ARC Review: Fighting for Mari (Redemption Harbor Security #6)

Fighting for Mari  (Redemption Harbor Security #6)

Katie Reus

Blurb:

He’s her brother’s best friend…

Corporate pilot Mari had a crush on Colin when she was a teenager, but that ended abruptly when she heard him say something awful about her. She’s ignored him ever since. Now that he’s out of the military and started a company similar to hers, they’re rivals and he’s trying to ruin her latest business deal—so she steals one of his biggest clients.

And she’s hated him since she was sixteen…

When Colin goes to confront Mari about blowing up his biggest deal, he ends up saving her from a murderer. For some reason she seems to hate him and he’s never understood why—especially since she’s his walking, talking fantasy and their families are friends. With a smart mouth and lean curves, the badass woman is everything he’s ever wanted. When it’s clear someone wants her dead, he refuses to let her out of his sight—and they wind up stranded in the middle of nowhere with a plane that’s been sabotaged and a killer hunting them. If they can’t put the past behind them and find a way to work together… they’ll die together.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Katie Reus is back with the next in her Redemption Harbor Security series with the story of a firecracker pilot that finds herself in trouble when one of her clients turns on her. Katie had taken us on some amazing adventures with her crew as this series has progressed but with each new chapter we learn more about the team and get glimpses into the craziness and I for one love it. This latest installment is about the firecracker pilot that is friends with many of the ladies that make up the RHS crew and has had a small part in a few of the previous novels. Mari finds herself not only caught in the web of a dangerous killer, but also in the arms of a sexy rival pilot that has been the bane of her existence and her biggest crush since her teens. All the drama unfolds beautifully and with such speed that you find yourself wondering if Colin and Mari are going to get out of their predicament more than once, but you never question that their feelings are developing at mach speed. I am really looking forward to the next story which Katie hinted at a few times and if I am correct will be a crazy one.

Mari Kim has always lived her life in fast forward, reaching for the highest goal and refusing to back down from any challenge, even when her biggest crush broke her young heart. Colin Lockhart has been best friends with Mari’s brother since childhood and has watched her grow into a gorgeous and remarkable woman, but for years she has treated him like an enemy and he has no idea why. With the latest battle, Mari has stolen a client from his company and bought a parcel of land right from under him and when she comes to rub his nose in it Colin is forced to accept that she will not ever tell him what he’s done wrong. When he goes to confront her again, he inadvertently saves her from an attempted murder and they find themselves forced into close quarters as the RHS team look into the attempt and try to find out who is after Mari. But the more time they spend together, even when their plane goes down in the middle of nowhere, the harder it is for Mari and Colin to deny the attraction they feel and soon their feelings are out of control. Once the danger passes can they build a true relationship or will old fears and habits keep them apart even as their love soars—and what if the danger isn’t as over as they think?

I have been dying to get to know more about Mari as we have seen so many little quirks in her attitude and behavior in previous novels I knew she was going to be an awesome character to get to know. She is sarcastic, smart, brave, and sweet when she wants to be, but she definitely isn’t sappy or a pushover in any way. She has a tough outer shell that she uses to keep her softer nature protected and rarely shows that softness to anyone outside her very tight inner circle. When she finally forgave Colin and allowed him back into her heart, the sweetness and connection they formed was one that showed us how great of a partner she will be for him and how important their love will be. She had the kind of bravery that I could only aspire to, embracing her life full speed ahead and determined to live every moment her way. Colin is a perfect match for Mari, even if she didn’t know it for far too long; he is the kind of protector that will be right beside her was she embraces her adventurous spirit, helping her spread her wings but being there as her safe spot to land. Colin is intelligent, brave, sweet, loving, and dedicated to protecting those he cares for, which definitely include Mari, even when she was being a little bit bitchy to him. He knows himself and his limits and he will never leave a friend behind or allow anyone to be hurt when he can step  in to offer protection. That bravery is not something that can be taught, it’s a natural reaction that one either has or doesn’t have in their hearts. I loved getting to see Colin lose his head and heart to Mari and vice versa.

Sometimes you come across a story that will truly stick with you forever and Fighting for Mari is one of those books because there is no way I will be forgetting Colin and Mari’s story anytime soon. Mari is one of the bravest and most stubborn women that you’ll meet, but she is determined to live life on her terms and won’t let any struggle keep her down, even though the guy she’s never stopped lusting after continues to make her crazy. Her bravery and grit are all she needs to pull her through any danger, along with the help of her friends at RHS and maybe the sexy guy she finally decides to forgive and accept into her heart. Colin is a badass and he will use every ounce of his skills if it means keeping Mari safe from the killer that are one their tails. His determination in the face of deadly challenges prove that nothing will stop him when he has his heart set on the one woman he has always lusted after and has finally decided he wants for his own. The passion between these two is apparent from the very beginning, even when they are just squabbling, but when they finally allow themselves to embrace the heat the fire burns out of control. I am dying for the next in the series (Fighting for Hope) because we will finally get to see Bradford get his HEA hopefully and I can already tell that story is going to be a serious journey. Katie has done it again with the magic of two pilot losing their hearts in a big way.

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

ARC Review: Accidentally Forever (Montgomery Ink Legacy #8)

Accidentally Forever (Montgomery Ink Legacy #8)

Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

In the world of romance, Aria Montgomery knows two things for sure:

She’s not in love with the man everyone thinks she is.

