Showing posts with label paranormal. Show all posts

Review: Ravensong by TJ Klune

Ravensong

by TJ Klune
Series: Green Creek #2
Pub: July 31, 2018
Genre(s): fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, lgbt/queer, m/m romance, shapeshifters/werewolves, adult fiction
4.5 stars



The Bennett family has a secret: They're not just a family, they're a pack. Ravensong is Gordo Livingstone's story.

Gordo Livingstone never forgot the lessons carved into his skin. Hardened by the betrayal of a pack that left him behind, he sought solace in the garage in his tiny mountain town, vowing never again to involve himself in the affairs of wolves.

It should have been enough.

It was, until the wolves came back, and with them, Mark Bennett. And when his town is caught in the jaws of a beast, Gordo is summoned back into the life that left him.

“Gordo, you must rise. For your pack. For us. I must ask you to become the witch to the wolves.”

Now, a year later, Gordo has once again found himself the witch of the Bennett pack. Green Creek has settled after the death of Richard Collins, and Gordo constantly struggles to ignore Mark and the song that howls between them.

But time is running out. Something is coming. And this time, it’s coming from within.


The Green Creek Series is for adult readers.

________________________________________________________________


Wolfsong, the first book in the Green Creek series, was an unforgettable reading experience. Because of that, I went into Ravensong with such high expectations, but most of all I was just happy to be returning to the Bennett pack (packpackpack). It felt like coming home (homehomehome). #IYKYK

 

Gordo was still a child when his father began adding the tattooed runes to his arms and teaching him what it meant to be the witch for a powerful werewolf pack. His mother told him things, too – you can’t trust a wolf, they don’t love you, they need you, they use you. But the Bennett pack was like family – especially Mark. While he may have once been strange and annoying, shadowing Gordo everywhere he went, they became friends – with the promise of more.

 

“I’m making sure you’re safe.”

I took a step back. “From what?”

He shrugged, looking more awkward than I’d ever seen him. “From… like. You know. Bad guys. And stuff.”

 

Tragedy struck, leaving Gordo without both mother and father, but the Bennett’s were there. Taking him in, providing home and family, love and support. But even that did not last. The Bennett’s left Green Creek, and Gordo. There were promises that they would come back for him, that he was loved, that he was still theirs. But all Gordo knew was that he was being left, he wasn’t enough, and he was being betrayed by the one person he never thought was capable of such a thing.

 

“They don’t trust me. And since they don’t trust me, you are leaving me here. You chose them over me.”

“No, Gordo. Never that. I would never –“

“Then stay here.”

 

Over the years, Gordo’s hurt and feelings of betrayal turned to anger. It was easier to be angry than deal with the pain of abandonment. And when the Bennett pack finally returned to Green Creek, he kept his distance, his anger creating a wall between them. When circumstances pulled him back into the Bennett pack, he had to question what he knew of the past and how it had shaped his life. And when danger encroached the bounds of Green Creek, Gordo was tested in ways he could never have imagined.

 

Ravensong delved deep into Gordo’s past and covered the years during the pack’s absence, especially his complicated relationship with Mark Bennett. Gordo, a man who begged to be chosen, wanted (“Right now. Here. Choose me. Mark, I’m asking you, for once in your life, to choose me.”) and Mark, a man who had to make an impossible choice that had lasting consequences. Gordo and Mark were characters who both made great sacrifices for those they loved and those sacrifices changed them. But despite time and distance and anger and hurt, their bond was always there.

 

I thought of a boy with eyes of ice telling me that he loved me, that he didn’t want to leave again but he had to, his Alpha was demanding it, and he would come back for me, Gordo, you have to believe I’ll come back for you. You are my mate, I love you, I love you, I love you.

 

As compelling as the plot was (intrigue, adventure, betrayal, suspense), it was the characters that kept me turning the pages. This cast of characters embodied the spirit of family and friendship and loyalty, even when tested under the most extreme circumstances. When war was brought to their doorstep, all differences were set aside and they came together as a united front.

