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I received an ARC of 'Belize' from the author, in exchange for an honest review.

I loved the first chapter, a quick look at Tanya & Ethan... the moment Ethan first met Tanya's parents, OH what a laugh that was. Once again this book was filled with laughs, tension, heart ache, jealousy... & you got most of them within the first chapter, but they were spread all throughout the book. Tanya & Ethan are getting married as one of the bridesmaids Cynthia is heading to Belize with everyone else, as the only single person at the wedding Cynthia finds herself bunked in with Tanya's aunt... OH WHAT AN AUNT. On the night of arriving Cynthia takes a walk on the beach when a man emerges out of the ocean, it's not until the bride forces her to do the dance that she finds out he's Ethan's Navy SEAL brother Chase.

I really enjoyed the banter between Cynthia & Chase, also loved it when a certian couple show up trying to ruin Ethan & Tanya's wedding, how Chase & Cynthia band together. There were some major funny moments in this book, oh the aunt, the situation between Ethan & Tanya's parents... everything coming together was just fun to read. 'Belize' is book 2 in Kimberly's series "Bad Boys on the Beach" & although you don't have to read the series in order, I highly advise you too, you HAVE to read how Ethan & Tanya first meet to really enjoy the side characters in this book.

There seems to be a trend in post-colonial literature of juxtaposing a character’s coming-of-age with that of his or her country. This is one of those books: it’s set in mid-20^th-century Belize, nearing its independence from the British empire, as seen through the eyes of 14-year-old Beka. Beka has just flunked her freshman year at the local convent school, and since free public education is not yet an option, it's not certain whether her father will let her try again. Meanwhile her best friend, Toycie, gets into some serious trouble.

Unfortunately, Edgell deploys a combination of techniques that, while not always bad, combine to make this a less than engaging read. First, the entire story is told in flashback, so we know up front how all major threads are going to turn out. Second, the book is packed with Belize-related information – food, geography, flora and fauna, architecture, celebrations, politics, local history and legends, etc. – so that the setting threatens to take up more space than the plot. Third, the writing style is rather flat (and my edition needed a bit more copyediting), so that whenever the author moves from one topic to another, any momentum the story has gained is promptly lost. The book has only 171 pages, but feels longer; for more than half its length I had to push myself to read 30-40 pages a day. It does become somewhat more engaging toward the end, however.

That isn’t to say there isn’t some interesting material here, both in the girls’ coming-of-age and in the local politics. Beka’s grandmother is an active supporter of the independence party, but she tries to discourage Beka from striving for a school prize, apparently under the impression that a creole wouldn’t be allowed to win anyway. Meanwhile Beka’s father is less than thrilled with the idea of universal adult suffrage, despite being from a community disadvantaged by restricting the franchise, because he feels this diminishes his achievement as a black man who pulled himself up by his bootstraps. However, Beka’s relatives’ opinions are more memorable than their personalities; the characters aren’t flat, exactly, but nor are they particularly vivid.

Overall, this isn’t a terrible book and I wouldn’t discourage people from reading it, especially those who have some personal connection to Belize, but it was a bit of a chore for me and seems better suited to academic reading than pleasure. So, 2.5 stars.

Plot:

The material from the beginning of this book is taken from the previous one.

So, Lykae Bowen MacRieve entered the Hie to win the key just as the previous hero (Sebastian Wroth) and heroine (Kaderin the Cold Hearted). Bowen has spent centuries trying to find a way to bring back his lost mate. Now, when the opportunity presented itself he tried as best as he could and if not for the little wicked witch he might have succeeded. But he didn't. He felt as though he lost his mate all over again.

The young witch Marika the Awaited is still mortal but she entered the Hie regardless. Since everyone expects great things from her and she always failed everyone, this was her opportunity to redeem herself. She was doing a good job until she crossed paths with the Lykae. She felt instant attraction towards him. And she thought he did too towards her but then he changed and did something unforgivable.

Bowen entombed Marika along with two demons and two Archers so he would delay them in a competition. Just before he shut them in, Marika cursed him. He would not heal from his injuries for as long as he doesn't come back to her. Bowen didn't think that these great warriors would have a tough time opening the tomb and he didn't know what was inside it, he thought it was empty. Unfortunately, no one could have opened the tomb for three weeks and the tomb was everything but empty.

When Bowen lost the competition and was informed that those five didn't return he immediately went back for them. But three weeks has passed. And the wicked witch made him feel things that he didn't feel in centuries. What would he find in there and what will happen to a gravely injured werewolf who made enemies out of five fierce warriors?


Review:

The werewolf.
Let me explain why I picked this book so soon after the last one. I was misled. I admit I judged this one by the cover. I swear on everything I own that I believed this book would be about a male vampire. It looks like that, doesn't it?
So, I ended up being seriously disappointed. Werewolves not so much my thing. But Bowen was... interesting. I say I respect that man from the bottom of my heart. He was faithful to his dead mate for centuries. I mean, really? Even though he didn't really love her all that much or even spent much time with her. His loyalty was something that is sorely missed today. Some may argue that he also kind of acts like a neanderthal (being a werewolf and all) but that is not so bad really. He provides, protects and loves his woman above everything and everyone else. And since he loves her so much, he is letting her do whatever she wishes as long as it isn't harmful to her.

The wicked witch.
Again with the small stature. She is petite. Like every other heroine so far in this Series. And she is a witch of an unimaginable power that is destined to do great things.
When she isn't on her mardi gras or in the bed of her demon boyfriend. But let's be fair, that was a few years back. Now, all she wants is to prove herself even though she is still mortal and young (23 years old). She keeps complaining. How she can't do this or that but never once did she practice anything. And she takes the Hie fairly lightly even though she wants to prove herself. I would have never imagined her to be the perfect mate for a centuries old werewolf who lived through the greatest sorrow and pain. She just doesn't fit very well. I often imagined how he must feel like he has a child in bed rather than a real woman.

Befriending.
I'm not quite sure what the little witch did before they entered that tomb that everyone respected her so much and everyone tried to protect her. I mean, two Archers who apparently liked her because she was part fey were acting like she was their best friend. And not to mention, the two demons, one a former king (and someone still believe him to be a rightful one) and the other his first in line to the crown. They were acting as though she was a close friend and a queen herself. It just seemed strange that in a world where everyone was weary of the other species, they all liked her so much that they risked their lives for her.

The storyline.
Absolutely interesting. The author added a little more to her recipe this time around. A mystery, a vengeful former goddess, a longer game of seduction and an interesting twist in the end.
But what remained the same was a rushed ending. Again, everything unfolded in a mere few pages.
For example.

Tangling and unveiling this kind of things in just a few paragraphs. It demands more agony so our hearts will shatter and then flutter from utter joy when it reveals a happy ending.


All in all, this Series has proven its charm once again. But still some important ingredients are missing. I hope this will also improve through time and experience.