Remember Me by Danice Allen

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

RYOB Challenge

1st In A Series Challenge

Synopsis:

An Unforgettable Affair

Daring Amanda Darlington is on a clandestine rescue mission when a drunken swell stumbles into the path of her onrushing carriage. Though he could be a rogue, wastrel or dangerous scoundrel, the high principled miss feels duty bound to nurse the unconscious gentleman back to health-- especially when the handsome stranger awakens with no memory of his identity.

An angelic vision greets him when first he opens his eyes--a warm and caring young beauty who arouses a passionate fire. But Jackson Montgomery's abruptly returning memory revives shattering secrets that could destroy a blossoming love before it blooms. And only through feigned amnesia can Jack win gentle Amanda's heart for all time--though there are dangers in his brazen charade...

My Review:

The story begins when the heroine, Amanda, receives a letter that was supposed to have been given to her six months before at her parents death. In the letter she learns that her uptight and morally stuck up parents hid another child, born from her father's extramarital affair. The letter tells how the child was kept in a faraway town by a hired housekeeper on a small stipend. When Amanda learns of this she races off to find the child, without any abigail or relation, to try to discreetly bring the child back without a scandal. On the road her carriage almost runs over a man unconscious in the road, whom from his clothing is obviously a gentleman. Amanda brings him back to a inn, nurses him back to consciousness, but has a bigger dilemma when he wakes with no memory of who he is.

That begins a fast paced, Romantic and passionate story. The hero is a likable though flawed lead, a playboy and heavy partier (kinda reminded me of Jack Sparrow). The heroine is a sweet, self sufficient woman of 25, considered "on the shelf" after one failed season and her parents rigid upbringing. The secondary characters in the book are as enjoyable as the leads-especially Amanda two spinster Aunts and Jack's brother Julian, who has his own story in the second book, The Perfect Gentleman.

4 stars.

The Last Vampire by Patricia Rosemoor &Marc Paoletti

Read For:

ROR Fall Challenge

RYOB Challenge

1st In A Series Challenge

Chick Porn Reading Challenge

Synopsis:

Spawned of alchemy and blood, he was the last of a brutal, ancient line. Now he has just been reborn.

Deep in a Texas cave, the military unearths a five-hundred-year-old corpse, its desiccated flesh teeming with mysterious DNA that can transform mortals into beings of unimaginable power.

Captain Scott Boulder, leader of a Black Ops unit that has been endowed with these superhuman abilities, is among the first to benefit from the find. But when, with the help of a voodoo priestess, the creature is conjured to life, unleashing an ancient evil bent on reinstating its poisonous kind on earth, Scott knows he must return the monster to the grave. But this is no ordinary vampire. Once a brutal torturer in the Spanish Inquisition, it can bend the laws of science and magic in horrifying new ways.

Powerless to fight this evil alone, Scott grudgingly seeks the aid of reclusive anthropologist Leah Maguire, an expert in the mystical rituals of the past. To keep humanity from entering a new Dark Age, Scott and Leah will battle unspeakable horrors and will sacrifice everything they hold dear–perhaps even their own humanity -- to destroy the last vampire.

My Review:

A pretty good Urban Fantasy/Horror Light/Paranormal Romance. In this book Vampires are not your typical "sexy, misunderstood" characters but are vile and evil creatures who love to kill. The heroine, Leah, is a sort of "anthopoligist/good witch" who is kinda a female Van Helsing. She's devoted her life's work to fighting against Vampires after a creature she believes to be a Vampire kills several of her family members as a child. The hero, Scott, is part of a Government military "Special Ops" type unit that is experimenting with creating a group of "supermen" from the DNA of a mummy the Government found in a Texas cave. Really bad idea as the mummy is actually a unawakened super powerful Vampire that by taking him from the cave, they now awaken him.

The action was a B+, the characters about a C+ (Leah was a little weak but she will hopefully improve in book 2) and the Romance was a C-. Don't read The Last Vampire if your looking for typical Paranormal Romance, as the romance is only a secondary issue. Do read this book is you like action and horror with a little romance thrown in.

