Reading Fanatic Reviews
Paranormal RomanceQueen of Darkness by Isadora Brown and Rebecca Hamilton
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Queen of Darkness*
New Life Direction for Kelia…and New Dangers
Now that Kelia’s life has been forced into a particular direction, new dangers seem to be around every curve. She needs knowledge and training, but Drew isn’t providing that. There are more problems with the Sirens, and of course, the queen.
It is interesting how much Kelia’s life has changed over the course of these four novels. Of course, the change documented in this novel is probably her most significant altering circumstance yet and one that she doesn’t really appreciate the full ramifications of through the course of the story. She has a hard time accepting that she had no choice, though, in a moment of clarity, she does realize that she would have made the choice that Drew made for her. In this book, Kelia has to find her bearings in a new reality where she is not as supported by Drew as she would like.
I continue to enjoy this series of Kelia‘s and Drew’s adventures and wonder what they will be next.
A Slow Burn by Terri A. Wilson
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A Slow Burn*
Well Paced, But a Little Too Short
Hotshot detective and dragon shifter Remi is investigating an intriguing new case. He’s a sought-after ladies’ man, but he can’t quite shake Dai from his memory. Dai is a woman who has been groomed great things. At a sacred gathering of their people, Remi and Dai are proclaimed the king and queen of Beltane. Sparks fly between them in more ways than one. Soon, however, they must band together to help find Dai’s missing sister. This might even connect to his case.
This story had a complex plot that I think might have been better served as a longer work. I felt like I was missing nuances and details about the couple and the world of the book. That being said, the writing was tight, and the plot kept moving. I liked seeing the development of the love-hate relationship between the couple and how they had to interact even though they didn’t want to.
Consumed by Magic by Kelli McCracken and Elena Gray
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Usually given away in BookFunnel giveaways, so if you are on author newsletters you may run across it
Consumed by Magic*
Short Story Packs in a Lot
Samara is frustrated by a spell. Soon she is distracted, though, by a voice speaking to her in what appears to be Latin. Zander, one of her harem, shows up, and they reconnect—literally. What else will the night hold for her?
For such a short read, this is surprisingly steamy. We meet one of her current harem and one she’s hoping to add—though it could be dangerous as he is a human, not paranormal—as well as her protectors. The writing is tight and descriptive but with a little more profanity and crude words than I like. Still, I think this is a good short to whet your appetite for this series.
Finding My Lich by Christina Winds
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Mondadori, Angus & Robertson, and Indigo (Chapters)
Finding My Lich*
Beautiful Love Story Cloaked in Morality Play
Eric is the king of Abaddon who has been tasked with figuring out the way that his banished people will be allowed to be brought back to Earth. He has a portal through which he can go between Earth and Abaddon. He had thought this would be a relatively easy task, but centuries have gone by. He learned some lessons early on, like charity and justice, but others took longer to appreciate. Sands in an hourglass mark this immortal’s progress, and he hasn’t seen any in decades. What pieces of the puzzle is he missing?
This book comes across, and not in a bad way, as a mixture of morality tale and paranormal romance. Eric and Tamara are decent, good-hearted, and kind people who want the best for their worlds. They have different strengths and weaknesses, yet their strengths are intensified when they are together and their weaknesses diminished. It was interesting to watch Eric struggle as he was trying to figure out this big puzzle that has been set before him. He wanted to do right was by his own people, getting them back to a world they had been banished from, and by the humans, with whom he wants to coexist peacefully. The lessons that he learns are lessons that would benefit us to fully appreciate, which is why I call this, at least in part, a morality tale. But it is told with such beauty and elegance that it doesn’t feel like the author is preaching or moralizing. The love story between Eric and Tamara is beautifully rendered. You can truly see how each makes the other into a better version of themselves, in ways that are physical, mental, and spiritual.
The book did have some strange issues with grammar, punctuation, and usage. Some punctuation was left off, like an occasional period, and hyphens were not always used appropriately.
That said, I found this book to be an engaging read, both in the gentle moments and in the more harsh ones. Eric and Tamara are a great couple to follow as they learn about each other, each other worlds, and their true roles within them. It’s hard for me to figure out the precise genre for this, as it has elements of science fiction, romance, and the paranormal. There’s even a touch of suspense as Eric tries to figure out precisely what he is supposed to learn. If you like stories that cross genres like that, you might find this book to be as compelling as I did.
What Lies Within Us by Gina Kincade and Kiki Howell
Available at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, iBooks, Kobo, Mondador, Angus & Robertson, and Indigo (Chapters)
What Lies Within Us*
An American Woman with Magical Irish Roots
We meet American Kyna soon after she lands in Ireland. An Irish aunt has summoned her here. Apparently, adopted Kyna is actually descended from a long line of magical people, and Kyna was sent away as an infant and her magic hidden and diffused. Kyna doesn’t know quite what to think of all this at first. Soon, she is immersed in this magical world right in the middle of an ancient feud.
How will Kyna adapt to this new knowledge about herself? What of the two men who have been tasked to protect and train her?
This is the first time I have read either of these authors. I found the language to be excessively overblown to the point of being difficult to read. It was so unnatural, both in the narrative sections and in dialogue. Not every noun, feeling, action, or event has to be described in excruciating detail to be adequately shown and not told; metaphor, simile, and other literary devices may be occasionally left at the wayside. The narrative sections often went on for quite a while without a dialogue break, and I personally find that difficult to read. I’ll do a share a few quotes below to show what I mean.
The book had some surprising problems with grammar, punctuation, and usage. At times, wrong tenses were used. There were some close-but-not-quite-right words like taut versus taunt. At times, there were too many commas.
Here are a few examples of what I think are overwritten prose:
“While she presumed the stone to be a light grey in the light of day, it accosted her with looming shades of smoke, as if old and charred, from her storm-shielded, misty view. The metallic shriek of her door opening sent a wave of panic crashing over her. From her teeth set on a painful edge, to that cold slither of fear down her spine, she forced herself to ignore each physical sensation, each body betrayal.”
“You will be the death of me, enchanted lady, and I will glory in the coming of it. Pardon me for saying so, so soon, but I think I’m in love with you, and it’s the most terrifying thing I’ve ever delighted in.”
MacBean by Diane Darcy
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MacBean**
Kind-Hearted Highlander and His Fierce Lady
The headline sounds like it could be the title of a novel itself!
Alan MacBean does not want to leave the moor when Soni offers him his chance. He has found a family in his ghostly brothers and only consents to go when Sonny agrees to bring him back to Culloden after his task is complete. Alan is transported to contemporary Salem, Massachusetts, where he immediately rescues a little girl who, thinking she is a superhero, makes a jump off a roof. Needless to say, the mother and grandmother are most thankful to him for saving the little girl’s life. They offered him food and shelter, and he helps a bit around the rambling mansion. Turns out that this a beautiful old family home is in danger of imminent foreclosure. Grandma swears that her several-times great-grandfather hid treasure on the property, and she believes it will all turn out in the end.
Will they be able to save the old family home? Will Alan and Lilith continue to develop an attraction for each other even though Alan knows he can only stay two days? Will Soni grant them a happily ever after?
I have read all of the Ghosts of Culloden Moor series up to this point, and I absolutely adore it. I’m of Scottish descent myself and have visited Culloden Moor several times. I loved Alan, the hero. He is just the type to sucker me in because he is noble and kind but doesn’t realize his goodness. He treats Lilith and the little girl, Olivia, as they deserve to be treated but which they have not been. He wants so much to be able to save and protect them. And I love that Lilith gave him his first kiss! Lilith is a worthy heroine, too; she has taken on much responsibility in her relatively young life. I love how she wanted to fight for him and what she did to attempt to keep him there. She is perhaps the strongest heroine in this series that I’ve read so far. You go, girl!
I have two quibbles with this book. One, I don’t quite understand how a house that has been in the family for generations can be foreclosed upon. Shouldn’t the mortgage have been paid off decades ago? If there was some mention of a reason for a current mortgage, I must have missed it. Second, unfortunately, the plotline is so similar to many others in the series. At this point, I am tempted to go back and count how many of this series’ novellas have to do with the heroine losing a piece of property. Again, as I said above, I adore this series; I just wish the authors would play around with more concepts that would put the heroine in peril that requires the help of her Highlander. That said, of all those in this series that have a similar plotline, I love the added fun of having the ghost great-grandfather come back during the seance and only be able to communicate with Alan. Let’s add more ghosts to the ghost story!
If you’re not familiar with the Ghosts of Culloden Moor series, I highly recommend that you read the first book that sets up the premise for the 80 books to follow, The Gathering. If you like Scottish time travel romance, you may very well enjoy this multi-author series and this particular installment.
Her Viking by Alice Wilde
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Her Viking*
Focus on Ero
The book starts with a prologue that gives insight into Ero’s past. Back in the shared present, the group seems to be suffering through quite a bit of infighting that is seeming to take precedence over their greater quest. Ero and Roan are always at odds. Damien shows up through his link to Ero, causing havoc. The book ends on a significant cliffhanger.
I found this installment of the series a little frustrating because of all the strife between Roan and Euro and how Annalise was stuck in the uncomfortable middle. It might seem strange to have a preference, but I prefer when the members in an RH group work as a team rather than seeming to be at odds all the time. Yes, of course, there has to be conflict, but I prefer teamwork when a group strives towards an important goal, so I prefer squabbles or disagreements, not such a great chasm between people. The group’s internal conflicts were definitely what this installment was about and not so much the greater picture. I find some of the author’s use of language a little off-putting. For some reason, I expect my fantasy reads to have a certain elevation of language that precludes certain terms that feel more modern. Such words pull me out of the fantasy world and back into the present.
