Fever: Dark Kings Book 16, Donna Grant

This story felt like it should have been a novella rather than a full novel in the overall series.  Even fresh from reading this story for a second time I'm hard-pressed to think of why it ended up being so long even though there were quite a few things going on.  We think we're getting to the point when answers will start trickling in, but there are a couple more mysteries brought in that have a few more moves to make before we can get the answers we've been longing for.  That's kind of the prevailing theme of this particular book, to have questions but no complete answers.

There was a big fight scene, but it was anticlimactic.  That was understandable though as there are a few books yet to go in the series until we get to see everything really go down.  Up to this point the romance was quite a roller coaster.  At some moments there was tenderness, understanding, exploration, and something soft and wonderful, and at others there were a whole lot of hurt and denials.  Keltan's vehement, adamant denials of Bernadette being his mate got very, very trying.  There are only so many times it needed to be said and yet it happens again and again and again in the same way that it became less effective each time and a whole lot more annoying.  I understood it, kind of, but I just didn't like it.

Bernadette on the other hand, grew into someone I truly respected.  She started off as smug and self-righteous, but soon after learned that not all was as it seemed.  When she learned just how far someone has gone to put her in the position Keltan found her in she opened her eyes and her head to all of the truth.  And finally, FINALLY, someone who actually follows their intuition and asks solid questions that most readers have been shouting throughout the course of the series.  She also brought up excellent points and expressed them with an inner strength that gave her the determination to follow her gut.  I'm very much looking forward to where that goes.

Getting closer to the end of the series is a little bittersweet, but I've become so invested that I find myself glad there are a few more stories between me and the ultimate confrontation.  So while this wasn't my favorite book as a whole in the series, there were parts that set it apart.  For me it was Bernadette's insight, curiosity, and forthright honesty that made the book worth reading.  Bring on the next!

*$7.99 on Amazon

His kiss was fire and passion. She shivered, wondering how he knew just how to touch her, to send her spiraling into an abyss of pleasure...

For centuries, the Dragon Kings have lived among mortals, forsaking their true selves. But for Kelton, hiding in the realm of shadows—and existing only in the world of dreams—is no longer an option. A human woman claims to know that he, like other dark warriors of his kind, is real. That the legends about these powerful, seductive men with hearts ablaze are true. And that, with just one embrace, Kelton could destroy her…or love her until the end of time.

Bernadette Davies is an anthropologist who knows better than to fall into the arms of a Dragon King. But how can she resist Kelton when he’s so willing to share his secrets and bare his soul? He hasn’t met a beautiful, trustworthy woman like Bernadette in…forever. But once they give into their mutual desire, their worlds will never be the same. Soon Bernadette must face her dilemma: Should she expose the truth about Kelton in the name of science? Or join him in his battle with the dark forces—in the name of love?

Shelter for Penelope: Badge of Honor: Texas Heroes Book 15, Susan Stoker

Finally getting to Moose and Penelope's story is a little bittersweet. I loved that they finally got their happy ending together and that we finally get the details of Penelope's trials. What was less lovable was the repetition. Every grand statement was a reiteration of every one that came before. It also felt like every reassurance had to be a grand statement instead of finding a simpler, more concise way to say things, it was like I was reading the "big confession" each and every time so probably the last half of the book lost its potency. Overall it was a powerful story full of healing and love and a healthy dose of well-earned steam, I just think the pacing and intent could have been better balanced.

Sometimes the enemy isn't out there waiting to snatch us, hurt us, or even kill us. Sometimes it's the fallout, the insidious voice inside that can do the most damage. Penelope faced both foes and was almost destroyed, not by the ones that took her, but by the one she brought home. PTSD is an intense issue that many people suffer from. Penelope has avoided and run from her condition for longer than necessary and only when Moose gives her a perspective check does she see beyond herself so she can take her situation in her hand and do something productive with it. Her healing is a long journey, but one that is absolutely necessary for a happy life.

Thankfully Moose can see the bigger picture despite his heart revolving around one stubborn, hurting woman. I did love Moose despite all his earnest platitudes and promises. I kind of wish he had been more of a reality check all the time instead of just loving support. He needed to be the loving support, but I wished for more directness than we got.

