Love Romance Passion » Survival 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: Evermine by Hailey Edwards http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-evermine-by-hailey-edwards/ http://www.loveromancepassion.com/review-evermine-by-hailey-edwards/#comments Fri, 03 Feb 2012 09:08:11 +0000 Susan S. http://www.loveromancepassion.com/?p=13601

Reviewed by Susan S.

An enthralling and passionate love story amidst danger and magick. A definite re-read!

Summary: Daughters of Askara Series, Book Two

Then

Have you ever heard the Shakespearean line, “Parting is such sweet sorrow?” Well, Emmaline (Emma) Gray and Harper Delaney had a five-year parting that was anything but sweet. It was sorrowful and agonizing. She thought him dead, and Harper’s re-entry into Emma’s life has been extremely difficult to assimilate.

Now

The new Askaran Queen, Nesvia, is missing. In order to find her, Harper and Emma will need to: face their past, join forces with an evil spell crafter, shake-off a Sereian magickal enchantment, avoid the desert’s sand traps, and keep Harper from imprisonment, yet-again. And all while fighting a sexual hunger that’s quickly becoming damn-near impossible to resist. The question now is who’ll stop resisting first?

Review: I enjoyed the characters’ motivation (the driving force behind their every action), Hailey’s writing voice, and the potency of the love between the characters. As I’m reviewing a novel, I generally take notes. Next to favorite scenes, I’ll draw happy faces. Big ones. I’m not joking! At novel’s end-there were lots of happy faces.

Recommendations: Mega Mass-Appeal for Readers 18+

Evermine has elements that’ll appeal to a wide range of readers. First and foremost, it’ll speak to romance readers. The main characters have sacrificed so much for each other. And their love is both palpable and potent. What romance reader wouldn’t appreciate that in a story?

Secondly, the novel will call to fantasy readers. This story begins in a primary world (the Earthen Colony) and then moves to a secondary world (in the Askaran Realm). I suppose, this too will appeal to sci-fi lovers.

I’m now speaking to anyone with a weakness/fondness for damaged/scarred heroes. Oh-yeah! That sexy Evanti demon, Harper, will have you volunteering to lick every…single…one of his scars. Reader Beware: To get your tongue anywhere near him you’ll need to fight off an Askaran demoness named Emma, but it’ll be worth the fight. Now please stand behind me. I’m first in line!

Do you like the friends-to-lovers tropes? The hero and heroine are. Like dark secrets, do you? Harper has one that may or may not hinder his chance at love. Any paranormal readers out there? This novel has demons and magic users. And if you purchase a novel hoping it’ll give you a HFA, let me say, “Evermine's
happily-forever-after is profoundly touching.” The story will also charm anyone who’s ever wished star-crossed lovers a well-deserved happiness.

My Favorite Character: The Hero!

Harper is everything you’d want from a hero. He’s strong, sexy in his demonic form, and he’ll sacrifice everything for the love of “his” woman. He’s also passionate and he’s got wings. Not the angelic type, either. The leathery kind you’d expect from a demon. I love when they turn crimson when he’s aroused, when he uses them to fly, when they enfold Emmaline, and when he uses them to cover her like a blanket.

Favorite Scenes:

Scene #1: The tub scene. Oh-no! That’s all I’m divulging. You’ll have to savor that scene without my spoilers.

Scene # 2: Evanti males like Harper are claimed by their mates. Emma’s a half-breed Askaran demoness who doesn’t have the first clue how to claim him. I love when he enlightens her!

Scene # 3: An Askaran female’s in heat. And Harper reacts “strongly” to the pheromones she’s emitting. But she’s not the female he wants. Love how sexually intense he reacts around Emma. Especially what he says when he grips her thighs. Again, I’m not divulging!

Others in the Series: Everlong (Daughters of Askara, book one).

What’s Next? Book three in the series is titled, Eversworn. No release date, yet. Let’s hope it’s soon!

Disclaimer: I received this novel free of charge in exchange for my honest review.

Review-O-Meter Rating: ★★★★★

Samhain Publishing, Ltd., Copyright 2012, eBook, Fantasy/Paranormal Romance, ISBN# 978-1-60928-722-1.

Buy: Evermine: Daughters of Askara, Book 2

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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

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Reviewed by Susan S.

Book Two: Elite Force Series

Summary: Amelia Bailey is a county prosecutor from Alabama. She’s in the Bahamas helping her brother (Aiden) with the legalities of an international adoption. With her assistance, Aiden and Lisabeth are now the proud new parents of a baby boy. And she’ll be the doting aunt. All’s right in the world until disaster strikes. Aiden and his wife decide to have lunch; leaving baby Joshua in his aunt’s care when the unthinkable happens. An earthquake strikes the island, leveling Amelia’s hotel. She and Joshua are now trapped beneath the rubble.

