Tag Archives: fantasy-romance

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*REVIEW* – Ensnared: The Spider’s Mate #1, by Tiffany Roberts

#MonsterRomance #Romance #SciFi #Fantasy

Blurb

He’s spent years as a hunter, but now he’s the one ensnared in a creature’s trap.

Ketahn did not want a mate. Fate has a different plan for him. When the queen he despises declares her intention to claim him, he retreats into the jungle.

What he finds there changes his world.

Small, delicate, and pale skinned, Ivy Foster is nothing like the females Ketahn has known. She’s not of his kind at all. Yet the moment he sees her, he knows the truth in his soul—she is his heartsthread.

And now that he has her, he won’t let anything take her away. Not the jungle, not the gods, not the queen.

Whether Ivy agrees or not, their webs are entangled. No one will ever sever those threads.
—-
Book 1 of 3 in The Spider’s Mate Trilogy.

Warning: Contains darker themes and S/A. There is also a cliffhanger.

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My Review – 5 stars

Original, Sexy and Fun! 

When I started to read this book, it was not without some trepidation as I am a HUMONGOUS arachnophobe. Yet, whilst the male lead is well and truly spider-like, the author writes in such a way that by the end of the story it mattered not as his character and his relationship with Ivy transcended any physical attributes and differences between them.

We learn a lot about Ketahn at the beginning of the story and how he lives alone in the jungle, away from his own kind to avoid the machinations of the court of the evil queen, a female who has her sights well and truly set on him. I loved how the circumstances of how Ketahn and Ivy meet set the scene for events which play out later in the novel. Ketahn is immediately fascinated by Ivy. He takes it upon himself to protect her as she is so vulnerable and unlike the fearsome females he knows. He keeps her close to him and hidden from his kind. 

Overall their romance is a slow burn, with some truly sweet moments and also some humourous ones. Ivy’s initial, and very understandable, terror of Ketahn turns at first to friendship and then to something more, something they both try and deny to themselves, but which cannot be denied – cue some HOT scenes, where Ketahn’s spider-like attributes come into their own…

This is an inspired read by the author in SO many ways – if you had told me a few weeks ago I would be lapping up a romance with a human female and an alien spider-like creature, I would not have believed you! However, their romance is one to savour as shared respect and understanding grows between them as Ketahn teaches Ivy to survive – I particularly loved how they learned to communicate with each other and learn each others’ language and about their many differences. As Ivy learns about the world she finds herself in and Ketahn learns about Ivy they become ever closer.

The worldbuilding and plotting is excellent, the author painting a detailed and credible picture of Ketahn’s society and home world.  We are introduced to a number of key characters who play an important role in the evolving plot and from the outset Ketahn is a sympathetic character who is protective of those he cares for and there is nothing he cares more about than Ivy. Yet will she agree to bond with him and what of the queen, who will stop at nothing to make him bond with her. There are some heart stopping moments in the book, which ends on a cliffhanger, and I am looking forward to the next instalment.

Recommended for lovers of sci-fi and fantasy romance. 

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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ARC REVIEW ~ The Monster and the Prisoner (The Fenris Series #3) , by Samantha Macleod

#eroticromance #erotica #norsemythology
Adult/18+ read

 

Book Blurb

Captured by the cruel king!

Her family murdered, Sol has been taken in chains to the foreboding fortress of Nøkkyn the Mountain King. The King intends to make an example out of her disobedience with a public execution. What’s more, Nøkkyn plans to unleash a false prophecy strong enough to bring down the fiercest monster in the Ironwood forest: Fenris-wolf.

Is there any way for the daughter of slaves to escape the King’s castle? Or will Sol’s captivity also bring about the downfall of her husband Fenris?

My Review ~ 5 stars

Prisoner of the evil King – hot, debauched and suspense filled!

After the cliff hanger ending in the previous instalment, The Monster’s Wife (click book title for review), I approached this read with some degree of trepidation, dreading what King Nøkkyn had in store for Sol! We are left in no doubt as to his evil intentions when he makes it clear from the off that he is hell bent on making her pay the ultimate price for defying him, treating her cruelly as she awaits her fate. His fortress is certainly not a house of fun!

