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Dragos Takes a Holiday by Thea Harrison

November 26, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a copy from the author via NetGalley and I’m a fan of the series.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) The Bermuda Triangle. Pirates. The Peanut. What could possibly go wrong?

Dragos Cuelebre needs a vacation. So does Pia, his mate. When the First Family of the Wyr head to Bermuda for some much needed R&R, it’s no ordinary undertaking – and no ordinary weekend in the sun. Between hunting for ancient treasure buried beneath the waves and keeping track of their son, Liam—a.k.a. Peanut, whose Wyr abilities are manifesting far ahead of schedule—it’s a miracle that Pia and Dragos can get any time together.

They’re determined to make the most of each moment, no matter who tries to get in their way.

And did we mention pirates?

What worked for me (and what didn’t): This little delight is like a gift to fans of the series. I don’t think it would work as a stand alone – all the joy comes from knowing the characters and seeing how far Dragos (in particular) has come. Liam (aka the Peanut) is just gorgeous and readers will be dying of teh cute from him alone. It’s about 90 pages long and doesn’t take long to read, so it’s a great choice if you have a) read the other books (or at least the Dragon Bound and Lord’s Fall) b), don’t have a lot of time but want to get maximum bang for your buck. Because the characters are familiar, the it’s easy to settle into the story quickly and there is a story – it’s not an extended epilogue – which is partly about pirates (!) and partly about Dragos and Pia settling into life as parents and all the changes which come along with that.

Scenes of Peril by Jill Sorenson

November 25, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I received a review copy from the author. This brand new novella is being packaged with a re-release Silhouette title from Suzanne Brockmann called Scenes of Passion. The anthology is called Passion and Peril and releases on November 26.

I don’t remember much of Scenes of Passion – I read the original category a few years ago which I picked up at my local UBS. I gave it 3 stars on Goodreads so I gather from that I thought it was okay but nothing amazing.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) The snowstorm forecast says it’s a big one, but wildlife photographer Paige Dawson is prepared. Until a terrible car accident brings a sexy stranger to her remote mountain cabin and the bad weather strands them together . . . for days. The heat between them is like nothing she’s ever known — incendiary, undeniable. And just as she begins to hope for something real with Colin Reid, after the snow melts, he remembers what caused his accident . . . and it may be too late for them both.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): While I thought the beginning of the story was a little overdone (too many exclamation marks), things really picked up in chapter two. Paige and Colin had a lot of things in common and their connection and attraction was obvious. I thought Colin in particular was pretty funny in the way he thought about things. Some of his musings regarding a naked Paige made me chuckle. The novella is only about 70 pages long, so there wasn’t a lot of time in which to draw the characters and make me care about them, but by the end of chapter two, I did. There’s not time for deep character exposition but the essential parts of them were on the page and it was clear that their connection was based on more than mutual lust.

Fire by Kristin Cashore, narrated by Emma Powell

November 24, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: I decided to listen to one of my own audiobooks for a change. I have lots of review books to listen to but every now and then, I like to sneak in a just for fun listen.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Set in a world of stunningly beautiful, exceptionally dangerous monsters, Fire is one of the most dangerous monsters of all – a human one. Marked out by her vivid red hair, she’s more than attractive. Fire is mesmerising.

But with this extraordinary beauty comes influence and power. People who are susceptible to her appeal will do anything for her attention, and for her affection. They will turn away from their families, their work, and their duties for her. They will forget their responsibilities to please her and worse, crush nations, neglect kingdoms and abuse their power.

Aware of her power, and afraid of it, Fire lives in a corner of the world away from people, and away from temptation. Until the day comes when she is needed – a day when, for her king, she has to take a stand not only against his enemies, but also against herself.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I adored this listen. I was immersed from the prologue (which was creepy) and engrossed as Fire’s life (Fire being the title character) became the main focus of the story. Fire is set chronologically before Graceling but there is information in the prologue and toward the end of the book which would be kind of spoiler-y for Graceling, so I’d recommend reading them in order. I understand Bitterblue, the third book (which is awaiting me on my iPod) doesn’t really have any relationship to Fire so I gather you could read books 1 and 3 without missing out on much. But, I really loved Fire so I’d say whether you read/listen to Bitterblue or Fire first – don’t skip Fire altogether.

I’m at Dear Author today…

November 23, 2013 / Kaetrin

with a review of The Fifth Favor by Shelby Reed. Manwhore book alert!

Audiobook review at AudioGals…

November 21, 2013 / Kaetrin

Today, I’m reviewing Heart of Danger by Lisa Marie Rice, narrated by Seraphine Valentine, over at AudioGals. Leave your disbelief at the door to enjoy this one. But if you can, it’s a lot of fun.

Northern Star by Ethan Day

November 20, 2013 / Kaetrin

Why I read it: Some of my Goodreads friends liked this one. It sounded more genre romance than my earlier foray into this author’s work, so I asked for a review copy from the publisher so I could try it too.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads) Deacon Miller never had it all—he never really believed he could. Growing up in a broken home with an alcoholic mother and a revolving door of truly pathetic father figures taught him to keep his expectations low. Now at twenty-seven, on the night before Christmas Eve, his life is turned upside down yet again; his boyfriend has dumped him, he just fled the holiday family reunion from hell, and now to top it all off, a blizzard has left him stranded in an airport hotel.

Steve Steele has spent the better part of his forty-four years living a lie, ignoring his attraction to other men in an attempt to fit into the mold of the man he thought he should be, instead of living life as the man he knew himself to be. Recently divorced after coming home from work one day and coming out to his wife, Steve has floundered over the past year, desperately attempting to wade through the guilt and find the courage to start again.

That’s when a chance meeting in a hotel bar brings two lonely men together… and what should’ve been a one night stand turns into something much more than either one ever expected.

What worked for me (and what didn’t): I had a bit of a love/hate relationship with this book. The premise grabbed me because I do like an angsty story and I liked that there was a reasonable-sized female cast in the story, only one of whom was a witch (Deacon’s mother). I felt that there was some attempt to explain Patty’s despicable attittude to Deacon – she had a back story and it was clear that she blamed Deacon for all of her woes (completely unfair of course, but there was some method to her madness, at least). The other female characters were either sympathetic (Ashley, Clarissa, Steve’s mother, without being perfect) or positive (Mrs. Garibaldi). The main part of the book was about Steve and Deacon which is what I want in a romance, so I’m fine with the secondary characters generally serving the story – but I liked things like that Ashley wanted to sneak out to a party after the prom and, generally, that Steve’s mother was supportive of Steve while not completely understanding him. To me, that showed that some thought went into the characterisations and I liked that they weren’t one note – even Patty had more substance to her.