Midnight's Lover

Review:

Spoiler's for the previous book/Dark Sword series.
This is Ian's story. He was pulled into the future d/t his tie to Duncan (his twin who was murdered by Malcolm) and Dierdre. The individual responsible for pulling Dierdre to the future was Declan. Declan wants to rule with Dierdre, but she doesn't want to share. So, at this point they are not working together (so it appears). Ian hide because he didn't have control of his god; so he thought.
Danielle lost her parents were she was 12 and came to Scotland to live with her aunts, one of whom taught her about her magic. Danielle has the ability to return lost objects to their owners. She finds a key and must at once get to MacLeod castle. She finds Ian and together they find each other. Declan's main involvment in the story:

[spoiler]

He found Kirstin and placed her as a spy. He took her memory of meeting him.

[/spoiler]

It remains to be seen just how her placement will play out. I maintain he is more of a threat then Dierdre. Dierdre's plant

[spoiler]

Charlie

[/spoiler]

failed. Deirdre is still alive, but the artifacts are in place to locate Laria (who supposedly is the only one who can kill her).
Next up Saffron

[spoiler]

who may have her sight restored

[/spoiler]

and Camryn.
From Dark Sword series: (There really needs to be a character list; I'm sure I'm missing someone)
Cara and Lucan, Larena and Fallon, Marcail and Quinn, Isla and Hayden, Reaghan and Galen, and Sonya and Broc. Marcail and Quinn's son, Aidan, then there's Ramsay, Camdyn, Arran, Charen, Phelan.
Dark Warriors: Logan and Gwynn

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1994172/midnight-s-lover

Shadowdance

Review:

My favorite so far!
Mary and Jack have a dislike of each other (but do they really?) ever since they've met. This takes place about 2 years after the events of Winterblaze. Jack is a Regulator and Mary has newly moved into the same position after "graduating" from being Poppy's assistant. They partner up to find a murderer.
I really like the mix of paranormal historical romance with a side of steampunk thrown in. It really works for me and I love it. It's not quite a 4.5-5* read for me mainly because the main conflict between Mary and Jack could have been at least partially solved with a nice, long, honest conversation. Instead assumptions were made and well, there you go. Yes, there were "reasons" behind it; but isn't that always the case?
I also like that each book is about a different couple and the end of this links to the next book and couple.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1992020/shadowdance

A week to Be Wild

Review:

Libby is a successful business woman in London for a conference. She's built her marketing firm from the ground up. Alex is a successful businessman turned billionaire. They meet and you know the rest.
I had a hard time getting past Libby turning into a brainless idiot when she first meets Alex. They shared a look and Libby gets so turned on. Yes, really. Get past that and it's not bad. Both are layered individuals who had someone they loved die and those deaths effect each in different ways. I just wish their "meet" had been done differently.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1989561/a-week-to-be-wild

Bringing Home the Bad Boy

Review:

Evan lost his wife very unexpectedly 4 years ago. Their son Lyon is now 7. Evan decided it was time to sell the house she died in and move. He moves next door (2 houses down) from Charlotte AKA Ace/Aunt Charlie. Charlie was Rae's BFF, honorary aunt, and she had a serious childhood crush on Evan.
I went into this one a bit unsure how I would feel. I really didn't like Charlie's insecurities and her constantly bringing up Rae as a barrier to their starting a relationship. On the other hand, I really liked Evan and how he really, really fought for Charlie and stood up for her when needed. I did think Charlie said "I'm sorry" way too much. Russell was a first class asshole. Overall, this was just an okay friends to lovers romance.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1984011/bringing-home-the-bad-boy

Hooked

Review:

Rodney, AKA Roderick Andrew Murray Fitzclarence the 12th Duke of St Charles (he's also an Earl), works in the US at a gaming company as a coder. Stacy is the office manager. She also hds a trust fund and trusted the wrong guy and was conned out of $$. She's also leery of men and her judgement.
This was nice and sweet. Yes, Rodney didn't clear the air, but I understood his reasons. Nicely paced with a HFN.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1984010/hooked

Enchanted Warrior

Review:

Once upon a time, Arthur and his Knights, the witches, fae fought a war against demons. One of Merlin's spells had an unfortunate cost. It took the fae's souls and left them emotionless husks and power from the witches, reducing their power. Of course this lead to them becoming enemies.
Interesting take on the popular Arthur and Knight of the Round Table. Arthur and his knights were frozen/turned to stone and are awakened in the modern age to fight again. The difference is there are no longer in England. They are in the US. Washington to be more precise.
Gawain at first was not a likable character for me. I thought he was rude, demanding. I was also annoyed at the explanation for his adjusting to the modern age (magic). I like him by the end, but it took me the whole book to get there. I did like Tamsin; she was able to defend herself and showed her strength, kindness.
Gawain whole thought process where witches = bad got old. I also thought it interesting that modern day covens had strict rules- ie need permission to travel, they arranged marriages. Men have roles and women have theirs. Tamsin would be the first "Loremaster." This was never dived into and was nothing more than a few paragraphs.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1983075/enchanted-warrior

All I Want for Halloween

Review:

I was pleasantly surprised at how much I liked this one. Sadie is a baker and perfectly content with her life working in her family's bakery. Gear is the star (now ex-star) of his own reality TC show featuring his work on bikes.
There's snark and banter in this one. Both Sadie and Gear are enjoyable. What makes this memorable is both families; Sadie's dad, brother Eliott, her sister Rose and Gear's mom and dad, brother Thor, sister Iris. Hilarious and I just enjoyed this one.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1983072/all-i-want-for-halloween