Review: No Rest for the Wicked

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No Rest for the Wicked
No Rest for the Wicked by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4.25 of 5 stars

Paranormal Romance with an Adventure and an Adorable Hero

“He beseeched with those eyes, and she realized he hungered for an end. He wanted the death blow she’d come to his decrepit castle to deliver.”

FINAL DECISION: Amusing and adventurous, this book is the story of two people who have been alone for a long time. I especially loved how Sebastian is a tough, strong alpha hero but also sweet and a bit innocent around women.

THE STORY: Sebastian Wroth is a reluctant vampire. Turned against his will by his older brothers, Sebastian has spent three centuries fighting against his new nature. One day, Kaderin, the Cold Hearted, a Valkyrie, comes to his castle to kill him. Kaderin has spared the life of a vampire before. That act of mercy cost the lives of her two sisters. Devastated by their deaths, she asked for numbness from her grief and that was granted…but Kaderin now feels nothing — not sadness, not joy, not passion. She has now spent a thousand years killing vampires when she comes to Sebastian’s castle. Failing to kill Sebastian, Kaderin enters the legendary month long contest that is similar to the Amazing Race. Sebastian follows her in the competition intending to win the woman who is his Bride.

OPINION: I love how these two characters bring life to one another. Their story is at times painful because opening up one another emotionally means that they can hurt one another. Sebastian is such a sweet hero. He is a reluctant vampire and through this book comes to accept his own existence. He is almost immediately devoted to Kaderin and spends the remainder of the book chasing her. The adventure really works well with this couple. It brings a lightness and adventure to the story.

The book overlaps the stories of other books and I find it interesting that each book hints at the mysteries of the other books and the motivations of the characters. It makes me interested in continuing to read the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: I love the integration of the modern pop culture world with the paranormal world in this series.

CONNECTED BOOKS: NO REST OR THE WICKED is the third book in the Immortals After Dark series. It can be read as a standalone but is much better after reading the first two books.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.

Review: A Hunger Like No Other

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A Hunger Like No Other
A Hunger Like No Other by Kresley Cole
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Romantic, Sexy, Adventurous Paranormal Romance

“He’d waited a millennium for a helpless parasite.”

FINAL DECISION: Fabulous story between a sexy werewolf and a half vampire/half Valkyrie. There is humor and paranormal adventure and pure sexiness and romance. Loved it.

THE STORY: Lachlain Macrieve has been tortured by vampires for over a century. A werewolf and the leader of the Lykae Clan, Lachlan escapes from his torment when he scents his mate. Having search for her for centuries, her appearance gives him strength. When he discovers her, he is shocked and dismayed to discover that she is a vampire — the mortal enemies of the Lykae. Emmaline Troy aka Emma the Timid, is half vampire and half Valkyrie. Young in immortal years, Emma fears pain and is highly protected by her adoptive family of Valkyrie. Her encounter with the wild Lachlan begins to transform Emma into the woman she was meant to be.

OPINION: I can’t believe that it took me so long to discover the Immortals After Dark series. Sexy, funny and exciting, this novel was a fast read because I couldn’t put it down. Lachlan is very close to his beast side when he meets Emma. He is frightening and demanding and definitely the alpha male. Emma is fragile and innocent and doesn’t believe in herself. Her progression throughout the book is amazing. By the time the ending of the book arrives, she has changed and changed Lachlan.

I like that this book really approaches the issues of the prejudices, lack of understanding, and old emnity between the different immortals groups. The characters are strong and well-defined and each character in the story has a separate identity and I want to know more about each of them. For me the fact that I was satisfied with this book and yet want more is the sign of a great series.

WORTH MENTIONING: Cole has created a very complex world and the overarching story is beginning to play out.

CONNECTED BOOKS: A HUNGER LIKE NO OTHER is the second book in the Immortals After Dark series. It can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Review: The Warlord Wants Forever

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The Warlord Wants Forever
The Warlord Wants Forever by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fresh, Humorous, Sexy and Intriguing

FINAL DECISION: Immediately intriguing, this book begins the Immortals After Dark series by seamlessly introducing a new world and keeping the focus on the relationship between the main characters — all in just over 150 pages.

THE STORY: Nicholai Worth is a vampire general who is searching for his Bride — the woman who can make his heart beat and bring him into his full power. He ends up finding Myst the Coveted, a Valkyrie who taunts him leaving him unfulfilled for five years. When he finally catches up with her, he intends to make her pay for his torment.

