Review: Pleasure of a Dark Prince

Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Kresley Cole
Paranormal Romance
Immortals After Dark/Book 9
Pocket/February 16, 2010

*Possible Spoilers for Previous Books*

From the author's website ~

A Dangerous Beauty

Lucia the Huntress: as mysterious as she is exquisite, she harbors secrets that threaten to destroy her - and those she loves.

An Uncontrollable Need

Garreth MacRieve, Prince of the Lykae: the brutal Highland warrior who burns to finally claim this maddeningly sensual creature as his own.

That Lead To A Pleasure So Wicked...

From the shadows, Garreth has long watched over Lucia. Now, the only way to keep the proud huntress safe from harm is to convince her to accept him as her guardian. To do this, Garreth will ruthlessly exploit Lucia's greatest weakness - her wanton desire for him.

Finally started up this series again. I had let it fall by the wayside after having such a hard time finishing Kiss of a Demon King. That book just didn't work for me. I didn't like the hero or the heroine. So after a break, I came back with a vengeance! I flew through Pleasure of a Dark Prince and Demon from the Dark. Both reminded me why I enjoyed this series so much!

Lucia went through hell at a young age. She made a huge mistake while a teenager and is still paying for, centuries later. One thing I've always loved about this series is the camaraderie and sisterhood of the Valkyries. They can be real bitches but even at their bitchiest, they stick together. They've got each others' backs. Lucia is closest with Regin, they are cohorts in crime or at the very least, in finding trouble.

Garreth MacRieve is the heir to Lykae throne and has been looking for his brother, the king of the Lykae, who has been missing for almost two centuries. It's while Garreth is in New Orleans that he senses his mate nearby. Too bad she wants nothing to do with him. Garreth is easy to like. He's funny, with that smartass humor that I love. He's also relentless when it comes to pursuing his mate. It's in his lykae blood, to never give up. I liked how he did this kind of one step forward, two steps back, then run like crazy to catch up with Lucia. He's an alpha and while he does exert his alpha-ness, he also has this gentle side that he shows to his mate. And I loved how he pronounced Lucia "Lousha" with that sexy Scottish burr.

After misunderstandings and imprisonment, Lucia and Garreth find themselves on a quest, searching for something that is said to have the ability to kill a god. It had a very Indiana Jones feel with a journey through the Amazon, complete with dangerous terrain, monsters and enemies at every turn. Cole keeps things moving quickly with lots of action. Garreth and Lucia hold their own against their enemies and work together to defeat them. The one thing about the Valkyries - that don't play the "girl card" when it comes to a fight. They can kick-ass just as well as the boys.

The story takes place during the same time-line as previous books. While I knew what the outcome for some of the characters story lines, I didn't know what would happened to Garreth and Lucia and that's what kept my interest. I did find some of the repetition of the previous plots hard to get into since I knew the outcome. Like when Emma is hurt and dying, it was emotional for the characters but not so much for me. Lucia wasn't always an easy characters to like. She's loyal and honorable but continues to punish herself, and in turn, punishes Garreth, because of her one big mistake as a teen.

The ending leaves the reader standing on a cliff, just waiting to get pushed over the edge. I loved it and immediately started the next book, Demon From the Dark.

Rating: B+

Books in the series ~

The Warlord Wants Forever (Novella in Playing Easy to Get)
A Hunger Like No Other
No Rest for the Wicked
Wicked Deeds on a Winters Night
Dark Needs at Night's Edge
Kiss of a Demon King
Untouchable (Novel in duology, Deep Kiss of Winter)
Pleasure of a Dark Prince
Demon from the Dark
Dreams of a Dark Warrior
Lothaire (January 10, 2012)

Review: Mommy Said Goodbye

Mommy Said Goodbye
Janice Kay Johnson
Contemporary Romance
Harlequin/April 1, 2004

From fictiondb ~

What would you think if one day your wife disappeared, and everyone believed you were responsible?

How would you feel if the only thing that kept you from being arrested was your child's insistence that his mommy told him she was leaving?

And what would you do if you suspected your son was lying?

One day Craig Lofgren came home to discover that his wife was gone. He and his kids have been living in a nightmare ever since. The police think he killed her; the neighbors do, too. The only bright spot is Robin McKinnon, the one person who believes in Craig. But until his wife is found he has nothing to offer her. Welcome to purgatory.

