Favorite quote: “There is much to fear in the dark. There are monsters under the bed and in the closet, and now they walk aboard at will.“
Wind witch and owl shifter, Cicely Waters, rescued her lover, Fae Prince Grieve from the Indigo Court, but not before Myst, the Queen Of Winter, turned him. The rescue destroyed Cicely’s alliance with Lainule, the Queen of Summer and destroyed any hope of cooperation from the vampires. Cicely, in desperation, appeals to the Consortium for help.
When the Queen Of Summer begins to fade, Cicely offers to find and bring back Summer’s heartstone. Cicely also has to find a way to change Grieve back and keep Lannan at arms length. As friends turn enemy and enemies become allies, Cicely will find herself standing on the edge of the precipice, her destiny unfolding before her as she fights for all she loves and believes in.
Night Seeker, the third installment of Yasmine Galenorn’s dark and sensual fae fantasy, picks up right where Night Veil left off and blows it all out of the water. Well-plotted and cast with characters that are strong and personable, Night Seeker is filled with taut suspense, delicious betrayal, and dangerous antagonists. I consider Night Seeker the turning point in this series. It’s an emotionally captivating story that throws open the doors of previously unknown and tightly guarded secrets. It doesn’t promise us that everything will be fine but it does give us hope towards the future. A strong storyline with fascinating intertwining subplots drives this story opposed to the last two installments which spent more time laying the foundation of the arc and its key players.
Ms. Galenorn’s exceptional insight into supernatural mythology is readily apparent and her added mixture of new lore produces a stunning urban fantasy world that first starts in Night Veil and continues it’s dark and dangerous journey in here. Instead of being overburdened by over detailed interpretation and world building at the sacrifice of story, or being heavy on story but leaving the world largely undefined, Night Seeker continues the arc’s perfect balance and hits all the right notes. The world building is a perfect blending of carnal passions, electrifying action, realistic characters, and stark betrayal. Well plotted and fast paced, it creates a satisfying development for the main characters and culminates in two very different sort of conflicts – one that threatens the lives of Cicely and Grieve and one that threatens their hearts.
I have loved Cicely Waters since I first met her. Loyal, intelligent, and strong willed- she has made choices that many would balk at making yet she made them without batting an eye. She has a strong moral code that shines against the manipulations of those around her. Born to a drug user with no knowledge of her father, her survival on the streets made her into the warrior we see before us. She has matured so much as a character.. We share an intimate connection with Cicely as her pain, her sorrow, and her triumphs become our own. It has been an exciting ride as we have watched her grow from a solitary figure to having friends, family, and a lover. Her personality develops more and more with each book. She is still scared but she is learning how to trust in herself and others. Though still learning of her gifts and background, she now better understands from where she has come from and what is expected from her. Finally reunited with the love of her life but bound to a man who holds her life in his hands, Cicely again finds herself crippled by past decisions.
Grieve and Lannan are the two men who are integral parts of Cicely’s life. Grieve, Fae Prince of Summer, has been a part of Cicely’s life since she was a little girl. Past installments show us that they are actually old souls who cheated death and found a way to reunite. Grieve’s love for Cicely is a physical entity. Their chemistry burns the pages with each small moment they are able to steal. With every word Grieve speaks, with every gesture he makes, you know he will do anything to be with her. Lannan, on the other hand is a distasteful, yet fascinating mixture of anger and cruelty. A sado masochist, he was able to trick Cicely into signing a contract with the Crimson Court and in doing so, now essentially owns her. He is seductively cruel in his demands of Cicely, celebrating the pain and humiliation he brings to her. His feelings for her have grown from tolerance to obsession and he is dangerously close to destroying them both. What I truly enjoyed in here was the solid support Cicely has at her back in regards to Lannan. When she first signed the contract, she was pretty much on her own. Now with her father, Grieve, and the other renegades in the war against Myst standing with her, Lannan soon learns that he may hold her contract, but there are bigger, badder entities than him who claim Cicely as their own and won’t hesitate to remove him permanently from the equation if need be.
The cast of supporting characters are a vivid and dynamic group. Each one fully capable of holding their own story. I like that each have distinct, separate personalities and substories; ensuring they are never overwhelmed by our protagonists. The main conflict of the story is a whirlwind of intrigue, tension, and action as Cicely struggles to save Summer and find away to defeat Myst.
If you enjoy noir urban fantasy that stretches all your boundaries, then Yasmine Galenorn is the author to buy and her Indigo Court is the series to read. I don’t recommend starting the series here. It has a long reaching arc and each new installment picks up at the end of the last one.
Favorite quote: “There is much to fear in the dark. There are monsters under the bed and in the closet, and now they walk aboard at will.“
Wind witch and owl shifter, Cicely Waters, rescued her lover, Fae Prince Grieve from the Indigo Court, but not before Myst, the Queen Of Winter, turned him. The rescue destroyed Cicely’s alliance with Lainule, the Queen of Summer and destroyed any hope of cooperation from the vampires. Cicely, in desperation, appeals to the Consortium for help.
When the Queen Of Summer begins to fade, Cicely offers to find and bring back Summer’s heartstone. Cicely also has to find a way to change Grieve back and keep Lannan at arms length. As friends turn enemy and enemies become allies, Cicely will find herself standing on the edge of the precipice, her destiny unfolding before her as she fights for all she loves and believes in.
Night Seeker, the third installment of Yasmine Galenorn’s dark and sensual fae fantasy, picks up right where Night Veil left off and blows it all out of the water. Well-plotted and cast with characters that are strong and personable, Night Seeker is filled with taut suspense, delicious betrayal, and dangerous antagonists. I consider Night Seeker the turning point in this series. It’s an emotionally captivating story that throws open the doors of previously unknown and tightly guarded secrets. It doesn’t promise us that everything will be fine but it does give us hope towards the future. A strong storyline with fascinating intertwining subplots drives this story opposed to the last two installments which spent more time laying the foundation of the arc and its key players.
Ms. Galenorn’s exceptional insight into supernatural mythology is readily apparent and her added mixture of new lore produces a stunning urban fantasy world that first starts in Night Veil and continues it’s dark and dangerous journey in here. Instead of being overburdened by over detailed interpretation and world building at the sacrifice of story, or being heavy on story but leaving the world largely undefined, Night Seeker continues the arc’s perfect balance and hits all the right notes. The world building is a perfect blending of carnal passions, electrifying action, realistic characters, and stark betrayal. Well plotted and fast paced, it creates a satisfying development for the main characters and culminates in two very different sort of conflicts – one that threatens the lives of Cicely and Grieve and one that threatens their hearts.
I have loved Cicely Waters since I first met her. Loyal, intelligent, and strong willed- she has made choices that many would balk at making yet she made them without batting an eye. She has a strong moral code that shines against the manipulations of those around her. Born to a drug user with no knowledge of her father, her survival on the streets made her into the warrior we see before us. She has matured so much as a character.. We share an intimate connection with Cicely as her pain, her sorrow, and her triumphs become our own. It has been an exciting ride as we have watched her grow from a solitary figure to having friends, family, and a lover. Her personality develops more and more with each book. She is still scared but she is learning how to trust in herself and others. Though still learning of her gifts and background, she now better understands from where she has come from and what is expected from her. Finally reunited with the love of her life but bound to a man who holds her life in his hands, Cicely again finds herself crippled by past decisions.
Grieve and Lannan are the two men who are integral parts of Cicely’s life. Grieve, Fae Prince of Summer, has been a part of Cicely’s life since she was a little girl. Past installments show us that they are actually old souls who cheated death and found a way to reunite. Grieve’s love for Cicely is a physical entity. Their chemistry burns the pages with each small moment they are able to steal. With every word Grieve speaks, with every gesture he makes, you know he will do anything to be with her. Lannan, on the other hand is a distasteful, yet fascinating mixture of anger and cruelty. A sado masochist, he was able to trick Cicely into signing a contract with the Crimson Court and in doing so, now essentially owns her. He is seductively cruel in his demands of Cicely, celebrating the pain and humiliation he brings to her. His feelings for her have grown from tolerance to obsession and he is dangerously close to destroying them both. What I truly enjoyed in here was the solid support Cicely has at her back in regards to Lannan. When she first signed the contract, she was pretty much on her own. Now with her father, Grieve, and the other renegades in the war against Myst standing with her, Lannan soon learns that he may hold her contract, but there are bigger, badder entities than him who claim Cicely as their own and won’t hesitate to remove him permanently from the equation if need be.
