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2013 Reading Challenge
Jen (That's What I'm Talking About) has
read 0 books toward her goal of 75 books.
New-To-Me Authors
2013 reading goal:
15 new-to-me authors.
1) Stacy Gail
2) Heather Massey
3) Sidney Bristol
4) Ann Mayburn
5) Thea Harrison
6) Virna DePaul
7) Mary Quast
8) Molly Harper
9) Eleri Stone
10) PJ Schnyder
11) Kait Ballenger
12) Denise L. Wyant
13) Lucy Monroe
Sunday Snippets
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banner designed by Jennifer from Books Make Me Happy
Sunday, September 30, 2012
Sunday Snippet #122
Author: Veronica Wolff
The Watchers #3
Publisher:NAL Trade
Released: August 7, 2012
REVIEW HERE
I didn't even look at him. I just said, "The girl who died climbing. Acari Kate. Why did she fall?"
"Pride goeth before a fall."
"Please, Carden. I need to know - in English." His nonanswer gave me the mental strength to angle my body to look at him, and I wished I hadn't. He'd wrapped his arms around his bent legs, and his shirt tugged against his body, outlining ropes of lean muscle. I looked down the beach, back to the scene of the accident. "She climbed to the top and saw something. It scared her enough to make her fall. What did she see?"
"Only Acari Kate knows what awaited her at the top." At my impatient look, he chuckled, but he continued. "You've seen the mysteries this island hides. What monsters lie in wait. Not all are as brave as you in the face of danger."
Had she seen a Draug? A vampire? How many creatures were hiding out there, lying in wait?
He added nonchalantly, "I believe Acari Kate must have bonded with someone."
My eyes bugged open. "Seriously?"
He shrugged. "It would explain much."
"With who?" I ran a mental catalog of all the vampires I'd seen on the island - the possibilities were endless.
"That, I do not know."
I remembered her mania, her recklessness. "Was that why she was acting nuts? Is that going to happen to me?"
"You're strong in mind and body. This island has made you forget, but it is time for you to remember: Your fate is not beyond your control."
I flopped back on my hands, stretching my legs before me on the sand. "I wouldn't be so sure."
"You must credit yourself. This leg, for instance." He smoothed his hand along my thigh. "You've worked hard to carve muscle where once there was none."
My flesh grew hot, buzzing where he touched me. "I... I thought we were suppose to stay away from each other."
"Ah." He pulled his hand back. "How quickly I forget. You are still anxious to break the bond."
"I am," I said, sounding more sure than I felt. "It is possible, right? To become unbonded."
"Aye," he said. "It's possible. Difficult, but possible."
"And you think Acari Kate has bonded with a vampire?"
He shrugged. "It would explain such rash behavior. It's the blood fever. Some who've bonded feel as beyond the reach of death as their vampire mates. Other bond, and when they cannot feed again, they grown mad with their need."
Mad with need. I had some experience with that. I remember Kate's restless, fevered eyes. Was that how I appeared?
Clouds scudded overhead, stealing light from the sky and warmth from my skin. "You're saying my options are to stay bonded, be reckless, or go insane."
He gave me a sidewise look. "I don't recall saying any of those things."
"You're giving me more nonanswers."
"On the contrary," he said. "I've been more honest wand more forthcoming than anyone."
Even though the wind had whipped his words from me, they reverberated in my head. Carden was right - he had been honest with me, from the moment I'd met him in that dungeon.
I had to ask another question and I feared the answer. "Will I become reckless?"
"Is that a bad thing?" he asked in a musing tone. "There are two sorts of reckless are there not? There is impulsive and there is brave - you must decide which you will be."
"Strong and brave," I whispered into the wind. He'd told me I could be these things.
Then it hit me. I didn't need some vampire to tell me - I knew in my heart already that I was these things. Strength and guts - it was how I'd survived my childhood.
