• Home
  • Book Review
  • Contest
  • Blog Tour
  • Sneak Peek
  • About

Romantic Reads and Such

~ thoughts on romances

Romantic Reads and Such

Monthly Archives: July 2012

Soul Weaver

30 Monday Jul 2012

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

≈ Leave a comment

Tags

Book Review, Hailey Edwards, Soul Weaver


Soul Weaver is the first in a new paranormal series by Hailey Edwards.  Chloe McCrea has suffered from acute agoraphobia since she almost died in a car accident.  Nathaniel is a fallen angel who harvests the souls of corrupt humans – murderers, rapists, molesters, etc.  He is present at Chloe’s accident and realizes that she has a pure soul that for some reason will not go to Heaven.  Taking a step that could mean eternity in Hell for him if caught, he buys her time until paramedics can save her life.  Unbeknownst to him, his attempt to help taints her soul and marks her to be taken by a Harvester.  He must repair the damage that he has caused so that she can go to Heaven, if only he can resist her appeal.

 

Edwards weaves a realistic world where angels and half-angels walk among humans.  The history of Nathaniel’s family is rich and complex, with him making sacrifices for both his brother and nephew.   The relationship between the three is the heart of the story and of who Nathaniel is.  It wouldn’t be a romance if Chloe and Nathaniel didn’t fall for each other, but the family dynamic is what I was drawn to the most.

 

Readers are also given an interesting view of Hell, run not by the devil but by a complex fallen angel named Delphi.  He uses other fallen angels as Harvesters, whose job is to collect the soiled souls of humans who have done despicable acts.  I found him to be the most interesting of the characters as his purpose is for the good of humanity; however he is a scarily powerful being.  I hope for a better glimpse of what makes him tick in future stories.

 

The pacing is fast and I read the end of the book with my breath held.  Edwards did a great job giving you characters you care about and I was so anxious for them all.  I knew that that things had to end well for Chloe and Nathaniel, but I worried the entire time anyway.   Soul Weaver is a great start to a new series and I look forward to the next installment.

 

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

All Summer Long by Susan Mallery

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Book Review

≈ 1 Comment

Tags

All Summer Long, Book Review, Fool's Gold, Susan Mallery

All Summer Long is the newest book in Susan Mallery’s Fool’s Gold series.  Charlie Dixon wants to be normal.  A disastrous incident in college has left scars that stop her from having a successful romantic relationship.  The youngest Stryker brother, Clay, is known for his “assets” after spending years as a model, but now he wants to do more with his life.  When Charlie and Clay develop an unusual friendship, it looks like they might be the answer to each other’s problems.

I honestly did not expect to like this book as much as I did.  Before you even start reading it you know how it ends – the two come to a no strings arrangement that ends with them both falling in love – it wouldn’t be a romance otherwise.  The premise seemed a little strange and I wasn’t sure what to think of Charlie using Clay to get over her hang-ups about sex, just so that she could move on to having a relationship with a “normal” man.  But it should in no way surprise me that Mallery makes it work.  She deftly handles what could have been something awkward with humor, heat, and most importantly heart.

Charlie is awkward and insecure.  Her issues with herself and her mother are poignant and delivered in her straight-forward manner.  I know women like her who so badly want to show that they don’t need a man and how the more mainstream feminine ideals are worthless.  The trauma she went through, along with her delicate mother, make this attitude understandable.  I like the fact that she isn’t changed into a traditionally female character by the end.  Instead she is appreciated for the woman she is – strong, blunt and no-nonsense – and it is her caring and dedicated personality that draws Clay.

Clay is almost perfect, emotionally as well as physically.  He’s spent so much of his adult life being appreciated for what is on the outside that he now wants to be seen for what is on the inside.  He is afraid he isn’t enough, though, and it is hard, even in Fool’s Gold, to be taken seriously.  But the way he approaches Charlie’s request is very touching and the thought he puts into it shows the strength of his character.  He does research into what she is feeling and how best to work with her to overcome it, showing that he is more than just a gorgeous . . . face.

Once again Susan Mallery brings to life characters so real they feel like long-time friends, in a story that is both touching & funny.  All Summer Long is a wonderful addition to the Fool’s Gold saga and I highly recommend picking it up.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Hello

25 Wednesday Jul 2012

Posted by romanticreadsandsuch in Misc

≈ Leave a comment

If you are here then you were likely just at Booktrib.  I’ve had such a good time reading and writing about books for the Review Crew that I’ve decided to create a place of my own.  The reviews will mostly be the same but I’ll also add a few thoughts on romances or romance authors here and there.

Welcome!  And I hope you find something great to read.

Share this:

  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Email
  • Pinterest

Like this:

Like Loading...