And she refuses to let herself love Crew McTavish.

Her former best friend is spiraling, and her photography career seems to be standing in her father’s shadow. Aria knows she needs to find her way out of the darkness. Yet she’s afraid if she allows Crew inside, he’ll not only take over—but he’ll get hurt in the process.

Crew McTavish enjoys being the mysterious friend of the Montgomerys. They may joke that he’s dating his way into their family one-by-one, but in the end, it’s only one Montgomery he wants: Aria.

Their pull to one another is inevitable and once a line is crossed, the heat between them ignites.

Only his family’s dark secrets threaten to pull him down and when Aria is threatened, Crew will stop at nothing to protect her.

Even if it means watching the world he’s built burn.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

 Once again, we find ourselves caught up in the crazy, sexy, and loving world of the Montgomery’s and to nobody’s surprise the drama and emotional stress is there right to the very end of the story.  Carrie Ann Ryan has been thrilling us for so long now with this series that you might think you’ve seen it all, but I am here to tell you that she never ceases to find something to break our hearts and remind us of the power of love. We’ve been hoping for this story for a long time, wanting both Crew and Aria to find their HEA, not knowing that they would be meant for one another from the very beginning. This is a story of two people that have circled one another for years, always seeming to tear one another down, but have finally found their time and now they are determined to give their hearts to one another. I am dying for the next story after that last chapter because I can already tell it is going to be traumatic and filled with pain before Carrie Ann brings us another fabulous HEA.

Crew McTavish has been a friend of the Montgomery family for decades and he has always hated his own family for the pain and suffering they caused him. Aria Montgomery has always been far beyond his reach, despite the fact that he slowly feels in love with her from afar and that they have given into their lust multiple times.  Now Aria and Crew have decided that they are going to give their relationship a real try, even with the other Montgomerys breathing down their necks. But there is a shadow hanging over their new relationship in the form of Aria’s childhood friend, Travis, and the more she pulls away from him the more daring and dangerous he becomes to Aria.  With family drama coming from both sides,  danger around every corner, and their own issues to work through, can Aria and Crew find a way to have a future together or will they loose their chance at a forever?

The connection between Aria and Crew was there from the very beginning and undeniable but they were at their best when they finally admitted that they were meant to be together all along instead of hiding their feelings. Crew is the type of self-made man that becomes a good and loving friend and partner despite instead of because of his parents and upbringing. HE was abused and mistreated as a child and the only time her was shown love was when he was with the Montgomery family but he used their example to become a good man instead of being an awful human like his parents.  He is strong, smart, loving, sweet, and sexy in the way he shows his love to Aria and his friends.  It was sad to see how he had to continue to deal with his abusers, but when he finally found his strength to let them go thanks to Aria, it was a proud moment. Aria is the perfect cross of her mom and dad, determined to be there for those she loves and considers her friends, determined not to give up those that have even given up on themselves.  She is a calm in the storm, intelligent, loveable, brave, and self-sacrificing but she also knew when to stand up for herself and fight back. That strength and determination showed that she knew her worth and was going to demand that her partner acknowledge her importance of their relationship. Together they were a perfect balance for one another issues and hang-ups and you see they will be perfect together long into the future.

Crew and Aria’s story takes us through two people that learning what it takes to accept the love they are both deserving of and accept that they were always meant to be together Accidentally Forever. Crew has had a very difficult life, with an abusive childhood, an adulthood filled with a distinct lack of connection outside the Montgomery’s, and falling in love from afar with a woman he thought he’d never be good enough for.  He never could have hoped that he would actually one day find her not only in his bed, but in his heart, and finally being able to call Aria his love has changed his outlook forever and made him into a better man. Aria has lived her life in the shadows for years, trying to find her way in there art without being shadowed by her dad, trying to help her friend, but being beat down for it, and never being able to find the man that would earn her heart. When she finally allows herself to admit her feelings for Crew her world just opens up and she is free, her heart expanding and her fears finally releasing her.  The passion between these two is apparent from the very moment they enter one another’s hemisphere and when they finally stop hiding their relationship from others the heat explodes like an atom bomb.  As always Carrie Ann added a sneak peak of the next book as the last chapter and I can already tell that poor Lexington is going to have a hell of a time finding his own HEA, and I cannot wait to go a long for the ride.  The wait is going to kill me, Ms. Ryan, but I suspect that was your evil plan.

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

ARC Review: War (Serpents of Chaos MC #1)

War (Serpents of Chaos MC #1)

Chantal Fernando

Blurb:

A biker Vice President. A sweet baker with a secret.

And a one night stand that changed everything.

I didn’t know he was the VP of the Serpents of Chaos MC.

No one knew I was the club president's daughter.

And when the truth comes out, it changes everything.

As a club princess, I should have been off limits to the men.

But War has already claimed me as his.

And now he’s going to have to fight to keep me.

After all, all is fair in love and War.