Luckily, Air Force Pararescueman Hugh Franco comes to their aide. And while Hugh may have given them a second chance at life, they’re not out of danger yet. For sometimes, the aftermath is more terrifying than the disaster!

Review: I must say I was pleasantly surprised. Ms. Mann did a wonderful job of describing how emotionally and physically taxing a pararescueman’s mission can be. Her scenes felt entirely too real. Especially the one where Amelia and Joshua are trapped. I felt claustrophobic just envisioning it! Did I mention her scenes feel real?!

The author also does a splendid job of showing the dynamics of the task force team members, and you’ll respect their bravery and courage. And yes, even their human failings.

I hadn’t realized the author was so crafty. Here I am envisioning my idea of this mysterious antagonist, and all the while Mann is leading down the wrong road. Yep. I was duped!

Recommendations: Recommended for readers who enjoy Harlequin Intrigues, military romantic suspense novels, romantic suspense, strong heroes, sexy soldiers, and survival stories.

My Favorite Scenes:

Scene # 1: When Bailey asks if she can hug Hugh. (Yes, there’s more to that-that I’m not saying.)

Scene # 2: I loved the dialogue between the hero and heroine when they were trapped under the rubble.

Comedic Touch: The new team member of Hugh’s task force team is nicknamed Fang. But FANG is actually an acronym. What the letters signify is what makes it funny. Sorry readers; telling you would spoil the fun.

Rating: ★★★★½

Buy: Hot Zone

Published by Sourcebooks Casablanca, an imprint of Sourcebooks, Inc., Copyright December 2011, Romantic Suspense, Mass Market Paperback, Print Pages 318. ISBN# 978-1-4022-4498-8.

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There are a bunch of novels by Jill Barnett that are being released specifically for ebook format this year and Bewitching was one of them. I found out later after accepting a review copy that Bewitching is considered one of the all time best romances written and I can certainly see why.

It’s the story of a rejected Duke and a bumbling witch. Normally a story like this would fall under the heading of paranormal but it’s clearly more fantasy than anything else with the layer of the Cinderella tale winding its way through the novel. There’s even a witch godmother.

Alec, the Duke of Belmore, was told the next woman he met he would marry by an old flower seller. This is something he scoffs at because he’s planning to leave London, and its fickle debutants behind, for his hunting lodge with his friends. Not a female in sight.

Joyous Fiona MacQuarrie (Scottish) is terrible when it comes to controlling her magic. Even with a familiar, and help from her aunt, she still messes things up. Her latest mishap was a traveling spell that would take her to Surrey and instead lands her on top of a Duke.

At a small coaching inn, a gaggle of gossipy ton members arrives and to save face the Duke asks Joy to be his wife. She tries to tell him this is impossible and tries to warn him she’s a witch but he doesn’t heed her and convinces her yes is the only possible acceptable answer.

Let’s just say their wedding night comes as a surprise. *g* :P

When they finally do have sex, Scottish is hilarious when she thanks Alec for wielding his own magic and making himself smaller so they could fit together...

Barnett weaves a story that is both spellbinding and enchanting. It’s tender and sensual and sweeter than dozens of pink rose petals. Her writing is poetic and fun with clever twists and turns of phrase. If you haven’t had a chance to read this story you must as I believe it to be one of the classics.

Rating: ★★★★★

Buy: Bewitching (print), (ebook)

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Head's up there are some spoilers in this review. Ye be warned.

In the final installment of the Casa Dracula series, Milagro must make the toughest choice of all and that’s following her heart. She’s with Ian currently, but every time she thinks of Oswald, her heart aches. The idea of leaving Ian though causing just as much heartache which confuses her because she swears her hormones hijack her brain whenever he’s around.

When Ian hires thralls, Milagro is severely tested, but Ian confronts her about the issue. Then she sees him snacking on their next door neighbor, Christine (Cricket) Poindexter, and while the woman seems to be enjoying it a little too much, it’s the last straw for Millie. Of course with Ian, Milagro is always looking to find fault so she can run from him. He poses too much of a threat to her heart compared to the safe and fascinating Oswald.

A torrid fling in England and finalizing a second contract with Don Pedro is just the thing she needs to distance herself from all she’s feeling. Ian is none too pleased and they have another confrontation. When Wilcox Spiggot comes to America to continue the affair, he’s killed and left to decompose on Milagro’s bed in her loft.

