Tag Archives: Paranormal

A book that has elements of fantasy, science fiction and/or horror.

Review: Mate Bond

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Review: Mate BondMate Bond (Shifters Unbound, #7) by Jennifer Ashley
Series: Shifters Unbound #7
Published by Berkley on April 7th 2015
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 320
Goodreads
five-stars

“We’re good together,” he said in a soft voice. “You and me.”

THE STORY: Bowman and Kenzie O’Donnell are mates without that mystical mate bond that binds shifters together forever with their mate. Bowman and Kenzie married in order to help bring the divisive parts of their pack together. The two wolf shifters expected that their attraction and care for one another would result in the mating bond eventually developing. Fifteen years and one cub later, Bowman and Kenzie have a great relationship but still no mating bond. The lack of that bond is keenly felt by Bowman and Kenzie who live in some fear that eventually one of them will develop the mating bond with someone else ending their relationship. There is also danger because there are some creatures who endanger the shifters who seem shifter-like but are mindless monsters and Bowman and Kenzie work together to discover what is happening.

OPINION: This book is unexpected in many ways. Unlike most novels there isn’t a boy meets girl and then fall in love scenario. The hero and heroine are long since married in this book (although readers get a glimpse at their courtship). Neither is it a book where the marriage is troubled. Bowman and Kenzie really do love one another. They have a good marriage and are happy with their son. There is nothing wrong with their life except that they are not sure that they will be together forever because of the lack of the mate bond.

This is one of the most wonderful married romance novels. The drama in the relationship comes because they already know that they are right for one another and really want to have that mystical connection that will bind them forever. The characters are smart, act rationally, don’t get in stupid arguments or fail to talk to one another. They are mature and responsible.

Kenzie is a great mate for her position. She is smart and strong and a partner to her mate. She is not a damsel in distress. At the same time, she is vulnerable and caring. The character feels vibrant and well-rounded and complex. She feels pain from the lack of a mate bond, but she is not desperate or grasping. When she is jealous or afraid, she acknowledges her emotions and deals with them.

Bowman is just a wonderful hero. A dominate alpha male, he is not a jerk. He is a wonderful father and husband. He is not afraid to show how much Kenzie and their son mean to him. A definite strong adult man.

I loved Kenzie and Bowman both and their son is adorable. This is a book that definitely about grown ups with grown up problems and feelings. The drama comes from the fact that these two love each other so much that they don’t want to be torn apart but fear they might be.

I just felt good reading every page of this book and it felt so different from most books in the genre and even the series — and in a good way.

The external drama story regarding the mysterious monster was interesting and created drama that was resolved in a reasonable fashion.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book takes place primarily in a new Shiftertown from what readers have known before although there are some mentions and cameos from old favorites.

FINAL DECISION: I absolutely loved this book. Kenzie and Bowman love each other from the beginning and have built a wonderful life together as partners. This book is about them discovering that themselves and realizing how much they mean to one another.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MATE BOND is the seventh book in the Shifters Unbound series. While there are references to other characters and the overarching story of the book, this book introduces readers to a new Shiftertown and so can definitely be enjoyed as a standalone.

STAR RATING: I give this one 5 stars.

NOTE: I received and ARC of this book as a prize in a contest from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions expressed are my own.

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Review: Archangel’s Enigma

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Review: Archangel’s EnigmaArchangel's Enigma (Guild Hunter, #8) by Nalini Singh
Published by Berkley Sensation on September 1st 2015
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 357
Goodreads
five-stars

My Favorite of the Series. Sexy, Sensual, Fun, and Exciting — Just Like Naasir

“Seven months Naasir had been hunting. Seven months since he’d told Ashwini he was ready to find a mate. Seven months and still his mate hadn’t made herself known to him. Didn’t she know he was looking for her?”