 

“You are not alone, Gordo. And I promise you that you never will be.”

 

It is impossible for me not to compare Ravensong and Wolfsong. And while Gordo’s stranglehold on his anger over the years sometimes made me yearn for the sweetness and softness of Joe and Ox (from Wolfsong), I understood it came from a place of hurt. And let’s not forget that Gordo was also a total badass (“You done f*cked up. You would do well to start running now. Because the last time someone came for our pack, he ended up getting his head torn off.”). All in all, Ravensong delivered an incredible tale of family in all its forms, the lengths some will go to to protect them, and a love that can overcome it all. I will return to the Bennett family again and again. 4.5 stars

Art credit: unknown

Have you read Ravensong?

Review: Wolfsong by TJ Klune

 

Wolfsong

by TJ Klune
Series: Green Creek #1
Pub: June 20, 2016
Genre(s): fantasy, urban fantasy, paranormal, lgbt/queer, m/m romance, shapeshifters/werewolves, adult fiction
5 stars



The Bennett family has a secret: They're not just a family, they're a pack. Wolfsong is Ox Matheson's story.

Oxnard Matheson was twelve when his father taught him that Ox wasn’t worth anything and people would never understand him. Then his father left.

Ox was sixteen when the energetic Bennett family moved in next door, harboring a secret that would change him forever. The Bennetts are shapeshifters. They can transform into wolves at will. Drawn to their magic, loyalty, and enduring friendships, Ox feels a gulf between this extraordinary new world and the quiet life he’s known, but he finds an ally in Joe, the youngest Bennett boy.

Ox was twenty-three when murder came to town and tore a hole in his heart. Violence flared, tragedy split the pack, and Joe left town, leaving Ox behind. Three years later, the boy is back. Except now he’s a man – charming, handsome, but haunted – and Ox can no longer ignore the song that howls between them.

The beloved fantasy romance sensation by New York Times bestselling author TJ Klune, about love, loyalty, betrayal, and family.

The Green Creek Series is for adult readers.

________________________________________________________________


Wolfsong languished on my Kindle for years before I finally read it. Big mistake. Because by page three I knew I had just been introduced to a special snowflake of a character (and I mean that in the very best way) that would be unforgettable.


Ox was only twelve when his father left, leaving him and his mother to fend for themselves. When he started working at the nearby garage, he found friendship among the other mechanics, and a steady and supportive figure in Gordo, the owner of the garage. But it wasn’t until he met the Bennett family that he found true acceptance and a feeling of belonging. Ox was sixteen when he met Joe Bennett on the dirt road that led to his small house. And that’s when everything changed.

 

“Mom! Mom. You have to smell him! It’s like… I don’t even know what it’s like! You gotta smell him and then tell me why it’s all candy canes and pinecones and epic and awesome.” – Joe Bennett

 

As the years passed, Ox was drawn more and more into the lives of the Bennett family. Or rather, as he came to learn, the Bennett pack. Because his new-found friends could shift into wolves and their pack was strong, with deep ties to the town of Green Creek and the land around them. Despite their strength, the pack was devastated by loss when they were betrayed by a friend and former pack member. Then Joe was gone, overwhelmed with grief, but hell bent on vengeance. In Joe’s absence, Ox becomes more than he ever thought possible, his ties with the Bennett pack strengthened in ways that defy logic and reason. Joe returns to find much has changes, himself included. Ox and Joe must find their way back to one another – and face an enemy from the past that threatens them all.

 

“Am I part of your pack?”

He said, “What do you think pack means?”

“Family,” I said promptly.

Thomas smiled. “Yes, Ox. You are part of my pack.”

