Love Romance Passion » Wartime http://www.loveromancepassion.com Because Books Don't Fall Asleep Afterwards! Fri, 10 Feb 2012 09:00:00 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 Review: No Ordinary Love by Kate Lynd http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-no-ordinary-love-by-kate-lynd/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-no-ordinary-love-by-kate-lynd/#comments Sat, 14 Jan 2012 09:53:40 +0000 Lynn Reynolds http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13617

Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

This story is written in the first person.

Caliiope is a human rebel who was previously enslaved and tortured. She’s a member of the Resistance. During that time, she met James Lawton who is a half-breed. They first met when she was captured and put on a slave ship. They now pick up where they left off from when Caliope was first enslaved.

Kate has me wanting to read how Caliope and James met for the first time. What was it that made their first time so combustible? What was it that drew them to each other?

Kate gives us a lot of sex in just a few pages. I would have loved more of the story of Caliope’s and James’ adventures in their fight of the Capturian. I actually would have liked less sex, yes I said less sex, in this story. It’s like watching bad porn; you want to turn it off. Too much sex in this story just didn’t work for me.

I actually think that I would have liked Kate’s story more if the characters were more developed. Plus, the story was dropped and we’re left wanting more. Does this mean that there will be another book about the life of Caliope and James? What does the future have in store for them? Do they defeat the Capturian?

Rating: ★★★½☆

Buy: No Ordinary Love

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-no-ordinary-love-by-kate-lynd/feed/ 0 Review: The Legend of Michael by Lisa Renee Jones http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-legend-of-michael-by-lisa-renee-jones/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-legend-of-michael-by-lisa-renee-jones/#comments Tue, 06 Dec 2011 09:48:07 +0000 Lynn Reynolds http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13133

Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

This is the first book of the "Zodius" series.

Cassandra Powell comes to work for her father and to evaluate some of the soldiers at the military facility.  Not two minutes after literally bumping into one of the soldiers he's hitting on her.  His name is Michael Taylor.  She then goes to meet her assistant Kelly who tells her something interesting about the GTEC soldiers that she will be working with.  I love how Kelly tells Cassandra how to have protected sex - ok Mom!

Cassandra's father seems to be one of the evil forces in this story.  He's done some experiments on the soldiers that Cassandra must now see what the effects are.  He seems to think that he can play God and not be held accountable.  But there is someone who is much more evil than he is.

Michael goes on a mission with two brothers, Adam and Caleb.  Adam shows us how the experiment can take a turn for the worse.  What's even worse is that there is a woman, his wife, who's as evil as he is.  Lisa paints Adam as a very dark sadistic man.  He gets pleasure from other people's pain.  Lisa doesn't make it too graphic but just enough so the reader will understand the type of evil man he is.

Lisa takes the reader on a very suspenseful ride.  From one chapter to the next we don't know what's going to happen to Cassandra and Michael.  But we have to keep reading so that we can find out.  You have to love a hero that in the midst of a war going on, he has time to make love to his lifebond.

Cassandra's father isn't happy on how his soldiers have turned out, now he wants to create a super soldier.  This is one more reason to keep reading.  Was this latest experiment a success?   And how does Michael's mother fit into all this?  Lisa gives us a glimpse into a world where if you fool with Mother Nature, you will suffer the consequences.

I love how Lisa has given Cassandra a strong personality.  She either fights by Michael's side or she'll just go out on her own.  They also love each other - no matter what.  This is the type of love we all long for.

The story ends with us wondering whether good was able to defeat evil.  Who will prevail?  You will have to keep reading the series to find out the answer to this question.  I definitely recommend reading this series.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy: The Legend of Michael: Sin and Satisfaction (Zodius)

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-legend-of-michael-by-lisa-renee-jones/feed/ 0 Review: Midnight Waltz by Jennifer Blake http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-midnight-waltz-by-jennifer-blake/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-midnight-waltz-by-jennifer-blake/#comments Sun, 20 Nov 2011 15:43:03 +0000 Lynn Reynolds http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13221

Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

Amalie Peschier Declouet walks in on her mother-in-law, Sophia Declouet, speaking to her husband’s cousin Robert. Her husband, Julien, is a most proper man for the time period, nineteenth-century, and runs their estate located in Louisiana. There are lots of formalities that are followed – people are expected to act a certain way.

