Archive for Paranormal 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.
Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker
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Title: Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker
Author: Syrie James
Release Date: July 20, 2010
Pages: 480 pages
Genre: Vampire Romance
Best Book Quote: “I will never forget the magic of being held in his embrace, the compelling magnetism of his eyes as he gazed at me, or how it felt to whirl about the dance floor in his arms. I still shiver with delight when I recall the dizzying sensation of traveling with him at the speed of light, and the way his slightest touch could make me gasp with unimaginable pleasure and desire.”
What is it about vampires that women love so much? If you had asked me what I thought about vampires when I was a teenager, I wouldn’t have had much to say. By then I’d read the original Dracula and I certainly didn’t end the book wishing a vampire would rescue me from my boring life.
I recently read “Dracula, My Love: The Secret Journals of Mina Harker” by Syrie James. When I decided to read it, I half-heartedly thought back to my boring experience reading the original Dracula novel.
My experience with this book was COMPLETELY different.
As with the original Bram Stoker novel, this story introduces us to Jonathan Harker, a solicitor that’s been sent to Transylvania to finish a real estate transaction with the wealthy and mysterious Count Dracula. The horrors that befall Jonathan during his stay at Dracula’s castle drive him temporarily insane and leave his fiancée Mina back home fretting about what may have happened to him. Meanwhile, Dracula learns of beautiful Mina through Jonathan and decides to travel to England to court her. He successfully uses his charm and his special powers of persuasion on her and she does indeed fall for him.
If you’ll remember, in the original novel Dracula was evil and not the kind of character you would want to spend the rest of your days with. In Syrie James’ version, the story is written from the point of view of Mina. The author skillfully constructs a story that lets us understand why Mina fell so hard for Dracula. We enter Mina’s psyche and fully understand her wants, her fears and her desires. We likewise develop an understanding of Dracula’s motivations. This insight explains why a human woman and a “monster” would literally ache to be with one another.
Dracula, My Love made me feel the way I did when I first watched the Frank Langella Dracula movie from 1979 and the Gary Oldman Dracula film from 1992: exhilarated, enthralled and completely mesmerized. Reading the classic story from a woman’s perspective adds an element of sensitivity to the tale that greatly enriched my reading experience.
Vampire book lovers will absolutely love this book. If you read it I think you’ll agree that Syrie James’ retelling of the story is brilliantly executed and deserves to be added to your “to be read again” shelf of books.
Living With the Dead by Kelley Armstrong
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Title: Living With the Dead
Author: Kelley Armstrong
Release Date: August 25, 2009
Pages: 560
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Best Book Quote: “. . . the greatest impediment to justice is prejudice.”
I was only going to read for a minute when I picked up Kelly Armstrong’s book Living with the Dead. I have always been a fan of her stories but believe me when I say that this book is not a “just gonna read for a minute” kind of book. Once I started, I had to find out how it ended.
The main character, Robyn Peltier, is a public relations consultant who becomes accused of a crime she didn’t commit – the murder of her annoyingly irritating celebrity employer. She finds her boss shot dead and to all outward appearances it looks like she did it. But when she goes on the run to save her life it leads to her immediate guilt in the eyes of the police and more importantly, the gorgeous lead investigator, Detective Finn. Luckily for Robyn, she finds help from her best friend Hope Adams (a half-demon) and Hope’s werewolf boyfriend, Karl. Apparently, Robyn has inadvertently became involved in a supernatural mess that could kill both her and her friends. But this doesn’t stop them in their mission to prove Hope’s innocence.
I was surprised to find that I was so quickly hooked on this story since I usually avoid the “innocent person accused of a crime” plotline. It’s a testimony to Kelly Armstrong’s great writing style that I kept on reading.
This novel has pulse-racing writing combined with Armstrong’s usual wit – a combination I’ve really come to like. The author makes Robyn a sympathetic character that you connect with and pull for throughout the book. Comic relief is provided by the ghost of Robyn’s husband who was killed but has come back to help her; the twist is that he can only be seen by Detective Finn! Whether you like “innocent girl wrongly accused” storylines or not, give Living with the Dead a try. If I hadn’t, I would have missed out on a really fun read.
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 . .
