Review: Danger Rising (Red Stone Security #20)

Danger Rising (Red Stone Security #20)

Katie Reus

Blurb:

She’s going after what’s hers.

When Lana’s mom died, she was heartbroken. And when her mom’s business partner stole a priceless family heirloom, she vowed to get it back. The former thief has no problem taking what’s hers—except this time she ends up stealing more than she bargained for. Now Lana is in possession of dangerous information, the kind that could get her and anyone she cares about killed. When the man who broke her heart shows up offering to help—a man she thought was dead—she accepts. But only because she needs a trained partner to pull off her next job. And this time she’ll protect her heart at all costs. Teague already broke it once. She won’t let him in again, no matter how much he tempts her.

And it could get her killed.

Black Ops agent Teague has been watching Lana from the shadows for months. It killed him to keep his distance but he couldn’t let her know he was alive until he was sure it was safe—until his enemies were dead. But now she’s in grave danger and she’s his to protect, always has been. He never got over Lana; she’s in his blood. He’s just got to prove she can trust him—and convince her to give him a second chance. But first they’ll have to work together to stop a monster—and outrun the people who want them dead.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Red Stone continues as the craziness begins with two lovers separated by death that will be reunited when one is put in danger and the other refuses to allow that.  Katie Reus is one of my favorite authors, able to cross between contemporary and paranormal with an ease that is sometimes scary and her writing is always fresh and fascinating.  In this latest installment, Lana is a nurse with a hidden skill most of her friends are unaware of, a skill for thievery that runs in the family, and one that she is going to have to call on now if she wants to get back the family heirloom that was stolen from her mother and that might have cost her mother her life. Lana has lost all those she loved, including her lover Teague, and she refuses to lose the one thing left of her mother in the world.  When she sets out to steal the heirloom back, she is mortified to find that Teague is not only alive, but he is determined to work with her to keep her safe, claiming he left her for her own good, leaving her heartbroken in the process. Teague never stopped loving Lana, but he knew that leaving her was the only way to keep her safe from his enemies, but he has returned now to keep her safe from hers, and won’t ever be able to leave her again.  Determined not only to keep her safe, but to win her back, Teague pulls out all the stops to steal back her heart as they work together to steal back her family heirloom, but their enemy knows they’re out there and will stop at nothing to kill them both. I really loved reading Lana and Teague’s story, after all what’s better than and alpha idiot that did the ultimate stupid thing of leaving his girl behind for her own sake.  It always leads to sparks and passionate anger when he comes back to reclaim her heart. Lana was the type of strong female lead that I love to read and that Katie reus is know for, standing up for herself in all things whether against their enemy or against Teague himself.  She is intelligent, fast-thinking, resourceful, and loving to those that she’s brought into her circle.  While she makes him pay for his mistake, when she ultimately forgives Teague for his dumb choice, she offers her heart completely and without reserve.  Teague is obviously the ultimate kickbutt fighter and protector, a hero through and through and I loved seeing him fighting for what he wanted and protecting Lana at every turn.  He and his friends at Red Stone were willing and able to do whatever it took to make sure that she was safe and succeeded in her mission, but his supreme goal seemed to quickly become winning her back for keeps.  The heat between these two, whether they were arguing or loving was undeniable and intense, but once they find their way to forgiveness that passion runs almost too hot to handle. I am dying to read more in this series and to see which of the Red Stone operators falls in love next and what types of hoops Katie makes them jump through to earn their HEA.

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

Review: Saving Her Highland Traitor (Time to Love a Highlander #5)

Saving Her Highland Traitor (Time to Love a Highlander #5)

Maeve Greyson

Blurb:

She wanted a new beginning. Not love or a life with a man about to be executed three hundred years in the past.

Twenty-first century tour guide Mila Carthson and her godson Robbie are excited to launch their first tour of the season in their brand new minibus. They made it through a horrific year of him being bullied and three deaths in the family. Now it’s spring and time for new beginnings. Things can only get better.

But after hours on the road with tourists who act worse than spoiled toddlers, Mila begins to wonder. Surely, a sack lunch surrounded by Glencoe’s beauty will improve the day. She gets the group settled, then she and Robbie climb to higher ground for some badly needed peace.

