This was a really cute Christmas romance with a contemporary western feel. There was just enough holiday in the story without going too overboard with the Christmas cheer - which is what I really like. There was a good chunk of backstory that missed having not read the previous books in the series, so I felt like I was missing something important (turns out I was). I'm not sure if I would recommend this as a true stand-alone. All the missing pieces come out in the end, but I think it had too much of an impact without knowing more of the backstory.

Thack was a grump, a really big grump. His over-protective stance to his little girl was a bit much, but it made sense given his history. Here's where backstory would have been nice. Summer really over-reacts to this and jumps to a lot of conclusions. But this somehow manages to bring them together.

The middle part of the story seems to be a series of misunderstandings and stepping on toes, but there were some really cute parts that I really enjoyed, especially the ones that revolved around getting ready for the holidays. Summer and the little girl are quite the pair and I loved seeing them together.

The ending went quite a bit overboard. It lost me while at the same time explained a lot about Summer's reaction to things. But a little too over the top with the suspenseful part for me to get completely on board with.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

I really wanted to love this one. There were so many great elements, but they never really came together. Demetria and Everett have a shared grief that has kept them apart - it was quite a sad beginning, which you don't usually see in a Christmas novel, and that was good. It set it apart a little. But, things change very quickly when they find an abandoned cub. Now, this cub is quite a surprise - it's beyond a surprise, but I can't give it away. Let's just say the Jaguar world will never be the same.

It was cure and well done, this introduction to something new. But it sort of took over the story. Instead of watching Demetria and Everett bond over a little cub, it turned into more of a mystery with a dash of sex. I needed more romance and feelings and denied attraction.

It also sort of bounced around a bit. At times it was hard to follow the dialog and keep up with who was doing what.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

I loved Zsadist. In all the previous books he is continually portrayed as a hard, mean, almost-evil type of person. But, I wanted him to be something different. And J.R. Ward let him be that something different without actually changing him. (Confusing, I know, but it is what it is.) Zsadists's past has left him beyond scarred - and as you read through his and his brothers memories, you will see exactly why he behaves the way he does. It is the only way he knows to survive.

But when Bella is taken by the Lesser Society, Zsadist is determined to find her and set her free. Not just from them, but from himself. It's one of the most selfless acts I've ever seen in a romance book. Knowing that it will destroy him, he pushes her into the arms of someone he views as "more appropriate" and "worthy" than he is.

A lot of the "action" in this book is within Zsadist and Bella, watching the work through and around their issues and fears was amazing. I think they are going to be one of the strongest couples - at least from what I've seen so far.

There's a lot of tragedy in this book - which really surprised me. I thought for sure it was all going to be a joke - but..... Overall, an amazing story that will hit you right in the heart in so many ways.

I really enjoyed the background of the world G.A. Hurst has built. With an ecological disaster nearly wiping out the population and humanity forced to learn how to live again without all our luxuries, it was a believable near future concept. Combine this concept with some wolf-shifters and you have a great start to a story.

There is a good dose of adventure and action in the book that really helps to round out the characters and the push the romance a long a bit. Nothing like the fear of being captured or killed by rogue werewolves to make you want to fall in love! Gage was an amazing guy/wolf. I loved how he fought to let her make the decision about being with him - knowing that if she chose not to it would be devastating for him. There was a bit of a jealousy issue brought up at the beginning that I think could have been done without though.

Rissa was a strong woman - and maybe a little too good at all the weapons to be completely believable. But I still loved her character. She asked good questions and really pushed for answers when things happened that she didn't understand. The only real concern, as I mentioned with the weapons, was that she was too good at things. She seemed to catch on so quickly and adapt so easily that at times I just thought "yeah right."

Overall, a very fun book to read. I'm interested to see what happens with everyone in the next part of the series.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review.*

I love Mia Ross's inspirational small town series. They match couples up beautifully, and I really get to see their relationship bloom and grow into something more. The Kinley family and the town of Oaks Crossing star in her newest series, and I've already fallen in love with all of them.

In Rescue by the Farmer, she hits a soft spot for me with animal rescue. And she does it right. She shows the struggle the small rescue facility faces with finding the right personnel, funding, and pormotions to keep the place running. It seems like a gift from God when Bekah lands in their world.

But Bekah is a rescue case in her own way. Running from a past (that I wish we had seen a little more details on), she finds herself welcomed and sheltered by the Kinley family and the small town around her. But she's afraid that she'll be forced to move on and have to give it all up - everything she cares about - all over again.

This may sound like quite the dramatic story, but it's much more simple. This is just the backdrop to two people falling in love, learning to trust again, and finding their own path into the future. Another winner from Mia Ross.

Well, I guess I don't know history as well as I thought I did. The Other Einstein could mean a couple things here. The more obvious "other" Einstein being Mileva Einstein, Albert's first and brilliant wife. It could also refer to the "other" Einstein being Albert himself, and a side of his life and personality that isn't often shown in your traditional histories. Both aspects of this Other Einstein are fascinating and not what I expected at all.

