Penmort Castle by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

All hail Kristen Ashley! This writer can do no wrong in my book! (yes, the cheesy pun was intended)

Cash Fraser is a drool-worthy intelligent and possessive male. He’s conquered the business world and is now poised to claim the castle his rotten uncle inhabits. Abigail Butler is a widower who’s in need of cash to turn her family’s home into something that’s actually inhabitable. Thus she poses as an escort that Cash hires to thwart his uncle’s attempts to play matchmaker with his stepdaughters. Perhaps it sounds a tad convoluted but trust me, it’s a great read. With a bat$hit crazy and vengeful ghost and a colorful cast of characters I devoured this book.

Do yourself a favor and download this book.

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The Professor Woos The Witch by Kristen Painter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

If you’re reading this review I’ll assume you’ve already fallen in love with the quintessential “Nocturne Falls” charm that’s in-bedded in each book in this series.

In this “Nocturne Falls” installment we get a closer look at Pandora Williams- A top notch realtor with faulty magic and a fat cat named Pumpkin. Previous glimpses at this character alluded to a heartbreaking past that has prohibited her from finding love again. Now prepare yourselves because I’m about to drop a truth bomb on all of you – Both before and after reading this book I feel strongly that Pandora is much better suited as a supporting character. Honestly, the most compelling part of her was her chunky cat. This book is a quick read and the subject matter is light yet I found myself repeatedly putting it down in lieu of more thrilling reading material. It was difficult to scrounge up the interest to finish the book because… I just didn’t care.

Now let’s talk about the book’s heartthrob – Professor Cole Van Zant. Skeptic by nature he’s resistant to the idea of supernaturals which of course poses a problem for his adopted daughter who was recently informed (by her birth mother) that she’s a witch. Even with the book finished I’m still not sure how to classify Cole and feel that his character had too many attributes that confused me as a reader. The book and summary leads me to believe that Cole is geeky-chic. However that description doesn’t fall in line with some of his behaviors. Cole regularly exercises and runs to stay in athletic shape. He’s also flirty and sexually aggressive- making overt come-ons with Pandora that strikes me as much more alpha male than a book-worm. Let’s just say he’s not a character that’s going to be added to my list of book boyfriends anytime soon.

Alas- let’s address the question you’re all asking yourselves…”should I read this book”? To which I don’t have a definitive answer for you. First I’d ask you if you have ANY other possible books to read (or is there something enchanting enough to re-read)? Secondly, will you be disappointed with a luke-warm romance that in the last chapter seems rushed to conclude?

I haven’t given up on the series quite yet but I am disappointed in this installment.

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The Gargoyle Gets His Girl by Kristen Painter
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Nocturne Falls series has quickly become my favorite guilty reading pleasure. The books are quirky and fun, a light read that’s guaranteed to put a smile on my face.

Even the location itself screams (pun intended) of adventure and fun. What a great idea for the series! If only Nocturne Falls existed in real life!

Having never read a gargoyle book and unfamiliar to their folklore I applaud Kristen on the character she created. Nick Hardwin was the epitome of protective, solid and dependable- all characteristics one would also attribute to a gargoyle. Fae jeweler Willa was sweet and I loved her confidence with her body and sexual prowess. I can’t tell you how many times I roll my eyes at the prude or inexperienced female characters that some authors create. How some would perceive timid, inexperience as more attractive than a confident temptress is beyond my comprehension.

3 Cheers for this installment in the series.

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Three Wishes by Kristen Ashley
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

4 out of 5 stars for Kristen Ashley’s Three Wishes. What’s holding it back from being worthy of the coveted 5 stars? Let’s just say I cringed at the cliche description of Fazire the genie.

“The shape was a fat, jolly-looking man, wearing a grape-coloured fez with a little, turquoise tassel on the top. He had a bizarre outfit of turquoise and grape with an embroidered grape bolero vest and billowy turquoise trousers. The trousers ended in purple shoes that had little curls at the pointed toes. He had long gold bands affixed to his wrists that went up his forearms heavily and were embedded with blue and purple jewels and thick, gold hoops dangled from his ears. He had a shock of jet black hair and a jet black goatee pointed arrogantly from his chin.”

