Genre: Comtemporary romance-adult/erotic
The Siren is a modern-day retelling of My Fair Lady with uptight English literary fiction editor Zachary Easton as an unwilling Professor Higgins and well-known wild child Nora Sutherlin as his erotica-writing Eliza Doolittle. Zach only has six weeks left at Royal House New York before he heads to Los Angeles to take over as Chief Managing Editor at Royal West. When his boss orders him to help Nora Sutherlin rewrite her latest novel, Zach agrees to work with her only if he is given complete control over the fate of her book. If Nora doesn’t rewrite it to his satisfaction in six weeks, Royal won’t publish it.
{5 stars}
ARC provided by netgalley
This book was not what I expected at all. It is NOT in any way a lite funny erotic story. It IS a dark emotional trip I didn't know I wanted to take. There is some very dark subject matter, it is truly not for the closed minded unadventurous reader. The synopsis leads you to believe this is a retelling of My Fair Lady, and in a small way, it is. But I don't feel like Nora was Eliza anymore than I feel Zach was the professor. In many ways Eliza was the professor, teaching Zach more things about himself than he ever realized. Nora's world is dark, but she surrounds herself with things she wishes for. The light in Wesley, and the gray in Zach. Which way will she go? She left her dark lord years ago, for reasons only she can understand, no matter what you read. Her connection to Soren is complicated and eternal. But when she leaves him, she finds herself in the postion to take control when she never had any previously. And she becomes the true Queen of darkness. And she shows Zach a glimpse into her kingdom. It's darker than I had ever imagined. The book Nora is writing is always the question in the back of your mind. Is it about her and Soren? Or her and Wesley? This journey brought out some emotions I don't generally get when reading, but nevertheless, I enjoyed the journey all the same. If you are looking for a standard HEA, look elsewhere, this will not be the HEA you are expecting. But that doesn't mean it isn't a HEA afterall......
Friday, August 24, 2012
Tuesday, August 21, 2012
Elisabeth Naughton-Enslaved (Eternal Guardians #5)
Genre: Paranormal Romance-greek mythology
After being rescued from the Underworld, Gryphon is plagued by strange voices and an evil foreboding. He believes that his only hope for salvation is to track down the goddess who cursed him...until he meets Maelea.
A prisoner with no bars, Maelea encounters Gryphon on her quest to find Olympus. He's about to test her loyalty to the gods, and she's ready to find out if he still has a heart worth saving...
{5 stars}
ARC provided by netgalley
Comfortable, this is just one of those series I just enjoy reading. I picked it up because I have a fondness for Greek Mythology, and had never read anything about the Argonauts. This series does not disappoint. The characters (and couples) are well developed and balanced for each other, they just seem to "fit" when they find each other. And this series is not the same old "history" that has been written to death. Daemons, Gods, the Underworld, it has it all without repeating themes. It is a refreshing change and keeps my interest each time I read the next installment.
Gryphon and Maelea have had it worst of all in the luck department. Gryphon's soul was stolen and sent to the Underworld to be tortured and enslaved by Atalanta And Maelea has been alive for thousands of years because of her parents, two greedy, angry, selfish GODS. This book just seems to flow perfectly. Gryphon and Maelea are planning to escape from the colony (for different reasons) and wind up teaming up just to survive. They really are a balanced couple, both needing to balance the dark in him, and the light in her. Their story brings this series forward in a big way. It may not seem as climactic as previous ones, but I think that's what made it work. It was just their story, and two people finding the "balance" they needed. But, the ending did leave us with the series moving in a whole new direction, with new enemies to battle. Can't wait for the next one....
After being rescued from the Underworld, Gryphon is plagued by strange voices and an evil foreboding. He believes that his only hope for salvation is to track down the goddess who cursed him...until he meets Maelea.
A prisoner with no bars, Maelea encounters Gryphon on her quest to find Olympus. He's about to test her loyalty to the gods, and she's ready to find out if he still has a heart worth saving...
{5 stars}
ARC provided by netgalley
Comfortable, this is just one of those series I just enjoy reading. I picked it up because I have a fondness for Greek Mythology, and had never read anything about the Argonauts. This series does not disappoint. The characters (and couples) are well developed and balanced for each other, they just seem to "fit" when they find each other. And this series is not the same old "history" that has been written to death. Daemons, Gods, the Underworld, it has it all without repeating themes. It is a refreshing change and keeps my interest each time I read the next installment.
