Staggered Cove Station by Elle Brownlee

Title: Staggered Cove Station

Series: Coast Guard Rescue 01 / Dreamspun Desires 54

Author: Elle Brownlee

Genre: Contemporary, Military

Length: Novel (216 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (20th March 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Blurb: Rescues are wild in the Alaskan terrain. So is romance in this coast guard rescue novel.

Sun-kissed California guardsman Dan Farnsworth might be at home in the water, but he’s out of his element at remote, rugged, and freezing Staggered Cove Station. Acclimating proves hard enough, but he’s also digging into how the station’s previous rescue swimmer was lost at sea. Was it an operation gone bad or something more sinister? Add to that the instant tension between him and his partner, no-nonsense, Alaskan Karl Radin, and Dan has his hands full.

As his investigation heats up, so does the attraction between Dan and Karl, even if they don’t completely trust each other. But as suspicious events escalate to sabotage, Dan starts to fear that he and Karl won’t get the chance to become more than reluctant coworkers.

ISBN: 978-1-64080-495-1

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: I looked forward to this book, I’ve previously heard the audio and enjoyed that well enough. I was actually a little surprised that I enjoyed reading the ebook more than listening to the audio, it’s usually the other way around. There was romance, mystery, danger and hot men in uniform who are honest to God heroes. I’ve previously enjoyed Elle Brownlee’s books in the past, although I’ve never actively looked up each and every release by the author, she is definitely on my list of enjoyable authors.

Dan Farnsworth is a fairly fresh recruit in the US Coast Guard. After being top of his class for so many different things during training, especially his swimming, he requests for a transfer to a remote post in Alaska. One reason is for the challenge but the most important reason is because he needs to investigate the presumed death of his missing, much older half-brother, Axe.

At Staggering Cove Station, Alaska, Dan meets Karl Radin. He had been the leading the rescue where Axe went missing. Dan, much like Karl, find it tough to believe that Axe could be so easily swallowed up by the ocean with his experience and strength as a swimmer, but anything is possible. When he meets Dan, Karl knows that there something that isn’t quite right about the man, who seems to be snooping around. Karl just can’t work out why and has to find out the secrets the intriguing man is hiding. It certainly doesn’t help that there is a mutual attraction as the characters slowly fall in love.

The main mystery of this book is what happened to Axe, with a good dose of Karl trying to figure out Dan for the first few chapters. The romance is basically a secondary storyline and for the most part that works really well, in my opinion.

This is an enjoyable book for the most part. But there were a few things that didn’t really gel with me. The first thing is the sex scene in the book. The fact that there are only a couple sex scenes towards the end doesn’t bother me, I’m all for the sweet and getting to know you type romance with cuddling and stolen kisses. It was that the one sex scene is everything I hate of sex in romance novels – it’s sex in an inappropriate place at a completely stupid point in time. The other thing that didn’t gel with me was that some elements of the plot simply didn’t grab me – I know the relationship between the brothers had gone by the way side but I wasn’t properly convinced.

Yet, the strengths of this book include a believable setting in Alaska and life in the US Coast Guard (no idea how accurate it is but it doesn’t seem completely outlandish). In fact, I really enjoyed that element. The other thing that I thought was possibly the best element of the book is that the characters are given a lot of time to get to know each other which picking through the mystery element of the story line. It made the romance more believable and relatable, even if it was a happy for now ending. I’m really looking forward to more books in this series. I kinda have hopes as to which secondary characters could have their turn next.

Hunted by Lynn Hagen

Title: Hunted

Series: Bound Forever 01

Author: Lynn Hagen

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Length: Short (77pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (November 12, 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Tristan Grant was a journalist in hiding. The cartel had put a hit out on him, and now he was stuck in the middle of Iowa, awaiting the trail. On a walk through the woods, he discovers a brick building with security cameras and barbed wire fencing. His curiosity piqued, Tristan investigates, only to find a secret lab with torturous experiments being conducted. He hatches a plan to set the men free, not knowing the beasts he would unleash. And the scariest of them all has his sights set on Tristan.

Alric had been fooled into signing a contract, unknowingly sealing his fate. He was stuck in a cage, being sliced and diced until he was no longer wholly human. He never thought he’d see the light of day again, until a cute little journalist stuck his nose in where it didn’t belong. Now free, Alric and his team plan to exact revenge on those who imprisoned them. What Alric hadn’t planned on was falling in love.

ISBN: 978-1-64243-506-1

Product Link: Siren-BookStrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Alric thought he had been doing the right thing and his men followed him. They trusted him and it placed them in the hell hole they were stuck in now. Treated like animals even though they started out human has turned them into animals, dragons to precise. They were beaten, tortured and experimented on. Their fates were a given, that is until Alric smelled the best thing ever.

Tristan is nuts. He is an amazing journalist doing stories no one would ever do. It has led him into many dangerous situations and has now landed him in Iowa. Iowa where nothing ever happens. He was here because he did a piece on the cartel and now he had a price on his head. So what does his dumbass do, he finds something to get into. A building in the middle of no where with more security then should ever be needed, unless they were up to no good. What it gets him is one sexy man who can turn into a dragon, plus his men, and lets not forget more danger.

Dagner filled, excitement guaranteed, action packed, adventure and some hot sexy times are just a bit of what you get in this story. It was definitely different then many of this author’s other work. I was quite shocked at the difference but was pretty amazed by it. I am not really sure about the characters, and their actions leave some crazy ideas. Tristan is a pretty brave man but he acts not like he is. He is a fascinating character and I can’t wait to see what happens next. Now the downside to the story is it leaves you hanging, big time.