Themes:  Contemporary, MC

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

One never knows what they are going to get when they begin a new series, even one from a favorite author and that is a favorite trope, but I gotta tell you this story is one for I seriously loved. Chantal Fernando has returned to my favorite of her writing styles with this new MC series and the first in the series was filled with twists and turns and plenty of passion and drama that will keep you on your toes.  Ora never imagined that that sexy and gorgeous man that blew her mind one crazy night after approaching her at a club and taking her to his hotel room would change her life forever.  When she gave herself to the sexy beast that tempted her to be naughty, she could never have guessed that her was the VP of the local MC, the MC that her she happens to be fully aware of because her biological father is the president—even though he has no idea she exists. War saw Ora across the dance floor and couldn’t resist her, but when she was gone the next morning he went crazy looking for her and never imagined he would find her when he and some of his club brothers are escorting a club girl to the local bakery.  Now that he has her back in his life and she can’t escape from him again there is no way that he will allow another man to get near her, he’s laid a claim on her and will do whatever it takes to make her his—even when his world is thrown upside down by the truth of her parentage.  Can they get past all the secrets of their past and the outside dangers they face in order to have a future together or will they be torn apart before they truly have a chance to have a future together?

War and Ora’s story was fabulous and I loved getting to see these two falling in love.  Ora has a lot of pain in her past and even though she has also had a lot of personal and professional happiness.  She’s come to her new town looking for something, a connection to her past, but she never imagined that she would meet the man of her dreams and get all wrapped up in the MC life. She is sassy, smart, loving, and sweet and I enjoyed getting to watch her interacting with her friends, War and her father too, but even when she was smarting off to her enemies she never failed to amaze me. War was a bit harder to get to know mainly because he was so contained, but when he opened up and let himself show his soft underbelly, in order to fight for the woman that he loves, we finally see the depths of his soul.  His strength, dedication, protectiveness, and loving nature all had a darker edge, but his intelligence and determination made him a perfect match for Ora’s stubbornness.  Together their passion soared and I loved seeing how their love developed and grew the more time they were together.  I am looking forward to seeing Ora and War in the next story in the series (Haze) and as the series continues to develop because I can see this one become another long running series that will turn readers into loyal followers.  Gimme more, Chantal!

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

ARC Review: Seth (Ghost Ops #3)

Seth (Ghost Ops #3)

Lynn Raye Harris

Blurb:

Dead to their pasts. Ghosts. No family ties. No connections.

Six men with a top-secret mission move to a small town where they have to navigate local life, protect their secret, and, above all, stay single.

Software engineer Caroline Crowell is a dead woman walking. When the top-secret lab she’s working in goes up in flames and she barely makes it out alive, she knows her time is up. If she wants to stay alive and protect the only family she has left, she has to disappear.

But first she needs help. Someone to watch her back and make sure her enemy doesn’t get any closer while she plans her escape.

Seth “Phantom” King trusts no one but his team. He knows what people are capable of, and he knows how far a person can be pushed before they break. And what he sees when Callie shows up at One Shot Tactical looking for help is a woman about to reach the point of no return.

He doesn’t want to be drawn in by her fear, doesn’t want to believe she’s anything but a potential suspect in his mission. But his teammates have proven that you can’t stop feeling something for a woman even when you know you aren’t supposed to. Denying it only makes it worse.

When the danger Callie fears comes to town, Seth has a choice. Fight for the future he needs. For the woman he needs.

Or watch everything go up in smoke.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The truth will finally come out as two  people that have both lost the ability to trust have to find a way to believe in one another if they want to survive and prevent a disaster that could potentially cause a worldwide catastrophe.  Lynn Raye Harris takes us to a small town in Alabama, one that you would never think to look twice at, but that is currently the center of a dangerous experiment that puts it right in the crosshairs for spies, killers, and all kinds of danger.  In order to prevent secrets from getting out and dangerous national enemies from gaining possession of information they shouldn’t have; the Ghost Ops team has laid their lives and futures on the line.  Seth has suspicions about the beautiful computer programmer that is a member of the secret experimental team he is protecting, but when she is almost killed and comes to him for help his life is suddenly very complicated.  I loved every second of the story and I am dying for the next in the series for sure but I cannot wait to see if these boys will be able to get back to HOT in the end or if they will be staying in their new hometown.

Caroline “Callie” Crowell has been trying to find a way out of the mess her life has become, with attempted blackmail, suspicious code on her top-secret project, and high stress in her personal life, but she never imagined someone would try to kill her.  When she almost dies in a fire at her top-secret lab, she knows it is no accident and goes to the only people she can think of for help.  Seth “Phantom” King is stunned when Callie shows up at One Shot Tactical looking for help, claiming someone is trying to kill her because she refused to give into their blackmail attempts. Seth suspects that she is lying, that she is really a spy on the project and cannot be trusted, but at the same time he feels a pull toward her stronger than he has ever felt for another woman.  The more time they spend together, with Seth and Callie both slowly coming to trust and opening up, both of them come to learn that their future can only be free if they face the issues of their past.  But as the danger gets higher around Callie, Seth has to decide if he truly trusts her or if his own fears and hangups are worth losing the first woman that has ever touched his heart. Because there is danger around every corner and if they can’t fully trust one another they have no hope of surviving the danger.

