Review: Scandalous Desires by Elizabeth Hoyt

Scandalous Desires (Maiden Lane #3)
by Elizabeth Hoyt

• Mass Market Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Grand Central Publishing; Original edition (October 24, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

Can a pirate learn that the only true treasure lies in a woman's heart?

Widowed Silence Hollingbrook is impoverished, lovely, and kind--and nine months ago she made a horrible mistake. She went to a river pirate for help in saving her husband and in the process made a bargain that cost her her marriage. That night wounded her so terribly that she hides in the foundling home she helps run with her brother. Except now that same river pirate is back...and he's asking for her help.

"Charming" Mickey O'Connor is the most ruthless river pirate in London. Devastatingly handsome and fearsomely intelligent, he clawed his way up through London's criminal underworld. Mickey has no use for tender emotions like compassion and love, and he sees people as pawns to be manipulated. And yet he's never been able to forget the naive captain's wife who came to him for help and spent one memorable night in his bed...talking.

When his bastard baby girl was dumped in his lap--her mother having died--Mickey couldn't resist the Machiavellian urge to leave the baby on Silence's doorstep. The baby would be hidden from his enemies and he'd also bind Silence to him by her love for his daughter.
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I knew that Silence and Charming Mickey would meet again and I have been eagerly awaiting that moment. Finally that time has come! Of all the characters introduced in this series I have come to care for Silence the most. Her life isn't a very happy one especially after Mickey disillusioned her of her husband's love and her husband goes back out to sea and dies. She is alone until a sweet little child is left on her doorstep. Silence cares for the little girl and considers her as her own child. One day the little girl is taken and she confronts Mickey to get her back since she has suspected that he is the girl's father. It turns out that his enemies have become a threat to both his daughter and Silence and he wants to keep them protected.

Silence and Mickey continually butt heads. Mickey is used to getting his way and Silence refuses to give in to his every whim.The transformation Mickey takes over the course of the story makes it impossible not to fall in love with him a little bit. He is a criminal and has done some bad things but there is more than one side to a person. Silence and Mickey's relationship develops over time and isn't instant happiness which I can appreciate. This has been my favorite in the series so far. I am used to reading trilogies when it comes to historical romance series so I just automatically assumed this was it. When I reached the end of the book (which had a shocking surprise that I LOVED) I was pleased to realize that there will be more to come.

5/5

I received this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Giveaway: Destined by P.C. & Kristin Cast

About "Destined":

"...Zoey is finally home where she belongs, safe with her Guardian Warrior, Stark, by her side, and preparing to face off against Neferet – which would be a whole lot easier if the High Counsel saw the ex-High Priestess for what she really is. Kalona has released his hold on Rephaim, and, through Nyx's gift of a human form, Rephaim and Stevie Rae are finally able to be together – if he can truly walk the path of the Goddess and stay free of his father's shadow…"

Website:

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Review: A Novel Seduction by Gwyn Cready

A Novel Seduction by Gwyn Cready

• Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Pocket Star; Original edition (October 25, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

When snobbish book critic Ellery Sharpe screws up at Vanity Place magazine, her boss assigns her the ultimate punishment: write an ode to romance novels, a genre she considers the literary equivalent of word search puzzles. To make matters worse, he hires her sexy former party boy ex, Axel Mackenzie, to shoot the photos. Axel really wants the project to succeed. For one, the magazine will double his fee if he convinces strong-willed Ellery to write a story no woman can resist. Besides, getting Ellery to fall for romance novels might be just the push she needs to believe people can change . . . even him. At his sister’s advice, Axel gives Ellery a copy of Kiltlander, a much-adored romance whose warrior hero is utterly irresistible. To her dismay, Ellery finds herself secretly falling in love with the story—and with Axel, who’s drawing his own lessons from the book’s compelling hero. With her carefully crafted image of herself crumbling and her dream job on the line, will Ellery risk it all to make the leap from tight-lipped literati to happily-ever-after heroine?

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I have read a couple of this author's time travel romances and didn't really care for them much. I really liked the idea of this book though and thought that I would give it a chance. Unfortunately, I didn't really care for this book either. There were moments that I had to set the book down and walk away from it for awhile because I was confused about how I felt and what the author's intentions were. The romance was boring and didn't interest me at all and I never really liked the main characters.

Ellery is a book critic who thinks all romance novels are drivel...even though she has never read one. She offends someone important and is forced to write about how great romance novels are. Her ex Axel is a photographer assigned to do the article with her. He picks up a few romances for her to read, one a paranormal, another a Highland romance, and the last one is a typical historical romance. Although she is a very professional writer she is surprisingly reluctant to do the research and actually read any of the books. When she does she just flips it open to random parts and occasionally skips ahead to get to the sex scenes. That really annoyed me. It is a pet peeve of mine when people skip around parts of a book. Even more bothersome is when she would just flip to the intimate scenes. I love romances but I don't think romances are about the sex. I think it is about the building of a relationship. The paranormal romance and Highland romance bit were laughable. They were so over the top and extreme, yet a self proclaimed romance hater ended up enjoying these books. What!? I found it to be confusing because I didn't know if the author meant it to be ridiculous or was she being serious. Since Ellery ended up enjoying them I felt like the author must have been serious but I just can't imagine why she would make the books seem so terrible.

As I previously said, the romance was boring. I found it predictable. Based on the synopsis I felt there was pretty good potential for excitement and an interesting romance but sadly it didn't turn out that way. Others my enjoy this book, however it just wasn't for me.

1.5/5
I received a copy of this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Winner Announcement!

The winner of My Life Undecided by Jessica Brody is...

Patricia @ Patricia's Particularity

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Review: Ghost Trackers by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson with Tim Waggoner

Ghost Trackers by Jason Hawes and Grant Wilson with Tim Waggoner

• Paperback: 384 pages
• Publisher: Gallery Books (September 13, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

In this spine-tingling new series, the stars of TV’s GHOST HUNTERS introduce readers to a team of paranormal investigators who reunite to defeat a sinister force they unleashed long ago. . . .

For fifteen years, Amber, Drew, and Trevor have barely been able to recall—let alone explain—what happened the terrifying night they decided to explore the old, abandoned Lowry House. According to local legend, the house was cursed by a dark past and inhabited by evil. It burst into flames on the night of their visit, leaving the friends traumatized and nearly dead with only vague memories of the frightening events they had witnessed inside. Now, on the eve of their high school reunion, they have gathered to reopen their investigation and figure out, once and for all, what took place that fateful night . . . before the supernatural entity they escaped threatens to overtake them again.

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First I have to say I had no idea really what to expect from this book. I enjoyed Jason and Grant's books in which they recount investigations they have been on but I wasn't sure if they could pull off a story of total fiction. Ghost Trackers really surprised me because it turned out to be such an excellent story. Usually this isn't a genre I read because I am a wuss when it comes to spooky stories, but I am glad I read this one. Ghost Trackers is the first in a new series and I can't wait to read future installments.

Amber, Drew, and Trevor used to be friends until the night they entered the Lowry house. Since then they lost their memory of what really happened and they drifted apart. Cut to fifteen years later at their high school reunion. Strange things are happening and they decide to put together the missing pieces to figure out what happened that night so long ago. The story is kind of like a spooky mystery, which is what I really liked about it. It wasn't too over the top with the horror aspects, but there was enough scary parts to get the point across.

I really liked the characters and that they each brought something different to the table. Drew is a psychologist so he is the rational one and is able to get a lot of insight into the mental aspects; Trevor travels around collecting ghost stories to write about so he is a true believer in the paranormal already and is able to compare things that happen to other paranormal phenomena he has heard about; Amber basically has PTSD over what happened that night so long ago and is kind of a mess. Like the others she does bring a special element to their investigation into the past but it is difficult to put into words what that really is. Amber seemed to be more in the forefront of the story than the others but Trevor is my favorite of the three. I like his personality and humor and I hope that all that comes through even more in the future.

If you are looking for a typical ghost story this isn't it, but if you are willing to give it a chance you just might find that you like Ghost Trackers.

4.5/5

I received this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Always a Temptress by Eileen Dreyer

Always a Temptress (The Drake's Rakes #3)
by Elieen Dreyer

• Mass Market Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: Forever (October 1, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

His greatest battle is just beginning . . .

Captain Harry Lidge has done his duty. After losing too many good men on the battlefield, he's ready to put his responsibilities behind him and live a life free of care. But first he has one last mission: find out what the most outrageous woman in London, the same woman who betrayed him nearly a decade earlier, is concealing, before her secrets take down the crown.

Her heart is the only thing she won't risk . . .

Surrounded by ardent admirers and a few loyal friends, Lady Kate Seaton glides through the ton on a confection of couture gowns and bon mots. No one suspects that beneath her lighthearted façade Kate hides a sorrow so scandalous she'll do anything to keep it hidden. But only when she trusts Harry with the truth and only when he trusts her with his heart can they stop the villains all too willing to kill Kate to attain their ultimate goal: destroy England

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Finally it is Kate's turn for a happy ending! I have been eagerly anticipating this story since it has been obvious that Lady Kate Seaton and Captain Harry Lidge would butt heads eventually. There have been hints of bad history between the two in the previous books in the series and it has been a mystery just what the issue is. Of course that history is revealed eventually in the story and although it was interesting enough I was expecting something more from it. I do think that Kate's family (and their secrets) was the highlight of the story (other than the romance of course). It was totally unexpected.

Drake's Rakes are still trying to defend England by tracking down the Lions, which is the group trying to destroy England. Although I have thought this plot line to be interesting in the other books things really pick up speed in this book. It felt like quite a bit of progress was made toward uncovering the traitors but by no means enough to put an end to the conspiracy. I wish more of the story was dedicated to this part of the plot because I really enjoy the action and mystery aspects a lot in addition to the romance.

In typical romance novel fashion, the relationship between Harry and Kate is rocky at the start. The bad history between them causes a lot of distrust which is difficult for them to overcome, but even with these obstacles I couldn't help but feel that it still came a little to easy for them. True love conquers all I guess. Still, the story was very enjoyable and is a great addition to the series. It fits in perfectly. I can't wait for Drake's Rakes to thwart the Lions plans completely. One thing I am very curious about is who the next book is about. Up until now I have known which woman each book would be about but now I don't know...maybe Schroeder? I Think she deserves a happy ending of her own.

4/5

I received this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.

Review: Succubus Revealed by Richelle Mead

Succubus Revealed (Georgina Kincaid #6)
by Richelle Mead

• Paperback: 304 pages
• Publisher: Kensington (September 1, 2011)

Goodreads Description:

In Georgina Kincaid, succubus and she-demon, #1 New York Times bestselling author Richelle Mead has created one of her most enticing characters. But with a shot at love, and maybe even redemption, is the ultimate seductress finally going soft? Like hell she is. . .

Georgina Kincaid has had an eternity to figure out the opposite sex, but sometimes they still surprise her. Take Seth Mortensen. The man has risked his soul to become Georgina's boyfriend. Still, with Lucifer for a boss, Georgina can't just hang up her killer heels and settle down to domestic bliss. In fact, she's being forced to transfer operations. . .to Las Vegas.

The City of Sin is a dream gig for a succubus, but Georgina's allies are suspicious. Why are the powers-that-be so eager to get her away from Seattle—and from Seth? Georgina is one of Hell's most valuable assets, but if there's any way out of the succubus business she plans to take it—no matter how much roadkill she leaves behind. She just hopes the casualties won't include the one man she's risking everything for. . .

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I can't believe the Georgina Kincaid series has come to an end...an excellent one, but an end nonetheless. I can't help but feel that there are so many possibilities for future books with the secondary characters of this series. One person in particular I am left wondering about is Kayla, Seth's 5 year old niece who has psychic abilities. I would love to read about her and how she deals with her powers as a teenager or adult. I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the author isn't finished with these characters and will write about them in the future.

The book description really sums up the plot perfectly without giving to much away so I won't go into that but I will say that Georgina's story couldn't have ended better. I shed a few tears (from both happiness and sadness) and in the end was left with a sense of satisfaction at how things turned out. There were a number of unexpected twists that blew my mind which really helped this story along since there really wasn't much action in this book like there is in some of the others. I can't imagine fans of this series being unhappy with how things turned out. Like me though, everyone will most likely be left wanting more. It is always difficult to say goodbye to characters you have gotten to know and come to love over time. I know that I will be revisiting them again and again though by rereading this series and I will just have to be satisfied with that, but it won't keep me from hoping for more from this incredible author in the future.

5/5