Lighnting reviews: Harlequin Blaze

So I don't really want to write up separate posts for these, but Jane convinced me that I should at least let you all know what I thought of them. So here you go.

Talking in Your SleepTalking in Your Sleep by Samantha Hunter. This one I liked. Both Joy and Rafe are having sleep problems. Rafe is on leave from his job as an EMT for burnout and insomnia and Joy is stressed from too much work. Her x-rated sleep talking worked to get Rafe and Joy talking, but I liked that it wasn't the focus of the story and wasn't taken too far. Anyways, I enjoyed the story.

Dead SexyDead Sexy by Kimberly Raye. Vampire lite is what this one is all about. Cute and fluffy without a lot of substance. That's what I wanted when I read the story, so I wasn't disappointed, but many probably would be. Jake's in town because he needs to kill his sire so he can become human again. Nikki's not looking for a relationship but a series of events forces her into having Jake as a fake fiance. It's pretty much a tale of a good girl having a fling with a bad boy who just happens to be a vampire. Anyways, it was cute. I believe Jane mentioned that she wasn't impressed with the sequel, but I confess that I'll probably read it anyways.

Shaken and StirredShaken and Stirred by Kathleen O'Reilly. I think enough has been said about this one and yes, I liked it alot. Can't wait for the sequel.

She Did a Bad, Bad ThingShe Did a Bad, Bad Thing by Stephanie Bond. This is the first in a series called Million Dollar Secrets about a group of friends who win the lottery. This is one of those makeover stories and is fun. Jane's a makeup artist who really doesn't do much for herself, but when she wins the lottery, she decides to have a fling to Vegas. She's followed by her neighbor Perry, who actually insults her and then feels bad about it and feels like he has to look out for her. I kinda liked that he wasn't instantly likeable, though I wasn't quite convinced he liked Jane for Jane, I was convinced enough to be happy in the end. Eh, it worked. I liked the story well enough and plan to read the rest of the series.

At Your CommandMy favorite was At Your Command by Julie Miller. Zach and Becky get married after knowing each other for only a week in Vegas. Then Zach is shipped off and they don't see each other for over a year. Becky plans to get a divorce, but Zach is all ready to really get to know his bride as soon as he returns. I felt that their romance really worked and that they each realized that their marriage would require work and compromise on both their sides. It made me want to read more of Miller's Blazes as soon as I was finished. If you want to pick up a good Blaze, this is one I'd really recommend.

Dragonborn by Jade Lee

Fantasy romance is rare, so I usually try to read them while I can. Of course, we've recently had C.L. Wilson's books which were fantastic, but mostly, I find these types of books to be rare. Kudos to Love Spell for being one to publish them.

Dragonborn


ONE PROTECTOR
When dragon power flows through your veins, when dragon thoughts burn in your mind, you can accomplish anything. Natiya knows, for she carries one of the last eggs in the land disguised as a jewel in her navel. Day by day the Unhatched grows, and when at last it births they will be joined in a sacred and eternal bond. Gone will be the barmaid forced to dance for pennies; born will be Dag Natiya, revered Queen. Take her body or her soul, nothing will stop them.

ONE SLAYER
When dragon power flows through your veins, when dragon emotions trample your soul, you become a monster. So knows Kiril, for one destroyed his cousin. No matter how kind or joyful, all beings must succumb to the power of the wyrm. That is why Kiril vowed to destroy dragonkind—and he has almost succeeded. Only one egg remains. But there is an obstacle he did not foresee: love.


Okay, I'm actually having trouble articulating what I thought of this book. On one hand, I love dragons and like how Jade Lee has incorporated them into the story. On the other hand, there are some inconsistencies that aren't spelled out in this story that are kinda spoilers, so I'm not going to mention them. And Kiril and Natiya's romance is a bit hard to believe. I would think that she'd be more horrified at him for all the dragon killing that he's done than she shows in the book. And his attraction to her is much more lust than love, although at least we are shown that she isn't a illiterate peasant and actually has a brain.

I did believe in Kiril's motivations for killing and his belief that dragons are evil was born of some pretty compelling evidence. But he's just not that deep a character.

Perhaps there's just too much going on in the book for it to quite work as well as it might. It tries to fit too much into a too small space. The storyline is more epic fantasy that fantasy romance and the romance definitely is hurt in the process. I admire what the author is trying to do and did find the book to read well and fast, but it doesn't really hold up after the fact.

Because I did enjoy it while I was reading it and like the idea of the story, I'm going to go with a C+ for this one. It's not bad, but it's not nearly as good as I'd hoped. And I will buy the next one in the series as I am interested enough to see where things will go.

Random Stuff About Nicole


Okay, so saw this on Wendy's blog and stole it. I need to post something, you know!

4 Jobs I've Had
1) telemarketer
2) work-study library assistant
3) clerk in gift shop
4) bookseller (I like my current job *grin*)

4 Movies I've Watched Over and Over:
1) The Rock
2) Die Hard 2
3) hrmmm....I'm not much for watching movies and then I like when things blow up
4)

4 Places I've Lived:
1) Grand Forks, ND
2) Crescent City, CA
3) Cave Junction, OR
4) Richland, WA (and many more)

4 Shows I Watch:
1) Bones
2) What Not to Wear
3) Mythbusters
4) Dirty Jobs

4 Places I've Been:
1) Seattle, WA
2) Minneapolis, MN
3) Chicago, IL
4) San Juan Islands (whalewatching)

4 Things I Love to Eat:
1) popcorn
2) potatoes
3) bread
4) apples

4 Places I'd Rather Be:
1) in bed
2) shopping
3) blech, I don't know...I'm rather content with where I am.
4)

Things I Look Forward to:
1) good books
2) vacation with my husband
3) seeing my in-laws
4) seeing SB Sarah and MelJean and whoever else this May when I go to Portland!!