Book Review: Never Dare a Dragon (Boston Dragon) by Ashlyn Chase

Never Dare a Dragon by Ashlyn Chase is the third book in the Boston Dragon series. While having read the previous books will give a reader a better grasp of the secondary characters and the mythology, I think new comers to the series will still be able to enjoy the read.I did read the first two books, and they certainly gave me a head start when things started to get complicated.

Jayce Fierro is part of a legendary Boston firefighting family of phoenix shifters. Hiding his true form makes being in a relationship rather difficult. Meeting the beautiful Lieutenant Kristine Scott of the New York City Fire Department and knowing he can't have her only makes things worse. Dragon shifter Kristine can't stop thinking about fun, flirty Jayce and his teasing smile. A relationship could never work-not with the distance between them, and definitely not with her shifter secret. But when Kristine lands herself in a blaze of trouble and secrets are revealed, Jayce will do whatever it takes to help-whether or not the feisty, stubborn New Yorker wants him to.

Never Dare a Dragon is both what I expected from Chase, and a little disappointing. I think a good amount of time was spent on the danger and conflicts of the book were very well done. The danger to Kristine and her mother felt very real, as did Kristine's need to resolve the problem and keep Amy safe. Although, I will admit that I kept expecting a member of her fire station to be in the pocket of the bad guys, and was a little relieved that it never came to pass. The continuing thread about the dragon families and muses from the series might not make sense to newcomers, and while I enjoyed that continuity I think it felt like an afterthought rather than a necessary part of the book. My biggest issue with the book is that I never felt really connected with Kristine or Jayce. Their romance just was, I never really felt that it built up or grew. Perhaps it just depended on the aspect of paranormal characters that find a perfect mate and just know rather than getting to know each other and work through relationship issues. I get that the action of the story made doing that hard, but some of it could have happened prior to the danger and action coming into play. I still liked the book, and I still felt it was important to the larger story arc, but I have come to expect more fun and character depth from Chase.
Never Dare a Dragon is a good addition to the series, and I found some of it very good. However, it just did not capture me the same way the previous books in the series did. 

Book Review: Dating the Undead (V-Date.com) by Juliet Lyons

Dating the Undead is the first book in the V-Date.com series by Juliet Lyons. When Silver Harris kisses sexy Irish vampire Logan Byrne on New Year's Eve, she knows other humans just won't suffice. Convinced she'll never see him again, she joins the uber-popular vampire dating site, V-Date.com.What Silver doesn't know is that the site is more dangerous than she could ever imagined, and soon she's in over her head. When Logan returns, sparks fly and attraction sizzles, but they'll have to escape some very real demons if they have any chance of lasting forever.

Dating the Undead is a paranormal romance with a couple fun twists. I liked Silver's spunk, but found the convenience of some of the coincidences that moved the story forward a bit too much. However, the ride was still entertaining. I liked the pairing between Logan and Silver, and their banter. However I found Silver's eagerness to get people in bed a little offputting. I get the idea of a liberated woman, but there is still safety and common sense- which she is lacking much of the time. I liked much of the set up and world building and character interactions. I enjoyed the read and loved some of its parts, but did not love the book as a whole.

Dating the Undead is a fun and exciting romance, with a nice blend of emotional and physical conflicts. It was not amazing, but satisfying for a quick read.

Book Review: Hard to Handle by Christine Warren

Hard to Handle by Christine Warren is the fifth book in the Gargoyle series. This is the only book from the series so far that I would say a newcomer would be able to fully enjoy without the prior books as reference. While those that have read the entire series will still get more out of the read, those that are picking this book up without having read others will still be able to fully understand and enjoy the action. 

The only male among four sisters, Michael Drummond is no stranger to women’s strength and formidable will. His Dublin pub, the Skin & Bones, is his refuge, a reassuringly masculine retreat. Until a fierce woman warrior from another realm bursts into his life, bringing with her a battle between good and evil, and an explosive dose of desire. The first and only of her kind, Ash is a lone female gargoyle, a creature destined to protect mankind from Demons determined to unleash their darkest forces. But her arrival on Earth is more confusing than she expected: her bone-deep instinct to do battle is matched only by her untamed attraction to stubborn, stalwart Drum. If they manage to keep the world safe, can they turn the passion crackling between them into a love that will withstand the test of time.

