WWW Wednesdays May 22:

To play along, just answer the following questions…

• What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently reading:

Uh..Nothing. Ok, technically, I am re-reading Fatal Affair by Marie Force, but I think it will be a DNF for me. It isn't bad I just don't care about the characters.( Probably stems from the fact that  I wish she had finished the series at book 4.) 

Recently read:

Horatio Lyle by Catherine Webb. I bought this because Kari Sperring recced her Urban Fantasy novels, written as Kate Griffin.  I liked it, it wasn't perfect, but it was good.

Reading next:

Well... Rocky Mountail Rebel by Vivian Arend was released yesterday, and I am itching to buy a book. So it is high up on the list.

Review: Fated by Lauren Dane

The Particulars: Paranormal Romance, Samhain, available in print and as e-book

The Source: Allromance

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

 Could there be any worse fate than a road trip from Seattle to L.A.—with one’s mother—to attend a wedding? Why yes, when one isn’t married yet, like Megan Warden. Toss in a grandmother and a carload of already married sisters and it’s a recipe for sneaking sips of “special” coffee while someone else drives.

Shane Rosario has better things to do than attend a wedding where his father’s relatives will be at him nonstop about getting married and having children. If it weren’t for seeing his anchor bond, Layla, he’d have taken a pass on the entire weekend. It would be easy, since he’s become adept at hiding who and what he is.

When the two weren’t even looking, Fate steps in and before they know it, their bond is sealed. Bonded pair, married in the eyes of their people. Two people tied together in every way. Trouble is, Shane’s not sure he wants all that comes with Megan. And Megan’s certain she’s not willing to live outside her pack, pretending to be human.

The distance between them is more than geographical. It’s a widening gulf rapidly filling with resentment…an emotional divide only acceptance could bridge. Can Shane can accept himself to cross it? Only if they let love take control.

Warning: The usual players – hot sexing, pushy Warden males and the women who keep them in line, some EMO (read: grab your hankies) and bad words.

The Review:

I read an excerpt from this one a couple of months ago, and was hooked. Unfortunately, I was also broke so it got wishlisted. Until now. Let me tell you, it was well worth the wait.

I loved the banter between Megan and her family. They might get exasperated at each other occasionally, but it was clear that they loved each other. They were comfortable with the fact that they were werewolves. Which is a contrast to Shane who is used to hiding who he is, living among humans. It was touching to see Shane struggle with who he was, and it made sense that he clung to his old life since that was all he knew.

The attraction between Megan and Shane sparked from the moment they met. Their romance was a whirlwind, but I liked that their path to a HEA wasn't smooth. The issues they had to work through felt very human, and believable. It was interesting to see how the Anchor bond worked, and how it also affected the relationship between Megan and Layla.

It was interesting to get a glimpse of how living outside the pack affected a werewolf. It felt as if it was possible in theory, but I loved how Ms Dane showed why it had made Shane a mess.

That said, I felt that it went too fast between the first mating bliss, to the start of their issues. The issues made sense, but I wished the book had been a bit longer and Megan's growing frustration had been shown instead of told.

Review: Tempted by Virginia Henley

The Particulars: Historical Romance, Dell, available as e-book but out of prin

The Source: The bookshelf

The Grade: B

The Blurb:

 All men lusted for the firebrand they called Flaming Tina, famed for the molten fire in her hair--and for the hot temper running fierce through the noble Scots blood of Lady Valentina Kennedy. Forced into marriage with the fearsome warrior of an enemy clan, Tina vowed to use her wild beauty to gain mastery over Lord Ramsey Douglas.

The Review:

Dear Author's blogpost about Non regency romance reminded me about this book. I bought it 15 years ago, and I fell in love with Ram and Tina. It has been a while ago since I read it, so I decided to re-read it. And I am glad I did.

The Scotland setting felt very believable. I liked how it affected the story in so many ways, from the political tension between Scotland and England, to the cattle raids, to the way the men spoke to each other and to women. ( Yes, I cringed a couple of times, but at the same time it fit the story.)

I loved Tina and Ram. Tina was sassy, but she also had a sense of loyality. She might flirt, and tease, but she wouldn't go any longer. Ram... was alpha male to the finger tips. He was crude, occassionally, hot tempered, jealous. But he is also loyal, and care about the ones he loves. And, he doesn't hesitate to apologise if he hurts Tina's feelings.

The plot was well written. I must say that I really liked how the political shifts and the romance was balanced in the book. There were time for both, without any part of it overshadowing the other.

I liked how their path to a HEA wasn't easy. They both had hot tempers, and were proud. But I loved following them as they worked towards falling in love. And they faced a lot of obstacles, but in the end that made their HEA more satisfying.

But no matter how much I liked the book, it is 20 years old. And that, I am sad to say, shows. The biggest thing is that there is much more telling than in more recent historical novels. Which made me wish for more dept in some scenes. since the romance felt shallow at times. But it is still a great novel, and I think I'll go and read more of Virginia Henley's novels. ( Sadly, they wont be in Swedish, since this line was cancelled 14 years ago.)

