Review: Going Down Easy (Boys of the Big Easy #1)

Going Down Easy (Boys of the Big Easy #1)

by Erin Nicholas 

Blurb:

As far as flings go, single dad Gabe Trahan is pretty sure that Addison Sloan is his best bet. Once a month, Addison comes to New Orleans and then…It. Is. On. Until Addison returns to New York, it’s just hot, happily-no-strings-attached sex. And beignets. And jazz. But lately for Gabe, it isn’t nearly enough.

Sure, maybe Addison’s gotten a bit hooked on Gabe. After all, who can resist a guy who’s so sexy, so charming, and so… available? But maybe he’s too available for her right now. Addison’s just moved to New Orleans, and relationships are definitely off the table. Besides, guys always bail when they learn her secret: she’s a single mom.

Only Gabe’s not running. Worse, he’s thrilled. But Addison never signed up for ever-after romance, and Gabe won’t settle for anything less. Now it’s a battle of wills — and when it comes to the woman he’s falling for, Gabe isn’t above playing a little dirty.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Ok so for those who are really big into babies, kids, and raising families, I will say that this story is probably going to be right up your alley and hit you in the feels again and again.  That being said… I am so NOT one of those women.  I have enjoyed many of the series written by Ms. Nicholas in the past, with varied different subgenres or overall themes, so when this one crossed my radar I didn’t really even think about it, just saw the sexy cover and setting and determined I would read it.  Never had any clue it would revolve around single parents, parenting issues, kids, babies, etc. But despite all of those subjects that hold little to no interest to me personally and usually turn me off a story, I really enjoyed reading Gabe and Addison’s story and am looking forward to the rest of the series, despite the foreknowledge that the theme will continue. The sexiness off her characters and the setting of the series are not to be discounted in my decision, by Erin’s writing ability and skill is the main reason I will be looking past my own prejudices to continue reading.  Gabe and Addison certainly kick of the story with a level of heat and sexiness that leads the reader to think this will be another straight to sex story, but soon we see that both of the characters are VERY family oriented and they are each dealing with their emotional connection in different ways.  Gabe has never felt toward a woman the way he does for Addison, but she is determined to keep their liaisons to just sex and fun, never letting him get closer to her.  When he finds out she is now living in his town he is even more determined to make her his, despite finding out that she has a daughter, one to bookend his own young son.  Addison never planned for Gabe to sneak into her life this way, but the man is simply irresistible and the more he is around her the more she finds herself drawn to the man she is getting to know.  Once they stop resisting the pull together, they begin to see that their families of two could easily blend together into a single unit, if they can overcome their own hang-ups and accept that not only are two heads better than one, but two hearts are better than one any day.  Gabe was a sexy as hell guy, even though I am not usually attracted to men with kids, and he was certainly strong and intense enough to counter Addison’s stubbornness.  His playfulness and strengths perfectly balanced the weaknesses apparently in Addison’s overly serious and reserved nature as they spent more time together.  Addison was certainly different that Gabe, but she was raised differently for sure so it was understandable and made her no less a balanced character to Gabe’s lighthearted and sometimes overly easy-going nature.  It was interesting watching these two dance around one another and then finally find a way to dance together, but most important work together to give their children what they needed together and individually.  Like I said, I’m definitely not a kid person, but I am a child of a blended marriage, sometimes not to the best, and I could see that they each loved the others child wholeheartedly in the end and would be the best parent they could be to both of the kids.  Sometimes love is enough, even without the perfection so many parents think is required and I loved how Ms. Nicholas was able to get both of her lovers to come to that conclusion in their own way and time.  Can’t wait for the rest of the series.

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

Review: Wolf Rising (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #8)

Wolf Rising (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #8)

by Paige Tyler 

Blurb:

Werewolf SWAT Officer Jayden Brooks has yet to meet The One—but when he rescues teacher Selena Rosa from a hostage situation at her high school, he knows he’s in trouble. Her scent is irresistible.

