By Lynsay Sands, Pamela Palmer, and Jaime Rush
This was a thoroughly enjoyable trio of stories, all revolving around a Valentine’s Day theme.
Anyone who’s familiar with the Lynsay Sands Argeneau vampires will especially love the story, Vampire Valentine. Marguerite Argeneau is up to her old match-making tricks. This time her victims are Tiny McGraw, human private investigator, and Mirabeau La Roche, vampire private investigator. This was an action packed story that was also lots of fun.
In Hearts Untamed, Pamela Palmer gives us a story of the Feral Warriors. This is the first I’ve read of these immortals, and I really hope it won’t be the last. In this story, Julianna has just learned a terrible secret that could threaten her entire existence. With the return of the love of her life, Zeeland, she must fight with everything she possesses to keep him from learning her secret, which would put his life in jeopardy as well.
In Kiss and Kill Cupid, Jaime Rush gives us the story of Kristy Morgan, a writer who, just minutes before a job interview with sexy Adrian Kruger, learns that she’s the next intended victim of a serial killer that strikes only on Valentine’s Day. The problem is, no one would believe her if she said anything because she found out by listening to the killer’s thoughts. The moment she meets Adrian, sparks fly between them. Now she must figure out if he’s her savior or the killer.
Sunday, March 14, 2010
21. Immortal Sins
By Amanda Ashley
Vampire Jason Rourke was trapped in a painting 300 years ago by a wizard, in retribution for seducing the wizard’s daughter. Karinna Adams sees the painting in a local gallery and her fascination with it leads her to purchase it. Once she has it installed in her home she’s plagued with visions of the handsome man in the painting until one night she makes a wish and sets him free.
It’s not just his 300 year old thirst that draws Rourke to Kari, he’s never met anyone like her before. Her kindness and generosity of spirit make him feel things he didn’t think he was capable of feeling. She helps him adjust to the modern world, then helps him on his quest to free the wizard’s daughter, who was also trapped in a painting.
There’s lost of great action in this book and I really loved the characters. The ending was superb – when the wizard realizes the curse over Rourke was broken he comes after him, but finds Karinna instead. He’s defeated, but not before he traps Kari in a painting. Rourke is willing to sacrifice himself by going back into the painting, as long as he can spend eternity with the woman he loves.
Definitely a keeper!
Vampire Jason Rourke was trapped in a painting 300 years ago by a wizard, in retribution for seducing the wizard’s daughter. Karinna Adams sees the painting in a local gallery and her fascination with it leads her to purchase it. Once she has it installed in her home she’s plagued with visions of the handsome man in the painting until one night she makes a wish and sets him free.
It’s not just his 300 year old thirst that draws Rourke to Kari, he’s never met anyone like her before. Her kindness and generosity of spirit make him feel things he didn’t think he was capable of feeling. She helps him adjust to the modern world, then helps him on his quest to free the wizard’s daughter, who was also trapped in a painting.
There’s lost of great action in this book and I really loved the characters. The ending was superb – when the wizard realizes the curse over Rourke was broken he comes after him, but finds Karinna instead. He’s defeated, but not before he traps Kari in a painting. Rourke is willing to sacrifice himself by going back into the painting, as long as he can spend eternity with the woman he loves.
Definitely a keeper!
Saturday, March 6, 2010
17. 18. 19. 20. The Twilight Saga
by Stephanie Meyers
Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn
I think you'd pretty much have to live under a rock to not have at least heard about the Twilight Saga, so it seems a little pointless to go over the plot lines. I will say there's been a lot of controversy over the books, but isn’t there a saying that any press is good press?
Even though I love vampire romances, I've been avoiding this series. Why? Because I'm not really into the young adult genre when it comes to romance and I've let my opinion be coloured by all those critics out there – “the writing is really bad”, “her vampires sparkle, for crying out loud!”
Well, I’m not afraid to admit that not only did I read them, I enjoyed them. The story captured my attention enough that I didn't waste any time trying to analyze the writing. I blazed through the first two books in one week and the other two I fit into my busy schedule during the work week.
I think one of the things that made this an excellent series is that it allowed me to become emotionally involved in the characters and their story. At the end of the first book I felt sorry for Bella and thought Edward should be staked for what he did to her. At the end of the second book I thought Edward was too good for Bella. By the end of the third book I didn’t think she deserved either Edward or Jacob. And the fourth book neatly wrapped up the loose ends.
As far as the writing goes, I think what people need to bear in mind is that these were written with teenagers in mind, and I think the critics subconsciously enjoy the story but wanted it to be written for adults. And you know what? I don’t think it would have worked as well if it’d been written for adults.
