Author Archives: karenjvjohnson

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Submit By Treaty

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25654012

Submit By Treaty (Qui Treaty Collection #4)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

 

I find myself totally absorbed into these books and wanting more and more to keep participating in the lives of the people involved. The characters continue to keep my interest because they have such emotional depth to them which brings out their personalities. I love the fact that while you know the human and the alien will submit to the other in one way or another it is never an easy transition, giving us a look at how individuals find their way to understanding each other. The language continues to work for the characters and conveys their feelings and emotions effortlessly.

After locating and rescuing Raiss Tyrone, Commander Meseri is happy to have him on board as she attempts to capture his friend and team-mate Zeus Windsor. Zeus has been on a killing spree since getting away from his captors and is considered extremely dangerous. Even with the help of Raiss it is not easy to subdue Zeus who has become mentally unstable while being held and tortured by the K’lahn and then the Surashan.

Lieutenant Zeus Windsor was once in line for the British throne, though way down the list, but is a good soldier who has been broken by his captivity. When he finds himself on a ship with ‘lizards’ he is very leery of what is going on, even though they say they are taking him home. He is so damaged after hearing his friends be tortured that he is even unable to interact with Raiss. Meseri finally is the only one who can find to help him break out of the insanity which he has been living with. But what will they find as they break down the barriers in his mind which seem to have been built so tightly?

There is so much more going on in the background of these seeming love matches. Why are they so drawn to each other? Is the Qui Empress willing to honor the agreement she made with earth, even if they are trying to double cross her? Is war on the horizon? There are a lot of questions being raised and I am going to keep reading so I can get my answers. This is good science fiction and erotic romance together.

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Angel 6.0: Pursuit

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25653845

Angel 6.0: Pursuit (Angel 6.0 #4)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was another great entry in the life of a girl who cannot seem to catch a break no matter what her situation. The story continues to build on itself bringing more and more complexity to the characters and to the world that they are living in. The tone can be fun and light at times making you laugh or just smile,it can then become dark, or very hot. I like the way it flows from situation to situation with surprises laid out as things progress.

Angel is less than thrilled to be returning to Gran space, though she is happy to see her royal friends on her return. What she finds is that in the short time she has been away Prince Rollick has grown and is moving out of his adolescence, and has decided that he wants Angel as more than a friend. She has decided to play matchmaker for two people who she is fond of and would like to see happy. But this is Angel and no matter what she does the universe seems to be against her ever finding a moment of happiness.

I have said it before and will say it again, this is a really great series! I love the fact that the characters continue to evolve both emotionally and intellectually. The heat level is high but does not interfere with the story and keeps me wanting more. I want to know what happens to Angel because I have come to really her, she feels what every woman feels over their lives at one point or another, that they are too different to be loved or nothing more than a freak. I am looking forward to the next installment!!

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It

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13506334

It

by Stephen King (Goodreads Author), Steven Weber (Narrator)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have read this book 4 times and enjoyed it every one of those times. This reading was different because I got to hear it in a different way. Steven Weber did a great job of conveying the feelings of the children and the menace that was projected by It in all Its guises. The book is epic in how it handles the fright of the kids, the disintegration of their safe world, and how they handle something that would drive an adult crazy. There are also some low-key references that a true fan of Stephen King novels will pick up on more readily when listened to it.

In the summer of 1958 seven children were drawn together by an evil that had festered in their town long before they were born. Each of them had experienced a frightening apparition that they could not explain and did not want to believe was real. People, kids are dying or disappearing and nobody knows what is happening.

Fast forward 27 years and those seven kids are now adults and being called back to finish what they started. But can they really best a creature that has only been truly seen by children or are they going to their deaths.

What more can be said other than I love this and while it is not super scary, it is creepy, and disturbing on a lot of levels.

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Divided

by

21457590

Divided (Brides of the Kindred #10)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I have been in love with this series from the very beginning and it just continues to get better. While each story has a different couple or trio, you are still able to check in with the couples that started it. The story is always interesting with an element of danger or something to be overcome in order for our people to get together. The planets that are visited are well constructed and fit in with what you would expect to find out in the big black of space. Cultures that are different but in many ways similar to ours make it easy to feel for what happens with them. And everything always moves forward and creates more story to follow.

