Alpha's Embrace: Omega Misfits Book 3, Wendy Rathbone

From the very beginning of the series I was intrigued by the idea of Sylphs and new we'd get at least one of their stories.  For all the mystery and agony surrounding these men, there had to be individuals among them that didn't fit the lore passed around their society.  Misha was one such man and it took a kind, earnest, and determined Alpha to give him the future filled with love he didn't dare to dream could become a reality.

There were quite a few directions we could have been taken in with this story and while none that I expected happened, the path we took was interesting in quite a few ways.  Despite being interesting it drifted from one point to another while not really progressing and that made this book a little harder to read than the previous two.  I think there was a bit missing in the way of depth because for all the intrigue, mystery, genetic anomalies, surprise bonds, nefarious characters, and "planning" for their future, we got virtually none of the completion of any of those points.  They really could have been streamlined and refined and this would have easily been my favorite of the series.

It took way, way too long for anything romantic to happen and Geoff's constant denial was incredibly taxing, especially because there were a couple times when he seemed to come to the defining conclusion about his convictions toward Misha rather than away from him and in the next moment he's mentally and verbally denying anything he feels about him.  This is not my kind of roller coaster.

Overall there was a whole lot that drew me in with the premise, but the slow-burn wasn't implemented effectively to make me believe in the MC's or their romance.  With so many points of interest that weren't visited with intention I'm wondering where this series is going from here.  I'm still interested enough in how the author weaves a story from unconventional societal pairings with the men of this world that I'll absolutely be back for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

I am Misha.

My name was given to me at birth by the doctor who delivered me. I have never known my parents. I live in a ten by ten space with one window, a sink and toilet, a bed and a locked door. Once a day I’m taken to an outdoor exercise area. I am allowed a limited access tablet and tutored online by computer programs. I have one friend I talk to through a tiny crack in the wall. His name is Cedric and he has trouble keeping himself quiet. When he isn’t talking to me about monsters and demons, he screams all the time.

Why is my life so isolated and depressing? Because I am a Sylph. Sylphs are the byproduct of illegal Omega to Omega matings. We are all beautiful, but 99.9% are born insane. The rarest of Sylphs, like me, show no outward signs of madness or brain damage, but we live in institutions because we cannot be trusted.

All of us Sylphs who have lived long enough to pass through puberty have hypersexual disorder which makes life even more difficult for us, let alone our keepers. It is like something Alphas call the Burn, a mating urge Alphas experience once every couple of months.

But we’re Sylphs, not Alphas, and this Burn thing? We experience it all the time. It’s a huge problem and why we are kept isolated. Most of us don’t survive through our teens because of it.

One day, a handsome Alpha comes to interview and study me. He calls himself the Chief of Staff but his real name is Geo. Like magic, I fall in love with him instantly. I do everything I can to seduce him. He will have none of it because touch between an Alpha and a Sylph is taboo. But I have plans. No matter what, I intend to bond him and make him mine. Forever.

The Witch's Familiar: Familiar Mates Book 1, T.J. Nichols

Loved the premise, wished for more answers and believable romance.

With a supremely interesting premise I eagerly dove into the story.  Getting to know Jude in the beginning was an okay way to start out, but besides realizing that he was immature in many ways and really milquetoast, there were a whole lot of questions brought up with the very first chapter, most of which get zero answers and only serves to set the scene for some shady circumstances and players that may or may not come to any kind of a conclusion in the series itself.

The best part of the story was the confrontation with the mystery creature.  Those animals were fascinating and I really, really wished there was more on-page about the research into what the culprit could be, what they can do, and suggested solutions for them after realizing that eradication may not be the best idea that came from Jude, not the mysterious and dubious council that sent him on a mission intended to fail.  This story really needed more of any kind of procedure, findings, showing character's intelligence, and conviction.

As for the romance, well, I can't say there really was one.  While the motel scene was jarring in a unique way, I can't say there was anything endearing about the individuals or the couple.  Both men were romantically challenged and a true relationship never got a chance to really build at all before difficult decisions were made and we get to an HFN that didn't feel believable.  I wish so hard that there had been as much to love about the actual story as there was in the synopsis.  The next story in the series has an interesting premise too, but in all honesty, I don't think I'll be back for more.

*$3.99 on Amazon

He can hold lightning in his hand, but will love slip through his fingers?

Jude Sullivan has one more chance to prove he isn’t a danger to the paranormal community. If he fails, he’ll be stripped of his magic, a painful process to make a witch human.

As a test, the Coven sends him to Mercy South, Colorado, to stop a creature that’s been mutilating cows and scaring the locals. Jude hates cows and small towns. The Coven should’ve sent a nature witch.

Rob Mackenzie is the local mechanic and bear shifter. If the locals knew his secret, they’d run him out of town. He wants someone to really know him and not be afraid. With several chewed-up cows and some other weird happenings, he’s wondering if he’s no longer the strangest creature in Mercy.

