Review: Five Out of the Ashes

Five Out of the Ashes by Holli Anderson
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the epic finale to this trilogy of books. It introduced me to the magical worlds that exist unseen, a wonderful band of characters, and the excruciating battle between good and evil.

We start this story where we left the Quinae Praesidia licking their wounds and grieving for the lost members of their team. They didn't make headway against Brone and Halli was kidnapped by a dragon. The team is struggling to figure out how they work as 4 instead of 5 but they know that finding Halli needs to be a priority. There's magical advances made, some more enemies battled, and ultimately the five gets to reunite to fight the big bad.

Without adding to many spoilers to this review, one of the five gets hurt in ways that are unexpectedly awful. The story takes a decidedly darker turn before we get the big battle to end all other battles. The five get their moment of glory before managing the change the whole world (without them even knowing). This group of characters has grown and changed along the way, but they were still wonderful and fun to read. While I was sad to see this series come to a conclusion, it was great to watch them all get a happy ending.

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Review: Enigma

Enigma by Lora Leigh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Woops! I didn't realize this was part of a series and read it without previous knowledge of the characters or the world. I don't think it really hurt anything except my future read of the series based on possible spoilers, but I kind of assume all characters get a HEA when I read those types of books.

This short story is hot and spicy! We watch Jordan suffer (I mean *really* suffer... it's repeated *a lot*) as he watches/stalks Tehya. Apparently they have a long history of sexual tension without any payoff. Now that they are the last two people on the base and have a guarantee that they won't be working together in the future they are free to let loose. It take a little bit of prodding, but they finally deliver a super hot hookup.

Unfortunately, Jordan just cannot stop messing this relationship up and manages to leave *everything* unsaid. I get that there is setup for the next full length book, but give the poor girl something! The story itself read nicely, although there were some date inconsistencies that I think other reviewers picked up on as well (6, 10, 8 years, etc.). I ended this story just feeling bad for both the characters because they mucked stuff up so horribly. I hope the book after this rights all these wrongs.

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Review: Catherine- Witches of Tarland Series

Catherine- Witches of Tarland Series by Donna Hernandez
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This short story was a bit of a rushed introduction to the world of the Witches of Tarland. Catherine was raised as an ordinary girl but slowly discovered that she had powers. All alone in this journey of self-discovery, she tries to find her place in a world with demons, vampires, and witch hunters all out to get her. After the sudden discovery of a magical sword, she takes to the streets to destroy evil.

All of this comes into question when she is forced to team up with a half demon to avoid death by an even bigger enemy. This is clearly meant to be the beginning of a story that continues with the rest of the "witches of tarland."

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Review: Fairan: A Short Story

Fairan: A Short Story by Genevieve Scholl
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This short story has a very unique take on the typical faerie story. We get to see the world of the "fairan" (aka faerie) through the eyes of a half-breed. Anabelle works for her mother, the owner of what used to be a fairan only hotel but has become just an ordinary hotel since her fairan father's death. Her life is fairly ordinary until a beautiful member of the fairan walks into the hotel. He comes with shocking news about her father's life and turns her life upside-down. There's a teeny bit of smut and some fated-like romance, but the world that is built is really the star of this story.

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Review: Loved

Loved by Alisa Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This is the final installment of the Dark Alpha serial. Obviously, you shouldn't read this if you haven't read the other installments first. The last book ended with Arianna free and Jak dying because of a spell he agreed to have performed. It seemed like a pretty decent way to end a book if this serial didn't want to give us a HEA. Well, lucky for us, we get a solid HEA at the end of this one. Jak's new family and friends work together to find a loophole in the spell that allows for Jak to live, although seriously damaged.

Don't worry about resolution either, because we get plenty of that. There is a definitive end to the Mace storyline and a wonderful ending for this group of characters. Even the side characters appear to have a happily ever after in their future! All of the darker and more difficult installments were worth it to get to the finale.

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Review: Breaking Deluce

Breaking Deluce by Chad Campbell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Mona is a loner who is determined to keep her head in a book and ace all her tests. When two new students join her school, her whole world is shaken up. Jason ends up beating her to all the extra credit while Damon distracts her from all her classes with his bad boy good looks. It turns out that both boys have secrets that they are hiding. This story read like the beginning of a series but had some definite Supernatural and Frankenstein elements thrown in. There's also some fantasy elements thrown in for good measure.

This short story has the makings of a YA romance or a fantasy story, but is definitely not a standalone and needs a follow-up to wrap up some questions they introduce in this one.