 

There wasn’t a single thing that I did not love about Wolfsong. I loved Ox, who was so precious and so pure, and made my heart hurt every time he was misunderstood and simply not seen. But he also filled my heart with joy for the sweet soul that he was. Then there was Joe, whose joyful exuberance as a child was tempered by loss, but his unwavering love for Ox never diminished. The Bennett family were so loving and devoted – Thomas and Elizabeth, Carter and Kelly, and Mark – and I wished I could be invited to Sunday dinner (“because it’s tradition”). There was Gordo and the guys at the garage – Rico and Chris and Tanner – who provided so much comic relief and had me giggling at their banter.

 

“I’m a witch,” he said.

And I said, “You’re a wizard, Harry,” because I thought there was a very real chance I was caught in a dream.

 

The relationships in Wolfsong captured my heart. The friendships, the family, the love… each felt so genuine and so multi-layered and complex. Klune has a gift at creating such special characters and weaving their bonds together to create a sense of family, whether that be biological or chosen. The entire book had a strong underlying theme of family and loyalty, and I loved the way Klune portrayed that in every interaction and conversation. Wolfsong was also a love story and oh what a love story! From the early bonds of friendship, to the slow awakening of more, to the pining – the evolution of Ox and Joe’s relationship had epic love story written all over it.

 

“I knew the day I met you that I would do anything for you. I would do anything to make you happy because no one had ever smelled like you did. It was candy canes and pinecones. It was epic and awesome. And it was home. You smelled like my home, Ox.”

 

Wolfsong was filled with heart aching sweetness, heartbreaking sadness, and laughter. With its truly unforgettable characters, Wolfsong delivered an extraordinary story that became an instant favorite. 5 stars

Art credit: unknown

Have you read Wolfsong?

Short Take Reviews: The Novella Edition | Alpha and Omega, The Warlord Wants Forever, Magic in the Wind

  

I was recently in the mood to read some paranormal/urban fantasy and decided to pick up the prequel novellas to several series. All were available though my library's Overdrive app (two on audio and one ebook) so it was easy to give these series a test drive without committing to full-length novels. The results were decidedly mixed. Read on to find out my thoughts.



ALPHA AND OMEGA

Patricia Briggs
Series: Alpha & Omega #0.5

Anna Latham never knew werewolves existed, until the night she survived a violent attack... and became one herself. After three years at the bottom of the Chicago pack, she's learned to keep her head down and never, ever trust dominant males. But when she discovers wrongdoing in her pack, she has to go above her Alpha's head to ask for help.


Charles Cornick is the son — and enforcer — of the leader of the North American werewolves. Now his father has sent him to Chicago to clean up a problem there. Charles never expected to find Anna, a rare Omega wolf — and he certainly never expected to recognize her as his mate...

*****
This series was recommended to me when I mentioned I was looking for an urban fantasy series along the lines of The Others by Anne Bishop. I was drawn into this story from the start. Anna is in a precarious position and that’s only exacerbated when she makes a call that brings Charles into her life. It was so interesting to learn about the pack hierarchy and the machinations that were going on behind the scenes. And I'm definitely curious about The Marrock, the leader of all the packs in North America. The instant connection between Charles and Anna was a little hard to go with but I get the feeling that the mated thing is pretty common in shifter stories. At roughly 70 pages, there was only so much that could happen, but I’m curious to see where this story goes. This felt like a really good introduction to a series that could be addictive.

Rating: 3.5
Will I Continue the Series: Definitely
Kresley Cole
Series: Immortals After Dark #0.5

The Warlord
Nikolai Wroth, a ruthless vampire general, will stop at nothing to find his Bride, the one woman who can “blood” him, making his heart beat and filling him with strength. Coldly interested only in the power his Bride will bring, he can hardly believe when Myst the Coveted awakens him body—and soul.

The Seductress
Famed throughout the world as the most beautiful Valkyrie, Myst has devoted her life to protecting a magical jewel and to fighting the vampires. Wroth provides her with the perfect opportunity to torment her sworn enemy—for with his new heartbeat comes a consuming sexual desire that can only be slaked by her. Denying him, she flees, struggling to forget his searing, possessive kiss.

