Showing posts with label 2 rating. Show all posts
Showing posts with label 2 rating. Show all posts

Friday, January 27, 2017

Undeniable by Gayle Eden



Title: Undeniable

Author: Gayle Eden
Genre: Historical Romance
Length: 200 pages
Publisher: Air Castle Books
Release Date: September 21, 2010
Source: Freebie
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Sensual Regency Romance from Gayle Eden Free book
I don't remember why I picked up this book - maybe it was a blind "Freebie click." But I could have done without.

Let's start with the good though. Gayle Eden starts with two great characters and a good set up. Our hero is a barely legitimized bastard that society looks down on and he's trying to prove himself. Our heroine is a bit jaded and almost on the shelf miss that just wants the freedom to do what she wants.

They have a marriage of convenience and mutual purpose. Both content to live their own lives apart from each other for the most part. But the story after this point was very un-memorable. I had to read through some other reviews to jog my memory just a few days later.

Outside of the storyline, this book needs a good proofreader and historical editor. Scenes go from drinking tea to coffee, and I'm pretty sure some of the terms and language used wasn't true to the time.

I'd recommend taking a pass on this one.

Thursday, January 5, 2017

Healer's Fate by Beth Caudill ~ Review



Title: Healer’s Fate

Author: Beth Caudill
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 73 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: July 1, 2013
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Corliss Rumdone hides behind her status as Healer to avoid the normal wolf pack hierarchical challenges. A forced mating changes the course of her life. Instead of Raymond, the beta wolf selected for her, she mates with Liam—her best friend and heir to the Alpha pair.

Liam whisks them away to a shifter retreat so they can allow the mating bond to settle in private. But interference from those seeking power and two terminal children arouse past hurts and challenge their new relationship. Even their home is not the haven it should be as Liam must watch Corliss fight for the right to stay his mate. For one healer, death becomes a weapon to balance life.
This one just didn't hit the spot for me. There was so much that I needed to know more about, or that just didn't quite add up. Corliss is the pack healer, which seems to be a very honored and special position, and yet she isn't treated that way. She seems to be looked down upon and is being forced into a mating she doesn't want.

Thankfully, her old friend Liam steps in and takes his place in the mating ceremony instead. I was good through here. It's what happens when they go on their "honeymoon" that I just had a hard time with. A random group of wolves seems to have it out for Corliss, we find out somewhat of a reason later, but at the time it occurs, it was just confusing.

While they are trying to figure out what is going on - even though they don't really know anything is going on - there's a family with two children that are dying and Corliss isn't able to save them. This seems like it was just thrown in to take up space and give her something to do later in the story as well.

There were some good moments, but overall this one fell flat for me. Things weren't tied together well and the bad guys were a little too erratic and out of the blue.

Monday, December 12, 2016

Homewrecker Incorporated by S. Simone Chavous ~ Review



Title: Homewrecker Incorporated
Author: S. Simone Chavous
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 328 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: January 5, 2016
Source: Review Request
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

*Don't let the title fool you, this is a story about true love, not cheating.

Without love, marriage is just business. At least that’s what Claudia Mason tells the women who seek her firm’s unique services. With wealthy husbands who see their wedding rings as meaningless pieces of jewelry, they trust Claudia to do whatever is necessary to gather the hard evidence needed to shatter an ironclad prenup.

She is the best in the business and has yet to meet a mark she couldn’t get the goods on— solidifying her belief that no man can be trusted. After landing a client who is her ticket to retirement, she is on top of the world. Until a chance encounter with Greyston Michaels turns her carefully controlled world upside down.

Greyston shows Claudia a part of herself she thinks she’s lost, making her question everything she believes about men—and love. But in Claudia's world, following her heart is bad for business. And business is everything.
This was a really well-written story. The characters were incredibly dynamic and fun, each with their own personality that really made them stand out from the group, while also added an important essence to the overall group as well. Some descriptive storytelling really brought the city to life around them.