I had a fun time reading this and look forward to the next book.

Dark Rivers by Morgan Brice

Title: Dark Rivers

Series: Witchbane 02

Author: Morgan Brice

Genre: Urban Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (256pgs)

Publisher: Darkwind Press (October 23, 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: One hundred years ago, a sheriff’s posse killed dark warlock Rhyfel Gremory, but his witch-disciples escaped, and their magic made them nearly immortal. To keep their power, each year one of the witch-disciples kills a descendant of one of the men in the posse, a twelve-year cycle that has cost dozens of lives, including that of Seth Tanner’s brother, Jesse.

Seth Tanner uncovers the cycle of ritual killings that feeds the power of the witch-disciples, and he’s hell bent on getting vengeance for Jesse and stopping the murders. His fledgling romantic relationship with Evan Malone complicates his mission, but Seth can’t walk away. Seth and Evan are learning to navigate their partnership—as lovers and monster hunters—while they chase down the next witch-disciple and avoid attracting the wrong kind of attention.

When the hunt takes Seth and Evan to Pittsburgh on the trail of the next killer, they’ll have to save the intended victim and take down the powerful witch. If the skills they possess and the bond between them isn’t enough, the evil will remain unchallenged, and more people will die…

Dark Rivers contains sexually explicit materials intended for adults 18 and over. Note: Includes mention of past domestic violence and stalking.

ISBN: B07JNPJ5GH

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Seth and Evan are on the path of the next witch to stop the ritual killing of their intended victim to bring back a powerful dark warlock. There is no shortage of suspense in this story. Evan and Seth also draw closer to each other as they get to know each other better.

I love this series. Seth wants those to pay for killing his brother and i do not blame him in the least. I was intrigued by how the series is going so far. Nail biting and edge of your seat this story captures your attention from start to finish as we follow along with Seth and Evan and their quest.

I truly loved this story. The journey was fraught with danger and at times the hotness between Seth and Evan set the pages on fire.

Fantastic read.

Backstroking with A Tiger Shark by Charlie Richards

Title: Backstroking with A Tiger Shark

Series: Beneath Aquatica’s Waves 01

Author: Charlie Richards

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (104 Pages)

Publisher: eXtasy Books (July 14, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Tortelion, Tort to his friends, is a tiger shark shifter. He spends his workdays awing human audiences with a few aquatic parlor tricks. To him, it’s a pretty good gig. Plus, the people who come to World of Aquatica learn about his kind…well, tiger sharks of the non-shifter variety, anyway. A day that starts the same as any other suddenly takes a turn for the better when a mishap sends two humans tumbling into his tank. Blood in the water tells Tort that one of them is his mate. Joining those taken to the doc’s office as a witness, Tort learns his mate is Kane Cornshun, a busy human graphic designer only visiting the area to see his sister and her kids for a few days. Tort has very little time to woo his unsuspecting mate. Can he convince Kane to give up his life and join him at Aquatica?

ISBN: 978-1-4874-1419-1

Product Link: eXtasy Books | Amazon UK | Amazon US

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Wow a tiger shark! Tort just so happens to be one hell of a sexy tiger shark shifter who has found his mate. Now all he has to do is to figure out how to tell him. However he had intended to do it a bit more smoothly then how it happened, but your going to have to read that part.

Kane has come down to visit his sister and her kids. A trip to World of Aquatica sounded just right, especially as it was one of the kids birthday. He just hadn’t expected to accidentally get pushed into the sharks tank. Things are going to get a bit more interesting real soon.

I get a kick out of Charlie’s stories. She always manages to give us unique characters and situations. I love how the shifters are with their mates and how protective they are. This story caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end. I loved the characters and their stories. This book gave me everything I could ask for in a story, I just wished they were a bit longer as I didn’t want to stop reading it.

I had a blast reading it and can’t wait to get started on next book. I can honestly say that this is one of those stories that will be read many times over.

Jack Addison vs. Nessie’s Tentacles by K.A. Merikan

Title: Jack Addison vs. Nessie’s Tentacles

Series: Jack Addison vs. A Whole World of Hot Trouble 02

Author: K.A. Merikan

Genre: Horror, Interspecies, Science Fiction

Length: Short (47pgs)

Publisher: Acerbi & Villani Ltd. (December 1, 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Blurb: “I’m not here to make friends. I’m here to slay Nessie.”

Jack Addison is on his way to becoming a famous monster hunter, but luck had been against him at the Annual Nessie Hunt the previous year. Now, he’s back at Loch Ness to show everyone what he’s made of.

He’s got a lot to prove to Roux Chat-Bonnes, the snotty cat-like creature who saved his life last time, so Jack goes into the woods to hunt Nessie armed with a brand new detection device.

But the creature he finds is nothing like he expected. Where he thought he would slay a monster, he ends up learning a valuable lesson about opening his horizons to new lifeforms. The learning curve is made delightful with the help of tentacles, suckers, and lots of slippery slime.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: pride, dreams, self-discovery, tolerance, fame, monster hunting, interspecies relations, tentacles

WARNING: This story contains morally ambiguous characters and scenes of sex that might be considered taboo.

ISBN: B07K5Z3QGN

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: The blurb is wrong. Jack is not on his way to being a famous slayer he’s on his way to being a monsters plaything. From the first book he is captured by a spider and taken advantage of. No monster slaying by him what so ever. In this story it claims he’s fought monsters but we’re only told that not shown that it actually happened.

