ARC REVIEW Highland Awakening by Jennifer Haymore

This is the second book in The Highland Knights series by Jennifer Haymore. I liked this one it was a case of insta-lust turned love. It was amusing to read and despite some little things that I didn't like it was a nice read. I liked Esme very much she is a shy and socially awkward woman more comfortable with just being an observer then in the center of attention. Esme is the same Esme from the House of Trent series but it is not pivotal to read that series before you read this book. Camden had his moments he could be a bit of a turd, he was manipulative and while his intentions were in the right place that whole situation was off putting. But I liked the way Esme handled it. The main storyline (aside from the romance) was a little heartbreaking, (why!?!?! why did you do it?!?!) and very exciting.

Things are slow for the secret spy organization Highland Knights they are stuck babysitting a pompous Lord who has been getting threats. While babysitting one night at the Lord's favorite brothel Camden McLeod runs into a beautiful cloaked girl. He never catches her name but one forbidden kiss later and he can't stop thinking about her. To his surprise the next night he discovers her identity as Lady Esme Hawkins the young sister of the Duke of Trent. Cam knew he wanted Esme but after spending time with her just talking and getting to know her he knew one night just wouldn't be enough. The only problem she's already engaged to some boring and drool man who clearly isn't good enough for her. And que the first manipulation. Esme has a secret, she is a published writer. She writes under a pen name and she has told no-one until now. But then her fiance finds out and dumps her she feels it's the right time to confess to her brother and sister-in-law. Furious because the only way her fiance could have found out was from Cam she confronts him. Cam distracts her by seducing her. Cam realizes he can't live without Esme and proceeds the only why he knows how by taking control of the situation, and cue the second manipulation. Meanwhile, the Highland Knights are being attacked and as much as Cam wants to get down to the bottom of this he keeps getting distracted by Esme.  

Overall, I liked it and I'm enjoying the series and look forward to the other.

RELEASE WEEK BLITZ! Save Your Soul by Rochelle Paige

Save Your Soul

Body & Soul Series #2

Rochelle Paige

Genre: Contemporary Erotic Romance

GOODREADS

99 CENTS

Available on Kindle Unlimited

PURCHASE LINKS:

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BLURB:

Brecken Kane had been damn good at his job in the military. The experience served him well when he moved into the private sector. Brecken’s new security business is booming, and he’s settling into civilian life. Little does he know his newest client’s request to save his daughter will change everything.

Hadley Gresham knows she isn’t likely to make it out of the jungle alive. She’d distanced herself from her parents after she learned her dad made his money selling illegal arms. Kidnapped by his competitors, she knows there’s little chance he’ll be able to save her.


Luckily for Hadley, her father hires Brecken. He’d never leave an innocent woman behind, let alone the one he quickly comes to consider his. Brecken might be Hadley’s rescuer, but she's the one who saves his soul.


Warning: This book has an alpha hero who races to the rescue of the virgin heroine. If you like insta-love and hot sex in the steamy jungle, then this story is for you!


Please note: This is the second novella in the Body & Soul series, but it can be read as a standalone. Each book in the series features a different couple.

I fell in love with Brecken in Bare Your Soul. What little he was in it and I knew his story was going to be Fantastic. And it is! 

Brecken knows immediately that Hadley is his, even if it was just by looking at her photograph he knew soul deep that once he saved her, and he will save her there's no doubt in his mind about that, that he would never let her go once she there in his arms.

Hadley had a falling out with her father, she found out that her was an illegal arms dealer. So she cut ties with him; but that didn't stop his enemies from kidnapping her to get to him. TWO WEEKS! she sat chained and starving and thirsty waiting for her father to do what ever it was they wanted him to do.

Brecken finds her easily enough but getting her out of the jungle is the hard part. Falling in love was the last thing on Hadley's mind when she was running for her life dirty, sweaty, starving but the brave and sexy man who rescued her has her thinking all sorts of things.

I loved this one. It was exciting and sexy; and the characters are all very likable. I love Rochelle Paige's writing style it's always a winner with me.    

When I’d glanced at the photo my client had shown me of his daughter, my hesitation ceased to exist. Only one thing mattered—saving Hadley from the men who’d taken her. The sight of her broad smile and bright green eyes staring up at me from her picture froze me in my tracks. Brown hair so dark it almost appeared black, flowed over her shoulders, stopping just above her tits. Her perky, luscious tits which looked huge on her tiny frame. I got a hard-on from seeing her picture while sitting across from her father and discussing her kidnapping. It was insane. I’d never had a reaction like this to a woman, let alone from a damn picture at a time like this.

