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Love or Hate @ FIRST Sight Read 2016
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Cassandra wrote: "December 2015 Update
Title/Author: The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter
Series: Original Heartbreakers
Read: 12/6
Rating: ★..."
Good to know - I own the prequel and the first one although they aren't high on my "gotta read" list. I'd be interested to see how the rest of the series goes for you.
Title/Author: Beautiful Bastard by Christina Lauren - **** - 12/15/2015
Series: Beautiful Bastard #1
Read: 12/15/2015
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Sure!
Review: Reminded me a lot of Tangled by Emma Chase but I enjoyed both of them!
Title/Author: At Risk by Patricia Cornwell
Series: Winston Garano
Read: (Date) 30th December
Rating: ★✩✩✩✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Highly unlikely
Review: Awful. I don't understand why Cornwell changed her writing style, it's clumsy and very confusing. The story was very thin and filled with awful characters.
November & December 2015November-
Title/Author: The Shootout Solution by Michael R. Underwood
Series: Genrenauts
Read: Nov 20th
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Already preordered the next one!
Review: Hits all my happy fannish buttons - and I don't even like Westerns! The concept of an agency that keeps the genres/stories parallel to our own universe from unraveling is sheer fun. Looking forward to further adventures in genres of which I am fond. :-)
December-
Title/Author: Dorothy Must Die: Stories by Danielle Paige
Series: Dorothy Must Die
Read: 12/16/2015
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Most likely
Review:
Not the Oz I know - but an interesting extension of the 'verse. Listened to the audiobook, and kept waffling between delight at the twists of the plots, and cringing at the twisting of familiar and much beloved characters. I'm curious to know how and where the author plans to take the story.
Also Read:
December
Title/Author: Dark Witch - Nora Roberts
Series: The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy
Read: 12/29/15
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes but probably not right away
Review:
"I think it would be best all around if you married me."
Why because marriage is the answer to everything? Oy this book is so cheesy especially near the end. Okay okay this book could have been a lot better if I actually liked Iona but she was just overly bubbly and annoying by saying everything that came to mind with no other deeper thoughts than those she chose to speak. And though Boyle and Iona are together he doesn't actually seem like is is that in to it until he almost looses her. Then he goes 0 to 100 real fast and is all about marriage and happily ever after. The ending battle wasn't anything spectacular either for a book that is building up to a battle it was very short and I know he is still there because there are more books but the battle should have been a little bit more grand. I think overall I would give this a 2 1/2 stars but I bumped it up to 3 because I still do want to continue on and read the next one. I just hope the next two characters aren't as annoying as Iona.
DECEMBER UPDATEPNR Series:
Title/Author: Personal Demons By Stacia Kane
Series: Megan Chase
Read: 30 December
Rating: ★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? No
Review: This book had potential and I expected it to be gritty based on Downside Ghosts. Unfortunately I found Megan to be a pretty weak character. She basically let everyone walk all over her. Then when she got mad at Dante for not helping her "save an innocent" and said can't you do anything for me after he had bent over backwards to help her I just thought she was selfish. Dante was a decent character but I wanted more chemistry between the two of them. I'm not sure what Dante saw in Megan. I also thought Dante had too much of a "heart of gold" for a demon. Yes he was furthering his agenda and didn't speak about his feelings but he just didn't come across as a badass demon to me. It was just okay and there are so many better PNR/UF books out there that I will give the rest of this series a pass.
Contemporary Series
Title/Author: Dirty Thoughts by Megan Erickson
Series: Mechanics of Love
Read: 23 December
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Absolutely Yes!
Review: Dirty Thoughts is the first book in Megan Erikson's Mechanics of Love Series and my first book by that author. I really, really enjoyed this book and immediately bought the 2nd and 3rd books in this series after finishing the first one. This book centers around Jenna who left her small town and is back after being away for 10 years. She was Cal Payton's high school girlfriend and they broke up and went their separate ways but never really got over each other. Now she's back and the attraction is just as strong but both have grown and changed and Cal isn't sure he wants to have those "F---ing feelings" again. But Cal's world is about to be changed again and when he's hit with an unexpected change Jenna is right there to help him cope and just maybe bring a little sunshine back into his world.
I love second chance romances if they are done well and this one is. It's sweet and emotional with some heartbreaking moments and a beautiful and believable connection between the main characters. I loved both Cal and Jenna and this book really made me root for them to have their HEA. There were some surprises along the way, plenty of passion and wonderful characters. I enjoyed the secondary characters as well and look forward to the books about Cal's brothers. This was a fun, entertaining, heartwarming book with fantastic characters. I can't wait for more of this dirty world.
