When He Was Bad- Review, part 2!

Wicked Ways, by Cynthia Eden.

The SECOND story in When he Was Bad, by Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden.

I have no words…Wicked Ways is just Hot, Hot, HOT!!!! I can’t even gush, I’m still fanning myself! Shew! LOVED it!!! Highly, HIGHLY recommend! I feel like I’m just repeating myself…

Ok, so Cain is…Spectacular, awesome, fantastic…all of the above? He is a great character, and I absolutely ADORE cat shifters. It doesn’t get any better than that for me. He is everything a cat shifter should be! Hot, Fierce, loyal, and did I mention hot? Right, back to what I was saying, living out on the boondocks is starting to look better and better!

Then we have Miranda, I sort of pictured her as a mousy kindergarten teacher with a kind voice, and a tiny fragile appearance, but boy, the girl can be fierce!

There’s a scene where she slaps Cain in hopes of getting the vampires attention, and man did she rock it! She starts out slow in the beginning with the ‘vampires aren’t real’ hyperventilating and full on melt down, but she quickly earns your attention once she goes up against Cain and his temper tantrum.

Those two are absolutely perfect for each other…they have better chemistry than any character I’ve seen so far! I seriously wish this story wasn’t a novella, I believe those two could’ve gone a lot further than the story allowed. I’ll definitely be on the lookout for them in future installments.

Highly recommend! I think I said that already…

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All in All, I really enjoyed both of these stories!!!

When He Was Bad...he was better than ever. -Review!

This time I’m reviewing ‘When He Was Bad’ by Shelly Laurenston and Cynthia Eden, which are BOTH on my top ten list of authors to watch for!

As it’s a two part book, this will be a two part review. The first being ‘Miss Congeniality’ by Shelly Laurenston, the second being ‘Wicked Ways’ by Cynthia Eden.

Miss Congeniality- by Shelly Laurenston.

Typically I go on and on about how much I love a story, let’s face it, I LOVE books, it isn’t that difficult to please me if the plot is decent and the characters are charming. But this time, in honor of Irene Cornridge (Main character) I’m not going to do that. I don’t feel like her witty genius would approve such drooling enthusiastic antics (Even if I really REALLY want to!). Unfortunately I’m not nearly as smart as her and have no concept of the Chaos Theory, much like her mate Van Holtz, and so I’m not able to use all the big words she no doubt would’ve used to put me and my pitiful review to shame.

However! I hope she would be pleased to at least know that I spent my Thursday night thoroughly enjoying her amusing dry wit. She was absolutely lovely! As someone who often finds herself unable to handle social situations, and always thinking about all the work I COULD instead be accomplishing, I found her complaining to be endearing. She wasn’t like any character I’ve read so far, and that is always a big accomplishment! I read a lot, so I get used to a certain type of female lead, especially ones in shifter novels, but this one! Irene is absolutely beautiful!!! She was funny in her own way, even when no one else understood her jokes, and her brutal honesty was so refreshing, you never had to guess if she was playing games. She didn’t mess around, she said everything that came to mind, and taught you a thing or two while she did!

Not to be outdone, she has a mate, (Van Holtz) that simply refuses to be put off by what others deem to be her ‘cold demeanor’ She isn’t cold, not by a long shot! She’s clinical, but then when you’ve been kidnapped by government agents at the tender age of twelve for being too smart, who wouldn’t be?!

All in all, without giving too much away, I’ve got to say, as a novella the story was great! Typically with novella’s you can feel when they’re rushed for word count, but I kept forgetting this one wasn’t a full book. All the bases were covered! I would highly recommend this to anyone who loves a good action romance, as well as dry witty humor. If you’ve ever felt like a freak, or if you simply want to know how the other side (Smart and rich) lives, then definitely check it out!!!

Awesome read!!! Thank you, 1984! Oh and the fabulous author, Shelly Laurenston too…obviously! 

Terry Spear's- A Howl for the Highlander REVIEW!

I received this book a while back, and it shoulda been done, waaaaay before now, but with all the family stuff going on, I’ve had to postpone my reviews, until now!!! Family stuff is finally taken care of, and I am back on track! Yesterday I reviewed Saranna DeWyldes, “How to Seduce an Angel”, TODAY I’m reviewing yet another Terry Spear book, this one’s called “A Howl for the Highlander”

Before you even ask, yes…I LOVE Terry Spear books. I’ve always loved them, and with each one I read, I know that I will ALWAYS love them. She is a fantastic author, and I am in love with her highlander series. This is the second, I believe, of this particular series, and while it’s a standalone, I recommend you read the first one, ‘The Heart of the Highland Wolf’, as you’ll love the way they weave together.

I love reading books in order, I love knowing what happened before, and why these characters are here, what they’re doing, and WHY!! The why is very important to me, and terry Spear never gets off track, throughout the book you always know what the characters are doing, and to what goal they’re trying to achieve, and I love that about her books!

Having read the first book, (The Heart of the Highland Wolf) I already knew a little about the main male character, Duncan. He’s a warrior at heart, who simply wants go get back what was stolen from him family. He’s loyal kind, and everything a she-wolf would want in a mate.

Including, Shelly! She’s a wolf with a history, a wrong-side-of-the tracks sort, in an unusual sense. I’d tell you….but it’s much better if you read it and find out what I mean. They’re both from Scotland, but only Duncan lives in a castle.

Having spent her life in Texas with her small family, Shelly has dedicated her life to research- her cause is noble, but no good deed goes unpunished, and before long, Shelly is up to her fur in the same battle waging between Duncan and the man who stole his family’s fortune.

Together, they’ll learn what it all means, and along the way, what they mean to each other!

If murder, money, werewolves, and romance aren’t enough, there’s plenty of family dynamics to keep you entertained, not to mention a paradise just waiting to be explored.

“A Howl for a Highlander” is the second standalone installment in this series, so look for ‘A Highland Werewolf wedding, where you’ll get to meet yet another of the delicious, MacNeill brothers, and learn what it truly means to be part of the pack.

If it isn’t obvious yet, I LOVED LOVED LOVED this book, the characters are so realistic (even for werewolves), their issues believable, and the descriptions! I love the way Terry Spear makes it so easy to jump right in from the first chapter; definitely another movie-in-your-head type.  

Hot, action packed, and full of werewolf mayhem to keep you reading late into the night, “A Howl for the Highlander” is a definite keeper, and I look forward to reading “A Highland Werewolf wedding next!”

New Review! How to Seduce an Angel in 10 Days, by Saranna DeWylde.

Finally! A new review!!

Ok, I know it’s been a couple months since I’ve posted a review. I’ve had quite a bit of family things and real life getting in the way, but I finally have a new review for you!

This one’s called: How to seduce an Angel in 10 days, by Saranna DeWylde…and let me just warn you- I only meant to read ONE chapter before bed…

Except, I couldn’t put it down! At the end of each chapter I kept thinking, I really need to go to bed, I have things to do tomorrow, but I just COULD NOT stop! This book is delicious!

If you’ve read my reviews, you know I’m a huge fan of Saranna DeWylde, so I KNEW that I would like this book, but I LOVED it so much more than I imagined.

Recently I haven’t been able to read much, what with the family issues, I just haven’t had the time, energy, or focus, but I picked up this book, knowing that I would like it, that there would no risk, and I’m so glad I did!!! I feel so much better!

“How to Seduce an Angel in 10 Days” is the third in a standalone series, the first being: “How to Lost a Demon in 10 Days” and the second being- How to Marry a Warlock in 10 Days.” Again, these are standalone books, you’ll have no trouble reading them out of order, but I highly recommended it to fully grasp the family dynamics.

I’m trying really hard not to turn into a squealing fan-girl, but this book, in my opinion, was AWESOME.  It’s snarky, romantic, full of action and passion! What better what to get to know cupid, and his lady love?

Falcon, one of the trifecta of doom (You’ll recognize from: How to Marry a Warlock in 10 Days.) has a new job, all thanks to Tally, his sister’s best friend. Now, I could tell you how he ended up being cupid, or what Tally had to do with it, but it would kinda spoil ‘How to Marry a Warlock’. Anyway, imagine a cute, buff hunk of a guy in pink…glittery…angel wings. Yah, it’s a little funny, but oh so adorable!!

Now, imagine a girl that has been around, and pretty much given up on her happily ever after, she’s done some pretty bad things, against her will, and wants nothing more than to redeem herself to her friends and family, never mind the rest of the witching world.

But redemption is not the only thing, the fates have in store for them, they’re having a hard time remembering why it is they never succumbed to their budding desires before, and well as breaking ALL the rules, to save the world! Because you know it wouldn’t be a Saranna DeWylde book if the world wasn’t going to hell in a hand basket.

Through in a couple werewolves, a few demons, a couple angels, and a man eating fiend? Yah, it goes there!

I honestly am in love with this book, and this author! I would read it again, and again, and again! I highly recommend reading ‘How to Seduce an Angel’ (as well as her others) - you’ll be happy you did. Definitely a keeper that will keep you reading till the sun comes up…literally, I’m really tired, but it’s SO worth it!

 I can’t wait to see what she comes out with next!!!!

Warning: Adult scenes and languages.

Hotter Than Hell: Excerpt

"I liked summer; I liked that I could wear my flip-flops, and that my neck didn’t get cold when I wore my hair back, and that I could paint my toe nails, and they wouldn’t be hidden beneath snow boots, or tennis shoes. I liked not having to wear gloves to scrape snow off my car, and being able to walk down the street for a coffee, without freezing my ass off. Ok, so I didn’t like sweating to death either, but hey, some sacrifices were worth making. I liked the freedom summer provided. Which was why I was able to walk to the coffee shop in only my sandals, a tank top, and a pair of jogging shorts, even though it was almost midnight. I would have liked it even more, except that I lived on the very edge of the bad part of town, and sometimes late at night, you could hear people scream. Tonight was one of those nights."


- An Excerpt from something I am working on, called: Hotter Than Hell


"I'm already hooked before even looking at any of the chapters.. if your chapter writings are anything like your hook at the end of this excerpt, then I don't have any doubt that I will really like whats to follow as well. Looking forward to reading more!" - review from reader on writing. com

-cssndrmks ©

Must Love Vampires, by Heidi Betts. Review

Must Love Vampires, by Heidi Betts

So I haven’t had a lot of down time lately to finish my book reviews and of course their stacking up, which isn’t completely unusual, but I finally got around to finishing Must Love Vampires, which was on the top of my list,  and I gotta say, as far as a fast paced read, it’s pretty good.

I typically like books that take longer to finish, as I like the extreme details, and complicated plots, but I knew I wasn’t going to have a whole lot of time to finish this one, so I chose Must Love Vampire, because it has two short stories in it.

One, Vampnapped is about a woman whose bored making up stories for a conspiracy newspaper, and decides to delve into one she thinks will be more truthful, based on her sister’s boss, whom she believes to be a night-walking, blood-sucking, vampire.

What she finds is a more truth and honesty than she bargained for, as well as a whole lot more she could have never expected.

Of course, being that this is a paranormal romance, we all suspect her assumptions to be true, which is a little why I don’t usually get into these types of books, as I’ve mentioned before in earlier reviews. They are usually a little short on detail as they've got a limited amount of space, and the plot is slightly rushed, again, because of a limited amount of space. HOWEVER, this was a nice quick, fun read, very juicy at some points, and conclusive as well.

I would like to see this expanded into a full length novel, both books as maybe a series instead of packed into one title, but none the less I enjoyed the read.

The second story is called Married with Fangs, and it’s about said sister, who works in a casino as a dancer, who’s had the fortune of finding herself in a whirl wind relationship with the wealthy brother of her boss.

Thinking to finally find her son a father, and a husband for herself, so that she may retire from her hip-thrusting, high-kicking routine, she’s agreed to her sister’s outrageous schemes, and decides to marry the man of her dreams on the sly, in a little chapel, unbeknownst to both their families.