Nessie seduces Jack and has sex with him. I have to say I am not impressed with this series so far as I was expecting someone to actually hunt and fight the creatures mentioned instead I get a man used as a sex toy.

I personally do not like the series myself but others would enjoy it. It’s a well written and entertaining short story.

Pattern’s Revealed by Suede Delray

Title: Patterns Revealed

Series: Patterns 03

Author: Suede Delray

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery

Length: Novella (148pgs)

Publisher: eXtasy Books (April 21, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Dominick has recovered from his injuries but is still on suspension from the force. This hasn’t deterred him from wanting to solve the Regis murders. Some information from his sister prompts Dominick and Rob to take a weekend trip to Boston. What they don’t know is that the killer is watching.

ISBN: 978-1-4874-1038-4

Product Link: eXtasy Books | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Dominick went against regulations to save his sister and was now on suspension, the same as his partner. It did give him and Rob time to take a small vacation. To bad he wants to still work the case and he has found a lead in Boston. However it would seem the killer knows they are there. Someone that knows him so very well.

Lots of twists and turns to this story and lets just say it is quite surprising. I was very surprised to find out who the killer was and even thought it was two other guys. Never suspected and damn was it good. My attention was caught from the time I started reading and kept it all the way to the end. When I started reading this story I knew that I had read it before and that tells me it is quite remarkable. I can see myself reading this more then the two times I have read it. It is a bit creepy though with a dark tone to it.

I usually don’t read stories that have dark tones to it, but this one was top notch. It kept me on the edge of my seat both times. I can’t wait to get started reading the next book and I can guarantee that you will love these guys just as much. The characters were what made the story rock even more for me.

His Cursed Prince by Ryan Loveless

Title: His Cursed Prince

Author: Ryan Loveless

Genre: Fairy Tales

Length: Novella (98pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 28, 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 4.75 Hearts

Blurb: Three facts about Tuckington Belle:

1. Given the choice between illegally scaling the royal castle’s walls to steal flowers for a client at his family’s dress shop or going on a date with a girl his brother set him up with (“He’s fertile, and he can sew!”), Tuck will scale the wall like a spider after a fly.

2. If, upon knocking himself unconscious when he falls off the wall, Tuck wakes up bruised, blindfolded, and inside the castle, where—based on the unearthly wails heard nightly—the prince no one has seen in ten years is probably a ghost, Tuck would still choose this over a date with a girl.

3. Tuck thinks it’s time to admit he’s gay.

Three facts about Prince Frederick George Deor (Read and approved with great reluctance by Lord “Protocol is Protocol. Stop Being a Pain About It” Todd):

1. He brought a curse upon himself and now bears the skin of a snake.

2. He can’t take his eyes off the injured thief recovering in the castle.

3. Friendships born from lying and insisting the other person wears a blindfold can blossom into true love—which he needs to break the curse.

ISBN-13: 978-1-64080-925-3

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: I adored this story about a prince, Frederick, who complains about his looks, gets cursed by a witch who turns him into a reptile like creature, who then hides from Tuck even though he’s interested in him. Tuck falls while trying to gather flowers from the royal garden for a dress his mother is putting together. He wakes up in a darkened room with the prince hiding under the bed.

The prince has not been seen in ten years as he does not want anyone to see him as he is now. I loved how these two seemed to help the other without realizing it. There was a lot of humor in this story that fit very nicely. The insecurities the prince had were real and felt genuine.

The different ways to break the curse were funny to a point especially with Frederick and Tuck’s initial reactions to some of them. Overall an entertaining and enjoyable read to the end.

Great read.

Fangs and Catnip by Julia Talbot

Title: Fangs and Catnip

Series: Dreamspun Beyond 09 / Dead and Breakfast 01

Author: Julia Talbot

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novel (220 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (1st December 2017)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: A romance worth fighting for—tooth and claw.

Solitary vampire Fallon Underwood gets all the social interaction he needs being the silent partner at the Dead and Breakfast B and B high in the Colorado mountains. Change is hard for Fallon, so when his business partner, Tanner, suggests hiring a new manager for the inn, he’s adamant that they don’t need help, especially not in the form of bouncy werecat Carter Hughes.

Carter is a happy-go-lucky kitty, and he loves the hospitality industry, so the D and B ought to be a great place for him. He falls for Fallon as soon as he picks up one of Fallon’s novels, and begins to woo the vamp with gifts. When Fallon finally succumbs to Carter’s feline charms, the results are unexpected, to say the least. Their mating will have irreversible consequences—for their bodies and their hearts.

ISBN: 978-1-63533-977-2

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Fangs and Catnip is the first book in Julia Talbot’s Dead and Breakfast series and is a part of Dreamspun Beyond house line. For me, I have enjoyed Julia Talbot books in the past, but she is one of those authors that I don’t have any real opinion on other than they are usually a good read.

This plot of Fangs and Catnip is totally cute and charming. There is no real big drama or obstacles – this is a shifter and vampire who have to get their shit together. This is perhaps my only criticism of the book – the simple plot meant that there was room for characters to develop further, which unfortunately did not happen as much as I would have hoped.

Fallon Underwood is a vampire who is basically a hermit. He is a few centuries old and prefers his solitude. He resides in the attic at the paranormal bed and breakfast destination, The Death and Breakfast, where is the silent partner in the business with the sleepy, grumpy bear shifter, Tanner, located on the top of an isolated, snowy mountain. Tanner does a lot of the work on his own and finally convinces Fallon that he needs to hire a manager so that he can sleep/hibernate a bit more as the winter approaches.

