Tuesday, May 31, 2016

Review: Barely Breathing (Colorado High Country #1)

Blurb:
Lexi Jewell left Scarlet Springs twelve years ago, vowing never to return to the eccentric Colorado mountain town where she grew up. Now, here she is—over thirty, out of a job and with little choice but to move back in with her father. Lexi knows it’s just a matter of time before she runs into Austin Taylor, her first boyfriend and her first heartbreak. She’s determined to show him she’s over him—until he steps out of a pickup truck and back into her life, looking sexy as hell in his mountain ranger uniform.
As far as Austin is concerned, Lexi can turn her snazzy little convertible around and drive back to Chicago. After all, she ripped his teenage heart apart and turned her back on the town he loves. But from the moment he sees her again, he can’t get her out of his mind. Even her smile messes with his head.
When an evening of conversation turns into something else, Lexi and Austin agree to be friends again—with benefits. But as Lexi starts making plans to return to the big city, Austin realizes he’ll lose her a second time unless he can show her that what she’s searching for has been right here all along.
Themes: Contemporary
Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating:
Review:
A much beloved romantic suspense author has decided to try her hand at a new direction, taking readers into the small town of Scarlet Springs where the men are beyond gorgeous, the women are spunky and the weirdos have just the right amount of oddness to make life interesting.  I admit to being skeptical when I first heard about this because Pamela is just so good at writing her characters into overly intense and terrifying situations and I wondered if she could bring out the emotions in just everyday life, even as she made her men exciting, adventurous and still kind of dangerous.  But I was definitely proven incorrect in my fears! Pamela manages to keep the badass lifestyle of her hero, who while admittedly isn’t in the most deadly branch, is in fact a law enforcement official that finds himself in danger more than once. And that doesn’t even take into account what the crazy man does for fun! If you aren’t the type of person that enjoys climbing deadly rock faces and hanging from ropes 300 feet off the ground, a lot of the appeal and even some of the lingo will be lost on you, as it was me, but luckily Pamela included a glossary for those of us that have never even seen a rock gym in person. :)  All that being said, the important parts of Pamela’s past stories are still very much in evidence here.  Alpha heroes with just enough flaws to keep them human, heroines with an inner strength they never expected they had, and the love between two people that will transcend all issues that come up in their lives.  My only complaint was that the story was too short and I’m dying for the next already. 
Austin and Lexi have a past, one that has haunted them both for most of their adult lives, and when Lexi returns to their small hometown in Colorado to help her father neither of them expected their lives would collide once again.  Lexi has hit a serious speed bump in her professional life, and honestly doesn’t have much of a personal life anymore, so when her father and stepmother split up, she decides it’s time for a trip back home to help in the best way she can.  Austin was her first in every way, including her first heartbreak, and seeing him again is traumatic, especially when he is so cold and unwilling to even treat her with civility.  Austin can’t believe his eyes when he arrives to a dispatch call to find the girl who broke his heart a decade earlier standing on the side of the road.  His life has been much simpler without her, working as a Ranger, volunteering for the Search and Rescue team, and avid rock climbing in his free time, not to mention the women in his life are never allowed close enough to break him like she once did.  Now that she’s back the chemistry between them is still undeniable and as fate and friends throw them together again and again they both decide to throw caution to the wind.  But can two people that once meant so much to one another have a simple fling and then go their separate ways, or are they both just setting themselves up for an even bigger heartbreak?  And when Lexi finds herself in a truly dangerous situation will Austin be able to hold it together long enough to save her life to give them a chance to love one another?
