Sunny took a completely different turn with her latest book in the Monere series, and, for me, it was a turn for the better.
I must admit I was skepticSunny took a completely different turn with her latest book in the Monere series, and, for me, it was a turn for the better.
I must admit I was skeptical when I read that this book was to be set in Netherhell, but Sunny created quite a vivid setting and populated it with some of the most fascinating characters she has yet created. I loved the gargoyles. Also, this one was not driven by sex, and again, I found that to be an improvement.
I don't know how she does it. I tell myself each time I read a book in this series, that it will be the last one, and yet somehow I am sucked into reading the next one. Here we go again......more
What an absorbing book! This is why I love Anne Mallory.
I’m the kind of reader who finishes a book and immediately moves on the next one. I’m having tWhat an absorbing book! This is why I love Anne Mallory.
I’m the kind of reader who finishes a book and immediately moves on the next one. I’m having trouble maintaining that pattern after this one – I don’t want to let it go. I can totally understand why sometimes readers will finish the last page of a book and head straight back to page one to read it again. This is that kind of book.
It’s also the kind of book that I find impossible to review. There’s so much I want to say, but I don’t have the gift of words to express it. In Total Surrender is not a book with a huge amount of external influence or changing locations. There is a plot, and it’s relevant, but that’s not the point of the book. This is a character driven story of two complicated people finding each other and struggling to understand what this means to themselves, each other, and their lives.
It was a completely delicious experience to witness the cold, dark and powerful Andreas Merrick slowly unravel and succumb to the force that is Phoebe Pace. Seeing his reaction to Phoebe, and his reaction to his reaction, was just so much fun.
Mallory has written the perfect tortured hero in Andreas. I loved his character and his inner dialogue was genuinely funny – such a contrast to the man he would have everyone believe him to be – the man he believes himself to be. I lost count of the ways this book made me smile, and it was not a light story. Mallory’s balance was perfect.
Phoebe was a fantastic character:
“She couldn’t be upset that circumstances had brought her into contact with Andreas Merrick, just that the circumstances themselves couldn’t resolve quickly and happily so that she could pursue him with abandon. That thought brought a smile to her lips. Poor man.”
She was able to match Andreas’s cunning, intelligence and machinations at every turn, but her modus operandi was so different. Sunny and warm to his menace and ice. The perfect counterweight.
I loved the way Mallory depicted the effects of Phoebe’s efforts to breach Andreas’s defenses, and the little ways in which the cracks were starting to show. I loved watching them circle each other, both of them maneuvering circumstances within and without, both keeping their secrets but exposing themselves nonetheless.
I was desperate to see these two finally get together, but I didn’t want to stop watching her deftly finesse this unreadable, untouchable, unreachable man. And she did it in such a way that you couldn’t help but love her for it. He knew what she was doing, and he knew she knew he knew what she was doing, but she was so damn good at it that she left him no way out. And even if he wouldn’t – couldn’t – admit it, Andreas wanted to be right where he was.
My only complaint? I wanted more from the ending. And I wanted much more from the epilogue.
There are so many quotable passages in this book, and I can’t help but include them here because they will speak for the book far better then I am able. That, and I’ll also be able to come back and read them and relive the magic of this book.
"Her hands shook as she undressed quietly back in her own room. She could not deny it--she was becoming irreparably entangled. And what he would do with the net, she did not know."
"She had touched him. She had looked at his repulsive scars and pressed her lips to them. Soothing and steady. Unfaltering and unshakable. That was Phoebe Pace. He needed her gone more than he ever had. And yet his fingers clutched an invisible cord, fingernails gripping his palm, as if it would hold her to him."
“For a moment she wasn’t sure he’d answer. ‘Soon.’ ‘That is quite vague. Soon might be tomorrow or a month from now. How do you define soon?’ ‘I define it as a period of time in the near future.’ She smiled. ‘How do you define difficult?’ ‘By your presence.’ She grinned fully, delighted to feel the tension dissipate. ‘Now you are just flattering me for no reason.’ He grunted. ‘On the contrary,’ she said, as if his grunt had been a worded response. ‘It was most flattering.’ He stared at her. ‘What? Did you think I wouldn’t figure out how to interpret your grunts? It’s like listening to a conversational gambit with a thousand different meanings.’ He recovered quickly, as always, scowling. ‘Why would you think it flattery?’ ‘You have defined something by my presence. Which means you have noticed me quite keenly. I take that as flattering.’ His eyes narrowed. But then she knew he wouldn’t like that particular explanation. It left him too wide open. ‘I find you difficult. Not adorable.’ ‘I think I am quite shocked to find you using the word “adorable” in a sentence.’ She waved a hand. ‘Next thing I know, you will be petting puppies in the street.’”
