Category: Paranormal Romance

Review: Mating Call by Emily Ryan-Davis

On By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Freya’s Bower, ebook
The Grade: B-
Source: Purchased at Fictionwise
The Blurb
Cora Phillips has witchcraft in her blood, but she’s convinced she inherited the recessive rather than the dominant trait. Her mother and sister are the real heiresses to the Lune tradition; Cora has neither the interest nor the inclination to take up the Dragonkeeper mantle. Years ago, she left the New York City Witch lifestyle to the other women in her family, and said goodbye to all the velvet and lace. However, during a moment of insomnia-induced insanity, she agrees to come back to celebrate Christmas/Winter Solstice with her family.

It comes as a shock to all three women when Cora, through clumsy fumblings to “get in touch with her goddess” at her sister’s urging, calls a pair of ancient dragons into her meditation circle.

Cora swears it’s a mistake. Her mother swears it’s the correct course of events. Eventually, every Dragonkeeper issues the call to mate. Problem is, nobody expected Cora to summon even a single dragon, let alone two.

Before long, the dragons’ guardians come knocking, literally, and ruin any hope of politely apologizing and returning the creatures.


The review:
This is another book that I have wanted to read for years, but never got around to. I purchased it at Fictionwise a couple of months ago.
I enjoyed the story. It was interesting to read about Cora and her adamant disbelief in magic, while her mother and sister didn’t hide the fact that they are witches. It took a couple of pages before the story hooked me, but once I was hooked I kept on reading. The worldbuilding was intriguing, with witches and Dragons and Shamans. I liked the characters. From Cora’s skepticism, to Diane’s cheerfulness. I smiled when Diane told Cora to stay away from Salim, but didn’t explain why. I liked the way the hints to the characters secrets were scattered through the story.
I felt that the story had a lot of potential, but that due its length, it felt a bit short. Maybe it was because of the length, but I didn’t feel that the characters grew emotionally. A bit more worrying was the fact that I didn’t feel that there was an romantic subplot until the end of the book. This might be because of the fact it is the first book in a triology, though.
Will I get the rest of the books in the series?
Probably. I think the story would have benefitted from being published in an omnibus with the other stories.

Review: The Highwayman by Michele Hauf

On By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

The particulars: Paranormal Romance, Silhouette Nocturne, available as e-book and in print
Source: The Library
The Grade: B
The Blurb:

Max Fitzroy, the legendary Highwayman, has slain scores of demons with a razor-lined whip and a burning need for revenge. Now, to rid himself of the demon shadow inside him—who has cursed him with immortality and stole all sensual pleasures—Max needs a witch’s familiar, the one creature he’s made a career of killing.

But the Highwayman isn’t prepared for the familiar named Aby. The sleek and sexy conduit to the demon realm sees past his nightmarish shadow as easily as he scales the walls she’s erected to protect herself. Max needs Aby to grant him his freedom, and then he needs to slay her. But how can he destroy the only creature he’s desired in centuries?


The Review:
What I liked:
I loved that the main characters wasn’t one of the standard vampire/witch/ werewolf.  I am a bit tired of those.  Instead, Aby is a cat Familiar and  determined to keep her new won independent.  Max is equally determined to make change her mind.  Both positions made sense, but it was fun to follow their struggle with the attraction. There were a couple of testosterone laden meetings between Max and Severo that was fun to read. 
I liked how Ms Hauf used the belief that cat’s have nine lives in the story. The flashback fitted nicely into the plot, and gave a glimpse in what had happened when Max got his demon.  Normally I don’t like flashbacks, since when they are done wrong they often drag down the plot. In general, the plot was focused on Max and his search to get rid of the demon.  The twists took me by surprise, but they made sense.    

What I didn’t like:
This might be picky, but I didn’t like Aby’s name.  I wanted to add a b while I read.  On the other hand, she shifts into an Abyssinian cat.

Summary:
This was a wellwritten novel, set in an intresting world. It is a bit short, but perfect when you want something to read during a lazy day.

Black Gold by Vivian Arend

On By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations, Paranormal Romance, reviews

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain, available as e-book
The Source:  Purchased at Books on Board
The Grade: B+
The Blurb:

One thing’s for sure: his dream mate will have to out-cuss, out-spit and out-hike him. So he never expected the one to push his forever button would be a blue-blooded Southern debutante with a voice as dark and velvety as her skin. When Gemmita Jacobs steps off the plane in Whitehorse, Yukon, it’s about more than her caribou research project. It’s her declaration of independence from an overprotected upbringing. Except there’s something in the air she can’t quite define—something that unexpectedly rouses her mating instincts. Lone wolf Shaun Stevens’s automatic response to the words “happily ever after”? Kill me now. Yet with all his friends settling down he’s begun to think there may actually be something to this love-and-roses crap. Moments after their eyes lock, the deed is done—and done thoroughly. When the pheromone dust settles, though, all the reasons they don’t belong together become painfully clear.

