Andrea is having a rough time. She broke up with boyfriend upon a disagreement of her priorities towards the Order verse the Pack and then being kickeAndrea is having a rough time. She broke up with boyfriend upon a disagreement of her priorities towards the Order verse the Pack and then being kicked out of her beloved Order upon their discovery she's a shapeshifter. The Order was the only place who gave her purpose. Pack, as from her childhood experience of horrible abuse and torture, is a place of control. And she refuses to let anyone control her. Now she works as PI. It's a cruel happenstance that her case should lead her right back into the world of her EX - Raphael.
A lot of his works have died under mysterious circumstances and Andrea is sent in to investigate. That last thing she wants in the world is to see Raphael again as they broken up under bad terms followed by radio silence. Now he's gotten himself a swift replacement and even those the new girl is dumb as a can of bricks, Andrea is heartbroken to see he's moved on. But the investigation pushes them toward and soon they have nowhere to hide from their unresolved feelings.
Andrea's case is a journey of twists and turns involving shifters, Gods & old myths. And with Raphael at her side, it also involves forgiveness and understanding that when you loves someone, it's time to grow up and let that person know before life passes you by.
I was hooked on this story for the first little bit. Love Andrea and her bad ass fighting skills but her self confidence as well. Her childhood was traumatic but it made her into the strong women she is today. And can be childish, like denying her shifting abilities and her part in the break up with Raphael but overall, she was a fighter. Raphael was described as and, sometimes came across, as a spoiled heir to the throne. He was a badass as well and always their to offer his support in a fight but just like Andrea, he was childish. And I LOVED the reunion of these two characters at the start as their sexual tension and bitterness was thick as fuck.
My issue with this book, the only issue really, was that I lost the romance. Yes this book is an urban fantasy but the other books in the serious I thought offered more romance than this addition did. It was something that really attracted me to the series. The romance and the action. However i found the romance really took a backstage to the story. Not a flaw. I did enjoy the book. It's just not my taste. If there was a bit more romance, then the rating would be higher. Still a good book....more
Obviously, the Goddess made a horrible mistake when she chose the heroine to be the Guardian of the Montana pack. The heroine wants nothing to do withObviously, the Goddess made a horrible mistake when she chose the heroine to be the Guardian of the Montana pack. The heroine wants nothing to do with the damn sword or the whispers and rejection from the pack members who doubt her new-found title. Never not in 8 hundred years has a woman ever been selected as Guardian but the Fae sword if defiantly connecting to her so now it becomes the challenge of just how the hell she's going to figure out how to use it.
That's where the hero comes it. He may not be a Guardian. Hell, he's not even collared. He's a free-range Shifter without true ties to any pack. He's considered gifted but crazy by his peers and that's the way he likes it. But the heroine's foster father is without options. No other Guardian will train her and because of her sex, she's become something of an outcast in the shifter communities. So he's taken her to the loner Bear hoping a gifted shifter can train another gifted shifter. At first the hero wants to toss her off the boat. He doesn't much enjoy people as his gift for healing causing him pain but he can't possibly turn her away. See, he may act tough and while he is a powerhouse in a fight, he has a heart of gold and will help anyone willing to ask him. It's obvious that this young and inexperienced shifter is strong beyond her years. She valiantly tries to hide her terror and confusion and he admires her greatly. He also desires her more powerfully then he's ever desired anyone. The heroine suddenly finds herself the new unwanted title of Guardian, freezing her ass up in Alaska away from her family and in the company of a Big Ass Bear who is messy and quite possibly insane. He has this horrible habit of saying things that get her hackles up before following it up with a tease or other witty comments. Despite how much she hates her predicament, she too finds herself falling up the spell of the crazy bear. Not only is he built like a rock, he is probably her rock in general. With him, she feels safe, cared for. It seems he always has a plan and it becomes quite obvious to her that he enjoys playing up the mental instability for his own benefit as he is by far the cleverest man she has ever met. But their training time together is short and soon she's called out to her very first duty as Guardian.
Later, after celebrating and mourning her success with bringing a shifter to the afterlife, the sword she possesses is broken in a bar fight. Now, the urgency is to find a way to see the weapon replaced. Ridden with guilt over the incident, she turns to the hero and the possessive and passionate mating frenzy between them to cope. It's plain to see that they belong together. They fit so well together and love each other so deeply that to deny the bond is futile and honestly unwanted. But before happiness can start, they must discover a way to repair the sword and stop it from falling into enemy hands.
I've been waiting for Zander's story since the first time he came into the picture and while this wasn't the best in the series, it was still a treat. I just loved the hero too much to care about the strange plotline which saw the hero and heroine racing around Alaska on a boat seemingly trying to discover something to fill the pages between the growing relationship between them and the broken sword. The hero was super funny and the banter between him and the heroine was funny and witty. I really enjoyed the way he kept her on her toes. He was larger the life in more ways than just his size. It was his voice, his booming laugh. It was the way he played up the crazy and teased her just to see that beautiful fire in her eyes. Eyes, he described perfectly as wolf eyes. The attraction between them was sizzling and it ran far deeper than just sexual. There was a true and lasting friendship between them paired with an off the chart sexual tension. I also really enjoyed the heroine. She was calm and collected. She never buckled under the pressure of all her responsibilities and could handle herself in any fight. I really loved the bar scene when she flies off and punches a guy in the nose for yanking on her hair. She was an equal to the hero despite her smaller size and he could rely on her when it counted. Great book and another addition to a lovely series. I could go on reading this series forever so keep them coming Jennifer Ashley....more
Lonely and stuck in a predictable routine of waking up, going to work at the diner and going home-the heroine's life is suddenly and forever changed oLonely and stuck in a predictable routine of waking up, going to work at the diner and going home-the heroine's life is suddenly and forever changed one night. The beautiful man with white and black hair comes in with his 3 sons as usual just before closing time. She looks forward to his visit every single night even if he doesn't say much and she's doesn't even know his name. Then, she's horrified to find her cook dead at the back door and the small diner in the middle of nowhere under attack by a barrage of bullets.
