Book Review: Savage Hunger (Savage) by Lisa Renee Jones

Savage Hunger is the first book in the Savage trilogy by Lisa Renee Jones. Rick Savage, but they call him Savage and for a reason. He can make you laugh and then rip your heart out. No one knows that more than me, Candace Marks, the woman he left bleeding from the heart. I loved him. Lord help me, I’ve never stopped loving him. Now, I’m engaged to another man, a brutal man I’m trapped into marrying, when to my shock, Savage returns home. Savage who I haven't heard from in years. I want to hate him. I have ever reason to hate him, but I can’t. I still love him and I fear he will save me just to leave me bleeding one last time. He stirs my desires, a dark, delicious, and dangerous man destined to hurt me and leave me. This time I’m not sure I'll survive.

Savage Hunger is a book that started off checking off all the right boxes. The characters were are multidimensional and the second chance aspect and danger were well played. I liked the secondary characters, which fans of the author will recognize from the Walker series. The chemistry level was high, and there was a good balance of sweet and intrigue. However, I was not aware going in that this was not going to be the start of the story. I felt like just when things were starting to click into place and I was really rooting for our couple, and considering finding the other series because I like the secondary characters, the book ended. Not at a happy for now kind of spot, but at the start of an action scene! If the description had warned me, or maybe if I had read the related series, I might have been prepared, but I was not. So, I highly recommend that you pick up the whole series and have the next ready to go if you are going to read this. Now, you have been given the warning I was not. It rather ruined some of my good feeling toward the book and left me a bit frustrated. 

Savage Hunger is a book with plenty of angst, but it is just the start of this couple's story. Be prepared with the following books, or the need to find them.

Book Review: Ruthless Bastard (Dangerous Love) by Stacey Kennedy

Ruthless Bastard is the third book in the Dangerous Love series by Stacey Kennedy. While part of a series, and returning readers will get more out of the read than newcomers, it can be enjoyed as a stand alone as well. Bar owner Kinsley Knight knows exactly what she wants: Rhett West. How could she resist over six feet of hard, trained physical perfection? Never mind that she's been in love with the guy since high school, or that she's the "kid sister" of his best friend. Never mind that one unforgettably intense and heated night they shared-and the unexpected consequences. But Rhett can't afford to get distracted by the mind-blowingly hot night he spent with Kinsley, or the insatiable hunger he still feels for her. She's off-limits. Especially now that Rhett's been investigating the members of a vicious biker gang who have invaded his town, and they're intent on putting Kinsley out of business-permanently. Suddenly, all of Rhett's protective instincts have taken over. Because no one threatens Kinsley on his watch. Not now. Not ever. And Rhett's ruthless enough to protect Kinsley no matter the cost. Even if it means risking his heart.

Ruthless Bastard is a good friends to lovers romance, with plenty of danger and heat to keep readers interested. I have not read the previous books, which is surprising since I enjoy the author's style, so I did not have the background knowledge of the characters. However, I think the book does a good job of illustrating the character relationships and dynamics so that new readers would be able to catch up fairly quickly. I really liked Rhett's character and how he was doing his best and wanted to protect those around him, even from himself. I will admit that I was a little annoyed with the descriptions of Kinsley as so 'not like other girls'. She is low maintenance, understands the demands of law enforcement and the military on others, and owns a bar- so clearly different from all the other girls. This is a pet peeve of mine, and it might not even come across this way to others, but it started wearing on me during the read. I did like the arc of her coming together with Rhett, and I liked the mystery and danger involved. Although, I did make several guesses about who was involved with what early on, and was proven right. The clues to this seemed a little too obvious, but I read almost as many mysteries as romances so I am often looking pretty hard for that sort of thing. As a whole I enjoyed the read, but a couple personal preferences made it an okay read rather than the winner that I was really expecting from the author.

Ruthless Bastard is an engaging contemporary romance. Fans of the author and the series will definitely want to pick this one up. 

Early Book Review: Bears Behaving Badly (BeWere my Heart) by MaryJanice Davidson

Bears Behaving Badly is the first book in the BeWere my Heart series by MaryJanice Davidson. It is currently scheduled for release on March 31 2020. 

These social worker bear shifters give the term "mama bear" a whole new meaning! Werebear shifter Annette Garsea is a caseworker for the Interspecies Placement Agency. When a selectively mute and freakishly strong teen werewolf is put in her custody, Annette has to uncover the young girl's secrets if she's to have any hopes of helping her. And not even the growling of a scruffy private investigator can distract her from her mission. Bear shifter David Auberon appreciates Annette's work with at-risk teen shifters, but he's not sure if her latest charge is so much a vulnerable teen as a predator who should be locked up. All that changes when he, Annette, and her motley band of juveniles find themselves dodging multiple murder attempts and uncovering a trafficking cartel that doesn't just threaten the kids, but risks discovery of the shifters by the wider world of homo sapiens.

