The first in the series The Alliance of the Amazons, The Reluctant Amazon by Sandy James is a fantasy romance that you don't want to miss out on. Kick ass chicks with a a man in a kilt that tries his damnedest to keep them in line, is always amusing to watch. It's always a challenge for a man to be around four strong minded women, but when they are Amazons who each control the power of an element is even more impressive.
Kindergarten teacher Rebecca Massee never thought that on her wedding day she'd be left at the alter and meet the man of her dreams Artair McKay, an immortal warrior trains the chosen four Amazons of the generation. As Rebecca struggles with her new found powers of Mother Earth and the forbidden attraction she has to her Sentinel, it's up to her and her 3 Amazon sisters to put a stop to the the threat that has been hunting down the last generation of Amazons.
James' urban fantasy was a fun easy read that had me hooked from the beginning. James is able to keep the reader entertained with the balance of action, adventure, myth and romance. It also helped that the love interest Artair is always wearing a kilt and has a great Scottish accent, that doesn't make it hard to read. What can I say, I'm a sucker for men in kilts, especially when the author has them using the traditional kilt and not a modern version. Biased? Maybe just a little.
With Rebecca being easy to like as everyone can relate to being clumsy and no matter how hard you might try at something never feel quite up to par as everyone else. Even as a chosen Earth wielding Amazon, Rebecca is anything but a natural Earth. Or so she thinks. Like in the real world everyone learns differently and when it comes to being an Amazon Rebecca isn't like the past Amazons.
Join Rebecca, Artair and the other Amazons in there adventures of saving the world against modern day wielding evil in The Reluctant Amazon. Make sure to follow up also on the second book in Sandy's series with Impetuous Amazon and Rebecca's sister Megan the Fire Amazon.
Check out Sandy James' website and her other novels at www.sandy-james.com
Showing posts with label Paranormal. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Paranormal. Show all posts
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Wednesday, September 25, 2013
My Wicked Enemy by Carolyn Jewel
It had been a while since I've read a Paranormal Romance and so I went into search for an author I've never read before on my bookshelf I've dubbed 'The must read shelves'. It has seemed that over the years and since I've gone to RWA for the first time that this bookshelf has grown bigger than my normal bookshelves could handle. That's right I added a bookcase to my collection just to have a to be read shelves that don't mix in with the books I've already read. Don't judge me, you know you've wanted to or have done the same at some point. So I found Carolyn Jewel's book My Wicked Enemy staring at me. Yelling at me to read it.
So, I did. I mean I even had it signed by the author while I was at the conference. Thanks, Carolyn!
What is the book about? Well, let me tell you. (Better yet, let me have the back cover explain it even better)
A Desire that Can't be Controlled . . .
Carson Phillips is a witch on the run. For years, the notorious mage Alvaro Magellan has held her as his psychological prisoner. But once Carson gets a glimpse of the true extent of his evil, she flees MagellanÕs mansion--stealing a stone talisman of unimaginable power on the way. Her only hope for survival is a demon who ignites a voracious hunger in her she can't deny, a longing she can't resist . . .
A Hunger that Can't be Sated . . .
Nikodemus is a warlord with a mission: Kill Magellan and his green-eyed witch at any cost. But when he meets the desperate Carson, the pull of her magic takes his breath away. HeÕs not sure he can trust this tantalizing woman--she is his enemy--and less sure he can keep his hands off her. But Magellan will stop at nothing to reclaim what belongs to him. Can Nikodemus save Carson before his desire for her destroys then both?
The whole concept of demons or fiends along with Mages had caught my attention. I loved the idea of them being in a war while trying to keep it under-wraps from the human world. And it takes place in my city, San Francisco! Okay, it's not my city but I live here so it's close enough.
Chemistry from two people who should be at war, action, sex, love, magic, and blood lust. It's everything I want in a good paranormal romance. But here is the thing that got me, there is so much going on that some of the world and characters are hard to keep track of. Especially when the fiends are able to feel and communicate with each others magic and minds, it's hard to keep clear, who's what and what is exactly going on.
