Carole's Sunday Review: Spell of the Highlander

Author: Karen Marie Moning 

Narrator: Phil Gigante

Title: Spell of the Highlander

(Highlander #7)

Genre: Paranormal Romance, Fantasy, SciFi, Contemporary

Pages: Audiobook

Published: August 30th 2005

Where I Got It: My shelf (Audible)

It's taken him eleven centuries to find the right woman. He's not about to lose her now.

Jessi St. James has GOT to get a life. Too many hours studying ancient artifacts has given the archaeology student a bad case of sex on the brain. So she figures she must be dreaming when she spies a gorgeous half-naked man staring out at her from inside the glass of an ancient mirror. But when a split-second decision saves her from a terrifying attempt on her life, Jessi suddenly finds herself confronting six and a half feet of smoldering INSATIABLE alpha male.

Heir to the arcane magic of his Druid ancestors, Cian MacKeltar was trapped inside the Dark Glass eleven centuries ago. And when the Dark Glass is stolen, an ancient enemy will stop at nothing to reclaim it. For Jessi, the sex god in the mirror is not only tantalizingly real, he's offering his protection—from exactly what, Jessi doesn't know. And all he wants in exchange is the exquisite pleasure of sharing her bed.... 

Been meaning to read this for a while. I honestly forgot about the series until this popped up when I was looking for an Audio to buy with my free credit. Why not? I've been delaying reading the rest of the series for a bit now. 

The story follows Cian who was tricked and trapped inside of the Dark Glass for eleven centuries. Eee gags. Finally, the glass is stolen and pretty much dropped on Jessi's lap. His only hope. Jessi is working herself to the bone to graduate and really has zero life. Well...a whole bunch of life is landed in her lap and she has to help Cian or she might die. Oh dear. 

Now, I would for sure read the three before this. There are some major references here that would be a touch confusing. You would be fine after a while, but I can see some head-scratching especially near the end when some old characters come and join the story. 

At first, I liked the cover a lot. But then it annoyed me because the girl looks nothing like the main character Jessi. Jessi has short, black hair. This chick on the cover has long and light hair. Grrr. 

Now...the story was exciting. I had zero idea of how this was going to end. WELL. I know they were to have an HEA....but HOW and WHEN? It seemed so impossible. I felt so bad for Cian. I can't imagine the hellish existence. Sure he is able to come out of the mirror for little bouts of time IF someone summons him. And sure he can see outside the mirror. But gah! I am surprised the man didn't go insane. Jessi for realz needed a life. I get wanting to graduate and etc...but lord 4 hours a sleep a day and that is on a good day???? 

The characters were okay. They did get better at the end there, but at first, they were soooo boring and didn't really have a personality. By the end, I adored them. But it was a rough road at first. I especially got SO annoyed with Jessi. WE GET IT! YOU HAVE BIG BOOBS! Stop mentioning it! GAH! *grumbles* And Cian? Be more of a horny monster you big oaf! Yes, yes, I get you haven't done the deed in eleven centuries and you haven't been in polite society in a while. But the first words are you trying to mind control Jessi to take off her top? SMH. Men. Barbaric oaf. BUUUUT like I said...I grew to adore him when he was able to calm down and realize he can't be like that. 

ooooOOOoooo that ending was SOOOO good. I am SO curious to see what the Fae Queen has up her sleeves next. ^_^

The narrator was fantastic!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I loved the sound effects. I loved his accents and voice changes especially when Cian was behind the mirror. So cool. He was neat and I want to listen to more by him. 

In the end, I did like this. Cian and Jessi were rough to love at first, but I grew to like them. The narrator was fantastic!!!! Darn that cover though! I wish it actually looked like Jessi. I'll give this 3 stars. 

 

Carole's Sunday Review: The Immortal highlander

Author: Karen Marie Moning

Titles: The Immortal Highlander (Highlander #6)

Genre: Paranormal Romance & Fantasy

Pages: 348

First Published: January 1st 2004

Where I Got It: On my shelf (Purchased at B&N)

With his long, black hair and dark, mesmerizing eyes, Adam Black is Trouble with a capital T. Immortal, arrogant, and intensely sensual, he is free to roam across time and continents in pursuit of his insatiable desires. That is, until a curse strips him of his immortality and makes him invisible, a cruel fate for so irresistible a man. Now Adam's only hope for survival is in the hands of the one woman who can actually see him.