SINGLE FATHER

He's a man on his own, trying to raise his children.
Sometimes he gets things right. Sometimes he needs a little help...

Since I've only been reading books from the various Harlequin lines for a few years, I wouldn't say that I have an extensive knowledge of what the different lines have to offer. I was surprised at the darkness and intensity of Mommy Said Goodbye. It's a view of the fallout when a family suffers a devastating loss in addition to being the focus of prejudice, ridicule and scandal.

A single father raising his two children as best as he can amidst the small town gossip and rumors of what happened to his missing wife. That's what Craig Lofgren has been trying to do ever since his wife disappeared a year and a half ago. The police targeted Craig as a suspect in her disappearance, believe possible foul play, but without any evidence, no arrest was made. But that doesn't matter to many of the townsfolk. Craig is looked at with suspicion and treated as a social pirraha. He has put up with it for so long, it's become almost normal for him to distance himself from society. But it's his kids that he worries about the most and what the tragedy is doing to them.

Right off I felt sorry for Craig and his kids. They not only go through the aftereffects of losing a loved one but not knowing what happened keeps them wondering if they did something wrong. Craig is portrayed as a husband who loved his wife but didn't understand her. The kids have their own guilt to carry, wondering why mommy left them. Add in the attitude of the police and many of the neighbors and former friends, and life has been extremely difficult for the Lofgren family. I thought the author did a good job of showing the different ways this family was affected not only by their loss but also the community's response.

Robin is in a difficult position. She is a teacher and one of her students is Brett Lofgren. No surprise, Brett is a troubled student. His friends have deserted him and his temper is on a short fuse. Robin wants to help and reaches out to Brett. I liked how realistic Robin is when reaching out to Brett while still having doubts about his father and his role in his wife's disappearance. As she spends more time with Craig and his kids, her doubts go away and the attraction between her and Craig builds.

Even though it's been a year and a half since his wife's disappearance, Craig still has to deal with the police and one officer in particular. There is a set up for a spin off story (Revelations, 09/04) featuring the police officers. You can almost feel the defeat in Craig when dealing with the police. It's Robin that keeps his morale up and shows him that not everyone thinks the worst of him.

The romance develops slowly and softly. I wouldn't say it's the focal point of the story. Much of the focus is on the aftermath of the disappearance. I would have like to see the romance further along than it got. Craig doesn't feel like he has anything to offer Robin until his wife is found. Robin finds herself falling for Craig and his kids and wanting to know more about his wife and their relationship. I liked how they got to know each other, and their kids. The kids were not excluded in this relationship which I thought was important since both Craig and Robin are depicted as loving, caring parents.

I'd like to offer a shout out to Wendy aka Super Librarian, for reviewing and recommending Mommy Said Goodbye as well as the sequel, Revelations. Both, while lighter on the romance, are well written romantic suspense stories.

Rating: B+

Life's Curves and Bumps...

I've been just a bit MIA lately. This past week was a lesson in patience and hospital procedure which required more patience. My mom has been sick and required not one but two trips to the ER last week, the second of which she was admitted. That was this past Saturday and she was released and sent home yesterday. She contracted a bacterial infection which was causing some chest pain/discomfort. So the doctors admitted her for more testing and correct antibiotics. She was given the wrong antibiotics on the first trip to the ER, last week Monday. Last week Wednesday I took her to her Primary Care doctor who thought she had had a TIA (like a mini stroke, considered a warning sign). He prescribed Plavix (blood thinner) and we thought she was on her way to getting better. Then Friday I was at her house and she was still tired so my Aunt Fran, mom's sister, spent Friday night with her.

