I missed releasing this post last week so here it is. I'm back with a series of books that I read a long time ago, but I remember enjoying them. What can I say? I go through a rockstar romance phase every once in a while. Have you read this series before? Have you tried this author? Hopefully my reviews inspire someone to give Nora Flite books a chance.
Hard Body Rock
She thought she was stepping into fame.
Meeting Drezden Halifax should have been a dream. But dreams are supposed to be sweet, fragile things that whisk you away. Not monsters crafted from hard fingers, gritty vocal cords and a voice so powerful it could tear my guts right out.
Maybe my heart, too.
Becoming the guitarist for Four and a Half Headstones was everything I needed.
Too bad the band's lead singer is doing his best to ruin everything I am.
He thought she would solve his troubles.
Lola Cooper, god damn Lola Cooper. She was the perfect guitarist, fingers that could summon a sweet song or punch a chord. She's supposed to save my band, make us come out of this tour in one piece...
But I just want to tear HER to pieces.
No one should make me feel this way. One look at her, one smell, and I knew I'd have to have her. She does things to me that scare the shit out of me. Make me want to slam her on a wall and listen to her cries: eager or fearful, it doesn't matter.
I'm a monster...
And I don't even care.
Rating - 
I'm new to this author and found her writing edgy, funky and unique. I can't recall reading anything else like it. That being said, I kind of got lost in translation. I felt like the book was too descriptive that I kept getting confused about what was really going on. Where Drezden's POV was pretty clear and direct, I found Lola's was convoluted. It was all over the place, especially the scene in the bathroom. Wth was that?! A bunch of useless words to say that you fell in the bathtub and felt his hard-on. I hope the next book is clearer because I feel like I just walked out of a fog!
I'm new to this author and found her writing edgy, funky and unique. I can't recall reading anything else like it. That being said, I kind of got lost in translation. I felt like the book was too descriptive that I kept getting confused about what was really going on. Where Drezden's POV was pretty clear and direct, I found Lola's was convoluted. It was all over the place, especially the scene in the bathroom. Wth was that?! A bunch of useless words to say that you fell in the bathtub and felt his hard-on. I hope the next book is clearer because I feel like I just walked out of a fog!
Slow Body Rock
He knew he was addicted.
I thought it'd be smoking that killed me. Lola is more addictive than tobacco could hope to be.
After feeling her warm body, touching her skin... even if it was an accident, I've given up.
The monster inside of me is going to consume her.
I'm too tired to fight it.
And I honestly don't want to.
She knew it was risking everything.
Why is he trying to mess up my ONE opportunity at success?
My very god damn existence?
I can't handle this pull between us... a gravity that wants to knot our bodies together and leave me merged.
Ruined.
I thought Drezden cared about his band, that he wouldn't dare do anything that might break them-- and me-- apart.
When did I become the one thing worth losing it all over?
Rating -
Once again the author has wowed me with her words... gritty and raw. The way she weaves the music, the talent, the performance into what is happening in reality makes for an intense read. I'm starting to get a better picture of what makes Drezden and Lola tick. They both seem really broken and I can now understand the draw, the fascination they have with one another. Now that they've taken a risk, I wonder how it will play out.
Once again the author has wowed me with her words... gritty and raw. The way she weaves the music, the talent, the performance into what is happening in reality makes for an intense read. I'm starting to get a better picture of what makes Drezden and Lola tick. They both seem really broken and I can now understand the draw, the fascination they have with one another. Now that they've taken a risk, I wonder how it will play out.
Flawed Body Rock
She wanted to be a rockstar:
I finally have everything.
Fame, presence, the world knows who I am.
Now my life is even harder.
What do you do when every eye watching you is full of jealous hate?
I'm strong enough to not let strangers hurt me...
But when it's my own brother, the stakes change entirely.
He just wanted her to himself:
My claws are in her, but I'm trapped, too.
Waking up, my first thoughts used to be about music.
Lola's changed all of that.
She consumes my dreams; my existence.
My band... the girl I'm obsessed with...
Is there room in this world for both of them?
