e_bookpushers

Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: February 4th
How we got this book: NetGalley

Carolina Preston has only one goal in mind—launching her new fashion line. She needs only one last thing to make it perfect—hockey phenom Drew Hogan. But Carolina and Drew have a history that goes back to their college days, and Carolina doesn’t want the embarrassment of her past to cloud the brightness of her future.

Drew is eager for the chance to show Carolina he isn’t the boy who hurt her back then, but a man now, with the skills necessary to melt the icy exterior of her cold heart.

*Blurb from Goodreads*

MinnChica: Oh man, I have such a love of sports romances, and Burton continues to write wonderful and engaging and sexy stories that feature some of my favorite kinds of sports and heroes. This time we get back to the hockey rink with Drew and Carolina, who just happens to be Drew’s best friend’s little sister. I do really enjoy the brother’s best friend trope, however I don’t think Burton touched on that as much as I would have liked her to. That being said, there was something so simplistic and sweet about the romance between Drew and Carolina that I really enjoyed.

E: Ever since a certain tense weekend involving Drew, Carolina, Preston and Evelyn in One Sweet Ride I have been anxiously looking forward to Drew and Carolina’s story. I really liked the switch Burton made with this story to include a painful past, best friend’s younger sister, and a heroine who wasn’t trying to convince the hero to do something or cooperate. Unlike MinnChica, I really liked the minimal focus on the brother’s best friend trope because I thought it demonstrated more of a trust and adult reaction to an adult relationship. I did have a few niggles with this story but overall I enjoyed watching Drew and Carolina find their way.

MinnChica: One thing that surprised me with this story was the diminished heat level compared to the other books in the series. Those Riley brothers and cousins were horndogs, and we got to see them in action between the sheets. A lot. With Drew and Carolina, there was a lot of sexual tension, but there naked moments were significantly fewer than the previous books. While I liked that, because it gave Burton time to showcase the relationship that Drew and Carolina were building, I also missed some of the more spicy scenes I’ve become accustomed to with this series.

E: While I agree this story certainly did not have the same level of heat, I preferred it because Drew had to work extremely hard to regain Carolina’s trust on any level. The tension was incredible and when they finally indulged the scene was wonderful. I found the end of that particular scene slightly ironic and thought Drew’s realization gave him another idea of exactly how much of a jerk he had been in college. What bothered me in the lead up was how pushy Drew was about spending time with Carolina. I understood there was no way for him to make amends without being around her, sometimes I just wondered about his persistence. I know Carolina was brought up to be a socially polite hostess but it appeared as if she allowed Drew to push her around at times while she was working towards her deadline. That being said, I loved how she was able to take inspiration for her line from some of the activities they did together which also gave her brain a much needed respite. I thought the inclusion of road game troubles for Drew’s team brought a level of three dimensionality as the backdrop to their relationship.

MinnChica: I agree that at times Drew was pushy and used Carolina’s weaknesses against her. Also, some of the other external conflicts, namely Drew’s road game problems, and Carolina’s stress of getting her line launched did add an extra layer to the story that worked well within the romance. One thing that Burton continues to do so well is write incredible secondary characters. I am so excited to read more about Trevor and Haven. I love the small role that Haven’s parents have played in this series of books, so getting to see Haven’s story wrap up is going to be so wonderful!

E: While I enjoyed the roadgame tension it lead to an event that I felt let me down somewhat. Drew pulled a rather inconsiderate move out of fear and superstition. Carolina’s reaction given their past history was very understandable. However, I felt she went from her reaction to forgiveness a tad too easily. I didn’t see how Drew for all of his talk earlier made up for his actions and their potential impact on Carolina’s dream. However, he did realize the error of his ways and addressed it. I agree with MinnChica that the next story should be very interesting.

MinnChica: All in all I liked getting the chance to see Drew and Carolina work past their awkward college interlude and move forward with a mature and adult relationship. While I liked both Drew and Carolina as individuals, there were parts of their romance that just didn’t work for me. However, I am anxious to see what Burton has in store for the next book in this series, as I think Trevor and Haven have a lot of history.
I give Melting the Ice a B-

E: Like MinnChica I did enjoy this story overall. I liked seeing a grown up Drew acknowledge his lack of consideration when younger and how he tried to rebuild trust with Carolina. I also loved seeing Carolina work towards her dream. As I said earlier I did have a few niggles with this story but I thought the twists to Burton’s pattern so far were refreshing. I continue to anticipate future installments.
I give Melting the Ice a B/B-

Publisher: Self Published

Publish Date: Out now

How We got this book: ARC from the author

Afflicted by a centuries-old curse, a warlord slowly surrenders his humanity and descends toward madness. Ballard of Ketach Tor holds no hope of escaping his fate until his son returns home one day, accompanied by a woman of incomparable beauty. His family believes her arrival may herald Ballard’s salvation.

 

…until they confront her elder sister.

 

Determined to rescue her sibling from ruin, Louvaen Duenda pursues her to a decrepit castle and discovers a household imprisoned in time. Dark magic, threatening sorcerers, and a malevolent climbing rose with a thirst for blood won’t deter her, but a proud man disfigured by an undying hatred might. Louvaen must decide if loving him will ultimately save him or destroy him.

 

A tale of vengeance and devotion.

Blurb came from http://gracedraven.com

 

1. Thoughts on the Hero

E: I love Beauty and the Beast tales and usually find the Beast my favorite character.  I enjoyed Draven’s interpretation of the Beast. Ballard, the original beast cursed by his dead wife with her dying breath for daring to hold her to her word and for killing her lover.  His son and heir, Gavin, was a victim of the same curse.  Over the centuries both men have suffered as the curse grew ever stronger and hope of ending it withered but Ballard’s torture was much greater.  Ballard wasn’t a very loveable man in his younger days.  Everything he did was for property and security.  He married to gain both and an heir but the woman he chose preferred another.  As a result of her actions, Ballard could have killed or allowed Gavin’s death without anyone blinking an eye but instead he accepted additional torture through the years to give Gavin a chance grow and enjoy life.  By the time he encountered Louvaen, the curse had grown in such ferocity he was more beast than man at times.  He wasn’t perfect, he had a temper, and could certainly sulk but he cared about the people around him.  As a result I loved his interactions with Louvaen.  They were never boring and spoke to the type of man he could have been in better circumstances.

Lou: I’m a fan of Beauty and Beast tales but I can also be awfuly picky. However, when Grace informed us of her upcoming release, I was so excited. Master of Crows remains one of my favourite reads and I was itching to see more work by the talented Grace Draven. The hero truly was a beast in looks but not by nature. A curse wrought upon his wife (she truly was hateful) before she died left Ballard and his son cursed with little hope. Ballard wasn’t made out to be this perfect hero. Before the King, he was mercenary in wanting his wife’s lands but he shows true heart when his son is born and does something for him that shows how deep this Beast can love.

Has: I am also a huge fan of Grace Draven’s Master of Crows which has become one of my all time favourite fantasy romances. So, when I heard she was going to be writing a Beauty and the Beast retelling, I was on tenterhooks, because like E and Lou, I adore this fairy-tale, and there is something compelling and magical with this story.

I found Ballard’s character intriguing, and I loved the little flashback chapters which slowly explained the curse that unfolded his son and surrounding his lands. I really enjoyed how this contrasted with his current cursed state, and I liked that he still retained his sense of honour despite the trials he had to endure. I also agree, that Grace Draven, really fleshed out the beast mythos and I really liked that he was vulnerable, as well as being fierce and grumpy. I think the humour which helps to balance the darkness in the story and this element is what was so appealing.

2. Thoughts on the Heroine

E: Louvaen was very strong willed and did not fit the traditional image of being a society beauty.  She was also a widow who fiercely supported and defended her half-sister and father.  She kept an eye on any suitors who came to call on Cinnia and was willing to use whatever weapon came to hand to guard her reputation.  Unfortunately, their father, a very weak-willed man, kept entering into business investments with an unscrupulous wealthy man who had his eye on Cinnia.  As a result, the once profitable lands and business Louvaen inherited on her husband’s death had been sold to satisfy her father’s debts and to protect Cinnia.  When Cinnia ran off with Gavin, she followed determined to keep her sister safe.  At Ketach Tor I loved watching Louvaen deal with the Gavin and Cinnia’s mutual attraction while she tried to figure out the household secrets and her own somewhat unwilling attraction to Ballard.  The dichotomy between her love and her temper; her soft heart and willingness to inflict bodily harm in defense of others; her disdain for all things magic and the subtle manifestation of her own skill all held me captivated.  Each time she got in an argument with Ambrose, the Ketach Tor wizard, I would find myself giggling in enjoyment.

Lou: I loved Louvaen with her sharp tongue and razor wit. At times her sister and father were wounded by her words but considering she was trying with all her might to keep them from the dastardly villain, I wanted her to throw some more sharp words at her family.  Her father was very weak-willed and he made poor choices that affected now only the prosperity of their family but also their lives. Considering what was at stake, I thought Louvaen was pretty mild in speaking her mind because she always did it with love. Her sister’s safety came first to her, and she loved her family with all her loyalty and heart. I agree with E; the dichotomy between her temper and love was superb and once again Grace Draven shows in Entreat Me how a wonderful and talented author she is.

Has: I also adored Louvaen! She was the total opposite of what Beauty was traditionally described like in the fairy-tale, and I liked how Grace Draven added that twist with making her sister the one in the story. I also felt that Louvaen was a better fit as the heroine with this fairy-tale because her sharp tongue and wit created another dimension to the story which made it refreshing. Especially with her exchanges with Ambrose and the other characters which cracked me up. I definitely agree about the dichotomy between her sharp edges and the deep loyalty and love she had for the people she cared for. And that for me just made the romance between Louvaen and Ballard delicious. It was sweet and tender as well as full of sharp humour and passion.

