This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

When I was contacted with an offer to read this for free in exchange for a honest review...I was more than excited but also feeling a bit sad too since this is the last book of the series (although maybe Laura Kaye will add some more novella's down the road---maybe Jagger and Phonexix...*crossing fingers*) I have had such a blast with this series and don't want to say goodbye to the Raven Riders but I couldn't wait to pick up Caine's book.

Caine is the sergeant at arms for the club, and he keeps himself distanced socially. He doesn't like being around people very much. Caine has a painful past and doesn't like to get emotionaly involved. But when he rescues a woman getting attacked he starts to realize that Emma is the one person that may get too close.

Emma is a kindergarten teacher, who lives alone with just her dog for company. She doesn't have any family to speak of, and finds herself envious at times of Caine's adopted family of the "Raven Riders". But when she starts to find Caine around more, and with signs of someone stalking her, she is relieved to have Caine by her side.

I truly had a blast with this novella...Caine and Emma made such a darling couple that you find yourself drawn to and man they had a great connection. I have always been intrigued by Caine through the series, he is so closed off so I was really loving seeing the hidden depths to him and seeing him find his happy ever after and Emma was such a sweet and kind heroine. She is playful and fun and she has the right personality for Caine.  I adored the way that these two come together...their relationship is sexy and poignant. Highly recommend if you are a fan of the series.





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This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

Hurts To Love You is the third and final book in the series, and I have to say that this was such a bittersweet read. I have fallen in love with Alisha Rai and her writing and I love the diversity of her characters. Especially since its so rare in romance even less so than African American style romances, so I always find reading her books to be such a delight. This is our final couple of the Forbidden Hearts Trilogy and what a fabulous trilogy it has been.

It starts out with our heroine, Evangeline, who has been in lust with our hero for quite a long time. But our hero believes that he is less than her because he runs a tatoo shop and doesn't come from money like Evangeline has come from. But Evangeline is living proof that coming from money doesn't mean a thing because she has dreams and aspirations of her own. With her older brother getting married, she heads off to a estate out in the country that is part of their family's inheritance to have the wedding and spend time together as a family before the big day. But through some mishaps and runs of bad luck, Evangeline and Gabriel have the house to themselves for a bit and boy this only adds to the sexual tension that is building between them.

Sometimes people need to be taught to see you as who you really are than what they think you are, you know? It's not easy.

I want to say that I loved this book like I loved the previous two books but unfortunately this book lacked a few elements that I always look forward to in a good romance. I really liked seeing the side characters, and the two previous two couples get some great attention in this story. I did love seeing the growth of both of the main characters, both Gabriel and Eve we get to see a different side to. However the actual romance fell a bit flat for me. It was like hot tension between them for the WHOLE book, and at the end they like each other and then epilogue of we love each other. There wasn't as smooth of a transition as I was wanting and the ending really disappointed me so much.

There of course are some fabulous elements in this story but I can't say that I loved this book as much as I wanted to. There are some fun times of course and I did enjoy see both Gabriel and Eve resolve some issues with their past, and I did love seeing Eve stand on her own more than we have seen previously. But I just didn't connect with their romance and I was left feeling like there was something missing and wanting more for the finale of this series.

However I have adored this whole trilogy and I can't wait to see what Alisha Rai has up for us next!!! :)

 



 



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This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I will say that I have been such a FAN of this series ever since I picked up book one years ago....this author changed how I looked at vampire romances, and I love her unique twist on vampires....such great humor and these books are so much fun while always have a steady plot that keeps you on the edge of your seat. And yes this was one of those books that I started reading before bed, thinking oh I will just do a couple of chapters....well yeah stayed up half the night reading it because I couldn't put it down. There was something so special about this story that I didn't want to set it aside and was so intuned with the romance, that I HAD to know how it ends.

I found Twice Bitten to be a bit different from the previous books in the series. I truly had a blast with this story, and it definitely worked for me in all the good ways and boy this author does know how to make me laugh when I really need it the most.

So this story begins with our heroine, Elspeth, who has come home, injured after dealing with a "soft call" with her work helping out with vampire rogues. All she wants is her bed and some blood but is shocked to come home with her mother and twin sisters living in her space with no notice or warning. Elspeth has spent the past 150 years under her mother's thumb, being controlled and having no freedom. She managed to escape to Canada, with a teaching job and working with other vampires in hunting down rogues. And she wants to LIVE her life, she has been so sheltered by her mother with hardly any choices, that now she wants to party and have fun and go shopping and get her nails down whenever she wants. And now her mother is back in her life trying to control her once again and force her back home.

Heaving a sigh, Elspeth shook her head. Honestly, having a mother who could read your mind was a real pain. It made for extremely well-behaved and miserable children.

But then the most unsuspecting thing happens....she meets her lifemate. Her landlord, a sweet elderly woman, whom she has become close with has a gorgeous grandson who has recently come to help out. And the sparks fly between them but also a strong friendship forms between them. But when her life ends up in danger, he learns about the existence of immortals and that he and Elsepth are lifemates...but there is someone trying to kill her and Wyatt will do anything to protect her...

Well this book turned out to be simply fantastic and I had a blast with this story in so many delightful ways. I really wasn't suspecting to enjoy this one as much as I did but seriously this book knocked my socks off. We learn that our hero and heroine have been together before, and Wyatt has been searching for Elspeth for years after connecting in London. Wyatt is ex military, and takes the whole "vampires" in good stride, he really accepts it so easily and I liked that he doesn't fight what he feels for Elspeth or what he sees with his eyes.

I will say that the whole side plot with Elspeth's mother is pretty intense and shows a different side to these immortals that we don't see that much. We have seen this evidence in one other character. But nothing really since then. So I was really loving that Sands approached this topic. Seeing a mother control her children in such a way was hard to see of course, but Elspeth is old enough now that she is starting to fight back and yeah once big bad Lucien finds out, the mother definitely gets her just deserts for what she has done.

The love story between Wyatt and Elspeth was sad in some ways especially when we learn about the circumstances surrounding their first meeting.

Spoiler

Basically, they meet in London, go to a concert together, have good food and sex of course and just really connect. But when Elspeth returns home, her mother forces her to forget about her lifemate (which is considered a crime in their world) and Wyatt is left not knowing if something bad happened to Elspeth and searched for her ever since. 

And I really enjoyed seeing how these two rebuild their relationship and I adored the intimacy between them. It was so swoon worthy and Wyatt makes such a good match for Elspeth. He doesn't rush her before she is ready and is so understanding in her struggles with looking at lifemates which was changed by her mother. And we get some fun interactions with the side characters from previous books and definitely wouldn't mind re reading some books from this series because this book was simply so FUN to read and this author definitely delivers in giving a good time for the reader.

I will say that my least favorite character....even more than the actual villain in the story...is the mother. She is so horrible especially in how she controls her daughters, they might as well be robots because they literally have NO choices in their lives down to exactly what they wear and eat and sleep in. And their mother is one of the most powerful immortals, so it comes down to Elspeth having to take some action against herself to keep a clear mind to fight against her mothers control and it just breaks my heart seeing a mother so overcome with fear of losing her children, that that love they once had for their mother is slowly turning to hate in some ways. But I did appreciate that Sands approached this difficult topic since parental control over children happens even when you are an adult and you just rarely see this in romance and so I found this refreshing even if a bit difficult  to see it approached in such a way and proves to be very enlightening.

So overall I found Twice Bitten to be a fantastic book that I couldn't put down, full of dangers and intrigue and a sexy yet sweet love story that will leave you with a smile!!





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This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

I stumbled across this book in searching for a Highlander romance in the Audible Romance Package, and I grabbed it up because the blurb sounds so unique and different and even though I hadn't ever heard of this author before, I am always up for trying out a new author and I was hooked pretty quickly.