While they’re eating, the strangest storm blows in and makes her and Robbie so ill, all they can do is hug it out while the wind and rain batters them. When the weather lifts, everything is different. Not just different, but changed beyond belief. And someone is coming. On horseback. At a thundering, breakneck speed.

The last thing eighteenth century Chieftain Teague MacDonald needs is an unforeseen interruption in his interception of the Campbell clan’s favorite whisky. But his greatest weakness is taking in strays. Especially comely wenches. And this one is that. Fiery as a freshly lit torch, too. So, even though persecuting the bloody Campbells, smuggling, and quietly strengthening the Jacobite cause keeps him busy, this lovely lass is too tempting to ignore. And the longer he is around her, the more he wants her and wishes she would let him save her from whatever terrible secret set her and the lad on the run in the first place. One way or another, he will win her trust. And with any luck, he will win even more.

Mila has been many things. Tour guide. Substitute mother. Grieving friend. But the eighteenth century transforms her into something she never expected: a woman in love like never before. Except she knows Teague is going to be executed soon. She read about it while researching his castle’s remains back in the twenty-first century. Somehow, she has to keep him alive. But can the history books and destiny be rewritten?

Themes:  Historical, Time travel

Rating:  4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Most never get the chance to learn history in such a hands-on manner, but Maeve Greyson loves to send her time-lost women back to the most dangerous and sometimes historically intriguing times so they can experience it all.  In this latest installment Mila Carthson and her godson Robbie are swept into a terrifying storm and awaken on the moors of Scotland hundreds of years in the past and directly in the path of a speeding destrier.  Chieftain Teague MacDonald has been working for years to improve his clan’s status and stop the Campbell’s from overtaking them, but he can’t help but take in the two weary and strangely attired newcomers when he stumbles upon them.  Though he knows Mila is lying to him about something, Teague soon begins to find himself falling more and more for her, but Mila knows something about his past she can’t find a way to forget.  She has to convince Teague to give up his dangerous mission or another way to change history, because Teague has come to mean more to her than anything in the world.  Can a woman that never once believed in fate really change the course of history in order to protect the man she’s come to love or will she be stranded in the past having lost the love of her life to the history she knew was coming? Mila was an interesting character, one that has had a lot of loss in her life, but is not willing to give up and is determined to do whatever she has to in order to give Robbie the life he deserves.  She is sarcastic without being mean, intelligent and kind, but when her back is to the wall, she will defend hose she loves with every ounce of courage she possesses. Teague is the typical bad boy alpha Chieftain of his time, unwilling to listen to the council of others until its almost too late, but in the end his intelligence and levelheadedness kept his from being too stubborn.  I loved seeing him interacting with the precocious and misunderstood Robbie, even though he didn’t quite understand the ways in which Robbie was different than most young men.  The heat between Mila and Teague was a slow build but one that was intense and lovely to watch.  I am dying to see if there are more stories in this series as I have enjoyed each of the stories thoroughly and hope it continues for a long time. Maeve Greyson truly is one of my favorite historical authors, giving that little bit of something extra to everything she writes that makes it unique and special. 

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

ARC Review: Just a Little Hookup

Just a Little Hookup (Dare Crossover #1)

Carly Phillips, Erika Wilde

Blurb:

Being a bachelor has its perks. It also has its downside. Just ask Derek Bettencourt.

Standing on stage and being auctioned off in the name of charity is awkward AF… until his business partner’s younger sister wins him for the weekend. He’s all hers to do with as she pleases and he can’t say he’s unhappy with the prospect. Especially since she saved him from an ex-fiancée determined to get her claws into him again.

Jessica Cavanaugh never intended to bid on the man she’s had a lifetime crush on. But her spur-of-the-moment decision gives her a chance to exact a bit of playful payback, for old time’s sake. And Derek is all too happy to indulge Jessica's whims.

What starts as a fun, flirty, game, with Derek acting as her personal handyman, quickly turns into a steamy and forbidden weekend. Lines are crossed that they never intended and emotions unravel their playful facades. Afterward, he can’t get the gorgeous, full-figured woman out of his head and he’s determined to make her his.

But how can they concentrate on a future when someone is threatened by their relationship and will do anything to come between them?