And as far as the “sparkling” goes, the way it’s presented makes perfect sense. Perhaps we could have stood a little more explanation about why it happens, but the fact that it happens is important to the story. So there! :-p
So, while I wouldn’t say Twilight is up there with The Count of Monte Cristo, I’d still put a copy of it on my keeper shelf. As for all you folks up in arms about it, how many books have you had published that not only become best sellers but are made into movies as well?
That’s what I thought.
Twilight, New Moon, Eclipse, and Breaking Dawn
I think you'd pretty much have to live under a rock to not have at least heard about the Twilight Saga, so it seems a little pointless to go over the plot lines. I will say there's been a lot of controversy over the books, but isn’t there a saying that any press is good press?
Even though I love vampire romances, I've been avoiding this series. Why? Because I'm not really into the young adult genre when it comes to romance and I've let my opinion be coloured by all those critics out there – “the writing is really bad”, “her vampires sparkle, for crying out loud!”
Well, I’m not afraid to admit that not only did I read them, I enjoyed them. The story captured my attention enough that I didn't waste any time trying to analyze the writing. I blazed through the first two books in one week and the other two I fit into my busy schedule during the work week.
I think one of the things that made this an excellent series is that it allowed me to become emotionally involved in the characters and their story. At the end of the first book I felt sorry for Bella and thought Edward should be staked for what he did to her. At the end of the second book I thought Edward was too good for Bella. By the end of the third book I didn’t think she deserved either Edward or Jacob. And the fourth book neatly wrapped up the loose ends.
As far as the writing goes, I think what people need to bear in mind is that these were written with teenagers in mind, and I think the critics subconsciously enjoy the story but wanted it to be written for adults. And you know what? I don’t think it would have worked as well if it’d been written for adults.
And as far as the “sparkling” goes, the way it’s presented makes perfect sense. Perhaps we could have stood a little more explanation about why it happens, but the fact that it happens is important to the story. So there! :-p
So, while I wouldn’t say Twilight is up there with The Count of Monte Cristo, I’d still put a copy of it on my keeper shelf. As for all you folks up in arms about it, how many books have you had published that not only become best sellers but are made into movies as well?
That’s what I thought.
16. Belong to the Night
By Shelly Laurenston, Cynthia Eden & Sherrill Quinn
To be honest, I only picked this book up because of Sherrill Quinn’s name on the cover. I’ve read her work before and enjoyed it thoroughly. I have to admit, she keeps very good company! I enjoyed all three stories equally, they were all very different and I'd be hard pressed to chose a favourite.
The Wolf, the Witch, and Her Lack of Wardrobe is an intriguing tale of a coven of witches that co-existed with a town of shape-shifters. The shape-shifters just want to live in peace, the coven just wants to be left alone to do their thing. Trouble starts when the mayor of the town locks horns with the head of the coven and then escalates when the two must join forces when the town's in danger.
In the Dark offers a leopard-shifting FBI agent who's been dealing with the death of her lover, which is made more difficult when she runs into him in a bar and then is forced to accept his help with a case she's working on.
The City of the Dead has a witch who must deal with her committment issues if she wants to enlist the help of her on again, off again lover to help her find her missing brother. It might be easier if she could keep her hands off the sexy detective.
For anyone looking for spine-tingling adventure and hot sex, this book is the perfect answer to the long cold night.
To be honest, I only picked this book up because of Sherrill Quinn’s name on the cover. I’ve read her work before and enjoyed it thoroughly. I have to admit, she keeps very good company! I enjoyed all three stories equally, they were all very different and I'd be hard pressed to chose a favourite.
The Wolf, the Witch, and Her Lack of Wardrobe is an intriguing tale of a coven of witches that co-existed with a town of shape-shifters. The shape-shifters just want to live in peace, the coven just wants to be left alone to do their thing. Trouble starts when the mayor of the town locks horns with the head of the coven and then escalates when the two must join forces when the town's in danger.
In the Dark offers a leopard-shifting FBI agent who's been dealing with the death of her lover, which is made more difficult when she runs into him in a bar and then is forced to accept his help with a case she's working on.
The City of the Dead has a witch who must deal with her committment issues if she wants to enlist the help of her on again, off again lover to help her find her missing brother. It might be easier if she could keep her hands off the sexy detective.
For anyone looking for spine-tingling adventure and hot sex, this book is the perfect answer to the long cold night.
Thursday, February 11, 2010
15. Last of the Ravens
by Linda Winstead Jones
Though there are alot of peopleout there who scorn the category romance, I like them because if you're in the the mood for a certain type of story, a category romance is your best bet. That being said, Silhouette Nocturnes do not read like your typical "formula romance", I find very little formula about them.
This book was no exception. This was not just a story of a man who can shape shift into a flock of 77 ravens, the last of his kind. Nor was this just the story of a woman who can speak to ghosts. This wasn't even just the story of how they met and acknowledged the attraction between them.
The author spins a intricate web of mystery and danger, adventure and romance, hope and betrayal. It's also the story of acceptance and how two people find their way.
