Musings on Romance

Tag: Sophie Eastlake (Page 3 of 4)

Divine Tarot by Thea Harrison, narrated by Sophie Eastlake

Divine TarotWhy I read it:  I was gifted this one.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads)  In “True Colors”
Alice Clark, a Wyr and schoolteacher, has had two friends murdered in as many days, and she’s just found the body of a third. She arrives at the scene only minutes before Gideon Riehl, a wolf Wyr and current detective in the Wyr Division of Violent Crime–and, as Alice oh-so-inconveniently recognizes at first sight, her mate.
But the sudden connection Riehl and Alice feel is complicated when the murders are linked to a serial killer who last struck seven years ago, killing seven people in seven days. They have just one night before the killer strikes again. And every sign points to Alice as the next victim.
In “Natural Evil”
Claudia Hunter is on a road trip through the Nevada desert when she sees the body of a dog on the side of the highway. Pulling over to investigate, she quickly determines that the enormous animal is clinging to life. While working to save him with the help of the local vet, Claudia realizes there’s something about the creature that seems “more.” Other. “Wyr.” Which makes this case of animal cruelty attempted murder.
Too injured to shape shift, Luis Alvaraz is reluctant to tell Claudia what he knows about his attack, afraid it will only make her a target. But the sheriff is corrupt, and his attackers know Luis is alive and vulnerable. To make matters worse, a sandstorm is sweeping into town, and if they’re going to survive the night, Luis will have to place all his trust in Claudia.

What worked for me (and what didn’t):  I’ve actually bought all the novellas in digital format but apart from the latest trio of novellas featuring Dragos, Pia and Peanut, I haven’t actually read any of them.  Bad Kaetrin. I found it easier to slip the novellas into my listening and, as Sophie Eastlake is a favourite narrator, I knew they’d be worthwhile.  I’m really happy that all the novellas are available on audio and are produced with such high quality. Continue reading

Carolina Blues by Virginia Kantra, narrated by Sophie Eastlake

CarolinaBluesaudioWhy I read it:  This is one from my personal library.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads)  Jack Rossi is Dare Island’s new police chief. The laid-back North Carolina community is just what he needs to recover from a rocky marriage and a big-city police department.  He’s learned his lesson: no more high-profile women or high-pressure jobs. The last thing he wants is an unconventional alt girl rocking his world.

Grad student Lauren Patterson made headlines when she kept a bank robbery from going bad.  She’s fled to Dare Island to clear her head and focus on writing her story. However, sexy Jack Rossi is a distraction that’s too hot to ignore, and it’s igniting an affair too combustible to resist—or quit.

But when their pasts come looking for them, Jack and Lauren find themselves fighting for the future they deserve, whatever the price.

What worked for me (and what didn’t):  It took me a while to warm up to the Lauren and Jack combination I think.  I liked Lauren and Jack separately but for some reason, I didn’t feel their connection or chemistry immediately.  By the end of the story I was convinced but unlike the earlier books in the series, I didn’t feel it jumped off the page (or, I should say, the iPod) from the start.
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October Round Up

Monthly Mini Review

Frozen MBFrozen by Meljean Brook – C The author kindly provided a review copy of this self-published paranormal novella.  I have great respect for her writing and some of my friends adore her books so I didn’t even really care what the book was about. That may have been a mistake – but then again, I’m not sure the blurb could have helped me out here.

Olivia Martin is a civil engineer working for Gullbrandr Engineering. On her way to spend Christmas with her family outside of Denver, she is asked to drop off some important papers by the CEO, to his son, Erik Gullbrandr, who is staying at their country property. Olivia and Erik first met some time ago and there were sparks of attraction and one very steamy kiss.  Erik shut things down very quickly.  Olivia thought initially this was because they were working together but after the project was finished, she asked him on a date and he turned her down flat.  Subsequently, Olivia’s company was bought out by Erik’s father’s company and they have been no more than colleagues. Olivia still nurses a crush on him – she admires and likes him and though he could be “the One”. She never understood the reason for his rejection.

Erik is horrified and enraged to see Olivia at his castle (it really is, with a portcullis and everything).  It turns out there’s a curse, he’s a paranormal being and on the winter solstice (2 days hence) he will lose control and fuck Olivia whether she wants it or not.  Something about Olivia has triggered the curse and Erik has been trying to keep away from her ever since. Continue reading

Carolina Home by Virginia Kantra, narrated by Sophie Eastlake

Carolina Home audiobookWhy I read it:  A well done small town romance is just what I was in the mood for.  Plus, I wanted to be caught up on the series before the third book comes out in March.

What it’s about: (from Goodreads)  Home to the Fletcher family for generations, Dare Island is a fishing village rocked by changing times – its traditions slipping away like sands of the North Carolina coast. Single dad and fishing boat captain Matt Fletcher deferred his own dreams to support his innkeeper parents and build a future for his sixteen-year-old son. Matt has learned to weather life’s storms by steering a steady emotional course…and keeping a commitment-free approach to love.

Newcomer Allison Carter came to Dare Island to escape the emotional demands of her wealthy family. The young teacher aims to build a life here, to make a lasting place for herself. She doesn’t want to be another Woman Who Once Dated Matt Fletcher. It’s both tempting and dangerous to believe she can be something more.

Then Matt’s brother Luke makes a sudden return home, with a child of his own – and a request that will change all their lives. With a child’s welfare at stake, Matt must turn to Allison to teach him to let go of the past, open his eyes…and follow his heart.

What worked for me (and what didn’t):  This story is in part about the Fletcher family – that arc is unresolved at the end of the book and I gather will be wrapped by by Luke’s story (the book coming out in March).  Then each book has a “complete” romantic storyline.  Matt is the eldest Fletcher (he’s 36), a single parent to son Josh, now 16.  His wife left him when Josh was just a baby and has had basically nothing to do with her son since.  Matt dropped out of college to support his wife and son and when his wife left, he moved back to Dare Island where his family have settled.  He is passionately committed to his family but leery of relationships.  After the devastation that was his marriage and seeing the hurt Josh experienced when at age 8 there was a (small and badly done) attempt by his mother to establish a relationship, he’s determined that he will protect himself and Josh from someone whom they will come to love, only for that person to leave them. He makes a reasonable living as a charter fishing captain, with some commercial fishing in the off season and he has very short term relationships with “summer girls” or off-island people that don’t impact his family.

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