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Moon Kissed by Michele Hauf

My rating: 1 of 5 stars



I finished my "work" book on my lunch break today. It was Moon Kissed by Michele Hauf, and it's part of Silhouette's "Nocturne" line. Main characters are aspiring dancer Belladonna Reynolds and werewolf Severo.

While out jogging alone at night (because that's what any intelligent woman would do), Bella flees from three thugs. She runs to a warehouse, where another man hides her until the others give up and leave. Bella learns her would-be attackers were vampires and that Severo is a werewolf. Worse, Severo insists that the vampires will attempt to harm her again, and worse still, he's convinced that Bella is his mate.

That's about as much of a synopsis as I can provide without gagging. This book was vile. Utterly vile. Halfway through the first chapter, I was tempted to call it quits. Severo claims to be hiding/protecting Bella in the warehouse, but he just could not resist the urge to grope her breasts and pinch her nipples, knowing she didn't dare make a sound. The woman was crying, she was so scared, but hey! Let's escalate her terror by molesting her. How's that for a meet-cute? Once Severo lets her leave, Bella skedaddles then spends the rest of the night filled with both self-recrimination and curiosity. The following night, Bella goes out clubbing (which is what all sane women do after being molested), and Severo finds her. He convinces her the vampires are after her again, so she leaves with him. Wait. What? Yes, you read that correctly. She leaves the club with him. I would label this woman a stupid slut, but that would be unnecessarily insulting. To stupid sluts! Most stupid sluts at least have an iota of self-preservation. Not Bella. Fast forward to Bella and Severo getting it on eventually, because she can't resist how dangerous and exciting he is. The author included bestiality, because at this point, why not? Adding to the overall misery and misogyny of this book is the fact that Severo cost Bella her coveted apprenticeship with a professional dancer because he got jealous of her dancing with the other man. At what point don't you realize what an enormous asshole he is, Bella? Furthermore, during a fight between Severo and some vampires, Bella creeps closer to watch because she finds it exciting. He was killing them, and she thought it was exciting. At that point, I really don't think I'd have cared if she got killed by the end of this book. Thanks to the blurb on the back cover, we know that (spoiler alert!) Bella gets turned into a vampire. Slightly off-topic, but when is a blurb just a blurb, and when is it a spoiler? Anyway, Severo hates vampires so he's all filled with angst and woe because his mate is now a filthy, blood sucking monster. Are you for real right now?! He won't touch her, can barely stand to look at her, and she's all butt-hurt about it. The most annoying part of the entire 'Bella got turned into a vampire' subplot is the fact that the vampire who ordered it done did it as revenge against Severo. He kills a bunch of her vampire companions but lets her live, which really chapped my ass. I wanted comeuppance! I wanted vengeance! But Evie had spared Severo's life once upon a time, so he elected to let her live. He's a stupid slut, too, methinks. By the end of this shit show, Severo had decided that he would try to accept Bella as she now is, but he never did allow her to bite him. Excuse me? You routinely bang her while in shifted form, but you won't let her bite you? Pardon me while I pour bleach on my brain.

Favorite line: "It's called dancing. People do it all the time without falling down and having sex."

"Breath" line: And Bella let out a breath she must have been holding since the vampires charged through the patio door.

This book was horrid. On a scale of 1 to 10, the ick factor was 18. Vile. I can't stress that enough. Do yourself a favor and don't bother reading this celebration of misogyny. One star, grudgingly given because I can't give a negative score.

Wolf Trap by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I only had two chapters left in my work book, so I brought it home on Friday and finished it. The book was Wolf Trap by Linda Thomas-Sundstrom, and it's part of Silhouette's "Nocturne" line. It also appeared to be part of the "Wolf Moons" series. The book included a bonus short story: "Wolf Bait".

Dr Parker Madison fears he's losing his mind. For several months now, the full moon has called forth a beast within him, a werewolf. Desperate to find out if he's a lone anomaly, he is drawn to the estate of wealthy Judge Landau. There, Parker hopes to find answers to his questions. Instead, he finds a young woman who's been brutally beaten and mauled. Parker turns his back on his quest to take the woman to the hospital where he works in hopes they can save her life. He feels compelled to keep vigil at her bedside, feeling inexplicably drawn to her.

