Sydney SomersBesprekingen

dnf at 25% - this started off strong and interesting but pretty quickly it turned misogynistic, slut shamey and whorephobic - kind of all at once. Like the concept and wish it would have been a lot less problematic.

I so loved the book. Can't wait to get to the next one. So many mythical creatures involved. I do so love theses kind of books.

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: Private investigator Finn Calder would sooner take a Lancaster out to dinner than work another cheating spouse case, and that’s saying something considering the long-standing feud between their two families. But when gorgeous Bree Jacobs lap dances her way into his investigation, Finn is convinced things are finally looking up.

Until he realizes the woman he’s falling for may be the prime suspect in a brutal homicide.

Bree Lancaster Jacobs never expected to be attracted to a cocky P.I. with his share of family secrets. Not even an age-old rivalry can stop her from craving Finn’s touch. Forced to work closely with him to find the real murderer, Bree knows she’s in real danger of losing her heart to a man who could never love her.½

DESCRIPTION, NOT REVIEW: When a sexy undercover cop needs a fake girlfriend on the spot, what's a witch to do?

At every turn the mysterious Calder family has meddled in Detective Reece Prescott’s investigations, so it’s no surprise when the gorgeous Violet Calder lands in the middle of his undercover operation—literally. Claiming she’s his girlfriend makes perfect sense at the time. Wishing their fake romance was something defies explanation and could cost Reece more than just his heart.

Violet has always insisted on leaving the hands-on private investigating to her siblings, right up until the sinfully hot detective needs her to play along. But the more she pretends to be in love with Reece, the more real the charade becomes. Forced to tread carefully or risk exposing her family’s secrets, Violet fears that not even magic can save her from falling for the one man who could destroy everything.

Steamy Sci-fi Story – Kaela and Lorcan were fun to read about and I wonder if perhaps there is a series in the making for the world mentioned in this quick and enticing read. I want to know more about Zypher, Zoe and Zoe’s brother - all could star in a book or novella of their own.

Kaela and Lorcan SEEM to be on opposite sides of the law and met in the past – their interaction was one reason Lorcan chose to buy her at a slave auction and in buying her he managed to set her plans awry. Will the two of them manage to meet their objectives in spite of the glitches they face? Will their steamy encounters be an interlude or perhaps and introduction to more in the future?

I thoroughly enjoyed this novella and do hope it is an introduction to a series. I would like to thank the author for the copy – this is my honest review.

Going Wild by Sydney Somers
Sapphire Falls (Spellbound #5)

Do you believe in love at first sight or can it only be lust at first sight. That is one discussion Angel Lancaster and Cade Marshall have during this novella. Cade is usually footloose and fancy free but then he meets Angel. The two are instantly attracted to one another and have a feeling they have known one another in the past but can’t figure out how or when. They spend time together during a Sapphire Falls festival and get to know one another a whole lot better. There are secrets to uncover, futures to plan, a kidnapper to thwart and a whole lot of loving to be done in this short, sweet and very entertaining novella. I thoroughly enjoyed it and its hint of the paranormal. I think you will, too.

Thank you to the author for the copy – this is my honest review.

4 Stars

Caught in a time warp A.J. and Cooper are given a second chance at love by reliving the day before A.J. is to marry Kirk. With a bit of input from Eros and Psyche they might just find love again with one another. If you enjoyed watching Groundhog Day then you will no doubt enjoy this novella, too. Thank you to the author for this perfect for Valentine’s Day story to read.½

Great third installment in this series with the story of Jackson Knight returning to the harbor to be the best man in the wedding that wasn't. He soon discovers that things aren't really so bad if Hailey Stone (bad girl turned cop) is around. This is a must read.

Eve, the vampire is sent a gift…and what a gift it is! Logan, a shape shifter, has been caged for five decades and is eager to be free. Can Eve trust him? Will Logan be released for good? How will the two of them overcome the evil that finds them and will they get their happily ever after?

Thank you to the author for this fast paced wonderful love story that was a quick read filled with intriguing characters.

This short paranormal werewolf/human romance story takes place on an island resort. Harley is a journalist looking for a story and takes her photojournalist neighbor along with her to the exclusive adults’ only destination. Harley and Cole have felt the chemistry for some time and both wonder if their weekend together might provide the catalyst for more. Well, there is a LOT more that happens as their weekend progresses and the story unfolds.

If you like a fast paced steamy paranormal romance I can definitely recommend this to you!

Thank you to the author for the copy to read and review.

