Marked by the Vampire

Olivia Maddox has made studying paranormal killers her life's work.  So when she is given the opportunity to interview paranormal prisoners at the maximum security prison, Purgatory, she jumps at the chance. Only Olivia has no way of knowing what exactly she signed up for.

On her way to Purgatory she meets Shane.  A very sexy, alpha vampire.  However, the only problem is that Shane is a prisoner being transferred to the infamous prison Purgatory.  But all is not what it seems and Olivia is slowly learning that fact.

I liked the character of Olivia.  She seemed competent and didn't suffer from insta love.  But what she did suffer from was head-in-sand-distressed-need-a-man-to-rescue-me syndrome.  Which detracted from what would have been a strong leading female character.  She has her own secrets and dark side.  Ok fine, I can deal with that. As a matter of fact, I kinda like that. Her flaws gave her more depth and likability.

Now on to Shane.  Yum!  Shane is an alpha vampire.  When I say alpha I mean ALPHA!!!!!  I can't say much more about him without giving things way.  But I will say Shane is the ultimate BAMF!  If you ever find yourself at a maximum security paranormal prison Shane is the type of guy to have on your side.

I enjoyed reading this book. It was a quick fun read that satisfied my need for a paranormal romance. Marked by the Vampire is the second book in the Purgatory series.  But fear not, it can be read as a stand alone novel.

Melting Ms. Frost

Melting Ms. Frost left me very cold.  This is a story about an determined business woman that is in desperate need of loosening that tight bun along with her uptight personality.  This is an erotica novel there is no doubt about that, so if that is not your cup of tea then you need to look elsewhere.

This book just didn't do it for me.  I love a good story about a very capable woman letting her freak flag fly.  So I looked forward to reading about how Aidan was going the melt the ice in Annabel's panties.  But I just couldn't make it through.  I didn't connect with the characters and I just found the story a little boring.

Now, that being said, Melting Ms. Frost is very well written.  The author does an excellent job showing the reader and not telling.  She is able to paint a picture that the reader can enjoy.  Her writing style is excellent and it truly enhanced the story.  The story takes place in Britain and that added a certain uniqueness to the story.  I liked the different story setting and felt the characters were enriched because of it.

The character development or growth was slow and gradual.  Just as it should be.  Annabel isn't going to break down her emotional walls overnight.  Along with her relationships with Aidan and her mother.  Things do not change instantly and I think the author did an excellent job in this aspect.

But I just couldn't connect to the story.  But I truly feel this is a case of its not you, its me.  The reviews for this book are largely favorable.  So check it out for yourself and see if you like it.  Don't pass it by because of this cranky reviewer.

Awakened a Paranormal Romance

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This is the second book by Virna DePaul that I have read and yet again I am not disappointed.  I received this ARC in exchange for an honest review.  This newest installment in the Belladonna Agency series focuses on Barrett an ex-soldier and former lover of partner in arms Nick.  Barrett and Nick once upon a time had a very passionate love affair.  However, it cooled when Barrett walked away in order to save herself from potential heartbreak.  Now Barrett is force to seek Nick's help when her best friend's daughter is kidnapped and taken into a sex ring.  I liked the aspect of the kidnapped girls forced into a sex ring.  It allowed each of the characters to get past their own bullshit and work toward achieving a common goal.

I found myself enjoying this second installment much more than the first book.  The foundation and vampire lore had already been established and DePaul doesn't spend much time rehashing that.  Which I loved!!!  DePaul trusted that her readers had a smidgen of intelligence and could either re-read the previous book or um use Goodreads..HELLO!  So the story isn't bogged down in an effort to remind readers what they should already know.  That being said, you really need to read the first book before attempting this one.  It will not make as much sense to you and you will have wasted your time and money attempting to read it.

I recommend this book to anyone that enjoys paranormal romance and I cannot wait until the next installment!  Happy reading!!

Indecent Proposal

Indecent Proposal is number 4 in the Boys of Bishop series. But I had absolutely no clue of this before I read the book. I received this ARC in exchange for a honest review. I have to say I really enjoyed this book. O’Keefe does a great job of showing how these damaged and struggling individuals find themselves in each other.

Ryan is a model whose life has not turned out according to plan. After a less then stellar modeling career and a failed marriage, she finds herself in New York tending bar. It is here she meets Harry. A little bit of flirty chat later, Ryan ends up spending the night in Harry’s hotel room. While Ryan, may not know Harry’s last name there is also one other key piece of information she doesn’t know about her fabulous one night stand; that he is actually Harrison Montgomery a political hopeful running for office.

