I was a big fan of the Chicagoland Vampires series, but wasn't quite so sure about the spin-off until I finished the first book (which started slow). Then I was hooked. Wicked Hour was even better than the first book combining a group of established friends from the first book with a great setting, snarky dialog, and an interesting mystery. What is the mysterious beast in the north woods of Minnesota?
The two main characters of this series are a vampire and a werewolf in love with each other, so I expected the inevitable conflict between species to be one the author might milk for at least a couple of books. So imagine my glee when she didn't take that trope-tastic route but instead had her two main characters act like rational adults.
Where the author did skirt the line was the amount of animosity Lis was up against from the werewolf clan. At times it felt too manufactured to be believed, although towards the end the author made it work by turning it inward and making it about something larger than Lis's vampirism.
All up it was an excellent sophomore entry in a promising new series I look forward to continuing.
Wicked Billionaire by Sawyer Bennett
My rating: 4 of 5 stars
Bennett saved the best for last. Wicked Billionaire is brash, sensual, acerbic and unpredictable. Declan can be a little hard to take, but the thrill comes from waiting to see what he'll do next. In Bailey he meets his match. A tough cookie with the smart mouth to back it up. I had the chance to listen to Leigh and Greenfield bring Bailey and Declan to life and the experience is electric. A firecracker.
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Synopsis:
As the prince of a luxury hotel empire, I am as close to American royalty as one can get. I grew up accustomed to a certain lifestyle. One where people give me what I desire and anything, or anyone, else can be bought. Everyone wants a piece of me, yet no one is actually deserving of my time. That changes when Bailey Robbins, the smoking hot housekeeper in one of my hotels, catches my attention. Sure, she has curves for days but it’s her smart mouth I can’t help but be intrigued by. I may have avoided relationships all my life, but something about her makes me want to introduce her to my world. The darker, wicked side of Declan Blackwood.
About the Author:
New York Times, USA Today, and Wall Street Journal Bestselling author Sawyer Bennett uses real life experience to create relatable stories that appeal to a wide array of readers. From contemporary romance, fantasy romance, and both women’s and general fiction, Sawyer writes something for just about everyone. A former trial lawyer from North Carolina, when she is not bringing fiction to life, Sawyer i s a chauffeur, stylist, chef, maid, and personal assistant to her very adorable daughter, as well as full - time servant to her wonderfully naughty dogs. If you’d like to receive a notification when Sawyer releases a new book, sign up for her newsletter (sawyerbennett.com/signup).
english review only audible audiobook Summary: You must be strong enough to strike and strike and strike again without tiring. The first lesson is to make yourself strong. After the jaw-dropping revelation that Oak is the heir to Faerie, Jude must keep her younger brother safe. To do so, she has bound the wicked King Cardan to her and made herself the power behind the throne. Navigating the constantly shifting political alliances of Faerie would be difficult enough if Cardan were easy to control. But he does everything in his power to humiliate and undermine her even as his fascination with her remains undiminished. When it becomes all too clear that someone close to Jude means to betray her, threatening her own life and the lives of everyone she loves, Jude must uncover the traitor and fight her own complicated feelings for Cardan to maintain control as a mortal in a Faerie world. My review: Still going strong!!! I just really like these books, man. Do I hate most of the characters and wish them a slow and painful death? Hell yes. But I just love the world, the writing, (the narrator in my case), And I JUST LOVE JUDE SO DAMN MUCH. In other news. I still can't stand Taryn (where is the second short story for her where she explains her motives and shit LOL). And Cardan, I was thiiiiis close to actually start liking him and then the end happend and fuck you, dude. Go to hell. |