Pearl's World of Romance - Reviews with a Passion: Robin T. Popp

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March 17, 2009

Anthology - Immortals: The Reckoning

5:22 PM |

WOLF HUNT BY JENNIFER ASHLEY

Back Cover Copy:
Werewolf Logan defies his entire pack and everything he’s ever known to protect a demon woman. He must race to save the beautiful demon Nadia from his own pack.

Logan Wright's former Pack Leader, Matt Lewis, has a score to settle with him and blackmails Nadia into setting a trap for Logan. Matt and Logan have a history together and Matt is the reason Logan left his Pack, even though he was a respected and feared Pack Master. Now Nadia is put in the middle because of her connection to Logan, she doesn't want to betray Logan but the life of a loved one is at stake.

Logan was one of the secondary characters I hoped would get his own story, after reading THE REDEEMING. He is loyal, gentlemanlike but a true werewolf at the core.
Nadia also was a secondary character in Tain's book but a minor one. I was nicely surprised to see her paired up with Logan. She is brave and has a snappy sense of humor.

I loved the chemistry and dialogues between Logan and Nadia. They were representing the humor I like so much in Ashley's books. Along the way there was lots of information on werewolves, their pack law and rules. Of course Tain and Samantha made a small appearance but the story is focused mainly on Nadia and Logan and the plot, which was well executed. I did miss Amber and Adrian though.

This was a great novella and has the quality that's to be expected from Jennifer Ashley. It was complete, well rounded, a short but very satisfying nonetheless. The plot is excellent, it's mysterious, suspenseful, humorous and filled with different little storylines and angles that ultimately all link together. Not being too short but not too long either, it was enough to tell the story of Logan and Nadia and a perfect closure to the Jennifer Ashley installments in the Immortals series.

Quote:
Except now she'd kissed that mouth, felt his lips respond to hers, tasted his life essence. The magic of him has singed her primal core, tightening her body and making her crave more.

4 stars
1,5 flames

BLOOD DEBT BY JOY NASH

Back Cover Copy:
Jackson Cabot's bright future went dark in 1896 Paris, when he died and was turned vampire. After three decades of slavery in the service of Europe's brutal vampire master, Jackson discovered a secret that has allowed him to hoard power. Now, at last, his strength approaches that of his rival, and he exists solely to take vengeance on the two beings responsible for his eternal nightmare: the monster that turned him vampire -- and the beautiful Sidhe muse who killed him.

Because of Leanna's unreasonable and unjust fear of love Jackson Cabot was turned vampire and enslaved by Europe's vampire master, Armande Legrand. Jackson manages to escape Legrand and ever since he's has been plotting and planning revenge on Legrand. When by chance Jackson finds out Leanna is in the vicinity he decides to kill two birds with one stone and use Leanna to vanquish Legrand. But we all know what happens with the best-laid plans...

Leanna has come a long way since she was the evil love muse in THE AWAKENING. She has really grown up by suffering and has learned to be compassionate instead of self-absorbed. Her life has not been easy and everything has taken a toll on her: the abandonment by her Sidhe mother, the abuse by her human father and her imprisonment in Hell.
Jackson used to be a lighthearted and caring man. He was truly in love with Leanna when she used her powers on him and left him for dead, giving Legrand the opportunity to enslave him. Now more than a century later he has become a bitter and vengeful vampire with one goal and one goal only in his non-life: vengeance.
For a short story it had quite some secondary characters but they all fit in perfectly with the main characters and the plot. I enjoyed the glimpses of the two former main couples Kalen, Christine, Mac and Artemis.

This was an amazing story. The best of this anthology, one of the top stories in this whole series and by far the best by Joy Nash in this series. I never would have thought it after THE AWAKENING but this was truly a well written, compelling, intriguing and perfectly plotted story with the right amount of emotions, actions and hot love scenes. I loved the way the story between Leanna and Jackson was set up in the limited amount of pages Joy Nash had to work with. I really wonder what she could have done if she had a full-length book for this story. She mixed everything in the right way and delivered an excellent novella that is undoubtedly keeper material.

