Review: Dark Genesis (The Darkling Trilogy Book 1)

 Title:  Dark Genesis (The Darkling Trilogy Book 1)
Author:  A. D. Koboah
Genre:  Science Fiction / Fantasy
Book Size:  299 pages / 722 KB

Life for a female slave is one of hardship and unspeakable sorrow, something Luna knows only too well. But not even she could have foreseen the terror that would befall her one sultry Mississippi evening in the summer of 1807.

On her way back from a visit to see the African woman, a witch who has the herbs Luna needs to rid her of her abusive master’s child, she attracts the attention of a deadly being that lusts for blood. Forcibly removed from everything she knows by this tormented otherworldly creature, she is sure she will be dead by sunrise.

Dark Genesis is a love story set against the savage world of slavery in which a young woman who has been dehumanised by its horrors finds the courage to love, and in doing so, reclaims her humanity.

 While this isn't the genre of story type I normally read, once started I had to read it through to the end.

The story is slow to start, almost to the point of dragging, but then picks up and you're on taking back into time with wonderful storytelling. There are a few nit-picky points that took the book down a notch - such as the British form of English when the story takes place in America. Another item that kept throwing me out of the story is the use of metric measurements in place of imperial (or standard). I wouldn't know how far a dozen meters is, for instance, and I doubt a slave would either.

I think the author must have researched her subjects and location extensively to bring it all to life the way she has. Linguistics is another High-Five as Luna's speech pattern is perfect and true to form from beginning to end. I did become rather annoyed at her constant bursts of anger which seemed a weak form of keeping the story's romantic element alive.

The ending was not one I enjoyed, but reminded myself this story wasn't a romance. I'm sure others will like it and I can appreciate a story well written and edited.

**** 4-Star Review

Review: Touching Ghost (SEALs On Fire Book 6)

Touching Ghost: SEALs On Fire, Book 6
Author: Regina Carlysle
Genre: Erotica
Book Size: 55 Pages / 231 KB

SEAL Ren "Ghost" Ramsey never expected sparks to fly when he meets up with his childhood friend, Dr. Sadie Ballew while on leave in Key West. He's surprised to discover she's successful, sexy, and divorced. Sadie had always been too good for the likes of him, a son of an alcoholic and slated to become no better. He should keep her at arm's length, but he wants nothing more to burn up the sheets with the sassy lady she's become.

Sadie isn't fooled by the badassed, dangerous facade Ren wears like a second skin. She only sees the sweet yet conflicted boy she loved and lost all those years ago. Afraid to let him go off on another dangerous mission without knowing how she truly feels, Sadie needs to find the confidence to make the leap from friends to lovers.

Nice book to read. Some editing problems (ie: "join" written as "joint" in a few places) and while that sort of thing distracts me, it didn't take away from the story. In the usual Erotica form, sex drives the story, not the story-line or characters.

Scenes are well-written, nothing too funky or gross. Characters well thought out and believable. While I never felt my heart tug for either one of them, it was a good, quick read nonetheless and I enjoyed it...until the end, that is.

It's my belief, or perhaps my preference, that romance stories, Erotica included, end in a HEA or in the very least a Happily For Now. Not the case with Touching Ghost. If you don't mind the disappointment of a feel-good ending, you'll probably like this book. I felt it ended too abruptly, as if the author didn't want to go past her publisher's maximum word count or something.

*** 3-Star Review

Review: For Love & Vengeance (The International Romance Series, Book 2)

For Love and Vengeance: The International romance Series, Book 2
Author: Johnny Ray
Genre: Mystery, Suspense

 

 FOR LOVE AND VENGEANCE is an International romantic thriller filled with action and adventure that jumps across the globe as Vance searches for a girl he had only spend one night with, but one that promises to the perfect fit in his

life. All he has to do is rescue her and keep her from becoming another casualty in the "for the better good", a lie he was given earlier when his previous girlfriend was murdered.

When everyone lies to you--trust your gut instinct
If that fails--start over
For your love deserves the best
And murderous terrorist your vengeance
May God have mercy on their soul

Both the Americans and the Russians think Victoria works for them exclusively. In truth; the Pack, an International
Crime Syndicate, brutally controls her while they launder money in America by buying distressed houses for terrorist sleepers. While she executes the perfect escape, staging her death during a shark attack, she makes one mistake--she meets Royce, who worked as a special operative several years earlier, the night before disappearing.

Royce, on the other hand, wants nothing to do with any American led special operations after he had been lied
to in order to keep him focus on his prior mission. His girlfriend had been abducted and brutally murdered earlier while they had kept him in the dark. The last thing he had ever expected was another woman in his life, especially a
Russian spy. Furthermore, he never would have believed that she would be the one thing that would encourage him to finish a mission that he should have taken care of the first time.