But, I didn't like it. It was just a storyline that I couldn't seem to enjoy. Nothing wrong with the writing whatsoever, but the story just made me mad. The lies, the deceit, and the whole fact that they are trying to break up marriages (yes, with good reason, but still) was something I found I just couldn't enjoy.

Plus the twins kept getting mixed up. We have Grey and Greg.....I'm sorry but those names were just too close to each other for me and I kept wanting to switch them around and confusing myself.

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

Friday, December 2, 2016

Bear Hearts by Tamara Hoffa ~ Review


Title: Bear Hearts (Animal in Me #2)

Author: Tamara Hoffa
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 159 pages
Publisher: Secret Cravings Publishing
Release Date: May 27, 2015
Source: Review Request
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Fate brought them together. Lies keep them apart. Love could set them free. All they need is to trust in Bear Hearts.

Fate has dealt bear shifter Martin Kruger and rotten hand. His destined mate, Dr. Elizabeth Montrose, is the enemy and suffers from a fatal illness. He‘s waited over two hundred years for a mate he might never have the chance to claim.

Elizabeth has long ago given up dreams of love, marriage and children. Her life is her research and now that is gone in a puff of smoke, thanks to the bears of Honey Corners. A tiny spark of hope blooms in her heart when the handsome bear tells her they are mates, but will that instinctual bond be enough to overcome all that stands between them?
This book had a great concept - but wasn't put together very well. The beginning of the story covers a lot of time in just a couple chapters - but it isn't very clear about the time that's being covered. So I was a little surprised at some of the jumps.

Elizabeth was also a little too confusing for me. She did several things that she knew were wrong, but she did them anyway so she could keep an eye on things. I just didn't buy it. What she did made me not like her - even though she wasn't always directly involved with it every step of the way.

The romance between Elizabeth and Martin was cute, but somewhat predictable as well. Martin was the saving grace of the story. His reactions to things were so genuine and real that I really felt connected to him.

I love a good long ending - where we get to see our couple together and see how they're doing. But this ending was too long - even for me. Instead of giving me that one last look, it just dragged on a little much.

Tuesday, November 15, 2016

The Edge (Ignite #1) by Fleur Camacho ~ Review


Title: The Edge (Ignite #1)

Author: Fleur Camacho
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 75 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: October 12, 2016
Source: Freebie
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 2
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Laura only wants one thing, and it’s the deepest darkest secret of her heart. When a mysterious man emerges from a fire in her backyard, can he be the key to unlocking the secret she guards so close? Or will his own secrets ruin her trust forever?

If you like edge-of-your-seat paranormal romance, you’ll love this book.
This book had a great set-up. We start with a hunky guy walking out of a burning field, rushed to the hospital, and Laura needs to know what happened. Somehow, he's not hurt nearly as bad as he should have been. But he's being hunted, and it puts Laura and the ones she's closest to at great risk.

Definitely an eye-catching story, but it wasn't executed as well as it should have been. There are too many things that just "happen" with no explanation. Like when he runs from the hospital - without unhooking the machines or IVs, without any alarms of any sort going off, that there wasn't a police officer waiting to talk to him about the accident..... It was something that really stood out to me. There are enough of these little mistakes that I really started to get distracted.

I really wanted to like this one, but I don't think I'll be continuing the series.

Friday, October 21, 2016

Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward


Title: Lover Revealed (Black Dagger Brotherhood #4)
Author: J.R. Ward
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: AudioBook
Publisher: Onyx
Release Date: March 6, 2007
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Butch O'Neal is a fighter by nature. A hard-living ex-homicide cop, he's the only human ever to be allowed in the inner circle of the Black Dagger Brotherhood. And he wants to go even deeper into the vampire world—to engage in the turf war with the lessers. He's got nothing to lose. His heart belongs to a female vampire, an aristocratic beauty who's way out of his league. If he can't have Marissa, then at least he can fight side by side with the Brothers...

