REVIEW: Flyboy by Karen Foley

ISBN 9780373793570

Genre: Contemporary Romance

(c) October 2007, Harlequin Blaze

Karen Foley's website

Rating: 4 stars

Available at Book Depository (print).

"Hot and sexy! Love your hero in uniform? This is the book for you!"

Sedona Stewart was flabbergasted when she learned through a quirk of fate that sexual prowess is the basis of promotion at her company. For that, she has to join an exclusive men's sex club. No wonder she hadn't been promoted in the five years she's worked there, despite overtimes and being careful not to mix business with pleasure on out-of-town trips.

I have to admit. The back summary cover intrigued me enough to pick up this book and I wasn't disappointed. True, not much titillating club goings-on can be found here, but I was pleasantly surprised to find that the heroine was a highly principled individual who wouldn't think of being promoted through such sordid means. But lest I give you the impression that she's a starched and stiff goody-goody, let me assure you that she's not. Moreover, though she was rightfully scared, she was able to pluck up the guts to help the FBI bring down the club. I have to admire Sedona for going after the guy she's been hankering for all along--luscious hunk Lieutenant Commander Angel Torres, the pilot assigned to test fly the jets.

Okay, I don't quite like the name Angel for the hero, but that's a personal bias. From his first appearance, Angel left me in no doubt that he's a man (though I still don't like the name by the end of the story). I love his fits of jealousy (not the last one, though), and he does have issues of trust, due to not knowing the heroine as much as he should and being blinded by his own feelings of betrayal and hurt. But he's a pilot! The last points makes him very irresistible (what is it about men in uniforms?), not to mention I like my heroes with flaws and vulnerabilities. Oh and must care for the heroine and forsake all other women since meeting her, of course.

There's a suspense part that's interwoven into the storyline and I have to say it's nicely done without overshadowing the romance. Although the part where the villain's identity was revealed was awkward and not realistic at all. The way he acted in that last scene, insisting on talking to Sedona and all, jarred me out of a nice suspension of disbelief that I've been maintaining. It's almost as if he wants to be found out, which is kinda weird, because a villain's greatest thrill is to create the most havoc while achieving what he wants and getting away with it.

That said, these are merely minor flaws/irritants and didn't hamper my enjoyment of the story.

Available at Book Depository (print).

REVIEW: Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward

ISBN 9780749938222

Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood, Book 4

Genre: Paranormal Romance

(c) May 2007, Little Brown Book Group

J.R. Ward's website

Rating: 4 stars

Available in Book Depository (print).

"Another daring and original installment in the Brotherhood series!"

Butch O'Neal was a human who'd fallen in with the Brotherhood, owing to a vision that Vishous had of him early on in the series. Though he ate and lived with the brothers, he stayed on the sidelines when the brothers were fighting, because he was human and fragile. This chafed at him. So, when he had the opportunity, he risked his life to save a civilian vampire. As a result, he was captured by the lessers and worked over by the Omega and something changed within him.

One good thing about it though is that the misunderstandings between him and Marissa over the previous books were cleared up, but love is only the beginning of their problems.

J.R. Ward continues to surprise me with her in-depth character portrayal and her courage to write stories that push the traditional boundaries. I like how the war between the Brotherhood and the Lessening Society is escalating, and how the events in the previous books contribute to the atmosphere in the next. She introduced a new romantic element that was hinted at, though never fully expressed, which is maybe a sign that she's testing the waters and also a foreshadowing of the kind of relationship she may want to tackle later on. That said, this book can stand alone, as the main characters' past is explained or a short background given.

In the last two books, Butch came across as a parasite, the way he lived off the Brothers, even to using branded stuff. I never did find out why Butch took to it like fish to water, after the not-exactly-poor-but-not-rich-either life that he had. Maybe because Marissa's clothes are all branded stuff? Anyway, it's heartening to see he also had this same realization in this book and that he wanted to work for his keep. I guess he wanted a sense of worth, as he looked how his life had been and ached for a fresh start. I came to like Butch in this story. He's such a romantic, something I wouldn't have expected. He goes all sappy over Marissa. LOL

Actually, I like his devotion to Marissa, his fierce possessiveness and protection over her, his courage, his willing to risk all for the chance to be with her for longer than a human lifetime. He is enough to make a woman melt. Most of all, I like his loyalty to the Brothers. Despite all the flaws that he sees in himself, he is, as Marissa said, "a male of worth".

Marissa is different from the previous heroine. She is beautiful and born to wealth and privilege, a part of vampire aristocracy, yet lonely and in a way, an outcast from her own people. Her experiences over the years with men had made her insecure about herself and her own sexuality. I find her reactions to Butch's lovemaking heartbreaking. I can also understand her fear that Butch would be hurt in a fight with the lessers and be taken from her, leaving her alone once again and without a mate, without someone who loves her for what she is. But the insecurities and the fear, when displayed over and over and over again became a touch irritating. I felt that she's clipping Butch's wings, making him less of a man and that she should grow up and be less selfish. That is not to say she doesn't have good qualities. She cares about her own people, especially the abused and those less fortunate than herself. Marissa is a flawed character that most of us can identify with (who among us don't suffer from occasional insecurities, especially where our bodies are concerned, and want our loved ones to be safe?) and she probably arouses negative feelings in us because we see parts of us in her. She did grow over the course of the book though, so we also have hope. :) She acquitted herself marvelously toward the end, especially the girl power she displayed in the council.

Another thing I like is Butch's and V's relationship--best friends, beloved brothers (though there seems to be something more on V's end). V really touched me, the way he yearned to have something like what Butch has with Marissa. And he's all agony over his loss of vision, too, and the way he glowed all over, not just his hand. He seems to have a terrible past, and I'm really looking forward to read Lover Unbound.

I also like the portrayal here that love isn't all sweet and chocolates and a bed of roses. No, in its real and truest form, love is messy, it hurts, it makes you do crazy, irrational things, yet it also brings warmth, it makes you strong and it also brings out the nobility of the human/vampire spirit (makes you want to protect the people you love even at great cost to yourself). In the end, when you look back at the ups and downs, the joys and the tears, you're gonna say, "It's all worth it."

