ARC mini Review: Fighting for Berlin (Redemption Harbor Security #5)

Fighting for Berlin  (Redemption Harbor Security #5)

Katie Reus

Blurb:

Her instinct has always been to fix things…

Berlin is no stranger to loss. After her parents died, it was just her and her younger sisters. Now that they’re all in college she’s been focusing on her new job with Redemption Harbor Security. But when one of her online VR buddies goes uncharacteristically radio silent, she gets worried and makes it her mission to find him. And quickly finds out that things are a lot more dangerous than she ever imagined.

But this time she might be in too deep…

Chance has gone undercover with a deadly crew to find out the truth about his brother. When he’s rescued from a sticky situation by his online friend, he’s surprised that she’s a woman—and a knockout. Wanting to keep Berlin safe, he tries to keep her at arm’s length for her own good, but the stubborn hacker refuses to walk away. With her skills, the deadly crew he’s infiltrated recruits her for an upcoming job. Now he’s got to maintain his cover while worrying she might be discovered too. It’s a race against the clock to find his brother, stay alive and not fall for the smartass woman who’s gotten under his skin—before they all die.

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating

Review:

Who knew that two long-time virtual gamer friends would end up having such chemistry when they finally meet IRL and learn just how much they truly have in common? Katie Reus continues her action-packed series about sexy secret agents (sort of) in this latest installment of the Redemption Harbor security series when cyber geek Berlin meets her match in a sexy ex-special forces hottie on a mission to find his brother. I never quite know what to expect from a Reus novel beyond that I will be laughing as I enjoy every sensual moment of the story I lose myself in and this story is no less than I expected. Chance is undercover with a biker club looking for his missing younger brother when he suddenly finds himself being rescued by a sexy woman that he’s never seen before, but that he’s known for years. Berlin knew that when her gamer friend went quiet she needed to track him down, but she didn’t think she’d be going in hot to save him from a shootout and then find herself in the middle of a dangerous mission filled with drugs, deadly bikers, and all kinds of other dangers. But the more time she spends with Chance the more their chemistry leads to sensual encounters until finally neither of them can deny that they are perfect for one another. But they have to outsmart their enemies and find Chance’s bother before either of them can even consider a future together, and that’s if Chance can keep Berlin from running away from him.

Honestly, could this story have been more packed with twists and turns as Berlin, Chance and their friends worked through the layers of danger and idiocy that were surrounding them as they tried to get to Chance’s brother? Chance is such a strong, sweet, and deadly character, filled with everything that makes a hero fabulous without all the unnecessary macho BS that makes some men just need to be slapped down. It’s obvious he loves his brother and is willing to do just about anything to make sure he doesn’t get himself killed, but he wants to protect and convince Berlin that they are perfect for each other too. Berlin has always been the leader of her family, the one that everyone looked to in order to fix problems, support them and provide the love and stability they needed, so when she meets Chance, a man that just wants to offer her a shoulder to lean on and a man to offer her the support she’s never had she is ready to run for the hills even as she wants to keep him forever.  The love between these two is just as obvious as the heat that burns from the beginning, but fear can be a powerful deterrent even when what you’ve always wanted and needed is right in front of you. I was so glad that Berlin and Chance found a way to look past their hangups and fears and find their happy together, because they definitely earned it. Chance truly was Fighting for Berlin; from the moment she stormed into his life and change it forever. Needlessly to say I am on pins and needles for who’s story comes next and where this series is headed next.

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

ARC Review: Just One More Temptation (The Sterling Family #4)

Just One More Temptation (The Sterling Family #4)

Carly Phillips

Blurb:

He’s a grumpy single dad who's serious and uptight.

She’s a younger free spirit who's sunshine and light.

