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Showing posts with label novella. Show all posts
Showing posts with label novella. Show all posts
Monday, July 22, 2013
Review: Making It Last by Ruthie Knox
Making It Last
Author: Ruthie Knox
Release Date: July 15, 2013
Publisher: Loveswept
Camelot Series, Book #4
Genre: Contemporary Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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A hotel bar. A sexy stranger. A night of passion. There’s a part of Amber Mazzara that wants those things, wants to have a moment—just one—when life isn’t a complicated tangle of house and husband and kids and careers. Then, after a long, exhausting “vacation” with her family, her husband surprises her with a gift: a few days on the beach . . . alone.
Only she won’t be alone for long, because a handsome man just bought her a drink. He’s cool, he’s confident, and he wants to take Amber to bed and keep her there for days. Lucky for them both, he’s her husband. He’s got only a few days in Jamaica to make her wildest desires come true, but if he can pull it off, there’s reason to believe that this fantasy can last a lifetime.
What Nima’s talking about:
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Ruthie Knox has bookended her Camelot Series with Tony and Amber Mazzara’s story. Together the novellas represent the blissful beginning of their romance and then the reality of after “happily ever after.” Making It Last picks up Amber and Tony’s story fourteen years after the first book ends. We’ve seen them make guest appearances through sibling Caleb and Katie’s romances, but not enough to know more than the fact that they’re still married with children. We are allowed to assume that their love has given them the answers to wedded bliss, perfect hair, stress-free Christmases, a new car every five years, as well as expert parenting skills that make their lives the stuff of fantasy. So what’s there to write about? Knox bravely takes on the romance, or lack of it, inside of real married life.
I have to admit to a serious “This is Your Life” vibe that is no doubt coloring my glowing opinion of this story. I am an exercise instructor, stay-at-home mother of three high maintenance kids (including one with generalized anxiety disorder) who lives in a small suburb of Ohio, all things I share in common with lead character Amber. I even read the book at the beach with my family, not at a wedding, but a fiftieth wedding anniversary reunion. There are enough common markers, however, to give most married women with children that same feeling. We all struggle with fatigue, body image, being “the bad guy”, the economy, in-laws, eating all our fruits and vegetables, inconvenience, and guilt. We are also all human with finite resources and energy. Something’s gotta give.
Making It Last begins with Amber at one of those critical moments when if something doesn’t give, she will crack under the weight of her responsibilities… even when those responsibilities are desired blessings. I appreciate that Knox has woven her trademark humor into some serious themes and situations. It has always been my position that humor keeps us from becoming brittle, flexible enough to carry the stress of life without breaking into a thousand pieces. Knox treats the serious stuff with its proper due, it is poignant and thought-provoking, but it’s not over-worked into being a burden to read. Overall I found it to be a quick read, but one I wanted to return to again and again for validation and inspiration.
Especially significant to me as a reader was a personal note Knox tacked on to the end of the book. She talks candidly about some of the book’s themes and her belief in the romance of marriage. I’m giving this little novella my highest rating, which I rarely do, because it is difficult to write about this aspect of married life with authenticity, humor, and hope. We all love the newness of first love or the right love and the idea of finding our soulmate, but rediscovering the one you already have without being cheesy or cliché’ is a far greater challenge. Kudos Ms. Knox.
Nima’s Rating:
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Personal favorite - a must read (A+)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Labels:
5 stars,
Camelot Series,
contemporary romance,
Loveswept,
Nima Review,
novella,
Ruthie Knox
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1 comments
Tuesday, July 16, 2013
Review: A Marine Affair by Heather Long
A Marine Affair
Author: Heather Long
Release Date: June 3, 2013
Publisher: Decadent Publishing
Always a Marine #13, Novella
ISBN: #978-1613335444
Genre: Military Romance, M/M
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Elijah Masters have been secret lovers for years. They nurtured their very private relationship with planned vacations and leaves, always meeting somewhere different—always escaping off the grid. It worked for them—career officers with a desire to serve their country and a passion for each other. The repeal of Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell provides them with the tremendous opportunity to come out to their friends and loved ones—Rick wants to seize the day, but Eli isn’t so certain. His hesitation leads to a fight, an ultimatum, and a breakup. Rather than confront their issues, Eli takes a foreign assignment.
