ARC Review: Just One Taste (Dirty Dare Series #3)

Just One Taste (Dirty Dare Series #3)

Carly Phillips

Blurb:

One grumpy billionaire.

One sassy-sweet​​​​​​​ supermodel.

Add in a tropical private island paradise.

What could go wrong?

As owner and CEO of Dirty Dare Spirits, thirty-three year old, Asher Dare has it all. Money. Power. Women whenever he wants. A private island retreat when he doesn’t. People he trusts? He can count those on one hand. When one of his best friends asks a favor—hide his twenty-one year old, supermodel sister, on the island until a scandal blows over—Asher can’t say no. But he doesn’t have to like it.

The daughter of a Senator and a Presidential candidate, Nicolette Bettencourt always acts with decorum. Yet through no fault of her own, scandal seems to follow her every move. When nude photos surface, the uproar puts her father’s campaign at risk. And forces her into hiding with Asher, the hottest—and grumpiest—billionaire she’s ever met.

Under soothing tropical breezes, Asher discovers that Nicolette is nothing like the spoiled brat portrayed in the tabloids. She’s warm, sexy, and a temptation Asher must resist at all costs—or he risks betraying his closest fr

iend, bringing a powerful political dynasty to its knees… and losing the woman he loves.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The next Dirty Dare has finally met his match and finds love in the most unexpected of women in the new installments of Carly Phillips’s amazing Dare World. I loved this story and found myself anxious, crying, and smiling alongside the characters as they found their way from casual acquaintances forced together into true lovers. Nikki Bettencourt is rudely awoken to a scandal that forces her to flee her condo and the city in order to find some peace and the safest place for her, according to her protective older brother, is one a private island in the Caribbean where no one can find her.  But she isn’t going to the island alone; Nikki’s brother has asked his best friend Asher Dare to escort her to the island and keep her company as she hides out, but as soon as he lays eyes on her the challenge becomes keeping his hands off her.  With the sparks between them, Asher has to work to resist Nikki, until she convinces him that he doesn’t need to resist.  As their time on the island comes to a close, the question becomes with the feelings that have developed between them last and bloom into so much more or will it be just one more missed opportunity for both of them.  This story was filled with laughs, two people overcoming personal roadblocks, and learning to open their heart to others to find love and I enjoyed each moment of it.  Nikki has had a very difficult life, not in that she’s missed out on anything material, but that she has never had the love and support of her parents, or anyone else except her brother, leaving her wary or others, emotionally vulnerable but with a hidden strength that keeps her going despite it all.  It was wonderful watching her reaching for what she wanted with Asher and forcing him to accept the connection between them so they would have a chance for happiness even for a limited time.   Asher was another matter entirely, while I understood his hang-ups about women, given his past, it certainly angered me that he kept denying his true feelings for Nikki until it was almost too late.  Like so many men he put his feelings into a hard shell and whenever he feels threatened he pulls back into himself.  The passion between these two is off the charts from the very beginning and there is no denying they are made for one another.  I am dying for the next (two) stories that are coming our way in this world and the little surprise announcement we got at the end of this book made me cheer.  Carly Phillips wins again and this series just gets better and better!

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

Review: A Scot of Her Own (Once Upon a Scot #1)

A Scot of Her Own (Once Upon a Scot #1)

Maeve Greyson

Blurb:

Fire and ice. Powerful forces on their own. Combined? Invincible passion.

When mighty Thorburn MacDougall, commander of the Lord of Argyll’s warriors, overpowers the canniest Norwegian he’s ever battled, he rips off the man’s helm to savor the look of horror right before delivering the killing blow. But the canny Norwegian isn’t a man at all. She’s a blue-eyed beauty with fire in her eyes and fury in her soul.

Adellis Bjørnsdóttir weighed the risks and found them worth it. Freedom. At any cost. The only other escape is death, and she’s not ready to give up yet. But the Gallóglaigh warrior, the fearsome Scottish bear she allows to capture her, isn’t the cruel tyrant she thought to endure long enough to secure safe passage to Scotland. He’s protective. Considerate. Stubborn as an ox. And entirely too tempting.

