Book: Woodrose Mountain
Series: Hope’s Crossing #2
Author: RaeAnne Thayne
Release Date: March 27th 2012
Publisher: HQN Books
Source: review copy from Planned TV Arts
Pages: 352 pages
Links: Amazon | Goodreads
My Rating: 3 stars
Evie Blanchard was at the top of her field in the city of angels. But when an emotional year forces her to walk away from her job as a physical therapist, she moves from Los Angeles to Hope’s Crossing seeking a quieter life. So the last thing she needs is to get involved with the handsome, arrogant Brodie Thorne and his injured daughter, Taryn.
A self-made man and single dad, Brodie will do anything to get Taryn the rehabilitation she needs
, even if it means convincing Evie to move in with them. And despite her vow to keep an emotional distance, Evie can’t help but be moved by Taryn’s spirit, or Brodie’s determination to win her help—and her heart. With laughter, courage and more than a little help from the kindhearted people of Hope’s Crossing, Taryn may get the healing she deserves—and Evie and Brodie might just find a love they never knew could exist
Review:
Being a big fan of romance and HEAs, I jumped at the chance to review Woodrose Mountain, and overall, I thought the story was sweet. But, although the reading was light and easy, I found my interest in the novel wavering often because I think it lacked that extra bit of spice that would have made it the type of sizzling delicious dish I would have devoured. Instead, Woodrose Mountain was like a lazy Sunday – familiar, quiet, and sleepy.
The entanglements that kept the main characters from getting involved despite their instant attraction to one another were a bit too common. Evie’s pain filled past warned her to keep her distance, and Brodie’s playboy ways insisted that he wasn’t interested in pursuing a relationship with anyone, let alone a woman who was his exact opposite. But Brodie’s daughter, Taryn, brought them together in ways that neither of them ever expected, and the affect was heart warming.
One thing that kind of bothered me was Evie’s past with loss. She had lost everyone of significance to her over the course of her life – father, sister, mother, best friend, adopted daughter. It was any wonder that she was still able to stand let alone function as a physical therapist. Does this happen in to real people in real life? Unfortunately, I have no doubt it does and they have to do their best to move on. But as sad as that fact may be, I don’t think that things need to be that bleak for book characters, especially ones in a romance novel because then it feels like ‘too much’. After a while, I couldn’t stop thinking of Evie as tragically plagued. Who would want to get involved with someone who brings death with her everywhere she goes? And, on top of that, some of Evie’s reflections of those she has lost were kind of emotionless. Maybe she’s just the kind of person that does dwell, but it didn’t do much to make me feel sympathetic towards her, and as a result, her good-natured ways felt fake.
Taryn’s recovery and the circumstances surrounding her tragic accident were what held my interest the most. A bit of a mystery slowly unravels, which ties to the first book in this series, Blackberry Summer, and though I have not read it, I didn’t feel lost.
Woodrose Mountain was a sweet, slow going novel, perfectly suited for those who enjoy happily ever afters.
Book: Lover Reborn
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #10
Author: J.R. Ward
Narrator: Jim Frangione
Release Date: 03-28-12
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Length: 23 hrs & 13 mins
Links: Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
My Rating: 3 stars
Ever since the death of his shellan, Tohrment is a heartbroken shadow of the vampire leader he once was. Brought back to the Brotherhood by a self-serving fallen angel, he fights again with ruthless vengeance- and is unprepared for a new tragedy. Seeing his beloved in dreams—trapped in a cold, desolate netherworld—he turns to the angel to save his former mate, only to despair at the path he himself must take to set her free. As war with the lessers rages, and a new clan of vampires vies for the Blind King’s throne, Tohr struggles between an unforgettable past, and a future that he doesn’t know he can live with… but can’t seem to turn away from.
Review:
I knew it was too soon for Tohr’s story!
It really pains me to say this but Tohr is such an asshat. Not only did he offend me in every possible way, first by boring me to death, then by emphasizing his douchebaggeryness, he also failed to be the least bit sexy, which I have no problem admitting is the exact reason why I read PNRs in the first place – for the hot as hell male lead! I mean, come on! Is it really too much to ask for – a desirable hero?
And No’One as the romantic interest? Umm…if this was the woman I was supposed to be simultaneously in awe of/feel jealousy towards because she managed to capture the heart of the unattainable rake, that didn’t happen because No’One really was no one. Her character lacked any kind of substance and had about as much personality as a doormat. And, as if I needed a further example of this, Tohr renames her, like a parent would a babe? Agh! I found this incredibly demeaning even though I suspect it was supposed to be a swoon worth gesture.
The JM/Xhex storyline pissed me off, too. You don’t go through what they went through just to be complete idiots and eff up everything afterwards. Or, maybe you do? What do I know about immortal relationships? I also think Ward made a mess of the whole Qhuinn/Layla/Blay/Xcor thing. Poor Layla. She totally got cheated out of having her stairway to heaven perfect first time.
Thank the Scribe Virgin for the Band of Bastards. More than once, the happening involving them were what kept me interested in LR, and they’ll keep me invested in the series — well, them along with Qhuay!
I know many BDB fans loved LR, and I wish I could be amongst them, but the romance just didn’t work for me. Still, as always, I enjoyed Ward’s writing style because it’s fun to read.
While listening to this audiobook, I MAY or may not have tripped on my treadmill. I think I just got a little too worked up over some parts of the story.
Book: Stray
Series: Shifters #1
Author: Rachel Vincent
Narrator: Jennifer Van Dyck
Release Date: 05-31-07
Publisher: Harlequin Enterprises, Ltd.
Length: 13 hrs & 53 mins
Links: Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
My Rating: 3 stars
There are only eight breeding female werecats left . . .And I’m one of them.
I look like an all-American grad student. But I am a werecat, a shape-shifter, and I live in two worlds.
Despite reservations from my family and my Pride, I escaped the pressure to continue my species and carved out a normal life for myself. Until the night a Stray attacked.
I’d been warned about Strays — werecats without a Pride, constantly on the lookout for someone like me: attractive, female, and fertile. I fought him off, but then learned two of my fellow tabbies had disappeared.
This brush with danger was all my Pride needed to summon me back…for my own protection. Yeah, right. But I’m no meek kitty. I’ll take on whatever — and whoever — I have to in order to find my friends. Watch out, Strays — ’cause I got claws, and I’m not afraid to use them…
Review:
Before listening to Stray, I kind of already knew what to expect. I’d read reviews for the series before, so I knew Faythe was going to be a challenging MC to support. And, as it turns out, the rumors were true.
Overall, I thought the story was okay. Shifters in Texas may not seem like anything new, and they’re not, but the hierarchy of the pack and the rules that govern them seemed well developed. But, much like Faythe, a certain amount of focus was missing from the story. And I often found myself bit frustrated/annoyed with Faythe because she didn’t really ask the right questions or make the smartest decisions. Plus, she has a bad habit of picking the the worst times possible to negotiate. But, I guess, she’s got to learn somehow, right?
Though I can’t say I was super or even mildly enthralled with this first book in this series, it’s one I wouldn’t mind following up on if I happen across the succeeding books at the library because, as I’ve said many times before, I have no problem continuing to read about a lackluster female protag if the males in her life are yummy, and such is the case with Faythe’s tale (yes, I’m that shallow when it comes to fictional hotties).
BTW, it’s never a good idea to roll your eyes on the treadmill, least you trip over air again!
Book: Cornerstone
Author: Misty Provencher
Series: The Cornerstone Series
Release Date: November 7, 2011
Publisher: CreateSpace
Source: purchased from Amazon
Pages: 219 pages
Links: Amazon | Goodreads
My Rating: 4 stars
Nalena Maxwell has been branded ‘The Waste’ at her new school, due to her mom’s obsessive paper hoarding. Nalena desperately wants something to change in her life, but when she receives a sign (and it’s the wrong dang one) inviting her into a mysterious, ancient community, too much changes.
What she knew of her family, what she thought of her life and what she believed about her future, is no longer applicable. Seventeen years worth of family skeletons come crashing into Nalena’s life and it is the boy…the one that smiles at her like he wants to hear everything she’ll ever say…that already knows her powerful secrets. But it is only Nalena that can choose between protecting the life that is already crumbling beneath her feet and the one that might sacrifice everything she could ever have.
Review:
If I had to sum up Cornerstone in a word, it’s be surprising!
When I began reading Cornerstone, I thought I had a good grasp on what the story was about, and at first, it seemed like I was right. But as the story progressed, I was thrilled to discover unexpected twists and turns I hadn’t seen coming.
Cornerstone reminded me a lot of Demons at Deadnight by A&E Kirk, of which I’m a huge fan. Running along the same lines as DaD, there is a discovery of a secret destiny, parental/family involvement, BOYS, and, best of all, no love-triangle. And just like DaD, Cornerstone presents a very unique mythology, one that is well developed and fascinating, though the way it was gradually introduced did have me tearing my hair out right along with the MC in my desperation to find out what exactly was going on.
