ARC Review: Forsaken

Forsaken (The World of Nightwalkers #3)

by Jacquelyn Frank

Blurb:

As a mercenary, Leo Alvarez has signed on for a lot—but he never signed on for his best friend becoming host to the soul of an ancient Egyptian pharaoh. Jackson is now inhabited by a Bodywalker, and Leo is forced to grapple with a realm of supernatural beings far more dangerous than anything he’s ever encountered.

But when Jackson is wounded by an attack from a demon god, Leo must team up with another supernatural creature—a Night Angel—to save his friend from utter destruction. With skin as black as midnight, hair as white as snow, and a body of pure perfection, the Night Angel arouses a burning desire in Leo, even as he refuses to be intimidated by her power—or the power of those who would destroy his friend. An unusual alliance is forged, electrified by sexual temptation, and together the two must unite their strengths to bring down a supreme evil.

Themes: Magic, shapeshifters, demons

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Man oh man, the world of Nightwalkers just continues to get more and more complicated.  Being a fan of this world from the very beginning, through several different series, spin-offs and permutations, I can honestly say I did not see this one coming.  Introducing all new species of Nightwalkers to us, Jackie Frank takes us on a wild and emotional roller coaster as we experience the aftermath of a tortured character.  If you haven’t read any of the others in this particular series you might be missing a bit of the subtext and back-story, but as the story develops you will catch on quickly so don’t despair.  Forsaken takes us through the emotional journey of a damaged man and teaches us the true meaning of forgiveness and healing.  While I may have at times wanted to reach in and smack Leo in the back of the head, he thankfully comes to his senses and realizes that sometimes to recover from trauma you have to let those who love you in and accept that love with a graciousness and desire to live up to their love.

Forsaken picks up right where Forever left off; Leo has been released from his torturous prison and returned to the arms of his friends, but he can’t accept the changes in the new world they are inhabiting.  He is dealing with nightmares and doubts about himself, his friends, and the future that he can’t bring himself to accept.  When a tragic attack leaves his best friend, Jackson, incapacitated, he is determined to help heal him, even though he has his doubts about Jackson’s new Bodywalker and the supernatural entities that he just discovered he shares the world with. When a beautiful Night Angel, Faith, comes to the rescue, Leo is forced to work with her to find a cure for Jackson, even though he refuses to trust her or anyone else.  Faith is a pure and good-hearted soul and though Leo can see this for himself, he has lost all trust in his instincts and remains on edge around any Nightwalker.  Faith is determined not to let Leo’s insecurities or obvious disdain for all Nightwalkers stand in the way of her mission to revive Jackson and bring balance back to the ultimate battle.  Working together is their only option, but as they travel through the world of Nightwalkers, meeting Djynn, wraiths, and other beings of power, Leo begins to understand that his snap judgments, based on one encounter with a psychotic Nightwalker, might not be the full picture.  But will he be able to put aside his fears long enough to embrace the passion and peace that Faith inspires, or will he be forever lost in the rage, fear, and hate swimming through his soul?

Where to begin on the assessment of Leo? Well I guess I’ll begin by saying Leo is an ASS through a good bit of this story.  While I perfectly understand his hang-ups and fears about the Nightwalkers, he hangs on to his rage and prejudice far too long.  He is one of those men that refuse to look past the surface of his anger and see the fears that are really leading to the anger.  Yes, he's enraged that he was tortured to the brink of death again and again only to be snatched back for more torture.  Honestly who wouldn’t be pissed? But taking it out of the people around him, people he has loved for years and have never stopped loving him…not cool.  It is obvious that he is floundering in this new world where he feels weakened and inferior to the paranormal creatures that surround him, but instead of looking for ways to grow and really begin to heal he wallows in his anger and resentment, lashing out at those around him.  Enter Faith. Faith is an interesting character for the facts of her species but also for the pure and innocent nature that shines from her.  While he is definitely equipped to battle and ready to kick some ass, she never gives up on the goodness in people and is determined to help Leo heal in any way she can.  She fights him and for him to open his eyes to the positive aspects of the changes around him and the goodness that still exists in his friends.  When she begins to fall for him, she knows there will never be anything between them, but having a chance to show him a softer side of himself is just too irresistible for her.  These two are matched well with all his fears and her belief in goodness and as they work together we see more and more that if these two give each other a chance they could truly be a perfect pair long into the future.

