Author Archives: karenjvjohnson

Unknown's avatar

Betrayed: Days of the Rogue

by

betrayed days of the rogueBetrayed: Days of the Rogue (Law of the Lycans #4)
by Nicky Charles

 

I started reading this story and was pulled in because it had an interesting premise. I like when you have a paranormal species who is doing something just a bit different then you may be used to them doing. I happen to love shifters of any type and these are some great Lycans, written in such a way that you can’t help but be interested in what they are involved in. The dialogue is good for the characters and fits the personalities of each as they have been described. There was no drag or slow moments to bog down the story so it just kept up the momentum and carried you along. This made you think and that is something that every good book should do, there should be a reason for you to become engaged with the characters, and that was the case here. I wanted to know what the mystery was and who was involved because I had pegged it wrong a couple of times.

Fae are being murdered and it appears that these murders are being committed by rogue wolves, though no one can figure out why. The rogues in question always end up dead or horribly injured and unable to speak about what happened. There are multiple factions who would like to see not only the Fae be wiped out but any and all non-shifters. Lycan Link was established to not only protect Lycans but also to aid the Fae, Human-Lycan hybrids, and any other combinations that exist from harm. They are not doing such a great job lately and seem to have traitors in their midst.

Eve is an artist who had been told as a child that she was part Fae, though she did not really believe it. As she got older she completely dismissed the idea until she started being assaulted by the emotions of all the people around her. Because of her awakening gifts she decides to go into the country where she can try to get control of her ability without the distraction of others. But her landlord is a good looking man who seems to dislike her, but she cannot read him and in a way it draws her to him. Rafe is a Lycan/Fae mix and a psychologist who has come to this small town and bought the fishing cabins to restore in order to get over a recent trauma. He did not plan on finding a woman or starting a relationship, but it seems he has no choice in it. Then there is Damien, an ex-enforcer for Lycan Link who has gone rogue. Why has he shown up in the area and what is his agenda? Is he there to kill Eve or is it merely a coincidence?

Good story, great characters, enough steam to satisfy! If you have a thing for conspiracies, betrayal, revenge, and serious manipulation then this may be for you.

 

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Masterson was at the top of the most wanted list. A onetime Enforcer, a member of the ACS, an elite squad trained to deal with Purists and rescue persecuted halves, Damien was probably more highly skilled than almost any Lycan Link employee. Some of the cases he’d worked on with his partner, Reno Smith, were now textbook material. Unfortunately, when his mate and unborn child had been killed, the man had gone rogue, somehow escaping the infirmary and had now been living on the lam for the past eighteen months.

 

 

 

 

Unknown's avatar

Zombie Tales

by

zombie tales 205Zombie Tales: Primrose Court Apt. 205
by Robert DeCoteau

This is one of three short stories set in the Primrose Court apartment complex. The story centers on a man with agoraphobia who has not left his apartment for ten year. We get his full background and the story of why he ended up there, and how he feels about his neighbors. What you do not have is any amount of zombies here really. Only on the last few pages do you get even a glimpse of zombie action.

If you want a tale of zombies running around eating people, do not read this. On the other hand if you like a narrative with limited carnage you may enjoy it.

All the books have a few chapters from the book “Don of the Living Dead” which is set in the same locale. They can be seen as a lead in to the major story. These books can be read in any order but I would say start here because it introduces you to the next characters you will meet.

 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

 

zombie tales 305Zombie Tales: Primrose Court Apt. 305
by Robert DeCoteau

 

Ok, this time I knew what was coming. The story here centers around a couple, their marital problems and how they play out. You have the same lack of zombies until the end of the story but a nice bit of karmic justice. There is not a lot to say about this since it has no major scenes of carnage or zombie rampage.

The story is good for what it is.

 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

 

zombie tales 502Zombie Tales: Primrose Court Apt. 502
by Robert DeCoteau

I liked this story more than the others because Tommy seemed so sympathetic. This placed you more directly into the world of the novel and gave a view of the start of the zombie onslaught from above. I say enjoy the short and go for the main event. I think it may be interesting to read the full length book.