3. Favorite Scene

E: I enjoyed several scenes in this story but I think my favorite is the one when Louvaen first displayed her softness towards Ballard.  She noticed he had a habit of joining them for the evening meal but never appeared to eat.  Late one night, she discovered he ate separately after everyone else and due to the structure of his hands was unable to use normal utensils.  So the next night she interrupted him before he ate and spent a significant amount of time fixing the problem.  I loved this particular scene because it was really the opening to something more than a casual truce over the winter.  It demonstrated Louvaen was able to see beyond her first traumatic introduction and wanted to include Ballard in their everyday activities.  It also demonstrated that Ballard trusted Louvaen and wanted her presence around.

Lou: So many scenes I loved in this book because of the beautiful writing and prose. Some of favourite scenes was early in the beginning when Louvaen shows no fear or hesitation in wanting to meet Ballard despite his appearance. She’s brave and so matter of fact about him that I fell in love with her character. I also enjoyed the sparring between her and Ambrose, a sorcerer. The barbs and wit they exchanged was funny, and their dislike for each other was hilarious. I also loved how Louvaen tried to keep Cinnia and Gavin from each other anytime they made googly eyes at one another. She truly was a cockblocker for poor Gavin and Cinnia *grins*

Has: I agree! I have a really hard time just thinking of a good scene and you both highlighted my favourite scenes. This book was full of fun moments which just sparkled with humour as well as darker scenes with emotions and pathos. I think Grace Draven has a wonderful grasp of characterization and humour, and her prose is beautiful and lush. I was immersed and engrossed into this story and even though I know this story inside and out, she made this tale feel fresh and new.

4. Dislike about book

E: The main thing I disliked about this story was Louvaen and Cinnia’s father. Mercer.  Traditionally in Beauty and the Beast tales, the father is a rather weak character but I thought Mercer wasn’t just weak he was also lacking in common sense.  He repeatedly joined in ventures with zero chance of success and depended on Louvaen to bail him out.  Even the threat to Cinnia wasn’t enough to stop his habit.  He did step up once at a crucial point but that seemed out of character given his behavior throughout the story to that particular point.  I would have preferred to see some sort of progression to his transformation in order for me to believe he had really changed.

Lou: This is going to sound weird considering this is a romance book but I did find that there was a lot of time in the middle of the book that featured too much on sex. I wanted to see more action and I felt there was a lag in the middle until it picked up towards the end. Like E, I also disliked their father because he never truly said sorry for getting them into that mess to begin with. He deserved a lot more wrath aimed towards him.

Has: I have to agree with Lou, I did feel the pace in the middle did slow the flow of the story, although I did love the smexy action. Ballard and Louvaen both had hot chemistry between them and that really added to the romance. There was humour and healing in their scenes when they sneaked off together and I didn’t mind so much the quieter pace in the middle, because it reflected the tone of the love story and I think it needed that time to develop.

5. Any other misc. thoughts along with grade.

E: Overall I enjoyed Draven’s rendition of the Beauty and the Beast tale.  I thought the twists regarding the origin of the curse, who the curse affected, the double romance, and hints at other fairytales very entertaining.  With the exception of Mercer’s characterization, I loved the characters and their very vivid personalities.  I think Draven has a gift for creating lush worlds and I can’t wait to see what she comes up with next.

I give Entreat Me a B+

Lou: I really enjoyed Entreat Me and though I had a few issues with the middle and ending parts of the book, I inhaled this book in one setting. The writing, the scenes and the characters enthralled me. There’s something about Draven’s writing that brings you inside of the story so vividly. I loved one surprise of what Ballard did for his son and I loved that though Louveael fell in love with Ballard, she never forgot about her sister and keeping her safe.

I give Entreat Me a B.

Has: For me,  Grace Draven has cemented her position to be one of the best fantasy romance authors around. I love the way she combines well fleshed out characters, passionate romance and humour. Her characters truly come alive on the page, and her prose is poetic and descriptive that you almost feel that you’re in the world she has created. I think Entreat Me is one of the best re-tellings of the Beauty and the Beast story because the romance between Louvaen and Ballard for me became the epitome of those characters.

I give Entreat Me a B+

Publisher: Berkley
Publish Date: Out now
How we got this book: ARC from the publisher

Eight years ago, Sophie gave her heart – anther virginity – to Zach Barrett on a night that couldn’t have been less romantic or more embarrassing. Zach’s step-brother, a steely-muscled, tattooed biker named Ruger, caught them in the act, getting a peep show of Sophie he’s never forgotten.



She may have lost her dignity that fateful night, but Sophie also gained something precious – her son Noah. Unfortunately, Zach’s a deadbeat dad, leaving Ruger to be Noah’s only male role model. When he discovers Sophie and his nephew living in near poverty, Ruger takes matters into his own hands – with the help of the Reapers Motorcycle Club – to give them a better life. 



Living with outlaw bikers wasn’t Sophie’s plan for her son, but Ruger isn’t giving her a choice. He’ll be there for Noah, whether she wants him or not. But Sophie does want him, has always wanted him. Now she’ll learn that taking a biker to bed can get a girl dirty in every way.

Blurb came from the author’s website.

1. Thoughts on the Hero

Lou: Oh Ruger. You’re a sexy beast but a sexist pig to boot. But since the author made no bones about you being a sexist pig, and the heroine knew of all your faults, I can’t be too mad at your character. I love this series that Joanna Wylde created, and while I can never approve of some of the characters actions, I’m totally enthralled by their world and the people. Ruger likes sex. He likes sex and he doesn’t like tying himself down to one woman. But he’s never been able to get Sophie, the mother of his nephew, out of his mind. Ruger was bossy, rude and an asshole. Yet his sexual attraction with Sophie was out of this world and he never lied to her about his intentions. Ruger is not a hero that you can say is a decent guy when it comes to women but he adores his nephew and the love he has for him is in no doubt. Ruger can’t get Sophie out of his mind and I suppose in his MC world, it’s kinda romantic.

E: Once again Wylde has created a hero that I considered a well-meaning crude ass for the majority of the story but that I enjoyed reading. Ruger’s interactions with Sophie were primarily negative with the exception of a few moments but watching him with his nephew Noah was a completely different story. He seemed to make every decision with Noah’s safety and stability in mind regardless of what Sophie thought. Ruger was so invested in the Reaper Motorcycle Club culture, he did not know how to explain things to Sophie, he just expected her to take his word and do what he said. However, there were moment when Ruger could be so sweet and caring. Wherever Sophie moved, he would take the time to set up some sort of home security system and offered on multiple occasions to help them out. It was obvious through his point of view that he really didn’t want to admit to himself what he wanted with Sophie but one thing was for certain, while he was mentally struggling she wasn’t going to find it with anyone else. As annoying as I found him at times, I will admit Ruger melted my heart and pretty well redeemed himself in my favorite scene which I will discuss below.

MinnChica: What to say about Ruger other than he was kinda a dick, a total selfish pig, and a Alphahole that I could totally fall in love with. I really liked the fact that he was so in love with Sophia and Noah, and yet he was so scared to give up something that I think he genuinely considered an everyday aspect of his biker lifestyle. I agree completely with E that Ruger was so wrapped up in his lifestyle, had been with the Club for so long, that he forgot how to talk and communicate with people on the outside. With Ruger, it was his way or the highway, only he wouldn’t let you take the highway if he didn’t want you to. So really, it was just his way. There were times I loved him for it, and other times I thought he was being an insensitive asswipe. But at least he was consistent. 

Has: I love that Joanna Wylde did it again in making me love another sexist, alphaholic hero who you can’t not help like! I love that the MC world she has created is authentic and realistic and she does not have any qualms in the seedier side of things. But I liked that Ruger despite being a man who is unashamedly a womaniser, totally went into alpha possessive mode over Sophie and I loved that she made it hard for him to rail-road over her. I loved how he had to deal with that and that helped to develop his character because he learned what was important and face up to his real feelings for Sophie.

2. Thoughts on the Heroine

Lou: I loved Sophie right from the start. I loved her narrator voice because she was a person with flaws. She wasn’t this perfect picture of motherhood. Sophie had a rough time with her abusive ex, and she’s forced to rely on others because she is a single mum and money simply doesn’t grow on trees. But she loves her son. She loves her son so much that for all these years she’s not allowed him to be around Ruger’s club. She allows Ruger to see Zach because she can see how much they love one another. But she’s not stupid. She sees all the faults in Ruger yet her attraction and crush on him does not wane. There’s incredible sexual tension between them and I loved that Sophie gave into her carnal lust. Coz there was a lot of carnal lusting going on between these two. Sophie made some poor choices in the past but she’s determined to make the right ones this time.

E: Unlike Lou I found Sophie also provided me with mixed feelings. On one hand I admired her drive to be independent and how she tried to minimize the emotional pain of those she cared about but in certain cases I thought she took it to an unhealthy extreme. She wasn’t exactly providing the best living conditions for Noah due to her stubbornness and guilt over a certain event. I did like how she refused to put up with all of Ruger’s nonsense and valued herself enough to force him to come to his senses. I was bothered by her complete almost wilful blindness towards the motorcycle club culture even after discussions with some of the ladies who could have explained things. As I learned more about Sophie’s past and her relationship with Noah’s father I really felt for her and as a result I understood her desperation to get out. I understood her logic in how she was finally able to get support from law enforcement I just wish the end result didn’t taint her views on having a relationship with Ruger.

