Book Review: Enchanted to Meet You (Witches of West Harbor) by Meg Cabot

Enchanted to Meet You is the first book in the Witches of West Harbor series by Meg Cabot. In her teenage years, lovelorn Jessica Gold cast a spell that went disastrously wrong, and brought her all the wrong kind of attention—as well as a lifetime ban from the World Council of Witches. So no one is more surprised than Jess when, fifteen years later, tall, handsome WCW member Derrick Winters shows up in her quaint little village of West Harbor and claims that Jess is the Chosen One. Not chosen by West Harbor’s snobby elite to style them for the town’s tricentennial ball—though Jess owns the chicest clothing boutique in town. And not chosen finally to be on the WCW, either—not that Jess would have said yes, anyway, since she’s done with any organization that tries to dictate what makes a “true” witch. No, Jess has been chosen to help save West Harbor itself. But just when Jess is beginning to think that she and Derrick might have a certain magic of their own—and not of the supernatural variety—Jess learns he may not be who she thought he was. And suddenly Jess finds herself having to make another kind of choice: trust Derrick and work with him to combat the sinister force battling to bring down West Harbor, or use her gift as she always has: to keep herself, and her heart, safe. Can she work her magic in time?

Enchanted to Meet You is an entertaining and engaging romance. I like that the action and mystery of the story is balanced with the romance. Even as readers are getting to know Jessica and her circle of friends, as well as Derrick and his thoughts on things, the romantic feelings never overcome common sense and the ties of friendship, which I really appreciate. Being a Connecticut native myself, I could see echoes of some of our shoreline towns, and recognized some of the inherent snobbery that does happen, in very similar ways to what as shown in the book. But, the close knit and found family aspects of the town and the story are just as realistic. I thought the magical aspects of the story were well built, and the way the characters reacted to their part in the magic, was all very well written. I enjoyed the read and look forward to the continuation of this series.

Enchanted to Meet You is an engaging romance with significant character development. 

Book Review: Heartless (Immortal Enemies) by Gena Showalter

Heartless is the first book in the Immortal Enemies series by Gena Showalter. Kaysar the Unhinged One, fae King of Midnight, can drive anyone to madness with his song. A ruthless warrior forged in hate, he lives to force his enemies to their knees. He will stop at nothing to succeed—even abducting and seducing his foe’s beloved bride to ensure his own child one day sits on the male’s throne. Except, his prize escapes to the mortal realm before the first kiss, her heart transplanted into a human beauty with dangerous secrets. Chantel “Cookie” Bardot is a professional gamer girl great at trash-talking, bad at peopling. After a long-awaited surgery, she begins to morph into a powerful fae princess. Catapulted into a strange land ruled by a cruel but seductive villain, she must battle flesh-and-blood monsters and navigate royal intrigues. But the true danger is Kaysar, whose every wicked touch tempts her beyond reason. Should she run or descend into the darkness with him? 

Heartless is a solid start to another series from Showalter, but I will admit that I still rather expected it to connect with other series that I have read and if it does I missed those connections. I really liked Cookie's character and thought her sass and independence were great. Kaysar is a wounded character, and even when he is being a jerk I did not hate him like I would other characters doing the same things. I did think some of the mayhem and killing was a bit too easily accepted by Cookie, however the flow of the book and give and take between her and Kaysar was great.I also liked the world building and secondary characters. I want more of all the secondary characters, and what happens next in this world. I also want some answer on little bits of information dropped in this book that have my imagination spinning to fill in the gaps. Thankfully, having read a great many of Showalter's books, I have faith that future books will fill in those gaps and entertain quite nicely. 

Heartless is a good start to another series from Showalter.

Book Review: The Warlord (Rise of the Warlords) by Gena Showalter

The Warlord is the first book in the Rise of the Warlords series by Gena Showalter, which is set in the same world as the Lords of the Underworld series (with some character carry over). Newcomers will be able to enjoy the read, but longtime fans of Showalter will enjoy seeming some past favorites pop up.

For centuries, Taliyah Skyhawk has prepared to become Harpy General, leader of the deadliest female army in existence. One of the requirements? Remain a virgin. But, for a chance to save her people, she must wed the fearless leader of the Astra Planeta, Alaroc Phaethon. The time has come for Roc to sacrifice another virgin bride to his god. There has never been a woman alluring enough to tempt him from his path. No warrioress powerful enough to overcome his incredible strength. No enchantress desirable enough to make him burn beyond reason. Until now. With the clock ticking, war between husband and wife ignites. Except Taliyah never expected the merciless king to challenge the future she once envisioned. She certainly never anticipated the thrill of their battles turning into games. The problem is, only one spouse can survive.

The Warlord is a solid paranormal romance. I liked returning to the world created by Showalter- it has been awhile since I read the her work. I enjoyed the characters and the mixture of witty banter, heat, and trying to find a solution for the problems at hand. I think it was all woven together very well. There are secrets about heritage, powers, and how things could play out. There is a great set up for the books to follow, and part of that is how well done the secondary characters were fleshed out- and the larger story arch was introduced. I am very interested to see how the Astra move forward- and how the crazy extended family might play a role in the future. I also like that we get the voices of both Roc and Taliyah, so we know the plans and emotions behind the choices made.  The only problem I found will hopefully be fixed in formatting of the final version, because in the ARC I had there was no break of differentiation between the two points of view. One sentence would be Taliyah, the next Roc, and sometimes it took me a moment to catch up with the change.

The Warlord is a must read for fans of the author. Newcomers might not enjoy it as much, but the mixture of snark, heat, and danger is nearly perfect. 

Audiobook Review: The Vow (Black Arrowhead) by Dannika Dark, Narrated by Nicole Poole

The Vow is the first book in the Black Arrowhead series by Dannika Dark. The audiobook is narrated by Nicole Poole. Melody is an ambitious entrepreneur who has always loved the thrill of a new adventure, but she's about to get more than she bargained for when the only way to save her business is to secure a deal with a powerful tribal leader. Running Horse, Oklahoma, isn't on the map, and Mel is about as lost as a Shifter can get. When she unexpectedly runs into her best friend's brother, her friendly visit quickly turns treacherous. Lakota Cross is a man with secrets. While tracking a killer, he reunites with Melody, and their friendship sparks into a passionate affair. But if he doesn't quell the fire soon, it might burn out of control. Once again, fate brings these two Shifters together in a moment of need. But will the sacrifice be greater than the reward? Murder, mayhem, and a mating ceremony.

The Vow is a roller coaster ride of world building, character development, and mystery- and I was all in from the very start. I liked Mel and Rose from the very start of the book, and was thrilled to see how trying to do the right thing for others got our main characters their happy ending. While I thought her connection with Lakota and their ending up together was a little predictable, I very much enjoyed the journey that they took to get there. The town and tribe dynamics and cultures were well built, and sadly the prejudice, mistrust, and resentment all too believable. The mystery of the murders was very well done, although I have to admit that the culprit was not a big surprise to me- everytime they popped up in the story I had my suspicions that they were up to something.  The narrator did a wonderful job with the book. She captured the heart of the story and characters in her performance using inflections and slight changes in her cadence to capture the difference in characters. I enjoyed the book and look forward to more.

The Vow is a solid start to a new urban fantasy and romance series. I look forward to reading (or listening) more as it continues.

Book Review: Immortal Angel (An Argeneau Novel) by Lynsay Sands

 Immortal Angel is the 31st book in the Argeneau series by Lynsay Sands. I lost track of this series ten books or so ago, but saw it on Netgalley and figured I would give it a read. You do not need to have read the series to enjoy this book, but having read a few of them will help understand the worldbuilding that has been done and some returning characters.

For almost two centuries, Ildaria Garcia has been on the run, a trouble magnet with a knack for taking down bad guys. Lately, her vigilante tendencies have drawn unwelcome attention to her fellow Immortals. Forced to relocate, Ildaria is supposed to lay low in a new town. Instead, she quickly entangles herself with six and a half feet of muscular, tattooed trouble. Joshua James Simpson Guiscard, aka G.G., knows a lot about Immortals—enough to make him wary. Yet from the moment Ildaria walks into his club, he feels desire stronger than anything he’s known. Accepting the fact that they might be life mates is disconcerting. But when her past catches up to them, G.G. faces a choice—confront his demons at last, or lose a passion that’s hot as hell.

Immortal Angel is exactly what I remember from reading this series years ago. Ildaria is a strong person, dealing with trauma and fear in her own way. Her biggest fault is her difficulty in accepting, never mind asking for, help. G.G. is equally strong and independent, with a matching need to protect those around him. I liked watching these two get to know each other and find their way to happy compromise  before the dangers even really arise. Although there was on point at which his decision making without her input, or any communication at all really, bothered me tremendously. I thought the danger elements were well done, but to be honest I fully expected another twist or attempt to hurt one or both of them to pop up. The story did not need it, but I was still half expecting it. As a lapsed reader of this series, it was nice seeing a good number of the characters I remember take supporting roles here.It was an enjoyable and nostalgic read for me. 

Immortal Angel is a good addition to a long running series that long time, returning, and new readers can enjoy.

Book Review: Come On, Get Lucky by Jacqueline Rohrbach

Come On, Get Lucky by Jacqueline Rohrbach is a paranormal romance with a mystery to solve. Grant is looking for love, but there’s one big problem—himself. Due to Grant’s massive size, not to mention the fact he’s also a werewolf, all the eligible bachelors steer clear of him, preferring men who are a little less ginormous and a lot less monstrous. Only Lee, Grant’s best friend and vampire extraordinaire, sees him as a gentle giant who longs to give awesome backrubs, cupcakes, and endless affection to his lifelong mate. Lee is tired of the same old song and dance of dating and then breaking up. The only steady presence in his life has been Grant, a tried-and-true friend who always knows what to say and the right spot to scratch. So, when Grant finally breaks up with his flighty boyfriend, Lee sees an opportunity to let his carefully guarded heart out of its box and try for something real and lasting. There’s a problem, though: Lee has always forbidden romance between friends, an order he’s drilled into Grant’s head over and over again. That means Lee might need to throw their friendship to the fire. To find passion, they’ll have to become enemies. To find love, they’ll have to get lucky.

Come On, Get Lucky is a book with a lot going on. Lee and Grant are good friends, and neither has had much luck in the love department. From the description of the book I thought Grant's size was going to be mentioned more in the story, but I found that his werewolf nature tended to get much more attention than his size. The friends to more aspect between Lee and Grant was both charming and frustrating. Grant was trying so hard to be good, and the set up by Lee that is mentioned in the blurb is much more of a question in the actual story of whether his efforts were on purpose or just kind of happening. I would have liked some more of the story clearly from Lee's point of view and maybe a conversation or two between the two that could have moved things along much quicker romantically but still left plenty of room for the drama and danger aspects of the story. I really liked the side stories about the rabbit and 'stalker'. I found that the dichotomy of the vampire and werewolf fighting over and caring for a bunny sweet and fun. I also found how both were so distracted that they missed the clues about how something more sinister than someone unhappy to be turned down was happening until the stakes were raised. There were some serious twists and turns, and I was always curious about just what would happen next. 

Come On, Get Lucky is a good book, with a lot going on. I just might be looking for the author's backlist for more good reads.

Book Review: Pirate's Persuasion (Sentinels of Savannah) by Lisa Kessler

Pirate's Persuasion by Lisa Kessler is the fourth book in the Sentinels of Savannah series. I have not read the previous books, but each is able to be read on its own, although the previous knowledge returning readers have of the character and world-building would definitely make for a more satisfying read. 

Immortal pirate Drake Cole has a reputation in Savannah for his custom woodworking and historical restorations, but his work has grown into an obsession. He's become a stranger to his crew since the Sea Dog sank in 1795. None of them know his painful secret. A young stowaway went down with the ship, one that Drake swore a blood oath to protect. The ghost of a young boy, lost at sea over two hundred years ago, leads local medium, Heather Storrey right to Drake’s door. He saved her life before, and now she has a chance to return the favor, but how can she protect him from a curse that no one can see? A dark coven possesses the figurehead from the Flying Dutchman, and if Heather and the immortal Sea Dog crew don't locate the relic soon, Drake may be lost to them forever. Heather has seen the passionate man behind the veil of guilt, and she's determined to free him from his self-imposed prison, and persuade this pirate to love again.

Pirate's Persuasion is a solid story. Despite not having read the previous books I was able to get a full understanding of Drake and Heather, and how they each struggled with their relationship. I liked seeing their story, and I thought the variety of emotional scars they both come into the story with made their happiness so much more engaging. I was able to catch up on the larger story line about the rest of the pirate crew and the paranormal setup in Savannah, but I think returning readers will really enjoy seeing that story line come to a head and play out. I thought the danger level was good, the dose of deception and darkness was good, and the heat level was on point. I really liked that I got to see the story through the eyes of several characters, it gave me a much better understanding of the bigger picture. However, I think because I missed out on the previous books that I was not quite as invested in the story as returning readers might be. I was intrigued by the characters, and would like to read more about many of the secondary characters- and just might go bad to start this series from the beginning. 