Fate curses him with the very thing he wants. When Butch sacrifices himself to save a civilian vampire from the slayers, he falls prey to the darkest force in the war. Left for dead, he's found by a miracle, and the Brotherhood calls on Marissa to bring him back. But even her love may not be enough to save him...
I wasn't a fan of this one. There were just so many things that didn't quite add up to me and it still bothers me. Butch seems to have been given part of the Omega - but the Omega can't find him? Thinks he's dead? Doesn't add up - especially as we find out more about how souls return and Lessers are created. I couldn't find a way to believe any of ti.

The part I did like was Vishous and learning more about his character and abilities. He's really quite fascinating. A lot of this book was taken up with characters that weren't our main couple. I still struggle with John. I just don't see him as an adult, but more of a 13 year old boy. Learning more about Rehv was amazing. I hope he gets his own story down the line - I think he deserves it.

All in all, this just wasn't the one for me. I'm going to move on and get started on the next because I think it's going to be much better, and I still want to see what happens in everyone's lives.


Black Dagger Brotherhood

Thursday, October 6, 2016

A Very Jaguar Christmas by Terry Spear



Title: A Very Jaguar Christmas (Heart of the Jaguar #4.5)

Author: Terry Spear
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 320 pages
Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: October 4, 2016
Source: NetGalley
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

There are all kinds of surprises under the mistletoe!

As a protector of all jaguar-kind, Guardian agent Demetria MacFarlane isn’t surprised to get a call near Christmas—but when she’s sent to protect a cub whose species she didn’t even know existed, her holiday season gets complicated. And it doesn’t help that her partner is a distraction of the hottest kind.

Hotshot JAG agent Everett Anderson can handle dangerous poachers and wildlife traffickers, no problem…but kids? Everett fears he’ll be stuck cub-sitting under the Christmas tree, but working with one sexy Guardian she-cat may be the best present he’s ever gotten.
I really wanted to love this one. There were so many great elements, but they never really came together. Demetria and Everett have a shared grief that has kept them apart - it was quite a sad beginning, which you don't usually see in a Christmas novel, and that was good. It set it apart a little. But, things change very quickly when they find an abandoned cub. Now, this cub is quite a surprise - it's beyond a surprise, but I can't give it away. Let's just say the Jaguar world will never be the same.

It was cure and well done, this introduction to something new. But it sort of took over the story. Instead of watching Demetria and Everett bond over a little cub, it turned into more of a mystery with a dash of sex. I needed more romance and feelings and denied attraction.

It also sort of bounced around a bit. At times it was hard to follow the dialog and keep up with who was doing what.

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

Wednesday, September 7, 2016

Wicked Little Secrets by Susanna Ives



Title: Wicked Little Secrets (Wicked Little Secrets #1)

Author: Susanna Ives
Genre: Historical Romance,
Length: 384 pages
Publisher: Sourcebook Casablanca
Release Date: December 3, 2013
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

It's Not Easy Being Good...

Vivacious Vivienne Taylor has finally won her family's approval by getting engaged to the wealthy and upright John Vandergrift. But when threatened by a vicious blackmail scheme, it is to her childhood friend that Vivienne turns; the deliciously wicked Viscount Dashiell.

When Being Wicked is so Much More Exciting...

Lord Dashiell promised himself long ago that his friendship with Vivienne would be the one relationship with a woman that he wouldn't ruin. He agrees to help her just to keep the little hothead safe, but soon finds that Vivienne has grown up to be very, very dangerous to all of Dash's best intentions.
This one really didn't do it for me. It went too far with an overly independent woman, crazy aunt, roguish hero, and jerky "right choice" man. Everything needed to be reigned in a bit because all three characters were over the top, and together it was just way too much.

Vivienne wants to be an explorer - awesome. I love an adventurous heroine. But she so snubs the way things should be that she would have been ruined and her prim and proper fiance would have jilted her long ago - I'm not sure he would have proposed to begin with. From wandering London along, to being caught coming out of a well-known rake's house unaccompanied - it just would never have been accepted.