MinnChica: I think I fall in between E and Lou on the scale of Sophie. I loved that she was so independent, so devoted to her sun, and although she was stubborn and pigheaded, I liked that about her. It showed a strength of character that she obviously needed to have in order to go head to head with Ruger. However, like E said, her unwillingness to learn more about Club culture was a little ridiculous, especially once she became such good and close friends with some of the other women. I would have expected her to be grilling the ladies on any and all nuances within the club to get a better understanding of Ruger and his way of life.

Has: I am with MinnChica, I found Sophie likeable even if she was too stubborn for her own good at times. And even though the hand she was dealt with her crappy ex and job – I liked how determined and loving she was towards her son. I also thought this helped her stand up against Ruger, who would have have just overpowered her and that helped her make a stand against him. Although I definitely agree, it got silly when she didn’t want to know anything about the MC culture which is something that will always touch her and he son because Ruger is his uncle. Even though there were aspects of the Club’s life may not be appealing, she could have learned a lot from it to help understand and tackle Ruger better when they had conflict later in the book.

3. Favorite Scene

Lou: I don’t have a particular favourite scene but I did find where she gets payback on Ruger by falling asleep and not giving him any mercy where her son chats non-stop to him in the car about his favourite show. It was funny and kinda cute.

Oh. And the sex scenes were pretty darn good.

And the scenes with Em, Marie, Kimber, Dancer and Mags were hilarious.

E: I am sitting here giggling over the scenes Lou mentioned and those were quite enjoyable, but my favorite scene is a different one. I absolutely loved the scene in which Ruger explains the mysterious tattoos on his shoulder and upper back area. This was the scene when he became a complete romance hero to me despite his tendency towards assholeness. When I read that scene, my perception of everything he said or did previously fell into place and I saw him through a new light. No, I didn’t accept his behavior but I could understand the romance, persistence, and tangled web that existed between the two of them.

MinnChica: For me, I think the scene that sticks out the most for me is a little gruesome and dark. I don’t know that I’d classify it as my favorite, because the girls all drinking together were some of the funnest, but for me, this spoke to the true devotion between Sophie and Ruger. When Sophie called Ruger to help her clean up a little problem with Noah’s father, that really stood out to me. Not just because Sophie took her life by the horns and did what she thought was right (although her decision is questionable), but also because right or wrong, Ruger was one hundred percent there for her. No questions asked, he cleaned up her mess and told her he still wanted her. That really spoke volumes to me about just how far they were willing to go in life for themselves and each other.

Has: I also loved that scene when Sophie had her own back with her son talking incessantly about the toy characters and the scenes with the other cast of characters especially the other ladies of MC Club world was full of great chemistry. I agree with MinnChica again with the ending when Sophie asks for Ruger’s help and her realisation about the path that led to her decisions in her life was my favourite. It was a dark and quiet scene, but showed how willing Ruger was dedicated towards to keeping Sophie safe and that cemented their romance for me.

4. Dislike about book

Lou: There’s no real dislike in this book. At times I thought Ruger was an insensitive ass that needed a slap around the head but Sophie never gave into him.

E: I dislike the overall attitude towards women and the combination of belief and expectation that if a woman is not identified a certain way that woman was automatically fair game for whatever. I also did not enjoy the use of treasured women targeted in threats and actions but unfortunately that is a theme throughout history. With that said I understand this is fiction and I do enjoy reading the story. I also loved how strong and determined the women could be when they were pushed.

MinnChica: While I agree with E to some extent, I can also appreciate that right or wrong, that is just the way of the MC culture. There were times when I definitely wanted the women in this book to stick up for themselves more, but I got it and understood it.

Has: I agree, this is not going to be a series that will appeal to people who won’t be able to get past the sexism of MC culture. And Joanna Wylde reflects this realistically, but it is balanced with humour, and wonderful fleshed out characters even if they can be sexist prigs. I may not want to be married to a MC hero, but they’re fleshed out and likable characters here and that makes the romance work for me.

5. Any other misc. thoughts

Lou: I loved this installment because we see how characters are growing and how Wylde is building story threads along the way. I’m so excited for Em and Hunter’s book, and I loved that Em can be just as wild as her father.
All in all, I give Reaper’s Legacy a B+.

E: Overall despite my mixed feelings about the characters I enjoyed reading this and continue to look forward to future installments in the Reaper world. It was fun to see Marie and Horse again and I loved the give and take between Sophie and Ruger. Like Lou, I appreciated the building story threads and I really hope Em gives a certain individual hell after his actions in this story.
I give Reaper’s Legacy a B.

MinnChica: All in all I thought this was a very enjoyable MC romance read. I love all the secondary female characters, and can’t wait to see more and more of them. I thought the romance was well done between Sophie and Ruger, despite the fact that it was an up and down roller coaster ride the whole time! I think Wylde has created a wonderful romance series that both stays true to the real-world influence of MC clubs, but also creates wonderful characters that you can really rally behind and cheer for.
I give Reaper’s Legacy a B

Has: I think this is my favourite MC romance series. Joanna Wylde is just fantastic in creating a great cast of colourful and vibrant people and I especially love the female characters who help to balance out the over the top alphahole MC bikers. I love how dark and gritty this series can be but at the same time, the humour and sparkling dialogue just shines through and adds a fabulous dimension into the story, especially the romance.
I give Reaper’s Legacy a B+

Publisher: Intermix
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

Can love conquer all?

Jimmy Rafferty and Eddie Molina go way back at the J-Bar ranch. They’ve worked together, bunked together, camped out, and drank together.

So how has Jimmy failed to notice that Eddie is gay? Eddie has not failed to notice that his friend has a serious drinking problem, and he’s determined to help Jimmy kick the booze cold turkey.

Taking him up to a snowbound cabin to detox, Eddie is confronted with Jimmy’s fierce denial. But the pains of withdrawal are nothing for Jimmy compared with the heartache of denying his true feelings and his deep longing…for the one man who cares for him more than anyone else on earth.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

Last September I read a story called My Cowboy Lover and totally fell for the characters. While two people found love, another realized his best friend had a serious alcohol problem and was capable of verbally harassing other people based on their orientation. Eddie, regardless of his feelings towards Jimmy, felt out of their years of friendship he owed Jimmy a chance to sober up so he could find a new job if necessary. Jimmy didn’t believe he had a problem with drinking nor did he thing that anything he said was mean, it was just a joke and no feelings should have been hurt. I couldn’t wait to see how these two men were going to work through their issues.

I was surprised by this story. It contained some elements I expected, but Maxfield added a surprisingly important supporting character whose inclusion altered the entire flavor of the story. Jimmy and Eddie had gone from what appeared to be a close friendship to a strained atmosphere as each realized they really hadn’t known the other. Jimmy was shocked to find out Eddie was gay, his comments were offensive, and the people around him thought he had a problem with alcohol. Eddie was upset to see what his friend was becoming and saying as his drinking increased. He was determined to give Jimmy a chance at finding a new job even if it meant costing their friendship. Then there was Eddie’s long time friend and fairly regular lover, Don. Don was an older man, a doctor and a recovering alcoholic. He seemed to be both the voice of reason/experience and a source of tension. While I liked certain aspects that he brought, I wasn’t quite comfortable with other aspects.

Jimmy’s journey from alcoholism was pretty much what I expected. He became sober and went through withdrawal because of forced isolation by Eddie. Jimmy experienced bouts of anger, resentment, depression, and dependency. Some of them took a higher toll on his friendship with Eddie than others. While things seemed to be going well I kept waiting for the other shoe to drop because for a good portion of the story Jimmy really didn’t believe he had a problem. Until he believed he had a problem and wanted to change for himself I felt there was a good chance he would start drinking again when given the chance.

Eddie was even more complex than I expected. Yes, he wanted Jimmy to have a fighting chance at finding a new job if necessary and he cared about Jimmy as more than a friend. What I found out while reading is that Eddie had a negative history involving people he loved and alcohol so Jimmy’s increasingly self-destructive ways were triggering all sorts of memories and fears. As a result I think Eddie reacted strongly in some situations and also needed a buffer for his emotions, hence Don’s deeper involvement.

Don had a complicated life. He and Eddie knew what they were to each other. He was a recovering alcoholic who understood a lot of what Jimmy was experiencing. I loved how he shared his past with Jimmy, tried to get him to see things from Eddie’s point of view, and cautioned him about becoming too dependent on Eddie. However, I had an issue with how he instigated sexual contact with Jimmy. Everything was consensual and pretty smokin’ hot but I felt that Jimmy wasn’t in the right mindset to really know what he wanted or how it would affect his life. It was obvious Don cared for Eddie and wanted him to be happy. I also felt he would have been extremely happy to have both Eddie and Jimmy as regular partners in his life but he didn’t really make the effort. In essence I felt bad for him because he was left out of the relationship but I wasn’t happy that he initiated the relationship to begin with.

My Heartache Cowboy left me with mixed feelings. I liked how Jimmy had to work to prove himself to Eddie towards the end of the story. I felt the way Jimmy wanted Eddie’s presence around to relax and feel comfortable was indicative of how he felt long before he admitted having feelings. The sex scenes between the men with or without Don were very intense I just wish I had felt better about Don’s inclusion given Jimmy’s state of mind. Don was crucial in Jimmy’s journey but I also thought his wisdom was negated in a sense by the complicated tangle of the relationship, level of emotional connection, and past history with alcohol among the three men. As a result of my mixed feelings I didn’t enjoy this installment as much as I did My Cowboy Heart.

I give My Heartache Cowboy a C.

**Potential trigger warning – sexual abuse/assault**

Publisher: Self
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the author

The Whispers Collection is a series of erotic short stories, available singly or collected in one volume. I’ll start Collection No. 2 when all the stories on tap for Collection No. 1 are available. If you are offended by sexually explicit stories that play with consent, desire, shape-shifters, and safe boundaries, please do not read these. Seriously.