The Hunt is on...
She eludes him for five years, but he has finally chased her to ground and stolen her enchanted jewel, giving him absolute power over her. Now that she’s his for the taking, he intends to make her experience first-hand the agonizing, unending lust she subjected him to for half a decade. Yet when Nikolai realizes he wants far more than vengeance from Myst and frees her, will she come back to him?

*****

I was a bit lost at the start of this one and it took me some time to kind of find my bearings in this world. The time period wasn’t made clear and I was certain at first that it was historical. When I finally realized the setting was in modern times I really had to shift my thinking. Beyond the initial confusion, I really enjoyed the world building. There were vampires, Valkyries, demons and more and it was interesting to figure out the specific lore and abilities. Wroth started off as cold and domineering but he came around. Myst was a character I never could get a handle on. I couldn’t figure her out – her motivations, her decisions, her end game - so that was a bit of a struggle. And the sex scenes were a little cringey. I know it’s sounding like I didn’t enjoy this one but overall, I really did. Novellas can be tricky anyway and setting up a new world in under 200 pages is even more so. But I was intrigued and I liked the apparent set-up for the characters featured in the first full-length novel.

Rating: 3
Will I Continue the Series: Maybe at some point
Christine Feehan
Series: Drake Sisters #0.5

"Sarah's coming home."

Ever since Damon Wilder sought refuge in Sea Haven, he's heard the same breathless rumor pass the lips of nearly every local in the sleepy coastal town. Even the wind seems to whisper her name - a reverie so powerfully suggestive that it carries the curious Damon to Sarah's clifftop home, and seeks to shelter him there.

But Damon has not arrived alone. Two men have tracked him to Sea Haven, and into the shadows of Drake House, where Sarah hides her own secrets. And danger- as well as a desire more urgent than either has ever known- is just a whisper away...

*****

Oof. This just wasn't good. Everything about it felt  surface-level. The plot, the characters, everything. There were no explanations for anything. No background about the sisters, no background about Damon other than an extremely vague mention of a hush-hush government job that "bad guys" were willing to kill him over (which made no sense – since he was no longer working or developing anything what could possibly be accomplished by killing him?), and no explanation of the "magic" the sisters seemed to have.

Worst of all, there was no explanation for the insta-love between Damon and Sarah. I was told constantly about how strong their feelings were, but I couldn't understand why. They were virtual strangers and everything seemed to happen in matter of days. Very little was shared about the time they spent together, how they got to know one another, or where these intense feelings came from. It made no sense.

The big "prophecy" seemed to boil down to this: Sarah would fall in love with Damon because the gate unlocked for him. Yeah, that was it. That was the big prophecy. Pretty freaking weak as far as prophecies go. Having never read anything by Feehan before, I don't know if this was not her best, or if this is just her style. Either way, it really wasn't for me. 

Rating: 2
Will I Continue the Series: Not a chance


HAVE YOU READ ANY OF THESE BOOKS?


Short Take Reviews: M/M Insta-Lust and Paranormal Insta-Love




Leveled (Saints of Denver #0.5) by Jay Crownover
Read: November 2017
GoodReads

SYNOPSIS:
Orlando Frederick knows what it is to be leveled by pain. Instead of focusing on his own, he’s made it his mission to help others: sports stars, wounded war vets, survivors of all kinds. But when Dom, a rugged, damaged, sinfully attractive cop, makes his way into Lando’s physical therapy practice, he might be the biggest challenge yet. Lando loved one stubborn man before and barely survived the fallout. He’s not sure he can do it again.

Dominic Voss is a protector. The police badge he wears is not only his job, it’s his identity, so when he’s sidelined because of an injury, the only thing he cares about is getting back on the force. He expects Lando to mend his body, he just doesn’t realize the trainer will also have him working toward a hell of a lot more. As attraction simmers and flares, Dom sees that Lando needs repair of his own...if only the man will let him close enough to mend what's broken.

