Early Review of Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire (Love at Stake, #16) by Kerrelyn Sparks

Title: Crouching Tiger, Forbidden Vampire (Love at Stake)
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Series: Love at Stake (Book 16)
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (December 30, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0062107771
ISBN-13: 978-0062107770
Author's Website: http://www.kerrelynsparks.com/
Notes: I received an eARC loan from the publisher.

Russell Ryan Hankelburg is a man bent on revenge, He survived thirty-nine years in a vampire coma only to wake to find the life he'd known was gone. He has no memory of being turned or the events that lead up to it. All he knows is he'd been found in one of Han's caves with Han's trademark tattoo of ownership branded on his right wrist. After hunting and searching for the Han, he was about to make the kill he'd been carefully planning for two years when she got in the way.

Jia is a woman driven by revenge, Thirteen years ago her family was killed and mutilated by Han. While were-tigers have nine lives, mutilating them ensures they won't come back to claim any unused lives. Since their deaths, Jia's been training to take down the master vampire who has terrorized her people for over forty years, When she chanced upon Han, she thought she'd finally get her chance at revenge. She, however, wasn't fully prepared and he got away sending his guards after her. She was saved from almost certain death by him.

Can two people team up to go after a common enemy?

"Before we get started, I think we should set some ground rules." When she nodded, he continued, "Rule number one: our partnership is strictly for business. Our mission is to find Han and kill him."

But what happens when rules become too hard not to be broken as feelings come into play?

This is the sixteenth book and what very may well be the last book of the Love at Stake series. I would highly recommend reading the first and perhaps a few more of the later books in the series to get a better understanding and view of the wonderful world Ms. Sparks has created for this series. Most of the books can be read as standalones as enough background information is given that you won't feel lost, however, you will miss some of the ambiance and magic that envelopes the series by just jumping in at this point. Now while this might be the last chapter in this part of the series, Ms. Sparks commented in the foreword that this may only be a temporary hiatus from the series. She stated she may eventually write more as she still has a few more tricks up her sleeves that she didn't yet use.

Russell is a cowboy at heart who once had aspirations of running his family's ranch, but the Vietnam war set those dreams on hold as he enlisted. Unfortunately for him, his being turned ended those dreams altogether. He's loyal, strong. smart, and has had to start his life all over again from scratch with none of the support the average person has after waking from his coma. Plus, he's had to deal with the changes brought on by his becoming a vampire. The past two years have been difficult for him and he'd like answers as to why Han turned him. Of the unit he was in charge of, he's the only one Master Han chose to keep alive.

Russell's initial thoughts of Jia, who is were-tiger royalty, is that she is a spoiled princess and he wants nothing to do with her. Slowly, she proves she's more than a pretty face and can kick butt with the best of them. While Jia can at times be impulsive and not think things fully through, Russell manages to reign her in and help her see reason. I enjoyed the contrast between these two and how they manage to find a common ground outside of their hate for Master Han. I loved seeing the spark between them grow into something strong and meaningful as each realizes they had something, or rather, someone to live for and ground them. Additionally, I liked the mutual respect the two came to have for each other.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses.  The novel was nicely paced and laced with juicy twists and turns. Plus, the identity of elusive megalomaniac Master Han is revealed as well as the plans he had in store for Russell. I thought this was a nice ending to a very fun series. Will Ms. Sparks do as she hinted and extend the series later? Well, we'll just have to wait and see. Perhaps a spin-off will present itself in the distant future? We can only cross our fingers and hope.

Oh, and if you think the cover is gorgeous, check out this beautiful stepback:

Order of the Love at Stake series:

Sleigh Bells in Valentine Valley (Valentine Valley, #5) by Emma Cane

Title: Sleigh Bells in Valentine Valley
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Contemporary Romance
Series: Valentine Valley (Book 5)
Format: Paperback; 368 pages
Publisher: Avon (October 28, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0062323407
ISBN-13: 978-0062323408 

Author's Website: http://www.emmacane.com/
Notes: I received and eARC loan from the publisher.



