Life is equitable in that we each have our share of inequities.
My Review:
The Nameless was my favorite installment of The Gift Series, aFavorite Quote:
Life is equitable in that we each have our share of inequities.
My Review:
The Nameless was my favorite installment of The Gift Series, although there is obviously room for more and a chance for a new favorite to come. I immediately fell into the story and felt the urgency, tension, and confusion of the character of Anya as the tale begins with her kidnapping in the midst of a siege and explosion. Her kidnapper has big plans to use her as an instrument in his plot of revenge, although he is forced to toss all his carefully made plans, one-by-one, as he falls for his captive. I rarely read this genre but I have enjoyed this series immensely. The storylines have been highly active and eventual as well as engaging, imaginative, colorfully descriptive, emotive, and incredibly steamy. The premise of The Nameless was creative and unique and I was intrigued by the alluring characters while also horrified by the atrocities the character of Xander had endured. The world created for the story was an odd conglomeration of the middle ages with horse-drawn wagons and magic in use in the rural countryside, in high contrast to the beginnings of the industrial revolution with mass transit, cars, telephones, and electricity in the nearby cities. Such is the beauty of the fantasy genre, which is only limited by the author’s imagination, and Ms. Cutrera’s appears abundant and enviably nimble.
I need to know every damn detail about this. I’m a caveman who’s just discovered fire but now needs the instruction book for the blowtFavorite Quotes:
I need to know every damn detail about this. I’m a caveman who’s just discovered fire but now needs the instruction book for the blowtorch.
Some dreams are just better than others. But this one’s a freaking Big Mac of better. With extra cheese and secret sauce.
Twelve months of imposed celibacy and I’ve really gone as stupid as a teenage virgin.
There’s no instruction manual for this. Isn’t there supposed to be an instruction manual somewhere? Congratulations! You’re a super hero! Quick and easy FAQs, including how to talk to your doctor, your dry cleaner, and your girlfriend.
They’re cold, they’re methodical, and they’re ruthless— and I’m the loose thread in their ugly orange sweater.
My Review:
I am not sure how to classify this book as it was an interesting hybrid of genres… it was full of clever humor and snark, loaded with erotic sensual scenes, and had a sweet love story as well as a cute fantasy/Sci-Fi superhero crime-fighter base. Taken in totality, it was an entertaining tale that had me alternating between smirking, sighing, gasping, and searching out cool beverages to rehydrate. Written from my favorite dual POV, the storyline was amusing, creative, steamy, and intriguing. I enjoyed Ms. Payne’s humorous descriptions as well as the banter and wit in her characters’ inner musings, exchanges, and quips. I seldom dabble in the fantasy or Sci-Fi genres, but I enjoyed the refreshing change of pace as well as Ms. Payne’s creativity in the development of her plotline and characters, especially the main character of Reece. Reece had been a wealthy party boy/player and a paparazzi favorite who was known as “The Heir with the Hair” and “The Billionaire with the Bulge.” Snort. After being misled by one of his conquests, Reece found he had been turned into a research lab rat “of human DNA improvement through electronic enhancement.” Reece was no longer just hot stuff, he was supercharged hot stuff as he could shoot electrical currents from his fingers – how cool is that? He was circling the drain in misery though and taking chances without care until his attention landed on the captivating, clever, and feisty Emmalina, who jump-started his heart and got the juices flowing. ...more
That was her man. She could very well be dying, and he’d order her to live.
My Review:
Bound by Grace is book three in The Gift Series, Favorite Quote:
That was her man. She could very well be dying, and he’d order her to live.
My Review:
Bound by Grace is book three in The Gift Series, and while it could be read as a stand-alone volume, the complicated family history would be much easier to unravel if the previous books were read. I have enjoyed the creativity and thoughtfulness of this series, being unaccustomed to the genres of fantasy, paranormal or even much historical romance. However, regardless of whatever world people find themselves in, observations of human nature and emotions cross all dimensions. The two protagonists in this tale were interesting character studies. Tabitha was abducted and eventually sold into slavery after six months of sea travel and various slave actions at every port. Alexi, a brilliant, driven, and emotionally distant inventor who had a need for female company and no interest in taking in a wife, purchased her before she was to be turned over to a brothel. Alexi had been a foundling, abandoned at birth in an alley. The rejection from her parents left Alexi with a sense of detachment and emotional inadequacy. The storyline was imaginative, yet easy to follow and entertaining. The primary plot elements were the evolving love story and unraveling Alexi’s parentage, which provided an emotive and sensual tapestry to weave this inspiring and inventive tale. ...more
“If you’re cut, then you’ll bleed the same blood as this girl here or me. Your station is more important, but your life iMy Rating:
4.5
Favorite Quotes:
“If you’re cut, then you’ll bleed the same blood as this girl here or me. Your station is more important, but your life itself is not.”