FINAL DECISION: My favorite of the series. I loved the characters, their deep respect and mutual acceptance of one another. The tone of the book is sexy, sensual, playful and dangerous which fit Naasir’s character. As a character that fans have wanted to know more about since his first appearance, this book is deeply satisfying. He is given a mate who matches him well. Their journey is exciting and sweet and just plain sexy.

THE STORY: Naasir is one of the Seven to the Archangel Raphael. His origins are unknown but he has some feral qualities and some vampire qualities. When a plot to murder the former Archangel of Persia is discovered, Naasir is sent to awaken the Archangel to warn him. He is to accompany Andromeda, a young angel scholar who has done work to discover the Archangel’s sleeping place. Because they are racing against time to discover the sleeping Archangel before it is discovered by the one who wants to kill him, their journey is expected to be perilous. At the same time, Naasir is seaching for his mate. When he meets Andromeda, he thinks that she smells like she could be his mate, but her fragility and her vow of celibacy make him wonder how she could possibly be the one for him.

OPINION: A wonderful blend of sex, sweet romance, friendship, adventure and excitement, this book and its tone are perfect for the sensual, playful but deadly Naasir. A fan favorite since his introduction to the Guild Hunter series, Naasir has mysterious origins. Fans can rejoice that this book answers questions that have surrounded Naasir. No spoilers here, but I found Naasir’s story to be especially satisfying.

Naasir is playful, brilliant, sensual and brutal and all those traits are exhibited here. He is unique to the series and I loved how this book expressed all his qualities. Readers of Singh’s Psy-Changling series will recognize her deft hand with expressing animalistic qualities and she has raised it to a superlative level here. Naasir is incredibly complex and his different way of thinking is well depicted here.

Andromeda is seemingly an unlikely match for the wild Naasir. A scholar and a celibate, Andromeda first appears weak and defenseless to Naasir. As he begins to uncover her true nature, however, he learns that she is precisely the mate he needs.

“The idea his maybe-mate might have a secret side fascinated him.”

What I loved most about this book was the mutual acceptance that Naasir and Andomeda show to one another. Both had broken childhoods and come from monstrous origins and wage fights against their nature. In each other, they find acceptance and appreciation for the qualities that others have rejected in them.

“A woman who knows me, understands what I am, and who wants to have secret rules with me.”

A beautiful expression of love, their romance was allowed to develop slowly (contrasted by the swift events of the narrative). Naasir’s respect for Andromeda is evident throughout. Truthfully, the conflicts between these characters arise from external events and threats and that works perfectly for this couple. This is a story of love, acceptance, sensual exploration, deep respect along with a playful tone even in the face of serious danger and brutal battles.

I finished this book was a deep sigh of satisfaction and then immediately began reading passages of it again because it was that good. Instantly my favorite of the series and a definite “keeper”!

WORTH MENTIONING: A warning: “Something bad is coming. Worse than before.” But that is for future books.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ARCHANGEL’S ENIGMA is the eighth book in the Guild Hunters series about a world where angels and vampires and mortals live together. There is a strong connecting story between all the books as political maneuvers and battles take place between Archangels. This book, however, can be read as a standalone as all the information a reader needs to know can be garnered from the text of this book.

STAR RATING: I give this book an enthusiastic 5 stars!

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Review: Archangel’s Kiss

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Review: Archangel’s KissArchangel's Kiss (Guild Hunter #2) by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #2
Published by Berkley on February 2nd 2010
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 352
Goodreads
five-stars

Paranormal Suspense and Political Intrigue Mixed with Romance

“We die . . . We die together. That’s the deal.”

THE STORY: Elena Deveraux has fundamentally changed after the events of ANGELS’ BLOOD. Now that she has changed into being an angel, Elena has entered Raphael’s world and has to find her way. There are deep political divisions and maneuvers between the archangels. This book is the story of Elena remaking herself, the new relationship between Elena and Raphael, and the political threats that surround them.