Recent Posts

  • Spotlight – The Surprise Bollywood Baby
  • Spotlight – Steal My Magnolia
  • Spotlight – Fandom Hearts
  • Spotlight – His Secret Starlight Baby
  • Book Review – Best Laid Plans
  • Spotlight – Like You Love Me
  • Spotlight – Love in Moments
  • Spotlight – Back in the Texan’s Bed

 

 

Enter your email address to follow this blog and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Follow Romantic Reads and Such on WordPress.com

Facebook

Facebook

Twitter

Follow @romanticread

Email me

romanticread@gmail.com

Goodreads

 

 

The Surprise Bollywood Baby

Steal My Magnolia

Fandom Hearts

His Secret Starlight Baby

Best Laid Plans

Like You Love Me

Blue Sky Cowboy Christmas

Back in the Texan’s Bed

The Vineyard at Painted Moon

The Cowgirl’s Surprise Match

Love and Ohana Drama

Song for a Cowboy

Lethal Protector

Her Banished Knight’s Redemption

Someone to Trust

The World According to Liam

Walking the Edge

Agent Under Siege

The Forever Girl

Earl’s Well That Ends Well

Running Away with the Bride

Art & Soul

Her Texas New Year’s Wish

The Ultimate Betrayal

Truly Madly Plaid

Christmas in Bethlehem

Layla

Teddy Spenser Isn’t Looking for Love

Tru Blue

Archives

  • February 2021 (11)
  • January 2021 (14)
  • December 2020 (13)
  • November 2020 (13)
  • October 2020 (13)
  • September 2020 (5)
  • August 2020 (10)
  • July 2020 (4)
  • June 2020 (13)
  • May 2020 (11)
  • April 2020 (12)
  • March 2020 (14)
  • February 2020 (11)
  • January 2020 (10)
  • December 2019 (5)
  • November 2019 (10)
  • October 2019 (12)
  • September 2019 (14)
  • August 2019 (6)
  • July 2019 (13)
  • June 2019 (18)
  • May 2019 (13)
  • April 2019 (16)
  • March 2019 (20)
  • February 2019 (19)
  • January 2019 (14)
  • December 2018 (12)
  • November 2018 (18)
  • October 2018 (22)
  • September 2018 (20)
  • August 2018 (17)
  • July 2018 (15)
  • June 2018 (21)
  • May 2018 (16)
  • April 2018 (21)
  • March 2018 (20)
  • February 2018 (21)
  • January 2018 (22)
  • December 2017 (21)
  • November 2017 (19)
  • October 2017 (25)
  • September 2017 (22)
  • August 2017 (21)
  • July 2017 (21)
  • June 2017 (29)
  • May 2017 (29)
  • April 2017 (23)
  • March 2017 (25)
  • February 2017 (23)
  • January 2017 (22)
  • December 2016 (22)
  • November 2016 (27)
  • October 2016 (28)
  • September 2016 (20)
  • August 2016 (23)
  • July 2016 (21)
  • June 2016 (24)
  • May 2016 (26)
  • April 2016 (25)
  • March 2016 (24)
  • February 2016 (39)
  • January 2016 (24)
  • December 2015 (25)
  • November 2015 (27)
  • October 2015 (27)
  • September 2015 (27)
  • August 2015 (36)
  • July 2015 (31)
  • June 2015 (21)
  • May 2015 (24)
  • April 2015 (30)
  • March 2015 (30)
  • February 2015 (26)
  • January 2015 (22)
  • December 2014 (21)
  • November 2014 (32)
  • October 2014 (34)
  • September 2014 (28)
  • August 2014 (34)
  • July 2014 (45)
  • June 2014 (44)
  • May 2014 (44)
  • April 2014 (38)
  • March 2014 (42)
  • February 2014 (38)
  • January 2014 (36)
  • December 2013 (32)
  • November 2013 (35)
  • October 2013 (33)
  • September 2013 (24)
  • August 2013 (19)
  • July 2013 (20)
  • June 2013 (18)
  • May 2013 (19)
  • April 2013 (19)
  • March 2013 (22)
  • February 2013 (14)
  • January 2013 (17)
  • December 2012 (8)
  • November 2012 (16)
  • October 2012 (12)
  • September 2012 (11)
  • August 2012 (13)
  • July 2012 (3)

 

 

NetGalley Professional Reader

Professional Reader

NetGalley Top Reviewer

Reviews Published

NetGalley 80% Feedback

80%

NetGalley Frequently Auto-Approved

Frequently Auto-Approved

NetGalley 500 Book Reviews

500 Book Reviews

NetGalley Challenge 2016

2016 NetGalley Challenge

NetGalley Challenge 2015

Challenge Participant

 

 

sign up to have great new reads sent right to your email

Pump Up Your Book
Book Unleashed

Featured Book Reviewer

FTC Disclaimer

I have received ARCs of books free from BookTrib.com to review but the majority of the stories are either bought by me or provided for free from the publisher. The opinions I share are my own and in no way are influenced by an author or publisher. There is no promise of a positive review by any party and there is no additional compensation. Unless otherwise noted, I am not affliated with any contest or other event mentioned on this blog and I do not receive a paid endorsement for any posts.

Blog at WordPress.com.

Cancel

 
Loading Comments...
Comment
    ×
    loading Cancel
    Post was not sent - check your email addresses!
    Email check failed, please try again
    Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email.
    Privacy & Cookies: This site uses cookies. By continuing to use this website, you agree to their use.
    To find out more, including how to control cookies, see here: Cookie Policy
    %d bloggers like this: