Tag: Paranormal

Buddy Review: Blood Kiss by J.R. Ward

Posted January 29, 2019 by Rowena in Reviews | 0 Comments

Buddy Review: Blood Kiss by J.R. WardBlood Kiss
by J.R. Ward
Series: Black Dagger Legacy #1
Published by Random House, Signet on December 1, 2015
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 397
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads
three-stars
Reading Challenges:2019 A-Z Challenge, 2019 GoodReads Challenge

The legacy of the Black Dagger Brotherhood continues in a spin-off series from the #1 New York Times bestselling author…

Paradise, blooded daughter of the king’s First Advisor, is ready to break free from the restrictive life of an aristocratic female. Her strategy? Join the Black Dagger Brotherhood’s training center program and learn to fight for herself, think for herself…be herself. It’s a good plan, until everything goes wrong. The schooling is unfathomably difficult, the other recruits feel more like enemies than allies, and it’s very clear that the Brother in charge, Butch O’Neal, a.k.a. the Dhestroyer, is having serious problems in his own life.

And that’s before she falls in love with a fellow classmate. Craeg, a common civilian, is nothing her father would ever want for her, but everything she could ask for in a male. As an act of violence threatens to tear apart the entire program, and the erotic pull between them grows irresistible, Paradise is tested in ways she never anticipated—and left wondering whether she’s strong enough to claim her own power…on the field, and off.

Rowena: Our first book club book of the year is Blood Kiss by J.R. Ward, which is the first book in the Black Dagger Brotherhood spin-off series, Black Dagger Legacy. In this series, we’ll be meeting new characters who are training to become soldiers in the Black Dagger army to help the brothers fight the war against the Lessers who threaten their very existence. First up, Paradise and Craeg. So let’s get this show on the road, ladies.

What did you guys think?

Tasha: I really enjoyed the story of Craeg and Paradise and the whole Training Program. Marissa’s story with Butch and her relationship with her brother Havers wasn’t one I was all that interested in. But I know it all came together in the end.

Shy: I thought it was ok. A lot of missing pieces for me (I guess it’s probably because it’s a spin-off from another series?)

I dig Craeg and his back story and thought it made sense with why he’s so cutthroat and why he goes off half-cocked. I don’t know how I feel about Paradise. I feel like her character was just way too sheltered and then to have her go through training… I don’t know it just didn’t work for me.

I liked Butch and Marissa, they made more sense to me lol.

Tasha: So Butch and Marissa are from the original Black Dagger Brotherhood series and I’ve read the first 9 books (out of 17) of the series. I can see where you’d feel like something was missing.

I saw the aristocrats and the glymera as “the ton” from our historical reads. The women are basically raised to needlepoint, play musical instruments and host parties. And they couldn’t be in the company of other men without a proper escort or chaperone. That’s how I pictured Paradise’s upbringing. But what about her dad, Abalone? I so adored him!! As the Kings first advisor and of royal bloodline, he was such an understanding father. He didn’t come off as snobby and I really liked that he supported Paradise in whatever she decided to do. He wasn’t in the least worried about what their peers had to say.

Shy: Thanks Tasha, I figured it had to be tied to another series because of the way some parts were written.

I love Paradises dad, especially his response to Paradise and Craeg.

Rowena: I enjoyed this one a lot more than I thought I would. I could have done without a lot of the Butch and Marissa stuff because having them sharing the spotlight with Craeg and Paradise took away from Craeg and Paradise. I get that this is a spin-off but why not let the new characters shine? How in the world are they supposed to shine when the older characters are everywhere? Aside from that, I did really enjoy this one.

I thought the training sessions and seeing the trainees bond together was interesting and even though I know that I’ll probably not read anything else from this author, I rather enjoyed getting to know each trainee. I liked all of them….except Anslam. LOL.

Tasha: I’m with Wena…more Craeg & Paradise, less Butch & Marissa. I mean, they had a whole book to themselves already.

The re-read for me was okay and I found myself more annoyed with the side story (Butch & Marissa) this time around. I don’t know if I want to continue on with this series and see what happens with Xan, but who knows. At least this time, I can expect a side story of someone from the original BDB series.

My rating for this 3.5 outta 5 stars.

Rowena: I enjoyed the romance between Craeg and Paradise, I just wish we’d gotten more of them. There’s a lot going on with this book but it was really easy for me to pick up on who the bad guys were and that almost never happens with me. I need the bad guys to knock on my door and introduce themselves normally but not this time around. Haha.

There is a lot to like about this story and even more to look forward to with this series but there were also things that I could have done without so for me? This one gets 3.5 out of 5 too.

