Category: Jennifer’s Review

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Jennifer reviews Only Lycans Need Apply by Michele Bardsley

TITLE: Only Lycans Need Apply
SERIES #: Broken Heart Vampires
CHARACTERS: Drake and Moira
AUTHOR: Michele Bardsley
PUBLICATION DATE: 04/02/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: When I found the ancient tomb of the two most powerful vampires in history, I knew I was in for a lot of trouble…..

But archaeologists like me, Moira Jameson, are ready for trouble. Okay, maybe not human-species-threatening trouble. Or the kind of trouble that arrives in the form of a sexy werewolf named Drake. Yeah. Werewolf. And I thought ancient curses and walking corpses were a joke. Um..not so much.

‘Cause a walking corpse Named Karn wants to reveal vampires, and all of parakind, to the humans. And everyone else thinks that’s a bad idea. Then a pyramid mysteriously appears in Broken Heart, Oklahoma, and I’m appointed to get inside, survive booby traps, and awaken two very old, very hungry vampires. Luckily, Drake has my back (and my front). Unfortunately, archaeology sometimes reveals some very nasty surprises. And I’ll have to decide between saving myself…or saving the world.

REVIEW:
This is the ninth novel in the Broken Heart Vampires series and I’m in love with this Oklahoma town where most paranormal beings call home. The main character, Moira Jameson, has the reputation of being difficult among her University colleagues but her love of archaeology has kept her going after the death of her grandfather. When she comes upon a mysterious pyramid during an excavation, all hell breaks loose and she finds out that she has been chosen to awaken two very old vampires and help save mankind. Michele Bardsley’s novels are so full of imagination and humor, it is difficult not to fall for these characters. Moira has such a great heart even though her life has been filled with tragedy and I enjoyed that she was fiercely protective of the people in her life. She understands that she must be the one to free the elder vampires even though Drake would love to take that responsibility from her. Drake is the strong silent type that instantly wants Moira to be his mate and does everything to protect her which was a trait I instantly loved about his character. I was captivated by this story and finished it within one sitting. The humor will have you laughing out loud and the story will keep you on the edge of your seat. I loved visiting the town of Broken Heart and was sad when this story had to end and I’m looking forward to heading back to this lovely town soon in Michele’s next novel.

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

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Jennifer’s review of Along Came Trouble by Ruthie Knox

TITLE: Along Came Trouble
SERIES #: Camelot Series #2
CHARACTERS: Ellen Callahan and Caleb Clark
AUTHOR: Ruthie Knox
PUBLICATION DATE: 3/11/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
An accomplished lawyer and driven single mother, Ellen Callahan isn’t looking for any help. She’s doing just fine on her own. So Ellen’s more than a little peeved when her brother, an international pop star, hires a security guard to protect her from a prying press that will stop at nothing to dig up dirt on him. But when the tanned and toned Caleb Clark shows up at her door, Ellen might just have to plead the fifth.

Back home after a deployment in Iraq and looking for work as a civilian, Caleb signs on as Ellen’s bodyguard. After combat in the hot desert sun, this job should be a breeze. But guarding the willful beauty is harder than he imagined–and Caleb can’t resist the temptation to mix business with pleasure. With their desires growing more undeniable by the day. Ellen and Caleb give in to an evening of steamy passion. But will they ever be able to share more than just a one-night stand?

REVIEW:
Ellen Callahan just wanted peace and quiet in her life but that wasn’t possible when her famous brother decided to have an affair with the next door neighbor. Now the paparazzi are in town to get a glimpse of the famous couple and tramping over Ellen’s lawn to do it. Ellen didn’t need anyone to take care of her and that goes for the security detail that her brother has hired for her. I liked that she was very successful in her career but also very down-to-earth. She had a famous brother and she never got wrapped up in that lifestyle. She just wanted to raise her son without distractions after recently divorcing her philandering, drunk, yet full of himself ex-husband, Richard. I loved her personality and I truly connected with her because its hard being a mom while having a career and trying to balance both worlds. She didn’t want to find love but it was exactly what she needed and I wish everyone could have a Caleb Clark.

As I read this book, I kept picturing Caleb as a Dwayne Johnson type of guy that seemed to have it all. He was this handsome, strong guy who looked as though he could have any woman that he wanted because he was such a charmer. The thing is, he was actually looking for that one woman that he could call his own and when he saw Ellen, he knew that he had found her. He just had to convince her and take took a little “negotiation.” He was the perfect match for her because protecting his family and the people that he loved meant everything to him because after being in the military, that was one of the things that he could do very well. I also just loved the way Caleb and Ellen interacted with each other, sometimes without even saying a word.

This is the second book in the Camelot series and Ruthie Knox has created a real winner with this one. This story is filled with humor, family fighting, romance and hot steamy sex between our two main characters. I can’t wait to read more from this author and I hope that when I grow old I can be like the character Nana in this book. She had some of the best lines that will have you laughing out loud.

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

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Jennifer’s review of Winterblaze by Kristen Callihan

TITLE: Winterblaze
AUTHOR: Kristen Callihan
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/26/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Once blissfully in love….Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy’s secrets are revealed, leaving Winston’s trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections….

Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test… Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bears the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy’s love for him to defect the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

REVIEW:
I have been waiting a long time to finally learn Poppy and Winston’s story and Kristen Callihan doesn’t disappoint in her latest installment in the Darkest London series. This is a heart-wrenching tale of a couple that has to battle a demon from the depths of hell to protect their true love. Poppy has always been an interesting character to me as the oldest Ellis sister and we finally learn her supernatural ability that she has gone to great lengths to keep hidden. Poppy was also protecting other deep dark secrets in this novel that would threaten to destroy her relationship with her husband and her family if they became known. I was quite irritated with Winston’s character in the beginning because he had separated from Poppy when he learned one of these secrets and instead of standing by her, decided it was best that they go their separate ways. This secret destroyed his image of Poppy and considering he was holding secrets of his own, made me angry with his character. Poppy was such a strong character in my eyes with all the responsibilities that she had to deal with and had wanted to make the best of the situation even if it meant not living with her husband anymore.

During the course of the novel, they were able to make amends and join forces to hunt a deadly demon, Isley, who threatened Winston’s life and his future with Poppy. He was intent on taking Winston’s soul unless Winston was able to discover the identity of a Moira Darling and the object that she had stolen from this deadly demon. The journey to find Moira Darling brought Poppy and Win closer together but also unearthed secrets that neither had wanted to come to light. I enjoyed learning about Poppy and Winston’s relationship and courtship which appeared via flashbacks during the course of this novel. Kristen is an amazingly talented author and each novel seems to be better than its predecessor in this dazzling paranormal Victorian world. I can’t wait to read her next novel, Shadowdance, which continues the adventures of Jack Talent and the beautiful yet elusive Mary Chase.

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

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Jennifer’s review of Scarlet by Marissa Meyer

TITLE: Scarlet
SERIES #: The Lunar Chronicles #2
CHARACTERS: Scarlet, Wolf and Cinder
AUTHOR: Marissa Meyer
PUBLICATION DATE: 02/05/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Cinder, the cyborg mechanic, returns in the second thrilling installment of the bestselling Lunar Chronicles. She’s trying to break out of prison –even though if she succeeds, she’ll be the Commonwealth’s most wanted fugitive.

Halfway around the world, Scarlet Benoit’s grandmother is missing. It turns out there are many things Scarlet doesn’t know about her grandmother or the grave danger she has lived in her whole life. When Scarlet encounters Wolf, a street fighter who may have information as to her grandmother’s whereabouts, she is loath to trust this stranger, but is inexplicably drawn to him, and he to her. As Scarlet and Wolf unravel one mystery, they encounter another when they meet Cinder. Now, all of them must stay one step ahead of the vicious Lunar Queen Levana, who will do anything for the handsome Prince Kai to become her husband, her king, her prisoner.

REVIEW: I am absolutely in love with this series! This is the second book in The Lunar Chronicles and it picks up right after the events of “Cinder.” We find that Cinder has now been imprisoned and will soon be turned over to the deadly and devious Queen Levana who wants nothing other than to kill Cinder for her pure enjoyment. When Cinder finally does escape, she takes on the most unlikely of partners in her quest for freedom and to stay far out of the reach of the wicked Queen. I enjoyed every minute of this novel and I loved how there were two characters perspectives, Cinder and the introduction of Scarlet, who holds the key to Cinder’s past and true identity. Scarlet was an interesting character because she was so responsible at such a young age and was willing to do anything to find her grandmother who had been kidnapped and was being held hostage. I am looking forward to seeing how Scarlet’s and Wolf’s relationship develop after the events of “Scarlet” because there are so many unanswered questions and we don’t know Wolf’s true motives for helping Scarlet. You can also start to see how the pieces of the puzzle are starting to come together in regards to Cinder’s past and what it means for her future. I am also glad that Cinder has finally decided that enough was enough and it is time for her to take a stand instead of running away from everything. This is such an exciting book full of action and suspense and it will have you rooting for Scarlet and Cinder until the very last page. I will definitely be counting the days until the next book, Cress, is released next year.

