Huntsman: Fox Hollow Zodiac Book 1, Morgan Brice

A fox and a wolf, fated mates and good men, who never would have met if not for the danger of a hunter of lore used to scare children into keeping the shifter secret among a world of humans.  There was so much to enjoy in this story from the world to the chemistry between mates, side characters with loyalty and personality as well as tact, a self-sacrificing MC that is NOT TSTL, and a subtly sweet way of expressing grieving and healing from it.  With a strong start to this series I know we'll be in for a romantic and supernaturally chaotic ride that fits right in with this author's style.

Liam ran away from danger in the way that foxes do and I liked his character, the way he was invested in his job and was eager to make friends in a town he knew would become his home.  I'm glad he didn't fight his mating instinct though truly appreciated the way he tempered that desire with honesty and caution.  Just because they were mates didn't mean they had to rush into a claiming.  Sometimes we get the fated-mate = insta-love situation in these trope-based stories, but in this story we got something that used human sensibilities and a very believable progression...up to a point, of course.

In addition to being interesting on his own as a part of a relationship with Russ, Liam became my favorite when he dove head-first into the search for the Huntsman, both in determination and in logic.  Too many times we see one MC feeling guilty and then running headlong into danger with nary a thought to using their brain and embodying the TSTL heroines we see in bad horror B-movies.  Instead Liam tempers that guilt with intelligence, precaution, and common sense.

Russ was good in a more subtle way.  He was dealing with years of grief over the loss of his husband, though not his fated mate.  Attempting to reconcile those two types of love gave us a mature and sweet evolution for Russ as he came to accept his fated mate while balancing not forgetting his former husband and also not letting it be a reason to avoid Fate's guidance.

The overall danger that surrounded everyone and everything was pretty well hidden despite having predictable parts that moved the story along.  While having the villain doing the cliche monologuing wasn't exactly awesome, the rest was, as was the introduction of other nefarious foes that may come calling as well as other characters that are sure to get their own stories.  I'm really looking forward to watching the series grow and evolve as we get other stories from the little town's residents and newcomers.

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A grieving wolf. A hunted fox. Fated mates, thrown together by chance, and the looming threat of a fabled Huntsman who might tear them apart forever.

Fox shifter Liam Reynard is running from a killer. He uproots his life to find sanctuary in Fox Hollow, deep in the Adirondack Forest in New York.

When his car breaks down, sexy wolf shifter Russ Lowe comes to the rescue, and one touch makes it clear they’re fated mates. Neither man was looking for love, and both are still mending from past heartbreak. When mysterious fires and disappearances threaten Fox Hollow, Liam fears the killer is hot on his trail. Can he protect the town and his fated mate from the evil hunting him, or will an ex-lover’s betrayal cost Liam everything he loves?

Rosavia Royals, Starling; Welch; Dawn; Rowan; Davies

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One royal ball + Five unexpected dates = A lifetime of love

This certainly wasn't what I was expecting, especially because I truly enjoy this author's other works.  You could probably fill the actual dialogue from the entire story onto merely a handful of pages and the rest was an incredible amount of stream-of-consciousness type of inner monologue that went on forever and ever.  The actual relationship bits were cute and I liked that Leo had his enlightening moments that were filled with actual feeling rather than just lusty thoughts and that Edvin finally found someone to love him for himself and to care for him as he lives to care for others.  I can't say I was drawn to either man from the beginning, but I had a lot of hope that things would get better.  Overall the world was interesting, the ending was wonderful, and there were some really good feels, but it just wasn't up to par with what this author can actually create.  Up for Heir, Stella Starling - 3 stars. 

I enjoyed the way Cassander and Matty worked things out because while I detest the secrets that cause misunderstandings and hurt, it's how they work things out that make the difference.  Cassander is under a lot of pressure and most of it is his own making despite the selfishness of his brothers and a fling with Matty what wholly unexpected, but exactly what he needed.  His tenderness and care for and of Matty was endearing as was the way he sincerely apologized for the hurt his secrets caused.  Matty was a bit more simplistic for me, like he was almost too good and also a bit immature.  He wasn't a badly written character at all, he was exactly what Cassander needed, he was just a bit stereotypical in his goodness and forgiveness.  Overall though it was a sweet story that fit well with the series.  Reign or Shine, HJ Welch - 3.5 stars.

