Review: Magic Rises

Magic Rises (Kate Daniels #6) 
by Ilona Andrews

Publication date: 30 July 2013 by Ace

ISBN 10/13: 1937007588 | 9781937007584
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Category: Adult Urban Fantasy
Keywords: Urban fantasy, weres, magic
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Atlanta is a city plagued by magical problems. Kate Daniels will fight to solve them—no matter the cost.

Mercenary Kate Daniels and her mate, Curran, the Beast Lord, are struggling to solve a heartbreaking crisis. Unable to control their beasts, many of the Pack’s shapeshifting children fail to survive to adulthood. While there is a medicine that can help, the secret to its making is closely guarded by the European packs, and there’s little available in Atlanta.

Kate can’t bear to watch innocents suffer, but the solution she and Curran have found threatens to be even more painful. The European shapeshifters who once outmaneuvered the Beast Lord have asked him to arbitrate a dispute—and they’ll pay him in medicine. With the young people’s survival and the Pack’s future at stake, Kate and Curran know they must accept the offer—but they have little doubt that they’re heading straight into a trap.

Review:

The Kate Daniels series has quickly become one of my favorite urban fantasy series of all time. I can't believe that only a few short months ago, I hadn't read any of these books. A series can often get stale the longer it goes on, but that's not the case with this series. I always feel like there are new things to learn about the characters and Andrews always manages to keep things interesting.

In Magic Rises, Curran and Kate are called away to a remote European island to be impartial parties in a precarious situation that has them guarding a pregnant shapeshifter. It is most likely a trap, but Kate and Curran must go because their prize is panacea, a magical substance that will ensure that the rate of loupism in their young dramatically decreases. Navigating through the political waters of three shifter packs hoping that they fail is hard enough when an unexpected new threat reveals itself.

Magic Rises has everything you'd expect from a Kate Daniels novel - action, mystery, suspense, drama, sexy times, and Kate putting her foot in her mouth more than once.  There is a lot of political intrigue in this one as well as more insight into Kate's past. Magic Rises is also a bit of a departure for the series in that it has a lot of emotional angst in it. This might annoy some readers but I was really drawn into it and I got pretty emotional reading this book. Kate and Curran are both very strong personalities and a relationship between the two is bound to have its ups and downs. In the end though, I think they are stronger for all of their struggles.

Besides Kate and Curran, a lot of other series favorites appear in this book. We get Andrea and Raphael as well as Aunt B, Mahon, Doolittle, Derek and even Saiman. This story focuses a lot on the meaning of family and what it means to be Pack. One of the things that I also love about this series is that the characters are very real. They make mistakes and have doubts and insecurities, just like anyone else.

Magic Rises is another fantastic addition to the Kate Daniels series. It's smart, funny, emotionally intense and full of fantastic action. I don't think fans of this series will be disappointed. It feels like things are coming to a head with Kate's father as well and I can't wait to see where Andrews takes us next.

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Visit the author online at www.ilona-andrews.com and follow on Twitter @ilona_andrews and Facebook.


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Reivew: The Loneliest Alpha (The MacKellan Alphas #1)

The Loneliest Alpha (The MacKellan Alphas #1)
by T.A. Grey

Publication date: 15 June 2013 by CreateSpace Publishing

ISBN 10/13: 1490405461/978-1490405469
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Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: werewolves, romance, mystery, Happy Ever After
Format:   eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from GoodReads:

One look will change their lives forever.

Lingerie designer Alicia Clarkson just had to open her stupid mouth. Now thanks to trying to defend a fellow pack mate, Alicia’s been blindfolded, tied up, and carted off to the new alpha of the Oregon pack—Gavin MacKellen.

However, the blindfold doesn’t come off so soon as Gavin reveals he’s searching for a mate. But Alicia’s curiosity gets fired up when Gavin refuses to reveal his face to her. Just what happened to him? He talks to her from shadowy corners and behind closed doors. The man is as allusive as a squirrely fox. But Alicia doesn’t play games and the quiet spoken, hoarse voiced alpha doesn’t stand a chance against her. They settle on an agreement, thirty days for them to get to know each other because that’s the only way this cowboy alpha will have it.

Gavin MacKellen needs a mate. But he knows no good woman would ever want to look at his face after the incident he suffered. After one look at Alicia Clarkson all his plans fly out the window. The woman’s beauty has stunned him damn near speechless. She torments his thoughts and Gavin finds himself yearning to know everything about her. He admires her creativity and intelligence, the cool way she handles herself in stressful situations. Most of all, he aches deep in his chest to taste her lips. Those beautiful sweet lips, but in order to kiss her without showing her what a monster he was, he has to get creative.

A relationship forms and as love threatens to grow between them Gavin struggles to cope with his physical appearance in the face of the beautiful Alicia. Will she be the one to stand in the face of a monster and accept or will she turn her back on him as everyone else has?

Review:

The Loneliest Alpha is the first book in the MacKellan Alphas series, which is a spin-off of T. A. Grey's Kategan Alphas series.  Since this was my first T. A. Grey book, I am not certain whether I missed anything by not having read her previous series. For the most part, Grey provides enough information about the world where her books take place.  She has some of your usual characters found in paranormal books, but there are a few twists.  Werewolves have some special abilities such as being able to heal faster than a human and having better senses, but there doesn't appear to be any shifting or transforming, even partially.  There are also Vampires, and Humans, but I don't think the humans know about the other two (this may have been explained in the previous series), and I also don't know if Vampires are different from "traditional" vampires.

Overall, I really liked The Loneliest Alpha.  It was definitely a book that I wanted to keep reading.  As for characters, I liked Gavin (the MacKellan Alpha), his family, and Alicia. The chemistry between Gavin and Alicia was good, but there is definitely some insta-love that goes on with the story. Given that Alicia is "abducted" (sort of) by her pack and brought to the MacKellan's as a possible mate for Gavin and the majority of the book takes place in a couple of weeks, the assumption of insta-love is going to be made, and it isn't due to the typical mate imprinting that happens in other werewolf stories.

Another aspect of the story that I really liked is that both main characters have some very real flaws and relationship issues that they need to work through before things can be resolved.  Some of Alicia's flaws make some of her decisions at times seem annoying, but she was a strong female character.  Her interactions with Gavin's sisters were really funny too.

I also appreciated Grey's effort to create a story line that included an actual mystery to be solved rather than just the whole paranormal romance thing. But don't worry, the sexy scenes definitely had some heat.  One of the other concerns I had was that some of the scenes or parts of the book might have taken a little too long and could have been edited to keep the pace moving.  Regardless of the things that might have detracted from the story for me, I would definitely read another book by Grey and would recommend the series for those who want an interesting werewolf story.  

Check out the official book trailer:

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Visit the author online at www.tagrey.com, her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @authortagrey

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The Prince - Review

The Prince (The Original Sinners #3) 
by Tiffany Reisz

Publication date: 20 November 2012 by Harlequin MIRA

ISBN 10/13: 0778314103 | 9780778314103
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Category: Adult Erotica/Romance
Keywords: Erotica, romance, BDSM
Format: Paperback, eBookSource: e-ARC received from Netgalley

**This review will contain spoilers for previous books in the series. Do not read if you have not read The Siren and The Mistress and don't want to be spoiled.

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Keep your friends close and your enemies closer...preferably in bed. That's always been Kingsley Edge's strategy with his associate, the notorious New York dominatrix Nora Sutherlin. But with Nora away in Kentucky, now it's Kingsley's chance to take her place at the feet of the only man he's ever wanted -- Søren, Nora's on-again, off-again lover -- until a new threat from an old enemy forces him to confront his past.

Wes Railey is still the object of Nora's tamest yet most maddening fantasies, and the one man she can't forget. He's young. He's wonderful. He's also thoroughbred royalty and she's in "his" world now. But Nora is no simpering Southern belle, and her dream of fitting into Wesley's world is perpetually at odds with her dear Søren's relentlessly seductive pull.

Two worlds of wealth and passion call to her and whichever one Nora chooses, it will be the hardest decision she will ever have to make... unless someone makes it for her.

Review:

Amazing! I think I stared at this book in awe and shock after reading it and them immediately went back to re-read my favorite parts (of which there are many). I know I've waxed lyrical about this series before but The Prince really blew me away and has taken The Siren's place as my favorite book of this series.

**spoilers ahead - if you haven't read the first two books in the series, you may want to skip this.**

The Prince picks up right after the events of The Angel. Nora has gone off with Wesley to Kentucky to see if they can make a relationship work. While she's away, Søren and Kingsley must find out who stole Nora's file and if they mean her harm. But to solve the mystery, they must both go back to a place neither of them wants to see again and revisit painful memories.

The Prince finally shows us how Søren and Kingsley met and how their relationship developed. Calling their relationship complicated would be a vast understatement. Love, hate, lust and obsession all mingle in the tangled web of Søren and Kingsley. And Kingsley, oh how I adore Kingsley. He has definitely become my favorite character in the series.

The other part of the book focuses on Wes and Nora as she tries to fit in with Wes's conservative family in Kentucky. Wes is sweet as always and Nora is...Nora. There's no one else like her. While I like them together, their part of the story was the least interesting for me and I found myself wishing for more Søren and Kingsley. I really just don't see how Wes and Nora will ever work, no matter how much both of them want it to.

I was really surprised by how emotional I got while reading this book. Søren and Kingsley won my heart and I can't help but hope for a happy ending for them. I love Nora, too, but I just feel that Søren and Kingsley are meant to be together.

