I was nervous to read this one because I love Lothaire so much. He is one of my all time favorite characters. I was afraid I wouldn't like this one, b...moreI was nervous to read this one because I love Lothaire so much. He is one of my all time favorite characters. I was afraid I wouldn't like this one, but I LOVED it.
In related news, this is one of the only romance novels I have ever read with a heroine with dark brown hair, gray eyes and a tan like me. I was so excited! Now I will wait another five years to find another one!(less)
I believe that this book is the first in the Windreapers series. Because it was impossible for me to look up the word "Foehn" in the goodreads search...moreI believe that this book is the first in the Windreapers series. Because it was impossible for me to look up the word "Foehn" in the goodreads search box and I still have no idea what it means, to me this book could have used an alternate title. Possibly "Reaper? I Hardly Knew Her!" If any goodreads authors or marketing people are reading this post and want me to retitle your book, feel free to email me.
Okay, this book has a load of terrible reviews, so I just want to state upfront that this book isn't that bad. It isn't that great either, but it is a comfortably midrange Ellora's Cave book. Maybe what I am trying to say was it is pretty bad, but I liked it a lot anyways. Sometimes I have that problem. That is why I am reviewing Pleasure's Foehn and not The Help.
This one was a really slow starter- I skipped like the first 20 pages because I was looking for sex. There was a lot of boring spaceship shit that I didn't really care about. It was like a star wars universe book disconnected from a popular movie that spawned it. The second half of the book seems like it was copy pasted from a different first half and I actually quite liked it.
A lot of people are also upset that the hero punches his whore ex girlfriend in the face, and that she is then raped to death by an alien with two penises and forced to die giving birth to hundreds of alien baby lizards. That sounds bad when I write it here, but to anyone who has read a lot of old skool bodice ripper type romance, it was a pretty familiar variation on the "asshole hero" trope that wouldn't be out of place in a Rosemary Rogers or Kathryn Woodwiss. Provided that people in the 80s were more interested in aliens with 2 penises. The internet hadn't been invented then, however, and women weren't so wierd.
I mean, its an Ellora's Cave book that they gave out for free. It is like a rule that there has to be some fucked up shit. However, Ellora's Cave is falling down on the job because this book did not contain a scene where the heroine was forced to wear a see through dress, which I had previously thought was written into the contract of all their writers.
Really aside from that, there was nothing in here that you wouldn't find in a mainstream romance. It was rather poorly paced but not terrible. I have no idea who I would recomend this to- perhaps people who wish that a terrible sci fi channel series had more naked werewolves in it, but I enjoyed it well enough and would probably read the other books in the series. As far as free downloads go, I have read loads that are worse. (less)
This book got off to a strong start, but it really started to lose me about a third of the way in. Jack was very dishonest with Megan and I didn't rea...moreThis book got off to a strong start, but it really started to lose me about a third of the way in. Jack was very dishonest with Megan and I didn't really feel he had a compelling reason for it. To me, that is not sexy. He was also not terribly alpha or cool to me- he was a normal suburban dude who just happened to turn into a giant cat. Don't even get me started on the random serial killer shoehorned into the story! Random murderer with a thin motive is not a substitute for a plot. I am way over serial killers.
Also, why do jaguar shifters come from Scotland? Have I missed the historical stories of bands of beautiful wild cats roaming the moors? I will be sticking to Christine Feehan's leopard people stories from now on. The two star rating is very generous and I bumped it up a bit since the book was free.(less)
This one is still good, but not my favorite. They were too mean to each other! I may write more on this one later if I feel like it since this isn't r...moreThis one is still good, but not my favorite. They were too mean to each other! I may write more on this one later if I feel like it since this isn't really much of a review.(less)
This is one of my favorites! Cade and Holly are so cute together! Everyone and their pet monkey has already written a review of this one, but I just w...moreThis is one of my favorites! Cade and Holly are so cute together! Everyone and their pet monkey has already written a review of this one, but I just want to say that I am an idiot for being so late to the party on these!(less)
I actually liked this book a lot. It's very tightly plotted and well paced. When I started writing the review, however, I had a hard time thinking of...moreI actually liked this book a lot. It's very tightly plotted and well paced. When I started writing the review, however, I had a hard time thinking of nice things to say about it. It isn't that this book is bad- it is just nothing really special.