A year’s separation changes both of them. The last person Eli expects to see when he steps off the plane is Rick, but the physician wants another chance with the only man he’s ever loved and he has a plan. Will bitterness, recriminations, and loss keep them apart or can these two officers rediscover the faith and loyalty that bound them for so long?
What B is talking about:
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As dedicated Marines who’ve never hesitated to put their duty to their country above all else, Commander Rick McConnell and Colonel Eli Masters accepted the need to keep their love a secret for years. But, when DADT was finally repealed, and it was safe for them to live openly, Rick wanted to tell the world. Unfortunately, Eli wasn’t ready to come out, despite the changing times, and in a moment of need and doubt their relationship ended. But, one year apart isn’t enough to undo ten years of loving each other, and now that Eli is home again, Rick isn’t willing to let him go without a fight.
I have a fondness for military fiction as well as m/m romance, so A Marine Affair was enjoyable on both fronts. Eli and Rick are interesting, strong characters, and Ms. Long imbues them with an unexpected amount of depth, given the short length of the story. Both are Marines, one serving stateside as a surgeon, one taking dangerous assignments overseas. But, they each respect the path the other has chosen, nurturing their relationship as best they can over the course of a decade during secret rendezvous and stolen moments while on leave.
The root of the trouble between Rick and Eli isn’t revealed right away, but instead through a flashback a little further into the story, creating an immediate need to stick with these men to find out what really happened. Surprisingly, Eli’s refusal to live his life “out and proud” is rooted in a secret he’s kept hidden from Rick, one that has nothing to do with their lives as Marines. It is a reminder that “complicated” is a universal label, and that sharing a life with someone means that some secrets, regardless of how closely guarded they are, can no longer yours to bear alone.
One of my favorite things about A Marine Affair is that, while the sexually explicit scenes between Eli and Rick are definitely worthy of an enthusiastic response, they don’t overwhelm the story itself. Each one has a specific purpose and is very well written, and illustrates the vastly different stages the relationship has gone through as the story progresses.
Overall, A Marine Affair is simply a wonderful story. The characters are complex enough to seem real, while avoiding the feeling that the author’s intent is being handed over in intentionally digestible parcels. The narrative isn’t preachy, just sincere. A Marine Affair is easy and sweet, and, for such a quick read, Rick and Eli’s story mattered to me. It was a pleasure from start to finish and I’d love to read more of it’s kind.
B’s Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
Review: Spartan Frost by Jennifer Estep
Spartan Frost
Author: Jennifer Estep
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Publisher: Kensington
Mythos Academy #4.5
ISBN: #978-0758294777
Genre: Young Adult (Urban Fantasy), novella
Format(s): E-book
Book Source: Purchased with own funds
About the book:
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I'm Logan Quinn, the deadliest Spartan warrior at Mythos Academy. At least I was--until the day I almost killed Gwen Frost.
Professor Metis and Nickamedes say that I'm fine, that Loki and the Reapers don't have a hold on me anymore, but I can't risk it. I can't risk hurting Gwen again. So I'm leaving Mythos and going somewhere far, far away.
I know Gwen wonders what's happening to me, whether I'm safe. I can't tell her, but this is my story. . .
What G & U are talking about:
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Gikany and Una have fallen in love with the Mythos Academy series. We love Gwen and the world she inhabits. We tend to get completely caught up in the stories and lose all sense of time. Ms. Estep gives us a treat in this series with Spartan Frost – a short novella that gives us a glimpse into Login-freaking-Quinn’s mind. If you are a fan of this series, this novella is a must read!
Through this very short novella, we see how torn and broken Logan is over his betrayal of Gwen. He is still reeling from being tricked by his stepmother and bound and controlled by Loki through a necklace, which causes him to almost kill Gwen – his beloved Gypsy Girl. Spartan Frost is a bit of an emotional jaunt as we see Logan home with his father – with whom he has a broken relationship. However, we are given a glimmer of hope at the end. That is until you read the short snippet from Midnight Frost and become agitated at the peril Gwen finds herself in. Our only complaint is that it was a novella… and we just wanted more!
