Angie's Romance Reviews (and trades) » Keepers

Darkfever – Karen Marie Moning

AngieZ — Sun, 26 Oct 2008 15:26:31 +0000

Book 1 in the Fever Series, I have had this book on my TBR pile for a long time. I can’t believe I didn’t pick it up until now.

MacKayla Lane is living a good life with manicures and clothing a key part of her life. Suddenly her sister is murdered while studying abroad in Ireland. Before she knows it she is drawn into an unbelievable paranormal world of which she plays an unknowing part. While trying to track down her sisters killer she meets Jericho Barrons. A man who is much more than he seems and recognizes that MacKayla may hold to the key to his search for an ancient magical book the Sinsar Dubh. This book is bringing about the destruction of the world as we know it.

I enjoyed this book and its Faery myth and legends. Like I said before, I wonder what took me so long. MacKayla’s development is well done, Jericho is richly dark and mysterious. This novel is very dark and a really great read. I believe this book may earn an place on my keeper shelf. Fortunately I have the next in the series Bloodfever and am cracking it open right now.

Grade: A-

Cover: Love the cover art…..

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

Tempting Evil (Riley Jensen-3) – Keri Arthur

AngieZ — Thu, 12 Jun 2008 15:20:35 +0000

The third in one of my fav kick-ass series, Tempting evil is even better than Kissing Sin. Riley has advanced her training and is making her way up to a full guardian. She is not happy about this, but knows she has not moral choice in the matter.

Having found the compound of past nemesis Deshon Star through an inside connection, Riley prepares to go undercover as a female wrestler to gain access to the compound and eliminate Deshon and end his genetic experiments. Ok, so that sounds like a cheesy plot and perhaps it is, but Arthur has a way of building a complex world while weaving in erotic sex and interesting plots. I could not put this one down.

As usual, Quinn her past vampire lover finds out about her plot and infiltrates the compound also. Quinn has a vendetta to settle with Deshon.

Kade the horse shifter is back as well as the addition of a group of new woman shifters who are not what they appear to be. It seems Deshon has racked up lots of enemies along the way.

As with the past books there is lots of unapologetic sex and rich content. My one criticism was the final confrontation lacked much substance in regard to the evil Starr.

Grade: A
Cover: Same theme as before, nice design.

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

The Wolf and the Dove – Kathleen Woodiwiss

AngieZ — Sat, 21 Jul 2007 14:10:42 +0000

To honor the passing of an favorite author, I pulled this off my keeper shelf. I cannot remember how long it has been since I read it, ages for sure.

The interesting thing I am finding is that as I mature, my views and tastes are changing. When I put this on my shelf another decade ago I get the feeling I like it for different reasons then I do now. As an old time bodice ripper it has the elements of a captured, forced slave all the rage in its time. That time has long gone, but it still has elements the keep it on my favorite list.

After her home is invaded, her father killed and her mother stripped to the role of slave and on the brink of madness, Aislinn the heroine proves to be strong, practical and accepting of her situation. She does not resort to TSTL behavior. She realizes she is falling in love with the conquering invader Wulfgar and bravely works hard to change her situation in life.

Wulfgar is your typical dominate male who never understood what love was. I love it when a hero slowly realizes that he is falling in love and does not know how to handle it. He is very clear that he will never marry Aislinn and elevate her from her slave status. However his actions and words are contrary to each other.

An old time epic tale that is truly worth reading. Woodiwiss will a staple on my keeper shelf for a long time. I wonder what the romance world would be like now if a talent like Woodiwiss would emerge from the mass of every increasing paranormal drivel that makes up the market today.

Grade: A, Keeper Status

Tempest in Eden – Sandra Brown

AngieZ — Fri, 25 May 2007 03:28:48 +0000

This book is an old favorite that is part of my keeper shelf. I don’t remember how long ago I read it, but every once in a while I pull it down and breeze through it.

Shay Morrison is a nude model who makes a living bearing her “assets” – in a tasteful manner of course. Shay decides to visit her mother who has recently been remarried. While visting her mom’s home she is walks in on her new stepfathers son, Ian Douglas whom is exiting the shower. She is quick to admire his body if not his singing talent.

Later downstairs when Shay is introduced to her mom’s houseguest/step son she puts her foot in her mouth when she discovers he is a widowed minister. Shay is extremely put out by Ian’s condesending manner and proceeds to try and seduce him. Being a minister as well as a healthy man he is torn and tormented.

I love stories with sexual tension that cannot be acted upon.

Grade: A and a keeper.

Please remember to show support for your favorite authors by purchasing their novels new — if possible.

