Showing posts with label Paranormal Romance. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paranormal Romance. Show all posts

Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione

January 01, 2024

Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon



Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione

Legacy of Temptation by Larissa Ione


Rating - ½
Standalone - Demonica Birthright #1
Release - February 6, 2024
Genre/Trope - Paranormal Romance / enemies to lovers
POV - Primarily dual 3rd person
Heat - descriptive to explicit scenes
Source - eARC from NetGalley
Length - approx. 400 pages

Eva Tennant, like everyone at The Aegis, hates demons. But she loves her job as Deputy Spokesperson for the global demon-slaying organization, and she’s excited to be in the running for Chief Spokesperson. All she has to do is not screw up the two-week exchange program with The Aegis’s rival agency, the Demon Activity Response Team. But things go horribly wrong when a murder turns her into a fugitive from justice and puts a demonic target on her back.

Logan, son of the Horseman of the Apocalypse known as Death, has dedicated his life to fighting demons alongside his colleagues at DART. He loves fighting, females, and his pet hellhound, Cujo. What he doesn’t love is The Aegis, whose leadership attempted to slaughter him at birth. Understandably, he balks when he’s ordered to protect an Aegis Guardian responsible for the deaths of his friends. Really, he’d rather feed her to Cujo.

But when an old enemy rises from the ashes, Eva and Logan find themselves giving into temptation even as they sacrifice the things…and people…they love the most.


"This is probably really stupid,"
he said against her mouth.
"Agreed." She grinned. "But it's gonna be fun."




Okay. Wow!!
So much happened within these pages and I'm still all over the place about it all.


Logan and Eva were the main protagonists of this tale. They work for opposite sides trying to accomplish the same thing: protect humanity from evil demons. Too bad Eva believed that all demons were bad. Being the son of Death, Logan has to hide so much of himself from the woman he has quickly grown an attachment to. What will it take to obliterate Eva's prejudice so that they will have a chance at happiness together?


I adored the way these mythical beings love one another. The bond between the Horsemen, the bond shared by their kids, the bond shared with all of their allies... I'm here for it. I could have done with the prejudice that permeated this story from Eva and her cronies (they soured my stomach), but it fed the story and I loved when she finally saw the truth behind the lies. For a world renowned journalist, she didn't do a lot of fact-checking, huh?

I'm a huge fan of Logan and the depth of his story. For such a strong being, he had plenty of vulnerable bits. Who doesn't admire a hero with a heart?


My heart is hurting right now. No one is safe and the story is far from over. I need the books to come in this series in my hands NOW!! While I wait, I'm going to be reading the original books of the Demonica series to better acquaint myself with all of the characters I met in this book and discover, from the beginning, the many ways they love each other.


Okay, so the following are just some thoughts that I want to keep straight for the series. So I don't ruin this for anyone else, I'm going to hide them behind a spoiler. I also don't plan on sharing these thoughts when I cross-post this review.



Air Force veteran Larissa Ione traded in a career in meteorology to pursue her passion of writing. She has since published dozens of books, hit several bestseller lists, including the New York Times and USA Today, and has been nominated for a RITA award. She now spends her days in pajamas with her computer, strong coffee, and supernatural worlds. She believes in celebrating everything, and would never be caught without a bottle of Champagne chilling in the fridge…just in case. She currently lives in Wisconsin with her retired U.S. Coast Guard husband, her son, a rescue cat named Vegas, and her very own hellhounds, a King Shepherd named Hexe and a Belgian Malinois named Duvel.

Visit https://www.larissaione.com for more information.

Review // One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti

December 31, 2023

One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon



One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti

One Cursed Rose by Rebecca Zanetti


Rating -
Standalone - Grimm Bargains #1
Release - June 25, 2024
Genre/Trope - Paranormal Romance / enemies-to-lovers / retelling
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit scenes
Source - eARC provided by NetGalley
Length - 400 pages

Information is power, and those who control it live like gods.
In my world, billionaires play deadly games of insult and influence where magic is the dirtiest weapon of all. Here, even a powerful princess can be swallowed by the darkest of shadows . . .

My name is Alana Beaumont, and due to a recent tragedy, I’m the sole heir to Aquarius Social, a family business being systematically dismantled by an unseen enemy. My father’s solution is to give me in marriage and create a coalition with a competing family, so I’m torn between my thirst for revenge and my duty. Now I just have a week to finish my hunt before the wedding.

