V. P. Nightshade's Review of Beguiled by the Beastly Baron (The Monster's Ball)

 

Beguiled by the Beastly Baron by Y.D. La Mar
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

An Unseelie Monster

Book 2 in this series was good. The plot was interesting. The writing didn't flow as well as in Book 1. Some parts were confusing, and it had a feel like some of the details had been stripped out during editing. The Baron was interesting, he turned out to be the Unseelie King ***spoiler... He has some weird freaking equipment and though I liked his character, I didn't feel an attraction for him like you normally do when reading about the hero in a romance. He was just too creepy for me. Though he seemed besotted by Antonia and I believe that he was a good husband to her.

Even with the writing issues, I probably would have rated this book higher except I just ended up not liking the FMC Antonia. For the first part of the book she seemed pretty strong, she was older (29), and had lived on her own for years in Brazil. She was very self-sufficient and self-assured. And I liked her for all of those qualities.

Then after she married the Baron she became whiny, bitchy, immature, and bipolar. I don't think that marriage does that to most women.

I probably would have liked her more if she had started out weak like that but it seemed like she became a totally different character. She turned out to be a disappointment because I like strong mature women opposite a dangerous, and freaky, male love interest.

The story fits right in with this universe though, and provides details about the monster's ball that book 1 didn't, it actually left a little mystery cliffhanger about the hostess of the ball. So, I am hoping that the authors have coordinated in this multiple-author series because I would like an answer to that mystery in the next book or two.

As far as furthering the series, book 2, is a must-read.

PROGRESS READING NOTES

May 16, 2023 – 47.0%

"The writing's disjointed; it makes you feel like you're JUMPING from scene to scene instead of FLOWING. I couldn't tell you the type of monster the Baron is, he's dangerously magical and weird. Antonia seems to be 'something' too. She finds out that her deceased father gambled her hand in marriage to the Baron, and then she agrees to marry him. My question is why? I am not feeling a connection between the 2 of them."

May 17, 2023 – 94.0%

"I'm unsure about rating this book. The writing's choppy & I feel like small but important bits of the plot were cut during editing w/o regard to how it would affect the story. I have to admit I don't like Antonia, she's a weak woman. Her totally unmedicated mental issues cause major problems & she needs serious help! I've decided that I like the Baron, but I wonder if it's really pity because he is stuck w/ Antonia."

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V. P. Nightshade's Review of How to Marry a Marble Marquis (The Monster's Ball Series)

 

How to Marry a Marble Marquis by C.M. Nascosta
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent!

I love C.M. Nascosta! Unsurprisingly, the first book in the monster ball series takes you through the game of emotions: humour, sadness, anger, passion, and love! This is the love story between Eleanor and Silas, a gargoyle, a Marquis, and a notorious London rake! As a lover of regency romance, I am here to tell you there is nothing more delicious than a reformed rake.

I totally recommend this book!

The Monsters Ball series is a multi-author work! So, I will be reading through the books in the series and recommending (or not) individual books as I read them. But, so far, so good!

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V.P. Nightshade's Review of Wed To The Ice Giant, by Layla Fae

 

Wed to the Ice Giant by Layla Fae
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Ice Giant Romance

I purchased this because I love the cover, which many times doesn't bode well for the interior. So, I am truly surprised to report that this is a Great start to a new multiauthor series! This is a short read, just over 100 pages, takes place on the planet Aria Terra, and blends both sci-fi and paranormal romance genres.

Marriages are arranged through DNA test at a mysterious religious temple, travel is accomplished with both current and futuristic methods (trains, cars, and PORTALS). Despite the interesting aspects borrowed from both genres, there is not a lot of world-building, and though I like to hope that we will get more detailed information on this world I am not really expecting it like I would for a series created by one single author. Multiple authors end up with multiple ideas about settings and a shared world that pretty much guarantees that we won't see the depth required to make this a five-star series.

But does it matter in the end? Probably not. After all, this is really a short, smutty, monster romance. It checks all of the boxes that is required: pages of intense smexy times, not a lot of external angst or drama (just the tiniest bit to make
It interesting), and an eventual HEA usually ending with a pregnancy or children if the epilogue takes place in the distant future.

TROPES: Arranged marriage, Public Consummation of the Marriage, size difference (height and sexual), social status differences (he's a King, she and her family worry about where their next meal will come from). It is not just statements on how poor she is, there are good descriptions how thin she is and actually how physically unhealthy she is in the beginning of the book (she has dizzy spells) and how after living with him for several weeks she has gained weight, and her hair is shiny.

Why didn't it get 5 stars? I could probably give you a poor to fair description of the King, but I could not describe Lucy with any such accuracy. He's various shades of blue, and she is a twenty-five something skinny white woman, with no boobs, who blushes constantly. I can't tell you hair color, or eye color! Or if she is short or tall. I think she's short because she comes up to his waist, but hey he IS a freaking GIANT so who really knows?

If I can't see the characters in a novel in my head while I am reading about them, I find that it is very difficult for me to connect with them or to love them. I have gotten to the point where I feel that physical character descriptions are the most basic part of novel writing, if they are absent from the work or weak I can't give it a 5 star rating.

I do really like smutty monster romances, so I did enjoy the story, and do recommend it as a good read! So if you like short smutty, quick reads, definitely try this one out! I think you will like it. I did!

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V.P. Nightshade's Review of The Hunter

 

The Hunter by Jenika Snow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Excellent Red Riding Hood Retelling

I really enjoyed the second book in the Monsters and Beauties series!

It was well-written and imagined. Liked the addition of the Alaskan wilderness as the setting.

So far both retellings in the series have been excellent, short, hot reads! Can't wait for book 3 and whatever that will bring.

Highly recommend!

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V.P. Nightshade's Review of The Beast

 

The Beast by Jenika Snow
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

Really good retelling!

What an excellent retelling of a tale as old as time!

Well-written, nice plot, short read! I thoroughly enjoyed it!

If you like Beauty and the Beast you will like this steamy, slightly twisted version. Highly recommend!

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