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15 new-to-me authors.
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Showing posts with label Berkley Sensation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Berkley Sensation. Show all posts
Tuesday, June 25, 2013
Review: Carolina Girl by Virginia Kantra
Carolina Girl
Author: Virginia Kantra
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Dare Island #2
ISBN: #978-0425251225
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): Paperback (320 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Meg Fletcher spent her childhood dreaming of escaping Dare Island-her family's home for generations. So after she landed a high-powered job in New York City, she left and never looked back. But when she loses both her job and the support of her long-term, live-in boyfriend, she returns home to lick her wounds and reevaluate her life.
Helping out her parents at the family inn, she can't avoid the reminders of the past she'd rather forget-especially charming and successful Sam Grady, her brother's best friend.Their one, disastrous night of teenage passion should have forever killed their childhood attraction, but Sam seems determined to reignite those long-buried embers. As Meg discovers the man he's become, she's tempted to open her vulnerable heart to him. But she has no intention of staying on Dare Island-no matter how seductive Sam's embrace might be.
What Ang is talking about:
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Carolina Girl is a fun, smart, sassy story about second chances, learning to compromise and ultimately learning to trust oneself and those they love. The characters are completely realistic and charming in their own rights; even the secondary characters are well rounded and engaging, adding depth and color to the story without taking anything away. A rarity in the novels I have read lately. For example, I adore Tom, the dad and his no nonsense way about things. Of course this could be because I grew up in a ARMY home and totally relate to 'the all for one' attitude throughout Ms. Kantra's Carolina novels. I also found sweet, shy Taylor completely engaging and am anxious to learn more about her in the next book.
Another thing that I thoroughly enjoyed about this novel was the ebb and flow of the writing. Much like the tide of the ocean that the town is centered around, the descriptions and scenery pull you in allowing to see and taste every aspect of this hamlet of a community. For example, there is a place in the novel when Ms. Kantra describes the clouds as the mother of pearl found in an oyster shell, and immediately I found myself sitting on the front porch watching these clouds hover in the sky, tasting the salt air as the tide came in and being sung a lullaby by the gulls as they flew overhead searching for their evening meal. I would venture to say that Ms. Kantra has mastered the art of showing not telling in this novel and I loved it. Anytime I read I want to be transported to a different place, I want to walk the streets with the characters, I want to take a piece of their world way with me and I was given the opportunity to do that with this book.
I also completely loved the banter and tension between Sam and Meg as they find steady footing and explore what exactly they mean to one another after twenty years. The chemistry is apparent from the moment their hands touch at the luggage carousel. However, the fight Meg puts up to push Sam away as she discovers that allowing herself to have one dream doesn't mean giving jump another is well written, funny and something I think most can relate too. The idea that there must be balance, and sometimes you have to work for and make your own balance, is a path of discovery we all take at some point.
I also appreciated that as Meg walks her path of self discovery and works crazy hard at holding on to her present world, Sam works equally hard at helping her discover that sometimes your future is right where you left it, and in this case it is with him. He is not about to let her get away again, and I give him major props for that. I like that we are allowed to see Sam's vulnerability without it weighing the novel down, but I would have liked to have been inside his head just a bit more. I also would have appreciated slightly more information on his relationship with his dad. It goes from cold to hot so fast that it felt almost fake to me. This could have easily been fixed with a well placed conversation but was glazed over instead making it feel a bit unrealistic to me.
My one hope for this family is that they all learn to communicate their feelings a bit more. The use of the word “fine” was getting under my skin by the novel's end. I relate to it because you learn early in a military family to just deal with whatever the issue is without bring the family down or up with your feelings, because emotions can prevent people from doing their job and put them in danger. However, it's been more than 20 years since they left the Marines, and it is time they learn that emotions aren't good or bad--they are just feelings, and talking about them with someone can be helpful. I'm hoping Taylor might be the one to bring this about in the next novel.
Ultimately I love the idea that we can all go home again. Home is different for each of us, It maybe a place, a moment in time or a person, but if we are willing to pay the price and fight for it, we can all go home again and make peace with the past. In that process, we may even get a chance to fix the past and discover our happily ever after. Carolina Girl gives us hope that it is possible if we work for and at it.
