ARC Review: A Cowboy Like You (Heart of Texas #4)

A Cowboy Like You (Heart of Texas #4)

by  Donna Grant 

Blurb:

In the Heart of Texas, a heartthrob cowboy may get his second chance at love…

Danny Oldman, the handsome Lone Star sheriff, is still single. He tells himself, and anyone who asks, that he is married to his job―and what matters most is keeping the people of his beloved Texas hometown safe. The truth? Danny still hasn’t gotten over his high school crush. She moved away after graduation and took Danny’s heart with her.

Skylar Long never thought she would have to flee Houston and return home―where it all began for her. But that’s what happened after the man of her dreams turned out to be an actual nightmare. Now, Skylar is desperate to escape her obsessive boyfriend. Nothing shocks her more than seeing Danny again and realizing that their long-ago attraction is more powerful than ever. But can she and Danny find a way to fight against Skylar’s wealthy, powerful ex who is dead set on tearing them apart?

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  4.25 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

 Grant comes back in a big way with her story of two people reconnecting and finding in one another exactly what is needed. Grant has led us through many years and some amazing stories as we learned about this small Texas town and the folks who call it home, not the least of which was the family at the heart of the community.  Danny has been a big part of each of the previous stories, somehow being a hero without taking away from the magic of the lovebird in those stories, but I was thrilled to learn he was finally getting his own love.  Danny is an interesting mix of brooding hero and sweet lover that reminds us that the men we fall in love with aren’t all built from the same mold.  I really enjoyed getting to see him flex his muscles as he used his influence as sheriff to protect the woman that he was falling for and to allow her to return to the woman she once was before a bastard tried to break her spirit.  If you are looking for a story with a rugged and sexy alpha hero that knows how to show his gentle side to the woman that steals his heart, you don’t need to look much further that Donna’s new story.  I am dying to see what comes next and find out who might be falling in love.

Danny is in a rut; he works all the time and has no desire to even cultivate much of a personal life, so when he stops for dinner at his favorite truck stop, he never imagined his life would change forever in an instant. Skylar has finally made an escape from the bastard that has turned her into a virtual prisoner, but he’s caught up with her and she’s sure she will soon be dead.  Luckily Danny comes to her rescue, a dark shadow coming into the light and taking her tormentor into custody as well as providing her with a refuge while he helps her to get her now-ex off her back.  Danny and his friends are determined to do whatever is necessary to make sure that Skylar has a chance to get back to her life, but Danny is slowly losing his heart to the sexy woman that he had a crush on through most of his young adulthood. Soon the dangers are coming from every corner and only Danny and his team can make sure that the two of them have a chance to explore their passions and have a future together, before Sky’s past ends all chances for them.

I really enjoyed getting a deeper understanding of Danny and seeing him in action as Sheriff even in the mundane moments.  He is obviously a very controlled and brave guy, sexy as all get out and sweet to the women in his life.  We have seen so much of him in the past that we assumed we knew him inside and out, but the loneliness we get to see Skylar overcoming as they spend more time together reminds us that even some people are hiding from us. My favorite moments with him was when he was just spending quiet time with Skylar and encouraging her to come out the shell, she has put herself into for protection or when he’s with the East family.  There are also moments where his passions are undeniably hot and I envied Skylar for being the focus and recipient of that heat, but it’s obvious that she is the missing piece of this life and his soul. Skylar is a strong woman that has found herself in a situation that she swore she’d never be in and one she needs serious help to get out of.  When Danny and his friends offer her the helping hand, she needs, she doesn’t hesitate to grab ahold of it and get out of the terrifying situation she has found herself in, and thankfully she is soon able find her old strength and bravery.  I loved watching her in action as she found her footing again and remind Danny why he loved her spirit so much as a young woman, but I also enjoyed watching her find her home again in both Danny and the small town where she belonged.  Us small town girls need to stick where we belong, even if we get confused sometimes.  The best part of the whole story was seeing her take a stand against her ex and demand her due, even to the point of putting herself in danger in order to protect the man she loved when he is put in danger.  That is true love and the ultimate sacrifice.

