Monday, April 19, 2010

Romance Review: Mortal Sins by Eileen Wilks

Mortal Sins
by Eileen Wilks
Berkley Sensation
http://www.eileenwilks.com
ISBN: 9780425225523
Release Date: February 3, 2009
from the author's site:

 FBI agent Lily Yu is in North Carolina with her lover and mate Rule Turner, lu nuncio of the Nokolai werewolf clan, where he is to take custody of his son from the boy’s grandmother. It’s a purely personal trip until Rule, in wolf form, finds three bodies in a shallow grave. They carry the stench of death magic, which makes the murders a federal crime. Lily takes charge of the investigation, and soon realizes that nothing adds up—not the motives, not even the accused killer, who’s behind bars when death strikes again.

But murder, however bizarre, is an everyday affair for Lily, who was a homicide cop before being recruited into the FBI’s Magical Crimes Division. A more personal shock arrives in the person of Rule’s son’s mother. Why is she challenging Rule’s long standing plan to bring his son to live among the Nokolai?

But family must take a back seat when the violence escalates, and there’s no rhyme or reason for the killer’s next strike—a killer who may not even be of this world...

my thoughts:

Mortal Sins was a very interesting read. Though because I'd never read any of the previous books in the series, it took me a bit to get into. Despite my initial confusion, I really got into and enjoyed the story. I'm definitely going to be picking up Eileen Wilks earlier Lupi books. 

Mortal Sins was a slightly different Romance in the sense that Rule and Lily are already together when the story opens. Sometimes that's nice to read though because you get to see how the relationship progresses and how they survive the bumps along the way. 

Eileen Wilks is a new-to-me author that I plan on reading again. I recommend you give her a try too. However if you're like me and you prefer to read a series in order then you'll want to start with book 1, Tempting Danger.  

Friday, April 16, 2010

Romance Review: The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker by Leanna Renee Hieber

The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker
by Leanna Renee Hieber
Dorchester
http://www.leannareneehieber.com
ISBN: 9780843962963
Release Date: August 25, 2009
from the author's site:

What fortune awaited sweet, timid Percy Parker at Athens Academy? Considering how few of Queen Victoria’s Londoners knew of it, the great Romanesque fortress was dreadfully imposing, and little could Percy guess what lay inside. She had never met the powerful and mysterious Professor Alexi Rychman, knew nothing of the growing shadow, the Ripper and other supernatural terrors against which his coterie stood guard. She knew simply that she was different, haunted, with her snow-white hair, pearlescent skin and uncanny gifts. But this arched stone doorway offered a portal to a new life, an education far from the convent—and an invitation to an intimate yet dangerous dance at the threshold of life and death… 

my thoughts:

I was hooked on Strangely Beautiful from the first page. Leanna Renee Hieber has a writing style that keeps you hooked to the story. I hated to put the book down. Percy is a gentle character and one who is easy to like. Alexi is a dark and brooding hero, but I don't know that I'd quite call him your typical tortured hero. The secondary characters are overall good people, though there are some scenes where I wanted to smack some sense into them. However that's pretty much due to a case of the reader having more information than the characters. 

I actually feel the need to comment on the title here too. I really feel The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker is very much the perfect title for this book. Having a longer title evokes a more classical feel which Strangely Beautiful definitely has.  

I highly recommend Leanna Renee Hieber's Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker and I'm anxiously awaiting book 2, The Darkly Luminous Fight for Persephone Parker. Book 2 is due out in just over a week on April 27. I know I'll be ready to grab a copy on release day, I suggest you do too. 

Monday, April 12, 2010

Romance Review: Bitten by Cupid by Lynsay Sands, Pamela Palmer, and Jaime Rush

Bitten by Cupid
by Lynsay Sands
Pamela Palmer
Jaime Rush

Avon (HarperCollins)
http://www.lynsaysands.net
http://www.pamelapalmer.net
http://www.jaimerush.com
ISBN: 9780061894459
Release Date: January 12, 2010
from the publisher's site:

Vampire Valentine by Lynsay Sands

Mirabeau LaRouche knew she had a job to do, but she never expected her assignment to take her through New York City′s dark, dank underground-in her bridesmaid gown, no less! And when her partner turns out to be mortal private investigator Tiny McGraw, Mireabeau knows it′s no ordinary Cupid′s arrow that has struck her heart this Valentine′s Day. 