Ang’s Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Monday, June 10, 2013
Review: How to Tame Your Duke by Juliana Gray
How to Tame Your Duke
Author: here Juliana Gray
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Three Princesses Series #1
ISBN: #978-0425265666
Genre: Historical Romance
Format(s): Paperback (320 pgs), ebook
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Three intrepid princesses find themselves targets in a deadly plot against the crown—until their uncle devises a brilliant plan to keep them safe...
England, 1888. Quiet and scholarly Princess Emilie has always avoided adventure, until she’s forced to disguise herself as a tutor in the household of the imposing Duke of Ashland, a former soldier disfigured in battle and abandoned by his wife. When chance draws her into a secret liaison with the duke, Emilie can’t resist the opportunity to learn what lies behind his forbidding mask, and find out what adventure really means...
The duke never imagines that his son’s tutor and his mysterious golden-haired beauty are one and the same. But when the true identity of his lover is laid bare, Ashland must face the demons in his past in order to safeguard both his lady—and his heart.
What Ang’s talking about:
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I want you all to know that I really wanted to like How to Tame Your Duke. I have enjoyed everything else Juliana Gray has written up to this point and frankly, I don’t want to make her mad. I want her to keep writing. Not that my one little review is going to keep that from happening, but if the next novel is as tepid as this one is, I probably won’t continue to read this series. Seriously, these characters were so unremarkable I can’t even remember their names sitting here writing this review. I know there was princess. She was smart and snarky. There was a wounded duke, his son who was hilarious, and a maid who was so clueless that she offered a lot of comic relief from the boredom.
There was a lot of potential here. There was a princess, spies, abductions, hidden identities—sounds good, right? The seduction was really beautifully written. I felt the emotion and struggle of it. The side characters offered a wonderful distraction from the main plot.
However, the rest of the story was like a roller coaster ride where you wait five hours in line, finally get to the top of the giant incline, and—nothing. It’s just a straight shot to the finish, no dips, no turns, no flips, no corkscrews. It really isn’t a bad book, it just isn’t a great one.
What went wrong? Here are my issues (and I freely admit they’re mine):
1. The title. It’s called How to Tame Your Duke. This Duke didn’t need taming. The only character in this book that needed taming was the son and he just needed a good spanking.
2. The whole disguise thing. It works in theory, but anyone who was paying attention to the newspapers within the book would have figured it out very quickly. A haircut and moustache does not a convincing disguise make…especially when living in the same house with a spy.
3. The princess does things that feel completely out of character. First and foremost she’s been trained to be a princess. I don’t think a princess, even one trying to save her country, would have participated in numerous improprieties. The duke is also guilty when he puts the princess in danger even after he knows who she is.
I feel like many of these and other issues could have been dealt with by better editing. (See, I’m quick to blame the editor because I LIKE Juliana Gray!) Although How to Tame Your Duke wasn’t a winner for me, I’m willing to read the next story because Ms. Gray does push the envelope with historical fiction, and that’s a good thing.
Ang’s Rating:
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Finished it - take it or leave it (C)
Purchase Info:
Sunday, June 9, 2013
Winner - Wild Invitation by Nalini Singh
Congratulations to the winner of WILD INVITATION by Nalini Singh, and a HUGE thank you to Nalini for her wonderful interview and generous donation.
The winner is:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'm sending the winner an email. The prize will be mailed by Ms. Singh's assistant.
Thank you all for stopping by!
Happy Reading!
The winner is:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
I'm sending the winner an email. The prize will be mailed by Ms. Singh's assistant.
Thank you all for stopping by!
Happy Reading!
Labels:
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Tuesday, June 4, 2013
Review: Heart of Obsidian by Nalini Singh
Heart of Obsidian
Author: Nalini Singh
Release Date: June 4, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Psy/Changeling #12
ISBN: #978-0425263990
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Hardcover (368 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher for review
About the book:
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A dangerous, volatile rebel, hands stained bloodred.