There’s nothing like an assassination attempt to cut short the best of plans—even worse is my unwanted rescue by Thorn Beathach, the Beast whose social media empire is driving Aquarius under. The richest, most ruthless of them all, he protects his realm with an iron rule: no one sees his face. When he shows himself to me, I know he’ll never let me go.

Thorn may think he can lock me in his castle forever, but I’m not the docile Beauty he expects. If the Beast wants to tie me up, I’m going to take pleasure from every minute of it . . .and we’ll just see who ends up shackled.


Anyone who pays attention to my reading habits knows that Rebecca Zanetti is an author I HAVE to read. No joke. Anything she writes, I want it. Hearing about a dark romance from one of my favourite authors? You know I had to get my hands on it. So here's what I liked:

Beauty and the Beast... twisted and screwed.
rivals to lovers plot. You know it's going to be hot when their relationship starts off with animosity, defiance, and misunderstandings.
Thorn's a stalker. Watching his prey's every move, but never really getting to know her... until he kidnaps her!
a stunning AND smart heroine. Alana was so much more than she seemed and I enjoyed watching her embrace her power.
the fantastical elements with the gems. I still don't really understand the power that these stones have, but I'm very interested in learning more.
the bond that grew between our protagonists. It may have been a tad unorthodox, especially with the way Thorn courted Alana, but it was entertaining.

My only issue with this story — aside from the missing information about the gems, their power, and how and why they're relied upon — was the fact that I was promised a dark romance and this wasn't it. Aside from the kidnapping, the captivity, the killing of people (by Thorn), and the mystery surrounding some other deaths, there wasn't anything really dark. It was more suspenseful than anything else. It did read differently than anything I've read from this author before. I had to remind myself a time or two about who actually wrote this story because the tone felt very new.

I'd recommend this to anyone who enjoys suspense with a splash of the supernatural in their love stories.


Rebecca Zanetti is the author of over forty romantic suspense, dark paranormals, and contemporary romances, and her books have appeared multiple times on the New York Times, USA Today, Amazon, Barnes and Noble, and iBooks bestseller lists. She lives in the wilds of the Pacific Northwest with her own Alpha hero, two kids, a couple of dogs, a crazy cat…and a huge extended family. She believes strongly in luck, karma, and working her butt off…and she thinks one of the best things about being an author, unlike the lawyer she used to be, is that she can let the crazy out. Upcoming series are: The Blood Brothers, The Realm Enforcers and The Scorpius Syndrome.

Visit https://rebeccazanetti.com for more information!

Review // The Wrath by Gena Showalter

December 27, 2023

The Wrath by Gena Showalter

Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon



The Wrath by Gena Showalter

The Wrath by Gena Showalter


Rating -
Standalone - Rise of the Warlords #4
Release - February 6, 2024
Genre/Trope - Paranormal Romance / fated mates
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - descriptive scenes
Source - eARC from NetGalley
Length - 378 pages

For centuries, Rathbone the Only, King of Agonies, has existed for one recovering the enchanted bones of his slain wife to bring her back to life. He’s never been closer to success. But a new enemy has risen. A band of deadly war gods who have thirty days to destroy her or suffer the consequences. With time running out, Rathbone hires a maddening harpy-oracle, unaware she has an agenda of her own.

Neeka the Unwanted is a fierce warrior on a stop Rathbone and the gods. She’s seen the future if either is victorious, and it’s horrifying. She’ll do whatever proves necessary to forge a new path, even seduce the ruthless royal from his purpose. What she can’t predict? How the intense male will shatter her hard-won defenses along the way.

As Rathbone battles unexpected betrayals, cunning foes and the wild temptress he craves with every fiber of his being, he knows he must hold on to a cold dream or embrace a new flame.


Why did no one ever see her potential?


The Wrath by Gena Showalter


Okay. Wow. I need to start this series from the beginning because I AM IN LOVE WITH THE WAY THESE BEINGS LOVE!!

Rathbone has spent centuries trying to put his wife back together. Neeka is the oracle who will help him find the remaining bones. The journey is what proves to these two that they deserve so much more than they ever believed.

Strangely enough, Neeka was maybe kinda sorta envious of the corpse. Oh, to be loved in such a way. Thanks to Grenwich's chosen moniker, Neeka herself was forever cursed to be, well, unwanted. Her lack of male companionship had nothing to do with her personality, she was certain of it. She slapped!

