Recent Books Read

Waking Up Married by Mira Lyn Kelly:

It’ a pretty hokey start: hot, rich bachelor determines a girl he meets in Vegas is his ideal mate, computer programmer girl approaches said bachelor and asks him to play along. See, she approached him to get her fellow bridesmaids off  her back. Boy convinces girl to marry him because “his plan is better” (she wants to have a baby and is planning artificial insemination. Both are anti-romance but hero still does some wooing as they get to know each other. Blah blah blah, predictable, mediocre writing. I don’t read romances for the “surprise” of oh-my-goodness-are-they-really-going-to-get-together? I do, however expect something fresh, really good dialogue, likeable characters. The author didn’t deliver; I didn’t really care about either character and honestly got frustrated with the two of them.

Rating: 2.5 stars

 

Black Lament by Christina Henry

This picks up right after the events of the last book (Warning! Spoilers for previous books in this review). Granddaddy Lucifer comforts a grieving Maddy at the beginning of the book and gives readers a shock. Since the author loves to put Maddy through the wringer, not much time passes until she’s presented with several impossible obstacles. Nathaniel is an active part of this book, along with her normal crew of Beezle, Samiel and J.B.

Azazel is just as vile as before, but thankfully, we do not encounter him very much. Throw in some more Faerie shenanigans and Agency politics and you have an action-packed book. Maddy begins down a dark path in this book and I’m not certain she will be returning to her previous way of life. That said, I’m a bit intrigued with where the author is headed with the series as some really big events occur at the end. Big. Huge. Still can’t tell which guy she will choose, but it appears it will be Nathaniel or JB (I totally called that in Book 1!  Gabriel was just very boring.).

If you like supernatural-themed books with a lot of action and smart-alleck sidekicks, you should try this series. Start at the beginning with Black Wings as you will have a difficult time with the amount of backstory involved if you just pick this one up.

Rating: 4 stars

 

Other recent books I’ve read:

Command Indecision (Lexi Graves Mysteries) by Camilla Chafer

Rating 4 stars

 

Head Rush (The Disillusionists Trilogy) by Carolyn Crane

Rating: 3 stars

 

Mr. Real: Code of Shadows Book 1 by Carolyn Crane

Rating 3 stars

Wild About You (Love at Stake) by Kerrelyn Sparks

Rating: 4 stars

Mini-Reviews part II

As I mentioned in the previous post, I’ve been reading a lot.  I thought I would split the post to be easier to read through.  So refresh that beverage of choice and settle down to read about some more books you might want to add to your to-read list.

Magic Slays by Ilona Andrews

The husband-wife writing team that is Ilona Andrews knocks one out of the ballpark again.   Magic Slays is a solid entry into the Kate Daniels Magic series.  I loved how Curran and Kate grew together even more.  There’s a new enemy in town and this group is baaaaaad.  Her best friend, Andrea, comes back to town and they join forces to solve the first case of her new magical detective agency.

Kate is just as brash, cranky and loyal as ever.  She really has grown more mature over the course of the series as she makes friends and adds more responsibilities to her life.   We learn a bit more about Kate’s family, her mother this time and it was a shocker.  This series is a must-read for any lover of urban fantasy, man or woman (not a lot of that mushy stuff and a lot of action).
Sensuality: I only remember one sex scene
Rating: 5 stars

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Lover Unleashed by J.R.Ward

The ninth book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series picks up right where Lover Mine ends, with Payne brought to the compound and V in shock he has a sister.

Jane know she can’t handle the injury on her own but knows her former co-worker, Manny, can certainly handle it.  I enjoyed this installment, although it’s generous to call it Payne and Manny’s story when V seems to have more page time.  It does however feel like there’s some completion there.  If you read BDB, you will definitely want to pick this one up.  It felt like a transition book, getting ready for a new batch of Brothers as we meet several new males so JR Ward can continue this spicy series.
Sensuality: several sex scenes
Rating: 3 stars

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Vampire Mine by Kerrelyn Sparks

Vampire Mine is grumpy Connor’s story.  Of course we always knew his grumpiness his a soft heart.  In true Love at Stake fashion, Ms. Sparks weaves a funny, heartwarming story that leaves you with a goofy smile on your face.  This time around, the girl is an angel, fallen from grace.  When I read that, I thought “hmmm how will that work?”  It ended up being a decent story, definitely worth reading, but maybe not one I’ll re-read.  Gregori’s story is next, out in September.  Looking forward to that!