Bears Behaving Badly has a good deal going on.Annette and David had some great dialogue, and I enjoyed the clueless, thought to be unrequited love, aspect of the story. They were fun and I liked getting to know them. I also really liked the secondary characters- and found some of them more interesting and entertaining than the major players on occasion.  I like that parts of the character backstories are slowly revealed rather than having a massive information dump. I thought that the mystery of what was going on and who the mole was had a good pace and had a good balance of danger and character exploration. Although, I have to say that some of the big picture was a little obvious to me and I wanted to facepalm when Annette and David finally figured it out. The story was fun and enjoyable. However, there several occasions when the transitions were sudden and I had to go back and reread bits to see if I missed something, some clue, as to how they got to be somewhere or which line of dialogue when to which character. Everytime that this happened with a scene transition I was taken out of the story and it took away from my enjoyment a bit. 

Bears Behaving Badly is a fun romantic adventure with a nice balance of humor, mystery, and a touch of heat.

Early Book Review: Risk It All (Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters) by Katie Ruggle

Risk It All is the second book in the Rocky Mountain Bounty Hunters series by Katie Ruggle. I do recommend reading this series in order, to have all of the characters in context, but I think newcomers could enjoy most of the story even without having read the previous book. It is currently scheduled for release on December 31 2019. 

Cara Pax never wanted to be a bounty hunter. She's happy to leave chasing criminals and tackling skips to her sisters. But if she wants her dreams of escaping the family business to come true, she's got one last job to finish. Only problem is, she doesn't think her bounty is guilty. Henry Kavenski is a man with innocence to prove. When he realizes that Cara believes him, he'll do anything to keep her out of harm's way. Escaping criminals and dodging cops might not be the best time to fall in love, but Henry and Cara won't give up, not when there's a chance at a new life ahead—if they can survive the fall.

Risk It All is a good continuation of the series, and I think I enjoyed it more than the first. Cara was such a great character and I loved getting to know her better. Henry was a fun character to slowly discover as the layers of his personality were revealed. The danger elements were nicely balanced with the banter that I love so much in Ruggle's books. Seeing Cara come into her own and I enjoyed seeing her strength and determination play such an important part in the story. I was surprised a couple times along the way, and I enjoyed every moment of the ride. I will be continuing with this series. 

Risk It All is another great read from Ruggle with a blend of heat, sweet, and danger to keep readers turning pages past our bedtimes. 

Book Review: Dark 'N' Deadly (Federal K-9) by Tee O'Fallon

Dark 'N' Deadly is the third book in the Federal K-9 series by Tee O'Fallon. I have not read the previous books, and while some of the characters and situations from previous books do carry over I was able to enjoy this story on its own. However, I think that those that have read the previous books will get more from this read than newcomers like myself. 

ATF Special Agent Eric Miller and his explosives detecting K-9, Tiger, pull over a truck, the contents of which are explosive. Literally. More shocking, the driver is the kid brother of a woman he left behind. One who still haunts his days and his nights. They’d never so much as kissed, but Tess McTavish never forgot the handsome, dangerous agent who vanished in a shroud of mystery. Now the last thing she needs is an ATF agent with his own agenda. Doesn’t matter that Tess and her brother are innocent. If Eric learns the truth of their past, they’ll never be free. Eric’s drive for revenge against the man who targeted him and his colleagues in a deadly explosion still burns hot inside him. Another bomb is about to be detonated and he’s sure there’s a connection between that man…and Tess’s family. But Eric and Tiger will do everything they can to protect the woman he’s falling for from what’s coming.

Dark 'N' Deadly is a strong contemporary romance that had a nice slow burn element, and some serious tension. There were a few times that I delayed getting back to the book because of that tension. I liked the character building. I thought that Eric and Tess were well crafted characters- with complicated and painful pasts. They each dealt with their trauma in consistent and reasonable ways, even when it made the situation harder on themselves later. I liked that the secondary characters, like Jesse and Dayne were well fleshed out, and just as realistic and consistent as the main players. I did have a couple moments when I groaned about the lack of following law enforcement procedure- because those are the kind of things that get the bad guys acquitted in the long run- and I was left think about how much evidence would actually be submittable in court. But, this is fiction and while I think I know some of this stuff, I have not done all the research so I could be wrong. In general, I enjoyed the read and thought the characters were well written. However, I did not fall in love with the series.   So much of this book worked really well- and the danger and tension were high and carried throughout the story, but it somehow missed the sweet spot for me and I could not even point out the moment or aspect of the story that I just did not connect with.