Rathbone and Neeka were raised to feel wanting. He was "If Only" and she was "The Unwanted", however, together... these two finally found the one person perfect for them. It took a loooooong time to realize it and they had to jump over many obstacles to obtain their happiness, but I felt their hope for forever right from the beginning.

He didn't understand the intensity and speed of his reaction to her. And what was this new, terrible sensation growing inside him? This... calm. As if everything was right, nothing missing, nothing broken. Even though so much was missing and nearly everything was broken. How was a king supposed to get anything done feeling like this? He hated it. And loved it. What did it mean?

My copy of this book wasn't formatted, but that didn't stop me from savouring this story. I flipped pages while ignoring everything pertinent to my life. Who cared about laundry, dishes, or cleaning. Priorties!!

I do wish I had read the previous books in the series, but I was in no way lost or felt like I was missing something. Reading this book only made me want to read those stories pronto. So if you like paranormal romance, exceptionally oblivious but incredibly endearing heroes, fierce and hilarious heroines, and an intense plot, you'll need this book in your life.

Why did she have to be beautiful and soft? Smell so sweet. Rouse his smiles. Be so brilliant. Look at him as if she admired him as much as he admired her. His ever-increasing hunger for her complicated things. He should be strong enough to resist. But. He wasn't.


Gena Showalter is the New York Times and USA TODAY bestselling author of a multitude of sub-genres within romance: paranormal, Fantasy, contemporary, and young adult. She’s also written standalone novels, novellas and anthologies, as well as co-authored a nonfiction guide about how to write a book in a year.

Gena lives in Oklahoma with her husband, two adult children who grew up way too fast, and menagerie of dogs and cats who enjoy farting while she works, walking across her keyboard during pivotal scenes and demanding pets at all hours of the day and night. Her novels have appeared in Cosmopolitan’s Red Hot Reads and Seventeen magazine. She’s been interviewed on Nightline and mentioned on Orange is the New Black—the very moment her family decided she might be a real writer after all.

Chances are good she’s hard at work on her next novel. Chances are even better that the book is a twisted tale featuring an alpha male with a dark side and the strong woman who (lovingly…sometimes) kneecaps him.

Visit https://genashowalter.com for more information.

Review // Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross

November 30, 2023


I was done waiting for her to realize she could trust me. As her only lover. As her partner in life. As her devoted mate.


Resting Witch Face by Juliette Cross


Rating - ★★★★
Standalone - Stay a Spell #5
Genre/Trope - Paranormal Romance / second chance
Release - October 31, 2022
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - explicit scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 366 pages

Twelve years ago, Jules Savoie ended her relationship with the vampire overlord of New Orleans, Ruben Dubois. For good reasons. A woman in power must often make sacrifices to protect others. She knows the truth of it down to her aching heart.

When Ruben watches his best friend Devraj get married, a stinging realization hits him hard…he’s done waiting. They say time heals all wounds. In this case, it merely sharpened the pain and made one fact crystal clear. Jules Savoie is his soulmate, and nothing would keep him from her. Not anymore.

Forced to work side by side to fight for the werewolf cause, they campaign together at covens from New Orleans to London. The reignited spark burns hotter than ever before. But when a power-hungry vampire sets his predatory sights on Jules, will their love be strong enough against black magic? Or will he lose her again? And this time, maybe…for good.

Previous books in the series:



"Since the day I realized you were my whole heart,
I've never stopped loving you.
Not for one painfully paralyzing minute."
~ Ruben


My Two Cents

Finally!! I can't tell you how excited I was to get to the truth behind what was brewing between Jules and Ruben. I knew it was something, but I couldn't even being to imagine how huge a deal what they shared was. It was deep and painful and these two were hurting for TWELVE YEARS!

I really enjoyed the power dynamic between these characters. Jules, as the eldest sister, was used to being the caregiver and didn't know what it was to have someone take care of her. Ruben wanted to worship and adore her and she finally opened her eyes to see all of the greatness they could have together.


Hindsight is a vicious bitch, but an excellent teacher.


There was an element of suspense in this one, like the others, but I think this one was more difficult to handle because it was extremely personal. That's about all the spoiler-y information I'm going to reveal. I did like the mystical chaos that was introduced and those scenes were incredibly entertaining.

I will admit that I'm not happy about this series coming to an end any time soon, but I think the next book, which will finally be about Clara and Henry, is the last. Say it ain't so!


