*** BOOK REVIEW- Broken ( # 1 of the Lost series) by Cynthia Eden

   

The first novel in New York Times bestselling author Cynthia Eden's sizzling LOST series introduces the Last Option Search Team, an elite unit that must protect the only surviving victim of a serial killer. Ex-SEAL and LOST founder Gabe Spencer is accustomed to the unusual in his job. But when knockout Eve Gray steps into his office, he's rattled. For the mysterious woman is a dead ringer for the heiress thought to be the latest prey of the serial killer who goes by the name Lady Killer. When Eve awoke in an Atlanta hospital, her past was a blank slate. Then she recognized her own face in the newspaper and vowed to learn the truth. Determined to confront the nightmares hidden in her mind, she never expects to find a partner in Gabe. As Gabe and Eve work together, their explosive attraction becomes irresistible. Gabe knows that his desire for Eve is growing too strong, bordering on a dangerous obsession, but nothing pulls him away from her. And when another Eve lookalike disappears, Gabe vows to protect Eve at all costs. While Eve may have forgotten the killer in her past, it's clear he hasn't forgotten her.

AMAZON LINK 

5+ STARS 

 

What a dramatic start this book had.  And the tension continues throughout the story.  In fact it never lets up. The intensity, the twists and turns had me twisting all around trying to figure out who the serial killer was.  I just finished it and now I'm trying to settle down from that high.

The story was SO good and so was the developing relationship between Gabe and Eve.  Should he trust her or not?  The strong attraction was there but he's been fooled before.  I really loved their interactions and how Eve was so out of her element with no memories.  Everyone on the island seemed to know her better than she knew herself.  Or at least they think they do.  And she even questions "why does everyone seem to be so interested in her sex life?"

Gabe's team was also a wonderful addition to the story with their own individual sorrows and pain.  Each one had very good reasons to want to be a part of the LOST team.  I wouldn't mind reading some of their stories too. 

Great ending with justice being served. 

 

I read this book through the HOOPLA Library App.

 

BOOK REVIEW- Thrill Ride by J. D. Carothers

 

Romance

Description

Cassandra (“Cassie”)

Smart. Attractive. Burned out. Haunted by the past.

Struggling with turning thirty, Cassie is an overworked attorney. Her real passion is cooking, but her parents insisted she follow in their footsteps. Haunted by their expectations, she feels stuck but yearns for a different path in life.

Nudged by her best friend, Cassie applies for a cooking competition at the luxurious Grand Athena in Las Vegas after learning the competition welcomes amateur chefs. Shocked when she's selected as an alternate, Cassie vows to make the most of her opportunity to live her fantasy life for two weeks, even if only as an observer.

Evan

Wealthy. Gorgeous. Sexy accent. Hiding a secret.

While taking a break from family obligations and his royal friends, Evan helps his best friend, the Grand Athena’s owner, with the cooking competition.

He is determined to avoid any romantic interests during his break, but he can’t seem to take his eyes off Cassie, although she could be trouble.

When one of the competitors dies mysteriously, Cassie is suddenly thrust into the competition. But someone will do anything to win, and as things heat up in both the bedroom and the kitchen, Cassie may be the one who gets burned.

 AMAZON LINK

3.5 STARS

 Cassie, Sean and Evan are the main characters who each have their own P.O.V.'s shared.  I'm just not sure that I really felt the connection between Cassie and Evan even though he did treat her like a princess.

The world building was lavish and detailed; the places and the food in particular. 

I just wanted to like it more but it just didn't pull me in like I would have liked.  I have to give the author points though for the details and H.E.A.

" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And these are my honest opinions about it.”

** Book Review- The Payback (Team Zulu Series, #2) by Julie Weaver

 

 

General Fiction (Adult) | Mystery & Thrillers | Romance  

Three years ago, the Mafia murdered my first love and shattered my chance of happiness. I won’t stop searching for the gunman until justice is served, even if every step toward the killer is a step into the gaping jaws of Philly’s notorious underworld.