Nalena was a very easy protagonist to settle in with and like. My feelings for her ranged from pity to admiration, before falling on deep sorrow. Given that she is forced to deal with a lot in a short amount of time, I wasn’t expecting her to be so introspective and witty, but she was! Her inner musings were those of a typical teenager dealing with shame and guilty, yet, she also displayed an weighty amount of emotional growth and bravery.
The romance did develop very quickly, but it was sweet and filled with just the right amount of yearning. Nalena spends a lot of time pining for a boy she thinks she could never have, but I couldn’t fault her for it. The boy, Garrett, is absolutely charming! And confident in a way that wasn’t conceited but loyal – to himself, to his family and to his duties. He’s just the type of guy that drives me crazy with his mixture of impulsive and restrained actions. Poor Nalena, she didn’t stand a chance, and neither did he.
The writing was great! Fresh, carefully crafted, and filled with subtle humor, which is my absolute favorite. I loved laughing out loud upon finding cleverly constructed phrases, the kind that I wish I was smart enough to create myself, so I’m happy to point out that Cornerstone was filled with them, and I’ve got an exhausted highlighter button on my Kindle to prove it.
I wouldn’t say the story ends with a cliffhanger, but it’s obvioius there is more to come, and I’m looking forward to it!
During the duration of the blog tour Cornerstone is available on Amazon for only .99¢! Get it! Or, for a chance to win a copy of Cornerstone, visit THE CORNERSTONE BLOG TOUR page.
Book: Lover Unleashed
Author: J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Brotherhood #9
Release Date: March 29th 2011
Publisher: Penguin Audio
Source: purchased from Audible
Length: 18 hrs & 37 mins
Links: Amazon | Audible | Goodreads
My Rating: 4 stars
Payne, twin sister of Vishous, is cut from the same dark, warrior cloth as her brother: A fighter by nature, and a maverick when it comes to the traditional role of Chosen females, there is no place for her on the Far Side… and no role for her on the front lines of the war, either.
When she suffers a paralyzing injury, human surgeon Dr. Manuel Manello is called in to treat her as only he can- and he soon gets sucked into her dangerous, secret world. Although he never before believed in things that go bump in the night- like vampires- he finds himself more than willing to be seduced by the powerful female who marks both his body and his soul.
As the two find so much more than an erotic connection, the human and vampire worlds collide … just as a centuries old score catches up with Payne and puts both her love and her life in deadly jeopardy.
Review:
How could I let myself forget what a big fan I am of the BDB or of Ward’s writing? Seriously, if I had to describe this series or Ward’s ability to string together syllables in a single word, I’d say it’s BADASS! I mean, really? Who else but Ward could get away with writing about a tortured vampire than needs his best friend to beat the ever living daylight out of him just so he can reach that point of carnal release he needs so badly? Yet Ward does more than push and blur boundaries; she also makes sure each sentence she creates packs the right amount of power, or poignancy, or smexiness!
I remember when I first discovered this series in May 2010, yes I was late to the party, and read the books in quick succession. I also remember that as I grew more invested in the BDB and each brother’s HEA, I found myself getting really upset over the direction some of the romances took. What happened to Doc Jane and V, for instance, pissed me off more than I care to admit. I was so heartbroken and irritated after their story that I let my interest in the series fade. So when Lover Unleashed was released, I could hardly bring myself to care.
Well, as Pretty Woman would say, “Big mistake. Big. Huge!”
Lover Unleashed was just what I needed to remind myself that Ward has created something kind of special with this long standing series. Sure, she still has the ability to push my buttons, but as I eased myself back into the BDB world, I learned to get over myself and just enjoy the story for it’s entertainment value, of which it is bountiful.
When I finally decided to pick up LU, I allowed myself to just go with it, though I can’t say I was surprised to discover that V and Doc Jane were facing some serious problems that needed to be worked out. And yeah, in case you haven’t picked up on it yet, I’m not a fan of that female, but before you start tearing me a new one, please remember that Jane is a freaking ghost, which is just redonkulous!
Anyhoo, not gonna go there. Gonna keep things light.
Payne and Manny’s romance was pretty vanilla, and pretty standard. She – a female of worth, he – a brilliant surgeon, but pitiful human nonetheless. And they want to be together but circumstance keeps them apart…yada, yada, yada. Sure, it’s more of the same stuff that romance readers have grown used to, but what’s different is that Ward uses her signature writing style to really amp things up. LU may have quickly fell into a comfortable, secure rhythm that alternated between quiet humming to violent wailing, but it didn’t take me long to realize that both choruses created a symphonic masterpiece.
What I enjoyed most, was the introduction of The Band of Bastards. It was such a relief to not have to read from the Lesser POV anymore. Instead, I enjoyed being whisked away to the old ways with Xcor and his warriors. Also, I lived for the moments between Qhuinn and Blay. They make me ache in such a heartfelt way.