Enter law student Gabrielle O'Callaghan. For Gabrielle, cursed with the ability to see both worlds, Mortal and Faery, it is the beginning of a long, dangerous seduction. But as Adam's quest to regain his immortality plunges them into a world of timeless magic, the price of surrender could be their very lives. Unless they can thwart the conspiracy that threatens both Mortal and Faery realms...and give them a shot at a destiny few mortals ever know: glorious, wondrous, endless love... 

Now, this is the 6th installment in the series. I do recommend reading book 4 and book 5 before diving into this book. There is some history in those two books that are needed to truly understand Adam Black and how we got to this point. 

This has been the story I've been waiting for since book 1! The faery rogue named Adam Black has met his match with Gabby during his punishment by the faery Queen. I have a love-hate relationship with him since book 1. He is a selfish jerk sometimes, but other times he has a heart of gold. Having him be invisible and stripping 99% of his powers was indeed the best punishment for him. However...he was punished for doing a non-selfish thing. I felt bad, but it was karma for all the bad things he had done in the past. Damn lovable rogue. 

I felt bad for Gabby. All she wanted was a normal life, but she and her family have been cursed with being able to see faeries, but having to conceal it and hide their powers or the faeries will kill them. She is also forced to hide it from the humans because they will call her a nut. Tough life. 

The story was fun. It was fun seeing a woman not fall head-over-heels with Adam Black. He had to actually earn her and her love. Good. It humbled him a bit. 

My only issue with the book was the lulls in between the action. There was lots and lots of talking. Yes, some bits were boring which I am not accustomed to with this author!! I had to do some skimming. There was a potential for lots of action, but I was denied it. Especially at the climax. The major action was skipped over and I felt denied. I'm really bummed. 

Also, I have mixed feelings about the ending. I liked it, but then I didn't. I'm really on the fence. 

In the end, this was okay. It was nice to finally see Adam Black find his HEA and also be humbled at the same time. I liked Gabby and they were a good fit. The story was rather slow for my liking in this series. Sadly, this wasn't my favorite like I was thinking it might be. Still good, not my favorite. Hopefully this isn't a foreshadow to the demise of the series. There are still two books left that I need to read. *fingers crossed* I do recommend this series to those that like a mixture of fantasy, romance, time travel, history, and paranormal! Its a good series. I can't wait to read the next one. Out of five stars, I stamp this with 3.

Highlander Romance Wednesday x3

He was known throughout the kingdom as Hawk, legendary predator of the battlefield and the boudoir. No woman could refuse his touch, but no woman ever stirred his heart—until a vengeful fairy tumbled Adrienne de Simone out of modern-day Seattle and into medieval Scotland. Captive in a century not her own, entirely too bold, too outspoken, she was an irresistible challenge to the sixteenth-century rogue. Coerced into a marriage with Hawk, Adrienne vowed to keep him at arm's length—but his sweet seduction played havoc with her resolve.

She had a perfect "no" on her perfect lips for the notorious laird, but Hawk swore she would whisper his name with desire, begging for the passion he longed to ignite within her. Not even the barriers of time and space would keep him from winning her love. Despite her uncertainty about following the promptings of her own passionate heart, Adrienne's reservations were no match for Hawk's determination to keep her by his side... 

My thoughts:

I wanted to knock these two over the head and lock them in a room, until they gave in and did it. Cos really! Omg, he has issues, she has issues.

Hawk is loved by all women, and a women scorned is not to be played with.

Adrienne is from the future and falls into 1513. Of course she is all WTF!!?! Luckily she can speak with a brogue, gods, wasn't that lucky for her! She also hates pretty men cos her last boyfriend was an ass.

They are married. She refuse him, he is all you are mine! She is all, I have seen prettier! He is all mine wench! But never to extremes, except for later on when I was ...that is the way you wanna play it? You'd lose me there. Still he is kind and she is stubborn. Why he fell in love, hmmm, cos she was stubborn?

Spoiler

[ I am sorry? She is a virgin? How the f is that possible? She had a boyfriend. She is pretty. They never did it? Ok whatever. ]

It was amusing to see their dance of wills.

Mass Market Paperback, 375 pages
Published May 29th 2007 by Dell (first published March 9th 1999)
Highlander #1
Historical paranormal romance
Own

Darroc MacConacher spends sleepless nights dreaming of a raven-haired beauty who makes him ache with desire. Then his dream comes true: the lady with her lush curves and fair skin appears shipwrecked on his shores. Darroc is immediately drawn to her strength and beauty, and from the moment she lays eyes on this powerful, broad-shouldered warrior, Lady Arabella MacKenzie knows she'll never want another man. 