Hard to Handle is a nice twist on the series, with our guardian and warden in switched genders. I liked that Drum is still alpha male personality wise, but smart enough to let go and let Ash take the lead in things she is better suited for than he. I really enjoyed the characters in this installment- not just our couple and returning players from previous book, but also Drum's family. I think the family connection and interplay goes a long way into showing the depth and fun or Drum's character. I think the danger level got more intense here, and I liked the way it answered more questions about the darkness and battle being fought. I did get a little impatient with the fighting, only because I wanted to see how Drum and Ash finally admitted that they loved each other and all that. I was very happen when I read how that happened, it was sweet and funny and pretty much perfect for the book, and series.

Hard to Handle is a good addition to the series, and is more accessible to those that have not read earlier books in the series than the others. It was consistent with what I expected, but did not wow me. I admit to skimming some of the fight scenes just to get to more character and relationship developments, but I am sure that's just because I was impatient to see how that was handled. 

Book Review: Undiscovered (Amoveo Rising) by Sara Humphreys

Undiscovered is the first book in the Amoveo Rising series by Sara Humphreys, which is a spin off and continuation of the Amoveo Legend series. If you have read the previous series you will be at an advantage, but readers new to this world will be able to catch up quickly and enjoy the story.

A long time ago, Zander Lorens was cursed to walk the earth stripped of his Dragon Clan powers. Every night, trapped in a recurring nightmare, Zander relives his darkest moment. He can hardly believe it when the dream changes and a beautiful young woman appears. Zander believes she's the key to ending his torment. Finding her in the real world is one thing, but how will he convince her of who-and what-she really is? Rena McHale uses her unique sensitivity as a private investigator, touting herself as a "human divining rod" and finder of the lost. By day she struggles with sensory overload, and by night her sleep is haunted by a fiery dragon shifter. Nothing in her life makes sense, until the man from her dreams shows up at her door with a proposition.

Undiscovered has a good mix of character and story development. I like that both Zander and Rena have their own issues and stories, and that Rena has some sense of self preservation- even if she does run off with a random guy for a case, money, and answers. Zander's punishing of himself for his role in what has happened gets a little old, and Rena's almost perfection does wear a little thin after awhile. However, I like that they are fairly honest with each other, if not everyone else or themselves. I really liked how they came to terms with their own desires, but found that they came together almost too easily. I did think that the story was likely just the groundwork to start of the new series, and to connect it to the previous stories. However, despite its faults it did make for a diverting read while my kids made the attempt to drive me insane over April vacation.

Undiscovered is an entertaining urban fantasy. It has the balance of good writing, adventure, and romance that I have come to expect from the other books I have read by Humphreys. Not earth shatteringly wonderful, but an engaging read to escape into and enjoy.

Book Review: Renegade Dragon by Lolita Lopez

Renegade Dragon is the fourth book in the Dragon Heat series by Lolita Lopez. I have read two of the three previous books, but think newcomers could enjoy the read without the full back story, but as always knowing a bit more of the mythology and about the main players always helps. The previous books are Dead Sexy Dragon, Red Hot Dragon, and Wicked Dark Dragon. 

When her best friend goes missing during Spring Break, bio-engineering student Eris Jones refuses to believe Ivy is dead and follows the trail of clues to a mysterious, secluded estate. Locked away in the lair beneath his home, dragon shifter Niko Drakon suffers terribly from a massive overdose of a synthetic drug that forces his body into the mating heat. When her sweet, alluring scent hits him, Niko's dragon overtakes him and he breaks free from his bonds. Captured by the snarling, winged creature, Eris thinks she must be hallucinating when her touch transforms him into a human male-a dangerously sexy and highly seductive male. After one taste of Eris, Niko realizes a single week will never be enough. He wants her forever by his side and in his bed. But convincing the human to take a chance on a dragon won't be easy and suddenly Niko is faced with the hardest choice in his centuries of life.

Renegade Dragon is a high action, and entertaining read. I like that Eris an independent, smart woman. I did not like her immediate acceptance to Nico and all the weird that goes along with having eaten a mythical apple and being chased down by a dragon slash man after having broken into his house in search of her missing best friend. Yes, mates and pheromones, and mystical whatever, but there was no real adjustment or freaking out, or anything. she just kind of goes with it even after all hell breaks loose. That always bothers me. Not that I want a woman (or man for that matter) to freak out and get hysterical, but some actual concerns or safety attempts might be a better option than sleeping with the random dragon guy. Just saying. Niko is a good guy, a bit one dimensional but it has been so long since I have read anything from the series that I have forgotten any previous knowledge of his character and why he had himself locked in a dungeon while pumped full of a synthetic drug that strengthened his urge to mate- which strikes me as a really bad idea-  but I am reasonably certain there must have been a reason. Once you get past logic and desire to survive, the story is a lot of fun. It is high action, with some high drama moments. The inclusion of a bit of mythology was fun, and I liked the touch of science as well. A good read for staying warm on a snow day, which is when I read it.

Renegade Dragon is a good paranormal romance, but the insta-love and acceptance that is so important in getting mates together her, and the shrugging off all the weird is what makes the series less than perfect for me. Great for a hot weekend read, but not a series that I would hunt down or re read. 

Book Review: White Christmas by Rebecca York

White Christmas by Rebecca York is a novella with paranormal; aspects and abundant holiday cheer. The snow is coming down so fast, Amelia Parsons doesn't see the speeding car until it's too late. One moment she’s crossing an ice-rutted street in St. Stephens, Maryland. In the next, she's flying into the air, and the world goes black. She wakes, confused, in what appears to be Santa’s workshop during the holiday rush. If that’s not strange enough, a hunky FBI agent named Daniel is there, demanding to know why she’s involved in a plot to ruin Christmas. Can she convince him she's not the villain and then work with him to find the real saboteur?

White Christmas is a short story, which means need to happen quickly. Amelia is not allowed to freak about about the existence of Santa and all the trappings when she wakes up in the North Pole after getting hit by a car. The mystery of who is sabotaging the workshop is dealt with fairly quickly- though the why is never really answered for me. Similarly how Daniel ended up on assignment there, and how Amelia lands there, and how things all come together in the end, are equally glossed over. Sadly I felt like the attraction between Amelia and Daniel was weak, and their coming together did not feel real or right to me. I don't know. I was prepared to really love it, even if I waited to after Christmas to get around to it, but it was not what I was looking for. I expect much more character and relationship development from York, even in a novella.

Book Review: A Very Jaguar Christmas (Heart of the Jaguar) by Terry Spear

A Very Jaguar Christmas is the fifth book in the Heart of the Jaguar series by Terry Spear. While you do not need to read the books in order, reading the other books by Spear in the series will give you a good idea of the characters and world before diving in head first. Even though you really do not need to read all the books in order, I have enjoyed everything I have read by Spear and if you like one then going back to fill in the blanks or pick up one of her other series will new no chore. 

As a protector of all jaguar-kind, Guardian agent Demetria MacFarlane isn’t surprised to get a call near Christmas—but when she’s sent to protect a cub whose species she didn’t even know existed, her holiday season gets complicated. And it doesn’t help that her partner is a distraction of the hottest kind.Hotshot JAG agent Everett Anderson can handle dangerous poachers and wildlife traffickers, no problem…but kids? Everett fears he’ll be stuck cub-sitting under the Christmas tree, but working with one sexy Guardian she-cat may be the best present he’s ever gotten.

A Very Jaguar Christmas has characters that are feeling with loss and a hard job, shifter special ops, but have put off a conversation for far too long. They have been tossed together. On a welfare mission, and then in taking care of a werewolf cub, when they had no idea that other kinds of shifters even existed. Since there is significant backstory between the par some of the romance seems to go vey fast- but I like that they actually talk things out and discuss feelings rather than just attraction. Spear is good at that, but it always makes me happy when a paranormal romance steps back from the insta love or lust and lets the couple find their way together. Some of it seemed too easy, I am not sure why, but while I loved the story and the characters there was not the danger and drama factor that is normally part of this series. It was good, but I missed that element of suspense. 

A Very Jaguar Christmas is a sweet story and a fun read. I liked the characters and their connection- as well as connection this book made to bridge the gap between Spear's different series. I am very interested to see where the world she has created goes now that things are now connected.     

Book Review: Not His Dragon by Annie Nichols

Not His Dragon by Annie Nichols is a paranormal romance. Eoin Grant hasn’t encountered a female of his race in decades, and this crazy person’s scent declares her unmated. Fate set her in his path, and he won’t let this opportunity slip through his claws. No matter how wary she is of him. After all, how many chances does a dragon have at finding love? But fate can be a crueler mistress than his perfect mate. Of all things, she thinks she’s human. Business is taking off for Angie Weldon. She put her freakishly sharp nails to good use when she opened her back-scratching spa in downtown New Porter City. The local shifter community pounced on her skills and she’s knee-deep in shed fur. By the end of the year, if lucky, she could afford to move out of her crappy apartment. Dollar signs flash before Angie’s eyes when a dark, brooding stranger books her solid for a week but she notices the possessive fury in his glare. She’s been around enough shifters to know the look, and she won’t go down that road again. Angie is literally swept off her feet by the intense shifter and he wants more from her than she’s willing to give. She figures it’s best to avoid eye contact and back away slowly. Until he changes her life by insisting she’s a dragon. 




Not His Dragon is a fun paranormal romance. Angie is a quirky heroine, although her internal dialogue in the very first chapter almost had me putting the book down. I am glad I kept reading though, because the read was fun with several twists and plenty of world building. I thought this might be part of a series, but so far I have not found any evidence of that. I liked the interplay between Angie and Eoin, and that our dragon had to admit some vulnerability to our heroine before we normally see that kind of sharing in romance involving alpha males of any species. There were several very funny moments, and some that were very high tension. I liked that there was a nice mix of mystery, romance, suspense, and magic throughout the read. There were faults, several of the twists were fun but either not fully developed or unnecessary, but I enjoyed the read on a snowy weekend as I stayed snug and dry indoors.

Book Review: For the Bear's Eyes Only (Grizzlies Gone Wild) by Kathy Lyons

For the Bear's Eyes Only is the third book in the Grizzlies Gone Wild series by Kathy Lyons. While it would be helpful to have read one or both of the previous books, I do not think it necessary to enjoy this read. Those that know the series will certainly get more out of it because of the larger story arc, but newcomers will not be left completely out in the cold. The first book was The Bear Who Loved Me, and the second book was License to Shift (which I somehow missed reading).

Life as Alan Carman knew it is over. After he was captured and tortured by a mysterious enemy, the lawyer's latent grizzly-shifter DNA was triggered. The old Alan is gone, and in his place is a terrifying vicious beast that lives and breathes for revenge. He will track down the person who did this to him-and it'll be the last thing he ever does. Tonya Kappes refuses to let Alan run headlong to his death. A bear-shifting deputy-and the Gladwin Clan's beta-Tonya faces Alan with one weapon: the love that's lingered between them since they were kids. But the idealistic man she knew has changed into something raw, primal, and unbelievably sexy. And, if Alan can't learn to love the beast inside himself, maybe he can love the animal in her.

For the Bear's Eyes Only is a good installment of the series, an I was eager to see how Alan and Tonya come together. Alan has been altered, and he is now a shifter, but not the bear he always wanted to be. He is a monster, and is willing to kill to prevent the woman that made him this way from hurting anyone else. Then comes Tonya, the woman he has always loved but could never have, trying to bring him home and convince him he is not the monster he fears. Together they search for the person behind the experiments and in the process find themselves. Alan needs to come to terms with his new life, and learn not to hate himself while Tonya needs to come to terms with her emotions and the pain Alan is going through. I love that despite the wild nature they now share, the pair actually talk things out and deal with their problems rather than jumping into bed and forgetting about them- though there is plenty of that too. They actually work on the emotional aspect of their issues, both shared and individual. This always earns respect from me for the author.

For the Bear's Eyes Only is a good read, but not one that wowed me. It is a must read for fans of the author or series, but those that are not invested in the story might not enjoy it as much as the rest of us.

Book Review: Wilde Bear (Blue Bear Rescue) by Terra Wolf, Holly Eastman

Wilde Bear is the first book in the Blue Bear Rescue series by Terra Wolf and Holly Eastman. Everyone is hiding something. Ever since his father died Xavier Wilde has thrown himself into his work. As the leader of the Blue Bear Search and Rescue Team, his job is simple, save lives. However, things become a lot more complicated when a cute curvy brunette from the Department of Transportation comes to help the team with a new job. Now Xavier is forced to show her his true self, in order to convince her to be his mate. Laurel doesn't let anyone tell her how to do her job. Especially not some polar bear shifter who thinks he's God's gift to Search and Rescue. But when Xavier begins to break down her walls, Laurel finds herself unable to say no. In their line of work, mistakes can cost people their lives. So how can they trust each other to keep everyone they care about safe when they're both hiding their own secrets?

Wilde Bear is a short book, I read it in a night, but the characters are still multidimensional and have plenty of baggage to deal with. I like that Xavier and Laurel each have reasons to want to stay single, and are reasoning adults that talk through the issues (for the most part) rather than allowing those issues to become even bigger conflicts. I also enjoyed that Xavier, even though an alpha in his own right, respected and supported Laurel's abilities and strength rather than trying to cushion her from any discomfort- no matter how much he might have wanted to. Since I had already read book two in the series, River Bear, I already knew some of the characters and the larger plot line that was begun in this story. Although there was one thing from the mentioned in the second book I expected to see here, but did not, so was a bit disappointed that I did not get the insight on one of the other search team members that I had hoped for. I was impressed that the book was able to do the world and character building it needed to in order to set up the rest of the series while still getting a solid romance written as well.

Wilde Bear is a quick read with more going on than one might expect. Solid characters and a good start to a series that I expect to be keeping up with.