Loving A Prince Charming:Review

Loving a Prince Charming (Fairy Tales & Ever Afters #3)

by Danielle Monsch

Blurb

Honor and Integrity were more than words to Seth - they were the values he lived his life by. As Prince of a large kingdom, putting duty before desire was vital for the prosperity and wellness of his people. If sometimes he looked at Kira – best friend since childhood and his personal guard – and regretted his betrothal to the Princess of a neighboring kingdom, well, that was the price he had to pay for his people’s happiness. 

Even if that Princess was cursed and given the nickname Sleeping Beauty.

Seth discovers the way to end the curse and, against his father’s wishes, sets off on a perilous journey to free her with Kira by his side. But Kira represents a different type of danger… Only love can break the curse, but how can Seth keep his promise to protect Sleeping Beauty when every moment with Kira makes his heart damn duty and demand its desire?

My Review

Seth knows what he has to do as prince of his kingdom. He is betrothed to a princess who has been cursed. He knows he has to marry her and make the kingdom happy. What he really wants is his best friend and guard Kira. He sets out on a mission with Kira to break the curse on his princess who they call Sleeping Beauty. He finds it harder to fight his love for Kira along the way and he doesn't know how he will break the curse Sleeping Beauty is under when he loves another.

This is a quick read and a retelling of Sleeping Beauty as you can tell. I liked it as really no one was perfect in this book. Seth will do what he has to for his kingdom but it doesn't stop him from wanting what he shouldn't have. He stands up to his father and does show some backbone at times. I really like Kira as she is strong and not the one to stand by waiting for a man to protect her. You do have a villain type in the story in the form of to me the Kings. They don't care who gets hurt in their way to what they want. The story I hate to sound this way but is charming. If your looking for a quick read and enjoy fairy tale retellings you may enjoy this one. I love the cover of it.

4 out of 5 Bats~Pam

Cards & Caravans - Review

Cards & Caravans (Gaslight Chronicles #5)

by Cindy Spencer Pape

Blurb

Belinda Danvers isn't a witch. But that won't stop them burning her at the stake…

Connor McKay can tell at a glance that Belinda's magickal powers are minimal at best. She can't be guilty of murdering village children. There's something suspicious about her arrest and lightning-quick sentence. Unfortunately, telling anyone how he knows would mean revealing his own powers. He's been sent by the Order of the Round Table to help and he can't just let her die.

Escaping from jail and running from vindictive villagers in her grandfather's steam-powered caravan is more excitement than Belinda's had in years. And despite the danger—or maybe because of it—she loves the time spent with her sexy rescuer. But there's more to his magick than he's letting on…

There's something going on that's bigger than the two of them. It's time for good to make a stand.

My Review

Belinda Danvers is set to burn at the stake for being a witch. Problem is the widow isn't one. Her only hope is Connor McKay. Connor is sent to see if she is behind the murder of children and soon sees she is not. She also isn't a witch. He can't just tell the people that without giving away his own powers. He helps her escape jail and they both try to uncover just what is going on. The only way Connor can protect Belinda is to marry her. He just has to convince her of that.

I liked Connor in a previous book and I did feel bad he got his heart broke by Wink. I was thrilled he was getting his own book. I did not see him being with Belinda. I was expecting someone who would really push his buttons and lead him on a chase. He and Belinda end up being a good match just not what I figured he would have. They really in some ways get thrown together and start out making the best of it. Yes they have lust between each other but not the real deep love. It was in some ways a to quick match. In other ways I loved this book. There is plenty of action as Connor and the other favorites of mine from this series set a trap to catch a bad guy. I love seeing the old characters and what they are doing and getting glimpses of romance I hope to come. The steampunk is as always wonderful in this book and so fun to read about. If you enjoy steampunk, paranormal or just a great story be sure to check out this series.

4 out of 5 Bats~Pam

Dancing With the Devil - Review

Dancing with the Devil (Nikki & Michael #1)

by Keri Arthur

Blurb

Private Investigator Nikki James grew up on the tough streets of Lyndhurst and believes there's nothing left to surprise her. All that changes the night she follows teenager Monica Trevgard into the shadows-and becomes a pawn caught in a war between two very different men. One fills her mind with his madness, the other pushes his way into her life-and her heart. Nikki knows how dangerous love can be, but if she wants to survive, she must place her trust in a man who could easily destroy her.

Michael Kelly has come to Lyndhurst determined to end the war between himself and another brother of the night. For 300 years he has existed in life's shadows, gradually learning to control the life from death cravings of a vampire. Nikki not only breaches his formidable barriers with her psychic abilities, but makes Michael believe he may finally have found a woman strong enough to walk by his side and ease the loneliness in his heart. But will his love be enough to protect her from a madman hell-bent on revenge? Or will it drive her into his enemy's deadly trap?

