Rush by Maya Banks (Breathless #1) Erotic Contemporary February 5, 2013 Berkley Reviewed by Mandi Maya Banks has a new trilogy releasing following three billionaires who run swanky hotels. Although I’m a little tired of the billionaire hero, the blurbs intrigued me so I thought I’d give book one, Rush a try. Let me say this – sometimes having an asshole hero can be fun. Take Tack for example (Motorcycle Man by Kristen Ashley). He is initially rude to the heroine, arrogant, Continue Reading
Review: Let it Snow by Leslie Kelly and Jennifer LaBrecque
Let it Snow by Leslie Kelly and Jennifer LaBrecque Contemporary Romance (except for the alien prince part) Released: November 13, 2012 Harlequin Reviewed by May I wanted to love this book going in - in fact I was expecting to! Unfortunately, whether I look at these stories individually or together, I can’t recommend this book. Neither story captured my fancy, and if it is wonderful Christmas inspired romance you want, you won’t find it here. The key problem I believe, is that the Continue Reading
A Few DNF’s
We all have DNF’s (Books we “did not finish”) and usually we just put the book down and move on. But every once in awhile, we like to explain why we didn’t like the book. Here are a few: Moonshell Beach by JoAnn Ross Reviewed by May If you are looking for a very community focused small town on the Oregon coast where everyone knows the business of everyone else book, this may be one you really like. I have read and really liked some of this author’s previous books, though none based in Shelter Continue Reading
Guest Review: Cage the Darlings by Elora Bishop
Cage the Darlings by Elora Bishop F/F Fantasy November 2011 Self Published Guest Review by Jill Sorenson This is a difficult review to write. I don’t read much Fantasy, and this story didn’t make a big impression on me. It’s easier to review books with obvious strengths and weaknesses. For Cage the Darlings, I had to look hard to find the flaws that led me to put it down. This fairy tale retelling opens with a young woman stealing a necklace from her latest conquest, a Continue Reading
A DNF Wrap-Up
May and Mandi have had a few DNF’s (Did Not Finish) recently. Here is a recap: Lucky Penny by Catherine Anderson Reviewed by May The heroine is a single ‘mom’ (she cares for her orphaned niece), and apparently she would be unable to find work unless she pretends she is married and her husband out searching for gold in Colorado. I would have to think orphaned children were more common back then, and I just can’t figure out how taking care of your niece would be such a social Continue Reading
Review: Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace
Miss Hillary Schools a Scoundrel by Samantha Grace Historical Romance February 1, 2012 Sourcebooks Reviewed by Mandi Lana Hillary had a fiancé who she discovered was a liar, so now she is on the search for a decent, respectable man. With pressure from her mother to find a husband this season, she is intensely looking for the right person. But she refuses to be stuck with someone she doesn’t like, which is how she finds herself climbing down a tree after an unpleasant Continue Reading
A Few DNF’s
Sometimes we have a streak of reading books where it seems like a lot of books just didn’t work for us. Here are a few recent ones. DNF stands for “Did Not Finish.” That Old Black Magic By Michelle Rowen Reviewed by May Eden Riley is a black witch possessed by a powerful cursed demon/former incubus named Derrak who has his own body during the day, and possesses hers at night due to a curse. As a half angel, Eden has a battle going on inside her and an amulet that she wears shows the gauge Continue Reading
Review: Darkness Descending by Devyn Quinn
Darkness Descending by Devyn Quinn (Vampire Armageddon #1) Paranormal Romance August 2, 2011 Paperback Signet Reviewed by May Favorite Quote: “The man looked mean – and mad. Not crazy mad, but bone-snapping, flesh-tearing mad. There was no doubt that he was one badass dude, either. He was totally hard-core in his looks. The sides of his head were shaved and tattooed. A thick strip of black hair ran down the center of his head, commencing in a long, thick braid that snaked down Continue Reading
Reviews: Nightshade and Wolfsbane by Andrea Cremer
Nightshade by Andrea Cremer (Nightshade #1) YA Paranormal Romance June 14, 2011 (Paperback Edition) Penguin Reviewed by Tori Calla Tor is a 17 year old pack alpha Guardian who is commanded to marry another pack alpha, Ren, when she turns 18. When Calla comes across a human hiking in the woods, she saves his life; breaking pack rules. Calla is shocked when the human, Shay, appears at her school. She is even more shocked when he is almost kidnapped and she is now acting as a Continue Reading
Beach Reads Mini-Reviews
I realized spending seven days at the beach allowed me to read. A lot. Here is a round-up. Butterfly Tattoo by Deidre Knight Contemporary Blurb: Just when the darkness seems permanent, fate flips a switch. Michael Warner has been drifting in a numb haze since his lover was killed by a drunk driver. As the anniversary of the wreck approaches, Michael's grief grows more suffocating. Yet he must find a way through the maze of pain and secrets to live for their troubled young daughter Continue Reading