As far as I know, Dodd’s primary genre is historical romances so it’s interesting to see her enter a new one – contemporary paranormal romances. Well, this isn’t really her first paranormal, but it is the first of it I’ve read from her. The characters, however, are reassuringly familiar. Personally, I think her jump to another bandwagon was successful. The love scenes are still plentiful and with the same level of sensuality. Truly reminds me of Stephanie Laurens’.

Summary: Ann describes herself as tall, gangly, and awkward. She’s also the PA to Jasha Wilder, head of a thriving wine company, and the man she’s infatuated with for so many years. And then she sees him turn into a wolf. He sees her, chases and has gloriously rough sex with her. What next?

I can’t say it’s my favorite paranormal romance. Shapeshifters just aren’t my cup of tea. But I love the chemistry between them and that, among all things, is really what makes this book a pageturner.

This is book number SIX in the Undead / Betsy series. The series is all about the misadventures of Elizabeth “Betsy” Taylor when she fulfilled the prophecy from the Book of the Dead and which made her the Vampire Queen and consort to the Vampire King Eric Sinclair.

Summary: Her support group is gone. It’s the first time that we see Betsy having to function by herself. Tina, the King’s beautiful blond sidekick, is stuck in Europe, unable to help Betsy. Tina relays her fears to Betsy about Eric being gone…for good. Like, really gone…for good. Marc is out at the Cayman Islands, frolicking with his new man-toy, completely unaware of what’s happening. Jessica’s still dying from cancer. Laura, the Devil’s daughter, is showing off her true colors and they’re red and green. Her father and stepmother are dead. Antonia, the girl-wolf who can’t really turn and with clairvoyant powers, together with her laconic vampire partner Garrett, were also gone and the Wyndhams, her former pack, were worried.

Betsy’s all alone. Can she handle it?

I knew she could, but I was afraid that more would die before she’d find her inner strength. Thank God the book satisfied all my secret wishes – but again, I wanted more of Sinclair! Although, to be fair, the plot made that impossible.

The story’s very fast-paced. I mean, I know most of her books are like that, but this one’s faster than usual. But great job! This made the few 2D characters in the series more 3D. I really like what she revealed about Laura. I mean, it’s shitty, but you gotta realize, there’s no other way but for Laura to think and be like that.

I’m definitely looking forward to the next one!

I love, love this book! And I super love the author as well. She’s my second favorite MB author, right next to Lynne Graham. Her characters are more “real” but because I love escapist romances, that particular characteristic sometimes turns me of…just a little bit though…and that’s why I still like Lynne Graham more.

Summary: Cass had been a mistress to Maximos Guiliano for a few years – but she became one because she truly loved the Sicilian tycoon. Although pain always engulfed her whenever Maximos was cold, unreachable, and making her feel the line separating their lives, she continued to stay in the relationship…until something tragic happened.

Now, Cass was back in Maximos’ life, in the arms of his worst enemy and bent on revenge. He return would also let her know why Maximos had never considered making her his wife throughout the years they’ve been together.

This is the best and most moving novel I’ve read from her so far. I love how Maximos could be so strong and yet so vulnerable. Can’t help but cry when they can finally be together…married. This is another must-read!

It’s the end of the series…or is it? Some are saying it might not be, but I personally think it is.

Warning: Do not read HP7 without refreshing your memory with HP6 – especially about the Horcruxes. Assuming that you’ll do then you’ll get on fine. And if you’re foolhardy enough to start reading the series with Book 7 – don’t.

Summary: The Ministry has been infiltrated, the Order of the Phoenix and everyone against You-Know-Who are either running for their lives, dying, or fighting what seemed to be a losing battle. Harry, Ron, and Hermione dropped out of school to go after and each and every Horcrux.

All the questions you have will be answered, but not in the way you may expect them to be. I’m not sure if JK Rowling had confirmed this, but I was able to read previous news where the author had said two major characters would die. While I don’t know who’s major or minor – everyone’s really important to me – there are more than two characters who died in this book.

I expected the story to be touching and powerful from the start, but I only got moved to tears past the half line. I loved the war scene – I always love it when underdogs unite. But all in all, I think she ended things perfectly.

This is one of the 14 short stories found in Everything’s Eventual. The author’s introduction for it was nice and real – every horror writer, he says, should at least write a story about the Ghostly Room in a Hotel / Inn just once. That’s not verbatim, but it’s quite accurate. And like I said, true. Isn’t it? I was planning to watch the movie first, but since I wasn’t able to catch it in theaters, I just moved on to reading it.

