The Dark Wife

Review:

This is a retelling of the Hades and Persephone myth. But with is twist. In this book, Hades is a woman. 
This was good (or average). I liked that it was different. But, I would have liked Hades to be a little bad-ass. I thought at times she was too perfect and maybe even a little doormat-ish. 
Zeus was the evil asshole in this one. For all the times I was told, "Zeus gets what he wants,"I thought his comeuppance was rushed. For that matter, Persephone's new ability was out of left field.
When all said and done, this is a good, decent addition to all the varies retellings.

I read this for #RippedBodiceBingo for the Queer YA/NA square.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1578805/the-dark-wife

Vampires Gone Wild

Review:

V is for VampWoman 2*
Pam wants to try and help fight the Malcontents. In the past, she has been afraid and cowardly. 
Now she wants to change that. Mikhail has secretly admired Pam from afar (but thought she was vain/selfish, etc). 
I used to really like this series. But as it has gone on (and on), I've just lost interest. This series was one of the first paranormals I read, so it will always have a special place in my heart. There are other series that I've liked more. I found myself not really caring. 

A Forever Love 3* 
Elizabeth meet Lucas and they dated. Always seeing him at night, waking up in the morning and he would be gone. Then he just disappears. Fast forward 2 years. She has dated, but no one (of course!!!!) can compare to Lucas. There are people disappearing randomly in the DC area. Elizabeth becomes one of them. 
This was interesting with the alternative DC that parallels the real one. It turns out, this was made for vampires and the magic is failing. This has lead to the vampires who where there being trapped there; when the magic failed, which included Lucas. This is also why random people are disappearing. Not much of the plot is spent elaborating on this. What the fuck is up with that ending?! I deducted for that ending. 

First Dates Are Hell 3.5*
Could tell this one was part of a series (I've read book 1 and decided to not read the other 2). There was definitely a history between Val (Valiance) and Violet. Val meets Esme while buying sheets. It turns out Esme is fae and most people don't see her/overlook her. She doesn't know she is fae and handled it well. Interesting first date, well paced, lots of action. 

Blood and Water 3*
This started out very interesting. Interesting concept- mermen/mermaids, but need blood to be able to walk on land. Takes place in San Francisco, right before the earthquake in 1906. Decent build-up and pacing, but I would have liked more information (Stellan is very interested in the Golden Gate Bridge). It started out well, but I thought it was rushed and thus fizzled at the end.

 

RippedBodiceBingo:  anthology!

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1578029/vampires-gone-wild

Siren's Secret

Review:

Mermaid book!!!! I was excited to pick this up and am happy I enjoyed it so much!
Shelly's mother was a mermaid, her dad human. After their deaths, she goes to live with her cousins, Jet and Lily. Jet and Lily are full blooded mermaids. Mating with a human is a no-no and Shelly has some baggage from her parents relationship. Tillman moved back home and took over his dad's position as sheriff when he died. His mother is an alcoholic and his younger brother is severely developmentally disabled. 
Shelly, while out for a swim, unwittingly meets a serial killer. This added some suspense to the plot. There are some things she should have done, but oh well. Tillman's brother, Eddie, adds to the plot and makes him realize when he's being an unfair asshole. 
I love mermaids and there's not many books featuring them. Some more backstory would have been nice. Jet and Lily's stories are coming in books 2 and 3, so maybe I'll get some more. What is here was interesting. I loved all the treasure they have from shipwrecks. And being able to hear/communicate underwater.  And they eat a lot of seafood.  
Some continuity issues- One moment Eddie is with Tillman and then later he's not (it mentions he finally feels asleep. Nothing said about taking him home. I remember this one because of what Tillman does.)

RippedBodiceBingo:
I say this meets for the non-mammal shifter because of this: "Mermen and mermaids gathered in a remote South Pacific island for a week of orgies. Those inclined to produce a litter of merchildren built undersea nests in beds of coral for fertilizing and hatching their newborn." I was hoping for some elaboration, but this was it. Different and interesting.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1577507/siren-s-secret

Dream Lake

Review:

Alex, the youngest Nolan sibling, is an alcoholic, divorced, and has Baggage. Zoe, raised by her grandmother, has Baggage related to her father (he's an asshole- shocker there, right?). Alex works in construction and is helping his brother restore his house. Zoe works for her cousin at her bed and breakfast as the chef. Alex is the only one who can see Tom. Zoe works magic with food.
I think this was my favorite thus far in this series. I liked the secondary story-line with the ghost, Emma. Alex and Zoe were a wonderful fit. 
I liked Justine and am looking forward to her story. 

RippedBodiceBingo: hint of magic square

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1577003/dream-lake

The Mating Season

Review:

Sophie is an ornithologist in Egypt to field a documentary on birds. Rigg is the asshole hired to be her cameraman. He was fired from his last job. Total opposites that attract.
I really liked having the woman be the geeky scientist. There was nothing special about Rigg (he's attractive, cocky). I didn't like him. He leaves the airport with the driver, leaving her with no transportation (Sophie's awesome, she had the foresight to get the local currency and hire her own cab) and is late to work the first day. No explanation, apology, or oops! 
There's Rigg's relationship with Nicola (history of on/off, they lived together for 2 years). He was over her faster than I could blink. I didn't believe the romance, it was very fast.
My last issue with this was the make-over. Of course. He didn't really fall for her until after that. I wold have liked him to fall for her just-as-she-was.
I rated this a little higher than I thought I would have because Rigg did change and that ending. I appreciated someone giving up something they've always thought they wanted for the benefit of the other. The bird facts were also interesting.

Ripped Bodice Bingo: fits for Nerd/Geek elements.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1576015/the-mating-season

Home to You

Review:

After experiencing life-altering changes, both Jax/Jack and Kendall escape to their small hometown. Neither one want anyone else to know they are there. They knew each other as children, having last seen the other 14 years ago. Both end up at the same cabin. 
This was good. Both have secrets and realize the life they had didn't fit either of them. Jax does omit who he is at the beginning. Kendall didn't recognize him. She gets to know him as Jack. (His name is Jackson, but was always known as Jax). I understood why he did as he did. Both characters were likeable and had good backstories. I also could see how they fell for each other, then giving each other space. I was a little disappointed at few of the secondary character's storylines: Addie and Jaime. There is something there, but was very unresolved.

 

Also works for Ripped Bodice Bingo:  Baking/Sweets described in delicious detail.  Kendall cooks and she cooks a lot. 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1575432/home-to-you

I really look forward to this every month

(Warning- some of the pictures posted sideways and I thought I saw a work around to fixing that; but now I can't find it, so apologies for the sideways pictures.  But I do know how to make them smaller (or larger).  

 

Just wanted to share this.  I subscribe to this book box every month.  June's theme was Cowboy.  I was telling my husband how well thought out the themes are each month.  

Here is the card that details what is in the book for that month:

There has always been a mix of ebook and paperbacks (ranging from trade to MMP)

Here are the ebooks.  

3 MMPs in this one.  Each comes with a "Dear Reader" letter.  One was autographed!

The bandana is from the Morgan Ranch series (Kate Pearce). 

Love this boot shot glass!

This cactus kit is a cool idea.  One that I might keep for myself, or gift it to someone.  I haven't decided.  Even came with a small spray bottle to mist the cactus once started. Can't forget the chili sucker!

I've subscribed to this since they started and I've enjoyed every box!  

I've subscribed to some of the book boxes (Fresh Fiction Box Not to Miss, Lit-Cube), but this is the only one I've kept every month.  Some of the other book boxes are YA. Ever After is not.  

Three authors are behind this box (Jeannie Lin, Shawntelle Madison, and Amanda Berry), I think that makes this box more interesting.  

 

(Just in case:  I wasn't paid for this review or box.  This box is purchased by yours truly) 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/1572074/i-really-look-forward-to-this-every-month