The Kitchen Witch

Melody’s neighbor Logan gets her a cooking TV show. Only problem? Melody can’t cook worth a darn.

It was funny and light, and I enjoyed it. But I kept wondering, hey, where’s all the magic?! It is supposed to be a paranormal romance, but really it is more just chick lit :/ Sad. Technically I can see it being paranormal, because Melody is a witch, but she doesn’t DO much with her witchy-ness.

Overall it was enjoyable, but I didn’t enjoy it nearly as much as I did The Scot, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, so it gets 3.5 stars.

The Scot, the Witch, and the Wardrobe

I love this book! With all the recent vampire romances, it was time for a change…so onto witch romances! This is the final book in the Accidental Witch Trilogy…oops…but it really wasn’t a big deal. Each of the books in the series takes place in the same world, but highlights different characters. Although I read the last book first, I am definitely going to have to read the rest.

The interactions between the two characters are so much fun to read. Witty, sexual banter (much and frustration) throughout topped with a dollop of magic. Just enough to get your blood pumping, a few laughs, and a serious case of the smiles.

One of the things I liked best about Vickie was her problem. Every time she makes a rhyme, whatever she says happens. And then there is the Scottish rogue she falls in love with…*fans self*

I also enjoyed meeting Vickie’s two sisters, so I am absolutely going to have to read books one and two so I can learn what happens to them. Annette Blair’s writing was awesome, I loved every minute of this fun book. Five stars for sure.

Fool Moon

Yay! Dresden Book Two! During this book I have concluded that Harry Dresden has some serious hero problems. The man needs to step back and stop trying to save everyone. I think he was mostly dead for most of this book… He should take a leaf from the airplane safety manual. You put your own oxygen mask on first, then help those around you.

What I didn’t like: Everyone and their brother was out to get Dresden in this book. Like literally…the entire book. I’m fine with everyone trying to kill the main character during the climax. Fine, whatever. But not the entire book. The amount of werewolves alone out to rip into him was astounding: MacFinn when he is a wolf, Tera anytime Dresden steps out of line, Parker and his Streetwolves just because, and Denton and his pack of FBI because Dresden knows too much. And those are just the WOLVES after Dresden. Murphy keeps trying to lock Dresden up, and Marcone keeps trying to threaten/recruit Dresden. Really the only person we are introduced to who doesn’t try to kill, hurt, or stop Dresden is Susan. It got a bit crazy and over the top.

What I did like: Speaking of Susan…there was this awesome scene right before the big end-all fight when Susan washes Dresden and then they *clears throat*. It was hot and tender at the same time. Really well done, Mr. Butcher.

“I found myself kissing her, the rough growth on my mouth and chin brushing her soft skin. She tensed at first, and then melted against me with a deliciously feminine sort of willingness, a soft abandoning of distance that left her body, in all its dark beauty, pressed against mine. The kiss deepened, slowed, became something intense and erotic and self-contained. The motion of our lips, the warmth of our bodies pressed together. The touch of my fingertips on her face, featherlight. The scratch of her nails as her fingers kneaded at my shirt. My heart was pounding, and I could feel hers, too, racing.”

That part where she melts…that one sentence was more erotic than the entirety of the sex scenes in any one of the Black Dagger Brotherhood books.

Besides that part, the book retained what I liked about the first. Dresden is spunky, sarcastic, and such a strong character. Whooo…have some ‘s’ adjectives there…but really Dresden is awesome. Read him and this 4 star book!

Wildthorn

I was drawn in by the corset. I love corsets to the point of obsession. So the gentle curve of the white corset on the front? Sold. In addition, the inside blurb told of a strong, educated woman who was placed in an insane asylum and has to find her way out.

This book was amazing. I loved it. But it was so completely different than I expected. For one thing, Louisa hates wearing corsets… So it is a bit ironic that the cover has a corset on it. Also…her name. Louisa Cosgrove? Sounded way too much like Louisa Musgrove from Jane Austen’s Persuasion for my tastes, especially when they are both historical/period romance novels.