A woman whose very existence has been erased.
A love story so dark, it may shatter the world itself.
A deadly price that must be paid.
The day of reckoning is here.
What I’m talking about:
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SPOILERS: for those wishing to remain completely spoiler-free, please note that this review contains information that has been kept secret prior to release - things such as the heroine’s identity. I do NOT provide spoilers about the ending of the story or any key actions that occur which may spoil the ending.
For same review with the name of the heroine withheld, please visit GoodReads, HERE.
For same review with the name of the heroine withheld, please visit GoodReads, HERE.
Heart of Obsidian has finally arrived! The twelfth book in Ms. Singh’s amazing Psy/Changeling series is a well thought-out adventure that truly does change the course of the overall series. Once again, Ms. Singh creates characters with beautiful emotional depth and detailed flaws, giving me a world that I want to fully explore.
The opening of Heart of Obsidian has a very different feel than previous books in the series. The first several chapters are told almost completely from the POV of ex-Councilor Kaleb Krychek, someone we all know, but have never seen this up-close and personal. It was extremely fascinating for me to see how powerful he is. Another aspect that gives Heart of Obsidian a very different feel is the fact we don't know who the female lead is for the first five chapters. I liked this - it was like unraveling the pieces of a good mystery. Finally, after focusing primarily on the Changelings for the past several books, the primary couple in Heart of Obsidian is comprised of two Psys - something we’ve not seen before.
The first several chapters of the story grabbed my attention - who was this mystery woman that Kaleb had been searching for all these years? Why is he utterly possessive of her? And the sections that were written from the mystery woman’s POV were fantastic. The broken Psy female created mental labyrinths to protect her mind and inner core from the pain of torture and to prevent her enemies from breaking and controlling her. The writing detailed the madnesses of the shifting labyrinths with finesse.
It’s not until Chapter 5 that we discover the identity of this woman Kaleb has rescued: Sahara Kyriakus of PsyClan NightStar... As Sahara breaks down her mental labyrinths, she begins to reclaim her sanity and memories. Armed with an attraction to and an explicable trust in Kaleb, Sahara pushes her boundaries and heals rather quickly - although there are some memories that her body and mind will not allow her to recover.
Much of the first half to two-thirds of the book focused on the slow process of regaining Sahara’s memories, and it is also a carefully constructed release of information to the reader by the author. For the most part, the tale was successful at keeping me hooked, wondering why something was a certain way or who did what. However, I did feel that the book began to drag and got repetitive by the midpoint. Yes... He'd never hurt her. Yes... She is his weakness. Yes... He's got tons of power. Yes... She is the deepest fracture in his psyche. Yes... She belongs to him. I got frustrated for a little while.
In addition, the beginnings of their romance were very cold and calculated, which rubbed me the wrong way - at first. I thought to myself, how much of Kaleb’s interactions are part of his plans - seeing as he needed to bond with Sahara and get her to trust him.
However... things quickly picked back up...
As Sahara and Kaleb truly get to know each other again and her memories return, we see a different side of the couple. They each grow and mature in ways that were extremely satisfying for me. I loved how Sahara would push Kaleb, but never abuse the absolute loyalty he’s given her. She is completely feisty and such a strong woman. I admire that Kaleb stays true to his Psy nature and character, yet by virtue of his relationship with Sahara, he can see things and approach problems in a different way. And their sexual encounters were pretty smokin’ hot for two virgins! I just have to share one of my favorite lines, said by Kaleb to Sahara after their first time, "we've shared DNA." I love it!
We also learn quite a lot about Kaleb’s past, which had a few twists and turns that kept me on my toes. I applaud the direction Ms. Singh took with Kaleb - never diminishing the monstrous things he’s done or the darkness that surrounds him, yet supplying the reader with the bigger picture and reasons for his actions.
For those anxious to see the Changelings - they get in on the mix in a supporting manner about halfway into the story. This also helps to pickup the speed of the book. The addition of multiple characters gives more depth to the story structure.
