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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 author

Rowan Summerwaite is no ordinary woman. She’s smart and strong and with the power of an ancient goddess in her belly, she’s the perfect candidate to re-negotiate the fragile Treaty keeping the peace between the Vampire Nation and the last line of defense for humanity, The Hunter Corporation. A meeting of the Joint Tribunal, and Rowan’s new status as Liaison sends her straight to the last place on earth she wants to be—The Keep.

Raised at the knee of The First, honed into a weapon by the Hunter Corporation, wielding ancient knowledge from the Goddess within, Rowan must navigate around bloodthirsty opposition among Vampires and Hunters alike to avoid an all out war that puts humanity in the crosshairs.

And she’s got to do it as she attempts to manage a politically awkward romantic relationship with Scion Clive Stewart during a trip back to a place she escaped nearly fifteen years before. No pressure.

Walking the path between her two lives has already made Rowan a pariah. If she leaves it to become something even more Other, she may lose even the shreds of home she has left.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

So those who read a review I wrote last night saw me say there is something special about starting a book placed in a new setting by a favorite author, and I wasn’t kidding. There is also something special about going back to a world and characters that intrigued me from the very beginning after a long wait. While starting the story is full of excitement, there is also a touch of fear as the reader because I am hoping my memory about the previous installment is accurate and the author is able to meet those expectations. I am very happy to say Dane met and exceeded my memory with Blade to the Keep and as a result I am squeezing in a reread of Goddess with a Blade. This installment builds directly on the first one therefore I recommend that you read it first as I will be unable to avoid some spoilers from Goddess with a Blade.

In the first installment, I was introduced to some of the intricacies of Vampire politics and caught a glimpse of what forged Rowan. In this installment I saw what polished Rowan and watched her navigate the political waters of both environments using a mixture of subtle and direct actions depending on the situation. Yet for all of her political acumen it was wonderful to see her relax back into some of the comforts of her childhood. I was touched by the welcome she received back at her home despite the circumstances under which she left and how she worked through some of her lingering emotional residue with The First.

Negotiating the Treaty between the Vampire Nation and the Hunter Corporation was complicated enough but add in Rowan’s history with The First and his obvious favor, her romantic association with one of his Scions, and factions on both sides working against the Treaty, Rowan had her work cut out for her. I loved the delicate dance executed by both The First and Clive as they supported Rowan but also remained loyal to their people and the rules that bound them. They each provided some information but never undermined her power or position while maintaining their respective positions of power. Rowan also enforced her power and position while maintaining awareness of and respect towards the vampire hierarchy. As a result, her actions never put The First or Clive in danger of losing prestige nor did she have to worry about them deliberately setting her up for failure. I thought the way their entanglement was executed throughout the story really said volumes about the trust between all three parties. Of course watching The First play protective father towards Clive was quite a treat.

Not only was the interaction between the main characters fascinating but the glimpses of paranormal history and the intricate details of life with vampires was fascinating. Violence occurred as a fact of life on both sides and so did cutthroat politics. But I also saw kindness, love, caring, loyalty, and dedication from a variety of different sources. I could also see that vampires do start-off young and foolish in the early ages of their immortality and sometimes regret their actions in their later years. It was also interesting to see how friendships and alliances shifted into enmity over the passage of time and how others had to carefully make their way through the changing relationships. One of the other nicely highlighted themes was the gulf between those who sit behind a desk giving orders without ever facing what those orders mean and those who have to live with the consequences of those orders.

In Blade to the Keep, Dane combined a variety of different themes, strong characters, vivid world, and high stakes to keep me enthralled. I loved the progression of Rowan’s relationships with those who were important in her life and how she dealt with those who were impeding her progress. The character growth and increased intrigue not to mention the increase of Rowan’s importance as the link between the Vampire Nation and the Hunter Corporation have only raised the stakes. I am super excited that one of Dane’s many releases next year will be the third installment in this series because it has become one of my favorite UF series.

I give Blade to the Keep an A.

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

Publisher: Forever
Publish Date: Out Now
How we got this book: NetGalley

The One Man She Can’t Have

Matt Dean was born to fight…and kill. A member of a secret black-ops military unit, he and his brothers were genetically engineered by the government to be the perfect soldiers with an expiration date. Now, with time running out, he’s gone rogue in a relentless quest for the one person who can save them. His mission leads him to Charmed, Idaho…and to a beautiful woman with eyes like emeralds and a body made for pleasure.

The One Woman He Can’t Resist

Laney Jacobs knows the mysterious, handsome stranger is trouble from the moment he walks into her bar, looking for a job. She’s spent years running from her own past—the last thing she needs is a romantic entanglement. But Matt’s strong arms offer her protection, and his gentle touch promises passion unlike anything she’s ever known. As lethal forces surround them, revealing explosive secrets about Matt’s past and putting everything—and everyone—he holds dear in danger, can he save them all before time runs out?

*Blurb from Goodreads*

MinnChica: Ever since I picked up the first Sin Brothers book, I’ve been obsessed with this series. It reminds me so much of the Ava Gray Skin series, and in some ways has become even more of a favorite for me. In the second installment, we get the chance to see Matt, the oldest brother get his shot at love, from a woman he least expects to fall for. The set up for this book was so great, and I loved the angst between Matt and Laney, especially when the whole ugly truth is revealed.

E: *beams* So very glad a fellow Bookpusher enjoys this series. I have been anticipating this story since I finished the first installment. I am very glad to say the fulfillment of my anticipation was worth the wait. This was an intense story that provided more information about what shaped Matt and his brothers. It also provided some neat technology, fighting, angst, suspense, and smoking romance. Like MinnChica, I think this story went up a notch when the ugly truth came out and it wasn’t exactly what I expected.

MinnChica: I adored Matt. The pressure he put on himself as the oldest brother was beyond anything I could imagine, but it made him into such a strong and incredible hero. I loved the way he treated Laney, he was so kind and caring toward her, so devoted to making sure she was okay. Even after the ugly truth is revealed and their relationship dynamic changed, Matt was still so gaga over her that he was 100% devoted to making sure she was taken care of.

E: Oh yes, that was one of the many touches which kept Matt out of alphahole territory. He was so hurt and mad but never once did he retaliate or take his frustrations out on Laney. I also enjoyed how the bond between the brothers was so evident. They helped from a distance as much as possible and had no problems showing up unexpectedly if they felt Matt needed help or a neutral opinion. One of the other things that touched me about the Dean family is the love and protective nature included Josie, heroine of Forgotten Sins the first book, and her hopes for the happiness of the Dean brothers.

MinnChica: Absolutely! The bond between the brothers is one of my favorite aspects of this series. It’s so evident that these three would walk through fire for one another, and they will almost have to in order to find out the truth about their fourth and missing brother, Jory. Another thing I loved about this book was Laney herself. Like Matt, there were so many things to love about the heroine as well. She had an absolute heart of gold, and was so desperate to help anyone and everyone she could. It was amazing and so sweet. I have to admit that Zanetti took me by surprise when she revealed Laney’s secret. Looking back it’s so obvious, but the way Laney conducted herself just shocked me when everything came spilling out!

E: Laney’s secret and the circumstances behind it were certainly very interesting. It meant the brothers’ quest for a life of their own became slightly more complicated. I also enjoyed how Laney’s childhood and her secret shaped the woman she was when Matt met her. The woman who did her best to rescue and care for those around her without them knowing yet who also kept to herself as protection. I will admit in the early stages of the book I thought her reaction to blood was quite amusing then towards the end seeing her overcome that reaction and the reasons for it really cemented her as a strong character.

MinnChica: All in all I really loved this book. The bond between brothers is so strong, and I love the continuing relationship between the brothers and their lady loves in each book. The romance between Matt and Laney was so well done, I absolutely adored their journey to their HEA, and was so sad when the book ended! I can’t wait to find out more about Jory, and see where he has been all this time, how the brothers are going to disable their kill chips, and what exactly they have in store for the people who made them. This series has quickly become a favorite, and fans of RS definitely need to pick up this series!
I give Sweet Revenge an A-

E: This was a very enjoyable read. Like MinnChica I enjoyed the bond between the brothers and their ladies. The mystery surrounding Jory’s “death” continue to grow as does evidence of the long game played by the Commander. It was a lovely relief to read a romance that did not require the hero or heroine to grovel. Seeing Matt and Laney work things out while dealing with their respective pasts was impressive. I am worried about the ticking timebombs embedded in the Dean brothers’ spines and the increased complexity revealed about deactivating the kill chips. The glimpse of the next romance really has me excited because a lot more is at stake from the very beginning. I think it will be one of those sitting on the edge of my seat reads.
I also give Sweet Revenge an A-

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

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

Like most humans, Erin was totally in the dark about the hocus pocus going on around her, until she learned a hairy little secret—her aunt and her new husband were both werewolves.