One thing I thought I was going to dislike was that Louisa is a lesbian. When I first figured it out, reading into the longing glances and love-surges in regards to her cousin Grace, I hated that she was lesbian. It just seemed so stereotypical. Because all women who do not wish to be conventional ladies and wish instead to study and live as equals to men during this era are lesbians, right? But then Lousia’s beautiful relationship with Eliza won me over. It was just so tender and perfect.

I also loved the ending. It was perfect. Realistic in that Louisa and Eliza could not live as open lesbians, and could not be equals in their own house, but they were still able to be together, to make it work, and Louisa got to study to be a doctor. Also, although I hated it, Grace went back to her husband for the sake of her unborn child. It’s awful that she had to do that, but realistically during that time, she didn’t have much choice in the matter. Not in the eyes of society.

This book was amazing and deserves 4.5 stars. It was a quick read, exciting, beautiful love story, and it kept me guessing about who locked Louisa up. I highly recommend it.

Hades' Daughter

I read this book when I was in ninth grade, so eight years ago, but decided to reread it because I remember loving it. I fervently wish I had waited to read this book until I was older. It is a dense, intricate book, and at that age I was not able to put together all the pieces as well as I was at this age.

The first bit of the book is quite slow. And by bit I mean…the first two hundred pages. But having read this book before, I knew it got amazing, so I kept at it. Plus Douglass is one of my all-time favorite authors. She writes some amazing fantasy.

My two complaints with the book are that the protagonist, Cornelia, is really whiny. Granted she is young, and her life SUCKS epically, but still. Stop crying and do something about it. I don’t remember what happens in the second book, but I know I read it, and I think she starts doing in that book. Thank goodness.

My second complaint is that Brutus and Cornelia fall in love but are both too stubborn and stupid to be happy together…rather like Gone with the Wind. Huge irritation. Hopefully they will win, and they can be happy together in the end. Doubt it though. I’m predicting Sara Douglass will kill one of them right after they get together. Or something equally horrific. To torture me and other devoted readers. And I can’t even hate her for it, her work is too amazing.

So this book gets 4 stars, because it is captivating, but it did start off quite slow and the changes between present day and the past were quite confusing.

Bite Me If You Can

This is book 6 of the Argeneau vampires books, and covers the story of Lucian and new vampire Leigh. I have to admit, I liked this book, and didn’t like it. In the past books Lucian was this bit, mean, old, powerful vampire who adhered to the rules like it was his job…oh wait…wasn’t it his job? Anyway, I really don’t feel like this book was true to the character developed in the other books.

That being said, I really enjoyed the book. The love story between Lucian and Leigh was lovely, and I loved the sub plot of the vampire Morgan coming back to claim Leigh. Fun stuff.

This book gets 3 stars because it was good, but it was fluff good. Unless you enjoy cheesy vampire romances, I do not recommend reading this.

A Bite to Remember

These books are definitely getting old. I think I may have to read another Dresden book tomorrow because I can only take so much of wishy-washy vampire love.

The book was good, as usual. But the thing is, they are entertaining and that is it. In this specific novel the female protagonist, Jackie, has already been bitten by a vampire. A mean vampire. So if our male protagonist, Vincent, wants to get with her, he is going to have to pull out all the stops. Which he does. And then they fall in love. And sex. And then the mean vampire comes back into the picture! Who could have guessed that was going to happen? (High sarcasm) It was highly predictable, but entertaining.

This book deserves two and a half stars, like most of the rest of the series. Exciting, entertaining, but not well written or well thought out. Characters are flat and predictable, as are the situations they find themselves in.

Tall, Dark, and Hungry

I don't know if I will continue reading these books. Like the Black Dagger Brotherhood series, I hate when series go through each of the characters, giving them "true love". I am a romantic, but when each person in the story finds his/her true love, it just makes it so unrealistic for me. Life isn't like that. These books are doing the very same thing, and while I continue to read them for now, it's getting old.

