Review: Cat’s Eyes by Lynne Connolly
April 18, 2008
Shannon C.'s review of Cat's Eyes by Lynne Connolly
Paranormal erotic romance eBook published by Loose-ID Oct 2007
One of the perks to being a reviewer on a site like this, as opposed to my own piddly little blog, is that I get exposed to new-to-me authors that I might not have tried before. Lynne Connolly was one of the discoveries I made when I signed on as a reviewer and Sybil sent me some of her upcoming releases. I am so glad I know who she is now, because I have become a squeeing, obsessive fangirl.
Tags: 2007, Cats Eyes, Department 57 series, eBook, Grade A, Loose-Id, Lynne Connolly, Paranormal, Review, romance, ShannonCReview: The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
March 20, 2008
Gwen's review of The Serpent Prince by Elizabeth Hoyt
Historical romance released by Forever on 1 Sep 07
This book surprised me. I read the excerpt and thought, "Oh look. Nice, predictable historical. Simple lass nurses wounded aristocrat, they fall in love and live HEA." So, I wasn't in a big tearing hurry to read it. Figured I'd get around to it eventually. Well, I finally picked it up. Holy crap. Was I ever WRONG.
This book was surprisingly unpredictable for me. I read it in a day (thank goodness for Spring Break or I'd be looking for a job now).
Tags: 2007, Elizabeth Hoyt, Forever, Grade A, Gwen, Historical, Review, romance, September 2007, The Serpent PrinceEXCERPT Two: A Reason to Sin by Maureen McKade
March 8, 2008
Favorite author, Maureen McKade, wants TGTBTU's readers to have this second of two excerpts for the new entry in her new Forrester Brothers Trilogy, A Reason to Sin. Read on...
Review: Anchor and Storm by Kate Poole
March 7, 2008
Sandy M's review of Anchor and Storm by Kate Poole
Historical erotic romance released by Ellora's Cave on 4 April 07
Laughter, romance, tears, tenderness, and a little eroticism and you have yourself one comletely satisfying book. I'm so glad I found this jewel of an ebook.
Tags: 2007, Anchor and Storm, April 2007, Ellora's Cave, Erotic, Grade A, Historical, Kate Poole, Review, romance, Sandy MEXCERPT One: A Reason to Sin by Maureen McKade
March 7, 2008
TGTBTU friend and one of our favorite authors, Maureen McKade, had pity on our poor readers and has given us not just one but TWO, count 'em, two! excerpts of her new Forrester Brothers Trilogy book, A Reason to Sin. Read on for excerpt one of two...
Review: A Beautiful Surrender by Brenda Williamson
March 6, 2008
Sandy M's review of A Beautiful Surrender by Brenda Williamson
Historical romance print released by Samhain on 27 Nov 07 (ebook release 13 Feb 07)
I nearly surrendered myself and put this book aside, but I slugged along until I finished it. It never got any better, though. The negativity in this book is overwhelming and even though there are a couple of unfettered scenes here and there, that's just not enough to save it. Not even close.
Tags: 2007, A Beautiful Surrender, Brenda Williamson, February 2007, Grade F, Historical, Review, romance, Samhain, Sandy MReview: For A Few Demons More (Rachel Morgan & The Hollows, Book 5) by Kim Harrison
January 5, 2008
Gwen's review of For A Few Demons More (Rachel Morgan & The Hollows, Book 5) by Kim Harrison
Paranormal fantasy published 20 Mar & 27 Nov 07 by Eos
My relationship with the Rachel Morgan books is complicated. I both love and hate them. I care about the characters, enjoy the action and predicaments, but I want to throw the book at the wall regularly when a character (usually Rachel) does something stupid. There are many TSTL moments in a Rachel Morgan book. Despite this, Harrison manages to work the characters thru these moments and the plot actually ends up moving along because of them, not in spite of them. That's the one thing I really like about these books - the plot moves. It rolls unpredictably, jarringly, inexorably along. And that is what makes these such page-turners, despite the flaws. The reader just has to know what happens next. Read more
Tags: 2007, Fantasy, For A Few Demons More, Grade B, Gwen, Kim Harrison, November 2007, Paranormal, Rachel Morgan series, Review, Urban FantasyReview: Savage by L.A. Day
December 31, 2007
Sandy M's review of Savage by L.A. Day
Erotic sci-fi romance novella released by Ellora's Cave 7 Nov 07
I had high hopes for this book. It started out quite well in the first chapter, a good storyline and interesting characters, some great flashbacks to fill in the characters' history. It was when I was just a little way into chapter two that it all fell apart for me.
