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REVIEW: Psycho Romeo by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott
Ward Security: Psycho Romeo – Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott
The Ward Security Series is a spin-off of the Unbreakable Bonds Series.
Geoffrey Ralse is known for being the life of the party. He loves the club scene, hanging with his friends, and flirting with whomever catches his eye. He certainly isn’t going to stop living his life just because some would-be stalker starts sending him threats.
But it all changes when Geoffrey is drugged and wakes up half naked in his own home with a new message from his stalker.
He needs help and there’s only one person he trusts…
Protective Agent Sven Larsen has been fighting Geoffrey’s flirtatious advances for months, even though he’s impossibly drawn to the man. There’s no way he can be around him twenty-four/seven and not finally crack. But one look at Geoffrey’s haunted eyes, and he knows there’s no way he’s letting Geoffrey walk out of Ward Security without him.
Even if it means breaking his own rules, he will keep Geoffrey safe.
Trigger warning: There is a very short section with sexual assault that some could find upsetting
Ward Security is the spin-off series of Unbreakable Bonds. This features Ward Security employees from the bodyguards like Sven to the tech specialists like Quinn. Ward Security is like a family to many of them.
Rowe and Noah had a lot of page time here. My heart gave happy lil jigs every time the UB characters show up on page or there were updates on how they’re doing.
I’m super amused at how the book kept emphasizing that Geoffrey, at 5’5, is smol while here I am, an inch shorter than him and considered ‘tall’ by everyone I know. We’re all hobbits to Sven, who stands at 6’7(?).
“Looks like I am doomed to stand in the land of giants.”
It’s not only the size difference that made up their crazy good opposite-attracts chemistry. Geoffrey is vivacious and talkative while Sven is taciturn and still. The bodyguard tried to put up a distant, stoic front but Geoffrey was adorably relentless. The great Nordic giant stood no chance. And I knew, that moment in Unbreakable Bonds when Geoffrey flipped him over his back with his badass Aikido move, they were IT!
Psycho Romeo has some noticeably wonky parts. The mystery took longer to solve than it was supposed to and the showdown with the villain was a bit meh though I’m happy Geoffrey was no damsel in distress. I hardly felt any suspense but as a whole, these weaknesses could be overlooked because the book delivered where it really mattered.
The thing with JD & RE so far is that they write great romance but the other aspects of the stories are not as strongly executed. These things might or might not be a big deal depending on how good the book is in general. Be that as it may, they have created many memorable characters and it’s quite easy to get hook on their books.
From the look of things, Ward Security is shaping up to be as addicting as the original series. I’m already starting on Quinn and Shane’s story.
P.S.
To fully enjoy Ward Security, it’s best to also read Unbreakable Bonds. The books should be read in order.
Unbreakable Bonds books here
Jocelynn Drake books hereRating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: We Fit Together
Artist: Jess Penner
Album: Love, Love, Love -
SOUNDTRACK: We Fit Together by Jess Penner
Soundtrack to Ward Security: Psycho Romeo by Jocelynn Drake & Rinda Elliott
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They couldn’t have been more opposite in personality, size, income bracket… pretty much everything.
Except for the loneliness.
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MOVIE FEATURE: Cal
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MANGA: Kimi no Kira Kira
Kimi No Kira Kira – Yuge Sadamaru
Shinoda, who likes mysterious objects, started dating his kohai, Kirara, who lives in a shrine…
A sparkly spin on love and destiny.
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REVIEW: The Enchanter’s Flame by Michele Notaro
The Ellwood Chronicles: The Enchanter’s Flame by Michelle Notaro
Strange things are happening all around Brinnswick. Things that remind me of a piece of my past I’d rather forget. Girls are being killed, drained of blood, and left with strange markings on their bodies. When I finally connect the cases together, a specialist is called in—though, what he’s a specialist of is beyond me.
When the chief assigns him as my new partner for the case, I can’t help but groan on the inside. Why of all people would I be assigned to Ailin Ellwood? The man is a disaster waiting to happen and a jerk to boot. A sexy jerk, but a jerk nonetheless.
What will Sebastian think when he discovers Ailin’s specialty? Will he make a run for it or will he stick around and discover a world of magic hidden beneath the city’s surface?
***The Enchanter’s Flame is the first book in the Ellwood Chronicles. It’s a paranormal romance that contains explicit material and is intended for mature adults 18 and over.***
The Enchanter’s Flame is the first book of the highly enjoyable Ellwood Chronicles, a fantasy series about witches and other magic users blended with a chockful of romance, mystery, humor and a dash of police procedural.
Some niggles though. Ailin Ellwood, a very powerful witch, was partnered with Sebastian Fitz, a police detective, to solve a series of murders. At first, Sebastian didn’t know Ailin’s true identity. All he was told was that the man was a specialist. Seb was dragged along with only half an idea of what’s going and had to endure his partner’s assholic attitude. The witch gave cryptic non-answers and made life-altering decisions, ex. magically binding Seb for life, without even consulting him. Also, he constantly read the detective’s mind with no regard for his privacy.
This, understandably, drove the clueless Seb crazy. The story was written from his POV and most of it was him and his hilarious WTF reactions to whatever shit Ailin came up with. The poor guy simultaneously wanted throttle the jerk and get in his pants because Ailin’s got that cool Goth boy look to match the rude ‘tude. The result was a lot of sniping and griping and USTs all over the place. The two literally crackled when they touch!
The world-building wasn’t as immersive as I would have liked but still very intriguing. The setting was deliberately vague, going with that somewhere-in-the-US-but-not-really style. It’s set in the contemporary world where magic users live in secret and work with the government to keep that secret and keep dark forces at bay. The magical part was hinted early on and later became clear to Sebastian as his relationship with Ailin progressed.
We learn that many kinds of magical creatures exist and there are different magical affinities. These include nature, death, light, and shadow magic. They are associated with a certain color which matches the user’s eye-color. And because I’m a sucker for stuff like this, I immediately started imagining what my affinity would be.
We meet the Ellwood clan/coven. They’re a cocky bunch. Shipping Basil, Ailin’s lil bro, and Thayer, a coven member. Shipping them really hard.
We learn about Ailin’s true responsibilities and his deeper connection with Sebastian. Totally loving this vitmea viramore thing they had going on.
The backstory was also revealed. It spoke of war and how an entire specie of magic users become extinct. How these tie with their case unveiled more shocking revelations that turned Sebastian’s life and their entire world up side down.
That epilogue!
I had fun with this one. There’s were many good points that overcame the niggles and overall, the story was very entertaining. Recommended for those who like their urban fantasy with a lot of kissing and bickering.
Rating:
4 Stars – minor quibbles but I loved it to bitsSoundtrack: Soul Mates
Artist: Grant Nicholas
Album: Yorktown Heights -
SOUNDTRACK: Soul Mates by Grant Nicholas
Soundtrack to The Ellwood Chronicles: The Enchanter’s Flame by Michelle Notaro
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“How in the hell did I wind up in my car with an asshole, a cute kitten, and a creepy as fuck snake? That sounded like the beginnings of a bad joke.”
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MOVIE FEATURE: Shank
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ANYTHING BUT BOOKS TAG
This is tag about anything not book-related. Found this at The Caffeinated Bookworm Life.
This introduction is a testament to my complete lack of small talk skills. Yes, most of the time, I don’t know what to say.
So without further ado, hey ho, let’s go!
