Fever by Joan Swan Review

When Dr. Alyssa Foster is taken hostage by a prison inmate, she knows she's in deep trouble. Not just because Teague Creek is desperate for freedom, but because the moment his fingers brush against her skin, Alyssa feels a razor-sharp pang of need...

A man with a life sentence has nothing to lose. At least Teague doesn't, until his escape plan develops a fatal flaw: Alyssa. On the run from both the law and deadly undercover operatives, he can only give her lies, but every heated kiss tells him the fire between them could be just as devastating as the flames that changed him forever

MY TAKE:

Been anticipating this book for some time! And ironically animals and family are working against my reading time!

On page 87 - Very gripping, nearly action packed from the beginning. Never once did I get bored, no information dump from the get go. Been picking up information here or there along the way for the pace to go rather smoothly.

Note: Alyssa is the type of heroine that I really like. No fragile flower there. She fights and straight up gives Teague a rough time of it.

The side character Taz is a straight up jerk (well worse but I'm keeping it clean). Though, I blame the author for singing along with him. I had the darn song stuck in my head.

On 272 and honestly I do NOT want this book to end! Fever definitely grabs you by the seat of the pants. And what a ride!

Alyssa and Teague's relationship (okay I am a fan of unusual and uncommon names, so yes I love Teague's name). Not too fast or too slow, nicely, believable pace that just helps the reader connect and fall in love with both of them.

There were several moments in the book that just makes you want to hug Teague. He's an alpha but there is also the soft, emotional side you see here or there. Nothing that takes his masculinity away.

Trying to articulate just how much I enjoyed this book from start to finish. Near the end I got a little teary eyed but by the time I finished the last word, I was smiling like a loon! All I can say... DAMN good book! So glad I got the chance to read it.

Now the burning question is... Luke and Mitch best be getting a book!!!! Yes, I want more!

Eternal Captive - Laura Wright Review

Since feeding her his blood, Lucian Roman has struggled with his obsession with Bronwyn Kettler-fighting an uncontrollable desire to kill her, if he has to, and the vampire she has sworn to wed. But when a dangerous enemy threatens Bronwyn, only Lucian can save her life. Even if it means sacrificing his own...

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My thoughts: So 21% in Luca's story and wow, just wow! I've been anticipating this book since Eternal Kiss.

Lucian is everything I like in a male: sarcastic, snarky and straight up-asshole!! For those starting in on Laura's Mark of the Vampire, I really recommend they start from book one.

Luca's personality is outlined from the getgo, when we were first introduced to him. Bronwyn too is introduced in the first book - where we get insight on her personality and person. The tension between the two start there and continue somewhat in book two and leads us to their story.

We are introduced to some new players...which really have me chomping the bit in excitement.

Favored line so far: If the princess won't come to the asshole, then the asshole will have to come to the princess.

81% in - Really do not want to put this book down. Seriously. I stayed up till 3 am reading, needing to read that next page, that next chapter.

Some cool new players are introduced and put into play. I was happy when Laura mentioned one would get a book. I really hope the other interesting male gets a book too unless his is a side romance.

WARNING: near the end is several sniffle scenes. One scene nearly broke my heart! Though, that was quite a twist about an existing character that we already knew and love!

This book absolutely does NOT disappoint! Already anticipating the next book!        

Rainshadow Road by Lisa Kleypas Review

Lucy Marinn is a glass artist living in mystical, beautiful, Friday Harbor, Washington. She is stunned and blindsided by the most bitter kind of betrayal: her fiancé Kevin has left her. His new lover is Lucy’s own sister. Lucy's bitterness over being dumped is multiplied by the fact that she has constantly made the wrong choices in her romantic life. Facing the severe disapproval of Lucy's parents, Kevin asks his friend Sam Nolan, a local vineyard owner on San Juan Island, to "romance" Lucy and hopefully loosen her up and get her over her anger. Complications ensue when Sam and Lucy begin to fall in love, Kevin has second thoughts, and Lucy discovers that the new relationship in her life began under false pretenses. Questions about love, loyalty, old patterns, mistakes, and new beginnings are explored as Lucy learns that some things in life—even after being broken—can be made into something new and beautiful.

MY TAKE:

Fifteen pages in - My heart ached and went out for Lucy. The more I read the more I thought "That poor girl". But the end of that fifteen pages, the good that came out of the bad, made me smile.

I can understand Lucy's rapt attention in the glassblowers. My dad was friends with people in the Globe factory. They blew those glass balls that people put out in their front yards in pestals. Lisa did a wonderful job of describing that! Her research on that was spot on!

30 pages in - I am cackling here. I love this part. Lucy and Sam are talking about what their sexes do with breakups.

