Tag: Paranormal Romance

Review: Burn by Suzanne Wright

Posted September 18, 2023 by Casee in Reviews | 0 Comments

Review: Burn by Suzanne WrightReviewer: Casee
Burn by Suzanne Wright
Narrator: Cat Doucette
Series: Dark in You #1
Publisher: Piatkus
Publication Date: November 26, 2015
Format: Audiobook, eBook
Source: Purchased
Point-of-View: Casee
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 301
Length: 13 hours and 32 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
four-half-stars
Series Rating: five-stars

Part of a small demon lair in North Las Vegas, tattooist Harper Wallis lives a pretty simple life. That changes overnight when she discovers that her psychic mate, or ‘anchor’, is a guy who’s rumored to be the most powerful demon in existence. Compelling, full of secrets and armed with raw sexuality, Knox Thorne is determined to claim her as his anchor, creating a psychic bond that will prevent their inner demons from ever turning rogue. The billionaire also wants Harper in his bed. She’s not so sure she wants either of those things. No one seems to know what breed of demon Knox is, only that he’s more dangerous than anything she’s ever before encountered. But he refuses to walk away. And when an unknown danger starts closing in on Harper, it seems that Knox is the only one who can keep her safe.
As Prime of his Las Vegas lair and a successful businessman, Knox Thorne is used to being in control. He’s also used to people fearing and obeying him. Harper does neither, which unexpectedly amuses him. Unpredictable, elusive, and complex, she draws Knox and his inner demon like nothing ever has. Knox is used to getting what he wants, and he wants Harper. He’ll have her, and he’ll keep her safe from the threat that looms over her. Because Knox protects what’s his. He won’t allow anyone to take her from him. Even if it will mean letting the demon inside him rise and wreak the havoc it was created to make.

It’s been some time since I read this book, but I’m going to give this review my best shot. I LOVED THIS BOOK. I’ve read all the books in the series & I can honestly say that this series will be in my top five of the year. I just adored it.

In the demon world, all demons look for their anchor. An anchor is a psi-mate that prevents a demon from turning rogue. Rogue demons have no sense of right or wrong, they are just mindless killing machines. All rogues have to be put down by someone in their lair. Harper Wallis is a sphinx that grew up among imps, so she’s an imp at heart. When she accompanies her cousin, Khloe, to a demon fighting ring, the last thing she expects is to meet her anchor. Not only does she not expect to find her anchor, she never expected it would be the infamous Knox Thorne.

Knox is the Prime of his lair that is known for not putting up with bullshit from any of his demons. When he inadvertently reaches out to Harper psychically, they both know instantly that they are anchors. Anchors, well, they anchor each other. Knox never thought he needed an anchor because he has fierce control over his demon. When Harper bursts into his life, he realizes how wrong he is. Now all he has to do is convince Harper to bond with him. This is not the same thing as mating, but it is just as important.

They are soon embroiled in a passionate affair, but Harper knows that Knox’s demon won’t be interested in her for long. He’s known for not committing to any woman that he gets involved with and Harper doesn’t see why it would be any different for her. Fortunately (or unfortunately), Knox’s demon becomes fully attached to Harper. Now that Knox has convinced Harper to bond with him, he now has to convince her to mate with him. The only issue is that she doesn’t know what kind of demon he is. Knox is afraid as soon as he tells Harper, that she will immediately pull away from him.

It doesn’t take long for Harper to realize that Knox is the one for her. Even knowing that, she’s unsure of their relationship. Knox is the first demon she’s slept with and she knew it would change everything for her. Now that she’s in his life, she is being targeted by his enemies.

I loved this book from beginning to end. I loved how strong Harper was. I loved how mushy Knox could be when it came to Harper. I just loved everything about it. I’m kind of sad that it’s not a new read for me because I would love to experience it all again. I’ve read (and listened) to all the books in this series & it only gets better and better.

Rating: 4.25 out of 5.

Dark in You

four-half-stars


Tagged: , , , , , ,

Review: Lassiter by JR Ward

Posted April 19, 2023 by Casee in Reviews | 2 Comments

Review: Lassiter by JR WardReviewer: Casee
Lassiter by J.R. Ward
Narrator: Jim Frangione
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #21
Also in this series: Lover Unbound, Lover Avenged, Lover at Last, Lover at Last, The King, The Shadows, The Beast, Lover Enshrined, The Chosen, Lover Mine, The Thief, The Savior, Where Winter Finds You, The Sinner, Lover Unleashed
Publisher: Simon & Schuster
Publication Date: April 11, 2023
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
Point-of-View: Alternating Third
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 480
Length: 15 hours and 17 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
two-half-stars
Series Rating: three-stars

The next book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood series!
In the next installment in J.R. Ward’s Black Dagger Brotherhood series, a fallen angel finds love with a mysterious female—who could be his destiny... or the embodiment of his utter destruction.

I don’t even know where to start with this review. My emotions were very conflicted when I finished this book. On one hand, I really liked being immersed back in the Black Dagger Brotherhood. It always hits me with a sort of nostalgia because I remember exactly where I was when I first read Dark Lover. That book hit me hard & has continued to stay with me through the last 18 years. I remember buying it from a used book store thinking that it was interesting that a man was writing romance novels (little did I know). I loved that book from the first page to the last. On the other hand, I didn’t love this book. I thought I would. I’ve been waiting for Lassiter’s story for quite some time. More than Tohr’s actually (and I really wanted that book). Lassiter has been such an interesting character from the first moment he appeared on the page. I think that JRW’s writing has changed & it’s not necessarily for the better. Unfortunately.

Lassiter & Rahvyn were supposed to be the main characters in this book, but I didn’t really feel like that was the case. I liked reading their story, but the Lash & Devina thing was absolutely ridiculous. I don’t care about Lash or Devina’s POV. As a matter of fact, it almost ruined the book entirely. When I would get to another chapter about those two, I felt like throwing my Kindle. It was really boring & I just didn’t give a fuck about those two. I understand that they were integral to the story and all that, but ffs, lay off a little. Devina’s character needs to be put out to pasture. She is so over-the-top bad that it’s just absurd. Lash isn’t much better.

The best part of the book was Lassiter & Rahvyn’s mating ceremony. I really felt that the ceremony & the love between all the characters was embodied very well. Still, that didn’t excuse the rest of the book. Even the (usually amusing, although sometimes annoying) anecdotes were eyeroll inducing. I would have DNFed it, but I really wanted to see what happened with Lassiter & Rahvyn. Unfortunately, I think that I’m going to call a halt on this series, even after the (kind of) cliffhanger. I also didn’t appreciate how she fast forwarded the series. I thought it was really poorly done.

Rating: 2.5 out of 5.

Black Dagger Brotherhood

two-half-stars


Tagged: , , , , , ,

Review: Ghostly Game by Christine Feehan

Posted March 20, 2023 by Casee in Reviews | 2 Comments

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


Tagged: , , , , , ,

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


Tagged: , , , , , ,

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
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | The Ripped Bodice | Google Play Books
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


Tagged: , , , , , ,