Rogue Operative by Lynn Hagen

Title: Rogue Operative

Series: Wildfire #2

Author: Lynn Hagen

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (August 28, 2017)

Length: Novella (108 Pages)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 1/2 Hearts (Combined)

Blurb: When Jordan spots the new sheriff riding into town on his motorcycle, he becomes infatuated with the sexy man, but he’s running from a past that still haunts him, a past that has left him guilt-ridden for too long. He thinks he’s the reason his lover is dead and is afraid to give his heart away again. He convinces himself that he can be friends with Mason without falling for the sheriff, but the heart wants what it wants and, soon, Jordan finds himself lost in Mason’s arms.

Mason “Blade” Camden came to Wildfire to put his past behind him. He retired from his mercenary work. Unfortunately, the agency didn’t get the memo. When they send him on an assignment, things go horribly wrong. Now Mason is a wanted man and must draw attention away from the small town, even if that means leaving behind the man he loves.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-560-7

Product Link: Siren-BookStrand

Reviewers: Lisa & Veronica

Lisa’s Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Each book in the Wildfire collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

Damn sexy men, danger, mercenaries, guns, action and excitement all rolled into one amazing package. Jordan lost the man of his heart to an accident and from that day forth figured it was just him. He was afraid to try to love again, but the sexy ass sherif was sure making it hard. Mason has his own set of problems, a past that was coming back to bite him in the ass. When these two men hook up, they are going to set the sheets on fire.

Lynn Hagen was one of the first author’s of this genre that I came across and knew that she would become on of my all time favorite authors. She hasn’t let me down yet, I can tell you that. A fresh new world that just seems to have the best damn men to be around. Each one of them has an amount of danger and excitement mixed in with so much more.

I had quite a bit of fun reading this and can not wait to get started on the next book. Sexy men with guns and rides a motorcycle just makes a girl want to scream or in this case one sexy man who uses his hands a lot. I would definitely recommend this book.

Veronica’s Review: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Jordan, one of the workers from the Lockmere Construction Company that is restoring the small town in the mountains, has some demons of his own to work through, but from the moment that he saw the newly appointed Sheriff ride into town, he’s got the hots for him. Jordan, however, has convinced himself that he’s the reason he’s the cause of his last boyfriend’s death, and he doesn’t want another death on his conscious if he gets involved with the Sheriff.

Mason sees Jordan and wants him, but he’s been in some rough situations in his life and his previous job that he would like to be out of, but as he says, leaving that job isn’t an option. He came to Wildfire to start a fresh life and a new job. Jordan and Mason hook up, but then Jordan family drama intrudes, and then Mason has to go out of town to do a job, but the situation is beyond his control, when his assignment takes him back to save Jordan and his friends that he got close to in Wildfire, to save them from a crazed madman.

I would definitely recommend this series to anyone interested.

Worth the Risk by Lynn Hagen

Title: Worth the Risk

Series: Wildfire #1

Author: Lynn Hagen

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (August 21, 2017)

Length: Novella (109 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 1/2 Hearts (Combined)

Blurb: Isn’t the chase half the fun? That’s what Darien thinks when he sets his sights on one of Wildfire’s investors. Sex is the only thing Darien is interested in, until a scoundrel from Matthew’s past resurfaces. Now, it’s up to Darien to pull Matthew back from the brink of self-destruction, and he doesn’t understand why he’s going out on a limb for a guy he barely knows.

When Matthew and his friends invest in a podunk town, he has no idea what he is in for. Darien makes it known that he wants Matthew, but after a bitter betrayal from a past lover, Matthew doesn’t trust anyone. He thinks Darien isn’t worth the risk. Or so he thinks.

When his life begins to spiral out of control, Matthew is shocked that it’s Darien who comes to his rescue, refusing to allow Matthew to sink into the depths of despair.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-559-1

Product Link: Siren Publishing

Reviewer: Lisa & Veronica

Lisa’s Review: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Each book in the Wildfire collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

Lynn Hagen was one of the first authors of gay romance that I had read and she got me hooked. Now I admit that all of those were paranormal, so when this series came out I was wondering how they would turn out. So you can imagine my surprise that they were the right story for me. This story caught my attention from the moment I started reading and kept it there all the way to the end.

Darien is the owner of the construction crew that was going to rebuild an old town and help to revive it. Wildfire had been purchased and was going to be turned into the perfect place for the gay community. He had his sights set on one of the men behind the purchase and realizes that Wildfire might just be his perfect home.

Matthew had been born into a home that was always broke, and made his fortune with hard work and dedication. When his life started to unravel due to a bad choice with a man, he started to drink to forget. His best friends thought buying an old ghost town, well almost ghost town, he just went a long with it. He had lost his ability to trust and needed a reason to start over. I would say Darien is up for the job.

It was a pretty good story and I enjoyed it quite a bit. It was a fresh and unique idea that I had a lot of fun with. I can’t wait to get my hands on the next story.

Veronica’s Review: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Darian has a construction company, and he and his crew are working to restore a small town that was purchased by Matthew and his friends. The first time that Darien saw Matthew, he was imagining how many flat surfaces he can have Matthew on, but he’s not interested in a relationship.