Briana has known for quite a while that Lucan is her mate but Lucan, though aware of Briana, is unwilling to see that they are meant to be together. Instead, he does his best to avoid her. Due to a series of events that occur near the beginning of the book both Briana and Lucan suddenly find themselves transported to another realm and amidst a group selected by some gods to participate in “The Gauntlet”. The Gauntlet is a no holds barred event with five tasks to be accomplished. In the pursuit of meeting the goals there is plenty of danger, fighting, bloodshed, and there are some rather interesting revelations made that give a great deal of information related to the backstory of this series. The author’s take on the Arthurian legend and its players is not the usual and is rather intriguing. It was nice to read a few scenes in the story let me know how Briana’s brothers and their spouses were doing. A number of new characters in this book could easily find themselves in future book should Ms. Somers decide to continue this series.

Ms. Somers continues her Pendragon Gargoyle series with the steamy story of huntress Sorcha and Cale the were-cat-gargoyle. Sorcha has been sent to kill Cale but he is not an easy mark due to past history that they both share and only one of them can remember. There are plenty of twists and turns and much to overcome before the soul mates can achieve their happily ever after.

Book three in this paranormal series continues the story of immortals that have existed since the time of Camelot and in keeping with the series there is a soul mate to be found and claimed. But, how can a cursed shifter turned to stone 80 years previously have the curse lifted so he can return to normal? Well, that is what this story is all about. Cian and Emma have much to overcome during their time together including wraiths, shifters, sorcerers, dragons and time spent in the catacombs of Avalon. There is a twin sister, a curse, lost parents, a betrothal gone awry, magic and a whole lot more. If you are someone that likes a well written paranormal story this could be the book for you.

A bartender with a hose filled with water trying to break up a fight between two large men? What a way to start a story!

Kennedy has had the hots for her boss, Tristan, for months but nothing has ever come of it. One night that begins to change when Kennedy’s car breaks down and Tristan offers to help. Tranquilizer darts, a car chase and then being holed up in a mansion seems to melt away the sexual tension between the two. Finding out who is really at risk, why there is risk and who will mate with whom is the rest of the story. A great beginning to a series with all the elements people who like steamy paranormal romances will enjoy.

*Book source ~ Picked up for free on Amazon.

Rock Fangsworthy is a vampire, a zillionaire and a cowboy who owns The Double Fang ranch in Bloodsuck Texas. He’s also a daddy to twins though that’s something he doesn’t know. Yet.

Buffy Van Pelt is Rock’s neighbor and has inherited The Best Little Winery in Bloodsuck. She’s also a werewolf and broke. If she can’t pull the winery up by it’s grape vines she and her twins will starve or be forced to sell to Rock. Neither option is pleasant.

Rock and Buffy once shared some hot times together. Will they be able to put the past behind them and come together as a family? Or will an inept vampire slayer nip any happiness they may create in the bud before it gets a chance to bloom?

The title alone drew me in and I picked it up for free awhile ago. Then I needed the ‘Z’ for an alphabet challenge, so I figured it was high time I cracked this bad boy open. Oh.My.Lawd. Bless the authors’ hearts for creating an entertaining read. Nine authors took turns writing a parody about the book community’s current infatuation with cowboys, vampires, werewolves and billionaires. Though they made Rock a zillionaire which is even funnier. The writing is hilarious because it’s so exaggerated. They put everything a writer shouldn’t do in this and made it highly amusing. I had many moments of snorts, giggles, snickers and outright guffaws. If you need a pickmeup I suggest picking this one up.

Important: There’s a wee spoiler that doesn’t give anything major away towards the end. The book is old enough that I think it’s okay to hint at what happens towards the end but I’ve put up a spoiler alert so you can skip it if you’re so inclined.

I discovered Sydney Somers while reading the Promise Harbor series from Samhain. I really enjoyed her contribution to the quadrology so I figured I’d give her paranormal stuff a shot. The first series I tried: her Pendragon Gargoyles books. I picked this one because I loved the idea of gargoyles as central characters, since we don’t see that all that often.

In PRIMAL HUNGER, we are thrown into a world in which all things supernatural are hidden from human eyes. Kennedy works in a bar for supernaturals but doesn’t know it until she gets drawn into things after her car breaks down and Tristan reluctantly rescues her. We learn about the world as Kennedy does. This means that we get some answers and these answers are quite interesting since they tie into the King Arthur story (hence Pendragons). The gargoyles (and other supernaturals) can go back and forth between our world and Avalon. Avalon’s not the happiest place since Morgana took over Camelot after Arthur fell. There is a way to get him back, if six enchanted daggers are united to point the way to Excalibur. Both Team Arthur and the Team Morgana are trying to get the daggers. Tristan falls on Team Arthur but he’s really motivated to find one particular dagger to release his brother Cian from a curse so there’s a nice blend of loyalty to family and loyalty to leader in there. There’s also a cool take on the gargoyle myth: Rhiannon cursed the gargoyles to turn to stone in the daytime because they failed to protect Arthur and gargoyles can only fight the change when they have found their one and only mate. And because this is paranormal romance, Kennedy is Tristan’s mate.

I really enjoyed the worldbuilding — definitely the most interesting aspect of the novel for me — but I also liked the relationship between Kennedy and Tristan. They have a very sparky connection and the love scenes are pretty intense. Kennedy is your typical tough-but-vulnerable heroine and Tristan is very alpha male but I didn’t mind the tropes in the novel since I truly liked both characters and was rooting for their romance to succeed.

The one part of PRIMAL HUNGER I didn’t really like was the ending. **SMALL SPOILER** The resolution to Kennedy being marked for death by the wraith seemed very convenient since it also solved the whole mortal/immortal issue but it was a development that I didn’t expect. **END SPOILER**

On the whole, I enjoyed PRIMAL HUNGER. It’s a good start the the series. It’s not the best first book I’ve read but I liked it enough to want to keep going with the series. I hope the next book is just as sexy but with some more worldbuilding (because it’s so interesting) and a less pat ending.

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After finishing PRIMAL HUNGER (my thoughts here), I decided to dive straight into PRIMAL ATTRACTION. Cale doesn’t have a lot of page time in PRIMAL HUNGER since he disappears part way through — and now we know why! I don’t often find books that take place simultaneously (at least for part) with other novels in the series so it’s an interesting development. In fact, the only other series with something similar is Kris DeLake’s Assassins In Love series, which I’ve talked about before (here and here). It’s a neat device and I enjoyed having the missing information filled in, while watching Cale and Sorcha fall for each other (again).

Side note: I feel like the name Sorcha keeps coming up in books I’ve been reading lately. There’s this one, plus Philippa Ballantine’s Order of the Geist series and P. J. Schnyder’s SING FOR THE DEAD. I realize three characters don’t make it a common name but it feels like they’re coming out of the woodwork for me these days. :)

I found Cale and Sorcha’s relationship really interesting because it’s not your typically meet-cute-and-fall-in-love story. Cale’s already in love with her, and Sorcha used to be in love with him but doesn’t remember it because of her deal with Rhiannon, which involves having her memories erased once a century. Cale spends PRIMAL ATTRACTION trying to help Sorcha remember/convince her that their love was real and Sorcha spends the novel conflicted between her duty and her attraction to Cale. According to her information, Cale has stolen a dagger that Rhiannon wants but she doesn’t have the full picture — that he needs the dagger to free his brother from a curse. It’s a genuine conflict that places Sorcha in an awful position, which makes for an engaging read. Plus the two of them have some insane chemistry so the sexy scenes are super sexy! And Cale and Sorcha do end up together, it’s not the tidiest ribbon. It’s a tidy solution but it’s not so pat that it’s ridiculous.

With PRIMAL ATTRACTION, I’m sure that Somers’ Pendragon Gargoyles series is definitely one to keep up with. There are two more books available now and I plan to dive into them in the near future.

http://ireadgood.wordpress.com

Reviewed by: Rabid Reads

I haven’t picked-up a Pendagron Gargoyles book since 2011 but managed to fall back into Sydney Somers’ world with ease. Her spin on King Arthur & The Knights of the Round Table is both sexy and fascinating. Briana and Lucan’s thousand-years-in-the-making love story also helped ensure that this novel did not suffer from the insta-love syndrome that so often plagues paranormal romance. Primal Temptation is a well-rounded read packed with fun mythology and lovable characters; a definite must for fans of the genre!

I enjoyed watching the romance between the two main characters develop and I especially liked the flashbacks; Somers creatively weaves them into the plot which adds a lot of fluidity to the story. One of the aspects of mate bonds that I enjoy the most is how oftentimes “the one” isn’t necessarily the person you’d expect. In this case, it’s a matter of a cat shifter falling in love with a wraith. Adding to the list of reasons why they shouldn’t be together is the fact that Briana’s brothers dislike Lucian. Oh, and there’s also the small matter of him having broken her heart all of those years ago. But, as much as the odds are stacked against them, love always finds a way.

The main plot line of this installment is exciting; I liked the gauntlet set-up and enjoyed watching the characters overcome each trial. There are a few hints along the way that the gods may be playing with the immortals and that they might have ulterior motives. A lot of the characters get put through the wringer in this book while new ones are also introduced as possible future love interests. The story ends with a couple of major revelations which guarantee that there are turbulent times ahead for this series (i.e. more installments!).

