Review: Silent Blade by Ilona Andrews

On 16/09/2011 By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

The blurb:
On Meli Galdes’ home planet, the struggle for power is a bloody, full-contact sport—in business and on the battlefield. For years her lethal skills have been a valuable asset in advancing her family’s interests. She’s more than earned her right to retire, but her kinsmen have one last favor to ask.

Kill the man who ruined her life.

The Review:
Since Silver Shark was released today, I decided to review the prequel. The world of the Kinsmen is fascinating. At the same time high tech, yet it almost feels regency when it comes to the families. I’ll admit, the fact that Meli was engaged to Celino at the age of 10 felt wrong, yet it is a part of society. I loved how Meli accepted the contract, and used all she knew about Celino to snare him in.

The result is a delicious dance of love past and present. As she plans to get her revenge, Celino falls hard. And so does she. Yet she walked away. I loved that, there felt like poetic justice. But, they get their HEA, so don’t worry. And I loved the ending. It fit the story perfectly

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Review: Exotic Indulgence

On 31/08/2011 By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

Exotic Indulgence by Vivian Arend

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

The blurb:

There’s something magical about Bandicoot Cove. It’s where Kylie Sullivan’s dream of managing a luxury, five-star resort is about to come true. And it’s where people tend to fall in love. Kylie should know. She’s fallen hard—for three very different men.

The Review:
Normally I don’t review short-stories, but I decided to make an exception.
This is exactly what the cover says a sizzling short story set in Australia. This is a co-authored story, and it shows a couple of times. The cut between the scenes feels a bit abrupt, and I didn’t like the tone in some of the scenes. Nothing gross, it was just a few word choices. Also, thee relationship between Kylie and her men feels rushed, like they feel have to convince her that they have something more than sex before the resort opens. Still, it is sizzling, short read that it is a great lunch read.
And it is free. You can download it at all major e-bookstores.( Watch out with Booksonboard, though, they charge 0.99 for it)

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Review: Bear Necessites by Dana Marie Bell

On 24/08/2011 By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

Bear Necessities by Dana Marie Bell

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The blurb:

To 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: Sabine by Moira Rogers

On 13/05/2011 By MikaelaIn Paranormal Romance

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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Review: Wilder’s Mate by Moira Rogers

On 18/04/2011 By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

Wilder’s Mate by Moira Rogers

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Book: Wilder’s Mate by Moira Rogers

The Particulars: Steampunk, Samhain, e-book

Why was it in my TBR? I was in the mood for steampunk

The Review:

The blurb:

Wilder Harding is a bloodhound, created by the Guild to hunt down and kill vampires on America’s frontier. His enhanced abilities come with a high price: on the full moon, he becomes capable of savagery beyond telling, while the new moon brings a sexual hunger that borders on madness.

Rescuing a weapons inventor from undead kidnappers is just another assignment, though one with an added complication—keeping his hands off the man’s pretty young apprentice, who insists on tagging along.

My impressions:

I loved this. The world of a bloodhounds is grim, and gritty. The bloodhounds were a fresh take on Vampire hunters. I loved how Moira Rogers have added details from real dogs, and used them to create a sizzling tale about determination, survival and love. Wilder’s and Satira’s journey into the Deathlands felt realistic. The combination of a well-crafted plot, interesting characters, and a fascinating made this a satisfying tale.

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Falling, Freestyle by Vivian Arend

On 03/03/2011 By MikaelaIn Uncategorized

Falling, Freestyle by Vivian Arend

My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The Book: Falling, Freestyle by Vivian Arend

The Particulars: Erotic Contemporary Romance, Samhain, available as e-book

Why was it in my TBR? I like Vivian Arend

The Review:

The blurb:

Dara’s past four incredible years have been lived to the fullest. Along with her best friends, Kane and Jack, she’s left no local wilderness unexplored, no ski slope unchallenged. Yet lately she wonders why they’ve never seen her as more than a buddy with breasts. When—or if—either man will cross that unspoken line.
It’s a line Kane eyes harder every day. Since high school, he and Jack have shared everything. A condo, vacations—and their best girl. Kane’s ready to get serious about his wilderness school and outfitter business, and that includes putting down roots. Preferably with Dara.
Wary of the men who’ve recently been sniffing around Dara, Jack has a growing sense that he or Kane better make a move soon, or they’re going to lose out on their perfect match. Question is, who does she prefer…and who’s going to bring their easygoing trio to an end?
Overhearing the boys arguing over her, Dara’s floored—and torn. Choose between them? No way. Drastic measures are called for, a plan for their annual holiday getaway that will clarify her feelings once and for all—or lose everything in a sexual storm of whiteout proportions.
Warning: Old friends turned lovers can get into the most trouble—exhibitionism, bondage, spanking. Anal sex, oral sex, unauthorized use of ski safety harnesses, icicles in the hot tub…the author apologizes in advance for any melted monitors.

My impressions:

I like friends to lover stories, I like threesomes. Most of all, I like Vivian Arend. So, this felt like a guaranteed good read. I must admit, I was some what disappointed. Oh, it isn’t bad, but it isn’t the sizzling book I had expected. There was a lot of sex, the interaction between characters. But, it felt like everything went too smoothly. There was no conflict. Oh, sometimes it was hinted
at, but it never interrupted the story.

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On 10/02/201112/07/2014 By MikaelaIn Book Recommendations1 Comment

Deadlock by Moira Rogers

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The particulars: Urban Fantasy, Samhain, available as e-book

The Review:

The Blurb:

Carmen Mendoza’s shapeshifter father abandoned her. Raised by her psychic mother, Carmen ignored her paternal family’s political machinations–until the day they decided to use her in their bid for power. Trapped between two worlds and snared by a vicious spell meant to wake her inner wolf, Carmen’s only hope is to trust the one man strong enough to soothe her darkest instincts.

Born a pureblood wolf, Alec Jacobson lives as a rebel, the black sheep alpha who protects the supernatural residents of New Orleans from wolf politics. Too bad he can’t protect himself from his need for Carmen. Staking a claim on his enemy’s niece will turn his city into a battleground, unless he can find a way to stop breaking the rules–and start making them.

My impressions:

This book is the third book in the Southern Arcana Series. While it stands alone, I recommend that you read Crux and Crossroads first, to get all the nuances.

The plot is fast paced, and hooks you from page one. Both Carmen and Alec are strong characters, prepared to fight for what they want. They fight each other, the Council, and Carmen’s family. But not necessarily in that order.
Each scene crackle with tension. Both sexual tension between Alec and Carmen, but also the tension that stems from not knowing what will drop on them next.

It was fascinating to read exactly how they bend the rules. And I bit my nails during the last pages.
So, I truly recommend it for anyone that are interested in a good read.

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