Tag: book review

Review: A Beauty’s Bargain by Ashley R. Carlson

Liz MeldonLeave a comment

A Beauty’s Bargain was a part of the anthology that I participated in that was released this past November. I’ve finally started reading my fellow authors’ work in more detail, and I’m super proud to be sharing some thoughts with you about them.

It Begins Here, our anthology, has been getting lovely reviews from readers, and while I plan to write blurbs about the stories, I won’t rate them unless the authors have published them independently from the anthology (like myself and Ashley did). I have a thing about not giving anything I’ve worked on a star rating, so here we are.

 

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5 STARS

A Beauty’s Bargain is the perfect companion piece to Carlson’s The Charismatics. I wouldn’t necessarily recommend it as a standalone, and I personally don’t think it can be read before Charismatics. It really enriches the whole fictitious world, and I think serves as a great tasty treat while readers wait for the release of the second book in the series. I wish it was longer, but given it was written for the anthology I also wrote a 10K piece for, I absolutely understand why it isn’t. That being said, I can’t wait to read more on Merry’s story.

This short piece earned such a high rating from me because it really made me feel. As always, Carlson is a fantastic writer, and I feel this was one of her strongest pieces of written works to date. However, it was the very squicky (SPOILER) rape scene that sold me. It was just so awful and brutal, even though it was a fade to black, that I actually had a physical discomfort while reading it–and that to me is the mark of a talented writer. They make you feel things, good or bad. So I applaud Carlson once again for making me feel with her work, and I can’t wait to read more from her!

Check out the short story on Goodreads for more reviews and purchase links!

Review: Night Lover by Rosanna Leo

Liz Meldon2 Comments

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4 STARS

Whenever I read a lot of books by the same author, I find myself bracing for that one book that I won’t like. This will be book #4 that I’ve read from Rosanna Leo, and I’m happy to announce that this is NOT that kind of book. Night Lover was a gloriously sexy, well-written, heartfelt book that knew how to tug at my heartstrings and make me laugh.

It was my first experience reading about an incubus, which is strange, given all the paranormal stuff I enjoy, and I’m really enjoyed it. Going forward, my paranormal creatures list has definitely expanded. Leo’s incubus was sexy and alluring without the rape-y overtones that I feel the creature could drift toward (given what they are known for, anyway).

Renata was a really interesting lead for me. I’ve been plotting an aspiring opera singer character, and given Leo’s background, I was really excited to read about a character in the music profession who wasn’t a rock star. It was a really interesting shift in dynamics, so A++ for uniqueness. In fact, all of the characters were unique and well-developed, and I thought the curse factor was different and new. I think that’s a great way to describe this book: different and new. Hurray for breaking boundaries and barriers and all that jazz.

My only slight negative were the religious overtones toward the end, and I don’t think that hinders the book. Faith was described as basically anything, not necessarily religiously focused, but it just wasn’t up my alley. I think it will work for others, especially those who are connected to their own spirituality.

All in all, Night Lover was a fun, interesting, and dynamic read. I’d recommend it for all paranormal romance lovers who are ready for something a little different.

Check it out on Goodreads for more reviews and purchase links!