Book Review: ARC of Tangled Past by Leah Braemel @LeahBraemel May 28, 2011
I was interested in this story mainly due to it’s poly relationship premise. I enjoy historical romances, but I don’t always get into Westerns, this was a different kind of Western though. Although there were the fun cattle rustling, horse riding, dirty varment kind of stuff within the pages that you’d hope for within a Western Romance novel, Tangled Past also has an intricately woven romance story line that you normally don’t see. It is unique and very well thought out.
Yes, it is a romance. There are flowery prose and professings of love, but there are two male main characters and they are vying for the love of our female lead, Sarah. They are also vying for each other as well as Sarah.
Jackson is rough edged and abrupt, but he’s honest and loyal.
Nate is kind and sweet, but earnest and passionate.
I couldn’t help but fall in love with both of them right along with our tough Sarah.
Sarah’s life hasn’t been easy and even though her tale is very realistic for this time period and sometimes hard to read about, you come to find her strength and drive very enduring and attractive. Nothing ruins a romance more in my opinion than a “wilting flower” as Miss Martha calls them, the wise sage in Tangled Past.
Leah does a lovely job of creating three distinct characters that bring three distinct pieces together into a beautiful relationship. Their connection reminded me of a symbol I have tattooed on my back, the Trinity Heart Celtic Knot. Where one piece ends, another begins so there is truly no end. I would have loved to have been able to read more, especially later in the story.
I did find several type errors that brought me out of the story a few times, but that’s the beta in me. I’d love to give this story a once over before it’s published to make sure it is grammatically correct and reads smoothly. This story is quite enjoyable and deserves to sparkle.
I would recommend this to anyone who enjoys historical romances, especially of the Western variety. I’m sure it’s not easy setting this balance that you find in Tangled Past. Leah handles polygamy with care and it’s not only emotional but beautiful and erotic. I would definitely like to read something from Leah again.
Thank you again to Carina Press for allowing me to preread their ARCs. I very much appreciate being given these opportunities!
Don’t forget you can still bid on auctions for @all4alabama to support Tornado Relief! May 23, 2011
Please check out all the amazing auctions still going on. One of which is my girl Kerry Freeman who is donating a complete YA/LGBT book package! So cool!
There are critiques and signed books and some GORGEOUS jewelry! Go check it out!!!!
Book Review: Notturno by @ZAMaxfield Awesome paranormal read! May 21, 2011
What an emotional story!
I picked this out because it looked like a naughty romp, but it turned out to be more so. Adin’s story made my heart hurt over and over!
I was reading over the last day and my stomach kept dropping. It seemed like every chapter I had to tweet ZA about how much my heart hurt for Adin!
Donte is a lovely vampire character and the entire story just makes you swoon and smile and gasp. ZA has a wonderful way about her fluency and word choice, the way Donte and Adin coin a phrase was just adorable and fun. You could feel the attraction as you’re reading. It starts passionately and ends passionately. It’s a lovely mix of intrigue and action, mystery and conversation. It’s wonderful!
It was a fantastic story. If you’re looking for something that combines paranormal romance with intrigue and fun for a really great read, I highly recommend!
Book Review: Black Dagger Brotherhood 8: Lover Mine by J.R. Ward *sigh* May 9, 2011
Oooooh…. John Matthew!
I was completely absorbed and enthralled by his story. Since we met him way back in the earlier books as the scared, abused pretrans. Then his growth and changes, meeting his support system, watching all the pain and suffering he goes through to become who he is at the end of this book. Oh.my.god!
It just killed me over and over. It took me a lot longer to get through this one due to the heavy subject matter, not only with John, but also with Xhex, the flashbacks of Tohr, and Lash. It all melded nicely together in this story, but it also hurt! Especially, Xhex’s storyline. Wow. Incredible.
I really liked learning more about where Xhex came from and learning about John Matthew and his connection to Xhex. His story is hard to read, but it’s so well told.
I also loved seeing Blay in action and his storyline coming out. I’m hoping we get more of his story in number nine. It is so refreshing to have a m/m storyline other than what we learned about some of the Brothers in earlier stories. This is a dedicated storyline and it’s awesome. Angsty and beautiful 🙂
These books have me so completely addicted. It’s ridiculous. And I’ve begun enabling others and bringing them along too 🙂 At least I’m not alone!
booknerdbecca 