Dark Lover by J.R. Ward

Oooooh, my my my. This yummy little vampire flick will have you on the edge of your seat and curling your toes! Not just one, but six vampires make up this leather-clad brother hood. I smell a series…

I found it hard to get through the chapters that were from the antagonist’s point of view, but once we returned to the other characters the story moved along well.

Book Blurb:
In the shadows of the night in Caldwell, New York, there’s a deadly turf war going on between vampires and their slayers. There exists a secret band of brothers like no other-six vampire warriors, defenders of their race. Yet none of them relishes killing more than Wrath, the leader of The Black Dagger Brotherhood.

The only purebred vampire left on earth, Wrath has a score to settle with the slayers who murdered his parents centuries ago. But, when one of his most trusted fighters is killed-leaving his half-breed daughter unaware of his existence or her fate-Wrath must usher her into the world of the undead-a world of sensuality beyond her wildest dreams.




Rachel’s Rating: 17

Plot: 5
Strong Beginning: 2
Keeps You Hooked: 2
Predictability: 1

Characters: 5
Believability: 1
Intriguing Leads: 2
Secondary Characters: 2

Steaminess: 7
Mood: 2
Hotness: 2
Number of Times: 3

Somebody to Love by Kristan Higgins

I grew up in Maine and there’s a special place in my heart for romance novels that take place in quiet coastal towns. This book played up on the endearing stereotype of small town Mainers and, while there were a few too many “Ayuh” for my taste, this book was positively charming.

Somebody to Love is the perfect, light poolside read for this summer. It’s book 3 of Miss Higgins’ Gideon’s Cove series so you may want to check out her other books first if you’re concerned about spoilers.

Book Blurb:
After her father loses the family fortune in an insider-trading scheme, single mom Parker Welles is faced with some hard decisions. First order of business: go to Gideon’s Cove, Maine, to sell the only thing she now owns—a decrepit house in need of some serious flipping. When her father’s wingman, James Cahill, asks to go with her, she’s not thrilled…even if he is fairly gorgeous and knows his way around a toolbox.

Having to fend for herself financially for the first time in her life, Parker signs on as a florist’s assistant and starts to find out who she really is. Maybe James isn’t the glib lawyer she always thought he was. And maybe the house isn’t the only thing that needs a little TLC.






Rachel’s Rating: 20

Plot: 5
Strong Beginning: 1
Keeps You Hooked: 2
Predictability: 2

Characters: 6
Believability: 2
Intriguing Leads: 2
Secondary Characters: 2

Steaminess: 6
Mood: 3
Hotness: 2
Number of Times: 1

Other: 3

Duchess by Night by Eloisa James

Throwback Thursday! After rereading the book blurb and my one line of post reading thoughts, I have absolutely no memory of this one. But looking at the rating it was on the spicy side! Some more digging on Goodreads showed that this is the third book in a series called “Desperate Duchesses”– I should add a few of those on my “to read” list!

Duchess by Night is a wonderful story that involves scandal, a cross-dressing duchess, risque parties and sultry scenes.

Book Blurb:
“Harriet, Duchess of Berrow, is tired of her title and the responsibilities that come along with it.  Enough with proper tea parties and elegant balls; what Harriet really wants is to attend an outrageous soiree where she can unleash her wildest whims and desires.  But to attend such an event– espcially if the even in question is Lord Justinian Strange’s rollicking fete, filled with noble rogues and rotters, risque ladies and illicit lovers– would be certain scandal.  That’s why she must disguise herself…
Looking forward to a night of uninhibited pleasure, Lord Strange is shocked to discover that beneath the clothes of a no-good rake is the most beautiful woman in the room.  Why is a woman like her risking her reputation at his notorious affair?  And can he possibly entice her to stay… forever?”




