Archive for the ‘Rate Me Reviews’ Category

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »

Review: A Werewolf in Manhattan

Thursday, January 6th, 2011

Comment to enter to win a copy of your own!

Click to purchase from Amazon

A Werewolf in Manhattan
Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson
Publisher: NAL Signet Eclipse
Pub. Date: January 4, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-0451232472
Retail: $7.99

Emma Gavin writes bestselling novels about werewolves, but that doesn’t mean she believes in them — and she certainly doesn’t think she’ll meet one. But that’s exactly what happens when her books catch the attention of a rich and powerful pack of Manhattan Weres, who have kept their existence hidden for centuries. Alarmed by the accuracy of her novels, they’re determined to find out if a renegade is acting as her informant.

Aidan Wallace, the pack leader’s son and heir, knows he’s the wolf for the job, but when he gets close to Emma, they are both surprised by an attraction too strong to deny. To surrender to it, Aidan will have to risk everything— including the security of the pack he’s sworn to protect…

~*~*~

“Wanting her was dangerous. She was not of his kind, and if she learned what he was, she could put the pack at risk. Yet desire waylaid him each time he caught her scent.”~ book excerpt

Emma Gavin writes about werewolves. Her novels are so close to the truth that they’ve garnered the attention of Aidan Wallace, werewolf extraordinaire. When a renegade werewolf sends suggestive messages with an underlying hint of violence, Aidan acts as Emma’s bodyguard to send a warning to the errant wolf with ties to Aidan’s family.

Things go awry when Emma incites Aidan’s mating urge. Aidan is betrothed to another by means of a treaty between packs. He can’t risk breaking the engagement for a joining with a human without jeopardizing the peace. Besides, Emma doesn’t know that he’s exactly what she’s been writing about.

Aidan captured my heart with his fierce loyalty, torn between his obligation to his pack and loving the woman who should be his mate, but cannot. He’s indulgent and protective of Emma and clearly makes some decisions based on emotion rather than logic.

As for Emma, I didn’t fall in love with her character because she was a bit stereotypical– an introverted writer with a love for chocolate and coffee, and not as dimensional or multi-faceted as Aidan. However, Emma is spunky, quirky. Not much else in the way of personality, except for her sincere compassion for Aidan’s predicament.

A Werewolf in Manhattan is definitely Aidan’s story. His character is the one who grows and matures. There wasn’t much development in Emma. Her character remained static as the story progresses. I realize that generally only one character undergoes considerable change, but I would like to have seen Emma experience some transformation in her journey. After all, I would imagine that finding out werewolves are “real” would inspire some sort of character change since it challenges a belief system.

Despite my initial reservations about a romance writer heroine, this story was engaging enough that I forgot about my initial prejudices. And all though I longed for something more substantial from Emma, A Werewolf in Manhattan was an enjoyable, sometimes laugh out loud, comedic read. I went through it in one sitting and was smiling when I reached The End.

NYT bestselling author, Vicki Lewis Thompson kicks off her new Wild About You series with A Werewolf in Manhattan’s debut. A snippet of what’s to come in the second installment was included in the ARC and of course I couldn’t resist the teaser. I’m happy to say that the series definitely appears promising.

Rating: 7 (Good)

Heat Level: 5 (Scorching)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Reviewed by: Kristal Lee

Tags:
Posted in Giveaways, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews, Signet/NAL | 31 Comments »

Review: Stone Kissed

Monday, January 3rd, 2011

Click to purchase

Stone Kissed
Author: Keri Stevens
Publisher: Carina Press
Pub. Date: December 27, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1426891014
Retail: $5.39

When Delia Forrest talks to statues, they talk back. She is, after all, the last of the Steward witches.

After an arsonist torches her ancestral home with her estranged father still inside, Delia is forced to sell the estate to pay his medical bills. Her childhood crush, Grant Wolverton, makes a handsome offer for Steward House, vowing to return it to its former glory. Delia agrees, as long as he’ll allow her to oversee the restoration.

Working so closely with Grant, Delia finds it difficult to hide her unique talent—especially when their growing passion fuels her abilities.

But someone else lusts after both her man and the raw power contained in the Steward land. Soon Delia finds herself fighting not just for Grant’s love, but for both their lives…

~*~*~

When a fifth generation witch, a succubus with an uncontrolled lust, and a virile, strong willed treasure hunter all vie for ownership of the same house, you know sparks are going to fly.

