Brawn (New Species #5) - Laurann Dohner

Brawn by Laurann Dohner
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was one of those where the hero and heroine can't seem communicate with each other and their relationship is based on misunderstandings. It makes you just want to scream at them because you so badly want them to be together.

While I did enjoy this, what I mentioned above does damper my love for it. There were a few swoonworthy moments but I wanted their to be more romance. Like the relationships in the previous books, particularly Tammy and Valiant's relationship. They were adorable, especially Valiant.

I know Brawn and Becca were forced together in a less than desirable circumstance. I just wished they communicated more. The angst and drama that occurred made my chest tighten and my heart feel heavy. I just wanted them to be together and be happy. We got there eventually. All thanks to one particular New Species female...

Once again Breeze saves the day because that woman has the ability to set things straight, communicate her point clearly and her plans to fix relationships between the hero and heroine always work! I want her to have her own happy ever after. She deserves it. I would like to see her with a human male actually.

Cannot wait for the next book. I hope their relationship won't be based on miscommunication.


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Justice (New Species #4) - Laurann Dohner

This one was so good. I so badly wanted Justice to get a chance to have his own mate since we met him in the first book.

Jessie is badass. She is underestimated, that's for sure. She can totally hold her own. She has a mouth on her and she refuses to be ordered around by anyone. She marches to beat of her own drum and I love that because I can completely relate to that.

I love Justice but I feel so sorry for him. He carries way too much weight on those shoulders of his. He has to since he's the leader of his race. But it made me sad when his responsibly to his people and their safety threatened his relationship with Jessie.

What I did love about this was that the angst and drama between the couple wasn't because of a misunderstanding. This couple actually communicated and anyone who is a romance reader knows that's a rare thing sometimes.

I also loved the fact that this wasn't focused around the hate groups run by humans and there wasn't as much violence in this which was such a breath of fresh air. This was more focused around the couple and the struggle they faced in their relationship with each other.

Special mention deserves to go to Breeze. She was so epically awesome in this one, that mastermind that she is. She totally deserves her own mate. I'm curious if she will get her own book and even if she doesn't, if she will get her own happy ever after as a secondary character? And more importantly, will she be mated with a human or her own species?

Too many questions! I guess we will just have to wait and see.

 

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Valiant (New Species #3) - Laurann Dohner

I'm loving this series so much! I'm so grateful there are nine books currently released, the tenth one is coming soon (I'm assuming next year) and more will be released in the future. So exciting!

I liked Tammy. She wasn't afraid to speak up to Valiant which is sweet in a way and made me laugh because he is someone who is feared among his race. Well, he is gigantic, and he roars and growls a lot.

Valiant takes the caveman thing to a whole new level. He is humungous, he eats raw meat, he has a simple view of life. Throughout he repeated the words 'I belong to you and you belong to me' and the word 'mine' because he really believes it is as simple as that. He's actually so adorable though. He's fiercely protective, possessive and controlling. He's also a sex machine. That boy could just not get enough. Who thought that guy who everyone thinks is one scary mofo is actually sweet and thoughtful.

Sometimes I cringe at the violence in this and the reoccurring subject matter of rape. It makes my stomach turn. This wasn't as bad as the previous two were but even just the thought of what could of happened when the captured her was enough to make me nauseated.

I'm glad we got to meet Jessie and I'm very excited to read her story with Justice. That man deserves a mate and he needs to take some time out of his busy life to recieve the love of a woman of his own.

 

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Slade (New Species #2) - Laurann Dohner

This was a rollercoaster of emotion. It was adventurous and action packed. It made my stomach turn because of an attempted rape scene so beware to those readers who are sensitive to that subject matter.

This story ripped my heart into tiny pieces, because of a misunderstanding between them and that lack of communication that one time created a whole lot of separation angst. This story also made me shout in excitment because the 'so called impossible' became possible. And finally it made me swoon.

I loved the heroine. Trisha is extremely smart and she has a big chest. Boobs and brains, my kind of girl! She's also sweet and kind, and also very misunderstood. Just because she had intelligence does not mean she is snobby. She has a big heart with a lot of love to share around.

Oh, Slade. He made me smile. He's a total alpha male. Protective, possessive yet so incredibly sweet. My kind of fantasy man.

