Full disclosure: I consider SM a friend. I like her greatly--a feat that's kind of big for me because you know, don't make a lot of friends. She regulFull disclosure: I consider SM a friend. I like her greatly--a feat that's kind of big for me because you know, don't make a lot of friends. She regularly reads + reviews my work. We're peers in this writing world. She offered me an ARC of Red back before it ever even came out. Again, full disclosure, I refused the ARC. Why? I already pre-ordered the book, and should I have read & decided I didn't like the book, I simply wouldn't have reviewed or rated at all.
That's what I do for peers.
So, full disclosure. Here I am, rating and writing a review for a book I quite liked.
Tate Conrad lives a crappy life--quite literally. She's stuck with an abusive husband (this is putting it mildly, really), in a life she hates, with people all around her that she cannot trust. A single event years earlier took away someone she loved, and since then, the vibrant red of rage has been her constant. The need for revenge is so strong, she's willing to jump into bed with the FBI to take down her husband, her parents, and their illegal activities.
Rylan Wolfe, FBI agent, gorgeous piece of man, and a major connection to a piece of Tate's history that she doesn't even realize, is here to help. In more ways than one. Heh.
Red is fast-paced, sexy, and also, heartbreaking. It's beautiful and ugly. It's secrets, holding back, and letting go all the while holding on tight.
If you like it when the good guys win, this is for you. If you like it when a crappy husband gets his dues, this is for you. If you like it when a strong woman wins, this book is most definitely for you.
For a debut, SM knocked the basics out of the park. Great storyline, interesting characters, and dangers that keep you turning the pages to get to that HEA you ~hope is at the end.
A couple things to note:
~There are some editing issues. I mention this because for some, it matters, and they like a warning. It isn't so high that it drew me out of the story, but they are there. ~Some may consider the heroine to be like a ping-pong ball with her emotions--wishy washy, even, because she is high emotions almost all the time whenever she is with Rylan. I think, it's understandable. Given the past few years of her life have been dedicated to simply existing, never pushing to far, keeping out of trouble, and dodging fists and body parts that continue to force themselves into her, she can never be herself. She can never show emotions. When she is finally put face-to-face with a man she not only finds attractive and romantically involves her self with who ALSO allows her to show her hand, colors, and emotions, it makes sense to me that bottled up things come spilling out on those closest, whom you can trust. But again, some may consider her outbursts/emotions as something else. Perhaps read between the lines?
So, congrats, Suz, on your debut novel! Sorry it took me this long to read it. *shameshameshame* ...more
Guess who got their hands on an early copy of this baby?
AFTER READING:
I started this the other night, the earl"Pain is inevitable, learn to love it."
Guess who got their hands on an early copy of this baby?
AFTER READING:
I started this the other night, the early copy, and read through a span of four hours straight to the finish. It was two in the morning by that point. I then stayed up another two hours just to pick the author's brain on this book, and really, let's all just stop and give London a moment to thank her for Red.
Or Klaus.
Or Niklaus.
All depends on who you are to him, and what you wanna call him.
FYI, total side note here, you might think you know how to say Niklaus, or even just Klaus, but I bet you're saying it wrong. It does not read like it looks, heh. ;)
Small summary of events for you with this novel:
Red. has had a pretty crappy hand dealt to him simply by--or what seems to be at first--circumstance. The book opens up with a scene of him walking with Sarah on the streets of New York. For anyone who has read the Volkov Bratva series before you picked up Red., or if that series was what sent you here to Red., then you know who Sarah is, you sort of know who Klaus is and what happened. He's Mishca Volkov's twin--an unknown brother until those circumstances I mentioned shoved them back together--and Mish, well, he's a Russian Bratva boss, or that's where he ends up getting to. But before that, he was the son of a boss. See, Klaus was mistaken for his brother when he was out with Sarah, taken, and tortured for infomation they thought he would have--information he didn't have.
I think at that point, Klaus lost a hell of a lot more than just Sarah in those few days.
We got to see angry Klaus before--rude, bitter, sharp, and determined to hurt no matter what he had to use to do it. He liked to push buttons, and he really liked to piss his twin off. But here? In Red.?
We get to see Klaus from his own eyes. All he lost, how he came to the Den, and how it all comes to a head when he meets Reagan.
I think one of the most poignant moments for me in this book is when Reagan asks Klaus if he's single, and he's sort of pained for a moment before he replies, "Yes."
It was like that was the first time in years--so many years--that he'd really stopped to think for a moment about his status, and what it all meant.
You're not going to find a hero pining over a lost love in this book. He's already taken the time to do that, and he's killed each and every person he feels had a hand in what happened to him and Sarah. He's taken the time to grieve for her, in his own violent way, so I appreciate that he is already beyond that point.
Doesn't mean it's easy.
Boy needs to stop running.
Seriously, Red, stop that nonsense.
Some of my random thoughts while reading:
I want to cut Mish again. I might hate Mish again. Mish is his father's son. (I will say this til I die, London) YAY BABY SACHA. LUKA FOR THE WIN. Luka is hurting people--I like when Luka hurts people.
I haven't talked much about Reagan, but she's pretty integral to Niklaus from the moment they meet. No, it's not instant love, but it's ... "Hey there."
She caught his attention in a time when he was trying to remind himself that he was human, not just a man-made weapon. And that was important. More than I can explain.
Reagan is Irish-American. She's a young girl just trying to get through life, frankly. Working her butt off, and not showing much for it. When Red steps into her diner one night, everything changes. He's not angry with her. He's less bitter. I think more than being human, she reminded him that sometimes he has to just be a man. Smile, put on the charm because no need to go killing everyone now, and put some effort into something you want.
That's what she did. And no matter how many times he went away, Klaus kept coming back. Until he finds Reagan in a bit of a situation with some Irish mob, and all the walls come down.
Some of the best lines in this book came from Luka, which really, that's not a surprise if you know Luka. *hugs him so hard*
“It’s been a while since I got shot so…” and “First, I’m Albanian—different, yes?"
And Klaus can sometimes be ... *winks*, Klaus.
On the other hand, maybe it was just the way her ass looked in that skirt. Either way, he needed to get laid."
I'm going to close this rambling mess out by saying ... read the book. Get a look inside the head of a mercenary and how he got to be where he is. Thank London for the proper Epilogue, and just for Red. Demand Celt. Demand him now, fast, and proper.
And also ... Kingmaker, CODA ... It is much more than it appears.
Red. is to-the-point, and you can't stop reading until the end. Thank you, London, for giving him that voice. ...more
Lauren has no intention of every being mixed up with the Russians again, let alone Mishca Volkov, but fate seems to have other plans for the duo here.Lauren has no intention of every being mixed up with the Russians again, let alone Mishca Volkov, but fate seems to have other plans for the duo here.
A lot happens in Until the End. And I continued flipping pages until I reached the end, and even then I was ready to pick up the third book because you cannot end it like that! ;)
I love London; her style is smooth, her writing is great, and she makes for an awesome read.
Mish is a great anti-hero, seeing as where he lacks in morals at times, he more than makes up for with Lauren. And I really don't ask for much more than that. There were a couple times I was side-eyeing him so hard, but he pulled through.
Lauren is holding her own in this world--with Mish. I have to give her props there. I still don't want to rip out her throat, so yay for that. Also, she's not melting into the wall trying to hide away from all the scary-bad things.
After much prodding from a friend, I picked up the first book in London's Volkov Bratva series. I try not to read in the subgenre I write, if I can heAfter much prodding from a friend, I picked up the first book in London's Volkov Bratva series. I try not to read in the subgenre I write, if I can help it, but the Russians called and I trotted over with a stupid grin.
Mischa reminds me of why I love the Russians. He's also a great reminder of how the Bratva has modernized from what it used to be in the old country. Lauren is likeable, relateable, and you don't want to rip her throat out half of the time. She's mostly ignorant to who Mischa is and his business throughout the novel until closer to the 70 percent mark, I would say.
Then her life just goes to hell in a hand basket all over again.
I loved the plot and the background, and I especially love how Lauren kept digging until she found her answers. She deserved them.
The ending is a cliffy, but I didn't mind. I saw it coming, and I'll be picking up the next book soon. ...more
Emily Shepherd, undercover DEA agent, is going to do everything in her power to take down the Chef, a dangerous Meth cook that ruine****Five Stars****
Emily Shepherd, undercover DEA agent, is going to do everything in her power to take down the Chef, a dangerous Meth cook that ruined her life. In a failed raid that took away her husband and unborn child in an effort to get the Chef out of business and rid his product from the streets, Emily was left far more than husbandless and childless. She was also left permanently disfigured and scarred in more ways than one. The town of Braden looks like it might be the Chef's next spot to cook, and come He*l or high water, Emily is going to take him down.
Or is she?
Jackson Harris, Braden high school principal and secret millionaire, has enough to manage between his school, the new food program being implemented, and strange happenings in the town to get caught up in some love affair with a woman. But when that woman also ends up being part of the reason for the happenings, and she's a target of several attacks, every protective instinct he has comes out to keep Emily safe.
But can he handle her lies?
Mrs. Matthews Harvester series ranks high on my favorite romantic suspense list. Like way high. Best out there. Got it? Secrets and Lies is now climbing my list as well. As much as I strive to get the right feel for a good and proper romantic suspense, this author gets it every single time. She keeps you wondering and guessing until the very last minute. She makes your heart race and your fingers struggling to catch up to turn the pages faster. She is amazing.
And I can't say it enough.
She deserves far more than just the praise I can give. Her writing and storytelling is exceptional. Her stories stand on their own legs. They are fantastic. Read them. Now.
I felt for Emily. I felt her struggle to maintain some semblance of dignity and independence despite her situation. I felt her pain from losing her husband and child, to her confusion about the attraction she felt to a stranger. And Jackson? What's there to say other than Matthews writes wonderfully souled heroes. They're tough, touching, and great men.
Laurie Wilson is a widow and the mother to four children. The only good thing her deceased husband ever did for her was finall****Five "Lee" Stars****
Laurie Wilson is a widow and the mother to four children. The only good thing her deceased husband ever did for her was finally die. But that also left her to struggle to support her four children alone. She struggles and budgets, but more often than not, things come up that leave her strapped for cash and trying to find another way out. When Christmas rolls around and her previous landlord steals a check from her, leaving Laurie without money to buy groceries or presents for her children, her boss and unknowing on her part, her Christmas hero steps in to save the day.
Laurie is the kind of heroine that your heart aches for. She's a victim of domestic abuse, but she's doing absolutely everything she can to give her children a better, happier, and healthier life. Sometimes it often feels like the world is just conspiring against her in every way, and each time she turns around, something new is jumping in to knock her back down.
Ms. Matthews does an amazing job at not only making you feel for this heroine, but making you cheer her on so that she can finally get her feet on solid ground.
Leland, Laurie's boss and the brother to her friend from high school, is the kind of hero I want to see more of. He did something to help Laurie just to simply do it. He didn't do it to get her closer, and he didn't even tell her that he had been the one to do it. Not for attention, but rather, simply to be a good guy.
More heroes need to be like Leland.
This is a very short tale, about 7500 words in total, but it's well worth the read. It ends off at a sort of cliffhanger point, but I didn't mind. In fact, I look forward to getting my hands on the second part to this sweet Christmas tale.
Huyana has had a difficult life. Being mixed race and brougReview to come.
So far, my favorite out of the series.
Updated Nov. 6th:
****Five Stars****
Huyana has had a difficult life. Being mixed race and brought into the world through a violent act that would stain the rest of her life, she has always been made to feel like a stain of shame, an outsider, and unwanted. She has grown up distrustful of others, but when Matthew Duggan stirs up quiet desires in her that she hasn't felt for a long time, can she possibly trust him enough with all of her secrets and let love win?
I've been reading the Duggan series since the first book was published. I adore this family and their world. With that being said, I have to say that Huyana and Matthew are my favorite out of the three books that have been published in this series so far. There is at least one more book to come ... I know that for sure ... but right now, these two get all my love. Haha.
From the start of this book, you feel for Huyana. You know she's had a rough go of it, incredibly so. She's had to make tough choices in life just to survive, but that's exactly what she is, a survivor. At the same time, she is compassionate and sweet and you root for her to find her own special happy ever after with someone who can let her be safe and loved.
Matthew Duggan is that someone. Or rather, man. He's strong, determined, and forgiving. My God, is the man forgiving. He's also sympathetic. He understands. And he's definitely hot. Cowboys aren't my go-to for reads, but these Duggans really work for me on that end.
Miss Wishlade has written a great series full of family, love, and forgiveness on a Montana homestead. I'm so looking forward to Emmett's story. ...more
Henley Elliott has a lot to run from. A past, her mistakes, health issues she didn't want to face, and a family th****Five "Dublin & Carter" Stars****
Henley Elliott has a lot to run from. A past, her mistakes, health issues she didn't want to face, and a family that couldn't care less as long as she wasn't embarrassing them again. Running is the only thing that feels right to her--settling down wasn't in the plans. Then her car breaks down just outside of Trapper's Cove, the kind of small-town where you're famous just by stopping into the diner for a meal. Here, Henley meets Carter McAlister, a small-town cop who once upon a time, used to be a big-time officer in Philly but with his own past to run from and his own healing time needed, found his way to Trapper's Cove, too. Neither Henley nor Carter are ready for the way each is drawn to one another, never mind the way they help push each other to be better, to heal. But the past has a way of catching up, and dangerous things are beginning to happen to Henley. Can Carter save her before it's too late?
In case you didn't know by the headline in my review, I would have given this book five stars just based on Dublin and Carter alone. Seriously, I would have. Sometimes it's hard for an author to bring in pets and show how important they are to the MC without focusing too much on that aspect, but Miss Flade did it quite well. So well, in fact, that I kept turning the pages to see the next scene between Carter and his dog. It was so real to me because I could relate with my own dogs--especially the "stupid" part, haha. So I felt I had to mention that first.
I devoured Fated Hearts in just a few short hours. Devoured it. Between Henley's secretive past, her strange but pretty cool ability (read to find out what it is, you'll get no spoilers from me) and the way you could visibly feel these characters healing one another, I couldn't put it down. Carter is a great hero--he embodies every sense of that word and he owns it, even if sometimes he doesn't feel like one.
The romance built over time, it wasn't instant and all the better for it, really. It was true to these characters and their emotional roadblocks that kept them in their own walls of safety. Opening up often means getting hurt for some. Especially these characters. They're not perfect. Flade captures the essence of being flawed but craving the desire and will to be better perfectly.
It's an amazing, suspenseful story. Fated Hearts has some great lines, an awesome plot, and characters I wouldn't mind meeting in real life. And now I am super curious about Mag's and Aidan's story in Fated Souls, especially after what we learned about them in this one.
I give this five stars all the way.
***While this is a romantic suspense all the way, I think it's worth mentioning that I feel like there are some kind of paranormal undertones between this story and Fated Souls (which I haven't read yet). Maybe that was just me reading into things, but it's there so that's why the shelves. ...more
Lilith "Lily" Munroe, FBI Cult Specialist and survivor, has just been brought in on the Harvester case because of her knowledge and ****Five Stars****
Lilith "Lily" Munroe, FBI Cult Specialist and survivor, has just been brought in on the Harvester case because of her knowledge and experience with cults of this type. She doesn't want the job--she liked her desk work and hiding from field work to search for missing children. Ever since her kidnapping and torture years ago when she had gone undercover in a different cult case, she's made her life mission to never be put in that situation again. But she's good at her job and once she finds out babies are being taken from their homes, she can't refuse. Enter former New Horizon cult member turned reformed man and Australian millionaire Jacob Andrews. While looking for his sister who was still a member of New Horizon, he comes face to face with the FBI who mistakes him for his dead fraternal twin brother. Lily and Jacob are forced to work together to save not only the missing babies, but also themselves, too. But a growing attraction and the Harvester on the loose might makes things a little more difficult than either of them realized.
