Review: Cowboy, Cross My Heart (Heart of Texas #2)

Cowboy, Cross My Heart (Heart of Texas #2)

by Donna Grant 

Blurb:

Naomi Pierce isn't the type to let a cowboy sweep her off feet. It's not her first rodeo, after all. But when she returns to her Texas hometown, she can't help but be swept up again in the rough-and-tumble world of hard-riding, bronco-busting good-ol'-boys she loved as a girl. She might be here to photograph her Rodeo Queen best friend. But it's one fine-looking cowboy who really captures her eye...

Brice Harper is all man, all muscle, and all heart. From the moment he rides into the stadium, he can't help but notice the beautiful stranger with a camera watching him from the stands. It doesn't take a zoom lens to see the sparks of instant attraction. But things really heat up when he meets Naomi up-close--and he discovers that someone is stalking her friend. Brice wouldn't be any kind of cowboy if he didn't offer to help the ladies out. But can the rough rider keep this spirited shutterbug out of danger--without risking his heart?

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

I have always been skeptical of when a beloved author, one that has become so entrenched in my library and my reading habits, suddenly branches into an all new world.  Sometimes it works out beautifully and sometimes the trauma of the experience even makes me hesitant to return to their “normal” work.  Luckily for me, Donna Grant’s departure from paranormal romance and into the sexy and romantic world of Texas cowboys fell into the former category and not the latter. The first story in her series was a good read, with an amazing story of a young man in way over his head and the hero who took him under his wing and in the process feel in love with the young man’s older sister.  This new story in the series is about that young man himself who has grown into an amazingly sexy and accomplished rodeo champion and cattleman.   Brice has worked long and hard to make up for the mistakes of his past and model himself after the older brother he acquired in that first book and he has done well in both regards.  When he comes across a woman, who that he previously felt and intense connection with from far away, being attacked there was no way he was not going to intervene to save her.  But little did either of them know that by saving her from the attacker, they would both be put into the crosshairs of a sadistic and dangers group of men, bent on protecting their sick way of life. Naomi has returned home for a long visit with her best friend who has made it to the top in the rodeo pageant circuit to finally find herself the queen, but in doing so she discovers that her friend has changed dramatically and there is something not quite right going on around the rodeo.  Together Brice and Naomi are pushed into danger again and again and finally, working together with his family and friends, they come to understand that this danger goes back a long time and they need to so everything they can to stop it, before someone else dies.  I Loved getting to know this adult version of Brice and seeing him in action.  While Grant glossed over his time in the military, it was obvious the skills he learned there and from his brother-in-law made him into the great man he became.  Sexy, alpha, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect his woman and family—honestly what more could any woman ask for in a mate? Naomi herself was a bit of an enigma in the beginning, but I came to like her more and more as she showed her spunky and sassy side, while defending herself and her loved ones from danger.  I have to use the cliché but here it just fits, you might take the girl out of Texas but you can’t take the Texas out of the girl. Naomi’s return home reminds her of just what is important in life and that she is strong enough to stand up for what is right and what needs to be changed in the world. The passion between these two is palpable every second they are on the pages, even when it is just their eyes locking before their first official introduction, and though their feelings developed quickly, it is obvious their feelings for one another run deep and true and will last a lifetime.  I am dying to read the next story in this series and see Brice’s younger brother fall in love.  I suspect I know who will steal his heart, but until I get to read it myself I will just keep hoping I am right.  Another magical cowboy moment, Donna, keep ‘em coming!

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

Review: Unspeakable (Deadly Secrets #4)

Unspeakable (Deadly Secrets #4)

by Elisabeth Naughton 

Blurb:

All his siblings have moved on from their troubling pasts, but Rusty McClane can’t leave his behind. Not even when his freedom is in jeopardy.

Legal investigator Harper Blake can sense a bad boy. She’s drawn to them—like she is to her mysterious and brooding new client. The police believe that Rusty is involved with the case of a missing underage girl. Harper’s job is to find evidence to defend him. But is her sexy suspect a predator…or something else?

If Rusty is guilty of anything, it’s of stirring something primitive in Harper. The closer they get, the harder it is to believe the worst of him.

But in an underworld filled with sex trafficking, kidnapping, and murder, Harper will need to be cautious about whom she trusts. Because Rusty isn’t the only one with secrets.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Finally we learn all the secrets of Rusty that have been hinted at in the previous novels of this series and boy, oh, boy did I not see this one coming.  Rusty is the final sibling in the family of kids that were rescued in one way or another by the McClane’s in their times of needs as children and adopted into a family that truly taught them about love.  But unlike his siblings, Rusty never really gave up on his belief that he was responsible for a lot of the trauma in his past and he will risk his own life to protect those that are in a situation they just can’t handle.  While I imagine we might see a story down the line about the newest and now youngest sibling, recently adopted into the family, I suspect this will be the finale for the next little while at least and it certainly goes out with a bang.  Rusty and Harper’s relationship is fraught with danger, drama, misconceptions, and the intermingling of decades of secrets that neither of them even knew to look for.  I LOVED every second of this story even if I wondered just where this one was going to take us.  Rusty has landed himself in some trouble with the police and now he finds himself the lead person of interest in missing person’s case, and fearing him being steamrolled his parents have enlisted the help of his old lawyer.  Harper, still smarting from her own scandal and reeling from the loss of her career, finds herself part of Rusty’s defense team, but her detective instincts won’t let go of her as she looks into his story.  Soon they are both caught up in the danger and intrigue of Rusty’s extracurricular actives and the deadly killers stalking them both are determined that they both go down—hard. When the truth begins to unravel around them, only the trust in their new fragile friendship and the passion between them can keep them from unraveling as well, otherwise neither of them might survive the men after them. Rusty is not the man we all think he is, but the more we get to know him the more I came to love him.  He is strong, caring, sweet, and passionate, even if he takes on more responsibility for the actions of others than he should, but that very trait of chivalry is what made him such a great character.  While he is definitely closed off and unwilling to open his heart in the beginning, it soon becomes obvious that the pain of his past is what drives him and that Harper is just the woman to open him up. Harper is obviously cynical after the way her life has shaped up recently, but as she begins to see the goodness in Rusty and understand that their truly are good people in the world still, she slowly becomes a more likeable character.  Luckily she doesn’t lose any of her edge or intensity because that is what makes her sass and sweetness the perfect foil for the darkness in Rusty.  I enjoyed seeing these two coming together and learning how to handle one another, work together, and find a way to accept one another’s flaws and differences.  The passion between them is undeniable, but it is the sweetness and their ability to find the goodness in each other despite the evidence to the contrary that makes it so enjoyable to watch them find their love.  I am looking forward to seeing if and when Thomas does get his own book someday, but for now, Rusty and Harper finding their HEA is more than enough closure for me on this amazing series and I look forward to whatever Elisabeth brings to us next.

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

ARC Review: Black List (Black's Bandits #1)

Black List (Black's Bandits #1)

by Lynn Raye Harris 

Blurb:

Jace Kaiser is a man without a country, without connection. His only loyalty is to the group who saved him, and the man who leads them.

Until her...

The assignment should have been easy. Capture a deadly assassin and take her to HQ. But flawed intel leads to disaster, and Jace abducts a beautiful art appraiser instead. Intrigued by her courage, he's drawn to her in ways he can't explain. Dr. Madeline Cole stood up to him, fought for her identity, and never backed down. She's the kind of woman he could fall for if it wasn't so dangerous--for her.

Then Maddy is targeted for elimination because she's the sole person who can identify the mysterious female assassin--and the only thing standing between her and certain death is the sexy mercenary who swears he'll die before he lets anything happen to her. As the passion between them ignites, it seems clear that keeping Maddy safe has become the most important assignment of Jace's life.

Even then, protecting her might not be enough--because Jace has secrets that could destroy them both. And someone is determined to unmask them all...

Themes: Contemporary

Rating:  4.75 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

So, for fans of the HOT series, we have long awaited the mysterious Ian Black and his team getting their very own spin-off series and while many of us kind of hoped that Ian's might be the first book, we knew that would be a slim chance.  Not to be let down at all, the first book in the series revolves around one of Ian's long-time operatives Jace and his fall, as he finds the love of his life in the most unexpected of situations.  I loved getting a chance to read this story early and to see Jace find that sometimes what he thinks is best for him is truly not and that the love he thinks he doesn’t deserve and doesn’t need is the one thing that can redeem him. This truly is a story about two people, meeting at a time that neither of them is even thinking of love, and not really liking one another at first glance by feeling the connection and chemistry that is sometimes undeniable between two people.  I loved the connection that developed slowly between Jace and Maddy, even though the time they were together was intense and filled with dangers.  If you are looking for a slow paced and sweet romance, Black List might not be for you, but if you want the danger, heat and suspense of a Lynn Raye Harris masterpiece, look no further—and the plot twist on this one was just a little bit heartbreaking I have to admit.  I cannot wait for what comes next.

Jace has led a dangerous and deadly life already and he has no desire to add to the drama by bringing a woman into it or returning to his former homeland, but when his boss, the man who saved his life, asks a favor he cannot deny it.  Returning to stalk an infamous assassin, in hopes of bringing her to justice, seems like a good enough reason to risk his life, but when he comes face to face with her there is no denying the magnetic pull between them, even as he knows she is evil.  Dr. Madeline Cole is minding her own business, trying to do her job appraising the art of a Russian Oligarch when she is kidnapped and accused of being a killer, spirited away back to the US and faced with the devastatingly sexy Jace as her captor.  Jace and Maddy spark off one another, even when she is cleared of any wrongdoing, and he is drawn to her despite knowing that he should leave her alone for her own safety.  When it becomes more than clear that Maddy is no longer safe from danger, Jace will do anything to make sure that she is protected, even if it means giving her up.  But an old enemy is stalking him and realizes just what Maddy means to him, leaving them both in a position to decide if their love is strong enough to win the day, or if the villain of this story might just be devious enough to defeat them all.

Knowing Lynn, I knew her characters were going to be amazing, but I had no clue what to truly expect from one of Black’s Bandits, as in the past we have gotten hints at their semi-dark natures and somewhat shady associations.  That being said I was glad to find out that Jace was a truly honorable man that had been screwed in the past and came out a better man in the end. Jace was definitely a sexy guy to be sure, but his integrity and willingness to give his all to those he defends is what made him such a good guy in my eyes.  While he definitely has a past that would make a woman second guess her thoughts, her instincts will always tell her to trust him and her heart will fall into his hands every time.  I loved getting to know him and see him struggle with himself as he fell in love with Maddy despite his best efforts to prevent it.  And boy did he try his level best to prevent it! Maddy on the other hand is the most practical woman you will ever meet.  She is that friend who will drop everything to run to you and talk you out of whatever crazy decision you are about to make with your life.  But she knows the minute she meets Jace that she can trust him, despite the way they meet, and it confuses the hell out of her.  I enjoyed watching her spar with Jace AND with Ian (that was hilarious!) and her spunk kept her from being too staid.  While she is definitely not the bubbliest of people because of her past and her current emotional dramas, her natural sweetness and loving nature is just what Jace needs to balance the darkness that has haunted him.  I loved seeing the balance they brought to one another when their guards were down, and they just let themselves be.

Black List is definitely the beginning of an all new adventure, hinting at some of the characters that have peeked out in the HOT series (which you should absolutely read!), and I am really looking forward to reading more.  Harris again shows us that sometimes the truth of a man lies not in simply the black and white of the world, but in the grays of our natures that we have to explore in order to do what is right.  Jace is a man that I could easily see myself falling for; strong, brave, loving, and devoted to those he gives his loyalty, Jace is willing to do whatever he needs to protect those he sees as in need of protection and there is no truer definition of a hero to me.  Maddy is a woman pulled into a shadowy world she really never knew existed and she is blind to how to survive in it, but she refuses to let it beat her down.  She will defend herself, her man, and those she loves with the strength and courage of the lioness she never knew lived in her heart.  The heat and chemistry between these two is off the charts, even when they are at cross-purposes and you can tell that will last forever.  I really enjoyed seeing Maddy and Jace heal one another and find their path to walk together in life.  I am dying to see where this series goes and hope to see some of my favorite HOT operators perhaps cross paths with Black’s Bandits in future novels, but even if not, just glimpses of Ian are enough for me…until he of course is brought low by his own sexy, sassy, heart-stealing woman! Keep the magic coming, Lynn.

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

Review: Hunting Danger (Redemption Harbor #5)

Hunting Danger (Redemption Harbor #5)

by Katie Reus

Blurb:

The one woman he wants…

When a childhood friend needs help, Nova doesn’t hesitate. They endured the foster system together, forging a bond Nova can’t ignore. Relying on her friends from Redemption Harbor Consulting—including Gage, the computer genius she’s falling for—is out of the question. She used to work for the CIA and she’s trained—she can handle this. Besides, the whole team is working on their own important jobs. She’s not going to drag anyone away when she’s not sure it’s necessary.

Is the one he can’t have…

When Nova asks for time off out of the blue—and use of the company jet—former Marine Gage takes note. Of course, he notices everything about Nova. But as one of her bosses, his growing attraction to her is a line he won’t cross. However, that doesn’t mean he’ll let her run straight into danger—and a quick hack of her computer proves she’s gotten in over her head. Gage is coming along for the ride, whether the sassy assistant likes it or not. He’ll do whatever’s necessary to save her friend…and keep Nova out of the clutches of a lethal enemy who won’t hesitate to kill anyone who gets in their way.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Nova and Gage have finally had their day!  For fans of this series, we have been waiting a long time now for Nova and Gage to have their chance at love, ever since the sparks between them first started, and we knew that their story would be filled with drama and angst.  Katie Reus has the unique ability to take her readers on an adventure while at the same time reminding us of the capriciousness of love and loss and that sometimes the bonds we find in the most unlikely of places are the strongest. Nova is on a mission, after receiving a rather cryptic message from her childhood foster sister, and she is determined to get to her to safety no matter the danger.  When Gage learns she plans to go rogue and leave the whole team in the dark about her mission, he is just as determined to make sure that he sticks to her like glue and keeps her safe.  Despite her initial outward unwillingness, Nova is happy to have Gage with her as the danger rises and the life-or-death situations she finds herself in become more frequent.  Only once they return home, her foster sister safely in tow, now Gage and Nova have to come to terms with the new intensely intimate tract of their friendship.  They both have wanted each other and resisted it since the beginning, but the resistance has become pointless and they both know that they end could come at any time.  But the danger has followed them home and now they have to work together, along with the rest of the Redemption Harbor Team to find a way to stay alive so they might have future together. It was interesting seeing Gage in protective mode, especially as he and Nova found themselves in some pretty intense situations, but he always seemed to thrive as he made keeping her safe his goal.  His protective nature and the innate sensuality he shows the world are nothing compared to what he feels when the person in danger is the woman that has truly stolen his heart and soul.  I was doubtful that he would be able to get over his fears and hang-ups in order to convince Nova to give them a chance, but in the end that very stubborn nature of his came in handy.  Nova has resisted Gage, mainly because she thought he didn’t like her, but as his walls come down, and the truth comes out, her ability to resist him drops too.  I loved getting to see the sweet side of this sassy and spunky woman that keeps Gage on his toes and she is obviously just as smart and stubborn as any member of the RH Team.  It was obvious from the beginning that these two were meant for each other, but only once their guards came down did they both come to understand that they were truly the perfect match.  I am dying to see what happens in the next two stories as Leighton finds love, along with the bonus of Nova’s foster sister Layla getting her own sexy guy too. Another amazing adventure with an HEA for the books!

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

ARC Review: American Witch

American Witch

by Thea Harrison 

Blurb:

Power can change a person…

For months Molly Sullivan endures the inexplicable: electrical surges, car breakdowns, visions. She even wonders if she might be the cause… and wonders if she might be crazy. Then she discovers her husband has cheated on her. Again. Now Molly realizes she is a newly awakening witch and a woman pushed over the edge.

Revenge can shape a person…

Josiah Mason is a Powerful witch and the leader of a secret coven with a shared goal: to destroy an ancient enemy who has ruined many lives. Josiah lost years to this man, and his sole focus is revenge. He’s prepared for every contingency—except encountering a beautiful new witch who understands nothing of the immense Power building within her or the attraction she wields over him.

Danger can bring them together…

When divorcing her husband, Molly uncovers a dangerous secret he’s willing to kill to protect. She turns to Josiah for help, and they discover a connection between Molly’s husband and Josiah’s enemy.

As they work together, a spark ignites between them that threatens to become an inferno. But Molly is done compromising herself for any man, and Josiah’s mission is his top priority. And the enemy is cunning, cruel, and drawing ever closer.

As the danger escalates, so does the tension between them. Is a lasting relationship possible? Will either of them live long enough to try?

Themes:  Witches, Magic

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

This new series has really blown my mind in so many ways, not the least of which is the true identity of the villain, and I enjoyed the story of these two people finding themselves and their love. Thea Harrison has never ceased to amaze with the way her brain travels in the world of magic and her ability to create mayhem for her characters.  Her most well-known series, the Elder Races series, as well as her spin-offs always have the most intriguing and interesting plots, characters, and relationship twists and turns that it keeps readers returning for more and more.  When I learned she was beginning an all new series, set in a world just outside the Elder Races, but related enough to be familiar, with a focus on witches this time, I was instantly intrigued and knew I had to jump at the chance to read and review. I had some expectations when I began, but this story was so fast-paced to begin and lead in such an unforeseen direction that I was instantly hooked and unable to put the book down for hours and hours. I enjoyed each and every moment of the story, even at moments when I might have wished for a different direction personally, and I am dying to see what comes next for these characters.  If you are a fan of Harrison’s Elder Races or even reading about women finding their Power with the help of those around them, then I can guarantee you will enjoy American Witch, wholeheartedly.

Molly Sullivan is a Witch, she just doesn’t know it yet, and when the truth about her husband’s infidelity leads her to burn her life to the ground strange things begin to happen around her.  One thing she knows for sure is she is done living her life for everyone else and she is ready to finally find her own measure of happiness.  Witness to her epic meltdown is Powerful and deadly Josiah, a new witch in town who is here for his own purposes, but he is determined to make sure that Molly’s burgeoning Power doesn’t draw his enemy’s notice to the area before he is ready for it to.  Josiah draws Molly to him again and again with offers of help and protection and soon a kind of strange and electric bond is forming between them.  Suddenly Molly is attacked and her life is no longer her own; on the run, but determined to find her place in the world, Molly embarks on an amazing new journey to understand and learn the depths of her Power.  Josiah is left to fight the enemy that continues to stalk them both, but he also fights for a chance for them to have a life together, and only once they can find a way to overcome their enemy do they have a chance to build a future.

Molly is the kind of woman that I have always wondered about; she is basically a Stepford wife in the beginning of the story, but slowly she emerges from the shell she has forced herself into and flowers into a Powerful and deadly force.  Balanced between two opposing sides of her own nature, she is a nurturer and a warrior, but really if you look those are the perfect balance for a woman to have.  I loved seeing Molly come into her own in this story, and her snark and sass, especially with Josiah, were so much fun to experience.  It was traumatic to watch her go through all the pain she was dealt, both emotionally and physically, but in the end you can see that she came out much stronger on the other side.  And of course seeing her kicking ass in the big battle was way cool.  I will also note that I enjoyed most reading the quiet moments that Molly was able to enjoy with those she found to love, because she was been starved for love so long that she deserved every second of it.

Now Josiah on the other hand is truly an asshole most of the time, unless you look deep, past what he says, and sometimes even how he says it to what his intentions are behind his words. He has lived for revenge for so long, focusing only on his adversary, that he has truly forgotten why he wants to win.  Power really can corrupt and I think in Josiah’s case, he was well on his way there, until Molly crashes into his world and reminds him that there are more important things in life.  His intensity was one of the things that we easily understood, especially once we got his backstory and learned the identity of his enemy, and that intensity often lead to yelling and sarcasm with Molly out of fear for her safety.  Once their connection really strengthened, Josiah softened and we could see that his fears and need for Molly were making him back into a man that he could be proud of offering as Molly’s mate. So in the end, while I wanted to slap him a lot in this story, I loved Josiah and am glad I got to learn about him as a character and see him in action. 

American Witch, while an obvious introduction to a new series and all that entails, truly is a story about two people finding love in the most unexpected of places and times. Neither Josiah nor Molly ever expected to like one another much less to fall in love, but once they looked deeper it became obvious that their connection was one of those meant-to-bes. Molly was a woman that needed to find her Power and embrace a new life in order to finally begin living, while Josiah was in need of a woman to show him that in all his years of living he’d stopped truly being alive.  Josiah’s strength and determination make him a great leader and will continue to make him an interesting part of this series I suspect, while his new lease of life will hopefully allow him to settle and ground himself in a way he hasn’t in a long time.  The passion these two shared was quirky at times, but always hot as fire, and just a volatile.  There was never a moment that we weren’t left wondering if they would truly find their HEA, right up until the very end.  I will say my only peeve was there were a few places where hours or even days and events were glossed over that I would have liked to have seen either mentioned in more detail or skipped altogether to prevent making me feel like I missed out of important moments, but that’s a regular Harrison writing style so I’m kind of used to it. I am dying to find out what comes next and see how Josiah and Molly’s new group of friends as well as their Enemy will play into this new series.  I imagine there will be some very exciting happenings for them all, but Molly and Josiah DID get their HEA so in the end American Witch gave me all the enjoyment I needed…for now.

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

Review: Desperate Girls (Wolfe Security #1)

Desperate Girls (Wolfe Security #1)

by  Laura Griffin

Blurb:

Defense attorney Brynn Holloran is right at home among cops, criminals, and tough-as-nails prosecutors. With her sharp wit and pointed words, she has a tendency to intimidate, and she likes it that way. She’s a force to be reckoned with in the courtroom, but in her personal life, she’s a mess.

When a vicious murderer she once helped prosecute resurfaces and starts a killing spree to wipeout those who put him behind bars, one thing becomes clear: Brynn needs to run for her life.

With no help from the police, Brynn is forced to take matters into her own hands, turning to a private security firm for protection. But when Brynn defies advice and gets involved in the investigation, even the former Secret Service agent assigned to protect her may not be able to keep her safe. With every new clue she discovers, Brynn is pulled back into the vortex of a disturbing case from her past.