If you haven’t started the Mythos Academy series, you are seriously missing out. This is a series parents can read with their kids (seventh grade and up) or as an adult to enjoy. They are really just great reads.
Their Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Monday, May 27, 2013
Review: Deadly Desires by Shiloh Walker & Sydney Croft
Deadly Desires
Author: Shiloh Walker & Sydney Croft
Release Date: May 12, 2013
Publisher: Self-Published
Genre: Military/Suspense Romance, Paranormal Romance, novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Author
About the book:
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Note: These titles were previously released in the Mammoth Book of Hot Romance. They have been expanded and revised for the digital release.
Don't Walk Away by Shiloh Walker
Ten years ago, former Army Ranger Ethan Raintree made one hell of choice…keep on lying, or tell the woman he loved the truth. He decided to tell the truth, and she threw him out of her life. He never stopped loving her, not stopped wanting her. Celeste Harper finally had everything she wanted—or so she thought. She’d escaped her past. She’d escaped her demons. But she couldn’t escape herself…or the man she’d left behind all those years ago. Looking into his eyes ten years later, she realizes it’s her turn to make a choice—let go of that pain and take him back. Or walk away…and face a future without him.
Code Word: Storm by Sydney Croft
The extremely secret Agency for Covert Rare Operatives (ACRO) is the only thing that stands between the human race and complete chaos. Now, two agents with special abilities, Annika Svenson and Creed McCabe, are sent to stop a man who has harnessed the power of the supernatural world. But Creed and Annika have a history that puts them at odds -- and in closer, hotter contact than they'd like. In this ACRO story, which falls in the series timeline between Riding the Storm and Unleashing the Storm, Annika and Creed grow closer, despite their resistance. And with their lives are on the line, they find they must not only work together, but be together, or risk a terrifying fate that could consume them both...
What I’m talking about:
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It’s so much fun when favorite authors get together in an anthology! This is the case for me with Deadly Desires. The title contains two short stories, both with a bit of excitement and a lot of steaminess.
Don't Walk Away by Shiloh Walker features Ethan and Celeste. The pair share a passionate history that was torn apart ten years ago when Ethan exposed Celeste’s father as a drug lord. Although she tossed him out of her life, he continued to stay in the shadows and never stopped loving her. When the pair finally reunite, everything, including years of pent up passion, explodes.
This is a wonderful short story, rich and full despite its length. The entire tale focuses solely on our two primary characters, zeroing in on one pivotal event in the lives of Celeste and Ethan. Ms. Walker packs the space full with intensity and fervor. Although the reader knows little about the characters, there is enough written to cause me care for the couple and cheer for their union. Overall, this is a really good read.
My rating: 4.5 Stars.
Code Word: Storm by Sydney Croft is the second story in this exciting anthology. The tale takes place in the ACRO universe and centers around Creed and Annika, two of the primary characters from the series. When the story opens, the couple already have a short history, one which Annika is trying hard to forget. The pair must work together to defeat paranormal targets in order to stop a madman behind some horrendous crimes. The situation is tense, causing heighten emotions.
This story takes place mid-series, so for those that have read the series, it's a nice part of their backstory. However, it can be read as a stand alone novella as well. Creed and Annika are two of my favorite ACRO agents, and I adore them together! Code Word: Storm is simultaneously exciting and sweet, sexy and sultry. The story is a fun PNR/supernatural adventure.
My Rating: 3.5 Stars.
Overall Deadly Desires is an entertaining, exciting anthology written by two wonderful authors.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Reviews in the Series:
ACRO:
Monday, May 13, 2013
Review: Bitter Disenchantment by Shawntelle Madison
Bitter Disenchantment
Author: Shawntelle Madison
Release Date: April 23, 2013
Publisher: self-published
Coveted #0.4 (prequel)
ISBN: #978-0988798519
Genre: Urban Fantasy, novella
Format(s): Paperback (156 pgs), e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
About the book:
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Werewolf Natalya Stravinsky's outspoken sidekick, Aggie McClure, is featured in this prequel novella. Before Agatha set foot in South Toms River, New Jersey, she had the fight of her life to face. Destined to be the alpha female over her Manhattan pack, Aggie was fully prepared to take on her role until her father arranges a marriage without her consent. She wants out–but the only way is with money–something her new controlling husband won't give her to escape. But such odds never kept a wolf like Aggie down. To sever the twisted tie, she finds herself pitted against raging wood nymphs and backstabbing brownies in an underground supernatural fighting ring. With every victory, the sweet taste of freedom is closer, but her husband isn't willing to let her go that easily. Until the very end, Aggie must fight for the one thing she's never had: a choice.
