Review: Wicked Cowboy Wolf (Seven Range Shifters #3)

Wicked Cowboy Wolf (Seven Range Shifters #3)

by Kait Ballenger 

Blurb:

To his enemies, he's known as the Rogue. To her, he's her only chance at survival...

Years ago, Grey Wolf Jared Black was cast from the pack for a crime he didn't commit. Now, he's the mysterious criminal wolf known only as the Rogue, a name his former packmates won't soon forget. But when a vampire threat endangers the lives of their entire species, Jared must confront his former packmates again, even if that means betraying the only woman he's ever loved...

Ever since Maeve Gray escaped the pack's bloodsucking enemies, she's been determined to save her species—and fast. Each passing day risks the lives of her friends and family. But when a wicked cowboy wolf shows up on the Grey Wolf ranch, offering everything Maeve's heart desires, her eyes are opened to a whole new world beyond the packlands. For this cowgirl, sleeping with the enemy could prove as desirable as it is deadly...

Themes:  Paranormal, Wolf Shifters, Vampires

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

 Ok I can honestly can I am seriously into this series now.  While I didn’t love the first story, and only liked the second book, this third story was amazing and I cannot wait to read more in the series. The more I get to know these characters and the dynamics of their inter and intra-pack relationships the more intriguing they all become, though the Grey Wolf pack certainly is my favorite.  Ms. Ballenger has a unique take on the shifter/vampire mythos and throwing in the way she brings the rancher viewpoint makes it even more interesting to me. Maeve went through a very intense and terrifying ordeal in the previous novel, but she met the wolf that grabbed her attention and split her loyalties in the worst way. Now she has to deal with the consequences of her actions and the fallout of her decisions, but there is no way she handle everything she is feeling when he turns back up in her life.  Jared Black was forced from his pack when he was a youth, giving us everything he knew in order to protect the woman he loved, but he has lived on the edge ever since as the Rogue.  When he knows that there is only one way to do what needs to be done for his people, he doesn’t left the betrayal he will have to inflict on the woman he loves stop him.  Rogue takes Maeve knowing that he needs her in order to enact his plan, but having her back in his life, without her knowing his true identity, is driving him slowly insane. The more time they spend together the more their emotions are roused and the closer they come to the edge, but the ultimate betrayal is still to come and there is no way to know whether or not they will be able to have a relationship even if they want to.  I really loved Maeve and her kickass, sassy, and never give up attitude.  She refuses to give up even when faced with the most dangerous of challenges and when she decides that she even though she tries to resist his pulls she wants the Rogue to much to give him up.  She was dedicated to doing what was right for her people, even to the point of hurting herself, but at the same time she was willing to open her mind and heart when faced with hard truth about the way her pack –and others—were treating the Rogue wolves of their world.  Jared has lived  hard life since he was expelled from his pack, losing the woman he loved, and ever since of security he’ even known, and while it certainly hardened him in a lot of ways, he has never let it turn him away from the plight of those weaker than him.  As the stronger non-pack wolf around he knows he’s a badass and he is willing to do whatever it takes, including further damaging the woman he loves, if he thinks it will protect the people he has taken under his care.  While Jared was written as one of those characters that you “love to hate” he was also one of the strongest, bravest, and most dedicated of wolves and ultimately he made sure that he found a way to save his people without too badly damaging Maeve’s love for him.  I loved these two together and the pull and passion between them was there from beginning to end.  I am really looking forward to more in this series now and for sure want to know what will happen next in the overall story arc for these wolves and the vampires that are out to exterminate them.  Ms. Ballenger has definitely moved to my must read and favorite authors lists.

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

Review: No Holding Back (McKenzies of Ridge Trail #1)

No Holding Back (McKenzies of Ridge Trail #1)

by Lori Foster

Blurb:

Introducing The McKenzies of Ridge Trail, an all-new sexy contemporary romance series from New York Times bestselling author Lori Foster.

Not needing him won’t stop her from wanting him…

Trucker Sterling (Star) Parson is no stranger to the challenges a woman faces, both in her industry and in life. But she can take care of herself. She’s never needed—or wanted—a man around...until she meets Cade McKenzie. The take-charge bar owner sets off all kinds of alarm bells for Sterling, but he also sets her heart racing.

Cade’s lived in Ridge Trail long enough to know trouble when he sees it, and the moment Sterling—Star—walks into his bar, he knows trouble’s come to call. Secrets run deep in the small town and Cade can tell Star’s got as many as he does, leaving him itching to uncover every last one. But finding common ground will mean trusting one another, further feeding an intense attraction that’s growing impossible to resist.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Lori Foster’s new series about a family of fascinating individuals on a mission of protest the innocent and bring justice to those that have evaded it for far to long is one that will grab you by the heart and remind you that there really are good people left in the world.  I was a tiny bit skeptical when I read this blurb because it seemed a little bit odd to me, but being that I am the daughter of a truck driver, and huge Lori Foster fan, I decide I would give her the benefit of the doubt and boy was I not disappointed.  This story is one that revolves around a woman that has her own personal mission for justice who runs into the immovable force of the McKenzies and their missions cross in the most outstanding and explosive of ways. Sterling, aka Star, Parson has made it her personal goal to save as many women from predators as she can and uses her professional as a trucker to aid them the best way she knows how.  She never lets her guard down, but she has found a measure of peace and lowers the walls a that smallest bit when she settles however briefly in the bar owned by Cade McKenzie. Cade has been watching Star from the first moment she entered his bar and each time she comes back he becomes more and more enamored, and suspicious of her true profession.  He and his family are in the middle of another big mission and he can’t let anything get in the way, but his draw to Star is also undeniable.  With Star and Cade working together with his family they are determined to bring justice to a seriously bad guy, but at the same time they are falling deeper into their feelings for one another if they will both just lower the walls they have erected to keep others out.  I really loved getting to know Star and see her finding her way out of her shell.  She has been through some really terrifying experiences in her life but instead of letting them break her, she has made them into the fuel that drives her and allows her to help others. She is hilarious in her interactions with Cade family and there I no doubt she is way out of her comfort zone there, but the more she gets to know them the more she likes this crazy bunch of people.  She is strong, but sweet at moments when she lets her underbelly show for Cade, and she is determined to do whatever it takes for those she thinks are weaker than her. She really was the perfect match for Cade as he was a protector to the core and from the moment her saw her he knew that she would be his even they could find a way. He was a smartass but at the same time so dedicated and sweet that I couldn’t help falling in love with him, there was no doubt he was going to win in his mission and they were going to kick the asses of the criminal that they were after.  I liked getting to know him and his family for sure, though I would have loved even more time where we saw him and Start get to focus on their relationship.  His sweetness and determination to protect Star when she keeps throwing herself into danger made him frustrated several times, but he never lost his temper with her and that passion only fueled his feeling for her even more.  The affection and lust between Cade and Star was there from minute one and led to some more than exciting moments that I can see making their lives interesting until the very end and there was no way to deny the passion. I loved every moment of this story and for sure am dying to find out what comes next in the series and to see the rest of the McKenzies find love as well as they continue to fight against the evils of the world. Lori Foster continues to amaze me with her imagination and ability to bring her characters and stories to life and to make her readers fall in love with them again and again.  Another hit for sure!  

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

Mini ARC-Review: Of Fire and Flame (Dark Kings #18.7)

Of Fire and Flame (Dark Kings #18.7)

by Donna Grant

Blurb:

Three extraordinary beings, one tangled Fate.

Untold power requires unfathomable responsibility. But it also brings danger, sacrifice, heartache, and many tough decisions. One fateful day and the choices and actions therein have the power to ripple across time, affecting more people than ever imagined.

Destiny brought them together. Fate tore them apart. But time may heal all wounds.

Themes:  Paranormal, Continuing Saga

Rating: 4 stars

Review:

Donna Grant has granted us the greatest of gifts as she continues to give us these short stories of the lives that our favorite couple led in the millennia they were apart.  This story is actually three distinct stories from the POV of three characters we have all fallen in love with over the years and we get a lot more understanding of what led these three down the path they lived.  While the story isn’t distinct and certainly can’t stand alone I consider it to be a continuing epic epilogue that just gives us more and more greatness.  Each POV gives us the story of a single day and how it changed so much in the lives of these three and the hundreds of characters that depend on them.  Rhi’s story began with her getting her teeth kicked in when she is told she is no longer wanted by the man she thought was to be her forever mate and  how her life devolved from there.  Con’s view is the consequences of his decision to push Rhi away and all the danger and loss that came after that.  But the surprising third character was Erith, aka Death, and how she affected these lives, even inadvertently, as she did what she thought was the best for everyone.  I loved learning more about this time in their lives and learning a bit more about how and why Erith was forced to keep the existence of the twins from Rhi and Con for so long.  We also got hints of why they are still fighting rejoining their parents and how powerful they have been from the beginning.  I am looking forward to seeing more of their story, not just in these continuing epilogues, but in the new series by Donna (Dragon Kings) and the continuing Reapers series as well.  Ms. Grant is one of my favorite authors and she truly understands what makes her readers love her stories and gives us what we want, while sticking to her own style every moment.  Pure magick, Donna, and we are dying for more.   

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

Review: Fallen Princess (Wind Dragons MC #7)

Fallen Princess (Wind Dragons MC #7)

by Chantal Fernando

Blurb:

Growing up as the Princess of the Wind Dragons Motorcycle Club, Clover Black knows she’s had a thoroughly unique upbringing. As the daughter of the former President of the club, she’s expected to live a certain kind of life but she does the unthinkable…she goes to the police academy and becomes a cop. Without her family knowing.

After being assigned a new partner, the handsome Felix Banks, a friendship blossoms, but as Felix teaches her how to be a better cop, she finds herself falling for him, all while, struggling to keep her two lives separate. Tensions rise when the truth comes out and it becomes clear that Clover is being used for her motorcycle club ties.

As things heat up within the MC and at Clover’s job, she faces a difficult choice—her love for Felix and the law, or her family and the Wind Dragons.

Themes: Erotica, MC  

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 So the Wind Dragons MC and family has come full circle and ends with the story of the princess of the original couple and how she finds herself split between family loyalty and what she sees as her life’s calling. I have been a fan of this series since I stumbled into it and then went back to the beginning to learn the full greatness of this club. Ms. Fernando has an intense and sensual writing style that drags readers into the lives of her characters that makes us hungry for more with each installment in a series and new series we are gifted with.  This series ends with Clover, the oldest daughter of the original club president and his wife,  trying to find her way in her new chosen profession as a police officer, but with her family and past, things are inevitably going to become complicated. Clover’s new partner Felix is instantly attracted to the spitfire rookie, but as he learn more about her, the attraction goes deeper, and they begin to build a relationship that could become so much more.  When Clover’s true identity and past begin to bleed into her job and her present, she and Felix have to decide how they will handle it both professionally and personally, because there is something rotten in their world and they can’t leave it as is. I enjoyed seeing Clover find her footing as a woman and a police officer, though there were a few moment where I questioned her naiveté and wanted to give her a firm slap upside the head.  She is obviously a loyal, sweet, and fierce woman that will always stand up for what’s right even at the expense of what is “correct” even if it puts her in danger. Felix was a beast in the best way, and despite him being a cop, he fit right into the perfect mold for a mate for Clover, alpha to the core and loving and strong as he stood for his woman and what he knows is the right thing to do.  The passion between these two, even when they were arguing and times were rough, was off-the-chart hot and I enjoyed every second of that. I was sad to see the series ending, even knowing there was more coming in the form of spin-offs, but all in off Clover’s story was the best ending I could have thought of for this long running series about the greatness of an MC dedicated to family, freedom, and fighting for the underdog. Chantal has done it again and I for one will cherish every moment.  

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

Review: When a Rogue Meets His Match (Greycourt #2)

When a Rogue Meets His Match (Greycourt #2)

by Elizabeth Hoyt

Blurb:

Ambitious, sly, and lethally intelligent, Gideon Hawthorne has spent his life clawing his way up from the gutter. For the last ten years, he's acted as the Duke of Windemere's fixer, performing the most dangerous tasks without question. Now Gideon's ready to quit the duke's service and work solely for himself. But Windermere wants Gideon to complete one last task, and his reward is impossible to resist: Messalina Greycourt's hand in marriage.

Witty, vivacious Messalina Greycourt has her pick of suitors. When Windemere summons Messalina to inform his niece that she must marry Mr. Hawthorne, she is appalled. But she's surprised when Gideon offers her a compromise: as long as she plays the complacent wife, he promises to leave her alone until she asks for his touch. Since Messalina is confident that she'll never ask Gideon for anything, she readily agrees. However, the more time she spends with Gideon, the harder it is to stay away.

Themes: Historical  

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

  The second installment of this interesting new series from one of my favorite historical authors went down some twisted and dark paths but in the end I found I loved every second, even when I was crying my eyes out. Elizabeth Hoyt peaked my interest with her previous Maiden Lane series, where she took her characters into often dark territory as well, but in the end she brought them to such enchanting and unexpected HEAs that I couldn’t help but fall in love with her writing.  Truly her gift of bringing readers right into the heart of her characters and their world is beyond compare and I have yet to be disappointed in anything I read of hers.  This series revolves around the Greycourt family and the oldest sister is the lead and the heroine of her story today. Messalina has known for years that her uncle was a bastard out to destroy her and her siblings in every way he could both big and small, and when his henchman, Gideon arrives unexpectedly and demands her presence at her Uncle’s estate she knows her time of freedom is over.  Gideon has watched Messalina far afar and coveted her for years and now he has found what he thinks is a way to gain her for himself and at the same time save her from her uncle. But Windemere is much more crafty they either of them suspected and soon Gideon has to decide if the price to gain Messalina for himself is too high or if the affection they have found together will hold them together. I was surprised by how much I like Messalina, thinking in the beginning she was going to be your typical damsel in distress driving me insane, but she turned out to be a great character in the end. She was strong, determined, sweet and willing to do just about anything that she needed to do to keep her family safe and happy. I loved seeing her stand up for what she wanted in life, sacrificing what she thought would be her future, but in the end finding something even greater to make her life complete as she feel in love with Gideon.  Gideon was a curious character, an alpha male for sure, and one of the most broken characters I have read in a long time.  He has had a terribly rough life but he is hopeful that a future with Messalina is possible if he can offer her a way to escape her uncle, but he has no thought to ever earning her love or affection, thinking he isn’t worthy of them.  He has a lot of conflicting behaviors, but she is able to see beneath his gruff exterior to the caring and dedicate man underneath and begins to love him despite all of the dirty dealings of his past.  When he decides that he not only wants to keep her, but wants to earn her love and respect, Gideon grows into an even better character and I loved seeing him embrace that change.  The passion between these two was subtle in the beginning because Gideon was hiding his feelings behind so many layers and Messalina was unsure who he really was, but in the end the heat kept the story moving along beautifully.  I can’t wait for the next in the series as there are a few siblings left to find love and adventure in this new great world by Elizabeth Hoyt.  More Regency era magic that is nearly impossible to resist.

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

Review: The Princess Knight (The Scarred Earth Saga #2)

The Princess Knight (The Scarred Earth Saga #2)

by G.A. Aiken

Blurb:

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN

Gemma Smythe dedicated her life to the glory of battle. With her fellow War Monks, she worshipped the war gods, rained destruction on her enemies, and raised the dead when the fancy took her. Until her sister Keeley became the prophesied Blacksmith Queen, and Gemma broke faith with her order to journey to the Amichai Mountain and fight by Keeley’s side.

The Amichai warriors are an unruly, never-to-be-tamed lot, especially their leader-in-waiting, Quinn. But when the War Monks declare support for Gemma’s ruthless younger sister Beatrix, the immaturity of her key ally is the least of Gemma’s problems. She has to get to the grand masters, dispel their grudge against her, and persuade them to fight for Keeley and justice. If her conviction can’t sway them, perhaps Quinn’s irritating, irreverent, clearly unhinged, ferocity will win the day . . .

Themes:  Paranormal

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

 Those fans of G.A. Aiken, aka Shelly Laurenston, will love this newest story about the loyalty of family being split when a royal crown comes to play and the future of a country falls into the hands of two sisters. Anyone without a bit of a twisted sense of humor or the willingness to just step back and let the world burn sometimes for a good laugh, might not be huge fans of this series, but for the rest of us, Aiken rocks it as always.  Gemma is the younger sister of the new warrior queen of their nation, but she is certainly a badass in her own right.  Her youngest sister betrayed the family and seized a different crowning, giving the nation two queen and inciting civil war and Gemma and her older sister are in for the fight of their lives. Quinn and his family, and clan, have joined up with Gemma and Keeley to fight for the safety and freedom of all, but he finds himself strangely drawn to the warrior monk and she makes him crazy as much she turns him on. Gemma is on a quest to protect the sacred religious factions in their world from her psychotic younger sister and a killer even worse than her and Gemma’s ragtag team is just the backup she needs. As they battle on every front the danger and chance of demise is terrifying, but soon neither of them are able to resist the draw and connection between them.  Gemma is a serious kickass, a little bit (or a lot) crazy, but honestly one of the best characters I have read in a while in that she manages to keep her crazy under wraps until she needs to utilize it to fuel her in battle. Quinn is a fun and sweet guy who seems totally laidback until he is in battle then he becomes just as dangerous as Gemma or any of his other battle-hungry siblings.  When the two of them stop denying their urges and come together, the sensuality and fun of the heat between them is explosive and sweet which is something I doubt Gemma has ever had before.  I really enjoyed this story of crazy characters finding their perfect match and working together to decimate their foes.  The side characters were interesting, the plot and dialogue perfectly constructed, and the ending leaves you salivating for the next in the saga.  And of course without giving away a spoiler, there is a series crossover with some serious FIREPOWER (hint hint) that I cannot wait to see play out in the next story! Definitely more magic from the slightly insane and always fabulous G.A. Aiken, and one for the ages.

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

Review: Falling for Irish (MacArthur Family #1)

Falling for Irish (MacArthur Family #1)

by Katie Reus

Blurb:

She walked away once.

When Kathryn Irish realized that she and Daniel were too different—and that he thought she was after him for his money—she ended things. When a job randomly puts her back on his radar, they hesitantly form a truce. But deep down she knows she can never be just friends with him. She’ll always want more.

He never should have let her go.

Daniel MacArthur knows he made the biggest mistake of his life in letting Kathryn walk away. When she suddenly appears back in his life, it’s not a moment too soon—since she’s been targeted twice by a faceless enemy. She thinks the two attacks are random. But he’s not so sure. Is it because of her job? Or is something more sinister at play?

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

 An all new, amazing series, that revolves around the Irish family and the craziness that ensures the fun and games are ON! Katie Reus is by far one of my favorite authors, no doubt about it. She has so many amazing series to enjoy that I never doubt when she begins a new one that I will be instantly enthralled and when I learned about this one I knew I would be jumping on it. The series begins with the series of two former lovers coming back together in a blaze of heat that is truly undeniable, along with some crazy danger and one psychotic stalker they never saw coming.  Kathryn is a super-slick computer hacker (for the good guys), but she never imagined her latest challenge would be her ex’s new secure building.  Daniel is beyond surprised to run into Kathryn but the feelings she stirs tell him that he never stopped wanting her, so when she’s back in his sphere he decides that it is time for some answers.  Once he confronts her about why she left him to begin with, and it becomes abundantly clear that there was some serious miscommunication, nothing will keep him from her, especially when her life continues to be threatened by some unknown nutjob.  Kathryn is dealing with a lot, but with attacks around every corner, she never thought she’d be dealing with a relationship with Daniel again, but she’s not strong enough to push him away for a second time.  Once they are both too deep to deny their feelings anymore the true danger becomes surviving long enough to have a future, because the danger stalking Kathryn does not want them together. I was crazy enamored of Daniel as I got to know him, he is such a sweet and devoted guy, stepping in again and again to make sure that Kathryn is safe and happy, even when she fights him.  HE is obviously used to getting what he wants, but the woman he really wants had run from him so much that he knows to tread lightly with her which tells me he is smart and dedicated to truly building a lasting relationship too.  Not to mention when the enemy shows themselves he is willing to give his all to protect Kathryn.  Kathryn was a little bit of a different story for me.  She obviously had some hang-ups in her relationship with Daniel, ones that let other too easily manipulate her weaknesses, but once she begins to really trust him, even when she has moments of fear and back-slips, its obvious that she loves her man and is determined to have a life with him.   She was intelligent, sweet, loving, and came with a crazy family –which I can’t wait to learn more about—and a hilarious cat as well.  Passion was definitely not a problem for these two, in either the first or second round of their relationship, and I have a feeling it wont be an issue long into the future for them either.  I look forward greatly, to seeing these two in future stories as we learn more about Kathryn’s family and see each of them find their loves and adventures.  Another gem in the Reus crown.

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

Review: Strong, Silent Cowboy (Moving Violations #2)

Strong, Silent Cowboy (Moving Violations #2)

by Lora Leigh, Veronica Chadwick

Blurb:

He Will Do Anything…

Sallie Hamblen had three incredibly hot, sexy nights with Jacob Donovan, an undercover CIA agent, before he disappeared, leaving her broken hearted and forever yearning for the man she lost. Years later, Jacob doesn’t know that the beauty he’s about to seduce in a small town bar is the woman he held in his arms all those years ago… and that she’s on the run from her past.

To Keep Her Safe…

Former CIA agent turned cowboy, Jacob Donovan wants nothing more than a simple life. Just the ranch and occasionally someone warm and sweet in his bed. Until Sallie comes back into his life and all of a sudden he wants to be in her bed every night...all night. When he discovers that her life is in danger, he swears he’ll protect her. Even when secrets are revealed that threaten everything between them, he will lay everything on the line to keep her in his arms.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

 The second book in the new Lora Leigh series begins with a bang and never stops running full speed ahead as these characters are brought back together and find intense lust and love in the most unlikely of ways. I admit I wasn’t much of a fan of the first book, which seemed to have been driven by the steam with very little plot in the story to carry it, and while this story is not lacking in any way with the steam, the plot is more believable and enjoyable to me. Sallie and Jacob are characters that have been circling one another for years, even without them both knowing the full truth of what they meant to one another, and when they finally come together for one explosive night, their world shifts quickly and life changes drastically before either of them can take a full breathe.  Sallie has been in love with Jacob since they were together years before, but now that she is in his hometown and he doesn’t seem to even recognize her, she has been fighting his pull and trying to understand why she loves a man who so callously pushed her aside.  Jacob has been lusting for Sallie since the first time he saw her in his town, but there is something about her that confuses him and messes with his long honed-CIA instincts so he hasn’t approached her like her wanted to, but when she finally gives him the chance to take her into his arms one night he can’t resist any longer.  After their night together, Sallie’s life quickly begins to devolve and it becomes apparent that she is in serious danger, but instead of running again, Jacob takes her safety into his own hands and claims her for his own.  But as their past and present blends, Sallie has to finally comes clean with the truth of their time together and Jacob learns the truth of their time together and the reason for his intense attraction and deep connection to her.  In the end, the love and devotion they share is challenged as their lives are again and again in the crosshairs of the killers after them both and only Jacob and his team and keep them alive in order to have a chance at a future.  Sallie was the perfect sassy, sexy, and sweet cowgirl for Jacob.  I loved seeing her challenge him at every turn and find a way to stand up to his alpha and controlling nature, even as she fell deeper in love with the man who’s held her heart for so long.  She has lived through a long of trauma and drama for the past five years and she just wants peace, but at the same time she wants her man even when he doesn’t know her.  She is intelligence, determined, and refuses to give up even when she is faced with an enraged lover with the power to break her heart and soul.  Jacob was one of the better characters of this nature I have read in a while, able to carry of the badass, alpha, dominant without losing his sweetness for his woman when he had her in his arms.  It is obvious that he cares deeply for Sallie, even when he doesn’t understand why they have such a deep connection, but when he learns the full truth he jumps right in and makes sure she understands he isn’t letting her go, no matter what comes at them or tries to tear them apart.  There was non-stop passion in this story to be sure, just as in the first story, but I felt the depth in this story was driving their emotional connection, not just there for the heat factor of the story.  I am looking forward to the next story in the series for sure and seeing Jacob’s friends find the women that will steal their hearts.  Even though I didn’t love the first in the series, I’m thinking this one might turn out to be pretty good after all.  

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

Review: Highland Dragon Warrior (Dawn of the Highland Dragon #1)

 Highland Dragon Warrior (Dawn of the Highland Dragon #1)

by Isabel Cooper

Blurb:

Legend claims

When Scotland fell to English rule

The Highland dragons took a vow:

Freedom at any price.

The war may be over, but so long as English magic controls the Highlands, not even a dragon laird can keep his clan safe. What Cathal MacAlasdair needs is a warrior fierce enough to risk everything, yet gifted enough to outwit an enemy more monster than man.

What he needs is Sophia.

Alchemist Sophia Metzger traveled to Loch Arach in search of knowledge. She never dreamed she'd learn to do battle, ride through the stars on the back of a dragon, or catch the eye of a Highland laird. But as her quest turns to sizzling chemistry and inescapable danger, she'll soon discover the thrill of being caught in a dragon's claws.

Themes: Paranormal, Historical  

Rating: 2.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 The true beauty of reading is that all readers can develop their own tastes and make decision about their feelings on an author and their books, but the purpose here is for me to share mine and sad to say this one is definitely not my cup of tea. I have read only one other story by this author and didn’t particularly find it to my liking either, but decided to give her another change because I so loved the premise and promise of this story. Cathal and Sophia were interesting characters on the surface, but that was just it, their characters were undeveloped, and I never felt like I really got to know them beyond their purpose to drive the plot of defeating the villain, which made it nearly impossible for me to enjoy a love story between them.  Cathal seemed like a good guy, with devotion to his clan and family, if not in the forefront certainly on his mind a lot, and he seemed to care for Sophia genuinely, but beyond that he was just another kick-butt fighter out to defeat evil.  Sophia’s character could have been awesome, but the descriptions of her life and past, what led her to her path in life, and the reason she was the way she was were so undeveloped I still don’t feel like I know her even though she rose above all the others and defeated the evil stalking their world.  I didn’t find myself really enjoying the story until about the last four or five chapters and then suddenly it was over.  I think I will have to chalk this author up to irreconcilable differences and just hope that many others can enjoy her writing and the hard work she obviously puts in her craft more than I.

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