Honor. Chivalry. Outwitting traitors, murderers, and old enemies? All easy enough. But trusting? Finding the courage to love? Therein lies the challenge.

Themes:  Historical

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

A new fun trilogy begins by one of my favorite authors, set in medieval Scotland and revolving around a group of fearsome warriors, led by three sexy and amazing brothers-in-arms.  Maeve Greyson never ceases to entertain when she puts words to paper, and I always know I’m in for an adventure when I pick up one of her novels.  This new series begins with the sexy Thor roaring into battle again a band of Norwegian warriors hellbent of an easy defat so he can return home.  But when he goes to deliver the killing blow against their leader, he is amazed –and terrified—to discover that he almost killed a beautiful young lass.  Adellis is willing to do anything to get to Scotland, even leading a band of warriors against the terrifying Gallóglaigh warriors, and when she is captured in battle instead of killed, she has no expectation of safety or succor.  But the huge Scot that is her capture is not only gentle, he quickly steals her heart as she gets to know him.  With her enemy on their frontlines determined to reclaim her for their nefarious schemes, she has to decide if she can truly trust the Scottish leader or she might end up losing the bit of safety she’s found in his arms. I really enjoyed this short story, with Thor and Adellis’s instant and intense chemistry and their emotional connection running deep.  Thor is dangerous and deadly warrior, but Adellis brings out his softer and sweeter side and he is able to just be still around her.  Adellis has her own fighting nature and inability to fall in line after the dangerous life she has led, but trusting in Thor to keep her safe and offer her the love she needs gives her the chance to breathe for the first time in her life.  They were so obviously made for one another and their passionate natures made for a sizzling romance.  I am looking forward to the rest of the trilogy as Thor’s lieutenants fall in love as well and come to understand why he was willing to sacrifice so much for the woman that stole his heart.  

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

Review: Vanishing Hour

Vanishing Hour

Laura Griffin

Blurb:

Corporate lawyer Ava Burch has had enough of the big city and the daily grind. She grew up with her father, who raised search-and-rescue dogs, in rural Texas and has moved to the small town of Cuervo to spend time in the dry, rugged wilderness near Big Bend National Park. When she and her dog, Huck, discover an abandoned campsite on a volunteer search-and-rescue mission, she's perplexed, but she carefully photographs it all the same.

All Grant Wycoff can see when he looks at Ava is a city slicker--with her designer jeans and shiny car--who has no business on a serious team made of seasoned outdoorsmen and retired cops. But when she tells him of her findings on the trail, he sees there's more to her than meets the eye.

Ava's discovery reminds Grant of the unsolved case of a young woman who went missing two years ago. As they look into the campsite further, another woman disappears under odd circumstances. With time running out, Ava and Grant must work against the brutal heat from both the Texas sun and their own electric chemistry to solve the case.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Sometimes a change of career and pace is what we all need in life to truly find our happy, and for this new novel by Laura Griffin we get exactly that with our heroine.  Laura Griffin is the type of author that manages to always make her romance novels suspenseful and scary with just enough police procedure and real-life drama thrown in, without losing any of the romance.  Lawyer Ava Burch ahs had enough of the rat race and decides to team up with man’s best friend, Huck, to become one of the foremost search-and-rescue teams in rural Texas.  When on a volunteer search and rescue mission, she stumbles across a suspiciously abandons campsite, documenting and reporting it after the rescue is completed, she can’t seem to let it go. Deputy Grant Wycoff doesn’t have time to deal with a city girl who thinks she knows it all and insists that they investigate some trashed and abandoned campsite, but when more information begins to come in, he soon can no longer deny that Ava might be on to something.  Together they begin to investigate and another woman disappears under suspicious circumstances, they fear their time is running out.  Working together gives them both more insight into one another and maybe their first impressions were wrong and they could have a chance to be friends and maybe even something more. Ava was an interesting character, one of those women with confidence but no ego, who just quietly gets the job done instead of bragging about it. She is smart, driven, and intelligent but never lets anyone tell her what she can and cannot do in life. She’s missed out on a lot in her family but is determined to move forward and find her happy without allowing anyone to lead her astray. Grant is kind of an ass in the beginning, basically typecasting Ava without ever getting to know her, instead of giving her a chance, and then not standing up for her even when he came to respect and believe in her and his superiors tried to set her down and dismiss her.  However, he definitely has his good moments and when they were in private together, he was great to both her and Huck, sweet, kind, and giving after letting go of his preconceived notions.  I enjoyed seeing him as he worked to investigate and locate the kidnapper, and when Ava was ultimately in danger there was nothing that would have stopped him from being the killer down, showing his true level of determination.  The passion between these two was a slow build mostly staying in the background until the trust and friendship was established, but once that foundation was there the relationship blossomed organically and naturally.  I am looking forward to whatever come next from Ms. Griffin and kind of hope we get to see more from these characters, even though we’ve not been told officially this book is part of a series. Another masterpiece Laura!

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

ARC Review: Rage (Kindred: The Fated #1)

Rage (Kindred: The Fated #1)

Donna Grant

Blurb:

Elin feels as if she’s been in the fight of her life forever. She lost her mother to prejudice and misunderstanding and her sister to the Coven, not to mention her home and the freedom to use her magic without consequence. But she finally feels as if she has found a place to at least rest—that is if she can remain hidden.

When a mysterious illness befalls his clan, taking many lives, Rob Mackenzie finally goes to check on the person squatting in the cottage on his family’s land. He hopes to find help. He doesn’t expect the most enchanting and enigmatic woman he’s ever seen or the way she makes him feel—the passions she rouses. But it’s clear she has secrets, and earning her trust may be the toughest battle of his life.

When the truth comes to light that a witch has been targeting the Mackenzie clan, Elin can’t remain sequestered. She knows she can help, and some things are more important—especially when they include saving the man she has quickly come to love. But it means revealing her secret to him and those who have hunted her kind for eons. Those who see anything they don’t understand as evil. Still, Elin hasn’t been able to safeguard those she’s loved in the past. She has to at least try to save Rob and his family.

Even if it means her end.

Themes:  Paranormal, Historical

Rating:  4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

To be perfectly honest I went into this story knowing I would enjoy but not really recalling the characters or their connection to the original Kindred storyline because the previous series ended so long ago (in reading years). I knew I would love it simply because I rarely don’t enjoy one of Donna’s stories and I especially enjoyed the Kindred series, but it wasn’t until the second of third chapter that I really started to recall who Elin was and her connection to the previous series finale. That said I loved how Donna wove this new spinoff from the original series and I am really looking forward to finally getting some closure on a few of the characters I was sad never got their HEA. Elin has not had an easy life, always being hunted and feeling separate from those around her, but she has never given up on the hope of finding a home for herself and the acceptance she craves. She has made a solitary home for herself in a beautiful glen, far away from others, but when her solitude is broken by the brother of the local laird, she knows she won’t be able to stick around much longer. Rob Mackenzie stumbles across the enchanting young woman living alone in the glen and knows she is a flight risk, but he is determined to find someone that can help with the terrible sickness that has covered his kin and clan.  As Rob and Elin begin to spend more and more time together their feelings blossom from friendship into something much deeper, but there are dark forces building against them.  Can Rob offer his faith and trust in Elin and find a way to protect her while she confronts the darkness haunting his Clan  or will Rob forsake her like so many in her past have and leave her in the cold alone again? 

Honestly I loved the story from beginning to end.  The characters were each so unique with their layers of vulnerabilities and fears to their strengths and assets, balancing one another perfectly.  It is obvious that only by working together and fully trusting will they get through the coming battle with the evil and finding a way to move forward in their future.  Elin has a lot to atone for in her mind, but at the same time she knows she can’t offer her trust to others without risking her life.  There have been too many times in her past when she was burned and there is no way she could ever risk it again without fully trusting the one she is with.  I loved seeing her find faith and trust in Rob and offering her heart to him. Rob is obviously beyond his experience and understanding when he first meets Elin, thinking her only a helpless young woman, but he quickly begins to see how powerful and strong she is and begins to trust in her abilities and her willingness to do whatever it takes to keep herself and those she loves safe.  I enjoyed watching him standup for her and show his love against all those that tried to tear her down, even herself. The passion between Rob and Elin was subtle in the beginning but one friendship blossomed into trust the passion had an outlet and there was no denying the heat.  I am dying for the next book in this series as I suspect I know who the couple with be and if so I can only hold back my inner squealing fan-girl so long while I wait.  Once again Donna Grant gives us a spin-off series that is looking at being even better than the original and I cannot wait for it to develop.

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

ARC Review: Danger's Heir (Masters' Admiralty #9)

Danger's Heir  (Masters' Admiralty #9)

Mari Carr, Lila Dubois

Blurb:

She fell in love, got married…and it was all a lie.

They expected a mafia princess, but when Rodrigo meets the woman his father is forcing him to marry, he realizes Giada is much more than she seems. Smart and dangerous, she’s the kind of woman he could love…too bad everything he’s about to tell her is a lie.

Casson knows Rodrigo is in too deep. Rodrigo’s undercover mission as the heir to a powerful Camorra don should have ended long ago, but now he’s engaged to the daughter of another dangerous man, and it’s Casson’s job to pull him out.

There’s just one problem. Giada.

She’s nothing either man expected, and everything they want. The last thing they expect is for Giada to invite both of them to her bed.

As the wedding day looms closer, and enemies close in, the line between what’s real and what’s a lie becomes blurred, and Rodrigo and Casson have to decide if love is enough. And if they should tell her the truth.

Unfortunately, there’s someone else waiting in the wings to make sure they never say “I do.”

Themes:  Ménage, Erotica

Rating: 4.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 To be honest I am going to have a really hard time doing one of my standard reviews on this book without giving away a lot of the plot and the twists… so I will just share my thoughts on the book and hope it persuades you to read it too!

This is the latest story in the Masters' Admiralty spin-off series which began with the Trinity Master’s series a long time ago and I have loved every single story in both series, even as they broke my heart and had my in tears again and again as the lover had to go through serious trauma before finding their HEAs.  This newest story between Rodrigo, Giada, and Casson is no less heart wrenching and I almost lost hope that they were going to have their happy ending to be perfectly honest.  Rodrigo is trying his best to bring down the bastard he has discovered is his biological father, a mafia don of the worst level, when he is forced into an engagement with the daughter of another mafia don.  Little does he know that Giada is way more than she seems and is about to totally rock his world and change his perspective on everything in his life.  Then Casson crashes into both their lives and together the three of them are forced into a dangerous and deadly game with the mafic leaders and find themselves quickly falling into a relationship that is more than simple lust.  I loved Giada’s character, she was so complex, brave, strong, and sassy and definitely the perfect match for her men; her intelligence and unwillingness to ever let anyone truly treat her as less showed that she was never meant to be just a piece of arm candy like most “mafia princess” stereotypes. Rodrigo is definitely the quintessential tortured prodigal son, but instead of returning home to join the fold, he’s returning to bring down the dirty bastard that just happens to be his sperm-donor.  He is determined to do everything in his power to right the worst of the evil perpetrated by his father, even if is means going rogue.  I loved seeing him finally finding solace and peace when he started to trust Giada and Casson.  When they were apart seeing the other side of his personality was a true revelation and I loved all the facets of his character and seeing how deep and loving he was with his lovers.  Casson was an enigma for sure, leaving us guessing a bit here and there if his “feelings” for his lovers were just part of his cover, being such a professional in maintain his character undercover, but we slowly begin to see that Giada and Rodrigo were more than he ever expected and pulled out the true Casson, leaving him floundering in his task more than once.  The ending of this story was very unexpected but I loved that they finally had a chance to enjoy their much deserved love and HEA.  Fair warning to long time readers, there are a few moment between our favorite Fleet and Vice admiral that are going to tear your heart out and the epilogue of this one if definitely going to leave us screaming and salivating for the next book in the joint Trinity Masters/Master’s Admiralty series.  Once again our evil Queens are leaving us in terribly painful suspense!

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

Review: Desperate Act (Pike, Wisconsin #4)

 Desperate Act (Pike, Wisconsin #4)

Alexandra Ivy

Blurb:

Teenager Lia Porter shouldn’t have been anywhere near the railroad bridge that night. Sneaking home after a party in the fields outside Pike, Wisconsin, she glimpsed a woman in a leather jacket, running in terror. Lia puts the incident from her mind—until a body is found near the same spot fifteen years later, wearing the same jacket. The police rule it a suicide. Lia knows different. The woman she saw was trying to save her own life, not end it. But whatever she was fleeing from found her first . . .

The stranger who arrives at Lia’s store shares her suspicions. Hollywood stunt driver Kaden Vaughn has come home to Wisconsin to learn the truth about what happened to his brother’s fiancée years ago. The leather jacket, the timing—he believes the dead woman is Vanna, and that Lia may be the only person who can help. Together they retrace Vanna’s steps, but the more they dig, the darker the secrets become.

The killer is still out there, stalking the streets of Pike again, willing to do whatever is necessary to keep the truth locked in mystery. One by one, all those who know something about that night must be silenced, until there is no one left to tell . . .

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

One just can’t go wrong with a spine-tingling murder mystery, especially one that has been lingering for over fifteen years and has haunted two families and a small town that continues to have problems with corruption, serial killers, and dangerous residents. I have found myself more and more intrigued by Alexandra Ivy’s romantic suspense, though I remain partial to her paranormal series, but my favorite is definitely this series. This latest story begins with a young Lia sneaking young after a party she should never have been attending, but she can’t find any proof that she truly saw a woman murdered until fifteen years later when a body is found in the same area and she recognizes the clothes on the body. Hollywood bad boy Kaden Vaughn also recognizes the leaked photos of the clothes on the body and he comes to town to aid in the investigation, insisting that he can be of help.  He knows that the body is his late brother’s fiancé and is determined to find out the truth of what happened to her as a last favor in honor of his brother.  But as Lia and Kaden team up to find out the truth of what happened all those years ago secrets begin to unravel and they soon find themselves at the center of a dangerous conspiracy, one that could cost one or both of them their lives.  There is someone out there determined to silence them and make sure their secret never comes to light, but if they trust in one another and the connection they’ve found in the most unlikely of circumstances, there is the smallest chance they will survive to find the happiness they’ve both always wanted. Kaden was a great character, badass and determined to honor his brother’s memory by solving his finance’s murder, but he was also determined to make sure that Lia stayed safe. He was strong, smart, sweet, kind, and loving even when there were moments, he was just that little bit lost as he was confronted with Lia’s small-town mentality.  I enjoyed seeing him slow down and accept that he doesn’t always have to be going 90-to-nothing in order to be contributing, but can instead just be standing still and ultimately still be happy.  Lia was an enigma on the surface, but her motivations were pure and once we got to know her, she was a great character too.  She’s stayed in her small town, giving up some of her own dreams in order to support her community and make sure that they have what they need, but she has made a real difference.  She is intelligent, witty, dogged, and resourceful as she looks into the past with Kaden.  The heat between these two was one that sneaks up on them but I enjoyed watching them succumb to their passion as they fell in love.  I am looking forward to more in this series, because really who know that there was such a seedy underbelly or killers, corruption, and darkness in the middle of nowhere Wisconsin. Keep it up, Alexandra!

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

ARC Review: The Duke Not Taken (A Royal Match #2)

The Duke Not Taken (A Royal Match #2)

Julia London

Blurb:

Impossible. Infuriating. Intoxicating.

Ever since her sister became queen two years ago, Amelia Ivanosen, Princess of Wesloria, has been flirting and skirting scandal—just barely. Before she does anything too outlandish, she is sent to England and Lila Alexander, illustrious matchmaker to the ton, is recruited. Respectably ensconced at the country estate of a family friend, Amelia is introduced to many eligible bachelors, but…there is no spark. There never seems to be unless the man is completely wrong for her.

Next door lives Joshua Parker, Duke of Marley, who is grumpy and reclusive—for good reason. His first wife died in childbirth. When Marley is dragged by a friend to his neighbor’s soiree, he and Amelia instantly dislike each other. Their banter is snarky and heated. He’s a stuck-up smarty-pants; she’s a self-involved, annoying princess.

Sparks fly when they’re together—fireworks actually—but they loathe each other. Really. So why can’t they stop thinking about each other?

Themes:  Historical

Rating:  3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Ok so to be honest, after the last book in this series, I wasn’t too very sure what to expect out of this second installment in the Royal Match series, but while I can’t say it blew me out of the water, I will say it had me in tears of both laughter and heartache until the very last chapter. Julia London’s newest series revolving around the royal female line of a small (fictional) kingdom in Europe has been one of laughter and tears, with a strange quirkiness to the love story, and a unique nature to her heroes and heroines.  In the first story, the heir (and now Queen) Justine found love in the most unlikely of men and circumstances, and now her younger sister has been making trouble so it’s time for her to settle down in a match that will calm her restless nature.  Amelia has always shined in the spotlight, been allowed to indulge her restless need for adventure, and has seldom had to curb her natural inclinations, but now she is sequestered in a small country estate in England and has been told to behave and find a mate.  The problem is that none of the suitors presented to her meet her requirements for a life-long match and the love she so desperately wants in life, much less the adventure she needs.  A chance meeting with a dark and brooding man sets her blood to boiling and he sparks her desires, but when she discovers his identity so much changes. Joshua, Duke of Marley, just wants peace and quiet to wallow in the tragedy of the death of his wife and child, but now he’s being dragged to balls and forced to deal with loud little girls, angry farm women, and parties for spoiled princesses.  When he finally meets the princess face-to-face his world is turned upside down and the spark of life that has been missing from him is suddenly relit, totally against his will, and he has to fight every moment the pull to the beautiful and infuriating creature that will pull him into the light.  But when they both discover the love that has developed, only they can decide if it is enough to embrace a future together, or if they are destined to both remain forever alone and in the darkness.  I was very surprised by Amelia, but I enjoyed watching her growth throughout the story as she learned how her behavior and speech was perceived by others and learned that sometimes one must hold back ones true feelings in order to maintain a semblance of peace and happiness for all.  She found her true direction in life as well as the love she sought, and is that truly the only adventure we all need in life? I loved how she fought back against those that would quell her spirit and sought to force her to be something she wasn’t, but more importantly that she never allowed herself to forget that she might not be perfect, but she was a good person.  Joshua had definitely lived through a tragedy, but seeing him stuck, blaming himself for something that so often happened in those days, was heartbreaking and reminded me that while that error certainly had its beauty, I’m perfectly happy here in the 21^st century.  He obviously still has so much to give the world, if only he can accept that sometimes thing happen beyond our control, but the things we can control are the most important and what we need to focus on.  I enjoyed watching him laughing when he allowed himself to relax in quiet moments with Amelia, and when he finally allowed himself to love I knew he would be everything she’d ever need.  The sparks between these two never failed to leave me laughing as they challenged one another, fought one another, and ultimately brought out the love of adventure they’d both hidden for so long.  They truly were the perfect match for one another.  I am looking forward to more in the series, if in fact more is coming, but if not hopefully more in the vein of this series is coming which will be just as entertaining.

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