ARC Mini-Review: Claimed

Claimed (Club Sin #1)

by Stacey Kennedy 

Blurb:

Presley Flynn is ripe to experience her secret fantasies . . . and Dmitri Pratt wants nothing more than to fulfill them. Once inside the elite Club Sin in Las Vegas, Presley is nervous but excited—and determined to surrender to her every desire. Dmitri is her Master, and his touch is like fire. With each careful, calculated caress, he unleashes her wildest inhibitions, giving her unimagined pleasure.

Presley is different than the other submissives Dimitri has mastered. The BDSM lifestyle is new to her, and so are the games they play at Club Sin. From the start, Presley stirs emotions in him far beyond the raw purity between a Dom and the perfect sub. For the ecstasy they share goes beyond the dungeon igniting a passion that claims the very depths of the heart. 

Review:

Claimed, the first book in the Club Sin series was a fascinating study in the lifestyle of BDSM, though with a few important twists. Stacey Kennedy is s new author for me so I was thrilled to get to try her newest erotica novel. I’m certainly not new to the genre of Erotica specifically revolving around BDSM, but the twists of the lifestyles she gave the members of her club were enough to give the story a bit of a difference from many I’ve read.

Presley is a sweet, innocent, and fresh-faced young woman, recovering from a very bad relationship and beginning to understand that her true nature might be a bit more involved and kinky than she’s always thought.  When she’s given the chance to enter a BDSM club and find out if her fantasies and desires make her a submissive, she doesn’t exactly jump at the chance but she’s willing to give herself the chance to find somewhere she feels comfortable.  But the minute she meets club owner and Dom Master Dimitri her life is changed forever.  His commanding personality and intense sexuality leave her panting in desire and willing to do whatever he desires so he can please him.  Venturing into the world of BDSM with Dimitri as her guide, Presley begins to learn more about herself and the life she really desires—a life she’d love to share with Dimitri, even though she doesn’t think she can live up to his standards.

The club scenes are of course intense and often times dark, especially when viewed through the naive eyes of Presley.  But Dimitri soon begins to show her the beauty and sexiness in the scenes around the club, gradually easing her fears and showing her that she’ll fit right in.  When they have their scenes together the heat is unimaginable, but I certainly wish there had been more of them. Though the physical aspects of the scenes were certainly dark and intense, the emotional side of the challenges and issues that Dmitri helps her work through were even more profound. 

My biggest issue was that though there were some very emotional instances, the entire relationship developed into love a bit faster than I would have expected.  I know the story was kinda short overall so the speed was hard to overcome, but I could have used a bit more time between Presley and Dimitri;  More time away from the dungeon so they could see how they would be able to work together not just in the bedroom, but also out of it as they made the extreme choice to become committed to each other and live their lives together.

Overall, not a bad story.  There were of course the requisite sexy scenes in the dungeon and the training and punishment scenes you would expect from a good BDSM novel.  There were also interesting glimpses into the man that Dimitri is outside of just his dominant nature. The love story seemed a bit secondary to the training and changes that Dimitri put Presley through in so short a time.  I’m hoping that future stories in the series will delve a bit more into the love connections between the couples that are making lifelong commitments, as opposed to just the Dom/sub side of their relationship. I will definitely keep up with the series though, simply because we got to meet some very intriguing side characters that I would love to see get their own stories!

Rating: 3.25 stars

Rose Rating: 

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

ARC Review: Tall, Dark, and Vampire

Tall, Dark, and Vampire (Dead in the City #1)

by Sara Humphreys

Blurb:

 The last person Olivia Hollingsworth expected to see at her Greenwich Village vampire club was her one true love, Doug Paxton—whom she believed to be dead for centuries. Olivia thought she had moved on, but when Doug reappears, her heart knows she'd rather die than lose him again.

Ever since Doug can remember, a red-haired siren has haunted his dreams. He never thought she could be real until he goes to investigate a murder at Olivia's night club. However, as the bodies keep piling up at her feet, he must fight to prove her innocence—even if it costs him his life...

Review:

Usually I’m not a big fan of spin-off series, mainly because they never live up to the original, but the new spin-off by Sara Humphrey was an exceptional to the rule for sure.  Anyone who has followed the Amoveo series remembers the first time we met Olivia, Marianna’s vampire friend.  She played a very important role in the last book of that series, and finally she got her own, giving us a glimpse into the world of vampires and meeting a whole cast of new characters while still getting to see and hear about some of our favorites. This new series promises to be just as interesting and lively as Humphreys’ Amoveo series and I can’t wait to see more.

Olivia’s story begins with a brief introduction to rest of her coven and getting to see a bit of her day to day life running a popular Goth club in NYC.  We learn that her newest “child” has been giving her some headaches, but Olivia is determined to keep her family safe and make sure they stay under the radar.  But soon things become entirely too complicated for her simple life.   A string of vicious murders, discovered to be attacks my crazy rogue vampires, lands the NYPD at her door and brings her face-to-face with a man from her past in the form of Detective Doug Paxton.  Determined not to allow Doug too far into her life, a life lived in darkness; Olivia tries to keep him away.  But as the danger increases and the dead bodies pile up, Doug is dragged deeply into her world and the connection between them erupts leaving no way that either of them can turn away from each other again.

Olivia is an interesting character for sure.  Vulnerable but tough, strong but sweet, and passionately devoted to the only man that has ever made her feel like a sexy and wanted woman. She has lived the past three hundred years reliving the memory of her one night with her lover, and unable to feel passion and hunger for another man.  When Doug comes back into her life, Olivia’s heart and soul is awakened for the first time in centuries and though she immediately knows that her love never faded, she resists bring him into her life, feeling it is selfish of her to want him to join her forever.  Though she has decided to force him from her life, when Doug’s destiny is changed and he has to come to terms with his new life, Olivia’s vulnerability for her love leaves her easily broken and only her inner strength keeps her from cracking under the pressure.

Doug is a different story altogether.  The moment he meets Olivia he knows that he has been waiting for her his whole life.  He’s dreamed of her since becoming a young man, the intensity of his dreams leading him to keep any other woman at a distance.  Finding out that his dream woman is real is hard enough to deal with, but finding out that she is neck deep in these murders leaves him floundering a bit. But when he is faced with the truth about the killer, as well as Olivia, his anger and fear keeps him from seeing the wonderful chance she has given him.  As he comes to terms with his new identity, he is finally able to see that being with Olivia is worth any and all changes he has to undergo.

Olivia and Doug are perfect compliments to one another.  Their passion flares from the very first moment their eyes meet (again?) and you can see the sparks flying right off the page.  Though they both know they should stay away from one another the pull between them is too strong for either to really resist.  When they pull becomes undeniable, they come together in several stolen steamy moments and the sexiness is off the charts. When their paths become intertwined and the bond between them is strengthened by those changes, Olivia and Doug decide that being together, embracing their love is more important than any of the issues that were between them.

Tall, Dark, and Vampire is a wonderful addition to any reader’s shelf, but fans of the Amoveo series will find it especially great to read. Full of the humor that you always experience with Humphreys’ writing but with a bit of a darker twist, there is love and passion, action and discovery, reunions and changes, Olivia and Doug’s story is worth every second.  Doug and Olivia are so obviously soul mates that experiencing their fears and watching them deal with their issues shows that even the most powerful and deadly beings are as human as the rest of us in the end.  It was also great to meet other individuals in Olivia’s world, maybe giving us a glimpse of future stories in the series. I am glad I gave this spin-off a chance and look forward to reading the next story, though I will look forward to reading future possible Amoveo stories too.  Keep them coming Ms. Humphreys!

Rating:  4.5 stars

Rose Rating: 

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

ARC Mini-Review: Dead Sexy Dragon

Dead Sexy Dragon (Dragon Heat #1)

by Lolita Lopez 

Blurb:

The last thing dragon shifter Stig Wyvern needs is his dead friend’s kid sister showing up on his doorstep. He’s just minutes away from entering a mating phase. Sharing his isolated house with the young woman he’s desperately lusted after for quite some time is a recipe for disaster.

But Cora Cardenas has nowhere else to go. She’s in deep trouble with some really nasty people and Stig is the only one who can protect her. That he’s deliciously sexy and makes her tingle with the simplest of smiles is just a bonus.

Cora quickly realizes Stig is hiding something from her. To make matters worse, she’s plagued with breathtakingly naughty dreams starring a shadowed lover who bears a startling resemblance to her host. And just what the hell is going on down in the basement at night?

Stig needs to get Cora out of his house but his inner beast has other ideas. He’s found his mate and she’s not going anywhere...

Review:

Is there any sexier kind of shapeshifters than the immortal and terrifying Dragon? Though I’ve read many dragon shifter stories this is a first read for me by Ms. Lopez.  It was interesting to see a new take on the legend of the dragon and the humans that share in their magic.  The story was a bit short, but as an introduction to the new series it was a great read.

The story begins quickly with Stig’s battle against his inner dragon as he goes into a heat cycle, one that apparently leaves him a slavering beast for the ladies.  Just as he’s about to lock himself away to keep others safe, he has an unexpected house guest arrive on his doorstep.  Desperate and in danger Cora, slips her way into his house and ultimately his heart.  As the connection between them become more evident, Stig is unable to deny Cora the truth of him and his heritage.  She seems to accept him and all his difference with very little fear or reluctance.  Without that deceit between them the need to resist her sexual pull becomes undeniable and they fall into bed almost immediately and the sexual heat is outrageous.

There was definitely an extreme passion that moved between them like a current through a live wire from the moment they were on the page together.   Cora has obviously desired Stig for a long time, but been unable to get him to accept the attraction because of his connection to her brother.  When Stig finally gives in to their desires the heat and chemistry that brings them together is a crucial part of any romance story.  I will say that though there was an obvious attraction and an underlying affection, the love came very quickly and I was surprised that there wasn’t a bit more time for their relationship to build before they committed to being eternal mates.

I enjoyed this story and liked very much the writing style and voice of this author.  I’m looking forward to trying more of her writing and enjoying the next in this series.  The next story will hopefully involve some of the dragons we met in this story, allowing us to see more of Cora and Stig at the same time.  A definite twist on the dragon stories I’ve read in the past, and the vivid description of the beasts leads to be able to see the dragons in our minds perfectly.  Cora and Stig were great together and seeing Cora be Stig’s hero at one point was a laugh a minute for me—big bad dragon male saved by the feeble human girl? Oh yeah beat that! If you’ve read dragon shifter stories in the past you will not be disappointed by this imaginative, sexy, and fascinating take on the legend and the love that can develop for these dragons and their mates. 

Rating: 3 stars

Rose Rating: 

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

ARC Review: Highlander Betrayed

Highlander Betrayed (Guardians of the Targe #1)

by Laurin Wittig 

Blurb:

 Hidden deep in the rugged Scottish Highlands lies the Highland Targe, an ancient relic guarded for centuries by clan MacAlpin. It is said the Targe can shield the heart of the Highlands from invaders and now, as part of his plan to crush the Scottish rebellion, the English king wants the Targe for himself...

Rowan MacGregor, orphaned niece to the chief of the MacAlpins and the rock her family depends upon, is worried. With the dwindling health of her aunt, the Guardian of the Targe, the protections that have kept the clan safe and prosperous are fading, and the new Guardian, one of her cousins, has yet to be chosen. Rowan wants nothing more than to see the clan protected again, but when it seems that will never happen, she despairs—even when a handsome and charming stranger comes to her aid.

Nicholas fitz Hugh is not what he seems. Half-English, half-Scottish, he turned his back on his Scottish heritage early in his life, giving his loyalty to England instead. Now he is a talented and cunning spy charged with finding and stealing the Highland Targe for his king.

But when Nicholas finds himself falling for the bonny Rowan and wanting to protect the family she holds so dear, he is forced to choose between his king’s will and his own: Will he betray his king and his mission? Or will he turn his back on the woman he has come to love?

Review:

As a great lover of history and romance fiction, I am always happy to try a new historical romance writer, and being a Scottish descendant I am of course partial to any story set in the highlands. This new series is set deep in the highlands and involves a small bit of the magic that runs through all Scottish blood and the story didn’t let me down.  Ms. Wittig is a new author to me and I was thrilled to read her story of love, ambition, and danger. Though I haven’t read her before I will definitely be reading her future books in this series and others that might come after.

Highlander Betrayed begins with Nicholas, King Edward’s favorite spy getting the mission of his life: return to his homeland in the highlands and discover the secret of the protections provided by the Highland Targe.  More than willing to give his all for the king, Nicholas sets off immediately, never knowing that his future will forever change and so will he.  When he tracks all the whispers to the MacAlpin clan deep in the highlands, he and his partner arrive at a most inopportune moment, or a great time depending on perspective.  Rowan MacGregor, niece to the clan chief, is outside the curtain walls trying to reign in her wayward cousin when a freak accident puts them both in lethal danger.  Driven by some unknown force, Nicholas runs to their rescue and is taken into the clan, albeit reluctantly, and begins to learn more about them all and specifically the woman who has grabbed his attention and just won’t let him go.  But when his true mission comes to light, will Rowan or any of Clan MacAlpin be able to recover and trust him again.

As their feelings deepen and their lives are changed irrevocably, Rowan and Nicholas must come together, knocking down all the walls between them, to master the powers of the targe and protect the clan—and ultimately the highlands—from Nicholas’s former partner who is bent on revenge and doesn’t care who he has to dispose of to rise in the favor of the king.  There is a great underlying plot of course, one that pits cousin against cousin and causes serious strife between loved ones as Rowan’s true destiny comes to light.  Though their feelings run true, perilously close to love already, Nicholas is determined to do whatever it takes to earn Rowan’s trust again, even if it means he may have to risk his own life to protect her and the lives of her family. But will they be able to overcome the challenges in time or will King Edward’s plot to bring down the highlands succeed?

Rowan and Nicholas were fascinating characters.  Nicholas obviously comes into the story with a serious chip on his shoulder, unloved by either of his parents and essentially left alone in the world to fend for himself from a very young age.  He has let his ambition lead him all his life, perhaps onto the darkest of paths; one his own conscience will not let him continue on forever.  When he is confronted with the true strength of will and character to be found in the peoples of the highlands, he begins to understand the mistakes he has made and that his life surely needs to change.  Bringing about this change in Nicholas, though unintentionally, Rowan is in her own right a broken and deeply flawed character.  She has blocked the most important memories of her childhood, fighting her own nature all her life so she can maintain her calm center.  But as they say still waters run deep, and when she is forced to confront her past and her future, those waters become the rushing river leading to a thousand foot waterfall.  The magic in her is awesome to get to see, though I would have liked more of it, and when Nicholas figures out how to tap that power, the passion between them becomes even greater.

Wittig is a very talented author, showing us the growth of feelings and the emotional issues that couples work through, even as she takes us on a political and magical journey through Scotland’s rocky past. Nicholas and Rowan were set up from the beginning to fail, only overcoming the odds due to their own stubbornness and belief that their love is the most important thing for them and their clan.  Though Nicholas takes a while to come back to his true nature he is, in the end, a real highlander, with all the strength and resolve you could hope to find in such a warrior.  Rowan is the true essence of Scotland, carrying the secret magic that so many sought to steal or destroy inside her practical soul.  She uses everything in her—her new power, her brains, and her love of Nicholas and her people—to meet any challenge and come out on top.  Though the love is apparent, being set in the 14^th century, Highlander Betrayed is written with a more subtle passion between the H/H than some are used to, but it in no way detracts from the emotional depth or steam in the story.  With stolen kisses and caresses, Nicholas and Rowan let their passion flow and it is very well written, leaving you feeling you were right there experiencing their love.  I am looking forward to finding out what comes next and seeing how the MacAlpin Clan beats the pants off Edward.

Rating:  3.5 stars

Rose Rating: 

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

ARC Review: Jaguar Fever

Jaguar Fever (Heart of the Jaguar #2)

by Terry Spear 

Blurb:

 Jaguar shifter Maya Anderson learns about a secret jaguar society through underground social networking sites. She wanted to discover others like her, but now she's got more trouble than she bargained for—including one hot jaguar shifter who's set his sights on her. Wade Patterson has learned that Maya is a shifter—and available. But how does he get to know her when he left such a bad first impression? When he learns Maya has gone to a watering hole for jaguar shifters to meet up, he quickly follows after, hoping she is wily enough to hold her own...

Review:

Returning to the exotic jungle’s of the world, Terry Spear takes us on an amazing adventure through the Heart of the Jaguars that reside inside these special shifters hidden among us. I have awaited this story for a long time, dying to find out if Maya and Wade would come together and how their relationship would progress. Full of twists and turns Jaguar Fever was certainly entertaining while showing us that even supernatural beings, like Jaguar shifters, can have bad seeds hidden in their populations.  Another great addition to the shifter romance shelf.

Our story picks up shortly after the ending of the last book, with Maya attempting to branch out and meet shifters, hoping to find herself a true mate.  She’s decided that she’ll put herself out there, visiting a shifter club for the first time.  But among all the humans and shifter males, she encounters Wade Patterson, the male that once aided her and her family when they were in danger.  And though he was attempting to steal her brother’s mate, Maya always found herself intrigued by Wade.  But their chance encounter soon leads to danger, leaving Maya caught up in a shifter police operation that Wade is running with his brother.  Attempting to stop an illegal exotic animal smuggling operation, Wade is beyond angry that Maya has gotten involved, even distantly, in his operation and though he is resistant initially, soon accepts that having her help and cooperation might be necessary.

As the story progresses, Wade is immediately possessive and protective of Maya, even though he is resisting finding himself in love with another woman who isn't interested in exclusivity.  He’s been burned in the past and is ready to settle down, but can’t see Maya being willing to settle with him.  Maya and Wade are certainly hot for each other and willing to give in to their bodies’ demands, but the more than are intimate, the closer together they grow and the more their hearts are invested.  It takes entirely too long for both of these characters to face the fact that they are in love with each other and will be perfect lifelong mates.

I will say that the overall plot involving the smugglers and the ring of dangerous criminals left me feeling a bit dirty.  Seeing these beautiful creatures endangered and seeing that even the men that should be protecting were involved in the crimes, broke my heart a bit.   Seeing things unravel for the smugglers was great, though at times it became a bit convoluted, in the end the strands all unraveled conclusively    However, the best part of this story was the exotic locales that we got to see glimpses of.  Spear writes with such detail and depth to her settings that you feel like you are in the jungle running alongside these beautiful cats.  It almost makes me want to travel there to see it for myself… until she mentions the snakes, then I remember why that will NEVER happen. :) Thankfully there are authors like this to let me see and enjoy it in my own mind.

I loved the story overall I must say, but there were points that I found the romance to be a bit shallow and fast moving. I know they had developed a bit of a fascination with each other in the last novel, but there didn’t seem to be enough time for them to get to know each other outside of bed.  It was missing a bit of the emotional element I’m used to feeling in a Spear novel.  There were some fun twists and cross-overs with other series, which left me smiling and chuckling.   I will definitely continue with the series because I’m interested in the characters I met in this story, but I’m looking forward to a return of the deeper connection I expect.   Jaguar Fever was a wonderful read and getting to see Kat and Conner together and how their lives have progressed was beyond fun. I can’t wait to find out what comes next for the Heart of the Jaguar Series and Terry’s world of big cat shifters.

Rating: 3.75  stars

Rose Rating: 

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

ARC Review: Guilty as Sin

Guilty as Sin

by Jami Alden

Blurb:

Fourteen years ago, Kate Beckett was a teenager more interested in summer romance than babysitting. Then the unthinkable happened: her younger brother was kidnapped and murdered on her watch. Now she is an advocate for missing children, and her newest case brings her back to the small town where she lost her brother-and where she left behind the first boy she ever loved.

Tommy Ibarra's world fell apart after Kate broke his heart, and he's spent his adult life making sure that he'll never be vulnerable again. When a teenage girl vanishes, he offers his expertise as a high tech security expert to help find her. Although he's determined to keep his distance from Kate, it isn't long before he's falling under her spell all over again.

As they race against the clock, their investigation leads to a brutal killer with a shocking connection to Kate's tragic past. And this time, the killer has Kate firmly in his sites.

Review:

Jami Alden is one of those authors that are a staple to the romance suspense genre.  She is able to build relationships while focusing on the thrilling plot she is leading the reader along.  I have been a fan for a long time and Guilty as Sin reminds me once again why I love this author so much. It is full of emotional tragedy, rebuilding of friendships and romantic reunions, along with bringing the reader full circle and teaching us that sometimes the darkest of evils hides in plain sight. If you've ever watched a police mystery and found yourself hooked until the good guys finally bring the bad guy to justice, you will not be disappointed with this story.

The story begins with a prologue where we get to meet Kate and Tommy as they are caught in the first blush of young love.  Sadly their love was torn apart by the tragedy of her young brother’s murder.  That loss leaves both Kate and Tommy with broken hearts, and the fallout of that night was catastrophic and far reaching for both of them. Almost fifteen years later, Kate and Tommy are forced back together on a case that bares a striking resemblance to the night their lives were torn apart.  Kate is willing to work with Tommy; no matter how hard it is for them both, putting aside their pasts and current issues, they try  to bring a missing young girl home to her family.  But the feelings of love and lust aren't as far from their minds and hearts as they both once thought.  And as danger circles them and Kate finds herself in mortal danger, Tommy realizes that this might be the second chance he always wanted with Kate, if he can get past his emotional hang-ups and embrace the true feelings that have never faded.

Tommy was one of those guys that frustrate me beyond my ability to like him for most of the story.  He was so hurt by Kate and her father’s wrath when he was young, but any growth he has found over the last decade and a half is not readily apparent to the readers.  The minute Kate is back in his life he is right back to being that broken nineteen year old.  While he’s willing to give in to the lust he feels, he fights himself and Kate to keep his emotions closed down, even to the point of inflicting pain to Kate over and over again.  His sharp barbs and cuts about her as a young girl and the woman that she has become got a bit maddening and I wanted to just tell him to grow the hell up several times.  Thankfully he does finally grow up and accept that the past cannot be changed, but the future is his own choice to make how he wants.

Kate on the other hand is definitely a damaged heroine.  Her past mistakes have become the focus of her life; she uses her work every day as a way to atone for her mistakes and takes the blame for everything that happened even though she was just a young girl whose single mistake changed the course of her entire world.  Her lack of confidence is perfectly understandable when we see how her own family turned against her after her brother’s death. Kate gives into her body’s needs to be with Tommy, even knowing in her heart that he hasn't forgiven or forgotten, and that he will hurt her in the end.  As she comes to have deeper and deeper feelings for him, Kate tries to come to terms with Tommy’s issues and help him work past them, even though he is stubborn.  When she is pulled into the dangerous sights of a serial killer she knows that Tommy will protect her to the end, though she can’t allow herself to depend on Tommy for emotional support.   But maybe, just maybe, he has grown up enough to be the man she needs after all.

In the end, Guilty as Sin was a great read for any romance or suspense fan.  Kate and Tommy both definitely had their emotional issues to work through, but working together they found their confidence both individually and together. I will say that though the suspense was well written, I had a sick feeling in the put of my stomach from the beginning about who the bad guy really was.  Seeing Tommy and Kate both earn justice for Michael and all the other victims and bring the bad guy down, was a great ending to the story.  I enjoyed reading this story even though there were definitely some heavy moments and a lot of emotional turmoil that brought tears a few times. The ending was fitting and finally seeing Tommy and Kate have their long awaited and well earned HEA was fulfilling and left me with that warm fuzzy feeling in my heart. Another great read from Ms. Alden and I’m looking forward to what’s next.

Rating:  4 stars

Rose Rating: 

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

ARC Review: Hot Pursuit

Hot Pursuit (Hostile Operations Team #1)

by Lynn Raye Harris 

 Blurb:

The last man she ever wanted to see…

Might be the only one who can save her…

Things are about to get HOT in the bayou!

Evie Baker’s luck just ran out. Thanks to an ex-partner with organizedP crime ties, she’s lost her restaurant, her money, and nearly all her self-respect. Forced to return to her hometown and work as a shampoo girl in her mother’s salon, she doesn’t think her luck can get any worse.

But then someone starts shooting at her, her sullen baby sister is suddenly missing, and the high school heartthrob who stole her heart—and her virginity—is the only man big enough and bad enough to help.

Captain Matt “Richie Rich” Girard can’t afford to get involved. He’s already on the verge of a court-martial after a Top Secret op gone wrong, and he’s been ordered to stay out of trouble while he’s home for his sister’s wedding.

But when Evie’s ex-partner turns up dead, staying out of trouble is the last thing on Matt’s mind. He failed Evie once before; he can’t fail her again. If he’s going to protect her from a killer, and find her sister before time runs out, he’ll have to risk his entire future—and both their lives—to do it.

Review:

Hot Pursuit is a fascinating beginning to a new series, by an author who is new to me, but outshines all expectations I had for her.  The story introduces us to a new amazing group of men that are part of an elite counterterrorism unit known as HOT: Hostile Operations Teams.  We get an inside view of the training and skill it takes for these commandos to work every day to protect not only themselves but the entire nation. Harris gives us this inside track while she shows us the very human side of the men that make up these teams and the women that give them the courage and commitment to continue to do so.

Matt and Evie’s tale begins with both of the former lovers returning to their home town of Rochambeau, LA, under less than ideal circumstances.  Evie’s life has been turned upside down by a criminal who was also her business partner and lover, one who is now missing and it has left her without the restaurant she has built her dreams on and lacking the courage or finances to start fresh.  Returning home seems her only option, and when she does her life is nowhere near as simple as it was supposed to be.  The first sign of things going very wrong in her life is the return of her first love and the only man to have ever broken her heart. Matt is just as gorgeous as ever and her feelings for him haven’t lessened over the years or through the heartbreak.  But his return is really only the tip of the iceberg she’s to be faced with.

Matt’s return to his home, though timed to match his sister’s wedding, comes with its own sadness and regret.  His last mission didn't go so well and he’s facing the loss of his military career along with his freedom, if things don’t go well for him.  When he runs into Evie his heart and body respond instantly to the girl who was his best friend and the biggest regret of his young life. Determined to not only win her forgiveness, but bring Evie back into his life however possible, Matt plans an assault on her senses that leaves them both burning for each other.  Too bad the plan is interrupted.  When danger begins to follow Evie, bringing them both into the dark and dangerous game of organized crime, Matt must use every skill and resource that HOT has given him to keep them alive and find a way out of the mess they’ve landed in.

Matt and Evie definitely had chemistry, a spark between them that kept the reader guessing until the very end. As they both had to overcome some series issues with their families, careers, and personal regrets, there was a very emotional bend to the story that ran parallel to the lust burning up the pages.  Matt wasn’t what I would classify as a purely alpha male, though he was certainly man enough to get the job done and extremely protective of Evie.  His fears and lack of self confidence in his personal life certainly didn’t carry over into his professionalism or skills though.  The strong belief he held that he was no good for Evie and couldn’t have a relationship with her was a bit annoying at times, to the reader as well as Evie.  Evie though is a wonderful and richly written heroine. Though she has been through a very tough time, she refuses to let herself be kept down. She stands beside Matt, working as his partner (whether he likes it or not) to get them safely through the challenges they are facing.  Showing a surprising amount of fortitude, Evie is one of those women that we all aspire to be: full of heart, character, strength, and love.  I don’t think I’ve liked a female lead more in a long time.

Action packed and definitely full of twists and turns, Hot Pursuit was a story that you could lose yourself in.  Matt and Evie move through the dangers around them with passion, spirit and conviction of right and wrong. Their love rekindles as they are repeatedly thrown into dangerous situations that allow them find not only each other again, but the missing pieces of themselves.  The love between Matt and Evie is a powerful undercurrent throughout the entire story and when their path is set and their HEA has arrived you feel blessed to have traveled the long road back with them. As a begging to the series, it was a well-written introduction to the HOT program as well as a few of the other men we will meet down the road.  Though this was a first Harris read for me it will not be the last and I’m looking forward to wherever she takes us in the future. 

Rating: 4.25  stars

Rose Rating:

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

ARC Mini-Review: Making It Last

Making It Last (Camelot #4)

by Ruthie Knox

Blurb:

 RITA finalist Ruthie Knox returns with a brand-new eBook original novella, the finale of her delightfully sexy Camelot series!

A hotel bar. A sexy stranger. A night of passion. There’s a part of Amber Mazzara that wants those things, wants to have a moment — just one — where life isn’t a complicated tangle of house and husband and kids and careers. Then, after a long, exhausting “vacation” with her family, her husband surprises her with a gift: a few days on the beach . . . alone.

Only she won’t be alone long, because a handsome man just bought her a drink. He’s cool, he’s confident, and he wants to take Amber to bed and keep her there for days. Lucky for them both, he’s her husband. He’s only got a few days in Jamaica to make her wildest desires come true, but if he can pull it off, there’s reason to believe that this fantasy can last a lifetime.

Review:

Wow, what a strange but intriguing take on a finale for a series.  Though I haven’t read any of the full length novels that come before this novella in the series, I will say this story was interesting and a unique take on the romance genre.  The series seems to be very fascinating and I would like to go back and read the previous novels, but even without reading them I can say this author has grabbed my attention.

Making It Last is a follow-up about the couple that came together in the first story in the series, set 14 years later.  Amber and Tony have built a life, including raising three rambunctious boys, building their dream home and trying to find their niches in their lives. But as their children have grown and Amber has watched those around her also find love, she has lost herself.  She loves her husband and is happy with her family, but lately she has found herself feeling overwhelmed and adrift.  When her husband gives her the chance for her own mini vacation, trying to ease her unhappiness, Amber finds herself at a crossroads, trying to decide how she’ll deal with finding herself in her marriage.

Tony is scared he is losing his wife, the love of his life, mother of his children, and the only reason he has for everything he’s worked so hard to achieve for his family.  Determined to give everything he has to rebuilding their relationship and bringing back the pieces of Amber that have disappeared from her eyes, Tony crashes her vacation, working to rekindle their passions.  But as they both handle the changes in their lives and try to find the lust that lead to their love so long again, things become extremely emotional as they break down the walls the lives have built between them over the years.

Though I’m not used to reading these types of follow-up stories, ones so full of dysfunction and family issues after the ending of my romance novels, I will say I liked the story.  There was of course the requisite passion and sexiness, but oh man there was a huge amount of emotional angst, fear, and stark sadness as they worked through their fears.  I found myself crying a lot but in the end, I was left with the feeling that everything will be happy for Tony and Amber in the end, even if they have to tear down and rebuild, their foundation is solid and I can see their love will last forever.

If you haven’t read the rest of the novels in this series, I recommend you do that before you read this novella.  I certainly plan to go back and read Tony and Amber’s love story.  However, even if you just happen to grab this novella you will not be disappointed.  There is plenty of back-story and you don’t feel lost at all.  Overall a great ending to a series that I imagine was wonderful to read.  I am definitely going to read more by Ruthie Knox.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Rose Rating:  

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

ARC Review: Guardian by Nancy Northcottt

Guardian (The Protectors #2)

by Nancy Northcott

Blurb:

A POWER TO KILL

FBI agent Camellia "Mel" Wray is no stranger to violence but when an old friend is brutally murdered, she takes it personally. The case hits even closer to her heart when the best person to help with the investigation is Dr. Stefan Harper, the only man she ever loved-and lost. One look at the gorgeous medical expert and Mel realizes he's still impossible to resist-and still harboring a secret after all these years . . .

A POWER TO LOVE

Afraid Mel wouldn't accept him, Stefan never revealed his study of magical medicine or his abilities, instead allowing her to believe he'd been unfaithful. Now she's back in his life-and their mutual attraction burns hotter than ever. But when something dark and otherworldly threatens humans, Stefan must summon his mage powers to keep everyone safe. Will Mel be able to trust him again? Or will their love cost him even more than it did the first time?

Review:

Guardian is the second full-length novel in the new Protectors series by Nancy Northcott.   Full of all the Mages that have been grabbing me since the beginning of the series, I awaited this book on pins and needles.  Getting to see Stefan fight for his HEA with the woman of his dreams was a unique and heart-wrenching experience.  Full of amazing imagery and an interesting take on magic and evil, this new world is as intriguing as any I've wandered into in novels. The series has a great story plot for each of the couples, but a masterfully written overall story arc as well, to tie each of their battles together, which is never an easy thing.

The story revolves around Stefan, what I would classify as a healing-mage, with just a bit of battle-mage thrown in for sexiness and Mel, his one love that he lost almost a decade before, who is a mundane, but a very strong willed FBI agent too. Mel finds herself caught in the middle of a strange new world when she finds her old friend has been murdered under very strange circumstances that suspicious links to other deaths in the area.  When Stefan is also called in to consult on the case, their worlds collide and there is no hiding from the passion still burning between them or the love that still echoes in their hearts.  But can she bring herself to trust him after he broke her heart all those years ago?

The love between Stefan and Mel is evident to any fool looking on as they interact, and as I’m no fool I know these two were in deep no matter how hard they tried to keep it locked down.  The heat rolling between them was like a bright burning bonfire, flaring one second and then mellowing to bright embers the next.  As they work together to regain the trust they once shared and fight the evil after them we get the unique opportunity to see how they have grown and continue to open their minds to each other and their needs. There were definitely times I wanted to slap Mel as hard as possible for not just giving the man she loved the benefit of the doubt, but I can understand that trust comes easier for some than for others. It was heartbreaking to see Stefan put himself on the line over and over just to have Mel pull back or try to push him away because she couldn't handle the truths right before her eyes.

The overall story arc for this series took some very fascinating turns as well.  I won’t spoil the surprises, but needless to say the Ghouls are beginning to evolve in some scary ways and seeing how devastating it can be for the Mundanes they are attacking was hard to read.  The continuation from previous novels in the series was flawless and I cannot wait to see where Northcott takes these new plot lines.  But needless to say this part of the story kept up very well with the romance and relationship issues, allowing the characters and the plot to work off each other and become all the better for those twists and turns.

In the end, I have to say that Guardian is one of the new reads for the summer not to be missed.  I am a fan of all the books in the series, but have a special place in my heart now for Stefan’s story.  Stefan and Mel are both special in their ways—Stefan’s just a bit more obviously.  Seeing Stefan and Mel work together to overcome some pretty staggering odds and still find time to fall back in love, gives us more Mundane people the hope that our petty issues can still leave us time to find love.  I am anxiously awaiting where Northcott will take us next in their world.  

And just for a personal note I love that the setting for the series is familiar to me and something I can relate to, makes it even more remarkable to me to be able to feel myself right their moving through those swamps with the characters.  Great work Nancy!

Rating: 4.25 stars

Rose Rating: 

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