If only the new guy in my building, AKA Mr. Tall, Dark, and Annoyingly Alpha, would leave me and my secrets alone. My body might want him, but my head knows better. I’ve lost too much to risk giving my heart away again, especially to someone as deliciously tempting as Brandon Lewis.

When the Mob catches on to my revenge plans and delivers a deadly ultimatum, my persistent new neighbor discovers we share a common enemy. Brandon might be an incredibly skilled hacker, but why isn’t he scared of taking on the most dangerous men in the city? And how does a computer geek get the body of a warrior, bullet scars and all?

Teaming up with the fierce, overprotective man next door becomes a proposition too appealing to resist. Except the more I get to know Brandon, the more I realize he’s the last person I could let pay for my foolish mistakes. If it happened again, neither of us would survive.

 AMAZON LINK

4 STARS

 I was quick to pick up this book because I had read a different book by this author and loved it. 

This book was one that took a while to pull me in.  It took a while before things really took off.  It had good main characters with snarky  Sage and more to him than you think, Brandon. The things that came out of her mouth were direct, sarcastic and often funny.  Her BFF Lettie was a tiny dynamo  who was also fierce in a different way but funny just the same. Wait, maybe they weren't so different because they both said whatever came to mind.  I did get a kick out of Lettie not using Brandon's name but instead addressed him as Muscles. 

When the action starts up its full guns ahead, totally unpredictable with a good explosive ending.   

 

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book via Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

BOOK REVIEW- Shadow Reaper (A Shadow Riders Novel Book 2) by Christine Feehan

   

Meet the Chicago crime family that has built its empire in the shadows . . .

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 not only puts his life at risk, but 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 . . .

AMAZON LINK 

3.5 STARS

This story was a mixed bag for me and that made it hard to figure out how to rate.  Parts I really liked: Ricco, his family (both blood relatives and people that they drew in as family) and Mariko.  The plot was darn good too.  The secrets that Ricco had kept for YEARS was really well put together.  They are part of what has driven him to reckless living.  And the things that Mariko survived was also emotional and  well written. I liked them both. Their chemistry was well felt.

Ricco had gotten into the art of Shibari as a way to survive with his memories but it didn't take long for me to wish that there had been less written about that.  Of course, it was well detailed even including some "heat" but not something that I was all that interested in.  

The way that the family and their community of people all banded together with love was really good.  And the surprise twist towards the very end?  Even better !

*** Book Review- Hunter's Hope (Vampire Motorcycle Club #2) by Alyssa Day

   

Romance | Sci Fi & Fantasy 

Description

Hunter Evans risked his life again and again as a firefighter until the night he died saving a child...only to be reborn as a vampire. Now the man who lived his life as the quintessential “nice guy” must find a way to conquer the deadly urges that threaten to turn him feral. When his own actions put a beautiful woman in danger, he vows to protect her…even from himself.

Alice Darlington has a secret of her own: she sees ghosts. She thought she’d done a good job of keeping it under wraps—until now. A terrible threat from her past is hunting her down in order to use her power for dark purposes. Now she’s on the run and doesn't know who to trust or where to go.

When Hunter and Alice team up to battle the dangers coming at them from all sides, they’re forced to rely on each other. But Hunter doesn’t know how long he can keep the beast inside him away from the woman it craves…

AMAZON LINK 

 5 STARS

This story is quirky and also filled with quirky people.  

Hunter is a Nice Guy which why he is often finds himself in the Friend Zone when it comes to women.  But when he got Turned he also developed some other strengths as well.  I loved, loved, loved him and the way he cared for those around him. Even when he turns out snarly from being new at this vampire thing.  I really liked how the relationship between Hunter and Alice developed. 

Alice..now there is another awesome person in the story. She's been through so much and more is coming.  But she is also developing got your back friends.   Something that she never had before.  And what friends they were, not really what you would call "normal but great just the same.  This story was TOTALLY unpredictable which was such a great adventure. Speaking of adventure there had to be time that Alice felt like she fell through the rabbit hole like Alice in Wonderland.

