Goddess of the Rose by P. C. Cast

Author: P.C. Cast

Title: Goddess of the Rose
Publication: January 6th, 2009
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4.5 out 5

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon | BN

Synopsis:  When modern-day Mikki ends up in the strange Realm of the Rose, Hecate has been waiting for her. So too has her gorgeous guardian beast, who soon has Mikki swooning. But to save the realm, Mikki will have to sacrifice her life-giving blood.

Thoughts: In P. C. Casts 4^th installment of Goddess of Summoning, she tells the tale Beauty and the Beast with the goddess of choice: Hecate. Mikki (aka Beauty) gets sucked into the “Relam of the Rose” by accidentally summoning Hecate. It’s then told that Mikki’s family line gives drops of blood in order to fuel a garden full of the finest roses.

The first thing I’m going to say is: Bestiality. Yes lady and gents, the book has bestiality in it. He’s described as a minotaur (part man part bull), mostly covered in hair, hooves as feet, and blood red horns. Personality I’m not into that kind of stuff, I’m more of a woman/man relationship. The connection between Beast and Mikki is remarkable. Cast writes the story in detail – too much detail sometimes – so you really get a sense of the world she got herself into. The reason why Cast is one of my favorite romance authors is because of her main heroines. They’re always independent, strong, and have attitudes that aren’t wishy-washy. The women always know what they want and have a goal to strive for. You’ll always root for them, and in this book it’s not different. Mikki is a wonderful woman, and the relationships between her and everyone else are sincere, kind, and honest.

Again, the sex scene didn’t do it for me, I skipped over that part... which is sad because they’re my favorite. *sulk* The storyline and character development overcame my sadness of no hot sexyness. Some parts of the book are in a little too much detail (I end up saying “I get it! Move forward please!”) so it lost 1/2 point. I recommend this book if you like Casts other works, but if you’re just starting the romance novel world I wouldn’t start with this one… unless you’re into bestiality. Then go for it.

Wild Card by Lora Leigh

Author: Lora Leigh

Title: Wild Card

Publication: August 26th, 2008

Publisher: St. Martin's Paperbacks

Genre: Romance

Rating: 4 out 5

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon | BN

Synopsis: 

A FATAL ESCAPE

It was supposed to be simple. All Navy SEAL Nathan Malone had to do was rescue three young girls from a Colombia drug cartel, then allow himself to be captured just long enough to draw out a government spy. That was before his mission went disastrously wrong…and before his wife, Bella, was told that Nathan was never coming home.
A DANGEROUS DESIRE…

Bella’s mourned her husband’s death for three long years. But she has no idea he’s still alive. Forced to assume a new identity, the man Nathan was is now dead. If he can get back to his wife, can he keep the secret of who he really is…even as desire threatens to consume them? And as danger threatens to tear Bella from Nathan’s arms once more?

Thoughts: This story has an interesting and hilarious plot. Nathan left his home and wife for a mission. Sadly, he got caught and was brutally beaten. When he was rescued, his corpse was so destroyed and had to go under surgery in order for him to have a functional body. A few months later (and after tons of physical training) he was back on the field. Instead of flying back to his wifes arms, he continued to work for the army. Bella, thinking Nathan is dead, morns him for three years. Nathan -- now known as someone else -- had mission that made him go back to Bella. She didn't recognize him because of all the surgery, so Nathan started over.

The story is pretty much Bella talking and mourning her husband in front of her husband. You get a point of view from both of them, and at one point Nathan admits that he's jealous of himself. Bellas love for Nathan is incredible. She's faithful and cares about relationships, which makes me want to hug her for the loss. Even though Nathan doesn't tell her who he really is, the love he has for her is heartwarming. During his time with her, she showed some traits and desires that he never knew she had. He saw a new Bella, and liked it.

The book loses one star for a few reasons. One: I love her faithfulness... it's endearing. The downside is her friends having to hear her complain for her loss for three years. Every time they're together the conversation veers to how she lost the love of her life. I can understand she's sad, but having every conversation end up about him for three years is a bit much. Second: The ending was a weird twist. It's one of the endings where you're like "Where the hell did that come from?" I would like some backstory to why it happened, but you just get random scenes. Otherwise, Wild Card is an entertaining read and will make you laugh.

Kiss & Hell by Dakota Cassidy

Author: Dakota Cassidy

Title: Kiss & Hell
Publication: June 2nd, 2009
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Romance
Rating: 4 out 5

Website Goodreads | Amazon | BN

Synopsis: 
Delaney Markham doesn't just see dead people, she hears them too. And FYI-communicating with tortured souls all day can really wreak havoc on your love life. Sans boyfriend, Delaney makes the best of her gift by holding séances to make ends meet—that is until one incredibly annoying ghost just won't go away.

Besides being sinfully hot-in a college professor sort of way-all signs point to Clyde Atwell being much more than the ordinary spirit. In fact, he's a newbie demon whose first assignment is to take Delaney back down to hell with him. Yeah, like that's going to happen on the first date.

Thoughts: Delaney has had one hell of a life. She can see spirits that always want things from her, and there isn't an off switch. Instead of having a family she's always wanted, she adopts unwanted dogs and treats them like children. Now, let's meet Clyde. Mr. sexy, nice, caring, and all around good person demon that wants to drag her to Lucifer. This wacky adventure leads these two characters learning about life that they haven't found pleasure in. Delaney always had to live with her demons, and Clyde... you have to read that part. They feed off each others energy, and it's super cute. The characters definitely have spark, and they're addicting to read. Clyde is super adorable, and Delaney is just like "Yeah, sure, you're cute, but you'll be cuter if you don't try to bring me down to hell." (which is completely understandable).

The only part that bothers me -- and why I'm taking away one star -- is the language Delaney uses. In almost every sentence she throws the f-bomb, or swears for no reason but to just be crude. Now, I'm all for swear words... you can use them. Whatever, right? This book overuses it, and I felt like I had to skip some parts when she got off on rants. I understand she's pissed off sometimes, but it would be nice if the author toned it down.

Otherwise it's a very nice storyline. If you're a big reader it can definitely be finished in a few hours. You're also introduced to a few other characters that bring comic relief, which balances out the book. The adult content is more steamy than sweet, so be aware of that.

The Darkest Night by Gena Showalter

Author:Gena Showalter

Title: The Darkest Night
Publication: May 1st, 2008
Publisher: HQN Books
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5 out 5

Website | Goodreads | Amazon | BN

Synopsis: 

His powers -- Inhuman...
His passion -- Beyond immortal . . .All her life, Ashlyn Darrow has been tormented by voices from the past. To end the nightmare, she has come to Budapest seeking help from men rumored to have supernatural abilities, not knowing she'll be swept into the arms of Maddox, their most dangerous member--a man trapped in a hell of his own.Neither can resist the instant hunger that calms their torments...and ignites an irresistible passion. But every heated touch and burning kiss will edge them closer to destruction--and a soul-shattering test of love. Though they carry an eternal curse, the Lords of the Underworld are irresistibly seductive -- and unimaginably powerful.

Thoughts:  

Gena Showalter is my favorite Romance author (apart from P.C. Cast). The first romance book I've read was written by her -- which I'm going to review soon of course -- and I've been hooked ever since! It starts out with the Lords of the Underworld. They're each cursed with a demon as punishment for killing Pandora. The demons are everyday tormants we sometimes go through such as lies, pain, death, wrath, nightmares, secrets, defeat. These demons control their life. The punishment is horrible if they don't cave into their demons. If the lord is "lies", he'll be in incredible pain if he tells the truth, or if one of the lords is "defeat" he'll go insane if he didn't win, and "pain"... well, he just likes to be in pain. This book is about the keeper of Violence. He's the badass of the group, and the most dangerous.

Ashlyn is troubled with sercrets herself. When they both meet, passion flares. She's sweet and innocent, which makes Maddox very protective and loyal. Both of them fight their demons together. The book is your normal romance story: big macho man, sweet innocent girl, KLABAM sex.

What makes this story different is the personalities of all the lords. Each of them are different and you end up wanting their story too. It's about having a hard life, but finding someone who can balance out that harshness with love. It's a good read if you want something steamy. She explains sex in detail, so if you want something descret or toned down this isn't for you.

Warrior Rising by P.C. Cast

Author: P.C. Cast

Title: Warrior Rising
Publication: May 6th, 2008
Publisher: Berkley Trade
Genre: Romance
Rating: 5 out 5

Website | Goodreads | Facebook | Amazon | BN

Synopsis:  The Goddesses have had it with the Trojan War. So much devastation all because of some silly male egos. The worst of the bunch is that cocky, handsome brute Achilles. But the only way to stop a man like Achilles is to distract him with something far more pleasurable than combat?

Enter Kat, a modern girl from Tulsa, Oklahoma. The Goddesses transform her into a Trojan princess, having no doubt that she?ll capture Achilles?s attention. But can her independent spirit match the unquenchable fire of his epic rage? Goddess only knows?

Thoughts: P.C. Cast steals my breath away. I have not started her YA series, but her adult writings... *shivers*. One of my favorite book of hers is Warrior Rising. It's based on the famous Greek Trojan War. It's the 6th book to the Goddess Summoning series -- which you don't have to read in order, they're all separate stories -- and in my opinion of the hottest. You follow 31 year old Kat who gets sucked into an 18 year old body. She's supposed to stop Achilles from advancing the war. This is where my personal preference comes in: Hard, moody, sexy, troubled man who's actually sweet and innocent. You see a different side to him, and he's someone you'll grow feelings for too. I seriously want to lick him from head to toe. (Is that a little much? Maybe.) The cover I provided you with is an alternative cover. There are two, but I find this one to have more abs and he's carrying a big sword, which shows the masculinity of him. Thus, this cover is chosen and I'll come back to oogle as many times as I can.


Kat is independent, fierce, smart, and extremely caring. She's the type of person you want to have as a friend. Both of them together are a perfect match. He's the big testosterone warrior, and she softens him. The plot has a good pace, it's not slow or boring. It's definitely a book for someone who wants a step above YA, so please don't read if you're not ready for romance to go in depth.