Once upon a time Kate Fenelli lived in Valentine Valley, but she had aspirations of working for a big law firm and challenging herself to make it in the big leagues. Over the years her dreams became reality and she thrived in the big city, but success came at a price. She lost the man she once thought to be the love of her life. The stress of a going to school combined with a new born and miscommunication led to divorce. Now everything she's worked for has been thrown into jeopardy due to a dispute between her and the partners of her law firm, she's come home to Valentine Valley feeling embarrassed, vulnerable, and questioning the choices she's made in her life. Once she'd been happy with her life and the choices she'd made, now she's starting to reevaluate everything.

Tony De Luca had thought himself immune to Kate's charm. She'd been the love of his life and she'd broken his heart. He'd picked up the pieces and built himself a new life, albeit a single one, in the years since they'd parted. Now he's the proud owner of a bar and he's surrounded by family, friends, and his son. One day he figures he'll remarry, he just hasn't met the right woman yet. Now, with her back in town he feels those old feelings stirring.

Can two people with so much history find love again? Timing, after all, is everything.

This was a cute story about love, forgiveness, and letting go of a past which cannot be changed. We've all at one point or another in our lives said things we wish we could take back, had our actions or words misinterpreted, and done something in the heat of the moment we later regretted. Sometimes things can be smoothed over, but sometimes they can't. For Tony and Kate it ended up with their marriage breaking up. Over the years they'd created a schedule for their son which was arranged in a way so the two would have the least amount of interaction between them. Now, with Kate being back home for a "sabbatical to reflect" (aka get her priorities straight) the two have no choice but to try to get along while living in the same circles.

I tip my hat to any author who attempts to write a romance about a couple who reunites after a divorce. I think it's one of the more ambitious endeavors a romance author can take on. Ms. Cane, however, does a excellent job with this one and I enjoyed the story. Things progress much more slowly in such a story because of all the history and hurt feeling between them which makes the moment of reconnection that much more tricky. What I found intriguing is that it's Tony who has the harder time getting over the past than Kate. Perhaps because he was the one left behind?

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. I felt Ms. Cane managed to capture many of the emotions and conflicts that occur when a couple divorces and the obstacles they most overcome when getting back together. I always think it ironic that when a couple marries there is a side of the church set aside for the family and friends of the bride and another for the groom's. A marriage is a time when a couple unites and comes together so I feel there should be not sides, but rather a happy coming together of families, fiends, and loved ones. When a divorce occurs, however, lines are once again clearly erected. Everyone feeling the need to pick a side. I loved how despite all the warnings and concerns from family and friends, Kate and Tony decided to take another shot at love after doing what they should have done long ago--talking and communicating about how they feel. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a FAN--the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice.

Panic (Panic #1) by Lauren Oliver

Title: Panic
Classification: Young Adult
Genre: Realistic Fiction/Contemporary
Series: Panic
Format: Hardcover: 416 pages
Publisher: HarperCollins; First Edition edition (March 4, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0062014552
ISBN-13: 978-0062014559
Author's Website:  http://www.laurenoliverbooks.com/
Notes: I love the author's writing style, so I bought this one. 




Every year the town of Carp, New York runs an illegal game similar to Fear Factor with a get rich quick prize attached. The game is only open to that year's seniors and for some it is their only chance of escaping the poverty stricken town.

"No one knows who invented Panic, or when it first began. 

There are different theories. Some blame the shutting of the paper factory,which overnight placed 40 percent of the adult population of Carp, New York , on unemployment. (...) None of these stories is correct, however. Panic began as so many things do in Carp, a poor town of twelve thousand people in the middle of nowhere; because it was summer and there was nothing else to do.

The rules are simple. The day after graduation is Opening Jump, and the game goes all through the summer. After the final challenge, the winner takes the pot."

