Category Archives: Contemporary

January 30, 2017 · 1:14 am

Quote-tastic Monday: Eleventh Grave in Moonlight by Darynda Jones

eleventh-graveI have been in love with this series since I first discovered it.  Although the story line is wonderful, it is the humor that makes the books.  Charlie absolutely cracks me up.

Eleventh Grave in Moonlight is the eleventh in the series and there is no sign of the books slowing down.  As much as I enjoyed this book though, I have one problem . . . cliffhanger endings.  The last three books have had terrible cliffhangers and I am tired of it.  Not just with this series, but any series.  I resent being left hanging at the end of a book.  I am a fan.  I am going to buy the next book in the series.  I do not need something to keep me coming back.  If anything, cliffhangers make me want to drop a series simply because I am ticked.

No, I am not dropping Charlie Davidson.  I love the books, but I am tired of being jerked around.

Okay, off my soapbox and on to the quotes.  Both of these are from Charlie and in both, she is talking about her husband (aka, the Son of Satan) Reyes.

It was an order, plain and simple. And the fact that he actually thought I’d follow it was comical.

Like Charlie ever followed anyone’s orders.  However, Reyes just never learns.  I am not going to tell you what this next quote is in reference to because of spoilers, but I love it anyway.

” . . . That’s logic for you. Of the penis-wielding variety.”

Again, this is a great series and if you are just starting it, you don’t have to worry about cliffhangers.  Eleven books are out already, so enjoy!

“Quote-Tastic Monday” is a meme hosted every Monday on Herding Cats & Burning Soup.  Head on over there to see what everyone else is posting about this week.quote-tastic final with green border

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January 29, 2017 · 1:42 am

Jacked Up (Birmingham Rebels, #3) by Samantha Kane

Jacked Up (Birmingham Rebels, #3)Jacked Up by Samantha Kane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Jacked Up
Author: Samantha Kane
Series: Birmingham Rebels, #3
Pages: n/p
Publisher: Loveswept
Date: January 31, 2017

Summary:

The secret about the Birmingham Rebels is out: With a girl in the middle, two mouth-watering football studs are better than one.

Linebacker Sam Taylor feels like a ticking time bomb. He left the army with emotional wounds as fresh as the scars on his back. Sam’s been living like a monk, but his best friend, defensive lineman King Ulupoka, wants to get him laid. Easy for him to say. The larger-than-life Samoan is a hard-bodied, tribal-tattooed fantasy. Sam agrees, under one condition: King stays to watch.

ER nurse Jane Foster is done being a good girl, and nothing says wild like picking up two of football’s sexiest players and bringing them back to your hotel room. Trouble is, she can’t decide which one she wants more. Sam is hot, sweet, and vulnerable. Jane’s more than willing to ride him into oblivion. But King’s intense gaze from across the room promises that the best is yet to come.

Sure, King has had his choice of girls and guys in the past. That doesn’t mean he’ll jeopardize his relationship with Sam over a case of locker-room lust—until a naughty nurse pushes them both out of their comfort zones. Seeing Jane and Sam together turns King on more than he ever imagined. If they’re game, he’s ready to tackle a three-way play.

Review:

This is the third in the Birmingham Rebels series and I have loved each of them. I didn’t expect to. I don’t like football and I don’t understand it. And yes, I realize there is probably a correlation there.

So, why did I read the first one?

Samantha Kane people! Brotherhood in Arms! One of my favorite series ever.

Of course, I had to give the book a chance, even if it was based in the world of football.

And I am so glad I did.

I think this may be my favorite book of the three if for no other reason than I adore King Ulupoka. As the description says, he is larger-than-life and that is just physically. He has a wonderful, wonderful personality and he knows how to go for what he wants. Unfortunately, that sometimes means he rolls over people because, of course, he knows best. It doesn’t matter. I love him. I love how he works to make the relationship between Sam, Jane, and him successful. And it takes a lot of work. Sam is suffering from PTSD and Jane is a “good girl.” They can be their own worst enemies.

And that is my one problem with the book. I wanted Sam to get over himself. I know that sounds harsh considering his background, but I wanted them to have a happily ever after.

Did they get it?

Obviously. This is a romance, albeit a nontraditional one.

It’s not absolutely necessary to read the first two books in the series (Broken Play and Calling the Play), but it will make this one more fun. Previous characters show up and have important parts to play. Not to mention, they’re great books.