Note: While the love scenes between the hero and heroine are pretty tame=PG, there are sex scenes with a secondary female character that are pretty raunchy and graphic, like NC 17. So a heads up if you don't like graphic books.

3.5 stars.

Passionate Thirst by Cameron Dean

Read For:

Summer Reading Challenge

RYOB Challenge

Chick Porn Reading Challenge

1st In A Series Challenge

Synopsis: JUST ANOTHER NIGHT IN SIN CITY Candace Steele is as tough as she is alluring. For her, killing vampires isn't just a job, it's personal: She's still haunted by erotic memories of an all-consuming affair with Ash, a seductive vampire who thrilled her, and then nearly destroyed her. Now, working undercover in a Las Vegas casino, she seduces the most powerful undead, right before she drives a stake through their unbeating hearts. When hot-ticket singer Temptation McCoy sweeps into town for a major concert, Candace is tapped for security. But after meeting Temptation, Candace feels the cold, tingling sensation that can mean only one thing: There's a vampire in the diva's entourage. To complicate matters, Ash suddenly appears in Sin City, vowing to do anything and everything to draw Candace back into his arms. Overwhelmed by desire and suspicion, she lets down her guard . . . a move that could cost Candace her life.

My Review: This book was like a Hershey bar. It's chocolate, tasty, but in no league with Belgium chocolate. Passionate Thirst is not unusual in that the heroine is a "Vampire Hunter", and the hero, an ancient Vampire that Candace used to have a love affair with(why can't they ever be in love with the "fledgling" Vampire?). What's unusual is that the heroine hates Vampires and everything they stand for and the hero, though deeply in love with Candace, only sees them together as a Vampire couple. There ensues the main conflict of the story.

The story is chock full of sex-some sweet, mostly raunchy, including sex with the heroine and another man besides the hero(so be forewarned if that's not your thing)and some voyueristic scenes as well. I'd classify this book as Romance-erotica, just on the cusp of full fledged erotica (about a NC 17 in movie lingo). The scenes are pretty hot and nothing cringe worthy, maybe a little "blush worthy". The Vampire hunting is pretty gruesome too.

All in all, I'd give Passionate Thirst a 3 star review. I've read much worse and I'll try the next book in the series.

What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge
A to Z Challenge


Synopsis:

It's 1811, and the threat of revolution haunts the upper classes of King George III's England. Then a beautiful young woman is found savagely murdered on the altar steps of an ancient church near Westminster Abbey. A dueling pistol found at the scene and the damning testimony of a witness both point to one man-Sebastian St. Cyr, Viscount Devlin, a brilliant young nobleman shattered by his experience in the Napoleonic Wars

My Review:
This Regency era Historical Mystery really pulls you into the lives of St. Cyr, the main character, Tom, a street urchin who helps St Cyr in trying to solve who killed the victim, and Kat Boleyn, St. Cyr's former love, an actress who St. Cyr was willing to throw his title away for in order to marry six years before.

The lead is very much an "hero", but with moments of anti hero when needed. This book did well at setting up the relationships for future books, while still holding your interest. A good mystery too!
4 stars.

Halfway To The Grave by Jeanine Frost

Read For:
Summer Reading Challenge
RYOB Challenge
1sts in a series Challenge


I liked this one a LOT more than I thought I would! This book was action filled and very sexy! I would have given the book five stars if not for Cat's mother-who is a real *itch! If you like tough, but flawed heroines then you should give Cat a try. 4 stars!

Dove's Way by Linda Francis Lee

Dove's Way
Linda Francis Lee
Historical Romance-Victorian Era
Rating 5 stars

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
What An Animal Challenge
Spring 09 Challenge
Victorian Challenge
Themed Reading Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge
Chick Porn Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge 2009



Synopsis: "Even months after that day on the train, her face still haunted my dreams. And I was sure the feel of her in my arms would stay with me forever. But then one night, she stepped back into my life as if walking into my dreams. . . ."