Saturday at 7am my husband is waking me up (I think I told him to go away. I had been up until 2:30 & was tired). He tells me Aunt Fran is on the phone. My mom and aunt had been up since 4am with my mom in pain but not willing to call 911. She's very stubborn. So I get ready to go, and my niece, who lives 10 minutes from my mom, was called and she took my mom to the ER and I met them there. After being admitted for more tests and even more tests, she went home yesterday. We're both tired of the hospital and she's happy to be home. What a week! I did get some reading done so that was a positive thing. But now I'm way behind on writing reviews. LOL

We did get some good news last week. My oldest brother, who has lymphoma and in need of a stem cell transplant, has found a 10/10 donor match. Me! I'm happy, excited and very nervous. I'll be going to Denver next month, in just a few weeks! The procedure is suppose to take about 7 days. I get medicine for 6 days to increase the release of stem cells into the blood. Then I'm hooked up to a machine that removes the stem cells from my blood, then puts the blood back into me. I'll be flying there and this is where I could use any advice you guys can offer. I haven't flown since 1999 and obviously things have changed a lot! So any tips, tricks or advice would be greatly appreciated. :)

I'm going to try to catch up on blog hopping and review writing. I did hear about the latest eye rolling drama in romanceland. About the high school teacher who writes erotica romances under a pen name. Seriously, this is what parents are upset about? As long as she wasn't talking about her books in class, which from what I read she had not, then I don't see what the problem is. She has been teaching for 25 years and is considered a good teacher. If what she does in her personal life isn't illegal, then it's no ones business. I wouldn't be surprised if some of these same people/parents that are so upset have internet access in their homes where these same children they are trying to protect, can Google things that are far more "racy" than what Ms. Mays writes.

I don't usually get involved in the online drama, mainly because in my experience, things are usually blown way out of proportion. And often there are people who have their own agendas and don't want to discuss the issue, they only want to give what they think is the correct opinion. So it's pointless to attempt a discussion of the problem and the situation usually disintegrates into name calling and juvenile behavior. Which I have no patience for.

But I do wish to voice my opinion on this since I do have three kids, one of which is a junior in high school. When you consider what kids can watch during prime time TV and on cable - they see plenty of sexual situations played out in front of them. Sex is everywhere in the media. It's difficult to get away from it. There are far more important issues going on in high schools like the quality of teaching, overcrowding, bullying, cuts in extracurricular activities and the safety of the students and faculty. This story is simply being sensationalized by the media and those who have nothing better to do than intrude into a teacher's personal life.

ARC Review: The Vampire Dimitri

The Vampire Dimitri
Colleen Gleason
Paranormal Historical Romance
London/1804
Regency Draculia/Book 2
Harlequin Mira/April 19, 2011

From the author's website ~

Regency London loves a Society wedding –
Even if there are vampires on the guest list.

Dimitri, the Earl of Corvindale, should be delighted that the headstrong Maia Woodmore is getting married. His mortal ward and houseguest has annoyed – and bewitched – the Dracule nobleman too long, and denying his animal cravings grows more excruciating by the day.

Miss Woodmore's family has a rather...complicated history with the immortals and she herself possesses a keen sensibility far beyond mere women's intuition. Marriage will give her safety, respectability, and everything else a proper young lady could wish for. Everything, that is, except for passion.

In the looming battle between Dracule factions, all pretenses will shatter as Maia and Dimitri come together in an unholy union of danger, desperation, and fiercest desire.

The second book in Colleen Gleason's historical vampire series takes place during the same time frame as book one, The Vampire Voss. The difference is that we get Dimitri and Maia's POV of the same events, along with some secondary characters POV. After reading Voss and Angelica's story, I was very interested in reading Dimitri and Maia's. I liked that there was friction between them, with Maia standing up to Dimitri, without knowing that she was going head to head with a very powerful vampire.

Maia Woodmore is the unquestionable leader of the Woodmore sisters. She is the backbone of propriety in the family and feels it is her duty to see that all follow society's rules. She sounds awfully dull and stuffy and in a way she is but she's just waiting to break free of the strictures she has placed on herself. She has this underlying fear of taking the wrong step that will condemn her family in the eyes of society. I liked her as soon as she began giving orders to anyone within hearing. LOL I don't see her as bossy but rather as feisty and stubborn.

The last thing Dimitri, the Earl of Corvindale wants are women in his home, turning his orderly world upside down. Not only does he get the Woodmore sisters in his home, he must act as their temporary guardian. This duty includes escorting them to various society functions and confrontations with Maia Woodmore. When Dimitri and Maia interacted, he came across as very human. His patience running thin while his attraction to Maia becoming stronger. Maia proved to be the catalyst he needed to get him out of his self-imposed hibernation.

I thoroughly enjoyed the interactions between Dimitri and Maia. In the beginning, they disagreed on just about everything. It was like an odd mating dance that neither participant was quite sure of the rules. They were both certain they didn't like each other but when they stopped arguing, they came to realize they were attracted to each other. I loved how it wasn't a quick fall in love but even after they fell, Maia could still drive Dimitri crazy.

There is a very real threat that Dimitri must keep Maia and her sister safe from. Things don't always go as planned and he has to make some choices that Maia doesn't always agree with but eventually comes to trust and even help Dimitri. I liked how they began to work together and Dimitri came to see past his annoyance to Maia's strengths. I also liked how Dimitri could go from this cool, refined gentleman of the ton to one scary, powerful vampire. He could be an elegant earl one moment and a fanged out predator the next. The way the world of the ton and the world of the Draculia were merged made for some interesting social functions.

The set up for the next book, The Vampire Narcise, is in evidence with Narcise playing a role in the lives of the Woodmore siblings. I didn't feel a connection with Narcise, she seemed too distance but that could change in her story. I do like her hero and want to know more about his background and what their history is. The Vampire Dimitri kept me absorbed in Dimitri and Maia story but I do wish we would have had less of Narcise and Dimitri would have seen beyond his own problems sooner while seeing Maia for the perfect woman for him. With this second installment of the series Gleason has created a unique world of sophistication with an underlying darkness ready to strike at any moment. Definitely a page turner.

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

The Vampire Voss
The Vampire Dimitri
The Vampire Narcise (May 24, 2011)

TBR Challenge Review: Mustang Wild

Mustang Wild
Stacey Kayne
Historical Western Romance
American West/1880
Harlequin/March 1, 2007

From the back cover ~

No smooth-talking man is going to outwit her!

With the deed to her land and a kid brother to protect, mustanger Skylar Daines shouldn't have tangled with the likes of Tucker Morgan. But his stolen kiss scatters her senses and, quicker than a whirling dust devil, they're wed!

To her relief, Tucker's keen to fix the marital slipup—and then he tells her the deed she holds belongs to him, and him alone. Maybe she shouldn't rush to have their marriage annulled. No man, no matter how good-looking, is going to swindle Skylar out of the one thing she yearns for most—a home.

This month's challenge category is westerns - either historical or contemporary. My TBR pile has plenty of westerns to choose from but they majority are from the Harlequin Historical line. I have a number of books from Stacey Kayne and decided it was about time I gave her a try. Mustang Wild is not only the first book in Kayne's Wild series, it's also her debut novel. While this is a historical, the cover looks more contemporary to me with the pearl snaps on the shirt and the jeans that look far more fashionable than an old pair of Levis.

The story begins with Skylar and her younger brother Garret looking for the man who was her father's partner instead she finds his drunken twin brother. Then before she could blink, they're married. What?! A bunch of drunks and a bet was involved and Skylar learned that she should always read what she signs. Right from the start it's obvious who the more mature, serious person is in this relationship. Skylar is nineteen but has been weighed down by a lot of responsibility early on. Now, with her father dead, she has her thirteen year old brother to take care of. Plus, she has to get her horses to Wyoming, to the home that she thinks is hers.

Tucker Morgan may be a twin but he's nothing like his brother Chance. Tucker is quick to smile, friendly, outgoing and just enjoys life. He didn't want to get married but once he gets to know his new bride, he begins to see the positive side of being married to Skylar. He also has a hard time thinking of her as just another one of the hands on the trail drive. He really seemed to enjoyed bringing out her feminine side and I liked that about him. That he took the time to see past her serious, somewhat rough exterior to the woman underneath.

The story got off to a bit of a slow start - I felt like I was ready but was left waiting for everyone else to get ready to go. It picked up once they got on the trail, heading to Wyoming. With everyone working hard to keep the horses moving and protected, you wouldn't think there would be time for romance. Tucker and Skylar managed to find some time, but still say they want an annulment. Aside from the hasty marriage, Skylar must overcome her distrust of men before she and Tucker have any chance of a HEA. She doesn't want to rely on any man, certainly not her husband but Tucker continues to prove he is there for her and she learns that all men are not alike. I was just happy she didn't suddenly fall for his pretty face.