After meeting Mack, Jude thinks he’s found the cause of the trouble. But the trouble is only just getting started when Mack realizes he’s Jude’s fated mate. As the cow-mutilating creature starts hunting in town, Mack and Jude will have to quit fighting their attraction and each other, to stop the creature from killing again.

Are You In?: POWERHOUSE Book 1, P.W. Steele

This had the potential to be a great story with messages of body positivity, something unique in its take on body image, and an interesting story line.  I did not find that at all, unfortunately.  There was so little depth to the MC's that I just didn't truly care about their romantic outcome.  Their interactions were questionable and very far from romantic or inspiring as well.

I was intrigued at the outset with some of the co-owners and with Andy, but aside from giving me a shallow glimpse into each co-owner and a rather arrogant and contrived POV from Jack I didn't really find much to inspire a second trip into this world.  Along with that rather uninspiring foray into POWERHOUSE the POV shifted in confusing ways so the small glimpses into Jack's mind and others' was jarring and felt unnatural.  As a first book by the author I'm willing to see if there's improvement, but unless it's for Sean's(?) story I can't say I'll continue with this series.

99¢ on Amazon

Sometimes when you change one part of your life, it transforms everything else...

Meet Andy. He's in his mid-twenties, smart and successful, with a slightly adorable propensity for clumsiness. He's happy with all aspects of his life - except one. His body.

He's skinny. Too skinny. Which doesn't make any sense, because he has the worst eating habits of anyone he knows. If anything, his problem should be too much weight, not too little.

Not one to be defeated, Andy decides to do something about it. He joins the gym. His goal? To build the body of his dreams, and become an absolute muscle powerhouse.

What he doesn’t expect is how much joining the gym won’t just change his body, it will completely transform his life. 

Andy joins the Amazing Fitness gym where he meets the four co-owners, known as the quad squad (who yes, all have great thighs). But it’s one co-owner, who literally takes his breath away. Jack.

From the moment Andy lies eyes on Jack's glistening, naked body in the locker room, he feels something stir within him that he's never felt before. 

But there's more to Jack than just his stunning muscular body, chiselled face, deep blue eyes and adorable smile. Jack’s looking to find the right guy who sees and values him for more than just his appearance. 

Insecurities about his body and a bad breakup means Andy’s inner-confidence is at an all-time low. Will he be able to push himself past his limitations and break through to get the body - and the guy - of his dreams?

Join Andy on his journey of transformation, reconnecting with his lost inner-confidence and overcoming insecurities to find love, and just as importantly, self-acceptance.

Burn Zone: Hotshots Book 1, Annabeth Albert

Both Linc and Jacob have been attracted to one another for years.  But as the older brother's friend, Linc takes it upon himself to distance himself.  He distances himself even further for the sake of his best friend, a homophobic jerk who has his back, but with conditions.  Linc's history is a lonely one and a bit sad too so it's far more complicated for him than just opening his heart to love from the young man he secretly yearns for.

Jacob isn't as complicated, he's far more brave in the face of expectations and others' comfort levels.  He's determined to live his best life and that includes finally having Linc after being pushed away so many years ago.  But nothing is ever easy and his youth makes him blind to the homophobia and expectations that trap Linc.

Together they were so very hot and also incredibly sweet.  They have such a hard road to travel before they can be together and it mainly circles around Jacob's family.  There was a bit too much self-denial and Linc's martyr attitude for my liking.  In addition to that I found Jacob to be incredibly selfish at times.  His courage was brazen, but it was often at the expense of Linc.  Yes, Linc totally needed to get out of his own way and finally stand up for his own heart and be as brave as Jacob, but Jacob's pushing was a bit too much for me at times.

They do get it together and when they do it's all kinds of sweet.  Jacob stands up to his family and brings up excellent points that essentially slap his family in their faces with hypocrisy.  And, damn, were they sexy together.  Linc was such a good man and finding his heart belonged to Jacob only brought out all that good even more.  Jacob evolved in such positive ways over the course of the book through both his hotshot training and with Linc.  If the rest of the series plays out like this one I'm going to be one very, very happy reader.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Danger lurks everywhere for Central Oregon’s fire crews, but the biggest risk of all might be losing their hearts…

Smokejumper Lincoln Reid is speechless to see Jacob Hartman among his squad’s new recruits. Linc had promised his late best friend he’d stay away from his little brother. And yet here Jacob is…and almost instantly, the same temptation Linc has always felt around him is causing way too many problems.

Jacob gets everyone’s concerns, but he’s waited years for his shot at joining the elite smokejumping team, hoping to honor his brother’s memory. He’s ready to tackle any challenge Linc throws his way, and senses the chemistry between them—chemistry Linc insists on ignoring —is still alive and kicking. This time, Jacob’s determined to get what he wants.

Close quarters and high stakes make it difficult for Linc to keep his resolve, nevermind do so while also making sure the rookie’s safe. But the closer they get, the more Linc’s plan to leave at the end of the season risks him breaking another promise: the one his heart wants to make to Jacob.

