Dark Wolf Rising

Review:

Bryn witnessed a murder and is now in protective custody. The murderer happens to be Jace, the local werewolf pack's alpha. Cash, Bryn's former best friend when she was 14 happens to be part of the pack. When he was 15 he left and Bryn had no idea if he was still alive.
It's been 13 years since either have seen the other. His pack targets Bryn for extermination. Cash steps in to save her. They are not on the run from the pack. Let's kiss and make out!
It didn't take much time at all before they are cozy and buddy-buddy again. I would have understood it if it had been a few months or even a few years, but 13?! There was an explaination for what happened to Jace and a Big Bad. The ending was a little disappointing since the BB didn't get what was going to him.

[spoiler]

He got away.

[/spoiler]

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2018427/dark-wolf-rising

Her Dragon's No Angel

Review:

This one had the not-so-crazy about "fated mate" trope, but also a trope I generally do like- "forced proximity."  Holly is a Christmas Angel with one more mission to complete before she can search for her soul mate.  Problem is, she wasn't told what it was, only to go to this cave and wait.  Tomas is returning from an errand and has to take shelter from a blizzard.

I liked both characters. Holly was in denial since she was certain her mate would be another angel (Tomas is a dragon).  While there, they team up to rescue a magical being.  

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2017332/her-dragon-s-no-angel

Bite of Frost

Review:

Even though this has the "fated mates" trope, I did enjoy this one. Jericha never knew her dad. Unbeknownst to her, he is Jack Frost, king of winter. He is set to retire and she has the magic to carry on his legacy. So, without talking or asking her, he "gives" his ability to her. She now has 24 hrs to find her fated mate (and consume his blood) to keep her heart from freezing and killing her.
Connor was quick to respond, but did back off somewhat when asked. Overall, I though this was well paced for the length and I liked both characters.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2017328/bite-of-frost

Nether Blue

Review:

Warning- Insta-love!

Calico is hunted by a bad dude who is also a warlock who fancies himself in love with her.  Warren (the warlock) is power hungry and knows that Calico is powerful.  Of course, that is true since Calico is 1/2 Fallen (mom) and 1/2 Immortal witch (dad).

After her adopted mom dies, she flees to Ireland and a home they have there.  There is a mirror in her bedroom that happens to be a portal to another world and she meets Brodie.

I liked that she helped break Brodie out of magical jail (for a murder he didn't do), but all of a sudden she had all this power and knew what to do with it.  It helps that Brodie is hot and has a hot body, so Calico is all over that.  And vice versa.

The real murderer is uncovered, Warren is taken care of.  Calico finds out her parentage.  She and Brodie ride off into the sunset and all is well.

Another not bad, not great.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2016782/nether-blue

Lone Star Christmas

Review:

This continues my trend of Christmas stories that are okay/average/good, but not great.
Callen and his 3 brothers were put in foster care and moved into Buck's home when Callen was 14. He had a stable, loving home for the first time, so what does he do once he turns 18? He leaves his small town and didn't visit for 14 years. He had very limited contact with Buck and his brothers for 14 years. He only returns because there is something wrong with Buck (and if you were to guess, chances are you would be right). The lack of communication/visits confused me because it didn't make sense to me. Buck turned their lives around (and Callen mentions his home was a great home) and Callen's response is to essentially ignore him for 14 years?
Another thing that bothered me was Buck's secrecy regarding his news. Does he tell his wife to be (he is getting married in about 4 weeks- on Christmas- when the book starts/news arrives)- that would be a no. Does he tell his daughter? Nope. Does he tell Kace/Nico/Judd (Callen's brothers who did stick around)? Nope. He tells Callen- WHO HE HASN'T SEEN FOR 14 YEARS AND SWEARS HIM TO SECRECY. Oh and then there's a secret about Shelby's mom that he tells Callen too. That just made no sense to me/pissed me off. My family better not pull that shit with me.
I thought Callen and Shelby's relationship was more about sex and I would have liked more talking between them. The secondary characters were the bright spot for me in this one (Rosy, Havana, Mateo, Lucy). The other books in this series are about the brothers, but I don't think I'm really that interested. I did like the writing.

 

 

 

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2016777/lone-star-christmas

Dead to Begin With

Review:

Think a retelling of A Christmas Carol, but in a different world with vampires. And set during Solstice. Another not bad, not great.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2014389/dead-to-begin-with

Christmas at Two Love Lane

Review:

This was a nice, sweet holiday romance. Macy is a matchmaker. Deacon is in town to help his aunt get settled. His aunt happens to be obsessed with love/marriage and wants Deacon to get married. To make his aunt happy and to buy him more time, he hires Macy to setup him up on dates with women who just want a date. He has no intention of settling down and hopes the dates with settle his aunt down.
Of course this being a romance, Deacon is intrigued by Macy and vice versa. They spend a lot of time together and I think you know what happens. I did think aunt Fran was over the top and way too obsessed with marriage. It was cute at first, but quickly got annoying (both her over the top personality and marriage obsession). Macy was a little too perfect. Not bad, but not great.

Original post: RachelGoodbyeBorders.booklikes.com/post/2014387/christmas-at-two-love-lane