Twice Blessed by Barbara Cameron

Title: Twice Blessed
Author: Barbara Cameron
Genre: Inspirational Amish Romance
Length: 288 pages
Publisher: Abingdon Press
Release Date: September 15, 2015
Source: Amazon Vine
Rating: 4/1
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

About Her Sister’s Shadow
Katie and Rosie Stoltzfus work part-time in an Amish store and part-time in Two Peas in a Pod, their own business raising vegetables and fruits and canning them for sale. Although they are identical twins, their personalities are very different: while Katie has always been more outgoing and attractive to boys, Rosie has always felt in her sister’s shadow. It will take an unexpected business opportunity and one very special man to help Rosie see that she’s a unique woman of her own.

About His Brother’s Keeper
Ever since they were boys, Ben Fisher has trailed after his brother, Mark. Ben has always envied Mark because he’s always been more adventurous, but he's even more jealous now that Mark is engaged to Rachel, a woman they both love. When a terrible accident on Christmas Eve results in their mistaken identity, Ben suddenly has an opportunity to create the life he’s always wanted. While everyone believes he is his brother, who’s still in a coma, Ben finally has a chance with Rachel. But how can he realize an opportunity for real happiness if it means deceiving his kin?

These were a bit of a mixed bag for me. I loved Her Sister's Shadow, but wasn't a thrilled with His Brother's Keeper.

Her Sister's Shadow is all about the shy twin finding her way to happiness and love. There was a lot of really great story in this one. Katie and Rosie were both fun personalities, but completely different. Katie is outgoing and flirty - loves to be in the middle of everything. But Rosie prefers to be at home, working in the garden or kitchen. But they both find a way to find love and happiness in Her Sister's Shadow. They also both get a look at tragedy and people aren't always what they seem - but it works out great in the end. This was my favorite of the two stories.

His Brother's Keeper just didn't have the best trope for me. A twin pretending to be the other one is all fun - when you're kids. But when your twin is in the hospital in a coma, pretending to be him so you can spend time with his fiance is just creepy. Now it starts as a genuine case of mistaken identity, but he doesn't bother to correct anyone. The ending....well it just confused me. Some people knew and they talked about telling other people, and I'm not entirely sure the whole thing came out?

I highly recommend the first story, Her Sister's Shadow, but you can skip His Brother's Keeper.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

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Double Dragons by Terry Bolryder ~ Review

Title: Double Dragons (Dragons of New York #1)
Author: Terry Bolryder
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Menage
Length: 127 Pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: June 1, 2015
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 1
Heat Rating: 5
Reviewed by: Laurie

They're hot as fire, and if you mess with their mate, you're bound to get burned.

Draven and Ran are dragon shifters, the fire-breathing enforcers of the shifter world. The ones they call when things go wrong. Strong, sexy and wealthy, the only thing the two partners are missing is a mate to share it all with. But that's tricky in the dragon world and after years of searching, the dragons have basically given up. That is, until a sexy, reckless human librarian lands in their path during a mission.

Melissa knows she would have been in hot water had the two handsome, powerful and mysterious men not showed up to save her butt from a group of violent men. Still, when her rescuers take her back to their New York loft, she's confronted by a mystery she never expected. Dragons and other shapeshifting creatures exist. And these dragons are definitely hotblooded.

But as the sexy dragons show Melissa all the perks of being their mate, Melissa is also uncovering the dangerous secrets of the dragon world. If she isn't willing to risk everything, their chances at a happily ever after might just go up in flames.

I am just going to be plain and simple here. If you truly want a good M/F/M ménage story, then I would suggest you move along and don’t bother buying this one. There is no world building, no character development and as for the sex, well that wasn’t hot either. The heroine has never had sex with a man before and their first time she takes them both by double penetration, no joke. The way the book stands now, it's just not enough there to enjoy.

I would rather pay more and get a well-developed book.

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One Night Stand by Helen Cooper and J.S. Cooper ~ Review

Title: One Night Stand (One Night Stand #1)

Author: J.S. Cooper and Helen Cooper
Genre: Contemporary Romance , Erotic Romance
Length: 223 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: January 5, 2015
Source: Book Club Freebie
Rating: 1
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

It was only supposed to be one night!

We met at a wedding. He was hot. And I’d been in a year’s drought.

He smiled. We got drunk.We flirted. We hooked up. I left early the next morning without saying goodbye. It was only meant to be a one night stand. I didn’t want the awkward morning after moment. Not at all.

