Mine to Read: Reviews

dear readers,

I don't read erotic fiction for the genre alone but I have recently been reading romantic suspense that has more sensual scenes than normal.  One author that I will read anything by is Cynthia Eden...

(I received ARCs from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review).

MINE TO TAKE
(Book 1)

3 STARS 

Skye Sullivan is being watched and no one believes her so she is not receiving any protection.  Old flame, Trace is now wealthy and has his own security agency.  When Skye comes to him he drops everything and guards Skye himself.  As the threat continues Trace himself is obsessed with Skye and his lust takes over.  

This novel is more erotic romance than a romantic suspense.  I do not read many erotic novels unless it is the side effect of a romantic suspense.  This one is the opposite where "suspense" is the side story.  Eden is a good writer so there is suspense but at times it does get forgotten.

MINE TO KEEP

(Book 2)

4 STARS 

Mine to Keep continues Skye and Trace's story...after surviving her ordeal Skye wants to have a normal safe life with Trace.  Unfortunately, Trace's past has come to the present day to tear them apart.  Trace's past, after he left her, has been a secret to Skye and Trace still wants to keep her in the dark.  However, his past has come to take his life...which is Skye and he must trust his past friends to survive.

This novel has more action and suspense than the first novel.  I really like Trace's friends from the past - Noah and Drake. I loved the ending as I did not see it coming but also disliked it (cannot say more without revealing spoilers). More please!

MINE TO HOLD

(Book 3)

4 STARS 

Now that Skye and Trace are safe and rebuilding their life, Claire has left town to ask for Noah York's help.  She needs a job and at this point he may be the only one who can help her.  Her parents were murdered by her teenage lover when they would not tell him where Claire was hidden.  After the murder Ethan is sent to prison but his obsession has not ceased nor has his father's anger with Claire.  When she tries to rebuild her life and get a job Senator Harrison is there to make sure it crumbles.

From the moment Noah York met Claire his life has begun to change...he wants to protect the proud fragile woman.  He will do anything he can to make sure she is safe including murder.  When Ethan is attends his father's funeral his car is blown up and Ethan is the first to be suspected...

The novel continues from Mine to Keep and has the same suspense and romance to engage the reader.  I liked the relationship between Noah and Claire and we got to see more the couple's past.  A great book.

MINE TO CRAVE

(Book 4)

3 STARS 

The fourth book in the series features Trace and Noah's tortured friend, Drake Archer and a mysterious thief, Jasmine Bennett.  Jasmine seems to be connected with his past and bringing him down.  Jasmine hold more secrets than Drake. WIll their pasts and secrets get in the way of them being together?

With the last two novels being steeped in suspense this novel fell a bit flat.  The secrets and twists kept coming at you that you soon did not care anymore as it seemed to be the same every time.  I also did not like Jasmine for Drake.

There will be another book in the series...

love,

kris

Fear for Me is for Me! (Review)

dear readers,

I have only read a few books by Cynthia Eden but she is fast becoming a favourite!

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

FEAR FOR ME
(Book Two)
written by Cynthia Eden
genre: romantic-suspense, thriller, romance

4 STARS 

"She's the obsession two men share: one wants her love, the other wants her life. 
A shared passion for justice first brought Baton Rouge district attorney Lauren Chandler and US marshal Anthony Ross together--when each played their part in bringing down the infamous Bayou Butcher. The sparks flying between the two made it clear they weren't just a legal dream team. Then desire had to make way for duty, and what they had was done. But it would never be over.

Five years later, it's none other than the Butcher who gets things started again, when his shocking jailbreak reunites the lawyer and the lawman...and reignites their love. But this time, the pair is in danger of being permanently parted--by a killer with revenge on his mind, and Lauren on the top of his list. As a new wave of terror sweeps through the streets and swamps of Baton Rouge, one man will pit his boundless passion against another's relentless hate, for the life of the woman who obsesses them both." (From Amazon)

An amazing follow-up to the first book in Eden's romantic-suspense series.  The books are loosely tied together but can be read as standalone. Lauren is strong female character that gives Anthony a run for his money,  Fabulous chemistry between the hero and heroine and great suspense.

