Reading Fanatic Reviews
ParanormalViolet Souls by Abbey MacMunn
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Smashwords, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, and Indigo (Chapters)
Violet Souls*
Violet-Eyed Aliens Among Us
How to classify this book… How about alien shifter romance thriller? Yes, this book has a lot going on. The heroine’s world is quickly rocked when she finds out that she is an alien. There is a bad guy after her because he craves power, and he needs her to get it. The heroin has a bonded mate, but she doesn’t presently know him or recognize him. But he knows and remembers her and seeks to protect her while helping her learn about their society and her powers. The book was a little awkwardly worded in places, but the author kept a book moving with lots of fast-paced action. I really liked Quinn and Lexie, the heroine’s little girl. Jane was a fun character, too. I hope we see more of all these characters as well as find out more about the home planet of Evox.
Beware the Magician by Molly Mirren
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, Scribd, Smashwords, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, and Indigo (Chapters)
Beware the Magician*
Marginally Better than the First Book
While I didn’t particularly like the first book of the series, I always give authors a chance or two beyond a first bad impression to see if they can change my mind about their work. So I started reading this book with low expectations. I am happy to say that the author did rise a little in my estimation, but unfortunately, there are still issues with the story.
So, what did the author do right in my opinion? Once Ben and Stella finally engage again, I found the story of the Ben-Stella-Tyler triangle to be well written, better than the first as there actually complications involved.
What didn’t I like? I didn’t like the big information dumps at the start of Stella’s and Ben’s respective first chapters. I also didn’t like is that Ben had this sudden meteoric rise to magical fame; it is necessary for the story, but it is so implausible that it just makes me shake my head. So, to me, the foundation of the story was rocky. Given what we knew of Ben from the last book and what he reveals himself to be in this book, it is out of character for him as well as atypical for the industry. Tyler is clearly a manipulative jerk, and I don’t like Stella’s reaction to him. Honestly, I just don’t understand it.
There’s just one more book in the series, I think, and I am curious to see how Ben and Stella’s relationship evolves because it has been quite a rocky road. But if that book has as many issues as these first two, I won’t be reading more from this author.
Beware the Stranger by Molly Mirren
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, Scribd, Smashwords, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, and Indigo (Chapters)
Beware the Stranger*
Too Much Repetition…Plot, Character, and Gorgeousness of Hero
I found this book repetitious in too many ways, so much that it actually hampered my enjoyment of the story. There was repetition in the plot; there seemed to be a rehashing of the same points over and over without escalating complications. The characters were stuck in their own repetitive loops. Ben seemed to constantly beat himself up over his past, and the heroine did the same with hers as well. They were both so stuck in their respective pasts that their forward motion of their story arcs was missing. I also was annoyed by the repetitious nature of the comments of all the women about how gorgeous Ben was. Yeah, we get it, he’s the hottest thing since the invention of fire; say it once or twice only, please, as it gets stale pretty quick.
Two Deals by Nikki Kardnov
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Two Deals*
Unexpected Twists in Paranormal Story
I had read the first book in this series, Three Wishes, and thought the author had done an excellent job creating a complex world of humans and paranormals. The first book looked at the oldest Blackwell djinn brother, and this one looks at the next in line, Poe. I had found Poe to be an interesting character in the first book, so I was interested to read more of his story. The author did not disappoint. Again, she has woven a complicated the tale with familial bonds, demons, kidnapping, and romance with some steam! Poe at first seemed so self-centered, but beneath his “I don’t need anyone” exterior beats the heart of one who truly desires his caeli match, which in this world means essentially his fated life partner who will extend his powers. The chemistry between Poe and Willa sizzles off the page. Another excellent book in this series, and I look forward to Thorin’s story.
Let the Shadows Fall by Terri A. Wilson
Available at Amazon only
NOT with Kindle Unlimited
Let the Shadows Fall*
Quirky Combo of Genres Makes for Fun Read
This is the first book that I have read by this author. This book is a quirky and fun combination of–of all things–the Old West, steampunk, and the paranormal. It is such a surprising and delightful combination. The heroine, Elizabeth, is as plucky as any we see in a traditional western romance. She wants so much to help keep the inn that she believed her family owned. When presented with a way to do so, a whole new world is opened up to her. She had no idea that she was living amongst paranormal beings (dragons, shifters, witches) and had no clue that she was descended from a magical lineage. Elizabeth is a likable and relatable character. In fact, most are in this book, except the ones you aren’t supposed to like. What a very different, pleasing read.