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

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Jennifer’s review of The Next Forever by Lisa Burstein

TITLE: The Next Forever
AUTHOR: Lisa Burstein
PUBLICATION DATE: 01/13/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: One night in college can change everything……Away at college, Amy just wants one night alone without her high school sweetheart, Joe. So when he invites her to go to the library, she heads off on her own instead. How she ended up at a house party with the mysterious bad-boy Trevor is another story.

Joe so isn’t going to the library. He needs space from Amy, too, so he’s decided to rush a fraternity, to get back the swagger he had in high school. But it doesn’t take long for the brothers to invite him to the real rush–where the beer is flowing and one particular girl has set her eyes on Joe.

Over the course of one wild night, both Amy and Joe will have to decide if their futures belong with two new people, or whether the next forever will have their first loves in it.

REVIEW: Lisa Burstein follows up with her characters from her previous novel, Pretty Amy, who are now in college and are faced with the ultimate temptation that could destroy their once solid relationship. I haven’t read Pretty Amy but I was still able to connect with Amy and Joe and their doubts about continuing their relationship. Being in college provided them with so much freedom and choices that they finally reached a crossroad where they must make a decision about their romantic future. I thought this novella was very poignant, thought-provoking, and at times intensely emotional about what decision would you make if you were given the opportunity to lead another life. I liked Amy because she seemed to be battling herself by either falling back to her “bad girl” ways or trying to actually find out who she really was. The novella presented both character’s viewpoint and you could see the emotional battle they were faced with each decision they made. I loved this story and it made me believe that even though you are given different opportunities doesn’t mean they are always right and the grass isn’t always greener on the other side. This story will stick with you well after the last page and I can’t wait to read more by Lisa Burstein.

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

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Jennifer’s review of Strictly Forbidden by Shelley Bradley

TITLE: Strictly Forbidden
AUTHOR: Shelley Bradley
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/17/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Miss Kira Melbourne is anything but a proper English rose. Her exotic beauty, courtesy of her foreign mother, has marked her as an outsider, and her ghastly reputation as a woman of loose virtue has only added to that status. The victim of a devious viscount’s horrible lies, Kira has the chance to redeem herself and become a member of polite society as the fiancee of a respected country clergyman. She’ll finally have a place to belong…even if it’s in the arms of a tepid man she doesn’t love.

Gavin Daggett, Duke of Cropthorne, isn’t about to let his naive country cousin marry a scandalous woman like Kira Melbourne. The solution is a simple one: Gavin will seduce the vixen and prove her unworthiness, thereby releasing his cousin from any obligation. But spending time with Kira is like awakening to a world of color and beauty, and it stirs the fiery desires that Gavin has fought to suppress his entire life. Caught in his own dangerous game, sharing forbidden pleasure with Kira, Gavin knows the price of loving her is high–and yet it is one that he will willingly pay..with every beat of his heart.

REVIEW: I have read other novels from Shelley Bradley that I have absolutely adored and I couldn’t wait to read another historical romance from this author. Kira Melbourne is a beautiful young woman that is trying desperately to escape the vicious rumors that she is a woman of loose morals by marrying James Howland, a country pastor. Gavin Daggett, James’ cousin, is instantly attracted to Kira because of her beauty and plans to seduce her to prove that she is unworthy of being his cousin’s wife. This plan ultimately backfires because he finds that Kira is a lovely woman that seems to be the perfect match for him instead of his cousin.

I enjoyed Kira’s character because she was very sweet and trusting but she seemed so naive at times about how things were going to turn out with Gavin. Gavin was a hero that I had a hard time connecting with due to the fact he wasn’t very nice to Kira for most of the novel. He acted like a complete jerk and didn’t really redeem himself until the last few pages of this book. I almost had the feeling that Kira could have found somebody better than Gavin just by the way that he acted toward her. I also wish that Kira’s brother, Darius, had more interaction in this story because he was a great character. I loved that he was so protective of Kira and I wanted him to find his little piece of happiness with someone.

I am going back to read Strictly Seduction which was Brock and Madeline’s love story, who played a minor role in this book. This book wasn’t a winner for me but I still love Shelley’s books and can’t wait to read the next one that she releases.