Give these books a try. I promise you don’t have to be a sports fan at all.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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January 11, 2017 · 6:05 pm

The Cursed (League of the Black Swan, #1) by Alyssa Day

The Cursed (League of the Black Swan, #1)The Cursed by Alyssa Day
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: The Cursed
Author: Alyssa Day
Series: League of the Black Swan, #1
Pages: 282
Publisher: Berkley
Date: May 7, 2013

Summary:

Bordertown private investigator Luke Oliver’s beat is the dimensional fold in Manhattan between the human and supernatural realms. But now a secret from his past—the League of the Black Swan—has surfaced. Because Luke isn’t any ordinary P.I. He’s the Dark Wizard of Bordertown, and he never backs down from a fight.

But this time the fight threatens his life and his heart. Rio Jones, the only woman he loved, needs his help against a deadly menace. Luke pushed her away once before, so she’d never fall prey to the curse that threatens to destroy him. He swore he’d never let her go again.

Luke and Rio, with the help of the newly reformed League, must keep evil forces from taking over Bordertown—all the while battling a passion on the razor’s edge between danger and desire. And going to take everything they have just to stay alive.

Review:

I read this book when it was released and gave it five stars. I decided since I had not yet reviewed it to read it again to see if I felt the same way. Yep. I was right. It is definitely a five star book.

The setting is New York City . . . or at least it is New York for the humans. It is actually an area where the worlds of human, demon, and Fae intersect. In other words, it is the border, so Bordertown. Anyway, Bordertown is where you go when you don’t fit in anywhere else, OR you’ve been kicked out of everywhere else.

Luke Oliver is a good guy. He’s been around for years, think hundreds, not decades. He is the strongest wizard in Bordertown and “people” keep hounding him to take the sheriff’s job. He is not interested in the job at all, but that doesn’t keep people from bringing it up.

Rio is human, mostly, and can read most people’s minds. As you can imagine, that can be an ugly gift to have. Now, the bad guys are after her and she has no idea why. All she knows is it has something to do with her twenty-fifth birthday which is coming soon.

Throw in a child’s kidnapping, a Fae lady, and a demon prince. Not to mention, Grendels and goblins. Obviously, things get exciting fast.
And they stay that way.

Alyssa Day does an excellent job of worldbuilding without overwhelming the reader with too much detail. The secondary characters are described well enough to serve their purpose in the plot, but there are not so many of them that I felt like I needed to take notes. That has happened to me before with other books.

I have been reading Day’s Warriors of Poseidon series since its beginning and I love them. Every time I re-read them, I am amazed at how good they are. Based on this book, The League of the Black Swan series is going to be the same.

There is an in between book out titled The Curse of the Black Swan which can be found in the anthology Enthralled. I contacted the author on Twitter and she said the next book, The Unforgiven, will be available for free to her newsletter subscribers in either January or February of this year. I cannot wait.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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January 9, 2017 · 1:34 am

Quote-tastic Monday: Telling Tails (Second Chance Cat Mysteries, #4) by Sofie Ryan

telling-tailsI love this author.  She writes as Sofie Ryan, Sofie Kelly, and Darlene Ryan.  I have never read anything of hers under the last name, but I have gobbled up her other books.

The main character (depending on your point of view) in this particular series is either Sarah, the upcycling shop owner, or Elvis the cat.  I know which way I lean.  Anyway, friends of her grandmother’s use the shop as the base for their private investigation service, Charlotte’s Angels.

Yeah, I know.

Everyone in the group is at least seventy years old and try as she might Sarah keeps getting dragged into helping with the cases.  Elvis, however, is integral in solving them and can be quite smug about it.

The relationships between the characters are like a large family.  They love each other, but they can certainly get on each others’ nerves.

“I heard that tone,” she said.

“Good,” I told her, leaning down to kiss her forehead.  “I’d hate to think I’d been too subtle.”

And sometimes the dialogue is just funny.

“Are you crazy?” she asked.

“It’s a possibility,” I said lightly.  “I’ve never been officially tested.”

“Well, may you should be so we can get confirmation.”

That sounds like a line right out of Big Bang Theory.

This book was released this past Tuesday and although I had another book I was supposed to read next, it jumped to the top of the list.  Again, as I say with most if not all series, read them in order.  They will be so much better if you do.

“Quote-Tastic Monday” is a meme hosted every Monday on Herding Cats & Burning Soup.  Head on over there to see what everyone else is posting about this week.

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January 2, 2017 · 1:27 am

Quote-tastic Monday: Heart of Stone by Christine Warren

“Quote-Tastic Monday” is a meme hosted every Monday on Herding Cats & Burning Soup.  Head on over there to see what everyone else is posting about this week.