The stories that make up collection No. 1 are:
Inigo the Magician Contemporary. A demon delivers on an ice-cold revenge after a magician uses him and a human woman to satisfy his sexual perversions. Six months later, she’s not even close to recovered, he’s free and their first meeting is a volatile combination of minds, bodies, and the consequences of a promise made.

Demon Lover Historical. New Orleans, 1859. At nearly twenty-eight, Zoe remains at home to support her widowed father. She longs for something more in her life. David Nataniel is a dangerous man for a woman to know. He’s a client of her father’s and is often at the house, but Zoe believes she’s safe from his wickedness. She’s not.

My Goblin Boyfriend Contemporary. Tolkien as a user manual? The title should say it all, but in case it doesn’t, Violet finds out first-hand why goblins have a rep for mastery in the bedroom after she finds an injured goblin passed out on her porch. She does the right thing for everyone involved and nurses him back to health. He’s big, strong, definitely not-human, and not shy at all. Features goblin sex. Doh.

Constance Historical. In Edwardian-era America, Nathan reluctantly agrees to seduce and impregnate his good friend’s cousin. As he comes to know and like the woman, her tragic past changes him forever.

The Wild Contemporary. An unrepentant werewolf finds the woman of his dreams. She needs the kind of pain only he can deliver—As long as she’s willing to get Wild with him. Not for the faint of heart. Includes werewolf sex.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

I saw Jewel talking about this on twitter and responded to her request for reviewers. I have read several of her previous works in a variety of romance sub-genres and I tend to enjoy them. My favorites seem to have a hotter flavor than the others so I was extremely curious. I do recommend you read her introduction to the collection because these stories won’t be for everyone. These short stories are certainly darker and explore some concepts she has raised in other works but has taken to a new depth here.

“Inigo the Magician”: This story was about magic used to violate and harm instead of amaze, assumptions people make about others, what revenge really means, and the cost of making a promise. It was also about the importance of keeping your promises.

“Demon Lover”: An obsessed overprotective father, a woman who barely experienced life, and a man determined to have her. The narrator recounted her story but I felt it had potential for a HEA. Given that I wish I had a sense of how much time passed since the story started to really trust in my feelings.

“My Goblin Boyfriend”: My favorite of the collection. Jewel included a variety of stand out characters including a gossipy old woman who knew more than you thought, supernatural creatures, and an attraction that went beyond humanity…or did it define humanity.

“Constance”: This one about broke my heart. Extremely messed up family dynamics, a hope born out of love, the loyalty of friendship, and happiness for those who lived without hope of ever being happy.

“The Wild”: Probably the most brutal of all of the stories but it is about meeting needs and desires of everyone involved even if the end result might not have been completely expected.

This was an interesting mix of stories but certainly not for those who do not enjoy reading about rough sexual contact. My favorite was “My Goblin Boyfriend” and I would love to see Jewel expand into the world she created there. I think it has a lot of potential. The other stories ranged from intriguing to disturbing and all showcased exactly how much could be packed into a short story. I am curious to see what Jewel includes for her next collection.

I give Whispers a B

Publisher: Berkley Intermix
Publish Date: 21 Jan
How we got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

Robin used to be a party girl… until she got black out drunk and woke up in bed with her best friend’s boyfriend. Now she’s faced with being THAT girl, and couldn’t be more disgusted with herself. She can’t even tell her friends the reason for her sudden sobriety and she avoids everyone until she meets Phoenix—quiet, tattooed, and different in every way that’s good and oh, so bad…



Phoenix is two days out of jail when he meets Robin at his cousin’s house, and he knows that he has no business talking to her, but he’s drawn to her quiet demeanor, sweet smile, and artistic talent. She doesn’t care that he’s done time, or that he only has five bucks to his name, and she supports his goal to be a tattoo artist.



But Phoenix knows Robin has a secret, and that it’s a naïve dream to believe that his record won’t catch up with them at some point. Though neither is prepared for the explosive result when the past collides with the present…

Blurb came from Goodreads.

MinnChica: The biggest worry for me going into this book would be that I would hate Robin and never be able to forgive her. I went through a similar situation in college, and I went into this story hoping that McCarthy would be able to redeem Robin, but also a little determined to hate her character overall. Let me just say this: Robin suffers. She made a horrible mistake one drunken night, and she is SUFFERING for it. She acknowledged what was wrong in her life (drinking) and decided to do something about it. She really did anything and everything she could think of to get herself to a place where she could look in the mirror and not hate herself. I was happy to see that she never really got there. It will take time for her to be okay, and I like that McCarthy didn’t sugarcoat that.

E: I think all of us who read the second book had some serious concerns about Robin’s actions and how McCarthy was going to manage to redeem her in our eyes. Line MinnChica I felt the amount of mental anguish and suffering that Robin experienced along with her drastic attempts to change her behavior redeemed her as a romance heroine. I loved how her growth and change wasn’t instant nor was everything magically fixed once she identified she had a problem. She was really caught in a difficult situation without an easy answer. As challenging as Robin’s journey was during the story I think the final decisions she made really solidified her as a character and left me feeling satisfied about the work she still has to achieve.

MinnChica: Despite my reservations about Robin, I was so excited to read more about Phoenix. I love the idea of the misunderstood hero, and after reading the teaser chapter in the last book, I knew that Phoenix would be right up my alley that way. I adored him. Despite the fact that he was in jail for an extended period of time, for a somewhat violent crime, Phoenix was a total softie, and I loved that about him. Sure, he could be hard and tough when he needed to be, but underneath it all he just wanted his mother to love him, family to call him own, and a strong woman to stand by his side. His luck had been running real low on all those points until he met Robin. Despite that, he was still pretty optimistic and hopeful that life would work out for him, and I loved him for it!

E: Phoenix was pretty complicated. He seemed set up for failure from the very beginning with his mother and his anger management challenges. I loved the teaser chapter that introduced him and couldn’t wait to find out his story. As the story developed and I got to know Phoenix, my heart broke for what he had gone through and what he was still facing. I loved how patient he was with Robin and yet he also drew a hard line about what he was not willing to accept in his life. He was also incredibly talented and protective but not devoid of the impulsiveness that comes from trying to live life to the fullest. I also enjoyed the symbolism of his name as the story reached its conclusions.

MinnChica: I also really enjoyed their romance. It wasn’t always easy and perfect, but for them as individuals it really worked. There was a scene where Robin gets Phoenix to give her a tattoo. There was something really sexy about the trust that Robin had in Phoenix, and the way that Phoenix was able to really bask in that. It was Robin’s way of showing through actions, not just words, how much she cared for him and trusted in him to keep her safe. It was a sweet and touching moment for me. I think it also really showcased just how much they cared for each other, since they were willing to share such an intimate moment and mark each other permanently into their skin.

E: The tattoo scene was really touching I agree. But I think what stuck to me the most was when Phoenix laid down the law to Robin. They had discussed earlier in the story how he was against any sort of drug and given his childhood it was very easy to understand why. However, Robin wasn’t considering anyone other than her wish to make the pain she was feeling vanish so she needed to understand what her actions had done to those who cared about her and how her default response to stress was extremely unhealthy. It wasn’t enough for her to stop drinking cold turkey as a knee-jerk reaction to an incident, she had to acknowledge she had more of a problem than what she did while drinking. She had a problem that caused her to turn to alcohol as her default. Phoenix’s willingness to say and do what he did along with Robin facing the further implications of her lifestyle up to that point really made this story for me. While it wasn’t a pleasant scene, I think it showed McCarthy’s skill in characterization and giving a complete story without hand-waving over the messy details.

MinnChica: Yes, I couldn’t agree more that the way McCarthy handled Robin’s drinking problem was so incredible. Phoenix’s reactions were perfect, her parents concern was so genuine, it was very well done. However, there were some things that were a little unrealistic for me in this book. The first was Phoenix’s mom. While I didn’t hate her as much as I’m sure others will, the problem I had with her is that given her track record with dealing with Phoenix, I had a hard time believing that she would come back into his life like everything was rainbows and unicorns. If she really was a drug addicted piece of shit mom, why made her nice all of a sudden? I felt like that change in his mom was a little too happy and didn’t like it. Also, I had mixed feelings about the way the book ended. I liked that Robin and Phoenix were able to go off and pursue their dreams, however it did feel a bit like they were being punished for Robin’s actions. Because her friends didn’t want to be around her anymore, they voted her off the island, and she had to go. It just didn’t leave the best taste in my mouth, but I’m anxious to see if it’s addressed at all in future books.

E: I really disliked Phoenix’s mother. Not just as a character because I did, but her entrance part way through the story really without any consequences. Her lack of contact with Phoenix while he was incarcerated, her actions during his childhood and her expectation that he would be happy to see her I could excuse because family is complicated. But what really threw me was the lack of a hard-line about her presence given what was at stake for Phoenix’s cousins and their custody arrangement. Phoenix had to find a job and a new place to live in case Child Welfare Services paid a visit but it was expected throughout the entire story that his mother would pay a visit. This was really the only inconsistency that bothered me during this story. Unlike MinnChica, I liked the idea of Phoenix and Robin moving to a fresh environment. I felt they needed the change to have a chance to succeed. I do hope the lingering anger and hurt is resolved in future installments because the girls were so close.

