Wow. 49 books. And a slew of novellas. This series is the Energizer Bunny of series and J.D. Robb is my heroine. Be that as it may, in this "episod Wow. 49 books. And a slew of novellas. This series is the Energizer Bunny of series and J.D. Robb is my heroine. Be that as it may, in this "episode," Eve is facing a serial killer who calls herself "Lady Justice." This book is brutal in its descriptions of the torture the victims endure before their ultimate deaths. The real mystery in this book is whether or not Eve will be able to prove that the perpetrator actually did it. Since Eve "knows"--in that uncanny cop-smart way of hers--who the perp is, there are no red herrings, no twists or turns. And that's okay. Getting to watch Eve in full-on investigation mode--and trying to end the murderous "rampage" before the next victim is taken is what makes this book a page turner. 4.5 stars....more
I freaking LOVED this book. Like damn and whoah! KA is kind of my reading crack anyway but Lottie? AND MO!!!!! Hawk and his commandos. THE HOT BUNC I freaking LOVED this book. Like damn and whoah! KA is kind of my reading crack anyway but Lottie? AND MO!!!!! Hawk and his commandos. THE HOT BUNCH! Smithie. I did miss the Chaos MC but whatever. Okay. So..."Lottie Mac" is the Queen of the Corvette Calendar and headlining at Smithie's strip joint. Since she's come back to town, she's watched the rest of the Rock Chicks find their One. And she's convinced all the good ones are now taken. Enter a whack job who likes to write threatening letters. Who ya gonna call if the Hot Bunch will go insane when they find out? Hawk's commandos, of course. Enter Mo Morrison. He's on Lottie like peanut butter on jelly. 24/7. Watching them do the "mating dance" is delightful. Dipping toes back into the Denver environs of Rock Chicks (though didn't see much of them either), and the crew? Delightful. I laughed. A lot. And there were so many awwwww moments that...well...read the darn thing for yourself. C'mon. You know you want to, especially if you're a KA fan. I totally get that her brand of crazysauce is not to everyone's taste but for pure crazypants fun with a side of pure escapism, I highly recommend the Dream Man series, Rock Chicks, and Chaos. All her others too, but those especially because they are so entertwined. And I'm beyond excited that the commandos get their own series! Whoohoo!!!! Now I just have to be patient and wait....more
Ahhh. Raff and Thalia. The Wolf Lord and the Eldritch Princess. This mismatched--and misfit--pair forms a political union and end up with so much m Ahhh. Raff and Thalia. The Wolf Lord and the Eldritch Princess. This mismatched--and misfit--pair forms a political union and end up with so much more. Raff is one of those charming if shallow rogues that you can't help but like. As with other Aguirre characters, waters run deep in both Raff and Thalia. There's action, suspense, betrayal, revelations, and best of all, the character arc for both is most satisfying. I enjoyed this one a lot. Also, for those keeping count, it wasn't quite as sexy as the previous book in the series. Neither here nor there for me, but some people get bent over the really sexy bits. I should also mention, since I'm listening to the Audible versions of these books, that Wilhelmina Grace does a good job with the narration....more
This is the latest additioln to the Reaper's world, though the Reapers readers and fans love are only mentioned marginally. Series readerss will re This is the latest additioln to the Reaper's world, though the Reapers readers and fans love are only mentioned marginally. Series readerss will recognize Peaches Taylor from ROME'S CHANCE, the previous 1001 Nights entry in the Reacper's series. Peaches is a waitress and nominal manager of the Starkwood Saloon. Her mother and the bars owner, Gus, were a thing when Peaches was a child. And then Eli King, Gus's nephew moved in. The emotion and humor in the story comes from their childhood. Eli, a Reaper's member, goes to jail for 5 years and now he's home. I can't really give too many more details without getting into spoiler territory.
This is a shorter novella but the chemistry between Eli and Peaches is a big part of their love/hate relationship. There's club business, personal business, broken promises and lies at the heart of the matter. Not as "down and dirty" on the sexy side as the full-length novels but the romance is satisfying.
