Book Review ~ Lord of The Abyss

Lord of The Abyss (Royal House of Shadows #4)

by Nalini Singh
published by Harlequin Nocturne
Released: November 22, 2011
genre: Adult, Romance, PNR,

**Originally received from NetGalley and publisher in exchange for an honest review.

Summary (Goodreads): Once upon a time…the Blood Sorcerer vanquished the kingdom of Elden. To save their children, the queen scattered them to safety and the king filled them with vengeance. Only a magical timepiece connects the four royal heirs…and time is running out.…

As the dark Lord who condemns souls to damnation in the Abyss, Micah is nothing but a feared monster wrapped in impenetrable black armor. He has no idea he is the last heir of Elden, its last hope. Only one woman knows—the daughter of his enemy.

Liliana is nothing like her father, the Blood Sorcerer who’d cursed Micah. She sees past Micah’s armor to the prince inside. A prince whose sinful touch she craves. But first she has to brave his dark, dangerous lair and help him remember. Because they only have till midnight to save Elden.

***Book 1: Lord of The Vampires by Gena Showalter, Book 2: Lord of Rage by Jill Monroe, Book 3: Lord of The Wolfyn by Jessica Anderson.

My Thoughts: I rated this book based on it being a Harlequin couple book rather than the final book in a PNR/UF series. As a couple book I really liked and enjoyed Lily and Micah's story. I'll get into why this didn't work as a final in a series book later.
We start with the last and youngest of the King and Queen's children. Micah was sent to the abyss where he was kept in a kind of sleep/stasis until he was old enough to learn how to be the Lord of The Abyss.
Lily grew up with her father, the Blood Sorcerer, and though her mother was around she didn't know she was Lily's mother. We find out how horrible her younger years were and the things that her father did to try and break her and bring her more fully to his side. Instead she endured the beatings and other things and when she was able ran away to try and find the last one needed to defeat her father.
Due to the way both Lily and Micah were raised there was a very naive innocence to them at times and no real social skills. At one point this did cause me to pause during one of the couple parts because the way it was worded sound more childish than naive. Luckily it was just one line/part in one scene but still gave me pause.
Throughout their story I kept waiting for them to start on their way back Elden to meet up with the other three siblings and spouses to face off with the Blood Sorcerer. This is the part that did not work for me. We spent 3 3/4 books hearing about how horrible and powerful this man is and when Micah and Lily finally make it to Elden it takes them longer to cross the moat with people eating fish than it did to finish off the Blood Sorcerer. Not only was he dead within a couple of sentences it took only one person to kill him. None of the other siblings or their spouses were even needed to defeat this all powerful man that we had been lead to believe was so powerful he destroyed the King and Queen and decimated their kingdom.
As I said this completely worked as a couple book. Watching Lily and Micah grow both as people and as a couple learning how to love someone for the first time was done very well in this book. For me, this series should have been five books, four for the couples and then a final to have them all come together to save their kingdom and defeat the Blood Sorcerer.

Rating: 4 (based only on it as a couple book)

Series Review ~ The Selection

The Selection series (The Selection, The Elite, The One)

by Kiera Cass
published by Harper Teen
genre: YA, Dystopian, Romance

My Thoughts: I avoided this series partly because of the huge controversy when the first book came out and also because I hate love triangles. When the second and then the third book came out and I kept seeing them everywhere and the number of people that enjoyed them I decided to give them a try.
The Selection was my least favorite of the series. I did not like Aspen from the start and the more I heard America talk about her undying love for him the more I started to dislike her. I was glad when she got to the castle and things changed up a bit. Even when her reasons for being at the castle and with Maxon revolved around Aspen it was still better than when they were together.
The Elite was an improvement except where America's feelings were concerned. It felt like someone told the author she had to have drama in the romance department and only succeeded in making America seem wishy washy. Every time she seemed to be growing as a character she would fall back to being indecisive and unable to make a decision.
By the time I got to The One I wasn't sure what to expect. I was pleased that the author seemed to give up on the love triangle. This was probably my favorite of the series even though I again had problems with it. I've never been so unhappy with getting the ending that I wanted. The things that happened in the last quarter right before the HEA were either confusing or convenient. There were deaths that made no sense other than to make one of the couple realize how much they could be away from the other. Then the whole battle that just dropped everything into place but made no sense. Like I said it was too convenient. I would have been more pleased if the characters had had to earn their final positions rather than getting them by circumstances.
Overall, for some reason, even with all the above, I enjoyed reading these books. They were just kind of light fun books. I'll probably read The Heir when it comes out this year just to see if there is any growth in not only the characters but the authors writing as well.

