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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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Monday, April 11, 2011
Review: The Darkest Secret
The Darkest SecretAuthor: Gena Showalter
Release Date: March 29, 2011
Publisher: HQN Books
Lords of the Underworld #7
ISBN: #978-0373335491
Genre: paranormal romance
Format(s): paperback (416 pgs), e-book
I purchased a copy of this book for my own reading pleasure.
From the author’s website:
Keeper of the demon of Secrets, Amun can manipulate the darkest thoughts of anyone nearby. But when new demons possess him, the immortal warrior must be chained and isolated to protect those he loves. Death is his only hope of release—until he meets Haidee, a fellow prisoner whose beauty and hidden vulnerability draw him into a reckless test of his loyalty….
Haidee is an infamous demon assassin, raised to despise Amun’s kind. Yet how can she hate the man whose touch sets her aflame? But to save him, she must give herself body and soul…and face the wrath of a powerful adversary sworn to destroy her.
What I’m talking about:
Well, I have been living in a hole for the past several months AND I have been avoiding snippets and reviews of The Darkest Secret, so I was FLOORED when I found out that Amun’s mate is Haidee - I thought for sure she was Strider’s girl after the conclusion of the sixth LotU book, The Darkest Lie. Okay... so if you haven’t read the series, that means nothing to you, but I had to get that out there! (For a brief tutorial on this series, please see THIS POST I wrote last year.)
The Darkest Secret opens shortly after (a few weeks?) the conclusion of The Darkest Lie, with the Keeper of Defeat, Strider, bringing home his “prize,” Hunter Haidee - the same woman that decapitated the Lords’ friend and fellow demon, Baden. When Strider returns to the stronghold, he is shocked to find his home overrun with Angels and that his friend, Amun, Keeper of Secrets, has been possessed by numerous minion demons while on a recent trip to hell (again, see the previous book). Amun is so far gone, that he is hurting himself and contaminates the space around him with an evil presence.
While Amun is trapped by the demons in his own mind, he senses a sweetness that calms him - Haidee. He knows all about her (his demon, Secrets, uncovers the truth) and mentally calls out to her. Once they are together, the demons retreat far into Amun so the person can resurface and Amun is lucid. In order for Amun to stay this way, he must purge the demons with Haidee’s help - on a trip through Hell.
The story focuses on Amun and Haidee, learning about one another and growing closer as they journey through Hell. They both are immediately drawn to one another and don’t shut out the possibility of a relationship - although each does try to “protect” the other by staying away (Amun more so than Haidee). I liked that the two are connected from past events, which caused Haidee to dream of Amun for years. This gave her the confidence needed to be with him, even though they are long-time enemies. Their passion does sizzle (much more than the last story’s couple!) and the smex is pretty smokin’ at times.
Although this story belongs to Amun and Haidee, fellow Lord, Strider has a pivotal role as well (and his book, The Darkest Surrender, is coming next). He is inhabited by the demon Defeat and doesn’t like that Haidee prefers Amun. We see a lot of the story from his point-of-view, and we also get to know his future mate. I enjoyed Strider’s pieces of the story almost more so than Amun’s. He experiences strong, conflicting emotions which add a lot of depth to the story.
Overall this is another good edition to one of my favorite series. It is definitely a step up from The Darkest Lie (which in retrospect, I should have rated a 3), but still doesn’t have the same gripping action and emotional impact as the first 5 books. I felt the opening sequence in which we learn about Haidee’s past was very confusing (it is a memory within a memory within a memory kind of thing). I wish we learned more about the “Bad Man” from her past and felt the mystery antagonist didn’t live up to expectations. In addition, I wanted to find out more about what happened to Legion and other characters from the previous book. I also felt that the explanation for Haidee’s “condition” was a bit strange and how she “comes back” was overly simple for such a complicated situation.
However, even with these concerns, I still enjoyed the story and felt Amun and Haidee are a good pairing. Gena did a great job recalling events from earlier stories without a boring recount. The banter between Strider and Torin which acts as a “summary of events” for the reader is one of my favorite scenes in the book. I do feel that someone new to the series could pick this book up and enjoy it. But the series is so much more than this one book, and I HIGHLY recommend starting at the beginning! It is a must-read for all LotU fans!