I was jealous and felt betrayed by Brass. I just automatically hate anything that can potentially become between the relationship between the heroine and hero. But once the main couple become solid in their relationship, I came to like Brass (now that he no longer posed any threat) and I hope he gets his own happy ending.

I need to mention Valiant. How can I not? He's described as humongous and scary looking... But I fell in love with him as soon as he expressed his desire to have a mate of his own. So bloody adorable. I melted. I cannot wait to read his story and get inside his head!

 

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Fury (New Species #1) - Laurann Dohner

After reading a paranormal romance that disappointed me and caused me to not even finish writing it, it was a breath of fresh air to read this. Firstly, there was actually plot. Hallelujah! While there were a lot of sex scenes, it didn't completely take over the story. Thank god! While I need to have sex scenes in novels when I read, I also need plot and world building. And this fit that criteria to a tee.

There was drama, conflict, sex and action. The hero was possessive, protective, risked his life to save her, he was tender and just a total alpha male. Some of the scenes made me melt and swoon. What more can a girl ask for?

I liked the heroine. She was compassionate, so incredibly tough, she loved Fury so much and she accepted him for what he is and the difference between their species from the start. She was possessive and I couldn't help but smile when she let that show.

This story kept me on my toes and I enjoyed reading it so much.

The last line of this was just absolutely perfect. It's just the most perfect lead in to Slade and Trisha's story.

“Slade had a mental image of Doc Trisha and her smile flashed through his thoughts “I’m undecided but who knows what the future holds.”

I'm so glad this series has a whole collection of novels. I'm so excited to read them all.

 

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Breeding Cycle (The Kategan Alphas #1) - T.A. Grey

This was a DNF (did not finish) for me.

The writing style was very choppy and it grated on my nerves. There was too much sex and not enough plot. I stopped halfway so I don't know if whether the plot eventually kicks in or not, and I have no wish to find out.

There was no character development. While I didn't mind the heroine in the beginning, I could at least tolerate her while she and the hero spent time at the cabin, when she was back at the castle with her best friend, she completely changed and spoke like a teenager. What the hell, right? She's 22, not 13.

And I didn't connect with the hero at all. I read these kinds of books because I want to fall in love with heroes. But this hero didn't make me swoon.

I don't know if the series gets better but I don't think I will continue with this series

MY RATING - N/A

Enemy Mine (Alpha and Omega #2) - Aline Hunter

I've just devoured this series the last two days and I loved it. I liked Mary a lot. She's a survivor but she's sweet and it was great to see the confidence that grew within her and within her relationship with Emory.

Emory was an alpha, not doubt about that. But he wasn't overly controlling and he always put her feelings and opinions first before he made decisions instead of just making decisions about their future by himself. It was heartwarming.

I love the involvement of the secondary characters and the focus the reader gets to have on them. Diskant and Ava are so good together and I was so happy when Ava released her news.

Let me tell you something... The female vampires rock. They totally kick ass. Sadie is awesome. I love her and Trey. But Trey really fucked up and he definitely has some grovelling to do. I'm very interested to see how their new predicament works out. Very curious to see Trey's reaction. I won't say what's happened or else its a tiny spoiler.

My heart went out to Nathan when he was revealed his longing and yearning for a mate of his own. And when Leigh came into the picture, I knew it was destined to be, I desperately hope we get their own book soon. Leigh is one extremely powerful chick. We may got to see a small extent of how truly powerful she is in this book.

I really hope Kinsley gets his own book and a mate of his own as well. I would love to get to know him better. The fact he's Scottish... *swoon* I'm also very curious to see what will happen about the Caden and his new mission. And who the mystery girl is!

I can foresee many books being in this series and I hope I'm right. It's a shame Trey and Sadie's book isn't released yet because I'm desperate for more of this series.

 

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Omega Mine (Alpha and Omega #1) - Aline Hunter

I haven't read paranormal romance in a while and reading this reminded my exactly why paranormal romance is my favourite genre.

I love my heroes when they are protective and possessive, they don't share their women and can't tolerate the mere thought of another man touching her, they are dangerous and bad ass, capable of great power, but they sweet, tender and affectionate to their women.

And the heroines are strong and bad ass in their own way, they aren't doormats, they are feisty and can hold their own when it comes to arguing with their men.

And the word 'mate' means so so so much more than the words 'girlfriend' or 'wife.'

