Series Spotlight - Captive Hearts Series by Grace Burrowes

The Captive by Grace Burrowes
Series: Captive Hearts #1

Publisher: Sourcebooks

Publication Date: 1 July 2014

Genre: Historical Romance

My Copy: Library - mass market

Captured and tortured by the French, Christian Severn, Duke of Mercia, survives by vowing to take revenge on his tormentors. Before the duke can pursue his version of justice, Gillian, Countess of Greendale, reminds him that his small daughter has suffered much in his absence, and needs her papa desperately.

Gilly endured her difficult marriage by avoiding confrontation and keeping peace at any cost. Christian's devotion to his daughter and his kindness toward Gilly give her hope that she could enjoy a future with him, for surely he of all men shares her loathing for violence in any form. Little does Gilly know, the battle for Christian's heart is only beginning.

Review:
I love Grace Burrowes. Seriously. This was such a heart-wrenching novel for me. Mercia is wonderful as a vengeful war veteran. He's just the right amount of hurt, guarded, and angry. Gillian is the perfect soft, betrayed woman for him. She had a horrible marriage and just wants a place to live quietly. Taking care of Mercia's daughter Lucy seems like the perfect way to obtain this goal. However, two wounded people in need of healing become perfect companions and slowly begin to fall in love. Nothing is ever simple in a Burrowes romance, and the story is full of wonderful layers. There's even a cameo from Devlin St. Just (The Soldier). The ending wrapped up nicely, and the story line set up the foundation for the rest of the series perfectly.

The Traitor by Grace Burrowes
Series: Captive Hearts #2
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: 5 August 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
My Copy: Library - mass market

As a young boy, British-born Sebastian St. Clair was abandoned in France and forced to join the French army in order to survive. Now that the war is over, he has returned home to his beloved England, and is determined to live a quiet life as a country gentleman. He believes that his wish is about to come true when he begins to fall for his elderly aunt’s lovely companion, Miss Millicent Danforth.

But the French are not quite ready to let him go, and they’ve devised a devious plot that could destroy everything that Sebastian holds dear. He will have to use all of his wits if he plans on escaping this scheme with his life…and his love.

Review:
 This book was a fascinating addition to the series. I was amazed at how Burrowes was able to take a seemingly sadistic St. Clair and turn him into a character I loved. He was actually probably my favorite male character out of the series. Such a tortured, complicated, and misunderstood soul. Millie didn't really impress me as much. Out of desperation, she takes a position in the Traitor Baron's home and begins to learn more about him. She's sweet, but felt a little flat to me. The ending was everything I wanted for St. Clair.

  The Laird by Grace Burrowes
Series: Captive Hearts #3
Publisher: Sourcebooks
Publication Date: 2 September 2014
Genre: Historical Romance
My Copy: Library - mass market

The morning after Michael Brodie marries the lovely Brenna, he marches off to join Wellington’s army, leaving his new wife alone with his unseemly Uncle Angus and an estate to manage.

Ten years later, when Michael finally returns home, he discovers a nest of vicious lies, tales of disloyalty, and most surprising of all, a blossoming love for the woman he left behind.

But his beloved is keeping a dark secret from him. A secret that begins to unfold when Michael’s young sister joins their household, and Uncle Angus’ true nature is revealed.

Review:
  What a heart-wrenching conclusion to the Captive Heart series! The Author's Note in the beginning of the book states that this is darker than any of the books she's done thus far, and it certainly is. That being said, this might be my favorite book by Burrowes, and that's saying something. Michael is a patient and insightful man which is just what Brenna needs from her husband when he returns home from war. Brenna has been through an unimaginable 9 years, and really her story starts before those years. My heart broke for her over and over in this story. I loved the way Michael and Brenna come together. There's just something wonderful about the steadfast relationship they have despite everything they've been through. They just don't give up, and that's admirable. They are both very complex characters set against the unfortunate harsh realities of life. My only (very small) complaint is the handling of Maeve. I feel like Brenna wouldn't let Maeve be alone as much or be someone else's responsibility. That's all I'm going to say on that, so I don't give anything away, but it bothered me. I loved this book despite it's darkness, or maybe because of it.

This was absolutely another fantastic historical romance series. It really shows Grace Burrowes's talent for writing layers within stories that capture your heart. You should definitely add these to your list!

Series Spotlight - Nightwalkers (1-2) by Jacquelyn Frank

The Nightwalkers series is a paranormal romance / urban fantasy series about things that go bump in the night. Among your Nightwalkers, you have Demons, Vampires, and Lycanthropes. The main focus of the first two books are the Demons. Along with a fragile peace between them and the other two Nightwalker species, there are necromancers threatening to destroy their way of life and loved ones. I definitely recommend reading this series so far!


