February Reviews
The Sins of Lord Lockwood by Meredith Duran
Historical Romance -Feb. 27th, 2018
4 stars
As the sixth book in the Rules for the Reckless series, The Sins of Lord Lockwood is an engaging new addition to an already original series that is highlighted by atypical characters. Although this book is part of a series it can easily be read by itself.
Anna is pragmatic, wealthy and young. So no one is more surprised than herself when she decides to marry for love to the handsome Lord Lockwood. But her fears are proved correct when he abandons her the night of their marriage.
Liam Devaliant has found the woman he wants to spend the rest of his life with. But before he can enjoy their life together he is abducted! Unfortunately, Anna believes he left her willingly and when he finally returns to England she is a bit angry.
Anna imagines Liam cruising the world, an indolent and careless wastrel. She can’t believe she loved him. However, Liam has plans of his own and he wants revenge against the man who wanted to steal his wealth and inheritance. To protect Anna he realizes he must keep her in the dark about the last four years of his absence. But to his dismay, he finds he can’t resist her charms or the needs of his heart.
Anna is an admirable woman who knows her own mind. When she discovers her husband has returned and not even told her she flies in a rage to confront him. But he is not the same Liam she remembers. When she informs him she intends to stay to finish business in London she soon suspects Liam is hiding something. As Liam opens up to her, their marriage starts to becomes real. However, Liam’s deep fear that Anna may come to harm with her increasing association with him cloud his thoughts and actions. He does not see how Anna could help him. Anna impressed me. She is strong and compassionate. I only wished Liam had been honest and trusted her with the truth in the beginning. Liam has suffered which made him more interesting character. He is no longer naive and carefree. I liked them as a couple and their scenes together sizzle! My only quibble is that I felt Anna was a little stronger in character than Liam.
A story of revenge, injustice and passion. Oh, yes!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Red Sister by Mark Lawrence
Fantasy -Feb 27th, 2018
4 1/2 stars
Red Sister is an enthralling new, dark, fantasy series with a courageous heroine with a unique heritage.
Nona Grey is a young girl that looks different that the rest of the inhabitants of the small village she lived in. Because of her looks she was reviled as a witch by the superstitions folk who treated her shabbily. An outcast, she has no friends until a traveling juggler comes and teaches he some of his tricks and then fills her world with death and violence. Taken from her home she is sold, then stolen by the Abbess from the Convent of Sweet Mercy.
Here Nona starts a new journey as a novice. She is taught the deadly skills that will hone her into a killing machine. Along with her other novices she finally find a real home that appears to appreciate her but Nona must be prepared to face her fears and the treachery of someone she thought she could trust.
This magical world has a depth that will keep readers wanting to know more about the world Nona lives in. As an ignorant villager when she arrives at the Abbey she is able to explore the bigger world and the dangers within it. The four different tribes of the old blood are fascinating. Each has a skill that can gives almost supernatural powers. The Convent looks for those with these abilities to put in service to the Ancestor and protect their world. A world of cunning power plays and deep intrigue that pull poor Nona and pushes her into a world that she does not fully understand. As it appears that Nona may have inherited some of the old blood which may give her special skills. Because of this, the Convent wants to keep and train her. But Nona doesn’t want to be different because in her experience, being different makes her stand out and hated. What she doesn’t realize is that she must stand out and hone her gifts if she want to succeed and save herself and her new found friends.
Nona is a plucky and sympathetic character. She is wary of others for she has always been betrayed but also seems to hunger for friends and a home. Her sometimes misplaced loyalty and self sacrifice make her noble and a bit too naive. Often Nona’s quick trust made me cringe as I knew her decisions (although well meaning) were misplaced and might bite her back. There were several times her lack of self preservation despite warnings from the other Sisters made me want her to snap her out of it and open her eyes. Nona definitely develops in the story and has to deal with some tough growing pains. I can’t wait to read more about the different tribes and how they related to the characters. Plus a wiser and tougher Nona who is coming into her own is bound to be a thrilling adventure.
Magical heritage and a young, naive heroine make for a break out new series.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
With Blood Upon the Sand by Bradley P. Beaulieu
Fantasy - Feb. 7th, 2018
4 1/2 stars
This sweeping desert saga will mesmerize readers.