This is where hospitality manager Carter Hughes. He’s the bouncy cougar shifter that is basically Tigger. He comes to the B and B all excited for his new job, looking forward to being involved with a business that caters for all manner or paranormals and humans. When he encounters the enigmatic Fallon he immediately is attracted, and his inner cat knows that Fallon is his mate. The problem is vampires and shifters usually don’t mate in the sense that they form a full blown emotional and mental bond, so there are unexpected results as their different physiologies alter to help the bonding process.

There is low level angst and some mucking about that felt like filling pages more than anything else. I won’t go into details, but Fallon tries at certain points to push Carter away because he cares for the man too much and like many men in romances doesn’t talk to his partner about his concerns. However, on the whole, guys have great chemistry and the sex scenes are steamy.

Secondary characters, at least one them, will no doubt get their own romantic story at some point and I’m really looking forward to that. I can’t wait for November when the second books comes out featuring barely in control, newly turned wolf Tom.

Sweet Nothings by T. Neilson

Title: Sweet Nothings

Series: Dreamspun Desires 55 / Amuse Bouche 01

Author: T. Neilson

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (248 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (3rd April 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Will a bitter bite from the past spoil a sweet romance?

Tristan Love, the youngest of seven brothers, is back in his hometown. He’s left the New York food scene and an abusive relationship behind him, but he holds his love of French pastries close to his heart and is determined to put his skills to use in a bakery of his own.

Returning to his childhood home means his meddlesome brother Simon will butt into his business, but before the bakery even opens its doors, Tristan’s delectable creations have the town’s mouths watering, and Jake, a cute mechanic, asks Tristan out. It all seems worthwhile….

That is, until the bakery burns down, Jake’s criminal past comes to light, and Tristan’s nasty ex rears his head where he is decidedly not wanted.

ISBN: 978-1-64080-248-3

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Sweet Nothings was something of an unexpected surprise for me. T. Nielson, the author, is completely unknown to me. I didn’t know what to expect but I knew from the blurb that this was the type of book that I’m a sucker for. Two guys running from their pasts, one a relatively recent relationship and the other a bad boy with a heart of gold. It was the bad boy that got me, I always look forward to when these guys find the one man that can see through the tough façade and find true love and a sweet HEA.

If what I described is your type of book, then Sweet Nothings is totally for you. It’s a sweet and easy read, so it’s good to relax and if you’re like me, I used it as a come down book after recently reading some rather intense books.

Sweet Nothings is the story of Tristan Love. He runs from New York and his controlling, possessive and abusive fiancé back to his home town where is the baby in a family full of boys. His brothers mean well but since they lost their father at a young age, he has brothers that are more interested in replacing their dead father than just being a brother. As part of his plan to get himself back on his feet, Tristan opens a bakery, which had been his dream and something that his ex would never allow him to do. He has a lot to do to get things up and running, yet at the same time is dealing with his over protective brothers and meets Jake.

Jake is a mechanic with a troubled past but mostly because he took the blame for something he never did. The problem being that he had always been something of a bad boy but years later Jake is finally trying to pick up the pieces of his life. While getting his life back together he meets Tristan. The two have instant chemistry but people don’t trust Jake and warn Tristan away from him. These guys have a lot going against them and although the plot is predictable, I really loved the sweetness that underpinned the entire plot.

This is a totally enjoyable book. The pace was great and the chemistry between the guys was wonderful. I found myself relating to both MCs. I even found myself getting annoyed at Tristan’s brothers on his behalf while Tristan was battling the end of his abusive relationship.

I can’t wait to find out what is going to happen in the next book of the series. I really want to know who are going to be the MCs. I’m hoping that they will be some of the minor characters from Sweet Nothings, but at the same time I will be equally as excited for a book based in the same world but with new characters.

Alien King’s Baby by Orion Blaze

Title: Alien King’s Baby

Author: Orion Blaze

Genre: Science Fiction, MPreg

Length: Novella (165 Pages)

Publisher: Orion Blaze (July 13, 2016)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Blurb: When Caden Duncan goes to an ‘abduction party’ to try to get taken up by sexy aliens for some exotic fun among the stars, he has no idea that he’ll actually be abducted and meet the love of his life.

And when he abducts Caden for a night of pleasure, King Wrak’h of the planet Retevin has no idea that the sexy Earth male is in fact his Fated Mate.

None of them suspect that their night together will end up with Caden pregnant.

Or that Caden will be hunted by evil aliens who are dead set on getting their long, thin hands on the unborn heir to the Retevin kingdom…

ISBN: B01IG4HIHE

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Ever since aliens started showing up on Earth there have been many parties looking forward to a night of fun with them. Caden hadn’t really wanted to go with his best friend, but must admit that when he met Wrak’h, he just might change his mind. True he had not known at first that the man was an alien but what was more shocking was that he was a king, Caden was pregnant and evil aliens wanted their baby.

This story was pretty hard to get into and I wasn’t too sure I was actually going to finish it. The storying is long and frustrating, but it does get a bit better towards the end. It does not capture ones attention like it should have but then again there was more to it, that was not needed. The sex is ok but lets face it just because there is sex, does not mean there is true passion. Also you get the feeling that if there was no baby, there would be no true mating. One night stand is all I got from this story, until the pregnancy. There was no heat, no passion and definitely no sparks from this book. It felt like I was reading a weird ass tech book.