Series Rating: 3.5-4

Book Review ~ What's a Witch to Do

What's a Witch to Do (A midnight Magic Mystery #1)

by Jennifer Harlow
published by Midnight Ink
genre: Adult, Romance, Mystery (Cozy), Supernatural

Summary (Goodreads): High Priestess might sound like an ’80s hair band, but its Mona McGregor’s life. She runs the Midnight Magic shop in Goodnight, Virginia, and leads a large coven. She’s also raising two nieces and hasn’t been with a man for fifteen years…until a handsome doctor takes an interest in her. But Mona’s life really heats up when Adam Blue, a sexy werewolf, arrives at her door. Adam informs her that someone wants her dead and he is there to protect her. Hell’s bells! When a demon begins stalking her, Mona has to suspect her coven members, and even her family.

With two handsome men and a determined demon after her, Mona teams up with Adam to find out who really wants her dead . . . and who really wants her.

My Thoughts: While this looks and reads more like a cozy mystery, I would definitely label it more under romance. The mystery was there but the "will she ever find love" question was the bigger story line. Since there were plenty of supes in this story it did not bother me that it was a romance.
I liked Mona for the most part. I almost quit the book at one point because the author kept using the term moron but spelling it mo-ron. I was glad when she stopped. Mona flipped a lot between being this strong, high-priestess type character and a whiny why me type. This doesn't sound good but it fit with the character and the situation/town she lived in.
The mystery part of the story was obvious and used more as a reason to throw Mona and Adam together. Even when they "caught" the person responsible you knew it wasn't done.
Overall, I was more interested in the setting and overall supernatural groups than Mona/Adam's HEA. The story of Mona's sister and her 2 nieces is probably what I want to know the most about. Also, the FREAKs. Since there is a series featuring them (F.R.E.A.K.S. squad investigations) I may check it out before reading the second in this series.

Rating: 3.5

Book Review ~ Stolen Songbird

Stolen Songbird (The Malediction Trilogy #1)

by Danielle J. Jensen
published by Strange Chemistry
expected release date: April 1, 2014
genre: Fantasy, Romance, 

**eGalley received from netGalley/publisher in exchange for honest review.


Summary (Goodreads): For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.

But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its secret leader.

As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever.

My Thoughts: For a debut book this was a really great read. I could not stop reading it. Even when I had other things to do, I just kept telling myself 5 more minutes. One of my favorite things was the fact that there was a romance without either a triangle or insta-love.
Cecile was an interesting character. She started as a strong female that was getting ready to jump feet first into a future she had been working her whole life towards only to have it all pulled out from under her. The author did a good job making her feelings, to the different things that happen while she is in Trollus, believable. Watching her go through every emotion possible with Tristan made their falling in love a natural thing. Cecile spent a lot of time not only trying to find out more about him but about this new world that she is forced to live in.
Overall, this story has a lot of everything that I enjoy in a book. There is court politics, messed up family drama, and a great fantasy world. Along with a subtle reveal of what the trolls really are this is a series that I cannot wait to read more of.

Rating: 5

Book Review ~ Dark Witch

Dark Witch (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy #1)

by Nora Roberts
published by Berkley
genre: Adult, PNR, Fantasy, Romance

Summary (Goodreads):With indifferent parents, Iona Sheehan grew up craving devotion and acceptance. From her maternal grandmother, she learned where to find both: a land of lush forests, dazzling lakes, and centuries-old legends.
Ireland.
County Mayo, to be exact. Where her ancestors’ blood and magic have flowed through generations—and where her destiny awaits.