However Matthew doesn’t trust anyone other than his friends, and he isn’t interested in hooking up or getting involved with anyone, since recently, he was accused of a heinous act and he’s still paying the price of the person that is trying to ruin his life.

When Matthew’s life is imploding, although his friends are there supporting him, he’s more surprise that Darien is there to literally lift him up and help him get back on his feet, even when he found out the reason. When a past lover comes back to make more trouble for Matthew and he’s being questioned by the Police, Darien runs to his rescue and shows him that he can be trusted and that they can both have a future together.

I would definitely recommend this story to anyone interested.

Fresh Pickens by Shea Balik

Title: Fresh Pickens

Series: Cedar Falls #21

Author: Shea Balik

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (August 15, 2017)

Length: Novella (146 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Welcome to Cedar Falls, a small North Carolina town nestled amongst the Smokey Mountains. Where the people are friendly and the men are hot.

Several years ago Charles Jackson made a mistake, a big one. He bullied several people for being gay. When his mama found out, she gave him a tongue lashing that still stung years later. Charles had been trying to change since then but the residents of Cedar Falls wouldn’t give him an opportunity to prove it.

Austin Reed hadn’t wanted to give Charles a chance, but the more he got to know Charles, the more he found the man funny, sweet, and nothing like the bigoted bully he had been.

Now, the two must find a way to forgive the past and move into the future if they hope to find their happily ever after.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-564-5

Product Link: Siren Publishing

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in the Cedar Falls collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

This wonderful series also has a new branch that just came out. The new series is called Syn’s Playground, so you need to check it out. I came across this wonderful author with the first book in this series, and I knew I was caught. She became one of my favorite authors and also became an automatic buy. Lets face it Jesse was the one that caught me hook, line and sinker.

When Jesse and his friends met up at the casino, the Jackson boys bullied them and then proceeded to get kicked out of the casino. Not too many places for a bully to go, however Charles was a big surprise and he was also in for a surprise. He never really wanted to hurt anyone and now he was trying to make up for it. To his luck it was Jesse that gave him the chance to prove he had changed.

Austin was suppose to give the okay for the new place to go up, he just wasn’t to sure about giving Charles the chance. Then he took the time to get to know him, and things are going to heat up.

I was glad that Charles had changed and was given the chance to prove it. He was a blast to read about and I just absolutely loved him and Austin. The story just kept on giving me what I really needed in a story, and I can not wait till the next book comes out. I love the little surprises and I love how the guys are always willing to help another.

I would definitely recommend not only this book but the whole series. This is one author that you will love to read.

Dusty by Fel Fern

Title: Dusty

Series: Wounded Hearts 04

Author: Fel Fern

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (July 27, 2017)

Length: Novella (90 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts

Blurb: Dusty is an ex-soldier and dominant leopard shifter who lost his hearing during the war. He’s also the last of his former unit who remains unmated. To get away from humans because his inner leopard is close to turning feral, he works as an assistant park ranger. A distress call brings him to a cliff in the park where he needs to convince a potential suicide not to jump. The last thing Dusty expects to find is his mate.

Trace Michaels is a human artist who suffered an attack three months ago. He’s saved from ending his life by a persistent and gorgeous leopard shifter. With reluctance, he lets Dusty convince him to live again. The last thing he expects is for Dusty to stick around.

Trace isn’t ready to risk his heart again, but this persistent leopard might just be the one man he’s been waiting for his entire life.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-456-3

Product Link: Siren Bookstrand

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in the Wounded Hearts collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

Dusty is the youngest of his team mates and the one that seems to be having the hardest time. He lost his hearing in the explosion that injured his teammates. He even almost went feral and sent his commander in the same direction. Thank god his teammates helped him come back, but the truth was he wasn’t handling it well. Taking a job in the woods just helps him to connect and leads him to salvation.

Trace is an amazing artist who lost his way. His ex-boyfriend was sent to prison after he assaulted him, but he was having troubles with it. Depression and PTSD sets in and well you can guess where that heads. Thanks to one sexy shifter who might just need him as much as he needs him. Then the past comes for him and it is going to take Dusty and his team to save him.

Now this author has made a few mistakes that have been missed in editing, but it doesn’t take away from the story as bad as I would have expected. However I still noticed it.

Other than my issues with this story it was a fun read. I enjoyed it and can’t wait to start on the next book.

Grover by Fel Fern

Title: Grover

Series: Wounded Hearts 03

Author: Fel Fern

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (July 20, 2017)

Length: Novella (101 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts

Blurb: A blind war vet and jaguar shifter who’s barely getting by, Grover tries to adapt to living a normal life. While walking his guide dog, he accidentally bumps into tabby cat shifter Eric, who tries to steal his wallet. His jaguar tells him Eric is his mate, but Grover believes a broken shifter like him isn’t worthy of a mate.

Eric steals to survive and provide for his brother, his only family. Crossing paths with a blind but dangerous dominant jaguar shifter was never in the agenda, but he can’t ignore what his heart wants. His inner cat knows Grover is the one man he’d been waiting for his whole life, his mate. However, to belong to Grover and give their fragile relationship a chance to bloom, Eric must leave his old life of thievery behind.