I did not like the main female in this book as well as Kate. Terri has a Phd, but really doesn't act like it. She isn't highly intellectual at all. She is also highly emotionally fragile. I couldn't decide whether I liked that or not. I think I probably would if she would have been a stronger character that emotional vulnerability would have been acceptable, but she wasn't. Her husband died, so when she sees Bastian being affected by the sun, she thinks he is sick. This creates alllllll sorts of drama. I found it to be a bit over the top.

But again, it was an easy, quick read; it deserves two and a half stars.

Single White Vampire

I loved this book. It honestly was so much better than the two before it...well the silly Atlantean vampire idea remains the same, but I loved it! Course *blush* this may be because the leading lady was a publisher...and that is eventually what I would like to do. So I may have loved it because of that.

But Kate was awesome! She was strong, forceful, unrelenting, and funny. Then add in Mr. Grumpy Pants Lucern, and they make an awesome couple!

This book is a four star, for sure. Which is pretty remarkable, considering I graded the last book at two and a half...

Love Bites

Love Bites is book number two in the Argeneau vampire series. While they are not real great books, I can read them online for free. Which means during this crazy busy week next to Halloween, I can read on the go.

I enjoyed the book, but the continuation of the ridiculous nature of these vampires is shocking. But I went on and on about that in the last post. So I shall refrain. Instead, my major complaint about this book is the psychotic vampire killer: Pudge. Really?! His name is Pudge. How could ANYONE be afraid of a vampire killer named PUDGE? Nope.

Other than that I enjoyed the story. It was a fast read. Again, not great literature. Not really well written. Terrible love story in terms of being realistic. But it was an easy read, and was hot, as these trashy vampire stories often are. So I give it two and a half stars...for vampire hotness.

A Quick Bite

I am on a role with the trashy vampire romances…sorry for all those reading who dislike…but they are addictive!

This one has to be even worse than the Black Dagger Brotherhood series that I have been whipping through, but I still liked it. What can I say? I’m a sucker for vampire romances…heh heh. Get it? ;)

The romance was delightful, the sex…!, and the beginning of how these characters meet is hilarious.

However…I hate the idea of the vampires just being an advanced society from Atlantis. Like the Black Dagger Brotherhood, the Argenau series attempts to redefine vampires. Which I personally think is a mistake. There is nothing wrong with the old kind of vampire. If anything we need a resurgence of the old kind…since the sparkly, whiny vampire named Edward Cullen ruined the idea of the original vampire in all girls from ages 12-50.

But it was enjoyable, so I likely will read book number two. I would give this book four stars. I really liked it, but it still isn’t great writing, or great plotting…it’s hot, that is about it.

Storm Front

I’m in love with Harry Dresden.

He is quirky, smart, smart mouthed, and bad ass! Oh and he wears a duster. And grapples with vampires and horny air spirits…and demons. And he can use magic. He pretty much is one of the most awesome male characters I have ever read. He actually reminded me of the male version of Rachael Morgan, from the Hallows Series. Which, if you have not read it, you should go read. Right now. Go.

This book was recommended to me by a coworker, and I cannot believe how long it took me to read this fantastic book! I tarried too long because it was never physically in the library when I needed it. So finally I got it online. I likely will be posting a lot about Harry in the next week or so…as I hungrily devour the rest of the series.

Storm Front is a five star book, full of adventure, suspense, sexual tension, and wise-crack, laugh-out-loud jokes. Read it, and be seduced by Harry Dresden’s amazing personality. You won’t regret getting caught up in it.

Lover Enshrined

Wallowing in self pity does not look good on hulking, muscle rippled, bad ass vampires.

Ward stabs her readers in the eyes with how tormented Phury is. We get it. ALLLLL of the vampires have crapy back stories. Until they meet their true love, then blah blah blah. Yeah. But she keeps trying to up herself with each book. It’s just getting so ridiculous. Phury has such an awful life that he has to smoke joints OFTEN. Phury, let me put your life into perspective for you. You are massive and hot, which means you can have pretty much any woman you want. You don’t have to work, you sit around most of the time smoking drugs, and occasionally you train, even more occasionally you fight a lesser. Who smells like baby powder…oooo scary! Your life sucks, my man. Wait…You are not starving, or ugly, or money-less (oh yeah ya live in a mansion), or friendless. What exactly are you whining about? From where I sit, you live the life.