Matthew Hawthorne saved Finnea Winslet's life one day on a train in Africa. But Finnea didn't know that on that day she saved his soul. Destroyed by scandal, Matthew would have been ostracized completely by the unyielding society of his birth had he not been such a powerful man. Matthew doesn't let himself care about anyone or anything, until Finnea arrives unexpectedly in Boston.

Raised in Africa, Finnea is as foreign to Bostonians as they are to her. Yet she is determined to make a life for herself there, so she turns to Matthew to learn the ways of that rigid town. But can Matthew help Finnea without losing what is left of his heart?

From the jungles of Africa to the heart of Boston society, DOVE'S WAY is an extraordinary tale of redeeming love that will rescue a man, and release a woman from the pain in her heart.

My Review: Dove's Way is a very moving and heartfelt Historical Romance. The storyline is set in Boston but is also halfway in Africa as that's where the two characters meet and where the heroine grows up. Finnea and Matthew are both "tortured" characters in their own ways. Finnea is very insecure in her familial relationships and Matthew was horribly injured and scarred in an accident. This story is very "high drama". You won't find yourself laughing or smiling during this book but it will probably make you tear up.

Some sexual chemistry, including a few fairly hot love scenes, nothing that should offend, in fact the scenes are more emotional than anything.

I'm looking forward to reading book two, Matthew's brother's Grayson's story in Swan's Grace.

5 stars.

Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas

Some Danger Involved
Will Thomas
Victorian Era Mystery
Rating 5 stars

Read For:
Victorian Challenge
RYOB Challenge
New Author Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge


Synopsis:

An atmospheric debut novel set on the gritty streets of Victorian London, Some Danger Involved introduces detective Cyrus Barker and his apprentice, Thomas Llewelyn, as they work to solve the gruesome murder of a young scholar.

When a student bearing a striking resemblance to artists' renderings of Jesus Christ is found murdered -- by crucifixion -- in London's Jewish ghetto, 19th-century private detective Barker must hire an assistant to help him solve the sinister case. Out of all who answer an ad for a position with "some danger involved," the eccentric and enigmatic Barker chooses downtrodden Llewelyn, a gutsy young man whose murky past includes recent stints at both an Oxford college and an Oxford prison.

As Llewelyn learns the ropes of his position, he is drawn deeper and deeper into Barker's peculiar world of vigilante detective work, as well as the dark heart of London's teeming underworld. Together they pass through chophouses, stables, and clandestine tea rooms, tangling with the early Italian mafia, a mad professor of eugenics, and other shadowy figures, inching ever closer to the shocking truth behind the murder.

My Review:

Some Danger Involved is a refreshing change from your typical Victorian mystery, the majority of which feature either a female sleuth or a "Gentleman" sleuth. Some Danger Involved is told from the perspective of Thomas Llewelyn-a young Welsh man down on his luck and desperately searching for a new position. Thomas answers an ad for a private detectives assistant almost on a lark, certain he will not get the position. Surprisingly, the enigmatic Cyrus Barker gives him the job. There begins Thomas education into private detection as well as his first case with Mr. Barker-the heinous death of a young Jewish Scholar whose body is put on display by his killer.

Barker and Llewelyn are both products of middle to poor homes, both have hidden talents that help in their detective work. The book has a bit of an Oriental flair from Barker growing up in the Orient with his Missonary parents. The cast of characters is well fleshed out and the story fast paced as well as intelligent in detail, especially in relation to Victorian Jewish society and how it was looked at during this era.

Barker is a great sleuth, kind of a "poor mans" Sherlock Holmes, as much as a Genius as that great man but much more empathetic and street wise from his rough childhood. Llewelyn is a wonderful sidekick to Barker, who's more of a father figure or mentor to him than Sherlock's friendship with Watson.