A story of love and redemption, forgiveness and acceptance, with action, emotion, and danger, Forsaken is one of those stories that can’t be missed for any reader of romance.  Leo is a character that requires a swift kick in the butt to get his head out of said butt, to be sure, but Faith is just the woman er…Angel to get it done. Leo’s growth from a sullen and resentful victim, back into the strong and determined man he has always been, facilitated by Faith, was an integral part of the story and the catalyst for the relationship between Faith and Leo.  Even though there were a lot of emotional barriers Faith had to get past, in the end she was able to bring Leo back to himself and show him that his friends were not so very changed and he could move on from his tragedy with the help of his friends and those that love him.  Leo breaks Faith’s heart again and again with his unwillingness to face the truth of his new life, to accept those around him aren't so different from the humans he’s always believed were the top of the food chain, but thankfully he gets past his hang-ups and realizes that he isn't the man he could truly be without Faith by his side.  This series had taken a lot of different directions, and swerved a bit even into older series and I foresee this continuing, which only makes me more thrilled to continue the series.  I foresee the future requiring a bit of help from the Demons, Lycanthropes, Vampires and other Nightwalkers I have already fallen in love with.  I’m biting my nails waiting for the next story and hope that you will join me in the anticipation after you read Forsaken for yourself.   

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

ARC Review: More Than a Touch

More Than a Touch (Snowberry Creek #2)

by Alexis Morgan 

Blurb:

In the town of Snowberry Creek, there is always hope....

Wounded in combat, Leif Brevik is haunted by survivor’s guilt. For the first time in his life—unsure if he still has a military career in his future—he feels completely lost. So when a war buddy calls for help with restoration of their fallen brother’s house, he jumps at the chance to regain a sense of purpose.

Zoe Phillips is assigned to monitor Leif’s physical therapy while he’s in town. But she’s a former military nurse, and she senses that his wounds are more than just physical. As she pushes the handsome soldier to open up, the connection between them deepens beyond the professional facade she tries to maintain.

And as Leif begins to put down roots in her beloved hometown, Zoe realizes that maybe having him around is exactly what she needs to heal her own wounded heart as well....

Themes: Contemporary, Military

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

 

Review:

Returning to the small town of Snowberry Creek, Alexis Morgan takes us along on the journey of healing forced on a man through his courage and sacrifice to our country.  Leif and Zoe’s journey to come together is one that was packed with trauma, emotional upheaval and increasingly intense bouts of anger.   This new series revolves around a group of soldiers, ones that have suffered a joint trauma, but have come together to offer support and the friendship they each need to heal from their losses.  Returning to the small hometown of one of their fallen comrades they have each found a home for themselves, but not without challenges and stresses on their journey.  This second installment in the series continues right where the first ended, with Leif dealing with his physical injuries and the treatment needed to try to get back to himself.  Another wonderful tale of the strength of friendships, More Than a Touch, will remind you of the healing power of a touch, a touch given in love, no matter the kind of love. If you haven’t read book one in the series, I strongly recommend you do so, because while you get the highlights in this book, you will miss a lot of the deeper story and the connections linking all these characters together.  

Leif’s injury hasn't improved on it’s on, so giving in to the requests of the doctors he has made an appointment with a physical therapist, to try to get his leg back up to par.  Color him surprised when he arrives at his appointment to find out the new nurse in charge of his case is the woman he’s been thinking about for days since they danced at a party given by Leif’s friend, Nick.  Zoe interested him from the first, but knowing that she is now in charge of his care puts a kink in both their plans to get closer to one another.  No matter how hard they try to stay away though, they keep running into each other and just can’t seem to resist that magnetic draw. When they finally give in to the pull, having a passionate night together that could so easily lead to more, Zoe pushes him away, determined not to fall for him and cross that line again with him. But pushing him away in a small town like Snowberry Creek is a bit more difficult than either of them imagined.  Thrust together by their friends and circumstances again and again, Zoe and Leif try to find their balance as friends while keeping the lust between them from overwhelming their senses.  Finally forced to face her hang-ups or face losing Leif, Zoe has to come to a decision that could either make or break their chances at a future.  Will the love developing between them be enough to force them to overcome their issues and find a way to have a future together?