Pirate's Persuasion was a well written romance, with a solid dose of suspense and danger. I think fans of the series will enjoy it much more than newcomers without investment in the larger story line and cast of characters.

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.

Book Review: Junkyard Dog (Hellhounds) by Katja Desjarlais

Junkyard Dog is the first Hellhounds novel by Katja Desjarlais.  Joshua Tree National Park Ranger Charlotte arrives on the scene of a car accident caused by a large dog tearing across the road. The third sighting of the animal in as many weeks, Charlotte’s interest is piqued. Armed with a bowl of dog food and a bucket of patience, she sets out to find the beast. With the grille marks of a sedan imprinted on his broken ribs, Alex returns to the scene of the accident, scouring for prints he’d left behind when he encounters Charlotte on the trail. The attraction is undeniable, but Alex is on a mission from Hades and can’t afford the distraction. While Charlotte continues to gain the trust of the wild dog roaming the park, Alex is caught between the woman he’s falling for and the job he was sent to do. With bodies and secrets piling at his feet, Alex is pushed to choose between the hellhound he is and the man he wants to be.

Junkyard Dog is a nice start to an urban fantasy/romance series. I really liked Charlotte- her intelligence and empathy were well done. I liked that she could take care of herself, but wanted to help others, and animals, much more than herself. My only annoyance with her character is that there kept being comments about her having bad taste in men before, and how she just had no interest in relationships because of it. However, there is no mention of what actually happened. If the details are not important then that is fine, but there is no reason to keep bringing it up, just saying that she does not want to date at the moment could have been enough. Max and the other secondary characters were very well written, which I always enjoy. I would like to read more about the ranger crew and the employees at the bar. As for Alex, I liked his character too. I enjoyed that while he had other responsibilities he kept his word and did his best for the people around him. I got a kick out of his interactions with Charlotte as a dog. The combination of humor and danger was good. I will admit that I was rather expecting the hound reveal to happen much sooner- like her seeing the grill marks on a shirtless Alex at some point- but the written reveal was much more dramatic and moved the story forward more and with good effect. All the elements were in place for me to love this story, and I found it enjoyable and a good read. I was hoping for even more, so while I was glad I read the book it just did not wow me.

Junkyard Dog is a good urban fantasy and romance. I liked the premise, the characters, and the balance of humor and danger.

Book Review: Hellcat by Isabel Brann

Hellcat by Isabel Brann is a series starter, but I have not seen any sequels out yet.  Lion Therian Nikolas Spiros, owner of the most extraordinaire mane in existence, is facing a dilemma–should he apply an avocado hair mask or the olive oil one? Being the King of the Jungle is tough work! When a crazy ex –you should never trust a hyena– hacks into his magazine’s website, a Cyber Security Expert is hired to fix things. But weird, geeky, Lee Ryan is nothing like he expected. Blind to his greatness, she tests him at every turn. And that’s without mentioning his furry side’s obsession with her. A mysterious breed of Therian, Lee has been hiding her whole life. Part of a prophecy told before the Roman Empire fell, she’s been constantly chased by an ancient cult who wants her blood. But now she’s done. No more running. They want to dance? She’ll tango with them. Of course, that was all before she met the most arrogant, over-confident, accidentally funny male in the world. And the worst part? He may be her mate. For Nik, protecting Lee from danger is the easy part. Convincing her she’s his? Well, that’s going to take some work. Good thing he’s irresistible.

Hellcat starts off with a mythological lesson in the start of Therians, or shifters, as it stands in the series. I liked the take on the origin story, but it made the opening a little slow for me. However, once the first chapter gpt rolling andthe main players were introduced I was highly entertained. I loved the combination of strong, goofy, and vulnerable that most of the main characters pull off. I laughing at the Spiros siblings, and enjoyed the banter they shared, and the banter that Lee had with just about everyone. The plot and action were well constructed and even when I thought I knew right where it was going, the path and/or destination surprised me. While I am not a fan of the fate forced mates thing, I think it was well done here, and there was enough delay and free will in play to keep things interesting. I really enjoyed the read, particularly the amount of humor, snark, and badass women. I will be watching for more from the author.

Hellcat is a fast, fun read. I had two disappointments here, that it took me so long to get around to reading it, and that when I went looking for more I could not find them. 