As I mentioned, I could have done with a little more plot, maybe a little intrigue or mystery, but overall, I enjoyed the story, and it had me smiling, and even laughing in several places.

I loved the ending, as it included both stories intertwining, with a lot more detail. Much more like the full length novel I’m used to. Definitely going on the keeper shelf, so be sure and check it out.  It’s everything you want and expect in a vampire story. 

How to Marry a Warlock in 10 Days, by Saranna DeWylde, review.

Recently I read How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days, by the same author, and in my previous review, I mentioned that I had a little bit of a hard time getting into it, although, I’m glad I stuck with it, I was expecting to have the same problem here, however….O.M.G does not even begin to cover how much I love How to Marry a Warlock in 10 Days.

It’s just soooo amazing….I’m gushing, yah, I know, It’s a no-no, but when a book is this good, how can you not? I mean seriously?  There were similar elements as in How to Lose a Demon, elements, that I am coming to LOVE. I’ve said love twice, and I haven’t even begun to describe the book yet. Yah, it was that good.

Ok, so we have Midnight, or Middy to her friends, a good little virgin witch, who spent most her childhood being taunted by the now, sexy warlock Dred, she’s developed a bit of a love-hate relationship with him, as he’s haunted her childhood, he’s also haunted her fantasies.

He’s everything a single, red-blooded witch would want, even Middy, who’s spent most of her days planning fundraisers, and fantasizing to his image. She’s sassy, quirky, and a perfect match for the Dred.

Dred, as a rule, is one of the witching world’s most notorious bad boys, he’s popular with the ladies, but not just that, but he has a rap sheet, one Middy isn’t buying into. She still sees him as the annoying boy who tormented her in school, but she knows he isn’t the bad guy everyone makes him out to be. He might be able to drop panties with a single look, but she’s got him figured out.

In this story however, the one you’d assume would be the bad guy, was ACTUALLY another good guy, who simply lost out. The real monster…was a shock as well, so no cliché’s here to worry about.

Note that I adore books that theme witches, and warlocks, so maybe I’m a bit biased, but all the flying brooms, magic spells, and quirky tid bits simply secure my fascination. Like most of the romances I read, there was mystery, mayhem, and of course the steamy parts that we all enjoy.  

There where so many parts to this book, that it’s hard to pinpoint which is my favorite, as there were several times, I literally laughed out loud, Middy, and Dred are a brilliant couple, and this book, in my opinion, is simply awesome; particularly the scene in which Middy finds herself face to face with not only her obedient ‘fantasy’ Dred, but the real one as well, who’s just walked in on her private moment. I wish I could list them all, but what would be the fun in that?

I am soooo looking forward to the next story in this series, and I’m praying it’ll have one of Middy’s brothers as the lead because I am loving the Trifecta of Doom.

If you haven’t read the first book, How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days, no worries, they are capable of standing on their own, though seeing the way they weave together was pretty cool too.

Saranna DeWylde has definitely made it to my top ten!

This book is humorous, romantic, kick-ass, and simply amazing! Read it, if you liked How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days, you will LOVE this one.

Amazon link

Review for; How to Lose a Demon in 10 Days, by Saranna DeWylde

Ok, so I ALMOST gave up on this book.

Yah I’m ashamed. After the first couple chapters, it didn’t seem at all like the type of book I typically enjoy, and so I went in search of other reviews, hoping to see whether or not the book picked up, or if I was wasting my time.

About 3 chapters in, I’d yet to see the story everyone seemed to be raving about, BUT an eternal optimist, I decided to give it one last shot, and I’ve gotta say, I’m extremely pleased.

About halfway through, I realized, like so many others, I was in love with this book. So, a big thank you to the reviewers who convinced me to keep reading, it was definitely worth it.

So, in the beginning, I was a little confused as to what the story was actually about, though I’d read the synopsis before choosing the book. We have a woman, clearly scorned, not once but many many times, who has somehow managed to hang on to her sanity despite having her child taken from her…a child that- *spoiler* will leave that part to you to find out.

She’s managed to get herself a contract with a crowned prince of hell, in order to wreck revenge, which normally turns out bad for the scorned. However in this story, we see a different take. It isn’t always about blood, and death, and making people pay, sometimes it’s simply about learning a lesson, and being put through the type of trials, that only the strong, and truly good at heart can learn.

I was a bit surprised with Nadja’s demise…it wasn’t the big bang, and burning flames one usually expects with the evil, but then, that’s what made the story different, and exciting, never knowing what was about to happen, where some books have become so cliché.  Of course, Nadja has Sasha to thank, sure he was a body-disposing mob boss’s lackey, but he had a good heart…mostly, and he DID love her. I suppose that love is what got them *spoiler*…rewards?  You’ll have to read to find out that as well.

I was however EXTRMELY pleased with Grace and Caspian’s ending, after all it wouldn’t be a romance without a happily ever after, and it was well and truly earned.

There were some other, humorous and sweet relationships to be seen, which only helped the book to be so much more than the evil plot buried inside. I was well and truly thankful for those other bits, as they made the more bitter parts with Michael easier to swallow, a good combination of good versus evil. Especially Grace’s grandmother…She was perhaps one of my favorite characters.

All in all, I gotta say, slow to start maybe, but I LOVED this story so much! I highly recommend it to anyone who likes quirky, snarky characters, who, while just wanting to find love, simply cannot do things the easy way. A little hard work goes a long way though, and nothing worth having is ever easily gained. Definitely gonna keep an eye out for more of Saranna DeWylde’s books; an obvious 5 star novel in my opinion.

Do keep in mind that this is an adult book, and there are explicit details. 

Wed or Dead. By Cynthia Eden, Novella review, Pt.2 (Howl For It)

Just finished the second story in “Howl For It” called, ‘Wed or Dead’ by Cynthia Eden, about a Hunter, who somehow falls in love with her prey.

As I suspected, this story was A-M-A-Z-I-N-G!!!  “Howl For It” is really making me want to reconsider my novella policy. As I stated before, I typically don’t read books with more than one story in them, because I usually find them lacking in details, and quality. I don’t like to feel rushed when I’m enjoying a good story, but with this one, rather than feeling as though you are being shoved at warp speed through the set-up, you are dropped dead center into the action, with just enough back story to keep you interested, while simultaneously giving you ample time to fall in love.

I liked the first story by Shelly Laurenston, which was called ‘Like a wolf without a bone’, but I LOVED ‘Wed or Dead’ by Cynthia Eden.

This being my first story by Cynthia Eden, I wasn’t really sure what to expect,  but again, I am so, so, SO glad I gave this book a chance, as it’s definitely going on the keeper shelf.

In this story, we have the female lead, Kayla, a bad-ass; take charge, paranormal butt-kicking human, whose fate led her to a small chapel in Sin City, where she’s married male lead, wolf shifter, and all around good-guy Gage.

Apart, they have their secrets, prey and predator, a kill or be killed type of story that leaves you wondering, just how they managed to fall in love to begin with. But together, they are a love so strong that even family ties cannot keep them apart. They perfectly balance each other in ways; I’ve yet to see in a similar setting.

I love Kayla’s ‘Oh hell-no’ attitude, as well as Gage’s ‘Touch her and die’ stance; to me, they are the perfect couple, matched in both wits, and strength, though completely different in race.

I highly recommend this book, to anyone who likes fast, action packed drama, with a little love, blood, and lust thrown in for good measure. I’d consider this a paranormal romance, but true to my love of detailed plots, I gotta say, I would love to see ‘Wed or Dead’ as a full length novel, or even a sequel would be awesome!

Cynthia Eden has for sure made it on to my authors to watch for list, so expect more reviews from her books in the future, as I intend to hunt those down as well.

The review for the first novella in “Howl For It”, ‘Like a Wolf With a Bone’ by Shelly Laurenston is currently available, so check that out as well, and of course, for a synopsis, this book is published by Kensington, so don’t forget to check out their site as well. 

Amazon link