STONE KISSED has Delia Forrest, a quiet dedicated stone conservator with a long held secret, losing her ancestral home to fire. Her estranged father is badly burned in the blaze and lies comatose in ICU at the local hospital. Delia returns home for the first time in years. Her heritage as a witch, with a special talent for conversing with the statues she repairs, comes rushing back.

Grant Wolverton and Delia’s father have a long standing dislike for one another. Grant has never liked Vernon Forrest since he first witnessed the man’s cruel behavior toward his daughter years ago. His dislike escalated as they competed against each other for antique treasures. Beating Vernon at his own game gave Grant a bit of pleasure. As a result, he’s far from sympathetic upon learning the Steward ancestral home has been damaged by fire. Rather, he sees it as a great opportunity to own a beautiful historical property where he can finally put down roots.

Cecily Johnson has a history of sucking men dry…literally. As a succubus, it’s simply a matter of survival. But she sees something she wants more than a quick thrill – the Steward house. Cecily has known about the strange powers on the Steward family land for years so she plots to not only possess the ancestral home but the man who bought it. Grant Wolverton has tons of money and an energy that feeds her craving. Or will until he dies like the rest.

After Delia’s father is horribly burned in the fire, she reluctantly accepts Grant’s offer to purchase the property so she can afford medical care. Grant tries to ignore his attraction toward Delia, yet gives in when she suggests he allow her to assist with the renovation. After all, she knows more about the original design of the house than anyone.

As the attraction consummates into a passionate relationship, Grant ignores the little idiosyncrasies about Delia. She talks to statues. She answers them. She moves them around when he’s not present. Is he going crazy? Or is she? And what’s with her cousin, Cecily? The woman is all over him but there’s a coldness in her that feels repulsive.

The police investigation into arson points fingers to a drifter Cecily hired, forcing her to go on the defensive. The results are a long tangle of dried up body parts as she craftily eliminates her opposition. She’s also irritated that hunky Grant seems to prefer mousey Delia over her. She’s not above taking out the strange little creature if she has to, but when she inadvertently learns Delia can wield power to inanimate objects, Cecily is more than intrigued. She realizes taking Delia’s energy will empower her far beyond anything she’s experienced.

The story culminates in a final showdown between Grant, Delia and Cecily at the family mausoleum. Delia and Grant’s love and lives are tested beyond belief. They receive assistance in the nick of time but neither can believe what one loving soul sacrifices to keep them safe.

STONE KISSED was a good read. It started off a little slow with some confusing scenes. They make sense later on if you can hang in there through the first 150 pages. I personally felt it could have been condensed into a shorter, tighter story but I understand the painstaking care with which the author built the paranormal environment. That care, however, made some pages move at a sluggish pace.

Keri Stevens has shown real promise with this title. I am curious to see what else she produces.

Rating: 6.5 ( More than just Satisfactory)

Heat Level: 4 (Hot)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 7.0/10 (1 vote cast)

Reviewed by: Deb

Tags:
Posted in Carina Press, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews | Comments Off

Review: Earl of Darkness

Sunday, January 2nd, 2011

Earl of Darkness
Author: Alix Rickloff
Publisher: Pocket Books
Pub. Date: December 28, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1439170366
Retail: $7.99

The magic she tries to hide . . .

Born a lady, but reduced to surviving in the slums of Dublin, Catriona O’Connell has been hired to steal a mysterious book from Aidan Douglas, Earl of Kilronan. But Cat is secretly Other, an age-old mixture of Fey and human—something Aidan recognizes immediately when he surprises the lovely young burglar in his library, about to steal a magical diary.

. . . is the magic he desperately wants.

From the moment Aidan sees her, Cat’s spirited beauty enchants him, but her uncanny abilities are what he truly needs, for Cat can understand the mystical language in the diary he inherited from his murdered father. So Aidan makes an offer: translate the book or be thrown in prison as a thief. And as Cat slowly deciphers each page, she and Aidan are drawn together by passion . . . and into the violence of the Other world that is the Kilronan legacy. Can they defeat those who seek the book, or are their lives in even greater danger than their hearts?

~*~*~

Cat O’Connell, a fallen lady turned thief, has been commissioned to steal a diary. An item of great importance, but the reason why eludes her. In an unfortunate happenstance during the robbery, she meets the owner of the diary, Aidan, the Earl of Kilronan. Aidan is dismayed to see a thief trying to steal the key to his family secrets, but elated when he discovers Cat can decipher the mysterious language within the volume. The thing is, Cat’s not the only one that wants the diary and the information it holds. Aidan and Kat must work together quickly in order to decipher it’s secrets before forces of evil take the diary and its power.