The trail is dangerous, with the terrain and the horse thieves trying their best to stop Skylar and Tucker from making it to Wyoming. The plot was fairly typical of a western. I wasn't surprised by any twists or turns the story took, rather, I found myself along for the ride, knowing where I would end up. I'd say Mustang Wild was a pleasing read with a strong heroine, a likable hero and a couple secondary characters waiting in the wings for their stories to be told.

Rating: B

Books in this series ~

Mustang Wild
Maverick Wild
Mountain Wild

Access Romance Day...

It's that time again. Come on over and join me at Access Romance Readers Gab where I'm talking about Best Seller Lists. How much, if any, importance do you place on the best seller lists? Do those lists influence your reading choices?

Review: The Sweetest Thing

The Sweetest Thing
Jill Shalvis
Contemporary Romance
Lucky Harbor/Book 2
Grand Central/April 1, 2011

From the back cover ~

Two Men Are One Too Many . . .

Tara has a thousand good reasons not to return to the little coastal town of Lucky Harbor, Washington. Yet with her life doing a major crash-and-burn, anywhere away from her unfulfilled dreams and sexy ex-husband will do. As Tara helps her two sisters get their newly renovated inn up and running, she finally has a chance to get things under control and come up with a new plan for her life.

But a certain tanned, green-eyed sailor has his own ideas, such as keeping Tara hot, bothered . . . and in his bed. And when her ex wants Tara back, three is a crowd she can't control-especially when her deepest secret reappears out of the blue. Now Tara must confront her past and discover what she really wants. If she's lucky, she might just find that everything her heart desires is right here in Lucky Harbor.

I was so thrilled when I finally had a chance to get to Borders and get this book. Anyone who has been around my blog for a while knows how much I love Jill Shalvis' books. I will admit to being a fan girl, and I don't do that often. I'm not usually a "sqee-er" but I'd sqee for Shalvis. I just love her writing and The Sweetest Thing is just one more reason why.

Tara Daniels wasn't the easiest character to like in Simply Irresistable. When we first met her she was bossy and pessimistic but she had this hidden vulnerable side that I wanted to see more of. It's now six months later and Tara has decided to staying in Lucky Harbor and make a go of the inn with her sisters Chloe and Maddie. She's still no Susie Sunshine but she's trying. I was happy that Tara didn't suddenly becoming sweet and charming and a total pushover when it came to Ford. Instead, we get to see Tara breaking out of that hold position she's placed herself in as she begins to trust that things will work out and she can finally stop feeling guilty for something that happened when she was a teenager.

Ford is this easy going, sexy, amusing, hometown hero. He knows everyone and seems to get along with most. He was very easy to like, I can't think of anything I didn't like about him. He's not perfect, in fact he can be a little dense when it comes to Tara and it takes him awhile to get through to her but he's stubborn. He also loves to show off his body to Tara, with little to no encouragement needed for him to start undressing for her. He's hard to resist! They fit well together because Ford is laid back while Tara is very precise and just a bit uptight. They make their coupledom work once they get their feelings about their past out in the open.

Tara's relationship with Ford is an odd one. They knew each other as teens, meeting when Tara spent a summer with her mother in Lucky Harbor. They have that connection of a past and Ford wants to reconnect with Tara but she's leery of getting hurt again. Ford is persistent and logical (Ford logic) which doesn't always work when dealing with Tara. Their interactions are funny, with that Shalvis trademark humor. Add in Tara's ex showing up to try to win her back and the whole town gets in on the action with Facebook polls of who Tara should pick. I loved the competitive atmosphere of having the two men vying for Tara. And I even liked Tara's ex by the end of the book. There was no contest as to who the best fit with Tara was but it was entertaining to see two grown men acting like idiots. LOL There is a whole scene with bees and a trip to the hospital that had me in stitches.

There are also some serious moments when Tara and Ford must deal with their past. I was expecting it so it didn't come as a surprise. No spoilers so I won't say any more but I was pleased with how Ford became the one to take control of the situation with Tara following his lead. This was another instance of character growth for both of them which not only allowed them to become closer but for Tara to realize she could rely on Ford.