What I’m talking about:
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Shifter Agatha McClure, aka Aggie, is the only daughter of Desmond McClure, the powerful alpha of the Midtown wolf pack. Desmond is making changes at home, to include leaving Aggie’s mom and mating with a new wolf, one that will produce an heir to take over the pack someday. In addition, he’s also declared it is time for Aggie to marry, introducing to Aggie her intended, Victor. Not one to take things lying down, Aggie refuses to just sit back and marry Victor until she gets to know him better. Unfortunately for Aggie, it isn’t until after she marries Victor that she finds out he’s not the man she hoped he’d be.
While reading the first two books in Ms. Madison’s Coveted series, I’d grown rather fond of Nat’s best friend, Aggie. But after reading Bitter Disenchantment, I’ve learned to love Aggie. She is one tough wolf and full of amazing fortitude. She never complains and learns when to pick her battles, especially with her father and her husband. She stays focused on what is important, but remains flexible enough to roll with the punches (literally!). I hope that Ms. Madison pens another tale from Aggie’s POV.
Both Desmond and Victor are devilish antagonists. Desmond’s cruelty is overtly dominant, while Victor hides behind a polished exterior. The pair are beyond controlling, attempting to bend the world and people around them to their individual wills. They are so easy to hate, which makes me cheer for Aggie even more.
Overall, the story is well written. The author does a fabulous job chronicling the degradation of Aggie's marriage and hopes. The means by which Aggie chooses to escape is an interesting one, and it goes to show how desperate she's become. I enjoy her interactions with fellow fighter, Paula and Paula’s children-it shows what a good, kind and caring person Aggie is.
In addition to the primary storyline of Aggie’s efforts to break free from her husband, there is a mysterious group of spellcasters after her. Although this is a minor thread, it has just enough meat to add some intrigue.
In the end, Bitter Disenchantment is a wonderful novella with a lot of substance. The story has an emotional edge and depth that had me shedding a few tears. I enjoyed the themes of overcoming odds and creating friendships, and about allowing someone else to fight for you once and a while. The story has a lot for being a shorter book. Friendship, betrayal, love and loss. Excellent story.
My Rating:
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Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
Reviews in the Series:
Thursday, May 9, 2013
Review: Crow Magic by Mary Quast
Crow Magic
Author: Mary Quast
Release Date: April 24, 2013
Publisher: Decadent
1 Night Stand series
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Publisher
About the book:
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Lucy Richards is tired of being timid around men. Hoping to overcome her fears and feel like a real woman, she turns to Madame Eve to find a man who will fulfill that goal. Eve arranges a one-night stand with a handsome Shawnee shaman who will teach Lucy to use her womanly power and take her to unimaginable heights.
Shape shifter Seth Crowe is a Keeper of the Spiritual Law who carries souls from darkness to light, and enjoys using his body to accomplish his magic.
Tucked away in the Castillo Poconos Resort, Seth helps Lucy find spiritual and sexual freedom, never dreaming he might find his own mate in the bargain.
What I’m talking about:
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Our story opens with Seth (aka Tecumseh), who is a caretaker of sorts for lost souls. He is the Crow of legend, leading a solitary and lonely life. In order that his own soul does not fill with darkness, he needs to find his mate. Knowing this, him mom and brother ambush Seth and set him up on a date via Madame Eve’s 1 Night Stand (1NS) because his brother Kam had much success with the dating service.
After a history of abuse, Lucy feels awkward around men and is not comfortable with her own sexuality. She hopes that Madame Eve and 1NS can help her overcome her fears and maybe find something she feels is missing from her life.
Crow Magic is a story filled with spirituality and self-awareness. The author uses Native American culture and beliefs to spin her own tale of romance centered around inner peace and freedom. While I found much of the culture presented entertaining, at times I felt the spirituality of the story was heavy-handed and overshadowed the romance.
