Author Archives: karenjvjohnson

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A Stolen Heart

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22758333

A Stolen Heart

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I received this ARC from the author for an honest review.I was drawn into this story from the very first page because it started with a sequence that went right to the heart of the story. I loved the characters because they seemed so real and a part of their surroundings without fading into them. The dialogue felt modern in tone but still seemed to fit the time and people who were using it. This was just a really great story that held me enthralled and in a world that was part of a time I could only imagine. Each element flowed into the next keeping it moving as you met new characters and found out more information about the inhabitants of the town.Alexandra and her brother Hugh live on a ranch in Kansas, and the year is 1850. They have had many tragedies befall them and others on the surrounding ranches which all lead back to one man who is terrorizing them all in the name of greed and lust. Alex and Hugh have opted to play Robin Hood to thwart their own Sheriff of Nottingham, but he has countered with someone to take them down.

Jarett is a hired man who is to protect a shipment from thieves who have struck several times in the past. The unfortunate thing is that even though other robberies have been free of injuries, this time things become bad for both sides. Jarett wants revenge and stays around to find the person who almost made him sing soprano. Not an easy thing in a town that hates the man he works for.

When Jarett meets Alexandra he starts to lose some of that focus as he finally meets a woman who makes him think about more than just a one night stand. The road to happiness is not easy for either, but getting there is half the battle.

I loved that the point of view seemed to switch between or mains so that you could have a better idea of what they were thinking. This had everything you could want in a story set on the frontier. There are ranchers, horses, cattle rustling, barn burning, fallen women (saloon workers), a corrupt sheriff, a vicious land baron, and some pretty hot sex for the time. Jarett is the kind of man any woman would be glad to have, even an independent one like Alexandra.

If you love stories with cowboys, horses, and holding on to what you worked for, then you will love this. I recommend this highly!

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The Word Exchange

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18666199

The Word Exchange

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
This book seems to cover a number of genre’s including science fiction, mystery, and romance. The story is basically about the use of language and how it is used and how we would be affected without it. The story starts slowly but builds to a point that you become thoroughly engrossed with what is happening and trying to figure out who and what is behind things. The language is good but sometimes just a little over the head of someone who does not know about library science with references to people who you may have never heard of. I just looked them up to see who they were and learned something in the process. The characters are well written and you can’t help but have an opinion on them because you get a chance to really know those who are central to the plot and get a good look at the others.

Anana and her father Doug work for the Dictionary working on the NADEL (North American Dictionary of the English Language) and are preparing the 3rd edition for print. Doug is totally anti-MEME (a device used for everything from movies to banking) and has caused the deterioration of language because of its invasive nature into the minds of the public. Things seem to be going well though Anana is heartbroken over her breakup with Max, her boyfriend of 4 years and the mastermind behind a game which invites people to make up words, which he sells to Synchronics. This company is trying to corner the market on words and their meanings.

When people start to show signs of aphasia and illness it becomes a race to find out who or what is causing it and to find a cure before the world becomes infected.

This is an entertaining story but it is about more than words, it seems almost to be a cautionary tale about how technology can take away more than we are willing to lose if we are not careful. The romance is very low-key, mostly pining about lost love or not having the guts to say you love someone. The mystery elements are nicely done though you have an idea who is behind it but you need the why. I also have to say that Anana annoyed me a great deal of the time, she seemed to want to get killed to me because she did not really think much for someone who came off as smart and capable, but was acting like a five-year old who just had to be rebellious. Other than her I enjoyed the other characters and the action. This gave me something to think about and I like that.

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Side Jobs

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9640495

Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files (The Dresden Files #12.5)

I had to do an average of the stories I read here which came to 4.5 stars, which is pretty darn great for me. I am a total Dresden junky, love me some Harry! Each story gave me another side of Harry, in some instances a side I may not have had a chance to see before since the situation occurred outside the main novels. There was not one story I would give less than a three and most were at least a four. The writing was always tight, even if the first story was a little less detailed, it was still well worth the time. Each story seamlessly flowed into the next advancing and opening the story along with the characters.

There were three stories which I enjoyed more than others and gave five stars. The first story was It’s My Birthday, Too which revolved around Harry’s half-brother and the fact that Harry really does not know how to deal with family issues. I liked this one because it shows how close Thomas and Harry have grown since finding out about each other. It’s not every day you discover the only other family you have is a vampire. Thomas is helping one of his employees with a LARPing group at the mall, Harry is delivering his gift, and something very bad is about to happen.

My second favorite story was The Warrior, which had the retired knight Michael in it. When Michael and the knights were first introduced I was very happy to see them. Here was something I had never seen before and some very interesting people. Someone seems to be targeting Michael and his family, sending pictures of them to Harry as a warning. While Harry tries to find out who is after the ex-knight, Michael does not fear for himself but his family. What this person wants could cause more trouble than solve it.

The final favorite in this anthology of good stories was Last Call. Finally a chance to get a closer look at Mac. A psychic compulsion is placed on the crates containing his beer which of course transfers to the beer itself. Harry was just planning on having a beer and a steak sandwich but finds utter chaos and a plot that needs to be solved before all hell breaks loose.

All I can really say is that it is Harry Dresden and I love Harry in all his sarcastic, gloomy, sad sack, wizardly ways. If you have enjoyed the Dresden Files in the past this will only make you want more.

“God isn’t about making good things happen to you,or bad things happen to you. He’s all about making choice – exercising the gift of free will.”
― Jim Butcher, Side Jobs: Stories From the Dresden Files Jim Butcher
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Blood Bond

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18140424

Blood Bond (Anna Strong Chronicles #9)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have read this series since the beginning and Anna has done nothing but get stronger and better. Every story is engaging and gives more insight into the characters, who they are, what they want, and where they are going. I flew through this book because I was so anxious to see what was in store for Anna this time around and it was well worth it. What can you say when everything is just so perfect that you are at a loss for words as to what to say. I simple love all the characters, all the plot lines, and that it speaks to me in a way that is genuine.

Anna has finally found some happiness in her life as vampire, and it was right in front of her the whole time, Frey. After the shoot-out in Mexico which resulted in the death of her ex Max things appear to have settled down for a while and she has not been called on in her capacity as the Chosen One for some time. But as life is never really fair just as she is trying to decide when to tell her family the good news she receives a call that changes everything, her mother has cancer. So off to France they all go to spend some time.

While Anna is there for her mother, vampire politics can’t help but push its way in. There is another plot being hatched to make slaves of humankind and as the Chosen it is Anna’s job to step in and make sure it does not succeed.

There is only a bit of action in this book but I think that is alright because we get to see more of who Anna is and how she still feels for her human family. There is more about the dynamic that existed with Anna and her mother and how it has changed. This is a softer Anna, the woman in love and not just the kick-ass bounty hunter we have gotten used to. A nice change of pace and I hope not the last we hear from her, since I keep hearing this is the last book in the series. I say, end with an even number and give the fans a send off to remember. Enjoy this!

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The Homecoming Masquerade

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13448095

The Homecoming Masquerade (Girls Wearing Black #1)

My rating: 2.5 of 5 stars
I have never read anything by this author before and even though this may not have really made a great impression on me, I am willing to try the next book in this series. I was not thrilled with the characters who were flat and did not really make me like or dislike them. I really was interested in the story based on the blurb but the execution was less than I would have liked to have seen. The majority of the story is spent inside a mansion with the mains looking back at what brought them there. The vampires here are not even remotely cuddly, and there is no type of romance between them and humans, these are soulless creatures.

Jill Wentworth has attended Thorndike Academy since her freshman year and knows a great deal about all of her classmates, both public and private. She also knows a great deal about the immortals who are in power in Washington and which families have the closest ties with them. It’s senior year and her class has only three candidates for coronation because it was planned that way by one family who feels they are more deserving.

Kim Renwick and her family have made it their mission to have as little competition as possible at Homecoming. She is surprised when another girl arrives unexpectedly in black throwing herself into the mix. The race to become the next immortal has begun and Nicky Bloom, the new girl, is determined to win.

There was no real action, a lot of talk, a lot of flashbacks and very little else. This was nothing more than an introduction to the characters and what the coronation is about, or so I hope. I was hard pressed to continue reading and if I had not kept expecting more to happen I would have stopped when nothing interesting had happened at 37%. Read this knowing not to expect much more than kids talking about power and money with a brief appearance by the vampires near the end. Enjoy the history of this world as much as is given.

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Witch’s Bell 2

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18910467

Witch’s Bell 2 (The Adventures of Ebony Bell #2)

My rating: 4 of 5 stars
The first book in this series did not exactly grab me, but this one made me more of a fan. This time around I was ready and got into the story a lot quicker with a lot more interest in what was going on. The fact that Ebony seemed a bit more subdued and not so manic and annoying helped get me there. The plot here was a lot tighter and well thought out, at least for me, then the first which I completed but was not sure if I even liked the character. The characters felt more real to me here though I am still not fully invested in the world they inhabit.

After almost losing herself and being rewritten months ago Ebony has finally found her purpose and balance in life. She and Harry the bookstore are doing well and she has moved in to be closer. Things are going well with her job. The only thing seems to be that the police are busier than ever as magic seems to be running amok and her job seems to never end.

Something deadly and sinister is happening in Vale and Ebony is about to find herself at the center of trouble once again. And just to keep things interesting she is being courted by a handsome wizard from out of town named Aaron Heart who is in town to talk about security for a wizards convention. Meanwhile, Detective Nate Wall seems decidely jealous, though he hasn’t made a move of his own.

There is only one thing that really bugged me and that was the fact that so many words had been misused throughout the book. The word ‘where’ was used when they meant ‘were’ as well as ‘allowed’ for ‘aloud’. It kind of throws off your train of though while you try to make sense of it.