Rachel’s Rating: 22

Plot: 7
Strong Beginning: 2
Keeps You Hooked: 3
Predictability:   2

Characters: 7
Believability: 2
Intriguing Leads: 3
Secondary Characters: 2

Steaminess: 8
Mood: 3
Hotness: 3
Number of Times: 2

The Hostage Bride by Jane Feather

Ock! Do you remember how I mentioned the duds in eBooks? This is a dud. A big ol’ dud. I didn’t even finish reading it.

The “flaw” for Rufus Decatur is that he has a temper. Okay. First of all, that’s not very interesting. Secondly, Ms. Feather NEVER shows him lose his temper. Well, at least not in the first half of the book- that’s about as far as I could get.

Oh! And when was the last time you learned four weapons in a week? …really? And having your female love interest at 17 is a little odd. At least make her 18 so your readers don’t feel like they need to go to confession afterwards.  …maybe there was a birthday in there at some point that I missed…

This book is part of a trilogy, so if you really want to put yourself through hell you can read all three!

Book Blurb:
“It’s bad enough that seventeen-year-old Portia Worth is taken in by her uncle, the marquis of Granville, after her father dies. As the bastard niece, Portia knows she can expect little beyond a roof over her head and a place at the table.
But it truly adds insult to injury when the Granvilles’ archenemy, the outlaw Rufus Decatur, hatches a scheme to abduct the marquis’s daughter–only to kidnap Portia by accident.
Portia, who possesses more than a streak of independence as well as a talent for resistance, does not take kindly to being abducted–mistakenly or otherwise.
Decatur will soon find himself facing the challenge of his life, both on the battlefield and in the bedroom, as he contends with this misfit of a girl who has the audacity to believe herself the equal of any man….”

 

Rachel’s Rating: 12

Plot: 4
Strong Beginning: 2
Keeps You Hooked: 1
Predictability: 1

Characters: 3
Believability: 1
Intriguing Leads: 1
Secondary Characters: 1

Steaminess: 5
Mood: 1
Hotness: 2
Number of Times: 2

Other: 0

The Selection Trilogy by Kiera Cass

Now, this isn’t my typical romance novel review so I’m not sure how my rating system will work out.  This is a sweet YA trilogy.  In it you’re introduced to the Kingdom of Ilea. Ms. Cass creates an interesting future history of the world and the United States.

This book is The Bachelor, Hunger Games and Divergent all mixed into one and I would highly recommend this as a light afternoon read.

This series also has several novellas that follow other characters at different points through out the story line.

Book Blurb:

“For thirty-five girls, the Selection is the chance of a lifetime. The opportunity to escape the life laid out for them since birth. To be swept up in a world of glittering gowns and priceless jewels. To live in a palace and compete for the heart of gorgeous Prince Maxon.

But for America Singer, being Selected is a nightmare. It means turning her back on her secret love with Aspen, who is a caste below her. Leaving her home to enter a fierce competition for a crown she doesn’t want. Living in a palace that is constantly threatened by violent rebel attacks.

Then America meets Prince Maxon. Gradually, she starts to question all the plans she’s made for herself—and realizes that the life she’s always dreamed of may not compare to a future she never imagined.”

Rachel’s Rating: 27

Plot: 9
Strong Beginning: 3
Keeps You Hooked: 3
Predictability: 3

Characters: 8
Believability: 2
Intriguing Leads: 3
Secondary Characters: 3

Steaminess: 6
Mood: 3
Hotness: 1
Number of Times: 2

Other: 4

The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts

We have a Throwback Thursday post! This was posted on my original blog on June 8, 2011!

The Key Trilogy by Nora Roberts consists of three books:

1- Key of Light
2- Key of Knowledge
3- Key of Valor

These stories focus on a trio of women as they are search to discover hidden keys to unlock a great treasure.  Its fantasy meets contemporary with a cast of Celtic gods, goddesses, sorcerers, friendly dogs, annoying co-workers and attractive men.