A reader doesn't necessarily need to read the rest of the series to enjoy this book. It does stand alone. In fact, as near as I can tell, Eli isn't mentioned in any of the other books. (I just finished a relisten of the entire series and if he was mentioned, it didn't stick in my brain.) There are more stories out there with the brothers that I hope Ms. Wylde will tackle in the future. Sean Crisden and Tatiana Sokolov are two of my favorite narrators and they do a great job. 3.5 stars for the story, bumped to 4 stars for the narration....more
I was on the waiting list for a loooong time for this book. It did NOT disappoint. Oh, Murhder! You broke my heart into little pieces. You are truly I was on the waiting list for a loooong time for this book. It did NOT disappoint. Oh, Murhder! You broke my heart into little pieces. You are truly a male of worth. And Sarah with an h? You were prefect for him and you made me cry too. And Nate. Sweet Nate! Tohr, on the other hand...dude! You were a jackhat. Truly. And Hex and John Matthew and...and....
There's so much story in this book. It truly made the wait worth it. Readers of the series don't need a plot expanation, except I will say that I'm intrigued by the new player in town and what is happening with the old nemeses. New readers? Don't start here. As much as it pains me to say it, you need to start at the beginning. And trust me, I tried to read the first book five different times before I finally listened to it on audio and managed to finish. Each subsequent book got a little easier and the last few have been tempting to add to my physical bookshelf but I don't have room and the library needs love too.
Anyway, this one gets a full, whole-hearted 5 stars from me. If I got to choose a Brother for my own, Murhder would be at the top of the list but I wouldn't want to break Sarah's heart again. ...more
Wow. Patricia Briggs had me at "miniature zombie goats." There's a whole lot going on in this book as Mercy, Adam, the pack, and others near and de Wow. Patricia Briggs had me at "miniature zombie goats." There's a whole lot going on in this book as Mercy, Adam, the pack, and others near and dear to Mercy's heart are embroiled in "peace" talks between the humans and the Grey Lords. There are interlopers--black witches intent on disrupting the talks and taking over the territory. There are revelations, good and bad. There are interesting relationship stuffs going on. Not my favorite in the series but definitely worth the wait and the read!...more
I don't fully remember the genesis of how I discovered this book. Newsletter, sale, something. Anyway, I ended up with the audio version of this bo I don't fully remember the genesis of how I discovered this book. Newsletter, sale, something. Anyway, I ended up with the audio version of this book. I've not read anything by this author before but the blurb caught my attention--both in voice and plot description. Basically, there are "mythics" hiding in plain site--mages, psychics, sorcerers, etc. And they belong to guilds. Enter our heroine Tori, a natural ginger with the proverbial temper to match. She ends up bartending at the Cock and Hammer, a guild hall/bar. Only problem? She's human. Oops. She has more bravado than sense sometimes and ends up right in the big middle of things swinging her pink umbrella. This is a light-hearted romp through an urban fantasy landscape that I thoroughly enjoyed. This book--and likely the series--is light on romance though there are three possible contenders for Tori's heart--three disparate mages and best friends, Aaron, Ezra, and Kai. We shall see what unfolds on that front as the series continues....more
So...this was supposed to be Layla and Xcor's story. Except Qhuinn had to insert his big ol' douchebag self into things. Dude, you are soooo banned So...this was supposed to be Layla and Xcor's story. Except Qhuinn had to insert his big ol' douchebag self into things. Dude, you are soooo banned from my Book BoyFriend list. I don't care how things eventually came out. You stepped on your poncho and forgot to strangle yourself and you damn sure didn't do enough groveling--to Layla OR Blay! FYI, Tohr wasn't on the BBF list but he totally would have been removed too. I don't care WHAT made him go all @$$hat. Okay...'nuff said about that.