As the clock ticks down on a manhunt, Brynn’s desperate search for the truth unearths long-buried secrets and reignites a killer’s fury.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Well, one of my favorite authors has kicked off an all new series, and while there were certainly a few bumps in the road, I will say all in all it was a very good beginning. For long time fans of Griffin’s Tracers series, this new story is certainly a departure from the standard fare, but I found myself pulled into the drama and enjoying every second of the story.  While previous characters have always focused on the police investigators involved in crime solving, it seems this new series is about an elite team of security specialist that instead focus only on keeping people safe.  This first story revolves around a female defense attorney and the commando that is assigned to keep her alive while a killer is out for revenge, and their philosophies of life could not be more different and lead to more passionate arguments.  Brynn’s life is on the line because a killer seeks revenge against her and the teams that put her away when she was still on the other side of the courtroom, but a big case is finally coming to a head and nothing is going to stop her from defending her client to the best of her capability, not even the sexy commando that riles her at every turn.  Erik doesn’t care that Brynn is determined to buck his orders, but the more and more they clash the more the passion she pulls out of him leads to his desire to simply pull her into his arms.  But as the killer gets closer and the situation begins to unravel, Erik and Brynn have to decide if they can work together to keep them all safe or if their unwillingness to bend is worth their lives.  Brynn was such a hard ass on the surface and I loved getting to know her as she came face to face with her mortality and began to fall for Erik.  She was so caught up in doing her job well and making sure that she succeeds and makes a name for herself, that she almost risked her life and the life of the man she loved, but finally she came to her senses and began to understand that nothing was more important than him and their future together.  Erik was the quintessential alpha male in the beginning; relentless, intense, and rigid in all he did, he soon began to work with instead of again Brynn to find ways that worked for both of them.  That ability to compromise showed them both that they could truly be partners in life.  Luckily that didn’t take away from any of his badass or sexiness and I certainly still wanted him protecting me from a madman.  In the end, the heat that they generated was subtle but there in all of their altercations, but was only more intense in the moment when they finally let down their guards and accepted their differences and similarities enough to come together. I am dying to see which of the Wolfe Security operators falls in love next and with whom. I have a feeling I am going to love this new series almost as much as the Tracers.

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

Review: Dark Alpha's Awakening (Reaper #7)

Dark Alpha's Awakening (Reaper #7)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I’m coming for you…

Serving Death and the Reapers has been my life for centuries. I’ve always put my duty before everything, even my yearning for Death. But now, she’s fading – our foe is bent on destroying her and he will stop at nothing until he does. Death holds the key to our survival. I will do everything in my power to stop her from disappearing. For her, I will ensure we have the best fighting chance. For her…I will cross the divide keeping us apart.

Themes: Paranormal, Fae

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 OMG the story we have all been dying for in this series has finally arrived.   This series has gone in some interesting directions and I can see that there is a lot more coming, but I am thrilled that Death and her man have finally found a way to have their HEA.  For anyone that has followed this series, we could see the love and passion that was between Erith and her the leader of her reapers, but both resisted the temptation to fall into one another’s arms, until finally there was no way they could resist anymore.  The war that Cael and Erith have been fighting has changed them both over the millennia, but the time has finally come for her to return her to embrace her former self and find a way to incorporate her past and present lives into one.   The war is escalating and their enemies are multiplying, but Erith and Cael both know that they love they feel is what makes them both so strong.  I loved seeing Erith find her way, with Cael’s help, to the true warrior she was always meant to be.  Her strength and ruthlessness, tempered with love and compassion was just what was needed to lead the Reapers against their greatest enemy.  I will say that seeing her dealing with the inner turmoil and a startling loss in this story had me in tears for a while, but Grant writes it so beautifully that the pain is worth it in the end.  Cael too is a character that you cannot help but love, mainly because he wears his mantle of leadership and love so well that there is no denying he is a true leader of men.  When they are both at their full potential, leading the Reapers into battle, there is nothing and no one that can defeat them.  My favorite moments, though, were the quiet and gentle moments that they shared as they expressed their love for one another and finally let their guards down to admit the love they have both felt for millennia. It is always amazing to see two such long-lived people find a way to finally admit that they have been pining for one another, giving us lowly mortal perspective and reminding us how finite our time to find love and live a worthy life truly is.  I am dying to see where this series goes and how it will continue to weave into the overall story of the Dragon Kings and their war as well.  The amazing way that Donna manages to bring these series together, while still maintaining the separate story arcs is nothing short of amazing in my opinion, and well beyond my abilities, but as a reader I can greatly appreciate the magic of it.  Keep the magic coming my way Donna and I’ll keep spreading the word of your witchcraft. 

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