Review: RELIABLE ESCAPISM- sweet, but basic
Rating: 4 out of 5
Date: 03 27, 2011
NO SPOILERS or plot summaries. Recommendations included.HIGH LEVEL: Book 1 of a shifter-focused paranormal romance with Pumas. Writing is light and fun. Characters are not very deep, but still appealing. Magic is understated with the emphasis on the dual nature of the shifters and the significance of finding a mate. This is a fast read- what you see is what you get. Nothing too intense.PLOT: Very basic. This is a subgenre that traditionally doesn't have complicated plotlines and this one doesn't stray far from the norm. Still, it does what it is supposed to. This is a NOVELLA, so be prepared for things to move a little faster than is reasonable. There isn't much adjustment time for Max to court Emma, Emma to accept the idea of shifters and becoming one and the plot to resolve itself. It would have been better if there was more to it. One complaint, the "claiming" was completely unreasonable in its suddenness and lack of explanation- and then the response was disproportionately low.CHARACTERS: Like watching an episode of "Friends," this story presents a few fun personalities with a little history and plenty of potential for ongoing mischief. Max seems like a genuinely nice, well rounded guy, if a little self-centered. Emma is a spunky, full-figured chick. Her virgin state was a little too far-fetched for me and, frankly, I'm getting a little annoyed with the prevalence of this particular point in para-romance. Maybe there are more virgins out there than I thought...BOTTOM LINE: This is perfect if you are in the mood for a little shifter fun. Not too heavy, no real violence, a little lust, a little humor.RECOMMENDATIONS:1. Vivian Arend'sWolf Signs: Granite Lake Wolves, Book 1fun, light were-romance series2. Vivian Arend'sTidal Wave: Forces of Nature, Book 1- a light, lusty read with frolicking dolphins3. R.G. Alexander's steamy vampire/were/witch romance series:Regina in the Sun (Children of the Goddess)(more erotic than this)4. Dana Marie Bell'sDare to Believe (The Gray Court)- sexy, humorous para-romance with all manner of fae: Sidhe, dragons, leprechauns, vampires and more.5. Kresley Cole's adventurous  and intricate magical romance series (never mind the ridiculous title):A Hunger Like No Other (Immortals After Dark, Book 1)6. Jacquelyn Frank'sJacob (The Nightwalkers, Book 1)- demons, were, vamps and other fae finding their better halves in races that should be the enemy7. Renee Michaels' sexually adventurous, but basic werewolf romanceHer Chosen Wolf: The Were Chronicles, Book 1(more erotic than this)8. Moira Rogers' basic werewolf romance series:Cry Sanctuary: Book 1 of Red Rock Pass series9. Moira Rogers' magically diverse romance seriesCrux: Southern Arcana, Book 1