It was almost as insane as the feeling of possessiveness which swamped me when Whit whistled softly under his breath while glancing at her picture. We’d been together since boot camp, and I’d been lucky when he decided not to re-up at the same time as me. It meant I was able to open my security firm with Whit at my side, just like I’d started my military career. At his sign of male appreciation, I wanted nothing more than to demonstrate exactly what I’d do if he ever laid a hand on her.


“Back the fuck off,” I hissed at him, sending his eyebrows into his hairline before he moved to the wall and leaned against it. I was sure to hear about this later, but I didn’t give a fuck. She was mine, but first I needed to get her out of this mess.

DON’T MISS OUT ON BOOK 1 OF THE BODY & SOUL SERIES

**Also available on Kindle Unlimited**
99 CENTS

BARE YOUR SOUL

Amazon US │ Amazon UK

ABOUT ROCHELLE PAIGE

Rochelle Paige is an Amazon bestselling author. She absolutely adores reading. Her friends growing up used to tease her when she trailed after them, trying to read and walk at the same time. She loves stories with alpha males, sassy heroines, hot sex and happily ever afters. She is a bit of a genre hopper in both her reading and her writing. So far she's written books in several romance sub-genres including new adult, contemporary, paranormal and romantic suspense.

AUTHOR LINKS:

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ARC REVIEW Fortune Favors the Wicked by Theresa Romain

Fortune Favors the Wicked by Theresa Romain is only my second book written by this author. I enjoyed this book, I liked that the characters were ordinary people not Lords and Ladies or people of great influence just the daughter of a vicar and a Royal Navy pensioned Lieutenant. What makes them extraordinary characters is Charlotte is an ex-courtesan and Benedict is blind. I also liked that despite the circumstances they weren't written as overly angsty people. The story was a little disjointed;  it went too long between the main and the secondary and third story lines you almost forget about the other. The romance between Charlotte and Benedict pretty much dominated the story leaving the mystery off to the side and then that gets blindsided by Charlotte's past rearing it's ugly head and finally get back to the initial mystery. But the active setting was very well written and the character establishment was well done and the conclusion was very nice.

The Royal Mint has been robbed, six trunks of newly minted gold sovereigns has been stolen all before they could enter into circulation. The reward is enough to set the fortune hunters and greedy alike in search for it. So far the only clue has been a single coin to show up in a Derbyshire inn. Everybody is looking for the Royal Reward.

Lieutenant Benedict Frost joined the Royal Navy at twelve years of age, and he stayed in the Navy for much of his life but four years prior he contracted a strange fever and lost his eye sight. He was then given the Naval Knight (Knights of Windsor which are basically retired military) and offered a pension. Benedict even after loosing his sight still traveled he wrote a memoir about his experiences as a blind man traveling. The money he was to earn with the sale of his book would have been given to his sister on her twenty-first birthday so she may have the means to support herself. But nobody wanted to sell his book as a memoir because who could believe that a blind mind could travel and experience what he has written. Determined to get the money to set up his sister he decides to try his hand at finding the royal reward.  

Charlotte Perry is a strong woman she knows what she wants and she's going to find the Royal Reward, thankfully she doesn't have to go far her father is the Vicar in the town where the only gold sovereign has appeared. Charlotte's plan is to find the gold get the reward and take her niece and live peacefully together. Charlotte is also running from her past, an abusive and overbearing former protector. In Charlotte's youth she made some bad decisions and she in turn became the notorious courtesan Charlotte Pearl. Now wanting a quiet life in the country with her niece her only hope is to find the royal reward.

Charlotte views Benedict as a rival for the gold at first but when a local girl gets murdered and Benedict is attacked they join forces to solve the murder and find the gold. The attraction between the two of them can not be denied but as a Naval Knight Benedict can not marry or else lose his pension which is the money he gives to his sister. Charlotte doesn't want to marry because she is ashamed of her past. But as Benedict and Charlotte fall in love and try to track down a murder the man Charlotte ran from appears in town. Now Charlotte must face her courtesan life and her vicar's daughter life finally coming face to face with each other.

Overall, I really did enjoy this one. I think one brilliant aspect was that Benedict was inspired by a real life blind man who wrote about his travels.            

TASTY BOOK TOUR: CUFF ME by Lauren Layne

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CUFF ME

New York's Finest #3

Lauren Layne

Releasing on March 29th, 2016

Forever: Grand Central

Vincent knows he's not the most charming of the Moretti brothers. He prefers brooding to flirting, reading to talking, and he sure as hell isn't about to give into his mother's insistence that he 'settle down with a nice girl.' Luckily, Vincent's gig as one of the NYPD's top homicide detectives keeps him busy. As does his long-time partner, Jill Henley–a tough-as-nails cop with the face of an angel and smart mouth that makes Vincent crazy in all the worst ways.