And yet 90% of this book is Phury having a pity fest. That got real old.

Also I cannot even begin to count how many times Phury and Cormia almost had sex. It got to the point where I was egging her on to just force him to do it. Or tell him what she was feeling…that probably would have worked too.

Honestly, this book was weak. The only interesting thing about Cormia was that she liked to build stuff, and there was nothing appealing about Phury. A star and a half, for this train wreck of a romance.

Lover Unbound

Why am I still reading these books?! I have no idea. I can’t stop. It’s like bad drugs. These books are like cocaine.

Vishous is the main character of this book. He is bisexual and still in love with Butch (who we featured in the last book). Then he falls head over heels with Jane. Randomly. In a split second. Really? Vishous has been pining for Butch for HOW many books? And now a light switch is thrown? No. Just. No.

Also… Vishous has a magic glowing hand…that can heal people and electrocute them… and destroy cigarettes. What? Seriously? WHY?

It also drives me nuts how Ward makes all her humans have happy magical ways of becoming vampires…because her vampires cannot make humans vampires. Like Butch being some distant relative of the vampires so he could be turned? No freaking way do I believe that…and the whole nonsense with Jane? I just…nope. Don’t believe that would happen.

I also really don’t like John Mathew’s story. I don’t find him exciting. I find his story line to be boring to the MAX. Except for Xhex. His interactions with Xhex are so random and crazy that…honestly they are exciting. And hot...

This book gets three stars because, while I probably will read the next book, I am getting more and more irritated with the silliness of these series. But oh…it’s so addictive! And good! And bad, but good!

Lover Revealed

I’m still a bit confused how Butch became such a big character in this series. Um, he is human? And honestly, when we first met him I thought he was more the 45, beer belly, bad back story type, not the OMG you look so much like these other hulking guys, and even though you are a human look how you can match yourself against them!! Ugh *eye roll* Though, the way he deals with Marissa is a freaking crack up. The man has zero game. And doesn’t understand what is going on…ever. And yet I like him. He is kick-butt, but a softy, and I enjoyed this next installment of the series a lot.

But when he and Marissa are quarantined together I got the adorable goosebumps really bad. And then things started to heat up and that was even better! But then there is Marissa’s brother. Seriously…the guy is a jerk. Take your head out of your behind, and realize that your sister is HAPPY. Stop making everything worse. Idiot.

I honestly cannot imagine why I'm still reading these books...but I'm going to read the next one, especially since the plot outside the love stories is getting even better! Four stars, most definitely for Lover Revealed

Lover Awakened

I'll be honest, I was pretty excited for this book. It’s the story of Zhadist…and of all the brothers he was my favorite. Quiet, intense, scarred, angry at the world. But there is a tender heart lurking under there…I knew it.

In Lover Awakened we learn about Zhadist’s back story. I think this was the only part of the book I hated. The terrible, terrible past he had to be rescued from? He was a sex slave. For serious?! You are this giant hulking thing of a vampire, could you not when you were alone with this crazy woman...kill her and run away?! It wasn’t like he had Stockholmes…he hated her, and wasn’t turned on by her, and…just run away!

But the vulnerability it creates in him for the present day is “awww” worthy. It was almost painful at times to watch Zhadist struggling to be with Bella. He really wants to love her, but doesn’t feel worthy. And he wants to be intimate with her, but it just brings back the awful memories. But Bella is an angel, and she helps him get through it. I loved their relationship. It was beautiful.

This book definitely gets 4 and a half stars. Even though I didn’t really think the back story was very realistic, I highly enjoyed the present story between Bella and Zhadist. Emotionally thrilling and way passionate. It was a delight to read.

Lover Eternal

This is the second book in the series. So good…and yet so bad. Seriously. This series has a HUGE cult following. Women go crazy for these men. I…don’t get it. I find them hot, but cliché to the max and vastly unrealistic. And because of that element I cannot go gif-crazy and freaking out about how much I love these brothers…which is what you will encounter if you go look these books up on Goodreads. You think I kidd…I really don’t. Those pages are INSANE.

