ARC Review: Fever (Dark Kings #16)

Fever (Dark Kings #16)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

His kiss was fire and passion. She shivered, wondering how he knew just how to touch her, to send her spiraling into an abyss of pleasure…

For centuries, the Dragon Kings have lived among mortals, forsaking their true selves. But for Kelton, hiding in the realm of shadows—and existing only in the world of dreams—is no longer an option. A human woman claims to know that he, like other dark warriors of his kind, is real. That the legends about these powerful, seductive men with hearts ablaze are true. And that, with just one embrace, Kelton could destroy her…or love her until the end of time.

Bernadette Davies is an anthropologist who knows better than to fall into the arms of a Dragon King. But how can she resist Kelton when he’s so willing to share his secrets and bear his soul? He hasn’t met a beautiful, trustworthy woman like Bernadette in…forever. But once they give into their mutual desire, their worlds will never be the same. Soon Bernadette must face her dilemma: Should she expose the truth about Kelton in the name of science? Or join him in his battle with the dark forces—in the name of love?

Themes: Dragon Shifters, Fae, Paranormal

Rating:  4.75 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

 The long-awaited battle has arrived, and we will finally find out just who will fight and what side all of the power players will end up on…and the ultimate question of who will come out of it intact. I have been looking forward to this story for a long time, not only for the sake of another Dragon King finding love with his mate, but because we knew that it was truly time that Rhi come out her shell and take control of her destiny. We have watched her evolve and change into the powerhouse she has become, and we always knew it was her destiny to make a great change in the world and this is her time. That being said this story really did revolve around the love between Kelton and Bernadette, despite both of them resisting the pull between them from the very beginning. Donna Grant has the ability to take readers on an amazing journey through the supernatural world of shifter and Fae while still keeping the most fundamental of truths at the heart of her story, Love conquers all. I was a bit surprised at the ending and am dying to see where she will be taking the series now that so much has changed and, of course, we are all still dying to know the secret she has kept from the very beginning of the introduction of this series—the name of the King that stole Rhi’s heart.  If you are looking for drama, danger, magic, and heart you won’t be steered wrong with Fever and you will instantly be enchanted by Bernadette and her King’s love and devotion.

Bernadette is an anthropologist who has devoted her career to understanding the cultures around her and when she discovers the existence of not only the Fae but also Dragons in the world, she is determined to bring that to the public, despite the naysayers and obvious dangers.  When she finally finds the courage to make a public announcement, she knows she will be approached, but she is not prepared for the sexy dragon-shifter that enters her life. Kelton has been sent as a representative of the Kings to find out just what evidence Bernadette has, but he never expected to not only like the lass but to feel an instant connection to her. After speaking with him, Bernadette is determined to find the truth and knows the only way is to go directly to the source, despite the danger of traveling to Dreagan, and when she shows up on their doorstep, she knows her life will change forever.  Kelton never imagined she would show up at Dreagan, but once she is in their home, he’s not really sure he wants to let her go.  Soon they find themselves embroiled in a drama orchestrated by their enemy that puts Bernadette right on the front lines and only Kelton can keep her safe, but together they have to decide if they are willing to risk everything, including their hearts in order to defeat their greatest enemy and bring peace to the Kings.

I really loved getting to know Kelton and Bernadette and seeing them falling in love despite all the obstacles in their way and their own personal resistance to their fate.  Kelton was one of the few Kings that was happy about the spell that kept them from falling in love for millennia and he is determined that he does not find a mate now, despite his draw to her from the beginning.  His heart is obviously in the right place as he befriends Bernadette and tries to keep her safe from their enemies, but once their relationship becomes deeper his denial and resistance made me angry and want to punch him a few times. I understand the fear he was dealing with, but dang I want him to man—errr, Dragon up – and take his mate and keep her truly safe. Bernadette on the other hand was a woman after my heart.  While she was an unwitting pawn of an evil bitch to be sure for a good bit of the story, once she learned of her role, she came out of that pretty quick and found her spine. She was a smart lady to be sure, but she leads with her heart from the very beginning and when she starts to doubt her source of information, she doesn’t hesitate to jump into the deep end to try to find the truth.  She is the perfect match for Kelton’s stubbornness too and there is no doubt they were made for one another, and as they get deeper and deeper into their battle for their lives their connection shows Bernadette the fighter she truly is as she fights for both of their lives and a chance at a future together.