The only problem is that not everyone will come out of the games alive because this year the take is the largest ever. In the midst of the competition, two friends will enter hoping to change their circumstances. With alliances forged and broken, will their friendship survive the heat of the competition? More importantly, will they come out of the competition alive? With so much at stake, there is one thing you can bet on, not everyone will play fair and situations already dangerous will turn deadly. 

The last competitor standing will be the one to show no fear. Would you have what it takes to win?

This story had so much untapped potential, and while it was entertaining and I liked it, it could have been so much more. From the very beginning we know there are secrets about the game that only a handful of people know. The judges who remain anonymous throughout the competition also gain a substantial amount of wealth, and stories circulate of those who have escaped their fate by doing so. Greed, revenge, and hope are just some of the things which drive the competitors.

Heather never meant to enter the competition, but when her boyfriend dumps her just as she's about to tell him she loves him, she recklessly decides to risk it all and enter the competition. Her best friend, Nat, had already decided to enter and isn't too keen on having her best friend as competition. They end up making a pact that if either wins, they'll share the winnings with the other and they'll both escape.

Soon the two find themselves teaming up with Dodge who's motivation for entering is revenge. Dodge has a crush on Nat, and she uses that to her advantage luring him into a similar arrangement to the one she made with Heather. She's hoping to up her odds of coming out of the competition with something padding her pocket.

As the game progresses. the competition gets more intense as more and more competitors are eliminated and those still in the game begin to show just how far their willing to go to win. Unscrupulous behavior rears its ugly head, but I felt Ms. Oliver could have kicked this up a notch. Perhaps because it's a young adult novel, she just didn't want to go there? Additionally, some of the tasks assigned weren't what I would have expected and seemed to be more aimed at angering certain residents in the small town than testing a person's fearlessness. It made me wonder who was in charge of the overall competition and challenges and what was their motivation?

Overall, I gave this one 3 out of 5 roses. It was a book about friendship, trust, loyalty, greed, revenge, (in other words human nature)  and how we handle the fear and disappointments life throws our way. It's about growing up and realizing what's really important. I can see how some would compare this one to The Hunger Games, There are some definite similarities, but The Hunger Games way out classes this one in complexity and suspense. As for making this one into a movie? I think Hollywood may be on to something--the premise for the book was awesome. I do, however, highly recommend rewriting parts and making the story more gritty, developing the characters more, and making the contestants a tad more ruthless. I believe this is only the second book that I've ever said that about because usually I don't want Hollywood touching any part of a story. By the way, if you hadn't heard, Universal Pictures bought the movie rights to this one. We'll have to wait and see if it actually makes it to the big screen.

The Groom Says Yes (Brides of Wishmore Book 3) by Cathy Maxwell

Title: The Groom Says Yes
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Brides of Wishmore
Format: Paperback: 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (September 30, 2014)
ISBN-10: 0062219294
ISBN-13: 978-0062219299
Author's Website:  http://www.cathymaxwell.com/
Notes: I bought this one.

Sabrina Davidson is a twenty-nine years old and has never been kissed. Caring for her ailing mother when her father would not, she missed her chance at finding a husband and is now considered to be on the shelf. She thought all would be well, as her father had no plans to remarry, but when a widow with a rather seedy reputation springs upon her that her father has proposed, her plans for the future become questionable.

Cormac Enright is a down-on-his-luck nice guy who is accused of a crime he didn't commit--one with a death sentence attached. He wants answers, and the man who lied to put him behind bars is the one who holds them. He's hoping to persuade him to tell the truth so he can clear his name, but as he sets out to find the man, he takes ill. 

Now as these two paths collide one kiss, made in a moment of weakness, will change everything.