When wounded hearts are on the line, Grover proves he’s willing to do whatever it takes to claim his mate.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-455-6

Product Link: Siren Bookstrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Grover and his team mates did a good deed and it cost them. For Grover it cost him his eyes and he was having a hard time dealing with it. A powerful jaguar who is pretty much an alpha sees the loss as a weakness and as a vet, well you can guess. However he would be wrong, because he still is a powerful man in his own. So when a little thief tries to steal his wallet, well the thief stole his heart instead.

Eric and his brother Evan have been on their own for some time. They had found themselves in a dangerous situation when another shifter takes them in. Now they are thieves and only bad things happen when they fail. The problem is his brother is sick and Eric has to work double to get it done. Too bad he tried to steal from a powerful shifter who was blind, it might just cost him more than he expected.

When an author is trying to meet a deadline or just wants to get their books out fast, they tend to make a few mistakes that could cost them. Such as different names, or different injuries to the wrong shifter, to spelling or even the tone. Now this author has made a few of these mistakes, but it doesn’t take away from the story as bad as I would have expected. However I still noticed it.

Other than my issues with this story it was a fun read. I enjoyed it and can’t wait to start on the next book.

Mike by Fel Fern

Title: Mike

Series: Wounded Hearts 02

Author: Fel Fern

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (July 13, 2017)

Length: Novella (84 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts

Blurb: After losing a leg, former paranormal special ops member and dominant tiger shifter Mike is having trouble coping with his new reality. Mike knows finding a mate isn’t possible for a broken shifter like him. Mike’s ready to live the rest of his life in solitude, until his path collides with Bowen.

Bowen manages to spark a fire in his heart, except Mike knows that sooner or later, the lynx shifter would find him lacking. Bowen’s a rare Omega lynx shifter who’s been on the run his entire life. When fate drops a growly, wounded tiger shifter in his path, he knows he’s met his mach. With enemies on his tail, the last thing he needs is a gorgeous distraction, except Mike becomes more than that.

When the future seems so uncertain, can Bowen find true happiness with his mate or will everything fall apart?

ISBN: 978-1-64010-454-9

Product Link: Siren Bookstrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

The first thing I noticed is the beta reader didn’t catch the name of the dead soldier. In book one he was called Wayne but the author wrote it multiple times in this one as Larry. So it needs just a bit of re-editing. Not a big deal but it brought it down just a bit for me. There were a few types of these issues with this book, but other than that sweet.

Mike is a powerful tiger shifter who lost his leg in the fight that also cost him his commander’s arm, another’s eyes, ones hearing and the loss of a friend. Now in civilian life he was having just a bit of trouble figuring out life. Then he comes across his mate.

Bowen has been on the run for some time. He is a lynx shifter that can get pregnant. To top it off he is an omega. One man wants him, but it is only one man he wants. Bowen needs his mate’s help to survive.

It is a very good book that caught my attention from the start and kept it all the way to the end.
It does have a few issues, such as what I listed above, but it doesn’t really take away from the story itself. It just felt rushed and for this type of story that isn’t really a good thing. However I still had a lot of fun with it and can’t wait to see what book three will be like.

Abram by Fel Fern

Title: Abram

Series: Wounded Hearts 01

Author: Fel Fern

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy, Science Fiction

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand (July 6, 2017)

Length: Novella (83 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: After losing an arm in the war, dominant lion shifter Abram is suffering from PTSD and having trouble adapting to civilian life. His sessions with his therapist, Kane, are the only things he looks forward to.

Sparks ignite after one accidental kiss. When Kane decides it’s unprofessional to keep seeing Abram, all the cards come down and Abram’s lion goes on a prowl. Abram might be one broken vet, but his lion knows Kane is his mate and letting go is not an option.

Omega cat shifter Kane has a huge problem. He’s had a massive crush on Abram since the wounded vet entered his life. When keeping things professional between them no longer works, Kane bolts, terrified of the intense attraction between them.

Kane gives Abram quite a chase, but he soon realizes that lions are persistent hunters—and when it comes to the matters of the heart, only a fool would refuse the mating bond.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-453-2

Product Link: Siren Bookstrand | Amazon US | Amazon UK

Reviewer: Lisa

Dominant alpha shifters do not do well when they are no longer at the top of their game. They see any weakness as a loss, but the shifters in this story find that it is not always truth. Five soldiers go to war but only 4 come back alive. Abram was the one in charge and came back with the loss of his arm. To top it off he has flash backs and is trying to survive his new life as a civilian.

Kane is the opposite of Abram. He is definitely not a alpha type male, but he is bound and determined to get Abram to live in the now. That is until one kiss, and sends him running. Too bad now he has a very big lion coming after his mate.

I have not had the chance to read many stories from this author, but I have to say that this story does hit a chord. It was well rounded and full of description that definitely catches my attention. In fact my attention was caught from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end. I enjoyed reading it and can’t wait to get started on the next book.

