Book Review: The Echo of Old Book by Barbara Davis

Title: The Echo of Old Books

Author: Barbara Davis
Genre: Historical Mystery - Romance
Publisher: Lake Union Publishing - Copyright 2023
Publication Date: March 28, 2023
ISBN: 9781662511608
Read: March 4-9, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advance reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Rare-book dealer Ashlyn Greer’s affinity for books extends beyond the intoxicating scent of old paper, ink, and leather. She can feel the echoes of the books’ previous owners―an emotional fingerprint only she can read. When Ashlyn discovers a pair of beautifully bound volumes that appear to have never been published, her gift quickly becomes an obsession. Not only is each inscribed with a startling incrimination, but the authors, Hemi and Belle, tell conflicting sides of a tragic romance. 

With no trace of how these mysterious books came into the world, Ashlyn is caught up in a decades-old literary mystery, beckoned by two hearts in ruins, whoever they were, wherever they are. Determined to learn the truth behind the doomed lovers’ tale, she reads on, following a trail of broken promises and seemingly unforgivable betrayals. The more Ashlyn learns about Hemi and Belle, the nearer she comes to bringing closure to their love story―and to the unfinished chapters of her own life.

Review: The Echo of Old Books is the first book I've read from Barbara Davis, and I really enjoyed it. Part historical mystery, part historical romance, part modern "coming to terms with self," the story is emotional and haunting.

Ashlyn Greer hasn't had the easiest life after losing both parents at a young age. However, things seem to be on the upswing when she inherits An Unlikely Story, a rare and used bookstore, where she's spent many happy hours and learned the craft of restoring old books. Beyond her love for books is a special ability Ashlyn is only starting to fully understand: she can sense and connect with the residual psychic impressions left behind by a book's previous owner(s). It's a gift that makes running An Unlikely Story interesting, but when Ashlyn happens upon two unique books, her gift quickly takes a slightly darker turn.

The books she discovers are written by two authors, Belle and Hemi, but are alike in appearance. One is titled "Forgetting Belle" and is written by Hemi, and the other is titled "Forever and Other Lies" and is written by Belle. However, both books detail the same torrid love affair between the two authors but from different perspectives. It doesn't take long for Ashlyn to become obsessed and soon finds herself in the midst of a decades old romance and mystery.

The Echo of Old Books is well-written and obviously benefits from a lot of detailed research on Davis's part. The stories of Hemi, Belle, and Ashlyn are seven together like a beautiful tapestry hanging against the backdrop of old books. Given Ashlyn's psychic gift, there is a touch of magical realism to the story, which only serves to bring emotions to the forefront and heighten the reader's need to keep turning pages. 

Book Review: Taming Flame by Therisa Peimer

Title: Taming Flame

Author: Therisa Peimer
Genre: Science Fiction - Romance
Publisher: FriesenPress - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: July 15, 2022
ISBN: 9781039125629
Read: January 25-27, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher:  Flaminius's days of bouncing between beds are snatched away the instant he sets eyes on his perfect genetic match, Aurelia. Suddenly, the tedious task of claiming his rightful place on the Arkhnuetian throne doesn't seem as daunting with his whip-smart wife by his side. But it's not like Aurelia had a choice; Flaminius is the only soul she can reproduce with, and she's not about to play a role in her people's extinction. 

After a swift wedding and passionate honeymoon, an assassination attempt plummets the lovers back into the reality of ruling. Fueled by their indomitable matched hormones and fierce loyalty to each other, together they must evade his mother's Machiavellian schemes, hunt down the mysterious cause of death plaguing the match making Keys, and protect their people from a violent supremacist cult, the Oradagra. But it turns out the greatest threat to their existence is something neither of them could have seen coming, and it's a race against time to save the entire Arkhnuetian planet.

Review: I wanted to like this book so much more than I did. Science fiction is a genre I've loved since childhood, and while romance can often overpower a lot of scifi, Taming Flame had a decent balance between the two. However, the book is split into two parts with the first part of the book being the more intriguing portion. The second half just fell short, and I can't even really explain why except to say it felt as though one book should've been two. Perhaps if the author had divide the story into more than a single book, I would've like it more. 

The relationship between Flame and Aurelia is interesting. On the planet Arkhnuet, people are genetically matched with their perfect mate. When Flame and Aurelia are matched, a whole lot of political ramifications come into play. Flame is the heir to the throne, even though he's not keen on the idea of taking over as ruler, and Aurelia is "low born," meaning she's not from any of the aristocratic families Flame's mother had hoped (planned) for her future successor's origins. Even though the chemistry between Flame and Aurelia is undeniable, they have issues. Oh, man, do they have Issues. But, that's par for the course with any romance: the push and pull of attraction versus forces that seek to tear them apart. 

Then there is the political and religious matters. Arkhnuetians use Keys, women with the power to ascertain who is genetically compatible through the use of psychic abilities, and when they start mysteriously dying, all of Arkhnuetian society is in jeopardy. Throw in a zealous supremacist cult and Flame's mother's scheming then you get a broadly arcing narrative that at times detracts from the central point: The deaths of the Keys. Or is it Flame and Aurelia's relationship? Or is it really the cult's resurgence? Maybe the mother's desire to remain in power? Honestly, I'm no longer certain what the central plot was anymore. 

The book is well-written and the world building is great. If only the author hadn't tried to pack quite so much into a single book, then, as I said, I might have liked this a lot more.

