated desire.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide

Synopsis

Aimee was 13 when her mother preyed to an angel to save her life. Now, an adult, that same angel may have returned to her life, as a man. One who very much wants to save her yet again.

Thoughts

Whilst I liked this novella, it most certainly wasn’t my favourite one. It took a little while to truly get into the storyline, and even the style of writing. I do enjoy Kantra’s works, and will buy more of this series, but I’m also not head over heels in love with her work like some of the other romance authors I have filling my shelves.

I like that the angel that saves the young girl is ultimately the angel that she chooses to spend the rest of her life with. There was something incredibly sweet about that whole fate feeling, and the idea that Amy had to grow up before she could fully be committed to her angel lover. There is also her cousin, who, although she’s kind of ignorant and a little selfish, most definitely loves Amy. It gives the whole story a festive feeling full of love and affection. Or at least, that’s how I read it.

This was a really lovely and wonderful Christmas story. It’s hopeful and full of love. With just the right amount of drama and mayhem thrown in to stop you from getting bored. One I’ll read again, but not as quickly as some other stories I’ve read.

<- Tied with a BowFirst Light ->

Image source: Amazon

Burning Up by Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra & Meljean Brook

Book Review, , , , , , ,
Overview
burning-up

Title: Burning Up
Author: Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra & Meljean Brook
In: Burning Up (Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Paranormal romance, Short story collections, Urban fantasy
Dates read: 30th January – 4th April 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Anthology
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: Ria opened her mouth to reply but something made her turn to the doorway.

Synopsis

Passion runs as hot as a fever dream in these all-new stories by four New York Times bestselling provocateurs of the paranormal…

In Angela Knight’s Blood and Roses, a vampire warrior and his seductive captor join forces to stop a traitor from unleashing an army of demonic predators on their kingdom.

New in Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changeling series is Whisper of Sin, in which a woman in lethal danger finds an unlikely protector – and lover – in a volatile member of the DarkRiver pack.

Virginia Kantra continues the haunting tales of the Children of the Sea in Shifting Sea, the story of a wounded soldier rescued by a strange and enigmatic young woman.

Meljean Brook launches a bold new steampunk series with Here There Be Monsters, as a desperate woman strikes a provocative – and terrifying – bargain to gain overseas passage.

Thoughts

I’ve had this collection sitting on my shelf for ages. I just haven’t gotten around to reading it… until now. And now I’m wondering why I took so long to sink my literary teeth in… I already had the Psy-Changeling series, but now I have another three paranormal romance series to obsess over… when they eventually arrive on my doorstep.

The themes and paranormal characters in this collection of four novellas run the gambit. There’s a steampunk tale with pirates, a romance with a leopard shapeshifter and one with vampires and their battles. The romances are instantaneous and involve a lot of running away… the only thing that these four novellas really have in common is the fact that they are all intense, fun and have a good ending. Although, maybe not good stories to read when you have to sleep alone….

 <- Here There Be MonstersWhisper of Sin ->

Image source: Nalini Singh

Shifting Sea by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
burning-up

Title: Shifting Sea
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Children of the Sea #3.5
In: Burning Up (Angela Knight, Nalini Singh, Virginia Kantra & Meljean Brook)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Mermaids, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 29th March 2019
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2010
5th sentence, 74th page: “That’s why we came,” Hobson said.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

Virginia Kantra continues the haunting tales of the Children of the Sea in BB Shifting Sea BB, the story of a wounded soldier rescued by a strange and enigmatic young woman.

Thoughts

I like the switch from selkies to finfolk in this short story. It helps build upon the storyline of the past, but also to open up a whole new avenue in this series. Or at least, that’s how it kind of felt to me. (I haven’t actually read Sea Lord yet, but I know who it’s about). And Shifting Sea jumps from the modern day to the 1800s, featuring a different group of powerful children of the sea.

I really enjoyed reading about Morwenna and Jack. They had this gorgeous Scottish Highland fling that kind of made my heart melt a little. It was just such a beautiful concept, a beautiful setting and a fantastic romance. The fact that there was treachery and confusion sprinkled throughout this novella just made it all that harder to put down.

I loved this beautiful Celtic romance. It was kind of stunning and just set against a great backdrop. It was hard not to imagine yourself swept away in this situation. Hard not to imagine the world in which these individuals found themselves.

 <- Blood and Roses ReviewHere There Be Monsters Review ->
Image source: Nalini Singh

Sea Fever by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for sea fever virginia kantra book cover

Title: Sea Fever
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Children of the Sea #2
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves:Celtic, Mermaids, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 2nd – 3rd February 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: “Not once the season’s over,” Antonia grumbled.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

A desire for life… Regina Barone knows something is missing from her life. She spends her days working in her mother’s restaurant on the Maine island of World’s End and her nights caring for her young son. When the island’s only eligible bachelor marries another woman, Regina realizes that the love she yearns for isn’t going to appear by magic. Or is it?

