Before we delve right into Slave to Sensation, a bit of housekeeping. We just want to take a moment to clarify, these aren't traditional reviews. We've both read this series from beginning to end and this is our second reread. We doing a deep dive of the series which means, spoilers abound. If you've never read the series or a particular book in the series, just keep in mind that it's impossible for us to really get into the books and talk about what works and what maybe doesn't by being Continue Reading
Review: Cry Wolf by Charlie Adhara
Cry Wolf by Charlie AdharaBig Bad Wolf #5PNRJanuary 18, 2021 by Carina Press Review by Melinda This is probably one of the most underrated paranormal romances I can think of that I want more people to read. At first glance, it may be any wolf shifter paranormal, but there are so many Adhara layers in this world. I know not everyone loves following the same couple throughout a series and I'm not always a fan of it either. But I just love Cooper Dayton and Oliver Park so much. This Continue Reading
The Psy/Changeling Channel
Melinda: I discovered Nalini Singh's books back in 2012 but was overwhelmed at the idea of her long series. At that time I was reading more literary fiction and general fiction with romantic elements but have always loved paranormal stories, having grown up reading Christopher Pike's series. But my library had the entire Psy/Changeling series and once I read Slave to Sensation, I was so hooked! I tore through the first 5 books and then started buying the rest and binged Guild Hunter as well. Continue Reading
Melinda’s Most Anticipated of 2021
PNR/Fantasy: The Devil You Know by Kit Rocha. Release Date: 8/31/21 Big Bad Wolf by Suleikha Snyder. Release Date: 1/26/21 Wonderstruck by Allie Therin. Release Date: 2/9/21 Last Guard by Nalini Singh. Release Date: 7/20/21 Historical: The Devil Comes Courting (The Worth Saga) by Courtney Milan. Release Date: 2/9/21 Contemporary: How to be Good by Chace Verity. Release Date: 2/02/21 The Girl With Stars in Her Eyes by Xio Axelrod. Release Date: 4/6/21 Twice Shy Continue Reading
Melinda’s Favorites of 2020
YA: A Song Below Water by Bethany C. Morrow blew me away when I listened to it this summer. The worldbuilding she managed to do is astonishing considering it's about Black sirens but set in modern times. Combine that with a discussion of respectability politics and misogynoir as well as sisterly love. It's a book I wish I could re-read for the first time again, it's that good. You Should See Me In a Crown by Leah Johnson is delightful and made me so happy. The cover is just beautiful to look Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis: Starcrossed by Allie Therin and The Duke Effect by Sophie Jordan
Starcrossed by Allie TherinMagic in Manhattan Book 2Paranormal Historical RomanceMay 18, 2020 by Carina Press Starcrossed by Allie Therin is book 2 in a 1920s set PNR with a bunch of different magical abilities. I absolutely love PNR set in different time periods so this completely worked for me. I only with there was a bit more explanation in this one to tie it to book one as there were parts where I was confused as to what was going on. I definitely did not feel that it stood on its Continue Reading
Review: Pretty Little Wife by Darby Kane
Pretty Little Wife by Darby KaneSuspense12/29/2020 by William Morrow Review by Melinda My second most-read genre is suspense or thrillers after romance but I generally only read those written by women because I got tired of reading violence against women written by men. A delightful micro-subgenre (totally making this up here lol) is thrillers written by romance authors. We have Victoria Dahl writing as Victoria Helen Stone, Nalini Singh, and now HelenKaye Dimon writing as Darby Kane. Continue Reading
Review: Get It Right by Skye Kilaen
Get it Right by Skye KilaenLove at Knockdown #1LGTQ+ Contemporary RomanceDecember 1, 2020Review by Melinda This was a surprise of a book for me and I'm so happy that I read it. Finn and Vivi meet while Finn is incarcerated and Vivi is the Nurse in the prison. It's extremely clear nothing happens while there is such a clear power imbalance between the two of them and for that I was very glad. But while nothing happens it is obvious there are some sparks flying and when Vivi just disappears Continue Reading
Melinda’s Minis – His Beauty by Jack Harbon & The Switch by Beth O’Leary
His Beauty by Jack HarbonPNRNovember 17, 2020, Self PublishedKindle Unlimited This is a fun take on the Beauty and the Beast story we've all heard a million times. Yes, Isla goes to rescue her father from the evil Beast and has to stay there in his stead so he can go home. And yes, Isla talks to the servants and is reluctant to interact with the Beast aka Lowen. However, this version is STEAMY. And Lowen stays a beast the entire time. Don't ask me how Harbon pulls this off, because I have Continue Reading
Review: Ties That Tether by Jane Igharo
Ties that Tether by Jane IgharoContemporary RomanceSeptember 29, 2020, by BerkleyAudibleReviewed by Melinda I love reading debuts because I feel like it gives a great glimpse into authors and their writing potential. Ties That Tether is such a strong first novel that I cannot wait to see what else Jane Igharo does. The main theme running throughout the novel is how to deal with cultural differences in a relationship. Azere's family has always stressed the importance of marrying a Nigerian Continue Reading