Review: A Highlander in a Pickup (Highland, Georgia #2)

A Highlander in a Pickup (Highland, Georgia #2)

by Laura Trentham 

Blurb:

When a gorgeous new man—in a kilt—comes to town, life in Highland, Georgia will never be the same…

Iain Connors is the poster boy for the strong and silent type. Growing up a loner at Cairndow Castle in

Scotland with only the cliffs and moors for company, it’s understood Iain will assume the mantle of Cairndow groundskeeper when his father is ready to relinquish it. But his stint in Her Majesty’s Armed Forces has opened up a whole new world—and now, rather than settle down, he accepts an invitation to travel to the States to take charge of the Highland Games. After all, he’s led men into battle, how hard can planning a party be?

Anna Maitland is ready to step up for her best friend Isabel Blackmoor, who can’t run the Games in their hometown this year. Surely Anna, a dance instructor with boundless energy, spirit, and charm, is up for the challenge? What she doesn’t anticipate is a man in a kilt who turns up claiming he’s the one in charge. What’s worse about this Iain? He’s so infuriatingly handsome that she can’t help but fantasize about him whispering sweet-nothings in her ear in his rumbly, sexy brogue. . .

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

So the small town with a big Scottish heart gets another dose of Scottish greatness in a new adventure.  Highland Georgia is not the typical southern town, a small town that has embraced its somewhat odd Scottish history and found a niche in marketing its town for tourists with a huge Scottish festival.  I enjoyed the first book in this series and the second was pretty good too, but I am still having a bit of trouble connecting with the characters and their romance, the emotions just seem a bit to superficial but I continue to hope they deepen as the series continues.  This story picks up where the first ended with the next year’s festival in need of a new leader in the form of Anna, seeing as the primaries are all currently in the true highlands for the birth of the next generation.  Anna is determined to make this year’s festival amazing, because she needs prove she can be a good mayor, but she is truly overwhelmed with all the is needed to make the festival run smoothly.  When Iain is sent by their friends to make things easier on her, she initially refuses his help, determined to prove she’s got this but he refuses to just sit around twiddling his thumbs and soon they are true partners.  Iain is attracted to the sexy dance teacher but she frustrates him how she refuses to let him assist and is working herself to the bone.  When worlds finally do collide, they both know their fling comes with an end date, but the newer of them truly want it to end even though they can’t see a way to get everything they want.  So I just have to say, Anna annoyed the hell out of me through most of this story.  While I fully understand her need to prove herself, anyone that refuses the hand outstretched to them when they are drowning is just an idiot, sorry. Once she finally embraced the greatness that was Iain and saw how well they could work together I began to like her a lot more, because to me the truth is not that a woman needs a man in front of or behind her, but having anyone (male or female) to walk beside them and help them in life is the greatest blessing a person can have and nothing to be turning your nose up at. Iain has a few issues with his fears about giving up what he considers his duty to his family in order to go after what he wants, but it doesn’t stop him from giving his all to his assignment helping Anna, even when she turns him away, and to being the man that Anna needs.  I loved Iain and would love to have a strong, smart, and sweet man like him willing to work his butt off beside me any day of the week.  There was enough passion between them with their attraction to keep things fun and interesting, but Anna was so self-wrapped and selfish that I wonder if love is something she truly understands so I found the HEA harder to handle than others I have read, tough I don’t doubt Iain for a moment.  The only thing that really brought this story up was the strength and sweetness of Iain’s characters and the laughs that I got out of the antics these two got up to in the story.  I am holding out hope that the next story has a deeper emotional connection between the H/h and I can truly say I love it, but until then I hold my opinion of this author. 

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

Review: Highland Sword (Royal Highlander #3)

Highland Sword (Royal Highlander #3)

by May McGoldrick 

Blurb:

A VOW FOR VENGEANCE

Fleeing to the Highlands after her father’s murder, fiery Morrigan Drummond has a score to settle with Sir Rupert Burney, the English spymaster responsible for his death. Trained to fight alongside the other rebels determined to break Britain’s hold on Scotland, she swears to avenge her father’s death—until a chance encounter with a barrister as proud and principled as she is presents her with a hard choice…and a bittersweet temptation.

A PLEA FOR PASSION

Aidan Grant has never encountered another woman like dangerous beauty Morrigan—and he has the bruises to prove it. Yet she could be the key to defending two innocent men, as well as striking a death blow to the reprehensible Burney. Convincing Morrigan to help him will take time, but Aidan is willing to wait if it means victory over corrupt government forces and freedom for his people…and Morrigan’s hand in marriage. Can two warriors committed to a cause stand down long enough to open their hearts to a love fierce enough to last…forever?

Themes:  Historical, Scottish

Rating:  4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Another series comes to an end, one that captured our heart and riled my feminist sensibilities and made me proud to be Scottish and hope to be a strong woman like these. These authors led their lead characters through a perilous time filed with wars, political change and a time when women were just working hard to earn their place in society as equals and they do it with a skill that any would not have managed.  I enjoyed the entire series, but Morrigan’s story of love and discovery is one that I will not be forgetting any time soon.  Morrigan  has lived through the most unimaginable trauma’s and come out the other side with some issues, but overall is a woman that knows what she wants and is willing to work hard to get it.  When she tries to kill the man who once perpetrated the worst crime against her, she is stopped by none other than solicitor Adain, who needs this man alive as a witness in one of the most important criminal trials in Scottish history.  Morrigan is forced to face her attacker again and again as her family offers him sanctuary until the trail, but the most time she spends with Adain the stronger the pull between them.  Once the trial ends Adain has to decide if he is willing to risk everything he knows in order to have a future with Morrigan and if she is strong enough to heal and become his mate.  Morrigan is a woman that has grown a lot, but she has not healed fully from the attack she lived through as a girl, despite her inner strength.  I loved seeing her finally open up to the sisters of her heart and spilling the darkness that had festers and made her weak, which finally allowed her to heal and find peace.  She was brave and sweet, but at the same time a woman well before her time in the way that she embraces the manly pursuits that she enjoyed like swordplay and fighting.  She was unwilling to ever again be a victim and she made sure that she had the strength and skills to back up that need.  Adain was a smart and sexy nerd, but in the body of a warrior in his own right.  Looking at him Morrigan would not have guessed his spent most of his time in a court, but his brains and cockiness definitely came from knowing he was one of the smartness men (if not always people) in the room.  I loved seeing these two circling one another until they finally found their way together and into happiness and the focus of their relationship was definitely a deep and abiding connection on an emotional level, tough the physical attraction was certainly palpable.  While this series is over, I am looking forward to whatever comes next because I continue to enjoy anything that comes from the McGoldrick name.  More Scottish magick please.

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

Review: Night of the Billionaire Wolf (Billionaire Wolf #3)

Night of the Billionaire Wolf (Billionaire Wolf #3)

by Terry Spear 

Blurb:

It's not easy being a billionaire, a wolf shifter, and a woman...

Lexi Summerfield built her business from the ground up. But with great wealth comes great responsibility, and some drawbacks Lexi could not have anticipated. Lexi never knows who she can trust... Even on vacation, Lexi has a hard time trying to relax. And for good reason―the paparazzi are dogging her, and so is someone else with evil intent.

Then Lexi meets bodyguard and gray wolf shifter Ryder Gallagher, who's also vacationing at Redwood National Park. When the two run into each other on the hiking trails, and then serendipitously rescue two bear cubs, Lexi feels safe for the first time in she can't remember when. But secrets have a way of surfacing... With the danger around Lexi escalating, Ryder will do whatever it takes to stay by her side...

Themes:  Paranormal, Wolf-Shifters

Rating:  4 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

I love a good spinoff or sub-series from an author with the skill to interweave, but still keep storylines separated, and Terry Spear is one of the great ones.  The long-running Heart of the Wolf series has had a few little sub-series now and this one revolving around wolves that have become immensely rich is seriously fun, especially this time since the wolf in question is female.  Lexi has gotten lucky with her cosmetics line and is doing very well for herself, but with that prestige and wealth comes many drawbacks, not the least of which is the loss of privacy and the money hungry male wolves that are forever trying to make her their mate.  When she ventures into the wild for a vacation, with an ulterior motive of trying to get a message from her estranged father, she never imagined she would run into a sexy and sweet wolf in the woods.  Ryder is on a break from his bodyguard gig with one of his buds in the beauty of nature when he comes across two sexy she-wolves trying to rescue bear cubs.  Determined to keep them safe he soon finds himself not only roped into a mystery but seriously attracted to the sexy Lexi, despite her pushing him away constantly.  IT doesn’t that much for them both to begin to wonder if the feelings they have could lead to a mating, but they have to get past the obstacles they face before they even have a chance to decide if they are feeling love or just excitement.  Ryder was a sweetheart through and through and seeing him being so playful and loving with Lexi even when she was kind of bitchy made him even cooler in my opinion.  He is definitely a protective alpha wolf, but he obviously knows how to let others lead as well and he shows again and again that he has no interest in Lexi for anything other than her sweet and sexy nature. Lexi had her moments where I just had to wonder what the hell she was thinking, but overall she was a great character.  She stood up for what she believed in and refused to let herself be taken advantage of, to the point she almost gave up on the love of her life , but in the end she came to her senses thankfully.  The passion between these two took a bit of a backseat to the sweetness and fun that they really both needed in their lives and of course there was a lot of intrigue and plot-twisting in this story.  I loved getting to know all the side characters a bit better too and hope to see them in future stories.  All-in-all a sweet and funny read for any fan of Terry’s or anyone that loves a good wolf romance.

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

Review: This Is Love (Harmony Pointe #2)

This Is Love (Harmony Pointe #2)

by Melissa Foster

Blurb:

Actress Remi Divine is sick of bodyguards, sick of stalkers, and sick of feeling like she is always under a microscope. But this movie star isn’t helpless by any means. She’s got a rebellious streak, and she knows how to use it. First order of business: getting rid of the overbearing bodyguards who are sticking to her like glue.

Mason Swift has made protecting others his life, and when Remi ditches his two best men, he takes over and gives it everything he has. Having grown up in the foster-care system, and as a former special operative, he knows all the tricks. Nothing gets by him, especially not gorgeous, sneaky Remi.

He thinks she’s a diva. She thinks he’s arrogant. But when sparks turn to flames and their walls come down, their true hearts are revealed, and their connection is unstoppable. And when tragedy strikes, Remi realizes that being protected isn’t the worst thing in the world—but losing Mason just might be.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

  Harmony Pointe is a fun little spinoff series of a much large one that I have not had the chance to delve into, but I find that it is not a problem as Melissa Foster’s skill surmounts any problems with backstory without any issues.  I have found that I enjoy these stories very much, though it took me a bit to get into the first one, primarily because it was based on a story about a baby appearing on the hero’s doorstep and babies just aren’t my thing, but Remi and Mason’s story was perfect for me.  Remi Divine is a jaded young actress that is really tired of all the crap that comes with being a successful actress—she has a stalker and her life is always in the spotlight to the point she doesn’t have one anymore.  Her older brother has cared for her and held her tight since their parents’ tragic deaths years before, but she has been chafing at the reins for a while now and when this newest threat arises she just can’t handle the bodyguards and fortress he forces on her.  Ready to put her foot down, she is in no way ready for the newest one-man action team her brother has hired, and when Mason comes into her life she is appalled to find out that the first man she truly feels a connection to, has been paid to basically keep her hostage in her life.  Mason doesn’t like the bratty Remi in the beginning but the more time he spends with her, the more he understands how sweet and caring she is and the harder she is to resist.  Mason and Remi both know that they should resist the pull between them, but once they give in the passion and love that develops is life-changing for both of them, but the threat to Remi’s life is only getting to a more deadly degree.  Mason will give his life for her, but Remi can’t lose the one man that she has ever given her heart to just to stay in the spotlight, so maybe it’s time for both of their lives to change.  I truly loved Remi and Mason’s story because they both had so many layers to dig through in one another before they got to the core of their personalities, but once they did it was easy to see how perfect they were for one another. Remi has had so much tragedy in her young life, and despite a few bumps, has weathered them beautifully.  She is determined that she will do something good for the world with her celebrity and give back to those in need and that really made me like her.  She was sweet and smart, caring and brave, but she also gave back sass and was a smart-ass when she needed to be to stand up to her brother or Mason.  She was definitely no pushover when dealing with the alpha mean in her life and I loved that.  Mason was at the same time just such a GUY, his need to protect and control was strong, but at the same time he listened to Remi and made she sure also had was she needed to be happy.  I love how sweet he was in caring for her and seeing that she was not just surviving but thriving under his protection. He has his own tragedies in his past, and it takes Remi giving him a new project to truly help him work through a lot of those issues, but when they come together on a plan those issues seem to lift right off his shoulders and allow him to fully embrace the greatness within.  The heat between these two burned from the beginning and whether they were arguing, flirting, or making love there was no denying the connection or fire between the and I doubt it will be burning out any time soon.  I am looking forward to the next in the Harmony Pointe series and plan at some point to make my way through the original series as well because the characters we have met in these books that had their HEAs there seems very interesting.  A sweet and interesting read to brighten up any long week.  

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

Review: Wicked Highland Ways (Highland Weddings #6)

Wicked Highland Ways (Highland Weddings #6)

by Mary Wine

Blurb:

Brenda Grant has no desire to marry. Ever since her first, horrible marriage she's made herself into a hellion of a woman to keep men from wanting her. But the Campbells, her previous husband's family, are determined to find her a new husband.

Highland Chief Bothan Gunn is smitten by the woman who won't be tamed. It takes all Brenda's willpower to resist the brawny Highlander who takes her to safety. But as they spend time together—and grow ever closer—Brenda finally finds the freedom she's been longing for all along.

Themes: Historical, Scotland

Rating: 4.5  stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

So the Ending has finally arrived for this series that we have all enjoyed so immensely and it will end with a bang and the long-awaited love for Brenda and Bothan.  Mary Wine has a particular skill with getting her heroine’s into and out of trouble again and again as they find their way to an HEA and none more so than Brenda Grant.  I have been dying for Brenda’s story since the very beginning and once Bothan set his sights on her I knew they would be a perfect match, once she gave up running from him.  Bothan is the quintessential Highland chief and I loved watching him chasing and stealing just what he wanted, Brenda, from under the noses of his enemies.   He is strangely sweet when they are in their private moments, despite the heat that burns between them and the alpha nature of this highlander.  Bothan has a clan to lead, but he sets it aside again and again in order to get Brenda and them to make her safe and happy which was surprising and beautiful to see.  While I have loved Brenda in previous books, there were moments in her own story where I wanted to slap her for being ridiculous and sometimes just a bit selfish.  I can certainly understand where she is coming from with her past, but fighting her own feelings and desires for Bothan over principal makes no sense to me.  Once she finally gave into what her own heart wanted and she allowed herself to love, I liked her character a lot more and she returned to the woman I had come to know and love.  While I was sad to see this series ending, Brenda and Bothan’s story brought back together many of the previous characters and seemed much like a reunion, which was nice and we got to see into the future that these friends and love ones would be sticking together a long time forming a powerful and long-lasting alliance for Highland greatness.  I am looking forward to the next serious Mary send our way and the next set of lovers that will grab my heart.

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

Review: Hers to Tame (NOLA Knights #2)

Hers to Tame (NOLA Knights #2)

by Rhenna Morgan 

Blurb:

As an avtoritet for the most powerful crime syndicate in New Orleans, Kir Vasilek doesn’t act without

purpose, doesn’t speak without thought and never, ever loses his cool. The lives of his brothers, his family, depend on it. But then Cassie McClintock strolls back into his life, and staying cool is next to impossible. Cassie was the one who got away—and Kir is willing to break all his own rules to keep it from happening ever again.

It’s one thing to report on the Russian mafia; it’s quite another to sleep with one of them, especially one as dangerous, and as sinfully sexy, as Kir Vasilek. Even though the information he once provided helped make her career—and the memory of his touch still keeps her up at night—Cassie knows too much about his world to go down that path.

But when Kir reaches out for help after a rival family comes for one of his own, Cassie doesn’t want to say no, either to investigating a gruesome murder or to the heat that pulls her right back into his arms…and his heart. Taming Kir—and helping to save the family she’s come to call her own—is not the story she thought she’d write, but it’s the one she’s determined will get a happy ending.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The second story in the NOLA Knights series certainly fires the blood and keeps things interesting.  For long time fans of Rhenna Morgan, these men have interested us for a while since the burst into the picture in the previous series as side characters and we just had to have their stories.  Being a good fan-loving author she gave into our demands (giggle) and born was the NOLA Knights series.  The first story revolved around Kir’s boss and his love for a sweet single mother, but Kir falls for a woman with a much more dangerous lifestyle to be sure.  Kir’s insight helped break a huge story for Cassie several months ago and they began a relationship, but when she learned more about who he really was she ran from him.  Deciding to try again, she finds herself drawn back into his life and soon the heat between them becomes much more integral to her life than any story she could be trying to run.  Kir has tried to forget the woman that made him nuts and then ran from him, but when she returns to his life there is no way he will give up on a second chance with her.  Soon they are so deep that there is no denying they are meant to be together and that Kir’s enemies will do just about anything to destroy any chance they have at happiness if they don’t fight for it.  I loved this story and it was fantastic getting to know these characters more.  Kir is the right-hand man to a serious power-house so you can sometimes overlook just how dangerous and powerful he is in his own right.  Kir is such a sweet and loving individual when he is with those he considers family, which actual includes a good number of non-blood relations, but if you are threatening that family in any way, LOOK OUT because he becomes a beast. Cassie is a bit annoying to me and selfish in the beginning, but she gradually becomes more likeable as she finds her footing and begins to understand and standup for what she really wants. I liked seeing these two dancing around one another and finding their way to love.  Ultimately the important parts of the story revolved around them falling in love and Cassie finding her place in the family that Kir has offered her, not the dangerous life he leads.  Passion is of course a given with Rhenna Morgan and is in no way missing from this story, but I will definitely say that this one burns even hotter than some in the past.  I am dying for whichever story and man comes next though I have my suspicions. More, more, more!

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

Review: Handle with Care (Veteran Movers #3)

Handle with Care (Veteran Movers #3)
by Marie Harte 

Blurb:

Evan Griffith has had a hell of a day...

And that was before he met the stunning, sexy woman having a meltdown.

Evan Griffith has had many careers in his life. But who knew working for his family's moving company would hold just as much action as his stint in the Marine Corps? On an unforgettable job, Evan finds himself taken by a teenage conman and confronted by a woman wielding a knife—and promptly falls head over heels for her.

Kenzie Sykes is doing her best to raise her little brother and keep him out of jail—all while dealing with her own broken heart that just hasn't healed. She doesn't have time for romance. He's not asking... Until he is, and she finds herself saying yes.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

So the saga of the Veteran Movers and their friends continues with the accountant turned mover and the sexy pseudo-mom that steals his heart with her sass and weirdness.  I found I was reluctant to begin this series, but as I get deeper and deeper into the stories of the Griffith men I kick myself a little more for waiting because the first two stories were so great and Evan’s was just as wonderful. Marie Harte has the ability to pull readers into the lives of her characters and make you feel like you are just one of their friends living their stories right alongside them and that ability is nothing to take for granted in an author.  Evan’s story begins with him on an assignment, filling in as a mover for his cousin who was injured in the previous story.  Evan is the family accountant and to now has been the somewhat silent partner, but he has left his full time job and decided to become more involved in the team and to that end he is surprised to meet some extremely interesting characters at this newest move.  When his phone is “stolen” by a neighborhood teenager during the move, he returns to the scene of the crime and finds himself drawn into the family and friendships of the clients and the woman that grab his attention from the beginning.  Kenzie is dealing with a lot as her best friend and business partner is moving into her boyfriend’s home, her teenager brother Daniel (also her ward) is becoming a serious handful, and the abysmal facts of her personal life. She doesn’t really have time for the attraction she feels for Evan, but there is no denying that he is a nice guy and seems to get her even though she is truly odd to most people.  There is a connection that is undeniable and the more time she spends with him, both solo and as a family with Daniel; it becomes obvious that if things go wrong more than just the two of them could be hurt.  Is it worth the hurt for the chance at happiness or better to step back and never have a shot at everlasting love, only Evan and Kenzie can truly decide that. I loved Evan from the beginning and it is obvious he is a loving son and cousin, true sweetheart, and despite evidence to the contrary, mature enough to know that he love Kenzie and fight for what he wants.  I loved seeing him find a new path to happiness in life, one that included a larger group of family and friends, Kenzie and Daniel.  I also loved seeing him work to build a friendship with Daniel completely separate from the relationship he was building with Kenzie, giving them both something they were missing in their lives and strengthening the bonds they each have with Kenzie in the end as well. Kenzie on the other hand was way too big of a scaredy cat for me through most of this story, refusing to see the great guy right in front of her, trying to build something great with her.  She has obviously been hurt a lot in her past and we can see that she has some hang-ups, but jeez I wanted to scream at her just like her friends did more than once, especially when she basically destroyed Evan at one point. Once she finally worked though her shit and found a way to embrace her chance at a future of happiness, Kenzie became a kickass character and I couldn’t see anyone else being Evan’s match now.  The heat between Kenzie and Evan was undeniable from the moment they clapped eyes on one another, despite them both trying to hide it, and even their friends and coworkers (and Daniel!) could see the attraction, so once they finally gave into their need the fire burned fast and high.   I am dying for the next story which I hope with be Smith’s and we will get to finally find out how he will integrate into the estranged family, but any of the guys will be acceptable (and HOTT) in the meantime.  Definitely a sexy masterpiece of alpha and powerful men. 

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

ARC Review: The Unseen (Elder Races #9.9)

The Unseen (Elder Races #9.9)

by Thea Harrison 

Blurb:

Saying goodbye to their old life in the Wyr demesne in New York may be hard, but Dragos and Pia are

determined to create a new life in the Other land of Rhyacia.

At first, everything seems idyllic. Rhyacia is paradisiacal. Accompanied by old friends and new allies, the future looks safe and bright for Dragos, Pia, and baby Niall.

But strange things are happening beneath the picturesque façade. Items move unaccompanied, buildings collapse without justifiable cause, and even the most Powerful residents of Rhyacia can provide no logical explanation for the events transpiring. Whispered rumors point to something called the unseen.

As Dragos and Pia investigate, they uncover a greater mystery than they could have imagined, and they realize the startling truth…

They’re not alone in Rhyacia. The land Dragos had thought was uninhabited hides many secrets, a shocking history that’s not quite ready to be buried, and something more.

Something ancient, evil, and hungry. Something that wants to consume Dragos and take everything he holds dear.

Something that just may be powerful enough to overcome the dragon…

Themes:  Paranormal, Shifters

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Harrison and her Elder Races are back in a big way with an all new four-story saga surrounding the unstoppable and sensual Pia and Dragos as they begin their new lives in the Other land of Rhyacia.  It has been a little while since the last story in this series released, but true fans of the series have been begging and chomping at the bit for more of Pia and Dragos. I for one have loved this couple since the very beginning (literally since they met and mated in book 1 of the series), and love seeing their lives and the challenges they continue to face in their unique and Powerful mating. Harrison has a way of keeping things fresh and sexy even for the long mated couples and we are always surprised when we learn something and a new side of these long beloved characters is uncovered.  I am dying to see what comes next in the series because we were truly left on a terrifying and deadly cliffhanger one that could change the Powerful world forever. I can already tell that this one is going to be a doozy for sure and the world of the Elder Races will be forever changed at the end of the battle.

Pia and Dragos have made their decisions to abdicate the Demesne and move to their new Other land, beginning a new community filled with refugees and their friends and family in Rhyacia. They both know that it is the best decision for their family, however Pia is having some emotional setbacks with this next huge change in their lives and Dragos is trying his best to support her.  Despite a few crazy surprises on the night of their exit, Pia and Dragos make it safely to their new home, with a few extra friends along for the ride.  But there are some strange happenings in their world and a new menace has surfaced that could put their utopia in instant danger.  Pia senses the danger, despite no one else being able to, and is set to investigate the danger alongside her Powerful Mate, but that investigation leads them to a lethal opponent, one that might truly be stronger than them all in the end.

This story was an awesome return for Pia and Dragos and I loved seeing their love again and again being celebrated in big and small ways.  Pia continues to be an emotional basket-case so soon after giving birth, and with all the changes coming in her life one after another, but she is determined to do what is best for her family.  She is also a kick-ass Powerful warrior that will fight for the safety and happiness of her children and mate.  She is peaceful at heart, but when she is challenged or in danger she will fight with every bit as much deadly ruthlessness as her predatory Dragon. Dragos is still just The Great Beast, even as he tries to be a good man for his mate, but he never fails to do whatever is needed to keep Pia happy once he understands what she needs to be happy.   I loved seeing him take even the smallest problems for Pia and turning them into a challenge for him to overcome in true Dragon style.  He is sensual and demanding as a lover, but truly deep down is becoming more and more of a soft-touch and it is great to see.  The passion between them remains a never dying flame and I love watching them whether they were coming together for just a bit of fun or a long slow night of love.  In the end only Pia’s ability to know her man is what keeps their new perilous enemy from being free, but the ending of the story leaves us wondering if they will be able to defeat him and save Dragos life.  Harrison takes us on a lot of ups and down in a very short time in this story and I am dying to see what she will do in the next story (The Adversary) coming soon, though definitely not soon enough.  If you aren’t a fan of cliffhanger ending, I suggest snapping up the books and then waiting to read them all together at once, otherwise be prepared for a bit of a nail-biting wait. When all is said and done, with these four stories, I can see this new world of Pia and Dragos’s being very different, and it will change the whole Elder Races universe too, with all of these characters we have met and fallen in love with in the past crossing over to help save the world.  Another piece of true magick to add to your digital bookshelves!

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