Book Review: In the Mood Fur Love by Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden, Kate Baxter

In the Mood Fur Love is a collection of three romances by Eve Langlais, Milly Taiden, and Kate Baxter. Bearing His Touch by Eve Langlais follows Becka who manages to escape her kidnapper and finds herself asking help of the man with the nice brown eyes. Stavros can’t say no, not when he knows Becka is his mate, but he does have one dilemma when it comes to claiming her. He'll have to find a way for her to bear his touch. Fake Mated to the Wolf by Milly Taiden is a story about a desperate woman trying to save her family, as a wolf is desperately looking to convince her to give him a chance. Looking for a mate to bring to a party? Wedding? Holiday gathering? Mates Fur Hire is right for you? But what happens when your fake mate ends up being your real one, from New York Times bestselling author Milly Taiden! The Witch, The Werewolf and The Waitress by Kate Baxter follows and witch and a wolf. For centuries, Lowman, Idaho has been Ellie Curtis's prison. A vengeful witch cursed her with immortality and locked her within the confines of Lowman's borders, sealing Ellie off from most of civilization for eternity. She's learned to make the most of it. But when she meets a cocky werewolf who's part of the elite supernatural law enforcement group, all bets are off. Colin instantly knew that Ellie was his mate, but when he discovers her secret, he's determined to help set her free. But in doing so, he might just lose the one thing he knows he can't live without. 

Often one story sticks out as better or less of my taste than the others in collections like this, but this felt pretty even. In Bearing His Touch I really enjoyed the characters and how the world and character building was paced through the story so that I never felt inundated or missing something important. I like that it had a good blend of danger, humor, and sweetness. I really liked Becka and her blend of vulnerability and strength, and how smart and determined Stavros is. A good story all around, and I will be looking for more from the author.

Fake Mated to the Wolf was also an entertaining read. I thought the depth of Shawna's love for her family and the trouble she found herself in could have used a little more building, but I understood the space constraints and how hard it is to get everything in a short story. I liked the determination of all the players, and how everything was resolved. There were some unanswered questions for me, some oddities that happened in the story that could have been part of the larger plot but just rather became brushed away, but I still enjoyed the read. Unfortunately the dating app or website thing has been done before. I have read some great series that use this, and have for quite awhile, so while a small part of the story here, and well done, this just did not feel fresh to me.

The Witch, The Werewolf and The Waitress is another fun and flirty story. I liked the balance of Colin and Ellie trying to solve their separate issues, while trying to figure out the mate situation. I liked Ellie's personality and her combination of sweet and strong. I thought Colin was a little weaker of a character, but still very well fleshed out. The combination of werewolf and witch's curse was cool, and I like how everyone seemed to handle the revelation of additional paranormal issues. I think I might have read something from this author before, or something similar. There were moments that seemed familiar in writing style and world building, but not in a bad way. Rather like I might have read something in a related series and I was reminded of those characters.

In the Mood Fur Love is a thoroughly enjoyable read with a touch of sweet, a touch of heat, and a whole lot of fur. I think this is a great collection to meet three authors I do not remember having read before, but hope to read again. 

Book Review: Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter (Dragon Hunter) by Katie MacAlister

Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter is the first book in the new Dragon Hunter series by Katie MacAlister. While it seems to be set in the same word as her previous paranormal books, if you have not read them you will be fine starting this series without working backwards. 

Veronica was a normal (if somewhat germaphobic) math teacher getting ready for summer vacation. Then her sister died in a pile of black ash, leaving her with a sword and a destiny as dragon hunter. It turns out there's a whole other world out there filled with demons, dragons, and spirits. Now Ronnie's job is to protect mortals - and I haven't got a clue what I'm doing. Then there's tattooed hotness Ian Iskander. Part dragon hunter and part demon, Ian's got some seriously creepy business associates and keeps trying to steal my sword. So why do they keep getting lost in hungry, crazy-hot kisses? Ian is the only person who can help Ronnie figure out who - and what - she am. But trusting a half-demon is dangerous, because when you play with dragon fire, someone always gets burned.

Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter is full of odd characters, magic, and mayhem. Veronica, Ronnie, has OCD and is determined to spend her summer off writing a book. She speaks her mind, is very smart, and is just a fun character to read about. Ian is tormented and torn, with secrets and struggles of his own, but with a soft heart he tries to hide. Together I liked their conversations, mostly because of Ronnie's constant chattering and complete honesty about everything she thinks and feels. Ian is much less forthcoming, but sweet in his way. I never really connected with the characters or felt invested in their success, no matter how entertaining I found some of the moments in the story. The secondary characters were fun additions to the story, and the fight scenes were highly entertaining. Sasha was my second favorite character in the book, but I feel like I barely got to know her, although to two esprits were pretty awesome too. The Monty Python reference was awesome, but might have gone on too long so that it lost its shine. I also worry that some readers will not even get the reference- I am amazed daily by people that do not get references to things I consider classic- like Monty Python, Douglas Adams, Abbott and Costello and so on.

Memoirs of a Dragon Hunter was a mixed bag for me. It had the quirky characters and funny exchanges that are the hallmark of MacAlister's writing (and what made her an automatic read for me for years) but I ever quite connected with the characters and story like I used to. I am not sure if my tastes have changed, or if some of MacAlister's magic was missing from this book.

Book Review: More Than a Phoenix (Phoenix Brothers) Ashlyn Chase

More Than a Phoenix is the second book in the Phoenix Brothers series by Ashlyn Chase, although it is related to a few of her other series. I think anyone that has read any of the books by Chase set in Boston will be perfectly able to catch on to the details quickly. However, readers that have not read any of Chase's books might be confused by the details surrounding the different types of paranormals and who is who.

Mallory Summers is losing it. She's discovered she can talk to dead people--and she might be able to shift to monkey form. Firefighter Dante Fierro knows the quirky beauty isn't crazy--just supernatural. But what would she think if she knew his secret? Hothead Noah Fierro has his own sparks flying with gorgeous ER doctor Kizzy Samuels. While the attraction is mutual, so are the supernatural secrets. With this much sizzle going on, how do you not get burned?

More Than a Phoenix covers the romances of two Fierro brothers. Dante and Noah are brothers, roommates, and best friends. However, as they find women that are command their attention they start to grate on each other's nerves and start drifting apart. Maybe it is because Mallory's life is falling apart and she just might be crazy- or cursed, and Kizzy is giving Noah the run around. There are so many secrets that as a reader I knew the stories would come together into a solid conclusion. I liked the characters, the main players and their families. However, since there were so many important characters plus the romance, danger, and drama I felt like I did not get to know the characters as well as I would have liked. I think everything was well written, but Chase tried to cover too much ground and the connection I love to forge to the characters was rather lost on the way. I still enjoyed the read, and think that other readers will as well, I just did not love it. 

More Than a Phoenix is an entertaining read, and covers two romances and a good amount of action. I was not as engaged in the characters as I had hoped, but I still enjoyed the read and think that fans of the author will certainly want to read it.

Book Review: Hooked on a Phoenix (Phoenix Brothers) by Ashlyn Chase

Hooked on a Phoenix is the first book in the Phoenix Brothers series, which is a spin off of the Strange Neighbors and Boston Dragon series' by Ashlyn Chase. It works fine as a stand alone and series starter, but I think that fans of the author and her previous series' will enjoy the read more than newcomers. There is some carry over in world building that might make it hard to understand certain relationships and paranormal quirks without that prior knowledge.

Misty Carlisle works as a bank teller in Boston's financial district. She's had more rotten luck in her life than most, except when her childhood crush shows up to cash his paycheck. Then her heart races and her mouth goes dry. Gabe Fierro is a firefighter―and a phoenix. Like his brothers, his biggest challenge is finding a woman open-minded enough to accept a shapeshifter into her life. When his boyhood friend asks him to watch over his little sister Misty, he reluctantly agrees. But when the bank where she works gets held up, Gabe does everything he can to protect her. The two of them end up locked in the bank's vault...where things get steamier than either of them ever imagined.

Hooked on a Phoenix is a nice addition to Chase's body of work. Misty is a solid character, and I liked her combination of strength and vulnerability. Gabe is more sensitive than most of the supernatural heroes, but he still has his fair share of macho over protectiveness and stepping in to help when not asked. I found the relationship to move quickly and slowly at the same time. Since they already knew each other there was none of the getting to know you build up, but they still slowly got to know each other better while dealing with some health issues and family. I liked Misty's character a lot, and how she rolled with the punches- and she had plenty to face. I found that Gabe's thoughtfulness was nice, and I enjoyed getting a better look at the phoenix family that has played a part in the previous series. I did find the wrap up to be a little too easy, but when this level of supernatural characters are in play anything can happen. 

Hooked on a Phoenix is a good paranormal romance, and while giving a solid conclusion for our couple, left enough characters in play to whet the appetite to read more. I liked the characters and the story, and enjoyed the read, but was not wowed by it. I think I just might have read too many of these and am no longer surprised by the turns the stories take.