In addition to the love story, the book spends much of its time on the escalating issues with the PsyNet, the actions of PurePsy and the overall story arc. Pretty much everything is revealed, including the future direction of the Psy race and its relationship with the other two races. There is a great deal of conflict caused by PurePsy, and once again, it allows for Kaleb to evaluate his position on Silence and his plans for his race. I enjoyed seeing how Kaleb dealt with conflict.
Finally, I will note that the identity of the Ghost is revealed. However, after much hoopla over his character in previous stories, I was disappointed that we didn’t even have mention of the Ghost until page 257. Overall, I have to say the Ghost storyline fell flat for me.
In the end, I really enjoyed Heart of Obsidian. With the exception of a few minor issues, I feel this is one of the strongest Psy/ Changeling stories. I delighted in learning about the "real" Kaleb Krychek - seeing sides of him that only Sahara knows, and I adored Sahara’s amazing strength and resilient character. The love story of Kaleb and Sahara became stronger and more engaging as I learned more of their mutual past. What started out as cold, black ice, matured into warmth and sunshine. They are a wonderful couple and one of my new favorites from the series.
My Rating:
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Reviews in the Series:
Wild Invitation (Anthology)
Don't forget to read my interview with author Nalini Singh and enter to win Wild Invitation... Details HERE.
Don't forget to read my interview with author Nalini Singh and enter to win Wild Invitation... Details HERE.
Friday, May 31, 2013
Author Interview & Giveaway: Nalini Singh
Today I have the honor of bringing to you one of my all-time favorite authors, Nalini Singh. *inserts fangirl squee* New York Times bestselling author Nalini Singh is passionate about writing. Though she’s traveled as far afield as the deserts of China, the Highlands of Scotland and the temples of Japan, it is the journey of the imagination that fascinates her most. She’s beyond delighted to be able to follow her dream as writer. Nalini lives and works in beautiful New Zealand. Visit the author online at
Please help me welcome Nalini toThat’s What I’m Talking About.
Twimom: Nalini, welcome to That’s What I’m Talking About from all the review ladies. We are all very big fans!
Nalini: Thanks for having me!
Twimom: Congratulations on the upcoming release of Heart of Obsidian, the twelfth book in your amazing Psy/Changeling series. When you first started with Slave to Sensation, did you imagine you’d end up here? Have the pathways or storylines altered much along the journey from the beginning to this climatic book?
Nalini: I knew where I wanted to go from the very start, which has helped me stay on track. While I’ve always had the end goal in mind, I’ve let the characters lead me there, so there have been plenty of surprises along the way.
Twimom: There has been a lot of speculation over who is at the center of Heart of Obsidian. Why go to such lengths to keep the characters a secret? Have you enjoyed reading through the tweets and blog comments regarding the gorgeous cover and mysterious blurb? (I know I have!)
Nalini: As of now, a two chapter preview has been posted online, so the male lead of the book is known.
As for the speculation about the book, what I find fascinating is that recently, a few people have guessed almost to the letter certain elements of the book. One particular comment—which a friend who’d read the book forwarded me, after seeing it online—hit it out of the ballpark. I was delighted by that comment, because it means I’ve done my job right, laid the foundation for certain conclusions to be drawn.
There are, however, some things no one has guessed (at least not that I know of), but that once you read the book, will fit into the overall jigsaw of the series. I hope these elements don’t leak prior to the release date, as these are powerful moments within the story that I’d love readers to experience first hand, rather than be told about them.
Twimom: I know I am super excited about reading Heart of Obsidian and I’ve done everything possible to stay away from spoilers! It’s been fun.
Was the choice to base the Psy/Changeling series, as well as the Guild Hunter series, primarily in the United States a personal one or for wider reader appeal? Have you considered setting a series in your native Fiji or New Zealand?
Nalini: I get asked this question a lot, and the simple answer is that both Fiji and New Zealand are just too small, geographically and population wise, for the kinds of stories I tell in my two series. I needed massive areas of land, huge political powers, and much as I love my homeland and my birthplace both, we’re minnows on the world stage. (Minnows with some breathtaking scenery and gorgeous water in the case of Fiji, but minnows regardless).
