Tag Archives: Novella

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Valley of the Shadow

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I have been a devoted reader of this series since its inception with the Elemental Mysteries, and each new release from any of its various offshoots continues to bring me joy and excitement. The characters within this expansive universe are masterfully crafted, each one intricately developed and brought to life with a vibrancy that makes them feel almost real. This dynamic cast not only enhances the storytelling but also makes for an engaging and enjoyable reading experience. The setting itself is a remarkable blend of the familiar world and fantastical elements, allowing readers to easily recognize aspects of reality while still being immersed in a rich, imaginative landscape. The author’s writing is nothing short of exceptional, consistently drawing me back for more adventures and stories.

In this particular book, we are treated to a heartwarming reunion of many beloved couples from previous installments, as they come together to celebrate the holiday season while also rallying for a significant occasion. Among them, we get an in-depth look at the lives of Baojia and Natalie, one of the series’ most cherished couples.

For eight years, Baojia and Natalie have endeavored to lead as normal a life as possible within the complexities of an immortal existence. Their focus on nurturing family ties, advancing their careers, maintaining friendships, and deepening their love for one another has largely been successful. However, reality is about to intrude in a significant way, confronting them with challenges they believed they had ample time to prepare for. As is often the case, the situation grows increasingly complicated, presenting unforeseen obstacles that test their resilience.

What stands out in this narrative is the powerful theme of support and chosen family. Despite the impending trials, Baojia and Natalie are not alone; they are surrounded by a supportive network of both human and vampire friends who come together to offer comfort and assistance. This sense of community adds layers to the story and highlights the strength found in relationships.

The serious themes tackled in this book could have easily been mishandled, but the author navigates them with remarkable sensitivity and understanding. There is a perfect balance of humor interwoven with the more somber moments, showcasing the courage required to confront life-altering situations. This blend elevates the story, making it both emotionally resonant and uplifting.

I absolutely adored this installment and, although it is intended to be a finale for Baojia and Natalie, I sincerely hope we will see more of them in future works set in this vivid universe. I highly recommend this book to anyone who hasn’t yet experienced its magic; it’s truly a must-read!

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Omens and Artifacts

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Although I adore the characters, they seemed somewhat underdeveloped in this instance. I missed the usual action associated with Ben and Tenzin as they strive to establish their business. The new characters didn’t excite me, but there’s always potential for growth if they reappear.

In the Elemental world, reputation is crucial, yet it’s a double-edged sword. Benjamin Vecchio is venturing into the world of antiquities hunting and is in dire need of clients. His uncle’s notoriety as a legendary fire vampire assassin has generated much intrigue but hasn’t translated into job offers. Benjamin needs a significant find to earn the recognition and prestige he seeks. If he can recover Brennus the Celt’s lost sword, he believes it could be his breakthrough. All he needs is for a descendant of Brennus to employ him for the search.

Securing his reputation might also endanger his life, but that’s par for the course in the perilous realm of ancient vampires.

It remains an excellent choice for fans of the series.

My rating: ✭彡✭彡✭彡

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Imitation and Alchemy

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Once more, I was drawn into the world of these unique vampires with their fascinating lives. The humans connected to them are equally intriguing, living alongside predators who are just a moment away from turning on them. The seamless introduction of new characters gives an immediate understanding of their personas.

Ben expected a tranquil summer before his final college semester, but that was wishful thinking. Tenzin, intrigued by the prospect of locating a trove of invaluable medieval coins for the vampire ruling Naples, planned a trip to Italy.

Ben vowed not to get entangled in another of Tenzin’s plots. A year later, he finds himself on the brink of another Italian adventure with her, lacking crucial details. Once again, Tenzin’s actions surprise him, revealing hidden agendas. Yet, this apparent debacle might have a silver lining.

The sequel may lack the action of its predecessor, but it offers a more compelling narrative that delves deeper into Ben and Tenzin’s relationship. Ben contemplates his significance to Tenzin, who appears to have claimed him as her own. As they embark on their new partnership and living situation, their lives are bound to become even more entwined.

My rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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Shadows and Gold

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I’m thrilled that this author is continuing to build upon a world with characters I’ve grown to adore. The new series embarks on adventures with two previously secondary characters, Ben and Tenzin, whose dynamic promises thrilling escapades. We witness Ben’s world broaden as he navigates a realm filled with vampires.

Tenzin, after watching a news report about the devastation of a province in China, entices Ben into her plan to illicitly retrieve her treasure trove. Initially, Ben complies, eager to enhance his Mandarin with the new semester approaching, and China seems the perfect place for it. Upon discovering Tenzin’s true intentions, he consents to proceed, provided he can choose some items for himself.

Ben had intended to keep Tenzin out of mischief, but deterring a 5000-year-old wind vampire prone to trouble is no small feat.

This series opener is fantastic, and I’m eager to see where it leads in terms of settings and the evolution of Ben and Tenzin’s relationship. The story strikes a fine balance between tension and action, introducing compelling new characters. Fans of the Elemental vampires are sure to enjoy this installment.

My rating: 🌠🌠🌠🌠

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Carnage at the Christmas Party

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The thing that made me want to read this was the cover, which I liked because it had a fun feel to it. I wish I could say that what was between the covers was just as fun. This was a rather plodding story for me that I had to make myself continue and finish but it was still decent. I am going to go back and read the first book in the series since I started late in a way. The characters were not particularly likeable and many of them were only shells of what they could have been for most of the story. I will say that both Ensar and Charlotte at least started to seem more interesting near the end. And speaking of the end it was way too rushed and you did not even get a chance to enjoy the mystery since it was all handled literally in the last two short chapters.

Windy Pines, Idaho is known for three things: beautiful mountain views, the world’s most incompetent police force, and lately murder. Charlotte Smyth’s new job at O’Leery Snowboarding Inc. is as a Spreader of Cheer, a kind of made-up and less-than-perfect fit of a position. She pretty much hates everything associated with it like sports, cold weather, and anything extreme. Her boss, Shane Letcher, assigns her to make the Christmas party the coolest ever and lets her know that it is a make-or-break opportunity.

The thing that made me less than happy was just the fact that this was supposed to be a mystery and the book was more about what a horrible job the man had. Because this is the first thing I have read by this author I figure I might as well read the first book in the series and see if it is similar. It may appeal to some more than others, so try it if you just want a holiday-themed book.

My rating: ✬✬

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The Unwanted

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I have read the previous books in this series and always enjoyed them. While I liked this one it did not hold the same impact that the others did. I don’t think it was because it was shorter but just that the characters did not seem as engaging as at other times. The story was also a little thinner but important to tell. This was more about the two agents than it was about the case that they were supposed to be working. There was a lot of soul-searching and inner dialogue about the past and how it had affected them and not enough about the crime.

Destin Mortin and Caleb Durand had been partners in an FBI unit that was separate but equal to the one run by Taylor Jones. Caleb’s specialty is that he can filter and help a psychic to better handle their gift by making things clearer for them and taking some of the pain and anxiety. Destin’s gift is one that comes with a high price, she excels at tracking rapists but not just any rapists, she tracks the most violent.

When Caleb starts to lose himself in Destin and cannot tell where she ends and he begins he decides to leave. Destin is left heartbroken but blames him for not caring and does not look at herself as part of the problem. When he is brought into a case 5 years later she is not happy to see him because she believes she has moved on. Life can be unfair but sometimes fate gives you a second chance.

This was a nice enough story but I would have been just as happy to have more of the case and a bit less of the emotional stuff. Would still recommend it, just not enthusiastically.

My rating: 💫💫💫

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Smolder

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Smolder by Gina Watson

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Love the St. Martin family Saga! The stories are all self-contained but still allow for the cameo appearance of others from previous books. You get a heads up on who the next story will be about with the introduction of another family member who may have been mentioned but never seen before. The sex scenes are hot without being trashy and definitely heat up the page. The characters are worth getting to know because they feel right and make you want to know them better. The setting is contemporary and so you can feel even more a part of things since you are looking at your reality more or less.

Campbell Lee St. Martin is a millionaire businessman who has grown bored with vanilla sex. He doesn’t want BDSM but a little lust and aggression that is sorely missing. Camp is engaged to Kim, a very repressed young woman, but because he has been divorced before he does want to admit defeat once again.

Along comes Jenny who is nothing like Kim. While he is totally taken with her he cannot decide whether he wants to kill her or date her. Jenny has had a hard life and decided that a permanent man in her life is something she does not need. But once Campbell has set his mind to something or someone, he intends to succeed.

A nice hot and sweet story with a perfect ending.



View all my reviews

“My parents had pushed me to accept your engagement. I thought I could learn to be all the things that you wanted, but your… your raw sexuality scares me. You deserve to be with someone who can satisfy your desire. I love you as a sister loves a brother. Let’s not be sad about this. It wasn’t meant to happen for us.”

Kimberly to Campbell St. Martin
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Christmas Alpha

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Christmas Alpha
(Alpha #1)
by Carole Mortimer

This is a new to me author who I would like to read more of in the future. This is a book with Christmas in the title that has little to nothing to do with the holiday. The story and dialogue go back and forth between the main characters giving you a look at both. The characters are a little vague none the less because there is no real development to start with. I was lost for the first half of things but knew it would be something simple and a bit mundane because that is how it was set up, not that it was a bad thing.

Things start out pretty strange with Finn Devlin telling the girl who comes to his door to get undressed and on the bed. Eva Shaw has come to the house to deliver a package and finds herself being told to get naked before the door is open good, not your typical request. But with a major storm brewing and no way to leave, she may have to deal with the situation the best way she can.

I ended up liking this and the characters even if they fell in love a bit fast for my taste. There were some hot moments and some emotional moments. Even if its not a real Christmas story it kind of fits the season.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

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Bah, Humbug!

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Bah, Humbug!
(Christmas Street #1)
by Heather Horrocks

This is an author I have never read before but I really enjoyed this and plan on reading more of these stories in the future. The characters were all likeable and easy to relate to. There was a lightness and sweetness to the story that made it feel like the holiday and not just a title.

Lexi Anderson and her children move onto Christmas Street and they fit right in. Lexi has been touted as the next Martha Stewart and has the television show to prove it. Kyle Miller is an author of a successful series of books who unfortunately finds himself with writers block. When he destroys the snowman of the people next door, thinking it is for him, he finds himself getting in deeper than e expected with his new neighbors.

I just found this to be a quick, fun read that had me from the first page. I could not put it down until I finished!

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

“The grieving has been going on long enough, Kyle. It’s been twenty-two years. It’s time we get over it. Alyssa would like this to be a healing Christmas for our family. Mama would want it.” If there was anything Kyle didn’t want to do this year, it was deal with that particular hurt. “I’m going to hang up now.” “Okay. Hey, I’ll see you next spring at one of your book signings. It might come as a surprise to you to know that some people don’t care about books, and not everybody in the world cares that you’re a bestselling author. And maybe one day you’ll learn that there’s more to life than deadlines. Like family.” Kyle fought back his irritation. “I bet the next person I speak to knows my name.” “That’s really nice. Too bad so few of your family can remember it.” A click told Kyle that Keefe had gotten the last word in their conversation.

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Shameless

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Shameless
(St. Martin Family Saga: Whiskey Cove #2)
by Gina Watson

This second book in the life of the St. Martin family saga definitely pulled me in from the very beginning. This time we are getting to know the second youngest of the brothers Corrigan. The characters were very well realized and made you feel a part of what was going on. There was that bit of insta-love but it was glossed over a little bit as serious lust. The point of view went back and forth so that you got a perfect feeling for what was happening with everyone who mattered most to the story. Everything jells and flows effortlessly from beginning to end with one or two grammatical errors that do not take anything away.

Corrigan ‘Cory’ St. Martin has returned to Whiskey Cove and opened a veterinary clinic after finishing school. He is a man who does not believe in marriage, children, or commitment of any type but does believe in bedding every woman who comes his way, though only once. Cory has some issues he needs to work on though if you asked him he would not see it.

Brook Walker does greyhound rescues and works part-time for Cory’s brother Logan at The Good Doctor brewery. Brook ends up in the clinic because her dog, Randy, needs to be euthanized and her regular vet is closed. Cory offers to do the job in a way she can be with her beloved dog at the end and even gives her a burial plot she can visit instead of the standard cremation. This is the beginning of something neither expected.

This was a sweet, very hot love story. The St. Martin boys are gorgeous, sexy, and a little damaged. But when you get them they are loving, loyal, faithful, and hotter than lava. This is a wonderful series of novella length stories. I recommend them for anyone who wants a little turn-on with their romance.

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Brook couldn’t believe the selflessness of this man. She’d walked into the first clinic she came to after discovering her vet’s office was closed. She’d heard Cory was a womanizer and in general a pig toward women, had in fact witnessed his poor behavior on two separate occasions herself. So his sensitivity with her didn’t add up. He seemed to genuinely care about her and her dog.