Seth is the quintessential hero that has been broken in his past and has never come to terms with those issues.  I enjoyed getting to know him and seeing him at work as he accepted that his trust issues and his past were holding him back, but only when he finally opened his heart did I truly love him.  His past was definitely painful, filled with heartbreak all the way back to his early childhood, and only when he accepted that not everyone was going to reject, abuse, and mistreat him did he learn how much he was being held back by those past hurts.  Sharing his revelations with both Callie and his guys showed him that he could count on people to support him unconditionally and offer him love, but he had to be open to it.  His intelligence and strength were matched only by his dedication to caring for those under his wing. He really was a wonderful character to get to know. Callie obviously had her own fears to work through as she’d so recently gone through trauma after trauma, but the way that she opened herself to Seth showed that she wanted to be able to love him with all her heart.  The love she had for her sister also shows how big her heart can be even though she fears the loss and trauma that she’s already experienced. Callie might be scared of everything happening around her because she is out of her wheelhouse with all the top-secret danger, but she is obviously intelligent and dedicated to work and goals she believes she is working for.  I loved seeing the way she offered her help to the team and her heart to Seth, instead of hiding when she could have easy cowered in a corner like many would have, showing us her inner strength was a core of titanium. In the end she might have had her fears, but she was more than willing to fight past them to get what she felt could have been a beautiful future.

As the Ghost Ops series continues to develop, each of our heroes seems to be setting down roots in their small town in Alabama, leaving us with the feeling that their HOT lives truly have ended.  That said they are still kickass operators and there is no doubt that they are serving their country and protecting the citizens in need around them.  Seth’s story continues that as the beautiful but suspect computer programmer they have been monitoring suddenly arrives on their doorstep claiming someone is trying to kill her because she is refusing to help them get access to the top-secret project.  Seth is a beautifully damaged hero that needs the right motivation to finally get over his horrific past, and it looks like Callie is just what the doctor ordered.  Callie is determined to survive this latest threat, even if she has to take her sister and go on the run, but Seth is just as determined to help her and keep her around.  Together they are combustible and the more time they spend together the more the passion and potency of their connection leads them both to open their minds and hearts to an unexpected future they could have together.  I loved seeing them as they sparked off one another—arguing, working together, or simply finding their way through the morass of emotional pain—until they finally found a way to their peaceful and emotional balance.  I am really looking forward to the rest of the series and I suspect I know what will be coming in the next book, but will enjoy it no matter what as the series continues to its inevitable conclusion once all the guys have their stories.  Ms.  Harris certainly found her footing with this latest spin-off and didn’t let readers down when she decided to send Ghost off with his group of men on a mission like no other.

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

ARC Mini-Review: Always a Fake Bridesmaid (Clover Lake #1)

Always a Fake Bridesmaid (Clover Lake #1)

Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

The moment Ewan McBride entered my life, my world tilted on its axis.

When we part, I promise him I owe him anything for saving my daughter’s life.

What I didn’t expect?

Being his fake date to a wedding—in two days.

It was only supposed to be a favor, but we can’t deny the attraction.

Only he lives a state away and my life is in Colorado with my daughter and the Montgomerys.

This can only be one night that feels all too real.

Yet I know walking away will be the hardest thing I ever do.

Themes:  Novella, Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating:   

Review:

I always love a good novella, especially one written by one of my favorite authors, because you know that the best of a long story is going to be packed into a quick read so that you get all the lust, heat, love and sweetness without too the story dragging too long. The new Clover Lake series by Carrie Ann Ryan promises to be a whole set of stories to fulfill just that need for us as she lets us get sneak peaks of our favorite Montgomerys and introduces a whole new family at the same time. Livvy
Montgomery meets Ewan McBride by chance when he saves her daughter from disaster and suddenly her life is completely changed. Ewan was instantly drawn to Livvy and when he learns she is a Montgomery, one of the family that he is acquainted with (at least several of the guys) he knows that he has his work cut out for him if he wants a chance to embrace their attraction.  But he is need of a date to an upcoming wedding that is putting him right in the crosshairs of some scary ladies and Livvy seems to be the perfect solution.  But their attraction is soon all too real and giving into their passion leads to very real feeling. Can Ewan and Livvy find a way through the obstacles in their path and have a future together or will they be forced to walk away from one another once their fake relationship has to end?  I loved every second of this story because the connection between Ewan and Livvy was palpable from the very beginning, even when Ewan was simply being a daring rescuer.  Livvy was obviously scared to make another mistake jumping in with a man that might break her heart, but when he learns to be open and trust her instincts, she finds that loving Ewan could never be wrong for her or her daughter.  Ewan knows that he wants Livvy, but he is smart and brave enough to understand that her fear can never be overcome by forcing her into a relationship she isn’t ready for, giving her the time she needs to come to the conclusion that they are perfect together.  It’s obvious I am going to love his family and seeing them each find and fall in love will make for another great series for Carrie Ann and I cannot wait for what is next (Accidental Runaway Groom).  Another great beginning to a series we are all going to be anticipating for many months to come.

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

ARC Review: Blood Skye (Skye Druids #6)

Blood Skye (Skye Druids #6)

Donna Grant

Blurb:

The only choice is surrender .

In my world, magic and danger go hand-in-hand. It has from my earliest memory. Magic was currency, and if you have it, you have power. I was shaped by some of the most influential Druids into a lethal weapon. Their weapon.

Until the night they betray me—and I wind up in the hands of my enemy.

He’s nothing but a job for me. To him, I’m the key to finding his father. Too bad I know nothing.

But right now, he’s the only thing keeping me alive, so I’ll do whatever it takes. Yet, if we’re going to survive, it means doing it together.

I’ve never allowed myself to care, to feel. To hope. He shows me a world that was always just out of reach, one I was never meant to be a part of—and a love that burns bright enough to scorch the earth.