MY THOUGHTS:
Having listened to all six of the Marked Men books on audio, I was excited to continue with the Saints of Denver series. I’ve seen Crownover refer to Leveled as the bridge between the two series so there was no way I was going to pass it up.

Dom and Lando could not have been more different – Dom’s rough-edged cop to Lando’s polished exterior – but they couldn’t have been better matched.  There was no insta-love here but the insta-lust was off the charts. I loved that Dom was so open with his feelings for Lando, even in the face of Lando’s hesitancy. Having experienced a great loss, and living with guilt, Lando was understandably gun-shy about opening himself up to a new relationship. And the danger involved in Dom’s job became a major factor in their story. Both guys were totally endearing in their own way and it warmed my heart to watch as they drew closer together.

Even though this clocks in at just 220 pages, the story never felt rushed and their relationship developed in such a natural way. It wasn’t without its bumps along the way, but I loved seeing how these two worked their way through past hurts and current challenges to find their own happy ending.

4/5 STARS
  
Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians #1) by Dianne Duvall
Read: November 2017
GoodReads

SYNOPSIS:
Once, Sarah Bingham’s biggest challenge was making her students pay attention in class. Now, after rescuing a wounded stranger, she’s landed in the middle of a battle between corrupt vampires and powerful immortals who also need blood to survive. Roland Warbrook is the most compelling man Sarah has ever laid hands on. But his desire for her is mingled with a hunger he can barely control…

In his nine centuries of immortal existence, no woman has tempted Roland as much as Sarah. But asking her to love him is impossible—when it means forfeiting the world she’s always known, and the life he would do anything to protect.

MY THOUGHTS:
Darkness Dawns was recommended to me and I was excited for a good paranormal romance. The aspects I enjoyed were tempered by things that made me roll my eyes (a lot) but overall the scales tipped in its favor.

First, the good. I enjoyed both main characters. Sarah was no damsel in distress and showed real backbone in scary situations (Fighting off attacking vampires? She jumped in the fray. Girl power!).  Roland was a deliciously tortured hero/Immortal Guardian who led a lonely existence. Their meeting, when Sarah saved Roland from an ambush attack, paved the way for plenty of action. A vampire with a vendetta and his many minions were relentless in their attacks and created plenty of drama and adventure. The secondary characters were a truly interesting lot and knowing their stories are told in future books was a bonus.

Now for the not so good. The insta-love was in full-effect. I mean, a couple days pass and they are hard-core ready to pledge their lives to each other. I get the whole going through extreme situations together but still… no. Also, the number of convenient coincidences defied belief and made for all-too-easy resolutions. It was like, seriously? I’m supposed to just go with this, huh? Lastly, and this may seem minor, but the word count devoted to organic this and organic that and the evils of chemically treated food became obnoxious. One, it quickly felt preachy, and two, it seemed pointless and out of place considering the circumstances.

Even with the issues there was enough here for me to enjoy the story overall and I’m sure I’ll continue the series at some point.

3.25/5 STARS
HAVE YOU READ EITHER OF THESE BOOKS?

New Release + Trailer Reveal + Giveaway: Brave by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Guys, I am crazy excited for the release of Brave by Jennifer L. Armentrout! If you've been around here for any length of time you know that JLA is one of my very favorite authors and a new release from her is like gold. The Wicked trilogy has been so much fun - action, romance, betrayal, Fae, New Orleans, a hilarious Brownie named Tink who steals every scene - and I can't wait to read this finale! Check out this synopsis (and order your copy!), watch the trailer, and be sure to enter the giveaway!


Ivy Morgan hasn't been feeling like herself lately. Not like anyone can blame her. After all, being held captive by a psychotic fae prince hell-bent on permanently opening the gates to the Otherworld is bound to leave some mental scars.

