ARC REVIEW Vampire's Faith by Rebecca Zanetti

Dark Protectors #8, They're back baby! With all new characters and bad guys along with some familiar faces. This is the start to a new story arc and can be the starting point, but honestly there are introductions to some characters that would make more sense if you have read the previous books. First and foremost I hated Faith. Her character just royally pissed me off she bordered on TSTL, and I hate that term so I don't use it lightly. I can go on and on about how and why I hate Faith but instead I'm going to talk about how much I loved everything else about this book. I love the idea of The Seven, a secret group that was created to protect everything from this great big bad. A big bad so evil they were barely able to contain it the first time. Ronan and one of his brother's volunteered to be the guardians of his prison in another realm, but seven years ago something happened and it knocked Ronan out of his bubble he's been in a coma ever since...until she walks in the room. Dr. Faith Cooper is a neurologist who has a special connection to people who are in a coma. She got called in to consult with a John Doe when she first sees him she assumes it's  joke, no way that perfect specimen of a man could have been in a coma for seven years, and then he wakes up and starts talking crazy and then kidnaps her. Faith's life has spiraled out of control and she doesn't know who to trust, Ronan and his overbearing alpha maleness who keeps saying she's his mate or Dayne who says the exact opposite of whatever Ronan says but may have a way to bring her sister out of her coma either way her life will never be the same again.

Overall, aside from my hatred of Faith I really did enjoy this book, Zanetti is great with action and romance and this one got pretty hot. I can't wait for Logan's book or Adare's book. Zanetti has created book crack with this series she gets you hooked and there's no turning back. I can't wait to find out more about The Seven and the evil Kurjans and what's going to happen with Hope.   

GREAT SUMMER READING with Debbie Mason and R.C. Ryan

Two of my favorite summer reads this year so far are Debbie Mason's Sandpiper Shore and R.C. Ryan's Cowboy on my Mind. What I mean of course they are summer books that are perfect for that beach read, sitting by the pool, or even just your favorite outdoor reading spot.

Harmony Harbor #6, I found the blurb on this one a little off, Jenna is a matchmaker, she owns a successful business with her stepmother until recently, she's engaged to the perfect guy until he walks in into her stepsisters dress shop and tells her the weddings off. The next thing Jenna knows she's jobless, broke, her stepsisters hate her and the only one really on her side, besides her best friend, is Logan Gallagher who has recently saved her from her ex and from herself more than once all in the span of a half a day. Protecting people is what Logan does, he's in the Secret Service, but when he meets Jenna her damsel in distress vibe is strong and he finds he can't help himself and keeps coming to her aid. After that horrible day they maintain a nice friendship. He even helps her get the job as a fill in wedding planner at Greystone Manor. But then Logan's job calls him away and then there's a car accident and when Logan comes back he not only can't remember the last few weeks of his life including everything that happened with Jenna he's engaged. To top it all off Jenna now has to plan Logan's wedding...to a princess.

Overall, I really enjoyed it. Jenna's poor life spirals out of control and nothing seems to be going right and just when she thinks things are finally going her way she gets thrown a curveball or two. This is a great Cinderella story, complete with mean stepsisters and a horrible stepmother and all Jenna ever wanted was for them to be a family. I loved the characters, especially Logan, the writing is so funny and heartwarming and with a little bit of intrigue to make it really interesting. I love Debbie Mason's Harmony Harbor series.

Montana Strong #1, This series starts off strong with a great introduction to characters. Montana rancher, Mac, a recent widower who not only lost his wife lost his son as well. With nothing else to live for he's on the verge of taking his own life when three young brothers who ran away from their individual foster homes break into his house in the middle of a blizzard. Seeing those boys so desperate to stay together and willing to work hard gives Mac a reason to keep going. Years later each of the three trouble makers has made something of themselves the eldest Ben is now helping out the Sheriff acting as a deputy at least temporarily until the sheriff can get back on his feet after an injury. Becca left Haller Creek the first chance she got and at first she never wanted to come back but after being gone for so long she realized how much she missed home. Becca is determined to keep her independence from her controlling and old fashioned parents and she wants to prove herself a good business woman to her Dad. Becca is not the only one back in Haller Creek, Will is back from seminary school and Becca's parents keep pushing to get her and Will to get into a relationship, but everytime her and Will are alone together someone takes a shot at them. Each shot is a miss so they are a crappy shot or they are just trying to scare them either way Ben is determined to protect Becca at all costs. Becca always had a crush on Ben, from the very first day and he's always protected her no matter what. Ben has always had a crush on Becca but was hesitant to act on it since her Dad hates Ben, but now Becca is a grown woman and she finally has the courage to act on her feelings and what she wants almost as much as she wants a successful business is Ben. It's not going to be an easy road to their HEA.