Earl of Darkness is a rip-roaring good time. The novel features a wonderful universe and great characters that make this mysterious tale set in the early 1800s a great treat. If you like a little touch of mystery mixed in with a little dose of magic, this is the book to pick up next. Earl of Darkness combines all the right intriguing elements to make an interesting mix of paranormal craziness with a touch of romance to boot.

It is easy to feel a kinship to the heroine Cat as a woman making the best of the options left to her. Alix Rickloff creates an intriguing woman who is educated and proper, but followed her heart which ultimately led to her ruin. Now this second chance at love with Aidan has made her more reluctant to trust her heart. That and the fact that society would never welcome their union. She is the character any reader can relate to because she is a fighter and survivor, forced to become sensible about the harsh realities of life.

Aidan is the dark brooding hero that drives you crazy. His past reveals he is the tortured soul that Cat longs to save…and to love. You will fall in love with him just as easily as any other heroine. He has a strong sense of obligation that is attached to any dutiful hero set in a Regency historical, yet it is the paranormal touches that draw out the best in him. His family history with magic shows him that not all answers are black and white and that there is more to life than titles and honor. Both of them harbor wounded hearts which is what drives them together and strengthens their bond. They start off as an unusual partnership and their journey through this magical mess is how they start to mend those wounds to start again.

Not everything was wrapped up in this installment. Really, only a few things were completed resolved by the last page. Hopefully more questions will be solved and answered in the next installment Lady of Shadows. As for Earl of Darkness, this historical paranormal romance is a smart and exciting journey that will keep you enthralled until the very end. Alix Rickloff creates a universe you won’t ever wish to leave and one that will keep you turning the pages desperate to know the ending. The writing is vivid, that characters are sharp and the romance is steamy. This novel conjures all the right elements for a fantastic read.

Rating: 8 (Very Good)

Heat Level: 4 (Hot)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 9.0/10 (2 votes cast)

Reviewed by: Lisa

Tags: ,
Posted in Pocket Books, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews | 5 Comments »

Review: Christmas Cookie Murder

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

Christmas Cookie Murders
Author: Leslie Meier
Publisher: Kensington
Pub. Date: October 1, 2000
ISBN-13: 978-0758228901
Retail: $6.99

For Lucy Stone, the best thing about Christmas in Tinker’s Cove has always been the annual Cookie Exchange. But the usual generosity and goodwill is missing from this year’s event which turns out to be a complete disaster.

Petty rivalries and feuds that have long been simmering finally come to a boil, leaving a bad taste in the mouths of many guests, including Lee Cummings who accuses Tucker Whitney of stealing her recipe for low-fat, sugar-free cookies. But the icing on the cake is when Tucker is found strangled in her apartment on the following morning.

Who could’ve wanted Tucker dead badly enough to kill her? Despite all of the ingredients for danger, Lucy sets out on the trail of a murderer and soon uncovers a Christmas secret best left wrapped.

~*~*~

‘Tis the Season for merriment and murder compliments of Leslie Meier and her tasty twist of murder in Christmas Cookie Murder.

Lucy Stone has been around the block a time or two when it comes to solving unexpected crimes—much to the alarm of the local police and her family and friends. With Christmas around the corner, Lucy hopes for festive merriment and peace. However, when she decides to take on the annual Cookie Exchange, she gets anything but merriment and peace –topped with a murder of one of her party guests. With so many disheartened feelings and secrets among her guests, rivalries and jealousies, the mood is anything but festive and the suspect list is anything but short.

Tinker’s Cove, Maine is a small, cozy town, where everyone knows everyone. Just like any other town, Tinker’s Cove is suffering from economic pains and strife. To top things off, there seems to be a drug problem running rampant, particularly among the young people. Morals are beginning to be questioned and secrets are getting darker. Lucy knows that something must be done and as a writer for the local paper, she is thrown in the midst of the town’s dishevel and the questionable ethics of the town’s newest head of the police department.

What Lucy discovers will shock everyone, if she lives to tell about it.