A denial of blood… Dylan Hunter has returned to World’s End for his brother’s wedding, but he is troubled by his human ties. years ago, he chose his life as a selkie – an immortal being of the sea – over the fragile and treacherous emotions of humanity. The same emotions that destroyed his family, and that will strike at his very heart…

A danger to both… Neither Regina nor Dylan can ctonrol their attraction to each other – or foresee its disastrous consequences. But their destiny has been foretold, and their fate will be decided in the stormy tides of water and fire, where only love can save them – and the world…

Thoughts

In Sea Witch, I kind of hated Dylan. He was a bit of a douche. And had major tickets on himself. So I really wasn’t sure whether I would actually like this story or not… after all, the lead was someone who I thought was a bit… eh. And after reading this, I don’t really think all that much more of Dylan. I still think he’s a douche. Although I understand his douchiness a little better I suppose.

Although I wasn’t a huge fan of the male lead, I did love the female lead – Regina. She is tough, independent and has a lot of gumption. And, even though she’s falling for Dylan all throughout, she still maintains her independence and integrity. And, as I read this story, I spend a lot of time thinking about the food that she is cooking. Which makes me incredibly hungry. After all, who can read about food and not want to eat?

Sea Fever really starts to set up the overall series storyline for the Children of the Sea series. Where Sea Witch was a great introduction and a wonderfully easy read, Sea Fever was a little more complex. The idea of the future prophecy heavily intertwines with the lives of the characters. And it meant, that like Sea Fever, I had to immediately pick up Sea Lord to see what was going to happen next…

 <- Sea Witch ReviewSea Lord Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Sea Witch by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , ,
Overview
Image result for sea witch virginia kantra book cover

Title: Sea Witch
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Children of the Sea #1
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Mermaids, Paranormal romance
Dates read: 30th January – 2nd February 2019
Pace: Medium
Format: Novel
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: Margred gave herself a moment to admire him, the thoughtful green eyes, the long, strong jaw, the sensitive mouth.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

From the water… For years, Margred has gone without the touch of another. Now, her need has driven her beyond her own world. For she is a selkie – a legendary being of the sea, able to shape-shift into seductive human form. Finally, she has found the one she wants…

From the land… A burned-out veteran of the big-city streets, Caleb Hunter was only too happy to take the job as police chief on the peaceful Maine island of World’s End. Nothing ever happens in this tiny community surrounded by the sea – until he meets a woman who’s everything he’s ever dreamed of. And more…

To each other… Their passion is undeniable. Irresistible. But when a murderer begins targeting women in World’s End, Caleb must face the terrible possibility that the killings are somehow connected to the mysterious Margred – and that the power of their love may change the fate of humankind…

Thoughts

This is the first story in a long time that I’ve read where the woman is the sexual aggressor. And I really liked the change of pace. Maggie isn’t promiscuous and damaged as most sexually aggressive woman are often portrayed, but she is also completely free. I loved this balance between femininity and sexuality, passive and aggressive. She is such an incredibly sweet and lovable character. One that I was kind of disappointed to leave behind when I closed the last page of the book.

This paranormal romance is a nice balance between modern-day sensibilities and beliefs and ancient folklore. The use of selkies and their archaic mannerisms balances beautifully against the small town life and daily struggles of Maine. This especially comes to light when there are murders of selkies which need to be investigated. Small town cop, Caleb tries to solve a demonic murder, while using the legal system that we are all familiar with. It certainly leads to a number of confusing moments and difficulties that make this romance all the more intriguing and… well, sweet.

Sea Witch is an amazing first novel in the Children of the Sea series. It introduces a great new world set right alongside our own. There are already pasts and futures at stake and the vague mention of a prophecy. All of which make it impossible to not pick up Sea Fever straight away… which I did… after all, it is a Celtic series about Selkies… possibly the best mix of supernatural, romance and fantasy that I’ve read in a while.

 <- Sea Crossing ReviewSea Fever Review ->
Image source: Goodreads

Sea Crossing by Virginia Kantra

Book Review, , , , ,
Overview
Image result for shifter angela knight book cover

Title: Sea Crossing
Author: Virginia Kantra
Series: Children of the Sea #0.5
In: Shifter (Angela Knight, Lora Leigh, Alyssa Day & Virginia Kantra)
Rating Out of 5: 5 (I will read this again and again and again)
My Bookshelves: Celtic, Mermaids, Paranormal romance
Pace: Fast
Format: Novella
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Year: 2008
5th sentence, 74th page: She didn’t want to sleep.

Buy The Book Now at The Book Depository, Free Delivery World Wide
Synopsis

And don’t miss the story that started it all, “Sea Crossing” in the anthology SHIFTER (Think Anne of Green Gables sails on the Titanic, but with shapeshifters!)

Thoughts

I’m already obsessed with this new series. I was kind of obsessed within the first chapter – there was something both sensual and innocent about the storyline. I also loved the fact that although Emma feels that she is a ruined woman (a complete strong and powerful product of the times), she still manages to find a way to stand on her own two feet. She refuses to settle for the second best that is forced upon her, but rather, decides to build her own life anew. Or at least try to. As with every other story, her best laid plans quickly go awry.

It’s hard to tell whether my obsession with Celtic folklore and the UK is because of my ancestry, or just because I love the richness of the mythology. So, anytime I find a series or tale that uses Celtic mythology, I tend to dive in head first. This paranormal romance story fit the bill exactly. Utilising selkies instead of other forms of mythological sea creatures pulled me in hook, line and sinker, and now I can’t get the beauty of the storyline out of my head. The greatest issue that I have with this novella is the fact that I have to wait at least a month until the first novel in the series arrives…

 <- Forgotten Sea ReviewSea Witch Review ->
Image source: Amazon