She assumes it was Ian but his thralls say he wasn’t in the country. Leaving, she stumbles across a scene at the neighbors. Cricket in an attempt to win Ian has been draining her blood in doses and saving it for him, this time she accidentally cut an artery and bled to death. Her husband freaks out, slips on the blood and goes down hard on the floor cracking his head.

Cue a super secret special force team that hauls Milagro away. This is where the opening prologue and the story realign. Book four of Casa Dracula is noticeably darker in theme than the previous while still keeping the ongoing humor element. The one thing I will tell you about the dark portion is that it’s not very long and there’s no rape. Milagro uses her wits and escapes going to Mercedes and then onto the ranch looking for help.

Oswald is not happy and a series of events occurs that results in Milagro having amnesia. At first nobody believes her but it soon becomes apparent Millie is indeed suffering some trauma. The Grant family calls in a shrink who comes to the ranch to help her out while they petition for recovery time from the Council who wants to investigate and interrogate Milagro.

Is this the second chance Milagro needs to turn things around with Oswald or will she realize her heart belongs to Lord Ian?

When she asks for the reasons both men claim to love her is very eye opening set of moments for her and some of my favorite moments in the series.

If you haven’t yet tried the Casa Dracula series, and you love vampires or comedy romances, you need to snatch up these novels immediately!

Rating: ★★★★½

Buy: Haunted Honeymoon (Casa Dracula, Book 4)

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bookreview

I had a hard time setting Highland Hearts aside to get some work done once I started it. I ended staying up late last night to finish it. This story is exciting and thrilling and you'll be sure to love it even if Highlander romance is not your cup of tea.

Contessa Delgado's journey to love begins the moment she releases Sir Revan Halyard from her Uncle Thurkettle's dungeon. Footsteps and voices descend the stairwell leading down to where they are and Revan does what any dashing knight would do when life was in danger - hold a girl by sword point and threaten to skewer her if Thurkettle and his men don't drop their weapons.

Feisty Tess has a wicked tongue and gives him a verbal lashing even as he drags her onto his horse and rides into the woods as if the devil were on their heels. When arrows start to rain down on them without a care to Tess' safety and some aimed even more deliberately at her the urge to get away is even more dire. What uncle would shoot to kill his niece? An uncle who wanted all the wealth she just inherited from her trust, that's who.

When they rest at last Tess tells Revan what she thinks of his gratitude for her saving his life and he swears then that he never truly meant to run her through with his sword, the threat just had to look real. Then Revan asks Tess to face some hard facts. Tess acknowledges to Revan that she is aware of at least three other incidences where her uncle's tried to kill her and make look like accidents. Revan having kidnapped Tess has made it far easier to kill her and lay the blame elsewhere.

Revan guesses it is because of fortune and Tess murmurs her agreement and tells him a paltry version of her inheritance not revealing her full wealth to the handsome knight. She then asks Revan why her uncle had locked him up and he reveals that he is a knight in service to the king. Together they patch what clues Revan was able to gather on his mission to spy for King James II and what Tess can deduce from clues she unwittingly encountered in her uncle's keep of treason and betrayal her uncle and their neighbor Douglas were cooking up together.

Their knowledge puts them in even more danger as they now have to get their information to the king, avoid her uncle's men and the Douglas men out to get them, and while they do not fight the growing fires that flare between them their love is not an easy one. This novel is truly about passion on the run as Revan and Tess land in one mess or another.

Rating: 4 Stars

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Kris Kennedy's writing is very engrossing. The Irish Warrior was a page turner from start to finish. It’s a story of an Irish warrior slated to be king and an English widow struggling to run a business. Both get trapped by the evil Rardove, a man promoted by the English King Edward to the aristocracy. A journey that must end in the purest of joys or deepest of sorrows begins when the young widow frees the warrior from the prison and together they escape in the dead of night for their freedom and their very lives.

Finian O'Melaghlin is everything one could ask for in a hero. He’s noble, compassionate, capable, and honorable. He has his pride and his strength. He is a man other men will fight beside because they know he’s on their side. And if rumor is true, he’s also got a way with the ladies… but don’t take my word for it, just ask the ladies or really just ask the heroine.

Senna de Valery is a beautiful widow and very young. Her first marriage was at age 15 and it did not go well or last very long. There’s implied evidence to rape in her background and it’s made her people shy (though she doesn’t realize this until later that she is so and she certainly doesn’t seem it, but that’s part of the transformative power of love in this novel). When confronted with danger and cruelty, she’s defiant, strong, and smart. Senna is a heroine to root for.

