Review: Passion Ignites (Dark Kings #7)

Passion Ignites (Dark Kings #7)

by Donna Grant 

Blurb:

He consumed her with that kiss, leaving no question that whatever was happening between them was meant to be—that it had always been meant to be…
HE LOVES FOR ETERNITY

Thorn is the bad boy of the Dragon Kings, a gorgeous, reckless warrior whose passions run wild and fury knows no bounds. When he sees the brave, beautiful Lexi being lured into the Dark Fae’s trap, he has no choice but to rescue her from a fate worse than death. But by saving this tempting mortal, he exposes himself to his fiercest enemy—and darkest desires. As the war between Dragons and Fae heats up, so does the passion between Lexi and Thorn. And when love is a battlefield, the heart takes no prisoners…

SHE LIVES FOR VENGEANCE

Lexi is on a mission of justice. Every day, she searches for the monster who murdered her friend. Every night, she hides in the shadows and plots her revenge. But the man she seeks is more dangerous than she ever imagined. He is one of the Dark Fae who preys on human life, who uses his unearthly power to seduce the innocent, and who is setting a trap just for her. Nothing can save Lexi from a creature like this—except the one man who’s been watching her every move…

Themes: Dragon Shifters, Magic, Fae, Paranormal

Rating: 4 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:

Here there be Dragons! (Sorry, couldn't resist) Anyways... The sexy Dragon Kings are back and the story continues in a big way with Thorn and Lexi finding love in the most unexpected of situations.  If you are a fan of the series I don't have to tell you that the war is mounting and we are seeing a new side to many of these beloved characters while meeting new deliciously gorgeous Kings as they waken to join their brethren in a battle long awaited.  The overall story arc has become more and more complicated with each consecutive story and Thorn's tale brings even more drama and danger to their world.  I was surprised by the way many characters came to terms with actions in this story as well as the changes in their personality.  And of course we are all still waiting on pins and needles to discover what the future holds for Rhi and the identity of her Dragon King lover. I am looking forward greatly to the next in the series and continue to hope that the torture to find out the secret won’t be too long in coming. 

Thorn has just recently awakened so we haven't learned a lot about him, but as his story unfolds and we learn more about him it becomes apparent that he's a great guy and will make a wonderful  mate for Lexi.  Lexi has been on the hunt for the "Red Eyes" that killed her best friend, but it has placed her directly in the path of the Dark Fae that she has been stalking.  Thankfully Thorn is on the job and soon he has to face the fact that the draw he feels for her is more than just his innate desire to protect humans.  As they work together to defeat their joint enemies and Lexi learns Thorn's secret the passion between them become undeniable and love quickly develops. 

Thorn turns out to be a really interesting character.  Though he has only recently rejoined the world he is a staunch believer in the King's responsibility to protect the human world from the Dark that has invaded, and he relishes each chance to kill his enemies.  When Lexi stumbles into a world she is completely unprepared for, Thorn is determined to keep her safe even as she resists.  His sexiness is undeniable and there is no way that he will be able to keep his hands off of her, but his true greatness is his unwillingness to ever let any danger find Lexi.  Lexi on the other hand is crazy as hell and needs to have some sense knocked into her head, which thankfully Thorn manages to do.  She begins her quest to find her friend's killer with noble intentions, but she has no idea what she is truly in for, even though she is very determined.  When she finally learns the truth her bravery is unparalleled and the way she fights to save her life and protect Thorn is wonderful.  Lexi turns out to be a great character in the end, once she understands she's not going to be able to defeat her enemy with her strength only with her smarts.  The combination of Thorn's determination and Lexi's disregard for her safety make them a perfect counterpoint to one another and show that sometimes opposites attracting can lead to the biggest and brightest explosions. 