Layla. She found her strength in this book. And Xcor? He's TOTALLY on the BB list. Maybe even in the Top 25. Their love story was so ill-fated from the beginning but as V explained (without conviction), you can't help who you love. There's so much going on in this book. Action, emotions, nail-biting, and absolute sweet. And anger. LOTS of anger in this book. And yeah, this one is going to get a rare (for this series) 5 from me. FYI, do NOT start the series with this book. Nope. You need all the background so suck it up, buttercup and just read from the beginning....more
Truthfully? I almost gave up on this book at about 44%. This is unusual for me with a KA book. But, there it is. I was bored. I considered just cli Truthfully? I almost gave up on this book at about 44%. This is unusual for me with a KA book. But, there it is. I was bored. I considered just clicking over to either the last chapter or the epilogue (which in true KA style are almost complete books in and of themselves). I didn't. I grabbed my Kindle and opened the ebook version, with thoughts of skimming ahead to see which direction to take. (I'd been listening to the audio version.) And...bang! one more chapter and then the book took off. Needless to say, this made me very happy and I settled in to read (because I read faster than I listen) to the very end. Wow. That was quite a ride. And I'm glad. I wanted Nick to get his HEA. Olivia? I wasn't quite so invested in her--at least not until that scene in her father's office when her world...well...no spoilers. At that point, I was totally all in on #TeamLivvie. I wish KA had a "time line" list of all her interconnected books/series so I could read them in "world order." That would be totally cool....more
I really wanted to like this book. A lot. Deacon is such an intriquing character and Cassidy is strong. Other than a few mentions of him/them in ot I really wanted to like this book. A lot. Deacon is such an intriquing character and Cassidy is strong. Other than a few mentions of him/them in other books and in a short story KA published in "Loose Ends," I knew nothing about them. This book was a slow burn--almost too slow. This was far more about the relationship with very little action, which is fine but I'll admit I've come to rely on KA to give some action and suspense to match the relationship. This isn't a bad book, just not my favorite....more
I'm not sure why I read Knight and then sort of stopped on the Unfinished Heroes series. I caught RAID on a sale so I grabbed it. And now I'll have I'm not sure why I read Knight and then sort of stopped on the Unfinished Heroes series. I caught RAID on a sale so I grabbed it. And now I'll have to reread/read the series because...KA writes tortured heroes and heroines and tells an interesting story....more
I'm a huge fan of Shelly Laurenston's shifter world and when she first introduced Livie and Lock way back when, I loved the juxtaposition of honey I'm a huge fan of Shelly Laurenston's shifter world and when she first introduced Livie and Lock way back when, I loved the juxtaposition of honey badger and bear. She's carrying through that dynamic in the Honey Badger Chronicles, first with HOT AND BADGERED (Charlie and Berg--total LOL moments and sweet, with lots of hotness going on) and now focuses--mostly--on Stevie and Shen. Stevie is a badger/tiger hybrid, Shen a giant panda. She's a bit manic (reasons! And good ones!!) and he's a...giant panda. There's a lot going on in this story that advances the series story arc and there are multiple POVs. I had no trouble keeping up and enjoy the "cinematic" presentation. Not all readers are like me, though. To each their own. This book didn't have quite as many funny moments, but that's not a bad thing. I still laughed, along with raising eyebrows, a few gulps, and I'll admit, one or two cheers for the good guys.
I'll admit, it seemed the romance/relationship between Stevie and Shen played second fiddle at times. Still, watching them be all cute together was fun. Again, there is a LOT going on in this book. I'm looking forwad to Max's book. I don't think Dutch is hers so I'm curious as to who will be. (I think Dutch will get his own book, with a different mate.)
As I spent most of the night and all the next day in the ER/CICU with my DH, this was a good book to get lost in during the down times....more
As I understand the grapevine, this is the last book in the Phoenix Pack series. Makes sense since Dominic was the last wolf standing when it came As I understand the grapevine, this is the last book in the Phoenix Pack series. Makes sense since Dominic was the last wolf standing when it came to finding a mate. Mila Devereaux is a Pallas Cat shifter with a smoky-jazzy voice who barbers by day and sings at The Velvet Room, the Mercury Pack's club, on weekends. Dominic takes one look and wants her. Problem is, Mila knows who her true mate is, and it isn't Dom. Due to Dom's family baggage, he's not all that excited about finding his own true mate. Let's here it for imprinting.