These two people were made for one another and I'm glad to have had a chance to read their story. The summary of all the couples in the series was nice, but felt a little too simplistic. Granted, how do you sum up a long series like this with about 40 trillion other couples and families? You pretty much just do what this author did. It was well-done even if I had a tiny issue with it. Overall this was a fantastic way to finish the series and I definitely can't wait for whatever the author has in mind to bring to life.

*$4.99 on Amazon!

Dubbed the “American Princess” after her rescue from months in the hands of ISIS, soldier and firefighter Penelope Turner has struggled silently since her return to Texas. The media, the danger of her job, the pressure of knowing lives are in her hands…all of it and more has combined to slowly fill Penelope with seething guilt and doubt. Missing memories from her moment of capture cause even more angst. Is she responsible for the deaths of her Army patrol unit? And without knowing what happened, how can she be trusted by her fellow firefighters—or trust them in return?

Worse…how can she ever be worthy of the man who believes in her most?

It took seeing Penelope in the hands of terrorists—in viral videos seen around the world—for Tucker “Moose” Jacobs to realize just how much he loved his fellow firefighter. He died waiting for her rescue, then died all over again when Penelope abruptly left Texas, trying to outrun her past. Now that she’s returned, the kid gloves are off. Moose is a patient man, but even he has his limits. He loves Penelope, and he knows it’s past time for her to face her fears, and remember she has an entire tribe of friends who not only have her back, but need Pen to have theirs, as well.

In the end, Penelope will have to trust Moose, her friends, and most of all herself, if she’s going to make peace with her past…and have any kind of future.

Lucky Break: Clean Slate Ranch Book 4, A.M. Arthur

Well.  I think it's important to mention that this wasn't a bad read at all.  It was enjoyable in many moments.  I just didn't love it.  And that's solely my own opinion and sensitivities declaring that, not because the quality of the book.  Well, not completely anyway.  There were some things about the writing, the characters, and the story itself that weren't as good as they could have been, but the way I feel is only a little influenced by that and mainly because I just didn't connect as I'd hoped I would.

The pacing was slow with far too many details for my taste.  In the last half of the story I found I didn't mind that so much, especially because we were finally getting answers to all the hints dropped constantly, but it took considerably longer to read this story than it would have taken me to read most any other book of the same length.  Romantically, however, I appreciated the slower build because they both had quite a lot of insecurities, fears, and/or reservations that they needed to be on their way to conquering before they could ever hope to have something secure and lasting between them.

With so many non-communications near the end I found my patience waning very quickly.  It's more frustrating with these men because they literally say before all this stuff goes down that they need to talk things out to avoid the issue.  While I get that reality means that there is sometimes a delay in notifying partners of plans, feelings, or problems, it just felt like the author was trying to manufacture even more conflict than was already present.  It was just too much for me.

And here's the big problem for me that is really just a me thing, I think.  I have a hard time with what's considered acceptable and/or expected of the "gay scene".  While I'm no prude and definitely don't judge consensual acts between adults, I'd never be okay with gratuitous flirting, grinding, wandering hands, and any other vaguely or overtly sexual displays between my partner and others, whether they be strangers or friends...and especially not an ex of any kind.  That's just not me.  So when Shawn was feeling what he was when watching Robin at the club and then Colt and Robin both downplay the display with justifying the "but I/he wouldn't go home with anyone but you" thing, I have issues.  Shawn not being used to that is not the same as Shawn not being okay with it.  I think it was more the latter in this instance, but his aversion to the scene is being attributed to his naivete and his anxiety.  I find that inexcusable and disappointing.

But what the story does have going for it is the tender sentiments they express, their understanding of one another, their sensitivity to one another's traumas, and the notions of family.  Those are all very powerful things and they're written well.  I am drawn to quite a few characters in this world and will likely look for opportunities to return here.  So while this isn't a glowing review, it is one that recognizes the positives as well as the personal grievances.  With two men that truly need one another and a whole lot of healing and love to go around, this is a family that I'd willingly revisit.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Shawn Matthews never imagined he’d be living out of his car, trying to make ends meet, but life doesn’t always go your way—he knows that better than most. When an accident leaves the Clean Slate Ranch shorthanded, Shawn is enlisted to help cook and finds himself bunked next to the sexiest cowboy he’s ever laid eyes on.

