"Easy lovin in Alaska"
I want to start this review off by saying I love Molly Harper's writing. It's witty and sarcastic in just the right places, and deviant enough to make me wish for more. It's light reading, so don't expect too much other than a wonderful ride in a quirky female's perspective.
That said, the main thing missing from the story is depth on the part of the male love interest. Harper's guys tend to be well, for a lack of a better description, Disneyish; the handsome prince (or rather, vampire or werewolf) that shows up, is cute, and immediately falls for the leading lady whether he or she likes it or not. Gabriel the vampire was a bit like this but Nick has it bad - I found myself a little shocked when he pulled the L word out so early.
The book was a bit predictable too, but then, most books like this are. But I couldn't just give this book 3 stars - the wording is just too like my own and had way too much fun listening to someone who actually talks like I do. Its the same issue I had with Jane from "Nice Girls..."
4 stars for this snarky sequel
"Hot puma shifter action"
I liked this book better than the first! It's still fluff, but this fluff has a better story and great humor to go along with it. Even the suspense was properly thought out.
Beth is a scientist studying cougars during summer break and she just happens to come to a town with catamount shifters. Even though this poses a problem for the brothers Falke, the two middle brothers, youngest of quads, take an interest in Beth and have their wicked way with her... lite-BDSM style.
"Hot puma shifter action"
In a world, we can assume is ours but with a few... kinks... a gal can go on vacation and have a fling with not one but two hot guys.
Dakota is a girl on vacay with a friend who though a girls-time-out should mean bringing the boyfriend along. Now Dakota is a third wheel. She hired a guide to take her, and only her, up to a cabin. Oh and this guide has a pet cougar. Axel is the oldest of quadruplets. There's six boys in fact, and all can shift into catamount form. The cougar on the hiking trip is his brother Gunnar. You can only imagine what happens just by looking at the cover.
I enjoyed this story - as long as it's considered fluff. (SPOILERS) I do have a problem being convinced that catamount shifters have to breed in pairs - that's very strange as cougars are monogamous for at least the breeding period. Also, they don't mate for life as these tame ones do... this all seems to be made up to suit the idea of a gal with two guys. Which, is fairly hot fluff and okay with me.
The story could be called erotica but it isn't excessive. The narrator isn't much to marvel at but she doesn't ruin the story by any means. 3 overall stars, with a bonus 1 thrown in for a good time.
"Sookie Stackhouse meets biker Mercy Thompson"
I believe that if I hadn't read the Mercy Thompson series my thoughts on this book wouldn't be so biased but I can't help it - they're just too close for comfort. Not that they're the same person or even in the same situation but there's just this familiar feel to Jane Yellowrock as if I've already read this.
One major difference however is Beast. She's talks like a caveman and apparently her and Jane's joining allowed them to live hundreds(?) of years. I'm still not sure about that but the world has yet to be defined enough to explain.
I will say bravo to an urban fantasy book that doesn't rely on a romantic storyline. You can see the beginning of few, and who knows which path Jane will take, but she's a strong female lead who doesn't rely on men. That said, she's strong yet seems a bit soft somehow. Can't put my finger on it but it just seems like the outcome has more to do with luck than pure skill. Also, the vampires and their hierarchy smell strongly of Sookie Stackhouse. BUT! On the plus side, if you loved Stackhouse and Mercy and want something just like them, here ya go!
If you are looking for a good series with a few books already out and don't want gratuitous sex scenes, Yellowrock is your gal. Hvam does a good job narrating. 4 stars.
"Deserves more stars but they're buried in subplots"
Well, here we are, at last. A huge buildup to the story we've all been waiting for, yearning for, expecting to read as soon as J.R. Ward felt comfortable enough to release a gay story to her fans, and it's eased into existence, not with lube (though that was sorely needed and missing), but with subplots. Lots and lots of subplots.
I'm confused by the recent bogged-downness of stories. I can't watch Game of Thrones without realizing viewers only got about 5 minutes for each story and even left out a few because we ran out of time and it'll take forever to move the plot along this way. True Blood has this problem too. Now I read a book with so many subplots that the story I've been dying to read is constantly being interrupted. Part of me wanted to fast forward but how can I when it might jump back to Blay and Qhuinn and I'll miss something? Frustration, Ms Ward, frustration.
(SPOILERS) That said, dang I love Blay and Qhuinn. I don't like that they were both idiots for most of the book - I wanted to smack them and tell them both to fess up already - but the overdone angst did lead to some very hot sex scenes. Only after listening would I reflect on the lack of lubrication and wonder if the receiving party was okay. I mean, ouch.