There’s a reason for that powerful scent—and it isn’t an expensive perfume. Thanks to the traumatizing events at the school, the werewolf gene flipped on and Selena’s going through the change. Even scarier, she’s on track to become an omega—an out-of-control and violent breed. It’s going to take everything Brooks has if he wants any chance to pull her back from the edge…and ultimately win her heart.

Themes: paranormal, wolves

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Another SWAT member bites the dust as his One steal his heart and brings him in line! We have watched seven of Jayden’s fellow officers find their One in previous novels and now his has come into his lie in the most surprising and dangerous way he could have imagined—accompanied by a bullet and with the threat of her own death still looming.  Ms. Tyler has set up a very interesting premise with this series, one that I haven’t encountered even with all of the other paranormal series I read, but one that I keep thinking will become stagnant quickly.  Luckily her skills as an author keep coming forward and reminding me why I’m such as a fan as she finds new and interesting ways to introduce couples and bring forward the she-wolves that will steal her men’s hearts. Jayden arrives at a hostage situation just in time to save the life of Selena Rosa, a teacher that has put herself directly into the path of the gangs in Dallas in order to protect and lift up her students, never imagining that she would change his world forever.  But the more he thinks about her and is around her the more he wants her and as he spends more time with her he comes to wonder if she might just be the One for him.  The problem is Selena has no clue she is becoming a werewolf as a result of her ordeal and it is now his responsibility to bring her fully into his world in order to have chance with her.  Selena is intrigued with the big and sexy alpha man who saves her life from the beginning, but the more time she spend with him and gets to know him the more passionately she wants him.  But soon her life starts to unravel around her and there is no denying the two events are connected.  I loved getting to know more about Jayden, seeing him floundering to find a way to make the woman of his dream trust and love him, even as he fought his passionate need to take her for himself.  Being an alpha wolf can be hell sometimes when a woman needs a little sensitivity. It was beyond interesting to see the normally mild mannered Selena dealing with the way her intense sensuality was heightened by her burgeoning wolfiness and dealing with that passion as she embraced her feelings for Jayden.  I will say that the two of them definitely had some seriously combustible chemistry despite the heightened emotional issues they were dealing with and seeing them working through everything together and individually made the strong super interesting.  I am wondering who will fall to love next and of course the overall story arc has heated up intensely and I am looking forward to seeing where that takes us in the coming stories. Paige Tyler always manages to weave and amazing love story into a long-running storyline with a magical ease that makes me just that little bit jealous but thrilled as a reader at the same time.  Keep up the magic Paige!

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

ARC Review: Lionheart (Moonshadow #3)

Lionheart (Moonshadow #3)

by Thea Harrison

Blurb:

 King Oberon reigned over his Dark Court in Lyonesse for centuries, until an assassination attempt laid him low. Now he lies unconscious in his snow-bound palace, while his Power battles the enchantment that threatens to end his life.

A skilled trauma surgeon and magic-user, Dr. Kathryn Shaw reigns at the top of her profession in New York. Then comes a challenge she can’t resist—she is asked to cure the uncureable. Just getting close enough to try healing Oberon is a dangerous proposition. When she does reach him, he awakens too soon.

Roused from darkness by Kathryn’s presence, Oberon confronts the beautiful stranger who claims she wants to save his life. But the enchantment has frozen his emotions. How can he learn to trust her when he can’t feel anything?

Oberon’s desire is icy, devoid of all tenderness. Not only must Kathryn match wits with him, she must also fight her reaction to his touch, because there is so much more at stake than her own endangered heart.

For the Dark Court faces its most deadly peril yet. Its ancient enemy Isabeau, Queen of the Light Court, is obsessed with its annihilation, and Oberon must be brought to remember his loyalty and affection for his people.

Because if he won’t fight for them, Lyonesse itself may very well be destroyed…

Themes:  Paranormal, Fae, Magick

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

This final story in the Moonshadow trilogy, a fun offshoot of the larger Elder racers series, is one that will leave you on the edge of your seat wondering if King Oberon will be saved and if the Dark Court will ever find a way to rebuild even if Kathryn finds a way to save him. This series has interested me from the very beginning and I enjoyed learning more and more about these characters and seeing Oberon find his way back to his true self without the influence of the spell he was under.  The story moved quickly, with some seriously heavy moments and a few times where the fear was almost overwhelming, but in the end Oberon showed us that his inner strength was truly immeasurable.  Kathryn at the same time was a match for Oberon in every way, her strength of character and her powers leaving her as a perfect foil for him as he heals and takes his place back as the leader of his people. I enjoyed seeing this series unfold through the three stories but the best part was watching Oberon making an ass of himself as he tried to seduce Kathryn even as he fell in love with her.  While the darkness and seriousness of this novel was not to be underestimated, there were truly moments of laughter and love as well to keep the book from becoming too dark and dismal. While I am sad to see the trilogy end, I know that the Elder Races series will continue and just continue to keep getting better so that’s something to look forward to from Thea in the future.

Kathryn has been offered the opportunity of a lifetime, even though she is reluctant to accept; a chance to travel to an Other World and test her skills against the magical sickness that has trapped King Oberon in his own mind for over 100 years.  She has resisted in the past, but now the needs of the many far outweighed her desire to resist the request.  Once she arrives at her destination, with a little help of a friend, Kathryn has no idea how she will get through to Oberon, but just when she is about to give in a miracle happens and he opens his eyes.  Oberon awakens after being trapped in his own dreams for a LONG time, to find that a stranger has invaded his castle and none of his most trusted advisors are around to reassure him of her intentions.  Thankfully Kathryn is able to convince him of her intentions and together they decide that working together to get past the spell that has held him in thrall for so long will be no match for them if they work together.  Spending time together they soon begin to share a passion that is irresistible and the heat that radiates between will soon burn out of control unless they find a way to defeat the spell and embrace the emotions that could truly bring them together.

Kathryn was an intriguing character, her determination to complete her task despite the danger facing her, especially once Oberon wakes from his coma like state, shows that she is the type of woman that will never let any challenger defeat her.  I enjoyed getting to see her working, combining her medical and magical knowledge in a perfect combination in order to save Oberon from the dark spell he was under.  She was also a passionate woman, fighting with and for the man that she came to love, even to the point that it drained every bit of her own energy and power.  That love and dedication made her the perfect match for Oberon, or at least the true man he becomes again once the darkness is removed from him.  Oberon begins the story as mostly an asshole, threatening Kathryn at every turn, trying to kill her, and questioning her motives with every move she makes.   Slowly, as Kathryn works her magic, Oberon returns to his true self and we get to see how great a man he was once, a man that inspired true dedication in all of his people.  Oberon peels away the dark outer shell that has kept him buried and we get to see the light come shining through.  I loved getting to meet the true Oberon, his sweetness and strength, passion and love and of course his playfulness with Kathryn made him a truly sensual mate for the woman that has stolen his heart.  The newly minted Oberon may have a lot of dark memories to handle, but he remember the emotions that once ruled him and he knows that going forward, his emotions and passions will be required in order for him lead his people against their ultimate enemy and come out on top.

Overall this story had a lot of serious moments, especially as Oberon and Kathryn battled for his magical freedom and then for their people’s freedom from oppression against their ultimate enemy.  Thankfully Harrison’s skill at romance and laughter through tears, keeps the story from becoming TOO dark and leading readers into sadness instead of ultimate happiness.  I thoroughly enjoyed seeing Kathryn spread her wings (sorry couldn’t resist the pun) and find her place in Oberon’s world and ultimately at his side. Oberon on the other hand needed a few swift kicks in the ass before he became the truly loveable King and leader he once was, but in the end he proved that he was always meant to be in charge and to be Kathryn’s mate, even if he had to wait for her for thousands of years. The heat between these two is palpable from the very moment they are together even when they are battling each other or butting heads, but they truly excel when they stop fighting one another and instead give into their passionate need for one another.  I loved every second of this book, including all fun moments where supporting characters returned and we got to see more of where the Elder Races stories might be going in the future.  I am waiting impatiently to find out where Thea is leading us in the overall Story Arc and I know it will be awesome. While Oberon and Kathryn’s story brings to a close this amazing trilogy of the Moonshadow series, Harrison will not be letting us leave this world anytime soon and I am so ready for more.

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

Review: Dangerous Witness (Redemption Harbor #3)

Dangerous Witness (Redemption Harbor #3)

by Katie Reus 

Blurb:

He foolishly let her go…

When the woman he loved walked out of his life, Brooks Alexander was certain she did so willingly—with the cool two-million his father had offered as incentive to walk away. So when he learns that Darcy didn’t take a dime of his father’s payoff, Brooks realizes he made an epic mistake. He’s determined to make things right and reclaim his woman. Except neither task is as easily accomplished as he first thought.

Now her life is in his hands…

Wedding planner Darcy is no stranger to disappointment when it comes to the men in her life. When Brooks accused her of taking his father’s bribe, she was devastated that he thought so little of her—and realized he never knew her at all. So she walked away with her pride intact and her heart broken. Now, months later, an overheard conversation puts Darcy in the crosshairs of a dangerous criminal with powerful connections. With nowhere else to turn, she has no choice but to put all her trust in Redemption Harbor Consulting—and its cofounder, the man who broke her heart.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

Redemption Harbor has never been a more important name for a town that in this story of a man’s need to redeem himself for the worst mistake of his life.  This series about a group of really interesting individuals that have banded together to try to help those in need continues  to grab my attention and remind me that there are really people out there in the world that care about others enough to stick their necks out. The previous stories have been all about the danger surrounding the characters bringing them together and the intensity of their attraction coming from their situations, where this novel is a complete one-eighty from that.  Instead Brooks has finally decided to go after the woman that he threw away in the worst mistake of his life and finds that she is in danger in big way, but luckily he can keep her safe.  Darcy has been trying to forget the man that broke her heart—and her trust—months earlier when he destroyed their relationship, but when he suddenly reappears in her life she doesn’t know how to handle it or him.  Then suddenly she finds herself embroiled in a deadly game of cat and mouse with a deadly adversary and Brooks is the one she trusts to keep her safe, even though she knows being close to him isn’t good for her heart or her sanity.  Getting to see these two coming back together, finding their way back to trust and discovering a way to work through the very issues that tore them apart.  Brooks obviously knows that he made the biggest mistake he could ever have made, but now he has no idea just how hard he will have to work to get back the woman he loves, even though he knows he will do whatever it takes.  They never stopped loving one another and their chemistry is undeniable, but the core of their story is truly them finding a way to truly and deeply understand one another as well as understand why they have made the decisions they have made in their lives.  Getting to know Brooks more and see what makes him tick, as well as watching him work through the issues with his Dad and past, show us that he is really growing up and becoming the kind of man grownup enough for a real relationship with Darcy.  Darcy herself has a few things to work on as well, which we get to watch and seeing her dealing with her own issues show us that sometimes a woman can be just as screwed up as her man.  I loved seeing them falling back into one another’s arms just as much as I loved seeing them come to the realization that the love they had for one another wasn’t anywhere near as deep or abiding as the love that developed once they knew themselves and each other better.  I am dying for Gage’s book since we all know just who has captured his heart, and of course Leighton will be beyond sexy when he meets the love of his life. Katie just can’t go wrong in my book no matter what she writes, but this series has certainly kept my attention and drawn my heart in from the beginning.

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

Review: Dirty-Talking Cowboy (Kinky Spurs #1)

Dirty-Talking Cowboy (Kinky Spurs #1)

by Stacey Kennedy

Blurb:

Emma Monroe has returned to River Rock, Colorado, after the death of her grandmother. Now she’s inherited a farm full of abused animals and she’s working as a waitress at the local hotspot, Kinky Spurs. The last thing Emma wants in her life is a man, as she’s still recovering from a recent heartbreak. But when a sensual and powerful cowboy, Shep Blackshaw enters her life, Emma begins to want things she shouldn't.

Shep knows sex shouldn’t be on his mind. He’s got a world of responsibility on his shoulders. He’s attempting to save his late father’s cattle ranch, Blackshaw Cattle Company, from foreclosure. But Emma’s heated reactions to his touch make ignoring her impossible. She’s the perfect distraction to make him forget that his father’s company is a sinking ship.

While their nights only heat up, soon emotions become tangled into the mix. Shep’s not only giving Emma the hottest nights of her life, he’s also healing her heart. With every encounter, she forgets her heartbreak. With every naughty adventure, she stops mourning the life she left behind. And with every dirty word whispered from Shep’s mouth, she stops thinking of all the reasons why she shouldn’t fall for him. But when the past comes to claim Emma, she’ll need to choose between the life she thought she wanted and the life she’s grown to love with Shep. How will she say no to forever with a dirty-talking cowboy.

Themes: Erotica, Cowboys

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Holy smoking-sexy-as-hell cowboys!

Stacey Kennedy has been a favorite erotic author of mine for a while, with a varied story subgenre that keeps me guessing, but I can honestly say that her sexy cowboys are now my favorites.  While they care the same sexy alpha natures has some of her previous dominates there is just that little bit extra ruggedness that draws my interest being that I’m a little bit wild and country myself.  I would love to find myself a sexy cowboy willing to try to tame my heart like Shep did for Emma.  But while Ms. Kennedy certainly strives to make her stories intensely sexual and passionately intriguing there is a depth of heart that is undeniable to her writing which really brings reader back again and again, and Emma and Shep’s story is no less so. Emma has run from her life in New York City after a bastard broke her heart and betrayed her trust, licking her wounds and letting herself heal while trying to decide if and when she will return to that life.  She doesn’t want any man in her life anymore, but she can’t resist the intense pull she feels toward Shep Blackshaw, a man with his own problems in life, but that is willing to drop everything to come to her rescue when she is almost killed.  His strength and kindness are tempered by the heat and intensity that he projects every moment of his existence, but when he looks her way he lights her entire body on fire.  Shep doesn’t have time in his life right now for a woman, but the enticing Emma Monroe is not someone that he can resist and when he finds himself alone with her again and again there is no way he can stop himself from reaching out and grabbing what neither of them can deny they want from the other.  But as they spend more and more time together, each determined to keep it just physical, the deepening connection is nothing compared to the emotional upheaval that will come when Emma’s past comes back to haunt her and remind her that she can’t hide from it forever.  A woman determined to hide and a man determined to bring her out of hiding… what could possibly go wrong?!? I LOVED every second of this story, even when I was crying at some of the more intense moments, but the chemistry and compatibility between Shep and Emma was just too perfect to be denied.  While I wondered at times why Emma didn’t just grab the wonderful man in front of her and make him hers immediately I can understand her initial fears I suppose, but after she got to know him better I wanted to ask her what the hell was stopping her more than once. Shep similarly turned a blind eye to the treasure in front of him a few too many times for me, but thankfully he stepped up and showed Emma she was the woman he wanted more than any other in time for her to make the right decision for everyone involved.  I enjoyed the ending of this story and am looking forward to what comes next in the series and to seeing what Shep, Emma and his family do with their new join business venture. (Wink wink)  Ms. Kennedy strikes gold again with her sexy cowboys and their sensually dominate personalities and of course there’s nothing wrong with a little bit of rope thrown in for a good time!

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