BDB: Zsadist and Butch (Reviews)

dear readers,

I am now full out addicted to J.R. Ward's BDB series. I love the characters and the world she has created - vampire and lessers...

LOVER AWAKENED
(BDB: Book Three)
genre: paranormal romance

4 STARS
  

Bella has been taken by the Lessers and the Brotherhood are up in arms searching for the aristocrat, especially twin brothers, Zsadist and Phury.  Both vampires are sexually attracted to Bella but neither feels they are good enough for her.  Phury has been celibate for a long time and until Bella he has not felt sexual stirring.  Zsadist has had a past that has made him who he is.  He cannot shake the feeling he is unworthy and has dirty blood - this causes him to push Bella away.  

After Bella is rescued from the Lesser her captor is still out there looking for her.  She cannot go home so stays with the BDB for her safety.  She is attracted to the scarred angry Z and has suffered humiliation of his rejection.  Yet she cannot stay away from him.  As Z pushes her to a safer bet in his brother Bella only pushes harder with Z.  

I am enjoying this series more than I thought I would  I love the characters and the flaws they carry and try to still do good in the world.   I like the world that Ward has created with the Brotherhood, civilians and Lessers.  This is a perfect series for those who loved paranormal romances as teens.  The next novel is Butch's story and I am looking forward to this one. 



LOVER REVEALED 
(BDB: Book Four)
genre: paranormal romance

4.5 STARS 

Butch, an ex-homicide detective, has found a home within the Black Dagger Brotherhood.  While Butch is a human among Vampires it is the first time he has felt like he has belonged.  He is love with Marissa, also a vampire, but his past makes him feel like he does not deserve her.  Nor does he feel like he is helping the BDB as much as he could be.

Marissa has been rejected by Wrath, the Blind King and cannot force herself to love Rehvenge, another nobility.  She can only think of the human man that seems to be attracted to her as well.  Can she stand another rejection if Butch does not love her?

My favourite novel in the series so far.  Butch's story does not disappoint and his past is explained with compassion and truth by Ward.  Marissa and Butch's romance is a lot like Romeo and Juliet's in a way.  Butch is not a vampire and cannot fully live in their world. There are misunderstandings among the lovers and sacrifices.

The real "love" story is between Vishous and Butch.  The friendship between the two is phenomenal especially since Vampires do not make friends with humans, and BDB do not let them into their world.  V helps him navigate in their world and they look out for one another.  I really loved the two together.

John also comes into his own and has to deal with other boys's transition.  A great novel if you don't mind reading all night or not getting anything done during the day. :)

It has been great reading these novels but have needed some breaks to get through some other books.  Both books above have already been published and are available.  

love, 
kris

Review: Home to Whiskey Creek

dear readers,

(I received an ARC from the author in exchange for an honest review).

Home To Whiskey Creek
(Whiskey Creek: Book Four)
Written by Brenda Novak
Genre: contemporary romance

 Wow! Novak has been steadily bringing emotions and tough issues to Whiskey Creek since the second book, When Snow Falls.  Again with her newest novel we are hit with difficult issues and left wondering what would we do if we were in that situation.  I really love this series and would highly recommend this to any of Jodi Picoult, Robyn Carr, Susan Wiggs or Barbara Delinsky fans.

Addie returns home to care for her ailing grandmother who raised her while her mother chased men.  Addie has not returned since she graduated from high school as she has has a secret that could tear the town apart.  Being back has put her in danger as there are some who are afraid she willl spill her secrets. Noah, the mayor's son and her old crush  knows someone is keeping Addie from feeling safe in Whiskey Creek and he will do anything to keep her safe.  Noah is also trying to figure whether his old friend Baxter is in love with him and how he will let him down without ruining their friendship.

I love that Novak takes the genre of contemporary romance and is not afraid to bring real issues to her characters.  While you have the excitement of boy and girl meeting and the journey of them falling in love you also have the real problems you sometimes don't see this genre.  Homosexuality and gang rape are two issues that the characters are faced with. Instead of putting a damper on the romance for me it brings out the contemporary issues and makes the romance more realistic.

