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
Favorite Quote: “It was good to be free. Good to be home.”
As Lyonesse is slowly being destroyed, it’s ruler, King Oberon, sleeps deep within his palacFavorite Quote: “It was good to be free. Good to be home.”
As Lyonesse is slowly being destroyed, it’s ruler, King Oberon, sleeps deep within his palace, the victim of an assassination attempt. His only chance at a cure comes in the form of the top Elder Race surgeon, Dr. Katheryn Shaw. When she arrives, her presence awakens him though he is no longer the man he was before. His only means of survival caused his emotions to be stripped from him. Now Katheryn must find a way to not only cure his body but also his soul. Because Queen Isabeau is coming to finish what she started and unless Oberon can come to care about Lyonese and his people again, it will fall forever.
The 3rd story in Harrison’s Moonshadow trilogy gives us King Oberon’s story and the final conclusion to the war between the Fae Courts. Set in the same world as her Elder Races series, the focus here is on the Fae demesnes and the ongoing war. Easily read as a standalone, you do not have to read the Elder Races to enjoy though I do recommend starting with book one of this trilogy-Moonshadow. If you have been following the series, you will remember that Oberon had vanished and Lyonesse has been shut off from the world by the Light Queen’s Hound-Morgan le Fae. Those who managed to escape are seen in book one, rallying for help while book two deals with Morgan Le Fae and his battle to escape Isabeau’s control.
Fans of the Elder Races, especially Dragos, will definitely love King Oberon (King of the Daoine Sidhe) who exhibits the same sense of power, arrogance, and all-encompassing passion. As old as Dragos, Oberon was celebrating the Winter Solace when Morgan le Fae bespelled him. Oberon was forced to put himself into a coma to save his life and the lives of those around him. Unfortunately, when he went to sleep, his power went unchecked and the city became a frozen tomb. When he realizes his domain has been breached, he awakens with a fury, seeking to destroy that which has dared to disturb him.
Pieces of dried fruit lay sprinkled over the trampled crimson-and-gold bedspread like confetti, and there was the sharp, aromatic scent of cheese. Curious, he pawed at a small, overturned tub. As he flipped it over, one of his claws sank into soft butter.
He licked it off as he took in other details. Amid the rubble was a fur-lined cloak and a strange piece of clothing that looked like a formfitting blue coat, and another odd, lightweight sheet of something that looked like metal but was pliable and made of a foreign substance he had never seen before. The interloper had planned a ravishment, and she had brought… snacks?
Dr. Kathyrn Shaw has been a mainstay throughout the Elder Races series. She has saved the day on multiple occasions and her assistance in Moonshadow opened the door to the fight that ends in here. One of the Wyn and trusted by the inner circle surrounding Dragos, she has the moxie and strength to hold her own against the bigger creatures who exist. Intelligent and witty, I found her calm demeanor, crisp mannerisms, and innovative ideas quite amusing as she pits herself against one of the most dangerous creatures in the demesnes.
Silkily, he asked, Cat got your tongue?
Very funny. Her grumpy mental voice sounded much better than her physical voice did. Okay, I apologize. I am so very sorry for what happened—
Come down here and face me properly, or are you too much of a coward to do so? He threw out the challenge carelessly. He had no real expectation she would comply. If they stood face-to-face and she was grounded from flight, he had no doubt he could easily destroy her.And she certainly didn’t seem to be motivated to continue the confrontation on the ground. Instead, she told him in a steady, crisp voice, Oberon, you’re going to die unless you consent to medical treatment.
That voice. That sounded exactly like the voice that had wound through his dreams, interrupting his nightmares of Isabeau. He snapped, I did not give you permission to address me by my name.
She retorted, I don’t really give a shit.
When Kathryn and Oberon come to an “understanding” the real work begins.
Harrison does an excellent job in here of not only expanding on the history and politics of the Fae courts without overburdening us with recaps and unnecessary information while slowly building a romance between two strong-willed people. Warriors who are honor bound to care for those around them. The enormity of their precarious situation is tempered by sharp wit and moments of compassion and sorrow. I love that Kathryn gives Oberon no quarter. She treats him like a patient and slaps him down when he gets a little too autocratic. She has served under Dragos for centuries…Oberon is a piece of cake.
“What other symptoms have you experienced since the attack?” […] I remember having the emotions, but I no longer experience them. In fact, I only feel two things anymore: anger and lust.”
She stopped writing, suddenly inundated with the memory of yesterday’s encounter. The feeling of his mouth moving so urgently over hers as he speared her with his tongue. The delicious sense of weight as he shifted to lie on top of her, and the thick, heavy feeling of his erection pressing against her hip. For one shocking, mindless moment it had been glorious.
His voice sounded softly in her ear, deep and dark as the ocean and rough with the lion’s purr. “But I do feel anger and lust very deeply, Doctor.”
She had gotten so lost in her reverie she hadn’t noticed he had come around to her side of the desk, and she nearly leaped out of her skin. “For crying out loud, Oberon! Back up and give me some personal space!”
She listened to her own exclamation with deep dismay. That was supposed to have come out much more sharply than it had. Instead of sounding disapproving and offended, her voice had sounded as breathless as a gasp.
“Are you sure that’s what you really want?” Callused fingers traced the line of her jaw, down the side of her neck, and lightly pressed against the very spot where he had sucked so hungrily at her pulse. She remembered. Oh, she remembered it all too well. The shadow of his body fell over hers on the desk as he bent over her, and his lips brushed against the sensitive shell of her ear as he whispered, “Or wouldn’t you rather experiment with just how deep and hard my feelings can really go?”
Oberon had her rattled. He knew he did.
But suddenly she laughed, and the bright, carefree sound broke the sensual spell he had begun to weave over them both. “Did you really just say that to me? My lord, that line was bad.”
She wasn’t funny.