To say family politics got complicated is an understatement, especially when she dated and broke up with a vampire. She has no plans to get involved again with anyone anytime soon, but hey, a girl has to scratch an itch every now and then.

FBI agent Luca Cavalli doesn’t mind Erin’s occasional booty call. He’s not looking for commitment, either. Plus, her family would be none too pleased to learn she’s seeing another vampire.

But when a stalker starts making Erin’s life hell, memories of other women Luca’s loved and lost punch him in the gut. She’s in danger and he’s determined to provide her with protection that’s as up close and personal as it gets….
This blurb came from the author’s website.

I read the blurb above and thought it was very intriguing but it was the third in the series and I wanted to make sure I enjoyed her writing before jumping in mid-series. So I went looking for the blurbs on the first two books. The end result was I bought and read the first book, went back for the second, and obviously requested the third to review. I am very glad that I did because not only did I enjoy them but each builds on the previous ones so I would have probably struggled to grasp everything that happened and its import. Therefore I highly recommend that you start with Embrace the Night, book 1.

Erin and Luca have been friends with benefits for about a year and the benefits were quite outstanding. Then things started to change, Luca was assigned to a rather brutal case involving the death of a young child and Erin began to get the feeling that someone who didn’t like her was watching her. The added stress made it evident how much being together helped ease that stress and indicated the potential for their casual relationship to grow. However, neither was comfortable with the potential for change and made some interesting decisions as a result.

I had a complicated relationship with Erin. Part of the time I really admired her, what she was doing, her reasoning and logic for certain actions and the other part of the time I wanted to reach inside the book to shake her. I loved how loyal she was to her family and how she went through some pretty impressive lengths to protect them. I also liked how her loyalty and protective nature extended to her friends and employees. What I didn’t like was her insistence in keeping both her feeling that something wasn’t right and the variety of different incidents that signified that something wasn’t right to herself. However, after a certain amount of convincing **fans self** she did realize she needed some help so she went out and found the best person she could. Her willingness to change her mind and seek out help while protecting those she cared about moved Erin back to my good graces. Her fierce determination proved to be a valuable asset as events continued to escalate.

Luca, my poor emotionally wounded vampire who was still quite deadly. He had gone through some pretty rough times in the first two books so I was glad to see there was hope for his happiness. I felt for him on one layer because he was caught between his morals, profession, and his family politics. I also felt for him because he has been rather unlucky in love and it appeared as if Erin was going to be another chapter in his unlucky book but, well this is a romance. I enjoyed watching him turn a few stereotypes on edge by initiating relationship discussions while at the same time respecting Erin’s independence. I will say I absolutely loved how he persuaded Erin to tell him what had her so spooked. The choice he made towards the end of the book knowing the consequences about broke my heart.

I enjoyed the relationships in this installment. Not just the romantic one between Erin and Luca but also their sometimes messy family entanglements and their interactions with friends and coworkers. Both Erin and Luca shielded each other from the negative reaction from their respective families even before they admitted there was more than friendship with benefits. Speaking of benefits, the sexual heat between them was very intense! A few times I felt the need to make sure I didn’t have anyone reading over my shoulder and lets just say I would probably answer just about any question I was asked during a particular scene.

Jordan has created a very entertaining world and group of characters. Edge of the Night contains danger, politics, family, smoking sex, paranormal, and hopes for a better future. She tied up a few strings from earlier in the series and continued to give me hope about a potential relationship between two more individuals who have “history”. My complicated relationship with Erin really highlighted how strengths and weaknesses can really be just two sides of the same coin. Something I will probably think about in future reads. I also enjoyed how Luca made himself vulnerable in order to have a chance at happiness. I am certainly looking forward to Jordan’s next installment in this series.
I give Edge of Night a B+

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

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

Bestselling authors Lauren Dane and Megan Hart deliver two stories of longing, lust, and love in futuristic worlds where love comes first—then survival…

Land’s End by Lauren Dane…The Land’s End highway is one of the most dangerous places in the universe. The constant peril of brigands keeps Verity Coleman stuck in Silver Cliffs, dreaming of the open road—and of Loyal Alsbaugh, the tall and silent highway patrolman. When her town is attacked, Verity has a chance to win over Loyal’s muted heart. But will his wounded past make him leave her along the road, or can she convince him to take her along?

By the Sea of Sand by Megan Hart…Captain Kason Reed was willing to give his life to the Sheirran Defense Forces, but now he can’t remember anything but bits and pieces of the war. When his sexual attraction to his caregiver, Teila, causes him to make advances toward her, she becomes the aggressor, urging him with her body to explore the memories of his past—memories that all seem to draw him back to Teila…
This blurb came from Goodreads.

Land’s End by Lauren Dane

As much as I love reading an anticipated installment in a series, there is something special about picking up a story set in an entirely new world written by a trusted author. It is like going on an adventure and knowing that the journey to the unknown end-point will be full of surprises. As a result when I read the blurb for Land’s End a few weeks ago I was pretty excited. Reading Land’s End was even better than my anticipation and made me hope she would turn this into the start of a new series.

Dane established a very interesting setting. Isolated settlements or villages have developed connected only by a major road called Land’s End. Some of those villages were larger, better protected and equipped while others were smaller and more tenuous. They were always on the defensive from attacks by traveling hordes of brigands who survived by raiding. The villagers were expected to provide their own self-defense long enough for the roving highway patrol to respond. Unfortunately as the brigands became more adept or more determined, the larger villages could no longer depend on their size as a deterrent. Silver Cliffs was one of the larger towns set up in a well defensible location. It was also one of the favorite stops for the highway patrol on their route as they delivered mail, goods, and supplies.

I enjoyed Loyal and Verity. Both filled valuable roles in their world but they felt constricted by society’s expectations. Verity was married off at a very young age and gratefully widowed some years later. She inherited and ran the post office/general store, which happened to be the location that Patrolman Loyal stayed at during all of his trips. As a widow, Verity had a bit more freedom than the usual unmarried woman in Silver Cliffs but she was still faced with restrictions on her movement and behavior. For years, she fed her lust for adventure and travel on the tales that Loyal provided during their evening discussions but Verity decided that she wants more. Loyal looked forward to his stops at Silver Cliff and the welcome he would receive from Verity. While he would have welcomed more than lodging, he knew she walked a precarious line between acceptance by her village and losing her reputation. He also felt she was worth more to him than a casual stress relief. As a result, it was up to Verity to pursue and convince Loyal to give them a chance.

Counterbalancing the passion of Loyal and Verity’s romance was the intensifying danger from the brigands and Verity’s shunning by her family for going against their wishes. I thought the inclusion of those two elements really brought to the forefront what Verity and Loyal were risking and what they could gain. Watching Verity show she refused to be limited to a specific role nor would she support limiting anyone else’s dreams spoke volumes about her character. Loyal also showed one of the many reasons Verity was attracted to him when he mentally wrestled against possible danger to Verity and the certainty of losing her if he tried to keep her constrained. I loved their resulting compromise.

By the Sea of Sand by Megan Hart

When I was looking at this anthology, I thought Hart’s name was familiar but I couldn’t quite figure out why. After looking at her backlist I realized that was because I owned some anthologies with her contributions but I had only read selected stories. Obviously I need to go back and correct my oversight. Hart also created a very interesting world that I would love to see more of despite the sometimes uncomfortable questions raised by the narrative. Humankind has expanded to the stars and as a side effect of the expansion bumped up against another space-going species that was not willing to share. The inevitable ensued and as the enemy tactics changed over the centuries, fighters suffering from both physical and mental wounds needed a place to heal.

The planet Sheir has oceans made of sand complete with waves, tides, winds, and storms. Teila, one of the Sheir residents is also a single mother who runs a lighthouse along the edge of The Sea of Sand. With the loss of her husband, she started to take in some of the more grievously wounded fighters who needed a peaceful place during their recovery. Then one day a new fighter, Kason, arrived who was close to dying. He had no memory of his previous name, life, or much beyond his torture as a captive and his time in the military. However, he was intensely attracted to Teila and she returned his attraction hoping their time together would help him regain his memory.