If not, which do I choose?
Rating -
With patience comes great reward. That is definitely proven when reading this series. Through this book I feel like I finally have a clear picture of both Drezden and Lola. What she went through (and what it seems he went through) was terribly unfair. I really like how this author writes. I was completely absorbed right until the cutoff. I like how the music is such an integral part of each piece of the story. I feel like there is so much more story to read. Hopefully I'm left satisfied with the next and last book.
With patience comes great reward. That is definitely proven when reading this series. Through this book I feel like I finally have a clear picture of both Drezden and Lola. What she went through (and what it seems he went through) was terribly unfair. I really like how this author writes. I was completely absorbed right until the cutoff. I like how the music is such an integral part of each piece of the story. I feel like there is so much more story to read. Hopefully I'm left satisfied with the next and last book.
True Body Rock
He never wanted to look back.
I've always run from my past. It's what keeps me sane; whole.
But what if not facing it means losing the girl I love?
Telling her the truth must sound so simple.
It's a request that could leave me more broken--more hollow and wrecked--than ever before.
She never saw it coming.
Answers.
Answers answers god damn answers.
How far do I have to go to find out what I need? To get to the bottom of the filth and finally find the real person waiting? The man behind those delicious green eyes and intoxicating lips?
If Drezden won't talk to me...
I'll find someone who will.
But why does it feel like they're the one who's been waiting for me?
Rating -
While this conclusion embodied what I've come to know as Nora Flite's raw and gritty talent, the only complaint I had was that I wanted more!! Her theme of honesty ran through this series from beginning to end and I love how it tied in to Drezden and Lola's HFN. And how great was it for her brother Sean to come full circle with the Four and a Half Headstones??? Awesome!
While this conclusion embodied what I've come to know as Nora Flite's raw and gritty talent, the only complaint I had was that I wanted more!! Her theme of honesty ran through this series from beginning to end and I love how it tied in to Drezden and Lola's HFN. And how great was it for her brother Sean to come full circle with the Four and a Half Headstones??? Awesome!
"Viggo is a blast. He's like... the opposite of how we grew up—talkative, affectionate, playful. Every time I see him, I'm happier. He's the huan embodiment of serotonin."
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Only and Forever by Chloe Liese
Standalone - Bergman Brothers #7
Rating -
Release - April 2, 2024
Genre - Romantic Comedy / opposites attract / forced proximity
POV - Dual 1st person
Heat - descriptive
Source - eARC provided by the publisher
Length - 366 pages
Viggo Bergman, hopeless romantic, is thoroughly weary of waiting for his happily ever after. But between opening a romance bookstore, running a romance book club, coaching kids' soccer, and adopting a household of pets—just maybe, he’s overcommitted himself?—Viggo’s chaotic life has made finding his forever love seem downright improbable.
Enter Tallulah Clarke, chilly cynic with a massive case of writer’s block. Tallulah needs help with her thriller’s romantic subplot. Viggo needs another pair of hands to keep his store afloat. So they agree to swap skills and cohabitate for convenience—his romance expertise to revive her book, her organizational prowess to salvage his store. They hardly get along, and they couldn’t be more different, but who says roommate-coworkers need to be friends?
As they share a home and life, Tallulah and Viggo discover a connection that challenges everything they believe about love, and reveals the plot twist they never saw happily ever after is here already, right under their roof.
Enter Tallulah Clarke, chilly cynic with a massive case of writer’s block. Tallulah needs help with her thriller’s romantic subplot. Viggo needs another pair of hands to keep his store afloat. So they agree to swap skills and cohabitate for convenience—his romance expertise to revive her book, her organizational prowess to salvage his store. They hardly get along, and they couldn’t be more different, but who says roommate-coworkers need to be friends?
As they share a home and life, Tallulah and Viggo discover a connection that challenges everything they believe about love, and reveals the plot twist they never saw happily ever after is here already, right under their roof.
I'll be honest... I never knew I would fall for a softie the way I fell for Viggo. This was a bear of a man who believed in the magic and power of love. He adored romance novels almost as much as we do and I loved his love of love.