Tags: 2007, Ellora's Cave, Erotic, Grade D, L.A. Day, November 2007, Review, romance, Sandy M, Savage, Sci-FiDuodecimal: J.R. Ward’s 12 True Moments in Movies
December 31, 2007
J.R. Ward (a.k.a. Jessica Bird), author and personal bitch scribe to the Black Dagger Brotherhood, shares some of her favorite cinematic experiences with us.
Don't forget that her reader message boards re-open tomorrow, 1 Jan 08, at noon US Eastern! And that her next BDB entry, Lover Enshrined (BDB Book 6) , comes to us June 2008! Read more
Tags: 2007, Duodecimal, J.R. WardReview: Scions: Resurrection by Patrice Michelle
December 31, 2007
Devon's review of Scions: Resurrection by Patrice Michelle
Paranormal romance released by Silhouette Nocturne January 1, 2008
This was a tasty little treat for those of us who enjoy vampires. The first couple of Silhouette Nocturnes I tried were mediocre, but they have gotten better and better. I have now read several that I would recommend to others, and Scions: Resurrection is another to add to the list. It was a fast-paced story with nice chemistry between the hero and heroine.
Jachin, a loner who has been exiled from his vampire tribe, kidnaps Ariel because he thinks she will help fulfill a prophecy and get him back in with his people. From there on out it's non-stop action, as they dodge baddies and fight their growing attraction. Jachin had overbearing prick potential, but...I liked him. Not even sure why, I didn't think I would at first. Ariel skirted the edge of annoyingly sassy, but never went over. She was brave, but never TSTL.
In this world, vampires were created by humans to be a kind of superhuman weapon, accounting for their strength, agility and various abilities. The fangs are an unexpected anomaly, and the aversion to sunlight was created by the humans in order to give the vamps a weakness. It was an interesting and unexpected idea. However, there was one issue that nagged at me increasingly. What was with the blood-drinking? Why? Did the scientists want the vampires to suck on human blood? Maybe I missed something, but I didn't see how the blood thirst fit in. The Lupreda, werewolves created by the vamps, seemed contrived just to throw shapeshifters in there.
The book also suffered from some pacing issues. It was so fast-paced, then after the climax the last few scenes felt oddly tacked on. Despite these issues, this was an enjoyable book. The story and characters overcame my world-building quibbles, and after a couple of days I still liked the book. I will definitely read the next installment.
Grade: B-
Blurb:
Everyone believed vampires were extinct. Everyone was wrong.
When Ariel Swanson wrote a novel about vampires, she hoped it would exorcise her fear of the creatures that had, not so long ago, terrorized the human population.
Instead, it brought her to their attention.
And to the attention of Jachin Black - a man banished from the Saguinas, a vampire pack, and forced to hunt among the despised humans. For he clung to the prophecy given years ago, of a better way for his kind to live - a prophecy Ariel unknowingly used as the basis of her novel.
Ariel hates and fears vampires. Jachin despises humanity. But the prophecy - and passion - binds them in ways they could never have
imagined. Ways that may heal the past, and change the future.
[Ed. Check out Alicia's review of this book]
Tags: 2007, Devon, Grade B, Harlequin Silhouette, January 2008, Nocturne, Paranormal, Patrice Michelle, Review, Scions: Resurrection