This book is sort of twisty-turny in a meandering sort of way. Yes, I know. "Sort of" is a phrase to avoid when writing. Sadly, I'm sort of ambivalent about this book. I liked this book but I didn't love it. The external conflect is all kinds of crazysauce. The internal conflict resolved fairly easily. Still, Jill Redfield is a heckava narrator and I enjoyed the story. There's a big ol' epilogue at the end that's 8 years down the road for the pack. I figure there's the possiblity of a Phoenix/Mercury Next Gen series sometime in the future. I wouldn't be adverse to that. So, a fond farewell to the Phoenix Pack. I enjoyed getting to know you. ...more
I needed a book to listen to while I was waiting on an audio book I had on hold at the library. I'd just recently read this book on Kindle but it's I needed a book to listen to while I was waiting on an audio book I had on hold at the library. I'd just recently read this book on Kindle but it's now come out in audio, which is my preferred form of devouring books. Since I hadn't listened to this one yet, It fit the bill. It's as good as I remember it being. Conor is rough and sweet and screws up and fixes it and Ivy is desperate, traumatized, strong, and loving...and she screws up too. Tracy Marks does a great job with the "Southie" and Irish accents....more
Quick update because rather than a full series reread (which I plan on doing the first of next year to celebrate #50 - GOLDEN IN DEATH), I listened Quick update because rather than a full series reread (which I plan on doing the first of next year to celebrate #50 - GOLDEN IN DEATH), I listened to CONNECTIONS for a quick reminder of time, place, and what just happened as Eve heads into her next case. Still enjoyed this one for all the reasons listed previously. ...more
I'd started listening to the 3rd book in this trilogy when I suddenly realized I was totally lost. I knew I owned ebook copies of both MOONLIGHT SI I'd started listening to the 3rd book in this trilogy when I suddenly realized I was totally lost. I knew I owned ebook copies of both MOONLIGHT SINS and MOONLIGHT SEDUCTION, and I remembered most parts of SINS but nothing form SEDUCTION. Ah ha! says my brain. That's because you HAVEN'T read the 2nd book. "Self," I say, "we must rectify this." So I did. I'll admit I always went back to the 1st book for a quick skim and a reread of the last few chapters as a refreasher, and then dived into the 2nd.
Wow. The Gothic crazysauce just kept pouring on top of Gabe and Nikki. Nikki is the dauther of Livvie and Richard, the long-time...retainers (for lack a better modern term.) Her parents are more than servants, help, or staff. Nikki was practically raised in the de Vincent house and when she almost drowned in their pool at age 16, she's been in love with Gabriel de Vincent, the middle son.
At age 22, a fresh graduate from college, Nikki returns to New Orleans and the de Vincent house, this time as staff. She's filling in for her mother, who's been diagnosed with cancer is taking time off for some seriously-tough treatments. Devlin, the oldest son is still an arrogant dick. Gabe is just a dick in the way he treats Nikki for...reasons. That won't be divulged because...spoilers.
Then there's Sabrina Harrington, Dev's fianee, and her toadious brother, Parker. They put the creep in creepy. The house itself is still frightening, there are new revelations about the de Vincent family the lengths they'll go to protect family, and then there's the situation between Gabe and Nikki. Their chemistry is off the charts but both are aware of the 10-year difference in their ages.
This book has all the hallmarks of a Gothic romance, and add in the setting, a reader can get a healthy dose of Southern Gothic romance. If that's your catnip. I like it as a side dish upon occasion. I'm glad I discovered I hadn't read this book, even if I stayed up way too late reading it. ...more
What a treat! Even if I hadn't read a book referenced. I truly enjoyed all of the novellas and short but I have two favorites. I'll go through each What a treat! Even if I hadn't read a book referenced. I truly enjoyed all of the novellas and short but I have two favorites. I'll go through each individually.
No Clue - I remember Joe and Vi from AT PEACE, though it's been several years. It was fun to peek into their current life. And Ryker is...Ryker. LOL
The Stars Aligned - I haven't read HEAVEN AND HELL so neither the original story nor any of the characters were familiar but KA did a great job filling in the blanks to provide a deeply satisfying and emotional story.
The Favor - This short ties back into DEACON, part of the Unfinished Heroes series. I haven't read it (must rectify that) but the story is still fun, even if I figured out what the favor was going to be.
More Than Everything - Having just been introduced to Diesel, Maddox, and Molly in FREE (Chaos) and THE GREATEST RISK (Honey Club), and thoroughly liking them, I'm very happy to have this satifsying peek into their lives. Diesel has/had very deep-seated issues. Watching him work through them--wondering if he'd get to the other side--was satisfying, emotional and worth the cost of the book and audio book. Seriously. Warning: REALLY sexy because they are a committed menage with BDSM lives.