OPINION: Many times a first book in a paranormal series will suffer because of the needed time to introduce the world it inhabits — not with WARLORD WANTS FOREVER. The focus here remains on the characters of Nicolai and Myst. They have a seriously combative relationship and their “cross-species” romance is something that must be navigated carefully. A true Romeo and Juliet type story, these two have the world against them and yet are destined to be together. I loved that these two are both warriors and respect one another in the end.

WORTH MENTIONING: These are some sexy unearthly characters.

CONNECTED BOOKS: WARLORD WANTS FOREVER is the first book in the Immortals After Dark series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Review: The Professional

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The Professional
The Professional by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Conflicted About This One

THE STORY: Natalie Porter is a grad student in Nebraska when the search for her birth parents leads her to discover that she is the long lost daughter of a Russian Mafia leader. She discovers this when her father”s enforcer, Aleksandr Sevastyan drags her out of her ordinary life and forces her on a plane to Russia. Natalie and Sevastyan are immediately combustible together in every way. Sevastyan was sent to protect Natalie but becomes obsessed with her while fighting his attraction to her. The two are quickly engaged in a sexual BDSM relationship while Sevastyan fights the emotional connection.

OPINION: I am conflicted about this book. I wonder if the original format (being split into three ebooks) interfered somewhat with the development of the story. I loved portions of this book. The beginning was incredibly strong. I am a complete sucker for the emotionally damaged alpha hero, but the continued conflict between Natalie and Sevastyan just went on too long in a too repetitive manner for me to find this a great book. It was on the edge of that, but at about the two-thirds mark, I found myself saying “not again!” The couple would have a break through and then her hero would back away once again — over and over again. I think the story could have been pared back somewhat. At the same time, I did love the rough alpha hero who doesn’t completely reform at the end and I liked how the heroine demands to be treated as a woman with her own sexual desires and wants even when the hero wants to treat her as fragile.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book is erotic romance with extensive and explicit sexual exploits including public sex so readers should be warned.

FINAL DECISION: Parts of this book I really loved and some of it was just okay for me. I ultimately recommend it because I think it is interesting.

CONNECTED BOOKS: This is the first book of the Game Maker series. The second book will feature the brother of the hero of this book.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

Review: Angels’ Flight

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Review: Angels’ FlightAngels' Flight (Guild Hunter, #0.4, 0.5, 0.6, 3.5) by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #0.4, , ,
Published by Berkley Sensation on February 28th 2012
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 345
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Great Collection of Guild Hunter Novellas

A collection of four novellas. Readers should take note that the novellas are out of order for where they take place in the series.

ANGEL’S WOLF: This novella takes place after ARCHANGEL’S CONSORT. It is the story of the vampire Noel who was almost killed in an attack. He believes he has been set aside by being sent to the court of the angel Nimra. He soon discovers, however, that Nimra has need of him. Dangers abound in this story and a mystery of who is threatening Nimra is interesting enough to provide a platform for the romance between Noel and Nimra. Noel is especially interesting as being such a damaged soul. It was nice seeing his happy ending. Rating: 4.25 stars.

ANGELS’ JUDGMENT: This is a prequel novella to the Guild Hunter series. This novella introduces Sara who is the leading candidate to be the new Guild Director. She meets Deacon who is a slayer tasked with tracking down rogue hunters. Deacon has arrived to be a bodyguard for Sara because the Angels have a habit of testing potential directors in deadly ways. The two are in search of a rogue and end up in a romantic relationship that has no future because Sara’s very public new job does not mesh with Deacon’s very private responsiblity. I liked this story and did not feel that I needed to know any other information other than what was introduced in this story. It interested me in reading more about the series. Rating: 4 stars.

ANGELS’ PAWN: This is a prequel novella that tells the story of a guild hunter, Ashwini and her association with a vampire, Janvier. Readers should be aware that this is a short story and merely introduces the possibility of a relationship between Ashwini and Janvier. Ashwini has hunted Janvier before but he has always managed to resolve his problems before Ashwini had to take care of him. Now she needs his help when an angel wants her to track down a missing vampire. This story is funny and sexy and I really want to know what happens between Ashwini and Janvier. They seem to have a doomed relationship considering the fact that he is somewhat immortal and she is human. Dark and delicious reading. Rating: 4.5 stars.

ANGELS’ DANCE: This novella is about Galen a 275 year old angel who is the weapons master for the archangel Raphael. He meets Jessany, who is also an angel and is the historian and teacher. She is over 2500 years old but has lived a solitary existence because she has a deformed wing and thus cannot fly. When Galen meets her he is determined to court her and become her lover. This story is amazing. For such a short story to paint such a vivid picture of the Guild Hunter world was unexpected. I loved this intense story between the two. Both Jess and Galen are emotionally damaged and their relationship allows them both to heal. I loved that their relationship is allowed to take time so that by the time the story reaches its end, there is no doubt these two are perfect for one another. ANGELS’ DANCE is a prequel novella to Singh’s Guild Hunter series. Rating: 4.25.

