REVIEW: The Storm by Jean Johnson
December 2, 2008
Shannon C.'s review of The Storm (Sons of Destiny, Book 6) by Jean Johnson
Fantasy romance released by Berkley 1 Sep 08
I'll be sad to see the last of the Sons of Destiny. I feel like I've spent the last year getting to know all of them, and there are only two more books to go. I really do hope Ms. Johnson has other stuff in store for us, because I for one will definitely be on board when she brings it out. That being said, this sixth entry in the series isn't my favorite, largely for personal, highly subjective reasons. Which isn't to say I didn't like it, because I did, quite a bit. Read on for my thoughts. Read more
Tags: 2008, Berkley, Fantasy Romance, Grade B, Jean Johnson, Review, September 2008, ShannonC, Sons of Destiny series, The StormREVIEW: The Master by Jean Johnson
November 18, 2008
Gwen's review of The Master (The Sons of Destiny, Book 3) by Jean Johnson
Fantasy romance released by Berkley Trade 4 Sep 07
It should be no surprise that I like a little fantasy with my romance. I know it doesn't come as a surprise that a book titled "The Master" was something I liked. What is surprising me is how compelling I'm finding this series. It's very fun fantasy romance with lots of interesting characters and a unique world where paranormal is normal and normal is not. Read more
Tags: 2008, Berkley Trade, Fantasy Romance, Grade B, Gwen, Jean Johnson, Review, September 2007, Sons of Destiny series, The MasterREVIEW: The Storm by Jean Johnson
September 8, 2008
Gwen's review of The Storm (The Sons of Destiny, Book 6) by Jean Johnson
Paranormal fantasy romance released by Berkley Trade 2 Sep 08
What an interesting little world Johnson has created here! This was the first Sons of Destiny book I've read. I know. Lash me with a wet noodle, but it was! I have several of the others and I promise to dig them out of my TBR boxes and read them. I hesitated because I didn't want to be sucked into another large series, with no hope of finding my way out again. I feared for naught, however. The Storm read fine on its own, sans series, so presumably the others will as well. No emotional baggage no horribly tense cliff hangers to overcome in previous/following books. YAY! Read more
Tags: 2008, Berkley Trade, Fantasy Romance, Grade B, Gwen, Jean Johnson, Paranormal Romance, Review, September 2008, Sons of Destiny series, The StormREVIEW: The Cat by Jean Johnson
August 14, 2008
Shannon C.'s review of The Cat: Sons of Destiny, Book 5 by Jean Johnson
Fantasy/paranormal romance released by Berkley 3 Jun 08
As I've stated numerous times, I love the Sons of Destiny books. The family dynamic is a lot of fun, the world building just keeps getting better and better, and there's always a new twist on the romances presented that keep them from becoming too trite. Read more
Tags: 2008, Berkley, Fantasy Romance, Grade B, Jean Johnson, June 2008, Paranormal Romance, Review, Romance, ShannonC, Sons of Destiny series, The CatReview: The Song by Jean Johnson
May 3, 2008
ShannonC's review of The Song by Jean Johnson
Fantasy romance published 5 Feb 2008 by Berkeley
Just lately I have been embracing my inner Jean Johnson fangirl. I still couldn't tell you why I love these books, aside from the fact that the author's voice is so refreshing. She is not writing the exact same story with the exact same plot and the exact same characters in book after book, and her characters, while sometimes beyond irritating, are distinct and distinguishable and fun.
Tags: 2008, Berkley, Fantasy Romance, February 2008, Grade B, Jean Johnson, Review, ShannonC, Sons of Destiny series, The SongReview: The Master by Jean Johnson
April 28, 2008
Shannon C.'s review of The Master: Sons of Destiny, Book 3 by Jean Johnson
Fantasy romance released by Berkeley Sensation 4 Sep 07
I absolutely love the Sons of Destiny series. I've tried to analyze exactly why this is so that I can write a more coherent review than one that simply says, "OMG read this boook! Now!" So far I haven't figured out exactly what it is I love so much about the series except that it works.
You can read my reviews for the first two books in the series here and here.
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DUCK FLASH: Jean Johnson’s Romantasy News
April 10, 2008
Are you as addicted to Jean Johnson's Sons of Destiny series as I am? We’re halfway through this series of 8 books about 8 Warrior/Mage brothers (4 sets of twins) in an alternate universe similar to our medieval times except magic is the norm. A prophecy about the disaster(s) that will happen as each brother falls in love prompts their people to exile them to an isolated island.
Read more
Review: An Enchanted Season (anthology) by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh and Jean Johnson
December 24, 2007
Alicia's review of An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Jean Johnson
Paranormal romance anthology published 02 Oct 2007 by Berkley Trade
Melting Frosty by Maggie Shayne
This story shows what happens when opposites collide. Matthew has hated Christmas ever since his father died, while Holly has embraced the holiday season more than ever since losing her whole family just before Christmas. Can these two apparently mismatched souls ever find love together? A certain black hat seems to think so....
Holly is sweetness and light as Sybil would say. *G* Matthew is a true scrooge. Maybe I'm just sappy-happy now but this story was so sweet! I loved the happy "Magic of Christmas" feel to it.
Grade: B+
Charlotte's Web by Erin McCarthy
This story has three sisters who have been told by family that they are witches. The heroine doesn't want to be a witch, she just wants to be normal. Her sisters pressure her to try casting a spell to attract her secret love who is also her best friend.
The witch aspect is secondary to the romance. The characters were appealing and the story was fun. The seventeen year old sister was a bit too sexually aggressive for my taste, but that's me.
Grade B-
Beat of Temptation by Nalini Singh (excerpt)
This story is part of her Psy-Changeling series. Tamsyn Mahaire is the Healer of the DarkRiver pack, an unusually high position for one so young. The mating bond between Tamsyn and Nate Ryder snapped into place when Tamsyn was only fifteen years old. Now, at age nineteen, Tamsyn is ready to claim Nate for her own... or lose him forever.
I read this book for this story. I actually read it before I read Mine to Possess then came back to the rest of this book. While lighter than her full-length titles, Beat of Temptation is still classic Nalini Singh. The characters were consistent and the story drew me along. Nate went too far but that was the point Tamsyn was trying to make. Not to be missed for any Psy-Changeling fan.
Grade: B+
Gifts of the Magi by Jean Johnson (excerpt)
This story concludes this anthology. Steve Bethel and his fiancé, Rachel Rutherford, are trying to make a living from the Bethel Inn. A freak blizzard has led to cancellations of all of their scheduled guests, leaving a mortgage they can't pay to their miserly banker. However, unexpected visitors have arrived and miracles will be in store this
Christmas.
This story was the weakest in the book. It read more like women's fiction than a romance. I got the point but it was way before the story actually ended. The love scenes were sweet, showing the couple were solid and in love (not hot) but they felt like they could have easily been left out. I would have enjoyed more it if it were about a third of the length it was.
Grade: C-
Composite grade: B-
Blurb:
Tags: An Enchanted Season, anthology, Erin McCarthy, Jean Johnson, Maggie Shayne, Nalini Singh, Psy-Changelings series, ReviewIt's the time of year when dreams come true, miracles happen every day, and love is the greatest gift of all...
The holidays always seem to bring out the best in everyone, with heartfelt hugs for long-missed friends, sincere smiles in the spirit of the season, and a feeling of magic in the air.
Here, for the first time, is a collection of paranormal romances celebrating the holidays as never before. From a shape-shifting leopardess who wants a packmate to be her soulmate to a snowstorm that brings a surprise gift, these all-new tales by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Jean Johnson will stir your spirit in all the right places.
Vitis Vinifera…
October 8, 2007
SCANDAL'S DAUGHTER by Christine Wells
THE EDUCATION OF MRS. BRIMLEY by Donna MacMeans
Lord Deverill's Secret by Amanda Grange
An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, Jean Johnson
BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY by Cathie Linz
Touched by Fire by Catherine Spangler
Revenge Of The Homecoming Queenby
Tomorrow... 10am....
Tags: Amanda Grange, An Enchanted Season, BIG GIRLS DON'T CRY, Catherine Spangler, Christine Wells, Demon Envy, Donna MacMeans, Erin Lynn, Erin McCarthy, Jean Johnson, Lord Deverill's Secret, Maggie Shayne, Nalini Singh, Revenge Of The Homecoming Queen, Stephanie Hale, THE EDUCATION OF MRS. BRIMLEY, Touched by FireBook Alert: An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, Jean Johnson
September 30, 2007
An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, Jean Johnson
Releases Oct 2
Give readers a gift-new stories from a bestselling lineup of romance authors.
It's the time of year when dreams come true, miracles happen every day, and love is the greatest gift of all...
The holidays always seem to bring out the best in everyone, with heartfelt hugs for long-missed friends, sincere smiles in the spirit of the season, and a feeling of magic in the air.
Here, for the first time, is a collection of paranormal romances celebrating the holidays as never before. From a shape-shifting leopardess who wants a packmate to be her soulmate to a snowstorm that brings a surprise gift, these all-new tales by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Nalini Singh, and Jean Johnson will stir your spirit in all the right places.
Melting Frosty by Maggie Shayne:
For Matt, Christmas has aroused painful memories ever since his father died, leaving his family all but destitute and Matt with far too much responsibility too soon. Holly lost her family in a tragedy but found solace and strength in the holidays her family loved so much. So when Matt and Holly cross paths, it's more than fate it's a chance for both of them to find the one perfect gift they have both searched for all their lives...
Charlotte's Web by Erin McCarthy
For the longest time, Charlotte Murphy has burned for Will Thornton. But as far as Charlotte can tell, Will sees her only as a friend. Tired of waiting for Will to recognize her as the sexy, wanton woman she truly is, Charlotte decides to fall back on her genes - and embrace the witch within her. Her newfound powers offer a tempting way to get what she wants out of who she wants. But does she really want a man like Will to love her because of witchcraft - or because he wants to?
Beat of Temptation
Young Tamsyn has always held a special place in her heart for her powerful fellow pack-member Nate. But as a dominant male leopard in the pack, the more experienced Nate doesn't want to trap Tamsyn into the fierce demands of the mating bonda bond driven by the animal within—when she's hardly had the chance to grow into a woman. But Tamsyn knows what she wants for Christmas, and she's going to get it...
Gifts of the Magi
Steve Bethel and his fiance Rachel could use a few miracles right about now; the family bed-and-breakfast is mortgaged to the hilt, the biggest blizzard in half a century is ruining the shortest day of the year, the local bank manager is a stickler for bills being paid on time, and their guests are canceling right and left. But when three strangers show up at what seems like the darkest hour, looking for a place to stay for the holidays, the simple gifts of peace, knowledge, and comfort seem to be just the miracles they need.
EXCERPT
Have no idea if these stand alone. But I have just started the book, which kicks off with Melting Frosty a feel good holiday tale where four people are dead so far and I am not through the second chapter! Let me me tell ya, it's beginning to look a lot like Christmas...
Tags: An Enchanted Season by Maggie Shayne, Erin McCarthy, Jean Johnson, Nalini Singh