Though there are alot of peopleout there who scorn the category romance, I like them because if you're in the the mood for a certain type of story, a category romance is your best bet. That being said, Silhouette Nocturnes do not read like your typical "formula romance", I find very little formula about them.
This book was no exception. This was not just a story of a man who can shape shift into a flock of 77 ravens, the last of his kind. Nor was this just the story of a woman who can speak to ghosts. This wasn't even just the story of how they met and acknowledged the attraction between them.
The author spins a intricate web of mystery and danger, adventure and romance, hope and betrayal. It's also the story of acceptance and how two people find their way.
14. Sexy Beast V
Another anthology from Aphrodesia Erotic Romance.
First we have another Chanku tale from Kate Douglas. This is another story of Tala Quinn, taking place a little while after the story in Sexy Beast II. Tala has been working alongside her bonded mates AJ and Mik for a while now, and it's time for a break. They seek refuge in a cabin several of their packmates are already staying at and end up helping a friend in need with a very unique problem.
Vonna Harper gives us a tale of a woman who's kept herself at an emotional distance for most of her life. She meets up with a man who forces her to face down her emotional demons, and in turn she frees him as well.
The last story is an amazing one by Crystal Jordan. This story alone is well worth the price of the book. This futuristic tale begins with the survivor of a space ship crash wandering naked and lost through the snow. She's rescued by a bear shape-shifter and awakens to find she's been thrown 500 years into the future. I loved the world building and the bear shifters and the chemistry between the two main characters.
This anthology has the dubious honour of being one of the first books I've actually downloaded off the internet. I have to admit, this is not my favourite method of reading. I'm old, and the light is hard on my eyes. I'm sure that's why I read it so fast. It had nothing to do with the content. Really! ;-)
First we have another Chanku tale from Kate Douglas. This is another story of Tala Quinn, taking place a little while after the story in Sexy Beast II. Tala has been working alongside her bonded mates AJ and Mik for a while now, and it's time for a break. They seek refuge in a cabin several of their packmates are already staying at and end up helping a friend in need with a very unique problem.
Vonna Harper gives us a tale of a woman who's kept herself at an emotional distance for most of her life. She meets up with a man who forces her to face down her emotional demons, and in turn she frees him as well.
The last story is an amazing one by Crystal Jordan. This story alone is well worth the price of the book. This futuristic tale begins with the survivor of a space ship crash wandering naked and lost through the snow. She's rescued by a bear shape-shifter and awakens to find she's been thrown 500 years into the future. I loved the world building and the bear shifters and the chemistry between the two main characters.
This anthology has the dubious honour of being one of the first books I've actually downloaded off the internet. I have to admit, this is not my favourite method of reading. I'm old, and the light is hard on my eyes. I'm sure that's why I read it so fast. It had nothing to do with the content. Really! ;-)
13. Sexy Beast II
by Kate Douglas, Noelle Mack, & Kathleen Dante
I used to think of books like these as mind candy - stories that have no nutrition but are okay as a treat once in awhile. However, this book changed my mind. Yes, it's an erotic romance anthology so it has plenty of sex, but primarily it has really good stories that just happen to have sex in them.
From Kate Douglas we have a story of the Chanku, one that pre-dates Wolf Tales IV. This is the story of Lisa's sister Tala, who's lived a troubled life made worse by the fact she suffers amnesia. It's not until she's discovered by a Chanku couple, Mik and AJ, that she finds her true destiny.
Noelle Mack spins a tale of a hairdresser who goes on a fantastical vacation to France to groom a lion's mane. There she finds the immortal Jean Claude and is caught in his web of fantasy. And no, he's not a shapeshifter.
Kathleen Dante presents a tale of a woman on a quest to find information regarding her parents. She's rescued from a car crash by a hunky sheriff's deputy who helps her discover an astonishing family secret.
Any one of these stories makes this book worth buying.
I used to think of books like these as mind candy - stories that have no nutrition but are okay as a treat once in awhile. However, this book changed my mind. Yes, it's an erotic romance anthology so it has plenty of sex, but primarily it has really good stories that just happen to have sex in them.
From Kate Douglas we have a story of the Chanku, one that pre-dates Wolf Tales IV. This is the story of Lisa's sister Tala, who's lived a troubled life made worse by the fact she suffers amnesia. It's not until she's discovered by a Chanku couple, Mik and AJ, that she finds her true destiny.
Noelle Mack spins a tale of a hairdresser who goes on a fantastical vacation to France to groom a lion's mane. There she finds the immortal Jean Claude and is caught in his web of fantasy. And no, he's not a shapeshifter.
Kathleen Dante presents a tale of a woman on a quest to find information regarding her parents. She's rescued from a car crash by a hunky sheriff's deputy who helps her discover an astonishing family secret.
Any one of these stories makes this book worth buying.
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