Dark Gold

Book Review of Dark Gold (Carpathian Series)

Title:  Dark Gold

Series: Carpathian Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published:   April 1st 2000

Date Read: June 19th  2012

The Blurb:

Was he a man...or a miracle?

Alexandria Houton would sacrifice anything - ever her life - to protect her orphaned little brother. But when both encountered unspeakable evil in the swirling San Francisco mists, Alex could only cry to heaven for their deliverance...

And out of the darkness swooped Aidan Savage, a golden being more powerful, more mysterious than any other creature of the night. The ageless Carpathian male snatched them from a hideous fate. But was Aidan a miracle...or a monster? Alex's salvation...or her sin? If she surrendered to Aidan's savage, unearthly seduction - gave him the color, the light, the family he craved - would Alex truly save her brother? Or sacrifice more than her life?

My Review

3.5 Savage Stars

First read June 2012 re-read January 12,2016

Spoilers

"You had a bad dream, something about vampires, but you do not really remember it. It is all very hazy. You talked to me about it, and if it ever returns to haunt you, you will come to me, and we will discuss it. You always feel free to talk with me about things that sometimes do not make sense. You want me to be with your sister always. We talk about it together and plot together to make her want to stay with me as my wife, as family. You and I are the best of friends. We always look out for Alexandria. You know she belongs with me, that no one can care for her and protect the two of you as I can. This is very important to you, to both of us."-Aidan's compulsion to Joshua

Dark Gold, the 3rd book in the Dark Series by Christine Feehan was a pretty good read for me. It would have been perfect, but it had one of my main pet peeves in it. Cowards and cowardly behavior just seem to tap dance all over my nerves. And the heroine Alex(Alexandria) drove me crazy with her over the top cowardly, live in denial behavior! I totally could understand most of her fear, but it was the way she handled it and the stupid ass stunts she pulled all the way up til the 65% mark. I just couldn't believe the things she did.

"You betrayed me. You betrayed Joshua. I told you what would happen if you went out into the sun. You pretended to yourself that you would see if I was telling the truth. But you already knew it was the truth. You took a chance on destroying yourself, leaving Joshua to strangers, to an uncertain future without protection."-Aidan

"I swear, if you keep using that calm, cool, Alexandria, you-are-hysterical tone on me, I will not be responsible for what I do." -Alex

I get it you went though some bad things and everything is changing and scary but you don't

1. When your lifemate tells you the sun will kill you, run out into said sun just because you refuse to believe you are not human anymore.

2. Go on a date with another man just to prove you are not lifemates and you are still human!

And finally you don't

3. After not feeling a thing for said human date decide, it's not because you are not human anymore and you only want your lifemate. Nope! It must be because you was not attracted to that human so, you go out dancing with multiple men, while knowing the whole time you're forcing your lifemate to watch you date and dance with other men!

I just wanted to yell at my kindle. I mean come on... the 65% mark and you still ain't dealing with this shit. Pull up your big girl panties and get the fuck over it! Alex acted like such a child I just wanted to shake her!

"Aidan says you only think you're in charge but that we have to let you think that because women like to think they're in control, but men have to protect them." Her blue eyes met golden ones over the blond curls. "He said all that, did he? That's a lot of thinks, Joshua. I am in charge, not Aidan." Joshua smiled conspiratorially at Aidan. Aidan mouthed, "I told you so." Both looked at her in complete innocence, their expressions so similar, it unexpectedly turned her heart over.-Joshua, Alex, and Aidan

"How could I ever leave you, Aidan? Do you really think I could? I thought you knew everything. Even I knew better. Almost from the very start, I knew better." -Alex
Alex did have some good qualities that kept me from hating her. She was playful and sweet to Joshua her little brother. And when she let her guard down around Aidan she was funny, and Smart. It was really at odds with the stupid crap she would all of a sudden pull. But I could see why Aidan loved her. And all of the stuff happened within a few days and not weeks but still! Aidan was great. He was sexy, playful, understanding, and God the man had the patience of a saint. He had so much charm it poured off the pages. It was so sweet the way Aidan gave everything he had, never thinking of himself. He gave her time, space and independence even if it was hell on him.

