Category: Book Reviews

Posted on

Chastely Bitten – A Book Review

Title: Chastely Bitten
Author: Lexi C. Foss
Series: Blood Alliance Series
Genre: Romance, Paranormal Romance
Stars: *****
Goodreads
Amazon

Once upon a time, humankind ruled the world while lycans and vampires lived in secret.
This is no longer that time.  

Juliet

It is my duty to obey, to give my body and blood to a vampire master until he no longer has use for me.

There is no escape.
Nowhere to run.
Follow the rules or die.
I don’t want to die.

Darius

Twenty-two years of conditioning has crafted the perfect poison–a weapon my enemies won’t see coming. I’ll break her, train her, and use her to take down everyone who stands in my way.

She’s alluring.
She’s perfect.
And she’s mine.

Welcome to the future where the superior bloodlines make the rules.
Proceed at your own risk.

My Review

This is the supernatural world I’ve been waiting for. 

A world where vampires, and lycans, rule and humans are the bottom of the food chain. 

I adore Darius and Jace but its Juliet who captured my heart. Her journey from pet to powerful was breathtaking and I’m looking forward to seeing her appearances throughout the rest of this series.

Speaking of which. Lexi C. Foss has crafted a world so rich and nuanced that the potential for new stories is almost limitless. Which I wholeheartedly approve of. 

I’m eagerly awaiting the next book in this fantastic new series.

Posted on

Immortal Curse – A Book Series Review

Title: Immortal Curse Series – Books 1-3 
Author: Lexi C. Foss
Series: Immortal Curse
Genre: Romance, Paranormal Romance
Stars: *****
Goodreads
Amazon

Award Winning & Bestselling Series – Read the first three books NOW!

Welcome to a world of cursed immortals, broken rules, and eternal love…

Blood Laws

The lines between charade and reality blur as a dark romance brews between two unlikely soulmates…

Stas isn’t your average human. She can bend others to her will, a psychic talent she’s kept hidden since the brutal murder of her parents.

Issac isn’t human at all. He’s an immortal masquerading as one of New York City’s hottest bachelors while secretly seeking revenge against a former ally.

A fateful meeting ends in a seductive proposition: He’ll teach her more about her gifts if she agrees to play girlfriend to his billionaire persona.

As their lives intertwine, secrets are exposed and passion ignites. It’s a bond built to last a lifetime, if they’re willing to risk everything to protect it.es

Forbidden Bonds

Exile never felt so good. . .

Tom’s a trained sniper, not a babysitter. He kills rogue immortals for a living, but after releasing classified information to a friend, he’s banished to a remote location with the CRF’s most prized asset.

Can two tortured souls find solace and love in one another?

Secrets unfold as Tom forms a forbidden relationship with his new charge. The immortal woman evokes memories and feelings long forgotten, and forces him to question everything he’s ever known.
Sacrifices must be made.

A rash decision sends them both running for their lives as immortal enemies vie for their heads.

Some bonds are meant to be broken.

Blood Heart

Asset File 4-7: Elizabeth Watkins
Genotype: Non-Human

That’s the only information Jayson Masters has about his newest assignment. To learn more, he’ll need to infiltrate her life in the most intimate of ways without getting too close.

Game on.

Lizzie’s new neighbor is loud, seductive, and ridiculously attractive. And he keeps flirting with her. With the recent death of a close friend hanging over her head, Lizzie tentatively agrees to a new friendship in hopes of ignoring her broken heart.

A web of lies isn’t sustainable forever.

And sometimes love isn’t enough.

An immortal war is brewing, and she’s the key…

My Review

Buyer Beware: Book Hangover Imminent

I adore the Immortal Curse world.

Lexi C. Foss has created a rich and unique world that is full of intrigue, romance, magic, hot heroes and strong heroines.

I’m off to buy the next books in the series!

Posted on

Thrill of the Chase – A Book Review

 

Title: Catching Saul
Author: Angela Stevens
Series: Thrill Of The Chase
Genre: Romance, Contemporary Romance
Stars: ****
Goodreads
Amazon

Saul Chase has no secrets from Lowri Connor… 
…it’s a shame the same can’t be said about her. 

When Saul’s fiancée dumps him a month before the wedding, his best friend, Lowri, brings the tequila and a shoulder to cry on. After 17 years, they have supported each other through countless break-ups and shared EVERYTHING—except sex. The first rule of having a best friend who is a girl is never, NEVER date her. 

But after arguing with his ex-girlfriend, Saul gets drunk and questions their only rule. Why hadn’t he thought of this before? After all, she is the perfect combo of sexy and fun. 

However, plans to sweep Lowri off her feet go awry when an unexpected visitor turns things upside down and Saul realizes Lowri has been hiding not one, but three secrets for many years. 

Catching Saul is a friends-to-lovers contemporary romance written for readers who love emotional romantic fiction with a side of suspense. Known for her heart-warming, and heart-wrenching, romance series, Angela Steven’s first standalone in this brand-new Thrill of the Chase Series will have you anticipating the next book before you finish the first! 

So, get your fix, buy Catching Saul and binge-read your way to a happy ever after. 

My Review

What a lovely start to what I hope will be a long series. 

Fast paced and romantic, this book and it all. 

I loved the history between Lawri and Saul and could feel their bond from the very beginning. 

I’m looking forward to more Chase stories. Hopefully Nate is up next.

*I reviewed this book for #TBConFB 

Posted on

The Magician’s Blood – A Book Review

 

Title: The Magician’s Blood
Author: Linda G. Hill
Series: The Great Dagmaru
Genre: Romance, Gothic Romance, Fantasy
Stars: *****
Goodreads
Amazon

Award-winning author Linda G. Hill brings you the secondok in her modern-day Gothic romance series.

Herman Anderson is in love. Thrilled to travel across Canada with her boyfriend as his assistant onstage, she returns to her hometown—the first stop on the Great Dagmaru magic tour. Anticipating a reunion with her brother, instead she finds her family has moved without a trace.

Stephen Dagmar’s career as a stage magician is taking off. With Herman by his side, his only concern is her father’s dislike for him. But as Herman’s father makes a prediction and resolves to come between them, Stephen’s family curse returns to haunt him.

Darkness descends as the reality of the Dagmar’s incubus bloodline surfaces for the first time in over a generation. Can Herman and Stephen’s relationship survive this new trial? Will Herman survive at all?

A sinful tale of beauty and romance, love and determination, The Magician’s Blood will chill you and leave you breathless for more.

*18+ Contains explicit scenes.

My Review

I’ve been waiting for the 2nd book in this series for what seems like for ever and it definitely didn’t disappoint.

Full of magic and intrigue, the story kept me gripped from the first page to the last.

I loved the development of Stephan and Herman’s relationship as well as the further glimpses into the supporting characters.

While this book concludes the story nicely and doesn’t end on a cliffhanger, the very last scene gives me hope that Stephan and Herman and their friends (and foes) will be back.

*I reviewed this book for #TBConFB 

Posted on

The Magician’s Curse – A Book Review

Title: The Magician’s Curse
Author: Linda G. Hill
Series: The Great Dagmaru
Genre: Romance, Gothic Romance, Fantasy
Stars: *****
Goodreads
Amazon

When Herman Anderson leaves home to make a better life for herself, she doesn’t expect to meet a tall, dark stranger with whom she’ll fall hopelessly in love.

Charming and mysterious, Stephen Dagmar is a stage magician seeking an assistant. The moment he sets eyes on Herman, he knows she’s the one. He brings her home to his Victorian mansion where they embark upon an extravagant romance. Yet a shadow hangs over their love. Will the curse on his family end Stephen and Herman’s happily ever after, before it really begins?

Amidst lace and leather, innocence and debauchery, The Magician’s Curse begins the Gothic tale of The Great Dagmaru. Magic and romance await.

My Review

If you’re a fan of fantasy, intrigue and gothic romance then this is the book for you. 

The chemistry between Stephen and Herman is enough to make your Kindle start to smoke. 

And with a well rounded, and intriguing in their own right, cast of secondary characters, not a page goes by without something to catch your imagination. 

I would have loved to see more of Stephens magic but with a second book around the corner to carry on Stephen and Hermans story, I’m sure we will have plenty of opportunity for more magic.

*I reviewed this book for #TBConFB 

Posted on

Tales of Freya – A Book Review

So this review is a little different. Its not about a single book but the first two books in a series of short, sensual stories, the Tales of Freya.

 From Sarah Dahl’s website:

The Tales of Freya are steamy, sometimes brutal, but always passionate Viking adventures that will leave you wanting more sexy Vikingness!

And they really are! I want more. Now. Are you listening Sarah?

So, here are my reviews of The Current and The Awakening.

Title: The Current: A Battle of Seduction
Author: Sarah Dahl
Series: Tales of Freya
Genre: Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Historical Romance,  Norse & Icelandic
Stars: *****
Goodreads
Amazon 

Marked from the latest battle, Aldaith wants to recover by a stream. But instead of finding solitude, he stumbles on the fearless shield maiden Nyssa. The fierce beauty invites Aldaith into the water to engage in a very different kind of battle — one for which his training leaves him unprepared.

My Review

What happens after the battle?

This short tale is a glimpse into a rarely told part of the story.

I adore the confident and impish Nyssa. And just want to wrap myself around Aldaith.

My only complaint? I want more of their story!

Title: The Awakening: Embrace Beyond Passion
Author: Sarah Dahl
Series: Tales of Freya
Genre: Historical Fiction, Short Stories, Historical Romance,  Norse & Icelandic
Stars: *****
Goodreads
Amazon

Ingrid leads a quiet, joyless life with a husband who is oblivious to her needs. Every time the dragon boats carry him away, she resigns herself to the solitude of her modest hilltop farm by the fjord. But her uneventful world is shaken to the core when the shadows of her house reveal a secret that sets her passions afire.

My Review

 Smoldering is the only way to describe this short story. 

The slow burn of Ingrid’s awakening left me breathless. 

My sigh when the smoldering burn finally ignited could probably be heard miles away. 

Do yourselves a favour and put all The Tales of Freya on your wishlist. You won’t be disappoint. 

 

*I reviewed these books for #TBConFB 

Posted on

Winning Ace – A Book Review

Title: Winning Ace
Author: Tracie Delaney
Series: Winning Ace Series
Genre: Sports Romance, Contemporary Fiction
Stars: *****
Goodreads
Amazon

What does journalist Tally McKenzie want more—the story or the man?

When the opportunity arises for Tally to meet tennis ace Cash Gallagher, she grabs it with both hands. Desperate to advance her career, she hides her true identity from the celebrity.

After the normally private Cash divulges personal information, Tally seizes her chance and writes an inflammatory article. Incensed, Cash confronts her, but the darling of centre court gets more than he bargained for when he finds himself passionately drawn to the woman he should detest.

Yet Cash is a man with secrets that could destroy his career. Dare he take the risk of intimacy with Tally, or is the cost too great, even for his perfect match?

My Review

Wow!

I was hooked from the very first page.

The writing is slick, the action is fast and the chemistry between Tally and Cash is smoking hot.

This is the first book in a three book series and the cliffhanger at the end was whopper (I may or may not have cursed the author for leaving me hanging like that). 

I cant wait to get my hands on the next book to see what happens.

*I reviewed this book for #TBConFB 

Posted on

Flux – A Book Review

Title: Flux
Author: Marissa Farrar
Series: The Flux Series
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance
Stars: *****
Goodreads
Amazon

I was just like any other twenty-two-year-old until a horrific tragedy changes everything.

When I wake up in hospital with barely a scratch, strange things start happening. At first I believe I’m being haunted by my lost loved one, until a leather-jacketed man called Hunter confronts me. Turns out the paranormal events are coming from within me, and the terrible incident has released an ability I have no control over.

