Otterly in Love by Lorelei M. Hart and Aria Grace

Title: Otterly in Love

Author: Lorelei M. Hart and Aria Grace

Series: #3 in The River's Edge Shifters series

Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Surrendered Press (November 21, 2020)

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: An M/M MPreg Shifter Romance

Sometimes the past holds your future...

Omega otter shifter Doc loved his adopted son and wanted to protect him from his past. But when the boy's past flings itself at him in the form of a series of letters, Doce is faced with the heart wrenching decision of either ripping open old wounds or keeping unforgivable secrets from the child.

Rabbit shifter Levi hates his life as Alpha of his Colony. Put there by birthright and held there by his past, he has no choice: If he leaves, they will kill his one true mate. Rabbits were brutal like that.

When the colony is all abuzz with word of a stranger in town, Levi doesn't expect an otter and he certainly doesn't expect the man to be the bearer of both the worst and the best news of his life: His mate was gone and he had a son. And he most definitely doesn't expect to have his rabbit announcing the man as his mate. 

Otterly In Love is a sweet with knotty heat M/M shifter mpreg romance featuring an otter shifter looking out for his son, a rabbit shifter who fears he isn't strong enough to fix the wrongs of his path, an evil sheriff who won't stay gone, a boy who in some ways has more to teach him, true fated love, and an adorable little baby. This is the third book in the River's Edge Shifters series brought to you by the co-writing team of Lorelei M. Hart and Aria Grace and can be read as a stand-alone.

(Synopsis courtesy of GoodReads)

My Thoughts: I was really looking forward to getting to know Doc more and although this was his story it left me wanting more.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: So, about the synopsis.... for the most part it is exactly what this book is about, but that last paragraph isn't quite accurate. The evil sheriff is taken care of in book 2 and although it's been 4 days since I finished this book, I'm pretty sure I am remembering this book correctly. Also, the "adorable little baby"...not sure which baby this is in reference to. I believe August and Jase's baby is in the book and she is adorable, but she isn't in a lot of the scenes as at least half the book takes place at the rabbit Colony and not in River's Edge. There is another baby, but I believe doesn't make an appearance until the very end. One more complaint about the last paragraph of the synopsis and then I'll move on....it says it is the 3rd book in the series but can be read as a stand-alone. I'm terrible about reading things in order and my GR friends could attest to this. I often pick something up based on what I get approved at NetGalley. I'll pick something up based on what my library has available at the time. I'll even pick something up based on the shiny cover. However, I really think in order for Doc's story (and Xander's as well) to be fully appreciated the first book in the series should be read before this one, at the very least. Book 2 is almost an independent book within the series as the characters in that story don't make an appearance in book 3 but more about that later.

While I did enjoy this book, I was sad that Leo and Ron (from Feline the Love) weren't in this book. I really liked those characters. Also, I know Doc was older, but I don't recall how much older (I'm actually thinkin it never said) and for some reason this bugged me. I like an age gap romance but like to know what ages I'm working with LOL. 

With the background story of Xander being heartbreaking and intense from the first book I was disappointed that part of that story was concluded off page, happening sometime after book 1 ended and book 3 started (but not mentioned in book 2 at all.) I know that is quite vague, but I don't want to include any spoilers for anyone who may want to read the series.

As far as Levi and Doc go, I really wanted more from their story. On one hand it was a really good story, but I think the page count limited the development of a believable love story. As with most fated mate tropes the "I Love You's" happened quickly and in shifter romances sex usually means love. Too bad I'm not a shifter and can't appreciate this type of relationship. Hello insta-love. <insert should shrug here>. 

In a Nutshell: I am definitely moving on to book 4 although I'm not sure who will find their true love as there weren't any new shifters introduced except 3 bunny adults (new adult age so not viable for relationship status in my mind), a handful of rabbit Colony asshats (only good for evil mastermind status), and Mama (a widowed lion shifter who played a major role in helping Levi leave the Colony....loved her by the way.) I guess I'll have to wait until I can pick up book #4, Canine Love You after I finish up my current reads.

An Omega Bear for Kit by Lorelei M. Hart and Colbie Dunbar

Title: An Omega Bear for Kit

Author: Lorelei M. Hart and Colbie Dunbar

Series: #2 in the Bruin Ridge Bear-Ginnings series

Genre: M/M Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Surrendered Press (May 22, 2022)

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: Grant didn't know an omega could become Beta of his Bear Den, but that's exactly what just happened.

Omega bear shifter Grant loves all of the positive changes that his den has seen since their new Alpha arrived. Now that he has food in his bellym, a comfortable place to live, and a taste of the human world, he yearns to take another step and do what no one from his den has attempted--get a college education. If only he was brave enough to ask.

Alpha mountain lion shifter Kit enjoys his life in the city. Great food, fun nightlife, andf best of all... no pack politics. That's until his pack's Alpha sends word he's needed at home. Kit has no choice but to agree and decides to take a detour to the Bruin Ridge shifters to visit his old roommate, their new Alpha. Anything to delay the inevitable.

Kit's short trip is complicated when he scents his true mate and doubly complicated when Grant, his fated, is name den Beta.

An Omega Bear of Kit is the seond book in the Bruin Ridge Bear-ginning series, a sweet with knotty heat M/M Mpreg Shifter Romance by the popular writing team of Colbie Dunbar and Lorelei M. Hart. It features an alpha mountin lion thrown into a role he is woefully unprepared for, an omega bear trying to find his place, a den beginning to thrive, an unexpected position, true lovem, fatedf mates, and of course, an adorable baby. If you love your shifters hawt, your omegas strong, and your mpreg with heart, download your copy of An Omega Bear for Kit today.