Even the scenery was working against the story for me. The secret panels and the things that are found inside them were just way too over the top. I was engaged just enough to want to see how this could possibly end well. There's a good twist at one point that was a great aspect, but overall I was disappointed, especially after having enjoyed the second book in the series so much.


Wicked Little Secrets
Wicked Little Secrets #1

Monday, August 29, 2016

Miss Matched by Milly Taiden



Title: Miss Matched (Raging Falls #2)

Author: Milly Taiden
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 285 pages
Publisher: Latin Goddess Press Inc
Release Date: March 4, 2016
Source: Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Carly Toblan had a little too much wine at her best friend’s wedding. Now she’s found herself flirting with a hunky shifter who’s bent on showing her how much he wants her. She’s never been with a shifter but suddenly this curvy girl is hearing the call of the wild up close and personal.

Bear-shifter, Bastien Auberon, knows two things for sure. 1. Carly is his mate and 2. She doesn’t want to want him. Too bad because she does. And he’ll use that unquenchable desire to get her to be his. He’d never used sex to keep a woman before, but in love and war, anything goes.

With her father sending eligible men her way, and someone trying to take his mate from him, Bastien’s ready to roar in frustration. He has a lot to figure out before he can get Carly into a forever state of mind. Claiming a woman had never been this difficult. Good thing he’s so persistent and will let nothing stand in his way.

Reader Note: I hope you're ready for more panty-dropping sexiness. There's hot, sweaty, naughty sex, adult language, lots of violence and blood, a BBW heroine with an attitude and a roaring bear ready to claim his girl. If this is not the kind of stuff you like to read, skip this book. However, if you're a fan of all things naughty and humor, this is perfect for you. Enjoy!
Raging Falls is still a really fun place to visit. Bastien, a bear shifter, is an amazing character. I loved his artistic streak with carpentry. The "cabin" and furniture he created is described in such an amazing way that you can see the craftsmanship and beauty behind it. He's also pretty amazing at courting. I'd love to go out on any of the dates he plans, they are beyond perfect. He's everything you expect in a bear shifter - fierce and strong, but with a teddy bear aspect with those he loves that makes him quite a gentle soul.

Carly I liked, but she was taken way too far. Her father tries to control every aspect of her life and it goes horribly wrong - about as wrong as it could possibly go. Her attitude is a healthy one, leave me alone, I'm a big girl and I love myself just the way I am. But she said it over and over and over again. There has to be a way to show this strength without screaming it from every page. She did have an amazing sense of humor, and I loved all her nicknames for Bastien. They were perfect.

We meet a couple new characters that seem like they are going to be stars in our next trip to Raging Falls, but we don't see too much or our first couple. I missed them a little bit.

The other downfall for this book. It's really only about half of the pages you get and quite short. The rest of the story was first chapters from other books. I don't a little promo at the end, but almost half the book made it feel like I got a little ripped off.

Tuesday, July 5, 2016

The McCullagh Inn in Maine by Jen McLaughlin ~ Review


Title: The McCullagh Inn in Maine (McCullagh Inn #1)

Author: Jen McLaughlin
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 160 pages
Publisher: BookShots
Release Date: July 5, 2016
Source: Review Request
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Her second chance at love. . .

Chelsea McCullagh escapes to Maine with a gun and fresh bruises. She's ready to begin anew-until she runs into her old flame, Jeremy Holland. As he helps to fix her inn, her heart heals and they rediscover what they once loved about each other. But as the two play house, it starts to seem too good to last. . . .
Great concept - but not enough time to really play it out. Chelsea is in trouble, but we don't know why at first, and it takes most of the book to put it all together. I didn't like that at all. I wanted to know why she was on the run and what happened, so I could understand her actions and feel right along with her. Part of her fear was confusing since I didn't know where exactly it was coming from.

Jeremy also has a big something going on that was a surprise. I understand not hearing about his earlier in the story, but a hint or two would have been nice. There was just too much thrown at me without enough backstory information for me to really believe or feel it.