The cast of supporting characters are a vivid and dynamic group. Each one fully capable of holding their own story. I like that each have distinct, separate personalities and substories; ensuring they are never overwhelmed by our protagonists. The main conflict of the story is a whirlwind of intrigue, tension, and action as Cicely struggles to save Summer and find away to defeat Myst.
If you enjoy noir urban fantasy that stretches all your boundaries, then Yasmine Galenorn is the author to buy and her Indigo Court is the series to read. I don’t recommend starting the series here. It has a long reaching arc and each new installment picks up at the end of the last one.
What a mind f*uck. A dark erotic PNR that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between good and evil. No one is who they say, nothing is what it seemWhat a mind f*uck. A dark erotic PNR that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between good and evil. No one is who they say, nothing is what it seems, and everyone has an agenda.
Merged review:
What a mind f*uck. A dark erotic PNR that pushes boundaries and blurs the lines between good and evil. No one is who they say, nothing is what it seems, and everyone has an agenda....more
I thoroughly enjoyed Lane's first and second book and found myself interested in seeing how a featured character would redeem themselves in his story.I thoroughly enjoyed Lane's first and second book and found myself interested in seeing how a featured character would redeem themselves in his story. I think Lane does a good job of addressing the ramifications addiction has on the addicted and those who love them. Injecting a heroine who has their own issues with addiction gave the story an edginess and I liked that she stood her ground and doesn't submit to ideas and suggestions she doesn't want to. I did find the romance a little cold with the focus seemingly more on the sexual components rather than the emotional ones. I felt the push and pull dragged a little too long and I had issues with the hero's dichotomy of not wanting to face his demons yet pushing the heroine to face hers. ...more
Ryan spins off another winner from her best selling Mongomery Ink Series. Whiskey Secrets revolves ard the Collins family. Fans will remember that TabRyan spins off another winner from her best selling Mongomery Ink Series. Whiskey Secrets revolves ard the Collins family. Fans will remember that Tabby Collins from Ink Exposed. Sexy and smoldering, Ryan builds a well-earned romance between two people whose lives have been rocked by tragedies of sorts. Bits of humor surface from additional family members and various external characters. A series of revelations help to push this couple towards their HEA while guaranteeing their healing. I am looking forward to the next Collins sibling to fall-Fox. ...more
Fans have waited breathlessly for this installment in Callihan’s steamy and emotionally deep VIP series. Rich in sensory detail and boldly unapologetiFans have waited breathlessly for this installment in Callihan’s steamy and emotionally deep VIP series. Rich in sensory detail and boldly unapologetic, in Fall, Callihan tackles the serious issues of mental health, self-harm, depression, and abuse with compassion and a heavy dose of common sense while building a romance that brims with laughter and heart. Jax aka John Blackwell, lead singer for the band Kill John, has stood out throughout the series as his suicide attempt was the catalyst that flattened the emotional barriers of the other band members. Love, laughter, heartbreak, forgiveness, and healing are the themes of this love story that revolves around two people who have been essentially used and abandoned by those who should have known better. Strong narrative and compelling scenes keep the story moving at a steady base, allowing readers an intimate look at fame, family, and the demands placed by both. Stella and Jax are a delightful couple to watch fall into love though it is only the beginning of their journey towards happiness. Though some may find it triggering, Fall gives a seeming honest portrayal of life with depression and the trials and triumphs that can be had by all.
Jax is back in New York though he is still feeling off-kilter as his best friend is out of the country and he is soon to be trapped by a raging blizzard. A trip to the local market for supplies ends in stolen ice cream and a kiss that sets his soul on fire. Luckily, fate steps in and gives him a name to match the kissing ice cream stealing bandit-Stella. Stella is shocked when her inherited apartment goes condo and she is being kicked out with nowhere to go. Fate steps in again to offer her a job house sitting in a posh Manhatten condo that just happens to be next door to the stranger she kissed on a whim. As Stella and Jax spend more time together, the flames of their attraction build into something deeper and more addictive. But for two people who don’t believe in love or forever, falling for each other may take more trust than either can give.
