Category Archives: Romance

Dark Slayer (Carpathian, #20) by Christine Feehan

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A rumor has persisted in the vampire world of a dark slayer — a woman — who travels with a wolf pack and who destroys any vampire who crosses her path. Mysterious, elusive and seemingly impossible to kill, she is the one hunter who strikes terror into the hearts of the undead.

She is Ivory Malinov. Her only brethren, the wolves. Long ago betrayed by her people, abandoned by her family, and cast out by everyone she held dear, Ivory has lived centuries without companionship or love. She has sustained her sanity by preparing for one purpose — to destroy her greatest enemy. Until the night she picks up the scent of a man, her unexpected salvation. Her lifemate. The curse of all Carpathian women. (from Goodreads)

He is Razvan. Branded a criminal, detested and feared, he is a dragonseeker borne of one of the greatest Carpathian lineages, only to be raised as its most despised — and captive — enemy. Fleeing from his lifetime of imprisonment, Razvan now seeks the dawn to end his terrible existence. Instead he has found his deliverance in the Dark Slayer.

In spirit, in flesh and blood, in love, and in war, Ivory and Razvan are made for each other.

For as long as they dare to live.

This was actually a re-read for me, although I did not remember reading this book until I got into it.  I have been reading this series for several years and with the exception of one title, I have loved them all.

This book explains so many things that have been alluded to in earlier books.  Characters that have always been the bad guys may not be after all.  Others are even worse that I realized.

I want to dive right into the next book, but she is weaving her Jaguar series into this one, so I am re-reading those next.  I have to keep everything straight in my mind.

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Filed under Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance

The Exile: an Outlander graphic novel by Diana Gabaldon

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The Exile retells the original Outlander novel from Jamie Fraser’s point of view, revealing events never seen in the original story and giving readers a whole new insight into the Jamie-Claire relationship. Jamie’s surreptitious arrival in Scotland at the beginning of the tale, his feelings about Claire, and much more — up to the point where Claire faces trial for witchcraft and must choose whether to return to her own century — are brought to life in brilliant four-colour art. (from Goodreads)

I just finished reading my copy of (not supposed to be released until tomorrow) The Exile.  I have had the opportunity of viewing several of the panels previously when Gabaldon shared them at Dragon*Con.  However, nothing lives up to viewing the book in its entirety.

I started out slowly reading and examining the pictures.  Then I got so caught up in the story, that I was only really reading the dialogue.  Now I plan to go back and examine the pictures frame by frame, then read the entire book again for the full effect.

I also see a re-reading of the entire series in my near future.  There is no one like Jamie.  Of course, the illustrations don’t match MY idea of Jamie, but I don’t think any two people have the same idea anyway.  Mine is the right one, of course.  -grin-

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Filed under Historical, Romance

Steamed (Steampunk, #1) by Katie MacAlister

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Computer technician Jack Fletcher is no hero, despite his unwelcome reputation as one. In fact, he’s just been the victim of bizarre circumstances. Like now. His sister happens to disturb one of his nanoelectromechanical system experiments, and now they aren’t where they’re supposed to be. In fact, they’re not sure where they are when…

…they wake up to see a woman with the reddest hair Jack has ever seen-and a gun. Octavia Pye is an Aerocorps captain with a whole lot of secrets, and she’s not about to see her maiden voyage ruined by stowaways. But the sparks flying between her and Jack just may cause her airship to combust and ignite a passion that will forever change the world as she knows it… (from Goodreads)

I am a long-time fan of Katie MacAlister.  I started with her vampire novels, moved to her dragon ones (I love Jim, the demon Newfoundland dog), discovered her historicals, and have now read what I feel is the first of many Steampunk books.  I can’t begin to say which are my favorites.

Anyway, Steamed is just as much a book about the Steampunk genre as it is a Steampunk novel.  It is definitely written tongue-in-cheek.  There are airships, but no electricity.  There are handguns, but not bullets.  Women captain airships, but still wear bustles.  They are allowed to have hems above the ankles though to enable them to climb riggings safely.

And, of course, there is romance.  This is Katie MacAlister, after all.

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Filed under Romance, Steampunk

Last Dragon Standing (Dragon Kin, #4) by G. A. Aiken

I know what they see when they look at me. The charming, soft-spoken dragoness bred from the most powerful of royal bloodlines. A disguise stronger than any battle shield that allows me to keep all suitors at tail’s length. A technique that’s worked until him. Until Ragnar the Cunning, handsome barbarian warlord and warrior mage from the desolate Northlands. Unlike those who’ve come before him, he does not simply submit to my astounding charm and devastating smile. Instead, he dismisses me as vapid, useless and, to my great annoyance, rather stupid!