Tallulah was a bit harder to like, but she quickly grew on me. It seems that not even she could resist the powerful allure of the irresistible Viggo. Seriously, who could resist a man who wears his beautiful heart on his sleeve?
"Our love story is the only one I want."
It can only be me who would fall in love with such wonderful characters and such an incredible family by reading the last book of a series. Where was I for books one through six??? I guess I know what I'll be reading next.
Chloe writes romances reflecting her belief that everyone deserves a love story. Her stories pack a punch of heat, heart, and humor, and often feature characters who are neurodivergent like herself. When not dreaming up her next book, Chloe spends her time wandering in nature, playing soccer, and most happily at home with her family and mischievous cats.
Visit https://chloeliese.com for more information.
Maya filled him with a soft feeling of something that bordered far too close to what might be growing love.
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Leopard's Hunt by Christine Feehan
Leopard People #14
Rating -
1/2Release - February 20, 2024
Genre - Paranormal Romance / fated mates
POV - Multiple 3rd person
Heat - descriptive
Source - copy provided by the publisher
Length - 396 pages
Gorya Amurov might be known as his family's peacekeeper, but the leopard inside him wants nothing more than to claw to the surface and unleash hell. A harsh life has shaped him into a vicious fighter with a calm exterior, but Gorya knows it's only a matter of time until he loses all control. Deep down, he truly believes he'd be better off dead, and that no woman will ever accept him as a mate....
Maya Averina has spent years hunting the criminals who destroyed her life, and she always takes down her prey. She keeps to herself, stays under the radar, and never loses focus. But with her body burning up and her mind distracted by her first heat, an ambush takes her by surprise. Now she's trapped, an unmated female shifter about to be sold off to the highest bidder. Maya is ready to fight her way out—until the most dangerous, powerful man she's ever encountered arrives to set her free.
Maya Averina has spent years hunting the criminals who destroyed her life, and she always takes down her prey. She keeps to herself, stays under the radar, and never loses focus. But with her body burning up and her mind distracted by her first heat, an ambush takes her by surprise. Now she's trapped, an unmated female shifter about to be sold off to the highest bidder. Maya is ready to fight her way out—until the most dangerous, powerful man she's ever encountered arrives to set her free.
Gorya and his family were tasked with taking over several territories, clearing them of trafficking, by any means necessary. No one really expected much from Gorya. He was the quiet cousin, unassuming and the peace keeper. Beneath that calm facade lurked the deadliest predator of them all... and it seemed that Maya was the first to recognize him for exactly who he was.
I thought that missing a few books in this series would leave me blind to the wonder of this story, but I was immediately absorbed, not missing a single moment. I was caught up in the connection Gorya and Maya shared, the way their wolves maneuvered them together (or manipulated, depending on how you see it), and the incredible action scenes that the author let play out. Gorya was a dangerous being, but with Maya... these two were lethal.
I admired both characters for their strength, and not just the physical kind. They endured such horrors as children and young adults, but turned that trauma into a passion to right the wrongs done to them. They shared an almost symbiotic connection, both from their pasts and the leopards that were driving them. I loved Gorya for his patience and understanding, Maya for her willingness to try. They made my heart hurt in the best way.
With the amount of voices contributing to this tale, there was no shortage of detail or nuance to this story. Doing bad things for the right reasons should be their motto. I loved this couple so much and I can't wait dive into the books I missed.
Christine Feehan is a #1 New York Times bestselling author multiple times over with her portfolio including over 70 published novels, including five series; Dark Series, Ghostwalker Series, Leopard Series, Drake Sisters Series, the Sisters of the Heart Series and Torpedo Ink. All of her series have hit the #1 spot on the New York Times bestselling list as well. Her debut novel Dark Prince received 3 of the 9 Paranormal Excellence Awards in Romantic Literature (PEARL) in 1999. Since then she has been published by various publishing houses including Leisure Books, Pocket Books, and currently is writing for Berkley/Jove. She also has earned 7 more PEARL awards since Dark Prince.