Once again Patricia Briggs brings her A-game when Charles Anna are forced to defend the pack from a dangerous threat determined to destroy them all. BOnce again Patricia Briggs brings her A-game when Charles Anna are forced to defend the pack from a dangerous threat determined to destroy them all. Bold, unapologetic, and brimming with action and suspense, Burn Bright blows open some long-simmering storylines as it propels the arc to new fantastical heights.
Favorite Quote: “You named your cats after Charlie’s Angels?”
“They don’t fight crime. They mostly just shed, eat, nap and make me feel inferior.”
Reviewed by Tori
Johnny Gamble is a well-known mechanic/gas station owner in Matlock, KY whose ex-girlfriend who left him three years ago. Johnny shut down after that, becoming distant, indifferent, and unemotional. Meeting Izzy is the first spark of light the town has seen from him since Shandra left and they aren’t sure whether to be happy or upset the “legend” coming to an end.
Eliza “Izzy “ Forrester recently moved to Matlock to escape an abusive ex. Smart and sexy with a whimsical style and an inner innocence that shines all around her, Izzy charms most everyone that meets her. Content with her life as it is, Izzy is pleasantly surprised when a surprise trip to the local watering hole introduces her to a sexy man who presses all her buttons.
Johnny takes Izzy home and they share a hookup that has Izzy floating on air. That is until she hears the local gossip and learns that all she’ll ever have of Johnny is his body because his heart is already taken. When Johnny’s ex-reappears, looking for a second chance, Izzy walks away to make Johnny’s choice easier. Only, Johnny isn’t ready to let her go. Especially when he learns why she moved here.
As Johnny slips further into Izzy’s life and heart, the danger Izzy fears would follow her to Matlock may be closer then she thinks. And may not have anything to do with Izzy at all.
The Hookup is the first in a new series-Moonlight and Motor Oil-based on a pair of wealthy alphas and the women who tame them. Set in the small town of Matlock, KY, the premise is classic Ashley. An overprotective quiet alpha whose heart was trampled meets and reluctantly falls for a sweet and sassy woman whose innocence and joy of life helps to glue his broken heart back together. Family, redemption, loyalty, and second chances are the themes on which this story is built as Johnny learns to love again while Izzy learns she is worth loving.
The beginning reminded me a little of Complicated. A random hookup feels a little too serious so the hero pulls away due to a previous relationship. In here though, Johnny isn’t as big an arse as Hix was. He realizes his mistake almost instantly and goes after her. From here on out, it becomes its own story as Johnny and Izzy work towards their HEA as they try to convince the town, family, and friends that they are the real deal. Fron there though, the similarities end. The Hookup is very low key and exceptionally chatty; we spend a majority of the book watching our couple have sex and get to know one another. The secondary cast is introduced, giving Izzy and Johnny a personable posse of friends and family who pop in and out as Ashley uses them to introduce the conflict(s) to come and to create some mild drama and background to this couple’s journey.
I admit to getting more bored as I got further into the story. There isn’t much happening beyond Ashley telling us just how awesome and perfect Izzy is and watching Johnny fall deeper in love. Lots of explicit sex but very little depth. I wanted more interaction with the town and its residents. More of Izzy and Johnny doing mundane things that had nothing to do with their relationship. I felt there was no Izzy and no Johnny -only Izzy AND Johnny. Nothing serious happens until the very end and even that is resolved with minimal fuss. After the deliciousness of Complicated, I have to say this hookup was disappointing.
Feehan’s latest adventure revolves around a Russian outlaw Motorcycle Club who has settled right outside of Sea Haven in a small town called Casper. If you are familiar with her Sea Haven Sisters series, you will recognize this group from the last book-Bound Together. In Bound Together, we learn that president of the Torpedo Ink MC, Viktor Prakenskii, aka Czar, married and abandoned Blythe Daniels in order to finally take care of the human trafficking ring once and for all. He comes back five years later, they find their HEA, and the MC settles down to start building a life and heal. Like the Sea Haven series, this series is based on a group of people who call each other family and are tied together by blood, pain, and survival. Kidnapped as children, they are trained to be the ultimate assassins. Upon escaping and eventually destroying the school and those who hurt them, the group formed an MC and are now attempting to live free.Though not into drugs, guns, and woman like most clubs, this club does operate outside the law as mercenaries/vigilantes for hire.