The dynamic between Kason, Teila, a high military commander, and the other individuals recuperating at the lighthouse was full of underlying messages and tension. Teila was trying desperately to help Kason heal because she had a lot at stake with his health. The high military commander had personal and professional reasons to hope for Kason’s recovery. In addition to the internal and external pressure to help Kason recover, not all of the other inhabitants of the lighthouse were supporting Teila’s efforts which added to the tension. As the story continued it became evident that the information provided to the public was very different from reality and that raised the stakes even more. Not only did learning aspects of the truth raise the stakes for Kason and Teila but it also raised some questions in my mind about the trust we tend to place in public officials.

I will admit I found it a bit jarring when things came to a head and the pieces started coming together in a rather shocking series of events. I knew something was going to happen but I wasn’t expecting the extent of that something. While the novella had a satisfactory ending I have some serious questions about what happened after, not with Kason and Teila but with Sheir, the military, the war, and the lies told to the public. Like Dane’s earlier novella, I would love to see Hart continue to write in this world/universe because I think there is so much possibility.

I give There All Along an A-

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

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

An auxiliary Nemesis agent and a former client go undercover as servants at a country estate during the Christmas season to expose corruption among London society’s powerful elite. Michael and Ada never thought they would again be working side by side in the pursuit of justice. Now that they’re on a case together, the attraction they had once shared flares to life, making a dangerous assignment even more unpredictable. Can they take the heat?
This blurb came from the author’s website.

The nice thing about reading a series after it’s already going is the ability to read multiple installments without having to wait–in other words, going on what is called a book glom. I was lucky enough to start reading Archer’s Nemesis Unlimited when she had two novels and a novella already out. So after reviewingDangerous Seduction, the second novella last week on the blog, I dived right into this novella.

Winter’s Heat introduced two new characters, Michael and Ada. They had met during an earlier case and became attracted to each other. But Nemesis business interrupted their budding relationship and it never went anywhere. Ada was hired as additional help for the Christmas season at a particular country estate. Given her lower class upbringing, she was accustomed to the duties expected of a maid, so going undercover in that capacity was relatively easy. Expecting a partner from Nemesis, she was surprised and displeased to see Michael after the method of their previous break-up. Michael was a regular employee of Nemesis who was just returning from the successful completion of another mission. He went undercover as a temporary footman and the experienced member of the team. In addition to knowing the details of their official mission, Michael had some personal goals of his own.

I found it interesting seeing this world adapted to a novella. In this particular case, Nemesis wasn’t trying to stop a crime from continuing to happen. Instead they were after the ringleaders who had escaped with their profits. This allowed the relationship more prominence, which I appreciated given the shorter length of the story while still satisfying my curiosity for intrigue. It also helped give depth to the story that the villains, while not seen participating in anything wrong, proved through their words that they were despicable individuals.

Even with the shorter length, Winter’s Heat included some elements I have decided are vintage Archer. Michael respected Ada in what she could do and what she decided to attempt. He never tried to say that she couldn’t do certain things because she was a woman. Ada also respected and trusted Michael on a professional basis even when she was unsure on a personal level. Any chance of success required teamwork, trust, and the discovery of unknown skills. The combination of those elements along with the sexual tension created an enjoyable read.

I give Winter’s Heat a B

Review originally posted on The Bookpushers, see source link below.

Publisher: St. Martin’s Press
Publish Date: Out now
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley

CAN A COMMON CAUSE

Alyce Carr has no time for the strange man in her little Cornwall village, no matter how breathtakingly handsome he is. Life in Trewyn doesn’t allow for much fun—the managers of the copper mine barely provide the miners and their families with enough food. Outsiders are suspect and flirts are unimaginable, but Simon Sharpe is as keen as his name…and Alyce can’t ignore him for long.

LEAD TO A SHARED PASSION?

As the founder of Nemesis, Unlimited, Simon Addison-Shawe is well accustomed to disguise and deceit. Yet he’s not prepared for Alyce’s dogged defense of her people and the injustices the copper mine has dealt them. With Alyce’s help he can change the fate of an entire town, and convincing her to join him is only part of the thrill. Together, they ignite a desire in each other much too powerful to deny. But at what cost?
This blurb came from the author’s website.

If you do a search on The Bookpushers for Zoe Archer’s name you will find that she turns up on a fairly regular basis for a really good reason. She writes entertaining stories set in worlds with a twist. Not only does her settings usually contain a twist of some sort but the individuals who populate her worlds are also rather unusual. Unusual in the sense they don’t exactly fit amongst others of their peers but they provide me with hours of enjoyment. I was aware that Archer had started a new series, and I had the first one, Sweet Revenge on Mount TBR so when I saw we were hosting her (see today’s early post) I was incentivized to move it up to the top of the pile. I did this for a couple of different reasons; first I was expecting it to be good; and second, I wanted to review Dangerous Seductionat the same time as her guest post. I knew from reading other series written by Archer that the stories tend to build on each other, therefore I would catch the subtle nuances in later installments if I started with the first one. After reading and enjoying it I couldn’t wait to get started on Dangerous Seduction.

Set in an impoverished Cornish mining town, Archer explored some of the ugly sides to industrialization. Nemesis, Unlimited received an anonymous letter detailing some of the abuses and pleading for help. In response Simon, born and raised a nobleman, went undercover as a mechanic. During his very first day on the job he saw several examples of abuse. One of which was the use of company script for pay instead of cash. Company script could not be exchanged for cash because it was not backed by a hard currency thus keeping the miners and their families dependent on the company. In addition to the negatives, Simon also noticed Alyce, a villager who managed to maintain her drive for a better life.

Alyce entered the scene arguing with the mine managers as she tried to convince them they needed to dispose of the rotting butter in the company store and replace it with fresh so the miners and their families could eat a wholesome meal. The managers refused but she didn’t let that stop her from continuing to make efforts to benefit the villagers’ lives. She was attracted to Simon but she wasn’t going to jeopardize her livelihood, not with some newcomer who on his very first day caught the attention of the local law enforcement.

I really enjoyed watching Simon gain Alyce’s trust. While she was busy viewing Simon with suspicion he was also looking for an ally, someone who the villagers trusted so he could act for justice. She was so suspicious that she followed him one night because he really wasn’t acting like a typical mine employee. Her conduct that night convinced Simon he might have found the key with which to rally the miners. Alyce discovered that there was a lot more to Simon then she thought and that there might be a chance to make life better. I thought it was great that she didn’t immediately trust/believe him when Simon mentioned why he had come to their village despite his actions. Throughout the story Simon demonstrated that he enjoyed Alyce’s will and independence. He never made it seem as if the was unable to do something because she was a woman. Alyce repaid his trust by doing her part and more during their scheme. She also liked him because of who he was as a person, not because of his birth position.

I knew I was enjoying the story but I did not realize exactly how invested I was in the action portion until I took a deep breath at the end of a particular scene and noticed Archer had steadily built up the tension. Even with that small release, the tension continued to build as the stakes rose higher and higher. I thought it was a sneaky touch when the mine situation reached its climax but I still didn’t know how Simon and Alyce were going to resolve their relationship. By spreading the resolution to the mine conditions and the romance across time, Archer reminded me that while one provided the opportunity for the other they were not completely interdependent.

With Dangerous Seduction Archer has once again created a series whose installments I will continue to enjoy. Her characters are unique and memorable. The world-building in Dangerous Seduction is detailed and varied. She also combines romance with action in just the right amounts so I am invested in the story as a whole, not one particular aspect.

I give Dangerous Seduction an A-

Review originally posted on The Bookpushers, see source link below.

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

The weather outside is frightful, but this Minnesota Northwoods cabin is getting pretty hot.

Stylist Frankie Blackburn never meant to get lost in Logan, Minnesota, but his malfunctioning GPS felt otherwise, and a record-breaking snowfall ensures he won’t be heading back to Minneapolis anytime soon. Being rescued by three sexy lumberjacks is fine as a fantasy, but in reality the biggest of the bears is awfully cranky and seems ready to gobble Frankie right up.

Marcus Gardner wasn’t always a lumberjack—once a high-powered Minneapolis lawyer, he’s come home to Logan to lick his wounds, not play with a sassy city twink who might as well have stepped directly out of his past. But as the northwinds blow and guards come down, Frankie and Marcus find they have a lot more in common than they don’t. Could the man who won’t live in the country and the man who won’t go back to the city truly find a home together? Because the longer it snows, the deeper they fall in love, and all they want for Christmas is each other.

Warning: Contains power outages, excessive snowfall, and incredibly sexy bears.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

After reading and enjoying, Love Lessons by Cullinan also published by Samhain, I started to keep an eye out for her work with a similar tone. Looking at the blurb for Let it Snow I couldn’t resist and eagerly requested it from Samhain. A few weeks later when Cullinan’s blog tour was announced I happily requested a guest post from her (please see the early post today) and she provided a great one. After all of this anticipation and my personal mental build-up I was very glad to see that I enjoyed reading Let it Snow.

