Lauren Dane

January 2012 - I decided kick off the new year with a reread. I enjoyed this even more the second time. Piper is seriously kickass.

Dane usually writes solid characters, but these were some of her best. I adored Piper. I know I can be really hard on heroines, but she embodied everything I love in a strong female lead. Andrei was the perfect counterpoint for her. He let her keep her independence, and supported her physically and emotionally. But for all he gave, he took just as much in show more return. They were perfect for each other.

The violence from the Imperialists has escalated in this novel. The political aspects and war strategies were well done. I find myself fully invested in outcome of the war. I'm very anxious for the next installment of this book. The way Dane left things has me itching for more. show less

I hesitated to give this the full five stars, because I'm not really into contemporary romance. The world-building in paranormal and historical romance helps keep me from getting bored. But this book totally nails two of my favorite themes: fat girl and abused girl. Anyone reading this review who knows a book with similar heroines, please send me a message. I loved Tate's vulnerability. This storyline is pretty much exactly what I'm looking for. Broken, abused, insecure women who are not show more doormats or meek or boring, and the protective men who love them. More, please. (5 stars) show less

Originally posted on Tales to Tide You Over

Note: This is a republished novel that has been refreshed by the author, but retains the earlier writing style to maintain the flavor.

I’m a sucker for a small-town romance because the focus is usually on the connections between folks. I chose this to read as a candy bar book: a sweet, easy read that would make me smile. I couldn’t have been more wrong–or more right–about that.

Making Chase brings Matt, the product of a loving and show more well-respected family, together with Tate, a woman from the wrong side of the tracks who has made it her mission to keep her brothers and sisters safe from an abusive father and neglectful mother.

Matt has rarely been challenged. He’s smart, handsome, and laid-back. Things come easy for him, so much so he doesn’t realize that isn’t the way for most people.

Tate has been challenged every day of her life whether it’s money troubles, physical and verbal abuse, or strategic issues with giving her siblings a shot at a decent life.

This book goes far beyond the sugarcoated image of small towns. It’s not just nasty gossip the Murphy family has to contend with, and Tate is a special target. She doesn’t look like her brothers and sisters. She’s short where they’re tall, she’s blonde to their redheads, and unlike any of her family, she’s curvaceous, something she’s been convinced makes her dumpy and while not ugly, at least no competition to the other women in Matt’s life.

The story is about Tate coming to understand her own worth when she’s used all her considerable strength of character to protect her family but never really stood up for herself. But that’s not all it is. Matt and Tate have an almost instant connection. She’s different from any of the women he’s dated, not only in shape but in how she thinks, her approach to life, and most importantly, her unwavering commitment to her family. She’s everything he’s been missing, only she can’t believe it.

The above sounds rather one-sided until you consider Matt has never been in a situation where the person he’s with defaults to distrust rather than trust, where she interprets his every action as pulling away. Sure, it’s frustrating, and he doesn’t respond well, but it’s not until he grasps the world through her eyes that he is able to meet her distrust with a stronger love than she can dismiss.

The character development on both sides was beautifully conveyed while their commitment to family, extended, immediate, and actively in both their lives resonated with me.

I wasn’t expecting the story to become so real, but I appreciate how it did, taking a deep look at the impact not just of physical abuse but the insidious aspects of mental abuse, especially in terms of body image. More than just touching on the topics, Making Chase demonstrates ways to help the healing and the struggle to overcome that background.

Making Chase has all the traditional elements of contemporary romance, lots of detailed sex and some swearing. It also has the kind of strong female characters I like to see, ones who find their strength in family and who move mountains to protect those they love. Which is far from saying Tate and the other leading women were in any way invulnerable. They were all too human in the costs of their strength and even their stumbles. Matt is much the same, coming across as bumbling at times because Tate doesn’t fall into his arms like all the others. He knows what he wants, and until he learns better, tries to trample everything in his way, including Tate.

This is a strong, worthwhile story, living up to its potential and even going beyond.

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

Lauren Dane can do paranormal. She can write edgy women, strong alpha men and not have them be completely over the top annoying. Rowan Summerwaite is such a woman. A hunter imbued with the Celtic goddess Brigid, Rowan has no problems going toe to toe with just about anyone. Clive Stewart is the newest leader of the local vampires. The animosity between Rowan and Clive pops. The love-hate relationship is instantaneous. Goddess is filled with popping dialogue and interaction. This is not as show more erotic as her other offerings, but Dane doesn't slough off the heat index. show less