REVIEW: Milady by Laura L. Sullivan
Stevie‘s review of Milady by Laura L. Sullivan
Historical Fiction published by Berkley 02 Jul 19
While I’m familiar with the basic premise of The Three Musketeers through various media, I’ve never actually read Dumas’ original novel in any translation; not that this omission stoppped me enthusiastically requesting a review copy of a new retelling to that tale from the point of view of the main female antagonist. As I often point out, I love a good re-imagining of a well-known story, especially one that sticks to the established facts while turning their interpretation completely on its head. And that’s exactly what I got here.
REVIEW: The Lying Hours by Sara Ney
Kristie J’s review of The Lying Hours (How to Date a Douchebag, Book 5) by Sara Ney
New Adult published by Three Legacies 9 May 19
I’ve read the previous books in this series, as well as the Jock series and another book Sara Ney collaborated on, with mostly success. The first book in this series was a DNF, but that was the only one. So when I started reading The Lying Hours, I was looking forward to it. And it did start out pretty good, so I was a happy reader. But something happened on the way to the end, and if I wasn’t already so close to finishing, I would have DNF’ed this book. But I was about 93% done when I’d had enough, but then figured I may as well make it to the end.
REVIEW REVISIT: Red Kiss by Deidre Knight
Devon’s review of Red Kiss (Gods of Midnight, Book 2) by Deidre Knight
Paranormal Romance published by Signet Eclipse 2 Jun 09
Original Review posted 29 Aug 09
Red Kiss is the second in Deidre Knight’s series featuring an immortal band of Spartan warriors, who pledged their allegiance to a capricious Greek god, after the battle at Thermopylae (think “300“). These hot, powerful guys protect humanity from their home base in Savannah, Georgia. More specifically, this is the story of the slave River Kassandros. Hmm… Tired retread of familiar ground? Or brand new addictive guilty pleasure? read more…
REVIEW: Model Behavior by MJ Williamz
Stevie‘s review of Model Behavior by MJ Williamz
Lesbian Erotic Romance published by Bold Strokes Books 16 Apr 19
Through various aspects of my day job, I’ve come into contact with different facets of the body positivity movement as well as organisations that provide support, and campaign, for individuals with visible differences, and I’m always interested to find books with protagonists who don’t fit the old stereotypes of what a romance hero or heroine should look like. So I was very excited to spot this book when it came up for review, even if the use of the word ‘disfigured’ in the blurb jumped out at me as being problematic. A few weeks went by before I actually got ’round to reading the book, and the fine details of the blurb had escaped me by then. So while I knew that someone’s ex was going to do something to one of our heroines, I couldn’t entirely remember what or whom. As is generally the way in romancelandia, we meet our heroines before they get together. A long time before (in page count terms) in this instance.
REVIEW: Naughty Stranger by Stacey Kennedy
Veena’s review of Naughty Stranger (Dangerous, Book 1) by Stacey Kennedy
Contemporary Romance published by Forever Yours 11 Jun 19
A quick and fun read that sweeps you in and holds you on an edge all the way to the end. The chemistry between Boone and Peyton is hot from the get-go, as is their resistance to scratch that itch, until murder removes all barriers. read more…
REVIEW: Marriage for One by Ella Maise
Kristie J’s review of Marriage for One by Ella Maise
Contemporary Romance published by Amazon Digital Services 8 May 19
I love when a book grabs me right from the start like this one does. I know I’m in for a great read. This could be classed as a ‘Marriage of Convenience’ romance, except it isn’t, really. Jack, our hero, saw Rose at a party and became enamored of her. His world was a pretty dark and grim place and she was a bright and shining light. At first he was content to watch her from afar, but then when he realized the circumstances and the people in her life, well, it was no holds barred – he had to ‘save’ her and have her, even though she had no idea she needed saving.
REVIEW: Her Other Secret by HelenKay Dimon
Sandy M’s review of Her Other Secret (Whitaker Island, Book 1) by HelenKay Dimon
Contemporary Romance published by Avon 25 Jun 19
As usual, HelenKay Dimon gives readers charming and interesting characters amid romance and mystery. Hansen and Tessa are total opposites – she’s friendly and happy, he’s grumpy and rude. But as their attraction grows, they are such fun, despite their pasts that show up to cause all kinds of trouble.
REVIEW: Wicked Fox by Kat Cho
Stevie‘s review of Wicked Fox (Gumiho, Book 1) by Kat Cho
Contemporary Young Adult Fantasy Romance published by G.P. Putnam’s Sons 25 Jun 19
My favourite trickster character from international folklore is the nine-tailed fox, a trope I’m most familiar with in the form of the Japanese kitsune. So I was very excited to spot this retelling of the Korean version of the legend: the gumiho (or kumiho in some renderings into English). As I’ve read next to no fiction set in Korea (present day or otherwise), the setting of this novel gave me an additional incentive to read it. The story begins with our heroine making use of both modern technology and ancient magic to track down an evil man.
REVIEW: Wrath of the Goddess by Lauren Dane
Veena’s review of Wrath Of The Goddess (Goddess With A Blade, Book 5) by Lauren Dane
Urban Fantasy published by Carina Press 10 Jun 19
There are many exciting moments in this chapter of Rowan’s story with a host of new characters that we will doubtless see in the future. The action has shifted from Europe to North America, both Rowan’s and Clive’s home turf. With their action-packed agenda, Rowan and Clive have to set up domestic arrangements as well. Quite a revelation! read more…
REVIEW REVISIT: A Duke of Her Own by Eloisa James
Devon’s review of A Duke of Her Own (Desperate Duchesses, Book 6) by Eloisa James
Historical Romance released by Avon 28 Jul 09
Original Review posted 10 Aug 09
Bear with me, I’m a bit rusty at this reviewing thing. After a long hiatus, I have recently returned to reading. Several weeks ago, I picked up Duchess by Night, the third book in the Desperate Duchesses series, on a whim. I enjoyed it and so checked out An Affair Before Christmas. While I usually like to read in order, I was sufficiently intrigued by the description of A Duke of Her Own, and so decided to skip ahead. I’m assuming that this is the last in the Desperate Duchesses series, and I’m happy to say that, for me, it was a slam dunk. James can be hit or miss, but here she is firing on all four cylinders with a witty, passionate comedy of manners. read more…