The overall story was very sweet, especially once they finally opened their mouths and vocalized their feelings and their misunderstandings of the years past.  Although that's also when the puns became a little too ridiculous for me and took the humor down a notch.  With a bit of conniving meddling from certain royals and a whole lot of nastiness from Rosavia's favorite reporter, their journey back together was a little more rocky than they expected, but when they found the courage to be honest with not only one another, but with the royals that had their best interests at heart, everything slotted together as it was always meant to be.  I do wish there hadn't been so much of the waffling back and forth and the extremely repetitive thoughts of "he must know, how can he not know?  I suppose it's best to not say anything and just show him."  I mean, if it didn't work in the past, why would it work now?  Communication, people, would have solved a whole lot of issues.  But then the story would be shorter...though I can't say that would be a bad thing, in my opinion.  Throne Together, Zoe Dawn - 3.5 stars.

Even though Ben came off like the layabout prince with a severe lack of decorum or respect, he was so much more than that and I genuinely liked him in this story.  He was the brother nearly everyone forgot about and until Felix, he was likely going to remain in the shadows avoiding his loneliness.  Felix was his match, but I didn't like him at all until maybe the last third of the book because he was whiny, easily offended, defensive, and hurtful all because he felt insecure.  Ben gave heartfelt and sincere apologies as well as feeling confessions and there's only one memorable one from Felix.  Well, maybe two, but that's because Ben stole the show with the epilogue and Felix's response was appropriately commensurate to Ben's offer.  My favorite part was following along with Ben on his escape as well as finally seeing Felix become the man he was supposed to be under the loving support Ben willingly gave him.  In His Court, Max Rowan - 3.5 stars.

The beginning and lead-in was really very good with just enough anticipation to make you want more and the pleasure of seeing Wren find himself in the gardens when the original edict brought him so low.  The prospect of if and when along with growth was just what I'd hoped for with this story.  While some of those more steamy bits took a back seat to the ulterior motives of a footman with a grudge and concerned family, their relationship went through the requisite testing necessary to prove just how permanent both Wren and Thom needed it to be.  Wren truly grew into himself and his role and I was most charmed by how he literally blossomed under both the guidance from Thom and the determination in his horticultural endeavors.  This was my favorite of the series.  Barely Regal, E. Davies - 4 stars.

The Reapers Books 1-3, Donna Grant

There is no escaping a Reaper. I am an elite assassin, part of a brotherhood that only answers to Death. And when Death says your time is up, I am coming for you...

When Baylon and the other six reapers are given an order to strike down all half fae in addition to executing justice on the Dark, to say they have reservations would be an understatement.  As their leader, Cael, goes to Death to try and get answers, the rest of the Reapers search the city for their own.  And then Baylon sees Jordyn on the steps of the Edinburgh library.  With her arresting beauty and her obliviousness to its effects, he's captivated and curious.  But his choice to pursue her might mean their demise if Death chooses to repeat history and carry out the consequences of her Reapers choosing a mate.

There's a big crossover to her other Dark Worlds books and a few references in the beginning might be a bit confusing, but pressing on soon gives way to a unique set of circumstances that make it stand alone enough to be fine as a series on its own.  Baylon and Jordyn definitely have chemistry and are likable on their own, but there's a bit of a lack of depth because the story is so short.  The amount of history, connection, chemistry, background, and series outlay is quite immense to have been packed into the number of pages here but it seemed to be alright.  I'm definitely in for the long haul because I know things will get better an better.  4 stars. 

Nothing about their first meeting goes as planned.  Kyran and River are reluctantly drawn to one another and neither can seem to get their bearings.  The Reapers are after the books that River is jealously guarding but Kyran suspects that there's more to her than a feisty, protective librarian.  As they combine forces they learn that there's much more to their precarious situation than they initially believed and they're left with more questions than answers.  Death's new decree regarding mates gives Kyran and River a chance together but their enemy isn't about to give up on his end either.

