Review: Her Deadly Secrets (Wolfe Security #2)

Her Deadly Secrets (Wolfe Security #2)

by Laura Griffin 

Blurb:

Private Investigator Kira Vance spends her days navigating the intricate labyrinth of Houston’s legal world, and she knows all of its shadowy players and dark secrets.

On a seemingly normal day, she’s delivering a report to her top client when suddenly everything goes sideways and the meeting ends in a bloodbath. Twenty-four hours later, the police have no suspects but one thing is clear: a killer has Kira in his sights.

Fiercely independent, Kira doesn’t expect—or want—help from anyone, least of all an unscrupulous lawyer and his elite security team. Instead, she launches her own investigation, hoping to uncover the answers that have eluded the police. But as Kira’s hunt for clues becomes more and more perilous, she realizes that she alone may hold the key to finding a vicious murderer. And she knows she must take help wherever she can find it if she wants to stay alive.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

This second story in Laura Griffins new venture into romantic suspense was an interesting one and I enjoyed it immensely. While the fist story revolved around a heroine that was a defense attorney in a high-profile case, this story instead centers on an unsuspecting woman pulled in as lead investigator for the defense.  Kira has only been in the PI game for a few years, really considered green by most, but when her mentor and best friend is murdered right before her eyes, she refuses to just let the investigation drop and digs in like a dog with a bone.  Enter Wolfe Security expert Jeremy Owen, who has just returned from a disastrous assignment and wants nothing to do with the sassy and resistant PI.  They but heads at every turn, but soon that heat and passion leads them to an unexpected place—directly into one another’s arms.  As a killer gets closer to Kira in his bid to keep the truth from coming to light, Jeremy must protect her from the danger he presents and that she seems to run headlong into now matter the consequences, but Kira isn’t willing to let a killer go free, no matter the cost.  Kira was an interesting mix of vulnerabilities and strength, but you could tell she had a lot of hang-up and issues that she held against the world in general and Jeremy in specific, until she really got to know him and as she found her footing in the world of investigation.  It was amazing to see her mind work through the intricacies of the plot forming and finding a way to bring a killer to justice;  her intelligence, grit, and strength were obviously what drew Jeremy initially, but once he gets to know the woman underneath he know just how much he needs to protect her from becoming jaded with life and find a way to make her his.  Jeremy has lived a hard life, both in the service and afterward in his time with Wolfe.  He was a strong man, but his mind and body are equal in strength asking him more than just a mindless automaton.  Once he realizes there is no fighting the force that is Kira on a mission, he makes it his own personal mission to keep the woman he is coming to care for his priority no matter if that means giving up his own safety and instinct at times.  It was amazing to see his dedication to making Kira happy and giving her what she needed (or thought she did) at any given moment to be happy.  The passion between these two is off the charts every moment they are in the same zip code and I can tell they will have a fiery romance their entire lives.  I am looking forward to the next story in the series and seeing who falls in love next.  This series is shaping up to be another hit even if it leads readers in a whole new direction from the Tracers series so many have come to adore.  Keep up the good work Ms. Griffin.

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

Review: Alpha's Promise (Dark Protectors #10)

Alpha's Promise (Dark Protectors #10)

by Rebecca Zanetti 

Blurb:

To hell and back . . .

Though he has vampire, demon, and Viking blood rushing through his veins, Ivar Kjeidsen’s soul-crushing trip to hell broke him in ways he can barely fathom.  One vow keeps the deadly immortal standing: To rescue the vampire brother who had sacrificed freedom for him.  To do that, Ivar needs the help of a brilliant physicist with wary brown eyes, fierce brilliance, and skin that's way too soft.

Dr. Promise Williams understands the underpinnings of the universe but has never figured out the human beings inhabiting it.   Her function is to think—and not feel—until she’s touched by a vampire who’s nowhere near human. The primal hunger in his eyes awakens feelings in her that defy calculation. As she shows him the way to step between worlds, he brands her with a pleasure that could last more than a lifetime . . .

Themes: Paranormal, vampires, demons, and Witches OH MY!

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The battle for the safety of our world continues and the Seven are still on the case.  Ivar has returned from hell determined to find a way to rescue his brother and he won’t let anything stand in his way, not even a little thing like kidnapping a sexy physicists. Rebecca Zanetti continues to take us down this amazing journey, filled with drama, danger and magic and I learn more and more every time I read one of her books about the kind of man I want to find for myself someday.  The war is coming closer and the Seven are determined that their enemy will not escape justice and that they will find a way to save their long missing brother. Dr. Promise Williams is looking over her shoulder, making connections in her mind after a second of her colleagues is brutally killed, and when she thwarts a kidnapping attempt, just barely escaping, she is suspicious of every person she meets.  When she gets the chance of a lifetime to earn a private grant for her research, she jumps at the chance, but quickly begins to get suspicious of her new friends, especially when they insist on private security 24/7, in the form of her “kidnapper”. Ivar is determined for Promise to prove the math behind the magic so that he can get back to the hell realm that houses his missing brother, but at the same time she draws him like no woman ever has.  Promise has also never been drawn to a man the way she is to Ivar and when she decides there is no reason to resist the pull she learns quickly that physical satisfaction is nothing compared to passion and sensual connection between her and Ivar. But when the danger around them grows to epic proportions can they find a way to stay alive and have a chance at a life or will their enemies tear them apart forever?  Ivar was a man on the edge, but you could see that his determination and passion for his mission came from a good place in his heart, even as he didn’t think his plans through very well.  He is sexy as all get our, alpha beyond imaging, and sensuality incarnate, but my favorite moments were the quite times he experienced with Promise as they learned about their love and one another. Promise was an odd duck to be sure, one that I don’t understand as her IQ was way too high for me to understand and the way she was trained to think is out of my realm of understanding.   As she came to learn more about herself and her nature as a woman, she definitely became more well-rounded and a truly amazing character in even more ways.  I liked getting to watch her blossom with Ivar’s help and seeing her eyes be opened to the hidden world of the demons, vampires, shifters, and witches and the way their magic and her math can be combined to amazing results.  There was so much fire between Ivar and Promise even as she didn’t want to admit herself how passionate she could be and by giving in to their passion they both found a love and match truly fated to change the worlds.  I am dying to see what comes next in this series and find out who finds their love match next, but no matter what happens I know that Rebecca will give us an amazing experience reading it and that it will be worth every second of time it takes to read it.  Keep the magic alive Rebecca!

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

Review: The Defender (Sons of Texas #4)

The Defender (Sons of Texas #4)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

Their love knows no borders.

A loner who exudes danger, Lev Ivanski has spent his life in service to one man, someone he loves and respects. But things are changing. Rapidly. Lev and his boss have allies and friends and a new mission more important their than business, all because of the Saints. This clandestine organization needs to be taken down, and Lev has the skills to help. What he doesn’t expect is to be at the mercy of a woman who makes him crave more than he ever thought to want.

Determined and dedicated, Reyna Harris is used to danger and living on the edge. An ex-CIA operative, she’s been embedded with the Saints for years, trying to take them down from the inside. When her cover is blown, she is forced to trust a man she just met, fighting their way out of one battle after another. But there’s something about Lev that Reyna knows she can trust. And love. She needs Lev – and not just to take a swipe at the Saints. Together they’re an unstoppable force. And with their friends, they just might succeed in their mission.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

A fantastic and fraught journey across Eastern Europe as two people make a run for their lives and find a way to trust in one another. This series continues to be seriously scary in the fact that it could be so easily true, simply because of the way Donna Grant leads the readers around the world and into the dark deceptive world of espionage and secret societies. The secrets continue to pile up while more and more come to light, but Lev is on a mission to protect and thwart on the orders of his boss when his world goes sideways.  Lev is in Russia on his mission when he is captured by a sexy woman and taken away to the countryside. Reyna has been on mission undercover for almost two years and the lines are beginning to blur when she runs across the sexy man sneaking around and risking her mission in Russia.  Reyna and Lev are on opposing sides, until suddenly they learn that there enemies are one-and-the-same and they are on their tales.  They are on the run and their lives are on the line, but they learn quickly that they are a match in more ways than one, including in the bedroom and with a gun. Will they decide to work together and take a stand against their enemy or will their enemy finally find a way to bring them down? Lev is a seriously hot badass alpha bad boy, but he is so sweet and loving at the same time.  His brain and heart combines with his killer instincts and willingness to do anything to protect those he loves and considers his, make him a true hero in my eye and I love seeing him kicking ass and taking names.  There was so much danger and sadness throughout this story, but ultimately Lev finds a way to overcome his weakness and become the man he was always meant to be.  Reyna is on a mission to bring down the people responsible for killing a man she loved and is determined that nothing stand in her way, but when she has to work with Lev to find safe haven she learns the truth of love and partnership on a whole new level.  I enjoyed getting to know her and seeing her grow as a woman and an operator, learning more about herself as she got to know Lev and he got to know her.  The two of them together were brilliant, deadly and intriguing to watch in action, but my favorite moment were the times when they were able to be calm and quite together, just two people living and loving, in between the bullets and assassination attempts of course. The heat between them was amazing and was there even at the moments when they were kicking each other’s asses and when they were sparring verbally, but the best times of course were when they let down their walls and shields to let themselves enjoy their passions.  I am dying to read the next (and maybe final) story in this series, but this story itself was sexy and fast-paced enough to make me want to go back for seconds.  Donna has cast another spell and I am all too happy to have been caught in her web of magic.

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

ARC Review: The Bear's Chosen Mate (Borealis Bears #1)

The Bear's Chosen Mate (Borealis Bears #1)

by Vivian Arend

Blurb:

He’s going to accept his fate—but only with the woman he chooses!

Youngest brother James Borealis figures if he has to get mated, it should be with someone he already knows and cares about—his best friend Kaylee. But when the mating fever hits, she’s still stuck in friendshipland while he’s ready to move all the way to true love and forever.

Kaylee has heard about polar bear mating fever, but while James has held the starring role in her fantasies for a long time, she’s not about to leap into a permanent relationship that’s all wrong for him. He’s the PR powerhouse for Borealis Gems while she’s a quiet bobcat shifter with massive family baggage. He loves the spotlight; she wants to hide in quiet corners.

But mating fever knows best, and when the storm settles, there’s no use in arguing with a polar bear’s choice.

Themes: Paranormal, Shifters

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

I have honestly waited AGES for Vivian to return to her world of shifters and this new trilogy is just what the Romance Witch doctor ordered! The setting is beautiful, the characters are hilarious, and the best friends-to-lovers story never gets old in my opinion—as long as it is well-written. The series kicks off with the three Borealis brothers, millionaire polar-bear shifters that own an outrageously successful gem mining company in the Canadian wilds, being confronted with an ultimatum from their rather pushy Grandfather, who is determined to see them mated and happy as he is. Arend weaves her tale as she leads the youngest brother James on a crazy adventure through his mating fever to find true love with his best friend, a wild-cat shifter that has always had intense feelings for him though she has resisted him.  If you love a sexy but sweet alpha male, obviously head-over-heels in love with a woman resisting her every instinct as they both fall in love and lust and give into their hearts and bodies, along with a crazy cast of characters, a bit of intrigue, and of course a little bit of silliness here and there, The Bear’s Chosen Mate will be just the story to fill your evening with warmth and joy.  I am dying to find out what happens next for these sexy brothers and see them each find love and their happily-ever-after with their fated mates, even though I imagine they will be surprised who they end up with.

