Book Reviews: Demonica Books 1 through 4

I have very much enjoyed these stories. I just started the fifth story, but I thought I would write quick reviews for the first four and the mini-book. Thank you to Rheana, Jen, and Eli for helping me read all of these and your recommendations. I needed brain candy to distract me and these are fantastic for that.

Pleasure Unbound by Larissa Ione
A wonderful story which I read second. I made a mistake when I borrowed it from a friend. She lent me a book so I read it. I had no idea I had asked for the wrong book. So although I read it second, it was a great book. In Pleasure Unbound, you meet Eidolon, said Eye-duh-lawn, a demon doctor running an underground hospital for paranormal creatures such as himself. We also meet Tayla, a slayer, who's job is to put paranormals like Eidolon into the grave. It's a very fun Romeo and Juliet or Buffy and Spike kind of story. You meet Eidolon's brothers who are just as crazy, grumpy, volatile, and adorable as he is. I just love a big, burly, macho guy who turns into a puddle of goo because of his woman or a cute animal. Eidolon has all of that and more. Tayla is a wonderful sparring partner and I really enjoyed how tough she was and how she handled the brothers.

Desire Unchained by Larissa Ione
Desire Unchained was the book I accidentally read first because I got the names mixed up when I asked to borrow the books. So while I was reading it, my comments are all similar to "What the hell is going on?" But, think about it this way... there were a lot of plot points and world building pieces that have a lot of structure built around Eidolon and so when you read the second book staring his brother Shade, you can see why I was so confused. Shade is a wonderful character. He's gruff and angry, he's been tortured his entire life and when his sister is killed, he just can't cope with the emotional turmoil. He wants to kill or be killed and in walks Runa, a lethal werewolf and ex-girlfriend. Shade wakes up in a dungeon chained up next to his ex, whom the last time she was around, she was a sweet human he had just torn up emotionally. Now he sits beside her, a werewolf, not only is she pissed at him, but they're both very concerned because they're inprisoned by the person who wants them dead and who killed Shade's sister. This was an emotional story, but also very hot. Runa was a great leading lady. She's fierce and gives as good as she gets. I love that in a heroine.

Passion Unleashed by Larissa Ione
Oh, Wraith. Have I mentioned how much I love big ol' bad boys with hearts of gold? Wraith is that guy. He's big and mean and lethal. His life has been horrid, tortured from the moment he was conceived and kept in horrible conditions in such a miserable way. My heart broke hearing him explain his life before his brothers found him. Throughout the story, while Wraith is trying to help/hinder an apocalypse, we learn a little more about Wraith while he is with Serena a blessed human who is charmed with protection because she was chosen by God to protect part of Heaven. Unfortunately for Serena, Wraith needs her dead. I'm sure you can see where we're going. Serena needs to be safe, Wraith needs her dead, angels want to protect her, angels want to kill her,  demons want her dead, demons want her alive, all the while Wraith wants to hate her, but she's practically perfect and gives him a ration of shit that he doesn't want, but loves it. It's a really fun story and the ending is traumatic and shocking, but also awesome. I really liked this one a lot.

Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione
This is a mini-story surrounding two Guardians or slayers. Andrea and Kaden. Kaden wakes up after a raid on a vampire nest and finds himself in a cell turned into a vampire. Bummer for him since his job is to kill demonspawn like himself now. He tries to figure out a way to help himself when his lover and fellow slayer comes to kill him. They promised each other they'd put the other out of their misery if this situation ever came about... unfortunately, he doesn't want to die, he kind of likes vampy-ness and Andrea doesn't want to kill him because she really loves him even though she promised him that it was just sex between them. Insert awesome, naughty, dirty story here. :)

Ecstasy Unveiled by Larissa Ione
Mmm... Lore. So Wraith is my number one demon, the others all have their greatness. Lore is in the top five :) He's grumpy and grouchy, he acts like everyone owes him a favor and most of all, he wants to keep his sister safe. Yeah, twin sister Sin. Fun name. So Lore feels like he needs a favor and owes favors left and right. This makes him a very complex character. Someone's paid him to kill the Demon brothers' human bestie, Kynan, but Kynan seems to have a guardian angel named Idess following him around and making Lore's hit much more complicated than it should. See where this is going? These are fun stories, but they are kind of predictable. Idess is badass and hot, fiesty and lethal, and pretty funny even though she has quite a chip on her shoulder and a very sturdy chastity belt in place. Lore is a sex demon who desperately needs to save his sister by killing a human who just doesn't seem to want to die. Lots of fun inside!