Together, we will bring an empire to its knees.

Themes: Druids, Magick, Fae  

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

We have been wondering for a long time where Donna Grant was going to be taking this series, but to be honest with you I never imagined we would be heading in this direction. While I cannot deny Donna has a serious way of turning longtime villains into the greatest of heroes, I certainly did not imagine that we would be seeing such a turnaround, but there you have it.  The continuing saga of the Skye Druids takes us deep into the English countryside as one of the Knights goes on a mission in order to find out what has happened with his missing father, never imagining just how deeply he is being drawn into his past and the dangerous future against his will. Carlyle and Davon/Song are pitted initially against one another and then together against their enemies as they find out that their pasts are not what they seemed and that those they have loved and sacrificed so much for have betrayed them beyond conception. I loved every moment of the story even when I was terrified and my heart was breaking for both of them and I am dying to find out what could be coming next as I hope we get to meet more of the knights and see how they handle the more and more terrifying challenges that are coming their way.

Normally I would go deeper into Carlyle and Devon/Song and the way they came together and learned more about one another  and how they fell in love, but I am afraid to give away too much of the story because it truly was nonstop from the beginning to the end. I will say that I loved getting to know Carlyle and seeing him learn the truth about his past –as painful as it was—and find himself despite those that tried to manipulate him into doing what they wanted him to do. He is brave, strong, smart, and determined to never give into the evil that he can sense around him at all times. He is also loving and giving to those that prove to him that they are worth his love and devotion, including Devon/Song in the end. Devon/Song changes a lot over the course of this story and we learn her past has shaped her in immeasurable ways, even though she too was tricked by those that should have loved her and provided her with a safe place to grow. She is intelligent, courageous, clever, and thinks several steps of those around her, even though she is tricker by those she thought she could trust. In the end these two were entwined long before they ever knew one another in person and they were made to find one another once they learned to trust one another, despite all the signs that they shouldn’t.

Blood Skye is a story of betrayals, treachery, trickery, and two people that had their trust broken repeatedly by those that should have always been their greatest allies. Carlyle has come to love and trust his found family in the Knights and the other trusted Sky Druids, but his blood family is another story and when he begins to doubt his past, present, and future, his life, and the safety and all those he loves might just be on the line. Devon/Song has been given a task, one that she doesn’t believe in, but that she has to complete in order to protect those she loves, but the more time she spends with Carlyle the more she begins to doubt her mission  should be accomplished at all. Together Carlyle, Song, and the Skye Druids have to battle their enemies, dangerous circumstances, and in the end they have to prevail against the most terrifying of their own personal fears if they have any hope of surviving together. The connection that formed between Carlyle and Song was beautiful and passionate once they found their way to forgiveness and love and I enjoyed seeing them find that together. I am dying to see what comes next in this twisty, complicated, and sometimes dark series as Donna continues to lead us deeper into the drama of the Skye, London, and Edinburgh Druids as they all battle for supremacy and fight against the ultimate evil that is trying to end them all. Let the battle against the darkness continue!

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

ARC Review: Pieces of Me (The Wilder Brothers #9)

Pieces of Me (The Wilder Brothers #9)

Carrie Ann Ryan

Blurb:

Gabriel Wilder.

Rock God.

Voice of an angel.

And in love with his best friend’s sister.

Resisting Briar Ashford has been one of the hardest things he’s ever done.

Until the one night he breaks his promise.

Only when tragedy strikes, forgiveness slips through his fingers.

Briar Ashford never let herself fall for her brother’s best friend.

Until the night she did.

She wanted to live in the shadows, writing the songs for the stars who shined the brightest—not finding a way to co-parent with the man who refuses to pick up his guitar again.

The world is waiting for Gabriel Wilder to rise from the ashes. Only, first, he’ll have to figure out if he’s ready to finally let himself love the one woman who never knew had a claim to his heart all along.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.75 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

I really hate it when an author has me crying almost more than she has me falling in love with her stars, but even more than previous novels in this series, Carrie Ann Ryan was determined to tear our hearts out repeatedly in this story of loss, healing, second chance love. There is so much happening in this novel, both painful and healing that I honestly had to take a day off from reading just to process everything before I could start my next book so that I didn’t have an emotional hangover affecting my next read! I knew that I was going to enjoy Gabriel’s story, but I wasn’t prepared for what was coming my way, in any shape or form, but I am very glad I had the chance to enjoy it and can warm others to be prepared for the coming heartbreak and trauma before the immense love between him and Briar that will truly change your life and perspective on emotions.  Carrie Ann never fails to dig deep into each of us and remind us of what made us fall in love with romance and teach us repeatedly the bottomless potential of the human heart for recovery, love, and redemption.

Gabriel Wilder has finally found the pinnacle in his career, worldwide acclaim, a true connection with his band, and he is living the life that he always thought he wanted playing his music to the masses—but he isn’t truly bone-deep happy like his siblings and cousins that have settled down and built homes in recent years as he looked on.  The one woman that his heart has always yearned for is the one he can’t have, even though they gave in one night, and when tragedy strikes it only drives a bigger wedge between them. Briar Ashwood has loved Gabriel since she was a teenager, but she always new he was not going to be hers as there was too much at risk for them to have a chance together, but when their worlds crumble around them, they are left with no choice but to face the consequences. Now Gabriel and Briar have to come to terms with their role in one another’s life, but the more they are together, the more their needs and emotional connection is undeniable and soon they give into their chemistry once again. Can they finally find a way to be a family, despite everything that has always stood between them, or will all the hurt and pain that still threatens their future push them apart for the last time?

