Wednesday, June 11, 2014

Review: Dangerous Seduction by Zoë Archer

Dangerous Seduction by Zoë Archer
Series: Nemesis, Unlimited, Book 2
Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks
Genre: Historical Romance Dangerous Seduction Cover
ISBN: 9781250015600
Blue Ribbon Rating: 3 out of 5
Original Review Link
Book Purchase Link
Zoë Archer Reading Order

As an agent for Nemesis, Unlimited, Simon Addison-Shawe has perfected the art of going undercover. But his latest mission – to help the miners of a small Cornish village – threatens to throw him off his stride. Or more accurately, outspoken bal-maiden Alyce Carr does. He knows he needs to recruit Alyce to help him bring down the corrupt mine owners who are slowly starving their workers to death, but Simon’s usual charm isn’t going to work on the sharp, suspicious Alyce. And if he does manage to convince her to help him, will their mutual attraction throw a wrench into their plans to save the families of Trewyn?

I can always count on author Zoë Archer to deliver a unique historical romance, and DANGEROUS SEDUCTION is no exception. Rather than an heiress or governess of some sort, the heroine of this second NEMESIS, UNLIMITED novel is a sharp-minded bal-maiden with a thirst for justice. Alyce doesn’t need to be swept off her feet, but that doesn’t mean she’s not left breathless by Simon. Simon’s an aristocrat with no desire to lead a pampered life when he could be of use to the world. It’s easy to admire Simon and Alyce for their intelligence and determination to save the people of Trewyn from the increasingly underhanded, abusive dealings of the mine owners and their bullying lackeys. Alyce and Simon fit one another like a lock and key, and watching them fall in love as they work to make the lives of others better was wonderful.

DANGEROUS SEDUCTION is every bit as much a love letter to equality as it is a romance, and I liked that about this book. Yet, while every single element of the story worked for me, as a whole it was missing that coveted spark to keep me engaged. Normally I practically devour Ms. Archer’s books, but I never quite connected to DANGEROUS SEDUCTION. Still, there’s no denying that this is a well-written, original story with clever characters and a strong moral center.


Note: My review was written for Romance Junkies and is cross-posted here with permission from Romance Junkies.

Tuesday, June 10, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Chained by Night by Larissa Ione


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

Larissa Ione's Azagoth just came out, which of course means I'm already impatient for her next book to be released (fangirl alert ;)). Chained by Night is the second book in Ms. Ione's MoonBound Clan Vampires series, and I absolutely loved book 1, Bound by Night. If those weren't reasons enough for me to be excited for Chained by Night, the teaser for Hunter's book in Bound by Night would ensure that I'm salivating for this story.

Chained by Night Cover Title: Chained by Night
Series: MoonBound Clan Vampires, Book 2
Author: Larissa Ione
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher: Pocket Books
Release Date: September 30, 2014
Larissa Ione Reading Order and Reviews

Book Description (from Larissa Ione's website):

THE FUTURE OF HIS TRIBE
Leader of the vampire clan MoonBound, Hunter will do what he must to save his people from extinction—or worse, a torturous eternity as vampire slaves and subjects of human experimentation. To keep his enemies at bay, he has agreed to mate a rival clan leader’s daughter in return for peace between the clans and an ally in the looming war with the humans.

THE LOVER OF HIS SOUL
But survival comes at a price. First, Hunter must break an ancient curse by successfully negotiating three deadly tests. Then he must resist the searing passions of the gorgeous vampire warrior he despises but is bound to mate. Will Hunter stay true to his word? Or will he risk everything for the woman he really loves: the vampire seductress’s identical twin sister?

Saturday, June 7, 2014

Saturday in Review

It's over 100 degrees here today, so I'm staying inside. I hope everyone else is staying cool as well!

Below are the newest reviews I’ve written here and on Joyfully Reviewed, and Romance Junkies. The master list and categorical lists on the right-hand side are updated as well.