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Review: The Christmas Star: A short story bonus from the Providence Series

The Christmas Star: A short story bonus from the Providence Series by Janus Gangi
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I'm a little bit stumped on what to write for this review. I have no experience with the series, but thought I could muddle through a Christmas short. I was wrong. While the writing is good and the characters seem interesting I had no idea what was going on. These are clearly stories that started at some other point in the series and are being given an update in this format. I do not recommend reading this unless you have experience with the Providence Series.

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Review: Wolf's Woman

Wolf's Woman by Rebbecca Font
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

Cameron is a werewolf who is in a transition period. After getting injured on the job, he ends up accepting the offer of a visit with one of his old buddies. Turns out that friend was actually trying to set him up with his housekeeper.

Cassie is a single mother of two rambunctious boys and he really isn't looking for anyone new in her life. At some point that changes after meeting Cameron and seeing how responsible he is. These two end up really quickly falling for each other in a sudden turn of events that puts her life in danger. The story doesn't actually have a definitive end, leaving a lot still up in the air other than their relationship.

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Review: A Broken Bond

A Broken Bond by Stacey Kennedy
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Rylie is in a bad situation. She's been forced to mate the new alpha after he killed her alpha parents. There are some important rules that bind her to this mating, but she's willing to risk it all to get away from this monster. Cash is a broken shell of a man who has been completely useless to those around him since his mate died. Everything changes for him when Rylie runs into his car begging for help.

Through the magic of fate, Rylie is exactly what Cash needs. She forces him to confront his issues and actually become a better person. He has to reevaluate everything he thought he knew about himself, but the rewards are worth it.

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Review: The End of the Line

The End of the Line by Jesi Lea Ryan
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I haven't read the series that this story is a prequel to, so I'm sure there is a lot I'm not appreciating from a character perspective. That being said, I really enjoyed this short story! These characters were amazing and the world building was obviously complex. This story did what I think short stories should do - made me want to immediately read the rest of the books by this author.

Cane is a jock with a complex past. He's the cool kid right now, but his home life is anything but perfect. His girlfriend, Lony, is the perfect compliment to his jock persona but he's tired of hiding who he really is and who he really wants. The person that he's actually in love with? That's Lony's twin sister. Pretty screwed up, right? Well, if it was sold to the reader that quickly, sure, it sounds horrible. This story, however, gives us the insight into exactly how Cane ends up with Lony and when he fell in love with her sister. It's sweet, awkward, and has a jarring ending that I'm sure is discussed further in the series.

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Review: Imperfect Dream~Perfect Reality

Imperfect Dream~Perfect Reality by Stanalei Fletcher
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Cindy is a girl with an ordinary life. She wakes up, goes to get coffee, heads to work, and spends most nights alone. After having an awkward first meeting with the hot guy who she sees at the coffee shop, she enters a self-doubting shame spiral that manifests itself into a great dream. In this dream she gets to show herself in a better way to the mystery coffee shop guy... and he ends up coming into her reality.

This short story made me think and I really wasn't expecting that from such a quick read. There is a bit of an open-ended ending that kept this story in my mind long after I finished.

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Review: Roxy Jane and the Bridge to Providence

Roxy Jane and the Bridge to Providence by Eliza Duffy
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This short read follows Roxy Jane from birth until college as she begins to learn more about her innate powers. Abandoned at an orphanage when she was just born, Roxy has no real link to her birth family. While she has some interesting birth marks, hair color, and eye color, she seemed just like a normal baby when her adoptive parents fell in love with her. Sure, weird things start happening as she grows up, but they are willing to look the other way (even when she has lengthy conversations with wild animals).

As she goes to school, the differences between her and other children manifests itself even more. A particularly rough time in school (and Roxy's resultant display of powers) results in her family relocating to hide Roxy from those who know about her. During all of this, however, Roxy seems to have popped on up on the radar of some supernatural big bad that follows her all the way to college. During college is really when Roxy starts establishing herself and making some strong bonds to normal people. While she hides her appearance from most others, her true feelings and desires start to become clear to those closest to her. This book does not have a true resolution, but it was a good start to the life of Roxy Jane.

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Review: Frozen Heart of Fire

Frozen Heart of Fire by Julie Kavanagh
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Josh is some sort of magic user who has been assaulted by strong headaches to such an extent that he must leave his club in the hands of his brother, Noah. All is going well (except for the headaches) until a woman with ice cold blood ends up in the club. Looking for a second opinion, Noah reaches out to his brother and triggers an even bigger event.