Yet I’ll allow no male to dismiss me. Soon he’ll learn my worth, my many skills, and the strength of my will. For this one challenges me enough to make me want to ruthlessly taunt him, tease him and, finally, when the trap is set, bring him to his knees. (from Goodreads)

This is a great author who also writes under the name Shelly Laurenston.  Her books are funny, exciting and hot.  This series is about a world with dragons who can take human form.  There is a real difference in the mindset of humans who take animal form an creatures who can take a human form.  Katie MacAlister shows this as well in her Aisling Grey series.

The only problem I had with this book is I could not remember the back story very well from the previous titles.  I would normally have gone back and re-read the series, but did not take the time.  That was definitely a mistake.  When her next book is released, I will definitely do so.

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Filed under Erotica, Humor, Paranormal, Romance

Renegade (Elite Ops, #6) by Lora Leigh

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As a bridal shop owner, Mikayla Martin helps make women’s wedding dreams come true. Her own life, however, has become a nightmare since she witnessed a murder—and got an up-close-and-personal look at the killer. What’s worse: She knows she knows him. But the police, after doing an alibi check, don’t believe her. It’s up to Mikayla to prove them wrong…and do whatever it takes to solve the murder by herself.

Elite Ops agent Nikolai Steele, code name Renegade, is asked to pay an old comrade a favor. This friend swears he’s no killer—and Nik believes him—even though he’s been mistaken as one by Mikayla. So Nik goes to set her straight…but the moment he lays eyes on the fiery and determined beauty, he knows he’s in too deep. A woman this irresistible can only mean trouble and, sure enough, after sticking her nose in one too many places, someone wants Mikayla dead. Now Nik must find a way to keep her safe, clear his friend’s name, and find the real killer, who remains on the loose… (from Goodreads)

If ever there was a series I want to re-read straight through, the Elite Ops is one.  Of course, I would really have to start with her SEALS’ series because the Elite Ops is a spin-off of it.

Having said that, this book actually does a better job of standing alone than many of her others.  There are characters from previous books, but not so many that I couldn’t keep them straight.

I don’t think Lora Leigh can write a bad book.  She writes across a variety of genres and does an excellent job in all of them.  Renegade is just another example of what a good author she is.

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Filed under Contemporary, Erotica, Mystery, Romance

Blameless (Parasol Protectorate, #3) by Gail Carriger

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Quitting her husband’s house and moving back in with her horrible family, Lady Maccon becomes the scandal of the London season.

Queen Victoria dismisses her from the Shadow Council, and the only person who can explain anything, Lord Akeldama, unexpectedly leaves town. To top it all off, Alexia is attacked by homicidal mechanical ladybugs, indicating, as only ladybugs can, the fact that all of London’s vampires are now very much interested in seeing Alexia quite thoroughly dead.

While Lord Maccon elects to get progressively more inebriated and Professor Lyall desperately tries to hold the Woolsey werewolf pack together, Alexia flees England for Italy in search of the mysterious Templars. Only they know enough about the preternatural to explain her increasingly inconvenient condition, but they may be worse than the vampires — and they’re armed with pesto. (from Goodreads)

I just finished this book after waiting since FEBRUARY for it to be published.  The last book, Changeless, had a real cliff-hanger ending.  Even though this one did not have much interaction between the main characters, I think it was even better than the last.  There were some wonderful lines in it that I had to read out loud to people.  The author has a wonderful and funny way of turning a phrase.

Blameless, thank goodness, did not have a cliff-hanger ending, but there is a sequel scheduled for July 2011 titled Heartless.  It’s not on Amazon yet, so I will have to wait to preorder it.  It’s definitely on my list though.

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Filed under Humor, Paranormal, Romance, Steampunk

Midnight Crystal (Dreamlight, #3) by Jayne Castle

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Adam Winters has enough responsibility as the new head of the local ghost hunters’ guild without being saddled with the family curse. He’s convinced his recent nightmares and hallucinations will lead to him becoming a psychic rogue – unless he can find a stolen relic and a woman who can read dreamlight. Marlowe Jones rides into his life on a motorcycle and, though a descendant of the rival Arcane family, she’s just what Adam needs: a psychic private investigator and dreamlight reader extraordinaire. Together, amid the glowing catacombs and steamy underground jungles of Harmony, Adam and Marlowe must break the curse, save the entire underworld – and fight a passion that could destroy them both. (from Goodreads)

Not only is this book the third in the Dreamlight series, it is the ninth in the Arcane Society series, and the seventh in the Harmony series.  I love it!  Although it does make it problematical in regards to shelving.  LOL

It has taken several hundred years and a journey across galaxies, but finally the Jones and the Winters are together.  Of course, I can’t wait to see another contemporary book to see how the Joneses of our time fare with their romances.