Locations have to fit the stories, so I’m totally open to NZ as a location for the right story or stories (one of my other projects that you may see one day, does in fact use NZ as a setting). Several of my Silhouette Desires were also set in NZ, and I even sent a couple to honeymoon in Fiji.
Twimom: One of the things I love about your storytelling is your attention to detail and ability to paint a visual image with your words. Have you visited and/or spent much time in Northern California, the Bay area, and/or Yosemite to help you with the setting details? How much does your worldly travel impact your fictional locales?
Nalini: It was a case of serendipity with the Psy-Changeling series. I was about to head to Japan to start what became a three-year-placement, but before that, I decided I wanted to travel through the States (on my way to my very first RWA National Conference in NY.)
And where did I end up for most of my time in the country but in California. I fell in love with the region, and when the idea for Slave to Sensation hit me, the location came with it – California was absolutely perfect. It had everything I needed, cities, mountains, lakes, forests, even desert regions.
The travel does definitely help me in terms of opening my mind to all the myriad locations out there. I was able to set Archangel’s Storm in India because I’d been there, specifically to the region where Neha’s court is based in the book, and because of that, I could insert tiny details that add to the authenticity of the story.
Having said that, I do also use locations I haven’t visited – with the Internet, research material is at my fingertips. People take videos, cities have webcams, there are countless blogs and photos…as with the pages of a good book, good research can take you anywhere!
Twimom: You are a very engaged author with your fans (for which we are grateful). How do you find a balance between writing a handful of quality books each year, your travels, keeping up with your fans, and life in general?
Nalini: I’m not always balanced – I can disappear into my writing cave for months at a time if I’m not careful. So I’ve learned to consciously make time for friends and family, and to have days off in the weekends.
The travel is a part of me, and the way I’m able to do it is that I’m super focused when I’m home, so I “save up” time to travel. I’ve also learned to write anywhere – planes, airports, trains, you name it, I’ve written there. (Even in a tent in a desert).
With my everyday fan interaction, it truly doesn’t feel like work. I enjoy social media, so it’s fun to check in every morning or in the afternoon. I love the photos people post, the comments they leave, the interesting questions they ask. As a writer, I work alone the majority of the time, so it’s nice to have that interaction during my work day.
However, writing is where my heart is, and I think fans, too, would rather I write than be online, so when I need to go under and focus exclusively on the book, I do, and readers have been really supportive of those time outs.
Twimom: I always love to find out what my favorite authors are reading... What is your favorite book you read in the past year? What is your most anticipated read coming in 2013?
Nalini: I have many favorites! One of my favorites of the last year was actually a non-fiction book. It’s called “Brain on Fire: My Month of Madness” by Susannah Cahalan – about a woman who thinks she’s going mad, but it turns out she has a rare brain disease. I found it a fascinating medical whodunit.
As for anticipated reads in 2013 - I’m really lucky because after so many years in the industry, I’m either friends with many of my favorite authors, or I know people I can ask for early copies of books I can’t wait to read. This isn’t because I just like to have early copies, but because often, I know I’ll be on deadline when a book is due to be released, so if I can sneak it in early, I will!
As a result, I’ve already read Guardian Demon by Meljean Brook, which is a book I’ve been waiting for, for years. Michael! He’s everything I dreamed he would be! Meljean really fulfilled her promise to fans with this book. <Twimom says *jealous*>
I also have Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews and I’m so looking forward to it (also a little bit scared after the hints the authors have dropped, but I trust them *bites nails*). <Twimom says *even more jealous*>
The next Sharon Lee and Steve Miller book is also a must-read. I adore the Liaden series, and every romance reader I’ve recommended it to has fallen for it as well, so you should all try it – especially since Agent of Change, one of the entry points in the series, is currently a free ebook (yes, I am a book pusher). I really liked Agent of Change, but I don’t think it’s the most romantic book in the series by far, so I’d suggest readers read the excerpts/blurbs of the other books as well. I love the interconnectivity of the series, and the fact that beneath it all, it’s a continuing story about a family.