While I am NOT a fan of talking to and interacting with ghosts, there was plenty more to the story than just that. This story had plenty of action and another supernatural character that made me smile was "Charlie".  There was more humor in the story than just with Charlie, plenty of emotions and a really good ending. I cheered for the outcome.  But you need to know that the door is left open for more adventures because there is still one bad guy out there.

“I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.”

***Book Review- The Friendship Pact (The Sunrise Cove Series # 2) by Jill Shalvis

   

General Fiction (Adult) | Romance | Women's Fiction  

New York Times bestselling author Jill Shalvis returns to Sunrise Cove with a powerful, moving story about a young woman on a quest to find the truth about her father who learns the meaning of true love along the way.

Alone in the world, Tae Holmes and her mother April pretty much raised each other, but as Tae starts asking questions about the father she’s never met, April, for the first time in her life, goes silent. To make matters worse, Tae is dangerously close to broke and just manages to avoid financial meltdown when she lands a shiny new contract with an adventure company for athletes with disabilities and wounded warriors.

Her first big fundraiser event falls flat, but what starts out as a terrible, horrible, no-good night turns into something else entirely when Tae finds herself face-to-face with Riggs Copeland. She hasn’t seen the former Marine since their brief fling in high school, and while still intensely drawn to him, she likes her past burned and buried, thank you very much. Hence their friendship pact.

But when April oddly refuses to help Tae track down her father, it’s Riggs who unexpectedly comes to her aid. On a hunt to unlock the past, the two of them find themselves on a wild ride and learn a shocking truth, while also reluctantly bonding in a way neither had seen coming. Now Tae must decide whether she’s going to choose love … or walk away from her own happiness.

 AMAZON LINK

 5 STARS

Tae and Riggs meeting back up in the opening chapters?  It gave me a huge smile.  Tae was one tough cookie with a HUGE chip on her shoulder and her sass was really funny !  It made me wonder how in the heck the author keeps coming up with these great people and the hysterically funny conversations !  How does she do that?

I enjoyed the push-pull relationship between the two of them. The nickname of, Rebel, that Riggs gave Tae was a good fit.  It was also amazing how different the two people were but yet they also had some similarities which wasn't seen right away.  Their childhoods weren't normal by any stretch. 

Anyone trying to get up in Tae's business though,  not a good idea. Not even how much she loved her mother allowed that.  She had her own ways of shutting that out and her ways of coping that were uniquely hers.  

I really liked how Riggs handled Tae and how the friendship pact came about. For a guy closed off as much as Riggs was, he sure got how Tae was and when to back off.  But he also enjoyed rattling her cage too.  She made him laugh too which is something he hadn't been doing much of.  It was sweet how tender he could be with her too. That friendship pact sure did lead to some interesting times.

April was Tae's mother who I was surprised to see had her own P.O.V. included.  Surprised me but I was glad to see it.  It amused me when it comes to her perspective about Riggs not being a good match to be with Tae.  Like come on, her gauge on finding good guys has been pretty much at zero for most of her life.  But it all came from loving Tae and wanting better for her.  But that lie that April has been holding is definitely heading to a big blowup.  And it was quite the twist.  

I've got to say that I hated to see the end of this story although I liked how it was completed.

" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And these are my honest opinions about it.”

 

 

 

 

 

***Book Review- View From Above (#4 Hunting Grounds) by Nichole Severn

   

A trauma therapist escaping her father’s legacy.
A homicide detective who can’t prove murder.
A case that can heal their old wounds or send them over the edge.

When an innocent woman plunges to her death, Mallory Kotite is convinced there’s a connection to her father’s supposed suicide. Desperate to be free of the family legal empire—and the suffering at the hands of a self-made tyrant—she convinces the investigating detective to take a second look. Only to find her life and her heart in danger.

Detective Payton Nichols can’t hold onto a partner. He’s good at understanding evidence. People are a different puzzle altogether. But faced with a mistake on his last case, Payton must rely on Mallory’s insights into her father’s life. He’s not a project for the assertive therapist to fix, but as desire ramps up between them and a killer targets Mallory, he finds himself exposed to a past better left forgotten.

