Review: Cold as Ice

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Review: Cold as IceCold As Ice (Ice, #2) by Anne Stuart
Series: Ice #2
Published by Harlequin MIRA on September 17, 2012
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 371
Goodreads
five-stars

Dark Romantic Thriller

“He’d been a gray ghost before, now he was a fallen angel. The man was a chameleon, capable of turning into anything he wanted, and he assured her those persona were lethal. And she believed him.”

THE STORY: Genevieve Spenser is a high powered attorney who believes she has given up her idealistic views. When she comes to get signatures on a document for an important client of the firm, she ends up in the middle of a kidnapping perpetrated by the assistant of her client. Peter Jensen at first appears bland and non-threatening, but Genevieve learns that Peter is extremely dangerous and deadly. Peter knows that the innocent Ms. Spenser is likely to be a casualty in the Committee’s attempt to prevent more damaging events. From the beginning, however, Peter is unwilling to sacrifice Genevieve even though he knows he will likely have no choice.

OPINION: I just love Stuart’s anti-heroes who are especially good in the Ice Series. This book is filled with action and adventure and reluctant romance. This is definitely not your sweet loving book. This book is raw and harsh and sometimes it is difficult to see how these characters can have a happy ending. Peter is a highly trained killer and he knows that there is no clear line between the good guys and the bad guys. Peter almost immediately doesn’t want to have Genevieve be a victim. He is known as the Iceman and she begins to melt him despite himself. Genevieve believes herself jaded and cold but doesn’t realize that she is an infant compared to the dangerous people she encounters here. A reader will not get an intense emotional connection between these characters. At times their relationship seems more hate than love, but somehow it works. Despite both their wishes, these characters fall in love and form a strong bond.

WORTH MENTIONING: Stuart has a particular style with her heroes who are killers and are always on the edge of being dangerous to the heroine.

FINAL DECISION: Love, love Stuart’s ruthless anti-heroes. This is a tremendous romantic thriller with action and adventure galore.

CONNECTED BOOKS: COLD AS ICE is the second book in the Ice series about the covert agency known as the Committee. While there is some overlap of characters, COLD AS ICE can be read independent of the first book in the series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

five-stars

Review: Black Ice

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Review: Black IceBlack Ice (Ice, #1) by Anne Stuart
Series: Ice #1
Published by MIRA on April 26, 2005
Genres: Romantic Suspense
Pages: 377
Goodreads
five-stars

Fabulous: Action Packed Dark and Romantic Thriller

“What she needed was a little more sex and violence in her own life.”

“Be careful what you wish for…”

THE STORY: Chloe Underwood is an American in Paris. She is a rebel in her family of doctors. Chloe cooks and learns languages. She is working as a book translator when her roommate asks her to cover for her as a translator for a business meeting. Chloe ends up in a house full of international business people. There she meets Bastian Toussaint who she is immediately attracted to. Bastian, however, is a married womanizer and not matter what her attraction, Chloe is determined to avoid him. Bastian, however, has no intention of avoiding Chloe. Bastian is an agent with The Committee, an anti-terrorist organization. In Bastian’s world, there is little difference between the “good guys” and the “bad guys”. He wonders who Chloe is working for and intends to find out her secrets. Then he will decide whether or not he will have to kill her.

OPINION: BLACK ICE is a romantic thriller. There is serious danger for the main characters throughout the novel. Bastian is a dangerous man. He has a dark past and present and has no use for Chloe. The truth is, however, that he is unable to resist her even though she is not trying to capture him. Their romance is raw and dark and yet there is something incredibly attractive and sweet about how the light of Chloe seeps into Bastian and changes him. I love this book. It is one of those books that I read so quickly because it is action packed. The balance between the action and the romance is well done. The book is also hot as Chloe and Bastian burn up the pages together.

WORTH MENTIONING: I am a great fan of the type of deadly dark heroes that Stuart writes. Admittedly, such a hero who walks the edge of loving and killing the heroine is not for everyone.

FINAL DECISION: I adore this book. Bastian is the type of dark tortured hero that a woman might not want in real life, but who is fantastic to read about.

CONNECTED BOOKS: BLACK ICE is the first book in the Ice series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

five-stars

Review: When We Touch

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Review: When We TouchWhen We Touch (Whiskey Creek, #0.5) by Brenda Novak
Series: Whiskey Creek #0.5
Published by MIRA on August 1, 2012
Genres: Contemporary
Pages: 102
Goodreads
three-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: An enjoyable novella. I really liked the connection between Olivia and Brandon although I was frustrated by the setup for the story. The execution of the story was well done despite the short length.

