Author: debra

Books, great reads, Romance

Don’t Tempt Me by Lori Foster

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The Blurb:  Jason Guthrie has no time for entanglements—between helping out his widowed brother and teenage nephew and getting his hometown back on its feet, his days are spoken for. But his nights are another story… And when his lovely new neighbor, Honor Brown, reluctantly accepts his help in remodeling her house, Jason finds himself wishing his handyman skills could knock down the defenses she keeps building around herself.

Martial arts teacher Sullivan Dean knows real danger when he sees it—even when it takes the form of the gorgeous blonde helping her friend move in across the street. After putting his wayward past behind him to focus on teaching control to troubled kids, Sullivan has learned to avoid party girls like Lexie Perkins. But Sullivan can’t seem to keep his hands off the real woman behind that flirty charm—or keep his heart from landing at her feet…

My Thoughts.  4.5 stars. I enjoyed this book a lot. Lori Foster is one of my favorite authors and I will read anything she writes.

This book tells the story of Jason and Honor. Honor has moved in next door to Jason to a fixer upper. She was dealt a rotten hand in early life but was fortunate to be raised by her grandfather whom she loves and who loves her. She works hard as a hairdresser and does alot to take care of her granfather who is living in a facility. Jason works hard at his business also and has his brother and nephew living with him. Jason feels an immediate connection with Honor but she is very independent, determined to do things on her own and has difficulty in opening up to people. Jason is determined to get her to open up to him.

This story is heartwarming in several ways. The characters are great “everyday people” with everyday problems whom you end up rooting for. My only critique would be I truly did not understand why Honor felt she needed to keep the secret about her grandfather throughout the story. However, a small point in an otherwise very nice story to read.  The story is well-written and the dialogue believable which is one of the things I enjoy most about Ms. Foster’s writing.

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Books

Fire Bound by Christine Feehan

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Fire Bound is the latest in the Sisters of the Heart series by Christine Feehan. Starting with the blurb:

The Blurb:  Flame-haired Lissa Piner is a skilled glass blower whose delicate gift conceals a burning inner strength that can destroy as exquisitely as it can create. Commissioned to design chandeliers for a string of luxury hotels, her remarkable skills have taken her to Italy. But Lissa’s real mission there is a secret. For her entire life has been a lie, leading to a chance to avenge a terrible wrong. Enlisted as her bodyguard is Casmir Prakenskii, a trained assassin living off the grid. In Lissa, he sees a kindred spirit—something unexpected and wicked, mysterious and sensual. But more than desire is about to bring them together: because both of their pasts cry out for revenge. And for two people with this many secrets, this much passion, and this many enemies, someone is bound to get burned.

My thoughts: I enjoyed this book alot. It had many things I enjoy in a story–interesting characters, some organized crime, betrayal, and of course, love. However, I will advise you that elements of this story can be a bit harsh to read. Both Lissa and Casimer are tied to the fire elemental. Lissa is one of the Sisters of the Heart–a group of women who came together after undescribable violence in their lives to form a tightly woven family. Each of them are tied to an element and will mate with one of the Prakenskii brothers. Lissa is on a mission–she is avenging the murders of her family but must come face to face with a betrayal she never imagined. I liked both Lissa and Casimer although it took me a while to warm up to Casimer. It also set up the last book in this series well. Each book can be read as a standalone but I always recommending reading in order.
Books, fantasy, paranormal romance, Romance

Dark Promises by Christine Feehan

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First, the blurb:  Gabrielle has had enough of battles, of wars, of seeing Gary Jansen, the man she loves nearly lose his life when it isn’t even his fight. Once he was a gentle and very human researcher. Now he’s a fearless and lethal Carpathian warrior with the blood of an ancient lineage coursing through his veins—a man Gabrielle still needs and desires and dreams of with every breath she takes. All she wants is a life far away from the Carpathian mountains, far from vampires and the shadows cast by the crumbling monastery that hides so many terrible secrets. But Gabrielle soon learns that promises made in the dark can pierce the heart like a dagger. And she isn’t the only one in search of answers in the corners of the unknown…Trixie Joanes has come to the Carpathian mountains in search of her wayward granddaughter, fearing that she has been lured there by something unspeakable. Instead, Trixie has stumbled into the path of a desperate man and a woman in love and on the run. And they’re all fated for the lair of a mysterious ancient with revenge in his soul and the undying power to make bad dreams come true.

My thoughts:  This book tells the story of Aleskei and Gabby. All Gabby wants is to live a life free of vampires, Carpathians, fear and away from the Mountains. She is prepared to mate Gary, a true hero among the Carpathians for all the work he has done to help them. However, Gabby’s destiny lies elsewhere–specifically, with an ancient Carpathian named Aleskei. Theirs is a story that will tug at your heart. Along the way, we meet Grandma Trixie–a wonderful character who can’t help but love!

I really enjoyed this book. I have been reading the Carpathians for years (and years). This is book #29 (yes, 29) of this series (and I believe that includes the novellas) I call them “my beloved Carpathians”. However, I have also been somewhat critical of this series for a while because I felt the author was not doing much to advance the overall story arc and I felt the writing was suffering. I am very glad to feel some of the formerly great writing coming back to this series. Having said that, I still have to say I don’t think this book did a lot to advance the story line. Yes, we did learn a few pieces of information, however, we also gained several more characters that I loved but now have their books coming also and we still have several characters whose books we have been waiting for. But, as I love the Carpathians, I will keep going!! I have to believe that Ms. Feehan will eventually save the Carpathians!

Books, indie author, paranormal romance, Romance

Sword Witch by C.S. Wilde

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Sword Witch is a short novella by C.S. Wilde that tells the story of Sally, a sword (warrior) witch and her fight for the love of a human, Joseph.  She enters into a deal with an evil Fae in order to accomplish her goal by using illegal magic, and risking her own freedom.  And of course, it leads to an epic battle involving her half-Fae Brother, Neil.  I liked the give/take between Sally and Neil and seeing a little bit of their childhood and history.

This was a fun and entertaining read. I liked Sally’s magic–a couple of things she could do was really cool.   I also think this story would have worked as an even longer story, if the author chose to. I would actually like to see a story for the brother, Neil.

I received an ARC  in exchange for an honest review.