IN HER WORDS:
I've been a writer all of my life -- it is who I am. I write for myself and always have. The ability to create pictures and emotions with words is such a miracle to me. I read everything; I mean everything! All kinds of books, even encyclopedias. I am fascinated by the written word and I love storytellers. It is a great privilege to be counted one myself.
Visit http://www.christinefeehan.com for more information.
A home isn't always the house we live in. It's also the people we choose to surround ourselves with. You may not live on the island, but you can't tell me it's not your home. Your bubble, Mr. Baker. It's been popped. Why would you allow it to grow around you again?
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
Find it here: Goodreads * Amazon
The House in the Cerulean Sea by TJ Klune
Cerulean Chronicles #1
Rating -
Release - March 17, 2020
Genre - Fantasy / found family
POV - Single 3rd person
Heat - none aside from a kiss
Source - ebook from the library
Length - 393 pages
A magical island. A dangerous task. A burning secret.
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.
When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.
But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.
Linus Baker leads a quiet, solitary life. At forty, he lives in a tiny house with a devious cat and his old records. As a Case Worker at the Department in Charge Of Magical Youth, he spends his days overseeing the well-being of children in government-sanctioned orphanages.
When Linus is unexpectedly summoned by Extremely Upper Management he's given a curious and highly classified assignment: travel to Marsyas Island Orphanage, where six dangerous children reside: a gnome, a sprite, a wyvern, an unidentifiable green blob, a were-Pomeranian, and the Antichrist. Linus must set aside his fears and determine whether or not they’re likely to bring about the end of days.
But the children aren’t the only secret the island keeps. Their caretaker is the charming and enigmatic Arthur Parnassus, who will do anything to keep his wards safe. As Arthur and Linus grow closer, long-held secrets are exposed, and Linus must make a choice: destroy a home or watch the world burn.
I know, I know. I'm late to this author and the stunning way they put together words. Who knew I was truly missing out?
Linus Baker was the epitome of a perfect social worker—he genuinely cared about children and their safety; he prided himself on remaining objective; and he took meticulous notes and prepared detailed reports. When he's given the task of investigating an orphanage that has been given the highest classification, he knows, before he even steps foot on the island, that he's in over his head.
These characters quickly won my heart and I was so sad to let them go when I got to the end.
- Talia is a female gnome, with a love of gardening, gardening tools, and digging holes (for reasons);
- Theodore is a wyvern, who communicates with chirps, collects treasure, and is generally fun-loving;
- Phee is a sprite who is coming into her own powers with the help of Zoe (an adult sprite). There's a fierceness to this little girl that is hard to ignore;
- Chauncey is a little boy of a species no one recognizes. He wants everyone to get along and his greatest wish is to be the best bellhop in all the lands;
- Sal is a gentle soul who, after many years of abuse, is easily frightened. He's slowly healing and I lived for every moment of his recovery; and
- Lucy is the antichrist, however, if you look beyond the moniker he had no choice but to have, you'll find a mischievious little boy who enjoys all things death and grossness. There's a sweetness to him that defies every preconceived notion of who we think he should be.
As the story progressed, I found myself developing a certain degree of fondness with everyone and my capacity for caring only grew as the story did. I loved watching Linus flounder with everything he knew and all of the things he was learning. He discovered a zest for life on this island, with these people. A level of self-awareness, a sense of questioning the world around him and the way we treat others. A newfound hope and appreciation for the differences between us all.
This story took a firm jab at discrimination and I can't wait to read the sequel, Somewhere Beyond the Sea.
Check out the incredible fan art for The House in the Cerulean Sea. The creator captured these characters BEAUTIFULLY!!
TJ KLUNE is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling, Lambda Literary Award-winning author of The House in the Cerulean Sea, Under the Whispering Door, In the Lives of Puppets, and the Green Creek Series for adults, the Extraordinaries Series for teens, and more. Being queer himself, Klune believes it's important—now more than ever—to have accurate, positive queer representation in stories.
Visit https://www.tjklunebooks.com for more information.
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