Gabriel Wilder has got to be one of the most broken and screwed up of all the boys we have seen, if not one of the worst of all of Ms. Ryan’s characters. In the beginning of his story, he is simply a melancholy guy, dealing with being left behind while his family changes and he refuses to acknowledge why he isn’t happy, but when tragedy strikes he closes the world out and essentially gives up on the world and himself. It was really hard to see such a bright light so dimmed that I was afraid he was wink out, but thankfully he was forced to wake up when his future basically slapped him upside the head in the form of Briar and the consequences of their one night together. I was thrilled to see how he stepped up for her, not only physically, but emotionally –as much as he could at the time—as he tried to show he that he would be there for her and the baby. He obviously still had a lot of work and healing to do even if he didn’t want to admit it, but it was easy to see that he never stopped loving Briar and would do everything he possibly could to be there for her and try to make it up to her that he had been a ghost for months, including forcing himself out of his self-imposed seclusion so that he could be a member of the world again for her and the baby.  While he continued for far too long to hold a small piece of himself back from her, almost too long, preventing him from fully committing, he did finally get the kick in the @$$ he needed and give all of himself to the woman he’d always loved and show us the strong, brave, sweet, and loving man he always was under the layers of pain.

Briar has her own trauma to work through in order to be everything she needs, not only for herself and her baby, but always for Gabriel and their family unit as a whole. Briar it seems has a very rocky childhood, which we get some glimpses of (but I imagine we will get more in the coming series about her family), but the biggest loss for her is her brother and dealing with being without the man she’s always loved while she tried to handle it. She luckily had the love and support of her siblings, in their own strange ways,  as she dealt with her pregnancy and reclaiming her independence after her trauma, but once Gabriel steps up and they are able to form their partnership it gives her much more breathing room to get back to herself. I loved seeing how she blossomed under the love and care of the Wilder woman and even as she interacted with the other Wilder men, but seeing her loving Gabriel and their child made it obvious that she just really needed that love and healing. She is smart, sassy, self-reliant,  and private which makes living as under the microscope of being with Gabriel difficult, but she refuses to give up the man she loves when the chips are down and I loved her even more for that strength and determination.

Pieces of Me is truly a story of two people that are meant to be together but have fought is so long they aren’t sure how to live any other way and then when real catastrophe tears their lives apart they have to find a way to rebuild, this time together for the good of their future. Briar is a bright light that is determined to show the man she loves that while she doesn’t need anything from him, she won’t give up on him and let him drown in his own pain, even if he wants the world to leave him alone. Gabriel has truly allowed the trauma to bury him and he doesn’t care, until he is forced to come to terms with his past and future all at once and he will never again let Briar down, even if it forced him to deal with the pain and heal from the breaks. Together Briar and Gabriel will change their future and let their past become softer and less painful, though they will never forget those they’ve lost and that meant the most to them, showing that love truly can conquer all, even if the way to conquer is just to show us that love never dies. Their passion when they finally allow themselves to feel it through the pain is hot enough to burn through the pain and to continue to burn all through their live together. I am looking forward to seeing more of them together and the healing I know they will continue to strive for, in the finale of the Wilder series (Endlessly Yours) as well as in the new series all about Briar’s many siblings (Ashford Creek). Carrie Ann Ryan is one of those authors that tears out your heart just to make it grow three sizes bigger before she forces it back into your chest, so be prepared for the pain as you lose yourself to Pieces of Me.

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

ARC Review: Resist (Stingrays Hockey #2)

Resist (Stingrays Hockey #2)

Mari Carr

Blurb:

This one-night stand is going into overtime.

The Stingrays call goalie Coulton Moore their gentle giant. The tall, imposing man is the team’s rock, their steadying influence on and off the ice. However, that mild disposition disappears completely when the beautiful bartender he’s been lusting after from across a crowded bar is attacked. Then, it’s all bets off as he steps in to defend her, protect her, and claim her as his.

Ainsley doesn’t have time for any more men in her life. Between serving a rowdy bunch of guys in her family’s dive bar, caring for her ailing father, and dealing with her brother and his ever-growing pile of gambling debt, her cup overfloweth when it comes to the male population.

When her brother’s enemies track her down, looking for retribution, a sexy, dominant stranger steps forward to save her. At first, it’s simple enough to accept his help and his kisses and his tantalizing touches because, after a lifetime of crap, she figures she’s due a night of mind-blowing passion with Coulton, the hottest man she’s ever met.

The problem begins when morning comes and he informs her what they shared was never going to be just a one-night stand. Nope. Coulton, the stubborn, determined, possessive man is settling for nothing less than her.

