{Minute Romance Review} Royal Mess by Jenna Sutton

 {Romance Review} Royal Mess by Jenna Sutton

From award-winning author Jenna Sutton comes a story of two princes who discover that falling in love is messy...

Prince Leo’s icy demeanor has earned him an amusing nickname—the Polar Prince. Unfortunately, the king doesn’t see the humor. If Leo wants to secure the throne of Alsania, he must improve his image. Participating in an organ donation campaign seems like a good start. He expects to donate his organs on his deathbed, so he’s surprised to be matched with a complete stranger who needs his help now.

Tessa Lulach hates to admit it, but she’s a damsel in distress. When a handsome prince offers to save her with a hunk of his liver, she joyfully accepts. She can’t wait to feel like herself again and return to her beloved flower shop. Instead, her identity is revealed, and the quiet life she loves is turned upside down.

As Leo and Tessa deal with the nosy public and ruthless paparazzi, she realizes the Polar Prince is much warmer than he seems—scorching hot, in fact. He willingly gave her a part of his liver, but can he give her his whole heart?

*****

Everyone loves Prince Marco of Alsania, despite his reckless antics … or maybe because of them. So why does sexy schoolteacher Cassie Lulach prefer a boring investment banker over him? Wounded by her indifference, he has an erotic encounter with a masked woman at a royal ball who reminds him of the one he really wants.

After another failed relationship, Cassie is frustrated with immature, inconsiderate guys. Wanting to escape reality, she attends a masquerade ball and finds herself alone with a masked stranger. For the first time in her life, she acts on impulse, only to end up pregnant and absolutely clueless about the identity of her baby’s father.

When Marco learns of Cassie’s pregnancy and her plans to raise the baby alone, he promises to be there for her, hoping she’ll finally see him as more than just a playboy prince. But then he discovers she’s the woman from the masquerade ball and panics. Will the truth destroy his chance to win over Cassie, or will he convince her that they can have their own happily ever after?  (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Kindle Edition, 243 pages. Published May 8th 2018. Provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

{Rating} 3/5 -I liked it!

{Review}

Royal Mess consists of two novella length (read in one sitting) royal romance stories about two sisters how fall for royal princes. 

I really enjoyed Leo and Tessa's love story. The premise was unique - how can you not love the person who saved your life and the characters were endearing (I loved how dedicated Leo was to his heritage, how Tessa was very real).

I love royal romances where the main character falls in love with an ordinary person and to see their struggles, of Leo struggling with whether a woman can see beyond his title to the real person, and of Tessa learning how to deal with life in the spotlight. I was rooting for them all the way and was delighted to see that the novella ended with an epilogue that gave us a view into their happily ever after.

I could not get into book two. I liked what I saw of Cassie in her sister's book but I did not like the premise. Having sex with a masked stranger and getting pregnant is not romantic. That's all I'm going to say about that. Let's just think about Tessa and Leo and how much I liked them.

I'll definitely be on the lookout for future releases by Jenna Sutton.

{eARC Review} Bound Together (Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart #6) by Christine Feehan

Bound Together (Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart #6) by Christine Feehan

For five years, Viktor Prakenskii has put his life on hold in order to take down the world’s most feared motorcycle club from the inside. But carrying out the insane violence and seeing the club’s exploitation of the innocent has brought his traumatic past roaring back. And there’s only one cure: to see the wife he left behind...

Blythe Daniels thought she’d never see Viktor again after he murdered her stepfather and left without a word. She rebuilt her life without him, becoming a personal trainer and physical therapist...becoming strong enough for others to lean on. But when Viktor comes back to Sea Haven, he’ll make Blythe question everything she thought she knew about good and evil—and the dark desires of the heart... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. Published 

March 21st 2017 by Jove

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it

{Review}

Bound Together wraps up the Sisters of the Heart series as well as tying up some loose ends from the Sea Haven series. I'm sad to leave these series behind but also excited to be introduced to the new series, Torpedo Ink, and the characters populating that world.

I've read this book twice now but I'm still struggling to write a review and I'm not sure why. I'm a huge Christine Feehan fan. Over the last two or so years I've read/listened to almost every Christine Feehan book I could get my hands on. I've really enjoyed the Sisters of the Heart series, I'm currently re-listening to Earth Bound, to show how much I love it.

While all the Sisters of the Heart series have their dark moments - a lot of bad things have happened to both the heroes and the heroines - Bound Together is definitely the darkest. Blythe has been the 'mother' of the Sisters, the caretaker and level headed one, and finally we get to see the past that made her into the woman she is. I liked Blythe even more after learning of her past, the heartache and heartbreak, her huge heart, her capacity to forgive. Viktor was hard to like but easy to understand once you see everything he's endured. He sacrificed so much to protect both the family he was born into and the family he created.