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

Thursday, June 23, 2016

Fearless by Rachel Van Dyken ~ Review



Title: Fearless (Ruin #2.5)

Author: Rachel Van Dyken
Genre: New Adult, Contemporary Romance
Length:100 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: March 9, 2014
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 2
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

When I met Kiersten, time stood still. It was as if every cell in my body screamed HER. I couldn't look away, I couldn't walk away, I couldn't even move. My other half, my soul mate, was staring right at me. I had to have her. I had to make her mine. But I felt selfish doing that--knowing that I may not have endless amounts of time to give her...and even now that every things' over with and I've been given that time back.

Nothing is ever certain in this life.

Which is why I'm about to do something crazy, impulsive, daring.
After all, what type of person would I be if I didn't take my own advice?
I'm jumping off the cliff, I'm living fearlessly.

This is the continuation of Wes and Kiersten's story.
This one didn't cut it for me. There was just a bit too much that I couldn't quite believe or see these guys doing. Kiersten in particular just seemed quite out of character several times, and I just didn't like her as much.

Towards the end, the author starts to set up Lisa's story - which is fine - but I don't really like how she did it. I think it should have just been left to her own book so we can experience it all at once. This was a little novella that just didn't seem to fit very well.

Thursday, March 10, 2016

Seducing a Wolf by Camryn Rhys and Krystal Shannan


Title: Seducing a Wolf (Moonbound #5)
Author: Camryn Rhyn and Krystal Shannan
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Romantic Suspense
Length: 158 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: January 27, 2016
Source: Review Request
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

She's an enigma.

Controlling and driven by day.

Sensual and submissive by night.

And his plan is simple...

Seduce her into submission.

In order to find the crack in an enemy's business, Alejandro Sureda and his pack must find a weakness on the inside. And their rival's beautiful daughter, Juliana, is their greatest shot. But when Alex starts to feel a connection for her, he has a decision to make: protect her from the truth or reveal her father for who he truly is.
This was not my favorite of the series so far. While some very important information is delivered for the overall chase of the bad guys, I just could not get into the romance for anything. The two characters just did not connect in my mind at all. We find out a little bit more about the bad guy and get a little bit closer to finding him. I'm really excited to read book six and find out what will happen next.

But don't let this scare you away from the series - it is an amazing story line with some really great characters - this one just didn't quite stand up to par with it's fellow series-mates.

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


Moonbound Series

Wednesday, March 2, 2016

Her Special Alpha by Paige Tyler ~ Review


Title: Her Special Alpha (X-Ops #3.5)
Author: Paige Tyler
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 103 pages
Publisher: Kindle Worlds
Release Date: August, 2, 2015
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Former Army Special Forces soldier Travis Dalton finds himself thrust into the mysterious world of the Department of Covert Operations, one where sometimes bad guys do more than shoot you—sometimes they tear you to shreds.

Feline shifter and covert agent Eden Bristow can’t help noticing how good Travis is at guarding her back—and turning her on. She hasn’t had much luck with guys, not once they get a look at her fangs and claws.

Travis doesn’t seem to have a problem with her being a shifter, and Eden is ready to make up for lost time. But one little thing is getting in the way of their romance—a gang of bad guys, and the vicious wolf shifter leading them.

This was a cute and exciting story, but I really disliked getting pulled out of the main storyline. I missed the old friends I've met along the way, and I really really wanted to know more about the whole hybrid mystery - and I didn't get that.

What I did get was a great stand-alone novel with some really fun characters. Eden was great - if a little too invincible at times. And Travis took finding out about shifters a little too well - but hey, it's a novella so we don't have a lot of time for people to really soak in new things.

While we get to see a few of our friends from previous books, they make very brief appearances - so no need to know what has happened up until now to really get into this one. This is more of a mobster vs cops type of story as well. A nice change from the super-secret-government-agency out to save the world type of story to mix things up a bit.