I can honestly say that I loved both of these characters from the very beginning and just learned to like them more and more as the story evolved.  Lexi is obviously not the type of woman to let many people beat her up.  The only two men that have ever been able to truly hurt her are Austin and her father.  Seeing her take her stand against allowing her father to hurt her, getting herself away from that situation and deciding to let him fix his own mistakes in my opinion made her a better woman and daughter. She has grown so much since she made the awful choice that separated her from her lover, but that change in her will allow a truly deep and adult love to grow.  I also loved seeing how brave she was and willing to face fears to learn to embrace something so important to Austin and show she is willing to do what it takes to spend more time with him, and let’s be honest who doesn’t love a woman that wants to volunteer at a wildlife rescue?  Certainly not someone I would snub my nose at.  Austin, at first was a bit of an ass, but once he was able to get over his youthful hurts he shows readers just how good of a man he has become, making him a true match for Lexi.  His real sexiness is in how he cares for those around him, be they two or four legged (though we’d have to have a talk about his friendship with things that slither), and when he allows himself to care for Lexi again he becomes an even better man.  His friendships with his team members show a true ease of self and confidence that is very rare.  I enjoyed seeing him fall in love with Lexi again, even as his adventurous and playful side took them into some extremely sensual and fascinating experiences.  Gotta love a man that knows what he’s doing with ropes!
Barely Breathing is the type of contemporary romance that readers crave and will draw fans that might never have tried some of Pamela’s work that was marketed as romantic suspense.  While it lacks the constant life and death draw that some required, the excitement and action isn’t lacking in my opinion at all.   Lexi is a woman that has had to come home to find out that her place in the world was right where she began and with the man that always held her heart.  She has grown and changed and finding her place again in her hometown and even in her family was a journey that readers will enjoy taking with her.  Austin has to learn to let go of grudges in order to embrace the second chances that many of us never get and when he does he sees that life without Lexi might be worth living, but it’s certainly not as fulfilling or vital without her by his side. The passion and sensuality between Lexi and Austin jumps off the page from the very first moment they clap eyes on each other again, undeniable to those around them and certainly to the readers.  The drama, both physical and emotional, keeps the story from being too sappy or bland and there is no way that reader will be able to put this story down once they start it.  Pamela has blown me away again, with an all new world, and I cannot wait to learn more about the characters in this small Colorado town.  Her obvious love for her state and rock climbing shines through and you can feels true connection to her through her words and her characters. Thanks for proving me wrong Pamela and giving me another fabulous series to look forward to.  Now get your butt back in front of that computer and give us book 2! :D
*ebook provided by author (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Saturday, May 28, 2016

Review: Dark Alpha’s Demand (Reaper #3)

Dark Alpha’s Demand (Reaper #3)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:
There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I am coming for you...
My secret is an ancient one. I exist to exact vengeance on the Fae for their wrongs per Death's orders. When I’m sent as a spy to one of the most treacherous, deceitful places in any realm – the court of the Light Queen – things go awry. Neve captured my soul with just a look from her seductive gaze. She is who I want, who I crave…who I hunger for. But someone has set out to kill her – and expose me. I’ll destroy any man – human or Fae – who brings harm to her, for she is the light my soul can’t risk losing…


Themes:  Fae, Magick, Paranormal

Rating: 4 stars


Heat Rating: 

Review:
The battle between Death’s warriors and the male she once punished for breaking her rules is heating up and now the damage is spilling over into other worlds.  If you are a fan of Donna Grant and have read her Dragon Kings series you will recognize a few of the characters in Talin’s story, but if you haven’t grabbed up this series as well, I highly recommend you do so.  This series about the Reapers, the fae that make up Death’s somewhat small army is beyond intriguing, with all the passion you expect from Grant in a shorter format, just making everything even more intense for both the readers and the characters.  I always jump at the chance to read a Donna Grant novel and haven’t been disappointed in any of her work.  

Talin’s mission has taken him deep into the heart of the Light Fae kingdom, the Queen’s court, but his mission is only one of the reasons he keep returning.  Neve, a beautiful Light Fae, has captured him, body, heart, and soul, and he cannot stay away from her, even though he knows they have no future.  Being a Reaper Talin has accepted that he will never find a woman he can truly make his own, but there is no resisting the pull between Neve and himself.  But when that love puts her and her family in the path of the Reaper’s enemy, Talin will do whatever it takes to keep Neve safe, even though he knows it means giving her up and possibly forfeiting his life.  Once Neve understands the danger their love puts them in she has no regrets, even if that love is the end of them both, she wouldn’t give up her time with Talin for anything.  I loved meeting this new heroine, Neve, and was beyond thrilled to see another strong female kicking ass along with her male.  Neve was led by her heart when she started her relationship with Talin, but even after she learned the truth of him she didn’t walk away, unwilling to give up any time with him.  She was a lady in every sense of the word, but in the end her love and strength are what kept her safe and kept Talin from turning into the very thing they were all fighting.  Talin was one of those flawed heroes that we female readers love to meet.   He obviously knows that he will have to give up Neve but he can’t keep his hands off her and when she steal his heart there is no way he can protect her from the fallout of their relationship.  His willingness to do whatever it takes, for the good of all, shows that sometimes sacrificing one’s happiness, no matter how much it hurts, is what is required.  I like Talin quite a lot—though I was angry at him initially for putting Neve in danger—and it is obvious that loving Neve made him into a better man and warrior, giving him a reason to continue the endless war he can’t escape.   


If you are looking to escape into a world of magic, passion, sensuality, and love for an evening Dark Alpha’s Demand will be a wonderful choice, even if you haven’t been following along with the story.  Talin and Neve’s story of love conquering any enemy is one that I can see myself coming back to again and again.  I cannot wait to find out what happens next for these warriors and am looking forward to the next story. 
P.S. for those of you that are Dragon King fans, we get to see a lot more of Rhi is this story and learn a few interesting tidbits, but still the big secret remains just that, a secret I would kill to know!
*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Wednesday, May 25, 2016

Review: Her Fierce Warrior (X-Ops #4)

Her Fierce Warrior (X-Ops #4)

by Paige Tyler

Blurb:
Minka isn't sure she should trust the sexy Special Forces soldier who found her. Subjected to horrors, on the run from scientists set on locking her in a cage, Minka is terrified of the monster she's becoming...and somehow, Angelo is the only one who can calm the beast inside her and make her feel safe.
But can she trust the way he makes her feel when she's not even sure she can trust herself?
Themes: shifters, paranormal
Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating:
Review:
 I have read a lot of different types of shifter stories, varying from all kinds of reasons for their abilities, but Paige Tyler’s X-Ops series is one that is definitely unique in a lot of ways.  There is just enough science in it to keep my biologist heart happy, with some romance and action thrown into the mix there’s nothing more that is needed to make me happy.  I enjoy this series very much and this newest story was even more heartwarming while having some seriously sad moments.  Minka has just escaped from a torture that no human should ever have to suffer and that many of us, thankfully, could never understand.  She’s been turned into a monster and she is terrified of her future and circumstances.  Luckily for her Angelo and his team of sexy as hell spec ops guys are in the area and understand just what’s happening to her.  Angelo sweeps Minka into his arms and carries her away from danger (*swoon*), but soon finds that he might have put both of them into the line of an even deadlier enemy.  Angelo was the perfect hero, a man with a few flaws, but a truly giving heart and sweetness under his gruff exterior that was just what Minka needed to heal.  Seeing him in action as her protector and watching his interesting mind work through the drama they land in showed the intelligence, thoughtfulness, and bravery that are inherent in Tyler’s heroes.  Minka was a character I thought I would dislike because she was so timid in the beginning, but by the time she has accepted and learned to control her new power she becomes a favorite heroine, determined to help others in the same situation she found herself, while also trying to keep the love of her life safe and in her arms.  The chemistry and connection between Minka and her Angel  :) was off the charts and there was no doubt that if they both found a way to overcome their past traumas they would become a perfect couple.  I am intrigued by the little tidbit about one of the Angelo’s team members that Tyler slipped in subtly and I can see that becoming a VERY interesting story in the future, but I am anxiously awaiting whatever she chooses to write next.  If you’re looking for an intelligent and well thought out story ARC about sexy shifters and the men and women that steal their hearts you cannot go wrong with Paige’s X-Ops series. 

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Saturday, May 21, 2016

Review: Secret Pleasure (Bound Hearts #13)

Secret Pleasure (Bound Hearts #13)

by Lora Leigh

Blurb:
Once a member of the Sinclair men’s club as their honorary female member, Alyssa Hampstead broke one of the most important rules of the club and gracefully accepted Ian Sinclair’s request to leave.
For a reason.
Now, caught between two men she’s terrified of, and a father determined to destroy her, she turns to the only safety she’s ever known, that of the men’s club she forced herself to walk away from.
Only to learn that the very men she’s running from are awaiting for her there. And the man determined to destroy her, has just been waiting for her to return.
Themes: Ménage, erotica
Rating: 3.75 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
 Ok so to be honest I only requested this story because I’m a huge fan of Lora Leigh’s other series and I have read a few stories in this series, completely inadvertently, and I thought it would be a fun read.  While I enjoyed the story for the most part and the sensuality and sexiness of the main characters was definitely intense, the overall story was missing a lot of important facts and details for me.  Being that it is supposed to be a stand-alone novel, though part of a series, I felt there were a LOT of details missing about the “Club” and how Sebastian and Alyssa were involved in it.  While I recognized several of the side-characters that were part of the club, I read those stories so long ago that if Bastian or Alyssa were mentioned in them I just don’t recall, which left me a little frustrated and wanting explanation.  So I can imagine someone who’s never read any of the stories having the same problem. That being said, I loved the story revolving around the lovers even though it was often heartbreaking and had me crying in a lot of moments.  But to me that’s the sign of a great story so that’s why I’m willing to bump up the rating even with my little issue.  

The story covers a lot of years and brings together three lovers, before brutally tearing them apart, and then throwing them back together almost a decade later.  Alyssa was a character that I loved at times and hated at others;  while she knew that she needed to stand up for herself in her relationships, due to mommy issues, she takes it too far a few times with Bastian and Shane.  Watching her deal with true tragedy showed her as someone that really couldn’t handle the shit that can be thrown at us in life.  I get that she was broken for a long time, but it shouldn’t have taken the men returning to her life to make her fix herself.  Shane and Sebastian were both intensely sexual, alpha males that were not really ready for the love they found so early.  I understood the choices they made were all in the name of protecting the woman they loved, but I really wanted to castrate them a few times. Once they came back into Alyssa’s life and forced her to deal with them they became much more interesting characters.  With all the character love and hate moments, the trauma of their early relationship, and the tragedies they each had to face in the intervening time, it amazed me they were able to still love one another, but I guess the heart wants what the heart wants, and the soul deep connection between them was undeniable.  The sensuality in their story was of course off the charts, just as I’d expect from a Lora Leigh novel, but I would have loved a little more time for the lovers to relearn each other (in non-sexual ways) before they rediscovered their love.  So if you’re not afraid of some intense sexuality, crazy drama, tearing up a bit, and falling in love right along with the characters, give this book a whirl, just don’t try to follow the arc about the “club” too much or you’ll get frustrated.  Looking forward to the next story which will hopefully be Summer and Falcone, but we shall see.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Tuesday, May 17, 2016

Review: Highlander Redeemed (Guardians Of The Targe #3)

Highlander Redeemed (Guardians Of The Targe #3)

by Laurin Wittig 

Blurb:
Scotia MacAlpin may be only eighteen years old, but she’s no stranger to trouble. Her latest incident—which resulted in a death and forced her clan into battle—has made her an outcast among her exiled people. Scotia is tired of being ignored and overshadowed by her sister, a gifted Guardian of the Targe, and she’s become hell-bent on destroying the army out to capture the ancient Highland relic for their English king.
Duncan of Dunlairig has looked out for Scotia since she started to walk. She was as restless and reckless then as she is now—only the stakes have become higher and more perilous. While the rest of Clan MacAlpin ostracizes her, Duncan secretly helps Scotia become the warrior she yearns to be. But the real test of her skills may come when he needs her help—and her long-forgotten heart—in this thrilling and romantic Guardians of the Targe tale.
Themes: historical, highlanders
Rating: 3.25 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
 The full power of the highland targe has finally been unleashed in the most unexpected of ways and is wielded by the most unlikely of guardians. This series was one that I stumbled across cruising through available netgalley romances one day and I was intrigued.  While each story has had its own ups and downs I was especially looking forward to reading Scotia’s story just because I knew, somehow, that she would be the catalyst for great change, whether ultimately that change was good or bad I couldn’t have predicted.  Scotia’s story is one of a young girl finding her place in her clan and growing up finally, after years of letting her emotions rule her every decision and ultimately leading her into disaster after disaster.  Her recent losses have galvanized her, though, and she is determined to find a way to avenge those she has lost, even at the expense of her own life.  Luckily Duncan is there to mitigate her reckless nature and teach her the true meaning of being a guardian.  Scotia grows up slowly, but fully only when she realizes that Duncan’s love if a gift that she cannot risk for revenge and thankfully she grows up fast because the enemy is right on their doorstep when she finally realizes her true potential.  Her doubts and fears about joining her sister and cousin as a guardian of the Highland Targe have kept her from meeting her true potential but once she touches that place inside her she unleashes a formidable weapon that could have dangerous consequences if used recklessly.  Duncan was the kind of highlander I love to read about, subtle in his power, but sweet and determined to improve the circumstances of his clan members.  That quiet strength and sexiness was lost on Scotia for a good bit of the story, but thankfully he is steadfast in his love and finds a way to teach Scotia that a warrior is not a person hell-bent on killing those that affront them, but a person willing to sacrifice their own lives for the protection of others.  I was a little sad to see the end of this series, as it was always a sweet reminder of the simpler times when love was sweet and innocent, but I enjoyed reading Scotia’s story and seeing the Guardians come together with their men and their clan to defeat their enemies and make the highlands safe once again.  Great work, Laurin.

*ebook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Saturday, May 14, 2016

Review: Rocked by Love (Gargoyles #4)

Rocked by Love (Gargoyles #4)

by Christine Warren

Blurb:
Kylie Kramer knows that she's putting her life in danger when she decides to investigate her friend's mysterious death. What she doesn't know is that she's being watched over by a powerful protector. A legend in stone who has defended humanity throughout the ages. A rock-hard savior who swoops down from the sky, scoops Kylie into his impossibly strong arms, and draws her into a world that no mortal woman can imagine...or resist.
ROCKED BY LOVE
As the strongest of the gargoyles, Dag is sworn to destroy the demons that threaten Kylie's world before returning to his stony slumber. But the burning desire she ignites in him is even harder to fight-an all-consuming force that, once unleashed, can never be tamed. As their passion grows, so do the ranks of a demonic army plotting to take over the earth. When the ultimate battle begins, Dag and Kylie must face some demons of their own-to carve out a love that's stronger than time...


Themes: paranormal, witches, demons
Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
 The world of fiction has always been one that allows for readers to experience the fantasies that ease the daily struggles of life and teach subtle lessons about life, love, and the pursuit of happiness.  But honestly I never imagined I would fall so deeply in love with a series about ancient gargoyles coming to life and stealing the hearts of witches that are their destined mates.  Christine Warren manages the unimaginable though! I have loved this series since the very beginning and the more I read about these interesting men and the women that capture their hearts the more invested I become.  Her characters are so full of life and vivid that you find it hard to imagine she doesn’t actually know these characters in her real life.  Kylie was a mass of contradictions, sweet but sassy, loving but fierce and amazingly smart while being ignorant of her own worth to the world and those that love her.  Seeing her discover just how important she is to the world, and especially to Dag, was like watching a young wolf find her place in the pack.  And of course she found her mate in a strong and sexy alpha male that will always keep her safe while allowing her to grow and develop into the woman she is fully meant to be.  Dag was an odd duck from the beginning.  He knew there was a connection between himself and kylie from the first moment he glimpsed her, but he denies his attraction and desire because of his cynical belief that mates are a thing of fiction, even though three of his fellows found their mates in the women that woke them from their centuries long naps.  But once he accepts the truth there is no stopping him—especially once he decides to really turn up the seduction of his woman.  The chemistry between these two is off the charts and the love that develops is one that I can see lasting through the ages.  The overall arc of the demons rising and the war coming closer to home for these couples was interesting and exciting, but I cannot wait to see these good guys really stick it to the villains in coming novels.  Christine Warren is one of my favorite authors (Just LOVE her Others series) and this series about gargoyles, against all odds, has become one of my favorites.  Wondering just who’s love will come next and where they will be awakening the next Guardian. Keep the hits coming Christine!