Jennifer does a great job of describing what the Belle Grove Estate looks like. Since this story occurs in times past, details are very important. Otherwise, a reader may get lost in the story. She also does a great job of describing the power of the raging water and the destruction it brings with it. The reader also sees the different ways that a family copes with having water in their house.

Jennifer also does a great job in giving her readers an insight into family life during this period of history. Slavery was a big part of that history but Jennifer does a great job of not making it the focal point. It’s not the best part of our history but Jennifer does show a kinder side of the Declouet family.

The only disappointment I have so far is that Amalie and Julien, just newly married, seem to have very little interaction with each other. The story seems to revolve more around Amalie. Once the water comes into the story their interactions change.

They have their first intimate moment, but the morning after leaves you wondering about Julien’s mood swings. We get the impression that Amalie lives with two different people. Julien acts so differently at night – so passionate. But during the day he’s so totally different. You’ll have to read the story and see if you agree or disagree with me.

Sometimes Jennifer’s scenes drag out a little too long. If this happens too often, the reader may get distracted and try to jump ahead (which I have been known to do in the past). When this happens, the reader may end up missing a good part of the story.

In amidst the beauty of life at Belle Grove, there is mystery and suspense. Although I don’t feel that this helps the story at all. There are some scenes that it just doesn’t hold my attention. Would the story have changed at all without some of it?

Patrick Dye is the estate’s overseer and the evil character of this story. As I was reading this story, all I could think about was how much he reminded me of Rod Sterling’s character, Jud Fry, in “Oklahoma”. His character would fit Patrick’s character to a “T”. You’ll have to read the story and see if you don’t feel the same.

This was OK for a historical romance but I will have to read more of Jennifer’s work to see if I like any of her other work. At times I felt that the story went on too long and would have liked it to be a little shorter. There was some romance for our characters but I’m a little “on the fence” about the sensuality of the story.

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Buy: Midnight Waltz

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-midnight-waltz-by-jennifer-blake/feed/ 0 Review: Tamed by a Highlander by Paula Quinn http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-tamed-by-a-highlander-by-paula-quinn/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-tamed-by-a-highlander-by-paula-quinn/#comments Tue, 30 Aug 2011 09:06:44 +0000 Lynn Reynolds http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=11945

Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

I haven’t read a historical romance in quite a while. I’ve been reading a lot of erotic and paranormal romances. I’ve recently gone back to reading the historical romances and I’m glad that I did. Paula has grabbed my attention right from the first page.

In reading Tamed by a Highlander you can picture how all the characters felt, acted, and what they would have been wearing at that period in time. Paula has a way of making you feel as if you’re a part of the story. It’s as if you are watching her characters as their story unfolds. She is like a great fisherman. She keeps you hooked until the very end.

The heroine of this story is Mairi MacGregor. The story starts in the spring of 1685 and we see Mairi wanting to go to battle with the rest of her kin. Our hero is Connor Grant and for some reason Mairi doesn’t like him very much. We also find out why she is so passionate about fighting the battle.

As the story continues, you can just feel the heat between Mairi and Connor. The pages practically sizzle with the chemistry between the two. But as in all good romances, nothing goes smoothly. Lord Oxford, one of the minor characters, keeps coming between the two lovers. As you read, you wonder why he is so fascinated by her. Out of all the women at Court, what is the fascination?

Mairi has a strong personality which is unusual for the time period. She has certain beliefs and she is willing to defend those beliefs. She is like our modern women soldiers and would probably do very well in today’s society. But back then, women didn’t do those things. It was considered unacceptable.