Passion Ignites is a story of two people with the same goal and totally opposite ways of operating in life coming together to accomplish a goal and in the end finding that the greatest mission in life is finding love for life. The story has developed into a truly complicated and convoluted overall arc and I am really looking forward to what comes next in this series.  Thorn is a good man, even though he's a millennia old Dragon shifter, and he has finally found the woman that will capture his heart.  He is determined to keep the humans safe and when he finds Lexi he takes on her mission for himself.  He is sexy, smart, sweet, and strong and there is no way that he is going to allow her to continue on her own.  Once Lexi comes to her senses she becomes more interesting.  I enjoyed seeing her stand up for herself and find a way to defeat enemies so much more deadly than her.  The desire and love between these two develops quickly but will be lasting.  Getting to see previous couples as well was very interesting and the ending with multiple matings was awesome.  I continue to fluctuate on my feelings about Constantine and Ulrick, but I think in the end they are more alike than either of them would like to admit, neither all good nor all bad, but living somewhere in the grey in between. Rhi's secrets and the changes in her soul continue to leave me panting for future stories and I can only hope Grant runs out of Kings soon so we can finally learn the identity of her lover and find out if she will find her way back to serenity.

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

Mini-Review: Bearing It All (Highlander's Beloved #3)

Bearing It All (Highlander's Beloved #3)

by Vonnie Davis

Blurb:

A Scottish hunter and a French secret agent find themselves on a collision course

with danger—and irresistible desire—in Vonnie Davis’s new bear-shifting Highlander novel, perfect for fans of Jennifer Ashley and Shelly Laurenston.

In the pine-dense mountains of the Scottish Highlands, shape-shifter Ronan Matheson is running free when a desperate woman parachutes out of the sky, directly onto his furry, powerful chest. Instead of clawing her to death, Ronan’s inner bear longs to keep her safe. Once he’s back in human form, Ronan is amused by the mysterious beauty’s fearless attitude—and tempted by her expertly toned physique. But what could she possibly be doing in this isolated stretch of the Highlands?

French intelligence agent Anisa Brosseau never imagined she’d be on the CIA’s bad side—until she’s framed for treason and forced to flee in a stolen drone. Hiding out in a remote cabin, Anisa just needs some time to clear her name. What she doesn’t need is a brooding, muscle-bound Scot in a skimpy kilt to drive her crazy with lust. But when Anisa’s enemies come knocking on his door, Ronan calls on a secret weapon to protect his turf and the bonny lass he’s come to love.

Themes: shifters, paranormal

Rating: 3.5 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:

 Those sexy Highland bears have returned for another adventure in the story of Bear Shifters that run a small town and resort high in the highland mountains.  The clan has had some serious mishaps lately as the Laird and his brothers have found their mates in women that are beyond interesting.  If you are a fan of stories about sexy alpha shifters finding the women of their dreams during an outrageous adventure and ultimately saving the day, then this story and this series is definitely for you.  While I can honestly say I have enjoyed each book in this series, I found this one just the slightest bit hard to believe in the beginning.  Too many unexplainable coincidences made me wonder how the story was going to come back to earth, but in the end she managed to make me believe that it could actually have happened.  Ronan is a very lovable guy, even if he is beyond silly sometimes and Anisa is certainly a badass lady-spy after my own heart.  There are lots of laughs and sighs as the two work together to survive their enemies and fall in love.  Vonnie takes the shifter angle one step farther with Ronan actually conversing with his alter-ego,him and the bear being a separate character and personality.  The passion between Ronan and Anisa certainly flared each time they were together, even though Anisa resisted the draw at first.  I thoroughly enjoyed this story and am looking forward to seeing what is next for this clan of sexy bear shifters.  In the end the story was a sweet and light read to warm the cold winter nights and make me dream of my own trip to the highlands one day.  The bears have invaded and there’s no stopping them now!

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

ARC Review: Walk Through Fire (Chaos #4)

Walk Through Fire (Chaos #4)

by Kristen Ashley 

Blurb:

Millie Cross knows what it's like to burn for someone. She was young and wild and he was fierce and even wilder-a Chaos biker who made her heart pound. They fell in love at first sight and life was good, until she learned she couldn't be the woman he needed and made it so he had no choice but to walk away. Twenty years later, Millie's chance run-in with her old flame sparks a desire she just can't ignore. And this time, she won't let him ride off . . .

Bad boy Logan "High" Judd has seen his share of troubles with the law. Yet it was a beautiful woman who broke him. After ending a loveless marriage, High is shocked when his true love walks back into his life. Millie is still gorgeous, but she's just a ghost of her former self. High's intrigued at the change, but her betrayal cut him deep-and he doesn't want to get burned again. As High sinks into meting out vengeance for Millie's betrayal, he'll break all over again when he realizes just how Millie walked through fire for her man . . .