During brief periods of consciousness, Chloe Tyler is aware of only two things: unrelenting pain, and the steadying presence of the man who carried her to the hospital. She wants to tell him what happened, but even Chloe is unsure just what has become of her and how her life is now changed.

Oh, boy. This was marketed as paranormal romance. Spoiler alert, it was not. It was certainly paranormal, but there was nothing remotely romantic about it. I don't consider insta-lust or imprinting to be romantic. Plus, the main characters didn't actually "meet" until the penultimate chapter of the book. Of course, Parker found Chloe and took her to the hospital and stood guard, but she was unconscious throughout. This was virtually the entire book! It was mind boggling and frustrating to read. Even more frustrating was the bonus short story. Do you expect a bonus short story to be at the end of the book? So do I! Consider me astonished, therefore, that the bonus story was at the beginning. I was completely confused. I kept wondering when Parker and Chloe were going to put in an appearance, as I was reading about Jenna and Matt. When I figured it out, I was Not Happy. I don't always choose to read bonus content, but I felt like I was tricked into it. The bonus "Wolf Bait" was just as frustrating as the main story. Dr Jenna James had a crazed female patient in her psychiatric hospital, and Detective Matt Wilson (a former doctor himself) was there to consult. The author made it seem that Matt suspected the woman was a werewolf, transitioning for the first time, while making it out that Jenna was clueless. Spoiler alert, Jenna is a damned werewolf herself! Also, one could infer that Chloe was the woman in the ward, but it's never made clear.

Favorite line: What self-respecting werewolf would hang around that?

This book (both stories) basically annoyed me from start to finish. I am disappointed and irked by it. Two stars. I would have given it one, but the writing was good.

The Pirate And His Lady by Margaret St. George

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I came so close to finishing my "work" book at lunch today that I brought it home to read the last chapter. The book was The Pirate and His Lady by Margaret St George. It's a time-travel romance from Silhouette's "Dreamscapes" line. Main characters are historical researcher Elizabeth Rawley and privateer Richard Colter.

Elizabeth has long been fascinated by the legendary Captain Colter, to the point of finding modern day, real men dull in comparison. When a freak storm washes a man up on the beach in front of her house, Elizabeth is astonished to discover it it Richard Colter in the flesh. While initially enchanted, Elizabeth is soon faced with the daunting task of introducing a man from the 1800's to the marvels of modern technology. Not only that, but Richard has a lot to learn about current values and societal norms.

One moment, Richard's beleaguered ship was going down in a storm, and the next he found himself being rescued by a lovely wench. Once the reality of his situation sinks in, Richard is horrified and intrigued in equal measure. He's convinced that Lizzy is the one for him, but he won't ask for her hand until he can make his own way in this strange, new world.

The first half of this was vexing to read. While Richard is a product of his time, his antiquated notions concerning Elizabeth were annoying. He felt less than a man, simply because he was startled by things that she took in stride. Things improved somewhat by the second half of the story as Richard gained confidence and found simple employment. The book was compelling with engaging characters, although it wasn't terribly enjoyable, if that makes sense.

Favorite line: He intended to protect her by doing battle with a dune buggy.

I didn't really like the story, but it was well-written, earning four stars.

This Wicked Magic by Michele Hauf

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



At work yesterday I finished reading This Wicked Magic by Michele Hauf. It's book 2 in the "This Witchery" series, and it's part of Silhouette's 'Nocturne' line. The main characters are Certainly (CJ) Jones and Viktorie (Vika) St Charles.

After visiting the realm of demons, CJ has returned with several of them having hitched a ride on his soul. So long as he stays in the light he can maintain control. When he is out too late one evening and it grows dark, CJ's only chance is the illumination from the headlights of a nearby car. Vika and her sister Libby, both witches, make their living cleaning up supernatural crime scenes. When a dark witch approaches seeking assistance, Vika can't help but be drawn to him. Together, they begin a quest to exorcise the various demons from CJ's soul. Vika's kind heart, however, may put her own soul in peril.