Over all I enjoyed the book but it was frustrating at times when I'd be like wait I thought they already had sex? Oh okay, that didn't really happen. There is a lot that goes on and keeping track of it can be a little hard at times, especially when it comes to the magic and the progress of time. The whole book seems to have taken place in 3 days, but if you go to the beginning it mentions that they were supposed to have a big meeting of the fiends in 7 days. I might have missed something in there that made time go by, but with the level of injury that Carson goes through it feels nearly impossible for her to fully heal and no one sleeps.
Don't get me wrong, there is a sentence that says that once she bound herself to a fiend that she didn't need as much sleep and seemed to heal quickly, but still it seemed to not quite fit right to to me.
With this novel being Carolyn's debut, I'm interested to see how the other books in the series have evolved along with her writing. With all the nonstop action and the world already established, I'm willing to pick up the second book and see if it smooths things out a bit more.
Out of all the genres that are out there I find that Paranormal and Urban Fantasy to be the hardest to create a world. Especially when it comes to developing rules to the world so that not everything is possible. There needs to be limitations and Carolyn Jewel has done that. The only things that really bugged me was the need to smooth out a few of the magic elements when the characters are in each others heads and what the fiends actually look like when not in there human forms. Other than that I really enjoyed the action and the breaking of the total norm in a the San Francisco I live in.
Make sure to check out Carolyn Jewel at her website at www.carolynjewel.com and her other books both paranormal and historical.
So, I did. I mean I even had it signed by the author while I was at the conference. Thanks, Carolyn!
What is the book about? Well, let me tell you. (Better yet, let me have the back cover explain it even better)
A Desire that Can't be Controlled . . .
Carson Phillips is a witch on the run. For years, the notorious mage Alvaro Magellan has held her as his psychological prisoner. But once Carson gets a glimpse of the true extent of his evil, she flees MagellanÕs mansion--stealing a stone talisman of unimaginable power on the way. Her only hope for survival is a demon who ignites a voracious hunger in her she can't deny, a longing she can't resist . . .
A Hunger that Can't be Sated . . .
Nikodemus is a warlord with a mission: Kill Magellan and his green-eyed witch at any cost. But when he meets the desperate Carson, the pull of her magic takes his breath away. HeÕs not sure he can trust this tantalizing woman--she is his enemy--and less sure he can keep his hands off her. But Magellan will stop at nothing to reclaim what belongs to him. Can Nikodemus save Carson before his desire for her destroys then both?
The whole concept of demons or fiends along with Mages had caught my attention. I loved the idea of them being in a war while trying to keep it under-wraps from the human world. And it takes place in my city, San Francisco! Okay, it's not my city but I live here so it's close enough.
Chemistry from two people who should be at war, action, sex, love, magic, and blood lust. It's everything I want in a good paranormal romance. But here is the thing that got me, there is so much going on that some of the world and characters are hard to keep track of. Especially when the fiends are able to feel and communicate with each others magic and minds, it's hard to keep clear, who's what and what is exactly going on.
Over all I enjoyed the book but it was frustrating at times when I'd be like wait I thought they already had sex? Oh okay, that didn't really happen. There is a lot that goes on and keeping track of it can be a little hard at times, especially when it comes to the magic and the progress of time. The whole book seems to have taken place in 3 days, but if you go to the beginning it mentions that they were supposed to have a big meeting of the fiends in 7 days. I might have missed something in there that made time go by, but with the level of injury that Carson goes through it feels nearly impossible for her to fully heal and no one sleeps.
Don't get me wrong, there is a sentence that says that once she bound herself to a fiend that she didn't need as much sleep and seemed to heal quickly, but still it seemed to not quite fit right to to me.
With this novel being Carolyn's debut, I'm interested to see how the other books in the series have evolved along with her writing. With all the nonstop action and the world already established, I'm willing to pick up the second book and see if it smooths things out a bit more.
Out of all the genres that are out there I find that Paranormal and Urban Fantasy to be the hardest to create a world. Especially when it comes to developing rules to the world so that not everything is possible. There needs to be limitations and Carolyn Jewel has done that. The only things that really bugged me was the need to smooth out a few of the magic elements when the characters are in each others heads and what the fiends actually look like when not in there human forms. Other than that I really enjoyed the action and the breaking of the total norm in a the San Francisco I live in.