The story begins when Sibyl Blackthorne, is betrothed to a Scottish Laird that is rumored to be one of the most cruelest of them all...a man she has never met. But Sibyl has no choice in the matter, and so she attempts to make the best of it. While accompanying her bethrothed on a hunt with his men, she comes across a beautiful wolf trapped in a cage...a wolf that is very close to birthing pups. And learns that her bethrothed is planning on killed this animal cruelly including her pups, and Sibyl has to make a difficult choice. She sees the true character of her betrothed and so she takes quick action....releasing the wolf and shooting her bethrothed with her bow and arrow. She is then rescued by a black wolf and taken to a secret hideaway of caves and she discovered that these aren't normal wolves...they are known as "Wolvens" part human and part wolf. Sibyl knows that she has no choice but to stay in these caves, because her life is in danger but the longer she spends time with these Wolvens, the more she becomes attuned to them in friendship and feeling a part of their pack including her growing feelings for their leader....Raife.

What a story that this turned out to be and honestly I didn't expect to enjoy this as much as I did especially when listening to a new narrator and author. However I feel like this book is one of those undermined treasures that gets overlooked. The plot of the story was so fascinating and I was pretty addicted to their romance. The world-building of this story is so superb. It takes place when King Henry VII is in charge, and I found the historical elements really intriguing. There is something so much more fascinating in reading a historical/paranormal mix. Then we have elements of a evil Scottish Laird that is going behind King Henry's contract with the Wolvens to kill them. We see some build up in politics here especially in the clan politics and I found many dynamics that come into play here.

We also see the difference in the Wolven clan, seeing how well Raife treats his people. He is not only the strongest of them, but he is also the most level headed of them all. He sees the bigger picture and doesn't react out of rage. He knows how important the pact with King Henry is, especially since he knew how much his parents sacrificed for it to happen and he refuses to let their sacrifice be for nothing. 

Spoiler

Basically the "sacrifice" I am mentioning, is that Raife's mother was raped by the King and Raife was the result. His wolven father knew and raised him with love even knowing what his wife suffered. Because he knew how important peace was.

“King Henry wants lands an'titles, like all the English."
"What do Scots want?" she asked, glancing over her shoulder. Darrow was far more sure footed than she was.
"A good woman, a warm bed, and food in their bellies." He grinned at her and she couldn't help but laugh.”

The romance that builds between Raife and Sibyl was most interesting and one of my favorite tropes. It involves a slow burn romance, with a bit of forbidden love and enemies to lovers. Wolvens and humans don't like each other at all. And especially Raife's brother doesn't like her even though she has saved his mate twice (his mate is the wolf she saves in the beginning of the story) and also it isn't highly looked upon for the leader of the Wolvens to mate with a human. But Raife has had no interest in a mate until he meets Sybil. And yes this is most definitely a slow burn romance, which I loved seeing because we see their relationship become more through each chapter. But boy does their story mess with your emotions at times. Because they both really like each other and even come to "love" each other, but Raife keeps pushing her away because he isn't sure that he can have her due to his responsibilities. But basically Raife has to fight for Sibyl and his right to be with the one that he loves. I found I couldn't put their story down, and seeing them finally fight for each other, even if it is difficult at times for them both emotionally and seeing them finally find that love and claim it was purely satisfying.

“We are what we are. That's what Raife said and it was true. They simply were. Animals were animals, humans were humans and wulvers were... wulvers. They were all God's creatures.”

The narration of the story was simply superb....he is very new to me, I have seen his name around a bit among Highlander romance audiobooks such as Vonda Sinclair, Amy Jarecki, Susan King and Madeline Martin. He handled the Scottish Brogue so well and I loved his inflections...they seemed just right. So great job and I will be looking for more books that he has narrated because I was impressed.

I highly recommend this book especially if you are a member of the Audible Romance Package because its a treasure!!!