James is beyond pissed at his grandfather’s ultimatum when he first hears about it, but after coming to terms with facts, he begins to see the possibilities and decides that instead of letting the whims of fate lead him around, he would chose his mate.  He has always loved Kaylee, first as his young partner in crime, then as his  best friend, but recently his attraction has become undeniable, and now he has even more reason to let loose that lust.  Kaylee has been attracted to and secretly in love with her best friend since she was a young woman, but she knows she’s not good enough for the youngest of the Borealis dynasty, for several reasons.  When he begins subtly flirting with her, then not so subtly hitting on her, she resists and pretends it doesn’t affect her, but when he pulls her into his arms in the midst of his mating fever, the ability to resist begins to crumble.  Once they both give in to their lust, they begin to see that their attraction and emotional connection could grow into something so much more, if they allow it to, but Kaylee’s objections and fears are nearly impossible to overcome.  Only true love and a desire to be what they need for one another can truly open that last lock on their hearts, if they can get it opened in time.

I Loved getting to know Kaylee and James.  They were both silly, sweet, intense, and sensual in their every interaction whether they were fighting, working together, or making love, but my favorite moments were the quiet times they spent trying to come together as a couple and find a way to overcome the obstacles in the path of their love. James was a stubborn, alpha male to the core, but then again being a huge polar bear-shifter would probably have a lot to do with that.  I could see that he was willing to go the extra mile to prove he was the male for Kaylee, working hard to overcome her fears, and find a way for them to be together, even to the point of sacrificing a big part of himself.  He was sweet, sexy as all get out, and his inner strength shined through as much as his crazy protective side making him even hotter, but he also was willing to let Kaylee stand on her own two feet and be the strong female she was destined to be at his side. Kaylee likewise had some emotional and mental baggage she needed to work through before she could be the mate that she needed to be for James.  Her parents and childhood have left a few lasting scars that she needed to work through, but honestly I think the love of her sexy bear was the best thing for that in the end, giving her the confidence she needed to find her four paws in his world and make her stand to be his lover and mate.  She was intelligent and a smart-ass which made me love her all the more, of course, being as I am one too, and when she was finally able to embrace her inner rebel I found that she was my favorite heroine in a long time (for a cat anyway).

When you begin a new series, even a spin-off a beloved one or one written by one of your favorite authors, there  is always that fear or chance that you will be disappointed, but the Borealis Bears are shaping up to be awesome.  I am so looking forward to seeing more of these sexy bears and getting to know more about their lives, after all who wouldn’t love three sexy millionaires that can also shift into huge, cute, furry polar pears?! James and Kaylee captured my heart from the very beginning, each of them looking for something in the other that they were denying has been right in front of them from the very beginning.  James has resisted the attraction to his best friend, but once he gives his heart and beast free-reign it’s obvious that the only choice for a mate for him is his Kaylee, Fate be damned. He’s an alpha, sexy and sweet bear with a heart of gold and enough charm to have women throwing panties at him at ten paces, but he only has eyes for his woman and his willing to fight for her and fight her to keep their relationship.  Kaylee is a bit of a scaredy-cat in the beginning, fighting and running from the emotions and passion for her man, but once he overcomes those things she let’s loose, she becomes the sensual and sexy beast that is the perfect mate for her bear.  Her wit and sweetness marries well with James’s and you can see together that they will be a force to be reckoned with. The heat between these two is definitely unchartable and undeniable from the very second they are in one another’s orbit, but once they get their hands on one another you will need a cold shower just to be able to move forward with reading, guaranteed.  I loved getting to see Kaylee and James find their way together and am looking forward to seeing more of them in the rest of the trilogy as James’s brothers find their mates.  We did get a bit of a clue for Alex’s mating in the very end and I can see that one will be just as fiery if not even more so than James’s so look out! Another masterpiece Ms. Arend, keep up the magic!

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

Review: Beyond the Limit (Valkyrie Ops #1)

Beyond the Limit (Valkyrie Ops #1)

by Cindy Dees

Blurb:

Sherri Tate, former Miss Congeniality, is a media officer for the Navy, but she itches to get on the field—and she can prove she has what it takes. But convincing others that she can become one of the first ever female Navy SEALs? That might be tougher than the agonizingly brutal training.

Griffin Caldwell and his teammates in his Navy SEAL platoon, the Reapers, are tasked to secretly train women candidates to become the first female SEALs. But when he meets Sherri Tate, it's friction—and lust—at first sight. Griffin can't believe the former pageant queen has what it takes, and Sherri can’t believe his arrogance. But when one deadly mission goes wrong, it's up to Sherri and Griffin and their unprecedented bond to save the day.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 3

Review:

A new series begins with an amazing premise and I think it will be one for the record books; I have been a fan of Cindy Dees for many years and I was looking forward to this series for a long time when I finally learned of its release and go the chance to read and review. The series begins with three young women that are being given the chance of a lifetime, the chance to train with and possibly become SEALs themselves.  It is an unprecedented chance and all three women are willing to give their all in the training and the fight to become the very best.  Sherri has been fighting to be the best her entire life, and excels and pretty much everything she has tried, so when she begins her training she isn’t surprised she is doing well, but she is amazingly surprised by the attraction and passionate draw she has to the lead SEAL that is heading up her trainers.  Griffin is pissed he and his team have been pulled into the circus of training some powder-puff girls into fake-SEALs, but the sexy Ms. Tate is eye-candy enough for him to keep most of his anger passive-aggressive. But as Griffin learns more and more about Sherri and watches her work her ass off to prove herself his attraction to her become undeniable.  When they give in to the draw between them, the passion is more than just sexual attraction and soon their emotional connection is almost too much to handle for either of them, and that connection is put to the test when Sherri’s life is on the line and Griffin has to come to her rescue.  Sherri was the quintessential overachiever, but I enjoyed getting to know her because her reasons for pushing were interesting and knowing her made me love her more.  While I wanted to hate her simply for how sexy and accomplished she was, she was genuinely an amazing and good person with a strong will and determination to make the world a better place. Griffin is a hero in every sense of the word and I liked learning more about him too.  While he was a butthead in the beginning, he was undoubtedly one of those Alpha men who just didn’t think a woman belonged in the boys club, but once he began to see the light I realized how much I liked him.  He was sexy of course, and I was right there with Sherri salivating over him every second, but he was also smart, sweet, and brave, making him a wonderful complement to Sherri and a guy that any woman would want.  The heat and pull between Sherri and Griffin was a flashfire and when they let it burn it was amazing, but the sweetness and support they offered one another were truly the best part of their relationship. I am dying for the next book in this series, which I hear is coming in 2020, but I am not sure just what it might entail though I certainly hope we get to hear the rest of Sheri’s story on her trail to be a SEAL. 

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

Review: Dare Me Again (Angel Fire Falls #2)

Dare Me Again (Angel Fire Falls #2)

by Shelly Alexander

Blurb:

Making dreams come true is a red-hot challenge for two stubborn hearts risking it all on a second chance…

Hot-wired and restless, financial wizard Elliott Remington doesn’t turn down a dare. This time it’s to coordinate a service-dog boot camp for veterans at his family’s resort. Success means a one-way ticket to the West Coast to pursue his dream career. But it comes with a hitch: teaming up with his ex, who vanished on him ten years ago with nothing more than a kiss-off note.

As fiery as her hair and as stubborn as her name, Rebel Tate did what she had to do—for Elliott’s sake and her own. A dog whisperer with a keen sense of survival, she’s lived a tough life. Here she is, back in Angel Fire Falls, doing what she loves, next to a man she’s never forgotten. While the flame between them still smolders, neither is ready to get burned.

For Elliott, trusting Rebel is a gamble. For Rebel, sharing the secrets that sent her running is a risk. Now, while finishing a job that could define both their futures, two hearts are about to collide—and a second chance at true romance could be the greatest dare of all.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating:  3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 4

Review:

Returning to the small charming resort of the Remington family, on the beautiful pacific coast island of Angel Fire Falls, we are getting to learn more about middle son Elliott and the girl who has come back into his life after years apart.  I was looking forward to this story almost from the very ending of the last book, knowing that any woman brave enough to take of Elliott Remington would be extremely interesting to get to know.  I have never read a story by Ms. Alexander that I didn’t enjoy immensely, but this series is shaping up to be one of my favorite so far.  Filled with hilarious characters, amazing backstories, and the love of a family that never seems to be truly as straight-forward as we would expect, the Angel Fire Falls series just keeps getting better and better.  Elliott returned home when his father called for him and his brothers’ help, but he never thought he’d still be around this long and when he is put in charge of managing the family’ newest venture he is determined that is fail so he can return to his job and life. Rebel and decided that she is willing to face all of the drama and fears she has of her past in order to embrace the biggest chance she has ever had in her career when she is offered the golden ticket. Rebel and Elliott’s complicated past is thrown between them as they have to find a way to work together, but they soon come to realize that their feelings never died despite their separation.  As their passions run high, the friendship that made them so close takes their feelings to such a point that soon they are out of their depth.  But when their hard work begins to unravel and they are forced with a hard decision, Elliott and Rebel have to decide if they are willing to sacrifice their love in order to have what they always thought they wanted out of their lives.  Elliott was a huge ass for most of this story, but he had moments of sweetness and those moments made him interesting enough that I was able to forgive his asinine behavior for the most part.  While we got to know Elliott more, we also saw that he was growing into the true man he was always meant to be and he learned more about himself to as he fell back into love with Rebel.  Rebel was a wonderful character, always contrite and knowing that she was going to have to take the hardest route in her life, but I loved getting to see her fight her hardest to find her place in the world. She was a woman that knew her man and was willing to do anything to protect him, even something that would break her and leave her broken for years.  The two of them together were hilarious at times, made me cry buckets at others, but they always expressed their love and passion for one another.  I am dying for the final story in series and cannot wait to find who steals the youngest brother’s heart.  A great and heartwarming series full of love, passion, and sweetness with all the fun and magic that are expected from a Shelly Alexander story.

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

Review: The Charmer in Chaps (Princes of Texas #1)

The Charmer in Chaps (Princes of Texas #1)

by Julia London 

Blurb:

Cimarron County knows the youngest son of the fabled Prince family as a womanizing hell-raiser, but Luca has another side to him. He intends to turn the overworked pasture land his father left him back to its natural beauty. There's just one problem—a woman with sparkling eyes and more fight than a barnyard cat is grandfathered into some acreage on his portion of Three Rivers Ranch.

After years of living in foster homes, Ella has exactly three things to her name: A dog, a pig, and the rundown house she just inherited. Luca may not remember her from high school, but she definitely remembers him. He is as seductive as he was then, but Ella isn't about to fall for his flirting—if only she could stop melting at his touch.

What begins as a game of seduction for Luca quickly turns into something more, but Ella has learned the hard way to trust no one but herself—especially when it comes to her deepest secret. Yet the closer Luca gets to Ella, the more he wants to be the one she leans on. For once, Luca is determined to do something right and give the woman he loves the home she deserves.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 3.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

A new contemporary series, set in the heat and beauty of west Texas, begins with a family in turmoil and a woman trying to find a place for herself in a world where she has always been alone.  I am a huge fan of anything with cowboys, animals, and country boys and was really looking forward to this story and while I did enjoy the story, there were a lot of times that the story drug too much for me and I found myself skipping sections.  This first in a series contains a lot of set-up to be sure, with a huge change for the Prince family that I can see will be the crucial setup for the next books in the series, but I almost wished that a lot of that had been done differently.  That being said the portions of the story that revolved directly around interactions between Luca and Ella were interesting, sweet and fun.  The romance between these two wasn’t one that sets first to the world, but instead begins as a slow burn and stays steady for years to come, providing heat and faith in an ever-changing and challenging world.  Luca Prince has lived a life of privilege, sometimes to his personal detriment, but he has decided to take a stand for his own betterment and find a way to make a real mark on the world.  I loved seeing Luca grown and change as a man even as he backslid a few times and had to work even harder to reach his goals, one of which came to include showing Ella that he was worthy of her love.  He has made a lot of mistakes in his life, but once he owns up to them and accepts that his mistakes are a part of his past that made him into the man he is, I loved him even more just as Ella did.  Ella on the other hand has struggled for every bit of happiness and achievement she has ever had in her life, so when she gets a chance at a home of her own, nothing will stand in her way, not even when other people look down on what she has been granted.  Ella has loved Luca from afar for years, but once she actually gets to know him she begins to understand that the love she thought she had was simply a girls love for the dream of a spoiled prince in a castle, but the true man draws her and shows her that true love is felt more deeply and can sometimes hurt beyond anything imaginable.  Luca is obviously lusting for Ella from the beginning and though she resists her old crush, she still feels the heat as well, but once they get to know one another then fire burns even more brightly.  It was fun to watch them circling one another, even as there was a lot going on in this book, both with them and with their family and friends, but the life-changing events they both dealt with in such a short time just proved that the love that developed between them could overcome anything if they allowed themselves to embrace those feelings. I can’t say I was overcome with need for the next story, but am looking forward to seeing the rest of the Prince’s find love themselves and see what they make of themselves now that their lives have irrevocably changed.  I still prefer Julia’s historical novels by far, by the Princes of Texas looks to be an interesting series for sure.

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

Review: Cover of Night (Alpha Crew #3)

Cover of Night (Alpha Crew #3)

by Laura Griffin

Blurb:

Journalist Karly Bonham is on her first overseas mission, covering the new United States ambassador to Thailand, when she is taken hostage by terrorists, with only her wits and courage to keep her alive—until help arrives in the form of Navy SEAL Ethan Dunn.

As part of an elite SEAL team called Alpha Crew, Ethan has been on countless harrowing missions, but he knows this one is different the instant he meets Karly—the sexy young reporter who somehow managed to escape the terrorists’ clutches. Ethan is impressed by her, especially when he learns she has intel that could be the key to a successful rescue op. Ethan knows working with a civilian raises the stakes on an already dangerous mission. But with the clock ticking down, he enlists Karly’s help to thwart a vicious plot and bring a terrorist mastermind to justice.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 3.25 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

While I am a huge fan of every other series that I read written by Ms. Griffin, I find myself having a real problem getting into this series.  I’m not sure if it is the short lengths of the stories, which gives so little time for the reader to become passionate about the characters and their lives, or the fact that the characters fall in love in so short a time that boggles the mind, but these books just don’t seem to resonate with me.  The story begins with quick action as Journalist Karly, who is on a working vacation in Thailand finds herself in the middle of a hostile terrorist situation with seemingly so help in sight until she is accosted in the dark by a huge and sexy man who turns out to be a member of the Alpha Crew SEAL team sent in to rescue the hostages.  She is forced to work with them when the situation gets quickly out of hand, but her brains and sass make her the perfect partner for Ethan Dunn the leader of the team on the island with her.  Ethan has been sent in to recon the situation, not thinking he would be forced to stage and small-team recuse, but he and his men are made to adapt.  However he never saw Karly coming and she bowls him over with her sexiness and he finds himself a bit distracted and instantly attracted to the pretty reporter.  Once the hostages and rescued, they are briefly reunited and their connection is deepened as Ethan tries to help Karly deal with all she saw and did on the Island, leading them to a passionate affair, one that Karly believes will be a single intense, though long thought of night, until Ethan tracks her down at her home.  Now she has to decide if she wants something more with the sexy SEAL who rocked her world, or if her personal hang-ups are too much to overcome her fears of a relationship with Ethan.  There was so much going on in this relatively short novel, but I did like both Karly and Ethan’s characters and wished they had the full time they deserved to grow both alone and together.  Ethan was simply a badass, but he was also sweet, funny, and interesting.  Karly, once she let herself go, was sassy, charming, and intelligent in ways that made her the perfect match for Ethan.  The passion between them was undeniable at every moment and I have no doubt that they were keep their love alive a long time to come.  I will continue with the series, in hopes the length grows and the stories become more in line with Laura’s normal level, but on it’s on this story was an enjoyable brief read and good addition to the series.

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