Review: Darkness Rising (Darkness #9)

Darkness Rising (Darkness #9)

by Katie Reus

Blurb:

When a bringer of death…

Awakened after millennia, dragon warrior Reaper is ready to fulfill his destiny…until he sees Greer. With one glimpse, everything Reaper has ever known throughout his very long life is irrevocably changed. Greer’s his mate, he feels it in his blood, in his soul—but convincing her is another matter. The dragon clan healer finds him obnoxious and annoying, but he knows a woman’s interest when he smells it. And Greer smells like one word: mine.

Meets a giver of life…

Greer has spent hundreds of years using her healing abilities for the good of others, making her the polar opposite of Reaper. The ferocious war general may be an ancient, but his arrogance proves he hasn’t spent any of that time learning about women. Greer is displeased when her Alpha sends her to New Orleans with the insufferable warrior—then she sees him in action against a menace threatening to tear the city apart. Fierce, protective, magnificent…mate-worthy. Except he’s hiding something from her. Something dark and devastating that could destroy their newly forged bond. Maybe opposites do attract, but if they want to live long enough to find out, they’ll first have to save the world teetering on the brink of obliteration.

Themes:  Paranormal, Shifters, Dragons

Rating: 4.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Sparks fly in this action crazy finale to a series that has been filled with ups and downs, as a healer and warrior find a way to cope with their fate as mates. Fans of this series have watched again and again as Ms. Reus created magic and pulled us into the lives of these characters and made us fall in love right along with the individuals that were the focus of each new story.  This final story has a lot of changes for the world and there is so much going on that one might expect that the love between Greer and Reaper takes a backseat but that just wasn’t the case here.  Greer has gone through a lifetime of drama and is finally free from having a domineering man trying to control her life and she is in no hurry to allow the alpha warrior to sink his claws into her life much less her heart and soul, despite her inner beast crying out for him.  Reaper doesn’t understand the gentle woman that has been proclaimed his mate, but he is willing to fight tooth and claw for her so that he has a chance to keep her for eternity.  There is no denying that the have a lot of personal challenges to face in this story, but the fact that they come together to keep the world safe and improve the lives of those around them is the real magic of this story.  I loved every second of reading Greer and Reaper’s love story and getting to know these two characters was an amazing experience.  Greer was a sweet woman with a backbone of steel and she was more than woman enough for Reaper, once she decided that she wanted him, but I loved seeing her in action as she worked with their team to keep those around them safe when the shit began to hit the fan.  Reaper is a badass, straight up, but it was hilarious to watch him deal with woman troubles and navigating the pitfalls of his new relationship, while trying to maintain that image.  The passion between Reaper and Greer was undeniable and their inner beasts certainly added fuel to the fire, but my personal favorite moments were watching them truly mesh together into a strong team, showing their devotion and ability to overcome all obstacles and have a beautiful eternity together.  While I was terribly sad to find out this series is ending, I know that Katie always has something amazing waiting for us in the wings and I am looking forward to whatever comes next, though I of course will have a special place in my heart for any wolf shifters she might send us! 😉

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

ARC Mini-Review: An Island Wedding (Heart of Fame #10)

An Island Wedding: A Heart of Fame Reunion Story (Heart of Fame #10)

by Lexxie Couper 

Blurb:

It all started with Rock-God, Nick Blackthorne...

A Heart of Fame Reunion Story

After many years, rock star Josh Blackthorne is finally marrying the woman he loves on the tropical island resort of Bandicoot Cove.

The guest list is small but insanely famous—Hollywood stars, rock stars, a legitimate British knight, international sport stars—and deeply intimate. Yes, this wedding is going to shake the world.

And then the father of the groom, in typical Nick Blackthorne style, goes and does something no-one could have predicted...

Get ready for the looooooong-overdue Heart of Fame reunion...just in time for Christmas.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Longtime fans of the Blackthorne Family have been given an amazing early holiday gift with this short reunion story.  I have followed this family from the very first novella when Nick Blackthorne appeared and we got to meet the arrogant sexy rock star and getting to see all of the extended family and family friends come together in this time of celebration and see all that has happened was a fun experience.  For anyone that hasn’t read all of the stories, you might be a little lost, but to be honest this story isn’t for you guys, this truly is a gift from Lexxie to her most loyal readers that have been along for this amazing ride.  Josh and Caitlin’s wedding was the perfect reason for everyone to come together for the holidays, but with all of these different characters combined you had to know there was going to be a ton of craziness. Nick steals the show a bit but in the end this story really is about the hard-learned lessons and long-earned rewards of a man that once lost the love of his life and has had to work hard to prove that he was changed man in order to deserve his second chance at life.  With lovers and friends, family and guests all combined into the most amazing party of the decade, the Blackthornes steal the show and our hearts one last time in the wedding to end them all with lots of little surprises and laughs and tears along the way. I loved seeing everyone come back and reminisce about their own love stories, relive their pasts and appreciate how far they have come in their loves and lives.  It is obvious that without Nick, his struggles, and his courage to overcome his fear, all of these couples would never have come together and found their happiness and this story reminds us once again how one man can truly change the lives of so many.  Embrace love folks, because love if the most important part of life and we have no idea how important or how long those lives will be.  I was sad to see this series end and getting this little bit of a reunion was awesome, but I had a few tears as I said goodbye once again.  I am looking forward to whatever comes next for Lexie and wonder if we might have another amazing series like this to kick off an all new world.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

ARC Review: Three Dog Night (The Dogmothers #2)

Three Dog Night (The Dogmothers #2)

by Roxanne St. Claire

Blurb:

Alex Santorini puts his family first and foremost, and that's going to keep him behind the grill at the family restaurant for the rest of his life, especially if his Greek grandmother has anything to say about it. But when a local winery needs a chef to step in to cook for a celebrity wedding, Alex jumps at the opportunity to showcase his culinary skills...and a chance to get closer to the winery owner who has captivated - and refused - his attention.

Grace Donovan is in a bind and knows that the answer to all her problems is one sexy Greek chef who has everything she needs...and everything that scares the hell out of her. Raised in a series of ever-changing foster homes, Grace has spent her life using science and logic to surround herself with protective walls. With all his passion and intensity, Alex could burn those walls down and, like everyone else in her life, leave her broken and alone.

As Alex and Grace join forces to land the wedding of the year, they also launch a search for the mother of a three puppies abandoned at the winery...only to discover a shocking connection to Grace's own mother and her shadowy past. When the truth comes out, their romance faces its greatest test. Will Grace choose the family she's wanted her whole life...or the love she may never find again?

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The Dogmothers are back with a new plan for love and new victims to work their magic on.  I have been looking forward to this one for a while because I am a cook and I knew that there would be lots of my favorite things in this novel—animals, love, and of course FOOD! Roxanne St. Claire has been a favorite author of mine for many years, but when she began this series revolving around an Irish family and their animals I knew I was instantly going to be a lover.  As the series has evolved into something so much more than any of her readers ever imagined it could be, I have become even more enamored with the Kilcannons and their extended family.  This newest edition focuses on the Santorini branch of the family and one of the sexy twins as he finally goes after the woman that has challenged and intrigued him for a while.  Of course there are three sweet and adorable puppies that play a leading role in the story, but the focus remains the magic of two people overcoming their fears and hang-ups to find love and a chance at a future neither of them ever imagined.  I am looking forward to whichever of the Santorini or Mahoney clan are next on the list for the Dogmothers and I cannot wait for that story to land on my kindle for my reading pleasure. If you haven’t yet given the Dogmothers (or Dogfather) series a chance, this is a good story to jump in on, and I highly recommend you jump in as soon as possible, just know you will be ready to start back at the beginning and binge read the entire series for days—guaranteed.

