Review: Flirting with Fire

Title: Hot in Chicago #1: Flirting With Fire

Author: Kate Meader

Date of Publication: March 24, 2015

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: The first installment in Hot in Chicago, a brand-new, sizzling series from Kate Meader that follows a group of firefighting foster siblings and their blazing hot love interests!

Savvy PR guru Kinsey Taylor has always defined herself by her career, not her gender. That is, until she moved from San Francisco to Chicago to be with her fiancé who thought she wasn’t taking her “job” of supporting him in his high-powered career seriously enough—and promptly dumped her for a more supportive and “feminine” nurse. Now, as the new assistant press secretary to Chicago’s dynamic mayor, she’s determined to keep her eye on the prize: no time to feel inferior because she’s a strong, kick-ass woman, and certainly no time for men.

But that all changes when she meets Luke Almeida, a firefighter as searingly sexy as he is quick-tempered. He’s also the second oldest of the Firefightin’ Dempseys, a family of foster siblings who have committed their lives to the service—if Luke’s antics don’t get him fired first. When Luke goes one step too far and gets into a bar brawl with the Chicago Police Department, Kinsey marches into Luke’s firehouse and lays down the law on orders from the mayor. But at Engine Co. 6, Luke Almeida is the law. And he’s not about to let Kinsey make the rules.

My Review:

I honestly hadn't been expecting much from this novel, in fact based on the cover and the synopsis I was expecting this one to be pretty bad. However, I was pleasantly surprised when I found myself starting to enjoy the story. I loved how Meader created so many different intertwining plot lines and even a secondary romance with one of Luke's foster brothers; there was hardly a dull moment, and I loved that! 

Though there was nothing earth shattering about this novel it was entertaining, in mindless reality television kind of way, but entertaining nonetheless. I loved reading about Luke and Kinsey and the drama surrounding their initial meeting. Flirting with Fire was full of surprising plot twists and I was surprised by how much drama Meader was able to fit into this novel, so often with contemporary novels I find myself getting bored because reading about day to day activities never interests me. From conflicts between Kinsey and her boss to the side story about Luke's foster brother Gage, there was plenty of story lines to keep me entertained. 

As for the romance, Meader executed it astonishingly well for what it was. I've never been a fan of any kind of romance that starts with little meaning behind it, as was the case this time, but the way it was executed made me enjoy it anyway. Maybe it was because I could tell that both Luke and Kinsey were hiding their feelings, even from themselves, but I felt a connection between them that I don't usually feel in romances like this. Though I wouldn't call the romance raunchy it had plenty of perfectly placed steamy scenes and Meader was able to keep everything classy while still adding plenty of spice, something I always appreciate. 

The only thing that irritated me a little bit about this book was how Kinsey and Luke made everything difficult for themselves through poor communication. I suppose there wouldn't have been much of a story if they didn't, but I got a little frustrated with them toward the end of the novel because I wanted everything for them to work out but they were making it so difficult. However, the conflict between them didn't go on long and I was happy to see the two of them work everything out. 

In the end I would definitely recommend Flirting With Fire to those looking for something fun to read that doesn't require a whole lot of thinking. This is the perfect book to sit down with and de-stress at the end of a long day. Fans of contemporary romance have found a winner with Kate Meader. 

4/5

Review: Never Seduce a Scot

Title: The Montgomerys and the Armstrongs #1: Never Seduce a Scot

Author: Maya Banks

Date of Publication: September 25, 2012

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Eveline Armstrong is fiercely loved and protected by her powerful clan, but outsiders consider her “touched.” Beautiful, fey, with a level, intent gaze, she doesn’t speak. No one, not even her family, knows that she cannot hear. Content with her life of seclusion, Eveline has taught herself to read lips and allows the outside world to view her as daft. But when an arranged marriage into a rival clan makes Graeme Montgomery her husband, Eveline accepts her duty—unprepared for the delights to come. Graeme is a rugged warrior with a voice so deep and powerful that his new bride can hear it, and hands and kisses so tender and skilled that he stirs her deepest passions.

Graeme is intrigued by the mysterious Eveline, whose silent lips are ripe with temptation and whose bright, intelligent eyes can see into his soul. As intimacy deepens, he learns her secret. But when clan rivalries and dark deeds threaten the wife he has only begun to cherish, the Scottish warrior will move heaven and earth to save the woman who has awakened his heart to the beautiful song of a rare and magical love.

My Review:

Never Seduce a Scot has been a priority on my reading list for a few weeks now. Because I started with the second book in this series I'd heard a lot of references to this novel and I was eager to go back to the beginning and see where it all began. With a disabled heroine, the promise of a heartfelt romance, and hints of plenty of action there was no way this book would disappoint.  

First of all I have to start with the fact that I absolutely loved Eveline. There is a special place in my heart for disabled main characters and the more I read about Eveline and what happened to her the more I loved her. When I read about her near death experience that took her hearing I knew I was going to like her, and later when I read about everything she had to endure at the hands of the Montgomery clan, I knew I was going to love her. Banks created a villain I love to hate in Ian, and I loved seeing him in the flesh, rather than just the ghost of his actions lingering behind, like in the second book. Though he was undoubtedly evil the moments where he was around were the most exciting and I loved watching the drama unfold. 

Romances with disabled main characters are quite possibly my favorite romances in the world. So it was no surprise to me that I adored the romance between Graeme and Eveline. The loss of her hearing added a whole new dimension to their relationship and I loved watching Graeme slowly fall in love with her despite everyone telling him not to. Though I didn't feel that Graeme was as fleshed out as Eveline I still enjoyed reading about him, I just wish I had been able to learn more about him. He was an interesting character, but overall he just fell a little flat. 

Though overall I enjoyed this novel I was a little disappointed in that I thought there would be more action than there actually was. After reading so many references to events in this novel I thought Never Seduce a Scot was going to be full of action and excitement with a healthy dose of romance thrown in. However, this book moves at a more leisurely pace with the most exciting part of the novel only taking about one chapter toward the end. The pace ended up working for the story, and I enjoyed the chance to get to know Eveline during the slower beginning, but I just wish the exciting moments had been given a little more than just a chapter here and there. 

At the end of the day Never Seduce a Scot is a fun and entertaining read that fans of historical romance will no doubt devour. I really enjoyed my first series by Maya Banks and I'm excited to check out more of her work in the future! 

4/5

Review: Highlander Most Wanted

Title: The Montgomerys and the Armstrongs #2: Highlander Most Wanted

Author: Maya Banks

Date of Publication: March 19, 2013

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: In Highlander Most Wanted, a reclusive woman content to live in the shadows shows a Highland warrior the true meaning of love.