The first time Robin Butler spots the new chef, he thinks he’s seeing an actual ghost. Shawn is the spitting image of his late husband, and it spooks the hell out of him. The former rodeo-star-turned-ranch-hand does his best to avoid the soft-spoken cook—except it’s kind of tough when the man makes the best damn grub this side of the Mississippi and has a boy-next-door charm that’s impossible to resist.

Even though the tension between them practically sizzles, Shawn doesn’t do hookups and Robin isn’t ready for a new relationship. Besides, Robin can tell Shawn’s been hurt and deserves a partner who isn’t saddled with a tragic past. But chemistry doesn’t lie. Maybe finding each other—and a second chance at love—is the lucky break they both need.

Captive Wolf: The Wildcrest Pack Book 1, L.C. Davis

This was by no means an easy read.  It was bloody, gritty, steamy, angsty, and had very little lighter moments.  What I enjoyed though was that it held a lot of believable resolution, one that wasn't all happiness and roses, but one that felt hard-won and completely right for the characters at the "end" of their journey.  With a very Romeo and Juliet feel to the overall story it could have taken a few unfortunate turns along the way, but thankfully their crazy road was kept focused on the points of the plot that really mattered to them.  Along with truly interesting side characters, this is shaping up to be a very good series.

There were quite a few things that weren't awesome, I will admit.  Roman was more interesting to me as a character because he had so much in his life that needed to be opened, changed, and softened.  He had the most growing to do...at least when we first meet him.  He definitely has the most drastic changes necessary for a happy ending, but it's actually Jake that has the most growing up to do.  His relatively sheltered life led him to a slightly naive world-view that makes progress between him and Roman stunted at times.  It's clear that his immaturity is more of a stumbling block than Roman's seeming coldness.

My interest was piqued by quite a few things as we followed Jake and Roman's story.  Shifter strains, bonding, fated mates and how they recognized one another, pack tensions, and omega gifts are chief among the draws to this new series.  It was the end of Jake and Roman's story however, that really solidified my interest.  There were a couple different and predictable solutions to the pack issues surrounding their mating and I'll admit to surprise that I was completely wrong on most counts.  The way the resolution played out was perfect for the couple and had a whole lot more depth for not only them but for the packs' interplay and dynamic from here on out.  I'll be very disappointed if the subsequent stories in the series fall short of the more surprising and satisfying ending we got here since I'll be expecting, at the very least, the same quality.

As Jake and Roman overcome the obstacles that appear insurmountable we're introduced to other characters, plot points for the overarching series, and bloodlines that are quite unique in the shifter and mpreg genres.  I'm incredibly interested in learning more about the different strains, their significance, and how they all can work together as the series progresses.  I think it's safe to say that I'm in for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

An alpha who thirsts for blood discovers his greatest temptation yet: an omega who belongs to the enemy.

As a Bloodstrain wolf, Roman Redthorne is one of the most feared shifters in the surrounding territories, and for good reason. His family line has been closely guarded for generations, all with the intent of strengthening the rare trait that allows them to draw power from the blood of their enemies.

There’s only one rule a powerful alpha like Roman must obey: find an omega who’ll strengthen the line.

Jake certainly isn’t that, but when Roman is betrayed and left for dead by his own brother, the feisty omega who takes him home makes him question everything he thought he knew. Captive behind enemy lines, Roman will have to fight for his freedom. But what if freedom doesn’t mean what he always thought?

Breathless with Her: Less Than Book 1, Carrie Ann Ryan

Series: Less Than

Devin Carr likes his life. He likes his job, his family, the outlook for his future. Then he meets her. Erin. As soon as he sees her, drunk and wearing a sequined dress as her world crashes down around her and she fights to put on a brave face, he knows what he’s been missing. Her.

When Erin Taborn finds her high school sweetheart and husband banging the former head cheerleader of their graduating class at their high school reunion, she tells herself she’ll be fine. She just needs to figure out what fine means. There’s only one problem. Devin. She didn’t plan on him. And for someone who thinks they have all their plans in place, that’s a problem.

One she’ll have to find an answer to if this whole friends-with-benefits thing is going to work.