Lover Revealed – J.R. Ward

AngieZ — Thu, 15 Mar 2007 23:05:17 +0000

I have been waiting for this for so long and highly enjoyed it, but it is probably my least favorite in the series. I wonder if the wait and expectation of greatness is a setup for disappointment.

I just love the brothers, all of them. They are truly masculine and just so yummy. In the previous books there was a buzz from those who felt the story was approaching into homosexuality. I did not get that vibe and even if I did I would be A ok with it. The reality built by Ward is still fresh and so great to follow. She has a great imagination.

Why I didn’t like the story. The peppered slang gets on my nerves. Occasionally throwing in urban slang seemed to get on my nerves. It reminds of when your mom tries to be with it and uses a modern slang word. It is just painful to hear. I am now that mom and know I sound stupid when I try to talk “urban speak”.

I have read others hate the added h, but I think they are mildly clever. However, there was one that was so cheesy I really wanted to launch the book against the wall – Phearsom – term referring to the potency of a male’s sexual organs. Literal translation something close to “worthy of entering a female”. Marissa is eyeing Butch’s package and lets him know he is phearsom. WTF!!!

I got tired of the constant name brand dropping. I hate it when constant references to name brands are used. The characters are not a company strewn NASCAR, lay off the advertising. Maybe others like it but it is sufficient to just state they are wearing an expensive garment; it doesn’t have to be commercialized. Maybe I am sensitive to this because I into marketing.
Butch and Marissa made a good couple and the story has advanced along nicely. I am still looking forward to the next ones. I hope it is V’s story. I love him – and call me sick, but it would have been cool to pair him up with Marissa and Butch into one big happy brotherhood menage.

I rate this as an A-. I would have liked to say B+ but I am planning on keeping it so it gets a higher rating.

The cover is so hot.

Natural Born Charmer – Susan Elizabeth Phillips

AngieZ — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 15:44:33 +0000

Is there anything worse than a gushing fan girl? I am hesitant to write this review because I loved this book and I love Susan Elizabeth Phillips and I hate embarrassing myself by babbling like a school girl, but here goes.

I loved this book and I have loved almost every book written by SEP. I just cannot figure out why someone who has put the same plot – (brooding, sexy bad boy football player meets mousey girl who he keeps around to entertain himself, does something stupid to prove to himself he is too good/sexy/whatever for her, loses her then realizes he loooovvveeesss her) can continue with such kick ass books. So I guess by saying this SEP was the same ole same ole is not a bad thing at all because it is why we (I) love her.

Gorgeous Stars quarterback Dean Robillard is feeling restless so he sets off on a road trip. In transit he passes by a woman marching up the road in a beaver suit — sans head. Out of sheer boredom he offers her a ride. Blue Bailey has had a really bad day/week/month. She has been stranded in said beaver suit alongside the road while promoting her latest employer’s business. Only the employer has forgotten to pick her up. Sweaty, tired and humiliated she is marching along. Not only does this suck, but she has been dumped by her loser boyfriend who she moved across the country for. She is broke, about to be homeless, jobless and quickly finds herself in the company of Dean, whom she decides could at least get her to her next destination (which she has no idea will be).

Dean plans to dump her off as soon as he can, yet is finding her lack of interest in him strangely entertaining. Dean’s boredom has him telling her he is a gay model/actor which Blue plays along with. Their verbal sparring is funny as hell as she gives as well as takes.

This book is funny, clever and sweet. Each character is well plotted out and the secondary characters as usual are included. Deanâ€™s groupie mom and estranged rocker father are dragged back into Deanâ€™s life so he uses Blue as a buffer between their unwanted presence. Add in a secret young sister and Dean is on family overload/meltdown.

Rated as an A+ and a definite keeper.

Love the fun, flirty cover.

Plum Lovin’-Janet Evanovich

AngieZ — Mon, 05 Feb 2007 19:00:00 +0000

If you have read the previous Between-the-Numbers Plum novel, Visions of Sugar Plums, you have met Diesel, another hottie in Stephanie’s world. Valentine’s Day is approaching and Stephanie finds herself thrust into the company of Diesel the hot “enhanced” human whom makes himself at home in Stephanie’s apartment. He needs her help to track down another enhanced being who has an itchy problem. In trade, Diesel knows the whereabouts of Annie Hart, a skip that has Vinnie in an uproar. Annie is an on the run “relations expert” who specializes in being a Cupid of sorts. Stephanie agrees to take on her caseload and help 4 couples find true love. Of course that is easier said than done, especially when taken on by a relationship disabled train wreck like Stephanie.

This story is very funny and contains all the requisite wit we have come to expect from Evanovich. I give it an A for effort; however I do have a very strong beef with this book.