I’m a reader that doesn’t usually like a book that I constantly put down and then pick up again. I lose my train of thought within the story. Usually when I constantly put a book down it’s because it just doesn’t hold my attention. I didn’t have that problem with this book. I couldn’t wait to see what Paula had in the offing for our lovebirds.

If you’re looking for a story that has a lot of sex in it, you won’t find it here. But if you’re looking for a sensual story with some action in it, this is the story for you. Circumstances always seemed to pull our lovers apart. Fans of great romances know that love conquers all. We know that the champion always overcomes any and all obstacles that will come between him and his one true love.

This is a book that I can’t wait for the next installment in the series to come out. I also look forward in to catching up with the series by reading the first two books. This is definitely a book that you want as part of your romance collection.

I give Tamed by a Highlander:

Rating: ★★★★½

Buy: Tamed by a Highlander, Tamed by a Highlander (UK)

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-tamed-by-a-highlander-by-paula-quinn/feed/ 5 Review: The Iron Daughter (Iron Fey, Book 2) by Julie Kagawa http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-iron-daughter-by-julie-kagawa/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-iron-daughter-by-julie-kagawa/#comments Sun, 07 Aug 2011 20:27:50 +0000 Keira http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=8033

Kagawa’s storytelling and world-building keeps getting better and better. The Iron Daughter is book two in the Iron Fey series and packs a delicious punch. I can tell you upfront that I can hardly wait for Iron Queen, the third and final installment to the trilogy. I wholeheartedly recommend everybody to read it, the series is that amazing.

All the old characters are back. Puck is healed and finally declares himself to Meghan, fleshing out the love triangle a little bit more. Ash is still his gorgeous royal brooding iciness. Grimalkin comes along for the ride, snarky as ever. Even Iron Horse reappears on the scene declaring he won’t serve a false king.

Queen Mab is keeping Meghan Chase imprisoned in the Unseelie Court deep in the heart of winter territory. This wouldn’t be so bad if Ash was around to help her navigate all the politics, but he hardly shows his face and when he does he’s back to that harsh icy demeanor that says he could care less. It confuses Meghan and hurts her too. She doesn’t understand and she doesn’t put two and two together from what Ash told her in Winter’s Passage.

On the night the Scepter of the Seasons is passed between Seelie and Unseelie courts, Meghan finds herself in the wrong place at the wrong time. The Iron Court makes a secret attack, killing the crown prince in the process. Meghan tried to help him fight but she couldn’t reach her magic and ends up using the Scepter to bash in some heads before she gets taken down. The Iron Fey leave her alone and disappear, taking all evidence with them. Queen Mab doesn’t believe Meghan for a minute and freezes her in solid ice before declaring war on the Summer Court.

There’s no way for Meghan to get out of the ice prison on her own, if only somebody believed her! She had to stop what was happening and stop it fast before the Summer and Winter courts destroyed each other.

Favorite Scene: Easily the end sequence when Ash and Meghan make their biggest decision about their relationship. Swoon.

Bad Gal: Virus – is a wickedly drawn character and very scary.

Fey Glamour: Meghan’s power over fey glamour is blocked or is it? Her discovery of Iron glamour is essential. If only she could wield it better.

Rating: 5 Stars

Buy: The Iron Daughter

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-the-iron-daughter-by-julie-kagawa/feed/ 2 Review: Diana by the Moon by Tracy Cooper-Posey http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-diana-by-the-moon-by-tracy-cooper-posey/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-diana-by-the-moon-by-tracy-cooper-posey/#comments Fri, 08 Jul 2011 09:30:48 +0000 Susan S. http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=6808

by Susan S., guest reviewer

This novel drew me in so completely, so thoroughly, time just simply faded. Diana by the Moon is a work of written art. Tracy Cooper-Posey has penned a beautiful story; of one woman’s courageous journey of self discovery amidst turbulent times.

