3.5 starI haven't read the first three Dark Forgotten but I don't think it necessary to read them in order coz they're not really a World-built. It's just our own universe but with vampires, werewolves and hellhounds...It was good but it didn't hold my interest to the end. Somewhere along the middle, I was bored with the events and the love story too. It's an other thing that bothered me ; during the sex scenes I wasn't feeling the connexion between Lore & Talia. It wasn't not believable , cold or something like that but there wasn't intensity. And intensity, deep emotions and stong feelings is something that's really important to me when I read this kind of books. There must be some kind of conflict or obstacle before the couple gets their Happy Ever After to keep me interest till the end. The name of the city (Fairview) seems ridiculous for a world where there's all sorts of dangerous creatures. It remind me of a name they could use in a Tv Soap. But that's just a tiny details, it's not a reason I didn't enjoy it but I still think this is silly. Lore & Talia was good characters but still, just good is not enough in my standard. I read a lot so I want characters that will stand out from the others, that I'll still remember in some years from now, you know, the kind of character you love so much you wish you were them or at least their friend. I liked that chapters being with the "voice" of a radio host, talking to the listeners/readers about topics related to the events in the book. It was kinda like the XOXO's girl in Gossip Girls but about people with fangs and horns. But the fact I haven't a lot of positive things to say about the book speak for itself. Review of Frostbound by Sharon Ashwood4 out of 5“So the question is, ghouls and girlies, what about interspecies romance? If we drop the masks and give our sad little monster hearts away, will anyone respect us in the morning? If we show them our true selves, will anyone be left alive?”Talia Rostova is in a whole lot of trouble. She has run away from her sire, been kicked out of her family of Hunters for becoming a vampire and is the number one suspect in her cousin Michelle’s murder, which she thinks was actually meant for her. With no friends or family left, it’s up to her to solve Michelle’s murder and bring them to justice before her past or the police can catch up with her.Lore is King of the Hellhounds and is acting sheriff of Spookytown, a neighborhood of Fairfield, while the current sheriff is on vacation. With an upcoming election the town of Fairfield, which could elect the first vampire to office, is swarming with the Undead and a mysterious dark presence. On top of that Lore is being pressured from his pack to choose a mate and the only woman he has his eye on is the forbidden vampire Talia. When Lore learns of Michelle’s murder he takes Talia hostage, handcuffing her to his bed, until he can discover if she’s to be trusted or if she’s a cold killer. With the one woman he desires in his bed, unruliness from his pack and a town going crazy Lore has more then he can handle and a whole lot of questions to solve.Why has no one told me about this series??? The Dark Forgotten series, Frostbound is book number four, is absolutely amazing and I can’t believe more paranormal romance readers aren’t running to their bookstore or computer to buy it. After reading just the first three chapters I went on my kindle and bought the first three books because I just knew that I was going to love this book. Even though this is a book in a series is can defiantly be read as a stand alone book. You will have no problem at all figuring out what is going on especially since there is a little narration that starts every chapter in the disguised as a radio personality talking to viewers. Little things like that made this book so good and also so different from all the other paranormal romance books out there right now.There are a lot of little side stories that occur but through them we get a much better understanding of what’s previously happened and also they help you get to know Lore and Talia better which is always a plus in my book. I’m a details junkie and to believe in two characters falling in love in three days I need you to prove it to me. Lore is such a great character and a major alpha which just makes him so much hotter. He has always had a crush on Talia since she moved into his building but because pack only mate with pack he has had to keep his distance. After he takes her hostage all bets are off and the chemistry between the two is sizzling. He soon discovers Talia is not the killer he suspected she might be and sets off to help her find Michelle’s murder and the dark presence that is lurking over the town. It does take some time for the romance to develop between these two and about 200 pages for a sex scene. Usually I would be like “Come on all ready” but I surprisingly entertained enough that I didn’t even notice or care.There are two villains in this book and without giving much away they are both evil and both want Talia dead. They go through a lot of trouble to try to make this happen but it does make for a lot of awesome suspenseful fight scenes. I loved that I knew why the villains acted as they did and why they wanted Talia dead so badly. I feel in a lot of books villains are evil just because and it’s left at that. Besides the villains there are also some side characters and they are awesome and I hope each one gets there own book. They helped provide a lot of back story, details and helped Lore and Talia come together as a couple.A side from fighting the two villains Lore is majorly pressured to take a mate by his pack. Even though Lore and Talia have great chemistry, really care for each other and fight well together because she is a vampire she cannot be his mate according to pack law. This part of the book really broke my heart. I felt so bad for Talia because all she wants is to be loved and be part of a family and once again being a vampire has made that impossible. Lore on the other refuses to give her up and refuses to let his pack tell him what to do. He is the king and alpha for a reason and uses this to try to make things right between them. Lore made this story for me and he has defiantly become on of my favorite alpha men. The romance in this book is very subtle until the end when things are coming to a conclusion. I really liked that things between Talia and Lore weren’t forced and they took there time to feel each other out before they jumped into bed together. I loved everything tied together so perfectly and nothing felt forced.I had a hard time rating this book. If I could give it a four and a half I would and I struggled between a four or a five. The only reason went with four and not a five was of the subject of Lore’s mortality. Hellhounds die, reincarnate and according to Lore always remember their mate’s scent so they can be rejoined. I guess this means Talia gets to watch Lore grow old, die and then wait around for him to be reborn, grow up and find her all over again. I didn’t really get this and I think that would be really horrible to have to watch your mate die and then wait around for him to come back, grow up and find you. Plus when he comes back he wouldn’t be Lore and he would be a completely different Hellhound. I guess I always want a happily ever after and if Lore’s going to die and Talia’s going to be alone until he come back as someone else it just doesn’t sit right with me. This was the only problem with the book and because there is a possibility that something could change with Lore’s mortality in a later book I’m not going to worry about it.This book is one of the best I’ve read all year and I wish I had known about it sooner. It sucks you in from the first chapter and will keep you up reading late into the night. I actually had to force myself to put it down. Great plot, great characters, great love story and a great new take on all things Undead.
What do You think about Höllenherz (2000)?
Another great one by Ashwood... I found it fast paced and engaging throughout! Keep them coming!
—Nick
Definitely my favorite of the series. A fun read. Review coming soon.
—Ale7gg
Lore is awesome! I loved this book! Can't wait for the next one.
—mila