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

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Jennifer’s review of Boyfriend From Hell by Jamie Quaid

TITLE: Boyfriend From Hell
AUTHOR: Jamie Quaid
PUBLICATION DATE: 9/25/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Justine (Tina) Clancy is just an ordinary law student with a faulty arrest record, a part-time job in Baltimore’s radioactive Zone, and a family secret so bizarre even she doesn’t believe it. That is, until in a fit of fury she damns her boyfriend to hell–and it’s exactly where he ends up.

Much to her surprise, Tina is apparently one of Saturn’s daughters, with the power to wield vigilante justice. But poor Max didn’t deserve to go up in flames, even if he did almost run her over with her own car. Tina’s convinced someone cut the brakes–and now a relentless nemesis is stalking her through the Zone’s back alleys, where buildings glow, statues move, and chemical waste exposure comes with interesting consequences. Tina’s usually a loner, but now she needs a posse like no other: a shape-shifting kitten, an invisible thief, a biker gang, a snake-charming private detective, a well-meaning cop, and her sleazy, sexy boss. But in between freeing Max from hell, saving her own neck, and solving a mystery that threatens the Zone and her newfound friends, how is she ever going to study for finals?

REVIEW: This book grabbed me from the very beginning and I immediately connected with Tina’s character. I liked how Tina was this smart, tough young woman who was trying to work her way through law school at a time when her situation seemed hopeless. She was broke, living with a damaged leg as a result of a college riot years prior and working part-time in the radioactive Zone until she was able to take the bar exam. Everything seemed to be normal for her up until the day that she had her bank deposit stolen outside the bank while witnessing a hit and run involving a group of teenagers. To top it all off, her boyfriend Max, then tried to hit her with her own car and she wishes him to hell in a fit of anger. For Tina, things start to go from bad to worse as she learns that she is one of Saturn’s daughters with the power to dish out vigilante justice on people that have wronged others with interesting results.

Jamie Quaid has created a fascinating paranormal world with Boyfriend from Hell and I enjoyed this book immensely. I liked the funny cast of characters and the crazy environment of the Zone, where things aren’t always what they seem and even then you can’t always trust what you see. This book was action-packed from the first page and I was hoping that everything would work out for Tina and she would finally be able to reach her goal of finishing law school. I would definitely like to see this book be the start of a series because I would love to catch up with these characters and see what dangerous situation Tina may find herself in next.

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

4 Hearts
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Jennifer’s review of The Edge Of Nowhere by Elizabeth George

TITLE: The Edge of Nowhere
AUTHOR: Elizabeth George
PUBLICATION DATE: 9/04/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:
Becca King is on the run. Her ability to hear “whispers”–the thoughts of others–has put her at risk from her stepfather, whose criminal activities she’s discovered. When she arrives on Whidbey Island, beautiful, wild and a world apart, she embarks on a life very different from her old one, with new friends that include, Seth, a kind-hearted dropout turned gypsy jazz musician; Derric, a Ugandan boy adopted by a local family; Diana, with whom she shares a psychic powers; and Debbie, who makes a habit of helping runaways.

REVIEW: I was very excited to read the beginning of this new Young Adult series from Elizabeth George because I have enjoyed her mysteries in the past. This book held the promise of mystery and romance with a paranormal element among a secluded locale which should have been thrilling to read. The only problem was that this book didn’t follow through with any of these aspects that were promised. Becca King, the main character, has a hearing disability that is helped via an auditory device that can drown out excess noise to help her focus when others are speaking. When she doesn’t use this device, she is able to pick up “whispers” from people, which are snippets of their true thoughts. This helps Becca discover people’s most intimate thoughts and feelings, even when their facial expressions portray something else entirely. She is currently on the run from her stepfather, because she learned from his “whispers” that he killed his business partner and covered up the crime. She is brought to Whidbey Island to stay with a family friend, but nothing goes as planned and Becca finds herself living alone in a strange city with no one to help her.

To me, Becca was a very sad character that spent most of the book feeling sorry for herself instead of looking for anything positive in her new surroundings. The pacing of the story was very slow and the mystery aspect of this novel turned out to be not a mystery at all. I have enjoyed Elizabeth George’s Adult mysteries but I was very disappointed in this installment in her YA series. The second one may be more interesting but I was unable to connect with these characters and will not be reading the next one after reading The Edge of Nowhere.