Though heavily driven, the strong narrative and steady bites of action and intrigue keep the storyline flowing at a brisk pace. Favorite characters from both series make appearances to this readers delight. I enjoy any interactions with Dragos and the New York demesne, especially when clues are given to what is coming new. We also meet back up with couples from books one and two. I was a little disappointed we did not see Queen Titania and Queen Tricks. As part of the fae demease, it was odd they weren’t a part of this trilogy. I especially loved the scenes with Robin aka Puck. Heartfelt, his journey has been a tough one and everything he went through to save his king was heart wrenching.
Your king is going to die unless something is done for him. Why didn’t you want to bring Annwyn and the troops with us?”
He stamped at the snow desultory. Other than tangling his mane and tail, the wind and the massive cold didn’t seem to affect him at all. “I wanted to judge you for myself while they weren’t around. If you were a threat, I would take care of you.” He looked at her sidelong to see how she took his words.
He might be old, unpredictable, and dangerous, but he had nothing on a cantankerous, bullheaded dragon. She said gently, “You were looking after your king.”
“He told me to guard his place and watch them. A long time ago, Isabeau took me and held me captive for years. I failed him once. I won’t fail him again.”
Lionheart leaves readers happy with it’s firm resolution to the main conflict yet just enough open to allow her back into this world again. As always, Harrison gives readers an adventure overflowing with action, suspense, humor, romance, and just enough tragedy to make the journey unforgettable.
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.
Favorite Quote: “As long as you stay here, you have a home. I’ll never abandon you.”
Hugh d’Ambray has been cut loose by his master and pseudo-father, Favorite Quote: “As long as you stay here, you have a home. I’ll never abandon you.”
Hugh d’Ambray has been cut loose by his master and pseudo-father, Roland. He wallows in the booze until his will to live and need to save his people overrides his death wish. With no money, shelter, or weapons, the Iron Dogs have no hope of surviving the necromancers that are gunning for them. Until his advisor approaches him with a proposition. A marriage of convenience to one they call the White Lady.
Elara Harper just wants to keep her people safe. Caught between a rock and a hard place, Elara knows there is a war coming and they are right in the middle of it. She needs help and if she has to make a deal with the devil to get one…then so be it.
Hugh needs a home. Elara needs a weapon. And they need to make this relationship as believable as possible if they want to survive what’s coming for them.
Sometimes the devil is in the details.
Iron and Magic, first in the Iron Covenant trilogy, spins off the Kate Daniels series and runs concurrently with book 9 in the KD world-Magic Binds. Hugh d’Ambray has been disavowed by Roland and he and his people are being hunted down and killed by Landon Nez, Roland’s Necromancer. Hugh needs a miracle and it comes in the form of a witch whose own reputation is as sketchy as Hugh’s.
I will be the first to admit I was skeptical when I first heard this story idea. Anyone can write a story of redemption, the trick is not only making the redeeming believable but getting your readers to buy it. Hugh D’Ambray; Preceptor of the Iron Dogs, Warlord of the Builder of Towers, Nemesis to Kate Danials, has to be one of urban fantasy’s top unredeemable men. First seen in book 3-Magic Strikes, he reappears like a bad penny in Magic Rises and Magic Breaks. Rescued by Roland as a child and trained by Voron, Hugh has strength, power, skill, and an unimaginable ego that Kate has repeatedly trampled on. He has committed some unspeakable acts against Kate, Curren, and their friends and his jealousy of Kate and what she represents is what got him in the mess he’s in now.
“You’ve failed me, Hugh. I have no further use for you.”
The prologue offers us a look into Hugh’s backstory. We learn why he worshipped Roland and blindly followed his lead. We see what led to his downfall and then the story begins with how he has chosen to survive. Is this a story of redemption? No. I think it is more of a rebuilding. Hugh d’Ambray has had his entire life ripped from him. He has hit rock bottom and now must crawl up and out of his hole to keep promises he hs made.
“The bottle of moonshine called to him. He didn’t have to turn around to know exactly where it was, tempting him to do what severed limbs did-wither and rot. And while he rotted, his people would die one by one. No. No, he owned Nez a debt. He was Hugh d’Ambray. Preceptor of the Iron Dogs. The Dogs paid their debts.”
Hugh needs a miracle…and her name is Elara Harper.
“Who will I be marrying?” “The White Warlock.” “You want me to marry a man?”
Elara is an Andrews heroine through and through. Strong, bold, opinionated, powerful, kick arse, and untrusting. Considered an abomination by some and a God by others, she is responsible for hundreds and takes that very seriously. Living in an old castle on an estate smack dab between Roland and Kate’s power bases, Elara knows what is coming and knows the humans under her care will not survive these two heavyweights. A witch of unimaginable power, she is the monster under the bed…the bogeyman used to scare little kids into being good. While she does have a moral code of sorts, it revolves around those under her care. She is a wild card in this series and I am more than ready to discover everything about her.
“She had to teach d’Ambray who she was. The White Warlock. Unclean. Cursed. An abomination. They would come to this meeting tables as equals, and if they chose an alliance, she had to make sure they left as equals.”
I loved Hugh and Elara and I appreciated the care taken to develop them as individuals and a couple. I didn’t come into this story expecting Kate and Curren 2.0 and I was pleased care was taken to make sure there would be no mistaking this couple for anyone but themselves. The old saying, “God made then and the Devil matched them,” describes them perfectly. A relationship built on antagonism and lots of snark, I laughed so hard as this couple bickered, threatened, fought, insulted, and demanded concessions from one another. Elara and Hugh are a lot alike in that their loyalty can be deadly and they will do what it takes to survive. This couple will burn down the world and everyone in it who stands between them and their loved ones. No self-sacrifice in their make up.
Their evolution from strangers to friends is slow and well worth the wait. Both have been betrayed by those they cared for; tossed aside and threatened for their gifts. They have…issues and enough baggage to stock a Samsonite store. The sexual tension is quite intense and the one small sex scene is perfect in its resolve to stay true to this couple’s nature.