Fallon Sterling’s one experience with a rich, older man ended in heartbreak. So, when twin nine-year-old girls wind up in her gallery, followed by their oh-so-hot dad, she refuses to notice how sexy he is. And she will not let herself fall for his broody charms. Or his adorable daughters. That was her plan. Unfortunately, planning hasn't always been her strong suit…

Noah Powers needs a reliable nanny, not a romance with a much younger artist who his girls adore. The fact that he desires Fallon and the sunshine she brings into his drab world doesn't matter. His focus needs to be on his work and his daughters. Trouble is, he can never remember that when Fallon is in his arms.

Somewhere between a matchmaking family (his) and dangerous workplace drama (hers), Fallon and Noah realize they might have more in common than they thought. But is it enough for happily ever after?

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

For long time fans of Carly Phillips, we all know she loves her Grumpy-Sunshine love stories, but every time we get a new couple falling under one another’s spell, she manages to give us a fresh twist and remind us why she remains at the top of her craft. I wasn’t positive that I would love this story, being that I’m not a huge fan of stories that revolve around children and/or single parents, but these kids were so precocious and mature that I actually enjoyed getting to know them and seeing them interacting with Fallon and Noah. If you enjoy a delightful read, filled with laughter, suspense, and romance, then Noah and Fallon will drag you right into their lives and you will not be able to set the book down until the very end. I am really looking forward to future stories because the more we get to know the Sterling family the more I fall in love with them and want happiness for them all. Carly’s imagination never ceases to amaze me and I can only wish that I had her skill and flair with the written word.

Noah Powers is overwhelmed being the primary caretaker to his precocious tree-teen twin daughters for the first time in their lives—with nannies quitting or failing left and right and the girls disappearing on him in the middle of the city. When he tracks them down to the small art gallery where they are being entertained by a beautiful young artist/employee, he doesn’t realize just how much she will come to mean to them all. Fallon Sterling has been hurt before by an older man and isn’t interested in starting anything with Noah, but he and his girls pull her right in and soon she is spending time with them and beginning to lose her heart. When Fallon and Noah finally accept that they cannot hide from their feelings anymore and decide to give their relationship a try, their love begins to blossom almost too quickly. But can too people that have such different plans for the future and trauma in their past find a way to heal and move forward together—before someone puts and end to their chances to be together finally?

Fallon is a character that I could truly see myself enjoying getting to know in real life; She is intelligent, creative, caring, and sassy and devoted to her family and all of those she takes into her heart. She has had real suffering in her past and I was afraid that she would allow it to keep her from finding happiness with Noah and the girls, but thankfully she was able to heal and move past her hurts. I also loved the way she looks out for those that she considers hers, especially the woman she considers her stand-in mom, when she begins to have problems. She faces every danger and problem that comes at her head on, refusing to let anything drag her down and instead deals with her pain in private so that others don’t see how much she is hurt. Noah was a great guy in many ways, though I definitely wanted to be able to kick him in the pants at one in the story because he almost allowed Fallon to slip through his fingers. He is sweet with his girls, loving and caring with Fallon, and strong enough to take on the problems of those around him without buckling under the pressure. I enjoyed watching the women in his life interacting with him, whether it was his mother, his girls, or Fallon, he is so respectful of women and always gives of himself to all. I would love to meet a man like him and claim him for myself for myself, but alas I think men like him only exist in the minds of my favorite authors.

Just One More Temptation truly stands up to its name, tempting readers to keep reading until the very end because we don’t want to miss a single moment. There is just so much emotion in this story as a Noah and Fallon find their way to healing one another and then deciding to put forth the effort to build a life together. Noah has so much going on but he never drops any of the most important balls in his life, mainly his girls or Fallon, and he finds a way to grow and be what they all need him to be without losing himself. Fallon has to let go of a lot of her own hangups in order to embrace a future with Noah and his girls, but once she finds love, and Noah proves he can change and grow with her, she will never allow herself to give up on him or the life they can have—even when she almost loses her life. The passion between these two is apparent as soon as their eyes meet, despite their young audience, and the more time they spend together the more obvious their love is. I loved seeing this little family form from two people that have been lost in their broken pasts for too long and two clever girls that finally get to see their dad truly completely happy with their new stepmom. I am really looking forward to whatever comes next for this series as more Sterling kids find love and drama as lives changes forever. Carly continues to always take us on a wild ride with each new story and I am never disappointed.

 

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

ARC Review: The Uncrowned King (The Bastard Duology #2)

The Uncrowned King (The Bastard Duology #2)

Donna Grant

Blurb:

I would burn the world for him…

My people have been hunted to extinction by dragons. I am the last of my kind. Forever running. Forever alone.

Then I met him. Dangerous. Carnal. Dragon And utterly magnetic. I had no defenses against the passion that claimed us. Each time his lips touched mine, each time his arms held me, I fell deeper.

And I fell hard.

My mortal enemy became my world. The very reason for my existence.

My one and only.

Until our forever was violently snatched away. Now, I’m hunted, once more.

But I’m not running this time. I’m fighting for love.

For him.

Themes:  Paranormal, Dragons, Fae

Rating: 4.5 stars

Heat Rating: 

Review:

The ending of this duology has been hanging on my mind ever since the ending of the first portion with its terror-inducing cliffhanger and I am thrilled to say that every second of the wait was worth it. Donna Grant returns with a bang as she takes us back to Zora to finally give us the HEA we needed for two characters that should never have met and fallen in love, but seem so perfect for one another in the end. Derek and Kora’s story has developed into one that I can see myself rereading many times, now that both parts of the duology are out, but I will definitely read them back-to-back since I hate cliffhangers and would read them as one long story. For those that don’t mind this kind of continuing story then the nature of the break in the story is certainly beautifully written and well handled in the plot, but I’m just to ADD and OCD to handle the split. That said I am dying for what comes next for these characters because with everything that happened in these two novels I can guarantee whatever comes next is going to be epic.

Derek has no memory his life and when he wakes in a dark mountain in his dragon form he has no idea of everything he has lost, so when he is told that his mate and children were brutally murdered his rage knowns no bounds and he will do anything to kill his enemy. Unfortunately, the truth is much different and the enemy he is set to kill is the woman that he loves and that lack of recognition might cost them both everything. Kora is determined to bring Derek’s memory back, even at the cost of her own life, so when the Kings offer their assistance in capturing him she is willing to work with her greatest feared enemies in order for them all to fight against the worse villain. Derek and Kora have to find their way back to one another because without their bond and the powers they can bring to the team, the Kings have no chance to defeating the Star People that are trying to bring their existence to an end.

I cried almost as much as I smiled while reading this story, honestly Derek and Kora’s story was so emotional. Kora never imagined that she would fall in love with a Dragon, much less the one that destroyed her family, but she learns that the greatest form of love is forgiveness and Derek is worth everything to her. She finds her bravery, strength, and a depth of love and caring that she never thought she would be able to find for another being after her family died. She’s lived such a lonely existence, always thinking she was the last of her kind and would be vilified if anyone discovered her secret, but when she finally comes out of the shadows she learns that her unique abilities are more than embraced with the family the kings have made. Derek is definitely lost for a good bit of the book, but even then we see his protective and dangerously loving nature as he tried to avenge his mate, but his unwillingness to listen to alternative views, instead only believing the first person to tell him something kinds pissed me off. Once he gets his memories back he’s the Derek we all know and love, caring, sweet, intelligent, courageous, and willing to do whatever it takes to protect those under his care. I only wish that he’d been willing to listen without the pain and trauma required to both him and Kora to knock some sense into him.