Monday, January 25, 2016

Island of Lost Girls by Jennifer McMahon ~ Review




Title: Island of Lost Girls

Author: Jennifer McMahon
Genre: Mystery, Thriller
Length: 272 pages
Publisher: William Morrow Paperbacks
Release Date: April 22, 2008
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Cerridwen

While parked at a gas station, Rhonda sees something so incongruously surreal that at first she hardly recognizes it as a crime in progress. She watches, unmoving, as someone dressed in a rabbit costume kidnaps a young girl. Devastated over having done nothing, Rhonda joins the investigation. But the closer she comes to identifying the abductor, the nearer she gets to the troubling truth about another missing child: her best friend, Lizzy, who vanished years before.

From the author of the acclaimed Promise Not to Tell comes a chilling and mesmerizing tale of shattered innocence, guilt, and ultimate redemption.
Hmmmm...wasn't as impressed with this McMahon book but it is one of her earlier ones. It was still creepy with the whole kidnapping scenario. That's every parent's worst nightmare, but it still took me a good 70+ pages to get going and decide I needed to find out what happened to these missing children.

True to McMahon style though she delivers a twist and punch with the end you don't see coming.


Thursday, January 14, 2016

Wonder Lust by Lavender Daye - Review



Title: Wonder Lust (Somewhere, TX #5

Author: Lavender Daye
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: 116 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: December 18, 2014
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 4
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Max Travis loved his life. A great job, a nice apartment in NYC, and a thriving social life. Amazing how one little infraction, one slip into forbidden pleasure, could shake up a lifestyle. Delia Kelly enrolled at JCMU to study history and social work. She had a solid plan, one that didn’t include dating. Studying and working part time would fill her schedule and she'd already found a job at a local diner.

The Jackalope café wasn’t known for romance, but when Max and Delia met, the rules disappeared. Could a one-night-only affair be enough?
This is a low point in the series for me. The story of naive-ish college student hooking up with a womanizing history professor seemed a little cliche, but there were some nice highlight in it. The professor was always upfront with women about not being interested at least, so he was a good womanizer - sort of? There just wasn't a whole lot of meat to their relationship and the mini BDSM elements fell short of being very realistic. In fact, the part that I wanted to see them most - their trip to Dallas - was skimmed over in just a few paragraphs.

In order to beef the story up, a stalker was added, but he was never really part of the story. To be honest, I forgot about him until he had his next couple paragraphs later in the story, and then again towards the end. He seemed to be added just to give the reader something to read.

I'm also confused as to why Delia's family history was so important. We actually hear more about this than the stalker, but then it just went away and we don't hear more about it. I was very confused. There were some many good directions to go, but none of them were taken.


Somewhere, TX

Wednesday, October 14, 2015

Angel's Pain by Maggie Shayne - Review



Title: Angel’s Pain (Wings in the Night #15)

Author: Maggie Shayne
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Length: 400 pages
Publisher: Mira
Release Date: October 1, 2008
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Briar needs just two things: blood and vengeance. The first sustains her immortal life; the second gives it meaning.

First on her hit list is Gregor, the renegade vampire who schooled her in brutality, then betrayed and tortured her. To achieve her deadly ends, Briar joins the inscrutable Reaper and his misfit gang of vampires who are also hunting her old mentor.

But once she’s destroyed Gregor, she’ll be gone. The group means nothing to her. Not even Crisa—damaged, defenseless, a liability in every way—the childlike vamp with whom Briar shares a blood bond. Or Reaper. Though they shared one moment of pure passion, it’s not as though Briar has feelings for him.

Because Briar needs no one. She needs only to satisfy her twin hungers—ones that may ultimately consume her.
This series is really starting to lose steam on me. The lack of appearances from the original group of vampires that I've grown to love - except in cases of emergencies where they swoop in like super heroes - has really hurt these for me. The new batch just isn't as much fun at the old one.

Reaper and his gang are on the hunt for Gregor for a multitude of reasons. In fact, as the story goes on, more and more reasons pop up. Soon it seems like each of the good vamps has their own personal vendetta against the guy. He's bad - like really really bad - but it was a little much.

Crisa was a little over the top and the story really seemed to revolve around her instead of Briar, who is our main female in the romance. Perhaps this one took a little more of an Urban Fantasy feel to it. I love a good urban fantasy, but I went into this knowing I wanted to read a romance. The romance just didn't seem to take center stage like I would have expected it to.

There was a lot of action, but much of it was over the top and seemed to be thrown in there just to be there sometimes. I'm really hoping that future books get back to the feel the series had in earlier titles.


Wednesday, October 7, 2015

An Amish County Christmas by Charlotte Hubbard and Naomi King - Review




Title: An Amish County Christmas

Author: Charlotte Hubbard and Naomi King
Genre: Inspirational Romance, Amish
Length: 352 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: October 1, 2013
Source: Contest Win
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 1
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

In Willow Ridge, Missouri, the Christmas season is a time when faith brings peace, family brings warmth and new romance brings sparkling joy. . .Twins For Christmas

For spirited Martha Coblentz and her twin Mary, the snow has delivered the perfect holiday and birthday present to their door--handsome brothers Nate and Bram Kanagy. But when unforeseen trouble interrupts their season's good cheer, it will take unexpected intervention--and sudden understanding--to give all four the blessing of a lifetime. . .

Kissing The Bishop

As the year's first snow settles, Nazareth Hooley and her sister are given a heaven-sent chance to help newly widowed Tom Hostetler tend his home. But when her hope that she and Tom can build on the caring between them seems a dream forever out of reach, Nazareth discovers that faith and love can make any miracle possible. . .
I normally enjoy inspirational and Amish romances. They are a step away from what I generally read, and the sweet aspect of it all is just a lot of fun. These two however, fell very flat. They were so sweet that it gave me a stomachache and much of the time I felt like I was reading a parody of their behavior and way of speaking. It was just way too over the top for me.

In Twins for Christmas two brothers fall in love (at first sight) with twin sisters. This seemed a bit fast and a little ridiculous. The antics the girls pull while trying to figure out which brother they want were childish and I can't imagine grown women doing them, or grown men still wanting to "date" the girls that did it.

Kissing the Bishop took a step in the right direction though. Again we have two romances, but they have a bit more time to develop. I also liked the fact that our couples were older than what you traditionally see in romance novels. It added a very different conflict aspect to the story that was a lot of fun. This was by far the better of the two stories.

Monday, October 5, 2015

Already Freakn' Mated by Eve Langlais - Review



Title: Already Freakn’ Mated (Freakn’ Shifters #3)

Author: Eve Langlais
Genre: Paranormal Romance, Shifters
Length: 310 pages
Publisher: Indie
Release Date: October 26, 2012
Source: Self-Purchased
Rating: 2
Heat Rating: 3
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Lucky him, he found his mate. Just one teensy, tiny problem. She was already married to someone else.

Meeting the woman of his dreams would have worked a lot better if she didn’t already belong to another man. But Chris wasn’t about to let something like ‘until death do us part’ keep him from claiming his woman. He’ll do anything to win his mate, including throwing his attractive cousin at the pesky husband.

Despite the danger, and her marital status, Jiao can’t help falling for a handsome wolf. Honor says she should stay away, but her curious inner cat is flexing her claws and demanding they claim their man.

But Jiao isn’t the only one falling in love. When her husband finds himself head over heels with a she-wolf, will Sheng do the right thing and end the marriage sham? Or will the past catch up first and bite them?
This one really fell flat for me and I was sooo surprised. I have really enjoyed every other Eve Langlais book out there, so I'm thinking this one make be a fluke. And for those of you worried about the cheating spouse issue - that gets cleared up quickly so don't worry about it.

Chris was a little boring for me. He was too much like the other shifters in his alpha male, I'm going to take what is mine attitude. He was just a little too cliche. When he finds out his mate is already married, he sets up a grand scheme to try and convince her to leave her husband.

Jiao isn't what you would expect. Although she is a little cat like, we don't really get to see that side of her very often. Her husband is a big stick in the mud though. And while he has his reasons, he really goes overboard with them. When these reasons show up in town with a mission that needs thwarting, the whole town will come together.