Iona arrives in Ireland with nothing but her Nan’s directions, an unfailingly optimistic attitude, and an innate talent with horses. Not far from the luxurious castle where she is spending a week, she finds her cousins, Branna and Connor O’Dwyer. And since family is family, they invite her into their home and their lives.

When Iona lands a job at the local stables, she meets the owner, Boyle McGrath. Cowboy, pirate, wild tribal horsemen, he’s three of her biggest fantasy weaknesses all in one big, bold package.

Iona realizes that here she can make a home for herself—and live her life as she wants, even if that means falling head over heels for Boyle. But nothing is as it seems. An ancient evil has wound its way around Iona’s family tree and must be defeated. Family and friends will fight with each other and for each other to keep the promise of hope—and love—alive…

My Thoughts: I was glad when I saw that Nora Roberts was releasing another paranormal series. She is one of the few contemporary romance authors I'll read but I enjoy these types of stories more. Another plus is the setting. I love books set in Ireland.
Part of me wished that we had spent more time with the original children of the Dark Witch. I was more engrossed in their story than the current day story at times.
The only real downfall for me was Iona. For some reason, I just didn't like her. Every other character including Boyle, I loved but just couldn't get behind her. I didn't hate her, just didn't care most of the time. This didn't stop me liking her story and rooting for her to come out on top against the big bad.
Overall, this book had what you would expect including the obligatory bump in the road for the main couple before they get their HEA. With the Good vs Evil, romance, great setting and characters to come I'm looking forward to the next two books.

Rating: 4

Waiting on Wednesday ~ Stolen Songbird

Waiting on Wednesday is hosted by Jill over at Breaking The Spine. It's a weekly event that spotlights upcoming releases we are eagerly anticipating.

Stolen Songbird (The Malediction Trilogy #1)

by Danielle L Jensen
published by Strange Chemistry
expected release date: April 1, 2014
genre: YA, Fantasy, romance

Summary (Goodreads): For five centuries, a witch’s curse has bound the trolls to their city beneath the ruins of Forsaken Mountain. Time enough for their dark and nefarious magic to fade from human memory and into myth. But a prophesy has been spoken of a union with the power to set the trolls free, and when Cécile de Troyes is kidnapped and taken beneath the mountain, she learns there is far more to the myth of the trolls than she could have imagined.

Cécile has only one thing on her mind after she is brought to Trollus: escape. Only the trolls are clever, fast, and inhumanly strong. She will have to bide her time, wait for the perfect opportunity.

But something unexpected happens while she’s waiting – she begins to fall for the enigmatic troll prince to whom she has been bonded and married. She begins to make friends. And she begins to see that she may be the only hope for the half-bloods – part troll, part human creatures who are slaves to the full-blooded trolls. There is a rebellion brewing. And her prince, Tristan, the future king, is its secret leader.

As Cécile becomes involved in the intricate political games of Trollus, she becomes more than a farmer’s daughter. She becomes a princess, the hope of a people, and a witch with magic powerful enough to change Trollus forever.

**Always love finding new fantasy and will admit the cover grabbed me right away on this one.

Book Review ~ Kindred in Death

Kindred in Death (In Death #29)

by J.D. Robb
published by Berkley
genre: Adult, Romance, Crime, Sci-Fi, Mystery

Summary (Goodreads): When the newly promoted captain of the NYPSD and his wife return a day early from their vacation, they were looking forward to spending time with their bright and vivacious sixteen-year-old daughter who had stayed behind.

Not even their worst nightmares could have prepared them for the crime scene that awaited them instead. Brutally murdered in her bedroom, Deena's body showed signs of trauma that horrified even the toughest of cops; including our own Lieutenant Eve Dallas, who was specifically requested by the captain to investigate.