Shy: I think Paradise and Craeg’s story was ok, not really my favorite. It just felt both predictable and things didn’t add up (but I think that’s more because I’m new to this entire series). I just felt like a lot of it was cliché between Paradise and Craeg. I wish they were a lot more interesting or just… I don’t know, more lol.

I still stand by Butch and Marissa, they helped make this story more enjoyable for someone like me who has no idea about the back story of this series. I know you both are annoyed with them mixing into this story but I’m glad they did reappear in this book.

I give it 2.5 stars

Final Grades

Rowena: 3.5 out of 5
Shy: 2.5 out of 5
Tasha: 3.5 out of 5

Black Dagger Legacy Series

three-stars

0 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , , ,

Book Boyfriend: Adam Hauptman from Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs

Posted November 23, 2018 by Rowena in Features, Reviews | 2 Comments

This feature fell off for a little bit because I haven’t been doing as great a job as I planned on keeping track of my book boyfriends lately. I’m still planning on keeping this feature going so you guys are getting a new, well almost new, book boyfriend of the week today.

Book Boyfriend: Adam Hauptman from Silver Borne by Patricia BriggsSilver Borne
by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #5
Published by Penguin, Ace on March 30, 2010
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Point of View:First Person
Pages: 342
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased
Add It: Goodreads
four-stars

Mercy Thompson, car mechanic and shapeshifter, never knows what the day - or night - may bring in a world where "witches, vampires, werewolves, and shapeshifters live beside ordinary people" (Booklist). But she is about to learn that while some secrets are dangerous whose who seek them are just plain deadly...

Mercy is smart enough to realize that when it comes to the magical fae, the less you know, the better. But you can't always get what you want. When she attempts to return a powerful fae she previously borrowed in an act of desperation, she finds the bookstore locked up and closed down.

It seems the book contains secrets - and the fae will do just about anything to keep it out of the wrong hands. And if that doesn't take enough of Mercy's attention, her friend Samuel is struggling with his wolf side - leaving Mercy to cover for him lest his own father declare Samuel's life forfeit.

All in all, Mercy has had better days. And if she isn't careful, she may not have many more...

Lately, I’ve been doing a lot of Mercy Thompson reading after taking a long break from them and I have fallen head over heels back in love with Adam Hauptman.

In Silver Borne, Mercy is going through it. She’s being attacked on all fronts by the fae, and more closely, by Adam’s pack. They’re using the pack bond to get her to do things she wouldn’t normally do and Mercy is not a fan of that. So because Adam is their leader and she’s pissed off at them for scaring her with what they can do to her as part of the pack, she needs a breather. She doesn’t completely understand how pack magic works and being a fiercely independent person, she needs space to figure things out. On top of all of that, her and Adam’s mating bond is acting up and that scares her so yeah, space is needed.

Throughout this entire series, Adam has been firmly fixed in the Team Mercy camp and I freaking love him for it. There isn’t a thing that he wouldn’t do for her, there isn’t a thing he would change about her because his love for her is all-encompassing. He loves everything about her. Here are some quotes from the book that seriously hit me in the feels.

“Heart turned to me, his face thought­ful. “Yes­ter­day morn­ing. Yes, that means that Daphne hadn’t been home for two days be­fore that.” He smiled at me. “You were sup­posed to be the Al­pha’s eye can­dy.”

Adam laughed.

“What?” I asked him. “You don’t think I’d be good eye can­dy?” I looked down at my over­alls and grease-stained hands. I’d torn an­oth­er nail to the quick.

“Hon­ey is eye can­dy,” said Ben apolo­get­ical­ly. “You’re . . . just you.”

“Mine,” said Adam, edg­ing be­tween Heart and me. “Mine is what she is.”

“Adam has always had . . . heroic tendencies.”

I touched Adam’s arm. “He’s my hero.”

There was another pause. . .

“That is the most romantic thing I’ve ever heard you say,” Bran said. “Be careful, Adam, or you’ll turn her into a real girl.”

Adam looked at me. “I like her just the way she is, Bran.” And he meant it, greasy overalls, broken fingernails, and all.”

“One more month,” he said finally. “And then they—and Samuel, too—will just have to get used to it.” His eye is the color of a bitch with dark chocolate, worst few years and he leaned forward. “And you will marry me.”

I smiled, showing my teeth. “Don’t you mean, ‘will you marry me?’”

I meant it to be funny, but his eyes brightened until the gold flecks were swimming in the darkness. “You had your chance to run, coyote. It’s too late now.”

Can you see why I love him so much? He’s seriously the best. My favorite thing about him is he’s so alpha and sure of him but with Mercy, there’s a vulnerability about him that just gets me. I freaking love it and I love the way that he loves Mercy.

Get you a man that looks at you, the way that Adam Hauptman looks at Mercy. There’s a lot of things that happen in this book and all of it is pretty good so if you haven’t read this book (and this series), I highly recommend it. It’s good stuff, I promise!

Hero Casting

Buy the Book

AMAZON || BARNES & NOBLE || KOBO || THE RIPPED BODICE

Mercy Thompson Series

four-stars

2 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , ,

Can’t Wait Wednesday: Storm Cursed by Patricia Briggs

Posted October 31, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 4 Comments

First off, I’d like to wish everyone a…

I hope everyone has a fun but safe Halloween tonight and that you don’t get too many cavities from all of the candy. 🙂

Can’t Wait Wednesday is hosted by Tressa at Wishful Endings and it was based on the meme Waiting on Wednesday that was hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine.

Can’t Wait Wednesday: Storm Cursed by Patricia BriggsStorm Cursed
by Patricia Briggs
Series: Mercy Thompson #11
Also in this series: Silver Borne
Published by Penguin, Ace on March 5, 2019
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Point of View:First Person
Pages: 384
Add It: Goodreads

In this new instalment in the No. 1 New York Times bestselling series, Mercy Thompson must face a deadly enemy to defend all she loves . . . My name is Mercedes Athena Thompson Hauptman, and I am a car mechanic.

And a coyote shapeshifter . . . And the mate of the Alpha of the Columbia Basin werewolf pack.

Even so, none of that would have gotten me into trouble if, a few months ago, I hadn't stood upon a bridge and taken responsibility for the safety of the citizens who lived in our territory. It seemed like the thing to do at the time. It should have only involved hunting down killer goblins, zombie goats, and an occasional troll. Instead, our home was viewed as neutral ground, a place where humans would feel safe to come and treat with the fae.

The reality is that nothing and no one is safe. As generals and politicians face off with the Gray Lords of the fae, a storm is coming and her name is Death.

But we are pack, and we have given our word. We will die to keep it.

Right now, I’m playing catch up in the Mercy Thompson series and I’m loving every minute of reading these books. I’m on book 4 right now but I love the heck out of Mercy and Adam, I’m low key scared about what’s to become of Samuel now that Mercy has made her choice and I’m anxious for what’s to come. Mercy be pissing everyone off. Haha and I love it! Mercy ain’t no bitch!

Because I’m a nosy bitch, I’ve been reading through every book blurb for this series and I’m super anxious to read all of these books so even though I have a long way to go, I’m excited to read this book. I have until March to finish the series so I’ve got plenty to keep me company until then but man…I can’t wait to get to this book.

Pre-Order the Book

Storm Cursed (Mercy Thompson #11) by Patricia Briggs
Releases on March 5, 2019
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Google Books | Kobo

Mercy Thompson Series

4 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Throwback Thursday: Slave to Sensation by Nalini Singh

Posted October 4, 2018 by Rowena in Features, Reviews | 6 Comments

Each week, I’ll be writing a review for an oldie but goodie that I’ve read through again to see if these books are holding up for me. I’m a different person than I was when I read these books, older and wiser (at least I hope) so I’m curious to see if books that I used to love can stand the test of time.

Throwback Thursday: Slave to Sensation by Nalini SinghSlave to Sensation
by Nalini Singh
Narrator: Angela Dawe
Series: Psy-Changelings #1
Published by Penguin, Berkley on September 1, 2010
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Point of View:Alternating Third Person
Pages: 334
Format: Audiobook
Source: Purchased
Length: 9 hours, 39 minutes
Add It: Goodreads
five-stars

Nalini Singh dives into a world torn apart by a powerful race with phenomenal powers of the mind-and none of the heart.

In a world that denies emotions, where the ruling Psy punish any sign of desire, Sascha Duncan must conceal the feelings that brand her as flawed. To reveal them would be to sentence herself to the horror of "rehabilitation" - the complete psychic erasure of everything she ever was...

Both human and animal, Lucas Hunter is a changeling hungry for the very sensations the Psy disdain. After centuries of uneasy coexistence, these two races are now on the verge of war over the brutal murders of several changeling women. Lucas is determined to find the Psy killer who butchered his packmate, and Sascha is his ticket into their closely guarded society. But he soon discovers that this ice-cold Psy is very capable of passion - and that the animal in him is fascinated by her. Caught between their conflicting worlds, Lucas and Sascha must remain bound to their identities - or sacrifice everything for a taste of darkest temptation.

While browsing through the romance package on Audible the other day, I came across this audiobook and figured, “Why not?”. I needed something to listen to at work and I’m not sure if it’s because Halloween coming up or what, but I’m in the mood for paranormal, urban fantasy or just straight up fantasy books. Because most of my work is mindless and on the computer, I can get through an entire audiobook in one work day so I try to listen to at least 3 audiobooks every week.

