Okay, kids...we waited, and Larissa Ione has DELIVERED. Anyone who knows me well can attest to my love for this incredible author and her words. Ione pOkay, kids...we waited, and Larissa Ione has DELIVERED. Anyone who knows me well can attest to my love for this incredible author and her words. Ione possesses the unique talent of mixing laughter and pathos, drama and delight--and that's just talking about the plot! Against the backdrop of the most unique and heartfelt stories I've ever read in PNR-Fantasy are always-ALWAYS the most beautiful and layered characters in RomatansyLand. Eva and Logan are absolutely no exception: a pair determined to hate each other but unable to resist each other, engaged in a steamy push-pull that's more than enough emotion and chemistry for my K-drama loving heart, mixed with sexy times for my kinky girl side to gorge on. All in all, an AMAZING start to what I know if going to be a dramatic, twisty, delicious PNR ride. I'm here for it ALL!...more
So well done! I am loving these sisters, and the men who boldly love them. Additionally, this is professor-student, one of my fave tropes, given a truSo well done! I am loving these sisters, and the men who boldly love them. Additionally, this is professor-student, one of my fave tropes, given a truly creative new voice. Beautiful, emotional layers on top of a terrific plot. ...more
If you love books that pull at your heart in all the most gentle ways before serving up a last act of heart-pounding action and emotion, look no furthIf you love books that pull at your heart in all the most gentle ways before serving up a last act of heart-pounding action and emotion, look no further than this gorgeously written book by two masterful goddesses of the craft. Kincade and Bishop set up such a lovely story with many of my very favorite tropes, but with just enough subtle spins on each that my eyebrows were lifting and my heart was thoroughly snagged. But while this story really grabbed in all the right places for my heart and soul, what I loved the most about this book were the two main characters. They are going to cling to my memory for a good while to come! Artemis is, in one word I save for only my favorite heroines, so real and relatable--and this, despite that fact that she's a bonafide goddess of Olympus! But in this book, she's also a single mom saddled with so many of the HUMAN emotions that brings, helped by a gal-posse we'd all love to call our own. Her hero, Finley is a dragon shifter (!!! YES!!!) who, despite his beastly side (because don't we all have them?) is rendered beautifully human in his attributes by snagging a job with the Underworld daycare, where his new little-man bestie spends a lot of time bragging about what a great mom he has...tee hee! When Artemis and Finley's worlds finally converge, the sparks fly--and I do mean SPARKS!--in a subtle but sexy tale that had me turning pages all the way up to, and through, a climactic third act. It was such an amazing ride...truly a 5-star read! ...more
The Safe Harbor series is rapidly becoming one of my favorites, from one of my most admired authors. It would be so easy to rattle off all the componeThe Safe Harbor series is rapidly becoming one of my favorites, from one of my most admired authors. It would be so easy to rattle off all the components and tropes about this book that make it incredibly special already--swoon-worthy LBGT, disability representation, quirky small town secondary charries, and a taste of home renovation fun for those of us who can't get enough of a great demolition scene--but to me, the thing that stands out most about this beautiful story are the meanings BENEATH all that. One man's yearning for that soulmate to make his house a home, and another who's triggered by the very concept of putting down roots or caring for others beyond the ones he's tasked to rescue. It's unspeakably poignant and romantically perfect--on top of steam that had me defogging my e-reader quite a number of times! Absolutely gorgeous and definitely NOT to be missed. 5 glorious stars in a sky of rainbow-colored fireworks. ...more
