{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} Blade Bound (Chicagoland Vampires #13) by Chloe Neill

{eARC Review} Blade Bound (Chicagoland Vampires #13) by Chloe Neill

The thrilling final installment of Chloe Neill’s New York Times bestselling urban fantasy series sees a sinister sorcery advancing across Chicago, and it may usher in the fall of Cadogan House…

Since the night of her brutal attack and unwilling transformation to vampire, Merit’s stood as Sentinel and protector of Chicago’s Cadogan House. She's saved the Windy City from the forces of darkness time and again with her liege and lover, Ethan Sullivan, by her side.

When the House is infiltrated and Merit is attacked by a vampire seemingly under the sway of dark magic, Merit and Ethan realize the danger is closer than they could have ever imagined. As a malign sorcery spreads throughout the city, Merit must go to war against supernatural powers beyond her comprehension. It’s her last chance to save everything—and everyone—she loves. (Blurb via Goodreads) 

{Details} ebook, 384 pages. Published April 25th 2017 by Berkley Books. eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 5/5 - I loved it!

I have a thing I do with books I'm really excited about... I hoard them and wait for just the perfect time to read them because, while you can read them again and again, you can only read them for the first time once. That's what happened with Blade Bound. I love the Chicagoland series, I love Ethan and Merit, and I didn't want their story to be over. I know there is the Heirs of Chicagoland series, and I'm thrilled about that, but still, this is the last Ethan and Merit book.

So, on to the book. I adored seeing Merit and Ethan's happily ever after. The first part of the book was definitely focused on the wedding festivities (the bridal shower was so imaginative and perfect for Merit), and as soon as the wedding is over the weapons are out and the magical drama is on. We have old foes, including the vampire that threw Merit into the vampire world, new magical challenges and solutions and a whole lot of excitement.

I also enjoy watching Merit and the gang solve their magical mysteries and this was no exception. It was exciting (I especially liked how libraries save the day), the gang fights, fail, but never gives up, and in the end it comes down to Merit against the big bad.

Swoony sweet, exciting, funny, and magically satisfying, Blade Bound was a great way to say goodbye to the Chicagoland Vampires series.

{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 Minute Review} Wolf Hunger (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #7) by Paige Tyler

Wolf Hunger (SWAT: Special Wolf Alpha Team #7) by Paige Tyler

She’s all the wolf he’ll ever need

When SWAT Officer Max Lowry meets Lana Mason, he falls fast and hard. He’s positive she’s The One. And Max’s favorite part? Lana’s a wolf shifter too, so they can skip the awkward reveal and head straight to the happily ever after. There’s just one problem: Lana doesn’t know that she’s a werewolf.

To make matters worse, hunters with intent to kill have tracked Lana to Dallas. Max has to figure out how to keep Lana safe, show her who and what she really is—and just how much she means to him. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. 313 pages. Published December 5th 2017 by Sourcebooks Casablanca  

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

{Review}

There's a lot going on this Wolf Hunger. A family in distress that brings up Max's painful history, a secret legacy, hunters moving ever closer, injury, loss, and of course the romance. The beginning of Max's story is hard as we learn about the tragic circumstances that led to Max's change but I held on because Max deserved a happy ending and I wanted to see it.

I enjoyed Max and Lana's love story from the first meeting, through interfering parents, loss and the revelation of secrets. It did feel like the love story was a bit overshadowed by the huge things that happened but it was satisfying none the less.

Wolf Hunger moved us one step closer to the showdown between the werewolves and the hunters and keeps me interested in finding out what happens next.

{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 Romance Review} Brighter Than the Sun (KGI #11) by Maya Banks

Brighter Than the Sun (KGI #11) by Maya Banks

Searing action and passion ignite the latest KGI novel from the #1 New York Times bestselling author of Darkest Before Dawn.

The Kelly Group International (KGI): A super-elite, top secret, family-run business.
Qualifications: High intelligence, rock-hard body, military background.
Mission: Hostage/kidnap victim recovery. Intelligence gathering.
Handling jobs the U.S. government can’t...

As the last unattached member of the Kelly clan, Joe is more than ready to risk life and limb on any mission he’s assigned to, but when it comes to love, he’ll keep his distance. He’s content to watch his brothers become thoroughly domesticated.