Rachel’s Rating: 23

Plot: 9
Strong Beginning: 3
Keeps You Hooked: 3
Predictability:   3

Characters: 9
Believability: 3
Intriguing Leads: 3
Secondary Characters: 3

Steaminess: 5
Mood: 3
Hotness: 1
Number of Times: 1

Catherine Anderson Book List

Catherine Anderson has written 11 books exploring the Kendrick, Coulter and Harrigan Families.  Each book can easily act as a stand alone novel, but as I’m slightly OCD, I detest starting in the middle of a series. Below you’ll find a list of the entire series, broken out by “mini-series”. The last book of each mini acts as a merger between the families and begins the next mini.

Hopefully this list will help you and your own OCD tendencies!

Kendrick Family
(1) Baby Love
(2) Phantom Waltz

Coulter Family
(2) Phantom Waltz
(3) Sweet Nothings
(4) Blue Skies
(5) Bright Eyes
(6) My Sunshine
(7) Sun Kissed

Harrigan Family
(7) Sun Kissed
(8) Morning Light
(9) Star Bright
(10) Here to Stay
(11) Perfect Timing

To explore all of Miss Anderson’s novels you can check out her website.

 

 

Lulu’s Cafe: A Novel by T.I. Lowe

So I decided to check out Kindle Unlimited.  Have you tried it?  This was one of the first “romance” novels that I read from it.  It was… disappointing.  Poor writing, a completely unbelievable plot and christian overtones that were not outlined in the book description and lead to a “waiting until marriage” theme which can be very disappointing when you’re in the mood for something steamy.

Book Blurb:  
“The orphaned young woman knows all too well about scars – exposed as well as hidden deep within.  
    Gabriella naively falls in the thorny arms of the abusive Brent Sadler. The constant bruise of cruelty is ever present in their ten years of marriage.  One last momentous beating ends with two deaths and changes Gabriella’s life forever. She stumbles away within an inch of her own life and begins a journey to an unexpected southern home which is none other than Lulu’s Café, where she tries to mend her severed spirit.
    Lulu is the petite charismatic southern belle, who wisely takes on the challenge of helping the young woman heal. She enlists the support of the enchanting southern gentleman, Crowley J. Mason IV, whose ocean blue eyes seem to hypnotize Leah (as they know her) from the start.
Leah is an unwanted stranger in Crowley’s quaint southern town of Rivertown, South Carolina. He holds her at arm’s length as he tries to decipher the mystery of her recent past, but before the young lawyer realizes it, he finds Leah tucked protectively in his arms. He wants nothing more than to help her heal…if she would just trust enough to let him in.”

Rachel’s Rating: 12

Plot: 4

    Strong Beginning: 2

    Keeps you hooked: 1

    Predictability: 1

Characters: 3

    Believability: 1

    Intriguing Leads: 1

    Secondary Characters: 1

Steaminess: 4

    Mood: 2

    Hotness: 1

    Number of Times: 0

Other: 1

A Court of Thorns and Roses by Sarah J. Mass

As of late I’ve been diving into my library’s ebook database. Free book heaven!  Although I have stumbled upon a few duds this one was a nice break as the plot was actually interesting!

“When nineteen-year-old huntress Feyre kills a wolf in the woods, a beast-like creature arrives to demand retribution for it. Dragged to a treacherous magical land she only knows about from legends, Feyre discovers that her captor is not an animal, but Tamlin—one of the lethal, immortal faeries who once ruled their world.

As she dwells on his estate, her feelings for Tamlin transform from icy hostility into a fiery passion that burns through every lie and warning she’s been told about the beautiful, dangerous world of the Fae. But an ancient, wicked shadow over the faerie lands is growing, and Feyre must find a way to stop it…or doom Tamlin—and his world—forever.”

 

Rachel’s Rating: 27

Plot: 9
Strong Beginning: 3
Keeps You Hooked: 3
Predictability: 3

Characters: 8
Believability: 2
Intriguing Leads: 3
Secondary Characters: 3

Steaminess: 6
Mood: 3
Hotness: 2
Number of Times: 1

Other: 4