Some new and some very familiar faces are seen here as Hugh and Elara prepare for Nez and eventually Roland. I enjoyed meeting the Iron Dogs and seeing them as people with their own hopes, dreams, and desires. Elara’s people are just as interesting and look forward to learning more about their own gifts. Though Kate and Curren are referenced multiple times, we don’t see them. This is not their story. Color me surprised when Raphael and Andrea pay an unexpected visit to the castle. We even get a visit from Roland though it did NOT go the way he planned. *fist pump* I can’t wait for Magic Triumphs (Kate Daniels series) and the next book in this series.
I HAVE SO MANY QUESTIONS!!
Once again, Ilona Andrews have used their powers for good and wrote a story that is what Urban Fantasy strives to be. Action packed with intrigue, suspense, adventure, danger, laughter, sadness, and a cast of characters whose energy and spirit drags you right along with them as they prime their swords and sharpen their tongues for the next battle.
When William Moore, a sweet and quiet pro rugby player from America, is discovered to be a voyeur, the tabloids have a field day with him. Labeled a pervert and worse, the team decides some PR is needed and Willam agrees to a live-in companion to help him break his need to watch (consensual) couples having sex. Josey Kavanaugh has just learned her parents have lost their life savings in an investment scheme and have to move…and they don’t want her moving with them. Currently enrolled in school with no job, she goes to live temporarily with her bestie though her natural exuberance leaves a lot to be desired. When she agrees to act as a varlet for Willam, the sparks fly though it will take more than that to convince this couple they are each worth loving.
Humor and sex go hand in hand as Cosway and Reid’s latest adventure in their best-selling Rugby series pits a quiet clean cut rugby player with an obnoxious young woman who is homeless. Awkwardly charming with some intense sexual tension, this delightful no strings sex to romance blends a comedy of errors theme with the serious undertones of kink shaming, fear of commitment, and feelings of inadequacy. A familiar cast of characters offers more laughter and some much-needed advice when this relationship seeps beyond the agreed upon boundaries and each have trouble believing in the other’s intentions.
I absolutely adored William. Quiet and shy, he flies his freak flag high and proud in the bedroom. A bad relationship when he was younger left him unwilling to entertain dating unless he is sure it will lead to something serious. Josey was funny but annoying at the same time. I liked her better in her own story because we were able to see the “why” behind some of her actions. Lack of impulse control is a huge problem of hers. Regardless, she is a good match for him. Loud and socially awkward, she more than learned her lesson about judging people and finds William’s need to watch more a control issue. He sees her social awkwardness as charming and she loves how deeply he feels. My only qualm was Josey’s lack of redemption. Fans may remember Josey from book four when she took it upon herself to make some decisions for her bestie, causing even more problems. Though Eli forgave Josey in book 4, I felt her behavior was glossed over in here.
I cut my historical teeth on Catherine Coulter, Jude Deveraux, and Julie Garwood. Bold overblown covers opened to outrageous conflicts, arrogant heroeI cut my historical teeth on Catherine Coulter, Jude Deveraux, and Julie Garwood. Bold overblown covers opened to outrageous conflicts, arrogant heroes and scheming heroines who were a joy to watch as they banter, demand, placate, and politely argued their way to their happily ever after. Dangerous is a novel that reminded me of why I love historical novels. Witty and full of life, adventure, intrigue, danger, and yummy love scenes, Spencer has built a winner with her hero and heroine. Mia and Adam are so wonderfully different yet they are perfectly matched. An intricate storyline and dynamic characters add to the overall appeal. Also…I HEART THIS COVER SO MUCH!!
Mia is a delightful heroine with a delicious sense of humor, a very strong will, and some extremely forward thoughts towards sex. An older woman who has not had to navigate the tricky waters of the ton, her time spent in the harem taught her how to get what she wants and she absolutely drives those around her insane. Very intelligent, astute, vivacious, and quite stubborn, she listens to those who have authority over her, nodding as if in agreement, and then goes off and does what she wants.
Adam de Courtney is a widower who has suffered multiple betrayals and has a few secrets of his own. Saddled with the moniker The Murderous Marquess, Adam walks on the fringes on society, maintaining an aloof and icy nature as a shield. Watching Adam deal with his attraction to Mia is quite emtional when you realize the reasons he is doing it. His past has left him cold and unable to completely trust anyone.
Their physical attraction is apparent from the beginning-lots of erotically sensual and funny scenes that leaves no doubt these two are sexually attracted to one another. I loved that Mia embraces her sexuality and Adam embraces her free spirit (at least in the bedroom).
Her expert touch sent him into an almost dreamlike state. She skillfully massaged his aching testicles while she stroked, the combination of sensations clearing any residual rational thoughts from his head. And then the wet softness of her mouth closed over him.
A groan tore out of his throat and he had to fight the urge to fist his hands in her hair and ram himself into her. But she didn’t need any assistance from him. She worked him ruthlessly, taking him deeper than he thought possible and bringing him all too quickly to the brink of a shattering orgasm before abruptly stopping. He stared at the canopy with unfocused eyes as a low, sensual laugh rippled from her wicked mouth through his taut body. And then she nipped the sensitive skin of his head and released him, crawling up his body until her head poked out from under the sheet. Adam lifted his head to look at her. She had an insufferably smug look on her face.
“You are so impatient,” she gently chided him, the words a mockery of his own from last night. She wiggled around under the sheet until she’d adjusted herself to her satisfaction, straddling him and sitting up, looming over him.
“Now then, my lord. Have you been wicked?”
Numerous subplots elevate this story too much more than a simple romance. Mia has survived the unimaginable and not only survived but triumphed. She knows she can’t avoid her father’s plans to marry her off but she can manipulate the outcome. She has plans in place and isn’t simply marrying just to escape her father’s heavy hand. She left her son in Africa, fighting his brother for control of their father’s kingdom, and she wants to get back to him and the world she understands and more importantly, understands her.
Adam’s first two wives played him false and he has children whom he is unable to connect with. Rumors concerning the death of his wives have caused the ton to reject him. He has surrendered against their viciousness and can’t help but feel Mia and her father are setting him up for yet another crushing blow. Though Adam comes off as a jerk at times, with is cold arrogance and cutting dialogue, there is a vulnerability there that pinches your heart. He knows his actions are wrong. He learns his lesson when dealing with his bride and repents in ways that leave no doubts to his feelings for her.