Quotes:
His mind blanked on a rush of white-hot lust. And red-hot anger. One hundred years might have passed but it would take much longer than a mere century to erase this particular redhead from his mind and his soul.

Seven decades of ruthless self-control, obliterated in one groan of ecstasy. Seven decades of hoarded power seeped through the rapidly widening cracks in the shield of death magic he’d constructed around his soul.

The wanting cut like a knife. It sliced at her soul, carving it into thousands upon thousands of yearning pieces. And more. It was as if Jackson had released every atom from her body, allowing them to float free, into the atmosphere. And then had recaptured and enslaved every particle of her being.

4,5 stars
2 flames

BEYOND THE MIST BY ROBIN T. POPP

Back Cover Copy:
Haunted by her past and reeling from her sister's murder, Jenna Renfield takes a cruise hoping to have a little fun – and escape the company of sexy, but obnoxious spirit walker, Dave Runningbear. Almost from the start, the cruise turns out not to be what she expected – prickles of death magic, ghostly wailing in the night and a creepy albino stalker. When Jenna realizes her life might be in danger, she’s more than happy that Dave followed her on board the cruise ship and turns to him for help, hoping they can both escape with their lives when the ship carries them "Beyond the Mist."

A deal struck between the goddess Sekhmet (Immortal Darius' mother) and the sea god Poseidon has now come back to bite Sekhmet in the behind. She thought to sacrifice her firstborn grandchild in order to keep Darius on Ravenscroft safe from earth's temptation (for more about this revert to THE DARKENING) because she never thought Darius would find love and have children. But he has and now Poseidon has come to collect on the deal. Out of desperation Sekhmet offers Poseidon a trade: Jenna Renfield, whom she knows through Mai and Nick, instead of her grandson.
Jenna Renfield has been going through the motions ever since she lost her sister to an evil genie (see THE HAUNTING) and lives with Nick, Mai and their roommate Dave. She's attracted to Dave but the parade of ladies passing through his bedroom is the reason she doesn't want anything to do with him. When an offer for a free cruise arrives, she grabs the opportunity to get away from Dave with both hands. But on this cruise nothing is as it seems and soon she's very glad Dave decided to come after her on it.

Jenna is a quiet young woman who has suffered many adversities in her life and every time she uses her magic it seems to get worse. So she has decided to go through life not using her magic ever again. She is intelligent and responsible. But after the loss of her sister she's also guilt-ridden and depressed. The only bright spots in her life at this moment are her roommates Mai, Nick and Dave. Even if Dave has a different woman in his room every night.
Dave is charming and flirtatious. He's what you would call a rake if this were a historical romance. He is interested in Jenna but since he thinks she won't give him the time of day, he continues with his amorous adventures. When Jenna received an invitation to a cruise he doesn't trust it and follows her on the cruise to protect her. His shape-shifting chameleon and spirit walker abilities sure come in handy when they end up in trouble.
Again an elaborate secondary cast fills the pages and like in Nash's story the two former main couples played their small part.

Since THE HAUNTING I was looking forward to Dave's story and I must say I'm glad it was included in this anthology but it kind of paled before the other two stories. This novella was kind of THE LITTLE MERMAID meets the LOVE BOAT, which on it's own wasn't a bad thing but compared to the other two novellas for me this was the lesser one. I missed intensity and where in the other novellas the stories were well rounded and compelling with this one it felt a bit rushed despite the great premise it held. Towards the end of the story it picked up a bit in intensity and plot so overall it ended on a satisfying note.

3,5 stars
1 flame

THE RECKONING

Sometimes there are books you read and you wish the secondary characters would get their own HEA too next to the main couples. The Immortals series consisted of these kind of books and I am very happy that the authors decides to team up an give the readers an anthology that provided to be both a delightful ending to the series as well as a great opportunity to give some beloved secondary characters their own stories.

Overall it was an anthology of solid quality, one with two excellent novellas and one that was good. They were three totally different paranormal stories with a bit less of the magical feeling the first four books in this series gave me but even so each story was unique and well-written and THE IMMORTALS is a series of which the books will stay on my keepers' shelf until they fall apart from old age.