Reaper, an enforcer for the club, is one of the most dangerous members. Also one of the more damaged. He has suffered things that no one, not his fellow brothers/sisters or even his president know about. He needs complete control and hates being touched. He truly believes he has no soul; that he is dead inside. The latest hire at Torpedo Ink sends him into a spiral as he struggles to understand the raging need that blasts through him, breaking all his control.
Anya Rafferty is on the run and is lucky enough to secure a post with the Torpedo Inc MC. Raised on the streets and shuttled between shelters as her mother chased her drug habit, Anya knows how things can change in the blink of an eye. Always prepared, she just wants to a place to feel safe but in the deepest recess of her heart, she wants to settle down and build a family. The MC could be her new family but the one they call Reaper doesn’t want her around. As Anya struggles to find her place, she and Reaper start down a dark and dangerous path filled with pain, love, loss, revenge, and redemption.
Judgement Road is an emotionally dense storyline filled with action-packed mystery, suspense, intrigue, and an erotic based romance. It is a dark story and I would be remiss in not warning readers of the explicit scenes of violence and mentions of sexual assault and torture. Strong plotting and the conversational style narrative helps to combat the somewhat weak characterization. Feehan does a good job of introducing us to the protagonists and integrating their backstories into the narrative. The paranormal aspects are far more subtle but they are apparent as you go deeper into the story (they appear are more instinctual in nature). Feehan takes her time building the tension of the main conflict, allowing us to participate in the story as we follow the MC into the fray. The various other MCs and the common denominator that brings them together offers readers the excitement and suspense we expect from her series. The barely civilized manner they all possess just adds to the sense of danger and anticipation.
The romance balances nicely against the main conflict. While it has a definite strong foothold with multiple explicit sex scenes, there are enough everyday scenes and various subplots that serve as nice counterpoints. It doesn’t overwhelm. Feehan digs deep into Reaper’s issues and does not offer Anya or their falling in love as an instant cure-all. Allowing them to spend time together helps them both to learn to trust and fall in love but we aren’t ever fooled into thinking Reaper is cured. Anya and Reaper aren’t an easy couple and there were some scenes that made me question whether they would make or if they even should. This is established almost from the beginning. Reaper is dangerous and Anya is not all that safe with him. Though Reaper is dominant to the point of offensiveness at times, Anya is more than able to handle herself against him and knows when to bend and when to break bad.
The ending comes at you hard, wrapping up the main conflict while opening the door for much more to come. I’m looking forward to each of the members getting their HEA. There is seventeen total (2 down-15 to go) so that tells us this series will be quite a few books. I foresee a couple threesomes. ;) Future plotlines and a possible romantic connection already in the works is touched upon in though it’s not going to be an easy ride for any of them. Now, I won’t lie and say there weren’t some issues. On three separate occasions, Feehan uses almost the same setup and descriptive terms to open a scene featuring the two female members of the MC. Some of Reaper’s and the MC’s actions left a nasty taste in my mouth but at least Feehan explains the reasons behind it and it’s not mere lip service.
Regardless, I enjoyed this new venture and fans of Feehan are sure to enjoy also.
The world has undergone an environmental disaster, humanity is becoming more technologically dependent, and TX is its own separate entity. Two young lovers are separated by lies and end up on the opposite sides of a war (I think). Angela is a continental senator and the war minister. Her goal is to help re-elect her mentor as the president-no matter what it takes. His control over her life from childhood has warped her to some degree. Kellon has loved Angela all his life but she sent him away and he never forgave her for that. Years later, a series of circumstances bring them back together to save the world.
I’m not even sure how to describe this book. It somehow managed to overwhelm and underwhelm at the same time. We are buried in technologic terms with a world too weak to support it. Our two leads are polar opposites and while that should guarantee a nice tension-filled reconnection romance, I felt almost no chemistry between them. Angela goes from cold and methodical to sex-starved and clingy while Kellen’s “good old boy” persona grew tedious. We are told he is an outlaw but I don’t see much rebellion in this story. Clunky dialogue and random scene/character placement left me trying to hurry towards the end. It’s only once I figure out exactly what was going on was my interest snagged, but by then, it was too late. I was at the end and relieved to be done....more
I picked up Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine from Amazon’s Kindle First program. I am a fan of Caine’s paranormal works and was interested in seeing hoI picked up Stillhouse Lake by Rachel Caine from Amazon’s Kindle First program. I am a fan of Caine’s paranormal works and was interested in seeing how she handled straight fiction. I was thoroughly hooked from page one.
