Entwined by Elisabeth Naughton; Review by JesykaJames

Review for Entwined by Elisabeth Naughton

Title: Entwined

Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 322
Format: Paperback

Source: Fishpond (I went through Hades to get this book!!! I swear, the world was against me!!! But eventually, I got it 2nd hand from someone on Fishpond.)

Release Date: July 27th 2010
Publisher: Love Spell
Series: Yes
No. in Series: Book 2


Synopsis: Zander can't afford to think about what might have been with the bewitching physician he once regarded as his soul mate. But with eternity stretching before him, he also can't fathom spending his life without the one woman who makes him feel most alive. Perhaps he's found his weakness, after all . . .


My Review: I liked this book. It was... emotional. I really felt for Callia, and for Zander (who, I loved :D) There were a few plot holes, but all in all, I really liked the book.

Some minor things that irritated me; one scene in particular (I won't give too much away) there was a scene between Callia and Zander, and I feel like Zander's character was a bit... forceful, and I think it went against his character. I didn't like it. I mean, it was only one little tiny bit of a scene, where he kinda went a little too he-man. I just ignored it a little, and pretended it didn't happen.

There was a lot of character jumping, and sometimes that annoys me, but it was actually quite good in this book. I felt like they were fluid, and done well.

Some things about this book, that were better than the first; there was a much better emotional connection between the characters, and it didn't make me feel like they were only together because of the soul-mate bond. There was a particular line that I really appreciate being thrown in,

"If I could go back, I'd tell you that I loved you. And it's not because you're my soul-mate. If the Fates had pushed me towards someone else, I'd still have loved you." Zander said.

Some things that didn't change from the last book; well, the ending, for one thing. It, again, seemed really rushed. Quite anti-climactic also. The 'happily-ever-after' was there, but it was just so rushed at the last two or three pages. I felt like they were good characters, and maybe they deserved more than a rushed ending.

It was a really good book though, I really enjoyed it. I quite like Isadora and Orpheus, they seem to be quite interesting characters too. I also have a bit of a fascination with Demetrius. I've ordered the next book, and know that him and Isadora are in it, I'm really interested how that book will play out. I have hope that it will be the best book in the series.

Rating: I almost gave it four Tiny Bats, because I really did like the characters... but I just couldn't do it. Not with the ending being so rushed. So I gave it three Tiny Bats. Hopefully I will be able to give book three a better rating :D

Posted By: JesykaJames

Email: pages2crave@hotmail.com

Marked by Elisabeth Naughton Review by JesykaJames

Review for Marked by Elisabeth Naughton

Title: Marked
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 321
Format: Paperback

Source: Big W

Release Date: April 23rd 2010
Publisher: Love Spell
Series: Yes
No. in Series: Book 1


Synopsis: THERON—Dark haired, duty bound and deceptively deadly. He’s the leader of the Argonauts, an elite group of guardians that defends the immortal realm from threats of the Underworld.

From the moment he walked into the club, Casey knew this guy was different. Men like that just didn't exist in real life—silky shoulder-length hair, chest impossibly broad, and a predatory manner that just screamed dark and dangerous. He was looking for something. Her.

She was the one. She had the mark. Casey had to die so his kind could live, and it was Theron’s duty to bring her in. But even as a 200-year-old descendent of Hercules, he wasn’t strong enough to resist the pull in her fathomless eyes, to tear himself away from the heat of her body.

As war with the Underworld nears, someone will have to make the ultimate sacrifice.

My Review: I liked this book, but I didn't love it. It was a fairly short book, I read it two days, which would normally be good... but at the end of this book I must say I felt... unsatisfied. The whole book seemed rushed to me, and the closer it got to the end the more rushed it felt. It had half a page at the end of 'happily ever after' which, well honestly, you have to kind of expect to a certain extent in a Paranormal Romance novel, but it was so rushed that I was barely interested in them working out there problems and getting together anyway. And though this is a continuation series, I don't think Casey and Theron are going to get anymore floor time.

I have to say, I feel like there wasn't a lot of effort on Elizabeth Naughton's part, there was some pretty good world building, but in the end what was lacking, for me, was the characters. I like to be drawn into a book by it's world, and it's characters. I had a hard time connecting with any of the characters in this novel. I feel like there wasn't enough... personality I suppose.

There were some very cute moments between Acacia and Theron, and I did genuinely like the banter that went on between them. I will say there was a spark between the characters, but not to the level of spark between; for example Larissa Ione's characters Ares and Cara.

"And what do you call this... this attraction between us?"

She cocked her head "Your problem?"

"I call it opportunity. A chance to see if fate is really pushing us toward a combined destiny. And there's one way to know for sure."

Her eyes narrowed. "How?"

He moved closer, barely brushing his body against hers, and felt her shudder. And oh, yeah, as far as gambles went, this was the big one. "All it takes is one night."

She blinked twice. "Are you for real?"

Then she laughed. Her laughter went on and on, to the point a frown worked it's way between his eyebrows. When she finally paused to breathe, tears were streaming down her cheek. "Oh, my God. That was the best line I've ever heard. 'Here sleep with me and I'll tell you if you're my destiny.' Nice one, Theron"

The entire relationship seemed rushed, and based only on the premise that they were soul-mates. Fated to be together.

I will say, that once again I am going to give this author another chance. I have ordered the second book in this series, and will hopefully have a better review for that. I hate to give bad reviews, but honestly, this was not a great books for me. It needed more. I do have hope though, that the second book will be better.

Rating: Two Tiny Bats out of Five

(I have decided to go back to the normal rating system, as it was getting to complicated between here and GoorReads.)

Posted By: JesykaJames

Email: pages2crave@hotmail.com