Blog Archives - Alyce Caswell - Author

Alyce Caswell - Author

Don't Judge a Book by Its Predecessor

26/7/2020

Burn Bright (Alpha & Omega #5)
by Patricia Briggs

Someone is hunting the wildings, the most dangerous and broken werewolves that are currently under Charles' protection. There are unpredictable wildlings to meet, curses to break and traitors to reveal. It might just cost the Aspen Creek pack more lives than they can spare.

I have been hungering after an Aspen Creek-set novel since the first book in the series ended - and this definitely delivered. The stakes are much higher when the Big Bad is in Charles and Anna's home territory and I really, really enjoy hearing every individual tale about the random werewolves there. Even Leah is a fascinating character. I'm thrilled to see that these books are now (maybe?) getting an arc instead of directionless episodic books.

Crushing on the Boss

25/7/2020

Off Balance by L.E. Royal

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Maya is desperate to regain custody of her daughter and needs to keep a steady job to do it. She think she's finally found that steady job but on her very first day, she manages to get on the wrong side of Elena, the irresistible Ice Queen who happens to be her boss. Maya just might be able to thaw the Ice Queen - with the help of a child.

This is a very sweet story with two leads who seem like opposites but are just perfect for each other. But if you're after heat, don't worry - it's got plenty of that. The power dynamics between Maya and Elena were dynamite when things became a lot less "sweet". A pleasant, uncomplicated read.

Horsing Around

24/7/2020

Dead Heat (Alpha and Omega #4)
by Patricia Briggs

One of Charles' greatest friends is now an ailing old man with very little time left, so Charles takes Anna to meet him. But instead of enjoying their holiday, Anna and Charles find themselves aiding the FBI in hunting down a High Court fae. They also look at horses. A lot.

I can't help but feel that this is a novella that was heavily padded out. There are SO many unnecessary scenes featuring horses. I'm not a horse fan, but I can definitely appreciate them when they're used in the plot - but not when they're trotted out endlessly and for seemingly no purpose. The plot itself doesn't start until halfway through the book. I do love Anna and Charles, but I definitely won't be reading this one again.

With A Bang

22/7/2020

Fair Game (Alpha and Omega #3)
by Patricia Briggs

Anna and Charles join the FBI on a hunt for a serial killer who has been working their way through minorities for decades, switching it up to fae and werewolves while getting steadily more violent. It's harder to tell what's more dangerous: working with witches or working with the government.

Not as good as the previous book in the series, mostly because it was less tight and seemed to be playing second fiddle to Mercy's books again. However, the serial killer storyline was interesting and Leslie was a fantastic character. I really hope to see more of her. But what was responsible for turning this from an okay book into a great one? THAT ENDING.

Standing on Its Own Four Feet

19/7/2020

Hunting Ground (Alpha & Omega #2)
by Patricia Briggs

Anna and Charles are sent to a summit to discuss the terms of werewolves going public - this isn't a popular decision, so it's no surprise that danger stalks them almost immediately. But they have more enemies than they realise.

A tight storyline and loveable leads make this an excellent book. It was so hard to put down. I really don't know how Patricia Briggs makes me accept the dominant dude thing, but it really works. This sequel really outshines its predecessors - probably because it's the first story in this series that manages to stand on its own. I'll say it's my favourite so far. I hope I can say that again!

Blink and Miss It

19/7/2020

Heart of Thanks (Hearts of the Highlands #3.5)
by Paula Quinn

Elysande MacPherson would love to wed and raise a family, but her father has chased off every suitor. When she falls for the son of his enemy, she knows she'll have a hard time convincing him.

A sweet enough short story that fully utilises the Christmas setting. I'd have liked it to be a bit longer.

Scoundrel? More Like Sweetheart!

16/7/2020

Scoundrel's Vengeance (Highlander's Pact #1)
by Sky Purington

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Keenan returns home from wars that have hardened and changed him. He's determined to forge an alliance with a nearby clan through marriage, no matter the cost. Even if it means losing the true love of his life. Fionna is her clan's laird and has guarded her people in difficult times. But she cannot guard her heart from Keenan - or her secrets.

This is honestly the best Highlander romance novella I've ever read. When I dive into something of this length, I expect backstory and character development to be sacrificed for the plot. That didn't happen here. Keenan and Fionna were so lovely together, but if I'm honest...it was Neil who really stole the show. What a fantastic supporting character.

A Slice of Country Life

14/7/2020

Bottlebrush Creek by Maya Linnell

Angie McIntyre and Rob Jones have finally found the perfect fixer-upper for their small family, but soon after buying it the cons seem to outweigh the pros. Spiralling costs, an overbearing mother-in-law next door, a twin brother who Rob would rather never see again, and miscommunications may just be the end of what Angie and Rob have been trying to build together.

Well, this must be the first time anyone's ever managed to make me feel sympathy for an overbearing MIL! But that's what I like about Linnell's characters - they're complex and realistic and even the worst of them aren't reduced to caricatures. Another excellent piece of rural fiction. It's so easy to fall into the rhythm of the country towns that Linnell creates for us and it's always so hard to leave them after the last page is turned.

(PS: I'm still tickled pink by my review of Wildflower Ridge being quoted in the front of Bottlebrush Creek! I could say that I bought a paperback over an ebook for another reason, but I'd be lying...)

Better Together

13/7/2020

One From the Heart (Rivervue Community Theatre Romance Anthology)
by Nikki Logan, Daniel de Lorne and Fiona Greene

I received this ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

In this anthology centred around a theatre that might just be on its last legs, we are treated to three entertaining romances. In 'Tread the Boards', Mackenzie encounters a mysterious Dylan, who appears to be homeless but has a truckload of secrets to spill. In 'Set the Stage', Bruce has had his heart broken by Gabriel but can't put side years of longing. And finally, in 'Take a Bow', Lexi struggles to keep the theatre safe from the council's CEO, Mark, with whom she has a past.

Grab the tissues, because this anthology will make you feel all the feels. There are some heartbreakingly beautiful moments throughout and you'll see them coming, but you still won't be prepared! I really enjoyed how each story connected to each other but unlike other romance series(es?), I don't think these stories can be read separately - my rating would be lower if I'd jumped in at one of the individual releases.

You'll definitely need this as a set to fully appreciate each love story.

Expanded and Surprisingly Excellent

12/7/2020

The Rise of Skywalker Novelisation by Rae Carson

Our heroes must locate a wayfinder in order to reach Exegol, where a malevolent puppet master has been pulling the galaxy's strings for decades. But their search will only be worth it if the Resistance can pull together enough allies to take out the First Order once and for all.

I enjoyed this book a lot more than I did the movie. The first thing I noticed was that the frantic, chaotic opening was replaced by something that made more sense. And then I continued to notice how small explanations and details really added to the story. The writing itself was really quite good. But there's only so much Rae Carson can do - she can't rewrite a movie (I don't hate it, but I am still frustrated about many things). That said, her novelisation of The Rise of Skywalker is my preferred version.