BOOK REVIEW ~ ENTWINED BY KRISTEN CALLIHAN

Title: Entwined ( Darkest London, Book 3.5)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Release Date: November 5, 2013

ARC provided by NetGalley

Eamon Evernight has always lived in his older brother's shadow. While his brother is fair of hair and lithe in body, Eamon sparks fear with his fiery locks and massive frame-and rumors of a mysterious power. But when his brother has the good fortune to be betrothed to a beautiful stranger, it's Eamon's help-and quick wit and romantic heart--that he needs. Eamon agrees to write the noble lady...a generous offer that will forever leave him a changed man. 

Lady Luella Jane Moran has no interest in an arranged marriage and tries valiantly to dissuade her betrothed from afar. Though her own letters plainly state her case, the words her husband-to-be writes her leave her aching for his touch. Will Lu give in to the desire the missives have kindled within her? Or will desire turn cold when she discovers their true author?

Book Review

Historical romance is not usually the genre I seek out when looking for a good read. But author, Kristen Callihan is someone not to be missed. 

Kristen's writing in her Darkest London series puts you in 1800s England, along the dark, seedy streets of London...or Ireland, as is the setting for her novella, Entwined.

Eamon Evernight is the unlikely hero of Entwined. He is the second son, the outcast, the "redheaded devil's child. Shy around women and prefers to spend his time alone in his smithy. But when he receives the news that his eldest brother, Aidan, is betrothed to the mysterious Lady Luella Moran, the loyal Eamon steps in to write a letter posing as Aidan. It appears that Lady Luellen does not want the betrothal to take place, considering it a "archaic and glorified stud service". But although Aidan is not looking forward to the arrangement, he wants the marriage to take place. As he cannot read or write, he convinces his brother, Eamon to pen a letter to help persuade Lady Luella to keep to the terms of the contract set between their fathers.

What follows is an assemblage of letters spanning the next four years. Four years where both Eamon and Luella fall in love over time, spilling out their hearts onto paper, minus two secrets. Eamon is not the man he is pretending to be...but what secret is Luella hiding that could send her out in the cold, destitute and alone? 

I loved the telling of Eamon and Lu's love story. It grew through their shared letters, slowly, and with witty postscripts.  And when they finally meet face to face, there is a hint of something familiar that Luella senses in Eamon.  

And when Aidan runs off to the Americas, leaving her a jilted almost-bride, Eamon steps in his brother's place...again. 

But can the secrets these two new lovers are hiding destroy their fragile beginning? 

 A beautifully told love story with poignant scenes that melt the heart. 

Favorite romantic moment:

And I always think of you. Thoughts of you thread so tightly throughout my day that I lose track of where I am and what I am doing, until I cannot help but think that, although we've never met, your soul and mine are already entwined.

ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ WINTERBLAZE BY KRISTEN CALLIHAN

Title:  Winterblaze (Darkest London, Book Three)

Author: Kristen Callihan

Expected Release Date: February 26, 2013

ARC provided by NetGalley

Once blissfully in love . . .

Poppy Lane is keeping secrets. Her powerful gift has earned her membership in the Society for the Suppression of Supernaturals, but she must keep both her ability and her alliance with the Society from her husband, Winston. Yet when Winston is brutally attacked by a werewolf, Poppy's secrets are revealed, leaving Winston's trust in her as broken as his body. Now Poppy will do anything to win back his affections . . . 

Their relationship is now put to the ultimate test.

Winston Lane soon regains his physical strength but his face and heart still bear the scars of the vicious attack. Drawn into the darkest depths of London, Winston must fight an evil demon that wants to take away the last hope of reconciliation with his wife. As a former police inspector, Winston has intelligence and logic on his side. But it will take the strength of Poppy's love for him to defeat the forces that threaten to tear them apart.

Book Review

I love the world of historical London seen through the eyes of Kristen Callihan. 

Poppy Lane has kept a huge secret from her husband, Winston, since the beginning of their courtship. And when the secret is unraveled in book two of the Darkest London series, Winston is left stunned. After a horrific recovery from a Lycan attack, Winston flees London and leaves Poppy bereft and heartbroken. 

This is a story of the strength of love and second chances as the reader watches both Poppy and Winston rediscover what brought them together in the first place. Through flashbacks, the reader travels back in time to when Winston first met Poppy at a train station--and he was irrevocably changed. He knew she would be his wife. But we also learn that Winston has been hiding his own secret--one that makes him question Poppy's true feelings for him. 

When Poppy's estranged husband's life is threatened, she will go to any length to protect him. It comes down to a battle of wit, strength, and courage--and someone's soul could be damned forever as a powerful demon seeks to destroy everything Poppy holds dear. 

Callihan crafts an amazing tale with intricate detail woven in just the right places and brought to an amazing climax that has you gasping for breath. 

I look forward to more from this series as I am sure there is so much more to be told. 

SEXY SNIPPETS TUESDAY

Tuesdays have never been so sexy!

Sexy Snippets is a weekly feature hosted by Reading Between the Wines for the 18+ crowd. To join in just grab the button, post a sexy paragraph or two from your current read and share the author & title so other participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like. Then add your post to the linky over at RBtW's blog post  so everyone can follow along. Have a sexy good time!

Title: Winterblaze 

Author: Kristen Callihan

Release Date: February 26, 2013

His expression was so stern that he might have been a marble carving. "I wanted to kiss you." He backed her up against the stone wall leading onto the Embankment. "I want you every thinking moment I have. I want you near. I want to hear your voice. Feel you." He leaned in, drowning her in his scent and his heat. "I want to take you hard, slow, every way in between. And the piss of it is, it's always been this way. From the moment I saw you." 

WOW! Winterblaze is book three of the Darkest London series, and one of the few historicals that I love to read. And the quote is from the hero, Winston, when he is talking to his estranged wife, Poppy. What a man! Loved this book and hope Kristen continues to write this series. 


Now it's your turn to show me your sexy!

ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ WOLFISHLY YOURS BY LYDIA DARE

Title: Wolfishly Yours (Westfield Wolves, Book 6)

Author: Lydia Dare

Release Date: November 1, 2012

ARC provided by NetGalley

Accustomed to running wild with her Lycan brothers in the swamps of Louisiana, Miss Liviana Mayeux is shipped off to London where Lady Hadley offers to sponsor and assist her. Before she knows it, Livi finds herself in the middle of a pack of English wolves who are all vying for her attention. But Lady Hadley's handsome son Grayson is determined to keep her out of trouble. If only he knew how...

I am a fan of Dare's flair for writing such beautiful and entertaining historical romance and especially her Westfield Wolves. I am attracted to her very sexy, very humorous characters and the witty dialogue that Dare pens in her books. 

Although Wolfishly Yours is not my favorite of this series, it was a pleasure reading about the familiar characters that I have grown to love. And I am happy that the Gray has finally received his HEA.

Liviana Mayeux, a native to New Orleans, is familiar with wolves. Her father and two brothers are Lycan and howl at the full moon every month. She just never thought she would end up falling for her very own furry wolf. When she is sent to England by her father's command, she is determined to find a way back home.

Livi's father regrets not raising his only daughter properly-more as a lady and not the outspoken woman she is today. So she is shipped overseas to England, where her grandfather is determined to not only transform her into a respectable lady, but to marry her off to one of the ton-a proper British nobleman. 

The Hadley brothers are far from proper and respectable. In fact, lady Sophia is in charge of these ruffians with the hope of taming their boorish ways. A task that she finds almost impossible, especially when it comes to Archer.

Lady Hadley, Grayson's mother, is put in charge of introducing Miss Livi to society and all good intentions fall to the wayside. Grayson knows he is not the best match for Livi Mayeux, especially if she desires to be a respectable lady. But his efforts to put Livi in the best light turn out to mar her reputation. Now he is left with no choice but to propose marriage--at the strong urging of his half-brother Dash.  

What I find overall appealing about this story is the humorous dialogue between the brothers and how Gray stumbles his way around the heroine, Livi.  His good intentions always seem to meet with a blundering mishap, which causes quite a stir in society.

But what I found lacking was the strong spark that usually is present in Dare's books. Gray and Livi's connection was only luke-warm at best and there were no real surprises in the story. 

Overall, Wolfishly Yours is a sweet, charming installment to the Westfield Wolves and fans of Dare will be at least satisfied that there is more to come.

ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ MOONGLOW BY KRISTEN CALLIHAN

Title:  Moonglow (Darkest London, Book Two)

Author:  Kristen Callihan

Publisher:  Forever

Release Date:  July 31, 2012

ARC provided by Net Galley

Once the seeds of desire are sown . . .

Finally free of her suffocating marriage, widow Daisy Ellis Craigmore is ready to embrace the pleasures of life that have long been denied her. Yet her new-found freedom is short lived. A string of unexplained murders has brought danger to Daisy's door, forcing her to turn to the most unlikely of saviors . . .

Their growing passion knows no bounds . . .

Ian Ranulf, the Marquis of Northrup, has spent lifetimes hiding his primal nature from London society. But now a vicious killer threatens to expose his secrets. Ian must step out of the shadows and protect the beautiful, fearless Daisy, who awakens in him desires he thought long dead. As their quest to unmask the villain draws them closer together, Daisy has no choice but to reveal her own startling secret, and Ian must face the undeniable truth: Losing his heart to Daisy may be the only way to save his soul.   Links to purchase book:   Amazon / B&N   Links for author:   Website / Goodreads / Twitter / Facebook    

 

Book Review  

Although Moonglow is book two in a series (Darkest London), you can read this without really any confusion pertaining to the backstory. However, I love to read in order and I loved Firelight--book one--and was excited about this newest release. So, I'll give you just a taste of what occurred in book one, Firelight.  

Ian Ranulf is introduced in the first book and he only whetted my appetite. He's a bit of a bad boy with a mysterious background. One that is only hinted at in Firelight. He is a player. A user of women's bodies--seeking only his pleasure and wanting no commitments.  

Although he maintains his distance, he can't help but have feelings for Miranda Ellis, the heroine in Firelight. It's not really explained what exactly intrigues him. But it does lend to some great jealousy scenes between Ian and Miranda's love, Lord Benjamin Archer.  It also leads to Ian Ranulf kidnapping the fiery red head and that act leads to some animosity when Miranda is returned.  

Moonglow starts out with Daisy Ellis Craigmore, sister to Miranda, is attacked by some wolfish creature and rescued by the handsome Marquis of Northrup--Ian Ranulf. He knows the creature is a rogue wolf and the deadly creature has set his sights on Daisy.  Ian swears to protect her and takes her to his home to tend to her injuries.  

What starts out very slowly at the beginning of Callihan's story, soon blooms and develops into a sizzling story between our hero and heroine.   Callihan has a gift for painting such a realistic scene, the reader can experience the sights and sounds of historical London. So great are her skills, you can practically smell the rank air from the Thames, feel the dampness of the fog seep into your bones, and ride along in an unforgettable carriage ride:

The delicate fabric tore to her waist with a renting sound that shot through the tense silence. "Sweet Jesus." It was more a prayer than anything. She was gorgeous. Full, creamy, teardrop-shaped breasts that thrust upward. Perfect tawny nipples the size of sovereigns that invited a man to linger. His hands covered the curve of her waist where her tender flesh had been abused by the binding corset. He smoothed his palms over the red marks, and she hissed as though his touch burned.

The historical genre is not my favorite one to read, but Callihan captures my attention with her vivid descriptions and sucker punches me in the solar plexus with an emotional read. I cannot wait for Winterblaze, book three of the Darkest London series.

BOOK REVIEW ~ EMMA LANG'S MATTHEW

Title: Matthew (Circle Eight, Book One)

Author: Emma Lang

Publisher: Kensington

Release Date:  February 1, 2012

Copy bought by reviewer

A man learns to hold what is his.

  

It is a vast spread in the eastern wilds of the newly independent Republic of Texas, the ranch their parents fought for … and died for. To the eight Graham siblings, no matter how much hard work or hard love it takes, life is unthinkable without family…


In the wake of his parents’ murder, Matthew Graham must take the reins at the Circle Eight. He also needs to find a wife in just thirty days, or risk losing it all. Plain but practical, Hannah Foley seems the perfect bride for him . . . until after the wedding night.


Their marriage may make all the sense in the world, but neither one anticipates the jealousies that will result, the treacherous danger they’re walking into, or the wildfire of attraction that will sweep over them, changing their lives forever.
 

I wasn't sure what to expect with this book. And I'm still scratching my head over it. Emma Lang also writes under the name Beth Williamson. I have read her book, Unbridled, which I truly enjoyed. But Matthew left me feeling a bit unsure if I would contine to read this series.


Granted, I typically don't read historicals, but because this was Beth Williamson, I decided to give it a try.


Matthew is the oldest of eight children, and lives on a ranch in Texas- early 1800's. After the unexpected murder of his parents, he is thrust into the role of head of the family and the weight of the heavy responsibility is almost paralyzing to this young cowboy.


He struggles to do the right thing-what his father would have done would he still be alive-and heads to Houston to claim the land promised him.  Only he finds out that he must be married in order to receive it. Hating to lie, but unable to just walk away, he makes up a name on the spot--Hannah.


Now he is on the search for a woman with the name Hannah to ask her to marry him.  All in order to save his father's dream of increasing their ranch and ensuring a promising future. 


I guess that is what has bugged me about this story. It's a little bit too contrived, too falls perfectly into place for my taste. But pushing that aside, Matthew is well written with accuracy of the time period always at the forefront. 


Hannah was a great character and I loved the her personal growth in this book. She struggels to become the woman Matthew needs and still manages to remain true to herself.  She has an unshakeable strength to be admired.


I tend to like my cowboys a little edgier--rougher and Matthew is not that. He is more gentle than I'd like and I never felt that "umph" I like to feel tingling you know where when I read a book.


Matthew is a sweet, easy to read, western romance that was just a wee bit too sweet for my taste. Avid readers of this genre will love Lang's portrayal of Matthew and this historical romance.

SEXY SNIPPET TUESDAYS

Tuesdays have never been so sexy!

Sexy Snippets is a weekly feature hosted by Reading Between the Wines for the 18+ crowd. To join in just grab the button, post a sexy paragraph or two from your current read and share the author & title so other participants can add the book to their TBR list if they like. Then add your post to the linky over on RBtW's blog post so everyone can follow along. Have a sexy good time!

This weeks SEXY SNIPPET:

Miranda's teeth sank into her lip.  Her corset became iron hands that would not let her breathe. His fingers brushed light as a kiss against her curls, and they both let out a pained gasp. Archer's chest heaved against her, his breathing raw as if he'd run miles.
"Open." His voice was a hot rasp against her ear.
Miranda swallowed hard. One step. Her knees buckled, and she clung to the wall, her eyes still shut tight.
His breath hitched. The blunt tip of his finger touched her flesh, and her head went light. She clung to the wall as that finger moved back and forth, so slow she thought she might scream.

Now I don't usually like historical romance, but this book rocked me from beginning to end. I loved Callihan's


Now it's your turn to show me your sexy!

ARC BOOK REVIEW ~ THE WOLF WHO LOVED ME BY LYDIA DARE

Title: The Wolf Who Loved Me (Westfield Wolves, Book Five)

Author: Lydia Dare

Publisher:  Sourcebook Casablanca

Mass Market Paperback: 384 pages

Expected Release Date: April 3, 2012
ISBN-10: 1402263465
ISBN-13: 978-1402263460
Genre: Paranormal Romance/Historical/Wolf

ARC Copy provided by Net Galley

Where to purchase book:
Amazon
Barnes and Noble
BAM




Where to find Authors:
Website

Goodreads

Facebook
Twitter

~ About the Authors ~

Lydia Dare is the pseudonym for the writing team of Tammy Falkner and Jodie Pearson. Both are active members of the Heart of Carolina Romance Writers and have sat on the organization's Board of Directors. Their writing process involves passing a manuscript back and forth, each one writing 1500 words after editing the other's previous installment. Jodie specializes in writing the history and Tammy in writing the paranormal. Both live near Raleigh, NC.

~ About the Book ~

A new sexy Regency paranormal trilogy by bestselling author Lydia Dare features hunky werewolves who need to learn how to behave in polite society. Can this pack of 'gentlemen' be trained in the ways of the ton, or is it too late to teach an old Lycan new tricks?

Lady Madeline Hayburn is called upon to lend her respectability and introduce the Hadley brothers to society. Mr. Weston Hadley admires her from afar, yet his very presence draws her in...

~ Other Books in the Series ~

 

Book One

 

Book Two





 



 












Book Four



Book Three



~ Book Review ~

I truly enjoyed this story from start to finish.

First off, I have only read the first of the Westfield Wolves Series--Book One, A Certain Wolfish Charm, to be exact. It has been a while since I have read this, but I am so glad that I decided to get back to the Westfield men and the other Regency gentlemen of Dare's world. Now I must go back and finish this delicious and wolfishly sexy series.

The Wolf Who Loved Me starts out with Madeline Hayburn, a young English lady whose father is determined to see her married. Her prospects are after her love...er...money and the thought leaves Maddie feeling that she will never truly experience a passion-filled marriage.

Weston Hadley, a poor relation to the charismatic Dash (The Taming Of The Wolf) has no hopes of ever being with the woman he has loved from afar--the beautiful and well-mannered Madeline Hayburn. He has no job, no money, and no chance to woo the woman he fell in love at first sight three years ago. So he chooses to stay to the shadows.

Circumstances put the two together after Madeline witnesses Weston's transformation into the big bad Wolf...and he can no longer stick to the shadows. He must keep her from revealing what she knows in order not only to protect himself--but others of his clan. Madeline and Wes have an explosive sexual chemistry that make for wicked nights and a steamy read as the two almost-strangers embark to Scotland via a very humorous carriage ride.

What follows is a very entertaining read and the pages flew as I soaked up the words of Lydia Dare's Regency Wolves...I laughed at the Hadley brother antics and the comical ignorance of Madeline as she covers herself in dung-YES--DUNG, mistaking it for mud.

The climatic conclusion was sappy yet sweet and I made an audible "AWWWW..." as I read the ending.

If you love historical romance with shifters to boot-Lydia Dare's THE WOLF WHO LOVED ME will truly charm you and wanting more.

4 Horny Devils