Overall, this was a great read. I love the relationship between Mac and the boys and how all three of the brothers are so different but their bond is strong and Becca fit in perfectly with their family dynamic. It was a nice tease for the other two brothers and I can't wait for their stories. Becca and Ben is a nice romance they are older and wiser and they are not going to let this second chance pass them by and dealing with Becca's dad is a handful but all in all I loved every aspect of this book.       

      

ARC REVIEW Lord of Secrets by Erica Ridley

Rogues to Riches #5, This one runs parallel with some of the previous books, it can be read as a standalone but I think it would be more enjoyable if you have read the others, especially the ones with the rest of the Grenville Family. Even with the 200+ pages this is a quick read the romance is a little on the slow burner side. Half of what happens are occurrences and scenes from the other books but from Heath and Nora's POV. The other half is Heath trying to find the caricaturist and falling in love with Nora while Nora tries to find a way to tell Heath her secret without him hating her and breaking her heart.

Heath Grenville is a problem solver, he makes scandals go away his newest client has asked him to find the artist doing the caricatures and get him to stop. Elenora Whitfield is a distant cousin to Lady Roundtree, in order to help her aging grandparents and brother save the sheep farm she grew up on she takes a post as a companion to Lady Roundtree. Heath is immediately taken with Nora's beauty, no woman has ever caught his eye the way she has, but as a lady's companion she is completely unsuitable to be his wife, logically he knows this and he tries to move on but his thoughts keep going back to her. For Nora Heath is everything she ever dreamed about and never ever hoped to have, their shared love of art is just one thing she loves about him. The more time they spend with each other and as Heath watches his sisters fall in love the more Heath realizes he should follow his heart. 

Overall, this was a nice read. Nora and Heath are well matched and it was pretty much an easy romance. I especially love how they handle the situation at the end when Heath finds out the truth, very mature.       

      

ARC REVIEW 1001 Dark Nights: Inked Nights by Carrie Ann Ryan

Montgomery Ink #8.5, As with the other 1001 Dark Night novellas this can be read as a stand alone. One night a month for the last four years Derek and Olivia have been meeting at a hotel for one night of unbridled passion, no names they only know each other as D and O, no promises aside from them meeting that one night. It all changed when Derek broke the rules he told her his name. It was then Olivia realized who he was, and remembered him and now nothing will ever be the same again. As soon as Derek said his name he knew he had gotten in to deep with her, he realized he started to want more then one night, but something spooked Olivia and now he may never see her again. But it's a small world and Olivia just happens to be his bosses neighbor.

Derek and Olivia both carry a lot of guilt with them, Olivia especially. I love all this, the whole Montgomery Universe, characters can be so broken and damaged but yet they still find their way and get the HEA they deserve. Derek and Olivia together are smokin' hot. Right off the bat these two the chemistry is off the charts and I loved seeing Olivia and Derek hot and heavy but I also loved seeing them mend the past together and start all over, the epilogue was especially a nice touch. 

Overall, it's another great story from Carrie Ann Ryan. Passions always run hot in her books and this one is no different, she also brings out the best in angst. I always manage to make room in my schedule to read Carrie Ann Ryan's books because I know they will be worth it.  

BLOG TOUR *AUTHOR POST* Awaken The Darkness by Dianne Duvall

Awaken the Darkness 
(Immortal Guardians #8)
by Dianne Duvall 
Kindle Edition, 414 pages
Publication: July 10th 2018 by Dianne Duvall

Return to the "utterly addictive" (RT Book Reviews), "fast-paced and humorous" (Publishers Weekly) world of New York Times bestselling author Dianne Duvall's Immortal Guardians.  

He awakens encapsulated in dirt with no knowledge of how he came to be there. Riddled with injuries, he can remember neither his past nor who he is. Nor can he remember what he is. But surely no mortal man could survive being buried deep beneath the earth. All he knows with certainty is that the soothing voice and presence of the woman moving around above enables him to endure the agony of his wounds. And he will do whatever it takes to be with her.

When Susan first sees the old two-story house for sale, such warmth and longing fill her that—against all reason—she makes an offer. It will take years of hard work and money she frankly doesn’t have to fix up the place. So she can’t explain why she bought it. She also can’t explain what compels her to spend hours one night, digging in the basement until she unearths a man. A man who still lives and breathes despite having been buried alive. A man whose intense brown eyes glow amber with pain, declaring him far more than ordinary. Susan knows she should keep her distance. He has no memory and possesses gifts that would make most fear him. But as the two work together to unravel the mystery of his past, she finds herself drawn in by his teasing nature and tender touch. So much so that she loses her heart to him even as they find themselves hunted by unknown enemies who are ruthless in their quest to capture them.

Kindle | Nook | iBooks | Kobo

WELCOME DIANNE DUVALL TO THE BLOG!!!!!!!!

Hello! Thanks so much for joining me. I’m very happy to be here, celebrating the release of AWAKEN THE DARKNESS, Immortal Guardians Book 8. If you like a lot of action, passion, humor and romance in your stories, then I think you’ll enjoy Susan and Stanislav’s book. And if you’re new to my Immortal Guardians series, don’t worry. Each novel and novella can be read as a stand-alone, so you won’t be lost if you dive in with this one. You’ll just know more about the secondary characters if you read them in order.

I’m a bit of an introvert by nature and tend to not talk about myself much. So today I thought I would change things up a bit and share with you…


5 Things You May Not Know About Me.



1) I once wielded a machete and alternately snuck up behind unsuspecting victims or ran toward them while screaming like a madwoman in an Independent film. I was also once disemboweled in an independent film and later crawled out of a moonlit grave. Horror movies are really fun to make. LOL


2) As a child and young adult, I used to spend my summers exploring ghost towns and old abandoned mines with my parents. Not the tourist attraction ghost towns. But the ones you could only find after hours of traveling barely distinguishable dirt roads that could barely be navigated by a jeep with four-wheel drive. And though I never encountered any ghosts in the crumbling structures we explored, those adventures sparked my imagination and fueled my love of paranormal fiction. They’re also likely the reason a ghost has been part of my Immortal Guardians series ever since I wrote the first book.


3) I binge-watch favorite TV shows. I hate watching a new episode of a favorite show, then waiting a week to see another, then waiting another week. And sometimes the many hats I wear as a writer leave me with a dearth of downtime that makes me forget to tune in. So I usually just wait until the show hits DVD or Netflix, then sit down and binge-watch the whole season over a weekend, usually as a reward for meeting a big publishing deadline.


4) That’s me singing in the A Sorceress of His Own trailer. And I’m still not sure how the composer and sound engineer talked me into doing it. LOL


5) Before I started writing full-time, I provided special effects make-up for local independent filmmakers. Some would call it blood and guts make-up. I also provided other special effects (like making safety glass that could be shattered on an actor without injuring him or her, that sort of thing). It was a lot of fun. And those experiences are why independent filmmaking is occasionally referenced in my Immortal Guardians books, namely in Night Reigns and Awaken the Darkness.

 Don't miss a heart-pounding moment of Dianne Duvall's "utterly addictive" Immortal Guardians series!

Darkness Dawns (Immortal Guardians, #1)

Night Reigns (Immortal Guardians, #2)

Phantom Shadows (Immortal Guardians, #3)

In Still Darkness (Immortal Guardians, #3.5)

Darkness Rises (Immortal Guardians, #4)

Night Unbound (Immortal Guardians, #5)

Phantom Embrace (Immortal Guardians, #5.5)

Shadows Strike (Immortal Guardians, #6)

Blade of Darkness (Immortal Guardians Book 7) 

Dianne Duvall is the New York Times and USA Today Bestselling Author of the Immortal Guardians series and The Gifted Ones series. Reviewers have called Dianne's books "fast-paced and humorous" (Publishers Weekly), "utterly addictive" (RT Book Reviews), "extraordinary" (Long and Short Reviews), and"wonderfully imaginative" (The Romance Reviews). Her books have twice been nominated for RT Reviewers' Choice Awards and are routinely deemed Top Picks by RT Book Reviews, The Romance Reviews,and/or Night Owl Reviews.  

Dianne loves all things creative. When she isn't writing, Dianne is active in the independent film industry and has even appeared on-screen, crawling out of a moonlit grave and wielding a machete like some of the vampires she creates in her books. 

For the latest news on upcoming releases, contests, and more, please visit DianneDuvall.com. You can also find Dianne online . . .

Blog | Facebook | Twitter | YouTube | Pinterest | Goodreads | Google Plus 

(1) $50 Amazon Gift Card

(1) $25 Amazon Gift Card 

(1) Immortal Guardians Prize pack

ARC REVIEW Hellfire series by Jena Gregoire

 Hellfire #1, Formerly published in 2013 as the Demon Legacy series Jena Gregoire has revised and re-released her series. I loved the characters, I loved the plot and where she went with it but what got me was I needed more world building; a little bit more descriptive information on this paranormal world and a bit more history with the covens.  You are just kind of thrown into it and there is little explanation as to why; why the vampires and the witches are in the covens together, and some more character history. We know Dez and Vegas met four hundred years ago and have been friends ever since but I miss the sexual tension to the lead up to a relationship, I love that awkward and in this case drunken fumbling when the switch gets flipped from friend to lover. I did enjoy the fact that once they realized how much they meant to each other, that was it; and how early it was in the book. Everyone else in the book is like It's about time you two realized it, very amusing. I loved Lucas, he's a great comic relief and I sometimes have a hard time liking manwhores, but by this point in the story he's already over it and reformed.

A murdered records keeper is discovered the only thing missing is a list, quickly following her death is the death of several others all over the world. The risk is that the demon doing the killing is looking for a key, the key to open a portal to release all the demons. Dez, Vegas, and his brother Lucas are trying to find out who's behind the it and try to stop them. Dez, half demon half human, has realized her demon half has just been lying dormant her whole life and the exposure this demon has brought out her powers. But even with her new found powers they are still one step behind the demon and time is running out and the window to open the portal is coming.

Overall, I enjoyed it. I liked the characters and the plot well enough to want to read more. But I just wish there was more to it.



Hellfire #2, Six months after the events of the last book, Dez is still missing and Vegas hasn't stopped worrying. They both have been killing as many demons as possible just not in the same place. When an old friend calls Dez out of the blue with new information Dez realizes she needs Vegas's help. After an awkward couple if hours they get things sorted out and are even stronger than ever. A startling realization that the person behind the events in the last book wasn't working alone and that even more demons escaped before they closed the gate. Dez if faced with a choice of two paths she could take one that could possible end it all quick and easy or the hard way.

There's a little bit more personal history revealed in this one for Dez but still so much about this world is left unknown. I do like the two new characters, Charlie and Harley. I like the whole ether thing too, that was pretty cool. Overall, very intense ending and I can't wait to find out what happens next. I hope the shifter do come more into play in the future, I'm a sucker for shifters.




Hellfire Anthology, This contains the prequel and one interlude in between books 1 and 2, the other half of this book is an introduction to another character who's going to be introduced in the next book.


 Burning 0.5: A brief look at how Lucas and Natalia fell in love and what happened to her and what set off the events for the coming books.

Suffering 1.5: A very short story about how much both Dez and Vegas are longing for each other and a clue as to how strong Dez is becoming.

Reckoning 2.5: A brand new story, that is also kind of the prequel to a spinoff series. And is mainly shifters, yay finally.

Overall, the series can be read without reading this but not the other way around to read this you need to read the series. It was a nice little interludes that give you a better look into the characters. 






  

ARC REVIEW Relentless by Elizabeth Dyer

Somerton Security #2, While this is part of a series and part (a miniscule part) goes back to the first book this can be read as a standalone. I'm not much for mafia tropes but this was Ethan's book and that I really wanted to know what happens with that miniscule part connecting this book to the first one. I really liked this one, I love me some strong female characters and you don't get stronger than Natalia. Ethan is a bit of a tarnished white knight and instead of getting the damsel in distress he falls for the black knight, Natalia. This book was intense, fast paced and well written. The chemistry between Ethan and Natalia, wow, their repertoire was intelligent and very telling; their first conversation with each other gave away more than they intended but both Natalia and Ethan are very intuitive. I absolutely loved them together.       

Natalia and her sister watched as their uncle, Hernan, executed their father right in front of them. Natalia swore to protect her sister, Ana Maria, and shortly after their father's murder Natalia proved her worth to Hernan by killing the man meant to kill her since then Hernan has had the perfect leverage against Natalia; threaten Ana Maria and he can get Natalia to do just about anything. Natalia deals with quite a bit emotionally she's not as detached as she should be since the Vega Family's own sicario trained her and Hernan liked that no one would suspect such a deadly weapon in such a beautiful package.

Will Bennett was presumed dead after a mission gone bad a year ago, it was recently discovered that he's still alive and being held captive by Hernan Vega. The only way to find out where Will is being kept is to infiltrate the organization and hack into the network. Ethan is posing as their new accountant but what he finds is so much more than just Will, someone besides the old accountant was stealing from the Vega Family. Ethan's only way to find Will's exact location is with Natalia's help. Ethan feels responsible for Will's predicament and he is willing to risk everything to find him, Natalia knows this and if it comes to it she doesn't want Ethan to have to choose between her and Will. 

Overall, such a good read. I really hope that there are going to be more books because Elizabeth Dyer is quickly becoming one of my favorites. Both Ethan and Natalia are wonderfully tortured souls and fall so hard in love they are willing to sacrifice themselves for the other's goal. This is one of those books I can easily see being made into a movie.