My Thoughts: While I didn't like this book nearly as much as the first it held my interest from the first page to the last.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: So, I honestly don't know why I didn't connect to Grant and Kit as much as I did Aspen and Lucian other than Lucian's plight caught me in my feels and both Grant and Kit were just, well, there. Not saying their tumultuous relationship wasn't worth reading about because it certainly was. I just found it to be more angsty than anything else. They are not necessarily star-crossed lovers but each of the separate lives dictated they were on different paths. It was Kit's situation that made for them not being able to be together and I while I did feel for them, I just didn't like the situation. We had a healthy dose of tyrannical Alphas from the former Bruin Ride Bear Alpha in the first book, so, having yet another one in Kit's pride was a bit too much for me. 

I thought Grant was an exceptional character though and his battle with his bear was captivating. Although Grant was an Omega, I'd venture to say his bear was a little bit alpha with how strong he was. 

The love story between Kit and Grant was lovely and although this was a short novel (as they all are) I felt it was well balanced between the spicy sex, the angsty plot, the fated mate trope, the character development (even though Grant was more fleshed out than Kit), and the insta-love I love you's.

In a Nutshell: I'm still hooked on this series and I'm looking forward to the 3rd book a lot.

Sweeping Ashley by Eve Langlais

Title: Sweeping Ashley

Author: Eve Langlais

Narrator: Troy Duran

Series: #2 in the Grim Dating series

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Eve Langlais (February 10, 2021)

Source: Hoopla Library Find

Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: Sometimes love is messy.

In exchange for some witchy powers, Ashley promised the Devil her firstborn, but when the time comes to pay her due, she has nothing to give.

With Lucifer insisting that she fulfill the terms of her contract, Ashley turns to Grim Dating for help. There’s only one problem—they’re having a hard time finding her perfect match.

Which is where Derrick comes in.

He’s the company’s problem solver; however, even he has no idea how to get a prim and proper witch to let loose. Frustration leads to him kissing her, but he never meant to seduce her.

…or fall in love.

However, his witch isn’t interested in more than a one-night stand. And when an angel gets involved, the reaper realizes he’d best do a better job of sweeping Ashley off her feet.

Or risk losing her forever.

My Thoughts: While I didn't love this as much as I did the first book in the series it was an OK addition to the series.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: I really don't feel this book was nearly as good as the first in the series. I loved the first one despite some things others may have disliked. Unfortunately, this one was lacking the intensity I thought the first did. The connection Ashley and Derrick had wasn't really there for me as the couple from the first book was. They definitely had heat though and I liked they got their HEA. As with the first book in the series my very favorite thing was the narration of Troy Duran. His vocals elevated the experience so much but unfortunately it elevated to an average book.

Honestly, I'm living for Lucifer's interference and wish there was more. I still love the idea the "good guys" are Lucifer and his 9th favorite Grim Reaper and 2nd most wicked witch and the "bad guys" are angels. I'm hoping to see more of the "good guys" and more Luc. I love him. 

In a Nutshell: I'll continue on with the series and only on audio based purely on Troy Duran's narration. I don't think if I'd read this book myself I would have liked it nearly as well and continuing on with the series may have not been an option. 

Onyx Dragon by Terry Bolryder

Title: Onyx Dragon

Author: Terry Bolryder

Series: #1 in the Awakend Dragons series

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Terry Boryder (July 25, 2015) 

Source: Kindle Unlimited

Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: The dragons are back, and they're our last chance...

 Isaac Morningstar III, or Zach to the few who know him, has hit rock bottom. Once an immortal, nearly-invincible dragon, he's been awakened only to have his powers and his treasure locked away until he can prove himself to be a trustworthy protector of humans. Since Zach has never liked humans, he's pretty sure he's going to end up back on ice. That is, until he meets sweet, curvy Erin, a human hairdresser who might just turn his world upside down.

Erin has a pretty routine life, but that ends when a tall, gorgeous man appears out of nowhere, claiming to be an ancient dragon with immeasurable power who wants her as his mate. She doesn't know whether to laugh or run for the hills. But when the mysterious stranger saves her life and needs her help she can't just turn away.  Still, the closer she gets to Zach, the more she realizes there may just be something truly magical about him.

But as the forces around them close in, Zach is quickly realizing that the darkness lurking inside him may be greater than he anticipated. And the beast within may not be the only thing they have need to fear. 

Warning: contains ferocious dragons, fearsome fights, fiery love scenes and a fiercely cute three-legged kitten that will steal your heart. The first in a brand-new series with dragons unlike anything Terry has written!

My Thoughts:  Although I found this book to be an average read it did manage to make me want to move right into book 2. To me this is a sign of a good book. It wasn't without some issues. No background on Erin. The setting could have been anywhere, the romance was completely reliant on the fated mate trope with no major epiphany moments,

and it glossed over where Zach's treasure has been kept while he slept or even how much or what it was (other than he mentioned there were jewels) . His ring is a major factor in the story, but I felt its significance was also glossed over.

Despite all these things the book was interesting, had funny moments, some spicy sex, and introduced an interesting M/F/M relationship that appears to be the focal of another series where 2 dragon shifters mate with one woman.

In a Nutshell: So yes 100% I'll read more in this series. It's also offered on KU... if you already pay for this service, you have nothing but a little bit of time to lose.

Wrong Alibi by Christina Dodd

 

Title: Wrong Alibi

Author: Christina Dodd

Series: #1 in the Murder in Alaska series

Genre: Romantic Suspense

Publisher: HQN  (December 29, 2020)

Source: NetGalley

Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: WRONG JOB

Eighteen-year-old Evelyn Jones lands a job in small-town Alaska, working for a man in his isolated mountain home. But her bright hopes for the future are shattered when Donald White disappears, leaving her to face charges of theft, embezzlement—and a brutal double murder. Her protestations of innocence count for nothing. Convicted, she faces life in prison…until fate sends her on the run.

WRONG NAME

Evelyn’s escape leaves her scarred and in hiding, isolated from her family, working under an alias at a wilderness camp. Bent on vengeance, intent on recovering her life, she bides her time, patiently searching for the man who took everything from her.

