Author: Casee

Review: Ghostly Game by Christine Feehan

Posted March 20, 2023 by Casee in Reviews | 1 Comment

Review: Ghostly Game by Christine FeehanReviewer: Casee
Ghostly Game by Christine Feehan
Narrator: Jim Frangione
Series: GhostWalkers #19
Also in this series: Predatory Game, Street Game, Ruthless Game, Shadow Game, Power Game, Murder Game, Covert Game, Toxic Game, Phantom Game
Publisher: Berkley
Publication Date: May 2, 2023
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 400
Length: 11 hours and 15 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

It's fight or flight in this sultry, suspenseful GhostWalker novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.
Gideon "Eagle" Carpenter is used to rolling with the punches life has thrown at him. It's the only thing that's kept him alive. He and his team of GhostWalkers have seen and experienced it all. He does his best to live with all the sins written on his soul. Then he hears the laughter of a woman with the ability to erase--even for a few previous moments--the darkness of his past.
Laurel "Rory" Chappel has always been a nomad. She's accustomed to taking care of herself, despite the physical challenges she lives with. She thinks she's too weak to find real love, but that doesn't stop her interest in Gideon from turning into a full-on addiction. He's all rough edges and danger contrasted with a tenderness that makes her feel safe. Still, after a life spent in motion, she's not sure she knows how to stay in one place.
Gideon hopes he can persuade Rory to take a chance on him with every electric touch. But soon, life conspires against him, forcing the GhostWalker to risk everything to protect the woman he loves....

Rory Chappel is a nomad. She moves from city to city, working as a bartender, but not making any real connections with anyone. That changes when she lands in San Francisco. Not only does she meet a great group of women at her apartment complex, but that’s where she meets Gideon Carpenter. To Rory, Gideon seems too good to be true. He’s attentive & attractive among other things. Rory is used to being on her own, so having so many people care about what happens to her in such a short amount of time throws her off her game. She usually only stays in a city for a few months, then she moves on. She’s not exactly running from anything, she just moves when the urge strikes. It’s not going to be so easy to leave San Francisco. So she starts wondering if she should plant some roots.

Gideon Carpenter is a GhostWalker. Before that, he was an abused child that grew up in a violent household. There are decisions that Gideon made in his life that he regrets to this day. When he first hears Rory’s laughter, he knows he has to find her. When he does find her, she takes his breath away. Rory doesn’t put off the vibe that most GhostWalkers do, but he’s certain that she is a GhostWalker. That would be the only thing that would explain the instant & irresistible attraction he has to her. Then he goes and fucks everything up by telling his team her secrets. It wasn’t that he wanted to tell them, but above all, Gideon is a protector.

This book was unlike any Christine Feehan book that I’ve read in the past. This book was based more on emotion than sex. I don’t think the sex actually happened until about 90% into the book. I was okay with that because at times, Christine Feehan overdoes it with the physical. Honestly, I’m still a little confused about the plot. There was a whole suspense aspect that was weird. Like it didn’t fit into what I’m used to in a GhostWalker novel. Although, that might have ended up being a good thing. This is one of the few series that I still read by Christine Feehan & I plan on continuing with it. It’s interesting & hot. This world that she has created is pretty amazing.

Rating: 4 out of 5.

GhostWalkers

four-stars

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What Are You Reading? (640)

Posted March 17, 2023 by Casee in Features | 2 Comments

Casee

I’ve been reading a lot of Sherilee Gray. She reminds me of Dianne Duvall. Her books are easy, fast, and entertaining. I also read Storm Warrior (Grim #1) by Dani Harper. I wasn’t crazy about it. The heroine drove me batshit crazy. She was supremely annoying. I almost DNFed the book at 89%, that’s how frustrated I was. I’m currently reading Taming the Alpha (Crescent Moon #1) by Katie Reus & Alpha Instinct (Moon Shifter #1) by Katie Reus. I’m looking for a good contemporary if anyone has any suggestions.

I have Things We Hide From the Light (Knockemout #2) by Lucy Score to listen to. Hopefully I’ll start it today or tomorrow. Fingers crossed.

Holly

I read Spring Breeze by Lily Alexander, a new-to-me author, featuring a grumpy boss and a woman who was left at the alter. I really liked parts of the story, most especially the MCs journey to rebuild her life, but it was kind of slow in parts. I’ll probably try another book from the author in the future. I read Power Play by Maria Luis, which I didn’t love. It was a quick read and engaging, but the short page count meant the romance happened a little too fast to be believable. One Last Shot by Julia Connors was a Kindle recommendation because I read Power Play. I enjoyed it. It could have been a little shorter and the third act breakup wasn’t my favorite, but I liked it overall. I also read One Little Favor, a novella set in the same series featuring a grumpy/sunshine workplace romance. It was a cute read. I read By a Thread by Lucy Score, which is another grumpy/sunshine workplace romance. I really enjoyed it. It could have been a little shorter, but the banter was great and I really liked the premise.

