Must-read romances: 'When Day Breaks,' 'Queen of Wands,' 'Better Homes and Hauntings'

When Day Breaks by Maya Banks

This is the ninth KGI series and one of my favorite series for hot dark heroes and really steamy scenes. Like most long series, there is a bit of insta-love and some formulaic plots, but for Swanson I'd brave worse. Eden is one of the most beautiful people in the world. She's on covers of magazines and the front lines of runways, but she's being stalked both physically and by a secret. Swanson is scarred both inside and out. He now is in protection and has been crushing on Eden from afar (long story short: In Afghanistan, Eden's brother would share pictures and stories about Eden with the guys). Eden's in danger, though, and Swanson will stop at nothing to protect her, even if he doesn't understand why such a beauty would even look at him twice. Unlike earlier books, there isn't that much chemical reaction, more a slow buildup of romance and a slow burn rather than a hot sizzle. I liked that it was different though missed the out-of-control chemistry. All in all, if you haven't started this series, it's good, and there is even a tough female operative who can hold her own with these big alpha men.

Queen of Wands by Katee Robert

This is the second book from Katee Robert's sci-fi Sanctify series, and this heroine is Jenny O'Keirna, who is the sister of the new king of Hansarda. (I recommend reading the first one first, Queen of Swords.) Jenny decides she's going to help the new Queen Ophelia out and babysit her friend Mac Flannery. He's an inventor who really sees Jenny, not just her mask, and likes all the crazy corners and edges. I liked Queen of Swords, but I really liked this one. It seems as if the world is getting more intense, more real and coming together perfectly. The cover is gorgeous (though it doesn't really show how awesome Jenny is), and I definitely hope there's a third book.

Some questions for Katee Robert …

Describe your heroine in one line?

Katee: An impulsive wild child who's trying to walk the straight and narrow.

Describe your hero in one line?

Katee: A paranoid inventor who's never made a decision without thinking through all possible outcomes first.

What are you working on now?

Katee: I'm currently working on a BDSM novel for Brazen. It's the hottest thing I've written to date, I think.

Epic one-liner from Queen of Wands?

Katee:

"Why the hells aren't you wearing underwear?"

"I have a better question." She laughed, the sound borderline hysterical. "Why the hells are you talking about it instead of putting your mouth to good use?"

Better Homes and Hauntings by Molly Harper

This is a stand-alone from the hilarious and steamy Molly Harper, centering on Nina Linden who has just been hired to landscape a private island. Poor Nina has been cheated on, her business is failing, and she is bound and determined to make this job work. Deacon (our hot hero) likes that Nina isn't scared of his haunted home, or interested in his fortune. He's also supernerdy, and the interactions between the two are very fun. The villains are a bit stereotypical and larger-than-life, but I laughed the whole time and enjoyed myself, which is the point. I like the nerd hero with the outdoor gardener heroine. It worked and made me smile.

Some questions for Molly Harper …

Describe your heroine in one line?

Molly: A sweet nature girl with a past, clawing her way back to normal.

Describe your hero in one line?

Molly: The Nerd King with the inner badass even he didn't know existed.

What are you working on now?

Molly: I am writing several new spin-offs to the Half-Moon Hollow series. If you enjoy audiobooks, Better Homes and Hauntings will be released by Audible on the same day that it is released in print and e-book.

Also, my Half-Moon Hollow Christmas short story, I'm Dreaming of an Undead Christmas, will be available in e-book on Nov. 3.

And the third book in the Bluegrass contemporary series, Snow Falling on Bluegrass, will be released on Sept. 22.

Epic one-liner from Better Homes and Hauntings?

Molly:

She hunched against her workbench, staring at the mess in the greenhouse like it was responsible for the national debt and movies based on video games.

In the End by Demitria Lunetta

This is the second book (and final) of In the After series, and Amy is back on her own, just surviving, until she hears that Dr. Reynolds has Baby. You have to read the first one to really understand what's going on, it's intense and builds on itself. It's the end of the world, and now Baby is in the hands of the very person who started the end of the world. She must travel to Ft. Black and find Ken (who is the key to freeing Baby). The road is lonely, Amy is not the same without Baby and the whole political/social dynamic of Ft. Black is scary as heck. There's a small love triangle (which didn't work wholly with this story), but I loved how extremely agile, strong and smart Amy is. She's a butt-kicker, and while she knows she needs help, she's able to defend herself and save herself. Most of the plot and plot-let threads were tied up with only a few unanswered questions. I'd love a couple shorts from different perspectives and maybe even one to tie up the loose ends. All in all, this is a great dystopia/post-apocalyptic series, and I really love the heroine.

Some questions for Demitria Lunetta …

Describe your heroine in one line?

Demitria: Amy is smart, determined, and kick-ass.

Describe your hero in one line?

Demitria: Hmmmm, hero? Amy doesn't need a hero. Jacks is more of a guide. He's rough around the edges, a tortured soul, and trying to find his way.

What are you working on now?

Demitria: I'm working on a supersecret stand-alone ... not in the In the After world.

Epic one-liner from In the End?

Demitria:

I don't have to be strong, I am strong.

—

Jessie Potts, also known as Book Taster, adores books in all forms. She also does reviews for RT Book Reviews magazine and works in the submissions department at Dreamspinner Press. You can follow her on Twitter (@BookTaster).