MinnChica: All in all I liked this book much more than I expected to. Like I said, I was really hesitant to read this one because of Robin’s major screw up, however I did end up liking it. I was glad to see that McCarthy let Robin really suffer for her mistakes, and didn’t give her an easy way out. I adored Phoenix and his almost beta-like hero ways. I’m anxious to see what happens next in this series!
I give Believe a B

E: I was completely caught up in this story. I felt for Phoenix, Robin, and the other characters as they struggled to deal with the aftermath of the summer. I thought the choices they had to make and the angst associated with those choices fit their experiences. No, they weren’t ones I would ever wish on anyone but they are a facet of today’s society. This is not a comfortable series for me to read but the way McCarthy brings up situations and lets them play out in all of their messiness including second and third order effects continues to suck me in. I have hope for Robin and Phoenix but I also know it is going to take a lot of hard work and dedication to succeed.
I also give Believe a B.

Review originally posted at The Book Pushers, see included link.

Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: Jan 21
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher

The groom is back in town.

Abigail lost her best friend years ago when he ditched her at the altar like a loaf of stale bread. Now he’s back and determined to do whatever he has to—even lie, apparently—to get under her skin. Although he makes her hormones rev to life in a way that no one has since he left, she is equally determined not to fall for his boy-next-door charm.

His bride-to-be is somewhat reluctant.

Braxton Dean was too young and stupid to know better when he walked away. Years of trying to fill the Abby-shaped hole in his heart have left him empty, and now he’s going to win back his girl—or get over her. But first he needs answers. Particularly why she never responded to any of his letters.

It might take a whole town to make this wedding happen.

With the help of their friends, the two battle it out. The army? An entire town of busybodies. The prize? Happily ever after.

Warning: Contains indignant old ladies, steamy sex (but not with indignant old ladies), condom bouquets, seduction cake, and condom bouquets. Yes, we went there.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

I requested this because I thought the blurb looked cute and I was in the mood to watch a man try to get the woman he loved back after making her the talk of the town in a negative sense. While I did find aspects of this story cute and humorous, unfortunately the entire package didn’t work as well as I had hoped.

Brax left Abby standing at the altar. They were best friends and childhood sweethearts until that moment. Not only did he leave Abby at the altar, he also left town and she did not hear from him until he showed back up years later. Abby was in their small town facing all of the talk and rumor while dealing with her ailing grandmother, crazy mother, and very self-centered sister. So when Brax returned, most of Abby did not want to have anything to do with him but the part that loved Brax her entire life still harbored a thread of hope.

Brax knew after he’d left that what he did was wrong. So for years he wrote to Abby each day. His letters told her his thoughts, feelings, tried to explain his reasoning, and as years passed without a single response; the tone changed to include his anger and frustration, along with events in his life. I loved the letters but I really had to wonder about a person who had the dedication to write daily but was missing whatever it took to return and face the music. When he did return he seemed to think that his return meant everything was perfect again, people would like him, Abby would gracefully fall into his arms, and life would go on as planned. He really wasn’t willing to take anyone else’s thoughts and feelings into account. As a result of this and some of his other reactions, I never got the sense he had grown up beyond the boy who left Abby at the alter.

Abby was another interesting character. She was devastated when Brax left her at the alter; she had to face the not so nice town gossips, and deal with her dysfunctional family. I completely understood why she reacted the way she did when Brax returned. I also liked that she didn’t go straight back to him. However, I wasn’t as impressed towards the end of the story when it seemed as if Abby lost some of what made her into a strong character.

There really was a third character involved in this story and that would be the town and its inhabitants. It was amusing to watch the town’s opinion change and shift like the tide based on who was publicly doing what. The lengths that Abby and Brax’s friends went through to sway the town’s opinion were certainly based on an intimate knowledge of how the town worked unofficially. It was easy to see which direction the town was leaning and their antics brought a certain amount of levity to the emotion between Brax and Abby.

Runaway Groom had some great parts that I enjoyed separately but unfortunately the sum wasn’t as good for me. I had difficulty believing that Brax’s character had actually matured over time and as a result, I couldn’t quite understand Abby’s actions towards the end. This was certainly an example of how small towns can work and how knowing the right individuals can sway public opinion. I loved reading the letters and catching a glimpse of Brax’s feelings over time. I just wish I had seen evidence of his maturation when he returned home. I am intrigued enough by the town and setting that I will take a look at the next installment in the Watkins Pond series.

I give Runaway Groom a C+

Review originally posted at The Book Pushers, see included link.

Publisher: Intermix
Publish Date: Jan 21
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

Having never left the family ranch, Lark Mitchell needs a little adventure—or at least a romance that isn’t confined to the internet. Her older brothers Cole and Cade have always been too good at protecting her innocence, but even they can’t stop her from taking a second job—where her boss just so happens to be the kind of bad boy she craves. Too bad he’s also the one guy in Silver Creek she should never touch…

When Quinn Parker introduces himself, Lark tries to quit on the spot. Everyone knows Quinn was behind the accident that ended Cade’s rodeo career. But when he holds her to her contract, she can’t help wanting to get even closer. As she begins to see the man behind the gossip, she sees that not all of the things people say about him are true…even if there’s plenty about this bad boy she has yet to discover.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

I have been a fan of Yates’ Silver Creek series since I read the initial novella. The first novel,Unexpected, focused on one of Lark’s brothers, Cole, leaving me with the impression Lark was mostly quiet and needed sheltering. I also heard about a certain rodeo rival whose actions crippled Cade and therefore was the man everyone hated. Reading the blurb I found myself very curious to see how Yates was going to balance the quiet sheltered woman with the extreme bad boy Quinn.

Lark surprised me. Yes, she was relatively sheltered and pretty innocent but she was a woman with unexpected strength, caring, and stubbornness. She certainly showed me how she belonged in a family of strong stubborn men; she just needed a reason to demonstrate her strength. Lark ended up being a treat to watch as she refused to allow Quinn to steamroll over her. He didn’t manage to scare her away or seduce her into forgetting who or what she was or shift her loyalties. Instead, overtime she refused to believe he was only bad. I didn’t necessarily agree with her logic all of the time but even those things I didn’t agree with went too perfectly with her character so all I could do was hope everything would work out.

Quinn, on the other hand, I alternated between cussing at him, wanting to rage across twitter about him, and my heart breaking over the events that formed the man. Somehow Yates created a perfect anti-hero. Even as I condemned his thoughts and schemes, I really wanted him to look through Lark’s eyes and see himself as a person who didn’t have to meet the worst expectations of those around him. At first, I was afraid he was unredeemable but every time his conscience poked him, my hope grew a little stronger. I also grew to understand why he viewed people the way he did, not that my understanding excused his behavior but he did give a good grovel.

In addition to the primary romance between Lark and Quinn, Yates continued to flesh out the supporting characters. I loved seeing how their interactions had an impact on both Lark and Quinn, sometimes in a positive sense and other times to bring out the daredevil. I will admit I was a bit thrown by one piece of information Lark discovered because I didn’t recall any hints leading up to it from the first installment. This piece of information is probably going to set Silver Creek on its head and I can’t wait to see the results.

I found Untouched a very compelling read. Lark continually surprised me with what she was strong enough to do and how she made her points. Quinn was a very polarizing character; one I was unable to hate despite his initial intentions. Yates provide angst, sexual tension, guilty consciences, mystery, and the reminder that you have to keep working to keep love alive. I am thoroughly hooked on the Silver Creek series and the characters in the area. I can’t wait for Cade’s story and to find out what other secrets exist along with what their reveal will mean.

I give Untouched a B+

Review originally posted on The Book Pushers, see included link.

Publisher: Signet
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

A cabal of operatives with dangerous pasts team up to work black ops missions. Their weapon: deception. Can they help one of their own before he goes too far?



When Gunner agreed to help out Section 8, he didn’t realize he’d be pulled back in to the shadowy world he’d thought he’d escaped forever. The son of double agents, Gunner was initiated at a young age into the cold world of espionage when his father forced him to work for international smuggler Drew Landon. And when Gunner’s past with Landon threatens the other mercenaries, and most importantly, Avery, he makes an impossible choice…and disappears.

Avery’s not willing to give up on Gunner. The attraction between them has been there from the start and she rallies Section 8 to help him. She knows there’s only one way to keep Gunner safe: fake his death and take him off the grid. But when she finally locates him, Gunner is a changed man, harder, more desperate, and on the edge of self-destruction. And only Avery can find a way to free him from Landon—and from the demons of his past—before it’s too late.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

I was really looking forward to Unbreakable, the second of Tyler’s Section 8 series after reviewing Surrender earlier this year. Unfortunately, this one really didn’t work for me. I had issues with timeline and characterization inconsistencies. This review will contain spoilers from the first book and from this installment so if you wish to avoid them you should stop reading now.

Unbreakable takes place shortly after the dramatic events of Surrender have ended. Peace, vengeance, and love were achieved and the next generation of Section 8 was in its infancy. Avery decided to give her potential teammates a month away to decide if they wanted to return to a life of danger and intrigue. In the meantime she wanted to try to work on getting Gunner to act on their obvious attraction except he didn’t cooperate with her plan. Gunner vanished, left paperwork detailing the sale of his tattoo shop and associated property to some stranger along with a 30-day vacate notice.

Instead of Avery telling the others who joined together in the first book, she kept her mouth shut. Then right before the 30 days was up, she received a flower delivery including an unpleasant surprise. She decided to call and inform one person. During the same 30 days, Grace and Dare, hero/heroine of the first book had a discussion about how something wasn’t quite right, that they needed to contact Avery and find out what was going on yet nothing about the call was ever referenced again. This was one of the inconsistencies that really bothered me, especially given the tight attention to detail that I found in the first book.

As the story continued, time started jumping forward by multiple months. This was clearly signified in the text so that part wasn’t an issue. What bothered me about the time jumps went back to the first 30 days when everyone was supposed to reconvene. The deadline was referenced often in the early pages of the book but nothing was ever said about missing the deadline or what the other potential team members were doing during that time. Those omissions really bothered me since they violated how the group operated and was formed during Surrender which in turn altered some of the previously established characterization.