If not, she’ll fail just like with everything else.

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Carrie Ann Ryan is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary, paranormal, and young adult romance. Her works include the Montgomery Ink, Redwood Pack, Fractured Connections, and Elements of Five series, which have sold over 3.0 million books worldwide. She started writing while in graduate school for her advanced degree in chemistry and hasn’t stopped since. Carrie Ann has written over seventy-five novels and novellas with more in the works. When she’s not losing herself in her emotional and action-packed worlds, she’s reading as much as she can while wrangling her clowder of cats who have more followers than she does.

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First Priority: Priorities Book 1, Este Holland

The beginning almost turned me off completely.  I get arrogant characters who need a good love to give them perspective, but certain things that happened almost pushed it too far for me.  Truman started off as more despicable than unlikable and I was really, really worried he wouldn't redeem himself.  Turned out I worried a little too hard.  He ended up as one of the best men and I'm so glad I stuck it out.

Adam had mental health issues and I loved that the way it was dealt with was real.  That there's no real cure and that he found his own coping methods.  While the actual follow-through with some of it was inconsistent, it was still a present thing in their lives that was handled realistically.  As an individual I thought he had backbone when it counted and learned to love himself and see himself through Truman's eyes.  He grew and deepened as a character and I liked that quite a lot.

There was a hint relatively early on about a possible conflict and it was never mentioned again until it surprised them all.  Completely unnecessary.  It really should have been nixed in favor of keeping the conflict between the person that sold them out and had been causing problems from the very beginning.  The confrontation with that person at the end was ... mature, I guess, but felt completely underwhelming.  Instead of thinking that a couple loose threads needed to be tied up, it would have been much more effecting to simplify and stick to only one.

The slower-to-act steamy aspect of their relationship was full of so much heart and understanding.  It showed exactly how far Truman came from his infamous beginning.  And seeing him in Ireland was fantastic.  I loved how they grew and the way they weren't chosen as the vehicle for tearing them apart before a reconciliation.  Instead, we get a more united front dealing with those things that sought to bring them down and pull them away from one another.  Their relationship and how it grew, deepened, that was what really sold me on the story.

I have such high hopes for the rest of the series.  The small asides to introduce the next two couples we'll see more of was slightly distracting and I mostly wish they'd been saved for their own books, no matter the overlapping timelines we'd get later, but they weren't huge or so overt that I disliked them.  The characters were present enough to draw my interest without really pulling the attention from First Priority's MC's.  I'm really hoping the rest of the series follows the same level of depth and commitment that Adam and Truman showed here.  With a start to the series that was utterly enjoyable, I've set the bar pretty high and can't wait to see how the rest plays out.

*$3.99 on Amazon!

Adam:
Meeting an A-list movie star like Truman James wasn’t part of my life plan, but neither was temporarily living with my bully of a stepbrother. Being hit on by said celebrity definitely hadn’t been planned. Beating my social anxiety wasn’t going to happen anytime soon, and avoiding the stubborn actor was even harder, so when I was thrust into the spotlight, there was only one thing I could do… Run.

Truman:
From the moment I set eyes on Adam Hendrix, I was enraptured. His sweet demeanor and pretty-boy looks captured my heart from the start, and I refused to let Adam get away. When the paparazzi began to swarm, I did the only thing I could to protect Adam… I whisked him away to a place no one could get to him. I let my guard down and showed Adam the real me. The one only a few people in the world know. But will it be enough to make him stay? Will I be enough to make him happy?

Legendary Loves Volume 2; Nell Iris, Kassandra Lea, Addison Albright

Told from Hunter's POV, we get an excellent sense of who he is, his loneliness, his motivations, and what life means both with and without Vinge.  We don't get as much as I'd like from Vinge, but his heart and devotion practically leapt off the page.  Through Hunter's eyes we get a surprisingly unbiased view of who Vinge is and it makes their relationship all the more tender because they're both such fantastic men.

The slow-build of their relationship and the light steam was fantastic.  It fit the MC's, but also felt organic to their relationship because we had a lot to learn about the depth and breadth of their connection, as did they.  The steam and their relationship didn't rely solely on the idea of their instant and cryptic connection, but gave us a story of their own in this moment of their lives that was believable.

This was such a sweet story and the reason I signed up to review the short anthology.  It was my first Pegasus story and with such beautiful descriptions and a wonderful story to accompany them I'll need to find more, pronto.  But to find more that are just as beautifully written with characters as compelling as the shifter type will be no small feat.  There was very little I didn't like about this story and right on par with the quality I've come to love and expect from this author.  4.5 stars.

With such incredible elements to work with, I was extremely disappointed in the finished product.  There was very little, if any, real connection between the characters and their chemistry was non-existent.  Keston was annoying with his panic, dramatics, and reactionary behavior and Ness wasn't any better with his sparse explanations and non-information.  We know where he's from and what he is, but beyond that there's nothing about him that we learn or that I want to discover.  There is a lot of mystery with unsatisfactory resolution and no answers.  The dialogue was confusing and underwhelming and the overall voice was confused with words used that came from various times and regions.  I found quite a lot of the exclamations to be cliche and both overly dramatic and entirely too simplistic.  One moment that was baffling to me was the "monster" status in relation to celebrating human notions of holidays...what does that have to do with the price of tea in China?  It was an attempt at humor that fell flat...much like the rest of the story.  2 stars.

This was a good story with characters I enjoyed and an actual plot that worked with the length and theme.  Surrounding the supernatural existence versus the sensationalist take on Bigfoot we have Winston and his unconventional morals as a tabloid writer.  The way he conducts himself as the story progresses gives us a great glimpse into who he really is and why we should like him so much.  Romantically there could have been a lot more.  The connection was there and the chemistry worked well, but we were missing a lot of the evolution.  Their initial connection was good in that it was believable and the end showed promise, but what was missing were confessions that were more than just Winston's attempt to see what Oliver's affections might be, and a progression that could leave us feeling more of an HEA rather than an HFN.  Overall this was a really nice story, I just wanted more from the characters I was beginning to love.  3.5 stars.

*$5.99 on Amazon

Legendary Loves Volume 2 contains three paranormal shifter M/M romances just in time for Halloween! Contains the stories:

In My Arms Again by Nell Iris: Oxen is lonely, feeling like he's waiting for something, and can't focus. But when a very ill stranger collapses on his doorstep, everything changes. The stranger, Vinge, is a Pegasus unable to transform. Both men feel an instant connection that swiftly grows deeper. The questions surrounding Vinge are many. Why is he so familiar? What will it take for the depth of their connection be revealed?

The Murky Depths by Kassandra Lea: Tired of the daily grind of his job, Keston heads out for a weekend at his family's cabin in Kona Woods. Turns out he isn't alone, though, as there are others lurking in the shadows. When a near-death experience brings Ness waltzing into his life, everything Keston thought he knew is turned upside down. Will facing what scares him bring to Keston's life what it's missing most?

Weekend at Bigfoot's by Addison Albright: There's nothing about perky -- twinky? -- Oliver Hughes that would make Sensational News' (Never Fake! We Swear!) reporter Wilson Banks think Bigfoot actually exists. But while pursuing soundbites for a tabloid story about Bigfoot, Wilson witnesses something he wasn't meant to see. In Wilson's new reality, is there room for love with someone whose dreams are as big as his ... er ... feet?

The Winter Quarters, Anna Veriani

Deeply unsatisfied with his life but feeling immense guilt for his dissatisfaction, Kai seeks escape.  It's a good thing his best friend is exactly what his soul needs to find peace and rest.  But Hiro isn't just his best friend, he's also the love of his life.  For one month he can hold his attraction at bay to find solace, right?  Well when that solace combines with finding the place your home was always meant to be, all that's left is for his love to be returned.  Good thing Hiro has a couple secrets of his own to share.

These men.  Seriously.  They were adorable together with a friendship that was so very real, so very warm.  I loved that their evolution was slower with less sexy time in the beginning and middle because the important part of the story was the relationship, but more than that, it was coming to terms with what their individual happiness looked like.  Kai needed to find within himself the stability and love necessary to accept what was on offer from the Asada family.  Hiro needed to stop being resentful of his family and appreciate what Kai was doing for him and to find his own solutions to his romantic dilemma.

