Thursday, October 16, 2014

Mini Reviews: Night's Honor + The Accidental Abduction

NIGHT'S HONOR
Novels of the Elder Races #7
Thea Harrison
Adult Paranormal Romance
282 pages
Berkley Romance
Available Now
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review

THE STORY (from Goodreads)
On the run from her former employer, Tess knows that she’s vulnerable on her own amongst the Elder Races. That’s why she decides to audition to become the human attendant of a powerful Vampyre of the Nightkind demesne. But while her position affords her the safety she seeks, her protector turns out to be more than she bargained for.

The right-hand man of the Nightkind King, Xavier del Torro is both terrifying and alluring. While his true nature frightens Tess, she can’t ignore the appeal of his innate sense of integrity and self-restraint. Thrown into Xavier’s world, Tess must quickly learn to navigate the dangers—both to her life and to her heart. But the biggest threat comes from her own past….


MY THOUGHTS
Initially the two protagonists of Night’s Honor seem like they might not live up to the couples of previous books simply due to the fact that neither individual is a member of Dragos’s inner circle; our desire to read the stories of all those closest to him resulting in little patience for time with others. What we learn in chapter one, however, is that our doubt in the appeal of Xavier and Tess simply cannot hold up in the face of the beautifully slow burn that brings down their walls and allows trust, affection and true intimacy to flood through.

Tess is the type of heroine we wish for every time we crack the spine of a romance book, completely aware of her shortcomings and honest about her feelings even when standing in front of those who could easily do her harm. Though she fears Xavier for nearly the entire first half of the book, she doesn’t allow that fear to blind her to Xavier’s positive attributes, instead keeping a wary distance from him but fully acknowledging when his words or actions go a long way toward disproving her previous assessment. Xavier, for his part, is amazingly patient with Tess despite the fact that her trust issues affect him more than he’d like, and he gives her all the time and space she needs to come to her own conclusions about the man and Vampyre he truly is.

It takes majority of the book for Xavier to prove himself to Tess and for Tess to open herself up to what her eyes and heart see rather than what her mind stubbornly clings to, but that only serves to create the most delicious type of tension between them, and the reward when they finally come together is worth every minute of the time it takes to get there.

Rating: 4/5
 

Find Thea:



Darcie Wilde
Adult Historical Romance 
336 pages
Berkley Romance
Available Now
Source: Finished copy from publisher for review
THE STORY (from Goodreads)
Harold Rayburn is about to be taken for the ride of his life…

After having his proposal rejected by a beautiful but flighty woman, Harry vows he is done with unpredictable and impetuous women for good. Until beautiful and fierce Leannah Wakefield barrels into his life, inadvertently kidnapping him while on a wild carriage ride and leaving him all too eager to get back in the saddle…

Leannah would sacrifice everything to protect her family. So upon hearing of her sister’s intended elopement, she races across London to stop the ill-advised ceremony before it can happen. However, when her mad journey picks her up an unlikely stowaway, one who ignites her desire beyond all reason, she’s the one who ends up hastily wedding a handsome and secretive stranger.

But as Leannah and Harry immediately encounter opposition, jealousy, and suspicion of their hurried nuptials, they begin to doubt that their unquenchable passion can truly lead to a happy marriage—especially when both the bride and groom have devastating secrets to hide…

MY THOUGHTS 
The Accidental Abduction is a fairly straightforward historical romance, the rigid societal structure of the time period creating a number of obstacles for our lead couple to overcome, but despite not creating anything new or groundbreaking within the genre, it's still a sweet and sexy way to spend a couple hours. While the story gets off to a quick start with Leannah practically running Harry down in the street, the pacing of the first half still manages to be a bit slow, endless speculation from both Harry and Leannah about how the other feels, tastes or sounds in intimate moments making us wish for less imagining and more action. That's not to say them actually jumping into bed together would have been the more desirable course–especially given the fact they get there quickly enough–but the time they both spend musing in the first half keeps us from diving into their story with enthusiasm.

Once Leannah and Harry marry however, the story starts to take a more emotional turn, the two of them endlessly compatible in bed but yet so hesitant and unsure out of it. They both have secrets they're keeping from one another, and though that would normally be a source of frustration, they each work hard to be as honest as possible while sorting through the displeasure of their respective families. They don't want to believe all they hear and learn about one another from outside sources, but even as distant observers we can recognize the insidious nature of doubt and how easily it slips into the tiniest of cracks in one's armor, spreading quickly until it becomes all-consuming. Overall, despite a somewhat rocky start with too much time spent on Leannah and Harry's internal musings, The Accidental Abduction ends on a high note with trust broken and then oh-so perfectly restored.

Rating: 3.5/5
 
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These books were sent to me by the publisher free of charge for the purpose of a review
I received no other compensation and the above is my honest opinion.

26 comments:

  1. Maybe the second one is more for me

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  2. I didn't know about the second one but I really need to try the first series! I have the 2 first books but I still need to get into them. After hearing so much I'm curious to see if I'll like them too.

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    1. The Novels of the Elder Races is an all time favorite series for me Melliane! I can't recommend it enough:)

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  3. Whee, historical romance! All those internal musings would likely have me skimming (because apparently I'm turning into that kind of reader), but you know it makes me ridiculously excited to see historical romance books being read. :)

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    1. Yes. It was just a lot of wondering and imagining and I was ready for things to just move forward already. I did very much like the two of them together though:)

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  4. I didn't know you read historical romance!! :D That makes me happy because I devour HR although I don't normally review them. You should try Lisa Kleypas if you haven't.

    I need to read something more by Thea Harrison. I loved her Dragon Oath (or something) book and it was so much fun. And the chemistry between the couple! Phew!

    Lovely reviews, Jenny!

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    1. Yes! I read a lot of HR Nick! I'm a big fan of Sarah MacLean, Elizabeth Hoyt, and Maya Banks (her highlander series). So good:)

      And you definitely need to read more of Thea! The Elder Races series is such fun:)

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  5. I love a good historical every now and then Jenny and these both sound like they were pretty good reads and authors to consider when I want to pick up my next one. :)

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    1. Sometimes I need an adult romance in between all my YA Ali! They shake things up a bit:)

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  6. These both sound good. I love when an author get pull you in and make you fall for secondary characters.

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    1. Thea writes some outstanding characters Kim! I've loved every book in this series:)

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  7. I hadn't heard of either of these two books but you've got me intriguied! I'll have to keep my eyes open! Lovely reviews :)

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  8. I really need to move my not-so-skinny butt and catch up on the Elder Races series. I've heard nothing but praise and I actually own two or three books. Tess sounds like a truly admirable heroine. i'm sure I would appreciate her openness, since tight-lipped and repressed heroines bore me to tears.
    Wonderful minis, Jenny!

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    1. I so love the Elder Races Maja! I think Dragos and Pia (book 1) will always be my favorite since they came first, but every couple has been fantastic:)

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  9. I have got to start the Elder Races, I know you have been a fan from the get go, Jenny. I think the historical romance might be a tad too dramatic for me.

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  10. I really need to start the Elder Races, Jenny! I keep hearing great things about this series. Glad this series is still going strong for you.

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    1. Yes you do Rummanah! They're just really fun books. Strong women, sexy men, and a fantastic group of secondary characters:)

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  11. This series is on my Amazon wish list, thanks to you!

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  12. Not sure The Accidental Abduction is for me but I've been meaning to get into The Elder Races series for awhile and am glad to see you're still enjoying the books this far in. Wonderful reviews, Jenny! :)

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    1. I just love all the Elder Races books Keertana. I love how unusual most of her paranormal creatures are - dragons, thunderbirds, gryphons, a PEGASUS! I so hope the pegasus gets a book:)

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  13. Ok between your review and Mary's I'm definitely getting a copy of Night's Honor. I love the sound of Tess and Xavier! Lovely minis!

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