The hero saves her, tells her to look at his children and the proceeds to change into a tiger and attack the men outside. When all is said and done, the heroine does is asked of her and flees the diner with the 3 boys to a safe place until the hero can meet up with them. Frazzled but truly alive for the first time in a long time, she gives in to the impulse to kiss the sexy man knowing she'll never see him again. Then he rides off into the night and she drives off to find somewhere to hide out for a spell in case the men return to look for her. She's pulled over by the cops who find her departure suspicious and bring her in for questioning.
Seeing the image of the beautiful waitress on tv, the hero breaks her out of jail. Knowing that his scent on her will draw the attention of the shifters after him, he agrees to take her with him. They find a ranch off the beaten path and hold up until the hero can get his baring's.
As leader of his group of uncollared shifters, the hero is suddenly unsure where the loyalties of his pack lie-and a man he once granted power within his pack has turned on him and is inspiring his people to rebel against their seclusion. The last thing he needs to worry about on top of finding a safe place for his pack, keeping his children safe and hunting down the man responsible for all his problems is the distraction of a mate. He's been lost since he first laid eyes on the heroine and every second in her company is sweet torment. He admires her loyalty, the way she treats his children putting their safety above her own and every time she touches him he fears he'll lose all control. But he realizes that the fight to withhold himself from her is a losing battle and the strength of a powerful and strong woman is just what he needs especially when he must finally put an end to his enemy once and for all.
Yet another awesome book to the series. First off, I adored the heroine. She was willing to fight for what she believed in and for those she loved. She was extremely intelligent, logical and resourceful. The hero didn't need to baby her, or to try to explain to her the dangers of their situation. She knew the dangers and she acknowledged she was afraid but that didn't stop her from doing everything she could possibly to do help the hero and protect his children. She was the perfect woman for the type of leader the hero was. In short, she was a down ass bitch... And the hero was delicious-as usual.
This author has a great way of making her male leads so damn sexy it's not even funny. Strong silent types are my type so the quiet and reserved hero was spot on in my books. This didn't stop him from being extremely powerful in the quiet and commanding attention without necessarily saying the words. And he acknowledged the heroine as being the smart and dependable woman she was, he didn't try to possess her and felt humbled when she proved herself reliable again and again. Awesome book. Keep them coming Jennifer!!!!...more
When the hero breaks his vows it's a complete collapse of what he's entitled himself to and it all begins with the loss of a book. The search of that When the hero breaks his vows it's a complete collapse of what he's entitled himself to and it all begins with the loss of a book. The search of that book was what justified, to the hero, his absence from home and his Shaman father but now, he must face the pressure once again to inherit the unwanted powers of his people. So, on the eve of his freedom, the hero finds himself in a bar. Not only is he drunk he actually starts a fight when another man slanders his family's culture. Hell, with this amount of damage to his scholarly persona, why not indulge in the most forbidden fruit of all.
He's always hated himself for desiring a whore, especially a whore who deems it appropriate to pass judgment on him. He's always found himself lusting after and actually hating the heroine but now, the haze has eroded his calm and he vows to have her tonight. The next morning, he awakens to a pounding head ache and the sinking stomach of half remembering what occurred the night before. The heroine even demands payment, taking 4 coins from his purse and ignoring his exclamations that what occurred between them wasn't business. But she is gone before he can get a level head. So, he vows to hunt her down and get the little thief to return his money.
The heroine is not what she seems. Yes, she sells her body but she is a single woman trapped in a world without parents or a husband and so it falls to her to feed and shelter her 3 younger siblings. One of her youngest brothers is gravely ill and without a cure will surely die. She sells herself to pay for the roof over their heads and the chance of a shaman fixing her brother. No one knows what she does and she likes it that way.... Until the hero starts sniffing around. He catches her in an alleyway and demands his money back. She herself believed the night they shared was something special, the idea of being loved tenderly by a man a strange one. But there's her brother to consider. There's also the tiny little detail of witnessing the hero shift into a panther the night they slept together. He irks her too badly to be fearful but she comes to truly despise him when his interference costs her position. And to make matters worse, her middle brother has been arrested for theft and is in the process of losing his hand when the most unlikely of saviors comes to his rescue.
The hero himself doesn't know why he volunteered to foster the ignorant and selfish child but it's defiantly not for the heroine's sake...well not entirely. And now, without her job or ways to feed her siblings, the heroine must rely upon the arrogant man to bring them back to the mountains and to his father who can heal the dying boy.
The hero and heroine's relationship are strained at best and at worst they are stabbing one another with harsh words. The heroine calls into question the hero's honor and his selfishness with not accepting his gifts even if it means her brother could be saved. The hero may try to say the right thing but she takes it as the wrong thing. Everything is a war and she's defensive and contradictory to the point of blind stupidity. He in turn makes her feel used and unclean. He instills in her mind the idea that he doesn't care about any of them. That he can't wait to be rid of her and for the most part it's actually true. His fear over the reappearance of the panther and the fact that it's the heroine and how he feels towards her that has the beast awoken. Their road is long and hard and nothing come easy. Both parties must accept things they'd much rather ignore and realize the truth that their ignorance is causing all of their heartache.
