REVIEW: Haunted Wolves by Moira Rogers
Sandy M’s review of Haunted Wolves (Green Pines, Book 2) by Moira Rogers
Paranormal Romance published by Samhain 9 Jul 13
I’m really into this new Green Pines series by Moira Rogers. Though all of her books have evil to fight, tortured characters who need healing, who need help finding their way, this series takes all of that and more to a new level.
REVIEW: Medium Rare by Meg Benjamin
Stevie‘s review of Medium Rare (Ramos Family/Medium Trilogy, Book 2) by Meg Benjamin
Paranormal Romance published by Intermix 20 Aug 13
This book includes a bunch of elements I generally like in a paranormal romance: ghosts, a mismatched pair of protagonists (one believer, one skeptic), a complete lack of vampires and shapeshifters, and a mystery that will challenge at least one protagonist’s assumptions. However, this book doesn’t work for me, and it isn’t a matter of it being the second in a trilogy, since the story works very well as a standalone. After much thought, I think I’ve figured out what my problem is: it feels to me that there are just too many extraneous plot details shoehorned in there. I’m not entirely sure the story starts at the right time-point either.
REVIEW: The Protected by Shiloh Walker
Sandy M’s review of The Protected (FBI Psychics, Book 4) by Shiloh Walker
Paranormal Romance published by Berkley Trade 3 Sep 13
Yes, I say it every time – I love this series. Shiloh Walker gets better and better with every book. She keeps me riveted to the page, my heart pounding with fear and then desire, my emotions churning every which way. These characters are working toward the same goal, but trust is a huge pivotal point that is long in coming.
REVIEW: The Knight’s Temptress by Amanda Scott
Veena’s review of Knight’s Temptress (Lairds of the Loch, Book 2) by Amanda Scott
Historical Romance published by Forever 27 Aug 13
Amanda Scott does an excellent job at skillfully blending the history of the times with the story that she wants to tell to bring the period alive. I’m a history buff and I thoroughly enjoy Ms Scott’s books because of her attention to historical detail. Since this book is a continuation of one earlier in the series, you really need to start from the beginning to enjoy it.
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REVIEW: Playing For Keeps by Catherine Mann
LynneC’s review of Playing For Keeps by Catherine Mann
Contemporary Romance published by Harlequin Desire 2 Apr 13
Let’s get the plot out of the way first. This is totally preposterous on a number of levels. First, the hero is described as a soft rock star. I didn’t think people used that term anymore, but a man who writes piano ballads doesn’t seem like a soft rock star to me, unless the term has a different definition in the States. To me, a soft rock star is someone like David Coverdale, not Billy Joel. And having the man on the cover bear a startling resemblance to Liverpudlian comedian John Bishop doesn’t help.
REVIEW: An English Bride in Scotland
Sandy M’s review of An English Bride in Scotland by Lynsay Sands
Historical Romance published by Avon 25 June 13
Though this story begins with a bit of what we’ve read before in romance, it keeps its momentum fairly consistent, plying readers with a mystery that keeps us guessing and a nice romance to even everything out. It’s not Ms. Sands’ best, but it works for the most part.
REVIEW: Outcast Prince by Shona Husk
Stevie’s review of Outcast Prince by Shona Husk
Paranormal Romance published by Sourcebooks Casablanca 02 Jul 13
I fell in love with historic and supernatural Charleston at the age of seven, which may have been what drew me to this book, even though the location isn’t specifically mentioned in the blurb. Some lovely history and worldbuilding in this story, but with the snag that I found the politics and backstory far more interesting than the central romance.
REVIEW: How to Lose a Bride in One Night by Sophie Jordan
Stevie‘s review of How to Lose a Bride in One Night (Forgotten Princesses, Book 3) by Sophie Jordan
Historical Romance published by Avon 30 Jul 13
This book narrowly avoided getting my first F here at The Pond, by virtue of the villain’s name amusing me, along with the fact that it didn’t actually make me cross. Confused, yes. Almost a DNF, yes. Cross, no. So it scrapes a D.
REVIEW: The Unwanted by Shiloh Walker
Sandy M's review of The Unwanted (FBI Psychics, Book 3.5) by Shiloh Walker
Paranormal Romance novella ebook published by Samhain 30 Jul 13
With every book I read in this series, I'm amazed at the depth of psychic gifts Shiloh Walker gives her characters. On top of the tortured and fascinating characters themselves, it's those gifts that push the series into the stratosphere for me.
REVIEW: Choose Your Shot by Christine D’Abo
Veena’s review of Choose Your Shot (Long Shots, Book 5) by Christine D’Abo
Contemporary Erotic Romance published by Carina Press 12 Aug 13
How many times have you read a story and wondered what would have happened if the author had pursued a different angle? Well, this is your chance to pursue various angles or the one that you would prefer to see where it could lead. While I thoroughly enjoyed the ability to drive the story, I am disappointed in the way some of the paths evolved, as well as with the final outcome. read more…
