Undertow by Cherry Adair

Title: Undertow 

Author: Cherry Adair 

Series: Cutter Cay (book #1)

Next in series: Riptide


My rating: 4 Stars


Synopsis: Salvager Zane Cutter is in desperate need of a mechanic and Teal Williams fits the bill – she can “speak” to engines, dive and seems immune to his charms. Everything is perfect, or so Zane believes until he discovers the fascinating woman behind Teal’s cold façade. Can these two deal with their growing attraction as well as with the dangers inherent to seeking treasure in the Caribbean?

Review: A sizzling romance against an exciting backdrop but the suspense plot fall a little flat.

The treasure hunt atmosphere and salvage is interesting and well written. However, the suspenseful aspects of the story are weak. To begin with, there are two separate threats to Zane’s salvaging expedition. The first, involving modern day pirates bent on stealing the treasure for themselves, is appropriate if predictable, but the sudden inclusion of a second subplot revolving around espionage and government agents just takes things too far.

Nevertheless, Teal and Zane are incredible characters and their chemistry more than makes up for the pitfalls of the suspense plot. Teal is an amalgamation of opposites – a boat mechanic who suffers from seasickness; a tomboy who hides her beauty and sensitivity behind a mask of dry wit and sarcasm. It is entertaining to watch her thaw out in the face of Zane’s sexy intensity and it is just as fun seeing Zane struggle to seduce the one woman that he truly wants. 

Adair’s writing style is engaging and the dialogue between Teal and Zane is witty and charming. Despite the problems with the plot development, Undertow is a fast-paced and entertaining read. I look forward to reading the next books in the series centering on Zane’s brothers.

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Finding the Lost by Shannon K. Butcher

Title: Finding the Lost
Author: Shannon K. Butcher
Series: The Sentinel Wars (book #2)
Previous in series: Burning Alive
Next in series: Running Scared
 
My rating: 3.5 Stars
 
Synopsis: Her family torn apart by the Synestryn, Andra Madison has dedicated her life to rescuing children who fall prey to these grotesque monsters. On one such mission, Andra encounters Paul, a Theronian warrior, searching for the woman who can save his life. As one of these rare women, Andra agrees to join Paul in order to seek a cure for her traumatized sister, and the two set out on a journey fraught with danger and the possibility of true love.
 
Review: A good sequel with some excellent action scenes and interesting detail added to the world building. However, the romance is weak with the hero and heroine lacking the chemistry and intensity of connection that characterized the couple in the first book.
 
Paul and Andra’s relationship fails to resonate perhaps because each is preoccupied with their own problems – Paul with his need to find a compatible mate and keep her once he has, and Andra with her overwhelming desire to save her sister.
 
Neither character is completely sympathetic. Even though Andra is attracted to Paul on a physical level, she remains distant and aloof. She initially comes across as strong-willed and self-confident, but devolves as the story progresses and becomes insecure and hesitant to love because she feels that her failures make her undeserving. Similarly, Paul is never completely honest with Andra and the impression you get from him is that any woman would suffice to fulfill his requirements. Furthermore, the idea that he would force Andra to be with him against her will is repellent.
 
In terms of the plot, Butcher has created a fascinating world with a multitude of layers and several interlocking storylines. The writing is fast-paced and interspersed with hints of events to come. One of the best aspects of the book is the inclusion of compelling secondary characters, especially Madoc and Nika, who are a far more appealing couple than Paul and Andra. I look forward to reading their book as well as that of the other couple from book one – Zach and Lexi.

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Hiding in the Shadows by Kay Hooper

Title: Hiding in the Shadows 
Author: Kay Hooper  
Series: Dark Crescent Sisterhood (book #1)  
Previous in series: Stealing Shadows
Next in series: Out of the Shadows
 
My rating: 3.5 Stars

Synopsis: After awakening from a coma with no memory of the accident or her life preceding it, Faith Parker starts piecing her life back together and discovers that her only friend has disappeared without a trace. Soon, Faith is shocked by intimate dreams of an unknown man and tortured by visions of violence. Can she learn the truth about herself and her friend before her dreams come true?

