Review: Mad for the Plaid (The Oxenburg Princes #3)

Mad for the Plaid (The Oxenburg Princes #3)

by Karen Hawkins 

Blurb:

The third captivating, sizzling Scottish historical romance in New York Times bestseller Karen Hawkins's Princes of Oxenburg series. Fans of Julia Quinn, Monica McCarty and Julie Garwood will be enchanted by this dazzling read.

Prince Nikolai Romanovin is bored out of his bejeweled crown with London's society scene. If he has to make inane small talk or dance with one more tongue-tied virgin, he might actually run off. So when he gets word his beloved grandmother might be in danger back in his homeland of Oxenburg, Nik is all too willing to rush to the estate she's been staying in in the snow-capped mountains of Scotland. Arriving in secret only to find his grandmother missing, Nik devises a plan to switch identities with a member of his honor guard so he can move around freely without the pomp and circumstance that comes with the Crown Prince title. He relishes the freedom that comes with losing his title, until he spots her...

While her five older sisters all enjoyed seasons, got married to men of high station, and had children of their own, Lyssa, the baby of the family, was left at home to be raised by her absent father and her sharp-witted, but ailing grandmother after losing her mother in childbirth. Now twenty-nine years old, the sole caretaker of her grandmother, and the entrenched mistress of the castle, Lyssa has resigned herself to living at the castle and enjoying the amusements offered - spending time with her grandmother, copious amounts of reading, wild rides through the moors, and the occasional ball in the local town. All in all, it's a satisfying, if sedate, life... But when she meets a guard more handsome, and far more arrogant and sure of himself than any man she's ever met, she's determined to figure out his secrets, no matter the cost.

Themes:  historical, Scotland

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The crowned-prince of Oxenburg has finally gotten his chance at love!  This series has followed the Romanovin men, all princes of Oxenburg (a small fictional country placed between Russia and Prussia) as their Romany grandmother has led them on a mad chase through Scotland and each has fallen for their own wild Scottish woman.  Fans of the series know that it is a spin-off of the previous Hawkins series Duchess Diaries and we have waited a long time now to read Nikolai’s book.  Nik’s book is full of angst, fear, danger, and love, and he and Ailsa are beyond amazing and perfectly matched in every way.  Karen Hawkins is a writer that has skills that span different countries, different worlds, and the ability to bring her characters to life in a way that makes you wonder if these people really once existed.  I can totally see Tata Natasha sitting in a Romany tent and reading fortunes for those that seek her vast knowledge and experience.  I was sad to see this particular series ending because I am a big fan of the Scottish women she has brought into her writing, but I am looking forward to wherever her next project takes her readers. 

Prince Nikolai Romanovin is working in Edinburgh to bring peace and prosperity to his country when he receives notice that his beloved grandmother, who has been visiting an old friend in the Scottish highlands, has been kidnapped.  Unwilling to leave her possibly in the hands of his enemies, Nik comes up with a daring plan to sneak away, pretending to be a commoner, in order to lead a mission to save her.  When he arrives at the home of the Mackenzie, where his grandmother was staying, he finds himself faced with the immovable obstacle of the young Lady Ailsa Mackenzie, the defacto leader of the clan while her father is away on business.  Ailsa has been handling clan affairs for a long time, but when she confronts Nik, who she knows is no mere commoner, she finds herself more than attracted to this strong and ever-changing man.  Thrown into danger as they work together—sort of—to rescue the hostages, Nik and Ailsa soon find themselves unable to resist the passion between them.  With a treacherous plot unfolding around them will this proud and alpha man follow his heart to the woman he loves, or will he give up everything for the duty of his crown?

Nik is obviously a man that knows his duty, a man that has hidden his true nature a long time in order to serve his country to the best of his ability. He has devoted his entire life to being able to protect his people and always knew it would be his duty to marry to enhance the standing of his family and country.  Meeting Ailsa throws him off his game in a big way.  He doesn’t understand his intense attraction to this stubborn and argumentative female, but there is no denying he wants her with every fiber of his being.  I loved seeing Nik get put into his place a few times, and when he finally began to understand how to work with Ailsa in order to keep everyone safe and have the best outcome of their drama, he becomes a truly great man and leader.  He was sweet too, a lot of the time, but his obliviousness was maddening more than once.  Seeing him come to appreciate those around him as more than just background noise was wonderful to experience.  I also loved his obvious enjoyment of and love for his family, Tata Natasha especially, even when they were making him crazy.  In the end Nik needed a push here and there to know just what he needed in his life to be happy, but he gets there in the end and fully understands just how lucky he is to have his happily ever after.