What I think appealed to me most, was how the author timed the dramatic elements in the plot. If you haven’t read Cooper-Posey’s books, I’m highly recommending this one. I’m familiar with several of her sub-genres, and her adaptability and range as a writer is impressive.

Alaric (hero) is a tall, dark haired, handsome Celtic warrior. As lieutenant in Arthur’s army, he shares his passion that one day there will be a united Britain. When Alaric is sent to the north, an area inhabited with Romans—he’ll have to practice something a soldier doesn’t often do when faced with an enemy; practice self control. Alaric has good reason for his deep-seated hatred for all Romans. His biggest challenge will be reigning in his contempt, and following Arthur’s peace orders.

Diana (heroine) is an ebony haired, blue-eyed Roman with a deep hatred for Saxons, and an equal dislike for Celts. So, it’s no surprise she’s anything but pleased when Alaric comes wanting her villa, the beacon, and to establish a cavalry outpost; with 30 of his men no less! When Diana adamantly refuses, he resorts to an underhanded approach to get his way. Diana and her younger sister Minna, share a dark secret which Alaric is determined to uncover throughout the novel.

Will Diana learn to set her prejudices aside to trust a Celt with her land, her secrets, her very heart, or will the Saxons attack rob her of the chance?

My thoughts:

I felt such empathy with the characters that when a key character dies, I was heartbroken. One of the factors I consider a must have in a great novel is believability, I couldn’t fault the author. It was a realistic event during the time period, under the given circumstances.

I loved Cooper-Posey’s unconventional meeting of the hero and heroine. How they went from that initial meeting to their interactions towards the end of the story, is quite amazing-really.

Will we meet Arthur, Merlin, or the Lady of the Lake? …Maybe.

Favorite scene: It’s hard to choose. There’s so many, but I guess I’d have to say: Alaric and his men are called away by Arthur. There’s an intensely emotional scene where Minna runs to Alaric; that tugged at my heart. All I can say in regards to that scene is, “Wow.”

Favorite character: Again, hard to choose. But, if I had to single out just one, I’d pick Diana. Her strength and leadership, despite her hidden pain are admirable.

Recommendations: This novel will appeal to romance readers, anyone who reads historicals, and those who like romantic suspense. If you enjoyed the (1998) movie Merlin with Sam Neill, or Sir Walter Scott’s book Ivanhoe. A must read if you enjoy myths, legends, and lore.

Originally released in 2004, Diana by the Moon is now released with a brand new cover, and a new publisher.

Rating: 5 Stars

Buy: Diana by the Moon

eBook publication, April 2010, Cerridwen Press, Historical Romantic Suspense, Pages 221. ISBN# 978 141 992 3791.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-diana-by-the-moon-by-tracy-cooper-posey/feed/ 2 Review: Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid (Kellington Book One) by Maureen Driscoll http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-never-a-mistress-no-longer-a-maid-kellington-book-one-by-maureen-driscoll/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-never-a-mistress-no-longer-a-maid-kellington-book-one-by-maureen-driscoll/#comments Fri, 17 Jun 2011 22:03:45 +0000 Keira http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=11404

Story: Nurse Jane Wetherby and Lord Edward Kellington have a very brief and hot affair behind enemy lines at the Battle of Waterloo. Jane convinces Edward (Ned) of her widowhood when in fact she’s an unmarried virgin – talk about your virginity surprise! Of course the dunderhead ruins it all by proposing they continue the illicit affair instead of proposing marriage. Jane disappears and because he doesn’t know her real name he can’t find her when he comes to his senses.

They meet again seven years later when Ned shows up in Marston Vale to do his duty and pay to the family, which as we all know means he’s got to get hitched whether he likes it or not and trust me he does not. The bride-to-be in question was loosely arranged between the parents and is an unkind scheming woman Ned has no interest in – though he’s quite interested in the kind surgeon he meets riding in – very interested. Now he’s just got to convince her to marry him!

