BOOK REVIEW- Royal Reckoning (The Keeper's Series #5) by Stephanie St. Klaire

   

Rogue operative, Eli Clayton has finally met his match. Now he just has to keep her alive... even if it means revealing his true identity.

Event coordinator to the rich and famous, Cally Stark is immune to Eli’s dazzling charm and dangerous good looks. But that doesn’t stop her from falling for him and building a life— on a throne of lies.

Eli’s secrets have made Cally the perfect target and she finds herself lured into enemy territory, taken and used in an elaborate and twisted scheme to take down Eli’s entire bloodline.

What do you do when the woman you vowed to protect is a pawn trapped in a deadly game? You go to the ends of the earth to save her and eliminate the players one by one.

Check mate.

This jaw dropping, pulse pounding series is sure to leave you breathless as the wicked twists and turns keep you guessing!

 BOUGHT AT-

 AMAZON LINK

3 STARS 

To be honest, this story was hard for me to get into.    But to be fair,  maybe part of the problem was that this was the first book I have read in this series.  I found it all a bit confusing.  I did like the direct team members and their family like cohesion. However, after that it just seemed to add more people, making it harder to keep up. I recognized that it had depth to the writing, both in the emotions, the technology and the warfare.   Early on there was also some repetitiveness to how much Eli hated his evil father and how he had good reason to.  A bit too much for my taste. 

There is a whirlwind of action and surprises towards the end with a H.E.A. for now for  Eli and Cally.  Why just for now?  Because there is more trouble possible on the horizon.

  I'm  just sorry that I couldn't seem to connect to the story.

BOOK REVIEW- Pretend You Want Me (Wilde Ways# 13) by Cynthia Eden

   

She fixes problems.

There is no problem that Aspen Gray can’t handle. No case that is too hard. No challenge too great. She’s a rising star criminal defense attorney, and she intends to have the world at her feet…until a ghost from her past comes back to wreck her carefully designed plans. A ghost who should have been in the ground. And when a dead man comes stalking you, what’s a woman to do?

Let things get Wilde.

As soon as she sets foot in the elite protection and security firm known as Wilde, Aspen knows that she must tread carefully. Her life is on the line, and everything that she has worked so hard to achieve can be destroyed…unless one very talented and dangerous Wilde agent can help her out. She needs a man with exceedingly deadly skills—and she needs him now.

He can practically see the secrets dripping from her…

It should have been a standard undercover operation. Gideon Ranier knew the drill. He was supposed to play the role of his new client’s boyfriend so that he could slip into her world, keep her safe, and unmask the jerk screwing around with her. Standard work. No big deal. Former Delta Force, he could do that type of job in his sleep. Except…he doesn’t count on actually falling for his client. But he does. Hard, fast, and deep, and soon…there is nothing that he won’t do for her.

It’s personal.

Lines are crossed. Desire grows too strong. Their need won’t be denied. But the attacks on Aspen are mounting. As an obsessed killer plays a deadly game, Gideon will have no choice but to fight harder and dirtier than he’s ever fought in his life in order to protect Aspen from a stalker hellbent on vengeance.

Author’s Note: He’s dangerous. She’s devious. They shouldn’t want each other so badly, but they do. Close proximity, a deadly threat…adrenaline is pumping and the desire between Aspen and Gideon will not be controlled. He’ll walk through hell to keep her safe…and, yes, he’s pretty much gonna have to do just that. Sexy times, dangerous deeds, and a happy ending are guaranteed in this stand-alone read. Be on the lookout for secrets, because there sure are plenty of those coming your way!

AMAZON LINK 

 5 STARS

 This was a great story, one in which you never knew what was going to happen next!
Both main characters were good in their own way.  Aspen had so MANY dangerous secrets; ones that for a long time she kept to herself.  She was used to protecting herself even though she had some pretty dangerous friends and associates.  Still she didn't want them drawn into her dangers as she was being stalked.  No one else wasn't going to be hurt on her watch!  Too bad that Gideon wasn't buying that, not for a minute.  He was all in not only before he learns her darkest secrets but even after. Those two were interesting to watch as the lover part became true but also the deepening friendship.
Lots of surprises in this book until it gets towards the end and the BIGGEST surprises of all. Overall, a wild journey.
Great ending that includes a hard fought for H.E.A.

 I got a free copy of this book (through a newsletter and this is my honest thoughts on it)

BOOK REVIEW- Alpha One (Shadow Agents # 1) by Cynthia Eden

  

“Julie’s missing. You have to get her back.”

The minute he got the message, undercover agent Logan Quinn sprang into action. Getting Juliana James out of Mexico alive was the Elite Ops covert agent’s only priority. But once the senator’s daughter was safely back in their Mississippi hometown, Logan had a new mission: to get another chance with the woman he couldn’t lose again.