This is really a great continuation because we essentially pick up where we left off in Dark Alpha's Claim and there's no new huge info-dump to bog us down.  We get right into the thick of things and find out a lot about River giving her depth and a uniqueness that I quite enjoyed.  Learning about Kyran's past is both painful and telling because his desire for justice and honesty make a huge impact on his relationship with River.  I loved how they came together and that despite the dangers, they decide partnership is better than "protecting the little woman" and other such ridiculousness.  As the plot thickens, it's apparent that each Reaper's mate will play a large role in bringing everything to an astounding reckoning.  Being only the second book into the series, we're already seeing a huge plan unfolding and I'm more intrigued than ever to find out what happens next.  4 stars.

Spies and their machinations can lead to distrust, unfavorable outcomes, and learning a lot of what you never wanted to know in the first place.  For Neve and Talin, most of these come to pass, to their detriment, but it brings them closer in ways they never dreamed they could have become.  It also puts them in a position to reap the full punishment from Death that got the Reapers into the whole situation they're in in the first place—because Neve is full Fae, unlike the mates of Baylon and Kylan.  As their enemy closes in on them yet again, they'll have to learn more, act quicker, or they'll lose what little advantage they have.  Except the things they learn might not be enough to save them, or their love.

Neve is fierce.  I'll admit I was worried when she was first introduced through Talin's perspective because she came across as spoiled, vain, and vapid.  That opinion was quickly changed when we learned just how involved she is with the Light fae court, Talin, and her mystery watcher.  There's so much more going on than anyone could have guessed and what she goes through in the course of this story is incredibly tragic and yet she finds a way to triumph knowing exactly what she's getting into.  I loved her so hard.  Talin came across quite different in this story than he had in the previous stories.  I found him to be a good match for Neve but more emotionally chaotic than the others so far.  He makes incredibly valid points so I felt him justified, but his character just surprised me a little with how up and down he reacted.  The plot is definitely heating up with what happens with Eoghan and yet another attempt from both sides to gain the upper hand.  The web is getting more tangled...  4 stars.

Depth of Focus: Natural Hearts Book 1, JD Chambers

Life has a way of throwing you hard things to test your mettle, and sometimes it seems like it's just doing it to screw you over.  When Whitman goes through a breakup he decides to make a huge change and accepts a job in a tiny town in Oregon.  That change brings him into the bosom of a very nosy, very caring town that seems to have made a place for him, a place that feels like a true home.  But not everyone intends to end up stuck in Slat Creek, as is the case with Travis.  Both men learn about themselves and one another and forge a friendship with yearnings for more.  Yearnings, however, might not be enough to tempt Travis to stay when freedom comes calling.  Travis will have to learn what true freedom is if he wants to find both acceptance and love.

This was a very slow-moving romance.  There were a lot of times it felt like it would move into the "more" part of more-than-friends but then there would be an abrupt abort from one party or the other...mostly Travis.  And when he reiterated his sentiment of living as a young, out, gay man in a city over the "trap" of home I felt pretty disappointed though his feelings were absolutely valid, understandable, and even encouraged when you think about all he "missed out" on because of his family situation.  My personal feelings are that you don't have to sow your oats to experience life, but for others that may be different.  When he and Whitman finally do get on the same page it felt right and organic though it took forever to get there.  I'm not sure I really felt their romantic connection too deeply, however, and that was a let down because this author usually does amazingly when her men finally make their intimate and romantic leaps.

Both characters were sweet, nice, and a little conflicted, more so Travis than Whitman.  The steam was pretty tame, like incredibly tame compared to the Only Colorado series.  I thought there would be more, not necessarily kinky steam, but just ... more.  With a title like we have here I kind of thought there'd be something more poignant about what to focus on in life, the depth of the connections we make when we focus on the people and things that matter, or even something regarding photography.  The first two were there but kind of fleetingly and not really emphasized enough.  While the story was tender and triumphant when all the drama settled, I'm hoping there will be a little more from the rest of the series.  The set-up for other series characters in Depth of Focus was actually pretty good; we get a taste of who they are and what their difficulties might be so I'll definitely revisit this series for more.

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