Genevieve McInnes is locked behind the fortified walls of McHugh Keep, captive of a cruel laird who takes great pleasure in ruining her for any other man. Yet when Bowen Montgomery storms the gates on a mission of clan warfare, Genevieve finds that her spirit is bent but not broken. Still, her path toward freedom remains uncertain. Unable to bear the shame of returning to a family that believes her dead or to abandon others at the keep to an imposing new laird, Genevieve opts for the peaceful life of an abbess. But Bowen’s rugged sensuality stirs something deep inside her that longs to be awakened by his patient, gentle caress—something warm, wicked, and tempting.

Bowen seizes his enemy’s keep, unprepared for the brooding and reclusive woman who captures his heart. He’s enchanted by her fierce determination, her unusual beauty, and her quiet, unfailing strength. But wooing her will take more than a seasoned seducer’s skill. For loving Genevieve, he discovers, means giving her back the freedom that was stolen from her—even if it means losing her forever.

My Review:

Yet again I find myself starting with the second book in a series, which seems to be my usual though it's never intended. Thankfully this is another series where it's not necessary to start with the first book and I had no problems understanding any of the plot. Though I wasn't expecting much from this novel it turned out to be a very enjoyable read and I ended up really enjoying the story and the great dynamic between the characters.

I didn't immediately love our heroine, Genevieve, but I came around to her distant personality and quickly gained respect for her after learning what she had gone through. Banks created the perfect monster in Ian and his father Patrick and the horrors Genevieve went through chilled me to my bones. After reading about what she went through it was impossible to believe that she would ever be able to love again but Banks created the perfect hero in Bowen and I loved watching her transformation from a distant woman with a past full of horrors into the sweet and lovable woman she was at the end of the novel.

The romance between Bowen and Genevieve was absolutely adorable. I loved watching her overcome her past and fall in love and I adored Bowen for being there for her every step of the way. Strong and protective Bowen was my favorite kind of hero and I was swooning throughout the whole novel. The perfect blend between sweet and sensual Banks created the perfect romance for Genevieve and I enjoyed watching every moment of her transformation. I'm definitely excited to see a cameo of her in future novels and see how far she's come!

My only complaint about this novel was that Bowen and Genevieve constantly made every situation harder than it needed to be. I don't want to give anything away but, toward the end especially, they were driving me up the wall with how stupid they were being. I hate watching characters do everything the hard way and, while I guess it makes for a more interesting story, it just made me frustrated with the both of them. Thankfully they figured it out in the end but honestly, this book would have been 50 pages shorter if they had been smart in the first place, instead of putting themselves in the most difficult situation possible.

At the end of the day however this was an enjoyable novel and I'll definitely be picking up the first one in the series. I definitely recommend this novel to fans of historical romance with an exciting and original plot!

4/5

Review: Dragon's Lair

Title: Wind Dragons MC #1: Dragon's Lair

Author: Chantal Fernando

Date of Publication: May 12, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: The first in a new sexy romance series from bestselling author Chantal Fernando about the bad boys of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club and the women who fall in love with them.

When I found my boyfriend cheating on me, I did something stupid.

Or should I say, someone?

Because of that mistake, I’m now stuck in a world I don’t belong in.

I’m a law student. They’re criminals. He’s the vice president of a motorcycle club. I’m a good girl with a strict upbringing. He’s my ex-boyfriend’s brother.

And I’m screwed.

My Review:

Dragon's Lair is not the type of novel I'd typically pick up, I'd never really heard of the motorcycle club genre before and though I'd seen this book in passing it wasn't anything I was excited to read. However, when I was offered a copy in exchange for a review I took a second look at the synopsis and decided to give it a try, and I'm super happy I did. 

The first thing I have to do is applaud Fernando for how perfectly she executed the characters. Due to the nature of the motorcycle club, and the fact that Dex has a reputation to uphold as a bit of an alpha male, if his character had been written any differently he would have come off as abusive. However Fernando was able to write him in such a way that he came off as more concerned than anything else. Dex wasn't perfect, and he definitely had his share of jerk moments, but I ended up really liking him. He didn't always make the best decisions  but I loved watching the relationship between him and Faye develop and how protective he was toward her.

Being unfamiliar with the world of motorcycle clubs this novel was super fun to read just because I'd never read anything else like it. With wars against rival gangs, murders, and plenty of illegal activity there was hardly a dull moment. Though I would definitely say this novel was a little on the gritty side it wasn't overly dark and I really liked that. I'm not a huge fan of dark novels and this one had just enough humor and lightness to even out the darker moments. I also loved the unique cast of characters Fernando created and even though they all had a history, I ended up likeing all of them in their own way.

The most surprising thing about this novel though, was how much I loved the different dynamic between Faye and Dex because of her pregnancy. I tend to avoid novels with children or pregnancy but I was surprised about how well it worked for the story. I loved watching Faye and Dex bond over the baby and  how much it ended up changing both of them. After reading this book I feel a strong connection to both of them and I'm excited to see cameos of them in the following novel!

Overall I really enjoyed Dragon's Lair and I'm excited to continue with the rest of the series. Fernando has definitely won me over and I can't wait to get lost in the gritty world of motorcycle clubs and the women who love the men in them.

4/5

Review: Confess

Title: Confess

Author: Colleen Hoover

Date of Publication: March 10, 2015

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: From #1 New York Times bestselling author Colleen Hoover, a new novel about risking everything for love—and finding your heart somewhere between the truth and lies. 

Auburn Reed has her entire life mapped out. Her goals are in sight and there’s no room for mistakes. But when she walks into a Dallas art studio in search of a job, she doesn’t expect to find a deep attraction to the enigmatic artist who works there, Owen Gentry.

For once, Auburn takes a risk and puts her heart in control, only to discover Owen is keeping major secrets from coming out. The magnitude of his past threatens to destroy everything important to Auburn, and the only way to get her life back on track is to cut Owen out of it.

The last thing Owen wants is to lose Auburn, but he can’t seem to convince her that truth is sometimes as subjective as art. All he would have to do to save their relationship is confess. But in this case, the confession could be much more destructive than the actual sin…

My Review:

Confess is a hard novel for me to review because I still have such mixed feelings about it. I started off this novel thinking it was merely okay, then started getting bored and disliking it, and then making a complete 180 and loving it once all the secrets were revealed. I almost gave up on this one and I'm so happy I didn't, pushing though the first half was definitely worth it! 

To be honest, I was completely bored for the first 150 pages or so. I didn't like Auburn, I didn't like Owen, and I didn't like how overly dramatic they were. The story was boring and reading was starting to feel more like a chore than something I really wanted to do. Nothing was happening, there wasn't any sort of drama or revelation, there wasn't even much character development. Not only that but I was extremely confused about the relationships between certain characters and events, after reading the end of the novel I realized it was intended to be this way, but it sure made the first half hard to get through. 