Sam: It is a lot simpler for guys. We jsut drink a lot of beer, go a few days without shaving, and buy an appliance

Lucy: You mean like a toaster?

Sam: No, Something that makes noise. Like a leaf blower or chain saw. Very Healing

Oh man that part right there got me howling with laughter where I HAD to read it to my hubby. Even he laughed.

50 Pages in - Had to pause here because Justine and Zoe's characters are great! Such diversity between two characters. These two girls, especially Justine and her love for confrontation, is what every gal needs in her life. Just that scene alone makes me hope Kleypas decides, once the Nolan's are done, that she'll consider writing a book for Zoe and Justine. Zoe, from what little is divulged, deserves a happily ever after.

165 pages in - Revisiting Mark, Maggie, and Holly was like seeing long-time friends again. The connection is just there. And I was struck with how much I actually missed the Nolans. There is just something about them that tugs at the heartstrings, that makes you relate and bond with.

The scene between Mark and Holly brought actual tears to the eyes. It's a wonderful continuation from Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor, touching the heart as the soul.

The last hundred pages flew by...and all the way, through the sheen of happy tears at the ending, I was given the thought... Rainshadow Road conveys what romance is all about.

That through the scared skeletons of the past, Nolan managed to work through the dark shadow that was his family's supposed legacy. The two of them, Lucy and Sam, were cynics when it came to love, each colored from family's, yet somehow, the two managed to find the magic of love, that cynic or no, love shines through.

Kleypas never lost the magic that was the Nolans, what was introduced in Christmas Eve at Friday Harbor. Sometimes, anticipated books in a series can fall flat... Not Rainshadow Road. The magic of the story continues..

Now I am eagerly awaiting the next installment, for Alex... Lisa Kleypas never disappoints - be her historical or contemporary..        

Five Shillelagh and a bear claw

King of the Isles - Debbie Mazzuca Review

  Did this review a little differently.  Instead of waiting until I finished the book, I stopped at intervals or important places to jot down the thoughts and opinions fluttering through my head. 

Evangeline may be powerfully persuasive in her way, but convincing the notoriously wild Highland king Lachlan MacLeod to strengthen his alliances with a strategic marriage seems to be asking the impossible. Stubborn and proud, Lachlan seems determined to go against her will, even if it means endangering the people he's sworn to protect and the enchanted isle that has already seen so much discord. Yet the battle-scarred Highlander cannot ignore his sultry advisor for long. When his mentor is kidnapped, forcing him to ride into combat alongside the beautiful Evangeline, he must choose between her safety and his own independence. It's a choice he makes in an instant ...but once wed to the woman he could not resist, he'll soon find that his heart is in even greater danger than his kingdom



My Take: - Won this Advanced Reading Copy off a contest Kensington Publishing Corp had on Twitter.  If I could compare this author to another author out there... Donna Grant comes to mind with that highlander magic mixed with the Fae.

- New to me author

So far I am 48 pages in and Mazzuca's written voice is spellbinding. This is definitely a book I would recommend for those who love magic, Celtic myth (Fae) and hints of Scottish element. All things that tickle my fancy and interest.

Now I have not read the two previous books before King of Isles. I get hints that Syrene and Aidan have a book, but so far I really do not feel handicapped reading this first. It does spark my curiousness. I will reserve my judgement about getting the two previous books once I finish the book.

So, I am on page 208. The book is still engrossing. Evangeline and Lachlan both are considered tortured. Lachlan being in the physical and emotional sense. Evangeline more haunted and emotionally abused.

The two of them have such common ground that I can really see the two coming together. Evangeline has some baggage still. Lachlan too that they need to overcome.

So I wrapped up the remainder of the story and it's nearly 2 am in the morning. Yes, there were moments when Evangeline and Lachland aggrivated the hell out of me but glad the issue was resolved quickly.

Now the ultimate question is.... Will I read the first two stories in this series, oh yes. I found I enjoyed the side characters. I like to learn more about them.

Will I read more from this author? That is a given since she did weave such magic in her words.

The children in this book made me smile, cackle even.

Now there were a couple of times I wanted to knock Lachlan and Evangeline's head together but grief and anger does play havoc on our senses.        

The Lost - Caridad Pineiro Review

Adam Bruno is no ordinary millionaire. The heir to an ancient race possessing a dark, powerful magic, he can shapeshift and create energy. His gifts make him a living weapon and have forced him to live in seclusion. But now an inhuman force hunts down Adam-just when he finds someone who makes him feel more human than he ever imagined possible . . .


