Month: April 2015

Review: Waking the Beast by Lacey Thorn

Posted April 30, 2015 by Holly in Reviews | 0 Comments

Review: Waking the Beast by Lacey ThornReviewer: Holly
Waking the Beast by Lacey Thorn
Series: Awakening Pride #1
Publisher: Resplendence Publishing
Publication Date: 3/30/14
Genres: Fantasy, Paranormal Romance
Pages: 190
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
two-stars
Series Rating: two-stars

The legend of the Paka Watu...

Ever since she was a young girl, Abby Lane can’t resist the allure of a catshifter tribe forced to repress their beasts. On a trip to Africa, she discovers a coveted piece of information—the name the pride leader assumed when he left his home—and she traces his lineage to his descendent.

The sleeping lion...

Utah Pearce can’t keep his gaze off the woman who slips into the bar every night. Though not his usual type, she brings out the possessive instinct in him, making him battle with himself as he tries to stay away.

Mine...

Abby’s research never prepared her for the reality in front of her. The beast is waking, and Utah is changing in ways both exciting and terrifying. He is possessive and dominant, and when he finally claims her, neither of them will ever be the same.

This was a free download.

I’ve been wanting to read more shifters lately and I like the idea of trying a series before I buy it. The premise is really great, and it started out with a bang, but it lacked in execution.

The story starts out with the legend of the Paka Watu, an African tribe blessed by the Great Spirit and given spirit guides, which end up being large jungle cats they can shift into. Abby has been obsessed with the legend her whole life, and thinks she’s finally found the descendant of the original leader of the Paka Watu, Utah Pearce, a former Marine and current bar owner.

When they’re abducted by her uncle and Utah is forced to change, her suspicions are confirmed. Except it freaks her out more than she thought it would. Dreaming about finding a race of shapeshifters is one thing, actually discovering their real is quite another. Of course, her reaction is nothing compared to Utah’s. One day he was running a bar, the next he was acting crazy possessive of Abby and rumbling a lot in his throat.

As I said, the premise was good and I liked the legend of the Paka Watu. It fell apart fairly quickly, however. Utah’s strange reaction to Abby and her involvement in his abduction was sort of touched on, then ignored. He should have been suspicious and angry, but instead he just wanted her. This is kind of a case of fated mates, and those rarely work for me.

There were a ton of plot holes and silly inconsistencies that pulled me out of the story. Not to mention the sequel baiting. I wanted to start a drinking game every time a secondary character came on page and their back story was hinted at but never revealed. Scenarios like “So-and-so finally shared her story, which shed light on Abby’s current situation” were prevalent. The stories weren’t shared with the readers, so the book felt half-formed and ended up frustrating me more than not.

I’m kind of curious about the wolvves,  so I may go back and read that story. As for this one, it could have been a stellar read but ended up leaving me feeling bored and mildly frustrated.

2 out of 5

two-stars

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Guest Review: The Headmaster by Tiffany Reisz

Posted April 30, 2015 by Jen in Reviews | 0 Comments

The Headmaster by Tiffany ReiszJen’s review of The Headmaster by Tiffany Reisz

At the remote Marshall School, Gwen Ashby stumbles upon the job—and the man—of her dreams. Stern, enigmatic Edwin Yorke simmers with a heat Gwen longs to unleash. But Edwin knows all too well that forbidden love can end in tragedy….

An embarrassingly long time ago I got a box set from Harlequin’s e-Shivers line. I read The Headmaster by Tiffany Reisz and enjoyed it, but the other stories totally lost my interest so I put them aside, intending to come back eventually but promptly forgetting all about it. When I was looking over this year’s RITA nominees, though, I realized that Reisz’s book is on the list. The great writing and engaging characters sucked me in to this slightly gothic tale.