Deep down, I'm sad that I have to give only 3 stars. I'm a big fan of BDB and I've waited so long for Blay and Qhuinn's story. But there's just too much to ignore. The we-interrupt-this-intriguing-change-of-events-for-SOMEONE ELSE with Assail/iAm/Layla/Xcor/BOB ganbangs etc... Seriously too much juggling. Also, Where was everyone? The Lessers were barely a side note, the Scribe Virgin was missing completely and not a single female in the house other than Beth and Payne are there to help Layla out when pregnancy itself is such a big deal? Where's (the only mom) Bella? Where's (sorta sister) Cormia? And what's more, I have to watch this whole Blay-Qhuinn thing play out with absolutely no help from John Matthew? Even Fritz failed his duty when he let Layla go driveabout without stopping her or telling anyone. I feel like the author totally failed here.
1 star yanked for unnecessary dragged-out angst, and 1 star for every subplot. Oh wait, that's a negative... okay well you can have 2 back for finally writing about Blay and Quinn and making it hot. Good thing Jim Frangione kicked narrative butt and brought you up another notch. Now next time remember SUBplots should never get in the way of plot. I'm not giving up on the BSB yet.
"A great, less-dark book from Bishop"
Really enjoyed this one. I'm a fan of Anne Bishop and have a few reviews on her Black Jewel series so this was a refreshing new story that's a bit more on the PG-13 side than her normal R rating.
Meg Corbyn in a Cassandra sangue, or a "blood Prophet," who escaped from her keepers where she was known as cs759. Meg is a cutter, or rather, by breaking her skin she has visions so she has a special razor and everything. What they did to her is why she left and found refuge with the Others, who in this world are like Native American spirits gone feral wolf/hawk/crow/owl or vampire. These supernaturals don't play nice but are out an about in society so they live in a special secluded place in each city where humans die if they breach the boundaries. Instead of being killed, Meg, dirty and rough from her escape, is offered a liaison job by the local Alpha-type named Simon.
This book is wonderful. The world-building talent of Bishop creates something new that this paranormal listener hasn't heard yet which is saying something. In all paranormal books they say the supers are bad but you never really feel the threat - not like in this book. Bishop conveys the creepy well. Bravo. As for Meg, she's sweet, almost overly so, but she's lucky she's not a robot after how she was raised so it's acceptable.
(SPOILERS) I suppose I kept waiting for a romance to blossom and that it didn't... at first it put me off and then I found it refreshing. Because we all expect the lead girl and guy to hook up. That they develop something but not fully was a nice change. Also, I liked the lead villain because it was a fresh-though-not-quite-new take on the antagonist role. The Deus Ex Bad Guys at the end though... well I suppose it worked story-wise but if I'd written something similar in college my professor would probably call me on it.
Very well done, very well read as well by Harris. 5 stars.
"Wolfy Erotica Part Two"
Well these books are just hardcore. Yummy, but squeamish beware. To be honest, I enjoyed this book less than the first, mainly because it was like a thirty-something dating an 18-year-old. Whatfreakingever anyone?
If you read the first book, simply take the two leads from the last time and change their names and downgrade them slightly to the rank of Beta. Jaime is the new gal of the pack and has some issues letting her wolf out, just like Taryn. She even has the same quippy responses for the grandmother. Dante is a big dominant brooding male just like Trey. Jaime's had a crush for like, omg ever, and Dante has been avoiding this little brat-come-hot young chick. Suddenly she acts like she loses interest and boom! Dante is smitten. Hardcore borderline-rape ensues much to be pleasure of both parties.
(SPOILERS) I gotta say I found Jaime annoying. It's hard to follow/love someone who is annoying. I also kept wondering why Dante was so focused on her because it's obvious that he only wants to F her (yes, they f*** never for whatever reason make love). And just like the division created in the minds of the Alpha pair in book one, they have mental divisions as well. Speaking of the Alpha pair, I'm sure the author's creative brain (she's proved that at least) could come up with another name for sex than "Hiding Pedro" - I swear if I have to hear that in the next book I'm taking a star away.
Also, there's no explanation for a number of things: Why does Jaime call Dante Popeye? Is it because she needs a catchy name like Flintstone? At least that name had a story behind it. Also, what happened to her parents? That's never explained. And after all the hesitation on so many parts to avoid imprinting early just in case you find your true mate, why does Jaime's brother start that immediately after moving? Foreshadowing an upcoming book? I also didn't get the Alpha Nick true-mate deal, even with the explanations as to why he was acting that way it seems to be setting up some spectacular melodrama for the next book.
The last, and I swear I'll stop after this problem, is that Dante is quite a bit different than he is int he first book. Isn't he the one who knew Trey and Taryn were true mates? Yet he's blind to everything related to love now? He seemed more light-hearted and open with a good head on his shoulders in the first book and in this one he's a broody work-a-holic. Just an observation.
Still, it was a fun listen, mainly because the narrator is fabulous - I'm not sure I would have kept listening if she was bad. Plus, the sexy scenes are mouthwatering if you like that kindof thing. 3 Stars.