Review: This review is going to be shorter than some of my others as I don’t want to give away any of the surprises. Suffice it to say that this is a good story with characters that are easy to identify with and a clever plot with an extra twist at the end.

The heroine, Faith, copes with the revelations concerning her life with strength and dignity. She never allows the pain and hardship to overwhelm her and I was really rooting for her happy ending.

The book is well-written with a skillful buildup of tension and suspense that ratchets up a notch toward the end. The romance angle, however, is too subdued and could have been better balanced with the suspense.

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Dragon Bound by Thea Harrison

Title: Dragon Bound
Author: Thea Harrison
Series: The Elder Races (book #1)
Next in series: Storm’s Heart

My rating: 5 Stars

Synopsis: Half-human and half-wyr, Pio Giovanni has spent her life on the run from unknown forces. After inadvertently revealing her abilities, Pia is blackmailed into stealing a coin from the most powerful of the Elder Races – Dragos, whose fury knows no bounds and who will stop at nothing to find and keep the one who stole from him.

Review: A book that definitely lives up to the hype. Dragon Bound has a gripping story, fantastic characters and an amazing romance.

The world building is incredibly detailed and intricate. The author’s knowledge of various mythological creatures and her skill at incorporating these elements into the plot and characterization is commendable. For example, the fact that Dragos hoards beautiful things is traditional of dragons in western culture and books such as Smaug in The Hobbit and the dragons guarding Gringotts in Harry Potter.

The romance is absorbing. Pia and Dragos’s chemistry is intense and kept me turning the pages. I just didn’t want their story to end. Some readers may find Dragos overly domineering and possessive but this aspect of his character is consistent with the fact that he is, in fact, a dragon albeit in the form of a man. Pia is spunky, intelligent and resourceful. She is more than capable of holding her own against all the male characters in the book (and the female as well) from her obnoxious ex-boyfriend to the spiteful fae king and the dragon himself. The mystery revolving around her wyr-form (i.e., the creature that she can shift into) is intriguing and the ultimate revelation of her identity is one of my favorite scenes. 

My one small nitpick is that the villain of the piece is a little generic and never really constitutes a real threat. He is easily thwarted and his ultimate demise is anti-climactic. Nevertheless, this plot point never detracted from my enjoyment of the story.

The secondary characters are also well developed and interesting with each of Dragos’s friends having their own distinct personalities and opinions. The series continues with some of these characters taking the lead and I look forward to reading future installments as well as re-reading this one quite soon.

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Rules of Surrender by Christina Dodd

Title: Rules of Surrender
Author: Christina Dodd
Series: Governess Brides (book #1)
Next in series: Rules of Engagement

My rating: 4 Stars

Synopsis: Impoverished and cast out from her family, Lady Charlotte Dalrumple is forced to work as a governess. Ostensibly hired to teach Lady Ruskin’s Eastern born grandchildren in the ways of English society, Charlotte soon realizes that her real assignment is to turn their barbarian father into a true English gentleman. The only problem is that the outspoken and sensual Wynter Ruskin has every intention of turning the tables and seducing the prim and proper Charlotte.

Review: Light and entertaining with some laugh out loud moments but the plot is insufficiently developed and the ending feels rushed. The embezzling subplot, for example, has potential but fizzles out, and its conclusion is predictable and contributes little to the story.

Dodd is a skilled writer with a talent for characterization. Winter and Charlotte have a vibrant chemistry, and even though there are one or two questionable scenes that may put readers off, for me, they were consistent with the Eastern influence on Wynter’s character. Moreover, Charlotte’s emotional conflict with regard to Wynter and her attraction to him seem to negate the idea that he truly forces himself on her. While, Wynter is obnoxious, chauvinistic and overbearing, Charlotte succeeds in putting him in his place and ultimately teaches him the true value of women and love.

The secondary characters are another strong point. From the children, who are sweet and engaging, to Charlotte’s ridiculous bully of an uncle and the bitchy Lady Howard, each plays a part in building the foundations of the story and contribute to the overall atmosphere. On a side note, the story takes place in Victorian times and there are hints at the superior colonial attitudes of the British Empire, which readers may find offensive but should be taken in context. One cannot ignore history and culture even when writing historical romances.

In sum, a fun and enjoyable read and I will be continuing with the series.

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