It’s enough to make a wolf learn a whole new set of cuss words…

The Review: 
What I liked:
I liked the Granite Wolves shortstories, so when I saw that Vivian Arend was working on a fulllength novel set in the same world, I pre-ordered it.   This was a fun read.  Gem and Shaun is each other opposites.  Gem is a southern belle that has had a sheltered life until now. Shaun is more experienced.   I liked that both acknowledged their mate bond, but they knew it would require work. It was fun to read about their struggles to adapt.  I loved that Gem refused to change her plans, no matter how hard Shaun tried to convince her.   It was fascinating to see Gem shake off the restrictions she was used too, and bloom in the wilderness.

What I didn’t like: 

This didn’t affect the story, but the fact that  Gem’s  college professor and the rest of the students came to her HOUSE to hold the laborations baffles me.  Wouldn’t it have been cheaper for Gem to attend with a bodyguard in tow?  Also, safety reasons. I suspect if something had happened during the laboration, it would have been Gem’s father that was responsible not the university.
I also felt that the subplot between Caroline and Evan didn’t add anything too the story, but was there solely to add length.

Spooktacular Giveaway: The Granite Lake Wolves series by Vivian Arend

On By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance102 Comments

CONTEST OVER. Winners will be announced tomorrow.
Welcome to my part of the hop.  I am in a generous mood, so I am giving two winners the chance to win the Granite Wolves series in print.  To Enter, just leave a comment with your e-mail.

Under the Northern Lights contains the following stories:

Wolf Signs
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 1

Talk about getting your signals crossed…
Robyn Maxwell doesn’t care that her brother has to cancel out on their backcountry ski trip. She can do it alone. The fact she’s deaf doesn’t make her survival skills any weaker. The chance to get away from it all and relax in the Yukon wilderness is just what she’s been craving.

Wolf Flight
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 2

An untriggered werewolf. A runaway Omega. It’s not easy fighting destiny.
Tad Maxwell’s workaholism serves to keep his bush pilot company in the air, and his inner werewolf in check. In the two years since he discovered his heritage, he’s resisted the longing to test the power of his wolf side. It would mean compromising his human principles.

Under the Midnight Sun contains the last two stories:

Wolf Games
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 3

True love’s path never did run smooth.
After seven years of total denial, Maggie Raynor’s body—and her inner wolf—are in full revolt. Weak and shaky, she literally falls into the very large and capable arms of the Granite Lake Beta, Erik Costanov. The last thing she wants is a mate, particularly when just looking at another wolf scares her to death. And one as big and sexy as Erik? Really bad idea, no matter what her libido says.

Wolf Tracks
Granite Lake Wolves, Book 4

Score one for the underdog … er … wolf.
TJ Lynus is a legend in Granite Lake, both for his easygoing demeanor—and his clumsiness. His carefree acceptance of his lot vanishes, though, when his position as best man brings him face to face with someone he didn’t expect. His mate. His very human mate. Suddenly, one thing is crystal clear: if he intends to claim her, his usual laid-back attitude isn’t going to cut it.

Note: These are novellas, so the Print version will look different.  Still contains the same stories, though.

Review: Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh

On By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

Archangel's Blade (Guild Hunter, #4)Archangel’s Blade by Nalini Singh

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Trying to discover the identity of a murder victim brings together the vampire Dmitri and a hunter for the Guild, Honor. And as the gruesome murders continue, a lethal sensuality explodes between them.

When I heard that the next GuildHunter book would be about Dmitri, I was a bit curious how Ms Singh would manage to redeem him. I must say, she succeeded splendily. This is a complex, violent tale about venegance. It was interesting to see the world through Dmitri and Honor. The two main treads in this tale, is what happened to Holly, and Dmitri’s past. As Dmitri and Honor start to search for the ones that planned Holly’s aduction, they reveal the dirt sides of the society. Paralell to this, Dmitri is working on another case, on that leads straight to his past.
I was a bit surprised that I wasn’t bothered more by the violence, but it feels right. Dmitri is ruthless, and it would have been odd if he hadn’t acted like he did. Or maybe it is that I expect the GuildHunter novels to be violent.
Or maybe it is that there is so much more in the book that counter it, the friendship between Honor, Ashwini and Vivek. The way Honor treats Holly. The glimpses into Dmitri’s past.

Honestly, this review only scrapes the surface of the book. To really appreaciate it, you need to read the book.

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Review: Bear Necessites by Dana Marie Bell

On By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

Bear Necessities by Dana Marie Bell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The blurb:

To Bear Necessities (Halle Shifters, #1)hold onto his love, he must release his beast. Halle Shifters, Book 1 Once a Bear sets his mind on a mission, it’s best to stay out of his way. Alexander “Bunny” Bunsun is that Bear. Something’s not right with his cousin Chloe, and he’s come to Halle, PA, to sort it out, turn his Harley around and head home to Oregon. Until an enticing scent lures him into the local tattoo shop. There she is. An inked, Southern-drawled she-Wolf with lime-green hair. His perfect mate.
Tabitha Garwood’s rotten day just got worse. Her Outcast status makes her a target for harassment with alarming regularity. And now, in the middle of a root touch-up, looking like a half-melted Skittle, she’s met her destined mate.
The only upside? She finally has a protector in the form of a huge, tattooed, shaved-head Bear who vibrates with carefully restrained power. When Chloe is left for dead and Tabby is threatened, only Alex can keep his growing family safe.
Giving Tabby the loving home she needs, though, could come at a price-Alex must give up the control he’s worked a lifetime to attain. Which means someone could die at the hands-and claws-of his beast.
Warning: This novel contains explicit sex, graphic language, a hunky Bear named Bunny and . . . Yes. I said a Bear named Bunny. I don’t know about you but I’m not brave enough to make fun of it