One thing I wished the author would tackle is the relationship between the shellans. I mean, we see how the Brothers relate to each other, how they trust and depend on one another, but it would be nice to see the women, brought to live with the Brotherhood because of their hellrens, interact and be the support network to each other (just like the Brothers are for each other) while their men are out fighting. Or be involved in some project together that would benefit the race. Else, what do they do when their men are away keeping the race safe?

Available in Book Depository (print).

REVIEW: Love is in the Heir by Kathryn Caskie

ISBN 9780446616102

Genre: Historical Romance

(c) July 2006

Kathryn Caskie's website

Rating: 4 stars

Available in Book Depository (print).

"Laugh-out-loud funny"

The Earl of Devonsfield is in need of an heir, and his nearest relations are twins Garnet and Griffin St. Albans. Because the order of birth wasn't determined, the earl didn't know which brother to name heir. He therefore came upon a brilliant plan, which is that the brother who was the first to marry a lady of quality would be named heir. However, they have to keep this a secret, else the earldom may be in danger of being reverted to the Crown and the earl didn't want this to happen.

What ensued was a comedy of errors as Garnet (the rakish brother) posed as Griffin some of the times to help the latter win the lady of his heart.

There were some laugh-out loud moments in this story, ensuing from the two brothers' different personalities. I daresay I've read only a few heroes like Griffin--someone who is gentle and kind and thoughtful and most importantly, isn't a rake. Any romance reader can tell you that historical romances, especially in the Regency era, abound with rakish heroes.

Interestingly, our heroine Hannah Chillton is one very sharp lady, as she is able to differentiate between the two brothers, though she didn't know it at the time. She has too much pride as well and didn't like being humiliated. (Well, who does?) But suffice it to say, she learned a very important lesson about pride and love.

The story took on expected twists and turns, but the execution and writing made the story a delight to read. Also, if you're the uber-romantic and like to have most of the secondary characters with their own love matches, this is the book for you. As for me, I can't abide it. I mean, what are the chances? The exact mechanics of the brothers' courtship were also not explained clearly at the start, which caused for confusion on my part as to the need for the ruse. For once, I'd also like to see a hero who does not end up a viscount or an earl or a duke, not because he gave up the position, but because, well, that's just how the die rolls.

Available in Book Depository (print).

REVIEW: The Initiation of Isabella by Jenna Ives

ISBN 978-1-60504-761-4

Series: Binding Ties anthology

Genre: Erotic Romance, BDSM

(c) September 2009, Samhain Publishing

Jenna Ives' website

Rating: 4 stars

Available in Samhain Publishing (ebook), Fictionwise (ebook).

"Delightful and sinfully erotic"

Jenna Ives weaves a delightful, sinfully erotic story of light bondage and sensuous punishment with enough romance to make you sigh in bliss and wishful thinking.

As part of her initiation into the Sigma Iomega Nu sorority, Isabella Tallin was to wait for someone to pick her up on the corner of Main and Elm streets at eight in the evening. As luck would have it, owner of Fantasies Fulfilled Logan Summers mistook her for his client, and though Isabella tried to clarify things, enough coincidences and misunderstandings abound that Isabella thought Logan was supposed to bring her to where her initiation rites was to be held while Logan thought she was his client. Needless to say, decadent activities ensued.

First off, I like Isabella. She's fun and adventurous and smart. Though she's attracted to Logan, she wasn't blinded by this and she tried to make sure (as far as she was able, even to dropping a name) that the man picking her up was part of her initiation. Only when she was sure did she drive off with him.

Although, I do have to stretch my suspension of disbelief a bit, because I have to say that in this day and age, one really cannot be too careful. What if Logan wasn't who he was? Well, he wasn't her initiation, that was for sure, but what if he was an evil man? I think, though initiation rites are shrouded in mystery and rely heavily on the "no questions" rule, the identity of the man or person who's going to bring you to the place should be made known. That said, his identity should be verified against his driver's license or something before she drives off with him. That is what I would do, paranoid person that I am. Of course, if Isabella did that, the story would've stopped right there, because the game would've been up. Logan would've known Isabella wasn't his client, and we wouldn't have this delicious story. (Or maybe we still would, if Logan looked her up later.)

The story mainly detailed the four fantasy scenarios that Logan's client had contracted his company for, and which he dished out to Isabella. For Isabella, who had a boring life, boring boyfriend and who didn't even know if she wanted to study law like her mother, she was at first horrified when she found out she'd blundered, then as Logan started to caress and arouse her (and she could do nothing to escape it because she was blindfolded and bound and gagged as per the client's request), she decided she wanted what he was giving her, aided by the fact that she was attracted to him. She wanted adventure and excitement, even if just for this night.

Logan is a true romantic. Though he owned the company, this is the first time he participated because he believed sex should be more than just two bodies coming together. Where else have you read of a hero who has that mindset? But because he was intrigued and wanted to know what kind of woman would request for four fantasies in one night, he decided to be the main man for this contract. (Apparently, the application was done online or whatever, because he didn't get to see the woman who contracted his services.) And as he performed each scenario, somehow, he was also bonding with her, not just physically, but emotionally.

The BDSM part is light and so, this story is suited to beginning readers in this genre. There is a bit of a menage at the end, but this story is mainly about Logan and Isabella. 

Available in Samhain Publishing (ebook), Fictionwise (ebook).

REVIEW: Crystal Genie by Opal Carew

ISBN 978-1-60310-479-1
Genre: Erotic Romance
(c) June 2010, Red Sage Publishing
Opal Carew's website

Rating: 4 stars

Available in Red Sage Publishing (ebook)

"A lovely and original retelling of the story of the magic lamp!"

Celeste discovered a genie in the crystal quartz stone that she bought, but not just any genie, but a gorgeous hunk of a man. Zurvan, the genie, was trapped in the stone for 30 centuries by another djinn, a woman, who wanted Zurvan's love and when she couldn't get it, punished him by imprisoning him in the stone and forcing him to grant each master (the one who called him out of the stone) three wishes...

