Tag Archives: 2 Stars Rating

ARC Review: Dark Wolf

1 Reply

Dark Wolf (Spirit Wolf #1)

Author: Kate Douglas
Publisher: Kensington Press
Publication Date: April 30, 2013
Description:

Dark WolfIt is a new beginning for the Chanku. For so
long they kept their shapeshifting ability secret, but now they have assimilated
into the world in ways they once never thought possible. Still there are those
who want to destroy them, with dark powers of their own…

A Bold New Beginning

The CEO of Cheval International, Lily Cheval chooses to live alone, but a
series of rapes and murders leave her wary and worried for her fellow Chanku.
Then she meets Sebastian Xenakis and the connection is intense and immediate.
The son of a charismatic cult leader, Sebastian is a mysteriously sensual man
who uses magic to shift into wolf form. He and Lily come together in a moment
of supreme ecstasy, succumbing to a primal passion that leaves Lily shaken but
utterly alive. Is Sebastian her lifetime mate or is he her worst enemy?

My Thoughts:

Well, right off the bat, let me say that there is sex in this book. Yeah, probably not a big shocker for anyone who’s a fan of Ms. Douglas’ work. As I had never read anything by this author before, and had no idea what sort of sex she put in her books, I was … stunned. Not only do we have man/woman sex, but we have woman/woman, man/man, a foursome and plenty of repeats of the combinations. Oh, and let’s not forget the wolf/wolf sex. Yes. She writes at least two sex scenes where both participants are in their wolf forms. Referencing Lily’s wet wolfen slit. And his hard knot.

::head desk:: Oy. Yeah. That was a major shocker for me. I like to read. Reading about wolves having sex … not so much.

So, now that I’ve gotten that off, I will say once my prudish side got shunted to the back of my head, I found the story itself good. There’s a fabulous world built by Ms. Douglas that apparently builds on a series she wrote call the Wolf Tales or some such. If there had been a tad (translation: a ton) less of the more adventurous sex (or at least a warning about the multiple partners thing), I would have put tracking down that first series toward the top of my to be read pile.

The plot itself is big and a certain appeal to it. There’s evil afoot in the world and Lily and Sebastian are caught up in it. There was some great momentum, but I would think if you are a long-time reader of this series, you might have gotten bored with the constant references to events that (I assume, at least) took place in the first series. I got bored with them, and hearing about the events that brought the Chanku out of the metaphorical closet, and I haven’t even read the series.

The growing attraction between Lily and Sebastian was good as well, though I felt a little put off by the fact that Lily on one level didn’t quite trust him yet, but didn’t hesitate to hop into bed, or the shower, etc. at every opportunity. I felt sorry for Sebastian and what he went through with his arse of a father.

The ending … disappointed me. It just seemed a little too contrived, and too deus ex machina for my taste. It’s entirely possible other readers will have an entirely different take on the ending, and the book as a whole. I just simply couldn’t get into it. I might give Ms. Douglas one more chance, maybe go back and read the first Wolf Tale book, but that may well be it.

For me, this book is a 2.5/5.

Book provided by Net Galley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Victoria

Heat Rating 2

ARC Review: Bite Me, Your Grace

Leave a reply

Bite Me, Your Grace

Brooklyn Ann
Sourcebooks Casablanca
Publication Date: April 2, 2013
Description:

BiteMeEngland’s “vampire craze” causes much vexation for the Lord Vampire of London, Ian Ashton. To save his reputation, Ian enlists aspiring authoress Angelica Winthrop without realizing she has hidden plans of her own.

Angelica Winthrop’s life goal is to ruin her reputation, avoid marriage, and become a gothic authoress like her idol, Mary Shelley. To find inspiration for her new story, she breaks into the home of Ian Ashton, Duke of Burnrath, not knowing she will be coming up against the Lord Vampire of London. Romance sparks and reputations are at stake. But who knows the real difference between fact and fiction?

My Thoughts:

Given my recent post about loving paranormal + historical romances, I couldn’t pass the chance to review this book. I had such very high hopes for it, based on the description. Add in the fact that I was part of an online critique group (possibly QueryTracker or RWC, can’t remember specifically which one) and remember the opening page prior to Ms. Ann even getting an agent, and I was particularly excited to read this book because I “remembered her before…”

Unfortunately, the book quickly lost me as an entertained reader.

First, let me say the good in this book. I loved the fact that Bite Me focuses on the paranormal/vampyre craze of the years with Lord Byran and Polidori. That’s something that not too many authors have picked up on, much less actually written about actual vampires and how the vampires might have reacted to it. I found Ian’s response to the crisis, in trying to find Polidori, etc., completely believable. Kudos there. I also liked Ian himself. He was a gentleman who was trying to control the darkness inside, which for any vampire can present quite a challenge. I rather liked Ian’s offspring and her obsession with Dr. Polidori.

However, what killed my enjoyment of the book was the whiny, annoying, non-stop “I am better than my age-group,” supercilious, feminist-from-the-1960′s-sounding heroine. OMG. I swear from her dialogue, she could have been plopped into any modern-set novel and not needed a single change to pull it off. She had absolutely no realism, in my opinion, as a Regency heroine. She’d never had a friend “because why would she want to be friends with those vapid types”, or words to that effect. Whyever Ian fell for her, I will never understand.