I became aware again of his body next to mine. There was another sort of reckless, and the blood pounded beneath my skin to consider it. Could I be the sort of woman who was strong enough to stay bonded with a vampire and remain sane? To be brave enough to lean over and kiss her bonded vampire? "So I can be whomever I want to be?"
"Are you so quick to think yourself incapable? Do you accept Vampire superiority so willingly?"
"No," I answered at once.
He gave me a thoughtful look. "Then why are you quick to doubt yourself? Perhaps you are in control. Maybe you have only to realize this."
How much was in my control? The longer I stayed on this island, the more mysterious it became. "The vampires have told us they want us here. But why might they need us?"
Carden smiled. "You ask a good question, pretty one. You are strong, and the vampires recognize this strength. Now you must recognize it, too." He put a fingertip beneath my chin, ensuring I wouldn't turn away. "You must recognize your power."
Why was he telling me this? "You're a vampire. Why help me? Why be honest?"
"I was once a man. As not all men are good, not all vampires are evil."
Labels:
Saturday, September 29, 2012
Saturday Conversations 09/29/2012
Magnificent Misfits
Looking at the rather insane collection of books that line the shelves above my desk, it occurred to me that almost all of them have a good bit in common. One of those things is the use of that most relatable underdogs: the misfit. Be it the hero, heroine, or sidekick (especially when the sidekick gets their own book the next time around!!), a misunderstood protagonist makes for a yummy read. From John Matthew in J.R. Ward's Black Dagger Brotherhood to Nucking Futs Nix in Kresley Cole's Immortals After Dark, and Mina Wentworth in Meljean Brook's The Iron Seas, misfits rock.
Let's chat... Who are your favorite literary misfits and why?
Friday, September 28, 2012
Review: Every Breath She Takes by Norah Wilson
Every Breath She Takes
Author: Norah Wilson
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2012
Publisher: Montlake Romance
ISBN: 978-1612184685
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Format(s): Paperback (312 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Previously published as Lauren’s Eyes.
Veterinarian Lauren Townsend has good reason for hiding her psychic ability. Not only did her “freakishness” earn her pariah status in the small town where she grew up, it cost her a fiancé and her faith in love. When Lauren foresees a murder—through the killer’s eyes—she traces the victim to a sprawling ranch, never guessing what waits for her…
Cal Taggart’s rugged ranch life doesn’t need any more complications. His stubborn determination cost him his marriage, and now may cost him his livelihood. But then beautiful Lauren enters his corral…with danger close behind. And Cal wants nothing more than to protect her. They can’t deny their intense attraction. Nor do they want to. What begins as a fling with no strings becomes a fight for survival—and for true love.
What VampBard’s talking about:
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Even if you've never read a western story in your life, pick up Norah Wilson's Every Breath She Takes; it's witty, intellectual, and steamy. Something for every reader of the genre! I was a bit nervous when I read the synopsis of the book, but I'm game for new stuff. I'd never read a contemporary-romantic-suspense-western, and I'd say Ms. Wilson did an excellent job breaking me into the genre. Is that a genre? If not, it should be.
I had a LOT of passages that I felt were well-crafted throughout the book, and while composing this review, I've struggled with choosing those representative of Ms. Wilson's craft, as well as those that exemplify her characters.
First, I'd like to note that Lauren, our heroine, is a strong, independent woman. She also has premonitions. The only thing that can shake Lauren's confidence in herself is sharing her visions with someone else.
Cal, our rugged, swaggering cowboy / ex-rodeo star / ranch owner has his own demons to battle, beginning with his childhood and his relationship with his father. The difficulties followed him through his adult life and into his marriage with his now-ex wife – currently a guest at his ranch.
Marlena, Cal's ex-wife, is the target of the killer. Lauren knows, because she's seen his hands reaching out and choking the life out of her, during her premonitions. However, I'd like to go on record as saying that I'm not a big fan of Marlena (although I don't think we're meant to be!), and I feel as though she brought the excitement near the end upon herself.