After six years of working the homicide beat with the tight-lipped Vincent Moretti, Jill figure she knows him better than anyone. Which is not at all. But when their most recent case points to a potential serial-killer situation, the higher-ups send them on a rare undercover mission to a place no NYPD officer dares go: the Upper Eastside.

Now the bureau's most antagonistic set of partners is posing as Mr. and Mrs. Brooks of Park Avenue. Spending 24/7 in the suspect's territory brings them closer and closer to their killer . . . and closer to each other. Soon Vincent and Jill are playing good cop/bad cop in and out of bed, and Jill's falling hard. But can she convince Vincent to give her a shot as partner in life, as well as at the bureau?

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I loved this book! Vincent won a special place in my heart, and not just because he is hot as sin but he kind of reminded me of my brother, personality-wise. OH! OH! OH! and we finally get to meet the other brother Marc! 

If you are New to the series, the series is centered around the Moretti Family. (From what I've heard of the T.V. show Blue Blood it's kinda like that) The Patriarch of the family is the retired Police Commissioner each for of his sons are in the police force. His eldest (Anth) is a captain on his way to follow in his father's footsteps, another (Vincent) is a detective the youngest (Luc) is patrol and Marc the only one not working with the NYPD he followed his worthless girlfriend to California. The only girl of the family is a defense attorney.  I love this family they are a close tight knit bunch always in everyone else's business and wanting to help whether you want it or not and always there when you need them.

Vincent and Jill have been partners for six years, there had always been some underlying feelings between them, Jill had secretly harbored her feelings for Vincent in hopes that someday he will realize it too. But after six years Jill is tired of waiting and while she was in Florida helping her Mom recovery from a nasty fall she meets a handsome, rich, and really nice real estate developer. Three months later they are engaged.

Vincent realizes something when Jill is gone, his life is very empty without her. He had plans to ask her out when she gets back. That's a big step for Vincent, he has always had problems showing emotion and has trouble realizing that these feelings he has for Jill is love. When Jill comes back and is engaged to someone else Vincent is faced with the facts that he might have just lost his best friend and his only chance at love. Jill also admits that she is going to be moving to Chicago. As much as Vincent wants Jill to stay and be his he tries to cone to terms that he wants her happy above all else, even if that means he's not.

All the while these two are going through their emotional issues they are trying to solve a case that in all appearances is unsolvable. A classic movie starlet was killed in her home, pushed over the staircase railing and no obvious clues pointing to the killer. They just can't get the right angle on the clues to solve it. It leads them to California where we finally meet Marc, and yet another dead end for the case and there love life. 

Overall, I think this is my favorite of the series so far. I kept expecting Tom, Jill's fiancee, to end up being a complete douche bag but he wasn't, he was such a nice guy. I kinda want to see him get his own book. But yes, this book is definitely in the top three favorite Lauren Layne books for me.

Vincent was damn good at his job. It was why he’d been assigned a trainee during Jill’s leave of absence despite the fact that his lack of people skills was as legendary as his ability to sniff out even the most clever of murderers.

In truth, Vincent had been dreading his three months with the near-rookie, but it had been less painful than expected. Dansen was a good cop. A little green, but when Dansen was assigned his new partner tomorrow, Vin had no doubts that the guy would be able to handle whatever came his way.

And then Vincent’s life would finally get back to normal.

Not that these three months without Jill had been abnormal, precisely.

He still worked the same backbreaking schedule. Still saw death more days than not.

Still went to breakfast with his family after Mass every Sunday, and argued with his brothers and occasionally with his sister during said breakfast.

He still watched sports most evenings, still worked out most mornings.

So really, his life wasn’t different without Jill at all. Except that it was. Wildly, horribly different.

He glanced at his watch. Two hours until her plane landed. Three hours, maybe four until he’d see her again. Not that he was counting.

“So you’re good from here?” Vincent asked. “If you need anything, I’ll be ...”

“Yeah, yeah, I’ll call ya. You never did tell me where you were going.”

“Probably because it’s none of your Goddamn business.”

Dansen put a hand to his chest. “I’ve come to love these heart-to-hearts of ours. The way we count on each other. Confide in each other—” “My cue to leave,” Vincent grumbled.

He started to get in the car, when Dansen called his name again.

Vin shot him an impatient look and was surprised when the usually confident Dansen looked away briefly before meeting his eyes.

“Hey, I just wanted to say.. .” Dansen cleared his throat from across the hood of the car, and Vin tensed, knowing what was coming.

God, he hated shit like this.

“You can drop the detective,” Vincent said roughly. “Just call me Moretti. Or Vin. Whatever.”