All of these books are in the vein of Black Dagger Brotherhood and the like. Paranormal elements, romance, erotica, mystery, and thriller elements weave in and out of fun, dark, fast paced stories.  I really enjoyed these stories and they kept my mind busy. I think the best part, beyond the hot lemons and fun action scenes, is that there is a great deal of world building involved and an incredible amount of research and planning that Larissa put into these stories. She's built a demon world, but she's also laced in so many religious tidbits and historical facts that it's almost believable that there are humans running around that are actually demons. If they look and love like the Demon brothers, bring it on :)

I'll review number six, Sin's book, Sin Undone, as soon as I finish. I'm looking forward to learning about the sister no one ever though could exist. She's full of piss and vinegar and that's always nice to see!

Book Review: Ransome's Honor by Kay Dacas @kayedacus A fun period story that leaves you wanting more.

What a fun read.

It was a great period fic. Lots of gloves and manners and protocol. It was nearly twenty chapters before there was even a chaste kiss and it was perfect. I really enjoyed all of the characters. I wish we had seen more of William during the beginning of the book, but overall he was a good male protag.

I think Dacus does the era a great justice, keeping historically accurate with the women's rights at that time as well as the culture of post-war England.

I'm actually very much looking forward to reading the next in the series. :) I was disappointed that the book ended so quickly. I really wanted to see more of William and Julia. We spent the entire book waiting for them to get it all figured out and when they finally do and you can see how happy they are.... we're done. So now, I must go in search of the sequel!

I would recommend this to my historical fiction/romance girls. Excellently written and fun too!

Book Reviews: TLC by @barbaradelinsky & A Perfect Stranger by Danielle Steele ~ Campin' Reads!

TLC by Barbara Delinsky was an impulse buy when I bought The Stud. One of the best impulse buys ever. I really liked it a lot!

Yes it's a romance novel, but I loved the underlying story. The dynamic, the love-hate relationship between Karen and the male protag, Brice, is quite fun. It has it's emotional parts along with the fun snark and witty banter. You guys know how I love my snark and wit!

TLC is a story about a girl named Karen who is a grad student. We begin the story with her visiting an elderly woman in an assisted living home. At first the assumption is it's a family member but we soon find out that Karen is a woman riddled with guilt and taxing herself so much she falls very, very ill. In walks Dr. Brice... he's cocky, rude, self-righteous, and anti-social.

And it's on! :)

A Perfect Stranger is another Danielle Steele novel. I say it that way because... well, it's just another novel. I didn't fall in love with either of the characters. I felt awfully for Alex the entire length of the story. Raphaella is beaatiful and kind and practically perfect in every way... there are times when your heart jerks for her and you wanna take her home and keep her safe, but then again, there are some times when you just wanna smack the crap out of her! Who at 32 years old would let their father say those things to them? Or let their mother boss them atround in that way??? It's just insane.

The premise was good... lovely girl trapped in a marriage that her family wanted her in, she was swept away at 18 years old, and you just can't handle things when you're super young and overly sheltered. It makes sense she'd go off and marry the guy even if he was 44 years older, I can buy that.

But I was overwhelmed by the first 20 pages of Alex complaining that his wife of two years left him and then we hear more of Raphaela has been practically imprisoned her entire life by the life of luxury and riches and body guards and chauffeurs. It was kind of disconcerting to say the least! Their romance is a lovely one even if it's fraught with drama and angst... although, by the third or fourth ( I lost count ) reconciliation, I was a little over it.Also, there was entirely too much clothing description. It was hard to believe that Alex, a 30-something lawyer would care that his girlfriend is wearing snake skin shoes from Gucci. Even if he lives in San Fran! :)

The ending was sweet, but again, it was lacking. I really wanted more. It was just kind of like, "Okay, and now we're done." And after the huge intro of angsty stuff in the beginning, I really wanted more to go on at  the end.

It wasn't a bad story, but it was a little long for the amount of story you get. I gave it 2.5 stars.

Book Review: The Stud by @BarbaraDelinsky Super fun with super swimmers! :)

So I picked this book up out of guilt. Strange, right? You're curious, yes? You think, "But Becca, you never read books out of pressure!? (see Harry Potter) What on Earth are you speaking of?!"

Okay, see what happend was that a twit on a fic site that I frequent decided to take The Stud and rearrange some things and add new names and call it her original idea. (Insert appalled face here.)

I bought into it. Not okay. Fanfiction is okay because you give credit to the author for being made of awesomesauce and then you play in their wake. You don't take something from someone else and say, "Look at how wicked original and awesome I am!" Like I said, twit. (Insert foot tapping and scowl face here.)

So, chagrinned, I went out in search of this book when I found out that this happened. I looked high and low and  come to find out, it was out of print!

Thankfully, my Shangri La, Bookman's, a book reseller, happened to have one very old copy of it.

I read this bad boy in one sitting. This story grabbed me by the uterus and kept me entertained. That's fairly impressive, I'd say. Yes, this is your typical romance with the heaving bosoms and panting breaths.... but she's an independent businesswoman and he's an Indiana Jones wanna-be!

Here's the summary from GoodReads: Jenna McCue wants a baby and chooses an ideal man to be her sperm donor--but he wants the whole package: sex, love and forever.

How could that NOT be entertaining!? No, seriously, this was a very fun, light read. Great locations, lovely descriptions, some angst, lots of lemon, and witty snark (always a must with me) and overall, it didn't drag or make me wish it would hurry-the-hell-up! I actually enjoyed Jenna and Spencer a lot.

It's nice to see a romance "girl book" that didn't have a wilting laurel kind of girl as the lead. Jenna can take care of her own... she just needs some good swimmers! And I must admit, Spencer is a fun character.

He reminded me of Michael Douglas' character in Romancing the Stone.

And I think Jenna is a touch of Diane Keaton from Baby Boom.

Yes, I'm a child of the Eighties... don't judge me!

Overall, this was a great fluffy beach/lake read. I would recommend to anyone who is looking for something a lil' smutty and squishy with just the right amount of "Awww!"

Great giveaway for @naturallysteph's Lola and Anna!

Go check it out and tell thenerdswife I send you! :D
http://www.stumbleupon.com/su/1RGHbj/thenerdswife.com/2011/07/stephanie-perkins-signing-and-giveaway.html

You could win this:



or this:



:D

Book Review: ARC of Tangled Past by Leah Braemel @LeahBraemel

I was interested in this story mainly due to it's poly relationship premise. I enjoy historical romances, but I don't always get into Westerns, this was a different kind of Western though. Although there were the fun cattle rustling, horse riding, dirty varment kind of stuff within the pages that you'd hope for within a Western Romance novel, Tangled Past also has an intricately woven romance story line that you normally don't see. It is unique and very well thought out.

Yes, it is a romance. There are flowery prose and professings of love, but there are two male main characters and they are vying for the love of our female lead, Sarah. They are also vying for each other as well as Sarah.

Jackson is rough edged and abrupt, but he's honest and loyal.

Nate is kind and sweet, but earnest and passionate.

I couldn't help but fall in love with both of them right along with our tough Sarah.

Sarah's life hasn't been easy and even though her tale is very realistic for this time period and sometimes hard to read about, you come to find her strength and drive very enduring and attractive. Nothing ruins a romance more in my opinion than a "wilting flower" as Miss Martha calls them, the wise sage in Tangled Past.

Leah does a lovely job of creating three distinct characters that bring three distinct pieces together into a beautiful relationship. Their connection reminded me of a symbol I have tattooed on my back, the Trinity Heart Celtic Knot. Where one piece ends, another begins so there is truly no end. I would have loved to have been able to read more, especially later in the story.

I did find several type errors that brought me out of the story a few times, but that's the beta in me. I'd love to give this story a once over before it's published to make sure it is grammatically correct and reads smoothly. This story is quite enjoyable and deserves to sparkle.

I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romances, especially of the Western variety. I'm sure it's not easy setting this balance that you find in Tangled Past. Leah handles polygamy with care and it's not only emotional but beautiful and erotic. I would definitely like to read something from Leah again.

Thank you again to Carina Press for allowing me to preread their ARCs. I very much appreciate being given these opportunities!

Book Review: Notturno by @ZAMaxfield Awesome paranormal read!

What an emotional story!
I picked this out because it looked like a naughty romp, but it turned out to be more so. Adin's story made my heart hurt over and over!

