Laura Anne Gilman is an autobuy author for me, so when I discover she had a new Paranormal Romance out under the name of Anna Leonard, I snapped it up Laura Anne Gilman is an autobuy author for me, so when I discover she had a new Paranormal Romance out under the name of Anna Leonard, I snapped it up.
And I am glad I did.
I fell in love with this story. The shapeshifting unicorns felt unique, and was a welcome relief from the standard shapeshifters like Werewolves. What I liked was how believable their traits felt. Ms Leonard had included traits from horses, and used them that made total sense, and at the same time added an extra layer of tension.
. That both Maggie and Elizabeth had gifts were obvious, but I liked how different they were. Maggie's was obvious, but Elizabeth's gift was more neboulus.
The plot sucked me in, and it kept me hooked. The sexual tension between Josh and Elizabeth, the rut, the fear that the villain will catch them... All of it works together to create a tense, fast paced story set against the quaint New England country side. That the plot built up towards an confrontation with the bad guy was clear. But how it happened took me by surprise.
It was touching to see how Elizabeth cared for Maggie, and how Maggie loved her in return. Josh was a reluctant hero at first, since he had to return home. Yet, I adored him for the fact that he was there for them when they needed him the most. ...more
I discovered Kay Hooper purely by coincidence a couple of years ago, and I promptly devoured her backlist. But then, she switched publishers and movedI discovered Kay Hooper purely by coincidence a couple of years ago, and I promptly devoured her backlist. But then, she switched publishers and moved to hardcover, so I decided to wait until this book was out in mass market. And after reading it, I have a bit of mixed feelings.
It was interesting to explore Baron Hollow from Jessie's POV and see how it had changed from the last time she was home. I liked how not all of the changes were good changes.
It was interesting to follow Emma and Jessie as they tried to build a relationship. What I also liked was that it didn't happen over night. I liked Jessie's motivation for returning sense, which made sense. But... sometimes I wished Jessie wasn't so secretive. That she dared to open up, to talk to Emma. Emma had her own issues that she struggled with, both the fact that they existed, and that she wasn't sure if she should tell Jessie or not.
Nathan was an outsider, and had his own reasons for being in Baron Hollow. I liked him. He felt... grounded in away that Emma needed.
The plot was well crafted, and I really liked how the different plot threads were connected. From Jessie's poking around, to Emma's secret and Nathan's blood hound gift. All of them contained a part of the solution. The romance between Nathan and Emma was sweet, even if it wasn't without issues.
That said, I had one big problem with this book. It didn't feel like a Romantic Suspense novel. It felt more like Mystery novel, with some paranormal elements tossed in. Maybe a big reason for that was that it felt like Ms Hooper had picked several plot elements from her previous novels and reused them. And, to be frank, those previous books were much better. ...more
This is the second book in Allison Brennan’s Evil Trilogy. This series circles around the Kincaid family. In this book the hero is Connor Kincaid and This is the second book in Allison Brennan’s Evil Trilogy. This series circles around the Kincaid family. In this book the hero is Connor Kincaid and the heroine Julia Chandler. They have a past, but when Julia’s niece Emily is accused of murdering her stepfather, Julia vows to protect her. With the aid of Connor and his brother Dillon, she starts an parallel investigation. Soon, they are are starting to unravel an chilling web of murders. For me, the most chilling part was the age of the murderers. So young, and so damaged. Much of the plot was in a legal, and moral gray zone. From Julia’s parallel investigation to some of Dr Bowens action. But that gray zone is what makes the story so chilling. Without it the story would have been more predictable. As it was, I kept guessing who He was, the man mentioned by both Faye and Cami.
This book proved that money do not equal happiness. In fact, most of the characters that are rich are scarred by the past. Some of them are festering, some of them are expurged, and some of them will be healing with the right help. My heart went out Emily when she told Julia the reasons behind her behaviour. And Julia... Her pain was tangible. For the loss of her brother. For not fighting harder to gain custody.
Through a big part of the book, Connor and Julia struggles to reconcile their past actions. I liked that it took so long. Their action hurt both of them, but there were no other choice. The attraction between Julia and Connor was there from the beginning, but it took awhile before they admitted it. Which is as it should be, considering their past. What I liked was that the past between Connor and Julia actually affects the plot. Not just their relationship which each other but also when it comes to the attitude of other cops.
What I didn’t like with this book was the blurb. Emily is never charged for murder. She is *suspected* for murder, but nothing else. ...more
The particulars: Urban Fantasy, Samhain, available as e-book
The Review:
The Blurb: Carmen Mendoza's shapeshifter father abandoned her. Raised by her psyThe particulars: Urban Fantasy, Samhain, available as e-book
The Review:
The Blurb: Carmen Mendoza's shapeshifter father abandoned her. Raised by her psychic mother, Carmen ignored her paternal family's political machinations--until the day they decided to use her in their bid for power. Trapped between two worlds and snared by a vicious spell meant to wake her inner wolf, Carmen's only hope is to trust the one man strong enough to soothe her darkest instincts.