Romantic Suspense
Title/Author: Hearths of Fire by Kennedy Layne
Series: Red Starr
Read: 29 December
Rating: ★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Probably Not but I may try one more
Review: I really wanted to like this book. I thought the plot had potential but I just couldn't get past my dislike for the heroine. I love a good second chance romance when it's done well but this one just wasn't. Charlotte called her former fiancée when she is worried that her sister is getting involved with a cult. He's a former Seal and has just joined a Crisis Response Team but he drops everything to rush to her side to help. Charlotte just wasn't likeable to me. She is desperate so she calls her ex-fiancée who has the expertise to help her but then she doesn't listen to him. She's stubborn, makes bad decisions, and breaks her promises. In fact although she says she left him because she loved him the fact that she stood him up at the altar is pretty hard to get past. I got her reasons for breaking up with him but not the way she did it. She doesn't show any compassion or empathy for him or what she put him through and several times has thoughts like "well I did what was best and it wasn't easy for me". In fact it seemed all Charlotte was about was what was best for Charlotte.
I'm not sure what the hero saw in her. Apparently he found her need for control cute. She never really apologizes for leaving him at the alter and continues to contend she made the right decision. She says she trusts him but her actions state otherwise and he just puts up with it. Then there's the sex (a lot of it) and although I usually really like a dirty-talking hero it just didn't work here. Maybe it's because he kept trying to convince both of them that it was just sex with no emotions involved.
Overall, I was pretty disappointed in this book. I hope it was just this heroine I didn't like and so I will try one more book before giving up on this series.
January 2016Title/Author: Hot Lead, Cold Iron by Ari Marmell
Series: Mick Oberon
Read: Jan 4 2016
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Already have. :-)
Review:
Classic noir detective feel, with a fae twist. Engaging storytelling, clever dialog and even more clever narration (the protagonist's inner monologue).
Also Read:
January UpdatePNR SERIES
Title/Author: Kade's Dark Embrace by Kym Grosso
Series: Immortals of New Orleans
Read: 1/20
Rating: ★★
First time author Yes
To-Be-Continued? No
Review: Wow, where to start on this book.... it had potential which is the best I can say. Sydney the heroine gave me whiplash. She was supposed to be this tough as nails, bada** police detective. I got the feeling she was supposed to be a lot like Cyn from Vampires in America but she really didn't pull it off. One minute she was all I don't want to be involved with anyone, I have these emotional walls I've built (never are told why), my job is too dangerous, and I'm all about my career so I just go out and have sex for the sake of it when I need to get off (which is often by the way). Then the next paragraph she's going on about how she wants to be loved and how much she wants Kade's feelings for her to be meaningful. She's supposed to be really tough, and she does kill a few vampires but she's also always falling apart and crying or shaking and the kills come off as more lucky than skill. She makes really dumb decisions and refuses to let anyone help or protect her even though she knows that she's just human and would be easily killed by supernaturals. She keeps going off on her own even after admitting to herself that she knows very little about supernaturals and is in over her head.
Kade is the typical ultra hot, rich Alpha vampire. His dialogue is ridiculous and he falls for Sydney right away although I'm not sure why. Even after they are attracted to each other she goes to a bar and has sex with his good friend (knowing the two are good friends). The friend is supposedly half in love with her but he has no problem once Kade decides to claim her. It flip-flops between we are friends who have sex and a shifter who's half in love with her but can't be with her because shifters never mate humans.
The sex actually made me role my eyes and laugh "How Kade you're so big, I'm going to come." Then there was the over the top emotional dialogue. Both "tough as nails" characters were suddenly totally sappy. Seems like a lot of people really enjoyed this book...I just wasn't one of them.
