Review: Stalk the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #19)

Stalk the Darkness (Guardians of Eternity #19)

Alexandra Ivy

Blurb:

Becoming a vampire nearly killed Satin. After decades in hiding to reach fighting strength, she swore never to be weak again. Instead, she flings herself into the joys of life. Like “combat practice” with Marco, the owner of the wildest club outside of Chicago. Getting a workout with the sizzling Were is the ultimate no-strings-attached pleasure. Until a chaos-strewing demon leaves Satin with an impossible, infuriating diagnosis: Vampires don’t get pregnant.

Marco prides himself on being the perfect Were—strong, savage, and barely housetrained. But with Satin gone on her mysterious quest, he’s compelled to follow. This raven-haired warrior might be his mate for all eternity. But a dark presence hovers around her. If Marco and Satin can’t solve its riddle in time, there won’t be any future to worry about . . .

Themes:  Paranormal, Vampires, Werewolves

Rating:  4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

  Oh boy be careful reading this one if explosive passion and tempers worry you! The newest story in the Guardians of Eternity series is filled with laughter, pain, lust, and a love that leads to the most amazing of discoveries and I was thrilled I had the chance to read it. Alexandra Ivy never lets met down when I turn on my kindle to enjoy one of these stories, always blowing my mind with a crazy adventure, fun side stories, and characters that leave truly lasting impressions. Satin is one of the most powerful vampires around, especially considering she isn’t a clan leader, but she loves to challenge herself and the private fight clubs run by a sexy and dangerous werewolf are the just the ticket.  Marco has been enthralled by the lethal predator in Satin from the beginning and every time they tangle he gets deeper, so when she disappears he has no choice but to track her down.  Satin is on a mission from her Anasso to find a missing gargoyle, but what she finds is an adventure into her past and a startling truth about her future.  Marco and Satin are forced on a quest that could put them both and their future chance at happiness in mortal jeopardy, but is they succeed could prevent a great evil from attempting to take over the world.  Can they work together to defeat their enemy, discover Satin’s past, and build a future together? Satin was a serious kickass heroine, even when she was uncertain of herself and when she was having to fight herself to be the woman she wanted to be.  I loved seeing her overcoming the challenges thrown at her and the pain she had to work through.  She was also such a smartass that I couldn’t help but connect with her.  Even when she was succumbing to the evil she couldn’t fight, you could see that she was determined to find ways to undercut her tormentor and help the good guys so Marco could save them all. I have to admit I thought I would like Marco a lot more than I did at first, being Valentine’s cousin, but in the beginning he was kind of an ass.  Thankfully as we got to know him more he showed himself to be caring, loving and supportive of Satin and determined to make sure that she was safe and succeeded in her mission.  When they teamed up they were truly a great pair and of course when they unleashed their desires it became even more intense.  I loved seeing these two together and watching them come to terms with their fate and how they are truly connected.  I am dying to find out who comes next and see more in this series.  And of course let it not be said that Levet was left out of this book, because he was truly the hero in the (somewhat) abrupt ending, so I loved seeing him be the KISA again.  Looking forward to more Guardians for sure.

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

Review: Guarding Her (Red Stone Security #18)

Guarding Her (Red Stone Security #18)

Katie Reus

Blurb:

She never wanted fame…

After a video of her modeling her friend’s new clothing line goes viral, Gia suddenly finds herself thrust into the spotlight. She never wanted fame—she was just having fun and helping a friend. Unfortunately now she’s got a target on her back. Someone out there will do anything to destroy her. Someone who wants her dead.