As you can see, this series has me firmly in its hooks (or handcuffs). Ever the tease, The Prince ends with a big cliffhanger. Good thing I have The Mistress Files, a collection of short stories set in the Original Sinners world, to keep me warm while I wait for the next installment.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at tiffanyreisz.com and follow her on Twitter @tiffanyreisz. You can also find some free great short stories set in the Original Sinners world onTiffany's blog (but read The Siren first).

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Tall, Dark, and Divine - Review

Tall, Dark, and Divine (Bagging a Greek God #1)
by Jenna Bennett

Publication date: 23 April 2013 by Entangled Publishing

ISBN 10/13: 1622669533/978-1622669530
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Category: Adult Paranormal Romance
Keywords: Greek gods, romance, Happy Ever After
Format:  eBook
Source: Bought

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Annie Landon has given up on finding Mr. Right, and has gone out looking for Mr. Tonight instead. A conversation overheard in the bathroom of Dionysus’s Bar about a jilted and lonely "Greek god" in need of a quick pick-me-up sounds like just what she’s looking for. But picking up the god of love for a one-night stand is easier said than done--especially when he's sworn off mortals forever.

Eros has been down and out since his ex-wife left him, and falling for another mortal woman is the last thing he needs. Which means a maddening desire for the woman across the street is not in the cards. Thus begins his quest to find a match made in heaven for Annie. It's the perfect plan ... if only Eros can bear to let the girl of his dreams go.

Can a woman looking for love, and a matchmaking god who wants her to find it—with someone else—have a shot at a happy ending, or will Eros's golden arrows miss their mark, for once?

Review:

As I read Tall, Dark, And Divine, I kept thinking this would make a great movie for the Hallmark Channel or one of the other channels that specialize in romantic comedies.  Of course, if it were going to be shown on Hallmark, the hot sex scenes would totally need to be eliminated, which would be a total shame.

I enjoy stories where Greek deities are living in modern day settings.  Bennett has set her book in present day New York where Greek gods have assumed every day lives and run businesses such as bars, detective agencies, and even a matchmaking business.  The Greek god of love, yep, is the owner of that matchmaking business. Across from his office is a woman named Annie who owns a doggie bakery.  Harry, an accountant type, stops by the bakery to buy biscuits for his dog.  Eros is struggling some since his break-up with Psyche, but believes that by matching up Annie and Harry that he will be making the perfect match.  However, Harry has fallen for Brita (Britomartis, the Cretan goddess of hunting), and once Annie has met Eros (who goes by the name of Ross), she doesn't really have any interest in Harry. This "perfect match" may be a bit of a challenge, especially as Eros starts having feelings for Annie.

Tall, Dark, And Divine had a mix of things that I really enjoyed.  First, all of the characters are quite fun and likeable.  There are also quite a few humorous lines and scenes that just make you laugh out loud.  And the sexy scenes between Eros and Annie have some great heat without going over the top or dominating the story plot line.

While there were a number of things that I really enjoyed about this book, there were a few things that kept me from giving it a higher rating.  The story line is fairly predictable and at times resulted in some serious eye-rolling when certain scenes were just too obvious.  Annie's negative self-image and Eros's denial of his feelings for Annie became tedious.  I was glad that overall the book read quickly so the scenes that irritated me did not drag on.  Also, for Greek gods and demi-gods, Eros and the others really didn't have too many special abilities/powers, which just seemed strange. 

The last scenes of the book were pretty funny and really made me feel like I could visualize them unfolding on a small screen.  I can almost imagine the music that would play in the background and see who would star in each of the roles.

If you are looking for a fast, fun read, and don't mind a bit of predictability, I would recommend Tall, Dark, And Divine by Jenna Bennett.  

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Visit the author online at jennabennett.com, her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @bennett_jenna

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The Duchess Hunt - Review

The Duchess Hunt (House of Trent #1) 
by Jennifer Haymore

Publication date: 25 June 2013 by Forever

ISBN 10/13: 1455523399 | 9781455523399
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Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, childhood sweethearts, siblings, missing persons
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Simon Hawkins, duke of Trent, is no stranger to scandal. Rumors and innuendo have darkened the House of Trent for decades, and it has fallen to Simon to restore his tattered family name. He lives by a strict code of honor, but when he is called home to investigate his mother's disappearance, the distinguished duke will tangle with temptation. For there waits the only woman he has ever loved--and the last woman he should desire...

Sarah Osborne has spent her life dreaming of Simon's touch. But dukes do not long for lady's maids--or so Sarah believes, until a stolen kiss sparks a passion that could be her ultimate undoing. As the couple begins a forbidden romance, a cunning enemy plots to destroy the duke and everything he loves. Now, caught in a blackmailer's web, Simon faces an agonizing choice: sacrifice his family's future or break Sarah's heart.

Review:

I have only been recently introduced to the work of Jennifer Haymore. I had previously read the prequel novella to the House of Trent series which, while showing potential, did not wow me. However, the novella did include a lengthy excerpt for The Duchess War which sounded really promising and I was glad to see it pop up on Netgalley a few weeks later.

The Duchess Hunt is the first book in a new historical romance series by Julie Haymore featuring the unconventional Trent family. Rumor and scandal follow the Trents wherever they go. Simon Trent, the Duke of Trent, has spent his whole life trying to undo the damage that his parents did. He has a strict moral code and works tirelessly to restore his family's good name. When Simon's mother disappears without a trace, he must work quickly and quietly with his siblings to find her before the ton finds out and scandal once again darkens their door.

Called in to help is Sarah Osborne, the gardener's daughter and now head housemaid. The Duchess of Trent raised Sarah almost as one of her own and she and Simon share a special bond and friendship. They also share a deep attraction, which both of them have been fighting. A maid and a Duke cannot be together, and both of them know it. But investigating the Duchess's disappearance throws Simon and Sarah closer together and their feelings for each other become harder and harder to ignore.

This was such a wonderful romance! I loved both Simon and Sarah and thoroughly enjoyed their story. Sarah is a great heroine. I love how smart she was and stoutly loyal and devoted to the family. As a gardener's daughter, she has realistic expectations of her life but still has aspirations. She's already reached far ahead of what most people in her position could. Simon was great as well and I loved how kind and loyal he was. He always tried to do the right thing for the family, even if it was detrimental to himself. He always treated Sarah with care and respect even though she is far below him in social status.

Sarah and Simon had fantastic chemistry. Every time they were in a room together, I could feel the tension in the air. Years of denying their attraction to each other really amped up the energy between them and when they finally get together - wow. While the love scenes are extremely passionate and hot, there were also a lot of really sweet moments between the two. It's clear that they have a special connection born from years of friendship and I loved some of the small moments they had together.

Overall, I was really impressed with The Duchess Hunt. The romance was great and I loved the main characters. The mystery aspect of the story did fall a little flat however. It wasn't quite as exciting as I was expecting, but I really didn't care because all I really cared about was what was going to happen to Simon and Sarah. I was also really intrigued by the rest of the family. They each have very distinct personalities and I cannot wait to read their stories. The Duchess Hunt included a short except for the next book in the series, The Rogue's Proposal, which follows the surliest Trent, Luke, as he searches for his mother. The excerpt is very promising and I have added it to my TBR list. If you like historical romances with emotional punch and great characters, don't hesitate to pick up The Duchess Hunt.

** The author is giving away 5 copies of this book on Goodreads right now. Go enter, you know you want to. :)

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at www.jenniferhaymore.com and follow her on Twitter @jenniferhaymore and Facebook.


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Non-Fiction Review: Ice Cream Sandwiches

Ice Cream Sandwiches by Donna Egan

Publication date: 4 June 2013 by Ten Speed Press

ISBN 10/13: 1607744953 | 9781607744955
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Category: Cookbook
Keywords: Dessert, Cookies, Ice Cream, Ice Cream Sandwiches
Format: Hardcover, e-Book
Source: eARC from Netgalley

From Goodreads:

A sweet collection of 50 recipes for ice cream sandwiches from London's popular Buttercup Bake Shop.

Ice cream sandwiches are the perfect treat for both kids and adults, whether you prefer zesty lemon ice cream surrounded by soft ginger cookies or fudgey brownies encasing refreshing mint chocolate–chip ice cream, indulgently dipped in chocolate. Somehow, combining crunchy, buttery cookies with creamy, cold ice cream makes both elements better.

Alethea’s review:

With summer coming up, I was excited to see Ice Cream Sandwiches pop up on Netgalley’s list of available titles. As a diet- and budget-conscious foodie, I’m always interested in cookbooks that teach you how to make yourself something that you would typically buy pre-packaged in a shop--that is, if you’re not lucky enough to live in the vicinity of somewhere like author Donna Egan’s cupcakery, Buttercup--which I’m not. I like the idea of fresh, made-by-hand foods versus eating things with unpronounceable ingredients in the fine print of their wrappers. I imagined this cookbook would hit the spot.

Sadly, for a new book on desserts, Ice Cream Sandwiches doesn’t offer much in the way of the innovative or the unexpected. It also acknowledges that most of the ingredients can be bought and slapped together--so what do we need the cookbook for? I think the disappointment most home cooks are in for is the lack of inspiration.

A couple of the flavors are a little less vanilla--there’s a rosewater cream sandwiched in meringue, a melon sorbet sandwiched in butterfly-shaped vanilla cookies, and fig cream pigs (yum?). Egan ends the book with a few odd beverage recipes: a cola float (apparently young British people don’t know what this is or how to make one?) and a cupshake (where you blend a cupcake into a milkshake, which sounds like a total diet-buster). The only one I really would like to try is the elderflower amaretto, mainly because I’ve never tried a good amaretto cookie recipe, and there is a shop near where I live with a great elderflower sorbet (Paradis in Montrose) so I won’t have to make my own filling.

I do plan to compare store-bought ingredient results with sandwiches made from the cookie recipes in the book, as I suspect some cookies will crumble when combined with something as melty as ice cream. I expect the book’s cookies to hold up. However, with underwhelming photography and just utilitarian recipes, I suspect Ice Cream Sandwiches will see a lot of action at the bookshop and in the library, but it won’t find a home on my cookbook shelf.

If you’d like to try out a recipe, the Lemon Ginger Gems one is posted on the book’s Amazon page.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

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Visit the the Buttercup Cake Shop online at http://www.buttercupcakeshop.co.uk/, follow @yum_buttercup and like them on Facebook

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Shades of Milk and Honey - Review

Shades of Milk and Honey (Glamourist Histories #1) 
by Mary Robinette Kowal

Publication date: 03 Aug 2010 by Tor

ISBN 10/13: 076532556X | 9780765325563
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Category: Adult Historical Fiction
Keywords: Historical, romance, Austen, magic
Format: Paperback, eBook
Source: library

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Shades of Milk and Honey is an intimate portrait of Jane Ellsworth, a woman ahead of her time in a version of Regency England where the manipulation of glamour is considered an essential skill for a lady of quality. But despite the prevalence of magic in everyday life, other aspects of Dorchester’s society are not that different: Jane and her sister Melody’s lives still revolve around vying for the attentions of eligible men.

Jane resists this fate, and rightly so: while her skill with glamour is remarkable, it is her sister who is fair of face, and therefore wins the lion’s share of the attention. At the ripe old age of twenty-eight, Jane has resigned herself to being invisible forever. But when her family’s honor is threatened, she finds that she must push her skills to the limit in order to set things right–and, in the process, accidentally wanders into a love story of her own.

Review:

Shades of Milk and Honey is a charming and imaginative read that fans of Jane Austen and light historical fare will enjoy. Set in Regency England, Shades of Milk and Honey is the story of Jane Ellsworth, the oldest daughter in a well to do family. Jane is an extremely talented "glamourist." This means that she has a talent for magic and is able to manipulate what they eye sees. In Jane's society, glamourists are artists, using their skills to create lifelike images and scenes that enhance every day life. But Jane's talents are often overlooked by the physical beauty of her sister.

The back cover jacket makes this book sound much more like a mystery than it is. This is very much a slice of life, a peek into the every day world of Regency England mixed with a little magic. The pacing of the story reminded me very much of an Austen novel. It's a little slow and is mostly filled with the actions of every day life. Some might find this boring, but I really enjoyed meandering through this world with Jane and learning it through her eyes. I liked the concept of magic as an art form and really liked the way that Kowal seamlessly integrated it into the world. Though the book touches a little on issues of class, it really doesn't probe too much and the social commentary is left to a minimum.

I really liked Jane's character. I always relate more to the long suffering sister in these stories than the fresh, young ingenue. I felt bad for Jane living in a household in which she always seemed to be overlooked. Part of this is her own fault though and I wish she had stood up for herself more.  Melody treated her especially bad and I really wanted Jane to just smack her. Despite her lack of a backbone most of the time, I found Jane to be smart and generous, and I truly liked her.

Of course, as a romance lover, I also enjoyed the romantic elements of this book. It's a Regency novel, so nothing too scandalous goes on but there are plenty of misunderstandings and meetings in dark corners and walks in the garden to keep it interesting.  The love interest (who I will keep a secret) is also quite swoon-worthy.

This would be a great summer beach read or a book to pick up when you're looking for something lighthearted and fun. A wonderful blend or Regency romance and magic combine to create a unique and enchanting world that you won't want to leave. I, for one, cannot wait to read the sequel and see where Jane's adventures take her next.

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Visit the author online at www.maryrobinettekowal.com and follow her on Twitter @MaryRobinette


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Angels' Blood - Review

Angels' Blood (A Guild Hunter Novel)
by Nalini Singh

Publication date: 3 March 2009 by Berkley 

ISBN 10/13: 0425226921/978-0425226926
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Category: Adult Urban Fantasy
Keywords: Angels, Vampires, paranormal romance
Format: Paperback, mass market paperback, eBook, audiobook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she is the best- but she does not know if even she is good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, Elena knows failure is not an option—even if the task is impossible.

Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt does not destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just might. For when archangels play, mortals break. 


Review:

Yes, I'm late to the party.  Several people have repeatedly recommended Nalini Singh to me and for whatever reason I haven't read any of her books.  Finally, I dove in with Angels' Blood, the first book in the Guild Hunter series. Singh has created a twist on the typical vampire story.  Archangels are the ones who can create a vampire and in exchange the vampire must serve the angel for 100 years.  Of course, there are some vampires who want to get away and then vampire hunters must track them down.

Elena Deveraux is a highly skilled vampire hunter working for the Guild.  Raphael, the Archangel of New York City, arranges with the Guild to have Elena work on a special assignment.  Readers learn quickly that Raphael is temperamental and easily angered.  Elena recognizes that Raphael is likely to kill her in some manner at the end of her job or usefulness to him.  However, even recognizing that Raphael can kill her, Elena repeatedly finds ways to irritate him.

Angels' Blood draws readers in from the beginning.  In addition to finding Raphael and Elena interesting, there was excellent chemistry between the two.  Both are flawed in many ways which was part of my attraction to them.  There were numerous secondary characters that provided layers to the interactions and increased my interest in the story.

Overall, I really liked the book.  However, despite how sexy and attractive Raphael was, he was never my favorite character.  His arrogance and domineering behavior was often annoying, and I wasn't fond of how he treated Elena.  I wanted to like Raphael more and even at the end, I still had mixed feelings about him. Elena is strong on many levels but she is often left in the dark regarding who she is to hunt and why it is critical.  There are also several "skeletons" in her past that Singh refers to but never resolves in this book. I assume Singh deals with those issues further in future books.

One interesting thing about this book, I was pleased to see that it was more than your average Paranormal Romance.  I would probably actually classify this one as Urban Fantasy.  Please don't get me wrong, the romance in this book definitely has a "hot sexy" factor. However, the book wasn't just about the romance between Raphael and Elena.  Singh creates a balance between the general plot line of the book and the relationship between Elena and Raphael.

Would I recommend this book? Most definitely.  Who would I recommend this to? Anyone who is already a fan of Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance.  Additionally, I would recommend it to those looking for a twist on the typical angel or vampire stories that are out there.  I know I will continue with the series in order to see where it goes and how my questions might be answered in future books.

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Visit the author online at www.nalinisingh.com, her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @nalinisignh

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The Mistress Files - Review

The Mistress Files (The Original Sinners #3.5) 
by Tiffany Reisz

Publication date: 01 June 2013 by Harlequin MIRA

ISBN 10/13: 1459239091 | 9781459239098
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Category: Adult Erotica/Romance
Keywords: Romance, erotica, BDSM, short stories
Format: eBook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from Goodreads:

Kingsley Edge, king of kink himself, wants Mistress Nora to write a training manual to instruct his other professional Dominants how to take better care of their clients. But Mistress Nora can't put pen to paper without churning out a sexy short story and Kingsley's training manual quickly turns into true tales of her adventures with her favorite clients.

A female submissive who can't orgasm.​

A male Dominant too scared to do kink with his blind wife.​

A rock star with a secret.​

A vanilla gay woman with an embarrassing little problem. ​

A male switch with an itch for more than just pain.​

These are their stories.

Review:

I hate to give this collection such a low rating. I am a really big fan of The Original Sinners series and was looking forward to The Mistress Files. While The Mistress Files was entertaining, there was just something missing from these stories that I can't put my finger on. Maybe I just have high standards after reading the first three books in the series but I really expected more from this collection.

The "files" start off in first person but then switch to third person, and thank goodness for that. Nora's inner monologue is a little too manic for me and starts to grate if left unchecked. I much prefer her in third person.

The majority of the stories are not not memorable to me. They were entertaining but I wasn't invested in any of the characters. I've read all of Reisz's free short stories on her website and I love most of them.This collection is very flat and felt very clinical. There was kink but I was missing some of the emotional connection that I usually have with her characters. They felt a little rushed and the characters under developed. The exception to this was The Story of the Secret Switch, which is about Kingsley, and is my favorite of the bunch. I love Kinsley and this story showed a different side to him. I really liked seeing the dynamic between him and Nora and it gave me some insight into their relationship. It was also ridiculously kinky and hot.

If you're looking for something to tide you over until The Mistress hits bookshelves and you've already read her free short stories, I think this is still worth the $1.99 price tag. The Story of the Secret Switch alone is worth the price of the book for me. While you don't have to have read the whole series before reading this, I would definitely recommend at least reading The Siren. You don't have to. You won't be lost without it but I think you'll get more out of it if you do. While this wasn't my favorite release by Tiffany Reisz, I am still really excited about The Mistress. I love Nora, Kingsley and Soren and can't wait to see what happens next!