The Author

Juliette lives in moss-laden Cajun country in Louisiana where she lives with her husband, four kids, and black lab, Kona.

She is a multi-published author of paranormal and fantasy romance with confident, persevering heroines and dark, sexy heroes.

While she enjoys reading and writing the dark, broody types, she also appreciates the fun, levity of humor in a good love story, so she tries to give her characters both on their way to their HEA.

Visit http://juliettecross.com for more information

Review // Gula by Colette Rhodes

November 05, 2023

Gula by Colette Rhodes

"Bed," Selene ordered the moment I stepped into the room.
"What"
"You smell needy."
My historical trend of failing upward appeared to be continuing. "I am. Super needy. Let's go."


Gula by Colette Rhodes

Gula by Colette Rhodes


Rating - ★★★★1/2
Standalone - Shades of Sin #3
Release - September 30, 2023
Genre and Trope - paranormal romance / forced proximity / protection
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - slow burn and descriptive scenes
Source - Kindle Unlimited
Length - 284 pages

Selene cares about three things in life:
 1. Her prestigious position as Lieutenant of the Guard that very few of the elite at Court feel she deserves.
 2. Her beloved sister and niece, humiliating reminders of her humble origins.
 3. Her penchant for rare and expensive dining—a status symbol and marker of the success she’s attained.

Austin only cares about one thing in life:
 1. Music.

Except Austin’s rockstar dreams never came true, and the bottom of the bottle isn’t giving him the answers he’s searching for.

But maybe, just maybe, a prickly Shade with a secret wild side will.

Other books in the series:
Luxuria * Superbia


Gula by Colette Rhodes

My Two Cents

The love story of Austin and Selene was very different from the books that preceded it. For one, the ex-hunter who never hunted was male. Secondly, there was no instalust or instant connection of any kind. Their meet-cute WAS NOT very cute at all and Austin had a bad impression to make up for. And third, the heat didn't exist for MOST of this story.

These differences allowed the characters to develop a unique relationship. Selene was very set in her ways, living a regimented, sheltered life, with no real companionship or feeling of belonging. And Austin was very mellow, easy to like, and could fit in anywhere. They were very different from each other, but at their core, the author illustrated that they had more in common than either of them realized.

I loved how they drew out the best of each other. Austin got Selene to open up more, to share her true self with him and she inspired him to take life and himself more seriously. It was wonderful to watch how things between them grew out of trust and friendship and became exactly what both of them needed.

I'm enjoying the heck out of learning more about Shades and the hunters that love them. I'm really excited to continue this series!!

The Author

Colette Rhodes is a huge fan of paranormal romance and reverse harem books. They're what she loves to read and what she loves to write. #WhyChoose, right?

Colette studied both History and Ancient History at university and loves including both historical facts and ancient mythology in her work.

When she's not writing, you'll find her spending time with her husband and daughter in beautiful New Zealand.

Visit https://coletterhodes.com for more information

Reviews // Duntroon, Hot Enough to Burn, and Yes Justin

October 31, 2023

Duntroon by Aaron L. Speer


Blurb from Goodreads:

Alicia Hetherington had been promised the world by who turned out to be nothing more than a liar and scum, Wilson Slade. Leaving her high and dry after sleeping with her, and now needing to get back home and forget this experience ever happened.

But fate had other plans.

Not only would she never forget this experience, getting home would not be as easy as it would seem. Sinister forces that craved the opportunity to hunt a young girl for her blood had picked up her scent and were on the hunt, determined to find her before she crossed the border. And they were closing in.

Out of the shadows from where they came, also came something else. A dark guardian. One who even killers like this had labelled "the devil who walks". The question was not only who would find her first, but who would make it out alive come morning?

Rating: ★★★★★

This was written perfectly! I felt immediately ensconced in the Undeadly Secrets world once again. Seeing this prequel featuring Alicia and a mysterious hunter absolutely made my day. There was killing and no small amount of fear and curiosity (mostly mine) and I'm way too excited over here to get my hands on more.


Hot Enough to Burn by Cynthia Eden


Blurb from Goodreads:

Do you believe in monsters? You should, they walk among humans every single day. Reporter Eve Bradley has known the truth about paranormals for a while, and her latest story has taken her inside the mysterious Genesis facility. It’s at Genesis that Eve first meets Subject Thirteen, Cain O’Connor. Big, gorgeous, and truly, truly HOT.