Rock Chick Renewal - This is the cherry on the goodness sundae that is this anthology. Todd and Stevie. Need I say more? All the sweet feels for this one.
A variety of narrators took various roles in this book. I enjoyed all of them.
I'll get the easy part out first. Lizbeth Gwynn is a new-to-me narrator and not the narrator for the majority of other KA audio books I've listened I'll get the easy part out first. Lizbeth Gwynn is a new-to-me narrator and not the narrator for the majority of other KA audio books I've listened to. That's okay. Her voice is particularly suited to this series and I've enjoyed her narration. Also, I partlially listened/partially read this final book in the Honey trilogy. It didn't help that I fought a bout of the flu in the middle. Med head does not make for easy reading. Now to the not-so-easy part...
Damn. Just...damn. Sixx. Sixx is...Simone. And not. I should explain that I came to "meet" Sixx and Stellen by way of the back door. (No pun intended.) I met her, along with Diesel and Maddox at the end of FREE (Chaos series). Intrigued, I sought out her story/their stories. Since erotic romance and heavy D/s BDSM play is not really my thing, I hadn't delved into this series. Don't get me wrong. I read it when a book/author intrigues me. I enjoy it when done well. So many get the whole D/s BDSM scene/life wrong. I mean WRONG! (Just because it's not my thing doesn't mean I'm clueless.) Anyway, this whole series was done extremely well when it dealt with that side of things. The motivations of Dom and sub, the head space, even the types of play. Wow. But what KA does so spectacularly is get into the heads of her characters, after she tortures them, like any good writer should. She sets them up, breaks them down, and puts them back together again with a HEA. Ahem. Rather like what a good Dom does with a sub. Interesting that.
Meeting Molly, Maddox, and Diesel was fun. I'm looking forward to their story in LOOSE ENDS. Sixx's journey was amazing. Ami and Naya, the old Honey crew, and Kit, there are more stories there--Cam! Aryas and Talia....hint, hint. My only problem and it's only teeny-tiny is with Stellan. Oh, he's hot. He's an amazing Dom and perfect for Simone/Sixx. It's just...he's too perfect. And his issues/emotional journey was rather glossed over. I would have liked to see him totally melt down at least once. But that's me. This book is definitely a solid 4.5 stars and I'll go ahead and bump it 5 for marking stars purposes because while I was sick and could listen or read? I was totally worrying about the characters. ...more
Kristen Ashley knows how to create tortured characters. Branch is as damaged as they get. He craves the extreme as a way to cope with the pain of h Kristen Ashley knows how to create tortured characters. Branch is as damaged as they get. He craves the extreme as a way to cope with the pain of his past and to make him feel. And he's loved Evangeline since he helped rescue the dominatrix from a terrible ordeal. After months away from the Honey Club and the scene, the club's owner makes an offer to her--a very private submissive. Intrigued, she sets out to dominate him--not an easy task after he takes one look at her and walks away.
The sexual healing (no pun intended), the emotional journey made by both the hero and heroine and others is a ride worth going on. The sex is hot, down, and dirty but that's the way this alpha submissive wants and needs it. Evageline and Branch have met their perfect match in each other and when the time comes for Branch to let go of the past, I was teary-eyed. This one gets bumped to 5 stars....more
I...wow. I'm not sure I have the words. This book is not typical KA but...it is. She's delivered a highly emotional, sexy book about two souls who I...wow. I'm not sure I have the words. This book is not typical KA but...it is. She's delivered a highly emotional, sexy book about two souls who each carry their own scars, and who can, with luck and love, complete each other. While I'm not in "the life," I have friends who do. There's nothing worse than an author who delves into the BDSM world for the shock and titillation value and gets it totally wrong. KA impressed me. She got it pretty much right.
I've read other reviews where readers are bent out of shape over Mistresses/Dominatrixes and alpha men who crave to submit. Why is this any different from a strong woman who needs the same thing? KA also did this aspect of the story right. I love Ollie and Amelie is perfect for him. And holy effing hotness but the sex scenes are...yeah...they are ALL that!