“What did I ever do to deserve you, Mia?”
“I don’t know. But I think you should make an effort to show some gratitude.”
“Is that all you think about?”
“Yes.”
“Me too.”
Vivacious secondary characters keep the story fresh and moving along at a steady pace. I can’t wait to read their stories. I have a fondness for “privateers” and Spencer has given us two whose charm, nosiness and hint of narcissism will leave you laughing and waiting for their much-needed comeuppance. Mia’s dad cares more for his social standing then over what the Mia endured, however, she does have an older brother who despite his autocratic ways, does love her and it shows. His attempts to “save her” from marrying Adam are hilarious.
“Mia!” a voice hissed behind her, making her jump. She turned to find her brother, partly hidden by a giant potted palm.
“What the devil are you doing back there, Cian?”
His eyes fixed on something over her shoulder. “Hurry, Mia, before he returns.” He held out his hand, as if she might take it and leap over the settee. “Come away with me now.”
Mia scowled. “Cian—”
“Hurry, he is coming back.”
Mia turned her back on his foolishness. The marquess was walking toward her with two glasses. She raised her fan to her face. “You should leave now, Cian.”
“I am trying to protect you.”
“I don’t need protection. Now, please go.”
The palm fronds rustled. “Mia, dammit.”
Exley stopped in front of her and held out a glass of champagne.
Mia lowered her fan and took the glass. “Thank you, my lord.”
“My pleasure.” He cast a lazy glance over her shoulder. “Are you comfortable behind the sofa, wedged beside that plant, Abermarle, or would you like to sit on the settee? Perhaps between me and your sister?”
I adored Mia’s son even though we don’t truly meet him till the end. Standing on the cusp of manhood, he fluctuates between love and exasperation for his mother and her actions. Their bond is obviously strong and the clues to his story promises much fun.
Plenty of humor intertwines within the story, balancing nicely with the emotional journey of our couple. Spencer’s talents are apparent as she takes two social outcasts and helps them navigate society and their own lives without cheapening the journey or the characters themselves. A powerful voice and a clear cut knowledge of her craft left this reader enchanted from beginning to end. I had a few issues but nothing that ruined the story. Mia becomes a bit obnoxious towards the end and I honestly had the fleeting thought that a valium would do her some good. I also found the conclusion to the issue concerning Adam’s daughters anti-climatic.
As with most romances, our hero and heroine have to run a pretty rough gauntlet in order to overcome their own objections to their being together. Their lack of trust and communication in one is a large part of their problem but time, honesty and love repairs even the most damaged souls. I enjoyed watching this older couple shed all their inhibitions and fears in order to go on the most powerful journey they’ve embarked on…falling in love.
Spencer’s debut makes her an author well worth watching in the future.
Favorite Quote: They might only have a fragment of an instant in time, but he’d make that fragment extraordinary.
Ocean Light is Bowen Knight’s story; the leader of the Human Alliance and one of the leaders in the Trinity Accord. Fans have been expecting his story, straddling the fence and withholding our forgiveness over his past deeds. Bowen had an experimental chip put in that blocks the Psy’s ability to manipulate human minds. However, now the chip is failing and he is living on borrowed time. An assassination attempt essentially kills him but his sister’s uncompromising love sends him deep into the ocean and into the hands of the secretive changeling group, BlackSea. They have the knowledge to potentially save him but certain members dislike humans and want him gone.
Kaia Luna is a member of Blacksea and works as a chef. Her dislike of humans stems from a traumatic event in her past. An event that has chained her to the deepest part of the ocean. Co-opted into helping with Bo’s care, she has no interest in humoring a man whose days are numbered. But the more time she spends with Bo, she discovers a man worth fighting for.
As Kaia and Bo grow closer, fighting for more time together, they discover a hidden tie between the Alliance and BlackSea. Betrayal exists on both sides and when Kaia is caught up in a net of deceit, Bo will do the unimaginable to save her.
Nalini Singh’s paranormal Psy/Changeling series is one of my top ten favorite fantasy series to date. I find myself re-reading the series, welcoming with arms wide open this alternative futuristic earth populated with shifters, humans, and the Psy as they struggle to co-exist. Each new story expands the world, bringing with it nonstop action and suspense that balances nicely with the lush romances and just the right amount of humor. Her brilliant reads remain intoxicating and engaging from the beginning to end as Singh effortlessly builds a relationship between two people not looking for love while engaging in exquisite wordplay and multiple plotlines that fit together like puzzles pieces; eventually letting readers see the big picture.
This series has undergone some changes after a long ongoing arc was settled… to an extent. Season One is now complete and Season Two aka The Trinity series picks up the ongoing storyline while introducing new characters, revisiting old favorites, and expanding on the world. The Trinity Accord offers all three races a chance at peace but there are those who want it all back the way it was and will do whatever it takes to destroy the Accord and all those in it.
Readers will love meeting Kaia and Bo and getting to know them. While Bo is a familiar face, we are used to seeing him only as the head of the Alliance. We have seen occasional glimpses of his flirty self but in here we get the full monty so to speak. Kaia fascinates Bo with her changeling personality and he turns his charm to Defcon 10 in his attempts to get to know her and eventually woo her. They are remarkably alike in their loyalty, compassion, fierce hearts, and willingness to do anything for those they love.
Singh does a fantastic job of blending the suspense of the story with the slow-burning romance and an in-depth look at a very secretive changeling group. I have been very curious about BlackSea since their introduction in Tangle of Need. It’s rare you see water changelings in stories that aren’t merfolk and I love how Singh incorporates all sea life into the BlackSea family. Her imagination is boundless. The storyline starts out slower than usual as Singh weaves her magic, taking her time with BlackSea and building their backstory and Kaia’s. Strongly character drive, the focus is on the romance while interjecting Bo’s medical issues with a subplot concerning the Alliance. It honestly doesn’t pick up till around the 60/65% mark. Singh’s clear and concise writing style leaves little confusion as the individual plotlines begin to merge and the endgame reveals itself. A well developed and personable supporting cast embraces our protagonists, adding to their story while creating their very own. I hope we see more of them in the future. The energetic ending keeps you on edge while a full-bodied epilogue leaves readers satisfied and secure in this couple’s future.