Dansen’s smile flashed white across his dark face. “Do you know how many cops dream of the day when they’re given permission to call one of the members of the royal family by their first name?”

“Oh Jesus. Don’t start that again.”

For the most part, Dansen had done a remarkable job of not irritating Vincent to the extreme over the past three months. But Dansen’s ridiculous hero worship of Vincent’s last name grated on his nerves. Yet another reason he couldn’t wait for Jill to get back.

Jill, who’d never cared that Vincent’s father was the recently retired police commissioner. Or that his older brother was a captain. Or that his younger brother was the NYPD’s most famous officer.

Or that his grandfather had been a cop and his mother had been a police dispatcher.. .

Okay, so maybe Vincent could sort of understand where Dansen was coming from. The Morettis were kind of NYPD royalty.

And Vincent was proud to be a part of it. Proud to carry on the legacy.

He just got damn tired of the ass kissing.

“Seriously though, thanks,” Dansen said. “Couldn’t have asked for a better detective to show me the ropes. A nicer one, sure. A better-looking one, definitely. And you can be a real—”

“Asshole, I know,” Vincent said.

Dansen held up a finger. “Not what I was going to say. I think that’s the first time you’ve tried to finish my sentence and gotten it wrong.”

“I’m never wrong,” Vin said out of habit.

“Fine.” Dansen rolled his eyes. “You’re an asshole. Happy?”

Vin didn’t bother responding, just lifted his hand in a final farewell to Dansen before the younger man could say whatever it was he’d wanted to say, and lowered himself into the car.

Vincent slid on his aviator sunglasses as he fastened his seat belt.

Vin kept his face perfectly blank until he’d pulled away from the curb and merged into traffic.

Only then, only out of sight of prying eyes, did he let a smile overtake his face. A smile that quickly became a grin as he headed toward his longtime barber for a very overdue haircut.

He told himself that his decision to get his hair cut after weeks of putting it off had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that he’d be seeing Jill in a few short hours.

Vincent had never really given two thoughts to what Jill Henley thought of his looks.

But then, he and Jill had never spent three months apart. He’d never had a chance to realize just how much he’d . .. missed her.

Not that he’d be telling her that

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Lauren Layne is the USA Today Bestselling author of more than a dozen contemporary romance novels.

Prior to becoming an author, Lauren worked in e-commerce and web-marketing. A year after moving from Seattle to NYC to pursue a writing career, she had a fabulous agent and multiple New York publishing deals. 

Lauren currently lives in Manhattan with her husband and plus-sized Pomeranian. When not writing, you'll likely find her running (rarely), reading (sometimes), or at happy hour (often).

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STEAL ME

(New York's Finest #2) 

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ARC REVIEW The Study of Seduction by Sabrina Jeffries

Second in the Sinful Suitors series by Sabrina Jeffries, The Study of Seduction is a great fun read; another hit for Ms. Jeffries. I really enjoyed this it was such a witty read with amazing characters and humorous situations with a touch of suspense. I loved Edwin Barlow, I love heroes like him. Clarissa Lindsey is a headstrong woman who vowed never to get married.

Lady Clarissa Lindsey has been turning down suitors ever since her first season she never wanted to marry; she has her reasons. But her cousin is concerned for her safety a suitor who previously asked her her hand has been stalking her, obsessed with marring her to the point that Clarissa is scared. Clarissa's brother had to flee the country because of a duel and he recently sent a message he needed help. Not wanting to leave her alone her cousin asks his best friend Edwin to watch over her.

Edwin has been in love with Clarissa for years, not that he would admit it, or even recognize the emotion. He just knows that she isn't what he wants in a wife, the vivacious and strong willed Clarissa, as much as he cares for her, he thinks would be the wrong kind of wife for him. But when Clarissa's stalker corners her Edwin, before he can stop himself, claims that Clarissa is his fiancee. Clarissa and Edwin decide to play along with the secret engagement until her cousin return but the mad man after Clarissa doesn't play fair and reveals the fake engagement. Clarissa and Edwin are forced to truly become engaged.

Clarissa has secrets her reasons why she never wanted to marry and she is forced to tell Edwin. It turns out Edwin's family has secrets of their own and the mad man threatens to blackmail Edwin with it. Well Edwin is smarter than that, him and Clarissa elope. Through all this Clarissa and Edwin despite having known each other for years really come to understand each other and of course fall deeper in love with each other than they were before.

Overall, the whole story of Edwin and Clarissa was entertaining and very lovely. I can't wait for more.  

ARC REVIEW The Princess Wore Plaid by Karen Hawkins

This is an in between novella for the Princes of Oxenburg series centered on one of the Princes' cousins. I love Karen Hawkins she always has a witty cast of characters who get pushed into unlikely situations and fall in love.