But theirs is a forbidden love. The MacKenzies drove the MacConachers from their lands and destroyed their honor. Now, Darroc can use this sapphire-eyed seductress to shatter his foes. Yet how can he deny the passion that burns between him and Arabella, and ruin the one woman who touches his very soul? 

My thoughts:

I was afraid I would think Darroc was an ass. But he wasn't! Let me explain ;)

Darroc hates the MacKenzies, they drove them to a godforsaken crappy island. He haaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaates them!

Arabella is on of the hated Mackenzies and she is shipwrecked on his island. And this made me all NOOOOO! I was afraid he would be all, haha, I will seduce her, leave her, and then in the end she still would crawl back. And I would be all no!!!!!

But instead we have a lovely story about she charms everyone. They get that she is not evil, even if her grandfather did something bad. She starts to fall for Darroc. There is talk about vikings (no more vikings then, but whatever.) The island sounds horrible. There is traces of old magic spun through the story. I liked that.

But of course they wont have it easy. Their families are feuding. He is an ass (but in a good way) and love wins.

Paperback, 375 pages
Published October 1st 2009 by Forever
MacKenzie #7
Historical romance
Own

She was ready to let her heart run wild . . . Merry Stewart has had enough! Enough of her brothers, whose behavior would make even the most improper lady blush. Enough of their Highland home, which would surely have fallen to ruin were it not for her. She dreams of escaping into the arms of her betrothed, Alexander d'Aumesbery;even though they haven't yet met. But when they do, Merry is devastated. It seems he's no better than the men in her family. 

So beautiful, so brazen . . . From the moment he meets Merry, Alexander is determined to make her his. Desperate to convince her he's nothing like the members of her roguish clan, he will prove he is every bit the well-mannered gentleman. Yet, beneath it all beats a heart as intense and uncontrollable as hers. And finally, when his life is threatened, Merry realizes he's the husband she's been waiting for . . . and their passion becomes the one thing that cannot be tamed.

My thoughts:

Highlanders! That was enough for me. Though how disappointing, the hero was English. Boooo.

Merry has idiots for a family. They drink and do nothing else. One would think they would have had liver failure by now, or some other clan would have attacked.

Alex is back from the crusades. His bride arrives. Well I got nothing bad to say about Alex. He was nice.

Merry Merry Merry, she really is a judgmental shrew. Also, the almost rape of her husband and touching was just, icky. Ewww. She was one weird woman. Weirdo.

But hey they will fall in love and live happily ever after. But before that someone is after Alex, who?

It was fun for a quick romance. But, they sure bathed a lot for this period. Bathing bathing, and one would think that growing up with animals she would understand that men like animals might have something growing. But hey maybe she never noticed. Never saw a bull, or a horse, or even a freaking dog.

Mass Market Paperback, 371 pages
Published January 26th 2010 by Avon
Devil of the Highlands #2
Historical romance
own

Review: Bloodfever - Karen Marie Moning

Series: Fever #2

Genre: Urban Fantasy/paranormal romance

Published: Oct 13, 2011 (2007)

Publisher: Gollancz

Source: For review

MacKayla Lane's ordinary life underwent a complete makeover when she landed on Ireland's shores and was plunged into a world of deadly sorcery and ancient secrets. In her fight to stay alive, Mac must find the Sinsar Dubh-a million-year-old book of the blackest magic imaginable, which holds the key to power over both the worlds of the Fae and of Man. Pursued by Fae assassins, surrounded by mysterious figures she knows she cannot trust, Mac finds herself torn between two deadly and irresistible men: V'lane, the insatiable Fae who can turn sensual arousal into an obsession for any woman, and the ever-inscrutable Jericho Barrons, a man as alluring as he is mysterious. For centuries the shadowy realm of the Fae has coexisted with that of humans. Now the walls between the two are coming down, and Mac is the only thing that stands between them.

My thoughts:

I can't say that a lot happened in this book, well ok things happened, but not in the aspect that we got to know any big secrets. Moning is holding on to those for sure, but then there are more books in this series.

I liked Mac more in this one, she was starting to hold her own. But then she did go from sunloving beach girl to trying to find her sister's killer. And I do like that she has not let go of it completely either. The love for sun and colors is still there. 

