This was a really good read. There was a lot going on that made you wonder how is the hea ever going to happen, which made finding out that much betteThis was a really good read. There was a lot going on that made you wonder how is the hea ever going to happen, which made finding out that much better. Not a lot of sex, but it definitely fit the story, and there was lots of tension. The hero and heroine both grew a lot in the story and their romance was nice....more
This was an interesting read. Dorian was a mysterious character. Not because of who he was really was, because mannnnn was that obvious from the startThis was an interesting read. Dorian was a mysterious character. Not because of who he was really was, because mannnnn was that obvious from the start, but because of his story, the legend and danger surrounding him and his reputation. I was actually more surprised at who Farah really was and all the drama that went on from that. The sexy times were... Ok. Certain aspects were a little off for me. I loved the epilogue and the hea it provided....more
This was a surprisingly good read. I don't know what I expected going in, but this viking warrior was just the softness that Ainslin needed. There wasThis was a surprisingly good read. I don't know what I expected going in, but this viking warrior was just the softness that Ainslin needed. There was a good amount of action, drama, and romance. The sexy times were good, even if the names for body parts sometimes made me roll my eyes. The ending was a little abrupt but it still had a hea....more
This book started off sloooooooowwww. After Duncan takes Madelyne, it's basically brief kisses and Madelyne constantly telling you she's a gentle maidThis book started off sloooooooowwww. After Duncan takes Madelyne, it's basically brief kisses and Madelyne constantly telling you she's a gentle maiden. Omg, if I heard that phrase one more time. It took me a while to get into this book, but I'm glad I stuck with it. About 200 pages in, things finally started to pick up. There was finally some sexy times, there was politics coming into play, and more action. Ultimately I ended up loving Duncan and Madelyne together. She kind of brought Duncan out of his shell and brought new life to his land. Duncan finally provided her safety and freedom to be herself and be happy. Duncan's brothers and sister were really fun to get to know as well. The ending was really good....more
Another great read in this series. I loved seeing Keir and Lara's relationship grow. It hit a few snags (I'm looking at you Lara), but in the end it wAnother great read in this series. I loved seeing Keir and Lara's relationship grow. It hit a few snags (I'm looking at you Lara), but in the end it was stronger for their struggles. There was still plenty of action and sadly, lots of deaths because of the sickness that swept through the army. I started hating a few more people and saw the depths of a lot more characters. I wanted to slap Lara for certain decisions that she made, but at the same time, I knew that she was trying to stay true to who she was. Keir was trying so hard to join the 2 cultures and I admired his efforts and him in general. He was still so caring and took every opportunity to show Lara how much she meant to him. Going to order book 3 right now....more
First off to Logan Keys
[image]
This book was fan-freaking-tastic. I am forever taking your book recommendations after this.
Ok now, in case you missFirst off to Logan Keys
[image]
This book was fan-freaking-tastic. I am forever taking your book recommendations after this.
Ok now, in case you missed it from the beginning paragraph, this book blew my mind. It had everything I love. An arranged marriage, violence and fighting, treachery, great secondary characters. It just had it all. I was glued to each page. I walked around looking like a zombie for the past 2 days because I stayed up so late reading. Was it worth it?
[image]
I loved Lara. She was strong and caring. She put her people and even the "enemy' before herself. When she was given to Keir, she decided to open her heart to him and his people instead of being a whimpering mess. I loved the decisions she made at the end. She's got my stamp of approval. Now Keir.
[image]
He was strong, didn't hesitant to make his authority known, but was gentle when it came to Lara. He wooed her and boy, did I enjoy their interactions. The romance was simply beautiful. Everytime they were together, I had the dumbest looking grin on my face.
So many of the other characters wormed their way into my heart. Simus, Joden, Atira, Anna the Cook, Heath, too many to name. They were great in both humor and personality. Even the characters I hated were such interesting additions to the story. In particular, I loathed Xymund, Lara's half brother. He was a complete and utter a**hole. He wasn't fit to lead ants, let alone a kingdom, and it killed him that everyone knew it.
[image]
In short, I loved every moment of this story, from Lara's time in the castle, to the times with Lara in the healing tent and mixing medicines. From the times when she and Keir finally got to be alone in his tent (wiggling eyebrows), to the times where everything was in chaos between the two nations. Absolutely great story.