Princess Tatiana was on her way to her cousins wedding there was an accident and when she came too could remember nothing, she fled the scene and wandered for a couple of days before coming to an inn where she was offered a job. When she finally regained her memory she had no way to prove her identity to anyone, and the proprietors of the inn, the Drummonds, didn't believe she was a Princess of a country they never heard of. Tatiana learned as she went to earn her keep at the inn waiting for her cousins to come and find her.

Lord Darrac Buchan was injured while in service during the war with the French. His leg was damaged so bad he almost lost it; now riddled with scars and damaged muscle tissue he walks with a cane. Embarrassed by his impairment he stays at home the only time he leaves is for his Friday night dinner at the local inn where the innkeeper's wife is a much better cook then his own estates cook.

One particularity rainy night Buchan and Tatiana meet. For her own safety and because the Drummonds are worried that she's a bit daffy told Tatiana not to talk to anybody. Buchan knows right away she's no ordinary maid her forthright manner and the lack of callous' on her hands says she is something more and that intrigues Buchan. It is three weeks before Tatiana serves him his meal again. In this second meeting Tatiana says something that let on she is more with little convincing she tells him the truth. Buchan doesn't really believe her at first but with a little bit of reading he soon believes her.

Of course Tatiana and Buchan fall in love, but they both feel likes it's doomed, they both know as soon as her cousin shows up she will go back to the Royal life. Overall, this was too short I just enjoyed the characters that much, but really, as it was I don't think it could have been turned into a full length novel. I loved this one, it is a great addition to the series.  

ARC REVIEW Risking It All by Christi Barth

Risking it All is the first book in the Naked Men series. Naked Men is a blog hosted by friends at first just to keep in contact with each other in college but spread to something so much more. It's men showing how men are in their true stripped down with nothing to lose. The friends hosting formed a brotherhood in their teens when they were on a soccer trip in Europe and their bus crashed and stranded them in the Alps and forced to survive and find help on their own. I thought this was a great idea, it's not your typical scenario and it gives the guys a unique bond.

Griffin Montgomery is the unspoken leader of the group he was captain of their soccer team and the one who rallied them when they were stranded and lost in the Alps. Griffin was labeled the hero and that has stuck with him he in turn became a pilot for the Coast Guard and runs rescue missions. But this last rescue risked his crew and his chopper and even thought he saved the lives of three people his boss was not happy and grounded him.

Chloe Widmore found her calling after a traumatic event, she herself was labeled a hero as well but what Chloe has done with her as been anything but exciting. Chloe is a professional letter writer, she loves it. She sits in a coffee shop and finds just the right paper the right pen and then creates just the write letter for her client, she finds peace it. But Chloe's life has gotten monotonous, and much to the chagrin of her best friend has no wish to change that. Until one day sitting in her normal seat in her normal coffee shop her life changes.

When Chloe and Grif meet it is instantaneous the attraction, the spark, the banter between the two is amusing. Everything is going well, they even own up to their traumatic pasts, but When Chloe admits to being a virgin Grif freaks out. Chloe is ready and wants Grif to be the one she's with, but after thinking it over and talking with his friends he agrees but he wants to take his time. He wants to woo her, and make sure she really knows what she wants. But not all that glitters is gold and their happy relationship gets rocky when Chloe's fears and Grif's fearless ways clash.

Overall, this was a decent read, it was enjoyable. I really couldn't connect to the characters I liked them well enough and the story progression was nice and it was well written. I just couldn't really get emotionally invested in it.          

ARC REVIEW The SEALs Rebel Librarian by Anne Calhoun

An Alpha Ops novella by Anne Calhoun, not what I expected. I was expecting the typical shy quiet librarian looking for excitement instead what I got was a emotionally bruised divorcee looking to banish the narcissistic voice of her ex-husband who constantly belittled her and guilt tripped her into getting everything he wanted. I was expecting a alpha hero out to woo the shy but sexy librarian what I got was a emotionally damaged SEAL suffering from PTSD who ended up being seduced by the librarian. I liked it. I'm glad it wasn't what I expected. I enjoyed that the characters helped heal each other and helped them both come to terms with things they didn't want to face. It did feel a little rushed at the end and a little contrived.

Jack Powell left the Navy SEALs because he was suffering from night terrors and hand tremors. He was aware that it could be PTSD even if he didn't show the "typical" symptoms of it. He was seeing a therapist and attending psychology classes and writing a thesis on PTSD. He wanted to understand it fully and figure out how to beat it. He knows he can't be a SEAL anymore but he plans to go into the private sector and get a job that will take him to Turkey.