Book Review: Crave Me Roughly by Kira James

Title: Crave Me Roughly

Author: Kira James
Genre: Paranormal Romance - Vampires
Publisher:  Kira James - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: August 17, 2022
ISBN: N/A (Ebook Novella)
Read: January 16, 2023
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: For almost twenty years, he’s been watching me in secret. This dark, sensual, dangerous man who steps out of the shadows to help me when I need it the most. He won’t accept any payment other than a kiss. But it’s a kiss that sparks a dark desire in a secret, hidden part of me. And when he touches me, all I crave is the kind of dangerous passion that he offers. 

Then I learn the truth—he’s not a man at all. He’s a vampire. 

The love that burns between us is forbidden, but now it’s too late for me to turn back. Perhaps it always was. Because no matter how much danger stalks us both, I’ll sacrifice anything to keep him safe.

Warning: Contains violence, sex, and references to blood drinking. (What do you expect from vampires? Sunshine and daisies? I think not.)

Review: Crave Me Roughly was my first introduction to Kira James as an author, the characters of Luke and Sara, and the world in which they live. And, wow, what an introduction. From the description of Luke and his buddy, Serge, I'm picturing Jason Momoa sans beard and Chris Hemsworth but both have fangs. Um, oh, hells yeah!

As this is a prequel novella set a few years prior to the events of the first book in the Dark Alliance series, Embrace Me Darkly, I won't go into a lot of detail regarding the plot. Basically, the plot breaks down like this: Assistant District Attorney Sara Constantine has been looking for the person who killed her father nearly twenty years ago. She gets a lead from a sketchy dude. Goes to an even sketchier part of Los Angeles, alone, at night, to meet Sketchy Dude and learn what he knows. Mayhem ensues. Sara is rescued by the mysterious and hunky Dynamic Duo of Luke and Serge. Luke and Sara fall in lust. Cue the hot sex. Things happen. Secrets are revealed. More stuff happens. Questions are raised. Can Serge be even snarkier? Will Luke and Sara work out their issues? Will Luke's state-of-the-art kitchen be used for actual cooking at some point? 

I don't know, but I want to know.

Anyone who truly knows me knows just how much I loooooooooove vampires, and just from the short introduction to the Dark Alliance series I got from Crave Me Roughly, I need to read the rest of the series now. But it's not only vampires populating James's world. Other preternatural creatures are hinted at through conversations between Luke and Sara, creatures such as werewolves, demons, fairies, and much more. So, yeah, color me intrigued. 

Now, if you'll excuse me, I've got some hot vampire books to download...

Book Review: Silently by Talya Blaine

Title: Silently (Transformation Series Book 1)

Author: Talya Blaine
Genre: Erotica - Romance - Women's Fiction
Publisher: Talya Blaine Books - Copyright 2022
Publication Date: December 6, 2022
Read: November 27, 2022
Disclaimer: I received a digital advanced reader copy from the publisher via Netgalley. All opinions are my own.

Synopsis from Publisher: Her needs, his limits. White-hot chemistry and anguished desire. The promises and costs of a shared future 

Award-winning novelist Quinn Layborn lost her muse the day her husband died. Still mourning more than a year on, the last thing she wants is a second chance. At writing or romance. 

Tonight, as dinner guests gossip in her breezy beach house—her agent's well-meaning intervention—she arms herself with a full glass of red wine: Don't come close. 

Until a raw and undeniable craving shatters her isolation. 

Cable network travel-show host Jonathan Jaines still struggles with the terrible mistake that ruined his marriage. Tonight, he watches Quinn move among the guests like a ghost. His heart aches for her. The vivacious woman he knew from the movie set a few years ago? Gone, replaced with a grieving widow. 

When she stuns him with the words she whispers in his ear, he cannot—can not—say no. 

One brazen move. Two simple rules. 

From an eastern Long Island hamlet to a posh Manhattan dungeon, Quinn and Jonathan push boundaries: between pleasure and pain, control and surrender, trust and forgiveness. But as feelings and the risk of heartbreak grow, as their pasts and potential future collide, just how far will they go? 

Fast-paced and intense, Silently is a story about devastating loss, primal need, and the unexpected bonds that help us heal. 

Told in dual points of view, the story features a beta hero and characters over 40, mature themes, past cheating, strong language, and super-steamy bedroom scenes. 

• Alternating hero-heroine points of view 
• Main characters in their 40s 
• High emotional intensity, low melodrama 
• Super-steamy first in series 

Silently launches the Transformation Series. The books should be read in order. 

Review:  Silently by Talya Blaine is billed as "Fast-paced and intense, Silently is a story about devastating loss, primal need, and the unexpected bonds that help us heal." I found it to be none of these things. Yes, it's a quick read at only 161 pages, but the only time it becomes "fast-paced" is when Quinn, the main female character, has a very brief encounter with an unsavory character outside of a private club. 

While the subject of losing a spouse can indeed be a heart-wrenching and devastating loss, Quinn comes across as more whiny than someone caught in the throes of devastating depression. As for the primal need, I didn't see it because I felt no connection with Quinn, Jonathan (main male character), or any other character in the story. 

Yes, I understand Silently has been classified as erotica as well as romance and/or women's fiction. However, I feel that it doesn't live up to the standards of other books in these same genres. In order for a book to be considered a romance, there must be some, actual, romance. There is none between Quinn and Jonathan. No flirting. No real attraction. No tension. Their "relationship" consists of so-called "mind-blowing sex." Sorry, but I've read more intensely sexual encounters in young adult fiction that didn't even include intercourse. The characters are two-dimensional, have no chemistry, and there is no plot in the book to help drive the story or the character toward and/or away from one another.

Silently is the first installment in a new series; however, after reading this one, I won't be continuing the series.