Believe me, I will never again let myself forget that this is a series of worth. And, I have every intention of catch up as fast as possible so that I can be ready for Qhuinn and Blay’s book as soon as it hits the shelves.
Book: Born to Darkness
Author: Suzanne Brockmann
Series: Fighting Destiny #1
Release Date: March 20th 2012
Publisher: Brilliance Audio
Source: purchased from Audible
Length: 18 hrs & 40 mins
Links: Amazon | Goodreads | TBD
My Rating: 2.5 stars
Dishonorably discharged, former Navy SEAL Shane Laughlin is down to his last ten bucks when he finally finds work as a test subject at the Obermeyer Institute, a little-known and believed-to-be-fringe scientific research facility. When he enters the OI compound, he is plunged into a strange world where seemingly mild-mannered scientists—including women half his size—can kick his highly skilled ass.
Shane soon discovers that there are certain individuals who possess the unique ability to access untapped regions of the brain with extraordinary results—including telekinesis, super strength, and reversal of the aging process. Known as “Greater-Thans,” this rare breed is recruited by OI, where they are rigorously trained using ancient techniques to cultivate their powers and wield them responsibly.
But in the depths of America’s second Great Depression, where the divide between the haves and the have-nots has grown even wider, those who are rich—and reckless—enough have a quick, seductive alternative: Destiny, a highly addictive designer drug that can make anyone a Greater-Than, with the power of eternal youth. The sinister cartel known as The Organization has begun mass-producing Destiny, and the demand is epidemic. But few realize the drug’s true danger, and fewer still know the dirty secret of Destiny’s crucial ingredient.
Michelle “Mac” Mackenzie knows the ugly truth. And as one of the Obermeyer Institute’s crack team of operatives, she’s determined to end the scourge of Destiny. But her kick-ass attitude gets knocked for a loop when she finds that one of the new test subjects is none other than Shane, the same smoldering stranger who just rocked her world in a one-night stand. Although Shane isn’t a Greater-Than like Mac, as an ex-SEAL, he’s got talents of his own. But Mac’s got powerful reasons to keep her distance from him—and reasons that are just as strong to want him close. She’s used to risking her life, but now, in the midst of the ultimate war on drugs, she must face sacrificing her heart.
Review:
I know there’s an audience for this type book; unfortunately, I’m not part of that cool crowd. And I’m bummed about it too because I had such high hopes, especially after reading Felicia’s review of Born to Darkness. I mean, she gave this book 5+ stars. And it was because of her review that I purchased the audiobook for myself on the day it was released.
In my defense, I’m not a total dunce. I definitely get why Felicia loved BtD. There is a lot of technical stuff to geek out over in the story. And the concept of how the “Greater-Thans” develop their superhuman abilities was unique and interesting.
But yeah, I could never actually get into the story and there were several reasons for this. My main problem was that I really disliked the female lead, Mac. She was such a Bitch! I hate romances in which the only thing the girl does to win over the guy’s heart is treat him like shit, and that is exactly what happened here. Mac threw Shane a couple plethora of “Fuck offs” and suddenly he was declaring his undying love for her. Wow, really?! That’s how you get a man to fall in love with you? Damn, looks like I wasted a lot of time reading the Men are from Mars crap. Thanks for the tips, Mac. I’ll be sure to try that tactic the next time I run into Alexander Skarsgard. In fact, I’ll try it now. “Hey Alex, Fuck you!”
I wonder how long I’ll have to wait for him to propose to me? Hang on, my phone’s ringing…
Okay, sure, I’ll admit that I’m being too hard on Mac; I mean, the girl does have a shameful past (Gee, didn’t see that coming) to contend with, and now she believes that no one is capable of loving her true self. But that only brings me to the next thing I didn’t care for in the story, all the mind reading! I’ve said before, but I’m not a fan of stories that focus a lot of attention on ‘being inside someone’s mind’. To me, it’s a lame cop out. Seriously, I can think of a million things I’d rather read about, like The Complete Guide to Porcupine Mating Rituals, than about some dude walking around in another person’s mind and catching her have a sex dream or strategizing on how to ‘break down the walls’ a person has erected in their mind. Is it really too much to let people actually interact in stories, like in person? Without the mind games?
Pair that up with the fact that I didn’t care for the male narrator’s voice, and it’s not hard to wonder why this book just didn’t do anything for me. I also found it entirely too repetitious and tedious to get through. The hardcover of this book is 519 pages, but it could have easily been half of that and still told the same story.