My Rating:
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Labels:
Sunday, April 10, 2011
Sunday Snippets #53
from Lover Unleashed by JR Ward
NAL Hardcover
March 29, 2011
“Are you certain,” she said, her accent rolling those Rs.
He was breathing so hard he wasn’t sure he could choke out a reply, so he nodded. And then, worried that wasn’t enough, he put his hands over hers, pressing her hold into him.
She took over from there, focusing on his jugular, her eyes seeming to light up like stars in the night. When she closed in, she did it slowly, disappearing the inches between her fangs and his flesh with aching delay.
The brush of her lips was nothing but velvet, except the anticipation of what was to come had him hyper-focusing so everything was magnified. He knew precisely where she was-
The scrape was viciously soft as she nuzzled him.
Then her hand snaked around to his nape and clamped on, holding him in place so hard, he realized she could snap his neck if she wanted.
“Oh, God,” he moaned, giving himself over completely. “Oh-fuck!”
The strike was strong and sure, two points going in deep, the sweet pain robbing him of sight and sound until all he knew was the sucking draw at his vein.
That and the massive orgasm that rolled through his balls and pumped out the head of his cock, his hips jacking up against her as his erection kicked and jerked… and kept going.
He wasn’t sure how long the release lasted. Ten seconds? Ten minutes? Or was it hours? All he knew was that with every drawing pull she took from him, he came some more, the pleasure so intense he was ruined by it…
Because he knew he wasn’t going to find this with anyone but her. Vampire or human.
Palming the back of her head, he pushed her down tighter, holding her to him, not caring whether she drank him dry. What a way to die-
Too soon, she went to pull away, but he was desperate for her to keep going, and tried to force her to stay at his throat. It was no contest, though. She was so strong physically, it was as if he had put up no protest at all. And didn’t that make him come again.
As overrun as his nervous system was, he still felt the retraction of her fangs from his neck and knew the exact moment she was out of him. Then the biting pain was replaced with a soft, lapping stroke, as if she were sealing him closed.
Falling into a semi-trance, Manny’s lids lowered and his head lolled on the top of his spine like a deflated balloon. From out of the corner of his eye, he looked at her perfect profile, the illumination from the monitor giving him plenty o flight to watch her lick her lower lip-
Except it was not the computer.
The screen saver had come on and all that was showing was a black background with a Windows logo.
She was glowing. All over. From head to foot.
He guessed they did that, and how… extraordinary.
Except she was frowning. “Are you alright? Mayhap I took too much…”
“I’m…” he swallowed. Twice. His tongue felt numb in his mouth. “I am …”
Panic set into her beautiful face. “Oh, fates, what have I done”
He forced his head upright. “Payne… the only way it could have been better is if I’d come inside of you.”
She was momentarily relieved. And then she asked, “What is coming?”
Thursday, April 7, 2011
Review: Shady Lady
Shady LadyAuthor: Ann Aguirre
Release Date: April 5, 2011
Publisher: Roc
Corine Solomon Novels, Book #3
ISBN: #978-0451463258
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Format(s): Paperback (336 pgs), e-book
We received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
I’d spent my whole life settling, trying not to attract attention, and generally doing whatever it took to keep other people happy. I didn’t want to do that again. Not when I was finally comfortable in my own skin. Sure, there were certain challenges, like a drug lord who wanted me dead, and the fact that I owed a demon a debt that he could call due at any moment. But everybody’s got problems, right?
Whenever Corine Solomon touches an object, she immediately knows its history. But her own future concerns her more and more. Now back in Mexico, she’s running her pawnshop and trying to get a handle on her strange new powers, for she might need them. And soon.
Then former ally Kel Ferguson walks through her door. Heavily muscled and tattooed, Kel looks like a convict but calls himself a holy warrior. This time, he carries a warning for Corine: the Montoya cartel is coming for her—but they don’t just pack automatic weapons. The Montoyas use warlocks, shamans, voodoo priests—anything to terminate trouble. And Corine has become enemy number one…
What Gikany & Una are talking about:
First, we are back as a team on this book. Yay!
Secondly, I, Una, read this book as a standalone, because Twimom asked me to review it. However, because Gikany is just as obsessive/compulsive as me (and had the time and money) read the first two books in the Corine Solomon Novels before reading Shady Lady. It made a huge difference! We both strongly recommend that you read this book after reading the first two. It seems, as poor Una found out, much from (especially the first book) previous books are referenced, implied, alluded to, etc. Goodness, poor Una got very confused and frustrated during the first half of this book because of carried over plot lines and romantic entanglements.