Ailsa Mackenzie is a throwback to clan chieftesses of the past.  Determined to be more than just the pretty adornment on some man’s arm, she wants to lead her people and prove to them that she is smart and capable.  When she ventures out on her quest to save the hostages, she knows that she won’t be able to work with Nik’s condescension and highhandedness, so she decides to leave him behind, but nothing will stop this determined prince.  Faced with the lack of choice Ailsa is not going to let the passion and heat that Nik has coursing through her body distract her from her goals or her responsibilities. She begins to believe that the strange problems they are having along the way are more than coincidences and fears for Nik’s life.  Ailsa was a woman that I could definitely respect.  I liked seeing her holding her own in arguments with Nik, leading her men, and even rescuing the prince when he is almost killed.  She is educated, sweet, and willing to get right down in the trenches with her people to get done what needs doing.  I was sad for Ailsa a few times when she felt like she didn’t have a chance with a man like Nik, but in the end she is just what he needed to be the leader his people needed.  With her by his side there will be nothing stopping this royal pair. 

Mad for the Plaid marks the final prince of Oxenburg’s love story and I will be sad not to see these characters in future novels, but the ending was enough to keep me from being too sad.  There was plenty of intrigue, drama, sensuality, laughter and tears to fill the void until Karen’s next project sweeps me away to a new world.  Lady Ailsa Mackenzie is a true highland lass and she embodies all the stubbornness and strength of the clans.  She is sweet though, too, and when she loves, she does so with every inch of her body.  I enjoyed seeing her sparring with Nik and finding a way to show Nik that his way isn’t always the only way.  Nik on the other hand needed his butt kicked a few times until he came to understand that sometimes following the advice of others is the path to success.  But, I suppose one cannot expect a crown prince, used to always being the one giving orders, to change overnight.  The love and passion between these two is interesting to watch grow and kindle.  I really think these two were the best match of all the Princes and their women.  I am thrilled to have had the chance to read this story and cannot wait for the next Hawkins masterpiece.  If you are a fan of highland lasses taking control and demanding their due even as they fall in love you cannot go wrong with this story of love and treachery, as two people find their way to one another despite all odds and even against their own understanding of what their perfect mate will someday be.  Thanks for the amazing experience, Karen.

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

Review: Dangerous Protector (Red Stone Security #14)

Dangerous Protector (Red Stone Security #14)

by Katie Reus

Blurb:

She thought she was finally safe…

After two years of running Tegan O’Kelly could finally stop when the deadly gangster after her died. Eight months ago she put down roots in sunny Miami. For the first time in years she has friends, a job she likes and she can think about the future, not just surviving to the next day. When her car is bombed in broad daylight, she decides to stand her ground instead of running from her faceless enemy.

But a deadly enemy has her in his crosshairs…

Single father Aaron Fitzpatrick knew Tegan was trouble from the moment he laid eyes on her. Sexy trouble wrapped up in a petite, dynamite package he fantasizes about kissing far too often. So far he’s been able to keep his distance, but when he witnesses her car explode—with her close by—something protective erupts inside him. After his wife left him and their son five years ago, he’s stayed away from relationships and women, but he can’t keep his distance from Tegan. It’s clear she’s in danger and the more he learns about her, the more he knows he has to stand beside her and fight the danger hunting her.

Themes:  romantic suspense

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 This story marks the fourteenth in a series that has grown in both popularity and complexity in the last few years.  Starting as just a story about three sexy and dangerous brothers, Reus has introduced so many new and great characters and continues to hold my imagination (and libido) hostage as she makes more couples find love through danger. If you have missed the previous stories in the series, while I feel bad for you, you will not feel left out as Reus always provides the needed information for her stories to stand alone on their individual merits and greatness. Tegan and Aaron’s story starts out with a bang (sorry couldn’t’ resist) when she is almost blown to bits by a car bomb, bringing the danger she has been hiding from to the front of everyone’s minds.  Aaron, the sexy single father she has been wanting, but not getting a very welcoming vibe from, is now determined to place himself in the way of the sicko out to kill her.  Tegan was a great heroine and I enjoyed getting to know her.  While she is obviously strong and willful, the sweetness and determination to keep those she cares about safe is what really made me like her.  Aaron too is obviously a protector, but when he gives in to the passion that has been simmering in him for the sweet sexy Tegan, his alpha male tendencies come out with a vengeance.  The dynamic between these two characters were interesting from the beginning mainly because Aaron was so able to hide his desire—from Tegan and himself—in the beginning, but once he is confronted with possibly losing her there is no more hiding.  The passion that burns between them is obvious and palpable, but the true greatness of their relationship is the way they are both determined to protect one another and their loved ones, even at great risk to themselves. As always, I look forward to whatever couple falls in love in the next story and cannot wait to find out where this series is heading.  If you are looking for a series full of great reads, each of them just the right length for a fulfilling evening of reading, I highly recommend Red Stone Security, and cannot say enough about how great Katie Reus is. 

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

Review: Once Touched (Silver Creek #3)

Once Touched (Silver Creek #3)

by Laura Moore

Blurb:

The youngest of the three Knowles siblings, Quinn has in her blood the love of the land and its beautiful creatures. Raising enough money to build an animal sanctuary is a dream Quinn lives every day—while fending off her family’s well-intentioned matchmaking schemes. Though harboring secret fears about intimacy, Quinn soon realizes she cannot fight her growing attraction to a man who has suddenly entered her life.

Scarred by his months in Afghanistan and the violence he witnessed there through his camera lens, photojournalist Ethan Saunders throws himself into hard ranching work as a prescription for healing. But falling for Quinn has given him the one thing he thought he’d lost forever: hope. Ethan discovers that Quinn, like the innocent animals she rescues, is shy, and afraid of entrusting her heart to a man. Passion soon awakens Ethan’s strength, and his tender seduction may be just what Quinn needs to believe in herself—and in his love.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 I have been wondering what type of man would earn Quinn’s love and, boy, was I thrilled to finally see her meet her match in a strong, sweet and passionate man like Ethan.  This series is one that I stumbled across while searching through Netgalley and wasn’t sure I would love them; I decided to give them a try.  I can honestly say, though, that this series just got better with each book.  Laura Moore has surprised me as a new author that I will be keeping my eyes open for. Quinn’s older brothers have both found love with their beautiful, though unlikely mates, and I wondered if Quinn would find a man to love her and support her in her myriad adventures with animals in need.  Ethan, poor guy, has been living with some shit bottled up for a while now as he heals from a trauma that has changed him at an intrinsic level.  Escaping to the ranch where he spent many happy summers as a child seems like a decent plan, somewhere he can hide while he decided what he wants to do with the rest of his life… at least until he claps eyes on the sweet girl she used to babysit.  All grown up and sexy as hell, Quinn throws Ethan for a loop and he doesn’t quite know how to handle her.  As they work together, each finding their way in their daily interaction, he finds himself drawn to the beauty even as he pushes her away.  But when the heat between them is unleashed, with a simple, but powerful, confession from Quinn, they are both surprised by just how deep their connection goes.  I loved seeing Quinn falling in love with the dangerous and brooding Ethan, her determination to bring him back from the darkness he is trapped in is something I can more than understand with her character as a savior. But the truth was that by simply loving him she changed him irrevocably.  Ethan on the other hand was an ass a good bit of this story, forgivable to a point because of his pain, but thankfully as Quinn finds ways to bring out the softer and sweeter side of this adventurous guy, Ethan’s true loving nature emerges.  There were plenty of laughs, lots of tears, and more than enough sizzling passion to show that this couple was meant for each other beyond any shadow of a doubt.  I loved seeing Quinn’s brothers continuing their HEAs with their women and this seems to be the type of family that has to put themselves and their lovers through the ringer before they ever get their chance at true happiness.   I was sad to see this trilogy end, but I look forward to seeing what future series will be coming from this author and I will certainly be jumping at any chance to read more by Ms. Moore.  If you are looking for a passionate, fun, and interesting story to read that shows the true power of love, understanding, and forgiveness then I highly recommend Once Touched (as well as the previous two stories in this series).