I will admit I have a soft spot when it comes to romances with the main characters stuck in close proximity due to weather. To me that forces people to see how they would get along together over an extended time-period because it bypasses the honeymoon phase. The inability to leave, the forced dependence, and the unknown length of time all create a rather stressful situation which brings out the worst in people or maybe their purest essence once the polite trappings of society are stripped away. In this particular case, things were even more tense because of Marcus’ previous relationship, the personal habits of his roommates, and Frankie’s skittishness. I loved the combination and about died laughing during the first night in the cabin when everything came together.

I enjoyed more than the situation in this story. As I was reading, I started looking for the use and demolishment of stereotypes. Frankie knew he fit a certain mold and had been bullied as a result. When he first saw Marcus and his friends he leaped to the conclusion that the three hairy lumberjacks were staring at him as a prelude to causing him physical harm. With that in mind he was extremely skittish when he realized he was stuck in a cabin with them during a snowstorm. Throughout the story stereotypes, preconceived notions, and expectations continued to pop-up for Cullinan’s characters to negotiate. I enjoyed the mix of seeing some of those assumptions verified and others tossed out the window. I think what made this aspect stick out to me is the assumptions were in the minds of the characters themselves so it wasn’t something I inferred.

Frankie ended up having more depth to his character than I expected. When he was given the opportunity he selflessly gave of himself, his skill, and what he really enjoyed doing to brighten the lives of some of the local townspeople. He also did not expect any of the “bears” to go out of their way to do anything for him so his mixture of gratitude and suspicion was rather entertaining. Frankie also had a bit of a temper which when he let it loose, I absolutely loved.

Marcus was so terrifically grumpy and growly. He was so busy trying to act like Frankie didn’t push ALL of his buttons that everything he said came out sounding rough and curt. Yet when I paid attention to his actions he was very protective and caring towards Frankie. He took the time and effort to accommodate Frankie’s food intolerances instead of just expecting him to pick out certain items. Marcus also made sure he protected Frankie from the games his friends enjoyed because their interests were a bit rougher than Frankie enjoyed.

Frankie and Marcus both grew as characters, which I really liked. Each had to decide to take a chance on something that could make them happy but would require exposing vulnerability. Their outside contrast in just about every way made discovering their similarities that much more of a pleasure to discover. I thought the conversation about their difficulties in fitting in or discovering who they were was really touching. It was another example of Cullinan carrying the thread about stereotypes throughout the story. Once again Cullinan created a story that I felt fully immersed in the lives of her characters. I am looking forward to seeing what she comes up next in this particular world.

I give Let it Snow a B

Publisher: Skyscape US/ Hodder and Stoughton UK

Publish Date: Out now
How we got this book: ARC from the publisher via Netgalley & Print Arc from the UK Publisher

In this sequel to the bestselling fantasy thriller, Angelfall, the survivors of the angel apocalypse begin to scrape back together what’s left of the modern world. When a group of people capture Penryn’s sister Paige, thinking she’s a monster, the situation ends in a massacre. Paige disappears. Humans are terrified. Mom is heartbroken.

Penryn drives through the streets of San Francisco looking for Paige. Why are the streets so empty? Where is everybody? Her search leads her into the heart of the angels’ secret plans, where she catches a glimpse of their motivations, and learns the horrifying extent to which the angels are willing to go.

Meanwhile, Raffe hunts for his wings. Without them, he can’t rejoin the angels, can’t take his rightful place as one of their leaders. When faced with recapturing his wings or helping Penryn survive, which will he choose?

This blurb came from the author’s http://susanee.com website.

E: Oh a couple of years ago one of my fellow Book Pushers, **waves** Hi Has, insisted that I give a book called Angelfall a try. She raved over it so I gave into her pressure and well you can see the results http://thebookpushers.com/2011/09/30/joint-review-angelfall-by-susan-ee/ here. I was among those who eagerly searched out information on the second book and I am happy to say that the 2-year wait was worth it. I will caution you that if you haven’t read the first book you NEED to read it first because this starts immediately afterwards.

Has: Heh! I totally agree about needing to read the first book. I had a reread a few weeks ago of Angelfall and it was just as amazing the first time I read it. Even though World After took two years to be published it was well worth the wait and the ongoing epic saga of angels in a post apocalyptic world was just as addictive, with the edge of your pants action and a fantastic heroine.

E: Ee included some very interesting developments in this story. I really enjoyed learning more about the Angel swords and how special they really are. On several occasions the swords played a definitive role. I do have some questions about how/when/what makes the swords decide to act because it isn’t continuous. Raffe explained a few things about the swords but I hope more will come out in successive installments.

Has: I really loved how Susan Ee delved more into the Angel mythologies and their mythos surrounding their swords was really intriguing especially. I really loved the scenes with Raffe’s sword which bonded with Penryn. Her interaction with the sword were a real highlight which was filled with humour as well as brilliant action sequences. I also loved how an inanimate object was infused with real personality and it added real depth to the characterisations of Raffe and Penryn.

E: This story doesn’t pull any punches. It is apologetically dark and gritty. Watching the actions of most of the humans makes it difficult to have faith in humanity but Ee included a few bright moments with a variety of different characters, which kept hope alive. I also have to saw that I loved seeing a certain individual get some revenge against an individual who mistreated her. I think that was one of my favorite scenes in the book.

Has: I think this is why this series is so engaging and awesome! Because Susan Ee takes chances with the narrative and characters and doesn’t take any prisoners. I liked that the plot went into unexpected ways and even though some scenes were hard to read, it definitely felt different and refreshing to similar books in this genre. I also really like that there is real darkness and grittiness but she really balances it well with humour especially with the dialogue which is just as snappy and fun as the first book. I loved that the Dee-Dums (the identical twins who were part of the resistance in the first book) showed up again and I freaking adore their chemistry with Penryn which is full of humour and snark. Penryn’s mother also made me laugh with some of her actions even though it was pretty scary with what she can do with a lipstick. They really help to balance out the stark tone of the book and I hope we get to see more of them and their back-story in the sequels.

E: One of the other things I think Ee did quite well was develop her villains. All angels were not set against men, some were just easily manipulated and didn’t really know what they were supporting. The inclusion of science and gene-manipulation to create the flying scorpion like things was a great creepy touch. And then the symbolism about their abilities and cruelty that was revealed later in this installment was extremely diabolic.

Has: This was one of the interesting aspects and twists of the plot. I loved that she made the Angels into fallible beings, even though they were so powerful, they felt more real and fleshed out and ironically enough human-like too. Uriel’s character who is one of the main villains had an interesting scene towards the end which really highlights this and makes me wonder about the real reason on why the angels coming to Earth and the reason behind the apocalypse.

I also found that while the first book flirted with elements of horror, World Afterwas more heavy with that overtone. Although I loved the twists on how the reasons and the creation behind the Scorpion beings and the results of the experiments of the young children who were taken and experimented upon, which Penryn’s sister was a victim of. It was creepy and chilling and memorable.

The only thing I was unhappy about the book, was the long separation with Raffe and and Penryn, their partnership was one of the strongest facets of the series. And even though Susan Ee does a really good job with certain aspects of the plot that you don’t really miss Raffe’s presence, when he is reunited with Penryn, their chemistry between them is really tangible. I loved the ending which was jaw-dropping with an unexpected twist although it does leave you desperate for the next book!

E: Ee packed a lot of action and plot development in World After while retaining the key essence of the characters introduced in the first installment. I loved how things continued progressing and the expanded viewpoint that Penryn developed. Ee ended this installment on a very interesting note and I can’t WAIT to see what happens next with Penryn, Raffe, Paige, and the others. As I said in the beginning of the review, the two year wait was certainly worth it because Ee nicely avoided the sophomore book slump.
I give World After an A-

Has: I think World After cemented this series as one of the best in its genre. I was left on tenterhooks, with breath-taking action and a wonderful heroine who truly lives up to the idea on what it means to be a hero in a dark world falling apart. I really was captivated with the world Ee has created which was filled with horrific creatures and beautiful angels. The imagery in a lot of the scenes is striking and memorable, and the pace was fast pace but when you turn that last page you are left with wanting more. I so cannot wait for the next book because it was a stellar entry in this series!

I also give World After an A-

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

Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Nov 21st
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher

What’s on your wish list?

After indulging in twelve naughty nights in Mexico, a woman experiences an erotic epiphany. An adventurous elf has her eye on one very sexy Santa. A married couple hopes to find a very special marine under the mistletoe. And a holiday mitzvah leads a woman to submit to a man in uniform on Christmas Day. No matter your fantasies, this collection of four shorts will add spice and sizzle to cold winter nights.

