#Friday Review - Of Flame and Promise by Cecy Robson (Adult, Romance, Paranormal)

Series: Weird Girls # 6
Format: E-ARC, 180 pages
Release Date: January 12, 2016
Publisher: Loveswept
Source: Publisher
Genre: Urban Fantasy, Romance

Cursed by a spell meant to destroy them, Taran Wird and her sisters instead developed unique magical talents. With the power of fire and lightning literally at her fingertips, Taran doesn’t fear much. Demons, vamps, whatever—bring ’em on! Only one thing terrifies her: commitment.

Taran is crazy about her boyfriend, Gemini, a sexy were with the incredible ability to split into two separate wolves. But after watching her sister go through heartbreak with the pack’s Alpha, Taran knows not to count on happily ever after—despite Gemini’s desire to claim her as his mate. Reluctantly, she agrees to meet his very traditional and conservative parents. Taran’s a badass with a mouth to match, and Gemini loves her for it. She’s just not positive these attributes will please Mom and Dad.

Unsurprisingly, every attempt by Taran to bond with Gemini’s folks proves disastrous. But in the end, Taran finds that winning them over means unleashing her powers . . . and proving that this foul-mouthed fire-starter is a force to be reckoned with.

Of Flame and Promise is the 6th installment in the Weird Girls series by author Cecy Robson. Now that Cecy has wrapped up her storyline with Celia, it is now time to move on to Taran Wird. To me, Taran has always been the second most interesting character in the series because of her ability to wield flame and lightning and receive glimpses of the future. But, what readers haven't known about Taran, is that she has a phobia for commitment, and is not ready for marriage. 

Kind of hard since she's in a relationship with Tomo (Gemini) Hamamatsu who believes that Taran is his mate, and is willing to introduce her to his parents visiting from Japan. I absolutely loved the scenes with Taran, Tomo, and his parents. (His mother is also a badass!) She tries so hard to please them, and have them accept her for who she is, and time after time, things explode into out of control situations that will leave you in stitches.

One of the things I like about Taran the most, is her attitude. I don't mind that she cusses like a sailor who has been out to sea for several months without shore leave. I don't mind that she has a major problem with her next door neighbor (Mrs Mancuso) who hates what she wears, and the scenes between the two of them together will send you into a giggle fit. I didn't even mind that Taran has taken what happened between Celia and Aric at heart, and really doesn't want her heart to be shattered any more than it was before we met the sisters.

I love Taran's relationship with her sisters who all have different abilities. It is apparent that Taran and Celia are not only sisters, but best friends, and each others support mechanism. I loved the action in this story. Taran can hold her own against almost any villain. I realize that this book takes place between Celia's books, but Cecy does a good job of showing what a dangerous place Tahoe really is. Kind of funny that Cecy reveals that Taran actually likes the Catholic Vampire girls. Then again, she would definitely fit right in with them.

I feel as though I would have loved this book a whole lot better had the story picked up after the Celia and Aric's story-ARC. I am done and over the whole episode that happened between Celia and Aric and cause so much pain and discomfort. I will say that Cecy will raise your blood pressure with hot and steamy sex scenes that will have you demanding more. I adore Tomo, I really do. I think he understands Taran's feelings, but won't just pick up and walk away from her without a fight.

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*Book Review* A Curse Unbroken by Cecy Robson (UF/PNR)

Series: Weird Girls # 5
Publisher: Loveswept
Released: March 10, 2015
Source: NetGalley
Format: E-Book, 272 pages
Genre: UF, Romance

*Book Blurb*

The preternatural world is changing. After a massive magical throw down tore apart the established order, the dark elements are rebuilding their ranks unopposed. Celia Wird’s world is changing, too. She’s the mate of the pureblood were Aric, and his Warriors are honor-bound to protect her family as she and her sisters recover from unimaginable horrors.

Celia hesitates to reveal the true extent of the Wird sisters’ trauma, but they aren’t the only ones keeping secrets: Aric and the werewolf Elders are tracking a stone that grants limitless power. So is a tough coven of witches. Then Misha, a master vampire with his own plans for the stone, sends Celia after it. Can she and the vamps beat both the weres and the witches to the treasure before it falls into the wrong hands?

Fearing for Celia’s safety, Aric begs her to stay out of the hunt. What they don’t realize is that they’re the ones being hunted. But Celia’s ready to prove that she’s not easy prey.

The FIFTH installment of the Weird Girls series, A Curse Unbroken, picks up from where A Cursed Bloodline left off. The Wird sisters, Celia, Taran, Shayna, and Emme are struggling to return to a sense of normality after dealing with a major betrayal by Anara, a werewolf Elder, who left each of them scared; especially Celia, and Taran. But nothing is normal for the sisters who aren't supposed to exist. Who were cursed with abilities that nobody has seen before.

Cecy doesn't even give them a chance to catch their breaths and mourn for their losses before unleashing yet another dangerous entity on them. One who especially wants to eliminate Celia, and uses her fears against her; including flashbacks to her own painful childhood. If that wasn't enough after everything that's happen to the sisters, they are forced into searching for a powerful relic that could turn the tide of the battle to their favor. Everyone, witches, vampires, werewolves, The Tribe, they all want it for themselves and will do anything to get it.

I must truthfully and honestly say, that I am glad that Cecy is taking a break from telling Celia's story for now. I think that she has tortured and driven Celia as far as she can go without becoming one of those authors who is pictured laughing in glee at how many different ways she can make her character bleed, or come close to death. It's a wonder Celia hasn't had a complete nervous breakdown. Every time I read one of these books, I come away hearing Drowning Pool's Bodies in my head!

Another reason I am glad that Cecy is moving on to Taran next, is that I am sick and tired of the marry-go-round known as Misha who refuses to understand that Celia has chosen Aric as her mate and that she will marry him regardless of his unwanted and unnecessary sexual advances. Don't get me wrong. While I do like Misha as a friend, and an ally, he isn't mate material. If you want a character who is a sex buddy, well then Misha is available 24/7.

I'll be interested to see how she goes about resolving Taran's issues, (especially with Genevieve and Gemini) because man alive, this girl needs some serious anger management classes. I truly do feel unimaginable sorrow for this girl. Gone is the awesome, kickass, sarcastic character we saw before everything went sideways in A Cursed Bloodline. I want my Taran back! I also want more of Bren and Emme!

**I received this book for free from (Loveswept) via (NetGalley) in exchange for an honest review. Thank you!! This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.**

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