Sound familiar? Crystal Genie has its basis on Aladdin's story, but that's as far as it goes. Opal Carew wrote a highly original short story that would leave you hot and bothered and make you think about what love truly is.

And no, the extremely hot and wonderful sex wasn't part of the wishes. It was freely given by Zurvan who ached for Celeste, having gone without a woman for three thousand years. And in the process, they discovered something wonderful about each other, something that I couldn't say because it would be a spoiler. All I can say is that love makes everything worth it, whatever the outcome, and the end came with a twist that would make you smile, although it did raise up a question in my mind because it was a bit inconsistent with some of the other facts. (You can email me at silverwinters1(@)gmail(.)com if you want to know what it is or to discuss the story in detail, with spoilers. LOL)

Available in Red Sage Publishing (ebook)

REVIEW: My Lady's Pleasure by Alice Gaines

ISBN 978-1-60310-469-2

Series: Three Kinds of Wicked anthology

Genre: Erotic Romance, Historical Romance, Menage a Trois

(c) May 2010, Red Sage Publishing

Rating: 4 stars

Available in Red Sage Publishing (ebook).

"Hot, sweet and very romantic. Perfect love story to curl up with on a rainy day."

When Viking invaders overran Castle Randmead, Lady Josalyn had no choice but to surrender, not if she wanted to save what remained of her people. She didn't want to be attracted to the Viking leader Ulric, but he affected her in ways she thought only her ideal English prince would. To secure the holdings and the people's approval, Ulric sought to marry Josalyn, but he knew from the moment he set eyes on her, he's also attracted to her and wanted her in his bed.

But Josalyn was shy, a virgin and from her actions, showed that she wasn't particularly predisposed toward Ulric. Hence, when a traveling bard Trey offered his services with potions that would help Ulric win his bride in exchange for the pleasure of joining their marriage bed, Ulric couldn't refuse...

This story is part of the Three Kinds of Wicked anthology, where Trey, as part of his punishment, had to travel through time uniting lovers before he could be reunited with his own love, Sage. Though we see things from Trey's point of view only at the end, that part was written so well that I really feel for him, the hope that must sustain him in order to have the energy to go on making love matches for other people while his own love languished elsewhere. And though he gets to particpate in menages with the couples in all the stories in the anthology, I feel he is not happy and that he'd rather be with his love. (Yay! I just received the conclusion of this anthology, which is Trey's story in my inbox! Thanks to Red Sage for the review copy, and of course, to Carole who forwarded it to me.)

Josalyn is a true lady of the castle and we can see this in her relationship with her people and the way they looked up to her. No wonder Ulric sought to win her, but being a straightforward Viking, he didn't know how to woo her with romance. Yet, I feel she's a good match for Ulric, because when Trey tried to court her with romantic gestures, her reactions were very pragmatic, very like Ulric. Though she may think she wants romance, what she really wants is Ulric himself.

For all his brash ways, Ulric is rather sweet, especially when he displays his uncertainty with regards to his wife. He's also the perfect husband in that he sought to give his wife whatever she wants, to make her happy. So, when he thought she wants romance, he gave her Trey and his courtly ways. Now, who wouldn't want a hero like that? Two men to give you all the attention you need. Yum. The climactic scene toward the end was rather heartwrenching at the start for him, but it left him in no doubt who his wife really wants.

Alice Gaines writes a hot yet sweet historical romance about two people who fell in love and were right for each other, but needed to take a detour that would open their eyes to what they really want.

Available in Red Sage Publishing (ebook).

Note: This review copy is provided courtesy of the publisher.

REVIEW: Below the Belt by Sarah Mayberry

ISBN 9780373794089
Genre: Contemporary Romance

(c) June 2008, Harlequin Blaze

Sarah Mayberry's website

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Link: Book Depository

"Intense, heat-ratcheting romance with a dash of humor"

Jamie Sawyer wanted to erase the shame that her father had brought upon their family name, and to do that, she wanted to train under the best boxing trainer: Cooper Fitzgerald. However, Cooper wasn't in the market for women boxers and he wouldn't take her on. She had proved to him that she got talent and power. But most of all, he was drawn to her because of something else that sizzled between them...

Jamie is strong, determined and stubborn, and she needs a man like Cooper to handle her. Cooper knows his stuff and he also knows when to pick his battles, especially against a stubborn woman like Jamie. I love watching their interaction--it's fascinating and the chemistry fairly sizzled between them. Ms. Mayberry certainly knew how to write and depict the sexual tension between the characters and there were lots of it. Needless to say, their sex scenes, when they happened, were hot. Scorching. Needs ice.

I also love the characters' internal monologue, which was interspersed with humor. For example, when Cooper found himself inappropriately sporting a hard-on: Maybe if he got a really good muscle burn going (he was doing some tricep pushdowns), he could stop behaving like a life support system for a hard-on.

As boxing is a fairly unfamiliar sport to me, I also love reading about it. No info bashing, for which I'm very thankful. I still cannot understand why people would be fascinated by it (my brother is, for example), but I can appreciate that as boxers, the characters had the drive and the passion for it. You can tell that they really love the sport.

I like the way the stakes were upped for Jamie each step of the way. I like that she's smart and determined and she knows what she wants (I believe I've said that some paragraphs ago), however, there was one part where she behaves irrationally (for me) and which some readers might say is TSTL. In fact, I don't quite understand still why she did it, and the explanation offered by Cooper later on didn't quite cut it for me. Basically, Jamie took on a fight with someone who is way more experienced than she, the fight offer made by a publicist who was banking on her famous name (due to her father) to draw the crowds (and which made Cooper thought the fight would become a media circus). She also didn't want to listen to Cooper or her grandfather or her friend, who made reasonable suggestions. If it weren't for Cooper coming through for her at the end, she would've lost that fight. I don't just believe that, but I know that.

I realized why Ms. Mayberry had that publicist made the fight offer, which in my opinion is realistic. She had to move the story forward to its conclusion. I just don't quite agree with Jamie's decision. Yes, I know she's set her heart on being the title champion and redeeming their name, but I thought she's also more sensible than her actions made her seem.