The Uncrowned King, combined with its predecessor The Bastard King, are stories of a male that has lived his long life in service to his people, even though he never knew that he was being manipulated and used, and unfortunately until the end his work was counter to that goal. Luckily when he meets a woman that challenges him to look deeper he is able to break free finally and his mission and labors are finally in line, leaving him able to move forward in life and find a balance and happiness hat has always been elusive. Derek has always been missing something, even though he could never put his finger on it, and meeting Kora shows him that what he was missing was a family and love, because his life was always just his mission before. Kora has lived her life in fear, but when she finally finds her courage and decides that she is ready to fight back, she meets the man that will truly allow her to succeed. These two lovers complete one another in more ways than they ever imagine they could be, challenging one another to think differently about everything they thought they knew and the chemistry between them is beautifully undeniable. I loved every second of their story, even though the wait between stories about killed me. Donna Grant truly out did herself in these stories of love, betrayal, and secrets and I am truly looking forward to whatever comes next,

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

Mini Review: Wild Magic (Magic For Hire #1)

Wild Magic (Magic For Hire #1)

Alexandra Ivy

Blurb:

There was a time when demons reigned. That was before they were forced to retreat to the shadows. Today, in hidden corners across the globe their evil blood still pools, and the authority of their new rulers—the Vampire Cabal—must never be challenged. Leave it to a Jersey girl to change ancient history . . .

 At sixteen, when Peri Sanguis’s wild magic first appeared, she was forced to flee her Wyoming ranch—and her suddenly murderous family—to save her own life. On the East Coast, tutored by mages who run the Witch’s Brew bookstore-cafe, Peri’s world seems magically tranquil—until her estranged mother and a coven of witches are slaughtered. Now, to solve the violent mysteries of her past, she must put her trust, body and soul, in a sensual immortal who is every woman’s darkest fantasy . . .

 The golden-eyed vampire, Valen, has never wanted more than to claim an untamed female like Peri. Lured into each other’s orbit, and working together against a resurrected evil brings them intimately closer—to danger, blood betrayals, all-consuming passion, and to sacrifices that must be made to save themselves and the world . . .

Themes:  Paranormal, Witches, Vampires

Rating: 3.5 stars

Heat Rating: 3.5

Review:

An all-new venture for Alexandra Ivy begins with the story of a woman who magic is blossoming and becoming something, she never imagined and the vampire who is drawn to her inexplicably. I have long been a fan of Alexandra Ivy, especially her paranormal works, but this newest foray into fantasy is a whole new world for me and I am reserving judgment until we get a little deeper into the series. Peri Sanguis is a witch with powers that are often hard to control or quantify, once forced to flee the commune where she was raised in order to stay alive, she has found family in the women that took her in and her mentor in NYC. When her mother and old coven are slaughtered Peri embarks on a journey to try to solve the mystery but finds herself saddled with the Vampire leader Valen as her shadow.  Valen never imagined that the mating instinct would rise for a woman like Peri, but he can’t deny that his protective and sensual needs are there from the very first moment he scents her.  The more time they’re together and the deeper their connection the less likely either of them are to ever give the other up, but the dangers around them make having a future together les likely if they can’t find a way to defeat their enemies. I enjoyed getting to know Peri and see her work through her past; she is intelligent, stubborn, impulsive, snarky and loves deeply. Valen is bossy, protective, powerful and independent but also giving and loving.  With suspense, sensuality, drama and a twisty plot, you’ll find yourself completely invested in the story until the very end.  There are a few plot holes that needed fleshing out, but I’m hoping that comes in the next books and I’m looking forward to the other ladies getting their novels. As I said, I am reserving judgment on the series overall, but I certainly think there is a lot of potential for this trilogy.

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

Mini Review: Delighting Her Highland Devil (Time to Love a Highlander #7)

Delighting Her Highland Devil (Time to Love a Highlander #7)

Maeve Greyson

Blurb:

She tumbles back three centuries into the arms of a gruff Highlander and wins his heart—until she endangers everyone he’s ever protected.