Leif is in pain, and I know form firsthand experience that living with a person in pain is not always easy.  He has mood swings and is touchy about even the smallest acknowledgement of his weaknesses and even though he knows he is no longer as strong as he once was, facing that truth becomes just too much for him sometimes.  Aside from his physical injuries are the hits he has to take to his pride again and again when he is no longer able to do all the things he once could.  Though it is obvious he is a good man, strong of character, free with himself, and having a loving nature until the end, Leif can’t accept the changes his injury has forced on his life.  Meeting Zoe at a time like this is just not a good thing for his unstable emotional health.  Though he is having deep feelings for her, he can’t get past the fact that he is not a full man and isn't good for her.  Zoe on the other hand is determined to keep Leif away for her own reasons.  Mainly she is determined not to have to relive a trauma in her past, one that she still hasn't fully dealt with.  When her fear is forced to the front, Leif is determined to help her heal just as much as she is determined to keep her past to herself.  With two such hurt and stubborn people coming together can there be healing, or will they give up their chance to happiness because they are determined to hide behind their fears?

Leif and Zoe’s romance is one that led with the emotional before becoming physical, but when they do finally cross that line, there is a heat and zeal to their loving that is hard to ignore. Leif is a sexy soldier, even with his injuries and battle scars, one that can still lead a woman to temptation.  He sets his sights on Zoe from the minute he sees her stroll up the road to his temporary home and nothing can stand in his way, even himself when he tried to resist.  Zoe is just too much to resist.  Giving in to Leif will fulfill the needs of her body and soul, even if it puts her professional ethics in question, but the larger danger Leif represents is to her heart.  She knows that he could break her heart as easily as snapping his fingers, just by walking away and returning to his life, but she is unable to stop herself from having him. 

Emotion packed and filled with the sorrow and trauma of the life of a combat veteran, More Than a Touch, is the story of two people that have gone through hell and are determined to get their lives back and find their future together.  Though not action packed, or filled with dangers like many contemporary romances, Leif and Zoe’s story has the most important element—Heart.   Overcoming their own stubbornness and allowing themselves to heal is the first step for both Leif and Zoe, but they needed each other to push them toward those steps.  Dealing with their pasts allows them each to understand that though they could live without each other, and maybe even have decent lives, only together will they truly find happiness.  I hurt for Leif throughout the story when his injury plagued him or his memories left him racked with guilt, and though I can’t relate personally, I felt connected to him in a way that I never connect with most of the Heroes of my novels.  Zoe was an amazing woman herself and I was thrilled when she finally opened up to Leif about her past and accepted his help in moving on.  Together I know these two will find healing and the strength to build a long and happy life together.  Filled with laughter, strife, love and life, More Than a Touch will take your heart on a roller coaster and leave you a better person for having had to chance to travel this road with the characters.  I look forward to reading the next story soon and learning more about the future in store for Leif and Zoe and their many friends in Snowberry Creek.

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

Review: Bound by Night

Bound by Night (MoonBound Clan Vampire #1)

by Larissa Ione

Blurb:

A WOMAN OUT FOR BLOOD

Nicole Martin was only eight years old when the vampire slaves rose up in rebellion and killed her family. Now she devotes her life to finding a vaccine against vampirism, hoping to wipe out her memories—along with every bloodsucker on the planet. But there’s one thing she cannot destroy: her searing, undeniable attraction for the one man she should hate and fear the most . . .

A VAMPIRE OUT FOR REVENGE

A member of the renegade vampire MoonBound Clan, Riker is haunted by demons of his own. When he recognizes Nicole and remembers how her family enslaved his loved ones, his heart burns for vengeance. But when he kidnaps Nicole and holds her in a secret lair, his mortal enemy becomes his soul obsession, his greatest temptation, and, perhaps, his only salvation—a hot-blooded lover who could heal him with her touch . . . or bury him forever.

Themes: Vampires

Rating: 5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

Wow, I never thought I would be able to say this, but I have found a series that seems even more twisted and emotion packed that Ione’s last series, Lords of Deliverance, and even it’s predecessor, the Demonica Series. This first novel in the new MoonBound series begins with a tragedy and continues to tug your heart string right up to the final pages, making this one of my favorite new reads of the year.  I will admit I was reluctant to start a new series by this author because I had become so invested in the other series; I was certain she couldn’t do another totally different series justice while continuing the greatness of the other series, but I was once again proved wrong in my assumptions—don’t you just love when that happens? :) Ione takes us into an all new reality where the existence of vampires is not only widely known but something that has become a bit of a business and political hot button.  With humans capturing vampires and turning them into slaves as well as conducting some pretty gruesome research using them as lab rats, this world is dark, twisted and shows us the darker side of human nature while bringing to light some parts of human history that should never be repeated. If you’ve looking for another lighthearted vampire romance you’re looking in the wrong place, but if you’re anticipating another great desolate, emotional, and terrifying look at an alternate world written by an author who has made this her trademark, you will not be in any way disappointed.