I found another Nocturne book with a heroine who was strong and capable without having to be beaten and assaulted to make her tough. Thank heavens. While the main plot consisted of CJ and Vika trying to rid his soul of his demonic hitchhikers, there was more than that going on. CJ was in a battle with another dark witch, while Vika's sister Libby was making cow eyes at a soul bringer. The plot was unique and engrossing. Of course, the inevitable love fest happened unrealistically quick, but then these are shorter books. Some things weren't explained well, such as how Sal the man ended up as Salamander the cat, or why everyone was so blasé about the fact that witches routinely need to eat a vampire's heart if they wanted to remain immortal. Um, wouldn't that be murder? Hm.

Favorite lines:
♦ "Don't fall so far you can't see the light for the darkness."
♦ He had a good idea which witch was up to what witchery, and why.

Intriguing, exciting, and sexy. Four stars.

Lion Heart by Doranna Durgin

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



At work yesterday, I finished reading my lunchbreak book, Lion Heart by Doranna Durgin. It's part of Silhouette's "Nocturne" line, and it's the second book in the "Sentinel" series. The main characters are ocelot Sentinen Lyn Maines and cougar Sentinel Joe Ryan.

After the death of his partner, Joe has been banished to the mountains of Arizona. Although no one could prove he had anything to do with Dean's death, his new assignment on the fringes is meant to send a message. Unknown to the leadership of the Sentinels, Joe has the ability to channel the power that resides in the mountain. Now, however, the Core, adversaries of the Sentinels, are trying to steal the power for themselves, heedless of the damage it can cause the mountain and its inhabitants.

Lyn is one of the Sentinels' best trackers, and she's been sent to Arizona to find out just what Joe Ryan is up to. Initially prepared to believe he's a rogue, Lyn soon realizes that Joe loves the mountain and is just as intent on protecting it as she is. By the time they learn to trust one another, however, it may already be too late.

For once, one of these Nocturne books featured a strong, savvy female lead who was not subjected to assault or abuse. Can I get a 'hallelujah' from the chorus?! Thank you, Doranna Durgin, for crafting a capable heroine who didn't need to be forged in the fires of misogynistic abuse. That being said, not only were the characters portrayed well, but the plot was fast and engaging. While there was some resolution at the end, there was no ultimate resolution.

Favorite line: "The world is made of interlocking layers, not separate units."

Very good story, and some redemption for this line from Silhouette. Four stars.

Love's Labyrinth by Anne Kelleher

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I almost finished my work book today. I brought it home just to read the brief epilogue. The book was Love's Labyrinth by Anne Kelleher. It's a time-travel romance in the "Time Passages" line. The main characters were Olivia Lindsley and Lord Nicholas Talcott.

Olivia has made a trip to England to finish some historical research that her late father had been working on. Her best friend, Allison, accompanies her. While dressed in period costumes for an elaborate event, Olivia and Allison get lost in the maze at Talcott Forest and emerge in the 1580's, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth. There, they meet the Talcott brothers, Lord Nicholas and his younger brother Geoffrey. It was Geoffrey whose tinkering with the arcane led him to build the maze in hopes of time travel. Stuck in this era for the time being, Olivia and Allison play the part of distant Talcott cousins from the north. In spite of the circumstances, Olivia is enchanted with the situation, as she has studied this era extensively. While she accompanies Nicholas on a journey, posing as his wife, to intercept some treasonous documents, Allison stays behind and assists Geoffrey with his mathematical calculations as they attempt to send the ladies back to their own time. Unbeknownst to Nicholas and Olivia, however, an enemy has set Nicholas up to take a fall. It will take the combined wits of the others, along with an assist from William Shakespeare himself, to set things back to rights.

This was certainly an intriguing story. Very well-written and researched. The characters were portrayed marvelously, even the Queen when she put in an appearance or two. I appreciated that the author didn't paint the time period as all sunshine and romance and ball gowns. There was mention of the dangers involved, as well as streets teeming with vermin and refuse.

Favorite line: If ever there was an Excedrin moment, this had to be it.

