A Sight to Dream of Review for WCP
A Sight to Dream of (Oberon: Book 2)
Wild Child Publishing.com © 2006
Title: A Sight to Dream of (Oberon: Book 2)
Author: P.G. Forte
Publisher: SynergEbooks
ISBN: 0-7443-0728-7
Genre: Paranormal Romantic Suspense
Length: Long Novel
Release Date: 2004
Author's Website:
P.G. Forte
Things are different in Oberon. Sometimes things happen in such a way as to be far more than just coincidence. Unfortunately, Sam Sterling is new to town and he hasn't learned that yet.
Arriving in Oberon on his motorcycle Sam is a man trying to hide from a killer. When the local reporter ends up dead at the exact spot he was designated to meet her, Sam is pretty sure his partner has figured out where he is and has sent a killer. He has no idea that the local psychic will be his saving grace, nor the angel from a photo he saw, come to life.
Marsha Quinn is a bit of an oddity, her psychic abilities came to her after a nearly life ending accident left her scarred and broken. When she sees Sam looking at her as if he knows her she is not too surprised, although she is not sure why. She only knows that she is willing to vouch for him when a body turns up dead.
I really enjoyed this book from P.G. Forte. It had unusual characters as the leads and I liked that. No cookie cutter heroes and heroines here as both Marsha and Sam are uniquely gifted in both abilities and looks. I like that Marsha is scarred and psychic and that Sam still finds her attractive and sexy. I even like that he is a bit put off by her abilities because I think that's the way most of us are...we don't really want to believe in the paranormal and yet we are still drawn to it. Sam is not the typical tall, dark, Alpha male, and in fact that the author gave him silver hair which made me smile, for it is not often used with heroes as far as I'm aware. Little touches, like making him a brilliant man able to read special stock market coding to see trends but yet still stand and watch a flock of birds or find beauty in a scene, make him more real. Often corporately brilliant men are depicted as cold and unfeeling and Sam is none of those.
There was a good build up for the suspense of the novel and a great inclusion of a good number of characters, any number of whom could have reason to have killed the reporter. For me it did get a bit to busy at times with some stories overlapping but for the most part I was able to keep it all on track. I would have liked to see Marsha be a bit more firm with her ex and some others that seem to walk all over her but maybe that is in keeping with her peacekeeping nature. I thought in the end she was a bit harsher with Sam than she needed to be considering how she let others treat her but, again, perhaps this was her finally taking a stand.
My one caveat is that the book is quite long and I don't necessarily think that all scenes were necessary for this storyline and one didn't even wrap up as far as I'm concerned. Having said that, however, they maybe necessary to further the series and I may find what I'm looking for in a further book. I hope so. My point on this, mostly, is that I think this would be easier to read in print so if you can buy the print version I suggest doing so.
In the end I think P.G. Forte has created a unique world in Oberon, one I'm interested in exploring again. I did not read the first book in this series but this one was perfectly capable of standing alone. If the rest of the books are like this then I suspect the author has created a winning series.
four cat review at Wild Child Publishing.com
Rating: 4 cats.
Labels: Rating 4
Surviving Demon Island - review on RD
SURVIVING DEMON ISLAND
By::Jaci Burton
Bantam Dell, 2006
Paranormal Romance
Top female action star, Gina Bliss, signs up for a Survivor-like reality show for what she thinks will be a nice break on a tropical island. Unfortunately, she's not prepared when she really must survive more than just the elements. Luckily, the trainer, Derek Marks, is not only hot but he is trained in martial arts, jungle warfare and more. Gina has never let anyone get to close to her and guards both her privacy and heart fiercely. Could Derek be the one to tear down those walls?
Derek is a trained hunter and he has no time for prima donna's, even if they are sexy as hell, but something about Gina brings out the beast in him. When all hell breaks loose, can he trust his instincts to protect his team, or is he being pulled towards an abyss he can never get out of? Will his feelings for Gina be an asset or a liability? In this game of survival it isn't every man for himself, it's all about teamwork.
This book is fantastic. The writing is strong, the pacing tight and the tension very real. You can feel it coil in your stomach as you read page after page. What you think is going to happen and what actually happens are sometimes two different things and that's a good thing in a novel like this. Jaci Burton has done a great job of creating a world that is both intense and real. There are some laugh aloud moments and some holy crap moments.
The romance between Gina and Derek grows, falters and grows again. The intense attraction between them is hot and immensely believable, especially given their circumstances. Sometimes the only way you can hold on to reality is to hold on to someone else.
This reviewer does not normally like books about demons, real or otherwise, but this novel is your classic case of good versus evil and it is done very well. This is action adventure and romance at its finest. My understanding is that this is the first in a series but unfortunately, the next one isn't due until next Fall. I'm not sure I can wait that long! Go put your name on a list to buy this as soon as it is released. It is a keeper for sure.
5 KissesLabels: Rating 5
Noon review for BE Reviews
Noon by Katherine Warwick Grove Creek Publishing
http://www.ballroomdancenovels.com/ Nicole Dubois has grown up with a silver spoon in her mouth and only the best dance partners money can buy. She's so good that no one measures up. Until her mother hires Noon.
Breck Noon is a boy from the wrong side of the tracks and he has definitely never had the privileges that Nicole is comfortable with. The one thing he does have is moves. He starts out dancing to earn his way out of hardship and ends up loving both the dance and his partner.
Can Nicole and Breck overcome their differences and end up in sync and on top? Or will circumstances rip them apart over and over again?
This is the second novel I have read by Katherine Warwick and where I liked the first one, I loved this one. It was enchanting, gripping and my hands actually started to tense while holding my palm pilot (I was reading it in ebook format). My first glimpse of Breck Noon was that he was an arrogant man who was just taking back something he lost. I was thinking I didn't like him. I was wrong. The backstory of this novel is intense and real and Breck Noon turned into a man to be admired. He refused to let history repeat itself and didn't give up even when there were so many times there was no reason for him not to.
Nicole Dubois is a spoiled, rich girl but eventually she earns some integrity and common sense. Once in a while her decency would peek out but her focus was on dance and how far she could climb. Her solid family background helps to bring her to a more attainable and likeable level.
I found all of the characters in this novel to be well written and believable. While my knowledge of dance is pretty much limited to Dancing with the Stars, I found myself envisioning each dance clearly as the author so delicately details them. Nicole and Breck grow from awkward teens to adults and encounter many trials and tribulations all the way. They even head to the top dance competitions but there are so many twists and turns that who knows which partner(s) may win.
Without a doubt, Noon is a recommended read. Katharine Warwick is well on her way to a great career and I cannot wait to read more from this descriptive author.
I give it a 5
Labels: Rating 5
Dragon Undone Review for WCP
Dragon Undone
Review at
Wild Child Publishing.com © 2006
Title: Dragon Undone
Author: Sara Dennis
Publisher: Cobblestone Press
ISBN: 1-60088-022-3
Genre: Shifter/Fantasy
Rating: Wild
Length: Novel
Release Date: July 2006
Author's Website: http://www.saradennis.com
Berdhan loves his drink and his village, and he's vowed to protect his family since his brother was killed by a dragon. Since Berdhan then took that dragon's life the village assumes he is the one with the knowledge to protect them against further attacks.
Chaia is a dragon, able to take human form. Unfortunately, on one of her practices, she is captured by the men from Weld village, who mistakenly assume they are protecting her from the dragon.
Berdhan and Chaia form a bond and, in a quest to take her home, they learn more than they ever wanted to know about each other and an ancient prophecy that ties them together. Will they be able to unite their two worlds or will their union result in a war?
For one who was never into dragons before, this reviewer has certainly been reading them now, and amazingly, finding them quite enjoyable. I really liked this book by Sara Dennis, although it did seem slightly familiar with the quest to unite the dragons and humans. Ms. Dennis was skillful in her narration of this tale and I was drawn into the story immediately.
I found both Berdhan and Chaia immensely likeable and loved Berdhan's slightly cynical views. Chaia seemed a bit too delicate at first but showed her strengths quickly. For me this book was a fast read and I did not want to put it down, and in fact I stayed up late to finish reading it. The prophecy was handled very well, as was the reaction from the dragons to Chaia's relationship with Berdhan.
I enjoyed everything about this book until the ending. When it ended I had the same feeling I did after watching Pirates of the Caribbean II (and numerous other movies where the ending only serves to make you need to see the next installment) - I was disappointed. I understand wanting to have a lead in to the next book in the series, I just wish it wasn't handled this way. It left me worried and upset. In the Harry Potter series we know there will be more books in the series but each book has its own conclusion, it could stand alone (although why you would want it to is beyond me but I digress). The ending of this book makes it clear you need to read the next book to know what will happen. I would have been happy if it ended even one or two pages back. I'm not saying I won't buy the next book, but what happens if I can't or I miss it or something...then I will never know what happens and THAT will bother me forever.
Ms. Dennis, I loved your story and I would have given you a Freya's Award had it not been for the way this ended. Others may have no problem with the ending but this reviewer needs each book to stand alone and leave her hoping you will write a sequel, rather than forcing her to have to wait for one. Otherwise, your writing is brilliant, creative and, obviously, you will go far.
I give it 5 cats
Labels: Rating 5