I was reading over the last day and my stomach kept dropping. It seemed like every chapter I had to tweet ZA about how much my heart hurt for Adin!

Donte is a lovely vampire character and the entire story just makes you swoon and smile and gasp. ZA has a wonderful way about her fluency and word choice, the way Donte and Adin coin a phrase was just adorable and fun. You could feel the attraction as you're reading. It starts passionately and ends passionately. It's a lovely mix of intrigue and action, mystery and conversation. It's wonderful!

It was a fantastic story. If you're looking for something that combines paranormal romance with intrigue and fun for a really great read, I highly recommend!

Book Review: His Enemy's Daughter by Terri Brisbin

Total bodice-busting, lusty fun :)
It was the usual man vs. man, beauty and the beast retelling with a Briton/Norman/Saxon rebellion thrown in for funzies. It was a very quick read. Took me about two hours total from start to finish while we drove up the mountain.
I would highly recommend this if you are looking for some virginity-stealing, swoony, giggly good times with the marauding, hulking good-bad-guy knight and the fierce, do-gooding virgin with spunk.
All around brain candy :)

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 8: Lover Mine by J.R. Ward *sigh*

Oooooh.... John Matthew!

I was completely absorbed and enthralled by his story. Since we met him way back in the earlier books as the scared, abused pretrans. Then his growth and changes, meeting his support system, watching all the pain and suffering he goes through to become who he is at the end of this book. Oh.my.god!

It just killed me over and over. It took me a lot longer to get through this one due to the heavy subject matter, not only with John, but also with Xhex, the flashbacks of Tohr, and Lash. It all melded nicely together in this story, but it also hurt! Especially, Xhex's storyline. Wow. Incredible.

I really liked learning more about where Xhex came from and learning about John Matthew and his connection to Xhex. His story is hard to read, but it's so well told.

I also loved seeing Blay in action and his storyline coming out. I'm hoping we get more of his story in number nine. It is so refreshing to have a m/m storyline other than what we learned about some of the Brothers in earlier stories. This is a dedicated storyline and it's awesome. Angsty and beautiful :)

These books have me so completely addicted. It's ridiculous. And I've begun enabling others and bringing them along too :) At least I'm not alone!

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 7: Lover Avenged

Yep... I think I have fallen for every brother and now Rehvenge.

What an awesome story. My heart is still stuck on John, but I'm also totally enthralled with the others. This one took me four days to read. A lot longer in comparison with the others.I blame my own writing and work. If I didn't have to work and support my husband, I would've read all day and gotten it done sooner!

Rehv as he's known throughout the book is such an interesting character. Full of self loathing and a savior complex. He feels like everyone is worth of love and care save himself... he feels he is worthless, worth no one's time, and is willing to sacrifice himself for everyone else.

His story begins in tragedy and just kind of wanders around a garden of thorns and landmines. When the addition of Ehlena comes in, you just sit back and watch. You know what will happen- Beauty and the Beast a la vampires and sympaths.

It's totally easy to call, but at the same time, you are glued on that story... on them. They are a fun combination. A spunky, spendthrift nurse and a angry, self hating, drug dealing pimp. You would think oil and water... and you're right. But man is it fun to watch.

You also get to know Xhex and the Moors more, which is great. I'm hoping with the next installation we'll learn ever more about these guys and John Matthew and his boys.

I am really enjoying this series as I'm sure you all can tell. In the last 15 days I've read all seven of the BDB books and I've enjoyed every single one! :)

Anyone know how I can get a hold of J.R. Ward so I can thank her with much gusto and fervor?!

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 6: Lover Enshrined by J.R. Ward

Lover Enshrined... encapsulated... controlled... captured.... frozen.

 

 

Although this one was much shorter, this book had a lot of heart.

Between the main story about Phury and the subplots of John, Quihnn, Blay, Bella, Z, and the others as well, you become enshrined.

And you can see each one of these storylines mingling within each other and how each of the characters has an entrapment. Phury's addictions, Cormia's prison-like home, Rehv's nature, John's emotions, and Blay's heart, Bella's pregnancy, Z's past, hell... even Lash's patronage.

I was really impressed with this one when it came to the story line, the continuity, the push and pull between all the characters for dominance. I really liked Phury and Cormia... their story was so strong and passionate and not just because of the physicality, it's that mental connection of them both being captives to their situations and how they rose above that both separately and together. It was so beautiful.