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four-half-stars

Review: Secret Sisters

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Secret Sisters
Secret Sisters by Jayne Ann Krentz
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Perfect Balance Between Romance and Suspense

“No matter what happens,we will be secret sisters forever.”

FINAL DECISION: SECRET SISTERS perfectly balances romance and suspense into a book that thrills the nerves and satisfies the heart. Twisty and clever, this book doesn’t give up all its secrets until the very end.

THE STORY: Eighteen years ago, darkness entered the lives of two young girls who were best friends. Madeline Chase and Daphne Knight were unseparable until a man came taking one and leaving the other. Madeline has survived after the brutal attack that sent her fleeing from Cooper Island and continues to inhibit her ability to have a lasting relationship with a man. Now the head of the successful Sanctuary Creek Inns, Madeline is called back to the Island to deal with the property where she was attacked. Jack Rayner works hotel security for Madeline’s business despite her attempts to get rid of him. When a murder forces Madeline to tell Jack the truth about her past, the two work together to uncover the secrets that refuse to stay buried on Cooper Island.

OPINION: I loved this book in a way I haven’t loved a Jayne Ann Krentz book in a long time. It is no secret that I have been somewhat disappointed in the recent Krentz books because to me it felt that the romance was suffering and the books were becoming more suspense than romance. This concerned me because as a longtime reader of romances, have seen some of the best known writers turn primarily to suspense and crime drama books where romance is either non-existent or highly diminished. With this on my mind, the blurb for this book concerned me because it seemed that the emphasis was completely on the mystery with little mention of the romance.

I primarily read romance and I like it that way. I read a wide variety of books that fall within the broad romance genre, but I do prefer that my books have a positive romantic relationship that is integral to the story. Happily, SECRET SISTERS satisfied all my romance needs while providing a twisty and tricky suspense story that kept me turning pages until the very last one.

“She had spent eighteen years keeping secrets. She was good at it.”

The characters in SECRET SISTERS are strong individuals who have experienced pain and yet have grown stronger. I especially liked Madeline – a woman who has been damaged and yet has become successful and while she lives with pain, she does not allow herself to wallow in victimhood. She struggles and with her fears, but she constantly challenges herself. She is adult and accomplished. Her match is Jack who is a modern western hero.

“In the mythic past that infused the modern southwest, you have a man like Jack a badge and sent him out into the dusty street at high noon to stop the bad guy.”

Jack is definitely a brains over brawn type of hero. Smart and savvy, Jack has experience being a profiler and thus is able to anticipate the actions of others. Unfortunately, this knowledge also haunts Jack. He has his own secrets in his past. He knows that he wants Madeline but also knows that his past makes him unsuitable for any long term relationship. Coincidentally, Madeline also has difficulties with long term relationships. They find in one another, however, a reason to regret their limitations. I appreciated that these characters talk to one another, are adult and don’t do stupid things.

The other major characters in the book are Madeline’s friend Daphne and Jack’s brother Abe. These two have a romance themselves, but it is secondary to the more developed relationship between Madeline and Jack.

“She concluded that Abe Rayner was going to be irritating. However, there was something reassuring about him.”

Daphne is an interior designer and a recent widow. Part of the significant action in the book is Daphne and Madeline rediscovering one another and the healing that their friendship provides.

Abe is an Information Analyst and a definite geek. Shorter than Daphne, he is not a traditional hero, but his relationship with Daphne provides a nice counterpoint to the more complicated and complex relationship between Madeline and Jack.

The suspense story captivated me until the end. It had multiple surprises and even when things seemed to be resolved, there was more to be revealed. This is a book about secrets and just about everyone has a secret. I believe that the best part of this book is finding out where the mystery is going and thus I don’t want to reveal too much. I was glad that I didn’t peak at the end of the book to find out the ultimate conclusion because the journey of discovery was especially enjoyable in this book. The mystery stems from what happened to Madeline and Daphne eighteen years before and I found the solution to be intriguing and satisfying.

The mystery and the romance in this book mutually reinforce one another. The romance is developed through the mystery and the mystery in turn gives urgency to the romance. This is one of Krentz’s best.

WORTH MENTIONING: I love a man who cooks and cooks well.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SECRET SISTERS is a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

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

Review: Rogue Alpha

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Rogue Alpha
Rogue Alpha by Carole Mortimer
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Fast Read Novella That is Hot

FINAL DECISION: This novella is action packed and very sexy. The story is very straightforward and simple, but I liked the connection between the main characters. This is an easy and enjoyable read.

