TBR Challenge: Lena Matthews - I Never

Thanks to his friend's thirtieth birthday, Tripp Kowlaski is forced to face the two people he's been avoiding for the last year — Skylar Daveigh and Gideon Foley. At one time the three of them had been part of a close-knit group of friends, but that all changed thanks to one game of I Never.
Some things can't be forgiven or forgotten. Unfortunately for Tripp, Gideon isn't in the mood to do either. He and Skylar are happy now together. The last thing either of them needs is to be reminded of what they can't have.
Skylar is conflicted. She's in love with two men who can't move past their anger or fear to admit their love for one another. All she wants is the three of them to be happy, together, but some wishes aren't meant to come true. The birthday surprise is on them though, because they're receiving a gift none of them will ever forget. The only question is, will they make the same mistake the second time around?

Comment: Here we are again, at another book for the TBR challenge. This month, the theme is luscious love scenes, which means - for most people - erotic stories where it is the focus. 
I picked a book I've had since 2009 or 2010 which I got during my times of discovery of MM romances and how I've read several MMF to see if I would enjoy MM on its own. Like many readers out there, nowadays I kind of prefer MM instead of MMF which I tend to find mostly boring and uninteresting because I like the MM parts better.
This story was no exception, in particular because it was on the short side and didn't allow much development the way I think it could use, but well...

Anyway, this story is the second of a trilogy of shorter stories the author has written for Ellora's Cave. The trilogy is set on the idea of naughty games, those games teenagers play but this time a group of seven friends played it with consequences for them all. 
In this story's case, Tripp, Gideon and Skylar, who were best friends, took their friendship further with a game of I never, which proved to them all how attracted they all were with each other, but Tripp wasn't in the best place emotionally and he left the other two. Now, two years after, they are told by another friend to try to mend their problems and to see if what they still have between them is worth it all.

Despite being part of a trilogy, all stories apparently take place at the same time and one doesn't have to read the others to understand everything.
I thought this story would focus on the erotic part of their relationship, which I imagined would be developed with some structure. I think the fact this is short, I'd say it is a short story, didn't leave much room for progress. There are sex scenes and we have scenes from two years ago, when things went bad. I understand this was a device the author used to show the reader why these three have things to deal with, but obviously it took some time from the current working out of things. And I don't think that knowing how sexually tuned with each other was that necessary to understand their issues, because after all they were always supposed to be good together.

So, there's a short story and a good part of it is showing a sex scene from the past before things went wrong. The major issue here happened between Gideon and Tripp because Tripp wasn't ready to tell himself he had important feelings for Gideon, the same he had for Skylar. They had sex and Tripp got scared and he said things that hurt Gideon. A this point it became rather obvious the main problem was between the boys, and I have to say, the conflict wasn't that badly done, their issues had some merit.
The biggest thing for them to solve then, was how Tripp would accept their relationship and how Gideon would forgive Tripp. Eventually everything worked out well, although I still had the feeling it was all too fast.

In fact, I had some trouble believing things could be dealt that fast even more when Gideon and Tripp had serious things to talk about. I really think a bigger story where we could see the nowadays time going slower and where they could talk better would suit them. In a way, this story was about the two guys and how what they would do would affect the trio.
So, where was Skylar in all this, she had a good relationship with both guys, even if Tripp hurt her too, but she was quicker to forgive, like her presence was there to just balance the guys. There were times where I even thought she was redundant, just to allow a different erotic level, but honestly her presence wasn't such a big win for me. If this is the story itself or my better opinion of just MM romances, I can't really say for sure.

Then the sex, this is labeled erotic, it has sex scenes, it has menages and sexual situations usually addressed in erotic stories. Still, I can't say the sex parts were that important. I think if we removed them the story would still be there, with its interesting points and lac of solid development because of how short it was and because it doesn't have the feel of a well developed story. At least to me. Perhaps I picked an unsuitable story, but the truth is, the sexual content wasn't that impressive, at least for the type of story it was supposed to be in. I still think the best scenes were between Gideon and Tripp...

In the end, not only was the story short, it didn't convince me in terms of structure, it wasn't that sexy or sensual and it was more focused on the guys than the menage itself. After all the things I found fault with, the good aspects weren't enough to me.
I don't plan on reading more by this author. She can be talented, but based on this story alone, I wasn't convinced.
Grade: 4/10

Sandra Schwab - Castle of the Wolf

Celia Fussell's father is dead, and she is reduced to the status of a poor relation in the house of her brother, the new baron, and his shrewish wife. A life of misery looms ahead.
But, no. There is hope. Deep in the Black Forest, in the Great Duchy of Baden, stands Celia's inheritance. Among fir trees so dark they almost look black, The Castle of Wolfenbach rises. It is a fortress of solitude, of secrets, of old wounds and older mysteries. But it is hers. And only one thing stands in her way: its former master, the hermit, the enigma . . . the man she is obliged to marry.

Comment: Although the first book I've read by the author wasn't exactly what I imagined, I still wanted to read more by her and got this book as well. I liked the blurb and the possibility it might be entertaining. And I wasn't wrong.

This story presents us Celia Fussell, a young woman who leaves her home in England to travel to a castle her late father bought in Germany in order to avoid living with her brother and annoying sister -in-law. She is supposed to marry the previous owners son if he's still unmarried to gain full ownership of the castle, otherwise in 4 months it will go to another owner.
In Germany, Celia finds everything she didn't expect, and most of all, a surly future husband who wants nothing to do with life and light and happiness...but with time, will Celia prove him wrong?

First of all, I was quite happy with the fact this historical takes place in Germany. Usually most historical books are set in England (writer's preference probably) so it was quite refreshing to read about descriptions of German landscapes and culture, even if only to create atmosphere. I was still quite entertained by it.

Well, this book was very good, in my opinion. I still think there were times when it was a bit obvious how certain things had to go on the way they did to make the story work, like how the villains were depicted and their motivations and how the romance had to take some time to develop and be believable. I think the need to follow certain "rules" in romance development were just a bit too out there to make it something subtle enough not to be noticed, but apart from that, I managed to enjoy reading the story and knowing the characters quite well.

I really loved the tone of the book, especially in the first half of the story, because I found it so funny and full of wonderful scenes, like when Fenris, Celia's intended husband, wanted to get rid of Celia and her older friend who is with her for a while to support her, and how epically he fails when Celia's friend proves to be an unexpected woman and kills rats on her own! I really laughed at those funny scenes. And there's more, cute scenes where we see Celia's inner confidence and how she isn't just a scared young woman, she has a heart of gold and she isn't pushed away easily.