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This review was originally posted on Addicted To Romance

Sophie Jordan is one of those authors I just adore reading each and every time I grab her up and I have been working slowly on her backlist, and when I saw this book at my local library, I just knew that I needed to grab this one up. I was so intrigued by this one and I just couldn't wait to jump into it, and before I knew it I had read this book in just a couple of hours...CRAZY!! I just love that these backlisted books of Jordan I can get into so quickly, and become immersed.

Marguerite Laurent has been told by a seer that she has less than a year to live. That she will be killed in a tragic accident. And so Marguerite decides that she wants to really LIVE her life. Her first plan is to find a lover and she finds one, and right before she is ready to leave, her birth father wants to see her. He has had no interest in her life up until now, and she doesn't trust him at all. But she does want to meet her two sisters. And then she finds herself kidnapped, by her father's business partner who wants revenge against her father who cheated him and wants her to marry him.


Marguerite wonders if Ash is the man the seer spoke about...the man she would share passionate night with and  a marriage before she is killed. At first she doesn't know what to make of his kidnapping her. She is furious of course, but she understands his motives since she isn't endeared to her father who only wanted to use her to further his own gains. She is attracted to Ash, but fights the fact that she will be dead in less than a year but she agrees to marry him. Knowing he could be a great lover to her if his kisses mean anything.

I really liked this story, I won't say that I loved it....I found Marguerite to be a bit bi polar at times, I almost felt like I was receiving whip lash because she would say yes to Ash's proposal and then run away and she did this multiple of times and I never really understand her actions. Ash is your typical bad boy rake of Regency England but you know I LOVED his character. He was such a hoot....doesn't apologize for anything, hard worker, built up his empire practically out of nothing and you have to admire his tenacity.

The romance was sweet and sexy and I was cheering for these two from beginning to end. I just adored their chemistry which is powerful and so well written that you feel so immersed in the intensity. I wouldn't say the bedroom scenes are HOT but they are written in such a way that are beyond steamy, simply love the way that Sophie Jordan writes her historical's....simply pure smexy fun to delight in!!





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Jewel of Atlantis begins with Grayson James, a agent, a human who is looking for the Jewel of Dunamis, which legend has claimed is more powerful than anything and can provide the means to destroy any enemy, however there is one catch. Grayson must find the Jewel which is in Atlantis but what Grayson assumed is the the Jewel is a stone. When he is close to finding the Jewel, he starts to hear a voice in his head, a woman's voice that stirs up desire within him, even though he is suspicious and doubts that she is real, until he saves her from the Queen of Demons who has held her captive. But Grayson doesn't realize until later, that the Jewel of Dunamis is the same woman whom he has saved, and whom has assisted him in navigating his way through the dangers ridden throughout Atlantis. But throughout their journey, they start to find a passion in one another, and a willingness to fight for a future together, no matter the cost or the dangers that could destroy all that they have built in one another.

I read this book a couple of weeks ago, but I finally remembered that I forgotten to write the review for this book. From what I recall, Jewel of Atlantis is the second in the Atlantis series. Even though I haven't read this series in order, I have thoroughly enjoyed reading it so far. Jewel of Atlantis is unique, and we get to see appearances of The Dragon King Darius and his bride Grace who is also human. However throughout most of the book, we see a intense plot, where Grayson and Jewel are on the run from a variety of dangers throughout Atlantis. I also loved these two main characters as well. Jewel has been imprisoned because of her certain gifts, but knows that Grayson can save her, but as she helps guide him throughout the maze of Atlantis with all of its murky dangers, and find a love they never expected to find. This was a magical and satisfying adventure and passion, that takes you beneath the sea and into the mysteries of Atlantis.

This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Avon in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

How The Cowboy Was Won is the most recent installment in the Cupid Texas Series. I have really enjoyed these books, and although they aren't my favorite from this author, they are so quirky and fun and have that small town charm that Lori Wilde is fantastic with sharing.