It certainly helped that Obaa-chan was the freaking amazing woman she is because she pretty much paved the path for their forever happiness.  Her story was a little bit of a side story yet immensely important to Kai and Hiro's fate.  I loved her so hard right from the very start.  She was the star of the story for me.

The exact right person made the big romantic overtures.  If it was someone else it wouldn't have felt as real as it turned out.  Each character played their role, but sometimes when authors create a slightly more dominant partner whether in attitude, higher self-confidence, or more self-assured, it follows that they would be the ones instigating the big things, the big changes that direct the relationship.  While that was a little present here, it flipped by the end so the person who needed to do the asking was the one who did it.  It was adorably sweet and absolutely perfect for the couple.  I don't know if I could have loved their moment more than I did.

The epilogue was presented in a bit of a unique way and I have to say that it was an interesting way to go about it.  It fit even though it wasn't all sappiness or steam.  The drama that provided the main conflict was addressed in an organic way, that it wasn't too simple nor to complex, and that the solution fit the overall feel of the story.  There weren't any extra bits of drama added in to make things more intense and nothing else was thrown in that could have detracted from the story.  Overall I was happy to have loved this story.  It's definitely going on my re-read shelf.

*$3.99 on Amazon!

Snow, steam, and a second chance.

Reluctant socialite Kai has thirty-five days before his family starts shooting the next season of their reality TV show, revealing a life he’d rather keep private—and one that feels increasingly scripted. Desperately needing a break, Kai escapes to his childhood best friend Hiro Asada’s inn in rural Japan. He finds peace in the thousand-year-old hot springs, but his yearning for Hiro resurfaces at the worst time: Hiro is about to inherit the inn, and his parents expect him to marry within the year.

Hiro’s traditional family loves him for who he is, but they can’t imagine two men running the inn. Meanwhile, Kai has a TV contract his lawyer insists can’t be broken. Hiro and Kai need to think outside the box—and solve their problems before Christmas Day, when Kai’s show shoots its annual holiday special.

Natural Disaster: Storm Chasers Book 1, Erin McLellan

Snark, banter, flirting, and a whole lot of vulnerability make Luke and Guthrie incredibly engaging and lovable.  They fit together in ways they each felt were unexpected but soon after learned to crave.  With the drama of the storms and a persistently bad father, they have their road cut out for them with quite a few bumps before they get their HEA.

Guthrie was a little annoying in his insistence about not liking Luke and putting all kinds of judgments and preconceived notions onto a man he knows nothing about.  His prickly attitude soon softened and I really enjoyed the small ways he opened up to Luke before finally letting the man all the way in.  His panic over storms was understandable and I liked that he had his moments of feeling safe with Luke, but that the story kept true to what extreme fear can really be like.  That it doesn't have a magic cure-all in the form of another person or being shocked out of that fear, sometimes it will never go away; lessen perhaps, but nothing that intense just disappears.

Luke's vulnerability came from his sense of abandonment as a child.  Understandable when we find out the cause of those feelings.  I admired his honesty, his willingness to put his feelings out for Guthrie to see and feel while they were slogging through adapting all the facets of their relationship to the reality in which they lived.  Luke's lightness was the perfect foil to Guthrie's darker mood swings.

Together the men were sexy and sweet.  One bit that was my favorite in their conversations was the way Guthrie responded to the taunting, that he took the comments and made them his own or just owned up to them and followed that up with quick wit or snark.  Their conversations felt believable and organic.  I liked how their romantic evolution progressed, that it wasn't all hot and heavy followed by adding depth, but rather a whole lot of trust-building, sharing and bonding, and then adding in the steam for a well-rounded romance.

The epilogue was far too simplistic for me with scant details and very little in the way of steam or sharing all the feels.  With a communicative high point being all the honesty at the water sports fair thing, they won me over and even though I would have liked more, something a bit deeper at the end, it left me feeling light and happy.  Having side characters that felt more like names on the page rather than interesting humans I must read about wasn't the best way to go there, but with the smooth writing and the MC's taking the main stage in a good way I'll very likely be in for whatever comes next.