I will admit that this story is not one that I would read more than one time. The book started out horrible but did get better towards the ending. The danger was probably the high-light, but even then you can tell that there was no way anyone could have survived, but the author pulled it off.

What really got me was Wrak’h. His reaction to his sahan should have been stronger, but he only truly gave a damn about his baby. It was just not believable.

I am truly disappointed in this book and I hate to admit that I would not recommend it.

Jack Addison vs. Man-Ravishing Spider by K.A. Merikan

Title: Jack Addison vs. Man-Ravishing Spider

Series: Jack Addison vs. a Whole World of Hot Trouble 01

Author: K.A. Merikan

Genre: Horror-Comedy, Science Fiction, Romantic Erotica

Length: Short (36pgs)

Publisher: Acerbi & Villani Ltd. (November 3, 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Blurb: “Please write down my name. Jack Addison.”

Jack Addison. Son of a famous monster hunter. Grandson of a celebrated inventor. He has a lot to live up to, but his ego is as big as the expectations of his family. At just nineteen, he’s fresh out of a prestigious academy, set to make a name for himself in a world where people need protection from strange and dangerous creatures.

During the annual hunt for the Loch Ness monster, Jack finds a rival in Roux Chat-Bonnes, a cat-like being who recently joined the same profession and is set to steal the bounty—and fame—from under Jack’s nose.

Jack won’t let that happen. He sets out on the hunt alone, but the creature that he finds in the cave near Loch Ness doesn’t have tentacles. Instead, it’s got hairy legs, eight black eyes and a taste for human flesh.

POSSIBLE SPOILERS:
Themes: living up to expectations, pride, dreams, self-discovery, tolerance, fame, monster hunting, inter-species relations

WARNING: This story contains morally ambiguous characters and scenes that might be considered taboo.

ISBN: B07JR6C4BC

Product Link: Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Jack acted like he was better than others due to his last name which I did not like. He gets into a fight with another inventor who he despises due to the man being non human. When the call goes out that Nessie’s been spotted he takes off and enters a cave only to be trapped by a huge arachnid.

Roux saves Jack in the end much to his embarrassment. I would have actually liked for some monster fighting on the page as opposed to off page as is the case in this story.

I would have preferred more story line to this short story than detailed sex scene between Jack and the spider which was non con due to the spider trapping Jack and injecting him with venom.

O.k. read.

Hot Mess 7 by Stormy Glenn

Title: Hot Mess 7

Series: Hot Mess 07

Author: Stormy Glenn

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novella (163 Pages)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (December 6, 2018)

Heat level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Salvador

I’d become quite experienced at keeping my hot little mess out of trouble over the years, but when danger comes from an unknown source, keeping Lany safe might take more than a miracle. It’ll take my entire SWAT team and every friend we have. Someone is out to get my love, and not even he knows who it is this time.

Lany

I wanted to roll my eyes. Sal freaked every time I stubbed a toe, let alone got shot at. You’d think the sexy SWAT commander would’ve grown used to it over the years. It wasn’t like I planned this stuff. It just sort of happened. I just wished it happened a little less. This was getting embarrassing.

ISBN: 978-1-64243-5856

Product Link: Siren-BookStrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in the Hot Mess collection features our very own two sexy men of all time, Lany and Sal. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order. It is the best way to see what trouble can find Lany or what trouble Lany can find.

Now they are the fathers of six children and damn if they were not good at it. Of course you have two guys that are best friends with a federal agent, blood bonded to two mafia leaders, best friends with a friend who just so happens to be one of those mafia leaders nephew and so on. Sal is the head of the number one SWAT team. If there is trouble to be found Lany can and usually does find it. Just don’t let him near a car, ask the elephant. Now the whole family is going on vacation. The trouble is there is always trouble.

My day always gets better when I get a story about Lany and Sal. It just seems to brighten my mood even better. As always this book can and did catch my attention as well as kept it through the entire book. I can guarantee that this is one of those stories that will be read many times over. So much so that I am ready to read it again right now. It is action pact, danger filled, excitement overload, funny as hell and lets not forget the hot sexy times in this story and so much more.

The author just has this gift at giving you a story that will keep you entertained and make you laugh pretty much throughout. I just hope that Lany and Sal’s stories just keep coming, I never want them to stop. They give me everything I could possibly want and so much more. It has quite a bit of depth and heat to it that just makes it even better. I do hope that our two sexy swat team members get their stories as well.

I can guarantee that you will get a kick out of this story. I would definitely recommend it.

Protecting His Mate and Unborn Child by Marcy Jacks

Title: Protecting His Mate and Unborn Child

Series: Alpha Wars 03

Author: Marcy Jacks

Genre: Contemporary, Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Short (75pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (1st December 2017)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Blurb: Ronan Greywolf has been keeping secrets from his mate. The first that he and Trey are mates at all, and the second is on the night they were first together, he got Trey pregnant with his child.

Trey is a human, and he’s been through enough trauma. After barely escaping a vampire blood farm with his sanity, Ronan didn’t want to spring this on him, and now he can feel the love of his life slipping away.

Trey always liked Ronan. Finding out he’s going to have the man’s child, forcing Ronan to be with him, was the last thing Trey wanted. Ronan insists on being around, but Trey knows it’s not really for him, and his heart breaks with each passing day. Could there be more to this than Trey believes? Is it possible Ronan really does love him?

