Tag Archives: Romance

Book Review: Fractured & Formidable: The Sacred Hearts MC Book V by AJ Downey

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Fractured & Formidable: The Sacred Hearts MC Book V by AJ Downey

A Romance Novel published by Second Circle Press (07/01/15)

Summary:

“Taking the long road, doing the right thing, and using your words and actions that didn’t involve letting fists fly, was harder and way more time consuming than just punching a dude in the face a few times and going out for a beer after.” (Kindle Locations 2431-2432).

Autumn Amanda Price is the daughter of a preacher. The stigma of growing up a preacher’s daughter leaves her unprepared to deal with some of the darker parts of reality, but not at all from exploring her own desires. Zander (redubbed Revelator when he patched into the MC) almost shows his interest in Mandy too late and he has to work even harder to win her affections. Mandy’s dark secrets will come out in the open when all her friends don’t let up trying to help her. How will the MC proceed with this new conundrum, will they go back to their old ways or forge a new path?

 

Keywords:

Romance, motorcycle, club, friendship, loyalty, family, POV change, bad days, sexual content, threesome, darker sides, violence, past life, preacher’s daughter, innocence

My Review:

I love AJ Downey’s writing style and how she describes the world in the Sacred Hearts MC. All her characters come alive and every book is interconnected with the others through the overarching story-line and the characters’ involvement in each other’s lives.

Mandy is the ultimate unreachable girl. She’s a preacher’s daughter and supposedly innocent of the more sexual things, but she is ready to party and ready to play. She’s fun and vivacious, but she’s stuck in her past and stuck in her family secret. It was interesting to watch Revelator get stuck along with her in her family’s problems. A true relationship means that you are involved in your significant other’s family and that your partner’s problems become your own. Rev doesn’t pause to think about any of this, he is ready to lay down the law and jump into problems headfirst if it means protecting or helping his Mandy girl.

Downey changes the game with this book. No spoilers, you have to read for yourself, but leading up to the last book in the series, Fractured and Formidable is full of twists and turns.

This novel was published by Second Circle Press on July 1st, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

A.J. Downey’s Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

Book Review: Tattered & Torn: The Sacred Hearts MC Book IV (Volume 4) by AJ Downey

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Tattered & Torn: The Sacred Hearts MC Book IV (Volume 4) by AJ Downey

A Romance Novel published by Second Circle Press (03/24/15)

Summary:

“I didn’t know how to process this big horrible no good very bad thing that had taken over my life and my dreams and dogged every step I took.” (Page 44).

Shelly and Ghost have a thing for one another, but with a lack of communication their budding relationship was nipped in the bud with the brutality of the Suicide King’s attack in Cracked & Crushed, until Ghost learns what Shelly has given up for him and Shelly learns why Ghost was so hung up over her past.

 

Keywords:

Romance, motorcycle, club, friendship, loyalty, family, POV change, best friends, bad days, sexual content, darker sides, past life, protection, love

 

My Review:

Downey brings together two unlikely characters in Tattered & Torn, the club “bunny” and a Southern gentleman/farmer boy. Their views on sex differ quite a bit, but their attraction to each other is in equal measure. Downey has set up a large personality difference and attitude to overcome for each of them to be able to live with one another and love one another.

This is the first book in the Sacred Hearts MC Series where the book drags until the middle and the relationship can really begin. Downey drowns us in Shelly’s moods and depression following quite the catastrophic incident and her misery is quite negative to float around in.

Ghost and Shelly are more perfect for each other than they realize. They both have their tempers and pasts to overcome. They both are willing to work for what they love and are extremely loyal to the club. What Ghost doesn’t understand, at first, is that the roles of a woman and man in the MC club are completely and irrevocably different.

I absolutely love the fact that Shelly gets her moment in this book. She gets to face her past head on and she gets to prove that even though she has those who will kill to protect her, she is capable of protecting herself.

This novel was published by Second Circle Press on March 24th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.25

Links for more information:

A.J. Downey’s Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

Book Review: Masked & Miserable: A Novella of the Sacred Hearts MC (Book 3.5) by AJ Downey

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Masked & Miserable: A Novella of the Sacred Hearts MC (Book 3.5) by AJ Downey

A Romance Novel published by Second Circle Press (02/09/15)

Summary:

Squick has yet to officially tell anyone in the Scared Hearts MC that he’s gay, even though some have already guessed his secret. He had an easier time keeping his sex life private when he had none, but after meeting Aaron at the Open Road Ink tattoo parlor, he was instantly attracted to the slender musician, and life became much more complicated. He must open up to his family at the MC or risk losing them forever, but will they be able to accept the first and only gay member of their club?