I listened to Dog with the Bone by Hailey Edwards. I thought I had already read this series, but I didn’t have it marked. Some details were familiar, while others were brand new to me. It was a quick read and I enjoyed the narrator, but I’m not sure I’m in the mood to continue the series. I read The Dark Elf’s Secret Baby by Celeste King. I didn’t love the heroine (in fact she drove me crazy), but I liked the hero and the writing enough to pick up the second book, The Dark Elf’s Surprise Baby. I have so much regret. Between the “hero” physically assaulting the heroine and the poor choices they both made, I still can’t believe I read through to the end. I will not be seeking out any additional books from the author.

I started Heir of the Dog by Hailey Edwards and Sure Shot by Sarina Bowen, but set both aside after just a few pages, as I wasn’t in the mood for either. I’m still not sure what I’m going to read next.

What are you reading this week? Any new favorites or books that drove you crazy? Share!

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Review: Knight’s Redemption by Sherilee Gray

Posted February 27, 2023 by Casee in Reviews | 1 Comment

Review: Knight’s Redemption by Sherilee GrayReviewer: Casee
Knight's Redemption by Sherilee Gray
Series: Knights of Hell #1
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: October 24, 2018
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 298
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
three-stars
Series Rating: three-stars

With one fatal mistake, immortal demon hunter Lazarus started a chain reaction that set him and his five brothers on a collision course straight to Hell. There's only one way to save them all-claim his mate, a sweet beauty he doesn't deserve and will only end up hurting. But immortals fall hard, and walking away from her when it's over is going to be near-impossible. When bookstore owner Eve Taylor starts hearing the thoughts of others, she is certain she's losing her mind. Until the day a wickedly seductive and dangerous warrior appears and introduces her to a terrifying new world-one she has been part of her whole life and never knew. Now, with a traitor consumed by darkness and driven by revenge hunting them, they have one chance at survival. But they must give into the scorching desire that, if they let it, could destroy them both.

Eve Taylor is a local bookstore owner that has no idea that the paranormal exists. When a strange man comes into her shop, she is instantly wary. When he kills one of her regulars, who is actually a demon, she loses her shit. Eve has always known she was different than other people, but she had no idea how different she was. It’s only been recently that she has been able to hear thoughts of those around her. Even then, she never considered that the supernatural existed, let alone that she would end up abandoning the life that she has built.

Lazarus is a Knight of Hell. His sole purpose on the Earth is to protect it from demons. When he first senses Eve, he instantly knows who she is to him. His mate & the other half of his soul. The only problem is that he doesn’t want a mate. After losing the woman that he thought of as a daughter, Lazarus blames himself for her death. While the demon side of him wants Eve desperately, he will never put her in a position where her life will be put at risk. Then he gets to know her & all his plans go straight to hell (heh).

This book was an extremely easy read. Lazarus was pretty annoying what with his refusal to take Eve as his mate, or even tell her that she is his mate. He’s so determined to protect her that he almost fails to see what is right in front of him. Eve was a great heroine, a woman that knows her own mind & wants to learn. As a newly awakened demi-demon, she is just coming into her powers & Lazarus might be the only one that can help her mater them.

I liked this book enough to read on, though it wasn’t spectacular by any stretch of the imagination.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Knights of Hell

three-stars

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Review: Beyond Destiny by Georgia Lyn Hunter

Posted February 20, 2023 by Casee in Reviews | 1 Comment

Review: Beyond Destiny by Georgia Lyn HunterReviewer: Casee
Beyond Destiny by Georgia Lyn Hunter
Series: Fallen Guardians #8
Publisher: Self-Published
Publication Date: December 27, 2022
Format: eBook
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 480
Add It: Goodreads
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four-half-stars
Series Rating: five-stars

Can a creature of the dark and an angel conquer a forbidden love?
As a new Guardian, bloodshed and death have become Ely’s way of life. During a skirmish, she faces off with a demon unlike any, whose sexy swagger and wicked smile throw her off her stride. Until he opens his mouth. Then she wants to kill the maddening male. Yet, every time he’s near, the draw to him is inexorable…but he’s her sworn enemy.
They call him Sicari, an assassin. Except he is something worse—a monster. Bound to a hellish existence, Nate shuns entanglements of any sort until a female who’s as lethal as the weapons she wields cracks through his armor with just a glare. Their attraction is undeniable, but they can never be. Not when his all-consuming desire for his beautiful nemesis becomes as dangerous as his need for gore and death.
As their emotions unravel and eternal heartbreak looms, both succumb to a dark passion, awakening Nate’s sinister side. With enemies closing in and time running out, Nate must sacrifice everything to protect the angel he loves. But Ely will battle the entire Dark Realm to save him, even if it means facing a fate from which there is no escape…
Another slow-burn dance in this 126k+ words enemies-to-lovers story!