Cal & Lauren go well together. Their immediate attraction is evident:
“I was thinking, maybe you'd like a livelier mount, since you're obviously a skilled rider.” (Cal to Lauren)
“Thank you, no. I'll stick with slow and steady.”
His hooded eyes suddenly took on a sleepy, sensual look. “That's a sensible decision, ma'am. But if you should get a yen for fast and wild, just give me a shout.”
Yes. The sexual tension begins the minute Lauren arrives on the ranch. Cal flat-out explains:
Damn, what was it about her that drew his eye? She was tall, but not underfed like so many of the stick women who came through here these days. Yet she didn't have the hourglass figure he usually went for. Her hips were narrow, her breasts small. Even her hair, black as a raven's wing, was cropped short. She should have looked boyish. Instead she exuded an athletic femininity that excited him.
… In fact, from watching her, he got the feeling that she saw everything more acutely than everyone else. More deeply. And when she turned those blue eyes on him, it never failed to give him a jolt – almost a tingling shock. It was damned unnerving.
I thought it was refreshing to see the vulnerability in Cal. Most of the heroes in stories have the crunchy outer shell and we don't always get to see the rich, creamy center. With Cal, we do.
The secondary characters, including Cal's ranch hands, his ex-wife & her current fling, a local ranch owner, and a surprise visitor in the last 1/3 of the book, bring a special 'flavor' of authenticity to Every Breath She Takes.
With Lauren on a mission to save Marlena, every sunset Lauren is painfully aware that one more day has passed and she was no closer to finding Marlena's (potential) killer. When a non-romantic plot conflict arises that could cause Cal to lose his ranch, Lauren and her veterinary skills save the day. Watch for this pretty awesome sub-plot...see if YOU can figure out what's really going on! I was stumped for a minute...
While both Cal and Lauren had agree to the 'friends-with-benefits' relationship, things didn't stay that way for long:
When his world righted itself again, Lauren clung to him with a desperation he knew was echoed in his own fierce embrace.
Whoa, Toto, I don't think we're in Kansas anymore.
As Lauren and Cal work together to keep the ranch afloat, they become closer and closer. Lauren was conflicted as to whether she should tell Cal about her premonitions, as doing so hadn't worked out so well, previously. She does ultimately tell him... and you'll have to pick up a copy of Every Breath She Takes to find out whether he believed her, or not. The rising action in the last half of the book was a crazy roller coaster ride...in a good way. I read the final third in one sitting, and I couldn't go to bed until I'd finished.
Every Breath She Takes provides the reader with an intellectual, witty, and clairvoyant heroine that takes “ride 'em, cowboy!” to a whole new level. Ms. Wilson has crafted a fabulous world wherein readers can take a vacation on a ranch to simply escape.
VampBard’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Thursday, September 27, 2012
Sorry for the Interruption...
That is IF one occurs... I've been messing around with FeedBurner trying to figure out how to best reach readers. I have made a couple changes and I don't know if it will impact the RSS feed or the subscribe by email feed. BUT if you don't see anything new for more than 3 days, then something did happen.
If you want to know more about some of the changes that *may* happen at FeedBurner, please read the post over at PARAJUNKEE.
If you notice any problems with the blog if you read via RSS feed or email, please let me know ASAP. Contact me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!
Happy Reading!
If you want to know more about some of the changes that *may* happen at FeedBurner, please read the post over at PARAJUNKEE.
If you notice any problems with the blog if you read via RSS feed or email, please let me know ASAP. Contact me at twimom227 (at) gmail (dot) com. Thanks!
Happy Reading!
Review: Time Thief by Anna Hackett
Time Thief
Author: Anna Hackett
Release Date: Aug. 14, 2012
Publisher: Self-published
The Anomaly Trilogy #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance, novella
Format(s): E-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Hunted for her ability to steal time, Bay North lives a life on the run. All she wants is to make the crime lord who slaughtered her family pay. But now he's set the ultimate hunter on her trail and Bay will need all her skills to carry out her revenge and survive.
Ex-Navy SEAL Sean Archer saw his team killed by a time thief in Afghanistan and came back a broken man. He's made a dark deal with a criminal to hunt down all time thieves and now Sean's tracked the wily Bay North to Denver where he plans to rid the world of one more dangerous mutation.
But during a shootout, hunter and hunted find themselves depending on each other for survival. Joining forces to exact payback by stealing a priceless treasure, their reluctant alliance shatters both their defenses. Can Bay find the courage to trust? And can Sean convince a woman honed in revenge that she can have more than vengeance, blood and killing?
What G & U are talking about:
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Time Thief is the first e-book novella in a new trilogy – The Anomaly Trilogy. Although too short, it was an overall enjoyable read with a fascinating mythology.
Gikany and Una enjoyed this fast paced paranormal romance/urban fantasy novella. The premise is promising with the existence in our world of anomalies – people with a mutated gene that allows them power. Bay North, our heroine, has the ability to steal time. Sean, our hero, asks Bay about this power:
“Time just stops.” His men had looked like this. He’d looked like this. Lambs to the fucking slaughter.
“Time’s still progressing, just slowly. Or we’re moving quicker. I don’t really know.”
The Anomaly Trilogy is almost homage to X-Men, but it’s different enough that the allusion didn’t come to mind until we started writing the review. The ramifications of having people in the world who possess a mutated gene are exciting. The existence of the anomalies and our hero’s fight to not be controlled and used had us incredibly intrigued. The interplay between Bay and Sean is compelling in Time Thief. We enjoyed the fact that Bay and Sean had much in common. Yet, considering they had been enemies for the past months, their overall relationship seemed to move really quickly.
In general, everything seemed to move so quickly. Gikany and Una understand that since it was a novella, the plot did have to speed along, but it was a little disappointing that all aspects of the story had to move so quickly. In essence, we would have loved to see Time Thief as a full length novel. There is so much Ms. Hackett can do in this unique world and we would love to see her have the time to expand it.
If you are looking for an interesting and fun quick read, you may like to pick up Time Thief and experience what we are talking about. Luckily, the next novel, Mind Raider is due out in October 2012 and we cannot wait to read it!
Their Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Purchase Info:
Wednesday, September 26, 2012
Blog Tour Review: Full Blooded by Amanda Carlson
Full Blooded
Author: Amanda Carlson
Release Date: Sept. 11, 2012
Publisher: Orbit
Jessica McClain #1
ISBN: #978-0316205207
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): paperback (352 p), e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Born the only female in an all male race, Jessica McClain isn’t just different—she’s feared.
After living under the radar for the last twenty-six years, Jessica is thrust unexpectedly into her first change, a full ten years late. She wakes up and finds she’s in the middle of a storm. Now that she’s become the only female full-blooded werewolf in town, the supernatural world is already clamoring to take a bite out of her and her new Pack must rise up and protect her.
But not everyone is on board. The werewolf Rights of Laws is missing text and the superstitious werewolves think that Jessica means an end to their race. It doesn’t help when Jessica begins to realize she’s more. She can change partway and hold her form, and speak directly to her wolf. But the biggest complication by far is that her alpha father can't control her like he can the rest of his wolves.
When a mercenary who’s been hired by the vampires shows up to extract information about the newly turned werewolf only days after her change, they find themselves smack in the middle of a war and there's no choice but to run together. When it’s up to Jessica to negotiate her release against her father’s direct orders, she chooses to take an offer for help instead. In exchange, Jessica must now swear an oath she may end up repaying with her life.
What I’m talking about:
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Our story opens with a huge proverbial BANG, and may I add a big surprise to me, when our heroine, Jessica McClain begins to shift into a wolf. For those that read the novella, Blooded, it may be a bit of a shock to find out that Jessica is now 26 years old and has been living away from the Pack since the end of the novella (when she was 19 years old). Oh, and that the once human girl is now the only female wolf shifter in existence. Many of the questions I had after reading the novella disappeared by the end of the first chapter! Personally, I really liked the idea that she was “only a human” among the supernaturals; however, I quickly adapted my mindset and found Jessica’s new situation equally as compelling.