It’s more than that, though. Something dark and insidious is spreading throughout Ivy, more powerful than she could ever imagine... and it’s coming between her and the man she’s fallen deeply in love with, elite Order member Ren Owens. 

Ren would do anything to keep Ivy safe. Anything. But when he makes a life altering choice for her, the fallout of his act has far reaching consequences that threaten to tear their lives apart.

If Ivy is going to have any hope of surviving this, she must put aside the hurt and betrayal she feels, and work with not only those she loves, but with an enemy she would rather kill than ever trust. War is coming, and it soon becomes clear that what Ivy and Ren thought they knew about the Order, themselves, and even their enemies, has been nothing but a cluster of dangerous, deadly lies. Ivy knows she must be more than just brave to save those she loves--and, ultimately, to save herself. 

Because behind ever evil fae Prince, there’s a Queen

The Wicked Saga, Book #3
Release Date: December 11, 2017
Available Formats: Paperback (U.S./Canada) and E-book



CREDIT: 
Talent: Justin Edwards (the cover model)


G I V E A W A Y!


ABOUT JENNIFER L. ARMENTROUT
# 1 NEW YORK TIMES Bestselling author Jennifer lives in Martinsburg, West Virginia. All the rumors you’ve heard about her state aren’t true. When she’s not hard at work writing. She spends her time reading, working out, watching really bad zombie movies, pretending to write, and hanging out with her husband and her Jack Russell Loki.

SOCIAL MEDIA LINKS:

Review: Haven by Mary Lindsey

Haven by Mary Lindsey

Series: No

Genres: Young Adult, Paranormal

Release Date: November 7, 2017

Format: eARC

Source: Entangled Publishing

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon

Rain Ryland has never belonged anywhere, He’s used to people judging him for his rough background, his intimidating size, and now, his orphan status. He’s always been on the outside, looking in, and he’s fine with that. Until he moves to New Wurzburg and meets Friederike Burkhart.

Freddie isn’t like normal teen girls, though. And someone wants her dead for it. Freddie warns he’d better stay far away if he wants to stay alive, but Rain’s never been good at running from trouble. For the first time, Rain has something worth fighting for, worth living for. Worth dying for.

Rain Ryland’s life has been spent living on the streets, in shelters and barely getting by with his mother. Her death brings a new start in a new town with an aunt he never knew existed. After surviving the tough city streets virtually on his own, life in the small town of New Wurzburg should be a breeze. But things aren’t what they seem in the insular little town and Rain quickly finds himself in the midst of life and death situations and secrets people would kill to keep hidden.

With the YA market saturated with fantasy novels, I was thrilled to find that the paranormal genre is still alive and kicking in Mary Lindsey’s Haven. Not only that, but Haven is turning the usual tropes on their heads and providing a story that is new and fresh and utterly unputdownable. You’ll find no brooding guys who act like caveman or damsels in distress waiting to be saved. What you do get is a main character who is searching for his purpose and a place to belong and a girl who is strong and capable but in need of support (whether she’s willing to admit it or not). 


Rain comes to New Wurzburg with a past that isn’t pretty. Living on the streets, an addict mother, and time spent in juvenile detention left Rain street-savvy and self-sufficient but also craving family, stability and a sense of belonging. While he has a taste of that with his aunt, it’s when he meets Freddie Burkhart at school that things seem to click into place. But his arrival have also set events in motion that he can’t possibly comprehend and he’s met with silence and evasiveness when he questions strange occurrences. The more Rain pushes for information the more immersed he becomes in the mysterious, and violent secret world churning just below the surface of everyday life. And eventually he’ll have to decide how much he’s willing to sacrifice for the life that’s within his reach.