This was one of those cute stories that makes you smile, but I have to admit the initial kiss made me cringe a bit. I don't care how handsome a guy is if they're sporting a potentially life threatening illness that is contagious, my lips are sealed. lol Other than the initial kiss, I enjoyed the book. Sabrina was the type of character to normally do what is expected of her while trying live up to her family's expectations and reputation. Some might think her snobbish or snooty, but I felt she just didn't fit in well with others. When she's confronted by her father's fiance I couldn't blame her for doubting the woman's claim. Her father had given her no indication he was involved with anyone, and what he had said about the woman in question had not been the least bit complimentary. What I enjoyed about Sabrina is that she starts to grow a backbone right before our eyes and begins to live life on her own terms not the terms of others. While her behavior was rather reckless, I rather enjoyed it.

Cormac is a former captain in the army and a nobleman who doesn't feel worthy of his title. He got himself into a bad situation by trying to run away from who he is and his past. The problem is you can't usually find what you're looking for while running. You have a tendency to pass by that which you truly want. While finding one's self sentenced to death is no walk in the park, it gives him an opportunity to exorcise old ghosts and get his priorities straight. It also gave him the opportunity to start truly living again.

Overall, I gave this one 3 1/2 out of 5 roses. It was a fun read that had a good pace and happy ending. I enjoyed watching Sabrina and Cormac grow as individuals and fall in love. On the Lisarenee Romance Scale, this one earned a STEAM--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed.

Order of the Brides of Wishmore series:

Flowers from the Storm by Laura Kinsale

Title: Flowers from the Storm
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Format: Paperback; 553 pages
Publisher: Avon Books, Inc.; First Edition edition (January 1, 1992)
ISBN-10: 0380761327
ISBN-13: 978-0380761326
Author's Website: 

 http://www.laurakinsale.com/books/
Notes: I borrowed this one from the library.

He was born into a life of privilege.
She was born the daughter of a scholar. 

He would never have given her a second glance, and if he had, he probably would have broken her heart. Truly they didn't have much in common, then one fatal night he lost it all and she would be the one to give it back...

Sometimes people come into your life when you need them most whether you deserve them or not.

As I read the prologue of this book I wondered how I could ever like the hero of this book? He's vein, selfish, careless, privileged, wealthy, and egotistical. I thought to myself the author is going to have a hard sell on the romance with this one where I was concerned because I thoroughly disliked the man. You know what? I truly love it when an author can take a character like this and turn him around in my eyes. Ms. Kinsale truly delivered with this one.

Early on in the book Christian, the Duke of Jervaulx, suffers what I suspect, from the symptoms described, is a stroke. He loses his ability to speak or understand what others are saying to him. His coordination is off and he's unable to do the simplest of tasks like buttoning a shirt. He has to relearn almost everything but before there is a light at the end of the tunnel, he's thrown into his own private hell. The doctor whose care he has been put in thinks there's no hope for him. Using techniques which today would seem rather barbaric and suffering abuse from one of his caretakers, he's helpless and prone to fits of violence. Maddy is his light and hope because she sees what no one else seems to be able to--the man who still resides inside. The relearning of words reminded me a little of what I recall in one of the older Helen Keller movies in it's emotional stirrings. My daughter has an audio processing disorder for which I once read a book called 'Like Sound Through Water' and the trouble with the understanding of spoken words reminded me of that condition. Certain sounds can't be heard by people with the disorder and so they struggle sometimes to figure out what a person is actually saying. Luckily, my daughter had nothing as severe as the Duke. I felt the anger, frustration, and feelings of hopelessness from being unable to communicate with others was portrayed well, and I could just imagine the pain of it all.

As for the romance, I liked how gradually the two fell in love. It was almost like seeing a complicated puzzle of connect the dots being solved where connecting any one of the many dots out of sequence could have thrown the whole outcome off. I enjoyed how the two gradually came to respect and depend on each other and each needed to give up some of their previous lifestyle which I think captures what a good marriage is composed of--compromise. What makes this romance unique is that these two are as different as day and night. Maddy's been brought up as a Quaker who is devoutly religious whereas Christian is not. Maddy has always lived virtuously and modestly whereas Christian lived recklessly with no regard for anyone but himself. Yet despite the differences and perhaps because of them the two fit perfectly together.