However, once I got past the halfway mark this novel made a complete turn around and I found myself completely engrossed by the story. Learning the truth about Auburn and Owen changed my whole opinion of them and the things they had to go through made me respect them even more. Likewise most of the excitement didn't happen until the last half of the novel and I was on the edge of my seat waiting to see what would happen between Auburn, Trey, and Owen. It's hard to review this novel without giving anything away, but trust me when I say the last half of this book definitely made up for the lackluster first half.

One of the things that made rating this novel difficult was, even though I gained so much respect for Auburn and Owen once I found out their stories, I still didn't necessarily like them. However, though I didn't really like them, I still respected them and maybe that's what made all the difference. They both had so many things going on in their lives that were kept in the dark until the very end of the novel that it's hard to fully appreciate them until you've learned everything. Though they weren't my favorite I still ended up liking and respecting them in my own way. 

Confess is unlike anything I've ever read, and though the story isn't necessarily anything new there's just something special about it. Though I wouldn't say it was my favorite it was an enjoyable read and I'm excited to try a few more novels by Hoover!

4/5

Review: Oppostion

Title: Lux #5: Opposition

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Date of Publication: August 5, 2014

Formats Available: Hardback, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Katy knows the world changed the night the Luxen came.

She can't believe Daemon welcomed his race or stood by as his kind threatened to obliterate every last human and hybrid on Earth. But the lines between good and bad have blurred, and love has become an emotion that could destroy her—could destroy them all.

Daemon will do anything to save those he loves, even if it means betrayal.

They must team with an unlikely enemy if there is any chance of surviving the invasion. But when it quickly becomes impossible to tell friend from foe, and the world is crumbling around them, they may lose everything— even what they cherish most—to ensure the survival of their friends…and mankind.

War has come to Earth. And no matter the outcome, the future will never be the same for those left standing.

My Review;

The Lux series has been a long time favorite of mine and it's taken me entirely too long to finally get around to finishing this last novel. After how much I loved the previous one I had high hopes for this book and I couldn't wait to watch the romance develop between Katy and Daemon and finally watch the conclusion of the series unfold. Unfortunately, while this novel was still fantastic, it just wasn't quite all that I had been hoping for. 

First of all, the plot was exciting and action packed, but it didn't have the same level of excitement that I was expecting. The Lux have come to earth looking to take over and this novel has a bit of an apocalyptic vibe to it, however despite all the danger surrounding them it felt like Katy and Daemon were sitting around doing a lot of talking, rather than taking part in the action. Of course there were some moments, like when Katy goes home to see her mom, but overall I just found myself getting a little bored during the parts where everyone was talking rather than doing. 

The one thing I really missed was the romance between Katy and Daemon. In previous novels their romance was so sweet and heartfelt, but in this one it just fell a little flat. Because they were already married it felt like less effort was put into their romance and I missed the silly banter and romantic moments that I'd grown accustomed to in previous novels. It felt like their romance mostly centered around them having sex rather than having a deep and meaningful connection. Even though the romance hadn't quite lived up to my expectations I really enjoyed reading from both of their perspectives and the few moments they did have were absolutely fantastic.

Even though there were a few things I didn't like Opposition was still a great conclusion to the series and a wonderful read. Armentrout tied everything up nicely and I didn't finish this novel feeling unsatisfied or with any lingering questions. I loved watching Dawson and Beth finally get their happy ending and see how much everyone has changed since the very beginning of the series. Daemon was still the bad boy we've all come to know and love and Katy was still her sweet self, just with a lot more character development. I'm going to miss them!

Finishing up a series is always difficult and Armentrout did it with a lot of grace. Though it wasn't my favorite Opposition was a great conclusion to a fantastic series that I can't recommend enough. The first four books are some of my favorites of all time and Opposition doesn't fall far behind. One of my favorite YA series! 

4/5

Review: Bedroom Games

Title: Games #4: Bedroom Games

Author: Jessica Clare

Date of Publication: November 4, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis:  Kandis Thornton isn’t afraid to lie, scheme, and sneak her way to the grand prize money on the Reality TV show, House Guests. That prize money is the only thing keeping her mother from losing her house (and thus moving in with Kandis). She needs that money, and if she has to step on a few people to do so? She’ll do it. House Guests is a show all about outplaying your house-mates, after all, and she’s not there to make friends.

But Kandis didn’t count on the fact that someone else was going to be playing just as hard as her. And she didn’t plan on teaming up with her nemesis, or scheming their way to the top. Nor did she plan on sleeping with him.

But these things just happen when you’re stuck in a ridiculous house with nothing but time on your hands and a hot guy sharing your bedroom…

My Review:

Bedroom Games was hands down one of my favorites in the Games series so far. I ended up reading this one on a long plane ride (16 hours, ahhhhh!) and it was the perfect book for the situation. Light and fun this book doesn't require a huge amount of attention and it's super easy to get sucked into, making it the perfect book for a distracting atmosphere.

Even though this novel didn't take place in an exotic location the power challenges completely made up for it, were entertaining to read, and added a level of excitement that I missed in the last book. Though the challenges could be a little gross they added a little suspense to the story and I loved watching the characters react to each challenge. From bugs, to gross food, and everything in between there was hardly a dull moment when a challenge was going on.

I absolutely loved the character dynamics in this novel. From secret alliances, back stabbing, lying, cheating, and everything else in between there was plenty of drama to keep me entertained to the very end. Kandis wasn't afraid to use everything she had to lie and backstab her way to the top and I loved watching her set up her opponents and then bring them down, all while nobody was any the wiser. Though she was a little manipulative on the outside her intentions were good and I loved seeing the sweet side of her character when she was with Brodie.

Seeing Brodie again was one of my favorite parts of the series. In Playing Games he drove me absolutely insane but I liked seeing him from a new set of eyes and I'm glad he got his happy ending. The romance between him and Kandis can be described as nothing other than hot, and I loved every moment of their steamy romance. Even though their romance was hugely physical I could still feel the connection between them and I loved watching it develop from hate to love.

One of the best series in contemporary romance I can't recommend the Games series enough! Funny, original, and romantic this series has it all. Anyone looking for a fun contemporary romance series need look no further!

4/5

Review: Secrets of a Summer Night

Title: Wallflowers #1: Secrets of a Summer Night

Author: Lisa Kleypas

Date of Publication: November 28, 2006

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Four young ladies enter London society with one common goal: they must use their feminine wit and wiles to find a husband. So a daring husband-hunting scheme is born.