Now this was a great book. I really enjoyed it. There were quite a few moments when I just wanted to melt in a pile goo between the hero and heroine. I loved the fact that after they accepted what happened between them, they were solid in their relationship and confident in their love for one another. I loved that. It's so refreshing from the usual misunderstandings that occurs in contemporary romance as a source of drama.

My only complaint is there were more sex scenes then there were dialogue between the hero and heroine. Authors need to find a way to balance that, because a lot of the time the most swooniest moments are when they aren't having sex.

I'm looking forward to reading Emory and Mary story next, I'm even more excited to read Trey and Sadie's story in third book!

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Speechless - Kim Fielding

It feels so good to be reading again, enclosed in a world that is not my own.

This book was sweet, so sweet. It made my heart sing. Both Drew and Travis were adorable together. I just wished they hadn't spent that time a apart. And my biggest complaint is that it was too short. I wanted to read more about these two. Still, it was heartwarming to watch how they interacted and how Travis' eye or Drew inability to speak never came between them. They didn't let their differences stand in the way of their relationship, they loved each other, flaws and all.

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Unravel Me - Kendall Ryan

When I read the summary to this, I thought this would be such an awesome story. After reading it, I realise it had the potential to be something much more, much greater, than what it was.

I was expecting it to a suspenseful romance, where we slowly unravel the pieces of the hero's past and the types of things that will unfold will ultimately serve as obstacles for the hero and heroine to triumph. I know it is only a short novella, but it fell flat to be honest.

I would have loved there to be more depth to the characters and more depth to the plot.

MY RATING - 3 SWOONS

Lessons Learned - Sydney Logan

I've had this on my list to-read for ages and I'm not sure why I waited so long to read it.

It was a good read. It was definitely an emotional read. It felt like the heroine cried in every single chapter. Actually, I think she did. She was still likeable though.

The hero, Lucas... Well, he was perfect. Too perfect maybe. But sometimes it's nice to read a hero who is a little too good to be true. He was very swoony. I absolutely loved the fact they were pretty solid in their relationship throughout the book, even though there were a number of complications that threatened their relationship. What I loved even more is was the fact there was no stupid misunderstanding that caused and tension between the hero and heroine.

The subject matter of this book is still a contemporary controversial issue in today's society. As I am not a traditionalist and have been raised to realise that people are different and that's not a bad thing, and that you shouldn't ever have to conform to society's ideals in order to fit in. So naturally, my heart broke so hard for Matt and I can't even begin to comprehend what it would be like to love in a small town who is very religious and traditional.

The style of the writing was fantastic, I didn't spot any errors which is fantastic, and overall, it was an enjoyable read.

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Star Crossed (Battered Hearts #2) - Kele Moon

I'm so glad I chose to read this series the past two days. This is the second book in the Battered Hearts series and I was pleasantly surprised to be it was much longer than the first.

This one was a rollarcoaster ride. There were just so many different things going on. So many different complications. I liked reading and getting to know Romeo and Jules. They are a highly emotional couple and I enjoyed the way their relationship developed and progressed. Romeo is a man who is not afraid to express his feelings and show his emotions, and I absolutely loved that about him. It was just so lovely to see, a hero so in touch with what he is feeling.

Though I love detailed sex scenes, there probably could have been less sex scenes in this and it still would have been good. It just felt like something happened and then a sex scene and then something happened and then another sex scene... You get my point.

Now Wyatt... He was a bit of a jerk in this. I mean, I enjoyed him in the first book. He was charming, and then in the second book, we saw a different side. A more vulnerable side of him. I think he is misunderstood which is why I really want to read his story next and get to know him.

Wyatt is fiercely protective of his sister and he is heartbroken and still devoted to someone who apparently left him. We don't really know much more about him and Tabitha besides that, so I'm very intrigued and I hope Tabitha doesn't turn out to be a bitch.

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Defying the Odds (Battered Hearts #1) - Kele Moon

This was short and sweet. I really enjoyed it.

For someone as big, angry and intimidating as Clay, he sure as hell is a bucket of sweetness. He is an alpha male with a tender side, my favourite type of hero. When he gagged down the pumpkin pie she gave him because he didn't want to embarrass her by admitting he hates pumpkin pie, when he mopped the floor for her, fixed her truck, and all the times his protectiveness over her came out... *dreamy sigh*

Melody was very kind and she didn't deserve the way the people treated her in past, especially her husband. But she had me as soon as she said her dream was too open a women's shelter for abused women.