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Once of my favorite events in reading is when two great authors pair up on a story to give us a new perspective and a sneak peek into an all new story arc, especially if it relates to one of my favorite existing series.  In this instance Carly Phillips has teamed up with Erika Wilde to spin off from the wonderfully sensually Dare Nation series to give us a whole new set of stories about family and friends loosely connected to the Dares.  Not only do we get amazing sexy and beautiful love stories, but we get fun glimpses of our favorite Dares and their mates as these new couples steal our heart and amaze us.  I was thrilled to get the chance to read this story and share my thoughts, but I’ll start by saying WOW.  Jessica Cavanaugh is a friend to the Dares and a powerhouse in her own right; a woman that was bullied for her body most of her life, she has not only embraced who she is, but started a line of beautiful clothes to help other women with similar bodies and the issues that come with that stigma to embrace their beauty and greatness.  She knows her worth and that she is beautiful, but there is always that little bit of self-consciousness when faced with the gorgeous male she has had a crush on most of her life.  Derek Bettencourt has had it with the crap in his life.  He’s just escape an engagement to a horrible woman, his mother is becoming more and more intolerable, and his sister went through hell until she came out of it in love with his friend.  The last thing he needs is a new relationship, but he might just be willing to have a little fun with the sexy Jessica, if he can get past the fact that she is the little sister of his best friend and business partner.  But soon their fun and games gets serious and they have to come to terms with their feelings, or they just might damage their relationship and break one another. 

I have to begin by saying that as a curvy girl (named Jessica J)  I REALLY connected with the heroine in this story, though I’ve never been one with clothes, but mostly because I’m still working to feel comfortable in my own body.  Oddly as much as I loved the romance in this, because of course Erika and Carly always deliver that, this story hit me the hardest in the message Jessica worked so hard to deliver with her business and life motto.  It made me really think about my own thoughts and decisions when it comes to how I see my body, which was a profound and unexpected outcome of reading this book.  Jessica was sassy, beautiful, inspiring, sweet, and witty and though I hated to see the moments when she was hurting she handled those with class and beauty too.  Jessica truly is the kind of woman I want to be when I “grow up”.  Derek was surprisingly likeable, mostly because I didn’t think I’d like that he seemed to be all superficial, but that was definitely just a mask he wore.  Once he dug deeper and allowed himself to share his emotions with Jessica, showing that he could offer her the emotional support as well as the love she needed, I knew he was going to be one of my favorite heroes.  He was brave, sexy, smart, strong, and loving and I enjoyed getting to know more about him, and especially seeing him interacting with the Dare men as they just go to “be men”.  The passion between these two, even when they were fighting it, was magnetic and I could feel it every second they were even thinking about one another. It’s obvious they were always meant to be and that fighting it just made their lives harder.  Erika and Carly managed to delivery and inspirational, emotional, passionate, and brilliant story that ties into the Dare World without being depend on it for those who aren’t long time readers. I can’t wait for more from this dynamic duo and of course in the original Dare world with the next story Just One Fling coming soon.

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

Review: Immortal Rising (Argeneau #34)

Immortal Rising (Argeneau #34)

Lynsay Sands

Blurb:

Stephanie McGill was attacked and turned when she was just a teenager. Worse, her abilities are unlike any other immortal. Now 13 years later, with the help of her adopted Argeneau family, Steph has carved out a new – if not lonely – life for herself. Until a new neighbor arrives…

Thorne is also one-of-a-kind. The result of a genetic experiment, he’s not an immortal, but he’s not mortal either. He’s looking for a place to hide, to get some peace and quiet so he can figure things out, and Stephanie’s sanctuary is perfect. In fact, Stephanie is perfect. For the first time, Thorne is free to be himself and he’s falling for her.

But if they’re going to have a future together, they’ll first need to deal with their past…because the mad scientist who created Thorne is now after Stephanie.