Born a pureblood wolf, Alec Jacobson lives as a rebel, the black sheep alpha who protects the supernatural residents of New Orleans from wolf politics. Too bad he can't protect himself from his need for Carmen. Staking a claim on his enemy's niece will turn his city into a battleground, unless he can find a way to stop breaking the rules--and start making them
My impressions: This book is the third book in the Southern Arcana Series. While it stands alone, I recommend that you read Crux and Crossroads first, to get all the nuances. The plot is fast paced, and hooks you from page one. Both Carmen and Alec are strong characters, prepared to fight for what they want. They fight each other, the Council, and Carmen’s family. But not necessarily in that order. Each scene are crackling with tension. Both sexual tension between Alec and Carmen, but also the tension that stems from not knowing what will drop on them next. It was fascinating to read exactly how they bend the rules. And I bit my nails during the last pages. So, I truly recommend it for anyone that are interested in a good read.
Blurb: Washington, D.C., Metro Police Detective Sergeant Sam Holland needs a big win to salvage her career—and her confidence—after a disastrous investBlurb: Washington, D.C., Metro Police Detective Sergeant Sam Holland needs a big win to salvage her career—and her confidence—after a disastrous investigation. The perfect opportunity arises when Senator John O'Connor is found brutally murdered in his bed, and Sam is assigned to the case. Matters get complicated when Sam has to team up with Nick Cappuano, O'Connor's friend and chief of staff...and the man Sam had a memorable one-night stand with years earlier. Their sexual chemistry still sizzles, and Sam has to fight to stay focused on the case. Sleeping with a material witness is another mistake she can't afford—especially when the bodies keep piling up.
My impression:
I loved this book. For a moment, it let me slip into the life of a Police. The murder case is central, but there is so much more in this book. Sam fights against her feelings for Nick. She is gutsy, and stubborn. And I love it. This book is filled with secrets. Everybody got them. And the secrets causes a lot of problems.As Sam tries to solve the case, she must face her own insecurites, and secrets. The author reveals the secrets with a deft hand, that kept me on the edge. Well done!...more
The Particulars: Crime, Llewellyn Worldwide, available both in print and e-book
Why was it in my TBR? It was offered for free for awhile, and the blurb
The Particulars: Crime, Llewellyn Worldwide, available both in print and e-book
Why was it in my TBR? It was offered for free for awhile, and the blurb piqued my intrest
The Review:
The blurb: An ex-nun takes a wobbly leap into private investigation Giulia Falcone is going straight to hell. First, because she left the convent. Second, her new job with a private investigator has her sneaking around and lying. Adjusting to life outside the habit isn't easy. Make-up, dating, and sex are all new to her. And despite a crush on her boss Frank Driscoll—a foul-mouthed, soft-hearted ex-cop—Giulia is sure he'd never fall for an ex-nun. Her first case involves drop-dead handsome Blake Parker, a man with immense wealth and an ego to match. He and his fiancée are getting disturbing "gifts" with messages based on Bible verses. When Guilia is drawn into the stalker's sights, salacious photos appear, threatening her job and her friendship with Frank. No one imagines—least of all naïve Guilia—the danger ahead, when a date with an online gamer turns into a fight for her life.
My impressions:
I loved this book. It is a multi-facetted mystery about love, and past actions. Giulia’s uncertainty and doubt about her religion were a red thread through the whole book. Her naivete was a nice contrast compared to the blase and cynic Frank. That differnece is one thing that Alice Loweecey use to raise the stakes in this novel. She use small things, needling words, glances. These things creates doubts, both in Giulia’s mind and Frank’s. Slowely, the rift widen until their relationship is so frayed that they are barely talking with each other.
I read a lot, and often it takes more than one book to hook me. Alice Loweceey have managed to create a fascinating mystery, that makes me impatiently wait for the next one. ...more
Lillie St. Claire is a Talent, one of the rare few who can permanently dispatch the spirits of the dead that walk the earth. Her skills are in dBlurb:
Lillie St. Claire is a Talent, one of the rare few who can permanently dispatch the spirits of the dead that walk the earth. Her skills are in demand in a haunted country, where a plague of ghosts is becoming a civic nuisance.
Those skills bring her into conflict with frightened citizens who view Talents as near-demons. Her husband comes to see her as a Freak; so when Nathan dies after a car crash, she is relieved to be free of his increasingly vicious presence. Lillie expects to be haunted by Nathan's ghost, but not to become Suspect #1 for her husband's murder and reanimation.
But what's most surprising of all is the growing attraction between her and psi-crime detective John Thresher. He thinks that Lillie killed Nathan—and Nathan must agree, because his zombie is seeking revenge. Now she and Thresher must work together to solve her husband's murder—before his corpse kills her...
My impressions: I spotted this book over at Carina Press webpage, and it caught my eye. But, it was summer and I never got around to buy it. Then, Kobo offered selected Carina press e-books for 0,99, and this was one of them. I snatched it up. Am I glad I bought it? Oh yes.
The opening line caught my attention. But what really reeled me in was the unique world. I love urban fantasy, but after awhile you get tired of the standard tropes. This book deals with the conflicts between humans and ghosts. That, combined with the riveting plot and the tension between the characters hooked me.
I will definitely read the next book in the series. ...more
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