REVIEW: Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro

Dark Paradise by Angie Sandro (Dark Paradise #1)
Publisher: Forever Yours
Publication Date: July 1, 2014
Source: Netgalley
Rating: 3.5-4/5 stars
Get it: Amazon | B&N

DARK LEGACY

Mala LaCroix has spent her whole life trying to escape her destiny. As the last in a long line of "witch women," she rejects the notion of spirits and hoodoo and instead does her best to blend in. But when she finds a dead body floating in the bayou behind her house, Mala taps into powers she never knew she had. She's haunted by visions of the dead girl, demanding justice and vengeance.

DEADLY SECRETS

Landry Prince has always had a crush on Mala, but when Mala discovers his sister, murdered and marked in some sort of Satanic ritual, he wonders if all the rumors about the LaCroix family are true. Yet after Mala uses her connection to the spirit world to identify his sister's killer, he starts to form his own bond to her . . . a very physical one. As they move closer to each other and closer to the truth, Mala and Landry must risk everything—their families, their love, and even their lives.

My Review

What I Liked



Dual POVs between Mala and Landry


Although there was more of Mala, Landry doesn’t falter behind her. Mala was really cool and so easy to like. I enjoyed the fact that she was obviously a fighter, but also kindhearted as well. She was witty and smart and really into solving crimes. She just had this spunky attitude that really drew me to her. Landry was kind of dark and brooding, but also sweet too. He really cared about his family, but sometimes judgements from them and others got the best of him. When he was clearly thinking, he was very protective and loving. I cannot deny that I fell for him along the way. 



Witches, hoodoo, ghosts and spirits!


The paranormal elements of this book was definitely a favorite. It was the star of the book and got better and better along the way. The witchy powers in Mala’s family was explained thoroughly and while Mala wasn’t quite a believer, she was given the chance to respect and embrace it. The ghost haunting and visions were the mot creepiest and really gave me the heebie jeebies at how descriptive these parts were. There was blood, dead bodies, enraged spirits, dark magic, and possession. All of this kept me going and had me riveted. 



Suspense and secrets and crime


There was a ton of suspense and moments where you might flinch or anticipate what was to come. I enjoyed Mala and Landry trying to uncover the truth about Lainey’s death even though most of the time they were getting themselves into a whole lot of trouble. When the secrets and cover up started coming out, it was unbelievable to me (and I mean this in a good way). I suspected a lot of characters but always had doubts and was shocked to find out the absolute truth. It was disgusting and appalling and god, I just wanted to break something or someone. It was awesome.



What I didn’t like



The romance


There is no love triangle I am telling you this now so you could all let out a breath or two. It was quite obvious that there will be a little something something between our two MCs and I was not feeling it. I liked their banter, their playful flirtations and sure, because I like kissing, their make out scenes were spicy. It should have stayed like this for now. I was not feeling their budding romance because Landry was just all over the place and the trust between the two was sketchy. So for me to really feel and believe they were in love despite the hatred and mistakes made..I don’t know.



The pacing and length


This is probably my main reason for my rating. The beginning really dragged on for me and when that happens, it becomes an effort to read. It did get better, but by the time I hit the half way point I had felt like I should have been done with the book already. This honestly is just a “feeling” that I could not push away. I was compelled to read the book because of all the things I mentioned above, but this part pulled me down.



Overall, I did like Dark Paradise. It was suspenseful, morbid, and amusing. I will definitely be reading the second book because I’m curious to see what happens with Mala next!



*Thanks to Forever Yours for sending a copy for review purposes in exchange for an honest review.

This does not affect my view of this book.

REVIEW: Archer by Debra Kayn

Archer by Debra Kayn (Hard Body #1)
Publisher: Forever Yours
Publication Date: July 2, 2013
Source: Netgalley* via publisher
Rating: 3.5/5 stars
Get it: Amazon / B&N

She's on the run . . . 

Jane Beaumont currently has in her possession: a cat, a hundred grand in cash, and a pistol. She's on her way home to Bay City, Oregon-and away from the nightmare of her violent ex-boyfriend. She'll lay low at Beaumont Body Shop, a car detailer that runs a private investigation agency in the back. The only wrench in her plan is Kage Archer: sexy, strong, and intent on protecting Jane at all costs. She's wanted Kage forever, but putting him in harm's way is not a risk she's willing to take.

He's not going anywhere 

Kage is no stranger to the dark side of life, but he's always walked on the right side of the law. Yet when Jane expressed her interest in him years ago, he pushed her away for her own good. Now, after learning of all she's endured, Kage can't leave her side-or hide his need for her. When a frightening situation turns dire, can Kage convince Jane that the safest place to be is in his arms?

My Review

Archer by Debra Kayn was a story about a girl and her brother’s best friend finally getting together, but with the addition of danger, crime, and four hot private investigators who work in a body shop. I enjoyed this book, but I thought it definitely could have been more.

I loved Jane even if she lost some of that spunk she had before she met the craziness that is Scott. He has torn her down from her lively self and shredded the amazing confidence she once had, but she definitely tries to bring the old Janie back. Throughout the book, Jane’s tough, sassy and fire like attitude shines. She struggled with her fear and paranoia, but being around loved ones helped her deal. I loved that she was determined to keep the people she cared about safe, even if it meant defying them. She was scared, but she was so ready to fight back. For Jane to have endured such abuse for so many years and survived is a testament to her strong will. 


Kage was an awesome character. He totally adored Jane even back then when they were younger. He knew he wasn’t in the right place when Jane made a move on him all those years ago. He did his best to pull himself together and make something of his crappy life as an Archer and he did just that. He waited for Jane and was so ready to protect her even if it meant going back to the past he despised. I admired Kage because of what he did with his life, for his never ending loyalty and his unwavering integrity. Being an Archer is hard, but trying to be anything but what an Archer should be was even harder and Kage has done everything and anything he could to walk the straight and narrow road. I totally loved his sweet nobility and how he became something more than just his last name. The man was willing to cross the line to protect Jane and I was amazed by that. 

I loved both characters and their romance. Their surmounting sexual tension around each other was obvious and their sexy times were mild but still steamy hot. I adored their banter and the way they teased each other every chance they got. I do wish there was more background with them. I didn’t get the full development of their feelings and felt that their relationship moved quite quickly after the trauma Jane must have felt. 

I always like a little danger and suspense in my books because it builds on the anticipation and excitement. Archer definitely had that, but I thought it needed more spunk. I was certainly on my toes each chapter, waiting for Scott to strike. However, when he finally did, his capture was too easy. I was expecting a big show down, a big fight, but it never really came and it deflated the overall excitement. I did enjoy some insight on the underground drug lord and drug trades, but I wasn’t surprised at the revelation that connected Scott, Jane and Kage. There was also my question about Jane going back home to her brother to escape Scott. If I were Scott, it’d be the first place I would look and for me, this would have been Jane’s first mistake. She wanted to protect her loved ones, but she went straight to them, basically leading Scott to them as well.

Overall, I did have a good time reading Archer. It had some humor, sex, and a little suspense. What’s not to like, right?

*Thanks to Forever for sending a copy for review purposes

I was not compensated for my opinion.