As Gikany filled in Una, there is quite a lot that takes place in Corine’s (for those, like Una, who didn’t the first book, her name rhymes with Doreen) life prior to the third book. However to know any of it, you have to read the first two books. So coming into this story without that basic background was profoundly annoying. Una was grateful that Gikany read the previous books because she was able to glean the information from Gikany so that the book made more sense.
Enough of Una’s whining…
This is a very intriguing and fun series. Corine is a complex and down to earth character. She’s taken some hard licks in her life but continues to bounce back. Corine also surrounds herself with gifted and genuinely good people as her distanced support group. The world she lives in nuanced, there is no true black and white; good versus evil. It is a world of varying shades of grey. This aspect is most notably shown through Kel, the “hand of God.” Corine, in order to defeat the greater evil, finds herself making deals with lesser evils. Choices that she consciously knows she will have to live with and may come to regret.
One element that we both greatly enjoyed in this novel that we have seen in other series (like the Allie Beckstrom series) is that magic has a price. Nothing supernatural comes without exacting a price; maintaining a balance in the world. This helps to anchor the characters and the story, giving the novels a foundation and realism necessary to keep the reader hooked. The other element that we both found quite positive is the minor characters. Corine’s supportive friends are the family she has created to replace the blooded family she lost long ago.
The humor and the flow of the story are excellent. The darker elements in the storytelling are balanced out by the clever wit of Corine and the funny banter between her and her friends. That being said, we both were frustrated by the ending, as we say, beyond irritated. As Gikany explained to Una, the first two books did not end with so much left unresolved nor with the feeling of uncharacteristic acceptance by Corine at how things were left. Without giving away the ending, Corine seems to accept a loss that may not be demanded by the fates. The ending was abrupt and somewhat contrived. Corine deserves better and would not just “bend over and take it” (sorry, this is our best way to describe the feeling). We feel cheated that she didn’t try to fight for what was lost. Overall, we enjoyed Shady Lady and will read the next installment when it comes out next year.
Gikany’s Rating (Someone who read the series):
Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
Una’s Rating (Someone who didn’t read the series):
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Review: Lover Unleashed
Lover UnleashedAuthor: JR Ward
Release Date: March 29, 2011
Publisher: NAL Hardcover
Black Dagger Brotherhood series Book #9
ISBN: # 978-0451233165
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Hardcover (512 pgs), e-book
G & U purchased a copy of this book for the purposes of their own enjoyment. Twimom borrowed the book from her local library.
From the author’s website:
Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.
When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.
As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.
What Gikany & Una are talking about:
Gikany and Una were waiting with baited breath for this latest installment in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. The “WARDen” did not disappoint in Payne’s book, Lover Unleashed.
Gikany loved the introduction of Xcor (pronounced in her head as “Score”). Unlike the introduction of Lash, the Omega, Mr. X, etc, as the antagonist, he appears, for lack of better term, human. He is complicated and not just evil, being capable of change. Xcor’s interactions with Payne highlighted his honor and his ability to hold to a set of moral beliefs. However, Una still can’t believe his name is Xcor (pronounced in her head as “Core”) after it seems the WARDen received so much grief about her overuse of the word core in her previous novels. Just like the controversy over the pronunciation of Xhex (as the WARDen says, “Hex” and the rest of us that thought “Sex” until an interview with her on the web cleared this up).
Una enjoyed the pace of the novel. Unlike in John Matthew’s book where the interludes with Muhrder seemed completely out of place and unrelated and unnecessary, this book seemed to flow better. The scene changes were smooth and followed a good rhythm. Because of the flow, Lover Unleashed was incredibly difficult to put down and was a gripping page turner.
Gikany and Una both thoroughly enjoyed Lover Unleashed. Vishous appears to be the one most changed through the course of the book. What defines Payne’s journey is to be accepted and loved for who she is. By joining her twin, Payne leaves the smothering security of Sanctuary and must deal with the messy realities of life with the brotherhood and a human mate.