And I’m not the only one.

Hunter takes me deep beneath my home city of San Francisco to become part of a secret group of people known as The Kin. Each member of The Kin has a special talent—the ability to control things with our minds. But others are onto us—men who desire to use us for their own gains.

Can I protect the people I have left, or will my powers be my downfall?

My Review

I am in awe. No, seriously. This book is awe inspiring.

I spent a fair amount of time thinking of who I would cast as each character when this becomes a major motion picture.

The story gripped me from the very first page and didn’t let go. The action is real and you feel as if you are right there in the thick of things.

The characters are completely relatable. Especially Ari, I felt like we could be best friends. I adore Hunter and may have a small soft spot for Kit too.

I loved the twists and turns, who to trust, the hows, they whys, the sizzling chemistry between Ari and Hunter.

I cannot wait to dive back into this world when book number 2 is released.

You can follow Marissa on Twitter and Facebook and don’t forget to bookmark her website for updates on all her books.

*I reviewed this book for #TBConFB 

Posted on

SPIRE – A Book Review

Title: SPIRE
Author: Fiona Snyckers
Series: Burchell Sisters Trilogy
Genre: Mystery, Thriller, Suspense
Stars: *****
Goodreads
Amazon

A container of viruses – mutated and cryogenically frozen – is brought under heavy guard to SPIRE, a remote research station in Antarctica. Within days, people are dying of diseases that haven’t been seen since the middle ages.

Surgeon and virologist, Dr Caroline Burchell, struggles to contain the outbreak as a vicious polar storm lashes the base. The weather prevents any help from getting through to the loneliest outpost on earth.

Soon Caroline discover that the only thing worse than being alone in this desolate place is not being alone.

My Review

Fiona first published SPIRE as a daily serial on her blog. One chapter a day. There were days I loved her for it and days I wanted to shake her and tell her to just post more chapters. By the end of the serial the book had been picked up by Clockwork Books and has now been released as an eBook on Amazon and will soon be published in print too.

I gave SPIRE a full five stars. Here is my original review:

How do I describe this book?
Gripping, edge of your seat, hold your breath at the end of each chapter.
This is a fast paced, thriller that made me gasp out loud, snort laugh and even cry.
A must have for your bookshelf.

I didn’t know at the time that it was the 2nd book in a series (and it doesn’t have to be read in order), but after reading SPIRE I will definitely be reading the first book in the Burchell Sisters series, Now Following You.

You can follow Fiona on Twitter and Facebook and on her website.

 

Posted on

Book Smash

I have a Goodreads account and this year I decided to take part in the reading challenge.

I set myself what I thought was a decent challenge of 100 books to read in 2017. And then promptly smashed through it at the end of April, so I increased it to 250 books.

Some info on my reading habits:

  • I read mostly romance, fantasy and sci-fi with some chic-lit and comedy thrown in.
  • My average book in 2016 was 232 pages.
  • My average reading time per book is 2-3 days.
  • Although on the weekend I can read 2-4 books in 2 days.
  • I read on the Kindle app on my phone (and now on my iPad since I had the screen replaced).
  • I read pretty much everywhere, at the bus stop, waiting for the rice to cook, waiting for the bath to run, in the line at the grocery store, at the park while the kids play, if I have a minute here or there I am reading.
  • I do NOT read on the bus (major motion sickness) or in the bath (major klutz).
  • I’ve been known to read right through the night and go to work without sleeping.
  • Because of my voracious reading habits I tend to use BookBub to find free or really cheap books from Amazon.
  • Even though most of my books come free, I am more than happy to purchase an entire series or other books by an author (at full price) if I enjoy the freebie.
  • I also try and leave reviews wherever I can.
  • I am part of a 7000+ member secret (or not so secret) book club on Facebook.
  • I also review books for the member authors of the above book club.

All that being said, I am going to go back to putting up book reviews on my blog so keep your eyes peeled for some interesting reads.