"Wolfy Erotica"
Hmmm... where to start with this one. I liked it. I really did. But there's just something nagging at me and I'll get to it in a sec. First though, I think this book should be classified as Erotica first and paranormal romance second. If you like Silvia Day or the Fifty Shades books then just mix in a little werewolf action and this is what you get. Before you listen, however, I'd highly recommend checking out Nalini Singh's Psy-changeling series to get you prepped for a shifter universe. This book slams you right into it and gave me a "second book" vibe as if I should already understand the rules. Luckily I did, and if you do, proceed.
Taryn is a latent wolf shifter (can't actually shift into her wolf) and that genetic disability tails her for most of the book. Trey is a berserker type Alpha wolf. Both have daddy issues. When Taryn gets out of mating with a Tool by faking a true-mate bonding with Trey, they end up having fabulously hot sex all the time and Taryn dishes out the snarkiness along with her own Alpha vibes.
Here's where I'm torn. (SLIGHT SPOILERS) Taryn is a Mary-Sue. She's latent, yeah, but everything that comes out of her mouth is gold. She has the ultimate comeback for everything and after a while, her perfect tongue gets a little old. As does her banter with the Alpha's grandmother - just when I thought they'd move one, they were back in the gutter. It starts to become very Jr. High. Trey also seems a little too perfect and pushes things to borderline rape in the bedroom. She's constantly saying no. Sometimes I wondered if they needed a safe word. But hey, I enjoy a guy who can go cave-man and as they are wolves, it makes for primal hotness. Tho, in the end it started to become a little like a soap opera. It's a fun sexy read and it's read very well by Redfield. 3.5 Stars.
"Short, sweet, and to the point."
I absolutely love the tag-team that is Harper and Ronconi. I'm not sure if I have heard a better vocal representation of a story than how Harper's are read to me as I drive. As a gal living in Kentucky, I got all the jokes and references and even learned a few things about my state. It is quite the place to visit.
This book is about a girl named Sadie who has put in plenty of time for a promotion and has it in her grasp when the company head brings in a new guy, Josh, who is slick and savvy and from my neighboring Ohio County despite living the urban lifestyle in Atlanta long enough to lose the accent. Sadie and Josh immediately go to war and the friction builds into something yummy.
I love Amanda Ronconi's writing and her love of our state. I will however mention this was a bit short - I'm sure it could have been fleshed out more. Also, the ending seemed a bit off character and forced for the reader's expectation. I think finding a different ending could have made the book a bit longer, but as a listener I knew how long the journey would be before I bought it and thought it definitely worth the credit.
"For those who don't always read zombie books"
I'm not a zombie book reader. Many of my friends are and several mocked this book without even reading it. I on the other hand vehemently defended this novel as great fun. Because not all of us have read World War Z or... whatever the other titles of zombie books are, and this book is great for just that reason.
I'll admit I got the book because I saw the trailer for the upcoming movie and was amused. Seems different. Seems funny. And it is. I like this book. The main character has these wonderfully literate thoughts yet can't seem to speak more than a few syllables. We never know why he starts healing other than (and if you have seen the trailers this isn't a spoiler) he falls for a girl because he eats the girl's boyfriend's brains. Why this hasn't happened sooner, who knows, but I enjoyed the ride.
The narrator did a great job. I got the feeling he was a little too old for the part but it didn't bother me too much. All in all it was a wonderful trip into a future where the undead are not appearing, they're disappearing.
"Hot, if you don't think about it too much."
This book is the most amazing sexy thing since Fifty Shades! Have fun!
Stop reading now, you'll like my review better.
So my mantra as I type this is it's just a sex book, it's just a sex book. It was written clearly to profit on Fifty, and if not, is amazing and coincidentally almost identically to it, right down to the f'ed up relationship that is extremely unhealthy. What's that? You gasp? Well, if you haven't read it, let me ask you this. If a guy took a picture of you and your room while you slept, recreated your room EXACTLY in his apartment then tells you this is your safe place to run to where he'll never follow... what would your response be? If you have read it I'm sure you either already asked that of yourself or are doing so right now.
In short, this book is easy to read. There's LOTS of sex. Dysfunctional HOT sex. And if you don't think about the fact that each of the main characters are ridiculously jealous and constantly fighting (for the makeup sex of course) and never have an actual relationship because they can't stop sexing enough to have a conversation that doesn't involve angst, then the book can be fun. It's helps that EVERYONE in the WHOLE BOOK is friggin HOT. Even the background characters.
I applaud Jill Redfield for going all out. The gasps and moans are sometimes shockingly realistic. Lucky sound editors. Winkwink.
Now that you read this, feel free to return to the first sentence. Spend a credit. Enjoy.