In the beginning of the book, Lucy finds herself alone with an attentive crow at the secluded resort. She begins a dialogue with the alert bird that was a bit goofy and silly. Personally, I'd be freaking out if a crow pulled out my hair band and stared at me. However, after a while, her odd behavior is attributed to a history of abuse and the scene makes more sense in that light.
The overall “courtship” between Seth and Lucy was based on her spiritual and sexual awakening. Seth uses his powers to free her mind and body, allowing her to become centered and at peace with her own self. Because of this, I felt that the story wasn’t very romantic in the traditional sense of the genre. However, Seth realizes almost immediately that his connection to Lucy is deeper than that of previous charges, so he pursues her more intimately.
Overall, Crow Magic is an enjoyable story with an interesting concept. It is filled, and at times overfilled, with spiritual awakening, using sex as part of the process. The connection between the primary couple isn't as steamy as in other 1NS stories, because the focus of the relationship is equally physical and spiritual. I liked that Lucy was able to shed her past and let out the awakened spirit inside of her. I think that those with an interest in Native American culture will enjoy this novella; however, if you are turned off by spirituality, you probably won't like the novella as much.
My Rating:
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Liked it, but I had some issues - recommend (B)
Reviews in the Series:
Monday, May 6, 2013
Review: Heart of the Jaguar by Katie Reus
Heart of the Jaguar
Author: Katie Reus
Release Date: May 1, 2013
Publisher: Harlequin
Shifter Novellas
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: Purchased with my own funds
About the book:
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Dr. Cindy Shahi is resigned to being mateless, but her inner jaguar has needs that must be sated. An encounter with a deliciously sexy stranger is the perfect chance for a night of no-strings primal passion.
Elias was content to be a lone wolf until the moment he laid eyes--and much more--on Cindy. Their intense attraction can mean only one thing: the mating call. And when it becomes clear someone isn't happy about their budding relationship, all of Elias's protective instincts go on high alert. He'll do anything to keep Cindy safe--and convince her that he intends to claim her as his own, no matter what.
What I’m talking about:
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Heart of the Jaguar opens with the wedding of Bear Mountain Wolf Pack leader Owen and his mate, Gabriela, whom we met in the story A Jaguar’s Kiss. Here we are reintroduced to the town doctor Cindy, a jaguar shifter, who is in attendance with her best friend Israel, brother of Gabriela.
While in attendance, Cindy spies Elias, a wolf shifter, who is in town for his good friend’s wedding. Unknown to anyone at the time, Elias plans to settle down into the Bear Mountain pack and become second-in-command to Owen.
After being hurt badly in a relationship during graduate school, Cindy has remained aloof and distant when it comes to men. It’s been a while since Cindy has fulfilled her jaguar’s sexual needs, and no-strings-attached sex is just what she needs. Cindy and Elias experience an intense initial attraction, and since Cindy thinks Elias is only in town for the wedding, he is the perfect candidate to fill her desires.
Once again Ms. Reus shines with her sexy shifter novellas! Heart of the Jaguar is loosely tied to the previous books, with locale and characters linking them; however, it is not necessary to read any of the prior stories to enjoy each of them individually.
What I enjoy most about Ms. Reus’s shifter novellas, which holds true for this one as well, is that the story stays focused on the primary couple growing in their relationship, with any conflict coming from an external source and not internal between the hero and heroine. In Heart of the Jaguar, Cindy and Elias are open and honest with their intensions from the start. They realize that there is huge chemistry between them and are open to it being something more than physical. Elias recognizes it as the mating call. Instead of just sitting back on the information, he shares this with Cindy.
I also like that Cindy lays her concerns on the table early on in the relationship, even knowing that she may lose Elias because of it. Cindy has some issues that caused the breakup with her former fiancé, but rather than hide from Elias and her own feelings, she trusts him and opens her heart to the mating call. The author could have used any number of things to keep the couple separated and delay their union, but instead she choses to allow the characters to take chances, permitting their love to develop and thrive.
The mystery of who is threatening Cindy is secondary to the romance and concludes without major drama or incident. It was a good plot vehicle for getting the pair together on a more permanent basis. In addition, the storyline added just a touch of suspense which made the short story more exciting.
