My August Reads

Another month over and I can't say where the days went. It didn't feel like 31 days at all. Got some reading done but not as much as I wished but I blogged more than I wanted, just not here, as it seems. But I'm in a reviewing mood at the moment so I will hopefully get some more done for this blog. We will see. Here is what I read in August:

1. No Greater Pleasure (An Order of Solace Novel #2) by Megan Hart

Again a heartbreaking story. I love her Order of Solace world even if it seems strange and foreign most of the time. I love that her heroines are so dedicated to their mission. The hero in this one was a real piece of work and he never really won my heart but I was fascinated by the story so it was okay.

2. Bed of Roses (Bride Quartet #2) by Nora Roberts

I love Nora Roberts. Her books are always so wonderful. They make me feel good and make me smile so much. It's the easy way the characters interact and how the whole lovestory works out. Wonderful. I loved the hero in this book. Just delicious.

3. Savor the Moment (Bride Quartet #3) by Nora Roberts

I expected much from this book cuz the heroine always was my favorite in the other books. I adore her witty anbd snarky comments but in this book she seemed a bit changed. I did miss that a bit but the story was again good and I can't wait for the the last book. I want to see Parker and that mechanic getting a HEA. That will be so much fun. *g*

 

4. The Strangely Beautiful Tale of Miss Percy Parker (Strangely Beautiful #1) by Leanna Renee Hieber (my review) 

This book totally rocked my world. I had a few reservations before starting but I loved this book to pieces. The characters are wonderful and Ms Hieber's writing is so unique and descriptive. Just amazing. I started book 2 this morning and I'm already hooked again.

I also made a dual review with the wonderful pattepoilue at Book Lovers Inc here.

5. Three Over Par by Cathryn Brunet (my review) 

This was one of the most emotional erotica I ever read. I love how the story was told, first our of the heroine's memories and later while she experienced it. It made me cry and was sexy as hell. I know I won't lose Ms Brunet from my radar. Highly recommended read.

6. Kiss of the Rose: The Tudor Vampire Chronicles by Kate Pearce (my review)

Wonderful mix of historical and paranormal romance. The world-building is nice and I really like the characters. It has a decent mystery and I loved whole the story unfolded one piece at a time. I know I can't wait to get my hands on book 2 next year.

7. Red Demon (Gods of Midnight #3) by Deidre Knight (my review) 

I waited so long for this and it made me rediscover why I love Ms Knights' writing so much. She knows how to capture a character- she makes them so real and give them depth. I love how she knits future storylines into the plot and I'm so impatient to read them all. It's like waiting for Xmas. LOL

8. Rampant by Saskia Walker (my review)

This book was a disappointment for me. I can't even say why I just didn't click with me. I hate to DNF a book but I just couldn't bring myself to read one more page. It was a struggle.

9. Mind Games (The Disillusionists Trilogy #1) by Carolyn Crane
I actually finished this one on September 1st but I'm cheating. I loved this book. It so deserves the title. It was just awesome: wonderful story, unbelievable freaky misfit characters, funny and full of WIN. Review to come.

 

What did you read in August? Anything I shouldn't miss?

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Review: Red Demon by Deidre Knight

Description:
After assuming the power of life and death for the immortal Spartan brotherhood, Aristos Petrakos still hasn’t mastered his unpredictable, newfound abilities. And now a medium brings him a message from the other side—a romantic message Ari doesn’t want to hear…

A century ago, the love of Ari’s immortal life, Julianna Tiades, drowned herself in the Savannah River—after she learned about Ari’s shapeshifting abilities. Desperate to reveal the truth about her death, Julianna makes a bargain with a Djinn demon, who offers to give her physical form. But as Julianna and Ari are reunited in passion, the debt must be paid—in souls and spirits…


Review:
Since reading the first 2 books in the Midnight Gods series last summer I knew that this series was an absolute keeper. The wait felt like an eternity and when the time was finally there I realized with a shock that I couldn't afford the book. HORROR! Luckily the wonderful pattepoilue took pity with me and my months-long-book-abstinence and surprised me with this one. Thanks so much hon. You are made of awesome.

So I couldn't wait to start this book and from the first few pages I knew that I would love this book, too. Red Demon is all about Aristos and Juliana. At the end of Red Fire was this scene where we met Juliana for the first time and yes I craved to know what was behind that for 1 year.

We already know Aristos as a part of our Spartan brotherhood and he always was one of my favorites. He's funny, he cares and he is like the glue that keeps the brothers together.  In Red Demon he is a bit changed. At the end of Red Fire his life was changed dramatically, not only because he saw his long dead love again. His new powers, or perhaps burden is better, make his life a bit more complicated. And who wouldn't be freaking out when you see the love of your life again after her being dead for 100 years? He struggles with his emotions. He is afraid to believe that she is real and to fall in love again, just to be left alone- mourning again. My heart broke for him. He loves her still, he never really stopped. His heart was and will always be hers. *sigh* Oh my, 100 years and no other woman. It is totally unrealistic but I love it. There is also the guilt of her death. Ari believes that he caused her death indirectly with showing her his shifter side. No matter what she say he is 100% sure that was scared of him and his unnatural form and committed suicide because she just couldn't cope with it. Ari always was a man of jokes and pun and it was a bit strange to see him like this at first but I discovered real fast why that is so.

Julianna is a strong and open-minded person. At first she is a bit confused but as a ghost I wouldn't expect her to realize and understand everything that happens around her. She has deep feelings for Ari, so deep that they prevent her from going on after dying. She HAD to see him again, no matter what, so she never in all those years let go of her old life. When she's back under the living she feels a bit lost. The whole world has changed so much but even more she is afraid of Ari turning her down. What will she do then? In a world she doesn't understand with no one to turn to for help? I really liked her and her way of handling Ari. Sure she has some old-fashioned ideas about modesty but she knows what she wants and she always was a "feminist" at heart. She quickly adapts to the new way of life even more with the help of her female descendants.

The romance in this book is scorching. Ms Knight sure knows how to melt my heart. Two lovers rediscovering each other after a very long time without each other. They took their time but when they finally are at that point the air around you will begin to sizzle. The only thing I say is sky smex. *dreams*

Another point which makes this series wonderful is that Ms Knight knits her future story-lines into her novels. I already crave Leo's & Daphne's and (hopefully) Mason's & Nikos' book. Leo and Daphne have a heartbreaking foundation for there love and as I see the development these two take, I'm sure I have to prepare myself for tears while reading the next book. Mason and Nikos, these to nearly make me speechless because of all the emotion I feel while thinking of them. I want, no I need them to get an HEA and preferable in a book. *wink* Actually I love all her side characters. I squeeeed every time I read a chapter about one of the future couples. I'm already so addicted.

Red Demon is a wonderful new addition to this series: great story, action, love, passion and friendship. It will make you laugh and make you cry but you will feel very good after you read the last word. As always Ms Knight touched my heart with her prose and especially the love she puts into her writing. Wonderful book and highly recommended to all PNR lovers.
 
To learn more about Deidre Knight visit her website here.

To learn more about these wonderful Spartans take a look at their website here.

The Gods of Midnight Series:
1. Red Fire: Reviews @Goodreads; buy @amazon
2. Red Kiss: Reviews @Goodreads; buy @amazon
3. Red Demon Reviews @Goodreads, buy @amazon
4. Red Mortal (February 2011)

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