Dead Sexy Dragon By Lolita Lopez

(No picture for this book as my filters wouldn't let it through, apparently there must be a lot of scadalous stuff out there if you google "Dead Sexy Dragon" :)


3.5 stars

This is this first I have read something from this author. Therefore, admittedly I was not prepared for the amount of smexy stuff going on. When I read the “about the author” section at the end, it did not come as a surprise that her specialty was “naughty” reads. However, I was pleasantly surprised at the content of the story after ~60% of the way through. I did not expect the twists and turns.

Summary:

Cora is the younger sister of one of Stig’s best friends. He has always tried to maintain an appropriate distance from Cora, but his growing attraction has made that difficult. He is a dragon and currently going through his mating phase when Cora shows up at his front door. He tries to turn her away, for her own good, but she is in trouble and Stig can’t say no. Eventually, Cora’s problems come looking for her and Stig must fight for his and Cora’s life and if that doesn’t work then just Cora’s life.

Thoughts:

I found Cora to be unlikeable until 70% of the way through. She consistently made decisions that irked me. It wasn’t until the climactic ending that I found I could tolerate her again. Stig, on the other hand was very likeable. He made decisions based on what was best for Cora and was selfless and brave. It is obvious that this book sets the stage for the other dragons that we briefly meet to find their own lovies.

I’m not sure I will read more in this series, but its not out of the question. I was pleasantly surprised with the storyline, but there was a little bit too much smexy time for my comfort.

Fire Inside: A Chaos Novel by Kristen Ashley (Chaos #2)

3.5 Stars

This is the second book in the Chaos Series, but it is really the third book since you should read Motorcycle Man first then start the Chaos Series.

This book follows Hopper Kincaid and Lanie Heron. Lanie is the best friend to Tyra (the heroine from Motorcycle Man). To understand Lanie’s story you absolutely must read Motorcycle Man first! That is an order! Lanie is still recovering, years later from her ordeal in Motorcycle Man. The physical scars have healed, but she is an emotional wreck! She approaches Hop for a one night stand. He declines as she is Tyra’s best friend, but Lanie convinces him. Then Hopper decides he wants more. Then she calls it off, then he calls it off, then she calls it off, then he calls it off, then it ended.

I liked that it happened simultaneously with Own the Wind. However, I felt like it ended suddenly and that nothing further happened with Benito since what we read in Own the Wind. Because of this, I felt ripped off. I wanted more action and danger!

Favorite Quote:

When he was done, he pulled me straight, crouched in front of me, wrapped his arms around my thighs, lifted me up and roared, “This is my woman!”

Lady Bess by Claudy Conn

3.5 Stars

I have been in Tennessee visiting my grandparents. My grandfather ended up having surgery so my dad and I went for a visit. I have two reviews to impart because of my imposed absence from technology on the mountains in Tennessee where I have to walk to the end of my grandparents driveway just to get cell phone reception.

I think this is one of the newer releases for Claudy Conn. This particular one follows the characters Lady Bess and The Earl of Dunkirk. He is a confirmed bachelor who must marry and therefore wants a marriage of convenience so he can go on his merry way. She is waiting for the love of her life and finds the Earl to be that man. We get to be in the minds of both these characters as they begin to understand their feelings for one another. There is additional intrigue in that there is a little boy who is kidnapped and Lady Bess believes she knows where he is and goes after him. Once he is rescued they must make sure he stays rescued for the danger comes close to home for this boy. Another danger is that there is another lady who has her eye set on the Earl and plans to do whatever it takes to marry him.

Magic Rises by Ilona Andrews (Kate Daniels #6)

5  Stars

I read this book in three days! I was torn between wanting to read it as fast because I NEEDED to know what was going on and wanting to read it as slow as possible so that my fantasy besties could live in my mind longer. There is so much that goes on in this book. My husband asked me, “What’s happening now?” because I told him one evening after work, “No talking tonight, only reading!” He knew it was serious time! But what can you say to that? “What is happening now?”, he asks me. My response? “Everything! Everything is falling apart! Now hush!”


So in the beginning, the pack finds themselves in need of panacea. This is the stuff that can prevent and reverse the youngsters from going loup. They are presented with an opportunity to acquire the coveted and impossible to get panacea. The problem is that they know it is a trap, but the panacea is one thing they have to risk the trap to get to. They find themselves going to the Black Sea to guard a pregnant lady. There are so many surprises when they get there and while the trap is obvious, they find that there is a bigger game afoot and they are not at all sure what it is.

Thoughts:

Kate is coming closer to meeting her father. I am so nervous for her. I think that Roland is more powerful than she can imagine. At times I think Kate is the best of the best and then at times she seems so weak I want her to run from her life and hide in a tiny hole so no one can find her. She is put through a lot of emotional stuff in this book with the pack and Curran. I wanted to punch him numerous times. While the reason for his behavior is probably the only reason I would accept as a possible explanation, I still think it was terrible and awful! Kate was humiliated repeatedly. She behaved so maturely and I loved that about her. Her heart was breaking, but she carried on. I am pretty sure if I was her that would have been some bloodshed.

