REVIEW: Dark Longing

Dark Longing

Pure/Dark Series #2

Author: Aja James

Pub Date: January 18, 2018

Synopsis: 

“Every story has more than one side, like a crystal that captures and reflects different colors of light. Do not take for granted what you think you know, for until you hold the entire jewel in your palm, the temptation is to fall prey to illusion and deception.”

This is a story of the Dark Ones…

Inanna: the vampire warrior

Known as the Angel of Death among her kind, she has lived millennia alone, one of the remaining True Bloods in existence, unconsciously longing for the one male she could never have.

Gabriel: the forbidden human

His soul recognizes hers from the first encounter. With the first touch, he is awakened. Though he does not know it, he has been searching for her across the ages.

But even as they are finally reunited, their love faces seemingly impossible odds. Will history repeat itself or will they break all the rules and chart a new course together?

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My Review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

The tale continues in this second instalment but in a twist, we see the other side of the coin. The Dark Ones. I honestly think it is a wonderful idea. Normally we have one good side and the other bad. We don’t much get the chance to see the good and the bad come together and work towards a common goal. This book shows just how relative good and bad can be.

Nana Chastain is a Dark One or as most of us know them, a vampire. She lives but she does not live. She is in want of something. Something that is just out of reach.

When his wife passes away, Gabriel D’Angelo is told that Nana Chastain, a woman he has never seen and knows nothing about will have joint custody of his son, Benji. When Gabriel meets Nana for this first time he feels things he has never felt before-not even for his wife.

Nana already loves Benji. She has since the moment of his birth. When she first meets Gabriel, she feels inexplicable drawn to him and it does not take her long to fall in love with him as well. As their feelings grow, an evil entity lurks threatening everyone and everything they hold dear.

Will these two soulmates make their way back to each other or will they once again be torn apart?

This is the second book in a series and has a HFN ending. Although it can be read as a standalone, I believe it would be better to read this series in order.

I love being immersed in this world Aja has created. She captures and holds my undivided attention and delivers a sexy and intriguing read every time. Throughout this book, she builds relationships, strengthens ties and sets up the current and future books beautifully. I was riveted.

This is definitely a complex read with many facets and I can’t help but feel some story lines are a little rushed. I also had a hard time understanding and believing Gabe and his wife’s relationship.

That aside, the question remains, who is behind all these misdeeds. I feel like we’ve only scratched the surface with these two first books. There are many loose ends and they must all intertwine somehow. I am hooked and cannot wait to see how it all pieces together. This is a paranormal read that should definitely grace your TBR list.

Thank you to Aja James for the ARC.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Here is my review of Pure Healing, the first book in the series.

REVIEW: The Widow of Papina

The Widow of Papina
Author: Katie Hamstead
Pub date: December 13, 2017
Genre: Contemporary Romance Mystery

Synopsis

Forrest and Braydon Miller moved to the small town of Papina to follow their dreams and start a family. Braydon loves her new life in the quiet town, kept alive by the prestigious boarding school overlooking the valley. She is so proud of her husband's work, helping the teens on the reservation.

Until one day, Forrest doesn't come home.

Scandal spreads when it’s discovered that one of the teenagers is missing, too. But, Braydon refuses to believe her husband would leave her. When the teen is found, she isn't talking--literally.

While Braydon's heart is breaking, she must hold her crumbling life together, raise her son, trust in the Sheriff's loyal, and ever-growing devotion, and find a way to love the MUTE teenager enough to discover the truth of what happened to her husband.

My review ⭐⭐⭐⭐

Going into this book, I didn’t know what to expect.  This is a new to me author and based on the synopsis, I was intrigued. I was not disappointed.

This is an emotionally gripping story that will pull on your heartstrings. It is poignant, believable and heartfelt. I loved all of the characters in this book.  I wanted to be a part of their town.  I wanted to be their friend.  I was immersed in this little town as well as the drama, love and arguments that unfolded.  There were twists and turns I did not see coming and the love that develops between Braydon and Paul was wonderfully written.  It is not rushed or forced.  Although there are not many heated scenes, the ones that are written are hot and heavy.

There is some drama in this book, but I do not believe it is over-the-top or that it in any detracts from the book as a whole.

Braydon is a strong character with a lot on her plate.  A missing husband, a newborn, and a mute teenager.  She manages to juggle all of this and much more.  I absolutely envied Brayden for her strength to deal with it all

Paul is a Sheriff and he is absolutely sweet.  I loved his character.  He is a man, in my opinion, that everyone dreams about having.  He is mannerly, helpful, strong and willing to fight for what he wants.

“I’m going to fight for you, because no matter how much you think we can’t be together, I know one day we will.”