A Cowboy Like You is one of those stories that seems so much shorter than it truly is because it flies by as you are reading, and you fall in love with it quickly.  There is enough action and drama to keep you on the edge of your seat, but the real core of the story is two people finding each other even in the turmoil of their lives and finding a way to overcome their obstacles to love. Danny is a hero in every sense of the word and a sexy beast in boots on top of that.  I enjoyed every moment of truly getting to know him and found myself wishing I had my very own Danny to love.  Skylar was in a truly difficult situation, but she managed to get herself out and instinctively took herself home, leaving fate to do the rest and bring her right into the arms of the one man that could truly save her in every way.  She needed help, but she doesn’t cave under pressure or in the face of danger and leave others to fight her fights, standing up and making sure that her tormentor knows she is done and will bring him down once and for all.  The passion between these two was incendiary and I was dying to see them in one another’s sphere each time it happened, but the sweet heat that was left burning after the initial flashes always left a warm glow for extended time.  The love between Danny and Skylar is the kind we all hope to find someday and reminds readers that there truly is someone out there for us all if we just let fate lead us and keep our eyes and hearts open.  I can’t wait for whatever comes next in this series and would love to see police chief Ryan maybe get his own book (wink wink, nudge nudge Donna)! Thanks for the repeated magic, Ms. Grant.

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

ARC Review: The Bear's Fated Mate (Borealis Bears #2)

The Bear's Fated Mate (Borealis Bears #2)

by Vivian Arend 

Blurb:

He’s going to pick someone perfectly wrong for him—because fate isn’t in charge of his world!

As head of security for the family company, polar bear shifter Alex Borealis has intel warning something big is about to happen. His prime suspect? Tantalizing, infuriating Lara Lazuli, youngest daughter of Borealis Gems’ main competitor. But when mating fever hits, he decides she’s the perfect one to turn to. They’ve got chemistry hot enough to melt the polar ice caps, but he doesn’t trust her enough for a permanent connection to form.

Being with Alex is one step shy of torture for Lara. As a wolf shifter, she scented the truth the instant she met him months ago—he’s her mate. But she’s not about to trap anyone into being with her, especially not a man who thinks she’s up to no good. Add in her own suspicions of wrong-doing in her pack and Lara’s caught between heaven and hell.

But tangled sheets lead to real communication, and a bond of friendship forms that neither expected. When Lara asks for help, Alex finds himself living in the pack house, scaring off random Alpha wolves and fighting at her side.

Because the mating fever knows a thing or two about fate and forever.

Themes:  Paranormal, Shifters

Rating:  4.25 stars

Heat Rating:
Review:

That wily Grampa Giles strikes again and poor Alex never knew what hit him.  I was thrilled when I learned that Vivian Arend had an all new spin-off series beginning, taking us back into the world of her sexy and primal shifters in the Canadian wilds, and this series is just crazy enough to remind readers why we fell in love with her writing.  I personal love the way Vivian manages to combine the wildness and civilization in her characters as she brings together the animal and man for both her hero and heroine, but the love and passion between them is definitely led by the chemistry that makes these shifters so sexy. Alex and Lara have been circling one another for a while, but his inability to trust in her motives for befriending the women in his life keeps him from truly seeing her for the woman that she is.  Frenemies is definitely the best way to describe Alex’s view of Lara, but she knows the truth and being so close to her fated mate but not being able to touch or love him is slowly driving her insane.  When the mating fever hits, Alex has the brilliant plan to ask Lara to help him get through the fever, knowing that there is no way in hell the bond will ever form.  She reluctantly agrees because, though she knows there will be pain on the other end of the week with him, denying the need in her mate is not something that Lara has the power to do.  But as they deal with the fever they also become closer and soon Alex begins to wonder why he ever believed this woman wasn’t truly the one for him, but will a hidden plot coming to light make their lives easier or more difficult and keep them from finding their HEA? If you love sexy sneaky shifters and the passion and chemistry that can arise as two of them clash again and again, then The Bear’s Fated Mate is the perfect story to enjoy and you will find just every moment of the adventure, just as I did.