WRONG ALIBI

At last, the day comes. Donald White has returned. Evelyn emerges from hiding; the fugitive becomes the hunter. But in her mind, she hears the whisper of other forces at work. Now Evelyn must untangle the threads of evidence before she’s once again found with blood on her hands: the blood of her own family…

My Thoughts: The potential for an amazing suspense filled book was all there but it fell flat in a few ways.

The Good, The Bad, And Everything Else: While I honestly didn't enjoy this book as much as I wanted I could be persuaded to read the second book in the series to see where Dodd takes us. The Alaskan setting during the flashback of Petey's first full on dark winter was really interesting and I wished the author would have incorporated that sense of overwhelming fear throughout the book. Petey's  past was interesting particularly her escape and 10 years in hiding. 

Unfortunately I also found the book to have some issues. The book skips from the present to sudden flashbacks making me confused a bit until I realized where in time the story was happening. I also really didn't like any of the characters. Petey/Evelyn is really TSTL....she was a naïve young woman and we're told she becomes quite the badass but we really don't witness any badassery. She does claim to use her long braid as a cutting whip. I don't think this made her seem more kickass but just weird.  The book also tried to be so many things and suffered for it. A romance introduced into the last third of the book was not an asset to the story and just felt wrong considering who they paired Petey up with. We also spent so much time in the past she really didn't feel like an adult to me which made the romance even worse IMO.

In a Nutshell: I'm not sure if I'm willing to give the Murder in Alaska series another try but I definitely will continue to read Dodd.

Panther's Claim by Eve Langlais

Title: Panther's Claim

Author: Eve Langlais

Narrator: Chandra Skyye

Series: #2 in the Bitten Point series

Genre: Paranormal Romance

Publisher: Tantor Audio (March 22, 2016 first published March 2nd 2016) 

Source: Audible Escape

Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: 

Cynthia: So I met a man.

Mom: Is he single?

Hitting on the wrong woman finds Daryl regaining consciousness in a motel taped to a chair. Things were looking up--and not just below the belt.

A sexy, cocoa-complexioned veterinarian--with killer curves--wants answers, and he's only too happy to give them to her, for a price, say a kiss, or something more, from those luscious lips. The problem is Cynthia isn't the type to fall for flirty words and panty-dropping smiles. She tempts Daryl into helping her. Teases him into acting. Claims his heart without even trying.

But that was okay because...She's mine...and someone was trying to hurt her.

Hell no.

This kitty isn't afraid to unleash his claws and rescue the woman he wants. An intriguing, hot woman, a mystery, and danger? Sounds like fun, and Daryl is ready to play. He'll do anything to claim Cynthia as his mate. 

My Thoughts: While I really liked the first book in this little series this second book missed the mark a bit.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything in Between: The opening was super fun. It started where book 1 ended, with Daryl being kidnapped. I very much liked the first 1/4 of the book...maybe not quite 25%. While I read the first book on my Kindle, I opted to listen to this one using my Audible Escape (I'm going to miss you AE). I, honestly, thought this was a bad idea as Daryl was coming off as a creepy singles greasy guy trying to hit up women in a bar using super cheesy pick up lines. Had I read the lines it probably wouldn't have been as bad. The attraction between Daryl and Cynthia is off the charts and I sometimes get a little weird when a romance gets a little more into the erotic genre. Erotica isn't my jam but I don't automatically hate all books within the genre. The sexy parts weren't terrible. As a matter of fact I think Langlais does a good job balancing the action with the sex within her books (at least the 2 I've read.) But man! I just couldn't get over the stupid things that were coming out of Daryl's mouth. I think it started with Cynthia's name. She introduced herself and said her friends called her Thea. Daryl immediately said he'd call her Cyn....as in Sin...because her body was so sinful and he wanted to do her. I'd like to say his sexual innuendos got smoother but every single one of them made me cringe.

Honestly, if it weren't for the fabulous connecting plot between the first and second book I may have rated this one lower. I will absolutely continue with this series to find out how the underlying plot will pan out but I may go back and read it rather than listen.

In a Nutshell: Not the best book in the series but nothing I wouldn't tell someone not to read but I'd recommend someone should start with the first one for sure.

The Beautiful Ashes by Jeaniene Frost

Title: The Beautiful Ashes
Author: Jeaniene Frost
Narrator: Tavia Gilbert
Series: #1 in the Broken Destiny series
Genre: Urban Fantasy
Publisher: Blackstone Audio (August 26, 2014 )
Source: Purchased/ Kindle Freebie
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: In a world of shadows, anything is possible - except escaping your fate.

Ever since she was a child, Ivy has been gripped by visions of strange realms just beyond her own. But when her sister goes missing, Ivy discovers the truth is far worse - her hallucinations are real, and her sister is trapped in a parallel realm. And the one person who believes her is the dangerously attractive guy who's bound by an ancient legacy to betray her.

Adrian might have turned his back on those who raised him, but that doesn't mean he can change his fate, no matter how strong a pull he feels toward Ivy. Together they search for the powerful relic that can save her sister, but Adrian knows what Ivy doesn't: That every step brings Ivy closer to the truth about her own destiny and a war that could doom the world. Sooner or later, it will be Ivy on one side and Adrian on the other - and nothing but ashes in between.

My Thoughts: For a character who is 20 years old she acted like a teenager in lust rather than a mature adult. What a shame.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: This book was, unfortunately, bogged down with an immature heroine, inst-love, and too many "really?" moments to be a great book. So many people have labeled this a YA novel but with a 20 year old heroine it is more in lines with a New Adult rather than it's younger counterpart. The best part of this book was Frost's world building. Sure the angels and demons trope has been done repeatedly but I really liked the spin she put on it.

I think the biggest flaw of this book is the hero. He is a typical anti-hero in statue and attitude. He refuses to communicate with Ivy yet expects her to be forthcoming. He kidnaps her...at which she bats her eyelashes at him and thinks about his good looks and how she should be worried about being kidnapped but he is soooo handsome. Barf. Ok so he's not the biggest flaw...they both are.

