Unique and Interesting

This is not your typical romance novel. There are no white knights in shining armor. No one running in to save the damsel in distress. This is a story of two damaged people finding comfort in one another.

Emma is heartbroken. Her marriage has fallen apart and she has returned home. Her days are filled with teaching at a Catholic school and her nights lonely. Eric is a man with an addition. He craves the physical release of being with a woman. Through their own darkness they find a light in each other.

This is not a flowers and romance book. It is dark and very real. With a deeply religious vein running through the novel, each individual looks for their own salvation. How they find it is not typical.

I was very surprised and pleased when I read this book. I enjoyed the writing style. The author allowed the reader to see the inner struggles of each character. The character development, plot, and writing style were very well written and kept me interested. What I enjoyed the most was the uniqueness of the story. It was not formulaic.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone looking for a different type of romance novel. I give this book four stars.

Turned

Turned is the first installment in the Belladonna series. But have no fear the story comes to a definite conclusion.

In a world where the government sanctions turning humans into vampires, Ty Duncan and others are a part of a secret agency that is fighting that very agenda. A group known as Rouges are going against their own kind and turning innocent humans into vampires against their will. The Belladonna agency was formed to fight and take down these vampires. To meet their goal, HBIC Carly, decides they need to diversify their membership.

This leads Ty to Ana. Ana has a shady past that will come in handy and further the agency's agenda. Trying hard to rebuild her life and stay away from trouble, Ana is hesitant to help Ty and join the Belladonna agency. But Ty (insert mafioso voice here) makes her an offer she can't refuse, a chance to see her sister again.

The writing was done well. It transitioned well into each character's own thoughts and actions without becoming repetitive. You get a chance to see what makes the characters tick. Ty is often conflicted by the wants and needs of his new vampiric nature and his humanity. You know, your typical brooding vampire. While Ana is fighting to overcome her past and the actions she had to take to ensure the survival of herself and her baby sister.

The story line is an oldie but goodie. Boy meets girl. Feels an instant attraction. Girl meets boy. Feels an instant attraction. Add in a dash of angst and misunderstood actions and intentions and you have a paranormal romance story. While the storyline wasn't terribly unique, the writing style and character development compensate well.

There are several questions that were left unanswered for me. But I am assuming all the loose ends will be tied up in the books to come. Overall, I give the book 3 1/2 stars.

War of Wings

I was drawn by the book's concept.  I love an interesting good vs. evil story.  This wasn't exactly what I got, but I'm not disappointed.  This book's premise is the events leading to Lucifer's uprising and his subsequent ejection from heaven.

The book's story is told through the angel Gabriel and Lucifer's points of view.  This gives the reader a definite contrast and allows the story to flow more smoothly.  I enjoyed reading Lucifer's inner thoughts and the events as seen through his eyes. 

Many of the supporting characters aren't given much depth.  The primary focus being on Lucifer and Gabriel.  In the beginning Gabriel is the archetypical troublesome little brother; always fighting with his older brother and rebelling against his wishes.  Because others have not placed much responsibility on him, he really doesn't take any.  He enjoys more leisurely activities and doesn't take much responsibility for his purpose in God's plan.  Tired of the perfect existence he has been given, Gabriel constantly seeks out imperfection.

Lucifer is the highest of all God' angels.  He is the most beautiful, the most powerful, and the most exalted.  He feels his natural place is at God's side and cannot wait for the day he receives his just reward.  However, God's plan for a Son soon throws a wrench into his plans.  Lucifer quickly becomes angry at God and launches a rebellion. 

This is when we see the book's characters begin to transform and grow.  Gabriel has the most character growth throughout the book.  Changing from a disgruntled worker bee to an inspiring leader. 

The book has an interesting look at God's angels and the origination of all things born of Satan.  The thing I liked the most was that each angel was flawed in some way.  They were not the emotionless automatons we typically see.  They felt, they loved, they grieved, and they loved (this ability to love is an important catalyst in the book). 

I found this book to be an easy read.  The story flowed nicely and was pushed along by each characters' development.  Overall I enjoyed the book and give it three stars. 

The second book in the Layers Trilogy picks up immediately where the first book, Layers Deep, leaves off.  The book comes to a great ending.  I don't want to give too much away but there is no cliffhanger ending, like the first book.  The characters do get their HEA.

The first books ends with Tristan firing Allie.  But you find out why immediately.  Put the pitchforks down, it's o.k.  Allie also clues Tristan into her little "surprise".  The book continues with their journey together.  There is little to no angst and all the ghosts of the past are laid to rest. 

Allie deals with some of her issues.  But she seems to do it in a way that is risky.  She makes a few questionable decisions that I felt were leading things in the wrong direction. 

We get a better look at the relationship between the brothers and Kendra's role in both their lives.  I could have lived without Kendra.  I just found her character flat.  She didn't really add any interest to the story, just a focus of tension and a source of jealousy for Allie. 

The next book will be from Kendra's view point and will involve both the brothers.  I am not a fan of Kendra so I am not sure I will read the next installment.  However, Layers Peeled came to a definite ending that should make most readers happy.

The third installment in the Blood Hunter series focuses on Konrad, the ex-leader of a team of vampire hunters. As a fan of Marie Treanor, the book doesn't disappoint.  The relationship between Maggie and Konrad draws in the reader.

Konrad doesn't agree with the current temperament toward vampire-human relations.  He believes the alliance between the two is a mistake and will lead to the downfall of humanity.  So, Konrad leaves his job and begins his own vigilante crusade. 

In his pursuit to gain allies to his cause and a device that magnifies power, Konrad meets Maggie.  Maggie is a great character and I found I liked her very much. 

I wasn't  very interested in learning about Konrad.  Much of the book I found myself despising him. You learn a little bit more about his past and why he is the monumental jerk that he is.

While the book is the third in the series, it does come to a definite end.  I loved this book and will be reading the next one immediately. 

Istvan is a hunter recuperating from a recent battle where he was severely wounded.  More science geek than rampage warrior, Istvan is on a mission to find and harness power.  Power than could help hunters and vampires alike. 

Angyalka is a beautiful vampiress and owner of the bar Angel.  She suffers from agoraphobia and hasn't been outside in well over a hundred years.  She runs and controls her world from within the walls of her bar.  It is within this very bar that she meets Istvan.  Istvan is the only man that has been able to overpower Angyalka and she likes it. 

The chemistry between the two characters is great.  They are drawn to each other and trade flirtations.  Angyalka doesn't like for anyone to have the upper hand.  So she constantly reminds Istvan of her strength and vampire nature.  However, it is Istvan's own strong and commanding nature that is attractive to her.  Istvan recognizes Angylka's need to be dominated and rises to the occasion superbly.

We are introduced to new characters while catching up with some old ones.  I do wish there had been more Maximillian but we do get some glimpses of Mihaela and Robbie. 

This is the second book in the series and does come to a definite conclusion while setting up events for the next book.  I am happy to have discovered this series and will definitely be reading the next one.

 Kate has finished her job assignment for Dominic.  They both left and agreed to go their separate ways, ending both their business and personal relationships.  Now they are both miserable.

Dominic wants Kate back.  He's doing nothing but pining away for Kate.  He can't eat, can't sleep, and has been quite a son of a bitch to everyone around him.  He finally decides that he needs her and must have her back.  After securing a job for her in Singapore, he "accidentally" runs into her at a bar.

Kate has been wallowing in misery since she left Dominic.  Surrounded by empty fast food containers and junk food wrappers, Kate gets a call for a new job in Singapore.  Deciding to get on with her life, she takes the job and moves to Singapore.

Kate and Dominic decide to get back together and take a serious approach to their relationship.  I don't want to give anything else away but I will say the book ends on a sort of cliffhanger.  There is a definite situation that needs resolving. 

I really liked the first book in this series, but the second one just didn't do it for me.  Kate was a whiny child most of the time.  I just wanted to slap her.  The major conflict for them came from outside influences, so to speak.  For me, the story just fizzled out. 

I liked the first book in the series, but I have to say the second one fell a little short for me.  The additional point of views, from supporting characters, was nice; but it just seemed a little repetitive.  Each one of the different characters kept saying the same thing.  Yes, we know Dominic doesn't take long-term girlfriends.  Yes, we know you are shocked.  Blah, blah, blah. I will probably read the next one in the series, just because I am a glutton for punishment.  that and I can't stand not knowing how a story ends.  Yes, I know.  I am aware I may benefit from a very talented psychiatrist.