Indeed, the author does an excellent job of illustrating his evil and debauched character – he really is a thorough villain, rotten to the core. This is evidenced not only in his dealings with Sol but also in the abject fear he engenders in his own subjects. He also schemes to blacken Fenris’ name to turn the people against him and sow the seeds of his doom. I really felt for Sol as her situation seems hopeless as she is subjected to one sadistic treatment after another.

The read, although dark, contains a great deal of hotness, with sizzling scenes throughout. There is also plenty of suspense as I pondered whether Sol could possibly escape the King’s vengeance and whether Fenris could secure her release without becoming embroiled in his web of lies. I loved it!

This series is thoroughly recommended for lovers of erotic fantasy, particularly hose who enjoy stories which draw on Norse mythology.

Reviewed by Tina Williams
Please note that a copy of this book was given to me by the author in return for a fair and honest review.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/44430753-the-monster-and-the-prisoner?from_search=true

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*ARC REVIEW* ~ The Monster’s Lover (The Fenris Series Book 1), by Samantha Macleod

#erotic #fantasy #novella #norsemythology

Blurb

Promised to cruel King Nøkkyn’s harem, Sol Eriksen is out of options, and nearly out of time.

When she meets a distractingly handsome stranger in the Ironwood Forest who claims to be a legendary monster, Sol thinks he must be a madman, or a demon. She knows she shouldn’t listen to him. Or trust him. And she should not, under any circumstances, kiss him again.

As King Nøkkyn’s grip around her tightens, Sol finds her last chance at freedom may lie with her mysterious new lover, the man who calls himself Fenris.

https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/43311545-the-monster-s-lover

My Review

Spellbinding Erotic Fantasy ~ 5 Stars

Samantha Macleod has done it again! The Monster’s Lover is one smoking hot adult fantasy, complete with feisty heroine, a handsome stranger and an evil king. The action takes place in the mysterious Ironwood Forest where Norse legends abound…

At the centre of the story is the relationship between Sol and Fenris, a man who is so unlike the other men in Sol’s community that she refers to him as a demon. However, Sol is promised to another, the King, a man for whom she has no affection and whom she fears. Once she meets Fenris she throws all caution to the wind. Indeed, the author leaves nothing to the imagination as she describes the lovemaking scenes between them (they are seriously HOT) in this erotic romance.

Both Sol and Fenris have secrets but are swept away by the tide of their love and lust for each other. We learn much about Sol in this read and how she became destined for the king’s harem and my heart bled for her at her predicament. There is a significant amount of tension between what she feels she must do out of duty and what her heart tells her to do. As for Fenris, both Sol and the reader learn more about him as the book reaches its denouement, but what we are assured of throughout is his devotion to Sol.

The book doesn’t contain a cliff hanger as such but leaves the door open to continue Sol and Fenris’ story in the next instalment, which I am itching to read. Highly recommended for readers of erotic fantasy romance.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

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*REVIEW* ~ Waking for Winter (Philadelphia Coven Chronicles #4), by Katherine McIntyre

#paranormal #romance #urbanfantasy

Blurb

The Philadelphia Coven has thwarted the Order of the Serpent’s every attempt to destroy their city only to draw out the scariest nightmare from the Otherworld, the Caoranach. One of the Coven’s own, Cami Akiyama, has already met this creature—the very monster who tortured her, branding her with a mark. Given Cami’s history with the big bad, the Coven leader assigns her a bodyguard, none other than the gorgeous and lethal necromancer, Dante Martinez, the ex-boyfriend she disappeared on years ago. One conversation confirms the spark between them never died, and based on the way Dante flirts, he won’t allow that flame to extinguish out without a fight.

No one has ever compared to Dante and the incendiary passion he inspired in her, but the Caoranach broke her—Cami’s too damaged for any sort of relationship. Not like that stops him. If anything, he fights harder for the memories of a love that kept her sane on the bleakest nights. And despite every effort to distance, she finds herself falling for him all over again. Except the Caoranach isn’t finished with her—the branded mark holds the secret to the city’s destruction or salvation, and Cami stands in the center of the storm.

My Review ~ 5 stars

Fast Paced and Passionate Second Chance Romance

Waking for Winter is a fast paced and passionate second chance romance. It contains one damaged Banshee who is not going down without a fight and a Necromancer who will give anything to keep her alive and make her his. It is the fourth and final instalment in the author’s Philadelphia Coven urban fantasy series which combines kick-ass scenes and heated encounters.

The Order of the Serpent has been the proverbial thorn in the side of the Coven, the organisation dedicated to prevent creatures from the Otherworld wreaking havoc and destruction on their city and humanity. The Order’s actions have drawn out the nightmare of the Caoranach, a creature intent on destroying the city. Cami has had the misfortune to have been held captive by this creature and bears both mental and physical scars, the latter in the form of the Caoranach’s mark. Cami is in an impossible situation – she is hell-bent on destroying her nemesis but fears the mark bestowed on her has formed an unwelcome bond with her enemy, enabling the creature to use her as a weapon against those whom she loves. Once Cami’s mark becomes known to the Coven, the necromancer Dante, whom Cami walked out on years ago is assigned to protect her.

Cami is a heroine whom I was rooting for from the off. She is so stong when the chips are down despite havng to cope with PTSD from her time in captivity. Her actions in the novel and in the past are motivated by protecting those whom she cares about and I admired how she put the welfare of others before her own, even if to do so risks her heart and soul. Dante, who we met earlier in the series, comes across as a bit of a man-whore, but we soon learn that this is just a front. Tasked with protecting Cami, the couple are forced into close proximity and the feelings they once had for each other soon resurface.

Yet Cami is adamant that she will not re-kindle their relationship and as the tale unfolds we learn her reasons for this. However, Dante is extremely persistent and as the danger increases so soes the passion! Brought together once again in the shadow of the death and destruction threated by the Caoranach will Cami and Dante reunite or even survive? I loved the story from beginning to the end.

Recommended for lovers of fast-paced and sexy urban fantasy.

Reviviewed by Tina Williams

Please note that a copy of this book was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review. 

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Website: http://www.katherine-mcintyre.com

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*REVIEW* ~ Her Bastard Bridegroom, by Alice Coldbreath

#medieval #fantasy #romance

A Sweet and Steamy Adult Read

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Book Blurb

Lady Linnet Cadwallader has been raised a helpless invalid in her own castle. Brought up to believe she will ‘never make old bones’ she lives a quiet and lonely existence, hiding away her excessive freckles and red hair from a world that believes her to be hideously misshapen and ugly.

Until one day her uncle arranges a marriage of convenience for her, a marriage in name only with a young puppet groom… but Sir Roland does not show up. In his place turns up his bastard-born brother Mason Vawdrey. And dark, forceful Mason is no-one’s puppet.

Things are about to get interesting at Cadwallader Castle. And Linnet is about to discover that maybe a golden leopardess does not need to change her glorious spots.

This is a full length novel of over 80,000 words. Please do not purchase if you are offended by strong language and or sex scenes.

My Review

Loved it – A Delightfully Sweet and Steamy Treat! ~ 5 stars

I came across this read whilst noodling on Amazon and downloaded it as the plot line – vulnerable heroine marries bad boy alpha male really appealed to me. I’m so so glad I did, as I now have another favourite author to read!

Her Bastard Bridegroom is a sweet and steamy read set in a Medieval landscape. Whilst the hero Mason truly is the dark and brooding bastard in the book’s title, and Linnet regards herself as an unattractive young lady destined for an early grave, nothing is what it first seems – this book is a romance after all! Both hero and heroine are just what each other needs and their relationship frees them from their past and leads the to discover truths about themselves that they did not know existed. What starts of as a marriage of convenience with the hero making no bones about marrying the heroine for her riches soon develops into something more. Yet there are those in Linnet’s and his own family who are far from happy about their unexpected union and they gather in the wings…

Mason is a loveable rogue of a man. He is renowned for his dark ways and freely admits that he does not have a romantic bone in his body. I liked that he is totally honest with Linnet and leaves her under no illusions that what he wants from her is her dowry and an heir or two so that his offspring can secure a title. Yet this great beast of a man has never met a woman quite like Linnet, so unspoiled and innocent. Despite his first impressions he is in for a huge surprise as his new wife also has a strong character and can match him in and out of the bedroom. Talking of bedroom there are many steamy scenes inside and outside of the chamber and the authors graphic depictions of their lovemaking positively sizzle!