Only together can they overcome the evil threatening to destroy them both. But the secrets they keep from each other might prove to be the greatest threat of all.

My Review

Nikki has a power of her own but in some ways is still surprised when she comes face to face with a vampire. Michael is after Jasper a very powerful madman and he ends up being close to Nikki. She challenges him and can be very head strong. She has been hired to find a missing teenage girl and the man behind it is the same man Michael is after. While Michael wants Nikki to stay safe she has a job to do and Jasper seems to have secrets she wants to know about Michael. They have to see if they can stop Jasper and if things will work between them.

There is things I liked and things I disliked about this book. What I disliked is sorry to say at times Nikki. She acted tough many times and you heard how she grew up on the streets. However many times she showed no street smarts and put herself in danger. She is attracted to Michael and wants him and at other times in some ways she is scared of him. Understandable since he is a vampire. I guess you can say at times she got on my nerves. Michael I really liked. He is a vampire but doesn't want to live as one. He wants to stop evil not become it. Jasper is a crazy madman to put it simply. I love the action and flow of the story as something is always happening and you keep turning pages to see what next. There is some steamy scenes but not a whole lot. It is more about the plot and that is good. I think this book really just laid the ground for the next books in this series and we will see Nikki and Michael grow closer but that is my guess. If you like a book with a good plot, lot of action and paranormal beings you may enjoy this one.

4 out of 5 Bats~Pam

Dark Wolf - Review

Dark Wolf (Spirit Wild #1)

by Kate Douglas 

Blurb

Sebastian Xenakis is still coming into his power as a wizard. He can shapeshift by magical means and runs as a wolf using the power he draws from the elements. But young women are dying—raped by a human and then slaughtered by a wolf. Suspicion falls on the shapeshifting Chanku, but Sebastian wonders if he might somehow be guilty of the crimes. 

Then he meets Lily Cheval, the uncrowned princess of the powerful Chanku, and realizes he will do whatever it takes to clear his name and win her love. But evil walks where Sebastian goes, and there are mysteries neither Lily nor her father, the powerful wizard, Anton Cheval, cannot unravel. Is Sebastian the perfect mate for Lily, or is he instead, one she should fear?

My Review

The Chanku are being blamed for the rape and murder of several young woman. Sebastian wonders if he is to blame as he is a powerful wizard who can turn into a wolf with magic. He meets Lily a Chanku and falls for her. He has to figure out if he is the one doing these evil things before Lily or anyone else gets killed. Lily is the daughter of a powerful wizard and Chanku Anton. They want to help Sebastian but there is a mystery to him and the crimes they can't figure out. Lily has to decide if Sebastian is her mate or if she should stay away. The crimes have to be figured out not just because of their growing love but because the Chanku are in danger as well.

I love the Wolf Tales series and was delighted to see this series had a spinoff. I have to say it didn't disappoint me in the least. Lily is a woman who is very aware and in control of her sexuality as to be expected considering her Chanku blood. She isn't one to back down and when she meets Sebastian she is sure he is her mate. She wants to trust him but she has her doubts. I have to say during one scene I wondered myself about him. Sebastian is really a mystery to not only the reader but to his self at times. You aren't sure about him at times. He is very sexy but in some ways not used to that. He knows he wants Lily. He may powerful but he still is learning things about that power. This book has a good plot as it isn't just about the sexual nature of the Chanku but has a mystery plot as well. I will say if you aren't comfortable with erotic books, books with same sex or multiple partners than this book isn't for you. There is a lot of that and the author has her own style to writing those scenes. They are a big part of the Chanku. If you enjoy those type of books be sure to read this one and the Wolf Tales series. They are wonderful!

I have to say I love the cover of this book. I believe it is my favorite of all the books by this author.

5 out of 5 Bats~Pam

Pure & Sinful - Review

Pure & Sinful (Pure Souls #1)

by Killian McRae 

Blurb

APPROPRIATE FOR MATURE READERS ONLY. 

When it turns out your ex was actually a sexy demon sent by the devil to seduce you to evil, you'd think the next guy, no matter what he's like, couldn't be a worse decision. Enter Father Marc Angeletti, a smooth talking piece of forbidden fruit with onyx eyes and a razor wit, and Riona Dade may as well start packing her luggage for damnation now. But come Hell or... well, Hell, Marc, Riona, and demigod Dee Zitka have a mission: serve as a Pure Soul and vanquish Lucifer's minion scum from the face of the Earth to protect humanity from evil. 

Oh, and don't get seduced into sin yourself, because a fallen Pure Soul is one of Lucifer's biggest thrills. As long as Riona and Marc can keep things professional and north of the sheets, no problem, right? 

Yeah, that worked out great in the Thornbirds, too...

