Imaginary Lover: Beyond the Realm: Remember Book 8, Morgan Brice

I adore both this author and the town of Fox Hollow they've created and am extremely pleased to be returning there.  This story was full of magic, mystery, and the men who find love in the midst of it all.  Light on steam, this was a romance based on story and discovery rather than merely lust.

This was a shorter story and it still felt quite complete for both the men coming together and the mystery that caused their circumstances.  It was a really great read on its own, though I would recommend reading the rest of the Fox Hollow books as the townspeople carry more weight when you get a bit more of a chance to get to know them.

Both men are interesting on their own and when they come together you can see why they are meant to be, in addition to finding a family of choice with wonderful side characters.  Even though the focus was on the story itself rather than the romance I felt a good balance was found and the story truly worked overall.  A great addition to interesting series, both in Beyond the Realm and Fox Hollow Zodiac, Morgan Brice brings together paranormal and romance in a memorable way that makes me want more.

*$2.99 on Amazon

“There’s no time. Remember your imaginary lover....”

Cory Caldwell woke up by the side of the road with no memory of how he got there. He pieces together who he is but has no idea what happened to him.

Dark visions haunt him—flashes of blood, magic, and a brutal fight. Scorching dreams of a faceless lover offer no clues. His gut warns that something urgent is eluding him, and that time is running out. Worse is the sense of bone-deep grief, as if Cory is missing part of his soul.

Desperate for answers, he hops a bus for Fox Hollow, a town famous for psychics, mediums, and those with supernatural abilities. Then a stranger calls Cory by name and casts a furtive glance around him. “There’s no time,” the man says. “I need your help. Remember...” Can Cory unlock his missing memories and rescue the stranger before it’s too late?

Imaginary Lover is full of dangerous magic, hurt/comfort, brave monster hunters, dark curses, sincere psychics, found family, and forever love.

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The Alpha's Warlock Series, Kris Sawyer

The first half was a bit slow and the voice was a bit distanced so it didn't draw me in very well. After that the drama increased and the connection between Clyde and Terry deepened so I felt more engaged in their world. The villain was expected but their appearance was completely surprising. There was also another villain who turned out to be just a vindictive, violent person adhering to an old grudge. Which is which?

It was well written but could have been more engaging. Ending the story at the point it did made me believe in the love of the MC's and excited for the continuation in Resurrection. The two men need a lot more detail as individuals because we get a little background about their fathers but we don't have much to go on in terms of knowing them as men. There's much to improve on in that aspect. There is also no steam, almost every passionate moment begins with heat and then cuts to a vague mention of their satisfaction. Fine, I suppose, not every story needs hot sex, but it would be much appreciated.

Overall, this is a good start to a series and a generally enjoyable and very quick read.  3 stars.

This was a good continuation.  We begin with just as much uncertainty and confusion as we were left with when Cursed ended.  Here, however, we're given an additional "bonus" of emotional angst and an ever-widening gap between Clyde and Terry.  Terry is committed to finding out about the past that was stolen from him and Clyde is so uncertain about what the truth is.  He wonders if his feelings are getting in the way of truth but can't bear to let Terry go.  They're both struggling under the weight of the unknown.  There's something else at work, though, someone banished to memory and secrecy...but not for long.  With the pack's future hanging by a thread and Terry's presence bringing more turmoil than it soothes the lovers are unsure of where their future lies.

So making a decision for them both, Terry goes off in search of his past.  But the darkness that clings to him from the land between is another unknown that threatens everything.  There's a new power in him that he needs to learn to control or it will control him.  There are also the people in the past that he finds.  I can't say I'm a fan of his avoidance and acceptance of affection with Dominic.  For being so connected to and devoted to Clyde, he should have, after the first instance, encouraged more distance from his past because it would be the right thing to do.  Then the thing with the council, I can see that coming to haunt him in the next book.

I was far more excited by this book than Cursed and have high hopes for where this whole story will go.  There's Terry's new power, Clyde's new Alpha status, a pack divided, a war brewing, factions and mysteries at every turn...there are a lot of places to go with this.  3.5 stars.

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.

Remember That Winter, Riley Knight

Both men were missing something and a case of amnesia gave them a chance to put things right.  Patience, shared moments, and a whole lot of steamy encounters served to bring them together after a fifteen year absence.  What initially drove them apart almost has the power to do it a second time, but if they find the courage to make a different choice this time around they just might get the future their hearts need.

At times their miscommunications and withheld feelings got in their way and I can't say I was a fan of that, but their desire to be together won out over everything else in the end.  It wasn't a simple journey to get to that point though, so there were a few obstacles to overcome along their way. 

Closets aren't a fun place to conduct a relationship and it's not without good reason that Jack didn't want their town to know about them.  I struggled with Miles' insistence that everything had to be his way.  His lack of empathy and his juvenile attitude about many things were more detrimental to their relationship than Jack's fear of coming out of the closet.  It was honestly difficult for me to like Miles, even up until the very end I struggled with his personality.

Jack had his cowardly moments, that's for sure, but I think it was far easier to forgive his cowardice in the face of him being truly aware of the dangers than of Miles' insistence that Jack dive in head first into a community that could destroy everything (and almost did).  And for Miles to be upset that Jack didn't jump in with his fists was a bit much to expect.  I think Jack could have stood up for his friend with words, especially in his own place of business, and for that I was disappointed in him, but I wasn't team Miles in the least either.

Overall this wasn't a bad story in the least, it was quite pleasant and the steam really did feel genuine between the MC's.  Their relationship was based on mutual love that eventually came out alright with a lot of maternal interference in various ways.  Everything worked out for the best even if it was a little too "perfect" having someone to give them all the answers.  It's undeniable that both men really needed one another and I was glad they finally got it all worked out.

*99¢ on Amazon

They say you can’t go home again… but what if home is the only key to secrets locked behind an amnesiac past?

Miles Blackburn and Jack Barnes were best friends, until they were more. But after a tragic accident, that’s all Miles can even remember about his former life. In the search to find the missing pieces of a history forgotten, Miles has only one place left to go-- home.

Jack never expected to see his best friend again. When they’re finally reunited, Miles doesn’t even remember who he is. But could this be a chance to rewrite their history? Is his heart strong enough to survive what could happen if they try love again, just one more time?