Christmas Cookie Murder is number seven in Leslie Meier’s Lucy Stone Mystery series. Though this is my first by the author, I found myself quickly and easily thrown in to the world of Lucy Stone. For me, the story flowed well and the characterization was very well done. As a lover of the cozy mystery genre, I thought this story was a bit darker, though on a serious level, dealing with the wide-spread epidemic of drug trafficking and drug abuse. The lengths that offenders go to, to keep their secrets are both deadly and horrifying. Ms. Meier does a great job portraying this, as well as bringing a bit of humor and humanity to her story.

Lucy Stone is a character that is very easy to relate to. She is a loving mother, who is trying her best to raise her children—ranging from teen to pre-school age, a dedicated friend, wife and a hard worker. She wants nothing but justice and happiness for her children as well as justice and truth for others. Many readers will easily be able to relate to her and understand her feelings and emotions as she goes through day-to-day living and complications. Okay, so most readers, me included, don’t deal with amateur sleuthing on top of that, but that’s what adds the entertaining kicker and pleasure for readers.

I truly enjoyed Leslie Meier’s style of writing and greatly look forward to reading more by this author.

Rating: 7 (Good)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Reviewed by: April

Tags:
Posted in Kensington, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews | 5 Comments »

Review: Master of Smoke

Friday, December 24th, 2010

Master of Smoke
Author: Angela Knight
Publisher: Berkley/Penguin Group
Pub. Date: January 4, 2011
ISBN-13: 978-1101476765
Retail: $6.99

After surviving a werewolf attack, Eva Roman finds herself able to turn fanged and furry even as she copes with emotional with emotional scars from the attack. When she saves a handsome shapeshifter from a similar attack, she can’t imagine where the chance rescue will lead them.

The shifter she rescues cannot tell her who he is because he was stripped of his memory and poswers during the assault. So Eva calls him David, not knowing his true identity as Smoke, a Sidhe warrior. His attacker was Warlock, the magic-imbued leader of a cult of werewolf assassins trained to destroy all but their own kind in the Mageverse.

Eva and Smoke aren’t the only ones determined to stop him. Nor is Warlock their only enemy. Now, as a war ignites between all the immortals of the Mageverse, Eva and Smoke will need more than their love for each other to survive.

~*~*~

Master of Smoke is smokin’ hot with fast moving, action-packed sequences and sizzling love scenes.

Eva Roman is a comic book geek coping with surviving a werewolf attack when she stumbles upon a shapeshifter in the throes of a similar assault. Upon rescuing him, she discovers that he’s lost his memory, except that he knows he’s been dreaming of her for weeks.

Eva decides to call him David, unaware that he’s a Sidhe warrior that shares his body and mind with two other entities, Cat and Smoke. David’s attacker, Warlock, is the leader of a fanatical werewolf aristocracy. He seeks Smoke’s magick and memories in order to destroy the Mageverse and rule the human Earth.

Eva risks her life to help David reunite with his spirit brothers and then must discover if she can love David for who he is in his entirety, rather than the fractured man she first met. For David, Eva is his heart and soul and he will fight the battle of his life to keep her safe and win her love.

Eva’s internal dialogue with her “Fluffy” werewolf self is hilarious and provides some needed comic relief during intense scenes.

David/Smoke’s struggle for Eva’s acceptance tugs at the heart. Before he’s reunited with his other selves, he ponders:
“Here he was, one fragment of some other man, waiting for the rest of his of his mind to return. Would he even exist once they came back?

Would he still love Eva?

David winced. And there it was: the trouble. What kind of idiot let himself become obsessed with a woman in a situation like this? All he was doing was setting himself up for more pain.”

After he’s made whole again, doubts still linger.

“But I’m still your David.” There was a trace of a question in the words. “Aren’t I?”

Eva stopped in her tracks to stare up at him.

That’s when it hit her just how much she’d been hurting him. Her refusal to accept Cat, her unconscious tendency to call him “David” even after his three personalities recombined—all of it had communicated a very ugly message.

“What have I done to you?” She asked the question in a low, shaking voice.”

Master of Smoke is the 10th book in the Mageverse series. I’ve not read the entire collection but I have read Master of Wolves, which is book 5. Based on what I learned in that story, I noted what seemed like a minor inconsistency in Master of Smoke regarding the relationship and interaction between the Direkind and the knights of the Mageverse. Since I’m reading the series out of sequence, it’s possible that this tiny issue exists only because I haven’t read all the books leading up to this particular story.