I was engaged in the story from the beginning, cried along with the characters, celebrated with them, shook my head when Viktor did something stupid (he's a serious alpha male who is not used to being questioned or challenged and Blythe is no pushover), and smiled when they finally got their happily ever after.There's lots of action and drama, we get to see all the sisters and all the brothers together and using their various gifts to battle their enemy.

{eARC Romance Review} Wolf Hunt (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #6) by Paige Tyler

Wolf Hunt (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #6) by Paige Tyler 

A STORM IS BREWING...
Remy Boudreaux is back in his hometown, New Orleans. He's there with three of his fellow Dallas SWAT officers for a week of training with the NOLA PD. On the eve of a tropical storm, Remy and his buddies prowl the French Quarter. One tantalizing scent captures Remy's senses, forcing him to follow until he is face to face with Triana Bellamy—his beautiful high school crush.

After reconnecting, Remy and Triana are close—very. Remy struggles to keep things casual. Ever since his partner—and first love—was killed on the job, he's kept women at a distance.

But when a mysterious wolf pendant ropes them both into danger, Remy's protective instincts kick in. He may have to reveal his true self...and hope Triana accepts him. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, 352 pages. Published June 6th 2017 by Sourcebooks Casablanca

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it

{Review}

Six books into Paige Tyler's SWAT series and I'm still addicted. In Wolf Hunt we travel with a few of the SWAT wolf to New Orleans where Remy reunites with a woman from his past.

I enjoyed the action/drama of Remy's New Orleans mission as well as the romantic drama with Triana and Remy. Things happen fast, Remy is caught by Triana's scent and Triana finds herself charmed but their past together makes it not seem quite so abrupt. Neither are a geographically desirable partner but their connection is so strong that you know these two will find a way.

Triana's mother was a fun character. She was really interesting and has her own connection to the werewolf community that helps Triana find her way. I loved the background of New Orleans, especially when all the drama of the pendant and romance comes to a head during the middle of a storm.

{eARC Review} Leopard's Blood (Leopard People #10) by Christine Feehan

Leopard's Blood (Leopard People #10) by Christine Feehan

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan cuts straight to the heart of a man who stalks the shadows in an intoxicating Leopard novel.

Though born into a leopard’s lair in the bayou, Joshua Tregre’s fighting skills were honed in the rainforests of Borneo. Sleek and deadly, he’s the perfect man to take over a crime syndicate back home in Louisiana’s lush swamplands. His razor sharp instincts give him an edge in the violent underworld he knows so well, but even the watchful leopard inside him isn’t prepared for the danger that comes from the girl next door…

She is a woman who can create beauty out of thin air—and out of the ruins of her own life. The games that dangerous men play have taken their toll on her, but she is bent, not broken. And it’s her fierce spirit that’s like a lure to Joshua, a temptation he can’t resist—even if it means bringing his true nature into the light… (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details}eARC, 304 pages. Published October 24th 2017 by Piatkus. eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I liked it

{Review}

I'm a huge Christine Feehan fan, I'm working my way through all of her series. I was thrilled to see a new addition to her Leopard People series and dived in. Right away things are hot and intense between Joshua (who we've seen through the previous books in the series) and Sonia. Their leopards are determined to be together but Sonia is NOT. Sonia has a sad backstory, has been hurt by men, and wants nothing to do with him so Joshua has a had road ahead.

Sonia is very independent. She's got a huge heart, is there to lend a helping hand to anyone who needs it. I liked that she wasn't a shrinking violet, she was willing to jump in and defend the people she loved without a second thought. Joshua is a typical Christine Feehan hero. He's commanding and strong willed and determined to get his way. He's had a hard childhood too and it made him strong and protective and he knows what he's found in Sonia.

Super steamy, strong willed characters and an exciting storyline, Leopard's Blood is another winner from Christine Feehan.

{eARC 5 Star Review} Wilder (The Renegades #1) by Rebecca Yarros

Wilder (The Renegades #1) by Rebecca Yarros

He’s Paxton Wilder.

Twenty-two-year-old, tattooed, smoking-hot leader of the Renegades.

Five time X Games medalist.

The world is his playground—especially this year—and for the next nine months I’m stuck as his tutor on the Study at Sea program.

He’s too busy staging worldwide stunts for his documentary to get to class.

But if I can’t get him to take academics seriously, I’ll lose my scholarship…if I don’t lose my heart first.

Six unlikely friends on a nine-month cruise with the Study at Sea program will learn that chemistry is more than a subject and the best lessons aren’t taught in the classroom…but in the heart. (Blurb via Goodreads)

 

{Details} eARC provided in exchange for an honest review. Published September 19th 2016

{Rating} 5/5 - I loved it!

{Review}

Rebecca Yarros is one of the very few authors I have on my "buy everything they write" list. Her books have fabulous characters, heart wrenching storylines, and some of the best love stories I've read.

