Category Archives: Romance

July 11, 2016 · 4:31 pm

Quote-tastic: A Curious Beginning by Deanna Raybourn

quote-tastic final with green borderI am re-reading A Curious Beginning, the first of the Veronica Speedwell series, to get ready for book two.  A Perilous Undertaking is not due out until January of 2017, but I scored an early reviewers copy, so it is the next thing on my TBR list.

When I first read A Curious Beginning, I gave it five stars.  I seldom do that, so I must have really enjoyed it.  After re-reading about half of it, I know it deserved five stars or better.  I love this book.

In Melissa’s review on GoodReads of the second book, she compares Veronica and Stoker to Peabody and Emerson.  I did not pick up on that, but she is right.  The personalities and relationship does feel the same, which is a good thing.

Anyway, on to the quotes:

Veronica:  “I have faith that men can be as reasonable and logical as women if they but try.”

Veronica again: “I gave it to him because, in my experience, it is far better to tell a man what he wants to hear and then do as you please than attempt to reason with him.”

And finally, Stoker:  “Pay attention when I am lecturing you.  You can woolgather later.”

I mean, what’s not to love?

A Curious Beginning

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July 4, 2016 · 6:30 am

Quote-tastic: The Curse of Tenth Grave by Darynda Jones

I told you last week would not be the only time I participated in the Quote-tastic challenge.  The new Charley Davidson book came out on Tuesday and there was no doubt in my mind there would be quotable lines.  Her chapter openings can be the best part of the books.  The one I chose for today is

“I think senility is going to be a fairly smooth transition for me.  — TRUE FACT”

I can remember telling my mother years ago that she didn’t have to worry about getting Alzheimer’s.  We would never notice the difference.  She didn’t appreciate it, but my dad almost fell out of his chair laughing.

24154660 quote-tastic final with green border

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July 4, 2016 · 5:00 am

Illusion Town (Ghosthunters, #13) by Jayne Castle

Illusion Town (Ghost Hunters, #13)Illusion Town by Jayne Castle
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Title: Illusion Town
Author: Jayne Castle
Series: Ghosthunters, #13
Pages: 352
Publisher: Jove
Date: July 26, 2016

Summary:

With its opulent casinos and hotels, the desert city of Illusion Town is totally unique—and will take you on a thrill ride you’ll never forget.

Hannah West isn’t the first woman to wake up in Illusion Town married to a man she barely knows, but she has no memory of the ceremony at all. For that matter, neither does Elias Coppersmith, her new husband. All either can remember is that they were on the run…

With Hannah’s dubious background and shaky para-psych profile, she could have done much worse. The coolly competent mining heir arouses her curiosity—as well as other parts of her mind and body. And even her dust bunny likes him.

But a honeymoon spent retracing their footsteps leads Hannah and Elias into the twisting underground catacombs, where secrets from both their pasts will come to light—and where the energy of their clashing auras will grow hot enough to burn…

Review:

I know it’s a cliche, but Jayne Ann Krentz aka Jayne Castle has done it again. She has written a fun, romantic mystery with clues that will lead you right down a dust bunny hole. Do dust bunnies even live in holes?

Hannah is a dream walker with a twist. She has a doppelganger who always has the answers. It’s just Hannah doesn’t always have the right questions.

But she’s not crazy or fragile regardless of what the parashrink said.

Elias is a Coppersmith. Yes, of those Coppersmiths. We met his family in the previous book, Siren’s Call, and he is just as strong in his talent as is expected.

And he doesn’t think Hannah is crazy or fragile either.

I love Jayne Ann Krentz/Jayne Castle/Amanda Quick books regardless of what name she is writing under, but I ADORE her dust bunny books. They are all good, but I have to admit I didn’t like the last few books set on Rainshadow Island as much as I have the others. I am so glad she has moved her setting to Illusion Town (where the thrills are real). They just seem more like her earlier writings.

In other words, this book is even better than the last one.

Read them. Read all of them. You don’t have to read them in order, but why not? You will love them all.

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

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June 27, 2016 · 4:29 pm

Quote-tastic: Bear Meets Girl by Shelly Laurenston

This is the first time I have participated in Quote-tastic, but it will not be the last.  Bear Meets Girl is the seventh book in Shelly Laurenston’s Pride series and one of my favorites.  I have read this series since its beginning for many reasons:  shifters, hot shifters, kick-ass females, and most of all, the books are hysterically funny.  This one is no exception.  Crush was briefly introduced in the first book in the series:  The Mane Event: Christmas Pride.  I can still remember Dez screaming “There are bears?”