The story begins in the past, with a glimpse of rebellion; young Nicole is attacked during the rebellion of her families “servants” and left for dead when the vampires that her parents have always profited off, rise up and attempt to win their freedom.  Fast forward almost 20 years and Nicole is back in the limelight.  She has spent the majority of her life hiding from her past and working in the lab in an attempt to keep order in her life, but with the death of her parents leaving a whole at the top of the family corporation, the time has come for her to take the reins.  When she comes out of virtual hiding, returning to her family home, she’s not even home for a few weeks when she is attacked and kidnapped by vampires. Not just any vampire though, the mate of her former nanny, the one that she watched kill her beloved caregiver almost 20 years before—Riker. Riker is determined to use Nicole’s position and knowledge of her families disgusting business to save the life of an innocent vampire that has been stolen from his clan, before he takes his final revenge of the evil family that cost him his mate and unborn child. Nicole’s anxiety hides a core of steel and as they spend more and more time together, facing all the hate and anger of their past, each discovering that their pasts might just not be what they each thought, and the emotional connection between them morphs into something neither ever would have imagined.  But will their tenuous new bond be enough to overcome the past to build a future, or will the demons that haunt them both keep them from finding their destiny together.

I couldn’t even begin to express the levels of emotion that are layered in this story.  There is so much between Nicole and Riker from their pasts and into their present.  The hate and rage that each levels at the other, attacking and forcing them to face sad truths and misconceptions that have shaped their lives, makes this story deeply complex and heart wrenching from start to end.  I can honestly say I haven’t read a story with more dark emotion and passion in a long time, especially one that was so well written.  Riker certainly has his reasons for his erroneous belief about the past in general and Nicole specifically, but I was sad to see that Riker carried so much hate for a woman who had very little to do with the circumstances of their past.  True her family had a lot of rotten branches, but though she was guilty of sticking her head in the sand and letting her fear rule her, she never went out of her way to be cruel to anyone, even vampires. Riker’s dark passions and hatred lead to a lot of sadness in his life, but when he starts to accept the past and embrace the changes he needs to make to have a happier life, he becomes a very lovable guy.  Still with his dark and stormy edges, but one that I could easily see myself falling in love with. Nicole is a different type of character than many I have read.  While she is educated and thinks herself a woman of the world, her naiveté and innocent views of the world and the actions of other humans, she can’t seem to find the good in vampires either.  Her fears led her to make generalizations of the goodness, or lack thereof, of all vampires, and she has lived her life accordingly.  When she is finally forced to face the fact that nothing she believed about her past or family was true, she became a stronger woman, one willing to stand up to others for herself, her friends, and her new beliefs. The growth these two characters underwent, the changes thrust upon them as their time together brought startling truths to light, was a perfect example of making snap judgments and basing your life on one bad moment to the detriment of your entire life.

While there was certainly a dark angry passion between Nicole and Riker from the very beginning, it was one so laced with abhorrence and hatred that you just can’t imagine how these two could ever become friends, much less lovers or more. Ione has always been a master at taking two individuals from disparate backgrounds, sometimes even sworn enemies and making them face the fact that nothing is ever as simple as black and white in the world of shades of gray. Nicole’s belief that Riker killed his mate is one major reason for her to never open herself to him in any way, but when that changes, she begins to see that she might have too harshly judged Riker in particular and perhaps even all vampires. The time they are forced to spend together makes denying the pull between them that much more difficult, until even the angers of their pasts isn't enough to keep them apart.  Even though Riker gives into his lust for Nicole, he still keeps himself distant, separate in any way except the most basic need to be together to accomplish their goals. Nicole hates that she is developing deeper feelings for a man who can’t seem to let go of the past and see her for the woman she is, one that just might be falling in love with him. In the end it takes a sacrifice on both their parts and their willingness to not let the past destroy what they could have, to allow them to see the great relationship they could truly have together.