Wilder, the first book in The Renegades series, is an awesome book. I loved it from start to finish! There is so much to love, the setting (I would have been first to sign up for the Study at Sea program), the romance that is both sweet and hot with the forbidden love aspect, a storyline that has bit of mystery, a twist I didn't see coming and a happy ending.

{eARC Minute Review} The List (The List #1) by Tawna Fenske

The List (The List #1) by Tawna Fenske 

It all starts with a list.

A sex list.

Cassie Michaels comes up with a list of naughty experiences to impress her sisters and finally convince them—and herself—she's not just a boring soil scientist. Unfortunately, it also makes Cassie a liar if she doesn't tick off at least some of the kinky exploits before her sister's bachelorette party. Luckily, she's found just the man to help her, starting with number four—sex with an anonymous stranger.

As the owner of a chain of computer shops, Simon Traxel doesn't deal with mundane repairs, but when a brunette with killer green eyes and a list of sexploits frozen across her computer screen shows up at one of his shops, he's ready to get a little hands on.

Simon's more than willing to have some fun helping Cassie turn her made-up adventures into reality. Between steamy public romps that go hilariously awry, and sexy antics with kitchen utensils, getting through a to-do list has never been this much fun. But nearing the last few items means nearing the end of their time together, and Simon isn't ready to let her go... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 178 pages. Published January 30th 2017 by Entangled Publishing LLC. eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

This book was tons of fun! It was a funny, sexy, quick read. Cassie and Simon were great leads and I adored them. I liked that Cassie and Simon were both serious, smart, conscientious people who could also have fun. Beyond all the sexy times were sweet and serious moments, family drama, and self-discovery. This book had everything I look for in a romance novel (especially the laugh out loud bits) and I enjoyed The List from the first page to the very last. I look forward to reading more books in The List series.

{eARC Romance Review} Royally Roma (The Royals #1) by Teri Wilson

Royally Roma (The Royals #1) by Teri Wilson 

In this charming, modern retelling of the classic Audrey Hepburn film Roman Holiday, a royal prince tries to escape his hectic and rigid life and ends up leading a young graduate student on a chase through the Eternal City.

Julia Costa is too busy trying to complete her PhD while also holding down a full-time job as a private tour guide in Rome to keep up with celebrity gossip. So when she crosses paths with a real, actual prince, she mistakes him for a client and takes him on a daylong tour of the city.

Intrigued by the idea of spending time with someone who obviously has no idea who he is, and delighted at the prospect of a day free of royal obligations, Niccolo La Torre, Crown Prince of Lazaretto, acts on impulse and assumes the role of Julia’s client. He swears to himself that he’ll return to his royal duties after only half a day…but he’s having the time of his life.

Until Julia presents him with the bill. Since he snuck out of the hotel without so much as a dime, he tries to escape, only to discover that she won’t let him out of her sight until he can pay her back. She’s determined to get her money…and perhaps more from the handsome stranger she’s fallen for. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} Kindle Edition, 251 pages. Published March 27th 2017 by Pocket Star. eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

 

I really enjoyed this one. It's a fast read, just over 250 pages, but it packs a big punch.

 

Both Julia and Niccolo have secrets they can't escape. Niccolo is at a breaking point. He's been the responsible one, the one that cleans up the messes, who does the hard thing, but when he sees the woman with the red painted mouth, who doesn't know who he is, mistakes him for her client he seizes the opportunity to escape himself - at least for a few hours.

 

Julia is a strong person too. Her life was upended and she moved to Rome to start over, to make a life for herself there. I loved Niccolo and Julia together, the way they build off of each other, they're better together. I loved the setting, the sightseeing, journeying around with Julia and Niccolo on the Vespa, seeing all the famous sights. 

 

There were a few misses for me, I didn't like the beginning, I would rather have started without the glimpse of the future, and the ending felt too abrupt. I wish there had been more after the grand gesture, but I guess that's a good thing, leaving us wanting more. Overall I enjoyed Royally Roma and am excited to learn that the next book in the series, another retelling, will be available soon.