It's no secret that I adore Susanne Matthew's romantic suspenses. She's pretty amazing at writing a tale that keeps you engaged and turning the pages, needing to know what's coming next and how this could possibly end. I have to say, she did it again with The White Lily.
Lily is an amazing female character. She's strong in a quiet way because she's had to be. She's got a love for nice shoes, even if it is a way to manage her stress an anxiety. Suffering from PTSD and trying to move forward in life from the horrible experience she suffered at the hands of a sadistic member of a cult she had infiltrated when she was just a young, new agent. Jacob, on the other hand, is determined, fascinating, and relentless. He knows what he wants and he's not afraid to admit the mistakes of his past to help correct the wrongs being done and help the people who need it.
Like I said, amazing.
This cult keeps getting crazier and crazier. I love Matthews' mind. I want to climb inside just to know what's going to happen in the next book, The White Iris. I would say The White Lily had a touch more suspense than romance, but it worked really well.
Danielle is on a mission. Her grandmother left her old, run down house to her in a Will and she needs to get it beautiful and liveable in a short timeDanielle is on a mission. Her grandmother left her old, run down house to her in a Will and she needs to get it beautiful and liveable in a short time so she can put it on the market, sell it, and get back to her life. She's got attachments to the place, emotional ones that run deep, but she's determined to see her plan through. Unfortunately, that means she needs a carpenter. Enter Ryan. A gorgeous, young man with taste for good work-work and older women. He also happens to be a hands-off kind of deal for Danielle, considering he's her best friend's brother. But how long will that plan last?
Liv Rancourt wrote an amazing tale, let me just start by saying that. She wrote it in such a way that while it was forefront and center the age thing was an issue, a huge one for Danielle's issues, but at the same time, you didn't *feel* the age gap. The two main characters were at the same level emotionally, which was due in part to both of their experiences, I suppose.
There are a lot of heavy undertones to Kind Stud. Family issues, addiction issues, and so forth. It really gives this romance a deeper feel than what's just on the surface. It also makes you seriously want to get the second book as fast as possible and find out what will be happening for the next characters.
I loved Ryan. He's charming, sexy, relentless and intelligent. You can't ask for much more than that when it comes to a hero. Danielle is fierce, determined and relentless. Their chemistry is fantastically done from start to finish. I wouldn't say graphic, but very sensual and I like that.
Well done to Ms. Rancourt. I'm looking forward to the next in the series!
Alienne, a clandestine being far from her home planet traveling the solar system and watchinReview to come. When I get my thoughts in order.
Updated:
Alienne, a clandestine being far from her home planet traveling the solar system and watching Earth, one of her favorite places, stumbles upon a human astronaut. Her ability to read auras allows her the knowledge that this human ... Edward McAdams ... is not just any regular human to her. While she finds herself often fascinated with the humans on earth, she is even more drawn to Edward than any. because he is her Chosen -- the one being in the entire creation that she is meant to love, protect, and hold close for the remainder of her long life. But is it the differences between Alienne and Edward, or the dangers hiding in the surrounding planets that may keep her from her Chosen?
I adored Dragon Dawn by Ms. Cordes. It was a fascinating tale that weaved romance with time travel and dinosaurian aliens. READ THAT NOW. Alienne Mine is a prequel of sorts to Dragon Dawn, and a very short novella that essentially, gives readers a chance to see there are far more beings in the Dragon Dawn 'world', so to speak, that are there and watching.
Alienne Mine was lovely, it truly was. I am good with Sci-Fi and aliens (I used to say as long as there were no scales or tails, I could handle it) but I was even good with that in Dragon Dawn. These differences in the beings make them special and unique. They're not human, but they're so similar in ways that you often don't notice the mentions of square pupils or bluish tinged skin. Never mind the differences in the aliens of Dragon Dawn.
