Nixing the End of the World: Phoenix's Quest Book 1, Alice Winters

Alastair and Nix...a good mix of tame, bewildered, crazy, and outrageous, I was alternately sedate and on the edge of my seat with the pacing of the story. I found Alastair to be a cross between Leland from Hitman and Marcus from VRC with his weapon wielding and snark in the face of his denial of past guilt and current interest in Nix. In this particular instance, it's the story surrounding him that assisted with being a unique character, but I found a whole lot of similarities to past Alice characters so he felt familiar even if I knew nothing about him.

In fact, I can't say I really learned all that much about him by the end of this first book in this new series. We do find out where his guilt comes from and his hesitance around his bond with Nix, but other than to give context, it wasn't much in the way of really knowing him. I'm eager to find out more and to watch him really open up to Nix. I want to see more of his power, what it can do, and how Nix can balance it out.

Speaking of Nix, his own power is an unknown until pretty much the end of the book. I'm not exactly sure how I feel about Nix taking the entirety of the story to get only a clue about what his power is and how to use it before he's thrust into the crazy with the villain. I really look forward to seeing him train and grow with his own magic in addition to the bond building he and Alastair really need to get working toward.

Together they work for me. It's a slow growth between them and I'm glad that they didn't really act on their attraction until it felt right because there were so many unknowns, so much going on with and around them, that it would have distracted from the story and felt forced. They've got a long road ahead of them and I want to be with them every step of the way.

The cast surrounding them is quite varied, though the ones directly involved were...interesting. Some were introduced with a bang and then kind of left off to the edges of the goings-on until near the end and I wasn't exactly liking that. Another, the BFF, was actually my least favorite character out of everyone introduced. I'm guessing she'll grow on me as the story continues though. The villain surprised me. Not in who they were, but how it all played out and what they did. I'm super stoked to see where things go from the cliffhanger bomb that was dropped.

Even though this wasn't a resounding five hilariously awesome star story, I have a feeling I'm going to love the whole series. Between the shenanigans of creatures, humans, and guardians and the plot that's barely getting off the ground, there's a whole lot to look forward to and I seriously can't wait to jump back in as soon as book two is available.

$5.99 on Amazon

Nix
“You are the savior of mankind” are the last words I ever expected to hear while nibbling on fries. The thing is, I’m not mankind saving material. I don’t even have magic (and just found out it exists). I’m the most boring, normal(ish) human ever.

Suddenly, I’m being tossed right into the middle of a fight that started years before I was even born, and then I get partnered up with Alastair, a quirky magical Guardian. He is rather attractive and sweet when he’s not into the whole “woe is me, I can’t let myself fall in love with you” nonsense. I mean, the moment he took my annoyingly judgmental grandma hostage, it was all over for me. I was hooked.

Now the only problem is… what exactly are we saving the world from?

Alastair

The moment I laid eyes on Nix, the naive yet easygoing human captivated my attention, and now I’m determined to protect him. But despite my amazing and majestic abilities, we might not make it out of this mess. Still, there must be a reason Nix was chosen. No, he doesn’t have pizazz and maybe he really doesn’t have magic, but he’s also one of the strongest and kindest men I’ve ever met.

Now if I can just get him to stop throwing blankets at enemies, we might have a shot at this.

Masters of Romance, Emma Alcott

Side Character

https://amzn.to/3to2Oc2

Quick and dirty, that's what I was expecting and that's what we got.  What I didn't expect was the subtle cuteness or the awkwardness or the two-way pining that happened.  Sawyer's friends were hilarious and I had no idea they'd even play a role, but the role they played actually made this short story much better.  I have to admit, the synopsis really turned me off, but since I like this author I was willing to give it a shot and I'm actually glad I did.  The set up for what's to come was the tiniest thread so I'm not sure what we'll get with Bad Boy, but if there are moments of cute like here in Side Character, I'm all in.  There was a lot of depth missing as well as an actual promise of transition from crush to real, but if you only focus on the funny side characters and the awkward cuteness that was endearing, then I think you'll probably like this prequel just fine.  3 stars.

Bad Boy

https://amzn.to/3xS3Lww

A tattooed reclusive ex-con and an imaginative, skittish, young man...on paper neither of them belong together, unless that paper is in a romance novel, then all bets are off and they're a match made in literary heaven.  I liked Colton and Russ together when the moments were good and not awkward and I mostly enjoyed Russ' POV.  Aside from that, the story was hit or miss for me and I'll be back because the group of authors are more intriguing than this particular coupling ended up being.

I think what bothered me the most was Colton's reactions and thoughts.  There were so many moments that I rolled my eyes and either skimmed through or longed to skim through his portion of the story.  Juvenile can be appropriate and amusing and endearing, but in Colton's case it was inconsistent and made me uncomfortable.  Especially the jumping in the sack thing right away...way too soon and on the heels of some disturbing thoughts racing through Colton's brain.