Contemporary
Title/Author: No Knight Needed by Stephanie Rowe
Series: Ever After
Read: 1/19
Rating: ★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? No
Review: It started off really good and I enjoyed the way the two characters met. Then it went downhill. The Hero (Griffin) risks his life to save the Heroine's (Clare) daughter and asks for nothing in return. Then the next day in town when the townspeople are spreading malicious rumors about him (which didn't make a lot of sense - and there was no real reason why) Clare doesn't even stand up for him. She thinks well I have to live in this town so no need to make my life harder. (Let's not forget that Griffin could have done the same and left her stranded on the side of the road and not gone out of his way to rescue her daughter). I really didn't like Clare after this. She was spineless and selfish. I also didn't quite get why she had never even been on a date in the last 15 years since her husband died. The author never really gave me a reason for this. Clare decided to never date/be in a relationship because her husband was leaving her when he died. It also read like she wasn't that in love with her husband but married him because she was pregnant. So why the huge heartache and NEVER getting involved. Griffin had his issues as well. He blamed his ex-wife for everything even though he was obviously not a good husband or father. His ideas about parenting were absurd and he believed he could buy his daughter's love and got upset when he couldn't.
RS
Title/Author: Kill Without Mercy by Alexandra Ivy
Series: ARES Security
Read: 1/1
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I've read Alexandra Ivy's PNR series so I was curious when I saw that she was going to be writing a romantic suspense series. I like her writing style and was hoping that it would translate easily into a RS book. Kill Without Mercy is the first book in her new series ARES Security. I have read several books about a group of military men who open their own security business so I was hoping this one would have something different to set it apart and I wasn't disappointed.
This book centers around Annie who is returning to her home town in Iowa after she begins having visions of women being murdered in her home town again. Annie had originally had these dreams 15 years prior when she was the only survivor of the "Newton Slayer" a serial killer that ended up being her father. Annie doesn't want to go down this road again but she can't ignore the visions and hopes to find some type of closure. Rafe has formed a security team with 4 of his buddies after they endured being tortured while being held captive during their last assignment in the military. Rafe has returned to Iowa to put his grandfather's affairs in order after his death and a chance encounter with Annie has him intrigued, attracted and feeling protective.
Soon Annie is receiving disturbing notes and Rafe has decided to protect Annie and help her discover the truth about who is killing women in the town and if it's connected to the murder's 15 years ago. This story is full of action, a creepy serial killer and plenty of suspects. Rafe's friends are all introduced and are interesting secondary characters that add to the book. As with all first books it slowed a little with the introduction to all the secondary characters and took a little bit away from Annie and Rafe's story. However, the book still kept my attention, built the suspense and had an exciting climax.
I really enjoyed both Rafe and Annie's character. Rafe was an alpha male who knew what he wanted and went after it. He is also very loyal to his friends and not afraid to show his emotions but still come across as all man. He's sweet, protective and loyal to those he loves (his friends and Annie).
Annie was tough and strong but willing to listen to Rafe and follow his lead when it came to security issues. I actually wanted a bit more about her visions and how that effected her. She also has a fragile side that comes through and fits with the trauma she endured as a young girl. The romance was done really well and I enjoyed them as a couple.
I did think the overall serial killer was obvious as well as who the secondary bad guy was but it didn't stop my enjoyment of this book.
I am looking forward to the next book and can't wait to continue this series. Alexandra Ivy is a winning author for both PNR and RS!
Thankfully Danielle, at least one of the three was good.
I don't think I ever got around to update this, but this is how i've progressed so far.July
Title/Author: My Soul to Take by Rachel Vincent
Series: Soul Screamers
Read: 07/26/15
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I really enjoyed this story. It was fast paced and had a great plot. I also liked the love story in this book. I'm looking forward to see how this series pans out.
August
Title/Author: A Rush of Wings by Adrian Phoenix
Series: The Maker's Song
Read: 08/14/15
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes - probably
Review:
I liked the plot of this story. It was just a little drawn out and too many shifts in POV, but other than that I liked the story. I'll check the next one out at some point, to see if the writing get better in the coming books.
September
Title/Author: Some Girls Bite by Chloe Neill
Series: Chicagoland Vampires
Read: 09/10/15
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I really enjoyed this book. I liked that this was a book about how to accept a situation that wasn't part of the orignal plans. I really enjoyed the secondary characters. I want more Ethan in the next books. I'm very interested in seeing how it will all pan out in the coming books.
October
Title/Author: Half-Blood by Jennifer L. Armentrout
Series: Covenant #1
Read: 10/13/15
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: Although there was a lot of similarities between this book and Vampire Academy, I still really enjoyed it.
November
Title/Author: First Grave on the Right | Darynda Jones
Series: Charley Davidson
Read: 11/08/15
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I liked the world, story and the characters. It had the perfect amount of humor added to the story, so I'm really looking forward to continue it.
December
Title/Author: Xoe: or Vampires, and Werewolves, and Demons, Oh My! | Sara C. Roethle
Series: Xoe Myers
Read: 12/05/15
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
I was really surprised about this book. I mostly chose to read it because it was an X title and I needed it for a challenge. It turned out to be a pretty great book, with a nice pace of the story.
Title/Author: Nice Girls Don't Have Fangs | Molly Harper
Series: Jane Jameson
Read: 01/23/16
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review:
Again this book really surprised me. I had been expecting a fun quick read, but not much else. I ended up really enjoying this book, and I really liked Jane's character. Although it was a little predictable at times, I still found it really great.
Sandra wrote: "Thankfully Danielle, at least one of the three was good."Yeah, it was a bit surprising to have two out of three that I didn't particularly care for! Hopefully Feb will be better :)
Title/Author: Alone by Lisa Gardner
Series: D. D. Warren
Read: 9th February 2016
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I had a bad January (I got over half way through The 5th Wave then went to see the movie and hardly touched the book after that), so I was determined to get this months book read and out of the way early. Although this is billed as being the first in the D. D. Warren series she hardly features in this book - which wasn't a bad thing - because I really liked the central character (State Trooper Bobby Dodge). It was an interesting story, some of the themes are a bit hard to take, but it kept moving. Everyone had something to hide.
February 2016
Title/Author: Strange Magic by James A. Hunter
Series: Yancey Lazarus
Read: Feb 3 2016
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Oh, yes.
Review: Unusual magic system. Protagonist with a very rich back story. Wry sense of humor - fans of Iron Druid and Dresden should give this a try. Blues & BBQ - reading while hungry not advised.
Also Read:
Jan 2016 Update
Title/Author: Cinder by Marissa Meyer
Series: The Lunar Chronicles
Read: 1/2
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: (Not a lot to say, since I read this one a month ago - some spoilers in this one, sorry) I wasn't too sure about this one at first. I love fairytale retellings, but this one has people living on the moon, cyborgs and royalty (which is expected, since Cinder is Cinderella, but it was an odd mix). I was a little annoyed that Cinder didn't get her HEA in this book (I'm betting she will, but it doesn't happen in this one.) That was a little annoying, but since the over arching plot for this series involves the Queen of the Lunar's wanting to become empress it makes sense that it works out this way, annoying though it is. I really loved Cinder in this one even if I spent the last fourth of the book wondering what the hell she was thinking!
Feb 2016 Update
Title/Author: Lion's Share by Rachel Vincent
Series: Wildcats
Read: 2/23
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This is the first book of a spin off of a series that I loved. It's a little odd to see some of the same characters without really following them, and I don't remember Abby all that well. I don't have all that much to say about it aside from when is the next one coming out? :)
Cassandra, did you read a book that qualifies in January? If so, you can still post it :)
Sandra wrote: "Cassandra, did you read a book that qualifies in January? If so, you can still post it :)"Yeah. Should I just update message 65 or post a new one?
Either way, its up to you :D
FEB POSTPNR
Title/Author: Samson's Lovely Mortal by Tina Folsom
Series: Scanguard Vampires
Read: 22 Feb
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: It's obviously pretty humorous (a vampire with an erectile dysfunction) but the characters had more depth than I thought they would. This book follows basic vampire mythology (nothing new or different and that's fine). It was an entertaining and quick read with a pretty high hotness factor. Samson and Delilah fall into bed very quickly and have a lot of sex in this book including both oral and anal but no BDSM/menage or voyeurism. There was a fairly interesting sub-plot of company espionage that was a bit predictable. However there were some great sub characters who I look forward to reading about (especially Amaury). The book is ultimately about the relationship between Samson and Delilah with some humor and of course sex (it is after all an erotic novel). It isn't a deep or dark story but it is a fun and entertaining one.
Contemporary
Book: Instant Attraction by Jill Shalvis
Series: Wilder
Read: 2/3
First Time Author: Yes
To Be Continued: Yes
Rating: ★★★★
Review: Jill does an amazing job of mixing humor, fun and just the right amount of emotion and depth to the story. They are two damaged characters who are helping each other heal. Their romance is paced just right and their problems aren’t just swept under the rug but instead we get to see them face their fears and start healing. The secondary characters are entertaining and you learn just enough to want to continue to read to get to their stories. Overall a wonderfully entertaining and moving story that will keep me coming back for more of the Wilders.
Romantic Suspense
Book: Only Fear by Anne Marie Becker
Series: Mindhunter
Date Read 2/13
First Time Author: Yes
To be Continued: Yes but not at the top of the list
Rating: ★★★★
Review: enjoyed this story although the characters dialogue/timing was not always entirely believable. It had some great suspense and well rounded main characters. The witty banter between the H/h was entertaining although the timing of their "relationship" talk was a bit odd. The team at SSAM (The Study of the Aberrant Mind) was interesting and detailed enough to make me interested in reading the next book.
March 2016
Book: Kitty and the Midnight Hour by Carrie Vaughn
Series: Kitty Norville
Date Read: 3/13
First Time Author: No
To Be Continued: Already read through book 5
Rating: ★★★★★
Review:
This series has been on my radar for a long time, and I'm glad that I finally picked it up! Kitty is an interesting hero, who just wants a quiet life, but steps up to stand up for herself and for others when it is needed. If the radio show were real, I would be a regular listener! :-)
Also Read:
Oops forgot to update last couple of months.January:
Title/Author: Midnight's Daughter - Karen Chance
Series: Dorina Basarab
Read: 1/23/16
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Most definitely
Review:
A good start to another series that I am going to love, I still prefer Cassandra but that is only because I am so invested in that series with her and pritken but I can see it happening to this one as well. I can't wait to read more of this series. Also why does it seem all vampires have to play games, lie, or think they know more than others and take away memories because they think it will be easier?
February:
Title/Author: A Court of Thorns and Roses - Sarah J. Maas
Series: A Court of Thorns and Roses
Read: 2/9/16
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes for sure
Review:
I really enjoyed this and since this is the first book in February that I read all the way through it kinda got me out of a funk it also didn't help that I have been really busy this month but I finally got through a novel. I did enjoy this so much and can't wait for the next one. I am still unsure of what team I am on I mean I like Tam and all but can she come back from all that happened under the mountain and still remain the person for him.
March:
Title/Author: Awakening the Fire - Ally Shields
Series: Guardian Witch
Read: 3/13/16
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yep already on it
Review:
You can find a longer review on my blog: Raquel Gabrielle's Blog
I loved this first one it was definitely hard to put down and got me back into reading after not keeping to a book for about a month or so. I am glad that I can say I thoroughly enjoyed this and also plan to read book 2 and 3 right away so I will also have reviews up for those as well. So far I like how the romance is slow and not really there. Ari is an awesome witch with some fire magic that she doesn't always seem to understand, and then comes Andreas to stir things up and cause trouble, good kind of trouble of course. :)
March UpdatePNR Series:
Title/Author: Mermen by Mimi Jean Pamfiloff
Series: Mermen
Read: 22 March
Rating: ★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? NO!
Review: This was one of the worst books I've ever read. I would have DNF'd it but I had to finish for a challenge. The characters were unlikeable, the story ridiculous and not in a funny way and it ended on a cliffhanger.
Contemporary Series
Title/Author: On Dublin Street by Samantha Young
Series: Dublin Street
Read: 3/5
Rating: ★★★★ First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? No
Review: I know 4 stars and yet I won't continue. This was a weird one for me. I liked it despite the fact that the dialogue was immature and needed work and there was a lot of editing issues. It was a book that I couldn't stop reading even though I still can't figure out why I liked it. When I finished it I can honestly say I enjoyed it quite a bit and yet I have no desire to read the next book in the series.
Romantic Suspense
The Darkest Hour
Title/Author: The Darkest Hour by Maya Banks
Series: KGI
Read: 3/17
Rating: ★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I liked this book but I didn't love it. I think I expected more. More action, more suspense, more from the heroine and hero. The premise was a great idea but for me the execution just didn't quite work. What I loved about this book was the family interactions and all the side characters that really came to life in the book. I liked the author's writing style. What I didn't like as much was that the heroine just isn't my favorite type of character. Yes, she has been through a lot but she comes across as well a wimp and a bit whiney. She doesn't toughen up until the very end of the book. The hero spends the whole book coddling the heroine or worrying she'll discover that he was an ass and their marriage was on the rocks before she was held prisoner. I love when an Alpha hero finally lets himself cry but Ethan seemed to cry a lot and it was just too much for me. He was a Navy Seal - I wanted to yell Man Up! The other thing that didn't work for me was that their wasn't a lot of chemistry between Ethan and Rachel. In fact she seemed to have more chemistry with his brother. The romance actual pushed the suspense and danger to the background too much. I didn't think the balance between romance and suspense was right. I like to have both in my story lacked suspense/danger even though Rachel's life was still in danger. Still I like the idea behind this series and I really liked some of the secondary characters so I'll continue this series
March 2016 Update
Title/Author: Discount Armageddon by Seanan McGuire
Series: InCryptid
Read: March 27
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: The first book always has the most world building in it, which is understandable. There were times when this one didn't have enough. There aren't really that many Cryptids in it, since it focuses more on the dragon princesses then anything but the explains for the ones that do show up aren't always the best. There is a little glossary in the back of the book but that doesn't really help if you're reading and wondering what the hell a waheela is. Verity is a lot of fun at times but there were a few times I really wondered what she was thinking. Dominic was okay after he let go of his Covenant training, but his belief change was a little sudden. I know it happened off screen, so to speak, but it was a sudden change that didn't quite feel real. -
April 2016 Update
Title/Author: Insolent by Kerrigan Byrne
Series: Moray Druids
Read: April 21
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: [No review]
April Love it or Hate ItPNR Series:
Title/Author: Radiance by Grace Draven
Series: Wraith Kings
Read: 20 April
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? YES!
Review: I loved this book! It was a wonderful surprise. I loved the characters, the story and it was really different from other books that I have read. From the very first meeting of Ildiko and Brishen I was hooked. I love that the author made the races so different in some ways and that they thought of each other as ugly when they first met. Ildiko was such an amazing character - she wasn't a warrior or even physically strong but she was very tough and strong in all the ways she needed to be as well as compassionate, loyal and adaptable. Brishen was also a great character. He was strong, loyal and tender with Ildiko. The growth of this relationship as it unfolded was one of my all time favorites. Throw in some court intrigue and action and it was an amazing book. In fact I had borrowed it from the library and when I finished it I immediately went and bought not only the next book but this one because I know I will read it again. I HIGHLY recommend this book.
Contemporary Series
Title/Author: Real by Katy Evans
Series: Real
Read: 4/17
Rating: ★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? No
Review: I really liked Remy and thought the subject matter of bi-polar was pretty fascinating and a different twist that I haven't read before. I thought he was a wonderful, different character who was definitely "ALL IN." I loved that he had her listen to songs that let her know how he was feeling since he couldn't find the words to tell her. What I really didn't like and the reason this book ended up 3 stars was Brooke. Her inner dialogues about how much she wanted/needed Remy and her anger/frustration because he wouldn't have sex with her and wanted to wait while they got to know each other better made me really dislike her. It was also VERY repetitious. I ended up not liking her character. I also thought the pacing was a little slow. Still Remy is a wonderful character that was interesting to read about and I wish we would have gotten to know more about him. I won't read the next book in the series but this book was enjoyable and although it won't be one that stays in my memory it was worth reading
Romantic Suspense
Title/Author: Wild Card by Lora Leigh
Series: Elite Ops
Read: 4/3
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I really loved the plot of this book I just wish there was more story and less sex. I love a good sex scene and you know that with Lora Leigh there are going to be hot sex scenes. It's just that there were way too many at the expense of the story. Not only were there a lot of sex scenes but they became repetitive and I found myself skimming them.
Still I liked the characters and the plot so I will try the next book in this series.
April update:
Title/Author: Born of Night - Sherrilyn Kenyon
Series: The League
Read: 4/2/16
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes for sure
Review:
Very good I seem to like most things that are Sherrilyn Kenyon related. A good start to another series. I sometimes got irritated with Kiara for being whiny and weak in certain situations but some people are like that I can sort of understand, and she was very naive so after she learned how the real world works and the bad people that are in it she kind of came around. I think I will like and continue on with this series if it is just as good I like Sherrilyn Kenyon's writing style so I don't have a problem with that. I hope to hear more about different alien races and not just the same ones over and over again. Glad I got to finally read this.
May Update:
Title/Author: The Darkest Night - Gena Showalter
Series: Lords of the Underworld
Read: 5/6/16
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Definitely
Review:
I have been meaning to get into Showalter's books for a while now and I am glad I have.
I need book 2 like now! It's a good thing that I have .5 of the book to tide me over till I get the next one but seriously I need to know more. This is like a mix of two of my favorite series Black dagger brotherhood and the Dark-hunter series. So good!
I also liked that it didn't just stay on Maddox and Ashlyn we got to delve into some of the others minds. Get a little sneak peek at what the others are going through. This first book just sucked me in and I almost didn't even got to sleep... but sadly I had to for work but that didn't stop me for long.
May UpdatePNR
Title/Author: Dominic by Hazel Hunter
Series: Her Warlock Protector
Read: 5/29
Rating: ★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? No
Review: This book just didn't work for me. It was over the top insta love that was completely unbelievable to me. I also didn't really like the heroine and the writing style just wasn't enjoyable for me.
Contemporary
Book: Alex by Sawyer Bennett
Series: Cold Fury Hockey
Read: 5/22
Rating: ★★★★★
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: 4.5 Stars! This is my first book by Sawyer Bennett but it certainly won't be my last! Some sports romances I like and some just don't work for me but this was one of the best I've read. The sports theme fully integrated with the story and the characters and brought both hockey and the characters to life.
I loved Alex. He is by his own admission an angry prick who doesn't have much happiness in his life and hates the sport he plays but doesn't know how to do anything else. Management has finally had enough and forces Alex to volunteer to be the spokesperson for a drug program for teens. Sutton doesn't know anything about Alex or hockey but she's passionate about her program and knows that Alex can give her some exposure that she would never receive otherwise.
The growth of Alex's character was written exceptionally well and I enjoyed watching him come to life and start to see that he could experience joy. Sutton's character was also written extremely well. She had the understanding, patience and compassion to help bring Alex out of the dark place that he lived in. She was patient with him but knew when to push and when not to. She had her share of tragedy in her background but chose to handle it in a completely different way. She made herself into the woman that she was and I admired her character a lot. I was drawn into both characters and their relationship together. Even though I knew it wouldn't be easy street I was still torn up when things got tough. This book made me cry and groan and smile and I re-read the end of it a couple of times. I think this had one of the best "groveling" scenes I've read in a while and I loved it. It stayed true to the characters and left me not wanting this story to end.
Romantic Suspense
Book: Morgan's Hunter by Cate Beauman
Series: Bodyguards of L.A. County
Read: 5/6
Rating: ★★
First Time Author? Yes
To Be Continued? I might try one more before I give up
Review: This book had potential but both the hero and heroine were TSTL. I was really looking forward to this book. The plot sounded really interesting. When Morgan's entire team is murdered she sets out to find out what really happened even if she has to ditch the bodyguard her father hired to protect her.
Morgan does indeed travel to where her team was murdered and she is with the bodyguard that her father hired but I didn't see anywhere in this book where she investigates the murder. Morgan and Hunter have an immediate love/hate relationship that could have been really entertaining and the suspense behind the murder also had a lot of potential. Unfortunately, the incredibly stupid decisions of the main characters and the tepid romance into a forgettable book.
The sad thing is that the first chapter in this book had me enthralled. It was an emotional and satisfying introduction to a hero who was suffering from PTSD. I was hooked and so looking forward to how Hunter would move forward. Then we meet the heroine who I believe was supposed to be strong and intelligent but really just comes across as stubborn, spoiled and quite frankly stupid. The decisions that she makes that put both the hero and heroine in danger are truly some of the dumbest I have read about. Unfortunately, the hero isn't any better. He is hired to protect Morgan and yet he takes her to the location that he thinks the people who killed her team are at. His decisions not to tell her what is going on is not only stupid but make absolutely no sense. To make it all even worse, Hunter runs hot and cold and the heroine's "love" for the hero comes out of nowhere and is one of the most unbelievable romances I have read. The details slow the pacing way down as we get descriptions of everything from Morgan taking the time to shave when they are on the run to how they hook up a shower.
Just when you think the book is drawing to an end, the couple continue on the run. The villains are nothing new and you don't get to find out much about them either. Unfortunately, this book was a great beginning and then went down hill from there until we reached the ending which was drawn out and ridiculous.
May 2016 Update 
Title/Author: Blood Kiss by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Legacy
Read: May 31
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: This wasn't quite what I expected from this series. It is a romance novel, meaning the "main" couple get together in it but there's also a lot of focus on Butch and Marrisa. I get that it really is also a Black Dagger Brotherhood novel, but I was hoping for less POV jumping (that's become way to common in the main series) and more focus on just the two that are getting together. That's one of the reasons it took me eleven days to read this book. I read some of it and couldn't convince myself to read the rest until I was almost out of time for it to count as May's new series book. -
June 2016 Update
Title/Author: Hounded by Kevin Hearne
Series: Iron Druid Chronicles
Read: June 9
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: It took me a little while to get into this one, mostly because it deals with a mythology I don't know that well, Celtic. I spent some time wondering who that was when names were mentioned. It was normally explained later, but it was a big distraction at some points.
