Category: 3 Star

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Kelly’s review of Mark Of The Witch by Maggie Shayne

TITLE: Mark of the Witch
AUTHOR: Maggie Shayne
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/18/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N
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BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times bestselling author Maggie Shayne comes the first novel in her thrilling new trilogy, THE PORTAL She was born to save what he is sworn to destroy…

A lapsed Wiccan, Indira Simon doesn’t believe in magic anymore. But when strange dreams of being sacrificed to an ancient Babylonian god have her waking up with real rope burns on her wrists, she’s forced to acknowledge that she may have been too hasty in her rejection of the unknown. Then she meets mysterious and handsome Father Tomas. Emerging from the secrecy of an obscure Gnostic sect, he arrives with stories of a demon, a trio of warrior witches-and Indira’s sacred calling. Yet there’s something even Tomas doesn’t know, an inescapable truth that will force him to choose between saving the life of the woman he’s come to love-and saving the world

REVIEW:
I have to start with I loved the novella The Legacy of the Witch that starts off “The Portal” series.  But I had a hard time with Mark of the Witch.  I liked Indira, I like the depth of what is happening to her.  I liked Tomas, but he drove me nuts.  I understand that they both have to deal with what is real, what is not and the strangeness of the past that they share.   I just didn’t connect with these two characters.

I really like the idea behind this whole series and will keep reading and hope that the next two books are better for me then this one.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kelly’s review of Claiming The Wolf by Michele Hauf

TITLE: Claiming The Wolf
AUTHOR: Michele Hauf
PUBLICATION DATE: 11/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon |B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Werewolf Christian Hart thought he missed the action of battling vampires—until an encounter with vampiress Danni Weber. She bites him during their fight, the worst fate imaginable for a wolf. His pack would banish Hart forever if they find out. Nevertheless, Hart finds himself drawn to Danni, his sworn enemy, a woman he knows is as deadly as she is beautiful.

Then the blood hunger hits. Hart refuses to harm a mortal, even as his desire for blood and sex becomes too overwhelming to fight. His solution: turn to Danni to satisfy his cravings

REVIEW:
Another great novella from Michele.   This girl can really write a short story that sucks you in quickly and doesn’t let you go.  I really enjoyed this story but because this was a novella my review will be short and sweet.

LOVED Christian and all his pain in the butt werewolfness. Danni, is one guts vamp who brings this werewolf down a road that he would have never gone down his own.

If you are a fan of Michele’s stories you will really enjoy Claiming the Wolf.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kimberly’s review of Better Than Chocolate by Sheila Roberts

TITLE: Better Than Chocolate
AUTHOR: Sheila Roberts
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/25/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Sweet Dreams Chocolate Company has been in the Sterling family for generations, ever since Great-Grandma Rose literally dreamed up her first fabulous recipe. But now it looks as if they’re about to lose Sweet Dreams to the bank—and that would be a disaster, not only for the family but for the town of Icicle Falls, Washington. Can Samantha, the oldest daughter and new head of the company, come up with a way to save it?After Samantha does some brainstorming with her mother and sisters, inspiration strikes. They’ll have a chocolate festival! Time’s running out, but the Sterling women are determined and the town’s behind them, so everything’s bound to go smoothly….

Or not. Events seem to be conspiring against Samantha, and her mother’s attempts to help aren’t helping. To make matters worse, the fate of her company is in the hands of her archenemy, Blake Preston, the bank manager with the football-hero good looks. It’s enough to drive her to chocolate. But Blake’s also enough to convince her that (believe it or not) there’s something even better than chocolate.

REVIEW:
I just could not get into this book. None of the characters seemed to have any chemistry including the love interests. Honestly the end might have been a little better than the beginning but by the time I got to the middle of the book I really just did not care anymore.

The book starts off at a funeral and continued to be a downer for a lot of the story. The story was just too long with way too many moments of self-pity. Nothing seems to ever go right for any of the Sterling family and it gets tiresome.