"She leaned down, a fraction closer, and for some reason unknown to man, he lifted his head the tiniest bit. Enough so she could brush his cheek with her lips. 'Goodnight, Mr. Merrick.'”
“Her smile almost made him forget the scene around her. ‘What the devil have you done?’ he demanded. ‘Oh!’ This was said brightly, as if she was happy he had noticed. ‘I decided I needed my own workspace, instead of constantly infringing upon yours. So I had a few of the boys move a desk in here.’ He stared at the petite, feminine, desk that was pushed against his. And wondered how the bloody hell she had managed to convince men who were terrified of him to move the desk inside his domain. ‘Absolutely not.’
Two hours later, he was still scowling as she happily worked on . . . whatever the hell it was she was working on. Across from him. At her desk. How the hell. . . He remembered saying no. He remembered cursing. Threatening her unborn children. Then there was a sort of hazy period of smiles and calm words. Then she had touched the back of his hand with her naked fingers. And now, here he was with . . . her desk . . . pressed to his—surreptitiously watching her scratch her paper, the tip of her tongue poking from the side of her mouth as she worked. Who did that? It was decidedly uncouth.”
“‘You are quite an amusing man usually. Always yelling things’--she raised her elbows up as far as her dress allowed with her fingers spread and her limbs vibrating—‘Like “Leave” and “I want you gone.”' Her voice had taken on a theatrical, low timbre. She put her elbow back on the table, her chin resting back on her hand. ‘It's charming as long as one doesn't take you seriously.’ ‘Sane people take me seriously.’ ‘I'm sane, and I do not.’ ‘You are the least sane person I've had the misfortune to meet.’”
"She stared at him as he ate and watched her. It was as if the world had turned upside down but hadn't swept her with it. Standing on the ceiling now, stomach suddenly in her throat, waiting to fall to the floor in a tangle of limbs."
“My God. She wanted to wrap herself around him, to pin herself to him, the heat melting them together, never able to separate. His lips consumed hers. As if he had been waiting years, decades, to unleash such passion. Waiting there, leashed and growling, behind a cold and steely facade. And she couldn't think of a single regret as he stole the breath from her. She had never been so right. That this was a man to whom one sold one's soul. For he was assuredly pulling it right out of her. With every breath that passed from her lips to his. Piece by piece, never to be regained. Held for judgment or set free."
Highly disappointing end to the otherwise enjoyable Wild Riders series. This one didn’t work for me at all.
AJ and Teresa were childhood sweethearts, uHighly disappointing end to the otherwise enjoyable Wild Riders series. This one didn’t work for me at all.
AJ and Teresa were childhood sweethearts, until AJ went all noble on her eighteenth birthday and left her - ‘for her own good’, of course. Neither ever forgot the other.
Cut to ten years later, and their paths cross and feeling reignite. Only this time, AJ’s best friend Pax is in the picture. AJ and Pax do everything together, and the fact that AJ is still in love with Teresa (and she with him) apparently doesn’t make any difference.
This story would have worked so much better as a second-chance romance just involving AJ and Teresa. The whole time I was reading it, I was wishing Pax would leave the two of them alone and go find his own woman.
It certainly didn’t help that Teresa seemed to show a preference for Pax. This didn’t seem to be an equal relationship between the three of them. Pax was always holding Teresa’s hand, she was always choosing to ride double on Pax’s bike, and AJ was just fine with it all.
My love affair with this series is showing no signs of faltering. I still can't believe it took me so long to pick up this series!
Having ador4.5 stars
My love affair with this series is showing no signs of faltering. I still can't believe it took me so long to pick up this series!
Having adored the way the last book ended with the promise of a naked dinner, I was so disappointed with the how this one began. I really felt for Kate (who remains one of my all-time favourite heroines). It was great to see such a realistic and human response from her.