I think that my main problem was with the world building. I didn't get a good idea of what a Kyth was or how their culture worked. I gathered that they are "psychic vampires" but the nature of their power was never clearly defined. The book also explains that they have royalty and some sort of warrior caste, but this seems borrowed from JR Ward. They also have some rogue elements that go crazy attacking their own people- this seems borrowed from Christine Feehan. I would honestly rather be reading a book by either of those authors.
However, if you want a fast paced Paranormal Romance that is steamy but not too porny, this one is a great choice. Even though it wasn't my favorite, I will probably read the other two books in the series when I come across them.(less)
For me, this book is probably close to a 2.75, but I can't bring myself to add the extra star for now.
I wanted to love this book because of the fast...moreFor me, this book is probably close to a 2.75, but I can't bring myself to add the extra star for now.
I wanted to love this book because of the fast paced plotting, but the thinly drawn characters didn't apeal to me and I wished I had a better sense of Cin and Michael falling in love. The book also contained many anachronisms even by the standards of regency romances. I would say that there is a lot to like, but the total package didn't appeal to me the way I hoped it would after reading some of the four star reviews.(less)
To me, I can't decide how to rate this book- it would probably be closer to a 3.5, but I don't feel quite ready to give it a 4.
To me, the positives ar...moreTo me, I can't decide how to rate this book- it would probably be closer to a 3.5, but I don't feel quite ready to give it a 4.
To me, the positives are the wonderful fairy tale quality of the story. It is an excellent retelling of Beauty and the Beat. Also, I love the goblin mythology. Perhaps Goblins are the new vampires. Perhaps they are even the new Carpathian life-mates. Maybe not however, I will definitely read the next book in the series.
Some of the negatives is that Roan is a total Debby Downer and every character in this story is a total emo. There is lots of angst and very little humor. That kind of brought me down.
Also, lots of people have mentioned how much they like the cover, so I will throw in my $.02- I think that he looks like a huge pecs version of Pacey from Dawson's Creek. (less)
Well, I have to say that was the strangest twist ending I have ever read. I can't say whether or not I liked it, but it definitely had my jaw on the f...moreWell, I have to say that was the strangest twist ending I have ever read. I can't say whether or not I liked it, but it definitely had my jaw on the floor in a major way. I read it out loud to my husband and he thought I was making it up to get a rise out of him.
This one is probably a solid 3 star leading up to the twist, and a major ? rating for the last 60 pages of the book. Not for the squeemish, and I really don't consider myself squeemish about supernatural creatures fucking. There may be a limit to what I am willing to accept in fiction however- this one worked well as erotica, but not really on any other level. I guess that is what kind of upset me, it seemed like plot and characters were thrown out in favor of the sex. I guess this is the book that made me realize that all appearences to the contrary, I do read for more than the sex scenes. I can't decide whether or not I will stick around for Yvette's story.(less)
This book is a lot of fun! It has much better pacing and editing than the previous book in the series. When I was getting ready to read it, I had thou...moreThis book is a lot of fun! It has much better pacing and editing than the previous book in the series. When I was getting ready to read it, I had thought that Amaury might be a big, um, rough, based on his rather infamous scene in the first book, but he was extremely sweet. It isn't what you would see in a Harlequin, but anyone expecting Joey Hill level BDSM hijinx should read something else. Maybe a Joey Hill book. That being said, this book was super smexy- way more than others in this genre.
As anyone who follows my reviews knows, Slayer x Vampire is one of my least favorite romance tropes, but it didn't bother me here because Nina didn't come across as bitchy or stupid to the point of insanity. I was also glad that they got right to the point and didn't waste loads of time with stupid misunderstandings the way Samson and Delilah did in the first book. I am rating this 3 stars only because it is super derivative of about 1000 other series, but damned if it isnt a good formula- any fan of vampire romance should like this books.(less)
I am sure that every one of us have asked the question "What if Grace Livingston Hill were alive today? Would she write a vampire romance?"
Well, fear...moreI am sure that every one of us have asked the question "What if Grace Livingston Hill were alive today? Would she write a vampire romance?"
