Did Not Finish.

Book two in The Masters of Time series by Brenda Joyce was quite different that the first book, Dark Seduction. The lead characters, Royce and Allie, just aren't as easy to like. In fact, I actually wanted Allie to end up with someone else by the end of the story. So, why the three star review then? Well, it takes a lot for an author to keep a story going when the reader isn't thrilled with the main characters. Joyce's story was so well written, the plot and setting so interesting, that I still wanted to find out what happened next. It also set the stage for the third book in the series, and it looks like it will be starring one of my favorite supporting roles from the first two books.

Who knew the Underworld could be romantic? It's just what Samantha and Geo need to get the spark started. Samantha is a headstrong and determined leading lady. And when you match her up with a dominating and stubborn leading man, things just keep getting more and more interesting. In Samantha's quest to rescue her sister, she finds Geo to be so much more than she expected. She is a breath of fresh air to Geo, and who couldn't use one of those after living in the Underworld. Things really heat up about half way through when the skin tight leather gets taken out, and it only gets better.
A fantastic read - one of my favorites this summer.

Radioactive Baltimore has to be one of the best settings I've read in a long long time. The place was alive, upbeat, and extremely unique. With statues that moved, building that glowed flourescent at night, and a population that couldn't help but "change" in such creative ways while living there, each page had a new surprise for me, but somehow still managed not to overdo it.

Tina is surrounded by characters - in every sense of the word. They bring the neighborhood to life (well, the moving statues did help) and added so much color to the story. While not much happened in the way of real romance, Tina does have a few hot and heavy moments as she tries to figure out who was really behind the attempt on her life.

Captain Liam Synar made a very tough decision when he saved the life of his new mate, Ania Looren, by forcing her to become a demon host - perhaps it was the wrong decision. His way of dealing with it is to not tell her and then disappear for two years (not the most noble of deeds). While he is gone, Ania realizes that something is wrong but can't quite figure out what it is. When Liam's evil brother attacks her family trying to get the demon that she hosts under his control - Liam is forced to return and face the consequences of his actions.



I almost put this down about half way through. It just wasn't moving along very well for me. Then Ania and Liam found themselves forced to be together on his ship and things started to become very interesting again. While sparks didn't necessarily go flying, a nice slow burn began between the two again. However...the ending....OH MY GOD what a cliffhanger. I will have to go get the next one very very soon so that I can find out if Liam and Ania can work through their differences and let their passions out again.

Born in Twilight tells the story of Jameson. The little boy we first met in Twilight Phantasies (Wings in the Night #1), is all grown up and not sure if he wants to be turned or not. Angelica is a newly turned vampire on her own with no one to teach her. She takes Jameson without realizing what she is doing and leaves him for dead. Now, as you can tell from the blurb on the book - Angelica ends up pregnant with Jameson's child, but I don't want to give away too many of the specifics - let's just say that the bad guys have a hand in the whole thing.




This was not my favorite of the series so far. Jameson got on my nerves with his super macho attitude and the religious symbolism was a little over the top. I did love to see how all the characters from the past books played their own role in the story without taking away from the romance budding between Angelica and Jameson. I also enjoyed seeing how the little boy I grew to love in Twilight Phantasies turned out all grown up.

Heather is on a mission to destroy an ancient vampire named Marco Pavel and she isn't too happy when Brendan - a werewolf - shows up in her house trying to watch her back. He says he has to because he promised her grandmother. While Heather would agree that Brendan is pretty hot, she doesn't appreciate the fact that he just won't go away. As Heather - and Brendan by default - track down vampires related to Marco they find that they work quite well together. I love their verbal sparring matches and the way the fight scenes were written to hightlight each of their strengths and show how they covered each other's weaknesses.




But when they find themselves captured and experimented on by the same vampires they are trying to hunt down, things take an interesting turn. Heather learns more about her past and what she really is, she learns she has to trust people to take care of things sometimes, and that what she is doesn't have to define who she is. I'm looking forward to more in this series to see what Heather's hunt for Marco takes her and to see how her relationship with Brendan evolves.

Connie seems like just another boarding school girl and life is normal until one night she has a dream about a bunch of insects attacking a girl. She thinks it's just another nightmare until the same girl turns up very sick and has to leave for the hospital. As the dreams continue, Connie realizes that something is very wrong, something is hunting her fellow students. Since she is the only one that seems to be having the dreams she decides to track it down and try to stop it.

I really liked Connie's character, she reacted to things that were happening in a very realistic teenage manner - freak out, tell you friends, think it's nothing and move on - until it keeps happening. I enjoyed the way the story and mystery developed. The only downfall was the seemingly lack of notice from any adults. They are concerned about the sick students, but don't seem to be taking a whole lot of action to do much about it.

Overall a very good story, with just a few plot pitfalls. It was hard to put down and it had a different perspective than many I've read.

If you can look past the few flaws in the political structure (which the writing made very easy) then this book is fantastic. Who would have thought that someone who had no intention of ever being involved in politics could cause such a storm without even trying. The characters were charming and memorable. The ending was great and leaves you somewhat satisfied, while still wanting to read more - it's hard to find a satisfying cliffhanger and Dixie Swanson nailed it. I hope I have a chance to read book 2 - The Accidental President soon.

Who would want to be stuck as a vampire - torn between your evil sire and the man that saved you and you're falling in love with? Carrie finds herself in just such a position. Irresistably drawn to her sire, a cruel man that is determined to rule not just the vampires, but also the humans. She finds it difficult to pull herself away from him, but comes up with a risky solution to her problem. But it just might kill her to get it done.

Carrie was AMAZING - one of my favorite characters in paranormal romance so far. Jennifer Armintrout threw so many plot twists and fun characters at me that I couldn't put the book down. With quite a surprise ending the second will have to be read quickly.