Dark 'N' Deadly is a must read for fans of the series, since you have met these characters in the previous books. It was a solid read, but somehow ran hot and cold for me. 

Early Book Review: Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner

Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas by William Lashner is a middle grade novel currently scheduled for release on October 15 2019.  Elizabeth Webster is happy to stay under the radar (and under her bangs) until middle school is dead and gone. But when star swimmer Henry Harrison asks Elizabeth to tutor him in math, it's not linear equations Henry really needs help with-it's a flower-scented, poodle-skirt-wearing, head-tossing ghost who's calling out Elizabeth's name. But why Elizabeth? Could it have something to do with her missing lawyer father? Maybe. Probably. If only she could find him. In her search, Elizabeth discovers more than she is looking for: a grandfather she never knew, a startling legacy, and the secret family law firm, Webster & Son, Attorneys for the Damned. Elizabeth and her friends soon land in court, where demons and ghosts take the witness stand and a red-eyed judge with a ratty white wig hands out sentences like sandwiches. Will Elizabeth's father arrive in time to save Henry Harrison-and is Henry the one who really needs saving?

Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas has a wonderful premise and I greatly enjoyed the character building. I liked Elizabeth, she had the blend of spunk and vulnerabilities that rang true for a middle school girl. Her family and friends were nicely rounded with much more depth than I usually see in novels for this age group. I liked the relationship between Elizabeth and Natalie, and how two girls celebrated their differences while keeping their friendship. I also enjoyed the relationship Elizabeth had with her mom and step father- that they clearly cared about her and let her be herself and express herself was wonderful. I was glad to see that there was some humor, and plenty of odd visuals sprinkled through the story. Although I have to admit that I sometimes found myself skimming some of the descriptions so that I could get back to the plot and action a little quicker. I liked the variety of twists and turns in the story- solving the mystery surrounding Beatrice's death, finding Elizabeth's father, and so on. I liked that it was not a simply solution, but at the same time it really felt like a long read. It also felt like it was clearly a set up for a series, and while I am intrigued by the secrets Elizabeth's mom might be keeping, I am not sure that all the build up was enough to really hook me. It was a good read, it just did not capture my attention the way I expected something with this blend of coming of age, mystery, and supernatural secrets to.

Elizabeth Webster and the Court of Uncommon Pleas is a a novel that the upper elementary and middle school set will enjoy. I liked the premise and the execution- but it was a book that I could easily put down when I needed to.

Early Book Review: Sapphire Flames (Hidden Legacy) by Ilona Andrews

Sapphire Flames is the fourth book in the Hidden Legacy series by Ilona Andrews , and the first full length book focused on Catalina. I do recommend reading this series in order, but if you are going to jump around starting here would be your best bet because of the shift in point of view. It is currently scheduled for review on August 27 2019.

In a world where magic is the key to power and wealth, Catalina Baylor is a Prime, the highest rank of magic user, and the Head of her House. Catalina has always been afraid to use her unique powers, but when her friend’s mother and sister are murdered, Catalina risks her reputation and safety to unravel the mystery. But behind the scenes powerful forces are at work, and one of them is Alessandro Sagredo, the Italian Prime who was once Catalina’s teenage crush. Dangerous and unpredictable, Alessandro’s true motives are unclear, but he’s drawn to Catalina like a moth to a flame. To help her friend, Catalina must test the limits of her extraordinary powers, but doing so may cost her both her House–and her heart.

Sapphire Flames is utterly fabulous. If you have been reading all things Ilona Andrews then you will not be surprised with the quality of the writing, the feels, and the danger that make up this book. If you are new to it all- hold on to the seat of your pants. I loved to read about Catalina coming into her own and fighting for her families future much like Nevada did in the earlier books. Catalina is such a great character, I love her balance of strength, vulnerability, and pragmatism. Alessandro is so much more than he seems, and I cannot wait to see what happens next, because I know there is so much more to come for them and House Baylor. The investigation and twists of this story were stellar. My complaints are only the best kind, that I want more and will now have to wait extra long for the next one since I got my hands on the ARC of this from Netgalley and read it so fast.

Sapphire Flames is a must read for Andrews fans. The balance of sweet and deadly was practically perfect.

Early Book Review: The Bewildered Bride (Advertisements for Love) by Vanessa Riley

The Bewildered Bride is the fourth book in the Advertisements for Love series by Vanessa Riley. I have not read any of the previous books, but believe that they can all be enjoyed as stand alone reads. This book is currently scheduled for release on August 12 2019.

Ruth Croome, a Blackamoor heiress, was supposed to get married in a gorgeous wedding gown, made from her father’s exquisite fabrics. Instead, they eloped to Gretna Green and upon returning, their carriage was beset by highwaymen and she witnessed the murder of her new husband. Now, four years later, with a child, she wants to move on with her life. A marriage of convenience will do. Ruth already had a love for the ages. Adam Wilky is really the heir to the Wycliff barony—which he never told Ruth. Too much danger. So many secrets. When he was nearly beaten to death and sold into impressment, he thought Ruth had died, too. Ready for revenge, he finally returns and discovers Ruth alive—with a son who could only be his—and she is furious to discover he lied to her. Now it’ll take more than remembered passion if he hopes to win his reluctant wife back.

The Bewildered Bride is a book that takes an honest look at the racism in England's past, and adds so much emotion, corruption, and danger that there is rarely a page that did not have me wondering who would make the next misstep. Ruth has been through hell, and no one seems to believe her. So she deals with the remarks and just strives to make the best life for her son. Adam is finally making things right after the betrayal of family and thinking Ruth dead for four years. The journey of them finding their way together again, despite the danger and deceptions is harrowing but extremely well written. I have to say that I really enjoyed the realism of the family dynamics and especially the final confrontation. I thought the sensitive subjects in the story (rape, abuse) were very well handled and I liked the support and hope that it offers readers through its handling.

The Bewildered Bride is an emotional ride, well worth the read. 

Early Book Review: A Drop of Magic (The Magicsmith) by L.R. Braden

A Drop of Magic is the first book in The Magicsmith series by L.R. Braden. It is currently scheduled for release on July 31 2019. With the world clinging to a fragile peace forced on the Fae by humanity after the Faerie Wars, metalsmith Alex Blackwood is plunged into the world of the half-fae who traffick in illegal magical artifacts. Her best friend’s murder and his cryptic last message place her in the crosshairs of a scheme to reignite the decade-old war between humans and fae. Worse, violent attacks against her and the arrival of a fae knight on a mission force Alex to face a devastating revelation of who and what she is. To catch a killer, retrieve a dangerous artifact, and stop a war, Alex will have to accept that she’s an unregistered fae “halfer” with a unique magical talent—a talent that would change everything she believes about her past, her art, and her future. Her world is crumbling around her, and Alex will have to decide who to trust if she and the world are going to survive.

A Drop of Magic starts with the basics needed for a complex urban fantasy world and a strong main character. Alex has been through a lot, and tries to do her bet in her art and day job while still trying to keep a safe emotional distance from her friends and acquaintances. Everything is turned upside down when her good friend is killed and her own identity is brought into question. I like that she struggles a little with the chaos that begins to surround her- but still manages  to keep moving forward and trying to solve the mystery. The murders and missing items of the story were very well written, and I thought the danger and sleuthing for the characters and readers alike hit a good balance, and I am glad to say that the conclusion was not on my radar, and I was a little surprised. I enjoyed learning about the characters closest to Alex, and really like that there were multiple possibilities for romantic interest the story never made that leap. I hate when all the world and character building gets pushed aside for a romance- even though I love a good love story.  I have a feeling that romance is coming, but I was gla to get a solid understanding of Alex and her world beforehand.  Some of the twists I saw coming, while others managed to sneak up on me and take me by surprise. I liked that the story did have a solid, satisfying conclusion but left plenty of room for more revelations and twists in future complications. I also enjoyed the collection of fae and shifters that made their appearance, and cannot wait to see what else pops up in the future.

A Drop of Magic is a good start to an urban fantasy series. I think I will be continuing this one to see where it goes. 

Book Review: Middlegame by Seanan McGuire

Middlegame by Seanan McGuire is a stand alone, separate from her series. Meet Roger. Skilled with words, languages come easily to him. He instinctively understands how the world works through the power of story. Meet Dodger, his twin. Numbers are her world, her obsession, her everything. All she understands, she does so through the power of math. Roger and Dodger aren’t exactly human, though they don’t realize it. They aren’t exactly gods, either. Not entirely. Not yet. Meet Reed, skilled in the alchemical arts like his progenitor before him. Reed created Dodger and her brother. He’s not their father. Not quite. But he has a plan: to raise the twins to the highest power, to ascend with them and claim their authority as his own. Godhood is attainable. Pray it isn’t attained.

Middlegame was a harder start for me than most of McGuire's book, I think it was just the amount of information necessary to set up the characters and the story. However, once I got past the first couple chapters I was hooked and I was immersed in McGuire's imagination once again. The world and character building is wonderful, and the story id complex with lots of nuisance. I thought the relationship between Roger and Dodger was fascinating, and while there were times I did not agree with their choices, I could always understand the reasoning behind it. There were so many different ways the story could have gone at every turn, and sometimes they do go multiple ways. I would hate to ruin any of the surprises the book holds for new readers so I will refrain for going into details about the action and important plot points. Just know that I found this to be darker and more dense than I was really prepared for- and had I picked it up at a different time it might have been exactly what I was looking for. It was extremely well written, and the mythos built for the story was absolutely amazing, I just had trouble connecting with the characters and enjoying the read as much as I had expected. I honestly think the issue was more with me than the book, and I will continue to read everything I can from McGuire. 

As an aside, since I had trouble getting into the book the first time I started reading it, I got it via Audible and listened to it. Amber Benson is the narration- and she does some amazing voices which helped me keep track of who was talking and a better understanding of their characters. Regardless of how you read this, do not skip the chapter intros- which I admit to having done with other books, they are important and will help with the greater understanding of the story.

Middlegame has exceptional world and mythos building with complex characters and plot line. Something did not grab me as much as I had expected, which I think has more to do with my mood than the book, but it was not my favorite of McGuire's. I will still keep on reading all of their urban fantasy.

Early Book Review: Count on Me (Petal Georgia) by Lauren Dane

Count on Me is the first book in the Petal Georgia series (a spin off of the Chase Brothers series) by Lauren Dane. Each of the books by Dane seems to stand up fine on its own, but fans of the earlier series will enjoy seeing some favorites make an appearance. This book is currently scheduled for release on July 8 2019.

Caroline Mendoza left home to become a lawyer with one goal in mind: prove her father’s innocence. Now she’s back, and nothing will stop her from uncovering the truth—not the folks of Petal, who have their own ideas about the case, not her siblings and definitely not Royal Watson, who should probably stand trial for being indecently and undeniably hot. 

Count on Me is a contemporary romance that hits many tough topics, has a solid dose of danger, but also lots of heart and sweet moments. Caroline has been struggling to exonerate her father for all of her adult life, and the small town attitudes and stubbornness of family make everything more emotional and challenging than it really should be. Family issue abound, as do problems in finding her place in her hometown. Royal is such a good guy, almost too perfect. He is open minded and protective while still respecting the indepence and abilities of those around him. I liked the honesty and banter between the pair, and how straight forward Caroline is with just about everyone and every issue that comes her way. While the pair came together more quickly than I expected- I really enjoyed how they came together and grew closer throughout the story. The only issue I had with the read is that every now and then there were time or scene transitions that just felt a little rough to me. Or moments that just made me wonder why they were even included. For instance, in one moment Royal's phone rings as he was driving- but no mention of the phone call was made again, so why was it even included. No missed call or message to be followed up. Little petty things like that stick with me, I think only because I love the author so much that I expect better but others might not even notice.

Count on Me is a good return to Petal, and I enjoyed the read. Not my favorite book by Dane, but that is a high threshold to match. Fans of Dane will definitely want to add this to their to be read pile.

Book Review: The Witchkin Murders (Magicfall) by Diana Pharaoh Francis

The Witchkin Murders is the first book in the Magicfall series by Diana Pharaoh Francis. Four years ago, my world—the world—exploded with wild magic. The cherry on top of that crap cake? The supernatural world declared war on humans, and my life went straight to hell.I used to be a detective, and a damned good one. Then Magicfall happened, and I changed along with the world. I’m witchkin now—something more than human or not quite human, depending on your perspective. To survive, I’ve become a scavenger, searching abandoned houses and stores for the everyday luxuries in short supply—tampons and peanut butter. Oh, how the mighty have fallen, but anything’s better than risking my secret.Except, old habits die hard. When I discover a murder scene screaming with signs of black magic ritual, I know my days of hiding are over. Any chance I had of escaping my past with my secret intact is gone. Solving the witchkin murders is going to be the hardest case of my life, and not just because every second will torture me with reminders of how much I miss my old life and my partner, who hates my guts for abandoning the department. But it’s time to suck it up, because if I screw this up, Portland will be wiped out, and I’m not going to let that happen. Hold on to your butts, Portland. Justice is coming, and I don’t take prisoners.

The Witchkin Murders is a good series starter. I loved the world building and thought that the majority of the characters were very well built with complex personalities and stories that I would love to learn more about. I liked Kayla's determination and ethics. I thought she was a solid character and dealt with a series of huge problems in her life the best she knew how. I though that some of the secondary characters were fantastic, and I would continue reading the series simply to find out how their lives play out. I also thought the mystery and action parts of the story were extremely well done. The creatures and mythos used were complex and varied- and I loved trying to guess what kind of creature each was by the descriptions that were given.

I did have some problems with the book. One is that for one character they kept switching if he was referred to by his first or last name with no discernible reason. The first time it happened I had to go back a few pages to see if the person I thought was talking was, and I found it distracting. My second issue was with Ray's character, he was just so angry and explosive in his own head. I admit that I skimmed a good deal of his inner dialogue because I just had no interest in reading all that angst over and over. Speaking of inner angst, the lust at highly improbable moments- and the self flagellation over it by Kayla drove me a little nuts, so I often skimmed over that too.

The Witchkin Murders is a urban fantasy with good world building. I was not thrilled with everything, but it was well worth the read and some might really enjoy it as a whole.

Book Review: Project Duchess (Duke Dynasty) by Sabrina Jeffries

Project Duchess is the first book in the Duke Dynasty series by Sabrina Jeffries. A series of stepfathers and a difficult childhood have left Fletcher “Grey” Pryde, 5th Duke of Greycourt, with a guarded heart, enviable wealth, and the undeserved reputation of a rogue. Grey’s focus on expanding his dukedom allows him little time to find a wife. But when his mother is widowed yet again and he meets the charmingly unconventional woman managing his stepfather’s funeral, he’s shocked to discover how much they have in common. Still, Grey isn’t interested in love, no matter how pretty, or delightfully outspoken, the lady. Beatrice Wolfe gave up on romance long ago, and the arrogant Duke of Greycourt with his rakish reputation isn’t exactly changing her mind. Then Grey agrees to assist his grief-stricken mother with her latest “project”: schooling spirited, unfashionable Beatrice for her debut. Now that Beatrice is seeing through Grey’s charms to his wounded heart, she’s having trouble keeping him at arm’s length. But once Grey starts digging into her family’s secrets, she must decide whether her loyalties lie with her family or with the man whose lessons capture her heart.

Project Duchess is a historical romance with well fleshed out characters, both complex and relatable in their way. Grey has been through a lot, and has a hard time getting past his trust issues and allowing himself to feel. Beatrice has not had an easy life either, and is doing the best she can to live her life and support her brother and extended family. Both have emotional scars, and I feel like those wounds are what bring our couple together. They are both very outspoken and genuine- even when they are trying to avoid talking about things they would rather avoid. I loved their banter- and often found myself grinning and they verbally spared. I liked the secondary plot line, a murder mystery that continues on in the series. I spent a good part of the book trying to figure out the mystery, and while I am glad parts of it were resolved- I am eager to get more pieces to the puzzle in the next book of this series. I am intrigued and want to see all players have their happy ever after and the mystery gets solved.

Project Duchess is a historical romance with all the elements I have come to expect from Jeffries. I was fully engaged in the read and will continue on reading the author's work.

Early Book Review: Devil's Way Out by Nika Dixon

Devil's Way Out by Nika Dixon is currently scheduled for release on June 24 2019. Still angry over the death of the woman he loved, rancher Marshall Boyer wants nothing to do with women or love. But when the mysterious Emma drops into his life—barefoot, broke, and running scared—he can’t let her go. Artist Emmaline Katz has a dangerous secret. After escaping a ruthless criminal who exploited her for years, her quest for freedom crashes to a halt in rural Montana. Out of money and options, she finds an unlikely haven with a handsome cowboy. But no matter how much she wants to believe his offer of protection, he doesn’t know the truth about her, her secret, or the man who will stop at nothing to get her back. Time is running out. A cold-blooded killer has come to town, and Emma isn’t the only target.

Devil's Way Out was an engaging read, and I really liked the characters and how the story was revealed. Marshall is a strong man struggling with starting over after a less than stellar ending to a relationship. Emma is running from much more than a bad break up.I like that both characters have a strong will but are damaged emotional from past mistakes and trauma. Nether is perfect, or pitiful, and they manage to save each other even though they both fought it and feared the outcome every step along the way. I love seeing genuinely good characters find a happy ending despite bad experiences, and that is exactly what happens here. I am rather hoping that Dixon writes happy endings for more of the characters in this small town, because I am just as interested in what happens to the rest of the family and town next, and in seeing Marshall and Emma continue on their path.

Devil's Way Out is a contemporary romance with heart and danger balanced nicely. I enjoyed the read and will be looking for more from the author.

Book Review: Forgotten Love (Bound By Love) by J.M. Davies

Forgotten Love is the first book in the Bound By Love series by J.M. Davies. I’m an ex-Navy SEAL. A wounded warrior with a hard-ass exterior and a checkered past to match. All I care about is my outdoor survival business—teaching others the skills they need to survive in the face of danger. But fate has a wicked sense of humor. From out of nowhere this brunette-beauty with the easy smile and doe-eyes walks into my life…and it’s not the first time. Summer doesn’t remember me. But she’s the one I can’t forget. I know that she’s in danger, and I’ll gladly give in to every protective instinct I have when it comes to keeping her safe. There’s a reason fate sent her my way for a second time. Only, this time…I won’t fail her.

Forgotten Love is a nice start to a series, introducing a good selection of secondary characters that I want to know more about. I liked Summer's character, she had grit and even though she was fighting through some serious things, which made her feel weak, she did what she had to do in order to survive. I disagreed with some of her choices, but could understand them and felt like they were all in character for her. Rafe has just as many issues, if not more than Summer, and is fighting through them in his own way. Like Summer, I did not always agree with the choices he made- although they all fit in his character and I could understand them. I really liked some of the secondary character and want to follow Nicki's future, and what happens with Rafe and his crew in the future. I did not like that a great deal was dumped on the reader at the very end, leaving me with questions, so many questions, about what is going to happen next. Oh, and fair warning for those that prefer romance with little to no sex, this is not that book. There is a great deal of heat in this book, and if you do not like an alpha male in that context then be forewarned- because there is a significant amount of that to be found. 

Forgotten Love is a good contemporary romance with plenty of heart and heat.

Book Review: Deceased and Desist (Tallie Graver Mystery) by Misty Simon

Deceased and Desist is the third book in the Tallie Graver Mystery series by Misty Simon. I have not read the previous books, and I found that I could still follow and enjoy the story. However, I will admit that there were moments that I wished I had more context for character and relationship dynamics. 

Most housecleaners don’t do windows, but Tallie Graver loves leaving a pane of glass streak-free and sparkling. After a dirty divorce from a filthy-rich jerk, she's started her own cleaning business to make ends meet. On her latest job, prepping a renovated bed and breakfast for a grand re-opening, she's standing outside on a ladder, wiping off a grimy pane, when she spies a man on a bed through the glass. But the B&B isn't open for business yet—and the man's not sleeping. Her family owns the Graver Funeral Home, so Tallie knows a corpse when she sees one. The victim is a shady building inspector with a reputation for handing out passing grades for a greased palm. With the local police resistant, Tallie launches her own investigation, before she gets a rep as a town crank. But it's going to take more than a squirt bottle and a squeegee to clean up this mess. With the help of her gal pal Gina, Tallie searches for a killer's motive. But she'd better be careful, or it'll be curtains for this window cleaner.

Deceased and Desist is a well paced mystery with plenty of twists and turn. I liked Tallie's character and her willingness to admit her mistakes but still standing up for herself and working toward her own happiness. I thought the investigation that Tallie and Gina undergo was well done and I liked the family and community connections that they used, even if I was not always aware of all the players.  There was so many important facts and shady dealings that I admit to being surprised to some of the revelations- and liked that there were several layers of mystery and character development going on. I enjoyed that fact that Tallie and her family seem to be evolving in realistic ways, and that while the mystery was fully solved and all the loose threads tied up, there were enough relationship and character questions pending that I felt like the story was resolved, but I want to keep on reading about their lives. It is a good balance that does not always happen in small town based series.

Deceased and Desist is a solid mystery with a good plot and quirky characters. I am going to try to find the time to read the previous books, and then keep going with this series.

Book Review: One Tough Cowboy by Lora Leigh, Veronica Chadwick

One Tough Cowboy by Lora Leigh and Veronica Chadwick is the first in a new series. For as long as Samantha can remember, Hunter—a man as strong as steel, with a heart of gold—has been her hero. It came as no surprise to Samantha when she found out that the ranch-hardened cowboy who always protected her from bullies went on to become the town’s sheriff. What does surprise her is how incredibly hot he still is. And how much she still wants him. Hunter still has feelings for Samantha. The long-smoldering heat of their innocent flirtation has grown into a full-raging fire. But when tragedy strikes, and their small-town community is shattered, Hunter vows to do everything he can to keep his childhood sweetheart safe. But can Samantha trust that Hunter has her best interests at heart…and that, after all these years, his love is true?

One Tough Cowboy is a series starter that does a good job of introducing a town and secondary characters. I liked the small town and the cast of characters, including those that only made their appearances as the dangerous aspects of the story really ramped up. I liked the connection between Sam and Hunter, but felt that so much was left out of the relationship and character building between these two because of their history. I felt like even though the past was explained and some fun moments were told through out the story, that there could have been more of something there- almost like that history was a short cit to get them into bed quicker. I am not saying that it was bad, but that for some reason I just never connected  with the story on that level. I liked the characters individual, and their interactions, but wanted a little more relationship building. I would have loved to see more of Sam's life as well, maybe a moment of her time in Detroit or dealing with the ex, to give what comes next more meaning and impact. I still enjoyed the read, but felt like there was so much room for it to be even better.

One Tough Cowboy is a book that will please fans of the authors, and has a good balance of heat and danger. 

Book Review: The Vixen's Lead (Kit Davenport) by Tate James

The Vixen's Lead is the first book in the Kit Davenport series by Tate James.  This is a urban fantasy for adults that also fits well in the new adult niche. 

I want vengeance so badly that I can almost taste it. It's all I've ever wanted. So, I did what anyone in my unique position would do. I slapped on a secret identity and became an internationally renowned thief, known as The Fox. Nobody knows me. Nobody can catch me. Or so I thought. It turns out; I have what they want. Special abilities. And trust me, these abilities are coveted--and dangerous. Now, I don't know who to trust or where to go. Peril lurks on every corner as I try to uncover my past and origin. Teaming up with unlikely allies may be my only chance at survival or my biggest mistake. Only time will tell.

The Vixen's Lead started right in the midst of the action, with Kit stealing. At first it felt like a young adult adventure novel (since a private high school is one of the major settings) and I feared I was about to read yet another love triangle story. However, it was not long before I discovered that neither of these were true. Some young adults will enjoy this book, but I think it is better suited for new adults and adult readers. And a quick spoiler than some readers might appreciate- this series is not about a love triangle. Instead it is a why choose style romance. So depending on your preference for or against these I thought I'd let you know. Also, there is some serious abuse discussed so if you have related triggers when reading about trauma you might need to skip this one. 

I liked the world building, and while some bits are familiar to the urban fantasy genre, I liked some of the slightly different takes that James uses in the creation and revelation of the characters and the story line. Even at the end of the first book I feel like there are many more secrets and revelations about the world and the characters coming even though it already feels well built. I liked the handling of sensitive matters, and how honest the characters were about their relationships with each other. I am deeply invested in the characters, even more so than the danger and mystery, which is quite compelling. My biggest question is why it took me so long to get around to reading this book!

The Vixen's Lead is an engaging and entertaining read. I got sucked into the world, and as soon as I finished the first book immediately downloaded the rest of the series, and I am deep into the second installment. 

Book Review: Not the Duke's Darling (Greycourt) by Elizabeth Holt

Not the Duke's Darling is the first book in the Greycourt series by Elizabeth Holt. Freya de Moray is many things: a member of the secret order of Wise Women, the daughter of disgraced nobility, and a chaperone living under an assumed name. What she is not is forgiving. So when the Duke of Harlowe, the man who destroyed her brother and led to the downfall of her family, appears at the country house party she's attending, she does what any Wise Woman would do: she starts planning her revenge. Christopher Renshaw, the Duke of Harlowe, is being blackmailed. Intent on keeping his secrets safe, he agrees to attend a house party where he will put an end to this coercion once and for all. Until he recognizes Freya, masquerading among the party revelers, and realizes his troubles have just begun. Freya knows all about his sins-sins he'd much rather forget. But she's also fiery, bold, and sensuous-a temptation he can't resist. When it becomes clear Freya is in grave danger, he'll risk everything to keep her safe. But first, he will have to earn Freya's trust...by whatever means necessary.

Not the Duke's Darling starts off well, with action and some mystery about the pasts oft he main characters, but I felt like it never got better than the first chapter. Freya and Christopher have hurt and scandal in their shared past, and more that has befallen both of them since the day that shattered three families. There are multiple story lines, histories, and dangers in play and while I liked the characters I felt like some oft he important details that are important to the history and motivation and not fully fleshed out. I need more information on the Wise Women and witch related story arc, I want more understanding about what actually happened the night of the "Greycourt scandal". Readers get bits and pieces of the stories, and how they relate to some of the characters, but I wanted a better understanding of the big picture. There were also a slew of new loose  ends, particularly three characters of ill intent that just rather disappeared- with no one questioning their whereabouts. The romance and connection between Freya and Christopher was good, and I liked the respect and strength they shared. However, as a whole I was not really as engaged or intent on the story as the opening scene had my expecting to be. 

Not the Duke's Darling is a good, but not wonderful read. I have come to expect more from Holt, and while I am curious about what might happen next for a couple characters I am not going to be hunting down the rest of the series.