{eARC Minute Review} Drawn to the Wolves by Shari Mikels

Drawn to the Wolves by Shari Mikels

The pack's alpha has finally found his fated mate…and she's terrified of wolves.  
Wolf shifter Callan Mohan has a powerful connection to his pack. As alpha, he can sense if something is wrong—and when he feels panic coming from an unknown source, his instincts tell him she's someone to be protected at all costs.
Rescuing a stranger from an unexpected confrontation with two wolf shifters is easy. Helping her move from fear to acceptance of the animals—and him—is a challenge.
Kate Ballard's attraction to her mysterious rescuer is instant. That she falls for Callan so quickly isn't surprising—his strong, confident presence puts her at ease, and the strange connection she has to him makes her feel safe almost immediately. He's the man she didn't know she was waiting for.
It's only a matter of time before Callan has to tell Kate the truth. And find out, once and for all, if her love for him is enough to overcome her fear. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC. 105 pages. May 22nd 2017 by Carina Press. Review copy provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review}

A paranormal romance novella about an alpha shifter who falls in love with a woman terrified of the other half of himself. Kate's a woman who is looking for a new life. She's left her job, is staying at a bed and breakfast, is out in the woods, ends up following wildlife and finds herself in trouble. Callen comes to her rescue, a man whose voice she's dreamed of. Things move quickly, Kate can't help falling for the wonderful Callen (he's a great hero, strong, protective, loving), but Callen's keeping secrets. Drawn to the Wolves is a jam packed story you can read in one sitting and get a happily ever after.

{eARC Review} Shadow Reaper (Shadow #2) by Christine Feehan

Shadow Reaper (Shadow #2) by Christine Feehan

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan continues her sexy new series, as the Ferraros—a Chicago crime family—use their power as shadow riders to protect their empire and the ones they love…

Billionaire playboy Ricco Ferraro knows no other life. Being a shadow rider is in his blood - but so is a haunting desperation stemming from the secrets of his dark past. His recklessness puts not only his life at risk, but also the future of his entire family. To save them all, he must find a woman who can meet his every desire with a heat all her own...

Just when Ricco has given up hope, he meets her - a mysterious woman whose shadow connects with his. She's someone looking for a safe haven from the danger that has stalked her over the last several months. In Ricco's embrace, she finds one. But the darkness in which they so often find sanctuary can also consume them... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 480 pages. Expected publication: May 30th 2017 by Jove. eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review


{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it

{Review} 

It's hard to say much about the plot, the book blurb is really mysterious - it doesn't even say the heroine's name - but I'll do what I can to show how I enjoyed the book without giving too much away.

I really enjoyed Shadow Reaper, I loved seeing more of the Ferraro family, I liked Ricco even more after learning about his past, I thought the heroine was a strong character, damaged but kind, compassionate, and courageous, and there was quite a bit of action and excitement.

The relationship between the heroine and Ricco was my favorite part of the story. They have both endured terrible trials in their past, have been scarred by what they've survived and those scars still influence who they are today. I enjoyed how Christine Feehan used Shibari to develop their relationship; it was about sex but more than that it was about trust.

This is the second installment in the Shadow series and I do think you would enjoy it better if you read book one first to understand the world of shadow riders and get to meet the characters but it isn't strictly necessary. Shadow Reaper has confirmed that I'm a definite fan of this series and can't wait to learn whose story comes next.

{eARC Review} Call to Honor (Team Poseidon #1) by Tawny Weber

The Poseidon team are hard-bodied, fiercely competitive navy SEALs. But when a sensitive mission goes disastrously wrong, three of the team's finest will have to trust their hearts and instincts to uncover the truth…

"No man left behind" is inscribed in the DNA of every SEAL and Lieutenant Diego Torres is no exception. But with a team member killed—and the body missing—Diego's honor is sorely tested. Now his career and reputation are on the line, and a traitor is hiding among them. Diego wants answers…and only one woman has them.

Single mom Harper Maclean has two priorities—raising her son Nathan and starting a new life. Her mysterious new neighbor may be impossibly charming, but Diego asks too many questions about her past—and about the father of her child. Questions she fears will reveal her burning attraction for Diego, and ultimately put them all in danger's path. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 384 pages. Published January 31st 2017 by Harlequin Books. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

{Rating} 5/5 - I loved it

{Rating}

I loved this one. I was drawn in from the first page. Tawny Weber does a great job of introducing her characters. You get to see who they are, their personalities, motivations, and more, quickly, but organically. 

Diego is a great hero. He's all about honor. About doing the right thing. He struggles with the concept that one of the 'brothers' in his SEAL team is a traitor, he just can't believe any of them aren't as honorable as he is. He also isn't sure what to do about Harper and Nathan. Diego hates the idea of lying to Harper, of grilling her and her son for information, but he's a guy who gets the job done even if it's hard.

Harper is a strong, devoted heroine. She's pulled herself out of challenging circumstances and built a stable, happy life for her and her son. Nathan was an adorable kid. He lets us see the softer side of Diego, the warm, protective Harper but also their fiercer sides.

The story flows well, slowly unfolding the mystery of the traitor (even if it's not a big mystery), but still leaving me interested in how things will turn out.

By the end of Call to Honor Tawny Weber has shown me enough about Team Poseidon that I'm eager to see what's going to happen next. This may be my first Tawny Weber novel but it definitely won't be the last.