Review: This is a stunning and beautiful romance. I couldn’t put it down, which I feel is a good indicator of how fabulous it is! :) There’s quite a lot going on in this novel: a second son of a duke turned soldier/spy, mistaken identity, virginity surprise, a bastard secret baby from the union, another woman/arranged marriage, a wicked grandfather, a murder, several attempted kidnappings, one real one, the heroine’s a surgeon, and at least one more thing to tie it all together. I was swept up in the adventure and rooted for the characters from the first paragraph and I think you will be too. Be sure to pick this book up if you like Regency romances and anything else I’ve mentioned to this point. I can’t wait to see what else Maureen Driscoll turns out next! I'm particularly looking forward to Lynwood's romance.

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy: Never a Mistress, No Longer a Maid (Kellington Book One)

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-never-a-mistress-no-longer-a-maid-kellington-book-one-by-maureen-driscoll/feed/ 2 Review: A Bride Most Begrudging by Deeanne Gist http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-a-bride-most-begrudging-by-deeanne-gist/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-a-bride-most-begrudging-by-deeanne-gist/#comments Fri, 03 Jun 2011 09:01:07 +0000 Keira http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=6252

Tobacco brides were sent by The Virginia Company of London to the Virginia colony where men could buy the brides with 150 pounds of tobacco leaves. In the beginning, the brides were spinsters, widows, and orphans, but few women were willing to risk all to come to America. In 1643, more likely the brides were criminals and felons who had to choose between the new colony and prison. All except one, Lady Constance Caroline Morrow was kidnapped!

The daughter of an earl, Constance (Connie/CC/Sissy) escaped from her companion to visit her uncle onboard a ship headed for the Virginia colony before it set sail. He was to do his time as an indentured servant in the new world. She was detected and captured under the captain’s orders and locked with the other women below the hold.

Constance is bought by Drew O’Connor along with her friend Mary. Under the governor’s and council’s orders Drew must marry one of them, he chooses Constance. It is to be a marriage in name only, because Constance wants to go home to England and is certain her father will come for her. For his part, Drew wants to never love and lose again so the deal while not ideal is fine with him.

It’s a cute story. I don’t like it as well as Bride in the Bargain. There’s an equal amount of research. As the heroine is fond of mathematical equations there are a lot of strange little riddles littered throughout. You’ll be tempted to solve them, but it’s best to leave that to the heroine and hero.

The 1644 massacre, which starts the second Anglo-Powhatan War, sneaks up unexpectedly. It is the second massacre Drew has gone through. The reconciliation between Drew and Constance is wrapped up in it. Characters are lost in it. The ending is relatively happy despite the sadness of the events surrounding it.

Like Bride in the Bargain, it too is an inspirational Christian romance, but not as subtle. There’s more agenda to this novel than in Bride in the Bargain, so that’s something to consider. The presentation of it was still lovely, light, and sweet. It didn’t bother me, but it might some readers.

Rating: 3.5-4 Stars

Buy: A Bride Most Begrudging

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-a-bride-most-begrudging-by-deeanne-gist/feed/ 0 Review: Where the Rain is Made by Keta Diablo http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-where-the-rain-is-made-by-keta-diablo/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-where-the-rain-is-made-by-keta-diablo/#comments Sun, 08 May 2011 09:17:40 +0000 Keira http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=10544

Hero: Ethan Gray has pledged his life to the People (Cheyenne) and when they need him he goes straightaway to the council where he’s given his orders. Ethan is a time-traveling shifter who can transform into a raven. When he returns to the past to lead the Cheyenne’s Dog Soldiers he melds perfectly into their lives. They never know he’s just a temporary visitor. His Cheyenne name is I Am The Wind or Meko.