"Oh, I see how it's going to be." Alexandria glared at the two of them, but her dimple appeared despite her best effort at ferocity. "You guys are planning to gang up on me." They looked at each other, exchanging a smile. "Yes,"-Alex, Aidan and Joshua

"You have heard the word compromise before, haven't you? You do comprehend its meaning?" He looked thoughtful, taking his time before replying. "As I understand it, compromise means you do what I say as soon as I command it. Is that about right?" Alexandria pushed at the solid wall of his chest. "You wish, Mr. Savage. It's never going to happen."-Alex and Aidan
Aidan and Alex's relationship was a push/ pull but there was some sweet, playful moments. When Alex finally committed to Aidan as a lifemate, they had a great relationship. Alex became supportive, and caring. She also felt bad for the way she acted. Joshua, Alex's little brother was so adorable, he stole every scene he was in. The way Aidan and Josh ganged up on Alex like a team was too cute and made for some laughs. One of the things I loved about this book was it was really funny, it help take some of the sting out of the Alex crap. Gregori was in this book too and he just broke my heart. I know his book is next and since I have read the whole series 4 times now I know he gets his HEA but I still wanted to hug him in this book. God I love Gregori!! Over all even with the stupid things Alex did I still liked this book. Just not as much as the first two.

"Sometimes adults can't live together. I'm used to doing things my way, and Aidan is set in his medieval ways." "What's medieval ?" Joshua wanted to know. "Ask Aidan. He's good with answers," she replied resentfully." Medieval refers to the days of knights and ladies, Joshua. Alexandria thinks I would have made a great knight. They were men who served their homeland with honor and always rescued and took care of fair maidens." Aidan drained the contents of a third glass of ruby liquid. "A fitting description, and quite a compliment. Thank you, Alexandria." Stefan coughed behind his hand, and Marie hastily turned to look out the window. Alexandria found a reluctant smile curving her soft mouth. "That's not all I could call you, but for now, we'll leave it at medieval."-Alex, Joshua, and Aidan

Knights' Sinner

Book Review of Knights' Sinner  (MC Sinners Series)

Title:Knights' Sinner

Series: MC Sinner Series

Author: Bella Jewel

Date Published: October 23rd 2013

Date Read: May 10, 2017 

The Blurb:

Jackson is always considered the 'softie'. He's the first to help people out when they're in need. He's President of the Hell's Knights and he figures it's about time he shows the world how much of a sinner he can be.

Serenity has a dark past. Secrets haunt her and she has no way of escaping them. Hogan is the only family she knows and life with him is brutal. And it's about to get worse.

He sends her on a mission.

On a mission to destroy the Hell's Knights and the Heaven's Sinners.

Can she pretend with a club she doesn't know?

Or will she betray Hogan for the man she's falling in love with?

My Review

3 Disappointed in Jackson's Actions Stars

Lots of Spoilers

Why my Jackson why???? This book was so a 5 stars read for me until Jackson did something I just couldn't believe. It was too much and I couldn't come back to my happy place after it. So Serenity our heroine is the daughter of Hogan, Jackson and the club's enemy #1. She was sent by her POS father into the club to spy. Hogan beat the shit out of her and told her that if she didn't spy he would kill her best friend's little girl, and since Hogan is a huge piece of shit that has no problem killing women and children Serenity does what she is told. She shows up at Jackson's club beat up badly and gives them no back story at all, and the club just accepts her no explanations. They don't think it was weird at all that right after they do a hit on Hogan's club, a woman just shows up beat the shit out of and can't tell them where she is from. They don't try to figure it out, do a little digging nothing? Whatever! I let that go. Then the book goes on and on about how old Jackson is. "I'm to old for you" "You're just a child" "old man" For fuck sake he is 39 not 70, and Serenity was 25 he wasn't that damn old. Of course those were just little small things that had me rolling my eyes. I could have over looked those things easily. Up til the 70% or so mark I was loving the shit out of this book. Jackson was sexy and sweet. Serenity had my sympathy. I thought they had great chemistry, and I was loving their story. Then it happened.

Serenity who just found out she was pregnant with Jackson's baby tells Jackson that she really was a spy for her dad and that he is going to try to take out the club when they go into lock down. Now here is where Jackson loses my respect. I totally understand him being pissed. He is a biker and so I can overlook at lot of things, but he treats her like complete shit. Which I could have forgiven if it stopped there but nope. She tells him she is pregnant, that Hogan beat her and was going to kill her bf's little girl and that she lied to her dad the whole time giving him fake info and still he pulls a gun on her, ties her up, lets her puke all over herself, and treats her like shit. Then he knows she is upset and not eating anything for days because everyone is telling him and he is like Don't give any fucks that she is starving herself or my baby. Again I could have forgiven all that but then he sends her back to her father.... WHO BEATS HER EVERY TIME HE IS NEAR HER..... pregnant with his child......knowing there is a really good chance she will be beat, and what do you know her dad beats the shit out of her. Does Jackson flip out? Nope. He just stands there frozen while everyone hears her being beaten. All the other men are yelling for him to pull her out before her father kills her and he just stands there. I couldn't believe it. Then he doesn't beg forgiveness. Doesn't rush her to the hospital to make sure the baby is okay after she was beat. Nope he starts in on how he is too old for her. It's not until she is bleeding that he takes her to the hospital then after seeing the baby on ultrasound he wants to be with her again and he loves her and Serenity is like sure cool everything is back to normal. Nope. Sorry it was too much for me. He sent her in Pregnant with his child and she got beat and I am just not ok with that. After that I just couldn't forgive and forget and move on. I lost my loving feelings. Jackson is sorry???? Yeah well so am I cuzz his stupid ass actions ruined a five star read for me.

Heartbreaker

Book Review of Heartbreaker (Paths to love Series)

Title: Heartbreaker

Series: Path To Love Series

Author: Grahame Claire

Date Published:September 12th 2019 

Date Read: August 31, 2019

The Blurb:

Mulaney

I have a secret.
And only he knows.
He took my carefully crafted world and turned it upside down.
Now my career hangs in the balance.
I swore I'd never give anyone control over my life again, but I may have done something worse...
Given him my heart.

Easton
I have a secret.
And she doesn't know.
What she calls a mistake, I call the beginning.
I've been respectful. Patient. A gentleman.
With everything on the line, including the company we've built with my family, that stops now.
She thinks I'll forget about what we've done.
But the truth is all secrets come to light...
Especially the ones we want to stay buried most.

My Review

3.5 Yummy Easton Stars

I love the Paths of Love series. I fell madly in love with Daniel and Viv. Rooted for Stone and Muriella's HEA. Enjoyed the sweetness of deep love and second chances with Juliana and Mitch. And I have been looking forward to Sassy, tough Mulaney, and bad boy Carlos getting their own books. Though it makes me sad to say, as much as I liked this book, I didn't love it like I loved the others. Don't get me wrong, the plot and the writing is good. I really loved Easton, but Mulaney kinda got on my nerves. Which really shocked me. I loved her in past books. The problem was next to cheating my second biggest reading pet peeve is cowardly behavior, and Mulaney's running in fear from her feelings was too much for my liking. 

Easton really carried this book for me. He was sexy and loyal and loved Mulaney something fierce. I loved how he pushed Mulaney's buttons, but knew when to give space, too. I really really loved that even while he gave Mulaney space to deal with her fear he didn't come off like a doormat. Which sometimes happens when one mc is pushing and pulling away in a love story. Easton had dignity and confidence. I totally loved him. Mulaney I had a harder time with. At times in the read I was reminded of the Mulaney from books past. Strong, smart, sassy and unafraid to speak her mind. Then at other times I wanted to shake some sense into her. I loved Easton and Mulaney together when she pulled her head from her butt and gave into her feelings. They had good sexual tension and made a great couple. 

The plot was really good. I was shocked at who the "Bad Guy" turned out to be. I loved getting to see past couples again. Anytime I get more Daniel is a total win for me. The part with Ruby broke my heart. I was glad it didn't go the way I feared. I love me some sassy Ruby. Easton's parents were so supportive and sweet. I ate up every moment with Carlos. OMG the the tension between Carlos and Holly. I can't wait to see what is happening there. I really need more Carlos in my life. Overall a pretty good read. While this book isn't one of my favorites in the series, I'm very much looking forward to the next one, and would highly recommend this whole series if you are looking for a sexy contemporary romance with delicious heroes. 

My Favorite Cowboy

Book Review of My Favorite Cowboy (Heart of Texas Series)

Title:My Favorite Cowboy

Series: Heart of Texas Series

Author: Donna Grant

Date Published:  February 26th 2019

Date Read: March 3, 2019

The Blurb:

Audrey Martinez is a veterinarian who has devoted her whole life to the care and protection of horses―even if doing so leaves her little time for meeting a man. Who would have thought that a strange case of criminal horseplay would lead her to falling deeply, wildly in love? If only the man who makes her heart race faster than a wild mustang would let his guard down, that is. . .

Caleb Harper is no ordinary cowboy. Sure, he wears his hat, boots, and jeans like a second skin, and displays an easygoing charm that comes from years of working on the ranch. But with his military background, and Army buddies at his side, he is tried-and-true Texas tough. Audrey knows she can trust a man like Caleb to help her save horses. But can Caleb trust himself to resist his attraction to Audrey―or will the sparks of their desire end up getting them burned?

My Review

3 Abandonment Issues Stars

May Have Mild Spoilers

OK I'm gonna be honest here and I'm gonna try not to spoil anything while letting you know why this book was just alright for me. After reading Cowboy, Cross My Heart I was really looking forward to Caleb's book. I hate to say it, but the book didn't live up to my expectations. No not the book really, it was Caleb and Audrey relationship that didn't work for me. I actually liked the plot which is why I gave this book 3 stars instead of less. Those stars were for the plot and catching up with Naomi and Brice. So let me lay out what didn't work for me with Caleb and Audrey's love. 

1. They had an unrealistic insta-love. They fell in love in like 2 days, however it didn't feel like love to me. It just felt forced. 

