Wild Man Review

What did I think of...

Wild Man by Kristen Ashley

 

Description:

She's about to walk on the wild side . . .

While filling the display case in her bakery, the bell over the door sounds and Tessa O'Hara looks up to see the man of her dreams. Within thirty seconds he asks her out for a beer. But after four months of dating, she discovers he's an undercover DEA agent-and he's investigating her possible role in her ex-husband's drug business. For Tess, this means their relationship is over.

Brock disagrees. He's committed to his anti-drug mission, but he's fallen in love with the beautiful woman who's as sweet as her cupcakes-and he'll do anything to win her back. Standing between Tess and Brock are their own exes, one of them a drug lord who's determined to get what he wants. Now as danger threatens, can Brock break the rules he's lived by and let loose his wild side to protect the woman he loves?  

 

 

 

Genre: Romantic Suspense/ Abuse/ Chick-lit/ Dirty Romance
Series: Dream Man (#2)
Published on: December 11, 2012
Pages: 528 pages
Format: Paperback
Source: Library
Average rating: 4.21 
My rating: 5 stars!

 

Gosh, Wild Man has got to be one of my favorites in the Dream Man series! From the growly, wildness of Brock Lucas, to the sweet and sugariness of Tess O'Hara's mountainous swirl, this series has always made me feel the feels, laugh and truly escape my reality and delve into the world of Dream men.

 

In case you don't know, our sweet Tessa is a baker, and owns her own bakery. Her sweets (or so I read) are absolutely to die for, and Tess has many cake rack's at home that are known for never being empty. While we're on the subject of Tess, I just have to say, that she has got to be one of the sweetest Kristen Ashley heroines of all. Of course, the book three of this series, Law Man, features Ten Point Five Mara, and she definitely gives our sweet Tess a run for her money. But, I am of the opinion, that Tess is definitely still the sweetest, and most non-confrontational.

 

 

 

Brock Lucas, is one of the more growly heroes, and also one of the most caring, as he likes for his Tess to live a Teflon coated life, and doesn't ever want her to worry about anything, or need to; she must always feel safe. Which made him all the more endearing to read.

 

 

 

You have to know, that Brock Lucas in Wild Man, is Skull, from Mystery Man. Yes, I hated him in Mystery Man, too. But, after reading this book, that anger and hate immediately evaporated!

 

Poof!

 

I know that this review was more of a character analysis, but really, for me, this book was all about the characters. But don't worry, there's plenty of action, sass, and wild hairs to go around!!

 

Highly recommended, but you do need to read the perquisite to this book, Mystery Man before you start Wild Man.

 

XOXO,

Kat

 

 

Golden Dynasty Review

What did I think of...

The Golden Dynasty by Kristen Ashley

 

Description: Circe Quinn goes to sleep at home and wakes up in a corral filled with women wearing sacrificial virgin attire - and she is one of them. She soon finds out that she’s not having a wild dream, she’s living a frightening nightmare where she’s been transported to a barren land populated by a primitive people and in short order, she’s installed very unwillingly on her white throne of horns as their Queen.

Dax Lahn is the king of Suh Tunak, The Horde of the nation of Korwahk and with one look at Circe, he knows she will be his bride and together they will start The Golden Dynasty of legend.

Circe and Lahn are separated by language, culture and the small fact she’s from a parallel universe and has no idea how she got there or how to get home. But facing challenge after challenge, Circe finds her footing as Queen of the brutal Korwahk Horde and wife to its King, then she makes friends then she finds herself falling in love with this primitive land, its people and especially their savage leader.

 

 

Genre: High Fantasy/ Magic/ Paranormal romance/ Adult/ Supernatural/ ** Romance/
Series: Fantasyland

Published on: August 22nd, 2011

Pages: 485 pages

Format: ebook- Kindle

Source: Amazon Kindle

Average rating: 4.5 stars
My rating: 5 stars

 

Golden Dynasty was pure gold. Yes, I'm saying that because of the title, but I'm also saying it because its true. The writing, as usual, was so smooth, and so real, and so raw, enabling me to feel this book deep. \

 

Golden Dynasty had a lot of themes that I, and fellow readers, I'm sure, will struggle with. Such as men holding power over their women, rape, and other culturally and morally offensive themes.

 

When reading this book, you do have to remember that the culture of this book, Korwahk, is totally different in all ways and is meant to be more primal and animalistic, and in some ways, it made this book infinitely sweeter, and raw.

 

I'm writing this review some two weeks after I read the book, and I'm still having trouble getting my thoughts together, (and remembering things I wanted to say), but all I can really tell you with this one, is it is totally worth it. This is one of those books that you just delve into, neglect the world, and don't come up for air until its done (or your bladder demands you to). Some readers, I know, struggled with some of the context, but I was not one of those. I think some people need to remember, that these contexts are part of the book, and you and the character's struggle with them is the whole point of the story!!

 

This is definitely one of those magical Kristen Ashley reads, that I just can't even articulate how amazing it was...

 

I leave you with a few quotes from the book! Enjoy and read it tomorrow!

 

 This is my Circe by the way!! ;)

 

 

 

 

 

XOXO,

Kat 

 

 

Stay with Me Review

What did I think of...

Stay with Me by Jennifer L. Armentrout/ J Lynn

 

 

Description:

 

At 21, Calla hasn’t done a lot of things. She’s never been kissed, never seen the ocean, never gone to an amusement park. But growing up, she witnessed some things no child ever should. She still carries the physical and emotional scars of living with a strung-out mother, Mona—secrets she keeps from everyone, including her close circle of college friends.

But the safe cocoon Calla has carefully built is shattered when she discovers her mom has stolen her college money and run up a huge credit card debt in her name. Now, Calla has to go back to the small town she thought she'd left behind and clean up her mom’s mess again. Of course, when she arrives at her mother’s bar, Mona is nowhere to be found. Instead, six feet of hotness named Jackson James is pouring drinks and keeping the place humming.

Sexy and intense, Jax is in Calla’s business from the moment they meet, giving her a job and helping her search for Mona. And the way he looks at her makes it clear he wants to get horizontal . . . and maybe something more. Before Calla can let him get close, though, she’s got to deal with the pain of the past—and some very bad guys out to mess her up if she doesn’t give them her mom.

Rating: 4.2 stars

Genre's:

 

 

Stay with Me was a really fun read... and more action packed than some of her previous books. I have noticed that through the three of her books in this series; Wait for Me, Be with Me, and Stay with Me; it's been getting more and more action-y. Wait for Me... not really, Be with Me, was more hit and run with the action, but Stay with Me had dead bodies, drug deals, and was a rocky ride.

 

In Be with Me, Calla was the tough-girl, totally outgoing and badass... but I feel like her personality was altered a ton. She had less of a backbone than Teresa did, and was a character with a weaker personality and backbone, which sucked, but I thought it made her even  more real. Because of all she's been through, it made her seem like more of a real person, that she had a weaker mentality of herself and what she deserved than others, and made me enjoy Jax "reeducating" her on herself.

 

Jax, however, was great! A previous military man, he flip-flopped from the outrageous flirting that was Jace from Be with Me, to a more alpha-possessive-protective side than both Jace and Cam possessed.

 

 

"I gotta tell you that I love you that I love you, Calla," he said, and I was surprised the heart monitor didn't catch the fact that it felt like my heart had stopped for a moment. "No bullshit. I do. I love the way you think, even if it's annoying as fuck at times and even then it's still cute. I love that there's a shit ton of things you've never gotten to experience and that you're going to get to experience them with me. That I have that honor. I love your strength and everything you've survived. I love your courage and I love that you make shit drinks, but no one cares because you're so damn nice. I'm pretty sure you're Long Island iced teas could kill people, but that's okay." His lips curved up on one side as his gaze held mine steadily. "I love your sense of humor and the fact you never ate grits before. There's so much that I love about you that I know I'm in love with you. So, honey, you can have all my shirts you want."

 

 

Yes, all of that was in response to Calla admitting that when she thought they were over (which they were not), she stole her favorite of his shirts. This totally made me fall in love with him more than I already was!!

 

I highly recommend this and any other Jennifer L. Armentrout book- she is one of my go-to authors because I know that any book of hers will make me fall in love, cry, laugh and be entertained.

 

 

 

XOXO,

Kat

 

 

Angel's Blood and Archangel's Kiss Review

What did I think?

Angels' Blood by Nalini Singh
Archangel's Kiss by Nalini Singh

Description:

Vampire hunter Elena Deveraux knows she is the best- but she does not know if even she is good enough for this job. Hired by the dangerously beautiful archangel Raphael, a being so lethal that no mortal wants his attention, Elena knows failure is not an option—even if the task is impossible.

Because this time, it's not a wayward vamp she has to track. It's an archangel gone bad.

The job will put Elena in the midst of a killing spree like no other—and pull her to the razor's edge of passion. Even if the hunt does not destroy her, succumbing to Raphael’s seductive touch just might. For when archangels play, mortals break.

Wow. I've held Nalini Singh on a high pedestal after having read one of her books, Rock Hard, and was completely blown away. Now, after having read this book, Angels' Kiss, I understand it even more.

I have to admit, I rolled my eyes when I heard the male lead was Raphael, Archangel. I mean, Raphael? I did not think I could connect with that name. Raphael. Raphael. Raphael. But, once again, I was wrong.

Genre's:  

 

 

 

 

 

Yes, let's start with Raphael. Wow, was I wrong about the name. I just wouldn't be the same with a Gabriel, or a Michael (all of which are anti-hot names, but of which I have been proved wrong for with Gabriel). He was the epitome of powerful and sweet. Singh does a good job of preserving his Archangel ways, while still promoting the something between Elena and Raphael, as well as mortalizing him.

 

Elena was my favorite kind of character. She was strong and proud and smart. Strong in her willpower, determination, humanity and hunter-born capabilities; Proud in her strength, intelligence, capabilities, and personality; smart in her capabilities, confident in her capabilities but smart enough and not proud enough to know when to shut it and run, to play her strengths in her perceived weakness.

 

The two of them together? Passionate, sweet and HOT! I have to say, Archangel/warrior sex? Written by Nalini Singh? Beyond hot.

 

Star rating: Angel's Blood: 4.9 stars 

                     Archangel's Kiss: 4.8 stars

 

 

XOXO,

Kat

 

 

Burn for Me Review

What did I think of...

Burn for Me by Ilona Andrews

 

 

Description:

Nevada Baylor is faced with the most challenging case of her detective career—a suicide mission to bring in a suspect in a volatile case. Nevada isn’t sure she has the chops. Her quarry is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, who can set anyone and anything on fire.

Then she’s kidnapped by Connor “Mad” Rogan—a darkly tempting billionaire with equally devastating powers. Torn between wanting to run or surrender to their overwhelming attraction, Nevada must join forces with Rogan to stay alive.

Rogan’s after the same target, so he needs Nevada. But she’s getting under his skin, making him care about someone other than himself for a change. And, as Rogan has learned, love can be as perilous as death, especially in the magic world.  

 

Genre's:

 

 

 



But oh my gosh, this book was one of the best I've read to date! I'd say this series will rival Kate Daniels, Ilona Andrews' other stellar series.

 

Ilona Andrews, for me, at least, is known for her slow-burn romances. Mmm, it builds, and builds, and builds until you're squirming in your seat reading this, just the flirting, and YUM!

 

Nevada, besides the super badass name, is in a bit of a dither. Her arm has been twisted to go all bounty hunter on a Prime Magic Wielder (top level) fire Mage, who acts like a teenager. He's way powerful, and though Nevada doesn't have the manpower to go after the guy, she's forced to in order to not lose her business and her house. However, once she's kidnapped by a deliciously dangerous Prime by the name of Mad Rogan, things start to change... and heat way the hell up.

 

Mad Rogan is probably the most powerful mage in the area, maybe even on the continent. There is no controlling a guy like him, wielding an inhuman magic, and the two team up to catch the fiery fugitive.

 

Burn for Me was chock-full of suspense, humor and passion--- and I highly recommend this fabulous read!!

 



Wildest Dreams Review

What did I think of...

Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

Description:
Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime.

But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.

Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes but instead, his Finnie, a free-spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting.

But at the same time Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and… dragons.  

Genre's:

Ohmigod, this book was sooo good! I was immediately sucked into the parallel universe of twins, with Finnie the Ice Queen and Frey the Drakkar.

Here's how it goes.
Finnie is always looking for the next adventure and can't keep still for long. Her parents, of whom she loved dearly, were killed when she was young and when she learns of a parallel universe where there are twins of every person in this realm... she jumps at the chance to switch with the twin of the other realm to see her parents. While Finnie was completely honest about the reasoning behind her wanting the switch, the other one was not. As soon as Finnie lands in the other realm, she is whisked off to marry Frey Drakkar. Very scary. Very hot. Very powerful. Very terrifying. He's is the leader of the elves, and controller of the dragon, and the marriage is to be an alliance, in order to put the true heir on the throne. However, the twin was gay.... and Frey thinks that Finnie is gay when is, well, not.
Very quickly, he discovers that something is amiss, using words like "cool" "dick-headed" and "straight from the movies", especially when she is aghast at the existence of elves and dragons.

However, Frey very quickly falls for Finnie, and hard, and Finnie does the same. Soon, however, there is assassination attempts, dragons, sailing and a little friendly cheating.

Wildest Dreams was beyond my, well, Wildest Dreams. I was so impressed with the execution of this novel, the writing, the characters... everything was just so. Finnie and Frey were so fun to read individually, but together, oh man. I hope the worlds that Kristen Ashley spins with her pen (rather, keys) really do exist, just the way that she tells them... and men like that, too! Can I say, yummy?

Anyway, Wildest Dreams was amazing, and I fully expect to finish this series within a week... if I didn't have four library books due Monday ;)

Currently Reading

What am I reading?

Wildest Dreams by Kristen Ashley

 

 

 

OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG, OMG. *Don't do shouty-captials, Kate* *Don't be the capital bitch* *Deep breath*. Wow. This is really good. Ready? This is how good it is... *MESMERIZED SILENCE*

 

Description:

Seoafin “Finnie” Wilde was taught by her parents that every breath was a treasure and to seek every adventure she could find. And she learns this lesson the hard way when they perish in a plane crash. But she never forgets and when she discovers there is a parallel universe where every person has a twin, she finds a witch who can send her there so she can have the adventure of a lifetime.

But upon arrival in the Winter Wonderland of Lunwyn, she realizes she’s been played by her twin and finds herself walking down the aisle to be wed to The Drakkar.

Thrown into inauspicious circumstances, with years of practice, Finnie bests the challenges and digs into her adventure. But as Frey Drakkar discovers the woman who is his new wife is not Princess Sjofn, a woman he dislikes but instead, his Finnie, a free-spirit with a thirst for venture just like him, without her knowledge he orders his new bride bound to his frozen world, everlasting.

But at the same time Frey plunges Finnie into a web of political intrigue that includes assassination plots, poison, magic, mystery and… dragons.

 

Kristen Ashley, my home girl, just gets better and better. Not only is she a fan-fucking-tastic romantic suspense-action writer, but she writes fantasy that is just as good if not better!

 

Currently at: 80%, and counting

Thoughts: Oh my god, Oh my god, Oh my God, Oh my God! Yeeeeeeeessssss!

 

Genres:

 

 

 

 

 

Wildest Dreams is a highly recommended read, of which I highly recommend!

 

XOXO,

Kat