Something about Cormia's character called to me. Maybe it's my situation in my life at the moment. The call of duty outweighing the need for independence and chasing your own desires... it really hit home for me.

Cormia seems so weak in the beginning, such a pushover. She's so willing to submit and serve, but as she breaks out of that shell, with the help of Phury, John, and Bella... she finds out that she is a living, breathing choice. Not just a Chosen one. She has more to her than subservience and duty. With each of these stories I fall in love more and more with these characters.

It was really well done and I can't wait to start number seven.

This was such a quick read, it took me less than eight hours and I had to work today too. It was just that.... enthralling? What's the right word.
Just a good read :)

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 5: Lover Unbound by J.R. Ward

Okay, so yeah, read this one in about 5 hours and sobbed my eyes out for the last 20 pages.

And when I say sob, I don't mean delicate, feminine little ribbons of saltwater softly trailing over flushed cheeks... no this was a torrential, cathartic, snotsobbing-style weeping. It wasn't pretty.

Vishous' story was so full of pain... I thought Zsadist's story was painful... it was. This mounted that pain and made it it's bitch.

God, my stomach still hurts.

The ending was fantastic and I adored the tête-à-tête that was V and Jane co-mingling and challenging each other. It was such a beautiful, real, raw love story. Add the mother stuff, well, for those of you who know me in real life, this all really affected me.

Vishous' story is just poignant. I don't want to say more and ruin others reading, but this was an extremely good one.

I think V's story and Z's story are by far my favorite so far.

Can't wait to read on!

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 4: Lover Revealed by J.R. Ward

Awwww Butch!!!!

Okay so this was a great one too! I loved the story of Butch and his history as well as him coming together with his mate. It was so well done!

We still have all the subplots going on around us with John and Tohr, Bella and Z, Wrath and Beth as well as we get another peek into V's world and his story is compelling.

I'm guessing the next one is about this one brother. He needs his story told badly!

The action sequences were really well thought out and executed and of course the lemons were wonderful as well :)

I am truly enjoying these stories!

Oh and an update on my girl Rheana- she had her baby today :) Congratulations!!!!

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood Book 3 by J.R. Ward

Holy...
I'm just... there are no words!

This story was probably the best and it has the most pain. The emotions of this story just ripped my heart out.

There was an amazing ending, but the subplots just tore me apart. My heart is still hurting!

"I was dead until you found me, though I breathed. I was sightless, though I could see. And then you came...and I was awakened."

Truly a fantastic story about Zsadist and his twin Phury, but also Bella, Thor, John, and Wellsie. All of them woven together in such a beautiful tapestry. It was fantastic, but it hurt!

The story of Bella and Zsadist is so wonderfully told and I just achingly intense. I devoured this book and wanted so badly to read more and more of their story.

I'm eager to read on, but after the emotional gutting of this book, I think I need some time off. There's no rebounding from some of the things you learn in this book, but I'm hoping the next books will have positive things like Nalla.

Oh who am I kidding, I'll probably start four tomorrow morning...

Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood: Dark Lover Book 1 by J.R. Ward

What a fun read!!! Ward has a great way of mixing old lore and new age all together to make a really fun, exiting fiction story that keeps you entertained for 300+ pages.

I really enjoyed learning about Beth and the brothers. All the different personalities mix together and you can tell it will be fun to learn more. I've heard the Zsadist/Bella book is the best, but I would like to know more aobut Wellsie and Tohr too! See? I've fallen in love with the whole bunch.

I hope we'll see more Beth and Wrath throughout the other books. I know they'll be about the other brothers, but I really liked Beth. I always enjoy a feisty heroine!

Excellent brain candy fun. These would be good beach/summer vacation reads!

Book Review: Cursed by Rhianne Aile

I listened to this book. My first ever audiobook that wasn't a kids' book while I was teaching. It was different being read to, but the narrator was good. He had a deep soothing voice that I loved. <3

I really liked it! It was different for sure being read to, but it was a good story!

This was a lovely little romp filled with shifters and witches and hot boys ;) Total brain candy, but it kept me totally enthralled on my drive to and from Phoenix.

I liked the characters and the story so much that I bought the second book, Betrayed, on iTunes too!

I highly recommend if you enjoy slash paranormal romance! :)