2. I got really annoyed at the amount of days both Caleb and Audrey let go between talking to each other. Let me give a few examples. After they sleep together, they have a bit of a fight, and kinda make up(I'm trying not to give away spoilers). Then there is an misunderstanding, and instead of Caleb going after her he waits days. Days! Letting her sit there in pain thinking all kinds "he don't want me" thoughts. Then when he does finally come to her and tells her he wants her, she does the same damn thing. As the days past, I found myself getting more and more pissed off. They both just acted like cowards. That's my second biggest pet peeve in books next to cheating. If they would have only waited once, or for one day I would have been able to understand it, but it was too much too long. 

3. They spent more time apart or fighting their feels than together. They maybe spent a total of 24 hours actually being together the rest of the time it was drama and fear. So after such little time I don't get how they fell in love at all. 

4. lastly I didn't buy how quickly Caleb got over his mommy issues. Which was one of the reasons he feared letting Audrey into his heart. 

Still I liked the plot. I really liked Maddy, Audrey's sister. I liked both Caleb and Audrey as individuals just didn't feel their relationship, which bummed me out. My heart broke for Brice and Naomi. I need them to get some good news in the next book. Overall this was an okay read for me. Donna Grant is a great writer, but this book just had a pet peeve that drove me nuts, so even though I didn't like it as much as the other I will read more from Donna Grant. 

Hard Truths

Book Review Hard Truths

Title:Hard Truths 

Series: Stand alone novel

Author: Alex Whitehall

Date Published:  September 29th 2018 

Date Read: Oct. 7th 2018

The Blurb: 

 He can't have the family he wants, but he may get the love he deserves.

Isaac didn’t expect to find love at his family’s Christmas dinner, but that was before he met his sister’s new fake boyfriend. Tall, muscular, and tattooed, Logan is what Isaac would love in a partner—and also everything his parents would hate in one. Not that they know Isaac’s gay. 

That doesn’t stop him from dating Logan—unbeknownst to his parents, and with his sister’s approval after she fake dumps him. The pair dive into a whirlwind romance of motorcycle rides, cheesy puns, and hot sex. They meet each other’s friends and fill their time with happiness and laughter. It’s all perfect. 

Until Isaac suggests they move in together, and Logan asks Isaac to come out to his parents. Isaac wants to, but he’s scared; he doesn’t want to lose his family. Unfortunately, he can’t see that his real family has been right beside him all along. 

My Review

3 Needed more Depth Stars

Hard Truths was an okay read for me. I would have liked it more if I felt it had more depth to it. It was a cute read. But for a shorter book it was very slow at times. I liked Isaac but I loved Logan. They were hot together and I was rooting for them. Although at times I felt Isaac was a bit immature. I could not stand Isaac's family. Well I liked his sister, but his mom and dad sucked. I hated the way they acted like closed minded aholes. My main problem with this book was Isaac's hiding who he was from his parents and hurting Logan because of it. I get he was scared and his parents were jerks but I hated that he let the fear hurt the man he loved. Overall Still it was a okay read. 

Guarded

Book Review Guarded (Hostage Rescue Team Series)

Title:Guarded

Series: Hostage Rescue Team Series

Author: Kaylea Cross

Date Published: July 1st 2018 

Date Read: September 14, 2018

The Blurb:

She’s a warrior at heart. 

Briar’s life was changed forever by a childhood marked by loss and trauma. When she was an orphan the government recruited her into a secret program and turned her into a contract killer. No matter how hard she tries to leave that life behind her, it’s still a part of who she is. She loves and trusts her husband deeply, but old habits die hard. Now everything is about to change for them. When things take a life-threatening turn, Briar is forced to confront her most deeply buried insecurities and find the courage to lay herself bare to the man who has promised to stand by her always. 

But this is one battle she can’t win alone. 

Matt loves his independent, badass wife more than anything, but she’s also the most stubborn and frustrating woman he’s ever known. Haunted by a loss that shook him to his core, he’s even more determined to protect Briar now that their lives are about to be altered forever. He’ll do anything for her, but if they’re going to have a shot at a happily ever after as a family, his fierce Valkyrie must first learn to lower her guard and let him in completely. 

My Review

       3.5 I needed to read Disavowed first Stars

So I didn't know when I requested this book from Netgalley that it was like a follow up to the couple from the book Disavowed. When I started reading I realized something was off. Though I could follow it fairly easy enough to read it as a stand alone I felt like I missed something. I feel it would have been a much better read had I read Disavowed first. Still it was an emotionally angst filled and sweet read. Matt was amazing and so supportive. I loved him! Briar had some issues, but I still really liked her. I'm a sucker for pregnancy/baby books so got lots of feels from that part of the plot. Overall not a bad read but I wish I would have read their first book before reading this one.