Rardove has ties to both of them in ways that are equally obvious and concealed. Kennedy gives readers one right off the bat and hints at the other until it’s revealed late in the book. Rardove delights in torture and pain and power and the pictures Kennedy paints are vivid if not comprehensively detailed.

The lovemaking scenes are burn your fingers hot and are told so beautifully that you will probably count them as part of your all-time favorites. The intrigue and politics that make up the suspense half of the story are heart-pounding. In short, you could not go wrong picking up a copy of this book.

Rating: ★★★★½

Buy: The Irish Warrior

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bookreview

Their love was hopeless and yet they couldn’t help but hope no matter how bleak and forbidden it was.

Grace has been searching for love for six years since her attack by wolves. Her heart leaps every time she sees the gray wolf with yellow eyes that saved her from the vicious pack. He only comes in winter and that is why she loves the austere season so much, because she can watch him. She tries to lure him closer with food and quiet patience until one day he does cross the line of the woods and let’s her run her hands through his ruff.

Sam has a secret. He’s been in love with Grace for six years and he’s the wolf outside her home in the winter clinging to the memory of her scent. He’s a werewolf and his time is running out. The cold makes them change, shed their human skin, until one day the heat of the sun can no longer turn them back. When he’s shot in the woods by hunters and reverts to his human form, Sam struggles to keep it because he knows deep down inside that this is his last chance of being human. The wild is calling him and Grace is his last chance to escape the desolate future that awaits him. Grace is his sun.

The story had a surprising amount of parallels to Twilight by Stephenie Meyer, but I suppose to make a story like this work there must be some similarities. Here are the ones that I remember off the top of my head:

  • Ignorant parental units. Grace’s parents, like Bella Swan’s, are incapable of really being there for her which forces Grace to be extremely independent. She even cooks for them.
  • Self-inflicted isolated heroines. Grace chooses books over human contact like Bella does, but Grace has real friends even if they aren’t as close as they once were. I’m surprised they let her get away with dropping off the face of the planet once Sam shows up in her life. (Yes, I know they keep asking her where she’s been and to call but they never force the issue.)
  • Heroes raised in supernatural families. Sam was raised by a pack of wolves.  He was home-schooled by them, taught to defend himself and survive by them, and loved them like a family. Edward can hardly remember his human life and lives with six other vampires and they are like his parents and siblings.
  • Eyes. Sam’s buttery yellow eyes and Edward Cullen’s topaz eyes, though Sam’s was born with his and gets to keep them in human and wolf form. Additionally, they never turn black with hunger.
  • Musically inclined heroes. Sam writes lyrics in his head all the time when he has words (wolves have images) and plays the guitar. He writes a love song for Grace.
  • Bedroom window stalking. Sam and Edward both watch their loves windows, though Sam never dares to enter until he’s invited.

I had a hard time with the poetry and lyrics throughout the story. They worked and they didn’t at the same time. Sometimes the narrative broke down into them as events took place. There were the occasional weird turns of phrases that made me pause and have to go back and reread to see if it was a grammatical error or done on purpose. Overall, it was a great book. I loved Sam. He was the perfect werewolf gentleman and has restored my faith in the supernatural species. If you’re more inclined to love vampires and need a great book to introduce you to werewolves this book is for you.

Rating: 3.5 – 4 Stars

Buy: Shiver

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Reviewed by Lynn Reynolds

We meet our heroine, Alexis after she survives a family tragedy. She is a teenager at the time doing what all teenagers do – being rebellious. The hero of this story is named Tucker. He has something in common with Alexis and that is a tragic background. What’s good about this book is that the action starts almost right away.

I usually stay away from the suspense and intrigue themed romance novels. They just never seemed to interest me. Dee Davis has changed my mind. She piqued my interest right from the very beginning.

When Alexis first meets Tucker she doesn’t like him and he thinks of her as strictly an assignment. She needs to learn to trust him even though she knows nothing about him and he needs to keep her alive.

Dee does a great job in describing her scenes. Because the reader can’t watch the scenes as they unfold, we rely on the author to describe how things happen. Dee makes you feel as if you are a part of the action. That you are there watching her characters interact with each other.

The hardest thing for me to do was to think about the review. I got so caught up in the story. The “mystery” of the story would hold up against any of the movies you would see on TV. You get so “hooked” into the story that you can’t stop reading it until you get to the end. I hated to put it down.

What I love about Dee’s writing style is that you can believe anything she writes. It has a “ring of truth” to it. None of the scenes are over the top and so unbelievable that you can’t picture that the scene is actually happening.