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

 

Unknown's avatar

The Lost Journals of Private Kenji Yoshida Part 1 & 2

by

the lost journal of private kenji yoshidaThe Lost Journal of Private Kenji Yoshida (Secret Apocalypse #1.5)
by James Harden

 

This was a nice short read that leads you into what caused the tragedy in Australia in the first place as well as letting you get to know one of the main characters from the Secret Apocalypse series. The story flows forward giving you information enough to understand what is going on. The language works for the character and the situations that he is in. This is not an adrenaline rush type of thing but more of a gradual build with a narrative that overlays all.

Kenji Yoshida was shipped off to military school by his parents and because he was so angry he did not say goodbye to the girl he had feelings for. He runs away from the school and joins the Marines even though he is underage and becomes a marksman. Having been deployed when he returns he has trouble adjusting and the doctor suggests that he keep a journal so that he does not continue to internalize his feelings. That journal details his deployments and the final deployment to Australia to help at an immigration center. What he learns there spurs him to go and find Rebecca and warn her about what is happening.

I’m not going to say it’s riveting but it’s like being in the mind of someone while they debate with themselves. A nice addition to the series.

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Dear Rebecca. I’m sorry I left. I was an idiot. I should’ve told you. I miss you. Please forgive me. Do you want to get some pizza?

 

 

the lost journal of private kenji yoshida part two
by James Harden

 

Private Kenji Yoshida continues his adventures in Australia with Jack and Maria since he was able to get Rachel to safety outside the country. This is simply the journal entries he made after Rachel and Kim escaped but before she made her reappearance in the country. It is actually pretty nice since it fills in some of the questions that I had when reading the novels.

They are trying to evade the hoards of zombies which are running the streets of Sydney as well as the military troops who have been tasked with containing the contagion. Unfortunately that means killing everyone they see without checking to see if they are infected. The main goal of this trio is to get Maria to safety because she is special and possibly could save them all.

This is a good series and definitely takes you to places that no other has ever done. The Secret Apocalypse series has a young cast but they are very good at this survival thing.

 

My rating: 3 of 5 stars

 

Unknown's avatar

Lichgates

by

lichgates  Lichgates (The Grimoire Saga #1)
by S.M. Boyce

It took me a while to get into the story, it was dragging just a bit as it was in the midst of introducing the main character. As the characters started to take on more dimension the story picked up momentum as well. The story flows perfectly and makes sense as you learn the history of the people and the place they live in.

Kara Magari is a college student who has lost her mother and while out hiking in an area she thought she knew comes across a gazebo that looks into another world. Because she wants to forget her sorrows she continues into and through that gazebo with the words Lichgate written on it. What she finds on the other side is a world nothing like her own and a new destiny that could kill her if she is not careful.

Braeden Drakonin is Prince and heir to the Stele, an evil kingdom that prefers torture to diplomacy. He ran away from what was expected of him and is trying to be a good man. His destiny becomes entwined with the girl from another world who may be able to save them all. He has looked for the Grimoire for twelve years and it falls into the hands of an outsider, but he can still stay close to it.

If you like fantasy similar to that of The Lord of the Rings or Eragon then this will likely be for you. Even if it’s not a favorite genre you will still enjoy it for the story itself.

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

 

 

 

Unknown's avatar

Bell, Book, and Sandals

by

bell,book, and sandals  Bell, Book, and Sandals (Maxie Duncan #1)
by Melissa L. Webb

 

This was a fun little story with a girl who was annoying but seemed to grow a bit. The characters were fairly real to life because I really disliked Maxie when she started acting all stuck up and that type of dislike is reserved for someone I can relate to. The story got me interested and kept me interested to the very end with a few twists I did not see coming.

Maxie is a little rich girl who thought she was going to have the perfect little rich life. Then her fiancée dumps her just weeks before their wedding for a nobody girl named Sunday. Unhappy and just wanting to get away she runs to Hollywood thinking that she can become an actress, even though she has never acted a day in her life, and that she will become famous. Well, that is not the case and she ends up having to actually work for the first time in her life. She is lucky enough to find someone who offers her a place to live and a job.

When she meets Ryan, a real movie star and starts a relationship with him she starts to turn her back on the people who took her in and helped her. Thinking that she is meant for better things than simply working for a living. But there are things she does not know about Ryan or herself for that matter. When she finds out things are going to change in ways she could not have seen.

I got into this story and the characters and was hoping for more, but have been unable to find the next book.