Gryphon and Maelea have had it worst of all in the luck department. Gryphon's soul was stolen and sent to the Underworld to be tortured and enslaved by Atalanta And Maelea has been alive for thousands of years because of her parents, two greedy, angry, selfish GODS. This book just seems to flow perfectly. Gryphon and Maelea are planning to escape from the colony (for different reasons) and wind up teaming up just to survive. They really are a balanced couple, both needing to balance the dark in him, and the light in her. Their story brings this series forward in a big way. It may not seem as climactic as previous ones, but I think that's what made it work. It was just their story, and two people finding the "balance" they needed. But, the ending did leave us with the series moving in a whole new direction, with new enemies to battle. Can't wait for the next one....
Saturday, August 18, 2012
Jennifer Ashley-Bodyguard (Shifters Unbound #2.5)
Genre: Paranormal Romance-shifter
Elizabeth Chapman is saved from an armed robber by a giant Kodiak bear who shifts into a large, well-muscled, and fully bare human. But when it's revealed that the robber is the brother of a dangerous criminal, Elizabeth finds herself the target of a vendetta.
Ronan, the Bear Shifter, takes her to Shiftertown, where she finds that mateless Ronan takes care of Shifters who have no families or clans of their own. Having grown up in foster care herself, Elizabeth can only admire how protective Ronan is, even while she chafes at the confinement.
But Ronan will only let her leave the safety of Shiftertown if he becomes her 24/7 bodyguard. Elizabeth finally agrees. The trouble is, the sassy human Elizabeth is triggering Ronan's long-buried need to find himself a mate.
{4 stars}
I'm really starting to have a fondness for Bear Shifters. Ronan is a great character, charming, funny, and fiercely protective of those he loves. Elizabeth kind of stumbles into his life when he saves her from a robber, and the sparks fly from there. It's a great little novella, would have loved it to be a full book, but was still enough to be a great story.
Elizabeth Chapman is saved from an armed robber by a giant Kodiak bear who shifts into a large, well-muscled, and fully bare human. But when it's revealed that the robber is the brother of a dangerous criminal, Elizabeth finds herself the target of a vendetta.
Ronan, the Bear Shifter, takes her to Shiftertown, where she finds that mateless Ronan takes care of Shifters who have no families or clans of their own. Having grown up in foster care herself, Elizabeth can only admire how protective Ronan is, even while she chafes at the confinement.
But Ronan will only let her leave the safety of Shiftertown if he becomes her 24/7 bodyguard. Elizabeth finally agrees. The trouble is, the sassy human Elizabeth is triggering Ronan's long-buried need to find himself a mate.
{4 stars}
I'm really starting to have a fondness for Bear Shifters. Ronan is a great character, charming, funny, and fiercely protective of those he loves. Elizabeth kind of stumbles into his life when he saves her from a robber, and the sparks fly from there. It's a great little novella, would have loved it to be a full book, but was still enough to be a great story.
Tuesday, August 14, 2012
Chelsea Cain-Kill You Twice (Book #5)
Mystery Thriller
Nothing makes Portland detective Archie Sheridan happier than knowing that Gretchen Lowell—the serial killer whose stunning beauty is belied by the gruesome murders she’s committed—is locked away in a psych ward. Archie can finally heal from the near-fatal physical and emotional wounds she’s inflicted on him and start moving on with his life.
To this end, Archie throws himself into the latest case to come across his desk: A cyclist has discovered a corpse in Mount Tabor Park on the eastern side of Portland. The man was gagged, skinned, and found hanging by his wrists from a tree. It’s the work of a killer bold and clever enough to torture his victim for hours on a sunny summer morning in a big public park and yet leave no trace.
And then Archie gets a message he can’t ignore—Gretchen claims to have inside knowledge about this grisly murder. Archie finally agrees to visit Gretchen, because he can’t risk losing his only lead in the case. At least, that’s what he tells himself . . . but the ties between Archie and Gretchen have always been stronger, deeper, and more complex than he’s willing to admit, even to himself. What game is she playing this time? And even more frightening, what long-hidden secrets from Gretchen’s past have been dredged up that someone would kill to protect?