Jacob by Jacquelyn Frank
Series: Nightwalkers #1
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: 1 December 2006
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Copy: bought - mass market

Since time began, there have been Nightwalkers - the races of the night who live in the shadows of the moonlight. Love with humans is absolutely forbidden, and one man makes certain to uphold this ancient law: Jacob, the Enforcer...

For 700 Years, He has resisted temptation. But not tonight...

Jacob knows the excuses his people give when the madness overtakes them and they fall prey to their lust for humans. He's heard every one and still brought the trespassers to justice. Immune to forbidden desires, uncontrollable hungers, or the curse of the moon, his control is total...until the moment he sees Isabella on a shadowy New York City street. Saving her life wasn't in his plans. Nor were the overwhelming feelings she arouses in him. But the moment he holds her in his arms and feels the soft explosion of her body against his, everything changes. Their attraction is undeniable, volatile, and completely against the law. Suddenly everything Jacob has ever believed is inflamed by the heat of desire...

Bring on the night.

Review:
Jacob immediately pulled me in. A Demon protecting the prey from another Demon? And being brothers at that? I was hooked. I wanted to know why Jacob stopped his brother from harming a human. Demons are usually all portrayed as bad guys. These Demons are far from evil. They just have unique abilities based on an element (Wind, Earth, Fire) or important human aspect (Mind, Body). Jacob is an Earth Demon which allows him to turn to dust, communicate with animals, or cause earthquakes.

Isabella, or Bella, has her own talents due to her ancestry. The same ancestry sets up the conflict for the series. I really enjoyed Bella. Maybe because of her love for books and history.

Okay, I have to say the resemblance at times between this book and Twilight are uncanny. I mean, Jacob and Bella. Vampires. Imprinting. Don't get me wrong, I don't believe there is any foul play or connection. Twilight was published in 2005, and Jacob in 2006. And other than those three things, the rest of the books are nothing alike. I just found it intriguing.



*****


Gideon by Jacquelyn Frank
Series: Nightwalkers #2
Publisher: Zebra
Publication Date: 1 June 2007
Genre: Paranormal Romance
My Copy: bought - mass market

They're called the Nightwalkers--proud, ancient beings who live in the shadows, existing just beyond the human world. But there are also dangerous humans who hunt them--necromancers who use the blackest magic to manipulate them. And for a Demon named Gideon, the battle against these evil forces will soon be all too personal...

AS A HEALER, HE KNOWS HER BODY. BUT IT'S HER HEART HE WANTS.

For a thousand years, Gideon has healed his people. And as the oldest surviving male of his race, his wisdom has always been respected without question. But Gideon knows that even he is vulnerable to the powerful, primitive desires that befall his kind during Hallowed moons--and nine years ago that truth was hammered home when he found himself claiming Magdalegna, the Demon King's sister, in a wild embrace. Horrified by his lack of control, he left her wanting and furious--and then exiled himself for the better part of a decade. Now, with necromancers threatening his people--and Magdalegna nearly their victim--Gideon must face another truth. He and the beautiful, stubborn Magdalegna are destined to be together, to share a love as deep and old as time itself. But first he needs to regain her trust. Then he'll have to save her life...

Every night holds secrets.

Review:
I didn't like the second installment quite as well as the first. I had a hard time liking Gideon. He was rather full of himself. Normally that doesn't bother me in romance novels as I expect it to a certain extent, but this time it just annoyed me. Gideon is a Body Demon, so he can heal others and astral project. I did like Legna, but I have to admit that the full name, Magdelegna, threw me off the entire book. I would read it as Magdelena first and then have to correct myself, which was very distracting. She seemed kind of weak when it came to Gideon and strong when it came to anything else. Legna is a Mind Demon who can feel others' emotions. Yet when she Imprints with Gideon, she gets this angry, revengeful side as well which is hard for me to reconcile considering her gift.

There are lots of new characters and more insight into the Nightwalker world. We are also introduced to the Vampires and Lycanthropes. I definitely look forward to seeing more from them in the later books of the series. I also really enjoy that the books in the series do not focus just on a single couple at the neglect of the rest. You still get plenty of Jacob and Bella from the previous book, plus you can see some of the set up for Elijah. The Imprinting process is fascinating to me. I loved the telepathic connection in the two books. Plus the idea that the Imprinted pair could die by not seeing each other for a length of time is kind of intriguing, if perhaps a bit cheesy.