This chilling and heavily emotional novel opens to us a new and scary world where vampires are second class citizens that are forced into slavery and treated as nothing more than property. (Being a student of human nature I can say that I could perfectly imagine this happening if another species was ever found to exist among us.)  Nicole lives in the upper echelons of society though she has never fit in among them.  Her tragic past has given her a healthy fear of the vampires that live around her, but when she is forced to deal with her worst nightmare she steps up to the plate and handles the situation the best way she knows how.  Riker has let his hate and rage fester for Nicole and her family for a long time and letting go of it is just not something he’s willing to do, even if it means pushing away a woman he is coming to trust and have softer feelings for.  When faced with the choice of learning to depend on one another and trust in their instincts or possibly losing their lives to the true enemy of both of their pasts, both Riker and Nicole have to accept that sometimes the hardest choice is really the only choice we can live with.  Riker and Nicole burn up the pages while breaking your heart, and I can guarantee there will be at least one if not more times you will wish you could reach out and kick Riker in the balls, but in the end Riker redeems himself as a true hero and a match made for Nicole.  Two broken characters, each with terrifying and haunting memories of their past, each unwilling to let go of their prejudices, forced to work together for a common goal, one that could forever change their future, in one of the best written novels I’ve read recently. Who could ask for more in a story? I cannot wait for more in this series, and am dying to know whose story will be next, though I certainly have my suspicions.  Hold on to your hats folks, it's gonna be a wild and crazy road as we travel through the world of the MoonBound Vampire clan! Bring it on Larissa, bring it on.

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

Mini-Review: Atlantis Rising

Atlantis Rising (Warriors of Poseidon #1)

by Alyssa Day 

Blurb:

Eleven thousand years ago, before the seas swallowed the Atlanteans, Poseidon assigned a few chosen warriors to act as sentinels for humans in the new world. There was only one rule-desiring them was forbidden. But rules were made to be broken...

When she calls...

Riley Dawson is more than a dedicated Virginia Beach social worker. She's blessed with a mind link that only Atlanteans have been able to access for thousands of years. Being an "empath" may explain her wistful connection to the roiling waves of the ocean, the sanctuary it provides, and the sexual urges that seem to emanate from fathoms below...

He will come.

Conlan, the High Prince of Atlantis, has surfaced on a mission to retrieve Poseidon's stolen trident. Yet something else has possessed Conlan: the intimate emotions-and desires-of a human. Irresistibly drawn to the uncanny beauty, Conlan soon shares more than his mind. But in the midst of a battle to reclaim Poseidon's power, how long can a forbidden love last between two different souls from two different worlds?

Themes: Magic, Vampires, Shapeshifters

Rating:  4.5 stars

Heat Rating:  

Mini-Review:

Being a history buff and a student of mythology, I was thrilled to find a series based around the myth of Atlantis and the God Poseidon.  The theory behind the series is great and I can’t wait to see the way Alyssa Day takes this series as I read more.   Conlan and Riley were fabulous characters and being allowed into their world and seeing their love grow was thrilling.

Conlan has just escaped from being tortured by his enemies, returning to his home in Atlantis, only to discover that the symbol of his family’s reign and his power has been stolen.  Barely taking the time to heal, Conlan goes to the human realm, prepared to battle whatever forces necessary to get back the trident. But he is unprepared for the appearance of Riley, the one woman who can complete him, his mate.

Riley, an empathic social worker, has always felt a deep connection with the ocean.   But never more than when she is caught in the middle of a murder.  She goes to the ocean to try to settle her heart and mind, and instead comes across the sexy and sensual Conlan.  Feeling an intense connection to Conlan, Riley is caught up in the middle of Conlan’s battle and forced to deal with the world she never knew was hiding under the waves, even though she is connected to it. With Vampires and traitorous Warriors challenging Conlan’s rule and putting his mate in danger, Conlan is battling for the lives of his people and the chance to embrace the love he has discovered.

Conlan and Riley are a combustible pair.  The sensuality inherent in their link leaves the readers wishing they could find such a deep connection.   They are intensely drawn to one another and when they finally give in to each other they burn up the sheets.  The love between them builds just as quickly as the fire that leads them into bed, but the love was one that you know with last ages.