This is yet another short novella masquerading as a hardback. $16.95 for a measly 164 pages. I am getting so tired of publishers ripping us off. I highly recommend you get this book at the library or second hand store because I find very few books worth 8 dollars an hour in cost to read. I hate not supporting Evanovich directly because she rules, but come on people. My book budget is pretty limited and I want the most bang for my buck. This book, however delightful, does not achieve that.

Rating: A for storyline and author talent, D for value so I am going to give this an overall B rating.

Kushiel’s Dart-Jacqueline Carey

AngieZ — Sun, 21 Jan 2007 04:08:40 +0000

I am on a new fantasy kick to replace the lack of kick ass heroines from my favorite romance authors. Anita Blake the one trick pony is down the tubes and at this time I have not found any new releases from my other favs.

This is a rich fantasy story about Phedre no Delaunay who was born with a defective spot on her eye. She was born into a society of courtesans and rejected at an early age do to her imperfection. A nobleman, Anafiel Delaunay purchases Phedre because he immediately recognizes her imperfection as the mark of Kushiel. He understands the ramifications of the mark and realizes that she has been selected to experience pain as pleasure. Yes it sounds as though the dirty ole man scoops up the girl to abuse her, but really it is not this way. He teaches her in the art of espionage while she is growing up. After the death of Anafiel and her friend Alcuin Phedre discovers a world of politics and deceit.

I found this to be a very detailed and imaginative story with non stop exotic lands and problems. There is a wonderful cast of secondary characters who each add to the tale. Joscelin is a Cassiline Brother who is sworn to protect Phedre even though at first he does not like her at all. He is sworn to protect and to remain faithful to his training. His pledge requires him to remain celibate. Faced with his devotion to his pledge he finds himself growing respect and love for Phedre. Hyacinthe was Phedreâ€™s first true friend and constant companion. He is not the street rat he appears to be. At the beginning of the book is a three page book with the names of characters and their family affiliation. I found myself needing to refer to this frequently at first, but caught on to the myriad of characters quickly.

This book has it all from mystery, fantasy, eroticism and imagination. It is not a light book to waste a few hours with, it is intense and well thought out.

I rate this as an A and a keeper. This is actually my second reading as I am now working on the third book and wanted to get back in touch with the characters.

Daughter of the Blood – Anne Bishop

AngieZ — Mon, 08 Jan 2007 17:43:33 +0000

Initially, I have not favored fantasy novels, but after seeing reviews of this book describing the tortured heroes of Daemon and Lucivar I knew I would love it.

The Dark Realm has been waiting for the arrival of their fated Queen for many centuries. The women in this tale hold the power to rule the males and have been very ruthless and hungry. Many of the current queens will do everything within their power to hold their positions of terror and authority. When rumors of “the Queen” start flowing, many are scrambling to find her to be their savior or to eliminate her.

The Queen (Jaenelle) has been born, but it turns out she is still an innocent child whom has no concept of the power and abilities she has. She continually displays deeper and deeper unheard of abilities that have the three male heroes (Daemon, Luciver and the prince of darkness, Saeton) in this story trying to protect her from the lesser queens who would destroy her.

This book delivered on its promise of tortured heroes along with a rich magical land. I cannot wait to pick up the others in the series. I rate it as an A and a keeper.

Poison Study – Maria V. Snyder

AngieZ — Sun, 07 Jan 2007 00:33:54 +0000

For the past months I have been listening to the audio version of this story. My daughter is in college about an hour and a half away and I was interested in having an audio book to pass the time on my trips to pick her up or watch her soccer games.

Listed as a bestseller on audible.com I am glad I selected this one.

It is more of an adventure/fantasy story than a romance, but that was fine with me.

Yelena starts out the story waiting in a dungeon to be executed for killing the son of a head general. She is presented with the opportunity of a reprieve from immediate death if she agrees to train to be the poison taster for the commander of Ixia. The head executioner, Valek is the man who is now responsible for training her to detect all manner of poisons. They say what doesn’t kill you makes you stronger and that is proven when Yelena is exposed to various poisons during her lessons.

Unwittingly, Yelena is drawn into a plot to take over Ixia and is able to survive numerous attempts of her life and become instrumental in saving the Commander and gaining the trust of the battle hardened Valek. She also discovers that she has a dangerous magical ability and has to keep her secret from all those whom she is learning to depend on.

I rate this as an A. I am going to put a copy of the paperback on my wishlist as I am going to want to revisit Ixia again.

I get to start on the next part of the series, Magic Study. Now that my daughterâ€™s soccer season is over, I am going to have to come up with excuses to visit her and listen to story.