I re-read this book for two reasons.  It was sent to me by NetGalley over two years ago and I never reviewed it.

Major Blogger Shame!

And book five is due out in February, so I wanted to re-read this series to be ready for it.

Well I re-read it and had forgotten how much I enjoyed it.  And yes, I did review it.

Here are a couple of quotes to help you understand why I like it so much.

Of course, she’d continued to argue with him, because the gargoyle operated under the vastly mistaken assumption that he was always right, and Ella felt she had a duty to point out how misguided such a belief really was.

And, Ella and Kees are going into battle and she really hopes they’re not going to die because

She really hoped she and Kees won this one.  She was wearing her “I’m going to get worked really hard, sweat like a pig, and want to kick Kees in the nuts” clothes, not her “It’s okay if I die in this because at least I look hot” clothes.

A girl had her pride.

Not to mention having her priorities straight, right?

heart-of-stone

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December 30, 2016 · 9:19 am

Heart of Stone (Gargoyles, #1) by Christine Warren

Heart of Stone (Gargoyles, #1)Heart of Stone by Christine Warren
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Heart of Stone
Author: Christine Warren
Series: Gargoyles, #1
Pages: 297
Publisher: St. Martin’s
Date: December 31, 2013

Summary:

From bestselling author Christine Warren comes a thrilling new series about a young woman caught between a rock and a hard place—between gargoyles and demons…

Ella Harrow is trying to carve out a normal life for herself. Well, as normal as an art geek with psychic abilities can hope for. As museum docent and gift-shop manager, Ella is able to keep her distance from people—and her powers in check—while surrounding herself with the artifacts she loves. But how on earth is she supposed to act normal when a thousand-year-old statue on the museum’s terrace suddenly comes to life?

Heart of Stone

Not your ordinary gargoyle, Kees has been asleep for eons, waiting for a portent of evil to wake him from his slumber. Kees isn’t a vision; he’s a bat-winged guardian created to protect the world from the seven demons of the Dark. Somehow, Ella triggered his reawakening. Maybe the demons have been unleashed? Maybe his heart is finally ready to be chiseled open? The fate of the world isn’t carved in stone…yet.

Review:

This is the second or third time that I have read this book, so that should tell you that I really enjoyed it. It certainly means it deserves a review.

Like any first book to a series there is a good bit of world building. It doesn’t become cumbersome, but it does slow things down just a little bit. The author handles that through teaching the “little human” about the world of magic that she had no idea existed.

Kees is a gargoyle (really a grotesque, who knew there were any such things?) and was created to guard against the Demons who want to invade and destroy our world. He sleeps for hundreds of years until called by the Wardens. Only the Wardens can awaken the Guardians (gargoyles), that is, until Ella accidentally wakes up Kees. She’s not supposed to be able to do that and Kees doesn’t understand it either.

Kees doesn’t have much use for regular humans. If a human is not a Warden, he’s never had a real reason to interact with them. He also doesn’t have feelings and he will tell you so . . . over and over again. Talk about your big, strong, alpha male!

However, because Ella is the one who woke him and he doesn’t understand why, he is forced into staying with her. And talking to her. And learning about her. And liking her.

But no, he doesn’t have feelings.

There are two plots to this book. One is the “battling evil” at all costs plot. The other, more entertaining one, is Kees coming to grips with the fact he does have feelings. And that Ella is not scared of him and has no intention of doing anything just on his say so.

Kees:

“Very well. Will you please be quiet so that we may discuss this rationally?”

Surprisingly, Ellas closed her mouth, though she continued to eye him with irritation and no small amount of suspicion. “If by discuss, you mean you’re going to order me to do whatever you say, then no. If you intend to treat me like a thinking, feeling, and logical human being, then feel free to try. I’ll let you know how you’re doing.”

I had only planned to re-read this book right now, but I am so into the series again I will have to re-read them all before the new book comes out next year.

To make it easy on you, because you know you want to read them too, they are

1. Heart of Stone
2. Stone Cold Lover
3. Hard as a Rock
4. Rocked by Love
5. Hard to Handle (February 7, 2017)

I forgot to mention there are seven Guardian gargoyles who consider themselves brothers. So there has to be seven books, right? I cannot wait.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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December 29, 2016 · 7:52 am

Shiver of Light (Merry Gentry, #9) by Laurell K. Hamilton

A Shiver of Light (Merry Gentry #9)A Shiver of Light by Laurell K. Hamilton
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Shiver of Light
Author: Laurell K. Hamilton
Series: Merry Gentry, #9
Pages: 372
Publisher: Berkley
Date: June 3, 2014

Summary:

I am Princess Meredith NicEssus. Legal name Meredith Gentry, because “Princess” looks so pretentious on a driver’s license. I was the first faerie princess born on American soil, but I wouldn’t be the only one for much longer…

Merry Gentry, ex–private detective, now full-time princess, knew she was descended from fertility goddesses, but when she learned she was about to have triplets, she began to understand what that might mean. Infertility has plagued the high ranks of faerie for centuries. Now nobles of both courts of faerie are coming to court Merry and her men, at their home in exile in the Western Lands of Los Angeles, because they will do anything to have babies of their own.