And I’m always, always looking forward to the next JD Robb. I love the In Death series to pieces.
These are just a few of my anticipated reads. I have so many more!
Twimom: Nalini, once again thank you so much for taking the time to tell my readers a little bit about yourself and your writing. It was wonderful chatting with you.
Nalini: Thanks for the great interview.
GIVEAWAY: I have one (1) copy of Nalini’s recent Psy/Changeling anthology title, Wild Invitation, to giveaway here at That’s What I’m Talking About. Thank you to Nalini for sponsoring the giveaway. To enter, please complete the Rafflecopter form, below, and leave a comment at the end of today’s interview as to which Psy/Changeling character is your favorite. (If you haven’t read the series, list any favorite character and include what book/author it comes from.) One entry per person. Winner will be selected randomly from eligible entries. CONTEST IS OPEN INTERNATIONALLY, and prize will be mailed by the author. Contest open from May 31, 2013 until June 8, 2013 at 12:00 AM EDT-midnight. I am not responsible for items lost in the mail. If you have problems with the Rafflecopter form, please email me at twimom227 at gmail dot com.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
Monday, May 20, 2013
Meet THE GHOST from Heart of Obsidian...
Have you heard...
ENJOY!!
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| Click for larger image |
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Tuesday, May 14, 2013
Review: The Cursed by Alyssa Day
The Cursed
Author: Alyssa Day
Release Date: May 7, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
League of the Black Swan #1
ISBN: #978-0425255773
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (305 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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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.
What I’m talking about:
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Rio is a human living among the paranormal in Bordertown, a place out of sync with the "real" world. When Rio accidentally witnesses the kidnapping of a little girl by a shady underworld figure, she turns to Luke Oliver for help. Known as the Dark Wizard of Bordertown, Luke is the only one who can protect Rio. However, as her twenty-fifth birthday approaches, Rio becomes the target of interest by multiple paranormal factions, including both Fae and Demon royalty. It takes all of Luke's control to not blow-up all of Bordertown while trying to protect Rio.
I absolutely enjoyed The Cursed! The opening two chapters drew me in completely as they painted an intriguing story filled with interesting new characters and concepts. Right away the reader is left wondering - what is the League of the Swan? What is Luke’s curse and why does the League seem interested? The journey of finding out the answers to these questions is exciting, action-packed and just plain fun!
As a couple, Rio and Luke are fabulous! Each had noticed the other for quite some time, but Rio backed off after Luke turned down her offer for coffee. Unknown to Rio, Luke wanted to say yes, but due to his curse, he felt the need to stay far way from (while secretly stalking) her. Once Rio turns to Luke for help, it doesn’t take long for the sparks to ignite. It cracked me up that within mere minutes of Rio and Luke meeting up, Luke was confessing how he wants her desperately (well, why and how he stayed away). He's got it bad for her and it made their interactions very entertaining (and super sexy!).
Both Rio and Luke have their secrets. Luke has his mysterious curse, the truth of which he eventually shares with Rio. But for the reader, the reveal was drawn out over several chapters, which made his condition extremely intriguing. For example, the reader learns that Luke has built walls around his heart and soul to avoid activating the curse. This captivated me, driving me to learn more.
Then there is Rio, an abandoned orphan, who knows nothing about her parents or where she came from. Yet that never mattered to Rio and, she was content working in Bordertown, making good friends and not bringing any attention to herself. However a few days before her twenty-fifth birthday, suddenly she’s gained the notice of several different paranormal factions each of which hint she’s more than a mere human. First there is Merelith, Fae royalty, who recognizes Rio upon first glance and hints she knows more. And there is Chance Roberts, a powerful and wealthy man of unknown origins. Finally, the League of the Black Swan, lead by the mysterious Maestro, have a vested interest in the choices Rio makes. Each of these characters and the groups they represent, add great value to the overall story. Their combined pieces create the whole for Rio, which is revealed to be a fabulous family secret.
Ms. Day divulges her mythology and the nuances of Bordertown via finely-tuned and streamlined world-building. She presents everything the reader needs to know to understand her new world, yet there is never an overload of information. The details create a rich, exciting place that begs to be explored. Her universe is a blend of traditional and new fantasy elements that make for a superb read.