A wonderful example of time-travel romance. Four stars.

Wild Wolf by Karen Whiddon

My rating: 3 of 5 stars



Yes, I've been going to work all week. I just happened to have several books winding down at the same time! Today, at lunch, I finishd reading Wild Wolf by Karen Whiddon. It's part of Silhouette's 'Nocturne' line, and it's book 9 in "The Pack" series. Can't say as that I've read any others, but they're stand-alones. Main characters are feral wolf shifter Raven and Protector Simon.

After escaping a life of captivity and abuse, wolf shifter Raven has retreated to the Colorado mountains to live among a pack of wild wolves. Her life is difficult, but she is content with it. Raven thought she was the only wolf shifter in existence until she sees an unfamiliar camper in her area change into a wolf.

Simon has been chosen and trained to be a Protector, and it's the only life he knows. His job is to evaluate feral shifters to see if they can be rehabilitated. If not, he's tasked with exterminating them. Dispatched to make contact with a feral in the Colorado mountains, Simon isn't prepared for the stunning beauty he encounters. Spending time with Raven soon has him questioning everything he's been taught about ferals, but questioning his superior puts Simon's career and life on the line as well. Going on the run with Raven, Simon begins to suspect she's his mate, and he'll stop at nothing to protect her.

I'd like to say that, for once, misogyny didn't rear its ugly head in a Nocturne book, but we learn that Raven was sexually assaulted, repeatedly, while in captivity. Sigh. Can any Nocturne author write one damned book where the female lead is tough, competent, and not subjected to sexual assault? Please? At least the male lead wasn't too much of a condescending jackass.

Favorite line: "I've intentionally let my savage side have free rein."

"Breath" line: Zach's tongue-in-cheek comment made Simon take a deep breath. He hadn't even realized he'd been holding it.

So-so story. Not as gawd-awful as others in the line, but nothing much to redeem it, either. Three stars.

Black Howl by Christina Henry

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I had half a chapter left in my work book; therefore I brought it home to finish it. The book was Black Howl, which is the third installment in Christina Henry's "Black Wings" series of urban fantasy. The protagonist is Madeline "Maddy" Black--Agent of Death, half-human, descended of Lucifer.

Maddy's job as an Agent of Death is to usher souls to the afterlife. When she begins encountering damaged ghosts, however, it becomes clear that someone is tampering with souls. It's something Maddy needs to look into, but she has other things on her plate. When the local werewolf alpha is kidnapped, along with the pack's cubs, Maddy is tasked with rescuing them. Things become even more dicey when her father's side of the family try to force her into the fold. Maddy is having none of it, but she knows that no one makes an enemy quite like family.

I read the first book in this series, once upon a time, but I didn't recall very much about it. The author did a so-so job of bringing me up to speed. While I wasn't completely lost, some things and nuances still escaped me. Maddy is an admirable character, brave and loyal to those who deserve her loyalty. The pace was non-stop, which was almost a draw back. It was exciting, yes, but most of the narrative was taken up with confrontations and bloody battles. Once again, we have a bad-ass heroine who requires saving more often than not. In Maddy's defense, however, most of those occasions were because she gave it her all in battle and burned herself out. There were some amusing quips throughout the story, but for the most part is was not humorous. Too many losses and too much death.

Favorite lines:
♦ "I resent the implication that I'm Three-Stooging my way through life."
♦ "This might be the dumbest thing we have ever done in a long line of dumb things."
♦ "We don't have time. I'd like to go home to my cat tonight."

Breath line:
♦ I exhaled the breath I hadn't realized I was holding.

The story was compelling, but I didn't really enjoy it. I would have liked fewer battles and more plot. Nevertheless, it was a solid read, and it's getting four stars.

Lady & the Vamp by Michelle Rowen

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



After finishing one book last night, I picked up the book I'd been hauling to work and back and finished it today. It was Lady & the Vamp by Michelle Rowen, and it's the third book in the "Immortality Bites" series of paranormal romance/mysteries. This book followed Jane Parker, mercenary for hire, and Michael Quinn, newly-turned vampire.