The weave of the Arthurian tales, werewolves, vampires, and the Sidhe, with our modern world is creative and ingenious. There is so much going on in this story that if you have a difficult time focusing you might get lost in the hustle. Some extended scenes made me a little impatient to get to the next sequence. But, I admire how Angela Knight is able to keep all those plot plates spinning and push the story forward in a credible paranormal fashion.

Rating: 8 (Very Good)

Heat Level:6 (Erotic)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Reviewed by: Kristal Lee

Tags:
Posted in Berkley, Rate Me Reviews | 4 Comments »

Review: Lying Eyes

Wednesday, November 17th, 2010

Click to buy!

Lying Eyes
Author: Amy Atwell
Publisher: Carina Press
Pub. Date: November 15, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-1426890765
Retail: $6.29

No-nonsense jewelry designer Iris Fortune yearns for a normal life. But life as Vegas magician Cosmo Fortune’s daughter is anything but normal, especially since dear old Dad is also a scam artist. When Cosmo’s latest scheme goes awry and he pulls a real-life disappearing act, Iris is left holding the bag.

Now Iris must be a master of illusion—play the poised partner to her politician fiancé while trying to save her father and stay out of reach of Mickey Kincaid, the sexy thief who claims he’s only after her jewels.

Detective Kincaid is deep undercover and seeks Iris out because of her connection to Cosmo—he never expected to be so drawn to her. While working with Iris to find the elusive con man, Mickey learns a killer has Iris in his sights, and he must do everything he can to save her, without blowing his cover.

Mickey’s put his life on the line before, but never his heart—and now he’s not sure which is more dangerous…

~*~*~

A delightful, action-packed gem of a book.

Talk about fun! I finally got to read a book with some legitimate action and great romance all rolled into one. This book has the right mix of plot themes to make it a truly interesting read. I really enjoyed Amy’s polished, witty writing style, which made the book flow perfectly for me.

Iris Fortune’s—a jewelry designer—conman father disappears after one of his con jobs and leaves her holding the bag. She also has a handful of relatives who keep coming out of the woodwork. Iris’s character is strong yet just vulnerable enough to intrigue the reader and endear her to you. I loved her no-nonsense attitude and the way she handles herself in a cool, collected manner when the going gets tough. She works just perfectly with hunky hero, undercover cop Michael Kincaid.

Michael’s interest in Iris is just to get to her father…at least that’s how it begins. He has this devilish attitude and domineering personality that just makes you wish you were kidnapped and tied to a chair just so he could rescue you. The dynamic between Iris and Mickey is exciting and tension filled, which gives the reader yet another reason to keep turning the pages.

Amy’s character development overall is one of the highlights of this story. Not only are the two lead characters strong but many of the secondary characters are show stealers. Cosmo, Iris’s father – and I hope a repeat character in other books to come – is positively hilarious; his antics add vibrancy to the book. Iris’s sisters are strong, intriguing characters that I also hope to see in the future. Lastly, we have Aunt Tatiana who made me laugh out loud on several occasions. All these characters are a huge incentive to read this book.

The plot is complex and involved which makes it a better read than many of the books I have read that may have a good romance but a plot akin to weak tea. Amy sets us up for an action-packed adventure through the world that is Las Vegas and brings her readers right into the heart of the casino scene. The plot moves at a good pace with no lag or slow sections. The only thing I would have liked to see was a bit more closure for Iris and Mickey. Does he go back to Boston? Do they try to make a life together in Las Vegas? I wanted to know more about how their romance moves forward.

The love scenes were very understated and tasteful.

Overall, I highly recommend this extremely well written contemporary novel. Totally a keeper for my digital library.

Rating: 9 (Excellent)

Heat-Level: 3 (Sensual)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 10.0/10 (1 vote cast)

Tags:
Posted in Carina Press, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews | 4 Comments »

Review: Double Cross

Sunday, October 24th, 2010

Double Cross
Author: Carolyn Crane
Publisher: Spectra / Bantam Dell
Pub. Date: September 28, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0553592627
Retail: $7.99
Pages: 336

SOME SECRETS COME BACK TO HAUNT. OTHERS COME TO KILL.

Justine Jones lived her life as a fearful hypochondriac until she was lured into the web of a mysterious mastermind named Packard, who gifts her with extraordinary mental powers—dooming her to fight Midcity’s shadowy war on paranormal crime in order to find the peace she so desperately craves.