*$3.99 on Amazon

When two tornado chasers form a reluctant team, the pressure between them builds...
Human-interest reporter--and son of a famous storm chaser--Guthrie Gale wants nothing to do with severe weather. But his station's director insists he join the storm chasing team, or else, and worse yet, she pairs him with hotshot rookie chaser Luke Masters.

All Luke wants is to be a part of the KTTY family, and he won't let prickly Guthrie Gale spoil his chance. Little does he realize Guthrie's anxiety around storms is more than justified.

As Oklahoma's unpredictable tornado season picks up, Guthrie and Luke strike up a turbulent working relationship that shifts between lust and bickering. But when they are forced to outrun a dangerous twister, their trust is tested and the desire between them flashes quick as lightning, threatening to burn more than just their careers.

Tethered Souls: Consequences of a Sin Book 2, Ashe Winters

The first book in the series was a great introduction to the series with a whole lot of action, frustration, mystery, and two characters who will absolutely have a hard-won HEA if they can survive everything that comes their way.  This follow-up brings us right back to where we left with Avery healing with all his ill-tempered flavor and Ryker trying his best to reach him on some level other than the disdain Avery can't seem to let go of.  What it doesn't bring us is really any closer to a resolution.

The book spent so long dragging out Avery's internal angst and constant rejection of Ryker that I had such a hard time finding what I thought I liked about him in the first place.  His childish rejection of Midge was when I could see that lost little boy inside of him was in the driver's seat and it went a long way to soothing some of my annoyance with him.

And then we have Ryker.  Despite his "mistake" in book one, he's doing his best to be there for Avery no matter how difficult Avery makes it.  I have a soft spot for him, I'll admit, so it makes it much easier to excuse his reactions when they're a bit volatile.  His humanity, his heart, his desire to be and do good is enough for me to love him and want all the good things for him, even if his heart decides Avery is that good thing.

Just as the story is getting really good, finally making headway with the overall series plot, it ends.  It's definitely an effective cliffhanger moment, but I must say that I was so very annoyed because it felt like it took forever and seventeen thousand seconds to get to that point.  I liked the story for sure, it just dragged where I felt was unnecessary, especially with the Lucy complications being thrown in there as an extra point of conflict for Avery and and Ryker's romantic evolution.  I'm definitely in for more from the series except I don't know how much patience I'll have if book three is a sort of repeat of what we got here.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Avery
Did I fall down some kind of rabbit hole into crazy town? People I thought were long dead start popping out of the grave all over the place. I want off this ride and back to my regularly scheduled life. Unfortunately, it looks like I’m stuck with Ryker because of his weird powers and whatever he did to me. I guess if I had to be tethered to a human, Ryker is okay. Not that I like him or anything. I’m just not sure about his idea to hunt down the psychopath that tried to kill me. Something doesn’t feel right about this whole thing, and why am I getting this weird itch to protect Ryker all of a sudden?

Ryker
My foster mother always warned me that using my powers without fully understanding them would land me in trouble. Turns out, she was right. I’m not a fan of fate, but it looks like Avery and I are more connected than I thought. Who knew I’d become so attached to the wildcat vampire that fell into my lap during a rainstorm of bullets? And that’s the problem. I’m spiritually attached to him now with no way to undo it. With more questions than answers, Avery is going to have to just deal with my plan to hunt down a murderer. I need to know who and what I am before the people I love get hurt.

Second Song: Sugarhouse Blues Book 1, Edie Danford

Written as if this whole story were a song, the story is very beautifully framed and sometimes motivations are slightly obscured in the prose. But what comes through is love, all kinds of love, and that carries the stories, the men, the families that share an incredible connection.

There were quite a few times that I felt like I could skim because it was taking a really long time to say certain things, to do something, or to actually get somewhere. It was a very, very slow-burn romance. At first I felt a little annoyed by that, but I think the time between their real-life connection and their re-connection with romantic intent was necessary. Kind of an 'absence makes the heart grow fonder' thing. But even then things weren't really emotionally smooth sailing. It wasn't until nearly the end when Antonio has a forced heart-to-heart with his sister-in-law that he finally jumps in with Sage with both feet and no reservations. I didn't see the reason for his fear and hesitation before that point and while I think it fit and made sense, it was a bit out of left field and seemed a little forced when I think Antonio just needed to stop making romantic decisions for Sage and for them without Sage.