I’m a sucker for the tall, dark and tormented type so I took an instant liking to Lucan. He can be a real ass at times but it’s mostly a front for his insecurities and protective nature. We learn his true identify in this novel and it’s hell-a shocking! Briana is strong, independent and courageous which just so happen to be some of my favourite traits in a heroine. I loved watching her give it her all in the gauntlet competitions and her refusal to take any crap from Lucan was admirable. A lot of this series’ previous characters also make cameo appearances throughout the book which helps make the story extra special for long-time fans of Sydney Somers.

Primal Temptation is the perfect read for a chilly night with its amped-up sexual tension and heated battles; I just hope that I don’t have to wait another 2 years for the next installment!

A short fun romp of a story that has witch Violet Calder falling into an undercover operation while out looking for a stolen pet. Her encounter with Reece, the undercover cop, leads to more undercover work that is much more pleasurable than the one she becomes entangled in by being in the wrong place at the wrong time. A bit of magic to solve a few dicey situations and magic between the sheets then magic as a potential disrupter of love all go together to make this a delightful read written by Sydney Somers.

Funny, crazy and everything I love about romance thrown in. Just so much was happening and view point shifted all the time. This is not meant to be taken seriously. Some author chapters were better then others.

Jordan and Gage are greaT, Quinn and Brady awesome the who group gets in a kicks some butt, but i could due without such graffic sex. It borders on slight porn and just not my cup of tea. ;)

Recommended by Lady Rhyleigh at ARe Cafe.

Firth, the Ninth Duke of Earl, was literally thrown into the river because of his uncle’s nonchalant method of parenting his ward. Found by a highway man, the young Duke’s life was about to change forever with the decision that he too would become a highwayman like his saviour. A new name, Westley, and if he is good at learning his new skill, a ferret instead of the ratty parrot they left by the river, and the young man was ready for adventure. Even though he thought he might be better suited to being a pirate, his new life was set…and so was that of his twin brother.

Colin was an identical match to Firth, and would suffice as his replacement. Colin Darcy, Duke of Earl, had to deal with a penniless estate the way most Dukes dealt with matters of the like. He had to marry a rich heiress, and his uncle had already laid that out for him with the announcement of an engagement arrangement with Lady Chastity. He didn’t want to marry a stranger, so…he would become a pirate instead.

Changing and interchanging lives lead these young men on a merry escapade as they search for a new life and find love along the way. Meeting ninja pirates, highwaymen and falling in love while they deal with betrayal, mayhem and chaos…and ticking crocodiles and 6 fingered men. I wasn’t sure what to expect from a book penned together by Nine Naughty Novelists but it indeed intrigued me. I can’t say that when I was finished I could put a finger on what it was that I read. A historical novel? Yes. A comedy? Yes. Tongue in cheek double entendres? Yes. A tale with a smart mouthed parrot? Yes. Your typical romance? Absolutely not. This book might not be for everyone, but I loved it. This comical parody is quirky, snarky and at times a little hard to follow, but it is laugh out loud fun from cover to cover.

Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:

Primal Hunger, the first installment in The Pendragon Gargoyles series by Sydney Somers, packs a great punch despite its size! Filled with action, romance, and a wonderful lore, the premise of this novella will have you addicted and hungry for more!

First off, let me say that I loved the originality of this story. Gargoyle shifters are definitely something I hadn't seen before and I was engrossed by their mythical origins dating back to the days of King Arthur. Also, the other little additions that tie back into the Arthurian lore were excellent. From the Wraiths who are former Knights of the Round Table to dragons who battle to keep Morgana from entering their territory and the Pendragon Gargoyles themselves who eagerly await Arthur's return and the reclamation of Excalibur. All of this is nicely tied in and enacted within a modern day setting, making this tale even more enjoyable.

The characters themselves are quite interesting and wonderfully entertaining as they come to grips with the situation fate has dropped them in. From the first sentence of the novel I was endeared to Kennedy, from her strong will to her snarky demeanor. She's tough, independent and a wonderful heroine to follow as she is thrust, by no fault of her own, into a centuries old battle. Tristan is also quite the interesting alpha male. He quickly comes to grips with the idea of Kennedy being his intended mate, though he has tried desperately to keep his distance from her. The simmering attraction he feels soon becomes a dominate need to protect her and fight the assassin sent to kill her. His gruff alluring nature is then split between warrior and lover as he tries not only to keep Kennedy safe, but to convince her to accept that she is connected to him for better or for worse. Briana, Tristan's sister is also rather interesting. I would have liked to have gotten to know more about her, but the fierce loyalty she displays in trying to protect her family made her quite likable. Her desire to use any tools at her disposal, in this case Kennedy in her ignorance of the bond she shares with Tristan, while harsh was done repentantly showing the softer side of her nature. So, while she can be construed as being bitchy, an assumption I made when she first appeared, I came to like her forth right nature and that need to keep her brother safe. It just had the ring of truth to it that came with all the characters, an aspect that marvelously showcased both Somers's writing ability and her wonderful character development.