As always, Singh entertains till the very end. I’m looking forward to the 3rd book in Season Two and have my suspicions about who that couple may be. *crosses fingers*
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.
Ramses, Cleopatra, and Egypt come back to life under the deft hand of Anne Rice and her son Christopher Rice as they pen the long-awaited sequel to her best selling paranormal horror novel-The Mummy: Ramses the Damned. Ramses is not so damned anymore as he and his now immortal lover are engaged to be married. Finally content and in love, Ramses, now going by the name of Reginald Ramsey, looks favorably towards his future with Julie but knows deep in his heart that he has not seen the last of Cleopatra, his former queen and lover. A reckoning is coming and it will demand a heavy price for redemption.
If you have not read book one-The Mummy-beware the spoilers.
Fans of book one, The Mummy, will remember Ramses the Great. This former Pharaoh of Egypt, adviser and lover to Cleopatra, and immortal being was awakened by an archaeologist. He sat silent beneath his bandages, watching as the archaeologist was poisoned by his nephew, only come alive when it was about to happen again to the archaeologist’s daughter, Julie Stratford. Chaos and mayhem followed as London goes insane over rumors of curses, mummies, and death so Julie takes Ramses back to Egypt. While in Egypt, Ramses discovers the mummified corpse of Cleopatra and brings her back to life with the same elixir that made him immortal but something goes wrong and she comes back incomplete. Ramses’ desertion of her and the onslaught of changes in the world around her cause Cleopatra to stalk Ramses and his party until an argument sends her fleeing towards death. Though Ramses and Julie believe her dead, we see at the end that Cleopatra is not only alive, but planning her revenge.
The Passion of Cleopatra starts in 3600 BC Jericho and introduces us to Bektaten, a former African Queen and keeper of the immortal elixir. Bektaten was betrayed by her prime minister and lover, Saquos, in his quest for her secrets. Now centuries later, they meet in Jericho and once again he attempts to steal what is not his and soon learns that the ingredients to immortality isn’t the only secret Bektaten has been keeping. We then jump to the present (so to speak) day Cairo and meet up with Cleopatra. Still battling her unpredictable anger, paranoia, and vanishing memories, Cleopatra begins to prepare for her next meeting with Ramses. Ramses, is traveling with Julie and Elliott and experiencing this brave new world.
Surprisingly enough, eighteen years later doesn’t dampen the appeal of this sequel. A small but effective recap along with a strong almost standalone perspective written here almost eliminates the need for you to read The Mummy but I don’t recommend. Told from various points of view, a steady hand and loquacious narrative incorporates various mythologies, giving readers an appealing soap opera style adventure filled with action, suspense, danger, intrigue, and of course, romance. The story does start out slow as the world, characters, and conflicts are set up. Some readers may find the sheer amount of characters and plotlines daunting but once the story takes shape and finds it’s groove, it’s settles considerably.
The introduction of Bektaten and her loyal guards is organic and fits well with the tone of this story. The immortality elixir and it’s evolution is the main topic as the Rices dig deep to create an entire legend around it’s very existence and to explain the reasons behind what is happening to Cleopatra while offering Ramses a chance a redemption for his impetuous actions concerning Cleopatra and how he obtained the elixir in the first place. The lush descriptions and epic scenery is a perfect compliment to the prose that directs the story.
Beloved familiar faces and some new ones decorate the landscape, adding to it with their own tales of love, loss, betrayal, and forgiveness. Elliott, the Earl of Rutherford, is attempting to redeem himself by rebuilding his estate coffers while his son, Alex, tries to move forward after losing the love of his life. A new acquaintance, Sybil Parker, adds to the mysticism and magic of the story while Ramses and Julie try to help everyone they can but in the end, they to must accept some losses to the little family they have built. I want to add that everyone who read The Mummy will be pleased to see Julie FINALLY stops crying at the drop of a hat.
I feel hesitant to do more then touch on the romance because it is not as visible as it was in book one and it really is only an element in the story. Emotionally, Ramses and Julie are stronger than ever in there love but if you are looking for explicit love scenes, you will not find them in here. I do like that Elliott is given a chance at his own happiness but again, it is only touched upon in here.
The ending gives readers a comfortable stopping point while allowing for more to come should the Rices choose to continue. The Passion of Cleopatra is a fine sequel that more than satisfied. My only issue worth mentioning is the repetitiveness of certain descriptors. We are bombarded throughout the book about the blue eyes and the famed hunger suffered by immortals. Regardless, those who have been waiting for this sequel will be pleased to finally get the rest of the story.
Once a year, the Empire requires the local villages to send a young woman to burned alive for the amusement of the Emperor and his queen. One village Once a year, the Empire requires the local villages to send a young woman to burned alive for the amusement of the Emperor and his queen. One village has sent the same young woman for five years; a young woman whose magic protects everyone in her village. Only this year, something has changed. Azarion, the Empire’s most famous gladiator and the son of a chieftain is determined to escape his slavery and reclaim his birthright. But he needs Gilene and will use whatever possible to get her help. Now on the run, Azarion and Gilene will overcome extreme obstacles to get what has been taken from them. But in the end, in order to be free, Gilene will have to burn one more time.
Grave Draven’ lyrical voice soars in her latest fantasy endeavor filled with love, loss, retribution, and redemption. Emotionally plump and mastery written, Draven creates seemingly impossible odds for our protags to overcome and overcome they do, using their wits and skills. Told from dual POVS, the narrative expands the story, creating a rich sense of intimacy that gives readers insight into Azarion’s ingrained hero complex and the growing resentment Gilene feels as she is once again forced into a situation beyond her control. A slight power imbalance only sweetens the pot as Draven weaves in dark themes that are used to build this compelling world and character dynamics. A rich slow burn romance kept this reader on edge as Draven takes her time building the embers of friendship and trust into a burning inferno that inflames the mind, body, and soul. Though the main conflict is resolved to satisfaction, Draven leaves enough open to easily usher us into book two, title and release date to be announced. Once again Draven proves she is on her way to becoming a force to be reckoned with in the arena of high fantasy romance.