Taranis, King of Light and Illusion, is a more dangerous problem. He tried to seduce Merry and, failing that, raped her. He’s using the human courts to sue for visitation rights, claiming that one of the babies is his. And though Merry knows she was already pregnant when he took her, she can’t prove it.

To save herself and her babies from Taranis she will use the most dangerous powers in all of faerie: a god of death, a warrior known as the Darkness, the Killing Frost, and a king of nightmares. They are her lovers, and her dearest loves, and they will face down the might of the high courts of faerie—while trying to keep the war from spreading to innocent humans in Los Angeles, who are in danger of becoming collateral damage.

Review:

So far, this is the last of the Meredith Gentry books and I NEED another one. It’s been two years since its publication and that is way too long. At the very least, I need a hint that there is going to be another book and when it will be released.

Can you tell I love this series? I am a longtime fan of LKH’s Anita Blake series, but I wonder sometimes if I don’t like this one even more. They are set in completely different worlds, but both series are wonderful.

Now I’m trying to decide what I can say without spoilers. The book has been out for over two years as I said, so it shouldn’t be a problem, but . . .
Nope. No spoilers. I can’t do that to you.

And without spoilers, I can’t really say much about the content of the book. There are a tremendous amount of subplots going on.

Taranis and Andais are causing problems, so nothing new there. Although, Andais is trying to form a relationship that will allow her access to the babies. Merry’s relationships with her men seem to be solidifying. The Goddess is still strongly in support of Merry and her Court and new Faery land continues to appear.

It sounds like things are working out as well as they ever have for Merry, which is not really all that peaceful, but this is Merry’s world.

And then there is the end of the book.

Nope. Not saying a word. You have to read it.

And you will be like me . . . when are we getting another book?!?

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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December 26, 2016 · 7:07 am

Quote-tastic Monday: The Cowboy by Jayne Ann Krentz

Talk about an oldie.  This book was originally published in June 1990 and yes, I bought it then.  For some reason, I had a reading slump a few days ago and my solution is always to read something that I know I will enjoy.  Needless to say, that means pick up a Jayne Ann Krentz regardless of what name it is written under.

She has always written alpha males and strong females.  Her earlier books sometimes make me (and the heroine) want to “Gibbs” the guy in the back of the head, they can be so controlling.  (If you’re a NCIS fan, you’ll get what I mean.)  Even so, I love them and I love that I can depend on JAK no matter what she writes.

So, a quote to demonstrate the relationship and the fact that JAK can always interject a little humor when it is needed.

“I want you to marry me.  But I want you to come to me willingly, Maggie, love.  Not because I’ve pushed you into it.”  Rafe drew a quick breath and got the rash words out before he could rethink them. “Take all the time you need to make your decision.”

“So long as I come up with the right one?”  Her eyes danced mischievously.

He grinned slowly, relaxing inside.  “You’ve got it.  So long as it’s the right one.”

And I’m over my slump.  I just needed something to make me remember why I love to read so much and this book did it for me.

“Quote-Tastic Monday” is a meme hosted every Monday on Herding Cats & Burning Soup. Head on over there to see what everyone else is posting about this week.

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December 22, 2016 · 3:52 pm

Wild Wolf (Shifters Unbound, #6) by Jennifer Ashley

wild-wolfTitle: Wild Wolf
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Shifters Unbound, #6
Pages: 294
Publisher: Berkley
Date: April 1, 2014

Summary:

In the latest Shifters Unbound novel, a man has resigned himself to a life half lived. But a beautiful, courageous woman has him longing for something more…

Graham McNeil knows that his pack is unruly, but he’s not sure he can take the next step toward Shiftertown stability—choosing a new mate. After losing his mate and son long ago, Graham has worked hard to keep his heart in check. And even if he was inclined to bind himself again, his girlfriend, Misty, is human—a fact that won’t sit well with Graham’s old-fashioned wolves.