Ely is an Empyrean princess who escaped her realm to Earth after her parents tried to force her to mate. It’s taken Ely time & effort to prove to her fellow Guardians that she is worthy of the job. After months in Gaia’s realm, Ely is finally gifted with her Guardian weapons. All Ely wants to do is fit in with her brethren & protect humans from an evil they don’t know exists.

Nate was left for dead as a child & his savior gave him a demon symbiont to save him. Aba had no idea when he gifted Nate with the symbiont that it would have been better if he let him die. Nate’s life is not easy, in fact it’s hell. Being bound to an archdemon in the Dark Realm, Nate is known as Sicari. Assassin, killer, demon. Then he meets Ely & she turns his world upside down.

Ely is drawn to Nate even as she’s repelled by her feelings for the demon at first. As their paths cross again and again, Ely begins to suspect that Nate is her mate even if he is not her destined mate. When Nate’s wyvern side comes out in the Dark Realm, Ely will do anything to save him, even give her own life.

The author mentioned in the Afterword that this book was long than she intended. I think it was the perfect length as we got to know Nate’s story & how Ely has been a part of his life for far longer than either of them have realized. I loved this book from the first page to the last. I can’t wait for the next book in this series!

Rating: 4.5 out of 5.

Fallen Guardians

four-half-stars

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Review: Hunter Avenged by NJ Walters

Posted February 13, 2023 by Casee in Reviews | 0 Comments

Review: Hunter Avenged by NJ WaltersReviewer: Casee
Hunter Avenged by N.J. Walters
Series: Forgotten Brotherhood #6
Also in this series: Fury Unleashed, Arctic Bite, Ancient Desire
Publisher: Entangled: Amara
Publication Date: January 16, 2023
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 344
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
three-stars
Series Rating: four-stars

It’s taken Viking hunter Sven Knutson six frustrating months to find her. To track down the angel responsible for compromising the Forgotten Brotherhood and waking the drakon. She may be clever. Resourceful. But no one ever gets away from Sven. Ever.
All Rivka longed for as an angel was a chance to serve on Earth and help humans. Instead, it all went impossibly, horribly wrong, and she still doesn’t understand how or even why. All she knows is that she’s on the run—not only from Heaven’s dangerous elite guard, but also from the Brotherhood, who want answers.
She might just have to trust the immortal Viking whose icy blue eyes make her feel almost wickedly human. Because someone wants Rivka dead and the Brotherhood eliminated. Someone powerful enough to take on the most dangerous assassins who have ever lived. Someone who could unleash the fury of both Heaven and Hell…and Rivka is the key.
Each book in the Forgotten Brotherhood series is STANDALONE:* Fury Unleashed* Arctic Bite* Burning Ash* Bjorn Cursed* Ancient Desire* Hunter Avenged

Sven Knutson is a Viking hunter that worked for as an assassin for the goddess Freya for a millennia. After he is released from her service, he joins the Forgotten Brotherhood. The Forgotten Brotherhood is a group of assassins that police the paranormal world. If someone or something paranormal needs killing, they are the ones that do it. They only have a few rules. One is to never betray a fellow assassin & the other is to only kill people that are guilty.

Sven has been tracking an angel for six months. She’s proven to be very resourceful, but Sven always gets his man (or woman in this case). As he follows her around the globe, he starts to wonder if she’s as bad as he is being told.

Rivka was the Keeper of Angelic Records. When she’s offered a chance to leave the celestial realm & go to Earth, she is thrilled. She’s given a chance to help people with the Angel Foundation. What she doesn’t know is that she’s being used by a higher power to find psychic women. When she realizes what the foundation was doing & that the Forgotten Brotherhood is after her, she runs.

I really liked Sven & Rivka, but the book was missing something. I read it quickly, but there was just no depth to this book. It was all very surface oriented to me, if that even makes sense. There was no delving into the past & learning more about these two. It was all very much in the present. I’m not sure if I’ll read the next book in the series. There is not another character that I am interested in reading about. It’s been several weeks since I read this book & I honestly don’t remember that much about it.

Rating: 3 out of 5.

Forgotten Brotherhood

three-stars

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