Tag: ARC Reviews

Broken Chains: A Paranormal Protector Tale (Heart of Stone Book 1) by Demelza Carlton

5 Stars

Tor’s book

I read the prequel Heart of Stone, and I thought I knew where this story was going…I was so wrong.  The only correct thought was that it would be in Australia, which is where this book takes place.  We first meet Catena, or Cat, who is dealing with many different things.  One of them being Tor, a gargoyle. Tor is one of three brothers who are stonemasons.   I don’t want to spoil the story, but I will tell you that this is a well written book, with mostly well-developed characters.  It took me a couple of chapters to adjust to the story after having read the prequel, but once in, I enjoyed reading Broken Chains.  The plot moves along, but not too quickly to follow, and Demelza Carlton builds the suspense.  This is not really a stand-alone book, so plan on reading the series.  I received an ARC of the book from the author, and this is my honest opinion. 

How to Love Your Neighbor by Sophie Sullivan

5 Stars

What a great story!

This is the first book I’ve read by Sophie Sullivan, but it won’t be the last.  How to Love Your Neighbor is book 2 in the series.  Grace Travis has inherited a house from her grandmother.  But she hasn’t been able to move into it due to attending school for interior design, and everything else in her life.  Noah Jansen is her next-door neighbor, whom she hasn’t met.  He wants to purchase the empty house so he can expand his property.  Grace and Noah meet before they realize they are neighbors, and both have an instant attraction, but don’t plan on pursuing it.  When Grace finally moves in, and Noah offers to purchase her new home, the differences in their lives become apparent.

  This well written book takes us on the journey of these two people, who could have an instant friendship; that actually starts out adversarial, and then becomes a working relationship for both.  This book made me feel good-that the main characters were people whom I like and were hoping that they could move past the expectations that they had to become more…better people, better friends, and truly connected.  The story is complete, and if you don’t read the first book, that won’t matter.  But now having read book 1, this second book is even better. 

  I received and ARC of the book through NetGallery from St. Martin’s Press.  This is my honest opinion. 

The Last Dragon (The Treasure of Paragon Book 9) by Genevieve Jack

5 Stars

Book 9 in the series

I’m sorry to see this series end.  Every book has been well written with great character development and exciting plotlines.  If you haven’t read the prior books in this series, you need to for this story to be enjoyed to the fullest.  The entire series deals with the children of the royal family of Paragon-The Treasure of Paragon.  Earlier books take place on Earth, but the last couple have been on their home realm of Ouros.  And this book is Marius’ story, the oldest son, who was beheaded 300 years ago.  I won’t say anything further concerning this book, but if you like reading Paranormal Stories about Dragons, then you need to read this book and the series.  Even though Genevieve Jack has said this is the final book, I hope she will consider writing more, telling us more of the family’s futures and how they decide where they will have their homes, any challenges they will face and if any children are born, reading about them and their future tests.  In any case, I look forward to reading future books by Ms. Jack.  I received an ARC of The Last Dragon from the author through BookFunnel and this is my honest opinion.

Dragon Unbound: A Dragon Kings Novella

Donna Grant                               

4 Stars

Another look at things in Zora

This book continues on in Zora, with Cullen as the Dragon King from Earth visiting the realm.  As has been the case with the last couple of books dealing with the Kings, one of them visits Zora, and there is some kind of problem that needs their help to solve.  Tamlyn has magic and has a secret.  This book is well written and progresses the underlying story.  I waited to write my review because I enjoy Donna Grant’s stories very much, but this new series has become very predictable.  I miss the action of the earlier Dark World books and would really like to have one of the new stories at least include the situations that she left open at Dreagan. Characters that are important to the series, who were in nearly all the prior books have been delegated to minor supporting roles-including the King of Dragon Kings. If you haven’t read any of the previous novels, I’d suggest starting at the beginning with the Warriors books.  But you could read this book without having read the others first.  I was given an ARC by the author, and this is my honest opinion.