Make sure to check out Carolyn Jewel at her website at www.carolynjewel.com and her other books both paranormal and historical.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Diary of an Urban Panther by Amanda Arista
Today I finally finished The Diary of the Urban Panther the first book in the Violet Jordan series by Amanda Arista, a Paranormal Romance with Avon Impulse.
The shy Violet Jordan is used to living in a fairy tale, having grown up from on their stories even as an adult being a writer for a film production company specializing in horror films. Never did she think that the stories her mother had told her as a child would end up being what would help her deal with being attacked by a panther shifter and stop her sire from bring a demon in to the human realm and destroying the world. With the help of her best friend who turns out to be a fairy princess, Chaz a guardian, and Iris a lion shifter, Violet for the first time is able to discover who she really is. And that she can take on any challenge set in front of her without running away to start a new life.
While I was at the RWA national conference in Anaheim this year, I was able to get these set of books and signed by the sweet Amanda Arista. I'd never read any of her books, but as I was walking through the crowd the covers caught my eye. A cat lover and never one to pass up a good paranormal romance, I walked up to her not quite knowing what to say, said the first things that came to mind, "Hi, I'd love to hear about your books. What are they about?" Nothing overwhelming, but like Arista's character Violet I'm a little shy.
My nerves were quickly put to rest as Amanda quickly chatted about her books and she not only offered to sign her newest book, the third in the series, but the first to as well. Newly informed on which to read first, I was not able to enjoy the story of Violet the Urban Panther.
Overall it's a great story and I've really enjoyed it. I loved the way she was able to weave the paranormal world into the real world, which can be harder to do than one might think. The connection between Violet and Chaz is snarky and to a man who may be model beautiful and shy about it is refreshing. Their relationship is full of sparks, and sass and drama. Which alone would be a fun read, but with the added drama of learning how to embrace her new inner cat, Violet learning more about her best friend Jessa, you are able to connect with the characters.
My grievances has nothing to do with the story, there were a few typos that caught my eye. Nothing to make me want to stop reading, but enough to notice it once every hundred pages. This could also be because I've been editing my own work and more open to seeing little mistakes, like whole instead of hole. Or the indentation of one paragraph being one tab space too far over. It's these little things that were my only thing that bugged me.
With the next two books in the series waiting for me to read on my book shelf, I can't wait to see Chaz and Violet's relationship evolve and what drama will ensue all with a cup of coffee close at hand.
Make sure to check out Amanda Arista's website at http://www.amandaarista.com/ and on twitter @pantherista
I know I can't wait to see what else Amanda will come out with, and hope everyone else will check out her work as well.
The shy Violet Jordan is used to living in a fairy tale, having grown up from on their stories even as an adult being a writer for a film production company specializing in horror films. Never did she think that the stories her mother had told her as a child would end up being what would help her deal with being attacked by a panther shifter and stop her sire from bring a demon in to the human realm and destroying the world. With the help of her best friend who turns out to be a fairy princess, Chaz a guardian, and Iris a lion shifter, Violet for the first time is able to discover who she really is. And that she can take on any challenge set in front of her without running away to start a new life.
While I was at the RWA national conference in Anaheim this year, I was able to get these set of books and signed by the sweet Amanda Arista. I'd never read any of her books, but as I was walking through the crowd the covers caught my eye. A cat lover and never one to pass up a good paranormal romance, I walked up to her not quite knowing what to say, said the first things that came to mind, "Hi, I'd love to hear about your books. What are they about?" Nothing overwhelming, but like Arista's character Violet I'm a little shy.
My nerves were quickly put to rest as Amanda quickly chatted about her books and she not only offered to sign her newest book, the third in the series, but the first to as well. Newly informed on which to read first, I was not able to enjoy the story of Violet the Urban Panther.
Overall it's a great story and I've really enjoyed it. I loved the way she was able to weave the paranormal world into the real world, which can be harder to do than one might think. The connection between Violet and Chaz is snarky and to a man who may be model beautiful and shy about it is refreshing. Their relationship is full of sparks, and sass and drama. Which alone would be a fun read, but with the added drama of learning how to embrace her new inner cat, Violet learning more about her best friend Jessa, you are able to connect with the characters.
My grievances has nothing to do with the story, there were a few typos that caught my eye. Nothing to make me want to stop reading, but enough to notice it once every hundred pages. This could also be because I've been editing my own work and more open to seeing little mistakes, like whole instead of hole. Or the indentation of one paragraph being one tab space too far over. It's these little things that were my only thing that bugged me.
With the next two books in the series waiting for me to read on my book shelf, I can't wait to see Chaz and Violet's relationship evolve and what drama will ensue all with a cup of coffee close at hand.
Make sure to check out Amanda Arista's website at http://www.amandaarista.com/ and on twitter @pantherista
I know I can't wait to see what else Amanda will come out with, and hope everyone else will check out her work as well.
Wednesday, September 11, 2013
The Mating by Nicky Charles
In the search for an author I've never read before and wanting to try out my new e-reader I dove in the iTunes library for my next adventure. I've always found going to the free ebooks kind of like rush and roulette, you never quite know what you're going to find. Some have a great concept but are missing that polished touch to help smooth the story out. And well in Nicky Charles The Mating I found a series that is on my must read list. The first book in her Law of the Lycans, you can continue to enjoy Nicky's characters after you are hooked by The Mating.
This paranormal romance is about Elise who never thought that she would be the pawn to seal an alliance when her father has her mated with a complete stranger an Alpha of a neighboring pack.
Not your typical werewolf genre you are empathetic to what Elise is going through, when she goes through with the arranged marriage and it not being to the man she is in love in. Wanting the best for her pack Elise goes with her new husband Kane. Struggling to be an Alpha's wife while struggling with finding a way to be accepted by her new pack mates, and finds herself falling for her husband all the while there is a threat to the Pack's land.
Charles' world she created is believable one that make you believe the world she craftily brings to life. No relationship is easy and being a werewolf doesn't make things any easier. Slowly as Elise begins to fall for her husband Kane, so do you. Though like any man you want to smack him upside his head every once and a while. With the excitement of the mystery of the threat of their land the story keeps you on your toes.
If you're anything about me then you will absolutely love her books. Personally I couldn't put her books down once I started them and I hope you all enjoy her work as much as I have. And I can't wait to read more of her work.
You can find all of Nicky Charles' novels can be found at
This paranormal romance is about Elise who never thought that she would be the pawn to seal an alliance when her father has her mated with a complete stranger an Alpha of a neighboring pack.
Not your typical werewolf genre you are empathetic to what Elise is going through, when she goes through with the arranged marriage and it not being to the man she is in love in. Wanting the best for her pack Elise goes with her new husband Kane. Struggling to be an Alpha's wife while struggling with finding a way to be accepted by her new pack mates, and finds herself falling for her husband all the while there is a threat to the Pack's land.
Charles' world she created is believable one that make you believe the world she craftily brings to life. No relationship is easy and being a werewolf doesn't make things any easier. Slowly as Elise begins to fall for her husband Kane, so do you. Though like any man you want to smack him upside his head every once and a while. With the excitement of the mystery of the threat of their land the story keeps you on your toes.
If you're anything about me then you will absolutely love her books. Personally I couldn't put her books down once I started them and I hope you all enjoy her work as much as I have. And I can't wait to read more of her work.
You can find all of Nicky Charles' novels can be found at
Also check out her website at https://sites.google.com/site/nickycharlesbooks/home
Wednesday, September 4, 2013
The Impetuous Amazon by Sandy James
A few months ago I had reviewed the first book in the Alliance of the Amazons series by Sandy James and now that the second book the series, The Impetuous Amazon, is out I had a chance to catch up with the four Amazons representing each element.
While the first novel The Reluctant Amazon had focused on Rebecca, the Earth Amazon, this second is about Megan, the Fire Amazon. Struggling with controlling her not only her powers but with the forbidden attraction that she has with one of her Sentinels, Johann. With the threat of the patron Goddesses stripping her of her powers it is up to Johann to help Megan gain control of her ever growing powers as they take on a threat to humanity. But both Megan and Johann have to come to terms with there feelings for the other to be able to join together to take on the struggles that lay awaiting for them.