THE STORY: Diana Moore believes someone broke into her apartment although no one else does. Eight months ago, Diana’s world fell apart when she was kidnapped and held for ransom and then her husband was killed. Fearful of what might be happening now, Diana turns to the only person she can think of — Seth Armstrong. Seth works for Grayson Security and was the one who rescued her from her kidnappers.

OPINION: This is a straightforward and quick read. For a novella, there is a strong storyline with a lot of action and suspense. This book, however, is rooted in the relationship between Diana and Seth. The two have an immediate connection (which works because of the short length of the story). The story is hot and sexy. The connection might be too quick for some readers, but the length of the story gives some excuse for the quick progression of the romance between the characters.

WORTH MENTIONING: There are no appearances by the main characters from the previous novels only brief mentions for some.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ROGUE ALPHA is the seventh book in the ALPHA series. Although there are overlapping characters, ROGUE ALPHA can be read as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

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Review: Shadow’s End

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Shadow's End
Shadow’s End by Thea Harrison
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

This Book Made Me Cry for Pages

“You did not walk away from those you loved. You fought for them, always, with everything you had, even if it meant fighting the long fight, and staying the hardest, quietest, most difficult course.”

FINAL DECISION: Deeply emotional, SHADOW’S END has less of the Elder Races series humor and instead demonstrates more emotion and pain than any other book in the series. Beautiful. This book made me cry and cry and then ultimately smile with happiness.

THE STORY: Two hundred years ago, Grayden, gryphon and First Sentinel of the Wyr met and began to fall in love with Beluviel, consort to the Elven HIgh Lord. In a short time, the two found and lost one another when they ended up making a deal with the pariah Djinn Malphas. The two had to agree to forgo any potential relationship with one another. Now the deal is at a critical point and Bel and Grayden have to come together again in order to free themselves from the Djinn.

OPINION: SHADOW’S END brings together various threads in the Elder Races universe to dramatic effect. This is the saddest book in the series. Readers of the series should be prepared for the stakes in to be raised. There are casualties in the ongoing story and this book brings this home.

The love story between Graydon and Bel mirrors the intense sadness of this book. These two find one another and then almost immediately are separated. Their love story was already difficult because she was married to the Elven High Lord when they meet, but their choices are taken from them almost immediately. This leads to years of separation and loss.

“At times, he thought falling in love must be the loneliest experience in the world.”

I admit that I am a great fan of these poignant, angst filled romances. Bel and Graydon have a sweet and gentle connection. One of my favorite parts of the book is that after all the drama and angst, the book allows the reader to breathe at the end and see the aftermath of the dramatic storyline.

This one also neatly ties in lingering issues in the Elder Races universe. Claudia and Luis from NATURAL EVIL make appearances and explain some of the lingering questions from that novella. Also making significant appearances are Julian and Melly (MIDNIGHT’S KISS), Grace and Khalil (ORACLE’S MOON) and Rune and Carling (SERPENT’S KISS). Of course, Dragos, Pia and Liam also make appearances. I loved the blending of the storylines of these characters. This book feels like a progression in the story and some longstanding problems are finally resolved.

The end of this book gives readers an idea of the direction that the overarching storyline is going. I love this series and I look forward to continuing to see the characters I love and being introduced to new and interesting characters.

WORTH MENTIONING: Two words; preg. nant.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SHADOW’S END is the ninth novel in the Elder Races series. This book should be read as part of the series because it ties up threads from several other books and novellas.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

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Review: Sweet Ruin

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Review: Sweet RuinSweet Ruin (Immortals After Dark, #16) by Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark #16
Published by Gallery Books on December 1, 2015
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 529
Goodreads
four-half-stars

“What won’t we do for the people we love.”

“She was a killer with blood on her hands, but she wanted to give her heart away . . .Jo yearned for her other half with all the desperation of someone who’d always known something was missing.”

FINAL DECISION: The story of two lonely immortals desperately needing connection, SWEET RUIN demonstrates the best in the Immortals After Dark series: humor, adventure, hot sex and deep loving bonds.

THE STORY: Rune Darklight is the assassin of the Morior (the group of ancient immortals coming to earth for the Accession for their own purposes). Rune is half fey/half demon which makes him dark fey. His black blood is poisonous to all but his own kind. For the first several hundred years of his life, Rune was a slave and trained as a sexual weapon. Rune is on earth hunting the Valkyrie Soothsayer Nix in order to assassinate her. While pumping some nymphs for information, Rune senses a voyeur and sets out to find out who the sweet scented female is.