Eva is just trying to do good and stop a killer who happened to stumble into Josh's club. With knowledge of the owner and his people's history trying to wipe her race out, she knows to be careful. This doesn't stop her from getting abducted by the brothers and held against her will. Somehow they all end up on the same side against a bigger enemy, though. This story has a few romantic twists and an interesting world that would be worth another book's deeper dive.

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Review: Remember the Stars

Remember the Stars by Natalie-Nicole Bates
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This short story was bittersweet and filled with me second-guessing myself.

Leah wakes up confused and disoriented. She's hurting and has no memory of how she ended up in front of her local funeral home. Remy, one of the funeral home owners, ends up pulling her inside to safety but the two are not exactly easy friends. Unable to work together, Leah and Remy end up getting themselves into even more trouble than they started with. While Leah tries to accept her mysterious appearance, she's also got to decide whether she still wants what she originally did out of life.

Without spoiling the twists and turns in the story, I can say that this is definitely an unconventional romance that had a pretty unexpected ending.

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Review: The Demon: Episode 1

The Demon: Episode 1 by Sarra Cannon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Full disclosure: I have not read the author's other series that is apparently set in the same world. I went into this short story blind and was hooked.

Franki has been trying to juggle work, college, and her own personal issues. She has no love life to speak of and can barely get time away from her studying to have a good time. On her 21st birthday, however, she lets her friends convince her to go out and have a good time. Earlier that day, however, she gets an ominous package of black roses with a card. It seems some mysterious stranger wants to freak her out by using the same endearment that her missing mom loved to use. The card also points her to a club that nobody can confirm even exists. This should be a recipe for dangerous times!

Franki and her friend soon find themselves in over their heads, surrounded by things that neither one of them can explain rationally. Sure, there isn't big resolution in this story (hence the title "Episode 1") but I will definitely be back for more from this series!

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Review: Insidious Whispers

Insidious Whispers by Serena Zane
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I totally didn't realize this was part of a series! That being said, this book was completely fine to read as a standalone, but it's nice to know there are more stories out there in this world.

Beth is a half-fae who has been tasked with guarding an evil book. Seems like an OK job since she owns a magic shop of sorts. Unfortunately there appears to be an uptake in the amount of people that are determined to steal it from her. Torn into dimension, she finds herself declared the intended of the Fae Queen's son. Maybe that might be a good thing for some people, but she can prove that he isn't her soul mate using her soul-mate-sensing magical power. Oh, and the hottie vampire that she runs into turns out to be more than just an attempted book thief - he's her actual soul mate.

There's a lot of politics and deception, but this short story read as a fun, magical romance that had me happily flipping the pages. I'll have to keep my eye out for more by this author.

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Review: Haunted

Haunted by Amanda Bonilla
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Set in the Sentry of Evil world, this short story takes place entirely on the set of a haunted house TV shoot. Alyssa is a PA tasked with taking care of the grunt work, which includes tolerating the diva talent. Her current assignment is to make sure this haunted house story goes smoothly, and making sure the haunted accommodations don't scare anyone away. While they don't actually encounter any ghosts on their tour, on a night spent trying to escape the star's loud lovemaking she encounters a ghost of her own.

Alec has been tied to the estate since he's been a ghost. He can apparently pull off corporeal enough to touch and interact with things, including Alyssa. While the TV crew is working on finding the paranormal inside the house, he is concerned with them wandering off the property and into the hands of the beastie outside. Overall, while there is a paranormal element, this was a short romance. Alyssa is essentially at a crossroads in her life where she has to choose between continuing at a job she hates or to try to follow her heart and make herself happy.

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Review: Make a Wish

Make a Wish by Amelia Rose
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book threw together all the dark/light fae mythology I know, combined a dash of darker smut, and mixed it all together in a quick read. Lily is a research assistant on assignment in Ireland. What is a career dream come true is actually a symptom of her hiding from the memories of her horrible, cheating ex-boyfriend and the loss of her parents. One wish on a mound ends up throwing her into a world she always hoped existed. Not only does she get to meet the fae, but she also might be a legendary descendant of both courts (light and dark).

Along with her newly discovered family history, she also gains two suitors - one from the light court who wants to woo her with his gentleness and one from the dark court who wants to dominate and punish her. While the read was quick, this book really worked at setting up a world for future installments and temptation.

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Review: Penance

Penance by Alisa Woods
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Admittedly, it took me a while to get to finishing this installment. Somewhere along the lines, this book got lost in the shuffle of my daily reading and just didn't end up back on my kindle until the end of the year. Happily, however, I really enjoyed this one! While this series is definitely darker than my typical read, this installment was all about love and sacrifice.