Jessica’s unexpected shift causes major damage to her apartment, so friends are called in to make it look like a break in. Unfortunately, they couldn’t take care of everything, and the police are a little suspicious about what really happened. To further her problems, Ray Hart, the police officer handling her “break in,” has a long-standing personal grudge against Jessica. He dogs her relentlessly, poking holes in her alibis and functioning as a major pain-in-the-ass.
With Jessica now a full-blooded werewolf, her father, the Pack Alpha, must decide how to hide Jessica from the Supernatural community for fear she will be hunted and destroyed. Unfortunately, word got out quickly that she shifted, and there are some powerful beings tracking her down. When her true nature is revealed, sides are drawn, and the Pack will never be the same.
Full Blooded is a busy book. The first part starts with Jessica’s unexpected transformation, and the subsequent focus on how to keep her cover as a human (and deal with Ray). Since shifting is new to Jessica, we learn more about the wolves and Pack as it is explained to her by her father, brother and other shifters. The world-building is fairly intense, but easy to follow. However, sometimes, the discussions felt forced or knowingly a setup for later storylines. I use the example of a discussion Jessica has with her father’s second, James, on true mates. The conversation felt out of place to me, like I was being set up for something that would happen later. And sure enough... that’s what happened.
Speaking of James... I really liked his character - he has a level head and protected and supported Jessica within the Pack. To me, James was painted to be like a second father for Jessica. So when their wolfy-hormones go all crazy and the pair end up “releasing pent up energy,” it was a bit weird for me. It wasn’t off-putting, but it wasn’t hot either.
On the other hand, I did not care for Ray. His character felt a bit cliché. We've seen his type often... Around just to be a pain in the butt, but not add real substance. Then, midway through the story, he’s out of the picture until the end of the book. I hope there is more to him then a tough guy out to get even because a girl took his glory. The verdict is out until the next book, Hot Blooded.
At about the midpoint of Full Blooded, the story takes on a different feel. This is when Jessica meets the mysterious Rourke. A ruthless mercenary, Rourke has been hired to find out more about Jessica. However, once he moves in to gather information, all hell breaks loose: the Pack goes to war and rogue shifters attempt to either kidnap and/or kill Jessica. Jessica’s father and James entrust her life to Rourke, and the pair barely escape. The second half of the book focuses on the pair’s journey to stay safe, their growing attraction to each other, and with confronting the powers behind Jessica’s attempted abduction.
Now Rourke is a hero I can get behind! He is tough and alpha, yet protective of what’s his. And he knows that Jessica is his. Once he realizes that Jessica isn’t the enemy, it’s like he knows he never wants to be without her. The couple had some swoon-worthy moments, and my favorite line comes from one of their interactions:
His eyes met mine and my heart leapt into my throat. Warrior of Old. Without a doubt, it was true. What was he? "What are you?" I breathed.
He looked at me curiously and I realized he was seeing me for the first time in my Lycan form. Surprise crept along his features, but we didn't have time to discuss it. "I'm yours," he said simply.
Although I adored him, Roarke’s emotional transformation from tough guy to softy was a bit sudden and felt extreme.
Overall, I was completely engrossed in Full Blooded, and honestly, I could not put down the book. Although there were a few things that irritated me, like the fact that there was entirely way too much taunting by almost every character in the book, I felt the overall storyline and premise outshone the bothersome annoyances. I’m not a huge fan of open-ended conclusions (which this book has), but there is a plan in place which should make for an thrilling second story. I truly enjoyed Full Blooded and cannot wait to read the next book!
My Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info
Reviews in the Series:
Tuesday, September 25, 2012
Review: Dead Mann Running by Stefan Petrucha
Dead Mann Running
Author: Stefan Petrucha
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2012
Publisher: Roc
Hessius Mann #2
ISBN: #978-0451464743
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (339 p), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Just because a bullet has your name on it, doesn’t mean you shouldn’t duck…
Either I’m stubborn or it’s rigor mortis, but being dead didn’t stop me from being a detective. But it’s tough out there for a zombie. These days the life-challenged have to register and take monthly tests to prove our emotional stability. See, if we get too low, we go feral. And I’ve been feeling down lately myself.
So when a severed arm – yeah, just the arm – leaves a mysterious briefcase in my office, my assistant Misty thinks figuring out where it came from will keep me on track. But this job goes deeper and darker than I imagined.
Turns out the people after the briefcase know more about my past life than I can remember, and even more about what I’ve become.
What G & U are talking about:
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Dead Mann Running is the second novel in the Hessius Mann series. Overall Gikany and Una enjoyed this latest installment; however, we are curious to see where it goes from here. It is amazing how dystopian this world is, although the only difference from our current state is the discovery (and use) of RIP – the magical drug that returns the dead to life…or something like it.
Gikany and Una felt a little amiss as we started Dead Mann Running. We had forgotten how much had happened in the previous novel, Dead Mann Walking. If only there had been time for a reread, it might have made the start of this novel a little smoother. Pushing that aside, it amazes us how much Mr. Petrucha can fit into a novel. Although this is urban fantasy, it is woven around a detective element. We loved to watch the pieces fall together. Sometimes it felt like we were watching a suspense movie and we were screaming at the screen because we know what is waiting.
The Hessius Mann series is a darkly, adults-only series. This is truly illustrated in the first few chapters of Dead Mann Running. Considering Chakz (the term this novel loosely uses for returned to life) go feral when they lose whatever it is that keeps them going, and all the negative experiences and trials that Hessius goes through, it is truly astonishing that he hasn’t gone feral. The world that Mr. Petrucha has created could be argued to be a dystopian society or a lesson against the prejudice that seems to plague our world. The prejudice against Chakz is strong and demoralizing.
Without giving anything away, the world falls out from under the feet of Hessius near the end. But we love how, even when he thinks this will be it and he’ll lose it; he doesn’t. Hessius seems to always have a light that keeps burning and keeps him from falling off the deep end. With everything that is revealed and left at the end, Dead Mann Running is an explosive second novel in the Hessius Mann series. Gikany and Una are eager to see what happens next.
Their Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Review: Not Proper Enough by Carolyn Jewel
Not Proper Enough
Author: Carolyn Jewel
Release Date: Sept. 4, 2012
Publisher: Berkley
Seducing the Scoundrels # 2
ISBN: #978-0425250976
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): Paperback (304 p), e-book
About the book:
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The Marquess of Fenris has loved Lady Eugenia from the day he first set eyes on her. Five years ago, pride caused him to earn her enmity. Now she’s widowed, and he’s determined to make amends and win her heart. But with their near explosive attraction, can he resist his desire long enough to court her properly?
After the death of her beloved husband, Lady Eugenia Bryant has come to London to build a new life. Despite the gift of a medallion said to have the power to unite the wearer with her perfect match, Eugenia believes she won’t love again. And yet, amid the social whirl of chaperoning a young friend through her first Season, she finds a second chance at happiness.
Unfortunately, the Marquess of Fenris threatens her newfound peace. Eugenia dislikes the man, but the handsome and wealthy heir to a dukedom is more charming than he has a right to be. Constantly underfoot, the rogue disturbs her heart, alternately delighting and scandalizing her. And when their relationship takes a highly improper turn, Eugenia must decide if the wrong man isn’t the right one after all.
What Ang is talking about:
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Steamy, Scandalous and Sexy as well you know how the saying goes. These are the first words that come to mind when describing Carolyn Jewel's novel Not Proper Enough. The plot line of Not Proper Enough is fairly simple: Fenris, our hero loves Eugenia, our heroine, and Eugenia hates Fenris for wrongs done to her when they were young. Fenris refuses to accept this and so he must win her whatever it takes.
It would seem then that Fenris would spend the novel trying to win her back by wooing her, explaining his pass behavior, forming intimacy and romancing her, so the reader would be able to watch their relationship unfold and maybe understand the intense hate Eugenia has for him. Instead he seduces her quite thoroughly over and over again. She believes she is simply using him to fulfill a need left void with the death of her husband, but somewhere along the way falls in love with him. Although the reader recognizes this as the course being taken fairly quickly, it isn't until the last few pages of the book that Eugenia admits it to herself.
Overall I found the characters to be smart, passionate and strong-willed, with some well written dialogue--which was a relief given the simplicity of the plot line. Had the characters not driven the story I would have been bored very, very quickly.
All of that being said, I did have a couple issues with the book. The first big complaint was the language. I found it to be coarse and out of place. For example, the use of the F bomb, which always feels out of place and forced to me when peppering a historical romance, is so frequent that I nearly didn't finish the book. Thankfully the dialogue and witty banter coupled with the steamier than a turkish bath love scenes distracted me enough that I was able to look pass its overuse.
My other major issue was the lack of actual intimacy. I will admit there is serious heat between Fenris and Eugenia right out of the gate, but we never seem to get any deeper than the physical side of things. I'm not a prude. I enjoy a well written sex scene as much as anyone, but for me the sex needs to be connected to something deeper-intimacy and romance must be present-and I felt like both were skipped over in lieu of the steamy, scandalous sex scene instead. In my opinion, sex can't carry a novel, and this one came awfully close to asking it to do just that. Both of these items seem to be put in place to shock the reader, and if that was what Ms. Jewel was going for, she succeeded with this reader.
All in all I would give this book a B+. Would I read it again? not likely. Did I enjoy it the first time? Overall, yes. Do I think others would enjoy it? Absolutely! Especially if they are looking for witty, cleverly scripted dialogue, in a steamy, sensuousness romance that would shock any Victorian mother's socks off with its impropriety and scandalous liaisons. If that is what you are looking for, this book is certain to fulfill all your needs.
Ang’s Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
Purchase Info:
Monday, September 24, 2012
Review: The Naughty Angel
The Naughty Angel
Author: Sheila Stewart
Release Date: July 24, 2012
Publisher: Decadent
1Night Stand
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Erotica, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Even the good turn bad sometimes...
A life of servitude to God has left Ariel Raine feeling worn out. Being an Angel isn’t always what it’s cracked up to be. Day in and day out of the same routine tends to get tedious. Wanting some spice in her life, she sets her mind on discovering the allure of a sexual encounter. With the help of Madam Eve and her 1 Night Stand dating services, Ariel is about to have her world rocked.
Only problem is…her match is a demon.
Edison Grey has relied on dating services to claim minions for not only him, but for his master Satan as well. 1 Night Stand just happens to be this week’s preference. No use wasting a good service, Edison decides to have a little fun while he’s at it.
Stripping an angel of her purity is an added bonus...
What happens between Ariel and Edison is a surprise to both. Even with the threat of punishment looming over top of them.
What VampBard’s talking about:
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I adore the 1Night Stand shorts! The Naughty Angel, by Sheila Stewart, definitely delivers an action-packed (read: HAWT!) short story.
Innocent Ariel, an angel, wants to partake of Earthly pleasures. She's voyeuristically watched couples 'get it on' while performing her duties as a guardian of children. Once deciding to break her vow to remain chaste, Ariel contacts Madam Eve and submits her information to 1Night Stand dating service. Excited to have a match, she prints off the picture of her match, Edison, and looks for approval from her confidante, Seraphina. After receiving approval, she schedules her date at The Castle. Ariel is very innocent, believing that sex = making love. She's shocked at pornography, as well as vulgar language.
Edison, Ariel's 'date', turns out to be a demon. His original intent was to 'turn' his date after a night of hot sex. After taunting Ariel for a bit, he decides to romance her. He does the rose petals on the bed, and soft music. He makes the experience all about her.
Ultimately, the couple ends up agreeing to remain together, renouncing their duties to God and Satan. And they lived Happily Ever After. **eyeroll** The story was a bit trite, but it was a great read, around 40 pages according to the digital PDF, and kept me occupied and NOT annoyed while waiting to pick up a child from something-or-another. Great addition to the 1Night Stand titles!
VampBard’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Other 1Night Stand Reviews:
Sunday, September 23, 2012
Sunday Snippet #121
Author: Kasey Mackenzie
Shades of Fury #3
Publisher: Ace
Released: June 26, 2012
REVIEW HERE
Just then one of the last voices I wanted to hear at that moment drawled from the top of the stairs. "Gee, how nice of you to call an emergency meeting without me. And here I thought we were partners."
My heart sank, but I forced myself not to show it. "Hey, Trin, thought you'd be home by now."
She seemed slightly out of breath, as if she hurried there from somewhere else. Knowing her, that probably wasn't far off the truth. "I was, but Kale and Mahina called me back fro an abduction case. Some idiot pedophile snatched a half-Sidhe girl who looked about fourteen years old."
I winced. "Mortal, of course."
"Of course. An arcane perv would have known better. The fourteen-year-old turned out to be closer to fifty; some vigilante who'd caught the creep snooping in her neighborhood and decided to make an example out of him. Dude's still alive - barely -but his family's making noises about charging the girl with attempted murder."
I snickered. "They're welcome to have his attorney explain to a jury exactly why he snatched and tried to molest an apparent fourteen-year-old."
"Yeah, exactly."
We'd reached the top of the stairs by then. Her glance slid past me to Sahana, paused briefly upon Charlie, before turning back to me. "Nice new threads."
I shifted uncomfortably, bracing for the knock-down, drag-out to come. "Hey, Sahi, Charlie, mind waiting for us in my office? Mac should be there."
Trinity nodded, expression excruciatingly blank. "He is."
They gave us measuring looks but didn't argue, clearing the stairwell landing and disappearing down the hall and leaving me to face someone who could be every bit as scary as my mother, mortal or not. She didn't mince words, either. "What the hell, Riss? I've got to find out you called an emergency meeting behind my back by catching your little brother sneaking into your office? I thought we were past your trying to protect me."
"I'm not -"
"Bullshit!" She smacked the fire door so hard that the sound echoed up and down the stairwell. "It always comes back to you thinking mortals can't pull their weight against arcanes. Here I thought you trusted me enough to hold down the fort while you did your Fury thing, and you're back here checking up on me already - and in secret -"
"Jeez, Trin, would you shut up for a minute and lsiten?" My exasperated tone and none-too-polite words had her doing just that. The way her lips trembled in rage signaled it wouldn't last for long. "I do trust you to look after things. I'm not here to check up on you. This has nothing to do with police business and everything to do with my Fury thing, as you so charmingly put it. We're just meeting here because the fewer arcanes who see me in my new threads right now, the better."
"Oh." Her voice grew really small, and her cheeks flushed. "Um, sorry for jumping to conclusions. It's just -"
I waved that off. "I've given you reason to doubt in the past; I know that."
"So then, what's up with all the black? Not that it isn't hot, but I thought - unlike your tats - Fury leather only came in one color."
"Usually. With one exception. I - right now I'm serving as a Nemesis."
She frowned. "What, like your snake?"
"Same name, whole 'nother ballgame. A Nemesis is like... kind of like a U.S. Marshal drafted by the gods to investigate and hunt down one of their number who has broken immortal law." Trinity twitched at that. How she could still claim to be an atheist after everything she'd seen and heard was beyond me. "Just focus on the Marshal bit. I'm tracking down a badass for my arcane superiors. The new threads are temporary, and I'm on a deadline."
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