Flora Reviews... Dark and Stormy Knight (Knights of Avalon #2) by Nina Mason

Dark and Stormy Knight (Knights of Avalon #2) 

by Nina Mason

Read: 15^th – 23^rd November 2015

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating:  4 Stars

...So what’s this book about?

This is an erotic paranormal romance featuring faeries, druids, gods, goddesses, vampires and a screenwriter. Although this is the second book in Ms Mason’s Knights of Avalon series, it works well as a stand-alone novel.

The official blurb says:

She’ll risk everything for their love—even her life.

Aspiring screenwriter Gwyn Morland is ready for her big break. That means securing the film rights to elusive author Lady Ruthven’s acclaimed novel—which means traveling to Scotland. It’s a trip timid Gwyn isn’t prepared for, and her fears seem justified when her tour bus careens over a cliff outside of Castle Glenarvon. But the plot thickens when Gwyn is rescued from the brink of death by a handsome and mysterious stranger…

Leith MacQuill is not only the writer behind Lady Ruthven’s novel, but a shape-shifting faery knight bearing a tragic curse: the woman he gives his heart to will die. Saving Gwyn proves to be a dangerous choice when he finds himself falling for her the longer she stays in the castle. Not even his usual BDSM role-playing games are enough to thwart the intense desire they feel for each other. But to stay together, Gwyn and Leith must embark on a dangerous mission into Avalon, the realm of the faeries. Will their love be strong enough to conquer the curse? Or will Gwyn’s new life be stolen from her before it’s even begun?

Although this title is not officially published until 5^th January 2016, I was lucky enough to be given this book for free from the publisher (Kensington Books) via Netgally.com in exchange for a fair review. 

Thank you. :-)

  

...So, what did I like about it?

Nina Mason is a new to me author and I must say I am impressed. I found her writing style very easy to read and really liked the way she built her fantasy world and how it interacted with ours; the mix of historic fact, Celtic mythology and her own imagination creating a world that I enjoyed visiting (her take of vampires was refreshingly different).

I like my female leads to be intelligent and possess a strength that refuses to let them be doormats (even if they don’t realise at the start) but without losing their feminine capacity to love; Gwyneth Moorland was perfect. My male leads need to be alphas, emotionally damaged, but with a soft side buried deep within just waiting for the right woman to walk into their lives and make them whole again; Leith MacQuill doesn’t disappoint.

I loved the fact that just when I thought that Gwyn and Leith’s adventure was coming to an end, another twist (quest) pops into the fray and off we go again. Don’t let the fact that it took me 8 days to finish this book fool you that the story wasn’t gripping – it’s a real page turner. Yes, we get our happy ever after but the background story arc is left with enough of a potential danger that you just know we’ll meet Gwyn and Leith in a future book.

...So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

OK, so confession time – I must admit to being a bit weary of starting this book; I’m not comfortable with BDSM (both in real life and in the stories I read) but I was impressed with how it was written here, it’s far from brutal or grotesquely graphic and I found myself getting swept along with the passion and romance.

My only other little niggle was near the start of the story and Gwyn’s instant assumption that the elusive Leith MacQuill was a Faery. Really? You wouldn’t assume other more rational explanations first? However, I quickly decided that Gwyn’s unerring belief in Faeries allowed the story to progress more quickly. It is a work of fiction after all!

...So, basically what I’m saying is...

I enjoyed this book more than I was expecting, in fact, I really liked it.  Yes it has some very erotic sex scenes but it’s also a wonderful romantic tale with a great mix of action and adventure. I will be looking out for more of Ms Mason's books!

So, have I sparked an interested for DARK AND STORMY KNIGHT in you? 

Just click on any of the links below and check out the book for yourself.

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Flora Reviews... Marked by an Assassin (Eternal Mates #8) by Felicity Heaton

Marked by an Assassin (Eternal Mates Series #8)

By Felicity Heaton

Read: 4^th – 8^th November 2015

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating:  5 Stars

...So what’s this book about?

Marked by an Assassin is an emotional, passionate, action packed paranormal romance story. It is a full length novel (approx 88,000 words 263 pages) within Felicity Heaton’s Eternal Mates series. 

The official blurb says

A snow leopard shifter exiled from his pride twenty years ago, Harbin treads the dark path of life as an assassin, driven by a hunger for vengeance, mercilessly hunting the Archangel members who attacked his kin, murdering his mother and sister.

When a new contract comes in and the mark is a snow leopard shifter, he can't resist venturing into the mortal world on a personal mission to find out why one from a normally peaceful species now has a price on their head. What he finds in a rundown nightclub isn't quite what he expects--a beautiful snow leopard female that awakens a fierce hunger inside him.

Aya has spent seventeen years living in London, immersed in the underbelly of the fae world, keeping her head down and her tail out of trouble. But when trouble walks right into her life in the form of a sinfully handsome, dangerous assassin, she is pulled into a whirlwind of events that stir up the nightmares of her past but might just give her a shot at putting those ghosts to rest--if she can resist the dark allure of a male she knows is her fated mate.

Can Harbin and Aya resist the passionate fire that blazes between them as they chase the vengeance they both crave? Or will they surrender to their deepest desires?

Marked by an Assassin is the eighth book of the series but I do think that it can be read as a standalone story; you don’t need to read the other books in the series to enjoy this one, however, it does feature characters and revisits situations already described in previous books.

...So, what did I like about it?

I am already a big fan of Ms Heaton’s Eternal Mates series and love her writing style! Her world building is amazing, that mix of fantasy and reality that captures your attention right from the word go.

I love the way she makes the most explicit sexual scenes very romantic – I think Ms Heaton’s a very talented writer.  For me, a story is only really erotic if I’m emotionally connected to the characters involved, Ms Heaton gives her characters such depth that they do become real, but it’s not just her main characters, I find all of her characters complex, multifaceted and completely believable due to their very real human virtues and foibles even though they’re mythical, paranormal beings. Oh, and I really enjoy the way she sneaks in cameos from her other Eternal Mates books, I won’t spoil the surprise here…

This story made me chuckle, gasp in shock and shed a tear or two. Of course, I got caught up with the passion (who wouldn’t *blush*) but the tender insights into both Harbin and Aya’s doubts, their feelings of “mate-unworthiness”  and the growth of their trust in each other’s love was heart-warming to read.

So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

Nope!  Not a thing *contented sigh*

So, basically what I’m saying is...

I really enjoyed this paranormal romance tale. It was a great read that made me smile, cry and feel all warm & fuzzy inside with well written erotic thrills, heart pumping fight scenes and tons of romantic gestures. 

I would recommend this book to those who enjoy reading compelling stories about betrayal, forgiveness, redemption and of course, soul saving love.  

So, have I sparked an interested for MARKED BY AN ASSASSIN in you? 

Just click on the links below and check out the book yourself.

See MARKED BY AN ASSASSIN on Goodreads.com

Buy MARKED BY AN ASSASSIN on Amazon.com

Buy MARKED BY AN ASSASSIN on Amazon.co.uk

FloraReviews... Blood Magic (Wing Slayer Hunters #1) by Jennifer Lyon

Blood Magic (Wing Slayer Hunters #1) 

by Jennifer Lyon

Read: 2^nd – 3^rd November 2015

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating:  4 Stars

...So what’s this book about?

This is a dark (and erotic) paranormal romance novel of about 386 pages.

Blood Magic is the first book in a new series but as Ms Lyon states “Blood Magic does not have a cliffhanger ending and is a standalone read” and as I write this it’s free to download for Kindle on Amazon UK – what a bargain!!

The blurb says;

A dangerous curse…

Axel Locke is the sinfully sexy leader of the Wing Slayer Hunters–a group of supernatural witch hunters who have vowed to never give into the curse driving them to slaughter innocent witches. But when his little sister is death-cursed by a demon witch, Axel will stop at nothing to save her. He rescues a beautiful witch from a killer, intending to force her to magically cure his sister. The only problem? She has no idea what she is.

A deadly passion…

Darcy McAllister grew up knowing she was different, but she never imagined she’s a witch. With the life of a child at stake, she agrees to work with the hot, compelling hunter to gain control over her newfound powers. But an irresistible attraction crackles between them, creating a dangerous dilemma—can Darcy trust the man hexed to crave her blood to satisfy her aching desire?

Will their forbidden love destroy them?

As Darcy and Axel race against the clock, their explosive passion deepens to a fiery love. But when Darcy attempts to heal his sister makes her a target for a demon’s revenge, Axel will sacrifice anything, including his immortal soul, to save her.

I was lucky enough to be given this book for free from the author via Netgally.com in exchange for a fair review. 

Thank you, Ms Lyon. :-)

...So, what did I like about it?

I haven’t read any of Ms Lyon’s books before and I found her writing style engaging, energetic and erotic (oh! What’s with all the “e” adjectives! Lol!). She has built a complex world of gods, demons, witches (earth base and demon bound) and witch hunters (some of who are rogue but all of who are cursed) with an interesting history and I’m intrigued to see where she’ll take us.

I must confess to needing a tissue while reading some of the scenes in this story (get your minds out of the gutter!), it gets quite emotional at times and I cried like a baby.

I love stories that highlight the fact that we all have choices and that the choices we make not only affect us but those around us too. Sometimes, the hardest thing is to take personal responsibility for those choices we make.

I’m a romantic soul and at the end of the day this is a romance novel. Two people meet, lust after each other, try to fight their feelings and don’t think they are worthy of love… (no spoilers in my reviews)

...So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

Well, disliked is too strong a word but if I’m honest, the only things that I struggled with were the sex and the number of pivotal main characters.

We are given a lot of information and introduced to a lot of characters in this book and most of the characters appear at the beginning! It took me quite a while to get them all straight in my head and what each of their story was. I know this is the first book in a series and realise that these characters (and their stories) will appear in the subsequent Wing Slayer Hunter tales so I’m not completely put off by this.

Now onto the sex. ;-) We all know the difference between the story line of a porno film and a film that happens to have great sex scenes in it. I just thought that the sex scenes between our main characters, Axel & Darcy, although passionate and emotional, came about in a less than smooth or subtle way. But, hey, I’ve still given the book a 4 star rating so I’ve not been completely put of by this either. ;-)

...So, basically what I’m saying is...

I really enjoyed this fast paced, emotional, passionate and sometimes dark paranormal romance novel.

If you like your hunky heroes with a dark edge and enjoy seeing your female MCs really grow and come into their own or if you have read and enjoyed Stephanie Rowe’s Order of the Blade series try this one, it could be right up your street.

So, have I sparked an interested for BLOOD MAGIC in you?

Just click on the links below and check out the book yourself.

See BLOOD MAGIC (WING SLAYER HUNTERS #1) on Goodreads.com

Buy BLOOD MAGIC (WING SLAYER HUNTERS #1) on Amazon.com

Buy BLOOD MAGIC (WING SLAYER HUNTERS #1) on Amazon.co.uk

Flora Reviews... The Silver Witch by Paula Brackston

The Silver Witch 

by Paula Brackston

Read: 26^th – 2^nd November 2015

Format: Kindle

My Goodreads Rating:  5 Stars

...So what’s this book about?

This is a beautifully written paranormal tale that spans the ages. It has romance, mystery and danger with a duel plot that connects an ancient Welsh Celtic seer/shaman/witch and a modern day ceramics artist looking to find herself after the tragic death of her new husband.

Although this book is listed on Amazon as the third book in Ms Brackston’s “Shadow Chronicles”, it can be read as a standalone title.

The blurb says:

My mind is like the willow; it flexes and springs. My heart is a knot of oak. Let them try to wound me. Let them try.

One year after artist Tilda Forwells loses her husband, she is finally ready to move into the secluded Welsh cottage they were meant to be sharing together.

In the valley below her mountain home is a mystical lake which inspires a strange energy in her. She starts to experience potent dreams, visions, presentiments which all lead her to Seren, the witch and shaman who legend has it lived on this lakeshore in Celtic times.

As Tilda explores the lake's powers and her own, her connection to Seren grows stronger. And when she comes under grave threat, she must rely on Seren and this ancient magic to save her.

Although this book is already available digitally and in paperback in Canada and USA, it’s not being published in UK and Australia until 3^rd December 2015 but I was lucky enough to be given a digital copy for free from the publisher (Little, Brown Book Group UK) via Netgally.com in exchange for a fair review. 

Thank you very much.

 ...So, what did I like about it?

I haven’t read any of Ms Brackston’s previous books but I found myself captivated with her beautiful and descriptive use of language. I liked the way that this intriguing tale was told from both of our heroine’s perspectives (Tilda in the here and now and Seren in the Celtic past) and felt that the sad scenes, tense scenes, mysterious scenes and romantic ones were all written particularly well giving us a good balanced plot, with a sprinkle of humour thrown into the mix.

Although this is a work of fiction, the attention to historic detail and the care that was obviously taken when writing her characters made Ms Brackston’s world and the people in it feel very real to me.

I loved the way the story kept us guessing in both the Celtic past and Welsh present; how were the worlds connected? Who was buried in the unmarked grave? What became of Seren and would Tilda solve the mystery in time to have her happily ever after?

...So, ummm, was there anything I disliked about it?

No (hence the 5 star review).

I have read reviews that complained of a slow start but I enjoyed the gentle way in which Tilda and Seren’s stories were revealed and how the mystery and subsequent danger gradually built, it’s reminiscent of our great literary heroes and the classics that have endured the test of time.

...So, basically what I’m saying is...

No cliff-hangers, a self contained story within one book; a good mystery, a lovely romance, paranormal happenings and all my questions answered by the end. I’ve loved reading this book!  

I would recommend this book to fans of mystery stories, historical fiction and paranormal tales as well as readers of YA novels too as there is no explicit sexual content and only a handful of expletives.

So, have I sparked an interested for THE SILVER WITCH in you? 

Just click on any of the links below and check out the book yourself.

See THE SILVER WITCH on Goodreads.com

Buy THE SILVER WITCH on Amazon.com

Buy THE SILVER WITCH on Amazon.co.uk

Visit PAULA BRACKSTON’s own website