Jak has already said that he is willing to risk his life for Arianna, but this book puts his convictions to the test. Will he really give up his life just so she can be free of her alpha? We also get to meet Arianna's family, who seems equally as determined to have her freed from the evil jerk that stole her away in the first place. While, of course, this ends without complete resolution, there was a feeling of happiness I got from this book that I didn't get from the others. Now I really can't wait to see what happens next between these shifters and witches!

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Review: Scorcher

Scorcher by Celia Kyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a cute and super sexy read about two fire elementals that are hiding their abilities from one another. Phoebe can manipulate fire, but when she gets angry it kind of manipulates her. Having exposed herself to quite a few "accidents" involving fire, it only makes sense that she is dating a fireman. Brant is a phoenix who is constantly kept on his toes (or in ashes) by his girlfriend. Aside from her "accident" prone nature, she's the perfect woman for him. Who else would be able to survive her?

These two are both thinking about moving forward in their relationship, but with these secrets there is no future for them. On the verge of telling the truth, we get the fun of knowing that all these issues are soon to dissolve. This was a fun way to watch two paranormals hook up and begin a future together.

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Review: Brannan

Brannan by Celia Kyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If the words "gay romance with kilts" interests you, this quick read should be on your kindle right now.

Seth is cruising the Highland games for a hookup. He goes every year, but this year certainly seems to be different. Before he even gets out of his car he finds a guy that makes him melt. He's got a Scottish accent, a kilt, and the look of a man who wants to get to know him better (in and out of the bedroom). These two flirt and are adorable, but they also sizzle. There's some M/M action and definite plans for a future with these two.

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Review: Fiery Ember

Fiery Ember by Celia Kyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This book was a smutty story with a Cinderella vibe. Ember is the stepdaughter of the owner of an advertising agency. Since her father passed away she has been stuck in the role as secretary until the day that her stepsisters and stepmother fail to show up for an important presentation. Under the pretense of saving the account, Ember steps in to delivery the presentation. Sure, she doesn't specifically lie to the client about who she is, but she doesn't fess up either.

Paul is immediately smitten with Em, but waits until signing the contract to pursue her. What starts as an innocent dinner turns into a night that changes his life. One night with her would never be enough, but she seems to vanish afterwards. Luckily, fate has other ideas. There's romance, deception, hot stuff, and a HEA all rolled into this quick read.

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Review: Touch Me

Touch Me by Celia Kyle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

So, I accidentally read these books in reverse order. This book certainly would have helped me better understand book 2, as this introduces the world as a whole. In this future (?), there are people with abilities and the expected backlash from the "normal" population. Through all of this, Eric D'Amore has inherited the ability to identify people who are destined to fall in love. Unfortunately, it proves difficult to convince other people of his skill, so he's got to wrap it in a different package. Using the story that he is assigning "extraordinaries" to reward the normals that support their cause (and letting people believe he is part of some big bad council), he creates "the office of kink and karma."

In this other world it is totally OK to assign people to reward people with their kink - if you can't get over that, the rest of the story is a bust. I gleefully extended my belief and was rewarded with the story of Josh and Emily. Emily is a librarian who has a touch kink. Josh is the extraordinary who has fallen completely in love with her. Sure, society might not be accepting of their union, but these two have a chemistry that guarantees a great relationship to come. Oh, and the bonus of Emily's adorably overprotective family made this story even more fun to read.

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Review: Joy & Pain

Joy & Pain by Celia Kyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was a short read that had a lot of kink. Tevin is a stripper who hates his job. Once a "real" dancer, now he is pretty much just going through the motions. He's got issues finding someone who is willing to do the age-play kink he's into and thought he'd have to settle... until he meets Zeke.

It was fun to watch the change in Tevin when he finds out that the man he's being introduced to isn't a client, but a possible date. These two certainly hit some bumps along the way, but we get indications of a future HEA on the horizon.

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Review: Mortal Wish

Mortal Wish by Tina Folsom
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I got this book in audiobook format from the author from her newsletter. As usual, listening to audiobooks are a different experience in this case (who knew I was thinking the wrong pronunciation for some of the Scanguards characters all this time...), but it was still enjoyable to get a little look at the "earlier years" of Scanguards.

This is a short story that shows us the history of Jake, a vampire who has pretty much given up on life. His conscience is killing him and he no longer wants this life. Sure, he can drink blood from a bag, but what's the point? With nothing to live for and nothing to lose, he heads to an island that is rumored to have a wish granting spring. Claire is on the same island in a last ditch attempt at saving her life. She's got terminal cancer and has been drinking from the spring and hoping for a cure. Unfortunately, that cure just won't come.