I was rooting for a sweet moment, for Alienne to get her Chosen by the end of Alienne Mine. And we also got to see what happened to the Edward we see mentioned in Dragon Dawn.
And the star palace?
GIVE ME ONE OF THOSE OKAY.
Take note of this line from Alienne, as I think it fits this beautiful, short tale wonderfully and perfectly:
“How strange that humans call it falling in love,” she said, snuggling against him, “when I feel as though I’ve been lifted to the sky.”...more
Evan Zenas and Seth Trivos relationship has blossomed into something wonderful and their life is just beginning. Cooper Hanes met Doctor Micha Levi anEvan Zenas and Seth Trivos relationship has blossomed into something wonderful and their life is just beginning. Cooper Hanes met Doctor Micha Levi and instantly found "his one" in the charming, seductive doctor. But as these four men settle into life and love, odd things begin to happen, health issues arise, and everything they thought they knew changes in an instant when aliens, male pregnancy, and romance get thrown into the mix. With Seth having experienced his own encounter, abduction, experimentation and consequences, he might be the only man able to help Cooper when his time comes, too.
I really enjoyed the first book in Miss Holbrand's Agency series, The Encounter, so I gladly took the chance to review the following two as well. I actually went into Breeding Seth and Cooper's Condition with a bit of hesitance, knowing the subject was a little out there. Male Pregnancy? How would that work, could it work, and wait ... what?
I'm glad I gave them a chance. I like M/M, I also like Sci-Fi, and I was willing to try the malepreg aspect and it was enjoyable to read. Suspending belief, of course. I don't mind short stories, and I think the author fits in her plot well for the length. Like in The Encounter, both Breeding Seth and Cooper's Condition have hot scenes and the men are incredibly sexy (barring the pregnancies, of course, haha). I loved how the stories went from present tense to memories of how they led up to the current point.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed both. They were quick, hot reads with some funny, serious, sad, and loving moments. I'm interested in seeing where this goes from here. ...more
Evan Zenas and Seth Trivos relationship has blossomed into something wonderful and their life is just beginning. Cooper Hanes met Doctor Micha Levi anEvan Zenas and Seth Trivos relationship has blossomed into something wonderful and their life is just beginning. Cooper Hanes met Doctor Micha Levi and instantly found "his one" in the charming, seductive doctor. But as these four men settle into life and love, odd things begin to happen, health issues arise, and everything they thought they knew changes in an instant when aliens, male pregnancy, and romance get thrown into the mix. With Seth having experienced his own encounter, abduction, experimentation and consequences, he might be the only man able to help Cooper when his time comes, too.
I really enjoyed the first book in Miss Holbrand's Agency series, The Encounter, so I gladly took the chance to review the following two as well. I actually went into Breeding Seth and Cooper's Condition with a bit of hesitance, knowing the subject was a little out there. Male Pregnancy? How would that work, could it work, and wait ... what?
I'm glad I gave them a chance. I like M/M, I also like Sci-Fi, and I was willing to try the malepreg aspect and it was enjoyable to read. Suspending belief, of course. I don't mind short stories, and I think the author fits in her plot well for the length. Like in The Encounter, both Breeding Seth and Cooper's Condition have hot scenes and the men are incredibly sexy (barring the pregnancies, of course, haha). I loved how the stories went from present tense to memories of how they led up to the current point.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed both. They were quick, hot reads with some funny, serious, sad, and loving moments. I'm interested in seeing where this goes from here. ...more
Life was good before I met the monster. After, life was great, At least for a little while.
I've had this in my library for a while. Physical, not digi
Life was good before I met the monster. After, life was great, At least for a little while.
I've had this in my library for a while. Physical, not digital. This and also Impulse by Ellen Hopkins. I bought these books over two years ago and without looking inside (the covers simply drew me in and you know, Crank), took them home. Then, when I did open them and realize it was written in poetry and ... yeah, they were forgotten. It's just not my style. I didn't want the headache.