Edited by Angela James, this anthology includes:

Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy
Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo
Ménage on 34th Street by Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis
Matzoh and Mistletoe by Jodie Griffin

Stories also available for purchase separately 
This blurb came from Goodreads.

Five Golden Rings by Jeffe Kennedy

**fans self** Kennedy certainly cranked up the heat for this opening story. I enjoyed how she presented both the strength and uncertainty in both characters. She was able to emphasize the give and take and how important communication was even during a no strings attached holiday fling. I thought it was great when Tilda decided she was tired of having her observations dismissed and proceeded to give Miguel some serious things to consider about what was really important. Watching his realization about his behavior, mental stereotypes, and his glimpse into the rest of Tilda over the last three notes was extremely touching. I thought he completely redeemed himself when he effectively put all of the power and control into her hands.

Ménage on 34th Street by Elise Logan and Emily Ryan-Davis

I have mixed feeling about this story. The tangled web between the three individuals jerked my emotions this way and that and left me feeling that while all parties had agreed on making this a threesome, there was still so much baggage and unspoken angst that their relationship would experience a lot more strain in the future. I was glad to see that Angela James asked for the rest of their story as well, to be published in 2014, because I am just not confident in a HEA at the moment. I do think Logan and Ryan-Davis did a great job showing the start of this relationship and the groundwork to make it work if everyone gives an honest attempt. The importance on communication and accepting the needs of not just your partner but also yourself were two common threads throughout this story. I was glad to see that focus. However, I also felt as if Hunter was two-dimensional. I didn’t see him exhibit any awareness of the emotional state of Kat or Liam and how his words and actions impacted them. Overall, this ended up the most unsatisfying read of this anthology because I think the complicated framework needed much more space to fully flesh out. I am curious to see how Logan will move this trio to a HEA.

Naughty Nicks by Christine d’Abo

I thought this short story was a lot of fun to read. I admit I was slightly worried about how this relationship was going to work given its initial starting point but I ended up absolutely loving the method d’Abo used. The passage of time and growth of friendship between Kim and Blake with their base of sexual attraction was very intense. I also got quite a kick out of the holiday business that brought them together each year. One of the other things I loved about this story was how Kim and Blake were ordinary people. Kim spilled food on herself, didn’t have a perfectly straight sterile house, and wasn’t afraid to experiment. Blake couldn’t dance, had very strict workplace ethics, and did everything he could to not jeopardize what limited contact he had with Kim. I loved what Blake did as he told Kim without using any words exactly how he felt about her. D’Abo also included closure with Blake’s past that made me really believe in their chances together.

Matzoh and Mistletoe by Jodie Griffin

I thought this was a great way to end the anthology. A friendship and attraction built over two meetings a year for several years. Only this year things are different because Becca has been divorced for nine months, which meant that she and Jeremy could act on their mutual interest. I thought Griffin took some chances here given Becca’s reason for the divorce and Jeremy’s sexual orientation. I loved how communication was again emphasized, even to the point of interrupting sexy times, as they worked their way through Becca’s past trauma. I also enjoyed Jeremy’s unfamiliarity with their particular relationship dynamic and how he learned as they went along. I thought this depicted a much more believable scenario because it leveled the playing field between Becca and Jeremy. They had to be open and trust each other which made the story that much more sweet to me.

Overall, I enjoyed this anthology. This group had varying levels of heat and degree of BDSM but they all emphasized how important communication was in building and maintaining the relationships. Even the story that I found the weakest wasn’t a bad story, just one that felt overly ambitious for the length limitation. I think it speaks highly of authors’ ability to intrigue me that I am very interested to see where the trio goes in next year’s standalone.

I give Season of Seduction a B

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

Publisher: Penguin
Publish Date: Out now
How we got this book: NetGalley

A Riley wedding is in the works, a Riley Christmas means a house full of family, and baby making is on Liz Riley’s mind. Chasing Gavin around and meeting in dark closets can be fun, but Liz is more than a little determined. Even with family in every corner of the house, Gavin is more than ready to do whatever Liz wants—especially when sex is involved. It’s a Riley family Christmas.
*Blurb from Goodreads*

MinnChica: This sports series is by far my favorite from Burton, and in the top three of sports romance series. I love the way Burton showcases not only the love of sports, from both the male and female perspective, but I also love the way she goes into the brotherhood of the players, the family dynamics outside of the team, and the struggles that come with being a professional athlete. Getting a sneak peek back into Gavin and Liz’s life is so amazing. Add in a Riley family Christmas celebration and wedding, and Burton has knocked this one out of the park!

E: It was great getting a peek into the life of the Rileys around Christmas. I do have to say that if you haven’t read the other books in this series you will miss a lot of the references. And you really should read them because they are good! I enjoyed seeing how she included friendly rivalries, arguments, love, and the essence of each previously met character. I had the feeling that I was watching an actual family not just a scripted set of scenes. As a result I loved this novella and didn’t find myself wishing it was a novel.

MinnChica: I agree completely. Usually when I read a novella, I find myself desperate for more! However, with this story, it was the perfect amount of story to whet my appetite. I thought it was hilarious that Liz was so fixated on getting pregnant that she was willing to go at it anywhere and everywhere she and Gavin could get some alone time.  These two were extremely sexual in their own full length novel, however I loved the fact that even Gavin was amused by how much Liz wanted to attempt making a baby. I do have to say though, for someone who was trying so hard to get pregnant, for someone who was constantly thinking about it, she was pretty oblivious to the signs. 

E: I agree. I guessed much earlier in the story but Liz was rather distracted at the time. I thought Liz’s mission to become pregnant so reminiscent of her personality throughout the entire series. I thought it was great to see that marriage and her hopes of pregnancy had not altered her in that regard. Speaking of Gavin he certainly was a willing participant and I loved his lines towards the end regarding Liz and their frequent activity. It was such a great relief to see that he wasn’t tired or exasperated by her drive. I also loved the closeness and inclusion between all the ladies. Really spoke to how close they became throughout the series.

MinnChica: All in all I thought this was such a great treat to the Play-by-Play series. I adored the chance to see all the heroines together, and the bond of sisterhood that connects them. Likewise it was fun to watch the heroes band together during all the family festivities. This is a book that should probably NOT be read as a stand-alone, but when the series is as great as it is, you might as well just buy all the books if you haven’t. 
I give Holiday Games an A-

E: I thought this was a lovely way to start off reading holiday stories because of its very completeness. It brought me right back into their world and reminded me of why I enjoy this series so much. I love how Burton is able to blend family with sports and keep the feeling realistic complete with inner-family rivalries. Now I really want to reread the series so if you haven’t started yet this is a perfect excuse.I give Holiday Games an A-

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

Publisher: Carina Press
Publish Date: Nov 18th
How I got this book: ARC from the publisher

Mathias Robichaud is looking for an alliance. The Defiance motorcycle club is a stronghold in the dangerous world that’s become the new norm and he’s driven to prove he’s tough enough to be sworn in as a full member. But when he sees a beautiful, spirited girl abducted by a rival MC, rescuing her jeopardizes all he’s worked for.

Politician’s daughter Jessa Everson knows what’s expected of her—obedience, loyalty and silence—but that doesn’t mean she doesn’t fight when she’s kidnapped by the Lords of Vengeance. Having Mathias save her is like gaining an avenging angel in leather and tattoos. But Defiance is known for brutal justice, and she may have just traded one bad situation for another.

Mathias’s urge to protect is too strong to ignore, no matter how much trouble Jessa brings to Defiance’s gates. There’s no room in the post-Chaos world for weakness so if Mathias and Jessa have any chance of surviving, they’ll need to put their full strength behind the MC…and hope that the MC will do the same for them.
This blurb came from the author’s website.
I read Defiance earlier this year with a few of my fellow Book Pushers and while not perfect I found the idea intriguing, the characters distinctive, and some lingering questions about the events that led to the apocalypse. I was interested in finding out what was going to happen in the next installment since the status quo was significantly altered. I was also very intrigued by the two deserters who were supporting Defiance but had not formally joined. Reading the back cover blurb and finding out that the hero was one of the deserters increased my interest. Tyler answered some of the questions I was wondering and in doing so raised others. While Mathias was the hero in this story, he and Bishop were so intertwined from childhood that he was present in most of the scenes. However, Tyler made a point to demonstrate that Bishop thought of Mathias as a brother and viewed Jessa platonically.

