Lisa Kleypas - Cold-Hearted Rake

The first in a new series, published October 27, 2015.
Genre: historical romance
Cover: nice colors but the heroine wears black



A twist of fate…
Devon Ravenel, London s most wickedly charming rake, has just inherited an earldom. But his powerful new rank in society comes with unwanted responsibilities and more than a few surprises. His estate is saddled with debt, and the late earl s three innocent sisters are still occupying the house along with Kathleen, Lady Trenear, a beautiful young widow whose sharp wit and determination are a match for Devon's own.
A clash of wills…
Kathleen knows better than to trust a ruthless scoundrel like Devon. But the fiery attraction between them is impossible to deny and from the first moment Devon holds her in his arms, he vows to do whatever it takes to possess her. As Kathleen finds herself yielding to his skilfully erotic seduction, only one question remains: Can she keep from surrendering her heart to the most dangerous man she s ever known?"


I've been hoping that Lisa Kleypas would abandon her contemporary romances with magic in them, and go back to writing historical romances, as I really did not like them. But alas, now she has done so, and I don't like this book, at all. I fear she has lost her touch with writing other types of books.

I did not like Devon and how he treated Kathleen, and I did not like Kathleen enough to warm up to her. I did like his brother West, and I am curious about the next book, but not enough to buy it. For me, Lisa Kleypas has fallen of my auto buy author list. I will gladly re-read her older historical romances, as those are amazing, but she has not enchanted me for the last 6 years.

4 stars out of 10.

© 2016 Reviews by Aurian

Laurell K. Hamilton - Dancing

Book 22.5 in the Anita Blake, Vampire Hunter series, published September 17, 2013.
Genre: urban fantasy
Cover: strange



For most people, summer barbecues are nothing to be afraid of. But Anita isn't exactly plain vanilla - and neither is her love life. So it takes a special kind of courage to attend a barbecue thrown by her friend Sergeant Zerbrowski. Walking into a backyard full of cops and their families with wereleopards Micah and Nathaniel both looking gorgeous on her arm won't be easy, even with almost-four-year-old Matthew Vespucci to break the ice ...
Anita is determined to have a good time with her family, just like everyone else. But it doesn't take long for tensions to rise among the adults and kids. And Anita will learn that gossip and innuendo can be just as dangerous as anything the undead can throw at her ...


A lovely little story in between other books, and I want to thank my best friend Freya again for gifting it to me. I enjoyed it a lot. And can you imagine, no sex scenes at all in this book, only some kissing.
Troubles with some woman who recognize Nathaniel, and trouble for little Matthew when some other little boy tells him his fathers opinions on gay people … But in the end, the children and adults are dancing …

8 stars.

© 2016 Reviews by Aurian

Deborah Blake - Wickedly Powerful

The third book in the Baba Yaga series, published February 2, 2016.
Genre: paranormal romance
Cover: good



Known as the wicked witch of Russian fairy tales, Baba Yaga is not one woman, but rather a title carried by a chosen few. They keep the balance of nature and guard the borders or our world, but don’t make the mistake of crossing one of them…

The only thing more fiery than Bella Young's red hair is her temper. She knows that a Baba Yaga's power without strict control can leave the people she cares about burned, so to protect her heart - and everyone around her - the only company she keeps is her dragon-turned-Norwegian-Forest-cat, Koshka.
But when Bella is tasked with discovering who's setting magical fires on Wyoming's Black Hills, she finds herself working closely with former Hotshots firefighter Sam Corbett-and falling hard for his quiet strength and charm.
Sam may bear the scars of his past, but Bella can see beyond them and would do anything to help him heal. Only before she can rescue her Prince Charming, she'll have to overcome the mysterious foe setting the forest fires-a truly wicked witch who wields as much power and even more anger than Bella…


The third in this great trilogy, and I loved it. Although I really wanted to smack Sam a few times. He is not deserving of Bella at all. Bella discovers who is behind it, and she finds the missing Riders, but it takes all the Baba's together and their lovers to save them in turn …

Great story, great characters, especially of the teenaged run away Bella takes on as her apprentice. I look forward to reading more by this author.

Original, fun, magical and with a nice portion of action and some love scenes as well. And of course a trip to the Queen of Faery …

10 stars.

© 2016 Reviews by Aurian

Joanne Fluke - Double Fudge Brownie Murder

Book 18 in the Hannah Swensen series, published February 24, 2015.
Genre: cozy mystery with lots of recipes
Cover: my book has a lovely red color instead of this hard orange.