The song that came to mind as I was reading one was 'Something Good' by Julie Andrews from The Sound of Music. The lyrics:
"Perhaps I had a wicked childhood
Perhaps I had a miserable youth
But somewhere in my wicked, miserable past
There must have been a moment of truth

For here you are, standing there, loving me
Whether or not you should
So somewhere in my youth or childhood
I must have done something good"

I couldn't help but give this one 5 out of 5 roses. It was an emotional roller coaster of a read that tugged at my heartstrings. I love how the author managed to capture so much emotion on paper. Plus, she managed to accomplish something I didn't think was possible--she made me like Christian. I felt his personality changed from that of an egotistical selfish jerk to a caring and loving individual. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one earned a FAN rating--the temperature in the room seems to have suddenly gone up a couple of degrees and a fan would be nice.

A Fistful of Charms (The Hollows, #4) by Kim Harrison

Title: A Fistful of Charms
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Series: The Hollows (Book 4)
Format: Paperback; 544 pages
Publisher: HarperTorch (June 27, 2006)
ISBN-10: 0060788194
ISBN-13: 978-0060788193
Author's Website: http://kimharrison.net/
Notes: I bought this one.

Rachel Morgan has gained quite a reputation for herself by leaving the IS (Inderland Security) and surviving their death threat, living with a vamp, and becoming the Alpha of a small two person werewolf pack. Now her reputation is catching up to her and people are taking notice--and not in a good way. She's about to get an education in werewolf politics. One she's unlikely to forget.

On the home front, Rachel and Jenks are still not talking, but when Jax, Jenk's son, ends up in trouble the two set aside their differences and unite to save him. Jax isn't sure where he is only that Nick left and never returned. Being the dead of winter, the situation is dire because winter is the time when most pixies hibernate and many do not come out of it alive. Without a secure warm place to live and a steady food source, Jax's chances of survival are slim. Whatever Nick was involved in most certainly got him into trouble. Never one to leave someone she cares about in danger, she'll attempt to find him, and if he's alive, get him out of whatever trouble he's in.

This was another fun book with surprisingly no finger pointing going on at Trent. In fact, the cookie maker doesn't really make an appearance in this one. Instead, we get to see the darker side of Nick. It's been hinted at throughout the books that Nick had a sordid past and in this book we get a look at the true Nick. He has landed himself in some hot water and without help, I doubt he'd have been able to get himself out of it. Ironically,  Rachel's true character comes shining through as well,  because even though she and Nick are finished, and most would find her justified in wiping her hands of him, she can't abandon him to his fate.

One of my favorite things in this book (spoiler alert) is that Jenks gets biggie sized. Due to the weather, the distance they need to travel, and the need to travel fast, Rachel makes the four inch pixie into a six foot four inch tall man. Kim did a great job with this adding in of little tidbits here and there of Jenk's struggle to adjust to being bigger and unable to fly. Plus, his personality comes shining through in this one and, I admit, I fell a little in love with the pixie. Additionally, the interactions among Ivy, Rachel and Jenks really highlights their friendship, and we get a great look at how these three work as a team--something we haven't seen a lot of so far in this series.

Kim also gives us a peek into werewolf politics, the life of pixies outside Jenk's family, and a personal glimpse of the struggle that Ivy faces on a day-to-day basis against her vampire nature, I have to admit, an incident which happens between Ivy and Rachel get rather intense and a little scary, but it reminds us of the danger that Rachel puts herself in by befriending vampires We also get a little insight into what Piscary did to Ivy and it isn't pretty. I shudder just at the thought. The story also brings to light how amazing it is that Rachel can maintain a relationship with Ivy and Kisten, Most would run away without a second thought after some of the situations she's found herself in. It takes a lot of trust and faith to be friends with a person when the slightest mistake could get you accidentally killed.

Overall, I gave this book 4 1/2 out of 5. I loved watching the world and characters of this series grow and evolve right before my very eyes. I loved the little details included as well as the family feel to Rachel's motley crew. Sherrilyn Kenyon is always talking of how families don't always have to made by blood, but can be chosen, and in the Hollows series, it doesn't have to be said, it's clearly seen. To me this series reads like an adult version of the Harry Potter series. It's beautifully laid out but with more romance (obviously) and more grit. I have to admit while I like Harry Potter, I always thought it was his friends who made him special rather than him being the standout everyone thought him to be. In the Hollows, there is no doubt that while Rachel's friends are special, Rachel is in a class all her own. You can see the difference.

Order of the series:

Early Review of Say Yes to the Marquess (Castles Ever After #2) by Tessa Dare

Title: Say Yes to the Marquess
Classification: Adult Fiction
Genre: Historical Romance
Series: Castles Ever After (Book 2)
Format: Paperback; 384 pages
Publisher: Avon (December 30, 2014)
ISBN-10: 006224020X
ISBN-13: 978-0062240200
Author's Website: http://tessadare.com/
Notes: I received and eARC loan from the publisher.

Miss Clio Whitmore is on a mission. For eight years she has patiently waited for the man who proposed to her, to marry her. In that time, she's been the butt of jokes, the center of gossip, and been nicknamed 'Miss Wait-More'. Now her intended is finally coming home to make good on the promise he made, but Clio no longer wishes to marry the man. After coming into a substantial inheritance she's determined to live life on her own terms and not marry someone who doesn't want her. She just needs his brother to sign the papers to end the marriage contract.

Rafe Brandon is the second son of a Marquess. All his life he's played second fiddle to his older brother, Piers, and has always felt second best. Left in charge of things while his brother has been out of the country, he's determined to hold things together and not fail. With his brother's fiance wanting to terminate the marriage contract three weeks before his brother is to arrive home, he'll do anything in his power to hold things together. The problem is that Miss Clio Whitmore has always held a certain fascination for him. Can he hold things together without giving in to the temptation that is Clio?

This was a humorous read that occasionally leaned toward the cheesy side, but it wasn't over done and made me laugh just the same.When you read about the "Wheeee!" moment you'll know what I'm talking about. *grin* The heroine is a curvy blue-eyed blond who's been raised to believe she's overweight and always has to improve herself. The songs All About That Bass by Meghan Trainor and Shake It Off by Taylor Swift came to mind as I was reading. Clio's mother, with the best of intentions, was strict and determined to make her daughter the perfect wife for a diplomat. Unlike most of her fellow female peers, Clio received the best of educations and that is the one thing she is most grateful to her mother for providing. It's her education combined with her inheritance and the death of  the last of the major players (Pier's father) who set up the union that have given her the courage to request the marriage contract be dissolved. 

Rafe is a prizefighter who held the title of  Britain's heavyweight champion for four years. His immediate goal in life is to gain back his title, and he's about to start training when Clio disrupts his life. With his father's recent death and his brother being out of the country, he's determined things will not fall apart on his watch. He'll do whatever it takes, including planning the wedding himself, to convince Clio to marry his brother, Piers, the Marquess of Granville. This leads to many fun, silly, and irresistible situations as Rafe put himself right smack dab in the middle of temptation's way.

Overall, I gave this one 4 out of 5 roses. It was lighthearted, silly, sexy, and fun. If you think you'll have issues with someone engaged falling in love with someone else, let me assure you Clio and Piers had hardly seen or interacted with one another in the 8 years they'd been engaged. It was far from a love match. I loved watching Rafe's inner struggle to do the right thing when all he wanted to do was the opposite. On the Lisarenee Romance Rating Scale, this one gained a STEAM rating--too hot for a fan, but you still have a handle on things. You should use extreme caution when reading a book with this rating in public. People may inquire as to why you looked flustered and flushed. Oh, and if you're wondering, this was the second book to the Castles Ever After series, but you can dive into it without reading the previous book and not feel lost.

Order of the Castles Ever After series: