"In the Heat of the Bite" Review

"In the Heat of the Bite"
by Lydia Dare

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: July 1, 2011 
Source: ARC sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Chivalry is far from undead...
Matthew Halkett, Earl of Blodswell, is one of the few men in the ton who can claim to be a knight in shining armor- because that's precisely what he was before being turned into a vampyre. When he spies a damsel in distress in the midst of a storm in Hyde Park, his natural instinct is to rush to her aid...
But not every woman needs to be rescued...
Weather-controlling witch Rhiannon Sinclair isn't caught in a storm-she's the cause of it. She's mortified to have been caught making trouble by the imposing earl, but she doesn't need any man-never has, and is sure she never will...
But when Rhiannon encounters Matthew again, her powers go awry and his supernatural abilities run amok. Between the two of them, the ton is thrown into an uproar. There's never been a more tempestuous scandal...

My Review:

This was my second book by Lydia Dare and I'm really glad I gave this author a second chance. I admit that after reading "It Happened One Bite," I was kind of wondering what all the hubbub was about surrounding the author. But after reading this book, I now understand! This was such a fun historical paranormal with a lot of romance, laughs and nothing too creepy on the paranormal front.

I heard a bit of negativity about the "prose" not being historically accurate enough. So, if you're a stickler for accuracy, you many have some complaints with this one. But I honestly loved the humor, readability, and campy fun that the more modern language brought to the story.

The romance was really cute and sweet-not what you normally see in paranormal romance land. I liked how 'gentlemanly' Matthew behaved. The ultimate ending of their love story was a little over the top, but very satisfying to a happy ending lover like myself.

I really enjoyed the supporting characters, too. Eynsford and Cait, the lead couple from "The Taming of the Wolf", were adorable. I loved that they both were present instead of the female being written out in the sequels so she can have a baby. This is something I see way too often in historical romance series, the lead male returns to the sequels, but the poor female is written is out entirely. Cheers to Lydia Dare for bringing Cait back!

Enysford's brothers were so cute, especially the twins. I'm sure they will get a their own stories somewhere down the line. I kind of felt like Rhi led poor Radbourne on a little at times, though.


Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: Overall, this is such an enjoyable read with enough paranormal elements to keep fans of the genre interested, but not so creepy as to scare off historical romance fans. Campy, romantic fun!

"The Darkest Heart" Review

"The Darkest Heart"
by Thea Devine

Publisher: Gallery
Release Date: June 21, 2011 
Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 3 out of 5 stars

Summary from SimonandSchuster.ca

Ever since a terrible fire killed her older son, one ambition has ruled Countess Lazlaric. Desperate to continue the family legacy, she is determined that her rakehell second son wed and produce an heir. Now, she's found the perfect bride. A distant relative, writing to beg for help, is ideal for her secret plans.
Alone in the world, beautiful raven-haired Senna Landseth finds more than just Drom Manor's isolation sending a shiver down her spine. Countess Lazlaric seems overly eager to welcome her, strange noises fill the cavernous corridors of the gloomy manor, and she senses she is being spied upon. Then a note mysteriously appears, inscribed with chilling words: "I'm watching you. Nicolai."
In the years since the fire that supposedly destroyed him, Nicolai Lazlaric has inhabited the world of a vampire, consumed with seeking revenge on the creature who turned him. Now, it is time to return to Drom Manor. But Nicolai has no idea how badly the Countess wants an heir—or that his hated brother's prospective bride is residing there. Senna's unexpected presence upends Nicolai's plans, for he can think only of possessing the beautiful innocent, of taking her in a blood-binding seduction from which she will never escape. . . .

My Review:

This book almost felt like two completely different books. The first half was an old-fashioned, spooky, gothic mystery. Senna found herself in a creepy old house with a monstrous Countess trying to marry her off to her scary son. Then, of course, there's the Countess' other son, the vampire. I really enjoyed the fist half of the book, there were thrills and chills behind every dark corner.

Then there was the second half of the book. All of a sudden, every scene was just another uncomfortable vampire sex scene. I know this is a really popular theme in books, but it's not my cup of tea. The second half lost the whole gothic tone and mystery of the first half.

Dominick's voice overs of every scene grew tiresome as well. I liked it when he took the form of a fly that other characters swatted away because I felt the same way with his voice overs interrupting every page.


Main Characters: 3/5
Supporting Characters: 3/5
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 3/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 3/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: The first half is a spine-tingling gothic historical, but the second half is disappointing.

"It Happened One Bite" Review

"It Happened One Bite"
by Lydia Dare

Publisher: Sourcebooks Casablanca
Release Date: March 1, 2011

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

Blaire Lindsay's been warned that her ancestral home is haunted. But it will take more than tales of a ghost to frighten Blaire, a battle-born witch with supernatural strength and the ability to make sparks fly from her fingertips. Hearing spectral wails, she decides to search for their source, and is surprised to find a handsome young man chained to the dungeon wall. But when Blair frees James from his bonds, she quickly discovers she's unloosed far more than she could ever have imagined...Soon the castle is overrun with vampires whose perfect manners and compelling blood lust make for some very awkward moments, and Blair and James are joined in the fight of their lives to save everything they hold dear from the forces of evil...

My Review:


There aren't very many historical paranormal romances, so I try to check them out when I see them. This one is really well done and lot sweeter than modern day paranormals in my opinion.


The romance takes center stage, while the paranormal world of witches and vampyres (that's how it's spelled here) is created around them. Honestly, witches interest me much more than vampyres, so I was more interested in Blaire's powers and mythology than James'. Vampyres just have that ick factor that I can't get past. While there were one or two ick moments in this one for me, I managed to get past it.


For a vampyre, James is incredibly sweet and I love the way their story turns out- I'm not telling, you'll have to read it! James is, of course, very handsome, and I love that blurts out his feelings without thinking first. It's a little awkward and cute. 


Blaire is so strong, both on the inside and outside. She's a battle-born witch, so she has super strength. It's a teeny bit strange to me that she's stronger and taller than most men, but she manages to find the one supernatural male who is both stronger and taller than her. So there's the traditional gender roles creeping back in. It would have been interesting to see how they would have dealt with things otherwise.


The secondary characters are lots of fun and really brighten up the story. Blaire's brothers and James' friend add spice to the story, and even Bruce the cat adds some comic relief.



Main Characters: 4/5
Supporting Characters: 4/5 
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: Overall, this is a real page turner with a lot of paranormal action while a sweet, loving romance is still the heart of the story.

"Dragon Warrior" Review

"Dragon Warrior"
by Janet Chapman

Publisher: Pocket Star
Release Date: Jan 25, 2011

Source: sent by publisher

My Rating: 4.5 out of 5 stars

Summary from goodreads.com:

The steamy second book in Janet Chapman’s dazzling Midnight Bay series seduces readers with an enticing tale of a fiery independent woman and an irresistible immortal warrior with a dragon’s courageous heart.

Maddy Kimble has no time for a suitor—not with caring for her spunky nursing home patients, her shy nine-year-old daughter, her widowed mother, and her rebellious teenage brother. William Kilkenny’s stunning lack of modern dating protocol doesn’t help. The man is uncouth and outrageous—a towering, drop-dead, breathtakingly hot warrior. Who refuses to give up.

William is secretly a ninth-century Irish nobleman formerly trapped in a dragon’s body. All Maddy knows is that lately, she can hardly resist the urge to lose herself in his powerful arms. But as their uncontrollable passion grows, eerie occurrences in her small coastal Maine town begin to rouse Maddy’s suspicions about her lover. He begs her to trust him, but how can she surrender—body and soul—when she fears the danger he poses to her yearning heart?

My Review:

I was so surprised by this book, normally I don't enjoy time travel or contemporary romance, but I loved this book! I guess it just proves that it's all about the writing and characters!

The time travel and shape shifting elements seemed very believable. They weren't overdone at all. But most of the reason why I loved this book was William. He was a great hero, strong, handsome, and with an unshakable sense of honor. I can really see why Maddy fell for him.

I loved reading about the nursing home where Maddy worked. All the residents were so much fun. It couldn't have been sweeter how William interacted with them and how they helped him get used the 21st century. And of course, they helped him woo Maddy!

I grew tired of Maddy always being down on herself and her looks. Supposedly she was 'saggy' but she was only 27! I got sick of her always whining about it. But I loved that William always loved everything about her. Another thing that bothered me, that I've seen in contemporaries before, was the "girl talk" between Maddy and her best friend Eve. It seemed a little forced, like they were trying too hard to be cool and hip with their chatting.


Main Characters: 5/5
Supporting Characters: 5/5 (the nursing home residents :))
Setting: 4/5
Romance: 4/5
Uniqueness: 4/5
Cover: 4/5 (I love that there's actual elements of the story here! William's beard, and his ever-present watch, and rolled up sleeves)
Writing: 4/5


Bottom Line: This is a great book for romance fans looking to try something a little different while still wanting the sweet romance to steal the show.