Book Review: Diaper Duty Vampire (Vampires of Amber Heights) by R.E. Mullins

Diaper Duty Vampire is the first book of the Vampires of Amber Heights series by R.E. Mullins. However, this is the second vampire series, and this one is certainly related to the first. I think those that have read the The Blautsaugers of Amber Heights series that proceeds this will definitely get more from the read than those of us that were newcomers to the author. 

During the Civil War, Union soldier, John Alden took a musket ball to the gut. As he gasped his final breath, he was turned into a vampire and started life anew in Amber Heights, Missouri. For over one hundred and fifty years, he's lived a rather solitary life as a vampire Enforcer. Young single mother, Joann Clarkson, needs a job and fast. Hoping to be rehired, she returns to Dr. Michaela Blautsauger's lab prepared to eat a hefty helping of humble pie. She comes to regret that decision when she's taken hostage. Things look grim but she'll never stop fighting to escape. Her son needs his mama. As an Enforcer, John must hunt down the vampire who kidnapped Joann. In his search, John winds up babysitting her toddler Cody. Changing diapers might be worse than getting staked, but nothing compares to how he feels when both mother and child fall into danger again.

Diaper Duty Vampire is a fast, fun read. I was greatly amused with John's efforts to tend to little Cody. The diaper blow outs and issue that come with taking care of a toddler had me giggling. Joann is not as fleshed out as I would have liked, but her character still had some spunk and that balanced it out a little for me. John is a more complex character, and I felt like I got more of his past and motivation than I did Joann's. The action was well done, and had me wondering what might happen next, but the romance felt a little flat.  I did not get all the types of vampires and drama that caused the danger and suspense elements of the story, but I think that fans of the author will already have that back ground story and get more from it than I did. I did enjoy the read, but I was not blown away by it or intrigued enough to hunt down the previous books for the back story, or to follow up on the really good tease for the next book in the series.

Diaper Duty Vampire is a good weekend read, but I think it will be more satisfying to those that have read previous books by Mullins. 

Book Review: Wolf Hunger (SWAT) by Paige Tyler

Wolf Hunger is the seventh book in the SWAT series by Paige Tyler. While the romance is not dependent on having read the previous books in the series, the danger, conflict, and some character building was done in the previous books. So, if you are a reader that wants to understand all the lore and whys behind the main characters and big bads I highly recommend reading this series in order, if you can let go of that and enjoy the characters focused on in the story at hand, then feel free to read out of order and enjoy.

When SWAT Officer Max Lowry meets Lana Mason, he falls fast and hard. He’s positive she’s The One. And Max’s favorite part? Lana’s a wolf shifter too, so they can skip the awkward reveal and head straight to the happily ever after. There’s just one problem: Lana doesn’t know that she’s a werewolf.  To make matters worse, hunters with intent to kill have tracked Lana to Dallas. Max has to figure out how to keep Lana safe, show her who and what she really is—and just how much she means to him.

Wolf Hunger follows the larger story arc about hunters and danger for werewolves. Readers that have not followed the series might not be ready for how much of the story focuses on the danger and suspense element that is connected to that. I like that Lana has a good head on her shoulders, and that even though she trusts Max she did not just shrug and move on after she was shown the truth of werewolves. She had a nice freak out, as any sane person tossed into chaos might. I also like how the community of werewolves, and police in town, changes and grows through the book. People are so much more than they seem, and I liked getting a glimpse at the deeper aspects of some of the secondary characters that have peppered earlier books. I found Max's conflicts and personal history to be well handle and still heart breaking. It was an important part of the story, and one of the most compelling parts. My only big issue with the book is the non story that surrounded Lana and Max's romance. It was kind of glossed over, and I found myself more interested in Lana's parents and Max's issues than them as a couple. 

Wolf Hunger is a good read, and I liked the story. It just did not wow me, and I thought the emotional and relationship development could have had a little more to it. 

Early Book Review: That Killer Smile (Bite Nights or V-Date) by Juliet Lyons

That Killer Smile is the third book in the Bite Nights or V-Date series by Juliet Lyons. Most of this story can stand on its own, but I think those that have read the previous books will definitely be more invested in finding out about this pair's happy ever after. It is currently scheduled for release on February 6 2018. 

Vampire Catherine Adair gave up trying to find her perfect match ages ago. But that didn’t stop her from founding London’s super successful vampire dating site. When a smoldering vampire overlord from her past launches a rival speed-dating service, Catherine vows to crush the competition. Ronin’s new venture is purely about getting Catherine’s attention. He hasn’t stopped thinking about her ever since the night she gave him the cold shoulder. Nobody gets away from Ronin McDermott that easily.