Fever is definitely a culmination of a long-time arc that so many of us have been dying for, an ultimate battle, and the ending of an era, but there are still so many battles left to fight and I cannot wait for more in this series.  Kelton and Bernadette’s love story takes us on a journey through the challenges of deciphering truth from lies and finding a way to embrace the love and trust that is offered at face value and the deep connections that can develop in a heartbeat. Kelton is a sexy beast of a Dragon King, even when he is being an ass and fighting his instincts and heart.  He stands for his friends and the world, working with the other Kings to keep the world safe from danger, but his main goal is to keep Bernadette safe, despite denying she is his mate.  Bernadette never imagined she would fall for a Dragon King, but once she meets Kelton there is no denying that he is the man for her.  I loved seeing her come to her womanly power and prove to herself that she is a match for Kelton in every way including her stubbornness and the power of her love.  Together they set the world on fire from the beginning even though they both pretend that their fling can have no future.  I am dying to see what comes next and find out where Donna takes this amazing story of love and magic.  The Dragon Kings and the other players in their world just keep getting more and more interesting and I honestly never know what might happen next.  I will say that if Ms. Grant doesn’t tell us soon who Rhi’s King is, I just might lose it, but I think most of us long-time fans feel the same way and truly believe that she secretly enjoys torturing us with that secret a little too much.  Another masterpiece of magic, mayhem, and love and I am so thrilled to have had to the chance to read and enjoy Fever.

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

Review: Dagger's Edge (Brute Force #2)

Dagger's Edge (Brute Force #2)

by Lora Leigh

Blurb:

Ivan Resnova wants nothing more than to escape his hard, brutal past. Starting over is not so easy once you've been a powerful crime boss but now, instead of being punished for his alleged crimes, Ivan fears that the one woman he can't forget is in danger of paying the price.

Crimsyn "Syn" Delaney thought the danger she'd faced was over, and that she could resume her life. She never imagined it would return with a vengeance and throw her back into Ivan's world. But when an attempt is made on her life, she needs Ivan more than ever to keep her safe--even if she is in danger of falling deeply and dangerously in love. . .

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

  The past always comes back to haunt us no matter how hard we try to avoid it.  The second story in the Brute Force series is a perfect reminder for us all of this fact and it is filled with danger and drama as Ivan and Syn come to terms with their shared past and find a path to the future they both desire. Ivan was an interesting character, one that on the surface is truly a bad guy, but as we dig deeper we see that he is doing the best to be a force for good while remaining in the shadowing world he was born into.  Men like him have controlled the world for so long, but perhaps with him leading and finding a way to topple the corruption from the inside out there might be a way to bring some more light to the world.  Syn has a lot of secrets and one especially large one she must keep from Ivan, but when he decides that he is not going to let her go, she has to find a way to escape with not only her life but also he heart intact.  I enjoyed watching them sparring as they found a way to balance one another and survive the dangers circling them, but the sweet moments they shared were the best.  The passions that ran high in both Ivan and Syn were undeniable and they made a perfect match for one another and once the truth of their relationship and past came to light it was amazing to watch the way their minds sparked off each other. I am looking forward to more in this interesting series, though I will say that there is a lot of times in the stories were I would love more detail and clarification on the overall arc of the series and would love to be filled in on the true mission of this group of shadowy operators, but hopefully that will come with more books. As always with a Leigh stories the sexual tensions and sensuality runs high, but there was plenty of action and plot to carry the story as well. Whatever comes next should certainly be intriguing.

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

Review: Dark Alpha's Redemption (Reaper #8)

Dark Alpha's Redemption (Reaper #8)

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…

My duty to Death drives me forward. I've never once strayed from my path – not even when the future seemed uncertain. However, Maeve's intelligence, cunning and determination challenges me in ways I never imagined. Finding out what she knows is the key to learning how to conquer our enemy. The Dark Fae breathes new life into me unlike anything I've ever known. For Maeve, I will risk trusting the Dark. For her...I will battle darkness itself.

Themes:  Paranormal, Fae, Dragons

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 The Reaper’s have another mission and this one could literally change the landscape of the entire Fae world and quite possibly turn the tide of the war for the Dark Kings and their allies.  Donna Grant has an astonishing ability to interweave so many series and storylines into one tapestry of magic and danger and readers are left wondering what could possibly come next after each story.  The Reaper’s are working to help the Dark Kings to defeat the Fae Queen in order to maintain the balance of good and evil in the world that Death has striven for all her years.  Bradach is told to enlist the help of one of the most well-known Dark Fae in the world, a female that has the ability to provide her clients with just about any item that need.  Maeve has spent her entire adult life filling her father’s shoes in the business and hiding behind the glamour she shows the world, but when the Dark King introduces her to the mysterious Fae her world is turned upside down. Bradach and Maeve suddenly find themselves drawn inexplicably to one another and unable to denial the love that develops instantly, but their enemies are around every corner.  It was amazing to watch Bradach and Maeve as they uncovered secrets and worked together to overcome extraordinary odds in order to be together and finally have a chance at happiness.  I really loved how sweet but passionate Bradach was in his defense of Maeve once he truly got to know her and saw her for the woman, she was instead of the one she presented to the world. Maeve has spend so long hiding from her personal truth that when she finally just let herself be free, she became a force to be reckoned with and deserved every happiness that she was offered in the end.  I am dying to find out what happens next and see where Donna takes us on this amazing journey with the King and Reapers, along with a few special allies, in their goal of defeating a corrupt queen and bringing balance back to the world. Keep the Magick coming, Ms. Grant.

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

Review: Saint (Knights of Fury #1)

Saint (Knights of Fury #1)

by Chantal Fernando 

Blurb:

Dear Skylar,

Five years. That’s a long time to go without talking to somebody, especially someone who was such a huge part of your life…

A letter from my first kiss and my childhood everything…from prison.

He may be nicknamed Saint, but this sweet, sexy biker most definitely has a wild streak. Hearing from him draws me right back into the Knights of Fury motorcycle club—the people I’ll always think of as family.

He’s still the only man I’ve ever wanted.

Each good, old-fashioned letter from my “prison pen pal” has my heart racing. Which is nothing compared to how I feel when Saint surprises me in person, as a free man.

I was just a kid the last time we saw each other, but the connection between us now is anything but innocent.

He’s the type of man who would do anything to protect his woman. And with my world crashing down around me, that’s exactly what I’m going to need.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

An all new series by an author that truly understands the world of MCs and has such a way with words that it never ceases to amaze me that she can bring an outsider into that world and make it all seem so normal.  I thoroughly enjoyed the last series I read by this author, though it was my first foray into her work, and was thrilled to know that she was beginning a new series.  This story revolves around a young woman that was once a treasured princess in a MC and was pulled from that life by her money-grubbing and selfish mother when she was a teen.   Those years changed a lot for her and she never forgot the first man she loved as a father or the first boy she crushed on, so when her past reaches out to her in the form of a letter, throwing her for a loop and forcing her to confront her past and work through all the lies, she embraces the chance to change her life and finally live her life for herself. When she returns to her childhood home, looking for answers from her former stepfather, she never actually imagined she would run into Saint but when she does the draw is irrefutable and he is even more—everything—than she remembers him being.  Saint once looked at Skylar as the princess that was off limits but drew his eye, and he was biding his time, until suddenly she was gone from his life, but once she back and willing to listen to the truth, all bets are off.  Saint is an enigma to be sure, but I loved getting to know him and see him as he convinces Skylar to give him and his club a chance to be a part of her life and prove that he is the perfect man for her.  Again and again he surprised her with his thoughtfulness and sweetness, hidden just under the sexy badass that makes him the perfect biker.  Skylar was a bit naïve and immature, but her youth makes that forgivable, but thankfully she both grows up and matures a lot in this story making her much more likeable and a perfect foil for Saint.  She also makes me exceptionally proud of her several times when she tells her mother off and proves that she isn’t going to continue to live under her control and let her past be her future.  The heat between Skylar and Saint is apparent from the first second they clap eye on another again and each time they are together the fire only grows more out of control, but Saint is controlled enough that he can lead his woman into the fire and safely out the other side.  I am looking forward to the next story in this series and seeing who falls in love next and what might be coming for this club, but no matter what I imagine it will be interesting and sensual, giving me a fun experience to read.

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

ARC Review: The Devil in the Saddle

The Devil in the Saddle (Princes of Texas #2)

by Julia London 

Blurb:

 No one cheats on a Prince and gets away with it. And Hallie--Texas socialite, would-be ballerina, and the only daughter of Cimarron County's renowned Prince family--is ready to give her two-timing fiancé a piece of her mind. But fate plants hot, sexy ranch hand and ex-Army Ranger Rafael Fontana quite literally in her way. Her childhood friend is all grown up. He's sexy, he's handsome, and suddenly, after all these years, Hallie is taking notice.

Rafe has been in love with Hallie since they were kids, but he was always the help--and she was glamorous and popular, seemingly off-limits to a lowly cowboy. But now he's back at Three Rivers Ranch to help his family and Hallie is there too--and she needs his support. Of course, Rafe agrees, but soon long-buried feelings boil to the surface, and the desire between them is hot and palpable and undeniable. Rafe realizes he wants Hallie for keeps... he just has to convince her to give true love another shot.

Themes: Contemporary

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The story of the Prince family continues, right where the previous one ended, with the story of the family princess and her road back from disaster. I am a huge fan of Julia London’s historical romances, though I have found that I don’t love her contemporary stories near as much, but I truly enjoyed Hallie and Rafe’s story despite that.  The previous novel in the story was definitely one I had to struggle through and, while there were a few slow moments, this story was a huge improvement and gave me a lot more faith in the series, so I am truly looking forward to the next in the series. Hallie and Rafe went through a lot of growing pains as they found their way into one another’s arms, but it is obvious that the chemistry they have both felt all along is something that neither of them were able to deal with until this exact moment in their lives. If you are looking for a realistic story of two people at crossroads in their lives that are getting a chance to find love, you will not be disappointed.

Hallie is dealing with a lot of change in her life and she has definitely lost her way, but she knows that when she finds her old friend Rafe back in her life she sees that she needs him in a way she never did before. Rafe has returned to the ranch he grew up on, as a temporary stop on the way to his new life, never expecting that he would find the princess of his youth drawing him in. Rafe and Hallie are both trying to find the way to their future and their place in the world but as they come together the passion between them is undeniable.  Soon their emotions are so deep that their old fears arise and they have to decide if they are willing to defy their pasts and find happiness together.

Hallie has spent most of her life as the spoiled princess of her family, but now that her father is gone and her world has shattered, she has to find out if she has enough backbone to stand on her own two feet.  There were a few moments where I really hated Hallie, but thankfully overall as she grew up and found her footing, I came to respect her and enjoyed getting to know the real her as much as she and Rafe did.  She was truly an intelligent, loving, brave, and determined young woman that came out of her shell and proved that she would be truly welcome contributing member of society. Rafe on the other hand was truly a dark and sexy knight in shining armor from the very beginning.  I loved seeing how sweet and charming he was, despite his fears and self-doubt.  It was obvious that he truly cared about the people he wanted to help and that he was devoted to his family.  He was willing to support Hallie and help her find her footing, even as he fell deeper in love with her even though he believed he had no chance of a future with her.  The way he worked toward a goal and refused to give up in despite the many, many problems that cropped up in his way, show that Rafe’s gentle stubbornness were a good match for Hallie’s.

Overall I liked this story a lot and while there were a few moments that were not my favorite, it really reminded me why I love Julia’s writing so very much. Hallie is a young woman in need of a compass to find true north and lead her to her path in life and she finds it in the man she has called friend all her life. She will find her way with his assistance but it will definitely not be an easy path and she will have to use every bit of her determination and skill in order to not fail epically at everything she has decided she wants out of life. Rafe on the other hand has always known what he wanted and what he was willing to allow himself to want, but once he lets himself give in to Hallie everything changes and he has to find out if he can trust in himself—and Hallie—to give in to his new dreams. I loved seeing these two break through their beliefs about themselves and their understanding of their own strengths and weaknesses in order to find out who they truly were.  The love and chemistry between them was hot but the sweetness of their emotional connection kept that flame from being so hot that it just spiked and burned out.  Despite a few tropes that are not my favorite popping up near the end of the story, I am looking forward to what comes next and I suspect I know who the love interest will be for the final Prince sibling. Julia London’s historicals will remain my favorite of her genre writing, but this story makes me a little more open to her contemporary writing and I am going to go into the next story with a bit more of an open mind for sure.

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