I'd put off reading this trilogy because erotic romance isn't necessarily my catnip, especially since so much of it isn't done all that well. I jumped into the Honey series due to characters that show up in FREE (last book in the Chaos series) and who have a novella in KA's LOOSE ENDS. I'm sort of sorry I waited--but not. By waiting, I get all three books and the novella for a marathon read. Anyway, this book/series isn't for the faint of heart or prudish. This book is about people exploring their emotions and their physical reactions through sex--the kind of sex those of the vanilla persuasion would consider extreme. And I gotta say, I'm totally down with peeking through the viewing windows to watch what's going on. 4.5 stars...more
OMGWTFBBQ! What a way to end this series. All threads tied up--some not so neatly but in a way that fits. Rush and Rebel. Perfect for each other. C OMGWTFBBQ! What a way to end this series. All threads tied up--some not so neatly but in a way that fits. Rush and Rebel. Perfect for each other. Cameos by all the players. Peeks at favorite couples. Twists. Turns. Heartbreak. Redemption. Tack and Rush. Tack and Tyra. Tab and Shy. Snapper and Rosalie (and thank all the book gods that ALL the cliffhangers in ROUGH RIDE were FINALLY explained!) All the brothers and their old ladies. Dog and Sheila (who TOTALLY need a novella! Are you listening, Kristen?!?!) Beck/Throttle. And Essence. I'd sit and drink with Essence and trade stories. In a heartbeat! Momma Nana. Now that's one scary b!tch. The total slime that is Valensuela. And Chew. And more.
I'm one of those readers who enjoys all the POVs. I had no trouble keeping up. It might have helped that I did a marathon listen to the entire series (going back to the Dream Man books) before tackling FREE. Now I see that I need to add the rest of the Unfinished Heroes and The Honey Club series to my reading list as well. S'all good. I'll catch up to those characters.
I'm always sad when a beloved series comes to an end. As a reader, I want the stories to go on and on and on. As an author, I understand when it's time to give everyone their HEA and move on. There are other stories and characters out there. And there's always the ability to revisit favorite places and people when the Muse stirs.
Thank you, Kristen, for a great ride. I'm glad to know the brothers and sisters of Chaos (and their extend "family") are all riding free now. And wow...just typing this makes my nose burn and my eyes tear up. Well done, KA. Well done!...more
Less than a minute into the author's note, I knew I needed to go back and listen to ETCHED IN BONE, book #6, in The Others series, as WILD COUNTRY' Less than a minute into the author's note, I knew I needed to go back and listen to ETCHED IN BONE, book #6, in The Others series, as WILD COUNTRY's timeline runs mostly concurrently with EIB. It had been long enough, and I didn't have a stack of multiple rereads of MARKED IN FLESH, which has a lot of set up for EIB and WC. Besides, I love these books and this world. Admitedly, I skimmed through the first 3 books in the series and then really listened to the other books. Note: Alexandra Harris does an amazing job with the narration. Also note: A reader really should start with WRITTEN IN RED, the first book. The worldbuilding, the character arcs, the events and the history all should be experienced from the beginning to get the full impact of each book.
In Wild Country, Bishop returns to Bennett and Prairie Gold, epicenters of some events in MARKED IN FLESH and ETCHED IN BONE. Bad things have happened. The Elders have retaliated against humans. Bennett is a ghost town, but there's an experiment in the making--a town controlled by the Others, but combining Simple Life folk, Intuits, other humans and the terra indigene to see if they CAN live together. Enter Jana Paniccia, a fresh graduate of the police academy but unable to get a job because of her gender. She ends up in Bennett, as the deputy to the wolfgard sheriff, Virgil, who lost his mate, pups, and pack--all but his brother, when the Humans First group slaughtered the wolves.