Labels: Anthologies, Dorchester Publishing, great reads, Immortals Series, Jennifer Ashley, Joy Nash, Paranormal Romance, reviews, Robin T. Popp | 0 comments |

December 9, 2008

The Haunting - Robin T. Popp

3:42 PM |

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Back Cover:
Random flashes of unearthly light. Ominous messages written on steamy mirrors. Assailants lurking in shadows. Mai’s hallucinations are becoming a little too real - the last one almost killed her. She’s faced ancient demons and rogue vampires, but this kind of dark magic is more powerful than any she’s seen. Mai also senses someone else trying to help her, a dream walker who comes in the night to soothe her fears. And fulfill her wildest fantasies. But who is he? As the danger and desire escalate, Mai is determined to find him—for only together can they stop...THE HAUNTING.

Mai Groves hasn't been herself since she helped her friends and the Immortals save Tain from the Ancient Demon that was holding him captive. The magic she possesses as a wood nymph is disappearing. She's suffering from PTSD (Post Traumatic Stress Disorder), seeing things, having anxiety attacks and black outs. Determined to get back in the game as a reporter she has stumbled upon a story that will re-launch her career with ease.
When her neighbor disappears, she calls in the help of Nick Blackhawk who is not only a security specialist but also a spirit walker. A walker of the spiritual dimensions such as the realms of dreams and wishes. He's also a chameleon, which means he can shift into almost any living creature. His past has made him weary of love, seeing his mother walk out on him and his father he doesn't believe in true love and is happy going through life enjoying the sensualities of it but never committing to one woman. Until he meets Mai and recognizes in her his spirit mate.
The attraction between them is immediate and strong but Mai has no time for romance when she's fighting to find out what is real and what is hallucination.
One thing is sure, there's more to it when she discovers someone doesn't want her to tell the story and something evil is after her.

Just like Mac in the previous Immortals book, Mai is another character suffering from the effects and aftershocks of saving Tain from the Ancient. Her personality has gone from bubbly and lively to someone who is careful and almost scared of her own shadow. This doesn't prevent her from going after the things she wants; she is just not as carefree about it as before. She yearns for someone to love and to love her back and in Nick she finds him but of course not without having to solve the usual complications first.

Nick is a great hero. He was strong, sensual, and protective and his powers are very extraordinary. He was the character who captured my attention in this book and kept it throughout the whole book. Mai caught my attention in Popp's other book in the series but because of her disorder her lively personality that I liked so much in THE DARKENING didn't surface until the second part of the book.
Despite the instant attraction between Mai and Nick, their dialogues are fierce and snappy. Mai is as sarcastic and sharp as Nick is and this provides some fiery conversations with humorous remarks going back and forth. Their first meeting is my favorite scene of the book.

The most significant secondary characters are the bad guys of the book and for fear of spoiling too much I can't tell much about them. You'll have to read for yourself. But one secondary character that definitely also caught my eye was Dave Runningbear, Nick's best friend and roommate. He is a delightful secondary character and I think it's a pity his story will not be a full-length book but a novella in the anthology coming next year. I hope said novella will do him justice.

Even though I'm glad with the additional Immortal books, after reading the last two additions to the series I must be honest and admit they do not add anything special to the series. The last two books by no way equal the impact that the first five books in the series had on me and that's a bit disappointing. I think I had higher expectations and those expectations were not met.
However I will give my opinion of the book in this review as a stand-alone and let my rating reflect the position of the book in the series.

THE HAUNTING took me into a world of spiritual planes and dream realms, which was truly fascinating. Without noticing it I took in a lot of information about spirit realms, dream realms and auras. In the beginning I thought the romance part of the book would have to give way to the plotline. I thought the romance was going to be clean cut and simple where the plot was layered and more complicated but about halfway through Popp gave the romance a nice and unexpected twist, making Nick sweat a little, and me with him.

I also enjoyed the way Popp started with two different storylines and in the end brought them together in a good, believable and satisfactory conclusion.