I loved this series and can’t wait to read the rest of it.  Thankfully they are all already written so the only thing getting in my way of finishing the series is all the other great books I need to read. :)  Conlan and Riley were wonderful characters and together they leap out of the story and grab you by the throat.  They are obviously made to be together and when they finally meet, the heat that flairs is enough to light the world on fire.  If you haven’t picked up this series yet I recommend you do so ASAP and join me in the journey to Atlantis and back.  

New Rating System for 2014

Hey romance readers, 

I hope your 2014 has gotten off to a good start with reading.  I just wanted to share a few updates here at Romance Witch Reviews.  

First, I kicked butt on my 2013 Goodreads Challenge, YAY! Since 2014 has begun I updated the 2014 reading challenge widget on my page and hope you will join in on the challenge with me.  

Second, I have made some changes to the rating rubric.  Some commenters found my "Rose rating"  rubric a bit too confusing and out there, so after feedback I have decided to change to a more easily followed "Heat rating" to rate the love and passion in a story.  See my Ratings page for more info and keep an eye out for the flames!

Third, I have decided to include a new "themes" section to each review which will give you hints what the story and the review will cover.  Some examples are: vampires, shapeshifters, BDSM, Ménage, etc. 

And finally to bring all these review changes together each of the ratings will now appear before the full review, allowing you to see just how much I loved the story before I explain why. 

I hope you enjoy these changes to my reviews and look forward to any feedback or ideas you may have for the future.  Please join me for another great year full of romance, passion, and fun.  

Keep Reading,
Michelle
The Romance Witch

Mini-Review: First Surrender

First Surrender (The Serafina: Sin City #1)

by Katie Reus

Blurb:

He’s dangerous, sexy, and everything she wants…

Sierra hit it off with Hayden from the moment they met. The dangerously sexy, tattooed ex-SEAL is one of the best friends she’s ever had—and the main star in her wildest fantasies. But he doesn’t see her that way. And she’d die of embarrassment if he found out she was still a virgin.

And he’s about to make his claim…

Hayden’s struggled to keep his attraction to the beautiful, dark haired casino chef a secret. He’s not good enough for her. But when an attacker targets Sierra, Hayden’s protective instincts go into overdrive. With the attraction between them burning out of control, he’ll do whatever it takes to protect her and convince her they’re meant to be together.

Review:

With two sexy main characters ready to make that leap from friends to lovers, First Surrender is an emotion packed and sexy short introduction to a spin-off series by one of my new favorite authors. While I have read a few of the stories from the original series, Red Stone Security, I didn’t originally realize this was going to be a spin-off, fortunately, as I find often I avoid spin-off series knowing they are never as good as the original.  Boy I am glad it didn’t work out that way, because I’d have missed out on a great read and the beginning to what I suspect will be another hit series by Katie Reus.

This story revolves around Sierra, a down to earth restaurant chef, and the sexy former SEAL who has become her best friend, Hayden.  Though neither of them has made a move they have each desired the other since almost the beginning of their friendship.  When an attack on Sierra leaves them both emotionally vulnerable, Hayden decides it is time for him to admit to his desires and go after the woman he craves.  As they explore their new relationship, dangers lurk in the background and, knowing that, Hayden is even more determined to keep Sierra close and safe.  When they are caught off guard, placing Sierra’s life in danger, Hayden has to act quickly if he wants a chance at a future with the love of his life.

Sierra was a sweet girl with just enough naughty that I found myself really liking her as a woman.  Often the sweet, girl-next-door characters just don’t have the nerve and spunk to stand up to a hot alpha male, but Sierra certainly didn’t fall into that category.  Willing to call him on his bullshit and take his control to the edge in the bedroom, she is just hot enough to make Hayden nuts, and I loved it.  Hayden is definitely the quintessential alpha male; being a former SEAL this is not surprising.  But seeing him turn into a big teddy bear around Sierra was beyond cute.  While he remains protective and determined to keep Sierra, not just safe but in his arms, his caring and thoughtful nature leaves no doubt that any woman he loves will be the focus of his life.  When they are together, whether burning up the sheets (or kitchen counters :D) or just snuggling on the couch you can immediately see that Hayden is devoted to Sierra and there is nothing in the world that can tear him from her side.

