The Ghost of Vampire Present by Seleste deLaney

THE GHOST OF VAMPIRE PRESENT BY SELESTE DELANEY

Word Count: 15,000

Heat Level: Smoky

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Publisher: Decadent

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Jocelyn has finally found her knight in shining armor in Chad, and ghosts are the last thing on her mind. Even when one shows up in her bedroom on Christmas Eve, Jocelyn's a bit more concerned about the other guests on the agenda. She'd prefer to never see another vampire, and the ghost tells her to expect not one, but three.

When the one from her past shows up even though he's supposed to be dead, she decides she's dreaming and suffers through the night. By the time dawn breaks, she's not so sure anymore.

But if it's not a dream that means her nightmare is far from over.

***

This is the sequel to 'Of Course I try' and shows Jocelyn happily settled with Chad, who readers will have met briefly in 'Of Course I Try'. I was really looking forward to reading this, and I did enjoy it, but not as much as I thought I would. 

Let me explain why. I still love Ms. deLaney's descriptive writing style, the sex scenes are hot and beautifully written and there are some brilliant action scenes in this story, but I found it confusing. 

I know it is supposed to be confusing because you see the story through Jocelyn's eyes, and with everything that happens to her in one night, no wonder the poor girl is confused, but to me the author didn't give a satisfactory ending. I literally went "What? That's it?" out loud at the end and actually felt cheated at the open ending. Of course it made me wonder what really happened. Did she dream the night or did the events really take place? Is Chad really Mr Nice Guy or are there far more sinister things at play here? No doubt this was the author's intention, but for me personally, it took some of the joy out of the story. 

I believe a longer story is due to be released soon, and I shall look out for it. I would certainly be interested in seeing how it all works out for Jocelyn and Chad, and I liked Jocelyn's no nonsense friend too. 

A solid B from me. It would have been higher with a more satisfactory ending. Of course this may not bother other readers.

B

Of Course I Try by Seleste deLaney

OF COURSE I TRY BY SELESTE DELANEY

Word Count: 5,000

Genre: Urban Fantasy

Heat Level: Smoky

Publisher: Decadent Publishing

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Love is a wonderful thing. Unless you don't get a choice in the matters of your own heart.

Jocelyn has loved Max since the day she met him. Even when he scares her enough to leave, she can't resist going back. No matter how many times she tries to break free from him, she ends up in his arms and bed again. Not this time. Jocelyn needs to be free and Max isn't going to stop her from walking away - no matter how hard he tries.

***

This is a very short read and the first time I have read this author. Well, it won't be the last! Despite not being a huge fan of first person point of view stories, this drew me in from the first page. Ms. DeLaney has a beautifully descriptive writing style that draws the reader in and will not let you go. I really felt Jocelyn's confusion and her struggle to free herself of Max's drugging influence. Max was all that is yummy in a hero, and I did wonder why Jocelyn felt the need to leave, but it all becomes clear. I gasped at the end and was thoroughly disappointed when it was finished.

If I have one complaint, it's that it simply wasn't long enough!

A solid A from me :-)

A

Forever Summer by Seleste DeLaney

FOREVER SUMMER BY SELESTE DELANEY

Word Count: 7,000

Genre: Contemporary Romance

Heat Level: Smoky

Publisher: Self-Published

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Her dreams of a career by the sea shattered, Katya's trying to be happy with two weeks in the Florida Keys. But when her rental ends up infested, she's ready to go home. At least until Jay, the handyman next door, comes to her rescue.

Sweet, talented & sexy, he's all she ever wanted in a man. Too bad he's only hanging out with her because he's such a nice guy.

Or is he?

 ***

Looking for that perfect story to escape reality and take a mini vacation? Forever Summer is it! This hot little story is short and sweet, and will whisk you away to the warmth of the Florida Keys. The characters were easy to like, I only wished the story had been longer! This is definitely a wonderful read for that rainy afternoon, or something to pass the time while laying out in the sun.

B

BadLands by Seleste DeLaney

BADLANDS BY SELESTE DELANEY

Heat Level: Smoky

Word Count: 33,000

Genre: Steampunk Romance

Publisher: Carina Press

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After a brutal Civil War, America is a land divided. As commander of her nation's border guards, Ever is a warrior sworn to protect her country and her queen. When an airship attacks and kills the monarch, Ever must infiltrate enemy territory to bring home the heir to the throne, and the dirigible Dark Hawk is her fastest way to the Union.

Captain Spencer Pierce just wants to pay off the debt he owes on the Dark Hawk and make a life for himself trading across the border. When the queen's assassination puts the shipping routes at risk, he finds himself Ever's reluctant ally.

As they fly into danger, Ever and Spencer must battle not only the enemy but also their growing attraction. She refuses to place her heart before duty, and he has always put the needs of his ship and crew above his own desires. Once the princess is rescued, perhaps they can find love in the Badlands—if death doesn't find them first...

***

First of all, major thumbs up for uniqueness. I can honestly say this book is nothing like anything else I have read.

What I loved: The role reversal and the tough heroine.

In this story, Ever, the heroine, is the tough one, the one with weapons, the fighter, the one who has sex with who she wants when she feels like. The hero, Spencer, while not a wuss, is the more passive character, the forgiver, the lover.

I love how this was done. Ever's country, the Badlands (and this appears to take place around the Civil War but with lots of clockwork stuff and ships) has been taken over by prisoners and the queen murdered. It's like a country full of bad ass, tattooed women. Ever has to get the next in line to the throne from Philly. Just when she's on death's door, Spencer sees her from his ship.

There's a jealous woman doctor, a temporary bedmate (see above comment about role reversal), sexual tension, crazy mechanical birds, manipulation, lies, a bad man...

Will Ever be able to use Spencer's ship to get the princess safely back to the Badlands? Or will others stand in their way? And then there is the rising feelings between Spencer and Ever.

I found the name Ever a bit irritating. Especially in those instances where there was "for Ever." I had to do double a take sometimes. I think it was an annoying name choice and I felt at times, the characters were slightly robotic...lack of emotion. However, Ever wasn't exactly a typical emotional female...

B