COME ON! Kristen Ashley is one of my top 3 favorite authors. Her Fantasyland series Wildest Dreams is nothing short of perfection! So needless to say I was disappointed at what I perceived to be a cop-out character. Blargh! Certainly Kristen with her infinite talent and creativity could have crafted a genie character that wouldn’t read like a low-rent children’s book.

Alas, I’ll continue to sing Kristen’s praises and recommend others to discover the fantastic worlds she creates in her books.

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My Brother’s Keeper by Alanea Alder
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Holy Smokes this book was HOT!

Book 5 of the “Bewitched and Bewildered” series. This installment features magical powerhouse Kendrick and human nurse Anne. Again I repeat…Holy Smokes this book was HOT! Kendrick and Anne have sky rocketed to the top as my favorite couple in the series.

This book had everything I wanted and even things I didn’t think to ask for but enjoyed none-much-the-less. A mixture of forbidden love (Anne and Kendrick are both under the impression she is Keelan’s mate), paranormal awesomeness, compelling characters, external conflict threatening their very existence and the best magical sex scenes I’ve ever read.

As always- the highlights of each book installment is the men’s visit to the Duck In (human grocery store in a neighboring town). I find myself giddy when the characters head into town because I know their encounter will be beyond humorous and adorable.

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My Savior by Alanea Alder
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 4 of the “Bewitched and Bewildered” series. This installment features the tall drink of water Darian and witch Amelia.

This is the point in the series where I noticed that our characters are (figuratively) drowning in brothers. Between Aiden, Rheia, Darian and Amelia I’m losing track of these brothers and wondering why there’s no female siblings. It’s a small gripe but I feel better having mentioned it. Moving along now…

Darian is drowning in the darkness and is at risk of losing his soul. This is the first mated couple thus far where the male counterpart has resisted his mate. The first 3 stories featured the males being “all in” and I thought it was a refreshing twist. I’m thoroughly enjoying this series and with each book I become more and more besotted with these characters. Perhaps personal preference is to blame but I felt the “steamy” scenes were lacking.

Last complaint- Amelia is an empath and reveals that prior to being a cosmetologist she was a child psychologist. Apparently the emotions she was experiencing while working with these damaged children motivated her career change. I have no issue with this but I am annoyed that one of the male characters expresses that his value of Amelia increases when he realizes she previously held a job of higher value (in his opinion). Instead of backhanding the man who would make such a remark Darian considers this a compliment. Can we all agree that is unacceptable? Why are his “brothers” figuratively looking down their noses at Amelia’s career choice? What a pack of snobs!

Now I’m onto the next book! Happy reading!

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Vanish by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Book 2, book 2… Oh how much I enjoyed reading you!

Thank the heavens for small mercies! This book picks right up where the first one ended. In no time at all I was swept back into the rich, angsty story. Jacinda (fire breathing dragon-extraordinaire) finds herself shunned by the draki community and isolated from the heart throb from book 1. But fear not my friends! Another hunky character from book 1 swoops in to tug at your heartstrings. Let me tell you… Jacinda may be struggling with the political pressures within the draki community but she’s knee-deep in boys vying for her affections. Lucky gal!

Alas, my complaints from book 1 continue to torment me in this story as well. Plenty of steamy make out sessions but no sex. What in the hizzle?!?! For goodness sakes they are freaking dragons!!!! Surely with so much passion they would succumb to their animal urges and “make the beast with two backs” (Admit it! That’s the best possible use of a Shakespeare reference you’ve read today! Go ahead… Admit it!)

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Firelight by Sophie Jordan
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I confess that I’m a book addict with a certain penchant for paranormal romances. Vampires, werewolves, fairies, Angels…you name it and I’ve read about it. That is to say until I stumbled upon this series. A girl dragon?!? Yes please!

With equal parts eagerness and apprehension (dragons? Magically sexy or weird reptilian fetish???) I dove into a vivid world of draki, hunters with a splash of high school drama.

Now that I’ve finished the book I can assure you it’s magically delicious! My only complaint is that there wasn’t a steamy sex scene. Alas I’ll have to survive off the heated make-out sessions until book 2! I have my fingers crossed that in the next book few of these beautiful, muscular characters decide to take off their clothes and make some bad decisions.

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