Me and My Ghoulfriends (Larue Donavan #1)
Category Archives: Paranormal Romance
Enraptured
Enraptured (Vampire Awakenings #4)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I am so in love with this series! I love the characters who continue to grow and make me care for them and what is happening in their corner of the world. I was pulled into this story pretty fast and did not want to stop reading until the end because something was always happening to pull me along. Even though they are vampires they are more human than some that they come in contact with. The new characters are always fully fleshed out with a background that makes sense for their interaction with our mains. The language of each character is right for them and does not cause a drag on the overall story. Everything flows very well and the story moves forward at a pace that builds the tension and gives you a chance to follow and figure things out for yourself.
Ian reached maturity 11 months ago and has seen his sexual appetites go off the charts. He only has a few more months until graduation and then he will not see a lot of his college friends again since he has stopped aging, and will have to devise a new way to find women to bring to his bed. While his older sister and brother have found their mates, he does not think he will be doing so for a while and so must simply endure.
Paige has had a hard life after being attacked by a vampire and left for dead. She has aligned herself with the hunters because they have promised to help her track the vampire who scarred her. But as luck would have it she finds him and is not prepared but is lucky enough to be at the bar frequented by Ian who finds her being drained and rescues her, with no sign of her backup.
Paige wakes up and finds herself in a house filled with vampires, whom she believes to be nothing more than monsters. Here is where things get crazy for both as they try to find trust and safety for each other and family.
Another great entry and I am already jonesing for the next one. I want Aiden to hit his maturity next but it can be about one of the new guys we have met or even one of the Stooges (that would be a hoot). I enjoy the fact that the family is always in whatever story is being told because they really are a part of the whole. As usual there was a little hot sex, some great banter, laughs, tears, and heartache. These books take you through the wringer and leave you wanting even more. Highly recommend the series!!
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Haunted
Haunted (Harrison Investigation, #1) (Harrison Investigation #1)
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
I have never read anything by Heather Graham though I had heard a lot of good things. While this book did not Wow me in a big way it did give me something to look forward to because I did enjoy it quite a bit. The writing was straight forward and easily understood. There were no major grammar issues or misuse of words. It was a bit slow to get where it was going but it got there eventually and the journey was nice enough that you can forget that there were patches that made you want to stop. The characters were well imagined because I felt them as real individuals who made me want to know them more, though one or two were a little less vivid they still managed to be interesting. These are modern people who talk like they live in the world of today and act the same.
Matt Stone inherited Melody House on the death of his grandfather and really wishes to keep it in the family and not a part of some historical society. In order to do this he has to open the house to tours in order to pay for the upkeep on such a large estate. His house manager conducts ghosts tours of the manor house even though he does not believe in the supernatural at all. Then a bride runs out of the room she has rented for her honeymoon stark naked and raving about a ghost who was threatening her. Matt has to do something, even though he does not believe in order to convince others that there is no such thing as ghosts.
Darcy Tremayne has worked for Harrison Investigations, a paranormal investigation agency since she graduated from college. Adam Harrison was the father of her best friend from high school and offered to help Darcy any way he could after the death of his son. When Adam is contacted by Matt, the grandson of his old friend to come and prove one way or the other that Melody House is haunted he jumps at the chance. Darcy is sent ahead to assess the situation with her special gifts and runs into opposition even though they were invited. Is there something paranormal happening in the house or is the threat more down to earth?
This has a nice feel of suspense as well as supernatural threat. The mystery of who the entity was haunting the room or if there were more ghosts was definitely good. I did not like Matt to start with because of his hatred of all things supernatural being carried over into how he treated people. There was a romance but it was very dysfunctional at the beginning. Worth reading but do not expect a lot.
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Jason
Jason (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #23)
My rating: 4.5 of 5 stars
This was a nice short that gave a showcase to Jason Schuyler, a werewolf who works for Jean-Claude at his club and is also one of his blood donors. The story is straight forward and moves along cleanly and concisely as it lays itself out. The characters are mostly well established with a few new faces that are fleshed out good enough to make me like them. The language is just what you expect from the series after all this time. I am so happy that Jason got a feature since he has always been more of a side character, though he is mentioned quite often.
Jason has been speaking to several of Anita’s live-in loves behind her back. He has a request that he feels he needs back-up for even though Anita has managed to change so much over the past years. Jason is in love and he wants Anita to help him show J.J., the love of his life, what his type of rough sex is. He is considering making a move with J.J. and wants her to be completely good with who he is, just like he is for her. Things can go very well or very badly with the people involved in this little venture.
I would recommend this to anyone who has enjoyed the Anita Blake series.
“Anita,” Jason said. I looked at him and J.J. “You okay?” I shrugged. “I think this is the most complicated BDSM scene I’ve tried without Jean-Claude or Asher involved. It’s like we have all this talent and potential, but no one is in charge.” That was all true. It wasn’t exactly what was spooking me, but it was still part of the truth. It also meant that they’d probably quit asking me what was wrong. “I cannot be with Asher,” Jade said. I shook my head. “I wasn’t suggesting it, just not sure who’s directing everything.” “We’ve made love with Nathaniel in bed with us before,” she said, her voice soft, low, and strangely musical. Her voice didn’t always sound that way, but it often did when she was trying to persuade, or I guess manipulate me. I’d asked her if she’d had theater training, but she didn’t seem to know what I meant, so I’d let it go. I let a lot of things go with Jade, even I knew that, but when she puzzled me enough I stepped back rather than pushing. I wasn’t sure if I was growing up, or she was winning. “You’re in charge, Anita,” Domino said, “so be in charge. What do you want to do?” In my head I thought, Leave. Maybe it showed on my face, because he said, “Do what you enjoy and Jade will follow your lead.” Jade nodded. “Really?” I asked her. “Truly,” she said. “Okay, I know what I want to do.” “I will follow where you lead,” she said. I knew it was both the truth and a lie. She’d follow me for a while, until she decided she didn’t want to, or she got too uncomfortable, then she’d do whatever the hell she wanted to do and somehow it would be my fault, again. I was starting to seriously sympathize with the men who were dating me.”
― Laurell K. Hamilton, Jason
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Bite
Bite (Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter #8.5)
My rating: 4.6 of 5 stars
Each story was very different from the other and while I liked some better than others I was still kept entertained by them all. The stories are all supposed to be based around vampires and lust, but only a few actually hit upon the lust.
‘The Girl Who Was Infatuated with Death’ is an Anita Blake short that takes place between Blue Moon and Obsidian Butterfly, which means Anita is still fighting her attraction to Jean-Claude, silly girl. A mother comes to Anita asking for help in finding her daughter before she can be turned and Anita goes to the one person she claims to want to avoid. While the heat level could have been higher I give it 5 stars for just showcasing Jean-Claude, who could have me with a look.
‘ One Word Answer’ is a Sookie Stackhouse short, very short, that does not really give much of anything. Bubba is present as well as Bill but this is about a cousin who is mentioned only briefly and does not really affect things one way or the other. The Queen of Louisiana sends two of her men to inform Sookie that her cousin is dead and has left her a legacy. This was a bit bland with nothing to really make it a true part of the overall story. I gave this 4 stars for at least having vampires in it.
‘Biting in Plain Sight’ is a Queen Betsy story. I really like these shorts with the dippy Queen, you always get to meet some of her more interesting subjects. Dr. Sophie is a veterinarian in Embarrass, Minnesota and has been for the past 40 years, not that anyone mentions it. It seems that one of her clients has had a crush on her since he was a little boy and now he is ready to act on it. The only problem is she is going to need to see the Queen because a vampire is being bad. I gave this 4.5 stars, it has a good story along with a little lusting going on. There are some laugh out loud moments as well.