Overall, Heart of the Jaguar is another well-written, sexy shifter novella from Ms. Reus. The story has great set-up and romance. The mating is quick - it's a novella - so there are speedy "I love you’s," which I'm not a huge fan of. However, it felt right - the timing wasn't out of the blue. The pair had immediate chemistry and it worked.
Ms. Reus's shifter novellas are the perfect “get away” romance reading. You can take yourself on a mini-vacation for an hour or so, getting lost in the exciting, sexy world she has created. Heart of the Jaguar is no exception with it’s romance with sizzling smex. The conflict is muted but adds to the overall story. Heart of the Jaguar is a very enjoyable romantic read.
My Rating:
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Enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Purchase Info:
Reviews in the Series:
Friday, May 3, 2013
Review: A Vampire's Salvation by Virna DePaul
A Vampire’s Salvation
Author: Virna DePaul
Release Date: April 22, 2013 (reissue)
Publisher: Loveswept
Beyond Human #1
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Novella
Format(s): e-book
Book Source: NetGalley
About the book:
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Francesca Marie Stewart has never wanted any man as much as she wants Jake Rios. His chiseled body and dark, intensely masculine energy draw her like a moth to a flame. But Frankie has been burned before, and now a mysterious figure from her troubled past has resurfaced with a terrifying new threat. Can she trust Jake not only with her heart but with her very life?
Jake’s hunger to possess this beautiful redhead goes beyond searing desire. He’s a vampire, and his very existence depends on bonding with a mate. He aches to ravish Frankie, but he must take it slow—for what he will ask of her will require profound sacrifice even as it gives her unimaginable pleasure. And once he has claimed her—body and soul—Jake will go to any lengths to protect her.
What I’m talking about:
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Francesca Stewart enjoys her position on staff with California’s governor. She has an impeccable work ethic, and her support of green initiatives makes those she stands with very successful. But Frankie is lonely, and after suffering a bad relationship in her youth, she is reluctant to make any type of romantic connection in her adult life. However, Frankie lusts after Jake Rios, head of the governor’s nighttime security and considers what it would be like to go out with him.
Jake recognized Frankie as his mate within moments of joining the governor’s team. Realizing he needs gain Frankie’s friendship and trust, vampire Jake reigns in his alpha-nature and takes things slow. However, when he realizes Frankie’s life is in danger, he can no longer sit on the sidelines.
A Vampire’s Salvation is an entertaining novella that kicks off Ms. DePaul’s Beyond Human series which involves a group of vampires hoping to “come out” from hiding and join society. Jake Rios is optimistic that by working with a progressive governor with ambitions for the White House, he can reveal himself and his kind to the public someday. Although this novella doesn’t touch much on this storyline, I liked the idea and hope that there will be future titles that progress the story forward.
The heart of the novella revolves around the quickly developing love between Frankie and Jake. Due to the short nature of a novella, their relationship goes from zero to happily-ever-after in sixty seconds flat. Their initial encounters are fierce, filled with a hunger that is hot. I liked learning up front that Jake genuinely cares for Frankie and wants to take it slow. I adored reading Jake's POV as he headed to Frankie’s door for their second date. It was sweet and romantic to learn how much he wants Frankie but is willing to let her call the shots. But what made the scene was his reaction about seeing Frankie all dressed up, subsequently losing all sense of control. Her reaction:
I’ve unleashed something wild, was Frankie’s first thought when Jake moved toward her.
Thank God, was her next one.
Again, due to the shortness of the story, things progressed quickly, which left me feeling a bit cheated on the development of their relationship. After only two days together, they profess love, which rubbed me the wrong way a bit. In addition, Frankie adjusts rather quickly to the idea Jake is a vampire, and forgiveness came a bit too easily for my tastes. Unfortunately, when the author only has so many pages, things will move along rapidly at times.
In the end, A Vampire’s Salvation is a delightful novella. The story is sexy and fast paced, with a touch of suspense. The concept of the series is enjoyable and entertaining. I do think the story would have been a bit better with more length and development, and I'm not a fan of the immediate "I love you," so that brought it down a little for me. However, I am looking forward to reading a second story, knowing that there is much more to this political game than what was presented in this novella. The epilogue has me hooked for round two!
My Rating:
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Liked it - recommend (B+)
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