I loved getting to see Alex and Lara as they circled around one another and learned to handle the attraction and pull they both felt toward one another.  Alex is a stubborn and grumbly guy, definitely the home of a polar bear, but he is also a badass and smart security expert with a suspicious nature, so when his radar continues to be triggered by a woman he has trained his brain to think of as an enemy it takes him a good long time to overcome that impression. Once he does, Alex’s passion overcomes his mistrust and he begins to enjoy his time with the sexy she-wolf, he learns that they have so much more in common than he imagined.  Lara has been hiding her feelings for the growly bear for six months and it is slowly making her wild, but she has to figure out what is going on in her pack and family company before she can turn her thoughts to finding a way to capturing her mate. Putting her efforts into ferreting out the secrets that are being kept from her, she is side-swept by Alex’s proposal for helping him through the fever but there is no denying him when he needs her.  Together the passion they share will keep any reader plenty warm on a cold winter’s night and I loved having it to keep me warm for sure. The story was sweet, sexy and had me laughing and sighing in equal measure.  I enjoy seeing the bears as they challenge one another and Grandpa Giles is definitely a tricky old bastard and I am dying to find out what scheme he comes up with next to get his last grandson mated.  Cooper’s story is bound to be a doozy and I know that his and Amber’s story will be beyond sensually amazing. I am looking forward to the chance to read the finale, but Alex and Lara are a couple that I know I will be coming back to for rereads when I need something for a light, fun and sexy read.  Thanks for another passionate adventure Vivian.

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

ARC Review: The Princess Plan (A Royal Wedding #1)

The Princess Plan (A Royal Wedding #1)

by Julia London

Blurb:

Princes have pomp and glory—not crushes on commoners.

Nothing gets the tongues of London’s high society wagging like a good scandal. And when the personal secretary of the visiting Prince Sebastian of Alucia is found murdered, it’s all anyone can talk about, including Eliza Tricklebank. Her unapologetic gossip gazette has benefited from an anonymous tip about the crime, prompting Sebastian to take an interest in playing detective—and an even greater interest in Eliza.

With a trade deal on the line and mounting pressure to secure a noble bride, there’s nothing more salacious than a prince dallying with a commoner. Sebastian finds Eliza’s contrary manner as frustrating as it is seductive, but they’ll have to work together if they’re going to catch the culprit. And when things heat up behind closed doors, it’s the prince who’ll have to decide what comes first—his country or his heart.

Themes:  Historical

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

A brand new series begins with a hilarious story of a free spirit rubbing against the constraints of society and a man forced to live within them for the good of his people despite the woman who has stolen his heart.  I have always enjoyed London’s historical romances and was looking forward to beginning the new series when I heard about it, hoping for something new and fun, and I can say I was pleasantly more surprised than I even imagined by this story. London has a skill with bringing the unexpected 20^th century mentality of women into her characters making them well before their time and then convincing the men that fall for them that this is just fine.  I loved this story and getting to know an all knew set of characters and an all new country and its customs and hope to get to see them even more in future stories. I’m not sure exactly where the series will be going, but I hope that Eliza’s friends will get their own stories in the series, as well as perhaps Prince Leopold too. The fun and silliness of the story, even with the underlying themes of murder and suspicion, made the love story between Sebastian and Eliza light, which is crucial to allow readers to ignore the impending doom for Eliza’s heart once she lost it to the Prince.

Eliza has forgone any willingness to adhere to society’s understanding of what a woman should and should not do or say, knowing she has earned her freedom through heartache and embarrassment.  When a chance comes to attend a ball in honor of a visiting prince since never thought she’d actually have  a chance at meeting the prince, but through a strange turn of events she not only meets him once she finds herself drawn to him again and again. Prince Sebastian isn’t interested in forming an attachment to any woman, though he knows he must marry as part of his promise to his father and his duty to his people, so when he meets Eliza he thinks nothing of it at first.  When tragedy strikes and Sebastian needs help tracking a killer, he finds an unlikely helper in Eliza and soon they are wrapped up in intrigue and one another.  But the danger surrounding them becomes greater as they get closer to finding the killer and though neither of them imagined it they have fallen in love and now have to deal with the truth that they live in two very different worlds.  Is there any way for a Prince to find his queen in a fallen woman that scorns society in every way but gives him the love he needs to make him the man he must be for his people?