With a serial killer closing in, Mallory and Payton don’t have much choice. Learn to trust one another or get their own view from above.

 AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

Wow, I loved how this story just kept surprising me !!  Step by step it just kept proving how out-standing it was.   Unpredictable things just kept on coming. 

 I loved both Payton and Mallory and how smart they were, flaws and all.  The childhoods that they had was something out of nightmares but they survived.  I loved the depth of their individual pasts. 

The author's writing style was something that I just have to mention liking.  One of my favorite times was when Payton was drinking coffee  "He took a sip of his own liquid adrenaline and collapsed back into his chair." Another time I noticed was when Mallory had her chance at drinking that same kind of nasty coffee and a protein bar.  She spit the coffee back into the small opening at the top of the lid of the to-go cup.  Yes, we've done stuff like that but how may authors have written that?  I enjoyed that normal response being written in!

 The story has some pretty hair-raising actions throughout and towards the end too.  But with hope for both Payton and Mallory.

The additional people in the story were just a bonus.  Trooper Rowan Wells had a part in this story.  And that quick look into the next book "Study in Color"drew me and I'm all into that one featuring Rowan Wells.

 On a side note or two:  I thought the cover was attractive and got me interested in reading the book information.  And the title was PERFECT for this book.

   " I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book,  and this is my honest opinion about it.

**Book Review- The Cowboy's Secret (Wyoming Sweethearts #2) by Jill Kemerer

   

Even a millionaire in disguise can’t hide his true heart.

**He’s secretly worth millions of dollars…

But is he worthy of her trust?**

Dylan Kingsley has learned to hide his millionaire status from strangers. So it’s no wonder Gabby Stover—his infant niece’s guardian—thinks he’s just another drifter. To prove his worthiness, Dylan takes a job as a ranch hand…and accidentally finds the purpose he’s been seeking his whole life. But could the truth steal Dylan’s chance at a happily-ever-after with Gabby and the baby?

 AMAZON LINK

4 STARS

I found this story to be a lovely one.  It had good main characters who had a lot of  depths to them.  It was also written so that I cared what happened between Dylan, Gabby and baby, Phoebe. 

Both Dylan and Gabby had similarities even though Dylan grew up rich and Gabby had grown up poor. They both had scars on them from fathers that scored near zero when it came to being there for them.  It definitely left them with trust issues and others also made it worse.  It seems  that Gabby had more of a support team though.  She's developed friends both in her prayer group and the community.

I liked how everything came to a good ending after surviving the Big Secret.  The Epilogue was a sweet one too. 

I read this book through HOOPLA Library app.

***BOOK REVIEW- Just One More Reason: A Small Town MC Romance (Cottonwood Falls) by

   

 *This is a complete standalone. It’s not necessary to read the first book in the series in order to enjoy this one.*

An outlaw biker, his adopted nephew, and a snarky homicide detective would be the perfect family if she wasn't working undercover, and he wasn't a murder suspect in this opposites-attract romance from Oona Ryda and Candace Ayers.

One steamy night, then we’ll never see each other again. Until we do…

When I became a homicide detective, I knew I’d have to prove myself to men with big egos and little…ahem…minds.
This undercover assignment, infiltrating an outlaw biker club, is risky, but it’s the career boost I need.

Imagine my shock when the hot stranger whose bed I snuck out of six weeks ago turns out to be a member of Hell’s Defenders MC—and a potential murder suspect.

The deeper I go undercover, the harder I fall for Lukas Chambers, and the more his three-year-old adopted nephew steals my heart.

I’m the law, he’s an outlaw.
The line between the two grows blurrier by the day.  

AMAZON LINK

5 STARS

Lukas was totally unexpected.  Especially with this being an MC story.   He was totally different in his involvement with the club than what I usually see in these kind of stories.  But I liked it a lot !