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

Review: Talen (Realm Enforcers #3.1)

Talen (Realm Enforcers #3.1)by Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

This is a short story set shortly after Wicked Burn and revolves around the changing lives and love of Cara and Talen, the very first lovers in the Realm Protectors Series. This story can be found in the back of Wicked Burn as a bonus to readers.

Themes:   Vampires, Demons, paranormal

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Talen is the extra special epilogue story that continues the love story of Talen and Cara the very first lovers to come together in the Dark Realm series, set almost 25 years before this story.  The story is not yet released as a standalone but is instead included as a fan bonus in the back of Wicked Burn. Zanetti, being so in touch with her fans, knew many of us wanted to know how these couples are dealing with all the changes in their lives now that the bulk of the war has ended and their mates are (relatively) safe.  Talen and Cara are heading out on a long romantic vacation to Hawaii, but on the way there, they will be dropping off some precious cargo at a lab.  But before they even make it very far in their trip, everything begins to go wrong.  I LOVED seeing this couple that has become one of my all-time favorites coping with all the changes that life is throwing at them and showing readers that even a love that has stood through serious concerns like near-death experiences, dangerous childbirth, and even a massive war, can still have problems that need to be worked through if they are going to remain level.  Relationships take work and this couple reminds us of that in a big way as they show their love and dedication to one another.  The danger they find themselves in only brings them back together and teaches them that while their love may never die, if they don’t nurture it and take care of one another’s emotions then that love can become weak and brittle. Talen and Cara are still as passionate as they were the very first time they made love and I can see them being just the same centuries down the line when their grandchildren have grandchildren of their own.  A fun and short story that was a great way to end the week and fill the time until Wicked Kiss comes along; Great work Rebecca.

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

Review: Rival Forces (K-9 Rescue #4)

Rival Forces (K-9 Rescue #4)

by D.D. Ayres 

Blurb:

DESIRE IS A FORCE TO BE RECKONED WITH

When it comes to training K-9 patrol dogs, Yardley Summers always trusts her instincts. But when it comes to dating men, she keeps her heart on a very short leash. Mostly, she’s too busy with her four-legged trainees at Harmonie Kennels to commit to a relationship. Only two men have managed to distract her: a handsome Doctors Without Borders physician who’s suddenly gone missing—and the red-hot dog trainer from her past who’s suddenly back in her life…

Now a K-9 rescue team leader, Kye McGarren has never forgotten the days he trained at Yardley’s camp—or the nights he spent in her arms. When he hears that Yardley is on a mission to find the missing doctor, Kye is determined to keep her out of danger. With his K-9 partner by his side, he joins Yardley on a death-defying mission—one that reignites their mutual passion. Will Kye be able to rescue his romantic rival…without losing the woman he loves?

Themes:  Contemporary, Military, K-9

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Kye is a serious man’s man and he will never allow a woman to tie him down, not since his first love was stolen from him and he buried himself in the world of K-9 search and rescue. Yardley is an independent woman and doesn’t need anything from the alpha men that she surrounds herself with through work, she's more interested in a quiet and staid man to live out her life with.  But when these two immovable forces collide the explosion is one heard the world over.  Kye is simply doing an old friend a favor, returning to Yardley’s life to keep her out of danger, but he’s not interested in rekindling the love they once shared.  Too bad when he sees her his entire being is attracted to her and the passion that still burns for her is not something he is able to ignore.  Yardley doesn’t want Kye in her life again; while she is willing to take his help when danger arrives on her doorstep there is no way she will allow herself to fall for him all over again.  But luckily, for them both, Love never really dies!  Kye was the kind of guy that can keep you drooling for his sexiness while making you so angry you want to slap him, but when he turns on the sweetness and shows the vulnerabilities he carries, no woman can resist making him her own.  Yardley is one of those women that I never quite understand, mainly because she thinks that the only way she can have independence is to be the more powerful one in a relationship, the dominant one.  Luckily, Kye is able to teach her that a woman can be powerful in her own right, but with the right mate, she is a partner, an equal, and can show her own vulnerabilities to him while keeping him safe when he is vulnerable.  Like a mated wolf pair, the female is only as strong as the male she protects and the male is stronger for having a strong female at his side. The heat between these two flares from the very second they are together again, rekindling the passion and love that laid dormant for over a decade, and slowly burns away all the years of pain and the trauma of the loss of their relationship.  I loved the way this story ended and cannot wait to see where this series goes now that so much has changed.  I find myself enjoying this series more and more, surprisingly since I had never even heard of Ms. Ayres before I came across the first in this series as a review opportunity.  I look forward to more coming soon and will be adding this author to my list of writers to watch out for.  And of course I cannot say enough about the sweet sidekicks of these stories, the K-9s that round out the cast of characters beautifully, and I especially enjoyed learning more about Lily, Kye’s SAR K-9 and Oleg, Yardley’s fierce wolfdog protector.  Anyone that loves dogs and enjoys a good suspenseful romance will find what they are looking for in Ms. Ayres’s K-9 Rescue series.