His Royal Mate: Unexpected Mates Book 2, Brea Alepou

There were quite a few things that were seemingly missing from book one and while that wasn't exactly the best way to begin, it put us on the path to this story where both men had depth, interesting backgrounds, and a jumping off point that gave us a way to find answers and a way forward for this pride.  It's absolutely a continuing series and something I can't exactly say stands on its own because of the number of unanswered questions, but if you were to start here rather than book one I'd say that's absolutely fine.  Overall though, this is a series that takes a little while to get off the ground, but when it does it picks up speed very quickly.

Dez and Kash are both interesting on their own because they have very different perspectives despite the similarities in their position that we learn about nearly halfway through the book.  I enjoyed the way both men took to their roles because it felt that they weren't fated mates just because that's the trope here, but that each person individually desired a life that could fit a certain type of partner and they fit those roles exactly right.  They were a great pair and I'm excited to see how they handle everything that's coming their way.

As a supporting cast we've got a varied crew and there are quite a few things that are drawing me back to the series despite not thinking I liked it in the very beginning.  The first book had more of a mystery element, this book has a set up for not just the series but the roles each person plays and will play from here on out, and we're in for some drama and angst in book three.  I think it's safe to say I'm glad I gave the series a shot and I'll be back for more.  There are definitely some issues in the story, the writing, the individuals, but there's something different that intrigues me and I'm willing to read more to find out exactly what that is.

*$4.99 on Amazon

True mates are found in the most unlikely of places.
Kash is Royalty
Kash doesn’t want to believe Dezi is his fated mate. But that’s okay. Dezi is patient and if the fates are going to grant him a beautiful man he’s more than willing to work for it.

Dezi is majestic
Kash had no plans on being mated, especially not to a lion shifter who feels too good to be true. He needs to be wary of Dezi’s charming smile and his warm hugs, but it’s hard to stay on guard when just being around Dezi calms him.

Tender moments, surprises, and reunions. The good and bad, they are in this together.

His Bewildered Mate: Unexpected Mates Book 1, Brea Alepou

I really enjoyed the premise of this story and felt that there was something unique about the story line.  I'd never read a story before where the shifter didn't know they were a shifter but were in their animal form.  The other way around, sure, in fact Badger to the Bone by Shelly Laurenston was a phenomenal example of that, but this was something different, something new to me and I was intrigued right away by the synopsis.  What followed was a lot of the chase and very little actual plot or romantic progression.  While that's not always bad, it felt like it was missing a sense of balance and depth.

Both characters were interesting on their own with a lot of implied complication in their backgrounds.  Moreso with Dillan than Rhy because of his situation though.  That background isn't delved into at all and remains a mystery, so if you're looking for a neat ending with all the answers to this couple before we move on to the next with the subsequent book in the series, this isn't for you.  I will say though, that everything that this book was light on was deepened with book two, so if you're intrigued now, I highly recommend continuing.  This is a series that requires you to come back for more and I would not call it a standalone since questions are answered as the whole pride gets answers as they discover it all together.

*$4.99 on Amazon

True mates are found in the most unlikely of places.

Rhy, a weretiger with a heart so big, that when an elderly woman comes in looking for her lost cat, Mr. Fluffkins, Rhy knew he had to help. He had no way of knowing that it would lead him to his true mate.

Dillan (Mr. Fluffkins), has lived his whole life wishing he was more than just a cat. He never felt right walking around on four paws. He tried to be a normal cat; tried to talk to other animals but it wasn’t possible. They couldn’t think in full sentences or communicate. It was more of feeling they had then what they thought. He watched television, so he could studying humans and what they did. He wanted to interact like humans. His owners showed one another so much love and were always doing something together. Dillan ached to have what they have.

Love, loss, and tender moments. A dream to have the one person that completes you.

Quick Reads, Quick Reviews 47

  

• Becoming Sienna: Tide Series Book 0, T.M. Bashford
• Rebound: Latent Series Book 0, Alana Timms
• Whispers of the Heart: Hartwood Valley Book 1, Anita Therry

There were a few things that held promise, but I'm not sure that everything worked together to actually draw me into the larger series.  The two MC's can be great for one another if they can only figure out what the specter in Sienna's world and what they want.  With a mystery within a mystery there are a lot of tangled threads to unravel and it left me with a more confused and dissatisfied feeling than intrigued and invested.  Quite a lot of the emotional aspects felt forced and I had a hard time with Sienna's end choice.  Yes, healing is necessary, but I don't think her choice is actually the right one for both her and for the situation.  Overall I'm just not exactly a fan of the story and it didn't make me want to read more from this world, especially because the first story in the series isn't about the MC's from here.  2 stars.

I find that this story lacked balance for me.  We spent far too long pining for a friend who though virtually nothing of Trent, not even enough friendship to care about their dynamic and the situation Trent would face without him.  Chasing after his own urges put Trent into a situation that was more than unfortunate.  I did like Noah, though I thought there were so many threads and desires he had regarding his views on their inner wolf that would have beefed up the story and made it so very intriguing.  If we hadn't spent so long on Trent's yearning and the discordant feelings for both alphas we could have had an amazing story.  As it stands, Trent was alright though a bit one-note with a bit of a backbone, Noah was intriguing though in a basic way, and the story was merely alright when so much potential was set aside.  Honestly though, the vampire lounge thing really should have happened, I was really interested in that, but it too was set aside in favor of other unimpressive details.  3 stars.