We never really saw anymore about Crush until he got his own book.  His personality is not what I expected, but he is adorable.  He doesn’t like Cella or at least he doesn’t want to, but he certain lusts after her.  Of course, they eventually get their happily ever after and when Cella’s ex tells her to be happy, she responds,

“I’m always happy,” she told him.  “It annoys people.”

And that describes Cella’s personality perfectly.

Bear meets girlquote-tastic final with green border

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June 26, 2016 · 9:36 am

Shadow Rider (Shadow, #1) by Christine Feehan

Shadow Rider (Shadow, #1)Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Title: Shadow Rider
Author: Christine Feehan
Series: Shadow, #1
Pages: 480
Publisher: Jove
Date: June 28, 2016

Summary:

Whether it’s fast cars or fast women, Stefano Ferraro gets what he wants. When he’s not fodder for the paparazzi, he commands Ferraro family businesses—both legitimate and illegitimate.

While their criminal activity is simply a rumor yet to be proven, no one knows the real truth. The Ferraros are a family of shadow riders capable of manipulating light and dark, an ability Stefano thought ran in his family alone—until now…

With little left to her name, Francesca Cappello has come to Chicago in hopes of a new life. She wasn’t expecting to attract the attention of a man with primal hunger in his eyes, driven to claim her as his to protect and to please. And if he discovers her secret, it could ruin her…

Review:

Any fan of Christine Feehan knows she does not write “light” books. Her most famous (to me) series is even called Dark, although I always think of it as The Carpathians. Her Ghostwalker series is even more intense and even the Drake sisters is more dark than happy.

The new Shadow series is no exception. It definitely leans (and sometimes falls over) to the dark side . . . and I love it.

I have to admit it started out slow. I understand that any new series is going to have some world building, but I swear I was a third of the way through the book before I figured out where it was going. That is the reason I only gave it three stars. It was well worth the time though.

Stefano takes the whole alpha male/protector personality to an extreme . . . sometimes too much for me and definitely too much for Francesca. He could be hard to like. After his family background is explained, he becomes, if not more likeable, definitely more understandable.

SPOILERS — SPOILERS — SPOILERS — SPOILERS — SPOILERS — SPOILERS

I did not like the fact that the Shadow Riders could only mate/breed with someone who has Shadow Rider blood. There is only one actually mate for a Rider, although they can breed with another with the right bloodline. The one mate thing was not really the problem (Carpathians, anyone?); it was the fact that they also had to be of the Shadow Rider line as well.
I guess that leaves me out.

The other thing that bothered me was not with the book itself, but with this blurb which is on Goodreads.

The #1 New York Times bestselling “queen of paranormal romance”* is back with a sexy new series starring a Chicago crime family that hides a dark, mystical secret…

The Shadow Riders are NOT criminals. They are assassins, and yes, in my world there is a difference. They only go after the bad guys that the law can’t touch.

I think this is a great beginning to a new series and I can’t wait for the next one. Hopefully, since the author is so prolific it won’t be long in coming.

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

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May 26, 2016 · 5:09 pm

Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane, #10) by Elizabeth Hoyt

Duke of Sin (Maiden Lane, #10)Duke of Sin by Elizabeth Hoyt
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Duke of Sin
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Series: Maiden Lane, #10
Pages: 364
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Date: May 31, 2016

Summary:

A MAN OF SIN

Devastatingly handsome. Vain. Unscrupulous. Valentine Napier, the Duke of Montgomery, is the man London whispers about in boudoirs and back alleys. A notorious rake and blackmailer, Montgomery has returned from exile, intent on seeking revenge on those who have wronged him. But what he finds in his own bedroom may lay waste to all his plans.

A WOMAN OF HONOR

Born a bastard, housekeeper Bridget Crumb is clever, bold, and fiercely loyal. When her aristocratic mother becomes the target of extortion, Bridget joins the Duke of Montgomery’s household to search for the incriminating evidence-and uncovers something far more dangerous.

A SECRET THAT THREATENS TO DESTROY THEM BOTH

Astonished by the deceptively prim-and surprisingly witty-domestic spy in his chambers, Montgomery is intrigued. And try as she might, Bridget can’t resist the slyly charming duke. Now as the two begin their treacherous game of cat and mouse, they soon realize that they both have secrets-and neither may be as nefarious-or as innocent-as they appear . . .

Review:

I went into this book thinking there was no way the author was going to make Valentine a believable hero . . . and she didn’t. He is not a hero, nor does he want to be. What he is is a man who suffered an abusive childhood and turned out no better than can be expected.

And I came to love him.

If ever there was a case of a “man saved by the love of a good woman,” that man is Valentine. Bridget Crumb, his housekeeper, has secrets of her own, but the sparks fly between them. I did have a hard time with a duke developing a serious relationship with a housekeeper, but Valentine has never followed society’s rules. I think Bridget was more bothered by the discrepancy in their stations than he was.

Although this book is set firmly in the world of Maiden Lane, there is no mention of the Ghost of St. Giles until the very end. Of course, as I recall, the stories have gotten away from that plotline in the last few books. There is every indication that is about to change. The next full book looks like it is going to focus on “the Ghost” once again.

And that is a striking point about this book. As much as I enjoyed Bridget’s and Valentine’s story, it is the secondary characters that were introduced that I am most interested in. In other words, I cannot wait for the next few books.

Which says a lot about how wonderful this series is to me.

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

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May 2, 2016 · 4:54 pm

Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen, #3) by Shayla Black & Lexi Blake

Big Easy Temptation (The Perfect Gentlemen, #3)Big Easy Temptation by Shayla Black
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Big Easy Temptation
Author: Shayla Black and Lexi Blake
Series: The Perfect Gentlemen, #3
Pages: 384
Publisher: Berkley
Date: May 3, 2016

Summary:

The New York Times bestselling authors of the Masters of Ménage series present the third scintillating novel featuring the privileged, wealthy, wild men of Creighton Academy—the Perfect Gentlemen.

Years ago, Naval officer Dax Spencer and NCIS agent Holland Kirk indulged in a steamy affair—until she betrayed him in the wake of his father’s death. Dax tried to put her behind him with a payback of his own. But he never forgot Holland…

Now, as Dax and his fellow Perfect Gentlemen unravel a web of lies, he discovers his family’s tragedy is part of a much larger conspiracy. Soon, all clues point him back to New Orleans…where Holland waits, protecting her deadly secret and holding a torch for the only man she’s ever loved.

Once reunited, they can’t fight the passion flaring hot and wild. But something sinister lurks around every corner, from the elegance of the Garden district to the beauty of the bayou. Dax and Holland may find their way back to each other—if they survive…

Review:

This is the third book in “The Perfect Gentlemen” series and I finally feel like I know what is going on. I have read other series with overarching plots, but I don’t remember another one where the series plot was so integral to the individual book plots. It was hard to get used to and I felt I was left hanging in the first two books. This book was not any better in regards to finishing the major plot, but it did give a lot more information that made the ending more satisfying.

Probably half or even more of this book takes place in the past. It supplies quite a bit of backstory, but I thought it was excessive. I kept thinking, “Okay, move it along. Let’s get back to the real story.”

Speaking of backstory, this is not a series that should be read piecemeal. You really, really need to read each book in order. I kind of wish I had waited until the entire series was released and read them back to back. Of course, they are so engrossing, I plan to do that anyway when the last book comes out. Now, if I only knew if that was going to be five books or six!

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

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April 3, 2016 · 10:52 am

Last Mile (Vicious Cycle, #3) by Katie Ashley

Last Mile (Vicious Cycle, #3)Last Mile by Katie Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Last Mile
Author: Katie Ashley
Series: Vicious Cycle, #3
Pages: 336
Publisher: Signet
Date: May 3, 2016

Summary:

After her father was murdered in the line of duty, ATF agent Samantha Vargas is determined to take down the scumbags of the drug trade. When her partner takes on a case to infiltrate the Hells Raiders MC, Samantha agrees to go undercover as his old lady but is surprised to find herself drawn to the very man she is investigating.

Benjamin “Bishop” Malloy has worked hard to carve a place for himself both in and out of the MC world. Working days as a mechanic, he spends his nights rebuilding motorcycles with the hope of one day owning his own shop. After taking one of the club’s new hang-arounds under his wing, Bishop is conflicted over his growing attraction for the man’s girlfriend.

Even though she’s determined to bring down the Raiders, Samantha discovers their world isn’t as black-and-white as she thought. And as the stakes grow higher, she’s in danger of losing more than her heart.

Review:

This is the third book in the Vicious Cycle series and this is the first series about motorcycle gangs I have ever read. I had a really hard time with the first book – Vicious Cycle. There was a lot of violence and the language was really rough . . . what you would expect from this plotline. I stuck with it however and I am so glad I did. I ended up loving the book.

I enjoyed book two, Redemption Road, even more. I either got used to the violence and language or there was less of it. Either way, it was a great book.

I couldn’t wait for book three and I wasn’t disappointed.

Bishop, by his own words, is a man whore. The beginning of the book illustrates that quite definitely. However, once he makes a commitment to Samantha, those days are over. Unfortunately, the secret Samantha is keeping is going to be hard to forgive.