Erin Kent is picking up the pieces after her divorce she has made a list of things she has always wanted to do but her ex always talked her out of it and made promises he never kept. Even now a year after the divorce she still hears his voice in her head whenever she begins to doubt herself. In a plan to extinguish him from her head she has been going down her list. She went to classes and got her license for riding a motorcycle all she needs now is the motorcycle. But the salesman is trying to talk her out of the Ducati (LOVE DUCATI) and on to a smaller Honda Rebel. Lucky for Erin that Jack just happen to be there to pick up a part and helped her get it through the sale man's thick skull that she wanted the Duc.

Erin previously turned down Jack for a date because she wasn't ready to start dating again, but that didn't stop her from taking him home and sleeping with him. From there they start a precarious sexual relationship. They both know that the relationship wont last forever Erin is still trying to be her own person and Jack is preparing to move out of the country. But sure enough thy both fell in love but can Erin get over her fears enough to move forward with Jack in a life together.

Overall this was a very smokin' hot book, very hot. I liked the characters well enough and the sex in the library was pretty good.      

ARC REVIEW Her Fierce Warrior by Paige Tyler

I keep forgetting that this is only book 4 in the X-OPS series. There is such a large cast of characters and such an in depth plot of conspiracy that it seems like a much longer series than it actually is; so far. I really liked this one it was perfectly paced and the action was suspenseful, the characters are all lust worthy. I love Minka's vulnerability and how her love for Angelo lets her embrace her new found strength and abilities. Angelo is a white knight, he is out to save everybody he can. After what happened with his mother he isn't willing to let anyone into his life only to be gone most of the year. Minka changes everything.

Minka was kidnapped and turned into a lab rat. She doesn't remember all what happened except for the strange stuff they injected her with and being repeatedly tortured and abused. She was able to escape and the monster the doctors put in her ran her to safety, when she finally regained control of her monster she was almost home only to be assaulted by local soldiers. Minka screamed and fought her assailants and suddenly her beast took over. she would have killed them all but something calmed her beast down.

Angelo and his team of Special Ops soldiers were doing a routine sweep of an area when a scream filled the air. Angelo and his team go rushing to the aid of the terrified woman not expecting to walk into a blood bath. Angelo recognized the woman for what she was, a hybrid. Thankfully Angelo was able to talk to her and keep her from attacking him and his men but then she did something strange she launched herself at Angelo and buried her nose into neck and inhaled; she calmed down but she wouldn't let go. Angelo convinced his LT to call the DCO, the Department of Covert Operations, and let them handle her but seeing that she wouldn't let go of him he went with her.

Landon and Ivy are called into Thomas Thorn's office. Landon and Ivy don't trust Thorn as far as they can throw him they believe that he is behind the Hybrid program that stole Ivy's DNA back in the first book. But Thorn is none the wiser thinks that they are on his side. When Minka and Angelo finally get to DCO headquarters they are met by Doctor Dick and Minka almost kills him, well that's foreboding. Minka and Angelo are given an apartment and get very close, Angelo has no plans to stay and Minka is willing to deal with it. Minka's childlike innocence is endearing and her passion is fierce, Angelo doesn't want to hurt her but her cant stop from loving her. Minka starts to see Zarina who teaches Minka about her beast and how it came to be and also started to help her learn how to control it. The DCO decides to use Minka to track down exactly where she was held and find it and destroy it and bring in the two Doctors behind the Hybrid program and that leads to one big cluster fuck.

Overall, this was a very exciting book it follows a couple more characters then just Minka and Angelo but that just more build up for the over all story arc. It probably can be read as a stand alone its pretty much explains everything, I missed the first two books and I feel a more like I'm missing something but not lost.

        

ARC REVIEW Divine Ecstasy by Setta Jay

YAY!!! OMG! so I have been waiting for this one. Hades and Sacha. I started off with this series kind of iffy, I was in the middle but by the time the last couple of books rolled by I was addicted. When the last book left off as a cliffhanger for Hades and Sacha I was gnawing at the bit for the rest of their story. I loved it it's just as hot and erotic as always and you see Hades in a different light then previously. This was a very satisfying read.

Sacha was a slave to Apollo and Hermes. Her sister died and left her with the task of taking care of her son. Sacha took it to heart and was able to get Bastion away from the Apollo and Hermes and both together were reborn into Guardians of the Realm. Sacha has watched the other Guardians meet their mates and from her past experiences she really wasn't anxious for that to happen. Then Sacha was poisoned and the others were unable to heal her so she remained in a coma. Until Hades sensed her and realized she was his soul mate.