As for Linnet. despite Mason’s reputation, she is undaunted and is liberated by her marriage as never before in her life. I loved how her character came into its own with the developing plot and how Mason, despite his gruff ways and his insistence to himself and others that this marriage was for his convenience only, falls hard for his wife.

Mason’s half-brother Oswald, so different in character, is a perfect foil for Mason, often acting as his conscience and along with many other supporting characters make for an entertaining and often humorous read. I loved how the story developed and was very satisfied with its outcome.

Recommended for fans of historical/fantasy romance who like a romantic and steamy read.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

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https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/32388550-her-bastard-bridegroom

 

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**REVIEW** ~ Angelis Vampire Series, by Shane North

Paranormal/Fantasy Romance

Adult content

If you are after a romantic paranormal/fantasy read which has plenty of action with a kick-ass heroine or two, out -of-this-world lovemaking scenes, magic and mayhem, then you will want to consider Shane North’s Angelis Vampire series. Aside from the vamps there are werewolves and a host of other immortal beings who are striving to co-exist alongside the world of mortals. And, talking of worlds, we also have the key role played by Angelis, a world in another time dimension but which plays a pivotal role in the series.

If you want to read an interview with Shane, posted previously on our blog, which includes an extract from Shannon, the first book in the series click here. You can currently download Shannon for FREE:

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Shannon 1

Blurb

Shannon’s life is happy except for her nightmares, but when she watches her mom and dad being murdered by the monsters in her dreams, her life falls apart. Her best friend turns out to be a werewolf, the man she thinks of as her other father is the alpha male, and her long lost uncle is a vampire lord from Angelis. Angelis is in another time dimension, a world ruled by Royals, a pureblooded line of vampires with powers never seen in this time dimension. Angelis is a medieval world of castles, and ancient magic that her mother and uncle were forced to leave to save their lives.

Shannon’s journey leads her to follow her destiny and meet the love of her life. Destiny and her uncle lead her to find out what she really is, where she came from, and to become the strongest immortal to live. Shannon learns to kill quickly, and to love like there’s no tomorrow when she meets her mate from her dreams. Simon, an eight-hundred year old Viking has searched the world for his true love when he meets Shannon. What will Shannon’s uncle, Simon’s maker, have to say about this? A young woman from South beach, destined to overthrow the vampire council and rule the immortal race with the help of the ancient Shaman Neeb.

My Review

Paranormal/Fantasy Romance with a powerful heroine ~ 4 stars

Shannon, book #1 in the Angelis Vampire series is a sweet, but at the same time erotic paranormal/fantasy romance, with an original storyline. It contains a powerful heroine, magic, vampires, werewolves, fated mates and a battle between good and evil.

For me the read also has the feel of a New Adult/coming of age novel and this fits the storyline as the kick-ass heroine Shannon is trying to come to terms with her legacy after being thrust into the world of immortals. Her life is now far more complicated than that of a young woman from South Beach! She finds out that she is descended from a union between Callidora, a royal from Angelis, a world in another time dimension, and Connor an alpha werewolf.

Instead of going clubbing and shopping she needs to concentrate on using her growing powers – which due to her lineage are considerable, to destroy the evil Vampire Assembly, who murdered he parents and seize power. To the Assembly Shannon, the offspring of a forbidden union of werewolf and vampire, is an abomination to be destroyed.

Shannon’s task is not easy – she has to come to terms with the vast changes that are taking place in her life and the physical and mental challenges of being an immortal. It is fortunate that she has found the vampire Simon, her life-mate.

There are a numerous battle scenes, where Shannon and others show their combat prowess and also some scorching lovemaking scenes. The novel contains a number of engaging characters: her powerful uncle Damon, also from Angelis, who exudes charm, strength and humour; her best friend Cait, a werewolf and Cait’s father Keegan and of course her very own Simon, who is a girl’s dream.

I enjoyed the read and the author and the series has a lot of promise.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of the novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

Shannon 2

Blurb

My name is Shannon O’Callaghan and I’m immortal. I live in an amazing world of time travel and magic, where vampires and werewolves are normal and I call them family A family some would say are monsters, but they love me unconditionally and it’s the life I was meant to live. My father was Connor O’Callaghan, a visionary that led the wolves to peace and prosperity. My mother was Callidora Angelis, a Royal vampire from another time dimension. Their love and life together are what made my life possible, but, it is also what caused their death. And, it’s their death that fuels my journey of revenge on those who stole my life.
This immortal word is controlled by The Vampire Assembly. The Assembly is an evil group of twelve who decides the fate of its followers. They are devils dressed like mortal men who kill with pleasure and live off of blood slaves they keep in their dungeons. They are evil, they are responsible for my parents’ death, and I will see them dead. My day for revenge is finally coming and The Assembly is mine to kill. Then and only then will I rule this land as their queen.

My Review

Sexy and Fast-Paced! ~ 4 stars

The pace and the action hot up in Shannon’s Revenge, book #2 in the Angelis Vampire series. Shannon is now coming to terms with her considerable powers and, despite a few minor hiccups, she is starting to show great promise as a warrior and future ruler. Uncle Damon and Shaman Neeb, not to mention Cait her best friend and life-mate Simon are all on hand to support her through the process.

It is only a matter of time before Shannon, supported by an alliance of vampires, werewolves and the Elvin race, goes head to head with the Vampire Assembly and its leader x. Before this happens Shannon needs to bide her time, hone her growing powers and magic strike when the time is right. Yet the council leader Antonious is no fool and Shannon and her supporters will need all their wits about them.

I enjoyed the Shannon’s growth and character development in this novel and also how the author developed the other characters, especially Uncle Damon, with whom she has many verbal sparring matches. I loved the sexy scenes between Shannon and Simon, the humour and also the many action scene. Shannon is a powerful role model and heroine for although she has a soft heart she is a powerful immortal and is no one’s fool. She does not hesitate to do what is necessary and is dedicated to her goal of annihilating the Vampire Assembly. The ending is a worthy one.

Recommended for lovers of paranormal/fantasy romance who like an erotic read and a strong heroine.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Reagan

Blurb

Death has arrived in earth’s time dimension. A foul stench filled Shannon’s nose, a smell of sulfur and death. This might have been a vision, but her power spiked as she sensed the source and moved towards it. Her life force surrounded her as her swords appeared in her hands. She gripped them tightly and stepped through a massive oak door. Before her stood a giant of a man.

His essence was black as coal, and his soul had long been lost to his dark side. His ancient leather armor looked old and battled; it smelled musty from the dried blood and looked dry and brittle. This had to be Kyran. Evil always had a dirty, unkempt appearance, and his aura was encircled with death. She could sense his blood was similar to Damon’s, and she knew she would take great pleasure in killing him someday. But what happens when Kyran is taken to earth’s time dimension by Neeb’s evil brother, seeking to kill the remaining royal Angelian family and end their bloodline forever.

In this riveting spin off from Shane North’s Angelis Vampire Series, an unknown Angelian is faced with death, her new life and the destiny the fates have planned for her.

My Review

High Octane and Entertaining! ~ 4 stars

Reagan’s Destiny is both a spin off and a continuation of the story arc contained in the previous novels in the series, Shannon and Shannon’s Revenge. The Vampire Council having been dealt with, the threat in this novel comes from Angelis no less, the medieval and magical world where Shannon’s mother and uncle were compelled to leave. Evil in the form of Kyran stalks Shannon and her uncle Damon, intent on destroying what remains of the royal Angelian family.

Reagan, a young woman with Angelian blood plays a key role in this battle and I enjoyed how this novel focused on her story, whilst including the characters I have grown to love from earlier novels. Shannon and Cait are destined to forge a strong relationship with this headstrong individual, but the path to their burgeoning friendship is not plain sailing. We know from Shannon’s trials that adapting to a life of an immortal and facing up to one’s destiny is not always easy and the author does a god job of exploring these issues, whilst maintaining a high octane and entertaining read.

Reagan is fortunate in that she manages to find unexpected love in the form of the vampire Lucius who she finds is her life mate. There are plenty of hot, sweet and romantic interludes amongst the bloody battle scenes and magic and I enjoyed the contrasting scenes. Kyran, as a powerful Angelian, is a well drawn and formidable enemy. Aided by the brother of Shaman Neeb, it will take everything Reagan, Shannon and Damon have in their arsenal to bring about his downfall.

Recommended to fans of paranormal/fantasy romance.

Reviewed by Tina Williams

Please note, a copy of the novel was given to me by the author for the purpose of a fair and honest review.

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