I liked both characters and thought they matched together as a couple.  Their attraction in the past was there and while I didn't like that it took so long for them together, once they gave in to what they really wanted, it worked out in a sweet way.  That both men didn't expect monumental changes or for the "lowly omega" to give up his dreams and hard work now that he had an alpha in his life was wonderful.  Not everything was easy, especially with someone attempting to undermine and lie their way into taking everything away from them.  As they discover who it is and why it gives both men a chance to support one another.  And in the face of everything, they not only come together as a partnership, but they created a family and an environment where they could all truly thrive.  3.5 stars.

A Different Kind of Chemistry: Nerds and Tattoos Book 1, Ashlynn Mills

A bit more telling than showing than I like and the flow of the writing felt a bit stilted and sometimes repetitive.  I felt like I was reading something a bit more New Adult rather than Contemporary because both men felt so much younger than they are.  It was mostly because of how they expressed themselves, the immaturity and petulance, the quick-to-forgive when the hurts were pretty huge, and the simplistic way everything played out.

Maverick has a complicated and difficult dating history and while I understand the harsh way he treats Casey comes from his fear, he really does say and do some horrible things.  Casey's reaction to them is understandable and justified, but what isn't understandable to me is how quickly things are reconciled.  There's a severe lack of groveling for my tastes and when they get down to the big emotional reveal, it's simplified, truncated, and emotionless.

We read that Casey can see Maverick's pain in his eyes and demeanor, but it feels more like something Casey is reading into and that we believe because we've heard Maverick's side in his POV and yet objectively it doesn't connect.  And I'm not sure what the tattoo client addition was after his big conversation with Casey.  Perhaps to show his change?  To me it doesn't really matter, it just felt awkward, forced, and unnecessary.

Casey's acknowledgment of how long they've known one another and the assurance that issues like Maverick's history isn't owed to him is wise and I appreciated that.  There was a big build up and quite a lot of dickish reactions from Maverick so the truncated romantic evolution through the majority of the book felt immature, rushed, and simplistic, but Maverick's confession of both knowing where his fear came from and his clarity with which he sees the future he wants with Casey was wonderful.  It was both hopeful and realistic.

The progress that follows is slow because there's so much detail, especially regarding a lot of steam to make up for all their lost time, but it's sweet and shows us sides of both men that I wasn't sure I expected.  And with an epilogue that was full of as much feeling as theirs, it was worth the wait.

*$2.99 on Amazon

Casey's social life is much like his love life, non existant. He is constantly playing it safe and it is no longer working for him. After another date gone wrong, he finds himself stepping in a world completely foreign to him when walking into a small bar trying to drink his rejection away. Never did he think he would find something in that bar that would change his world forever, but his mind never stops thinking about that sexy tattooed stranger with the mesmerizing eyes. He tries to forget his heated moment with the stranger he will never see again, but Maverick keeps appearing in more places than just his dreams.

Maverick has rules for a reason and has been doing so well sticking with them until a nerdy science geek has him questioning everything. Maverick won't be the reason for destroying another person and everytime he looks at Casey, he is reminded more and more of his haunting past. This can only end in disaster because people like Maverick were never meant to fall in love with people like Casey, but like a moth to a flame, the adorable red head has him always coming back for more.

When two worlds collide , will they be able to let go of their past insecurities and fall into the unknown, or will Maverick continue to let his past hold him back from the one thing he wants the most.

Thief in the Light, Jaime Samms

There was a cute feel in the story with the fantastic Mildred and her temperamental communication and Jake with his innocent honesty that was sweet and endearing.  The romance between Kreed and Lucky took a while to get off the ground, like most of the book, but when it actually started it was just as cute as you could hope for.  With big hearts and a new start, they were able to grasp a life together they hadn't known to dream of.

Lucky was something interesting.  His secret past, his sticky fingers, and his fear were all things that worked together to draw me in and made me want to know who he was, what would become of him.  Kreed was a bit different in that we didn't get his perspective for quite some time, and even then it was under a less-than-positive situation where his relationship cast a negative light on both him and the possibilities he and Lucky could have.  It took so long for him to stand up to his past/present that he almost lost his future and I wasn't thrilled at that at all.

Finding redemption and a future amidst adversaries and a sense of misplaced guilt proved difficult for Lucky, but mostly because he had a hard time forgiving himself.  Once he got onto the right path and committed to it he was surprised to see just how much support he had all on his own, independent of Kreed.  As it turns out, just because Kreed had been there longer didn't mean the town was any more invested in him than in the thief that blew in during the night.  The community rallied behind both men because they saw something good in both of them and were aware of just how much work they both did.  Their actions spoke louder than their histories.

What I loved most was the courage displayed by Lucky and because of him a whole new future opened up for those he set out to protect with his silence and later, his voice.  The magic of old houses and the bravery within both made this story something wonderfully sweet and worth the read.  It may have taken a while to get on its feet, but once it did there was hope, and in the end there was love.

*$3.99 on Amazon

Lucky Denver has wandering feet, sticky fingers and an unreliable moral compass—he’s never had a home and he’s not so sure he cares about what he’s missing.
Arnold Kreed who runs a small-town B&B knows what a home should be. So does his home, The Oaks—aka Mildred—and she has some very definite opinions on who should stay and who should go.
Mildred wants Lucky to stay—and while Kreed is surprised, he can’t really blame the old girl. He’s getting sort of attached himself. Lucky might be fine with the house’s eccentricities, but he’s not so sure Kreed will be fine with the man attached to Lucky’s real name. When Kreed falls ill, Lucky needs to make a decision—wander away like he’s always done or stay and be his better self. Kreed’s hoping he’ll stay—and so is The Oaks, and Mildred has a way of getting what she wants.

Bad Beat: Lady Luck Book 0, J.J. Anatoliy

I...I think I'm in love.

Cin and Silas are dark, tortured, hateful, vengeful, sexy, damaged, and utterly perfect for one another.  They have the ability to give one another exactly what they need while also being the catalyst to becoming something new together.  Their story is just as dark as their thoughts because the world they live in is unkind, but somehow they make most of their scenes together both hot and funny while simultaneously being utterly badA and deadly.  Their encounters with those that would destroy them are merciless and gruesome, but so very entertaining.

I love that the bad guys central to this story get their comeuppance because they are truly reprehensible and utterly disgusting humans and I'm thinking this is going to be the overarching thread that ties the whole series together.  I'm absolutely on the edge of my seat for more of Cin and Silas' brand of hilarious brutality.  Their interactions are perfect for them because they admit all the twisted things they love, their affection is disturbingly funny, and their brand of steam is absolutely electric.  And when you find a balance between their savagery with a certain type of bloodthirsty justice I think you've found a kind of magic formula that keeps readers like me champing at the bit for more.

This is admittedly a bloody tale, but there's something so engrossing about their story, their goals, and the characters that plot, maneuver, and assist them.  I'm incredibly intrigued about virtually every character we meet and while the idea that the behind-the-scenes powers is predictable, I have a feeling that we're in for a wild ride no matter who thinks they're pulling the strings.

*$2.99 on Amazon

An assassin too talented to tame.

Silas Deveroux has a problem. He has been a member of the world’s most feared assassin organization, known only as Maman, since he was nothing but a brat living on the streets of Paris. Over the years, he has been honed into a talented, ruthless killer and has claimed the coveted spot of the second most successful assassin in all of Maman. He is deadly, he is ruthless, he is feared…
And all of that is perfectly fine by Silas.

The problem is… He’s bored.

He wants out of Maman. Silas wants to live life by his own rules and he’s willing to defy his terrifying superiors to do what no one has done before him- escape Maman’s clutches.
Right when he thinks he can finally make his move; he receives a contract from his superior to take the life of a gangster half the world away. Even with this unusual assignment, he doesn’t foresee his boredom lifting any time soon.
That is, until he meets his target’s brother.

A gangster with too much attitude and too little time.

Cin Raymes is on the edge. After the brutal murder of his baby brother- the only person that Cin held dear in his shithole of a life- he’s out for blood, bone, and teeth. But he has a problem. He’s been put on a leash by his older brother, Saint, the leader of the gang that Cin was raised in. Cin’s only role is to protect Saint and he is barely even allowed to breathe without Saint’s explicit permission. His impatience and rage are building and he’s about to snap…
When an unexpected guest arrives, who shakes the foundation of Cin’s entire world.

Put them together, and what do you get?

Hell. On. Earth.

*The rest of the Lady Luck series is MF, though our favorite assassins do make an appearance or few =]

A Darkness Pierced Heart: Beyond the Pale Book 3, Kit Fortier

Cable and Taylor had a lot to bring and keep them together and their journey wasn't easy, but it allowed them to base their future on something both concrete and magical.  The family that surrounded them gave them support and love and a chance to look at the hard questions so they could truly measure their growing attraction.  I liked the community they were building for themselves and the intricate histories that were woven.  There was a lot of potential with the angsty synopsis that drew me to the story in the first place.

Turns out though, I have mixed feelings about this story.  There were immensely interesting things in this story that made me want to read to the end and there were also pages and pages and pages of repetition and virtually zero progress that made me desperately want to skip ahead to get to the point.  I struggled so hard with the pacing of the story and where this length of story usually takes me a few hours to finish took me three days.  It's a rare book I can't finish, but this one gave me pause on several occasions.

So much grief.  I mean, wow, yeah, there's a lot to unpack with Taylor's history with his wife and I believed every moment of it being hard.  The part I have an issue with is not necessarily how long it takes to come out from under the dark cloud, but that dark cloud lasts days...that's it.  With how long they draw out every dark moment it felt like weeks.  I also think a lot of the grieving was placed under the umbrella of dark magical enhancement rather than something that needed a more consistent and believable path toward healing.  The scene reflected on the cover was actually a wonderful moment that was touching and really great for Taylor and even though I was left a bit empty with what followed.

While this story could be seen as a standalone within the universe created, there are so many connections, relationships, magical elements, and interactions that left me confused until nearly the end and even then I'm still not 100% clear on everything.  I'd highly suggest beginning with book 1, which I did not, and that's my bad.  I'm a bit more on the fence about everyone on an individual basis as well as the plot itself because the story was absolutely filled with sexual encounters, innuendo, overshares, and inside jokes regarding those situations.  I usually enjoy those kinds of things, but I wasn't convinced of the solidity of the relationship without all that stuff.  As for the ending, I'm not completely sold on that either, but I'll say one thing for this author, they can absolutely bait the hook.

*$4.99 on Amazon

The death of a dearly beloved friend brings the Foster-Hughes family back to Mountain Home, Idaho, to support the man she left behind. Taylor Samuels, the aggrieved, must find a way to survive without her. His memories of his injuries cloud his judgment of love in the past, and the love that may come.

Cable Archer, an EMT, finds himself on-site when Mrs. Samuels' body must be collected. He comes across Taylor, and sees what no one else can: he reads the man's aura, and how it tells of despair unlike any other. The consequences of his grief going unaddressed could be deadly.

How to Elude a Vampire: VRC Book 2, Alice Winters

Yeah, so, I feel like spouting that cliche verse of "How do I love Thee, let me count the ways..." or something.  Seriously.  How, I mean really, how in the world can you have someone as completely adorable, badA, honest, utterly ridiculous, charming, and strong as Finn and not fall head over feels for him?  Marcus can't resist either.  No matter what gets thrown at them, their commitment, intelligence, and hearts won't let them quit or fail.  They've got an utterly fabulous cast surrounding them that I can't get enough of their world.

I think the only negative I have about this book were the number of shady moments with so many characters that felt like trying too hard to throw off the scent for who some of us predicted might be the big, bad villain.  Though, to be honest, it worked.  I had an idea, then thought it might be someone else, and then someone else that may not have been the bad guy but likely played a big role in cahoots with the bad guy, only to have it turn out to be my first suspicion.  So those moments seemed heavy handed, but they were effective enough that the revealing moment was enough of a surprise that I was pleased to have been taken on a little ride.

But there's just no accounting for Finn's level of awesome.  He was incredibly vulnerable here, but the way he used his brain to make connections, plans, and to carry out the shenanigans we've come to expect was made of win.  I really liked his reactions to confinement, chafing at the restrictions placed by those whom he knows love him endlessly, but still giving in to his frustrations enough to be a believable human moment.

And then there's Marcus.  It's like the person we met in How to Vex a Vampire never existed, and watching him "avoid" those not-so-subtle reminders of his treatment of Finn in the beginning was hilarious.  Seeing him come to Finn's "rescue" and giving him exactly what he needed when things became too much was a great example of what their relationship has evolved to, a true partnership.

So then we get to all the moments of rescue.  The emotional one, the mortal one, the puppy rescue...just how many times am I going to be forced to laugh, crow, sigh, and smile in real life?  Even adding all the fun of familial relations, Karsyn's "adoration", and a semi-surprising betrayal didn't do anything to detract from the logical, believable, and anticipatory plot progression.  The investigation flowed even with all the stops and starts, lending an air of credibility to the law enforcement aspect of the whole story.  Not even the monologuing disappointed, and I have to say that was the one true ridiculously big surprise that I didn't even think to expect at all.

I never want to leave their world honestly, and I've even re-read this story in the last week since it's been published despite my super long list of reading commitments.  Reading the associated short stories from the author's FB page is helping to feed my addiction until we come back to more full-length awesomeness.  If you like snarky, vulnerable, hilarious, and sweet MC's with a heavy touch of vampires, detectives doing detective things, and a cast of chosen family that tortures, annoys, and loves the MC's to distraction, then this is absolutely a series I suggest you dive into headfirst.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Finn
When the vampire stalking me sent me a letter, I was prepared for my new life with the man I love to get thrown into chaos. But as the days stretch on and nothing happens, I become determined not to allow that monster to rule my life, and decide that Marcus and I will move on. We can’t always allow the past to haunt us. If that includes pestering Marcus and harassing my fellow detectives, they’d better learn to love it, because I’m not going anywhere even if they like to remind me I’m the only human working in a department filled with vampires. But Marcus loves me for who I am, even if he’s not crazy about the cute pet names I call him like McBitey. Being with him is more than I could have dreamed, and even with the trials thrown in our way, he never fails to make me smile.

Marcus
When Finn joined the VRC, I never expected how everything would change. Now that he’s the brightest part of my days, I’m unsure of how I existed without him. Before Finn and I can settle into our new life together, we’re called in as lead detectives when a body is found in the river, and the case soon hits closer to home than we anticipated. I want to be by Finn’s side to keep him safe, but at the same time, Finn’s fighting for the freedom he’s always wanted after being forced to live a life of fear. What I do know is that my future is with Finn, no matter what happens.

Better Red: Ever After, NY Book 1, Tara Lain

Creating a new take on a well-known and oft-recreated fairy tale is no easy task.  Little Red Riding Hood, the Woodsman, the Big, Bad Wolf, Grandma...all of them are represented here and there are some unique things that make this an intriguing premise, but I have to say that I think there was an issue with a little too much ambition.  With a bit more streamlining and redirected focus on the romance and character growth I showed up for this would have been an awesome story.

The model contract was something we saw coming with all the emphasis on Red's beauty and while I was glad we got a reality check with the near-immediate introduction to the far harsher side of that world, I was disappointed that we were left so confused.  He's awesome at all the improv, the showmanship, the presentation, the snark, the beauty...so, is he going to find a way to model and have Mark?  With so many visits and detailed experiences showing just how amazing he is in that world it felt like we were leading up to something that we didn't get anywhere close to getting.

Red's intelligence was what really got me, but there were very few flashes of it that I felt it was a wasted opportunity.  And then there's his youth.  It was incredibly apparent in his lack of decision-making, gullibility, easily-influenced nature, and his lack of a backbone.  There were a lot of awesome things that could have been done with his character, but I ended up feeling quite underwhelmed.  Lots of things he does are completely understandable and excusable if you consider his age, I just wasn't wowed.

We focus so much on Red's conflict with the modeling world and his intense attraction to Wolfe, his wilting under his grandmother's plans for him, and how often he completely forgets about Mark, his supposed true love interest, that there's almost no time left for developing the actual romance.  I ached for Mark though I felt he was made to be so supportive and understanding that he just became a doormat.  I came for the romance and got very little of that.  I'm hoping so hard that the series improves because this author is usually absolutely fantastic.

I loved the side characters with names that hint heavily about which stories will follow in this series and I loved the potential between Red and Mark.  And the two "magical" characters really captured my attention as well so it's highly likely that I'll be back for more from this town...maybe we'll even get to see how things are going with Mark and Red when we return.

*$4.99 on Amazon

Who’s afraid of the big, bad Wolfe?

Red Ridley knows he could have a happy life in Ever After, New York, waiting on tables at Mom and Pop’s, making numbers add up for clients, studying business at the junior college – and maybe, just maybe having the man of his dreams, Mark Woods, the young owner of the local garage. One problem. Red’s gorgeous. Amazing looking. Totally unique. And no one who sees him – especially his grandmother, who’s his biggest promoter -- believes he won’t end up on the cover of a magazine. Gran’s dreams come true when famous New York agency owner, Brock Wolfe, shows up in Ever After and sets his sights on Red.

Red doesn’t want to leave Mark, but Gran has given everything to raise him, and the money he could make would give her a happy, easy life. Then, the news gets worse – Gran could lose her house -- so Red breaks down and goes to New York where the Wolfe shows just how bad he can be. Faced with a fate worse than death, Red needs a hero or needs to be one. Is there any chance to live happily in Ever After?

The Earl and the Executive: Imperial Space Regency Book 1, Kai Butler

While the setting promised some incredibly vast and fantastical uniqueness, the story focused on the regency era of England and the jaded wealthy man and the possibility of a love match if he swallows his hurt and accepts the earl's heart.  The research and application of that knowledge was near impeccable to my proletarian sensibilities.  What I was less impressed with was the tedium that dominated the majority of the book.  With a wonderfully sweet ending and a lovely confession from Zev there was something to enjoy by the end, it was just quite a slog to get there.

To be fair, this wasn't a poorly written story at all.  The subject matter was interesting, the characters had potential, and Tiral was both compelling on his own and heartbreaking in all the emotional abuse he received.  There were quite a few things to enjoy if you're willing to read slow yet witty banter that occurs and reoccurs and reoccurs again with no goal or intention beyond showing he and Zev share a sense of humor.  Nothing of interest occurs until at least two-thirds of the way through the book.

I was moved by Tiral but unimpressed with everything about Zev.  There are a few side characters that are interesting and amusing, but if their stories are anything as dry as this one I'll likely pass on reading them.  Even with the little mystery thrown in at the end this story could have been cut in half and would likely have benefitted from the subtraction.  Getting to the point sooner rather than later would have allowed for due attention to be given to the little danger plot which ultimately fizzled in the end as well because it wasn't exciting, dramatic, or even germane to the story itself.

So honestly I was bored by the story more than I was intrigued and if it weren't for Tiral I would probably have stopped reading.  It wasn't a bad story, just a piece of pre-packaged lunch meat when I was expecting a slab of prime rib.  Weird metaphor?  Yeah, I know, but being left unsatisfied when I was expecting all kinds of amazing feels like that.  Overall this had an interesting premise followed by a less than riveting follow-through, but a very sweet ending.

*$3.99 on Amazon

An impoverished earl...

Tiral Oican has inherited his brother’s title, estate, and the tremendous debt his brother took out before his unexpected death. There is only one option to save the estate and all the people who are now depending on him: marry a rich heir who is willing to pay off the debt in exchange for Tiral’s title. 

Now, scholarly Tiral must transform himself into a seductive fortune hunter. The only way he can see through the mess is by hiring a tutor in love. It’s too bad that Zev is so good at his job that Tiral is falling for him.

And a rich entrepreneur...

To protect his heart, Zev Laft has spent years fooling the ton into believing he’s no more than an entertaining flirtation. He just didn’t expect the ruse to work so well that the newest penniless earl to arrive on Lus for the season would assume him a demimonde and try to hire him to be his instructor in courtship. 

Now one of richest men in the empire finds himself struggling to keep up the façade, when his own heart is being taken by a man he has no intention of marrying.

Be Fairy Game: Starfig Investigations Book 2, Meghan Maslow

Being right isn't always a great thing.  That goes for what I was anxious about for this book as well as Twig and Quinn.  The ability to say "I told you so," doesn't feel great when you were hoping for so much more.  There were some incredibly sweet sentiments expressed, a few humorous scenes, and an incredible amount of potential for the series as a whole so the story isn't a total miss, there were just also some immensely disturbing scenes that left me feeling icky and not altogether comfortable.

What I was right about in my fears expressed in my review for book one is the relationship dynamic between Twig and Quinn.  In the name of "empowering" Quinn and not following a more stereotypical dominance dynamic Quinn continually undermines Twig's decisions, makes him doubt his intentions, belittles his instincts, hurts his feelings, and dismisses his fears.  Quinn has lowered in my estimations as a good partner for Twig.

Their whole relationship is a struggle for me, actually.  I'm still in love with their potential and I'm having a difficult time reconciling that with the reality.  There are so many, too many, times that their whole dynamic is brought up to dissect only to be dismissed or interrupted and it leads to too many moments of doubt, hurt, and unresolved frustrations.  There's a power thing going on that's taking a back seat to Quinn's consistent need for secrecy and putting his struggles, his feelings, and his issues above Twig's.  I'm not a fan.

One scene that gave me all kinds of icky feels was where Twig's first time with catching was under the influence of an incubus' magic crazy dust and Quinn's inability to care for Twig.  He's lucid enough to get acknowledge the effect of the powder and to get them to a relatively private space, but once again, his desires, his situation, is far more important than all the fear and hesitation that Twig has expressed over months of being together before this moment.  Just no.  So many times, no.  And then for Twig to reassure and comfort and seek out Quinn's well-being...this can only be a bad thing in the long run.

I don't want to make this a ranty review where it seems I don't like the story because I actually do in a general way and in the view of a series as a whole with fascinating characters and shenanigans that were quite entertaining (Bill's fear of garden gnomes, anyone?).  So in the interest of keeping the ranty bits short, I'll briefly mention the other things that bothered.  Twig's father, the too-quick-to-forgive moment with his mother, the surprising lack of empathy from Twig as we, once again, defer to Quinn's sense of right and wrong when it comes to feeling for and helping misunderstood beings (Twig should be the ring-leader in seeking to help and liberate instead of being uber judgy and needing Quinn to remind him of his own perception parallels), the lack of Twig's backbone with his father's discrimination and machinations, the lack of connections made between really obvious stuff...  I think there are a couple more, but that's quite enough, I feel.

While I don't know how I feel about focusing on Quinn in the next story, I am excited to see where this series is going.  And Bill, his yearning is palpable and when he's not acting like a preachy queen I'm absolutely in love with him and hope to see him get the being who will love him.  Bill's mention of Twig's scent is incredibly intriguing and I'll absolutely stick with this until we get that answer...there are a whole lot of little foretelling bits in relation to Twig and his eventual growth and power that I'm absolutely champing at the bit for and can only hope don't come through Quinn's power or control, but from him on his own and within himself.  I want to see Twig's brain truly engage and to find out what his fae gift is.

The list of things I'm looking forward to is arguably longer than the things that bothered me in this book so it's safe to say that I'm definitely in for more and am committed to sticking with the series and I'll be holding out hope that Twig and Quinn get it together in a way that makes me feel warm and fuzzy instead of apprehensive.

*$4.99 on Amazon

They’re baaacckk!

When a simple ‘find & fetch’ case throws private investigator Twig Starfig and newly-minted wizard, Quinn Broomsparkle, into the middle of an EBI murder investigation, it’s just another day in the Elder Realm.

If murder were Twig’s only problem, he’d be the luckiest half-dragon in the land. Murder he can handle. Fulfilling his promise to his scheming, power-hungry father to run for a seat on Lighthelm’s city council? Meh, he’d rather face a demon with a toothache.

On top of their case going sideways, and Twig running for a council seat he really doesn’t want, Twig and Quinn are forced to face some unpleasant realities about their budding romance, while still learning how to handle the wizard-familiar bond they now share. Throw in a red fury with abysmal taste in boyfriends, a ghost pirate-parrot who drinks too much, a murderer who will stop at nothing to get what they want, a host of new friends and enemies, and you’ve got a situation where no one is safe and everyone is Fairy Game.