Then I went home for the weekend. And he was there. Sitting on the couch chatting to my dad. Turns out he was more than just a stranger. Turns out that my one night stand was about to cause a whole heap of trouble. Turns out that it never just stops with one night.

Readers should be 18 and over due to mature situations and language.

This book was just not for me. The writers have a skill with words, but I did not enjoy the romance of the story at all. The majority of the book she was pushing him away for a very, very good reason and the more they were pushed together, the more I didn't like it.

The high point of the book was the best friend. I loved how the two of them interacted. They were one of the greatest set of best friends I've read in a long time. But unfortunately, it wasn't really about them.

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Sweet Ruin (Immortals After Dark #16) by Kresley Cole

Title: Sweet Ruin (Immortals After Dark #16)
Author: Kresley Cole
Source: Received from the publisher for an honest review
Length: Novel
Reviewer: Laurie
Rating: 1
Sexual Rating: 3

An immortal assassin is caught between desire and duty...

A foundling raised in a world of humans

Growing up, orphaned Josephine didn’t know who or what she was—just that she was “bad,” an outcast with strange powers. Her baby brother Thaddeus was as perfect as she was flawed; protecting him became her entire life. The day he was taken away began Jo’s transition from angry girl... to would-be superhero... to enchanting, ruthless villain.

A lethally sensual enforcer on a mission

A threat to the Møriør has brought archer Rune the Baneblood to the mortal realm to slay the oldest living Valkyrie. Whether by bow or in bed, he never fails to eliminate his target. Yet before he can strike, he encounters a vampiric creature whose beauty conceals a black heart. With one bite, she pierces him with aching pleasure, taking his forbidden blood -and jeopardizing the secrets of his brethren.

A boundless passion that will lead to sweet ruin...

Could this exquisite female be a spy sent by the very Valkyrie he hunts? Rune knows he must not trust Josephine, yet he’s unable to turn her away. Despite his millennia of sexual conquests, he can’t ignore the unfamiliar longing she arouses deep within him. When Jo betrays the identity of the one man she will die to protect, she and Rune become locked in a treacherous battle of wills that pits ultimate loyalty against unbridled lust.

As much as it pains me to say this, I didn’t not much care for this book as I have the previous books in the series.

There’s quite a bit here that I didn’t enjoy about this book so, I am going to just tell you what I didn’t enjoy the most. I started liking the heroine but, after few chapters the book seemed totally turn into all about the hero and his background and that left me in the dark totally about Jo therefore, caused me to be disconnect with her character. You will get to know some of her background, but you have to wait until almost the end to find out.

I never felt that passion that really connected the hero and heroine. You can have foreplay and sex in the story but, it doesn’t work for me unless you have that passion between them.

Spoilers below
I didn’t care for the hero Rune. I understand his background and how he was abused and turned into a manwhore, what I didn’t understand was why he didn’t want to change for Jo. He really seemed quite happy with who he was and love being that manwhore. When you first read about him is with a bunch of nymphs having sex with them and Jo is watching him. I’m sorry but, that scene was a total turn off for me. For the largest portion of the book he constantly reminds Jo that he will never be faithful to her and yet it doesn’t really seem to faze her. Whatever! These two are constantly and I mean constantly having foreplay throughout the whole book, it’s either them talk about it or them having foreplay; sex comes very late in the book. I’ve never read anything quite like it before and to tell you the truth I got bored reading it.

Some people will say he is a flat out cheater while others say he did not. I myself call him a cheater because he set out to have sex with the nymph and he was naked with her, all to save Jo’s brother. Jo begged him not to do it but, he felt there was no other way to save her brother, so they split here for a few chapters. I didn’t much care for how easy she took him back after he almost went through with having sex with the nymph.

I'm sorry but, I have never liked a book where the hero thinks he can have sex with anyone he wants but, the heroine cannot. He gets mad and pulls out the "mine" word when she says anything about seeing someone else but yet he can tell her about all of the women he has been with and plans to be with soon, repeatedly and doesn’t expect her to get mad. WHATEVER!

The upside is this book is a standalone, so if you have missed a few books in the series or have never read this series you can totally pick this one up and read it without feeling like you’re missing something. Just be warned of this issues I had about the book above before buying because this book is not cheap even in Ebook it list for over 10.00.

I received a copy from the publisher for an honest review. 

Review: Under the Hood (Under the Hood #1) by Sally Clements

Title: Under the Hood (Under the Hood #1)
Author: Sally Clements
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novella
Release Date: May 2014
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 1
Sexual - 1

When sexy mechanic Alice Starr mistakenly believes attorney Mark Jameson needs
her help, he discovers he likes being rescued for a change. Smitten by her confidence, he hides his expertise so he has an excuse to see her again.

Starting their new all-female garage, Under the Hood, is keeping Alice and her friends busy. She doesn't have time for a man. But with one kiss, she and Mark have advanced into water so deep she's in danger of drowning. So why hasn't he called?

Mark wants to tell Alice the truth so they can pursue a relationship. But he's got even bigger problems at his office when his bitter aunt threatens Alice’s livelihood. He needs a plan, fast, or else Under the Hood and his chances with Alice could both be ruined.

This book sounded really good - I loved the idea of a woman sweeping in to rescue a man - even if he didn't really need it.  But it just didn't live up to my expectations.  Alice is super critical of not being told everything at once.  How many people would really start a conversation by giving her every little piece of information she may want to know?  She was a little too insecure for being such a strong character in other ways.

Mark was a great guy.  I really don't think Alice gave him the credit he really deserved.  He was always doing things about as right as he possibly could.  This is also a very short novella, so we didn't get to explore much between them and I think that really hurt the story as well.

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Review: Forbidden Call By: Martha Bourke

Title: Forbidden Call
Author: Martha Bourke
Genre: Paranormal
Source: Review Request
Reviewer: Emi

Rating: 1

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Shapeshifter civil war has spilled out onto the streets of Boston, Massachusetts and it’s

up to the Order to keep the peace. The New Breeds, eight of the most powerful shifter warriors in existence, must prevent the renegade Toltec from overthrowing the human race. Soaring Eagle has received the call to join the Order. The only problem is he doesn't remember anything but his name. Injured while on the way to join his new brothers, he meets Ana, a mysterious female he's immediately drawn to. Unable to fight the mating call, their souls bond. Just when it seem nothing can go wrong, he discovers that he's fallen for the very enemy he's meant to defeat. Memories flood back, and he's torn between the ghost of his dead mate and an endless desire for a forbidden female. No matter how he chooses, there will be betrayal. But who will face the consequences - his new mate or his brothers in the Order?

I actually could not finish this book. If you have read any of my reviews you that I like action & hotness, which this book had some of it, but to me It was almost like reading a B rated replica of the Black Dagger Brotherhood series. I tried multiple times to read it, have read other books and gone back to it. At more than halfway through,  I just couldn't get over the fact that is was just too much like BDB. I usually read books even if I don't like them, but I cannot get over something like that. Maybe its just me, because this book has received many great reviews so I hope I don't deter you from reading it, check out what the other reviews say or maybe even read a sample before you buy it. 

Review: From This Moment On by Bella Andre

Title: From This Moment On (The Sullivans #2)

Author: Bella Andre
Source: Self-Purchased
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: June 25, 2013
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 1
Sexual - 3

Expanded Edition! More Story! More Sullivans!

Fans of Bella Andre’s Sullivan Series will love this long-awaited print edition of FROM THIS MOMENT ON. It features a longer, more-detailed story with all the emotion and sensuality that readers love. Not to be missed!

Just one night.

Marcus Sullivan has always been the responsible older brother, stepping in to take care of his seven siblings when their father died. But when the perfectly ordered future he’s planned turns out to be a lie, Marcus needs one reckless night to shake free from it all.

Known throughout the world by only one name, Nico, pop songstress Nicola Harding is seen as the ultimate sex kitten. But it's all a lie. After a terrible betrayal she refuses to let anyone else close enough to find out who she really is, or to hurt her again. Especially the gorgeous stranger at the bar.

One night is all Nicola and Marcus agree to share with each other. But instead, a deeper connection than either of them could have anticipated begins.

Book One: The Look of Love

From This Moment On was just a little too far-fetched for me to get into.  I know that most contemporary romances involve hard to imagine situations, but this was just a little too many long shots for me.  I found myself flipping through many intimate scenes scanning for dialog instead of enjoying the hot moments.

Now that I've criticized the storyline, the characters were the exact opposite.  I really enjoyed Nicola and Marcus as people.  They were fun and if the circumstances had been different I think I would have enjoyed their romance.  Their first meeting and night together were fantastic and if there had been more like that I know I would have loved it.

Now this is a series that has tons of great reviews, so if you're thinking about it don't let me turn you off.  I enjoyed book one and book three (review soon).  And while the didn't knock my socks off, I will be giving the series another shot with book four.

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ARC Review: THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND (The Devil's Playthings #1) by Laura Oliva

THE DEVIL'S PLAYGROUND (The Devil's Playthings, #1)

Author :  LAURA OLIVA

Source:  ARC ebook provided by author for an honest review

Genre:  Serialized Romance

Length:  Novella

Reviewed by:  Artemis

Professional burlesque dancer Francesca "Frankie" Strong has learned the hard way: on San Francisco's cutthroat party circuit, crime has a way of going unnoticed. When her best friend is brutally attacked, she's determined not to let the case fall through the cracks, even if that means crawling through every alley and back room in San Francisco to find the truth.

Undercover cop Johnny Marsden is in desperate need of a win. His career on the rocks, he's infiltrated the infamous nightclub Cafe Outré, rumored front for San Francisco's Chinatown mafia. Johnny has never seen anything like the glitter-and-sin-encrusted world he's now a part of. He's certainly never met anyone like Frankie Strong.

Realizing they'll get farther together than on their own, Frankie and Johnny forge an uneasy partnership. Neither expects the heat that flares between them. Neither is ready for what it could mean. Together, they run down a trail that leads directly to Chinatown, and a faceless terror its residents refuse to name.

Frankie's only interest is in protecting her friend, and she's willing to make a deal with the devil to do it. But Johnny suspects the attack was part of something larger, something darker... and he's right.

RATING:  1 - Oh, no.  I didn't like it.
SEXUAL:  3 Flames

The story centers around Johnny, an undercover cop at Cafe Outre, and Frankie, a burlesque dancer. Frankie's BFF, Cookie, was jumped and beaten right outside of the club one night.  When the police fail to investigate the crime, Frankie takes matters into her own hands.  This gives Johnny the perfect opportunity to work along side of Frankie and investigate the Chinatown underground at the same time.

The Devil's Playground is a serialized romance.  It does not end with a HEA. Not even close to a HFN. I would say it closely resembles a work of gum-shoe serial fiction.

I have no idea when this takes place and this is very frustrating.  No one uses a cell phone, and Johnny drives a motorcycle.  Still, that doesn't give me a frame of reference.  Without knowing a time frame or era of some sort, it's very hard to place these characters.

When Frankie and Johnny meet, they call each other "Slim" and "Steve", respectively, in a verbal sparring.   Oh, great!  If you, Dear Reader, are not familiar with classic B&W films, you will have no earthly idea what this is about.  Not only that, these names are used interchangeably with the "real" ones through the entire story.  Talk about annoying.

At one point during their investigation, Frankie takes Johnny to a decaying part of town to talk to someone.  Once they get there, Frankie starts talking with this person in stanzas from classical literature.  However, this is suppose to be a romance book, not Classic Lit 101 where I'm interpreting Poe, Longfellow, Browning, or Nietzsche.  Yes, I did google a few of the lines out of curiosity.

Because sexual intercourse takes place in the story, according to BBR guidelines, I have to rate this book 3 Flames, Sex with Details, R Rating. Although, personally, I would give it 1 Flame All Show, No Heat.  I cannot say any more without giving HUGE spoilers.

Frankie and Johnny have skeletons in their closets.  It is brought up time and again.  It's the BIG reason Frankie isn't able to let herself get close to Johnny - her dark and terrible secrets.  There were plenty of references to the "past", but nothing concrete.  The tale ends the same way it began.

The Devil's Playground contains brief scenes of interracial f/f.

And, just in case if you were still wondering about SLIM AND STEVE.

Review: DraculaVille (New York #1) By; Lara Nance

Title: DraculaVille (New York #1)
Author: Lara Nance
Source: Review Request 
Genre: Paranormal
Length: 248 pages Paperback 
Reviewed by: Emi 

**I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review**

Super Ad/Publicity Agent, Talia Quinton, is poised at the top of her career to receive a much coveted job representing the world’s largest advertiser. She’s shocked and humiliated when the account is given to a rival agent with much less experience. Instead, Talia is ordered to come up with a publicity plan to bring tourists to Romania. An account not worth a tenth of the one she’d hoped for. 

But she’s not called Talia the Tiger by the New York ad world for nothing. When she discovers a newly made and abandoned vampire named Drake, she takes on the job of healing and grooming him into the face of her new campaign.

Instead of touting the ancient country's rolling hills and historic castles, she turns the advertising world on its head by bringing Romania’s dark past to the center of the presentation. She proposes they build a fantasy themed amusement park/resort for adults called, DraculaVille, right in the heart of Transylvania. And Drake will pose as Dracula, their spokesperson. A vampire pretending to be an actor, pretending to be a vampire.

Talia’s disturbing attraction to Drake is only one obstacle in her path. She soon discovers New York fairly swarms with warring vampire communities and she and Drake have landed right in the middle of their biggest conflict. On top of that, the odd members of the Romanian National Publicity Committee begin making strange demands that keep Talia constantly on the edge of losing the account and her reputation as New York’s most formidable Account Executive.

As a last straw, Talia and Drake are kidnapped by a ruthless vampire gang and forced to fight for their lives as the clock ticks on completing the assignment necessary to retain the DraculaVille account. Their only hope of gaining freedom is to consent to an ancient vampire bonding ceremony. There's one problem. To complete the ceremony, Drake must kill Talia and turn her into a vampire. But despite her unavoidable attraction to the hunky vampire she saved, Talia's not ready to die.

Loved it!! 

Talia is a work-aholic bent on getting the top account in the company, so when  she doesn't get it,  she goes out and has a pity party for herself. Little did she know that not getting the account she was after would only lead her to something bigger and better, and more handsome. She runs into Drake while she is in a hangover blur in an alley, and instantly feels a pull to him, so she saves him. Drake was left for dead after being attacked  and Talia takes him back to her apartment, with her friend Gerri. They figure out that he is a Vampire, though Drake has no recollection of what happened. And that is when Talia comes up with a killer idea for her new account and Drake is going to be the central point of it all. As they work closer together they run into one problem after the other, with Vampires and Ad execs alike. When they think that finally all is good and they can take a well deserved break,  another issue surfaces.  

I thought this was a great read!! Not your typical Vampire story, I thought it was fun. I'm glad that the story doesn't revolve just around Talia & Drake.  Felix & Gerri are Talia's friends and are a great addition to the story. And I have to admit  not only was Drake a hot mouthwatering male specimen, but he was also an excellent  cook, the dinners he made sounded  delicious!! 

I cannot wait to read the next one!! 

ARC Review The Wolf Prince by Karen Whiddon

Title: The Wolf Prince
Author: Karen Whiddon
Source: Netgalley review request  
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Review by: Emi

Willow was unlike any princess he'd ever met… As heir to the throne, Ruben must choose an appropriate mate to preserve his royal bloodline—despite his fear that his true nature will destroy them both. Yet the female he craves above all others is a dangerous combination of fairy and shifter, a mesmerizing creature who inspires both passion and suspicion. Then violence strikes the castle, and the two are forced to track a killer into perilous magical territory. But with treachery everywhere, will Willow and Ruben's growing bond be enough to shift the fate of their two kingdoms?

Review The Invasion of 2020 by Ami Blackwelder

Title: The Invasion of 2020 (Shifter Evolutions #1)
Author: Ami Blackwelder
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal Sci-Fi
Format: Paperback, 265 pgs
Release Date: August 24, 2011

Alaska 2020. Earth. Shifters. Invasion.
Uri Petrov and Dr. Samantha Croon find their lives intertwined when the shifters first land on Earth. Both motivated by love for their families, each is taken down a different path that will change the course of their lives forever and eventually the fate of the world.

Meanwhile, the military has divided into fractions...those who believe in the alien invasion and those who refuse to accept it, leaving Captain Raul at opposing ends with other heads of military.

With the shifters invading the forests of Kenai Lake, they explore their new world of refuge, and must discover how to shift in animal form while uncovering what it truly means to be human.

With underlining themes of how prejudice breaks human connections and animal/wildlife conservation, this novel which has received rave reviews will leave the reader flipping through the pages. This was the fifth book written in the Shifter Evolutions Saga.


Rating -
-- 3.75 Stars!! --
Sexual -
Virtually None to
My Review:

3.75 Stars!!
While this is the fifth book written in the Shifter Evolutions series by Blackwelder, it has been subtitled Shifter Evolutions #1 since it is the prequel which tells the story of the actual invasion that started it all. Earlier this year I read and reviewed The Shifters of 2040 and, after reading this, I now understand more about the characters in that book. This author does something I so appreciate; includes a glossary of her world's terms in the front of the story.

Blackwelder has created a totally unique type of "shifter" for her series. They are Eequeueans, "sentient beings of light", with three form types: natural alien, animal and human-like.

It is the 4th of July 2020 in Alaska and meteors-like things fill the sky amongst the fireworks display but they don't just fall, they hover and streak sideways.

This is the story of:
Uri - who has an important part in the future, spends time in Alaska during his college life featuring his girlfriend Julie who so gets on my nerves with her screaming and panicking and who makes a decision which will forever change Uri
Samantha - and her dysfunctional marriage to Christopher caused by the death of her brother which causes her obsession with the shifters and trying to find a way to stop them since she thinks they killed her brother
Raul - and how he rises in power in the military due his obsession with the shifters after seeing one while out deer hunting and meets a young woman who will change his world and possibly the attitude toward the shifters
Melissa - how as a ten-year-old the seeds of hatred for her military father are already germinating and the shifters' discovery fuels her thirst for all things science which leads her to become a scientist

Here much of the military are the bad guys along with the American president, the public acts like the people of 1938 upon hearing H. G. Wells' radio broadcast of War of the Worlds and the aliens actually do come in peace just wanting to share a little bit of the earth.

I liked the story, especially since it has such unusual shifters and a good plot.

Review The Taker by Alma Katsu

Title: The Taker
Author: Alma Katsu
Source: From publisher
Genre: Paranormal
Format Hardcover 352 pgs

True love can last an eternity . . . but immortality comes at a price. . . .

On the midnight shift at a hospital in rural Maine, Dr. Luke Findley is expecting another quiet evening of frostbite and the occasional domestic dispute. But the minute Lanore McIlvrae—Lanny—walks into his ER, she changes his life forever. A mysterious woman with a past and plenty of dark secrets, Lanny is unlike anyone Luke has ever met. He is inexplicably drawn to her . . . despite the fact that she is a murder suspect with a police escort. And as she begins to tell her story, a story of enduring love and consummate betrayal that transcends time and mortality, Luke finds himself utterly captivated.

Her impassioned account begins at the turn of the nineteenth century in the same small town of St. Andrew, Maine, back when it was a Puritan settlement. Consumed as a child by her love for the son of the town’s founder, Lanny will do anything to be with him forever. But the price she pays is steep—an immortal bond that chains her to a terrible fate for all eternity. And now, two centuries later, the key to her healing and her salvation lies with Dr. Luke Findley.

Part historical novel, part supernatural page-turner, The Taker is an unforgettable tale about the power of unrequited love not only to elevate and sustain, but also to blind and ultimately destroy, and how each of us is responsible for finding our own path to redemption.

I have never reviewed a book that I did not finish reading until this one. I feel the need to let everyone know why I couldn’t finish it. I did read a little over 300 pages but I just found I couldn’t take the abuse and the way Lanore was so naive any longer. I have read quite a few books where I’ve stated that they weren’t for the faint of heart but this book was the worse yet. Lanore’s choices in life brings her down a long painful and very sad path in life, one  I just couldn't stomach. 

I do feel that the book is very well written. I did have a hard time getting into the first few chapters but once Lanore got into her story the author keeps you interested. I know a lot of people will like this tale just make sure you read quite few good and not so good review before jumping into this trilogy to make sure it would be for you.


I have seen people compare this to Anne Rice vampires. I myself say there's no way, both are totally different. 

Review Knight Of Swords by Sara Curran-Ross

Title: Knight Of Swords (The Swords Series, #1)
Author: Sara Curran-Ross
Source: Requested Review
Genre: Paranormal
Format: eBook, 195 pgs
Release Date: April 30, 2011
Author Website






Nathan Valancourt must protect his beautiful ward from a vampire killer. As the battle unfolds, their true heritage is gradually revealed, offering hope of redemption.

Lord Nathan Valancourt is stinking rich, a darling of London's social set in 1893 and a notorious womaniser. He had never believed in the supernatural but when a vampire killer masquerading as a clergyman begins haunting his dreams and forcing him to endure visions of the murder of his previous female conquests, Nathan determines to amend his frivolous ways.

When the killer turns his attention to Nathan's beautiful ward, Juliet, Nathan is anxious to protect her. As they battle the monster, Nathan and Juliet gradually realise that they share a psychic connection. This close bond triggers the discovery of their true heritage as descendents of human-vampire unions and leads to the gradual revealing of powers beyond their imagination that offer them hope of victory.




Rating -


Sexual -


My Review:

This is the first in Curran-Ross' The Swords Series. Jack the Ripper isn't the only monster on the streets of London in the 1890s. Sebastian, a very powerful and sadistic vampire is obsessed with "his" Juliet.

Nineteenth century London, vampires, demons, a villan, a womanizer, a virgin, an obsession and a love destined to be from birth. All the makings of a historical paranormal romance, right? Well... while set in 1893 London, this is not a historical period piece. It has a very dark and somewhat confusing beginning and finishes much like a Clive Barker or Stephen King horror story. It might be loosely considered a paranormal romance with a heavy dose of horror.

Curran-Ross has created a totally new vampire mythos with this series. Enter the world of the Taleians - vampires and vampire hybrids who have a weakness to iron and animal blood but whose females have the ability to heal human sickness and ailments. There are two clans of Taleians: Morrigan (royal/rulers) & Breanainn (elite royal warrior/protectors).

Juliet finds herself after many years of thinking she was human, changing. She is in realty a Talian Morrigan hybrid chosen at birth to be Queen of Taleians.

Nathan, a favorite of the ladies, never even considered that he may be anything other than human when he finds himself changing into a Talian Breanainn hybrid chosen at birth as Juliet's protector/counselor/mate, her Knight of Swords.

When Sebastian is able to trick Juliet into giving herself up to him, Nathan and Juliet are dropped into a world of horror. But is it the Taleians or the humans who are the monsters of this tale? Curran-Ross has quite a twist in store for readers in this tale. One I didn't see coming. But note there is no HEA ending here and the story ends without resolution which apparently continues into the next book in the series which should be out later this year. Paranormal romance fans may not be comfortable with this story while horror and urban fantasy fans should feel right at home.

Review Goddess With A Blade by Lauren Dane

Title: Goddness with a Blade
Author: Lauren Dane
Source: Netgalley
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Authors website

Armed with a blessed blade and blood from a goddess, Rowan Summerwaite’s got a divine mission. Embodying a Vampire’s worst nightmare is a big job, but someone’s got to do it.

Freshly returned from a political firestorm that erupted after she’d executed the last Scion, Rowan hopes for a period of peace and quiet with the new replacement.

But before long, human women are being found in and around Las Vegas and it’s clear to her the killer is a Vampire. Clive Stewart rules his Vampires with an iron fist in the wake of a spectacular failure on the part of his predecessor. He doesn’t make the mistake of underestimating The Hunter. He knows she’s a predator just like him so he agrees to help her investigation. Within limits.

But nothing between Clive and Rowan stays within the lines and before long, things are tangled and dangerous both personally and professionally

Rating_

Sexual-

It’s been a while since I hit a book that I didn’t like, I knew it was coming. Goddess with a Blade is pure Urban Fantasy and one I didn’t care for. I got this book off of netgalley under romance (they so need a category for UF) and as most of you know romance is what I love, so I figured since I loved Lauren Dane’s Chase brothers this one would be alright, so not, I should have looked on Lauren website before I requested this one ugh. The majority of the book is written in Rownas POV and the romance is so not there, but you do get a couple of sex scenes. I have to hand it to Lauren she can go from romance to urban fantasy very easy. If you’re a UF reader you’d love I because it has your typical bad lady lead that loves fast cars, and let me tell you she has the mouth action that goes along with the kick butt action. The villain is very dangers and creepy, so this bring me to let you know this is not for the faint of heart. If you’re a romance reader looking for a paranormal love story you may want to wait for some more reviews before going out and buying it. 

Review Eternal Hunger by Laura Wright

Eternal Hunger (Mark Of The Vampire #1)
Author Laura Wright
Mass paperback 384 pgs
Paranormal romance- Vampire
Authors website

FEAR IS IN THE BLOOD
Alexander Roman wants nothing to do with the controlling rulers of his vampire breed or the family he escaped from a hundred years ago. But as a new threat to the pureblood vampires emerges, Alexander's ties to the past are forced upon him again, and without warning, he finds himself - disoriented, terrified, and near death - at the door of a stranger.

