Reviews

Review: Take A Gamble

4 Comments

Take A Gamble
Take A Gamble by N. Wood
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

The book is listed as out of print on GR. Considering it was just published recently a few months ago, I’m not sure why. Perhaps there’s some scandal I don’t know about but in case it’s just something random or benign, here’s what I thought about it. N. Woods is a new author to me and I choose this novella due to shorter length, new author, and a seemingly fun premise. I like the offbeat vibe of the story but I never connected to the characters or their romance. They seem nice but the problems brought up are way too easily solved and the couple doesn’t really become a couple until they have sex at the end of the story. I took a break around the halfway mark and it took me almost a week to want to finish the novella, despite the easy reading. Continue reading →

Review: The Door Into Spring

Leave a comment

The Door Into Spring
The Door Into Spring by Missy Welsh
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

These short stories, in between longer novels in a series, are fun additions but tend to be fluff for loyal fans. The Door into Spring is no difficult. It shows Wes and Mal from the original book, My Summer of Wes, but the story is too brief to offer any real additional depth or interest. It’s a glimpse into the characters’ continued happy lives but not much else. In fact writing a review will take longer than reading the short story. The quick bite did help me remember why I liked the first book and want to read any sequel that happens. Continue reading →

Review: No Man’s Land

Leave a comment

No Man's Land
No Man’s Land by G.S. Wiley
My rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

I’m a big fan of author GS Wiley. While her books may never be 5 star reads, they’re very solid 3 star stories that I really enjoy reading for the lovely romance, intriguing settings, and the smooth almost singsong quality of the prose. I always know what to expect from a Wiley story and I’ve never been disappointed yet. She’s an easy author to recommend too – solid, dependable, and familiar stories in unique settings. The characters are never over the top passionate but instead shimmer with emotion and need. It’s all under the surface and I like how the author peels back the layers. This delightful story is a good addition to her backlist. Continue reading →

Review: From the Ashes

1 Comment

From the Ashes
From the Ashes by Daisy Harris
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Daisy Harris is a new author for me and I was happy to try out her upcoming book from Samhain. Usually Samhain has good instincts and solid editing and I certainly can’t resist firefighters. I had high hopes when I opened this to read and I was happy by the time I got to the end. I enjoyed reading for the most part and although I didn’t always like the main characters, I did appreciate their complexity and ability to grow. This is a nice novel with a few roadblocks to love, but honestly very few. Instead it focuses on sweet romance and a happy ending. Continue reading →

Review: Succubus Blues

Leave a comment

Succubus Blues
Succubus Blues by Richelle Mead
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I read this on a friend’s recommendation. I like UF and I’m good with kick ass females (though they can be so stereotypical and generic that I get bored). SB has a lot to recommend it with decent amount of action, a love triangle, lots of hellish demons that you can’t help but root for and a relatively smooth writing style. I found the book very easy to listen to though I never quite connected to the characters. I definitely am not invested in the book or series but I like it enough to continue. Continue reading →

Review: Hell’s End

Leave a comment

Hell's End
Hell’s End by Ally Blue
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Hell’s End is a roller coaster and one that I can only imagine is the start of a series. The majority of loose ends, plot wise, are wrapped up but there feels like so much more story left to tell that I’d be surprised if it’s a one-off. In any case the writing is fresh, the science fiction brutal and gritty, and the characters intriguing. I liked reading this quite a bit, but at the same time I never forget the story’s limitations. I never fully bought into the main couple, they’re well matched but instead of being invested in their romance I was often distracted by supporting cast members. I liked the two main protagonists on their own and even together during action scenes but their true love felt more forced than natural to me. Continue reading →

Review: Pink Fizz

Leave a comment

Pink Fizz
Pink Fizz by Thom Lane
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Thom Lane’s writing is always a breath of fresh air for me. It’s light, easy, and romantic. There’s an effortless feeling to the prose and narration, one that can either sweep you away or leave you wanting more. I tend to sit back and enjoy the journey without critiquing too much as the imagery and crisp emotions flow from the characters. In this third installment of the French Wine series, I liked the main couple and as always adored the Romaines. The trust problems presented are a bit melodramatic and overwrought, an excuse to prolong the story more than anything. However, I didn’t mind this, as I like revisiting Lane’s contemporary stories a lot. They’re a palate cleanser and the perfect thing for a nice spring night. Continue reading →

Review: A Beautiful Disaster

Leave a comment

A Beautiful Disaster
A Beautiful Disaster by Willa Okati
My rating: 2 of 5 stars

I always think of Willa Okati books as easy reading, sort of romance light. The writing is ethereal and tends to lack a real connection with the drama presented. I knew this going in so I wasn’t disappointed with the book. However, I didn’t always particularly like it. The concept is good but like other books by this author, any attempt to add depth is superficial at best. This reads like magical sex cures deep-seated emotional and physical trauma. Sean is entirely different by the end with the love of a good man and some hot sex. That’s a nice thought and the problem isn’t that it’s unrealistic, this is romance after all, but that the story does very little to sell the change to the reader. There’s nothing that makes you want to believe in the transformative powers of sex. Continue reading →

Review: Overture: Shadow from the Past

2 Comments

Overture: Shadow from the Past
Overture: Shadow from the Past by S.L. Armstrong
My rating: Unrated

I’ve come to the conclusion this series just isn’t for me. I never really connected to it and though I’m curious about what happens, I don’t actually want to read about these characters anymore. This installment fits very well with the series and it’s definitely well written. I just struggle to engage with the characters, as I dislike them all. This part turns up the heat on the relationship between Gabriel and Dorian and they go off in an entirely new and erotic direction. It remains to be seen how they will eventually fit together and what role Michael the ghost will play but the story is setting up all the elements. Continue reading →

Review: Heir of Starlight

2 Comments

Heir of Starlight
Heir of Starlight by Nicole Kimberling
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I honestly can’t think of a better treat than a Nicole Kimberling sci-fi book. I was of two minds to read this because it’s a sequel to a book that was published four years ago so although I read that book I can’t remember a single detail about it sadly. While I was really excited to delve into this, I worried that I’d be lost since I couldn’t remember anything from the previous book. Thankfully I don’t think you need to since the story flows easily enough without encountering any big gaps. No doubt reading and remembering the previous book will enhance enjoyment and understanding of this one, I think anyone new to the series can read it just fine. I certainly enjoyed it immensely despite my lack of remembered knowledge. Continue reading →