Except when we get to the epilogue I'm completely won over. It was so sweet and pretty much perfection for the couple and the entire family.

I'm not opposed to a whole lot of family involvement in a story, especially one like this where without them both men's situation and hearts necessitate their family support. Did it need every interaction with the kids? Probably not, but it made Sage and Antonio a little softer for me and I liked it. It definitely added to the length of the story though as well as depth to all their complications both on their own and together.

This was a long read for me and I enjoyed quite a lot of it. The themes and feels made it worth reading and I wouldn't be opposed to getting Shiloh's story because I'm wondering just what kind of person will be the perfect foil to all his glittery, jittery hardness and vulnerability.

*$3.99 on Amazon!

A wounded singer's second act. A bodyguard's chance at redemption. Two wounded souls find healing in love's sweetest song.

After a brutal attack killed his bodyguard and left his voice permanently damaged, superstar singer Sage Hazen retreated to his Vermont home, unsure he'd ever perform again. Four years later, Sage is testing the waters with a new act, and there's just one man he trusts to handle security--Antonio Callan, his former bodyguard's brother.
For Antonio, touring backwoods Vermont is the wrong gig at the wrong time. Still, it's only right to help the wounded kid his brother died protecting. But a week into the job, Antonio feels more helpless than heroic--and it's his heart that's at greatest risk. 
The more time they spend in close quarters, the harder it becomes to ignore the sparks flaring between them. Turns out protecting two wounded hearts from love is an impossible job. And harmonizing two very different lives will demand a brand-new take on courage.

Guarding His Heart, Beth Laycock

This was...difficult for me.  With such a short book I generally hope the conflict is simple, the romance is well-founded, and the ending is wrapped up nicely as either an HEA or an HFN because it's the start of a series.  Sadly, this book just didn't measure up in anything except the romantic conclusion.  That's honestly the only reason it's a 3 star and not a 2 star book for me.

My biggest issue was the plot regarding Jake.  Virtually nothing happened until just about the end of the story and the reveal was a huge letdown.  I understand that the answer needed to be simple so it could end by the time the book was over, but I'll be honest here and just say that it was an incredible disappointment.  The movement and flow of the plot was virtually non-existent and what happened to Jake felt like a cop out because the author ran out of time.  That whole thing needed a re-write.  If this were turned into a novel it could have really grown into what it promised and I would have been much happier.

With Tristan and Lane I felt there was a bit of chemistry and a couple very sweet moments, but nothing that spelled out an intense romance.  The PTSD thing was handled poorly, the unnecessary stuff with the separation and the team member and the concerns with the roommate was too much for such a short story, the chemistry was there but the actual romantic growth needed attention.  There was really a lot of potential but suffered from no clear path for their relationship to move toward.

The premise was all kinds of interesting, but the carry-through was lacking and the characters were uninspiring.  Lane was in his head for so much of the story and felt incredibly juvenile.  The liberties taken with military procedures went a bit far, but I would have been willing to overlook that if there were actually some purpose served by the setting rather than it being a consequence of the premise.  Overall this story needs a re-write and a critical (in a critique way, not criticism) beta reader to catch the many instances of the story not fulfilling its own brief.  I loved the sentiments at the end of the story between Lane and Tristan, their kitchen moment of passion, the roommate, and Tristan's line about tantrums and an audience.  I wish there had been more of a solid story to give those things the support they needed and that the plot was more balanced.  There is immense potential here and I'd be absolutely in for a reworked version of the story if it ever came around.

*$1.99 on Amazon

He'd risk his life to find his brother. But he never expected to risk his heart as well.
Three months since his brother, Jake, went MIA, Lane Matthews is tired of waiting for answers. With a little help, he arranges a posting to Jeddah for his first overseas deployment—the perfect opportunity to find his brother.

Life in a foreign land isn't quite like he imagined and neither are his duties. But when he meets his housemate, Tristan, while it may be memorable, it's not one of Lane's finest moments.

Tristan threatens to throw him way off course, and falling for the hot straight soldier is definitely not in his plans. But as tensions rise and the truth about Jake is revealed, will Lane's heart follow orders or will all be lost like grains of sand swept away in a desert?