I will be reviewing Eden's Mine series in the next few posts.

love,
kris

Novella of a Good Time: Reviews

dear readers,

I am still not feeling to great but am getting better.  Tomorrow I might even get out of p.j.s - baby steps. I am a bit quarantined right now so I don't spread this to my loved ones.  I am missing my love but have had more time to read. As I was napping here and there I decided to read some novellas I have lined up on my TBR.  For me novellas are hit or miss - but with the explosion of novellas coming out for series as a sample of what is to come - I have been liking them a bit more.  I still would prefer the full-length novel but novellas are starting to tied me over.  Fortunately, this round of novellas were great...

Looking for a stand alone contemporary romance novella...

THE BRIDESMAID 
written by Julia London
genre: novella, short fiction, contemporary romance, romantic comedy

4 STARS

 Kate Preston loves her job as an assistant editor in New York even if it does not pay well.  What she does not like is the hideous maid of honour dress her cousin and best friend has picked out for her to wear.  As she wrestles the dress on the plane to Seattle nothing from then on seems to go right.  First her seat meat hogs the seat rest, then there is turbulance is on the plane causing them to land followed by the air-controllers going on strike. When the last of the cars are taken, Kate is forced to carpool with Joe her plane seat mate.  As they race across the country to make it to Seattle love seems to be in the air.

Julia London's new novella is a fun romantic comedy.  It is short but has all the ingredients for a great contemporary romance.  I loved the romance between Joe and Kate and the banter they have on the trip. I strongly recommend this short fiction to all romance readers.

*BRIDESMAID was released October 1, 2013

Looking for a contemporary romance part of a series novella...

A December Bride

(A Year of Weddings: One)*

Written by Denise Hunter

genre: novella, short fiction, contemporary romance

4 STARS

Five hours till Layla's cousin's wedding her date comes down with strep throat.  Normally she would not mind attending a wedding on her own but not when her cousin is marrying her ex-finace.  Out of options Layla asks Murphy their mutual friend, and the person she blames for her cousin and fiance getting together.  Murphy in a moment of anger tells Layla's spoiled cousin, Jessica that he has asked Layla to marry him on Christmas eve.   Layla angry wants Murphy to retract but then she is given an opportunity for a job offer because of her relationship with him.  While they try to pretend to be love Murphy hopes that it can become a reality.

A cute romantic story.  I hate when a friend or family member thinks is okay to steal a boyfriend.  It makes me a bit anxious for the heroine as they usually have to still be apart of that cheater's life.  I do get a nice glowing feeling knowing that Layla's ex will have to live with Jessica all his life.  Murphy is the kind of guy romance readers long for and does not disappoint.

*A Year of Weddings are novellas for each month and are written by different authors.  Right now I am reading, A January Bride.

**This novella is part of Denise Hunter's Chapel Springs series - Layla's brother, Beckett's story.
*** A December Bride was released November 26, 2013

Looking for a suspense mystery part of a series novella...

The 7th Month

(D.D. Warren: Book 5.5)

Written by Lisa Gardner

genre: novella, short fiction, contemporary, suspense, mystery

4 STARS

At seven months pregnant D.D. Warren has been taken out of the field to man the office.  When a movie producer asks for her help on consulting on a movie she says yes just to get out of the station.  But the moment she hits the set she finds out the former police consultant has been found murdered.  Now she has to go to the set and figure out why he's dead and who did it.

This short fiction is rather good with suspense and mystery.  D.D. is her ornery observant self.  Pregnancy does not slow her down.  On the romance front D.D. has to decide whether she will move in with Alex.

* The 7th Month was published in January 2012.

** I will be reviewing Lisa Gardner's Fear Nothing (Book 7) in the D.D. Warren series tomorrow 

Looking for a stand alone paranormal romance/holiday novella...

A VAMPIRE'S CHRISTMAS CAROL

written by Cynthia Eden

genre: novella, short fiction, contemporary, paranormal romance

4 STARS 

 

Ben Prescott, a vampire, hates Christmas and the joyous season that comes with it.  SInce losing his love he stalks in the shadow offer his own sense of vengeance.  His latest kill brings about three spirits that ask Ben to look at his life and change before his soul is gone forever.

A great retelling of Dickens' Christmas Carol with a lovelorn vampire as scrooge.  Eden takes a story known by all and gives it a twist to engage her Paranormal Romance readers.  It is a short tale certain to please. 

A Vampire's Christmas Carol was published November 5, 2013.

*I was given an advance copy of Bridesmaid, A December Bride and A Vampire's Christmas Carol (from NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review.

love, 
kris