This book had the hero and heroine also acting the part of antagonist. They really were their own worst enemy. Both of them were so blind to reality it was painful to read and I struggled to see any potential for a civil relationship between them. We'll start with the hero because he was suppressing the most. Yes, to accept the magic needed to save her brother requires a human sacrifice and it's entirely justified he would oppose that. But, he deluded himself to believe he has no magic what so ever even though he changes into a freaking panther every night. He acted like a child when confronted with truth- just kept denying it even though everybody knows it's true. He did however, make efforts to smooth things over with the heroine on many occasions and provided protection for the defenseless family when needed.
This starts my critique on the heroine. She let her pride rule her. She was curt and rude and snapped at the hero whenever he tried to make conversations. She desired him and she imagined he didn't feel the same way and so, everything out of his mouth she took as a war and responded like a hissing cat. She was also blind ignorant to the selfish and dangerous personality of her younger brother. She ignored the warning signs in favor of relishing her battle with the hero. I could admire her for sacrificing herself for the good of the family but I really didn't like her character most of the time. The story was sloppy and the characters made emotional turns that I don't believe suited the story of their personalities previously. It was okay, I liked the love/hate relationship between them and thought the younger sister and brother were super cute. I hated the middle brother. It was decent for a harlequin paperback and I wasn't expecting much so I got more than I was expecting I guess. ...more
For close to 15 years the heroine has managed to distance herself from Whisper Willow the responsibility she knows awaits her once her grandmother pasFor close to 15 years the heroine has managed to distance herself from Whisper Willow the responsibility she knows awaits her once her grandmother passes. But now she's seen the 3 sides. She's visited by her grandmother in a dream 3 nights in a row and the old woman demands she return to fulfill her destiny. She's been visited by the crows and the Crow Man who carries with him the great power to control the residences of Whisper Willow. And lastly, she's seen the ghost of the girl in the window who delivers the message to get one’s affairs in order. And so, she packs up her life in Seattle and returns to the dangerous yet magical place of her birth. A place where Shamans control he walking ghosts and the Unliving, where the Lady of the Lake routinely takes human sacrifices and where shape shifters are destined for Shamans as their protectors and sometimes their lovers.
Ignorant of most of the Shaman ways and how to perform her new duties, the heroine is nether the less eager to learn and she gains the help from her ghost banishing partner, her best friend and her sexy shape shifting neighbor. Together as one, they are tossed head first into ancient feuds, painful unsolved mysteries and the knowledge that a dark evil and powerful force is disturbing their small town and the heroine is the only one able to stop it. But most of all, she is determined to solve the mystery of what truly happened to her parents. As a young girl her mother disappeared and speculation abounded that someone had done something to her yet nothing was very proven. She never met her father who she'd been told walked out on her and her mother before she was born but now she's come to realize that he was murdered right along with the woman he loved. Suspecting her grandfather of the murders (a grandfather who is not actually her father), she is further sucked into the conspiracy of two groups within the city. One fights for good in the name of the Morrigan, one in the name of the great Lady's enemy. That paired with the overwhelming desire for the hero who is destined to be her protector and her mate the heroine certainly has her hands full!
I'll say that I was disappointed with this book. I was expecting something so much better than the finally product and though the story was not bad, the expectations I had made me less then pleased with it. I think my main issue was that this was the first book in the series. That means the setting and the characters must be introduced and laid out for the series to come but this made the book more into the realm of Fantasy that paranormal romance. Yes, there was romance, and yes, I quite enjoyed what interaction the hero and heroine did have, at the end of day I wanted so much more! It just like the whole story was about the mystery and that's just not something I'm personally interested in. I wanted a romantic development and what I got was a murder mystery with specks of romance. But it was not a bad story! Let me clear about that. I found the plot fresh and excited. The writing style-though a bit domestic at times- was okay and I enjoyed the characters personalities and interaction with each other. It just wasn't something I found terribly lovable.... ...more
The hero has been hurt twice in the past by two women whom he wanted to claim as his mate. The first betrayed him and his people to be with another maThe hero has been hurt twice in the past by two women whom he wanted to claim as his mate. The first betrayed him and his people to be with another man, the second died because he couldn't protect her. So as such he's vowed to never again take a mate.
The heroine comes from a wealthy influential family who spurn their shifter roots. Childhood abuse and rape by her father and verbal abuse from her mother has made her cut ties with them. The safety of her sisters makes her keep the families secrets even though it puts her into suspicion with the people she works with. She's known since she first met him that the hero was her mate. And worse, deep down, he's known it too. But he's steadfast in his vow to keep all those walls between them. But steadily and brick by brick she's wearing him down.
It starts with a kiss. Then a touch, and then they find themselves sleeping together. But no matter how intimate they become the hero makes it absolutely clear he had no intention of mating her. However, as is typically the case, the hero is catching feelings. Though he's not the type to be a mushy romantic, he makes it clear that she's come to mean a lot to him. But stress with her family and frustration with the hurt he's caused her make her demand more and now it's up to the hero to gain the courage to take what's his before she slips away.