Despite that, this is a good read, if you're looking for a category romance.

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

REVIEW: Who Will Take This Man? by Jacquie D'Alessandro

ISBN 9780060536701

Series: Prequel to Love and the Single Heiress

Genre: Historical Romance

(c) November 2003, Avon Books, Harper Collins

Jacquie D'Alessandro's website

Rating: 4.0 stars

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

"Has everything you look for in a book--romance, tension, suspense"

Philip, Lord Greybourne, came home to England to marry the bride Meredith Chilton-Grizedale, the matchmaker his father hired, has chosen for him. However, he triggered a curse during his travels, as a result of which whoever became his bride was fated to die. Unless he could find the way to uncurse himself.

Meredith has worked too long and hard to allow her reputation as a matchmaker to be ruined just like that, when the match between Lord Greybourne and the daughter of a duke was called off due to the curse. So, she took it upon herself to help Lord Greybourne, never imagining that she herself would fall to his charms and become the object of the curse.

There's no one like Jacquie D'Alessandro in crafting historical romances with a touch of humor and lots and lots of sexual tension. By the time the hero and the heroine got together, I was burning along with them. The tension in this book went a touch too long, but I understood the reason, which to reveal would be a spoiler, me thinks. But seriously, I love her humor.

(I read in her website that she would have her first contemporary single title out  next year, and I'm looking forward to that, but I hope she won't abandon historicals totally.)

Unlike other historical heroines, Meredith truly has a past that has a big possibility of becoming a hindrance to stuffy, er, proper marriages among the ton, their social gap notwithstanding. Despite her upbringing, or maybe because of it, she has a compassion for the unfortunate that is credible. I also like the fact that she is not like other heroines who is determined to "adopt" each and every street child that she comes across, because I find such heroines very unrealistic and because of that, annoying.

Combined with the need to find a way to unlock the curse, there is a suspense factor involved with someone intent on hurting the people that Philip cared about. I have to admit I was gripped with the curiosity to find out who this person was. Although I have my sights set on one person, the author dropped enough clues as to confuse me that I have my doubts several times. Needless to say, I love every moment of it.

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

REVIEW: Another Dream, Another Reality by Mechele Armstrong

ISBN 978-1-60737-533-3

Series: sequel to Another Night, Another Dream

Genre: Erotic Romance, Menage a Trois

(c) February 2010, Loose Id

Mechele Armstrong's website

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise

"A must-read sequel!"

Some months have passed since the events in the stairwell. Cassie, Aiden and Leopold have set up house together. Well, at least Aiden and Leopold have, because Cassie has so far resisted moving into Aiden's home. Moreover, she's not fully into the relationship as the men are, and she's afraid that her officemates and landlady would know of her unique situation and judge her. There's also the matter of her job at the law firm. Aiden, meanwhile, is having problems of his own concentrating on his schoolwork, as he tries to divide time between homework and his lovers.

This sequel to Another Night, Another Dream looks into the problems the characters face as they try to make their menage a trois work. I think too few of the menages out there touch on this realistic situation, such as how would a person deal with being in a menage while living in a predominantly couple-oriented society? Especially a person like Cassie, whose work rely on her having a traditional image. I guess, the real question here is: Would the love she feels for Aiden and Leopold be able to enable her to overcome her reservations and make her ready and willing to take the plunge? How would love and being in a menage a trois affect and change each one of them?

I really enjoyed Mechele Armstrong's take on this situation, and I feel the resolution of the questions is realistic and achievable. Though it only merited a one-line mention, I especially like the way they help Aiden with his homework. This would have been a very delicious scene, I think. I originally thought that since Cassie worked in a law firm and Aiden is taking up law, the eventual solution would be for them to open a company together, but no, Ms. Armstrong surprised me in this. It's great to see the characters changing and evolving and growing in this story, but this in no way detracted from the hot chemistry among them. If anything, it's gotten even hotter and their passion simply sizzles off the pages, especially with that light bondage scene.

Buy Link (ebook): Loose Id, Fictionwise

REVIEW: Just the Sexiest Man Alive by Julie James

ISBN 978-0-425-22420-5

Genre: Contemporary Romance
(c) October 2008, Berkley Sensation, Berkley Publishing Group

Julie James' website 

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

"Sly humor and witty conversation abound! Not to be missed!"

I've already read Practice Makes Perfect, so I have high expectations for this book. Which may be unfair, since each book should be judged according to its own merit.

Julie James delivered the same sly humor and witty conversation in this book, together with a gorgeous, sexy hero and a strong heroine with baggage of her own. For those who absolutely hated head-hopping, I'm sorry to say there are some of it here, but it wasn't a problem for me, as I wasn't confused by the sudden shifts. (Because I do hate head-hopping only when I become confused as to who did/said what.)

Taylor Donovan was sent to Los Angeles (from the Chicago office) to work on a certain case, and while she was there, she was asked by her boss to coach Jason Andrews who acted the part of a lawyer in his next film. The firm decided to grant Jason this favor because they hope to get his business, and because Taylor is angling for a partnership in the firm, she had no choice but to agree.

Jason Andrews is a sexy, highly-sought after actor, and because of this, he's arrogant and doesn't give a shit about anyone. Which is why, he callously disregarded the appointment his assistant had made with Taylor, for the reason that he wanted to go to Vegas with his friend. It was hard to like Jason at first because of his attitude, although he's probably not acting that much different from anyone who's in his position. When he finally deigned to make a visit to the courtroom where he heard his "trainer" was, he was captivated by her because she didn't grovel at his feet. She was refreshingly different from the other women in his life.

Taylor who lives by her brain and believes in being logical, has to take quite a leap of faith in love, given her past. She thought her ex-fiance had changed his womanizing ways, only to learn that he'd been cheating on her all along. She has the same fear with Jason, who is even a bigger womanizer than her ex-fiance. So, toward the end, though she made a leap of faith, it was a leap made on sustainable proof and evidence, as one would expect of a lawyer. Though she's likeable as a heroine, she didn't make that much an impression on me like Payton (Practice Makes Perfect).

I didn't like Jason at first, but this sentiment shifted as he showed a willingness to change his attitude and behavior due to his feelings for Taylor. I also like the moments of vulnerability that Jason exhibited toward the end, his uncertainty and hurt. Underneath all the glitter and flashy wealth, he is like any other man faced with the possibility of losing the only woman he ever loved.

Overall, the whole concept of a gorgeous, sexy, wealthy actor falling in love with a nobody lawyer (who's beautiful and hot!) from Chicago is thrilling and every woman's fantasy. I'm not a lawyer and I've never worked in a law firm, yet it took a lot of suspension of disbelief for me to believe that a senior associate the caliber of Taylor (who's up in line for a partnership) would be called on to coach Jason through his movie scenes for realism when she's in the middle of an important case, even if the firm is angling to get Jason's business, and when there could be other associates who could be called upon for the job. But once you get past that, the book's an enjoyable read.

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

REVIEW: Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

ISBN 9780451216953

Series: Black Daggar Brotherhood, Book 1

(c) September 2005, Signet, Penguin Putnam

J.R. Ward's website

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

"A decent start to what promises to be a great series!"

For the uninitiated, the Black Daggar Brotherhood consists of the best, the strongest and fiercest warriors (not necessarily siblings, though they do call each other brother), vampires bred for the specific purpose of protecting the civilian vampires from the lessers, who are de-souled humans that seek to exterminate the vampires under the direction of their leader, the Omega.

Immersed in his own personal hell, Wrath couldn't agree to his warrior brother's request to help his half-human daughter Beth transition into her vampiric nature. Darius made the request because Wrath is the only purebred vampire left, and Wrath's blood is strong enough to make sure Beth didn't die in the transition, as his other children had. However, when Darius was murdered, Wrath had no choice but to consent to his fallen brother's request and was shocked to find that Beth Randall affected him in a way no woman has.

As for Beth, growing up an orphan, she yearned to know her family and origins, but she didn't know if she should believe Wrath when he came to her with fantastic tales of vampires and stories of the man he said was her father. But when dark urgings wracked her body, she knew she had no choice but to put her life in his hands.

I like that Wrath, for all his being big, bad and powerful, has a vulnerability that tugs at your heart. It could be his physical defect or the way he refused to let it be a weakness or it could be his tormented childhood. Whatever it is, I ache for the moment when he would find happiness with Beth. I like that moment of his acceptance of his destiny, the way he stepped up to the responsibility that he was born for, even though he didn't want to. Such an action showed growth and maturity, that of an adult who had stopped running from the inevitable.

With Beth, one can sense her utter loneliness and her need to break free from her dead-end situation, but before she could make a move, the decision was made for her when Wrath came to find her and when her own hidden nature threatened to break free. She's strong and the perfect match for Wrath, and though I thought she might have believed Wrath and his tales a little bit soon, what she had seen and heard and experienced may have catapulted her that early into belief.

I wasn't really wowed by this book, but I thought it was a decent start to what promised to be a fascinating series. Certainly, I've never seen vamps depicted this way. For one, vampires are born, not made, and the vamp nature doesn't manifest until one transitions, which occurs around the age of 25 or so. Also, before the transition, the person's physical structure may be different. For example, Wrath was a weakling, but afterwards, he somehow acquired bulk and great strength.

I was also a bit put off by some of the dialogue, especially with the warriors calling each other "brother" way too often and in a way that didn't feel...right, like something was off. As much as this story is about Wrath and Beth, so too this provides the groundwork for other books in the series with the introduction of the other  characters. Because there was a lot of them, I had to work hard at remembering who was who and looked like what. However, I'm excited to read the rest of the books, both because of the facinating characters that I've seen here and because I've heard lots of good things about them.

Quiz on Dark Lover

Buy Link (paper): Book Depository

REVIEW: Long, Lean and Lethal by Lorie O'Clare

ISBN 978-0312943431

Genre: Romantic Suspense, Erotic Romance

(c) September 2009, St. Martin's Paperbacks

Lorie O'Clare's website

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (paper): Book Depository

"Intrigue and romance and sizzling attraction. What more do you need?"

FBI agent Noah Kayne was called in to help local police detective Rain Huxtable solve a series of murder crimes that have the same MO as crimes in other cities, leading them to believe this could be the work of a serial killer. However, they weren't ecstatic to be paired up as partners, especially when they have to go undercover as a married couple to infiltrate the group of swingers to which the victims belong. But their sizzling attraction to each other couldn't be denied, and it wasn't long before they were starting to fall for each other.

Lorie O'Clare provides the right combination of romance and mystery, intrigue and scorching hot scenes. The mystery of who the killer was and his/her motive kept me turning the pages to satisfy my curiosity. And of course, it was also curiosity that prompted me to pick up this book to know more about that world of which I know nothing about: the swingers world and the whys and wherefores of their activities.

Noah Kayne possessed a forceful personality and this showed in the way he showed Rain who was "boss" right from the beginning. He rubs me a little wrong here, coz I feel like he was manhandling the heroine a little. But perhaps Rain needed to be shown this, else she would've walked all over Noah later on. Also, Rain seemed to need a man who can handle her, who can go toe-to-toe with her when she's in a fighting mood, especially when Noah's dominance turns her on. You know how for some couples disagreements serve as the foreplay? Well, for Noah and Rain, they needed to get physical. A little too physical for me, but hey, whatever pushes your button.

However, Noah could be tender and patient with Rain when she needed it, like the time when certain words triggered her memories of her dad and the way she still grieved for him. On the other hand, Rain also satisfied Noah's needs and expectations, as he'd been burned before by a woman who wanted a little extra on the side.

What I like about this book is that there's a real intrigue and crime that our hero and heroine has to solve, and I like how they never lose sight of their mission, despite their attraction to each other. (I've read a book where the "mission" is but an excuse for the main characters to be put into close contact with one another.) Even in their mission, Noah and Rain complemented each other, each bringing something to the table that the other lacked. Clues are peppered throughout the book to prod the reader into making an educated guess as to who the villain could be (I love this part of romantic suspense, like playing Cluedo), and the suspense and action keeps me turning the pages.