The secondary characters were interesting and I'm interested in getting to know them more. Especially the story with Wyatt and Tabitha, but up next is Jule's story with Romeo.

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

Hot Head (Head #1) - Damon Suede

So everyone here seemed to love this book and it did not disappoint.

This was the first GFY (Gay For You) I've ever read and I'm looking forward to reading more.

I wished this book had been longer. The first half of the book I so badly wanted to connect with Dante and then all of a sudden, I did. He showed a completely different side of him. An absolutely vulnerable, adorable, emotional side of him. It was so endearing to read. Griffin... I loved Griffin. There's not much more I can say about that.

There were so many questions I want answered like what will happen with their jobs at the fire house after they confront the boys? Will the boys eventually have a family like Griff imagined? Will their story continue or will the next book in this series star another two heroes? Will one of those heroes be Tommy? Because he deserves his own happiness, especially after what happened. I was so disgusted after reading that. Some people are so scum.

I have one last final thing to ask all of you readers... Have you ever read an m/m where the boys have a child? I'm dying to read one because the m/m's I've read so far all have one of the heroes fantasising about having a child with the other and just being a family... And it is at this point when my ovaries want to explode. So please, if you can recommend any to me, that'd be awesome!

 

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

 

 

One Dark Night - Jaid Black

This was suspenseful. I had three guesses who I believed was the killer and one of my guesses were right. It wasn't too predictable but if you give it a bit of thoughts, try to pick out little hints dropped here and there, amd add two and two together, you'll know who it was as well.

There was some sex in this but really I found the kitchen scene one to hottest. All the others were a bit of a mood killer as soon as Thomas referred to him as 'Daddy'. Yep, my lady boner deflated in an instant after that. It's the biggest hate I have when reading books. I'm surprised I didn't stop reading after that, but I did want to see who the killer turned out to be.

So I guess it wasn't the romance that kept me turning the pages, it my the suspense and my curiosity getting the better of me.

There were subject matters in this that may be very sensitive for some people so just be aware before reading.

 

MY RATING - 3.5 SWOONS

Warrior's Cross - Abigail Roux & Madeleine Urban

I wish I had read Warrior's Cross before reading book 5 of the Cut and Run series. A lot more would have more sense had I done that. I guess I'm the future I'll need to read Armed and Dangerous again to enjoy and appreciate Julian and Cameron again and to see if I had missed anything.

Reading Warrior's Cross reaffirmed how much I love Cameron. Whoever thinks he is plain and unremarkable are so damn stupid because he is so wonderful. He's so gentle, caring and sweet. But he has this inner strength which is amazing. The thing I love about him is that he is not an alpha male. Weird, right, because I love alpha males. But when they are together, Julian is so alpha that you cant help but fall in love with how sweet Cameron really is. That's not to say Julian isn't sweet. Like an awesome alpha male, Julian has a tender side which has me smiling just thinking about it.

There was so much secrecy within this. If it weren't for the fact that we get to see glimpses into Julian's life, the reader would be just as left out of the loop as Cameron is. I can understand Julian's reasons for not wanting Cameron to be subjected to the ugliness and the danger of his lifestyle.

This wasn't overtly steamy but I didn't mind because of how much I love Cameron and Julian, especially Cameron. I can't say that enough, can I? I really did enjoy this. I thought the end was a bit abrupt and I really didn't want it to end because I felt like there could be more and their story wasn't finished yet. I guess it wasn't because we got to see them in Armed and Dangerous and still their story isn't over as they just picked up their cats from Ty and Zane's and settled down wherever they are at the moment.

I hope to see more of Julian and Cameron, hopefully in the Cut and Run series.

MY RATING - 4 SWOONS

On Dublin Street - Samantha Young

So a lot of people have either loved or hated this book. I'm having mixed feelings. I don't quite know how I feel about it. I mean, I didn't hate but I didn't love it.

There were a few moments that attracted me like some of the stuff that Braden says. But overall I didn't fall head over heels in love with him like I usually do when reading. I didn't find him overtly swoonworthy which is what I want to do every time reading romance.

I didn't connect with Joss at all. I hated her name for one thing. Petty, I know. Still it irritated me. She was a hot mess. She hasn't led an easy life. Still, I didn't like her much as a heroine.

I loved Ellie, way more than the heroine. I connected with Ellie more than I did with Joss. Ellie was adorable, sweet, kind, funny. I would love if we could go to back into the past and read about her story with Adam from the beginning. Now that would be awesome.