Mathias was on a quest to redeem himself for some of his actions in the past. Even as a young boy he was incapable of walking by when someone needed rescuing. This trait brought him both his best friend, a brother by another mother, and more trouble than he could count. He and Bishop were enjoying time outside during a few of the rare sunlit hours discussing their plans for the future when the peace was broken by a terrified scream. Mathias and Bishop were known for being constantly on the move. Due to their status as deserters and a dislike of those who abused power and therefore innocents, they never remained in one place long enough to put down roots. Their time in Defiance was the longest they had been in one place since deserting the army and they were starting to feel restless. After assessing the situation Mathias insisted on intervening, a decision that changed his life.

Jessa grew up the pampered daughter of a high-ranking politician groomed to make a political marriage and carry on her family’s influence in running the country, or what was left of it. Jessa wasn’t happy in her designated role and when her parents would not listen to her thoughts she rebelled by attempting to kill herself multiple times. After her most recent and most serious attempt she married her childhood acquaintance, the man she was supposed to marry in her father’s political scheme. After trusting him with the politically deadly secrets she overheard, she found herself betrayed by her husband and being sold as a sex slave. Her rescue by Mathias and Bishop was an opportunity to change her life for the better if she was willing to take a chance.

I ended up having mixed feelings about the main characters. I absolutely loved learning more about both Bishop and Mathias. Their story was a mixture of uplifting and sad. The insights into what made them who they were did a lot to explain the decisions each made throughout the story. I really hope their circumstances at the end of this story don’t jeopardize their bond. Jessa, on the other hand, puzzled me. She didn’t fit in her pampered world but also showed far less distress at more primitive living than I would have expected. She also continued to believe her husband even after knowing what he was willing to do. She waffled between trusting and not trusting any of the members of Defiance including Mathias until it was too late. While some of my puzzlement was relieved when I found out her final secret, I still had some issues with her rationale when it came to her husband.

While I thought the world-building and some of the story flow was better, I had a harder time believing in the romance in this installment. I think part of it was my fascination with Mathias and Bishop combined with the difficulty I experienced trying to connect to Jessa. I couldn’t get past thinking the attraction was much more one-sided.

You found out you get to keep living.

He let me digest that for a long moment and then explained, For a lot of people who weren’t in your position, they think it’s about not dying. But when you really think about it, you found out today that you get to keep on living instead. And that’s a whole other ball game.

Mathias was willing to sacrifice an immense amount for Jessa but I never had the feeling that she would be willing to make an equivalent sacrifice. I did really enjoy how Jessa worked to communicate with Mathias without requiring an interpreter. I also thought the way Tyler brought forward the subtleties of body language into Mathias’ interactions a nice way to remind people that entire conversations can occur without a single spoken word.

As I was reading Redemption and catching the expanded pieces of worldbuilding, I found it fascinating to put the pieces together from the opposite perspectives of Mathias and Jessa for the same cataclysmic event. As I filled in the picture I was reminded of an old science fiction duology by Philip Wylie called When Worlds Collide and After Worlds Collide. Only instead of following the lives of the privileged few, the focus was on the non-privileged who dared to make their own living. This helped me visualize the new generation of Defiance and how they were changing the old culture while defending their lifestyle.

I am still curious about what is going to happen next as things look like they are building up to a confrontation of some sort. I have a lot of questions about Mathis and a certain member of Defiance along with wondering about a particular secret. I think I know what it is but I am not exactly sure yet. I also want to see Mathis and Jessa’s relationship grow because I am not exactly comfortable with where this book ended and their HEA.

I give Redemption a B-/C+

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

Publisher: Samhain
Publish Date: November 19th
How we got this book: eARC from author

Over the past year, Travis Coleman lost the two people he allowed closest to his heart. Both gave him ultimatums—then left. Hell if he needs that kind of pain again. Time to move forward without the friends he thought might save him from his dangerous cravings.

When Ashley Sims returns to Rocky Mountain House, her rambling lifestyle isn’t all she’s hoping to change. Travis snagged a piece of her, and while getting tangled in his issues again might be crazy, she hasn’t given up on him.

Nine months ago, Cassidy Jones walked away to stop his best friend from making a huge mistake. Temptation lingers, though, and when Travis shows up on his turf accompanied by a sensually uninhibited woman, the combination tosses fuel on the banked fire.
Passion flares among the three of them, as hot as the summer days. But are they willing to push the limits, and fight for love?

Warning: Dirty fighting, dirty talk, dirtier sex—secrets are coming out. Get ready for ménage a trois and cowboy-on-cowboy action, with ropes and crops and the kind of relentless love strong enough to set a man free.
*Blurb from Goodreads*

MinnChica: I have been chomping at the bit for Travis’ story since the first Six Pack Ranch book. I couldn’t wait to find out what the deal was with this sexy and mysterious cowboy. Arend has been so secretive about his kink, his sexual preferences, that we’ve all been left to wonder what exactly Travis’ deal is! I have to say, I loved it!!! I loved him with both Cassidy and Ashley, I loved getting to see what really drives him, and the sex scenes were OMG HOT!

E: I have to say that Arend really kept me waiting for Travis’ story. I have wondered and suspected so many different things about him throughout this series. Some things he enjoyed Arend shared but it was only bits and pieces not the complete picture. I am very glad to say that his story made up for the excruciatingly long wait. Watching him deal with both his demons and desires as he struggled to find a balance that satisfied his needs yet did not continually alarm those who cared about him was such an emotional ride. I also agree with MinnChica about the sex scenes. Very intense and smoking hot!

MinnChica: I just want to say that I am usually not a fan of menage stories, especially m/f/m ones. But, since Travis and Cassidy were just as interested in each other as they were in Ashley, I found that I was able to believe in their happily ever after more than with other stories. One of my favorite aspects of their relationship was watching Cassidy and Travis fight themselves and their desires to be together, especially Cassidy. He was so scared of losing Travis as a friend, that he feared acting on any of his desires, even after he knew they were returned. Both Travis and Ashley had to almost coax Cassidy into a relationship with them, but once the three were together, they were so perfect for one another. I adored their relationship, and just how willing they were to fight for their triad once they left the seclusion of their camp.

E: Reluctant Cassidy was so much fun. The way he kept himself separate despite their urging and his own desires. I also liked how he agreed to help Travis because he cared so deeply about him and Ashley. He would have preferred to deal with emotional pain than to see Ashley hurt. Even though he seemed self-sacrificing at times he also knew what he wanted and was willing to fight for it once he knew it was welcomed. In some ways I think Ashley had a harder time believing that what she wanted was possible and that she did not have to be ashamed of it. I liked how she relaxed during their time out at the camp but she also had some unfortunately valid fears for their return to town.

MinnChica: Yes, poor Ashley seemed to be the one who was most hurt by their unconventional relationship, especially once they returned to town. I was so glad to see her strong spirit come out though, because she was such a good fit for both Travis and Cassidy. I always love when unconventional romance books deal with the aftermath of their relationship, not just the getting there and the sex scenes. Watching Travis, Cassidy and Ashley ALL deal with the fall out of their friends and the town was so great. I loved getting to see not just the good aspects of their menage, but the bad as well. Plus, seeing the Coleman crew surround Cassidy and Ashley with their awesomeness was a total bonus!!

E: Oh I loved seeing the Coleman’s pull together around Travis, Cassidy and Ashley. It really showed how they grew as a family from the first installment through Rocky Mountain Freedom. While I felt horrible for what happened I think it also cemented their commitment to their relationship and made me buy into the HEA since it wasn’t all flowers and rainbows. Once again Arend had demonstrated why I eagerly await each new release. She just keeps getting better.
I give Rocky Mountain Freedom an A.

MinnChica: All in all I adored finally getting to read all about Travis! I loved that he had not only a secret regarding his bisexuality, but also a big secret regarding the way he deals with stress, pain, and the day-to-day bull shit. It was wonderful to see the way Cassidy and Ashley and Travis were all able to close ranks around each other, and provide for one another in ways they never expected. Again, I am super anxious to read more and more of the Coleman family books!
I give Rocky Mountain Freedom an A

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

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

London, 1830

SPOTTED: LONDON’S FAVORITE FALLEN HEIRESS, TAKING UP WITH THE ROGUE MARQUIS!

Amongst the gossip-hungry ton, no name has become more synonymous with sin than that of Lady Caroline Rider, cast out by her husband and disowned by her family. Rumor has it that the infamous “Caro” is now seeking oblivion in the opium dens of London!

There’s only one man who can save her—notorious rake Sebastian Conway, Marquis of Ardhallow. Soon Caro is installed in his country home, warming his bed, but their passion may not be enough to protect them once news of their scandalous arrangement breaks out….
This blurb came from the author’s website.