TRUST IS A RISK
Dr. Sarah Donohue is dedicated to removing the traumatic memories of her patients - like those of the stranger at her front door. But what he tells her of his past is too astonishing to be anything more than the delusion of a madman. Yet she has seen his flesh scarred by the sun and witnessed his inhuman strength. And never more has she felt so connected to a man, by both fear and seductive excitement

My review
Rating-

Sexual-

I was very disappointed with this one. I wish I would have kept my receipt to use my money back guarantee. I love to read romance and paranormal is my favorite, I never read a romance in this story. I never connected with either Sara or Alexander, I never found the depth of their story either. There is sex scenes, I just couldn’t get into them for one Sara always gets into the sex but Alexander, he just doesn’t want a mate and he doesn’t want her, a few times he wont go all the way with her, so she was left with questions as why wont he go all the way with me. To tell you the truth I was saying to Sara “Forget the lug and leave!” Needless to say it just wasn’t hot for me.

I didn’t get a good feel of the story or characters and what’s up with Gray I mean stick someone in the whole book. but you never read him as in him talking or doing anything just staring and not talking, I didn’t get it.

There is a lot of words in the book that had me saying “I need a glossary!!” But nope it not there, so you never get to know what they are saying. I also found this to be cross between other vampire series with just some twist to the story. I would suggest to anyone if you buy this keep your receipt for the money back guarantee that way you can take it back if you don’t like it.

There is a scene of f/f kissing.

Review Sunrise at Sunset by Jaz Primo

Sunrise at Sunset (The Sunset Series #1)
Author Jaz Primo
Requested review
paperback- 421 pgs
Urban Fantasy- vampires
Authors website

My name is Katrina Rawlings, and I am a vampire. I declare that with neither pride nor ego. I am simply nature’s most dangerous predator. On occasion, it’s a very valuable quality. It helped me protect Caleb Taylor one day when he was very young. But that single, traumatic day is behind him now; wiped from his memory, or so I hope.

Caleb has finally matured into a rather striking young man, and believe me, I like what I see. I’ll readily admit that there are issues for us to confront and overcome, though a sense of mutual commitment isn’t one of them. I’m feeling hopeful for our future together, in fact. But an adversary from my past has returned to haunt me, and she’s trying to get back at me through Caleb. That was her first...and last...mistake. I’ll protect my Caleb at all costs, and I’ll make her regret the day she was born.

So, I suppose that I’m not just a vampire. I’m about to become someone’s worst nightmare!

My Review
Rating-

Sexual-
Mention of Kissing

Here is a different twist, the female is the vampire in the dominant lead and the male is the human as submissive partner. I found it lacking in action, the romance is there, but its more like Katrina is a mother hen that wants to protect Caleb from everything. Caleb is very submissive and as most of you know I don’t like a heroine to roll over and do what she is told to do, I like a little tension added. I liked some aspects of the story, but I found Katrina a very bland vampire with not a lot of special abilities. I did like how Katrina is up front with Caleb about her being a vampire and she gives him a set of rules to follow. There is romance with just the mention of kissing, so I can see this very easy being a great book for a YA. This is a urban fantasy series. I felt Jaz does a good job in writing both Katrina and Caleb and her friends. I can see this series growing more over the next few books. I suggest this to anyone who likes an alpha female and to YA readers.

Review In Dreams Begans by Skyler White

In Dreams Begans
Author Skyler White
requested review
Dark Fantsay
Authors website

From a Victorian Ireland of magic, poetry and rebellion, Ida Jameson, an amateur occultist, reaches out for power, but captures Laura Armstrong, a modern-day graphic artist instead. Now, for the man or demon she loves, each woman must span a bridge through Hell and across history . . . or destroy it.


“Every passionate man is linked with another age, historical or imaginary, where alone he finds images that rouse his energy.” W. B. Yeats
Anchord in fact on both sides of history, Laura and Ida, modern rationalist and fin de siècle occultist, are linked from the moment Ida channels Laura into the body of celebrated beauty and Irish freedom-fighter Maud Gonne. When Laura falls—from an ocean and a hundred years away—passionately, Victorianly in love with the young poet W. B. Yeats, their love affair entwines with Irish history and weaves through Yeats’s poetry until Ida discovers something she wants more than magic in the subterranean spaces in between.
With her Irish past threatening her orderly present and the man she loves in it, Laura and Yeats—the practical materialist and the poet magus—must find a way to make love last over time, in changing bodies, through modern damnation, and into the mythic past to link their pilgrim souls . . . or lose them forever.

My Review
Rating-

Sexual-

I read to page 120 and stopped. My brain just couldn’t grab a hold of this one. To much going back in fourth between times, I just couldn’t keep up. Then I had a problem with the F/F kissing plus touching, just to much for me. There is more I didnt care for, but I dont feel getting into the rest, so I'm stopping here. Maybe someone else can get into this story, not me.