I thought later in the piece that the author was going to do that thing that I hate in romances (particularly series), but she came good in a spectacular way! That's one of the things that I'm really appreciating in this series - the author doesn't string the reader along. There are no blatant, artificial, frustrating plot devices and the author is surprisingly generous in answering questions as they arise.
Another thing I've been appreciating in this series is the violent action, and while this had some seminal moments (go, Kate with the pack!) and there was a strong action storyline featuring a daunting villainess with a personal agenda, it was the relationships and characters in this one that I found to be its strength.
I loved seeing the Kate and Curran finally be open and honest with each other (even though the author gave me a good scare), I enjoyed seeing Andrea and Kate's friendship get some definition, and I even enjoyed Saiman's scheming.
As always, the author gave us a brilliant ending, this time creating changes to be anticipated in future books. I can't wait!...more
4.5 stars I must have been completely in the mood for this one, because I loved it! I think I enjoyed this one the most of all the books in the series 4.5 stars I must have been completely in the mood for this one, because I loved it! I think I enjoyed this one the most of all the books in the series so far. Which is a little strange, given the plot could be viewed as a bit dicey and the characters weren’t especially likeable at times.
In fact, that last sentence almost makes me want to bump the rating up because despite what I just wrote, this book totally worked for me.
The heroine, Sabine, wasn’t always a likeable character – in fact, she started out almost as an anti-heroine – but I somehow never had an issue with her character and always enjoyed reading her POV.
Rydstrom, too, while not as unlikeable as Sabine, hasn’t necessarily been one of my favourite characters to date. I liked him in the previous books, but it was almost as if his story – the quest to regain his crown – was more compelling than his character. Not so in this one.
And the plot. What to say about the plot? Well…..this is PNR, so I’m far more open to anything goes. I am amazed to say, I had no issue with it. There is no question that this wouldn’t have worked for me in a straight romance, maybe not even in an UF, but I never felt uncomfortable with it here. (view spoiler)[They tied each other up and performed sexual acts (sometimes, but not always, against their wishes), lied to and deceived each other; and yet, I was OK with it all. (hide spoiler)] I kind of feel like saying ‘well done’ to the author for making it work.
Coming off the back of a number of ‘average’ books (my last four reads were 2 and 3-star ratings), this one was just what the doctor ordered....more
This series has gotten stale. There's not really anything left to recommend it because it's no longer very interesting. Mona Lisa finds more people toThis series has gotten stale. There's not really anything left to recommend it because it's no longer very interesting. Mona Lisa finds more people to have sex with... *yawn* And the sex is now as boring as the storyline.
Dante's character was about the only positive in this one. There were a couple of interesting developments, although the one thing that might have impeded Mona Lisa's sex life so was quickly taken care of by the author. What was the point?
I can't believe I'm contemplating reading the next one. It's a sickness....more
I loved this first instalment in Cindy Gerard's Black Ops series! A word of warning though, it's connected to her Bodyguard series, and you really shoI loved this first instalment in Cindy Gerard's Black Ops series! A word of warning though, it's connected to her Bodyguard series, and you really should at least read Into the Dark first to get the backstory for this one.
Since reading the last of Suzanne Brockmann's Troubleshooters series, I have been despairing of finding anything to compare. I'd often heard Cindy Gerard's name mentioned in conjunction with Brockmann as a favourite romantic suspense author, and while I enjoyed the Bodyguard series, it didn't quite appeal to me as much as the Troubleshooters.
Show No Mercy, though, is exactly what I was hoping for when I picked up my first Gerard book. I devoured this one and enjoyed every aspect. A perfect balance of romance and suspense, a tortured hero, a crew of appealing and tough warriors, a heroine that didn't grate, pages that turned themselves; tears, laughter and a toy dog named Nugget. What more could you ask for? A decent and lengthy epilogue with the chance to see the hero and heroine enjoying their lives? You got it!
I can't wait for the next one. And someone please tell me that Nate gets his own book?
Wish I had the time and/or energy to review this book, because it really deserves it. Sadly, RL is giving me neither at the moment. I guess I4.5 stars
Wish I had the time and/or energy to review this book, because it really deserves it. Sadly, RL is giving me neither at the moment. I guess I'll have to leave it with: Loving this series and highly recommend it....more
I am absolutely loving this series. I was hooked right from the prequel (which I read in the On the Prowl anthology, having got it for one of4.5 stars
I am absolutely loving this series. I was hooked right from the prequel (which I read in the On the Prowl anthology, having got it for one of the other stories) and I haven't looked back.