Jack King. a former homicide detective turned security expert, is a Harlequin alpha through and through; the quiet hero with a dark past riddled in anger, bitterness, and betrayal. Driven out of his hometown of Pine Lake, TX, by the town’s false accusations of murder, he’s come back 15 years later after receiving some odd phone calls from his former high school buddies who hint that some of the details behind the death of his high school girlfriend aren’t exactly true. Especially when he learns that she kept some secrets from him.
Upon his arrival, he is instantly embroiled in another murder that takes him back down memory lane and has him viewing the town with prejudicial eyes. His discovery of the body also reintroduces him to Olive Belmont, the cousin of his former best friend, Nathan. She is all grown up and the local high school principal. Olive has a habit of sleepwalking which is how she ends up at the scene of the murder. Jack saves her life and Olive’s former teenage crush roars to the surface. Only, this Jack is nothing like the old Jack and that scares Olive. However, she doesn’t feel he is guilty of anything and vows o help him clear his name for good and discover the truth.
Jack’s investigation into both deaths and the attempts on his and Olive’s life leads him into the town’s seedy drug culture and the ties that bind it to some of the city’s top residents. As Jack grows closer to discovering the truth, he also grows close to Olive. But unless Jack can let go of the past, he may not have a future to embrace.
As a fan of Amanda Stevens Graveyard series I was intrigued when I learned she had written a nonparanormal romance suspense for Harlequin Intrigue. Set in the small town of Pine Lake, TX, Stevens uses her sharp writing skills to build an atmospheric mystery that has ties to the past and present when a young woman’s murder mimics another murder from 15 years ago. Dark and descriptive, this story has all the elements of a classic who dun with a brooding alpha hero, a slightly damaged heroine, and a slew of suspects and motives all converging together in a sleepy little southern small town with a long memory. The storylines straightforward reveal blends well with the solid suspense-filled mystery. A steady pace and engaging narrative serve to keep the reader guessing as Steven’s expertly juggles multiple plotlines while she fans the flames of Jack and Olive’s attraction. Some may be disappointed by the low key romance but I found it provided nice fodder for the story’s much stronger mystery elements.
The storyline’s straightforward reveal blends well with the solid suspense-filled mystery. A steady pace and engaging narrative serve to keep the reader guessing as Steven’s expertly juggles multiple plotlines while she fans the flames of Jack and Olive’s attraction. Some may be disappointed by the low key romance but I found it provided nice fodder for the story’s much stronger mystery elements.
The ending wasn’t a surprise (I had guessed who the villains were) but their motive was and I commend Steven’s for her clever little manipulations and subterfuge. Though a definite deviation from Steven’s usual fare, Pine Lake is an enjoyable bit of escapism for fans who enjoy a mystery that keeps them guessing.
Favorite Quote: Being worshipped was a double-edged sword.
Deacon is one of the few original Riders left and their leader. A self-contained aloof man with a secret bloody past that comes back to haunt him when he is called to a murder scene. Forced to reveal all his secrets, he begins to see that his inability to accept and move beyond his past has inadvertently caused a rift between him and the Riders. Only Ana, the new recruit, sees past the walls he’s erected to the real man beneath.
What begins as an itch to scratch becomes a joining of souls when Ana and Deacon fall deeper than either planned. But when Deacon’s old crew comes calling, demanding payment for his supposed betrayal, Deacon has a plan to deal with them once and for all. He just needs to convince Ana and the Riders not to follow him into Hell.
Kit Rocha takes us back into Sector One and gives us unfettered access into the lives of those who choose to protect the Sector and the Rios family-the infamous Riders. A skilled set of soldiers whose religion has conditioned them to believe that their purpose in life is sacrificing themselves for the greater good. However, the Riders are going through some growing pains after the war with Eden that resulted in the loss of 30 men. Gideon has solidified himself as the leader of Sector One and the Riders. He seeks not only to make this group less kamikaze in nature but he has also opened the elite group to females. Though part of a series, this book can be read comfortably as a standalone. A spin off of their best selling Beyond series, Rocha does a light recap to help bring you up to speed.
Indulging ourselves into the history of the Riders and interacting with them on a personal level helps readers to understand the ideology behind Sector One, the Riders, and our hero and heroine. It also helps to reinforce that the individuality of each Sector and their residents. While I certainly enjoyed the eroticism of Sector Four, I find I don’t miss it so much in here though that’s not to say the loves scenes aren’t sensual in their own right. Sector One is essentially a religious cult whose residents all work for and worship the Rios family. While exploring one’s sexuality is certainly encouraged, marriage is the endgame (for most) with polygamy and multi-gender relationships the norm.
Ana and Deacon are interesting characters and very much alike despite their age difference. Intelligent, loyal, protective, and skilled, both have chips on their shoulders that affect their everyday lives. Deacon has a past that, unlike the rest of the Riders, didn’t originate in Sector One. He has seen and done things that he regrets and is unable to forgive himself for. Ana’s demons revolve around her father’s legacy and her need to constantly prove to herself as a Rider and her uneasiness at what messages she may be sending to future female Riders. Every day she unconsciously waits for someone to tell her she doesn’t belong and make her leave.
The balance of the romance with the external conflict surrounding the Riders was a little off kilter. Everything felt rushed and too simplistic for the issues surrounding this couple and the team. Ana and Deacon share a moment and suddenly they are a couple. I felt like I missed some crucial moment in their evolution from team mates to declarations of love. The emergence of the Suicide Kings and their association with Deacon is very interesting but I wish we would have divulged deeper into their background and Deacon’s time with them. It’s all very low-key.
Witty informative narrative and a steady pace keep the story moving along as Rocha introduces more characters to further expand this world. Ana’s aunts are delightful and Gideon’s sister Maricela continues to reveal herself as more complex than originally thought. Excited to see my fav O’Kane couple make a cameo appearance along with a surprise character who I hope spends more time in Sector One. This invigorating and personable secondary cast provides depth and continuity in the arc. Complex by design, we see that everyone has their own agenda and the rules are long gone. Allies and enemies alike are climbing out of the rubble of Eden, looking for footholds to regain what they lost.
The ending is an explosive affair that resolves the main conflict while opening multiple storylines as it sets up what looks to be the main arc for this series. Overall, Deacon is a quiet romance that celebrates life, love, and new beginnings. I’m looking forward to reading about the next Rider to fall-Ivan-release date to be announced.
Favorite Quote: “I was broken, and broken again, until I became someone else…”
Morgan le Fae, the Light Fae Queen’s Captain of the Hounds, is a man who has gone by many names. Kingmaker. Sorcerer. Advisor. Bard. Merlin. The power behind the rise of King Arthur and Camelot, he was devastated when Isabeau, Queen of the Light Fae, and her consort, Modred, murdered his boy, stole Avalon, and placed him under a geas that demands total obedience. Having spent centuries emotionally cold and barren, he is shocked by the cyclone of emotions that whirl through him when he stumbles upon a musician whose music speaks directly to his soul.
Sidonie Martel, a very talented and famous musician, finds herself at the mercy of the Light Court when she is kidnapped and given as a tribute to the queen. Unable to hold her temper at her despicable treatment by the fae, she insults the queen and pays a terrible price. With no magical ability or even knowledge of where she is at, Sidonie is a prisoner with no means of escaping. She is grateful and soon very intrigued by the mysterious man who comes to her in the middle of the night with food, water, and healing.
Using her wits, Sidonie gains an audience with the Queen and a chance at survival if she is able to amaze the court with her playing. As Sidonie and her mystery man find themselves growing closer and giving into the passion flowing between them, a pair of unlikely allies offer this couple a slim chance at escape. But Morgan’s gaes can only be broken upon death…he just has to make sure it’s not his.
Spellbinder is the 2nd book in Thea Harrison’s Moonshadow trilogy. Set in the same world as her Elder Races series, the focus here is on the Fae demesnes and the ongoing war between the Light and Dark Court. Set in the UK, Harrison further expands on the ongoing Fae storyline, making use of some interesting mythology and legends. Easily read as a standalone, you do not have to read the Elder Races to enjoy though I do recommend starting with Moonshadow.
Spellbinder is a dark paranormal romance with an ambiguous and engrossing storyline that is the perfect blend of romance, intrigue, danger, suspense, adventure, and of course, magic. The fantastical world building, complex characterization, and dynamic narrative is further enhanced by Harrison’s inclusion of Merlin and the legends surrounding his disappearance after Arthur fell. I felt it really gave the story an energetic boost.
The story opens with Morgan Le Fae presenting himself to his Queen after his rousing defeat In Moonshadow. Terribly wounded, Morgan takes Isabeau’s order to heart that she doesn’t want to see him again till he is fully healed and disappears before she can circumvent that order with a new one. The nature of his geas is exact. He is forced to do what Isabeau’s says to a tee unless he can avoid hearing her order. He hides away to heal and to continue his research on how to break the geas when he stumbles upon a flyer for a concert. He attends and is mesmerized by the oung woman playing. Angry over the power she unconsciously wielded over him, he buys tickets to the rest of her concerts and follows her across the UK.
“The first strains raced after each other, like hawks lunging through the air…and all his emotional distance shredded. He didn’t welcome it. Part of him went into shock. That part of him hated it, hated her for doing it to him.
When he learns she has been kidnapped and taken to Avalon, he sneaks back over and is horrified to learn the extent of her torture. He places both their lives in danger by helping her survive and with each passing day, he falls more in love with her.
… he fell into her as inexorably as Icarus, who had flown too close to the sun.
I was very curious to see how Harrison would redeem Morgan. To recap, Morgan has been Isabeau’s enforcer for centuries. Insane and deadly, Isabeau has used Morgan’s magic against all the fae, especially the Dark Court. Harrison humanizes Morgan for us by creating an intimate connection with him and he goes from villian to hero pretty quick. We learn he is as much a victim as Sidonie. His aggression against the various Courts and the Wyrs are through no fault of his own and he suffers daily for everything he has done. His choices were taken from him a very long time ago. He burns for the chance at freedom and revenge for himself and those he lost but despairs at ever getting it.
He still felt passion, but long ago his passion had turned dark and tinged with crimson. It had died down to a single thread, a burning desire to destroy those who had laid waste to his homeland and had enslaved him. That had become his mission in life.
Harrison builds the perfect match for Morgan with Sidonie. Intelligent, strong, forthright, and clever, Sidonie is the bright star he never knew he needed. A child prodigy, music is both Sidonie’s freedom and prison. A lifetime of practicing and tours has left her socially awkward and OCD. She is most comfortable on stage or in her apartment. Her world is completely turned upside down by her kidnapping and torture. For the first time she is faced with her own mortality and it is eye-opening. Especially when she learns she is nothing more than a pawn in a much larger game.
“You’re perfect. You’re so perfect I couldn’t have found a better weapon if I had tried.”
Sidonie adapts as best she can, pushing aside her innate shyness as she grows stronger, bolder, and more educated to her circumstances. She also becomes a bit bloodthirsty which I thoroughly approved of.
“I want to rip her face off.”
Morgan and Sidonie’s connection is a powerful force felt from the beginning allows them to flourish and heal, even in their dire circumstances. The first time Morgan enters Sidonie’s cell, his need to protect and defend is brought roaring to the surface. He gives everything he has to her, over and over and over again, until she is able to stand on her own. Unable to give way his feelings for her another due to Isabeau’s jealous nature, their love becomes even more precious with each and every stolen moment.