Buy Links (paper): Book Depository

GIVEAWAY & REVIEW: Dawnkeepers by Jessica Andersen

ISBN 9780451225757

Series: A Novel of the Final Prophecy, Book 2

Genre: Paranormal Romance

(c) May 2009, Signet, Penguin Putnam

Jessica Andersen's website

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository

"A thrilling sequel as the adventure continues!"

It was several months since the end of the events in the first book and Nate and Alexis have broken off their relationship, mainly due to a rejection on Nate's part, who didn't believe in gods and prophecy and fate and destiny. All his life, he's had to work for things he wanted--wealth, success, etc--and he didn't see why he couldn't do that too for the woman he wanted in his life. Yet, something drew him back again and again to Alexis, the woman on whom his fantasy game heroine Hera was modeled after, years before he'd seen Alexis.

Alexis, on the other hand, having grown up with a winikin (something like a bond-servant) who instructed her in the Nightkeeper lore and history from young, bought fully into the prophecies and concepts of destiny and fate. As she didn't seem to possess the full warrior fighting powers, she wanted to have more magic and more power in order to live up to the memory of her mother, who'd been one of the king's advisers. And so she clung to Nate, not only because she was hopelessly attracted to him, but also because a mated Nightkeeper is more powerful than an unmated one.

Being a Nightkeeper must be tough on the nerves because there is nonstop action and excitement and danger. The story opens with the Nightkeepers searching for the artifacts that contain the demon prophecies, the next stage in their fight against the Banol Kax. Magic and mayhem ensued and there was never a dull moment, though the story dragged a bit in the first few chapters with explanations and highlights of past events. Some of the abbreviated language threw me at first and I had to stop and think what it meant, especially 'hood for neighborhood, but once I got the hang of it, I was fine. In fact, 'porting sounds way better than teleporting.

For Nate, I think everything came together when he stumbled into his parents' cottage. It was like waking up from a foggy dream and realizing, "Oh fucking shit, this is real." He had parents who loved him and cared for him, and if the massacre hadn't happened, he would have grown up being trained as a Nightkeeper. His assimilation into his role within the Nightkeepers was gradual and logical, coming out of his own realization that the royal council needed an objective voice, someone who didn't believe wholly into the Nightkeeper traditions and prophecies, someone who could think out of the box. I didn't quite like him at first, because I hate the way he pushed Alexis away when he obviously yearned for her, but later on, when he started accepting the inevitable (to a certain extent), I find him super-hot, especially toward the end when he made himself vulnerable to her. (Couldn't say more, as it would be a spoiler.)

I have a harder time understanding Alexis's character and motivation, because I couldn't quite decide if her ambition of being part of the royal council came from Alexis herself or from her winikin. I read on, fully expecting Alexis to rebel sometime down the road, that no, this wasn't what she wanted, but later on, we see that Alexis herself wanted the position. She wanted to be acknowledged that she was doing something important, like her mother did. So maybe, Alexis herself was confused at the start, but the idea grew on her until she wanted it. Perhaps she saw it as things coming full circle--her mother being Strike's father's adviser, while she is Strike's adviser. This may be the reason in part for me having the feeling of the story being confusing as I read.

However, I totally admire and rooted for Alexis for being a kick-ass heroine in that she was strong enough to reject Nate somewhere in the middle of the book, that no, she might need a Nightkeeper mate in order to have strong magic enough to battle the bad guys, but he didn't have to be Nate, since Nate so obviously didn't want to be with her. Yay for the woman who doesn't cling or goes weepy because the man didn't want her.

Like in the first book, so many things happened in the story that the events almost overshadowed Nate's and Alexis' romance, but actually, everything was integrated into the whole, even their romance. The problems that cropped up in their relationship was due to their identities as Nightkeepers, and their background as both humans and magical warriors. Each event that the Nightkeepers encountered only served to strip them both bare until nothing was left but the very essence of who they are and made them see, especially Nate, what is most important to them.

Of course, life would be very bland and dull without Rabbit, whose foul-ups seemed served to help the enemy more than the Nightkeepers, Anna who was still torn between her human life and her destiny as a Nightkeeper, and Lucius, who it seemed has to undergo a lot of pain and transformation before he'd realize what his destiny was. I do wish though that some momentous events in some of the characters' lives could be given longer screen time, like when Rabbit discovered the truth of his powers and when Alexis realized she loved Nate.

Review of Nightkeepers
Quiz on Nightkeepers - How well do you know the book? Test your knowledge!

~ o ~

WE'RE HAVING A GIVEAWAY! Three (3) copies of book #4 Demonkeepers to be won! Everyone on the planet can join, even the penguins in Antarctica, if they can get on the 'Net and write a comment. LOL

How to enter?

Go to Jessica's website and tell us what you like about it. It can be about her books, the extras she has there, or even the design of the website. You can also tell her what you want to see there. Anything. While there, look at the amazing information she has for you. But be warned that the animated intro is a little loud, so if you're at work, hit the volume!

Extra chances to win:

+ 3 if you're an old follower of this blog
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              on your blog/website with a link back to us
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              Twitter, your blog, website or other form of social media. For example, you
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              also wrote a blog post. That's 4 additional chances! However, for these to 
              qualify, be sure to come back here and post the links. Like, if you tweeted 
              twice, give me both links.

If you do all of the above, at a minimum, that's 9 chances to win (8 chances if you're a new follower)! Remember, the more things you do to help us spread the word about this contest, the better are your chances.

Contest ends on April 1 (Thursday), 1159pm EST.

Winner will be picked via Randomizer.org and announced within the week. Instructions will be given then on how to claim your prize. Be sure to come back and check because we won't hunt you down. If prizes are unclaimed after 1 week, new winners will be chosen.

Good luck!

REVIEW: A Dangerous Beauty by Sophia Nash

ISBN 9780061231360

Series: The Widows' Club, Book 1
Genre: Historical Romance

(c) June 2007, Avon Books, HarperCollins

Sophia Nash's website

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

"Exciting historical read, with the right combination of action and romance"

Sophia Nash is a new-to-me author. I first picked up her book, The Kiss (review to come), because I was intrigued with the characters' situation, that of friends becoming lovers. When I learned that it's the second book in the series, I searched out A Dangerous Beauty, the first one.

And I wasn't disappointed.

A Dangerous Beauty is an exciting read, with the right combination of action, romance, angst, humiliation, yearning, betrayal and ostracization.

I like that Luc St. Aubyn, Duke of Helston, recognized his feelings for Rosamunde Baird quite early in the book, but that he was hindered from his declaration by things that he believed are important to Rosamunde but that which he couldn't provide for her. It was his stance that the St. Aubyn family owed Rosamunde quite a bit for the things she had suffered in the 8 years of her nightmarish marriage, so the aforementioned belief coupled with his need to make amends made him think that the best thing he could do for her was to stay away from her. There was also his grandmother's hope for him, which ran contrary to what he wanted. Selfless, yes, but a bit presumptuous of him. The least he could've done was ask. Well, in the end, he did ask, but it was a reflex reaction and Rosamunde did well to reject him.

Actually, they each have their own preconceived notions of what the other wanted. Perhaps if they talked? But I guess the time wasn't ripe then. Still, the last time they made love, the scene was so touching I wanted to cry. It was also told from Luc's point of view, which made it doubly heart-wrenching.

I've never seen a heroine so ostracized and who suffered so much, except for the heroine in Ain't She Sweet? by Susan Elizabeth Phillips, perhaps. So why do I like this? Because it makes my heart ache and break for Rosamunde and when that happens, it's a good thing. I then root for her and am glad to see the comeuppance of those who dealt with her badly. When my bloodthirsty needs are satisfied by the hero, the book leaves me with feel-good sensations.

I'm just a bit surprised that there wasn't more interaction among the widows, but merely superficial conversations. Or maybe, the reason was because Rosamunde came into the club late and hadn't been with them enough time to form the bonds of friendship. She did have a friend though, her younger sister Sylvia, who sacrificed her youth to stay with Rosamunde in an nightmarish marriage. I did find that funny, but I soon forgot about it in the rationale that the sisters were close and Sylvia was a very loyal sister.

I certainly wouldn't mind reading more about Luc and Rosamunde, and I hope they're featured in the rest of the series. I just have one beef about this story and it's a spoiler, so I'll blank it out.

I understand that Luc thought Rosamunde wants nothing to do with him and only wants to return/be reconciled to her family. Also, he was fully convinced that St. Aubyn men don't make good husbands, hence he sought to spare Rosamunde. And being a filial grandson, he sought to fulfill Ata's wish for a grandchild/heir by proposing marriage to Grace Sheffey, since Rosamunde hasn't borne a child in her 8 years of marriage to her first husband.

Now, my question is this: What if Grace had said "yes"? Then there would have been no HEA for Luc and Rosamunde. If he had really loved Rosamunde, why didn't he fight for what could be and ask Rosamunde her opinion of the matter (or if she even loved him)? Why did he succumb to Ata's wish, even if he didn't love Grace?

For me, that's one weak point in an otherwise excellent story.

Update March 14: Received a response from Ms. Nash some days ago on my question/concerns above. To avoid spoilers, I'll have to blank this out as well. Read at your own risk!

Your rationale is absolutely correct for our modern age, however, I could not discount the mores of the Regency era when honor (and living up to a promise or a word) was everything to a gentleman. You see, Luc believed that there was an unspoken understanding that he would one day offer for Grace. He thought Grace and Ata believed this. And they did. It was hinted out loud when he asked Grace for the use of her townhouse to give a ball for Rosamunde. He was also certain that Rosamunde wanted nothing to do with marriage ever again as she had said it to him. And she had no reason to marry again. She was restored to her father and to her family. So yes, a modern day man would probably try to figure out a way around all of this but a Regency era aristocrat with a high moral standard probably would not. Remember how Mr. Darcy could not bring himself to address Eliza Bennett when he first returned with his friend who proposed to Jane (in Pride and Prejudice)? He, too, believed Eliza would not have him, and did not love him...This is an example of another man who, at first, gave up hope before finally gaining the courage to ask her to marry him - just like Luc did in the end.

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

REVIEW: Seduce Me in Shadow by Shayla Black

ISBN 9781416578444

Series: Doomsday Brethren, Book 2

Genre: Paranormal Romance

(c) September 2009, Simon and Schuster

Shayla Black's website

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble

Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

"Teeming with magic and mayhem, adventure and romance!"

Due to a mishap in his childhood, Caden hated magic and decided to live among humans. However, he went back when his brother Lucan needed his help, only to find himself embroiled in a war among magickind as Matthias, an evil wizard, has come back from his exile, more powerful than before.

A powerful artifact called the Doomsday Diary has been stolen from Bram, the leader of the Doomsday Brethren, an underground force dedicated to battling against Matthias. Moreover, a human, Sydney Blair, was seen reporting about magickind's battle and Caden was sent to find out more about how she knew about these things and to stop her from continuing. The attraction that sprang up between them was a complication Caden didn't need, nor did he welcome the instinctive urge to take her as his mate. But when Sydney found herself in trouble, he couldn't deny the need to rescue and protect her.

As I was reading, I thought some elements of the story sounded familiar. And I realize what they reminded me of: Harry Potter. The arch enemy, evil wizard Matthias back from his exile (Voldemort coming back after being defeated ages ago), but the Council, a group of elderly wizards, wouldn't believe the rumors and even wanted Bram to squash them (Ministry of Magic [?] doing much the same thing in HP book 5, I believe). A rogue group of wizards banded together and called themselves the Doomsday Brethren to fight against this evil (Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix), a pitiful few against Matthias and his Anarki (Voldemort and his Death Eaters). The only thing not in Harry Potter is the matter of the wizards and witches needing sexual energy to recharge their magic.

It's best to clarify that I haven't read book 1, so I don't know if I'd have the same impressions if I'd started the series in sequence. That aside, Shayla Black made this series her own with her unique characters and the particular adult dilemma the characters faced in their fight against evil and their own internal struggles.