 

Keywords:

Romance, motorcycle, club, friendship, loyalty, family, sexual content, past life, gay, acceptance, rivalry, love, musician, tattoos, artist, male on male sex

 

My Review:

This book, though marked as a novella, is packed with action. Be warned not to jump from book three to book four without diving into Masked and Miserable, because it moves along the main MC plot and squares away some of the Prospect’s new names. Even if male on male sex is not your thing, there is still romance and inner turmoil and the story of the Sacred Hearts and their struggles against the Suicide Kings going on in this book.

This is the first book in the Sacred Hearts series where a new character is introduced immediately and there is an instant attraction that is immediately acted upon. Get set for sex within the first couple of chapters versus halfway through like Downey’s other books in the series.

Downey still plays up the vulnerability of the characters and gives life to their feelings for one another.

This novel was published by Second Circle Press on February 9th, 2015 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.00

Links for more information:

A.J. Downey’s Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

Book Review: Cracked and Crushed (The Sacred Hearts MC Book 3) by AJ Downey

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Cracked and Crushed (The Sacred Hearts MC Book  3) by AJ Downey

A Romance Novel published by Second Circle Press (12/09/14)

Summary:

“I can’t tell if you’re the storm or my shelter from it…” -Hayden (Kindle Location 1639).

Hayden, Ashton’s friend from Shattered & Scarred, is ready on her wedding day to wed Andy and forget all about the mysterious man from the Sacred Hearts MC she had her eyes on, Reaver. When she gets left at the altar, the only person who can get her back on her feet is Reaver. He takes her on her honeymoon and they both learn that they can balance each other and that they are good for one another. It isn’t just Hayden who has been through tough times, Reav has his own past troubles to deal with.

 

Keywords:

Romance, motorcycle, club, friendship, loyalty, family, POV change, best friends, bad days, sexual content, threesome, darker sides, violence, graphic violence, past life, B&B, boat

 

My Review:

Reaver has been the most difficult character for me to get behind, to sympathize with, and to like. He is the most intense character, the most rough, the most animalistic and barbaric. Reaver is the violent one, the one who will take revenge far enough that even the other characters question him. Reaver is also the most sexually deviant from the pack (thus far) and his different kind of sexual appetite scares Hayden at times.

Hayden is the all-around cool girl. Sure, she gets left at the altar and is depressed and sad, but she’s up for anything! Anyone who can have a good time (at least some of the time) on their own Honeymoon for a wedding that didn’t actually happen, is a happy person indeed. Hayden is up for Reaver and his eccentricities. She’s up for MC life. She’s a trooper and fun to watch grow and blossom under Reaver’s protection and love.

I liked Downey’s re-iteration of the phrase “You trust me Doll?” by Reaver to signify their love.

I haven’t mentioned before but I really like how Downey’s covers are unique to the romance genre, they aren’t just bare chested men. Just like her stories aren’t just sex and romance, but also involve a larger story and the bigger picture of the Sacred Hearts MC.

This novel was published by Second Circle Press on December 9th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

Links for more information:

A.J. Downey’s Blog

Goodreads

Facebook

Book Review: Bound by Duty (Bound Series Book 1) by Stormy Smith

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Bound by Duty (Bound Series Book 1) by Stormy Smith

A Contemporary YA Fantasy/Romance Novel published by Perfect Storm Publishing, LLC  (07/23/2014)

 

Summary:

Since she was born, Amelia has been promised to the Prince, the son of evil Queen Julia. Amelia herself is no Princess, but she is an Elder, one with magical abilities. Her father never wanted her to practice her magic or to leave the safety of their home, to wait out the years until she turned twenty one and had to fulfill her promise to wed the prince. All Amelia thinks she wants is a few years of normalcy, so she leaves home and safety to go to college. At first she only has one human friend, Bethany, but then she meets Aidan. He is gorgeous, but she holds back, knowing she is not free to choose for love. Still, Aidan relentlessly pursues her until she can no longer say no. Amelia’s life has changed so much since she left home, but there are quite a few more surprises ahead for her.

Keywords:

 Magic, Mage, Family, Secrets, Loyalty, Prince, Queen, Evil, Promises, Mate, Best Friend, Brother, MMA, Power, Animages

My Review:

 

Amelia, Micah and Cole keep important and relevant information from each other for apparently no other reason than a “feeling.” This does create plot items, but ultimately doesn’t feel real.

I want to love the main character but at best she was likeable. She was easily overpowered by her own anger and inner magic. She was often selfish to the point of putting others at risk. She didn’t have much of a chance in this book to show if she was romantic or nice (except when she was guilted into remembering she had a best friend etc. and to be nice). She wasn’t mean or cruel, per se, but she wasn’t overwhelmingly friendly. This ties into the boy girl romance aspect I roll my eyes at in most books with a romance. Why does Aidan like her, why does he persist in trying to win her over? Subsequently why does Amelia like Aidan, only because he chose her? There isn’t anything special about him, other than the fact that he likes her, or is there? The author hints and drops clues as to the effect under the skin that Aidan has on Ame, his effect on her magic, the intense way she feels. Still, it was too much love at first sight for me.

My favorite character was Bethany. She was the most interesting of the bunch, and human at that. Bethany was a southern belle, a pageant queen, a beauty prone to mild forms of drama. I can just imagine her being so lively and animated and stealing the spotlight for this book.

Amelia’s story about how she wants to be normal is the main story, but she is also part of a greater and more intriguing story that she is a large part of.

This novel was published by Perfect Storm Publishing, LLC  07/23/2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TLDR Star Rating: 4.0

 

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Stormy Smith’s Website

Twitter

Book Review: Progeny (The Endure Series Book 3) by S.A. Huchton

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Progeny (The Endure Series Book 3) by S.A. Huchton

A Sci-Fi/New Adult/Romance Novel published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (12/07/13)

 

Summary:

“’We always have a choice, Dr. Ashley. It’s what we do with the options we’re given that’s important.’” (Kindle Location 423).
“’You can’t blame yourself for putting people into a dangerous situation you didn’t create.’” (Kindle Locations 3297-3298).

Book three picks up after a bit of time from the end of Nemesis. Lydia has been gone long enough for them to send Dr. Nick back after lack of funding for both off-Endure researchers and she is now by herself in what may became potential enemy territory. With what she has learned and how she thinks Daniel feels, Lydia feels more alone than she’s ever felt before. She continues working on the cure to the bacteria she was studying on the Endure, but is plagued by doubt about everything and everyone. Has she left Daniel for good, or will this genius power couple get back together, even after knowing what they know about each other?

 

Keywords:

Genetics, genius, underwater, tough, instability, romance, love, hormones, leader, kick-butt female, sex, fighting, training, good guys, testing, banter, skills, technology, hackers, subaquatic living, scientists, the hard way, Marine Biochemistry, Nobel Laureate, ship-shape, selective breeding

My Review:

The reveals are grandiose in this book and the lengths both Daniel and Lydia will go for love are insane. The tension has been building from book one and we get the exciting third book of all hell breaks loose! Some conflicts are resolved, but the grand plotline, the good versus evil theme is still ongoing and yet to be concluded in this third novel. THIS IS NOT A TRILOGY. Progeny is not the final book. Huchton leaves the book with her greatest cliffhanger of the Endure series.

The greater plotline that’s fully revealed in this third book of the series is quite a doozy, meandering in and out of the gray area of genetic manipulation and selective breeding. But Huchton makes it personal. She brings a hypothetical (I hope) scientific concept to life right in front of your eyes with one of her characters and you are in the midst of the emotional ride as this gray area plays out. Who will win in the end? Will there be any winners? This third book is the most apocalyptic of the series, as it delves into possibilities that Huchton might explore in book four concerning a major decrease in population! She pulls out all the stops for this book, but looking back you know she had some of these greater designs in mind from the beginning. There were hints. There were clues. Hopefully in book four we get the conclusion we’ve been looking for.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. on December 25th, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

 

Links for more information:

Starla Huchton’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Nemesis (The Endure Series, book 2) by S.A. Huchton

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Nemesis (The Endure Series, book 2) by S.A. Huchton

A Sci-Fi/New Adult/Romance Novel published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (08/25/13)

 

Summary:

“The last thing she needed or wanted was more complications in her life. And Nicholas Miller was one big ball of drama waiting to happen.” (Kindle Locations 1214-1216).

Nemesis picks up right where Maven left off, in the middle of a great conflict between the Maven Initiative (the bad guys) and those on the Endure wishing to combat the great evil that wants to unleash a deadly disease on humanity. Only, the Maven Initiative hasn’t set off the deadly bacteria, that even though they hold a kill switch, they have to develop a cure for the disease. They enlist Lydia for her Marine Biochemistry abilities and she works as a double agent, trying to both cure the disease and take down the Initiative. It isn’t until she stumbles on a large hole to the puzzle, that Lydia finds out she has been targeted by the Initiative longer than she expected.