But now serial killers with unheard-of skills are terrorizing the most powerful beings in Midcity, including mastermind Packard and his oldest friend and worst enemy, Midcity’s new mayor, who has the ability to bend matter itself to his will.

As the body count grows, Justine faces a crisis of conscience as she tests the limits of her new powers and faces an impossible choice between two flawed but brilliant men—one on a journey of redemption, the other descending into a pit of moral depravity.

~*~*~

*Contains a few spoilers from MIND GAMES*

I didn’t think this series could get any better. MIND GAMES was fantastic, but DOUBLE CROSS completely blew me away. As I read the last twenty pages, my heart was pounding and I couldn’t believe what I was reading! Easily one of the best endings I’ve ever read in a book.

Justine is settling into her life as a Disillusionist, using her hypochondria to instill fear in the criminals of Midcity. Her relationship with Otto is coming along slowly and she hasn’t had any more romantic encounters with Packard, her sort of boss. Life isn’t exactly what she hoped it would be, but things aren’t terrible either.

A new villain is introduced. One of Otto’s imprisoned highcaps might be innocent, and Justine can’t forget that kiss with Packard. As the Disillusionists work to solve their mysteries many things are not quite what they seem and Justine has to figure out who is innocent and who is guilty. After a highcap links her dreams with Packard’s, you get to see glimpses of what Packard was like as a young boy and it helps to make him more sympathetic.

I liked that there was a time difference between MIND GAMES and DOUBLE CROSS. The characters have moved on and new things have happened. It made it easier to get sucked into the world than if we had to read the rehashing of what happened in the first book.

I love this world. The world is so well written that even though it is unique and different it still feels familiar. The book is written in first person and present tense like MIND GAMES. I’m not usually a fan of either, but I didn’t even really notice because I was so caught up in the story. There is a legitimate reason for it being written this way and by the end of the book the reader knows why.

The romance is still an important part of Justine’s story. She finds herself torn between Packard and Otto on several occasions. She is firmly with Otto, but can’t forget about Packard. There are some truly romantic moments in this book that had my heart melting. (I really wanted to post an excerpt here, but it would give too much away.)

I think what makes this book so great, besides the ending—which is OMG fantastic—are the characters. They are so flawed and neurotic. Justine, Otto, Shelby, Carter, Simon, Packard and the others have so many problems that if they were just everyday folks, they probably wouldn’t be able to leave their homes. Their neuroses make it easier to understand their motivations and to root for them even when their actions seem questionable.

DOUBLE CROSS is one of the best books I’ve read this year and I can’t wait to read the final book in this trilogy.

Rating: 10 (Perfect)

Heat-Level: 3 (Sensual)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Tags:
Posted in Bantam, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews | 5 Comments »

Review: Simply Irresistible

Wednesday, October 20th, 2010

Simply Irresistible
Author: Jill Shalvis
Publisher: Grand Central
Pub. Date: October 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0446571616
Retail: $6.99

Maddie Moore’s whole life needs a makeover.

In one fell swoop, Maddie loses her boyfriend (her decision) and her job (so not her decision). But rather than drowning her sorrows in bags of potato chips, Maddie leaves L.A. to claim the inheritance left by her free-spirited mother-a ramshackle inn nestled in the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington.

Starting over won’t be easy. Yet Maddie sees the potential for a new home and a new career-if only she can convince her two half-sisters to join her in the adventure. But convincing Tara and Chloe will be difficult because the inn needs a big makeover too.

The contractor Maddie hires is a tall, dark-haired hottie whose eyes-and mouth-are making it hard for her to remember that she’s sworn off men. Even harder will be Maddie’s struggles to overcome the past, though she’s about to discover that there’s no better place to call home than Lucky Harbor.

~*~*~

If you are a Jennifer Crusie fan and you haven’t discovered Jill Shalvis, I’m here to tell you: buy this book immediately. All the things I’ve come to love about Jennifer Crusie.

Simply Irresistible is the story of a lovable woman with a difficult past. Especially her recent past. She shows up in a small town in Washington fresh out of an abusive relationship and ready to be done with men for a while. But of course, she meets the man of her dreams instead, and the push-pull of their relationship is both frustrating and wonderful. I will say, I thought more than once, what is wrong with you people? But I was so invested in the characters, there was no way I was putting this book down.