The Shark's Edge world lives on in a beautiful new way in this really cool new series from Victoria Blue. I was so freakinnggg excittteeeddd to learn The Shark's Edge world lives on in a beautiful new way in this really cool new series from Victoria Blue. I was so freakinnggg excittteeeddd to learn that all of Hannah's sister are going to get their own books; even more so when Agatha was announced as the first heroine of the Bombshells of Brentwood! Agatha Farsay and Carmen Sandoval are set up in earlier books; notably the last 3 books of the Shark's Edge series--but if you're jumping in here, you're going to catch on super fast that this duo is going to light each other (and possibly the whole city of LA) on fire. (I mean...WOW...seriously, y'all...) But the passion is just square one of the journey these two must take to understand, and eventually accept, each other. This book was really moving to me because it shows that love is sometimes not always a primrose-lined path. It's a journey that's filled with patience, communication--and yes, most of all, learning to accept oneself before being able to be complete for another. Deep lessons indeed--and so beautifully conveyed by Ms. Blue up to the very last second of this book. I'm excitedly waiting for more. ...more
What an awesome read! Must admit, age gaps are normally not my thing, but I had faith that Ms. Sloane wouldn't let me down with characters that would What an awesome read! Must admit, age gaps are normally not my thing, but I had faith that Ms. Sloane wouldn't let me down with characters that would enthrall my heart and capture my soul. This book did all of that and more. The conflict was achingly awesome and seriously swoony, with a very satisfying ending for the story. Loved the depth that was written in for the supporting cast too. Overall, a really terrific read....more
Yet another awesome part of Isaac and Sidney's ongoing passions and adventures. I especially loved this one because of a personal fascination with urbYet another awesome part of Isaac and Sidney's ongoing passions and adventures. I especially loved this one because of a personal fascination with urban legends and legends/lore/curses. The creative twists that Ms. Collins puts to this well-loved PNR trope are absolutely riveting to read. Besides Isaac and Sid's growing love saga (OMG; ALL THE FEELS!), I also love where this author is going with both the secondary couples for this series. It's an ever-expanding world that just gets better and better with each new read. ...more
I am insanely in love with the Lillys-verse. Kayla and Ty's gorgeous, layered love story is set against the tumultuous ups and downs of the rock 'n' rI am insanely in love with the Lillys-verse. Kayla and Ty's gorgeous, layered love story is set against the tumultuous ups and downs of the rock 'n' roll tour grind, only it's so much more than a rock star romance. This plot gripped me in ALL THE FEELS. If you liked "Daisy Jones and the Six", you're going to LOVE this world of music, passion, and unforgettable characters. I need more right the heck now!...more
I still can't get enough of Isaac and Sidney. This one was probably one of my faves in the series (I know, I say it about each new read in the series)I still can't get enough of Isaac and Sidney. This one was probably one of my faves in the series (I know, I say it about each new read in the series), but seriously, the mystery componenet of this one was extremely well-done and super gripping. Of course, all the new developments with our main couple are also incredible: swoony and achy but also funny and healing. Soooo beautiful. I am SO addicted to this series!...more
So first, CALLING ALL THEATER GEEKS. The absolutely awesome rehearsal scenes and "theater people" refs in this were worth the read lone. But even if tSo first, CALLING ALL THEATER GEEKS. The absolutely awesome rehearsal scenes and "theater people" refs in this were worth the read lone. But even if this book was set on a dude ranch, I'd have loved it. The H/h are SOOOO well-drawn and achingly awesome to read. Their story is beautifully and realistically developed, to the point that I couldn't flip pages fast enough. A really beautiful read....more
While Ms. McFionn has been one of my favorite creators for quite some time, this book notched the estimation up by several levels. This reading experiWhile Ms. McFionn has been one of my favorite creators for quite some time, this book notched the estimation up by several levels. This reading experience reminded me of WHY I love reading so much, with a plot that unfurled with perfect timing, but never felt rushed--probably because I was too busy falling in love with the three main characters so much! Have to start with my absolutel fave: the sweet, sexy, and absolutely irresistible RHYS! You guys, WHERE is all the fan merch for this guy? (Im so desperate for more Rhys, I may just have to cosplay him soon...) But then, just as I thought I was saturated with adoration for HIM, in walks the dark, demanding, and utterly gah-worthy Zac, who STILL has me wanting to throw out a staring contest just so I can look my fill of his gorgeousness. (Again: WHERE'S THE MERCH, people?) To adequately balance both of these guys, the task fell to McFionn to write a heroine worthy of the job--and she did NOT let me down. Camille is half snark, half smarts, and A LOT of beautiful heart. While I was relating to her through so many of her struggles, she was also engagingly funny, quick-witted, and more than a n awesome challenge for the guys. Pick this up for the premise, but stay for the characters. No need to order a side snack with your read, either. You'll be too busy laughing, crying, and turning pages as fast as you can. I really LOVED this read SO much!...more
It's not often that I'm grappling for words about how to describe my love for a book. I can seriously say that since finishing this book close to a weIt's not often that I'm grappling for words about how to describe my love for a book. I can seriously say that since finishing this book close to a week ago, I've struggled at considering the feat for Rebekah Ganiere's incredible story of the Norse god Fenrir and the woman created to finally love his soul. First off, let me say that this book had some huge shoes to fill. It's the third in Ganiere's track of the Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld series: she's dialed into the Norse entities like no other writer I've enjoyed with the subject since Neil Gaiman's legendary book. Like Gaiman, Ganiere pushes past the typical stereotypes for these characters and gets to the gorgeous core of their human traits: strengths, weaknesses, and all. NOT an easy feat, considering the lead-in books for Fen were Thor and Loki respectively. With Fenrir, there was the added challenge of familiarizing readers with a character that hasn't had as much of the spotlight as his uncle and father. Moreover, Fen's scars aren't just skin deep. Being the "guy who does the dirty jobs" for the gods hasn't helped the man's self-esteem at all. On the outside, he's a giant with enough muscles to shatter walls and break necks just by thinking about it. But on the inside, the violence he's had to deal to the world is also the damage he's stabbed to himself. Needless to say, when Fen meets the shy and skeptical Grace at the Underworld's speed dating party, neither of them trust their magical insta-attraction--and yet neither can ignore it either. They're caught in a push-pull with each other, hardly daring to breathe for fear of destroying their connection, yet helpless to control their magnetic pull. The romance unfolds with a poetic majesty that's entrancing to witness and impossible to put down. Yes, kids, this is one of those couples you'll be thinking about even when you have to fix dinner or mop the floor. Fen will be that tightly woven around your soul, and Grace will hypnotize that much of your heart. Because at the core of all this, despite the fantastical settings and the fantasy-grade characters, here comes those majestic pieces of mortality that Ganiere had a special and singular way of digging to. At the end of things, we're all covered in that awesome dirt--and thanking her for it. As always with a Ganiere novel, the last act is the very best part of the story. again, it rings true without being disingenuous or too high-flying to suspend the disbelief. You'll ride the wave with breath held and heart racing--and in the end, a gigantic smile of gratitude. Mostly, you'll be thanking yourself for not missing this one. Absolutely magical.