And forever.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

I knew when this series was announced that I was going to love these guys, mostly because they seemed to be just what I needed at this time in my life—men that are strong but sweet, love women without being gross about it, and unapologetically male. Mari Carr started this series as a spin-off of her Italian Stallions, flowing right from the Wild Irish series and I love getting glimpses of those characters and settings as these sexing hockey players live their lives and find love in their own unique and interesting courtships. While I absolutely loved this story, it was definitely a different take on a story from most of the romances currently in my TBR and a bit of a twist for Mari too in my opinion. Her heroine was definitely one that has been repeatedly hurt in her life by everyone she has counted on and has basically given up on hoping for a positive improvement for herself—resigning herself to a mediocre existence and just surviving. We get a unique view (for most of us) of a part of the population that is often forgotten and it reminds us to be humble and appreciate how good we have it if we aren’t struggling for ever scrap and begging for every bit of happiness and respect in life. I loved seeing our hero give her the love and admiration she needed to remind herself that only by refusing to give up on herself can she find a way out of that life. I am really looking forward to the next story in this series and cannot wait to see more of both of the previous couples as more of these hockey hotties lose their hearts.

Ainsley Hall knows when the beast of a man walks into her fathers drive bar that he doesn’t belong and he is going to be trouble, but Coulton Moore turns into so much more that that. Coulton isn’t sure what pulled him to wander into the dive bar on a whim one evening, but the first sight of the sexy tattooed bartender with more attitude than any entire offensive line keeps him coming back. She has no idea why he keeps coming to the bar and flirting with her even after she refuses to go out with him, but when he arrives one night just in time to save her from two attackers that she is losing a battle against she can’t deny she is happy for the assist. But as she spends more time with her savior, slowly getting to know him and seeing the sweet side of him, Ainsley can’t deny that there is so much more to Coulton that just a rich athlete out to use and discard her. Coulton is determined to dig past the quills and shell that Ainsley presents to the world because he believes that she could be the woman of his dreams and getting past her insecurities is all he wants to do. But when her world crumbles as the worst possible time, has Coulton gotten through her enough to prove that she can not only lean on him but trust him to also be there to lift her up and give her the love she needs to truly live her dreams in life, or will she push him away once and for all, leaving him broken hearted?

How do you explain a couple like this and the connection that Coulton fought against every barrier Ainsley tried to erect in order to build solidly for them? Coulton is the ultimate Gentle Giant and I loved seeing him interacting with his friends, family, teammates, enemies, and Ainsley because even those he wanted to tear limb form limb (for hurting Ainsley) he also treated with fairness and never fought dirty. I loved seeing his sweetness, silliness, and willingness to make a fool of himself just to bring a smile to someone else, he knows his worth and he doesn’t constantly need reassurance about his importance, being truly humble, but Ainsley is the only one with the ability to make him vulnerable and fearful. He was so cute when he was trying to show her how the “other side lives” even though money isn’t really important to him, just a way for him to spoil those he loves and give back to those in need. He is truly one of the last few good men in the world and I loved watching him work so hard to prove that to Ainsley and show her that she could depend on him and give him her hurt and he’d never hurt her or let her down. Ainsley is the best human embodiment of a porcupine I’ve ever seen written, truly, as she fights back against ever wonderful thing or soft hand that is offered to her because she has been so burned and hurt in the past. Her past is so filler with people and circumstances that have left her defeated she doesn’t even look for a way out of her life anymore, having given up on ever having a chance at a future where she isn’t having to drag herself through the muck of her current life every minute. When Coulton tries to show her a brighter option, she continuously tries to either cheapen it or make it into something less important than it truly is, so that she can find excuses to take it without it being as important as she feels it is. Once he finally breaks through to her inner softness, forcing her to admit her pain and her true hopes for the future I really began to like her so much more. I have no issue with a woman toughening herself up to protect herself, but I was afraid she’d hardened her heart so much that Coulton would have no hope of ever finding a way to earn her trust and love.

Mari knew what she was doing when she named this one, because I was truly unable to Resist reading Coulton and Ainsley’s story beginning to end without stopping. If you love a story of two people with an inexplicable connection, working through baggage, with spice, danger, and laughter thrown in for fun than this story is for you. Coulton is a beautiful example of the type of sexy protector so many women as looking for in life, one that stands beside us, fighting with us instead of for us, but knowing that sometimes we need him to step in and carry us away from the real world and treat us like a princess. His love of his work, teammates, family, and friends rounds him out into a perfect gentleman while his spicy side leaves us more than satisfied as Ainsley drags him repeatedly into the bedroom for antics. Ainsley has lived the kind of life most of us only understand through stories (either books, TV, or news reports) filled with constant vigilance against dangers, heartbreak, and abuse, and it has certainly left her with piles of relationship baggage. I was right there with Coulton hoping that everything in her life could be improved and she could finally get a moment to just breathe in a safe and loving setting, not having to be constantly vigilant and worried about the next drama coming at her. Once she was able to take that breath, she did find a way to move forward, opening her heart and allowing Coulton to prove how perfect they were together, even though she continued to have fears. The connection and chemistry between these two are undeniable, even if she tried through most of the book, and the passion is definitely off the charts. I loved every moment of this read, even if I had a few moments of confusion until I realized the timeline overlaps book one (Restraint) a LOT, so be prepared there. I am dying to read Preston’s story  (Rematch) soon and I know that one will be a doozy as he falls in love and has to find a way to convince his woman to accept him as more than a booty call. Mari has outdone herself with this series for sure and I am becoming more invested with each impressive Hockey Romance.