“…taking his revenge against Isabeau and Modred was no longer enough. Destroying them for the sake of all the people Isabeau and Modred had killed so long ago was no longer enough. Now he was fighting for Sidonie’s sake.”
The intense and violent tinged storyline stays insulated around the protagonists and the setting. Harrison offers little in world building, choosing instead to elevate the characters, though she does firmly connect the series to the Elder Races with a cameo or two. Some dry humor helps to offset the darker nature of the storyline. The climax of the story is heart-wrenching but everyone knows every great love story must have its grand moment and Harrison pulls out all the stops for this one.
She became the music. She was the story, the vibration. She became the story of love, the notes written in kisses and caresses on her skin. She felt the symphony, the swelling highs in the lifts, and the terrible lows in the falls, and hope was the cruelest note of all, the devastation that came afterward, utterly intolerable.
Spellbinder is a swoon worthy romance that gives a man with no future the chance at a love for the ages. Harrison continues to enthrall readers with her larger than life characters and intense storylines that take readers on the paranormal adventure of a lifetime.
Favorite Quote: “I won’t judge you for your coffee choices.”
When Sol DuMont asks his brother Alex to be his best man at his wedding to socialite Adrianna (Rain) Barrington, Alex is at a loss as to why but reluctantly agrees. Alex and Sol are like oil and water; Alex is uptight, devout, serious, and regimented in his professional and personal life while Sol is…Sol. Alex figures he can keep from killing Sol for a week before heading back to Dallas and his life.
Theresa Ivarson is Rain’s best friend, maid of honor, practicing Catholic, and professional photojournalist. She flies into New Orleans with the intention of celebrating her bestie’s nuptials only to discover she and the best man are tasked with sorting out all the wedding details after the wedding planner sells them to a tabloid then is hit by a bus; leaving them in a lurch.
Alex and Theresa’s relationship starts out on a rocky note and only goes downhill from there, and being forced to work together doesn’t help matters. When Alex finds himself torn between his attraction to Theresa and his faith, he will have to make a decision before he loses everything.
Thea deSalle continues to delight and entertains their readers with their strong and unapologetic characters who grab onto life and all it has to offer with both hands. Lively and erotic, I enjoy the energy that flows through this series. That being said, the couple in here didn’t enchant me as much as the first two did. The story takes place in a week’s time, causing the romance to feel rushed and the characterization under developed to a certain point. deSalle only scratches the surface of this couple’s potential, giving us the bare bones and using sex and manufactured drama to push forward their agenda.
Alex DuMont is a dye in the wool Catholic whose intense faith and strict lifestyle helped him cope when his father passed away but is also used as an avoidance tactic. He broke up with his long time girlfriend and quit medical school after she let him know in no uncertain terms that his problems weren’t hers. The youngest of three boys, he is easily wound up and repeatedly puts his foot in his mouth with everyone he comes into contact with. I like that he is different from the other man we have met in here. deSalle does an excellent job of diversifying her characters in personality to ensure we aren’t inundated with the same person over and over.
If I click my heels three times, do I get to go home? No, I’m not that lucky
Theresa is also a devout Catholic though she has a better balance between her life and her faith than Alex does. Born into a large family, Theresa had a wonderful childhood and grew into a well-adjusted adult with a fulfilling career. Engaged to be married, she broke it off when she fiancee was cheating on her. His repeated apologies lost their meaning after evidence of all his affairs came to life one after another. Theresa, like all deSalle’s heroines, is strong, opinionated, and more than aware of her self-worth. She tries to understand Alex’s issues but refuses to allow him to lay his issues at her feet.
“I don’t want anyone watching out for my soul. I watch out for my soul, and that has to be okay. It’s nonnegotiable, Alex. You make decisions for you and your soul. I make decisions for mine.”
The sparks fly when Theresa and Alex meet. Similar in all the ways that matter, their chemistry is a combustible and heady mixture that explodes in all the best ways. No squishing this time around. I enjoyed the path deSalle takes in helping Alex find a comfortable balance between his spiritual and sexual love. Religion and sex are touchy subjects but often go hand in hand and it’s nice to see more authors embracing it in romance. This couple has no issues in the bedroom and deSalle has a gift for writing steamy intense scenes that reveal organically.
We fit so well together, she and I. We’re a matched pair….it’s been so long and she’s so perfect. My God, if this is wrong, I never want to be right.
Alex sees the potential for so much with her but screws up left and right as he attempts to wrangle his sexual attraction to her under control. Theresa has no idea of the intensity of Alex’s internal turmoil and thinks that she’s to blame for his hot and cold attitude. Both Theresa and Alex have been hurt by those they thought they loved, fracturing their trust. They used their faith to help them through the pain only Alex seems to take his religion more at face value. His anger and rigidness speaks of intense past trauma yet nothing in his background reveals that-his father’s death aside. His brother Nash, a very interesting figure, helps Alex see that God end game is our happiness. That bothered me a little. The impression given is Alex has been in a crisis of faith for years yet all it took was one conversation with his brother to help him sort it out?
“There’s only so much God’s going to do for you, my man. He helps those who help themselves.”
What helps to save this story for me is the inclusion of the secondary characters and storylines. Sol and Rain’s attempts to get their wedding back on track are hilarious, aided by cameos from Maddie, Darren, and various other familiar faces. I enjoyed meeting Nash DuMont, Rain’s brothers, and various friends. The humor flows freely and with the effervescence of expensive champagne as everyone pitches in to help get the engaged couple married and offers advice to Alex and Theresa as they struggle to move over the speed bumps Alex keep putting up.
“Are you alright? Do I have to kick him? I will, you know. Right in the dingdong. Hos before bros. Bro-in-laws. Whatever.”
The Lady of Royale Street certainly entertains though the main storyline and those involved was rushed. Especially at the end. While deSalle convinces me of the sexual attraction of Theresa and Alex, she never fully develops them for me and never convinces me of the romance or why they fell in love. I am looking forward to reading more in this series in the future. I hope Nash DeMont’s story is next.