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Her Vampire Husband (Wicked Games, #3)
4
7.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I really shouldn’t have had such high hopes for this novel. I mean the entire premise of the book is about a werewold princess who marries an elder vampire in hopes that their people would stop killing each other. Really? An entire novel about that? Honey, that is the subplot in half of the other paranormal romance novels I read. What made Hauf think she could she could write an entire novel about a simple idea and expect to impress me?

First off, there is nothing more annoying than a female protagonists who hides her problems behind a mask of fake strength and apathy. Seriously, they are only hurting themselves, making a relationship with anyone impossible. And just ends up annoying the hell out of me. How about they actually go take care of their problem? Nope, that’s too simple. Seriously, writers, you need to stop creating these types of characters.

I thought that because of them being enemies and of different races, it would actually make this book interesting. How wrong I was. The main couple lacked chemistry even as they were playfully bantering and ogling each others’ body. I felt that they were just two sexually frustrated people forced to live with each other instead of two people thrown together who eventually fall in love. In fact, it was one of those novels where one page, they were at odds, and the next they were in love.

Oh disappointment, how you leave a bitter taste in my mouth.
  
I could not put this book down. From the first chapter, I was hooked. So many secrets surround Honus and Yim, and, as the reader, I wanted so much to figure out each and every one right along with the protagonists. However, I felt like nothing ever happened.

First off, the world seemed like such a cold, dark place. Everywhere Honus and Yim traveled, there was nothing but suffering and strife. I felt as if the entire world was just this bleak place with no hope of any kind. Even when the two protagonists reached a town filled with priests and merchant, I felt the utter lack of happiness. It was actually pretty depressing to read, especially when every person the two ran across was down on their luck in some way.

I was also frustrated with the secret keeping. I wanted so much to scream their secrets at each other that it was one of the things that drove me to keep reading. However, whenever any secrets were revealed, it was so anticlimactic that I was just happy it was finally out.

The more I read the novel, the more I couldn't wait for Honus and Yim to reach their destination. When they did, the suffering still continued. Then the novel ended so suddenly that I immediately bought the second one to see what happened.

If you are looking for any romance, look somewhere else. If you want some action, you won't find it hear. However, if you want a dark novel riddled with secrets and unknown futures, Morgan Howell delivers.
  
Mercury Striking (Scorpius Syndrome, #1)
Mercury Striking (Scorpius Syndrome, #1)
Rebecca Zanetti | 2016 | Fiction & Poetry
8
8.0 (2 Ratings)
Book Rating
I received a complimentary copy in exchange for an honest review.

Wow! After reading the description for this novel, I could not pass Mercury Striking up. I thought it was too much to ask that the story would actually be as great as the description made it out to be, but I was far from disappointed. Thankfully it’s a series because I was blown away by how amazing this novel was. On that note, reading the novella that precedes this may be a good idea. While I felt that I was able to comprehend the story and keep up with it, the novella gives the reader better comprehension of the world/story overall.

I love romance/erotica and I also love post-apocalyptic stories. Going in, I was convinced there was no way someone could write a combination of the two adequately. They are tough genres to combine without one suffering. Zanetti clearly knows what she’s doing. Not only can she write an intriguing dystopian world, she created a love story that grabs at you and won’t let go until you know how it plays out. Her characters are powerful and dynamic, tangible in a world that I had to remember doesn’t actually exist. They captured me heart and soul from the very beginning.

Zanetti’s writing is a triple threat. She knows how to write great characters with engaging dialogue without skimping on plot or romance. If you think this sounds like a story you would like, let me make the decision for: get it. I can’t wait for the nest in the series to come out.
  
40x40

Roxanne (13 KP) rated Bonds of Fire in Books

Nov 14, 2018  
BO
Bonds of Fire
8
8.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
I must say that I very much enjoyed this short story...as that's what it is...a short story, a VERY short story. There was so much packed into this novella that it definitely had the potential to be a full length novel. Even though things were a little crammed in I didn't feel that the romance elements were rushed in any way just that they weren't explored in very much depth. This is a M/M romance novella, however, it is very tame compared to a lot of other stories out there, especially when compared to some of the ones I have read before *blush*. There is no sex, nothing graphic or explicit, just a bit of flirting...perhaps a little kissing, but that's about it. The attraction between the male characters is very obvious and so if a man lusting after another man makes you feel a little queasy then definitely stay away from this one.

I enjoyed this story so much that I would not hesitate reading a sequel if it were to become available, perhaps even three installments that could be put together to make into a full length novel...just some suggestions there *hint* *hint*.

The story itself takes you, the reader, on a wonderful fantasy filled adventure...where there be DRAGONS! I love Dragons...any mystical creature fascinates me and this story has the 'cute' factor, little baby dragons, families made where humans and dragons are combined, love, friendship, compassion and an invitation to brand new, exciting worlds.

Highly recommended from me...I just wish it was longer.
  
Dangerous Behavior
Dangerous Behavior
Nancy Bush | 2017 | Fiction & Poetry
7
7.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
Ties together well with a good ending (0 more)
Extremely slow start (1 more)
Heavy focus on the romance can be off-putting
Killer Couples
I could almost tag this book as a straight up romance given how much time is dedicated to Sam and Jules’ love story. While the romance could be a good hook for some I personally just found it distracting and kind of eye roll worthy. Sam and Jules were high school sweethearts, Sam cheats, and after getting dumped Jules finds her way into the arms of his brother, who took care of her through her family troubles. The book spends an inordinate amount of time on Sam’s miserable love life and how he never got over his first love despite a plethora of women throwing themselves at him. This made the earlier parts of the novel slow down to a crawl as the narrative focus was more about the romance than the actual murder.

It got worse when Jules started getting her memory back and remembers nothing of the love she shared with her husband and instead keeps thinking about Sam and all the great sex they had. Days after her husband is murdered. I groaned. I guess I shouldn’t be surprised and it’s predictable, it’s just so distasteful and was just sort of a big middle finger to Sam’s brother Joe. I couldn’t get behind the romance in the story at all and it really decreased my enjoyment. So much that I actually was really struggling to like the book and had been thinking about rating it lower until I got to the second half of the book.

Thank goodness for the second half, when the mystery really started to come together. The thrill killers were an interesting pair that bring to mind several serial killer couples. It was a confusing twist on an otherwise average murder mystery and at first I had been wondering why they were even in the story at all. As I dug deeper into the story, however, things pulled together nicely and I actually found these characters to be pretty interesting.

This was the part of the book that was actually good, and the ending alone convinced me to push my rating just a little bit higher. It was worth slogging through the romance to get to the good stuff. While I found certain parts predictable and had figured out the dastardly duo immediately when they were introduced I still enjoyed unraveling the mystery and finding a few surprises along the way.
  
TT
The Thirteenth Earl
10
10.0 (1 Ratings)
Book Rating
What a delightful read. After being stuck in contemporary romance limbo, it was refreshing to return to a good historical romance especially since there are so many historical romances pumped out. This one had me from page one, especially since it dealt with a lot of topics not typically seen in this genre. The first is the mental deterioration of people as they age and the other two are spiritualism and ghosts. All of these very much existed during this time, but are generally misunderstood or considered taboo. It was interesting to read the author’s take on them in her story.

Overall, the plot is very simple. I felt that the “twist” or surprise wasn’t surprising at all and could be seen from the moment the villain was introduced. Despite that, it was still a delight to read. Thax is among my favorite historical heroes for multiple reasons. He could be dense and rash but his love for the heroine felt genuine and could be seen in his actions towards her. The female characters in this story were equally as enjoyable. They were strong and intelligent without losing a shred of their femininity. I appreciated their resourcefulness.

The Thirteenth Earl is an uncomplicated love story about two people trying to muddle through the drama in their life and end up finding happiness in each other. If you are searching for a heartwarming romance, filled with realistic and likable characters, this novel may be your next rainy day read.