Jovianna Jacobs, a history professor specializing in Scottish culture, is brilliant and students flock to sign up for her classes. Not because of her brilliance—but because of her foibles during her lectures. No matter how hard she tries not to be so clumsy, when she gets excited about a topic, her fumbling nearly destroys the room. Literally. After wrecking her third laptop in six months and completely embarrassing herself, a relaxing trek through Finnich Glen with her high-spirited mother is just the ticket to put things in perspective. There’s nothing like descending into the mystical gorge and visiting the infamous Devil’s Pulpit. But a rainstorm triggers a flash flood and while trying to retreat and manage the hazardous waters, dizzying nausea overpowers her and the raging current washes her away.

Tobias Risk, the ruthlessly fierce highwayman known as the Devil of the Highlands, has been fighting to keep his greedy brother, the Earl of Grampian, from replacing their people with sheep to make more money off their lands. Farming is all the crofters know, but they’re being evicted and burned out in the name of profit and progress. All that stands between them, and homelessness is the money that Tobias and his men steal from wealthy travelers to cover the ever-increasing rents. After one such robbery, while washing his face in the waters beside the Devil’s Pulpit, a beautiful and helpless Englishwoman washes up at his feet. Not only that, but her irritating mother is with her. And after saving the young beauty from drowning, he becomes hopelessly entranced with her. So much so that he claims her for his wife.

But treachery abounds and enemies both old and new threaten their newfound love. The two remain steadfast until Jovianna makes a grave error in judgment and endangers everyone Tobias has ever protected.

Tobias never learned the art of forgiveness. But Jovianna loves him with a fury and refuses to walk away. Somehow, she will reverse her mistake and win back her Devil of the Highlands.

Themes:  Time Travel, historical, Scotland

Rating: 4.25 stars

Heat Rating: 4

Review:

This series seems to have come to a conclusion and while I am sad to see that happen (if it’s a fact), I can say that this being the final novel in the series ends it with a real kick and I loved the finale.  Maeve Greyson has taken readers on amazing journeys through different times in the past and generations of the present as she has pulled women through time to have them land in new lives in the past so that they could make real differences in the world.  To that end, book seven sends back not just one, but two women so that they can find love and a second chance at an HEA, but I can honestly say that there were moments I didn’t think these characters were going to find their way to happiness right up until the ending. Jovianna Jacobs and her mother Amaranth are on a trek through the lowlands of Scotland, just enjoying scenery when they are suddenly washed away by rains and a flood, but they survive only to wake up on the feet of a band of men that change their lives forever.  Both historians Amaranth and Jovianna realize immediately that something odd has happened and the men are not 21^st century hikers like them, instead they have been flung back into the 18^th century highlands and they have to adapt quickly to their surroundings if they want to survive. Tobias Risk and his band of merry men are surprised to have two women wash up at their feet, but he unable to deny is attraction to her.  Tobias and Jovianna quickly form an attachment (as does Amarantha and one of his men) and when hearts are lost so quickly sometimes trust is slower to develop.  When Jovianna makes a mistake Tobias questions if he has fallen in love with a spy or traitor and pushes her away, but if he doesn’t come to terms with his heart and find a way to trust he might lose the woman he loves forever with no way to ever get her back… because his enemy will have killed her.  I loved this story truly, despite a few little issues, but the characters and plot were so wonderful that I was able to look past all of that easily. Jovianna was a hoot, and I loved her interactions with her mother, she was witty, sassy, and sweet, even when she was being adorably klutzy, but she was also clever and loving when she gave her heart and protective of those, she called her own.  Tobias was a bit of a jerk more often than not, refusing to look at both sides of a situation, and rigidi in his thinking, but he cares deeply about his people, loves with his whole heart, and is very protective.  I enjoyed the chemistry between these two from the first moment they clapped eyes on the other.  I am sad to see the series ending, but it was a good run, and I loved each installment and hope to see something similar from Maeve again in the future someday.

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

Mini Review: Frostbitten (Deep Ops #6)

Frostbitten (Deep Ops #6)

Rebecca Zanetti

Blurb:

Enigmatic. With a wildly gifted mind, and an untamed head of hair to match, petite powerhouse Millicent Frost is brilliant when it comes to gadgets and electronics—less so with people. After an attempt to bust a bank scam goes awry, Millie is in hot water with Homeland Security and targeted by lethal enemies. In the midst of the trouble, she heads home to help out with the family hunting and fishing business. But when their rival competitor and Millie’s ex is murdered, she’s the number one suspect ...

Irresistible. Former Marine turned lawyer Scott Terentson devotes himself to getting his clients out of tricky binds. A loner, the last thing he wants is to belong to any team, yet the Deep Ops group considers him one of their own—and he pays the price by getting shot at by their enemies. Now Millie is seeking his help—just as he’s dealing with a brutal fail regarding a recent trial. Both are a headache, yet he’s drawn to Millie in spite of himself. They’re opposites, but maybe the old adage is true ...

Electric. Working together, Millie and Scott soon have more on their hands than they bargained for as the danger escalates—along with the sizzling heat between them. And when a disappearance is thrown into the mix, all bets are off ...

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating:  stars

Heat Rating:

Review:

 

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

Mini Review: The Murder Club (Pike, Wisconsin #5)

The Murder Club (Pike, Wisconsin #5)
Alexandra Ivy

Blurb:

An online crime-solving group is just the kind of adventure Bailey Evans needs. She loves her nursing career and small-town life, but her days are predictable. Her confidence bolstered by having her sheriff cousin Zac nearby, Bailey’s up for some innocent fun and intrigue… Until she starts receiving unnerving warnings: Once the game begins, there’s no backing out of The Murder Club. Then the game gets real…

First, Bailey is shut out at work after an elderly patient dies and leaves her a shocking inheritance. Then a priceless necklace from an anonymous source arrives in her mail—along with a bone-chilling threat. Determined not to involve expectant father Zac, Bailey contacts an expert appraiser: the charming Las Vegas businessman who’s never left her mind…

Dom Lucier knows real gems—and Bailey is the most precious thing he’s seen since they met at her best friend’s wedding. Returning to Pike to trace the jewelry’s bloody history, Dom helps Bailey kick open a murderous cold case. But as death and disaster escalate, they’ll need a new strategy to escape a killer who won’t be satisfied until the streets of Pike are soaked in blood…

Themes:  Contemporary

Rating: 4 stars

Heat Rating: 4

Review:

For a series that began as a lark for an author that was most well known for her paranormal romances, the Pike Wisconsin series by Alexandra Ivy has become one of my favorite romantic suspense series around lately. With each new installment the outlandish murders and mysteries to be found in this small town and to be uncovered from decades of secrets are more unbelievable than can be imagined. Bailey Evans is a nurse, one that loves her town and the residents in the nursing home she works for, but when things around her become complicated and she finds herself in the middle of a real-life murder mystery she looks for help in the oddest corner. Wealthy Las Vegas businessman, Dom Lucier ran across Bailey at their best friends’ wedding and there was a definite spark between them. Now he has returned to see if he has a chance with Bailey, but first he ahs to keep her safe from the weirdness around her soon they are in the middle of a mystery that could lead to their deaths if they don’t work together to thwart a pyscho who has decided not only that murder is a game, but that Bailey has signed up to play and there is no way to exit the gam expect by winning or dying.  I enjoyed seeing Bailey’s sweet and loving nature coming out with the residents of the home, even though she hated the owners, and she is obviously a kind soul, intelligent and loving, but her wit and sass made her a perfect match for Dom.  Dom was protective, loving, and clever enough to know to let Bailey lead the way as they worked together to not only build a relationship but also to bring down a killer and bring him to justice. The only issues I can say I had was that the story moved entirely too quickly for my liking in the romance department, but that is becoming increasingly common in romantic suspense novels as reader only want the suspense. I am looking forward to more in this series but would also understand if the series has played out, because honestly how much murder and mayhem can one small town handle.

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