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*** March 2015 reads***
Yes, I read yet another series out of order―specifically, books #4-6, and then back to #1. Chalk it up to cranky book fussies (or female’s prerogative) partly due to #1’s basic storyline. ;-)
Genre: ER-PNR
Length: @ 127pgs (ebook)
Heat Level/Content: erotica-lite (m/f; a dash ’o kink)
Publication Date: April 23, 2013 (orig = Oct 2009)
Publisher: Loose Id (orig = Changeling Press)
Series Info: Truckee Wolves #1
BLURB:
There are three things that Dr. Briony Theale loves. Her job as a veterinarian, a good bar of rich, dark chocolate, and Rico, the ranger in charge of the Wildlife Rescue center. When a casual dinner with Rico turns surprisingly intimate, Briony realizes that she might just have a chance with him after all, if only she could lose a few pounds. It’s the ultimate sacrifice, but Briony goes cold turkey, and swears off chocolate forever.
Rico Montgomery fell hard for Briony the first time he set eyes on the curvy little doctor. Her rich brown hair and cocoa skin trigger cravings that he can barely control, and her fragrance is like the sweetest, richest chocolate he’s ever scented in his life. That’s a bad thing for Rico, because to a werewolf like him, chocolate is literally a toxin. After his pack warns him off the very human doctor, Rico finds himself even more drawn to Briony.
Rico can’t live with it, and Briony can’t live without it. And when a certain wandering wolf finds a bag of chocolate in the trash near Briony’s clinic, these two will find out just how toxic love can be.
* This is a substantially expanded and revised version of the short story Sex and Chocolate: Toxic which was previously published.
* Review copy provided by the author/publisher via NetGalley.
It's rare that I give 4 stars to a novella, especially when it's PNR. But there was so much that I enjoyed about this revised edition of Toxic, starting w/ the luscious hero (or rather, his wolf) who is so infatuated w/ the chocolatey smell of his mate that he forgets that chocolate is a major no-no for canines. Loved the MCs, loved the various secondary characters (especially Briony's mum!), and definitely loved the romance and the HOT! sexy times.
Even tho it's almost to be expected for a novella, lost a star due to less than substantial world-building, as well as sketchy references to common trope of secret military experiments. (TBT, for me, any references to genetic experiments, super-soldiers, traumatised females and such immediately invite comparisons to Lora Leigh's Breeds series.) Also, I found it distracting to have POVs beyond the MCs in a novella-length story; multiple POVs work better for me in a full-length novel with a more substantial plot.
Given the number of interesting characters introduced in Toxic, there's such potential for more stories in this series! If so, hopefully there will be more backstory re: Abraxas, the shadowy organisation involved in the illicit experiments, and how the various pack members came together. Frankly, I'm hoping that Ms. McBride will be inspired to focus on Sage. Or even Dionne. *grins* Oh, and what's the story w/ Kurt and Ethan?!
Whilst I wait, guess that I'll re-read the shorts in the 2 Doms of Dark Haven anthologies so to finally put everything in proper chrono order. FYI, “Educating Evangeline” (published in Doms of Dark Haven) is first, then Toxic, and then “Hunting Holly” (published in Doms of Dark Haven 2: Western Night).
NB: Review of 2013 revised edition. This got lost in calibre due to being merged with the original 2009 story put out by Changeling Press. B/c of when I read the original version years ago, I didn't remember enough to notice what was different this time around.
NB: Review originally posted on Amazon and GR @ 30-Mar-2013. Minor edits/clean-up after import to BL.
Genre: CR + a dash of paranormal
Length: novel (237 Kindle pgs)
Heat Level/Content: Hot! (m/f vanilla; *tease* of D/s)
Publication Date: March 2013
Publisher: self
Series Info: N/A
BLURB:
She thought he hated her. He thought she was too good for him. Fate proved them both wrong.
On a slow day at work, Lexi Adams discovers an on-line erotic romance novel. Intrigued by the similarities she shares with the heroine, she starts reading and becomes enamored with the leading man. The problem is, she’s only able to access the novel on her work computer.
Ric Ackart, head of the IT department, suspects she's slacking off and decides to find out what she does in front of her computer screen all day. His surprise at what takes up her time is overshadowed by the fact that the novel's leading man shares his face and the name he used years ago...
Now Ric is forced to come to terms with his feelings for her―but Lexi isn't willing to share more than her body...
Author's Note: This book contains graphic language and explicit sexual situations that some may find objectionable.
*** Review copy provided by the author ***
THE SHORT: Definitely recommend this funny, light-hearted ROMcontemp with an unusual PNR twist. A welcomed change from the overly angst-ridden stories flooding the market of late, I think that “Magic at Work” will appeal to a wide range of romance lovers—so long as they can handle the smokin’ erotic moments. *wink*
THE LONG: I could’ve read “Magic at Work” by relatively new author Sotia Lazu in one sitting if not for RL and some other interruptions. Well-written with a style which resonated with me, I was immediately drawn into the story. Much of that had to do with the naturalness of the dialogue; while reading, I could “hear” the conversations in my head and could easily imagine my friends and me having similar ones.
Although the likable MCs are in their mid-20s, I could relate to them because either I went through the same phase or their realistic behaviour and uncertainties applied across a wide age range. Moreover, while they seem “young” sometimes, both characters possess maturity appropriate for their ages (read: no real TSTL moments). And I thoroughly enjoyed reading a book without the tropes of an abusive past, hateful or negligent parents, back-stabbing friends, and/or vengeful exes. (Oh, and sorry, no suave billionaire either.)
So what’s the problem and whence the conflict? Well, seems that both Lexi and Ric suffer from the “once burned, twice no effin’ way” syndrome. Unfortunately for them, they also suffer from an instantaneous, nearly irresistible attraction to each other. Lexi fights it much more than Ric but then, she may have more reason for her stubborn denial. Plus, it serves as the vehicle for the emotional back-and-forth between these two.
May seem fairly simple but Ms. Lazu took that basic premise, added a splash of paranormal, and produced a book which had me chuckling, snorting and laughing at multiple points.
Ha, you peeked! Just keep in mind the joke re: bestiality, the towel, hanky in meeting room, and retelling of the photocopy room incident.
Oh and the creative sex scenes… *fans self in memory*
Just so there’s no confusion… There’s no last minute hurdle to overcome. The MCs work through their differences, and there’s a definite HEA. (That’s not a true spoiler because we pretty much expect that in a romance, yes?) So “Magic at Work” is more about how Lexi and Ric get past their misunderstandings and bickering to reach their HEA. Of course, there’s also their erotic encounters along the way and the clever, steamy “story within a story” role a certain on-line erotic novel plays in their relationship.
___________
Note: This last bit is just me… I did notice some edit/proof stuff (but well within the “we’re all human” range) and had funky italics in Chapter 15 (but could’ve been my device). Also, kinda wished Ric had been more masculine (for lack of a better term); I don’t like my males to get teary too often. ^ᴗ^
Note: Review originally posted on Amazon & GR @ 31-May-2013. Minor edits/clean-up after import to BL.
Genre: ER-PNR
Length: novella
Heat Level/Content: erotica-lite (m/f; vanilla)
Publication Date: May 2013
Publisher: Liquid Silver Books
Series Info: Gemini Island Shifters #1
BLURB:
Bear shifter Ryland Snow just wants peace. The peace and quiet afforded him at his woodsy retreat, the Ursa Fishing Lodge. As owner of the lodge, Ryland enjoys the tranquil life he’s created among his fellow shifters. He lives to maintain a safe haven for them, away from meddlesome human eyes.
When his rock star brother arrives, bringing trouble in the form of a possible hitman, Ryland is incensed. He’s been cleaning up Soren’s messes as long as he can remember, and is tired of his brother’s lecherous exploits.
Things go from bad to worse when Lia Goodblood stumbles upon Ryland and his lodge. Yes, the reclusive erotica author is easy on the eyes, but the human woman is more trouble than she’s worth. To say nothing of her bizarre fear of furry creatures.
Ryland determines to rid himself of her presence. But when he learns she’s on the run from a crazed fan, Ryland’s protective bear instincts flare. And the bear won’t be denied.
Erotica writer in hiding + Grizzly shifter = hot PNR fun!
Lia swallowed, praying God would give her the strength to keep her eyes above Ryland’s waist. Clearly God was occupied with other things at the moment and not inclined to answer her halfhearted entreaty.
THE SHORT: Highly recommended. Very well-written, sweet, smexy & funny PNR with a bear shifter!! If you like the quirky humour + hot sex in Eve Langlais’s PNR books, then you should definitely give PREDATOR’S KISS a go.
THE LONG: Although somewhat wary of reading/reviewing works by those whom I “know” via GR groups, I’m glad that I finally bit the bullet and read a book by Rosanna Leo. PREDATOR’S KISS, the first book in the Gemini Island Shifters series, was an excellent introduction to her writing and storytelling. (And really, how could I resist when the male MC was a bear shifter?)
At just over my personal novella gauge (150pgs), PREDATOR’S KISS hit all the right buttons with its sympathetic main characters, engaging storyline with a few twists and turns, and vanilla but very sexy “love moments”. Throw in a nice mix of secondary characters (including one who may star in the next book), a hilariously wise inner bear, and decent-size jar of honey, and PREDATOR’S KISS had the perfect combination for a fast, light-hearted read with more than a few LOL moments. An added bonus? Lia, the heroine, is the author of a best-selling erotic romance. *wink*
If I had any quibbles, then it would be the world-building. It wasn’t particularly deep/complex but then again, I suppose that it didn’t have to be for this particular story to work. And to offset this, Ms. Leo put a different spin on the fated mates trope and used it for great comedic effect.
However, I wish that there had been some explanation as to how/why Ryland is a grizzly while Soren, his brother, is a polar bear. *puzzled* Also thought it a bit odd to have that one instance of Soren’s POV early in the story. And IMO, Lia accepted their shifter nature a little too fast, especially given her phobia.
All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed my first book by Rosanna Leo and hope to fit in more of her works. Perhaps her book, The Selkie (Orkney Selkies, #1), can finally erase my bad selkie experience from years ago? Hmmm…
* Review copy provided by the author via the PNR NaUBA group Author/Reader exchange
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