ARC Review: Shadow Rider by Christine Feehan

I’m honestly not sure where to start with this book, or how it made me feel. This is the first story I have ever read from this author, which makes my feelings for it that much more complex. On one hand, I have been dying to read one of her stories for so very long, and I am aware that they are loved by many. I know that she could be considered the Queen of Paranormal Romance as well, and has been hailed as such before. So, naturally, I wanted to love this book so hard, but unfortunately, I didn’t.

There were certain aspects of the book that I enjoyed though. I pushed through the story to finish it and I’m glad for that. I loved the concept behind the Shadow Riders. The ability is fresh, new, and unique as is their cause. The thought that certain individuals have the capability to attach their shadows to other shadows and disappear into them, able to ride them to another destination is pretty rad. Add in the ability to hide within the depths of a shadow, psychic abilities, and exceptional fighting skills? Yes please.

I loved the Ferraro family, and honestly, I probably would read the next in the series just to see what happens to the next member of said family. I would also be curious to see if the storylines themselves get better. However, I wasn’t too fond of the heroine, Francesca. In some ways, I liked her. I liked her ability to empathize with others and that she had pride in her work. With that said, she was a very wishy-washy character who one minute would be hell-bent on reveling in her independence and suddenly be the ultimate submissive. While I have thoroughly enjoyed other characters and books that explore those sexual preferences, there wasn’t consistency between the hero and heroine of the story. There appeared to be boundaries that simply disappeared with no effort or a way to understand why.

Stefano was the typical Alpha male hero, and usually I like that, but the writing swept away the majority of the substance needed for a story. While I loved the backgrounds of the characters, and how they came to be Shadow Riders, as well as how they were vigilantes in the war against hardcore criminals in a flawed system of justice, I couldn’t get past other aspects of the book. I think that the idea behind the story, and the storyline revolving around Francesca and Barry Anthon (the bad guy) was good. I also loved the ending. I loved the conclusion. Despite that, the book itself fell flat, and it took me weeks to get through.

I know that I am mostly rating the book based on the story, but I cannot deny the issues I had with the writing itself. The redundancy and constant use of certain words relating to thoughts and actions between Francesca and Stefano made it nearly impossible to turn the page. I had a difficult time wanting to wait for the next interesting part because the sexual scenes were anything but hot because of the misguided use of certain words and descriptions.

Honestly, if I’m reading a romance, I want to feel it to the depths of my soul. I want to feel so turned on that if my guy is next to me, he can feel the heat. This book didn’t transport me into an experience of love and want and need that I crave when I read a romance. It didn’t give me the feeling of happiness I like to find when the couple overcomes their obstacles and gets their happily-ever-after. So, unfortunately, this book just wasn’t the one for me. Regardless, I will most likely read the next one, hoping that it will be not only better, but also that the next couple does give me that feeling of a lifted heart.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Illusion Town by Jayne Castle

Illusion Town is book 13 in Jayne Castle (aka Jayne Ann Krentz) Ghost Hunters/Harmony series also which is connected to her Arcane Society series. She has said she will continue the Arcane Society series just in this world. I always have a place in my heart for books where the main characters have the name Hannah, especially when they are really good, even more so when the dust bunny shares a name of one of my favorite stuffed animals from when I was a kid. Illusion Town is the Vegas of Harmony, and so you must have a story where two people wake up married and no idea of what happened the night before. What makes this story unique from the others are the circumstances. It is funny and witty in the typical JAK style with the action and mystery that always makes these books fun to read.