It's Russ that saved it for me and while I wasn't a fan of everything he did, thought, or said, he was the character that I gravitated to from the very beginning.  I like a bit of redemption with my romance and while I believe Russ had nothing to prove to anyone, he needed to show for himself exactly the type of man he was; a good man deserving of the young man that captured his attention and his heart, not to mention other bits of his anatomy.

There was some contrived drama that pushed the story forward but was honestly overkill and inappropriate, so I feel that could have been beta-read out of there, but I can't say I didn't understand why the author went in that direction.  It was kind of an easy road forward conflict-wise and seemed ready-made for overreactions and prejudice to overcome.  I wish it had been less predictable and more organic though.  Other than that, I enjoyed reading this story and am definitely coming back because my curiosity has been piqued with the group of authors that deserve their own HEAs.  3.5 stars.

Billy and the Beast: Ever After Book 3, Eli Easton

The only reason this isn't a full 5 stars is honestly because of the steam factor.  There was an incredible amount of sweetness, love, grumptastic caring, innocent joy, and the way they truly saw one another...all of that was fantastic and came together so beautifully that it needed Eli Easton's brand of sensual, soul-touching steam to balance it out and make it perfect.  Think Redemption of River and Mating of Michael level of awesome, but without a ton of sexy times.

Aaron was so incredibly gruff and yet so charming with his "I'll show you, show you how much I want you gone...by buying you expensive work shirts and bringing you meals and spending time with you.  *Hmph.  Let that be a lesson to you."  I loved him.  His vulnerability felt real too, not just because of the physical disfigurement, but the weight he was carrying regarding what he couldn't remember and the grief over the loss of his father.  His character was simple and yet still moving.

Finding his counterpart in the irrepressible Billy was sweet and fun because Billy couldn't find a way to stay mired in negativity despite his circumstances.  It wasn't until the villain stuck their nose into things that he found a pain and hurt he hadn't yet truly experienced.  Thankfully his indomitable will got the kick in the pants it needed by a little tea-and-chat session with their resident "witch".  His discoveries meant a whole lot of freedom and I enjoyed seeing that bit come together.

The villain was very predictable, both in who they were, their motivations, and their methods.  But even with all that predictability, it wasn't annoying.  It was slightly over dramatic, but it fit with the tradition of big, dramatic confrontations marked in all fairy tales.  Everything worked out, obviously, and the bad guy actually saw justice, amends were made, and Aaron finally found healing, confidence, and freedom.  Thanks to Billy's heart and spirit they were both able to get the exact "ending" they deserved.  I loved this story, it's my favorite of the series so far, and I can't wait to see what's next for this little town with its own brand of magic. 

*$3.99 on Amazon

One stolen rose leads Billy to the Beast of his dreams...

The rose is so perfectly pink and delightfully fragrant, so temptingly within reach through the bars of the locked gate. One snip later, and a masked man from Billy’s darkest fantasies grabs his arm.

Billy’s punishment for the theft? To toil in the estate’s horribly overgrown garden for the summer. Only this summer job comes with a mystery. Who is the sexy, scarred, irascible man who lives at Malfleur, and what dark secret from his past is he hiding?

The Beast believes he deserves his self-imposed exile for the crime he committed one awful, reckless night—a night he can’t even remember. He believes no one can love the ruin of a man that survived that cursed accident.

He didn’t count on Billy Martin.

Trust No Alpha: Omega Misfits Book 1, Wendy Rathbone

Kris and Thorne have both had their struggles, that's for sure.  Both of their tragedies work to bring them together, a true match that seems written in the stars with how perfect they can be for one another.  Nothing is ever simple though, and they'll have to face their fears to grasp the happiness that could be theirs in the face of a very serious threat that could tear them apart.

A gilded cage is still a cage and Kris' is no exception.  His whole life is upended and it was an incredibly awful surprise to find that his family would do what they did.  Him finding Thorne was definitely Providence at work.  It took him a little while to come out of his shell with Thorne, but I felt the progression worked there.  Dealing with the Burn fell into the predictable category for these types of stories, but the carry-out of the scenes were done really well and felt right for both men.

Thorne has had a difficult road as well, but a bit more of his own making.  His genetic condition was a burden for sure, but with everything that Kris is it was actually exactly what both men needed.  I wish the scene where that issue was put to rest were more than it was.  A situation that used exactly what Kris is would have been vastly more entertaining and meaningful than the mild, "oh, poor Thorne for loathing himself so hard" revelation.  Despite that moment though, I liked Thorne.  He was a more strong and silent type that worked to provide a safe place for Kris to bloom.

Even though there were some really difficult moments that were disturbing (in a general content way, not that the writing or story itself was disturbing), there were so many moments of strength in Kris and tenderness in Thorne that went a long way to making this story stand out and work really well.  It's my favorite of the series so far.

*$3.99 on Amazon

It’s a world gone mad. The Alphas are out of control.
When you discover you’re not who you thought you were, the nightmare begins.