As Rio and Luke come together, the heat factor rises tremendously. I loved the easy banter between the couple. They are serious and sexy, fun and witty. And I adore how crazy Luke is for Rio. The way he has to process and deal with his emotions makes for enjoyable entertainment. I laughed many times. For example, in Luke's own words:
“I don’t know how to have all these feelings. I know how to blow stuff up. You were hurting, and I wanted to help, but I didn’t know how, so I blew something up.”
Although the story is on the lighter side of the spectrum, there isn’t a shortage of depth. Both Rio and Luke experience positive character growth as they learn more about themselves and how to love one another. In addition, their passion is sizzling. At times the pair are needy and hungry and at others sensual and loving. Rio and Luke are two lost souls, and when they find one another, they make a whole.
In the end, The Cursed is extremely entertaining and the start to what promises to be an excellent new series from Ms. Day. The banter and character interactions are superb. The overall story is light and fun, but at times touching and poignant. The mythology of Bordertown and its denizens is thrilling and unique. Luke and Rio are a fun, sexy duo who have many adventures ahead. There is still so much to learn and explore in Bordertown, and I for one am very excited about this new series.
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Wednesday, April 24, 2013
Review: Rising Darkness by Thea Harrison
Rising Darkness
Author: Thea Harrison
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
Game of Shadows #1
ISBN: #978-0425248454
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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In the hospital ER where she works, Mary is used to chaos. But lately, every aspect of her life seems adrift. She’s feeling disconnected from herself. Voices appear in her head. And the vivid, disturbing dreams she’s had all her life are becoming more intense. Then she meets Michael. He’s handsome, enigmatic and knows more than he can say. In his company, she slowly remembers the truth about herself…
Thousands of years ago, there were eight of them. The one called the Deceiver came to destroy the world, and the other seven followed to stop him. Reincarnated over and over, they carry on—and Mary finds herself drawn into the battle once again. And the more she learns, the more she realizes that Michael will go to any lengths to destroy the Deceiver.
Then she remembers who killed her during her last life, nine hundred years ago…Michael.
What I’m talking about:
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The story opens with a dream of a life from the very distant past, in a “galaxy far, far away,” although our heroine, Mary, doesn’t realize this until later in the story. She dreams of a criminal escaping and of comrades dying in one life to be reborn in another in order to find him and bring justice. To try and shake the dream and the stress of her life as an ER doctor in a nearby hospital, she goes for a run. When she thinks she sees and hears the wind talking, Mary becomes even more confused and a little concerned, starting to question her sanity. However, when her ex-husband (but still good friend) tries to get her to the doctor, she runs from the appointment and his help.
Rising Darkness unfolds slowly, giving the reader different point-of-views and sides to the same story. We learn about our hero, Michael and meet “Grandmother,” along with a few humans who know some of the secrets hidden among the naive population of Earth. I was a bit confused for a while, trying to piece together all of the sections and understand what had happened in the past and what it meant for this book. Although the story is revealed gradually, it is mostly necessary to convey the rather involved backstory and history of Michael, Mary and their companions. As the story progresses and the reader becomes more familiar with the nuances of the tale, the pace picks up a bit.
Mary is one of the original aliens/beings that transcended time and space to chase after the evil being who escaped to Earth; however, she has no clue who she is. After meeting a friendly psychic, experiencing an unexplainable encounter with the Virgin Mary and surviving a frightening confrontation with some deadly men, Mary beings to think that there is something more going on. I adore how the author has Mary compare her situation to that of Sarah Connor in the movie The Terminator as she begins to process what is happening to her. It was very relevant because it’s something we all do in our every day lives - relate our situation to something we’ve seen in a TV show or hear in a song. It was a well written sequence in the book.
Whereas Mary was always a little frantic, for over half of the book, Michael appeared emotionless and stoic. It was enjoyable to get some answers via Michael’s POV about halfway through the book when we finally became privy to his inner feelings about finding his long-lost mate. It was sorely needed because 1) Mary doesn't recognize him and 2) his actions seem so cold and calculated.