Royce is well trained on how to discover the truth, so although Victoria's apparent shark attack was well conceived he knows better. He had used the life of a surfer bum for years as his cover. The more lies he uncovers, the more suspicious he becomes until finally he feels like he has little choice. His prior operation was so top secret even the CIA were told nothing He didn't need them then, and he sure the hell didn't need them this time either. The last time it was for country--this time it was going to be personal.

 First let me say: That was the longest freaking "blurb" I've ever seen! Blurbs are short, sweet, and to the point. They garner a reader's interest. Entice them to buy the book. This blurb not only was cause for instant skimming, but it's a reviewer's nightmare.

Anyway, on to my review...

When I first came across this book it had a different cover. That must have changed at some point. But I don't judge a book by its cover (by the way, the old cover was better. This one looks like it was slapped together). Also, this book was advertised in the Romance category - which is what the Romance Wench reads.

Let me just say THIS IS NOT A ROMANCE!

Not one to waste a perfectly good chance to read a new story, I forged on. Trudged on. Forced myself to turn the ebook page and continue. Why do I do that to myself? Because I'm an optimist. I keep telling myself the book will get better.

It didn't.

The characters were flat and though their emotions were written, I felt none of it. After the hero and heroine meet in the beginning of the book, we don't see the woman again until near the end. WTF kind of romance is that? That said, I did like Victoria's character and wish she'd had a bigger part in the book. Revolving the story around Royce and only him made for a long, boring read.


The story in itself was interesting, meaning the concept was good. If Johnny Ray had only taken the time to check for typos, find his frequent missing words, and hired an editor, this story might have received a better rating.

 Oh! And by the way, Mr. Ray... You might want to double check your "blurb". There's a HUGE typo in the opening when you call your male character "Vance" instead of Royce. It's shit like that that drove me bananas!

* 1-Star Review

Review: Naming His Mate (Black Hills Wolves Book 17)

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Winter Secrets: Naming His Mate (Black Hills Wolves Book 17)
Author:  M. Limoges
Genre:  Paranormal: Werewolves

 

 Small-town sheriff, Mike Hadley, would love to experience a headache-free day for once in his life. Unfortunately, that’s not going to happen anytime soon. While investigating a rash of disappearances and dealing with his ornery lover, he’s thrown into a whole new world he never imagined existed.

Damien Marks has finally found a place to call home in Los Lobos, South Dakota, with the Black Hills Pack. He also stumbles across something he never thought he would—his mate. Falling hard, he decides he needs to come clean and tell the truth. But will his sexy lover accept what he is?

Embroiled in a potentially dangerous situation, both men have to decide where their loyalties lie—with duty or love?

I've only begun to delve into the series created by Decadent Publishing. And because I enjoyed the first book of Limoges' (See my review: Winter Secrets: Winter Solstice Run #3 (Black Hills Wolves, Book 33), I was certain I'd enjoy another by the same author. She didn't disappoint.

Without fully knowing the background in the series, I never felt out of place or left wondering what the heck was going on. From the first page, I read as if I were there in the story. When reading novellas, oftentimes I'm left feeling the story was too short, characters not fully created, or scenes jumping too fast.

Not the case with Naming His Mate. I should also add: This is the first M/M book I've read and reviewed. While I can't say I'm wild about this genre, I can give the Ms. Limoges high marks for a well-written story.

Great action and warm love scenes, crafted by a highly skilled, professional author.

***** 5-Star Review

 

Review: Winter Secrets: Winter Solstice Run #3 (Black Hills Wolves, Book 33)

I received this book in exchange for an honest review.

Winter Secrets: Winter Solstice Run #3 (Black Hills Wolves, Book 33)       

Author: Melissa Limoges

Genre: Paranormal – Werewolves

Patience is a virtue…a lesson Stephen Dorsett has learned over the years, wooing his mate. He loves the prickly woman with all his heart, but he’s keeping a secret from her—one that will soon change the entire dynamic of their relationship.

Kate Matthews has a secret of her own, but she’s reluctant to share her surprise with Stephen. With her mate spending too many long hours and late nights at work recently, Kate begins to second-guess Stephen’s commitment to her.

One simple misunderstanding, fueled by insecurities and doubts, is all it takes to throw Kate and Stephen off course. Will they allow their secrets to pull them apart, or make their love stronger?

I found this book totally enjoyable. I felt the characters were well developed, the story believable (as much as shape-shifting werewolves can be), and the overall well written.

Ms. Limoges writes splendid and leads her readers on a can’t-put-it-down mystery of the hero’s actions. Kate’s reactions are well thought out and not overly done, as some writers will do. The journey of these two characters develop and change with heartwarming, satisfactory results.

I look forward to reading more from Melissa Limoges and wish her all the best in her writing career.

 ***** 5 STAR RATING