To those who love Victoriana but are looking for something a bit grittier, Some Danger Involved may fit the bill.

5 stars-recommended.

Mesmerized by Candace Camp

Mesmerized
Candace Camp
Historical Romance-Victorian Era
Rating 4 stars

Read For:
Spring Challenge
Victorian Challenge
RYOB Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge
New Author Challenge


Synopsis: In 1876 Olivia Moreland works at exposing hoaxes that prey on the grieving who desperately want to communicate with loved ones from the great beyond. During a séance, she gets up to debunk the latest fraud, but Lord Stephen St. Leger stops her, thinking she is the fake. Once the air is cleared, both are tossed out as skeptics. Before Olivia leaves for home, she gives him her business card stating she is an Investigator of Psychic Phenomena. Stephen indiscreetly labels her as a member of the "mad" Morelands.

Not long afterward, Stephen hires Olivia to unmask a so called psychic taking advantage of his mother still mourning the loss of her oldest son. His sister-in-law is too selfish to help and mostly hinders Stephen and Olivia's efforts. As Olivia tries to prove fraud, Stephen and she fall in love with one another though she believes he still loves his deceased sibling's wife.

My Review: Mesmerized is the fun tale of Olivia, a shy, average young lady who's interest in the Spiritualist movement propels her to set up her own business as a (mainly) Spiritualist debunker. At the time many families were being duped by fraudulent Mediums, so Olivia goes undercover as a interested guest to these Seances to catch the frauds in the act. At a seance she meets Stephen-who mistakes Olivia as one of the frauds and finds out she's a member of the "Mad Morelands"-an eccentric though aristocratic family. Stephen unwittingly insults Olivia and sparks fly. A week later, he goes to Olivia's office to apologize and ask for her help. A medium, Madame Valenska, he feels is conning his mother by acting like they are in communication with her recently deceased brother Roderick.

There begins a fast paced, exciting tale that is full of adventure and romance. The books moves along well and the romance is sweet, the love scenes are moderate-fairly "hot" but not over the top. Warm enough to enjoy but not hot enough to turn a sensitive reader off.

There are a few, minor places where the book gets bogged down by the ghost storyline being explained. But they are short enough that they are fairly easy to get through. I enjoyed the supernatural aspect of the book, as well as the "debunking" of the mediums part of the book. Both are major parts of the storyline and if you don't do supernatural then you should probably skip this. Several enjoyable secondary characters that I'm sure we'll see in future books

All together a fun, enjoyable Romance 4 stars.

Those Who Hunt The Night by Barbara Hambly

Those Who Hunt The Night
Barbara Hambly
Fantasy
Rating 5 stars
340 pages

Read For:
What's In A Name Challenge
Victorian Challenge
RYOB Challenge
42 Challenge
1st in A Series Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge

Synopsis: Someone - or something - is killing the vampires of London while they sleep during the day. Don Simon Ysidro, the oldest of the London vampires, hires Dr. James Asher, a retired member of the British Secret Service, to find this killer. Asher, who accepts this job for the price of his wife (Lydia)'s life, delves into the shadowy world of the vampires to find a killer that increasingly seems to be one of their number.

My Review: I loved this book. I only wish, A-I would have read this much earlier instead of letting it languish on my TBR shelf, and B-I would not have chosen to read it with my back in an uproar with a pinched nerve as I feel I would have enjoyed it even more:)

This Vampire fantasy slash historical mystery set in late Victorian (or early Edwardian-1906) England is a brilliant thinking man's Vampire novel. The three leads of the story-James Asher, his wife Lydia, and the Vampire Ysidro-are all mental giants, each brilliant in their own specialty. Asher, a former British agent, is sought out by centuries old Ysidro, a Spanish Vampire whose undead roots go back to Queen Elizabeth's time. Ysidro needs Asher's help in discovering who is killing off the vampires of London. To do so, he lets Asher know that not only his life, but Asher's brilliant wife Lydia's life hang in the balance if Asher cannot find the killer. Lydia, an unconventional Victorian Society woman is a great female lead. A woman who chose a career in medicine and Science over an advantageous Society marriage. Will her choice save or destroy her life?

