Posts Tagged ‘100 challenge’
Review: Laid Bare & Coming Undone by Lauren Dane
Title: Laid Bare (Brown Siblings, book 1)
Author: Lauren Dane
Release: August 4th, 2009
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Erotic Romance, Menage
Rating: 4.5 Stars
Now, life has thrown the pair back together. But picking up where they left off is tough, in light of a painful event from Erin’s past. As Todd struggles to earn her trust, their relationship takes an unexpected and exciting turn when Todd’s best friend, Ben, ends up in their bed–and all three are quite satisfied in this relationship without a name. As the passion they share transforms Erin, will it be enough to help her face the evil she thought she had left behind?
After reading a couple of heavy hitting Urban Fantasy books I wanted some light sexy books, I looked through my library and settled on the Lauren Dane books I had been hoarding. FictionVixen loves herself some Lauren Dane and she hasn’t steered me wrong yet, so it was settled. Of course I had some reading comprehension issues that day and mistakenly read Coming Undone before Laid Bare, but no harm was done as they stand on their own. Laid Bare and Coming Undone are not a series, but they are related as they are focused on a small group of friends and family. You can read one without the other, but why would you? They are too good to pass up on.
Laid Bare focuses on Erin Brown, a tough non nonsense sort of chick who has been put through hell and is somehow still standing. Erin struggles to get through each day pushing the loss she has suffered down and out of the way. The fates have plans for her tho and one day strong, sexy, dominant Todd Keenan walks back into her life after more than 10 years have passed. Todd Keenan has returned to his hometown after 10 years and a divorce, finally ready to be comfortable with who he is. When he walks into a small cafe to find the only woman to ever accept his dark desires sparks fly and the two embark on a wicked path of burning hot sex and unexpected emotional twists and turns. Things are only made more exciting, and complicated, when the couple find themselves intrigued and interested in adding Ben Copeland to their bed.
I absolutely loved Laid Bare. Words can not express exactly how much I loved this book. Lauren Dane blew my socks off and clear out of my house with the dominating and sexy Todd Keenan, and later Ben Copeland. To say that the sex scenes in this book were steamy is an understatement… they were an inferno unlike anything I have read so far. But Laid Bare is about more than just sex, Lauren Dane has a talent for creating endearing characters you wish you knew in real life. The sense of family and friendship she writes into this story compliment the plot perfectly and give the characters added dimension and depth. The emotional development between all three main characters was a joy to read.
My one complaint is that I felt the ending dragged on a smidge. I felt like I had my happy ending a good 50 pages before the end of the book and the rest could have been cut and I would have still been happy. Those last 50 pages do have value, i just wonder if they should have been rearranged to happen sooner.
I’m convinced Lauren Dane somehow downloaded all of the things that make me tingle from my head and put them into this book… Erin even has pink hair! If you like steamy sex scenes featuring dirty men and their dominating ways, you will not want to miss Laid Bare – just make sure you have a high speed fan nearby to cool you off.
Title: Coming Undone (Brown Siblings, book 2)
Author: Lauren Dane
Release: January 5th, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Erotic Romance
Rating: 4 Stars
Elise Sorenson has come to Seattle with her young daughter to find peace. After years as a world-famous ballerina—(and just as many years in a marriage-gone-bad)—she’s looking for neither love nor attention. But she finds both in the handsome, honest man who befriends her with no strings attached.
More than friends, Brody and Elise discover in each other what they need—wild, physical passion without commitment. But it’ll take a shadow from Elise’s past to make them look beyond what they need—to what they truly desire.
Coming Undone focuses on Brody Brown, Erin Brown’s (from Laid Bare) brother. Brody is the ideal big brother, if you can still say that about a sexy 40 year old tattooed biker guy. He took up the reigns raising his siblings when he was just 17 and has been their protector for all of his life. He runs a successful tattoo shop and has little time for more than a casual fling here and there. His world is reshaped when he starts up a casual relationship with his new neighbor, Elise Sorenson. Elise is a single mom who has to worry about her daughter first and foremost, she has no time or desire for a full time boyfriend….. but that doesn’t mean she can’t have herself a piece of man candy here and there. Famous last words in any romance novel….