Teacher Gwen Ashby is at a crossroads in life, with no job and no place to live. While on her way to a friend’s in Chicago, she stops at a diner in a small town in North Carolina and learns about a nearby boarding school that might be hiring. With nothing strong drawing her to Chicago, she decides to head over to the school to see if she can get a job. The headmaster at the all-boys Marshall Academy is Edwin Yorke, and he’s strangely insistent that she really doesn’t want to work there. Gwen persists and gets Edwin to agree to a trial position. The school is downright unusual, however. Students use no modern technology and are pretty cut off from everything outside the school, but they’re bright and interesting and starved for a new teacher. Over time, Gwen starts to fit in and discover what is really going on at the school and with the secretive and sexy headmaster.

There’s a big plot twist at the end of the book that I won’t spoil, but it’s certainly not unpredictable. That didn’t impact my enjoyment of the story, though, because even though I basically knew what was coming, the writing was lovely. Reisz paints a solid picture of Gwen and Edwin in a short period. Gwen is strong and quirky. I like the way she stands up to Edwin when necessary, and their attraction is sexy and sweet. You get the sense that she’s not the kind of woman Edwin would normally be attracted to, but her openness and humor draws him in. He’s clearly an uptight but honorable guy who’s totally and completely dedicated to the boys he teaches. The students at the school are fun and heartwarming, and they add a great dynamic to the story.

The ending is awfully neat and tidy, and the social issues that come up are handled without any real depth. Nothing in this story is complex or revolutionary, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Instead, it’s a short but engaging book, and it’s not a bad way to spend an afternoon.

Grade: 3.75 out of 5

This book is available from Harlequin E. You can purchase it here or here in e-format.  This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Teaser Tour: Kilts & Daggers by Victoria Roberts

Posted April 29, 2015 by Rowena in Promotions | 0 Comments

9781402292033KILTS AND DAGGERS by Victoria Roberts TEASER TOUR! – Day 2

Fagan Murray and Grace Walsingham, the hero and heroine in Victoria Roberts’ new Highland romance, KILTS AND DAGGERS, have a very interesting relationship. In their first meeting, the stubborn guard of Laird Ruiari ends up with a black eye from the sharp-tongued and hot-headed sister of Ravenna, a spy for the English crown.

You won’t want to miss the hilarious banter between Fagan and Grace that begins in My Highland Spy (Highland Spies, book 1) and fills the pages of Kilts and Daggers (Highland Spies, book 2).

Will these English-Scottish enemies ever see eye-to-eye?

FAGAN AND GRACE TEASER 2

Excerpt from My Highland Spy by Victoria Roberts

While the uninvited company sat in the great hall, Fagan listened to the woman’s endless prattle. Although she spoke in a low tone, he could still hear every word. Meanwhile, the driver hadn’t uttered a single peep. Who knew? Perhaps he was unable to get in a word or two.

“The castle is beautiful. Don’t you think so, George? I’m not surprised my sister has been away for so long if she’s been living like this. Our small manor house doesn’t even begin to compare. Why do you think the tapestries have nothing but swords, shields, and scenes of war, and what is that imbedded into the mantle over there? It looks like a giant cat sitting upright. I despise cats as much as Ravenna despises dogs.”

When there was a moment of blessed silence, Fagan said a silent prayer that the rant was over. Of course he spoke too soon.

“The Highland men and women certainly dress differently than we do, even when we’re out in the country. Why do you think the Scottish men wear those ridiculous skirts, George?”

Enough was enough. Fagan approached the table and gave her a roguish grin. “’Tisnae a skirt, lass. If I work something under it, then it would be called a skirt.”

Victoria Roberts' KILTS AND DAGGERS

Kilts and Daggers
By Victoria Roberts

My Highland Spy, Book 2
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Scottish Historical Romance
ISBN: 9781402292033
May 5, 2015
$7.99 Mass Market Paperback

About the Book

“This book begs to be read and reread.”—RT Book Reviews, 4 1/2 stars on My Highland Spy

Ever since Lady Grace Walsingham discovered her uncle and sister are spies for the Crown, she has yearned for adventure. She’s counting the days until she can leave barbaric Scotland behind, even if she must endure Highland captain Fagan Murray’s company for weeks.

Fagan has a simple mission: escort the haughty Lady Grace back to England. But nothing is ever easy. The sharp-tongued woman needles him at every turn. But when a menacing threat follows them on their journey, Fagan’s grudging tolerance for Grace turns to respect…and into a perilous attraction that could seal their fate.