Hambly's writing style is fast paced yet intelligent. Her knowledge of the period shines through and any aficionado of Victorian Fiction should try this book, even if they are not fantasy or Vampire fans.
I'm looking forward to reading the second book in the series, Traveling With The Dead, and Ms. Hambly's website states she's in talks for a third, long awaited book in the series.
Highly recommended-5 stars.

The Companion by Ann Granger

The Companion
Ann Granger
320 pages
rating 4 stars

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
Victorian Challenge
Historical Fiction Challenge
What's In A Name Challenge
1st In A Series Challenge
New Author Challenge


My Amazon Review:

Synopsis:

“In the corners of the room the shadows cast velvety veils. It would not be too difficult to imagine someone stood there and watched. I thought of Madeleine Hexham.... I glanced around me. It was likely that I'd been given my predecessor's room and that it was here she had planned her flight into the arms of her mysterious lover.”

When Lizzie Martin arrives in London in 1864 to become a lady’s companion, her first impressions are disturbing. She’s barely out of the station when her cab encounters a wagon carrying the remains of a young woman recently dead.

At her new home, Lizzie learns that her predecessor, Madeleine Hexham, disappeared without a word of warning. Despite rumors of immoral behavior surrounding the girl’s departure, Lizzie is soon persuaded that there’s a deeper mystery here. Her suspicions are tragically confirmed when Inspector Benjamin Ross delivers shocking tidings.

Lizzie is determined to unravel the truth about the lost Miss Hexham. As, too, is Ben Ross: a man who cares about justice, whatever the class of victim. But they must tread carefully, as a cornered killer is the most dangerous of all...

My Review:
The companion was a well written, accurate and intriguing historical mystery. Set in Victorian England, the story is told through Lizzie Martin, a country doctor's daughter, left penniless by his death, and Benjamin Ross, a young Scotland yard detective who is tied to Lizzie through a past association. Lizzie must now be a Lady's companion, after living her entire life of more affluent means, and has problems with not speaking her mind, much to Lady Parry's dismay. Lizzie and Benjamin are both calm, thoughtful and resourceful characters. The mystery was a good one, and solved very much as a crime would have been solved in that time period.

The mystery surrounding the former companion points out the moral judgements and flaws of the times-that more condemnation is placed on the female victim than her cold hearted murderer, just because she was naive and trusting.

A good solid Victorian mystery-4 stars.

Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney

Thunder And Roses
Mary Jo Putney
380 pages
Rating 3.75 stars.

Read for:
Winter 08 Challenge
1st in a Series Challenge
RYOB Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge
A to Z Challenge
Chick Porn Reading Challenge

Synopsis: PASSION'S BARGAIN . . .
They called him the Demon Earl. They said he could do anything. Son of a rogue and a gypsy, Nicholas Davies was a notorious rake until a shattering betrayal left him alone and embittered in the Welsh countryside.

Desperation drives quiet schoolteacher Clare Morgan to ask the Demon Earl to help save her village. Unwilling to involve himself in the problems of others, Nicholas sets an impossible price on his aid - only if Clare agrees to live with him for three months, letting the world think the worst, will he intervene.

Furiously, Clare accepts his outrageous challenge, and finds herself drawn into a glittering Regency world of danger and desire. As allies, she and Nicholas fight to save her community. As adversaries, they explore the hazardous terrain of power and sensuality. And as lovers, they surrender to passion that threatens the very foundations of their lives.

My Amazon Review:

overall great story with some flaws.....,

January 29, 2009

Thunder and Roses is the story of an unrepentant rake, Nicholas, a half Gypsy Earl who was involved in a scandal with his former wife's death, and Clare, a Methodist preacher's daughter who pleads with the Earl to help the villagers working conditions at the mine. The Earl,in true Rake fashion, hoping to make Clare go away, proposes a scandalous three month liaison between them in return for his help. He gets a shock when Clare agrees.