 Alex has been watching Grace ever since he met her, determined to capture, and hopefully hold, her attention long enough to ask her out.  She draws him like no woman has in a long time and he knows that they would be an intense experience.  Grace on the other hand is determined to avoid the sexy Greek chef at all costs Even to the point of being rude, because she knows that she can’t handle the passion and emotion that he lives his life by. She is going to protect herself no matter what, but when her professional world begins to unravel, there is no one else that can keep her together.  Alex offers his help for Grace’s dilemma because he wants her to achieve her goals, but he also knows that it is his chance to spread his wings professionally.  As they work together on the event of their professional careers, a decades old secret to Grace’s past begins to come to light and they are just as determined to uncover the truth of Grace’s life.  But as they get closer to one another the emotions that Grace has tried so hard to hide from her whole life become undeniable and she has to decide if she is willing to risk the pain of loss so that she can have a chance at a life with the only man that has ever inspired the kind of love that she has always wanted for herself.

Grace and Alex were an intense and interesting couple to get to know.  They were both guarded in their own ways but the connection between them and their needs to be the best for one another and for their goals showed how truly matched they were.  Alex has been on a roller coaster the last few years as his family changed and adapted to the changes that were thrown at them, but he is stagnating in his professional life and needs to find his way back.  He desires Grace for herself but also for the chance she can offer him to expand his goals and show off his skills as a chef and she inspires him to be the best he can be when he stops hiding.  I loved seeing Alex working to pull out all the stops in his food and show off for his clients and his woman, but the best moments were when he shows Grace how family is meant to be and that she can be a part of his if she lets herself.   Alex was sexy as all get out and his sweetness with Grace and the puppies rounded him out and made him the perfect man in my opinion, because really who doesn’t love a sweet, sexy, optimistic, loving, and wonderful man that not only can but loves to cook.  Grace has lived a long and hard life and she guards her heart for good reasons.  It was interesting to see her come out from behind those walls slowly, with Alex’s help along with the love of three sweet puppies, as she found of the truth of her past and the full breadth of her own strength.  Her fears have lead her direction in life for so long, but once Alex convinces her to let them go she truly shines and begins to become the woman she was always meant to be.  When we find out the truth depth of her pain we begin to understand why she is so guarded, but it was great to see that with the love of the right man she was able to release those fears and embrace the love she has always needed and deserved.

Three Dog Night is a story that quickly grabs your heart and squeezes it tighter and tighter right until the very end refuses to release you for even a moment. I don’t recommend starting this book if you can’t finish it immediately, because you aren’t going to put it down once you start.  Alex and Grace’s story is so full of emotional turmoil that I honestly couldn’t stop the tears a few times and had my family and animals reacting to the tears. Graces past is heart-wrenching to be sure, but the worst part is watching her learn hard truths and find her way past the trauma.  Grace is a woman that has a backbone of steel forged in the fires of her past, but the wall around her heart is the true challenge for Alex to overcome.  Alex is ready for a change in his life and this woman that draws him so strongly is the catalyst to change that he needs.  His family and extended clan come around him and support him and Grace at any moment needed but he knows that to reach his goals, both personal and professional he will have to stand on his own too. The heat and passion between Grace and Alex was memorable especially when they sparked off one another to challenge each other to be better, but the love that developed, despite Grace’s reluctance for it, was the most enjoyable part of their relationship. I loved seeing Grace and Alex fall in love with the three abandoned Puppies that bring them together and give them a goal to begin, and they are sweet and loveable through the entire story.  As always the puppies play a sweet and unique role in the love story for Grace and Alex and we get to enjoy seeing the pups from previous stories as well.  I am looking forward to whatever comes next and seeing more and more love between the Mahoneys, Santorinis, and Kilcannons as the Dogmothers continue to wreak havoc on their grandchildren and matchmake them all into trouble and love.  Another amazing story of love and adorableness, keep the magic coming Rocki!

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Fallen (Deep Ops #2)

Fallen (Deep Ops #2)

by Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

Too quiet. A talented hacker who got caught, Brigid Banaghan is now forced to work with a secret Deep Ops unit. But she won’t reveal any more to these renegade Feds than she has to. Especially not to Raider Tanaka, her control freak of a bodyguard and handler. It’s enough that his body is tensed for action and his heated gaze is always on her . . .

 Too sharp. Raider knows there’s more to his new assignment than he’s been told. Why send a deadly agent of his experience to guard a computer genius—even a gorgeous, unpredictable, undisciplined one? But when Brigid’s estranged father is named in an investigation into Boston’s organized crime, Raider’s mind switches onto high alert, just like his senses . . .

 Too close. To clear her father’s name, Brigid needs Raider’s help. The Unit’s idea that she bring a straight-laced Fed in as her “fiancé” won’t fly, though—not unless Raider can release his inner bad boy and become the rebel Brigid can’t resist . . .

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Wow so I didn’t really see any of that coming.  These folks have so many secrets that the layers upon layers of info they have to uncover about one another just to get to know the individual they are falling in love with is astounding. Zanetti’s newest series revolves around a set of misfits that have come together into an oddly effective team of crime-fighters and each new story just gets stranger and stranger.  Raider and Brigid have sparked off one another since they met and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon, despite the fact that they know have to go undercover as lovers. Brigid is a hacker, one that has spent most of her life trying to utilize her skills to make a positive difference in the world, but she has been forced onto this team as part of a prison-plea deal.  Even though she knows she shouldn’t she desire Raider more than just about anything, despite his straight-laced and conformist personality and knowing she will never have a chance with him. Raider has devoted his career to bringing down criminals and his personal life to maintaining balance in all aspects to prevent his temper from taking over.  While he wants Brigid, he refuses to give into the desire because she is a criminal, even though she turns him on beyond any woman he’s ever encountered.  Forced into close quarters and danger situations repeatedly, they begin to rely on and learn about one another and soon the pull is no longer resistible and giving in becomes the most satisfying choices either of them has ever made.  Sadly, the secrets they are each keeping could end up pulling them apart, or getting either or both of them killed, if the team doesn’t manage to keep them both alive and out of jail. I loved seeing these two burn up the pages and was reaching for a glass of ice water more than once to cool myself down, but there were a lot of moments where I wanted to slap one or both of them for making stupid choices that might have torn them apart.  I am loving this series, with its ridiculous stories, hilarious scenes between the heavy stuff, and amazing plots to go along with the intense relationships and emotional connections.  I can’t wait for what’s next and to see where Rebecca takes this series.

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

ARC Review: Fever (Dark Kings #16)

Fever (Dark Kings #16)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

His kiss was fire and passion. She shivered, wondering how he knew just how to touch her, to send her spiraling into an abyss of pleasure…

For centuries, the Dragon Kings have lived among mortals, forsaking their true selves. But for Kelton, hiding in the realm of shadows—and existing only in the world of dreams—is no longer an option. A human woman claims to know that he, like other dark warriors of his kind, is real. That the legends about these powerful, seductive men with hearts ablaze are true. And that, with just one embrace, Kelton could destroy her…or love her until the end of time.

Bernadette Davies is an anthropologist who knows better than to fall into the arms of a Dragon King. But how can she resist Kelton when he’s so willing to share his secrets and bear his soul? He hasn’t met a beautiful, trustworthy woman like Bernadette in…forever. But once they give into their mutual desire, their worlds will never be the same. Soon Bernadette must face her dilemma: Should she expose the truth about Kelton in the name of science? Or join him in his battle with the dark forces—in the name of love?

Themes: Dragon Shifters, Fae, Paranormal

Rating:  4.75 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

 The long-awaited battle has arrived, and we will finally find out just who will fight and what side all of the power players will end up on…and the ultimate question of who will come out of it intact. I have been looking forward to this story for a long time, not only for the sake of another Dragon King finding love with his mate, but because we knew that it was truly time that Rhi come out her shell and take control of her destiny. We have watched her evolve and change into the powerhouse she has become, and we always knew it was her destiny to make a great change in the world and this is her time. That being said this story really did revolve around the love between Kelton and Bernadette, despite both of them resisting the pull between them from the very beginning. Donna Grant has the ability to take readers on an amazing journey through the supernatural world of shifter and Fae while still keeping the most fundamental of truths at the heart of her story, Love conquers all. I was a bit surprised at the ending and am dying to see where she will be taking the series now that so much has changed and, of course, we are all still dying to know the secret she has kept from the very beginning of the introduction of this series—the name of the King that stole Rhi’s heart.  If you are looking for drama, danger, magic, and heart you won’t be steered wrong with Fever and you will instantly be enchanted by Bernadette and her King’s love and devotion.

Bernadette is an anthropologist who has devoted her career to understanding the cultures around her and when she discovers the existence of not only the Fae but also Dragons in the world, she is determined to bring that to the public, despite the naysayers and obvious dangers.  When she finally finds the courage to make a public announcement, she knows she will be approached, but she is not prepared for the sexy dragon-shifter that enters her life. Kelton has been sent as a representative of the Kings to find out just what evidence Bernadette has, but he never expected to not only like the lass but to feel an instant connection to her. After speaking with him, Bernadette is determined to find the truth and knows the only way is to go directly to the source, despite the danger of traveling to Dreagan, and when she shows up on their doorstep, she knows her life will change forever.  Kelton never imagined she would show up at Dreagan, but once she is in their home, he’s not really sure he wants to let her go.  Soon they find themselves embroiled in a drama orchestrated by their enemy that puts Bernadette right on the front lines and only Kelton can keep her safe, but together they have to decide if they are willing to risk everything, including their hearts in order to defeat their greatest enemy and bring peace to the Kings.

I really loved getting to know Kelton and Bernadette and seeing them falling in love despite all the obstacles in their way and their own personal resistance to their fate.  Kelton was one of the few Kings that was happy about the spell that kept them from falling in love for millennia and he is determined that he does not find a mate now, despite his draw to her from the beginning.  His heart is obviously in the right place as he befriends Bernadette and tries to keep her safe from their enemies, but once their relationship becomes deeper his denial and resistance made me angry and want to punch him a few times. I understand the fear he was dealing with, but dang I want him to man—errr, Dragon up – and take his mate and keep her truly safe. Bernadette on the other hand was a woman after my heart.  While she was an unwitting pawn of an evil bitch to be sure for a good bit of the story, once she learned of her role, she came out of that pretty quick and found her spine. She was a smart lady to be sure, but she leads with her heart from the very beginning and when she starts to doubt her source of information, she doesn’t hesitate to jump into the deep end to try to find the truth.  She is the perfect match for Kelton’s stubbornness too and there is no doubt they were made for one another, and as they get deeper and deeper into their battle for their lives their connection shows Bernadette the fighter she truly is as she fights for both of their lives and a chance at a future together.

Fever is definitely a culmination of a long-time arc that so many of us have been dying for, an ultimate battle, and the ending of an era, but there are still so many battles left to fight and I cannot wait for more in this series.  Kelton and Bernadette’s love story takes us on a journey through the challenges of deciphering truth from lies and finding a way to embrace the love and trust that is offered at face value and the deep connections that can develop in a heartbeat. Kelton is a sexy beast of a Dragon King, even when he is being an ass and fighting his instincts and heart.  He stands for his friends and the world, working with the other Kings to keep the world safe from danger, but his main goal is to keep Bernadette safe, despite denying she is his mate.  Bernadette never imagined she would fall for a Dragon King, but once she meets Kelton there is no denying that he is the man for her.  I loved seeing her come to her womanly power and prove to herself that she is a match for Kelton in every way including her stubbornness and the power of her love.  Together they set the world on fire from the beginning even though they both pretend that their fling can have no future.  I am dying to see what comes next and find out where Donna takes this amazing story of love and magic.  The Dragon Kings and the other players in their world just keep getting more and more interesting and I honestly never know what might happen next.  I will say that if Ms. Grant doesn’t tell us soon who Rhi’s King is, I just might lose it, but I think most of us long-time fans feel the same way and truly believe that she secretly enjoys torturing us with that secret a little too much.  Another masterpiece of magic, mayhem, and love and I am so thrilled to have had to the chance to read and enjoy Fever.

*eARC provided by author for the purpose of an honest and unbiased review.  No compensation was provided.

Review: Dagger's Edge (Brute Force #2)

Dagger's Edge (Brute Force #2)

by Lora Leigh

Blurb:

Ivan Resnova wants nothing more than to escape his hard, brutal past. Starting over is not so easy once you've been a powerful crime boss but now, instead of being punished for his alleged crimes, Ivan fears that the one woman he can't forget is in danger of paying the price.

Crimsyn "Syn" Delaney thought the danger she'd faced was over, and that she could resume her life. She never imagined it would return with a vengeance and throw her back into Ivan's world. But when an attempt is made on her life, she needs Ivan more than ever to keep her safe--even if she is in danger of falling deeply and dangerously in love. . .

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

  The past always comes back to haunt us no matter how hard we try to avoid it.  The second story in the Brute Force series is a perfect reminder for us all of this fact and it is filled with danger and drama as Ivan and Syn come to terms with their shared past and find a path to the future they both desire. Ivan was an interesting character, one that on the surface is truly a bad guy, but as we dig deeper we see that he is doing the best to be a force for good while remaining in the shadowing world he was born into.  Men like him have controlled the world for so long, but perhaps with him leading and finding a way to topple the corruption from the inside out there might be a way to bring some more light to the world.  Syn has a lot of secrets and one especially large one she must keep from Ivan, but when he decides that he is not going to let her go, she has to find a way to escape with not only her life but also he heart intact.  I enjoyed watching them sparring as they found a way to balance one another and survive the dangers circling them, but the sweet moments they shared were the best.  The passions that ran high in both Ivan and Syn were undeniable and they made a perfect match for one another and once the truth of their relationship and past came to light it was amazing to watch the way their minds sparked off each other. I am looking forward to more in this interesting series, though I will say that there is a lot of times in the stories were I would love more detail and clarification on the overall arc of the series and would love to be filled in on the true mission of this group of shadowy operators, but hopefully that will come with more books. As always with a Leigh stories the sexual tensions and sensuality runs high, but there was plenty of action and plot to carry the story as well. Whatever comes next should certainly be intriguing.

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

Review: Dark Alpha's Redemption (Reaper #8)

Dark Alpha's Redemption (Reaper #8)

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’m coming for you…

My duty to Death drives me forward. I've never once strayed from my path – not even when the future seemed uncertain. However, Maeve's intelligence, cunning and determination challenges me in ways I never imagined. Finding out what she knows is the key to learning how to conquer our enemy. The Dark Fae breathes new life into me unlike anything I've ever known. For Maeve, I will risk trusting the Dark. For her...I will battle darkness itself.

Themes:  Paranormal, Fae, Dragons

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 The Reaper’s have another mission and this one could literally change the landscape of the entire Fae world and quite possibly turn the tide of the war for the Dark Kings and their allies.  Donna Grant has an astonishing ability to interweave so many series and storylines into one tapestry of magic and danger and readers are left wondering what could possibly come next after each story.  The Reaper’s are working to help the Dark Kings to defeat the Fae Queen in order to maintain the balance of good and evil in the world that Death has striven for all her years.  Bradach is told to enlist the help of one of the most well-known Dark Fae in the world, a female that has the ability to provide her clients with just about any item that need.  Maeve has spent her entire adult life filling her father’s shoes in the business and hiding behind the glamour she shows the world, but when the Dark King introduces her to the mysterious Fae her world is turned upside down. Bradach and Maeve suddenly find themselves drawn inexplicably to one another and unable to denial the love that develops instantly, but their enemies are around every corner.  It was amazing to watch Bradach and Maeve as they uncovered secrets and worked together to overcome extraordinary odds in order to be together and finally have a chance at happiness.  I really loved how sweet but passionate Bradach was in his defense of Maeve once he truly got to know her and saw her for the woman, she was instead of the one she presented to the world. Maeve has spend so long hiding from her personal truth that when she finally just let herself be free, she became a force to be reckoned with and deserved every happiness that she was offered in the end.  I am dying to find out what happens next and see where Donna takes us on this amazing journey with the King and Reapers, along with a few special allies, in their goal of defeating a corrupt queen and bringing balance back to the world. Keep the Magick coming, Ms. Grant.

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