These two are perfect for one another. While the spring doesn't cure as simple as they wish, it was certainly responsible for bringing these two together. Not only do we get a good HEA, but it also continues on to show how Jake and Claire meet up with the Scanguards vampires. This was a nice little bonus read to go with the series.

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Review: Silent Storm

Silent Storm by Vivian Arend
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

In this final installment of the trilogy, Laurin and Matt are tested in both their shaman healing powers and in their relationship. Just when it looked like smooth sailing, an air shifter from Laurin’s previous life shows up (cursed) on the deck of their boat. While healing the first few stages of the curse seems easy enough, the last step will require they physically joined… with this new guy.

This might have been foreshadowed a little bit in the last book during the fertility ritual, but I was still a little surprised that Laurin was forced to choose between her sheltered air shifter ways and the more accepted water shifter ways. The air shifter that shows up, however, has no trepidation about joining the two of them, especially if it cures him and gets him into Laurin’s pants (or lack thereof).

While there was a lot of steamy action, maybe I was a little burnt out on the story by book 3. I wish we got to see another settlement to learn a little bit more about their shifter worlds.


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Review: Stormy Seduction

Stormy Seduction by Vivian Arend
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

After the tumultuous beginning that Matt and Laurin shared, this second stop on their journey brings with it some super steamy moments to rival the first. While with the Otter Clan, they are forced to accept a much more open lifestyle that is freer with their sexual attitudes than Laurin is used to. While the people of the water are a bit more open, Matt and Laurin are in agreement that they only want to be with one another.

It was fun to watch this couple grow in emotional as well as sexual ways. This trilogy is fast becoming an addiction with its fast-pasted and changing story. Oh, and it’s super-duper smutty.


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Review: The Ornament: Adrian and Sheri

The Ornament: Adrian and Sheri by Dana Marie Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

OK, so this being the third of three stories that all had pretty much the same surprise, I was glad we got a little more spice and a little less sweetness. This was another story from Sheri's perspective this time, complete with even more gaudy decorations and surprises.

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Review: The Ornament: Simon and Becky

The Ornament: Simon and Becky by Dana Marie Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I didn't realize that these were all a set of stories from different perspectives when I started them. All three stories are told from the same timeline but by different women from the three different couples. This one was also adorable, especially since the couple included the glass ornament mastermind. Not expecting a second surprise, it was just as heartwarming as the first.

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Review: The Ornament: Max and Emma

The Ornament: Max and Emma by Dana Marie Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

This was an adorable and smutty quick read. It's set during the holiday season and gives a little peek at how Max and Emma spend their holiday. What starts as a plan to decorate in the most gaudy way possible (complete with everything they can find at the store) turns into a very sweet surprise.

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Review: The Day of the Dead

The Day of the Dead by Karen Chance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a really well written short that takes place within Cassandra Palmer’s world. It is placed after book 3 but can certainly be read as a standalone with no prior knowledge of the series.

Tomas is a vampire on the run and with a mission. He has no money, a very bare bones “disguise,” and has no hope of returning from his mission alive. Everything appears to be going according to plan as he arrives on the day of the dead, when his old vampire master used to round up humans for a hunting game. On his way to save those chosen this year (and, you know, kill his old master), he ends up joining forces with a magical mercenary team trying on a similar mission.

Tomas really lucks out on this mission, not only does he get to take a stab (literally) at his old master, but he also gets some sexy times with an unlikely candidate. Good for him! It was nice to visit with old characters in this series to see what they do in the “off” time.


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Review: Stormchild

Stormchild by Vivian Arend
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Matt has been wandering through the Pacific Inside Passage for a while, acting as a shaman/doctor for those in need while fighting off the advances of the gracious people he treats. His self-imposed celibacy comes to an abrupt and steamy end when he sets eyes on a mysterious outsider. Her coloring immediately sets her apart from the rest of the water shifters, but he doesn’t care. Their one-night-stand isn’t nearly enough for him. Laurin, however, is determined to make it just a one-night affair, sneaking off for whatever ride the town leader has arranged to get her to her next teaching gig. Unfortunately (or fortunately) for them both, Matt appears to be that ride (in more ways than one – ha!).

While they both have secrets from one another, Laurin certainly has more than Matt expected. These two positively light up the pages as they begin to establish their unorthodox relationship. I’m excited to discover that there are more books in this series and intend to devour them as quickly as this one!


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Review: Exotic Indulgence

Exotic Indulgence by Vivian Arend
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a dirty fun read that I tore through in record time. Poor Kylie – she’s working her butt off to make sure her resort is perfect before it opens to the public. Oh, and she’s also torn between the three men she’s been dating, unable to make the choice. Stressed out by all the preparations, she luckily has a lot of stress relief in the form of multiple orgasms thanks to her men. Each of them is just different enough to keep her completely satisfied.

This story takes a turn for the decidedly naughtier when all three men decide to show her that they are 100% comfortable sharing her at the same time. HOT! This book is a definite read for the adventurous smutty reader.


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Review: A Beary Sweet Holiday

A Beary Sweet Holiday by Lia Davis
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I haven’t read any other books in this series, but I think this reads just fine as a standalone. It mixed a nice holiday tale with some sexy paranormal romance.

Tiffany is an independent woman, a bear shifter, and also the owner of her own bakery/restaurant. She has taken on the monumental task of catering the mating ceremonies and Winter Solstice celebration for her family and friends. It wouldn’t be such a big undertaking for the very capable Tiffany, except that she manages to fall off a ladder and break her ankle right after loading up the truck with supplies. Lucky for her, the healer who takes care of her ends up being her mate. Even though they’ve known each other for years, it seems that fate has kept their identities secret from one another. Who better to mate with than one of your best friends?

These two are adorably tentative in their mating, both thinking the worst of the situation. The one saving grace is Tiffany’s adorable family and their scheming to push these two together. Thank goodness they had some meddlers around or they might have kept apart for even longer!


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Review: What the Cuff?

What the Cuff? by Celia Kyle
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I love this author and will gladly read anything that I find from her collection. I haven’t read any other books in this series, but it really didn’t matter. This book reads well as a standalone short.

Lyssa walked in on her longtime live-in boyfriend having sex with someone else. Being a werewolf, there really was no hiding his indiscretion, but she was a little hurt that he chose a human to cheat on her with. After appropriately drowning her sorrows in a few bottles of booze, she ends up at her best friend’s house, who also happens to be a guy who has loved her forever. Rather than saddling her with a mate at 13 (when Lyssa first smelled him and went bonkers), he has been wearing a cologne to block his scent from her until he thought the time was right. Apparently the time has officially become right.

Sure, there’s not a lot of backstory or build up, but the smutty scenes are enjoyable and I always love a little paranormal twist. This was a fun read for the casual paranormal smut fan.


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Review: Cold Blood

Cold Blood by Heather Hildenbrand
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book picks up immediately after the stellar first installment. Tara has been shipped off to a special type of boarding school for hunters. Not surprisingly, being a “dirty blood” is something nobody on campus appreciates. The feelings range from hostile to slightly less hostile. The only people who appear to accept her for who she is are her new friends Cambria and Logan. This misfit crew ends up being the only thing that keeps Tara grounded through her madness filled first semester.

So where is Wes, right? Well, due to Jack’s injury at the end of the previous book, Wes is being pushed into the position of leader a little sooner than anticipated. This includes touring around and getting officially introduced to other allies. What about phone calls? Well, the hunter school appears to be employing a cell phone blocker, or is just so far out that they don’t get good service on whatever provider Tara has. It’s sad, because I really wanted more Wes in this story. Without Wes actively in the picture, this leaves the field wide open for Tara’s new trainer, Alex. He’s broody and mysterious and, of course, begins the dreaded love triangle. While these two fight at first meeting, that passion morphs into an almost-sort-of romance. Boo. I am firmly on team Wes, no matter his transgressions in this book.

Oh, so besides the interpersonal stuff, there’s also the lurking Miles threat that comes to a head at the end of this book. No, we don’t get everything wrapped up (what kind of a series would it be if that happened?), but we get some really interesting ways that changes are coming in Tara’s life. I am eager to dive into the next book, where Tara hopefully gets (maybe) a little bit of a less stressful school year.


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Review: A Bit of Bite

A Bit of Bite by Cynthia Eden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This book was a good mix of sexy werewolves, super tough sheriff chicks, and plot twists.

Ava is the sheriff of Crossroads, which is literally a crossroads between the werewolf and vampire territory. Managing the two makes for tough work, which was made even tougher by a one-night-stand with the werewolf alpha (Julian). What she’s been trying so hard to avoid comes back to bite her (literally) when bodies start piling up on the nights leading up to the blood moon. Most of the town knows something big and bad is coming, but Ava won’t give up. Lucky for her, neither will Julian.


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Review: Second Chances

Second Chances by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a very, very short story that shows Acheron’s forgiveness for his brother. While Acheron’s goodness is what makes him the better brother of the two, it almost always gets him in trouble. Every time I read a scene like this, I cringe at what will undoubtedly follow.