Josephine Doe is an orphan without any knowledge of who or what she is. All she knows from the age of eight is that she has to protect her baby brother Thaddeus. When her brother is taken from her and her life changes dramatically, Jo first decides that she is destined to be a superhero. Her taste for vengeance and blood convince Jo that she is actually the villain of the piece. When she sees the mesmerizing Rune with his nymphs, she is intrigued by the male but as wary as a feral cat.

OPINION: “When two people form an unbreakable bond, it’s like a reactor, feeding them power and heat and a sense of belonging. It makes them strong. They’re the true superheroes.”

Rune and Jo are both damaged people. I am a big fan of damaged characters where the rough edges of both seem to fit so well. Rune’s past as a slave and a whore have made him doubt his own self-worth. He uses his sexuality as a crutch in his business because that is how he has learned to do his job. He thinks nothing and feels nothing during sex because it has become meaningless to him. Despairing of ever finding a mate, Rune desperately wants a connection that he knows will poison and kill any female foolish enough to get close to him.

Josie is feral. Years of living on the street and protecting herself have given her a hard shell. She is foul mouthed, prickly, and completely badass. Separated from her brother, Josie does not have a connection to anyone but desperately wants a connection. She has learned to vicariously experience relationship with others through use of her her abilities. Completely ignorant of the Lore, Rune is the first fellow Immortal that Josie has spoken with.

The relationship between these two jaded people ends up being incredibly sweet. The two learn the value of themselves as they bicker and fight and love their way around the world chasing Nix. They end up finding value in the relationship between them even as they discover and rediscover their own pasts. I did especially like the sweetness of their relationship in light of how dark their pasts were. Josie (although far from sweet and innocent herself) brings a freshness and newness to Rune’s life which often feels oppressive and dark.

In the mythology of the Immortals After Dark series, this book continues Nix’s work with the Accession (the battle between the creatures of the Lore). Some parts of her plans are disclosed while many others remain murky. It has become clear that Nix is not as crazy as she appeared in earlier books in the series but instead is making intricate chess moves to bring about a conclusion that she wants. There are numerous connection and appearances by past characters which will please fans of the series.

This book seriously moves forward the mythology of the series without every losing sight of the importance of the romance and connection between the main characters. One of the best of the series.

WORTH MENTIONING: From the offhand reference to a female vampire living in New Orleans, I have hope that we will be seeing more of the Dacians from SHADOW’S CLAIM.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SWEET RUIN is the sixteenth book in the Immortals After Dark series. At this point, I believe that readers should read the other books in the series if they wish to fully enjoy this book. The romance here is self-contained, but there is so much else going on that is directly connected with events in the series as a whole.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

NOTE: I received an ARC of this book via Netgalley in order to provide an honest review of the book. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

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four-half-stars

Growing Into a New Blog

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Ah, that new blog smell.

I have been a romance reader since I was about 15 years old. I began with Gone with the Wind, moved on to “borrowing” my mom’s romance books (which consisted primarily of 1970s bodice rippers) and then began checking out dozens of books from the library in my last years in high school.  I was weaned on Jayne Ann Krentz (writing as Stephanie James), Johanna Lindsey, Nora Roberts, Iris Johansen, Judith McNaught, Kathleen Woodiwiss, Elizabeth Lowell and Diana Palmer.

During my college and post-graduate education, I hid my reading preferences because smart women aren’t supposed to like “trashy books”. That was the status quo while building my career and family.

One of the benefits of turning 40 was a decision to stop caring about what other people think of my reading preferences.  I make no judgments about what you read, and I don’t care what you think about what I read.

I began reviewing the books I read with a vision toward just recording my thoughts and feelings about the books I read. Just about every book is liked by someone.  I believe that a book has an audience. It might not be me, but I don’t particularly like the dismissive, snotty attitudes that often permeate reviews.  I do not insult books or those who like that book.  I will tell you if I don’t like a book and I will tell you why, but I always try respect the book and readers who do like it.

I regularly review books on Amazon and Goodreads.  I also started a blog several years ago just to archieve my reviews. After more than two years of blogging my reviews of romance books at my old site, I purchased this site a year ago and mirrored the content with an eye toward creating a more vibrant blogging space.

Finally, I have jumped into a whole new vision of what I want to do with this site.  Thus, a new Top 10 Romance Books is born.

My focus will always be on reviewing romance books, but I would like to add some additional content including some favorites lists, tales of attending romance related events and hopefully one day interviews.

I’m not sure where this will go…but we are going.