Annabelle Peyton, determined to save her family from disaster, decides to use her beauty and wit to tempt a suitable nobleman into making an offer of marriage. But Annabelle's most intriguing--and persistent--admirer, wealthy, powerful Simon Hunt, has made it clear that while he will introduce her to irresistible pleasure he will not offer marriage. Annabelle is determined to resist his unthinkable proposition . . . but it is impossible in the face of such skillful seduction.

Her friends, looking to help, conspire to entice a more suitable gentleman to offer for Annabelle, for only then will she be safe from Simon--and her own longings. But on one summer night, Annabelle succumbs to Simon's passionate embrace and tempting kisses . . . and she discovers that love is the most dangerous game of all.

My Review:

Lisa Kleypas is one of my favorite historical authors, I just love her characters and the romantic regency world she always pulls me into. When I read the 4th book in the series (since I never end up reading the first book first!) I didn't remember seeing much of Annabelle but I loved getting to know her in this novel. She was so fun to read about and I can't wait to see cameos of her and Simon in future novels! 

I ended up reading almost this entire novel with a goofy little smile on my face because I just loved the interactions between Annabelle and Simon. Though Annabelle starts of hating him Simon's quirky charm shines through and I loved watching Annabelle come to the realization that she loved him. I've always been a sucker for romance novels where the heroine hates the hero but he just won't give up on her, and this was a perfect example of one of my favorite devices. Simon was the perfect hero, even when he heard the worst about Annabelle his feelings about her refused to be swayed. Romantic and charming I fell in love with Simon right along with Annabelle and I couldn't help but swoon with every stolen moment. 

Not only did this novel have a good romance but I really enjoyed the side story about Annabelle's difficulties regarding finances and what her mother had to go through to pay for Annabelle's season. Full of drama and compromising situations, not to mention the absolutely perfect villain, it was a little sad to read about, but made for a really good story. Plus the blossoming friendship between the Wallflowers was so fun to watch, since I ended up reading the 4th book in this series first I liked seeing how their friendship began and seeing each of the girls from a new set of eyes. 

One of the things I loved the most about this novel was that Kleypas included the story after the happily ever after. So often romances, especially historical ones, that end in marriage rarely continue with the characters after that point. However, a good fourth of Secrets of a Summer Night focuses on the time after the marriage between Annabelle and Simon. I loved reading about the time after their marriage, especially since it wasn't the blissful happiness most romance novels make marriage out to be. Annabelle and Simon had their share of problems, from fights to fitting in with each other's friends and family, but I really enjoyed seeing the story that comes after what we consider a "happily ever after". 

Kleypas is one of the most talented historical romance authors out there and I just can't get enough of her novels. I would highly recommend any novel by Kleypas to those looking for a good historical read or looking to try out the historical romance genre. 

4/5

Review: Ice Games

Title: Games #3: Ice Games

Author: Jessica Clare

Date of Publication: July 29, 2013

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Zara Pritchard is a has-been. Once an Olympic darling, she's been reduced to skating in a dinosaur costume and giving lessons at the local mall...which is why she's excited when she's offered a chance to sub on a TV show, Ice Dancing with the Stars. If she wins the show, this could be the break she needs.

There's just one problem - her partner.

Ty Randall is a MMA bad boy looking to fix his image problem. Sure, he's got the nickname of 'Ty the MMA Biter'. Sure, he might have bit a guy's nose off in the cage. But putting him on a reality TV show? A skating reality TV show? He's not interested. He'll do the minimum to fix his image and call it a day.

But when wash-out meets flame-out, sparks fly and tempers flare. And Ty and Zara start to realize that maybe this partnership might be just as steamy off the ice as on it...

My Review:

The Games series is easily one of my absolute favorites in contemporary romance. Though there's nothing groundbreaking or amazing about any of these novels they're just plain fun to read, and thats why I love them so much. Though each book follows a similar story line I love watching the chemistry develop and the drama of being on a reality TV show.

That being said Ice Games was probably my least favorite in the series so far, just because it didn't have as exciting of a plot as the last two. Instead of being stuck on an island or running around the world Zara's and Ty's romance mostly takes place on an ice skating rink rather than any exciting locations. On the other hand I've never read a book that had anything to do with ice skating so it was a nice change of pace and I enjoyed reading about Zara's time as a Olympic figure skater and what happened to change all of that.

Though the Games series romances tend to focus on the more physical aspects of the relationship I loved watching the chemistry between Ty and Zara. They were such opposites, Zara being a tiny figure skater and Ty being a burly MMA fighter, that watching the two of them interact was easily the most entertaining part of the story. I loved watching their relationship go from hate to love and everything else in between. Even though their relationship was so physical I still felt like there was a strong connection between them and thats what I love about Jessica Clare. She manages to make a novel steamy but still forge that connection between characters that makes the romance believable.

Zara was one of the sassiest characters so far in the series and she wasn't afraid to tell anyone off or take matters into her own hands. Between Ty and his bad attitude, the judge that had it out for Zara, and the horrible skating instructor there was plenty of drama and Zara wasn't afraid to fight for what she wanted. I couldn't help but laugh as Zara went through the novel provoking Ty, firing members of the TV show crew, and otherwise being just plain stubborn. I loved Zara and I hope that she makes a cameo in one of the future novels!

The Games series is easily the best contemporary/gameshow romance series out there and I just can't get enough of it! Those looking for a fun, quick, and romantic read should definitely check out this fantastic series by Jesscia Clare!

4/5

Short Story Saturday: Bitter Sweet Love

Title: Dark Elements #0.5: Bitter Sweet Love

Author: Jennifer L. Armentrout

Date of Publication: December 1, 2013

Formats Available: E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Dez wasn't just Jasmine's crush. A gargoyle Warden like Jas, he helped her come to terms with her destiny—fending off demons and maintaining the balance between good and evil. He was her everything…right until the moment he disappeared without a trace. It didn't help that Jas's father had just announced that she and Dez would one day be mated. Hard not to take that personally.

And now he's back, three years older, ten times hotter, ready to pick up exactly where they left off. But Jas isn't taking that risk again. Dez has seven days to meet all her conditions and earn back her trust. Seven days filled with terrifying danger and sweet temptation. Seven days to win her heart—or shatter it all over again...

My Review:

After reading and loving the first two books of the Dark Elements series it only seemed natural that I had to pick up the prequel novella. Though I don't really remember Dez all that much I was excited to read more about Jas and Danika and see what life was like for a female warden. Plus, knowing Armentrout like I do, I was sure that we would get to see a cameo of Layla!

My biggest complaint about short stories is that I feel that sometimes the story just isn't fleshed out enough to make it enjoyable. It's hard to develop a whole world and characters in a short amount of time but Armentrout did it beautifully and I loved all the action and romance she managed to pack into such a short time. With a unique cast of gargoyles and demons, and even a new creature I've never heard of, Pukwudgies, Armentrout makes the most of her 105 pages, and I adored every minute of it!