The core group formed because treachery and death brought them together. They succeeded in the first book through trust and open communication. Watching the leader of the reborn Section 8 deliberately keep information about one of their teammates from all the others seemed to be a violation of that trust. I was willing to give her the 30 days as grace but after that deadline, things continued to happen and I never had the impression that information was shared I felt strongly that Avery’s entire character had changed. I also felt that the acceptance of the others about this lack of information meant they had changed. There was one minor blow-up but given the depths of betrayal they dealt with before I thought there should have been a stronger reaction. Especially given what happened to Avery before the rest of the team was informed.

Unfortunately I was unable to enjoy Unbreakable because of the timeline and character inconsistencies. I kept thinking that scenes were missing which would have filled in the pieces and left me understanding their behavior instead of being extremely puzzled and unable to believe these were the same characters. I did receive an advanced reader copy and I understand those can contain errors so it is possible the final version was smoothed out.

I give Unbreakable a D-

Review originally posted on The Book Pushers, see included link.

Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: Jan 14th
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher

In a harsh new world, only she can bring him to life…

Chase Hawthorne is on the run from a ghost. The shooting that took his little sister and scarred Chase’s face and body has left far deeper scars on his brother Tripp’s soul. Driven to pull up stakes and head for the most haunted place in Louisiana, Chase hopes to prove to Tripp there is no ghost of his twin beckoning from the after life.

When he comes upon a young woman fighting off raiders, Chase doesn’t hesitate to help the first female he’s seen in years. And he tries to ignore his instant attraction, hoping Tripp will feel it, too—and emerge from his frightening depression.

Keera has been alone too long, and Chase makes her feel things she never thought she’d feel again. Tripp may be the needier brother, but it’s Chase she wants. Scars and all.

But letting people too close comes with risks. And as they are drawn into the search for a young man’s family, both must accept the possibility that there’s more to life—and love—than simple survival.

Warning: A hero who puts his own needs aside for family. And a woman who’s out to prove there’s no law against a man listening to his body once in a while. 
This blurb came from the author’s website.

I have been addicted to Worth’s writing since I first discovered her Kithran Regenesis series. When I found out she was starting a new post apocalyptic series I had to give it a try. When I finished reading the first installment, After the Crux, I had to ask if she was going to continue writing in this world. When she said yes, I waited rather impatiently for what would come next. I am pleased to say that I was not disappointed by my wait.

Gruesomely scarred Chase was traveling with his younger brother Tripp in search of a deserted city trying desperately to find something that would break through Tripp’s worsening PTSD. Out on a foraging trip he stumbled upon a young woman defending herself against some raiders, individuals who banded together and preyed on anyone weaker, and when more raiders appeared he assisted in the fight. After realizing Chase was not going to make a bad situation even worse, Keera volunteered some replacement clothes and fresh food. She didn’t invite them back to her place but followed Chase to his RV to make sure he wasn’t lying. Chase was hoping that Keera and Tripp would hit it off and give Tripp a reason to continue living while Tripp wanted someone for Chase so he would not be alone. The three agreed to drive as close as possible to the deserted city and meet there for the food and clothing exchange. While stopped in the area by the city, Chase, Tripp, and Keera encountered four individuals from the first installment, Sole Survivors Ross, Dorian, Jenna, and Cadmar who were traveling to Cadmar’s home to rescue his family from the Raiders who had taken over their farm. While trapped at Keera’s place due to bad weather MacKenzie, a woman who lived with the raiders, showed up willing to work with them to help rescue Cadmar’s family and the few other decent people.

Worth provided an amazing sense of connection, caring, and loyalty amongst her protagonists. It was incredibly sweet to watch both Tripp and Chase sing each other’s phrases to Keera. Even when it appeared as if Keera had made her decision, Chase was still concerned about how it would affect Tripp. Thankfully, Tripp developed a best friend, Cadmar, so he was no longer drowning in memories and regrets of loss. Seeing the initial group of seven grow closer together and start to fully trust each other and bring MacKenzie into their group was very interesting. There was some suspicion but knowing that everyone had suffered from the Raiders and were willing to share what they had as well as risk their lives to help Cadmar made a huge difference.

I felt as if Worth explored some of the isolation felt by survivors and what they would consider or be willing to risk for companionship. I loved some of the quiet one-on-one conversations that were remarkably open and yet led to more trust. It was almost as if finding another human you didn’t have to fight or fear was enough to break down what would have been learned barriers. I also loved the backdrop of Chase and Keera’s relationship against Cadmar and Tripp’s friendship and the established triad of Ross, Dorian, and Jenna. The varying levels of intimacy, comfort, and interaction all rounded out the world.

Sole Survivors has left me with answers to questions raised in After the Crux but the rescue attempt/fight has left me with several more new questions from hints Worth provided. I am very curious about what is going to happen next. Who will go back with Ross and the others to their mountain home? Now that Tripp has declared he is a MAN, not a boy in most emphatic fashion, how will that alter his friendship with Cadmar. What is MacKenzie’s back-story and where will she go next? What will happen to the non-Raiders who might decide to stay put? How will the newcomers integrate into Ross’s mountain home? I can’t wait for the next installment!

I give Sole Survivors an A-

Review originally posted on The Book Pushers

Publisher: Self
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the author

Sexy fireman Chris Savoy has been closeted all his life. He’s a weretiger in Resurrection, and no shifters are more macho than that city’s. Due to a terrible tragedy in his past, Chris resigned himself to hiding what he is—a resolve that’s threatened the night he lays eyes on cute gay cop Tony Lupone. 



Tony might be a wolf, but he wakes longings Chris finds difficult to deny. When a threat to the city throws these heroes together, not giving in seems impossible. Following their hearts, however, means risking everything . . .
This blurb came from the author’s website.

Holly’s latest installment in her Hidden series takes place around the events of Hidden Dragonsso you really should read Hidden Dragons first. In the first Hidden Story, Hidden Talents, Tony was introduced. He had recently come out to his pack and his pack-mates were trying to adjust to their new normal. It was great to see that as events in the Hidden world progressed Tony was pretty much fully accepted by his pack-mates, and they did their best to keep him safe, sometimes to the extent of making him feel left out of the loop. He was also feeling left behind in other areas because one by one they were mating but he did not have any prospects for even a steady date.

Chris was introduced in Hidden Crimes as the beta of the weretiger pack. As a firefighter he almost died during a rescue attempt and it took the combined power of his alpha and a dominate member of the wolf pack, Adam, to ensure he healed properly. Usually the two species didn’t spend much time together but since the weretiger alpha mated Adam, the two will be in close proximity. This would be challenging enough but Holly included a few other elements; Chris is in the closet, there are some vocal homophobes in his crew, and Chris is seriously attracted to Tony.

This particular installment pulled out the angst. Chris was not only dealing with his overwhelming attraction to Tony but PTSD from his most recent near death episode and a tragedy from his adolescence. In addition he was facing rumblings of discontent within the crew. As Beta, Chris’ job was to enforce as well as support his alpha but he was reluctant to physically smack down the dissenters for fear of taking it too far or overreacting due to his orientation. So he kept trying to fix it verbally while having a few hidden extremely hot encounters with Tony. As intense and caring as those encounters were, they also really shattered Tony’s heart because Chris kept walking away and would not acknowledge their connection. Each time that happened I could see Tony crumble and wonder why Chris refused to at least keep in contact after their mind-blowing sexytimes. Chris was also torn between his attraction to Tony, knowing he wasn’t treating Tony as he should, and the worsening atmosphere within his crew.

I loved how Holly brought it all together and forced Chris and Tony to see what was important. Several key characters from Hidden Dragons were also crucial to the conclusion of this particular story. I can’t go into detail about the conclusion due to major spoilers for both stories but decisions were made, choices announced, happiness fought for, and the possibilities for an eventful life created.

In Hidden Passions Holly has again expanded her world and created memorable characters. I enjoyed how the events in this story took place around Hidden Dragons because it very effectively made the world seem three-dimensional with events happening while life continued instead of events occurring in a vacuum. Watching Chris and Tony struggle with their relationship and acceptance from those around them was really heart-wrenching. I also loved how patient and caring Chris was during their sexytimes. The first time **fans self** was amazing and sweet at the same time. I am eagerly anticipating Holly’s next installment.

I give Hidden Passions an A-

Review originally posted on The Book Pushers.

Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher

She’s been there, done that–but never with the sexy hockey player next door.

Dating, marriage, divorce… Audra Leone has been there, done that. These days she’s focused on her antiques business and doesn’t need a man complicating her life.

Still, she can’t help but notice the flirty ex-hockey player who owns the sports bar next door, but he’s got two strikes against him. He’s her landlord, and he’s almost ten years younger–which puts Audra way outside the flock of twenty-somethings vying for his attention.

When Scott Beckett sees Audra hasn’t closed shop during a major snowstorm, he checks in on her–to find her shackled to a post. He’s more than happy to help and close the distance she keeps firmly between them. He’s well over his playboy days and hungering for something stronger, something lasting.

One spontaneous, bone-melting kiss leads to an explosive night of passion, and Scott realizes the quiet antiques lady is everything he craves. But it’ll take some doing–and maybe a disaster or two–to convince her to give forever a chance.