{5 stars}
Another page turning hit. Chelsea Cain has one of the darkest imaginations I have ever read, and I love every word of it. Archie and Gretchen go way back, back to when she kidnapped him and tortured him nearly to death. Now they have this bizarre connection that neither one can break or are willing to break. Gretchen is locked away in a mental hospital, but someone is killing people that leads Archie closer to solving some old murders that are blamed on Gretchen.
This book has all the plot twists and turns that keep you trying to figure out who the killer is, how is the murderer tied to Gretchen, and where the hell did Gretchen come from. Archie gets closer than he has ever gotten to discovering all her secrets. And wow, are there some jaw dropping surprises! Cain's character development has reached an amazing level. Archie, Henry, and Susan are all back for another round of murder, thrills, scares, and near-death moments. Add in Claire, Leo and Bliss and you have the perfect balance. The plot with Archie, Susan, and Gretchen has reached a comfortable level where you can almost guess what they are thinking, or what they are going to do. And as we peel back the layers of Gretchen's life, we only get more questions. Leaving us with another cliff hangar ending.
Nothing makes Portland detective Archie Sheridan happier than knowing that Gretchen Lowell—the serial killer whose stunning beauty is belied by the gruesome murders she’s committed—is locked away in a psych ward. Archie can finally heal from the near-fatal physical and emotional wounds she’s inflicted on him and start moving on with his life.
To this end, Archie throws himself into the latest case to come across his desk: A cyclist has discovered a corpse in Mount Tabor Park on the eastern side of Portland. The man was gagged, skinned, and found hanging by his wrists from a tree. It’s the work of a killer bold and clever enough to torture his victim for hours on a sunny summer morning in a big public park and yet leave no trace.
And then Archie gets a message he can’t ignore—Gretchen claims to have inside knowledge about this grisly murder. Archie finally agrees to visit Gretchen, because he can’t risk losing his only lead in the case. At least, that’s what he tells himself . . . but the ties between Archie and Gretchen have always been stronger, deeper, and more complex than he’s willing to admit, even to himself. What game is she playing this time? And even more frightening, what long-hidden secrets from Gretchen’s past have been dredged up that someone would kill to protect?
{5 stars}
Another page turning hit. Chelsea Cain has one of the darkest imaginations I have ever read, and I love every word of it. Archie and Gretchen go way back, back to when she kidnapped him and tortured him nearly to death. Now they have this bizarre connection that neither one can break or are willing to break. Gretchen is locked away in a mental hospital, but someone is killing people that leads Archie closer to solving some old murders that are blamed on Gretchen.
This book has all the plot twists and turns that keep you trying to figure out who the killer is, how is the murderer tied to Gretchen, and where the hell did Gretchen come from. Archie gets closer than he has ever gotten to discovering all her secrets. And wow, are there some jaw dropping surprises! Cain's character development has reached an amazing level. Archie, Henry, and Susan are all back for another round of murder, thrills, scares, and near-death moments. Add in Claire, Leo and Bliss and you have the perfect balance. The plot with Archie, Susan, and Gretchen has reached a comfortable level where you can almost guess what they are thinking, or what they are going to do. And as we peel back the layers of Gretchen's life, we only get more questions. Leaving us with another cliff hangar ending.
Sunday, August 12, 2012
Sophie Oak-Beauty (A Faery Story #3)
Paranormal Romance-erotic-faery
In one horrifying night, Bronwyn Finn lost her family, her kingdom, and the princes who had haunted her dreams for years. Left alone, years pass as she fights for survival and craves revenge against the uncle who took everything from her. But she’s never forgotten her Dark Ones.
A tragedy marred Lach and Shim McIver’s future. The future kings of the Unseelie Fae are obsessed with finding their promised wife—Bronwyn. Lach and Shim have never stopped believing that Bronwyn is their mate. She is the bond that connects the halves of their shared soul.
With the blessing of the renegade kings, Beck and Cian Finn, Lach and Shim begin a dangerous quest to find their bride before Torin and his hags take her life.
Across two planes, a war will rage. Lives will be lost. Love will be found. And the Seelie Fae will welcome their true kings home
{2 stars}
This is the first Sophie Oak book I had to force myself to finish. I, for whatever reason, couldn't attach to these characters. I loved the first book with Beck and Cian, didn't really care for the second book with Dante and Kaja, but my drive to see how the series would end kept me going. But I skimmed, and fast forwarded (kindle) to the end. I can't put my finger on a precise thing that I didn't like. I just didn't like the dragging of the story and Lach and Shim were not characters I was attracted to. Dissapointed to say the least, but not enough to give up my Sophie Oak addiction.