In the end, I am even more determined to finish the previous series before I get too much farther in this spin-off, mainly because seeing how the team operates makes me crazy to learn more about these characters.  Getting to see Hayden taking care of business as well as fessing up to his feelings for Sierra reminds me that there really are good men in the world that can be strong and vulnerable with the woman they trust.  Sierra was a great character on her own, but seeing her bring out the heart and soul of Hayden was what made me love her even more.  The dangers that put Sierra directly into Hayden’s protective instincts and force the time table on their relationship to move more quickly, were well written and thoughtful, with just enough crazy to give us a proper villain.  I can’t wait to find out more about these characters and get to see Jay, Hayden’s brother, in his story coming soon.

Rating: 3.5 stars

Rose Rating: 

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

ARC Review: The Fireside Inn

The Fireside Inn (The Billionaire Bachelors #1)

by Lily Everett

Blurb:

They’re single, they’re rich, and now these billionaire bachelors are heading to Sanctuary Island in a new e-original novella series from Lily Everett! Fall in love with the island’s latest catch.

Leo, Zane, and Cooper made a pact to stay bachelors and enjoy the single life forever, and when they receive an invitation to their friend Miles’ wedding, they head down to Sanctuary Island determined to talk some sense into the errant groom before he makes a life-changing mistake. But Miles knows his own mind, and he makes a vow of his own: before he walks down the aisle, he’ll have Leo, Zane, and Cooper changing their tune about matrimony. Because Miles knows, better than anyone, that all it takes is a little Sanctuary Island magic to turn romantic cynics into true believers.

The Honorable Lord Leo Strathairn inherited his family’s money, his title, and his position in London society. When he meets Sanctuary Island’s funky young librarian, Serena Lightfoot, he’s determined to get a lot closer. Despite the simmering attraction between them, Serena isn’t at all interested in putting up with a pampered playboy. But as Leo ramps up his seduction attempts, Serena sees that he’s nothing like the empty-headed aristocrat she’d assumed.

Review:

The first in a new trilogy of novellas surrounding the lives and loves of the people of a small island town off the coast of Virginia sets off the series with a bang.  While I have read the first book in the previous trilogy of novellas and the full length novel in the series, I missed the other two in the original series, so I feel a bit like I missed out of the romance that led to the wedding in this story, but the story itself was great. Based around Miles’s belief in the love that can be found on Sanctuary Island, the Billionaire Bachelors series revolves around his three best friends, friends he wants to find the happiness and contentment he has found being in love. 

Leo is in a bit of a fix; his duty as a groomsman is to present a reading about love at the wedding of one of his best friends, Miles, but he needs help to accomplish his task.  In walks Serena, the local librarian on Sanctuary Island, and a woman with such a draw for Leo that he can’t resist using everything at his disposal to get her help.  While they are going through all the works of love and devotion, the bond between them develops quickly and they find themselves sinking deeper and deeper into an emotional quicksand that neither can pull back from.  When a sad truth comes out and a betrayal drives a wedge between them, the fight for their love will be one that neither can lose if they want to find their HEA.

The passion between Leo and Serena was immediately apparent and seeing them fall in love was a fun experience.  Though there was a sad truth uncovered during their relationship, one that could have broken their love if they’d allowed it, it was obvious that they belonged together.  Leo was a character that doesn’t understand his own worth; he has moved through life, surviving only on his charm and charisma, but never really allowing anyone to see his true self or inner secrets.  Serena on the other hand has strived to live her life in complete honesty, knowing firsthand the damage that can be caused when lies come between people. She is determined to embrace her arrangement with Leo wholeheartedly, but though she never intends to, she quickly falls for him.  When she finally sees the truth in him and he shows her the beauty of his love and his soul, what woman could resist having him as her man? Certainly not Serena!

Overall this was a great short read, with lots of angst, emotional roller coasters, and true depth of caring.  As a beginning to a new trilogy, I can see just how much I will love the next two stories.  The trend has begun and knowing that each of these billionaires will fall to their hearts is exciting for me.  Serena and Leo are perfectly matched and when they get past their fears and hang-ups the relationship they can build will be strong and lasting. Getting to see the bond between the men was always intriguing; reminding that sometimes families can be built from the strangest relationships. Can’t wait to find out more about Cooper and Zane and see them fall under the spell of Sanctuary Island.

(BTW where can I find this island because seriously, six sexy billionaires in one small place? I wanna move there! :P )

Rating: 3.75 stars

Rose Rating: 

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