 

 

My rating: 4 f 5 Stars

 

 

Unknown's avatar

A Shiver of Light

by

a shiver of light

A Shiver of Light (Merry Gentry #9)

I have been waiting for the continuation of this story since the last book ended and I think it was worth it. People complain about how descriptive LKH is about everything in her books, but this is not a short story and so I want to know what’s going on with everything I can. This is about creating a scene that is visual and brings you into the story itself, that is what happens here, you cannot help but be pulled in because you know what the setting is so well. It has been five (5) years and I was happy to have the men described to me in minute detail, it gave me a thrill to sit back and see them again after so long. I love this series and the characters who populate it. They are like friends who have been on vacation only to come back for a visit that is not nearly long enough.

Merry is very heavy with child and about to deliver any day, she cannot find out who the father or fathers are until then. That is both a good thing and bad thing since Taranis, the King of Light and Illusion and Merry’s uncle is claiming that he is the father of one or all of her babies from his rape of her. Though she was pregnant when he raped her, he is delusional and believes she consented and was grateful for his rescue. It’s hard enough becoming a parent without having your crazy, powerful uncle trying to claim them and you as a prize.

With everything else that is going on Merry is finding herself being taken to those who carry her nail around their necks as a talisman. She has become a kind of deity to them though she refuses the title. She and the men she love are all waiting for the children but are also dreading the fight they know they will face in order to stay safe and keep their children safe from harm.

This book was a lot more tame than any of those before it as far as violence and sex. With the coming of the babies things have been toned down for the time being. There is happiness, love, lust, pride, loss, and redemption to be found between the pages of this book. If you love or even like the work of LKH you will be happy with this entry. I just hope it is not the last we will be hearing from Princess Meredith Nic Essus and those gorgeous men she loves.

 

 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

She frowned at me. “It’s not about hate, Meredith, it’s about practicality. You asked how to frighten Taranis; well, I’m telling you how to do that. If you don’t want my help, then do not ask for it; it is most irritating to suggest things and watch you make that face.” “I wasn’t aware I was making a face, Aunt Andais; I will try to school my expression better from now on.” “And there you go again, that tone in your voice, never a word out of place, but your tone says, clearly, ‘You are a fucking psycho bitch and I hate you.’”

Unknown's avatar

Blood Guilt

by

blood guilt

Blood Guilt (Blood Hunters #1)

This was a new to me author and I am really glad I took a chance to try someone new. I was pulled in because I found the cover art to be interesting and after reading the blurb it seemed like a fit. While I was not instantly into the story it did not take long for me to find myself falling into the narrative. The Hunters here were different from some of the others I had read about but were still familiar. I liked that the location was not in the U.S. or some other regular locale, that gave a little more edge for me since I had to work to visualize, also a good thing since it just drew me in more. I liked the characters from the start because I could feel who they were and what they were about right away, it made me care. There are multiple points of view instead of just one person so you can track the story.

Michaela has been a hunter for most of her life, ever since they rescued her after her family was killed by a vampire in their home. As a result she hates all vampires regardless of what they may do that is not murderous, including saving her from certain death. Maximilian is a vampire with an unsavory past of betrayal and power grabbing. He exiled himself hundreds of years ago for his part in the overthrow of his friend and mentor Saloman, but has recently surfaced as Saloman attempts to forge an alliance with the Hunters for the betterment of all.

While Saloman attempts to keep his agenda on track with the Hunters and they are more or less cooperating, someone else has plans that would kill millions of people and bring civilization under the hand of a few deluded vampires. Michaela and Maximilian find out about the plan by accident but plan to thwart it at all costs, particularly since they are trying to use a young boy to amplify their efforts.

This book had a lot of good stuff with good fights, hot sex, betrayals, and stinging revelations. Definitely worth reading and continuing on.

 

 

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

 

Maximilian had shown her that vampires could suffer. Well, he wasn’t the only one. It was Ferdinand’s suffering that made her believe him, and she had no time to analyze the tragic truth behind the relationship that had formed with such apparently explosive spontaneity between herself and Maximilian.

Unknown's avatar

Karibu Heat

by

karibu heat

Karibu Heat

I am giving this 4.5 stars because I really liked the story even if I didn’t have all the background (my fault for reading the sequel first). Though they did give a very good recap of the circumstances that brought them all to the Karibu Resort. I actually liked all the characters here as they were introduced, everyone had their own little quirks and attitudes, which made them more interesting. The story was simple and flowed well so that you always knew what was going on. The language works for the people and the situation and is appropriate.