Illusion Town is divided into eight sectors two of which are inhabitable due to the psi-waves. Then you have the high end down to the low end of the gambling chain. The town is run by the Illusion Club the high end casino owners. Hannah West is a dreamlight talent she can dream walk and she uses that talent to help find lost antiquities. Elias Coppersmith is the head of research and development for his family’s mining operation, he contacted the Finder to find a lost heirloom for him but stayed in contact with her afterwards and even managed to talk her into going on a date with him. But soon after he finds out he’s going to need her help in a professional capacity. Next we find them waking up in a strange hotel room with no memory of last night and a marriage of convenience license. They retrace their steps starting with the marriage and soon remember everything. But Elias isn’t about to let Hannah go on her own especially since the people who were after them last night could be targeting Hannah specifically. They married so that they would stick together after they woke up, they were both psi-burned and knew the chances of the remembering the night before was slim to none and also it would help protect Hannah with the Coppersmith last name if it is her they were after. But even though neither will say it out loud they married because they were in love with each other.

Their story takes us from the wonders of the underground alien ruins and rainforests to the pizzazz and grandeur of Illusion Town. The unraveling of both their mysteries is exciting and quite a thrill ride. As always the dust bunny steals the show. Overall, I loved it a little predictable but enjoyable none the less.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Stars in Your Eyes by Lynn Kurland

Unfortunately I made the decision to stop this book at about 15% or after chapter 4. I was very, very, very bored. I tried to get into it, but after five days of trying, I've given up.

I met both leads during the four chapters I read, and neither of them seemed interesting to me. Mostly, it was a lot of inner dialogue explaining their past, families, and their thoughts on the matters. I know back stories are necessary but these were way too much.

Physically not a lot happened. Imogen traveled on a train to get to some specific point in England and visited a local shop. Phillip was having conversations with his family and preparing to go to his fiance's home to better encourage her to marry him.

This had none of the great story writing I have felt from Kurland's Nine Kingdom fantasy series where I'm usually pulled in after the first chapter. I am pretty bummed I didn't get more into the book.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Autumn Thorns by Yasmine Galenorn

Autumn Thorns is the perfect book for fall. As I was reading about Kerris Fellwater experiencing the cool and sometimes stormy fall weather of the Northwest, cool Autumn temperatures were arriving in my part of the country. The first chapter really made me want to make a cup of hot chocolate and settle on the couch with my book.

And once the author set the atmosphere, I was hooked on the story. Kerris Fellwater is a 50th generation spirit shaman. It is her job to make sure the spirits of the recently, and the not-so-recently, departed end up in their place on the other side of the Veil. She tried to avoid her duty for several years, but after her grandmother's death, the Crow Man has summoned her home to Whisper Hollow. Every resident of Whisper Hollow knows that if the Crow Man calls, it is best not to ignore him.

In Whisper Hollow, the spirits have been walking more than they typically do. Even while her grandmother was still alive, ghost activity was unusually high. The ghosts are usually kept in check by the spirit shaman and her guardian as well as the lament singer and the Veil's Gatekeeper, Penelope. Now, though, it seems the newest spirit shaman will have her work cut out for.

When Kerris returns to Whisper Hollow, she and her three cats move into her grandmother's house. Kerris starts digging through desks, trunks and other hiding places for any information she can find to help her with her spirit shaman duties. What she finds in the trunk that belonged to her mother, who disappeared when Kerris was young, has her digging into a decades old mystery. The investigation, along with her official spirit shaman duties, make sure there is never a lull in the action for Kerris.

Luckily, Kerris does not have to solve the mystery or perform her duties alone. Ellia is her lament singer, and Bryan is her guardian and neighbor. Bryan also turns out to be her mate. The road from neighbor to mate/lover was very short. Too short, as it did not even seem to be a love at first sight romance. More like suspicion turned to lust turned to love in an awkwardly short span of time. Still, as a couple, Kerris and Bryan will be a major force in the battle between dark and light in Whisper Hollow.

Another force to be reckoned with is the secret Crescent Moon Society. CMS could be helpful if they can get past the politics. The CMS is dedicated to protecting the town from the evil creatures that like to hang around. They even have a fixer to handle things the local law enforcement really can't touch.

A large part of this first book of a new series is about setting the scene in Whisper Hollow. Ms. Galenorn paints the town with charming names of places, roads and businesses. I love the name of Whisper Hollow and my favorite road is Fogwhistle Way. She also does a fine job of explaining the culture of the small town resting on the crossroads of ley lines. She does so using the many character's action and dialog, which makes it easy to take in. Unfortunately, the need to familiarize the reader with all of the background and all of the characters doesn't leave much time for the story. When the story was over, I felt like there should have been more, even though there was a satisfying resolution to the main plot line. There is much more to be resolved though. It appears a series is needed to make sure all is right in Whisper Hollow. Having done such a great job of setting the scene in book 1, Ms. Galenorn has a series with all sorts of potential!

This book releases on October 27th. The timing is perfect. Yes, it really feels like the titular season of Autumn, but the creatures of the night that Kerris deals with in the book will get you in the spirit of Halloween and things that go bump in the night. Ghosts, stormy nights and other creatures abound. I am just going to say a name and then let you read an awesome description of him. Diago. So, in addition to that cup of hot chocolate you have by your side when you are reading Autumn Thorns, I suggest you also leave all the lights on!

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Siren's Call by Jayne Castle

I have followed this series since the beginning. The first Jayne Castle books I read were the St. Helen’s series (Zinnia, Amaryllis, and Orchid) which is the precursor to the Harmony series. In case you don’t know, Harmony is a distant planet where humans were trapped and after a couple of centuries we have evolved into something more. The human race has developed paranormal abilities ranging from heightened senses to technopathy. Which that takes on a new meaning because Earth technology burnt out and they had to find a new material to power equipment; with no fossil fuels they found a special kind of amber that can charge machinery and even intensify a person’s special ability. Okay, this is book four in the Rainshadow story arc within the Harmony world. As it is part of a story arc I would recommend reading the other first but it is not an absolutely necessity.

I love the Harmony series it is an entertaining futuristic/ urban fantasy type series. Each book centers around different people with different powers who ultimately stubble across some heinous plan made by devious people and in the end make things right all with the help of the mysterious and adorable but dangerous dust bunny. In Siren’s Call Ella Morgan is more than what she seems classified as a low range musical talent with the job of being a dream councilor. Her real talent she has to hide from everyone, her real talent is one of fairy tales a Siren. Her paranormal singing talent has the power to ease the mind, melt glass or stop the heart. She manages to keep a tight lid on her talent no one the wiser until her run in with Rafe Coppersmith, with the talent of finding things, when rescuing a bunch of dust bunnies from an antiquities dealer using them to experiment on with the illegal alien tech. Ella helps Rafe catch the riffraff trying to buy the alien tech.

Rafe Coppersmith is part of a wealthy predominate family who consults with the law enforcement in this case an illegal arms deal. When Rafe witnesses Ella in action he almost immediately knows she is a Siren. Taken by Ella’s beauty and her talent Rafe lets her leave without telling the authorities she was there with the promise of a coffee date. Ella should have known better even though she kept telling herself he wouldn’t call she was still hurt when he didn’t. Six months later Rafe saunters back in to her life asking to hire her for a special job he needs for a musical talent. As much as Ella wants to turn down a job the money and the reference could be really good for her new business.

The island of Rainshadow is shrouded in mystery; the Coppersmith Family owns a great deal of the island that was classified as a preserve it is covered in a strange fog and inside a different kind of place. Alien ruins found in the middle it all and has revealed some of the things the aliens use to do. But things go amiss when a man is murdered and that’s just the beginning. It goes much deeper that just a crazed group of people who think the alien ruins should be left alone and the attempts on Ella’s life is more then it seems. Between Rafe dealing with psy-fever and being attacked by a strange alien weapon this is non-stop action goodness.