But I swear, I’m enjoying them! Much to my surprise. In this book we get the love story of Rhage. Basically Rhage is cursed to turn into a dragon when he loses control. Cool? Kinda…not really. Basically it is just a vehicle to prevent the main characters from having sex, and thus create more sexual tension. Too blatant for my tastes.

Also, the dialogue drives me NUTS. The way these “brothers” talk to each other makes me cringe. No one refers to a close friend as “my brother” unless you are a stereotypical surfer dude or hippy. These vamps…are not.

Honestly, I didn’t like Rhage and Mary as much as Beth and Wrath. The whole dragon thing irritated me and complicated matters to ridiculous measures. Like when Rhage had to go out and have sex with someone else so he could go back and have sex with Mary while keeping the beast down. I’m sorry…how is that romantic? Yeah. It’s not.

While I did enjoy this book, I did not enjoy it as much as the first book. So it get three and a half stars.

Dark Lover

I have no idea why I put off reading this book for so long. A co-worker suggested this series to me 6 years ago and I JUST got around to reading them. So hot *fans self*. If you like steamy paranormal romance. Read. This. Book. Now.

Wrath…ai yai. Smoking hot. First of all he is a vampire, so automatically he gets hot points, and secondly he has long dark hair. I have a weakness for men with dark, long hair, love it. It does make me bring up some questions about what women want in men though…I mean the guy is possessive, angry, arrogant, violent, and fiercely passionate. In the real world Wrath would likely be a player, whipping through women because he knows exactly how hot he is. And yet on paper he is irresistible. Beth is a good match for him though. She is strong and just as fiery as he is.

This first book in the series was really good, I was captivated. But I am a bit worried that they are going to keep changing view points, keep finding the men mates. Isn’t that going to get a bit old? I shall have to see. I think the only thing I didn’t like about this series were the names of the warriors. Seriously? Wrath? Zsadhist? Tohrment? Vishous? Rhage? Come on. We get it. They were built to kill the bad guys. But seriously, stupidest names EVER.

I give this book a 4 out of 5 because while it was amazing it was still rather cliche in the romance department. The rest of the plot was pretty awesome, but highly predictable love story.

The Riddle-Master of Hed

I was pretty excited when I first started reading this book because McKinley’s intro basically is a Tolkien-loving splurge. And I love McKinley’s writing, so I figured I would love this book. Right? Wrong.

We are thrown into a world with hardly any information. No character introduction and development, and it seemed like I was thrown in mid-plot. I got about 80 pages in and gave up. The book itself was short, but if I still don’t like any characters and don’t understand what is going on, or why I CARE what is going on, then I’m not going to finish reading.

I was severely disappointed in this book. I don’t often stop reading a book before I finish it. I tend to hold out and give it a chance, but for this book I could not. I give it zero stars.

The Sword

If you cannot tell from the blatant cover, this is a romance novel. That being said, it is not one of the better fantasy romance novels I have read. It was predictable, and at times ridiculous, but I enjoyed reading it.

It was cliché to the max. Dark brooding brother meets a frightened witch. His brother saved her life by bringing her, scaring the daylights out of her, but hoped it was all worth it so they could fall in love and save everyone…ready to throw up now? Wait… the descriptions are the best part. I won’t spoil it by revealing the absurd male-charged sentences. I can reveal flowing locks, thunderous brows, and hulking muscles were involved. And a “take you right here, wench” mentality. Which, is grand on some levels. When my brain needs a quick, easy read, I love that stuff. Does that mean it is GOOD? Yes and no I suppose. It is not well written, has no fantastic plotting, but still enjoyable.

I cannot seriously give a foo-foo romance novel like this real star consideration. It is so wildly different from reading Sanderson or Goodkind, or any other author I love who writes well. But I have to give it a grade, so I shall go with 3 stars. Good, but don’t read it if you want something serious, intelligent, and well thought out. It is a guilty pleasure read only.