Well, fear not gentle readers, because here is the gentle Christian abstince vampire novel that you have all been dreaming of. Or maybe not! Spoiler alert- there is no sex, no conflict, and very little plot. For those of you who complain of books where the entire plot is driven by a misunderstanding that could have been cleared up with one sentence, this is one to avoid.
However, if your fantasy includes borrowing a vampire's credit card, this one is for you. Shanna may not get any nookie until she walks down the aisle in her white dress, but she does get a shopping spree on Rodeo Drive. She also gets front row seats to a Broadway show, and gets to buy Ronan all new furniture. I realize that things like this are fantasies to many people, but I thought that it was shallow and boring.
There is also some kind of vampire hunter side plot, but to be honest for all the attention it was given it may has well not have existed. This book has about as much action as the sky mall catalogue.
That being said, this book is much more like what I expected a vampire romance to be than many other books in the genre, and that isn't an entirely bad thing! The bones of an interesting story are here, and I willl probably read another Amanda Ashley book before a judge the entire series. (less)
As you all know, I am a monster Feehan fan. If she wrote the instruction manual to a toaster I would probably read it as long as I knew there would be...moreAs you all know, I am a monster Feehan fan. If she wrote the instruction manual to a toaster I would probably read it as long as I knew there would be a sex scene, therefore, if you are a Feehan player hater, feel free to take this review with a grain of salt.
The leopard people are not normally my favorite, but my coworker told me to give the series a second chance and I am so glad I did! This book had everything I am looking for in a paranormal- a fun fast paced mystery, well drawn characters and a wonderful romance between two characters who deserved a happily ever after!
I think that as a heroine, Saria is a perfect cross between ass kicking and relatable. Many times I dislike the "tough girl" in a romance novel because she comes across as bitchy or mean spirited. To me, Saria was the perfect cross between tough and smart and vulnerable and feminine. I really enjoyed that Drake was able to appreciate both sides of her and wasn't all "I am going to protect you! Now stay in my bedroom forever!" It was sweet the way that he realized that she was more knowledgeable about the swamp and deferred to her expertise even though he was a macho alpha dude.
I also have dislike the leopard peeps in the past because sometimes the mating/ heat stuff is gross to me, but it is dialed back a bit in this one. Not a ton of sex scenes, but the ones present were very sweet and appealing and romantic to me. The only thing I was really disappointed about is that the sequel isn't out yet- confidential to Christine- please say that you will write a book for all 5 of Saria's brothers? Or at least one for Remy? (less)
These books are so good that I am going to read a bunch of bad books I downloaded for free before I buy the next book in the series because I don't wa...moreThese books are so good that I am going to read a bunch of bad books I downloaded for free before I buy the next book in the series because I don't want to read through them too quickly!(less)
Okay, here is my short, spoiler free review: I loved it! I liked it way more than Lover Unleashed, and to me the feel of the book was very similar to...moreOkay, here is my short, spoiler free review: I loved it! I liked it way more than Lover Unleashed, and to me the feel of the book was very similar to Lover Avenged and Lover Mine. These were some of my favorite books in the series, so if you didn't like them you may want to adjust your expectations accordingly.
Now, on to the spoilers... Also cut for length since this is a long one. (view spoiler)[
Oh good, you are still here. I was worried you wouldn't click to unhide the spoiler. Here is the review!
I was really nervous about reading about Tohrment getting remarried. Like, really nervous. Also, the idea that he had to move on so that Wellsie could get to the fade seemed really unfair and theologically suspect to me.
However, the romance really worked for me. Tohr was an asshole! He said some really mean and hurtful things. He was a dick! He was not the same person we met in Dark Lover, and part of me thought that he didn't really deserve another shot. His grieving process worked for me though, because it showed that he wasn't taking anything lightly, and he really worked hard to be in the place he needed to be in order to let Wellsie go and move on with his life.
No'One/ Autumn was another character I was not super excited about going into this... I thought that she would be a sad sack and a pushover. She really wasn't though! She really worked hard to take responsibility for her actions, and that really worked for me. She really learned how to stop being such a martyr in a way that was less annoying than Phury's story. She was also able to repair her relationship with Xhex and stop defining her life by events that happened in the past. I hope that we will see more of Tohr and Autumn together in future books. I understand why this doesn't work for all people, but I would totally want my husband to get remarried if I died! I won't care because I woul be dead! People mourn in different ways, but I think that most people can agree that mourning shouldn't be destructive and shouldn't last forever. People are upset that Wellsie didn't get a "get out of jail free" card on death, but I kind of wish no one else had either- in real life, 100% of us are going to permanently die.