I always hang back before starting a series until there are a few books released so I don't have that interminable wait between instalments, but I couldn't stop myself with this one. And while I have loved every minute, the wait until the next one (and the one after that, and the one after that) is going to be painful.
I think one of the reasons I'm loving this UF series is because we follow one couple throughout, and witness their developing relationship. It's like a long, drawn out PNR, or a cross between the two (think Cat and Bones, although the similarity ends there).
I also really like her take on werewolves and the world she has created. I understand this is set in the same world as the Mercy Thompson series, so I'm looking forward to that one, too (I know, I probably should have read that one first, but I couldn't help it (see above!)).
Anna and Charles are also pretty unique characters - Anna is coming to terms with the abuse she suffered since being changed against her will, and Charles buries his emotions and keeps himself apart from others so he can more easily fulfil his role as his father's enforcer. They are newly mated and trying to develop their relationship in the midst of all their emotional baggage.
My only niggling complaint here, and it's going to sound ridiculous, is that Anna always seems to have to don her metaphorical cape and save the day. Yay girl power and all that, but I hope Charles gets to follow through in the next one....more
I've been looking forward to Cade's book, and it didn't disappoint! This one had me laughing and sighing the whole way through. Cade was such a fun chI've been looking forward to Cade's book, and it didn't disappoint! This one had me laughing and sighing the whole way through. Cade was such a fun character - irreverent, devilishly sexy and surprisingly sweet, with a "Sith Ifrican" accent to boot. No wonder Holly couldn't resist his unique charms.
I had my serious doubts when I started this series, but I'm happy to be proven wrong. Cole has managed to keep this series fresh and engaging, and I'm really looking forward to continuing the ride....more
Having read the first novella in this series in the On the Prowl anthology, I rushed straight out and got this book. It goes to show that sometimes itHaving read the first novella in this series in the On the Prowl anthology, I rushed straight out and got this book. It goes to show that sometimes it's worth reading all the stories in an anthology because you just never know if there's a hidden gem. I got On the Prowl just for the Sunny story - and although that one was pretty much a disappointment, Alpha & Omega made it all worthwhile.
If you haven't started this series, you really must read the Alpha & Omega short story first, or you'll be feeling like you've been dropped into the middle of this one with something definitely missing. The author doesn't really give you the backstory so you'll be left a little lost to start with. Plus, Alpha & Omega is a great story in its own right.
I must confess, I haven't read the Mercy Thompson series yet, and had planned to do so before starting this one, but Alpha & Omega just left me wanting more, and this one has kept up the trend. I'm sure I'll get to the Mercy series at some stage, but I have no desire to put this one aside yet.
I enjoy Briggs' writing and am finding the world she has created and her characterisations wonderful so far. Charles is definitely a different kind of werewolf, with his Native American heritage and his quiet, mannered menace. I'm a sucker for a tortured hero, and I've found with Anna that it also works in reverse. Apparently I'm partial to a tortured heroine, too. Who would've thought?
I'm not sure how this compares to the Mercy series, but if that one's as good as this one is shaping up to be, then I'm in for a treat....more
Meh. Very lacklustre to follow-up to the events of the previous book. I was pretty sure the author wouldn't be able to resolve things to my satisfactiMeh. Very lacklustre to follow-up to the events of the previous book. I was pretty sure the author wouldn't be able to resolve things to my satisfaction, and I was right. What was worse, we had to wade through a whole book of filler to even get to that part, and then the plot of this one - including the captain obvious perpetrator of said plot - was left unresolved until (presumably) the next book. I repeat: meh.
This book was my sole reason for starting the Chicagoland Vampires series. Here I was, hanging out on Goodreads with no interest in reading this serieThis book was my sole reason for starting the Chicagoland Vampires series. Here I was, hanging out on Goodreads with no interest in reading this series, when Wham! This one is released and there are updates galore: Shock. Horror. Anger. Dismay. Hmmmm - sounds like my kind of book!