[eARC Review} On the Market (The Ballard Brothers of Darling Bay Book 1) by Rachael Herron

On the Market (The Ballard Brothers of Darling Bay Book 1) by Rachael Herron 

The Bachelor meets The Property Brothers:
Love, property, and construction. What could possibly go wrong?

From international bestseller Rachael Herron, comes another book too delightful to put down:

Liam Ballard is good at buying houses, fixing them up with his brothers, and flipping them for a profit. When Felicia from the network shows up to offer them a reality show (the brothers renovate a house while one of them dates the buyer), the pay is too good to turn down. With it, they'll finally be able to open the after-school program for at-risk youth to honor the man who raised them. But when the very LA-like Felicia decides she'll be the buyer of the property (and his date), Liam wonders for the first time what set of keys he'll want to pass over to her, and will one of them unlock his heart?

A heart-warming, laugh-out-loud installment in the small town you love to visit. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 225 pages. Published June 28th 2016 by HGA Publishing. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

 

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

 

{Review}

Think The Property Brothers if one of the guys was supposed to fall for the homeowner during the purchase and renovation. I have no idea why I waited so long to pick up this book! I adored it. The characters, the setting - the house! - there was so much to love.

The characters are all endearing and wonderfully flawed. There aren't any perfect characters to be found here and the author isn't afraid to show their mistakes. It was hard to get in Felicia's head. I liked her but I couldn't understand her and the decisions she made. The author did a good job of trying to show her thought processes and how her upbringing would have guided her to those decisions but I still wanted to shake her. Liam has an enormous heart. He's uber-protective of those he loves, he's got issues - major childhood pain - but he has an amazing capacity for love. Of all the characters my favorite, hands-down, was the house. It was definitely the star of the book.

I did feel like the book was rushed near the end and I didn't feel like I saw enough of the other Ballard Brothers who are supposed to be the leading men in the next books but if you're looking for a quick, sweet and steamy romance novel set in a fabulous location check out On the Market.

{eARC Review} Leopard's Fury (Leopard People #9) by Christine Feehan

Leopard's Fury (Leopard People #9)by Christine Feehan

With her own bakery in San Antonio, Evangeline Tregre made a new life far from the brutal lair of shifters she was born into. Though she is all too aware of her leopard-shifter blood, she never felt the sensation of a wild animal stirring inside her. Not until Alonzo Massi walked into her bakery. The powerful shifter is as irresistible as he is terrifying, but his icy demeanor tells her to keep her distance.

Alonzo knows better than to let himself get involved with someone like Evangeline. She doesn’t deserve the type of danger that follows him, or the threat of his Amur leopard. But even with his lean muscle and iron will, Alonzo isn’t strong enough to stay away from the one woman who can make him feel at peace. And when their secret lives draw a mortal threat, Alonzo unleashes the feral passion he keeps pent up inside himself. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it

{Details} 352 pages. Published November 8th 2016 by Jove. eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Review} 

The latest addition to the Leopard People series is classic Christine Feehan: alpha males, strong women, violence, passion, family, drama and a happily ever after.

Evangeline's childhood was terrible. She was neglected, tortured, terrified, but she survived. She's put herself back together, she's created a life she loves, doing something she loves. And then a man walks through her door and turns her life upside down. She's may be young and innocent but she's also fierce, determined, and protective.

Alonzo can't stay away from Evangeline. His leopard is difficult - scary difficult - but around sweet, innocent Evangeline he calms. I felt for Alonzo. His childhood was horrific, he's seen and done things that would break the strongest of people, but he survived. He's still got his demons, lives a dangerous life, and doesn't think he deserves a woman much less one like Evangeline and it's a battle to get him to give in.

I liked Alonzo and Evangeline. He goes all alpha male but she's not afraid to stand up to him, he cares and protects her like no one in her life ever had before. I also liked that Evangeline has always known about her leopard, that it was been her companion, her protector, even if they haven't always been in agreement. I loved Alonzo's relationship with his brother and cousins and how they brought Evangeline into the fold, teasing and bantering with her.

As always, when I reach the end of one of Christine Feehan's novels I'm eager for another.

{eARC Review} Shadow Falling (The Scorpius Syndrome #2) by Rebecca Zanetti

Shadow Falling (The Scorpius Syndrome #2) by Rebecca Zanetti 

Before the Scorpius Syndrome tore through North America and nearly wiped out the population, Vivienne Wellington was the FBI’s best profiler. The bacteria got her anyway. But she survived. She recovered. And when she woke up from a drug-nightmare of captivity, her skills as a hunter of men had gone from merely brilliant to full-on uncanny. Her mysterious rescuer wants her to put them to the test. But no matter how tempting he is, with his angel’s eyes and devil’s tongue, Vinnie knows she shouldn’t trust him.

If the FBI were still around they would rate Raze Shadow as one of the bad guys. His military training can’t wipe out his association with the Mercenaries, the most feared gang in a thousand miles. His loyalties are compromised. He won’t even tell Vinnie his real name. But there’s no FBI in the new America of fear and firepower, only instinct and risk.

And the way his arms wrap around Vinnie tells its own story. Whatever else Raze is concealing, he can’t hide his desire . . . (Blurb via Goodreads)

 

{Details} eARC. 400 pages. Published August 30th 2016 by Zebra. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

 

{Review}

Rebecca Zanetti does not disappoint. Shadow Falling, the second book in The Scorpius Syndrome series, is just as exciting, as full of life and death, of shocks and aww, with a few humorous moments to lighten the dark and hard world.

 

I really liked Raze. He's smart and strong and uber-protective. He's also stuck between a rock and a hard place. He came to the Vanguard for a reason - a really good one - but now that he's there, working, helping, protecting and with Vinnie, things aren't so simple and he's got a fight on his hands to not lose everything. 

Poor Vinnie. She's been through the ringer. She's safe now - mostly - but she struggles to find her place, to belong, to feel worthwhile. I adored her spirit and drive to survive. Raze and Vinnie are so perfect together, the chemistry is great, their banter and ways of challenging each other are fun. 

I also enjoyed the sub-plot with the Reverend (which was super well crafted - and creepy) and the teasers about what we'll see in book three, Justice Ascending.

{eARC Review} The Bachelor Auction (The Bachelors of Arizona #1) by Rachel Van Dyken

The Bachelor Auction (The Bachelors of Arizona #1) by Rachel Van Dyken 

Cinderella never had to deal with this crap.

Jane isn't entirely sure that Cinderella got such a raw deal. Sure, she had a rough start, but didn't she eventually land a prince and a happily-ever-after? Meanwhile, Jane is busy waiting on her demanding, entitled sisters, running her cleaning business, and . . . yep, not a prince in sight. Until a party and a broken shoe incident leave Jane wondering if princes---or at least, a certain deliciously hunky billionaire---maybe do exist.

Except Brock Wellington isn't anyone's dream guy. Hell, a prince would never agree to be auctioned off in marriage to the highest bidder. Or act like an arrogant jerk---even if it was just a façade. Now, as Brock is waiting for the auction chopping block, he figures it's karmic retribution that he's tempted by a sexy, sassy woman he can't have. But while they can't have a fairy-tale ending, maybe they can indulge in a little bit of fantasy . . (Blurb via Goodreadss)

{Details} 352 pages.Published October 4th 2016 by Forever. Source: eARC provided via Goodreads for an honest revieww

{Rating} 4/5 I really liked it

{Review}

A contemporary take on the Cinderella fairy tale.  Bachelor Auction is classic Rachel Van Dyken with her strong family bonds (good and bad), trademark banter, meddlesome secondary characters, great chemistry, and a happily ever after. I was sucked in by the story from the fairy tale beginning - poor Jane with a shoe mishap, to Jane and her prince at the ball.


I liked both Jane and Brock. They're wonderful and infuriating, they love their families fiercely, are devoted to them, sacrifice for them, and feel trapped by them. As much as they are drawn to each other (and forced together over and over again) their actions are guided by their pasts and they have to work through the guilt and obligations that shaped them.

If you're a fan of fairy tale retellings, a spicy romance, crazy families, and banter, give The Bachelor Auction a try.

Dark Carousel (Dark #30) by Christine Feehan 

In the new Carpathian novel from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan, a woman falls prey to the seductive allure of the past—and a vampire warrior’s intoxicating embrace...

The moment Charlotte Vintage walks into his club, Tariq Asenguard’s blood is set on fire. The ancient Carpathian had given up hope of finding his lifemate, but now he will do anything to make Charlotte his own. What Tariq doesn’t know is that Charlotte is using herself and her best friend as bait—to try to draw out the bloodthirsty killers who have already murdered Charlotte’s brother and mentor.

Charlotte is familiar with Tariq. Not only is he one of the richest and most eligible bachelors in the city, but he’s also a renowned collector of old carousel horses, which Charlotte restores. Their shared passion opens Charlotte up to trusting him with her life and with the desire she can no longer control. But it also makes her vulnerable to a centuries-old curse that will unite her and Tariq in a war against the enemies of humans and Carpathians alike... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 432 pages. Published August 2nd 2016 by Berkley. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review}

I'm a big fan of Christine Feehan - I'm working my way through all her series - and while I liked her latest installment in the Dark series, I didn't love it.

What I liked:

Charlotte. She's strong, loyal, determined, courageous. She's got a huge heart, she welcomes all these children into her heart, and will do anything for them.

Tariq. I love the way he loves the children he's taken into his care, how he looks out for the people under his protection, his determination to defeat the vampires.

The friendship between Charlotte and Genevieve, the children, seeing the other Carpathian hunters, and the action of the Carpathians versus the vampires.

What I didn't like:

Right from the beginning I felt like I had missed something, that there were a lot of characters and situations that I should have already known about.

The instalove to instasex. While instalove is a big component of the Carpathian mythology usually there is more development in their relationship before they end up in bed together.

All in all, I enjoyed Dark Carousel and was really intrigued with the secondary characters and hope to see their own stories play out in future installments.

{eARC Minute Review} Saved By The SEAL (Battle Scars #2) by Diana Gardin

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Saved By The SEAL (Battle Scars #2) by Diana Gardin

He saved her life. She showed him how to live it . . .

When he sees a woman drowning, Grisham Abbot immediately leaps into action. The Navy SEAL forgets his training, his past, and the explosion that forever scarred his body and his mind. He can only remember what he was born to do. But saving Greta Owen is a complication Grisham is definitely not ready for. She’s stunning and gorgeous—like sunlight after months of darkness. Yep, Grisham is so, so screwed.

Greta knows that the smart thing to do would be to run from Grisham. He’s a wounded warrior, and his head is a big-time mess. The problem is that Greta wants to make him her mess. One kiss and she’s completely in over her head. And if this SEAL risked himself to save her, then she must find a way to bring him back to life . . . (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 352 pages. Published March 8th 2016 by Forever Yours. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

Grisham and Greta have a history but when they meet again when Grisham comes to Greta's rescue it's an opportunity for a new beginning. I enjoyed the romance, Greta is great for Grisham, as well as the elements of suspense in the storyline.

I enjoyed Diana Gardin's writing, the pacing was great, the characters perfectly imperfectly and told from dual POVs we get to see in both Grisham and Greta's heads. Although this is book two in the series Battle Scars it can be read as a standalone, I did, but it did make me want to read book one, Last True Hero.

{eARC Minute Review} The Fractured Heart (Second Circle Tattoos #2) by Scarlett Cole

The Fractured Heart (Second Circle Tattoos #2) by Scarlett Cole

All things, when placed under pressure, eventually break or leave a mark.

Tattoo artist Brody "Cujo" Matthews knows how to keep things simple. In life and in love. Abandoned as a child by a mother who refused to stick around to raise three boys she didn't want, he's intent on staying clear of complicated women. The only things complicated in Cujo’s life are the killer tattoos he designs and inks. That all changes when he’s asked to help organize his best friend Trent's engagement party, which means working with Trent's fiancée's best friend, Drea, the definition of high maintenance and sizzling curves. And the one woman he doesn’t want to walk away from.

Andrea "Drea" Caron is broke and tired. After years of caring for her ailing mom, she's at the end of her rope trying to manage the piling medical bills, two jobs, and a life placed on hold. She certainly doesn’t need the added frustration of a sexy playboy tattoo artist messing up her best friend’s engagement party or her carefully balanced life. But when Drea witnesses the abduction of a woman from the café she works at, she can’t help but turn to Cujo who’s determined to prove to Drea that he’s someone she can count on forever…but as they attempt to bring the truth to light, someone is working to bring that forever to a sudden, deadly halt. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC. Published January 5th 2016 by St. Martin's Press. Source: eARC provided via Netgaley in exchange for an honest review

 

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it

 

{Review}

We got to know both Cujo and Drea in the first novel, Strongest Steel. They were both great friends, supportive and generous, and here, in their own story, they're even more awesome. Both are the drop everything for you, give you the shirt off their back, type.

Both Cujo and Drea have been through a lot and still bear the scars. Their scars color their views of the world and directly impact their relationship. The romance develops slowly, starting with barbs and sniping, but turns into a relationship that can last.

Along with the romance there is an element of mystery and danger that added some excitement. If you like your romance with a little suspense and drama check out the books of Second Circle.

{eARC Romance Review} The Billionaire's Baby Swap (The Montanari Marriages #1) by Rebecca Winters

The Billionaire's Baby Swap (The Montanari Marriages #1) by Rebecca Winters

Two babies…one family?
Single mom Valentina Montanari was abandoned while pregnant, yet she's besotted with her tiny son, Ric. But why does he look nothing like her?
Gorgeous billionaire Giovanni Laurito bonded with his new baby, Vito, after a difficult divorce, so discovering Vito and Ric were swapped at birth is a huge shock!
When Valentina and Giovanni meet to reclaim their children, sparks fly. They've already fallen for each other's babies… Could this unexpected beginning create the family of their dreams? (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, Kindle Edition, 256 pages.Published April 1st 2016 by Harlequin Romance . Source: eARC provided in exchange for an honest review via Netgalley

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review}

Sweet, cute story. I liked Valentina and Giovanni, they're both trying to do the very best for their kids while working through their own issues, and pasts, his failed marriage and life/work balance and her career issues and affair she regrets. The boys really stole the show, they're cute and loving and charming. Valentina and Giovanni were both more forgiving than I would have been but they're right, when your heart is full of love there isn't room for anything else. If you're looking for a sweet, heartwarming story, give The Billionaire's Baby Swap a try.

{eARC Review} I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford #2) by Lauren Layne

I Wish You Were Mine (Oxford #2) by Lauren Layne

Perfect for fans of Alice Clayton and Emma Chase, Lauren Layne’s Oxford series heats up in this story of forbidden desire as a brooding jock hoping for a comeback falls for a woman who’s strictly off-limits.

A year ago, Jackson Burke was married to the love of his life and playing quarterback for the Texas Redhawks. Now he’s retired, courtesy of the car accident that ruined his career—and single, after a nasty scandal torpedoed his marriage. Just as he’s starting to get used to his new life as a health and fitness columnist for Oxford magazine, his unpredictable ex shows up on his doorstep in Manhattan. Jackson should be thrilled. But he can’t stop thinking about the one person who’s always been there for him, the one girl he could never have: her younger sister.

Mollie Carrington can’t say no to Madison. After all, her older sister practically raised her. So when Madison begs for help in winning her ex-husband back, Mollie’s just glad she got over her own crush on Jackson ages ago—or so she thought. Because as Mollie reconnects with Jackson, she quickly forgets all her reasons to stay loyal to her sister. Tempted by Jackson’s mellow drawl and cowboy good looks, Mollie is sick and tired of coming in second place. But she can’t win if she doesn’t play the game. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details}ebook, 260 pages. Published February 2nd 2016 by Loveswept. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

Jackson's life has been completely derailed and he's not doing well. He's anti-social. He's going through the motions. Mollie is a smart girl with a huge blind spot when it comes to her sister. I could see how her sister really is - everyone could - but Mollie is desperately loyal and thinks of her sister as the person who saved her, and I suppose she did, a little, but not to the degree Mollie has built it up in her head.

They have a lot working against them; he doesn't want to be in the city - or the same coast - in his job, he wants the life he, she's got a lot of guilt because of her sister. I liked them together. Mollie is good for Jackson, helping him build relationships, open up, have a life again even if it wasn't the life he intended to be living.

I enjoyed seeing the characters from Oxford, seeing my favorite couple Penelope and Cole still deliriously happy, and getting a little bit of insight into Lincoln, the hero of the next book in the Oxford series. 

While I didn't love this book as much as I loved book one, Irresistibly Yours, I did enjoy it and if you haven't given Lauren Layne, or the Oxford series, a try, I highly recommend it. 

{eARC Romance Review} Courted: Gowns & Crowns, Book 1 by Jennifer Chance

Courted: Gowns & Crowns, Book 1 by Jennifer Chance

"An awesomely fun, modern day fairy tale!" - Lori Foster, NYT bestselling author

Aspiring concert violist Emmaline Aurora Grace Andrews is torn between her love of family and her love of music. A year ago, she deferred entering a prestigious graduate program to help her parents recover from a devastating accident. Now the deferment is expiring, but her parents still need her. Worse, every time she plays her audition piece, she mangles it. Is it too late to be the musician she'd always dreamed of? Should she even try?

Determined to get clarity, Emmaline accepts a friend's offer for a whirlwind European vacation. First Stop: a real live fantasy kingdom--the perfect place to sort wishes from reality.

Prince Kristos Andris was a respected captain in his nation's military... Was. In the wake of the tragic death of his elder brother, he's managed to avoid his duties as the new Crown Prince of Garronia for months. But now he must accept his responsibilities and leave his troops behind. Outraged at the restrictions of his new royal position, he'll do anything for one last adventure. So when opportunity suddenly lands in his arms in the form of a dreamy-eyed American girl, he embraces it (and her) for all he's worth. What's the harm in a quick fling, after all? It won't change what he knows he must do...

Only this is Garronia in the summertime, where passion has a way of ruining even the most sensible of plans. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} 227 pages. Published October 6th 2015 by Elewyn Publishing. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 4/5 - I really liked it!

{Review}

Kristos a soldier. He had a life, a plan, he never wanted to be king, and he's struggling with a new path, with grief and changed expectations and responsibilities. Just when he finally has to face up to those responsibilities he meets a girl. Emmaline can understand Kristos in a way few others can. She had a plan, a dream that has also been derailed by her parent's accident.

Things happen quickly, their attraction is immediate and irresistible and things get sexy so this is definitely a story for mature readers. I love how they make each other feel, like they can handle the twists and turns of life. They're like magnets, they can't stay away from each other. When they're near they can't help but touch, kiss, be close in every way they can.

I liked the friendship between the girls, they've got each other's backs. They're supportive but they also have fun.


And what's a royal story without Cinderella moments?