John Matthew and Xhex- I liked the story line of their reconciliation. However, I don't necessarily think it needed to be in this book. Don't get me wrong, I love that these books are very plotty, but I think this one could have even been extracted to be it's own stand alone novella. I was irritated that both of them are so stubborn, but they are still one of my favorite couples and I wouldn't have them any other way.
Band of Bastards update- I still love them. I love Xcor. Seriously. I love him. I totally want to get married to him. He has had a rough life, and deserves some love. I enjoy that in this book, his ruthless facade is starting to crumble and I love his relationship with Throe. Throe really grew on me- you get to see more sides to his personality in this book and I enjoy the whole "watch the throne" storyline. Their friendship withstood a test and came out stronger on the other side. Because seriously, Wrath does a bad job of being the king. He is just now meeting with the Glymera? No wonder they hate him! I would be a better king! Seriously though, I would love to be king. Maybe that is another reason I like Xcor so much...
Speaking of Xcor finding love, I love the idea of him in a couple with Layla. They are both so lonely and could really help each other out.
Speaking of Layla, I just want to say to everyone once and for all!
Leave Layla Alone!!!!
Seriously you guys. She is a sweet and innocent young girl who hasn't ever really had a chance to live. She feels like she is useless and on the shelf and never really given her fair chance to contribute. She wants to leave her mark on the world and do what she feels she has trained and prepared for. She thought that she had a chance with Xcor, but when she found out the truth that she was a traitor, she was in an even worse place than when she started. I am not really seeing the same "Layla as a Machiavellian home-wrecker" personality that I see others writing about. All she has really done so far is try to lose her virginity and burn toast.
And in this book she finally accomplishes her main goal!!! (Presumably Ward is saving "Layla Makes Toast" for a novella.) Ward said that a plot development in this book would piss off fans of the Qhunn/Blaylock romance, and she was right! Even though the two of them having a baby together was heavily telegraphed all the way back in book 5 if I remember correctly, I still winced that they were making a poor decision. They both feel that since they are alone in the world and feeling the weight of that loneliness, having a baby together in their platonic relationship is the only way to really feel love. I also feel like Layla made the decision after she realized that even though she still had really strong feelings for Xcor, they could never be together because of their positions on opposite sides of the rebellion. Having the baby was her way to protect and rebuild her heart. I really hope that she gets her HEA soon! Clearly she hasn't realized that she is the heroine in a romance novel.
And really, Layla isn't the reason that Qhuinn and Blaylock arn't together. Qhuinn is that reason. He denied his true heart for too long and said things that he can never take back, and Blaylock decided to move on. Blay is also trying to protect his heart from being terribly hurt again, and I hope that the new, mature Qhuinn and be the man he needs. Clearly he and Layla are just friends- they didn't even get a proper sex scene for god's sake- their sex scene was fade to black. (hide spoiler)]
Some concluding thoughts- I still hate the Doggen, I have nearly no interest in Rhage and Mary adopting a baby since they are my least favorite couple in the entire book, and I need to read the new book, like yesterday. These things are like crack and one whole year is really too long to wait!
My thoughts before reading the book are under this spoiler cut. (view spoiler)[ Okay, Pre-reading update 3-26. I don't normally buy hardcovers, but my BFF Ashley was kind enough to provide this for my Birthday. Thanks buddy! You are a female of worth! Also, in a remarkable display of maturity, I will not be calling off work to read this.
Okay, when I was a kid writing book reports, you would always have to write a bit about what you expect to read in the book. I am guessing that this book will be very busy and have a whole ton of story lines in it like the last book instead of the more pure romance style of the first 4. I am predicting that this will make a lot of people on goodreads write angry rants about how Ward has lost her mojo and they hate her. I don't really care though, because at least more people care about Tohr than Payne and Manny. Don't get me wrong, they were OK, just extremely peripheral characters to the main group, and a lot of their book was setup for the next leg of the series.