Mileva is an incredibly brilliant woman - possibly more so than Einstein himself - and she is unable to resist the charm of a young Albert at school. They seem to be the perfect couple, their wit and personalities complimenting each other while the intellects feed off each other's thoughts and ideas. It seems as if the stage is set for quite an amazing happily every after.

But soon things begin to change, and this was the part that I found quite fascinating. Watching the change in their relationship as it morphed into a completely different thing than when it first began, it is hardly recognizable. At times the changes were quite subtle and hard to notice, while others were shocking in their suddenness.

This was a great historical story that takes you deep into Western and Eastern European culture. At times the events were just a tad drawn out without a lot of momentum to them, but perhaps this was just to show the times where their lives seemed to come to a stand still. Definitely a book I would recommend.

*This book was received in exchange for an honest review*

If this book doesn't make you examine the relationship of every single one of your friends, then I don't know what will. Jack and Grace seem so perfect together, everyone is jealous of their relationship and closeness. They are inseparable, and their friends just think that it's so cute and wonderful. Well, maybe not everyone, and it definitely isn't wonderful.

Grace is a prisoner in her own life. Unable to do anything on her own, and looking forward to a future of fear and torture for not just herself, but her handicapped sister as well. This fall into a non-existence happens quickly, in fact it happens overnight. And she never saw it coming, and now she can't get out.

Grace will have to use every last ounce of her resolve to find a way out, and she'll find herself doing things she never thought she would. This book will really get into your head and stick around for awhile. The way everything comes together and flows was very powerful and moving. There's more to this book than I could ever accurately describe without giving the whole thing away completely.

If you enjoy thrillers, suspense, or psychological stories, then this is one you will need to read.

I want to start by saying that you shouldn't let the 4 sexual rating scare you away from this one. I felt I had to rate it that way because of one crazy sex rite done by our bad girl. But it's short and easily skippable (is that a word?) if you don't want to read it. Seriously, like one paragraph.

Shannon has settled into her life in Partholon with her centaur husband and endless supply of handmaidens ready to wait on her every need. The danger seems to have passed and life is returning to "normal" once again. But she's uneasy, and with good reason. She finds herself ripped out of Partholon into her old life.

I enjoyed this story, but I had some issues with it as well. Seeing Shannon come in to her own as Epona's Choosen and learning to trust herself and the world around her was great. But I didn't like the twisted love story that wove through the middle of everything. When she meets the man that mirrors her husband things got a little tricky. I totally get her confusion and attraction to him. But I didn't like where that always led.

Finally meeting Rhiannon was very nice though. I love how damaged her character is, and the glimpse into her past only cements that she isn't a truly evil person, but more a victim herself as well. She just didn't deal with things as in a very healthy way. Finally being able to compare her beside Shannon showed sides of both that were quite eye-opening.

A great addition to the world of Partholon, but I just didn't enjoy all the aspects presented.

I loved this book until the epilogue. Then I wanted to throw the book - not because of anything wrong - I know it was just a personal preference - but OH MY GOD it made me so mad. Now, this could be seen as a good sign. It takes a lot for me to have that type of reaction to a book. I was so drawn into the characters and their lives that I felt like they were my friends. Good thing!!

I learned a lot about memory and what it can and can't do. It's quite fascinating, and from my simple research partner (Google) the author did a great job of portraying the circumstances. As Aimee comes to grips with what has happened to her fiance, we learn right along with her, and it was a great way of relaying information without doing just a big info dump on me.

Everything We Keep is an incredible emotional ride. I felt everything in the spectrum right along with Aimee and even James (the little bit we get to see). Right before the end, I was frustrated with life, but satisfied with the way Aimee had reacted and sorted things. Then the last two page....and the almost throwing. I want to say those pages ruined the book for me, until I tried to explain it all to someone. Their comment, "If it touched you so deeply, then it was a good book."

And they were right. This was a book that was beyond amazing and engaging. But if you read it, be prepared. It is not what you are going to expect. I could tell you the story, and it still wouldn't be what you expect. You have to live this one to truly experience it.

I wasn't a fan of this one. There were just so many things that didn't quite add up to me and it still bothers me. Butch seems to have been given part of the Omega - but the Omega can't find him? Thinks he's dead? Doesn't add up - especially as we find out more about how souls return and Lessers are created. I couldn't find a way to believe any of ti.

The part I did like was Vishous and learning more about his character and abilities. He's really quite fascinating. A lot of this book was taken up with characters that weren't our main couple. I still struggle with John. I just don't see him as an adult, but more of a 13 year old boy. Learning more about Rehv was amazing. I hope he gets his own story down the line - I think he deserves it.

All in all, this just wasn't the one for me. I'm going to move on and get started on the next because I think it's going to be much better, and I still want to see what happens in everyone's lives.