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Wednesday, May 11, 2016

Review: Coming Back (Ink & Chrome #3)

Coming Back (Ink and Chrome #3)

by Lauren Dane

Blurb:
Arriving back in Seattle after five years, Jessilyn Franklin is done pretending she didn't want two men. She's done letting anything stop her from being with Adam and Mick, now back from the war and working at Twisted Steel, a custom hot rod and motorcycle shop. One night changes everything, but their relationship must strengthen to weather the storms they'll face as they make their way back to one another.
Themes: Contemporary, Ménage
Rating: 3.75 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
 So the final bad boy of the Ink and Chrome trio has found his HEA.  It has been a long time coming for Mick and Jessi… AND Adam. I was a little bit surprised by this series in that in the beginning I thought it was just going to be an edgier than normal contemporary romance series, but as the stories progressed the series became darker and more erotic, more reminiscent of what I expect from Lauren Dane and I was thrilled by this progression.  The previous two novels in the series were sexy, edgy, and beyond amazing, and I was so thrilled to learn that this book was veering even more off the mainstream and into a triad romance.  You don’t see too many of these with the sexy alpha heroes being bisexual and the triad all being in love with one another. I have enjoyed learning about Mick gradually through his friends stories, but have been waiting impatiently for Mick’s story to finally arrive.  That being said I was just the tiniest bit disappointed, to be honest.  I enjoyed the story immensely, don’t get me wrong, but I suppose having them jump right back into each other’s arms, without truly talking about all their problems and the reasons they were apart for five years was a bit abrupt for my tastes.  Mick was a great character, one that has accepted his mistakes, and to the best of his ability has grown past those issues, but in many other ways he is in serious need of grounding and support.  Jessi was obviously one of those women that are too optimistic to ever let anything stand in her way.  I could see she was the perfect mate for both Adam and Mick, but it would have been nice to see a bit more depth in her.  Adam on the other hand was a bit of an ass sometimes, making decisions for both his lovers, good decisions yes, but leaving them out of those decisions is never a way to build a life together.  Thankfully all three of them find just what they are looking for to complete themselves in their two lovers, making them truly a loving triad.  Obviously none of them could ever have a relationship without the third of their group—there is no Mick and Jessi, Jessi and Adam, or Mick and Adam; Simply Jessi, Mick, and Adam.  I am glad that these three find a way to be together despite everything between them, their families trying to pull them apart, and the traumas they have all faced in the past.  The Ink and Chrome guys truly are a family and I wish the series were continuing and we could see some of the other of their friends finding love, but my understanding is this is the end.  Another fabulous series from one of my favorite edgy and sensual authors. 

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

Review: Brave the Heat (The McGuire Brothers #1)

Blurb:
The only fire he can't put out...
Jordan McKenna is back in town, and Fire Chief Gavin McGuire's feelings when he sees her after all these years are as raw as the day she left. Then he was just a kid wearing his heart on his sleeve. Now he spends every day trying to atone for the tragedy he couldn't prevent.
Is the torch he carries for her
Jordan's life has not exactly worked out the way she expected. A divorced mother of two with a failed acting career, Jordan's biggest concern about coming back to Old Brookfield was seeing her first love. But when a series of suspicious fires breaks out, Jordan and Gavin realize that dealing with the sparks between them may be the least dangerous of their problems.
Themes: Contemporary
Rating: 3.5 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
 A new series begins with a flash…fire! One of my favorite authors has begun a new series about a small town family of crazy sexy men, beginning with a firefighter that lost the love of his life when he was a teenager and now he has a second chance.  But nothing is ever as easy as it seems.  Gavin and Jordan were best friends all their childhoods and then became lovers as teens, but when Jordan ran off she broke Gavin’s heart and when she comes back to town, with her young daughters, Gavin has no intentions of forgiving her, much less rekindling the flame, but she is just too irresistible.  I loved Gavin, even though at times he tried so hard to insulate himself from the love Jordan obviously wanted to share with him.  He was a strong character, if a wounded hero, and he captured my heart right along with Jordan’s.  I really loved seeing him fighting fires, even when tragedy strikes and he uses it as an excuse to try to push Jordan away.  Jordan was a character that I had to warm up to, but once I understood the full story of why she made her decisions, and the obvious consequences she was forced to deal with, I perfectly understood her.  She is a good mom, a woman finally finding her strength, and a compassionate woman that will do whatever she needs to do to get her man back.  I am looking forward to reading the next book in the series and meeting more of Gavin’s brothers.  With all the small town heart, sweet love of two people finding each other again, and heart-rending tragedy that is a part of truly living, Sara Humphreys hits your heart with the emotional impact of an asteroid but leaves you with the soft glow of a banked fire with the forever love between her lovers. Another hit Sara, can’t wait for what’s next.

*eARC provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Wednesday, May 4, 2016

Review: Hunted by Darkness (Darkness #4)

Hunted by Darkness (Darkness #4)

by Katie Reus

Blurb:
From two different worlds…
Now that she’s escaped her oppressive family, Nyx is enjoying her new life and friends—even if most of her friends don’t know who or what she is. As a rare demigod, she’s just learning how powerful she truly is, but family drama turns her world upside down, throwing the one man she cares about into danger.
He wasn’t supposed to fall for her…
Nyx is nothing like the females half-demon Bo Broussard has been with. Sweet and innocent, she’s not even remotely his type. But the moment she walks into his bar, he knows he’s not letting her go. Unfortunately someone from her past thinks they can force her into an arranged marriage.
He’s not letting her go…
Someone is targeting one of them, and Bo doesn’t know why. When they’re thrown into a hell realm together, he and Nyx will need to band together if they want to survive the perils of that world. No matter who was behind the attack, his choice is clear. Defend Nyx at all cost and make her his forever.
Themes: shifters, vampires, gods, demons, paranormal
Rating: 4.5 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:
The strange and enthralling series revolving around a group of paranormals that shouldn’t ever be friends, but inexplicably find lasting links, returns with a story about two vastly different but obviously perfect for each other individuals.  This series has taken very interesting turns, introducing wonderful characters from all corners of the paranormal world.  From wolf shifters, to dragons, vampires, witches, demons, and even demi-gods, this group, located in Biloxi, MS of all places is an odd but strong-knit group that seems to find a lot of trouble at every turn.  This newest installment is the story of Nyx, a demi-god with some Faerie thrown in for fun, and Bo, a half demon that is as surprisingly good as he is bad.  Ever since the moment Bo met Nyx he knew she was his mate, but he has held back from her because of her obvious innocence and sweetness, despite the obviously intense mutual attraction, but when her family places her in the middle of a dangerous situation, he won’t allow her to deal with it alone.  Luckily for Nyx, because she finds herself thrown into a dangerous and unknown alternate world where the only way to stay alive is to trust Bo.  Bo was an odd duck to be sure; he’s a half-demon, but his intentions are mostly good and he obviously cares deeply for his friends.  And that’s to say nothing of his immense love for his mate, whether he can accept the need to have her by his side of not.  He is a bit of an ass a lot of the time, but being a half-demon that has become known as a playboy and all around fun-times guy has maybe made him just a smidge arrogant.  Nyx has never felt the kind of attraction Bo causes, but she knows that she wants him despite his reputation, but she refuses to deal with his hot and cold routine.  I loved Nyx!  She was a strong leading lady, just what Bo needed to counter his arrogance and alpha nature.  She might seemed meek in the beginning, but by the time her adventure is over Nyx won’t let anyone put her in danger anymore and, after a few bumps along the way, she won’t let anything or anyone stand between her and her man.  I am really enjoying this series and look forward to where it will go next and what new creatures will fall in love.  The mixing and matching of species in these fated mates reminds be beautifully of the Kresely Cole Immortals After Dark series, so if you are a fan of hers I recommend giving this series a try.  I guarantee you won’t regret falling in love with Katie’s crazy characters and inventive storylines.  Keep the hits coming, Katie!

*eBook provided by publisher (via netgalley) for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.