The romance is quite good because not only they fall in love and we see it in small things all the time, but they grew up to be both more confident and to accept love for who they are. I liked how balanced they were in that aspect.
Celia was afraid of being alone until she was old but she found out that Fenris was honorable and worthy of love and perfect for her.
Fenris has had a terrible experience and he lost a leg during the war against Napoleon so he's afraid of rejection and has to deal with the experience of seeing people disgusted by his looks. It takes him time and lots of reluctance to accept Celia's love but int he end their relationship becomes true and it's the best lesson to learn, everyone can be worthy of love and there's a special person for everyone.

I liked how the villains' were dealt with. It's still complicated to really judge or to understand easily how that happened like that, but who knows what's inside the people around us, and it was good to see how Celia wasn't easily distracted and got her intelligence to work and realized what was in front of her wasn't as perfect as that and how Fenris wasn't the terrible person everyone said he was.

In the end, this book reads like one of those gothic novels, but in a much lighter tone and development. I think the sensitive issues were dealt with a lighter dose than what I thought it might, but it worked so I can't really complain, although a bit more character development might have helped with that.
Still, a good story and I intend to read more by the author in the future.
Grade: 8/10

Beatriz Williams - Overseas

A passionate, sweeping novel of a love that transcends time.
When twenty-something Wall Street analyst Kate Wilson attracts the notice of the legendary Julian Laurence at a business meeting, no one's more surprised than she is. Julian's relentless energy and his extraordinary intellect electrify her, but she's baffled by his sudden interest. Why would this handsome British billionaire--Manhattan's most eligible bachelor--pursue a pretty but bookish young banker who hasn't had a boyfriend since college?
The answer is beyond imagining . . . at least at first. Kate and Julian's story may have begun not in the moneyed world of twenty-first-century Manhattan but in France during World War I, when a mysterious American woman emerged from the shadows of the Western Front to save the life of Captain Julian Laurence Ashford, a celebrated war poet and infantry officer.
Now, in modern-day New York, Kate and Julian must protect themselves from the secrets of the past, and trust in a true love that transcends time and space.

Comment: I got my eyes on this book don't remember exactly when but it was after seeing it was one of the most talked about books in GR from 2012. I got curious about the blurb and decided to read it. I also don't remember when I got the book, probably by the end of last year...anyway, this month it was up to be read.

This story follows Kate Wilson's POV throughout the book, and how her life changes after she meets British legend of business Julian Laurence in a conference on Wall Street where she works. From that moment, Kate's life takes a turn she never imagined and it gets weirder the more she falls in love with Julian and how their fates are connected in a much more serious and deep way she never thought possible.

I liked this book. I think it had many good scenes and moments within the story line and despite the could-be-better things, it was overall, a good and positive work, considering it was the author's debut.
The story is divided into two time lines, the present, where most of the action takes place, and the past, 1916 where see small scenes at a time of what happens to the main characters during that time. This is a time travel story, so expect time travel things, although I must say this isn't the focus of the story, at least not in a way we might think would take over the story.

In the past we see Kate trying to save Julian's life and how she attempts to convince him - and how she does it - in order to save him from what will happen in the future.
In the present time, where most part of the action happens, we see their relationship develop, step by step, mystery after mystery, until they reach the point where the past actions make sense.

I liked the present time story line a lot, especially int he beginning. I was very curious and interested in seeing them fall in love and there was a time where we could almost feel what it was like for them to be at the point before they admitted their feelings were changing and getting stronger. I think that was the most successful part of the book, because after everything comes up in the open between them and who they really are, at least who Julian really is, I think the story started to drag a bit and even more, it started to sound a bit more unbalanced, which I think is due to the lack of polish, I think the author could have refined better certain passages and scenes because I really felt the tone and the consistency of what I was loving about it going down a bit.

There's a resolution to all this and this aspect of the story could have been also better presented. I felt it a bit rushed at the end, although I understand the way the author thought about things. There are many things to wonder about until the end, but surprises and finales apart, I think it could have been done better, in particular the hows of the whole thing.

The romance between Julian and Kate started really amazing, even despite the aspects other readers didn't like about it (the so called stalker scenes and the bossy moments). Personally, I liked it and thought it was developing greatly, but it all got confused and rushed at the end, which was a pity.
Julian is the most intriguing character and the parts of him that are doubtful and a bit inconsistent between time lines have an explanation I think wasn't that bad for the story, after all, people change and adapt to what surrounds them, right?
Kate is likable heroine although I think she exaggerated her reactions times enough to make it memorable, thus making her less attractive in general, something she didn't need, but whatever.

In the end, this is a very interesting romance, many wonderful possibilities and good scenes, but some things weren't done well enough to make it perfect. Still, I enjoyed it and hopefully will read more by this author in the future.
Grade: 7/10

Kelley Armstrong - Stolen

It was in Bitten, Kelley Armstrong's debut novel, that thirty-year-old Elena Michaels came to terms with her feral appetites and claimed the proud identity of a beautiful, successful woman and the only living female werewolf.
In Stolen, on a mission for her own elite pack, she is lured into the net of ruthless Internet billionaire Tyrone Winsloe, who has funded a bogus scientific investigation of the "other races" and their supernatural powers. Kidnapped and studied in his underground lab deep in the Maine woods, these paranormals - witches, vampires, shamans, werewolves - are then released and hunted to the death in a real-world video game. But when Winsloe captures Elena, he finally meets his match.

Comment: I got this story not long after having read the first book, Bitten. At the time I wasn't impressed with the story due mostly to the main female character's behavior. But that wasn't the only thing leaving me unhappy with it, although my main focus was Elena herself. However, some readers who enjoyed the story a lot convinced me Elena changed in book #2 and I should read, and the series was good, and so on. Now more than two years later I finally read the second story to ease up my conscience and to get it over with. As for my opinion, it wasn't different from what I expected.

This installment follows Elena and Clay and Jeremy to a meeting with other supernatural beings, after some abductions. Throughout the book, we see how an organization ruled by humans but where some supernaturals participate, abducts and wants to study the abilities of the supernatural beings they imprisoned. But some people have second intentions and when things go wrong is up to Elena, abducted and forced to act according to her captors' wishes, to help and to solve things. Nothing ends up easy and there are some loose points - probably to future books - but in the end, Elena and Clay save the day after Elena's escape from the prison she was in.

Well, I do have to say I liked Elena a bit more here than I did in the first book. But I don't think it was enough to captivate me into reading more.
I think my biggest problem with this world is I simply don't care for it. The characters, the way things were build, it doesn't appeal to me in such a way I can't help reading more. In fact, it's the opposite, I don't mind not reading anymore. 