Themes: Contemporary, Bikers

Rating: 4.75 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:

Coming full circle in any relationship is never easy, but once again the writing genius of Kristen Ashley accomplishes the impossible, bringing back together two very different people that have loved and lost each other once, but never really gotten over one another.  This story was hard to read in a lot of ways, mainly because the heart-wrenching love these two shared has become so hard and brittle, almost turning to hate, but luckily it never made it the whole way.  For long time Kristen Ashley fans, Logan “High” Judd has been a character to love/hate from the beginning of the introduction of the Chaos MC into our lives.  It has been obvious to readers that High has a long story, but he was seldom shown in a positive light, leaving us wondering why he was such a bastard and in this story we finally learn why and see that he isn’t as bad as we always thought.  I have been personally looking forward to this story for a while now and was thrilled to have the chance to review it, but I can honestly say I never imagined just how much I would fall in love with High and Millie and certainly never imagined how much I’d be crying as I read their truth.  Getting to see both their past and their present as they come to terms with the new direction in their lives, I can definitely see that these two were always meant to be together, even though they spent two decades apart.  I am dying to find out whose story will be next, though I have my suspicions and if I’m right, boy are we in for some serious heartbreak, realigning and changes in this club and their families. 

It would be hard to explain all that happens in this story without spoilers so I’m just going to say that this is a story of two people that were once each other’s entire world coming back together after decades apart.  Twenty years ago Millie and Logan were inseparable, but a tragedy convinced Millie it would be best to push him out of her life, best for him, and she sacrificed the love of her life so that he would have what he most wanted in the world.  All these years later Millie has never stopped loving Logan and when she comes face to face with that truth she is determined to face him and explain exactly what made her push him away, but all the hurt and anger has turned Logan into a true bastard where Millie is concerned.  High has lived the last twenty years, never really getting over Millie or the way she ripped out his heart, but when the truth of their past finally comes to light there is nothing that will keep him from reclaiming the other half of his soul.  Outside forces, from a psychotic enemy of Chaos to the bratty behavior of one of his daughters, continuously try to pull them apart, but after all their years apart, Logan will do whatever it takes to keep Millie safe and make her his woman once and for all. 

Like I said Logan began this story as a serious bastard!  When Millie comes to him he treats her like she is a piece of ass just there for his pleasure, even though he still loves her under all the pain and hatred he’s nursed so long.  It is obvious he is hurting, but the way he treats her is really unforgivable, but luckily for him, Millie is way more forgiving than I.  Once the truth comes out, Logan becomes a sweetly determined man, one who is unwilling to let their past continue to keep them apart and will do just about anything it takes to bring her back into his life and make her his woman.  I loved seeing him interacting with his daughters and his brothers, though of course he is a different man with them and a whole other person with Millie.  All the facets of the sexy, badass, and sweet biker make him the perfect guy.  His best quality IMO was the way he was able to see the light and once he got the whole story, understood just what Millie has gone through, alone, all these years while he was continuing to live his life and find the happiness that Millie always wanted for him.  The Logan that we have seen in the past gets a huge overhaul, turning him from an angry, vindictive, jackass of a biker into the sweet, loving, and family driven man that lives under all he badass biker-ness, but leaving the hotness factor that is apparent in all the Chaos brothers. 

Millie was a woman that could jerk on my heart and make me want to scream at her in the next breath to pick herself up and kick Logan in the nuts already.  She has obviously loved him for over half of her life, never getting over him, even once she was successful in pushing him away.  Faced with the serious sexiness of the fully grown biker she loved when he was a young man, Millie is determined to make him understand her motives and given him the closure he needs on their past, but as soon as he touches her, the passion flares back to life in her and leaves her floundering with desire and need.  I can certainly understand how things get out of hand for Millie, but I loved that she was finally able to stand up to Logan and give him the truth, but was very confused about her surprise to his reactions.  She should have known that as soon as the truth was revealed he would be all over her, making her see that they should never have been apart and bringing her back into his life once and for all.  Millie was a perfect combination of innocent and sexy, with a bit of her own badass personality thrown in to make her a match for Logan in every way.  She continues to sacrifice for Logan and even puts her life on the line for one that he loves, but the best part of Millie is her unwillingness to accept anything less than everything from the man who holds her heart and soul. 