I can safely say that this is by far the best book in the series. It was passionate and real and I freaking loved the heroine more than I can say. She was sooo strong yet vulnerable. She's not willing to give up on him no matter how gruff and closed off emotionally he is, she's able to make him realized that if he doesn't get his shit together he'll lose the best thing in his life. I loved the hero. Finally, the male lead wasn't a complete horn dog. Sure, there were sex scenes and explicit ones at that but it was tastefully done and the river of repressed feelings leapt off the page during each of them. It was a struggle for these characters to find peace with each other mostly to do with the hero and his stubborn reluctance to see what he's missing in front of him. This was finally the ace of a story in a series that I've felt was missing something up until now....more
This was an odd book in that I wasn't like anything I've read before. The hero and heroine are mates-though not bond mates. The hero, the Alpha, choseThis was an odd book in that I wasn't like anything I've read before. The hero and heroine are mates-though not bond mates. The hero, the Alpha, chose the heroine because she was just a s strong and capable as he was and that it would seal the pact between his clan and hers. Though their 'marriage' wasn't a true love match, the two do care deeply for each other and genuinely respect and understand on another. The one strife in their relationship is the pain of not developing a mate bond even after 12 years of being together. From the way they spoke of one another in the beginning I got the impression that there was more conflict in their marriage than what was revealed. In fact, they seem to love each other deeply and are more or less a happy family. But when the heroine suddenly begins to feel what she's told is the mate bond with another male, their relationship is put to the test. Throughout the years, the hero and heroine were constantly testing one another. They would flirt or get close to another man or woman to see if the other would stray. It's deemed that if one of them should find their bond mate, their marriage would dissolve.
When the heroine feels that tug for another man the hero is at first convinced that she will stray. It pains him severely but he wants her to be happy. But soon he changes his mind and refuses to let her go, not that she ever even considered leaving. I would have love it if they didn't even develop the mate bond, strange as it is. I would have been happy and felt a deeper sense of honesty if the two had deemed that they love each other enough and nothing and nobody could break them apart. But, I suppose the story must have a mushy and fairytale ending so I can't fault it. I did like this story, not as much as others in the series because of the fact that there wasn't much love or characters development between the characters. They started the book in love with each other and ended the book in love with each other. There were no relationship conflicts, and that hero and heroine were always on the same page. On one hand I loved that fact, but on the other I would have liked to see some more strain or tension. Still a stellar book though and one I would love to read again soon. ...more
On the run from an extremely abusive and controlling man she turned to for help with her ill father, the heroine doesn't trust anyone especially men. On the run from an extremely abusive and controlling man she turned to for help with her ill father, the heroine doesn't trust anyone especially men. The hero has been severely affected by his experiences in the jungle and because of that drug he was given, he's barely in control of his animal and he fears hurting the woman he wants to mate. When the man she's on the run from ties in with the Shadow hunters dealing with illegal experimentations, their worlds really do collide. The heroine has always been attracted to the hero but never had the courage to take it anywhere so when he starts to aggressively court her, she's torn between her distrust of men and her desire for the sexy golden skinned ladies’ man.
There were aspects of this book that I enjoyed and others that disturbed me. One point I liked was the toned-down sexual activity of the previous books. For once the whole story wasn't spent with the two characters engaged in graphic lovemaking and I was more in line with this book as a result. However, the hero was EXTREMLY aggressive. I won't say he raped the heroine because rape means against her will and she did enjoy it. But he refused to take no for an answer and did in fact grope her sexually in the first meeting. It was a big turn off to read that. I liked how possessive the hero was but you can't truly blame the girl for denying him and being standoffish when you know her experiences with the villain. However, the girl was such a freaking coward. She aggravated me so much. Overall, I thought this book was so/so but miles better than the books previously....more
Jace’s hatred for what his father was and what he did to their family has fueled a lifelong battle with Jace’s self. Half werewolf, or so he’s told, aJace’s hatred for what his father was and what he did to their family has fueled a lifelong battle with Jace’s self. Half werewolf, or so he’s told, and a werewolf hunter himself makes for an interesting dynamic, especially knowing that his fellow hunters don’t know about his little secret. But Jave makes up for the lies with a great track record. He’s taken out quite a few rogue wolves in his day but the creature killing and mutilating young woman on the streets is proving to be elusive. Then one night, Jace catches a break and catches a woman who is destined to change his world forever.
Frankie, the pack leader of a local sect is too out on the streets hunting a monster. A wolf who has no connection to her pack is killing humans and putting a big target on their backs. Frankie isn’t a monster. She was born this way, she’s a salsa dancer by day, she’s not a killer. But all the same, she finds herself the prisoner of a man who believes her to be. Unfortunately, he doesn’t seem to listen very well when she tries to explain that he’s a wolf and that’s not a bad thing and that she’s not a murdered. Still, the pesky full moon changes their dynamic right quick as they can’t help but sleep together.
Now, Jace is ostracized from the hunters because they know what he is, trying to find the killer and trying to sort out who or what he is, his only lifeline is Frankie. But with constant revelations and betrayals standing between them, a happy ever after seems impossible.
I wanted this book to be good. It had a good start, but it fizzled out quite quickly. Jace was an unlikeable character. I found him to be whinny and a bit of a pussy. Frankie wasn’t much better. A salsa dancer? Why. She’s supposed to be the pack leader and the strongest wolf in the pack but she a push over in any fight they had. I wanted her to be this bad ass leader, not what she was which was a bit of a meh. The plotline was boring and very repetitive and that paired with these unlikeable characters made this a hard read. ...more
Unrelenting and merciless as a leader, the hero allows himself no pleasure or happiness of his own. Instead he lives and breathes for the safety of hiUnrelenting and merciless as a leader, the hero allows himself no pleasure or happiness of his own. Instead he lives and breathes for the safety of his people. Though he's betrothed to the heroine and feels attraction for her, he's honest in the fact the he wants her for wife only because of the prophecy of her leading their people into a better age.
The heroine has led a very shelter life thanks to the prophecy and a vicious previous attack and rape has left her broken, but she's willing to fight for her people, despite what the hero wants. Though she's attracted to him sexually, she thinks of him as a cold unforgiving overlord and in part she's right. But when their world in threatened and the hero must travel into the land of the dead, she doesn't hesitate to follow him.