Great Paranormal Romance: Insatiable by Meg Cabot
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Title: Insatiable
Author: Meg Cabot
Release Date: June 8, 2010
Pages: 464 pages
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Best Book Quote: “Meena,” he said. His voice was a gruff whisper in the darkened gallery. “What are you hiding from me?” Her voice was as throaty as his. “Nothing,” she lied. “I swear.” And then the incredible happened. His mouth came down on hers.”
Move over Twilight because I’ve found a new vampire romance story that I love. Its called Insatiable by Meg Cabot and it’s one of the best books I’ve read in a long time.
The Story: Meena Harper is a writer for a highly rated daytime soap opera. Although skilled in her field, she also has another talent: the ability to look at someone and see when they will die. She’s used this gift numerous times to help others avoid danger – too bad it couldn’t be used to forsee this latest dilemna: vampires. You see the corporate suits have decided to write vampires into the soap opera’s storyline. Meena thinks that’s simply ridiculous – why would anyone want to watch a TV show about vampires? I guess it’s a good thing Meena is a writer and not in marketing . . .
At a neighbor’s party, Meena is introduced to Lucien Antonescu, a visiting professor from Romania, who, unbeknownst to her, is really the supreme prince of darkness and the son of Dracula himself. He’s immediately intrigued by her, this young woman who sees the future and can steer people away from certain death. As for Meena, she’s completely surprised that this polished, urbane, beautiful man is so focused on her; she’s completely swept off her feet by his attentions. Then reality sets in when Alaric Wulf, vampire hunter extraordinaire, tells her that her new lover is a super-vamp and she has landed in the middle of a vampire war.
I love a book with great dialogue and that’s what Meg Cabot has delivered in Insatiable. Meena is an independent character with spirit and soul who you connect with immediately. Lucien is brooding and dark after living for 500 years (it’s fascinating to watch Meena bring him back to life). Alaric is an emotionally closed warrior whose mission to kill every vampire on earth is forever altered by Meena and her life-affirming attitude. I think of this book as Twilight on steroids. I won’t give away the ending – you have to read it – but I think (and sure hope!) there is the chance for a sequel. I was so entranced, I read it in one sitting and you know that feeling you have when a good book is over? That’s how I felt when I finished this book – disappointed it was over and praying for a sequel.
This is a great book written by an extremely talent storyteller whose work will undoubtedly re-energize the paranormal romance genre. Tired of vampires? I think not.
About Meg Cabot
Meg Cabot has written over 50 books that span the adult and young adult markets. Her popular Princess Diaries books were the basis for two hit movies. She also writes the fantastic Heather Wells adult mystery series (the first book is titled “Size 12 Is Not Fat”).
Insatiable is her first adult paranormal book.
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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There’s Good vs. Sexy Evil in Masked by Moonlight
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Do you like books that have a strong woman battling wits with a sexy bad-boy villain? If so, tighten your belt because you’re in for an exhilarating ride because Masked by Moonlight by Nancy Gideon fits the bill!
Meet New Orleans detective Charlotte Caissie who is doggedly pursuing an underworld crime boss implicated in lots of murders – including her father’s. Each time she visits the evil crime lord, Jimmy Legere, Charlotte is confronted by his bodyguard, Max Savoie, and his constant sexy, but a bit belittling, regard for her. Although Max is always polite to him and tolerant when he comes on to her, she senses something deep inside him that’s always teetering on the edge and about to lose control. Even worse she can’t understand why she’d drawn to him – a man that’s the hired killer for a New Orleans crime lord.
As Charlotte and Max dance around their attraction to each other, they’re inevitably pulled together when he saves her from a vicious attempt on her life. And that’s when she starts to suspect that there’s something not quite right about Mr. Max Savoie. Her attackers are savagely killed– how could a mere man do that?
Nancy Gideon gives us two very strong characters that constantly fight to maintain their independence – a characteristic that pulled me further into their story. One the one hand there’s Charlotte who has a sad and ugly history to overcome, something that causes her to carry baggage into every relationship. Then there’s Max who was adopted at an early age by a crook and knows nothing about life except what exists in the criminal world.
Until he meets Charlotte.
Kudos to the author for giving us a new spin on the good vs. evil tale. Her rendition of how a cop and a villain fight their attraction and the inherent obstacles around them kept me glued to every page. If you like strong women and hot men overcoming complicated life situations then you’ll love Masked by Moonlight.