The only thing I didn’t like about the book was that I felt that the situation with Lorelei was not resolved sufficiently. I loved the scene at the last dinner when Lorelei came over to the head table, but I needed more than that. She is a stupid girl who needed things spelled out for her about her situation.

There were so many quotes and scenes in this book that I loved. I think I highlighted more on my kindle for this book than I ever have before. I love how the authors put phrases from The Lion King and The Princess Bride in the conversations. Although I think the Lion King reference was from the Curran Panty Party POV I just read. Regardless, I love it! I will still attempt to put one of my favorite quotes on here:

For the first time in months I felt completely alone.

I know, it’s short and tells you nothing, but at the same time it sets the tone for this book. Kate is in a castle with her pack and three others and yet she feels alone. The kind of alone that she used to pursue with deadly intent to keep herself safe and secret, but she let go of this when Curran came along. But its back…

What am I reading now?

How can you even ask me that question?  Two days ago, the husband/wife writing team of "Ilona Andrews" released the latest installment in the Kate Daniels series!  Why haven't you bought it already?  Make haste!  The only problem with reading a superb book like this is that when it is finished I always feel a bit bereft.  Like I was just hanging out with my besties, but then I wake up and realize my besties aren't real!  Then, of course, one must make their way through the drudgery of finding another book to read which can't possibly live up to the book you just finished.



Favorite quote so far:
" Jarek is like our Mahon. He's all about dynasties and alliances.  It's killing him that he doesn't have a son."

Mahon sighed, "Wait until you live as long as I have.  And I have a son.  I just wasn't is first father, that's all."

Curran grinned.   

A Lady by Midnight by Tessa Dare

4 stars

This was the 4th installment in the Spindle Cove series. Some are full length novels and some are novellas, but they are all good. This one follows Miss Kate Taylor, the town’s music tutor and Corporal Thorne who is in charge of the town’s militia.

Thorne has known Kate her whole life and is afraid that she will recognize him. When she doesn’t he vows to stay away from her (you know, for her own good). Miss Taylor is an orphan who grew up in a girls home and has never known her family. Very early in the story, the Grammercy’s (a well to do but somewhat scandalous family) come to Spindle Cove searching for Kate. They think she might be a long lost cousin and want to sleuth it out. Thorne wants to protect her from the Grammercy’s and he doesn’t trust them and states that Kate and he are engaged. The rest of the story follows Kate and Thorne through their phony engagement and through Kate finding out whether she has a family or not.

I love this series! I haven’t read anything else by this author so I can’t say whether it is all fabulous, but the author has a way of writing that is quite funny.

Favorite Quote: Thorne to Kate:

“If I hadn’t spent the last year thinking of you as a lady, I promise you—things would be different between us.”

Honor’s Splendour by Julie Garwood

3.5 Stars

I always round my stars up, but if I could I would give this book 3.5 stars. It was better than average in the story line and very good writing style, but at times it seemed to drag. The narration is done with third person omniscient. It is a little odd at times to go back and forth from one paragraph to the next in these characters minds.

Summary:

Baron Duncan Wexton has vengeance in mind when he goes to Baron Louddon’s fortress unarmed. He has a plan, but Louddon’s sister has one of her own. She quickly aids Duncan in his escape and in so doing puts herself right where Duncan wants her. Besides his other plans, he came to take Madelyne with him. She wanted away from Louddon anyway so she goes with Duncan but still plans to make her way to Scotland.

Thoughts:

Anyone can see what will happen next. Of course our fair maiden falls for our handsome, fierce warrior. And our warrior finds his world turned upside down. This predictability didn’t detract from the storyline at all. In fact, I needed them to fall for each other. If they didn’t, I should be thoroughly put out. Madelyne was constantly telling everyone that she was a gentle lady. And then things would come out of her mouth like this:

“You can rid yourself of that frown, Edmond, or I promise God I’ll smack it right off your face.”

Of course there is more to the story. Louddon has his own plans for Madelyne and won’t give her up. Hearing her talk about her worthlessness was very sad to read it would make my stomach drop. Soon, Madelyne had charmed everyone in Duncan’s fortress and she gained self worth. I absolutely loved the beginning and the end, but the middle was a bit long.

Favorite Quote: (this is between Duncan and his brother Edmond)

“It’s a shame you know,” he called over his shoulder.

“What’s a shame?” Duncan asked.

“That I didn’t capture her first.”

Duncan smiled. “Nay, Edmond, it was a blessing. God’s truth, I would have taken her from you.”