‘Galahad’, is a great story and I am glad to have found this author who I have never read before. Caroline has only recently been turned into a witch and transported to Avalon, which is in another dimension. She starts having visions which show her fighting beside a very handsome vampire which she cannot ignore even though she would like to. This was a story that had everything as advertised, hot vampires, sex, and action. I gave this 5 stars and will be looking for more in the Mageverse.
‘Blood Lust’ is another story with an author I have not read before but will in the future based on this. Daniel Hart is a scientist who has been working on synthetic blood in order to benefit mankind. He gets backing from a man who turns out not to be what he seemed and who steals all his research leaving him broken and battered. When he is healed he goes looking for revenge and finds much more than he expected. This got 4.5 stars because it had just the right mix of romance and vampire intrigue.
I would definitely recommend this book to vampire lovers.
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Dragon Rising
Dragon Rising (The Hidden 0.6)
by Jaime Rush
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I really like the stories of the Hidden and hope they continue for a long time. The characters are well thought out and have personalities that are recognizable. The world they inhabit is ours with a few tweaks to its history that make it fit the origin of the characters.
Lyra Slade is continuing the search for her father that she called her brother Kirin home to help with. She has not told Kirin that she has found a clue and will be following up on it on her own, since he has reconnected with his old girlfriend. Lyra is put in touch with Archer Grant, a Caido, who has a brother with the type of car she saw outside her father’s house.
As they start to investigate together it becomes more obvious that though Lyra has heard Caido’s have no feelings, she may be mistaken. What they find makes no sense to them at first, but someone feels they are getting to close and things get dangerous. The danger however is not only external.
I was so glad that the story was not only continued but had a great ending. This is a good series that should be enjoyed.
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The Finding
The Finding (Law of the Lycans #5)
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I found this book just engrossing as the first book I read in this series. I was pulled into the story from the very beginning because I was about to get a chance to catch up with some old favorites. The characters are so well written and have managed to make me think of them as real when I open a book and start to read about them. The story here is a little more complicated than what we get normally as it brings to a conclusion several stories which have been ongoing and initiates a new one.
Cassandra Greyson was last seen fleeing the grounds of her Uncles estate after witnessing his death and what she assumed was the murder of his attorney by a large black wolf. Her uncle had informed her only recently that she was a werewolf, something she found hard to believe. After checking into a motel Kansas Cassie takes some of the medication her uncle had been using to contain her during the full moon, only to wake up in Las Vegas with no idea of how she got there. She finds someone who is willing to help her but she must still hide from her past.
Bryan has been searching for Cassandra for the past 3 years with no luck since her encounter with his Alpha, Ryne. Though her home is in Chicago Ryne has evoked the Finding in order to bring Cassie into his pack in Canada as her uncle had wanted. A lucky tip leads Bryan to Las Vegas where he thinks he will have an easy time bringing Cassie in. He has no idea of the craziness he is about to walk into or the things he will have to do in order just to get her to listen to him.
I totally enjoyed this book as it moved from coast to coast and up to the wilds of Canada. We got to catch up with all our favorite characters and some of the ones we disliked as well for a final accounting. The romance was sweet and hot, but not sizzling. There was a lot of suspense,betrayal, and double-dealing. This is one that will be loved by any fan of the series. It is not a stand alone however and must be read in order. Totally recommend it!
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A Demon and His Witch
A Demon and His Witch (Welcome to Hell #1)
by Eve Langlais
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I totally enjoyed this, especially since it is the first time I have read this author and found such a great series that now I must continue it. The humor is marvelous and had me laughing out loud in places, while the heat level made me feel all gooey in others. I fell in love with the characters from the beginning because they were so well drawn from the time you met them to the end. The way the characters interact with each other is great as well as the story they are telling along the way. The way Hell is described here does not make it seem like such a bad place to be and Lucifer seems like just another annoying boss and dictator who has his own issues.
Ysabel was burned as a witch by her boyfriends mother 500 years ago. She was a witch and everyone in the village knew it but turned on her when it suited them. She got her revenge however by making a deal that made the deaths of those who had wronged her not their final agony. Remy is a hunky half demon who is a soldier in Lucifer’s army and a serious lady’s man who goes through women like tissue. These two would seem like the most unlikely pair of any.