A mother reinvents her whole life in order to protect her kids when she discovers her husband is a serial killer. Caine does an excellent job of keeping readers on edge with this psychological and suspenseful thriller as she digs deep into the life of Gina/Gwen who must not only deal with that fact that she lived and loved a serial killer but that she and her kids have now lost their freedom because of him. Caine brings out the dark side of the internet, showing us how intrusive and crazy it can be and how hard it is to hide from its users. We grow as paranoid as Gwen when she begins to receive threatening letters and a body is discovered in the lake. A body who bears a striking resemblance to her ex-husband’s victims.
The pacing is steady, the narrative dynamic, and the characters bold in their quests. A mildly ambiguous ending resolves the main conflict though it leaves an opening for book two....more
Favorite Quote: “I know who you are… Who you really are.”
Five teenagers…
The St. Jude’s Home for Court Placed Juveniles is a nightmare run by an abusive pastor and his wife. Five teenagers try to band together for protection and safety. Carissa, the youngest and non-verbal. Rose, alone and pregnant. Simon, one mistake away from losing everything. Beth, a rich girl who is there for unknown reasons, and Tommy, the boy who loves her.
One deadly secret…
The only good part of living at St. Jude’s for Tommy is Beth and his love for her. When he and Beth are caught making out at school and a teacher tells the Pastor, it puts everyone in danger. Tommy is used to the beatings but when Beth is singled out for punishment, Tommy can’t sit back and let it happen.
A debt owed…
A single act seals their fate in the blood. When a mysterious man shows up, they are given one shot at freedom. The price? They owe a debt to him. And when he commands, they will come.
The Debt is a roller coaster ride as we are taken on a journey through a foster home run by a sadistic pastor and his equally cruel wife. Children are placed there for various reasons and struggle to stay healthy and alive until they are free. Fans of O’Keefe’s Bad Boy Romance series may notice some familiar names in here as this story is set in the same world. I can;t WAIT to see where O’Keefe runs with this. I do want to add a warning that this may trigger some as there is abuse, violence, and sexual assault.
As always, O’Keefe doesn’t hold back as she gives readers a front row seat to the dark and gritty edges life has to offer. O’Keefe offers no promises as she slowly peels back the layers to show us the truth and the price some pay for it. Though this novella is only fifty-two pages long, it reads like a full-length novel with a strong emotional storyline, intriguing characters, and a suspense-filled conflict. I was wiped by the end; completely wore out from the emotional avalanche I experienced while reading.
Heavily character driven, the story is told from alternating points of view. The dispassionate voices of these teenagers hits home far harder than if they were colored in fear and/or anger. O’Keefe does an excellent job setting the scene for the next book-Lost Without You-one of two full-length novels that make up the series. We are only given the bare bones of why these kids are in foster care but the overall feeling is they are victims of fate or bad parenting. We see the extreme length they are forced to go to and the price they have to pay.
This quick dark read is hard in the heart but necessary to understand the journey these kids will take in the future. I wholeheartedly recommend M O’Keefe’s The Debt and am looking forward to book two which releases June 19th. The Debt is currently being offered for free for a limited time. If you miss this deal, I am told this title will be included with book two.
An emotional erotic story that digs in deep and doesn't let go.
By Her Touch by Adriana Anders is book two in her Blank Canvas series and in my opinioAn emotional erotic story that digs in deep and doesn't let go.
By Her Touch by Adriana Anders is book two in her Blank Canvas series and in my opinion better written than book one. Just as emotionally erotic, I really felt Anders goes above and beyond with her in-depth characterization of both hero and heroine, the joint background reveals, and the verbalization of their pain, and their individual issues with intimacy. The hint of mystery and suspense only adds to the appeal. A sure fire winner....more
Jackson Paige AKA Jax Pain. Drummer of the up and coming metal band- Manix Curse. Jackson shocked to see his old lover Originally posted at SmexyBooks
Jackson Paige AKA Jax Pain. Drummer of the up and coming metal band- Manix Curse. Jackson shocked to see his old lover walk through the door of his tattoo shop after he left her with no explanation five years earlier and never looked back. Time hasn’t dulled his feelings for her and he wants back in her life but once she hears his reasons for leaving, she may be the one this time who leaves and never looks back.