It seemed through the book, the lesser were almost an after-thought in this novel. Because of this, Gikany and Una feel that Lover Unleashed is a transitional novel, setting up a new conflict for the brotherhood and introducing much needed characters for the continuation of the series. However, we are VERY glad for this introduction because we do not want to see this series come to an end. For transitional novel, we feel that it was well played. The only question in the long run is: will Xcor be the next “big bad” or the next brother?
Their Rating:
Really enjoyed - strongly recommend (A-)
What Twimom is talking about:
Okay, so yes... Black Dagger Brotherhood is crack. If you haven’t started the series, please don’t start with this book. Yes, you could jump in here, but you won’t have the emotional ties to the characters that the rest of us addicts have and you won’t be drawn into the story from the first page. With that said... here are my thoughts about Lover Unleashed. WARNING: minor plot reveals are found in my review.
I will admit, although I was unsure of Manny and Payne together because there was no set up for the two of them in prior books, I was anxious to read the ninth installment of the series. And yes, it was going to be very hard to top Lover Mine - a story that I waited to read for 5 books. For those that have read the series, we have previously met both characters. Manny was Doc Jane’s boss and friend - we really got to know him in V’s book, Lover Unbound (book #5). Payne is the twin sister of Vishous and we saw her primarily in Lover Mine as the sparing partner of the King Vampire, Wrath.
At the end of Lover Mine, Payne severely injured her back and once Doc Jane realized she could not help Payne, pursued her former colleague, Manny, to repair her mate’s sister. Lover Unleashed picks up immediately after the conclusion of Lover Mine. Manny and Payne experience immediate attraction and we are privy to some “vampire-like” traits by Manny that have him going crazy with thoughts such as “mine.” Nothing new, and it is very similar to what we saw with half-breed Butch.
JR Ward has a way of bringing out my emotions with the simplest of stories. For example, she retells Doc Jane’s death through Manny’s point of view and I was in tears. Ward has me so wrapped up in her characters that I feel so much for them. She has created a world that I want to experience, even if the story isn’t perfect.
I loved that Manny and Payne were “meant to be” and they worked their way through the potential problems just to be together. As a couple, they didn’t have the spark or hot-n-heavy romance of some of the other pairings, but I enjoyed their story. However, I felt that Payne's character was a weak link. My impressions of Payne (based on earlier books) is that she is a kick-ass warrior. She can hold her own with Wrath and she killed her own father. So why was she so ready to give up after a few hard times after her injury? I know she lead a sheltered life as a Chosen, but she was too naive, shy and “girly” for most of the story. I was disappointed with her character, yet I still was able to look past it so that I could enjoy the story.
I appreciated the break from the Lessers - less Lessers! I think this was the first book in which Ward did not tell any of the story from a Lesser point-of-view. But, on the downside: there were “new recruits” at every turn. The Brothers themselves commented on the fact that there were so many new Lessers, and the reader is left wondering where did they come from and why are there so many. I felt this was a weakness in the plot.
Although this was “Manny and Payne’s book,” the heart of the story belonged to Vishous. Ward finally let V shine and have the story he should have had several books ago. She let him hit bottom and there was a point in the book where V turned his back on Jane and my heart just ached. I felt the play between the V and Jane was well done. BUT with that said... I had a tough time with the speed and depth of V’s “recovery.” I appreciate what Butch did for him, but I was hard for me to believe this Brother could make such a significant turn around after only one night.
Finally, I have to mention the two new characters that had a significant role in Lover Unleashed: Xcor, son of the Bloodletter (V and Payne’s father) and Detective Thomas DelVecchio, Jr., new partner to long-time Caldwell Police Detective Jose de la Cruz. It seems that Ward has plans for both characters in future stories, but with her... you never know. (Umm... where is Murdher?) Xcor promises to be an excellent new rival for Wrath and the Brotherhood and a refreshing change from the Lessening Society/Omega. However, I was completely disappointed in his actions when he finally captured and confronted Payne for killing of the Bloodletter. And DelVecchio - I just don’t understand the purpose behind his character or that whole section of the story - the book would have been fine without it.
All in all, I have to admit I still thoroughly enjoyed Lover Unleashed. Yes, it seems like I have several issues with the story, but I was able to look past them all for the most part and just enjoy being back in Caldwell. I felt that this story flowed a lot better than the choppy telling in Lover Mine. I completely swooned over the Qhuinn-Blay-Saxton subplot and cannot wait for the Qhuay book/novella. I can forgive Ward for a lot because I love the Brotherhood and relish anytime I can spend with them.