Warning: Contains a wounded heroine who’s put her heart on ice, and an ex-jock who still knows how to run interference on her defenses. Could have you wishing for snow in July.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

I requested this book because I enjoyed the blurb and thought I would enjoy watching Scott convince Audra the obstacles only existed in her mind. Unfortunately, I should have checked the classification because I found myself feeling letdown by this novella’s quick resolution given the extent of the internal and external conflict. I enjoyed the set-up and how Hunter worked in the history of Scott’s overtures and Audra’s resistance. I also laughed a lot at her predicament and all of the embarrassing assumptions or questions generated by that scene. It was after their night together I felt this story lost what attracted me to it in the beginning.

Audra was burned by a horrible previous marriage. Her life revolved around rebuilding herself and her livelihood as an antique dealer but she was not willing to take a chance on a man, especially not one who seemed to have a parade of women much younger then she was in his life. Not to mention the landlord aspect involved mixing business with pleasure another lesson Audra stumbled upon painfully in her last relationship. One night she needed Scott’s help and gave into her attraction to him only to have something go catastrophically wrong with her business. As a result, she fled from what they started.

Scott, an ex-hockey player turned bar owner and landlord, had a thing for his lessee, Audra. She was an older woman who barely made her ends meet and resisted his attempts to get to know her. When he found her in a difficult situation and needing his help, he took the opportunity to convince her to join him for dinner. Things were going well then the structural roof repairs he put off at Audra’s request and advice of the building inspector demonstrated they were no longer capable of holding. This put them both in a bad situation due to the loss of the building and her stock.

From this point, I felt as if One Hot Night suffered from superficiality. The detail from the setup and beginning was lost. In my mind, the additional pressure of losing her business would have added to the strain between them and it did temporarily but that strain vanished. Audra apparently changed her mind about Scott, her business, and her outlook on life but I did not see what triggered the transition I was told that it happened as she told Scott. I did not feel any sort of real character growth from Scott at all. As I said in the beginning, given the extent of the obstacles between Audra and Scott I wanted to see the transformation. As a result I could not believe in their romance or that her fears from the very beginning were assuaged especially with the loss of her business and inventory.

One Hot Night started off nicely but was unable to maintain the detail and emotional connection throughout the book. I went from deeply engrossed and curious to feeling letdown by the switch to tell instead of show. Hunter included too many serious issues as obstacles to the romance to be satisfied in a novella format and as a result the book suffered. Sadly I was not able to believe in the romance between Scott and Audra.

I give One Hot Night a D

Review originally posted on The Book Pushers, see source link below.

Publisher: Samhain Publishing
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the author

There’s no easy cure for a love of epidemic proportions.

Zuri and her mercenary brothers had a simple mission. Transport a captured harbinger to Erania and collect the bounty. But this job turns out to be anything but easy.

Their welcome to the northland is nothing short of frigid. A scuffle with border guards and her prisoner’s attempted escape leave Zuri injured—and she and her brothers stuck in quarantine. Worse, the bounty comes with silken strings attached. Strings held by a scientist with a daring, dangerous plan.

Because Zuri and her prisoner barged in before his fail-safes were in place, Henri had no choice but to lock them all down until he’s sure there’s no risk of spreading plague. He’d planned to study the harbinger, but it’s the mercenary holding the leash who intrigues him the most.

When Henri’s experiment goes awry, they learn they’ve all been pawns in a plan with one goal: bring the Araneae Nation to its knees. Zuri is forced to make a choice that could sign her death warrant—or sacrifice everyone she loves.

Product Warning: This book contains a chair-bound heroine who won’t let anyone—least of all a man—push her around. Expect tea-drinking, net-tossing, and knife-wielding. Should you feel compelled to indulge in a bear ride, please keep your hands on the reins and your feet in the stirrups. Author not responsible for possible maulings.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

If you have been following this blog over the past few years you might have noticed the name Hailey Edwards popping up on a fairly regular basis. I have been hooked on this series since I read the first one, A Hint of Frost. The characters, the world-building, and mysterious deadly illness sweeping over the land were all intriguing. Since this is a tightly connected series with each book building on the events of the previous ones, there will be spoilers for earlier installments. I strongly recommend that you start at the beginning of this series instead of jumping in part way. I thought events had pretty much come to a head in the last book, A Time of Dying, with the discovery that this disease was created, spread on purpose, and meant far more than just death to most of its victims. Boy was I wrong. Edwards has continued to raise the stakes even as she circled back around to provide a glimpse of life at the site of her opening story and how it has changed over the passage of time.

I was introduced to Zuri and her companions in the last book but didn’t see them as much more than skilled guards. It was fascinating seeing into what shaped them and their dynamics not just as a mercenary band but as a family unit. Some of the same traits that kept them together led to issues when they were confronted with an intelligent foe who would stop at nothing to win. I loved Zuri’s fierce loyalty to those she cared about even when they made her feel like an outsider. She was willing to give her all for her family and as a result made some interesting decisions.

Henri, was one of the minor supporting characters in A Hint of Frost, but like other skilled authors, Hailey included his scene there for a reason. He was very smart and somewhat overconfident. While he seemed to enjoy talking about his experiments, he tended to withhold crucial pieces of information, which caused some issues to those around him as the story developed. Even though I supported Zuri’s anger and hurt by his actions, I could understand his reasoning based on the threat they faced and how he was treated during his formative years. I loved his patience and care for Zuri and her brothers as he tried to make amends for events that occurred because of his secretiveness. I did get a bit frustrated when Henri remained oblivious of a certain reoccurring event but as the danger to his clan sharply increased, I understood why.

I thought the interaction between Zuri, Henri, and her brothers was a lot of fun. Zuri and Henri had a push-pull relationship with one acting on their mutual physical attraction while the other pulled back and then they switched places. The push-pull meant they moved from just physical attraction to emotional closeness before fully acting on their attraction. In the meantime, Henri developed a bond with her brothers which gave him some insights into their family dynamic but also made it harder to gain Zuri’s trust. I also thought the conversations and teasing between Zuri and her brothers demonstrated a very tight bond. As Zuri shared their history and the responsibility she carried I was drawn into their dynamic even more. The closeness between the main characters made certain events even more gut-wrenching as they unfolded.

In addition to the slow growing romance between Zuri and Henri, I enjoyed the overall story progression. Hailey introduced a couple of very fascinating new characters I hope get their own story. The twist they brought in addition to what happened with Zuri and Henri is really moving this series in a new direction I think. I also found the harbinger’s newly demonstrated abilities very unsettling and perhaps indicative of the growing complex problem facing the Araneae Nation. I am not quite sure how this is going to play out which is another thing I enjoy with this series as a whole.

A Breath of Winter was another strong installment in Hailey’s Araneae Nation. I am glad that she is able to keep me guessing and hooked on her characters and world. While the installments build on each other, I have a hard time predicting where Hailey is going next which helps keep my anticipation high for each succeeding story. I can’t wait to see what happens next.

I give A Breath of Winter a B+

Review originally posted on The Book Pushers, see source link below.

Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

A powerful magic user is stealing people’s faces in San Francisco, and empath Ella Walsh and shifter Vadim Morosov have been called in to investigate. Still adjusting to the closeness and permanence of their new relationship, the government-paired mates are soon hot on the trail of an Otherworld cultist from Vadim’s past.

But their target turns the tables, and after he gives Ella someone else’s face, the couple will have to follow him to Otherworld to get hers back. There, in an ancient world of family ties, old grudges and monsters, where living memory stretches centuries, Ella will have to confront the dangerous truth of Vadim’s bygone life.

Because there’s a reason the Fae call him Death Bringer, and if Ella can’t unravel it, she may never see her mate—or her face—again.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

This spring I started seeing buzz on twitter about a new book by Kate Pearce. Years before I read the first two or three of her House of Pleasure books but I had not read anything by her since then. Out of curiosity I took a look at the book and realized that this was paranormal romance so a new genre for her. I devoured it and proceeded to hunt Pearce down on Twitter in hopes this was the first of a series. Happily, Pearce told me that she had another one coming out this same year. Death Bringer picks up immediately after the events of Soul Sucker and it involves the same main characters so there will be major spoilers for the first installment. If you haven’t read it yet I recommend you stop reading this review, go enjoy it, and then finish reading this review.

What do you do when you find out that instead of dying in a week at the age of 27, you are know going to live for a very long time married to someone who is practically immortal? Not to mention adjusting to marriage, something you knew was never going to happen, but you also have to deal with the results of spending the past few weeks as the most obnoxious co-worker ever. Add into the mix an extremely powerful being stealing people’s faces who has ties to her new husband’s past and Ella had some serious stress in her life.

I absolutely loved how Pearce didn’t cheat us out of watching Ella struggle as she dealt with the drastic changes in her life. As a result, Ella wasn’t shown in a positive light for a portion of the story but it made her emotional growth that much more impressive and believable. Of course it also helped that Vadim had lived long enough to build up an impressive amount of patience and he wasn’t reeling from the sudden changes in his life. Instead, he had to deal with his family and their associated political messiness as it spilled over into Earth and threatened all he held dear. Granted he made his share of mistakes but he was willing to give Ella what she wanted while reminding her that wanted their relationship.

I enjoyed the mystery and the associated mess as Ella and Vadim tried to stop the killer without losing their lives or freedom. The view into fae life and culture along with their willingness to use anyone they deemed weaker or who bargained poorly really explained a lot about Vadim. It also made his restraint Earthside around Ella and her co-workers very impressive. Pearce also did not make the solution to the magical murders an easy one. It required Ella and Vadim to trust each other, work together, and decide what they wanted most.

Death Bringer was an enjoyable sequal to Soul Sucker. Pearce expanded her world and really made Ella and Vadim work to continue to build their relationship together. In some ways it was as if they were going through the prescribed order of things backwards. Meet, get married, meet the parents, save the world, and start to really know each other. The character and world development along with new reveals continued to keep the pace moving. I am rather curious about how the events in this installment are going to affect what happens next. So again I am left hoping that Pearce continues this series.