THE STORY: Olivia Arnold has returned to Whiskey Creek to plan and attend her sister’s wedding. Unfortunately, the wedding is to Olivia’s ex-boyfriend who ended up getting involved with and impregnating her sister which he wasn’t really her “ex”. Because she owns a wedding planning business, Olivia reluctantly gives in to her parent’s pleas to handle the wedding. While in Whiskey Creek, Olivia runs into her ex’s stepbrother, Brandon who offers her refuge from the family drama.

OPINION: This was an enjoyable novella. The setup is very dramatic and I was really angry at how poorly Olivia is treated by her family. Interestingly, Brandon is also second best in his blended family so the two have something in common. I did think that the dramatic situation with Olivia being forced to organize her sister’s wedding helped focus the story and thus made everything work better. By compressing and pumping up the drama, it allowed Olivia and Brandon’s relationship to work in the compressed time period.  Olivia and Brandon’s relationship was sweet and sexy and I was touched by how everything worked together.

WORTH MENTIONING: This novella introduces many of the characters who appear in the Whiskey Creek series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: WHEN WE TOUCH is the prequel novella to the Whiskey Creek series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

 

three-half-stars

Review: Nightchaser

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I received this book for free from Netgalley in order to prepare an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.


Review: NightchaserNightchaser (Endeavor, #1) by Amanda Bouchet
Series: Endeavor #1
Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca on January 1, 2019
Genres: Futuristic
Pages: 416
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: A good start to a new series. I liked that this is a sci-fi romance story. I especially liked that Tess is a very capable, strong and determined woman. Although there is a lot of setup in this book, the story was intriguing enough to keep me interested to the end.

THE STORY: Captain Tess Bailey and her motley space crew are on the run for their lives. With her ship damaged and needing repairs, they land on a planet where Tess meets Shade Ganavan. Shade and Tess have an immediate attraction but he also gets on Tess’s nerves. As to two spend time together, the secrets that each is keeping might get them killed.

OPINION: I enjoyed this book. I haven’t read a lot of sci-fi romance and this one has a Star Wars feel to it but with some dystopian Hunger Games thrown in. The reader arrives in the middle of the action and the first part of the book is exciting.

The center portion of the book is centered on the romance. Honestly, however, the characters felt younger than their ages. This book definitely had a young adult feel to it despite the ages of the characters. In fact, Tess felt too naive and innocent for her experience and that bothered me somewhat. For someone on the run who is hiding, she seems to tell a lot of people her secrets — except, of course, Shade.

The action picks up in the last third of the book and its like all the tension and mysteries are sprung for the reader. I enjoyed this portion the best because it felt like there were payoffs.

I did enjoy the mysteries and the secrets and that kept me wondering what was happening in the book. That was the highlight of this story combined with the chemistry between Shade and Tess. They have an interesting relationship that challenge their expectations and plans.

I didn’t feel that this book was a home run like the first book in the Kingmaker Chronicles series. This book felt more uneven and fans looking for sci-fi may be challenged by the entire center of the book that is about building Shade and Tess’s relationship.

I’m going to admit to be wary of this series. I loved the beginning of the Kingmaker Chronicles and was really disappointed by the final book in the trilogy. So I’m going to be careful about being excited about this series until I see how it turns out. I worry that the great promises of these stories will ultimately not be as good as the expectations.

WORTH MENTIONING: While this book doesn’t have a cliffhanger, it is clear that there is more to the overarching storyline to be continued in future books.

CONNECTED BOOKS: NIGHTCHASER is the first book in the Endeavor series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Edelweiss in order to assist in preparing this review. I was not required to write a review or to write a positive review. All opinions contained herein are my own.

four-stars

Review: Final Shadows

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Review: Final ShadowsFinal Shadows (Bishop Files #3) by Kay Hooper
Published by Berkley on December 31, 2018
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 336
Goodreads
two-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: By the middle of this book, I was reading it only for the story of the characters. The plotline of this book and the entire series has become muddled and bizarre. But I still love the characters; I just wish we could have stayed in the realm of the psychic mysteries and avoided the weird E.T. stuff.

THE STORY: First, the blurb for this book isn’t really related to the story. Tasha and Brodie are in the book, but the book’s narrative really seems more centered around Bishop and Miranda. There isn’t much romance at all, but rather the various couples met in the series are investigating a series of missing psychics and latent psychics. Someone seems to abducting them and then disposing of them. There are various narrative characters who make appearances in the story.

OPINION: This book just makes me sad. I love the characters and in fact, I re-read portions of the characters dialogue and interactions, but the plot is just bad. The whole story undermines the SCU series and takes this to crazy places that I wish it hadn’t gone.

