Archive for Fantasy Romance
The Delcroix Academy, Book 1: The Candidates by Inara Scott
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Title: The Delcroix Academy, Book 1: The Candidates
Author: Inara Scott
Release Date: August 24, 2010
Pages: 304
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Best Book Quote: “Jacks mouth tightened. He looked between me and Cam. ‘This is really about him isn’t it? You think Prince Charming is going to ride away with you on his white horse. Well, that’s not how it really works.’ He threw off my hand. ‘He’s no better than I am.’”
So many times I read a book that someone tells me could be the next Twilight and I am always disappointed. But, this time I am going to say it. The debut book “Delcroix Academy, Book One: The Candidates” by Inara Scott may be as popular as Twilight if enough people try it. The story is not about vampires but instead it’s about people with special powers. It centers on Dancia Lewis, a not-so-popular teenage girl who knows she has a special power that she works to keep hidden. She’s done a good job her whole life making sure she doesn’t get into the spotlight until one day recruiters for an exclusive academy show up at her house where she lives with her grandmother. You see, Dancia recently saved someone using her special gift, thereby bringing her to the attention of the recruiters. They want her to become a member of their special school and they offer her a full scholarship to attend. Dancia’s grandmother talks her into it, thinking she should take advantage of this great opportunity.
Things start out okay for Dancia at the new school but unfortunately, her assigned roommate hates her and her new friend Jack seems to be hiding his own special power. Jack can’t seem to stay out of trouble and he suspects something is not right at their new school. Initially, these things don’t bother Dancia too much because she’s met Cam, the most popular boy at Delcroix Academy. Since Cam seems to like her more than she could ever have believed possible, the idea that he’s involved in something strange isn’t something Dancia’s willing to entertain – until it’s too late.
Inara Scott delivers an exciting story of mystery and fantasy, with healthy doses of romance thrown in – my favorite kind of story. This is a well-written escapade into the life of a gifted teenage girl who does a lot of growing up in a short period of time. There’s no gratuitous sex or violence in the book so it’s a good read for any age. Pick up Book One in the Delcroix Academy series – you’re sure to be hooked.
Evermore by Alyson Noel
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Title: Evermore
Author: Alyson Noel
Release Date: February 3, 2009
Pages: 320
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Sample Book Passage: “I nod, refusing to look any further than his sleek, black motorcycle boots. The kind that are more GQ than Hell’s Angels. The kind that look very out of place among the rows of multi-colored flip flops that are currently gracing the green-carpeted floor.”
A sixteen year old high school girl who can read the thoughts of others – sounds like a gift, right? Well, not really for Ever Bloom, a young girl who had a near-death experience and she now knows people’s thoughts, learning all of their life story simply through touch. Why is that a bad thing? Well, in Evermore, by Alyson Noel, knowing people’s innermost thoughts is not nearly as entertaining as one would think – people hide a lot of disturbing information from others while maintaining a ‘respectable’ façade.
Hiding behind her iPod and a hoodie, afraid to touch anyone, Ever does whatever she can to block out the psychic energy flowing around her. When a gorgeous new kid, Damen Auguste, shows up in school, every girl wants to be with him – except Ever. Keeping to herself, she avoids looking at him until she finally can’t avoid eye contact any longer and what she sees shocks her – he has no aura and she can’t hear his thoughts. What’s going on? How can this walking, talking hunk have no aura . . . is he dead?
Ever avoids Damen but she can’t run from him, he tracks her down. Hooking up with him at a party, Ever is sure her life is about to change. But, the next week, Damen neither calls nor texts – he’s a grope-and-run. And when she sees him giving a white rose to her top tormentor in class, she can only think that he must be playing some kind of sadistic game – jerk! But, there’s a whole lot more to this story than meets the eye and Ever is in for a wild ride as she finds out just what Damen is and what’s in store for her future.
Evermore is available in paperback, Kindle format and audio format.
Chick With a Charm by Vicki Lewis Thompson
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Title: Chick With a Charm
Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson
Release Date: March 2, 2010
Pages: 336
Genre: Fantasy Romance
If you’re familiar with books by Vicki Lewis Thompson, then you are going to be excited by her latest book, Chick with a Charm. If you haven’t read her before, then you have a whole new author to begin enjoying. With a series name like Babes On Brooms, you know you are in for a great ride. Witches and gorgeous men are just the beginning of the story in Chick with a Charm.
Lily Revere is a witch who does not like to wait for what she wants and who has no compunction using a little magic to make things go her way. Lily has her eye on a hot lawyer, Griffin Taylor, but for some reason he doesn’t seem to notice her interest. She has her sister’s wedding coming up and needs a date. So, what’s a good witch supposed to do?
