Warrior's Hope

 Book Review of Warrior's Hope

Title: Warrior's Hope

Series: Dark Protectors Series

Author: Rebecca Zanetti

Date Published:  October 3, 2023

Date Read:  July 17, 2023

The Blurb:

This thrilling novel in the New York Times bestselling author’s popular Dark Protectors series takes readers on a wild ride as the only female vampire ever born brings a love triangle to its explosive conclusion—deciding the fate of battling factions as the forces of good and evil gather for the ultimate showdown.

As the only female vampire ever born, and the heir to two powerful immortal families, Hope Kayrs-Kyllwood has always felt the weight of fate and destiny. Now her heart is torn between two men and two different futures. It’s a choice between duty and love, peace and war, with the fate of everyone she loves hanging in the balance. 
 
As the leader of the Kurjan nation, Drake has always known that mating Hope is the best path to avoiding war. He’s counting on her to know the same. . . . Paxton has been Hope’s best friend and protector since they were children. He would kill and die for her without a second thought. In fact, he’s always known that would be his path . . .
 
With deadly factions at her heels, Hope must decide whom to trust and where her loyalty lies—before the choice is taken away from her . . .

My Review

5 Unlocking Fate Stars

Going into this read I had it in my head that I knew which way this book would go. I was so damn wrong. I should have known Rebecca Zanetti would rock my world. As I plan to keep this review spoiler free I'm having a hard time putting my thoughts to words, but Imma try. Let me start by saying I loved this book. It was everything I hoped for and more.

Having read about Hope, Drake and Pax growing up through the series I kind of had an idea of the adults they would become, but RZ dug deep and really developed their character. Especially Pax and Drake. I had my thoughts on which male Hope would end up mated to. Of course I can't say because spoiler free....but I will say that the romance was steamy, the sexual tension was off the charts and Hope made the right choice in my opinion.

I loved getting to see my favorites Talen, Dage, Zane etc. We meet some of the original couples adult kids in this book. Which gave me all the feels. I really hope RZ gives us the Kids' love stories. I really need them in my life. Just sayin'. There was some fast pace action in this book. Lots of twist and turns I didn't see coming. There was also a lot of answers to questions I have had since book 1. Ulric was as creepy and evil as ever. I didn't know how he was going to be handled but RZ really delivered the goods on that epic battle. I was really surprised with the Vero story. I loved seeing how brave and strong Hope was and I loved that her family didn't baby her, but treated her with respect. I will say I have a few more questions now that this book/series is over. I really REALLY really hope RZ does a spin off series with the couples kids or continues with this series. I am not ready to say goodbye.

Winning Maura's Heart

  Book Review of Winning Maura's Heart

Title: Winning Maura's Heart

Series: The Hangman's Daughters

Author: Linda Broday

Date Published: March 7, 2023

Date Read:  May 19th 2023

The Blurb:    A handsome stranger on her doorstep!

Texas, 1876. Maura Taggart is an outcast. She is the daughter of a hangman and tainted by association - no reputable man would ever want her as his wife. And now she is homeless, along with her sister and the group of children in their care. But Maura has grit. She finds a nearby mission where the nuns agree to take them in and set up an orphanage. But trouble is just around the corner . . .

The Calhoun brothers are identical twins but on opposite sides of the law. Cutter is a deputy Marshal, Jonas an outlaw. When Cutter attempts to break his brother out of a notorious gang, they are shot, and Maura finds one of them wounded, close to the mission - but which brother is it?

As the stranger regains his strength under Maura's care an attraction between them grows, but there's a question over his identity. Can he be trusted and why has his presence brought danger to their door? With the orphanage under threat can Maura trust this handsome stranger both with their safety and with her heart?

My Review

4 Heaven's Door Stars

So I was looking on my kindle trying to find something to read and realized I forgot to do this ARC. So I started it yesterday and I took all day today to try and figure out how I feel about it. I love Linda Broday, and I really enjoy early America/western HR. This one was really good for the most part, but I was pretty disappointed about one thing. I loved Maura and Emma Taggart. I loved the nuns and the children. I loved Uncle Max, and Calhoun too. Hell I even liked Maura's dad the Hangman. I liked Maura and Calhoun relationship a lot. There was a lot of build up to their love and the connection was good, but I have to be honest I think I wanted Calhoun to be the other brother. I don't know why I feel that way but I do. Like I said I liked Calhoun the whole book so I don't know why I was so disappointed at which brother Calhoun was. Other than that the only other thing I didn't care for in this book, and it's a small thing, was that Calhoun kept calling Maura Lady. Not to be mean or anything and I'm sure that was common back then but I would have liked something a little more sweet. Still I thought the plot was really good. The relationships were sweet. I loved all the children and how the adults really loved and helped them. Overall I loved the book and I can't wait to read Emma's.