Juliana had never forgotten the day, ten years ago, when Logan left her heart in pieces. Now he was back in her life, sworn to protect her from the ruthless weapons dealer who wanted her dead. As passion blindsided her—and she was once again thrust into danger—Julie realized how much she’d risk for one more day in Logan’s arms.

AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

 It was a good story with plenty of emotions and the dangers that can we expected on this kind of story.
Juliana's father was some piece of work.  As crooked as the day was long.  But he hadn't always been that way. But his crooked ways really put her running for her life while trying to escape the love that she had never got over for Logan.  And Logan? Oh, the secrets that this man had.  One of the major ones was that he loved her but had run out on her years ago, thinking she deserved better than a killer.
The team that comes with Logan were good, skilled people putting their lives on the line.  
There were several twists toward the end that kept things interesting and tense.
I liked how the story ended even though this probably wasn't my favorite by this author.

I read this book through the HOOPLA Library App.

BOOK REVIEW- Single Dad on Top: A Billionaire and a Baby Romantic Comedy by J.J. Knight

 

 Billionaire bachelor, meet your secret baby. Instructions not included.
A single dad romantic comedy from the Top 100 author of the Pickleverse

I'm always on top.
My penthouse.
My corporate office above Manhattan.
And, of course, the women in my life.

Actually, I might choose any position.
But make no mistake. I choose. I control.
My life is mine.

Which is why I'm not sure what the hell is going on when I open my front door and there's a baby stroller sitting in the private hall outside my penthouse.

The note on the infant simply says, "Do the DNA. She's yours."

Well, damn.

BOUGHT AT:

AMAZON LINK 

3.5 STARS

This story had a good presentation of who both of the main characters were.  They also had some interesting growing up experiences. That was unexpected.  So was the set up when it came to the baby.

Although it was interesting and slightly amusing to see how clumsy, and ill-prepared Dell was after awhile it became too much for me.  Although the author did a good job of what babies were like, hey I already raised mine and wanted more story.  

Part of the "adventure" was finding the mother of the baby and Arianna, pulled her weight.  Actually more than her weight. 

Sad to say, I began to lose interest about half way through but I do give the author points of knowing her baby stuff and the H.E.A.

BOOK REVIEW- Just Shoot Me Dead (#1 of the Lucy Fong Mystery series) by Anne R. Tan

 

  This title is part of the hoopla BONUS BORROWS COLLECTION! Through the month of February, you can borrow this title without using any of your monthly hoopla Instant Borrows!
While on a blind date with a doctor and his mama, Lucy Fong gets a call that her estranged mom is found shot in the stomach, in her private investigation office. She returns to Morro Cliff Village to search for answers and her sister... and finds only a dead body in her sister's apartment.

When the local police chief zeros in on her sister as a "person of interest," Lucy must brush up her sleuthing skills. It's a race to find her sister, before the police and the killer do.

She must use all her wits (and those, she can borrow) to find this hidden killer, before he strikes at her family again.

AMAZON LINK 

 4.5  STARS

Well,that was fun!  This was my first story from this author and into this series but I really enjoyed it.  It was fun and funny with plenty of things that needed a sleuth to uncover. 

Bosom Buddies was a cute term. And they did end up being partners in crime of a sort.   Stella & Po Po make up that team.  Po Po is the woman who chose to be an adoptive grandmother to Lucy and Stella was an actual relative.  An aunt on the Faye side.

I liked the descriptive writing style like: Po Po hopped out (of the car) like there was a grenade strapped to her backside.  In fact I enjoyed the whole flow of the writing.

You never knew what was going to happen, so totally unpredictable.  Now, that is something that I like.

Let's not leave out Max, the town's sheriff, who was hard to get a handle on.  He seemed to blow hot and cold with Lucy.  But hey, he had a crime to investigate when it came to her family.  And there were also were other things that were happening too.

Loved how the story ended but also left the door open for more adventures in the future.  No cliffhangers in this story though so I'm also thankful for that. 

I read this story through HOOPLA (Library App)

BOOK REVIEW- The One Who Got Away (Wilde Ways Book #12) by Cynthia Eden

   

He has to get her back.

Antony Kyle can’t believe what’s happening to him. First, Ella Webb—the head of security at his gaming company—quits on him. Then…she kisses him as if she’s never wanted anyone more. They spend one incredible night together—a night that brands him to his core—and he wakes to find her gone. Gone.

No, not happening. Antony is not about to lose her now. Not when he’s been obsessed with her for years. He can’t have a taste and then lose…everything.

She’s done with his lies.