[image]
...more
I was so freaking excited to start this book.
[image]
Although I didn't bother with book 2, I definitely wanted to hear Caelen's stSPOILER-Y AS HELL
I was so freaking excited to start this book.
[image]
Although I didn't bother with book 2, I definitely wanted to hear Caelen's story and find out about how his 'foolishness' got his clan killed. Was I little confused at times because I skipped a book? Yup, but it didn't take away from the story at all. Caelen was a freaking dreamboat.
[image]
He was gruff and protective and I just loved him. Rionna was all that and a bag of chips. She was a warrior through and through, even if Caelen didn't want that for her at first.
[image]
Even though they got married for an alliance at first, I just knew they would grow to love each other fiercely. But until that happened, I got really, really hot sex scenes. Lol
[image]
It was even better because along with them discovering each others' bodies and pleasures, Rionna was discovering that being a woman had a few joys she didn't know existed. But then comes the dramaaaaa. Of course douchebag Cameron is still lurking around and sends some goons to rough Rionna up while Caelen is on a hunt. And Cameron renewed my hatred for him from book 1. Evil bastard. He was trying to lure Caelen out, but since Caelen and his brothers were already planning to attack him, that plan didn't quite work. But it woke Caelen up to letting Rionna continue training again, so I was happy about that.
[image]
Then Rionna gets knocked up and all is well for a little while, well after Caelen beat the crap out of almost every McDonald clansmen to make them respect him as their laird. But the food is low and Caelen and the man have to go hunting and who sneaks up on Caelen and shoots him with an arrow but Rionna's father (the ousted rapist former laird).
[image]
He brings Caelen back to Cameron and Rionna finds out and rallies her men. Part of her plan to get inside Cameron's keep is to convince him she wants Caelen dead. So she gets her pregnant self down to the psycho's keep and gives an emmy worthy performance that was painful to read, because Caelen is heartbroken thinking he's been betrayed again.
[image]
So Caelen is strung up to be burnt at the stake and Rionna is supposed to light the fire, but instead sticks the torch is Cameron's stinky, ugly face. A battle that gave me goosebumps started and fierce as they were, the McDonald clan were vastly outnumbered and growing tired, but lo and behold, Ewan and Alaric come charging in with their men and things take a turn for the better. The best part is that Rionna is the one that ends up killing Cameron. Knife through the chest baby. I was just so satisfied. He needed to die like yesterday. Caelen and Rionna go back home and Caelen does the sweetest thing by taking the McDonald name as thanks for what Rionna did and risked for him. I was tearing up by the end of this book. Their love for one another was so fierce and loyal and sexy. They were perfect for each other in every way.
[image]
And the epilogue was the sweetest. Great conclusion to the series.
[image]
...more
Well there were things I liked and things I didn't. Let's start with that I did, shall we?
[image]
The romanceeeeeeeeee. Bowen was sweet as all get Well there were things I liked and things I didn't. Let's start with that I did, shall we?
[image]
The romanceeeeeeeeee. Bowen was sweet as all get out. Genevieve was scarred (inside and out) and needed someone like Bowen to get her out of her shell and show her love. There was a little bit of fighting and violence (although I could've done with more of it). I also enjoyed catching up with the couple from book 1.
Not to the dislikes..... The sex, while good when it finally came (pun intended lol), took wayyyyyy too long. I mean like almost 300 pages in too long. I get it, Bowen was being careful with her and trying to woo her, but after a certain point, I'm just like
[image]
Then the way the McHugh clan treated Genevieve and the way she allowed them to treat her. She was just taking their harsh words, and at times, physical attacks and doing nothing back. I feel like the least she could've done with curse them out.
[image]
Then what didn't make sense to me was that Ian douchebag McHugh was so possessive that he flayed Genevieve's face so no man would desire her again, yet he let other men from the clan rape her.