She decides to give Griffin a little “push” in the right direction.
With the help of Lily’s extremely intelligent dog and a potion of adoration, Griffin not only gets a little nudge in the right direction, he gets bulldozed – he literally cannot get enough of Lily. Ever heard of too much a good thing? Well, Lily is just beginning to understand this particular problem when love knocks at her door and she realizes that small changes can lead to big consequences.
This titillating supernatural romance will leave you breathless and very glad no one else is in the room while you’re reading it. The sexual chemistry between Griffin and Lily starts on page one and never lets up. Vicki Lewis Thompson has one heck of an imagination, especially in the bedroom. While reading the book I kept thinking – how can they keep doing that? Have I ever done that? Hmmn, maybe I should try that . . .c
One thing is for sure, after reading this provocative and captivating novel, sleeping will be the last thing on your mind.
I’m off to find my hubby . .
The Last Princess and the Cup of Immortality by D. R. Whitney
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Title: The Last Princess and the Cup of Immortality
Author: D. R. Whitney
Release Date: November 1, 2009
Pages: 374 pages
Genre: Epic Fantasy
Best Book Quote: “Vivienne drifted above the desperate scene until the warmth of strong arms embraced her. The handsomest young man she had ever seen with black hair and the most penetrating golden eyes, was comforting her as he held her in the fine wool of his purple cloak.”
Imagine a girl who dreams of a handsome boy with golden eyes. In the dreams, he is madly in love with her and shows her places so beautiful she cannot believe they are real. But real they are and with this, you have the makings of a great new teen fantasy series, The Last Princess and the Cup of Immortality by D. R. Whitney. This is the story of Vivienne Le Faye, a normal American 16-year old girl who lives in a boarding school in Manhattan. Her grandmother has recently died, leaving her an orphan. She inherits a family heirloom, a beautiful ruby necklace, and immediately begins to have vivid dreams of a golden eyed boy who professes his eternal love for her. The hardest part for her to believe is that the dreams are also telling that her she is the Lady of the Lake, the last princess of an alternate world.
This alternate world is filled with magic and mystery but absolutely no technology. Her dreams tell her that evil people are coming for her and Vivienne is determined to find out what the heck is really going on – it seems her dreams are saying that if she does find her way back to the fantasy world then both her world and theirs are going to end. What is a sixteen year old girl to do with all that responsibility? The only thing she knows for sure is that the golden eyed boy is there for her and she must find him.
D.R. Whitney has crafted a wonderful fantasy world where any adult or teenager can lose themselves in magic and wonder. It is a wide-ranging story filled with mystery, eternal love, and the fulfillment of a destiny that has waited thousands of years to reach culmination. This is a tremendous treat for any fantasy lover and I am especially pleased by the author’s ability to draw the reader into her spell and keep us wanting more.
New Paranormal Romance Book-Strange Neighbors
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Title: Strange Neighbors
Author: Ashlyn Chase
Release Date: June 1, 2010
Pages: 384
Genre: Fantasy Romance
Best Line From Book: “What a minute, are you telling me that because you couldn’t hail a cab you had yourself turned into a vampire?”
Ashlyn Chase has written the quintessential supernatural romance with her new novel Strange Neighbors.
Merry Mckenzie, a nurse, rents an apartment in Boston from the hottest baseball pitcher to hit the circuit in recent years. As you can imagine, she’s not complaining. Especially since she was hoping that a move to Boston, away from her loving but overprotective father, would put her in the path of some really hot guys. You see the small town she grew up in did NOT have what she needed and she realizes just how lucky she is when her landlord, Jason Falco, turns out to be one of the hunkiest guys she’s ever met.
As far as Merry is concerned, everything is working out great; she loves her new apartment and her social life is improving. She starts settling in to a nice, normal way of life.
But of course, things aren’t normal AT ALL.
First, there’s a chance that her apartment might be haunted. Then, there are the odd characters in the apartment building:
-witches who run a phone sex business
-a vampire in the basement
-a shape shifter. Or two.Taken together you have the makings of a playful, hilarious story.
I enjoyed reading about Merry’s antics and was inspired by her general outlook and openness. And although the book contains several supernatural characters I love Ashlyn Chase’s approach for embracing this segment of society; she makes “life amongst the monsters” entertaining without wasting too much time on the mythology associated with the paranormal characters in the book. She keeps it light and moves the story along at a good pace.
I hope Ashlyn Chase continues writing supernatural stories of this nature because I really enjoyed laughing at (and along with) the quirky characters in the book. Job well done!
Strange Neighbors is available in paperback and Kindle formats.
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