I give Death Bringer a B

Joint review originally posted on The Book Pushers, see source link below.

Publisher: Forever, Grand Central Publishing
Publish Date: Out now
How we got this book: ARC from the publisher

WARRIOR OF HEAVEN
Reaver is an angel with a past, a record, and a less-than-heavenly attitude. Powerful enough to fight alongside the fiercest battle angels-and crazy enough to risk his wings on a one-way mission to hell-he’s agreed to go where no angel has ever gone before . . . to steal the most seductive and dangerous prize of Satan himself.
ANGEL OF HELL
Harvester is one of the Fallen, a once-heroic angel who sacrificed her wings to work as an undercover agent in hell. But now her cover has been blown, and she’s doomed to an eternity of agonizing torture. Even if Reaver can snatch her away from Satan’s lair, even if they can fight their way out of the underworld’s darkest depths, there is one thing Harvester can never escape-her newfound thirst for an angel’s blood . . .
This blurb came from the author’s http://larissaione.com/blog/ website.

MinnChica: The Demonica/Lords of Deliverance series are some of my favorite paranormal romance books. Ever since we first met Reaver, I’ve been anxiously waiting for his shot at a happily ever after. I adore everything about him! And when the truth about Harvester was revealed, I couldn’t wait for these two to get it on. I love them together, Harvester is snarky and funny and witty, and she does such a great job of bringing out the fun side of Reaver. I loved getting more of their back story, especially since Reaver’s was clouded in the unknown!

E: I have been reading this Ione since the Demonica series started and Reaver has always been around. Sometimes helping, sometimes hindering, and always causing trouble. His hate/lust/attempt-to-kill relationship with Harvester throughout the Lords of Deliverence series has certainly been an entertaining one. Ione included some shocking revelations about both of them in the last installment so I was super curious to see where Reaver was going. I loved this installment because Reaver and Harvester had so many thousands of years worth of emotion to deal with not to mention surviving their current predicament and the violent political machinations of Heaven and Hell. I was super excited to see all of the back history Ione revealed and I can’t wait to see what happens to a few other characters in the future.

MinnChica: I was both super excited and super bummed to see most of this book take place in hell. I loved that we got the chance to see more of the Hell world that Ione has created, and I just love the creepy and villainous creatures she has come up with. On the other hand, it was harder for Reaver and Harvester to focus on their romance while constantly on the run from other demons. Although they spent some of that time building a shaky alliance, they didn’t really get the chance to explore their relationship any deeper.

E: See I loved that it was spent in hell with danger lurking on every side because I thought it made them boil down to the essence of what was important. They had so many years, lost or partially held memories, and recent history that cluttered up their normal daily interaction it was good to see them forced to deal with the here and now. I also liked how information came out while they were in hell and one or the other couldn’t just storm off or inflict pain because death or horrific eternal torture was likely to follow. Watching Reaver deal with the knowledge of everything his actions caused and his efforts to make amends was really touching. Seeing Harvester deal with the conflict between who and what she became to keep the vows she made was also a striking testament to the power of love.

In addition to Reaver and Harvester’s struggles in hell, angelic actions and their sheer selfishness was taking its toll on Earth and making Reaver’s efforts to rescue Harvester even more complicated. I thought Ione’s angel characterization really added a lot to this story and the series as a whole. Each time one of the angels showed what they really thought was important regardless of the cost, it was very easy to understand why those that lived on earth resented any touch of angelic or demonic interference. I could also see how those actions were incredibly short-sighted for such a long lived group.

MinnChica: I guess I can understand to a point where you are coming from, and I was glad there were a few times when they had to stick together, because otherwise I could see one or both running quickly for the door.  I absolutely agree with you regarding the angels. I love that one of Ione’s specialities with this series is her ability to show that not all “good” is purely good, and not all “evil” is purely evil. There are shades of gray in everyone from the angels to the demons. I love getting to see those different aspects of good vs evil playing out in ways that are so similar to human nature. It makes this series so special!

E: Oh my goodness yes! The shades of grey that exist everywhere build so much complexity and enjoyment into the series. I thought events after leaving hell provided the punch of complete romance and self-sacrifice along with groveling when warranted. I also found some of the things that were revealed to be very intriguing and I have hopes about where Ione takes them. Of course I also have a few new individuals that I would LOVE to see get what is coming to them because they are so despicable. Reaver was so worth the wait. Ione has continued to keep this series and the overall Demonica world fresh and exciting. I can’t wait for the next installment.
I give Reaver an A-

MinnChica: All in all I absolutely loved this addition to the Demonica and Lords of Deliverance series. Reaver was more than worth the wait, and his romance with Harvester was both epic and so romantic. I can’t wait to read about some of the new secondary characters that were introduced in this story, and get back to the world of Underground General Hospital! Ione has done a fabulous job with keeping this series exciting and unique, and I am super anxious for more!
I give Reaver an A-

Joint review originally posted on The Book Pushers, see source link below.

Publisher: Orbit
Publish Date: Out now
How we got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

Devi Morris isn’t your average mercenary. She has plans. Big ones. And a ton of ambition. It’s a combination that’s going to get her killed one day – but not just yet.

That is, until she just gets a job on a tiny trade ship with a nasty reputation for surprises. The Glorious Fool isn’t misnamed: it likes to get into trouble, so much so that one year of security work under its captain is equal to five years everywhere else. With odds like that, Devi knows she’s found the perfect way to get the jump on the next part of her Plan. But the Fool doesn’t give up its secrets without a fight, and one year on this ship might be more than even Devi can handle.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

E: It has been a while since I read a book that was much heavier on science fiction than romance so when I saw the cover and blurb of Fortune’s Pawn I had to request it and I am very glad that I did. The last time I felt this way about a book was when I read Ghost Planet which I absolutely loved. I didn’t love this one in exactly the same way, which is probably good since the authors are two different people with different writing styles, but I am eagerly waiting the next installment. Bach provided some of my early reading loves with space travel, aliens, fighting, new or at least different planets, intrigue, and some very fascinating characters. She also teased us with a forbidden romance that hasn’t reached its conclusion yet.

Has: I felt the same way about this book. I loved the Sci Fi setting and thought the premise with a mercenary heroine who has a body armour and likes to name her weapons was engaging and colourful. The world-building was interesting and imaginative and I loved Bach’s descriptions of the exotic aliens in the crew and those they encountered. I also found the Sci Fi tech to be interesting and it added a vivid dynamic to the plot. Although I did find Devi’s character didn’t differentiate from other characters in similar roles, I did enjoy her voice and how she handled the mission she embarked upon. And I also loved the cast of characters and thought the crew of The Glorious Fool were vibrant and diverse. Within the first chapters, I was totally drawn into the story.

E: I agree with you Has, she shared a lot of similarities with other mercenaries but she had some personal touches that set her apart. I liked that she spent money on her equipment and having the best she could without going for the flashy. I also liked that she had goals and knew how to read people but would also sometimes rush in when she knew that she shouldn’t. She was also dedicated to her profession and once paid she stayed loyal. She was also extremely smart and curious which was a benefit but also a drawback. I was just as curious to find out the story behind The Glorious Fool and its motley crew as Devi. While some questions were answered those answers have left me with more questions because things are not as they seem with the ship, the crew or the locations they visit.

Has: I really liked that because the mysteries and secrets kept me guessing throughout the book, and I was very intrigued about how it all tied in with the crew and the aliens they encountered. Bach also had a great flow in making the story action-packed and tense. I was really impressed in how she described the action sequences which were exciting and memorable and they added a fun flourish to Devi’s character.

I also loved the supporting casts of characters who were so unexepectedly different which I found refreshing. I especially loved the alien crew members like the lizard Hyrek who was their medical officer but was a member of a dangerous race who liked to munch on humans. Basil the avian bird-like navigator provided some humour with his exchanges with the other crew members. But I really loved the romance which subtly grows throughout the book and takes Devi by surprise. The chemistry between her and Rupert who had secrets of his own was just fabulous and I really enjoyed their scenes together even though it developed a forbidden element in the end which really heightened the romantic tension.

E: Oh the attraction and forbidden romance were certainly entertaining. I have to admit that a few times I really wanted to see Devi give it to Rupert to make up for his role in several things that were emotionally distressing. Hyrek was also something else. His role amongst his people and his obvious role on the ship seemed contradictory to accepted knowledge about his species. Really makes me wonder how he ended up on the crew along with the others. I also thought the new things Devi started noticing and what Hyrek noticed was different about her are going to have some significant effects later on. Something I think will come back to haunt the Captain given how things ended with this installment.

Fortune’s Pawn has proved to be a very interesting and entertaining start to a series that I plan to thoroughly enjoy. Bach threw in some twists at the end that are going to make things sticky and will hopefully result in much groveling and the revealing of several mysteries. I am glad I decided to give it a try.
I give Fortune’s Pawn a B.

Has: I definitely agree about the mysteries and secrets that slowly evolve and link with the crew. I am also interested to see the repercussions that Devi may have with her encounter on the alien ghost ship, which I have to say was one of my favourite scenes of the book. But I really like how Bach sets up the ongoing plot mystery which is a fantastic layer to the overall story arc. I love a good book that keeps me guessing and wondering what will happen next and while I have some ideas and theories – I suspect I will be surprised by the outcomes.

I am so glad that I picked up this book on a whim because it was intriguing, exciting and had a wonderful cast of vibrant characters in a rich and imaginative world. I think this is a book which can appeal to a broad base of readers because it has a bit of everything from heart-pounding action scenes, a unique world and a good romance. Fortune’s Pawn is a great start to memorable series!

I give Fortune’s Pawn a B