The world created was truly intense despite the small time frame in which is was developed. There is still quite a visceral touch of reality to it, as if the reader, like Kennedy is coming to find the world is so much more fantastical then we could imagine. I think a lot of that is due to the fact that it is built upon lore in which our culture has been immersed in for centuries. Who didn't grow up knowing the stories about King Arthur and Avalon? That familiar basis built atop a somewhat familiar atmosphere, the Pendragon bar, douses it in the here and now.

The downside of this novel? It's a novella. But, despite that, this snippet at only just over a hundred pages shows that size doesn't necessarily matter. In fact, it's got all you would expect from a full length novel-action, romance, suspense and drama. Not to mention that it doesn't leave you feeling like the world was lacking like a lot of novellas, but to the contrary was wonderfully developed and brought to life. In fact, it left me quite satisfied, but I can't deny that I want more! Would a longer novel make me happy? Hell yes. Am I disappointed it wasn't? Not even a little.

In the end, the action is fast paced and the romance is scorching making The Pendragon Gargoyles an utterly addictive series for any fan of Urban Fantasy or Paranormal Romance. I definitely can't wait to get my hands on book 2, Primal Attraction.

Review provided by Black Lagoon Reviews:

Enslaved, by Sydney Somers, was a little difficult to get into for me. I'm not exactly sure why either, which is more then a little bothersome. Normally, I have a very defined reason that I can give, but this time it wasn't anything specific. In fact, I thought the story was actually quite good and the premise really appealed to me.

Perhaps it had something to do with the main character of the novel, Kaela. While she is nicely written, I just felt she was a bit underwhelming. Even though she is strong willed, she lacks any true fight and honestly I felt she lacked any real emotions. This was in large part due to her under developed character. Because she isn't given a really defined history and prior experience, it made her emotions seem lacking and thus made it hard to give her a clear definition in my mind. In truth, I was more captured by Lorcan, who was comparatively much deeper. His history is nicely developed as are his feelings towards the Sentinel. His reservations about keeping her and his suspicion of her trying to play him are much more vividly portrayed then Kaela's feined hatred of him.

Really, it was their relationship together that kept me reading. Because of the situation they find themselves in theirs is a relationship that is forged in fire. Initially, it starts off rather bitter with Kaela searching for a way to escape desperate to fulfill her mission, which is another aspect that troubled me due to the fact she never really gives her job more then passing thought. Then she comes to find she is attracted to Lorcan and that ends up building into something more. Lorcan though is the one most evolved in his desire for Kaela. He starts the story with very shallow and spiteful reasons for buying her at a slave auction knowing exactly who and what she is. Yet, his sense of want and desire towards her spurs him on. Throughout the story, he comes to like his time with the feisty woman and becomes enamored with her, not wanting to be separated. In the end, Kaela comes to feel the same way and I loved the timidity of that realization. It was somehow the most honest emotion throughout the novel. Yet, while their relationship is interesting at times it still felt a bit rigid, like it was half formed. For instance, Kaela's loathing of Lorcan is never really explored. She had no real reason other then she thinks he's a criminal because she arrested him. It never really goes past that. She never followed up, just passed the case along and labeled him. So when they are reunited, the feeling of dislike is very faint, like an echo of an emotion.

The world, however, I found to be quite unique and enjoyable. The science fiction elements were interesting and I loved the settings of the story. In truth, this is a world I would love to see revisited. It has an edge akin to 'Firefly' with an adult twist and the aspects of space salvage and space pirate were just plain fun! I would have liked to see a bit more of it explored along with the characters simply because of it's appeal.

This was a good story, but I admit I was expecting something a bit more. Maybe if the novel has a follow up we can see more of Kaela's personality, which I believe would have added a lot to the story, making it a bit more balanced. And honstely, the way the novella ended, I would enjoy seeing the relationship grow because the real spark of chemistry didn't really happen for me until the last few chapters. So much there to be explored!

Overall, this was a quick, fun read, but I was left wanting a bit more from the characters. But, despite that I really did enjoy the world Somers created and would love to see future novellas taking place within it.