Both Feet in the Grave

 Book Review of Both Feet in the Grave

Title: Both Feet in the Grave

Series: Night Huntress Series

Author: Jeaniene Frost

Date Published: April 18th 2023

Date Read:  April 10th 2023

The Blurb:

If you thought you learned more about the dangerous and sexy alpha vampire, Bones, in The Other Half of the Grave, you haven't seen anything yet...

This is Bones, in his own words…

Two hundred years of bounty hunting made Bones the best at what he does, yet it's still taken him four long years to find Cat, the half vampire now known as the "Red Reaper." There's a price on Cat's head, and not even her job as a secret government agent can save her. Only Bones can. But has time hardened Bones too much to love again? Or will his passion for Cat burn through every obstacle—alive, undead, or otherwise—between them?

My Review

5 I want more books in Bones pov stars

May have mild spoilers

I am a total Bones and Cat fangirl. I fell in love with this series a few pages into book one when Cat tried to pick Bones up in the bar to murder. Every book after has only made my love for this world stronger. Each new book has gone above and beyond my expectations. There is so much to this series, to these characters that they feel real. I fell in love with Cat, Bones, Ian, Denise, Spade, Mencheres, Vlad, Juan, Rodney, and all the others throughout the years. I loved all the books from Cat's pov. BUT..... I have also always wanted to know what Bones was doing, thinking, and feeling, especially in those pivotal moments in the series. The first time they met back up after 4 years, the fight between Cat and Annette, Chapter 32, and too many others to name.

Being inside Bones head was like reminiscing with friends and also like reading a totally different book. I never felt bored or had that been there, done that! vibe while reading this book. Bones' pov adding so much more to the series. It added depth to his character and his and Cat's love. Most importantly it made me so flipping happy. I couldn't put the book down till I read it all. I am more in love than ever with this series. I really REALLY hope Jeaniene Frost keeps giving us fans Books in Bones' pov. If she keeps writing them I will keep reading them. Also I would really like Vlad's series in his pov too. This book was perfect and I can't wait to see what else JF writes in this world. If you like PNR you should try this book. Really you should read the whole series I promise it's amazing!!!

Dark Descent

 Book Review of Dark Descent

Title: Dark Descent

Series: Dark Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published: July 13, 2003

Date Read:  July 2012

The Blurb: Dark Descent tells the story of Joie Sanders, a bodyguard, and Traian Trigovise, an ancient hunter, meeting after a battle in a deep cave filled with mystery and wonder. Set in the Carpathian Mountains, Joie, with her brother and sister go caving and come across the ancient warrior beset upon by several vampires. They have no choice but to throw their lot in with the hunter and do their best to escape with their lives from the underground labyrinth filled with ancient traps left behind by a powerful race.

My Review

4 Cute Stars

First read July 2012 Reread January 31, 2016 Reread Dec 9 2020

*Spoilers*

This was a cute, quick little novella. It's Traian and Joie's story. Traian is an ancient who was sent out to hunt vampires by Mikhail father. Joie is a bodyguard, the best in her field. In this book we get to meet Joie's brother Jubal and sister Gabrielle. I loved that Joie was a kick ass heroine. She saves the day and her man! I loved Traian too. He was sweet, and not pushy. He also gave Joie a choice to become like him. He was willing to grow old and die with her if she didn't want to become like him. So that got him some major points with me! They made a cute couple and this short story had plenty of passion. We also get to see Gary Jansen again. Yay I love Gary!!! You can already feel the pull Gary and Gabrielle have on each other from their first meeting in this book. I liked both of Joie's siblings. I really hope Jubal gets a book. A great fast read. I would have liked it to be longer.

Dark Symphony

 Book Review of Dark Symphony

Title: Dark Symphony

Series: Dark Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published: February 25, 2003

Date Read:  July 2012

The Blurb: 

Blinded and scarred in a terrible accident, Antonietta Scarletti made music that thrilled the world with its beauty and passion. Descended from a long line of psychics, Antoinetta has learned to rely on her other senses to “see” the world around her, but nothing could have prepared her for Byron. He came to her, drawn by her music, and became her secret obsession. Others fear him, sensing that he is dangerous—a predator—but for Antonietta he is her ultimate fantasy, her dream lover. He woos her with kisses full of erotic allure, whispering that she is his light, his salvation. Byron has waited an eternity for her, and he will let nothing stand between him and the woman born to be his lifemate...

My Review

4 Family Stars

 First read July 2012 Reread January 30, 2016

Spoilers

I knew it the first time I heard your voice. I could just sit and listen to you forever. And after you leave, I hear the music playing in my head and through my body, and I know it's your music. It belongs to you more than it belongs to me.-Antoinetta

Dark Symphony the 10th book in the Dark series by Christine Feehan was a nice change of pace. There wasn't any vampire's or vampire hunts. In this book Byron finds his lifemate, Antoinetta Scarletti, a famous musician. What this book lacked in vampires it made up in family drama. Family can't live with them, can't get rid of them! Dark Symphony almost had a clue (the game clue) like feel to it. Someone is trying to kill off Antoinetta and her grandfather. The whole time I was reading this book I was like it was Professor Plum in the Study with the Poison lol.

"In my language, in my people's world, we refer to our other half as lifemate. Unlike the Jaguar, we mate for life and beyond. Not for momentary pleasure. We consider the art of making love and keeping our mate happy to be a lifelong commitment."-Byron

"I thought your work was taking care of me." Under cover of the nearest piece of furniture, Byron pressed her open hand to the front of his slacks. He was already as hard as a rock. Antonietta rubbed her palm over the thick bulge. "Poor bambino, so neglected. If you didn't keep running off to leave me to sleep alone, I might have more sympathy for you." Her fingers danced over the rigid length of him, a tantalizing promise. Her teeth nibbled on his chin. "As it is, I have... none."-Byron and Antonietta

I liked Byron. I enjoyed that he courted his lifemate for months. He gave her a choice on becoming like him. He respected her and he was very sweet. He took his time and was good to her and her family. So I have to be honest when I say I feel Byron got a little jipped when it came to his lifemate Antoinetta. Just sayin'! Antoinetta was older, with grey streaks in her hair, blind with scars on her face and around her eyes, fuller figured, and she has taken a number of lovers. Now don't get me wrong I liked Antoinetta, but really did she have to think of and bring up the fact that she has had other lovers to Byron. Antoinetta was likable and she had her sweet moments but it kinda bugged me that she just planned to take Byron as a lover and then get rid of him too.

"Do I feel afraid? I need this as much as you need it. I ache for you, Byron. I think about you every minute I'm awake. I want to know everything about you. I want to see what my life would be like. You're offering me things I can't fully comprehend."-Antonietta

"We will live in your house with your family. You will travel the world playing your music for people, and I will once again make art from the gems I call to me. Live your life with me. I cannot bear to be without you. lifemates are for eternity, Antonietta. We can be married in the way of your people and live and seem to age. At times we may have to go away, but we will always return if that is your wish."-Byron

At the half way point their relationship picked up and Antoinetta grew on me. Her and Byron did have a lot of passion and there was a maturity to their relationship that was nice. Almost all the drama in this book centered around Antoinetta's annoying family and my GOD her family was something. I wanted to slap her cousin Tasha so many times I lost count. I did love her grandpa Don he was a cutie. I loved Josef in this book. The things he did had me laughing so hard. The rap for Prince Mikhail...... PRICELESS!! I would love to someday see Josef get his own book, because he is so different and eccentric I would love to see what kind of lifemate he would get! A good read and a nice addition to the series.

Jacques suddenly laughed. "I will never forget his performance in front of my brother. It was all I could do not to fall down laughing watching Mikhail's face when Josef sang his rendition of rap." Vlad covered his face. "Do not remind me." Byron nudged Jacques. "Antonietta has a sound room. I bet we could persuade Josef to cut an entire rap CD for Mikhail. I would not mind a copy for myself, just to put on every once in a while to watch Antonietta's face when she hears his lyrics." "A brilliant idea," Jacques agreed. "Just the thing for that brother of mine." "Byron! Jacques!" Eleanor was horrified. "Do not dare encourage Josef."-Jacques, Vlad, Byron, Eleanor

Dark Guardian

 Book Review of Dark Guardian

Title: Dark Guardian

Series: Dark Series

Author: Christine Feehan

Date Published: April 24, 2002

Date Read:  July 2012

The Blurb: 

They were masters of the darkness, searching through eternity for a mistress of the light....

He ran with the wolves...materialized from the mists...hijacked the very heavens to his whims.