Jami Dillon. A contract attorney who always follows the rules. She never expected to see her greatest heartbreak when she comes looking for her younger brother, Mason, concerned over some of the choices he’s making in his life (book one-Beautiful Crazy). She is stronger this time around but still hiding some pretty deep scars. She can’t/won’t allow Jax to break her heart again…because this time she won’t survive it.
I was really looking forward to reading this installment after reading book one, Beautiful Crazy, and briefly meeting our leads. Second chance romances with an opposite attraction trope and buoyed by some serious undertones? Sign. Me. Up. Unfortunately, what should be an emotionally complicated and extremely sexy romance struggles under the weight of too many tropes, an underdeveloped storyline, repetitive dialogue, and two characters who romance I didn’t buy.
The beginning starts off on a high note as our hero and heroine run into one another for the first time in five years. It’s deliciously tense scene with plenty of sexually fueled anger and shock. We learn that Jackson and Jami were fellow law students and lovers. Jackson lets us know right off that he left her one night without so much as a goodbye and that she deserved it. And you believe it because Jami comes off rather snobbish in her attitude and dialogue. Right away Lane sets up the dichotomy between this couple- giving more credence to Jackson’s claims. Jami is so uptight and rigid while Jackson seems to go with the flow. Jami followed her parent’s demands and became an attorney while Jackson grabbed his dreams with both hands and is a talented artist and musician. I liked the tone of this couple and was ready to see how Lane was going to break them and then put them back together whole.
Their next meeting is at Jami’s brother’s engagement party and that’s the beginning of where the story started to fail for me. Jackson and Jami have an interlude in the guest bedroom and while it was H.O.T. as all get out, it felt manipulative. Jami doesn’t say boo to Jackson over his disappearance five years ago but we are suppose to believe she will fall into bed with him a few days after seeing him again?
From there the relationship picks back up with Jackson and Jami bobbing and weaving; unsure if this was the route they wanted to take again. It made me nervous too. We really don’t get to see what they were like previously nor do we get to see the fallout so I never got a good feel for how they were compared to now. Also, while the chemistry between them is smoking -Jackson is quite the bossy boy with the dirty mouth- I was more weary of what kept the attraction alive for five years of no contact and how easily it was for them to fall back into it.
Jami and Jason’s reconnection is littered with numerous pitfalls. Jami is a control freak who lacks self-confidence and self-esteem due to her parents’ constant emotional attacks on her. They really are awful people. She develops some coping mechanisms but they aren’t healthy. Jackson also suffers from some self-esteem issues. When we learn exactly why Jackson left Jami five years ago, it explains some things but also makes him look like a huge arse and I lost respect for him. Lane does an admirable job of facilitating communication between Jami and Jackson over Jami’s many issues but they seem to rehash the same things over and over with no real insight or resolution. Lane truly misses an opportunity to dig in and extract more from both characters. As it was, they stay pretty much one dimensional and boring.
I did enjoy seeing some familiar faces from Beautiful Crazy. Kelvin and Mason are still crazy in love and the band is on its way to stardom. Mason and Jami have a wonderfully close sibling connection and their interactions are where she seems to really shine. Lane gives just enough interaction with various other the secondary characters to ensure fans there is more Rock and Ink to come.
Beautiful Mess suffers from the dreaded sophomore slump and is sadly not of the same quality as the first book in the series. It does have a solid base, strong writing, and plenty of potential so I hope this was just an anomaly and book three brings back quality I know Lane is capable of.
I picked this up on a whim after hearing Grace Draven lavish praise upon it. Thoroughly enjoyed. A well written pnr with just the right amt of darknesI picked this up on a whim after hearing Grace Draven lavish praise upon it. Thoroughly enjoyed. A well written pnr with just the right amt of darkness and humor.
Favorite Quote: “Sometimes you have to pass the pain around in order to survive it.”
