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3.4 AVERAGE
3.4 AVERAGE
Not as impressed with this as I am with this writing duo's later series, Beyond.
The paranormal world-building came fast and slapdash, though I will say it's cohesive for what we get. The pace is fast, too, filled with action and danger. The characters fell in lust immediately and love far too quickly thereafter--thank you "mating urge." But they were likable enough, and points for not having the heroine wait around for rescue but take an earlier opportunity to save herself.
I have the entire series, thanks to picking it up as two $0.99 trilogy sets, and I enjoyed it enough to keep going.
The paranormal world-building came fast and slapdash, though I will say it's cohesive for what we get. The pace is fast, too, filled with action and danger. The characters fell in lust immediately and love far too quickly thereafter--thank you "mating urge." But they were likable enough, and points for not having the heroine wait around for rescue but take an earlier opportunity to save herself.
I have the entire series, thanks to picking it up as two $0.99 trilogy sets, and I enjoyed it enough to keep going.
I am really not sure how I would grade this book out of 5. I enjoyed it but the whole thing was a paranormal romance 101.
None of the characters seemed to have much depth even the heroine of the story Mackenzie Brooks– on the run from some nut-job that has apparently stalked her across four states and then kidnappers to carry out his uncle’s crazy scheme to have her churn out a bunch of babies to prevent the extinction of were-cougars. I can go with that not a problem but then we get to the middle of the story where stalker guy Marcus finds out that he was brought up by a madman, decides to escape from the evil clutches and then is forgiven by everyone. Just like that. While he may have been a bit clueless and brainwashed he still had a woman fleeing terrified for her life before kidnapping her. But it’s ok because he said sorry.
I couldn’t quite take to that. While Mackenzie and Marcus are fleeing the evil genius uncle the hero and secondary characters are mounting a daring rescue mission. While fails because she’s already escaped. So that felt like a complete anti-climax. But then we had several pages of sex because it’s better than writing about any of the fallout.
It sounds like I hated it but weirdly I didn’t. It went along at such a fast pace I had it read in no time and to be honest it passed a few hours while waiting for my customers to show up for appointments. I spend my days dealing with people with major issues so a bit of fluff in between appointments where I don’t have to think too hard is actually a plus point.
So the plots a bit bare, the characters really needed fleshing out but it’s pacy and quick to read so I’ll score it down the middle I guess.
None of the characters seemed to have much depth even the heroine of the story Mackenzie Brooks– on the run from some nut-job that has apparently stalked her across four states and then kidnappers to carry out his uncle’s crazy scheme to have her churn out a bunch of babies to prevent the extinction of were-cougars. I can go with that not a problem but then we get to the middle of the story where stalker guy Marcus finds out that he was brought up by a madman, decides to escape from the evil clutches and then is forgiven by everyone. Just like that. While he may have been a bit clueless and brainwashed he still had a woman fleeing terrified for her life before kidnapping her. But it’s ok because he said sorry.
I couldn’t quite take to that. While Mackenzie and Marcus are fleeing the evil genius uncle the hero and secondary characters are mounting a daring rescue mission. While fails because she’s already escaped. So that felt like a complete anti-climax. But then we had several pages of sex because it’s better than writing about any of the fallout.
It sounds like I hated it but weirdly I didn’t. It went along at such a fast pace I had it read in no time and to be honest it passed a few hours while waiting for my customers to show up for appointments. I spend my days dealing with people with major issues so a bit of fluff in between appointments where I don’t have to think too hard is actually a plus point.
So the plots a bit bare, the characters really needed fleshing out but it’s pacy and quick to read so I’ll score it down the middle I guess.
adventurous
tense
fast-paced
I first read this around when it came out and enjoyed it, and always meant to read the rest of the series. And honestly, it holds up pretty well. A lot of the ableist words that were a lot more common in 2009 (crazy, dumb, insane, etc.) but for all that it's still a pretty good story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Violence, Kidnapping
Moderate: Ableism, Stalking
Minor: Death of parent
This book was such a fun book to read! I loved all the characters - even the bad guys (but in a bad way). Moira is full of spunk and determination to live her own life away from the crazy man claiming to be her destiny. Unfortunately, he may just be telling the truth (or at least one version of it). Her boss and the PI's in New Orleans know that she's not human - she's something else, but she doesn't have a clue herself.
When Mackenzie finds out the paranormal world is all too real, she decides she has to trust Jackson to help her figure out what is going on (she's a very confused lady). But what the uncover is far from pretty - it's an ugly horrible scheme that rocks the entire paranormal world, and Mackenzie is in the center of it all.
The only thing I disliked about this story was just a little pet peeve of mine that kept coming up, otherwise it would have received 5 stars. Also, the sexual rating was a little tough on this one. While there isn't a lot of it or anything really unusual - there is some broken furniture or it would have received a 1 sexual rating.
When Mackenzie finds out the paranormal world is all too real, she decides she has to trust Jackson to help her figure out what is going on (she's a very confused lady). But what the uncover is far from pretty - it's an ugly horrible scheme that rocks the entire paranormal world, and Mackenzie is in the center of it all.
The only thing I disliked about this story was just a little pet peeve of mine that kept coming up, otherwise it would have received 5 stars. Also, the sexual rating was a little tough on this one. While there isn't a lot of it or anything really unusual - there is some broken furniture or it would have received a 1 sexual rating.
On principle, this book should have been a hit for me. Sexy shapeshifter /spellcaster, and what seem to be a nice plot. In reality, can't say I disliked it, but I was bored. Some chapters seem to be in the wrong order.
I had heard a lot about this series and author on twitter and I just to check it out. I am so glad I did. The Southern Arcana series has become entered my radar and are simply an automatic buy for me right now. She is on the run from a man that claims that they are meant to be together. He is also a shifter and they are supposed to be destined for each other and save their race from extinction.
Mackenzie is a shifter that doesn’t know she is a shifter. She has all this power within her that she has no access to because she has been closed out from it as an infant.
Jackson is a PI and his best friend is a wolf shifter. When she asks him to investigate her newest bartender, Mackenzie, because she thinks there is something wrong with her, Jackson gets int the ride of his life.
I loved this book. It was such an easy read and so cool. Mackenzie is a very complex character and it was really awesome to get to know her and see her grow and change so much throughout the novel.
Jackson is HOT and a great leading man. Very determined, strong and protective, he and Mack make a great couple and their love was something you just have to get behind, its unavoidable.
The romance in Crux is sizzling, but it does not take away the merit of the plot. A terrible villain and great action make up up for a thrilling and sexy ride that you just cannot put down.
If you are into Paranormal Romance, I absolutely recommend this book to you! You won’t regret it!
Mackenzie is a shifter that doesn’t know she is a shifter. She has all this power within her that she has no access to because she has been closed out from it as an infant.
Jackson is a PI and his best friend is a wolf shifter. When she asks him to investigate her newest bartender, Mackenzie, because she thinks there is something wrong with her, Jackson gets int the ride of his life.
I loved this book. It was such an easy read and so cool. Mackenzie is a very complex character and it was really awesome to get to know her and see her grow and change so much throughout the novel.
Jackson is HOT and a great leading man. Very determined, strong and protective, he and Mack make a great couple and their love was something you just have to get behind, its unavoidable.
The romance in Crux is sizzling, but it does not take away the merit of the plot. A terrible villain and great action make up up for a thrilling and sexy ride that you just cannot put down.
If you are into Paranormal Romance, I absolutely recommend this book to you! You won’t regret it!
Three stars because I liked the premise. There is a lot, and I mean a lot going on in this book. I enjoyed the world building, I liked the characters, but some paring back would have helped a lot. Learning this much about characters who get their own books at the expense of the central ones...not quite for me.
I hadn't read anything in this genre for awhile, so I found it enjoyable. Light and fluffy with a bit of mystery made for some good in front of fire with a glass of wine reading. Finished very quickly.
Actually 3.5 stars
Mackenzie Brooks has been on the run for months, since a man told her she was a cougar shifter and destined to be his mate and have his cougar babies. She thinks he's crazy until she ends up in New Orleans, where her new friends show her that shapeshifters are real, and uncover a magic spell blocking Mackenzie's cougar powers. Jackson Holt is a private investigator with magical powers, who is falling for Mackenzie as he works to keep her safe from the powerful psychic cougar shifter obsessed making Mackenzie give birth to what is prophesied to be the baby that saves the cougar species.
Managing world building, romance, and suspense is a tricky proposition, and Rogers almost pulls it off. The world building is great, though sometimes the story line gets bogged down with exposition. Near the end, Mackenzie and Jackson's romantic reunion derails a lot of the momentum of the suspense plot, but overall, it's a good start to a new series.
Mackenzie Brooks has been on the run for months, since a man told her she was a cougar shifter and destined to be his mate and have his cougar babies. She thinks he's crazy until she ends up in New Orleans, where her new friends show her that shapeshifters are real, and uncover a magic spell blocking Mackenzie's cougar powers. Jackson Holt is a private investigator with magical powers, who is falling for Mackenzie as he works to keep her safe from the powerful psychic cougar shifter obsessed making Mackenzie give birth to what is prophesied to be the baby that saves the cougar species.
Managing world building, romance, and suspense is a tricky proposition, and Rogers almost pulls it off. The world building is great, though sometimes the story line gets bogged down with exposition. Near the end, Mackenzie and Jackson's romantic reunion derails a lot of the momentum of the suspense plot, but overall, it's a good start to a new series.
I had a lot of fun reading this book, and I'm really happy to find other books in the series are there for me to read.
It started in New Orleans (i have a soft spot for New Orleans) with a sexy Southern boy (i have a soft spot for Southern boys) falling for a smart, strong girl (I have a soft spot for smart girls). My very human self would have enjoyed spending time at Nicky's bar, I think.
There were a lot of characters introduced, which sets up more romances to come. It also leaves some really questions without feeling like a cliff hanger.
It wasn't perfect-- I was kind of caught off guard by a few plot turns- but it kept me up late reading, and I'm ready to dive into the next one.
It started in New Orleans (i have a soft spot for New Orleans) with a sexy Southern boy (i have a soft spot for Southern boys) falling for a smart, strong girl (I have a soft spot for smart girls). My very human self would have enjoyed spending time at Nicky's bar, I think.
There were a lot of characters introduced, which sets up more romances to come. It also leaves some really questions without feeling like a cliff hanger.
It wasn't perfect-- I was kind of caught off guard by a few plot turns- but it kept me up late reading, and I'm ready to dive into the next one.