Jager Manning follows Anjelee Montrose to the Karibu Resort after she has attempted to blackmail his client with the intention of making sure she goes to jail upon her return to the states. Anjelee for her part does not believe that he has any right to be following her, even though she had signed a contract saying she would never disclose or attempt to extort his client again, she lied. Then there is Keefer who is there with Anjelee and has no idea what she has gotten herself into, he loves her but will not tell her for fear of rejection. When these three finally come together it is an instant ignition of heat regardless of the situation before them. The question is can Jager remain impartial when he finds himself wanting to be a part of this threesome or will he complete his job like he has sworn too.

This is a fun and wild read that seems to have no holds barred as these three get sun and fun in a paradise of nudity and anything goes sex. Be warned there are scenes of mfm, mf, mmf, and mm. If you cannot take that much heat avoid it, but if you like some heat with your story go for it.

 

 

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

 

“And you’re going to tell me that reason right now. But before you do, let me explain to you the way I’m seeing it. You want me, I want you and we both want him. So…what do you say we come up with a plan to make us all happy?”

Unknown's avatar

Odyssey

by

odyssey

Odyssey (The Academy #5)

This grabbed me and made me lose sleep over the past few days because I did not want to put it down. Jack McDevitt is a master of creating a world with people you cannot help but admire and situations that are tense and filled with anticipation.

I love this series along with all it’s permutations because each is a little different but essentially the same. In space you cannot know what to expect and this brings the idea home in a solid manner. The science is sometimes accurate and sometimes theorizing but always interesting. I had wanted to be an astronaut and when I read these books I can at least feel like I made it out there.

Read these books for the sheer joy of flying off into the black and being entertained.

 

 

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

 

“Truth, beaten down, may well rise again. But there’s a reason it gets beaten down. Usually we don’t like it very much.”
― Jack McDevitt, Odyssey

Unknown's avatar

Black Lion’s Bride

by

black lion's bride

Black Lion’s Bride (Warrior #2)

I was pulled into this story from the very beginning with a premise that took us out of the usual locale in England and to the deserts of the Middle East. I had already fallen partially in love with Sebastian Montborne in the first book in this series, but it was locked in with his appearance here. I have never been a big fan of  historical romance but I find myself loving these for some reason, though it is probably because they make me feel like a part of the action. I get a chance to know the people and come to care about them and the world they inhabit. The characters both new and old are very well written and make you feel that you would like to know them.

The Crusades have been raging and Sebastian of Montborne has ridden and fought with King Richard while his brother remains at Montborne looking after the estate. In the desert port of Ascalon near Jerusalem. King Richard has set up his encampment as they rally for their march on Jerusalem to take the city for their church. In the hills surrounding them is a guild of assassins who have sworn to kill all the infidels in their lands, but they really would like to kill Richard, feeling this will make the others less likely to stay in their country. To this end they are plotting to get an assassin within striking distance of him.

Zahirah has been taught to hate the Franks who have come to her land in order to bring their religion and wipe out the faith of those who have for centuries resided in these desert lands. Viewing them as no more than crude animals with no morals she is more than willing to kill in order to keep what they have. But while it is always easy to judge people from afar when she finds herself surrounded by these people and one man in particular it becomes harder to hate them and easier to see where they are more alike than different.

I knew what was coming for some of the story but there were a lot more twists and surprises than I was ready for. I really liked Zahirah because even though she was a bit of a villian, she was able to grow and see what was right and important. I had hoped that I would also get to see something of what had happened with Griffin and Isabel since they are the reason that I have found myself so wrapped up in this series. I laughed a bit, cried a bit, and was mad at all at one point or another but was very happy that things worked out the way I wanted in the end.

If you want a romance that is star crossed and seems unlikely then this is the story for you. I recommend to anyone who loves some historical accuracy with their intense romance. Hot enough to make you blush but tame enough for a beginner. Enjoy!

 

 

 

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

 

“I need to get out of here at once, Halim. The captain has already voiced his suspicions that the chase through the souk may have been some sort of trap. It won’t be long before he starts to wonder how I might fit into the puzzle.” “Then you must take steps to ensure that his suspicions do not focus on you,” Halim answered pointedly. “He is a man of some youth and virility from what I have seen; I doubt he’d refuse you. It should not require much to keep him distracted from your true purpose, even for a girl of your limited skills.”