Sensuality: a few sex scenes
Rating: 3 stars

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Looking Glass Trilogy Books 1 and 2 by Jayne Ann Krentz and Amanda Quick

OK, I’ll admit it, Amanda Quick is one of my guilty pleasure reads.  I’ve read most of the books she’s written as Amanda Quick and many by her other pseudonyms.  Amanda Quick is Regency and Victorian England, set in the ton or on the fringes of ton society, usually involving a murder mystery and/or involving some type of magic (Arcane Society).  The heroines are usually vocal and smart, which I enjoy quite a lot. 

Jayne Ann Krentz is set in modern day and Jayne Castle is future, but often related in some way to the others.  The Looking Glass Trilogy follows an arcane item through all three time periods (and authors).  I read Quicksilver first (book 2) and then In Too Deep (book 1) and was able to follow easily, maybe because book 2 was set before book 1.  Anyway, each book easily stands alone.  I am looking forward to reading book 3, Canyons of Night due out August 30, 2011.

In Too Deep by Jayne Ann Krentz

This is the Story of Fallon Jones and Isabella Valdez.   There seems to be a lot of backstory for Fallon and the J&J detective agency but JAK does a neat job summarizing any necessary plot points as they come up.  Fallon and Isabella make a really good team as each of their psychic abilities complement the others as do their personalities.  Fallon and the small town he lives in provide a perfect hiding place for her as she is on the run from her former boss.  They investigate several mysteries which are separate but linked in some way, making for an interesting and satisfying read. 

Sensuality: a few sex scenes
Rating: 3 stars

Quicksilver by Amanda Quick

This is the story of Virginia Dean and Owen Sweetwater.  Virginia is a genuine talent, able to read glass, or rather the images that are psychically burned into the glass at the time of a person’s death.  Needless to say, many people think she’s a fraud.  Owen Sweetwater, a psychic investigator, has closely observed her and knows she’s telling the truth about her ability and he needs her help on a case he’s working.  Adventure, romance and laughs abound in the book.  I especially giggled at references to medical treatment for female hysteria, which Virginia Dean and her friend, Charlotte have been researching.  This book is definitely worth reading if you enjoy historical romantic fiction with a touch of the paranormal.

Sensuality:  a few sex scenes
Rating: 4 stars

Review: Eat Prey Love

Book Blurb:

Wanted: Bride. Must love children. Mortals need not apply.

Carlos Panterra is looking for a mate, a woman who will love and care for the young orphans he's recently taken under his wing (or paw, as the case may be).  When the shape shifter spies the beautiful Caitlyn, it's like sunshine amidst the darkness.  At last, he's found the perfect woman, except . . .

Caitlyn Whelan is mortal.  Worse, her father is the head of a CIA agency bent on hunting the undead.  Still, Caitlyn knows that Carlos is the man for her, shape shifter or not.  So she jumps at the chance when her sister offers her a job to work with him, determined to show Carlos their attraction is more than just animal magnetism.  But danger lurks in the night, and their unleashed, untamed passion might just get them both killed . . .

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Review:

I've wanted to see him meet someone since he showed up in Ian and Toni's story and this didn't disappoint.  I was hooked at the beginning when Caitlyn sees Carlos for the first time.  The attraction was immediate and intense between Caitlyn and Carlos and leads to more than a few stolen kisses and sensual situations, although there wasn't really a lot of actual sex in the book because Carlos is seeking his mate, another panther shape shifter, and he fights the attraction he feels for Caitlyn since she is not a were-panther.

This book was filled with snappy dialogue, made me laugh, made me tear up a little and surprised me a few times along the way as well.  That said, the pacing seemed a little slow at times and dragged out just a little bit longer than I preferred.  Overall, a great beach or weekend afternoon read.

A solid entry in Kerrelyn Sparks’ Love At Stake series, this book is best read in order: How to Marry a Millionaire Vampire, Vamps and the City, Be Still My Vampire Heart, The Undead Next Door, All I Want for Christmas is a Vampire, Forbidden Nights with a Vampire and The Vampire and the Virgin.

Sensuality: some pretty sensual make out sessions, but only a few sex scenes, which are brief.

Rating: 3 stars