Eliza was an amazing character, one that I enjoyed watching in action as she tried her hand at tracking down a killer and stole the heart of a Prince without even trying just by being her fabulous self.  It was obvious from the beginning that Eliza has decided to live life on her own terms, being the best daughter, sister, and friend she can, even if society continues to look down on her for past choices. Eliza is a woman living well before her time, one that has embraced her freedom and is willing to enjoy life even if others look down on her for it.  She is spunky and sassy to say the least, courageous and generous for sure but I most enjoyed seeing her as she embraced the chance to find love even though she knew that she could lose her heart and the pain it would cause her in the end to lose her Prince.  Prince Sebastian on the other hand was kind of an ass in the beginning, not a bad man, but one raised in protection and privilege, the most simple being that he is a man in a world where men of privilege could do just about any damn thing they wanted with little to no consequences. He is determined to do his very best by his people and knows that he will have no chance at finding love, but when he meets Eliza she has a strange pull for him and even though he doesn’t understand anything about her she is simply irresistible.  Again and Again he is pulled back into her sphere and the more he is with her, the more he questions his decisions and choices for his future.  I loved seeing the changes in him as he embraced his feelings for Eliza and the craziness she inspired, but the most interesting times were seeing his mind working through the drama and dangers that surrounded him as they looked for the killer in his midst.  It was obvious that Sebastian needed his world expanded a little bit and Eliza was just the woman to do it, so the love between them was inevitable if you ask me because really who could resist her.

The Princess Plan is a wonderful beginning to a series that is sure to be interesting and filled with laughter, tears and love.  I know that I will love this series as I have all previous historical series by Julia London, but I have a feeling this one will be even better than previous ones after getting to meet the characters she plans to feature.  Eliza is a wonder to watch as she experiences the chance at true love for the first time, after a disastrous first relationship that left her unweddable for the last decade, and her antics as an amateur investigator were hysterical.  It was obvious that Eliza is a soft-hearted woman but she has had to make hard choices in life, the hardest being giving up a chance at love, but now that she has met a man she is willing to risk the pain for, she will give it all for Sebastian knowing she will lose him in the end.  Sebastian has no intention of losing his heart of a headstrong and stubborn English commoner when he comes to London on a diplomatic mission, but there is no resisting the magnetism that is Eliza.  He knows there is no chance for them to have a future, that their affair can only end badly, with both their hearts broken, but he can’t give her up until he is forced to. He is sexy, smart and a little bit arrogant, but he is also protective and sweet in the most unexpected of ways and I loved learning about him and his small country.  The passion between Eliza and Sebastian fueled some interesting interactions with arguments and stubbornness, right up until they decided that passion could lead to different more intimate directions.  This story grabbed me from the beginning and I fell in love with the story and characters, even allowing for overlooking a few annoying moments where I wanted to beat the characters upside the head for their stubbornness and unwillingness to think outside the box (until the ending thankfully!). I loved how Julia managed to give us the HEA we always expected in a truly imaginative and unexpected way, but truly I hated all the tears she put me through. I know this one will be a great series and I’m dying to find out what is next in this series for sure and to read what’s going to happen.

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

Review: Darkness Rising (Darkness #9)

Darkness Rising (Darkness #9)

by Katie Reus

Blurb:

When a bringer of death…

Awakened after millennia, dragon warrior Reaper is ready to fulfill his destiny…until he sees Greer. With one glimpse, everything Reaper has ever known throughout his very long life is irrevocably changed. Greer’s his mate, he feels it in his blood, in his soul—but convincing her is another matter. The dragon clan healer finds him obnoxious and annoying, but he knows a woman’s interest when he smells it. And Greer smells like one word: mine.

Meets a giver of life…

Greer has spent hundreds of years using her healing abilities for the good of others, making her the polar opposite of Reaper. The ferocious war general may be an ancient, but his arrogance proves he hasn’t spent any of that time learning about women. Greer is displeased when her Alpha sends her to New Orleans with the insufferable warrior—then she sees him in action against a menace threatening to tear the city apart. Fierce, protective, magnificent…mate-worthy. Except he’s hiding something from her. Something dark and devastating that could destroy their newly forged bond. Maybe opposites do attract, but if they want to live long enough to find out, they’ll first have to save the world teetering on the brink of obliteration.