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Review: Fear the Darkness

Fear the Darkness by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

Oh Nick, how you break my heart!

This story follows Nick on his return home after Katrina and after the most horrible death ever. The whole Nick/Ash storyline gives me an ulcer. I miss the way everyone used to be! This story was filled with the feels, and was wonderfully gritty and real. I guess it goes without saying, but you shouldn’t read this story unless you are caught up to this point.

Nick is just so… filled with angst and darkness. His homecoming was certainly jarring and emotional, even for the reader.


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Review: A Dark-Hunter Christmas

A Dark-Hunter Christmas by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This story was as wonderful, heart-warming story of a lonely ex-gangster Dark-Hunter on Christmas. If you’re wonderful what a holiday themed story in the Dark-Hunter universe looks like – it’s this and it is awesome. All of your favorites make an appearance – including Ash and Simi.

Gallagher is a reformed gangster who lost his wife (who he had been secretly watching over) last year. Still trying to find his purpose in life (other than killing Daimons), he ends up at a hospital hoping that a Daimon’s latest victim pulls through. Fate has other plans for him, though, and they end up showing him the true meaning of family.


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Review: The Beginning

The Beginning by Sherrilyn Kenyon
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

While I think we’ve all seen this story as part of Acheron’s amazing tale, it was a good reminder of the Dark-Hunter origins. This obviously takes place a long, long time ago before Dark-Hunters were the awesome guys (and gals) that we know today. While not to be read as a standalone, this would be a good way to start your read of the series, or as an addition to what you’ve already read of the series.

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Review: The House at Cobb End

The House at Cobb End by Karen Chance
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I always love seeing inside of Pritkin’s head, so this story was a wonderful little treat. I don’t recommend giving this a read unless you’ve read the Cassie Palmer series, even though it could probably read well alone.

The premise of this story is Pritkin and his search for a residence. Of course, nothing can ever be easy for the often trampled war mage. What seems like a dream come true house ends up being a haunted estate with some… issues. If you are at all familiar with the series and the awesomeness that is Pritkin, this is an excellent addition to the story. I would read another handful of these stories that just give more insight into Pritkin’s past.


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Review: Twas a Coyote Christmas

Twas a Coyote Christmas by Dana Marie Bell
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

If you’ve read any of the series or its offshoots, this was a very quick but adorable read. The combination of Christmas setting and silly rhymes had me smiling the entire way through. This was certainly a fun read for anyone and a nice holiday treat.

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Review: Shifter Made

Shifter Made by Jennifer Ashley
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I have zero experience with the series this relates to but I don’t think it impacted my read at all. This is a prequel (I think), so it was really just a setup for (I assume) things that later happen in the series.

The setting for this book was medieval Ireland, which is usually not my thing, but it was really just a story about shifters and the Fae. Niall is a blacksmith who was once a renowned sword maker. He’s also a shifter and single father of two. Having sort of removed himself from shifter life in general, it’s a bit surprising when Alanna, a Fae princess, shows up on his doorstep demanding he make a magical sword.

Alanna isn’t what she first appears to be. Instead of the ice princess persona she tries to sell Niall, she’s actually just as much a prisoner of her brother’s machinations as Niall is. These two work together to find a path forward that actually yields a nice HEA.


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Review: Bleed For Me

Bleed For Me by Cynthia Eden
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was everything I have come to expect from this author: Fun, quick, quirky paranormal romance. Who doesn’t love a god being humbled by a quick and sudden love story?

Apollo is pretty much used to getting what he wants all the time. While slumming it with the humans that frequent his brother’s bar, he’s struck by a mysterious stranger. She’s hot and seems completely uninterested in him, which just fuels his competitive nature. Terese is determined to accomplish her first feed as a vampire. Turned against her will, she wants nothing to do with the monster she’s become, but the hunger has finally gotten to a point where she can no longer ignore it. She finally ends up accepting Apollo as her blood donor for the evening, but it ends in a rather unexpected way. Who knew that gods were excellent vampire victims?

Apollo isn’t dissuaded at all when Terese reveals that she’s a vampire. After a good game of cat and mouse (or god and vampire), these two make an awesome pair. They balance each other out in new and unexpected ways which gives us a really satisfying quick read.


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Review: Eternity Embraced

Eternity Embraced by Larissa Ione
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

This was a wonderful little standalone short that takes place in this author’s wonderful world. We get a deeper look into yet another unusual pairing, this one from an exclusively slayer perspective.