Sydney, for all that she's human, is fascinated by magic. When she stumbled into magickind, she takes to it like fish to water, despite the dangers the Brethren are facing just then. I like that she's smart and ethical, that despite being a reporter, she knows the danger to magickind if she reported certain news ahead of time, so she didn't and had no intention of doing so. However, her zeal to help the Brethren overcame her common sense at times and thus, she unwittingly put herself and others in danger.

Caden MacTavish is the typical guy who denies his feelings for Sydney to the death, in part because of his brother's experiences. That I can empathize with, though he comes across as a man who isn't willing to risk his heart. But then, what man or woman is? Only someone who hasn't loved before or one who has witnessed terrible tragedy in a person close to him.

However, there is one thing that made me want me to wallop Caden over the head with something hard. His irrational fear and denial of magic. I understand the childhood trauma he has witnessed, and this might have a bearing on his definitive stand against magic. However, when he instinctively called magic to save Sydney, he should've realized that magic can also be harnessed for good. Accidents do happen, but magic in the hands of an untrained wizard like him would do more harm than good. If nothing else, I think he would've wanted to learn to use and control his magic to protect Sydney. I think this part of his denial went on a bit too long.

Still, action and adventure abound in this story, making for an exciting read. In my opinion, it isn't necessary to read the first book in the series, as past important events were highlighted in the story without info dumping.

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble 
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

REVIEW: The Man by Mechele Armstrong

ISBN 978-1-60737-486-2

Series: Settler's Mine, Book 5

(c) December 2009, Loose Id

Mechele Armstrong's website

Buy Links (ebook): Loose Id

"Sexy and sizzling hot, full of emotions and angst"

Years ago, Colton left Michipi on Settler's Mine for reasons of his own, despite the fact that she was his mate. Now, with another mate (Larkin) in tow, he's come back to claim her. Having her heart broken when he left, Michipi didn't dare believe Colton's promises again and it seemed her worst fears came true when, in giving her and Larkin time to bond, they couldn't find Colton anywhere afterwards...

Mechele Armstrong writes sizzling hot intimate scenes with the emotional development to back it up. Though Michipi felt betrayed by Colton's leaving years ago, deep within her, she still loved him and longed for her mate. Thus, his re-appearance rendered her with conflicting emotions, especially when she realized he'd found another mate on his travels. I like that though she was eventually convinced with his good intentions when he left her before (I won't reveal why so you can enjoy the story), she was understandably hurt and doubtful when he disappeared once again. Michipi, as a heroine, is strong yet flawed, and her deficiency is one which we can all empathize with as love brings with it the heights of ecstasy and the lows of uncertainty and doubt.

Overall, the story is enjoyable, with its mix of romance and action. I haven't read books 1 to 4 of this series and this in no way detracted from my enjoyment. That said, I would've loved to know more about Larkin. He is refreshingly simple about love and how a mate should behave and I think, naive, because some things cannot be so easily forgiven and forgotten.

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (ebook): Loose Id

* Note: The review copy was supplied by the author.

REVIEW: The Rake by Suzanne Enoch

ISBN 978-0-380-82082-5
Series: Lessons In Love
(c) June 2002, Avon Books, HarperCollins
Suzanne Enoch's website

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

"A promising start to the series, with delicious lessons in love!"

The three friends, Georgiana, Evelyn and Lucinda, banded together to teach three chosen rogues a lesson in love, such as not trifling with a lady's feelings. For Lady Georgiana Halley, the person she targetted was Tristan Carroway, Viscount Dare, who stole her innocence six years ago on a wager.

Georgiana had never gotten over that incident, and to her relief--and confusion--no scandal rocked the ton of her scandalous behavior. In fact, nobody seemed to know of the incident except Tristan and her. The reason the secret was kept under wraps was due to Tristan's creativity, though she knew of this only later in the book. But now that Tristan is looking to marry an heiress (to solve his monetary problems) Georgiana took it upon herself to teach him to be kind to his wife by making him fall in love with her then breaking his heart.

For his part, Tristan had never forgotten Georgiana nor the taste and scent of her. Six years ago, Tristan decided to take on the wager because it served as an excuse to steal a kiss from the woman who had captivated him. Things went too far because he couldn't help himself. It seemed that one touch of her skin had him inflamed and burning and he must have her. He had long wanted to make amends but she wouldn't let him, instead declaring to all and sundry that she hated him. But when she started being nice to him, he was wary yet intrigued.

Suzanne Enoch can be expected to deliver on a good story, yet what I like about The Rake is the numerous interactions between the main characters and how each learned to trust the other again. I like that Georgiana and Tristan talked and shared things, outside of the bedroom.

From Georgiana's point of view, we know from her observation that Tristan had changed. Certainly, he's more sensitive and kind and family-oriented. We also know from Tristan that he had wanted to make amends for his behavior six years ago, that he had thought it would be better if they had been caught then. My thought on this is that caught or not, if Tristan had really possessed a sense of honor, he would've offered to marry her, whether she liked it or not. He didn't have to tell her family that he's compromised her, but he could've put more effort into courting her in the days after her ruination. After all, she was already half in love with him at that time. But I guess he was young and selfish and he hadn't really wanted to be leg-shackled, no matter how much he desired Georgiana. He was having too much fun sowing his oats. His thought on it "being better if they had been caught" was made in retrospect, when his choice was being made for him by circumstance.

The ending though is wildly romantic, especially when Tristan made his proposal, when he laid all his cards on the table, vulnerable and hopeful. I like that both characters learned something about love and life and each other.

At this point, I would've said on to the next book in the series, however, I don't like stories where the heroine takes an interest in an orphanage or some such thing, so I'm going to skip it and read England's Perfect Hero instead, which Silver assures me is the best in the series and which is highly recommended by everyone in blogland.

Rating: 4 stars

Buy Links (paper): Amazon, Book Depository, Barnes and Noble
Buy Link (ebook): Barnes and Noble Ebook

* This is the first of my Oldie But Goldie reviews, which are reviews of books published before 2005 and which garner at least a rating of 4 stars.