As you continue on with the book, you notice that it is all action and suspense. You don’t even miss the lack of romance. If you expect a lot of sex in this book, you won’t find it here. The sex isn’t something that you miss in the story either. Just like in a regular relationship, things move along at a normal pace. You have to like and trust each other first and the rest will come in time. This is the impression that I get with Alexis and Tucker.

When the romance finally happens, it happens so naturally that it fits right into the story line. I don’t feel like Dee decided this is where the sex scene needs to be put because she needed to put it somewhere. I don’t feel that she forces a scene to happen – the chapters’ just flow from one to another.

Like any good suspense novel there is always a twist. You know that Alexis is going to eventually find out who Tucker is. Now we have to find out what she’s going to do. How will she get out of the trouble she is in without our hero Tucker to save the day? Tucker is the perfect hero – he’s there to make our “damsel in distress” feel safe. As far as the romance end of the story, both Alexis and Tucker need to deal with their “baggage”.

There are minor characters within the plot that know Tucker and are there to help Alexis. There are also other characters that are more questionable and don’t seem to be what they appear. All these characters are interwoven into what is happening to Alexis and it all builds the suspense.

Toward the end of the story we get to the anti-climax. Something from Alexis’s past comes back to haunt her. The ending is everything you think it will be – good overcomes evil and love wins out in the end.

The only downside to the book is that there is more suspense and less on the romance. I, and possibly other romance readers, would expect an equal mix of the two. I feel that the book could hold its own as just a suspense novel. Even with the lack of romance, I thoroughly enjoyed this book.

I’m glad I had the chance to read a book by Dee Davis and see what I have been missing by staying away from reading this genre. Would I read another book by her? Yes, most definitely. I can’t wait to see what happens in her next book “Deadly dance” and I look forward to reading more of her books.

Rating: ★★★★☆

Buy: Deep Disclosure, Deep Disclosure (UK)

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by Susan S., guest reviewer

Get ready to run with the red wolves in Spear’s latest action-filled novel! Your heart will batter against your chest as a new pack runs for its very survival.

Despite being the fifth novel in Terry Spear’s werewolf series, Seduced by the Wolf was written as a stand-alone. As a rule, I enjoy reading previous installments in a series. Simply because I like to spot cameo appearances. For example, Sarge from book four is now in Leidolf’s pack, and consequently part of book five. There are also references to book one characters: Alfred, Bella Wilder, Big Red, and Thompson. But again, reading the others isn’t a prerequisite to run with these reds.

Ms. Spear has an uncanny gift for accurately describing wolf behaviors. So much so, I’m beginning to speculate whether she herself is a lupus garou (werewolf), or if she just lives among a pack of real wolves. I guess we’ll never know!

Leidolf Wildhaven (hero) is a sexy rancher, and an “unmated” alpha doing his best to protect his pack. He’s the pack leader in Portland who takes in abused garous, providing them with a family and a chance at a better life. Used to being in charge, and never second guessed, he’s a wonderful superior. Until a Dr. Cassie Roux (heroine) arrives in Oregon. Cassie is a wolf biologist and advocate. On a deadline to write about wolf behaviors for a journal, her primary goal is to locate and document a red female lupus (wolf). When Cassie realizes the female and her pups need protection along with food to survive-Dr. Roux knows she’s the only one who can aid them. Their safety is now the only thing that matters!

Since Cassie’s arrival, Leidolf’s been asleep at the switch. She’s proving to be one hell of a distraction! Dr. Roux will risk it all, even her life to save the female and her pups. Leidolf's priority has always been the protection of his pack. Now hunters are on the loose. And with Cassie missing in Mount Hood National Forest everyone’s lives are in peril. Leidolf really can’t afford to keep getting distracted. Together Cassie and Leidolf will realize the greatest risk they face, may not be within the grounds of a national park. What they risk is losing their hearts!

Comedic Moments: How the Jag keeps getting stolen. That sports car can’t stay put!

What got me howling: When the male pack members fan out in search parties.

Recommendations: You’ll be seduced if you enjoy howling at the moon, stripping out of your clothes, reading paranormal romances with happily-ever-afters, if you like real wolves, werewolves, or just steamy sex in log cabins with a man that’s a real animal!

Want more sexy wolves? Book six is set for release in December 2010, titled Wolf Fever. Installments seven and eight are due out in 2011.

Rating: 4 Stars

Buy: Seduced by the Wolf

Paranormal Romance, Sourcebooks Casablanca, August 2010, Mass Market Paperback, Print Pages 404. ISBN# 978-1-4022-3753-9.

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