Still, I founded this portion of the series to be an interesting read and am curious to see what happens next.
Dazzled by J. K. Harper
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Dazzled*
Parody of Subgenre Romance?
We meet Lacey, who curates a museum of a billionaire, as she is talking about her attraction to her boss with a friend. He comes from California old money and has quite a reputation as a playboy. She fantasizes about him but knows he wouldn’t be interested in an academic like her. Also, she wouldn’t want to be just another of his for-the-night-only women, as that seems to be about the duration of his relationships. We meet Sebastian as he is flying from San Francisco to Los Angeles. But he isn’t doing this on an airplane. Nope, he’s a dragon shifter. He’s just bought an old piece from his family’s history that had been stolen and is happily taking it back home. As he flies, he can’t seem to stop thinking about Lacey. He is definitely attracted to his curator.
This book has such over-the-top language used to describe the attraction between the couple and their appearance that the story almost seems to be a spoof, a send-up of not only the romance genre in general but of shifter romance, paranormal romance, billionaire romance, and boss romance. To me, it reads like a parody of all those genres, exploiting the language and tropes of those types of stories. I don’t know if this was intentional by the author or if this is just her writing style. Other than being overblown, the writing itself is relatively solid and easy to get into. She has a good sense of pacing, as climactic even happened when they should. She did need a few more nouns and verbs, though, to describe how a particular undergarment became moist, or perhaps she could have chosen not to use that image so much. Surprisingly, the intimate moments aren’t as often as one might imagine, although there are lots of heated gazes and imaginings before their attraction comes to full fruition.
Bulwark by Brit Lunden
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Bulwark*
Creepy Tale Defies Categorization
The fictional town of Bulwark, Georgia, is a town of secrets and mysteries. When this book opens, sheriff Clay is investigating a strange, large puggle that has a car trapped inside it. Soon, we meet other residents of the town, as well as injured newcomers who claim their children were stolen by a witch who lives in a gingerbread house on a street that Clay has never heard of. Taking the couple to the ED, Clay meets his estranged wife, Jenna, who is a nurse there; they are divorcing due to struggling with the disappearance of their daughter but haven’t signed the papers yet to make it official.
What’s going on in this small town? What other strange things will the sheriff find? Who will die? Who is in danger? What will happen with Clay and Jenna?
To me, this book has an almost Twilight Zone or Twin Peaks feel to it. If you decide to read this book, you can choose to go into it knowing that little will make sense for quite a while. If you can let go and allow that to happen, you might enjoy the ride because this book does take you to strange places.
On the book review site where I downloaded the ARC for this book, it was listed as a cozy mystery, a paranormal romance, and a small-town romance. The cover says paranormal thriller. I can see where the author would have a hard time pinning down the specific genre or genres of this book. I would say there are paranormal aspects, romantic aspect, but I wouldn’t call it a paranormal romance as that suggests to me that, say, a witch and/or shifter love story is happening. That’s not what happens here. The book is super slow burn until you get to the end, so I wouldn’t quite call it a thriller either. There’s definitely an element of the gothic here as well with the creepy, hidden mansion. It’s definitely not a cozy as it is far too dark for that. Although it takes place in a small town, I wouldn’t call it a “small-town romance” either. Maybe call it paranormal suspense with romantic aspects, but even that might not be wholly accurate as the paranormal elements weren’t clear until later in the book.
I am a registered nurse and have worked night shift in the hospital. There are definitely some medical and nursing errors in the book, but they most likely would not disturb anyone who is not a medical or nursing professional.
In a fun twist, the book has two alternate endings for the reader to enjoy and choose from.
Deacon by M. J. Perry
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Deacon*
More Troubles with the Vampires
At the start of the book, Deacon learns that the rogue vampires have taken Milly. He is able to rescue her, and he takes her back the alpha’s home. He tells her more about his background of being turned in a partial vampire after having survived a vampire bite; his wolf hasn’t been able to shift since. He had pushed her away earlier in order to protect her, but they both know that they are mated and meant to be together.
Have they subdued the rogue band of vampires? Will Deacon and Milly consummate their bond? What other dangers lie in store for them and the rest of the pack?
I found this book a little hard to read at times, even though the relationship between Deacon and Milly was fascinating to read, because there were formatting, punctuation, and grammar issues. In particular, the author seems to like to write the narrative passages in one long paragraph whenever they occur, not breaking them into smaller paragraphs for easier reading. One such paragraph was four pages long on my Kindle, and I don’t use large type. Commas are often problematic in indie published work, and this book had issues with commas missing between independent clauses in compound sentences joined by a coordinating conjunction as well as others. Some quote marks were inappropriately placed. The plural *vampires* was misspelled once as vampire’s. The dialogue, too, didn’t seem natural, not the way people actually speak. There wasn’t enough distinction between each character’s dialogue as well; everyone seemed to talk like each other.
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