Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label romance. Show all posts

Saturday, 17 May 2014

The Trouble with Honor...And there is a lot of Trouble: Reviews


dear readers,


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



THE TROUBLE WITH HONOR
(Cabot Sisters: Book 1)
Written by Julia London
genre: historical romance

3 STARS 

Honor Cabot has never wanted to fall the rules and living under stepfather's roof and money allows the eldest Cabot daughter some freedom.  Now that her stepfather is on his deathbed and her stepbrother is to marry her rival Honor is being forced to marry.

Knowing all the consequences she goes to a well-known rake, George Easton to have him woo Monica, her sister-in-law, so she can break off the engagement.  Instead Honor falls for George but of course he keeps her at an arm's length.

I have to say I could not like Honor Cabot no matter how much I tried.  She was very selfish and a bit of a bully.  I felt bad for her rival, Monica who we were supposed to see as the bully and selfish.  George Easton was also self serving so I guess in the end they made a good pair.  The last half of the novel dragged a bit in trying to get a HEA ending. As much as I like Julia London's writing I will not be continuing with this series.


love,
kris

Sunday, 16 March 2014

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

Thursday, 4 October 2012

!!!SIZZLING!!! New Romantic Suspense: Review


dear readers,

One of my guilty pleasures is reading romantic suspense novels.  The great novels have a fine balance of romance and suspense.  There is a killer loose and a heroine and hero are thrown together not only to solve a case but also to fight their passion for one another.  I stay away from the porn and violence that sometimes is disguised as a romantic suspense.  You want to leave the book a bit shaken with the thoughts of the villain and stirred within with the love of the characters.  I don't want to be left disturbed and in need of a shower.  A new author - well new to me - Jami Alden's work is closer to the former.


BEG FOR MERCY 
(Book 1)
3.5 STARS

Megan Flynn is finally going to sleep with her new homicide detective boyfriend, Cole Williams only to have it interrupted by a phone call. Her brother has been arrested for rape and murder.  Fast forward 2 years where Sean Flynn is on death row with Megan putting her own life on hold to get him out.  Cole in a bid to save his career publicly stated Megan was not serious to him and he felt that Sean was guilty.
For the sake of his sanity and his sister's Sean decides to forgo anymore appeals.  This only causes Megan to investigate on her own.  She is putting herself in danger getting to the truth but she must find the killer.  Cole worries for her safety but helping her could lose him his job.  But can he really live without her anymore?

I galloped through this spicy novel.  Megan is a bit annoying but then again if I had someone on death row depending on me to rescue them I'd be highstrung too.  Cole is yummy and fierce  - no match for the killer or Megan.  I was more intrigued by Sean who has a past in the Army and this quiet sexiness.  Jami Alden seems to be an author to keep an eye on.

HIDE FROM EVIL                                                  
(BOOK TWO)
4 STARS

Sean Flynn is now free and trying to put the past few years behind.  Krista Slater - Sean's Prosecutor - feels guilty and angry that she had the wrong man and almost had him put to death.  She tries to put things right by continuing the investigation on her own dime.  Her one hope is Sean's help but he does not want to get involved - and neither do some other people.

When Krista attempts to gain Sean's help they are dragged into a fight for their life.  They don't know who they can trust and only have each other to turn to.
Krista is like a Hitchcock heroine - a gorgeous cold blonde.  She is tough as nails and out to prove herself to the world but has a quiet vulnerability that makes her very likeable.   Sean is just what she needs to bring out the warmth and in turn she brings Sean to life.  This novel has quick-paced action in both suspense and romance.  This series seems to get better and I cannot wait for Talia and Brooks story.



RUN FROM FEAR
(Book Three)
4 STARS
Talia Vega survived the Seattle Slasher with the help of the ex-Green Beret, Jack Brooks. Wanting to leave her terrifying past she moves to another town close to her now college bound sister, Rosario. She also wants to get away from Jack who she feels greatly attracted to but thinks he sees her as a broken victim.

Soon Talia starts receiving items that David, her ex-lover and mad man, had given to her and her home is being violated. Rosario calls Jack and suddenly Talia is not only running for her life but for her heart.

Jack has tried to forget Talia but can't and he will jeopardize his heart, job and life to keep her safe and for a moment with her. Together they must work together to find the her stalker.

Another great novel by Jami Alden and I am so glad she decided to write Talia and Jack's story. From book one I have liked Talia and could not wait to find out more about her. She is a strong woman stuck in a bad situation and thought herself in love with a man who loved her.
This novel also features men and women from Alden's Gemini Trilogy as Jack is a member of Gemini Security. Although I already know the outcome of the trilogy I will give book 1 a shot. I do kind of wish I would have known this before as I am a stickler with order.


http://www.jamialden.com/

love,
kris

Wednesday, 3 October 2012

REVIEW: The Dead Travel Fast

dear readers,


THE DEAD TRAVEL FAST
Standalone 
written by Deanna Raybourn
genre: paranormal, romance, gothic, history

2.5 STARS

I really liked Raybourn's Silent in the Grave and was looking forward to this stand alone novel and was sorely disappointed.   Set in Victorian times Theodora's grandfather has died leaving her with debts and in the hands of her brother-in-law. Her writing does not bring in enough money so they wonder what to do with Theodora. She then  receives a letter from a boarding school chum who invites her to her upcoming wedding. Arriving in Transylvania she discovers the myths she heard as a child seem to be coming true.  And the count may be more than a mortal.


This Gothic novel falls flat as the characters are not likeable, the heroine is annoying and wishy washy, the supernatural aspects are weak (cannot give examples without giving away the little suspense there is) and it ends quickly but rambles on with unimportant parts that have nothing to do with the novel.  


love, 
kris

How TWILIGHT Should Have Been Written: Review

dear readers, 

Ever feel like the teen angst and whining in the Twilight was going make you crawl the walls?  Not that it is a bad series it just felt simplistic, unedited and a lacked passion.  The kind of love that when you shut the book it makes you swoon a bit.  I have the solution of you...

THE DISCOVERY OF WITCHES 
(All Souls Trilogy: Book 1) 
written by Deborah Harkness
genre: fantasy, paranormal, romance, historical, literature

4 STARS

An epic forbidden relationship between a powerful Witch and ancient Vampire. It had Daemons, Witches and Vampires picking sides - for or against mixing of supernaturals. Enemies from all sides...threatening notes, kidnapping, stalking and murders. That is just the first part of the long yet quick novel.
It is a well written story that takes you away to another world and holds you a voluntary prisoner till the end! There is no flat love triangle or disturbing relationships. The characters are lively and jump from the pages.  And, the love...there is longing where he tries to keep her away from his dark side, but the push and pull has passion behind it.
 Matthew should be added to the list of tasty vampire men - handsome, worldly and of course brooding.   Diana, the hesitant witch, is his love and a strong heroine.  Did I mention this is only book one in the series?

*The Discovery of Witches was published February 2011.

http://deborahharkness.com/discovery-of-witches/

I am currently reading FALLEN (Book 1) by Lauren Kate another teen paranormal novel.  I am only halfway in the book and still in suspense.  This might be another good teen novel - will keep you posted.

love, 
kris



Lady Emily vs Lady Julia...Part II (A Review of Two Series)

dear readers,

AND IN THIS CORNER WE HAVE LADY JULIA...

SILENT IN THE GRAVE 
written by Deanna Raybourn
(Book 1)
genre: historical mystery, gothic


3.5 STARS



Lady Julia Grey's husband and childhood sweetheart, Edward, has died and she has set in for the year of mourning and taking care of the heir Sir Simon Grey.  On the day of her husband's death she meet the mysterious Nicholas Brisbane who claims he was hired by Edward and he may been been murdered.  She pushes those thoughts aside until discovers the threatening letters and forges ahead to solve a mystery that may not exist.

I loved Tasha Alexander's Lady Emily mysteries and found Lady Julia a good read while I wait for more Emily.  Set in Victorian times - Julia is apart of the eccentric March family whom I fell in love with and the servants were not lumped together as cardborad characters.  It is a fun historical mystery/romance.





I have rest of the books on hold to read soon.  I will post links to my reviews when I have read them for those interested.





















Book 3: Silent on the Moor
Book 4: Dark Road to Darjeeling
Book 5: The Dark Enquiry


COMING SOON:




SILENT NIGHT 
(A Novella)

'Tis the season for an investigation! Lady Julia and Nicholas Brisbane return for a Christmas caper at Bellmont Abbey - .

After a year of marriage - and numerous adventures - Lady Julia and Brisbane hope for a quiet, intimate Christmas together - until they find themselves at her father's ancestral estate, Bellmont Abbey, with her eccentric family and a menagerie of animals.

Nevertheless, Julia looks forward to a lively family gathering - but amongst the celebrations, a mystery stirs. There are missing jewels, new faces at the Abbey, and a prowling ghost that brings back unwelcome memories from a previous holiday - one that turned deadly. Is a new culprit recreating 



When it comes to the first books in the series Lady Julia kicks Lady Emily's butt by .5 stars.  Alexander's series is mostly focused on Emily and then her relationship with the Queen's agent, Colin.  Raybourn, on the other hand, focuses on Julia and her family.  There is an attraction between Julia and private investigator, Nicholas and I find it to be more interesting.  Nicholas is mysterious and we only get his story in strands. In real life you may want to be married to Colin, but when it comes to novels you definitely want to fantasize about Nicholas. 
Julia's family plays a bigger part in the book which adds to the book's flavour; Emily's parents seem a bit more bland.  Raybourn's novel is a bit more dark and mystical - think Sherlock Holmes (novels not movies) mixed with Bronte, and Alexander's novel is more women's rights and adventure - think Arthur Conan Doyle's Lost World mixed with Jane Austen.  I liked both books for what they were and if I had to pick, "Silent in the Grave" was the better of the two.  As for series...stay tuned.crimes of the past? And will Brisbane let Julia investigate - ? 

love, 
kris



Lady Emily versus Lady Julia.... (A Review of Two Series)







dear readers,

IN THIS CORNER WE HAVE LADY EMILY ASHTON...

                       AND ONLY TO DECEIVE 
(Book 1)
written by TASHA ALEXANDER
genre: victorian era, historical mystery, romance

3.5 STARS      

Lady Emily Ashton's (nee Bromley) character grows as the novel progresses but women's lib kind of knocks you too often in the head. As this takes place in the Victorian era I can see why this would be a big issue, but I think it would been better as a show then tell.  A great Victorian mystery and is believable.  Philip Ashton while on a hunting trip dies of a fever, but while Emily is in mourning she discovers who her husband really was and whether he was actually murdered.

link to summary: http://www.fantasticfiction.co.uk/a/tasha-alexander/and-only-to-deceive.htm


I have read the rest of the series and am up to date...



















































COMING SOON:

Book 7 in the Lady Emily Series



SYNOPSIS: Years ago, Emily's childum, scandalized polite society when she eloped to Venice with an Italian count. But now her father-in-law lies murdered, and her husband has vanished. There's no one Emma can turn to for help but Emily, who leaves at once with her husband, the dashing Colin Hargreaves, for Venice. There, her investigations take her from opulent palazzi to slums, libraries, and bordellos. Emily soon realizes that to solve the present day crime, she must first unravel a centuries old puzzle. But the past does not give up its secrets easily, especially when these revelations might threaten the interests go, Emily's childhood nemesis, Emma Callum, scandalized polite society when she eloped to Venice with an Italian count. But now her father-in-law lies murdered, and her husband has vanished. There's no one Emma can turn to for help but Emily, who leaves at once with her husband, the dashing Colin Hargreaves, for Venice. There, her investigations take her from opulent palazzi to slums, libraries, and bordellos. Emily soon realizes that to solve the present day crime, she must first unravel a centuries old puzzle. But the past does not give up its secrets easily, especially when these revelations might threaten the interests of some very powerful people.

love, 
kris