Hidden Enemy by JP McLean
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, 24 Symbols, Thalia, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, Indigo (Chapters), and Bol.de
Hidden Enemy*
More Twists and Revelations
Having read the first two variations of the first book, one from Em’s perspective and one from Jackson’s, I was very curious to see how the author would take it from there. I must say that I am delighted with this book, liking it even more than the first. It seems better paced, and Em has grown as a character. While it is a long book, you don’t even really notice because there is so much going on—on several fronts. The author definitely has some unique twists and turns going on here, and I am curious to see how she keeps that up in the other books of the series. Em is still trying to get control of her abilities, and she learns much more about her past and her father’s. Em gets more deeply embroiled within the world of the Fliers. I do like how this author has created this world-within-a-world setting. The book is definitely paranormal, but it is side-by-side with our world. Very well done.
Prisoners of Scythia box set by Lisa Daniels
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Prisoners of Scythia box set*
Imprisoned Shifters and Their Mates
I have read several types of stories by Lisa Daniels, and I enjoy her writing style. She has a way of drawing you into a story and making you feel for the characters right away. There’s always some level of suspense as well as romance, of course. So when I saw this box set available at one of my favorite book review sites, I was quick to snap it up. I’m happy to say that Ms. Daniels has yet again written a delightful set of stories. She’s also managed to touch upon some deeper themes that we rarely see in shifter romance. To me, one of the biggest surprises is that it isn’t only the ones who are behind bars who are imprisoned in this story. Indeed, the title of the box set can apply to quite a few characters. The women as well are imprisoned in each their own way—one a servant, one a lowly bastard, and one a princess who is being held captive by her father until a particular event happens. Ms. Daniels is not heavy-handed with this theme of imprisonment—showing it through the characters’ lives, actions, and reactions—but it certainly got me thinking about the topic as I kept turning the pages. Other themes that seem to be a part of this include prejudice and nationalistic fear, as evidenced by what happened to the shifters. Each of these stories had such a lovely and heartfelt relationship at its core. Again, Ms. Daniels writes these kinds of relationships in such a compelling way. I root for the hero and heroine, not just for the romance, but for the external situations that they are in as well. The last book definitely had a twist and a surprise; I love that as a reader! Another well-done series by an author who knows how to deliver on character, plot, suspense, and romance.
Siren Song by Alexandria Clarke
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Siren Song*
Paranormal Adventures
This is actually three novellas in one book, all following the paranormal adventures of Bay and Nicco. They are great characters, and in these three novellas, they have to deal with Sirens, an evil beauty contestant, and an incubus! Each book is relatively short, which doesn’t give a lot of time for each story to develop, though the author does manage to get in a few a fun twist and turns. But what is written is well done and engaging. The author has created a fascinating world for these characters, both the “Witch Myth” universe and these particular looks at it.
Death on Line One by T. K. Barber
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Google Play, Scribd, Thalia, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, and Bol.de
Death on the Line*
Unique, Funny, Sizzling Paranormal Romance
My goodness, what a fun and original story! I enjoy paranormal romance, but this was like none that I have read. I feel like I barely know what to say about it because it is just such a unique read that has to be read to be fully appreciated. The book is told in the alternating viewpoints of the hero and heroine; he is Death, and she is one of his soul calls. He escorts souls to the afterlife when people die. The heroine is zany and quite amusing; the hero, as you might imagine, is a bit more serious. His “life” has been lonely and quite humdrum, and he is very intrigued by her. They actually do have chemistry that sizzles off the page. The story takes some surprising twists and turns. The book is very humorous in places. I enjoyed the way that the contemporary world and the world of Greek mythology interplayed in the story, and I am definitely looking forward to the next book of the series. I hope the author can surprise me with the next installment as well.
Her Warrior by Alice Wilde
Available at Amazon only
Free with Kindle Unlimited
Her Warrior*
Saga Continues in China
This book continues where the previous one left off, and thank goodness after what happened at the end of that one! I found myself enjoying this book because I really like Li’s point of view. This book takes place in his world, as they seek an alliance with the Chinese. Because we’re so far on this series, I’m afraid to say too much, potentially giving spoilers if you haven’t read the previous books. This series does definitely need to be read in order to really understand the full arc, and one book does truly follow from the previous one. The relationships between the heroine and her shifters have gotten more complicated, and we’re down one guardian. The heroine continues to mature beyond that rather annoying teenager from the first book, I’m happy to say. If you have enjoyed the previous books in this series, you won’t want to miss this one.
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