That Killer Smile is a book that I was rater looking forward to. The previous books in the series had me invested in the volitial relationship between Cat and Ronin, so I went in with high expectations. I think this was my problem. Cat and Ronin weere both well developed (if you have been following the series) and their lust/hate interactions were entertaining. The danger and drama was well plotted and suspenseful. I did enjoy them opening up to each other, and sharing their pasts and having mature conversations. My problem is that I wanted more, I do not know what I was looking for, or what I was missing to enjoy the read more. I suspected the connection of the big bad, and I found that even having read the previous books te full reasoning of the sheer strength of animosity between the pair still kind of unexplained, I felt like there should have been more to it than there was, even with the combination of factors that were included. It was a good, solid read for those that enjoy the series, and those that are fans of Lyons.  I think I was just looking forward to the story a little too much, and had built up my expectations too high to be able to just enjoy the read.

That Killer Smile is a good edition to the series, and I think most readers that would read it will enjoy it. I think my own exceptions got in the way, normal I just start reading the next book in my queue without looking at summaries before hand (there are so many books in my Kindle that I often forget by the time I start to read) and I made the mistake of not following that pattern here. 

Book Review: Romancing the Undead (V-Date) by Juliet Lyons

Romancing the Undead is the second book in the V-Date series by Juliet Lyons. While I have read the previous book, and it did give me a bit of insight on a few characters, I do not think it is needed to fully enjoy this read.

Mila Hart’s first experience with the vampire dating site V-Date.com is a complete disaster–her date is wanted for murder! But things turn around when she’s rescued by dashing vampire cop Vincent Ferrer. Dangerous and devastatingly attractive, he’s just the undead hottie Mila was hoping for. However Vincent is haunted by his past and does not want to risk falling in love again–even if Mila charms him more than anyone he’s ever met. But when the killer from Mila’s date seeks her out, Vincent is the only one who can protect her. Protecting his heart is a different story.

Romancing the Undead is a solid paranormal romance with a solid plot and danger and connections that were on point. I liked Mila's character, she was strong and aware of her flaws. She was not the mess she considered herself to be, but she certainly did find herself in less that ideal conditions on several occasions. Vincent was a good character as well, although I did find his attachment to guilt and his past to be a little much on occasion. I found the suspense plot line with the vampire murderer to be well done, although I admit that I suspected the twist, or something of its nature from the start. I do think that my favorite part was the characters, especially the supporting characters and hoe varied but real they all felt. From Vincent's co-workers, to the vampires, and beyond to Mila's friends and family, I found the little details about these characters and their lives made everything much more real as I read than the story would have been without them.

Romancing the Undead is an engaging read that had me entertained through out, and holding my breath more than once.  I do believe I will be continuing this series, and looking to see what happens to all the characters I have met on the edges of the story.

Book Review: Hard Breaker (Gargoyles) by Christine Warren

Hard Breaker is the sixth book in the Gargoyles series by Christine Warren. I have read most, of not all of this series, and I recommend having read at least a few of the previous books before picking this one up otherwise you might get lost in the larger story line.

Ivy Beckett 's gift feels more like a curse. She can hear things happening in distant locations, which is how she knows the very instant her family is killed by servants of the Darkness. Furious, she joins the fight to save the world – but the losses are mounting up. She thinks only a miracle can save them—but she doesn't expect the miracle to come in the form of a handsome gargoyle. Baen is a fearsome Guardian, but when he awakes, even his surprised by war that is going on. But what’s even more distracting is beautiful Ivy. Driven by passion, she’s ready to charge head-first into battle. But Baen’s primal instincts to protect what’s his rise within him, and Ivy is dangerously attracted to him. Can she and her gargoyle warrior save the world…and fall in love?

Hard Breaker is the heart of the action and everything comes to its final resolution. I liked that ll of our Gaurdians and Wardens step in and work together, and the support and teasing they offer each other is the best part of the story. I liked Ivy and Baen, but felt like some of the relationship was just glossed over and lost in the larger story. I did enjoy their coming together, and Baen's challenge to understand where her reluctance came from. However, I will admit to the action getting a little drawn out- and I skimmed some of the story just to see how it all came together. I still enjoyed the read, but I just never got lost in the story like I hoped I would.

Hard Breaker is a satisfying conclusion to the series, but I felt like it was somehow a little rushed in some ways but drawn out in others. I still enjoyed the characters and think that those that have stuck through the series need to read it.