I chose to listen to this book on audio and Tavia Gilbert did an Ok job. I was able to listen at a faster speed than normal but not quite my usual of 2x because she gets a little chipmunkie.

Besides the world building, the action was really good and nonstop. Oh and the gargoyle was amazing.

In a Nutshell: Even with Jeaniene Frost's wonderful world building and action I'm way too character driven to really like this book. Eventually I'll finish the trilogy but I'm not in a hurry to do so. Even though I purchased the first one...because it's Frost after all, I will look towards my local library for the rest.

Kneaded to Death by Winnie Archer

Title: Kneaded to Death
Author: Winnie Archer
Series: #1 in The Bread Shop Mystery series
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Kensington (February 28, 2017)
Source: NetGalley
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: Everyone swears by Yeast of Eden, the Mexican bread shop in town. But tonight, the only thing on the menu is la muerte . . .

Struggling photographer Ivy Culpepper has lots of soul-searching to do since returning to seaside Santa Sofia, California. That is, until the thirty-one-year-old enters a bread making class at Yeast of Eden. Whether it’s the aroma of fresh conchas in the oven, or her instant connection with owner Olaya Dias and her sisters, Ivy just knows the missing ingredients in her life are hidden among the secrets of Olaya’s bakery . . .

But Ivy’s spirits crumble when a missing classmate is suddenly discovered dead in her car, riddled with stab wounds. Even more devastating, the prime suspects are the Dias sisters themselves.

Doubting the women could commit such a crime, Ivy embarks on a murder investigation of her own to prove their innocence and seize the real killer. As she follows a deadly trail of crumbs around town, Ivy must trust her gut like never before—or someone else could be toast!

My Thoughts: I started this book with the expectation of a book with a bakery as the main setting and the protagonist being a baker. I was surprised this was and wasn't true...

The Good and The Bad: Ivy Culpepper, the main protagonist, is a photographer. This, of course, is mentioned in the synopsis. It would have been super clear...had I read the synopsis....which I didn't. Yes this book has a main setting in a bakery but the proprietor is not the protagonist. It's a little different but not terrible. Just a little weird. I am looking forward to seeing Ivy grow within this series. In this book she's consumed with grief and the decisions she makes are all influenced by her mental state. She only really committed the TSTL sin one time...well one glaringly obvious time. So I didn't hate her but I didn't quite get her either. She jumped to conclusion about murder when there didn't seem to be any tangible evidence. At one point someone mentioned she was maneuvering the clues to fit her theory rather than letting the clues lead to a theory...or something like that.

I loved the bread making parts of this book and the owner of said bread bakery so much but the photography details were lost on me. I have no idea what f/5 means in regards to cameras but I can appreciate the art of photography. If there had been more than a few specific camera details that went way over my head than there were I might have found myself irritated a bit. Nothing irritates me more than a whole lot of technical verbiage on a subject I know nothing about because I never wanted to know anything about said subject.

As far as the mystery aspect of this book I enjoyed watching Ivy trying to solve things with the help from her elderly friend, Penelope. Towards the end I was a little lost when things were revealed because I wasn't paying enough attention to the secondary characters within the book. Of course, this book did take me almost a month to finish this book and I've read many other books start to finish while pushing this one aside. For some reason it just didn't hold my attention but I seem to be in the minority with my opinion.


In a Nutshell: I am going to read the next book in this series because I'm interested in seeing what Ivy is like when not grieving. Also, I really liked the bread making process and am wanting to try some of the recipes.

He Said/She Said by Erin Kelly

Title: He Said/She Said
Author: Erin Kelly
Narrators: Jonathan Broadbent and Helen Johns
Series: Stand Alone
Genre: Psychological Thriller
Publisher: Macmillan Audio (June 6, 2017 )
Source: Library Find
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: The path of every eclipse can be predicted from now until the end of time.

Kit and Laura, young and in love, pledge to travel the globe and see as many as possible together. They have no idea of the darkness that will follow.

At a festival in Cornwall, in the hushed moments after the first eclipse they share, Laura interrupts a man and a woman. She knows she saw something terrible. But the man denies it. Later, in a panic, Laura tells a little white lie - which changes four lives irreparably.

When the victim turns up on their doorstep, the truth seems to vanish ever further into shadow. As gratitude spills into dangerous obsession, Kit and Laura simply have to run.

But they can't hide forever. With another eclipse on the horizon, the past is closing in on them again.
Telling Kit the truth will cost Laura her marriage. But keeping the secret could cost them both their lives.

And the person they fear the most knows exactly where they'll be...

My Thoughts: Remember that time when I thought this book had been recommended to me by a friend on GoodReads and then I read it and borderline hated it only to realize in no way did any friend of mine on GoodReads actually say I should read this book? Yeah.....so that happened.

The Good, The Bad, The Really Bad, and Everything Else: First and foremost I couldn't get over the super slow pace of this book. Nothing happened forever. Finally something would happen and peak my interest only to revert back to the slow pacing again. I also was annoyed with the constant back and forth the narration took. It jumped back and forth in time and also jumped between points of view. It is told between Kit's and Laura's points of views and they would also bop between the year 2000 and then 2015. At one point I think there was even an earlier POV with Kit but I was too bored to really notice. I just really wanted the book to get to the point.

The last 10% or so got really twisty and I approved. However, there was yet another twist at the very end I felt did nothing to add to the story and without it the book would have been just fine. I really wish the twistiness would have happened way sooner. I literally had to check this book out from the library three times in order to get to the end because I found other things to do rather than listen to this book.

As far as the characters go, not one could be considered likable and their secrets made me even more against them than I probably should have been. At one point Kit made some comment about lying snowballs into more lies. Yet the entire book is centered around concealing lies and what it does to a person. At least the sun eclipse information was interesting.

So what else did I like about this book to make it an average rather than a stinker? Well, I can't fault the writing of Erin Kelly. It flowed well, if you haven't decided you're over the dual POV narration anyway, and I'm pretty sure listening was a way better way of reading this book than had I read it myself. Of course, this is only supposition on my part, but I know my reading patterns and instead of week after week to get to the end of this book it would have been month after month.

The narration being split between a male and a female POV lent to a dual narration for the audio very well. Helen Johns and Jonathan Broadbent did an OK job. I was able to listen to the book at my normal 1.8X's the speed without the story sounding garbled. So all in all I neither was wowed nor did I dislike the listening experience so I would pick up another audio book narrated by either/or these performers.

In a Nutshell: Since I didn't full on hate this book I'm not against reading another book by Erin Kelly. I'm hoping the slow pacing of this book is just a one off and not her typical style.

Special Forces: The Recruit by Cindy Dees

Title: Special Forces: The Recruit
Author: Cindy Dees
Series: #1 in the Mission Medusa series
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Harlequin Romantic Suspense (May 1, 2019)
Source: NetGalley
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis:  Meet the do-or-die warriors who’ll do anything for justice

Introducing the Mission Medusa series

Years of intense training have prepared Tessa Wilkes to become a Medusa—part of an elite, women-only Special Forces team. But all the mental prep and physical training in the world can’t prepare her fully to take on one of the world’s most dangerous men. The ultimate operative, Tessa teams with trainer Beau Lambert to track her target, but even if she survives, will her heart?

My Thoughts: This is a spin off series of the Silhouette Bombshell series which started back in 2005. I loved the Bombshell imprint and hated when they discontinued them. This book was almost a resurrection of that series.

The Good: Back when Silhouette created the Bombshell line of romance books I was hooked. They were all about independent and strong women as the hero and the men they loved were their sidekicks. Ok maybe not exactly sidekicks but definitely in a supporting role. With this book Dees brings back the Medusas, an elite special ops military team of women reminiscent of Navy SEALs or Army's Green Berets.

I very much loved Tess and her determination to break into the boys club of Special Ops and felt for her when it looked like she was losing her chance. I liked Tessa being Latin-American. Even though she is only half Venezuelan the representation is there and I appreciate the diversity. I also really liked the time spent training her for the Medusa team. In turn it lent for a longer period of time to develop the romance as well.

The Bad: What I didn't like about the book is the mention of the two previous Medusa teams. The first, having served for a decade or so and then retired from the active military. The second all perished a few months before this book started. There is no clues or reasons given as to why this happened and it was left hanging. I also really didn't like Beau. He didn't feel women should be in Special Ops and was working on training Tessa and then planning on failing her out of the training. I felt he was a bit misogynistic as his thought process repeatedly included how women were not able to do the dangerous missions Special Ops did. Luckily it was ultimately not up to him. I also didn't like the ending. Super saccharine laced I Love You's and a complete about face in terms of what Beau was willing to do to be with Tessa.

The Stuff in the Middle: The action of the book was pretty good as there are a couple incidents that was a bit thrilling during the book but the main goal of Tessa getting on a mission happened at the end of the book and concluded very quickly. The sex part was a bit hinky because Beau had specifically explained it would be very bad for females to be part of the teams because sex would happen and then cause major issues within the team. So they don't even try to NOT have sex. The sex scenes themselves were Ok but the last scene Dees made a point of them using a condom and how they are regularly tested etcetera etcetera. I don't recall them ever talking about protection during the sex scenes prior to this one. Weird.

In a Nutshell: I felt the goods and the bads evened out in this book to be an Ok book. I will absolutely read more in this series because...Badass women YES! I'm also going to hunt down more in this series and see if I can find the old Medusa books from the Bombshell line. If you've never read any of those I'd recommend them.

Through the Smoke by Brenda Novak

Title: Through the Smoke
Author: Brenda Novak
Narrator: Justine Eyre
Series: Stand-Alone
Genre: Historical Romance
Publisher: Brilliance Audio (October 15, 2013 )
Source: Library Find in Audio (NetGalley for the ebook)
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: A shocking betrayal...

Riches. Power. An ancient heritage of pride. The Earl of Druridge wanted only for an heir. So when he learned that his wife was carrying another man's child, he was filled with a thirst for vengeance. But he wasn't the one who caused Katherine's death. Or was he? To his horror, he remembers nothing of that dreadful night, when their last shocking confrontation ended in scorching flame and cold blood.

A forbidden love...

Rachel McTavish, the beautiful daughter of a coal miner, knows something about the fire that took Lady Katherine's life. In secret, the strong-willed girl strikes a bargain with the desperate earl: He must send his physician to help her dying mother or he may go to the scaffold - and the devil. The earl agrees, but Rachel is still unsure that her revelation will be enough to save him when so many wish him dead.

Passionately drawn to the nobleman, despite all the doubt and mystery that shroud him, Rachel wonders if he can really be a murderer. Or if he is the only man who will ever own her heart....

My Thoughts: A good book with an Ok romance but a stellar suspenseful mystery with a slight gothic feel.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: While this definitely does sit in the genre of historical romances what I really loved was the mystery of who set the fire that killed the earl's wife. I love suspenseful situations in historical romances and Brenda Novak knows her way around suspense. The mystery was easily solved and it was a little annoying the hero took so long to figure it out. In addition, Rachel ran headlong into danger in a feeble attempt to save her man and if you've read any of my reviews heroines who do TSTL things but the crap out of me.

I did enjoy the relationship blooming between a wealthy titled peer and a poor shopkeeper's daughter and of course the hero blew off what is expected and married her despite the backlash that would happen. However, I really wasn't won over by the romance completely. Mostly because of my inability to fully like Truman. I like my heroes to be more Alpha than he was, more decisive than he was, and a lot more, well, everything.

There was also an incident involving the first time they had sex which I would consider borderline rape. Don't get me wrong, the hero isn't blatantly a rapist but he should have noticed something wrong and the entire situation was just swept under the rug. I feel a big deal should have been made about this and there was no deal made about it at all. This pissed me off and set the rest of the book in a bad light to me.

The narration was Ok but I don't think it enhanced the reading experience for me. Justine Eyre is a new narrator to me and her British accent and voice pitch had me slowing the speed down. I normally listen at close to 2X but I could only listen between 1.25X and 1.5X otherwise I had a hard time understanding. I would listen to another narration by her but I wouldn't purposely seek one out because of her.


In a Nutshell: I've read better books by Brenda Novak but this one wasn't terrible. It's my first historical by her and I'm not sure if I think that is where her writing sweet spot is. She has done some great contemporaries and excellent romantic suspenseful thrillers. If a reader is new to Novak I'd steer them to the Whiskey Creek contemporary romance series or the Evelyn Talbot thriller series rather than this one.

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Werewolf in Manhattan by Vicki Lewis Thompson

(Original Cover)

(New cover from 2018)

Title: Werewolf in Manhattan
Author: Vicki Lewis Thompson
Series: #1 in the Wild About You series
Genre: Paranormal Romance
Publisher:  Berkley; Original edition (January 4, 2011) reissued by Ocean Dance Press; 2 edition (March 30, 2018)
Source: Kindle Unlimited
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: She believed werewolves were a myth…until she met one.

For paranormal romance author Emma Gavin, werewolves only existed between the pages of her novels. They were seductive heroes drawn from her imagination, not living, breathing creatures in the real world. And they certainly were not wealthy lords of industry.

And then the sexy Mr. Wallace sprouted fur.

Offering to pose as Emma’s bodyguard to deter a rogue Were should have been an easy assignment for pack alpha Aidan Wallace. She’s human. He’s Were. The two don’t mix. But he didn’t count on the temptation she would pose to his highly tuned senses. Or how hard it would be to resist her siren call.

Denying the bond that’s drawing them together could cost him his sanity. But surrendering to desire could cost him his life.

My Thoughts: An Ok romance with potential not realized.

The Good: So I really liked Aidan. He really had the making of  great Alpha hero. Tall, gorgeous, genius IQ, and very wealthy. I mean, what else could you want? I also loved the idea our heroine was a paranormal romance writer who writes werewolf heroes. It does get her in trouble with the local Were Pack because her imagination is too close to the truth. I liked the secondary characters as well, especially, Nadia and Aidan's younger brother Roarke. The chemistry between Aidan  and Emma was so good and for the most part the super sexy parts were pretty darn exciting as well.

The Bad: While I did like Emma's choice of careers and her and Aidan's smexy times, I just couldn't get a good grasp of who she was. She flipped from a MarySue who was just kind of boring to someone with a backbone only to become a sexed up vixen and back again. During her backbone times she tried fighting for her "right" to continue writing her fictional novels of werewolves. This of course was after she found out werewolves were real and accepted it in the blink of an eye. As the existence of werewolves has to be kept a secret and the pack community were going so far as to investigate an author's fictional book writing. There were talks of even killing her should she know too much. With that in mind she continued to say things like she'd rather be DEAD than lose her career of writing her novels. I have rights! You can't stop my First Amendment rights! How about stay alive Emma? How about that? Why not change direction just a bit and write about vampires or witches. Oh and lets not get into Emma's snobby "I'm so green" attitude. Looking down on Aidan for his wealth and the lifestyle he has but then justifies letting Aidan pamper her with luxuries and it comes out she has a bunch of designer clothes and designer shoes. Hello kettle. Meet pot.

In a Nutshell: An easy breezy read without a lot of substance but a decent enough read to spend a few hours with. As far as recommending this book I'd only suggest someone looking for some pure paranormal fluff pick this one up.

Spoonbenders by Daryl Gregory

Title: Spoonbenders
Author: Daryl Gregory (narrated by Ari Fliakos)
Series: Stand-alone
Genre: Fiction
Publisher: Random House Audio  (June 27, 2017)
Source: Library Find
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: The year is 1995.

Meet the Telemachuses: an apparently ordinary family with strikingly obvious issues. Their individual personalities are eccentric, their intergenerational relationships are strained, their collective failures are well documented, and their finances are, well, let's not even go there.
The city is Chicago.

For Grandson Matty Telemachus, this is just the way things have always been. The only person who has ever tried to convince him otherwise is his hapless Uncle Frankie, who rushes to retrieve 'that video tape' every time he consumes too much red wine at Thanksgiving.
The family is dysfunctional.

This cassette is proof that the family - Grandad Teddy, Grandma Maureen, Aunt Irene, Uncle Frankie and Uncle Buddy - were once known as The Amazing Telemachus Family, and toured the country with a magic and mind-reading act. That was, until on fateful night in 1974...
So is the magic.

Spoonbenders is the legacy and legend of an extraordinary, normal, entirely unique family across three generations of big personalities and socially inept recluses - each cursed with the potential of being something special.

My Thoughts: I read a very short review about this book and the reviewer enjoyed this book so I thought I'd give it a shot.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything Else: I made a mistake when tackling this book. I did not read the synopsis. I had no idea this book was set in 1995. I did manage to figure it out but the book also skipped back and forth in time with no indication it was happening. At least on the audio version. The results made for a little bit of a confused listen at first. I did figure it out but I thought this hindered my enjoyment rather than enhance it.

The building of the storyline was actually very interesting and the character, Buddy, although being portrayed as a secondary character was the best of the bunch. The plot was pretty cleverly woven and it built and built throughout the book to a good climax but overall it didn't wow me. Probably because the book spent so much time focusing on two characters, Teddy and Frankie, who were essentially the same person. I don't necessarily have to like the characters in a book but sometimes my dislike of specific characters can sway my enjoyment of a book anyway. In this case having  more than half the book so focused on the two characters I disliked was a big negative sway.

The narration was adequate but not great. I don't recall any voice differences between characters. This could mean they might have been there but were not great nor horrible enough for me to notice or there really wasn't any difference. At the end of the book I felt Fliakos just read the story to me rather than it being a great audio production. I would not seek out another book narrated by Ari Fliakos for the sake of the narration but wouldn't refuse to listen to another one based on this book.