My Rating:
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
THIS IS FOR THOSE THAT HAVE
READ THE ENTIRE SERIES.
Monday, April 4, 2011
Review: Demons Are a Girl's Best Friend
Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend
Author: Linda Wisdom Release Date: April 1, 2011
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
ISBN: #978-1402254390
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): Paperback (384 pgs), ebook
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
A bewitching woman on a mission...
Feisty witch Maggie enjoys her work as a paranormal law enforcement officer-that is, until she's assigned to protect a teenager with major attitude and plenty of Mayan enemies. Maggie's never going to survive this assignment without the help of a half-fire demon who makes her smolder...
A hotter-than-sin hero with an agenda...
Declan is proprietor of an underground club and busy demon portal. No way he'll allow his demon race to be blamed for the malicious acts of some crazy evil Mayans. But he's already got his hands full when the sexy witch offers him a challenge he can't refuse...
What B is talking about:
Maggie O’Malley is a witch who’s used to being in charge. She’s over 700-years-old. She leads a Special Ops team for the Hellion Guard. She’s battle tested and as tough as they come. Got a nasty creature in need of dispatching? Maggie’s your witch. She’s seen it all. Been there, done that, and bring it on. Until she’s ordered to be the guardian of a teenaged girl and meets a sexy half-demon who’s more than he seems.
Declan has worked hard to become boss at Damnation Alley. As a half-breed, he is unlike the rest of his kind in more ways than one. Still, he thinks he’s got everything under control until a witch with attitude to spare turns everything upside down. And of course, she would be the one he is destined for.
This was a fun book to read. Maggie is tough, stubborn, powerful, and quite prickly. She doesn’t back down and rarely apologizes. Although she’s closer to 1,000 years old, she often acts like a young woman in her twenties. And she has no room in her life for a long-term relationship. Nor does she have the temperament to tolerate one. It all makes for an interesting character.
Once Declan enters her life, that all changes. Wisdom doesn’t waste a lot of time making Maggie fight her feelings for him. Rather, Maggie recognizes what she could have with him and makes the choice to wrap herself up in it, without a grand epiphany or lot of self-doubt. Aside from a “Mine” moment or two, Declan does much the same.
Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend sustains a humorous tone throughout. The other members of Maggie’s team provide consistent doses of comic relief. Befanged and furry, they may stumble and argue, but the sense of camaraderie and affection between themselves and their leader is apparent. Maggie’s frustration and bewilderment when faced with taking care of a teenager is funny all by itself.
Maggie and Declan’s romance is sweet and the sex is fairly hot. They compliment each other and both know what they want as lovers. Since there was no huge conflict for them to overcome in order to be with one another, it’s easy to just enjoy their encounters as they are. The constant teasing and sparring they do as a means of foreplay becomes increasingly entertaining as they become more attached, too.
Wisdom has crafted an enjoyable read in Demons Are a Girl’s Best Friend. Even though the humor borders on slapstick sometimes and the novel has a few predictable moments, it’s still a lot of fun. Maybe because, in part at least, it doesn’t try to be too serious. It’s a good, sexy novel, perfect for unwinding with a decent laugh.
B’s Rating:
Liked it a lot - recommend (B+)
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Sunday Snippets #52
from Eternal Rider by Larissa Ione
Grand Central Publishing
March 29, 2011
**NOTE: this except comes from an uncorrected ARC copy of the book**
One thought dominated his mind as he gated himself back to Greece: She wore Victoria’s Secret boyshorts.
He could so easily envision her lush curves contained in the sexy underwear. Yeah, thongs and lacy panties and crap were nice, but for some reason, the mix of masculine and feminine of the boyshorts worked for him. Really worked.
He’d love to hold her against him while his hands slipped down the back of the boyshorts to cup that tight ass... and fuck, he was obsessing over freaking panties.
Feeling like the Webster’s definition of loser, he stalked through his house, halting at the bedroom door. His heart did something weird against his sternum, a spastic flutter of anticipation. Was he actually looking forward to seeing Cara again? The fucking goofy way his lips were curved into a smile said yes, and horror of horrors, he realized he was experiencing some sort of crush. What the fuck?