OPINION: Although ARCHANGEL’S KISS is the same series as the first book in the series, Singh has made this book fresh and different. While the first book in the series was more suspense oriented, this book is more political thriller. Because Elena is a new angel, she also has to make fundamental changes in her life. Also, this book investigates Elena’s past and how she became who she is. The perfect mixture between external story and internal, emotional conflict, this is a book that satisfies on both an intellectual and emotional level. I especially love the character of Elena. She is strong and determined but also deeply loving. She is deeply haunted by her past and the murders of her older sisters and this book exposes many of those secrets. I couldn’t wait to start book three and I’m glad that I didn’t discover this series soon and thus have to wait months for another book.

WORTH MENTIONING: Singh has created an interesting world with fascinating characters. Reading the book, I want to know more about the pasts of those characters. Luckily, I know that the stories of those characters are coming.

FINAL DECISION: I found Archangel’s Kiss to be fascinating. It is a paranormal crime drama and also a political intrigue book. I also loved the evolution of Elena’s character and the developing relationship between Elena and Raphael.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ARCHANGEL’S KISS is the second book in the Guild Hunter series. Because the books are the continuing story of Elena and Raphael and therefore can be best appreciated by reading the books in order.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

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five-stars

Review: Angels’ Blood

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Review: Angels’ BloodAngels' Blood (Guild Hunter, #1) by Nalini Singh
Series: Guild Hunter #1
Published by Berkley Books on March 3rd 2009
Genres: Paranormal
Goodreads
five-stars

Fabulous First Book In Series

“She’d never met a more deadly being in her life.”

THE STORY: Elena Deveraux is a vampire hunter, a Guild Hunter whose job it is to track down vampires and return them to their masters, the angels. Elena is summoned by the Archangel Raphael who controls New York. Meeting an archangel is dangerous business for a mortal and Elena is terrified by their confrontation even as she struggles to hide it. Elena has been chosen as the best of the hunters to hunt a creature more terrifying and dangerous than any Elena has tracked before.

OPINION: This book was amazing and completely different than I expected. It was so compelling that I immediately started reading the second book in the series and then the third. The series is about Elena and making her way in the world of angels and vampires and humans. Elena is strong and yet damaged in deep emotional ways. I was completely enthralled by her story because this book just begins to hint at the depth of Elena’s story. I also loved the story between Elena and Raphael. I have a weakness for dark and dangerous heroes who teeter on the edge of being the villain. The story is lush and dark and yet Elena is not a woman filled with darkness. Billed as urban fantasy, I think this book is more personal and emotional than I would have expected.

WORTH MENTIONING: ANGELS’ BLOOD is the first book in the series but Elena’s story is not concluded in this book. The ending of this book was unexpected and made me immediately turn to book two.

FINAL DECISION: This book is fabulous. Singh creates a fascinating world with unique rules and inhabited by fascinating individuals who are complex and compelling.

CONNECTED BOOKS: ANGELS’ BLOOD is the first book in the Guild Hunters series.

STAR RATING: I give this book 5 stars.

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five-stars

Review: Liam Takes Manhattan

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   For Fans of the Series, Liam is Growing Up

                                   Liam Takes Manhattan by Thea Harrison

                                   My Rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

“Everything felt at once too big and yet too restrictive  His chest constricted, and he couldn’t breathe as the wide, wild world crushed down on him.”

FINAL DECISION: This short story satisfies fans because we get to know more about the fascinating young man that Liam is becoming.  This novella focuses on Liam trying to figure of what to do as a young man in unique circumstances.  Cute, sweet and revealing about his character.

THE STORY: Liam is at an awkward phase.  The events in SHADOW’S END have left the young man feeling rebellious, confined and aimless.  He doesn’t know what to do with himself and has begun to feel the constriction of his loving family.  It is Christmas and his parents offer him something he has wanted for a while, but he is struggling with himself.

OPINION: This short story focuses on a moment of crisis for Liam.  Having too quickly grown into a young man, Liam is at the same crossroads that young people face — purpose in life.  I especially liked being given this glimpse into his life.  A fan of the series can expect that Liam will have an incredible story of his own one day and I appreciated being given insight into his evolving character.