All in all I have to say this story was one of the most emotional I have read in a long, long time, even having read the previous novels Ms. Ashley has released; honestly the woman is capable of reducing me to a blubbering mess one second and turning me on enough to want to attack my man in the next.  Skill like that is the reason I keep coming back to read more, knowing she will be tearing out my heart every time.  Logan is the perfect non-hero to me, a real jackass that wants what he wants no matter the cost to himself, and being with Millie is what he has wanted deep down for almost twenty-five years.  Once he learns the secret she has kept from him for so long, there is nothing that will ever keep him from claiming her and making her see the mistake she made in leaving him.  Millie never imagines just how much she needed to confront Logan and make him see her not as a bad-guy but as a woman that walked through fire to give him his deepest desire in life.  She has never gotten over their love and has gone through her lonely life without ever really living until he crashes back into her world changing it irrevocably.  The passion between High and Millie was undeniable, even when tinged with anger and hatred, but once the love returns the pages simply burn with their desire and hunger for one another.  Love lost is often the most heart-wrenching, but seeing Logan and Millie find their way back into each other’s arms, through all the hatred and secrets was an experience I will never forget and the veritable genius of Kristen Ashley in bringing these two back together is what makes an author one for the record books.  I was skeptical about this series from the beginning, mainly because of the first person POV, but I find myself falling more and more in love and can honestly say, whatever you write next, Kristen, will be landing on my shelves and improving my life. 

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

Mini-Review: Dearest Rogue (Maiden Lane #8)

Dearest Rogue (Maiden Lane #8)

by Elizabeth Hoyt

Blurb:

HE CAN GUARD HER

Lady Phoebe Batten is pretty, vivacious, and yearning for a social life befitting the sister of a powerful duke. But because she is almost completely blind, her overprotective brother insists that she have an armed bodyguard by her side at all times-the very irritating Captain Trevillion.

FROM EVERY DANGER

Captain James Trevillion is proud, brooding, and cursed with a leg injury from his service in the King's dragoons. Yet he can still shoot and ride like the devil, so watching over the distracting Lady Phoebe should be no problem at all-until she's targeted by kidnappers.

BUT PASSION ITSELF

Caught in a deadly web of deceit, James must risk life and limb to save his charge from the lowest of cads-one who would force Lady Phoebe into a loveless marriage. But while they're confined to close quarters for her safekeeping, Phoebe begins to see the tender man beneath the soldier's hard exterior... and the possibility of a life-and love-she never imagined possible.

Themes: Historical

Rating: 4.25 stars
Heat Rating: 
Review:

 The long awaited story of Ms. Phoebe has finally arrived, with a vengeance to be sure.  I have been dying to read this one for a long time now, wanting to see Lady Phoebe come out of her shell and find her way into the arms of a truly sexy and bad ass (for that era at least) guy of her very own. Living the life of a sheltered lady is usually enough reason for me to want these ladies to have an adventure, but Phoebe’s disability had me rooting for her even more to find a way to spread her wings.  Fans of this series have also followed the harrowing story of Captain James Trevillion from villain to hero and every step in between as his life and way of thinking changes.  Hoyt has a way of making even the most mundane of adventures seem earthshattering and truly keeps life interesting for her characters.  I am curious where the story will be going next, but have my suspicions and am looking forward to it for sure. 

Phoebe and James have slowly become more and more dependent on one another as he protects her and keeps her safe from the world she cannot see around her, even as she has fought her gilded cage.  James has slowly begun to fall for Phoebe’s sweetness and sass, even as he warns himself from losing his objectivity.  Phoebe takes for granted he will always be there to protect her and spar with her, until the moment when he no longer is.  But when a plot against Phoebe’s brother puts her directly into the path of danger James will do whatever it takes to keep her safe, including giving up his own sanity or life.  Being forced into close quarters means that they have to each come to terms with their feelings and deal with the intense attraction between them, or risk losing it all when the danger passes.

Dearest Rogue is the kind of story that will keep you interested for every moment, especially as you see Phoebe growing into a woman and taking her stand.  Though the story moves very quickly, James and Phoebe’s relationship has been slowly blooming for a long time now and there is no denying the depth or sincerity of their love.  Phoebe may have always lived in the shadow of her family’s protection, but falling in love with a man like James is no easy road and she is willing to walk every step beside him.  James has led a life far more complicated than readers ever imagined and we get to see a lot of the reasons for his determination and anger in previous novels.  The best part of this story is that James finally accepts that, while he may not be the best match for Lady Phoebe on paper, he is the best and only man to make her happy, and he will beat any obstacle thrown between them to prove it and win her heart.  I enjoyed seeing couples from previous novels as well and seeing how well they have been living their lives.  I enjoy this series very much and continue to be amazed at the varied and ingenious ways that Hoyt brings her readers into the darker side of Georgian London and the highs and lows of the day-to-day living of that era.  One of my favorite historical authors, Hoyt manages to always put me right into the world her characters exist in and uses the setting not just as a place the story happens, but an integral part of the story itself.  Masterful as always Elizabeth, Carry On!

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

RevIew: Serving Pleasure (Pleasures #2)

Serving Pleasure (Pleasure #2)

by Alisha Rai 

 Blurb:

Hungry for a touch…
Rana Malik is over being her family’s resident black sheep. She’s on a mission: ditch the casual hook-ups, revamp her bad-girl image, and fall in love with a proper Mr. Right even her conservative mama can’t find fault with. Not on the menu? The beautiful, brooding Mr. Right Now who lives next door, and all the ways he whets her appetite.
Starving for love…
Artist Micah Hale had it all–women, success, friends and family–until his world changed in a single act of senseless violence. Now struggling to conceal his scars and get his life and career back on track, he knows he has nothing to offer a woman except his body. He’s not looking for love…but he can’t control his craving for the sexy bombshell voyeur he’s caught looking at him.
Just one bite.
Their attraction boils over, and their defenses are stripped off along with their clothes. They promise they’ll walk away if it gets too hot. But it’s hard to do the right thing…when being wrong feels so good.

Themes: erotica, contemporary

Rating: 4.75 stars
Heat Rating:
Review:

 I have waited so long for this story, following up on my all-time favorite erotic romance ever, Glutton for Pleasure, and letting us see more of Devi and her passionate family.  This story revolves around the oldest of the three sisters Rana and her attempt to change her life to find the happiness Devi has found with her two lovers.  Rana was marked as the terrible big sister, judgmental and slutty in the previous novel, but we really get to learn more about her and her choices in this story reminding us that there is another side to every story. Rana and Micah are both pretty screwed up characters but their sensual connection and their obvious need to be together is one that we all wish we could find one day.  This series is turning into one of my favorite and I am really looking forward to getting Leena's story soon, hopefully.   In the meantime this one will definitely be going onto my frequent re-reads list alongside its predecessor.  Sexy, sweet, and loving Rana has finally taken a stand with her family so she can have her happy ending. 

Rana has been trying, so hard, not to give in to her natural impulses and sensual desires in an effort to change her life and earn her mother's respect, but resisting her sexy and enigmatic neighbor has become truly impossible.  When she finally finds herself face to face with Micah there is no way she can give up the chance to be in his arms, or his bed.   Micah has come a long way to escape his past, in hopes of rebuilding  his career, but his passion for his art has been MIA, until he finds himself wrapped up in the magic that is Rana.  When their relationship deepens there are no way they can deny that they each have issues, but both want to have a future together.  If Rana can find herself after being lost in her mission to please her mother there is a chance for her and Micah, but only if he too will embrace and overcome his distressing past.

Micah is a guy that has not found a way to get past the trauma of his life altering attack two years earlier.  He left his family in London and came to Florida in hopes he has a chance to find contentment in his life.  His passion for his art is rekindled when Rana enters his life, and determination to keep his muse, blends with his desire to have a woman as sexy and beautiful as her, even though he knows he cannot commit to a real relationship with her.  He needs her to keep the momentum going in his work, but the more time he spends sketching her and having her in his bed, the less able he is to forget their initial rules.  Micah's a good guy, but his biggest fear is being in love, even though he knows he will ultimately break her heart. 