Now she’s paying the price…

As his best friend’s sister, Gia is off limits. She’s also the woman of Lawson’s dreams—and hottest fantasies. When she’s targeted by a vicious stalker, all bets are off. As a Red Stone Security expert, he’ll keep her safe at any cost. What he doesn’t know is how he’s going to keep her out of his bed, because he’s never wanted anyone as badly as he wants her. He’s all about rules—it’s why he’s such a good bodyguard—while she seems determined to test his control at every step. But if they want to survive, they’ll have to work together to stop the killer…before it’s too late.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Red Stone Security continues to be a hotbed of romance and the men of the company can’t seem to keep their hands to themselves—thank goodness! I have followed this series from the very beginning and I was so thrilled with Katie started writing it again, but as each story unfolds we get more and more angst, danger, and passion.  Gia finds herself in the spotlight after filling in for her friend as a swimsuit model for an afternoon, never imagining that the shoot’s video and pictures would go viral.  When the hateful comments become more physical threats, her brother’s best friend and the man she has wanted for years, steps in to protect her, whether she wants him to or not.  Lawson has resisted Gia’s beauty and intelligence for years, knowing that lusting after his best friend’s sister was wrong in too many ways, but when she needs this protection nothing will stop him from stepping in.   But as the danger around them gets more intense, so does the passion that sparks between them and soon there is no more resisting the pull between them, and when the love blossoms they have to come to terms with it, or they could lose any chance at a future together. Gia was very sweet, even if she didn’t understand her own appeal and beauty.  I enjoyed watching her succumb to Lawson as he showed her just how attractive he found her and finding her own self-confidence thanks to his love.  She was brave at the most unexpected of times and finding her footing with Lawson was an adventure to watch.  She was determined to stand up to him and make him see her not just as his friend’s little sister, but as a woman and one that he could be with forever.  I LOVED Lawson’s alpha sweetness, that mine mentality just gets me every time, even as he fought the feelings every step of the way, but when the jealousy of seeing her around other men comes out it’s just too hot!  Lawson has a lot of come to terms with as he falls in love with Gia and realizes that her being his friend’s sister doesn’t mean that she can’t be his.  The sparks between these two were hotter and swifter than the strongest forest fire, but watching them burn up and then find their love in the embers was amazing.  The villain was as always a creepy and terrifying character and one that was difficult to guess up until the end, but in the end Lawson saves his woman.  I am dying for the next Red Stone story and more and more in this series for years to come!

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

ARC Review: Ruthless (Immortal Enemies #2)

Ruthless (Immortal Enemies #2)

by Gena Showalter

Blurb:

Forbidden. Powerful. Ruthless.

Micah the Unwilling, fae King of the Forgotten, can tame even the most violent of beasts. Forged on the battlefield, this iron-willed warrior considers his soldiers his family, and he will stop at nothing to reclaim their dispossessed land. Gearing for war with a sadistic enemy, he is disciplined and focused—until a feral beauty he encountered long ago wanders into his camp.

Viori de Aoibheall wields a terrifying ability to sing monsters to life. Having spent her childhood in a forest, raising herself and her frightening creations—the only friends she’s ever known—she’s ill prepared for the scarred royal and his fearsome brutality. Not to mention the ferocity of their connection and the carnality of his touch. But the real problem? Her brother is Micah’s greatest foe. And though the sensual king makes her burn, she must stop him, whatever the cost.

Themes:  Paranormal, Fae

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Finally we get to know the story of Kaysar’s little sister and see her all grown up. I have waited for this story for a long time and I am thrilled to have had to chance to read and advanced copy in order to share my thoughts on this dark, twisted and ultimately beautiful story of two lost souls finding love.  For anyone new to the world of Gena Showalter, fair warning, this is not going to be alight fluffy and cuddly story of two people having and easy life and falling instantly in love at first sight—just doesn’t happen in her worlds.  Instead this story takes on a harrowing ride as two people that have only ever known loss and betrayal find a way to open their hearts and forgive each other and themselves in order to forge a lastly friendship, deep love, and the give everything for one another. This story picks up a few months after the end of the first book (after some flashback bits) and Micha’s the king of the Forgotten is almost ready to take back his kingdom when the truce with Kaysar and his new queen ends.  When the beautiful woman he has obsessed over for centuries, that once stole and then shattered his heart and trust, wanders into his camp, he is instantly suspicious of her timing and motives, but the connection between them is undeniable. Viori has awoken from another long sleep and ventures forth to the whispers that her brother Kaysar has become a king, taken a Queen and his in a vicious cold war (soon to heat up) with the sweet and beautiful boy she once accidentally harmed.  Determined to find a path to everyone’s happiness, Viori soon finds herself falling for the sexy warrior, but at every turn their connection and commitment is challenges and they are faced with one another’s secrets and truths.  Only by coming together in full honesty and love can these two find a path to redemptions and freedom, but sometimes the hurt runs so deep it’s impossible to dig yourself back to the light.

This story was amazing and Micah and Viori were perfect for one another even though neither wants to admit it.  Viori has had to become the ultimate survivor, using every weapon in her arsenal even though she knew if would weaken her in order to keep herself alive.  She was a strong and dangerous character, but with those she loved she showed the vulnerability of that little girl that was lost so long ago.  I loved watching her find her inner strength with the confidence she gained as Micah showed her how precious she was to him and that he truly would give up everything for her.  Micah was an amazing male, one of my favorites in a long time and a true hero.  Even though he has been rejected, betrayed, and hurt by everyone he has come into contact with he never lets it stop him from protecting the innocent and doing what he knows is right for everyone around him.  I loved watching his fall for Viori and show he the sweet side that no one else has ever gotten to experience, even when he was being a stubborn ass.  So many times his thoughts and fears almost brought me to tears, but in the end the love he shows his “Red” and their children showed me that even the most deadly and dark of males could be perfectly matched and are worthy of love. The lust and passion these two sparked off one another was apparent from the moment their eyes met and I loved watching those sparks as their battles waged and ultimately as their love built.  In the end it really came down to two people finding the way in their hearts to forgive past transgressions and believe in the power of their love, and no one does that better (even in the darkest of tales) that Gena Showalter.  I am dying to find out what book will be coming next in this crazy series and see how these couples continue to improve the world they inhabit and the lives of those around them. Masterpiece is an understatement for this one Gena!

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

ARC Mini-Review: Aussie Actually (De Luca Sisters #3)

Aussie Actually (De Luca Sisters #3)

by Lexie Couper

Blurb:

It's a hate-lust-love kinda thing…

It doesn't matter how romantic her sister's beach wedding is, no way is Zeta De Luca—the last sister standing—going to fall in love with anyone. She's got her safari park job and her new cheetah kittens to care for, thank you very much. And no way in hell is she going to fall for arrogant Australian doctor, Michael 'Mick to my friends' Blackthorne, no matter how freaking hot he is. Nope. Not happening.

And then he asks her to dance.

Mick Blackthorne has no idea why Zeta De Luca has got so far under his skin, but she has. From the second they first met, she keeps living rent free in his head. The snarky American seems to push all his buttons and is impervious to his laid-back charms. Not that he wants to charm her, of course. The idea of him and Zeta together? No. No way. As if.

So why the hell does his heart quicken every time she looks at him?

Themes:  Contemporary, Insta-love

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 The finale of the series about sexy triplet sisters from the states falling in love with hot guys from down under comes with a crash and boom for sure.  I have enjoyed this series since the begging and wonder how Zeta was going to handle being separated from her triplet sisters when both moved to Australia to be with their new husbands.  Lexxie Couper has an amazing ability to bring you right into the hearts of families and the love that can develop in an instant and make you believe it will last forever.  Zeta De Luca has arrived just in time to watch her second sister married off to another Australian, leaving her the only single triplet and seemingly the only one left in the States.   Her nemesis, the sexy Mick Blackthorne is there to drive her crazy at the wedding, but he has his own issues with the sinfully gorgeous expat.  The two of them spark off one another at every turn, but when her emotions get the better of her Mick is there to catch Zeta when she falls and that spark leads to something so much more bright and endearing.  Can these two enemies find love in an instant and trust in it or will their passion fizzle and die like a sudden summer storm?  I loved every second of this story and have to tell you that reading about Zeta and Mick’s instant connection was not only heartwarming and sweet, but reminds us all that we have to be open to love in even the most unlikely of circumstances.  Zetas emotions were all over the place with everything she was dealing with, but being with Mick made her see that sometimes the one thing we always needed was right in front of us. Mick never imagined he would fall in love with a feisty American, being willing to give up his entire life in an instant in order to give her his heart and love, but fallen he has.  These two were a wonderful and sexy couple to bring the series to a close and I loved getting the chance to read their love story.  I am sad to see the series end, but look forward to more by Lexxie Couper, especially is there happen to be glimpses of our favorite bad boy rocker in the story (Nick Blackthorne still makes me melt y’all).

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

ARC Mini Review: Weaver's Web (Moonshadow Bay #6)

Weaver's Web (Moonshadow Bay #6)

by Yasmine Galenorn

Blurb:

Just when Killian and I are planning our vacation, Cupid strikes Moonshadow Bay. But it's not exactly love at first sight for the victims, and we at Conjure Ink have our hands full trying to find out what's going on.

A member of the town begins attacking peeps, shooting them with arrows that are enchanted by a love potion. Not only are the victims hurt, but they fall hopelessly in love with the first person who crosses their path. Now, we must find out who the attacker is, why they're doing this, and put a stop to it before I can hope to head off on my vacation with my own beloved.

Themes:  Paranormal, Witches

Rating:  3.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 The return to Moonshadow Bay comes at the perfect time of year for love as Yasmine Galenorn takes her lovers on a romantic getaway that quickly goes awry, but what would you expect from a budding ghost whisperer and her sexy wolf lover. This story picks up a little after the last story has ended but there is a bit more of a break than normal, which gives January and her team a bit of a break before the craziness picks up again.  But alas the calm never lasts in Moonshadow Bay and when a strange string of bow attacks send people into love frenzies around town, January and her friends soon find themselves with a new and deadly opponent.  But the hits keep coming with their newest client and the ghosts in the basement that are mucking up their lives.  And even when they finally manage to get those catastrophes in hand, leaving Killian and January with the free time for a romantic getaway, they soon find themselves with an even more deadly situation that could lead to catastrophe if not handled extremely carefully. I enjoyed this story, despite all the crazy storylines and the push and pull between plots.  January and Killian’s love just seems to be growing, despite her fears keeping her from taking that final step into commitment and her magic is growing and growing.  I am loving watching her finally come into her own as both a witch and a woman now that she has sloughed off her past life.  The series will continue to become convoluted (and I hear there is to be another spin-off as well for the third of the shadow cities) as characters come and go in January’s life teaching her lessons and allowing her to grow and develop into the woman she was always meant to be.  I am looking forward to whatever story comes next and I can’t wait to see when/if Killian finally convinces her to take his ring and become his mate.  Yasmine never lets me down in the end, even if at time the story gets a little crazy and I never regret picking up a book in any of her series, Moonshadow Bay being no exception.

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

Review: Unstable (Pike, Wisconsin #3)

Unstable (Pike, Wisconsin #3)

by Alexandra Ivy 

Blurb:

WHEN IT COMES TO KILLING

A dead man in a cemetery isn’t news—unless he’s found on top of a grave, with a bullet through his head. The body belongs to Jude Henley, who was supposed to be buried below. Instead, the grave contains the remains of Staci Gale, thought to have run away nearly three decades ago. Then an old VCR tape arrives at the sheriff station, showing Staci before her death—bound and terrified—with a note, claiming to be from the killer’s apprentice ...

PRACTICE

Rachel Fisher’s job in cold case files has brought her back to Pike, Wisconsin—where she’ll be working alongside her ex-husband, Zac Evans. As Pike’s interim sheriff, Zac expected a low-key assignment. Instead, he and Rachel are racing to solve serial murders from decades past while a new monster goads them with a chilling promise. Every week there’ll be another old tape—and a fresh victim...

MAKES PERFECT ...

In this small town a killer walks—twisted, ruthless, determined to continue his master’s work. And unless Rachel and Zac can find a way to get ahead of him, the nightmare will never end.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 So I have to admit a lot of times I am not really into these Romantic suspense novels where the author delves into the psyche off the killer and we get into the sick and twisted psychoses off the serial killer, but Alexandra Ivy seems to have a flair for it that keeps me from having the creeps and wanting to toss the book into the trash.  I have enjoyed the Pike, Wisconsin series since the beginning and, while I wonder how one small town could have so many nut-jobs running around killing people for decades with no one noticing, I loved every installment so far.  This latest story picks up with the new sheriff in town being led into the past in order to uncover the secrets of a killer that once stalked the women of the area and to stop his acolyte who has taken to killing again.  Zac Evans had no idea what he was in for when he volunteered to be the interim sheriff, but now he has bodies turning up and decades old murders being uncovered on his watch.  When his ex-wife, a cold-case detective, asks to job the hunt, suspecting it might be linked to a case she is investigating he has an all new issue to deal with.  Though he never stopped loving Rachel, Zac had to let her go so she could live her life and he could return to his small town to help out his family on the farm.  Now they are working together to bring this killer in, but as the bodies continue to pile up and the sick and twist truth of the past comes to light, Zac and Rachel discover that the passion and love they shared is still there.  But in order to have a chance to explore their newly rekindled relationship, they first have to stop the seemingly unstoppable killer before one or both of their lies is forfeit, because the killer has new obsession, one that will cost them everything. I really liked this story though I could have wished for a lot more romance between Rachel and Zac as they rekindled their marriage and found a way to love again.  Rachel is a hardass detective that has obviously had a lot of issues with trust and being open to love ever since a huge loss when she was a young girl and that lead to a lot of issues in their first relationship.  I did love her bravery, intelligence and the way she so obviously cared for Zac and her parents, but I would have enjoyed a bit more softness in the private moments she shared with Zac.  Zac gave up a lot in order to be there for his parents, costing him his future and his marriage, but he never stopped loving Rachel and it’s obvious he knows the mistakes he made.  That self-awareness, dedication, and willingness to own up to his issues and mistakes made him a great guy, and of course his dedication to protecting his town and those he loves made him an even better hero.  I was glad to see these two finally give into their feelings, though I would have loved to see it more, but in the end I think they found their way back to one another again and that’s all that matters. I will say I loved the overall plot building, the twists and turns, and super creepiness as the story progressed, leading even me to not be able to pick out the bad guy until almost the end, but the story focused a lot more on that aspect that than the romance, which was a con for me.  I am looking forward to the next story in the series and hope to see more of these characters in that one as they move forward with their lives.

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