Review: Fun, Fast-Paced Novella
Rating: 3 out of 5
Date: 06 29, 2014
I really enjoyed Amanda Carlson's Aces Wild, the first novella in the Sin City Collectors series, and had high hopes for the second novella, Queen of Hearts, written by Kristen Painter. Unfortunately, I wasn't as engrossed in this novella as I was the first in the series.While I thoroughly enjoyed Claude and Jason and loved that the focus remained on unusual supernatural creatures (Claude is a rather unique feline shifter and Jason is a gargoyle), there was just something missing for me. I felt the connection between Claude and Jason and the plot surrounding their meeting was spot-on, I just felt a little let down.While I consider myself a huge fan of Ms. Painter's work in urban fantasy, I can't say it translated as well into romance. When I read romance, I'm looking for more than just chemistry and innuendo, I want smexiness and there was no smexiness to be found in Queen of Hearts. While fade to black scenes are common in urban fantasy, it just does not work for me in romance.All-in-all, Queen of Hearts was a fun, fast-paced read and I enjoyed learning more about the Sin City Collectors world. I just wish it had read more like paranormal romance instead of urban fantasy. That being said, I am more than a little intrigued by Ares and need more of him. Now.*COPY PROVIDED BY AUTHOR IN EXCHANGE FOR HONEST REVIEW*