I love books where two characters travel together and fall in love so Bitter Sweet Love was right up my alley. The romance between Jas and Dez was adorable and heartwarming. Even though Jas started off not trusting him, since he abandoned her, he quickly redeems himself and I fell in love with him right along with Jas. The road trip device gave plenty of opportunity for action and romance and from the streets of New York city, to a hilarious scene with a Pukwudgie, this novel had it all!

Fans of the Dark Elements series will no doubt fall in love with Jas and Dez and I highly recommend this novel to fans of the series or those wanting to try something by Armentrout without the commitment of a whole novel. Armentrout is one of the best writers in paranormal romance and I'm excited to see what she does next!

4/5

Short Story Satruday: This is Your Destiny

Title: A Curse Keepers Secret #3: This is Your Destiny

Author: Denise Grover Swank

Date of Publication: January 20, 2015

Formats Available: E-book

Number of Pages: 71

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Collin Dailey is a trapped man: struggling to make a living as a fisherman, deep in debt to the gangster he does business with…and shackled to his destiny as a Curse Keeper. Sworn to guard the sealed portal to hell, Collin yearns to escape the dark duty that binds him. But his dream of outrunning his tormented life may be an impossible one. After all, he can’t turn his back on centuries of sacred tradition—or ignore his iron-fisted conjurer grandmother and her dire prophecies of a terrifying enemy bent on destroying him.

When the fearsome creator god Ahone reaches out with a tempting offer, Collin may not be able to resist. If he breaks the curse that barricades the demon realm, he’ll be liberated forever…as long as he can survive a confrontation with his deadly counterpart.

In the new prequel to the Curse Keepers series by New York Times bestselling author Denise Grover Swank, a young man must decide between seizing his own coveted freedom and sealing humankind’s doom.

My Review:

This is Your Destiny is another amazing short story tie-in to the Curse Keepers series, this time focusing on Collin and telling his side of the story and his involvement with the curse. I loved being able to learn more about Collin and finally see things from his point of view. This short story made me even more excited to get my hands on the 4th book of the series and see how things are finally going to turn out! 

I absolutely loved getting the chance to read about Collin's childhood and this story gave a ton of insight to what it was like for Collin growing up. After reading about his abusive childhood and everything that he'd gone through I have a whole new respect for Collin and I love him even more than I did in the first place! We finally get to see what gave Collin his bad boy streak and what led him down the road to a life of petty crimes. Reading about his life, as well as the relationship between him and his mother and brother, really gave me a whole new perspective on Collin and parts of the series in general. 

This short story also gives more reasoning behind why Collin allowed the gate to be opened in the first place and what drove him to his decision. While reading the full length novels about Ellie it's hard to understand why Collin would want to unleash the demons and gods behind the gate, but this story finally gives us reasons, and very relatable ones at that, as to why he allowed them all to go free. I feel like after this story I really understand Collin and everything about his life has made me just that much more sure that I want him and Ellie to end up together!

Another fantastic short story set in the world of the Curse Keepers I have no doubt in my mind about recommending this one to fans of the series. I loved the chance to get inside Collins head and see Ellie and the curse from his point of view. I'm hoping we get to read more from him in the future!

4/5

Review: The Curse Defiers

Title: The Curse Keepers #3: The Curse Defiers

Author: Denise Grover Swank

Date of Publication: September 30, 2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: For centuries the gods have waited—for the betrayal that will release them, for the traitors who will defend them, for the warrior who will challenge them. Now at long last the gate between the human and spirit worlds is open, and with it, an army of vengeful demons poised to swarm the earth. Only the Curse Keepers, Ellie Lancaster and Collin Dailey, can stop it…if they can break free from a tangled web of treachery, jealousy, and lies.

Torn between two men—her heart belongs to David, yet her soul is bound to Collin’s—Ellie no longer knows who she can trust. Demons slipping through the gate are leaving a trail of bodies in their wake, each death a chilling reminder of the power of the ancient spirits to bring humanity to its knees. Faced with an unimaginable future, Ellie realizes the time has come to turn her back on prophecy and choose her own destiny—even if it means defying the gods themselves.

In the thrilling conclusion to the Curse Keepers trilogy, humanity faces its final battle for survival!

My Review:

I wasn't sure what to expect when I started this novel, since I had some mixed feelings about the last one, but I definitely wasn't expecting The Curse Defiers to be the best book in the Curse Keepers series yet! Though I was under the impression this was going to be the last book in the series it looks like there's going to be even more books about Ellie and Collin and I can't wait to get my hands on them! 

The Curse Defiers was easily the most action packed and exciting novel in the series. With a new type of demon, the Raven Mockers, a jealous ex-girlfriend, and a kidnapping there was hardly a dull moment. I was glued to the page for the majority of the novel and I just love the references to Native American mythology. There aren't enough books out there that focus on this aspect of mythology and I'm so happy to see at least one that's doing it, and doing it right. The folklore and references to Roanoke continue to be one of my favorite parts of the story and I'm excited to see what Ahone and Okeus get up to next! 

I was also pleased to see Collin playing a bigger role in this novel than in the previous novel. Even though he can be a bit of a jerk I really enjoy reading about him and I much prefer him over David. I love the connection between him and Ellie and though he knows that Ellie doesn't love him (right now anyway) he still continues to do everything in his power to help her, even if it means doing something he doesn't really want to do. This novel also gives Collin a little bit of a chance to explain why he did what he did and let the gate open, I was glad to finally see his side of things and now I finally understand, at least a little bit, what made him do it.

The only thing I didn't like was the ever present love triangle. For whatever reason David just drives me insane, I think he's just a little too perfect for me to properly connect to him. I don't really feel the connection between Ellie and David and though he's not a bad character I wish he was more of a friend than love interest. I could really see the romance going either way, especially with the connection Ellie and Collin have because of their marks. With all the secrets flying around between them I could see those two ending up together, even if it breaks David's heart. 

Overall I would definitely recommend this series to fans of both historical and paranormal romance. Those who hate love triangles may want to be a little wary, but behind the love triangle is a wonderful series full of Native American gods, demons, and an action packed plot! 

4/5

Short Story Saturday: This Place is Death

Title: A Curse Keepers Secret #1: This Place is Death

Author: Denise Grover Swank

Date of Publication: February 11, 2014

Formats Available: E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Number of Pages: 53

Synopsis: It’s one of the most enduring mysteries in American history: What became of the English colony off the Virginian coast on Roanoke Island? Why, and how, did they vanish so completely?