The best part of this book was the names and places that were, let's just say, the alternate plane of existence for our beloved Bliss characters.
In one horrifying night, Bronwyn Finn lost her family, her kingdom, and the princes who had haunted her dreams for years. Left alone, years pass as she fights for survival and craves revenge against the uncle who took everything from her. But she’s never forgotten her Dark Ones.
A tragedy marred Lach and Shim McIver’s future. The future kings of the Unseelie Fae are obsessed with finding their promised wife—Bronwyn. Lach and Shim have never stopped believing that Bronwyn is their mate. She is the bond that connects the halves of their shared soul.
With the blessing of the renegade kings, Beck and Cian Finn, Lach and Shim begin a dangerous quest to find their bride before Torin and his hags take her life.
Across two planes, a war will rage. Lives will be lost. Love will be found. And the Seelie Fae will welcome their true kings home
{2 stars}
This is the first Sophie Oak book I had to force myself to finish. I, for whatever reason, couldn't attach to these characters. I loved the first book with Beck and Cian, didn't really care for the second book with Dante and Kaja, but my drive to see how the series would end kept me going. But I skimmed, and fast forwarded (kindle) to the end. I can't put my finger on a precise thing that I didn't like. I just didn't like the dragging of the story and Lach and Shim were not characters I was attracted to. Dissapointed to say the least, but not enough to give up my Sophie Oak addiction.
The best part of this book was the names and places that were, let's just say, the alternate plane of existence for our beloved Bliss characters.
Saturday, August 11, 2012
Chloe Neill--Biting Cold (Chicagoland Vampires Novel)
Paranormal Romance-vampires, shifters, magic
Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined.And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans. Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed.
No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on...
{5 stars}
***spoiler alert***
All good thing come to those who wait......you are forgiven Ms. Neill
It is always a risky move to kill off a main character, and an even riskier move to bring him back from ashes. Ethan is back, but somewhat changed, I guess dying can do that to you. And after we had come so far with his and Merit's relationship, it seemed we were back to square one. Ethan was pushing Merit away out of fear, and it took Merit knocking him (literally) on his ass for him to get over it. Mallory has been caught again after getting to the Maleficium and unleashing a whole new evil into Chicago. And you'll just have to read the book, because it is too complicated to even closely explain. Let's just say there are angels, good and bad, major magic in play, new allies added to the team, and a Faerie Queen willing to help the motley crew of Cadogan House. All the parts of this story fall into place and we once again get the comfort of Ethan and Merit being together again. The future of Cadogan House is uncertain, but with Ethan and Merit running the show, it can only be an adventure.
Turned into a vampire against her will, twenty-eight-year-old Merit found her way into the dark circle of Chicago’s vampire underground, where she learned there was more to supernaturals than met the eye—and more supernaturals than the public ever imagined.And not all the secrets she learned were for sharing—among humans or inhumans. Now Merit is on the hunt, charging across the stark American Midwest, tailing a rogue supernatural intent on stealing an ancient artifact that could unleash catastrophic evil on the world. But Merit is also the prey. An enemy of Chicagoland is hunting her, and he’ll stop at nothing to get the book for himself. No mercy allowed.
No rules apply. No lives spared. The race is on...
{5 stars}
***spoiler alert***
All good thing come to those who wait......you are forgiven Ms. Neill
It is always a risky move to kill off a main character, and an even riskier move to bring him back from ashes. Ethan is back, but somewhat changed, I guess dying can do that to you. And after we had come so far with his and Merit's relationship, it seemed we were back to square one. Ethan was pushing Merit away out of fear, and it took Merit knocking him (literally) on his ass for him to get over it. Mallory has been caught again after getting to the Maleficium and unleashing a whole new evil into Chicago. And you'll just have to read the book, because it is too complicated to even closely explain. Let's just say there are angels, good and bad, major magic in play, new allies added to the team, and a Faerie Queen willing to help the motley crew of Cadogan House. All the parts of this story fall into place and we once again get the comfort of Ethan and Merit being together again. The future of Cadogan House is uncertain, but with Ethan and Merit running the show, it can only be an adventure.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)