It’s been a bit since I last read this book but man was it just as good as the first time I read it. I am just as intrigued with this series and the characters, the storyline and just everything about this book worked for me.

Lucas Hunter is the Alpha of the DarkRiver changeling pack and is overseeing the building of changelings housing when he’s approached from the Psy to build some housing they’re hoping to sell. His Psy liaison is Sascha Duncan and even though he doesn’t trust her as far as he can throw her, he’s attracted. Hella attracted to her and the more time that they spend together, the more he’s sure that he will have her. Things are complicated for him because he’s hunting a Psy serial killer who is attacking changelings and that more than anything else should be his top priority.

Sascha Duncan has a full plate of her own. As daughter to one of the Psy Council Members, she’s used to being under a microscope and because of that, it makes keeping her secret a lot harder but she does what she needs to do to survive and being around Lucas is making things even harder for her.

Gah, this is such a fantastic supernatural world to get lost in. Nalini Singh does such a great job of building a world that will grip you from beginning to end. I think I enjoyed this read a lot more this time around because I understand the world now. I didn’t spend any time trying to figure out what the hell a Psy is and who are all of the Changelings, stuff like that. I didn’t realize how much I missed this world until I started listening to this book.

This was such a great start to one of my all time favorite series and if you haven’t read this, you’re missing out. Nalini Singh is a magician and this book is only one of the reasons why. Lucas and Sascha will worm their way into your heart and all of their loved ones will too so you should really get this book, read it and love it right alongside me. I promise, it’s good. I’m SO glad I re-read this one.

Buy the Book

AMAZON || BARNES AND NOBLE || GOOGLE BOOKS || KOBO || THE RIPPED BODICE

Final Grade

4.75 out of 5

Psy-Changeling Series

five-stars

6 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , , ,

Book Boyfriend of the Week: Valentin Nikolaev

Posted February 2, 2018 by Rowena in Features | 0 Comments

This week’s book boyfriend is one that I read about last year. I am a huge fan of Nalini Singh’s Psy-Changelings series. It’s my most favoritest paranormal series of all time and when Nalini announced that she was spinning the series off to focus on the Trinity, I was all in…especially since Silver Mercant was getting her story told first. What’s cool is that I went into this book planning to love the hell out of Silver but it was Valentin that stayed with me all these months. Total book boyfriend material.

Book Boyfriend of the Week: Valentin NikolaevSilver Silence
by Nalini Singh
Series: Psy-Changelings #16, Psy-Changelings Trinity #1
Also in this series: Slave to Sensation
Published by Penguin, Berkley on June 13th 2017
Genres: Paranormal, Romance
Pages: 452
Format: eARC
Source: Publisher
Add It: Goodreads

Control. Precision. Family. These are the principles that drive Silver Mercant. At a time when the fledgling Trinity Accord seeks to unite a divided world, with Silver playing a crucial role as director of a worldwide emergency response network, wildness and chaos are the last things she needs in her life. But that's exactly what Valentin Nikolaev, alpha of the StoneWater bears, brings with him.

Valentin has never met a more fascinating woman. Though Silver is ruled by Silence--her mind clear of all emotion--Valentin senses a whisper of fire around her. That's what keeps him climbing apartment buildings to be near her. But when a shadow assassin almost succeeds in poisoning Silver, the stakes become deadly serious...and Silver finds herself in the heart of a powerful bear clan.

Her would-be assassin has no idea what their poison has unleashed...

I’m a sucker for a hero who is persistent in his pursuit of his woman…and Valentin is exactly that kind of guy. He’s a bear changeling and he was one giant softy teddy bear that I loved to death. The way that he pursued Silver and how persistent he was every time she turned him down.

When Valentin realizes that Silver is his mate and we read this excerpt below, it cemented Valentin’s place on my book boyfriend list. He’s a keeper, for sure.

“Raw pain scored his insides, but the bear was in agreement with the man: as long as Silver lived, he could take the pain, take the loss that would haunt him always. He had this big body for a reason. It could take a lot of punishment. As long as she breathed, he’d survive. He’d watch over her from afar, and he’d survive because his mate was alive.”

*swoon*

Here’s who I pictured when reading all about Valentin:

If you haven’t read this book and are curious about it, check out my review of this book here. It’s a good book because duh, Nalini Singh wrote it. If you haven’t read this one, you should fix that. You should also read the entire Psy-Changelings series because that’s a whole lot of goodness in one series. Don’t miss out.

Buy the Book


Silver Silence by Nalini Singh
June 13th, 2017
Amazon | Barnes & Noble | Kobo

Series Order

Until next time…enjoy!

0 Comments
Tags: , , , , , , ,