I have never read a Sheila Roberts book before so I am not sure if this is typical of her writing but it just did not appeal to me.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of Forever Werewolf/Moon Kisses by Michele Hauf

TITLE: Forever Werewolf/Moon Kisses
AUTHOR: Michele Hauf
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/03/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N
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BOOK SYNOPSIS:
FOREVER WEREWOLF
Alexis Conner, princess of the Alpine pack and pureblood werewolf, hides a painful secret-she has never shifted. If she can’t shift, she can’t mate, and so Lexi resigned herself to a lifetime of loneliness. But then a stranger arrives, and Lexi senses that her world will never be the same….
A massive avalanche might be to blame for Trystan Hawkes getting stuck at Castle Wulfsiege, but after one look at Lexi, Trystan is not about to leave. Lexi is strong, smart and incredibly sexy. Not that it matters. Tryst is an omega-the fabled lone wolf. Even more damning is his mixed vampire heritage. Lexi knows that the vampire blood running through Tryst’s veins makes him off-limits, but what if he’s the one man who can rouse her inner wolf?

MOON KISSED
Escaping from bloodthirsty vampires, Belladonna Reynolds ran straight into the arms of a werewolf. As a man Severo drew her in with his dark good looks; as a beast he astounded her with his insatiable sensual appetite. Whether afraid or aroused, Bella fled to his lair when threatened by an evil monster of the night…. Severo tried to keep Bella–his mate–safe from the vampiress who held a malicious desire for revenge against him, but he alone wasn’t enough. Now Bella had taken the form of his most cursed enemy. How could he desire the very thing he’d spent his life destroying? And even if he did, what would the werewolf do to Bella on the next full moon?

REVIEW:
This book contains two stories. Reviewed separately.
FOREVER WEREWOLF
3 Stars… Honestly I am not sure how I felt about this story. While I wanted to know what happened and wanted to read to the end of the book I also wondered why I wanted to do that. The characters were written in such a juvenile way (especially in their speech) that I actually went back to check to see if this was YA, which it was not. The sex scenes later would give that away. The story was interesting and kept me interested but I was just never into the characters. Tryst seems like some kind of childish man who idolizes the idea of living in a pack and Lexie is very cold. But something does seem to click with them eventually. This is my first story from this author so I am not sure of her normal writing but something is just different about it.

MOON KISSED
3 ½ Stars… Based on the first book (see above) I was not sure about reading this story but it was much better than the first one I read. This story was more mature and the storyline was very good. I enjoyed the characters of both Bella and Severo even though I felt the writing did not keep to the character of Severo toward the end and changed him which was disappointing. Bella is a bit of a desperate woman to me but yet something about her is very intriguing. This is a good werewolf story that any fan of the genre would enjoy.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of Just One Night by Eve Gaddy

TITLE: Just One Night
AUTHOR: Eve Gaddy
PUBLICATION DATE: 08/29/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N
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BOOK SYNOPSIS:
He’d invited her to walk in the moonlight–but would it lead to more than just one night?

His tender smile invited her to confess her deepest secrets, but Luke Morgan never expected Alex Sheridan to reveal the memories that tormented her dreams. When his comforting caresses escalated into sudden, sweet ecstasy, Alex was stunned by the speed of her surrender! The rugged architect had slipped through her defenses and touched her soul, but when suspicion shadowed his every move, could she help him clear his name?

In this explosive and intriguing novel of high stakes and risky business, Eve Gaddy challenges her lovers to walk a tightrope between trust and betrayal. Drawn to a charismatic man who’d soothed her grief one restless night, she’d found herself sharing her pain–and his bed–but could she believe their sudden passion might be the real thing?