Like it says in the blurb, the main action in this story is Elena's experience in the hidden lab and how that influences her actions there. In a way, the story seemed interesting, not because I liked it but because it offered an opportunity to see how the author would deal with the existence of supernatural beings living together int he same environment, but despite some interesting notions here and there, I wasn't impressed.

So, the story wasn't as amazing as I thought. The characters were done in quite a precise way, though. I think it was well done how different everyone was and more important, how each person had a certain role to play. Nevertheless, it's obvious this is a development in progress series, so we don't have all the layers about every character, there's still an air of mystery in everyone. This is great for those who will read further along, but I wanted a bit more closure, which didn't happen. No problem, things are like this and that's it. I don't feel bad about not knowing what will happen to the guys.

As for Elena, she seemed more approachable and wise in this story, but her relationship with Clay still bothers me for its intensity and apparent unbalance - at least to me - but I will be honest, I wasn't that invested in them to actually care.
The progress or development in their characters and in their relationship wasn't impressive enough for me to change my mind about them or what they made me think since book #1...

I can understand why so many readers love this series, it's shaping up to be intense and full of turnabouts and discoveries..but for me, there isn't any special detail, any amazing characteristic that seduces me to want more.
For me this was it. This book has its moments, some scenes were quite impressive, but overall, it's barely enjoyable.
Grade: 5/10

Joanna Chambers - Enlightenment series

Book 1:

Lowborn David Lauriston lacks the family connections needed to rise in Edinburgh’s privileged legal world. Worse, his latest case—defending weavers accused of treason—has brought him under suspicion of harbouring radical sympathies.

Troubled by his sexuality, tormented by memories of a man he once platonically loved, David lives a largely celibate life—until a rare sexual encounter with a compelling stranger turns his world on its head.
Cynical and worldly, Lord Murdo Balfour is more at home in hedonistic London than dingy, repressed Edinburgh. Unlike David, he intends to eventually marry while continuing to enjoy the company of men whenever he pleases. Yet sex with David is different. It’s personal, intimate, and instead of extinguishing his desire, it only leaves him hungry for more.
As David’s search for the man who betrayed the weavers deepens, he begins to suspect that his mysterious lover has more sinister reasons for his presence in Edinburgh. The truth could leave his heart broken…and more necks stretching on the gallows.

Book 2:
David Lauriston couldn’t be less interested in King George IV’s first visit to Edinburgh. But with Faculty of Advocates members required to put on a minimal show of patriotism, David makes an appointment with his tailor for a new set of clothes—only to run into a man he hasn’t seen for two long years.
Lord Murdo Balfour.
Much has changed since their bitter parting, except their stormy attraction. And when Murdo suggests they enjoy each other’s company during his stay, David finds himself agreeing. After all, it’s only a temporary tryst.
Amidst the pomp and ceremony of the King’s visit, Murdo’s seduction is more powerful than David ever imagined possible. But when other figures from David’s past show up, he is drawn into a chain of events beyond his control. Where his determination to help a friend will break his body, threaten his career, and put at risk the fragile tenderness he’s found in Murdo’s arms.

Book 3:

Five months ago, David Lauriston was badly hurt helping his friend Elizabeth escape her violent husband. Since then, David has been living with his lover, Lord Murdo Balfour, while he recuperates.

Despite the pain of his injuries, David’s time with Murdo has been the happiest of his life. The only things that trouble him are Murdo’s occasional bouts of preoccupation, and the fact that one day soon, David will have to return to his legal practice in Edinburgh.
That day comes too soon when David’s friend and mentor takes to his deathbed, and David finds himself agreeing to take on a private mission in London. Murdo is at his side in the journey, but a shocking revelation by Murdo’s ruthless father leaves David questioning everything they’ve shared.
As tensions mount and the stakes grow higher, David and Murdo are forced to ask themselves how far they’re prepared to go—and how much they’re prepared to give up— to stay together. And whether there’s any chance of lasting happiness for men like them.


Comment: I've had the first book of this trilogy to read for a while now and this month decided I had to read it. I was so glad I started it because it was an amazing read. I am familiar with the author's writing style but I wasn't prepared to love the first book as much. I would grade it an 8 in my personal scale mostly because the end is a bit of a HFN and doesn't leave things solved between the main characters. The story is rich and well developed and to my wonderful surprise, not focused on how many sex scenes there could be and was more concerned about their relationship. All these things we could see through little scenes and conversations throughout the book. There's sexual tension and chemistry which I think was really well done.

There's a main plot which is the base of each installment. In the first book David defends some radicals who want more rights to everyone and we see how devoted and honest and professional he is. 
In the second book David tries to help an old friend from an awful marriage and in the third story David and Murdo face the consequences of being together. But calm down, everything is don in such a beautiful and structured way, one can't help but accept and understand why everything happens that way.

The two characters, David and Murdo meet by chance in the first book, bt each one leaves a mark on the other and when they meet again, it's impossible to hide the feelings that have started to develop between them As there's time passing between each story, we also have the idea nothing happes in a rushed way and is actually more than awaited and hoped for.
David is an idealist and doesn't compromise his beliefs and honesty for anything, even the possibility of loneliness and love. Murdo is the opposite, he's cynical and knows he's superior, but the wonderul thing about this trilogy is this is a romance, so we see the two guys change a bit who they think they should be in order to follow love. David remains the same but he finally accepts he can still be happy even if everyhing around him tells him he shouldn't. And Murdo embraces David and love and the idea that nothing else matters if you have that special person to be with you.

I really loved the romance, all the aspects of it, loved the pace of the story, which allowed me to dream with them and to follow their small steps towards love, it's really beautiful and amazingly romantic!!
Of course nothing happens fro free and to achieve the HEA we hope for during the books, there's some sacrifice to be done which made me cry a tear but honestly, it' nothing dangerous or definitive and it's just the way things were at the time. I was quite happy with the way the story ended in book 3.

I can't praise these books enough. This isn't a perfect 10 only because in the first book things were a still doubtful and the way it ended seemed a bit cold...but I couldn't wait to see what happened and jumped to the others one after the other. This trilogy is really one of the best things I've read this year and I hope anyone who likes the genre would give it a chance to see if this devotion I'm feeling for the characters and their story is contagious! I loved this and after finishing the three books I thought about it for a long time...this is so wonderful and beautiful and deeply romantic I can't even make an informative or polished comment, it's all about how much this is amazing and how much I loved it and you all should read if you want!