I loved the world and the mythology that Mary Lindsey created in Haven. I was sucked right in from the very beginning and reveled in the sinister atmosphere. I was questioning every new occurrence and trying to develop theories of what could be going on. I was suspicious of practically every character and that only increased as the story progressed. I trusted no one! There was sketchy behavior, odd explanations, eyes always watching, veiled threats. The feeling of unease only grew and the intensity amped up until I was flipping pages at lightning speed, dying to know what would happen next. And I was never disappointed.


I realize I’m keeping things a bit vague, but believe me it’s better to go in to this one without knowing too much in advance. Lindsey kept the story moving at a breakneck pace with action and mystery, suspense and a little romance that all blended together perfectly. While I typically bemoan the fact that there are too few stand-alone novels being published, this is one book I would love see turned into a series. Haven is a mature YA paranormal that I highly recommend!

Note: I received an advance copy of this title from the publisher. This in no way changes my opinion of the book or the content of this review.

4/5 STARS
Do you enjoy paranormal?
Will you be reading Haven?

The Time Traveler's Christmas by Amy Jarecki - Blog Tour + Review + Giveaway


Welcome to my stop on the blog tour for The Time Traveler's Christmas by Amy Jarecki! I'm excited to be taking part in this one because it had been so long since I read a time travel romance and this one really delivered. So read all about it, enter Amy's giveaway, and download your copy today!

About The Time Traveler's Christmas
A man’s life can fall apart in an instant… Tougher than oxhide, Lachlan Wallace can take about anything except a breakup call from his wife two minutes before competing in the Karate Championship of the World. Arriving home with a loss, he agrees to watch his uncle’s cat over the holidays. Or so he thinks—until he awakes on a fourteenth-century battlefield beside a woman fighting for her life. 
Never underestimate a woman’s determination… 
Taken from her at the age of two, Lady Christina de Moray hasn’t seen her son in thirteen years. While traveling with Robert the Bruce’s army to exchange an English prisoner for the lad, a battle erupts. Losing the fight, Christina is rescued by a mysterious warrior while the English escape with her son yet again. 
And never bet against the potency of passion… 
Left with no way back to the twenty-first century, Lachlan agrees to help Christina rescue the lad from his English captors. If the heir is not returned by Christmas next, the Bruce will make his decision whom to grant the de Moray lands, including Lady Christina’s hand. Once his duty is fulfilled, Lachlan hopes to discover a way home—as long as he keeps his mind on the goal and ignores his growing love for the spirited woman who gives him her trust—and her heart. Grab your copy today!

MY THOUGHTS

I've always enjoyed time travel romance but for some reason haven't read anything from the genre in a long time. So I was pretty excited when I came across Amy Jarecki's new release, The Time Traveler's Christmas. This is the third novel in her Guardian of Scotland series but can easily be read as a stand alone. 

In present-day Scotland, Lachlan Wallace is at a crossroads. His wife has left him and he's spending a few weeks house sitting (well, cat sitting) for his uncle and deciding how to move forward. Finding himself in the 14th century on a battlefield is not what he had in mind. Saving Lady Christina de Moray puts him on a path he never envisioned - one that includes danger and political unrest but also a chance at true fulfillment and even lasting love. 

First things first, I really loved Lachlan. This was a man with so many admirable qualities. He was honest and loyal, protective without being a caveman, confident without being cocky, and so adaptable and able to handle whatever was thrown at him. 

Christina was well portrayed as not only a woman who, as a member of the nobility, had an obligation to the King, but also a heartsick mother who longed for the return of her son. She was strong-willed but the times when she acquiesced made sense considering the station of women during that time. 

While there was definitely an early attraction between Lachlan and Christina, the romance itself was a slow burn and all the more satisfying. I enjoyed not only the romance but also the overriding theme of finding and fulfilling your life's purpose. 

Readers who enjoy historical fiction and romance with a paranormal twist will surely enjoy The Time Traveler's Christmas. 