He was the dark guardian of his people. So how, after centuries of a bleak, soulless existence had he, Lucian Daratrazanoff, suddenly come to crave petite, curvy, colorful lady cop Jaxon Montgomery, who foolishly made it her life's work to protect others from harm?

Fiercely daring, Jaxx would sacrifice anything to shield others-- particularly since a deadly menace dogged her every footstep, threatening all who got close to her. And strangely seductive, piercingly erotic Lucian was no exception. Lucian was powerfully, perilously mesmerizing--oddly gentle yet clearly a born predator. He had vowed to possess her, to guard her for all time. Yet with his every thirsty kiss, was he drawing Jaxon more deeply into danger . . . and his dark, mysterious desires?

My Review

5 Dark Angel Stars

First read July 2012 Reread January 26, 2016
Reread Feb 3, 2017
reread 11/21/2020

*Spoilers*

"I am your lifemate, young one. You have no idea what that means, and you are not Carpathian, so I expect a certain amount of resistance from you." Lucian rubbed his chin over the top of her head. "I promise you I will be as gentle and as patient as I can, but I cannot wait long for you. The emotions I am feeling do not tame the wild beast within me."-Lucian

Dark Guardian is the 9th book in the Dark series by Christine Feehan. This is Lucian Daratrazanoff and Jaxon Montgomery's book. Lucian is the older, darker one of the legendary twins, his people call him the Dark Angel. This book has an amazing prologue that gave an in depth look into both Lucian and Jaxon's history. The Prologue for Jaxon is just heartbreaking. It gave a good base for understanding all the pain and suffering Jaxon endured her whole life. It helped me to connect and sympathize with her.

"You are bad, Lucian. What am I going to do about you?" "Be with me. Live with me. Learn to love me. Accept me as I am," -Jaxon and Lucian

 

"You have a complete arsenal upstairs in your bedroom. I never saw so many weapons. It made me wonder just what type of woman I was getting myself involved with. There will be no shooting me when I come home this night, no unfortunate accidents, I trust,"-Lucian

Let me just say that there is just something about the Daratrazanoff brothers that just drives me wild. Every single one of them Gregori, Lucian , Darius, and Gabriel. They are so yummy I just want to lick them all. All kickass, arrogant, and dark mmm dayum they just do it for me. So every time I get a book with them in it, it puts me in my happy zone. In my mind I know they are fictional characters, but in my heart they are real and I wanna collect them all.

"That's it! I've had it with you. You don't even seem to know what you've done. You show no remorse at all. I'm the one who has to do all the compromising, except there is no compromise. You simply decide I'm going to do something, and then I do it. And it hurt like hell!"-Jaxon

"I know everything about you, and I am madly in love with you. Love is not even a strong enough word for the way I feel about you. Take the time to get to know me, Jaxon. Try for me, angel. Just try."-Lucian

Lucian is everything I wanted and more. He is charming, sexy, smart, sweet, and totally badass. Lucian takes his time to get to know his lifemate, and does everything he can to make her happy. Lucian accepts Jaxon for the fighter she is and doesn't try to change her and I love that. Jaxon has had one hell of a life. She wants Lucian but she is scared to lose him the way she has lost everyone she has ever gotten closed to. Jaxon is a fighter, but she has an emotional vulnerability that is endearing. Jaxon is very protective, and uses humor to help when she fears, or can't deal with something. Jaxon also kicks some major ass. I love that Jaxon and Lucian are a true team. I think all the female lifemates should know how to fight even if they never use it, just in case. Lucian and Jaxon's relationship is a slow burn because Lucian gives Jaxon time, but when it catches fire it's an inferno.

"They call you that? The dark angel of death'? How can they be so terrible when you've given them so much? What right do they have to judge you?"-Jaxon

A vampire would never expect a woman to participate in a battle, angel. It is not done. Our women are filled with compassion, not with a penchant for violence. She wanted to stay irritated but found herself laughing instead. Then he 's in for a surprise, huh? But you think I have a penchant for violence? I've been incredibly sweet natured, while you've been arrogant and impossible . You do not understand the difference between arrogance and confidence, but I will teach it to you. I can't wait for the lesson.-Lucian and Jaxon

I love this book. The ending is so sweet. Although I would have like to have got to see Lucian meet his brothers, and sister. I mean I am glad it says that they are meeting up and all but I would have like to read the family reunion. Great read I can't wait to read the next one!

"I love this, Lucian. I really do. Every single moment with you."-Jaxon