[image]
It just struck me as odd, but hey, who knows why a psycho does what he does. Overall a good read. Not as great as book 1, but I'm definitely interested in reading book 3....more
The heroine annoyed the ever loving crap out of me. The hero was a rapist, I mean come on. There's no way to sugarcoat that. Everyone called 2.5 Stars
The heroine annoyed the ever loving crap out of me. The hero was a rapist, I mean come on. There's no way to sugarcoat that. Everyone called it that, even when he would say 'I'm going to make love to you... whether you want it or not.' Uhh huh? The only part that really interested me was Bettina's pregnancy and whatever Tristan getting his revenge on Bastida....more
MAJOR SPOILERS (I'm becoming quite the spoiler these days)
So when this book started I was seriously thinking
[image]
I was expecting an arranged marMAJOR SPOILERS (I'm becoming quite the spoiler these days)
So when this book started I was seriously thinking
[image]
I was expecting an arranged marriage and then vikings attacked and ransacked Brenna's village and took her and several other women hostage. What continued for quite some pages was rape, rape, rape, and wait for it....... Rape. But of course Brenna acted so crazy and was so admired by the chieftain that no one touched her.
[image]
Now I've read plenty of books with rape, but I was just sitting there thinking, 'Is everyone supposed to live happily ever after after all this?'. Brenna is still being given to Garrick, as a slave now instead of a wife, but after his father killed or enslaved basically everyone she knew, I was wondering how she would fall in love with him.
[image]
But hey.... It's romance land. Anything can happen. So Garrick finally decides to grace everyone with his presence and boy oh boy.
[image]
Not only is he a grade A douche, but some girl has broken his heart and has him thinking every woman is a conniving gold digger. Just great. What proceeds is Brenna and Garrick's fight for dominance. It was quite tiresome at times. Even when Garrick would relent on one thing, Brenna would totally put her foot in her mouth and ruin it. There were many times I wanted to strangle her.
[image]
Then Garrick just hadddddd to use the word slave at every turn and piss her off or once again decide no woman can be trusted. Ughh.
[image]
Then they finally had sex. It was alright (even if it was over with too quickly). So I'm like, 'Let the romance beginnnn' but nope. Almost everytime after that Brenna would refuse (she couldn't willingly give herself to someone who wasn't her husband), but she secretly wanted him to 'use his force on her'. I mean, hey whatever gets your motor running. But goodness, it's ok to just say get over here and drop em. A girl's got needs too.
[image]
But eventually they kind of soften towards one another and Garrick dresses her with gifts and brings her to his father's feast. There she realizes she loves Garrick. She tells him in the heat of the moment later (of course she had refused to have sex with him this time too) and he tells her he has no love to give back. She runs back to Garrick's house and is kidnapped by 2 men from a neighboring clan (they were paid by someone unknown at this point). She's counting on Garrick to come to her rescue, but he assumes she ran away and bans people from even saying her name. She eventually escapes by 'killing' one of her captors and goes on a dangerous journey back to Garrick. Just to get back there and have everyone hear her story of what happened and say
[image]
I felt so bad for her. She went through hell and used love as her motivation to get back home and then Garrick turns his back on her, calls her a liar, and gives her to his father. You anger and disappoint me Garrick.
[image]
But something good came out of the whole episode. Garrick's father freed Brenna. Butttttt she's pregnant and once old grandpa knows this, she wasn't going home until she's had his grandkid. Garrick's been brooding on his ship while all this was going on and comes home to rescue Brenna after an assassination attempt and in labor. She wakes up in Garrick's house in time to push out the baby.
[image]
She has their son, Selig, and it appears as if Garricks doesn't see him much after the first time and I was back to hating him. But then you find out he's been sneaking to see Selig when Brenna wasn't around and was avoiding Brenna so he wouldn't upset her. He had realized he couldn't live without her.
[image]
But there's still the little issue of Garrick not believing she was kidnapped. Brenna won't reconcile unless he believes her and so is determined to sail back home. When she's all packed up to go, Garrick comes and confesses his love and vows to trust her from now on. And has a little surprise... One of her kidnappers. Of course the kidnapper acts like he doesn't even know Brenna and Garrick is disappointed until Brenna mentions a scar on the kidnapper only Garrick and the kidnapper know about. Said kidnapper hits Garrick on the head knocking him out and kidnapping Brenna...again. It's revealed that one of Garrick's servant, Yarmille, is behind everything. Brenna escapes and is reunited with Garrick to find out he left Selig with good old trusty Yarmille.