Fifteen-year-old Lane Roanoke didn’t know much about her mother’s family except her mother likened the Roanoke legacy to a nightmare you can never escape from. When her mother commits suicide, leaving a note begging forgiveness for not being able to wait, Lane is sent to live with her grandparents on the family farm in Osage Flats, Kansas.
Upon arrival, she meets her high-strung cousin, Allegra, her loving grandfather, and her standoffish grandmother. Accepted into the family with open arms, Lane soaks up the love offered and blossoms. But the undercurrents that flow through the house doesn’t escape Lane’s notice. And when Lane discovers the truth, she runs as far and fast as she can.
Eleven years later, Lane receives a call from her grandfather. Her cousin has disappeared and he wants Lane to come home and help find her. Lane doesn’t want to come home but she knows she needs to face old ghosts and make amends if she wants to completely free herself from the past and have a future.
The Roanoke Girls is an evocative tale of abuse, survival, and forgiveness. It tells of a family’s insidious legacy and it’s devastating consequences through the voice of a young woman who attempts to break the cycle. Slow and steady, Lane’s conversational style narrative flashes between the past and the present and tells her story in mixture of defiance, anger, and hints of longing that haunts you
“Roanoke girls never last long around here. In the end, we either run or we die.”
The story opens with a glimpse into the past, revealing the big secret almost right away, announcing it with no warning and walking away. It remains this huge elephant in the room that everyone knows about but doesn’t talk about through much of the book. The story moves forward, focusing on Lane, Allegra, and their grandfather, the fateful summer they spent together, and the catalyst that ripped them all apart. We are shown the astronomical dysfunction in this family and the coping mechanisms that Lane and Allegra unconsciously adopt to handle the confusion and turmoil in their lives. It is heartbreaking and uncomfortable to watch unfold; made more so once you realize the level of sickness involved and the efforts of those around to normalize it.
“Sometimes people who love us can still hurt us.”
Lane and Allegra are two intelligent, brilliant, and flawed individuals who don’t exactly endear themselves to you. They are cracked pieces of glass that cut and slice while you wait for them to shatter into a million pieces. As teenagers, they embraced being “the rich and beautiful Roanoke Girls” and accepted the tributes they felt due them without any thoughts to the cost. A small but potent romance only serves to intensify the pain as you watch an older and wiser Lane try to discover what happened to Allegra. Bits and pieces of hers and Allegra’s lives are slowly exposed like a raw nerve. You experience each twist and turn on the emotional roller coaster they were riding and learn the heavy price they paid for their decisions.
Guilt, I’m discovering, is an emotion that’s almost impossible to kill.
This story stayed with me long after I finished as I tried to sort out my feelings about it. Engel brings to the forefront some sensitive subjects with no excuses or attempts to sensationalize in order to add drama to the story. She streamlines the storyline, choosing to lay out the events in a brisk economical manner, making each discovery so much more shocking because of the lack of artifice and drama. We are given an intimate look into the personality of a narcissistic predator and the way they are able to manipulate their victims; using love and affection to excuse their behavior.
The Roanoke Girls was certainly not what I was expecting and for that I’m glad. I look forward to reading more Engel in the future.
Gilded Cage is the first in Vic James dystopian fantasy series based on a world that is controlled by the magically elite who require the commoners to serve them for ten years of their lives. Hints of romance flavor this story as James sets up a complicated and heavily character integrated world. The premise is certainly interesting. Who doesn’t get a bit of a chill when presented by what looks to be a David and Goliath type of story? The enslaved will rise up with the help of an unknown source to topple the autocratic ruling body. Hell to the yeah! The strong writing and solid base shines through but the sheer enormity of the storyline with its many many layers, and varied characters who are involved is overwhelming. It felt like I was hearing one million voices all trying to make me understand what was happening at once. While I appreciated the efforts James extends to personalize this world, showing us both sides of the coin so to speak, I admit I just couldn’t find the connection to any of the characters. No one stood out for me. No one screamed champion. No one looked to be my David. The ending left me a little peeved as I felt as though I just finished an excruciating race only to be told this was only the first leg of my journey. My questions left unanswered were legion. Interesting to an extent, the story just tried do too much to the detriment of my enjoyment....more