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

ARC Mini Review: Falling for Valentine (Redemption Harbor Security #5.5)

Falling for Valentine (Redemption Harbor Security #5.5)

Katie Reus

Blurb:

He’s not even close to her type…

Valentine always did what was expected of her—and ended up with a broken heart and a stolen identity for her troubles. Now she works as a freelance artist in the heart of New Orleans and lives day by day, not for the future. Lately her days are filled with loud construction thanks to the ridiculously hot contractor who’s working on her building. A man she’s doing her best to ignore, no matter how hard he makes it.

But maybe he’s exactly what she needs…

Arthur, aka “Bear,” has fallen hard for Valentine, a sweet, quirky woman with eclectic jobs—like posing as a nude model for art classes. But she barely seems to know he exists, until he saves her from a would-be mugger. After that, things change overnight, but she’s still keeping him at arm’s length. Even though he wants to prove to her that he’s nothing like the men from her past, he’s trying to pretend that he can do casual but it’s too late—he’s already all in. Unfortunately, it might not be enough for his Valentine.

Themes:  Holiday Novella

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating:  

Review:

 Everyone loves a good holiday novella, especially holidays that revolves around love! Katie Reus never lets us down when she takes the time to remind us that love can come in the most unexpected of places and we should always appreciate when it comes to us. This novella in the world of the Redemption Harbor Security series, set in New Orleans, is sweet, fun and filled with just that right amount of heat for a NOLA Valentine’s Day. Sweet Arthur, aka Bear, has been slowly falling for the crazy woman in the apartment building he is working on renovating, and she has been determined to ignore him. The more time he spends near her the more he wants her, but she just wont even give him a chance, until he saves her from a guy trying to steal her purse one night.  Valentine doesn’t trust the attraction she feels to the sexy construction worker who draws her eye at every moment, but when he protects her in a weak moment there is no denying that the chemistry between them is explosive, and he is sweet as honey. Together they have to decide if they are willing to test their connection and get over their misgivings in order to build a relationship, or if they will be walking away from their new feelings.  I loved the way these two danced around one another for so long, but in the end were so perfectly matched.  Bear and Valentine were both sexy, smart, kind, and when they accepted that they were meant to be, despite their obvious difference the story just flowed into something that would obviously be a lifelong relationship, one that we all should aspire to.  Katie is so wonderful at building loving bonds even with a short number of words and we all were Falling for Valentine right along with Bear in this sweet holiday novella. I cannot wait for what comes next both in this series and in the future from this author.

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

Mini Review: Ancient Magic (Magic For Hire #2)

Ancient Magic (Magic For Hire #2)

Alexandra Ivy

Blurb:

The Vampire Cabal meets only under the direst circumstances. But since Skye Claremont’s coven proved wild magic has returned, the cabal has gathered in New York City to decide the fate of the powerful mages.

Skye doubts her oracular powers can help. After ten years indentured to a demon gang, paying off her father’s gambling debts with visions, her freedom has come despite her weak abilities, not because of them. But when her father sends a text to demand a meeting, she doesn’t need to read the future to know trouble will follow.

The demons want her to kidnap Micha, the reclusive, fearsome leader of the New Orleans vampire cabal. As if a low-voltage witch like her could succeed. But when Skye looks into Micha’s eyes, she sees certain doom if she doesn’t take him to their stronghold after all. Spellbound more by beauty and intrigue than magic, the vampire follows her into the dark of a demon cell. When the door slams behind them, they’ll have to unravel the tangled threads of prophecy and politics that make the way forward immeasurably dangerous. But it’s desire that could undo them both . . .

Themes:  Paranormal, Witches, Vampires

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The series continues with the second witch finding her mate, but boy does she not expect everything coming her way in Alexandra Ivy’s new Ancient Magic.  I have been looking forward to his next story as I wanted to love this series, but I am definitely not feeling the investment I have in previous series.  I enjoy each book for the story and the character development, but I am not becoming devoted to the characters in the overarching series like I have in the past. Skye Claremont’s little coven has been under intense scrutiny lately and she is trying to fly under the radar, but when her powers as an Oracle lead her into trouble again, she is forced to accept help from a very unlikely source.  Micha, the New Orleans vampire cabal leader, is in NYC with other leaders in order to meet about her sister Peri’s new magic and he is instantly drawn to the sexy witch, but when he finds her outside his bedroom one night, along with several demons attempting to kidnap him, their lives are intimately entwined, and they must trust one another if they are going to survive the coming storm.  Micha and Skye are like to poles of a magnet, drawn together but neither of them understands why, and Skey knows that if she doesn’t stick to him, he could die so together they must defeat the demons out to destroy the world.  Together they can defeat the enemy, but the more they are together the harder it is to deny the attraction and chemistry that is leading to a much deeper connection and when the chips are down, they have to decide if their future is worth fighting for. Skye was a fun character to get to know with a deep and interesting past, she is courageous, clever, sassy, and sweet, and I loved her determination to protect Micha in order to keep the balance in the world. Micha was a scholar at heart, not really wanting to lead or fight, but knowing that if he didn’t others would be hurt, he is controlled, arrogant, and precise but he also knows that sometimes you have to take a chance to get what you need.  I loved the chemistry between these two and its obvious that they will be friends and lovers a long time.  I am looking forward to the conclusion of the series, but I’m hoping some of the plotline gaps and twisty plot threads are wrapped up for sure. Overall, the series is improving, but I hope there are no hanging threads at the end of book three.

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