Cain is a phoenix shifter. Every time that he dies, he rises from the ashes…stronger, deadlier, and another step closer to losing his control. And what happens when a phoenix loses control? Welcome to hell on Earth.

Cain feels an instant connection with Eve, a woman who swears she wants to help him. The attraction between them burns hotter than his flames, and soon, Eve is the only link to sanity that Cain has as the world turns to fire around him.

Eve isn’t human, despite the cover she’s used for years, and she is more than capable of withstanding a little heat. But as their enemies plot to trap them, Eve and Cain will be forced to trust each other completely. Be forced to surrender to a desire that cannot be controlled, and soon, if they are not careful, it’s a desire that might just have the power to destroy them both.

If you want something too badly, if you want someone too much…you will never even see the fire coming, not until it’s too late. Be careful. You don’t want to get burned…

Rating: ★★★

I enjoyed the premise of this story, but I failed to connect to the characters. Not my first experience with a phoenix shifter, but I really liked how Cain was characterized. His mannerisms, triggers and powers were very unique. He would die and fire would bring him back to life, a little less sane each time. I was more intrigued by the vampire side character, Ryder, than anything else so I hope there's a story for him out there.


Yes, Justin by Michele Zurlo


Blurb from Goodreads:

After fifteen years and two kids, the romance has fled from Trish’s marriage. She’s a different woman now, and she wants different things. When she stumbles upon an emailed ad from Oasis, an adult fantasy fulfillment service, she seizes the opportunity to spend a weekend having her body and soul mastered by a man who is completely focused on her.

Justin is shocked when he finds out his wife is planning to cheat on him. Willing to do anything to keep the woman he loves, he arranges with Oasis to become the Dom she wants. He’ll carry out her kidnap fantasy, fulfill her desire to be dominated, and force her to confront the reasons she wanted to be there in the first place.

Publisher's This book contains explicit sexual situations, graphic language, and material that some readers may find anal play/intercourse, BDSM theme and elements including/not limited bondage, D/s, spanking, etc.)

Rating: ★★★

I really like how the author broached the topic of distance that is sure to come in most long-term relationships. It's true that we learn to take our significant other for granted sometimes. I like that the pressures of parenthood were added as well. The fact that the husband took initiative to learn what his wife needed and became the Dom to her Sub was hot. The scenes were tasteful and the love shared between them was unmistakeable.


Frozen In Ice by Cynthia Eden


Is he a drop dead gorgeous…killer?

Delilah “Lila” Darrow doesn’t belong in the world of the rich and famous, but for one night, she’s going to wear the fanciest dress she can find and pretend that she does. Her plan—get close to reclusive billionaire Archer Radcliffe and find out…is he a murderer?

She knows exactly what Archer likes. She knows how to slip beneath his guard. She knows how to make him fall for her. With the right tools, Delilah believes she can finally make Archer pay for the crime he committed so long ago.

Payback is calling…and she’s wearing a dress made for sin.

Delilah is part of a group of crime solvers called the Ice Breakers—an online team made up of individuals who have the goal of solving cold cases. Five years ago, Delilah’s sister disappeared without a trace. Since then, Delilah has made it her mission to close as many unsolved cases as possible. Archer Radcliffe will be the latest target in her quest.

Except…Archer turns the tables on her. He sees through her lies. Tries to seduce her. And, he also swears his innocence.

Can she trust him? Or is he playing her?

Now that he has Delilah at his side, Archer can finally get the justice—the vengeance—he has craved. The only problem? The beautiful Delilah will be in danger. But Archer intends to stick close to her. So close that the world will believe they are completely in love. So close that a deadly enemy will want to strike. So close that just maybe—if he’s not careful—Archer might begin to fall for the woman he intends to use…

Rating: ★★★

I love this author's writing, but I found this story to be a bit too absurd. Delilah was an agressive investigative reporter who tried too hard to prove that she was more than she was. She irked me and I'm not sure if it was all her or my intense dislike of reporters. Maybe I should avoid stories with reporters as main characters because of my bias.

Archer was supposed to be this cold, commanding and in control man who was accused of murder, but I didn't buy it. He was constantly losing control because of Delilah (spare me) and I found it all to be a bit overdone. Again, it could be because of my personal feelings so please take this review with a grain of salt.

I did really enjoy getting to the reveal of the big bad and finding out the motives and punishment. It did make this read worthwhile.