I liked that of the three additional Immortal books, this one gave the most attention to the couple that starred in the author's previous Immortal book. In this case Lexi and Darius. They made quite an impressive appearance in the book and proved to be crucial to the plot. This is something I missed in Joy Nash's second book and in Jennifer Ashley's books following THE CALLING.

The book was not that intense, neither emotionally nor action wise and yet I kept wanting to go back to it every minute I could. It had the ability to keep me engaged without being heavily emotional or providing thrilling action. I suspect the main reasons for its compelling power were the way the plot was set up and worked out and the sparkling and easy dialogues. Not to mention the big pull Nick had for me as the hero. I thought I liked Tain the most in this series but his place has been taken over by Nick Blackhawk.

My honest opinion at this moment is that the series should've ended with Tain's book and maybe a new (connected) series should've been marketed for Mac and Mai's stories, linked to the Immortals series. Maybe that way, expectations would have been different. I know mine would have been.
Don't get me wrong: as stand alone books this book, like Joy Nash's THE CROSSING, is a great book, but viewed in the Immortals series it doesn't reach the level of the Jennifer Ashley books or the other Robin T. Popp book in the series.

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Labels: Dorchester Publishing, good reads, Immortals Series, Paranormal Romance, reviews, Robin T. Popp | 0 comments |

June 5, 2007

Immortals: The Darkening - Robin T. Popp

5:19 PM |

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A werewolf and bounty hunter, Lexi was badass to the bone. She had no problem protecting herself in the seedy underground vampire clubs of New York City. Until the Immortal she had tried to summon actually appeared. It wasn't the intricate tattoos around his well-defined muscles that intimidated her; it was the raw power she saw shimmering in his golden brown eyes, power mingled with lust. Though she longed to give in to the passion and pleasure he promised, they first had a curse to break, a brother to find, and a whole legion of vampires to prevent from joining...

Different vibe but definitely a great next installment of this wonderful series that’s becoming a sure keeper on my shelves.
If I wasn’t hooked after the Calling I would have been reeled in with the Darkening. Robin Popp continues the rollercoaster ride for me in an intense story that wrapped me in a blanket of magic, suspense, raw sexuality and a whirlwind of emotions. I’m still all tingly inside and goosebumped all over after reading last few chapters!!

The story of Darius the Immortal trapped by his mother in the realm of Ravenswood because of her fear of losing him to earth’s vile temptations like the other Immortals were. Therefore condemned to train endlessly for fighting evil in a fight that he would never engage in.
But then the Calling spell is used and it’s so powerful he’s briefly yanked away from his safe haven and his life has meaning once again.

On the earthly realm he teams up with Lexi Corvin, both fire-witch and werewolf, earning her living as a bounty hunter. A combination that’s so powerful she’s no woman you would want to mess with. She kicks ass!

If I thought The Calling was magical...that was nothing compared to this world inhabited by immortals, witches, vampires, shapeshifters, succubus, leprechauns and woodnymphs. And of course the big, bad, ancient demon and Tain also make there stunning appearances.
Tain’s motivations intrigue me and I can’t wait to see if he’s really the Immortal gone rogue these two books want me to believe. I think this one lifts a bit of the veil covering Tain’s true destiny for the reader able to read between the lines.

Of course another author means a different focus so The Darkening was not as witty, funny as The Calling was and this was not the beautifully written love-story but a darker, intenser story of how strong sexual atrraction turns into a love as beautiful and strong as Adrian and Amber’s.
The book entranced me and kept pulling me into this fascinating world of magic and Immortals. Rooting for life magic in their struggle against death magic personified by the ancient demon, Amadja.

The secondary characters weren’t as well developed and the love-scenes weren’t as steamy hot as in Ashley’s book (hey, she also writes erotica so she's an expert on steamy hot scenes!) but there was so much other enticing stuff going on that I enjoyed the read just as much, if not more because I got a deeper glimpse of this truly amazing world these authors have created and are creating. It leaves me wanting more and more and more.
So I say to Robin T. Popp: Thanks for keeping me on the rollercoaster and to Joy Nash I say: Bring.It.On! And hit me with some more of this good stuff!