“Each person has his or her strengths and weaknesses. Yours make you a precious gift, not only to your husband but to every life you touch."
My Review:
Jordan’s Way continued the intriguing fantasy/paranormal/romance/adventure started in The Healer’s Gift, with the healer’s youngest daughter Jordan taking over as the main character. Their kingdom is at war so the story is more active and volatile with wounds, battles, attacks, betrayals, kidnappings, murders, deaths and all varieties of illnesses for the ever feisty yet compassionate young healer to handle. She is also traveling around to battle sites treating wounded soldiers, searching for a missing child behind enemy lines, and trying her hand at being in a relationship and finding love for the first time. Busy girl! I enjoyed and was greatly relieved by the progressive nature of the story for a historical romance, as Jordan is spunky, independent, respected, and revered for her unique talents and gifts. Ms. Cutrera has not only created a unique and engaging tale out of thin air, she has created an entire world with two moons, warring kingdoms, and conniving and oddly demented royals. The story line moved quickly yet was easy to follow and remained unfailingly entertaining. ...more
“I think we don’t trust our hearts as much as we should sometimes. Yours may be leading Favorite Quotes:
“If you don’t talk, then people won’t wonder.”
“I think we don’t trust our hearts as much as we should sometimes. Yours may be leading you to where you should be. Whether it’s for good or bad, I can’t say. It simply is.”
“How I love you, Ainsland. You are the world to me, a beautiful gift I want to keep near to me every day of my life.”
My Review:
I don’t often dabble in the genres of paranormal, or historical, or fantasy, but I decided I would for Barbara Cutrera - as I love her interesting and sweet stories as well as her thoughtful and gentle characters. The Healer’s Gift crosses all those genres as well as a sweet romance and steamy sensuality. I enjoyed all the varied and unique characters and had no problem keeping the large and extended family members straight. The plot was interesting and evolved quickly, and the storyline was adventuresome, dramatic, emotive, and on occasion - breathtakingly steamy. I am eager to reenter their world and continue the adventure with the next book in the series Jordon’s Way. ...more
Favorite Quote: “I walked around again, and had the odd feeling that the place was moving along with me. Every time I tried to get to the other side, Favorite Quote: “I walked around again, and had the odd feeling that the place was moving along with me. Every time I tried to get to the other side, the way became longer; if I retraced my steps, I returned to the same spot. Was I in some sort of institution? I felt completely sane, even though everything around me seemed daft. I wanted a mirror so I could see my face. I needed that sense of self.”
My Review: As I read this book I complained bitterly to my husband that it was frustrating me, I just wasn’t “getting it!” I felt dense and inadequate, those mind prickling and anxious feelings of self-doubt, that I really don’t like to experience, were cluttering my head. But I had committed to doing a review, so I kept plodding along at it, annoyed with the book and annoyed with myself. The characters in the book were also frustrated and confused, so I was not alone in my distress. Mid-way through, I started finding little jewels and kernels of insight or observations… hmm. But I worried it was merely a fluke, as the story went off again in some weird direction, reminiscent of 60’s movie scenes about a bad acid trip. Yet the book was well written and tightly edited, so why was I having such a problem? Not until the very end of the book, did I realize what a profound and beautiful story it actually was. I was somewhat moved and had to read the last chapter one more time to make sure I really did “get it” and huzzah! I did! I felt so proud, yet was so relieved to be done, and had no desire to read it again. Phew, my college degrees were not wasted after all! So now I face a dilemma, do I recommend it to our readers? I was frustrated and rankled most of the way through - but it actually was a beautiful story at the end. I have pondered this for days… I have decided not to decide, and will leave that responsibility up to you. Hmm, with decisions like that, I think I might just have a bright future in politics! ...more