1408 – try adding up the numbers – is a room in the 14th (but it’s really the 13th floor, isn’t it?) floor that Mr. Olin, the hotel manager (played by Samuel L. Jackson in the movie) does his best to keep vacant. In fact, the last paying guest of the room was back in 1978. And now, Mr. Olin has more than his hands full trying to discourage Mike Enslin (played by John Cusack) from occupying 1408.

The story’s enough to make you keep the lights on if you’re reading it at night and even chill you a bit at daytime. Expect the usual attack of ghastly images that King is known for – with his typical touch of sexuality. Expect plain talk – again, typical of King. Everything happens in one room – no change of locations necessary – but you’ll still be scared.

I wrote a review for this wonderful book already, but I lost the file somewhere in my laptop’s hard drive. As such, I fear I’m not going to be as eloquent as before or even as detailed because then, I was writing just minutes after finishing the book, with its essence still fresh in my memory.

Summary (from the author’s website): Galeran of Heywood returns from the Crusade, longing for his wife and the child he has never seen, only to find his life in pieces and political forces working to complete the destruction. Over old wounds and betrayals, Galeran and Jehanne piece their life back together, but their fate still lies in the hands of the king.

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I’m going to drop a bomb now – and you can’t say I’m spoiling because it’s going to be made clear to you in the first few pages of the book. One of the aforementioned betrayals include Jehanne having a daughter…from another man.

Shock of all shocks, isn’t it? This is a traditional historical romance. Oh wait. This is Jo Beverley. There’s really nothing traditional about her historical romances and that’s what we all find interesting. I can’t say I love it about her – I’m still happier with the less messier characters found in either Julia Quinn or Lisa Kleypas’ books – but she still gives me a happily ever after ending anyway and that’s what counts.

This is an absolute tearjerker. There. I’ve warned you. So yes, it’s better to read it in privacy and comfort so you can sob to your heart’s content. No one’s going to regret reading this book, I promise! You won’t be able to help yourself fall in love with Galeran – even if he isn’t as tall as your average romance paperback hero – and even with Jehanne, although the latter takes a bit of time and adjustment.

Bravo to Ms. JB!

Summary: When Angelo Riccardi sought revenge Gwenna Hamilton added another, delicious dimension. Innocent and pretty, she had no chance when the Italian tycoon offered her the devil’s bargain: pay for her father’s freedom with her body.

In her naiveté, Gwenna thought that Angelo would tire of her and her innocence very quickly. But he had more in mind than just one night…

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If I’m not mistaken, this is the latest offering from Lynne Graham. This is the best so far from her recent releases. It’s still not up to par with The Unfaithful Wife, my undying favorite, but it’s still better than most. There are several climax scenes here, which is surprising since all of her books prior to this had just one major problem / climax scene. Just when you think everything’s okay, something comes up to tear them apart again.

Both characters are typical LG creations – the guy’s an Alpha male, the girl’s feisty but passionate and hopelessly in love, whether she admits it or not. For Harlequin Presents / Sexy Romance addicts, this is another must-read!

Since I can’t remember any Lindsey novel that has moved me to tears – making readers laugh is more her forte, methinks – I’d have to say that this is the first one that did.

Summary: Ophelia Reid is the most beautiful girl in London. She’s also the most hated, but not for the reasons you think. Well actually, not exactly for the reasons she’s sure to be hated about. Raphael Locke is the most eligible bachelor in London, heir to a dukedom, extremely handsome, charming, and noble, utterly wealthy, and so not in love with Ophelia.

An impulsive bet and a penchant for helping people makes Raphael take up the challenge of “reforming” Ophelia – whom everyone, especially himself, thought was mean-spirited and not adverse of making up rumors. But what if she’s not really as bad as everyone thinks?

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Unlike most characters in historical romances, Ophelia is truly far from perfect. Yes, most noblewomen we read about are imperfect physically or socially in one way or another, but most of them are pretty much nicer than most human beings. Ophelia isn’t. Lindsey wasn’t afraid of making her as human – which basically means having more weaknesses than you’d want – as we all are, and fortunately for her, it works!

This book is a very poignant and sexy read. It reminds me of my favorite Lynne Graham novels, even if they do write for different romance sub-genres. You definitely won’t regret picking this up, especially if you’ve always been a Lindsey fan!

P.S. Too much mention about the love story between Duncan – Ophelia’s ex-fiance and Raphael’s best friend – and Sabrina made me wonder if Lindsey had written about them already. I was surprised to find out that she already did, and I think I’ve even read it already. The book connected to this series is The Heir and I’ll post more about it next time. When I remember enough that is – and the fact that I forgot about it is absolutely not a good thing. For the book.