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

Review: Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)

Wicked Burn (Realm Enforcers #3)

by Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

Simone Brightston knows she can beat the rap her enemies are pinning on her. An Irish witch is nobody's fool, and she didn't get to her position on the Coven Nine high council without serious power. But her cousins want her to hide out—and they somehow convinced her arch nemesis to play getaway driver.

Of all the men she's known, Nikolaj Veis is the hardest to intimidate. With his demon-dark eyes and his inscrutable beauty, he's as desirable as he is dangerous. And he knows better than to underestimate Simone. So when he pulls up on a roaring bike and tells her to climb on or fight it out, she grabs a handful of jacket and holds on tight.

Running from the law may not be the smartest plan. But when it comes to Nick, hot pursuit and a blazing fast ride are exactly what Simone's looking for . . .

Themes:   Witches, Demons, paranormal

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 
Review:

Finally, we can all experience the heat and passion between Nick and Simone for ourselves.  From the first time we met Simone in a previous novel, we have gotten hints that her life was once changed drastically by the abandonment of the man she loved.  And when Nick burst onto the scene, there was no need for an explanation as to who had broken her heart.  Now that Simone is in serious danger, possibly facing a death sentence for a crime she didn’t commit, Nick is back and determined to keep her safe—and win her back. For long time readers of the Realm series by Rebecca you will recognize a lot of the characters in this novel and we will finally get a lot of details that will make the light bulb go off in your head as you see another side of the backstory. I enjoyed every minute of getting to know Simone and Nick even thought there were a lot of nail-biting moments and of course, there was always the worry that they wouldn’t find a way out of their troubles.  The only issue I had was that though the couple certainly got their HEA together, the world remains in serious turmoil and seeing the damage done to the Realm and their allies as well as the many interconnected families that make up the core of the realm leaders.  I loved seeing the softer side of Simone peeking through here and there, as she fell back in love with her true mate after a century apart.  While she is obviously a brave and daring, powerful and daunting witch, she remains a woman seeking the other half of her soul, someone to love her for herself and not her powers, family, or clout.  Nick similarly just wanted to finally have the chance to live his life with the woman he’s always loved.  He gave up his life with her, losing pieces of his soul in the process, in order to bring about the change that was foretold to him in order to keep her and thousands of others safe.  Nick is the perfect hardcore alpha jackass that one moment you want to slap and the next you want to tackle to a bed and Simone is just the woman to bring this demon of immense power and sensuality to heel.  Seeing them interacting whether they are fighting, defending themselves against danger, plotting overthrowing governments or simply expressing their feelings, the passion between them is undeniable and there is no way that readers will escape their story without needing something seriously cold to drink. That being said I really enjoyed this story even though it ended on a bit of a cliffhanger.  I am really looking forward to Adam’s story next (I Hope) and I am 90% sure I already know who he is falling (has fallen) for and that he has a hard road ahead of him. 

P.s. you might have noticed that this story came with a short story after it, Talen.  Talen is all about Talen and his loving mate Cara finding their way in this new environment after many years of strife.  I am going to post a separate review for Talen in coming days, so keep your eyes open for that.

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

Review: The Highlander's Vow (Loch Moigh #4)

The Highlander's Vow (Loch Moigh #4)

by Barbara Longley

Blurb:

On the eve of her wedding, Sky Elizabeth, the earl of Fife’s eldest daughter, learns of her betrothed’s murderous plot against her. As she flees, Sky falls through a mysterious portal in time, landing at the feet of a twenty-first-century American knight.

Struan, the bastard son of the earl of Sutherland, escaped death through time’s portal once. Recognizing what has befallen the frightened woman, he vows to protect her even while Sky, with a trace of fae blood in her veins, senses his resentment.

