paranormal

Review – Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

by

DARK LOVER was a good, solid read. I loved the relationship between Beth and Wrath and enjoyed the banter and camaraderie among the brothers. The world-building was strong and inventive. I thought the internal monologs inside the characters’ heads were really funny at times.

What dropped DARK LOVER to a 4 star read for me are personal reasons. I had a hard time connecting with Butch at first. As a once upon a time cop who still works for the department, his disregard for police protocol really bothered me, regardless of the tragedies in his life. I know that makes no sense, right? Here’s a book about vampires and I’m totally accepting of that premise, but a bad cop bothers me! Go figure. However, I did warm up to Butch once he met up with the brothers. (Actually, I really enjoyed how he fit in with the brothers).

I also had a hard time with the way Wrath treated Marissa for all those years, but maybe there’s hope for her yet?

DARK LOVER is a high-quality paranormal romance and I’m glad I had the opportunity to read it. I will read more from this author.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit J.R.)

Dark Lover – J.R. Ward

Review – Shadowfever (Fever #5) by Karen Marie Moning

by

The first word that comes to mind about this series and SHADOWFEVER is, WOW! What a fantastic story! Usually, I get bored with a series as long as this one, I mean five books is a huge undertaking to the keep characters and storyline interesting. These books, however, were just the opposite—the more I read, the more I couldn’t stop. This series became my addiction, one book blurring into the next until I didn’t even know what book I was reading. To have a series consume me in such a way is incredible, and a little embarrassing to admit.

Although I loved the ending, I’m now at a loss because I’ll miss Mac and Barrons so much—too much. Very well done, Ms. Moning. Thank you.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Karen).

Shadowfever – Karen Marie Moning

Review – Dreamfever (Fever #4) by Karen Marie Moning

by

DREAMFEVER is one of those books where the ending would’ve caused me A LOT of heartache if I had to wait for SHADOWFEVER, the next in the series. I do not like cliffhangers and Ms. Moning is a master at leaving me in emotional chaos with her endings. Luckily, however, I didn’t have to wait for SHADOWFEVER.

Even with the cliffy ending, DREAMFEVER, the fourth in the FEVER series doesn’t disappoint. Mac has become one helluva heroine. I have truly enjoyed her transformation from the young, naïve girl into the woman she’s become. But her journey hasn’t been easy, far from it. She’s had to endure and learn to see the best in horrible situations. As for Barrons, well, what can I say? I still don’t know what he is and he can be downright mean at times, but he’s always been there to save Mac. Always. I love the moments when Mac makes him laugh or he shows some true emotion. Barrons can protect my back any day!

DREAMFEVER is a great book, but make sure to have SHADOWFEVER on hand before you finish this one…trust me, you’ll want it.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Karen)

Dreamfever – Karen Marie Moning

Review – Faefever (Fever #3) by Karen Marie Moning

by

What just happened? Really? What. Just. Happened? Nothing is easy in this series. Nothing is as it seems. Mac, our heroine, has undergone so much, so much pain, so much heartache, so much inner struggle. Ms. Moning doesn’t make excuses and doesn’t sugarcoat scenes. I, like Mac, don’t know who to trust and that is disheartening. I wish Ms. Moning made it easier, yet I don’t. I wish Barrons was the hero he can be and hope he will become. One thing is certain, the complexity of the incredible world Ms. Moning has created will keep me reading incessantly until the very last page of the series.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Karen)

Faefever – Karen Marie Moning

Review – Bloodfever (Fever #2) by Karen Marie Moning

by

Although this book drove me crazy with unanswered questions, this series just gets better and better! The world Ms. Moning has created is unique and incredibly detailed. I love Mac. She’s really changing into a true, admirable heroine. And Barrons? Well, he’s an enigma. Barrons is—sexy, mysterious, powerful—all hero, dark and dangerous. I want to know where he comes from and exactly what he is! I have so many questions and don’t know who to trust. I guess about the only thing I do know is that these characters and Ms. Moning’s world have wormed their way into my mind and I can’t stop thinking about them and wondering what will happen next.

What a fantastic series!

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on image to vist Karen)

Bloodfever – Karen Marie Moning

Review – Dark Legend by Christine Feehan

by

I’ve read some of Ms. Feehan’s earlier books in this Dark Carpathian series. I enjoyed them then and DARK LEGEND proved no different. DARK LEGEND is a great continuation in the Carpathian novels. Ms. Feehan’s writing style is sweeping and lyrical, and left no doubt in my mind about the characters’ feelings toward each other. Francesca is a strong, independent woman who has forged her own way in life. I admired her achievements and her compassion. ­­­Gabriel is the strong, egotistical Carpathian male who, ironically, seemed a bit more in touch with his emotional self than I remember from the previous books. Although both characters were well written and I enjoyed them a lot, what truly excited me was, Lucian, the “evil” twin brother. Parts of the book even seemed more like a build-up for the next book, DARK PROTECTOR, which is about Lucian. Of course, DARK PROTECTOR is now on my to-be-read list.

DARK LEGEND is another exciting read by an author who provides a reliable satiation to my reading addiction.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on image to visit Christine)

Dark Legend – Christine Feehan

Review – Fated by Rebecca Zanetti

by

Fantastic Start to a Series!