Ceda is a Blade Maiden bound to protect the Kings of Sharakhai. But in actuality she works against them and their long and ruthless rule. Ceda has special powers that allow her to work with the asirim beings she fights to free that were brutally dominated by the Kings. However, young Ceda is still learning how to work with the asirim and though she works to save them and those she loves she also must fight to contain the wrath they feel for the Kings until it is time she knows they can be overthrown.
The author's lush imagination and brilliant story telling skills bring to live the vast desert landscape and people of Sharakhai. The atmospheric and desperate tone set for an exciting and moving second novel. While it is possible to start with the second book, the numerous nuances and characters would make it difficult and readers would loose much of the underlying tension and characterization. The author seamlessly show the viewpoints of the heroine, her allies and the villains revealing just enough to make you wonder what they are truly up to. The best sections of the book are when we read about Ceda's history with her mother. Her mother is a fearless woman who shaped Ceda and her death is somewhat of a mystery. This story is a bridging book which leaves the villains still plotting at the end. With this in mind, readers will not be disappointed that much is left hanging. I can’t wait to read more of this world and the intricate plots that will keep you spellbound and wishing for the next installment immediately!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Apart by C.J. Pastore
Romantic Suspense -Feb. 3rd, 2018
2 stars
Alicia Cesare is an upcoming fashion designer. She is smart and ambitious but has many insecurities. Especially when it comes to her new boyfriend, Chase Reardon. Chase is hot, confident and the alpha male. But having the handsome and enigmatic Chase as her boyfriend has pitfalls. When Alicia is targeted by someone in Chase's past, she struggles to find her independence, especially as Chase feels the need to smother and protect her from harm. Can she stand up to Chase and forge her own identity? Or will she lose his love instead?
This story tries to start out with a bang, but it's stilted writing style and extraneous details made it difficult to follow. It was almost as if the entire book was written in a strange, observational narrative. The author was trying to create a strong, confident woman. And I have to give the author kudos for the reflective insights into human nature which made the book feel more weighty. Plus more adventurous readers will enjoy the sexual scenes between Chase and Alicia which are often intense and even a little kinky! I wanted to like this book, as, the premise of a confident woman seeking her own way and finding life's meaning is inspiring. But ultimately, the book didn't come together for me.
A promising novel that needs editing.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
January Reviews
Beyond Danger by Kat Martin
Romantic Suspense- Jan 30th, 2018
4 ½ stars
Two knock out romantic characters and a deadly opponent make for a sizzling and tense read you won’t want to put down.
Cassidy Jones is young, beautiful and becoming well known as a premier private investigator. So when she is asked by the bigger than life former senator, Stewart Reese, to discover if someone wants to harm him she jumps at the chance. Disguised as his personal assistant, Cassidy is just starting her work when her client is brutally murdered! She is shocked to discover him dying while his handsome and wealthy son is leaning over him....
Beau Reese is sick of picking up after his careless and ruthless father. When he discovers his father has impregnated a young girl he is furious and wants his father to know it. But when he visits him he is shocked to find him stabbed and dying. Unresolved feelings of hurt and fury bombard him as he tries futilely to bring his father back to life. But who killed his father and why? Beau is determined to rout out the killer but finds that the assassin is only the tip of a more dangerous plot. To add to his troubles, Beau is brought in under suspicion of his father’s death and finds out that his father’s newest assistant is actually an investigator. Wildly attracted to Cassidy, Beau find he needs her skills to help him solve his father’s murder but the problem is the murder wants both of them dead!
Hot and bustling with danger this book will blow your mind. Cassidy is everything a reader could want in a heroine. Smart, emotionally stable and super strong. And she needs them to deal with the wickedly handsome and emotionally shut off Beau Reese. Beau may have a glamorous life but is the poor rich boy had parent that never really cared for him. As a rebellious juvenile delinquent he turned his life around and become successful in his own right. But he still carries the scars of a lost love and a father who essentially abandoned him for his own selfish and power hungry needs. What I loved most about this book was how deep both characters were, it is clear the author really cared about them and wanted the readers to, too! As they become closer the danger mounts to Beau and Cassidy -physically as well as emotionally. Cassidy knows she can’t compete with a dead love from Beau’s past and Beau is torn between letting himself fully love or continuing a half alive. The plot behind Stewart’s death is also complex and more than simply just greed. I liked how Kat Martin placed in her book real fears our world faces today. This book is an explosive example of why Kat Martin is a New York Times best-selling author!
If you love suspense, two smoldering main characters and a plot that is a non-stop roller coaster, then buy this book!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
No Contest by Harper St George and Tara Wyatt
Contemporary Romance- Jan. 29th, 2018
4 1/2 stars
A sexy playboy and a tough woman make for steamy chemistry in the third volume of the Guts and Glory series! This book can easily be read by itself but it make you want to read about all the hot men in the series.
Leonardo Oliveira has it all. Looks, money and serious fighting skills. But he has always felt has had to prove himself. For although he has ‘everything’ he has started to feel his life is actually a bit empty. When his reckless antics cause PR issues that may cause sponsors to leave he is assigned a special PR consultant to keep him in line.
Ashlynn Fields is young, ambitious, and beautiful. She is focused on her career and eager to prove herself. Her latest assignment, to watch over a spoiled playboy and keep him from embarrassing the World Fighting Championship. If she can prove herself, her career will skyrocket. But keeping Leonardo in line proves more difficult than she ever thought. Especially since she is wildly attracted to him and he is attracted to her! But falling for Leonardo and following her heart could ruin her career -for her contract strictly forbids any ‘personal’ contact. But temptation is is difficult to resist.
This book packs a powerful punch! The two main characters heat up the pages as Ashlynn tries to resist the smoldering Leonardo. Their chemistry will have readers wanting to see how long Ashlynn can hold out against Leonardo’s vast charms. But each character carries their own baggage which makes them more intriguing and adds a lot of delicious conflict. Leonardo’s family is dysfunctional and he has never won either of their approval. That is why winning the Championship was so important to him. But even that has not impressed his family. In fact, neither seem to care about him except to complain about his reckless lifestyle and inability to settle down and increase the family wealth. With Ashlynn, Leonardo finds a strong woman that sees him as a real person, not a rich paycheck she can use. Instead, she tries to improve his image and it makes him want to try to change. Ashlynn also has her insecurities and her past love life has been a disaster. She is attracted to Leonardo but is afraid to take a risk. Both of them face challenges and must take chances. I loved reading them discover them together and become stronger people!
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club
Heart on Fire by Amanda Bouchet
Paranormal Romance -Jan. 2nd, 2018
4 stars
As the third in the author magical Kingmaker Chronicles, the action and romance continues.
Cat and her husband Griffin want peace and prosperity with a united land. So far they have conquered two kingdoms and now there is only one left, Fisa. But to do so means Cat must get over the fear of her terrible and malicious mother, the queen of Fisa. Her mother tormented her and killed her beloved sister. Plus her mother’s power are formidable and Cat has never been able to completely best her. In addition, Cat’s pregnancy and lack of confidence seem to have affected her ability to use her powers. Cat must journey to her heart and find the courage and confidence to take on her mother but what if she can’t in time?
This book was bitter sweet. Cat and her wonderful cast of characters are a fun and engaging read. The author’s humor and imagination shine throughout the book. Cat is fiery and entertaining when she isn’t having self doubts. Griffin is the perfect hero and I loved how the author delves more into his thoughts and feelings. It was also great to read about the rest of the Beta team and their relatives. However, the book seems to have fits and starts where Cat is all powerful then almost completely impotent. Her main quest is to master her powers which have seemed to disappear. Most of the story involves Cat realizing she has a mental block that prevent her from accessing her powers. There also a couple shocking areas that do not seem to conclude. And main characters that seem to be floundering with unresolved issues. Which made me wonder if there would be a spin off or more trials for Cat and Griffin in the future. Because of this, the book while ending on triumphant note felt abrupt and unfinished and I ultimately felt left hanging for more. But overall, a welcome return to Cat’s amazing adventures just not my favorite in the series.
Fantastic world building and beloved characters make this book a hit.
Reviewed by Steph from the Bookaholics Romance Book Club