The Review:
I picked up this book after finishing Blood of the Maple, mainly because I wanted to read Dana Marie Bells Samhain titles. The title of this book caught my attention, were-bears sounded like an unusual twist. In fact, this book was full of unusual twists. There are mates, a standard trope in Paranormal Romance. I loved how both Alexander and Tabby accepted that they were mates, just like that. Which means that their HEA never really in question. That doesn’t mean they have an easy path, far from it. I loved how they slowly started to trust each other, especially Tabby. Tabby has a reason for not trusting people, and I loved how the author handled the solution to that, showing Tabby that she wasn’t alone. ( I am not going into any details, read the book  )
What made me like this book so much, wasn’t the characters, or the plot. No, it was the way all of it worked together to create a story that left me satisfied. And in my mind, there is no bigger praise.

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Review: Kiss at Your Own Risk by Stephanie Rowe

On By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

Kiss at Your Own RiskKiss at Your Own Risk by Stephanie Rowe

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The blurb:

Trinity Harpswell is a cursed Black Widow-death and mayhem are all part of the job description. If she can manage to go just one more week without accidentally killing someone, she’ll break this killer curse and put her Black Widow days behind her. When sexy Blaine Underhill III shows up at her door and asks for her help rescuing his friend from the clutches of Death’s evil grandma, Trinity gets pulled into a daring high stakes adventure. As Blaine and Trinity join forces to take down a series of underworld assassins, they may just learn that love is the deadliest game of all.

The review:
Stephanie Rowe has been on my Authors-to-check out list for years, so when Sourcebooks offered this one for free, I snagged it up.
And I am glad I did. This book starts with action, and it doesn’t slow down. But the reason I loved this book was the characters. The characters were a mix of good sides, and bad sides. Their goals were grounded in their pasts. In a way, all the goals made sense, even though their methods might be frowned upon. Both Blaine and Tracy were a bit homicidal, but they fit. In fact, I loved how Blaine saw Tracy’s homicidal tendencies as a sign of love.
I am really glad that I picked up this book, and I’ll definitely pick up the next book in the series.

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Review: Sabine by Moira Rogers

On By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

Sabine (And the Beast #1)Sabine by Moira Rogers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Book: Sabine by Moira Rogers

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain, available as e-book

Why was it in my TBR? I have waited for this book

The Review:

The blurb:

After three years at war, the High Lord of the Forest returns to his lands, a victorious wolf leader intent on claiming his mate. Instead Ciar finds an empty bed and a court with no recollection of the woman he loved. Following her long-cold trail proves far easier than facing what awaits him at the end.

My impressions:

This is shorter than Moira Rogers normally writes, and that shows.The story is well written, and made me forget the rest of the world. The characters are vibrant. The story is heartwrenching, and made me say aw several times. But, it isn’t perfect. In places it felt shallow, as if it was a category novel disguised as a short story. Still, I will buy the next tale in the series and hope that this story is revised and expanded in a couple of years.

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Archangel’s Consort by Nalini Singh

On By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations, Paranormal Romance

Archangel's ConsortArchangel’s Consort by Nalini Singh

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Particulars: Urban Fantasy, Penguin, available in massmarket and e-book

Why it was in my TBR pile? Because I love this series

The review:

The blurb:

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux and her lover, the lethally beautiful archangel Raphael, have returned home to New York only to face an uncompromising new evil…

A vampire has attacked a girls’ school—the assault one of sheer, vicious madness—and it is only the first act. Rampant bloodlust takes vampire after vampire, threatening to make the streets run with blood. Then Raphael himself begins to show signs of an uncontrolled rage, as inexplicable storms darken the city skyline and the earth itself shudders.

The omens are suddenly terrifyingly clear.

An ancient and malevolent immortal is rising. The violent winds whisper her name: Caliane. She has returned to reclaim her son, Raphael. Only one thing stands in her way: Elena, the consort who must be destroyed…
My impressions:

This is the third book in the Guild Hunter series. So far, each book in the series have been better than the one before. With the Archangel’s Consort, Nalini Singh have created a heart-stabbing story that crackles with tension. The tension is a multifaceted thread that goes through the novel. Each word, each scene helps ramps it up until I almost wanted to put down the book, because it is too much. Yet at the same time, I didn’t. I wanted to know what happens next.

My heart wept when Elena struggled with balancing her new life and her old. I rejoiced when she claimed a part of Raphael’s manor. Both the good things and the bad things helped to make this a story about love. Not just the love Raphael and Elena feel for each other, but most of all the love a child feels for a parent, no matter how many times they had been hurt.

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