Jax Cullen is h-o-t, hot. As a hero, he’s not only physically perfect (of course, because that’s the fantasy), but he is such a guy. Honestly, I was amazed at how real her male characters are. There are three brothers in the Cullen family (hello, sequels? please!), and when two or three of them got to talking, I really felt like I was in the middle of a circle of my best guy friends. They are expertly written. But not so real that they’re not also part fantasy, which is why I read romance novels instead of military thrillers.

Jill Shalvis walks that line between fantasy and reality perfectly. Her settings, characters, and plot lines are believable. Her characters feel real, speak like my friends, and have depth of emotion that draws you in. But at the same time, it’s not real. None of us will ever have the kind of access into a man’s mind that we’re provided in the pages of the romance novel, but when we get to see what Jax Cullen is thinking when he looks at Maddie Moore, the fantasy is complete. He’s completely hot for her. As he says several times, “he’s a goner” for Maddie. And it’s intoxicating.

Without a doubt, readers who enjoy a quirky, witty, sexy contemporary will enjoy this book. They might want to throttle a character once in awhile, but that’s part of what makes for good reading. You want Jax and Maddie to be together, and you want it to happen *now*, but you’re willing to wait, just like Jax Cullen, for when the time is right. And when that happens, it’s pure, unadulterated magic.

Rating: 8.5 (Very, Very Good)

Heat-Level: 3  (Sensual)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 9.3/10 (3 votes cast)

Reviewed by: Camryn

Comment to enter to win a copy of your own!

Tags:
Posted in Grand Central, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews | 30 Comments »

Review: Jane and the Damned

Sunday, October 3rd, 2010

Jane and the Damned
Author: Janet Mullany
Publisher: Avon A /HarperCollins
Pub. Date: September 28, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0061958304
Retail: $13.99

Jane Austen

Novelist . . . gentlewoman . . . Damned, Fanged, and Dangerous to know.

Aspiring writer Jane Austen knows that respectable young ladies like herself are supposed to shun the Damned—the beautiful, fashionable, exquisitely seductive vampires who are all the rage in Georgian England in 1797. So when an innocent (she believes) flirtation results in her being turned—by an absolute cad of a bloodsucker—she acquiesces to her family’s wishes and departs for Bath to take the waters, the only known cure.

But what she encounters there is completely unexpected: perilous jealousies and further betrayals, a new friendship and a possible love. Yet all that must be put aside when the warring French invade unsuspecting Bath—and the streets run red with good English blood. Suddenly only the staunchly British Damned can defend the nation they love . . . with Jane Austen leading the charge at the battle’s forefront.

~*~*~

I am a big fan of anything Jane Austen, whether it is her novels or movie adaptations of her novels. I am also a fan of vampires, whether they sparkle or wear leather and carry around daggers. So combining the two in one book sounded pretty good to me.

I knew that there were two ways this review would go. Either it would be really good or really bad. But it was neither. It wasn’t good but it wasn’t bad. It really wasn’t anything.

We meet Jane just as she is getting a rejection for one of her novels. She and Cassandra are off to an assembly room dance at Basingstoke where surprisingly they encounter some vampires, or Damned as they are called. Jane falls under the spell of the Damned Mr. Smith and wakes up the next morning to find herself a vampire and Mr. Smith gone.

The waters in Bath are said to be the only cure, so the Austen family picks up and heads to the city. But when they get there everything changes. France has invaded and taken the city. Luke, a Damned, appears and wants to help Jane come to terms with her new situation and guide her. The Damned, many who have come to the city, also plan to fight the French and Jane cannot resist using her new state to help in the cause.

There is a lot going on throughout the story with a lot of people being introduced then just disappearing into the background. At times I found the story to be a bit fragmented and I had to keep going back to reread parts.

I disliked Jane right from the beginning, but towards the end she became a little more tolerable. She comes off as very annoying and needy. She is always looking for approval from everyone be it her father, her sister, Luke, or William. I also didn’t quite understand the animosity between her and William. William, Mr. Smith, is the one who turned her and left her to figure out her new way of life on her own, which Jane has every right to be angry about. But William is constantly angry with Jane and it just didn’t make much sense.

I did enjoy Luke and Jane together. The way they verbally sparred reminded me a little of two of Austen’s most famous couple, Darcy and Elizabeth. Plus, as the story progressed, you could see them starting to understand and love each other.

Probably my favorite character in the book is the Prince Regent, or George as he insists on being called. He and Jane spend a good amount of time together—as they are both new vampires. They bond over their new situation and become friends, discussing his love of music and Jane’s love of writing. In the end, as they are saying their goodbyes George makes one final remark: “You’ll dedicate a book to me, I hope, Jane.” And, of course, we all know that Jane Austen did in fact dedicate Emma to him.