Barrons then, I actually did not think he was that big an ass this time around. I do not know, he just has his own agenda and goes for that. He does try to protect her, sure the chemistry I can't see, but yes I kind of...like, no, approve of him. 

The OOP being hunted here is an amulet. And she will also deal with the repercussions from the last book. There are people who are not happy, and the bad guy, yes a very gross bad guy. The Unseelie Fae are also shown a lot and there is this scary vibe over it all. You really feel how Dublin is falling deeper into darkness. 

What did I think then, I do not trust those Fae seers, they have their goal and no I can'r trust them. V'Lane is his usual death by sex self (a little toned done though) and I sure do not trust him. That leaves Barrons and his secrets that I just want! 

It is those secrets that make me want more. So it was a good thing that Moning leaves a tiny clue that is really nothing. She makes me want more. 

And again I feel that this book is not straight up UF, sure there is really no romance around but I will still call it UPR. Because there is really not that much ass-kicking around either. It is an interesting mix all together. 

Conclusion:

It is a Dublin I would not want to visit, but a Dublin that is great to read about. Dark, twisted, scary and no idea of whom to trust.

Cover:

I like the landscape

Review: Darkfever - Karen Marie Moning

Series: fever #1
Genre: (as I felt it) Urban Fantasy romance hybrid
Pages: 336
Published: September 8, 2011 (2006)
Publisher: Gollancz
Source: For review

MacKayla Lane’s life is good. She has great friends, a decent job, and a car that breaks down only every other week or so. In other words, she’s your perfectly ordinary twenty-first-century woman.  Or so she thinks…until something extraordinary happens. When her sister is murdered, leaving a single clue to her death–a cryptic message on Mac’s cell phone–Mac journeys to Ireland in search of answers. The quest to find her sister’s killer draws her into a shadowy realm where nothing is as it seems, where good and evil wear the same treacherously seductive mask. She is soon faced with an even greater challenge: staying alive long enough to learn how to handle a power she had no idea she possessed–a gift that allows her to see beyond the world of man, into the dangerous realm of the Fae….

As Mac delves deeper into the mystery of her sister’s death, her every move is shadowed by the dark, mysterious Jericho, a man with no past and only mockery for a future. As she begins to close in on the truth, the ruthless Vlane–an alpha Fae who makes sex an addiction for human women–closes in on her. And as the boundary between worlds begins to crumble, Mac’s true mission becomes clear: find the elusive Sinsar Dubh before someone else claims the all-powerful Dark Book–because whoever gets to it first holds nothing less than complete control of the very fabric of both worlds in their hands…

My thoughts:

I have heard a lot about these books, and then I mean a lot. It was all Barrons this and Barrons that. And now I finally got the chance to try it out for myself. 

Mac leaves for Ireland to investigate since she feels that the cops are not doing enough to solve a case. Let's just say that I would have left it for the cops to handle. There she meets a mystery man called Barrons and is soon neck deep in fae and magical objects. 

Now did I see the attraction between Mac and Barrons? Nope, not at all, I guess that comes later. Did I think Barrons is an ass, yes! There you have it, I join that little minority that does not like Barrons. I know others like him even though he is a jerk, but I just do not like guys like that (think Ethan in the Chicagoland vampires series). Was I still interested in Barrons? YES. Arghh, it drove me freaking insane! He is someone, Fae seem to be weary of him, but what and who is he? Do I get answers? No no, I am sure that will take the entire series. And I want to know now.

There is also this question what this book is. I do not want to call it urban fantasy cos honestly there was no asskicking at all, well a tiny amount. And there is no real romance either. So you know what, I am just calling this a urban fantasy romance since it to me feels like a hybrid. And I do like it as the hybrid I feel it is. 

Ok yes I know I said no romance, but there is lust. One sexy as hell scene, but which also was very creepy. The person that is lust and sex and orgasm by death is V'Lane and you will know when you meet him. 

What I am left with at the end is answers I really want to find. So the book did not rock my world at once, but neither did the Kate Daniel book. It took book 2 to get me from like to addiction. And this one does have that certain something that might make that happen.

It is a good book and it made me want more. And considering how crazy people are about this series I guess it gets better and better. And I think I could get quite addicted. It is the questions, they just suck you in. 

Conclusion:

It was a good start to this series and an introduction to strange new world. And the Fae has never been nastier.

Rating:

Nice

Cover:

I like the stones