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

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Jennifer’s review of How To Misbehave by Ruthie Knox

TITLE: How to Misbehave
AUTHOR: Ruthie Knox
PUBLICATION DATE: 1/28/13
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

As program director for the Camelot Community Center, Amber Clark knows how to keep her cool. That is, until a sudden tornado warning forces her to take shelter in a darkened basement with a hunk of man whose sex appeal green lights her every fantasy. With a voice that would melt chocolate, he asks her if she is okay. Now she’s hot all over and wondering: How does a girl make a move?

Building contractor Tony Mazzara was just looking to escape nature’s fury. Instead, he finds himself all tangled up with lovely Amber. Sweet and sexy, she’s ready to unleash her wild side. Their mutual desire reaches a fever pitch and creates a storm of its own–unexpected, powerful, and unforgettable. But is it bigger than Tony can handle? Can he let go of painful memories and let the force of this remarkable woman show him a future he never dreamed existed?

REVIEW:
This was a charming little romance with enough hot steamy sex that it could melt the words off the page. Amber was a sweet young woman who was attracted to Tony, but was afraid to even talk to him until the day of the tornado. They are then thrown together in a dark, small space and the sparks fly. I loved how she was so willing to lose her good girl image to spend time with this gorgeous man. Tony was a nice guy that had a troubled past and was trying desperately to find forgiveness for his past sins. He wasn’t interested in starting a relationship because he felt he wasn’t worthy while Amber felt that she was too “innocent” to attract a man such as Tony.

I was very impressed with Ruthie Knox’s writing style and I was immediately involved with these wonderful characters from the beginning. This is a novella to introduce her upcoming series and I can’t wait to read more from this author in Along Came Trouble and learn about the other inhabitants of Camelot.

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

4 Hearts
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Jennifer’s review of Kissing Under The Mistletoe by Marina Adair

TITLE: Kissing Under the Mistletoe
AUTHOR: Marina Adair
PUBLICATION DATE: 10/16/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Regan Martin stopped believing in Christmas miracles six years ago when she lost everything–her house, her job, and her impeccable reputation in the wine industry–after she fell in love with a man she had no idea was married. Then Regan gets a chance for a fresh start in the Napa Valley, and she starts wondering if holiday wishes really do come true. But she soon tumbles back down to earth when she learns that her new boss is none other than Gabe DeLuca, the scorned wife’s brother. Gabe wants nothing more than home-wrecking Regan Martin out of his life, his sister’s world, and his family’s business. Mostly, he wants the lush beauty out of his head. Yet his attempts to run her out of town have him thinking twice, especially when he sees that Regan may hold the key to tracking down his sister’s stolen start-up capital. Even worse for Gabe, Regan might just be his Christmas wish and hold the key to his heart.

REVIEW:
This was a great little holiday romance for me. I connected to Regan’s character from the very beginning because all she wanted was a home for her daughter and to leave her past mistakes behind her. She regretted having an affair with a man that she had no idea was married until it was too late and Gabe DeLuca had been making her life miserable ever since to protect his sister, Abby, from ever meeting the “other woman.” I never understood why Gabe went to such great lengths to damage Regan’s reputation wherever she went. I could understand that he didn’t want them meeting but going out of his way to get her fired from jobs was just downright spiteful. I didn’t like his character for most of the book because of this and it wasn’t until almost the end, that I started to warm up to him. There were times in this book that I want to give him a swift kick in the butt but he made it up to Regan at the end. The ending of this book absolutely killed me and made me a crying mess and I loved every minute of that scene for Regan.

I recently found out that Marina is working on the third novel in this series and I can’t wait to spend more time with the delightful characters of St. Helena. The townspeople of St. Helena make this book even more fun especially the three Mrs. Clauses. Some of the things they did in this book still make me laugh thinking about them. I’m now curious as to which DeLuca family member will find love and happiness in the next installment.

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

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Jennifer’s review of Sealed With A Curse by Cecy Robson

TITLE: Sealed With A Curse
AUTHOR: Cecy Robson
PUBLICATION DATE: 12/31/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS: Celia Wird and her three sisters are just like other 20-something girls-with one exception: they’re products of a backfired curse that has given each of them unique powers that make them, well, weird…

The Wird sisters are content to avoid the local vampires, werebeasts, and witches of the Lake Tahoe region–until one of them blows up a vampire in self-defense. Everyone knows that vampires aren’t aggressive, and killing one is punishable by death. But soon more bloodlust-fueled attacks occur, and the community wonders: are the vampires of Tahoe cursed with a plague?