Second Chance Mate by A.J. Jarrett

Title: Second Chance Mate

Series: Nehalem Pack #38

Author: A.J. Jarrett

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (June 9, 2017)

Length: Novella (137 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Daniel Culver was devastated when his wife died. He was left alone to raise his daughter while trying to live with a broken heart. Each day is a struggle, and the fear of losing his family has Daniel pushing those he cares for away.

Archer Forum is running from his past and everything he thought was important to him. Being rich didn’t bring him happiness and being the creator of a drug that is killing shifters has him filled with guilt. He wasn’t sure that feeling would ever go away. All he wants is a fresh start, to make amends and just be happy.

Love doesn’t come around often, and it’s Archer’s turn to seize the day. Daniel is his fated mate. It’s up to him to convince Daniel that love is worth the risk before a ghost from Archer’s past steals his hopes and dreams of a happily ever after away.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-394-8

Product Link: Siren Publishing | Amazon UK | Amazon US

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in the Nehalem Pack collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

There is nothing better than a good paranormal romance with two gorgeous men involved. They are entertaining and have just the right mix of feelings in them. There is also quite a bit of danger or excitement in it as well. This one caught my attention and kept it all the way to the very end. I love the mixture of characters that this story and the other ones have in it. Will always keep you entertained.
Daniel lost his wife to an accident, or should I say his mate and it had devastated him. He was left alone to raise his cutie pie daughter and he wasn’t doing a very good job at it. He also needed some help, which with the help of his daughter came one very sexy man. A man with a secret that could hurt them. Also this man seemed to think that he was his mate.

Archer was a scientist and loved what he did. That is until what he did was end up killing shifters from the poison he made. Running sounded good, but you can only run so far. To top it off he has found his mate and his mate had a daughter.

I love the way this author puts together a story that not only draws you in but keeps you entertained as well. They have a serious tone to them, but there is a bit of humor floating around. I do get a kick out of the whole thing. I can’t wait to read the next book.

Clint by Lynn Hagen

Title: Clint

Series: Grizzly Ridge 01

Author: Lynn Hagen

Genre: Paranormal, shape-shifters, M/MPreg

Length: Novella (100pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Inc.

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: The Rising men are pure myth, or so Dane thinks. Everyone in the town of Grizzly Ridge whispers about how either the Rising men can control the wild bears that roam the mountains, or that they are the wild bears themselves.

On his way home from work one night, a stranger nearly hits Dane on the backroad. When the guy gets out of his truck, Dane is kidnapped and taken high into the mountains.

Clint grew up in the mountains, his bear clan hidden from humans. Out on an errand one night, Clint decides to take a shortcut and nearly runs a man over. Pissed at the guy’s carelessness, he gets out and discovers the human is his mate. His bear takes over and Clint bites him, starting the process that will enable Dane to carry his child.

But Clint’s life is filled with dangers, and the biggest danger of all is his father.

ISBN: 9781640104006

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/clint

Reviewer: Veronica

Review: Dane is living in a small town and hears all the tales about the occupants of the mountains, especially the Rising men, and he thinks that there’re just myths. One night after work, Dane is walking home and is nearly hit by a driver. When the person gets out of the truck and asks him if he’s ok, within a blink of the eye, the guy bites Dane and takes him up further into the mountains.

Clint is on his way home when he finds his mate on the side of the road. With one whiff of his scent, he bites him and takes him to his home. Clint is the eldest of his siblings and he’s ecstatic yet scared that he found his mate. Dane sees himself as imperfect, but all Clint sees is a handsome man. There are dangers in the mountains, and the biggest one is his father, when he decides that he wants Clint’s mate. Clint will go to any length to make sure that never happens, even if he has to kill his own father.

I love this author’s work and would recommend to anyone interested in reading about paranormals.

Kiss of Forever by Leah Blake

Title: Kiss of Forever

Series: Shadow Creek 03

Author: Leah Blake

Genre: Fantasy, Paranormal

Length: Novel (224pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (July 3, 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Raul Carney, world-renowned alpha wolf and leader of Shadow Creek, suffered a mortal wound when human hunters attacked the sanctuary. Hit by a silver bullet laced with fae poisoning, he is in a desperate fight for his life as the threat of destruction hovers over the Creek. One person holds the key to his cure: Victor Cavanough, his forbidden mate.

Victor, elusive son of the vampire king, is intimate with heartache. He watches Raul from the shadows, shattering inside all because of a blood pact between his father and Raul two decades earlier. When Raul’s condition deteriorates, Victor casts aside the consequences of the pact in hopes of saving his mate.

Unfortunately, more than a pact stands between Victor and his hope to save Raul from death. Twenty years of deceit is about to unfold. Raul’s time runs short. Will Victor sacrifice everything to save his mate in one last hurtle to finally find eternal happiness?

ISBN: 978-1-64010-382-5

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/kiss-of-forever

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: This story absolutely crushed me at the lengths someone would go to make sure what they wanted or did not want happen came to pass. Raul and Victor are mates but due to a blood pact Raul signed twenty years before he can no claim Victor or risk killing him.

So much happens as secrets slowly are revealed. Victor is an anomaly with great powers for a vampire. I liked that he was different and powerful considering he is the mate of an alpha. My heart broke for Raul for all the suffering he endured to keep his mate safe from harm.