When the evidence starts to pile up, Dallas and her team think they are about to arrest their perpetrator; little do they know yet that someone has gone to great lengths to tease and taunt them by using a variety of identities. Overconfidence can lead to careless mistakes. But for Dallas, one mistake might be all she needs to bring justice

My Thoughts: Even 30 books in I still enjoy this series. There have been some misses along the way but not this one. It had everything I love when I'm reading a good mystery/crime drama book.
All the main characters were back doing what they do best. Dallas is kick-ass Lieutenant brought in to lead a case that hits a little to close to home for all involved. Not only does Dallas relate to it personally, Peabody and several others knew the victim.
The bad guy's reasoning behind the crime was convoluted and it was easy to believe that he was brainwashed along the way to think the way he does. Even with the bumps along the way (wouldn't be a story without them), I was satisfied with how this case came to an end.
I also liked the happy note that this story ended with, another wedding of a couple we have seen grow from the beginning. It's always nice to see these characters have some happy moments.

Rating: 5

Book Review ~ The Tower

The Tower (Guardians of Destiny #1)

by Jean Johnson
published by Berkley Trade
genre: Adult, Fantasy, Romance

Summary (Goodreads): When serpent crept into their hall:
Danger waits for all who board,
Trying to steal that hidden tone.
Painted Lady saves the lord;
Tower’s master’s not alone.

In a fertile valley undisrupted by the aether-shattering death of the old Aian Empire, the Tower and its Guardians have entertained generations of wealthy mirror-scrying mages while adventurers from around the world risk their lives for fortune and fame. But on the one day the Tower stood unguarded, an intruder tried to seize the magic powering the vast structure. Now, locked out of the Tower’s innermost chambers, Kerric Vo Mos must brave the deadly traps keeping trespassers at bay in order to reclaim control.

Unfortunately, Kerric wields a pen far better than a sword, and the way into the Tower’s sanctum is treacherous. Only the help of an experienced player like Myal the Mendhite can get him to where he must go. But mutual respect will not be enough. Passion must also be employed, along with armor and weapons, as they embark on a perilous quest past monsters, riddles, and other dangers that even the Tower’s most dedicated viewers have never seen before.

My Thoughts: I had a hard time rating this one. It really depends on what you're looking for. The fantasy aspects worked best for me. I enjoyed the gauntlet run by the Master and Myal. The different obstacles and even the riddles that went along with different rooms. They not only have to trust each other they have to be completely intimate with each other to get past a series of challenges. On top of the deathly traps they encounter they also have a rogue group following behind them trying to overtake them and take the tower for themselves.
The problem for me was the romance. It really depends on the type of romance you like. This book started with the two characters already attracted to each other but having never expressed it. The story just built on this fact and took them through the tower and continued on to their regular lives after they got the tower back under Kerric's control. I guess it was kind of too sweet and easy for me. There was never any tension between them, it just was. This is not to say I did not like them as a couple, I just was underwhelmed from a story standpoint.
Overall, I can see myself continuing this series from a fantasy standpoint and if it happens to have a great romance in it all the better.

Rating: 3.5

Book Review ~ Finnikin of the Rock

Finnikin of the Rock (Lumatere Chronicles #1)

by Melina Marchetta
published by Candlewick Press
genre: YA, Fantasy, Romance, 

Summary (Goodreads): At the age of nine, Finnikin is warned by the gods that he must sacrifice a pound of flesh to save his kingdom. He stands on the rock of the three wonders with his friend Prince Balthazar and Balthazar's cousin, Lucian, and together they mix their blood to safeguard Lumatere.

But all safety is shattered during the five days of the unspeakable, when the king and queen and their children are brutally murdered in the palace. An impostor seizes the throne, a curse binds all who remain inside Lumatere's walls, and those who escape are left to roam the land as exiles, dying by the thousands in fever camps.

Ten years later, Finnikin is summoned to another rock--to meet Evanjalin, a young novice with a startling claim: Balthazar, heir to the throne of Lumatere, is alive. This arrogant young woman claims she'll lead Finnikin and his mentor, Sir Topher, to the prince. Instead, her leadership points them perilously toward home. Does Finnikin dare believe that Lumatere might one day rise united? Evanjalin is not what she seems, and the startling truth will test Finnikin's faith not only in her but in all he knows to be true about himself and his destiny.

*I'm going to try and write this without mixing in feelings and thoughts from the second book.