Thus begins a emotional, highly charged tale of false appearances, misjudgments and how two highly flawed people can find love.

Overall, I really enjoyed this book, though it was not without it's flaws. Clare was likable, but does something during their first intimate encounter that almost made me quit the book. Let's just say that I found her "pious schoolmarm one minute, then blatant tease the next" really ugly. As others mentioned in their reviews, the hero and heroine battled each other with sex, or the withholding of it, and that was distasteful and offputting. Putney has more talent in writing love stories than love scenes, and too much emphasis was put on the sexual aspect of the relationship.

Otherwise, I'd recommend this book to Historical Romance fans looking for a deeper, more involved storyline.
3.75 stars.

The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood

• READ FOR:
• 1-RYOB Challenge
• 2-1st In A Series Challenge
• 3-What An Animal Challenge
• 4-Serial Readers Challenge
  

My Amazon Review:

Delicious fluff......,

January 5, 2009

Synopsis:
Christina Bennett had taken London society by storm. The ravishing beauty guarded the secret of her mysterious past until the night Lyon, Marquis of Lyonwood, stole a searching, sensuous kiss. An arrogant nobleman with a pirate's passions, he tasted the wild fire smoldering beneath Christina's cool charm and swore to posess her...

But the fiesty and defiant Christina would not be so easily conquered. Mistress of her heart and of her fortune, she resisted Lyon's sensuous caresses. She dared not surrender to his love...for then, she must also forsake her precious secret...and her promised destiny!

My Review:
This book is a prime example of how engaging writing can overcome many, sometimes glaring, flaws.

The premise is far fetched and historically inaccurate, the characters overblown and stereotypical, and the love scenes old school "bodice ripper". But, with all those flaws, did I enjoy this book? Heck yes!

Julie Garwood has a way of writing engaging characters that carry you along, despite the inaccuracies. Christina's "saga" was quite thrilling-being raised in the colonies by Indians (who call her Lioness) but seeking out her English heritage in adulthood, meeting the arrogant, brooding Marquis of Lyonwood, and upon hearing that he is called Lyon, decides then and there that he is her destiny:). Christina is a wonderfully strong willed self sufficient heroine-no "too stupid to live" here.

The banter between Christina and Lyon was fun and sexy, the villains were villainous and the adventure was fast paced. Is this book fluff? Sure-it's like cotton candy-no nutritional value but delicious just the same. If you're looking for an engaging, hot romance that may not stretch your mind but does pull at your heartstrings, then read this book.
Sensuality scale-rated R.
4 stars.

1st In Series Challenge 2009

FINISHED!
join HERE:

Guidelines for 1st in Series Challenge 2009

1. Anyone can join. You don't need a blog to participate.

2. Read 12 books that are the first in any series. You may read & list your chosen books any time during the year.

3. Challenge begins January thru December, 2009.

4. You can join anytime between now and December 31, 2009.



my list:

• 1-The Lion's Lady by Julie Garwood-DONE-4 stars.
  
• 2-Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney-DONE-3.75 stars.
  
• 3-The Companion by Ann Granger-DONE-4 stars.
  
• 4-Those Who Hunt The Night by Barbara Hambly-DONE-5 stars
  
• 5-Mesmerized by Candace Camp-DONE-4 stars
  
• 6-Some Danger Involved by Will Thomas-DONE-5 stars.
  
• 7-Dove's Way by Linda Francis Lee-DONE-5 stars.
  
• 8-Halfway To The Grave by Jeanine Frost-DONE-4 stars
  
• 9-What Angels Fear by C.S. Harris-DONE-4 stars
  
• 10-Passionate Thirst by Cameron Dean-DONE-3 stars
• 11-The Last Vampire by Patricia Rosemoor and Marc Paoletti-DONE-3.5 stars
• 12-Remember Me by Danice Allen-4 stars