Well written, sweet and moving the overarching story forward, this little gem of a novella will please fans of the Elder Races and provides a worthy coda to the events of SHADOW’S END.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is not a romance but rather part of the coming of age story for the amazing character of Liam.

CONNECTED BOOKS: LIAM TAKES MANHATTAN is book 9.5 of the Elder Races series.  It should be read after book 9 SHADOW’S END because it contains serious spoilers about that book.  It is also third of a trilogy of short novellas about the Cuelebre familly.  While readers don’t have to read the entire Elder Races series to enjoy this book, it would be better to at least read the prior books of the trilogy DRAGOS GOES TO WASHINGTON and PIA DOES HOLLYWOOD.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

 

Review: Dark Skye

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Review: Dark SkyeDark Skye (Immortals After Dark, #15) by Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark #15
Published by Gallery Books on August 5, 2014
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 420
Goodreads
four-half-stars

Friends to Enemies to Lovers Story Shines

“Unfortunately, Lanthe had her own stalker — Thronos, a crazed, winged warlord who’d been obsessed with capturing her for the last five hundred years.”

FINAL DECISION: Powerful and painful, the journey of Lanthe and Thronos to find peace and love is tortured and twisted and yet these two both want to recapture their childhood idyll which can only come through understanding, acceptance and willingness to change.

THE STORY: Melanthe “Lanthe” of the Deie Sorceri is the Queen of Persuasion and has spent years trying to reclaim her powers. She has been running and hiding from Thronos Talos, a Vrekener, who believes she is his mate. For four short and wonderful months, the two had been best friends as children. When Thronos betrayed her, causing the death of her parents, Lanthe made him jump from a high point, causing him to almost die. Now scarred and constantly in pain, Thronos has finally hunted down and captured Lanthe and intends on forcing her to accompanying him to his home at Skye Hall so that she can provide him heirs.

OPINION: This book is a journey into the relationship between Thronos and Lanthe. The two have a lot of baggage. Their journey entails an adventure through different realms each posing challenges to the two. The best part of the book is how the two learn to compromise with one another — learning that only through acceptance and compromise do they two stand any chance of building a life together. Their journey is difficult because the two have years of personal emnity, the longstanding hatred between Vrekeners and Sorceri, and the desire of Thronos for Lanthe to be different than she is. This book goes deep into working out the relationship between Thronos and Lanthe because they have a lot to get through.

The other good part of this book is how this book pulls together some threads from prior books. For me, I love how Cole shows the IAD story from different perspectives — moving the story back and then forward with more insight.

There are also some new insights as to what is going on with Nix. As readers of IAD know, Nix, the Valkyrie Soothsayer, has been working on some play dealing with the Accession. Here, more of her machinations are revealed.

WORTH MENTIONING: This story has a very sexually experienced heroine and a virgin hero. I liked how the two dealt with her sexual past — her being unwilling to regret her past and him coming to accept her rather than wanting to change her.

CONNECTED BOOKS: DARK SKYE is the fifteenth book in the Immortals After Dark series. The story in here is complete and can be read on its own, but there is a lot of intertwining with recent books concerning events and characters. I think this book is better if a reader is aware of the IAD mythology.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars

four-half-stars

Review: MacRieve

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MacRieve
MacRieve by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4.25 of 5 stars

Twisted and Painful and Dark But The Lykae is Also Cute

“You need to rebreak that bone. It didn’t set right.”

FINAL DECISION: The sad and painful journey of MacRieve to recover from his past where he discovers the mate he needs, treats her poorly and then realizes that she can help him heal. Chloe’s kickass personality was my favorite in this book.