For those who’ve been fans of the Dark Protectors series since the beginning, you’re probably wondering where the hell I’ve been. Well, all I can say in my defense is that I was a little slow. Actually, after starting a string of books that I couldn’t finish, I was growing dismayed in my inability to find something to sink my teeth into (pardon the pun). But thankfully, Ms. Zanetti restored my faith in great storytelling.

FATED by Rebecca Zanetti is a wonderful start to the Dark Protectors series. I love Ms. Zanetti’s writing style…absolutely love it! Her dialogue is sharp and witty while the storyline is a fantastic twist on the vampire theme. The heroine, Cara, is everything I look for in a lead character—strong, smart, passionate, funny—but not perfect. Talen is amazing, possessing all the attributes of a larger than life hero. He’s one HOT male!

For paranormal readers who like a good vampire story, I truly believe you’ll enjoy Dark Protectors. And for those fans who’ve already read SHADOWED (the 8th book in the series) and are now waiting in the bleachers with bated breath for the next one, well, scoot over. Although I still have 6 books to read, I’ll be sitting beside ya soon.

Focused. Strong. True.

(click image to visit Rebecca)

Fated – Rebecca Zanetti

Review – Claimed by Rebecca Zanetti

by

Since I’m starting to sound like a broken record concerning Rebecca Zanetti’s Dark Protectors series, I’ll most likely make this my last review and just rate the rest as I read them. CLAIMED is my favorite in the series so far. I loved Emma, and Dage is a hero to die for. Ms. Zanetti’s witty dialogue and sense of humor between the characters makes the book a fun, exciting read.

What I truly admire about Ms. Zanetti’s style is that she introduces secondary characters gradually, but integrates them in such a way that by the next book, I’m eager to read more about these well fleshed out personalities. That’s talent, and what a great way to hook the reader on the next book…like me!

CLAIMED, just another great book by a great author.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on image to visit Rebecca)

Claimed – Rebecca Zanetti

Review – Tempted by Rebecca Zanetti

by

It’s been a long time since I sat down and read a book in one sitting…a long time. And I fell into TEMPTED by accident. I’d signed up for a giveaway of Ms. Zanetti’s latest release, SHADOWED over at Tome Tender Book Blog (http://tometender.blogspot.com/), although I didn’t win, the book sounded interesting. Then while scanning through my Kindle looking for the next read, I saw that I had TEMPTED. What a great discovery TEMPTED and Ms. Zanetti turned out to be. TEMPTED is a wonderful take on the whole vampire genre. I like Ms. Zanetti’s entire concept about mates and extra chromosomes. Her writing style is sharp, sassy, and super sexy. I absolutely loved the hero, Max, and heroine, Sarah. Her secondary characters also were a joy and fleshed out extremely well.

Ms. Zanetti’s technique drew me in and the real world disappeared as I stayed up into the wee hours finishing TEMPTED. I’m not sure if I should thank Ms. Zanetti or chastise her for my lack of sleep.

If I have one complaint it’s that the ending seemed rushed. I wanted more! But I guess that’s what good writing is all about, leaving the reader wanting more and that’s what Ms. Zanetti did, left me wanting. Looks like TEMPTED is the third book in the Dark Protectors series, so I’ll have to start at the beginning, but TEMPTED worked as a standalone. And now that I’ve hopped onto the Dark Protectors series bandwagon, I’m sure I won’t regret the ride. A well deserved 5 stars!

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Rebecca)

Tempted – Rebecca Zanetti

Review – Torn (Beneath the Shadows of Evil #2) by Jolynn Raymond

by

TORN begins exactly where TAKEN left off as tormented Mikhal attempts to prove himself as a man who loves Alliana and can control his beast. Since I’d read TAKEN (the first in the series), I was prepared for Ms. Raymond’s many POV changes. The typos, formatting issues, misspellings, incorrect word choices (quite when it should be quiet) etc., were still present and in full force.

However, a curious thing happened. Since Ms. Raymond writes in multiple POVs, I found myself very interested in two secondary characters, Natalya and Lucian. The growing sexual tension between them not only held my interest, but I looked forward to reading about them almost more than Alliana and Mikhal. Most authors would’ve kept Natalya’s and Lucian’s story for another series, but not Ms. Raymond. I almost feel guilty because it’s like I’m getting two books for the price of one.

Extensive introspection throughout the book occurs just like in TAKEN and several scenes could have been shortened to increase the pacing and action. To compensate, I skimmed through some passages. But for all the hiccups, I remained interested in the storylines. Editing can be learned, but the ability to write an intriguing book that holds a reader’s attention requires a great imagination and an innate ability not everyone can master. Although I so wish Ms. Raymond would find a proper copy editor, I’m anxious to read TREASURED to learn how Alliana and Mikhal fare as parents while Natalya and Lucian struggle to deny growing (and inappropriate) feelings toward one another.

Please remember, you must be willing to overlook the editing issues and multiple POV changes. If you cannot then I’m not sure if you’ll enjoy the book. But if you can, the day might pass you by as you lose yourself within the storylines of these intriguing characters.

Focused. Strong. True.

(Click on the image to visit Jolynn)

Torn – Jolynn Raymond