More praise for My Highland Spy:

“Beautiful! This book has it all.”—Night Owl Reviews, 4.5 Stars, Reviewer Top Pick

“One of the best… an outstanding Scottish romance.”—Romance Reviews, 5 Stars

“An exciting Highland tale of intrigue, betrayal, and love with a braw Highland hero and strong English heroine any reader will love.”—Hannah Howell, New York Times bestselling author of Highland Master

Highland Spies series:

My Highland Spy (Book 1)
Kilts and Daggers (Book 2)
Plaids and Petticoats (Book 3)

Buy the Book

MY HIGHLAND SPY (Book 1)

Amazon | Apple | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound | Kobo

KILTS AND DAGGERS (Book 2)

Amazon | Apple | B&N | BAM | !ndigo | IndieBound

Victoria RobertsAbout the Author

Victoria Roberts writes sexy, award-winning Scottish historical romances about kilted heroes and warriors from the past. Prior to ever picking up a single romance novel, she penned her first young adult novella at 16 years old. Who knew her leather-studded motorcycle hero would trade in his ride and emerge as a kilt wearing Highlander wielding a broadsword? Victoria lives with her husband and their two beautiful children in western Pennsylvania.

Connect with Victoria Roberts

Website – www.VictoriaRobertsAuthor.com
Facebook – https://www.facebook.com/victoria.roberts.395
Goodreads – https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/5763317.Victoria_Roberts

Rafflecopter Giveaway

Open April 27 – June 1

Giveaway for 3 copies of MY HIGHLAND SPY by Victoria Roberts

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Good luck!

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Guest Review: Wagon Train Cinderella by Shirley Kennedy

Posted April 29, 2015 by Whitley B in Reviews | 0 Comments

Wagon Train Cinderella by Shirley Kennedy
Whitley’s review of Wagon Train Cinderella by Shirley Kennedy.

1851, Overland Trail to California. As a baby, Callie was left on the doorstep of an isolated farmhouse in Tennessee. The Whitaker family took her in, but have always considered her more a servant than a daughter. Scorned by her two stepsisters, Callie is forced to work long hours and denied an education. But a new world opens to her when the Whitakers join a wagon train to California—guided by rugged Indian, Luke McGraw…

A loner, haunted by a painful past, Luke plans to return to the wilderness once his work is done. But he can’t help noticing how poorly Callie is treated—or how unaware she is of her beauty and intelligence. As the two become closer over the long trek west, Callie’s confidence grows. And when disaster strikes, Callie emerges as the strong one—and the woman Luke may find the courage to love at last…

Wagon Train Cinderella is one of those books that had a lot of enthusiasm and charm…but not really a lot of talent. I did enjoy the premise and, well, the heart of what it was trying to do, but the execution was like watching a middle school play. (Well, that’s not fair, I think it was shorter than a middle school production.)

I liked the idea of this book, both the basic premise and a lot of the smaller ideas in the storyline. Most of the characters were (in concept) very entertaining and the relationships they all had with each other created a nice, complex character backdrop. There were lots of different ways people interacted, and the book wasn’t hyper focused on one relationship (or one dynamic over many relationships). Callie had a different role with everyone she met, and I loved that. It was nice to see her struggle to deal with being cowed by her stepfather and clinging to the friendship of a new acquaintance and still feeling like a true character in both roles. The development of both Callie, the rest of her family, and all the relationships within was a great (idea) too.

It’s just…well, the problem comes in the execution. The writing in this novel is very stilted and juvenile, and there’s far too much telling going for me to get a real emotional experience out of it. I felt like I was reading the outline of someone’s personal character growth, not a finished story. Lots of lines felt clunky, and at times chunks of a person’s character were either entirely informed or contradictory. Luke kept being described as cold and standoffish, and yet from our very first meeting with him he’s nothing but helpful and cheeky. Maybe he was intended to be cold except to Callie, but it just doesn’t come through in the writing. Plus, setting the book on the Oregon Trail like that fractures what little plot we’ve got into vignettes about ‘hardships of traveling west.’ They were interesting vignettes, but all the same, I didn’t get a sense of cohesion from the book.