Overall the mythology behind the Game of Shadows series is interesting and unique. However, this first story dragged on for most of the book. While there was need to relate an intricate backstory to the reader, at times it was too confusing and/or not able to hold my interest. Mary and Michael had little emotional connection for the majority of the book; although they did manage to create a small spark closer to the end of the story. In addition, I was not satisfied with the conclusion of Rising Darkness. It’s not a cliffhanger per se, but it sort of just ended at a “break in the action,” and the journey is far from over. I just never could fully care about the characters, even though I liked the premise.
My Rating:
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Finished it - take it or leave it (C)
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Review: Love Irresistibly by Julie James
Love Irresistibly
Author: Julie James
Release Date: April 2, 2013
Publisher: Berkley
FBI/U.S. Attorney Series #4
ISBN: #978-0425251195
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Format(s): Paperback (304 pgs), e-book
Book Source: Publisher/ NetGalley
About the book:
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HE’S USED TO GETTING WHAT HE WANTS…
A former football star and one of Chicago’s top prosecutors, Assistant U.S. Attorney Cade Morgan will do anything to nail a corrupt state senator, which means he needs Brooke Parker’s help. As general counsel for a restaurant company, she can get a bug to the senator’s table at one of her five-star restaurants so the FBI can eavesdrop on him. All Cade has to do is convince Brooke to cooperate—and he’s not afraid to use a little charm, or the power of his office, to do just that.
AND WHAT HE WANTS IS HER
A savvy businesswoman, Brooke knows she needs to play ball with the U.S. Attorney’s office—even if it means working with Cade. No doubt there’s a sizzling attraction beneath all their sarcastic quips, but Brooke is determined to keep things casual. Cade agrees—until a surprising turn of events throws his life into turmoil, and he realizes that he wants more than just a good time from the one woman with whom he could fall terrifyingly, irresistibly in love...
A savvy businesswoman, Brooke knows she needs to play ball with the U.S. Attorney’s office—even if it means working with Cade. No doubt there’s a sizzling attraction beneath all their sarcastic quips, but Brooke is determined to keep things casual. Cade agrees—until a surprising turn of events throws his life into turmoil, and he realizes that he wants more than just a good time from the one woman with whom he could fall terrifyingly, irresistibly in love...
What Nima’s talking about:
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I am new to Julie James’ books, although she has earned a loyal and enthusiastic following among contemporary romance readers. Like Kathy Reichs and Jessica Scott, I appreciate authors who have professional knowledge of their characters’ world. James didn’t just plunk hunky Cade Morgan into the U.S. Attorney’s office; James is an attorney and brings her experience with the legal system to her FBI/U.S. Attorney series giving it a unique authenticity.
Love Irresistibly is book four in the series. While characters from previous books do make appearances, it is a book that can stand on its own. Don’t avoid it because it’s number four. There are a lot of things about this book that could have made it cliché, but James’ writing rises above that. Her main characters are genuinely clever people. The resulting banter is smart, something that can be difficult to achieve in dialog alone. The predominant obstacle in this novel is that these two are workaholics. Their careers are on the rise and they’re not about to slow the assent for something as distracting as a romance.
As their paths cross through their jobs, they must deal with each other. If they had met sooner, there would have been chemistry, but no romance. James has brought them together at the right time and in the right place for this love story to have its chance. They are both used to being in control with their work and all aspects of their lives. They must both let down carefully fortified walls if they are to going make it work. The forced interaction pressures them each to ask questions and examine the work/life balance of their individual lives, a dilemma with which I think many readers can identify, especially working women.
Supporting their story is a backdrop of family and friends who make this story believable. They have depth, they are inconvenient, they are supportive, and in Cade and Brooke’s business. The are not just set dressing. Like real couples, Cade and Brooke bring some legitimate baggage to the table. Not only must they deal with letting down their own walls, they must deal with the other one’s history. This, for me, raised the caliber of the story-telling—all together—irresistible.
Nima’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
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