It has been a while since I have read a historical by Kaye so when I found this up for review I decided to give it a try. I typically read the Author’s Note, Letter from the Editor, and the dedication that the author or editor includes because it seems to get me in the mood for the story. I found the Author’s Note for this one to be very interesting and focused my attention looking for some of the things Kaye mentioned. I also learned this was part of a series, which I missed when I selected it. I have to admit that I have very mixed feelings about this story because on one hand, the heroine did things I really don’t agree with but on the other hand Kaye was able to make me believe in Caro and her situation.

The story started off with a rather dramatic scene and then proceeded to alternate between significant events in the past that led to the opening scene and events that occurred after that opening scene. I found the flashbacks were very distinct so it was easy to tell the difference between past and present. The scenes in the past were just that, scenes, but they allowed me to get a feeling for who Caro was and a sense of how she ended up in her current position. Let me just say that I am very glad I am not bound by the same particular rules of society that Caro and Sebastian faced. Towards the end of the book I was very glad to see some of the same joy of life return to Caro that she had during a few of the earlier flashbacks.

Sebastian wasn’t without his own issues. He spent most of his life as a disappointment to his father. Not on purpose at first but after a while he started to live up or down to expectations. This reached the point so that even when he was on “his best behavior,” it was only so he could lull the suspicious and then proceed to flaunt society’s rules. As the story starts, he has replaced his dead father as the Marquise of Ardhallow and due to their enmity, the only things he focused on were things his father didn’t seem to value. Yet, unlike any other society man, he rescued Caro, encouraged her to find her strength, and even tried to help her mend some of her fences.

I have to include some spoilers for this book to explain my mixed reaction.

I enjoyed watching Caro and Sebastian come to the realization that they were in love. I also liked watching them decide to face and then deal with the issues of their past. I could also understand a certain choice that was made towards the end of the story given their circumstances and the lesson that Sebastian learns. However, what they did during the middle of the story I had some issues with. Their actions pushed one of my DNF buttons. Having said that, Kaye managed to do such a great job setting up the characters that I was fully invested in my hopes for happiness that I didn’t stop reading. I guess this goes to show that I should stop saying I will never read x, y, or z because sometimes a book comes along that proves me wrong.

As I said in the beginning, this book left me with mixed feelings. I really enjoyed certain aspects and yet I had a hard time accepting other aspects. Caro and Sebastian were likeable, if flawed, characters. It was interesting to see how the pressures of society contributed to those flaws and actions that neither character would normally have taken. I was particularly glad to see that Kaye made the exposure of those flaws cost something but I also felt bad for the suffering that her characters experienced. As Kaye discussed in her Author’s Note, this story had a much darker tone than the others I have read by her.
I give Rumors that Ruined a Lady a B-

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

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

Losing his father was hard enough, but now Ben Grady must face the fact that he and his brother may not be sole owners of their beloved ranch. To protect his family’s legacy, he’s forced to rely on the legal prowess of the woman who stars in his erotic fantasies: Allie O’Keefe. Ben’s never forgotten the illicit encounter they shared fifteen years ago—or forgiven himself for letting her go.

Allie thought she’d moved beyond the scandal that cost her Ben in the past. But working so closely with the seductive rancher arouses the wild child within the cautious woman she’s become. Though she tries to keep business and pleasure separate, Allie soon gives in to temptation, and discovers Ben’s sensual skills surpass even her X-rated memories…

Allie has every intention of leaving Bull’s Hollow forever after her investigation is complete. But there are a few complications. Not the least of which is that while saving the ranch, Allie’s lost her heart.
This blurb came from the author’s website http://leahbraemel.com

E: I was flipping through the collections in my ereader a few weeks ago and saw Leah Braemel’s name. Looking inside there was a book that I remembered reading, enjoying and wishing she had written more in that particular setting. I also found myself thinking for the severalth time that I really wanted to read more of her writing in general. In happy coincidence shortly afterwards I became aware that she had a new story coming out that was a contemporary western. With my recent musings in mind, I decided to go ahead and request it. While I didn’t get what I expected based on the single title I had read before, I did get an emotionally complex, good second chance at love story with some interesting twists.

MinnChica: I’ve read and really enjoyed Braemel’s books in the past, plus any chance I get to read about kinky cowboys is a plus! I always enjoy second chance love stories, and although I thought that Ben and Allie were quick to jump back into a sexual relationship, I loved the way their second chance played out. They both had some emotional hits to take, and although Ben’s grandfather did a good job of screwing them both up, they also came out stronger than ever.

E: Ben’s grandfather was a serious piece of work. In fact several of the responsible adults during the time of Ben and Allie’s first romance were serious pieces of work. It seemed as if they were willing to do and say anything to ruin any chance at happiness for Ben and Allie and for several years it worked. Like MinnChica I thought given the way their relationship ended, it would have taken a bit longer for them to get back together physically but I was glad to see their emotional trust took longer to develop. I really enjoyed the convoluted trail Allie had to follow as she tried to determine the status of the ranch land and who controlled what. Braemel was able to keep me guessing on the exact details for most of the story which added to my enjoyment.

MinnChica: Yes, I thought the absolute strongest aspect of this book was (in addition to the sex scene, obviously  ) the little mystery surrounding the ranch lands and family secrets. Watching Allie help to unravel all the secrets that had kept Ben from truly knowing his family was both wonderful and fun. I like the fact that Allie got to be the one to break all the bad news to Ben, because I think it really helped them work on their emotional trust, to gain back some understanding and respect for the people they had grown up into. I really liked Ben, but after he and his brother Jake made a decision at the end, I found myself loving the guy even more. Ben came across as the kind of stand up, loving and attentive hero that every woman loves!

E: Oh yes, Allie having to break the news made her involvement in their life and Ben’s reactions to her all the more intense. I also loved how her boss never let Allie get away with avoiding her situation. I thought she had a hidden soft spot but also knew that Allie’s insider information would help clear up the tangle story quicker. Initially I had some issues with Jake both in how he treated Allie, understandable as the story developed, but also towards Ben and the ranch. Seeing Ben take Jake’s side and start treating him as a co-owner not just a quasi-hand really meant that Ben was growing emotionally. The decision that Ben and Jake made really cemented their status as hero material. I have to say by the end of the story I was really cheering for Jake and I hope that he gets his story is next **not so subtle hint**.

MinnChica: The whole relationship between Ben and Jake was wonderful. With Ben treating Jake like a hired hand, and Jake avoiding Ben because of family secrets, their whole time together was wonderful! I have to admit, one area I was disappointed in this book was with Ben’s best friend Logan. It was obvious from the get-go that Logan did not have it as easy as Ben did growing up. Despite the fact that they were best friends, being a punching bag for his dad couldn’t have been fun. And yeah, as a kid he made a huge mistake, and kept it a secret. But the way that Ben completely turned his back on his best friend felt a little too rash of a decision for me. Especially since Ben seemed unwilling to see anything from Logan’s point of view. While I didn’t really like Logan’s character to begin with (he came across as a self-centered asshat), but at the end of the day I also felt that Ben was a little quick to jump on the idea that Logan did anything maliciously. I think he was a kid stuck between a rock and a hard place, and made the best of an already shitty situation.

E: See on the other hand I didn’t have any serious issues with Logan to begin with but as the story progressed my doubts and questions about him grew. I understood that at the time he was caught between a rock and a hard place but he had a very long time to make amends. I got the feeling that Ben was a better friend than Logan ever was regardless of his mistake. I was glad to see what Ben decided to do given Logan’s actions even though it meant the end of a long-time friendship. I felt that if the friendship had continued Ben’s relationship with Allie never would have come to fruition. I enjoyed watching the secrets unravel as much pain as they caused at the time because of how Ben, Jake, and Allie were able to work through their anguish and build on the connection they used to have.

I enjoyed Slow Ride Home and I am glad I reminded myself that I need to read more of her writing. The romantic and familial relationships with their ups and downs provided satisfying reading. The addition of the complex web of lies, omissions, and half-truths added to my enjoyment as I tried to solve the puzzle. I look forward to seeing this series continue and also exploring Braemel’s backlist.
I give Slow Ride Home a B

MinnChica: All in all I really enjoyed Braemel’s Slow Ride Home. I thought the secrets that were revealed about the Grady family were wonderful as they slowly came out. I thought the relationship between Ben and Allie, while quick to develop, was wonder, super sweet, and incredibly sexy. I hope that Braemel continues to write more within this world, especially about Jake.
I give Slow Ride Home a B-

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

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

The bombing that almost killed Owen witch Molly Ryan has worsened the tensions between the humans and the Others. While the Others desperately campaign to prevent the passage of a law that would strip their people of all rights, the human separatists develop an agenda far worse than anyone imagined. With her position more precarious than ever, security head Helena Jaansen finds herself relying more and more heavily on her personal guard, Faine Leviathan, and, despite her better instincts, falling more deeply into the intimate connection that they share.