I chose to read Crank this month for whatever reason. Maybe I'm feeling nostalgic (not in a particularly good way) about my childhood and my own addict of a mother. Welcome to the freak show, people. When I have feels, I read books about addicts.
Nonetheless, Kristina aka Bree is introduced to the Monster aka Crank by way of a cute boy. Like it usually does for people, she immediately goes into a downward spiral. More, more, more. That is an addict's mantra all day, every day. I've seen it all too often, this book stays true to that. All in all, I enjoyed it. Even the poetry style and how the different styles throughout the pages almost follows the addiction and drug itself.
I'm getting a good laugh out of reading some of the reviews for Crank and how others feel about Kristina's easy fall into using and addiction.
Listen, people ... you don't have to be from a certain kind of household, have a certain bottom line in your bank account, or even be anyone horrible or special. You just have to be you. That is the nature of addiction. Everyone and anyone is susceptible. It's goddamn vicious and unless you're a part of the cycle, or know the cycle intimately, you can't really understand how addiction doesn't know how to discriminate.
2-in-1 Review of Vol 1 & 2 of Dark Tales Diaries by London Saint James ****Four out of Five Stars***
From a mistress with a fetish for her red heels, to2-in-1 Review of Vol 1 & 2 of Dark Tales Diaries by London Saint James ****Four out of Five Stars***
From a mistress with a fetish for her red heels, to a professor indulging in a little play with his assistant on the observation deck, to even an empty nester mom vying for her first big O--yeah, you read that correctly--there's definitely something for everyone in Ms. James' Dark Tales Diaries volumes. Kinks of all kinds are opened up for the characters, as well as the reader, to explore in these stories. No two are the same, and each leaves its own impression if I may say so myself. While each story is short in its own right, I would say there was a decent lead-up, arc, and very satisfying end for every tale.
I learned something interesting while listening to the Dark Tales, and thank you Ms. James, because it was one heck of an eye-opener for me. I'm not big on the BDSM while reading unless there's a Domme in play, but holy mother ... I do love to listen even without the Domme there to flex her control.
Thrust was a great narrator for these tales. A perfect pick, really. His voice is edgy with just enough of a man's growl to make it work. I have to give him props on his vocal acting, seriously. He brings the dialog to life with his voice.
I was thoroughly pleased with the reading and the length. It kept me engaged and entertained. I'm not sure a particularly long novel in audio format would have worked as well for me as these erotic tales did. Four stars well-done and I'm already looking at the next short audio read to get on my phone from London. ...more
In the final installment of Ben and Selina's story in the Passion Shields, there are a few scores left to settle. They may love one another dearly, buIn the final installment of Ben and Selina's story in the Passion Shields, there are a few scores left to settle. They may love one another dearly, but sometimes love doesn't fix and shield all. Both Selina and Ben have pasts that catch up to them in Scores. Ben's "uncle" (no spoilers) comes into play with his White Supremacy attitude. Selina's ex-husband, the one who caused her to live forever with her scars, also comes into play with his own plan to get Selina back ... although his plans for her aren't exactly nice. Once again, this couple finds themselves needing to hand complete trust over to one another to get through this wave safely ... and together.
Out of all three books in the series, Scores is my favorite. I'll lay that out there right now. Not only is Selina pushed to an extreme, but in my opinion, Ben was, too. That's not to say he wasn't before, but I think Scores was the first time it seemed as though he was being pushed out of his comfort zone. I'd explain why, but that would spoil a few things. Ms. Taye finishes with a bang in this book and I felt everything--except for maybe what happens to Ben's "uncle"--was tied up in a neat, hot little bow. Try to have a fan or water on hand for the threesome scene.
All in all, I thought the series was sexy, well-written, and great. The pages were never filled with useless information to pump up the word count, as it wasn't needed. Each book was perfectly fine at the length it was, because by the end of it, all of the questions were answered. Those t's and 's I mentioned in my first review were crossed and dotted. True to Ms. Taye's style that I've really come to enjoy, the Passion Shields leaves me wanting to grab the next book from Kiru.
Since I know exactly which one is coming next, my hands are very grabby.
Bethany-Kris
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