In the style of the Kennedy’s the Montgomery family only knows one thing..politics. Harrison Montgomery was groomed for office since the day he was born. It is all he knows. So needless to say his life has been lacking an element of warmth and honest. That is what he finds in Ryan.

I really liked how this story was written. You get a semi-HEA because life isn’t perfect. The perfection lies in what you make of it. That is what you get. Two people finding themselves and how to make their lives better while opening themselves to the possibility of happiness with another person. I highly recommend this book and I will be looking into O’Keefe’s other works

In Your Corner by Sarah Castille

With the second installment in the Redemption series, Sarah Castille doesn't disappoint. While I highly recommend you read the first book in this series before beginning this one, it is not absolutely necessary. You should be able to follow the story and put together the pieces without reading the first book in the series. While it does bring back characters and settings seen in the first book, it is a stand-alone with a definite conclusion. NO CLIFFHANGERS!

This installment focuses on the relationship between Jake and Amanda. (view spoiler) Jake is a MMA fighter that is torn between family obligations and his true desires. Amanda is a strong-willed lawyer that has a very hard time with true intimacy.


This book also highlights the societal double standard when it comes to a sexually active woman. Amanda has been around the block and makes no qualms about her experience. HALLE-FREAKIN-LUJAH! Too many times in the romance/erotica genre we are force fed the virginal heroine that needs to be saved and educated by the strong, well-experienced alpha male. This is not the case. Amanda has needs and doesn't feel ashamed by those needs. She knows what she likes and isn't afraid to ask for it.


The storyline progresses well. Although Jake and Amanda's one step forward two steps back relationship, does cause the story to feel a bit bogged down at times. That being said, I feel the progression and regression of these two is needed to allow for character growth. Amanda has to learn to deal with her fears of intimacy and Jake has to learn how to be patient with her; and this takes time. There are no immediate fixes for these two. Each one has to work through their own issues.

I really enjoyed Sarah Castille's latest and would highly recommend it. You get a definite conclusion and the HEA you hunger for. Happy reading!!

Reflection by Elene Sallinger

Sallinger's latest installment doesn't disappoint.  True to her style, Sallinger delivers a dark and delicious tale of two souls who seek each other out in order to find healing.
Bridget is a woman with a tormented past.  Having gone through a traumatic event, she finds it hard to connect with the opposite sex.  However, when she meets Conner she finds a man that is willing to move slowly and give her what she needs.
Conner also suffers from his past.  He is instantly taken by Bridget and wants to get to know her.  Only, he's finding it difficulty to get past Bridget's walls. 

I love the way Sallinger delivers a realistic erotica novel.  There is no love at first sight, no lets move off and have babies either.  It is two people that have to overcome the haunting of their past in order to move forward.  This is the second book I have read by Sallinger and I find myself enjoying it just as much as the first.  I definitely recommend.

MMA + Angst = In Your Corner by Sarah Castille

 

With the second installment in the Redemption series, Sarah Castille doesn't disappoint.  While I highly recommend you read the first book in this series before beginning this one, it is not absolutely necessary.  You should be able to follow the story and put together the pieces without reading the first book in the series.  While it does bring back characters and settings seen in the first book, it is a stand-alone with a definite conclusion.  NO CLIFFHANGERS!  

This installment focuses on the relationship between Jake and Amanda. Seen breaking up in the first book, Against the Ropes, this is the story of their reunion two years later.   Jake is a MMA fighter that is torn between family obligations and his true desires.  Amanda is a strong-willed lawyer that has a very hard time with true intimacy. 

This book also highlights the societal double standard when it comes to a sexually active woman.  Amanda has been around the block and makes no qualms about her experience.  HALLE-FREAKIN-LUJAH!  Too many times in the romance/erotica genre we are force fed the virginal heroine that needs to be saved and educated by the strong, well-experienced alpha male.  This is not the case.  Amanda has needs and doesn't feel ashamed by those needs. She knows what she likes and isn't afraid to ask for it. 

The storyline progresses well.  Although Jake and Amanda's one step forward two steps back relationship, does cause the story to feel a bit bogged down at times.  That being said, I feel the progression and regression of these two is needed to allow for character growth.  Amanda has to learn to deal with her fears of intimacy and Jake has to learn how to be patient with her; and this takes time.  There are no immediate fixes for these two.  Each one has to work through their own issues.

I really enjoyed Sarah Castille's latest and would highly recommend it.  You get a definite conclusion and the HEA you hunger for.  Happy reading!!