Deep Kiss of Winter by Kresley Cole

The four Wroth brothers, vampires all, get to find their Mates in this series. This particular story is Malcolm's turn. He's in New Orleans around the time of book four (Dark Need at Night's Edge) when he suddenly sees his female, but he is not the only one seeking her. There are ice fey after her as well. Which is interesting because Daniela "Danii" is half (one third?) ice fey and half Valkyrie. The other fey are after her because she is, in fact, in line to inherit the throne of her people but the current king (a usurper) would rather not have that happen. So it will be up to the two of them to figure out how to make her safe while also dealing with the pesky problem that they can't touch otherwise they burn each other. 

This book is somewhat shorter than most of the others in this series but not, by any means, short in comparison to most books. That means that, though the story is packed with much of the history and trivia of the Lore, the relationship between Danii and Malcolm doesn't suffer. In fact, it could have been even a little shorter because there were Just So Many misunderstandings but an overall nice addition to the series.

Four stars

This book came out October 13, 2009

Follows Kiss of a Demon King

Followed by Pleasure of a Dark Prince

Hard copy of mine

Opinions are my own

A Duke at the Door by Susanna Allen

Tabitha Barrington and her twin brother Timothy have been traveling the continent for some time escaping some trouble at home. She is chafing being back in England but she is excited to have the chance to practice her poultices and concoctions at the Duke of Lowell's estate. Especially once she learns that the estate has a number of shapeshifters, one in particular that needs her help.

Alwyn Ap Lewin, Duke of Llewelyn, was held captive in his lion form for a number of years. It became bad enough that, when he was finally freed, he no longer wanted to be a part of the world. But Tabitha intrigues him. 

This series is filled with drama and this book is no different. It mirrors the Gothic novels written by one of the characters in the book. Is it silly? Oh yeah. Is it enjoyable in the right mood? Yes. Lots more world building in this one and setups for any number of following books in the series.

Four stars

This book comes out August 23, 2022

Follows A Most Unusual Duke

ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Ruby Fever by Ilona Andrews

This is basically a non-stop action book from the first page to the end though it does mellow out a bit in the Epilogue. A lot of loose threads are wrapped up in this book which was nice especially as Andrews have said on their blog that they are not sure whether there will be more books in this series. I'm not sure I loved all of the threads but it was mainly a grand trip. Definitely need to have read the previous books in the series to enjoy this one fully; lots of history and a whole lot of people. 

It's time for a final confrontation with Arkan and Catalina is not ready... but it needs to be done. And an illusion mage named Konstantin (who is both related to Alessandro and part of the Russian Imperium) brings everything to a head but Catalina is also dealing with a lost spider that is worth a quarter million dollars, the loss of her mentor Linus (he's not dead but someone sure tried to make him that way), becoming the Acting Warden of Texas, buying new property, her fiance's family coming to visit, and just trying to stay alive as an early-twenties head of her House. 

Four and a half stars

This book comes out August 23, 2022

Follows Emerald Blaze

ARC kindly provided by Avon and Harper Voyager and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

Reread as Libby Audiobook September 2023, as Audible book February 2025

Husband Material by Alexis Hall

In romance, the book usually ends on the Happily Ever After or at least the Happily For Now. If there is a sequel, it usually focuses on a couple adjacent to the one in the first book. Hall continues to break into new (or at least seldom trod) paths by writing a follow up book, one wherein the two characters plan their wedding. I liked the idea of seeing what happens after the credits roll but, though Hall is an amazing writer, I had trouble reconciling everything in this book with what happened in the first, especially since most of this book felt like Luc and Oliver were on the sidelines (i.e. all of the conflicts seem external and, in a follow up book, it seems like there could be more things internal to the relationship), and I didn't especially love the way the book ended. I liked the ending, just not the actual execution.

Luc and Oliver fell in love and are now living in their HEA. But a brush with his ex-boyfriend causes Luc to question whether they are ready to take the next step in their relationship. It sure seems like everyone else is taking that step and maybe even expecting it from them as well. But are even of them really ready?

Three and a half stars.

This book came out August 2, 2020

Follows Boyfriend Material

ARC kindly provided by Sourcebooks Casablanca and NetGalley
Opinions are my own

A Cornish Recipe for Murder by Fiona Leitch

I seem to be on a spate of books centered around the Great British Bakeoff all of which have been fairly enjoyable. This iteration has Jodie Parker involved in the show (though she's not really quite sure why she was chosen.) It's just to bad that there are some weird things going on during the show, mostly centered around her very own bakes. But then one of the crew is murdered. He had only recently joined the team so Jodie isn't sure who would have hated him enough to kill him.

The secondary characters are well-developed including the host who is a drag queen with a secret to hide, the producer with a temper, and some of the crew. We get to see some relationship development between Jodie and Nate and some personal development for Jodie as well. 

Four stars

This book comes out August 18, 2022

Follows A Cornish Christmas Murder

Followed by A Cornish Seaside Murder

ARC kindly provided by HarperCollins UK and NetGalley

Opinions are my own

I'm Glad My Mom Died, by Jennette McCurdy

Okay, I have never actually watched a full episode of anything McCurdy has been in but social media seems to believe I should watch show clips and so I've seen a bundle of them and thought she was hilarious. This behind-the-scenes look at why she was on the shows... not so hilarious. As the title suggests, this is due to the machinations of her mother. And her mom was not okay. Like, not at all. It's surprising that McCurdy sounds as balanced as she is, even being able to turn down the reboot though it might have made her a ton of money. The "chapters" are incredibly short, more like a series of short stories but really interesting to listen to how a star was made.

Four stars

This book came out August 9, 2022

Audiobook from Audible

Opinions are my own

Kiss of a Demon King by Kresley Cole

Sabine, Sorceress of Illusions is a well-known evil. She has killed other people with power to gain their powers. Except that she really hasn't because she only makes illusions and talks to animals. But she knows she is the fated mate of Rydstrom Woede, the demon who should be king. 

Rydstrom has waited centuries to regain his throne. The throne that was stolen from him by the last Big Bad, Omort, who, by the way, is Sabine's half-brother. A half-brother who really wants to bed her but, as a virgin, their society dictates she cannot be taken against her will. But she has just captured him and is teasing him into trying to have sex so that she can bear his heir, as prophesied. But Rydstrom really just wants to take back his throne and is trying as hard as possible to resist her wiles. 

As always, there is just So Much going on in this book and, yet, I really enjoy it. Fun book, really moves the overall story along.

Four stars

This book came out January 1, 2009

Follows Dark Desires After Dusk

Followed by Deep Kiss of Winter

Hard copy of mine

Opinions are my own