When souls escape and imperil Ysabel’s retirement as Lucifer’s assistant things get serious. Ysabel is teamed with Remy to hunt the souls and is tempted to break her own rule of no physical contact with men. Hopefully they will not kill each other before they can get the souls returned to their prison.
This is just one great read that I want to share with anyone who has not tried it. I think you would be hooked.
“Lucifer snapped his fingers and froze them. He didn’t really care what they did to each other, but he’d spent several months in the wild capturing the beast he’d turned into a desk. “Children, children,” he said tucking his hands behind his back and adopting his father figure mode. It usually made his daughter, Muriel, laugh. “Must I remind you that I tasked you with a mission. One that I might add, Ysabel, you should be most eager to complete. What I do not need, is for you to FUCK IT UP!” He let his voice increase in treble until it boomed. “I’ve been more than tolerant, but enough is enough. You will cease bringing me your petty squabbles. You will do the job I assigned. And if you don’t want his tongue in your mouth, Ysabel, then bite it off. Although, really, if you enjoyed it so much, I don’t see what the problem is. Maybe he can help you remove the stick up your ass if you let him kiss the other end. Now, if we’re done here, and since I’m boss, and I say we are, leave and don’t come back until you’re done, because if you do, I’m duct taping the pair of you together and throwing you in a dark room until you learn to get along. Or fuck. I don’t really care which, but I prefer the latter so I can watch.”
― Eve Langlais, A Demon and His Witch
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Engaged off Bourbon Street
Engaged off Bourbon Street (Jade Calhoun Short Story, Book 3.5)
by Deanna Chase
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
This was a perfect entry in the Jade Calhoun saga as she moves forward with her new life in New Orleans. This was an intimate look at all the mains as they come together to help Jade and Kane celebrate. Everyone is feeling the holiday spirit and Jade is just happy to be able to share her happiness with those she loves. Even though it is a short story it has the impact of a full length novel in both plot and character development. These characters are true to who they are and even though there are background people, who are never heard from, things move quickly from start to finish.
Jade and Kane are having their engagement/Christmas party at the house in the bayou that he did not really go to until he met Jade. Jade made a promise to Pyper that she would string mistletoe all around the house to make sure she had a chance to kiss Ian, and she has misplaced it. In order to locate it Jade decides to use magic, and we know how that can go for her. The spell is cast, the guests arrive, and the mishaps ensue.
This was a nice quick read that made me smile and shake my head. You would think Jade would learn, but then if she did we would not be so entertained. I would say fans should definitely read this!
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Kiss of Midnight
Kiss of Midnight: A Midnight Breed Novel (Midnight Breed #1)
by Lara Adrian
My rating: 5 of 5 stars
I have found another series that I can read and enjoy that has gorgeous men, courageous women, and villains that actually deserve the name. The characters are full of depth and real life concerns as well as otherworldly ones. The explanations of who they are and where they came from has a ring of truth while at the same time seems farfetched enough to give something to consider. The language and everything else is perfect for both the characters and the situations they are in. This did get my attention from the start and made me want to keep reading because I thought I had figured out some things and wanted to be vindicated. It entertained me and made me think a little, the perfect balance.
Gabrielle Maxwell, artistic photographer who takes pictures of abandoned locations and makes it look good. Lucan Thorne, leader of a cadre of Breed warriors in Boston who patrol and take care of rogue vampires. Their meeting may seem accidental and only meant to save her from an enemy she never knew existed, but fate has something else in mind for these two independent and self-contained individuals.
A great introduction to a dark world that holds mystery, intrigue, love, betrayal, and death for all those concerned. There is a sweet love story woven through the chaos of trying to protect the world from a darkness it would not believe existed. Definitely will be reading more. I enjoyed this a great deal and cannot wait to find out what happens next.
Bookgirl 