Heroine: Francesca Duvall's life changes in an instant when I Am the Wind appears before her in a clearing during an Indian attack. He captures her and her brother is capture by another. Cesca’s life hangs in the balance and so does Marsh’s. Lucky for her, Meko wants her as his wife. Not so lucky is Marsh’s treatment at the hands of his captor. Saving him, means risking herself, but Cesca will do it nevertheless.

Review: The overall writing quality is excellent and if two initial plot points hadn’t occurred I would have been swept away into the story without a word to the contrary (except for the many Indian names, which sometimes appear only once or twice and never again).

As it was, I found it hard to swallow the instant lust/love on Cesca’s side. Meko’s attraction and love yes, because the author built up that he dreamed about her as Ethan, but for Cesca she’s much too strongly opposed to the Cheyenne and Meko at first to believably fall head long over heels for him. I feel this should have dragged out a little longer, but the author was working a long timeline with many things to fit in and the initial stirrings suffered for it.

The other plot point ties into this one and its Cesca’s initial feelings and prejudices for the Cheyenne seem to disappear rather too quickly for someone who didn’t want to change into their clothes or initial partake in their life. Because of the initial start as a reader I kept pulling out of the story trying to logically figure out the relationship pacing and when the angsty moment came for their temporary breakup (a part I usually love) I just wanted to smack Cesca upside the head. She’s nearly raped and then blames Meko for saving her of all things because it got too messy for her (you know with killing the evil white soldiers.)

I did like the ending and how the time travel was handled... unexpected and fun! This is an epic feeling novel compacted into a few hundred pages. I enjoyed the story and wouldn’t mind following another time traveling shifter Native American back into the past as the world building by Diablo is very well done and likeable. Perhaps Marsh’s tale?

Rating: ★★★☆☆

Buy: Where the Rain is Made

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-where-the-rain-is-made-by-keta-diablo/feed/ 0 Review: Dark Mirror by M.J. Putney http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-dark-mirror-by-m-j-putney/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-dark-mirror-by-m-j-putney/#comments Sat, 02 Apr 2011 09:12:07 +0000 Keira http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=9979

Dark Mirror can be summed up in four words: magic, romance, time travel.

The Story: When Lady Victoria (Tory) Mansfield performs magic in front of a bunch of witnesses at her mother’s annual lawn party her father banishes her to Lackland Abbey, a reform school for magic tainted aristocrats.

There Tory meets two very different girls. The first is Elspeth, the biggest outcast at Lackland Abbey. She’s can’t wait to leave, but refuses to reject her magic to make that escape. In fact she openly embraces it. Then there is Cynthia, a bossy conceited roommate, who like Tory wants nothing more than to get out of Lackland as soon as possible which means renouncing magic.

When Tory discovers an underground secret society of Lackland students working to learn and embrace their magic instead of get rid of it, she’s intrigued. In a world where upward mobility and good matches hinged on how normal you were, what could possibly entice nobles to give up the luxuries of being wealthy privileged sons and daughters? In a word: nationalism. The threat of Napoleon invading Britain is enough to spark pride and determination to see Britain through impending war no matter the cost.

One night they get raided and during the escape Tory distracts the mages and mortals hunting them. A chase forces her into a dead end with a large mirror. Thinking she could hide behind it, Tory touches it and finds herself transported to the future, during WWII.

The Romance: While the story focuses primarily on themes like girl power, coming of age, accepting yourself and making the right choices, there is also a romance. As the only son of a Duke, Marquis Justin Allarde, is the most eligible boy at Lackland Abbey. Sparks of magic sizzle between Tory and Allarde the first time their gazes lock together. It’s something Allarde fights tooth and nail because of his own secret, one that’s haunted him, hanging over his head for a long time. A secret that threatens their romance before it even has a chance to blossom.

I'm ready for the sequel. Are you?

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy: Dark Mirror

No items matching your keywords were found.

Online Stores ]]> http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-dark-mirror-by-m-j-putney/feed/ 0