We got to meet the presumed hero of the second book of the series, one of the other vampires Lords. I found her world-building (apart from Angelica) well thought out and her organization of the vampires was good. Because there were so many positives (even though they couldn’t overcome my hatred of Angelica and Angelica’s attitude), I will probably take a look at the second book in the series when it comes out (November 2013).

It’s possibly, given positive reviews coming out for this book, that I will be the only dissenting voice, but I simply can’t give this book better than 2/5.

Book provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Victoria

Heat Rating 2

ARC Review: Baby Out of the Blue by Rebecca Winters

1 Reply

Baby Out of the Bluecover22899-medium

Rebecca Winters

Harlequin

Pub Date   Feb 5 2013

Description

Found: One baby…

Holidaying in Greece, Fran Myers is shocked to discover a tiny baby, swept away by a tornado. As she hugs the precious bundle a protective maternal instinct she thought she’d never experience kicks in.

One bachelor…

Relief is what the baby’s uncle, CEO Nik Angelis, feels when he sees Fran with Demi, and he asks for her help to care for the little girl.

And a little ray of hope?

Dare Fran and Nik believe that their once-crushed dreams of parenthood-and love-might come true at last?

My Thoughts

Baby Out of the Blue had a cute idea that I wish would have been executed better. The little baby made her way through a tornado and Fran helped save her. Nik, the uncle, sees Fran and not only is happy the baby is alive, but wants Fran for himself. Though I liked the way these two interacted and the family, I couldn’t get over one thing.

Fran’s friend. You’ll see what I mean. Over half the book was spent dealing with this woman’s failing marriage. She was rude, not supportive, and almost ruined Nik and Fran’s relationship. I’m pretty sure I would have really liked this story if it hadn’t been for her.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

RS-2

 

ARC Review: A Dream to Cling To by Sally Goldenbaum

Leave a reply

A Dream to Cling Tocover27239-medium

Sally Goldenbaum

Random House Publishing Group – Loveswept

Pub Date   Feb 11 2013

Description

In an unforgettable tale of unlikely passion, cherished romance author Sally Goldenbaum shows that in the game of love, rules are meant to be broken.

Sam Lawrence is a wild Renaissance man who chases his dreams around the world in pursuit of lucrative business ventures. But after meeting the captivating Brittany Winters, he is determined to keep her in his arms forever. If only he can persuade the auburn-haired beauty that he’s a serious catch and not a fleeting mirage.

Brittany has always followed the rules. Close with family and friends, dedicated to her job at an animal shelter, Brittany is firmly planted in a satisfying life—that is, until Sam comes along. Sam’s touch makes her head spin, but can a man on the move ever have a real home? Longing to hold on to her own dream of happily ever after, Brittany must decide whether she can trust Sam—or risk a broken heart.

My Thoughts

Brittany is the odd one in her family where she wants something more for herself rather than just the familial shackles her family things would be best. Sam is a man who doesn’t want to set down roots and would rather live as he does, enjoying life.

Brittany and Sam’s chemistry sparked from the start and though neither of them wanted want the other wanted, they both needed what the other had.

Though I did enjoy the hero and heroine, I couldn’t get into the plot and that just might have been me. The writing was well done, but I don’t think I’ll be rereading this one.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

RS-2

ARC Review: Temptation by Kathryn Barrett

2 Replies

Temptationcover27287-medium

Kathryn Barrett

Entangled Publishing, LLC

Pub Date   Feb 18 2013

Description

Laura Hayes has been acting since she was an infant, making Hollywood the only home she has ever known. But when she moves to Pennsylvania’s Amish country to film her next movie, she discovers there’s more to life than a pair of Jimmy Choos and a Marie Claire cover.

Intrigued by the Amish simplicity, she’s soon gardening and baking plum pies—and enjoying it. And when her neighbor turns out to be the local heartthrob and a talented furniture maker, she realizes that what’s missing from her life might be the love of a good man—not to mention the perfect heirloom tomato.

Jacob fights the urge to question the teachings of his Amish beliefs—despite his desire to create furniture that is beautiful as well as useful—and struggles with his longing for the sexy stranger who makes him feel truly alive for the first time. As his attraction grows, so do his doubts, until he’s forced to face temptation and decide once and for all what is truly worth the fight.

My Thoughts 

Temptation was a valiant effort in a contemporary romance field that not many try to dip their toes in. I’ve always been fascinated with the Amish/English world and have personally lived with the Amish for a year as a teenager so I couldn’t wait to dive into this book.

The world itself was accurate, though I didn’t see as many nice people as I did in real life, however, that might have had to do with the plot, so I won’t fault the book for that. The culture was shown effectively, if a little stoic—but that was okay.

However, the romance I couldn’t really connect to. Jacob was a strong man who had to choose between his faith and the woman who tempted him. Laura on the other hand, even though the author tried to show that she was trying to find herself, just seemed selfish to me. That was sad because by the end of the book, Laura changed and I finally wanted her to have a happy ending, but for most of it, I didn’t connect. However the writing was well done and the story kept me reading, even if I was annoyed by how everyone acted.

Temptation shows off promise of an author that I wouldn’t mind reading again to see how the romance she shows can grow. If you’re a fan of Amish romances, you might want to give this one a try.

I received an ARC of this novel via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

–Review by Nicole

RS-2