But Graham is up against a new enemy, one who could spell danger and death to all of Shiftertown. Graham must now defend his leadership and save Misty, the woman he has grown to love—before Shiftertown is pulled into an all-out war.

Review:

Graham controls his Shifter pack simply by strength of personality. And boy, does he have a personality! Even for a Shifter lupine, he is growly. He is the leader, but to cement the pack he needs to find a Lupine female to mate with and have cubs to inherit the leadership. He needs someone who is strong and pure blooded to satisfy the members of his pack.

So, of course, he falls for a human female.

Misty has problems of her own. You would think that a human female involved with a Shifter leader that no one particularly likes would have enough problems. No, she has a baby brother that has served time and gotten involved with human criminals that make the Shifters look easy going.

So, she is trying to protect Graham from the human bad guys and Graham wants to protect her from his pack.

You know, of course, they are mates. I mean, how else could it go?

I love Graham even if I do want to whomp him upside the head sometimes. Not as much as Misty wants to, but still the urge is there. And Misty is no pushover. As Graham puts it after he tries to convince her to go to safety and she refuses,

“I know you’re not, because you’re an obstinate human woman who doesn’t understand danger.”

Of course, Graham doesn’t always show the most sense either.

“And you’ve been shot.” Misty touched his arm, finding his skin hot and slick with sweat.

“Yep. But don’t worry, sweetheart. I’m used to it.”

Misty is responsible for her younger brother, but Graham has his own responsibilities as well. There is Dougal, his nephew, who has just come through transition and, to me, the stars of the book, Matt and Kyle. Matt and Kyle are three-year-old wolf cubs that Graham is raising. And they are special. Even more special than Graham and Misty realize.

The first time I read this book, I knew it was good. I didn’t realize it was great until the second time through. I don’t know what made the difference, but this is one of my favorites of the series.

And on that note, this is a series. Do not read them out of order and do not try to read any of them as a standalone. It will not work. You NEED to read them in order. Really, you have to! Luckily, they are so good that is not a problem.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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December 22, 2016 · 2:36 pm

Feral Heat (Shifters Unbound, #5.5) by Jennifer Ashley

Feral Heat (Shifters Unbound, #5.5)Feral Heat by Jennifer Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Feral Heat
Author: Jennifer Ashley
Series: Shifters Unbound, #5.5
Pages: 153
Publisher: InterMix
Date: March 18, 2014

Summary:

Jace Warden is sent to the Shiftertown in Austin to find a way to free all Shifters from their Collars. But pulling off the Collars can cause Shifters to go mad or kill them outright.

In Austin, Jace meets Deni Rowe, a wolf Shifter with troubles of her own—she was deliberately run down in the road, and while her body has healed, she still has episodes of total memory loss during which she retreats into her pure animal self.

Jace has never met anyone like Deni. Courageous and beautiful, she volunteers to help him test the Collar removal. And as Deni and Jace work together, they feel the mate bond begin. But can Jace help Deni believe she can heal enough to be anyone’s true mate?

Review:

At 153 pages, this story is far too short. Yes, it is listed as a novella, but I wanted more. Jace deserved more and that is the only reason the book received four stars instead of five.

Okay, I have that off my chest.

I originally read this book when it was released back in 2014. For some reason, I was going through a bad time and reviewing books fell by the wayside. That was unfair to some really great books and I am trying to catch up on some reviews that should have been done a long time ago.

Other than the relationship between Jace and Deni, this book focuses on removing the shifters’ collars. Can it be done? Should it be done? Some of the shifters are not to be trusted without the collars. It kind of makes me wish we had something similar for some humans I know.

Anyway, I digress.

Jace is able to mute for lack of a better term the pain from the collars, so he has volunteered to see if his can be removed without him going insane or dying. Unfortunately, he pays for his ability to suppress the pain and it is agonizing.

Deni has her own set of problems.

Deni was seriously injured in a previous book and although she has recovered physically, she still has emotional issues that make her susceptible to going feral. She doesn’t think she has anything to offer a mate and is afraid of injuring or killing anyone who gets too close to her.

Add to both of these issues is the fact that Jace is from Las Vegas and Deni lives in Texas. Shifters are not allowed to visit between Shifter Towns, much less move without human permission.

Does it work out? Of course it does. This is a romance after all. The getting there though! They have to go through so much and it’s not just the collars and human law, it’s their own nature.

This is NOT a standalone book. I really don’t think any in this series should be read out of order. Even then, there is so much going on with so many different characters, I can find it hard to keep straight. It’s worth it though. I love this series even if I hurt for the Shifters sometimes.

This book was sent to me by NetGalley in return for an honest review.

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