[image]
But, quite anti-climactic-y, she just left him in the woods and they found him. Now that Brenna is a freewoman and all, she and Garrick get married and cut. So not a great beginning, but it had mostly won me over by the end. The characters sometimes got on my nerves, but I was still reaching for this book every chance I got so......more
Maya Banks really knows how to write some historical romance. I loved this. I couldn't read it fast enough. Eveline and Graeme have to marry by order of the king. Well, their clans basically live to kill each other, so things weren't looking good. But I lovedddd Graeme from the very beginning because even though she was his enemy's daughter and believed to be daft, he made sure everyone knew he wouldn't stand for anyone mistreating her.
[image]
Eveline wasn't daft at all though. She was deaf, but kept up the charade to avoid marrying douchebag Ian McHugh, who had big plans to torment her as soon as they were married. She had an accident and pretended to be daft so he'd break the engagement.
[image]
Anyway, so here she was about to marry Graeme. She made it known to him that she could still carry a conversation and understood things. They got married, left for Graeme's keep, and she got a not so great HORRIBLE welcome. The sex portion was more of a slow burn because at first Graeme still thought Eveline didn't fully understand what was required of a wife and he felt he would've been taking advantage of her. But LET ME TELL YOU, as soon as Eveline told him she was just deaf but had full understanding of things, one of his first thoughts was consummating his marriage and that consummation was freaking HOT.
[image]
Meanwhile, most of the clan still hasn't warmed up to Eveline, and even go out of their way to be rude and demeaning to her. She got it in her mind to prove herself to them through hard work. They had her scrubbing the floor on her hands and knees and carrying logs of wood while they were off doing who knows what. I wanted to slap each and every one of them.
[image]
. It wasn't until Graeme got shot by an arrow and Eveline took care of him that everyone saw the light, apologized, and welcomed her. She was forgiving, but I was still thinking...
[image]
So Graeme was shot by what seemed to be a soldier from Eveline's former clan, so everyone was basically preparing for war. Eveline walks off with one of her new 'friends' and is kidnapped by none other than Ian (I was waiting for his idiot to pop up the whole time). While Graeme is searching for her, they get word that the other clan's army is approaching. Graeme finds out what happened to Eveline and goes to convince her father they need to go fight the McHughs instead.
[image]
They ride to that keep and after finding Eveline behind some secret wall, all beat up and looking like death warmed over, they rescue her, but not before Graeme puts his sword through Ian's gut. THANK YOU. They all ride back together and Eveline's family learns of her deafness. The clans agree to make a truce and be a family, and oh yea, go back and kill Ian's lying dad too. Great story and romance. Moving on to book 2....more
THIS IS SPOILER-Y AS HELL. PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!
I loved this book. It was great and had loads of action from start to finish. Ok, let me start at thTHIS IS SPOILER-Y AS HELL. PROCEED WITH CAUTION!!!
I loved this book. It was great and had loads of action from start to finish. Ok, let me start at the top. Forgetting what the hero's name was in the blurb, when I started reading and Mairin was kidnapped by Cameron, and he proceeded to BEAT THE CRAP out of her trying to make her marry him, I was sitting there like
[image]
I was asking myself if this was one of those the guy's an utter a**hole at first, but then she changes him into a human being? But then Mairin and Crispen escaped that abusive f**k and got on McCabe land. Ok crisis averted. Then we meet Ewan and boy, was he a delicious man. He had some moments of general male stupidity, but overall he was a great hero. He protected Mairin and his clan, not to mention he was a great father to Crispen. So now Mairin needs to marry Ewan for protection and he needs to marry her for her dowry and the land that comes with knocking her up. I mean, anyone is better than freaking Cameron so I was all for it. Plus good old Crispen needed a mommy. So they get married and the wedding night was HILARIOUS and awkward, but mostly hilarious. Lets just say Ewan was in a rush, being that Cameron's army was at his door demanding Mairin back and he had some bloody sheets he needed to show. So their first sex was, well...
[image]
But I found it funny because it was so realistic. Pain and discomfort and it's over. I mean most girls really don't get much out of their first time.
[image]
But rest assured, he MORE than made up for it after that. Especially since she told him she thought he was unskilled at 'loving'. He shut that thought right down... many times and it was hottttt.
[image]
They were a great couple. They worked together, they were great parents to Crispen, and the clan really welcomed Mairin. There was drama here and there with other clans, and the threat of Cameron always looming, but then it really went down. The king's men come, and everybody assumes they're coming with Mairin's dowry, but it's something veryyyyyyy different. Cameron has claimed that Ewan kidnapped and raped HIS wife Mairin amd they have to go before the king, so he can judge the matter.
[image]
Ewan kept reassuring Mairin everything would be fine and it would be over with and she would bring her pregnant self back home with him, but I was just like
[image]
Because I knew things were going to go downhill from the moment they reached that castle. And downhill they went. Cameron had more than a few tricks up his sleeve.
[image]
I mean, the level of his manipulation was shocking. I was like, 'Well damn, I guess that's checkmate.' Of course he had so and so in his pocket and Ewan and his men were arrested and Cameron took Mairin home. He agreed to spare her child's life if she backed his story of their marriage and gave him her body.
[image]
Of course, this was after backhanding her and trying to make her abort her baby with poison. He told her he would even call her a healer for the pain. What a gentleman. As disturbed as I was that Mairin was back in Cameron's hands, I was now counting on Ewan killing the hell out of Cameron when he escaped the castle dungeon.
[image]
So Ewan sneaks into Cameron's keep and finds Mairin, who hasn't been eating or drinking because she feared Cameron would change his mind and poison her anyway, and rescues her, with the help of his brothers and trusted men.
[image]
He gets her back to McCabe land and prepares to be at war with both Cameron and the crown. The traitor who helped Cameron in the first place tries to kidnap Mairin again, but she takes care of that with a well placed dagger to the gut. The king finally arrives, but it's to say he had no idea of what went on when they were at his castle and he was being poisoned by the man who was working with Cameron. And oh la la, he's having Mairin's dowry released to Ewan. All ended well, except for one little thing..... I didn't get to read about Cameron dying a bloody, ruthless, brutal death. I got to the last page and was like....
[image]
This man slapped around and kidnapped Ewan's wife and I don't get to know what happened to him??? Maybe it's in the next book or something. Idk, but that threw me for a loop. But still a great, great read....more
There was a good deal I liked about this book. Gideon was great. Even though early on he's all 'I've forgotten what love is', you can tell he cares foThere was a good deal I liked about this book. Gideon was great. Even though early on he's all 'I've forgotten what love is', you can tell he cares for Harriet a lot and will quickly grow to love her. The rumors about him are pretty messed up, but you know instantly they don't fit his character. The sex scenes, while not always as descriptive as I would have liked, were hot.
My main problem was the heroine. She constantly put herself in dangerous situations. Then she was always telling Gideon to stand down and let every offense slide. The one that really bugged me (because she tried to dissuade Gideon against it for manyyyy pages) was when Gideon wanted to duel someone and Harriet is like, 'I know this psycho trapped me and planned to rape me had I not escaped, but stop this foolishness right now and don't you dare duel him over my honor.' Now maybe I've read too many mafia romances or something but I would've been like, 'Gut him like a fish and bring home his testicles so I can make a necklace out of them and mail it to his mama.' But hey, that's just me. The whole mystery behind the fossil tooth and who the mastermind of the ring of thieves was ok. I didn't really care either way. But the person behind it was surprising, as well as some of the other things he confessed to....more
This was a disappointing read. Maybe my expectations were too high because I love me some arranged marriages. But Alec quickly and swiftly sent my expectations tumbling wayyyyy down. Now a little bit of brute in a man is sexy, but he was just an utter a**hole who had me shaking my head most of the book wondering...
[image]
When he wasn't thinking or saying this..
[image]
He was thinking or saying this...
[image]
Or sitting around with his friends saying...
[image]
And when he wasn't getting on my nerves, Jamie was.
[image]
I liked her for the most part because she was quirky and determined but she took everything way too serious and really tried my patience at times. I did not understand why she felt the need to protect people who had wronged her from Alec's wrath. She was pleading for Alec to have mercy, whereas I would've been like 'Off with his head!'.
The sex rated between hot and ok. Some scenes were a little too short, while others were great. When Alec finallllllllllly got his head out of his behind and realized he still had a heart, then things got very sweet. I mean, he confessed his love in gaelic and it was a real touching moment.
[image]
His starting to be more affectionate towards Jamie and listening to her ideas more bumped my idea of him up some, but Alec wasn't fully redeemed in my eyes by the end.
Meanwhile all this time there's been someone plotting to kill Jamie (which I often forgot about) and I definitely didn't suspect the culprit at all. No idea. Alec's close friends/ warriors were very funny and interesting characters and really made the story. Jamie's sister, Mary, on the other hand, I could've done without....more
First off, I LOVEDDDDD catching up with Vali and Brenna and seeing what was going on in their lives. The first half of the book was so-so for3.5 Stars
First off, I LOVEDDDDD catching up with Vali and Brenna and seeing what was going on in their lives. The first half of the book was so-so for me. There was a lot of rehashing events from book 1, and although I definitely saw the purpose of seeing things from Olga and Leif's eyes, I already knew the way things turned out so.... But the second half got better. Seeing Leif try to redeem himself, but also reaching a point where he felt he'd apologized enough and was ready to move on. But seeing him grovel to get Olga back didn't hurt either. Olga went through a hell of a lot. But for the most part, she kept her fighter spirit. Although they had a while where they were separated (too long), I'm glad they got the ending that they did. Decent amount of fighting and rebuilding of relationships and friendships....more
*Received from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*
I both liked and disliked this book. Weird, right? So for the likes: History was always my *Received from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*
I both liked and disliked this book. Weird, right? So for the likes: History was always my favorite subject in school, so that part really appealed to me. I couldn't tell you how historically accurate the book is, but that was my favorite aspect of the book. Trying to figure out if people were friends or foes was interesting as well. There was definitely a lot of betrayal and plotting going on. What kept me interested the most was wanting to know if Alden raised an army to get his kingdom back and if Annis would be returned to her crazy father.
My main dislike was the romance, which shocked me because.... Well, it's what I usually read a book for. Alden let everyone from the servants to this brother disrespect Annis. I can only think of 1 time I had any respect for him. And Annis, goodness girl, toughen up. Which seems really strange to say concerning her because she was the only reason Alden escaped her father's axe. But when it came to love, she whined every 5 minutes about not being worthy, knowing he would leave her and woe is me blah, blah, blah. It was exhausting. Alden and Annis' personalities changed so much, you could get whiplash trying to keep up.
As far as writing, I wished the POV's were made clear. It would change without any notice and you would be reading, still thinking it was someone else's thoughts. ...more
This book had romance, mystery, and some action. I liked it a lot. Rosemarie has to fall in love with one of 3 knights within a month... luckily for mThis book had romance, mystery, and some action. I liked it a lot. Rosemarie has to fall in love with one of 3 knights within a month... luckily for me, she fell for the guy I was routing for.. I absolutely did not want to see a love triangle develop, so I was relieved she liked one over the others pretty early on. But then someone starts trying to off the suitors and you're trying to figure out who along with the main characters. The one thing that made it drop from 5 stars for me was the indecisiveness and flip flopping of Rosemarie. She changed her opinions and mind soooooo much. All someone had to do was suggest a different outcome or answer and her whole outlook would change. There is a book 2, but this book didn't end on a cliffhanger....more
*Received from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*
This was an infuriating read. I didn't want to continue, but had to know what happened at t*Received from Netgalley, in exchange for an honest review*
This was an infuriating read. I didn't want to continue, but had to know what happened at the end of the story. I didn't want to continue because quite frankly, I got bored. There was too much detail. Things were explained too much. The traditions and religion was spoken of too often. More than needed to understand the story. But I had to keep going because I wanted to know if Caecilia fell in love with Mastarna, and vice versa. If Mastarna got over his dead wife, if Caecilia got pregnant. And so I marched on, only to reach a HUGE cliffhanger!!!. The romance was lacking in the sense that they didn't try to be together until the very end, when hope was dwindling anyway. But the fact remains that I kept coming back to it, even after I was determined not to continue, so that deserves 3 stars....more
Loading...