New reviews:
- The Damsel and the Daggerman (Blud, Book 2.5) by Delilah S. Dawson
- How to School Your Scoundrel (Princess in Hiding, Book 3) by Juliana Gray
- Shadow Spell (The Cousins O’Dwyer, Book 2) by Nora Roberts
- Heart of Obsidian (Psy-Changeling, Book 12) by Nalini Singh
- Sully’s Sweet Salvation (sequel to Finn’s Redemption) by Sierra Summers

Upcoming reviews:
- Rise of the Gryphon (Belador, Book 4) by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
- Skies of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- Wicked Temptation (Nemesis, Unlimited, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Book 5) by Jennifer Ashley
- The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures, Book 6) by Jennifer Ashley
- Wild Man (Dream Man, Book 2) by Kristen Ashley
- Down for the Count (Dare Me, Book 1) by Christine Bell
- Down and Dirty (Dare Me, Book 2) by Christine Bell
- Bolted (Promise Harbor Wedding, Book 2) by Meg Benjamin
- Straddling the Line (Play-by-Play, Book 8 ) by Jaci Burton
- The Professional: Part 2 by Kresley Cole
- The Professional: Part 3 by Kresley Cole
- How to Ravish a Rake (How to Series, Book 3) by Vicky Dreiling
- Scarlet Devices (Steam and Seduction, Book 2) by Delphine Dryden
- Gilded Lily (Steam and Seduction, Book 3) by Delphine Dryden
- Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards
- Some Like It Hot (Rising Star Chef, Book 2) by Louisa Edwards
- Hot Under Pressure (Rising Star Chef, Book 3) by Louisa Edwards
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
- Fast Track by Julie Garwood
- Cowboy Take Me Away (Rainbow Valley, Book 1) by Jane Graves
- Trouble at the Wedding (Abandoned at the Altar, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
- One Taste of Scandal (Redcakes, Book 2) by Heather Hiestand
- Beauty Bites (Biting Love, Book 6) by Mary Hughes
- The Volatile Amazon (Alliance of the Amazons, Book 4) by Sandy James
- Breathe by Lauren Jameson
- Over Exposed (Salon Games, Book 3) by Stephanie Julian
- Archer (Hard Body, Book 1) by Debra Kayn
- Since You’ve Been Gone (Welcome to Paradise, Book 4) by Elle Kennedy
- All of You (Between Breaths, Book 1) by Christina Lee
- Caught Up in You (Loving on the Edge, Book 4) by Roni Loren
- Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk, Book 1) by Bec McMaster
- All Fired Up (Hot in the Kitchen, Book 2) by Kate Meader
- Keeping Secrets in Seattle by Brooke Moss
- Blood Persuasion (Immortal Jane Austen, Book 2) by Janet Mullany
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Soul Sucker by Kate Pearce
- Dare to Love (Dare to Love, Book 1) by Carly Phillips
- The Fifth Favor by Shelby Reed
- Laugh (Burnside, Book 2) by Mary Ann Rivers
- Dark Witch (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
- Nights of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 4) by Nico Rosso
- Secrets of a Gentleman Escort by Bronwyn Scott
- Then Came You (Animal Magnetism, Book 5) by Jill Shalvis
- Archangel’s Legion (Guild Hunter, Book 6) by Nalini Singh
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler
- Easy by Tammara Webber

Wednesday, June 4, 2014

Review: The Damsel and the Daggerman by Delilah S. Dawson

The Damsel and the Daggerman by Delilah S. Dawson
Series: Blud, Book 2.5
Publisher: Pocket Star
Genre: Steampunk/Paranormal Romance The Damsel and the Daggerman Cover
ISBN: 9781476715438
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Delilah S. Dawson Reading Order

Bad boy knife-thrower Marco Taresque is the hottest and most dangerous performer in the caravan. He keeps to himself until a pesky female journalist arrives, anxious to interview him about his checkered past--his last assistant disappeared under mysterious and bloody circumstances, earning him the nickname "The Deadly Daggerman."