 

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Visit the author online at www.tiffanyreisz.com and follow her on Twitter @tiffanyreisz


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Relish: My Life In The Kitchen - Review

Relish: My Life in the Kitchen
by Lucy Knisley

Publication date: 2 April 2013 by MacMillan/:01First Second

ISBN 10/13: 1596436239/978-1596436237 
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Category: Memoir, Biographical, Nonfiction
Keywords: Food, Graphic Novel, Memoir, Recipes
Format: Paperback, e-book
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from GoodReads:

A vibrant, food-themed memoir from beloved indie cartoonist Lucy Knisley.

Lucy Knisley loves food. The daughter of a chef and a gourmet, this talented young cartoonist comes by her obsession honestly. In her forthright, thoughtful, and funny memoir, Lucy traces key episodes in her life thus far, framed by what she was eating at the time and lessons learned about food, cooking, and life. Each chapter is bookended with an illustrated recipe—many of them treasured family dishes, and a few of them Lucy's original inventions.

A welcome read for anyone who ever felt more passion for a sandwich than is strictly speaking proper, Relish is a book for our time: it invites the reader to celebrate food as a connection to our bodies and a connection to the earth, rather than an enemy, a compulsion, or a consumer product.

Review:

This may seem odd, but I love reading cookbooks and cooking magazines.  When I have time, I love cooking and sharing meals with friends. I also enjoy a good graphic novel.  So, when a friend told me about Relish: My Life In The Kitchen by Lucy Knisley, I knew I had to check it out.

I started reading Relish while hanging out at one of my favorite little cafés, Heirloom Café in South Pasadena.

Doesn't this look like the perfect treat to snack on while reading a book about food?!  By the way, this deep dish caramel apple pie was fabulous.  But back to the book...

Knisley's description of her early years.

Knisley begins by introducing herself as "the child who was raised by foodies".  Her memories of childhood were associated with food.  I got a laugh out of her making salad dressing with her father in the evening and "tossing back a capful of Kressi vinegar" or learning to open an oyster with her uncle.  She would hang out in the kitchens where her mother worked snacking on all kinds of gourmet treats.  When her parents divorced, Lucy moved out of New York City to upstate New York and the food adventures continued.

Recipe for Huevos Rancheros included in the book.

Each chapter of the book looks at a different aspect of Knisley's life from birth to college.  At the end of the chapter, readers will find a special recipe (Carbonara, Huevos Rancheros, her favorite chocolate chip cookie recipe to name a few)  that relates to the memories being shared.  The book is filled with fond memories of family and friends, the various vacations taken with her parents, and even her rebellion against her parents by choosing junk food.  Knisley manages to fit a lot into 173 pages, and if the saying "a picture is worth a thousand words"is true then the use of the graphic novel format was a wise choice.

Whether you love food memoirs, recipes, graphic novels or something with a little of all of them in it, Relish is a fun read that will have you planning your own food experience.

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Visit the author online at Live Journal, www.lucyknisley.com, like her on Facebook, on vimeo, and follow her on Twitter @lucyknisley

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The Devil's Pearl - Short Story Review

The Devil's Pearl (House of Trent #0.5) 
by Jennifer Haymore

Publication date: 07 May 2013 by Forever Yours

ISBN 10/13: 1455548006 | 9781455548002
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Category: Adult Historical Romance
Keywords: Historical, romance, second chances, revenge
Format: Mass market paperback, eBook
Source: e-ARC received from Netgalley

Synopsis:

Sir Devlin Vaughn will never forget the sweet, sensual pleasures of his beloved “Jewel.” Charmingly naive in the ways of love, she had blossomed under his guidance to become the most skilled lover a man could ever desire. And desire her he did—especially after she disappeared, leaving him alone and longing for her touch. Now, Devlin will do anything to get her back. Even kidnap her…

Julia Beaumont will never forget the man who unlocked her deepest desires and made her crave things no decent woman should. Fearing she would never be more than his mistress, she left, vowing never to see him again—until one reckless night, when a stranger in black appears from the shadows and sweeps her away to his bedroom chamber. Now, she will be his courtesan, his captive, his slave. Can she free herself from Devlin’s thrall, or will their passion be her ultimate undoing?

Review:

The Devil's Pearl is a prequel novella in the new house of Trent series by historical romance writer Jennifer Haymore. While I enjoy Haymore's writing style, this novella didn't do much for me. Neither of the main characters were particularly compelling and the kidnapping element pushed the romance into creepy and not sexy.

Devlin Vaughn is furious for Julie Beaumont. The two start a passionate affair which is cut off when Julie suddenly leaves Devlin in a very public and humiliating manner. A year has passed but Devlin hasn't forgotten Julia and he still wants his revenge. When he finds that she has returned to London, he decides to kidnap her and in the hopes of rekindling the physical passion that they once shared without the emotional attachment.

I feel like this story could have been called "Poor Communication" because that's really the root of Dev and Julia's problems. Both of them failed to communicate their feelings and fears during their brief affair, leading to pain, embarrassment and public ruination. Now I know misunderstandings are quite common in romances and that they are great catalysts for drama and emotion. However, it just didn't seem very believable to me in this case.

I blame Devlin more than Julia for their initial demise though. He was older and much more experienced. We don't learn too much about their initial romance but it sounds like he pursued Julia (not unwillingly) then met with her secretly once a week to continue their affair. He never told her he loved her or talked about the future. His excuse is that he assumed that she knew his feelings were. This seems a little naive on his part. I just can't believe that he wouldn't understand that he was treating Julia like a mistress and not someone he wanted to spend the rest of his life with. I don't really blame Julia for leaving while she could. Sure, she could have handled it better but Dev didn't give her much hope to begin with.

I also did not approve of Devlin's method of revenge on Julia. Kidnapping's not cool, even if you love the person. He fully planned on locking her in a room (which he actually did for a bit) and forcing her to become his courtesan. Julia didn't seem very upset about this, which also bothered me.

There were a few really tender moments between Dev and Julia and I am glad that they sorted everything out in the end. However, the elements of this story never really came together for me and I finished the story feeling pretty ambivalent about the whole thing. There is quite a long excerpt for the first full length book in the series, The Duchess Hunt, at the end of The Devil's Pear which seemed pretty interesting. I still want to give Haymore a chance but I've only read her novellas thus far. I think a full length novel will showcase her talents better.

*I received this book free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

 

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Visit the author online at www.jenniferhaymore.com and follow her on Twitter @jenniferhaymore and Facebook.


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Easy - Review

Easy
by Tammara Webber

Publication date: 9 October 2012 by Berkley Publishing

ISBN 10/13: 042566745 | 978-0425266748 
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Category: New Adult Contemporary Romance
Keywords: Romance, Contemporary, New Adult
Format: eBook, paperback, audiobook
Source: Purchased

Synopsis from GoodReads:

Rescued by a stranger.
Haunted by a secret
Sometimes, love isn’t easy…

He watched her, but never knew her. Until thanks to a chance encounter, he became her savior…

The attraction between them was undeniable. Yet the past he’d worked so hard to overcome, and the future she’d put so much faith in, threatened to tear them apart.

Only together could they fight the pain and guilt, face the truth—and find the unexpected power of love.

A groundbreaking novel in the New Adult genre, Easy faces one girl's struggle to regain the trust she's lost, find the inner strength to fight back against an attacker, and accept the peace she finds in the arms of a secretive boy.

Review:

Some books stand out.  There is a buzz that starts when everyone is reading and talking about a particular book.  I saw it on many readers' "read" and "to-read" shelves on GoodReads.  Then, a good friend recommended it.  I was a little hesitant because, though I enjoy a good romance, this one had some potential issues that might be hard to read.  However, based on so many great reviews, I decided to give it a shot.  I was hooked from the first chapter and found myself not wanting to put it down.  In fact, I read it in one sitting and late into the night.  

Easy is considered Mature YA or New Adult.  Characters are older than in typical Young Adult books and in college or just post college.  Webber's story takes place in a college setting (dorms, classrooms, frat houses) and she has managed to nail the the college environment and experiences. In many romances centered contemporary fiction stories, I find myself rolling my eyes.  The connection between the two main characters seem contrived or there is the insta-love angle.  Characters meet and fall immediately and madly in love.

Webber gets more than the setting right in Easy.  Jacqueline and Lucas are characters that I liked a lot.  Both of them were flawed, and showed evolution and growth over the course of the story.  Their relationship grew slowly and built over time, and there was definitely chemistry between the two of them.  Additionally, there were secondary characters in the story that I enjoyed as well.  Some of the storyline did seem a bit predictable, but the dialogue didn't feel contrived, and I never found myself eye-rolling, which was important.  I really don't want to spoil this book so I will say less than more.

However, more than setting and characters, Webber deals with an important issue in a real way.  Early in the book, Jacqueline is assaulted in the parking lot and nearly raped.  Rather than just being a scene or a plot device used to bring Jacqueline and Lucas together, Webber follows the storyline through the book in a way that shows young women that they can have a voice.  This discovery for Jacqueline doesn't come over night, and it is helped along by the support of friends.  The response of both friends and acquaintances plays a key role.  Rather than making everyone supportive, Webber chose to portray a range of responses which added to the realistic feel.  And there is one scene towards the end where I just wanted to cheer when the head of the sorority speaks.  The addition of several resources and hotline numbers added credibility to the message that Webber was so clear in communicating through her book.  This is one book that certainly exceeded my expectations and I was glad that I picked this book up to read.

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Visit the author online at her blog, like her on Facebook, and follow her on Twitter @tammarawebber

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