James picks up almost a year after the first novel had ended and if you know anything about Megan and Johann's back story from the first novel you know that there will be some witty banter back and forth between the two. It's no surprise that they have an attraction that burns just as hot as any fire Megan sets.
There is non stop action through out the book that keeps you pulled into story, let it be the fighting against reverents, demons, or the attraction for the each other you can relate with Megan (as well as the doubts that she has about a pending romance). She may be one tough cookie, but like any good cookie there is a soft center. What better for a tough Amazon, with doubts and flaws like any other person, to have a Soldier/Warrior with a nerdy soft side to help her through her adventures.
Normally I can get through a book like this, 92,000 words, in a few days but with real life getting in the way I kept getting pulled away right before the good parts happened. It has taken me a bit longer to read this time around. And one of the many things that I like about James' writing is that she is able to get what she wants said across without getting too over the top or dumb it down to the point where it's boring. Finding a good book that is an easy read yet keeps the excitement going is hard to find...especially for someone who has ADD. Yes, I'm pointing a finger at myself.
As much as I love the story between Megan and Johann, and the arguments they have that only show how passionate they are about the others safety, the only thing that I would have liked to know more background on are of the Ancients magical artifacts. There are some that are spread out through out the story that I'd like to know more. There are little snip bits, but personally I'd like to know more. Then again it might just be me, since I'm a bit sucker for mythology and think there would be a great story to some of the artifacts. (I'm trying really hard here not to give away anything from the story about what is used, since I want you all to go out and read the book) But for the sake of not going doing an info dump in a book or completely derailing the main story to tell the history of something is totally understandable. My inner mythology nerd just perked up and wanted to know more about them.
Make sure to check out Sandy James' website at www.sandy-james.com and the next book her this series The Brazen Amazon, coming out on May 6, 2013.
While the first novel The Reluctant Amazon had focused on Rebecca, the Earth Amazon, this second is about Megan, the Fire Amazon. Struggling with controlling her not only her powers but with the forbidden attraction that she has with one of her Sentinels, Johann. With the threat of the patron Goddesses stripping her of her powers it is up to Johann to help Megan gain control of her ever growing powers as they take on a threat to humanity. But both Megan and Johann have to come to terms with there feelings for the other to be able to join together to take on the struggles that lay awaiting for them.
James picks up almost a year after the first novel had ended and if you know anything about Megan and Johann's back story from the first novel you know that there will be some witty banter back and forth between the two. It's no surprise that they have an attraction that burns just as hot as any fire Megan sets.
There is non stop action through out the book that keeps you pulled into story, let it be the fighting against reverents, demons, or the attraction for the each other you can relate with Megan (as well as the doubts that she has about a pending romance). She may be one tough cookie, but like any good cookie there is a soft center. What better for a tough Amazon, with doubts and flaws like any other person, to have a Soldier/Warrior with a nerdy soft side to help her through her adventures.
Normally I can get through a book like this, 92,000 words, in a few days but with real life getting in the way I kept getting pulled away right before the good parts happened. It has taken me a bit longer to read this time around. And one of the many things that I like about James' writing is that she is able to get what she wants said across without getting too over the top or dumb it down to the point where it's boring. Finding a good book that is an easy read yet keeps the excitement going is hard to find...especially for someone who has ADD. Yes, I'm pointing a finger at myself.
As much as I love the story between Megan and Johann, and the arguments they have that only show how passionate they are about the others safety, the only thing that I would have liked to know more background on are of the Ancients magical artifacts. There are some that are spread out through out the story that I'd like to know more. There are little snip bits, but personally I'd like to know more. Then again it might just be me, since I'm a bit sucker for mythology and think there would be a great story to some of the artifacts. (I'm trying really hard here not to give away anything from the story about what is used, since I want you all to go out and read the book) But for the sake of not going doing an info dump in a book or completely derailing the main story to tell the history of something is totally understandable. My inner mythology nerd just perked up and wanted to know more about them.
Make sure to check out Sandy James' website at www.sandy-james.com and the next book her this series The Brazen Amazon, coming out on May 6, 2013.
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