I am afraid I have a stereotypical view of biker gangs as does Samantha. All three of these books have made me rethink my opinions. The books do not sugarcoat the gang world, but they do illustrate that not all of them are alike. This last book even mentions Bikers Against Child Abuse (B.A.C.A.) an organization which actually exists. Look it up. They are doing important work.
Biker gangs will never be one of my go-to plots, but I am so glad I had the chance to read and review these books. And yes, if there are more in the series, I will definitely buy them too.

No matter what you think you know and feel about biker gangs, give these books a try. I think you will enjoy them in spite of yourself.

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

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April 2, 2016 · 4:44 pm

The Devil You Know (McKenna Brothers, #2) by Jo Goodman

The Devil You Know (McKenna Brothers, #2)The Devil You Know by Jo Goodman
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: The Devil You Know
Author: Jo Goodman
Series: McKenna Brothers #2
Pages: 416
Publisher: Berkley
Date: May 3, 2016

Summary:

WHAT HE DOESN’T KNOW . . .

After a horse drags him through the countryside, Israel McKenna awakes bruised and battered in a field in Pancake Valley, Colorado. He can recall where he came from and where he was going, but the memory of how he came to be on the Pancake homestead eludes him. He’s certain he did something wrong to deserve such a harsh punishment—and so is the beautiful woman who reluctantly comes to his aid.

. . . COULD HURT HER.

Wilhelmina “Willa” Pancake must focus on running her family’s ranch. With Israel’s hazy memory, she is unsure if she can trust him, let alone handle the budding attraction between them. And as men fight to steal her land and the truth about Israel’s past rides toward them, love is a risk she cannot easily take.

Review:

This is my first book by Jo Goodman, but it won’t be my last. Although the main plot and subplots are serious, there are some laugh-out-loud parts as well. And I love that about a book.

The first character introduced is Annalea Pancake. It was a few pages before I realized she was not going to be the female lead. She is only ten years old. Well, almost. She will be ten in eight days as she is quick to tell Israel. Anyway, she is a wonderful character. She says whatever is in her head and there are some strange things there.

Her sister Willa, however, is not so quick to trust people. She does not keep her opinion to herself, but she does not let anyone in either. Given that Israel has amnesia and can’t be honest even if he wanted to be, there were bound to be problems.

I thought the book was a little long. It didn’t really drag, but I kept wanted something to happen. Then all of a sudden it did. There was a “yeah, I saw that coming” bit. Then there was a “wow, I didn’t see that coming at all” twist. And finally, a “Holy Cow! I wasn’t expecting that!” Yeah, when this book got going, it really got going.

I did not realize that this was the second in a series. There was nothing on Goodreads about it (a correction I have made) and even the author site does not list the connection between the two books. However, book one, A Gun for Hire, is definitely part of the same world. It’s okay to read The Devil You Know as a stand alone. I did, but I wish I had read the other one first.

Of course, now I have it to look forward to.

As I said to start with, this will not be my only Jo Goodman book.

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

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March 14, 2016 · 7:25 pm

Asking for More (Asking for It, #2.5) by Lilah Pace

Asking for More (Asking for It, #2.5)Asking for More by Lilah Pace
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Title: Asking for More
Author: Lilah Pace
Series: Asking for It, #2.5
Pages: 108
Publisher: InterMix
Date: March 15, 2016

Summary:

How far is too far?

Finally sure of each other’s strength and love, Jonah and Vivienne continue to explore their darkest fantasies together. However, what should be a night of ecstasy takes a dangerous turn, injuring Vivienne. She shrugs off the incident, but Jonah is haunted by it, particularly by the fear that others may believe he abuses her, or even glimpse the truth of their erotic obsession.

Then Jonah receives a call from his younger sister, Rebecca, who’s dealing with trouble of her own in South America. When Vivienne travels with him to aid Rebecca, she learns yet more about his tortured history—and Jonah opens up to Vivienne as never before.

Can Vivienne help Jonah cast off the shadows of his past forever?

Review:

At only 108 pages, this book/novella/short story was too short. It didn’t add a lot to the series, except some additional information regarding Rebecca, Jonah’s sister. There has got to be a book for her in the works somewhere.

Having said that, I was delighted to get to reacquaint myself with Jonah and Vivienne. I love both of these characters. I was hesitant when I received the first book due to the subject matter, but it is handled so well I can’t help but be engrossed in their stories.

Jonah is still having more problems than Vivienne in accepting their relationship. At times, I want to tell him to “get over it already.” Of course, his suffering was longterm and horribly abusive. I’m not downplaying what happened to Vivienne, but she is handling it better.

Anyway, the only negative thing I have to say about this book is it is too short. I want more and I want it soon.

Please??

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

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