Monday, November 30, 2020

ARC Mini-Review: Whisky and Wishes (Dark Kings #19)

Whisky and Wishes (Dark Kings #19)
by Donna Grant

Blurb:

Return to New York Times bestselling author Donna Grant's Dark King world for a special holiday

novella.

Finally free of the dangers surrounding him and the burden of pining after his mate, the King of Dragon Kings is ready for some peace—time to enjoy the woman he loves without interruption. Sure, the matter of accessing the clans across the Dragon Bridge still looms, as does the ultimate Fate of Con and his brethren. But for now, Con plans to enjoy the people he loves and celebrate the holidays with those closest to him. Why borrow from tomorrow’s problems? When the time comes to confront what’s next, they will do it. Together.

Themes:  Holiday, Paranormal, Novella

Rating: 3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Well the story continues with a short story of holiday magic and the magic of love between not just two mates, but all the Dreagan family.  Grant has ended a huge story arc recently and is just gearing up for the next stage in the lives of her Dragon Kings, but this short holiday story was a sweet bridge between those two stages.  While there are a few little mysteries thrown in and of course some loving between the most important mating in millennia to have finally happened, the focus truly is on the love of family and friends.  Con and Rhi are finally settling into their lives as mates and the others have taken this time of peace to get time away as well. But the manor is feeling a little too quiet for both Rhi and Con, so they decide the time is right to embrace the human traditions of celebrating the holidays.  Decorating the manor, planning a huge family meal, and celebrating the magic and love that has finally brought them back together Rhi and Con work together to bring everything to plan in time for their friends’ returns.  I really enjoyed seeing the love between Rhi and Con, reiterating how important they were to one another, but I also enjoyed knowing that even a love so epic had room in it for those around them to also be included.  They have serious issues with their futures and decisions must be made, however the holidays are a time of reflection and celebration so those hard choices can wait a little bit longer.  I am dying to see what comes next and where Grant will take this storyline, though I loved this short story immensely. If you loved Con and Rhi as much as I did, you will love this glimpse into their new mated lives as much as me and not regret a single second of reading this short story.

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

Saturday, November 28, 2020

ARC mini-Review: A HOT Christmas Miracle (Hostile Operations Team #14.5)

 A HOT Christmas Miracle (Hostile Operations Team #14.5)

by Lynn Raye Harris 

Blurb:

Twenty years ago, badass military commander John “Viper” Mendez lost the love of his life. But fate brought them back together when he discovered she was still alive. Now they live a happily married life - and Kat’s pregnant. As Christmas approaches, they’re more in love than ever and looking forward to welcoming their new baby.

But old secrets begin to resurface and old enemies might be coming back to haunt them. The only way to know is to hire rogue mercenary Ian Black to do some dirty work while Mendez stays close to his wife and keeps her safe - and keeps the investigation a secret from her.

Christmas is a time of miracles. A season of snowy promises and gifts from the heart. When the holiday lights twinkle brightest, Mendez will either go on the offensive to save his family - or discover a truth that’ll change their lives forever.

Themes:  Holiday, Contemporary

Rating: 5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

A return to our favorite couple and the love between them that just continues to grow stronger even decades and tragedy-after-tragedy later. The HOT team has stolen our hearts for years, none more so than its illustrious leader, General John Mendez, and while he is finally back in the arms of the love of his life, it never hurts to get another glimpse of their lives and love—and get to see a bit of a holiday miracle for them.  Mendez and Kat are moving forward with their lives together finally after being apart almost twenty years, and losing the child that they created together.  Kat is pregnant and about to give birth to their daughter, Mendez has been promoted to a General and has time finally to give to the life they are building together and spending the holidays together is more important than ever.  Both Kat and John are feeling the loss of their son this holiday as the look forward to welcoming their little one, but the holidays are going to bring up secrets from their past and might just offer them both a miracle that neither ever imagined could ever occur for them.  With the season of magic and miracles upon them, Mendez and Kat might just be given two of the greatest gifts of their lives if they embrace the love and light around them.  I loved this story with all the little plot twists (which I can’t hint at because it would spoil the magic) and the drama of the birth of their daughter. Kat and Mendez learn to rely and count on their HOT family as they have to cope with being new parents at the busiest time of the year, but we get to see a lot of old friends and enjoy their love for Mendez & Kat.  There were so many sweet and poignant moments in this relatively short story that I almost had to reach for the tissues to go with the chocolate supply! I am dying to see what happens next, but knowing that Mendez and Kat got two miracles to make their lives truly complete reminds us that the holidays truly are the best time of the year if we focus less on the material and more on the true importance of the season—love and family.  I cannot wait for the next book in the series, but if you have been dying for it as I have, this story is a great way to hold you over until that time.  Thank you for the holiday magic, Lynn!

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

Tuesday, November 17, 2020

ARC mini-review: Feliz Naughty Dog (The Dogmothers #5.5)

Feliz Naughty Dog (The Dogmothers #5.5)

by Roxanne St. Claire

Blurb:

Pru Kilcannon has one goal when she wakes on Christmas Eve – to perform the most “Random Acts of

Christmas Kindness” so she can spread cheer and ensure her high school wins the county-wide “RACK IT UP” contest. But when her friends decide to team up with their boyfriends, the ever-helpful Dogmothers enlist the new kid in school as Pru’s partner for the contest. And that means good-girl Pru has to spend the entire day with the broody, moody, and crazy cute bad boy Lucas Darling, and his chaos-causing greyhound, Tor.

As if that wasn’t enough holiday havoc, Pru and Lucas have to accompany the grannies on a secret mission to check out a man Yiayia has met on an online dating service. Gramma Finnie is convinced Aldo Fiore is a mobster, Yiayia thinks he’s her dream man, and Pru just wants to be sure her great-grandmothers don’t get themselves arrested — or worse. There’s no telling what could happen when the Dogmothers spy on an eighty-year-old who might be playing a rather flirtatious Santa at the mall…or might be hiding from the Feds.

But no one expected the real trouble to come from Tor, the former racing dog who causes mayhem and mall madness. As Pru and Lucas attempt to control Tor, supervise the Santa Stalking, and knock out a few random acts of kindness…they also give in to a delicious little Christmas crush that just might lead to some magic under the mistletoe this year!

Themes:  Holiday, Contemporary, Short story

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Well I love a good holiday comedy of errors and no one does it like Roxanne St. Claire and the Dogmothers (plus their granddaughter/honorary Dogmother) and this holiday season the craziness is at an all new high.  One granny is hunting love, another is feeling lonely and jealous, and one teenager is feeling her very first teenage crush on a boy that is thrown into her path by her Grannies. It is amazing the maze of crazy antics and drama that Rocki can squish into a single short story, but it never amazes me that she is able to bring such sweetness and holiday cheer into her stories.  I loved this story for several reasons and I will try to explain without providing too many spoilers. Firstly, you see one of the Dogmothers on a quest for love, but she soon realizes that everything she has been looking for was in front of her all along in her best friend and roommate (well almost everything, but we can do without that if we have the other stuff).  Another of the Grannies, has to come to terms with the fact that even at her age, sometimes change can be good and that the best kinds of change are the kind that come with love.   Next you have a teenager who is learning a lot, as she meets a young man that has caught her eye and is thrown into crazy situations that allow her to see right into his heart, reminding her how important it is to not judge a person on their looks, gossip, or their reputation only. All together these three ladies, some old and others young, are learning the most important lesson of the holidays, coming together with friends and family in love is the best and most important way to spend the holidays no matter how crazy it gets or how much work it takes to have a happy holiday. I loved every second of this story, and especially enjoyed getting to meet an all new dog with his own message to deliver and look forward to seeing him more as hopefully Pru and Lucas become closer friends in future novels.  This series continues to grow sweeter and more loving, but the most important thread remains the love of these Dogmothers that has come through the generations and will continue to the next.  Rocki gives us another holiday masterpiece with Santas, puppies, mobsters, and love all rolled into one sweet, magical, Christmas gift that I hope you all enjoy unwrapping as much as I did.

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

Saturday, November 14, 2020

ARC Review: Dark Alpha's Caress (Reaper #10)

Dark Alpha's Caress (Reaper #10)
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…

Reborn to serve, I have never once questioned Death’s directives. Until my mission leads me to a Halfling who stirs things within me that I’ve never felt before. Sorcha’s past intrigues me, but not as much as the gorgeous and stubborn Halfling herself. Though the Others are no more, our enemies still lurk around every corner. I can feel it. But for her, I will battle whatever comes my way—be it present dangers or ghosts of the past.


Themes:  Paranormal, Fae

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

So it is the dawn of an all new world for the Dark Kings and their friends, including the Reapers, in this tenth installment of the Reapers subseries set in the larger Dark Kings series. The previous story in the series saw a lot of changes including the end of one monarchy and the reuniting of one of the most powerful couples in the world as Con and his Queen Rhi finally found their HEA.  This story picks up shortly after that story ends, but there are several loose ends to take care of and the Reapers are the first to pull and snip a thread it seems.  If you are a fan of the series, then this story will definitely thrill you in so many ways as it is a bit of a return to the original stories, while giving a bit of an intro into the new arc for the Dark series we have coming soon.  I Loved every moment and am dying for more of the Reapers as well as the Kings and their other friends.  Donna Grant has lost none of her magic and the love of her readers is well warranted as she reminds us why we love her so much.

Cathal has been a Reaper since one of the most horrendous betrayals a person can imagine put him into Death’s sights, but he has spent that time proving that he is a better man than his enemies and showing that he is worthy of his second chance.  When he stumbles upon a Halfling in an unexpected and unwelcome moment, he is instantly intrigued and confused about her, but the more he learns the more concerned he becomes.  Sorcha hasn’t left her home on the Isle of Skye for almost a decade, but when her cousin asks for her skills in tracking a dangerous and possibly deadly group of Druids that have a clandestine meeting, she travels to Ireland to fulfill her promise.  On her return to Skye, her world quickly begins to change as she finds herself confronted with Fae at every turn, including the sexy and captivating Cathal, who has more secrets than even she does.  Then they are pulled into a dangerous situation and Cathal is determined to protect the Druid Halfling, not just because of her uniqueness or magical strengths, but because she draws him like no woman ever.  Soon they are undeniably connected and they have to decide if they are willing to sacrifice everything they know to have a future together or risk being separated forever.

I really enjoyed getting to know Cathal, as well as more of his team, as we haven’t met as many of the second team of Reapers to this point, but the best part of seeing how sweet he was to Sorcha and understanding when things just got too overwhelming to her. His strength and deadly skill in protecting her was never in doubt, nor was his willingness to give his life for her safety, but watching him slowly fall in love and come to understand how much he needed Sorcha softened him and allowed us to see the man he was before his betrayal and death.  He has been alive and bitter for so long, that Sorcha’s ability to soothe and calm the beast showed how much he needed her to make his life complete.  Sorcha has been living in guilt and fear for almost a decade, since the death of her mother and sister, but the self-isolation has led her to underestimate her own worth to the world.  Her skill and strength with magic, her intelligence and wit, and of course her willingness to jump right in and protect her friends show how good she is even if she doesn’t understand it herself.  Seeing Sorcha come to terms with her past and her understanding of her own identify was a reminder that sometimes we don’t even know the full story of ourselves and can learn more each and every day.  Seeing her come into her own, with Cathal’s help, and learning about her family and the love that she had for her family, showed her to be the perfect complement to Cathal’s fierceness and battle-hardened personality.

Dark Alpha’s Caress is a beginning to an all new world for these folks, but at the same time we get to see that there is always carry over and unhappiness no matter how hard you try to give everyone what they want or need.  The drama and intrigue that remains in the Fae as well as the Druid populations show that they are just as human as the rest of us and can never truly embrace peace without first pushing back a bit.  Cathal is a dangerous and deadly warrior that is faced with the most intriguing woman he has ever met and he is unable to resist her draw when he gets deeper into her world.  His willingness to do just about anything to get her the safety and peace she craves and deserves shows that he truly is a great mate and a good man.  Sorcha has been so isolated for so long, trusting anyone is a major challenge, but once he begins to break down her walls, the darkness inside her is washed away by the light of love that Cathal inspires in her.  The heat between them burns intensely from the very beginning, though they both denied it, even to themselves, until the point that it was no longer deniable.  I am dying to find out what happens next in this arc and see where this world will take us next, but I know that no matter what happens Grant will not let her readers down and we will enjoy every moment of the adventure.

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