THE STORY: Uilleam (“Will”) MacRieve is messed up. Tortured by his enemies, MacRieve has lost his Lykae instinct and he wants to die. The one thing that keeps him alive is the possibility of revenge. At this critical moment of his life, he meets his mate, Chloe Todd. Chloe is the mortal daughter of MacRieve’s enemy and is being auctioned off by the House of Witches. MacRieve’s instinct revives and tells him that he has to protect her. Things are complicated, however, because Chloe has secrets that even she doesn’t know that might send MacRieve from her forever.

OPINION: This is a journey through MacRieve’s past. As Nix tells him, he hasn’t healed from his past where he believes he caused the death of most of his family by his actions. His torture at the hands of the mortals has revived that pain and increased it. It’s sad that he meets Chloe and she seems to be able to help him heal, but then things go wrong.

MacRieve is brooding, dark, damaged and often times a serious jerk. He has some serious baggage that has haunted him for over nine hundred years. When he is charming, he is adorable. I also really liked the reversal of the normal Lykae story in this book. Here, MacRieve’s beast is often close to the surface and he learns to harness it through the book.

Chloe is one of my favorite heroines. MacRieve treats her poorly, but she doesn’t cower and whimper. She fights him. Her strength and determination allows her to survive MacRieve’s treatment of her. She also has to deal with some real surprises.

For fans of the series, Nix’s plans are revealed more here.

WORTH MENTIONING: This is the best epilogue but be prepared to be frustrated by having to wait.

CONNECTED BOOKS: MACRIEVE is the fourteenth book in the Immortals After Dark series. It can be read as a standalone although there is an overarching storyline for the series for which the reader needs to follow the various books.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.

Review: Shadow’s Claim

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Review: Shadow’s ClaimShadow's Claim (Immortals After Dark, #12; The Dacians, #1) by Kresley Cole
Published by Pocket Books on November 27, 2012
Genres: Paranormal
Pages: 481
Goodreads
four-stars

Wow, Trehan is Adorable, Sexy and a Warrior

FINAL DECISION: Loved this story even if Bettina was a bit dense about her relationship with Cas. I absolutely loved Trehan who might be one of my favorite Immortal heroes.

THE STORY: The Dacians are ancient vampires who do not drink blood from the flesh. The realm is hidden from the rest of the Lore in mist but internal war and strife has diminished the five houses that make up Dacia. Trehan Daciano is known as the Prince of Shadows, he is an assassin for the Daci tasked with hunting down those who break the rules of Dacia. Trehan’s job takes him to Abaddon hunting after a demon Caspian who came to and left Dacia which is forbidden. Trehan ends up meeting Princess Bettina, a half demon/half sorceress who is a master goldsmith who creates weapons. She has been in love with Caspian for years but now she is determined to win him. Bettina has agreed to marry whatever male wins a tournament to the death. Trehan senses Bettina one night and discovers that she is his Bride. Trehan has to make a choice: his Bride or Dacia. Then he also has to win her heart.

OPINION: Oh, I adored Trehan. Brooding, a scholar, talented assassin and warrior. Smart, gentle, sweet and yet no pushover, Trehan is one of my favorite heroes from the Immortals series. He certainly has much more patience with Bettina than I would have. She spends far too long protecting her supposed love for Cas. For me, that is the negative of the book — the triangle goes on just a bit too long.

This has one of the best courtships. Trehan is so wonderful to Bettina (with a Lore twist). He is so controlled that it is especially gratifying to see him snap.

For fans of IAD there is something about Lothaire giving romantic advice which shouldn’t be missed.

WORTH MENTIONING: This book is written as the beginning of a spinoff series about the Dacians. Unfortunately, there has been little information about when or if this spinoff series is continuing. I hope it does because it is set up to be of great dramatic scope.

CONNECTED BOOKS: SHADOWS CLAIM is book 13 of the Immortals After Dark series and is a spinoff dealing with the Dacians first introduced in LOTHAIRE. This book can be read apart from the Immortals After Dark series but I recommend reading LOTHAIRE because they are connected.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4 stars.

four-stars

Review: Lothaire

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Lothaire
Lothaire by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

The Enemy of Old Meets His Match

“Lothaire the Enemy of Old had returned for her. Just as he’d promised.”