Zoe’s had nothing but heartbreak in her life, and she’s determined to start over with a completely new identity, thanks to her college friend, Rusty Kelly. But it’s the gorgeous smile and tender words of Joe Kelly that begin to weaken her resolve to never risk her heart again. And Joe will have to put everything on the line to save Zoe, when secrets of her past resurface—and threaten to tear them apart… (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} 336 pages. Published March 7th 2017 by Berkley Book.eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

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

{Review} 

I enjoyed watching Joe fall. The last brother has seen his each and every of his brothers succumb to love but he has resisted. When Rusty brings home her friend Zoe, a skittish woman with secrets in her eyes, Joe can't help but fall. Admittedly things move fast, the Kelly men fall fast, but Joe's a sweetheart to Zoe. He wants to show her his favorite places, a fun time and that's she safe with him. Zoe is a sweet girl who had been taken in, her trust betrayed, and fearing for her life, she turns to the only person she can, her friend Rusty. The Kelly family is a revelation to Zoe, to think that there are so many people who love and look after each other.

While I liked Joe and Zoe's search for their happily ever after I thought the most intriguing element of the story was The Rusty and Sean Situation. A background character in the other books in the series Rusty has really grown into an interesting character. She's super smart - something she either keeps from her brothers or her brothers haven't bothered to learn about her - fiercely loyal and protective and in love with Sean. I admired her bravery, in going after what she wanted, but timing and harsh words demolish her heart, confidence, and causes her to take her life in a drastically different direction. I'm eager to learn what happens next.

{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 Minute Review} Reluctantly Royal (HRH #1) by Gillian Archer

Reluctantly Royal (HRH #1) by Gillian Archer

A bad-boy prince is tamed by a vivacious American beauty in this charming love story.

Officially, the world knows me as His Royal Highness Prince Lucien of Monaco, but you can call me Luc. A long time ago, I vowed never to let my heritage stand in the way of a good time. Now the party’s over.

With the death of my father and my twin brother, I’ve lost a part of my soul — and my freedom. My heartless older brother tells me that not only do I have to settle down, I need to marry a girl with the right bloodlines. AKA, a princess. Yeah, I’ll get right on that... after one last trip to Vegas.

That’s where I meet Hannah. Not only is she gorgeous and down-to-earth, she reminds me what it’s like to live completely in the moment. Plus she has no idea who I really am. Hanging out with the locals, I feel like I can just be myself again. Besides, our chemistry is undeniable — especially after we take things to the next level.

What happens in Vegas is special, and I don’t want it to stay there. But I’ve been keeping a secret that will tear us apart. The last thing I expect, though? Hannah’s been keeping a secret of her own... one that might just bring us together. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, 1st edition, 229 pages. Published January 16th 2018 by Loveswept. eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it

{Review}

A quick read I enjoyed, but didn't really leave a lasting impression.

Prince Lucien has had a hard time of it. His twin brother and father were bot h killed in a plane crash, his older brother Sovereign Prince Sebastien has turned into an uber-serious task master determined to sacrifice himself and his happiness for his country and thinks Prince Lucien ought to do so too.

Prince Lucien is in Las Vegas on business, feeling the weight of the responsibilities, when he meets Hannah. Their attraction is immediate, the sexual tension palpable, their time together a whirlwind of fun and passion. There are lots of things working against them, making it seem like their happily ever after is doomed, Prince Sebastien, a meddling employee, Hannah's secret, the difference in their stations, the physical distance between their home countries but it was fun to see their journey.

{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 Review} Judgment Road (Torpedo Ink #1) by Christine Feehan

Judgment Road (Torpedo Ink #1) by Christine Feehan

An outlaw motorcycle club sets up shop next door to Sea Haven in the dangerously sexy new series from #1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan.
As the enforcer of the Torpedo Ink motorcycle club, Reaper lives for riding and fighting. He's a stone-cold killer who turns his wrath on those who deserve it. Feelings are a weakness he can't afford--until a gorgeous bartender gets under his skin...

Near Sea Haven, the small town of Caspar has given Anya Rafferty a new lease on life. And she's desperate to hold on to her job at the biker bar, even if the scariest member of the club seems to have it out for her. But Reaper's imposing presence and smoldering looks just ratchet up the heat.

Anya's touch is everything Reaper doesn't want--and it brands him to the bone. But when her secrets catch up to her, Reaper will have to choose between Anya and his club--his heart and his soul. (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review, 304 pages. Expected publication: January 23rd 2018 by Piatkus

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

{Review}

I was very excited to see a new series, Torpedo Ink, from one of my favorite authors, Christine Feehan. The cast of the Torpedo Ink series was first introduced in Bound Together, the last book in the Sea Haven/Sisters of the Heart series, and are Viktor's (not biologically related) brothers and sisters. In Judgement Road we get to see a lot more of the Torpedo Ink crew - and a lot more of their horrible upbringing.

I was engaged from the beginning, seeing the mysterious Reaper - overprotective, quiet, dangerous - taking care of his family, trying desperately to ignore the mysterious new bartender, Anya. Growing up in the school he did, with the abuse and deprivation, without seeing anything normal Reaper has no idea what to do with his feelings for Anya. He doesn't even know he likes her. He makes a lot of mistakes but Anya couldn't find a fiercer champion, or one more determined to love her and make her happy.

Anya hasn't had an easy upbringing either, she and her mother bounced from shelter to shelter, but she was determined to make a life for herself, to make a home and build a family. She was working on her great life plan but her life has taken a dramatic left turn, sending her fleeing, and she has found safety at Torpedo Ink's bar. Reaper isn't the guy she imagined herself falling for but she can't stop thinking about him, and when they get close, she can't resist him.

There are quite a few tense moments in the story, both with his relationship with Anya (he's thisclose to blowing it with her multiple times), and with Torpedo Ink's fight against another club that is targeting women.

I like that this book shows you that people are more than their upbringing, that you can come from the worst of circumstances and make your life what you want it to be. There are a lot of members of Torpedo Ink so I'm looking forward to many, many years of books featuring these strong, scarred, men and women. 

--Trigger warning--

{eARC Minute Review} The Sight (Devil's Isle #2) by Chloe Neill

The Sight (Devil's Isle #2) by Chloe Neill

The paranormal war that engulfed New Orleans seven years ago is over. But the battle for the city is just beginning . . .

Claire Connolly is a Sensitive, infected with magic when the Veil that divides humanity from the world beyond fell. Magic can easily consume and destroy a Sensitive, and if Claire’s secret is discovered she’ll be locked into the walled district of Devil’s Isle along with every other Paranormal left in the city.

Bounty hunter Liam Quinn discovered Claire’s secret, but refused to turn her in. Together they saved New Orleans from the resurgence of magic that nearly destroyed it. But now a dangerous cult is on the rise, and it will take both Claire and Liam—and magical allies within Devil’s Isle’s towering walls—to defeat the occult threat before magic corrupts them both... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} 330 pages. Published August 16th 2016 by NAL Trade. eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review} 

After reading and enjoying The Veil, book one in the Devil's Isle series, I was eager to dig into book two. True to Chloe Neill's style The Sight features fabulous world building, well developed characters, and an interesting storyline. There is further development in the Claire/Liam relationship (both good and bad), twists and turns and an ending that had me thinking OMG and wondering what would happen next. If you haven't checked out the Devil's Isle series I recommend you give it a try.

{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 Minute Review} The Veil (Devil's Isle #1) by Chloe Neill

The Veil (Devil's Isle #1) by Chloe Neill

Seven years ago, the Veil that separates humanity from what lies beyond was torn apart, and New Orleans was engulfed in a supernatural war. Now, those with paranormal powers have been confined in a walled community that humans call the District. Those who live there call it Devil's Isle.

Claire Connolly is a good girl with a dangerous secret: she’s a Sensitive, a human endowed with magic that seeped through the Veil. Claire knows that revealing her skills would mean being confined to Devil’s Isle. Unfortunately, hiding her power has left her untrained and unfocused.

Liam Quinn knows from experience that magic makes monsters of the weak, and he has no time for a Sensitive with no control of her own strength. But when he sees Claire using her powers to save a human under attack—in full view of the French Quarter—Liam decides to bring her to Devil’s Isle and the teacher she needs, even though getting her out of his way isn’t the same as keeping her out of his head.

But when the Veil threatens to shatter completely, Claire and Liam must work together to stop it, or else New Orleans will burn… (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} 336 pages. Published August 4th 2015 by NAL Trade. eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review}

I love Chloe Neill's Chicagoland vampire series and while reading The Veil I kept comparing Claire to Merit. I enjoyed The Veil, it kept my attention and had me guessing about what would happen next, but I think if I had read this book before the Chicagoland series I would have enjoyed it even more.

Chloe Neill is a fabulous writer. She does a fabulous job with world building, at creating unique storylines and well rounded, multi faceted characters, even the supporting characters. I liked Claire's strength, her will to survive and carry on when she could have chosen an easier route in life. I also liked Liam, the bits and pieces he allows us to see of him, but I wasn't a big fan of his hot and cold feelings towards Claire. I understood his reluctance, given what Claire is, but there was too much waffling for me to really respect him.

I enjoyed the story and look forward to see what happens next in the world of Devil's Isle.

{eARC Review} Power Game (GhostWalkers #13) by Christine Feehan

Power Game (GhostWalkers #13) by Christine Feehan

#1 New York Times bestselling author Christine Feehan is “one of the best storytellers around” (RT Book Reviews). Find out why as two lovers surrounded by greed and corruption discover there’s no telling whom you can trust—or who will come out on top...

When members of a United Nations joint security force are taken hostage by radical terrorists in Indonesia, Captain Ezekiel Fortunes is called to lead the rescue team. Part of a classified government experiment, Zeke is a supersoldier with enhanced abilities. He can see better and run faster than the enemy, disappear when necessary and hunt along any terrain. There are those in the world willing to do anything for power like that...

A formidable spy genetically engineered to hide in plain sight, Bellisia rarely meets a man who doesn’t want to control her or kill her. But Zeke is different. His gaze, his touch—they awaken feelings inside her that she never thought possible. He’s the kind of man she could settle down with—if she can keep him alive... (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} eARC, Kindle Edition, 1st edition, 464 pages. Published January 24th 2017 by Berkley. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 5/5 - I loved it!

{Review}

I have to make a confession: I'm reading the GhostWalkers out of order. I do not read books out of order but I saw a sample at the end of Shadow Reaper (her Shadow series - go read it too) and was completely sucked into the story and couldn't help but skip ahead to Power Game.

The book puts us right into the action with Bellisia. She's on a job and with that we see the type of person she is, her skills, the life she's trying to escape and what she'll do to accomplish that.

As I had skipped a few books there was a bit of a learning curve, getting to know Zeke's team, but things made sense even without that background. Zeke is the typical Feehan alpha male, a little over the top but everything he does is to protect those he cares about. Bellisia is one of Feehan's stronger female leads and one of my favorites. She's been trained and used as an asset, and she's good at her job, we see that right off the bat. She's strong, courageous and more than once she saves the day.

I like how the story moved forward, Violet pops up in this one, but the Ghostwalker's eternal foe is still out there, leaving me, as always, anxious for the next installment.

{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 Minute Review) The Girl's Got Secrets (Forbidden Men #7) by Linda Kage

The Girl's Got Secrets (Forbidden Men #7) by Linda Kage

Here’s the same old “girl posing as a boy” story but with a rock-n-roll twist.

Remy Curran dreams of one day being in a band, except the group she wants to join refuses to hire a girl drummer. So, she auditions as a guy...and makes the cut.

Becoming “Sticks,” a member of Non-Castrato, isn’t quite what she dreamed it would be, though. She spends most of her time keeping up the subterfuge and learning how to walk, talk, act, and drink like a man.

But what’s even harder to deal with is acting oblivious when the band’s heartthrob lead singer, Asher Hart, treats her like one of the guys and not a woman. She never imagined he’d be so much more than a pretty face with a nice voice. But he’s better than perfect. He’s perfect for her.

When love and lies combine, Remy must keep up the act or lose everything. But who knew lying to reach one dream could prevent you from attaining an even bigger dream? (Blurb via Goodreads)

{Details} ebook, 426 pages. Published November 28th 2015 by Self-Published. Source: eARC provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review

{Rating} 3/5 - I liked it!

{Review}

 

I liked the premise - even if some elements were over the top and a bit unbelievable. Remy has gotten herself into quite a sticky situation. She's a talented drummer and deserved to have her shot auditioning for the band so I can't really blame her for doing whatever it took. But once in the band, once she gets close to Asher, she realizes she may have gotten in the band but all her lies may cost her everything. Poor Asher has a sad story and the more I learned about him, the more I liked him. I loved seeing his relationship with Sticks, with Pick, with Mozart. My favorite part of the book was after the truth came out, seeing how both Remy and Asher deal with the fallout, with forgiveness, with the hurts of the past and finding their way to happiness.

{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.