As Helena and Faine’s explosive passion grows, a deadly separatist plot is discovered, one which could bring ultimate destruction for the Others, and war breaks out between the two opposing factions. With the Others forced into hiding, Helena must overcome her fear of repeating past failures to save her people—and her heart—before it’s too late…
This blurb came from the author’s website.

I see Lauren Dane’s name on something and I buy it, no questions asked. As a result, I have been reading this series since it started. She is also one of the authors that makes me laugh with glee when I realize that separate series I have enjoyed are all taking place in the same world. This in the final book in the Bound by Magick series, but not the final book set in this particular world. Wild Darknessbuilds on the events of the previous installment Going Under reviewed here. As a result, I will be unable to avoid spoilers for the previous books.

Things were progressively getting worse for The Others. They were still reeling from their horrific losses due to The Magister’s brief visit when a group of humans decided the Others, who lived peacefully as friends, neighbors, and family, were suddenly a threat or less than human and should be treated as such. All throughout the last book, the Others were striving for a peaceful resolution, educating, informing and not harming humans but the anti-Other rhetoric kept growing along with violent attacks against the Others for daring to want to continue to live a normal life. Going Under ended with a firebomb attack at a community center full of noncombatants, families and children in full daylight followed by an armed assault. Wild Darkness starts as the fighting has ended, but before any of the emergency medical or law enforcement personnel have arrived which set the tone for the entire book. Time and again, the Others wee attacked and had a delayed or no response from law enforcement. If the law enforcement showed up, the Others were treated by some as if they were the cause not the victims. In the meantime through the political channels, anti-Other legislation aimed at reducing them to animal status was moving towards passage by the House and Senate.

Helena, raised from childhood on the more offensive warrior aspects of being a witch, was working as the security chief for the Owen clan. While she was able to set up a variety of procedures to help protect the Others her responsibilities grew after her abilities were recognized and she was asked to take on the responsibility of protecting their spokeswoman, Molly. As the stakes for those she protected and her stress continued to rise, she was forced to learn how to depend on other people and how to handle the fact that not everyone was going to live through every attack. I loved watching her grow as a person and start to emotionally trust another man again.

Faine was a bit more of an unknown. He and his brother Simon, introduced inChaos Burning, were assisting Clan Owen and the Others as they attempted to recover from The Magister’s visit and deal with the negative human reaction. Simon was married to Helena’s sister Lark so he had even more of a stake in the safety of Clan Owen. With Lark and Simon working in a different part of the country, Faine was concerned about Helena’s emotional state as she dealt with everything. Each time he watched Helena rise to the occasion and give her all, the attraction he felt grew stronger. When he was officially asked to protect her as she protected other people, he was glad to seize the opportunity and help her with more than physical protection.

“I’m very scary. But not to you. I want you to lean on me because I want you. I want all of you, Helena Jaansen. Since the first time I met you I knew you were special. And everything I’ve seen since has only confirmed that. I thought it was a passing fancy at first. You’re beautiful and powerful. A male like me finds those qualities fairly irresistible.”

**Cue me melting**

I loved the romance between Faine and Helena. They didn’t have a lot of internal conflict other than the differences in cultures but it was lovely to see them develop more than professional trust without the conflict. I really liked that Faine’s age and life experiences were used to remove the communication games and beating around the bush because I was allowed to focus on their growing relationship amidst all of the outside ugliness. I also felt the outside stakes were so high, internal conflict would have negated Faine’s claims to care about Helena. In addition to the romance, developments in the Others’ attempt to keep their status they were born with as American citizens made me rather tense. So much was at stake, so much violence, and through it all it appeared as if the strident voices of hatred were going to win. Dane included an extremely touching scene in a local grocery store, which provided hope but also demonstrated eloquently how voices of reason are usually quieter and more subtle than those of extremism on either side. It made me think about society today and through the ages and wonder what it would take to stir the moderate masses into action.

Wild Darkness was a great way to close this particular chapter on Dane’s complex world. Evidence of this new “normal” will continue to show up as Dane provides more stories but I found myself completely satisfied by her ending. I am also looking forward to revisiting some other characters and seeing how their lives have changed. Not to mention the threat that has existed from the beginning is still around.

I give Wild Darkness an A-

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

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

A spy. An airship. And a broken heart.

After losing her husband to a rogue French agent, Charlotte Moncrieffe wants to make her mark in international espionage. And what could be better for recovering secret long-lost documents from the Palais Garnier than her stealth dirigible, Gossamer Wing? Her spymaster father has one condition: He won’t send her to Paris without an ironclad cover.

Dexter Hardison prefers inventing to politics, but his title as Makesmith Baron and his formidable skills make him an ideal husband-imposter for Charlotte. And the unorthodox undercover arrangement would help him in his own field of discovery.

But from Charlotte and Dexter’s marriage of convenience comes a distraction—a passion that complicates an increasingly dangerous mission. For Charlotte, however, the thought of losing Dexter also opens her heart to a thrilling new future of love and adventure.
This blurb came from the author’s website.

I have what can probably be described as a love/tolerate relationship with steampunk. There are a few authors whose steampunk I love and I tolerate the others I have tried. So when I saw that Dryden had a steampunk series starting I wasn’t sure if I wanted to risk it. But then, I remembered that I have enjoyed what Dryden has written in the past, primarily erotic romance, so I decided to stretch my comfort zones a bit and give Gossamer Wing a try. I am glad to say that Dryden didn’t let me down.

From the opening lines, I knew that the steampunk aspect would be thoroughly incorporated into the world-building which allowed me to settle into the story. It also started off with an interesting piece of action that tied nicely into the body of the story. I found the first interaction between Dexter and Charlotte very intriguing. The history of written requests, the development of technology, and the difference between spelling out the how vs stating the requirement all kept me wondering how they would manage to get along in person. The twist Dryden provided to enable their meeting and “marriage” was a great play on a certain familiar historical trope.

The romance between Charlotte and Dexter was slow growing but full of spikes in intensity. The reluctant attraction that started in admiration for their respective strengths grew with Charlotte’s awareness of Dexter as a man not just as a faceless acquaintance. On Dexter’s side, he was aware of his attraction but kept reminding himself that this was not a true marriage until he finally decided to see if Charlotte was willing to explore expanding their relationship. One of the things I enjoyed with their relationship was that sex didn’t solve or miraculously equate to HEA. They had to continue to work for their happiness and to learn to trust each other making the ending that much more satisfying.

In addition to the romance, Dryden included layers of intrigue. Like any situation there is the truth, there is the best guess on each side about the truth/motivation of the other side, and there is what happens. The interweaving of those threads colored as they were with past events made the story even more interesting. I really didn’t know what some of the individuals were going to do until they did it which kept me invested in the rest of the story. I also thought it was fascinating to see how motivations could and did change throughout the story as facts were uncovered.

Towards the beginning of this review I mentioned how the steampunk elements were seamlessly integrated throughout the story. One aspect of the integration, which added a nice touch, was the realization that personal enhancements came with a cost. If the enhancements or replacement body parts were metal, in cold weather they might not function as well or they could potentially cause frost damage to the connection between the implant/enhancement and human flesh. Or when the enhancements were more sophisticated and used not for a body part but for one of the five senses, if there was a problem or the implant was disconnected the particular sense was gone not just muted.

There were several scenes in this story that I really enjoyed and bookmarked. One was the scene when they decide to take the next step and “consummate” their marriage. The discussion prior, logic used in the argument, and then the openness during really spoke towards the partnership Charlotte and Dexter were building. I also enjoyed one of the many discussions when Charlotte was insistent on keeping emotion out of their relationship because she was scared and didn’t understand what she was feeling. The last scene I wanted to highlight was the one in which Charlotte actually grew up. She learned some painful truths about herself, her first husband, and how much Dexter meant to her. I loved how she prepared and executed her grovel. Just like I loved how Dexter was abiding by her wishes as promised with their initial arrangement. He knew that she had to be the one to decide what kind of life she was going to live. I thought the way Dryden kept them in character even under pressure was admirable because I was sitting on the edge of my seat willing them to make their “marriage” a real one. I think I can safely say that I have found another steampunk author to add to my very slowly growing list.
I give Gossamer Wing a B.