My Thoughts: This is the first time I've read this author since all her other books are contemporary.
The big mystery in this story is who is Evanjalin, the only problem was I figured it out within the first chapter. Luckily there was enough going on in the story that even being certain who she was it was still an enjoyable read.
Finnikin was definitely my favorite. I liked how he wasn't your straight forward lead. He's more of a thinker, writing everything down and creating a history of his lost home. Reading about him and his two friends before the curse just added to how horrible everything afterwards was.
Things get more interesting once Evanjalin has joined them and they start on their journey to gather everything that would be needed to try and break the curse. While she is important to the story and the whole series, I waver on my feelings for her. There were many times when I just wanted Finnikin to leave her behind and go back to what he was doing before. Finding out why she was doing some of the things she did and what she had to go through when she was walking through the dreams made her behavior more tolerable but still...
Overall, this is probably one of my favorite reads of the year so far. I immediately started the second book (Froi of the Exiles) and had to force myself to wait before I start the last in this trilogy. While I don't read contemporaries I could see myself giving this author's book a look based on her writing of this series.

Rating: 4.5

Book Review ~ Cinders & Sapphires

Cinders & Sapphires (At Somerton #1)

by Leila Rasheed
published by Disney-Hyperion
genre: YA, Historical Fiction, Romance

Summary (Goodreads): One house, two worlds...

Rose Cliffe has never met a young lady like her new mistress. Clever, rich, and beautiful, Ada Averley treats Rose as an equal. And Rose could use a friend. Especially now that she, at barely sixteen, has risen to the position of ladies’ maid. Rose knows she should be grateful to have a place at a house like Somerton. Still, she can’t help but wonder what her life might have been had she been born a lady, like Ada.

For the first time in a decade, the Averleys have returned to Somerton, their majestic ancestral estate. But terrible scandal has followed Ada’s beloved father all the way from India. Now Ada finds herself torn between her own happiness and her family’s honor. Only she has the power to restore the Averley name—but it would mean giving up her one true love . . . someone she could never persuade her father to accept.

Sumptuous and enticing, the first novel in the At Somerton series introduces two worlds, utterly different yet entangled, where ruthless ambition, forbidden attraction, and unspoken dreams are hidden behind dutiful smiles and glittering jewels. All those secrets are waiting . . . at Somerton

My Thoughts: This was one of those books that had everything you would expect but it was overdone. Instead of just one or two bad things happening to Ada and her family, every plot device for a historical romance comes into play.
We have the evil stepmother and stepsister (only one), the drunk nephew that squandered the family money, falling in love below station, the maid with a daughter the same age as the sisters, etc. Surprisingly even with all this there was a part of me that couldn't look away. I had to keep reading to find out how much more could be heaped on (and there was more).
I actually liked Ada and her sister Georgiana. I also liked Rose. Everyone else I could have done without.I dislike insta-love and that is what this whole book revolves around. There is nothing that makes you believe there is anything real between Ada and Ravi. Even Lord Fintain seemed better suited to Ada and her dreams than Ravi did.
Overall, this book had a little too much going on but still made me want to read until the end. While there were more bad than good people in this story, the ones I liked were worth the read. I don't know if I'll continue  the series even with the sorta cliffhanger ending.

Rating: 3 

Book Review ~ The Perfect Hope

The Perfect Hope (Inn Boonsboro #3)
by Nora Roberts
published by Berkley Trade
genre: Romance, Contemporary, Supernatural

Summary (Goodreads): The Montgomery brothers and their eccentric mother are breathing new life into the town of Boonsboro, Maryland, by restoring its historic hotel. And they’re finding their own lives revamped by love. This is Ryder’s story... Ryder is the hardest Montgomery brother to figure out — with a tough-as-nails outside and possibly nothing too soft underneath. He’s surly and unsociable, but when he straps on a tool belt, no woman can resist his sexy swagger. Except apparently Hope Beaumont, the innkeeper of his own Inn BoonsBoro. And though the Inn is running smoothly, thanks to Hope’s experience and unerring instincts, her big-city past is about to make an unwelcome — and embarrassing — appearance. Seeing Hope vulnerable stirs up Ryder’s emotions and makes him realize that while Hope may not be perfect, she just might be perfect for him...