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Filed under Paranormal, Romance, Science Fiction

Jamie (Visitation, #5) by Lori Foster

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Carrying a naked woman up a mountain in a driving storm – now there’s a way for a man to start the day. But for Jamie, the unconscious redhead in his arms is an intruder, one who could bring harm. He has his reasons for hiding out in this mountain cabin; for keeping his emotions hidden; for never, ever getting too close to anyone. And he’s not about to stop now. (from Goodreads)

I only re-read this book because my new Jayne Castle/JAK book had not arrived yet.  That may have been a mistake.  I love Lori Foster’s books.  This title is a culmination of her Visitation series and now I want to re-read all of them.

I remember the summer I discovered Lori Foster.  I bought her entire backlist which included a couple of titles that I had to get directly from her.  She had them in boxes in her garage and sent them to me for a donation to her local humane society.

Unfortunately I have been reading so many authors the last couple of years, she has slipped off my radar.  It is obviously time for me to see what I have missed and revisit all my friends.

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Filed under Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance

Burning Lamp (Dreamlight, #2) by Amanda Quick

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The Arcane Society was born in turmoil when the friendship of its two founders evolved into a fierce rivalry. Sylvester Jones and Nicholas Winters each sought to enhance their individual psychic talents. Winters’ efforts led to the creation of a device of unknown powers called the Burning Lamp. Each generation the Winters man who inherits it is destined to develop multiple talents—and the curse of madness.

Plagued by hallucinations and nightmares, notorious crime lord Griffin Winters is convinced he has been struck with the Winters Curse. And the instincts that have helped him survive the streets and rise to power are now drawing him toward Adelaide Pyne, the bothersome social reformer. But even as he arranges a meeting with the mysterious woman, he has no idea how closely their fates are bound, for Adelaide holds the Burning Lamp in her possession.

A dreamlight reader, Adelaide should be able to manipulate the Lamp’s light to save both Griffin’s sanity and his life. But their dangerous psychical experiment makes them the target of forces both inside and outside of the Arcane Society. And though desire strengthens their power their different lives will keep them apart—if death doesn’t take them together. (from Goodreads)

This book even more than most tells the story of a man saved by the love of a good woman.  Of course, he doesn’t think he deserves or needs to be saved, but why let that get in the way of a good story.

Griffin is an underworld boss in London, although he does draw the line at prostitution.  That is fortunate, because Adelaide is determined to shut down the “houses of ill-repute” in the city.

Sometimes I am bothered by the coincidences that arise in these books, but the author does explain it as part of the paranormal activities taking place.  The necessary people are drawn together at the right time by their abilities and by various artifacts.

Works for me  . . . because JAK can certainly write a wonderful story.

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Filed under Historical, Paranormal, Romance

Fired Up (Dreamlight, #1) by Jayne Ann Krentz

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More than three centuries ago, Nicholas Winters irrevocably altered his genetic makeup in an obsession-fueled competition with alchemist and Arcane Society founder Sylvester Jones. Driven to control their psychic abilities, each man’s decision has reverberated throughout the family line, rewarding some with powers beyond their wildest dreams, and cursing others to a life filled with madness and hallucinations.

Jack Winters, descendant of Nicholas, has been experiencing nightmares and blackouts-just the beginning, he believes of the manifestation of the Winters family curse. The legend says that he must find the Burning Lamp or risk turning into a monster. But he can’t do it alone; he needs the help of a woman with the gift to read the lamp’s dreamlight.

Jack is convinced that private investigator Chloe Harper is that woman. Her talents for finding objects and accessing dream energy are what will save him, but their sudden and powerful sexual pull threatens to overwhelm them both. Danger surrounds them, and it doesn’t take long for Chloe to pick up the trail of the missing lamp. And as they draw closer to the lamp, the raw power that dwells within it threatens to sweep them into a hurricane of psychic force. (from Goodreads)

This is the first book in the Dreamlight series.  Like her other Arcane Society novels, she will alternate between a contemporary title and an historical one (Burning Lamp).  In this trilogy, however, she is finishing up with a book set in her futuristic series set on the planet Harmony.  I am in the process of re-reading all of the Harmony series and the two Dreamlight titles to be ready for the new book.

Like all of her books, this one has humorous aspects to it, but the Arcane series is much more intense than some of her others.  It is really striking to compare her books now with the ones she wrote 25 years ago.  There are many differences, but I can tell a JAK no matter what name it is under or time period it is in.

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Filed under Contemporary, Paranormal, Romance