I don’t want to divulge too much as the book is enjoyed not knowing the twists and turns but suffice it to say that I liked this book.  It is heartbreaking and warm.  I would love to revisit this town and its characters in a new book if the author chose to do so.  I would recommend this to anyone who likes a mystery as well as a well-written romance.

I received an ARC of this book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

REVIEW: Renner's Rules

Renner's Rules
by K. Webster

My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Synopsis

I’m a bad girl.
I was sent away.
New house. New rules. New school.
Change was supposed to be…good.

Until I met him.

No one warned me Principal Renner would be so hot.
I’d expected some old, graying man in a brown suit.

Not this.

Not well over six feet of lean muscle and piercing green eyes.

Not a rugged-faced, ax-wielding lumberjack of a man.

He’s grouchy and rude and likes to boss me around.
I find myself getting in trouble just so he’ll punish me.
Especially with his favorite metal ruler.

Being bad never felt so good

 Treat (noun)

an event or item that is out of the ordinary and gives great pleasure:

synonyms: celebration · entertainment · amusement · surprise · party · excursion · outing · special event · present · gift · delicacy · luxury · indulgence · extravagance · guilty pleasure · goodie · pleasure · delight · boon · thrill · joy

Along with the title of this book, you get the slogan “A Taboo Treat”.  And boy oh boy I cannot describe this book any better than this definition.  I dare anyone to try.  

Renner is a commanding, 35-year old principal.  Elma is a naughty eighteen-year old high schooler.  Put them together and you get a deliciously sexy taboo treat. 

Renner’s Rules is a novella, a standalone and is told in dual POV.  It is a titillating, fast paced, page turning read.  The intimate scenes between Renner and Elma are red-hot.  K Webster pens a story that sates one’s cravings for the taboo and the carnal.

I received an ARC of this book.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

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BOOK TOUR REVIEW: Promise Me Always

Promise Me Always

by Rhonda Shaw

Publication date: Feb 26th 2018

Genres: Contemporary, New Adult, Romance

Synopsis:

Gabrielle Wells was everything Danny Anderson shouldn’t want. She was his opposite in every way, but he couldn’t keep his distance, and fate seemed to push them together at every turn. She consumed him, and the more he learned about her, the more he realized she was exactly what he didn’t know he needed. But then past mistakes forced him to walk away and never look back, breaking Gabrielle’s heart in the process.

Fast forward six years, and it seems as if fate is intervening again. Danny, now a best-selling rap artist, returns to his hometown, and is reunited with the only girl he’s ever loved.

Gabrielle isn’t the girl he left behind, though, and Danny realizes life has thrown her quite a few curves. But he will stop at nothing to get her back, refusing to let his true desires—love and family—continue to elude him. However, when Danny’s past crashes into his present, threatening everyone he loves and everything he’s fought for, he must decide if his promise to Gabrielle of “always” is worth the risk.

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Purchase Links:  Amazon  |  Kobo

My Review⭐⭐⭐⭐

I adore this book. From the first word until the very last, it kept and held my attention. It was so gripping that when I had to put it down, I still thought about it.  It is angsty and the characters were well written and developed.

I loved D.  From the beginning he is very hard and jaded but he starts to mellow and open up with Gabrielle.  He is so protective an even sweet which is contrary to the front he puts up with everyone.  He protects Gabrielle at every turn from walking her to ballet class to standing up for her with bullies.  He had a terrible upbringing with his alcoholic, drug-abusing father and his mother left him when he was younger.  He puts himself in a bad situation with a gang because he was trying to make up for his lack of family.  At the last moment, he makes a choice.  A choice that will follow him and Gabrielle the rest of their lives.

Gabrielle is timid and insecure.  When she arrives at her new school, all she wants is to be unnoticed.  Unfortunately, because of the way she dresses, she sticks out like a sore thumb.  She is made fun of and people whisper behind their hands about her.  When she arrives at her first class, someone steals her book and begins teasing her.  He does not give back her book until D tells him to.  Afterward, she thanks him quietly.

But D has made his own assumptions about her based on the way she dresses.  He assumes she is “stuck up” and that she believes she is better than everyone in the run-down school.  He soon learns that he could not be more mistaken.  Gabrielle is kind, generous and unjudgmental.  She brings life and love into his life until he destroys it quite purposefully.

This story is told in dual POV.

What I feel was overlooked a little bit at the end is what Gabrielle will do with her life.  Will she follow through somehow with her passion? I also find that although she loves Danny, she forgives him a little too easily.  After what he did, I think it would be a little more difficult to forgive.  Maybe it required a little more groveling on his behalf.

Beside that however, I loved them as a couple.  The opposites attract trope really worked in this book.  His briskness to her kindness.  His extrovert to her introvert.  He is the ideal alpha male, wanting to protect and cherish the one he loves at any cost.

Gabrielle is a strong character.  Although D tries to protect her from his life, she demands to be part of it.  She does not want to be left out.  Good or bad she loved him and he, her.  They are so wonderful together.  Each taking and giving in equal measure.  I really did not want their story to end.

I even liked “Teddy” in Ds crew what a gruff cuddly teddybear he seems to be.  I hope he gets a story.  As for Dollar, I would like to strangle him!

This book is not to be missed.  I recommend it to anyone who loves an angsty second chance contemporary romance.

Author

Rhonda owes her love of reading to her mother who would read to her each night before bed and sometimes give into pleads for more than one chapter. These days, if Rhonda doesn’t have a book in her hands, it feels like something is missing. While romance is her true passion, Rhonda enjoys reading multiple genres.

Born in California, but transplanted to the Midwest, Rhonda is warm weather girl to the bone (even years later, winter and her are not on speaking terms) and loves nothing more than a balmy, summer evening. She also loves all animals–especially her silly French Bulldog, Keno.

Nowadays, she has so many characters and story ideas running around in her head that she can’t keep up with them. But one day, she’ll tell each one.

Author links:   Website  |  Goodreads  |  Facebook  | Twitter

Giveaway!

Rhonda Shaw will be giving away a $50 Amazon Gift card and an ebook of Promise Me Always to one lucky winner via Rafflecopter.  Follow the tour here, comment and interact to give you more chances to win!

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REVIEW: Captive Beauty

CaptiveBeauty by Natasha Knight

⭐⭐⭐⭐

Synopsis:

Cilla

The Beast had Belle.
Killian Black has me.

How I got here doesn’t matter, even though he says it does. Says it was my choice. He doesn’t get it, though. It wasn’t ever a choice for me.

And now, he’s changing the rules.

The agreement was one month. For thirty days, I’d be his. He’s no longer satisfied with my body alone, though. He wants my soul, too. Wants every part of me. And even though I can pretend I’m safe when I lie beneath him, this man does something to me. Something wicked.

A thing that will break me.

Killian

Cilla made the choice. She offered the deal. I just took her up on it. So what if I changed the rules half-way in? I’m not apologizing for it.

See, Cilla and me, we’re the same. She’s dark. As dark as me. Something happened to her. Something bad. It damaged her.

But it’s not a hero she seeks. It’s an avenging angel. A dark knight. That, I can do. I’ll slay her dragons, but it’ll cost her, because in return, I want everything. And I’ll take it.

She’s mine.

Author’s note: Captive Beauty is a standalone romance. Think Beauty and the Beast, but twisted and dark in the best, dirtiest ways.

Review

Although Captive Beauty is referred to as “A dark Beauty and the Beast”, I am thankful that this book stands alone - separate if you will.  It is loosely based and has some very small parallels.

Killian is the Beast to Cilla’s Beauty.  He is dark, haunted and scarred.  He shoulders a lot of regret and rage.  He meets Cilla when her brother, Jones, steals drugs from him and then tries to resell it to Killian’s own men.  The crew then abducts both Jones and Cilla, who has no idea what is going on.  She was at the wrong place at the wrong time.  Once arrived at their destination, Killian’s threatens bodily harm to her brother as a form of punishment and warning.  Cilla, protective of her brother, does not want any harm to come to him.  As result, she tempts the beast by stating she will do anything to spare her brother effectively redirecting the beast’s attention and rage to her.  Intrigued, he readily agrees but, he is no hero.  For one month, he will have his Captive Beauty and everything she can possibly give – and more!

Cilla puts up a front.  She seems so confident and put together but she is not.  She has a dark and twisted past.  When she meets Killian, she is willing to put herself at the beast’s mercy.  Cilla knows she has no other recourse. She owes her brother a debt she can never repay and if she does not agree to the terms set, Jones will be severely injured.

This book touches on some dark themes but it does not delve too deeply.  It is a dark read that I enjoyed thoroughly.

Although this is a wonderful read, I believe that if Killian's relationship with his sister wouId have been explored more, it would have brought to life more of his character.  How kind and caring he once was compared to the beast he now is.  The same goes with Cilla’s past, it almost felt glossed over.  It's fair to say that I just want more of these characters.  I believe a duet would have satisfied me.  One in each of the main character’s point of view.

This aside, Natasha Knight, through her writing, makes you feel the angst, the dread and the pain these characters are going through.  The passion, the need and the want are palpable.  The push and pull of the characters was riveting.  When Killian would push, Cilla would push back.  She brought out all of the emotion in him, and he, her. 

They are evenly matched.  Killian is strong and angry.  Cilla although she seems strong is oh so fragile.  The more time Killian spends with her, the more his rage is tempered and the more he wants from his Captive Beauty.  Cilla on the other hand, slowly starts to trust Killian.  She starts to let go and hands over not only her body but her secrets as well.  She becomes stronger than she has ever been as result.  I absolutely loved this story and cannot wait to read another book by this author.