I loved this, I can't say it enough. So many wonderful scenes in the stories, wonderful moments caught in a page, it's a wonderful romance, really beautiful. 
My favorite scene? In a carriage, Murdo and David are sitting together and Murdo is nursing David's leg after an accident that left him hurt. Murdo is rubbing David's leg and David tells him his leg is ugly...after a moment, Murdo replies: "There's nothing about you that is ugly"...arghhhh oh my God, come on, go read these books!!!!
It's so great when you find something that just melts and energizes you at the same time!
Grade: 9/10

Ilona Andrews - Magic Breaks

As the mate of the Beast Lord, Curran, former mercenary Kate Daniels has more responsibilities than it seems possible to juggle. Not only is she still struggling to keep her investigative business afloat, she must now deal with the affairs of the pack, including preparing her people for attack from Roland, a cruel ancient being with god-like powers. Since Kate’s connection to Roland has come out into the open, no one is safe—especially those closest to Kate.
As Roland’s long shadow looms ever nearer, Kate is called to attend the Conclave, a gathering of the leaders from the various supernatural factions in Atlanta. When one of the Masters of the Dead is found murdered there, apparently at the hands of a shapeshifter, Kate is given only twenty-four hours to hunt down the killer. And this time, if she fails, she’ll find herself embroiled in a war which could destroy everything she holds dear…

Comment: This is the most recent installment in the Kate Daniels series by Ilona Andrews, the known team of husband and wife. I thin this is one of those series whose books I devour the moment I get them in my hands.

In this new adventure, Kate has to deal with some pack business because Curran is traveling. Kate thinks this is just another of the boring but demanding tasks that came with the job and she's hoping everything ends fast because she has Roland to worry about.
But something goes wrong and a shape shifter is accused of murdering someone from The People. Kate now has to find that shape shifter and solve the problem before her father shows up and destroys everyone and everything she cares about.

Well, I liked this book. Usually I like anything this team of writers give to the reader. There are things in the story I wish could be different, way different but I don't think they changed Kate's character like some other readers out there seem to think.
I think Kate is a strong heroine and honestly, her show off near the end of the story was quite the scene, like a movie.
Another thing, this was supposed to be the last book in the series, like the authors say in a note at the beginning of the book. But since they have a contract to write three more books, I'm not disappointed, I'm actually very eager to see what comes next.

This book is another classic Kate Daniels story, with many turnabouts and cliffhanger scenes we can't seem to avoid even knowing it might not end well. Of course Kate saves the day and she is a team with Curran, which I found the best thing ever, because Kate always seemed alone and with Curran she is so much more. Kate isn't a vicious killer although she could be. What I love the most about her is that even when she seemed reluctant in the past to care for people she did and now that she loves even more, she wants to protect and take care of those she cares about, I think her softer side is as interesting and vital as her warrior one.
Kate has a lot to worry about in this story and I think she did the best in the circumstances she was dealt with. I still consider her one of the best heroines ever.

What annoys me just a little bit is the amount of deaths that occur int he books. Sometimes it's hard to read because obviously things are written in a way to make us care about what happens and I confess I cried fr those who died and for those who watched. I understand the way the series is shaped for, but it's still something I don't enjoy reading about.

Curran and Kate are in love. I love their scenes together and how each one has something that complements the other. The end of the book is a bit of a shock but I have hopes the next books to come will show them happy and still in charge.
I also liked seeing everyone else and I especially enjoyed seeing another side of some characters that weren't as key players in the past and now were shown a side I really was interested in seeing develop. I have to say I love the rats alphas a lot!

In the end, I still loved this book. It had plot elements I think were a bit over the top, namely the fighting and the need to say how things would go wrong if a certain step was taken and so on, but this series isn't about rainbows and unicorns so it's better to enjoy the good things because they have to matter more than the bad things.
I have high hopes for the next stories. This one, for me, was still great!
Grade: 8/10

Abigail Roux - Cross and Crown

When Nick O'Flaherty arrives at the scene of a double homicide to find he has a witness to the crime, he thinks it’s his lucky day. But when he realizes his witness is suffering from amnesia and can’t even remember his own name, Nick wishes he’d gone with his gut and put in for vacation time.
Then Nick’s boyfriend and former Recon teammate, Kelly Abbott, joins him in Boston, and Nick finds his hands a little too full as the case and his personal life collide. The witness he’s dubbed “JD” is being tailed by Julian Cross, a retired CIA hitman. To complicate matters further, JD forms an attachment to Nick that Nick struggles not to respond to as they search for the key to JD’s identity.
Trying to determine whether JD is friend or foe as they investigate the crime puts them on the trail of a much older mystery. When multiple attempts are made on their lives, Nick is forced to turn to old enemies and new allies to solve a centuries-old crime before he and Kelly get added to the history books.

Comment: I am a fan of the author's work and in particular of th Cut and Run series. This Sidewinder spin off comes from that series and features Nick and Kelly, two friends in arms of Ty, from the military times. 

This story is the first full length one in the spin off, after the short story Shock and Awe.
In this book we see how Nick works and how he deals with a case in Boston, while welcoming Kelly for a time together. 
Nick and Kelly's relationship is new but already working full speed. But is the distance something they can deal with?
Is Nick's job what he needs after a troubled mission in Iraq?

Well, I don't think this series has the vitality the original one has, but I can't say this is a disappointment. Actually I liked the story and plan on reading further when the books come out.
I think people's biggest issue with this series is how closely connected to Cut and Run it is and how someone new to the author couldn't really enjoy this without having read the other. I understand why, after all many of the interactions mention or make references to things that happened in books from Cut and Run. A new reader might find this too much to enjoy the book as it is. From a POV of someone who has read Cut and Run, this one is good. But I have to admit, for a new reader is might be too much. However, I also have to say, readers are warned of this, so I guess it depends on how much interest someone really has...I won't defend either side, but in the end it's always a matter of personal choice and how can that be the author's fault?

Anyway, the story was quite all over the place in my opinion. Nick works as a cop and has a case on hands and there's so much happening plus Cross from Warrior's Cross shows up and plays a part. Then there's Nick and Kelly, then the case, then the different connections because of the case...I think it was too much to deal with in just one story. That I think the author could have worked out better.

While the case helps to understand personal actions and states of mind pertaining the characters, I can't say I was deeply invested on it, even though I recognize the author's research work and efforts to make this sound reasonable and professional, the same she does in all her books. But in the end the case wasn't what really caught me and moved me, I was more interested in the personal side of the main character's experience within the plot development.

Nick and Kelly's relationship is the factor that made me read the story. They are very different in terms of personality and their fast and sudden sexual interest that started in the short story seemed too new and out of the blue to be sincere. I wanted to see how the author would go with them, considering they have been friends for s many years but nothing ever happened. I think this is the detail that makes the reader more unsure, if they wanted each other sexually why didn't it happen before? While this aspect is addressed in the short story, I wanted a better explanation and hopefully it would happen here, but it wasn't so. In this book they are in the beginning of their relationship yes, but things are steady between them. I liked the banter and funny moments, even better were the romantic ones, but part of me is still waiting for a more solid clue or something. This might not happen so I enjoy the story and despite my doubts I still liked reading this and still enjoyed seeing their romance so in the end I can't really say it was badly done.

The story felt a bit full and the relationship is new but after all things considered, I still had a good time with it, therefore a good grade. But I hope the following books might be deeper, emotionally speaking.
Grade: 7/10

Tessa Dare - Beauty and the Blacksmith

Beautiful and elegant, Miss Diana Highwood is destined to marry a wealthy, well-placed nobleman. At least, that's what her mother has loudly declared to everyone in Spindle Cove.
But Diana's not excited by dukes and lords. The only man who makes her heart pound is the village blacksmith, Aaron Dawes. By birth and fortune, they couldn't be more wrong for each other...but during stolen, steamy moments in his forge, his strong hands feel so right.
Is their love forged strong enough to last, or are they just playing with fire?

Comment: This is a short story in the Spindle Cove series by the author. I've been reading this series for a while now and although the first two books were much better than the third one, I had high hopes for this story because if featured two characters I like, Diana and Aaron.

Diana is the most beautiful lady in Spindle Cove, but she doesn't seem interested in any lord and was more focused on her health, the main reason why she and her mother and sisters went to Spindle Cove. She met Aaron there and has been falling in love since the first day even without realizing it.
Aaron is the blacksmith of the village and he has always work although he isn't rich by any means. His work is beautiful and Diana is always looking for a reason to go to his shop. When they both finally talk about it, there's no going back to indifference...

I liked this short story. There isn't much to develop in such a short page count but at this point most of the reader's impressions about them have been known from the other books, more so Diana. I liked how we saw Aaron better because I had th idea he wasn't such an impressive man, and in a way the best part of this short story was to get to know him and how someone doing such apparent heavy and tiresome work can be the author of beautiful jewelery, the reason Diana is first always around.

It was fun to realize both of them have been longing for the other for a while and how Diana would ruin her jewels so Aaron could fix them and she could spend time with him.
Of course, one could say this relationship was doomed because of their stations in society but for me things worked because the focus was the way they felt about each other and what was in each one that the other recognized and accepted which would be the foundation of a balanced relationship and in the end sometimes love is what matters the most.

Because of the page limit, obviously things move along quite fast in this story but it doesn't seem anything was rushed because we get the idea things have been like this for them for a while. I was still surprised by Diana's mother reaction and how Diana grew to be assertive when it mattered so much to her how others would accept her relationship with Aaron.

As for Aaron himself, I was also surprised for th positive, because he is wise and careful and tried to protect Diana and to treat her like a lady but the feelings between them were quite forceful to ignore. Still, he maintained his honorable side and proved he was a worthy man. I was really glad to know him better.
I think his character could still have been better explored but maybe in the future we'll see more of him.

The story has a HEA and I'm happy with it. I understand why it wouldn't suit some people, but I like the fantasy, I like the way the romance is the most important thing in here and how the characters don't betray their own feelings and minds. I can't wait for the next.
Grade: 7/10

Kat Murray - Busting Loose

Bea Muldoon is more than most men can handle. . .
Which is probably why it's best the big city beauty hasn't been back to her small South Dakota ranching town since her teens. But with family business to take care of, the out-of-work actress is now strutting around in her stilettos, stirring up all kinds of trouble--especially with a certain ruggedly handsome hometown man. 
Morgan Browning is in a bind. . .
And it seems the only woman who can help is Bea. He claims it has nothing to do with her long, lovely legs, but really why would the town vet hire her to run his office? It could be something in the way Bea sweet-talks every man--and beast--who crosses her path. Or it could be that Morgan can't resist wrangling a woman who's intent on making a getaway--especially when he can see the country girl beneath the glamour. . .

Comment: This is the third story in the Roped and Wrangled trilogy by Kat Murray. Although the first two books were good, there were still things in them that I thought could have been better, so I was anxious to read this one and see if it would average good like the others or if it would finally be the story to remember. I'm very glad to say it is better than the others, at least to me.

This is the story of Bea, the youngest sister. She used to be an actress but career has taken a dead end so she got back to her family ranch and her family is wondering when he is leaving again.
In the meantime, Bea meets Morgan, the local vet and one thing leads to the other and Bea finds herself a job in his clinic and shelter. While things seem to go wonderful between them and with the job, Bea still thinks she has no place in Marshall, so when the time comes, will she go back to her acting?

I have to say I really liked reading this story. The first one was OK for the genre, the second one I hoped for much more, but this one which would seem the most formulaic was the one that surprised me the most, for the better. It's still a story based on things we would expect to see in this type of plot and genre, but I had such a good time reading that all that was insignificant when compared with the cute scenes with animals and the progress of Bea's character.

Bea has been a glamorous woman from the beginning and she seemed silly and only concerned about her clothes and shoes. It was obvious something was going on with her because she left the glamor of LA and she had a secret only the reader knows, about night riding, but there was always the idea she might be one of those crazy characters that people grow to love but without any real substance. I'm glad to say this idea is wrong, because we not only understand Bea, but we get to see her prove herself and her attempts to help show she has inner talents and worth.

Morgan is the small town guy, he's a vet and lives close to his parents. He is very well respected and cherished by everyone so his relationship with Bea might not be seen with the better eyes, but he's so adorable and cute, it's almost perfect how they match each other. I still think their romance happened fast, considering his personality, and at first it seemed their relationship would be fast and without much interest, but towards the middle, I was more invested in them and how the small things of each one complemented and worked well.

The plot is the usual, everything ends well, but it's full of small scenes that make the characters matter to the reader and their actions and conversations give an interesting vibe to the story. More than the story itself, it's the small things everywhere that make this book. I was really happy with the way things happened and how the author used many details to bring the gap between story and reader shorter. I loved ll the scenes with the animals, all the inner growing up Bea did and how the siblings seemed balanced in the end, like a real family.

I'd say this trilogy is successful even though the second book could have been much better. The average is good but the one I'll remember the better will definitely be this one.
Grade: 8/10

Jet Mykles - Lance

Years ago Lance and Gordon fell in love when the bass player and band manager were part of The Might. The band was led by a rich, self important genius and everything was just great as long as no one rocked the boat. But Gordon chafed in the restrictive atmosphere and Lance was too laid back to test any boundaries. Gordon pushed for more; Lance fought any change. The final straw came when Lance acted out by sleeping with someone else. That was it. Gordon broke it off and was gone.
Now, Gordon’s invited Lance to join the Indigo Knights, a new band he’s managing. He’s made it clear that this is business only and that they’re not going to rekindle the flames of their past. But Lance has been so hung up on Gordon that he’s been celibate all this time. He wants no one else. He regrets how things ended, but he’s never had the chance to try to make amends.
This is his only chance. Can Lance convince Gordon to trust him again?

Comment: This is another of the books that weren't long in the pile, I bought this one last month and I couldn't wait anymore to read it, so here it is.

This is the continuation of the Indigo Knights series, this is story #3 and we get to see how the band is working together at last and how potentially successful they might become.
This third story features Lance, one of the guitarists of the band and how he came to be invited to be part of Indigo Knights and even more, how his relationship with Gordon, the band's manager, developed and reached the point of no return where it seems to be in. But will the band help them to solve their issues?

I liked this story. I get why many people didn't find this one as appealing as other titles by the author, but to me this story seemed more focused on the growing up of the main characters and the themes mentioned seemed to have been taken care of relatively well, namely the cheating part.
It's true that the main focus is probably the fact Lance cheated on Gordon and that is why this story developed the way it does. Because cheating is horrible and I agree. But I also think the author did this with intelligence and she made the issue to deal with not on the cheating itself, but on the how it was cheating.

This brings me to the main point in the story. Well, to what I think is the main question anyway. 
The story is split into two time frames. We get a chapter of how things are nowadays and another one since the time Lance and Gordon met to the day everything ended between them. These time frames alternate each other until the end of the book.
We get to see how and why things between the two guys got to the point where they broke up and we get to see how they are today and how they have to solve things between them. To me, a thing gets clear, despite my abhorrence to the cheating in any romance, I think the clever part of it in this story is that, at least to me, the fact Lance cheated wasn't the worst thing. I don't like he cheated. But he didn't cheat out of spite or because he wanted revenge or because he was mean or wanted to show he could. I DON'T EXCUSE HIM, but I can understand why Gordon's actions and the way their relationship had evolved made him into such a state of mind where he even considered to cheat.
I don't think anyone should ever cheat, I hate to think what it means to the one cheated on, but I got Lance's side too and the fact I don't want to crucify him says it all about the level of complexity in all this that I can understand why he cheated even if I don't agree it in any way.

I could summarize the plot to this, the romance and the solving of things between the two guys. Many readers think this story is weaker than many of the author's other things, but I don't think so. For me, this story was more about the main character's difficulties and actions during and after their break up and how human it is to just talk about things and trust in what made them be together in the first place.

The musical parts are really small, it's fun to see beloved characters of other books, but in terms of great development, there isn't much, no. But still, for me it worked well.
Grade: 7/10

JR Ward - Possession

When Cait Douglass resolves to get over her broken heart and lose her inhibitions, she’s unprepared for the two sensual men who cross her path. Torn between them, she doesn’t know which to choose—or what kind of dire consequences could follow.
Jim Heron, fallen angel and reluctant savior, is ahead in the war, but he puts everything at risk when he seeks to make a deal with the devil—literally. As yet another soul is unwittingly caught in the battle between him and the demon Devina, his fixation on an innocent trapped in Hell threatens to sidetrack him from his sacred duty....
Can good still prevail if true love makes a savior weak? And will a woman’s future be the key, or the curse, for all of humanity? Only time, and hearts, will tell.

Comment: This book was released last year but as I don't love this series as much as the BDB one by the author, I didn't mind waiting for the paperback edition, which I got last recently. I've decided to read this book right away to not keep thinking about it in the pile.

This story is the continuation of the Fallen Angels series, where Jim Heron, recent angel, has the task of saving seven souls in order to win the battle against evil, otherwise it will be Hell all over. So far, Jim has got three winnings so one more would mean win, but Jim, ever helpful, traded one win for an innocent souls trapped in Hell, so things got even. There remain three souls to battle about and the one who wins the most wins the final battle.
This time, a new soul is on the risk but with Jim distracted, how will things end up for the good guys? 

Overall, I liked this story. There are a few things that still annoy me, not because I think they are wrong but because of the state of mind they put me in.
I know that one of the good plot move-along tactics is to make the characters do things and think about them and let the reader wonder about the usefulness of those actions. The story moves further and we get to see characters do things which allows us int their psyche and inner motivations and characterization. But when they do things we disagree with or that we don't think it's wise, it sucks. Or when thy do things intelligent people wouldn't not because there's nothing else they could do but because they think doing things that turn them into self righteous martyrs alike, then it's all fine. Nope...it's not, for me this is annoying as hell. Why can't characters do the right thing? I know, I know what about the suspense, the surprise, the expectation of a turnabout in the end that makes it all perfect? I say, WTF, why would someone try for glory when it's more practical to do things right? Aren't authors out there who think this? So, in this book, as in the majority of the series, apparently, characters do bad choices and take wrong turns in hopes to achieve..something, and the reader is left with tension and suspense and splintering nerves. It can be really annoying.

As for the story itself, well it had interesting moments, in particular closer to the end, when we finally understood what was really happening. This felt like a thriller at times, I mean, there's a killer on the loose and we on't know who is it and when we do is quite the surprise..the explanation I mean.

The romance between Cait and Duke felt rushed but they all do so I won't be too picky. We see their lives and experiences and why they are that way and in a way I think they are balanced because Cait always did the right thing but never had her boundaries explored and Duke could have been better but chose another path and now he has her to balanced himself and he is the opposite of her in terms of behavior and past, but they both retained their fairness and sense of justice and wisdom. It's tricky to explain but it makes sense in the end, I think a bigger scene int he end would have helped to confirm their love.

This series left many questions in the air about the war and which role exactly the players have. So far everything has a meaning and each characters plays an important role and it seems everything has a connection somehow. I'm curious about what is supposed to happen and I hope the final two books will be clever and perfectly clear on what is actually happening. Let's see...
Grade: 7/10

Lisa Kleypas - Because You're Mine

Lady Madeline Matthews would rather shame herself than sacrifice her freedom—which is why, to avoid a marriage to an aging, lecherous lord, she seeks out the company of Logan Scott. A torrid affair with the notorious womanizer would surely condemn her in the eyes of good society.
Though a legend in the bedchamber, Logan is, in truth, an intensely private man tormented by past betrayals. Now a forward little minx is disrupting his life with her vibrant charm and unspoiled beauty, a high-spirited enchantress completely at sea in London’s sophisticated whirl. But when what begins with a kiss threatens to blossom into something more rapturous and real, will Logan and Madeline have the courage to drop the masks they hide behind in the name of love?

Comment: After having read the first book in this small series back in March, I decided to finish this and immediately bought the second book to read later on and this month I picked it like I wanted to.

This is the story of Logan Scott, Julia's friend and business partner from the first book, one of those mysterious and apparently indifferent heroes we know will cave in at the end.
Logan Scott is successful despite his origins and he is well respected for his work. He believes himself immune to love until the new assistant shows up.
Madeline wants to run from an arranged marriage to a man she despises and who's older than her so she comes up with this idea of disgracing herself to society and she thinks seducing Logan Scott will do it. But she didn't count with loving to work at the theater and even falling for Scott too...but what will he think when he realizes she has deceived him?

I liked this novel. It has all the classic elements in an historical romance and some situations can be seen as a bit repetitive because we've get in in so many books, but in the end I have to say it worked for me. 

Only one thing I should mention that bothered me a bit. I'm not picky about age difference in romance. Unless it's something meant to shock or a gap too wide to be believable, usually I don't mind romances with it. In this case it wasn't the age difference that seemed off, it was more the way Madeline seemed to be, especially in the beginning. That she was only 18 wasn't the problem because many young ladies married young in the 19th century..but Madeline seemed rather innocent at times and not only for being a virgin. She didn't mature yet in my opinion. I think if her knowledge of the world was different the romance could be more believable even with the idea she got about seducing the older man for her purposes, no matter how childish her attempts.

The romance developed at a solid pace I think. The beginning was sweet and with little steps here and there to make it more cute and to make it seem it wasn't too fast. The author used good strategies to make the impression time was passing by.
After the main conflict happened, the story seemed to turn darker but nothing exaggerated. Just what the story asked for at the time. Many of the elements I was thinking when I mentioned them before happened as this stage. I don't want to give spoilers, but Logan's past isn't what he always believed to be and sometimes what we think others are doing isn't exactly the truth.

Both Madeline and Logan are studied characters, that I'm sure the author outlined well before writing about them..or this had a lot of editing instead because their path seemed very obvious and straight, with nothing too unexpected happening to them.
I think Logan is the type of character we want to see find happiness but it's almost like because it's a requested aspect of the book, that is a given and there's a bit of a lack of determination in any effort to make him larger than life. I don't know, I think I wanted him to be more surprising.
Madeline is rather naive and I don't think she really grew up much during the novel, but I assume she would in any stage of life that might happen after the story ended. Imagination rules.

In the end, this story had great elements, even these we expect to see, some good things, others not that interesting but in the end it made possible the entertainment during a few hours and sometimes that's what matters.
Grade: 7/10

Christine Feehan - Burning Wild

Bred by capricious parents for his innate leopard-shifting abilities, billionaire Jake Bannaconni has spent his life in an emotional vacuum -- especially after a tragic twist ,of fate left hi to raise his infant son alone. But when his path crosses that o an enigmatic young woman, Jake's life takes a detour he never fathomed.
There is something irresistible about Emma Reynolds -- some thing Jake can't live without. Hiring her as his son's nanny will keep her close. And warm. And under watch. She's the first human to stir something in Jake, something he's never felt before But Emma may not be at all what she seems. And what's raging between them is pure animal instinct -- out of control, burning wild and as hot as the lick of a flame.

Comment: I've got this book since it was released. It is one of the few English written books I actually bought at a bookstore and didn't order on line. At the time I was really following the author's work and the second I saw it, I grabbed it. Then other books came in the way and my taste for the author's writing had a decrease and it got lost in the pile. Well, not lost, just....a bit overlooked.
I meant to read it last month but there wasn't time, so I put it as the first of August.

This is the third story in the Leopard series. It's the story of Jake and how he grew up to be vicious and cold but found people to help even when telling himself he was using them.
There's Emma, someone he rescues after a car crash and from that moment on he wants to own her but doesn't realize how far his feelings have gone until things can't turn back anymore.

To be honest, I liked this book enough. I'm at a place in my reading preferences where this author's stories no longer play an important part like they used to at some point in the past. My issue is, and has been all this time, the same. The characters just can't seem to be happy and relaxed. Al the times they do things that are meant to be funny there's always this feeling it's all an act and there to just fill the space.
I know the author's goal with her books is to tell things from a darker point of view, it's just the way her writing is wired apparently. But this gets boring and repetitive after a while.

This book, however, was easy to read and apart from the sex scenes - which I skipped mostly - the story moved along quite well. There's still the darker vibe in the story, the male protagonist acts like a caveman lots of times but considering I knew sort of what to expect, this one wasn't so bad. Fans surely loved it.

I liked the protagonist, Jake, despite his obviously Neanderthal tendencies, hidden under the guise of a leopard, but still. When he wasn't bossing around everyone, he was quite likable mostly because of his past, which we see in the first chapters. That shaped him into the person he is, even if his inner self is fair and helpful. I'd like to think anyone would be able to see bad influence for what it is, but the believable part in all this is how we can't always ignore the impact of what others do to us has in our mind. So I get hi even though I wish he could have been more balanced when dealing with Emma, for instance.

Emma is very likable, just like any heroine by this author, she is an innocent, quiet thing, but with something strong too. She acts almost complacent towards Jake before sexual attraction comes up. I found that behavior a bit stupid but even more annoying is how she can't resist him further along. I know, it's all part of the leopard tendencies, but can't women have more self will and intelligence to try to stay away from dangerous men?

These two together seem OK, of course, although I always find this author's couples unbalanced or maybe it's just the way she portrays them together. Jake and Emma don't seem to have much in common in terms of interests but they are put together because it all fits conveniently for the story's purposes...I mean, we see them for the role they are playing but that's it. I think there's a bit of a lack of more depth to the characters.
In fact, I found troublesome how Emma's past relationship was so minimized and seen as lacking interest to the story, it seemed that if that was so, why making her have one in the first place...just to be a means to compare with her and Jake together? Oh well...

Still, I think this book was OK enough because like I said, I managed to read the story fast enough too. I can't really remember anything from the first two stories in the series, which I've read five years ago I think, but I recall being bored at some points and with this one I only avoided the sex scenes, which were more of the same and meant to fill the space in my opinion.
In the end, an interesting enough read, many things to wonder about in terms of execution, still a good surprise after a while without anything by the author.
Grade: 6/10

Katherine Allred - Sweet Revenge

Former fat girl Jessie James has returned to her small hometown to open her own dance studio, something she's always dreamed of. Driving the local sheriff and former high school football star, who used to ignore her, crazy with lust is a side benefit she hadn't counted on. But revenge is sweet when all the sheriff can think about is frisking the delectable Ms. James. After the hell his ex-wife put him and their daughter through, getting involved with another woman is the last thing Chase Martin wants. His body has different ideas, though. And after all, when an outlaw like Jesse James moves into the house behind his, the sheriff has an obligation to keep his eye on her. Right? To his surprise, this outlaw steals more than his body. She captures his heart, too.