It did not shock me when the truth was revealed as I suspected what was going on in book two. I was disgusted with Victor’s father the vampire king. His continued disregard for anything he felt beneath him was tragic.

Fantastic addition to the series. Highly recommended.

Bite of Darkness by Leah Blake

Title: Bite of Darkness

Series: Shadow Creek 02

Author: Leah Blake

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal

Length: Novel (188pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (June 19, 2017)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Ashly Marrouch is given an important task: deliver a box with a secret, lifesaving antidote to the alpha of Shadow Creek. For Ashly, this is another night’s work for the vampire king he serves. What should have been a simple drop-and-go is anything but when Vuk Remmington opens the door and Ashly finds himself face-to-face with his imposing, frighteningly handsome werewolf mate.

Vuk is one of Shadow Creek’s fiercest guards and his alpha’s second-in-command. Naturally, he is suspicious of Ashly and the antidote he delivers. Fighting his hunger for the small, gorgeous, witty vampire proves impossible, and Vuk finds himself desperate to repair the damages his initial attitude has caused between them.

When Vuk and Ashly are ambushed by human hunters, one thing becomes clear: Vuk can’t live without Ashly, and Ashly will sacrifice himself to save his wolf.

Vuk demands to know the origins of the antidote. But the antidote is the least of Vuk’s worries when Ashly becomes the prime target for the hunters.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-381-8

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/bite-of-darkness

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: This series gets better and better with every book. Ashly is a vampire given an important task. Deliver a box to Alpha Raul and guard it with your life. He meets Vuk, Raul’s second in command, and the meeting is tense.

To be honest Vuk is an ass to Ashly because Ashly refuses to give him the box or tell him what it is in it. It leads to Vuk not trusting anyone. Now while I understood Vuk’s protectiveness over his Alpha that did not excuse his behavior with his mate.

The action picks up as things start turning dangerous. Suspense, mystery, secrets, and some sexy times are all throughout. Fantastic addition to the series.

Highly recommended.

Secrets In Shadows by Leah Blake

Title: Secrets in Shadows

Series: Shadow Creek 01

Author: Leah Blake

Genre: Paranormal, Shape-shifter

Length: Novel (192pgs)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (June 5, 2017)

Heat Level: Moderate – Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Wolf shifter Rex Vanderbilt has lived a life of luxury and privilege. That changes one fateful night following an attack by hunters that nearly kills him and his family. They seek refuge and protection at the private paranormal sanctuary, Shadow Creek. Rex discovers how little he understands his wolf’s blood after the strangest out-of-body experience in the presence of one particular shifter.

Devon Michaels is a great horned owl shifter and part of the Creek’s top circle of guards. He prefers solitude after a betrayal that nearly cost him his life. When Rex arrives on the manor’s doorstep, he instantly recognizes the rowdy wolf as his mate. He has no interest in the irresponsible, spoiled man, but Rex has other plans to win Devon’s affections.

When the Creek’s borders are breached by hunters and Rex is injured, Devon must make a decision. With the promise of another attack looming, time is running out. Can he let go of the past to protect his mate?

ISBN: 978-1-64010-379-5

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/secrets-in-shadows

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: So much tension between Rex and Devon you could cut it with a knife. Devon wants nothing to do with his mate. Yet Rex very much wants him. Cruel words are exchanged between the two and mistakes made until an attack brings them together.

Shadow Creek is a safe place for paranormals who are on the run can go. It houses a wide variety of creatures. I really liked this place as a refuge for all who have been kicked or hunted by hunters.

I loved this book. There was action, danger, mystery, tension and drama. I really enjoyed the fact that even though these two were mates they did not fall into bed right off the bat as is the case with most paranormal books. They each had issues to work out before that was able to happen.

Loved it. Highly recommended.

Phoenix’s Challenge by Sunny Day

Title: Phoenix’s Challenge

Author: Sunny Day

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing (May 24, 2017)

Length: Novella (131 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: Having grown up in pack that frowned on gay relationships, Blaine makes a deal with himself: one night and one night only. If he finds a man he’s interested in, he’ll sleep with him. That should have been the end of it, except the man he met was Phoenix, and all Blaine’s carefully constructed plans went out the window.

Blaine can’t stop thinking about Phoenix. Despite everything, he wants to see Phoenix again. What he doesn’t want is for his life to get so complicated. Phoenix becomes his only way out.

Face to face with Phoenix, and trapped in a dangerous situation, Blaine makes the only decision he can: he has to trust Phoenix to back him up. But the attraction between them is as strong as it was during their first explosive encounter, and Blaine finds himself unwilling to resist.

But why should he? It’s Phoenix.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-348-1

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/phoenixs-challenge

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Blaine lives in a pack that is pretty much homophobic and never tried to stray away from it. That is until he made himself a deal, one night with a man and only that night. He just hadn’t expected that night to be with an alpha werewolf. Especially when he is about to become his alpha.