In the end, Jane and the Damned fell a little flat. It is always hard to write a fictional story about a real like icon, such as Jane Austen, and I give Janet Mullany credit for trying and putting her own twist on it.

Rating: 6 (Satisfactory)

Heat-Level: 1 (Inspy)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Tags: ,
Posted in Avon Books, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews | 4 Comments »

Review: Succubus Blues

Sunday, September 26th, 2010

Succubus Blues
Author: Richelle Mead
Publisher: Zebra – Reprint
Pub. Date: August 1, 2010
ISBN-13: 978-0821780770
Retail: $7.99

Succubus (n.) An alluring, shape-shifting demon who seduces and pleasures mortal men. Pathetic (adj.) A succubus with great shoes and no social life. See: Georgina Kincaid.

When it comes to jobs in hell, being a succubus seems pretty glamorous. A girl can be anything she wants, the wardrobe is killer, and mortal men will do anything just for a touch. Granted, they often pay with their souls, but why get technical?

But Seattle succubus Georgina Kincaid’s life is far less exotic. Her boss is a middle-management demon with a thing for John Cusack movies. Her immortal best friends haven’t stopped teasing her about the time she shape-shifted into the Demon Goddess getup complete with whip and wings. And she can’t have a decent date without sucking away part of the guy’s life. At least there’s her day job at a local bookstore–free books; all the white chocolate mochas she can drink; and easy access to bestselling, sexy writer, Seth Mortensen, aka He Whom She Would Give Anything to Touch but Can’t.

But dreaming about Seth will have to wait. Something wicked is at work in Seattle’s demon underground. And for once, all of her hot charms and drop-dead one-liners won’t help because Georgina’s about to discover there are some creatures out there that both heaven and hell want to deny…

~*~*~

Georgina Kincaid is a succubus (a female demon that seduces men and lives off the life force they release during sex), albeit a reluctant one. She was human once, hundreds of years ago, but she made a big mistake and paid for it with her life. Now hundreds of years later she longs for the life she could have had; love, a family, and intimacy without the fear of killing her partner. All and all, she’s done well for herself though. She’s in good standing with the demon bureaucracy she works for, has a trio of best friends made up of two vampires and an imp, a steady job at a book store with all the White Mochas a girl can drink, and stacks of her favorite Seth Mortensen novels.

One day, during an incredibly awkward and laugh out loud funny moment, she meets her favorite author only to discover he’s not the clever and witty guy he is via print. He is unsure and introverted yet incredibly sweet. While at the bookstore, she also meets Roman, who is the polar opposite of Seth. Roman is tall, dark, handsome and a complete charmer. Georgina soon finds herself being drawn to both men but for entirely different reasons, all understandable.

Meanwhile, some of Georgina’s “frienemies” have mysteriously died and one of her real friends is attacked by an unseen force. Georgina is suspected of having murdered the first two victims since she recently argued with them. However, she is quickly exonerated when other clues as to the real killer’s identity start appearing.

For someone who tried to live her life as simply as possible, life has become quite treacherous. She is now trying to investigate two murders (even though she is told to stay out of it) and discover a killer who has made his intentions all too clear, all while balancing a rather precarious love life. She can only be with one guy and one of them is not who she thinks he is.

I loved everything about Georgina’s character. She is independent, assertive, sarcastic, and spunky. Seth is a guy you cannot help but love with his aloof, sweet and quiet ways. And Roman, although very charismatic indeed, is the only character you sense is a bit “off” but it plays into the story in some surprising ways. While this is not a romance novel, there are some fun love scenes and really tender moments between Georgina and her two “boyfriends” (although not all at the same time).

As a fan of Richelle Mead’s young adult series, Vampire Academy, I was very excited to read her adult novels. Richelle impressed me yet again with her ability to craft an engaging story filled with interesting and unique characters and outright funny dialogue. I will most definitely be reading the rest of this series!

Rating: 9 (Excellent)

Heat-Level: 3 (Sensual)

VN:F [1.9.17_1161]
RATE THIS BOOK!
Rating: 0.0/10 (0 votes cast)

Tags: ,
Posted in Kensington, Rate Me Reviews, Reviews | 6 Comments »

« Older Entries
Newer Entries »