As for Tohr, like many people, I was upset to think about him being with someone besides Wellsie. However, the more I thought about it, the more I think that he deserves a second chance. I mean, if I unexpectedly kick the bucket, I would want Harold to get remarried. He said that he wouldn't because he would be too worn out to deal with another woman bitching at him after his epic revenge spree, but I really hope that he would find happiness again. Also, he would starve to death and not know how to wash his laundry without another woman looking after him, but members of the BDB have the doggen and don't need to worry about that. We don't really know a lot about No'One other than the fact that she is kind of a Debbie Downer, but hopefully she will perk up and get over it.
A lot of people complained that we had that whole ghost hunting thing with Muhrder in Lover Mine and then nothing really came of it in the book after that. I think it was put off so that John Matthew and Xhex can have their fight and makeup cycle as a parallel romance to their parents. A lot of people think this is creepy, but I think it is kind of cute. Hopefully everyone will help out with each other's HEA's. God knows that in real life this things never work out smoothly, and Xhex is 10 lbs of crazy in a 5 lb bag, which is one of the reasons Lover Mine is one of my fav books. Hopefully they will be able to get everything back on track and Muhrder will not mess things up too much. A lot of people have speculated on Layla x Muhrder, but I don't think they will be a couple- I think she will be with a member of the Band of Bastards. <--- This is the sort of speculation that may make me look like an idiot later, so write it in your diaries.
Speaking of the Band of Bastards, I am very excited to see more of them. Esp Xcor. He has several of my favorite characteristics for romance heroes, such as being ugly, taciturn and ambitious. Frankly, Wrath has not done that great of a job of being King in my opinion, and hopefully some competition will make him step up his game. Don't get me wrong, he is a great romance character, but that whole "chosing not to be king for 200 years" think will come back to haunt him. Also, since the vampires are so obsessed with blood/ breeding, I like the idea of a badass dude who doesn't even know who his parents are taking over and kicking ass. I am less interested in Throe and the others, but I believe his book won't be for a while and he has time to grow on me.
Speaking of bastards, what the heck happened to Butch/Manny's father? The Scribe Virgin said for you guys to go find him at the end of book 4! Good thing that even though the vampires have an irritating micromanaging deity, they never listen to her.
Also, here is something else that will cause me to get flammed- Qhuinn and Blay, get over it. Your drama has started to irriate me. Qhuinn is so immature, he has treated both Blaylock and Layla very poorly, and I don't care if he finds love or is eaten by a giant snake. I am guessing the giant snake thing won't happen in this book though.
Also, this is also very tangential, but I hate the doggen. I want to be like Hermione Granger and start some sort of S.P.E.W.esque organization to liberate them. No one could enjoy cleaning that much. If they like vacuuming up dog hair so much they can come to my house- I have enough to make at least 3 new dogs.
Anyways, I would try to post updates as I go through the book, but I plan on just reading, and not eating or blinking or anything else once I start this one. Cheers and I will update you all ASAP!
First update on this book- If any parents or inlaws or trusted adult buddies are reading Goodreads today, this would be a lovely gift for a spring dirty thirty b-day present. Hint Hint. ;)
I can see why people didn't like this one as much because there was tons of setup for the next leg of the series, similar to books 5 and 6. I didn't m...moreI can see why people didn't like this one as much because there was tons of setup for the next leg of the series, similar to books 5 and 6. I didn't mind most of it, except that unlike most fans I am super tired of Qhuinn and Blaylock and I wish that they would just, as Little Wayne put it so eloquently, leave the old shit in the rest room.
That being said, I was dreading this one because i have like 0 interest in Manny and Payne, they are both minor characters who have stupid names. However, they were very cute together and I liked their romance a lot. They really grew on me and I am just as excited as ever to read the next books in the series. (less)
This one was great! I wasn't really all that excited about Xhex going in, but now I feel like she is one of my favorite characters. This is the first...moreThis one was great! I wasn't really all that excited about Xhex going in, but now I feel like she is one of my favorite characters. This is the first book where I didn't skim the lesser parts because Lash was such an awesomely unhinged asshole- the perfect villian.
