Coffee Pot Reviews: Days of Rakes and Roses by Anna Campbell & Storm Force by Susannah Sandlin

July 2nd, 2013 Kimberly Review 35 Comments

2nd Jul
Coffee Pot Reviews Welcome to Coffee Pot Reviews! These are short and sweet reviews done in the length of time it takes my coffee pot to brew! I have two yummy adult books to share with you. One is a novella and the other a serial/full-length novel.  Adult books contain mature content and are not intended for readers under 18 years of age. I’ve got iced peppermint-mocha coffee so grab a cup and enjoy!

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Coffee Pot Reviews: Days of Rakes and Roses by Anna Campbell & Storm Force by Susannah Sandlin
Days of Rakes and Roses
by Anna Campbell
Genres: Historical Romance
Source: Publisher
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarHalf a Star

Lady Lydia Rothermere has spent the past decade trying to make up for a single, youthful moment of passion. Now the image of propriety, Lydia knows her future rests on never straying outside society's rigid rules, but hiding away the desire that runs through her is harder than she could have ever dreamed. And as she prepares for a marriage that will suit her family, but not her heart, Lydia must decide what's more important: propriety or passion? Simon Metcalf is a rake and adventurer. But for all his experience, nothing can compare to the kiss he stole from the captivating Lydia Rothermere ten years ago. Simon can scarcely believe he's about to lose the one woman he's never forgotten. The attraction between them is irresistible, yet Lydia refuses to forsake her engagement. With his heart on the line, will Simon prove that love is a risk worth taking?

I adored Seven Nights in a Rogue’s Bed, the first Sons of Sin book and was excited to be able to read Days of Rakes and Roses. This was a short and sweet novella and perfect to hold me over until the release of A Rake’s Midnight Kiss in August. In this delightful tale of rekindled love, we meet Lady Lydia Rothermere who has spent the past ten years trying to atone for one moment of unbridled passion all while nursing a broken heart. She decides to marry a safe and reliable chap and perhaps give her heart to children. All of her plans are upended when Simon Metcalf the man who stole her heart returns and begs her not to marry. Campbell’s characters quickly captured my heart and I fell in love with the irresistible and charming Simon. Lydia was humorous as she tried to think with her head and not her heart. This was a delightfully quick, feel-good read that left me with a smile. A perfect rainy afternoon escape. While it is part of the Sons of Sin it can easily be read as a standalone.

Coffee Pot Reviews: Days of Rakes and Roses by Anna Campbell & Storm Force by Susannah Sandlin
Storm Force
by Susannah Sandlin
Series: Omega Force #1
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Source: Purchase
Purchase*: Amazon *affiliate
Goodreads
Rating: One StarOne StarOne StarOne Star

As leader of the elite counter-terrorism team Omega Force, former army ranger Jack “Kell” Kellison is always focused on getting the job done. So when a Houston high-rise is bombed and the governor killed or missing, Kell’s mission is clear: infiltrate the group suspected of the bombing and neutralize the threat by any means necessary. But once Kell meets beautiful chief suspect Mori Chastaine, he realizes there’s more to this case than meets the eye. And more to Mori than any man—any human man—could imagine.  Mori Chastaine is running out of options. Suspected for a crime she didn’t commit, forced into a marriage she doesn’t want, she sees no escape—until Kell walks through her door. A lifetime hiding her true nature warns her Kell might not be who he seems. But he could be the only one able to help save more innocent humans from becoming pawns in an ancient paranormal power play. If Mori reveals her secret, will Kell join her fight? Or will she become his next target?

I love Sandlin’s Penton series and was excited to read Storm Force the first book in her new Omega series. Take one part shifter, one part human, and an ex-Army Ranger and shake – creating a secret elite-counter terrorism team. The results a dynamic team that you cannot help but fall in love with.

I immediately liked Jack “Kell” Kellison the leader of this elite group. He is one hundred percent human and completely swoon-worthy. He is new to the idea of shifters and the paranormal world in general and this created some great banter and a little humor. The shapeshifting side of the team consists of brothers Archer and Adam who are jaguars, and Robin a snarky eagle shapeshifter. The human sides of the team are Kell the leader, Garrett a computer/techie geek who is pure genius and Nik who has the unique ability to touch objects or people and get images and history. Nik is Kell’s best friend and I loved how they had each other’s back. The brothers are yummy but my favorite character was Robin. She is snarky, smart and fearless. The interaction between her and Kell was hilarious. Sandlin gave us a fantastic villain with his own elite team and they kept me on edge.

When a building is bombed and the mayor assumed dead, the team is called in to investigate. An anonymous tip steers them towards Mori Chastaine the head of an environmental protest group. Kell goes undercover as a volunteer and quickly realizes there is something more going on. The tale that unfolds is suspenseful and action-packed with a side dish of romance. Mori is complex and I enjoyed learning about her secrets and seeing her grow throughout the novel. The romance was sweet and felt genuine. I enjoyed the pacing and the dynamic characters. Sandlin quickly had me invested in this elite team and its members; I cannot wait to dive into the next book.

Copyright (c) 2011-2013 Caffeinated Book Reviewer

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About Kimberly
Kimberly is a coffee loving book addict who reads and listens to fictional stories in all genres. Whovian, Ravenclaw, Howler and proud Nonna. She owns and manages Caffeinated PR. The coffee is always on and she is ready to chat. Twitter | Facebook | Instagram

35 Responses to “Coffee Pot Reviews: Days of Rakes and Roses by Anna Campbell & Storm Force by Susannah Sandlin”

  1. kindlemom1

    I read Storm Force when it came out in the serial issues and I have yet to finish it! Gah. some how I got behind on it but I really liked what I read.

    Have you tried her Sentinels of New Orleans series? Soooo good too (under the name Suzanne Johnson).

  2. miki

    i loved storm force and i do hope we will get more books in teh series^^ and i want more of the penton legacy series ( but the good news for sentinels of new orleans there we know we get at least book 4 and 5^^ and while wauiting for elysian field jean’s novella will be out with a bonus even more pleasure^^)

  3. Naomi Hop

    Awesome reviews! I love Susannah’s Penton series too, she is an awesome author. I will have to get Storm Force. It sounds like a great new series!!

    (Susannah even donated 1 whole set of the Penton series for my bloggiversary, that’s how awesome she is!!)

  4. Barbara Walker

    I loved Seven Nights, this novella is calling me. 🙂 Such a pretty cover too, not that I care about those things. *cough*

    I haven’t read Sandlin yet, but this sounds good. I’m trying more romantic suspense again and a 4 1/2 is a pretty good endorsement. Great review, chica!

  5. Andrea

    Oh, I hadn’t read any reviews for Storm Force, but I’ve been curious about it. You definitely have me anxious to give it a try!

  6. Laurel-Rain Snow

    These do sound delightful….thanks for sharing. I love the idea of “short and sweet” reviews.

  7. Maja (The Nocturnal Library)

    Usually, paranormal romance gives me allergies, but since I’m so tired of just about every genre imaginable and this (Storm Force) sounds so delightfully funny, I might just give it a chance. It’s just not in me to resist elite soldiers, and boy, Kell sounds like someone I’d like to meet.
    Thanks for sharing, Kim!

  8. Debbie Haupt

    Thanks Kim, happy 4th to you and yours
    love your coffee pot reviews

  9. Melissa (Books and Things)

    Oh these sound like good summer reads. Ones to just kick back and let them take you away from it all. I really think Storm Force, especially, should make my tbr! 🙂

  10. Jenea Whittington

    They both sound really good. I hope you are having a fantastic time away. Happy 4th!!!

  11. Bella's Shelf

    I enjoy Anna Campbell’s books a lot. She’s put out quite a few good romantic-strike that-STEAMY stories & characters!
    Storm Force sounds good too!

    Where did you go on vacay? Is the weather good? Have a great time 🙂

  12. Heidi

    Isn’t that by the same author who writes the Sentinels of New Orleans I know she writes under two names. Both books sound like great reads! Have a wonderful fourth!

  13. kimbacaffeinate

    Yes it is Heidi she did the Penton series I loved so much with vampires under Sandlin and Sentinels of New Orleans under Johnson.

  14. Melissa

    Storm force sounds good. They both do, really. 🙂 Thank you.

  15. Aurian

    I won Storm Force, and am looking forward to reading it. Glad you enjoyed it.