I hate the dull and flat feeling I get when I finish reading some novels and I felt that with this. It wasn't like the series of books I read where once I finished, I was feeling happy, full of swoons and wishing I could read more. I didn't get that feeling with this.

You know what else I hate... When authors use misunderstandings between the hero and heroine to create angst. Ugh, can authors think of new sources of angst and drama. I found I didn't have to suffer through bullshit misunderstandings when reading m/m.

 

MY RATING - 3 SWOONS

Stars & Stripes (Cut & Run #6) - Abigail Roux

So this is the last book in the series so far that's been released which makes me incredibly sad because I started reading the first book and tore through the rest at lightning speed.

This was my first m/m series and I'm so lucky to have had my cherry popped by Ty and Zane, hehe.

So the sixth book in this series was just as amazing as the rest. This boom truly had me in hysterics though. It was hilarious! Particularly the scene with Chester, his shovel and his big mouth. That old man may seem senile, but nothing much gets past him. Zane's father was so awesome. I loved him so much.

Unfortunately, the same thing cannot be said for his mother. I had thought Earl was bad but Beverley was an absolute bitch. Trying to make Zane choose between his family and Ty... pfft.

There was so many moments between Ty and Zane that were so damn sweet. Their love for one another and how strong it is makes me want to weep with happiness. They are so hot together, the scene on the couch with Ty wearing a Stetson... Well, you guys can put two and two together. *winks*

The way our boys were together in this book, the way they told their families and weren't so secretive about their feelings about each other and finally their interactions with Sadie, Zane incredibly adorable niece... It made my heart ache because I could see Zane and Ty getting married and having children together. Particularly, a little girl. I hope in the future we get to see that of them. I'm sure many readers like myself would absolutely positively love to see that. I guess only time will tell...

Can anybody tell me when the next book will be released? Because I'm already suffering from withdrawals...

 

MY RATING - 5 SWOONS

Dine & Dash (Cut & Run #5.5) - Abigail Roux

Have I mentioned how much I love Ty and Zane? Wherever I can get my hands on them, whether it be a full length novel or a 10 page scene with them together, I am grateful to just be able to have more of them.

This was very very short and very sexy, might I add. A nice little scene if we're in the mood for some Ty and Zane lovin'!

MY RATING - 5 SWOONS

Armed & Dangerous (Cut & Run #5) - Abigail Roux

Armed and Dangerous is about Ty and Zane being sent on a mission to deliver Julian Cross to DC and the only way to get him there was to also drag along his lover, Cameron. Now two gay couples, one man an assassin, the other his gentle sweet lover and the other two FBI agents whom we know in love, forced into a road trip in order to get to their destination... I just knew hilarity was going to ensue and boy was I right.

There was so many humorous moments. A lot of action considering our beloved boys are again trying to be killed. Julian and Cameron were so very sweet and such a contrast. Julian is the alpha male, I couldn't describe him better than that. But Cameron is so sweet, sensitive and kind hearted.

I'm aware that these two are actually characters from the book Warriors Cross which I have yet to read but after reading about them in this, I definitely want to get to know them better and find out about their relationship from the beginning.

Ty and Zane were just amazing, finally freely admitting to each other their love. You could see how far they have come since the first book. They are so much more confident within their relationship. The love scenes were so passionate and loving.... And hot! Damn, I have one scene in mind. All I'm saying is Zane could have a career in becoming a cowboy, that boy can ride.

I should really talk about Nick. I want to hate him. But like Zane, I can't. I still think Ty should not have said anything about liking. It because zi mean, really Zane didn't need to know it. But I guess I shoulsnt complain because that's the way Ty is. He is brutally honest, whether you want to hear the truth or not. Now Nick is a likeable guy but without him, we wouldn't have been subjected to some very important information about Ty's past.

I was so engrossed when Nick was retelling Zane about his and Ty's experience together in the past. So very saddening. It so very important because it was an another part of Ty's past that was revealed.

I just want to shake Ty and Zane and demand for them to be completely open about each others pasts. There are so many secrets or even just unrevealed information between them, but since there are to be still more books in the series, I guess everything will gradually be revealed.

I'm only fearful of one thing... When will the Bureau find out about their relationship and what will they do about it? I guess time will tell.

 

MY RATING - 5 SWOONS