No one suspected an ancient curse…

Ananias Dare and his expectant wife are among the pioneers who have come to brave an uncharted frontier. But conditions are harsh, and hostile natives have already spilled English blood. Only the peaceful Croatan Indians welcome the settlers. But when friend and guide Manteo has a haunting encounter deep in the woods, Ananias fears the colony faces a threat much darker than mortal enemies. As a brutal winter and an Indian massacre loom, Manteo and Ananias—and the dreadful secret they share—may be the settlers’ only hope of survival. But for the salvation they desperately seek, there will be hell to pay.

This Place Is Death is a short story revealing the chilling origins of New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Denise Grover Swank’s urban fantasy series, The Curse Keepers.

My Review:

Ever since I started the Curse Keepers series I was fascinated by the events of Roanoke and the events that led up to the curse. Swank does an absolutely amazing job combining the mystery of Roanoke with the mythology of the Native Americans. The more I read, the more enchanting this series becomes. I just can't seem to get enough!  

This short story was a great refresher for me and I only wish I had read it before I started the second book. I loved getting a first hand view of what really happened that fateful day the colony disappeared and meeting the characters that made it happen. I was a little mixed up on some of the characters who started the curse and it was great to meet Ananias and Manteo and finally get their roles in the curse straight.

Though Swank didn't have much time to work with she did a great job fleshing out the characters and fleshing out the story. I felt like I was right there with Ananias, Maneto, and the other settlers. The beginning of the story started off a little slow but once the events started leading up to the curse I found myself getting more and more pulled into the story. Swank even incorporated a bit of a villain figure in Ananias's father in law, which only made the drama in this story that much more exciting.

This Place is Death was a great short story in the Curse Keepers series and I really enjoyed reading it. I love all the history in this series and I loved being sent to the past to see where the series began. I'm excited to continue the series!

4/5

*I received a copy of this story from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review. 

Review: Lord of Misrule

Title: The Morganville Vampires #5: The Lord Misrule

Author: Rachel Caine

Date of Publication: January 6, 2009

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: In the college town of Morganville, vampires and humans coexist in (relatively) bloodless harmony. Then comes Bishop, the master vampire who threatens to abolish all order, revive the forces of the evil dead, and let chaos rule. But Bishop isn’t the only threat.

Violent black cyclone clouds hover, promising a storm of devastating proportions as student Claire Danvers and her friends prepare to defend Morganville against elements both natural and unnatural.

My Review:

I've always been a huge fan of the Morganville Vampire's series. Each installment is a short, quick read and they all read like one continuous novel since each one picks up right where the last left off. I picked up my first Morganville book 6 years ago and even though so much as changed since then I still love this series and I just can't recommend it enough to fans of YA fiction. With action, excitement, and romance this series has it all and each of the books is more addicting than the last.

That being said, Lord of Misrule was probably my least favorite in the series so far. Though I enjoyed the action I really missed a lot of the character interactions that were present in the previous books. Claire, Shane, Eve, and Michael spent most of this book doing their own things and I really missed seeing the interactions between the four of them. There was barely a moment when they were all in the same room together and I especially missed seeing the romance between Eve and Michael. 

However, what was lacking in character interactions Caine made up for in plot. Lord of Misrule is easily the most exciting installment so far and most definitely a turning point for the series. I absolutely devoured this novel; between the upcoming war between the vampires and the reappearance of Shane's father there was hardly a dull moment. The ending was especially exciting and with all the death and destruction, paired with the cliffhanger, I ended this novel already reaching for the next one!

Claire and Shane are always going to be one of my favorite fictional couples and even though interactions between the two of them were limited this time around I still loved every stolen moment between them. I was sad to see that the romance between them was a little light this time around but I've got my hopes up for upcoming novels, I just love the two of them together and I can't wait to see where it goes. Shane is one of those characters I just love even though he can drive me a little insane sometimes, especially when it comes to some of his life choices. However, Claire is his perfect match and when Shane decides to be sweet and adorable he sure does it right. 

Overall Lord of Misrule wasn't my favorite in the series but it was still a fun and exciting read. The Morganville Vampires has always held a special place in my heart and if I had to recommend one YA vampire series it would most definitely be this one. 

4/5

Review: Sisters of Blood and Spirit

Title: Sisters of Blood and Spirit

Author: Kady Cross

Date of Publication: March 31, 2015

Formats Available: Hardcover, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: Wren Noble is dead—she was born that way. Vibrant, unlike other dead things, she craves those rare moments when her twin sister allows her to step inside her body and experience the world of the living.

Lark Noble is alive but often feels she belongs in the muted Shadow Lands—the realm of the dead. Known as the crazy girl who talks to her dead sister, she doesn't exactly fit in with the living, though a recent suicide attempt and time in a psych ward have proved to her she's not ready to join her sister in the afterlife.

Now the guy who saved Lark's life needs her to repay the favor. He and his friends have been marked for death by the malevolent spirit of a vicious and long-dead serial killer, and the twins—who should know better than to mess with the dead—may be their only hope of staying alive.

My Review:

I'm a huge fan of The Steampunk Chronicles series so when I saw that Cross was coming out with a new book I was absolutely thrilled to get my hands on it. Sisters of Blood and Spirit is unlike anything Cross has written before but I loved the originality of the idea and though the execution wasn't perfect this series definitely holds a lot of potential. 

I didn't immediately like Lark and Wren, but once I got used to their characters I enjoyed reading about them. Lark was an interesting character because though I didn't necessarily like her I really liked reading about her story. By far the hardest part of this novel was finding ways to connect to Lark, I really wanted to like her but she just made it really difficult. She wasn't just cold and distant to the secondary characters but to the reader as well. Wren was a little bit easier to relate to but she played a much smaller role in the novel so I didn't get to see her as much as I would have liked. 

What really made this story was the fantastic plot and world building. I loved reading about the Shadowlands, which I hope we get to learn more about later, and the world of deliciously eerie ghosts who are out for murder. Its been a long time since I read a book as creepy as this one and Cross did a fantastic job chilling me to the bone with her murderous ghosts and violent visions. I absolutely loved the lore surround the ghosts and I'm excited to learn even more about this world in following novels.  

My biggest complaint about this novel was, that while I really loved the story itself, I felt like I barely knew the characters. I felt like Lark and Wren had a super interesting back story but we barely learned anything about them and I spent the whole novel feeling a little disconnected from the two of them. Because Lark has such a harsh personality she didn't develop many relationships with any of the secondary characters and that made it hard to connect with anyone other than Wren. Since I felt like I barely knew the characters the romance ended up feeling a little forced but hopefully the second novel will give more opportunity to connect with each of the characters. 

