I loved, loved, loved, loved, loved this novella. Which comes as exactly no surprise considering I love everything I have read by Kelley Armstrong. There is just something that is impossible to put down about all of her stories, and the strength of the women in her works is also completely admirable. Which, obviously, this was no exception.
I like that although this is kind of loosely based in the Otherworld series, it’s not really part of that world. It’s kind of what would happen after generations and generations of people making incredibly bad decisions. And the apocalypse / dystopian future. I love that it is showing just what can happen when prejudice and fear run rampant and destroy lives.
There is a whole lot of plotting and darkness throughout this story, and yet it is a wonderful and adorable teen romance. Even some of the plotting that in hindsight was obviously going on, wasn’t quite as obvious as in hindsight. Some of it actually took me by surprise. Always something I enjoy.
I loved this novella, and it is definitely one I’ll reread again when the urge takes me.
Howl For It is a fantastic collection of two wonderful, lusty novellas. They both fit nicely together in this collection, with the paranormal romance and werewolves as the centre point. Yet, Laurenston and Eden have two distinctly different voices that you will fall in love with. Both of these novellas are fast paced and filled with a decent amount of death and mayhem. A little bit of betrayal and a whole lot of strong males who can howl at the moon. Definitely a fun anthology to sweep you away on a moonlit night.
This is one of those anthologies that I’m really glad I bought, I look forward to reading it again and again. There was something kind of sweet about both of these stories. Even as they are tales that involve a whole lot of blood and death. I might already have both of these authors in my TBR, but I most definitely want more!
I found this book when I was in the mood for a bit of a shifter romance, but nothing too in depth and complex. This fit the bill perfectly – it’s an easy and fun read. One that you could completely predict how it would turn out (not to mention the next two matches for the next two books). But with enough going on that you wanted to keep reading because you were still emotionally invested in the outcome. Definitely a nice way to while away the time and mentally check out for just a little while.
The idea of fated mates / soul mates is a theme I often come across in my books – and it’s a theme that I seriously enjoy. This took it a little further in the idea that the males were able to literally sent that their mate had just entered their vicinity, but it was still of that nice, happy mould. The idea that we all have a perfect person out there, and even if its fated, it fits kind of perfectly is beautiful. I particularly liked how Cassidy and Jace were able to accept what they meant to each other, but also get to know one another as the story unfolds.
Cassidy and Jace are all sparks and yum throughout this story. And they were definitely a wonderful lead couple, one which I enjoyed reading about. But, for me, it was Blue and Steph that kind of stole the show. I look forward to seeing what they will become throughout the next two books. I mean, I look forward to seeing what each of the three obvious couples will become, but Blue and Steph in particular. That and the moose shifter who is just strolling around, acting as a nanny. That gave me all sorts of moments of laughter and humour.
Although it’s obvious from the very beginning that Jace is the one who is destined to be alpha, I love that Cassidy too is coming into her own with her Alphaness. Without assistance from Jace, she is able to stand on her own two feet and show others the best way to be kind and interact with others. Being an alpha in her own right is kind of brilliant, and I love how she uses that strength to make everyone feel welcome and loved.
I always forget how damn funny and pithy Davidson’s writing is. She’s sassy and delightful, with enough lust and excitement to count as a great paranormal romance. Mostly though, I just really, really love the sass with which she writes female characters. Diving into this novella made me remember why I rushed to buy Undead and Unwed in the first place (and then haven’t quite gotten around to reading it yet…)
I must admit, Burke is a bit of an oddbod from the very beginning of this story. I mean, he’s eating class and then chewing on tires… I thought he’d get a little more normal as the storyline went on. But he really, really didn’t. And that total oddness totally grew on me. He was pretty entertaining, and totally down with vengeful murder. Which, again, I loved.
As somewhat of a klutz myself, I can totally imagine somehow falling into a hole. And then getting stuck, there. Sierra’s refusal to get out and her biting retorts to Burke when he tries to help just cemented my love for her. I mean, she falls into a hole and then out sasses the man who tries to rescue her? How could you not love this?
Reading this novella just reminded me how much I want to dive into the Undead / Queen Betsy series. I have loved all of the novellas that I’ve been able to read, but now I want a full-length version…
Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifting coyote and honorary member of the Tri-Cities werewolf pack. When the pack stumbles upon the buried bones of numerous dead children, she shapeshifts into a mystery of the legendary fae – a mystery that draws Mercy’s stepdaughter Jesse into the fray! The supernatural romance series Mercy Thompson continues in this all-new, original story by New York Times bestselling author Patricia Briggs, exclusively created for the comic book medium!
I’ve been hanging to get to this graphic novel since I bought it. But, since I was trying to do a full Mercyverse reread in order, I kept refraining. Well, I finally got up to it in my reread list. And wow. It was worth the wait. Not only is the storyline amazing, the graphics beautiful, and the pace fast. But this also features Jesse in a much stronger manner.
Jesse is slowly showing up more and more in the Mercedes Thompson books – I mean, it makes sense, since they’ve become a family unit. But there isn’t much that strongly features her by herself. Although this story isn’t just about Jesse, she is smack bang in the middle of the drama. And it just reminds me why I love her and want to see her more in the Mercedes Thompson books.
I love that this storyline shows Jesse in her difficulties at school. I mean, school is tough and kids are cruel. But more than that it shows how tough and honest she is in her ability to rise above all of the crap that is thrown at her.
This is a story that features the next fae that goes bump in the night. The next step in the escalating paranormal war that is sure to be filling the next few Mercyverse books. It highlights the difficulties that the pack face, but more than that it shows how being good can assist in overcoming the evil in the world. Or at least, that’s how I felt about Jesse and those around her.
Title: Dead Heat Author: Patricia Briggs Series: Alpha & Omega #4, Mercy-Verse #22 Rating Out of 5: 4.5 (Amazing, but not quite perfect) My Bookshelves:Paranormal fantasy, Strong women, Werewolves Dates read: 19th – 30th September 2021 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Ace Fantasy Year: 2015 5th sentence, 74th page: Unable to resist, she lent her song to his.
Transporting readers into the realm of mated werewolves Charles Cornick and Anna Latham, Patricia Briggs’s Alpha and Omega novels have been praised for being “the perfect blend of action, romance, suspense, and paranormal.” Now a pleasure trip drops the couple into the middle of some bad supernatural business…
For once, werewolves Charles and Anna are not traveling because of Charles’s role as his father’s enforcer. This time, their trip to Arizona is purely personal. Or at least their visit starts out that way…
Charles and Anna soon discover that a dangerous fae being is on the loose, replacing human children with simulacrums. The fae have started a cold war with humanity that’s about to heat up – and Charles and Anna are in the cross fire.
This is one of those series that I always wonder if it’s actually not quite as good as I remember. It is WAY better. Each and every time. I mean, the hype in my mind is nowhere near equivalent to the hype and the amazingness of reading one of these books. And, I’m finally at that point in my reread when I’m up to the books that I haven’t actually read yet. Which of course meant that even though I read the prologue and then put this aside, I ended up reading pretty much the whole book cover to cover in one night. It is THAT amazing.
Charles is a beautiful enigma – and I like that this book explores some more of his past. Particularly the fact that it brings forwards some of his past friendships and relationships. Ones that are rare and far between. Friendships are so important, and it always breaks my heart that Charles really doesn’t have any in the Mercyverse. There were moments of tragedy throughout that did pluck at your heartstrings (which is always good in a book), but it was also really sweet and endearing to see the past and some joy in Charles’ life.
It was incredibly interesting that this story starts with Anna trying to figure out why Charles is resistant to the idea of children. I happen to be pregnant while reading this, and they’re discussions that are somewhat familiar. I love that throughout all of the mayhem and magic in this story, Anna slowly starts to untangle his resistance and his feelings. Feelings that even Charles doesn’t know that he has. It’s such a familiar discussion and wonder. Such a familiar untangling of emotions that I was driven by this alongside the actual action to find out the resolution.
The stories I’ve always loved of the fae are those which feature the… less kindly… of the fae. I’ve never really enjoyed tales which try and portray them as benevolent. That’s never really happened in the Mercyverse, but it’s now been taken one step further – with the purposeful release of all the not-so-kindly things that go bump in the night. It perfectly describes and portrays the fae in the ways that I think of them. And, more than that, it is perfectly setting up the next looming war on the horizon.
Title: Witching Moon Author: Rebecca York Series: Moon #3 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Werewolves Dates read: 26th July – 7th August 2021 Pace: Fast Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2003 5th sentence, 74th page: Her name was Betty Sue, and she was about his age, mid-twenties.
The swamp is their sanctuary. Its nights echo with the beat of their moonlit revels, feeding their dark hunger for power – and for revenge…
The Nature’s Refuge preserve deep in the southern Georgia swamp was a place steeped in superstition and legend – and death. The previous head ranger had ended up dead, but werewolf Adam Marshall is ideally suited to explore the park and investigate its dangers. But in the still of the night, a mysterious fire burns, and even Adam’s highly honed instincts are disoriented by the thick, drugging smoke – leading to a near disaster…
Adam’s suspicions are raised by Sara Weston, a botanist who has come to the swamp to research the vegetation. He finds himself drawn to her in ways he doesn’t understand, yet fights the passion that threatens to cloud his judgment. And when a coven of witches with a score to settle with the locals decides that Adam and Sara are in their way, Adam will discover that Sara is hiding secrets as powerful as the one that runs through his blood.
One of the things I love most about this series is that York writes from both points of view of the two leads. BUT she also gives snapshots into the villains point of view. Not enough so that you’d have any idea who the villain could be. But enough to get the heart racing since you know the danger that is coming their way.
I love how, even as the third book in this series, the women all have different talents. Although, Sara is the first one with paranormal talents of her own. The way she grew into them throughout the story, and accepted her past was phenomenal. I was left grinning throughout the entire story.
Drawing Ross back into this story towards the end of the novel continues the connection that I’m enjoying throughout this story. I can’t wait to see who the next couple in this series will be and how they’re going to connect in with the rest of the story. Each of these novels have been so fantastic as a standalone. But they also have those threads that make you want to continue the whole series in one big, binge read.
I love how York is able to show the good and the bad in the paranormal world that she’s created. That, and the haunting mystery of the swamp created a textured world that I honestly didn’t want to leave. I can’t wait to see where she takes me in the next novel.
Siblings Claudia and Gerry are fangborn, and when one of Claudia’s patients rings her with an odd experience… they realise that things are starting to enter the mythological realms of prophecy and ruin.
I know I’ve read a fangborn short story before. And I know that I enjoyed it enough to add the series to my wish list. And I remember that I loved the idea of Gerry and Claudia… werewolf and vampire siblings. This story was just as enjoyable and surprising.
I wasn’t quite surprised to find a story like this in the Murder and Mayhem in Muskego book. I wasn’t really expecting a paranormal story in here. I’m not really sure what I was expecting expecting be fair as this is only my second story of the collection… but still. I like that there is a paranormal tale in here. Its incredibly fun and left a huge smile on my face.
I really liked the mayhem throughout this story. It didn’t quite touch on murder as much as I expected. But I really enjoyed all of the mayhem. And the blood. And the fact that there was impaling of the bad guys… I’m not bloodthirsty at all!
Title: Edge of the Moon Author: Rebecca York Series: Moon #2 Rating Out of 5: 4 (Really good read!) My Bookshelves:Paranormal romance, Romantic suspense, Werewolves Dates read: 12th – 16th May 2021 Pace: Medium Format: Novel Publisher: Berkley Sensation Year: 2003 5th sentence, 74th page: Her lungs burned like fire.
His power grows with every sacrifice. Now he has chosen his final victim. And soon, they will meet in a dreamworld of ecstasy and agony – from which there is no escape…
The first person to disappear was an older woman. Then it was a child… then a teenage boy. When Kathryn Reynolds’s tenant and friend goes missing, she has no idea that her vanishing could be part of a larger, sinister pattern. But the moment she meets Detective Jack Thornton, time seems to stop – literally. The attraction between them is so strong and undeniable, there’s almost something dangerous about it…
Jack Thornton had assumed that this was just a routine missing persons report, but there was nothing routine about his response to Kathryn. He’s never reacted so quickly or so strongly to any woman before, and the erotic dreams they share threaten to overwhelm his control. But the more he investigates her friend’s disappearance, the more uneasy he feels. For he’s starting to sense that he and Kathryn are being manipulated by someone… or something. They seem to be playing cat-and-mouse with an unseen enemy – but what Jack doesn’t realize is that a killer is on the hunt, and he will stop at nothing to attain his goal. And that the killer is convinced that Kathryn is the key to his dreams of unholy power…
It’s been a while since I picked up this series, and I honestly forgot just how good it is. There is just something about it that draws you in from the very beginning. The suspense / crime angle creates a story line that is impossible to put down and has you racing to see just who done it…
Then there’s the great paranormal spin. I mean, it’s not enough that you want to have a happy ending and find out who the dang criminal is, you also have a whole heap of paranormal insanity to go along with it. In the case of Katherine and Jack, it’s a demon messing with them, shifting time about and just generally being a pain.
I like that Jack is a father and widower in this story. It gives an extra layer of maturity to his character and risk to the formation of a relationship. That, and there’s also much more at stake than just Katherine and Jack’s lives. Partnered with a fantastic housekeeper… and its honestly a winning family combination.
Ross and Megan also make a great reappearance in this story that reassures you that they also got their happily ever after. But, they don’t get the chance to steal the show either. All in all, I loved how York continued to expand on this world and just generally draw you in… now to find the next book to add to my reading pile…
“Moonlust” by Sherri L King Series: Moonlust #1 During Brianna’s trip to the Ural Mountains of Russia, a life-threatening accident places her at the mercy of a strange, reclusive man. A man whose secrets and unquenchable hunger will change her life forever…
“Pack Law” by Lorie O’Clare Series: Lunewulf, #1 Pack law states every female shall have three mates. It’s a necessary action in order to keep the lunewulf breed alive. Sophie Rousseau has just learned who her three mates will be. And one of them is the sexy Nik Alexander who has invaded her dreams since high school. Though Sophie’s nervous about fulfilling pack law, she can’t wait to mate with Nik. Nik has lusted after Sophie, wanted her for his mate and mother of his children. He gets his way, but by pack law, Sophie cannot be his alone. Nik will share her with two other werewolves. But only on his terms.
“Running Mate” by Jaci Burton Series: Devlin Dynast, #1 Senator Jason Devlin is a man with a secret. A big one that could ruin his political career and his family. He guards his secret closely, allowing no outsiders to penetrate his intimate circle. Kelsey Harper is a reporter itching for an interview with the elusive senator. When a case of mistaken identity lands her in his bed, she gets much more than an interview.
“Wolfe’s Hope” by Lora Leigh Series: Wolf Breeds , #2 Hope believed Wolfe was dead, but he was only waiting for the right time to claim her. He is a man whose DNA was altered, infused with the genetic code of the wolf. His unique genetic makeup has created a male unlike any other and will make itself known in the most surprising ways. Now Hope must convince her mate she hasn’t betrayed him, and they must defeat the plans of a scientist gone mad.
This was a fun and incredibly lustful collection. There was a lot of intense sexuality throughout this that most definitely put this into my erotic bookshelves. Most certainly not the kind of book that I would comfortably read in front of family members. But definitely one that was good when I wanted to kill a little time by myself…
There is something fun and intriguing about this collection. I only bought it because I love the Breeds series. But I now have another three authors that I’m intrigued by and keen to add to my shelves. Not all to the same degree, I found some of these novellas more to my taste than others. But overall, these were wonderful tastes of some great stories to come…
If you like your paranormal romance a little bit extra erotic and toe curling… then this is a good collection for you. There are stories with multiple partners, bondage, all sorts of different storylines and erotica. That, and they’re all werewolves. Great fun.
Earth and Skye 