But this was another part that just didn't fit. If there was such an awful bad guy that was harming shifters, wouldn't the shifter community have gotten wind of it somehow? I just find the whole bad guy hard to believe.

I'm going to keep going in the series because the next books look great. I think this one just wasn't for me.

Monday, June 8, 2015

When a Rake Falls by Sally Orr - Review

Title: When a Rake Falls (The Rake's Handbook #2)
Author: Sally Orr
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Historical Romance - Regency
Length: Novel
Release Date: April 7, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 2
Sexual - 3

To win a race to Paris, dashing Lord Boyce Parker hires a balloon. He expects to be
crowned the victor and become famous for his courage and intelligence. Only then can he regain his father’s respect from the scandal of publishing the naughty book The Rake’s Handbook: Including Field Guide.

Bluestocking Miss Eve Mountfloy makes a bargain with the handsome Pink of the Ton. She’ll fly the balloon during the dangerous crossing to France, if he lets her finish her scientific experiments to predict violent storms and thereby save lives.

Eve proceeds with her studies, but the results are not what she expected. Chafing to keep warm creates unusual sensations everywhere. Then when Lord Parker asks if she is curious about the heat generated by a kiss, well, she is curious. It seems Lord Parker is performing experiments of his own that will forever change Eve’s perception of the word "results."
Eve Mountfloy is a great heroine. She is incredibly smart, and loves to learn more about a variety of things. Her expertise is aeronautics and balloon flight experiments. You could practically see her light up every time she got a chance to talk about it.

Lord Boyce Parker was a bit whiny. He was so obsessed with trying to win a contest to prove to his father that he was "something" and it he wouldn't stop talking about it. I'm all for sensitive guys and I love one that isn't afraid to talk about his emotions. Unfortunately, Boyce came across as more childlike than being a sensitive adult male. I really don't know how Eve put up with it.

Their adventure was quite amusing though. Through several accidents during their balloon flight, to interfering relatives and friends, they manage to stick together. I enjoyed see more of the intellectual side of the population and overall enjoyed the story - just didn't particularly care for Boyce.

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


More From Sally Orr

Tuesday, May 26, 2015

The Millionaire's Unexpected Proposal by Jane Peden - Review

Title: The Millionaire's Unexpected Proposal (Miami Lawyers #1)
Author: Jane Peden
Source: NetGalley
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Length: Novel
Release Date: March 31, 2015
Reviewed by: Jasmyn

Rating - 2
Sexual - 3

His marriage of inconvenience…


Camilla Winthrop is about to do something she's never done in her life—she's about to ask a man to marry her. Not just any man. She hasn't seen Sam Flanagan in almost five years, after he coldly walked away from a passionate and intense two-week affair. Now Camilla is widowed and desperate…and marrying Sam is the only way she can protect their son. The son he never knew about.

A hugely successful attorney in Miami, Sam certainly never expected to see the stunning Camilla come through his door again. Nor can he ignore the desire heating his blood. But after she tells him her situation, Sam is furious. He'll marry her, but under his terms. And he'll take everything, including Camilla in his bed…unless she can find a way to thaw the millionaire's icy heart once more.
Another book with a hero that I just couldn't like. It seems to be trend lately. Sam is a very well to do lawyer now, but he wasn't when he met Camilla. Now that she has shown up with his son several years later, he automatically thinks that she's only after his money. I get that - I really do. But he doesn't give her a chance to really prove herself AT ALL. And the times she tries to show him that she isn't a money hungry witch, he throws it in her face and shows her just how little he thinks of it all.

Camilla bears it all in good form, she's more worried about making sure her son stays with her than the opinion of the man she hasn't seen in years. She's a pretty great mom and sister and I really loved how dedicated she was to both of them. She's had a bit of a rough past and is trying really hard to make a better future.

Eventually Sam comes to his senses, but not until it was too late for him in my mind. I did enjoy the story and the basic premise behind the romance was a good idea. Sam just really needed to turn into a good guy a lot sooner.

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