Truth and Far are Twin Kindred who were separated at birth and grew up without their other half, something that is bad for this type of Kindred. While Far was raised on Twin Moons by an adoptive family he was still alone, without his brother or other real family. On the other side of the galaxy Truth was being raised on Pax in a society that frowned on everything that he and his father were. Far finds his brother but is disappointed when he does not seem to care for him or want a connection.

Becca stumbled into the middle of these two after eating a piece of bonding fruit cake at Kat’s wedding to her twin warriors. When she has an experience with the Truth and Far in the Sacred Grove she decides that she cannot take her vows to become a nun. Because of her upbringing she wants to choose between the brothers not realizing that she is doing harm to them by making it easy for them to stay apart. When they share a vision of the unmated males and a threat to the mother ship they must work together to keep it from happening. In the process they find that being together may be what they all need.

Another great book that gave plenty of tense moments where anything could have happened. There are some very hot encounters between our reluctant trio that made me wish I could participate. You cannot go wrong with the Kindred, these warriors are everything you could possibly want. Start with Claimed and read on through.

“Kat sighed. “Well, the first thing you’re going to need to do is keep in contact with both of them. Touch them a lot—and I do mean a lot—or you’re going to start getting sick.” “What? But I can’t,” Becca protested. “That’s what got me into this in the first place. And besides, every time I touch them, especially together, I keep wanting to…to…” She broke off, blushing. “Get down and dirty again?” Kat said sympathetically. “Yeah, I get it. Your body wants the full bonding experience. In fact, that’s probably what you ought to do.” “I don’t want to,” Becca said stubbornly. “I mean, Truth is on board with it and Far has always wanted the three of us together. But what happens when I have to tell my parents?” “Ask yourself this—who would you rather spend the rest of your life with?” Kat said. “Your parents or your guys? If you’d really rather move back home and never see Truth and Far again…” “No, I…” Becca put a hand to her throat. “I couldn’t. That…that would be awful.” “See?” Kat said. “Your heart knows who to choose even if your brain doesn’t.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Divided Evangeline Anderson
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Score

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19275240

Score (St. Martin Family Saga: Whiskey Cove #1)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is my first book by this author and so I am pleasantly surprised to find that I have once again picked someone who speaks to me. This was a story with more than just a heat level, it had a social conscience as well and used it to perfection. When you can educate and entertain in one forum I am all for it, as long as the balance is maintained well. The characters are realistic and full of life, making them more accessible as someone you might know or be willing to hang with in your world as well as theirs.

Chloe Mills has loved/hated Caleb St. Martin since they were children and he treated her so badly with all his tricks and barbs. The last person she would expect to hook-up with would be him, even after a drunken night in Vegas, but never say never. Chloe wakes up after a night out in a seedy motel with the neighbor from hell naked next to her, and she cannot seem to remember how they got there.

Caleb/Cal has known Chloe all their lives and knows exactly how she feels about him, and she has good reason. He does not feel bad about their night together and has changed from the boy who tormented her into a man who may want to have a life with her. The problem is she has not forgotten his cruelty and may never forgive him for his boyhood stupidity.

This starts the stories of the St. Martin brothers who are gorgeous, hot, alpha males who have more women than they can handle, then the one walks into their lives. Loved this because it was also about raising awareness on ALS, a disease that does not always get enough of the spotlight. But do not think it was not also a very hot and sexy read. I would take any one of these brothers at the drop of a hat! Definitely worth the time.

“He bent his head as if meaning to kiss her, but stopped short. With his mouth hovering over hers, he said, “I want you.” Chloe gasped and her chest rose and fell rapidly. She whispered, “I want you too, but I need you to be clear on something.” Her voice was determined, and Cal was disoriented as he was yanked from the cusp of passion and thrown into stark reality. “What?” “I don’t want you making fun of me like when we were kids. I’m not a girl anymore. I enjoy sex, but I won’t ever let you touch me if you bully me like that again.” Cal was dumbfounded. He stared at her, mouth wide. Had she been harboring resentment all this time? He didn’t remember what he’d done, yet she was clearly still upset about it. He couldn’t imagine hurting her now. Had he then? He swallowed the lump that formed in his throat. “Chloe, I’m sorry. I never intended to upset you. I was a child. You’re definitely not a girl anymore. I intend to treat you as the beautiful and seductive woman you are.”
― Gina Watson, Score  Gina Watson
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Kamikaze

by

22887758

Kamikaze (Last Call #1)

My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars

I really liked this little short. The characters came into focus quickly and fully engaged me into what was happening with them. Zoe came off sweet and a little naive but with enough of an edge to make her interesting. Connor was a guy I would be more than happy to spend some time with since he is up for a night or a lifetime, I like that in my men. This is mostly sex but that is fine because you know going in that it is really what the story is about, along with maybe getting them together.

Quick read with some very hot moments and a few smiles and laughs.

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Oliver and Jumpy

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23878777

Oliver and Jumpy, Stories 13-15 (Oliver and Jumpy, the cat series)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This is a very nice book for young children. The illustrations are bright and vibrant giving a feeling of whimsy and fun. The stories are almost like little parables with a meaning held within it. I liked it and would definitely read it to my grand-kids when I have them.
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Release by Treaty

by

25092310

Release By Treaty (Qui Treaty Collection #1)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received this book for free in exchange for an honest review.

This was a really great entry for me! I loved both the characters, particularly Dol’ce because she has been warned about what to expect. The characters continue to be realistic and able to make me feel for them deeply. The story is about romance while at the same time being about a wider issue that is just being hinted at.

Dol’ce has been sent to collect a prisoner of war, Colonel Marcel, from the K’lahn prison in which he was being held. Dol’ce does her duty and does not at first believe what the Qui Empress has told her about interacting with human males, it sounds ridiculous. As the journey continues she finds herself more and more drawn to her passenger who does not want anything personal to do with a lizard.

Colonel Marcel has been tortured, and humiliated during his time in the K’lahn prison. He has heard his team go silent during that time and believe himself to be the last man standing. He hates the K’lahn and all those associated with them for good reason. He does not know that the war has ended but feels something for the one who rescued him, though he does not want to.

All I can say is that I really loved it! I would recommend to everyone!

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Restrain By Treaty

by

25269801

Restrain By Treaty (Qui Treaty Collection #2)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received this book free in exchange for an honest review.

This is a great series that has captured my imagination and keeps me wanting more as each one ends. The writing is wonderful and so descriptive that I always know exactly what I am seeing as it is described. Each new character has a life that you can identify with and understand who they are instantly. The world they live in is clearly defined and seems real enough that it could be inhabited by people you would find anywhere. The flow of the narrative is perfect, with the story moving along effortlessly from situation to situation and point to point.

Captain Bea Solomon was in prison with Colonel Marcel but disappeared after a short time and was thought dead. Unknown to anyone she has been sold off to a brothel by her captors the K’lahn. She has endured unspeakable acts of abuse and torture which have left her with a fear of men and a massive hatred of the K’lahn and Surashan.

Ardant has been sent to bring Bea back so that she can be returned to Earth along with those members of her team that have survived. He does not truly expect her to still be alive because of the fact she is human and should not be able to endure the things he knows would have been done to her. He is not prepared for how she effects him but is willing to make a sacrifice in order to make her feel safe, even if he must lie to do it.

I felt more for this couple because Bea had been through so much more than any man had endured so far. Just the description of what had been done to her, though not graphic, made you understand why she acted the way she did. Ardant was forced to hide his true nature, even though voluntary, was detrimental to him as well as her.

I am very much looking forward to the next installment. Things are heating up in more than one way as these couples meet and connect. There seems another war may be brewing and new allies may have to band together. Enjoy this!

Light BDSM

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Juliette & Ryo

by

25364588

Juliette & Ryo

by Peter Philipp (Goodreads Author), Johanna Dy (Illustrator)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This was a very nice story that I think many children will enjoy and identify with. The art is nice and clean with a feel of the ethereal. The children are transported to a magical forest. This is about imagination and that is always a good way to spend some time.

Give your young child a fun adventure.