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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
I enjoyed this story. some pieces were a bit quick but the overall story moved well.
Review posted at Hesperia Loves Books
Great start to what I believe will be an even more amazing series. The world building & setup balanced perfectly with the overall plot/story arc. We get just enough to help us understand what is going on but to also leave us curious and wanting the next book because we want to know more.
Jackson & Mackenzie were a great couple and I loved the immediate attraction between them. However, what I also found refreshing was, the build-up & wait for them finally getting together. Too many times in books, couples meet & immediately fall into bed. While that may be realistic for some, I think that is the exception to the rule, and I like that this couple puts the needs of the cause above themselves. When they do get together though, man do they steam up the pages, lol! And they talk to each other during their sex-a-thon which I LOVE! I can't wait to read more of them in the stories to come.
The secondary characters in this story are simply outstanding & complete the book. Every character is someone you come to love and immediately want to have their book in your hands so you can see them in the forefront. Between Nick, Alec, Derek, Mahalia, Kat, & Michelle - they balance out the book perfectly and have me downloading the next books as we speak because I can't wait to read them!
Great start to what I believe will be an even more amazing series. The world building & setup balanced perfectly with the overall plot/story arc. We get just enough to help us understand what is going on but to also leave us curious and wanting the next book because we want to know more.
Jackson & Mackenzie were a great couple and I loved the immediate attraction between them. However, what I also found refreshing was, the build-up & wait for them finally getting together. Too many times in books, couples meet & immediately fall into bed. While that may be realistic for some, I think that is the exception to the rule, and I like that this couple puts the needs of the cause above themselves. When they do get together though, man do they steam up the pages, lol! And they talk to each other during their sex-a-thon which I LOVE! I can't wait to read more of them in the stories to come.
The secondary characters in this story are simply outstanding & complete the book. Every character is someone you come to love and immediately want to have their book in your hands so you can see them in the forefront. Between Nick, Alec, Derek, Mahalia, Kat, & Michelle - they balance out the book perfectly and have me downloading the next books as we speak because I can't wait to read them!
This was a group read or I might not have chosen it. It's PNR, and I've been moving away from that. This was very interesting, though. I thought it was interesting that there was this underground shifter/witch/magic-users society, but they didn't think vampires existed. Makes me wonder if they're going to pop up in a future installment of the series.
I can't imagine growing up thinking you're human and then this gorgeous guy shows up on your doorstep talking to you about shifters and destiny and babies and such. I'd have run just like Mackenzie did. And I really liked how Jackson sort of eased her into the idea of being a shifter. She still thought she was crazy, but Jackson wasn't trying to have babies that would save her race with her. She trusted him. And Nick, who suggested Jackson follow Mackenzie home to make sure she was safe. She wasn't. They'd have found her anywhere. Poor thing.
I really enjoyed the tension between Jackson and Mackenzie. Jackson sure was a strong dude to resist what Mackenzie threw at him both on purpose and as a biological response. But it was sweet when it ultimately did happen between them.
I might be interested to continue this series. I'm interested in why the panthers are dying out, who the second boy who was produced was, when/whether Nick's twin and her bodyguard will get together. When Nick and her crush will get together. There was a lot of setup for more stories.
I can't imagine growing up thinking you're human and then this gorgeous guy shows up on your doorstep talking to you about shifters and destiny and babies and such. I'd have run just like Mackenzie did. And I really liked how Jackson sort of eased her into the idea of being a shifter. She still thought she was crazy, but Jackson wasn't trying to have babies that would save her race with her. She trusted him. And Nick, who suggested Jackson follow Mackenzie home to make sure she was safe. She wasn't. They'd have found her anywhere. Poor thing.
I really enjoyed the tension between Jackson and Mackenzie. Jackson sure was a strong dude to resist what Mackenzie threw at him both on purpose and as a biological response. But it was sweet when it ultimately did happen between them.
I might be interested to continue this series. I'm interested in why the panthers are dying out, who the second boy who was produced was, when/whether Nick's twin and her bodyguard will get together. When Nick and her crush will get together.
Spoiler
Whether Charles really died or not.
Written with some skill, by authors who seem to know what they're doing, but it just didn't grab me. It was too long, too flat -- and I got the impression the following books were really going to drag out the angst.
Crux is the first book in the Southern Arcana series. The book starts off with Mackenzie Brooks in Memphis (my hometown, woot!), on the run. She's being chased down by Marcus. No matter how carefully she hides, he manages to track her down. She leaves Memphis and heads to New Orleans, hoping that Marcus doesn't track her down.
I've heard about this series through Twitter but it wasn't really on my radar as a must read. That all changed when I received an email from All Romance Ebooks stating that Moira Rogers had sent me copy of Crux for download. What??? I was surprised and excited. So I downloaded Crux and immediately started reading. And I was hooked. I loved that Mac was a woman who's life was in turmoil and she handled it without being whiny. I hate whiny women. It annoys the poop outta me. And then there's Jackson Holt, the P.I. who has magic powers. I loved this character; he made me swoon. He was understanding, protective and sexy as all get out. One of my favorite lines from the book is when Mac says to Jackson: You are unfairly sexy, Jackson Holt. Swoon!
I downloaded my copy on my laptop and was only able to read while I was at home. If I'd had it on my Kindle, I know I would have finished reading it in a couple of days instead of almost a week. Crux kept me reading and wanting more. There were some parts that dragged a little for me. The whole planning the attack and rescue could have been shortened, in my opinion. I was ready for some more action or heat or both. But it didn't deter from how much I enjoyed this book. Once I finished reading Crux, I immediately purchased Crossroads. This time, it's on my Kindle so I can read it whenever and wherever I want.
I've heard about this series through Twitter but it wasn't really on my radar as a must read. That all changed when I received an email from All Romance Ebooks stating that Moira Rogers had sent me copy of Crux for download. What??? I was surprised and excited. So I downloaded Crux and immediately started reading. And I was hooked. I loved that Mac was a woman who's life was in turmoil and she handled it without being whiny. I hate whiny women. It annoys the poop outta me. And then there's Jackson Holt, the P.I. who has magic powers. I loved this character; he made me swoon. He was understanding, protective and sexy as all get out. One of my favorite lines from the book is when Mac says to Jackson: You are unfairly sexy, Jackson Holt. Swoon!
I downloaded my copy on my laptop and was only able to read while I was at home. If I'd had it on my Kindle, I know I would have finished reading it in a couple of days instead of almost a week. Crux kept me reading and wanting more. There were some parts that dragged a little for me. The whole planning the attack and rescue could have been shortened, in my opinion. I was ready for some more action or heat or both. But it didn't deter from how much I enjoyed this book. Once I finished reading Crux, I immediately purchased Crossroads. This time, it's on my Kindle so I can read it whenever and wherever I want.
This is the first in a series and I found it free on my Nook. Never one to turn down a free book I grabbed it quick. I have shied away from paranormal romance for a while since I am still scarred from Twilight, but there were no vampires in this at all. In fact the only tomes vamps were mentioned were to state they didn't exist. I liked that. A lot.
The only reason I didn't give it a five was I thought it rushed a bit in some places. Other than that this was a great book and I'll definitely look for the next one.
The only reason I didn't give it a five was I thought it rushed a bit in some places. Other than that this was a great book and I'll definitely look for the next one.
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
A solid first book. With any PNR series, a fair share of the book was devoted to world building. As such, this one was a little slow to start for me. But once it got going, there were some really great parts.
I think my favorite part was the road trip sequence. It was funny but also a little angsty. Just a perfect combination.
I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
I think my favorite part was the road trip sequence. It was funny but also a little angsty. Just a perfect combination.
I'm looking forward to continuing the series.
REVIEW SEQUENCE INITIATED
READ STATUS: DNF (Did Not Finish)
LAST PAGE READ: 10%, end of Chapter 3
SUNMARY: Mackenzie flees a mysterious guy and takes up a job bartending where nick is the owner and Jackson is the sexy investigator that patrons the bar. Nick thinks Mackenzie may have a secret - she is a shifter.
REASONS FOR DNF: This book is clearly paranormal romance and not urban fantasy. Reviewer is willing to read new genres, but this book was filled with cliches. Pace was slow, too many questions, not enough paranormal or romance.
CLICHES PRESENT IN DNF:
X Woman Running Away from Tragic Past/Ex-Boyfriend
X Woman Gets a Bartending Job and Conveniently Has Bartending Experience
X Everyone at the Bar Loves Her Immediately
X Heroine is a curvy woman with "lustrous hair"
X Hero Watches Heroine's Apt to Make Sure She Is Safe
X Bar Owner Has Talk with Heroine Almost Exclusively about Hero and How Hot He Is
X Hero's Partner Talks with Hero Almost Exclusively about Heroine and How Much of a Lady Killer He Is
X Hero nicknames Heroine Without Her Permission
X Hero Vows Not to Ever Get Married (But Will Likely Change by the End of the Story)
X Heroine Infodumps Sally Sob Story
X Heroine Is an Orphan
X Heroine Was Adopted
X Heroine Is Afraid of Her Own Shadow
X Heroine Must Be Protected by Hero
X Heroine Hopes to Dream of Hero After Talking to Him Once
NOTABLE QUOTES:
From Mackenzie's POV about Jackson, first meeting: "Something about his eyes made her want to trust him, made her long to tell him everything that had happened."
From Jackson's POV after he escorted Mackenzie to Nick's conveniently empty apartment: "What wouldn’t be so easy to settle was why Jackson could still remember the striking cobalt shade of her eyes, or the way [Mackenzie] moved like the same gravity that affected everyone else couldn’t quite reach her."
A gentle knock woke Mackenzie, jerking her rather unpleasantly from a dream about Jackson and his strong arms."
"It seemed like it had been forever since [Mackenzie]’d laughed as easily as she had in the last few days."
"Maybe, if [Mackenzie] was lucky, she could drift back to sleep and dream of Jackson Holt and his beautiful eyes again." (BTW, this last quote at 10% after our hero and heroine have had exactly ONE conversation is what made me throw in the towel.)
ASSESSMENT: People who are looking for more romance and don't mind the common romance tropes will enjoy this. People who are looking for more urban fantasy or a unique, compelling romance will be bored stiff.
END REVIEW
READ STATUS: DNF (Did Not Finish)
LAST PAGE READ: 10%, end of Chapter 3
SUNMARY: Mackenzie flees a mysterious guy and takes up a job bartending where nick is the owner and Jackson is the sexy investigator that patrons the bar. Nick thinks Mackenzie may have a secret - she is a shifter.
REASONS FOR DNF: This book is clearly paranormal romance and not urban fantasy. Reviewer is willing to read new genres, but this book was filled with cliches. Pace was slow, too many questions, not enough paranormal or romance.
CLICHES PRESENT IN DNF:
X Woman Running Away from Tragic Past/Ex-Boyfriend
X Woman Gets a Bartending Job and Conveniently Has Bartending Experience
X Everyone at the Bar Loves Her Immediately
X Heroine is a curvy woman with "lustrous hair"
X Hero Watches Heroine's Apt to Make Sure She Is Safe
X Bar Owner Has Talk with Heroine Almost Exclusively about Hero and How Hot He Is
X Hero's Partner Talks with Hero Almost Exclusively about Heroine and How Much of a Lady Killer He Is
X Hero nicknames Heroine Without Her Permission
X Hero Vows Not to Ever Get Married (But Will Likely Change by the End of the Story)
X Heroine Infodumps Sally Sob Story
X Heroine Is an Orphan
X Heroine Was Adopted
X Heroine Is Afraid of Her Own Shadow
X Heroine Must Be Protected by Hero
X Heroine Hopes to Dream of Hero After Talking to Him Once
NOTABLE QUOTES:
From Mackenzie's POV about Jackson, first meeting: "Something about his eyes made her want to trust him, made her long to tell him everything that had happened."
From Jackson's POV after he escorted Mackenzie to Nick's conveniently empty apartment: "What wouldn’t be so easy to settle was why Jackson could still remember the striking cobalt shade of her eyes, or the way [Mackenzie] moved like the same gravity that affected everyone else couldn’t quite reach her."
A gentle knock woke Mackenzie, jerking her rather unpleasantly from a dream about Jackson and his strong arms."
"It seemed like it had been forever since [Mackenzie]’d laughed as easily as she had in the last few days."
"Maybe, if [Mackenzie] was lucky, she could drift back to sleep and dream of Jackson Holt and his beautiful eyes again." (BTW, this last quote at 10% after our hero and heroine have had exactly ONE conversation is what made me throw in the towel.)
ASSESSMENT: People who are looking for more romance and don't mind the common romance tropes will enjoy this. People who are looking for more urban fantasy or a unique, compelling romance will be bored stiff.
END REVIEW
I bought the whole series 7 years ago but only ever read the first few books. I'm making a huge effort to read - or dump - those books purchased oh so long ago. Unlike some books, this didn't feel dated,
I enjoyed this just as much, if not more, the second time around. Mackenzie and Jackson are two immensely likeable characters with consistent personalities and good depth. I loved how the authors built the tension in this one, both in the plot and sexually. The world-building was good, as was the characterisation and plot. The final resolution felt a touch too easy, but overall this is an engaging story that picked me up out of a reading rut.
I enjoyed this just as much, if not more, the second time around. Mackenzie and Jackson are two immensely likeable characters with consistent personalities and good depth. I loved how the authors built the tension in this one, both in the plot and sexually. The world-building was good, as was the characterisation and plot. The final resolution felt a touch too easy, but overall this is an engaging story that picked me up out of a reading rut.