Dark Protectors #11, The story of the seven continue on, it is best if you start at the beginning or at least Vampire's Faith (#8) which is the start of this story arc. When we last saw Quade his world was on the brink of collapse, Haven a special woman who has the ability to travel to other worlds in her dreams has seen Quade, talked to him. Haven doesn't always have control of where she goes but she was lucky enough to get to Quade before his world collapsed and somehow brought him back with her. Quade is thrust in to modern times and unlike his brother who had the help of Siri to adjust Quade is figuring this out on his own with Haven's help, his favorite thing is toothpaste.

On the run from human police and the Kurjian are the least of their problems when Haven's past finds her and tries it's best to take her way from Quade with the help a creepy shifter. But that's just the beginning. The Kurjian and the Cyst are still hot on the Seven's tail and the big bad is closer than ever to breaking free and it's up to Haven to stop it from happening.

The romance between Quade and Haven starts really nice, they have great chemistry but once it gets to the whole have to mate to protect her I lose interest, normally I love oblivious guys but Quade is just being too stubborn for his own good and it gets tiresome. The ending was brilliant though, I really liked how this one ended.

Overall, out of this new story arc this is definitely one of my favorites. It was action-packed and exciting from cover to cover. And Finally Grace and Adare's book is going to be next, well after the novella.     

This week's favorite romance pick will kick off a a count down till Christmas with Christmas/Hanukah/Festivus of all kinds reviews for the rest of the month. 

Elizabeth Bevarly writer fun, funny books. I like a lot of that around the holidays. 

I love a grumpy hero and here we have one who just adores our heroine. And why shouldn't he? She is great.

I have a soft spot for books where the heroine is pregnant but not with the hero's baby. Beverly gives me a romance I can believe in this lovely Christmas miracle love story. 

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Single and pregnant, diner waitress Mindy Harmon might have been a little down on her luck, yet she'd still managed to keep her holiday spirit. But she was more than a little surprised when she opened her door on Christmas Eve to find ...Reed Atchison, M.D.--her gorgeous-but-grumpy customer--declaring himself her own personal Christmas present!

Reed had never been big on Christmas, but when he met Mindy--the beautiful mother-to-be who had so little yet gave so much--he became a believer. In roles he never thought he'd take on--like Dr. Husband. And Dr. Daddy?

THE HERO’S GUIDE TO STORMING THE CASTLE by Christopher Healy is the second book in the series. Things have gone downhill for our heroes (princes Liam, Frederic, Gustav, and Duncan) with the Bandit King getting his revenge, but the princes soon find themselves involved in another adventure.

After reading and loving THE HERO’S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM, I was really looking forward to diving into this book. Unfortunately, THE HERO’S GUIDE TO STORMING THE CASTLE left me disappointed. For me it lacked the fun and play of the first book, and at times it felt more like the author was laughing at the characters, rather than with them.

When the book starts it takes a while to get into the main plot – which is a quest that the princes find themselves on. Before then we get to see a bit of the princes’ lives at home. Healy used this opportunity to reveal some things about the princes that served to explain their behaviour – and I also think, may be used in future books as plot points. Once the story reached the main plot, it was very reminiscent of the previous book – it was like (mostly) organised chaos.

I’m not really sure if this book adds anything to the series, or if I just feel that way because I found the book quite boring, as Healy added nothing new to the mix really. I can see it as a way of building a foundation for books later in the series – it certainly has the potential to do that, as there are a LOT of plot threads which Healy could take-up – but that does little to endear me to this particular book.

There were moments within the story that I enjoyed – moments which showed the spark of the previous book. I particularly enjoyed Prince Liam’s reaction to his sister suddenly making an appearance to help. In fact, I really quite liked Prince Liam’s sister – Lila was a really awesome, kick-ass character; she knows what she wants, and she’s not afraid to do what she needs to to reach her goal.

If you have read and enjoyed THE HERO’S GUIDE TO SAVING YOUR KINGDOM then you will probably enjoy your return to the world, especially if you are closer to the intended age range of this book than I am. Although I did not enjoy this book, I think Healy has a lot of potential to explore within this world and series.

Originally posted on The Flutterby Room.