Life in Lake Eden, Minnesota, is usually pleasantly uneventful. Lately, though, it seems everyone has more than their fair share of drama to manage. With so much on her plate, Hannah Swensen can barely find the time to think about her bakery - let alone the town's most recent murder...Hannah is nervous about the upcoming trial for her involvement in a tragic accident. She's eager to clear her name once and for all, but her troubles only double when she finds the judge bludgeoned to death with his own gavel. Now Hannah is the number-one suspect. As she sets out in search of the culprit she discovers that the judge made more than a few enemies during his career. With time running out, Hannah will have to whip up her most clever recipe yet to find a killer more elusive than the perfect brownie...


Well, my perfect brownie has no nuts in it! I prefer my chocolate undiluted …
A good story in this long running series, and finally, finally an ending to the infernal love triangle, and just the ending I have wanted for at least the last 10 books. So that makes me happy.
It is a series I love to read, as I do enjoy the large cast of characters and the not so easy murders that need solving. And if you love to bake, you should buy these books for the recipes alone.

9 stars.

© 2016 Reviews by Aurian

Darynda Jones - Seventh Grave and No Body

The seventh book in the Charley Davidson series, published October 21, 2014.
Genre: urban fantasy
Cover: lovely color purple



Lead me not into temptation.
Follow me instead! I know a shortcut!
--T-shirt

A day's work is never done when you're a part-time private investigator and full-time Grim Reaper, and Charley Davidson could really use a vacation. Yesterday. But first she has some family business to attend to: Her father has disappeared, and as Charley retraces his last steps she begins to question everything she's ever known about him … and, of course, herself. Add to that an ex-BFF who is stalking her, a rash of suicides that has authorities baffled, and her drop-dead sexy fiancé who has attracted the attentions of a local celebrity, and Charley is ready to call it quits. Except that she can't, since she's got the devil at her heels. So what's everybody's favourite grim reaper slash den mother supposed to do now?
A tad north of hell, a hop, skip, and a jump past the realm of eternity is a little place called Earth, and Charley is determined to do everything in her power to protect it. With a wing and a prayer …


A series that is really growing on me, it keeps getting better and better. More about Charley herself is revealed by Reyes and Garrett and it is a shocker. And now the 12 hellhounds are after her, and they apparently can't be killed, so how to keep her safe?
I do look forward to catching up on this series!

8 stars.

© 2016 Reviews by Aurian

Lori Handeland - Smoke on the Water

(The third book in the Sisters of The Craft series, published August 4, 2015.
Genre: paranormal romance
Cover: good, put all three together, very good.



Reunited after four hundred years, three sisters join together to vanquish the power that tore them apart...and embrace the sorcery that is their birthright.

Abandoned as an infant, Willow Black spent her childhood in foster care, the object of whispers and pity...and rumors about being certifiably crazy. Telling your young friends that you can foresee the future-and summon the rain-is a surefire way to end up in the psychiatric ward. But when Dr. Sebastian Frasier arrives at the facility, Willow's whole life takes a turn. Sebastian is the handsomest man she's ever actually laid eyes on-even though he has been in Willow's visions for years. But not even she could have predicted the storm of passion that engulfs them both. With Sebastian by her side, Willow is emboldened to embrace her history, and the sisters she never knew. Soon, the true power in her blood awakes-and the battle she was born to fight begins. While the tempest rages, Willow must depend on the friends and family she's found-and the man she has loved forever...

Absolutely unique third book in the series, with the heroine locked away in an insane asylum. She sees visions in water, and when she saw her would-be killer, she killed him instead. And was declared insane. Where the mother of hero number 2 resides as well (when she doesn't miraculously escape) And her new shrink is no other than the hero, of course. Will he believe in her ?

Yes, I loved all the characters, and the story and the ending. I will certainly re-read these books.

9 stars.

© 2016 Reviews by Aurian

Lori Handeland - Heat of the Moment

The second book in the Sisters of The Craft series, published June 30, 2015
Genre: paranormal romance
Cover: good



A spell that tore three sisters apart is broken four hundred years later, when the magic in their blood reunites them. Now, one of them will discover her gift-and reignite a love long thought lost...
Flame-haired Becca Carstairs was born to be a veterinarian. Since childhood, her affinity for animals has been special, and her healing touch nothing short of magic. But only Becca knows the truth-that she alone can hear the creatures' voices. She's always trusted her sixth sense...until a string of missing pets, an attempted murder, and a face from her past converge into one explosive mystery, with her at its center. Is haunted Owen McAllister, the boy who broke her heart ten years ago, related to the sinister crimes that have peaceful Three Harbors, Wisconsin, on its guard? Or is his reappearance part of the answer to questions that have troubled her all her life? As Becca delves into her strange heritage, she'll have to fight for her life...and the man she will always love.


The second book in the series, the story continues, but two sisters are now re-united. Another father that keeps love away from her, of course to no avail. Fascinating with the crazy mother of the hero mixed in. Suspenseful and magical and just very good.

9 stars.

© 2016 Reviews by Aurian