 Wildfire was a cool nickname that Lukas gave Mackenzie (Mack). It really fit her too.  I found it really easy to like this spunky woman.  She had skill and heart.  A heart that she has spent a long time hiding. 

 There is Heat in this story as well as some sweet moments too. I'm glad that the "heat'' didn't take over the story though.  

I really enjoyed the time spent with Lukas and his nephew, Noah.  What a "character" Noah turned out to be.  Everything went along smoothly without too many surprises until about 70ish % on my kindle.  Then, things started heating up and the hits just kept coming.   It was unpredictable and kept surprising me time after time. I liked that although I kept wondering how in the world Lukas and Mack would ever work things out.  

I was very happy with the ending that included a Epilogue. 

" I voluntarily read a copy of this book,  and this is my honest opinion about it.

***BOOK REVIEW- CabeX: (A Project Enterprise Story ) by Pauline Baird Jones

   

The mission? Rescue their missing comrades. The challenge? Navigate a dangerous sector of the galaxy while exploring their feelings for each other. 

CabeX transformed into a human to save the galaxy. But when he falls for a woman who could betray him, can he also save his human heart?

Savlf escaped the spider’s web but can she elude a past she doesn’t remember? Can she prove to the CabeX—and herself—that she can be trusted? 

While they search the distant part of the Garradian galaxy for a lost ship, they discover their biggest challenge might be navigating their feelings for each other.

If they can survive that long.

Can love—swirling between two people who have no concept of its power—break through minds and take over hearts? Or are they so broken that loving and being loved is beyond their grasp?

This highly anticipated romantic science fiction adventure set in the Project Enterprise universe beckons. Journey with CabeX and Savlf as—with their lives lie on the line—hard questions are answered and secrets are exposed.

AMAZON LINK 

5 STARS

 

This book didn't have good world building...it was spectacular! The whole thing turned out to be a really good SciFi story.  It also had good emotional struggles as well. 

The awkwardness  between CabeX and Savlf was interesting to watch as they tried to navigate the newness of human feelings and attraction to each other.  It was kind of amusing to see them trying to figure out these unfamiliar emotions.   Just getting used to their human bodies was quite the adjustment. Of course all of Savlif's lost memories were a big hurdle for her too. 

Surprise after surprise kept showing up, unpredictable but good.  Towards the end, the surprises were even better until everything comes to a satisfying H.E.A. 

 

 I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a  review.

**Book Review- In Honor's Defense (Hanger's Horsemen #3) by Karen Witemeyer

   

Christian, Historical Fiction, Romance 

 

Description

He's Faced Countless Perils on the Battlefield, but Nothing so Dangerous as Falling in Love.

Luke Davenport has been fighting all his life--for respect, for country, and for those unable to fight for themselves. But now that his Horsemen brothers are domesticated, he's left alone to battle the wildness within. When an opportunity arises to take a job on his own, tracking down a group of rustlers, he jumps at the chance.

Damaris Baxter has mastered the art of invisibility. Plain and quiet, she hides in books and needlework, content to be overlooked. Until her brother dies suddenly, leaving her custody of her nephew. She moves to Texas to care for Nathaniel, determined to create the family for herself that she never thought she'd have and to give him the family he desperately needs.

When Nate finds himself knee-deep in trouble, Luke's attempt to protect him leaves Damaris feeling indebted to the Horseman. But suspicions grow regarding the mysterious death of Damaris's brother. And the more questions they ask, the more danger appears, threatening the family Luke may be unable to live without. 

 

 AMAZON LINK

4 STARS

 

This turned out to be an interesting story.  Easy to follow too although I haven't read any of the other books in the series. 

Nathaniel (Nate) is the angry, sullen nephew that Damaris is so desperately trying to help.  But she also feels like she is so over her head.  She has felt invisible for most of her life; unseen and under appreciated.  And Nate isn't helping much in that area but I have to give Damaris points for a lot of courage.  Even afraid, she always 

steps up and does the right thing.  I really liked when Damaris stiffened her spine and said called herself the new Texas Damaris version.  That made me smile.  Another smile-worthy moment was when Damaris was surprised by Luke's husky voice behind her.  I loved how the author wrote it to say that,"It melted into her instead like butter int toast."

Luke, oh boy what can I say?  Other than what a great, flawed but still a good man.  He was fighting some "demons" but his faith is getting him through..most of the time anyway.  The main thing is he keeps fighting to follow God and his words.  So much so that the other Horsemen had nicknamed him "Preach."

Plots against Nate and Damaris make things more and more tense.  About the time that you think things might begin to cool down for a bit, another attack comes that totally surprised me.

I will also say that this story had a fair amount of Bible verses that were mentioned and strengthened the main characters.  That might not be for everyone but even if it isn't the story itself was a good one.

The story comes to a rip-roaring end with a short Epilogue.   

 

 

 

 " I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And these are my honest opinions about it.”

 

 

*** BOOK REVIEW- Wounds of A Viscount (Part 8 of the Valiant Love series) by Deborah Wilson

   

Lady Honora 'Nora' Baxter has been caught...And now ... she's being blackmailed to do something she really doesn't want to do.

Actually ... it's something Nora really, really wants to do, but knows she shouldn't.

Kiss the Viscount of Coalwater!

Where will one kiss lead?

Marriage.

With Nora's daughter, they become a family of three.

But... if finding happily ever after was all they had to worry about, life would be too easy.

By day, Garrick Amdon plays the mute gentleman.

But by night, his actions take on a sinister quality that puts fear in the blood of even the worst criminals.

The Ton think him a rake. They got that right and, once married, he becomes Nora's exclusively. But when a dark villain closes in on their new family, Garrick is forced to show his true self.

Can Nora handle the truth of who Garrick truly is?

How will Garrick handle Nora's own secret?

 

I haven't found this book on Amazon but I did see it on Barnes & Nobles and Goodreads

 

 My Rating-   5 STARS

 

I completely adored this story..even with some of the darkness  that Garrick carried and carried out. 

The story had incredible depth to it as did the people in it.  Not only Garrick and Nora but also  the people who surrounded them.  Nora's daughter,  Miriam was charming, with a sweet heart but she also had a strong will too.   I enjoyed her part a lot, along with her friend George. 

This story had plenty of adventure and some tense moments.   The parts about Garrick being mute held my interest all the way through the story. nt It was different and unusual, I liked how it was handled and how well it was displayed.  It even caused some tender moments because of it.  I liked how the author had explained beforehand that it had to do with "Selective Mutism".  Which was classified as an anxiety disorder. When stressed ,a person can find speaking difficult and fall silent in public. 

 I thoroughly enjoyed the ending and the H.E.A. There is more to the story as far as finding some scandalous information that could hurt one of the group.  But that will continue in the next book if you want to continue.  And I think I will.  But just know that I love THIS book in this series. 

 

I read this story through the HOOPLA  Library App.

BOOK REVIEW- Scars of The Duke(# 7 of the Valiant Love series)by Deborah Wilson

   

t was love at first sight.It was disaster in the end.Lady Selena Gorm still remembers the day she met the Duke of Astlen…It was the day he ripped her heart from her chest and broke it into a million pieces.She's been in hiding from him for years…But… when her family was in trouble, she knew she needed to return to London.Only to find out all the trouble was created to get her back to London.And the person behind the ruse was the one who'd ruined her life.The Duke of Astlen.Marley Bing never meant to hurt Selena.He'd been young and foolish then, but now the duke knows exactly what he wants.And … it's Selena.He has carried her in his heart for years.And now that she's returned, he'll use every talent he has to convince her to give him a second chance.But secrets rest between them, and time has brought it's own complications. This time around, can love take root and thrive?Or will it die forever?

 GOODREADS LINK

 3.5 STARS

This story started slow to my way of thinking and it took me quite a while to even get very interested in it.   

This story had it's good moments but others that just didn't draw me in as much. Things do get more interesting through as I got further into the book.  Both Selena and Marley are both pretty different kind of people.  With both of them having MANY misunderstandings. I did enjoy some of the tender moments on Marley's account.

The people surrounding them were interesting as family and friends. Selena had a surprising number of men in the background who were almost invisible to her as wannabe lovers.  Well, they were invisible until they started causing trouble. 

The story ends with well earned H.E.A. There is also a good look into Book # 8 "Wounds of A Viscount."  I'm glad that I read this book because it set a good foundation of information (and emotion) so that it's easier to read that next book.  It really does look interesting. 

 I read this book through the HOOPLA Library site.

BOOK REVIEW- Kidnapped by the Mob (Miami Mafia #2) by Mallory Crowe

   

I took her.
I’m not letting her go.

I’m the boogyman that other villains fear. So when I have to kidnap an innocent woman to save my own ass, it’s just another weekday to me.

AMAZON LINK 

 4 STARS

This was quite the wild ride.  Admittedly a very adult one.  Borya was one messed up dude.  The Black Thorn was one scary organization that had brutalized him, trying to turn him into someone who would be a way into taking over the brothers organization.  Nothing was off limits to what Black Thorn would use to get there. His brother Alek had been close to his brother Borya but now he wasn't so sure of his allegiances , what he went through and how far he could be trusted. 

Rebecca or Becks as she liked to be called was no shrinking violet either though.  Not brutal like the brothers but she definitely was someone who stood up for herself often with snarky words. When Borya and Becks spend enforced time together,  the heat level between them goes WAY up. Brace yourself for plenty of heated, detailed  scenes.

One other thing to know about Becka was that she was way tougher than anyone ever would have guessed. She had survived a lot.  And she wasn't someone to just stand back and wait. She wasn't going to wait to be rescued or to recuse others. 

There is a dramatic end to this part of the story with another woman's story in the works. Lalya is Becks sister and "Stolen by the Mob." is about her.

" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book,  and this is my honest opinion about it.

*** Book Review- Unforgiven (Deep Ops #5) by Rebecca Zanetti

 

 

Mystery & Thrillers , Romance

Run: Gemma Falls never expected to use her game theory expertise to outrun a killer. But for years, that skill is all that kept her one step ahead of a deadly stalker. When Gemma gets the chance to teach at D.C. University, she hopes she and her young daughter have found a safe harbor. The only flaw is the arrogant philosophy professor who’s always underfoot giving unwanted advice—in his sexy British accent . . .

Hide: Jethro Hanson has blood on his hands. He’s working within ivy-covered university halls now, but he knows that his work with the Deep Ops team and the deadly acts he once committed for the sake of Queen and country place him beyond forgiveness—until he meets Gemma . . .

Seek: Soon, the passion between them stuns them both. But when Jethro discovers a threat is fast overtaking her, he must choose between the redemption he seeks—and releasing the ever-present killer inside . . . 

AMAZON LINK 

5 STARS

Jethro..what a guy.   Sure, he had flaws that even he recognized in himself but still..what a guy !  And his skills are off the charts.  He makes a huge mistake when it comes to judging Gemma when he meets her.  All his flags went up just looking at her.  Of course, Gemma doesn't want anything to do with him and freezes him out just making his judgement against her that much stronger. Gemma needs to keep people from getting to close to her. And I really enjoyed the surprise that she has kept hidden and how it was slowly unwrapped.

Can someone PLEASE deal with that snotty, power hungry, promotion climbing at all costs jerk, HDD pretty boy, Special Agent Tom Rutherford ?!?  I really hated him in this story and then I went wait a minute.  I remembered him in the  previous stories but you don't have to have read the previous stories for the dislike to set in. 

One of my favorite sections had to do with Jethro telling Gemma that "I'm a violent man, sweetheart.  You can't forget that. "  Gemma responded, "You're in control of any violence you create." That's what matters. You'd never hurt me."  And that control was shown over and over in so many situations and I enjoyed that.  And the sweetness and understanding that he showed towards Gemma when he got to know her was such an added plus.

This story kept me engaged and on the edge of my seat all the way through.  I really enjoyed all the people who showed up to help Jethro.  Funny, how Jethro kept telling them he didn't need their help.  He was also worried that they would be targeted, injured or killed because of him. They continued to ignore him because hey, he was "family" whether he liked it or not.  That made me smile every time that happened.    

This was an ingenious plot with great people, brilliant villains and a good H.E.A.  It also left me wanting more of this series.

" I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And these are my honest opinions about it.”

*** Book Review- Crime Writer by Dime Sheppard

 

 

Mystery & Thrillers, Romance 

 

Description

Dime Sheppard delivers a smart and witty caper about a crime novelist who recruits her main characters to investigate her maybe-unfaithful fiancé.

Evie Howland has problems.

Guns. Bombs. Murderers.

And that's just on the page...

In real life she's meant to be planning a wedding to adorable billionaire Daniel Bradley, but Evie is seriously snarled in the sixteenth book of her successful crime series. In fact, her protagonists are becoming almost impossible to wrangle: NYPD detective Carolyn Harding is volatile after a messy divorce, and Detective Jay Ryan has that heated look in his blue eyes again. They're both sick of being written. And frankly they're getting a little...physical. Evie is beginning to wonder if she's ever going to finish Book Sixteen and get them back into fiction where they belong.

But when a disturbingly familiar homicide surfaces in the city papers, it seems as if other, darker characters might have crossed the fiction-frontier too. In which case, Evie is in a lot of real-life trouble.

If she's going to survive it, Evie must face her own worst fears, and learn that real love can be the best way of writing her own story.

But can she change the ending?

AMAZON LINK 

 5 STARS

The cover for this book first caught my attention.  But I have to admit I was a bit confused at the beginning of this story and I was having a hard time getting into it. I even have to shamefully admit that I also laid it down, a few times until I finally went back to it and got to the point that it pulled me in.  Of course Mrs. Andrews finally gave some eye opening revelations that pulled me in even further.

It seemed to me that Evie might just be  more in love with her fiance's mother and father than she was with him (Daniel)  It was surprising when Carolyn accused her of  what I had been thinking. 

 I had no idea how things could ever work out well. Especially since the darker characters in the story  brought a lot of fear and trouble into a lot of dangerous actions. Edge of your seat stuff. In the end I found this story, quirky, a bit odd, very creative, fascinating, and with a romance I was hoping for.  I ended up loving it!

 " I voluntarily read an advanced reader copy of this book through Netgalley. And these are my honest opinions about it.”

Book Review- Until I Fall by Claudia Burgoa

 

 I gave my heart to a Navy SEAL.
He took it with him to his grave.
Eleven years later, ignoring the yawning void is as automatic as breathing. Working brutal hours, dating a comfortably commitment-phobic guy, hanging with my best friends. Anything until exhaustion—or an extra glass of wine—claims my consciousness.

And then my comfort zone is invaded by Anderson Hawkins' piercing green eyes.
He says he’s a tattoo artist, but his mastery of the short answer, weird schedule, and military ink tell a different story.

His touch ignites a long-dead flame inside me.
But can I touch it without being completely scorched from the inside out?
I'm at the edge of a cliff. I just don't know if he'll catch me until I fall.


Note: This contemporary romance contains a former military hero accustomed to treading dangerous ground, and a wary, overworked doctor who’s a military widow in every way but name, brought together by a few unexpected twists and turns—and maybe the machinations of a cute dog.

 AMAZON LINK

 3.5 STARS

Michael and Aspen start out this story with their bitter-sweet story.  There is plenty of emotion out of that part of the story all on it's own.  More emotions come into focus as Aspen's dysfunctional family add to the story.

Then Anderson (Hawk) brings even more emotions as Aspen continues to try to remain numb. 

So overall although the story was well written and I liked both Aspen and Anderson. Even Aspen's two long life friends, Scarlett and Brynn added more to the story. But I still had a hard time getting into and staying in this story.  I have hope for other books by this author but sad to say this one wasn't really for me.

   " I voluntarily read a copy of this book,  and this is my honest opinion about it.