As they travel the barren landscape as are forced to confront their demons along the way, they each see deeper into the other person then they could have ever done before. They are instantly stripped of their powers when entering what is especially hell and left as weak as humans. It's from the jump that begin to see a crack in the hero’s armor as he mourns the loss of his spirit animal. As well as when he finds his father and he speak about all the resentment he feels for him about how he failed their clan and his mother. Even more when he loses his sight protecting the heroine and must rely entirely on the heroine to lead him. Slowly and bit by bit, the hero begins to show her his true feels and the fact he's always had them but was too proud to show them.
The heroine takes to her duties as his protector with grace and dignity because despite her fears and insecurities, she was born to lead and she was born to be the hero’s wife.
I really loved this story because though it dealt heavily with the supernatural and Gods and Goddess and spirit animals, it also delved into real issues. The hero’s resentment towards his father up until the point when he swallows his pride and calls for his help. Coming to terms with how his father did what he thought was best and his son’s forgiveness allowed him to pass on. The heroine forced to stand up to her attacker and allow him no forgiveness for his actions but taking all power for him to her again. And the hero’s burden of responsibly that blinds him to love and understanding. Such a marvelous book, characters was always spot on. ...more
Gray is living on borrowed time, literally. Cursed to have no control of the animal within him when he was outcasted from the Imnada society – Gray soGray is living on borrowed time, literally. Cursed to have no control of the animal within him when he was outcasted from the Imnada society – Gray sought the aid of the Fey for a temporary patch which is killing him. Sure, he has more control of the beast but he is rotting and without a hope for a cure, Gray will be dead withing the year. So, when he’s visited by a ghost from the past, he’s inclined to ignore the warning signs and take the chance to see Meeryn again.
Meeryn is not longer the young woman he once loved. She was chosen by her people to be the keeper of Jai Idrish, a once powerful but now dormant source of knowledge of the Imnada. The title means less then nothing as she’s not respected in the role and without the voice of the goddess to guide her, the Jai Idrish is just a pretty stone. But Meeryn has hopeful, if somewhat naive, that somehow, she will be able to aid her dying people. And bringing Gray back into the fold has got to be answer.
Unfortunately, as she soon realizes, the leadership of her people are not looking to be saved. Old prejudices and racism hold tight, so much so that she knows that to save her people, she must betray them in a sense. So, she steals the Jai Idrish and flees with Gray, a marked for death fugitive. As the window to save Gray shortens day by day, they need to a find a way to break the curse or be damned.
What started out as a fantastic series did seem to fizzle for me. I loved the first installment so much that maybe I had too high of expectations for the other 2 novels because I don’t think they lived up. This book to me felt boring and adrift in a sea on a boat trying to find land. I couldn’t tell you that the majority of the book actually meant anything in the end. The love story was bleh and the moment of action were few and far between. It did wrap up the whole curse aspect in the most logical but predicable way. Nothing horribly wrong with the book but it lacked anything to grab me as a reader. ...more
Holy shit! Where the hell did this come from?! I have to keep pinching myself to believe that this was written by a 2-star max author!
The hero, curseHoly shit! Where the hell did this come from?! I have to keep pinching myself to believe that this was written by a 2-star max author!
The hero, cursed by his mother in law to become the rutting beast she thinks he is, is slowly and painfully losing his humanity and transforming into a beast. It started with his face, then his arms until his entire left side is covered in hair and becoming an animal. In order to fulfill his father’s wish that the estate birth an heir, the hero marries a death row prisoner for the soul purpose of getting her with child.
At first, he's very distant and military in his goals to get his new wife pregnant but slowly her innocence and kindness towards him dare him to hope for the chance to experience love before he dies. The heroine is plucked from her cell and married to a total stranger in the span of a day. Her new husband never showed her his face and only comes to her late at night when it's complete darkness and her candles are extinguished. She's a very dutiful wife and eager to please him. She accepts his demands and caters to his quirks because she knows it's painful for him to talk about his affliction. Slowly she begins to crake away his walls and briefly they are about to live a semi normal happy married life, with a baby on the way.
Then the curse begins to change the right side of his body and he distances himself from her again so the heroine chooses that she must defy him this one time and seek out the woman to break his curse. I really have no freaking clue why so many readers disliked this book. I found it poetic and sad and an epic take of beauty and the beast.
Funny that most of this author books I found to be lacking in the passion department received such high rates when this book, an absolute gem was paned. I can see why many women who think this heroine to be weak and the hero to be chauvinistic but I actually found it to be the most realistic marriage set in historical times. I'm sorry to all you feminist out there but it's not normal for a woman to be sassy or disobey her husband. I loved the fact that this heroine was obedient because her compliance allowed for them to be happy! The only time she went against his wishes was to attempt to save his life. The hero did start out as just a rutting beast. He did his husbandly duty without joy or caring if she enjoyed it or not but that's how things were. Eventually, once he grows to love her, he takes his time to show her that love but never once did I cry rape or anything like that. Some women readers just need to lighten up. Oh my god. Hell has frozen over-I liked-no LOVED-an Amanda Ashley novel.... end of days is upon us....more
The heroine, a gusty smart and determined reporter is blackmailed by the people holding her brother hostage to uncover and exposed the true identity oThe heroine, a gusty smart and determined reporter is blackmailed by the people holding her brother hostage to uncover and exposed the true identity of the hero's people. She's been given 60 days to do this and she vows she'll do anything to save her brother’s life-even though he's a junkie and a thief-he was always there for her when she needed him most. But her plans are derailed when she meets the hero. He's aggressive, cocky and too damn rich and hansom for his own good. She knows his type. Billionaire playboy who can never understand the life she grew up in. At first, she's resentful of his wealth but drawn to him sexually. Then she follows him to his resort and, upon discovering the female in his place when the resort is under attack- kidnaps her and keep her in his room.
The hero, having lost a mate previously, has zero desire for another. And in fact, unlike most reluctant hero's this one is actually following through with his vow. He refuses to feel anything for the heroine besides the overwhelming sexual desire. He uses her body- taking every opportunity to use sex to throw her off her mission. And the heroine finds herself falling for him but knowing that he doesn't feel the same.
I was both uneasy about their dynamic but intrigued at the same time. First off, it was not a lovey romance. It was erotic at times and the hero was pretty heartless for most of the book. There were times where-reading as many romance novels as I do-that I started to predict his reactions to thing but found myself thrown off. He was certainly different. The heroine was your typical feisty reporter- annoying at times, stupid and bothersome at others. Mostly she did get on my nerves by I liked her devotion to her family-even though they are horribly dysfunctional. I liked that she wasn't just after the story for her career but was doing it for the sake of someone she loved. And I didn't like the fact that she allowed the hero to use sex to make her forget about her kidnapped brother. Overall, I thought this was a decent book. It was different from a lot of romance novels I've read and that was something that caught my eye....more
Kalina has agreed to go undercover at a law firm suspected of drug running and other crimes. Even though her lead on the investigation is super sketchKalina has agreed to go undercover at a law firm suspected of drug running and other crimes. Even though her lead on the investigation is super sketch and obviously personally invested in this, Kalina wants to do good and prove to everyone that she is good police officer.
Roman is a cat shifter, leader of the shadow shifter faction and a lawyer. But he's still desperately searching for the ones responsible for his parents' death. He's shocked to find a beautiful woman working him is not only his mate but is also a shifter herself. Although she doesn't know it, it does explain why she's being followed and threatened.
What progresses has got to be one of the most boring stories I've read. How can a book with so much expect sexual content have characters with zero chemistry? Even at the end, I found no true love connection between them and as I honestly skip the majority of sex scenes, that leaves a boring book without anything to grab my attention....more
The heroine's life is already fucked up to start with. She and her sisters have already been on Earth for 8 months and back home in the Otherworld, thThe heroine's life is already fucked up to start with. She and her sisters have already been on Earth for 8 months and back home in the Otherworld, their father is charged with treason and the Queen is causing unrest with a civil war. The heroine and her sisters are now fugitives and if they should return home, they will be arrested on sight. To top it all off, the heroine is having trouble controlling her shifting and at times of stress, she finds herself a little house cat. When she's in feline form she has a harder and harder time controlling her basic instincts. The heroine has never belonged except with her sisters. She is half fae and her shifting is a birth defect that makes her an outcast from both Fae and the natural shifter society. A Windwalker is what they call her, someone who doesn't belong anywhere. She has a steady boyfriend, though she's afraid to list him as that because her Fae nature makes it difficult to commit to one man. She's not her sister, she doesn't sleep with a lot of men but she makes sure the hero knows that when the mood arises, no title will guarantee him possession of her. It's just happened that she's never been tempted by another man. But when the Puma shifter walks into her office she is attracted by another shifter and knows she's in trouble.
He's come to her for help, to help find out what is killing his people and he makes it clear he's interested in more than just her investigation techniques. She and her sister are quick to discover that a mutant group of werespiders are to blame. They have been corrupted by a demon and have chosen to attack the puma clan because their leader is a resurrected evil spirit that hates the Pumas. The heroine has a lot on her plate- her father, the fact that she's bound to an Elemental Lord and the fear that if they don't stop this evil force, it will mean the end of the world. She doesn't have time to deal with personal feelings. It's hard for her because she's come to love the hero as much as she can love a human. While she desires other men and he admits to cheating on her, they have something special. Still, the temptation to succumb to the puma shifter is too much to stand, she can only hope the hero forgives her.
This is not a Paranormal romance. This is an urban fantasy. I don't appreciate being tricked into buying something I thought was one thing and turned out to be another. Urban fantasy is something that is completely different than a romance in many ways. First off, it has very little romance and what romance it does have is not the main focal point of the story. Case in point, the heroine is attracted to 2 men, one of whom she has a sort of committed relationship with and the other is the sexy shifter who gets her fur raising. I don't like love triangles and certainly not one that shows the heroine sleeping with both of the guys in the span of a 300-page book. Call me traditional but I want devotion. The human Chase was perhaps the main boy in the heroine's heart but that didn't stop her from A, screwing the Puma and B. the hero himself admitting to numerous affairs. I just didn't like it. The story was complicated and I went sort of cross eyes trying to keep up with the rapidly changing problems. I really tried to give this book a chance. Even though I had a problem with the love triangle, even though it was an Urban Fantasy and NOT romance as stated on the spine, I told myself, just read it and see what happens. I concluded that I just didn't like it enough to forgive it it's many problems. The story dragged on and it was packed full with weird mythology and..... the heroine screws real cats in her shifted form.... ewww. ...more
Returning from a 6-week mission for the crown, the heroine is weary but excited to be reunited with her best friend. When she learns that her friend iReturning from a 6-week mission for the crown, the heroine is weary but excited to be reunited with her best friend. When she learns that her friend is dead, murdered- it's rumored- by her husband, the heroine vows revenge.
It's been a month since the death of his wife and the hero has spent that time living on the streets, plotting the downfall of notorious underworld bosses. The blackouts are getting more and more frequent and living with the fear that he's killed his wife is the reason behind his planned suicide. He's been working behind the scenes, plotting against those evil souls who use others weaker than themselves, trying to earn back some good to compensate for the bad. But he doesn't fool himself, once his plans are complete, he's willing to die. The night comes when everything will be over but instead, he's rescued by the most unlikely saviors.
The heroine stops the heroes murder because she demands revenge for herself. But now that she has him, that small measure of down begins to crawl up out of the hate. It would appear, he's not working with these evil doers but rather working against them. Confuses, she nether the less is determined for him to spill what he knows about the assassination plan against the crown before she kills him like he killed her friend. But as the time passes, she begins to realize that the hero is not the man she thought he was. His treatment of those less fortune then himself, his torture of his wife's death and these mysterious blackouts all point to a man who is a tragic figure, not a villain. But she worries about these times of memory loss. When he experiences an episode, he himself remembers naught from the time and those around him, seem to fall magically asleep so as to be blinded to the truth as well. The heroine herself succumbs to sleep during an episode...only in those brief moments before she goes under, she's convinced she saw a panther? Now, she is stuck with the knowledge that this man is not an enemy but rather something far more intimate. She desires him and she fears that if they don't find an answer for his blackouts, she will lose him.
He is convinced he's a mad man, succumbing to the darkness to do evil deeds. He shuns the idea of magic or that notion that somehow, he is turning into a panther and saving babies from burning buildings even if the scars on his hands are evidence. When the truth comes to light, it unfortunately does little to change the hero's belief that he is dangerous. He is willing to die before he risks the lives of those he loves. The fairy’s need him alive to save the world but the heroine needs him alive because she loves him. Somehow, they must convince him he is truly a hero after all.
It's always hard to read a book during a long weekend. In particular, a book with very little positive reinforcements or aspects to hold my attention. This book fell prey to my desire to be outside and experience warmth and sunshine but, honestly, it did nothing to capture my attention so I doubt the outcome would have been much improved otherwise. I'm all for finding love again, especially for tortured heroes. However, the notion that this man finds love with the heroine only 1 month since his beloved wife's tragic death didn't sit right with me. It was super forced and false in my book. I found the overall plot to be rather boring and the characters themselves to have little to no chemistry towards each other. The 'flirtations' were horribly awkward and I didn't believe for a second that anything true or lasting evolved between them. The heroine herself admitted that the only reason she began to doubt his guilt was because she desired him and she didn't want to desire a monster. What kind of logic is that? Plus, what's with society caring not a whit that this man is rumored to have murdered his wife? The ton should have been all over that. The whole storyline was disjointed and lacking in excitement to the point that I began to skim through it. My personal lack of interest, the awkward non-chemistry and the boring plotline, all these things together to make a book that I didn't care for and won't be readin ...more
Mortal enemies after the heroine's race enslaved and tortured the hero's, the heroine's people were driven out of their home land and stripped of theiMortal enemies after the heroine's race enslaved and tortured the hero's, the heroine's people were driven out of their home land and stripped of their memories. Now they have returned and immediately succumb to the evil forces living in the mountain.
The book started out nicely. The heroine is an outcast in her people due to her lack of faith in the Gods and the coldhearted priests who speak to them. Though she considers staying behind when her people begin to travel back to their ancestral home, a vision of a man who's to be her destiny drives her to accompany them. The hero isn't completely human and kidnaps the heroine in an attempt to stop her people from making it to the valley. It doesn't take them very long at all to have sex. In fact, the second the male shows a little interest in her the heroine is immediately on her back.
I hated the heroine, not just because of her flip-flopping feelings toward the hero but also because of her weakness to stop her people. She ignores all the facts about what her people used to be and continually allows the priests to slowly destroy them. Every piece of information the hero gives her, she immediately runs to tell them as if it will stop their pursuit of power. So shocking, the priests welcome to evil forces into their bodies and begin to take steps to enslave the mountain people. Also, the same things are repeated over and over and over again. The heroine shouting that the voices in the cave are evil, the hero showing up randomly and telling her he wants her before they screw in the bushes. Over all, a very frustration book with even more frustrating characters who never really felt genuine in their love. It did, however, paint religion in a dark and dangerous light with showing just how far people will go for power in the name of faith. Also, that complete devoutness will leave you blind to the horrors of human behavior. ...more
The heroine is both shocked and extremely disgusted with the fact that he uncle has sold her to the bastard son of the enemy and vows to do everythingThe heroine is both shocked and extremely disgusted with the fact that he uncle has sold her to the bastard son of the enemy and vows to do everything in her power to escape.
The hero had no idea that when he finally accepted the summons of her father that he would be forced into marriage. But neither can escape their fate and soon they are married. The heroine is far from attracted to her new husband, thinking him nothing more than a soft bellied aristocrat that useless to her.
The hero thinks his new wife is a temptress but an entirely frustrating and stubborn creature made to make a man's life a living hell. The night of their wedding, she bashes him over the head and flees the planet, seeking transport to the barren moon planet in hopes of continuing her father’s work. The hero is quite astonished with his luck as it's his ship she seeks passage on. With his ability to shapeshift and change his features and body build, he lives under his alter ego.
The heroine has no idea that the arrogant pirate captain is her husband and though they are like oil and water in most things, she admits he is much more attractive. But he tends to push her buttons and to treat her like a commoner rather than the noble lady she is. She also has the suspicion he knows she's hiding things. When they reach the planet where she's expected to get off, the hero tags along and when he discovers she's onto a conspiracy to expose the fact the shapeshifting aliens live among the general population, he knows he must steal the proof at any cost. But his presence and the fact that he's a rebel has put her in danger and makes her a wanted fugitive.