Hades was a bit of a man whore in the previous book but as soon as he found Sacha that all changed and when he found out about her past he did everything in his power to make her comfortable with accepting the mate bond. It also intensified his hatred of Apollo. Hades is good for Sacha he helps her come out of her emotional shell she built for herself and vise versa. Sacha helps calm down Hades' autocratic side.

The story continues with the story arc of the previous books, it helps if you have read them but it can easily be read without the others. There is no real clear defined antagonist but an old one foreshadowing. It is predominately Hades and Sacha working together to complete the bonding and getting use to each other. There is also an introduction to new characters from the other world;  also quite a bit about Pothos and ends in a cliffhanger with his upcoming story.
 
Overall, I loved this one. I had high hopes for Hades and Sacha and was not disappointed. I do have one question though... Is the "ch" in Sacha's name the Greek ch with the "kh" sound or the French "ch" with the "sh" sound?

ARC REVIEW Try Not to Breathe by Holly Seddon

Try Not to Breathe is a debut psychological suspense by author Holly Seddon. This was a good mystery, I really enjoyed the how the events unfolded moving from past to present and an insightful look into the mind of a comatose girl. It was a little slow paced for me, but that is just personal preference. The characters are perfectly imperfect it makes them seem more real, their pain more palpable. I liked reading it, it kept me intrigued; I kinda figured it out early in the book but it was entertaining to find out how the characters reached the conclusion.

The main character Alex Dale has her own demons to fight and she thinks she has her alcoholism under control. Alex was a great journalist but the death of her mother and her alcoholism which played a part in the death of her unborn child and in part why her husband left her, and in turn her career tanked. She thought she hit rock bottom until her doctor told her unless she stops drinking entirely and seek treatment she will die in a year. Alex was working freelance doing fluff pieces trying to get her her place back at the paper. One of her pieces lead her to the coma ward at one of the hospitals Alex's life changed dramatically after that.

Amy Stevenson was a typical teenage girl until she went missing and found several days later almost dead. They never found who did it, and ever since Amy has been considered a vegetable. Her brain is active she just can't wake up. Alex feels a kinship with this woman it has been a whole decade since Amy has seen the world and Alex remembers when Amy went missing have grown up not far from where it happened. Alex feels like she owes it to Amy to find out what happened. Alex diligently works to uncover the truth about what really happened to Amy all those years ago. She recruits the help of her police officer ex-husband, Amy's Step-father and Amy's high school boyfriend. All the while Amy is reliving the events up to her disappearance over and over again until she finally remembers but still stuck in her uncooperative body.

The revelation of the whodunit was very exciting. Overall, I liked the book well enough. It was beautifully written and the characters were all very real.      

ARC REVIEW I Kissed a Rogue by Shana Galen

Book three of Shana Galen's Covent Garden Cubs and I'm sad to say that I really didn't care for this one. I liked Brook and that's about it. The plot seemed a little contrived and I just could not get emotionally invested in the story and the characters and their plight. I found myself getting very easily distracted and had to push myself to finish.

Lady Lillian-Anne was a spoiled girl when Brook Derring first meet her, he fell in love with her and she broke his heart. Seven years later Lila has changed, the death of her mother gave her new perspective. Lila's life changes further when she was kidnapped and rescued by Brook and then forced to marry him to save her life. So Brook has to keep her safe and find Beezle, the kidnapper and murder who is after Lila, and stop Beezle before he can get to Lila. This was very slow and I wish there was more to this story line then Lila and Brook bickering back and forth.

There is a fine line between love and hate and this is a prime example of it. They don't want to love each other so they act like they hate each other, and it really gets old. Brook is trying to save Lila's life and she just keeps acting like a spoiled brat. After being forced to spend time with each other Lila realizes how good of a man Brook is and Brook realizes how much Lila has changed.

Overall, this was lack luster. I liked Brook I wish he had a better story.  

ARC REVIEW Bite the Dust by Cynthia Eden

This is the first book of Cynthia Eden's new series Blood and Moonlight. This came out this last October and is one heck of an introduction to the urban fantasy/paranormal world. I loved Mary Jane she is a strong character but with the situation she found herself in she often felt lost and confused; she was being pulled every which way and she didn't know who she could trust. I can totally sympathize with that. Aidan Locke sexy, mysterious, alpha shifter in control of the entire New Orleans area, sexy. This was a really good introduction my only fault is that is is like so many other out there now; strong Female Alpha with mysterious past who is destined greatness or mass destruction and Alpha Male with great power and overprotective love/lust for Alpha Female and a menacing evil power out to reek havoc and rule the world!!! I do like how Ms Eden worked the events of the story, I enjoyed how things played out and it's not in first person that I like. I am looking forward to the other books.