Just as he and his mate are learning to trust each other, an evil from Trey’s past resurfaces, complicating everything.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-799-1

Product Link: Siren-BookStrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Ronan and Trey try to overcome their misunderstandings in each other while at the same time Trey come to grips with being told he is pregnant. An attack sends the house on lockdown and Fergus pushes Parker a little too far.

While I enjoyed the story there was not much in the way of action in this book. But there was plenty of drama to be had by all. Looking forward to seeing what else happens with the pack in further books.

Good read.

Enticing His Navy Seal by Charlie Richards

Title: Enticing his Navy Seal

Series: Wolves of Stone Ridge 43

Author: Charlie Richards

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (110 Pages)

Publisher: eXtasy Books (December 15, 2017)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: Out of the Cage: When an old bear shifter makes an unexpected discovery, he must rely on new friends to secure his future.

When a Shifter Council hearing proves corruption on the council, Councilman Regales Colearian takes it as a personal affront. Deciding to take matters into his own hands, he handles all grievances himself. That includes going to Stone Ridge to meet the shifters impacted by the scientists the wolf pack has been fighting against. Once there, he runs across the last person he ever thought he’d meet–his mate, Armand ‘Theodore’ Conway–who happens to be a human male. Regales learns that Theo knows about paranormals, but has no interest in bonding with one. Theo is a navy seal and has seen so much depravity he feels tainted by it. Plus, Theo isn’t gay. While Regales has never considered himself gay either, at over four hundred years old, he’s been alone a long, long time. He knows claiming Theo will turn his life upside-down, but it’ll be worth it. Stepping out of his own comfort zone isn’t easy, so can Regales manage to convince Theo to give a stuck-in-his-ways bear shifter a chance?

ISBN: 978-1-4874-1801-6

Product Link: eXtasy Books | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in the Wolves of Stone Ridge collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order. This series has a few branch off that you might want to read also.

I have been missing this book. I love a good story and Charlie always manages to give it. The worlds that she creates are unique, fresh and damn good. The characters are strong in both physical and mental, but you wouldn’t expect it in some of them. Some of the characters have a heart breaking story to tell as well. A hard past and sometimes they don’t even remember. There is always a bit of danger in the stories that makes it even rock harder.

The councilman has came to hear the truth from the Alpha. He is an old bear shifter and kind of stuck in his life. He wants to hear about the corruption that another councilman has created. To see for himself that the truth comes out and the pain is stopped. He just hadn’t expected to find his mate, a very human mate. Or maybe he is not so human.

Conway is a navy seal and is coming to talk to an old friend. One that he has found out that was a shifter and to find out what was going on. Conway is actually from a family of witches and knows all about the paranormal world. He just had not expected to get a mate, nor did he want one. To top it off, neither one has ever been with a man, so you can guess what is about to happen. Funny as hell also.

I got a kick out of these two, although I am quite surprised that Conway didn’t deck his friend or his mate for the little trick. They will heat up real fast though. I enjoyed reading this story and can not wait to get my hands on the next book. I had a lot of fun and I can guarantee that you will also.

The Strength of His Heart by Victoria Sue

Title: The Strength of His Heart

Series: Enhanced World 04

Author: Victoria Sue

Genre: Other Paranormal, Science Fiction, Urban Fantasy

Length: Novel (214pgs)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (December 11, 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: To protect and serve…. All Vance Connelly ever wanted to do was continue his family’s tradition and join the Tampa Police Department, but his dreams were crushed the day he woke with the enhanced mark on his face. After years of struggling to adjust to life as an enhanced human, by a stroke of luck, he met Talon Valdez and became a proud member of the FBI’s Human Enhanced Rescue Organization.

Samuel “Angel” Piper is eager to leave his DEA undercover work behind as he joins the HERO team as Vance’s regular human partner. But Sam’s painful past is ever present, just below the surface of the life he has built for himself as an ambitious young agent. When the team investigates rumors of a new drug using enhanced blood, the case’s mysterious connection to Sam threatens not just his life but Vance’s.

Trust doesn’t come easy for Sam, but Vance is willing to fight to convince his partner that the strength of his heart might be the salvation they both need.

ISBN-13: 978-1-64405-115-3

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Oh my god this story was so good. You have Vance and Sam who are partnered in the Enhanced team. Both men have issues that are similar but yet different. They are on a case of drugs being used with enhanced blood. An undercover mission reveals sinister goings on and it’s up to the team to stop it. Sam sends Vance mixed signals due to his past and his hang up with large guys which is to be expected. Vance is a gentle giant and understanding.

This series just keeps getting better and better the further along it continues. I love how each investigation is well thought out and written. New and old characters are always intertwined with twists and turns that have edge of your seat, nail biting results with action scenes that have you holding your breath awaiting the outcome.

It’s one of my favorite series to date as I simply adore the enhanced in this series. I am so looking forward to reading more especially with the way this story ended.

Fantastic read and highly recommended.

Prelude to Love by Anne Barwell

Title: Prelude to Love

Series: Dreamspun Desires 49

Author: Anne Barwell

Genre: Contemporary

Length: Novel (234 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (2nd January 2018)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Blurb: Music speaks directly to the heart.

Two very different men face turning points in their lives after the collapse of long-term relationships….

Joel is a music teacher who knows it’s time to forget his ex and move on, while Marcus runs a lawn-mowing business and has come to Wellington to escape the reminders of a recent breakup. Although they’re opposites, when Joel and Marcus connect, their romance has the potential to hit all the right notes.