I absolutely love Bishop and Miranda and I continued with this book just because the two are so present in this book. I also enjoyed seeing the other couples and thankfully, we do get to see Tasha and Brodie’s relationship develop more.

I also really enjoyed the meetings between Murphy and Duran. In fact, I thought their relationship — such as it is — was the best developed in the book. There is something sinister and uneasy about their interactions which are interesting and by the end of the book, I wanted to read more about them.

The last few books in this and the SCU series make me really sad. Re-reading the early books in the series gives a real sense of character and menace and mystery. This book seems like an unbelievable explanation for a plot that is too complex.

WORTH MENTIONING: With the talking cat, this series moved away from a series grounded in any type of reality for me.

CONNECTED BOOKS: FINAL SHADOWS is the final book in the Bishop Files trilogy and is also connected with the Bishop/Special Crimes Unit series. I don’t think this can be read as a standalone. I’ve read all the books in both series multiple times and frankly, I couldn’t follow much of the story at this point. Too many references to characters and events without any recap.

STAR RATING: I give this book 2.5 stars.

two-half-stars

Review: A Shifter Christmas Carol

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Review: A Shifter Christmas CarolA Shifter Christmas Carol (Shifters Unbound, #11.75) by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Shifters Unbound #11.75
Published by JA / AG Publishing on December 11th 2018
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 62
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: A reworking of Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, this novella takes the familiar story into new directions to good effect. I especially enjoyed seeing so many of the beloved characters from the series, getting background and updates.D

THE STORY: Dylan Morrissey forgoes the traditional and family oriented Shifter Yule celebrations to continue his work to eventually free the Shifters. When Dylan comes to New Orleans and the haunted house, he is treated to a vision of the past, present and future which challenges his priorities.

OPINION: I really enjoyed the twist on the Christmas Carol story. Instead of being a scrooge who needs love and compassion in his heart, this Christmas Carol is about Dylan moving on from the past to see that he cannot do everything alone. The guides on his journey, Ben, Zander and Tiger, are all funny and perfect for their roles. I especially liked that Dylan is compensating for his own feelings of being a failure and trying to “fix” his mistakes. But, of course, Dylan ends up making so many more mistakes.

The best part of this novella is getting to see so many of the characters from the series and getting updates on what is going on in their lives. This is a very nice Christmas novella that works especially well for fans of the series who will enjoy seeing what is going on with the characters.

WORTH MENTIONING: I always appreciate that the novellas move the overarching story forward and are not just asides. Here, there will clearly be long term consequences of Dylan’s recognition that he cannot save the Shifters himself.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A SHIFTER CHRISTMAS CAROL is book 11.75 in the Shifters Unbound series. The story here is self-contained, but it much more rich if a reader is familiar with all the characters from the Shifters Unbound series who make appearances throughout the story.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

four-stars

Review: Enter the Duke

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Review: Enter the DukeEnter the Duke (Game of Dukes, #2) by Grace Callaway
Series: Game of Dukes #2
Published by Grace Callaway Books on December 6, 2018
Genres: Historical
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: I loved Rhys as the redeemed rake. A man of mistakes and flaws and hidden pain who comes to see his own worth through the love of a kind and generous woman. Plus, this book has a treasure hunt.

THE STORY: Rhys Cavendish, Duke of Ranelagh and Somerville, known as Ransom, is running from moneylenders. The death of his uncle gives him an opportunity to pay off his creditors, but he requires help to navigate the treasure hunt his uncle set up. Rhys turns to a local fossil hunter to help with his search. But the woman he wants to hire ends up being the woman he knew as Maggie Goode, who he had a passionate one night encounter years ago. Now a respectable widow with a child, Maggie desperately needs money to save her family business, but she wants to keep her distance from her ex-lover, especially because she has a secret about her daughter to keep.

OPINION: I really loved the couple in this one. Rhys, is a favorite because he truly changes in the course of this book. He begins as a man who keeps everyone at a distance because of his own past, his feelings of inadequacy, and his shame. He is man who has made big mistakes in his life and this book is partly about him coming to terms with his mistakes and learning from them. He also begins to see clearly things that are not his mistakes to claim and realize that he can move beyond his past. I really liked that Rhys has made serious mistakes and this book doesn’t wash those away. Rhys has to accept and move beyond those mistakes. As an example, Rhys inherited a dukedom in trouble, but he made it much worse. Often heroes are seen as beyond such mistakes, but not Rhys. He was selfish and stupid, immature and self destructive for much of his adult life. This book is him truly growing up, and I really enjoyed his flaws.

Maggie is such a cheerful and devoted person that I also really liked her character. Her optimism and devoted nature helps heal Rhys. I also liked that Rhys’s protective nature helps Maggie with those who would take advantage of her. But Maggie definitely is resourceful on her own. She is integral to the treasure hunt and her intelligence and cleverness allow the two to pursue the treasure and navigate the people and adventures needed.