He needed to kill something. Needed to get his head back in the battle, reacquire his target, and go on the offensive, because he was doing exactly what he used to berate other men for. Hell, he’d actually arranged for women to seduce enemy commanders, and then he’d waited for their dicks to lean them to distraction and destruction.
Cara must be the ultimate karma.
Friday, April 1, 2011
Review: Dark Enchantment
Dark EnchantmentAuthor: Anya Bast
Release Date: April 5, 2011
Publisher: Berkley Sensation
Dark Magick Book #3
ISBN: #978-0425240533
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Format(s): paperback (352 pgs), e-book
I received a copy of this book from the PUBLISHER for the purposes of an honest review.
From the author’s website:
A sultry dream can become a real-life nightmare…
Tax consultant Charlotte Bennett isn’t the type to lose control. Until she’s seduced in a dream by a handsome, rugged man named Kieran. In her dream state, she decides to let loose, letting pleasure and desire lead the way. But she quickly discovers her “safe” night of passion has dangerous repercussions.
The lust-driven dream was in fact a magick illusion that’s left Charlotte indefinitely bound to a controlling fae named Kieran. Under his order, she must find the last piece of a powerful relic. Only Charlotte knows the location of the bosca fadbh, but the knowledge is hidden deep within her bloodline—and only wicked magick can draw it out.
Forced to work with the enticing Kieran, she finds it hard to escape their seductive chemistry. Even though he’s harboring a deadly curse, one that puts Charlotte in danger—and could make this attraction fatal….
What I’m talking about:
Welcome to a world of magic... Ms. Bast’s wonderful Dark Magick series takes place in an alternate world where humans have discovered Fae (fairies, goblins, etc.) and have incarcerated them with the help of the Druid-based Phaendir. In the first 2 books, plus “pre-quel” novella), the Fae have been working to find pieces of the bosca fadhb, a fae relic that will help the imprisoned fae escape the walls of Piefferburg.
Dark Enchantment picks up shortly after the conclusion of the previous book and immediately jumps into a sexy adventure. Charlotte, a human with a Fae-Hating family reputation, wakes one morning after an intense, highly sexual dream and keeps hearing the voice of her dream-lover calling for her. Soon the calls become a compulsion that drives her to enter the gates of Piefferburg under false pretenses. She is scared but angry that one fae could make her do something she never wanted to do in her lifetime.
After meeting the man (fae) from her dreams, Kieran, and other magical folks, Charlotte agrees to help the fae by allowing them access to her genetic memories. Soon she is thrown into a dangerous fight for freedom for a race of beings she once considered a threat to her life.
Charlotte and Kieran are well-matched. Both learn to overcome preconceived notions about the other. Charlotte learns that most fae are no more scary and dangerous than the human race. Kieran learns that Charlotte isn’t the bigoted human her father is. Kieran, who is cursed to a horrible death if he ever falls in love, can’t help but admire Charlotte. She constantly surprises Kieran with her inner-strength during some rather intense moments of peril, as well as her ability to overcome years of fear by befriending the very creatures from her nightmares. Although their romance moves quickly, it is very organic and sweet. Each fights their growing attraction to protect the other, both finally giving in to love and realizing it is better than anything in the world.
I really enjoy the continuing story arc of fae freedom, the Phaendir and its deliciously wicked leader, Brother Gideon P. Amberdoyal. I admire that Ms. Bast keeps the plot moving forward and doesn’t throw unnecessary roadblocks in to drag out the conflict. Each story finds the fae a step closer to reaching their collective goal of freedom. Yet along the way we discover not all fae have the same ideals. And now that the fae can see freedom in sight, we will learn where each character stands. Dark Enchantment continues the exciting journey full of political wrangling, magical abilities, evil-doers and noble souls.
Overall, Dark Enchantment is a very enjoyable book - one that can be read stand alone (if you haven’t read the series), but is probably best enjoyed by those that have read the earlier tales. Ms. Bast does a good job of informing readers about details from earlier stories necessary for understanding the overall plot. I highly recommend the entire Dark Magick series. It is an delightful paranormal romance series that doesn’t rely on the vampires and werewolves to entertain.
My Rating:
Loved it - enthusiastically recommend (A)
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