Unsinkable journalist and adventurer Jacinda Harville doesn't take no for an answer, and she's determined to wear down Marco no matter how threatening--or incredibly desirable--he might appear. He agrees to an interview--but only if she'll let him strap her to a spinning table and throw knives at her body. How can she say no? And how can she resist him when he leans close for a kiss that strikes her more sharply than any blade? It's the first time she's let a man get the better of her, and she's determined it will be the last...

Just when she thinks she can't take any more of his games, Jacinda receives a note from Marco saying he's finally ready to tell her the truth about what happened to his missing assistant. She sets out for an address miles away, but what she finds there turns the tables on everything she thought she knew about the tender lover who wears a smile as sharp as his knives.

As secrets are unraveled and passions take hold, Jacinda realizes her hard heart has melted. But will it be too late to save Marco--and herself--from the daggerman's dangerous past?

If you want a taste of Delilah S. Dawson’s marvelous Blud series, The Damsel and the Daggerman is a good place to start. With intrepid reporter Jacinda Harville as your guide, you can experience Sangland’s most intriguing band of carnivalleros. Front and center are Jacinda and Marco, two mature, intelligent protagonists who intrigued me from the beginning. Jacinda’s a widow who knows what she wants and isn’t afraid to go after it, even if she has to go toe-to-toe with infamous Bludman Criminy Stain in order get her story. Marco, in turn, is a man with a mysterious past and a talent for handling blades. I loved unwrapping the mystery that was Marco alongside Jacinda, although I did feel that the revelations concerning Marco’s past – and significant exploration into his and Jacinda’s characters – were a bit rushed due to the length of the story. Still, Jacinda and Marco are excellent both on their own and as a pair, and it was delightful getting to see the beginnings of their romance.

The Damsel and the Daggerman takes place between the second and third books in Ms. Dawson’s Blud series, and it certainly fed my craving for Blud – ;) – as I waited for Wicked After Midnight to be released. Fans of the series need not fear missing some of their favorite characters, for Criminy’s carnivalleros all have entertaining cameos. That being said, ringmaster and Blud hero extraordinaire Criminy Stain does steal every scene he’s in, and to a lesser degree so does contortionist Demi Ward. Normally this wouldn’t bother me, but since The Damsel and the Daggerman is a novella and Marco and Jacinda were unknown entities, I would have liked to see them be the stars of their own show. Still, as a bridge between Blud stories or simply as a sample of the world, The Damsel and the Daggerman is excellent. I thoroughly enjoyed the story and reading any tale set in Criminy’s world is time well spent.


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Tuesday, June 3, 2014

Waiting on Wednesday: Darling Beast by Elizabeth Hoyt


Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted by Jill at Breaking the Spine which spotlights eagerly anticipated upcoming releases!

I absolutely love Elizabeth Hoyt's Maiden Lane series - it's one of my top historical romance series (keeping Julia Quinn's Bridgertons and Lisa Kleypas's Wallflowers company, among others) and I'm always eager for a new story. Plus, with the way things were left for Apollo in Duke of Midnight, it's no wonder I'm excited to read Darling Beast.

Darling Beast Cover Title: Darling Beast
Series: Maiden Lane, Book 7
Author: Elizabeth Hoyt
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Grand Central Publishing
Release Date: October 14, 2014
Elizabeth Hoyt Reading Order and Reviews

Book Description (from Elizabeth Hoyt's website):

A MAN CONDEMNED . . .
Falsely accused of murder and mute from a near-fatal beating, Apollo Greaves, Viscount Kilbourne has escaped from Bedlam. With the Crown’s soldiers at his heels, he finds refuge in the ruins of a pleasure garden, toiling as a simple gardener. But when a vivacious young woman moves in, he’s quickly driven to distraction . . .

A DESPERATE WOMAN . . .
London’s premier actress, Lily Stump, is down on her luck when she’s forced to move into a scorched theater with her maid and small son. But she and her tiny family aren’t the only inhabitants—a silent, hulking beast of a man also calls the charred ruins home. Yet when she catches him reading her plays, Lily realizes there’s more to this man than meets the eye.