REVIEW:
For some reason I just could not get into this story. It has an interesting story so I am not sure what it was but it was definitely something that just didn’t click for me. I also had a hard time with some of the inaccuracies like the fact that Luke just hands over the names of his Navy SEALS (ummm no!), etc. I wish I could explain what didn’t work for me with this story but I just can’t. I would say if the synopsis interest you then read it because it could just be me and you might enjoy it more than I did.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of Forbidden by Jacquelyn Frank

TITLE: Forbidden
AUTHOR: Jacquelyn Frank
PUBLICATION DATE:  10/30/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
From New York Times bestselling author Jacquelyn Frank comes this first book in The World of the Nightwalkers—an exciting and sensual new spin-off series in which the Bodywalkers, an ancient race of the night, battles the evil forces who prey on them.

The unexpected happens in an instant. On her way to work, secretary Docia Waverley hurtles into a crashing crossroads, and she quickly begins to suspect that things will never be the same. Then, when a tall, blond, muscular stranger intervenes on her behalf, telling her it is his duty to protect her at all cost, what is just a feeling turns to proof positive. That is, as long as Docia’s savior doesn’t turn out to be a crazed kidnapper.

When Ram finds Docia, he has no doubt that she is his queen. But as this golden warrior sweeps in to protect her, he feels something more than body heat every time they touch. He is overwhelmed by a searing connection that goes deep into the twin souls inside him. A desire rises in him that is forbidden—this woman is his queen, the mate of his king, his leader, his best friend. And yet Docia is so vulnerable and attractive that she awakens a hunger in Ram that is undeniable, a carnal craving he cannot yield to . . . not without risking the very survival of the Bodywalkers.

REVIEW:
This is a new series about Nightwalkers branching off from the older one about Bodywalkers and I have to say I was confused. I have not read the other series and I just had no idea who these characters were and why they were doing what they were doing.

That being said it was an interesting story if not a bit too far fetched for me. I guess I should have realized that this was about a reincarnation from long ago using another body to come back to the world and should have stayed away but I didn’t so I have to say I am just not interested in that type of storyline. As I said it is an interesting story and I can see why so many people would be fans of it but it is just not the genre that I am interested in.

I gave it 3 stars because while I would say I was not a fan of it at the same time I feel I am influenced by the fact that it is not my cup of tea. If you are a fan of Frank’s and have read the other in the previous series I am sure you will enjoy this one just as much.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kelly’s review of Phantom Shadows by Dianne Duvall

TITLE: Phantom Shadows – Immortal Guardians #3
AUTHOR: Dianne Duvall
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/02/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Dr. Melanie Lipton is no stranger to the supernatural. She knows immortals better than they know themselves, right down to their stubborn little genes. So although a handsome rogue immortal seems suspicious to her colleagues, Sebastien Newcombe intrigues Melanie. His history is checkered, his scars are impressive, and his ideas are daring. But it’s not his ideas that have Melanie fighting off surges of desire . . .

Bastien is used to being the bad guy. In fact, he can’t remember the last time he had an ally he could trust. But Melanie is different – and under her calm, professional exterior he senses a passion beyond anything in his centuries of experience. Giving in to temptation is out of the question – he can’t put her in danger. But she isn’t asking him .

REVIEW:
I will start by saying I love the Immortal Guardian world.  Dianne Duvall does an amazing job of creating a complex world with many overlapping elements.  The same virus, two different results.  The leader of the Immortal Guardians is not what he seems.  Secrets kept from humanity and the Immortals.  Common enemies.

I really enjoyed the first two books in this series Darkness Dawns & Night Reigns, but book 3 Phantom Shadow was just okay for me.

I love Bastien.  He is the black sheep of the Immortal’s little family.  But I just didn’t get into these story like I did the first two.  I was very happy that Bastien got a bit of happiness with Melaine.  I am looking forward to what Dianne has in store for us next.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kelly’s review of How To Drive A Dragon Crazy by G.A. Aiken

TITLE: How to Drive a Dragon Crazy – The Dragon Kin #6
AUTHOR: G.A. Aiken
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/01/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Some things never go away, like vile enemies, bad ale, and annoying kin. Honestly, though, I thought I was finished with the one dragon I’d have done anything for: Éibhear the Blue, a big, gorgeous, blue-haired beast who thinks the world belongs to him. The world and, apparently, me.

If Éibhear wants to play the caring hero and travel into the most forsaken of Gods forsaken lands to protect the one woman who doesn’t need it — namely me — I’ll let him. Because while I’m trying to fulfill a ridiculous quest for a pushy god, I’m going to draw this overconfident warlord much too close, rekindle his fires, and enjoy every minute of his delicious defeat.

REVIEW:
Okay, Maybe starting with book 6 was not a good idea.  There seemed to be so much history in this series I think I should have started with book 1.   That being said this book was just okay for me.  Maybe when I have a little more time I will start this series from the beginning.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kelly’s review of Shades of Temptation by Virna DePaul

TITLE: Shades of Temptation
AUTHOR: Virna DePaul
PUBLICATION DATE: 09/18/12

ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Carrie Ward understands dangerous men, and she’s got the scars to prove it. These days, the Special Investigations Group detective saves her risk taking for the job. But when she’s asked to pursue a high-profile serial killer, she’ll have to join forces with the last man she wants to depend on—Jase Tyler, an ace senior detective who’s as reckless as she is cautious. And despite her best intentions, the sparks begin to fly.As Carrie and Jase race to try to save the next victim, the passion that simmers between them ignites. But a cunning killer at the top of his game is challenging carrie to play to the very end. Now all she can count on are her instincts—and Jase, the one man daring enough to keep her safe….

REVIEW:
I enjoyed Shade of Temptation but not as much as book 1 Shade of Desire.

In Shades of Temptation we get to learn more about Jase and Carrie.  While I really liked Jase and Carrie’s story I kinda felt like these two were forced together.  It took a very long time for me to feel the connection between these two.  They do make a great team, but I struggled a little with them as a couple. But other than this was a good book.
Jase & Carrie have to team up to solve not one but two serial murder cases.  But when one of the serial murders sets his eyes on Jase & Carrie, these two learn quickly how fragile life really is.
If you like a good romantic suspense and liked Shades of Desire I believe you will like Shades of Temptation.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy (from NetGalley) of the book in exchange for an honest review. The following review is my own opinion and not a paid review.

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Kimberly’s review of Lip Service by M.J. Rose

TITLE: Lip Service
AUTHOR: M.J. Rose
PUBLICATION DATE:   08/21/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Lip Service is the prequel to M.J. Rose’s Bestselling Butterfield Institute Series which includes three novels – The Halo Effect, The Delilah Complex, The Venus Fix – and the short story collection In Session.

Lip Service probes the secret world of phone sex and one woman who becomes empowered by what she discovers there. Not since Erica Jong’s Fear of Flying has a novel so masterfully examined the relationship between sexuality and identity. On the surface, Julia Sterling’s life seems blessed. Married to a renowned psychiatrist, living on Manhattan’s tony Upper East Side, Julia deeply loves her stepson, and is forging a career as a journalist.

When a writing job at The Butterfield Institute – a sex therapy clinic – exposes her to the world of phone sex, Julia glimpses a world that stirs her erotic fantasies but threatens her carefully constructed reality. As she explores her emotional and sexual connections to the men she knows and several she will never meet, she confronts evil, perversity, and her own passions.

Tracing the currents of desire, illusion, and psychological manipulation,Lip Service is an astonishingly vivid glimpse into one woman’s inner life. At the same time, this electrifying thriller grips the reader as it builds toward a battering climax.