Themes:  Paranormal, Vampires

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

Well, I certainly didn’t see this one coming, did you guys? For us long-time fans of the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands, this love story has been a long-time coming; we have wanted for a Stephanie to find her peace and her lifemate for a long time now and it has finally happened, but I certainly didn’t see it happening in quite this way. Stephanie’s story began a long time ago when she and her sister were kidnapped and attacked by vicious “no-fangers” rogue immortals that had lost their minds and were on a rampage.  Though she and her sister survived to become immortals themselves, people have been watching Stephanie ever since, waiting and wondering if she was going to succumb to the madness inherent in those that suffer from her type of immortality.  But she has finally found peace in her small home and the work she does, solitude and quiet giving her the chance to get away from all the expectations and oversight of those that love and worry about her.  When her new temporary neighbor arrives, she is surprised to find that he is one of the immortals that was created on the island of atrocities her people have recently discovered—and even more surprised to discover she is beyond attracted to him.  Thorne is on her land trying to make decisions about his future, ones that could change everything for him, but he never imagined he would meet them woman of his dreams at such a time.  The two of them are beyond drawn to one another and as they spend time getting to know one another the attraction and connection become ones that neither want to lose.  But a dangerous enemy has encroached on their sanctuary and only together, and with the help of their friends and family, with Thorne and Steph has a chance to even explore their feelings and a future. OMG this story was amazing.  Steph has had such a hard time in the thirteen years since her entrée into the world of immortals, but she has found her strength and peace and I loved seeing her all grown up.  It’s obvious that the others still look at her and see the young woman she was instead of the strength, wit, and sass that she has developed through all her trials and troubles.  She was brave, sweet, and knew just how to handle everything that came at both her and Thorne and watching her in action was fabulous.  Thorne’s life was a sad one, one that could break just about anyone, but he has preserved and become a rock for his family and its obvious that he is a good man.  I loved seeing him find his own peace as he realized that Steph accepted him just as he was, not expecting him to change a bit, and would love him just as he is.  It’s obvious his fears and concerns about his past have left him feeling less-than, but thanks to Stephanie he found his true worth and accepted that their love was meant to be.  The passion between these two was off-the-charts and I loved every moment of seeing them together.  I am dying for more in this series as always and cannot wait to see who falls in love next, and of course I am looking forward to learning more about the other immortals from Thorne’s Island and seeing if and how they can integrate into the world.  This series has taken an interesting turn and I cannot wait to see where Sands takes us next. 

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

ARC Mini-Review: Happily Ever Never (Montgomery Ink Legacy #2.5)

Happily Ever Never  (Montgomery Ink Legacy #2.5) 

Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

I love falling in love.

Only I’m the worst at it.

My friends call me a serial first dater and I can’t blame them.

All I want is a happy ever after, yet all I find are happy ever nevers.

This is my last chance. After this set up with my friend’s tattoo artist, I’m done.

No more dating. No more chances.

If I don’t fall in love with Leo Johnson, I’ll give up on dating.

Even if it shatters my dreams in the process.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 I love when Carrie Ann Ryan gives us one of her short 1001 Nights stories, because while you know it will be a fast read, you also know it will be sexy and filled with heart.  Those that have enjoyed the first two stories in the Montgomery Ink Legacy series have gotten attached to May and Leo and have hoped that we would get to read their love stories, but getting to watch them fall in love with one another, even though they had both given up on love was AMAZING.  May Loveless has been entirely too many first dates, but hasn’t been on a second date, much less been in a relationship, despite the fact that she wants to find her forever love.  Leo has never felt the desire to settle down, but as he’s watch his friends and coworkers finds love lately he’s begun to wonder if he might be missing something.  The connection they instantly feel with one another is hypnotic but May has given up on the opposite sex and Leo doesn’t think that he should risk their friendship to pursue a relationship with her.  But the more they are around one another the more they both want, until finally they just take the plunge, risking it all in the hopes of finding the love they both want and need to enrich their lives.  May is such a sweet girl, one that has handled her heartbreak and let downs again and again, but she is braver than me to keep putting herself out there.  I loved watching her keep reaching for the man that she just knew was out there for her, never suspecting he was right in front of her all along.  Leo had a few issue to work through for sure, but seeing him with his family was such a sweet and unexpected side of the silly and gruff tattoo artist that it turned me to mush and made me root for him to steal May’s heart even more.  The heat between these two was hotter than a California wildfire and I loved the passion that they finally share when they took the risk and gave into their feelings.  I am looking forward to seeing them in future stories and watching their relationship blossom even more.  As always Carrie Ann knows how to make the perfect couple even if they didn’t realize it at first and getting to experience that eye awakening with them is my favorite part of reading a Ryan novel.  Dying for the next story though I know it will be a real tear-jerker and difficult to read, but that pain is what makes us know we are alive and makes love worth experiencing.  Molto Bella!