The books are sweet with a hint of danger and darkness with the potential for romance eventually. Ebony Bell is a likeable character most of the time but sometimes seems a bit naive for someone who grew up a witch. I hope to get better acquainted with the other characters who populate Vale.

“Magic is like silver cutlery, Ebony, you only bring it out to either impress, or stab, important guests.”
― Odette C. Bell, Witch’s Bell Book One
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Chained

by

19035622

Chained (Brides of the Kindred #9)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
Well here we are at number nine in the series and things keep getting more interesting with each new bride and each new warrior we meet. Even though I can see a bit of a formula in the construction of the stories but this does not take anything away from the development of the characters or each unique situation these couples find themselves in. The worlds they travel to are always so different and strange but at the same time familiar in some way that makes you feel like you could travel there and fit in. I am drawn in every time and am never disappointed when I start my adventure across the galaxy with my kindred guy.

Korexiroth, known as The Demon on the blood circuit has been bought by Lady Pope’nose as her newest body slave and she plans to break him or have him die, she really does not care which. Maggie Jordon is an earth girl and scientist who has been given permission to go on an expedition to Gaia with a married kindred couple but first they must make a stop on Yonnie Six to make a delivery to Lady Pope’Nose. Maggie is a bit of a klutz and knows it, when she is asked to go down to Yonnie Six anything can happen and none of it all good. Her simple mission to trade a collar for documents belonging to the kindred goes side ways when she decides to free the slave that Pope’nose has paid a great deal for. Kor and Maggie end up traveling a great distance together and apart before they find their way to each other.

There were a few things that bugged me about Maggie like the fact that she kept talking about her fiance who was obviously not a good fit for her, but you would have thought he was the greatest guy around. The more I heard about Donald the more he annoyed me, it also seemed as if someone likes The Big Bang Theory a lot because he reminded me a lot of Sheldon from his aversion to kissing to the way he talks.

These are some of the hottest books with some of the hottest alien men I have read. The love scenes are super hot and always leave me with a smile. I laughed a little, cried a little, and was ready to yell at everyone a lot. My emotions were all over the place and they were not settled even at the end. Enjoy this entry.

“Her hand shook as she raised the loincloth and she gave a little gasp at what she saw beneath. Even only half hard, he was big. Way bigger than anyone else in her limited experience—especially Donald whose equipment reminded her of a shy, skinny worm afraid to come out of its hole.”
― Evangeline Anderson, Chained  Evangeline Anderson
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Sin City

by

9753487

Sin City (Hot in the City #2)

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This is a very hot series and gets better every time I read one. I was grabbed right out of the box by the prologue which gave me all the incentive I needed to continue reading. It had one of the hottest phone sex scenes I have ever read and got me interested in both the characters who were involved. The characters were also all written extremely well from the mains to the side ones you get to know something about who they are. The situations depicted were beautifully written and definitely made the temperature rise for me. I loved the setting because I love the place, Las Vegas is my idea of heaven, partly because it was an anything goes place, not so much anymore.

Diana Marsh lives in Baltimore and has a great family, though they tend to be a bit controlling. When her sister in New Orleans breaks ranks and decides to go her own way for love, Diana decides that she must give up her bad girl ways and be the good girl her family wants. That is easier said then done since she has been flirting with a co-worker by phone and email for months, and she is very interested in him, even though they will likely never meet.

Marc Davenport works in the corporate office in Las Vegas and has been calling on Diana regularly for her help on various problems. He has also been flirting shamelessly with the attractive woman in marketing whose picture he has committed to memory. He knows she has a boyfriend, though she does not seem into him, but he really wants to get to know her better. That chance presents itself when a team member leaves and they need a woman to complete their task, and Adrianna calls in Diana to help them. How good can you be when there is a hot man waiting to do the most delicious things to you, how good would you want to be.

Great story with characters who are smart, sexy, and very human. This has BDSM play, mmf play, and mff play. Recommend to all.

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Embracing the Wolf

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18890922

Embracing the Wolf

My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I was looking forward to getting to know the other Ritter brother and it was well worth the wait. The writing here is crisp and expressive with characters who are as real as any I have ever seen. The story flows easily and pulls you along as the tension builds to a great conclusion. The language is perfect and makes me feel connected to everyone.

Kate Davis is a waitress at The Eatery and is working the graveyard shift when a man and a wolf come in to rob it. Unfortunately she is shot when she tries to protect one of her co-workers who wanders in not knowing what is happening and wakes without knowing what happened. Enter Richard Ritter who runs the security company which monitors the diner. He needs to speak to her and so goes to the hospital to continue the questions but never really got around to it. What he does find out is that Kate is the next target of a wolf who has been kidnapping and changing young women against their will. He feels drawn to protect her for a reason he is not sure about and the only way to do that is by taking a step he has avoided for years even while being nagged by his family. Has he found his true mate?

I really fell in love with these characters and the story fit what I would have expected from them. This was a sweet, sexy story with paranormal overtones. Not many wolves seen but a nice fight scene.