OUT OF ASHES, DESIRE FLARES
Though a scorching passion draws them together, Apollo knows that Lily is keeping secrets. When his past catches up with him, he’s forced to make a choice: his love for Lily…or the explosive truth that will set him free.

Monday, June 2, 2014

Monday in Review

Can you believe it's June already? Time for another update :)

Below are the newest reviews I’ve written here and for Romance Junkies. The master list and categorical lists on the right-hand side are updated as well.

Reviews for upcoming releases:
- Grim Shadows (Roaring Twenties, Book 2) by Jenn Bennett (available 6/3/14)
- Shield of Winter (Psy-Changeling, Book 13) by Nalini Singh (available 6/3/14)

All other new reviews:
- Don't Blackmail the Vampire (Sons of Kane, Book 2) by Tiffany Allee
- Dangerous Seduction (Nemesis, Unlimited, Book 2) by Zoë Archer
- The Professional: Part 1 (The Game Maker, Book 1, Part 1) by Kresley Cole
- Risky Game (Out of Bounds, Book 3) by Tracy Solheim
- Barefoot in White (Barefoot Bay Brides, Book 1) by Roxanne St. Claire
- Unmasking Juliet by Teri Wilson

Upcoming reviews:
- Rise of the Gryphon (Belador, Book 4) by Sherrilyn Kenyon and Dianna Love
- Skies of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- Wicked Temptation (Nemesis, Unlimited, Book 3) by Zoë Archer
- The Seduction of Elliot McBride (Highland Pleasures, Book 5) by Jennifer Ashley
- The Wicked Deeds of Daniel Mackenzie (Highland Pleasures, Book 6) by Jennifer Ashley
- Wild Man (Dream Man, Book 2) by Kristen Ashley
- Down for the Count (Dare Me, Book 1) by Christine Bell
- Down and Dirty (Dare Me, Book 2) by Christine Bell
- Bolted (Promise Harbor Wedding, Book 2) by Meg Benjamin
- Straddling the Line (Play-by-Play, Book 8 ) by Jaci Burton
- The Professional: Part 2 by Kresley Cole
- The Professional: Part 3 by Kresley Cole
- How to Ravish a Rake (How to Series, Book 3) by Vicky Dreiling
- Scarlet Devices (Steam and Seduction, Book 2) by Delphine Dryden
- Gilded Lily (Steam and Seduction, Book 3) by Delphine Dryden
- Soul Weaver by Hailey Edwards
- Some Like It Hot (Rising Star Chef, Book 2) by Louisa Edwards
- Hot Under Pressure (Rising Star Chef, Book 3) by Louisa Edwards
- A Beginner’s Guide to Rakes by Suzanne Enoch
- Fast Track by Julie Garwood
- Cowboy Take Me Away (Rainbow Valley, Book 1) by Jane Graves
- Trouble at the Wedding (Abandoned at the Altar, Book 3) by Laura Lee Guhrke
- One Taste of Scandal (Redcakes, Book 2) by Heather Hiestand
- Beauty Bites (Biting Love, Book 6) by Mary Hughes
- The Volatile Amazon (Alliance of the Amazons, Book 4) by Sandy James
- Breathe by Lauren Jameson
- Over Exposed (Salon Games, Book 3) by Stephanie Julian
- Archer (Hard Body, Book 1) by Debra Kayn
- Since You’ve Been Gone (Welcome to Paradise, Book 4) by Elle Kennedy
- All of You (Between Breaths, Book 1) by Christina Lee
- Caught Up in You (Loving on the Edge, Book 4) by Roni Loren
- Kiss of Steel (London Steampunk, Book 1) by Bec McMaster
- All Fired Up (Hot in the Kitchen, Book 2) by Kate Meader
- Keeping Secrets in Seattle by Brooke Moss
- Blood Persuasion (Immortal Jane Austen, Book 2) by Janet Mullany
- Raw Desire by Kate Pearce
- Soul Sucker by Kate Pearce
- Dare to Love (Dare to Love, Book 1) by Carly Phillips
- The Fifth Favor by Shelby Reed
- Laugh (Burnside, Book 2) by Mary Ann Rivers
- Dark Witch (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, Book 1) by Nora Roberts
- Shadow Spell (The Cousins O'Dwyer Trilogy, Book 2) by Nora Roberts
- Nights of Steel (The Ether Chronicles, Book 4) by Nico Rosso
- Secrets of a Gentleman Escort by Bronwyn Scott
- Then Came You (Animal Magnetism, Book 5) by Jill Shalvis
- Archangel’s Legion (Guild Hunter, Book 6) by Nalini Singh
- Heart of Obsidian (Psy-Changeling, Book 12) by Nalini Singh
- Sully’s Sweet Salvation by Sierra Summers
- Primal Law (Alpha Pack, Book 1) by J.D. Tyler
- Easy by Tammara Webber

Sunday, June 1, 2014

Review: Grim Shadows by Jenn Bennett

Grim Shadows by Jenn Bennett
Series: Roaring Twenties, Book 2
Publisher: Berkley
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance Grim Shadows Cover
ISBN: 9780425269589
Release Date: June 3, 2014
Source: Publisher
Buy it here: Amazon | B&N
Jenn Bennett Reading Order

It’s the Roaring Twenties in foggy San Francisco. Prohibition is on, inhibitions are low, and dark magic is rolling into town…

Archaeologist Lowe Magnusson is packing something everyone wants. The djed amulet, a priceless Egyptian artifact, will fetch Lowe a hefty paycheck from one of San Francisco’s wealthiest. But when the handsome Swede runs into his patron’s uptight daughter, what he once considered easy money becomes maddeningly complicated…

Cursed with deadly spirits as her constant companions, curator Hadley Bacall must keep calm to hold her dangerous specters at bay and prevent them from lashing out at anything—or anyone. Trouble is, Lowe is driving her crazy, but her father needs the artifact he’s transporting. While Hadley can feel the amulet’s power, she can’t fathom the destruction—or the desire—it’s about to stir up.

Magic and mayhem go hand in hand in Grim Shadows. There’s no sophomore slump for the Roaring Twenties series – Jenn Bennett knows how to keep the thrills coming and Grim Shadows lives up to the promise of its smart, sensual predecessor, Bitter Spirits.

Lowe Magnusson is a smooth-talking archaeologist with an easy smile and a penchant for spinning tales. Hadley Bacall is a curator trying to make a name for herself in a male-dominated field. She’s also got a curse hanging over her head and has to keep her emotions tightly bottled for fear of disaster. On the surface, the two are like night and day, but they just click. The banter between Lowe and Hadley – when balanced by the emotional revelations each makes – made them a truly captivating couple to read about. Both are supremely intelligent and are more than what most people see them to be; traits that come in handy as they become semi-reluctant allies on a quest to find the missing pieces of a supernatural artifact. Their action-packed treasure hunt through the streets of Prohibition-era San Francisco had me avidly turning the pages of Grim Shadows. Ms. Bennett has some wonderful twists and turns in store for readers (even the ones you can see coming are exciting to watch play out).

As she did with the first Roaring Twenties book, Ms. Bennett brings 1920s San Francisco to vivid life, then gives it her own unique spin by adding in the paranormal and placing events in less posh areas than those generally showcased in historical romance. I flat-out loved delving into Ms. Bennett’s world once again, though the mysteries uncovered in Grim Shadows are decidedly different from those in Bitter Spirits. Ms. Bennett has a way of writing that draws you into the story and doesn’t let go. I look forward to getting lost in Lowe and Hadley’s adventure-filled romance many, many times while I impatiently wait for the next Roaring Twenties book!


FTC Disclosure: I received this book for free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.