Celia reluctantly agrees to help Misha, the handsome leader of an infected vampire family. But, Aric, the head of the werewolf pack determined to destroy Misha’s family to keep the regions safe, warns Celia to stay out of the fight. Caught between two hot alphas, Celia must find a way to please everyone, save everyone, and oh yeah, not lose her heart to the wrong guy–or die a miserable death. Because now that the evil behind the plague knows who Celia is, it’s coming for her and her sisters. This Wird girl has never had it so tough.

REVIEW:
Cecy Robson has created a wonderful paranormal world with her debut of Sealed With a Curse. This book is filled with non-stop action and romance with four amazing women that are involved in a battle of epic proportions that may cost them their lives. I loved this book because the Wird sisters are just phenomenal. They have supernatural powers that have never been seen before and they just want to live their life peacefully in Lake Tahoe taking care of others as nurses. I was impressed by the fact that these women are nurses, which holds a special place in my heart and there were scenes in this book that I could definitely relate to.

Celia, is the main character in this book and is the oldest of the four sisters. She has done everything to protect her family from witches, vampires and werebeasts while trying to deal with her own unusual power. She is a tough, smart and funny woman that you just can’t help caring for and wanting her to experience the normal things in life. Especially when there are hot, sexy, werewolves living in Lake Tahoe who seem to be enchanted with the Wird sisters. I thought that Aric was absolutely gorgeous and I was hoping that he would be a perfect match for Celia because he was so determined to protect her from all the vampire drama. I was definitely rooting for them by the end of this book to become a little more than just friends.

Sealed With a Curse is a well-written novel that shouldn’t be missed especially if you enjoy paranormal romance. I am desperately wanting the next book in the series, A Cursed Embrace, that is set to come out next year but I will try to be patient until I can get my fix of the Wird Sisters and the hot werewolf pack of Lake Tahoe.
Disclaimer:
I received a complimentary copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

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Jennifer’s review of More Than A Stranger by Erin Knightley

TITLE: More Than a Stranger
AUTHOR: Erin Knightley
PUBLICATION DATE: 6/5/12
ORDER LINKS: Amazon | B&N

BOOK SYNOPSIS:

When his family abandoned him at Eton, Benedict Hastings found an unexpected ally in his best friend’s sister. Her letters kept him going–until the day he had to leave everything behind. Years later, Benedict has seen his share of betrayal, but when treachery hits close to home, he turns to his old friend for a safe haven…

After five torturous years on the marriage circuit, Lady Evelyn Moore is finally free to live her life as she wishes. So when her brother shows up with a dashing stranger, she finds herself torn between her dreams…and newfound desires.

Despite his determination to keep Evie at a distance, Benedict cannot deny the attraction that began with a secret correspondence. Yet as they begin to discover each other, the dangers of Benedict’s world find them, threatening their lives, their love and everything they thought they could never have.

REVIEW:
This is a fantastic debut from Erin Knightley that will capture your heart and have you believing in second chances. Evie is a spirited, intelligent woman that has spent her youth writing letters to her brother’s best friend, Benedict Hastings. What started as a simple correspondence turned into something more when Hastings abruptly ends their correspondence for no reason and ultimately breaks Evie’s heart. Seven years later, Hastings is troubled by the events that have occurred in his life and turns to his old friend, Richard, for help. His wish is to come to their family estate in the country for solitude to sort through the horrible predicament that he has found himself in. When they arrive at Richard’s country home, Hastings is shocked and delighted to find that Evie is there and that he may finally have a chance to make amends with this beautiful young woman. When he is initially introduced to Evie, he pretends to be someone other than Benedict Hastings for fear of Evie’s response to the real Hastings and Evie is unaware that the man that broke her heart is currently residing in her family’s home. The attraction between the two is instantaneous and Evie believes that she has finally met her match.

I liked Evie in this novel. She was fun, adventurous and very independent at a time when women were expected to be nothing more than a pretty face. She convinced her family that she needed to take time off from the Season to pursue her own hobbies and would save the husband-hunting for a later date. No man seemed to interest her or captured her attention until she laid eyes on Hastings. Even though he was a stranger to her, there was an instant connection between the two and I enjoyed their scenes together and her snarky comments to him. Hastings was a dashing hero that any woman would like to spend time with but I wish that he would have told her earlier who he really was. Evie deserved the truth and she would have understood the dangerous situation he was in. The letters between the two was a delight to read and added so much to this love story as well as meeting all the members of her family. This was a great story and I am excited to read Richard’s story, A Taste for Scandal, that will be released next month.

Disclaimer:
The following review is my opinion and not a paid review.

4 Hearts