Janie regrets that she ever signed on to work as a contract merc, but there's no getting out of it. When the Boss sends her on a mission to recover an object known as the Eye, he threatens to kill Jane's sister if she fails. Jane has only to locate the vampire who has a map to the treasure, kill him, and retrieve the object. Simple, right? Unfortunately, Jane recognizes this particular vampire; she used to crush on him when she was a girl. Quinn is still adjusting to his new life as a vampire. Having been a vampire hunter as a mortal, he still considers himself a monster. However, if he can get his hands on the Eye, which is rumored to grant one wish each millennium, he can wish himself human again. It should be easy, until he runs afoul of Janie Parker. Jane is after the same object, and Quinn isn't so sure she won't kill him to get it. Janie and Quinn reluctantly agree to work together to find the Eye, both knowing that once they locate it, all bets are off.

A charming story for the most part, with some violence and anxiety thrown in to prevent it from being a fluff fest. The action took place over only a couple days, making the inevitable love fest a tad trite, but the main characters did know one another from earlier, simpler times. Some things were utterly predictable, but others caught me by surprise.

Favorite lines:
♦ She always knew a place that listed 'burial options' on the job application form had a few potential human resource issues.
♦ "Is somebody thinking about going out as Harry Potter next Halloween?"
♦ There was never any time for tears. It just made everything blurry.
♦ "I only fight to the death over mint collectibles. You should see some of the Star Wars figures I have in storage. People have been hospitalized trying to keep me from a perfect boxed Boba Fett."
♦ "Do I sound calm? Obviously the screaming is only going on inside of my head."
♦ "I plan to wish for omnipotence." // She eyed him sideways. "You can get a prescription from your doctor if that's a problem for you." // "Omnipotence."

I'd give this 3 1/2 stars if halfsies were allowed. Hm. I guess I'll give it a four.

The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I brought my work book home with me last night and finished it. The book was a Christmas gift from one of my co-workers. It was The Last Boyfriend by Nora Roberts. It's a contemporary romance, and the second in the "Inn BoonsBoro" trilogy. Since I don't really read much in the way of romance any more, I hadn't read the first book. I'm trying to recall if I've ever read anything by Nora Roberts before. Huh. Maybe? This story is in third-person pov, and the main characters are Owen Montgomery and Avery MacTavish.

Owen and his brothers run a construction business together. Their most recent project is renovating the old inn in Boonsboro, which their mother purchased with the intent to reopen it. Avery has a pizza place across the street and has been excited to watch the progress on the inn. She pitches in to help when she can spare a moment. Avery especially enjoys Owen's company, as he was her first boyfriend when they were children. Spending time together has Avery and Owen looking at one another in a new light. When they decide to explore their budding relationship, they do so cautiously, as neither wants to jeopardize their friendship if they don't mesh as romantic partners. Romance surrounds them, however, because Owen's brother Beckett is getting ready to marry Avery's friend Clare. Throw in the ghost of Lizzy, who haunts the inn, Avery's absent mother showing up out of the blue looking for a hand-out, and the revelation that Owen's mother and Avery's father have been seeing one another, and you had quite a story!

The biggest thing I took away from this was just how mature Owen and Avery were about their relationship. They communicated. They thought ahead and discussed things. The only hiccup came when Avery's mother's visit left her reeling and caused her to withdraw into herself while she processed. Owen got all pissy that she was stepping back and forced a confrontation with her. That was my biggest dislike. She was setting boundaries, and he trampled them because he "knew what was best for her". Forcing Avery to talk did work out, but Owen's methods still got my hackles up.

Favorite lines:
♦ "No slasher flicks -- or anything with monkeys."
♦ "I swear you look like you've been hit with the cute stick."
♦ "The next person who asks me that is going to get a knuckle sandwich that won't be so freaking tasty."

Although no longer my cuppa tea, I did enjoy the book. Would I read the next one? No, because I can see that Owen's brother Ryder will end up with Avery's friend Hope, and all I ascertained about Ryder from reading this story is that he's an asshole. And Hope deserves better. Giving this one a solid four stars.