It all started with a dead body. Newly promoted Detective Jane Harte has her first case a young woman's body was dumped on the streets with her throat slit. But something seems off about the whole thing and the sudden appearance of the sexy and mysterious club owner Aidan Locke has the hairs on the back of Jane's neck going woo woo. Next thing she knows the body is gone and no one but her remembers. Jane confronts Aidan, she is suspicious of Aidan she knows he is hiding something. Aidan should have know that Mary Jane was special but it only confirmed it when he realized she was immune to his mind control. Everything goes down hill from there, a vampire is loose in the city and biting people building up his own army, and for reasons unknown to Mary Jane the vampire has targeted her. Aidan is determined to keep her safe even from his own people. Jane is confused by everything that's going on she doesn't know who to trust and when a con artist with a unique ability shows up it complicates matters. The sexual attraction between Aidan and Mary Jane is just another complication, a pleasant one though.

Overall, this is bound to be another great series from Cynthia Eden.      

ARC REVIEW Driven by Fire by Anne Stuart

Book two in Anne Stuart's Fires series. I didn't like this one as much as her others. Jenny was a little too stubborn for her own good and she just got annoying after a while. I loved the action and the suspense but character interaction wasn't my favorite. There was a lot of overreacting going on and Ryder at one point feels like he has to do something very bad to Jenny and he feels justified doing but he really didn't need to go that far. He hated himself for doing it, it made him physically ill and that's good he should feel bad for it. Jenny wasn't easy to forgive but she was annoying at that point. Jenny for having the family that she had was very naive and trusting, and it just did not help her at all. I like how raw and gritty and violent Stuart's books get this was no exception. It was just lacking the magic of her other books.

Jenny Parker wanted to stay as far away from her family who was deep rooted in the mob and political corruption. Jenny does Pro Bono work. But when her baby brother screws up she tries to cover for him but that only lands her deeper involved than she thought. Keeping his phone and not returning it was the biggest mistake. Trying to help a young woman who was found on a boat full of white slave trade Jenny's only hope to help this young girl is to go to Ryder and the Committee. Ryder doesn't believe Jenny's story and thinks the worst of her, and knows that she is hiding something. He is determined to do anything to prove she isn't as innocent as she says. His strong sexual attraction to her isn't helping matters. But as Ryder spends more time with her he realizes just who she really is and changes from trying to condemn her to saving her.

As I previously have said this does have strong violent themes, if you don't enjoy that sort of thing this book might not be for you. Overall, I wanted to like it more than I did, but the characters just weren't there for me.  

ARC REVIEW The Duke's Accidental Wife by Erica Ridley

Ravenwood finally gets his book! The Dukes of War book seven; really seven already, Damn. I loved this series, every book is unique in it's characters and situations and with Ravenwood and his cold outer-shell and the vivacious Katherine you have a delightful story of give and take and finding out that what you need is what you least expect. Erica Ridley has a delightful and easy writing style, I love her attention to detail and she is an excellent storyteller.

Ravenwood gets uncomfortable in social situations his sister has always acted as the go between so he doesn't have to deal with it, but now she is married and he is alone in the house for the exception of the servants. Ravenwood has always done what is best for the Dukedom, his country, his King, and his family name; and as a member of Parliament he does his best to prove he is just a good a Duke as his father before him. When his sister Lady Amelia and his friends talks him into attending an auction be begrudgingly agrees more so because the patroness of the auction is the talked about and vivacious Lady Katherine Ross.

Lady Katherine Ross has vowed never to get married and most of all never have children. She is scared of the child birth, she was raised by her Aunt who attended the midwife and vividly remembers all the times her aunt came home crying because of the loss of the mother or the child and more than often both; it scared Kate. Now as she has grown older and made a place for herself in society she doesn't want to be a mans property she has worked hard to make her own money and her work with artist has made a name for herself. If she can get the elusive Duke of Ravenwood to attend her auction then she can guarantee it's success and the success of her artists. Unfortunately an ill placed bucket of water and the bad timing of one senile aunt, Ravenwood and Kate end up in the middle of a scandal and have to marry.

A wedding was the last thing Kate wanted, she convinced herself that everything she now owned was Ravenwood's, and technically she's right but Ravenwood doesn't want her stuff. The chemistry is there but once Ravenwood discovers she doesn't want to have children puts another wedge between them. Slowly they learn about each other, Kate learns what a romantic her husband is and Ravenwood discovers how hard a worker she is and how much she wants to be a good wife for him. He takes an interest in her work with the artist and supports her. Kate realizes she loves Ravenwood when she realizes she is willing to face her fear and give him the child he wants.

Overall, I love how they work to better their relationship, they worked at trying to make the marriage they were forced into work and it was easy for it to become a love match and not just a convenience.