There is so much going on in this book--big things, small things, many things. There are missteps, misunderstandings, compromise, and grudging respect beginning to be earned. And then THOSE kind of people, the Cyrus-kind of people arrive, and things go...bad. There are small romances, found family, death, and...yeah. This book pretty much has it all for a fantasy. There is life, death, and life after death. And a riveting read getting from Chapter 1 to The End....more
Well. I have really mixed emotions about this book. The action is fast, furious, often brutal, and very precise. There is a lot of it. The good new Well. I have really mixed emotions about this book. The action is fast, furious, often brutal, and very precise. There is a lot of it. The good news is...no. That would be a spoiler. Catalina is an interesting character with some serious internal conflict. Alessendr0 is a complex mix of man of mystery, playboy charm, and a man on a mission. Good thing I knew this was a trilogy going into it. I hope fans of the series don't have to wait a year for the next installment. I love the Baylors. There's news on the Nevada and Rogan front, but no real appearances by one of my favorite fictional couples. Ah well. It's Catalina's turn. And I'm glad. I look forward to the totality of her story.
Warning: This is more urban fantasy than paranormal romance. Minor spoiler: (view spoiler)[There's a lot of romance but for those looking for a HEA or HFN, it doesn't happen in this book. Another reason I hope we don't have to wait a year for the next installment. (hide spoiler)]...more
I'm...gobsmacked. There is so freaking much going on in this book that I don't even know where to start. Let me just say that I forgive Nalini for I'm...gobsmacked. There is so freaking much going on in this book that I don't even know where to start. Let me just say that I forgive Nalini for the cliffhanger in the last book. Barely. And there are still questions to be answered in the next books becauce oh my freaking god there's so much that happened! I didn't cry. I laughed a few times. The battle is epic. There are surprises. There are mysteries solved and new mysteries. There's...so. Freaking. Much. Going. On. In. This. Book!!!!
Okay. I'll stop fangirling. There are times when the writing is lyrical and utterly brilliant and I want to write like that when I grow up. There are times when the writing is stark and dynamic and I wish I'd written it. Elena and Raphael are...perfect. I still want more of Bluebell and Sparkle and now their are new wrinkles in the story and the Legion and...and...and...
Do I really have to wait another year for more? I guess I can wait. I want to know more but I'm not on tenderhooks and fuming, so there's that. Definitely need to read the whole series before jumping into this one, but totally worth reading the whole series so you can jump into this one! With both feet, and you don't have to hold your nose. ...more
I know I just listened to this back in November 2018 but the third book in this trilogy just released and I'm doing a quick relisten to remind me of tI know I just listened to this back in November 2018 but the third book in this trilogy just released and I'm doing a quick relisten to remind me of the interlocking characters and worldbuilding. It was still fun and I enjoyed the narration.
[Original--sort of--review] Not sure why I didn't leave an actual review the first two times I read this book. This time, I listened to it. I'm thrilled that Jayne Castle (Jayne Ann Krentz) has released this early dip into SciFi Romance in audio. Narrator Tanya Eby does a good job voicing the characters.
This book and the two others in the trilogy were predecessors to the author's Harmony series. While not set on the same planet, the premise was the beginning of what grew into Harmony and touches on her entire Arcane Society multiverse. I'm a big fan, leaning more to the futuristic part of the AS-verse....more
Alexi! I've been waiting for his story. And Memory! Wow. Nice twist there and she's perfect for the wolf.
With the fall of Silence there is a whole Alexi! I've been waiting for his story. And Memory! Wow. Nice twist there and she's perfect for the wolf.
With the fall of Silence there is a whole lot of stuff going on in the Psy-Changeling world. Memory has been held captive by a psychopath since the age of 8. When the one thing that anchors her sanity--and her compliance--is gone, her psychic scream draws the Snowdancer lieutenant to her. Alexi has vowed never to mate for...reasons. Too bad his little E, who has the heart and demeanor of a lioness, has other plans. There's an interesting subplot--no names or hints because too spoilerish. And Nalini tried very hard to break my heart, only to put it back together in a very unexpected way. Nicely done! Angela Dawe, as always, is spot on with her voice characterizations and narration. This is a good one and I'm anxious to see where the story goes from here....more
Well... I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. I had hopes for Nikolai and I'm a bit disappointed. At the same time, he was written true to hiWell... I'm not quite sure how I feel about this book. I had hopes for Nikolai and I'm a bit disappointed. At the same time, he was written true to his character so I shouldn't complain, right? There are things I want to discuss but they get too close to spoiler territory and I try very hard not to go there. Tannaka was not one of my favorite heroines. Considering certain things were said and done, the ending felt...off, at least as far as the Vor were concerned.