Hearts Untamed by Pamela Palmer

Ten years ago Zeeland left D.C. to join the Therian Guard, needing to put some distance between himself and the still-too-young Julianne. Now he′s returned, in the midst of a Valentine′s celebration to find Julianne more beautiful than ever, still angry at him for leaving, and up to her lovely eyebrows in an intrigue that threatens both of their immortal lives. 

Kiss and Kill Cupid by Jaime Rush

Kat Morgan has no use for Valentine′s Day, since hearing other people′s thoughts puts a real damper on any kind of intimate relationship. When she overhears the Killer Cupid serial killer targeting her for his Valentine′s Day murder, Kat is terrified. But is Adrian, the one man whose thoughts she can′t hear, her savior, or killer? 

my thoughts: 

Bitten by Cupid is a great collection of stories. I'm a big fan of Lynsay Sands and Pamela Palmer and their stories did not disappoint. Kiss and Kill Cupid is the first story I've read by Jaime Rush, but I've already begun collecting her books. 

I loved each story in this collection, I just wish they'd each been a little longer. But then I guess this wouldn't be an anthology it would be three individual books. :) If you're looking for a great grouping of Paranormal romance, check out Bitten by Cupid today. Who knows? You may find a new author to love. 


Friday, April 9, 2010

Romance Review: Viking Heat by Sandra Hill

Viking Heat
by Sandra Hill


Berkley Sensation
http://www.sandrahill.net
ISBN: 9780425230671
Release Date: September 1, 2009
from the author's site: 

Joy Nelson joins the female Navy SEALS in a fit of depression over the death of her POW brother.  Then she finds herself shot back in time to the cold, cold Norselands where she is auctioned off as a slave to a Viking warlord.  What fun!  This Norseman doesn't know what hit him. 

my thoughts: 

Once I settled down to read Viking Heat, I nearly flew through it. I don't typically read time-travel romances, but I'm so glad I read this one. Sandra Hill's writing is so fun; this was a light, quick read. Despite it's overall light tone, some dark topics do get covered in Viking Heat and they are dealt with well. 

Joy is a fabulous character and more than a match for Brandr. Brandr has been through hard times and Joy is the light he needs in his life. Secondary characters are just as wonderful and I hope to read about them in other Sandra Hill stories. She's an author I know I'll need to read again.

Wednesday, April 7, 2010

Romance Review: Lucky Charm by Carly Phillips

Lucky Charm
by Carly Phillips
HQN
http://www.carlyphillips.com
ISBN: 9780373773312
Release Date: October 1, 2008

from the author's site: 

Derek thought he could outsmart the long-standing Corwin curse by breaking up with Gabrielle, his first love— and marrying someone else. Now, divorced and broke, all he has left is his teenage daughter and a healthy respect for ancient sorcery. But then Gabrielle returns, determined to defeat the curse and rekindle their passion. But will her stubborn streak and her unwavering love be the lucky charm Derek so desperately needs? 

my thoughts: 

Carly Phillips has quickly become one of my favorite contemporary Romance authors, if not my absolute favorite. While paranormal Romance is still my first love I do have to say that contemporaries are not the boring books I once thought them to be. 

Derek and Gabrielle are a great pair; they are each exactly what the other needs. I loved their verbal sparring. I loved that Gabrielle had no intention of giving up on Derek. She knew what she wanted and wasn't about to back down. 

Lucky Charm is a great, fun read. I can't wait to read Lucky Streak, and Lucky Break.  

Monday, April 5, 2010

Romance Review: Confessions of a Duchess by Nicola Cornick

Confessions of a Duchess
by Nicola Cornick


HQN
http://www.nicolacornick.co.uk
ISBN: 9780373773770
Release Date: June 1, 2009

from the author's site: 

Laura, Dowager Duchess of Cole, has sworn never to marry again. But the arrival of Dexter Anstruther, the man with whom she once shared one forbidden night of passion, throws her plans and her heart into turmoil. Laura knows that the secret she is keeping from Dexter would destroy any chance of a future together. But can she keep her secrets and keep Dexter at arm's length when he is so determined to rekindle their passion?

my thoughts: 

Confessions of a Duchess was a little slow starting for me (I don't think I was in the right reading mood initially), however, once I got into the book it kept right on moving. Now that I've read Laura's story I can't wait to read about the rest of the Brides of Fortune. I loved Laura and Dexter, and reading their story was a treat. Nicola Cornick is definitely an author I'm going to continue reading.  I recommend you give her a try if you haven't already.