Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake
Series: Broken Riders #1
Published by Berkley
Published on: October 4, 2016
Genres: Paranormal Romance
Pages: 304
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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The Riders are three immortal brothers who protect the mythical Baba Yagas. But their time serving the witches has ended—and their new destinies are just beginning...
Ever since a near-fatal mistake stripped Mikhail Day and his brothers of their calling to be Riders, Day has hidden from his shame and his new, mortal life in a remote cabin in the Adirondack mountains. But when a desperate young woman appears on his doorstep, he cannot resist helping her—and cannot deny how strongly he’s drawn to her...
For generations, women in Jenna Quinlan’s family have been cursed to give up their first born child to the vengeful fairy Zilya. When Jenna finds herself unexpectedly pregnant, she is determined to break her family’s curse and keep her baby, even if it means teaming up with a mysterious and charismatic man with demons of his own...
To unravel the curse, Jenna and Day will have to travel deep into the Otherworld. But the biggest challenge of the journey might not be solving an ancient puzzle but learning to heal their own broken hearts...
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Wickedly Dangerous was the first in this author’s Baba Yaga series. I read it and thoroughly enjoyed the whole thing. I never got around to reading the next two, however. When I saw this book on Net Galley for review and saw that it was a spin off of her Baba Yaga series, I knew I had to request it in exchange for a fair and honest review.
The spin off is a trilogy about the Riders from the Baba Yaga series. The Riders are three immortal motorcycle/magical horse riding Baba Yaga helpers.They are pretty much warriors and will come at a moments notice when called.Evidently, in the last book of that series, an evil Baba Yaga, manages to strip the Riders of their immortality and powers. This particular story is about Mikhail Day, the rider that feels like he caused the loss of their immortality. He has rented a house far away from everyone and is having a pity party of one, for the ages. Jenna Quinlan is single, pregnant-against huge odds-and on her own due to a creep of a boyfriend. When her car breaks down near Day’s house, he is pretty much forced to take her in due to horrible weather. He wants nothing to do with her. But Jenna is far from normal. Her family was cursed hundreds of years before by an evil fairy, and now each generation loses their first born to her. Jenna’s on a quest to figure out the riddle she’s been given to ward off the curse, once and for all. Of course Day ends up smack in the middle of the whole thing when the fairy shows up at this home.
Day is tortured by his memories of his abuse at the hands of the evil Baba Yaga, and at the loss of his brother’s friendship and camaraderie. He has not seen or tried to contact them since they were rescued. On Jenna’s part, she too is tortured, but by thoughts of losing her baby as she lost her brother to the fairy before she was born. She needs Day to help her, and although he doesn’t know it, he just needs her for everything in his life. There’s some chemistry between the two, but throwing in two almost obligatory sex scenes out of nowhere didn’t make sense to me.They were on a journey together, and had grown closer that’s true, but each time it’s like okay that’s done and then nothing for a time. Like it never happened, until the second time. And then nothing again, except for some angst from both of them in their thoughts.
Setting most of the story in the otherworld was mostly interesting as far as descriptions of everything. Three moons, night time coming when the Queen of the otherworld decides it should regardless of the time, strange, but interesting food all added to the story-until it didn’t. To be honest, I got bored and put the book down for at least a couple of weeks.The journey was slow, the problems encountered seemed too easily traversed, and aside from some of the good conversations between the two main characters, I just wanted to get on with it and for it to be over.
It could have been my mood of course. I had just read several books that were five star reads for me, and this one just fell short.I enjoyed the two main characters, loved getting caught up with the Baba Yaga and her family from the first book, and initially loved all the descriptions of the otherworld. And honestly I did like the premise. I just felt like it was an overly long journey and not so engaging for me by the time it was over. I apologize to the author if it truly was my mood, but it just wasn’t my favorite this time. I am sure there will be lots of others that are going to enjoy this one,but it just wasn’t for me.
I’m Lorna and I live in Maryland. Since retiring, I spend my time mostly reading and reviewing books. My favorite reads are Paranormal Romance, Urban Fantasy, and Young Adult. I read a lot of indie books in addition to traditionally published books. Favorite paranormal creature? Vampires, but I am really liking werewolves more everyday.
I have enjoyed the first two Baba Yaga but not gotten to the last one, but I love Mikhail! Even though it was as good as you hoped I think I need this one…lol. 🙂
I don’t blame you! I needed it too 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake (@Mollykatie112, @berkelypub)
I do have a soft spot for bikers and the supernatural elements just added to my curiosity. Also, what does Baba Yaga means?
Baba Yaga was a Russian fairy tale about an old crone/witch. In this series there are several in the world.The world building about it is pretty interesting!
Sorry this fell short, maybe the other two books will be better though? Wonderful honest review Lorna!
Thank you Ali. I really don’t like writing reviews that aren’t that great, especially when it might just be my mood.
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake (@Mollykatie112, @berkelypub)
Even though I haven’t read anything from her, I really do like Blake’s spin on lore – Riders being motorcycle riders – as well as how she did Baba Yaga. I’m sorry this one didn’t really trip your trigger. And even if it was your mood, you can’t help how a story affects you, or doesn’t, when you read it. You’re just being honest, which is what you’re supposed to be. I do get book hangovers affecting your next reads though – I always feel like any book I read after I finish a Kristen Ashley book suffers from the book hangover. 😉
Exactly! Just so many great books lately that I just had to put it down when it slowed for me.I did finish it though and did like a lot of things about it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake (@Mollykatie112, @berkelypub)
We cannot adore them all
This is very true!
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake (@Mollykatie112, @berkelypub)
Sometimes a book just doesn’t grab you or a mood happens. I think I enjoyed this one more than you, but I also found the middle lagged a bit and I was wanting it to get on with things. Maybe the next book will be more exciting. 🙂
Well I am glad I’m not the only one that felt that way about the middle. An possibly it was just my mood or a book hangover 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake (@Mollykatie112, @berkelypub)
Yea, I know how that goes. Sometimes it isn’t the right time. I do want to read it. You said Baba Yaga. I’m there. 😀
Melissa (Books and Things) recently posted…On My Wishlist: Spectacle by Rachel Vincent
I didn’t know the first thing about the Baba Yaga until these books. I take it that you do. Perhaps the next one will be better for me 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake (@Mollykatie112, @berkelypub)
Ugh, I am still waiting for book three of Baba Yaga on audio and then this one. Iam kind of bummed since I hoped this would be good. Maybe the audio will add more 🙁
kimbacaffeinate recently posted…Safe from Harm by Kate SeRine
It probably was just my mood. I will be interested on your take on it 🙂
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake (@Mollykatie112, @berkelypub)
Good to see you enjoyed being back in the Baba Yaga world, but a shame you didn’t Love this one. I bet all those that enjoyed the original series would enjoy a little more from the world they loved!
Naomi Hop recently posted…Beautiful by Christina Lauren ~ Review & Quote-tastic (@seeCwrite, @lolashoes, @SimonSchusterAU)
Oh, I am positive this book will have a lit if fans! And thank you!
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake (@Mollykatie112, @berkelypub)
Sorry to hear this one didn’t grab you as much as you hoped to. It’s hard to read a less good book after a 5 star read.
I do really like the idea of these series and plan to pick up the Baba Yaga series eventually.
Lola recently posted…Review: Jared by Alisa Woods
The Baba Yaga one I read was good, at least I thought so.So I can definitely recommend the first one of that series 🙂 Hope you get a chance to try one!
Lorna recently posted…Release Day Review: Dangerously Charming by Deborah Blake (@Mollykatie112, @berkelypub)