Just like Laid Bare, Coming Undone will have you wishing you had a strong breeze blowing through your living room… or maybe a cold shower. Brody is strong, admirable, loyal, and devoted to his family. He is also sexy and confident enough to turn any woman into a melted pile of goo. I really enjoyed this book, tho not as much as Laid Bare. That isn’t because the writing or story isn’t as good, but it is solely based on the male leads…. Todd is just more my kind of guy than Brody is…. but Brody is a very close second.
The growth of relationship between Brody and Elise is sweet and timed perfectly. I really enjoyed the way Lauren Dane incorporated Elise’s daughter into the story, giving her just as much importance as the other characters and doing so realistically. As with Dane’s previous book, the theme of family and friends is a strong support to the plot and only adds the depth of the story. There were a few time when I felt scene transitions were a bit off or done too quickly, but it was easily overlooked.
Lauren Dane writes erotic romance novels that feel realistic. The characters deal with real problems, real threats, and do it with real courage and bravery…. yet they get smoking hot love making to go along with it. If Lauren Dane isn’t on your auto buy list, she should be. Excuse me while I run off and stalk her mercilessly on twitter.
FTC Disclaimer: Books were purchased by me
Review: Succubus Shadows by Richelle Mead
Title: Succubus Shadows (Georgina Kincaid, book 5)
Author: Richelle Mead
Release: March 30th, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 Stars
Helping to plan her ex-boyfriend’s wedding is a different story. Georgina isn’t sure which is worse—that Seth is marrying another woman, or that Georgina has to run all over Seattle trying on bridesmaid dresses. Still, there are distractions. Georgina’s roommate, Roman, is cluttering her apartment with sexual tension. Then there’s Simone, the new succubus in town, who’s intent on corrupting Seth.
And if that wasn’t bad enough, she’s started having dreams shadowy, dangerous but alluring dreams, dreams that don’t want to let go. These dreams are created by the Oneroi, demons in the service of Nyx, a creature from Hell who’s bent on revenge. These are dreams that can trap their chosen victim and drain their powers through nightmares. This mysterious force that’s visiting her thoughts, is trying to draw her into a dark, otherworldly realm. Sooner or later, Georgina knows she’ll be too weak to resist. And Georgina is powerless as she watches those in the real world try to find her, she comes to understand that her freedom her fate lies in the hands of the only one who can find her soul, who just happens to be the man who s about to marry someone else. She’ll discover who she can trust, who she can’t—and that Hell is far from the worst place to spend eternity…
I stumbled upon Richelle Mead’s books because Amazon was giving away free kindle versions of 1 book from her Dark Swan series (which is very good – you should be reading it). After working my way through the 2 books in that series I needed more so I gave Georgina Kincaid a shot and it was love. I can’t remember the last time I read through a series as fast as I did this one, ignoring everything around me and finishing all 4 books in two days. Now if you like happy ever afters and mushy love stuff…. this series isn’t for you. Its fun, sexy, and full of humor but its also heartbreaking and addicting. I can’t imagine anyone reading this series and not becoming entirely invested and emotionally devastated by the twists and turns Mead throws you.
Georgina Kincaid is a succubus and has been one for a long time, but that doesn’t mean she likes it. Just because you have a signed contract with Hell doesn’t mean you have to be a bad person. She struggles to meet her quota and live with her conscious.
Surrounding Georgina are lively and lovable characters – funny and supportive vampires, demon bosses that look like John Cusack, and an angel entirely too obsessed with Georgina’s love life. The interactions between Georgina and her friends are just as entertaining as the plots themselves. You wouldn’t expect a book featuring evil doers to feature friendship and love so heavily, but Richelle Mead does it very well in this series.