With this installment in the Filthy Rich Vampires world, Geneva Lee has established herself as a reigning goddess of fantasy romance. I am in AWE of wWith this installment in the Filthy Rich Vampires world, Geneva Lee has established herself as a reigning goddess of fantasy romance. I am in AWE of where she took this world--especially in that AMAZING THIRD ACT!!--and all of these intriguing, incredible characters. Julian, Thea, and all of their friends--as well as MANY adversaries--are transported from San Francisco to Italy in this part of the story. The pair has made it through some harrowing trials so far, but now find out that the happy ending they're looking forward to is only the beginning of another arduous test of their love. As the angst and heartache intensify, it's intensified by an unfurling tapestry of Venice's famous pomp and pageantry, concluding in a masked ball that I seriously devoured like I'd never read about one at all. Oh, and have I mentioned the thoroughly un-put-downable third act? No? Seriously, we're talking up-to-3am time, folks. GAH. Overall, the story has this gorgeous majesty that even I just cannot describe. Like the shifting shadows of Venice, the two don't know what is real or imagined--and Ms. Lee skillfully brings her reader right along on that journey of captivated unknowingness. The juxtaposition of glorious wealth but shattering tragedy is rolled out like a Shakespearean play, which had me gasping in romantic delight during the same moments that the daggers were being driven through my heart. Though Thea and Julian are still at the forefront of the story, there was also plenty of room to expand on secondary characters too--and I was really grateful for that, because I've fallen in love with so many of them just as thoroughly. All in all, these books are masterpieces of vampire fantasy, sealing Ms. Lee as a craftswoman who thoroughly knows her way around the genre--as well as the hearts and souls of her readers. While this is fabulous fantasy at its best, it's also deeply human and tormentingly emotional. SO WONDERFUL. Now I just want to know when the movie is happening!!...more
So freaking good. Every book I read in this series is better than the one before. Especially loving Pete and Jada's developing storyline too. Ms. CollSo freaking good. Every book I read in this series is better than the one before. Especially loving Pete and Jada's developing storyline too. Ms. Collins is a master craftswoman of this genre....more
After reading this book, I am officially hooked on this whole series. Ganiere has given the God of Thunder a fresh and swoon-worthy new overhaul, withAfter reading this book, I am officially hooked on this whole series. Ganiere has given the God of Thunder a fresh and swoon-worthy new overhaul, with a heroine so worthy of his love and passion. I loved this fast, funny, and absolutely sigh-inducing read. And I can't wait for the Loki follow-up!...more
I am the world's biggest sap for tragic pasts for character, especially if they're joined by unfinished love just waiting for it's swoon-swoon realizaI am the world's biggest sap for tragic pasts for character, especially if they're joined by unfinished love just waiting for it's swoon-swoon realization. Jacob Cole and Pia Shark have been set up (brilliantly, I might add) over the first 9 books of this series for THIS exact arc--and though I went into this read knowing it was going to tear my soul out, I just didn't anticipate by how much. Loyal readers of the Shark's Edge world have known Cassiopia since book one. Being Sebastian's younger sister doesn't mean she hasn't had her share of heartbreak or hardship in life, and it's built her into a heroine that I personally could relate to in SO MANY ways. We've all had those times in life where we have to keep the walls up just to keep going and move on. She does NOT anticipate ever having to see Jacob Cole in the flesh again, and the meeting throws her world off its axis in ways that had me flipping the pages of this read as fast as I could. Jacob himself is one of those heroes you NEVER want to forget: handsome but humble, driven but sexy as hell. This read is just EVERYTHING I wanted for these two, and more. The ending of this book had me yearning for the book to land on my Kindle right away. I'm eagerly looking forward to it--and diving back in to Pia and Jake's wonderful, moving story....more
It takes a daring creative to tackle a character like the king of the Greek Gods. Zeus is so remarkably famous for so many things, and has been iteratIt takes a daring creative to tackle a character like the king of the Greek Gods. Zeus is so remarkably famous for so many things, and has been iterated so many times, that digging deep for that "new angle" can be a failing quest. But Fiona Starr has done just the opposite. In Ms. Starr's newest installment into the "Speed Dating with the Denizens of the Underworld" series, Zeus--"Zee" to his friends and loved ones--is an electric and charismatic rock star known for raining actual lightning bolt finales onto his concert stage. But the roar of the crowd has grown old, and the ruler is feeling more than restless for something new. He's lonely, empty, lost--all aspects that written so beautifully in this book. Zee meets, and connects with, the beautiful Jade in a chance encounter at the DeLux speed dating event--but his one-night love cannot be his forever mate due to an incredible (and highly unique) back story that ripped at my heart and really had me turning pages as fast as I could. This was a situation where I KNEW everything would be okay but I was still terrified it wouldn't. Yes, this author is THAT freaking good at her craft. The craft of this book was truly so terrific, but so were the emotions, intensity, and masterful storytelling abilities. I'm definitely a new fan of Fiona Starr. ...more
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