Despite a little bit of a rough start this series has a lot of potential and I'm excited to see where it goes next. Cross is a fantastic writer and with a little more character development I know I could get really into this series. I definitely recommend this series to fans of YA paranormal!

4/5

*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for a free and honest review.

Review: Hand of Miriam

Title: Bayla and the Golem #1: Hand of Miriam

Author: Eva Gordon

Date of Publication: December 6, 2013

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon.com

Synopsis: On an archaeological expedition, Bayla Gideon, is widowed by a supernatural force and branded with the Hand of Miriam or Knowing Eye. Threatened by evil, she awakens the golem; a mythical man of clay, who protected the Jewish community over three centuries ago.

The golem, Gesher, is surprised. Freedom –by a beautiful, enchanting woman. His desire is to return to the celestial spheres and regain his status as an avenging angel. Yet, Bayla challenges his mind, body and soul. Would he risk his return to the heavens for her?

Besides, dealing with the otherkind, mad inventors and an unrelenting matchmaking aunt, Bayla is equally determined to resist her steamy attraction to the striking fallen angel.

Thrust into a malevolent war, which includes facing Jack the Ripper, they must resist the magnetic pull toward each other, while protecting the world from encroaching evil.

My Review:

I've been meaning to read The Hand of Miriam for what feels like forever, so when I finally sat down to start this one I didn't even read the description and jumped right in. After only a few pages I was thrilled to discover this novel full of steampunk inventions, a unique cast of characters, and a fascinating story line. I was quickly drawn into the story and I only wish I had picked this one up sooner! 

I was immediately fascinated by the the physical Hand of Miriam, which embeds itself in Bayla's palm, and Gesher, the golem. Though I've heard of both before I've never read a book about either of them and I loved being introduced to Jewish customs and stories. From werewolves, to vampires, and unsuitable suitors this novel had it all! The Hand of Miriam was a highly original novel and I loved reading about the stories and creatures associated with the Jewish religion rather than Christianity. I've never read anything quite like this novel, and I enjoyed every moment of it. 

Though Gesher can't be with a human woman, or he'll be stuck on earth forever, he falls in love with Bayla anyway and the romance between them ranged from sweet to steamy and everything else in between. Because much of the novel is spent with the two of them hiding their feelings for each other and building up sexual tension the moment when the two of them finally admitted their feelings for each other was only all the better. Though Gesher could be a bit on the alpha male and domineering side I wasn't overly bothered by his attitude and it was obvious that he only had Bayla's best interests at heart. 

The mystery involving Jack the Ripper kind of fell to the background in the beginning but it really took a strong lead at the end and I loved every moment of it. I used to absolutely love mysteries and I just don't read enough of them anymore. The murders were gruesome and though it wasn't particularly hard to figure out who was behind them I still enjoyed the ride to get there. The ending was action packed and I loved watching all the villains get exactly what they deserved and seeing Bayla and Gesher finally be together! 

I was very impressed by the first installment of the Bayla and the Golem series and I'm excited to see where Gordon takes it next! I loved the action, the romance, and learning about a whole section of paranormal creatures and their stories. A great read! 

4/5

*I received a copy of this novel from the author in exchange for a free and honest review.

Review: The Winter Bride

Title: Chance Sisters #2: The Winter Bride

Author: Anne Gracie

Date of Publication: April 1, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: Award-winning author Anne Gracie delivers the second in her enticing new series about four young women facing a life of destitution—until a daring act changes their fortune and turns them each into a beautiful bride…

Damaris Chance’s unhappy past has turned her off the idea of marriage forever. But her guardian, Lady Beatrice Davenham, convinces her to make her coming out anyway—and have a season of carefree, uncomplicated fun.

When Damaris finds herself trapped in a compromising situation with the handsome rake Freddy Monkton-Coombes, she has no choice but to agree to wed him—as long as it’s in name only. Her new husband seems to accept her terms, but Freddy has a plan of his own: to seduce his reluctant winter bride.

Will Damaris’s secrets destroy her chance at true happiness? Or can Freddy help her cast off the shackles of the past, and yield to delicious temptation?

My Review:

Even though there's nothing spectacular about The Winter Bride, it's one of those novels that's just so fun to read that it's impossible not to love it. I couldn't help but get swept away in the romance between Freddy and Damaris and quickly found myself completely pulled in by the story. In my typical fashion I didn't start with the first one (when do I ever?) but I would recommend reading the first one in the series first, though I wasn't confused there were a few mentioned events that took place in the first novel.

I instantly loved Damaris, she was sweet and quiet but also a little sassy when she needed to be. I was fascinated by her back story and Gracie did a great job revealing just enough about her past to keep me turning pages to find out what the real story was. Damaris has been though a lot, I loved reading about her beginnings in China, her missionary father, and everything she went through to get back to England. Freddy's back story wasn't as exciting but I loved his personality and his reputation as a rake, though he does have his share of hardship in his past.

What really made this novel shine was the interactions between characters, especially between Damaris and Freddy's parents. Damaris wasn't afraid to say what needed to be said and I found myself laughing out loud at some of the dialogue between Damaris and Freddy's parents. I also adored the relationship between Freddy and Damaris, they were so cute together and suited each other perfectly. They both started off completely opposed to marriage but as the novel went on, and Freddy pulled out the charm, they both started to change their minds.

Plot wise there was nothing particularly exciting but I enjoyed it all the same. Though the synopsis talks about a "compromising situation" it took almost the entire novel to get there, and even then it wasn't really what I was picturing, but it worked all the same. Hands down the best part of the novel was the end when Freddy's protectiveness toward Damaris shines through. Freddy changed a lot as a character and the ending is what really highlights his change from a disreputable rake to someone Darmaris can truly love and count on, plus it was just adorable reading about how much the love eachother!

The Winter Bride is one of my favorite historical novels so far and I'm super excited to get my hands on the rest of the series. Fans of historical romance will no doubt fall in love with this one and I highly recommend it to new and old fans of this historical genre!

4/5

Short Story Saturday: In Red, With Pearls

Title: In Red, With Pearls (from the anthology Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson)

Author: Patricia Briggs

Date of Publication: September 2, 2014

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Number of Pages: 44

Synopsis: "Because I write the Mercy books from Mercy's point of view, her impressions of people are all I can show. To Mercy, Warren seems to be the least intimidating of the werewolves. This is largely because they are friends but partially because she sees him as a kind, caring, and gentle man- which he is. But he is also a very dominant and gay werewolf who has survived more than a century when most gay werewolves do not (my werewolves are still, for the most part, caught in the mores of a hundred years ago). Warren is bone-deep tough and practical- and here, for the first time, he gets to tell the story"- Patricia Briggs, Shifting Shadows: Stories from the World of Mercy Thompson

My Review:

 I was super excited for this story, I've always loved Warren and Kyle and I couldn't wait to read about the two of them from a different point of view. I've always loved Warren and Kyle and I couldn't wait to see them interact with each other from a different point of view, however this story wasn't quite what I thought it would be. The little mystery and the plot were enjoyable, but I didn't end up liking this one as much as I thought I would.