Rana never believed that her voyeuristic tendency to spy on her neighbor would lead to the love of her life.  Her embarrassment at being caught is nowhere near strong enough to keep her from giving in to her desire for him.  She has turned over a new leaf, abstaining from sex for over a year, in an attempt to find her Mr. Right, but she gives in for her desire for Micah.  Her insecurities about her love life, her professional life, and her place in the world, all stem from some serious issues with her family, but when the issues all come to a head, Rana's sisters stand by her to the end.  Her love for Micah  is challenged several times, but in the end she is able to find a way to forgive him and have a way for them to be happy together.  I loved seeing Rana embrace her greatness and demand that those around her see her for who she truly is, whether they decided to love that person or not, even though it could mean losing the love of her life, she will stay true to herself and be the person she was always meant to be. 

Serving Pleasure, while certainly tamer than the previous novel in the series, was sensual, passionate and loving.  Bringing together two unlikely individuals with serious issues, Rai shows that only when you are true to yourself can you find someone to truly love you.  Micah is often an ass, but his sweetness and fears keep him from crossing into jerk territory.  He is dealing with the changes Rana is bringing about in him and his life, but until he is forced to live without her, he doesn’t really understand just how much he has come to love her.  Rana on the other hand is totally outgoing, determined to find her perfect match, but willing to embrace even the temporary chance to explore the depths of her infatuation with Micah.  Becoming his model and lover wasn't anything she ever planned and falling in love along with way was definitely a surprise, but she quickly embraces the experience and decides that maybe he just might be the one to make her happy. As always the sexiness and romance of Alisha Rai erotic novels keeps me coming back for more and more, but the love between her characters is what takes it even beyond simple erotic and into the stratosphere of the best romances around.   When the next novel is released you can bet I’ll be one of the first in line to get to read this.  PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE don't keep us waiting for years until the next novel releases. 

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

Mini-Review: Home for Christmas (Sanctuary Island #4)

Home for Christmas (Sanctuary Island #4)

by Lily Everett 

Blurb:

Tis the season for family and love…
At least it's supposed to be. For Libby Leeds, however, the holiday season is just another reminder of things she'd rather forget. When she left Sanctuary Island as an orphaned child, she never thought she'd go back except in her dreams, dreams she's kept alive by writing monthly column of her fictional small-town life, until her publisher sends her back home for the holidays.
Owen Shepard is a fallen hero, wounded in action rescuing three of his fellow soldiers, but after a whirlwind of media attention, all this charismatic Army Ranger wants is to get back on his feet and make it to Sanctuary Island to be with his daughter in time for Christmas. What he didn't expect was to be put on a crash course with a columnist hiding her past. Will the magic of Sanctuary Island at Christmastime allow them to find healing together?

Themes: holiday, contemporary

Rating: 3.75 stars
Heat Rating:
Review:

 Wow what a story; full of love and sweetness Libby and Owen's tale of finding home and happiness is one that will warm your heart on the coldest of winter nights.  I have enjoyed this author's writing since the alter ego was created and the Sanctuary Island residents burst onto the scene.  The story brings in some interesting new characters, refreshes some older characters and shows the true love that can develop when the deepest of friendships are combined with true chemistry.  There are a lot of laughs and lots of dramas as well, but the most important part is the way these two people come together in their times of need against the world to become a family, one built on love instead of blood. I am looking forward to future stories on Sanctuary Island and learning more about all the amazing people that seem to call it home. 

Libby is way over her head when she is forced face to face with the lie she has been living.  Having to travel to her long ago hometown of Sanctuary Island in order to give Owen Shepard and his daughter the Christmas of their lives for their reunion. Owen's near death injury has left him both physically and emotionally damaged and definitely unavailable for any kind of relationship, but when he meets Libby on the ferry he feels an instant connection to her that he cannot deny.  As they both come to terms with the changes in their lives and work together to find a way to make their Christmas wonderful, the connection only strengthens, making Owen wonder if it is possible to have a future with Libby and his daughter, even though he is determined to return to his former life as a Ranger.  Only a Christmas miracle can allow these two people to understand how important love is and how much they need one another, but will the miracle arrive in time to bring their family Home for Christmas?