FINAL DECISION: Dark and macabre at times, this book fits one of the evil characters in the IAD universe. Lothaire’s mate is exactly not the woman he expected and that makes this so good.
THE STORY: Lothaire the Enemy of Old is an ancient ruthless vampire. The bastard son to the former king of the Horde, Lothaire has sworn to take over the Horde and also the kingdom from his mother’s family. Elizabeth “Ellie” Peirce is a mortal on death row and is possessed by what she terms a “demon”. Soroya an an ancient evil vampire ex-goddess and Lothaire believes that she is his mate. He intends on finding a way to exorcise Ellie and claim Soroya as his own. The complication is that the longer Lothaire is in the presence of Ellie and Saroya, the more he begins to fear that his mate might now be who he thinks it is.

OPINION: I love the struggle that Lothaire has in determining his mate. He treats Ellie terribly and one might expect that it is she who is his mate. Ellie is certainly not evil, but she isn’t a sweet, innocent miss either. Even better, she doesn’t really change Lothaire much — readers of the series can be assured that Lothaire doesn’t turn into Mr. Nice Guy, but rather controls his darkest impulses.

The story is very dramatic with sneaky and intriguing dilemmas and clever, dark solutions. Lothaire and Ellie have a very dark and dangerous journey to their happiness.

Lothaire’s mysterious past is revealed which once again adds understanding but not excuse to Lothaire’s behavior. There are big things here that effect all of the Lore.

WORTH MENTIONING: Lothaire rips out his own heart and sends it to Ellie. Weirdest courtship yet.

CONNECTED BOOKS: LOTHAIRE is the twelfth book in the Immortals After Dark series. It can be read as a standalone. It is better to read it as part of the series, however, because there is an overarching story and intricate relationships that are not really understandable to new readers.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.5 stars.

Review: Dreams of a Dark Warrior

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Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Dreams of a Dark Warrior by Kresley Cole
My rating: 4.25 of 5 stars

Dark, Sexy Action Adventure Paranomal Romance

“Hear this tale, the legend of Aiden the Fierce and Reginlet the Radiant One, a pair of lovers both bound and cursed by fate.”

FINAL DECISION: Filled with action, suspense and a dark story, this book takes the idea of Regin’s true love returning and turns it upside down as he is reincarnated as a killer of immortals. I loved the drama and angst this added to the story.

THE STORY: A thousand years ago, Regin the Radiant, a Valkyrie, fell for Aiden the Fierce, a mortal warrior and berserker. Right after Regin and Aiden made love, he was killed. For a thousand years, Aiden has been reincarnated and cursed with dying as soon as he recalls the past. Aiden has been reincarnated again as Declan Chase, a brutal soldier and member of the Order whose mission it is to capture, study and kill immortals. Captured and tortured by Declan, Raiden is now thinking on how she can make him remember their past in order that he will die and help her and her friends escape.

OPINION: The twist of having Regin’s grand love return as an enemy gives this book an edge. Declan is not merely an enemy in name only. He tortures immortals — including Regin. He is broken and dark and irresistible. I liked that the book explains but doesn’t excuse Declan’s behavior. I especially liked the ultimate resolution of the drama of the series and the question of whether Declan would remember and thus die and continue the painful history that he and Regin share.

This book is action packed and filled with characters both old and new. This book is most closely connected with DEMON FROM THE DARK which overlaps this book in content and in time.

WORTH MENTIONING: Oh Lothaire, he’s a really dark, bad and sexy dude.

CONNECTED BOOKS: DREAMS OF A DARK WARRIOR is the eleventh book in the Immortals After Dark series. It can be read a standalone but there is an overarching storyline in the series about the coming Accession, an epic battle between immortals.

STAR RATING: I give this book 4.25 stars.