Andrea is an extremely motivated slayer. After her family is killed in front of her, she throws herself into her “work” but eventually lets in one person – Kaden. Her life is once again turned upside down after he gets captured by vampires and turned. Instead of making the decision she’s been taught to make since joining, she is determined to save Kaden’s life (or un-life… un-death?). These two are rough and tough, with enough baggage to make any relationship work, let alone with from opposite sides of a paranormal war. They give us one heck of a HEA, though, that was a nice little bonus from an unlikely source.


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Review: The Shadow Bells

The Shadow Bells by Tawdra Kandle
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

With all the drama that has surrounded Nell and Rafe (including, you know, the big bad that is still lurking), this Christmas story was a wonderful reprieve for these two. Of course, what starts as a simple visit home turns into something more for this magical duo. Nell is willing to head back to King, even though she was a little bit evil the last time she was physically there. Rafe, of course, has been missing his grandparents, but he was only willing to go back if Nell was 100% okay. After managing that hurdle, a simple gathering should be easy, right?

Nell and Rafe are visited by the ghosts of the town's past and shown the good and the bad. They come out of this magical adventure even stronger and I couldn't be happier! If anyone deserves a nice Christmas, it's these two. Oh, and we get a nice glimpse into some of the founding family's relationships. This was a must read for any fans of the King world.

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Review: A Promise to Bear (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance)

A Promise to Bear (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) by Meredith Clarke
My rating: 3 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This book was easily read as a standalone, without any prior experience with the series. It manages to throw a little bit of everything into this quick, shifter romance.

Twila's life turns upside-down when she gets the call informing her of her grandmother's passing. She picks up everything she's built in her life and relocates it to the Bear Lake Lodge so she can run the business she just inherited. The only complication (other than the fact that she knows nothing about running a business) is her one-night-stand, Jasper. He's still working as the general handyman and glue that holds the lodge staff together. They're forced to work together and it quickly turns steamy once more.

There are some twists and turns along the way, but these two manage to work on building a life together and figure out a path forward for the Lodge, too. While this was a very quick read, there was a lot of drama jammed into the pages.

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Review: Loyal To The Bear (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance)

Loyal To The Bear (BBW Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance) by Meredith Clarke
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

This short story was engaging and easy to read as a standalone. I have no experience with this series, but that didn't hurt me at all.

Henry and Carly met each other in college and easily fell into a once in a lifetime relationship. Things were going along swimmingly until Carly found out that Henry has been hiding his shifter heritage. Carly's history with shifters has been less than stellar, what with her father being killed by a shifter right before her eyes when she was younger. In a very simplistic way, she has grouped all shifters into the "dangerously unstable" category without looking into it any further. When she hears Henry talking about being a shifter, she runs as far as she can from him. She seems content to live out her life being miserable and alone until Henry resurfaces, unable to stay away from what he thinks is his mate.

A normal reunion story would just end with a nice HEA after the reunion, but this story throws in a serial killer, a change of heart, and some flash-bang chemistry. This was definitely a good, solid read for a quiet afternoon. It made me wonder what the rest of this world is like.

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Review: Fate Succumbs

Fate Succumbs by Tammy Blackwell
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

I’m not sure I can get through this review without at least a few spoilers, so you’ve been warned! This is the last installment in a wonderfully addictive trilogy that had lots of shifters and teenage angst.

I’m going to admit that I was completely on team Alex. I believed he was really alive. I was firmly in denial. Even when this book jammed it in my face, I fought to hold on to my belief. Alex couldn’t really be dead, right? What kind of a book would put me through that? Well, it took a while, but I can finally accept what I guess I should have known for a few books now – Alex is dead. With that acceptance, Scout spending all her time with Liam was a little easier to swallow. Yes, there was definitely a learning curve in this. Liam is not the nicest and friendliest characters and was set up as such in the previous books. This book does a really good job of sneaking all these nice things in and, without even knowing it, I was suddenly on team Liam.

So, what happens in this book (other than me fighting to hold on to my denial)? Scout is forced into hiding. After the grand escape at the end of the previous book, we see Scout on the run with Liam as her only companion. The others in her world pop in from time to time, but this is really a Scout/Liam book. What begins as escape ultimately becomes a revolution. When we met the evil alpha female, we all knew that couldn’t stay that way. Turns out, Scout is the one who is going to change that. With her odd situation and some destiny thrown in, she appears to be the best person to take the alpha’s place. It was tough to get there, but this book really delivered in a big way. The worst part of the book (other than my acceptance of Alex’s death) was having to say goodbye to all these wonderful characters. Lucky for me, though – there is a spinoff that I can drown my sorrows in.


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