And John Matthew OMG! So. Fucking. Sexy. This is probably my fav since book 4 because it seemed like there was much more romance than the last three. I am not going to write too much about these books since they are my fav, there are zillions of reviews, and everyone needs to read them like, yesterday! (less)
This book is a huge improvement over the last book in the series. I liked that we find out more about Merit's past and family history, and it made her...moreThis book is a huge improvement over the last book in the series. I liked that we find out more about Merit's past and family history, and it made her actions seem much more believable and relatable to me. Here relationship with Ethan continues to develope at a snails pace, but the tension is sizzling and people who are into that sort of thing should like it very much! I also like that the book talks more about Merit's sense of isolation and gives her more vulnerability. She was way too overpowered for a new vampire in the first book, and I enjoyed pulling back so that we can take a look at her struggles as well.
The only thing that was not an improvement from the first book to me is that there was tons of recap. Perhaps since I am reading them in order that was a bigger issue for me, but Merit spent over 60 pages saying things like "There is something I forgot to tell you. My best friend Mallory is also..." which irritated me to no end. A recap dump is worse than an exposition dump.
Anyways, I can't wait to read more about the shifters and their war with the vampires, and I should be starting the next book in the series soon. (less)
**spoiler alert** I have very mixed feelings about this book. I can't think of whether or not I liked it because it is much different from the PNR boo...more**spoiler alert** I have very mixed feelings about this book. I can't think of whether or not I liked it because it is much different from the PNR books I usually read. I was attracted to this book as a born and bred Chicagolander, and I wanted to see fun adventures set in my hometown. However, this book also featured many of my pet peeves...
Peeve 1- Books written in the first person. When there is a good book written in the first person, there is nothing better. When a bad book is written in the first person there is nothing worse. At times, I felt like I was listening to a bratty spoiled friend whine about her day "Whaa! There are two hot guys who like me and I don't want to date either one for no special reason!" I wanted to tell Merit to get over her first world vampire problems.
Peeve 2- I don't mind romances where there is no sex, but I want to feel like there is a reason for it. Even though we were inside Merit's head, I had no idea why she was making the decisions that she was. We didn't find out a lot about her background aside from the fact that she hates her aloof social climbing parents. To me, that isn't a plausible reason to not want to date vampires, or anyone else for that matter. She seemed kind of cold and mean to me.
Peeve 3- Ridiculously overpowered heroines. As soon as Merit was turned, she can kick the butt of every other supernatural creature in the book. I am more a fan of relatable type heroines rather than ones who put on a black leather jump suit and start kicking ass Buffy style. It made Merit seem like a Mary Sue- from bookish grad student to most physically powerful creature in the book within 3 days? Not interesting to me. I liked her better when she was more the Wicker Park hipster style girl- I have seen loads of them in Chicago, and I don't believe I have ever seen someone in a black leather corset carrying a katana.
That being said, I will continue with the series because I love Chicago and I already got them all from the library so I feel committed. I am hoping that Merit grows on me as a character, and that the character work in general catches up to the quality of the mystery and action scenes, which is quite high. (less)
What can I say about these amazing books that hasn't been said already? This one was great! To me, it was a perfect combination of the more romantic n...moreWhat can I say about these amazing books that hasn't been said already? This one was great! To me, it was a perfect combination of the more romantic nature of the first three books and the more plot heavy adventure of books 5 and 6.
I know that a lot of people don't like Rhev as a character, but I was really looking forward to hearing his story since we were first introduced to him. And man did this book put him through the ringer! I knew deep down that he would have an HEA but there were many many points where I was afraid he would be gunned down! I was biting my fingernails! My husband made fun of me because I was reading my nook at the same time I was folding laundry because I couldn't bear to put it down!
Ehlena was my favorite type of heroine- an everyday girl who had to become tough and smart to deal with challenges in her life. She was so overburdened and stressed that I was happy that Rhev could give her a Cinderella style HEA that took her away from her drugery. In turn, she really helped him become a much more caring and warm hearted person and made him realize that he wasn't as terrible and irredemable as he thought he was.
And oh man, the side stories! So much happened I can't even believe it! And argh! What is the deal with these cliff hanger endings? I told myself that I wouldn't buy the next book until my birthday, but now I don't think I will be able to make it that long.(less)
Ann has a dirty mouth
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