Ella and Rafe are a perfect fit for each other when they finally get together its combustible. You can’t forget the most important character the dust bunny, Lorelei. To fans the dust bunny makes the book and this adorable ball of deadly fluff is one of the best yet. I loved this book it definitely ranks up there with my favorites.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: Suddenly One Summer by Julie James

I love all things Julie James. I’ve read all her books and thoroughly enjoyed them all. I’m definitely a fan and have come to expect certain things form her. One an excellent storyline. Two an equally excellent heroine. Three a hero to match and four a book I can’t put down. “Suddenly One Summer” met all the above and more.

So not to sound like a total fangirl I will say that many of her heroines are very similar. They are all very successful, gorgeous and strong. Which I love! I often find myself admiring her heroines and hoping to be like them one day when I grow up. Victoria Slade is all this and more. So Julie James did something a little different this time with Victoria. Her past heroines have had some type of commitment issue but with Victoria, I think, James made her more complex and fragile. When the story begins there were many serious and anxious moments. This was new for me. Both the hero and heroine have just gone through very serious and shocking events.

Our hero, Ford Dixon, is from a previous book, Love Irresistibly. He is Brooke’s childhood best friend. I was excited to see what James would do with him. I really liked Ford and I liked how James developed him. Ford and Victoria lock eyes across a crowded room. In typical James fashion, what seems to be a smooth and normal interaction quickly becomes something else.

Victoria doesn’t know that her neighbor is THAT guy from the bar. She only knows that her neighbor has women coming in and out of his place at all hours of the night. Before meeting him, she quickly develops an opinion about him. Ford is such a sweetheart. He is a smart, sophisticated sweet guy. He can’t understand why Victoria has developed a bad opinion when they haven’t really gotten to know each other. But Ford is no pushover so he gives what he gets.

Although Ford and Victoria each carry their own baggage, they quickly form a team when Victoria, a divorce attorney, offers to help Ford’s sister find her daughters father. As they begin to work together as undercover reporters they get to really know each other plus share some adventures together.

There are many reasons that James is one of my favorite contemporary authors. One of the many reasons is that her characters always have either the funniest scenes or the funniest lines. She is so great with getting her characters to trade barbs. Not to sound like a total fangirl, I would like to see James do something different. I thought there were some similarities from her most recent book, “It Happened One Wedding” ( the café scene is still one of my favorites). Having said that I can never put her books down. I loved learning about Ford’s job as an investigative reporter. I loved his sister and hope that she finds her happily ever after. If anyone has not read Julie James I strongly recommend her. Her romances are always filled with chemistry and very steamy scenes. The characters never disappoint. After each Julie James novel I always ask the same question: when is the next book? Can’t wait.

**ARC provided by Publisher**

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ARC Review: A Deadly Web by Kay Hooper

This is book two of Kay Hooper’s series Bishop Files a spinoff of the popular series Bishop/Special Crimes Unit unfortunately it hasn’t reached the greatness of the original series. This one was a lot of talk and hardly anything exciting. I almost think that it could have been cut down and turned into a novella and been a great in between. With as little action; and by that I don’t mean action movie action I mean it’s lacking much of anything but lots talking, it is almost like it’s building up to something big (man I hope it is).

John Brodie is a guardian in a nameless secret network of psychics set on saving the psychics before they disappear. Psychics have been disappearing for years and now with the help of Bishop and the SCU they have more of a chance. Tasha is powerful, more powerful than she ever thought and she is the next target. To prove his sincerity Brodie allows her inside his mind and when that happens they connect on a new level. Tasha has felt someone watching her for weeks now and Brodie’s sudden appearance in her affirms this as does a mysterious voice in her head that is not hers, a voice that tells her when they are coming for her and helps her evade them.

The book also has sporadic sections of other psychics suddenly aware or someone watching them and quickly followed by their disappearance. Bishop and Miranda are in this one more than the first book two psychics they have contacted have disappeared and now are closer to finding out who is behind it all and if they can get their friends back.

Overall I wanted more out of the book. I know I’ll read the next one just see where this all is leading.

**ARC provided by NetGalley**

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