MINI REVIEWS #2 - VAMPIRES OF EL NORTE, RAIDERS OF THE LOST HEART, & DONE AND DUSTED

 

I haven't done many reviews on here lately and I am trying to change that so I will be starting off with some mini reviews of a few books that I've read recently. Only one of these was a five star read but I have quite a bit to say on all of them. 

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Vampires of El Norte by Isabel Canas

★★★★ 

As the daughter of a rancher in 1840s Mexico, Nena knows a thing or two about monsters-her home has long been threatened by tensions with Anglo settlers from the north. But something more sinister lurks near the ranch at night, something that drains men of their blood and leaves them for dead. Something that once attacked Nena nine years ago. Believing Nena to be dead, Nestor has been on the run from his grief ever since, moving from ranch to ranch working as a vaquero. But no amount of drink can dispel the night terrors of sharp teeth; no woman can erase his childhood sweetheart from his mind. When the United States attacks Mexico in 1846, the two are brought abruptly together on the road to war: Nena as curandera, a healer striving to prove her worth to her father so that he does not marry her off to a stranger, and Nestor as a member of the auxiliary cavalry of ranchers and vaqueros. But the shock of their reunion-and Nena's rage at Nestor for seemingly abandoning her long ago-is quickly overshadowed by the appearance of a nightmare made flesh. And unless Nena and Nestor work through their past and face the future together, neither will survive to see the dawn. (Summary from Goodreads)

This was a historical fiction book mixed with horror that was set in historical Mexico, with a commentary on class, gender and race hierarchies. But I think the love story between two people who were working to overcome both societies pressures and expectations as well as the vampires who threaten their home. Nena and Nestor were both such well written characters and their povs gave such an in depth look into them and their feelings. Nena and Nestor are separated for nine long years when Nestor leaves after thinking Nena is dead. But she isn't. Nestor turns to a life of debauchery in an attempt to drown his sorrows, while Nena trains as a healer. After the Anglos bring a full-scale war to Mexico, the two unexpectedly reunite but Nena is furious with him for leaving her and doesn't want to forgive him. 

The book alternates between loving romance and terrifying horror, in a way that is perfectly balanced.  Isabel Canas also draws parallels between the fictional creatures of horror and the real life terrors of war, due to the book taking place during the Mexican-American war. The book was moving and it was especially moving to see the growth of all the characters but especially of Nena who grows into a woman that is determined to stand up to those telling her who she should be. The book was a great introduction for me to Isabel Canas' writing and I can't wait to pick up her first book: The Hacienda, and any other books she writes. 

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Raiders of the Lost Heart by Jo Segura 

★★★★★

Archaeologist Dr. Socorro "Corrie" Mejia has a bone to pick. Literally. It's been Corrie's life goal to lead an expedition deep into the Mexican jungle in search of the long-lost remains of her ancestor, Chimalli, an ancient warrior of the Aztec empire. But when she is invited to join an all-expenses-paid dig to do just that, Corrie is sure it's too good to be true...and she's right. As the world-renowed expert on Chimalli, by rights Corrie should be leading the expedition, not sharing the glory with her disgustingly handsome nemesis. But Dr. Ford Matthews has been finding new ways to best her since they were in grad school. Ford certainly isn't thrilled either-with his life in shambles, the last thing he needs is a reminder of their rocky past. But as the dig begins, it becomes clear they'll need to work together when they realize a thief is lurking around their campsite, forcing the pair to keep their discoveries-and lingering attraction-under wraps. With money-hungry artifact smugglers, the Mexican authorities, and the lies between them closing in, there's only one way this all ends-explosively.  (Summary from Goodreads)

Raiders of the Lost Heart is a book that I barely see talked about online. It is a romance book that is such a fun time with two rival archeologists who have been rivals for years. Corrie's life goal was to lead an expedition into the Mexican jungle in search of the long-lost remains of an ancient warrior of the Aztec empire. She is sure it's too good to be true when she is invited to join an all-expenses-paid dig to do just that. And she's definitely right. I definitely did not expect to have such a fun time reading this, between the characters bickering and the adventure, this was such a fun time. 

The author also was very respectful and sensitive to the different cultures and customs of the ancient peoples that were discussed.  The book discuses a lot about how hard Corrie has to work due to her being in an academic field dominated by men, and how she's often not invited to express her opinions on the subject and isn't taken seriously. Despite all of this, Corrie really is a fierce heroine who won't let anything stand in the way of her goals. This book was so fun and I highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for a fun adventure romance.

 

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Done and Dusted by Lyla Sage

★★

She's off-limits, but he's never been good at following the rules. For the first time in her life, Clementine "Emmy"" Ryder has no idea what she's doing. She's accomplished everything on her to-do list. She left her small hometown of Meadowlark, Wyoming; went to college; and made a career for herself by doing her favorite thing: riding horses. But after an accident makes it impossible for her to get back into the saddle, she has no choice but to return to the hometown she always wanted to escape. Luke Brooks is Meadowlark's most notorious bad boy, bar owner, and bachelor. He's also the unofficial fifth member of the Ryder family. As Emmy's older brother's best friend, Luke spent most of his childhood antagonizing her. It's been years since he's seen her, but when she walks into a bar and back into his life, he can't take his eyes off her. Despite his better judgment, he wants to do a whole lot more than just look at her. Emmy's got too much on her mind to think about romance. And Luke knows he should stay away from his best friend's younger sister. But what if Luke is just what Emmy needs to get her spark back? Or will they both go up in flames? (Summary from Goodreads)

Done and Dusted is a very popular book in the online book community and is many people's favorites. Unfortunately, I did not end up liking this one. I will preface this review by saying that I have enjoyed cowboy romances in the past so this one was just the odd one out for me.  The female main character was the best part about this book. She had ADHD and dealt with panic issues, which is a disability that I don't see often showcased in romance books. I love how Emmy, the main character, was so real and could show she wasn't perfect but was also such a badass. I also really liked the friendship between Emmy and her best friend Teddy. 

My main issue with this book was Emmy and Luke's relationship. For a romance book, there was no chemistry between the two main characters. It was also pretty much insta love which was really boring and didn't make for a good romance. I feel like the author took a lot of inspiration from the Chestnut Springs series by Elsie Silver and tried to make it similar but it fell flat. Overall, I was just expecting a lot more from this book especially with how popular it is.