I highly recommend this series from start to present book...I cannot wait for the next one. 

love,
kris

Whiskey Creek

dear readers,

I have left the world of regency for contemporary small town romances.  Maybe it's the giddiness of being in love or the need for simple present-day happily ever after but I am loving small town USA.  One of my favourites MUST-READ series is Brenda Novak's Whiskey Creek.  I have read Novak's romantic suspense so wasn't surprised when I instantly became hooked...

WHEN WE TOUCH 
(Whiskey Creek: Book 0.5)
Written by Brenda Novak
genre: contemporary romance

4 STARS

This novella is the introduction to Brenda Novak's newest series, Whiskey Creek. Olivia has always imagined that when she planned Kyle's wedding she would be the bride, not her younger sister, Noelle.  During a break in their relationship, while Olivia built her business, Kyle slept with Noelle and had gotten her pregnant.  As Olivia returns home to plan and attend the wedding she finds herself in the path of bad boy, Brandon.  Brandon is Kyle's stepbrother and in no way friends.   As she becomes more attracted to Brandon she is starting to realize that maybe Kyle was never meant for her.

WHEN LIGHTNING STRIKES
(Whiskey CreekL: Book 1)
Written by Brenda Novak
genre: contemporary romance

4 STARS

Gail is the owner of a PR company that handles bad boy actor, Simon O'Neal.  Simon is out of control and Gail finds herself getting sucked into a Jerry Maguire situation.  As Simon tries to take Gail down he learns that if he wants to gain custody of his son he will need Gail.  Gail down on her luck cannot believe she will need to help Simon to help herself.  As the two work together they realize the person the thought they knew was only a front and their life starts to get more complicated.


To be honest I was not sure I would if I would even like this book.  I am not really into the LA and acting scene so at first was a bit leery.  However, Novak's writing kept me turning the pages until I literally could not turn the pages fast enough.  I love Whiskey Creek and Gail and her friends.  I am ready for another book, PLEASE.


A great introductory story - short and sweet.  As I read this novella I was going through so many emotions like Olivia.  I wanted to slap sense into Kyle as everyone but him knew he was headed for trouble.  I liked how Novak wrote Noelle as it was so easy to make her into her a stereotype.  And, Brandon....was exactly what Olivia - and honestly any girl - needed.

WHEN SNOW FALLS 
(Whiskey Creek: Book Two)
Written by Brenda Novak
genre: contemporary romance

4.5 STARS

Cheyenne loves her friends, especially Eve Harmon and her parents.  Whiskey Creek has been the first place she felt at home.  Her mother who is now dying of cancer has never treated her youngest daughter with any care.  She has looked out for herself and dragged her 2 girls around from one crappy place to another.  Cheyenne's friends have left town for a cruise leaving her alone with her mother and sister. Eve has recently been pursuing Joe, Cheyenne's longtime high school crush.  While Eve is away Joe has been pursuing Cheyenne.  Not only does she feel guilty but she has been recently felt attracted to bad boy mechanic, Dylan.  As she tries to stay away from him and his dangerous world she realizes that her mother has kept a secret which she could take with her in death.

So far this is my favourite Whiskey Creek novel...and it is only book 2!  Cheyenne has this innocence that made me want to see her happy and protected from everything bad.  I also felt for Presley and how she wanted to do right.  There was so much happening in this novel and I am still thinking about it.

WHEN SUMMER COMES 
(Whiskey Creek: Book Three)
Written by Brenda Novak
genre: contemporary romance

4 STARS 

Callie has moved into her grandparents' farm under the guise of making renovations so they can finally sell the property.  In truth Callie is hiding a secret from her family and friends about needing a liver transplant.  As she prepares to deal with this on her own, one night a stranger appears on her doorstep bleeding and hurt. The stranger, Levi stays on to help Callie with the renovations as he recuperates and Callie realizes she is not the only one with secrets.  As the two try and keep away from one another they find themselves more connected.

I am loving Novak's newest series, Whiskey Creek.  As each novel comes available I am just inhaling them in a day.  In the 3rd book we find out more about Callie and Kyle that was hinted in the last novel.  In the previous novels I was not that interested in Callie's backstory but wow I was hooked from the first page. I liked the chemistry between Levi and Callie as they try and keep away from one another as they both see themselves as damaged.  If you are looking for a small town contemporary romance with real heart this is the series for you!


COMING SOON...

