Tuesday, January 14, 2020

Review: The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter


https://amzn.to/371jLicThe Darkest Night (Lords of the Underworld, Book 2)
by Gena Showalter

On Amazon

Synopsis
 
All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapestseeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be sweptinto the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member—a man trapped in a hell of his own.

Neither can resist the instant hunger that calms their torments…and ignites anirresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer todestruction—and a soul-shattering test of love…

 
Review
 I'm not sure why I haven't read any Gena Showalter books before. I've been familiar with her name, and seen her books countless times at the bookstore, yet until this Christmas break I hadn't picked one of them up to actually see what they were about. Again, not sure why I didn't do it sooner, because the covers definitely attract my attention!

I'm so glad I got over whatever was holding me back! I loved The Darkest Night. It had everything I love about steamy romances - a bit of instalove, lots of drama, and a whole lot of spice :) There was so much world building in this story, yet because it was set in a remote foreign location it was easy to believe that their existence was sheltered and idolized.

The characters were well developed and likable. Ashlyn's abilities made it difficult for her to function and Maddox provided a respite from the constant voices. She was a bit too naive in regards to her guardian, but she didn't hold out to the point of annoyance. Maddox was the typical strong, broody, sexy hero who fought to control the demon of Violence that is trapped within him, while also struggling between loving Ashlyn and protecting his friends. The secondary characters, the other Lords of the Underworld, were given surface development and I appreciated that while they all can pass the strong, broody, sexy test, they did have unique personality quirks that set them apart and hooked me enough that I picked up the next few books in the series.



Saturday, November 23, 2019

Review: Vengeance Road by Christine Feehan

https://amzn.to/33c30xJ
Vengeance Road (Torpedo Ink, Book 2)
by Christine Feehan

On Amazon

Synopsis
 
Breezy Simmons was born into a ruthless motorcycle club—and now that she’s out, she’s never going to be that girl again. But when her past catches up with her, Breezy must go to Sea Haven to seek out the man who almost destroyed her. The man who chose his club over her and left her feeling used and alone.

As vice president of Torpedo Ink, Steele is ride or die for the brothers he lived through hell with. He never thought he’d find something as pure as his feelings for Breezy, or that keeping her safe would mean driving her away with cruel words that turned her love for him to ash.

Now, Steele won’t let her walk away twice. He’ll do whatever it takes to make Breezy his woman again—especially when he learns the real reason she came to him for help, and that the stakes are higher than he ever could have imagined…
 

Review
I typically don't like stories where the couple already has a romantic backstory. I like to see the characters fall in love and learn about each other. So, I was feeling a bit blah about Vengeance Road, the beginning of the story drew me in immediately.

Breezy was determined and strong without being pushy or annoyingly headstrong. She knew the dangers in what she was going to do but because she had so much to lose she had no choice. After being abused by her father's club for years, she refuses to spend the rest of her life in another club where she doesn't come first with the man she loves. I loved that she didn't just roll over and happily join Torpedo Ink because of Steele and that he had to work to get her to trust him and his club.

Steele had a few surprises to deal with and it was nice to see that he didn't blame Breezy for her choices (or at least not for long), but instead wondered what he could have done differently so that she would have trusted him sooner.

Feehan can write some steamy scenes, but I definitely see a new hotter trend with this series. It fits the characters and their story arcs in a way wouldn't work with her other series.



Monday, September 23, 2019

Review: Judgment Road (Torpedo Ink, Book 1)

https://amzn.to/2miIonH
Judgment Road (Torpedo Ink, Book 1)
by Christine Feehan

On Amazon

Synopsis
 
A brutal education in a Russian training facility for assassins has taught this group of men one thing: It's a long road to redemption...

As the enforcer of the Torpedo Ink motorcycle club, Reaper lives for riding and fighting. He's a stone-cold killer who turns his wrath on those who deserve it. Feelings are a weakness he can't afford--until a gorgeous bartender gets under his skin...

Near Sea Haven, the small town of Caspar has given Anya Rafferty a new lease on life. And she's desperate to hold on to her job at the biker bar, even if the scariest member of the club seems to have it out for her. But Reaper's imposing presence and smoldering looks just ratchet up the heat.

Anya's touch is everything Reaper doesn't want--and it brands him to the bone. But when her secrets catch up to her, Reaper will have to choose between Anya and his club--his heart and his soul.
 

Review
I absolutely loved this book!
 

I've only been reading Christine Feehan books for a few months and have been devouring them, but this by far is my favorite and was actually the first book by her that I read.

Reaper is such a lost soul, damaged by horrific childhood abuse, and his desire to be a good man and to take care of Anya while he battles his demons is heartbreaking. Often in romance the dark, the lasting impact of childhood abuse is glossed over, but Feehan brings PTSD right to the forefront and it's not pretty or sexy. Reaper's actions after his PTSD is triggered are not easy to read, but they tear at the heart when we see how devastated he is by what he's done and his doubts about whether he can possibly overcome his trauma.

Anya's choices are not easy ones and not everyone will agree with what she decides, particularly after one of Reaper's breaks. If I'd been in Anya's position, I know I would not have made the same choices, but for Anya (and for a romance novel) they felt right.

This books is definitely not for the faint of heart, but if you love a story of redemption and salvation entwined with a steamy love story then this is a wonderful read.



Sunday, September 22, 2019

Back from a Break

Wow, it's been a long time since I've posted! It feels strange to be posting again after so long, but I feel ready to get back into it. The past few years have been crazy for me. I've moved countries, dealt with multiple family health issues, changed jobs, changed jobs, changed jobs, and changed jobs again :) I wish I could say I'm settled, but thanks to the bureaucracy of public education I'm sure I'll be switching jobs again!

In my writing life, I've finally finished Wicked Passion and it is available through Amazon! You can read it for free through Kindle Unlimited. Here's a peek inside:

Wicked Passion
by Angela Fristoe
On Amazon

She's a temptation he's willing to risk everything for.
 Desperate is an understatement for the path Anya’s life is on. A human trapped in a simmering war between witches and vampires, she will do anything to survive. Blackmailing the Coven leader seemed like a good plan. Then she falls at the feet of Nico Berkano, head of the vampire nest, and she wonders if sleeping with the enemy isn’t a more pleasurable option.

With the human population dwindling, vampires are in danger of starving, and the only solution Nico sees is to form a truce with the witches. Anya’s unexpected arrival at a secret meeting between himself and the Grand Coven Mistress tests the tentative trust between vampires and witches, particularly when Nico claims Anya as his mate.

Anya is a human complication he doesn’t need, one his brother thinks he should kill, but he’s willing to risk everything for a taste of her.

WICKED PASSION is a full-length standalone steamy romance set in The Berkano Vampire Collection. Stories can be read in any order. To learn more, visit FallenSorcery.com

Excerpt from Wicked Passion

“Anya...” he sighed. “You’re safe here.”

“Pretty words, but exactly that—words. When I step outside that door, and you’re not beside me, what do you think they’ll do?”

“There are few things sacred to the vampires,” he said. “The claim of mating is one of those.”

Anya shook her head, and the dark strands of her hair fell forward concealing one of her emerald green eyes. “Forgive me if I find it hard to take the word of a murderer.”

A familiar pang of bitterness pulled at his chest. He hadn’t chosen this life. Hell, if it hadn’t been forced upon him, he would have revolted against it like Anya. But that choice had been stripped from him.

For a while, he had embraced the life. He couldn’t deny the label she’d placed on him. He had killed. For necessity, for survival, and on occasion, he had enjoyed it. But those days were long past.

“You won’t take my word for it, yet you came here,” he pointed out. “What other reassurance did you expect to get? What more do you need?”

She hesitated, and he wondered if she even knew what it was that would bring her peace of mind. Her brow wrinkled as her green eyes narrowed at him before flickering away to the window. She moved towards it and pulled back the curtain. The early morning sun was rising, and the soft rays highlighted her profile.

She was stunning. Her nose was softly sloped and slightly tipped up at the end. The natural pout of her full lips left Nico reaching to adjust his pants yet again as he thought of how it would feel to slide his cock between them.

Anya glanced at him, and as if sensing the direction of his thoughts, her cheeks flushed a delicate pink.

“Witch blood.”

Erotic visions vanished at her words.

“Fuck no.” He shook his head.

One of her brows arched. “This is not negotiable,” Anya said. “You get me the blood, and I’ll stay.”

“You know as well as I do that that is the only known substance capable of killing vampires, and you really think I’m going to bring it into the nest?”

“No,” she said. “I think that if you want me to stay, you’ll bring it into the nest and give it to me.”

He didn’t question why she needed it. He’d heard tales of humans consuming witch blood. By ingesting the witch blood, she ensured that her body and blood were contaminated and that any vampire who dared to sample her would die an excruciating death. But those tales told had never ended well for the human.

“Do you realize how dangerous drinking blood is for a human? The diseases you’re exposing yourself to?”

“Non-negotiable.”

Read Wicked Passion for FREE with Kindle Unlimited!

Monday, July 3, 2017

Top Ten Superhero Crushes

I cracked. I admit it. I have finally given in to the superhero craze going on. I've been binge watching Netflix and with all of the promos coming out for the Justice League, Deadpool 2, etc., superheros have been on my mind. Then last night all I could think of was who was hotter - Thor or Luke Cage? It was an honest to God dilemma, which led me to my Top Ten Superhero Crushes.
 
10. Captain America/Steve Rogers (Chris Evans)
Honorable and so apple pie it almost hurts


9. The Flash/Barry Allen (Ezra Miller)
There is something so beautiful and creepy about Miller's cheekbones


8. Wonder Woman/Diana Prince (Gal Gadot)
I want to be her.


7. Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds)
Somehow despite the scars, he manages to keep his sense of raunchy humor.


6. Wolverine/Logan (Hugh Jackman)
 
Okay, he's getting old and grey, but he's brooding and has amazing shoulders.


5. Superman/Clark Kent (Henry Cavill)
 
Knowing he's hiding a British accent only makes him more perfect.


4. Star-lord/Peter Quill (Chris Pratt)
Funny without being too raunchy and manages to be a Momma's boy without having a Mom


3. Luke Cage (Mike Colter)
Charisma, honor, and swagger. He also manages to take his shirt off a lot.


2. Thor (Chris Hemsworth)
Love that he's got a bit of naivety and cockiness without coming off as the big dumb blonde.

And in the coveted #1 spot...
 
Aquaman (Jason Momoa)
I actually know nothing about this character, but it's Jason Momoa and that's enough.

Honorable Mentions to:
Batman (as played by Christian Bale)
Antman (Paul Rudd)
 Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr)

What do you think? Did I miss someone? Who would top your list of Superhero Crushes?