Home from combat in Iraq, Bobbie Carerra wants only peace, yet soon joins Adam in a terrifying battle against paranormal enemies who hide in plain sight. She's drawn to his strength of mind and body; he's attracted to her courage and intoxicating energy. Their scorching passion can either transport them to the heights of ecstasy or-if Adam's powers rage out of control-destroy them. But when an invisible brotherhood tightens its nets and someone Adam trusts betrays him, only a heartrending decision can save them.






     My Take: The ending clearly makes you anticipate and desperately want The Claimed; however I was delighted when my hunch/guess proved true at the end.



It was great to meet more of the Carerras. We met Bobbie briefly in Stronger Than Sin, not enough to get a feel for her character. The only other Carerra we see in here is Tony (sorry everyone for wanting Mick and Lily, along with the Carerrar matriach)


Gotta love the Carerras though: their sense of family, their inner strength, and determination to stand by those they love.


Bobbie shows these traits and more. She's a warrior, a fighter. She's been through hell but fighting not to let it keep her down, foraging onward the best of her ability. A character that a reader can admire and look up to.


Adam... the mysterious geeky hero! Shy to boot! Hehe. Enough that I can say about that.

This was completely different from Stronger Than Sin and Sins of the Flesh, opening the doors to a new series. The paranormal element in this is different, unique, fresh.

Tempted by Elisabeth Naughton Review

  Book Blurb:
DEMETRIUS—He’s the hulking, brooding warrior his fellow Guardians avoid. Too dark. Too damaged. And given his heritage, he knows it’s best to keep everyone at arm’s length.



Isadora is missing. The words pounded through his head like a frantic drumbeat. For her own protection, Demetrius had done all he could to avoid the fragile princess, his soul mate. And now she was gone—kidnapped. To get her back, he’ll have to go to the black place in his soul he’s always shunned. As daemons ravage the human realm and his loyalty to the Guardians is put to the ultimate test, Demetrius realizes that Isadora is stronger than anyone thought. And finally letting her into his heart may be the only way to save them both.







        MY TAKE: Third book in the “Eternal Guardian” series.



First I wanted to say how addicting these books are. Elisabeth’s writing, depth of story, surreal characters claimed me by the first page of Marked, that never waned one iota with Marked, Entwined, and Tempted. I was instantly swept away. She, Laura Wright, and Nalini Singh have totally won, more like run me over with their first books, wowed me where I became an instant fan.

Now I was a little leery going in Tempted only because a friend was not happy with Demetrius’s attitude. She did not think he redeemed himself enough, did not grovel enough. Yes, to put this as frank as possible, Demetrius was an ass of the first order in the previous two books.


Everything, from his reasoning’s became apparent in Tempted. “I” seen where he was coming from in the why he felt the need to behave so shoddy and crappy towards her. Not everyone is going to understand that, which is fine, their loss or maybe I do have a shred of empathy as friends accuse me of.


Now I did not see the loop about Nick in there, though I really hope he finds a lady despite all that is learned in there.


As for Isadora… In Marked she was too timid, too meek, and really just aggravated the heck out of me. She had no backbone; however, by the ending of Marked, and through Entwined Isadora really showed growth in her character. That growth appeared in Tempted.


She was a heroine that I could like, do like in fact. I really like it when a heroine comes into her own, and Isadora clearly does that in Tempted.


Along with Nick finding a special someone, I clearly want to see more of Orpheus. Okay, he’s totally won me… and needless to say that I want the Council to choke on gravel. Cannot wait for more installments of this series!

Five Shillelagh and a bear claw

Review on the ARC of Shadow Highlander - Donna Grant

    First I would like to thank Donna Grant for emailing me while I was on vacation to let me know I won this ARC. Had she not and I learned I missed out, I would have been so upset.

Sent on a dangerous mission into the shadowy world of the Druids, Galen must find a powerful ancient relic to defeat the enemies of Castle MacLeod. But what he discovers is far more powerful - and far more dangerous. A Druid lass whose beauty is as spellbinding as any magic.

Reaghan is the most enchanting woman Galen has even met - and the most enigmatic. She alone is immune to his mind-reading gifts. He alone makes her feel safe and secure. But Reaghan holds a secret power deep inside her that could destroy them both. And if Galen hopes to hold this captivating woman in his arms every night, he must defeat the darkness that draws closer around her every day.

         My take: Another brilliant book by Donna! Words can not convey just how much I enjoyed this book! Never once did I get bored, anticipating what would happened next and keeping me on my toes. From page one I was entranced...

In the previous books we've met Galen, one of the warriors, but it was nice to get feedback about him, how his past was still harsh yet different from the others.


And then there is Reaghan. She may not be a warrior like Larena but in all that she did showed a strength. New players have been introduced that makes my mouth just water and get ancy to learn more.

Simply can not gush enough about this book or behave like a fangirl!

Five Shillelagh and a bear claw