Are we doing this again from July??? It kind of got away from me towards the end of the year...
Yes, Charlotte, we can do it again :D I'll set it up tomorrow and if I forget, just post here again & I'll see it.
Thank you Sandra. I've just had a look through my bookshelves just in my living room and have found 24 first in series.....
Not even going to look in the other 2 rooms with bookcases.
And that was just a quick look.
You definitely need this challenge Charlotte!
April & May 2016
Title/Author: The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber
Series: Blossom Street
Read: April 19
Rating: ★★★✩✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? No
Review: Generally sweet, but painfully stereotypical characters and very predictable plot.
Title/Author: Cry Wolf by Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha and Omega
Read: May 1
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes, already
Review: Not quite as nuanced and engaging (to me) as the Mercy Thompson books, but tasty when I've run out of the others.
PNR Series:
Title/Author: Burned by Darkness by Alexandra Ivy
Series: Dragons of Eternity
Read: 15 June
Rating: ★★★★
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? YES
Review: .5 Stars. This is a quick, fun read with a hot, arrogant dragon. I enjoyed this book but the characters felt a little under developed and the instant I'll forget all my reservations because he's so hot drove me a little crazy. However, I enjoyed the characters and the story.
Contemporary
Book: Phenomenal X by Michelle A. Valentine
Series: Hard Knocks
Read: 6/25
Rating: ★★★
First Time Author: Yes
To Be Continued: One more just to find out what happens
Review: 2.5 Stars (generously rounded up to 3). Naive girl meets hot, famous athlete who thinks he isn't good enough for her but wants her anyway. She ends up traveling with him and they can't keep their hands off of each other. Stop me if you've read this before because I know I have. This book reminded me A LOT of Katy Evan's Real except not as good. I just couldn't relate to Anna in any fashion. She takes naive to a whole new level and although they are "just friends and hanging out because he doesn't want to have sex with her since he isn't good enoughAgainst the Wall for her" I would consider it cheating when he has sex with his PA. But Anna just forgives him mostly because he's just so Sweet and Hot. They go from strangers to friends to madly in love within a few days. Then on top of it all it ends in a big cliffhanger.
Romantic Suspense:
Book:
by Debra WebbSeries: Dangerous Protectors
Date Read; 6/6
Rating: ★★★
First Time Author: No
To be Continued? Probably try one more
Review: I liked this book but felt the ending was a bit rushed. The intrigue/suspense was done well and there were plenty of potential suspects. Both Jana and Dylan were well developed and the relationship was believable until the end when it fell into the insta-love category. I thought it was a good mix of suspense vs romance but a bit heavier on the suspense/political intrigue then the romance. I'll read the next book in the series.
June 2016
Title/Author: Blood Oath by Christopher Farnsworth
Series: The President's Vampire
Read: June 13
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? Yes
To-Be-Continued? Probably
Review: Short attention-span theater. The action jumps thread to thread so quickly that you never have a chance to realize how utterly ridiculous the plot is - and so it is a BLAST! Nothing profound, but thoroughly entertaining. I listened to the audiobook - not sure if I'd ever actually read it. But I'll likely listen to the next one the next time I need something fun and fluffy. With fangs & monster & political machinations. :-)
Also read:
SOS: Serious Overload of Series
Books mentioned in this topic
Critical Failures (other topics)Trolls in the Hamptons (other topics)
Murder al Dente (other topics)
Murder of a Small-Town Honey (other topics)
The Grendel Affair (other topics)
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Authors mentioned in this topic
Christopher Farnsworth (other topics)Debra Webb (other topics)
Michelle A. Valentine (other topics)
Alexandra Ivy (other topics)
Jill Shalvis (other topics)
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Title/Author: The Closer You Come by Gena Showalter
Series: Original Heartbreakers
Read: 12/6
Rating: ★★★★✩
First time author? No
To-Be-Continued? Yes
Review: I didn't really like Jase all that much in this one. He goes hot and cold so much there were times I wanted Brook Lynn to just give up on him. I did like them together and I've already read the next book in this series. I'm not sure I would have decided to read the other books in this series if there was more then just the three books (+ a prequel novella).