Adelaide Davies, who's been living in Sacramento, returns to Whiskey Creek, the place she once called home. She's there to take care of her aging grandmother and to help with Gran's restaurant, Just Like Mom's. But Adelaide's not happy to be back. There are too many people here she'd rather avoid, people who were involved in that terrible June night fifteen years ago.

Ever since the graduation party that changed her life, she's wanted to go to the police and make sure the boys responsible — men now — are punished. But she can't, not without revealing an even darker secret. So it's better to pretend. . .

Noah Rackham, popular, attractive, successful, is shocked when Adelaide won't have anything to do with him. He has no idea that his very presence reminds her of something she'd rather forget. Neither does he know she's the reason his twin brother didn't survive that party at the old mine.

love,
kris

Back in Virgin River: REVIEWS

dear readers,

I am back in Virgin River a great place to visit...

A VIRGIN RIVER CHRISTMAS

(Book 4)

Written by Robyn Carr

3.5 STARS

It is Christmas in Virgin River and Marcie Sullivan has treked up the mountain to see if her late husband's best friend is alive and well. He has ignored all attempts to respond back to Marcie since her husband's accident. Ian Buchanan wants to be left alone. He has put his time in Iraq and now wants to live alone in the woods and live a simple life. Both are stubborn and it becomes a game of chicken until Marcie catches the flu and Ian and her are stuck in a small cabin for Christmas holiday.

If Ian wanted to be left alone he really should have done his research. Virgin River is the last place you should go as you cannot help but fall in love and or have babies. I am not a fan of holiday books but I zoomed through this one with glee :)

SECOND CHANCE PASS

(Book 5)

Written by Robyn Carr

4 STARS

Paul Haggerty has been in love with Vanni before his best friend, Matt fell in love with her. He has stayed in the background being loyal to Matt and would do anything for either of them...like be there for Vanni when she goes into labour and wants him to be his birth buddy. All the emotion made Paul run home to Grant's Pass where he sleeps with a woman he doesn't love. Vanni's mother-in-law takes it as her duty to set Vanni up with a cute single doctor, Cameron. Cameron could be the one IF Paul hadn't already stolen her heart. Neither makes a move and things continually set them apart. Will Paul finally get his Vanni?

Nikki, Vanni's best friend's relationship has fallen apart as she wants more than he can ever give her. As she watches Vanni fall in love she wonders if there is a man for her...Joe, a former marine, looks at Nikki and wonders what kind of man would ever leave her.

A new resident has come into town, Muriel St. Claire - a famous older actress and catches Walt's eye. Preacher and Paige finally have the baby they tried so hard to conceive.

I am glad to finally get down to Paul and Vanni's story and have been routing for them since they first made their appearance in VR. You could feel Nikki's heartbreak with her jerk of ex-boyfriend. Harrumph. But seriously, everyone need a shake in this novel to get going. I felt like Jack and wanted to get in there and get them paired up. Thanks for another page-turner, Robyn Carr!

TEMPTATION RIDGE

(Book 6)

Written by Robyn Carr

4 STARS

Ready? Shelby is back in VR staying with her uncle Walt while she applies to college, plans a few trips and start to be like other women her age. Her first day back she meets Luke Riordan (new resident in VR). Both are looking for anything but each other but also cannot help but only look at one another. If they go in knowing that they both have other plans then they can be with another and part as friends...or can they?

Art, a 30 year old man with down syndrome, is the other new resident in VR. After being abused by his caretakers he runs away and Luke find him hurt, extremely dirty and hungry in one of his run down cabins. Luke decides to take him in until he can find out more details about Art.
Cameron, who had been set up with Vanni, meets a woman in a hotel bar and finds himself attracted to her and ready to take a chance. Just as quickly as they met she has vanished leaving behind another disappoint for the gorgeous doctor.

Mike and Brie are having a baby, Mel tries to get Cheryl into rehab, there is a bus crash, Muriel and Walt are getting closer and other Riordan men making there appearance. And, warning there is one heartbreak that will have you sniffling on the bus.

Another fabulous novel set in the idyllic Virgin River. I love the characters and the new romances in each novel. What i love best is hearing about how the other characters are now doing. It is kind of like what happens after happily ever after. I wish there was more of the other characters and less of Walt and Mel/Jack.


On to the next book in Virgin River...

love,
kris