In a Nutshell: An overall OK book but not one I would re-read. I also wouldn't recommend this book except for, perhaps, likeminded readers. I'm not sure if I would seek out another book by Gregory but as I do like to give an author at least 2 tries I would rule it out.

Murder on the Rocks by Allyson K. Abbott

Title: Murder on the Rocks
Author: Allyson K Abbott
Series: #1 in the Mack's Bar Mysteries series
Genre: Cozy Mystery
Publisher: Kensington (August 6, 2013)
Source: Purchased
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: Mack's Bar is one of those nice, friendly places where everybody knows your name. That's great when someone's buying you a round, but not so hot when you find yourself atop a list of murder suspects--with your fingerprints on the bloody knife!

Mackenzie "Mack" Dalton is a Milwaukee bar owner with a nose for trouble--literally. A neurological glitch has left her with extra perceptive senses. So when she stumbles upon a dead body in the alley behind the bar--the same spot where her own father was shot eight months earlier--she can tell right away there's something fishy in the air. The lead detective thinks there's a link between the two deaths, and he'll need Mack's help to sniff out the murderer amid the crowd of eccentric regulars. But when all the evidence points to her as the most likely culprit, it could be an early last call for Mack--and celebratory cocktails for a killer.

Includes drink recipes

My Thoughts: A decent enough start to a new series with a very unique protagonist.

The Good, The Bad, and Everything in the Middle: I've always been drawn to unique characters, particularly ones with some sort of "disability" as their inner character tends to be strong and full of perseverance. With Mack I've found a character I've never run across before. Mack has Synthesia (a very basic definition is a neurological condition where the person's senses are crossed often resulting in being able to see sounds or taste smells among other things...it is more involved but this is the gist.) Her constantly having to sort if she were having a real sensory reaction to stimuli or a resulting secondary reaction caused by her Synthesia was really interesting. Mack did mention she spent her whole life trying to ignore the sensory reactions that weren't "real" but I would think after so many years some reactions would be constant. For example, her father, although he had already died months before this book takes place, I would think Mack would have one specific occurrence when, let's say, she hugged her father. In turn whenever she would see, taste, or hear that particular indicator she'd know it was her dad's "ring tone" so to speak but all of extra sounds, colors, smells, etc. were viewed as garbage distractions she felt she had to ignore. Towards the end a friend and her were putting together something to track them but I would have thought she would have had a basic list already. Oh and on a side note tasting chocolate when a good looking man talks to me sounds like a great way of controlling my blood sugars. All the flavor. None of the sugars.

OK enough of that. As far as character development goes I thought Mack was done pretty well and left enough room to grow through the series. On a lesser degree, Duncan's character wasn't as fleshed out. I really don't know what he saw in Mack (other than she threw a temper tantrum and stripped in front of him and the rest of the police because she was considered a suspect)….and hey! what guy wouldn't appreciate a young healthy woman who strips in front of him after an hour? His admiration and attention to Mack felt a bit forced unfortunately especially since Mack went from nice to bitchy at the drop of a hat. I spent half the book liking Mack and half the book thinking she was emotionally unbalanced. The bar regulars were not really fleshed out and became stereotypical bar patrons to me. You got the floozy, the 2 brothers who are the wise old owls offering advice to everyone, the pushy boyfriend who was unlikable and you knew that relationship was doomed from the beginning, the crotchety cook, and the secondary father figure who happens to have book shop next to the bar. There were more but you see what I'm saying. None of them were fleshed out really well and none stood out to me. I'm hoping for more development for them in the coming books.

The conclusion felt rushed as the majority of the book was setting up the "sting" where Duncan would pose as Mack's new bartender/server and Mack turned out to be TSTL. Why Mack? WHY? Once murder has been established you do NOT fail to lock your door. You do NOT venture down into the basement during a BLACKOUT. You do NOT assume your fake employee, who happens to be a cop, decided to just leave without saying good-bye. Especially since the night before he was the last to leave and made sure you LOCKED YOUR FREAKIN' DOOR!!! Ugh...I just can't with her. If this was a Friday the 13th movie she wouldn't have even made it to the half way point. Matter of fact she probably would have died during the stripping scene.


In a Nutshell: Despite Mack's TSTL moment at the end of the book I will read the next book in the series. I'm interested in seeing how Mack's condition can be used in the future rather than being ignored and there were quite a few yummy sounding drink recipes included in the book. The coffee based Macktini sounded really tasty.

Keeper of the Lost Cities by Shannon Messenger

Title: Keeper of The Lost Cities

Author: Shannon Messenger

Series: #1 in the Keeper of the Lost Cities series

Genre: YA Fantasy

Publisher: Aladdin (October 2, 2012)

Source: Library Find

Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: Twelve-year-old Sophie Foster has a secret. She’s a Telepath—someone who hears the thoughts of everyone around her. It’s a talent she’s never known how to explain.

Everything changes the day she meets Fitz, a mysterious boy who appears out of nowhere and also reads minds. She discovers there’s a place she does belong, and that staying with her family will place her in grave danger. In the blink of an eye, Sophie is forced to leave behind everything and start a new life in a place that is vastly different from anything she has ever known.

Sophie has new rules to learn and new skills to master, and not everyone is thrilled that she has come “home.”

There are secrets buried deep in Sophie’s memory—secrets about who she really is and why she was hidden among humans—that other people desperately want. Would even kill for.

In this page-turning debut, Shannon Messenger creates a riveting story where one girl must figure out why she is the key to her brand-new world, before the wrong person finds the answer first.

My Thoughts: A book with some fundamental issues but an OK read nonetheless.

The Good, The Bad, and The Whatever: This was a decent enough book but it definitely had it's flaws. One of my biggest complaints was with Sophie, herself. She's darned near perfect. She's the best human ever. A 12 year old senior with a photographic memory getting into a prestigious college next year. A beauty of a girl who makes teenage boys gaga over her..."the slender blond among her chubby brunette family". That was a quote from the book just an FYI. Then she finds out she's really an elf and then she's the best elf that ever lived. No elf has ever done what she could do with virtually no training. The storyline itself isn't terrible but it is pretty inconsistent in the rules Messenger chose to make. There are several laws in place to prevent the abuse of elfin powers. With the 3 most powerful elfin powers being prohibited. With Sophie's telepathic powers she's told from the beginning using her telepathic powers to sneak into someone else's mind without permission is prohibited. She does this anyway, multiple times and somehow isn't thrown in jail. Despite some weaknesses in her world building I actually didn't mind the action of the book and watching Sophie learning how to be herself. Beware of some Harry Potter similarities though. There are some reviewers who swear this is just a HP ripoff but to tell the truth HP wasn't the first to come up with a magical world with children but it has been one of the most popular. If you take this book and read it and not compare it you'll have a better experience with it.

In a Nutshell: An OK book I just enjoyed because I didn't compare it to something else. I'll read the next book and see where that takes me.

Gone to Her Grave by Melinda Leigh

Title: Gone to Her Grave
Author: Melinda Leigh
Series: #2 in the Rogue River series
Genre: Romantic Suspense
Publisher: Montlake Romance (October 21, 2014)
Source: NetGalley
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: In Solitude, Oregon, everyone has secrets…and some will kill to keep them.

When she believes a teen is falsely accused of drug dealing, social worker Carly Taylor takes on a high-risk case and her estranged husband—the detective in charge of the investigation—to prove the boy innocent. A deadly new designer drug has taken hold of her small rural hometown of Solitude, Oregon, and Carly is determined to find the real dealer and clear the teen’s name. But the deeper she digs into the case, the more danger she unearths, until someone decides it’s time for Carly to move on…permanently.

Investigator Seth Harding knows he can’t stop his wife when she has a child to protect. But he risks any chance of reconciliation with Carly if he can’t learn to accept her dangerous job. When a drug dealer decides Carly is getting too close, will Seth lose her altogether?

A pulse-pounding Rogue River novella, Gone to Her Grave is the second exciting addition to the new romantic suspense series from Melinda Leigh and Kendra Elliot.

My Thoughts: While I really enjoyed the first installment in this series I thought the lack of conclusion in this book was more pronounced than the former.

The Good: I liked the suspenseful moments where Carly was making home visits to a family in a really bad situation. This smacks of realness and it made me identify with Carly and the fact that she didn't run headlong into danger was a plus. I liked seeing Stevie once again even though she had a very small part in this book.


The Bad: The continuing storyline that connects all four novellas in the Rogue River series didn't really move forward even though the death of Carly and Stevie's dad is being investigated now. If it weren't for the rehashing of the big bad drug craze happening in the small town there wouldn't have been much to connect the two stories.

Also, the romance was problematic because Seth and Carly are married yet separated throughout the entire book. There was huge communication issues between the two because of Seth. I couldn't connect with him because he was a macho-my job is more important than yours is-jerk. I could see how they might be able to work it out but only if Seth does some major soul searching and changes his attitude. A novella just didn't give a warring couple time to work out their differences.

In a Nutshell: I'm invested in Rogue River and will continue reading the next two books.

A School For Unusual Girls by Kathleen Baldwin

Title: A School for Unusual Girls
Author: Kathleen Baldwin
Series: #1 in the Stanje House series
Genre: Historical Romance YA
Publisher: Tor Teen (May 19, 2015)
Source: Library Find
Rating: ☕☕☕

Synopsis: It’s 1814. Napoleon is exiled on Elba. Europe is in shambles. Britain is at war on four fronts. And Stranje House, a School for Unusual Girls, has become one of Regency England’s dark little secrets. The daughters of the beau monde who don’t fit high society’s constrictive mold are banished to Stranje House to be reformed into marriageable young ladies. Or so their parents think. In truth, Headmistress Emma Stranje, the original unusual girl, has plans for the young ladies—plans that entangle the girls in the dangerous world of spies, diplomacy, and war.

After accidentally setting her father’s stables on fire while performing a scientific experiment, Miss Georgiana Fitzwilliam is sent to Stranje House. But Georgie has no intention of being turned into a simpering, pudding-headed, marriageable miss. She plans to escape as soon as possible—until she meets Lord Sebastian Wyatt. Thrust together in a desperate mission to invent a new invisible ink for the English war effort, Georgie and Sebastian must find a way to work together without losing their heads—or their hearts . . .

My Thoughts: While I enjoyed the first half of this book I thought the last half was a little long and drawn out.

The Good: I really liked the idea of a YA historical romance and for the most part this book was a winner. I liked Georgie and felt she was very real. She was self conscious about her looks because red hair and freckles were not considered beautiful and her parents continued to remind of that often. Her only option she had as a young woman was to learn to be a proper lady and marry well. This was not what Georgie was all about. She had a scientific mind and liked to do experiments. This was also a contention between her and her parents. I liked her logical mind. I liked how she thought through issues. I also liked the other girls in the Stranje house.

I thought Georgie's reactions to Sebastian were all in agreement with a teenage girl. I thought maybe she would be more scientific about it but she is first and foremost a girl so even though I don't care much for teenage angst this did ring true as well.

The Bad: I thought the book would be more about Emma Stranje's teaching of the girls. She was teaching them lock picking, how to remove themselves from being tied to a chair, how to be a spy, etc. Unfortunately, between the longish introduction to Georgie and the girls in Stranje House then the entire second half trying to rescue Georgie's love interest, there wasn't a whole lot of learning. I also struggled with the history aspect a bit. The author takes some liberties with history and called it "alternate history". I would rather a book with so much (and there was a lot) history have that history accurate.

In a Nutshell: Although I did like this book, I only liked it to a point. Since I found the last half of the book a bit tedious and the spying aspect of the book was not my cuppa I probably will not continue with this series.