REVIEW:
This is a re-release of a book from 1999 and the first thing the reader will notice is some of the dated references (sitting next to JFK Jr., debating banning cigarette tv ads, etc). I found myself forcing myself to read this book and I think it has something to do with the time line. While 1999 was not all that long ago the era was so different. Phone sex was a huge thing before the internet and the references to some many now not so current subjects was distracting. I can see how maybe at the time this was erotic and sensual but not much anymore.

The story has to do with Julia and her psychiatrist husband and the power he holds over her. In this day in age we would have claimed she was emotionally abused. This is also a coming into your own story and while I can appreciate that this story is written as if the character is sitting on the shrink’s couch.This is the first book by M.J. Rose and she has gone on to write many books but I think re-releasing this book was not a wise decision.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of The Perfect Impostor by Wendy Soliman

TITLE: The Perfect Impostor
AUTHOR: Wendy Soliman
PUBLICATION DATE:   04/02/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Struggling to escape her past and make ends meet as a modiste, Katrina Sinclair hopes the daring new wardrobe she’s designed for her childhood friend Julia—now a marchioness—will attract the business she desperately needs. But Julia’s help comes at a price: Katrina must take her place at a house party. They look enough alike for the ruse to work…until Julia’s handsome former fiancé arrives.

Leo Kincade has been tasked with catching a traitor who steals from house parties to fund Napoleon’s armies. Three women are suspected—including Julia. But when Leo intercepts her at the party, he finds an impostor who stirs an attraction stronger than anything he felt for Julia.

The mysterious woman shares Leo’s interest, even if she won’t trust him with her true identity. He should expose her at once, but he’s too tempted to play along and see where her deception—and their passion—will lead.

REVIEW:
Honestly I am not even sure what I liked about this book but I seemed to have wanted to finish it. The premise has a lot of potential but I was so confused to understand how a woman can take the
place of another woman and no one notice the change not even those closest to her (ex-lover, husband, etc). Katrina spends so much time worrying she will get found out that it is distracting. Julia is just obnoxious and selfish. I found it hard to read the pages with her in it.

I was also unsatisfied with the ending. I expected some of the characters to “get what they deserve” but they didn’t. It seemed like everyone just ended up with a happy ending and that did not sit well with me.

I think the author did one of two things: either she was rushed to write this book and it lost some of the potential it had OR she had too long to write it and the more she fiddled with it the more out of control she wrote it. I can see how someone might enjoy this story but it just wasn’t my cup of tea.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Kimberly’s review of Santerra’s Sin by Donna Kauffman

TITLE: Santerra’s Sin
AUTHOR: Donna Kauffman
PUBLICATION DATE:   09/10/12
ORDER LINKS:  Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
HE LIKES HIS SALSA HOT, AND HIS WOMAN HOTTER… — When she answered his knock with “Enter at your own risk,” Diego Santerra realized he’d have his hands full protecting Blue Delgado without her knowledge. He’d taken more than a little pleasure keeping an eye on her the past three weeks, but now he had to get closer — and that meant getting a job in her cantina. Blue could feel the danger he exuded, and yearned for the excitement he aroused in her passionate soul. But could surrendering to this mystery man be a sin?

At her best when a story sizzles and peril lurks in every corner, Donna Kauffman burns up the pages with a hero just born for trouble, and a lady strong enough to handle him! She provoked him, tempted him, made him hunger for what he could never have, but if he managed to keep her alive, would he ever be able to let her go?

REVIEW:
This is a reprint from 1996. While it is a good story it mostly certainly gives you the feel of the LoveSwept stories. What is a LoveSwept? It was put out as a short paperback novel to be carried with you wherever you went. In other words the equivalent of a novella. This story is fast moving and direct to the point of getting the couple together. It has some suspense and romance mixed in. The character of Blue is a little too hard shelled for me. I like a woman who can take care of herself but the man is also able to make her feel like she wants to be taken care of and I never really got that feeling from Blue and Diego was just not “alpha” enough for me. I did enjoy the story though and I think if you are looking for some quick reads to have on your e-reader this is one you will enjoy.

Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.