Despite their growing attraction, she’s determined to find a way home to avert a clan war. Though he cannot deny his desire, he fears that helping her return to the past will surely lead to his demise. As the two work together, passion ignites and an unbreakable bond forms—but will it be enough to sustain them through the perils they’ll face in the past? Can their love have a future?

Themes:  historical, time travel, paranormal

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 The series that I never thought I would enjoy continues with the story of the daughter of the lovers from the very first book in the series.  For long time readers this story will be interesting just in that you get to see all the happy couples from the previous stories many years later and the lives they have led.  We also get to enjoy a lot of time reading where the characters are in the present time, which is what makes these time travel romances fun.  I can honestly say that I have found very few time travel series to be interesting, but Ms. Longley manages to make this series better and better with every story.  I am looking forward to seeing where she takes us next for sure. Sky is all grown up and tired of having to be the dutiful daughter, but when her father tries to marry her off to one of their neighbors, she is determined to put a stop to the wedding.  But when the plot thickens :) and she is forced to flee to save her life she never imagined she would fall through time and land at the feet of the sexiest and sweetest knight in either her time period or any other.  Struan was long ago pulled from his own time and plopped into the 21^st century, but he has made a home for himself and loves his adopted family, giving him no reason to miss his own time.  He just never imagined himself in love with a sexy highland lass when she falls through time herself.  His sexy determination to get Sky to stay with him in his time, but willingness to give her what will make her happy—returning home to save her family—makes him even more of a knight in my eyes.  I loved getting to know the adult Sky and seeing how her passion, sweetness, and sense of family honor were able to find a balance with her love for the man she cannot live without.  I cried a lot as Sky and Struan feel deeper and deeper in love, but were pulled farther and farther apart by their duties and desires.  I enjoy this series immensely and cannot wait to find out who gets a story next.  If you like historical and contemporary romance, with fun paranormal twists and sensuality and passion between the H/h then I bet you’ll enjoy this series as much as I do.  Keep the hits coming Barbara.

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

Review: To Love a Wolf (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #4)

To Love a Wolf (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #4)

by Paige Tyler 

Blurb:

HE'S FOUND THE ONE...

SWAT officer Landry Cooper is certain Everly Danu is The One. The problem is, she has no idea what Cooper really is. And as much as he wants to trust her, he's not sure he can share his deepest secret...

When Everly's family discovers Cooper's a werewolf, her brothers will do anything to keep them apart-they'll kill him if they have to. Everly is falling hard for the ridiculously handsome SWAT officer, and she's not about to let her brothers tell her who she can love... Until Cooper's secret is exposed and she discovers the man she thought she knew is a monster in disguise.

BUT CAN HE KEEP HER?

Themes:  paranormal, wolf- shifters

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Damn I did not see that coming and poor Cooper didn’t either.  Readers of Ms. Tyler’s SWAT series know that Cooper just had to have the hardest time falling in love, because he teased and gave so much advice to his pack-mates as they found love.  Fans of shifter romances will be familiar with the trope of destined mates, but Tyler twists her plots enough that it doesn’t get boring.  If you are looking for an intensely passionate story full of laughter, tears, and action you will love this story.  Cooper is a true alpha male and when he sets eyes on the sweet Everly, right before their world turns upside down, he knows that he has to have her for himself.  He protects her and ultimately convinces her to go out with him, but Everly has no idea his true nature.  Their relationship heats up very quickly and soon Cooper is meeting her family—boy does that go wrong! Everly doesn’t understand the intense pull between herself and Landry, but she is more than willing to allow the attraction to pull them together.  When her heart becomes quickly involved, it is obvious that she needs to make a decision, but when the truth of his nature is revealed she has to decide more than just can she deal with his job.  She has to decide if she can make a life with a werewolf when her past is haunted by a tragedy.  I loved Everly even though, when the truth comes out, I wanted to slap her a few times.  She obviously loves Cooper even if she doesn’t understand the depth of their connection.  Luckily, Cooper finds a way to not only keep her safe from his enemies, but also to steal her heart permanently.  The fireworks in their story are explosive (pun intended) and when these two lovers are anywhere near each other there is no denying that they were meant to be.  I love this series and am wondering who will fall in love next.  The premise for this series might seem odd at first but I promise, if you try them, the SWAT guys and gals will win you over in no time! Thanks for a great read, Paige.

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