ABOUT AMY JARECKI
An Amazon bestselling author, Amy Jarecki adores Scotland. Though she now resides in southwest Utah, she received her MBA from Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh. Winning multiple writing awards, she is focused on the genre of Scottish historical romance. Amy loves to write steamy edge-of-your-seat action adventures with rugged men and fascinating women who weave their paths through the brutal eras of centuries past. 

Connect with Amy Jarecki: 
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/amyjarecki/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/amyjarecki
Website: http://amyjarecki.com/  


  ENTER AMY'S GIVEAWAY!

Throwback Thursday Review: Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Wicked by Jennifer L. Armentrout

Series: Wicked #1

Genres: New Adult, Paranormal

Release Date: December 8, 2014

Format: Trade Paperback

Source: Purchased

Find it here: GoodReads | Amazon


Synopsis

Things are about to get Wicked in New Orleans.

Twenty-two year old Ivy Morgan isn’t your average college student. She, and others like her, know humans aren’t the only thing trolling the French Quarter for fun… and for food. Her duty to the Order is her life. After all, four years ago, she lost everything at the hands of the creatures she’d sworn to hunt, tearing her world and her heart apart.

Ren Owens is the last person Ivy expected to enter her rigidly controlled life. He’s six feet and three inches of temptation and swoon-inducing charm. With forest-green eyes and a smile that’s surely left a stream of broken hearts in its wake, he has an uncanny, almost unnatural ability to make her yearn for everything he has to offer. But letting him in is as dangerous as hunting the cold-blooded killers stalking the streets. Losing the boy she loved once before had nearly destroyed her, but the sparking tension that grows between them becomes impossible for Ivy to deny. Deep down, she wants… she needs more than what her duty demands of her, what her past has shaped for her.

But as Ivy grows closer to Ren, she realizes she’s not the only one carrying secrets that could shatter the frail bond between them. There’s something he’s not telling her, and one thing is for certain. She’s no longer sure what is more dangerous to her—the ancient beings threatening to take over the town or the man demanding to lay claim to her heart and her soul.

My Thoughts

A badass redhead + smoking hot guy (with dimples) + snarky brownie + evil Fae bent on world domination = a really good time.

Ivy is a 22 year old college student and part of the Order - a secret organization that kills/banishes the Fae. She lives and works in New Orleans where there's no shortage of Fae. Enter Ren, aforementioned smoking hot guy, Order member who is new to New Orleans, and seems to be there for a specific purpose. When it seems that the Fae are preparing for something that could be catastrophic for all humankind, Ivy and Ren work together to find answers. And find each other in the process.

Wicked started slow for me. I don't know if that's because I was feeling book slump-ish or because of the story but it did take me some time to get into it. I also wish Ivy's background wasn't so slow to reveal. It was obvious there was a story there and it was hinted at so often that I was starting to think 'come on already!' And overall I just wasn't fully immersed in the plot. Again, that could have been me being book slump-ish or maybe this story of the Fae just wasn't my favorite.

That being said, Wicked was still plenty of fun. Ivy was a strong character with a sassy attitude. And I loved Ren's charm and openness with Ivy. He was so upfront with his feelings for her and I really liked that about him. But it was Tink who stole the show. That little brownie was total comic relief and had so many lines that made me laugh out loud. Armentrout does banter and snarky humor *so* well and it was in abundance here.

I was distrustful of a certain character from almost the very beginning and I was pleased to learn I had called it so early on. But the twist at the end...? Nope. Did *not* see that coming! I read the last page and sat there holding the book in utter disbelief - crushed by the turn things had just taken. I need the next book like yesterday and will be snagging it just as soon as it's released.

I am a huge fan of Jennifer Armentrout. Her Lux series is one of my favorite series ever and The Dark Elements series isn't far behind. While Wicked wasn't on that level for me and didn't hook me quite like the others, I still enjoyed it a lot and am definitely excited to see where the story goes from here!

4/5 Stars 
Have you read Wicked? Do you have a favorite paranormal series?