WWW Wednesday May 15th

To play along, just answer the following three (3) questions… • What are you currently reading?
• What did you recently finish reading?
• What do you think you’ll read next?

Currently reading:
Murder in the Marais by Cara Black
So far it is intresting, and I can see why her novel have gotten rave reviews.  


Recently read:
The Unexpected bride by Elizabeth Rolls
I really like Elizabeth Rolls novels. The plots might not always be that exciting, but to me her novels show the power of well written characters. 

Reading next:
Hopefully Throne of Oak by Dana Marie Bell. I requested the arc today, and I am waiting for an response. Probably wont get one in a week or so.  Meanwhile, I am reading from the TBR pile.

Anthology of Awesomeness: Marked

Look what Lauren Dane just posted! I knew something was up from the hints they dropped on twitter. Squee! The only drawback is the release date: Feb 2014.
The blurb:

New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Lauren Dane takes you into a brand new world in ALL THAT REMAINS. Summer Killian falls fast and hard when Charlie arrives in Paradise Village. But the heat turns all the way up when she learns Charlie is also with Hatch – the man she loved three years before. While she’s not sure she’s cut out for a triad, neither man is going to give her up.

Take a ROCKY RIDE with New York Times and USA Today Bestselling author Vivian Arend as she leads you back to the Six Pack Ranch. Anna Coleman might be the law around Rocky Mountain House, but bad boy Mitch Thompson knows that under the stiff RCMP uniform is a woman with a passion for speed and pleasure that matches his own, and he’s not giving up until she’s his.

Kit Rocha returns to Sector Four in BEYOND TEMPTATION. A promise to a dying friend backfires when Noah Madsen finds that the girl he was supposed to rescue is all grown up–and wearing O’Kane ink. He wants to protect her from the secrets of their past, but she wants him. And an O’Kane woman always gets what she wants.

Friday Bargains: A mixed batch

Tart by Lauren Dane is discounted to 2.99 right now. ( Yes, I bought it. It has been on my wishlist for a long time :) ) It is a US only bargain ( but it is *really* easy to avoid Geo restrictions at Allromance.)

Carina Press offers 30% off this weekend to celebrate Mother's day. The coupon is MOMDAY2013 . 

For US people:  Wicked in your arms by Sophie Jordan is free today only at Amazon and BN. But that is not all. I also noticed that two other stories in the same series are discounted right now.  Earl in my bed is discounted to 1.99 and Lessons from a scandalous bride is 2.99  :)

There feels like I should have a lot more bargains... Oh well, this is it for this week. 

Friday Finds May 10th

Dear Author's Non Regency post have introduced me to a lot of new authors, and my wishlist is full :).  Here is a sample of authors I want to give a try or re-read.  ( And it also made me wish I had kept all my Historical romances. But maybe they are hidden somewere at mum's. Or in the cellar..)



I loved this one when I read it 10 years ago, and I still have my Swedish copy. So win! :).





Jeannie Lin have been on my TBR list for awhile, and maybe I'll get around to buy her books soon :).

Not one of the books  recommended,but I already have it so I'll  read it first. 





I have had this for ages, but never read it.  The blurb sounds really intresting, though, and I keep on hearing good things about it.

Review: When Summer comes by Brenda Novak

The Particulars: Contemporary Romance, Harlequin, available as e-book and in print

The Source: purchased at Kobo

The Grade: C+

The blurb:

One day, Callie Vanetta receives devastating news…

She needs a liver transplant. But her doctors warn that, in her case, the chances of finding a compatible donor aren't good.

Determined to spend whatever time she has left on her own terms, she keeps the diagnosis to herself and moves out to her late grandparents' farm. She's always wanted to live there. But the farm hasn't been worked in years and she begins to fear she can't manage it, that she'll have to return to town.

One night, a stranger comes knocking at her door…

He's an attractive and mysterious drifter by the name of Levi McCloud, and he offers to trade work for a few nights' shelter. Callie figures she doesn't have anything to lose. He needs a place to stay until he can fix his motorcycle; she needs an extra pair of hands. The arrangement seems ideal until what was supposed to be temporary starts to look more and more permanent. Then she realizes she does have something to lose—her heart. And, although he doesn't yet know it, Levi stands to lose even more.

 

The Review:

I have wanted to read Brenda Novak for awhile, so when this was on sale, I decided to give it a try.

And I am glad I did.

I liked both Callie and Levi. Callie was open hearted, and loyal to her friends. Levi was scarred by his past, and had his reasons for drifting through he states. They are each others opposites, which made their romance even sweeter. I enjoyed following their relationship as it developed from virtual strangers to lovers.

I appreciated that the threat to their relationship came from different sources. There were both Callie's struggle with her disease, and keeping her slow decline from her family and friends. And then there were Whiskey Creek's reaction to Levi. Somewere wary, some was more positive. I liked how Levi slowly won over Callie's friends as they got to know him.

That said it wasn't perfect. The biggest problem was tha I felt that the uncertainty of Callie's disease overshadowed their path to HEA. And, I also felt that Levy's issues was wrapped up too neatly. To me it felt like the author waved a wand, and they were gone. poff