As with all the previous novels in the Sanctuary Island series, Home for Christmas is the kind of story that makes you wonder just how two people can dig themselves out from under the snow they’ve been hiding under to embrace life again.  Owen is definitely a sexy and intriguing individual, especially to poor sheltered Libby, but meeting him in person blows her world open.  He is dealing with serious mental and emotional drama as well as the physical that comes from being injured in the line of duty, but his biggest challenge is getting to know his young daughter, one he never knew existed until quite recently.  He knows he needs to be there for her, but he cannot seem to let go of his belief that he needs to get back to full health and return to the front lines.  His inability to handle life as a Dad as well as his new relationship with Libby is what makes him so sweet, like a big idiot we all want to cuddle until they can understand it.  Libby has obviously got her own issues, not the least of which is some serious family drama, but she is perpetually cheerful and determined to succeed in her mission to give Caitlin and Owen their perfect first Christmas as a family.  The passion between Libby and Owen was sweet, more background to their love, but there anyway.  I enjoyed this sweet romantic story and seeing all the previous couples, as well as a little side romance.  In the end the most important part was the coming together of family to defeat all adversaries and meet all challenges in their path.  Another lovely foray into the loves of the members of the Sanctuary Island family and I’m wondering whose story might be next. 

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

ARV Review: Barefoot with a Stranger (Barefoot Bay Undercover #2)

Barefoot with a Stranger (Barefoot Bay Undercover #2)

by Roxanne St. Claire 

Blurb:

Francesca Rossi might be the youngest in a long line of badass siblings, but this computer whiz would rather hack a database than pack a pistol for the family business in Barefoot Bay.  When an assignment forces her out of her comfort zone and into the field, Chessie decides to amp up the excitement quotient and has her first one night stand with a sexy stranger she’ll never see again.

Former CIA agent Malcolm Harris is fresh out of prison for a crime he didn’t commit, and knows the government is watching his every move, waiting for him to slip up.  But the only mistake he makes is to assume the sexy, sassy woman he seduces on the way to Barefoot Bay is a spy.  He learns too late that the beauty he’s bedded is really his best friend’s sister…and his undercover partner on a risky mission.

Chessie and Mal have to stay one step ahead of the CIA, navigate their way through a perilous country, and fight the insane chemistry that sizzles between them.  It doesn’t take long for this hacker and spy to discover the power of their unplanned partnership…and learn that falling in love might be the riskiest business of all.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  4.5 stars
Heat Rating:
Review:

 I have long been a fan of Ms. St. Claire, voraciously reading everything she releases and falling more in love with her characters, her skill at building suspense and her ability to drag her readers right into the lives of the people that pour from her heart.  The Barefoot Bay series  and the spin-off Barefoot Bay Undercover series both hold special significance for me being set in an area I’m very familiar with and dealing with the kinds of drama and pain that are just too realistic to be completely called fiction.  Chessie’s story is one that I have been looking forward to since we met her in a previous series written by Roxanne, the Guardian Angelinos, where her family is introduced and we get to meet the whole fantastic group of beautiful overachievers and of course “Uncle Nino”, arguably one of the best characters to bridge these many series.  If you are coming to the party late, never fear you will learn plenty about this great family and still fall in love with Chessie and Gabe, but I promise you that if you go back and read the previous books revolving around the Rossi clan you will not regret it.  Barefoot with a Stranger is a work of art, truly bringing together all the best parts of romantic suspense and leaving you wondering how you will ever survive until the next book.  With the vivaciously sweet Chessie breaking out of her shell and finally demanding her place in life and the dark brooding Mal finally accepting that he doesn’t have to be the lone wolf forever, this story is truly one of redemption and discovery.  I can only say that if you are a Gabe fan be ready for lots of ups and downs and an ending that will leave you ready to kidnap Roxanne until she can tell you what’s going to happen. 

Chessie and Mal begin their relationship with a grand twist of fate throwing them in one another’s path before Gabe has a chance to introduce them and the fallout could be disastrous if they let it.  Heading out together on a mission makes things even more complicated as Chessie and Mal must depend on one another to stay alive and accomplish the most important mission they have ever been, one that could mean the ultimate happiness for Gabe or the end of his hope for the future.  I really enjoyed the flow of this story and seeing how Mal and Chessie work together to overcome the crazy twists that crop up for them.  Chessie definitely steps up and more than once shows that while she might be the quiet one in the family, she is a Rossi through and through and nothing will keep her from completing her mission—or from getting her man. 

Francesca “Chessie” Rossi has always been the Rossi that everyone protected and tried to keep in a bubble, but she has hidden in the shadows of her siblings and cousins far too long and is ready to find her own niche.  Her computer skills are second to none and she is determined to do whatever she can to help Gabe find the child he only recently discovered he has, but she never intended to be sent into hostile territory, especially not with a man that makes her crazy and continues to tempt her to forego her rules and succumb to the attraction between them.  Sweet and obviously loving, Chessie’s easily underestimated by all those she encounters, but at her core she is made of titanium and there is no one that will prevent her from keeping those she loves safe, even if she has to fight them every step of the way.  I really loved getting to know more about Chessie, even as she learned more about herself and discovered that she has maybe even been underestimating herself.  I also enjoyed seeing Chessie as she explored her attraction to Mal, bringing him around and making him love her more each day, healing his heart and showing him that being together makes them better than they could ever been alone.

Mal was an interesting guy in a lot of ways; a hero who fell on his sword for a woman in need and did time for a crime that he never committed.  Being on the other side of the law has given him a unique view of the world and a chip on his shoulder that would make anyone wary of trusting.  He begins the story as a bit of an ass, but quickly we begin to see that though his motives are sometimes questionable, he usually has a reason for taking any step he takes.  The curve ball that gets thrown into his life when he comes to Barefoot Bay to assist his old friend Gabe and instead finds himself faced with an intense attraction to Gabe’s sister, shows us how he really handles emotional upheavals and what kind of man he is—noble to a fault.  Obviously it could go without saying that Mal is sensually overwhelming a lot of the time, but for Chessie he seems to be the most powerfully attractive man she has ever encountered.  As we see him kicking butt and using his brains and brawn to keep both himself and Chessie alive and safe on their dangerous mission we fall more and more in love with Mal and the way he is able to deal with all the shit that comes at him.  I was thrilled for him in the end when he found a way to trust and really show his feelings, but I know he will remain just as much a badass as always, if maybe a little bit squishier on the inside due to Chessie’s love.

Barefoot with a Stranger is one of those stories that sucks you in from the very first moment and leaves you dying for more as you turn the last page.  Full of vivacious characters, flawless storytelling, and the obvious love between the characters, Roxanne manages to keep you on the edge of your seat wondering what will be around the next corner and how the H/h will cope with the next disaster.  Chessie is one of the best female leads I have found in a while, her strength and vulnerability matched perfectly by her wit and intelligence, she is simply the whole package.  Chessie really grows in this story as she discovers her abilities are not actually restricted to cyberspace and she can kick butt as well as the next guy (or gal).  Mal too is a great character, though at times readers will find themselves ready to punch him; he is the kind of guy that has been through so much all his life, but really just needs to embrace the love offered to him and find a way to accept that while his past definitely sucked, his future doesn’t have to.  A lone wolf finding his perfect mate, Mal is ready to be the true man he is ready to be once Chessie shows him his true place in the world—right by her side. The passion between Mal and Chessie is some of the hottest I have experienced in a while, but the love between them is what leaves a warm lasting comfort to the soul.   I and many of the other fans of this series are dying to read Gabe’s story and I am pleased to say it is coming next, sometime in early 2016 according to Roxanne, but the important moments in this story for Gabe will leave readers ready to tear their hair out.  The message I always share with new Roxi Fans remains true: “if you don’t want to go insane waiting, don’t read the Epilogue.” Because of course that is where Roxi likes to give us hints to the future stories that will make any true fan rabidly crazy waiting.  Barefoot with a Bad Boy is coming soon though and I for one will be first in line for a copy!

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