The Goblin War

The Goblin War was a great ending to the series, but for me left something to be desired. I realize that these books are aimed at a younger audience, but Bell set up two different potential couples and then left us slightly hanging. Rather unsatisfying. I wanted the love scenes I had waited two books for!

A definite plus about this book was the amount of action. In The Goblin Gate I said I didn't think a lot happened. Well in this book, lots happened. So that was nice.

What was satisfying was the interaction between Cogswallop and the Heirarch. The resolution of the war between the humans and Goblins was actually quite awesome. The interactions with the barbarians, however, were at the same time satisfying and not. On one hand, we got to learn a lot more about them, but it wasn't exactly as exciting as I had hoped.

I would give this book a 3.5, mostly because I thought the dealing with the barbarians could have been way more exciting. Their demise felt rather anti-climactic. Buy for the series overall I would give a 4. Book one really was fantastic. One of the better books I have read recently.

The Goblin Gate

I knew I had to read this book after finishing The Goblin Wood, which I read on day 18. I was a bit disappointed that the protagonist of The Goblin Gate was Jeriah. I didn’t really like him in the first book. Though I liked him better in this book, it irritated me that he was always whining about getting his brother back. Whining to people about it isn’t going to convince them to change their minds about helping you. Convince them without whining.

We do get to see more of Makenna and Tobin in the Otherworld, but things are not going well. The Otherworld is slowly killing them. And apparently the Otherworld is somehow tied to the barbarians? I cannot wait to see how that will play out in book three.

Not much happened in this book to push the story forward though. We do find out things like Lazare has been drugging the Heirarch, and Lazare is finally defeated (aka killed), and Jeriah makes friends with the Goblins and changes his mind…kind of… about how he feels about them. But the big plot points which were introduced in the first book were no addressed. Nothing further was advanced about the barbarians. That is to say we learned nothing new, not that they were not mentioned. They were. Makenna’s search for a safe place for the Goblins still has not been successful.

I give this book a 4 of 5. While I enjoyed it, I did not enjoy it nearly as much as I did the first book. I will be reading book three tomorrow though, and I cannot wait to see how it ends. Cannot wait to learn more about the barbarians!

Cinderellis

Ellis lives on a farm with his two brothers, but he wants to be an inventor. He makes magical powders that help the crops grow, but still his brothers do not take him seriously.

The King of Biddle has a daughter whom he wants to marry off. So he creates a glass pyramid and puts her on top of it with three golden apples (and her cat/confidant). The knight who can fetch all three apples will win Marigold’s hand. Ellis uses his inventing ability to get up the side of the slippery mountain and retrieve all three apples.

The story is a retelling of Cinderella, obviously, but it is so different and unique. I loved it; it is probably my favorite of these short Levine books, and deserves 4.5 stars.

The Princess Test

The Princess Test is a retelling of the Princess and the Pea. Lorelei is delicate, prone to ailments, picky about her food, water, and clothes. But she is compassionate and a lovely person. She and Nicholas (the Prince) fall in love. He wants her to win the Princess Test so he can marry her. Because of her pickiness, Lorelei is able to win.

I think one of my favorite bits was the alligator princess…with a carriage drawn by alligators. It’s just so ridiculous, I love it.

Anyone with a love for fairy tales will love this story; I highly recommend it for a fast read. It deserves 4 stars.

The Fairy's Mistake

When two sisters, Rosella and Myrtle, encounter the fairy Ethelinda in disguise, Rosella helps her and Myrtle is rude to her. Ethelinda rewards Rosella with the ability to produce gems when she speaks and punishes Myrtle by having bugs and snakes and gross animals come out of her mouth when she speaks. But the reward and the punishment do not work out like Ethelinda had planned.

Rosella’s jewels are all taken by her greedy husband, Prince Harold, and Myrtle uses her “punishment” to get whatever she wants from people. But it all works out in the end. I loved when Rosella and Myrtle work together to make their lives better and trick Prince Harold into being nice to Rosella. That part was awesome.

Levine’s retelling of this fairy tale is fantastic. It is short, but definitely worth a read. I give this story 4 stars.