Well, while I still can't necessarily say I'm a fan of the series, the pay-off with this book was worth it. Even though I knew something big was going to happen, even though I spent the whole book waiting for "it", I was still totally and utterly floored. Holy cow that was...... it was so...... I still have no words.
I absolutely love that the author could shock me so completely and leave me totally stunned, staring at the page in disbelief. Especially given I'm not a big fan and I was half expecting it. Good stuff. That said, this may well spell the end of the series for me. I can't see any possible way of the author resolving this to my satisfaction.
Sure, it's fantasy, any anything can happen, but that doesn't mean I'll swallow some lame and convenient "fix". Hopefully Neill has another surprise in store, but it will need to be a good one....more
Okay, so I haven't read this author's beloved Mercy Thompson series, and I know I'm doing this out of order, but that dAlpha & Omega - Patricia Briggs
Okay, so I haven't read this author's beloved Mercy Thompson series, and I know I'm doing this out of order, but that didn't affect my enjoyment of this story at all. I've already devoured Cry Wolf and I'm looking forward to the next one in this Alpha & Omega series. I'll get to the Mercy series, but after reading the first two books, so far I'm happy to stick with this one. Note: It's almost essential to read this one before Cry Wolf. 4 stars
Inhuman - Eileen Wilks
I found this one to be a little disjointed in the relationship between the two main characters, one of whom is human (I think!), the other something else. I'm not sure that the reader gets a clear enough picture of just what/whom Nathan is, so I found it a little hard to relate to him. Hasn't inspired me to rush out and get anything else by this author, although I have the first book of her World of the Lupi series in my TBR. Maybe that's why this one didn't work so well for me? 2.5 stars
Buying Trouble - Karen Chance
My first read by this author and I quite enjoyed it! I think the author really made good use of her page count and it ended up feeling like a complete and rounded story. I'd definitely be happy to read more from this author. 4 stars
Mona Lisa Betwining - Sunny This short would not have worked on any level for readers who haven't been following Sunny's Monere series. Even though I have enjoyed the last couple of books in the series, I didn't feel that this short provided a positive representation, and I've already forgotten what happened. 2 stars...more
The start of this book didn't work at all for me. Part I takes place 17 years ago when a young Manny (who we've met in previous books) meets Lily in NThe start of this book didn't work at all for me. Part I takes place 17 years ago when a young Manny (who we've met in previous books) meets Lily in Nicaragua during Contra revolution. When Manny sees the sad-eyed Lily at a party neither wants to attend, he sets his sights on her and persuades her to come home with him.
Let me just say this bluntly: The young Manny comes across as a complete sleaze - almost to the point of making my skin crawl. There was nothing hot about him at all, and by Lily's own admission, had she not been in a bad place at the time, she would never have been persuaded.
The two begin a very brief, passionate affair, during which Manny continued to schmooze and coerce Lily with his ultra smooth, confident moves - and then I found out how old he was....... 18!!! Yes, 18, to Lily's 28. I'm sorry, but ICK! Ick, ick, ick. That is NOT the way an 18 year old behaves, no matter how fast he had to grow up. The whole thing made me want to bleach my eyeballs.
Thankfully, Part I only lasts for 64 pages. Part II was a vast improvement. Sure, Manny wasn't exactly the nicest guy to be around at the start, but at least he wasn't still behaving like a lothario. Lily had believed Manny dead these past 17 years, left with his son as a legacy of that brief week together. Manny, unaware of his son, hasn't contacted Lily, believing she betrayed him to his enemy and left him to die.
It's understandable that Manny is less than thrilled to see the woman he believes cost him everything, but when her son is abducted while on a humanitarian mission in Sri Lanka, Lily knows Manny may well be the only one who can get to him before it's too late. She's right.
Along with Ethan and Dallas, they head to Sri Lanka on dangerous rescue mission, and the book is saved. I love a good jungle romance, and this one delivered in spades. The suspense built perfectly and there was action aplenty. I've got to give it to Cindy Gerard, she writes this sort of plot fantastically and I'm more than happy to go along for the ride.
The age difference, now that Manny is 35 to Lily's 45 was a complete non-issue, both in my mind and in the way it never became a focus; and Manny definitely grew into his hotness as a mature adult. I think I'll just pretend the start never happened so I can give it the 4 stars the rest deserves....more
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