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

ARC Review: Dark Alpha's Fury (Reaper #16)

Dark Alpha's Fury (Reaper #16)

Donna Grant

Blurb:

There is no escaping the Reapers—or me. If you succumb to evil, you will be judged. And we will come for you . . .

I've known the torment of being trapped, of battling monsters—both outside and within. But I've also known the peace and completeness of holding the one I was meant for in my arms. Unfortunately, she's not intended for me. I am destined for one thing and one thing only: eradicating the evil that plagues our world. Once I deal with my nemesis, maybe I can finally rest. Even if it means my soul being reaped by the strong, beautiful, and utterly captivating woman who makes my heart beat like no other. But I'm not sure even that is possible. Because I am no longer merely a Fae. I am something else altogether.

Themes:  Finale, Paranormal, Fae

Rating: 4.75 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

I cannot believe the series is finally over. Honestly my eye teared up a bit when I realized there weren’t going to be more characters and story arcs introduced to keep this one alive, but I suppose even the best things must come to an end.  Donna Grant has enchanted and terrified fans with her Reaper series through several twists and turns that have taken her teams through life changes we never could have imagined, but now the ultimate battle has come and the final reaper will find out if she will find her HEA with the man who has stolen her heart.  Aisling became a Reaper because of one of the most tragic of betrayals and she finds it nearly impossible to trust in others, much less open her heart.  She has become more and more obsessed with the strange and deadly Fae that the team once almost lost to madness and death, but when he brought her back from the dead she gave up hunting for him. Xaneth is no longer what he once was, the torture that his psychotic aunt put him through leaving him fundamental changed—wrong—and he knows that he cannot be around Aisling, but at the same time her can’t get her out of his mind.  After nearly watching her die in his arms, he knows that he can’t be near her without succumbing to the temptation she represents and putting her in danger.  But with the ultimate enemy after them both only by teaming up, along with the rest of the Reapers and Erith, will Aisling and Xaneth have any chance of surviving and defeating her.  As they work together to defeat the evil trying to take over the world (no joke, the entire world), they begin to understand that the magnetic draw they feel to one another is not something to be ignored and the strength of their bond might just be what keeps them alive, if they can come to trust it and one another.

Oh man this one was seriously heartbreaking to the point that the tears almost overwhelmed a few times, but I knew that Aisling would find a way to reach Xaneth and make him accept their love.  Aisling has lived through so much trauma and pain, truly unimaginable betrayals and psychological torture that she is too strong to break or give up on anything or anyone. She is a smart, sly, strong, and dangerous woman to have at your side but a delay enemy to be facing. I loved seeing her in warrior mode for sure, but the moments that she dropped her shields and revealed her vulnerabilities to Xaneth were amazing to get to experience.  Xaneth is truly a broken man, one in need of a strong partner to show him that he isn’t lost or irredeemable, but his strength of conviction and determination to root out evil made him a deadly adversary. Having been there from the beginning to experience glimpses of his pain and torture at the hands of Usaeil we knew most of his fears and concerns, but the depths and lengths he was willing to go to in order to stop the pain were surprising.  When he did finally give into his need for Aisling, opening his heart again, we get to see a glimpse of the great male he was before his tortured and I have to say that I loved that part of him as much as the uber-warrior he has become.  The passion sparking between these two has been a long time coming and the fire that is finally lit when they stop fighting it so hard is bright and hot enough to burn the entire world to down.  As sad as I was to see the end of the series, Aisling and Xaneth’s tory was a beautiful, heartbreaking, and marvelous way to end the series.  I never like to see such a great series end so it is bittersweet when I tell you that this was one of my favorite read of the year and I will probably go back and read it again soon just to get to experience it all over again.  Aisling and Xaneth’s story is a love story for the ages and Donna is truly the only one that could have brought it to life.

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