I would love to say that this was a five star read, but unfortunately I didn't love it quite as much as I would have loved to. There were many things I enjoyed about this book, but I tended to lose focus and I just lost interest at times through the story. However this story did make me laugh and made me smile when I least expected it and SO swoony at times. Lori Wilde surely knows how to write some of the BEST kissing scenes.

This story is about childhood sweethearts. Our hero is a scientist, and a bit obsessed with telescopes and the stars. He tends to be a bit too focused on his work except when it comes to his best friend Ember. Ember and Ranger have been friends since they can remember, and Ember has always understood Ranger in ways that his family never has. She has always supported him in his career and dreams even if she doesn't understand most of what his work is about. But there is a secret....Ranger is in love with Ember and wants her more than just as a friend. When he returns home in seeking a position close to Cupid, his other reasoning is to pursue Ember in his own way.

And boy the way Ranger goes about courting is quite unique because he is afraid that Ember will say no if he comes right out and says it. So he brings his colleage over to evoke jealousy from Ember, wanting to make her see that she has feelings for him too and Ranger is punishing Ember because she keeps throwing women at him trying to "matchmake" him with the perfect woman,  when she is the woman he wants most and needs to show her that she wants him too.

I found this story to be quite hilarious at times, I swear these two keep going in circles and a bit "denial" at times. I did love seeing Ranger prove to Ember of what she truly feels and the curse of falling in love with your best friend because sometimes they know you better than you know yourself. Ranger knows "exactly" how to evoke responses from Ember and delights in proving to her what she means to him. And man their first kiss....was so swoony.  I had so much fun with this story at times because I loved the best friends turn into lovers trope. So endearing and likable.

How The Cowboy Was Won is a story that will charm you and give you those happy feels that this story evokes!!





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This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Pocket in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I will always be a fan of Sabrina Jeffries, her writing is fun and sexy and even though for me, its not what it used to be, I still get a kick out of her writing and this book was so entertaining. And even though it took a while to get into, once I did, I didn't want to put it down here.

This story was pretty wonderful, and brings together the most unlikely match. Our heroine is a famous actress, Monique and upon meeting Gregory, who doesn't like her very much, but he is drawn to her. Its been three years since Gregory has seen the enchanting actress that he hasn't forgotten, and while at a ball in London, he recognizes the Princess of Chanay, and he knows that its Monique. What he doesn't know is why an actress is posing as a princess and he means to get to the bottom of the truth especially with delicate politics involved. But as they spend more time together through a game of flirting and secrets, will their love be their downfall or their salvation....

What a story and I honestly couldn't get enough of the playful banter between the two. Monique has been working as an actress and doing everything she can to provide for her grandmother who is very sick. But then a man approaches her claiming that she is the Princess's cousin, and he needs her help. So she agrees to pose as the Princess while the real Princess is recovering from an illness and in return will be guaranteed security for herself and her grandmother. There are many factors involved in the story and I really loved the political intrigue that is introduced to the story. I did love seeing the romance develop and seeing Gregory and Monique fight for one another here. I think what I loved the most though was the intimacy between our couple and seeing them find their HEA against odds that are against them in full force.

What an intriguing and fun romance with a British Spy for a hero, a Princess for our heroine, a policitical plot with some suspense....shootings, romantic trysts in the garden and a love worth fighting for!!



 



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This review was originally posted on Addicted To RomanceI received this book for free from Sourcebooks Casablanca in exchange for an honest review. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.

I have recently become such a huge fan of this author, the first book just blew me away so I will admit that I was a bit nervous to see how book two would do in comparison and quite honestly I think I liked it even more than book one!! It had all the elements that I love seeing in a highlander romance. A sexy highland laird, a sweet but sassy healer for our heroine and a plot packed with intrigue and suspense and I honestly never knew what was going to happen next, this author just had me going on a roll here and I can't recommend this book enough especially if you are fans of medieval highlander romances.