Comment: In my quest to know if I'm actually a fan of this author or simply of the books she writes, I'm keeping up with reading her stories. This month I picked Sweet Revenge, a title whose cover is simply too bad. I know smaller publishers don't have as much money to put on covers and such but I'm a firm believer any picture taken from the nature could be so much better, maybe with some people in the background but the way this cover is presented it's just so unappealing...I know, I know, covers aren't the important thing, but I think it's a bit difficult to avoid them completely, so.. a little more (better) effort could be nice...

So, this is Jessie's story, she returned to her hometown after a successful career as a choreographer in New York. She opened a dance studio and plans on living in the place where she was mocked as a teenager due to her body shape, for Jesse used to be fat.
Chase Martin is the guy Jessie had a crush on but who never looked at her. Now the sheriff, Chase sees Jessie, who by the way, lives next door and wants to know her better. But if they didn't match before, will they now?

I don't think this story was as successful as the previous ones I've read by the author.
I think this story wasn't as emotionally developed as it could, considering the theme and the situations created. Two main things caught my attention as interesting aspects to develop and explore which were treated rather superficially, without a better twist to the way on how to deal with things.

First there's the fact Jessie was said to be fat while a teenager and how that shaped her vision of those days and how other people treated her, in particular her peers. Throughout the book we get references to this and that about her teenage years but nothing done in a way I consider enough to offer me any kind of empathy towards Jessie. I assume she had trouble and besides the panties as flag episode we don't see more. One could say the point isn't about that, but then what is the point of saying she was fat? I didn't see any development on that subject nor did I see scenes where it mattered because now she has a better body. I think someone with those kind of issues would have more to deal with, would look at life in different way, even if optimistic like Jessie behaves. In fact, she became a very physical person, which is commendable. But if her past body was such a thing for her why wasn't it dealt with more seriousness? I had the feeling it was just an excuse to bring her initial opposition to Chase but then, anything could have worked.

Then the second thing I think would have worked out better differently. The relationship between Chase and Jessie seemed to start slow but after a couple of pages it wasn't so anymore...and Jessie, who at first didn't want to fall for Chase to prove him she still had feelings was suddenly losing any self control...I mean, why, the story would feel so much more enjoyable if they could have started a more natural seduction game, and more in accord to their positions in life after all their individual experiences...but the need to just keep up with the story as fast as it could was more imperative apparently.

I think the story is full of possibilities like usual, but the way the characters took on their path to each other and together wasn't the most appealing, at least there isn't anything special about it.
I wish the author could have taken a more character development approach where we could understand each protagonist better. The overall story was ok and it had some interesting scenes but despite the here and there good things, I still couldn't help but focus more on the things that could have been better.
Let's hope the remaining romances I have to read by this author are better than this one.
Grade: 5/10

Patrice Michelle - Scions: Resurrection

Everyone believed vampires were extinct. Everyone was wrong. When Ariel Swanson wrote a novel about vampires, she hoped it would exorcise her fear of the creatures that had, not so long ago, terrorized the human population.
Instead, it brought her to their attention.
And to the attention of Jachin Blacka man banished from the Saguinas, a vampire pack, and forced to hunt among the despised humans. For he clung to the prophecy given years ago, of a better way for his kind to live a prophecy Ariel unknowingly used as the basis of her novel.
Ariel hates and fears vampires. Jachin despises humanity. But the prophecyand passionbinds them in ways they could never have imagined. Ways that may heal the past, and change the future.

Comment: This book has been in the pile forever...ok, sort of five years or something..there's something redeeming about plucking almost forgotten titles from a pile we don't remember much of the time, isn't it? It feels like it with this one...

This is Ariel's story. She wrote a book on vampires, a fictional story that as soon as it caught the attention of the hidden and believable extinct vampires in the world, ok, in a US city, made her a target. 
Jachin Black is a hired assassin, also a vampire, and he is familiar with the prophecy Ariel used in her book. He goes after her because he believes she is the intended mate for the vampires' leader and he wants his race to finally see peace.
Among an almost nonstop adventure and action scenes, the couple not only learns a lot about each other but they also start to think peace isn't that far off...

Before talking about the book, I should say there was a time I completely paranormal crazy and I got everything that mentioned vampires and shape shifters and possible romances where they were in. I had some rules about what not to get (usually love triangles, lovers reunited, friends to lovers and other romance themes I don't have much appreciation for), but apart from that, almost anything went in the genre. My taste has changed a bit and nowadays my focus is wider among several types of books, but what I like in paranormal has changed into more world built worlds and world driven stories instead of pure relationship based stories. I guess it's the path of a reader, we aren't all set in stone...

So, this all to say there was a time my looking for paranormal romance followed a certain pattern and that has changed a bit. But this title is still from those days where I wasn't really paying attention to what was in it as long as it had something about what I wanted. This book had a romance, it had vampires and I got it.

I think this is definitely one of those time goes by cases where you read a book you know you'd have loved at a certain point but now it's only average.
The story follows a cute idea, an author writes a book about vampires when they are apparently extinct and from then on, she is caught in a fast paced adventure to save said race. Of course Ariel has some traumas against vampires, there are good and bad vampires, some werewolves in the mix and a prophecy to win. The idea is interesting but I don't know if it was the story itself or the need to be within the page limits necessary for a Nocturne title, but it sure felt like the characters never stopped and the time they could do that to sleep or to take a shower was immediately intruded by the bad guys! Everything happened fast and faster all the time right until the end where it slowed down but then the story had reached a state of cliché ideas and I think, in a way, things got a bit lost in the middle of so much.

I also finished the book with the feeling the author had too many ideas to use and she didn't know which ones to insert in the story, so she used them all and sacrificed possible quieter and more introspective moments for it. At least I think these type of moments should have been included.

The romance was the usual in these cases..fast, with lots of well know tricks to bring them together in such a short amount of time, proximity, attraction, apparent suitability as mates, a prophecy to force them together for a while, special details like blood tasting different when it's their mates and so on....anyway, many things we've come to expect of a mates-for-life kind of story.In reality, I don't know if they loved each other beyond the attraction and the being mates thing, but there's a HEA so...
The characterization seemed rushed too, there isn't any real character development except the change of mind about things like love and what it means to be happy ever after... so I can't say there was any growth either. 

Ariel and Jachin felt like characters perfect for a role, they did the deal, they reached their endgame and apart from that, I can't say I really made a connection with them.
As for keeping up with the series I don't know if I will..I have the rest three installments but if I ever will get to them it will surely be only next year. Probably only to have my conscience at ease.
Grade: 5/10