Christine Warren

Originally published on Tales to Tide You Over

Heart of Stone is an odd mix of a spunky main character urban fantasy and a romance bordering on straight-laced erotica. The sex scenes are long and explicit so if that’s a problem, this is not the book for you. I’ll admit to skimming at points, though the existence of the sex scenes was critical to the story.

With that out of the way, I’m going to talk story.

This is just the type of romance tale I love. Both of Kees and Ella have given up show more on love for very good reasons, though in Kees’ instance, he believes himself to be incapable of it from the way he was created. They both have to work through their own expectations and issues before they can accept what’s happening.

Ella loves easily, but is slow to trust not so much Kees but herself. She needs to heal from a traumatic past where she lost both parents in unusual circumstances. Kees, on the other hand, denies what’s happening because he “knows” it’s impossible. When he turns around, it’s very quick, but the timing of his change makes sense. While not always likeable, in Kees’ case, they are characters I could connect with, both in purpose and in failings, though that might be something odd to say when one is a grotesque. Not grotesque in appearance but rather was frozen in a statue that resembles a gargoyle except does not funnel water away from a building, a neat little art historian fact brought out in the story. His natural appearance is both intimidating and haunting, while his human appearance is traditionally impressive.

The urban fantasy side of the story was everything an urban fantasy should be. It has a complicated history, revealed in dribs and drabs as the book progresses, that leads up to this moment. There’s an ongoing threat for which this book is the opening move. We learn what’s happening in two ways: Through Kees telling Ella only what he thinks she needs to know until he finds someone official to take her in and train her. And through what they discover while looking for that mentor as they dodge the evil powers set to releasing demons to ravage the Earth.

It’s strong, dramatic, and compelling.

I didn’t need the explanation at the end (based on a recounting of something learned about their history from a mage’s grimoire), but I’m good at picking up on story clues and even figured out the twist…well, one of them. This did not, however, prevent me from enjoying the story.

As I said, an odd mix, but don’t get the impression that it’s two stories mashed together, however. The romance is crucial to the events in the urban fantasy, especially where Ella’s healing is concerned, and without mystical powers and demons to fight, Kees would have been nothing but the stone statue where he begins the story. Christine Warren manages to blend the two genres until one could not be extracted without harming the other. Together they form a tale with a strong heart and compelling story.

P.S. I received this title from the publisher through NetGalley in return for an honest review. show less

Baby, I’m Howling For You by Christine Warren

Clever and smart writing takes the paranormal romance to an utterly delightful level of humor, love, suspense and satisfaction.

1st of a spin-off series, this paranormal romance takes place in Alpha. A town established for loner, hurt or other paranormals that need a place of safety. I haven’t read The Others series. I easily understood the town, premise and didn’t feel like I’d started in the middle of something. Perfect way to start a show more spin-off.

Renny Landry has a stalker. While she does not want anyone else hurt, she needs a place to stay where the residents can protect themselves.
I really liked this woman. She’s on the run, but doesn’t sweat the details. She stands up and deals with whatever comes her way. And when her new mate tries to put her In a protective bubble, she smashes the barriers and joins in the fight. Ok, she is brave, but probably more to her detriment than is smart. But I loved that. She will be there for whatever is needed.

I look forward to reading more of this series and have stocked The Other series in my TBR.

Lots of funny one liners.
“Their Mate was kissing them.”

Excerpt:
“He nuzzled her ear, dragging in one more lungful of delicious female, before rolling off her and dragging her against his side. Now that he’d claimed his mate, he didn’t want to smother her on their first night together. That just seem rude.
Plus, it would pretty much rule out his hopes for round two a little bit later.”
Excerpt from Baby, I’m Howling For You by Christine Warren.

I received a copy of this book from NetGalley. I also purchased a copy. show less

*Book source ~ NetGalley

Ella Harrow has a terrible secret she’s kept since she was twelve. But forget the past. She has another secret in the present that she doesn’t realize is putting her in very real danger. Until one night when she’s attacked at the museum where she works and she wakes a Guardian named Kees. She freaks out, not so much from the attack, but from the fact that the gargoyle statue has come to life and defended her. Has she lost her mind? Is she hallucinating? Has she show more been knocked out and this is just a dream? What the hell is going on?

I’ve been reading paranormal books for quite a few years now and while I love vampires and shifters I do love to read about something different every once in awhile. Gargoyles. Now, that’s different. Though technically Kees is a Guardian and not a gargoyle even though he has fangs, claws, horns, skin like stone and wings. Once out of his slumber he can change to look more human and then back to his Guardian form at will. He has no magic of his own, but he’s made from magic so he’s extremely hard to kill. Good thing because he and his six brother Guardians are what keep the Seven from overrunning the Earth and destroying all of mankind. But something terrible has been happening while he and his brothers slumber and it’s up to Kees and Ella to find and wake the other Guardians, and stay alive while being pursued by vile creatures, before all is lost.

I love this new world and the people who inhabit it. Kees is a hunk of nommy badassness and Ella is spunky and smart. It’s fast, funny, hot, interesting and full of magic and danger. Ella’s friend Fil (Felicity) is introduced and I like her. Good thing since she’s in the next book. I look forward to reading more about this world. show less

Something to Howl About by Christine Warren

Light hearted paranormal series opener. Full of humor, with much of it on the sarcastic side. Humor of the kind that doesn’t take it all so seriously. My favorite type of writing.
I don’t know why I haven’t read this author before but will absolutely look for this new series as well as looking into the original of this spinoff.

The below makes the town of Alphaville sound dark and sad but that was not at at my first impression. To me it is a show more town of rejuvenation, hope and understanding. I look forward to getting to know the residents.
“Every shifter in America knew about the town. It was where they sent their problems, like an open air asylum for damaged Others. Shifters would couldn’t shift, or who couldn’t control the process. Ones with anger issues, or who had survived trauma. Even ones who needed to recover from grave physical traumas.
And, of course, the outcasts. The ones who had been shunned by their packs, prides, clans, or family packs.”

I received a copy of this novella from NetGalley. show less