My Review

Riona is a witch with a Pure Soul. She also has a girlfriend, an ex who is a demon and along with two other Pure souls she has a mission. Wipe out Lucifer's crew and make the world a better place. Father Marc can't help how he feels about Riona. He knows he can never have her and if anything happens between them they both will be sent to hell. Demigod Dee tries to keep them on the straight and narrow path and keep them from crossing the line. It should be easy to follow one rule but temptation is great.

I really enjoyed this book and the characters. Riona has a do what she wishes attitude and sometimes doesn't think before she acts. She has an interesting love life and loves to drive Marc insane. She isn't aware he likes her in any way as he is always on her case. Marc knows he should stay away fro Riona as he wants her and even he doesn't know why. They are constantly arguing. Dee tries to keep them both in line. Lucifer knows if he can get them to have sex they will be his. Being Pure Souls will make them that much a stronger Demon and Marc would be really powerful being a Priest if he fails. They are always together trying to stop evil and you can see the tension between them. I really enjoyed this book as it has wonderful characters and a great plot. The book ends on a cliffhanger making you need the next one right away. There is several humorous moment as well in this book making it an all around good book to read. If you like a good sexy story about angels, demons, witches or any kind of paranormal you may try this one. 

4 out of 5 Bats~Pam

Pretty Dark Nothing - Review

Pretty Dark Nothing (Pretty Dark Nothing #1)

by Heather L. Reid 

Blurb

It’s been twenty three days since Quinn has slept for more than minutes at a time. Demons have invaded her dreams, stalking her, and whispering of her death. The lack of sleep and crippling fear are ruining her life. Energy drinks and caffeine pills don’t make a dent. When Quinn dozes off in the school hallway, Aaron, an amnesiac with a psychic ability, accidentally enters her nightmare. The demons are determined to keep them apart, and Aaron from discovering the secret locked away in his memory. Together, they could banish the darkness back to the underworld for good. That is, unless the demons kill them first.

My Review

Quinn does everything she can go to keep from sleeping. Every time she sleeps demons haunt her dreams. Her life has really went down hill and she sees no end in sight. Aaron manages to get into her nightmare when she falls asleep at school. The demons don't like them being close to each other and do their best to keep them apart. All the while Quinn is wanting her old boyfriend back. Between high school drama and demons Quinn has a rough life.

I have to say I didn't enjoy this book as much as I would have liked. For me it was an ok book. It is written very well and the author does a great job adding creepy parts. However Quinn is so annoying that I really couldn't like the book because of her. What should have been a thrilling book about Demons ended up being high school drama with a few demons. Quinn is always after her ex boyfriend Jeff. He treats her like crap lets his girlfriend run over the top of Quinn and just to me wasn't a catch at all. At times Quinn acted like a beaten down dog. I did like the ending and the parts where Quinn and Aaron where together. The cover is a great one and I can't say if I will read the next one or not. It's a maybe for me right now.

3 out of 5 Bats~Pam

And All The Stars - Review

And All the Stars

by Andrea K. Höst 

Blurb

Come for the apocalypse. Stay for cupcakes. Die for love. Madeleine Cost is working to become the youngest person ever to win the Archibald Prize for portraiture. Her elusive cousin Tyler is the perfect subject: androgynous, beautiful, and famous. All she needs to do is pin him down for the sittings. None of her plans factored in the Spires: featureless, impossible, spearing into the hearts of cities across the world - and spraying clouds of sparkling dust into the wind. Is it an alien invasion? Germ warfare? They are questions everyone on Earth would like answered, but Madeleine has a more immediate problem. At Ground Zero of the Sydney Spire, beneath the collapsed ruin of St James Station, she must make it to the surface before she can hope to find out if the world is ending.

My Review

Spires have appeared out of the ground and a dust has settled on the city. Maddie was put side when it happened and now with the survivors she is trying to survive and figure out what is going on. No one know for sure if it is aliens or what the purpose of the spires. Maddie is being cover in blue patched that show different stars. She has lots of power and doesn't know why. There is some like her with blue patches and some with green each is affected very different. Joining with new friends Maddie is bound and determined to figure it out.

The cover will pull you in on this book. You wonder about the blue on her face and what it means. I have to say after reading the book it fits it perfect. At first you know something has happened but you aren't sure what. The more you read the more you start to figure it out. I love how Maddie begins to make new friends and allies during this time. She is confused and at times scared but she doesn't let it get the best of her. She works her best to see what is going on and to fix it. I love the interaction with her and the others. This story just gets better as you read. By the halfway point you don't want it to end. Of you have never tried a sci fi YA book or just like them I will say you should pick this one up. I don't hear a lot about it and I think more people should know about it.

4 out of 5 Bats~ Pam