Too bad neither of them feels ready for new love.

With family and friends in common, dating is risky – things could get messy if it doesn’t work out. The sweet song of possibility draws them to each other, though, and they share a kiss following a Chopin prelude. But it will take some practice and perseverance to find their perfect harmony….

ISBN: 978-1-64080-164-6

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Prelude to Love is the first Anne Barwell book which I’ve read, although I’ve already listened to the audio book, so I already knew what was going to happen. However, this is one of those books which I found more enjoyable as an ebook as opposed to listening to the audio. Which I think is a good thing since I remember feeling rather torn by the audio book and rated it lower than I would have thought.

Prelude to Love is a sweet romance between high school music teacher, Joel, and home handyman/landscaper, Marcus. Joel has had a difficult life his family since coming out of the closet, but he has a couple of friends who became his adopted family. In fact, Marcus is brother to Joel’s best friend. They are both coming out of disastrous long-term relationships, Marcus has completely relocated to be closer to his sister, brother in law and niece. The two become friends but with a little help from their friends they discover the possibility of more between them. All this is happening around a large school concert Joel must orchestrate (pun intended) to raise funds.

Joel is a passionate musician and teacher and probably a bit stubborn, he is so easy to connect and relate too. I’m not sure I connected quite so well with Marcus, but he is also very likable. From the start, the two men together have a quiet but strong chemistry and are obviously going to find their way together.

Being that this is part of the Dreamspun Desires line, it’s super sweet and has not a lot of over the top drama or angst and has a perfect little HEA for the two MCs. Written by Anne Barwell, who is a new author to me, I did enjoy the flow and writing style of the story as well. I just think the sweetness with not a lot of drama made this less exciting but perfect for the romantics out there.

Ante Up by Kim Fielding

Title: Ante Up

Series: Dreamspun Beyond 08

Author: Kim Fielding

Genre: Paranormal, Vampires

Length: Novel (220 pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (15th November 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖 3 Hearts

Blurb: Love is a high-stakes game.

A century and a half ago, Ante Novak died on a Croatian battlefield—and rose three days later as a vampire. Now he haunts Las Vegas, stealing blood and money from drunken gamblers and staying on the fringe of the powerful vampire organization known as the Shadows. His existence feels empty and meaningless until he meets beautiful Peter Gehrardi, who can influence others with his thoughts.

An attraction flares instantly, bringing a semblance of life to Ante’s dead heart. But the Shadows want Peter too, and they’re willing to kill to get him. As Ante and Peter flee, they learn more about themselves and each other, and they discover that the world is a stranger place than either of them imagined. With enemies at their heels and old mistakes coming back to exact a price, how can Ante and Peter find sanctuary?

ISBN: 978-1-63533-948-2

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Prime

Review: Ok, so, I’m just going to get right into this one. Normally, I very much enjoy and look forward to Kim Fielding’s books, particularly the contemporary novels. This is, in fact, the first paranormal book that I’ve read by the author. Although, truth be told, I actually listened to the audio of this book before reading. Sometimes I find that I enjoy one format over the other. In this case, I have to admit, despite giving ebook and audio formats the same 3/5 rating, I think that I did enjoy the audio more than the text format.

The is about vampire Ante Novak (pronounced Ahn-tay), who was human until he died two hundred years prior on a bloody Croatian battlefield. He found himself in Las Vegas where he subsists on sex and blood from random hook ups, often stealing money from the men. Unlike vampires in many stories, he has no money. He grew up as a human peasant, working his family’s land and just never cared enough to get ahead or settle down somewhere permanently. Las Vegas is run by the vampire mob, called the Shadows, of which he knows the leader. Ante doesn’t has always refused to work for them but he knows he is on borrowed time where they are concerned.

Between all this, Ante meets Peter Gerhardti, who appears to be very human but that is called into question from the outset. Ante is instantly attracted to the man who sates him in more ways than one. When the Shadows set their eyes on Peter, Ante finds a reason to fight for the first time since he was killed in battle. The mad dash the two men make is what I find to be the best part of the book

The story itself is original and was enjoyable for the most part, I will admit that much.

However, for me, there were a few things that just didn’t suit me well at all. Firstly, the pace of the story was a little too choppy, the pace went up and down like waves and I found it hard to get into the book and relate to the two MCs. Furthermore, I found myself a little disappointed that it took 4 chapters for the two MCs to meet, let alone end up in bed, and a few more chapters after that before their stories merged. Within this time, we also had to hear about the vampire MC’s one-night stands where he would feed. I know that this will be a hard thing for some readers to get into because, let’s face it, it’s not really what we’re here for.

The saving grace of this book was the last few chapters, on the other hand, were good – well paced, full of action and I was now much more certain in the chemistry and emotion between the two MCs. I think because they took so long to get together I didn’t really connect to Ante or Peter until I finally got my head around who they were.

Slow Thaw by J. Scott Coatsworth

Title: Slow Thaw

Series: Escape from the Holidays

Author: J. Scott Coatsworth

Genre: Contemporary, Trans, Holiday

Length: Novella (104pgs)

ISBN: MSCRBK0000120

Publisher: Mischief Corner Books (8^th December 2018)

Heat Level: Nil

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Reviewer: Pixie

Blurb: Javier Fernandez is a climate scientist living in a research station near the South Pole. Since his husband was killed in a car crash, he’s preferred to be alone, and is less than thrilled to have a junior scientist thrust upon him by his rich patron.