Book 3 and 4 of this series were heartbreaking and painful to read, emotional and full of suspense at the same time. I love the pain a Urban Fantasy story laced with romance can give to you, but sometimes a series needs a light break in it to keep moving forward. I took a deep breath and dove into Succubus Shadows worried this one would be packed with angst and not sure I was in the right mind set for it. In the end, this installment surprised me for a few reasons. First, book 5 was light on action…… there was a suspense plot but it was very laid back and not the focus of the story for once. Instead Succubus Shadows focuses heavily on the inner turmoil Georgina feels as she helps Maddie plan a wedding to Seth, Georgina’s lost love, as well as her own bad choices throughout her life. For as internally driven as the plot was, I didn’t feel emotionally drained at the finish of this one. I was left feeling a bit…. hopeful? There was some definite growth in Georgina’s character and some big steps made.
Succubus Shadows is not the strongest of the series so far, but it was enjoyable and a necessary part of the overall story. Richelle Mead manages to write an emotionally driven story without breaking the readers heart, and sets up the next book perfectly. The lack of a strong suspense and action made this one feel a bit like a transitional novel, so I wouldn’t suggest reading it without the other books, but I would absolute recommend you pick up the series if you haven’t already.
FTC Disclaimer: Book was purchased by me
Review: Changes by Jim Butcher
Title: Changes
Author: Jim Butcher
Release: April 6, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | No Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 5 Stars
Now Arianna Ortega, Duchess of the Red Court, has discovered a secret Susan has long kept, and she plans to use it-against Harry. To prevail this time, he may have no choice but to embrace the raging fury of his own untapped dark power. Because Harry’s not fighting to save the world…
He’s fighting to save his child.
Let’s get down to business *rubbing hands together*. First note… if you have not read The Dresden Files series yet…. do not read past this first paragraph of this review. In fact, get your bum off the computer and go read book 1, Storm Front. Urban Fantasy lovers have no excuse to not read this series and you should be ashamed of yourself. Harry Dresden is a professional wizard…. a smart ass, witty, smirking, sexy as hell professional wizard. And he has a staff. I’m just saying. Changes is book 12 in the series and may be the best one yet. I have no idea how Jim Butcher has managed to keep such a long running series so freaking fantastic, but I am beginning to suspect magic or a deal with a demon. I am going to need Butcher to send me copies of all works in progress so I can work out how he is doing it, k, thanks.
Now, all you Dresden virgins move along…. tho you can read the quotes below if you want. Those are probably safe. Dresden fans, have no fear, I think I have kept it relatively spoiler free.
To say that this book has been anticipated is like saying I like twitter… gross understatement. When the blurb first came out I stuttered and was left speechless for almost an entire minute. Harry has a secret baby?? Susan is coming back and there is a child?? Whaaaa???? My speechlessness was immediately followed by cursing and vile names being thrown at Susan, who I just don’t like (if you say I’m jealous – you could be right, but be warned I will glare at you).
Changes starts out with a life changing phone call between Harry and former lover, current half vampire *cough*bitch*cough* Susan. Turns out that super hot kitchen sex scene almost 10 years ago did more than just make me pant, Susan and Harry have a daughter. As if that isn’t shocking enough for poor Harry, his daughter Maggie has been abducted by the Red Court Vampires. Harry has to call in all the friends he can find and make new ones in order to save the life of a little girl he has never met, a little girl who has been raised without knowing he exists.
Butcher brings back the familiar gang of do-gooders for Changes. Molly is still apprenticing under Harry and is showing signs of growth and maturity in her character. Murphy is Murphy, she is there for Harry no matter what – even if it means all she has worked for and cares about will be turned upside down. Thomas, Sanya, Mac, Bob, and Butters all make appearances and contribute to the cause and the story with their quips and sayings. Mouse reveals himself to be the coolest pet ever. Some of my favorite quotes (I couldn’t choose just one!):
“Your weapons, grasshopper,” I said in my Yoda voice. “You will not need them.”