I did like the dual timeline with the events in GHOST. Technically, this timeline also encompassed events (briefly) that occurred in SAINT. It was interesting to see the same events from Alexei's POV in GHOST and then Nikolai's in THIEF.
This is a dark book. And violent. Yes, all of them in this series are but this one was particularly so. It also reminded me of a totally unrelated series about sisters that I stopped reading because every time the originating couple got close to having a HEA, the world blew up around them. Every. Single. Book. And especially those stories centering on the main couple. This book felt like that for Nikolai and Tannaka. It took me longer than usual, but I listened to the whole thing and I don't regret sticking it out. Tracy Marks is an amazing narrator. I'm leaning toward 3 stars on this one but I'm going to bump it up to 4 on the strength of Ms. Marks' narration....more
Wow. Conor. Be still my heart. Last night/early this morning, I found myself with a case of insomnia. It happens. I usually listen to a book or watchWow. Conor. Be still my heart. Last night/early this morning, I found myself with a case of insomnia. It happens. I usually listen to a book or watch middle-of-the-night TV that I know will help me fall asleep. Following that prescription, I finished listening to THIEF, the book previous to this one. I'd just finished a re-listen to the entire series in preparation of THIEF (which came out last year but somehow got lost on my TBR pile. I remembered that book when I got notice that CONOR was coming out. I hadn't read/listened to the series in a couple of years so...catch up time. I hope an Audible version will come out sooner than later. I'll definitely be adding it to my keeper shelf. But I digress. After finishing THIEF then tossing and turning for almost an hour, I grabbed my Kindle and opened up CONOR.
Conor is one of those "secondary" characters who crops up and has such a personality that a reader wants to know all about him. I'm so glad the author decided to give Conor his own story. All readers knew is that he came under the Irish syndicate's wing after a dust-up with the Lenox Hill gang but details were sketchy at best in previouys books. Now we get the whole story. The use of flashbacks and nightmares is handled perfectly. The heroine, Ivy, is somebody the reader just have to root for and Conor... Totally swoon-worthy.
Did I mention the insomnia? Yeah, read this sucker straight through until dawn when I hit THE END. I couldn't put it down despite the eyestrain. I'm paying for the all-nighter today but Totally. Worth. It!
I really hope this isn't the last book in the series. Mishka needs his woman, at the very least. ...more
I already owned the first book/novella in this compendium volume but it was worth getting both stories to get the short novellas that is included. BesI already owned the first book/novella in this compendium volume but it was worth getting both stories to get the short novellas that is included. Besides, the first book was only 99 cents. Anyway, Meli and Celino from SILVER BLADE make an appearance in SILVER SHARK. The futuristic science is intriguing--the melding of mind and body, and the mind and the internet to form the planets' bionet. The powers, both genetic and enhanced by technological means, make for interesting stories. In this book, Claire Shannon is a psycher--a trained soldier who can immerse in the bionet to run missions, raids, and fight. Killing a psycher on the bionet results in their physical death. Her side loses in a 300-year war and she manages to hide her talen in order to be deported to another planet. There, she lands a job as the personal admin to Venturo Escana, a powerful psycher Kinsman who runs a bionet security company. They've each met their match in the other and it was fun watching them "spar."
In the bonus novella, A MERE FORMALITY, Deidre Lebed, a diplomatic attache, catches the eye of a new leader, Lord Nagrad. She has to play a sexy game of cat-and-mouse so both sides get what they want. Too bad--or good, as the case may be--that boils down to each other.
Again, I'm crossing my fingers for more stories set in this universe....more
I picked up this short book for 99 cents because I'm a big fan of Ilona and Gordon Andrews and hey, SciFi romance for the win. This was a very short bI picked up this short book for 99 cents because I'm a big fan of Ilona and Gordon Andrews and hey, SciFi romance for the win. This was a very short book but it was chock full of worldbuilding and character development. I really like the idea of the Kinsmen, of the ruling families, and the lush surrounds of New Delphi. Plus, dahlias! Meli is an assassin. Celino is a financial wizard. There's history between them. Short, action-packed, fun. Enough of all of those that I one-clicked to get the compendium volume (this book, SILVER SHARK and a bonus novella) just so I could get the extra novella too. I hope there will be more books set in this world!...more
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