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.

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.

Highland Love Song by Constance O'Banyon

Highland Love Song
Constance O'Banyon
Rating 3.5 stars
322 pages

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
A to Z Challenge
New Author Challenge
Chick Porn Challenge
Serial Readers Challenge

Synopsis: Lady Arrian DeWinter, daughter of the English duke of Ravenworth, was determined to escape the highland castle of Warrick Glencarin. For her senses were perilously near surrender to the very man who held her as a pawn in a family feud. And escape she did, though she left behind her heart to a man who dared not believe he’d won it.
Betrothed to Ian MacIvors, lovely Arrian struggled to despise her fiance’s enemy. Yet all she longed for was Warrick and the chance to soften his bitter anger with her loving touch…

My Review: Highland Love Song was my first book by this author and after finishing it I'm happy to say not my last. Written in 1993, HLS is very much an old school "bodice ripper". Meaning the storyline is fairly interwoven with scandals, high drama, kidnapping, family saga and an emotionally charged storyline. Be forewarned, this story is all drama and no "light" moments.

Highland Love Song is actually book two in the DeWinter Saga, though I read it without knowing of the first and still enjoyed the book. Though I'll now go back and read Arrian's parents story in Song Of The Nightingale. Arrian and Warrick were good lead characters-the heroine was not too flighty, and the hero, while brooding and dark, was no brute.

Miss O'Banyon's forte seems in her writing fleshed out secondary characters, and HLS was full of great ones. The best were MacTavish, Arrian's Aunt Mary, and her brother Michael-who is the hero in book three in the series, Desert Song. The love scenes were so so and few and did detract from the storyline-if they were better this would have been at least a four star book. If you enjoy connected family sagas like Lindsey's Mallory's or Laurens Cynster's, then I think you'll enjoy this book.
3.5 stars.

The Rules of Gentility by Janet Mullany

The Rules of Gentility
Janet Mullany
Regency Romance
Rating 3.75 stars
279 pages

Read For:
RYOB Challenge
2nds Challenge
A To Z Challenge
Chick Porn Challenge
Romance Reading Challenge








Synopsis: Regency heiress Philomena Wellesley-Clegg has rather strong opinions about men and clothing. As to the former, so far two lords, a viscount, and a mad poet have fallen far short of her expectations. But she is about to meet Inigo Linsley, an unshaven, wickedly handsome man with a scandalous secret. He's nothing she ever dreamed she'd want—why then can she not stop thinking about how he looks in his breeches?

Having read, and loved, Miss Mullany's first book Dedication (Signet Regency Romance), I eagerly read Rules of Gentility and for the most part was not disappointed.

This fast paced, funny and in moments, touching, Regency Romance is told in the traditional "Comedy of Errors" style. Ms. Mullany throws in every tried and true Regency plot device in biting satire form while bringing the reader back to the hard reality of Regency life by introducing the common, yet not talked about subjects such as adultery, affairs between "quality" and the working class, often resulting in "by blows",homosexuality, and the subjugation and idea of the times that women of all classes were basically non entities at the time.
Philomena and Igino grow and mature as lovers and as humans by the stories end.

A little more Romance needed as well as a silly, and not thought out "villain" at stories end brought the book down at bit but it was still quite good.
Looking forward to more from this author.
3.75 star-recommended.

Somewhere I'll Find You by Lisa Kleypas

Somewhere I'll Find You
Lisa Kleypas
384 pages
Rating-1.5 stars

Read For:
Winter 08 Challenge-FINISHED!
RYOB Challenge
Chick Porn Reading Challenge

Synopsis:
All London is at Julia Wentworth's feet. The beautiful, enchanting actress is the toast of the theater world--and anything she desires is hers for the asking. But the incomparable leading lady guards a devastating secret: a mystery husband whom she does not know, dares not mention. . .and cannot love.For years Damon Savage has been searching for the stranger his unscrupulous parents wed him to without his consent. Wanting no more than to be legally rid of the foolish chit, Damon is shocked to discover his "bride" is the exquisite stage performer whom he intended to make his mistress! But though his wife by law, Julia will never truly be Damon's--until he conquers her fears, his formidable rivals. . .and the stellar lady's proud, independent heart.

my Review:
Lisa Kleypas is normally one of my favorite authors. Somewhere I'll find you was, in my opinion, her poorest book to date. The characters have lot's of sexual chemistry, but nothing deeper.

The storyline was just too over the top. Between the "I cannot love you even though were married", to the heroine's "I can't love you because I'll lose my independence" it was downright boring and hard to get through. The characters were wooden and unlikable. There was nothing that endeared me to either of these characters, and a kidnapping scene towards the end had me almost quitting in disgust. The cherry on top was the heroines realization that she loves the hero only after this as well as a fight with her boss/fiance'.

The second book in the series, Because You're Mine, is much better and fortunately I read these two out of order as I would have never read book two had I read this book first.
1.5 stars.

Duel of Hearts by Elizabeth Mansfield

Duel of Hearts Elizabeth Mansfield Regency Romance 219 pages Rating 1.5 stars.

Read for:
RYOB Challenge
Winter 08 Challenge
A to Z Challenge
Chick Porn Challenge
What's In A Name Challenge


My Amazon Review:
cliched, cloying and annoying Regency Romance...., January 31, 2009
Synopsis:
LOVE'S DARING GAMBIT . . .
"There's No Time To Explain!" Sarah said. "Come and sit down beside me. Quickly!" She pulled him to the sofa. The door had been left open so that anyone passing would be bound to see them.

Sarah placed his arms firmly around her waist. "Now Edward, try not to be too shocked. I want you to kiss me."

"What?" Edward gaped at her. "You can't mean."

"Yes, I do!" She threw her arms around him and lifted her face to his. "Kiss me . . . as if you really mean it!"

My review:

Duel of Hearts is based on that tried and true storyline of the shy heroine, secretly in love with the hero, but he loves another. The heroine, as a selfless act, pretends to be lovers with the hero to help him ensnare his "true love", the heroine's twenty year old cousin.
While I've seen the story done before, this particular telling was one of the worst. The book spends more time on the hero's love interest-the heroine's vain, stupid and mean cousin, than on the heroine. The heroine is a door mat, and gladly allows herself to be a door mat to everyone including the hero. In modern terms, she's a complete wuss, never standing up for herself or her love.

The hero is not much better, liking the hero one minute, than berating and belittling her the next. Any "love" in this romance literally happens the last five pages of the book. No kidding!
The only beautiful thing in this novel is the beautiful cover art.

Totally skipworthy-1.5 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.

Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter

Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter
3.5 stars
376 pages

Read for:
RYOB Challenge
A to Z Reading Challenge
Romance Club Reading Challenge
New Author Reading Challenge
Chick Porn Reading Challenge
Winter 08 Challenge

My Amazon Review:

his muse was murder.....,

January 15, 2009

Romantic suspense is not my normal forte', maybe that's why I enjoyed this book so much, as several other reviewers didn't seem to care for it. I enjoyed the story of Ashlee Davenport Chadwick, a forty something widow, who lives on her Rural South Carolina homestead farm with her matriarchal Nana, her biracial other grandmother and her college age daughter. Ashlee's already hectic life as a single mom and forensic nurse is turned upside down when one of her does brings her a child's red sneaker-and she's horrified to find a child's toe still in the shoe.

What follows is a fast paced suspense-part nursing/hospital drama, part Southern murder mystery, and a small part romance. I found the lead, Ashlee to be competent as well as caring, and I enjoyed reading a story set in the south as well.

While the book had flaws-they were minor in my opinion and didn't take away from the storyline. I'd recommend Sleep Softly to fans of Romantic Suspense and Woman Sleuths as well.
3.5 stars.

A Place For Alfreda by Elizabeth Chater

A Place For Alfreda by Elizabeth Chater
Regency Romance
4 stars
186 pages

Read For:

• RYOB Challenge
• A to Z Challenge
• New Author Challenge
• Chick Porn Challenge
• Winter 08 Challenge
  

My Amazon Review:
Accurate, enchanting vintage Regency......,

January 9, 2009

Synopsis:
She went from rags to riches in the blink of an eye. Alfreda never felt like she belonged, but when she discovers that she was switched at birth and is the rightful heir to an Earl's estate she is flabbergasted. Nobody ever expected this mousy, plain girl to be of noble blood, especially Mark Savage. Mark has always infuriated Alfreda with his ceaseless mocking, but now she sees a spark of love deep within his eyes.

But the aristocracy isn't all it's cracked up to be, someone isn't pleased with Alfreda's new position and they will do anything to ensure her demise. Can Mark's love and Alfreda's unstoppable will save her?

My Review:
This author is a prime example of why I love the old Regency Romances. Miss Chater, who was also one of the original writers of Science Fiction (Lee Chaytor),also had a popular Regency career in her 70's. Miss Chater, who was also an English professor, obviously studied Regency England thoroughly. I've never seen another of the tradition Regency romances (besides the genre greats) that's so chock filled of Cant,or slang of the era, as well as lifestyle and convention.

The author's impressive vocabulary was delightful-a delicious break from the sometimes monosyllabic monotony of several "modern" Regency writers who shall remain nameless:). Miss Chater's writing is like Belgium Chocolate after weeks of Hershey bars-a gourmet's dream come true.

The story brought to mind Harriet Smith of Emma, "a girl of unknown parentage". Alfreda was raised by a spinster in the country, just like Harriet. But unlike Harriet, the townsfolk believe that Alfreda is a by-blow, an illegitimate child of nobility. Surprisingly, she is exactly the opposite-she is the legitimate child, but since she is a female, she's hidden away and her father's son with his mistress is put in his place.

What follows is a charming, fun and fast paced Regency tale full of delightful secondary characters. The romance is traditional-no love scenes, just a few kisses and the requisite sexual tension.

The end storyline goes a bit wonky, hence 4 stars, but A place for Alfreda is a Regency Romance I'd still highly recommend to fellow fans of Austen, Heyer, Chesney, and Balogh.
4 stars.

Chick Porn Reading Challenge

FINISHED!
Here's A Challenge from one of my shelfari groups, I Love Reading Challenges. The title cracked me up:) Wanna join? Click here:


THE INFO:

Chick Porn Reading Challenge

Another I Love Reading Challenges group exclusive

With a name like that, you know this may not be a challenge for everybody! Now that you've been warned on with the challenge...

Chick porn is chick lit, romance and/or erotica.
In this challenge you will be required to read 2 books for each rating. This may be the steamiest reading challenge you'll be all year!

Okay! Time frame Jan 09 to Dec 09
overlapping with other challenges as always is fine

Ratings

G - very light on kissing scenes if it has any. This is young love or even just a crush.

PG - kissing, mild "love" scenes maybe only a couple of love scenes in whole book

PG-13 - kissing, mild "love" scenes 2 to more love scenes

R- kissing, "love" scenes, more nudity 3 or more love scenes

X- you would not recommend this book to anyone under 18. In fact you feel a little naughty for reading it yourself!

The ratings are just a guide. Use you judgement as to which rating your book goes under.

Happy Reading

My Choices:

• G-1-A Place For Alfreda by Elizabeth Chater (Regency Romance)-DONE-4 stars.
  
• 2-Duel of Hearts by Elizabeth Mansfield(Regency Romance)-DONE-1.5 stars.
• 
  
• PG-1-Sleep Softly by Gwen Hunter (Romantic Suspense)-DONE-3.5 stars
  
• 2-The Rules of Gentility by Janet Mullany (Regency Romance)-DONE-3.75 stars
• 
  
• PG13-1-Thunder and Roses by Mary Jo Putney (Historical Romance)-DONE-3.75 stars
  
• 2-Highland Love Song by Constance O'Banyon (Historical Romance)-DONE-3.5 stars
• 
  
• R-1-Somewhere I'll Find You by Lisa Kleypas (Historical Romance)-DONE-1.5 stars
  
• 2-Dove's Way by Linda Francis Lee (Historical Romance)-DONE-5 stars.
  
• 
  
• X-1-Passionate Thirst by Cameron Dean-DONE-3 stars.
• 2-The Last Vampire by Patricia Rosemoor and Marc Paoletti-DONE-3.5 stars