Col Steele is a trans man fleeing a bad break-up. He is ready for the next step in his career, and eager to spend Christmas anywhere but at home.

When a crack in the ice separates the two men from safety, they are forced to come to terms with their own losses and each other.

Review: Slow Thaw is not the book for you if you’re looking for instant passion and sex; it’s a story for those who love an interesting storyline mixed with two men facing an intense situation and discovering their feelings for each other.

Col Steele is excited by the opportunity to work with Javier Fernandez, spending the next six months on the Ross Ice Shelf at Bettencourt Station is a dream come true. It also comes at a time when he really wants to get away from spending Christmas alone. But Javier is gruff and abrupt, and Col has no intention of letting the man walk all over him.

Javier has buried himself away at Bettencourt Station for the last two/three years (depending on which sentence you read); the loss of his husband still haunts him and working constantly is a relief. Dealing with research scientists is his burden to bare and with a new one coming in he’s dreading the man’s behaviour/attitude. But he gets a surprise when Col proves to be helpful and useful, but memories haunt him as Col reminds him of his husband.

This is a really great story that while set around Christmas time isn’t a Christmas story, it’s a story about finding love in terrible circumstances, and of a reminder of what we humans are doing to this world.

The descriptions of the setting is astounding, you can easily picture the ice shelf, of a terrible crack racing towards you as the ice shelf breaks apart, the stunning view of something that has been around for hundreds of thousands of years as it succumbs to human idiocy. It really is breath-taking how J. Scott Coatsworth can transport you into his settings with just a few well-placed words.

The story is set over a short period of time so it’s the beginning of a relationship between Col and Javier, there’s no meeting of the eyes across the ice and falling into each other’s arms, no it’s a small bud of attraction that could become so much more.

I will admit that I would love to see this story developed and expanded on, it would be amazing to read about Col and Javier and the difficulties they’d face as they help to save the ice shelfs.

I recommend this to those who love stories that have challenges for our MC’s, who adore stories where love is a future promise, who love well written storylines and the barest glimpse of happiness for two men who have had difficult experiences.

Words by John Inman

Title: Words

Author: John Inman

Genre: Contemporary, Mystery

Length: Novel (210 Pages)

Publisher: Dreamspinner Press (June 12, 2018)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖💖 5 Hearts

Blurb: The world of writers, readers, and reviewers is a close-knit family of friends, fans, and fiction fanatics. That’s the world Milo Cook and Logan Hunter reside in—thriving on the give and take of creativity, the sharing of stories and ideas, and forever glorying in their boundless love of books and the words that make them breathe.

But sometimes words can cut too deep. And when they do, there is inevitably a price to pay.

What begins for Milo and Logan as a time of new love and gentle romantic discoveries, becomes before it’s over a race for their lives and for the lives of everyone they know.

Who would ever suspect that an entity as beautiful as the written word could become a catalyst for revenge? And ultimately—murder?

ISBN: 978-1-64080-0156-1

Product Link: Dreamspinner | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Wow, I think this author is trying to say something. Logan is always making sure his reviews are honest and somewhat gentle, even with author’s that are not all that. After the death of the man he loves, he decides to head west to make a new life for himself. He had wanted to meet a certain author and maybe get his autograph. He just hadn’t expected Milo to be what he was.

Milo has been making a name at writing some amazing stories. He was however a bit down that no one had come to see him and get his autograph on his latest novel, but that is the life of an author. That is until one hell of a sexy man comes in and not only gets his autograph but bought two of his stories. A drink does sound good, now doesn’t it.

With all of that going on, someone is killing those who write some pretty nasty reviews. He or she has a knack for doing it too. So much so that they have picked their next target.

I liked the hidden word in the story and I will admit that it was kind of creepy. However I had a blast reading this story and the characters just rocked. It does have a darker tone to it that I don’t care for but the author just turned it to right tone. Now I was at a stopping point in parts of the story and it didn’t keep my attention like it should have. There are just a few issues I had, but those were on me.

I could not guess who the killer was and that was a good sign of an amazing mystery author. It did catch my attention like it should have and it did give me some horrible murder scenes. The romance was worked in their just perfect. I had a blast reading this and can’t wait to start in on the next book. I would definitely recommend it.

Ground Insurrection by Mell Eight

Title: Ground Insurrection

Series: Wizard Wars 01

Author: Mell Eight

Genre: Fantasy, Genderqueer

Length: Short (64pgs)

Publisher: Less Than Three Press (June 13, 2018)

Heat Level: Low – Moderate

Heart Rating: 💖💖💖💖 4 Hearts

Blurb: Life on the prairie isn’t easy, especially since the prairie has a habit of eating people it doesn’t like. Ruse knows the dangers, but there’s so much more to the prairie than death.

The nearby country of Ammet, however, only sees an exploitable resource to be conquered. Caught between the political machinations of Ammet and his love for the prairie, Ruse can only hope he doesn’t wind up killed by one or the other.

ISBN: 9781684312931

Product Link: Less Than Three Press | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Interesting story about criminals who are sent out into the prairie, that is a sentient being, to try and build a community. But alas it’s not as simple as it appears.

The people have to contend with Mesic the being who was once human but turned during a magical war. Not to mention the corruption of those in government in Ammet with plans to do away with the criminals and take the villages for themselves.

But, there is Russ, a man wrongfully accused and ousted by his brother who has a plan to stop Ammet in it’s tracks if all goes according to plan.

A great story with a lot of secrecy and planning.

Great read.

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this:

Share this:

Like this: