This is part of a series. I enjoyed this story a lot. Gavin is a Lord Vampire who is tired of having potential brides thrust his way. He takes a young vampire as his bride to stop the pursuit. Lenore has been through hell and Gavin helps her to see that she is not a victim but a survivor. Their feelings grow for each other through the dangers that plague them and the village. I could not stop reading because I needed to know if they would survive the danger. I highly recommend this one.
Bitter Spirits by Jenn Bennett
Series: Roaring Twenties #1
Genre: Historical Paranormal Romance
Published by Berkley Sensation on January 7, 2014
Format: eBook
Pages: 336
Source: Purchased
*This book may be unsuitable for readers under 18 years of age due to one or more of the following: strong sexual content, language, drug and alcohol use, and/or violence.
A sexy throwback supernatural adventure!
I was already a total fan of Jenn Bennett’s writing when I picked up BITTER SPIRITS, her Arcadia Bell series holds a special place in my heart. I didn’t expect to fall in love so quickly with a new set of characters but that’s the beauty of her story telling…it only gets better!
Aida Palmer is a spirit medium who can summon the dead and help them cross over. She earns a living by using her talents performing private seances and shows in speakeasys around the county. Her latest gig brings her back to her hometown of San Francisco during the era of Prohibition, to the Gris-Gris speakeasy. It’s there she meets the handsome bootlegging Winter Magnusson who’s been hexed by a powerful dark magic and is in dire need of her services. Aida’s bewitching ways captivate Winter and his charm has her wanting to get closer. Soon this infamous bootlegger and feisty medium venture to the supernatural underbelly of San Francisco’s Chinatown in order to find the one behind Winston’s curse and confronting the ghosts from their pasts.
BITTER SPIRITS is another Jenn Bennett gem with plenty of suspense, phenomenal characters and smexiness set in one of the most glamourous eras, the 1920s. I’m a huge fan of TV shows that take place during the Prohibition Era like Boardwalk Empire and Mob City, I love the allure of glamour and danger…and BITTER SPIRITS delivers all that with an exciting paranormal twist! Aida and Winter’s sexy banter left me hanging onto every word and the intriguing mystery made me pull an all-nighter. I was magically transported back in time, enjoyed every minute of it and didn’t want it to end!
Aida instantly became a favorite leading lady for me, she’s pretty modern for a woman in the 1920′s has a feistiness to her that’s endearing. Aida is smart, funny, independent and I love that although she has some emotional baggage she never let’s it define her or stop her from accomplishing her goals. As much as Aida tries to resist Winter’s charms she finds herself flirting and engaging in some sexy banter with him while still staying professional, she definitely has more willpower than most women in her situation (myself included)!
Aida and Winter are two very similar and down to earth characters. Winter’s scars are a small clue into his haunted past. He’s a wealthy businessman who’s made most of his money through the family business of bootlegging and labeled somewhat of a rogue in society, but there’s more to him than meets the eye. Winter exudes confidence, has plenty of charm and is not lacking in the sense of humor department, he’s definitely a suave alpha male without all the unnecessary brooding. Aida brings out the best in him and he does the same for her.
I can’t help but thank Jenn Bennett for introducing us to a leading couple that are not physically flawless, it’s quite refreshing in this genre. Aida and Winter’s romance evolves over time despite their intense attraction, which makes their relationship that much better. Both Aida and Winter keep their hearts guarded due to their pasts and it’s great to wonder if a HEA is in store for them as you turn the pages. All of the flirting and sexual tension between them is fun to read and paves the way for some surprisingly racy love scenes as the two go from friends to lovers. Ms. Bennett pulls out all the stops with the smexiness in this book and I couldn’t love her more for it!
We’re introduced to an array of supporting characters on Aida and Winter’s adventure who are just as entertaining as our protagonists. Velma, the owner of Gris-Gris who hired Aida has some magical powers of her own and still remains a mystery. Winter’s right hand man Bo has plenty of connections on the streets of Chinatown and is a loyal friend and then there’s also Astrid, Winter’s baby sister who steals the scenes with her playfulness and snark. And what mystery is complete without a few crime boss villains to keep the suspense going? Oh yeah..we have those too.
The short version is BITTER SPIRITS rocked my world! It’s an enthralling read laced with magic, mayhem and a sweet romance. Jenn Bennett captures the essence of the time spectacularly with rich details and imagery for a stellar paranormal romance debut. I can’t get enough of this author’s easygoing and familiar voice, she really brings her world and characters to life with her writing. This is a must read for lovers of historical romance, fans of mystery and those who like a little supernatural mixed in. Winter Magnusson is officially my latest book boyfriend and I can’t wait to see what lies ahead for him, Aida and the rest of the Magnusson family!
This review also posted at A Bookish Compulsion's Main Site
I have had a soft spot for Amanda Quick’s (AKA Jayne Ann Krentz) books ever since I read Mystique; the first substantial book I voluntarily finished and my entry into the world of a reader. At fourteen the medieval setting was fascinating, the characters believable and somewhat scandalous, and the experience of entering another world within the pages of a book addictive. Over the years, while I still enjoy historicals, my tastes have shifted making it require a certain mood for me to really be able to delve into such books without my brain running a constant commentary on the societal differences. Which is why The Mystery Woman has been sitting on my shelf since it came out, waiting for me to be in the proper mood to enjoy it. Thankfully I finally was in the mood…
The Mystery Woman was a fun and fast read taking us back to the Ladies of Lantern Street and a world where Victorian England had a fascination with the paranormal. With our leading lady a practitioner and leading male a sceptic this was an interesting relationship to watch unfold. While I felt that the story itself was more of a variation on the theme of most of Ms. Quick’s works it was never-the-less an enjoyable read that kept me engaged and entertained throughout.
I happily look forward to the third installment of the series and give The Mystery Woman an entertaining four stars.
I don't even know how to do a review on this one. Its very difficult to describe the feel of this world, without experiencing it for oneself.
The world was exhausting, dark, depressing, scary, yet utterly fascinating. And even though things seemed hopeless for much of it all, it was Honoria and Blade that provided some sparks of hopefulness. Really most characters had some of that spark, even though one had to get through the despair of it all.
This isn't a fun romp, not that I didn't have fun reading it, but its really more of an example of how people and people that fall in love can really conquer all.
And Blade really takes the tortured hero to a new level here.
I love the sensuality that is there between them right from the gate, yet it still takes some time before they can both feel safe with each other. There was just so much to deal with.
The setup of the society was so interesting I thought. Like an alternate universe with aristocrats and rookeries and other, um things. Honoria being a wee bit of a scientist really brings a lot of interest into the story with the virus. The virus being what infects the blue bloods.
So like I said, its difficult for me to write a review. I don't want to just rehash the story, I think i needs to be taken in on ones own pace. But I do know that I was totally absorbed into the word, the story, its people.
I am really looking forward to the next one. What a great start to a series. And great to see some steampunk flavored historical paranormal romance.
Entwined by Kristen Callihan
Series: Darkest London #3.5
Genre: Historical Romance, Paranormal Romance
Published by Forever on November 5, 2013
Format: eARC
Pages: 117
Source: NetGalley
Purchase: Amazon • Barnes & Noble
My Initial Thoughts:
Entwined is a sweet and romantic novella with a touch of paranormal, another great addition to the Darkest London series!
This sweet and smexy novella set in the fabulous Darkest London world introduces us to two unlikely characters, Lady Luella Jane Moran and Eamon Evernight, a virgin bride and blacksmith brought together for an unexpected, but charming romance. It all begins when Eamon’s brother Aidan gets the news of his betrothal to Lady Luella. With a plot to end the engagement, Aidan enlists the help of his younger brother Eamon by asking him to write to his fiancee in his place.
Being a good brother, Eamon decides to help Aidan and begins a correspondence with Luella, but to his surprise he learns that she is not the wilting flower he thought she’d be. As the years go by, Eamon and Luella continue to write to each other forming a strong bond. Things become a little complicated when an a family tragedy brings Luella to the Evernight home to meet her future husband and the man she’s fallen in love with…only she soon realizes they are not one and the same!
It’s not an easy task to tell a compelling story that readers connect with in just a few chapters, but Ms. Callihan brilliantly delivers with this short installment! The foundation of the romance between Eamon and Luella is set early on via letters which makes their relationship believable when they actually meet. I love that it’s somewhat of a forbidden romance, given that Luella is Aidan’s intended bride which keeps you wondering if things will end in a HEA for the couple, especially with a couple of twists Ms. Callihan throws in.
Luella or Lu as Eamon calls her, is a bright and sweet character, but is not to be underestimated. She is able to figure out the truth before it was even revealed and stayed true to her heart, instead of feeling betrayed as is customary of some leading ladies in her shoes. Eamon is the perfect counterpart for Lu. He’s a bit of an outsider in his own family but has a pure heart and good intentions. Their flirty banter and lack of experience is great to witness throughout the story. While these two have a few secrets about themselves that eventually come to light, their affection and chemistry is never in question.
This novella is light on the paranormal elements but filled with tender moments, humor and a little bit of smexy. There is no huge link to the previous books in the series making it a good stand alone story for anyone wanting an introduction to Ms. Callihan’s exceptional writing. Entwined weaves a short but intriguing tale of secrets and swoon-worthy romance that have made me a huge fan of Kristen Callihan’s storytelling!
*I received a complimentary copy of this book from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
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