Themes:  Paranormal, Shifters, Dragons

Rating: 4.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Sparks fly in this action crazy finale to a series that has been filled with ups and downs, as a healer and warrior find a way to cope with their fate as mates. Fans of this series have watched again and again as Ms. Reus created magic and pulled us into the lives of these characters and made us fall in love right along with the individuals that were the focus of each new story.  This final story has a lot of changes for the world and there is so much going on that one might expect that the love between Greer and Reaper takes a backseat but that just wasn’t the case here.  Greer has gone through a lifetime of drama and is finally free from having a domineering man trying to control her life and she is in no hurry to allow the alpha warrior to sink his claws into her life much less her heart and soul, despite her inner beast crying out for him.  Reaper doesn’t understand the gentle woman that has been proclaimed his mate, but he is willing to fight tooth and claw for her so that he has a chance to keep her for eternity.  There is no denying that the have a lot of personal challenges to face in this story, but the fact that they come together to keep the world safe and improve the lives of those around them is the real magic of this story.  I loved every second of reading Greer and Reaper’s love story and getting to know these two characters was an amazing experience.  Greer was a sweet woman with a backbone of steel and she was more than woman enough for Reaper, once she decided that she wanted him, but I loved seeing her in action as she worked with their team to keep those around them safe when the shit began to hit the fan.  Reaper is a badass, straight up, but it was hilarious to watch him deal with woman troubles and navigating the pitfalls of his new relationship, while trying to maintain that image.  The passion between Reaper and Greer was undeniable and their inner beasts certainly added fuel to the fire, but my personal favorite moments were watching them truly mesh together into a strong team, showing their devotion and ability to overcome all obstacles and have a beautiful eternity together.  While I was terribly sad to find out this series is ending, I know that Katie always has something amazing waiting for us in the wings and I am looking forward to whatever comes next, though I of course will have a special place in my heart for any wolf shifters she might send us! 😉

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

ARC Mini-Review: An Island Wedding (Heart of Fame #10)

An Island Wedding: A Heart of Fame Reunion Story (Heart of Fame #10)

by Lexxie Couper 

Blurb:

It all started with Rock-God, Nick Blackthorne...

A Heart of Fame Reunion Story

After many years, rock star Josh Blackthorne is finally marrying the woman he loves on the tropical island resort of Bandicoot Cove.

The guest list is small but insanely famous—Hollywood stars, rock stars, a legitimate British knight, international sport stars—and deeply intimate. Yes, this wedding is going to shake the world.

And then the father of the groom, in typical Nick Blackthorne style, goes and does something no-one could have predicted...

Get ready for the looooooong-overdue Heart of Fame reunion...just in time for Christmas.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Longtime fans of the Blackthorne Family have been given an amazing early holiday gift with this short reunion story.  I have followed this family from the very first novella when Nick Blackthorne appeared and we got to meet the arrogant sexy rock star and getting to see all of the extended family and family friends come together in this time of celebration and see all that has happened was a fun experience.  For anyone that hasn’t read all of the stories, you might be a little lost, but to be honest this story isn’t for you guys, this truly is a gift from Lexxie to her most loyal readers that have been along for this amazing ride.  Josh and Caitlin’s wedding was the perfect reason for everyone to come together for the holidays, but with all of these different characters combined you had to know there was going to be a ton of craziness. Nick steals the show a bit but in the end this story really is about the hard-learned lessons and long-earned rewards of a man that once lost the love of his life and has had to work hard to prove that he was changed man in order to deserve his second chance at life.  With lovers and friends, family and guests all combined into the most amazing party of the decade, the Blackthornes steal the show and our hearts one last time in the wedding to end them all with lots of little surprises and laughs and tears along the way. I loved seeing everyone come back and reminisce about their own love stories, relive their pasts and appreciate how far they have come in their loves and lives.  It is obvious that without Nick, his struggles, and his courage to overcome his fear, all of these couples would never have come together and found their happiness and this story reminds us once again how one man can truly change the lives of so many.  Embrace love folks, because love if the most important part of life and we have no idea how important or how long those lives will be.  I was sad to see this series end and getting this little bit of a reunion was awesome, but I had a few tears as I said goodbye once again.  I am looking forward to whatever comes next for Lexie and wonder if we might have another amazing series like this to kick off an all new world.

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

ARC Review: Three Dog Night (The Dogmothers #2)

Three Dog Night (The Dogmothers #2)

by Roxanne St. Claire

Blurb:

Alex Santorini puts his family first and foremost, and that's going to keep him behind the grill at the family restaurant for the rest of his life, especially if his Greek grandmother has anything to say about it. But when a local winery needs a chef to step in to cook for a celebrity wedding, Alex jumps at the opportunity to showcase his culinary skills...and a chance to get closer to the winery owner who has captivated - and refused - his attention.

Grace Donovan is in a bind and knows that the answer to all her problems is one sexy Greek chef who has everything she needs...and everything that scares the hell out of her. Raised in a series of ever-changing foster homes, Grace has spent her life using science and logic to surround herself with protective walls. With all his passion and intensity, Alex could burn those walls down and, like everyone else in her life, leave her broken and alone.

As Alex and Grace join forces to land the wedding of the year, they also launch a search for the mother of a three puppies abandoned at the winery...only to discover a shocking connection to Grace's own mother and her shadowy past. When the truth comes out, their romance faces its greatest test. Will Grace choose the family she's wanted her whole life...or the love she may never find again?

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The Dogmothers are back with a new plan for love and new victims to work their magic on.  I have been looking forward to this one for a while because I am a cook and I knew that there would be lots of my favorite things in this novel—animals, love, and of course FOOD! Roxanne St. Claire has been a favorite author of mine for many years, but when she began this series revolving around an Irish family and their animals I knew I was instantly going to be a lover.  As the series has evolved into something so much more than any of her readers ever imagined it could be, I have become even more enamored with the Kilcannons and their extended family.  This newest edition focuses on the Santorini branch of the family and one of the sexy twins as he finally goes after the woman that has challenged and intrigued him for a while.  Of course there are three sweet and adorable puppies that play a leading role in the story, but the focus remains the magic of two people overcoming their fears and hang-ups to find love and a chance at a future neither of them ever imagined.  I am looking forward to whichever of the Santorini or Mahoney clan are next on the list for the Dogmothers and I cannot wait for that story to land on my kindle for my reading pleasure. If you haven’t yet given the Dogmothers (or Dogfather) series a chance, this is a good story to jump in on, and I highly recommend you jump in as soon as possible, just know you will be ready to start back at the beginning and binge read the entire series for days—guaranteed.

 Alex has been watching Grace ever since he met her, determined to capture, and hopefully hold, her attention long enough to ask her out.  She draws him like no woman has in a long time and he knows that they would be an intense experience.  Grace on the other hand is determined to avoid the sexy Greek chef at all costs Even to the point of being rude, because she knows that she can’t handle the passion and emotion that he lives his life by. She is going to protect herself no matter what, but when her professional world begins to unravel, there is no one else that can keep her together.  Alex offers his help for Grace’s dilemma because he wants her to achieve her goals, but he also knows that it is his chance to spread his wings professionally.  As they work together on the event of their professional careers, a decades old secret to Grace’s past begins to come to light and they are just as determined to uncover the truth of Grace’s life.  But as they get closer to one another the emotions that Grace has tried so hard to hide from her whole life become undeniable and she has to decide if she is willing to risk the pain of loss so that she can have a chance at a life with the only man that has ever inspired the kind of love that she has always wanted for herself.

Grace and Alex were an intense and interesting couple to get to know.  They were both guarded in their own ways but the connection between them and their needs to be the best for one another and for their goals showed how truly matched they were.  Alex has been on a roller coaster the last few years as his family changed and adapted to the changes that were thrown at them, but he is stagnating in his professional life and needs to find his way back.  He desires Grace for herself but also for the chance she can offer him to expand his goals and show off his skills as a chef and she inspires him to be the best he can be when he stops hiding.  I loved seeing Alex working to pull out all the stops in his food and show off for his clients and his woman, but the best moments were when he shows Grace how family is meant to be and that she can be a part of his if she lets herself.   Alex was sexy as all get out and his sweetness with Grace and the puppies rounded him out and made him the perfect man in my opinion, because really who doesn’t love a sweet, sexy, optimistic, loving, and wonderful man that not only can but loves to cook.  Grace has lived a long and hard life and she guards her heart for good reasons.  It was interesting to see her come out from behind those walls slowly, with Alex’s help along with the love of three sweet puppies, as she found of the truth of her past and the full breadth of her own strength.  Her fears have lead her direction in life for so long, but once Alex convinces her to let them go she truly shines and begins to become the woman she was always meant to be.  When we find out the truth depth of her pain we begin to understand why she is so guarded, but it was great to see that with the love of the right man she was able to release those fears and embrace the love she has always needed and deserved.

Three Dog Night is a story that quickly grabs your heart and squeezes it tighter and tighter right until the very end refuses to release you for even a moment. I don’t recommend starting this book if you can’t finish it immediately, because you aren’t going to put it down once you start.  Alex and Grace’s story is so full of emotional turmoil that I honestly couldn’t stop the tears a few times and had my family and animals reacting to the tears. Graces past is heart-wrenching to be sure, but the worst part is watching her learn hard truths and find her way past the trauma.  Grace is a woman that has a backbone of steel forged in the fires of her past, but the wall around her heart is the true challenge for Alex to overcome.  Alex is ready for a change in his life and this woman that draws him so strongly is the catalyst to change that he needs.  His family and extended clan come around him and support him and Grace at any moment needed but he knows that to reach his goals, both personal and professional he will have to stand on his own too. The heat and passion between Grace and Alex was memorable especially when they sparked off one another to challenge each other to be better, but the love that developed, despite Grace’s reluctance for it, was the most enjoyable part of their relationship. I loved seeing Grace and Alex fall in love with the three abandoned Puppies that bring them together and give them a goal to begin, and they are sweet and loveable through the entire story.  As always the puppies play a sweet and unique role in the love story for Grace and Alex and we get to enjoy seeing the pups from previous stories as well.  I am looking forward to whatever comes next and seeing more and more love between the Mahoneys, Santorinis, and Kilcannons as the Dogmothers continue to wreak havoc on their grandchildren and matchmake them all into trouble and love.  Another amazing story of love and adorableness, keep the magic coming Rocki!

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

Review: Fallen (Deep Ops #2)

Fallen (Deep Ops #2)

by Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

Too quiet. A talented hacker who got caught, Brigid Banaghan is now forced to work with a secret Deep Ops unit. But she won’t reveal any more to these renegade Feds than she has to. Especially not to Raider Tanaka, her control freak of a bodyguard and handler. It’s enough that his body is tensed for action and his heated gaze is always on her . . .

 Too sharp. Raider knows there’s more to his new assignment than he’s been told. Why send a deadly agent of his experience to guard a computer genius—even a gorgeous, unpredictable, undisciplined one? But when Brigid’s estranged father is named in an investigation into Boston’s organized crime, Raider’s mind switches onto high alert, just like his senses . . .

 Too close. To clear her father’s name, Brigid needs Raider’s help. The Unit’s idea that she bring a straight-laced Fed in as her “fiancé” won’t fly, though—not unless Raider can release his inner bad boy and become the rebel Brigid can’t resist . . .

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Wow so I didn’t really see any of that coming.  These folks have so many secrets that the layers upon layers of info they have to uncover about one another just to get to know the individual they are falling in love with is astounding. Zanetti’s newest series revolves around a set of misfits that have come together into an oddly effective team of crime-fighters and each new story just gets stranger and stranger.  Raider and Brigid have sparked off one another since they met and that doesn’t seem to be changing any time soon, despite the fact that they know have to go undercover as lovers. Brigid is a hacker, one that has spent most of her life trying to utilize her skills to make a positive difference in the world, but she has been forced onto this team as part of a prison-plea deal.  Even though she knows she shouldn’t she desire Raider more than just about anything, despite his straight-laced and conformist personality and knowing she will never have a chance with him. Raider has devoted his career to bringing down criminals and his personal life to maintaining balance in all aspects to prevent his temper from taking over.  While he wants Brigid, he refuses to give into the desire because she is a criminal, even though she turns him on beyond any woman he’s ever encountered.  Forced into close quarters and danger situations repeatedly, they begin to rely on and learn about one another and soon the pull is no longer resistible and giving in becomes the most satisfying choices either of them has ever made.  Sadly, the secrets they are each keeping could end up pulling them apart, or getting either or both of them killed, if the team doesn’t manage to keep them both alive and out of jail. I loved seeing these two burn up the pages and was reaching for a glass of ice water more than once to cool myself down, but there were a lot of moments where I wanted to slap one or both of them for making stupid choices that might have torn them apart.  I am loving this series, with its ridiculous stories, hilarious scenes between the heavy stuff, and amazing plots to go along with the intense relationships and emotional connections.  I can’t wait for what’s next and to see where Rebecca takes this series.

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