The relationship between Maggie and Rhys doesn’t follow what is normal for romance novels. Much of their connection is resolved earlier than I expected, but there are still challenges to their HEA. The treasure hunt and threats to the couple makes this book a combination of a romance and a mystery/adventure. I really liked the combination.

WORTH MENTIONING: Readers of the prior book in the series, THE DUKE IDENTITY, will remember Ransom as somewhat an antagonist in that story. This book redeems him nicely.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ENTER THE DUKE is the second book in the Game of Dukes series. It can be read as a standalone although there are overlapping characters from prior books by this author.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

four-stars

Review: Ensorcelled

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Review: EnsorcelledEnsorcelled: In the Wizard's Lair (The Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle Book 9) by Colette Gale
Published by Avid Press on December 27. 2018
Genres: Erotica, Historical
Pages: 72
Goodreads
three-half-stars

FINAL DECISION: These books get zanier with every installment. Just when I think the books can’t get any more outrageous, they do. This one isn’t as compelling as others in the series, but it sure is crazy-sauce fun.

THE STORY: Jane, who (she believes) has been rejected by her husband Zaren is in the hands of Lord Akenov who intends to have her memories and love for Zaren eliminated so that she will belong to Akenov alone. To do this, Akenov takes Jane to a sorcerer Belmar.

OPINION: I continue to read this series for the sheer fun and craziness of the story. There is also a romance in here, but honestly, I’m often more interested as to what crazy situation Jane will find herself in. This one was even more crazy than I expected. I think as the end of the series approaches, the strange sexual exploits increase. That being said, I continue to enjoy this serial.

I don’t want to spoil the weird events here, but I have to say that just when I say “the only thing missing is…” this book supplied the missing sexual exploit. This book is pure entertainment and doesn’t have a deeper meaning or significant character development. But it is like cotton candy, I just can’t get enough.

WORTH MENTIONING: The next book in the series apparently will be the last so this book previews the resolution.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ENSORCELLED is the ninth book in the Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle series. This is a serialized story where each book tells part of the adventure and ends on a cliffhanger. Therefore, the series is meant to be read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 3.5 stars.

three-half-stars

Review: Enchanted

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Review: EnchantedEnchanted: A New Love (The Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle Book 8) by Colette Gale
Published by Avid Press on April 26, 2018
Genres: Erotica, Historical
Goodreads
four-stars

FINAL DECISION: An enjoyable entry in the series. This one has Jane and Zaren separated and engaged in their own activities. Another crazy set of circumstances, but the cliffhanger always leaves me wanting to read the next installment.

THE STORY: Jane has been renounced by her beloved Zaren and has now been taken by Lord Akenov who wants more than her body. He wants her to love only him. At the same time, Zaren is himself a captive as he wants to get back to his beloved wife who he was forced to pretend to renounce.

OPINION: In this entry in the series, things get even crazier for Jane and Zaren as the two are separated on go on their own erotic adventures. Jane finds herself with a man who is determined that she will give all of herself to him — even her heart. Zaren finds himself the slave of a woman who challenges his ideas of fidelity.

This entry feels likes a transition and while enjoyable as Jane and Zaren separately work out their love for one another, I kept waiting for something to happen and the cliffhanger brings things to a head.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book has non-consensual sex. Readers who are disturbed by this should stay away from this series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ENCHANTED is the eighth book in the Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle series. This is a serialized story and thus each book ends on a cliffhanger and is connected to the prior books in the series. It is meant to be read in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

four-stars

Review: Enraptured

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Review: EnrapturedEnraptured: The Renouncement (The Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle Book 7) by Colette Gale
Published by Avid Press on January 30, 2017
Genres: Erotica, Historical
Goodreads
four-half-stars

ENRAPTURED: THE RENOUNCEMENT is the seventh novella in the Erotic Adventures of Jane in the Jungle series. Each novella is a short episode in a continuing serial of the story. I began reading the novellas. They are at times silly and over the top, but I find them fascinating in an odd way. Jane has a lot of sex with a lot of people (while being in love with the Tarzan of the series). She is alternatively abused, forced and coerced into her sexual encounters which she enjoys. The series is definitely erotica and while there isn’t any deep story or character development, I really enjoy reading these novellas.

In this novella, Jane has been taken captive by the Amazon queen who has made Jane her sexual slave. As this novella starts, Jane’s love has located her and readers get to find out what happens (hint — the title itself is a spoiler).

This novella begins immediately after the previous novella’s end and ends on a cliffhanger. I recommend that readers begin with the first novella of the series.

four-half-stars