My Thoughts: The main draw of this book was finally finding out the full story behind Eliza (the ghost) and her missing love. She was also my favorite character in this one. There was the usual locking the main couple in a room until they kissed and she would let them out but there was also the little antics like stand over the snobby guest and giving her a good scare in the middle of the night. The flashback/dream of Billy's final moments were also well done.
Overall, the rest of the story went as expected. You know going in there is going to be an HEA and who it's going to be between. There's going to be drama to make you pause and wonder if they actually are going to get together. Then there is the big moment of declaration. This book had all of that but I still enjoyed it. Ryder was my favorite brother of the three and I liked reading his POV more than Hope's.
Nora Robert's is one of my go to author's. I love her paranormal/ supernatural books the best but will always find the time to read her newest romance.

Rating: 3.5

Book Review ~ The Lure of Shapinsay

The Lure of Shapinsay
by Krista Holle
published by Sweet River Romance
genre: Romance, Shifter, Fantasy

**received from author in exchange for honest review

Summary (Goodreads): Ever since Kait Swanney could remember, the old crones of the village have been warning her to stay away from the selkies. They claim that like sirens of old, the seal men creep from the inky waters, shed their skins, and entice women to their deaths beneath the North Sea. But avoiding an encounter becomes impossible when Kait is spotted at the water’s edge, moments after the murder of a half-selkie infant.

Unexpectedly, Kait is awoken by a beautiful, selkie man seeking revenge. After she declares her innocence, the intruder darts into the night, but not before inadvertently bewitching her with an overpowering lure.

Kait obsesses over a reunion deep beneath the bay and risks her own life to be reunited with her selkie. But when she lands the dangerous lover, the chaos that follows leaves Kait little time to wonder—is it love setting her on fire or has she simply been lured?

My Thoughts: While I read a lot of Fantasy/ shifter stories, this is my first with selkies as the main characters. They've been background characters (way back) so I knew a little about the legend but not much.
Kait instantly grabbed me. I loved when the story was from her POV, especially at the beginning. Her interactions with the villagers and relationship with her brother really showed her as a strong capable female. As the story moved on and she became obsessed with Eamon this seemed to wain and I was less enthused. It didn't take away from the story but the needy aspect seemed to far out of character.
Eamon was another interesting character. What we find out about selkies explains a lot of his characteristics that might seem odd at first glance.
The author  was able to make this a  very romantic, magical story between these characters even with possibility that Kait was under the selkie lure. I enjoyed the progression of the relationship and where it ultimately ended up.
I do wish that when we were reading Eamon's POV we would have gotten more interactions with other selkies. That is the only thing that seemed to be missing. I also loved Tipper and her story and would love to read more about her and see fully how she became what she was in this story (we get a lot but I love side characters and just wanted more).
Overall this was a great read and will appeal to many people. Whether you're a fan of romance, shifters, or are just looking for something outside the norm this book meets those needs.

Rating: 4

Book Review ~ The Last Boyfriend

The Last Boyfriend (Inn Boonsboro Trilogy #2)
by Nora Roberts
published by Berkley Trade
genre: Romance


Summary (full summary @Goodreads):  Owen is the organizer of the Montgomery clan, running the family's construction business with an iron fist - and an even less flexible spreadsheet. And though his brothers bust on his compulsive list-making, the Inn BoonsBoro is about to open right on schedule. The only thing Owen didn't plan for was Avery McTavish


My Thoughts: This book is one I think of as a sweet straight river romance. Avery has been in love with Owen since they were 5 years old. Owen played along and even got her a ring from a gumball machine.
Fast forward many years and we have the current story. This HEA just seemed to go forward at a nice steady pace. There was never any doubts how it was going to end. There were a few pages of mommy drama that caused a slight bend and then a few more of guy drama that caused a bend in the other direction but overall it ran straight.
I love Owen and his lists and Avery and her ever changing hair colors. They just worked.
What I was most interested in (as with the first book) was the ghost that is in residence at the Inn. I more looking forward to her story coming to a conclusion than I am Ryder and Hope. We found out who the ghost was and that she is an ancestor of Hope's.
All this is leading to what should be a nice mix of the two stories and the conclusion of this trilogy.


Rating: 4