I felt a case of whiplash after reading this story. It bounced around so much I found it near impossible to stay interested in what I was reading. Let's start off with the fact that I absolutely detested the heroine from the first page to the last. I thought she was a whiny, hypocrite with the intelligence of a peanut and the personality of a spoiled and useless child. She argued over every single thing and she judged people harshly. I can't stand characters like hers. Second reason why I felt like this book was a complete waste of time was the fact that the hero spent the book as 3 different men. First was Lucien, the lanky peacock with the big lips (no joke, that's how he's described) whom his wife has zero sexual attraction for. Then there's the main character he portrays, the cocksure gunrunner pirate/smuggler who does everything in his power to annoy the heroine then seduce her. Lastly there's the Lord, sophisticated one who speaks eloquently and is of so charming but whom the heroine can't love as she already loves the pirate! I was so disenchanted with the whole book and couldn't wait for it to be over. I don't think I'll attempt any further books by this author for some time. ...more
When Mac broke the rules of his clan, he and 4 of his friends were banished from their birth place and cast out. Now 2 years later, one of those frienWhen Mac broke the rules of his clan, he and 4 of his friends were banished from their birth place and cast out. Now 2 years later, one of those friends has been found brutally murdered and he can't stop until he finds out who is responsible. This search for answers leads him to the cold and stoic actress whom was Adam's lover. Beautiful and possessing a gift to make any man fall at her feet, he is nether the less steadfast in his suspicions that she has something to do with his death. When both of them attacked though, he soon realizes Bianca is just as tortured by her memories and experiences as he is and she is in danger from the same enemy he faces.
Bianca has made the best of her life after the torture at the hands of her dead husband, and she has forever put the mask of indifference on when facing anyone who believes she is nothing by an actress whore. She loved Adam but as a friend and nothing more. She too searching for his killer and begins to realizes the handsome police captain may be the only person she can trust. And it's alarming at how comfortable she is with him, letting those walls down that she built up to protect herself.
Mac is cursed, and Adam found a way to break that curse but he needs to find out how. It's the only way to buy his way back into the clan where he belongs. And someone is trying to stop him, trying to kill him and he fears it’s the enemy of his people, the Fey. Together with the beautiful actress he's becoming far too attached too, he needs to find out who that enemy is and stop him. But he soon realizes the idea of returning home to a people who disowned him would mean leaving Bianca behind and the idea of not seeing her smile again may be more than he can bear.
I found this book very smooth and easy to read. I loved the characters and their interactions with each other as they grow closer and closer. I also enjoyed the supporting characters as they were all important to the functioning of the story.
I find sometimes authors don't take into consideration the importance of building a lush world of different people and characters and I could tell this author did. The world she also built was special and well crafted. Mac was a fantastic character but I found Bianca was the person who defiantly shinned. She was so strong yet so vulnerable. In every situation she had both aspects of fear and courage but in the end, I truly admired her ability to ability to be level headed and capable of defending herself despite being constantly reminded of the trauma of her marriage where she lived in fear of her husband. I can't wait to read the other books in the series and see where this author can take the story....more
Cast out from his family after he tried to exact revenge on the werewolf alphas son for the death of his girlfriend the hero has never forgiven to burCast out from his family after he tried to exact revenge on the werewolf alphas son for the death of his girlfriend the hero has never forgiven to burn inside of him for retribution. So he plans out his moves before putting them into action. He breaks into his enemy's house, steals his passwords and then proceeds to destroy him financially and publically. Feeling quite pleased with himself, the hero then returns to work as security for a gifted children school. The heroine has also felt horribly gangly and unpretty. Very tall and stalky for a woman, she's always referred to as amazon ellie. Working as a carpenter for a popular home renovation show the heroine is hired to spruce up the home of a very odd family. There she meets the hero and instantly sees him as the perfect man. He large, larger than her. He tall, taller than her. And he makes her feel beautiful and feminine and fragile. But she's devastated to find out hers also her mortal enemy. The hero had been half in love with the amazon from the tv show for a few months and now that he's actually met her he knows she's his dream girl-made perfect for him. But she's instantly skittish and shy and though he can see plainly how attracted she is to him, he's confused and hurt when she repeatedly turns down his attempts to get closer to her. The heroine has never believed much in the curse of her family but when the hansom hero activates her birthmark, she's forced to take it very seriously as it's stated that when her mark burns, she's in the presence of a berserker; a beast who will stop at nothing to see her dead. But even though she listens to her aunts who warn her away from him, inside she's constantly fighting doubts about the hero's true motives. How can someone so nice, so perfect in everyway be a danger to her? She finds out when he shifts into a bear in front of her that she may have more to fear from him than she first imagined. The whole book is shown the heroine in a back and forth battle between her head and her heart but when the old enemy threatens every the hero has, it's she who must take up her position as guardian and fight to protect the man she loves. I loved this book because it was so much more than just a sexual attraction. In fact, I could go as far as to say the sex scenes were rather boring. I had hoped for some hotter action after all the sexual build up but I didn't mind in the end because I just loved the hero and heroine so much. The hero was such a fantastic mixture of strength, nervousness, possessiveness and humor. He fought tooth and nail for his woman and refused to give up on her even when she begs him to. I loved his devotion and loyalty. I loved the heroine because she didn't stop feeling love for the hero despite the fact that she thinks he's her enemy. She desperately looks for the good in him just as much as she looks for the bad. I think this was because she didn't truly understand his attraction for her and as such the new emotions she was feeling made her run but hansom, hunky, hot Howard got his dream girl in the end....more
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