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Born to Bite by Lynsay Sands

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


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I only had the epilogue left to read of my work book; therefore, I brought it home to finish. The book was Born to Bite by Lynsay Sands. It’s the 13th installment in her “Argeneau” series of paranormal vampire romance. The main characters in this one were enforcer Eshe d’Aureus and Armand Argeneau.

As an enforcer, it’s Eshe’s job to track down rogue vampires. Her latest case has her spending time with Armand Argeneau to learn if he’s a killer. Armand’s previous three wives all died grisly deaths that were deemed accidental at the time, but suspicions abound. It’s up to Eshe to determine if he’s a murderer or extremely unlucky in love. Armand agrees to take Eshe in, believing she is in danger and in need of a safe house. His immediate attraction to her is dismaying, because Armand has come to suspect that his wives were targeted for attack, and he isn’t willing to risk the life of another woman he’s come to care about. When odd accidents begin happening, it’s going to take Eshe and Armand working together to bring a killer to justice.

This was actually more of a mystery than a romance, but that was fine with me. I didn’t really care for the insta-love/lust, although that’s part and parcel of this series when vampires find their life mates. Eshe was better developed as a character than Armand was. Other characters were portrayed well enough, and there were cameos by characters from previous books in the series. The narrative seemed a bit choppy to me; I would have liked it to flow more smoothly.

Favorite line: “Life just isn’t worth living without chocolate and cheesecake.”

Nothing extraordinary about this one, average score of 3.

Hunter's Salvation by Shiloh Walker

My rating: 3 of 5 stars


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Today I finally finished reading my “spare” book, Hunter’s Salvation by Shiloh Walker. It’s the 11th in her “Hunters” series. The story was a hybrid of urban fantasy and paranormal romance. Main characters are Jessica Warren, an investigative reporter with some psychic abilities, and Vax, a Hunter and a witch with some serious psychic mojo.

When Jess got too close to a story involving missing women, her sister was abducted and murdered. Bent now on revenge, Jess goes to the club she suspects is the locus of the activity. There, she’s thwarted in her effort to get close to the inner circle by a man who saves her and warns her to stay away, but there’s no way in hell she’s going to let this go. Vax has given up on being a Hunter, but when a call comes he responds, not realizing that the woman he just saved will become so important to him so quickly. He tries to keep Jess out of the fray, but she is determined to avenge her sister. It will take the two of them working together, along with some help from other Hunters, to take out the monsters who’ve been preying on young women.

Oof. This was well written and compelling, but I didn’t like it. I prefer urban fantasy with some humor, and this was nothing but grim and gritty. I could have done without the instant love, too. More like instant lust, which, fine, but don’t try to put a romantic spin on it. Vax spent most of the book being an arrogant he-man asshole, and Jess was too stupid to live, in my opinion. Once she learned there were real monsters behind the crimes, she needed to step back and let the professional(s) handle it. Characterizations were good but not top-notch. The plot zipped in some places and plodded in others. Worst of all, the final showdown didn’t live up to the build-up.

Favorite line: Chasing after the man who had killed Randi was a lot less unsettling than being surrounded by witches, werewolves and vampires. Oh my.

It took forever to read this because it didn’t hold my interest. I can see where it would appeal to others, however. But, I’m not scoring it any higher than average.

Burning Times by Evelyn Vaughn

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I have a ton of things yet to do before leaving on my trip tomorrow, but I had so little left in my "work" book that I brought it home and just now finished it. The book was Burning Times by Evelyn Vaughn, and it's part of Silhouette's "Dreamscapes" line of paranormal romances. Main characters are Brigit (Brie), a witch, and Steve, her reporter husband who doesn't believe in anything he can't prove.

Steve suspects his beloved wife is keeping secrets from him. He begins to wonder if she's having an affair, and when he comes home during the day to find a stranger in their house, he becomes angry, enraged, which scares even himself. Brie knows that there's something off with her husband. It's not like him to fly off the handle. However, neither she nor any of her witch friends can suss out what may be affecting Steve. Brie cannot tell him she's a witch, not without breaking a powerful vow she made, forbidding her from revealing herself to a non-believer. As Steve's episodes become increasingly more violent, he leaves for fear of harming Brie. For her part, Brie must pinpoint the source of Steve's possession...before he kills her.

This was well-written but disturbing. Steve did lay his hands on Brie in anger more than once, which was not pleasant to read. She was able to defend herself by using her powers, but it was still horrifying. Steve was also horrified by his own behavior, but Brie can't help him the way he needs to be helped unless he believes and accepts her abilities. Characters were three-dimensional, and the plot held my attention. It was somewhat odd to begin a book, in which the main characters were already in love and married, but it worked in this instance. Also, it took me awhile, but I figured out that Steve's sister Sylvie and her fiancé Rand were the same Sylvie and Rand I'd read about in another book yonks ago.

Favorite lines:
♦ "I've only once seen a case of demonic possession. Foaming at the mouth, groaning, shrieking--the possessed person, of course, not me."
♦ "Leave you folks for a minute, and a wizard's duel breaks out."
♦ The witch and her all-powerful blankie

A compelling and slightly creepy read. Four stars.

How to Run with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I finished my "spare" book last night. It was How to Run with a Naked Werewolf by Molly Harper. This is the third book in her "Naked Werewolf" series of paranormal romance. Main characters were Tina (nka Anna) and Caleb.

On the run from an abusive, stalking husband, Anna has moved to Alaska to work as a doctor at a clinic that cares for werewolves. When she is notified that Glenn is closing in on her again, she flees Grundy and ends up at a small hotel far away. There, she witnesses a shooting and sees her car get totaled. Anna grabs the victim and his truck and gets out of Dodge. When her "patient" displays remarkable healing abilities, Anna guesses he's a werewolf. She also learns that Caleb is a bounty hunter who occasionally takes some less savory (ie illegal) cases. Anna isn't sure she can trust him, but right now he's the only option she has until she can get a new identity. Spending time together, however, brings the two of them closer together. That is, until Anna has reason to question whether Caleb is keeping her close for altruistic reasons or because he's been hired to find her.

This was mostly humorous, light-hearted fun, although Anna's stress levels and fear kept it from being too fluffy. I appreciated that Caleb gave her space when she needed it. I also enjoyed it when Anna helped Caleb in her own fashion. The inevitable confrontation with Glenn was distressing to read.

Favorite lines:
♦ "Who are you?" // "Anne McCaffrey," I blurted out, hoping the he didn't spend a lot of time reading carefully crafted science-fiction.
♦ "I think you'll find that you are not, in fact, the boss of me. Now, let go of my arm, or I reintroduce you to Mr Slappy."
♦ Werewolves hit a lot of different points on the spectrum between "awesome guy who is occasionally an apex predator" and "furry Lord Voldemort".
♦ This was the brilliant distraction you came up with? I seethed at my cerebral cortex. How did you get me through medical school?
♦ "What are you running from?" // "Columbia House Music Club," I said, recovering my snarkiness quickly. "Oh, sure, they say they'll sell you six CDs for a penny, but they'll hunt you down like the hounds of hell if you miss the payments." // "Stop kidding around." // "I'm not. A Wilson Phillips CD ruined my life."
♦ "I stopped speaking to a friend for a month when she suggested Love, Actually was a better Christmas movie than Die Hard."
♦ "Quests for evil rings rarely turn out well. Too many potential Gollum issues."
♦ "I don't know a lot of doctors who engage in fistfights at stripper bars."
♦ While female weres could throw down with the best of them, they tended to be a bit more crafty and manipulative. They were more likely to use sex appeal or casseroles to get what they wanted.

"Breath" line:
I was able to release a breath I didn't even know I'd been holding.

Amusing fun for the most part--four stars.

Twist Of Fate by Linda Randall Wisdom

My rating: 4 of 5 stars



I had juuuuuust enough time on my lunch break today to finish reading Twist of Fate by Linda Randall Wisdom. It's from Silhouette's "Dreamscapes" line of otherwordly paranormal romances. Main characters are Allie Walker/Brianne Sinclair (it works, trust me) and Pete Hackett.

Waitress Allie is attracted to the private eye who regularly comes into her diner, but she doesn't think she's good enough for Pete. Instead, she goes home every night to her good-for-nothing boyfriend, Whit. Allie wishes for a better life, like that of the wealthy socialite she sees in the paper, but she soon learns to be careful what she wishes for. After Whit murders Allie in a rage, she awakes in the body of Brianne Sinclair. Unfortunately, she's standing over another body and holding the gun. Allie, in Brianne's body, now has to prove her innocence. Her coldly distant mother recommends she plead insanity, which will spare her prison time. With no one else to turn to, Brianne hires Pete to look into her case.

Pete is devastated when Allie is murdered. He knows her loser boyfriend did it but has no way to prove it. When prim and proper Brianne Sinclair turns up, looking to hire him to investigate her fiancé's death, Pete takes the job. He has trouble getting a read on the woman. Everyone tells him she's quiet and reserved, but the Brianne that Pete knows is bold and brash and reminds him achingly of Allie. As the two of them work to clear Brianne's name, they form an intimate connection. Allie is desperate to tell Pete the truth, but she fears he'll think she's crazy. Now she has several things to prove: that Whit killed her, that Brianne didn't kill Michael, and that she's actually Allie Walker, given a second chance at life and love.

This was a very enjoyable story. The mystery was compelling, and I really liked Allie/Brianne. She's been thrown into an impossible situation, but she forges on, full steam ahead, which is something the old Brianne never would have had the courage to do. There was no 'how did they fall in love in a couple weeks' issue, because Allie and Pete had been dancing around their mutual attraction for a long time. Characterizations were wonderful, the plot was engrossing, and the resolution was satisfying. ( One thing bothered me... )

Favorite line: "Remington Steele would have felt right at home here."

Very good, four stars

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.

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.

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.

Arts and Witchcraft by Dakota Rebel

My rating: 2 of 5 stars



I read an ebook novella last night. I thought it would be more substantial and keep me occupied for at least two evenings, alas. However, it was chaptered, and I'm counting it as a book read. Arts and Witchcraft is the first in the "Midwest Monsters" series by author Dakota Rebel. Point of view is in first-person, narrated by main characters Mindi LeFey and Booker...er, what was his last name? Eh.

Mindi is one of a set of triplets. She and her sisters escaped to a small town in Michigan when they were run out of Salem for being witches. Mindi has taken up a position as the kindergarten teacher, and she enjoys her job. That is, until the new principal arrives. Booker is handsome, charming, and otherworldly, and Mindi knows he's going to be trouble.

On the run from a curse that has plagued him nearly his entire life, Booker has moved to this small town in MI in hopes of keeping ahead of the curse. He hadn't reckoned on meeting Mindi. She's smart, beautiful, and not fully human, but Booker can't stay away from her, even if his soul depends on it. Will Mindi be the one to help him break the curse?

The story itself was pleasant, but it was overly simplistic and trite. Not only did the length lack substance but so did the plot. There wasn't much back story provided except that we learn both of them are orphaned. I was taken aback that Salem is still literally chasing witches out of town with pitchforks and burning the witches if they can catch them. Um, wouldn't that be murder? Moving on. The solution to Booker's curse was inane. Here was a chance for some drama and substance, but the author just derped her way out of it. Maddening. Also, the fact that Mindi and Booker fell in love in, like, two days was so unrealistic as to be a huge turn-off.

Favorite line: "Harry Potter could have taught you that much."

If you're in the mood for sweet, simple fluff, give it a read. As for me, I found it disappointing. Two stars.