 

Keywords:

Genetics, genius, underwater, tough, instability, romance, love, hormones, leader, kick-butt female, sex, fighting, training, good guys, testing, banter, skills, technology, hackers, subaquatic living, scientists, the hard way, Marine Biochemistry, Nobel Laureate, ship-shape

 

My Review:

Many new complications arise in this second book in the Endure series. We see a new love interest (old flame) and competition arrives for both Lydia and Daniel. The face of evil that is known as Dr. Burkovitz and the Maven Initiative reveals some surprising developments. The places they are willing to go in their evil plan knows no bounds and Lydia is caught up in the middle of it all.

Huchton really throws on the tension in this book. There are so many new complications and plot twists, but they all fit seamlessly together. Hints from book one and the beginning of book two come alive as their own sub-plots and intricacies.

The characters get more development and depth and we are introduced to the newest complications: Dr. Gorgeous (Nick Miller) and the Mistress of Sarcasm (Anna Corvis). These two characters inflict quite a bit of damage to Lydia and Daniel’s relationship, especially as the two don’t seem to be able to communicate all their feelings to each other. The Maven Initiative’s surprise throws another wrench into Lydia and Daniel’s relationship. Really, almost everything in this book tears at their relationship, threatening to come between the greatest love ever seen on the Endure.

It is in this book in particular that any normal human being will feel lazy and stupid in comparison to the genius workaholics presented in the characters of Daniel and Lydia as well as almost every character on the Endure and beyond.

Huchton also shows us that even a genius can be normal when it comes to human emotions and trying to communicate and endure under great hardships and terrible surprises.

The end of this book is heart wrenching and gut rending and you must immediately continue on with book three of this series (Progeny).

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. on August 25th, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

 

Links for more information:

Starla Huchton’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Maven (The Endure Series Book 1) by S.A. Huchton

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Maven (The Endure Series Book 1) by S.A. Huchton

A Sci-Fi/New Adult/Romance Novel published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (06/02/13)

 

Summary:

 

“How was she supposed to juggle saving the world and a social life?” (Page 112).

Lydia has been waiting six years to board the Deep Water Research Command Endure and to meet the famed Daniel Brewer, a fellow young genius like herself. Lydia is a Doctor of Marine Biochemistry and a Nobel Laureate in her twenties and she has longed to find someone similar to herself, another prodigy of sorts, but Daniel doesn’t even hit the radar of her expectations when they first meet. He was too busy with his newest female conquest to do his job of meeting her and this poor first impression does not immediately endear him to the Lydia the workaholic. This isn’t the only complication Lydia encounters aboard the Endure, there are greater things afoot that she concentrates on while Daniel attempts his greatest challenge yet: Lydia.

 

Keywords:

Genetics, genius, underwater, tough, instability, romance, love, hormones, leader, kick-butt female, sex, fighting, training, good guys, testing, banter, skills, technology, hackers, subaquatic living, scientists, the hard way, Marine Biochemistry, Nobel Laureate, ship-shape

 

My Review:

With her Endure Series, Huchton has written a great science fiction romance series for adults. Unlike her Evolution Series, which was more geared toward a younger adult audience, the Endure Series follows an older protagonist (albeit a twenty-something emergent adult) who just happens to be a child prodigy and genius with elevated maturity.

The Endure Series is also hyper focused on the science fiction aspect of marine biochemistry and the strict environment on board the Endure (Research Command in military style). There were quite a few unknown terms to the layman involving the environment of the Endure and the science fiction aspect of the story, but this specificity did not take away from the story Huchton writes.

The romance Huchton builds is powerful and intertwines between and amongst the science fiction aspects of the book as well as the overarching plotline and menace to the world of the protagonists. The way this romance is built and sustained is breathtaking and phenomenal. If you are a fan of romance, this book will give you that and so much more besides. Side note: There was a lot of nefarious adult activity going on in this book with medium depth level of description during these adult scenes, but it was told in a very masterful manner with a level of love involved that you can only swoon and hope for in real life.

I thought the POV switching between Lydia and Daniel was seamless and definitely added to the character and complexity of the novel. For someone who always wants to know what the other guy is thinking, this technique Huchton employs fills this need perfectly.

As this is the first in a series, the book ends on a high-tension cliff hanger on many of the plot points and I would highly suggest reading this book and immediately reading the second book (Nemesis) in the series.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. on June 2nd, 2013 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.50

 

Links for more information:

Starla Huchton’s Website

Goodreads

Book Review: Beneath Scarlett Valley: Book 1 (Volume 1) by Kerr-Ann Dempster

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Beneath Scarlett Valley: Book 1 (Volume 1) by Kerr-Ann Dempster

A YA Fantasy/Romance Novel published by Ink City Books  (08/08/2014)

Summary:

“You’re not a monster,” Vicky said. “You certainly won’t earn the MVP of life award, but you’re not a lost cause.” (p. 231).

Cassidy and Harper move back to their hometown of Scarlett. It has been years and years since they’ve been gone. Cassidy is 117. They are both Furors, half human half something else and if they can’t find The Source and immortality they will Fade and be consumed by their inner fire. Cassidy is ready for death until she meets a boy in Scarlett. Will she still be able to choose the Fade or has Sebastian changed her mind about trying to live forever and spending at least a few years with the mortal boy?

Keywords:

Paranormal, Seers, Furors, Ghouls, Immortality, Power, Choices, Sisters, Time, Death, Fading Away, Promises, Searching, High School, Instalove, Crush, Rage, Killing, Heat, Dark Past

My Review:

Dempster’s premise is paranormal, but it is a different twist. The immortal ones (the two main characters searching for immortality) are female and there aren’t any conventional witches or werewolves in the story. The girls are Furors, which is a slightly different take on the usual paranormal. Most of Dumpster’s characters are otherworldly and she has built her own universe in Scarlett Valley.

Cassidy is content to help her sister Harper find the Source and let Death and the Fade consume her over time. Instead of letting life slowly take hold of her, she is involved in the local high school, falls for the local award winning swimmer boy for SVHS and takes midnight walks with the neighbor. She can’t seem to take herself out of life and is swept up into the world of a 17 year old. She even falls hard for Sebastian. It is instalove and she is 117 and he is 17. Why does she like him? Why hasn’t her heart matured? How is being a giddy teenager acceptable and adequate for someone who has lived many, many more years than everyone else around her? If you can forget she’s lived several lifetimes, you may enjoy the soft romance that develops between Cass and Sebastian.

The relationship between Cassidy and Harper was the most interesting in the whole book. Out of all the characters, their dynamic was the most intriguing. They fought but they were there for each other. How do you keep on living with someone for all those years! How amazing. And yet, Cassidy was willing to leave her sister behind, to die without her and leave Harper to live forever on her own.

To be 117, you have a different view of the world and your death and I liked how Dempster showed Cassidy’s interesting viewpoint and thoughts about her own impending death.

This novel was published by Ink City Books 08/08/2014 and is available on Amazon here.

TLDR Star Rating: 3.75

Links for more information:

Goodreads

Kerr-Ann Dempster’s Website

Twitter

Book Review: Evolution: HEX (The Evolution Series Book 3) by S.A. Huchton

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Evolution: HEX (The Evolution Series Book 3) by S.A. Huchton

A Sci-Fi/Fantasy/New Adult Novel published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. (07/05/14)

 

Summary:

“The line between enemy and ally wasn’t a line at all; it was a fuzzy, ever-shifting radius of complexity and situational dependency. (Page 34).

In this final installment in the Evolution Series, Candace must once again be strong in her convictions and in her abilities and relationships to get through tough times and save the day. She was kidnapped at the end of Book Two and now is imprisoned in enemy territory. Not everything she has been told about Hex and Dr. Ferdinand are true, but is everything she knows and has been told about the ANGEL project and the SAGES true as well? It will take Candace all her strength to fight this one last battle and to figure out who the enemy really is.

 

Keywords:

Genetic Manipulation, Superheroes, Comic Books, Books, Tough, instability, romance, love, hormones, leader, kick-butt female, sex, fighting, training, good guys, testing, banter

My Review:

I love it when a third book in a trilogy comes with enough resolution to leave the reader satisfied with the overall story, but also contains its own plot within the grander plot. Huchton delivers on both fronts. There was a grand climax and a thorough resolution with a surprise ending that, when looking back, was all but inevitable due to events in this third book.

Huchton’s plot throughout this series was a bit lumpy in pace in that the first book was like a standalone novel and the second novel continued many subplots, but the overarching series plot was introduced indirectly in the second book and fully revealed in this final book. The big picture was at last revealed in the final book and leaves both Candace and the reader wondering what is the truth and who is the enemy?

Questions of morals and enemy lines blurring make for the most interesting plot complications in the Evolution Series, and especially in this third book.

The relationship between Jackson and Candace takes a deep hit and the emotional suspense is so hard to take. Huchton really knows how to write a heart throbbing romance with deeply emotional characters who really feel for each other and their love is palpable and rich.

This novel was published by Amazon Digital Services, Inc. on July 5th, 2014 and is available on Amazon here.

 

TL;DR Star Rating: 4.75

 

Links for more information:

Starla Huchton’s Website

Goodreads