Tara and her sisters Maddie and Chloe are still working out the kinks in their relationships with Tara learning to bend when it comes to decisions and responsibilities. I enjoyed seeing the sisters grow closer and look forward to seeing more of that in Chloe's book.

It looks like another book to add to my keeper shelf! The next book, Head Over Heels, comes out this December and I can't wait!

Rating: A

Books in this series ~

Simply Irresistable
The Sweetest Thing
Head Over Heels (Chloe's book/December 2011)

Either Ore Winner...

Apologies for posting this so late - it has been one of those days. So what better way to end it than to post the winner of Karen Mercury's newest release, Either Ore. Congratulations to J. Rose Allister!!!.

J. Rose, if you could send your email information to me at lgladnick@gmail.com, I'll send it on to Karen. Thanks again Karen for the wonderful guest post!

Review: Absolutely, Positively

Absolutely, Positively
Heather Webber
Romantic Mystery
Lucy Valentine/Book 3
St. Martins/February 1, 2011

*Possible Spoilers for Previous Books*

From the back cover ~

"Exposed" by a Boston Herald reporter, Lucy is suddenly the talk of the town. Long back-story short: Even though the rest of her Valentine ancestors were blessed by Cupid with psychic abilities, Lucy's only special power lies in her ability to find things. This skill has proven quite a blessing for those who come to her matchmaking agency in search of finding their long-lost loves. Now that Lucy's secret is out, she has more new clients than she knows what to do with. But soon a certain man of mystery steals Lucy's spotlight...

No, it's not Sean Donahue, the sexy fireman-turned-private-eye who's stolen Lucy's heart. It's a masked man in a cowboy hat, dubbed "The Lone Ranger," who's been throwing handfuls of cash across the Common. Now all of Beantown's abuzz. Can Lucy unmask the mysterious money man, track down all her clients' old flames, and turn up the heat on her love life? Absolutely, positively...

The third book in the irresistible Lucy Valentine series takes Lucy one step further in her relationship with Sean and sees her gain more confidence in her ability to find lost loves. I really like the progression of growth in both Lucy and Sean and love the world that Webber has created at Valentine, Inc. It's funny, quirky and emotional without being over the top unbelievable.

Lucy has two new cases to work on plus her relationship with Sean is front and center. She's not sure if she's ready to take the next step with Sean by suggesting he move in with her. Throughout the book, we see how Lucy goes through the pros and cons of living with Sean. I really liked that Webber didn't have Lucy take this decision lightly but rather worked it out in her head as well as her heart.

The first case of young love reunited was interesting although I wasn't always sure of the woman's motives. For some reason I thought Meaghan might have a more sinister reason for wanting to find Tristan. Looking back, it surprises me how detailed the plot and characters are considering the length of the book. Both Meaghan and Tristan are well developed for secondary characters given how much page time the get. I thought Tristan was even more so and enjoyed him matching wits with Lucy.

The second case of the missing recluse also had it's share of secondary characters, giving insight into what recluse Mac Gladstone's life was like and what might have caused him to disappear. I don't think the outcome was surprising but I did enjoy the journey to it.

Lucy's parents are always interesting to see but this time there is more going on there. I'd say that Lucy's father is my least favorite character, primarily because he comes across as very selfish with the occasional outpouring of love for Lucy. He doesn't come off as much of a father figure for her and that's where I have problems with him. I do however like Lucy's mother and her grandmother Dovie. They both add that eclectic flavor to the series.

Once again, Heather Webber has added an entertaining installment in the Lucy Valentine series. I'm really curious to see where Lucy and Sean's relationship goes and where their next case takes them. And what's with Preston and Cutter? That's one thing that I really appreciate about this series - the endless possibilities of where the author can take me.

Rating: A-

Books in this series ~

Truly, Madly
Deeply, Desperately
Absolutely, Positively

Kiss Across Swords Winner...

It's Friday night and that means that it's time to pick a winner from Tracy Cooper-Posey's guest post last week. Using Random.org, the winner of an e-book copy of Kiss Across Swords is Hilcia!!!

Congratulations Hilcia! I've emailed Tracy your info. I think you're really going to enjoy reading about Taylor, Brody and Veris. :)