Maybe I was expecting more interaction between Kyle and Warren but I was sad to see Kyle barely playing a part in this short story. One of the reasons I've always loved Warren is the fact that he's gay and I was seriously hoping for more romance between him and Kyle. In the books we often see little snippets of affection between them and this time around I was hoping to see something a little more personal. I did enjoy getting a look into Warren's mind though,

I did like seeing Warren from a different perspective, as Briggs said Mercy sees Warren as a not very intimidating wolf and in this story we get to see another side of him. Warren wasn't afraid to do what he needed to in order to protect Kyle, even if it wasn't the nicest course of action. I was also super interested in the new creature introduced into the Mercy world, zombies. It wasn't quite a direction I could see Briggs going but overall the whole zombie aspect worked really well for the story and who knows, maybe we're destined to see a few more in the future!

In the end this was a very enjoyable story, and I really enjoyed the mystery aspect of it, but it fell just a little bit flat. I think I was just expecting a little bit more of the character interaction I love from Briggs but got more of a plot based story instead. Still a good read and a great addition to the anthology!

4/5

Review: The Curse Breakers

Title: The Curse Keepers #2: The Curse Breakers

Author: Denise Grover Swank

Date of Publication: April 29,2014

Formats Available: Paperback, E-book

Buy This Book: Amazon

Synopsis: For more than four hundred years, the Curse Keepers guarded the barrier between the human and spirit realms. All that changed the day Ellie Lancaster met Collin Dailey. Prophecy demanded they defend the world from evil?even as it ignited a passion that threatened to consume them both.

Now Ellie faces a frightening new life, abandoned by the man she loves and tormented by malevolent spirits unleashing their vengeance upon the earth. Her only shot at protecting humanity?and herself?from the demon scourge is to claim the mark of the god Ahone as her own. Finding it means trusting Dr. David Preston, a handsome professor of Native American studies whose skepticism is surpassed only by his attraction to Ellie. Together they must finish what the Curse Keepers began, defying the forces of darkness to face hell on earth?and unlock the truth of Ellie's destiny.

My Review:

I absolutely loved the first book in this series so I don't know why it took me so long to finally get started on the second. However, once I got started I couldn't put this book down! Swank completely pulled me back into the world of the lost Roanoke Colony and all the action surrounding it. 

What initially drew me to this series, and the reason I love it so much, is all the history about the Roanoke Colony. Swank seamlessly integrates both history and the paranormal into an unforgettable read. I've always been fascinated about the disappearance of the colony and Swank offers a believable, although paranormal, explanation that works perfectly for the story but isn't so far out there that I can't appreciate the history aspect of the novel. 

Despite being a good book overall I would have to say that The Curse Breakers definitely suffers from what I call second book slump. Trilogies are a tricky thing in that the first book introduces the conflict and the third book resolves the conflict, but the second book often gets bogged down with set up for the final resolution. Though this book was fun to read most of the plot was spent on dialogue, rather than action, which was interesting but not very exciting.

However, the characters totally made up for the lack of action and I loved being reconnected with Ellie and Collin and getting introduced to new characters in the series. I was a huge fan of the Collin and Ellie paring in the first novel so, needless to say, I was a little disappointed by the development of a love triangle in this one. I'm still rooting for Collin all the way and, even though he can be a major jerk, I like his personality a lot more than that of David, the new love interest.

The Curse Breakers series is one of the best blends of history and the paranormal that I've ever read and I have no qualms about recommending this one to fans of not just urban fantasy but those who love history as well.

4/5

*I received a copy of this novel from the publisher via Netgally in exchange for a free and honest review. 

Review: Scandal in Spring

Title: Wallflowers #4: Scandal in Spring

Author: Lisa Kleypas

Date of Publication: July 25, 2006

Formats Available: Hardcover, Paperback, E-book

Buy this Book: Amazon

Synopsis: After spending three London seasons searching for a husband, Daisy Bowman's father has told her in no uncertain terms that she must find a husband. Now. And if Daisy can't snare an appropriate suitor, she will marry the man he chooses—the ruthless and aloof Matthew Swift.

Daisy is horrified. A Bowman never admits defeat, and she decides to do whatever it takes to marry someone . . . anyone . . . other than Matthew. But she doesn't count on Matthew's unexpected charm . . . or the blazing sensuality that soon flares beyond both their control. And Daisy discovers that the man she has always hated just might turn out to be the man of her dreams.

But right at the moment of sweet surrender, a scandalous secret is uncovered . . . one that could destroy both Matthew and a love more passionate and irresistible than Daisy's wildest fantasies.

My Review:

I've been on a huge historical kick lately, which is always a tricky genre for me, but this book was one of the ones I ended up really liking. I don't know what it is with me and historical series but I never read them in order, maybe it's because you don't really need to, but I just never seem to start with the first one. Anyway, I had no trouble understanding what was going on even though this one was the 4th in the series.

Right off the bat I absolutely loved Daisy, whimsical and always with her head in a book I felt like I could really relate to her. With her strong personality there were plenty of opportunities for hilarious banter between her and Matthew and I loved every moment of it. I really loved the development of not only Daisy and Matthew but all the secondary characters as well, even though I haven't read the first three books I still felt a connection to the rest of Daisy's friends and I'm even more eager to read their stories now that I know them a little bit!

The romance was absolutely wonderful. I loved watching the relationship between Daisy and Matthew develop from hate to love and everything else in between. Kleypas had a knack for putting them in hilarious and unusual situations and I really loved that, especially because I felt that it gave them the opportunity to get to know each other a little more unconventionally and that made their relationship feel more real. Plus I read the whole books with a big goofy grin on my face because, lets face it, this book was just plain cute.

Even though the novel was mostly focused on the romance I enjoyed the other side plots throughout the story. I was intrigued by Matthew's past and though I wasn't entirely surprised when everything was revealed I still enjoyed the drama it added to the story. Plus the little excitement about Daisy's sister having her baby and her sister's vehement dislike of Matthew also made for interesting plot points and I enjoyed the fact that there was a little bit more to this story than just romance.

Though I've heard that Scandal in Spring is the worst of the Wallflowers series I ended up really liking it and I'm excited to get my hands on the rest of the books in the series. I'm especially excited for Evie's story because, from what I can gather, hers sounds the most interesting. A great historical novel and I definitely recommend!

4/5

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