Ella has been in love with her gorgeous, genius boss for far too long. And she’s put up with his lies and secrets…for far too long! She’d fallen for his helpless act, thought that the man needed her, but now she has learned the truth. Antony Kyle is a secret spy, more than capable of looking after himself and taking out a whole army of bad guys. So, she gives in to the need that she’s always felt for him, she allows herself one, unforgettable night with him, then she walks away.

But he follows her.

Antony can’t lose Ella—not when he’s finally had the woman he’s wanted so desperately. But she’s got a new job at Wilde—an elite protection and security firm—and he has to figure out a way to woo her back. So, he hires Wilde. Says that he needs protection. He pulls some strings (because the owner of Wilde happens to owe him about a dozen favors), and Antony gets Ella assigned as his bodyguard. He thinks his plan is brilliant. He’ll have Ella in close proximity again, and Antony is sure that he’ll able to convince her that they belong together. Though some groveling—and a whole lot of seduction—may just be involved in his master plan.

Except…the danger turns out to be real.

Someone is gunning for Antony, and he doesn’t know if his enemy is from the spy world or the business world. He just knows that a big target is on his back. Now he and Ella have to unmask the threat that they never saw coming, before it’s too late. As they fight to track the bad guy, Antony has to prove to Ella that he can be honest with her, and, if she gives him a shot…he just might be a man she can love. Because if he loses her again, Antony knows there will be no second chances.

Author’s Note: Their sexual tension can’t be held in check. When Ella and Antony are close, they ignite. But with so many secrets and lies, can they find a happy ending? It will take a master spy—and one very savvy new Wilde agent—to bring down the bad guy in this case. Wilde times are ahead again. Let’s see where these two lovers lead as they fight for each other.

BOUGHT AT: 

 AMAZON LINK 

4 STARS

 I have to admit that to having mixed feelings on this one.  Did I like the main characters? I have to say Yes.  Did I like the plot being unusual? Again, Yes.  And it held some surprises. Let's talk about each of the main characters before I go any farther.

Antony really was a genius and yes, he was also really bad dealing with people.   Well, maybe the word bad isn't exactly right, maybe more inept is a better fit. However, he had some really interesting secrets too. Lies, that are now biting him in the butt.  Dex is the mastermind behind so many of Antony's secrets and I got to say that I didn't really like him.  A lot.

Ella was super skilled at her job before she quit her job.  But the lies from Antony are what helped propel her out the door.   But once she quit, there was her chance for a kiss, which quickly escalated and scared the heck out of her.  So she ran for her life!

But they both will be running for their lives more as the story continues.  While I liked all the action and secrets being revealed, I just can't put my finger on why I didn't like it more. 

Had to give it points for a hard fought for H.E.A  at the end.

 

BOOK REVIEW- COLD LIGHT OF DAY (Missing in Alaska #1) by Elizabeth Goddard

   

Christian | Mystery & Thrillers | Romance  

Description

Police Chief Autumn Long is fighting to keep her job in the quiet Alaska town of Shadow Gap when an unexpected string of criminal activity leaves her with a wounded officer, unexplained murders, and even an attack on her own father. Despite her mistrust of outsiders, she turns to Grier Brenner, a newcomer who seems to have the skills and training Autumn needs to face this threat to her community.

Grier is in Alaska for the same reason so many others are--to disappear--when Chief Long enlists his help. He emerges from the shadows and proves his mettle, but his presence in her life could be a deadly trap for them both. If his secret is exposed, all will be lost. And he's not sure even Autumn could save him.

As the stakes rise and the dangers increase, Autumn and Grier must rely on each other to extinguish the deadly threats. 

 

 AMAZON LINK

 5 STARS

 

The first thing that comes to mind is the really great world building.  It almost began to feel like a really good travel log. It gave more insight to places and histories of areas in Alaska.  Although that was good, it also slowed the story for me, which I didn't enjoy quite as much. Because I wanted the "story" about the people.

The unexpected rescue of Sarah stirred things up big time.  And that just adds into the "so many questions" category.

Grier nailed it when he thought he had to help Chief Autumn.  He couldn't stand by and watch a bunch of nitwits on the city council try to pull her down.  Especially Wally who seemed to be the biggest nitwit thorn in her side.  Grier even goes the extra mile to bring in some people he knows to help with the dives, even though he's trying to hide.  He knew it was a risk though because he was trying to NOT get his face on the news. 

This were a bit slow getting into the story BUT when it took off it really did.  INTENSE all the rest of the way through, with surprise after surprise.

I was crossing my fingers for the romance to go from the cagey friendship to the romance that their attraction promised. Because what worthy main characters they were and so easy to be drawn into.

I liked how faith in God was so subtly woven into the story.  And I liked how the story ended even better.

 

 

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

 

(read through Netgalley)