She [Molly] frowned at me in annoyance and said, “You know, I believe it is possible to reference something other than Star Wars, boss.”
I narrowed my eyes in Muppetly wisdom. “That is why you fail.”
I let out a short bark of geniune laughter. “I thought I was supposed to be the one with one thing on his mind.”
“Oh, when we were younger certainly,” she replied. “Now, though, our roles have reversed.”
“Meaning you want it fast and hard, too?”
“Are you kidding?” Thomas said. “I’m obviously Legolas. You’re . . .” He squinted thoughtfully at Sanya and then at Martin. “Well. He’s Boromir and you’re clearly Aragorn.”
“Martin is so dour, he is more like Gimli.” Sanya pointed at Susan. “Her sword is much more like Aragorn’s.”
“Aragorn wishes he looked that good,” countered Thomas.
“What about Karrin?” Sanya asked.
“What–for Gimli?” Thomas mused. “She is fairly –”
“Finish that sentence, Raith, and we throw down,” said Murphy in a calm, level voice.
But Changes also gives us a much darker Harry Dresden. He is still witty and quick with the self-depreciating moments … but he is also angry and on the edge. His daughter is out there, alone, waiting for someone to save her. Harry has to chose between one painful choice after another. He is tested to his limits and pushed to re-evaluate his moral core over and over again. How far will he go to save her and what will it cost him? Every move he makes, every battle he fights in this book is of dire importance and emotionally exhausting. Finishing this book left me in utter shock, looking for a support group and chatting up people at all hours of the the night.
Honestly, this book should be titled HOLY HELL I AM AN EVIL AUTHOR AND I TURNING YOUR WORLD ON IT’S SIDE. Changes is a high speed freight train of a read and just when you think you can see the light at the end of the tunnel and a smile starts to spread across your face Butcher hits you upside the head with a can of WTF JUST HAPPENED. Jim Butcher has exceeded my expectations with this installment, easily making Changes the best book of the series so far, and what will be without a doubt one of my top 10 books of 2010.
FTC Disclaimer: Book was purchased by me (hardcover even!)
Review: Silver Borne by Patricia Briggs
Title: Silver Borne
Author: Patricia Briggs
Release: March 30, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Rating: 4 Stars
I’ve been sitting on this review for a week or so, just unsure of what to say. Mercy Thompson is one of my favorite Urban Fantasy series, and I was expecting a lot from this one. Silver Borne doesn’t disappoint, for the most part it delivers. I gasped out loud and had to tweet friends at various interludes. Yet, it I still found myself feeling a bit off after setting the book down.
Mercy Thompson is a shapeshifting(coyote) mechanic. She is tough as nails, brave, and fiercely independent. Silver Borne has her still recovering from the traumatic events of previous books and her vulnerability was touching. She finds herself once again mixed up in the world of Fae and some of her most cared about people in danger.
In this installment we make our way through what the mating of Adam and Mercy really means, for the pack and for her. I think this is where the story stumbled for me. There were a lot of pack things explained that I did enjoy, but I often felt that Mercy joining the pack put a damper on some of her personality as well as some of the sexual tension that I love. She apologized too quickly and too easily for her character in my opinion and it nagged me a bit.
What did work for me and was far more interesting was Samuel’s story. I don’t want to spoil anything, but he is a huge part of this book and he is what kept me turning pages in the middle of the night. I loved the resolution of his situation, but do admit it felt a bit rushed or glossed over.
As a whole, the Silver Borne was a good read. Fans of the series do not want to miss this one as it marks a turning point in the series for Adam and Mercy’s relationship. There is a lot of intimacy and tenderness between Adam and Mercy and it felt great to see them happy, yet it left me missing the tension between them. The plot was done well and the cast of characters filled out the story perfectly. There are so many wonderful side characters of this series it is hard to choose a favorite but if I had to make a choice…. Warren the gay werewolf is in the lead.
FTC Disclaimer: Book was purchased by me
Review: Lion’s Heat by Lora Leigh
Title: Lion’s Heat
Author: Lora Leigh
Release: April 6, 2010
Purchase this book: Amazon | Book Depository | Kindle Version
Goodreads Entry: here
Genre: Erotica/Paranormal Romance
Rating: 3.5 Stars
Bad boy Jonas Wyatt knows it is fate that Rachel becomes his mate. He can sense it. He can also sense her reluctance. But she has little power over the mating heat of the Breeds. It is Jonas’s destiny to claim her. And nothing will stop him from having his way.
Lion’s Heat is probably one of the most anticipated Breed books from Lora Leigh. Jonas Wyatt has been meddling in the lives of Breeds everywhere for years and everyone wants to see him meet his match one way or another. This latest installment in the series definitely delivers on the “heat” but left me wanting a bit at the end.
Jonas is a Breed, a man ingrained with Lion DNA, created and bred within scientific labs to be the perfect killer. Lora Leigh’s Breed series chronicles the fight for freedom and safety by this race of Breeds, both men and women. Jonas is every bit the prickly, growly, manipulative, alpha male we expected him to be. He is all business and the Breeds safety and survival are most important. What I didn’t expect where the reasons behind his actions. I didn’t expect him to be the manipulator because he cared whether his fellow Breeds were happy. He cares whether they can get past the torture they all endured and find a life they can smile about.
Fans of the series will be happy to know that Jonas is brought to his knees by his mate Rachel. She is every bit as stubborn and stoic as he is. She knows how to say no to him and does it with a smile on her face. I really enjoyed her character, she made me grin and giggle with evil delight.
“I know a volcano hungry for a sacrifice” he muttered behind her. “You’d make the perfect candidate.”
“Hungry volcanoes only accept virgin maidens,” she informed him tartly. “That leaves me out of the running.”
She almost grinned at the disgruntled growl that sounded behind her.
The tension between Jonas and Rachel was off the scales hot. Neither of them are willing to give in to the “mating heat” and I was surprised by just how far Jonas would go to resist his instincts. Every interaction between the two of them was a rolling boil of sarcasm and sexual tension – it kept the story moving and me turning the pages.
Before he could stop himself, and God knew he wished he could have stopped himself, he gripped her shoulders, spun her around and pressed her against the door. Her soft cry was lost as his lips parted and his teeth gripped the side of her neck in sensual warning. The animal knew what was going on with the man. It knew he was fighting a battle he was going to lose, and he couldn’t stop himself.
“Jonas!” Shock and arousal fueled the needy, breathless sound of her voice.
Gripping her hips Jonas held her still as his knees dipped, his hips pressing against her rear as a harsh growl tore from his throat.
Considering the sexual tension outside of the bedroom, I was surprisingly disappointed in the actual “mating” (yes, i mean the actual sexing). The heat that Leigh put into their interactions and the few scenes of physical foreplay before the mating seemed to fizzle a bit when it came down to doing the dirty deed. No doubt Jonas was all alpha power and loss of control, but there was no real build up within the actual scene and for once it seemed to be secondary to the rest of the story. Not to mention the phrase “living mercury” to describe Jonas’ eyes was overused to the point that I rolled my own eyes.
I would talk about the plot of the book and the politics of the Breed world, but really…. is anyone reading this series because of the subplot? And if you are, can you send me a flow chart explaining the timeline of these books because I still get confused and I have read all 21 stories. The action involving the groups opposing the Breeds were just there, background noise to the growth of Jonas and the realization that he doesn’t have to be alone.
Lion’s Heat is a surprisingly quick read for over 300 pages, and a great addition to the Breed series. Next up in the series is Styx, a Scottish wolf breed we first met in Dawn’s Awakening. A scottish alpha wolf? I am tingly already.
FTC Disclaimer: Book was passed on to me for review by a fellow bloger
A Game of Thrones (A Song of Ice and Fire, #1) by George R.R. Martin
Image designed by Ailish Dawn
Visit Book Blogs