The story sets off when our heroine is in danger. She is a healer for her clan, but when her father is murdered, and a new clan chief takes over, killing all the seasoned warriors, and trying to force her to his bed, she escapes with some help of her clan. But she is looking to help her clan get free of their newest cruel laird. But then she runs into someone even more dangerous but a man that can become her aid and save her clan.

Laird Lachlan MacKa, has vowed for vengeance ever since his brother and his wife was murdered, and has come to the MacPherson clan to kill their laid for justice for the crimes against his own. What he didn't expect was to see a boy running toward them just as they are about to swarm the keep and the "lad" is about to give away their position. So he captures the lad and takes him to a cavern to be kept away not realizing that this lad is actually a woman who has her own need for vengeance. 

But when the enemy escapes while overtaking the keep, both Lachlan and Amber join forces and soon realize that they have more in common than just a man that has harmed them both, but they discover a love they never expected. But their enemy is crafty and it will take Lachlan and Amber and all of Lachlan's adopted brothers and father to bring their enemy down and finally have the justice they have been waiting for.

This was one hell of a story and I honestly picked it up last night intending to only read "a few chapters" but turned out it kept me awake all NIGHT long because I just didn't want to put their story down. I had such a blast with these fun characters. And I loved getting to know more of the Gregor boys, and seeing the father more. We do see more of him in this story than in book one and I loved the relationship this family has with each other. And how well Amber fits among them. Amber was a hoot, she is a healer of course, but her father taught her how to fight and boy can she pack a punch. I love how cunning she can be and at the same time is full of kindness and compassion.

The romance was simply so sweet and sexy, with enough sass and humor that keeps you entertained all throughout the story. I was so endeared by this story because of the connection that Lachlan and Amber have to each other. And man the feels in this book was to die for.....from making me laugh to making me ball in tears. Yep....this author surely knows how to work my emotions when I least expect it to happen!!

Well worth the read...a romance full of adventure, a sexy setting of the highlands, with passion and zest to make you crave more of this author's work!! SPLENDID!!





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Lord of Winter, is a book part of a different series and I will say that the soft colors of the cover is what drew me into this story. This story was a bit different than what I have read perviously from this author. It definitely had a higher level of angst that I wasn’t expecting but I found myself fully enjoying this tale. It does take on some tougher topics but I was very impressed with seeing how Le Veque handled these issues that would be a really rough topic to place in a love story such as this one but like always…..I fell hard for this story and I became easily swept away in this story.

It takes place in the late 1100’s, where we are in the time of Richard the Lionheart. Our hero, Juston, is one of his most respected warriors and knights. But Juston over the years has become cold and hard. He once was in love, married with two little girls. But while fighting in France, they were murdered and Juston has never been the easy going and compassionate knight that he once was. He has turned cold and dark and only his honor and loyalty has kept his going over the years. His friends and men that serve him wonder if they will ever see the Juston they knew in the beginning.

At the beginning of the story, we see Juston and his knights along with his army, overtaking a castle. Juston fights the leader, and kills him and takes over Bowes Castle and all who are within including a lovely lady who makes him feel once again and his heart becomes alive upon meeting this woman that faces him head on and sets him straight. Emera is the sister to the chatelaine of the castle, but Emera is the real chatelaine. For two years she has had to dodge her brother in law’s sexual advances and has been miserable under his command. Now that he is dead, and a new lord has taken over, she has no problem giving her vow of loyalty. And even though Juston is cold on the surface, she senses great pain and grief, and as the truth comes to the surface, they start to connect and the intimacy grows between them.

I found myself totally immersed in this story and having a blast with this hero and heroine. I really do get a kick out of this theme and seeing such a anti hero become the good man he once was as he learns to overcome the pain of the past and embrace the happiness he can have in the present. Simply a provactive and emotionally in tuned story that keeps you on edge from beginning to end…..a romance that will knock your socks off!!