Overall, I did enjoy the reading experience, but mostly in an academic sort of way.

Rating: 3 out of 5

This title is available from Lyrical Press.  You can purchase it here or here in e-format. This book was provided by the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

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Review: Cole’s Redemption by J.D. Tyler

Posted April 28, 2015 by Casee in Reviews | 0 Comments

coles redemption big
Casee’s review of Cole’s Redemption (Alpha Pack #5) by J.D. Tyler.

Once, they were Navy SEALS. Now they are the Alpha Pack: a top secret team of wolf shifters with Psy powers who take on the darkest dangers on Earth. But sometimes the greatest danger lies within their own hearts….

Healer and black wolf shifter Zander Cole has survived horrors that would have broken a weaker man. But when a battle leaves him deaf and his powers dimmed, Zan is devastated. Believing himself to be a burden to his team, he sees only one option: leave the Pack forever.

White wolf shifter Selene Westfall knows pain—she is certain her father was responsible for her mother’s death. And she lives to exact revenge. So when she is challenged by a savage black wolf, she puts up a vicious fight—only to become the black wolf’s Bondmate as a result of his bite.

Two damaged souls—one filled with hatred and one who’s lost his reason for living—are forced together as they come to terms with their unlikely, turbulent bond. A love neither expected may be all that stands between them and a killer trying desperately to keep the past dead and buried….

I haven’t read this series in some time. I’ve read all the books, but I was never in a hurry to read the next one. That doesn’t mean that I didn’t enjoy them, because I did. So one day last week, I couldn’t find anything I wanted to read so I went onto my Amazon Wish List (how I keep track of current and upcoming books I want) and saw Cole’s Redemption. I realized I hadn’t read the series in quite some time, so I bought it. I’m glad I did because it was just as good as the others I have read.

Zander Cole is a healer and wolf not just at heart. He is the healer of the Pack. He is a wolf. After an op gone bad, Zander can’t use his healing ability, something that makes the man and wolf question where he belongs. As if not having his healing power isn’t hard enough, he is also partially deaf. So while he isn’t exactly feeling sorry for himself, he’s definitely not feeling like himself.

One thing that will never change is his instinct to protect his Commander. When a white wolf attacks his Commander, Zan immediately engages and bites down on the white wolf’s neck to keep her in check. When he does that, all sorts of things change. Now Zan is protecting the white she-wolf from the rest of his pack when a moment ago she was trying to kill Nick and Zan was trying to kill her. In just one bite, Zan had found is Bondmate. He also found out that their Commander has a daughter that hates him and wants to kill him. Joyful family reason? I think not.

Selene has been waiting for this moment since her father killed her mother then abandoned her. She is sure she knows what happened when her mother died and Nick Westfall deserves to pay for depriving her of her childhood. Everything was going according to her plan until Zan ruined it. Not only did he stop her from killing Nick, he mated her.

Both Selene and Zan are quite surprised by the turn of events. Zan is torn between protecting his mate, which is wolf demands him to do and protecting his commander, which is where the human side comes in. Zan can tell that Nick loves his daughter and he knows that he would never hurt his mate, let alone kill her. Nor would he abandon his only child. Until everything gets worked out, Nick agrees to let Selene stay with Zan as long has she doesn’t cause any trouble within their unit.

A couple days later while they’re out on a mission, two people are hurt. One of them is Nick. Though he promised he wouldn’t use his healing ability, Zan couldn’t let his friends die. After healing them, he instantly passes out. They quickly return home. As Zan’s Bondmate, Selene is almost more worried than the rest of the unit. When Zan wakes up, he doesn’t get good news. With Selene by his side, it is almost bearable.

I’ve always enjoyed this series because of the camaraderie in the unit. They would all put their lives on the line for each other. They are a big family. Selene begins to see that he father isn’t the man that she grew up believing was the monster she always thought he was.

I would give this book a read if you’re into a good paranormal series.

3.5 out of 5.

Reading Order:

This book is published by Signet. You can buy it here or here in e-format.

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