KRIS

At age eighteen, life as he knows it is over for Kris. A secret to his nature he was not aware of has been revealed.
Now, kept as a prisoner in a locked room in the mansion of his wealthy father, Kris is at the mercy of Alpha laws and Alpha domination.
Things take a turn for the worse when his own litter mate threatens him, and his father starts behaving strangely around him.
Escape is his only hope. But where can he go in a world that allows him no rights?

THORNE

Marked as a dangerous Alpha, and living a secluded life alone and unloved, Thorne still grieves for the mate whose death he feels responsible for.
Years have passed, and he refuses to even try to function in normal society.
One day he discovers a young man on his property, disheveled, desperate, and scared. He acts like a runaway Omega, but he doesn’t smell like one.
What is this boy? And why does Thorne feel an immediate need to protect him? To bond him? To make him his?

Heart of the Mountain, Frankie Love and C.M. Seabrook

I wanted so much to like this story.  A heroine who is putting her life on the line for a baby, a celibate (virgin in this case) hero, and a rugged mountain setting...should be amazing, right?  If only.  If only they lived up to the idea I had of them before I started reading.

I just had a really hard time with the heroine's knee-jerk reactions that constantly put her in worse danger.  Her courage was admirable, but she made things worse on multiple occasions and that didn't sit well with me.  There were so many other things she could have done, that he could have done, but once again, we're all victims of their inability to communicate and think before acting.  Which totally bites because I wanted to like this book!!  The big conflict just didn't work for me either.  A lot of build up and a whole lot of crazy that seemed more like a rushed resolution.

According to the Amazon reviews pouring in, it appears that I am in the minority.  I usually love the author's work and snag almost every book she writes, but this story just did not live up to her usual standard, in my opinion.

*99¢ on Amazon

An angel.
It's the worst rainstorm in history when I find her unconscious in the woods.
Sent from heaven.
She's lost and alone, a newborn baby in her arms.
I will protect them. My cabin is their shelter from the storm. Under my care, no one can hurt them.
Whatever the cost. But I'm not who she thinks I am.
And if she finds out, she'll keep on running.
My home is her home, my heart her heart. And I sure as hell don't want to break it.

Ignite: Dark Kings Book 15, Donna Grant

Many times it was said throughout Ignite in various ways that they were feeling "the calm before the storm" and that was the prevailing feeling of the book too.  For all the explosiveness in V from Dragonfire, the lusty loner of previous books, the V here was subdued, isolating himself, and a very different V from any version of him previously encountered.  Claire was at turns melancholy then bright, though not nearly as effervescent as I'd thought her in Smoldering Hunger.  Both had a journey that could only be completed in finding one another.  So rather than the crazy ramping up in this story, and despite the implications of the title, this was a calmer story with maybe one "dramatic" moment and quite a few surprises.

Some of those surprises were just nuggets of information that were merely surprising because they weren't expecting it.  One surprise reveal was a bit lackluster and anticlimactic.  Another, however, had incredible, both positive and negative, implications that were a long time coming, but absolutely unpredictable.  For that bit alone I'm diving head first into the next story to see how it develops.

The quiet yet full and deep feelings during V's confessions were truly touching.  Claire's vacillation from love to uncertainty was less than what I hoped for, but their connection and honesty together was full of forthright feeling and so direct that it made up for it.  There was one part that was only touched on regarding the sword's connection and choice that was astonishing and I truly hope to see more on that and how it plays out.  I knew when we first met Claire that her role wasn't over and even though she's a vital part of Ignite, it's the role she'll play from here on out that I'm excited for.

Okay, so I'll admit that sometimes it feels like we're getting further away from the end than closer to it and a few things are being thrown in that seem to be just to lengthen the series rather than bring answers.  And I'm sure most people who've been with the series since the beginning are just wanting to get to Usaeil's downfall, the threads to be tied off, the dragons to be either brought back or checked in on, and the epic romantic details for Con and for Rhi...but with a handful of stories between now and then, some are pretty much over the whole thing at this point.  I'm not one of them.

For me it's about each and every dragon king we've learned about or is new to us and how they get their mates, each and every detail that deepens the story and betrayal and healing for Rhi, each and every character that crosses over and enlarges the world connecting it all...I'm in it for everything.  But yeah, I'm super anxious to get to the end too.  I'm a sucker for this series and there's almost nothing that could happen that would keep me from coming back for more.

*$7.99 on Amazon

Every inch of him was molded as if from granite…and her blood ran like fire...

For centuries, V has waited to awaken from his doomed sleep and reclaim his destiny. But this Dragon King—one among a legion of legendary warriors sworn to protect the human race from darkness—must first find a way to win back his sword. Wield its power. And try not to fall prey to his own illicit desires.

Claire may possess the beauty and soul of a goddess but V knows better than to mess with a mere mortal. Still, he instinctively knows that Claire is The One who can help him regain the use of his sword and restore his place at Dreagan. But if she learns the truth about who—and what—he really is, her memories of him would be erased forever. How can V love Claire truly, madly, deeply…and protect her from the forces of fire and darkness that could destroy them both?