Crymsyn HartCritiques

Borderline horror. Did not finish. Definitely not my cup of tea for romance.

I hope this series continues. The cool narration is reminiscent of Jim Butcher’s Dresden. The female protagonist is as intriguingly different as Kat Richardson’s Harper Blaine. The mythology is wholly unique, and the horror disturbingly odd. Wrong choices, past evils and future uncertainties might unsettle the grim reaper Kerstin. But the devil’s not completely all-powerful after all. And the past isn’t all-enveloping.

A cool scary story, where mysterious characters blend with ancient mythology, soulmates can be torn apart but will surely be restored, and hope can hide behind a darker reading of the cards, Death’s Demise completes a deadly encounters trilogy but leaves the page open for more. Please write more!

Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I offer my honest review.

The romance gets hotter and more sensual in this second book in Crymsyn Hart’s Deathly Encounters series. Meanwhile the backstory and mythology grow deeper, with vampire angels, hell’s dominion, and a serial killer at large.

The story starts with Kerstin unseated from her home and past and living life as a grim reaper. It suits her, and at last she’s united with Than. But everything falls apart when she finds herself used as bait to catch a killer with a plan even more evil than the one that killed her.

Cool, scary, intriguing and fun, Death’s Revival adds to the mythology and mystique without lecturing, bringing each new mystery to light with natural ease. The protagonist narrates her tale in a convincing voice, and the reader follows, eager for more. Death’s Revival is one of those second-in-series books that works with no time-wasting and no retreat. It’s cool and fun, and I’m eager for book three.

Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I offer my honest review.

Paranormal adventure with touches of sheer horror and some very intriguing backstory—a backstory that stays hidden and still isn’t quite revealed by the end—Crymsyn Hart’s Death’s Dance is a fast exciting read, a pleasingly complete story, and a cool start to a series that leaves the reader eager for more. Kerstin, psychic medium with some very strange dreams, finds herself meeting the stranger from her dreams and wondering just who or what can be trusted. There’s an old boyfriend who doesn’t seem entirely trustworthy, and a grim reaper, maybe, plus dead bodies and a televised ghost-hunting series with mediums who might or might not be authentic. The producers, of course, are in search of that great show to pull in the viewers, then Kirsten finds herself drawn into something more.

There’s plenty of mystery as well as action in this novel, plus some uniquely intriguing mythology. And there’s just the right level of romance. The character’s voice is convincing, her abilities are very authentically portrayed, and some thought-provoking touches not only set up the series but set the reader up to seek out the sequel. Coolly imagined, convincingly dramatized, and a really fun read.

Disclosure: I was given an ecopy and I offer my honest review.

This short book has a few interesting ideas about shifters, and a slightly 'different' world in which they live. It feels a lot like ancient Japan or China, with all those societal restrictions, arranged marriages and major banquets seemingly going on all the time. While the descriptions of the environment, food, and clothing were very good, I couldn't really get involved in the characters or their story. It was almost as if the author was just scratching the surface of exploring their emotions; there wasn't enough depth in it for me to get truly atached to either of them.

If you enjoy a story with an exotic setting, if you like somewhat more unusual shifters, and if you're up for a slightly different read, give this one a try.

‘Sleigh Balls’ is set in a world where Santa Claus is real and resides in Holly Town, the Nine are reindeer shifters and descendants of the original sleigh pullers, and everyone likes to adhere to certain traditions. When Barnabee is dumped off the sleigh into the “outside world” and saved by Julian, they both have a decision to make about their future.

Barnabee is a reindeer shifter, just like his brother Red. Different from Red, he took responsibility for other parents’ inn while Red became part of the sleigh-pulling team. That team’s arrogance becomes the reason for their fight and causes Barnabee to be kicked off the sleigh. He has no idea where he landed, has no way back to Holly Town, and depends on Julian for survival. A scary situation if there ever was one, but this is a Christmas story with lots of magic, and Barnabee doesn’t seem too worried.

Julian is shocked when he hears noises on his roof, followed by a man falling into his bushes and ending up on the lawn. Naked. In the snow. Julian is a nice man and not about to let anyone freeze to death in his yard, so he takes Barnabee inside and makes sure he is dry and warm. As soon as they begin to talk over breakfast the next morning, Julian finds out Barnabee’s secret. Strangely enough he isn’t scared. But the question of whether he wants to go with Barnabee or stay in the human world is not all that easy to answer.

If you like imagining what it would be like if Santa Claus and all his helpers were “real” supernatural beings, if two men from different worlds getting along fabulously are your thing, and if you’re looking for a read that is cute, conflict-free, and very sweet, then you might like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Changeling Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

‘Claiming Cupid’ may be about a being representing love, and Valentine’s Day is mentioned, but this fantasy tale is in no way a typical Valentine’s story. For one thing, there is the second main character, Krampus, who embodies the dark side of Christmas. For another, the world these two characters live in is pure fantasy, and with each of the men cast as a reincarnation of a particular mythological figure, you might expect this to go a certain way. I know I did – but the author had other ideas and surprised me with a rather naughty adventure.

In this world, Krampus rules an army of gingerbread men and toy soldiers who are tasked with catching sugar plum fairies and the occasional human for Krampus’s eating pleasure. Rather cruel, right? So when one of Krampus’s gingerbread generals brings him the news that they have caught a winged being who looks like an angel, I naturally feared for the prisoner’s safety.

Cupid, in this world, may be in charge of love as I expected, but he is by no means a loveable, fluffy creature. He definitely has a very dark, naughty edge – or maybe Krampus just brings it out in him? Whatever the case, he quickly takes charge and the sexy naughtiness that follows is all about domination and submission. Much to Krampus’s surprise he is the one who submits, and that isn’t the end of the surprises either.

If you like stories set in imaginary worlds populated by well known mythological figures who act in somewhat unexpected ways, if you want to know how Krampus and Cupid get on when they meet, and if you’re looking for an entertaining, naughty read with a few surprises, then you might like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Changeling Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

In this story, which is loosely linked to ‘Claiming Cupid’ but stands well on its own, Krampus embodies the dark side of Christmas. The world he lives in is pure fantasy, with most of the characters cast as a reincarnation of a particular mythological figure.

In this world, Krampus rules an army of gingerbread men and toy soldiers who are tasked with catching sugar plum fairies and the occasional human for Krampus’s eating pleasure. And Krampus has not been in a good mood recently… so they decide to let him know about the rodeo that has come to town and Krampus goes to explore.

But it is no ordinary rodeo Krampus discovers. Not that this improves his mood and he very entertainingly grumbles himself through a few people – until he finds a bull he wants to buy and meets Dallas. I can’t say much more without spoilers, but the story that follows is full of twists and turns and very hot.

If you like stories set in imaginary worlds populated by mythological figures who turn out to be very different from what you may expect, if you want to know what Krampus is up to, and if you’re looking for an entertaining, naughty read with a few surprises, then you might like this short story.


NOTE: This book was provided by Changeling Press for the purpose of a review on Rainbow Book Reviews.

Defying Pack Law - Eve Langlais. Dana left to avoid menage. OK
Surrounded by Pleasure - Mandy Harbin. Mountain lions. OK
Juneau Heat - Tressie Lockwood. Bears in Alaska. OK-
Lycan Lover - S K Yule. Ancient lycan. OK-
Three Fur All - Crymsyn Hart. Wolves. OK-
Theirs to Claim - LeTeisha Newton. Wolves. OK-
½

This book doesn’t start out like typical erotic ménage novels. The heroine, October, has been captured for a month and starved. She’s been abused, witnessed horrible things, and then watches as her captor turns into a wolf beast. She manages to escape, and is almost hit by two men. These are our heroes Mika and Elliot. They are also wolves but October doesn’t know that. They take her to Elliot’s home and call on Mika’s ex (who is a doctor) to help fix her up. These two men have horrible, horrible baggage, and October is stressed herself, especially when she finds she’s attracted to these two men. But the one who captured her is still out there looking for her, and no one has any idea who his mysterious partner is. Add to that, that October finds out about Mika and Elliot and this story is full of suspense and heartbreak.

The plot was good, but parts felt flimsy. I didn’t think October would fall into bed so quickly with Elliot and Mika, especially when she found out they were wolves too. I also thought she’d be more pissed or suspicious that they never called the cops. I mean she’s been missing from her life for over a month and she’s ok with the authorities not being called in? The other difference in this book from most ménages was that the guys didn’t want to share her. They got “over” their differences, but especially with the baggage they both were carrying, it didn’t seem like a ménage would be the perfect answer. Other than that there’s an HEA with an untied plot string, so I think there will be more in this series or a sequel with the three of them.

~ Bitten by Books for AReCafe

I won't spend my money on any more of these.

I won't spend my money on any more of these.