I have read a few stories by this author and have found that she seems to follow the same pattern in her writing. Although the characters are full of energy and are sexy as hell, they are still missing something important to make them stand out to me. The story itself flows at a steady pace but the characters do get a little bit confusing. To me Phoenix doesn’t act like an alpha, whereas Blaine does. Blaine is the pack’s beta but has a stronger feeling to him then Phoenix does. Also it leads you into the other pack mates, but doesn’t finish with where they are heading or how they are acting. Such as Blaine’s pack mates acting human even though they are not. It just felt off to me.

Other than my issues with this book, it is still a pretty good read. I wouldn’t say I would read it more than once but still was a nice little story. This particular story is a single story, but I would think with the way it is told and the missing pieces that it could be made into a series. I would hope at least that this author would make a second book, because right now there are question’s left unanswered. Guess time will tell.

Destiny's Call by A.M. Halford

Title: Destiny’s Call

Series: Mages of the Nether 01

Author: A.M. Halford

Genre: Paranormal

Length: Novella (168 pages)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (May 4, 2016)

Heat Level: Moderate

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: Aiden Dalrymple, the Medium for his generation, hates the fact he can’t practice the Craft normally. He tries again and again to use his family’s abilities in the traditional manner, always ending in failure. His parents swear he’s destined for greatness, something he highly doubts. What good could summoning creatures of the Nether do?

Daniel Bradford is a Mage, having studied the Craft since he was young. He returns home from college upon being called by his family. His mother, gifted with the Sight, has foreseen a great calamity within the Nether and he is to play a part in bringing balance. Him and one other.

Aiden and Daniel are sent to the Nether to prevent the foreseen disaster. While they’re there Daniel must find a way to bring balance to Aiden himself, and make him accept the fact he is the only one that can help them solve this mystery.

ISBN: 9781682951996

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/destinys-call

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Interesting story about two mages who have been interested in the other from a distance. Adrian is a medium and though everyone tells him he has a gift he thinks it’s a curse. Daniel is a prince who is summoned by his mother to help on a mission of great importance.

The journey they found themselves on was knowledgeable as Aiden found the answers he needed to help him understand who he is, what he can do and what his purpose is. It was fascinating to learn about the mediums and how they came about.

I am looking forward to reading more about the nether and the group who almost wiped out Aiden’s ancestors. I have to say I could not stand Daniel’s mother as she seemed to hate Aiden for some reason only she knows. I really enjoyed how these two seemed to balance each other out. Adrian grew as a person under Daniel’s care and with the help of the nether. I was happy to see him for the man he could be.

Great read.

Desires of A Mage by A.M. Halford

Title: Desires of a Mage

Series: Mages of the Nether # 2

Author: A.M. Halford

Genre: Fantasy

Length: Novella (178 pages)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (October 5, 2016)

Heat Level: Scorching

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 4 ½ Hearts

Blurb: Marcus, bored with his new role as Daniel and Aiden’s bodyguard, agrees to go on a mission into the Nether. Seeing this as his chance to do something exciting, he tries his best to put up a good front for his assigned partner, Edmond Elena of the house of the rabbit, of which he shares a passionate yet sad past.

Edmond holds deep scars from his past with Marcus, scars he doesn’t want reopened. Still, the pieces of Marcus that he sees beneath his armor of strength and aloofness weakens his heart to him even as he realizes Marcus hasn’t changed in all these years.

Fighting off their growing desires and feelings for each other, the two must find the stolen tomes of the previous Mediums. Their search for the books brings them into contact with the mysterious group known as the Blood of Aeon, the group responsible for the death of the Dalrymple family forty years ago, and possible secrets that could destroy their world.

ISBN: 9781640101906

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/desires-of-a-mage

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: It’s best to read these books in order. Marcus and Edmond were together in college but due to a misunderstanding they broke up. Now years later the two are tasked with a mission to find missing tomes that are highly important to Aiden.

I really enjoy this series. I hope it continues. So much goes on in this book from dangerous situations to mysteries needing to be solved. I was on the edge of my seat wanting to know who was behind everything and why.

Marcus and Edmond broke my heart at what had been done to these two and the wasted years they were forced to endure. A couple of times I wanted to smack Marcus upside the head for his stubbornness.

I am looking forward to reading more in this series as the mystery continues. Great read.

Just Bob by Stormy Glenn

Title: Just Bob

Author: Stormy Glenn

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing (May 25, 2017)

Length: Novella (126 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: My name is Bob. It’s just Bob. Not even Robert or Roberto or anything as exciting as that. It’s just Bob. Bob Mills. It’s not a fancy name or a name that inspires great romantic tales. No one writes odes to Bob. No one screams Bob during great heights of passion. There are no great masterpieces with Bob as the main character. I can’t even think of any fictional characters named Bob.

To make matters worse, I’m an accountant and I wear glasses. I own a cat. I have a library card, and I actually use it. If the karmic universe could have crapped on someone, I was it. Exciting, right? Yeah, no. There is nothing exciting in my life. Ever.

That all changed when someone put a contract out on my life

ISBN: 978-1-64010-429-7

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/just-bob

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Bob is a junior accountant; he works and goes straight home, lives with a big ass cat and uses his library card. No excitement in his life and he is ok with it. All that changes when a sexy man lets him know that he is targeted to be killed and oh let’s not forget the big part, he is his mate. Now can you imagine Bob’s expression!

Shade is a panther shifter and an assassin. He takes the job and gets the job done. He has a perfect record, but all that ends when his target is his mate. With shifters that is a powerful thing and they all want one. Now all they need to find out is who wants Bob dead.

This sounds like it will lead into an amazing new series, but I guess we will have to wait and see. I will admit that it came off like it was rushed a bit, but other than that it was as usual a great story. I loved Bob and everything about him. He thinks he is just plain as vanilla ice cream, but in truth he is one special little man. He is quirky as hell though, and I cracked up with him.

I had a lot of fun reading this and I do hope that there is going to be a second and third book following this.

Happy Endings by Shea Balik

Title: Happy Endings

Series: Cedar Falls #20

Author: Shea Balik

Genre: Contemporary

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand Publishing (June 6, 2017)

Length: Novella (145 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥♥ 5 Hearts

Blurb: Welcome to Cedar Falls, a small North Carolina town nestled amongst the Smokey Mountains. Where the people are friendly and the men are hot.

Gabriel McCarthy came to Cedar Falls in an attempt to find his own way in this world. What he hadn’t expected was to find friends who would stand by each other no matter who tried to get in their way or a man he could easily see spending the rest of his life with.

Lakyn Voss had just had the rug pulled out from under him when the mayor of Cedar Falls made it his mission to destroy Lakyn’s business. Determined not to fall victim to the man’s manipulations, he finds solace in Gabriel’s arms.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-359-7

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/happy-endings

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in the Cedar Falls collection features a new romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

I love the way this author can put together a book that not only fascinates you but draws you in. I had a blast reading this and look forward to reading more by this amazing author. This is one of those types that even after you have read the whole book you just want to go back and read it again.

Gabriel has from the moment he was born, been raised to be someone of importance. His mother hired nannies to teach him culture and language, just among a few of what he learned. He graduated from Harvard but knew that he didn’t want to be what his mother wanted him to be. So he decided to take charge of his life. He was going to Cedar Falls and help our very own Jesse win the mayor’s race.

What he had not expected was to find Lakyn. Lakyn was a massage therapist and damn good at his job. That is until the mayor found out he was gay, and things just keep heating up.

I love how it has that serious tone to it but there is so much humor in it that your attention is captivated throughout it all. I loved the cover and that was what caught my attention first. Although to be honest any book that Shea writes is automatically bought by me. I just can’t seem to get enough of this series. There is something about the way that Shea more than likely have you laughing your ass off at parts of it. Especially Jesse, and now you are going to meet the mini-Jesse. The characters are beautifully written with big hearts, however if you cross them, they have no problem putting you down. They will protect their friends and family with their entire lives. I had a blast reading this story.

This story is perfect for when you are trying to take a break or when you just need the sun to shine for you. It caught my attention from the moment I started reading and kept it all the way to the end. It also gave me everything I could want in a book. I can honestly tell you that this is going to be one of those types of series. One that I will have to read over and over. I love the way all the feelings they felt was involved in this story.

It was the perfect story for me and I loved it. I can’t wait to read the next story.

The Dentist and His Fox by A.J. Jarrett

Title: The Dentist and His Fox

Series: Nehalem Pack #37

Author: A.J. Jarrett

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Publisher: Siren Publishing (May 8, 2017)

Length: Novella (162 Pages)

Heat Level: Low

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: It’s the start of a brand new life for Reed Ingram. He’s just graduated dental school and is opening his own practice. With the encouragement of his brother and the Nehalem pack, he’s making a home in Silver Creek. Little does he know, he’s about to find so much more than a place to set down roots.

Love doesn’t exist, and Dane Forum wants no part of it. He was raised by an absentee father and a mother who thought love was controlling everything and everyone. Dane isn’t sure he believes that there is a mate out there for him…that is until he walks into Dr. Ingram’s office. His life it flipped upside down and in a tailspin because now Dane is feeling so many emotions and dare he say it, love?

Life is short, and love doesn’t come along often. Now, it’s up to Reed to prove to Dane that love is real and worth fighting for.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-326-9

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/the-dentist-and-his-fox

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in the Nehalem Pack collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

I got a kick out of the title for this story, but the cover was a bit boring. Let’s just say that if I wasn’t a fan of quirky titles, and just went by what the cover looked like, I would have probably dismissed it. Although the fox on the front was adorable. Now that that is out of the way, let’s get to the story itself.

I haven’t read to many stories where dentist and dentistry are used. It cracks me up each time and the characters are usually quirky. However it also sounded to familiar to me. However it did not take away from this story at all. Reed is a human who has a shifter for a brother. He is used to pack life and the way things move around. In fact his big brother talked him into moving to Silver Creek right after graduating from dental school. He just doesn’t expect a sexy little fox shifter.

Dane is a very good dental assistant, who just wants to get away from his family. His dad was never around and his mother is a first class bitch. Everything is about look and prestige whereas Dane is about normal living and peace. He also does not believe in love, so when he finds his mate, well let’s just say sparks will fly.

It is a fun filled and very quirky story that has its ups and downs. I would have kicked his mother out a very long time ago. I got a kick out of the guys and let’s just say there doesn’t really seem to be an alpha bone among them. I liked the over protective big brother part. Sometimes their way of life seems to be a lot calmer then the way real life is these days. It would definitely be a world I would love to live in.

I had fun with this story and I think you will too.

His Omega to Keep by Jane Perky

Title: His Omega to Keep

Series: Wolves of Emerald Valley #2

Author: Jane Perky

Genre: Paranormal, Fantasy

Publisher: Siren Publishing (May 11, 2017)

Length: Novella (84 Pages)

Heat Level: Explicit

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 3.5 Hearts

Blurb: Joe’s a defective Omega who’s finally found the courage to leave his cheating lover. He leaves his pack of ten years and intends to make it on his own. But when his car breaks down, Joe has no choice but to call for a mechanic.

He’s shocked when he discovers the mechanic is Atlas, one of the five lone Alphas who recently moved back to Emerald Valley—and who pose a threat to his former pack. Is the attraction between them real, or will Atlas break his heart, too?

Alpha werewolf Atlas can’t explain his strange attraction to Joe, given that the man Atlas believes was his mate died a year ago. Atlas’s wolf tells him Joe is his mate, but his wolf has made a mistake before.

When the inferno between them grows too strong to ignore, Atlas knows it’s too late for second-guessing. Joe is his mate, and he intends to show his Omega that running away isn’t an option.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-320-7

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/his-omega-to-keep

Reviewer: Lisa

Review: Each book in the Wolves of Emerald Valley collection features a different romantic couple. To enjoy the overall story arc and crossover characters, I would recommend reading the series in sequential order.

First off, the cover rocked. It was very unique and effective in catching my attention. However the title of the story, was just like every other title when Omega’s are involved. Now if I picked a story based on those two things, then I would have passed up the book. I haven’t read too many books by this author, but I do remember the first book of this series. With the first book I was not impressed, but left my mind open that the books would improve and strengthen. However it is still focused on the alpha and omega such as all the other stories you read.

Now we know that alpha’s are the strong and omega’s are the peace keepers of a pack. However in this particular story they pretty much treat their omega’s like crap. Well the pack did, not the main alpha. Also Alpha Blake would have been taken down and replaced by a stronger wolf, and so far no go. So the author did do a different tune when it came to him. But with the main characters, she has followed every other story line you read about. There was no spark, no heat, and no excitement. No connection at all was felt. Which was kind of sad as a reader.

Joe is a defective omega who cannot produce strong babies. Well how does that make him defective if he is gay? He focused on that and quite frankly it got old real fast. There was no defective gene about the kid. Unless this book was going to be a m/m pregnancy book, which it is not, then it wouldn’t matter if he produced weak babies. Anyhow, he leaves his cheating looser and runs away with twenty dollars in his pocket. Breaks down and low and behold it is one of the alpha’s who killed their beta.

Now I could have saved myself the time of reading the book, because it felt like I already knew what the book was about just from reading the blurb. Now don’t get me wrong, it is still an interesting tale, but did not keep my attention like it really should have. Also the amount of sex in this book over whelms the rest of the story. It did not come off as believable nor would I see two men jump each other right off the bat. No heat nor any spark between them was seen, then all of a sudden bam. Sorry but it was not seen by me. I just felt like the whole story missed some major points in it. For me, the potential was there but it was not delivered.

However I will still hold out on book three, to see if there is any change in this author’s work.

Falling For Tripp by Jo Penn

Title: Falling For Tripp

Series: Milson Valley 07

Author: Jo Penn

Genre: Contemporary, Paranormal, Romantic Suspense, Shape-shifter

Length: Novella (138 pages)

Publisher: Siren-Bookstrand, Inc. (May 3, 2017)

Heat Level: Scorching

Heart Rating: ♥♥♥♥ 4 Hearts

Blurb: After a reasonably bad first meeting where his mate literally shudders in dislike, Tripp Croggen actually finds himself liking the slightly bad-tempered human fate chose as his. While Eddie Nelson might have a few issues regarding paranormals, he agrees to give Tripp time to show him that creatures are not so different from humans when it comes to the fundamentals in life, that they both just want love, respect, and happiness.

The more he learns about Eddie, the more Tripp sees beneath the slight bitterness to who the human really is: smart, passionate, and caring. Eddie has a dry sense of humor and goals he works toward, and he keeps Tripp fascinated. In fact, Tripp couldn’t ask for more in a mate.

Now, he just has to convince Eddie that they are perfect for each other…before the person they didn’t even know was after them attacks.

ISBN: 978-1-64010-283-5

Product Link: http://www.bookstrand.com/book/falling-for-tripp

Reviewer: Shorty

Review: Tripp is at a loss about his mate’s hostility towards paranormals. Edward has been through a lot in his life and just wants to be left alone. When he finds out Tripp is his mate he freaks out. But there are worse dangers out there.

I enjoyed reading Tripp and Edwards’s story. I liked how Tripp took his time with Edward rather than claiming him right off. The added mystery as to who was after them was a bonus.

Great read.

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